5.a)1) December 15, 2015 Regular Meeting MinutesDecember 15, 2015
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Simonson
called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call was taken.
The following council members were present: Council members Bob Hegland, Dan Lee, Chris
Ness, Jim Schneider and Mayor Randall Simonson. Staff present: City Administrator Neil
Soltis, City Engineer Ryan Goodman, City Attorney Andy Pratt, Police Deputy Brandon Yetter,
Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Dave Williams and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
PUBLIC FORUM
Dan Willius, Quentin Avenue, spoke on his concerns about the amended sign ordinance which
allows backlit signs in all districts, and what effect this would have on Scandia's rural character.
He was especially concerned about the Highway 95/97 intersection, although he said his
concerns were allayed after an explanation on the process from Administrator Soltis.
Karen Schik, 236th Street, said she was dismayed about the reasons behind changes to the sign
ordinance and the strip mall look that could happen along the roadways that take away from a
historic appearance. She said a lit sign at Manning/97 intersection would be very concerning, as
this is the gateway to Scandia and openness and dark skies should be retained. She said there are
references in the Comprehensive Plan which reinforce the dark skies goal for Scandia.
Christine Maefsky, 12521 Mayberry Trail, asked the Council to strongly reconsider their
decision to allow backlit signs. She said the Planning Commission was opposed to backlit signs,
but the Council passed this for the business community, but there are varied businesses in
Scandia that should be recognized. Maefsky went on to say her family has owned a dairy goat
farm business in Scandia for 43 years and this is against her interests. She stated that night skies
should be bright with stars rather than artificial light, and the Council should hold strong to the
Comp Plan vision and the citizens' regard for Scandia's unique rural character.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Ness, seconded by Lee, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following Consent Agenda was presented:
a) Minutes
1) November 17, 2015 Regular Meeting
2) December 2, 2015 Budget Hearing/Work Session
b) Treasurer's Report
Beginning Balance 11/01/2015
Receipts
Expenditure $720,708.22
Payroll 23,487.52
Adjustments: Safe box fee
Ending Balance 11/30/2015
$2,990,816.16
+ 38,389.96
744,195.74
35.00
$2,285,045.38
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c) Payment of Vouchers
d) Approve 2016 Tobacco License Renewals:
1) Big Marine Lake Liquor
2) Big Marine Lake Store
e) Approve 2016 Liquor License Renewals:
1) Big Marine Lake Liquor Store, Off -Sale
2) The Scandia Creamery, On-Sale/Sunday On -Sale Intoxicating
3) Meister's Bar & Grill, Combination On/Off-Sale and Sunday Intoxicating
4) Chiko's Enterprises dba Chiko's Bar and Grill, On-Sale/Sunday On -Sale
Intoxicating
f) 2016 Washington County Conservation District Contract for Wetland Conservation Act
and Zavoral Mine and Reclamation monitoring tasks
g) Special Event Permit, Cub Scouts Ice Fishing Contest, January 30, 2016
h) Temporary Liquor License, Meister's, Scanley Cup, January 29-30, 2016
i) Appointment of Responsible Authority for Data Practices (Resolution No. 12-15-I5-01)
j) Scanley Cup Fireworks Application
k) Contractor's Request for Payment No. 2 & Final— Lilleskogen Park Improvements
1) 2016 City Council Meeting Schedule
Ness, seconded by Lee, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion
carried 5-0.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Vinterfest Logo, 2016 Button Design and Additional Promotional Events
Parks Committee Chair Ryan Jinks presented two additional events approved for Vinterfest
promotions at their December 71h meeting — Youth Ice Fishing and Meisters Youth Hockey. In
addition, the official permanent Vinterfest logo and the winner of the button design contest were
selected. Mayor Simonson asked if there were any liability issues with the events being held on
the lakes, related to possible thin ice conditions. Attorney Pratt said that having Certificates of
Insurance from the sponsors which name the City as an additional insured protects the City,
along with its general liability insurance, but the Committee shouldn't hesitate to scale back
activities if weather conditions are warm.
Mayor Simonson asked if the Committee has any contingency plan in the event of warm
weather. Chair Jinks stated that the Committee will discuss this at their January 41h meeting and
will select a drop dead date to announce a cancellation of Vinterfest if warm weather conditions
persist.
Lee, seconded by Hegland, moved to approve the Vinterfest logo, the button design, and
the proposed events as recommended by the Parks Committee. The motion carried 5-0.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
Building Official Chuck Preisler's building activity report was received. Fourteen permits were
issued in November, at a valuation of $1,062,112.00.
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POLICE DEPARTMENT
Deputy Yetter reported on the past months' police activity. DUI arrests, an underage drinking
party and a felony level narcotics charge occurred. Yetter informed the Council that property
theft and vandalism reports have been down over the past few months.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Hinz provided the fire department's activity report. There were 22 calls in November,
7 fire related and 15 rescue calls. Hinz stated that he will push hard for new recruits this coming
year due to upcoming retirements in the department. The new fire tanker should be delivered
soon.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Goodman reported that the final costs to complete the Lilleskogen Parking Lot
project were $7,000 under the initial bid figure. Construction plans for the 2016 Street
Improvement Project are close to completion. Goodman provided a diagram showing that
improvements to Oldfield Avenue can be extended 3,000 feet south of 240th Street. This could
be further extended if bids come in favorably — it would take an additional $300,000 to extend
the project south to Oren Road.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Pratt is researching the Swenson's Goose Lake Farm Estates development
agreement which would allow a pollinator garden to be installed on Outlot A, which was
proposed at the November 171h Council meeting. Since the developer no longer has an
ownership interest in Outlot A, Pratt proposed that a termination agreement could be presented at
the January Council meeting, along with a letter of agreement for installation and maintenance of
the pollinator garden.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Director Williams reported that the department had one snowplowing event on
November 30th, and that he recently attended sewer school in Alexandria. Repairs to the hockey
rink are being completed in preparation for the winter season.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
City Administrator Soltis reported that LMCIT recently issued an $11,348 dividend to the City
as a result of excellent claims experience across its insured customers. Soltis explained that he
discovered a discrepancy from Xcel Energy regarding the streetlight billing rate, which will
result in a 30-50% reduction in charges, at an annual savings of approximately $1,000. Xcel will
refund at least the past three years of this discrepancy, estimated to be a $3,000 refund. Soltis is
also converting the Cintas service to the National Association of Counties' contract pricing, and
will be working with department heads to begin using this cooperative purchasing agreement for
purchases such as safety equipment, traffic control and other supplies at reduced costs.
Soltis reported that solar panel installation should begin at the Firehall/Public Works building in
the next few weeks. Soltis will be meeting with Midcontinent Communications and the
Wyldewood Acres HOA in January to discuss broadband expansion.
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ADOPTION OF 2016 BUDGET AND FINAL PROPERTY TAX LEVY AND 2016-2020
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (RESOLUTIONNO. 12-I5-I5-02)
Simonson, seconded by Ness, moved to adopt Resolution No. 12-15-15-02, Adopting 2016
Budget and Certifying Property Tax Levy Payable in 2016 and Adopting 2016 — 2020
Capital Improvement Program.
Administrator Soltis explained that the tax levy of $2,257,871 is a 1.82% increase over last year.
More funding will go towards road improvements in 2016, as recommended at the December 2
public hearing. The 2016-2020 CIP includes projects for the next 5 years, but Soltis advised that
it's the 2016 projects that are the focus, and the long-term projects are used as placeholders for
future financial planning. The 2016 Capital Project fund includes $40,000 for improvements to
Log House Landing, proposed to be a 50150 cost share with the Car -Mar Watershed, as
recommended by the Planning Commission.
Simonson called for a vote on the above motion. The motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENT WITH CARNELIAN-
MARINE-ST. CROIX WATERSHED DISTRICT FOR THE LOG HOUSE LANDING
PROJECT
At their December 9th meeting, the Car -Mar Watershed adopted a resolution to enter into a
written agreement with the City to 50150 cost share the Log House Landing Improvement
Project, which has a preliminary cost estimate of $33,587, not including engineering fees. The
National Park Service has committed $15,000, which will reduce the costs to be shared by the
Watershed and City.
Administrator Soltis stated that if these terms are acceptable to the Council, the next step will be
to propose a written agreement to the Watershed Board. Steve Kronmiller, former WD Board
member, noted that the resolution addressed that any project changes or cost overruns would be a
jointly agreed decision between the two parties.
Simonson, seconded by Ness, moved to authorize a written agreement be prepared based
on the terms of the Watershed Resolution. The motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON LANGUAGE IN ORDINANCE NO. 120 REGARDING THE
CONFINEMENT OF UNCLAIMED DOGS
Administrator Soltis explained that in reviewing the Hillcrest Animal Control agreement for
minor language changes, a discrepancy between the City's dog ordinance and the agreement was
found. Section 8 of the ordinance reads that an unclaimed dog shall be confined not less than 5
working days, whereas the animal control agreement provides for daily boarding up to 5 days.
Since it is not the intent to have a mandatory 5-day holding period, Soltis recommended the
ordinance be amended to read "confined for up to 5 days". Council was in consensus for staff to
prepare Ordinance No. 120 for an amendment to clarify the language, to be presented at the
January 19th Council meeting.
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DISCUSSION ON DNR PROPOSAL TO STOCK MUSKIE IN BIG MARINE LAKE
Council member Ness asked that the City prepare official comments on the DNR's proposal to
stock muskellunge in Big Marine Lake. The comment period ends December 31St, with a final
decision to be made by the DNR in February 2016. Ness stated that the DNR held a public
meeting in Scandia on December 7th, with many people in opposition. Ness recommended the
City oppose, or at least ask that a decision be postponed, due to the many concerns that were
brought up at the public meeting. These concerns addressed the increased risk of invasive
aquatic species being introduced to the lake, questions on the actual need for additional muskie
lakes in the metro since Forest Lake, Bald Eagle, White Bear and the St. Croix River are in close
vicinity, lack of a primary food source for muskie (whitefish, sucker and redhorse) and the
potential for sunfish and crappie populations to decline as they would be food source. Ness
stated that the timing on a decision appears to be too accelerated to allow sufficient time to
address the many concerns, and noted that North and South Center Lakes would be a better fit
using the DNR's criteria for stocking muskie.
Mayor Simonson agreed that this is being rushed into and questioned the DNR's urgency to
make a decision, and said that a letter should be sent to the DNR stating the City's opposition.
He said the County Board and legislators should be asked to support the City's position. Council
member Hegland agreed that there are too many risks to the health of the lake. Council member
Lee said that it's important the City take a strong stand against introducing muskies to the lake
due to the negative impacts.
Joe Reinhardt, 18804 Layton Avenue, stated that it is the consensus of his neighborhood to
oppose this muskie stocking. He said this was also proposed for Gull Lake, and due to strong
citizen opposition, the DNR has postponed a decision.
Virginia Johnson, 12988 182" d Street, noted that the Veterans Camp is against the DNR's
proposal, especially due to the potential decrease in panfish, which is a popular family fishing
activity from the Camp's docks. Ms. Johnson stated that it appears that Muskie Inc. made a large
contribution to the DNR, and now the DNR is catering to the donor association. She said she has
a lot of research on the negative effects muskies have on lake quality, and would hate to see Big
Marine Lake ruined.
Steve Kronmiller, 188th Street, said that Big Marine Lake has been consistently receiving good
water quality reports and introducing muskie is asking for trouble. He asked that the Council
advocate for keeping the lake as a crown jewel.
The Council was in consensus that Ness and Schneider work with Administrator Soltis to draft a
letter in opposition to the DNR's proposal and authorize Mayor Simonson to sign the letter.
CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH ECKBERG LAMMERS
The City's civil legal services contract with Eckberg Lammers expires at the end of 2015. They
have proposed a new 3-year agreement extending through 12/31/2018. Administrator Soltis
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noted that hourly and meeting rates will be increased, but will be offset by lowered paralegal
services and law -clerk research rates.
Simonson, seconded by Hegland, moved to approve the 3-year contract for civil legal
services with Eckberg Lammers as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
2016 LMCIT RENEWAL
Administrator Soltis introduced the terms for renewal of the City's liability and property
insurance coverage through the League of MN Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT). The City has
been consistent in not waiving the statutory monetary limit on tort liability since 2009.
Lee, seconded by Hegland, moved to renew insurance coverage with LMCIT for 2016, and
to not waive the tort liability limits. The motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Hegland, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk