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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-2026HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 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, Chad Czmowski and Dave Sebesta. 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 Burley, second by Sebesta, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 2. INVOCATION — Bethlehem United Methodist 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. 16007 — Resolution Accepting $500 Donation from Hutchinson Huskies to Hutchinson Police Department for Assistance During State Baseball Tournament Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve Resolutions No. 16007. Motion carried unanimously. (b) Resolution No. 16008 — Resolution Accepting $500 Donation from Hutchinson Huskies to Hutchinson Fire Department for Assistance During State Baseball Tournament Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to approve Resolutions No. 16008. Motion carried unanimously. (c) Resolution No. 16009 — Resolution Accepting $6200 Donation from VFW Post 906 for New American Flags and Flagpoles on Main Street Motion by Burley, second by Czmowski, to approve Resolutions No. 16009. Motion carried unanimously. 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 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Regular Meeting of March 10, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 24, 2026 Motion by Czmowski, second by May, 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) Consideration for Approval of Consulting Services for 2026 Compensation Study (b) Consideration for Approval of Issuing Massage License to Mandy Thode of Haven Massage and Wellness Located at 35 Main Street North (c) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16010 — Resolution Adopting Findings of Fact and Reasons for Approval of a Final Plat for North Maple Apartments with Favorable Planning Commission Recommendation (d) Consideration for Approval of Items for Sewer Lining Project (Letting No. 5, Project No. 26-05) 1. Resolution No. 16015 — Resolution Ordering Preparation of Report on Improvement 2. Resolution No. 16016 — Resolution Receiving Report and Calling Hearing on Improvement (e) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16017 — 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) Affirmation of Board/Commission Appointments/Reappointments 1. Appointment of Jeremy Crosby to Hutchinson Utilities Commission to December 2030 2. Reappointment of Priscillia Rauch to Senior Advisory Board to January 2029 (g) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to approve consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 5:30 P.M. 8. ASSESSMENT HEARING AND PROJECT AWARD FOR EDMONTON AVENUE SE (LETTING NO. 1, PROJECT NO. 26-01) �a) Approve/Deny Resolution No. 16011 - Resolution Adopting Assessment b) Approve/Deny Resolution No. 16012 - Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract Brandon Braithwaite, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Braithwaite reviewed the Edmonton Avenue project which includes a full depth reclamation of the street including partial curb and gutter replacement, restoration and appurtenances. The project is expected to have a full road closure during construction. Seven bids were received for this project with the low bid coming in from Wm. Mueller & Sons in the amount of $742,840.15. Candace Stowell, 365 Ottawa Avenue, presented before the Council. Ms. Stowell stated she has an irrigation system going out to the curb and she asked if she needed to flag the irrigation system and, if 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Mach 24, 2026 so, if it had to be done by a certain date. Mr. Braithwaite explained that preconstruction work will be conducted in April including Gopher One locates and staff will work with property owners on any systems near the project. Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to close public hearing at 5:43 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Burley, second by Sebesta, to approve Resolution Nos. 16011 and 16012. Motion carried unanimously. 9. ASSESSMENT HEARING AND PROJECT AWARD FOR 2026 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (LETTING NO. 2, PROJECT NO. 26-02) �a) Approve/Deny Resolution No. 16013 - Resolution Adopting Assessment b) Approve/Deny Resolution No. 16014 - Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract Brandon Braithwaite, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Braithwaite reviewed the 2026 street improvement projects which include Boulder Street/Boulder Court, Larson Street and a group of streets in the Sherwood Street/Elks Drive/Orchard Avenue area. Mr. Braithwaite spoke about temporary road closures during specific events, mailbox locations, water supply, etc. The project includes a full depth reclamation of the streets including partial curb and gutter replacement, spot utility repairs, spot ash tree removal and replacement, new pavement and restoration. Seven bids were received for this project with the low bid coming in from Wm. Mueller & Sons in the amount of $2,129,534.35. Funding for the project includes bonding, assessments, and stormwater/water/wastewater funds. Those interested in connecting their sump pumps to the edge drains should contact engineering staff. Mr. Braithwaite noted that the water Imes are being replaced in this project due to the age of the system. Candace Stoll, 365 Ottawa Avenue SE, presented before the Council. Ms. Stoll asked the length of Time for the project, as well as the Edmonton Avenue project. Mr. Braithwaite noted that the Edmonton Avenue project is scheduled to begin in May with the street improvement projects scheduled to begin after school gets out in early June. Both projects are scheduled to be completed in August. The contractor will determine the exact project start dates on each project. Eugene Baasen, 82 Orchard Avenue SE, asked if the assessment rates are set or if they will change. It was noted that the rates are confirmed at what has been sent out to the property owners. Marsha Volkenant, 1116 Randall Road, presented before the Council. Ms. Volkenant has concerns on her assessment costs. She also noted concerns about drainage on the side of her street. Mr. Baithwaite explained the north side of the street will have a pipe installed for drainage. Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, explained the assessment payment options. Lisa Rund, 1229 Bradford Street, questioned why the assessments can't be incorporated into property taxes. Matt Jaunich explained the assessment policy the City Council has adopted whereby 25% of improvement projects are assessed to the direct benefiting property owners with the remaining 75% covered by the overall taxpayers. Additionally, when bonding is used for improvement projects, a portion of the project must be paid by special assessments. Cindy Remus, 110 Orchard Avenue, noted that she holds a large family gathering in mid -August and asked what would be done if the project isn't completed by then or parking isn't available. Mr. Braithwaite explained that city staff will be at the project daily and will be in communication with residents about progress. In addition, the streets typically will be open on weekends if no work is being completed by the contractor. Eileen Wittman, 1086 Bradford Street, asked if the project will be occurring from May -September and if so what about access during those months. Mr. Braithwaite clarified that access to driveways will be closed while the reclamation is being completed, which could be approximately one week or so during the project timeline, weather -dependent. The majority of the time driveways will be accessible. Curb and gutter areas will also be 90% accessible during the project. Mr. Braithwaite noted that staff will be CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 24, 2026 working with the city's arborist on tree replacements Jennifer Lingbeek, 1105 Bradford Street, presented before the Council. Ms. Lingbeek asked about garbage cart locations and pick up. Mr. Braithwaite noted that the contractor will establish and coordinate garbage cart coiiection. Ms. Lingbeek also noted that her property has had water pressure issues since the water main was fixed. Mr. Braithwaite noted that this can be evaluated with the project. Ms. Lingbeek also asked about contact information for the sump pump connection to the edge drains which Mr. Braithwaite addressed. Eugene Baasen spoke about his gutters that go underground to a pop-up valve. Mr. Braithwaite noted that this should not be an issue, but city staff will work with him and his property on this. Betty Brandt, 1259 Bradford Street SE, noted that Nuvera recently installed infrastructure near her property and asked what would happen if the lines get cut. Mr. Braithwaite noted that the city will work with Nuvera on proper markings for protection. Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to close public hearing at 6:17 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Burley, second by Sebesta, to approve Resolution Nos. 16013 and 16014. 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.) 10. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY YEAR END REPORT Miles Seppelt, EDA Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Seppelt provided an overview of the 2025 EDA year end report. Mr. Seppelt reviewed the EDA's mission, vision, values, and emphasis on manufacturing. Mr. Seppelt reviewed large projects for0 the year which include The Landing - a $20 million multi -housing project currently under construction in the downtown area. Another large project for the year was Hotel Jorgensen which is a key downtown redevelopment project. Hotel Jorgensen is scheduled to be demolished in April and will be reconstructed within the next few years. The EDA is also working on other projects such as a downtown event space on 1st Avenue SE next to Library Square, downtown public parkingg wayfinding, revitalizing the Hutchinson Downtown Association, and launching a new community application, "Much -in -Hutch". Other areas of emphasis for the EDA include childcare business development, industrial development business retention & expansion, enterprise center incubator, workforce development, and marketing. Overall challenges include workforce shortage, childcare shortage and housing shortage. Mr. Seppelt also reviewed the EDA's 2026 work plan and goals. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 11. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-873 - AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE EASEMENTS LOCATED NEAR 1011, 1021, AND 1081 GOLF COURSE ROAD NW Dan Jochum, Planning Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Jochum explained that the request is to vacate small portions of drainage and utility easements so that homes that are being proposed to be built don't encroach into the drainage and utility easement. Staff has reviewed each of these easements 11 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 24, 2026 and believe these small portions can be vacated and the easements will still serve their intended purposes without affecting drainage or utility installations. Motion by Czmowski, second by Burley, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 26-873. Motion carried unanimously. 12. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-874 - AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED NEAR 240 4TH AVENUE NE Dan Jochum, Planning Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Jochum explained that the applicant is requesting to vacate the right-of-way area that is part of High Street from the North Half of Hutchinson plat from 1879. This right-of-way does not have a street constructed on it and it appears there never was one going back to 1937. There was a former railroad track that went through this area but obviously the Luce Line has been vacated. There are some electrical utilities that are on the western side of this right-of-way that the City would like to preserve through an easement. Staff is working with the applicant's surveyor to develop the easement language. Motion by May, second by Burley, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 26-874. Motion carried unanimously. 13. APPROVE/DENY SETTING COUNCIL WORKSHOP ON APRIL 28, 2026, TO DISCUSS CITY'S SALES TAX Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, noted that staff would like to hold a workshop with the Council to discuss the City's sales tax and future plans when the tax expires in 2027. Motion by Burley, second by May, to set Council workshop for April 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. to discuss City's sales tax. Motion carried unanimously. GOVERNANCE (Thepurpose of thisportion of the agenda is to deal with organizational development issues, includingpolicies, pei forniances, and other matters that manage the logistics of the organization. May include monitoring reports, policy development and governance process items.) 14. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS �a) City of Hutchinson Financial Report and Investment Report for February 2026 b) Planning Commission Minutes from February 17, 2026 MISCELLANEOUS 15. STAFF UPDATES Mike Stifter — Mr. Stifter noted that some residents have received a mailing from a private company offering to provide an insurance policy for their service line. He noted that the company and offer is legitimate but that the City has a program for this type of service as well. Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich reminded the Council of some upcoming meetings/events: Joint meeting with McLeod County Board at the Hutchinson City Center on March 31, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.; McLeod County CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Mach 24, 2026 economic forum on April 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at McLeod County Government Center; sergeant labor union negotiations on April 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the City Center. 16. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Dave Sebesta — Council Member Sebesta provided communication from the Mid -Minnesota Development Commission regarding transportation and funding issues Pat May — Council Member May provided an update from the last Bicycle/Pedestrian Committee. He noted that the committee discussed potential signage regarding e-bikes (i.e. speed limits, warnings, etc.) The overall discussion concluded that education is good but enforcement is an issue. Mayor Forcier suggested perhaps a "bike rodeo' could be held on proper education of the use of e-bikes. Lynn Neumann, PRCE Director, noted that the Rotary Foundation and the Jaycees put on programs in the past that the City partnered with. She noted that there is some education going on at the high school about e-bikes and that signage on Main Street has been updated clarifying that e-bikes are not allowed on the sidewalks in the downtown area. In addition, May is National Bike Month so more information will be coming out then with other social media posts. Mayor Forcier again suggested putting on a "bike rodeo' to address educational pieces. It was noted that perhaps an e-bike permitting initiative could be put in place. ADJOURNMENT Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Mayor Matthew Jaunich City Administrator