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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-25-2026HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 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 Pat May, Dave Sebesta and Chad Czmowski. Member absent was Tim Burley. 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 May, 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 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 Luke Radtke, 445 School Road NW, addressed the Council. Mr. Radtke spoke about Flock cameras being used as license plate readers. Mr. Radtke expressed that Flock cameras are a violation of rights and cited the ways they have been used inappropriately. He requested that the city remove any Flock cameras being used in the city. Valerie Mackenthun, 525 Lynn Road SW, addressed the Council. Ms. Mackenthun spoke on behalf of the Center for the Arts and the benefits it brings to the community. Ms. Mackenthun noted the importance of the City's financial contribution to the HCA and requested that it be placed into their annual budgets. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (a) Regular Meeting of August 11, 2026 (b) Canvassing Board of August 14, 2026 Motion by May, second by Sebesta, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 25, 2026 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. 16061 — Resolution Setting Interest Rate for the 2026 Assessment Rolls (b) Consideration for Approval of Resolution No. 16062 — Resolution to Dispose of Surplus Creekside Soils Property at Auction (c) Consideration for Approval of HATS Car Wash Renovations (d) Consideration for Approval to Authorize Pre -Design Services to TKDA for Civil Air Patrol Training Facility (e) Consideration for Approval of Final Phase of Water Meter Purchase (f) Consideration for Approval of Request for Quote (RFQ) Process for Commercial and Industrial Water Meter Project (g) Consideration for Approval of Private Hangar Lease with Jeff Brenhaug at Hutchinson Municipal Airport (h) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments — Register A Motion by Czmowski, second by May, 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 Sebesta, with Forcier abstaining, to approve check to Crow River Glass & Signs. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by May, second by Sebesta, with Czmowski abstaining, to approve check to Outdoor Motion. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE purpose of this portion of the agenda is to provide the Council with information necessary to craft wise policy. ,des items like monthly or annual reports and communications from other entities.) UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 25, 2026 NEW BUSINESS 9. APPROVE/DENY RENTING OUT THE LOT AT 210 3RD AVENUE NW (OLD CENEX SITE) FOR AN EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, explained that a request has come to staff to rent out the city - owned lot located at 210 3rd Avenue NW for a proposed event on September 19, 2026. Since the lot is not a park, the request must be approved by the City Council. Juli Peterson presented before the Council. Ms. Peterson is the requester for the use of the lot for a Scottish Highland Games Demonstration. Ms. Peterson provided an overview of the event which includes a throwing event with competitors in kilts using stones, Scottish hammers, height events and a Caber toss. Ms. Peterson is proposing to start the event at 11:00 a.m. and ending by 4:00 p.m. Mr. Jaunich noted that staff would request that the event organizers provide insurance listing the City as a named insured. Motion by Czmowski to approve renting out the lot at 210 3rd Avenue NW for an event on September 19, 2026, for $200 and all insurance requirements. Council Member May suggested charging $100 since this is the first year of the event. Lynn Neumann noted that typical park rental with some amenities included range around $150-$200. Motion failed for lack of second. Motion by Sebesta, second by Forcier, to approve renting out lot at 210 3rd Avenue for $150.00 and all insurance requirements. Motion carried unanimously. 10. APPROVE/DENY RESOLUTION NO. 16063 — A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ON THE CITY CENTER REMODEL PROJECT Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich noted that a remodel of the City Center has been placed on the capital improvement plan for 2027. The current city center was converted from a grocery store in January 1994. City staff have kept the building in excellent shape and the building is structurally sound with a new roof and solar panels having been the recent work done on the building. However, most of the office furniture has existed since 1994 and furniture systems are no longer supported by the manufacturer, limiting the ability to reconfigure or adapt the space. Although the facility has served the community well over the last 30+ years, work styles, technology and space demands have evolved significantly since the building opened in 1994. A needs assessment was done in 2017 that identified opportunities to improve the customer experience by centralizing service counters, expanding the motor vehicle waiting area and modernizing the staff office area to improve efficiency. In 2024 a space needs study was completed on the building which contained several different findings and recommendations. Five goals for the remodel have been identified as follows: enhance the community's experience within the facility; foster staff connection and collaboration through better spatial and functional organization; improve security needs that the current facility layout doesn't meet; repurpose the former DMV area in a meaningful and functional way; and upgrade workstations with ergonomic, height -adjustable solutions. The remodel will retain as much of the existing building as possible to minimize costs, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 25, 2026 maximize use of the existing facility by repurposing underutilized spaces, centralize administrative support service functions to create a welcoming experience for residents and visitors and to accommodate current and future staffing needs, introduce flexible meeting spaces open to the public and to city staff to accommodate customer experiences and election workflows, introduce both visual and acoustical treatments along with secured areas that foster discretion and confidence in the city's abilities to manage information and improve the overall employee experience. The current estimate for an all -in cost is $2.27 million. If approved, bids will be received by October 8, 2026, with bids being considered at the October 27, 2026, City Council meeting. The proposed funding for the project will be funded by the Facility Plan ($970,000) and bonded debt ($1.3 million). There is the potential use of other reserve funds or enterprise fund contributions to bring the debt down further that can be considered during the budgeting process. If the project is approved to move forward in October, construction will start likely in December or January. The remodel will be done in two phases to minimize relocation costs and to maintain public services during construction. Work is expected to last 6-8 months and the city center building will remain open to the public during that time. Motion by Czmowski, second by May, to approve Resolution No. 16063. Motion carried unanimously. 11. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-878 — AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO THE HUTCHINSON SCHOOL DISTRICT (ISD 4423) FOR THE RIGHT TO MAINTAIN A DRIVEWAY ON PUBLIC PROPERTY Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, explained that ISD 423 is seeking a renewal to a 2004 franchise agreement that allows driveway access to Park Elementary. The City owns North Park, the area that surrounds Park Elementary, and a franchise agreement is needed for access to the site. The only change to the franchise agreement from 2004 is revising the $50.00 annual fee to a one-time $100.00 fee. Motion by May, second by Czmowski, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 26-878. Motion carried unanimously. 12. APPROVE/DENY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-879 — AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 154.063 OF CITY CODE REGARDING CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USES IN THE C-3 CENTRAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT Dan Jochum, Planning Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Jochum explained that the proposed ordinance allows for tattoo establishments to be a permitted use in the C-3 district rather than a conditional use. There have been no issues with tattoo businesses in the city and they have become more popular in recent years. Tattoo establishments are still required to obtain a license from the City to operate, as well as a license from the State of Minnesota. Motion by Czmowski, second by Sebesta, to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 26-879. Motion carried unanimously. 11 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES — August 25, 2026 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.) 13. MINUTES/REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS �a) Planning Commission Minutes from July 16, 2026 b) City of Hutchinson Financial Report and Investment Report for July 2026 MISCELLANEOUS 14. STAFF UPDATES Mike Stifter — Mr. Stifter noted that the recently replaced Crow River fountain is being tested and should be running from sun up to sun down. Mayor Forcier asked if center marking will be placed on Linden Avenue. Mr. Stifter will check into it. Lynn Neumann — Ms. Neumann noted that the aquatic center is closed for open swim however fitness time is open in the mornings from 5:30-9:00 a.m. Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich stated that the city does not have Flock cameras in the community even though it is noted on a non -city related website. The city does have four Axon advanced license plate readers, but there are no Flock cameras. He also noted that city offices will be closed on Monday September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day. 15. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE Dave Sebesta — Council Member Sebesta provided a transportation update from the Mid Minnesota Development Commission and Parents Inspired. Gary Forcier — Mayor Forcier provided an update from the HRA, specific to availability at Park Towers and other information on housing programs. Mayor Forcier also provided an update from the Airport Commission and the Resource Allocation Committee. 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