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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-2026HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 12, 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 Czmowski, second by Burley, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 2. INVOCATION — A moment of silence was held in lieu of an invocation. (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 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Regular Meeting of April 28, 2026 (b) Council Workshop of April 28, 2026 Motion by May, 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 I (a) Affirmation of Board/Commission Appointments 1. Appointment of Julie Johansen to Library Board to April 2029 2. Appointment of Anna Buckley to Public Arts Commission to August 2027 3. Appointment of Alexis Ammerman Hogan to Public Arts Commission to August 2029 (b) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16030 — Resolution Amending Resolution No. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 12, 2026 15863 Establishing Income Guidelines and Asset Limitations for Senior Citizens 65 Years or Older, Disabled Citizens, Active Duty Military Reserves or National Guard Deferred Assessments and Senior Citizens Reduced Refuse Rate (c) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16033 — Safe Streets for All Grant Community Recipient Support for Center for Transportation Studies Application (d) Consideration for Approval of Issuing Caterer's License to A&P Company Inc. (e) Consideration for Approval of Crack Sealing and Mastic Work (f) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register A Motion by Czmowski, second by Burley, to approve Consent Agenda L Motion carried unanimously. 8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA II (a) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register B Motion by Burley, second by Sebesta, with Forcier abstaining, to approve Consent Agenda 11. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS — NONE MMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS purpose of this portion of the agenda is to provide the Council with in/brniation necessary to craft wise policy. ,des items like monthly or annual reports and coniniunications f on2 other entities.) 9. HUTCHINSON HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY YEAR END REPORT Judy Flemming, HRA Executive Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Flemming provided an overview of 2025 activities for the Hutchinson Housing & Redevelopment Authority. The overview included yearly comparisons on housing vacancy rates, median sale prices of homes, wages/incomes, and home resale data. Ms. Flemming reviewed 2025 accomplishments for Park Towers in the areas of property management, asset preservation, property improvements and energy conservation. Ms. Flemming also reviewed 2025 accomplishments for City Center operations including the Hutchinson Downtown Housing Rehabilitation Program and continuation of the City Home Improvement Program in 2026. Ms. Flemming reviewed the 2025 and 2026 priorities for Park Towers and City Center operations. Ms. Flemming noted that there is an accessibility grant available for disabled persons to update their homes for accessibility improvements. 10. WASTEWATER TREATMENT UPDATE AND UPCOMING CHAPTER 53 ORDINANCE REVISIONS Brandon Braithwaite, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Braithwaite explained that there are several upcoming treatment standards that will go into effect on June 1, 2026. Mr. Braithwaite discussed the MPCA industrial pretreatment delegation program and the City's six industries that are regulated under this program. Staff have met with these six industries 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 12, 2026 and have informed them of the upcoming changes to the treatment limits. Mr. Braithwaite explained the findings of an updated domestic strength wastewater study and how and why the findings require updates to Chapter 53: Sewers of the City Code. The ordinance revisions will be presented at one of the next City Council meetings. Many of these revisions are due in response to other governmental permitting regulations that the City must abide by. Mr. Braithwaite spoke of various projects being conducted related to legislative requirements. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 11. APPROVE/DENY RESOLUTION NO. 16029 — RESOLUTION DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED BY THE CITY Jeremy Carter, HUC General Manager, presented before the Council. Mr. Carter explained that the Hutchinson Utilities Commission is requesting that the Council approve Resolution No. 16029, declaring the intent to issue tax-exempt bonds in 2026 for reimbursement of capital expenditure costs. HUC is currently undertaking several critical infrastructure projects designed to ensure long-term regional and local energy reliability. Although HUC's long-term outlook for its cash position remains positive, the scale of these non -routine capital projects is forecasted to cause a short-term reduction in cash reserves. Specifically, cash levels are expected to temporarily dip below the thresholds established by the organization's financial reserve policy. The proposed resolution allows HUC to utilize its existing cash flow to maintain project momentum immediately. Upon the issuance of bonds in 2026, HUC will be reimbursed for a portion of these upfront costs, effectively replenishing the organization's cash balance and ensuring compliance with financial policies. HUC is and will continue to work closely with its financial advisors Ehlers & Associates. The current place holder is $5 million but will be modified as necessary during the official process of issuing bonds later in the year. Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to approve Resolution No. 16029. Motion carried unanimously. 12. APPROVE/DENY RESOLUTION NO. 16032 — RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR AIRPORT SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT SHED Mike Stifter, Public Works Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Stifter explained that two bids were received for the construction of an airport snow removal equipment shed. The low bidder is RAM General Contracting in the amount of $458,419. A grant was received for this project with the City having to pay 30% of the project. Award of this project is contingent on the State funding approval. Motion by May, second by Burley, to approve Resolution No. 16032. Motion carried unanimously. 13. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-875 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 31.20 OF THE CITY CODE PERTAINING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Marc Sebora, City Attorney, presented before the Council. Mr. Sebora explained that the City Code currently limits individuals serving on City boards and commissions to a maximum of two consecutive CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 12, 2026 terms. In recent years the City has experienced increasing difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified applicants for board and commission vacancies. The proposed ordinance amendment would eliminate the two -term limit and instead allow members to serve an unlimited number of terms, provided they are reappointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council at the expiration of each term. Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 26-875. Motion carried unanimously. 14. APPROVE/DENY SETTING COUNCIL WORKSHOP FOR JULY 14, 2026, AT 4:30 P.M. TO REVIEW 2025 FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORT Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to set Council Workshop for July 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. to review the 2025 financial audit report. Motion carried unanimously. GOVERNANCE (The purpose of this portion 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.) 15. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS MISCELLANEOUS 16. STAFF UPDATES Brandon Braithwaite — Mr. Braithwaite noted that the Edmonton Avenue project is underway. Other projects are scheduled to begin the first or second week in June. Mr. Braithwaite also noted that a study is being conducted on School Road at South Grade Road and Roberts Road. An open house is being held May 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Tiger Elementary for the community at large. A presentation will be held before the Council the end of July. Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich reminded listeners that the potholes on the stretch between Cash Wise and Target are on private property and are not the responsibility of the city. Mr. Jaunich also noted that candidate filing for City Council Member Seats 1 and 2 and the Mayor seat opens on May 19 and ends June 2. In addition, he is holding a session called "So You Want to be an Elected Official" on May 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for those who want to learn more about being an elected official. City offices will be closed on May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day and a budget workshop will be held prior to the next City Council meeting on May 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Jaunich lastly noted that vandalism is continuously occurring at Rotary Park which may lead to having the restrooms locked on a permanent basis. Marc Sebora — Mr. Sebora noted with the ordinance being considered on term limits, the HUC would also like the term limits removed for the HUC Board. The term limits for HUC are laid out in the City Charter so this will go before the Charter Commission and may come before the Council near the end of the year. 17. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Tim Burley — Council Member Burley commented on the Memorial Day program being held at Veterans Memorial Park on May 25, 2026. Paty May — Council Member May noted that last Wednesday "Bike and Walk to School Day" was held which was very successful. 11 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 12, 2026 ADJOURNMENT Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.