Loading...
10-08-2019 CCMHUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019 CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS (The City Council is provided background information fog° agenda iten2s in advance by city staff, committees and boards. Many decisions regarding agenda iten2s are based upon this information as well as: City policy and practices, inputfiron2 constituents, and other questions or information that has not yet been presented or discussed regarding an agenda iten2.) 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER — 5:30 P.M. Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Steve Cook, Chad Czmowski, Mary Christensen and Dave Sebesta. Others present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator and Marc Sebora, City Attorney. (a) Approve the Council agenda and any agenda additions and/or corrections Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, asked that Items 14 and 16 be removed from the agenda. Motion by Christensen, second by Czmowski, to approve the agenda with the removal of Items 14 and 16. Motion carried unanimously. 2. INVOCATION — Maranatha House of Prayer (The invocation is a voluntary expression of the private citizen, to andfor the City Council, and is not intended to affiliate the City Council with, or express the City Council's preferencefor, any religious/spiritual organization. The views or beliefs expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the Council or staff) 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. RECOGNITION OF GIFTS, DONATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE CITY Mayor Forcier recognized the police and fire departments on their search for an elderly male that fell into the Crow River last week. PUBLIC COMMENTS (This is an opportunity fog° members of the public to address the City Council. If the topic you would like to discuss is on the agenda, please ask the Mayor if he will be accepting public comments during the agenda item if not a public hearing. Ifyou have a question, concern or comment, please ask to be recognized by the mayor state your name and address for the record. Please keep comments under 5 minutes. Individuals wishing to speakfor more than five minutes should ask to be included on the agenda in advance of the meeting. All comments are appreciated, but please refrain fi on2 personal or derogatory attacks on individuals) 5. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Regular Meeting of September 24, 2019 Motion by Czmowski, second by Sebesta, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA (The iten2s listedfor consideration will be enacted by one motion unless the Mayor, a member of the City Council or a city staff member requests an item to be removed. Traditionally iten2s are not discussed) 7. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA I (a) Reappointment of Cheryl Dooley to Airport Commission to September 2024 (b) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 15102 — Resolution to Sell at Auction Surplus Property (John Deere Mower) CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 8, 2019 (c) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register A Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to approve Consent Agenda L Motion carried unanimously. 8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA II (a) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register B Motion by Czmowski, second by Cook, with Forcier abstaining, to approve Consent Agenda II. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 6:00 P.M. - NONE COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS (The purpose of this portion of the agenda is to provide the Council with information necessary to craft wise policy. Includes items like monthly or annual reports and coniniunications f on2 other entities.) 9. PRESENTATION OF 2019 NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich explained that earlier this year a survey went out to a percentage of residents in Hutchinson. The survey closed in July and Mr. Jaunich is providing a presentation on the results. Mr. Jaunich explained that the survey project was administered by a collaboration of the National Research Center and the International City/County Management Association. The survey assesses aspects of community life, local government service quality and resident participation in community activities. The survey captures residents' opinions and the results are based on resident perceptions. The survey measures Hutchinson's "livability", which means it is desirable and a place where people want to live. The eight facets of a livable community include safety, mobility, natural environment, built environment, economy, recreation & wellness, education & enrichment and community engagement. Within these eight facets are three pillars of community quality, which include community characteristics, governance and participation. 1700 surveys went out with 540 (32%) responding. Households were randomly selected and the survey had a margin of error of +/- 4%. Surveys were also distributed in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The survey looks at life in 2019 and compares it to the City's results in 2007, 2011 and 2015 and compares Hutchinson's results to a nationwide benchmark. In addition, 129 opt - in online surveys were received and those results are included in a separate report. Mr. Jaunich then reviewed the results specifically which were as follows: Overall, 84% rated the quality of life in Hutchinson as excellent or good. Within the Community Characteristics pillar, 90% rated the City as an excellent or good place to live; 77% had an excellent or good overall image of the community; 80% viewed their neighborhood as a good to excellent place to live; 84% viewed Hutchinson as a good to excellent place to raise children; 68% viewed Hutchinson as a good to excellent place to retire; and 89% viewed the overall appearance of Hutchinson as good to excellent. Within the Community Characteristics facet, Mr. Jaunich reviewed strengths, areas with the highest increases and other areas with a higher rating in 2019 compared to 2015 and areas for improvement. Within the Governance pillar, 78% of residents rated the overall quality of services provided by the City as excellent or good; 78% gave the City's customer service a positive rating; 52% gave a positive rating in regard to value of services for taxes paid; 59% of residents rated the overall direction of the City as excellent or good; 53% stated that the City was welcoming of citizen involvement; 55% stated they were confident in City government; 58% stated that the City was acting in the best interest of Hutchinson; 63% stated that the City was being honest; 58% stated that the City treats all residents fairly. Within the Governance facet, Mr. Jaunich reviewed strengths, areas with the highest increases and other areas with a higher rating in 2019 compared to 2015 and areas for improvement. Related to the Participation pillar, 61 % of residents rated the "Sense of Community in Hutchinson" as excellent or good; 87% would recommend Hutchinson as a place to live; 88% plan to remain in Hutchinson for the next five years; and only 40% 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 8, 2019 of the respondents have contacted a City employee within the last 12 months. Mr. Jaunich also reviewed the strengths, areas with the highest increases, other areas with a higher rating in 2019 compared to 2015 and areas for improvement in the aspect of Participation. Mr. Jaunich then reviewed special topics that were included in the survey. These were: 1.) How much would you support or oppose a voter approved renewal of the 1/z cent sales tax after it expires to make improvements to city -owned recreational facilities? 42% strongly supported this topic. 2.) How important, if at all, do you think it is that the City put additional funding toward street repair and maintenance? 48% felt this was very important. This question was then broken down into how much of a property tax increase would be supported or opposed if the revenue generated would be dedicated to fixing, repairing and upgrading city streets and its related infrastructure. The results included 34% strongly supporting a $250,000 increase, 30% somewhat supporting a $500,000 increase and 38% strongly opposing a $1 million increase. Mr. Jaunich reviewed the areas that rated higher than the national benchmark which included availability of paths and walking trails, ease of walking in town, ease of travel by bicycle in town, quality of street lighting, residents who work in town and residents who participate in religious/spiritual activities. The areas that rated lower than the national benchmark included availability of shopping opportunities, street repair services, residents stocking supplies for an emergency, residents using public transportation instead of driving and residents campaigning for an issue cause or candidate. Mr. Jaunich also reviewed upward trends and downward trends. Mr. Jaunich reviewed the four points to take away from the survey which include 1. Hutchinson continues to be a desirable place to live, with safety as a feature that contributes to quality of life; 2. Respondents identified safety and the economy as main focus areas (same as 2015); 3. Residents are generally pleased with mobility, but support improvements to city streets; and 4. Overall, ratings in Hutchinson for 2019 generally remained stable. Mr. Jaunich also explained that there is a new tool available to the City through a company called Polco. Polco provides an online platform for communities like Hutchinson to engage with residents by inviting them to join an online panel and answer quick turn -around questions. This tool would allow the city to post single questions or question sets and see results in real time. The panel or participants sign up and continue to offer feedback throughout the year. This tool would cost $2000/year. 10. REVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL LEAF VACUUM SERVICE John Olson, Public Works Manager, presented before the Council. Mr. Olson noted that this Fall begins the 1 Oth year of the city's residential leaf vacuum service. The service is scheduled to start on October 15, 2019 and continues for six weeks with the last service date being November 25, 2019. The vacuum service is conducted the day after a resident's garbage route with vacuum service occurring on Mondays following Friday garbage routes. Mr. Olson reminded residents to make neat windrows against the curb, keep parked vehicles out of the way during leaf vacuum season and to keep children and pets away from the leaf vacuums. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 11. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 19-806 - ORDINANCE REVISING CHAPTER 111 — PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich explained that he had received some feedback from other communities on their approach with food vendor licenses and he included that information in the Council packet. No changes have been made to either ordinance since the last Council meeting. Mayor Forcier commented that he feels the proposed Peddlers and Solicitors ordinance is fine as presented. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 8, 2019 Motion by Christensen, second by Forcier, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 19-806. Motion carried unanimously. 12. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 19-807 — ORDINANCE REVISING CHAPTER 123 — FOOD VENDORS Mr. Jaunich again stated that he has included some feedback he has received from other communities on how they handle food vendors. Mayor Forcier stated that feedback he has received is to eliminate the licensing requirement of the City for food vendors as long as the food vendor has a license from the State of Minnesota. Council Member Cook spoke of the benefits to having a food vendor licensing ordinance and he likened them somewhat to transient merchants. Council Member Czmowski expressed that he has received feedback that the city is losing food truck business because of the licensing requirement. The costs of the annual and temporary permits would be determined by the Council in a separate discussion. Chief Tom Gifferson provided his feedback on the necessity, or lack thereof, of background checks for food vendor license applicants. Motion by Cook, second by Forcier, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 19-807. Discussion was held regarding the necessity of background investigations. Czmowski, Christensen, and Sebesta expressed that they feel the proposed ordinance does not make getting a food vendor license any easier for applicants. Roll call vote was taken: Christensen — nay; Sebesta — nay; Cook — aye; Czmowski — nay; Forcier — aye. Motion failed 2 to 3. Council Member Czmowski suggested drafting an ordinance removing the requirement of the background investigation and bringing a new ordinance before the Council. The fee schedule will be considered with the second readings of these ordinances. NEW BUSINESS 13. APPROVE/DENY RESOLUTION NO. 15101 — RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF $5,860,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT AND REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2019A Andy Reid, Finance Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Reid explained that two components to this year's debt is related to street improvements and refinancing of 2009 water/sewer bonds. The debt of the roadway improvements is paid by property owner assessments and the City's debt tax levy. Mr. Reid introduced Nick Anhut of Ehlers and Associates. Mr. Anhut presented before the Council. The City's AA- bond rating was affirmed by Standard & Poor's Global Ratings. Mr. Anhut explained that six bids were received this morning with the low bid coming in from The Baker Group at an interest rate of 1.8%. Mr. Anhut explained that subsequent to the bid opening this morning, the issue size was decreased to $5,465,000 to account for reoffering premium and financing costs. Therefore a revised Resolution is before the Council for their consideration. 11 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 8, 2019 Council Member Cook asked if the Resolution needs to be adopted the same night as the bids are opened. Mr. Anhut explained that the market resets itself on a daily basis and therefore the low bidder is offering the bid today, which could be a different bid in the future. Motion by Czmowski, second by Sebesta, to approve Resolution No. 15 10 1. Motion carried unanimously. 15. APPROVE/DENY MNDOT LOCAL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND LOCAL PROJECT PARTNERSHIP GRANT AGREEMENTS — SOUTH GRADE ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS John Olson, Public Works Manager, presented before the Council. Mr. Olson explained that the City is being asked to approve a Local Roadway Improvement Program grant agreement and associated Resolution for funding ($600,000) allocated to the South Grade Road Corridor Improvements project. The previously approved Local Partnership Project grant agreement for this dedicated funding will most likely need to be amended or replaced to account for a discrepancy within the contractor's bid submittal that now has been reconciled by a project change order. Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to approve MnDOT local roadway improvement program and local project partnership grant agreements for South Grade Road corridor improvements. Motion carried unanimously. 17. APPROVE/DENY SETTING SPECIAL MEETING WITH MCLEOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON OCTOBER 29, 2019, AT 3:30 P.M. AT MCLEOD COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Matt Jaunich explained that the McLeod County Board of Commissioners has invited the City Council and all cities in the county to a meeting to discuss topics of interest. Motion by Czmowski, second by Cook, to approve setting special meeting with McLeod County Board of Commissioners on October 29, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. at McLeod County Fairgrounds. Motion carried unanimously. GOVERNANCE (The purpose of this portion of the agenda is to deal with organizational development issues, including policies, performances, and other matters that manage the logistics of the organization. May include monitoring reports, policy development and governance process items.) 18. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS a) Hutchinson Utilities Commission Minutes from August 28, 2019 b) Liquor Hutch Quarterly Report MISCELLANEOUS 19. STAFF UPDATES John Olson — Mr. Olson provided a project update on South Grade Road. The turn signals are en route CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 8, 2019 for the intersection of South Grade Road/Hwy 15 and next week patching/milling/overlaying is scheduled. Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich updated the council on the House Capital bonding visit held today related to the water basin project. 20. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Steve Cook — Council Member Cook asked about the cost of a speed trailer to be placed in various areas of the community. John Olson noted that the public works department does have one, however it does not do much in the way of data collection. Mr. Olson suggested renting a speed trailer that has better methods of data collection. Chief Gifferson stated that he has received a quote from a company of $6500-$7500 for a speed trailer that can collect speed readings and some traffic count information. Council Member Cook also spoke of "Artists on Main Street" — a grant project available to Hutchinson to help create events downtown. The grant application is due October 25, 2019. The Council was in agreement with the submittal of the grant application. It was suggested to have some education put out on the new mini -roundabout being put in on South Grade Road. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Mayor Matthew Jaunich City Administrator