04-10-2001 CCM
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, APRIL 10,2001
1. CALL TO ORDER- 5:30 P.M.
The meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Mayor Torgerson. Also present were Council
members Jim Haugen, John Mlinar, Kay Peterson and Duane Hoversten; and Richard Schieffer,
City Attorney, Gary Plotz, City Administrator, and John Rodeberg, Director of Engineering/
Public Works.
2. INVOCATION - Rev. Todd Ertsgaard of Oak Heights Covenant Church gave the invocation.
3. MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 27,2001
The minutes of the regular March 27,2001, meeting were approved as presented.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
(a) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
1. MONTHLY UTILITY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2001
2. HUTCHINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 26,
2001
3. HUTCHINSON POLICE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 27,
2001
4. BUILDING DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR MARCH 2001
5. FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR MARCH 2001
6. PRCE ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF MARCH 1,2001
(b) RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
1. RESOLUTION NO. 11691- RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF
ACCESSIBLE DOORS FOR THE HUTCHINSON LIBRARY AND TO RECOGNIZE
THE HUTCHINSON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND COMMUNITY
MEMBERS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT
2. RESOLUTION NO. 11692 - RESOLUTION FOR PURCHASE
3. RESOLUTION NO. 11702 - APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION FROM THE
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OFFICE OF
AERONAUTICS APPOINTING AND DESIGNATING THE COMMISSIONER OF
TRANSPORTATION AS THE AGENT FOR THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON TO
PREPARE AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND
TO RECEIVE AND DISPERSE FEDERAL FUNDS AS REQUIRED UNDER
MINNESOTA STATUTES
(c) REQUEST BY HUTCHINSON WOMEN'S CLUB FOR PERMISSION TO USE A
PORTION OF THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AT HASSAN STREET SE AND 1ST
AVE SE ON SATURDAY, MAY 12,2001, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 12:00 NOON FOR A
PLANT SALE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -APRIL 10,2001
(d) APPOINTMENTS
1. ELIZABETH TOKARCZYK TO THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
2. LYNN OTTESON TO THE HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
(e) LETTING NO. 3/PROJECT NOS. 01-05(SHADY RIDGE ROAD NW),01-06 (GRIFFIN
AVE NE), 01-09 (CENTURY AVE SW), 01-13 (ROBERTS PARK), 01-14 (CENTURY
AVE SE TRAIL), 01-15 (CENTURY AVE SW SIDEWALK), AND 01-16 (TH 15 S);
ASSESSMENT ROLL NO. 5048
· RESOLUTION NO. 11689 - RESOLUTION DECLARING COST TO BE ASSESSED
AND ORDERING PREP ARA TION OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
· RESOLUTION NO. 11690 - RESOLUTION FOR HEARING FOR PROPOSED
ASSESSMENT
(f) OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL REQUEST FOR RANDY DEVRIES, DIRECTOR OF
WATERlWASTEWATEROPERATIONS TO LACROSSE, WISCONSIN ON MAY 13-16,
2001, TO ATTEND THE CENTRAL STATES W ATERENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE
(g) OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL REQUEST FOR RICHARD NAGY, WATER SYSTEMS
SUPERVISOR, TO WASHINGTON, DC ON JUNE 16 - 20,2001, TO ATTEND THE
AMERICAN WATER WORKS CONFERENCE.
(h) RETAIL ON-SALE, NON-INTOXICATING MALT LIQUOR (3.2 BEER) LIQUOR
LICENSE RENEWALS
· GOLD COIN, INe.
· HUTCHINSON HUSKIE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
· LITTLE CROW BOWLING LANES
· GODFATHER'S PIZZA
(i) RETAIL OFF-SALE, NON-INTOXICATING MALT LIQUOR (3.2 BEER) LIQUOR
LICENSE RENEWALS
· COBORN'S INC - CASHWISE
· TOM THUMB #196 - BONKERS
· SPEEDWAY SUPERAMERICA
· CITGO QUIKMART
· ERICKSON OIL PRODUCTS - FREEDOM V ALU CENTERS
(j) SHORT TERM GAMBLING LICENSE - WITHDRAWN
· ST ANASTASIA CATHOLIC CHURCH
(k) INVESTMENT AUTHORIZATION
Motion by Haugen, second by Peterson to approve the consent agenda with item 4(j) being
withdrawn. The motion carned unanimously.
5. PUBLIC HEARING - 6:00 P.M. - NONE
6. COMMUNICATIONS. REQUESTS AND PETITIONS
(a) UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE MINNESOTA SMOKE FREE COALITION BY
JEREMY HANSON, ADVOCACY DIRECTOR
Mr. Jeremy Hanson, Advocacy Director for the Minnesota Smoke Free Coalition, was
present to address the Council and provided the Council with prepared written materials.
Mr. Hanson updated the Council on activities of the statewide organization throughout
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -APRIL 10,2001
Minnesota, including the cities of Moose Lake, Duluth and Rochester. He stated that his
organization has been working with citizens of Hutchinson on the issue of second hand
smoke effects.
Mr. Hanson talked about the specific activities in Hutchinson including a telephone survey.
He indicated that the results of the survey supported the passing of an ordinance to create a
smoking ban in area restaurants. He also stated that the Coalition is in favor of the passage
of such an ordinance.
Mayor Torgerson applauded the Coalition for their efforts and the actions of the City
residents on this matter. He indicated that the Council has not determined what, if any,
action the City may take in regards to this issue.
Council member Mlinar questioned Mr. Hanson about the Little Falls ordinance that was
passed and subsequently repealed. Mr. Hanson indicated that every community is unique
and that one reason the ordinance was repealed may be due to lower turnout of voters for the
referendum on the matter.
Mr. Mlinar also asked about the media campaign in the metro area regarding smoking and its
effects. Mr. Hansen stated that this is an activity of an organization that was created as a
result of the tobacco settlement and the campaign will be concentrated statewide.
(b) UPDATE TO COUNCIL ON STORM WATER UTILITY
Ken Merrill, Finance Director, updated the Council on the Storm Water Utility. The next
City water/sewer/refuse billing will have a line item for the utility. The engineering and
water billing staffs have been working diligently to implement the utility billing. Each
household has been sent information on two occasions to notify them of the utility and its
implementation.
Stormwater credits were discussed. John Rodeberg, Director of Engineering/Public Works,
noted that those interested in receiving the credits, generally non-residential properties, must
make application with the City.
Mr. Merrill informed the Council that the general fund will be amended to remove the utility
funds and to establish a separate fund for them as is required.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE
8. NEW BUSINESS
(a) CONSIDERATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE TO
FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM
Motion by Mlinar, second by Peterson to approve the Fire Department application for
assistance to the Firefighters Grant Program. The motion carried unanimously.
(b) CONSIDERATION OF RECLASSIFICATION REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR POSITION
Gary Plotz, City Administrator, commented on this item. He indicated that the position ofIT
Coordinator has changed to include more management responsibilities. A review of the
position was completed by the consultant, Stanton Group, and the recommendation is to
reclassify the position to Grade 9.
Motion by Hoversten, second by Haugen to approve the reclassification request for the
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -APRIL 10,2001
position of Information Technology Coordinator to a Grade 9 position on the City's Job
Evaluation and Compensation Plan. The motion carried unanimously.
(c) APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER TO SERVE AS THE COUNCIL
REPRESENTATIVE ON THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
COMMITTEE
Motion by Mlinar, second by Peterson to approve the appointment of Council member
Haugen to the Hutchinson Comprehensive Planning Commission Committee. The motion
carried unanimously.
(d) CONSIDERATION OF SETTING A COUNCIL WORKSHOP FOR 4:00 P.M. ON
TUESDAY, MAY22, 2001, AT CITY CENTER TO DISCUSS HOME OCCUPATION
ISSUES
Motion by Hoversten, second by Peterson to set a Council workshop for 4:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, May 22, 2001, at City Center to discuss home occupation issues. The motion
carried unanimously.
(e) CONSIDERATION OF RESCHEDULING A DATE FOR THE COUNCIL WORKSHOP
FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE VISIONING WORKSHOP ORIGINALL Y
SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 21,2001.
Mr. Plotz noted that three topics including the capital plan, the city charter and a visioning
exercise will be agenda items.
Motion by Peterson, second by Mlinar to set the rescheduled date for the Council visioning
workshop for Tuesday May 1, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at City Center. The motion carried
unanimously.
9. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) COMMUNICATIONS
Jim Haugen - Welcomes Lynn Otteson to the Planning Commission, and he looks forward
to working with her.
John Mlinar - Stated that he is pleased about the resolution and project for the Library
doors.
Mr. Mlinar spoke about the safety concerns in the area ofthe dam when flooding occurs. He
inquired if there can be some permanent fencing or other barriers put in this area to keep
individuals back at a safe distance.
John Rodeberg answered that we can review this matter, but there is already high fencing in
the dangerous areas. He also stated that the DNR is looking at reconstruction ofthe dam and
that this is an issue that can be reviewed as part of that process.
Mr. Rodeberg also spoke to the activity at the dam during this flooding incident. The gates
have been opened to protect the dam. He stressed that opening the dam does not increase the
water downstream, it only helps to limit damage to the dam. The structure is not a flood
control device.
The DNR is also using flow meters to verifY flow information at the Main Street Bridge and
at other locations along the river. The bridge structure is not being compromised at this
time.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -APRIL 10,2001
Gary Plotz, City Administrator - Updated the Council on the Community Center project.
The closing on the property is proposed for April 16, 2001.
Mr. Plotz reviewed the items discussed at the Leadership Team meeting earlier today that
include:
The carts (3,800) for the organics collection have been delivered to the residents. We have
received many phone calls from residents, and most have been positive. Those not wanting
to participate are around 1 to 2% of the residents. The pick-up of organics material has
begun. The mayor noted that the bins used in the test area (NW portion of the City) have
been replaced by the green bins and will be picked up in the near future.
The compost facility received preliminary approval from the MPCA to operate on March 30,
and the approval is valid through May 2, 2001. The facility will be reinspected at that time.
The new restaurant located at 15 - 2nd Ave. SW has inquired about a sidewalk cafe. It has
been determined that a franchise is required.
Other issues included the comprehensive plan committee, EDA purchase of additional land
for the industrial park and the reclassificatiOn acted on tonight. The meeting also included a
discussion of the fire at the biosolids plant.
Mayor Torgerson encouraged the residents of Hutchins on to visit the Compost Site when the
open houses are held later this year. John Mlinar requested that Lawrence Winter, Resource
Recovery Coordinator, make a presentation on the organics project at a future Council
meeting.
10. CLAIMS. APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS
(a) VERIFIED CLAIMS A
Motion by Mlinar, second by Peterson to approve Verified Claims A and authorize payment
from appropriate funds. With Council member Hoversten abstaining, the motion carried
unanimously.
(b) VERIFIED CLAIMS B
Motion by Haugen, second by Hoversten to approve Verified Claims B and authorize payment
from appropriate funds. The motion carried unanimously.
11. ADJOURN
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
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