Loading...
06.a1 Draft minutes 01 16 2024 Meeting January 16, 2024 A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date in the Council Chambers. The meeting was conducted in-person and over an electronic platform. All participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and contribute to discussions. Mayor Christine Maefsky called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken. The following were in attendance: Council members Heather Benson, Jerry Cusick, Steve Kronmiller, Mike Lubke and Mayor Christine Maefsky. Staff present: City Administrator Kyle Morell, City Attorney Eric Larson, City Planner TJ Hofer, Engineer Isiah Bubany, Deputy Kevin Booth, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Charles Fischer, and City Clerk Brenda Eklund. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Benson, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT Deputy Kevin Booth reported that December had 84 incidents which were responded to, mostly typical incidents. In January, dumping of debris in three different areas of the city were investigated which resulted in the culprit being issued a citation. A volunteer cleaned up the debris. Booth stated that he will be trained this spring to teach DARE to 6th graders at Scandia Elementary school, and is planning for a school event “Kickball with the Cops” with other deputies this spring. PUBLIC FORUM John Maloney, Olinda Trail, asked where the easement runs from Goose Lake to Oren Road. Maloney said he tried walking it, but there are trees down and the walking conditions are terrible. Maloney asked if the City will mark and maintain the easement if it’s part of the park system. Council member Cusick said this is an easement and not a maintained trail at this time, nor has it ever been. Mayor Maefsky suggested he bring this topic to the Parks Committee which can then bring this issue to Council. Susan Rodsjo, Scandia Heritage Alliance, joined the meeting on Zoom and reported that the SHA has won a $25,000 grant for landscaping through America in Bloom. Council member Benson volunteered to be the City’s liaison for a study this summer that includes the overall beautification of the city. Scandia Good Neighbor Proclamation Mayor Maefsky presented a Scandia Good Neighbor Proclamation to Anne Myre, who was nominated for organizing a successful food drive in the Bliss neighborhood in December, and for all the many ways she builds up the community. CONSENT AGENDA The following Consent Agenda was presented: Scandia City Council January 16, 2024 Page 2 of 7 a) Minutes 1) December 19, 2023 Regular Meeting 2) January 3, 2024 Work Session 3) January 8, 2024 Special Meeting b) Treasurer’s Report c) Payment of Vouchers d) Resolution No. 01-16-24-01 Designating Depositories of City Funds for 2023 e) Resolution No. 01-16-24-02 Ratifying Surety and Blanket Bonds f) Approve Temporary Off-Premise Sales Liquor License for Vinterfest (January 26-27, 2024), Meister’s Bar & Grill g) Approve Temporary On-Sale Liquor License, Scandia Fire & Rescue Relief Association (February 24, 2024) h) Resolution No. 01-16-24-03 Appoint Election Judges for Presidential Nomination Primary Election (March 5, 2024) i) Approve Waiver of Fireworks Permit Fee for Vinterfest (January 27, 2024) j) Approve an Amendment to The Minnesotan Cup Special Event Permit (January 26-27, 2024) k) Approve Resolution No. 01-16-24-04 Amending Employee Pay Rates for 2024 Kronmiller, second by Cusick, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING On-Sale-Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for The Ozark Tavern, 21050 Ozark Avenue North On December 29, 2023, an application for a new On-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License was received in the Clerk’s office. John Stahnke, Jr. is purchasing the business located at 21050 Ozark Avenue, currently operating as The Grillium. The new owner proposes to operate The Ozark Tavern as a bar and restaurant with an opening date of February 1, 2024. The City’s liquor ordinance requires the Council hold a public hearing on the application. Staff recommended approval. Mayor Maefsky opened the hearing at 7:16 p.m. Mr. Stahnke introduced himself, saying this is his retirement venture and he is looking forward to opening his new business in Scandia. There were no further comments and Mayor Maefsky closed the hearing. Cusick, second by Lubke. moved to approve a new On-Sale/Sunday On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License to John Stahnke, Jr. to operate The Ozark Tavern at 21050 Ozark Avenue. Motion carried 5-0. PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE The PRC minutes from January were in the packet. The Committee is preparing Vinterfest activities being held on January 26th-27th. Scandia City Council January 16, 2024 Page 3 of 7 PLANNING COMMISSION The Planning Commission did not meet in January. The next meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2024. SCANDIA INTERNET ACTION COMMITTEE The Internet Action Committee did not meet in December. TOURISM COMMITTEE The Tourism Committee did not meet in December. BUILDING OFFICIAL The December building activity report was in the meeting packet. In December, 19 building permits were issued at a valuation of $417,029. In 2023, a total of 250 permits were issued at a valuation of $10,461,830.14. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief Hinz reported on the Fire Department’s December activity. Last month the department responded to 22 calls; 6 fire, 16 medicals, and 0 dive calls. In 2023, a total of 313 calls were logged. Hinz said he will present a detailed year-end review at the February Council meeting. Dive Gear Purchase Fire Chief Hinz explained that the Scandia dive team members have been using old dive equipment donated from other departments. The team requested funds from Washington County Emergency Management and was recently awarded a $10,000 allocation for new equipment. Hinz said he is asking for approval to accept the funds and to adjust the 2024 budget for this cost. The funds will be reimbursed to the department after the purchase. Benson, second by Kronmiller, moved to approve the purchase of diving gear at a cost of $10,144 and to approve a budget adjustment to line-item account #101-42200-240. Motion carried 5-0. CITY PLANNER Comprehensive Plan Amendment regarding Density Planner Hofer presented draft language to update the comprehensive plan and the future land use map, including revisions to reference the new zoning districts that were adopted with the Unified Development Code. The needed revisions were first identified in June 2023. The future land use map reflected the comments from Council that moved the western edge of the Village Neighborhood district further to the east. Staff highlighted pages 26-27 that states the zoning ordinance allows for 75% bonus density for multi-unit developments if providing value through land and natural resource protection or life- cycle housing, an example given being the Oakhill Cottages. Hofer explained that the UDC does not allow this flexibility in the Village Neighborhood District, and would appreciate Council feedback regarding these allowances in order to be consistent with the UDC. Scandia City Council January 16, 2024 Page 4 of 7 Council member Kronmiller said he would like to keep the flexibility of the Comp Plan and to see amendments to the UDC. Planner Hofer said that increased density would then be allowed through use of life cycle housing. Hofer said there is not a definition for life-cycle housing yet, but would be provided when amending the UDC. Planner Hofer said that an amendment to the UDC will be prepared that keeps the zoning districts to which this would be applied as general, then narrow the list down in discussions for preparing the amendment for adoption. Council member Kronmiller said the Comp Plan amendment looks good as presented. Planner Hofer said the next step will be to distribute the edits to adjacent and affected jurisdictions as required by the Met Council. Benson, second by Kronmiller, moved to send the 2040 Comprehensive Plan edits to adjacent and affected jurisdictions. Motion carried 5-0. CITY ENGINEER Bolton & Menk Engineer Isiah Bubany attended in place of City Engineer Ryan Goodman, who provided a monthly report in the meeting packet. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Director Fischer reported on department activities. Flooding and colder temperatures allowed the ice rink to open at 4pm today. CITY ATTORNEY Chapter 32 – Administrative Citation City Attorney Larson brought forward from the December 19th meeting the changes to Scandia’s Administrative Code Chapter 32, Administrative Citations and Civil Penalties. Based on Council feedback, the Hearing Officer process has been kept in place for any person contesting or objecting to code violations. Larson said the Code has been streamlined to make the Hearing Officer accessible, and the Code process easier to read and follow. Attorney Larson suggested several ways to establish a panel of Hearing Officers, including soliciting current attorneys or going through a formal Request for Proposals process. Larson recommended maintaining a list of 3 individuals to be on the panel. City Administrator Morell stated that staff can post a notice on the website, including a questionnaire for those who express interest. Council member Benson said she can think of several community members who could qualify as Hearing Officers. Council member Kronmiller asked how will it be determined to take either a civil or criminal route for a citation. Administrator Morell said it has to do with life threatening concerns, and can be at the Administrator’s discretion. One could start with a civil process and then progress to criminal if needed. Council member Benson said civil enforcement may work faster. Scandia City Council January 16, 2024 Page 5 of 7 CITY ADMINISTRATOR City Administrator Morell reported on Washington County’s Long-Range Transportation Planning. They are inviting other agencies to participate to provide initial input. Morell will be the staff representative