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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-2026HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 28, 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, Dave Sebesta and Chad Czmowski. Also present was Marc Sebora, City Attorney. (a) Approve the Council agenda and any agenda additions and/or corrections Marc Sebora, City Attorney, noted that the Resolution under Item 4(a) had an inadvertent error and therefore, a revised Resolution has been distributed. Motion by Burley, second by Czmowsi, to approve the agenda with revised Item 4(a) noted. 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 (a) Resolution No. 16055 — Resolution Accepting $25,000.00 Donation from Citizens Bank & Trust Co. for Veterans Memorial Field Improvements Motion by May, second by Burley, to approve Resolution No. 16055. Motion carried unanimously. 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 Russ Rasco, 66 North High Drive, noted that he is an active walker and drivers are running stop signs and stoplights and paying no attention to crosswalks. Mr. Rasco noted that he has been nearly struck several times and worries about his safety. Mr. Rasco also spoke about the electric bicycles that are being operated on trails and sidewalks. These electric bicycle riders are going almost 30 mph on the sidewalks/trails. He requested that the City consider them as motor vehicles and prohibit them from trails and walking paths. He also requested that the age be 16 to operate these electric bicycles. Mr. Rasco noted when he approached an electric bicyclist on Main Street about not riding on the sidewalks, he was informed that the signs didn't specifically prohibit electric bicycles. Mayor Forcier noted that the Council is looking into ways to best regulate electric bicycles in the city. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Council Workshop of July 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Aly 28, 2026 (b) Regular Meeting of July 14, 2026 Motion by Czmowski, second by Sebesta, 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 (a) Consideration for Approval of City of Hutchinson Data Practices Policies (b) Consideration for Approval to Authorize Grant Language and Signing of Grant Agreement Between the City of Hutchinson and DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program (c) Consideration for Approval to Purchase Bag Film for Creekside (d) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16054 — Resolution Approving Disposal of Surplus Property (Public Works Vehicle) (e) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS — 5:30 P.M. - 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.) 8. HUTCHINSON YOUTH BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (HYBA) OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT PROJECT UPDATE Lynn Neumann, PRCE Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Neumann explained that the Hutchinson Youth Basketball Association (HYBA) has requested that an outdoor basketball court be installed. Ms. Neumann introduced Tony Kadlec of the HYBA. Mr. Kadlec presented before the Council. Mr. Kadlec explained that the HYBA began conducting charitable gambling approximately four years ago and has donated almost $200,000 to youth -related organizations. The HYBA is proposing to install outdoor basketball courts and has raised $200,000 to put towards the project. A preliminary design has been put together with an estimated project cost of $415,976. Council Member Czmowski asked Ms. Neumann if there are enough funds in the Parkland Dedication Fund to bridge the gap between what HYBA has raised and the total cost of the project. Ms. Neumann noted there are enough funds to cover the gap, however it would take the vast amount of the funds within the Parkland Dedication Fund. The project is included in the Capital Improvement Plan. Ms. Neumann noted that bids would need to be solicited and submitted for a firm final project cost. Council Member Czmowski asked Kadlec if the Council would commit to a certain amount would the HYBA be able to donate any overages. Kadlec noted that could be 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Aly 28, 2026 possible. Council Member Czmowski expressed that he would like this item on the next Council agenda for consideration. He noted that the PRCE Board was in favor of the project in large part due to the collaboration with HYBA and how well the partnership went on the completion of the Veterans Memorial Field ballpark improvements project. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 9. APPROVE/DENY FUNDING REQUEST FROM THE HUTCHINSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS Jim Lansing, Executive Director for Hutchinson Center for the Arts, presented before the Council. Mr. Lansing requested that the City continue their financial support of the Center for the Arts. Mr. Lansing requested, on behalf of HCA, another three-year commitment at an amount of $20,000 per year. This would be an increase of $5000 per year from the City's current financial commitment of $15,000 per year. Mr. Lansing provided data on the proven economic driver the arts are to a community. He also spoke of the nine smaller arts nonprofits in Hutchinson that receive benefits from the HCA including Crow River Youth Choir, Crow River Singers, Hutchinson Theater Company, NoLines Improv Troupe, Historic Hutchinson, Jaycees Water Carnival, RiverSong Music Festival, Minnesota Pottery Festival and Hutchinson Concert Association. Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve the HCA's request of $20,000 for the next three years. Council Member Burley noted he would like for this item to be considered as part of the budget cycle as the 2027 budget is developed. Mayor Forcier noted he would like it to be considered with the budget as well. Roll call vote was taken: Burley — nay; Sebesta — nay; May — aye; Czmowski — aye; Forcier — nay. Motion failed 3 to 2. The Council noted this request will be considered as part of the budgeting cycle. 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.) 10. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS (a) City of Hutchinson Financial Report and Investment Report for June 2026 MISCELLANEOUS 11. STAFF UPDATES CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Aly 28, 2026 Marc Sebora — Mr. Sebora provided an update on improvement projects. 12. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Gary Forcier — Mayor Forcier provided an update on housing data fuel improvements that are being made at the municipal airport. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Sebesta, second by Burley, to adjourn at 6:00 p.m. Motion failed. Mayor Forcier allowed a member of the audience to speak before the Council as she missed the opportunity during Public Comments. Marge, McDonald Drive, presented before the Council. Marge stated that the Supreme Court has voted that flock cameras are against people's rights. Marge also spoke about data centers and the amount of water they use. Marge expressed that the constitution has to be respected. Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 11