5.a 2 Draft minues of the 6-6-18 Work Session
June 6, 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, Chris Ness, Jim Schneider and Mayor Christine Maefsky. Staff members present:
City Administrator Neil Soltis, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson
and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The following additions were made to the agenda:
#9) Planning Commission vacancy
#10) Window installation in City Administrator’s office
#11) Increased dock space at Tii Gavo subdivision
#12) Discussion of Watershed District appointment
Ness, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion
carried 5-0.
UPDATE TO FIRE CHIEF JOB DESCRIPTION
Administrator Soltis presented a revised job description to reflect the duties and responsibilities
of the Fire Chief position as approved last month for increased hours to allow for more
administrative duties to be completed. Soltis explained that the description breaks down the key
segments that correspond to the two separate rates of pay for administrative duties and EMS and
fire response. The position is non-exempt, with administrative allotment of 24 hours/week
within a 28-day work period. To eliminate overtime accrual, administrative hours would be
adjusted so as not to exceed a combined fire call/ administration total of 160 hours over the work
period.
Council discussed the position description and recommended the addition of grant writing, which
will be added to a responsibility within capital planning. Fire Chief Hinz said that the document
appears to cover everything as having the Chief trained to the highest level within the
department, and his priority with the expanded position will be organizing personnel files and
preparing for the upcoming ISO audit. Council asked that future reports provide performance
measures related to calls and that Hinz focus on long-range planning.
Council directed staff to add the updated job description to the June 19th consent agenda.
INTERNET FOCUS GROUP FEASIBILITY STUDY
Council member Kronmiller explained that the internet focus group has been working the past
few months to research improvements to Scandia’s internet service, described as an unserved
area within the metro. The Council reviewed a proposal to conduct a feasibility study from
Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) to provide fiber to the home for all homes and
businesses in Scandia. CTC has provided this service to many other communities in other
regions of the state. Kronmiller said the first step is to conduct a community-wide survey to
assess the level of interest, followed by a feasibility study which would identify the
implementation plans, costs and schedule. A rough estimate of $3.5 million to connect all areas
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of town was given by Kronmiller. The feasibility study would address a funding strategy as
well, such as build out costs provided by the city and a loan or lease back program. The focus
group requested the City authorize $10,000 to pay for the study or set aside $5,000 and authorize
the preparation and submission of a 1 to 1 matching grant to the Blandin Foundation. Kronmiller
said the grant deadline is June 15th, but another round of grant funds would be available in
September, and that the City would have a good shot at being awarded the funds. Blandin has
offered to publish the community survey in an electronic format, or it was suggested that staff
distribute a mailed survey to all residents this summer.
The Council directed staff to assist with application of the grant by the June 15th deadline, and to
study the budget implications with appropriation of up to $10,000 during budget discussions in
August. There was consensus to proceed with the community survey this summer based on a
sample which Kronmiller provided in the packet materials. Further discussion will be conducted
at the June 19th Council meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION ORDINANCE
At the last work session, staff was directed to prepare a draft ordinance to utilize an
administrative citation process for parking issues at Wind in the Pines as well as other code
enforcement issues related to ordinance compliance such as junked cars, exterior storage, noise,
dogs and other nuisances. Administrator Soltis presented a draft ordinance and explained that
the current enforcement via the court system can be lengthy process to obtain compliance and
this citation procedure could resolve the issues in a more timely, non-criminal manner.
Council asked that language regarding the process that includes providing a compliance deadline
before a citation is issued be added as the first step to gain compliance. The draft ordinance will
be revised with this addition and reviewed at the next work session.
BLISS ADDITION STORMWATER STUDY
Administrator Soltis reported that the Carnelian-Marine Watershed was not aware of a past
stormwater study for the Bliss development on Big Marine Lake. The City Engineer provided an
outline for the basis of such a study at an estimated cost of $30,000 to $40,000. Initial discussion
with the Watershed indicated that they would be willing to cost share and be involved with the
scope of the work for the joint study.
In discussion, it was recommended that short-term repairs to correct the runoff issues could be
made by correcting ditch drainage and culverts within the right-of-way, and a long-term solution
would be made through the engineer’s study.
Brad Bergo, whose home is affected by runoff from a recently developed property next to him,
was present to explain that corrections are being made but is unsure if the trenches and swales
will be adequate to fix the drainage problems. It was noted that an excessive amount of fill was
added to the property which raised the elevation beyond what was approved with the building
plan, and the city is working with the property owner on corrections.
Council concluded with authorization to work with the Watershed District to define the scope of
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a stormwater study for services to be done, to contract for maintenance of the existing ditches
and culverts in 2018, and to continue to address the issues around Bergo’s property.
GRADING AND LAND ALTERATION PERMITS
Administrator Soltis explained that language in the current development code exempts the
requirement for a grading permit for those projects which have been issued a building permit and
there is a minimal amount of land disturbance. Based on examples of past activity which have
resulted in adverse impacts by exempting this activity, Soltis recommended that the exemption
be amended so that a grading permit fee and escrow cover the cost for the city engineer to review
projects that have potential to impact adjacent areas and shoreland.
Council was in consensus to direct the Planning Commission to discuss amending the
development code related to grading and land alteration, and in particular the exemption
provided when applying for a building permit and possibly the size of the 50 cubic yard
exemption.
PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATE
Administrator Soltis explained that legal counsel reviewed the current personnel policy and
recommended the addition of whistleblower language along with wage disclosure text as
mandated by the state. A draft policy with implementation of this language in appropriate
sections was provided. Soltis described this as a minor technical cleanup. Council was in
consensus to add the policy to the June 19th consent agenda.
PLANNING COMMISSION VACANCY
Administrator Soltis reported that Planning Commissioner Tom Noyes has tendered his
resignation effective with the June 5th meeting because he is moving out of Scandia. Noyes was
appointed in 2016 with a term ending February 1, 2021. Soltis noted that three applicants were
interviewed in December for the prior Anderson vacancy. Council agreed to appoint Perry
Rynders to this vacant term. If Rynders is unable, Dustin Hegland will be asked to serve.
WINDOW FOR ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE
Public Works Director Hawkinson has acquired four quotes from area contractors for the
installation of a window in the administrator’s office, with a low quote of $3,850 received from
Valley View Builders. Staff noted that a budget amendment can be prepared for the next
meeting to fund the project from the Capital Improvement Fund budget.
Maefsky, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve the installation of a window in the
administrator’s office with Hawkinson accepting the lowest bid. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW DOCKS AT TII GAVO
Council member Ness reported that a homeowner in the Tii Gavo subdivision called him to
explain that they would like to expand the 19 community docks to 35, to allow each homesite
one slip. Administrator Soltis explained that the development agreement places a limit of 19
docks based on a utilization study that indicated that 19 lots with lakefront access could have
been developed. The 19-slip limit was also incorporated into the MnDNR permit for the
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excavation of the channel to the lake and in the Watershed District comments regarding the
channel excavation.
The Tii Gavo HOA cited a recent change in state law that allows cities to regulate use of lakes if
wholly in the city or by joint agreement with communities on the lake, in this case May
Township.
The development agreement would need to be amended through an application to the city, which
Soltis has provided to the proposer.
WATERSHED DISTRICT APPOINTMENT
Council member Kronmiller explained that a candidate will be applying to the County for a
Watershed District appointment and asked him to provide a letter of recommendation. Council
was in consensus that Kronmiller be allowed to do this as long as it does not appear that the City
Council is making the recommendation.
FUTURE WORK SESSIONS
The Council will not conduct a work session in July. Budget discussions will begin at the
August 1st work session.
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Hegland, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk