5.a 2 Minutes of the 10-05-16 Work SessionOctober 5, 2016
The City Council held a Work Session on the above date. The following were present: Mayor
Randall Simonson, Council members Bob Hegland, Dan Lee, Chris Ness, and Jim Schneider.
Staff present: City Administrator Neil Soltis and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
Mayor Simonson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Ness, seconded by Hegland, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion
carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON DRAFT SHOOTING AND HUNTING ORDINANCE
The Council continued its discussion from last month on regulating discharge of firearms in
response to complaints the City received concerning duration and frequency of target shooting,
proximity to residences, and alcohol use while shooting. Administrator Soltis prepared a draft
ordinance in response to these concerns, with some language taken from the shooting ordinances
of nearby communities. The draft also referenced the city's noise ordinance and the state's fish
and game statute.
Mayor Simonson began by stating that he is not comfortable supporting an ordinance at this time
since the complaints deal with only a handful of properties and he does not see a need to penalize
the rest of the community. The Council members all stated a similar position that shooting
regulations are not needed at this time and that police have enforcement options in response to
unsafe shooting. Administrator Soltis noted the issues that the Deputy has in the difficulty of
citing violators.
Jerry Cusick, Washington County Sherriff s Department, stated that there are state laws in place
that address dangerous weapon discharge and trespass laws that regulate no shooting within 500
feet of an occupied building or livestock. He asked that the Council be cautious and tolerant
with this issue — Scandia is not Woodbury.
Tom Boesel said the City should not get to the point of "no hunting" since Scandia is still rural
and should keep the reputation of being able to hunt wildlife. Putting regulations in place can get
out of hand.
Rita Erickson, 21957 Pomroy Avenue, said she lives here to enjoy the peace and tranquility and
is in favor of some restrictions on distance from occupied buildings. She said the noise
ordinance addresses prohibitive noise. Jerry Cusick added that it seems the complaints were
noise related and noise statutes could address this.
Lee, seconded by Schneider, moved to take no action on a shooting and hunting ordinance.
The motion carried 5-0.
October 5, 2016
Scandia City Council
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DISCUSSION ON ESTABLISHING A ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAINTENANCE
POLICY
Administrator Soltis explained that Public Works mows the roadsides in June and September and
receives numerous requests to custom mow roadways, such as those residents who have prairie
plantings right up to the blacktop. Soltis recommended a policy that would clearly provide
guidelines on right-of-way maintenance. Karen Schik, on behalf of Friends of Scandia Parks and
Trails, was present to explain her request to adopt a roadside maintenance policy that would
protect wildlife species. Schick asked that the policy provide twice yearly mowing for safety but
also to maximize the habitat for nesting birds, pollinators and monarch butterflies.
Much discussion on limiting mowing width and adjusting calendar dates for mowing concluded
that mowing would begin early to mid-May at a width of 5 feet and again in September at a
width of 8 feet. Cutting height restrictions would not be defined as the equipment does not
adjust for this. A draft policy will be prepared for the November Council meeting.
REVIEW OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR APPLICATIONS
Administrator Soltis reported that six applications were received by the deadline for Public
Works Director, with three of the candidates having the background and supervisory experience
for the position. Council agreed to interview the top three as recommended.
A special meeting of the City Council will be held on October 17th at 6:30 p.m. to conduct
interviews with the three candidates.
DISCUSSION ON THE 2017 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS
Administrator Soltis led a review of the 2017 budget in preparation of finalizing the budget at the
December 20th Council meeting. The following items were covered:
• Administration — no revenue projection for Small Cities Assistance; insurance dividend
uncertain; allocate Administrator benefits as 80/20 admin/planning to match the wage
allocation; misc contractual line item includes $3,000 for website upgrades; 5% budget
increase
• City Council — adjust compensation per Ordinance 156
• Elections — no Federal election in 2017
• Planning and Building — revenue from building permits was increased; $56,000
expenditure for Comprehensive Planning consultant
• Police — 4% increase estimated from Sheriff's Department for police contract
• Community Center — 2% budget decrease
• Debt Service Fund — balance of 2007 Blacktop Fund transferred to Local Road
Improvement Fund; balance of 2010 Fire Rescue Truck Fund, which was paid off in
2016, transferred to 2015 Tanker Fund; and the balance in the 2011 Dump Truck
Equipment Certificate, which was paid off in 2016, transferred to Equipment
Replacement Fund.
• Capital Improvement Fund — $11,700 towards technology improvements to computer
systems; $55,000 towards Log House Landing boat ramp assuming $15,000 National
Park Service grant and $20,000 cost sharing with the Car -Mar Watershed; $200,000
improvements to 205th Street with $100,000 contribution from an undetermined source
October 5, 2016
Scandia City Council
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Park Capital Improvement Fund — cost of personal services for grounds maintenance and
supplies for the Wayne Erickson ball field will be budgeted to be paid from this subfund
instead of the General Fund Parks budget; improvements to Lilleskogen of $35,200 to be
funded 100% from donations
Administrator Soltis noted that any savings over the budgeted amounts will be transferred to the
Road Improvement Fund for street reconstruction projects.
Council member Lee stated that animal control should be expanded to include the pickup of cats,
as Animal Control Officer Sherrill Reid had offered to adjust her rates if the City allowed for
this. Lee will further investigate this with Reid and report back at a future meeting.
Council member Lee asked if codification costs should be included in next year's budget.
Administrator Soltis explained that indexing the City's ordinances is important, but
recommended it be put on hold until after the Comprehensive Plan update is approved.
The Council offered no changes to the presented budget, and will review budgets for the
remaining departments at the November Work Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Schneider, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk