Loading...
5.a4 Draft minutes 8-7-19 Work Session August 7, 2019 The City Council conducted a Work Session on the above date beginning at 6:30 p.m. The following were present: Council members Chris Ness, Jerry Cusick, Steve Kronmiller, Patti Ray and Mayor Christine Maefsky. Staff members: Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson, and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Mayor Maefsky announced an addition of Agenda #2a.) Appointment of Zoning Administrator, and to move Agenda #14) Discussion of Taco Daze expenses to Agenda #2b. Motion by Ness, seconded by Ray, to approve the agenda as amended. Vote 5-0. Motion carried. APPOINTMENT OF AN INTERIM ZONING ADMINISTRATOR Mayor Maefsky explained that the City Attorney recommends the appointment of an Interim Zoning Administrator in the absence of a City Administrator. Motion by Maefsky, seconded by Ness, to appoint Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund as the Limited Interim Zoning Administrator, with the power and duty to enforce the Development Code pursuant to its Chapter 1, Section 2.1 and Section 3.2 (7-9). Unless sooner terminated by the City Council, the term of the Limited Interim Zoning Administrator shall terminate automatically, without further action by the City Council, on the earlier of the date that a new City Administrator begins work for the City or December 31, 2019. The motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION ON TACO DAZE EXPENSES Scandia-Marine Lions Club President Mike White and Lions member Judy Rydeen requested assistance with funding the costs of trash, port-a-potties and police deputies for this year’s Taco Daze community event being held on September 7th. Based on last year’s expenses for these services, White asked for up to $1,500 of assistance. White listed the many contributions the Lions have made to the city’s facilities and parks. Staff identified available funds in the Parks budget. Council member Ray said the Lions Club does many good things for Scandia and this is a small request to show the City’s appreciation. Motion by Ray, seconded by Kronmiller, to approve the request to reimburse the Lions Club for trash, portable toilets and the cost of two off-duty deputies for Taco Daze up to $1,500. The motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION ON SCANDIA FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION REQUEST FOR COST ANALYSIS Fire Chief Mike Hinz reported that the volunteer firefighter pension, administered by PERA, has a surplus. The state has recommended a review of the current $2,800/year of service benefit level. A cost analysis of $3,300, $3,400 and $3,500 benefit levels could be conducted at no cost. August 7, 2019 Scandia City Council Page 2 of 5 Motion by Kronmiller, seconded by Ray, to direct staff to submit the request for a cost analysis of the fire relief benefit level to the state. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION ON 21090 OLINDA TRAIL NORTH Mayor Maefsky addressed the CUP violations pertaining to the second rental unit at 21090 Olinda Trail. Legal counsel recommended a notice of violation be sent to the property owner with 30 days to correct the violation of a second rental unit. Motion by Ness, seconded by Maefsky, to approve the City Attorney’s course of action for violations at 21090 Olinda Trail. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION ON GREENSTEP CITIES SIGNS Mayor Maefsky explained that the GreenStep Cities organization will recognize Scandia’s Step 3 award with one highway sign, and an option to purchase additional signs at $52 each. GreenStep will present the award and signs at a future Council meeting. Motion by Maefsky, seconded by Ray, to order four GreenStep signs for placement at entry points on Olinda Trail and Highway 97. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION ON WAKES ON THE ST. CROIX RIVER Discussion on a letter of recommendation to the Lower St. Croix Management Committee continued from the July 16th meeting. Mayor Maefsky presented a draft letter to encourage the Commission to study the issues addressed by John Goodfellow on his presentation “Wakes on the St. Croix Scenic Riverway”. Council member Cusick, former County water patrol, countered the language contained in the letter and noted that rules exist within the Cooperative Management Plan of the Lower St. Croix Commission. Maefsky said she is only asking for a study because of the confusion of wake-related regulations. John Goodfellow explained that he is looking for support for public education of the rules and to inform the public that most of the river is minimal wake, and not for a change in regulations. He wants the Commission to come up with ideas for public awareness. Council member Cusick said the laws are there for slow speed zones with few reported violations; those problem boaters causing the rolling wakes are pursued. Cusick said it appears the study request is an avenue to put more restrictions on boaters. Discussion ended with a plan to have Maefsky, Cusick and Goodfellow work together on a letter with language agreeable to all. DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY CENTER NEEDS ANALYSIS Mayor Maefsky described the recommendation from the Community Center Task Force to pursue a needs assessment study for a potential update to the Center to maximize its use and effectiveness into the future. After the July 16th Council meeting, Maefsky distributed the 3 consultant proposals to Council members for their review. Maefsky prepared a draft resolution to authorize the study at a cost of up to $10,000, noting the potential economic benefits of a repurposed community center. Staff determined that there are August 7, 2019 Scandia City Council Page 3 of 5 sufficient funds in the 2019 budget for the expense. There was consensus to prepare the resolution for approval on the August 20th Consent Agenda. DISCUSSION ON INTERNET EXPANSION WITH SCANDIA INTERNET FOCUS GROUP Chris Frymire, member of the Internet Focus Group, presented the summary of findings for internet expansion with a recommendation that the City work with CTC for a fiber to the home solution to every property in Scandia. Members of the Focus Group were present to support and refute this approach. Those opposed to a partnership with CTC offered that the MidCo approach to expand a hybrid fiber / fixed wireless internet expansion is more realistic and reliable. Council member Ray supported the adoption of MidCo’s plan and said the 9:1 funding match and DEED grant potential is doable, with improved internet speeds to 192 homes in the first year, with more added each year. Council member Kronmiller supported option 3, to focus on working with CTC and hold off on this year’s DEED grant. He said the Council needs a better understanding of both proposals and is apprehensive about moving forward with MidCo when details of CTC’s expansion remain unknown. Mayor Maefsky recommended that the Council appoint a study group to gather more information on internet expansion. Kronmiller, seconded by Ness, moved to engage with CTC or other FTTH providers to develop a plan for providing fiber to the home for all Scandia properties. Voting yes: Kronmiller, Maefsky, Ness. Voting no: Cusick, Ray. The motion carried 3-2. Maefsky, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to appoint an Internet Study Committee to work with fiber to the home providers for improved internet speeds to all Scandia homes. A Council liaison will be appointed as a non-voting member. Motion carried 5-0. Advertising for the Internet Study Committee will be posted to the City’s website. HIRING PROCESS FOR OFFICE ASSISTANT / RECREATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR On July 29th, Office Assistant/Recreation Program Coordinator Judi Negus tendered her resignation effective August 8, 2019. Motion by Ness, seconded by Maefsky to accept Judi Negus’s resignation. Motion carried 5-0. Council reviewed an updated job description carried forward from the April 3rd Work Session. Motion by Ness, seconded by Cusick, to adopt the updated job description for Office Assistant/Recreation Program Coordinator. Motion carried 5-0. An advertisement for the part-time position was reviewed. Salary of $15.47-$16.10/hour based on the starting wage of the current pay scale, proposed at 21-28 hours a week. Applications accepted until August 23rd with interviews conducted by staff and the Personnel Committee (Cusick and Maefsky). Motion by Ness, seconded by Cusick, to authorize the hiring process for the Office Assistant/Recreation Program Coordinator. Motion carried 5-0. August 7, 2019 Scandia City Council Page 4 of 5 DISCUSSION ON SIGN ORDINANCE Mayor Maefsky noted the concerns about lighted signs behind the window glass at a business in the Village Center. The current sign ordinance exempts signs visible through windows from the regulations. Motion by Maefsky, seconded by Kronmiller, to direct the Planning Commission to study the sign ordinance for applicability issues, and to include its compatibility with the Architectural Guidelines. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT ON STORM DAMAGE CLEANUP OPERATIONS On July 28th an EF-1 tornado struck the northwest portion of Scandia in the Bone Lake area. Mayor Maefsky authorized the Public Works Department to assist the neighborhood with clean- up of downed trees. Public Works Director Hawkinson reported that the County Sentence to Serve crews and the County PW Department provided additional manpower and equipment to assist with the cleanup. Helke’s Tree Service continues to assist with tree debris removal this week. On behalf of the City, Mayor Maefsky will send letters of appreciation to all involved. DISCUSSION ON FALL NEWSLETTER ARTICLES At the September 17, 2019 Council meeting, a draft fall newsletter will be presented for mailing to all Scandia residents in early October. Council suggested articles on the tornado report, storyboards at Lilleskogen Park, update on the 201 sewer inspections, notices on laws prohibiting pushing snow onto public right-of-ways, Vinterfest and Vinterlights promotions, internet expansion, Community Center needs assessment, GreenStep City Step 3 award, and the cycling improvements at the Warming House. DISCUSSION ON USE OF FIREHALL FOR ELIM CHURCH COMMUNITY EVENT Fire Chief Hinz requested approval for use of the Firehall for a car washing community outreach event hosted by Elim Church. Hinz said he had no concerns of the Church’s use of the parking lot for a few hours on a future Saturday, and noted the benefits the Church provides the community. Motion by Maefsky, seconded by Ness, to approve Elim Church’s use of the Firehall parking lot for a community event. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION ON ISSUES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS There will be a Special Meeting on August 20, 2019 at 6:30pm for the purpose of selecting City Administrator candidates to interview. Clean-Up Day will be on the September 4th Work Session, along with budget discussions. TII GAVO/BIG MARINE LAKE DEVELOPMENT CLAIM -- MEETING WILL BE CLOSED UNDER MINN. STAT. § 13D.05, SUBD. 3(B) Mayor Maefsky announced that the developer and several residents at Tii Gavo have asserted a claim against the City, alleging that a court should review the City’s denial of an amendment to the conditional use permit. Legal counsel for the City is reviewing the claim. August 7, 2019 Scandia City Council Page 5 of 5 Motion by Maefsky, seconded by Kronmiller, to close the meeting under Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(b), to preserve attorney-client privilege when discussing pending or threatened litigation. Motion carried 5-0. The Council meeting went into closed session at 8:40 p.m. The decision taken during the closed meeting was to consent to selection of counsel recommended by the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Maefsky, seconded by Ness, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund Deputy Clerk