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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-2026HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026 CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS (The City Council is provided background information for agenda items in advance by city staff, committees and boards. Many decisions regarding agenda items are based upon this information as well as: City policy and practices, input from constituents, and other questions or information that has not yet been presented or discussed regarding an agenda item.) 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 Sebesta, 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 and for the City Council, and is not intended to affiliate the City Council with, or express the City Council's preference for, any religious/spiritual organization. The views or beliefs expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the Council or staf� fj 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. RECOGNITION OF GIFTS, DONATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE CITY Council Member Burley thanked all involved with the Memorial Day Service. Lynn Neumann, PRCE Director, recognized the Hutchinson Chamber Leadership Institute volunteer groups who made improvements at Millers Woods, AFS Park and Harrington -Merrill House. In addition, on May 201 the Institute completed a volunteer project with other organizations and business owners completing landscaping/clean-up work around the police department and at McLeod Veterans Memorial Park. PUBLIC COMMENTS (This is an opportunity for 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 address for the record. Please keep comments under S minutes. Individuals wishing to speak for more than five minutes should ask to be included on the agenda in advance of the meeting. All comments are appreciated, but please refrain from personal or derogatory attacks on individuals) 5. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL Robert Pease, 1065 Dale Street, asked about the data center that is projected to be coming to town. Mr. Pease raised concerns with the environmental impact and the costs associated with it. He asked about environmental studies that could be shared. Mayor Forcier encouraged Mr. Pease to speak with the HUC General Manager on the impacts from the utilities side of things. Dennis Brandenburg, 735 Grove Street SW, voiced concerns with increases in electric use and has concerns that users will be charged more because of the projected data center. Mr. Jaunich directed Mr. Brandenberg to contact the Hutchinson Utilities Commission. Kristy Zeipelt, 467 Glen Street NW, has concerns that the data center will cause illnesses and be a detriment to the health of community members. Ms. Zeipelt stated that she is scared for herself and the community and asked that the contract not move forward. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 26, 2 02 6 Jeremy Lee, 426 Huron Street, raised concerns about water usage and drought concerns as well as power strains and utility costs associated with the projected data center. Sidney Sutter, 312 Connecticut Street, noted concerns about pollution related to the proposed data center, both audible and EMS builds. She also questioned what it does to wildlife and questioned how pollutants are removed from the data center system. Alexandria Burkstrand, 415 Hassan Street, asked if the data center is a done deal. Mr. Jaunich explained that the conditional use permit and site plan were approved but a building permit has not been submitted. Ms. Burkstrand asked about such things as tax impacts, environmental studies and energy rates. General discussion was held about communication to the public. Brittany Eckstein, 1095 Texas Avenue, raised concerns about data centers throughout other states and what they are doing to the water. Ms. Eckstein raised concerns about future issues in Hutchinson due to this proposed data center. Ms. Eckstein asked why Hutchinson needs a data center. It was noted by the Council that all individuals can contact Matt Jaunich at the City of Hutchinson or Jeremy Carter at HUC with questions regarding this matter. Mr. Jaunich noted that the process to approve the conditional use permit for the data center began more than a year ago. All legal notice requirements were met and public hearings were held. Jim Pease, 1065 Dale Street SW, asked if notifications were sent to the community. Mr. Jaunich explained that notifications were sent as required by law. Mr. Pease raised environmental concerns with the proposed data center. Dan Jochum, Planning Director, explained the legal notification requirements. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Regular Meeting of May 12, 2026 Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA (The items listed for 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 items are not discussed) 7. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA I (a) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16034 — Resolution Adopting Findings of Fact and Reasons for Approval of a Variance Application to Reduce the Rear Yard Setback Located at 246 10'h Avenue NE With Favorable Planning Commission Recommendation (b) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16035 — Resolution Adopting Findings of Fact and Reasons for Approval of Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for a Transportation Company Located at 130 Michigan Street NE With Favorable Planning Commission Recommendation (c) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16036 — Resolution Amending 2026 Position Classification Table 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 26, 2 02 6 (d) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16037 — Resolution Rejecting Bid on Hutchinson Area Transportation Services (HATS) Roof Replacement (e) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16038 - Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Cured in Place Pipe Lining (Letting No. 5, Project No. 26-05) (f) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16039 — Resolution of Support by the City of Hutchinson Planning Commission and Hutchinson City Council for the Development of a Scooter's Coffee Shop Located at 15 Yd Avenue NW Including Right-in/Right-Out Access Onto Minnesota State Highway 7 (g) Reappointment of Mary Christensen to Library Board to April 2029 (h) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register A Motion by Czmowski, second by Sebesta, to approve Consent Agenda I. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA II (a) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register B Motion by Czmowski, second by Burley, with Forcier abstaining, to approve Consent Agenda H. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 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 communications from other entities.) UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9. APPROVE/DENY SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-875 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 31.20 OF THE CITY CODE PERTAINING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, noted that no changes have been made to this ordinance since the first reading was held at the last meeting. This proposed ordinance eliminates term limits for board/commission seats. Motion by May, second by Burley, to approve second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 26- 875. Burley — aye; Sebesta — nay; May — aye; Czmowski — aye; Forcier — aye. Motion carried 4 to 1. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 26, 2 02 6 NEW BUSINESS 10. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-876 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 130.27 OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO PROHIBITED PUBLIC CONDUCT AND PROPERTY CONDITION NUISANCES Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich explained that this proposed ordinance is a follow-up to loitering type issues and concerns that were occurring last year. This ordinance prohibits sleeping and/or laying on a sidewalk with some exceptions. Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 26-876. 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.) 11. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS a) Planning Commission Minutes from March 17, 2026 b) Hutchinson Housing & Rehabilitation Board Minutes from April 21, 2026 c) Hutchinson Library Board Minutes from April 27, 2026 d) City of Hutchinson Financial Report and Investment Report for April 2026 MISCELLANEOUS 12. STAFF UPDATES Mike Stifter — Mr. Stifter noted that a water leak on 12-inch water main on School Road was noticed last Friday and could She have some impact on the schools in the area. Staff will be communicating with the schools on this matter. Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich noted that candidate filing closes on June 2nd at 5:00 p.m. for Council Member Seats 1 & 2 and the Mayor seat. He also noted that an incident has occurred at the Library Square fountain again recently causing it to shut down for repairs. Lastly, he noted a dedication to the newly installed Crow River fountain is scheduled for June 9 h at 3:00 p.m. 13. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Dave Sebesta — Council Member Sebesta provided an update from the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council of the Mid Minnesota Development Commission regarding transportation. He also commented on the Memorial Day service and thanked the Lions Club for distributing water. Pat May — Council Member May thanked the community members for attending the meeting tonight and providing comments. He also provided an update from the Public Arts Commission and the Sculpture Stroll. Gary Forcier — Mayor Forcier provided an update from the Airport Commission on improvements being made at the airport such as taxiways and the airport snow shed. He also provided an update from the Resource Allocation Committee and upcoming road improvement projects. Mayor Forcier mentioned that Doug Johnson, former police sergeant, is interested in serving on the Police Commission and will be placed on the next Council agenda for appointment. 11 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 26, 2 02 6 ADJOURNMENT Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to adjourn at 6:20 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Mayor Matthew Jaunich City Administrator