5.a 2 draft minutes of the 2-8-2018 Work Session
February 7, 2018
The City Council conducted a Work Session on the above date. Mayor Maefsky called the
meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following were present: Council members Bob Hegland, Steve
Kronmiller, and Mayor Christine Maefsky. Council member Jim Schneider arrived at 6:45 p.m.
Absent: Council member Chris Ness. Staff members present: City Administrator Neil Soltis,
Assistant City Attorney Patrick Sweeney, City Engineer Ryan Goodman and Deputy Clerk
Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Kronmiller, seconded by Hegland, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion
carried unanimously by those present.
CULVERT CLEANING FOR 2018 ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
City Engineer Goodman explained that preparation of the 2018 road project requires the
inspection of the existing culverts to determine whether or not they need replacement, but 70 of
the culverts could not be inspected because of sediment that was half to full within the culvert.
A map of the culvert locations was included in the meeting packet. To keep the road project
moving forward, Goodman solicited proposals for culvert cleaning. Due to the frozen material at
this time of year, higher costs were submitted over typical jet cleaning of culverts.
Goodman recommended the lowest bidder, American Environmental, LLC, be awarded the work
to jet clean the culverts at a cost of $18,988.00. Goodman explained that contracting for this
work outside of the project will remove uncertainty of culvert replacement from the bidding
process by including known repairs into the street bid. Administrator Soltis added that
proceeding with culvert cleaning before the bids go out eliminates any mark-up by the general
contractor to complete the work.
Hegland, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to accept the bid for culvert cleaning from
American Environmental, LLC in the amount of $18,988.00. The motion carried
unanimously by those present.
STATE BONDING REQUEST FOR GATEWAY TRAIL PRE-DESIGN
Mayor Maefsky explained that she and staff, along with John Herman, met with legislative
representatives to advocate for moving the Gateway Trail project forward. Herman drafted a
bill, edited by the Revisor, that is ready to be presented to the state legislature that would allow
for the immediate expiration of ag preserves when a state agency acquires a trail easement (as is
the case for the Gateway Trail connection into Scandia) and provides appropriation funding for
predesign and design of the Gateway Trail from William O’Brien State Park to downtown
Scandia.
Through donations, the City has an opportunity to engage lobbyist John Kaul to assist with the
bill’s passage. Kaul is a lobbyist for Washington County, which is agreeable to Kaul
representing Scandia as well. Kaul’s rate of $5,000 will be collected through donations to a
special fund for lobbying efforts.
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Hegland, seconded by Maefsky, moved to approve engaging John Kaul to lobby for the bill,
to approve John Kaul registering as a lobbying agent for Scandia, and to accept donations
for the cost of the lobbying effort. The motion carried unanimously by those present.
RIGHT-OF-WAY ORDINANCE DISCUSSION
Assistant City Attorney Sweeney presented a draft ordinance regulating the City’s right-of-way
property, including the placement of new wireless facilities. Last year, the state gave rights to
private parties to place small cell wireless facilities on public property with minimal regulation,
but allows cities to establish lease agreements governing the location and fees collected.
Sweeney explained that since the city has old right-of-way ordinances and policies in place that
do not include new cellular technologies, this draft is a comprehensive ordinance to allow the
city to regulate right-of-way projects and other disturbances such as excavating and obstructions.
Soltis noted language in the ordinance that allows for mapping data to be acquired from the
permitee that would be compatible with the city’s GIS mapping to assist with engineering future
road projects. He said this is an opportunity to consolidate right-of-way policies into one
ordinance, for potential adoption in March. Council was in consensus to merge the existing
policies with the small cell wireless ordinance and to include right-of-way patching and
restoration, for review at the next work session.
BOLDPLANNING SOFTWARE AND AGREEMENT WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY
Administrator Soltis explained that Washington County is launching a cloud-based system for
their Emergency Operations and Continuity of Operations Plans and making the software
available for use by all 31 communities in the County. The County has FEMA funding to pay
for the annual maintenance fee and an initial training session. Having resources up to date and in
one accessible location is a huge benefit and valuable tool during an emergency. There is no cost
to participate; however, the County is requiring a Joint Powers Agreement with those
participating cities and townships that utilize the software. Attorney Sweeney said that there are
some concerns with insurance language in the JPA, but these are the terms offered by the
County. The County asked for a response by February 9th, with approval of the JPA after the
County Board decision on February 27th.
Hegland, seconded by Schneider, moved to approve participation in Washington County’s
BoldPlanning software program for emergency planning. The motion carried 4-0.
DISCUSSION ON ROLE OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Council member Kronmiller introduced a discussion on the role of the Parks and Recreation
Committee and his observation that he would like to see more long-term planning for future park
development instead of the role of event planning that seems to be the priority of late.
Kronmiller noted that the lack of park capital funding is a downside to planning future parks and
trails. PRC Chair Terry Gorham was present to participate in the discussion, and agreed that
with a more stable membership now, they can focus on the committee’s primary role of long-
range planning and park development. However, he noted that organizing the recent Vinterfest
event did take time and effort, and the group is thinking of having other local groups and
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businesses sponsor the activities instead. If subcommittees are formed with members other than
the Committee members, the PRC bylaws require Council approval of the subcommittees.
Gorham explained that they have scheduled a work meeting later in the month to look at the
parks and trails plan, as a focus to future planning. Administrator Soltis said that park
development is hampered by the lack of funding collected by park fees, and potential funds are
identified in the 2018 budget and 2018-2022 CIP through the sale of a city-owned lot on Goose
Lake. Council member Schneider stated that there can be no planning with available funding
sources. Gorham asked about opportunities for neighborhood input before any decision is made
to sell the lot.
Council was in consensus to obtain an appraisal of the 2-acre lot for further discussion on the
sale of the property.
DISCUSSION ON ANIMAL CONTROL AND ANIMAL SHELTER AGREEMENTS
Administrator Soltis explained that Hillcrest Animal Shelter provided notice to end their
agreement for animal impound services effective the end of February. Animal Control Officer
Sherrill Reid is looking to end her service as well. Brittany Harmon of Companion Animal
Control submitted an agreement through her business and impound service with Otter Lake
Animal Care Center in Hugo, but her agreement calls for a $300/month retainer, call charges,
and mileage which dramatically add up to over $400 a call to pick up a stray dog.
Soltis explained options such as pursuing impound services with Northwoods Humane Society in
Wyoming, but they have not been receptive to repeated calls. As the average is one dog a
month, this low volume could be reasonable for them, to be transported by city staff. Soltis will
continue to contact this agency. The Scandia Veterinary Clinic was approached, but they
indicated that they do not have the room to hold stray dogs for any number of days. Council
member Schneider said he will contact the Stillwater Veterinary Clinic for any interest in
providing an impound facility.
DISCUSSION ON FEE ORDINANCE
At the January 3rd Work Session, Administrator Soltis presented a consolidated fee schedule for
all fees the city collects, including building, planning and zoning, licensing, and others that are
now spread out among various resolutions, ordinances and policies. Council continued its
discussion on the draft ordinance that compared building permit fees from neighboring
communities having flat fees for certain types of permits, such as roofing, windows, siding, etc.
Council member Kronmiller said that he was in favor of keeping the fees simple, covering the
cost of inspections, and to not gouge the residents.
Soltis recommended adjusting the escrow deposits of the planning and zoning fees upward to
more closely cover the actual costs of the reviews. The draft ordinance proposed public works
fees for equipment and labor, in the event of nuisance abatement or FEMA reimbursement.
Hegland, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to proceed with flat fee rates for some types of
building permits, for discussion and possible adoption at a future meeting. The motion
carried 4-0.
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DISCUSSION ON PARK DEDICATION FEES
In earlier discussions, Council directed staff to eliminate the flexibility in the subdivision
regulations ordinance that provides for the deferment of park dedication fees under certain
conditions. In preparation of the ordinance amendment, certain legal issues were questioned
such as charging park dedication fees for outlots, lots created from a subdivision that have
existing homes on them, and exemption of large lots (resulting lots are 20-acres and greater)
from the subdivision process. Legal counsel advised that collection of park fees must be roughly
proportional to the need created by the new subdivision or development.
Attorney Sweeney explained that fees for outlots cannot be collected upon unless developed in
the future, although the ordinance could be amended to charge fees for lots now exempt from the
subdivision process. Council directed staff to refine ordinance amendments for further
discussion with the Planning Commission.
PART-TIME ON-CALL SNOWPLOW OPERATOR
One application was received since posting the opening for a part-time on-call snowplow
operator last November. Staff interviewed Tony Angell and have found him to be well qualified
for the position.
Hegland, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve the hiring of Tony Angell as a Part-
Time On-Call Snowplow Operator at a rate of $17.34/hour. The motion carried 4-0.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE WORK SESSION AGENDAS
Frontier Internet and Cable Offerings -- Administrator Soltis said that he is meeting with Frontier
later in the week and will report on this at the next Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Hegland, seconded by Schneider, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk