10-08-2024HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024
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.
(a) Approve the Council agenda and any agenda additions and/or corrections
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, noted that Resolution No. 15781, Resolution Accepting Donation,
will be added as Item 4(b).
Motion by Burley, second by Sebesta, to approve agenda with the additional item noted. Motion
carried unanimously.
2. INVOCATION — CrossPoint Church
(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
(a) Resolution No. 15778 — Resolution Accepting $25,000.00 Donation from Citizens Bank & Trust
Co. for VMF Grandstand Project
(b) Resolution No. 15781 — Resolution Accepting $100,000.00 Donation from Hutchinson Huskies
for VMF Grandstand Project
Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve Resolution Nos. 15778 and 15781. Motion
carried unanimously.
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
Police Chief Tom Gifferson introduced the newest officer to join the police force, Brandon Lietzau.
Officer Lietzau introduced himself and provided information on his background.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
(a) Regular Meeting of September 24, 2024
Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve minutes as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES— October 8, 2024
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) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 15776 — Resolution for Traffic Control Devices
(b) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 15777 - Resolution Appointing Election Judges for
General Election
(c) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 15779 - Resolution Setting Interest Rate for the
2024 Adopted Assessment Rolls
(d) Consideration for Approval of the Federal Grant Policy for the City of Hutchinson
(e) Consideration for Approval of Issuing Tattoo License to Catherine Fasching Located at 225 Main
Street South
(f) Consideration for Approval of Issuing Massage License to Ping Li of Sunflower Therapy
Massage Located at 24 Main Street South
(g) Consideration for Approval of Library Carpet Replacement
(h) Consideration for Approval of Hutchinson Health Foundation's "Rockin' Around the Christmas
Tree" Event on December 5, 2024, in Library Square
(i) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register A
Item 7(g) was pulled for further discussion.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Burley, to approve Consent Agenda I with the exception of Item
7(g). Motion carried unanimously.
Item 7(g) had further discussion. Mayor Forcier noted that a few weeks ago it was mentioned
that there were some water problems that had occurred at the library. JJ Verhey, Facilities
Manager, noted that there was a problem this summer due to the spring rains however the
problem was located and has been addressed.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Burley, to approve Item 7(g). Motion carried unanimously.
8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA II
(a) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register B
Motion by May, second by Sebesta, with Forcier abstaining, to approve Consent Agenda II.
Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS — NONE
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES— October 8, 2024
COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS
(Thepurpose of thisportion of the agenda is to provide the Council with information necessary to craft wisepolicy.
Includes items like monthly or annual reports and coniniunications f on2 other entities.)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
9. APPROVE/DENY LIBRARY SQUARE FOUNTAIN REPAIR
Lynn Neumann, PRCE Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Neumann explained that a
vandalism incident occurred at the Library Square fountain this past May causing significant damage
to the fountain pump. The damage that was occurred was irreparable. After assessing the
considerable damage and repair costs, staff and the PRCE Advisory Board considered alternative
options for the fountain. One option was to replace the fountain with a plaza -style splash pad. After
much research and evaluation, the recommendation by staff and the board is to proceed with repairing
the existing fountain to restore it and ensure its safety. The repairs include a pump house for the
fountain, supplies, electric work and miscellaneous items which estimate a total cost of $60,000.
Staff is recommending that the repairs be paid from the Community Improvement Fund. To prevent
future incidents, staff is exploring additional security measures at the fountain including exploring the
cost of installation of permanent surveillance cameras around the fountain and within the park and
educating the public on the importance of staying out of the fountain and alerting law enforcement or
the PRCE Department if patrons are not complying with rules.
Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve Library Square fountain repair. Motion carried
unanimously.
10. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 24-850 — ORDINANCE RELATED
TO CANNABIS REGULATIONS
Marc Sebora, City Attorney, presented before the Council. Mr. Sebora explained that with the
legalizing of cannabis two years ago, it is anticipated that the State will begin issuing licenses for
various cannabis businesses in January 2025. The State has limited what cities can regulate with
regard to cannabis businesses, however have allowed cities to regulate the number of cannabis -related
retailers, the location where those businesses can operate and to a small degree the hours of
operation. Staff has prepared an ordinance for the Council to review so that the City is prepared
when a retailer decides to start operating in Hutchinson. The ordinance addresses the registration
process, the hours a business could operate, conducting compliance checks and the ability to suspend
a City cannabis registration for health or safety violations.
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, spoke about the proposed hours contained in the ordinance and
noted that the Sunday hours will need to be revised. The State does not allow cannabis sales before
10:00 a.m. on Sundays. The hours proposed in the ordinance mirror the sale of on -sale intoxicating
liquor in the city. Council members expressed that they feel perhaps the hours of sale should be the
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES— October 8, 2024
same as for the liquor store or off -sale liquor sales. The consensus of the Council is to change the
hours of operation/cannabis sales to the same as off -sale municipal liquor sales. There were no
suggested changes to the remaining portions of the ordinance
Motion by Burley, second by Forcier, to table first reading of Ordinance No. 24-850 to allow for
revisions to be made to the hours of operation. Motion carried unanimously.
11. APPROVE/DENY SETTING COUNCIL WORKSHOPS
(a) Budget Workshop (Enterprise Funds) for November 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
(b) Work Session on Draft Updated Downtown Plan for November 26, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to approve setting Council workshops for November 12
and November 26, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. 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.)
12. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS
a) Hutchinson Public Library Board Minutes from August 26, 2024
b) Liquor Hutch Quarterly Report
MISCELLANEOUS
13. STAFF UPDATES
Chief Gifferson — Chief Gifferson addressed blighted properties throughout the community. Chief
Gifferson noted that typically the approach by the police department is reactive as opposed to being
proactive, however an officer is assigned to nuisance/blight properties in response to reports. The police
department attempts to work with property owners to clean up their properties but if that is not
accomplished legal action can be taken by the City either as a criminal matter or a civil action. Chief
Gifferson also spoke of staffing issues the department has and lack of applicant pool which is a statewide
problem.
Mike Stifter — Mr. Stifter reminded residents that the leaf vacuum program began today and will last for
six weeks.
Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich reminded the Council of the next strategic planning session scheduled for
October 22, 2024, at 3:45 p.m. He also noted that a candidate forum for those running for city council
will be held at the City Center on October 23, 2024.
14. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE
Chad Czmowski — Council Member Czmowski noted that the last PRCE Board meeting was held at the
Episcopal Church and many improvements have been made by parks and recreation staff. He also
noted that the Park & Rec Department has been awarded a grant for Oddfellows Park to go
towards new playground equipment.
Tim Burley — Council Member Burley spoke about serving on the Library Board, and other boards,
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES— October 8, 2024
which allows council members the opportunity to learn of issues that they can then pass on to residents.
He also noted the historical war vehicle tour that was in town over the weekend and brought in many
visitors who enjoyed amenities of the city such as restaurants and shopping.
Dave Sebesta — Council Member Sebesta noted that the Meeker -McLeod Senior Expo was held today at
the McLeod County Fairgrounds which was well attended. He noted that scamming/fraud was a big
topic of discussion at the expo.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator