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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-2026HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 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 — 4:00 P.M. Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Tim Burley, Pat May, Dave Sebesta and 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 Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, requested that two items be added to the agenda under New Business. One is Resolution No. 16060 which is a resolution supporting the funding of recreational Improvements along Campbell and Otter Lakes. The other item is the reappointment of Renee Johnson Kotlarz to the HRA Board Motion by Burley, second by May, to approve the agenda with the additional items noted. Motion carried unanimously. 2. INVOCATION — In lieu of an invocation, a moment of silence was held. (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. 16059 — Resolution Accepting $50,000.00 Donation from Hutchinson Junior League Baseball Association for Batting Cages at Northwoods Park Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve Resolution No. 16059. 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 Margy, 1525 McDonald Drive, addressed the City Council. Margy recognized that the proposed data center that intends to come to Hutchinson plans to use a closed loop chip system and not use water for its operations like many other large data centers do. Margy posed the question on who benefits from the data centers. Margy also noted that Deflock.org states that there are four Flock cameras positioned in the City of Hutchinson. She requested that the leases terminate based on the Supreme Court determining that these types of cameras violate human rights. Margy stated that these cameras record information vehicles and build dossiers on them. Margy stated that 90% of Americans do not want data centers and 80% of Americans do not want Flock cameras. Margy raised her concerns about Flock cameras. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 11, 2026 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Regular Meeting of July 28, 2026 Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to approve 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. 16056 - Resolution Seeking State of Minnesota Revenue Sharing Fund to Sustain Deputy Registrar Office (b) Consideration for Approval of 52nd Annual Arts & Crafts Festival to Be Held September 18 & 19, 2026, in Library Square/1st Avenue SE/Hassan Street (c) Consideration for Approval of Issuing Parade Permit to Hutchinson High School Student Council on September 23, 2026, for Homecoming Parade (d) Consideration for Approval of Purchasing Truck Chassis (e) Consideration for Approval of Miller Avenue Sanitary Sewer Repair (f) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register A Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve Consent Agenda L Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA II (a) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register B Motion by May, second by Sebesta, with Forcier and Czmowski abstaining, to approve Consent Agenda IL 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 NEW BUSINESS 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 11, 2026 9. APPROVE/DENY RESOLUTION NO. 16057 — RESOLUTION RELATING TO GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2026A — AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND AWARDING THE SALE Andy Reid, Finance Director, explained that a bond sale was held this morning for the sale of the G.O. Bonds Series 2026A. These bonds are for the Edmonton Avenue project, Elks Drive/Sherwood Street area, fire ladder truck, and wastewater facility improvements which will be paid by wastewater revenue. Nick Anhut, Ehlers, presented before the Council. Mr. Anhut noted that the City's credit rating was affirmed at AA- which the City has held for many years which is due to the City's financial history, current budget, and other things. Mr. Anhut explained that BOK Financial Securities came in with the low bid of 3.5330% which was a lower bid amount than anticipated. Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to approve Resolution No. 16057. Motion carried unanimously. 10. APPROVE/DENY RESOLUTION NO. 16058 — RESOLUTION RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITY BONDS, SERIES 2026B — AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND AWARDING THE SALE Andy Reid, Finance Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Reid explained that the bond sale for Public Utility Bonds Series 2026B was held this morning as well. This debt will be paid by HUC's revenue stream. Nick Anhut, Ehlers, presented before the Council. Mr. Anhut explained that this bond sale is backed by security interest on the utility revenues. HUC has an Al rating that has been affirmed. The low bid came in from BAIRD at 3.5969%. BAIRD is paying an insurance premium for extra security. Motion by May, second by Burley, to approve Resolution No. 16058. Motion carried unanimously. 11. APPROVE/DENY PROCEEDING WITH OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT PROJECT Lynn Neumann, PRCE Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Neumann explained that this item is a follow-up from the last Council meeting where the Hutchinson Youth Basketball Association requested the Council consider an outdoor basketball court be constructed in a city park. The HYBA has pledged $200,000 towards the project. Ms. Neumann noted that the next steps to consider would be going out for bids on the project should the Council wish to proceed. Other projects on the CIP with their funding source have been supplied to the Council for them to review as they consider this project and others. The total estimated construction budget for this project is approximately $416,000. Council Member Burley suggested discussing this project, along with the others on the CIP, at the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 11, 2026 budget workshop that is planned for August 25, 2026. Burley suggested polling the public on the various project needs. Council Member Czmowski noted that each project affects a few hundred people and if certain groups are asked that aren't tied to their project they will most likely voice opposition. Council Member May suggested discussing this project and all others at the CIP workshop on August 25, 2026. Council Member Czmowski suggested setting a cap the City will pay towards the project by using Parkland Dedication funds. There is currently $300,000 in this fund. In order for the project to go out for bids, plans and specifications will need to be put together which will cost approximately $10,000-$15,000. Council Member May suggested taking action on this item after the CIP workshop is held on August 25, 2026. The bidding process was discussed along with identifying funding sources based on the project amount. Council Member Czmowski noted that there are funds available and a lot hinges on the actual bid amount for the Council to know what numbers to work with. Andy Reid, Finance Director, spoke about the funds available in the Parkland Dedication fund. The use of the funds needs to follow certain guidelines which the basketball court project does. There is another project being considered with these funds but there is sufficient funds available for both projects. He also noted funding sources could be combined as well for this project, or others. Council Member May suggested proceeding with authorizing plans/specifications and then allocate funds following the CIP workshop. Motion by Czmowski to authorize plans/specifications and go out for advertisement for bids. No second. Matt Jaunich explained that if it is the Council's desire to authorize plans/specifications and advertise for bids, a Resolution will be placed on the next agenda for them to consider at the next City Council meeting. Motion by May, second by Czmowski, for staff to proceed with a Resolution to authorize plans/specifications and advertisement for bids. This will be on the next agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 12. APPROVE/DENY NORTHWOODS BATTING CAGE PROJECT Lynn Neumann, PRCE Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Neumann explained that the Hutchinson Junior League Baseball Association has proposed a batting cage project at Northwoods Park which is fully funded by the association. Staff will install the batting cages. 11 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 11, 2026 Motion by Burley, second by Czmowski, to approve Northwoods batting cage project. Matt Jaunich explained the difference with this project compared to the basketball court project is that this project is under $175,000 which is the threshold that requires public bidding. Staff have been working with HJLBA for over a year on this project. Motion carried unanimously. 13. APPROVE/DENY SETTING BUDGET WORKSHOPS FOR AUGUST 25, 2026, AND SEPTEMBER 8, 2026, AT 4:00 P.M. Mr. Jaunich noted that the workshop on August 25, 2026, will be to review the Capital Improvement Plan and the workshop on September 8, 2026, will be to review the preliminary budget and tax levy. Motion by May, second by Burley, to set budget workshops for August 25 and September 8, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 13.1 APPROVE/DENY RESOLUTION NO. 16060 — SUPPORTING PURSUIT OF A MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND GRANT FOR FUNDING OF THE OTTER AND CAMPBELL LAKES ACCESSIBLE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT Mike Stifter, Public Works Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Stifter explained that this Resolution is an update to one previously approved at the March 24, 2026, Council meeting. This updated Resolution reflects an award amount of $501,000 with an approximate 30% match on the part of the City of $210,000 for a total project amount of $711,000. This project includes an accessible parking lot and fishing pier on South Grade Road which will be completed in 2027/2028. Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to approve Resolution No. 16060. Motion carried unanimously. 13.2APPROVE/DENY REAPPOINTMENT OF RENEE JOHNSON KOTLARZ TO HRA BOARD Motion by Czmowski, second by Burley, to reappoint Renee Johnson Kotlarz to HRA Board to August 2031. 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.) 14. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS a) Parks/Recreation/Community Education Board Minutes from June 1, 2026 b) Library Board Minutes from June 22, 2026 c) Hutchinson Utilities Commission Minutes from June 24, 2026 MISCELLANEOUS 15. STAFF UPDATES CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 11, 2026 Mike Stifter — Mr. Stifter noted that the Crow River fountain project may be completed tomorrow afternoon if all goes well. He also noted that paving most likely will begin on Monday/Tuesday in the Elks Drive neighborhood. Patching is also being completed in a few places throughout the community. Notifications had gone out on the sewer lining project as well. Matt Jauncih — Mr. Jaunich reminded the Council of the canvass board meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Friday August 14, 2026. Mr. Jaunich also addressed the Flock camera issue. He explained that the City does not have Flock cameras but do have four license plate readers in the community, of which three have had the wires cut on them by private parties causing damage. These license pate readers have been on squad cameras for years but four stationary ones were placed in the community in June. Three crimes have been solved since then by using these license plate readers. Minn. Stat. 13.824 authorizes the use of these license plate readers and the City uses them as authorized. He asked that if citizens have questions on these cameras, he requested that they contact staff so that accurate information can be provided to them. Mr. Jaunich noted that cameras in the parks system have also been damaged which has led to some parks being closed. 16. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Council Member May — Pat May spoke about the electronic bicycles and issues surrounding them. He asked that an ordinance come forth sooner than later. ADJOURNMENT Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to adjourn at 5:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Mayor Matthew Jaunich City Administrator