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Home My WebLink About03-10-2026HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026 CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS (The City Council is provided background information for 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 Tim Burley, Pat May, and Dave Sebesta. Member absent was Chad Czmowski. Also present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator and Marc Sebora, City Attorney (a) Approve the Council agenda and any agenda additions and/or corrections Motion by May, second by Burley, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 2. INVOCATION — The River 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 PUBLIC COMMENTS (This is an opportunityfin, 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. If you have a question, concern or comment, please ask to be recognized by the mayor —state your name and addressfor the record. Please keep comments under° 5 n2inutes. 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 refi°ain fi°on2 personal or derogatory attacks on individuals) 5. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL Catherine Kable, 700 Hwy 7 East, presented before the Council. Ms. Kable asked who is in charge of Veterans Park as she was wondering where some specific pavers are. Lynn Neumann, PRCE Director, who was in attendance, noted that Dave Skoog coordinates the monuments in the park, however her department has a listing of all the pavers and where they are located and she can initially assist Ms. Kable. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Regular Meeting of February 24, 2026 (b) Summary of City Administrator Performance Review of February 24, 2026 Motion by Burley, second by Sebesta, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA (The iten2s listed fog° consideration will be enacted by one motion unless the Mayor, a member of the City Council or a city staff nieniber requests an item to be removed. Traditionally iten2s are not discussed) 7. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (a) Affirmation of Appointing Betsy Czmowski to Library Board to April 2028 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 10, 2026 (b) Consideration for Approval to Accept Proposal from Larson Engineering to Conduct Preliminary Design Work for Potential Outdoor Basketball Courts at JC Women's Park (c) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16004 - Resolution Appointing Election Judges for Special Election Being Held April 14, 2026 (d) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16005 — Resolution Disposing of Surplus Wastewater Department Property (e) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16006 — Resolution Supporting the Pursuit of a Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant for Funding of the Otter and Campbell Lakes Accessible Recreational Opportunities Project (f) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments Motion by Sebesta, second by May, to approve consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 5:30 P.M. 8. APPROVE/DENY ISSUING ON -SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE TO HUTCHINSON DIVERSIFIED PARTNERS LLC (FLANK'S GRILL AND BAR) Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, explained that Hutchinson Diversified Partners LLC is the new owner of the restaurant known as Flank's Grill and Bar. Because of the new ownership, a new liquor license is required along with a public hearing. Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to close public hearing at 5:38 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by May, second by Burley, to approve issuing on -sale intoxicating and Sunday liquor license to Hutchinson Diversified Partners LLC. Motion carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS (The purpose of this portion 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.) 9. POLICE DEPARTMENT YEAR END REPORT Tom Gifferson, Police Chief, presented the police department's year-end report. Chief Gifferson reviewed 2025 information pertaining to staffing numbers, crimes, patrol, statistics, training, investigations, Southwest Metro Drug Task Force officer, school resource officer, child protection officer, SWAT, records, code enforcement, Axon body cameras/fleet, and Citizens Police Academy. He also reviewed significant sergeant/officer retirements that occurred, accomplishments and 2026 goals. Chief Gifferson spoke more about the Citizens Police Academy as well as cannabis use related to driving. Chief Gifferson also spoke about concerns he has regarding fentanyl use. Chief Gifferson noted that the force has two bilingual officers to aid with translation services, however there is also a professional service that can be contracted as needed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 10, 2026 NEW BUSINESS 10. APPROVE/DENY MARKET AREA FOR 2026 WAGE STUDY Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, noted that it has been quite some time since the Council has updated the market area it uses to assist in wage analyses. Staff has put together a proposed market area for the upcoming 2026 study. The 16 cities on the list are comparable in size (population) of Hutchinson, overall have similar types of services delivered and are where the City's talent pool exists. Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to approve market area for 2026 wage study. Motion carried unanimously. 11. APPROVE/DENY DONATION OF LAND REQUEST FROM MERRILL WENDLANDT Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, explained that staff has been approached by Merrill Wendlandt regarding a parcel of land he is looking to donate to the City. The parcel is along Adams Street in the southeast portion of the city. Mr. Jaunich noted that the City owns three parcels of land just to the north of the land that is being offered for a donation. The City maintains these three lots as green space but have no immediate future needs with the lots. Staff does not see a need for the donation offer by Mr. Wendlandt and feel that it would simply add to the green space that is already maintained. Council Member Burley expressed although he is very appreciate of the donation offer, he would rather that this parcel be acquired by a private entity and not put more maintenance costs onto the City and staff. Motion by Burley, second by May, to deny land request donation from Merrill Wendlandt. Motion carried unanimously. 12. APPROVE/DENY RESCHEDULING APRIL 14, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, noted that due to the special election being held on April 14, 2026, no public meetings may be held between 6:00-8:00 p.m. Motion by May, second by Forcier, to reschedule April 14, 2026, City Council meeting to 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, pei forniances, and other matters that uJanage the logistics of the organization. May include monitoring reports, policy development and governance process items.) 13. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS �a) City of Hutchinson Financial Report and Investment Report for December 2025 b) Parks, Recreation, Community Education Board Minutes from February 9, 2026 MISCELLANEOUS 14. STAFF UPDATES CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Mach 10, 2026 Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich that staff has been working on scheduling a joint meeting with the McLeod County board and a date has been proposed for March 31, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. He asked that the Council formally set that meeting date and time. He also noted that on April 7, 2026 a McLeod County economic development forum is being held at the McLeod County Government Center. Lastly he noted that the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference is being held June 24-26 2026, in Rochester. If Council Members would like to attend either of these events he asked that they let him know. Motion by May, second by Burley, set joint meeting with McLeod County Board for March 31, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the City Center. Motion carried unanimously. 15. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Pat May — Council Member May noted that the Public Arts Commission is looking to fill board vacancies and he asked that those who may be interested in serving to complete a board interest form and submit itto City administration. Gary Forcier — Mayor Forcier reminded citizens to report any suspicious/fraudulent activities to the police department. Mayor Forcier reminded the public to change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. He also asked all dog owners to pick up their dogs' waste, especially when in public areas. Mayor Forcier noted that Jeremy Crosby has shown interest in serving on the HUC Board and the HUC Board is in favor of appointing him. Mr. Crosby's appointment will be on the next City Council agenda. ADJOURNMENT Motion by May, second by Burley, to adjourn at 6:20 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Mayor Matthew Jaunich City Administrator 11