and Council member Steve Kronmiller volunteered to attend the meeting on February 7th. A bioretention basin for stormwater management will be installed in the city’s easement at 196th Street as part of the 2024 Street Improvement Project, with a cost sharing agreement with the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District presented at a future Council meeting. SCANDIA HERITAGE ALLIANCE – HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM Susan Rodsjo, Scandia Heritage Alliance, joined on Zoom and explained that the SHA is looking to apply for a grant through the Heritage Partnership Program to help fund interpretive displays along the wetland trail. Rodsjo said she is approaching the city for interest in co-applying for this partnership grant. The preapplication deadline is January 26th. No local match is required. Council member Benson said she has concerns of agreeing to partner on a number of grants; even if city funds are not required, the city is contributing staff time. Rodsjo said she will do the majority of grant writing and would only look for staff to do proofing of the application. Administrator Morell said he can handle it with Rodsjo’s majority of the work. Benson, second by Kronmiller, moved to authorize an application for a Heritage Partnership Grant. Motion carried 5-0. SCANDIA HERITAGE ALLIANCE – LOBBYING FUNDING REQUEST Susan Rodsjo, Scandia Heritage Alliance, joined on Zoom and explained that the SHA has an agreement for lobbying services to support the progress of the LCCMR grant. Because the wetland trail will be on city property, Rodsjo requested the city consider assistance in paying the lobbying firm. City Administrator Morell clarified that the city is paying a lobbying firm to help with its Bliss Wastewater Project, funded from the 401 General Fund CIP. Council member Benson said that last month, the Council agreed to pay $600 for wetland soil borings for a future boardwalk at the site. Benson said the city is contributing to this project, but she is unsure about paying for a lobbyist at this point. Council member Kronmiller said there are concerns the project costs are growing and the requests keep coming. Kronmiller said these piecemeal requests are not sitting well with people. Kronmiller said this was intended as using the land with a 99-year lease, and that’s all. Rodsjo said the requests are for items that are connecting to the Community Center, and the SHA is not asking for anything on the Water Tower Barn property. Mayor Maefsky said the project grows as it is moving forward. Scandia City Council January 16, 2024 Page 6 of 7 Council member Kronmiller asked this request be brought back to the work session with something more specific with concrete terms as to what this lobbying fund would mean. DESIGNATE THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR 2024 In December, staff solicited proposals from the Country Messenger and the Forest Lake Times to serve as the city’s official newspaper for 2024. Staff provided the bids in the staff report. Kronmiller, second by Lubke, moved to appoint the Country Messenger as the official newspaper for 2024. Motion carried 5-0. APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS Staff summarized the expiring terms on the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee in the staff report. Kronmiller, second by Benson, moved to re-appoint Dustin Hegland to the Parks and Recreation Committee to serve a four-year term expiring on February 28, 2028; re-appoint Greg Zauner to the Parks and Recreation Committee to serve a five-year term expiring on February 28, 2029; re-appoint Laszlo Fodor to the Planning Commission to serve a five- year term expiring on January 31, 2029. Motion carried 5-0. Council committee assignments were discussed. 2024 Council Liaison Capital Investment Committee Mike Lubke Internet Action Committee Steve Kronmiller Parks and Recreation Committee Heather Benson Planning Commission Steve Kronmiller Tourism Committee Christine Maefsky Wastewater Advisory Committee Jerry Cusick Kronmiller, second by Benson, moved to approve the 2024 Council Liaisons as discussed. Motion carried 5-0. APPOINT ACTING MAYOR FOR 2024 Benson, second by Maefsky, moved to appoint Council Member Jerry Cusick as Acting Mayor for 2024. Motion carried 5-0. CLOSED SESSION At 8:08 p.m. the City Council went into Closed Session pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §13D.05, subdivision 3 (a), to evaluate the performance of the City Administrator. Scandia City Council January 16, 2024 Page 7 of 7 Benson, second by Kronmiller, moved to close the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Benson, second by Kronmiller, moved to open the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. OPEN SESSION Maefsky, second by Kronmiller, moved to approve a 3.5% pay rate increase to City Administrator Kyle Morell retroactive to January 1, 2024. Motion carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Cusick, second by Lubke, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund City Clerk