Loading...
04-24-2007 CCMMINUTES REGULAR MEETING – HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007 CALL TO ORDER – 5:30 P.M. 1. Mayor Steve Cook called the meeting to order. Members present were Jim Haugen, Casey Stotts and Kay Peterson. Member absent was Bill Arndt. Others present were Gary Plotz, City Administrator, Kent Exner, City Engineer, and Marc Sebora, City Attorney. INVOCATION 2. – Rev. Jon Lindekugel, Christ the King Lutheran Church, delivered the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS 4. Dale Baker, 1373 Heritage Ave. NW, presented before the Council. Mr. Baker commented that property valuations need to be adjusted due to imbalance. Mr. Baker also encouraged the Council to stay the course with the budgeting for outcomes process. He feels that it would be a good process to follow to review what the community truly wishes to pay for. He expressed that he does not see any downside to the process. Lena Mowlem, 1365 Westwood Road, presented before the Council. Ms. Mowlem explained that she had been requested to be part of the Outcome-Based budgeting process and was disappointed to find out that the City Council decided to put a hold on the project. She felt it would be very beneficial to the City and good to include citizens. She encouraged the Council to continue on with the process. Roger Olson, VMF Park representative, presented before the Council. Mr. Olson commented that there has been requests to place a helicopter in VMF Park. The reason for this is that the new mode of transportation in the more current wars is via helicopter. Mr. Olson asked of the Council for their approval to proceed with application to place a helicopter in the park. There will be no cost to the City. There was discussion as to policies and procedures that should be followed as far as accepting items into city-owned parks. Motion by Stotts, second by Peterson, to authorize application procedure for the helicopter, contingent on the design plans being approved and safety considerations being discussed. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTES 5. (a)REGULARMEETING OF APRIL 10, 2007 Motion by Haugen, second by Stotts, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA 6. (a) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 1.PIONEERLAND LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES FROM MARCH 15, 2007 2. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 2007 3. CITY OF HUTCHINSON FINANCIAL REPORT FOR MARCH 2007 4.CITY OF HUTCHINSON INVESTMENT REPORT FOR MARCH 2007 (b)RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 1. RESOLUTION NO. 13184– RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AGREEING TO ENTER INTO ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACT OF SMALL CITIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE EXPANDED FRANKLIN GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING REHABILITATION PROJECT AND APPROVAL TO EXECUTE SCDP GRANT AGREEMENT 2. RESULUTION NO. 13186 - RESOLUTION FOR PURCHASE (F350 PICK-UP AND UNLEADED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – APRIL 24, 2007 GASOLINE) 3. RESOLUTION NO. 13187 – RESOLUTION ALLOCATING EXCESS BOND FUNDS TO CERTAIN PROJECTS 4. ORDINANCE NO. 07-0460 – AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON CERTAIN LAND USE ACTIONS WITHIN THE HIGHWAY 7 CORRIDOR STUDY AREA (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 5. ORDINANCE NO. 07-0462 – AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE AND ENACT TITLE 5, CHAPTER 54 OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) AND APPROVAL OF SUMMARY ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION (c)PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS 1.CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF LOT SPLITS LOCATED ON OTTAWA AVENUE AS REQUESTED BY PAUL BETKER WITH FAVORABLE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (ADOPT RESOLUTION NOS. 13172, 13173, 13174, 13175, 13176, 13177 AND 13178) 2. CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT TO BE KNOWN AS FIRST ADDITION TO RAVENWOOD WEST SUBMITTED BY RAVENWOOD POND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION WITH FAVORABLE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 13179) 3. CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF VARIANCE TO ALLOW TWO DETACHED GARAGES ON ONE LOT LOCATED AT 1410 JEFFERSON STREET SE WITH FAVORABLE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 13180) 4.CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FIREWORKS TENT SALES LOCATED IN WALMART PARKING LOT AT 1300 HWY 15 SOUTH WITH FAVORABLE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 13181) 5. CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF VARIANCE TO ALLOW A 19 FOOT CORNER SIDE YARD SETBACK WHERE 25 FEET IS REQUIRED FOR AN ADDITION TO A NON- TH CONFORMING HOUSE AT 340 5 AVENUE SW WITH FAVORABLE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 13182) 6. CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 07-0463 – AN ORDINANCE ADDING LANGUAGE TO THE WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (WAIVING FIRST READING AND SETTING SECOND READING AND ADOPTION FOR MAY 8, 2007) (d) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL TRANSIENT MERCHANT LICENSE FOR DEAN SCHLUETER TO OPERATE A TEMPORARY GREENHOUSE IN THE OLD CUB FOODS PARKING LOT (e) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF PARADE PERMIT FOR MINNESOTA WINGS MOTORCYCLE CLUB ON JULY 14, 2007 (f) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF PARADE PERMIT FOR VFW POST 906 ON MAY 28, 2007 (g) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CITY POLICY NO. 3.27 – SICK/VACATION LEAVE DONATION (h) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ASSESSMENT ROLL (LETTING NO. 1, PROJECT NO. 06-01) 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – APRIL 24, 2007 (i) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR KENT EXNER TO WASHINGTON D.C. FOR TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE FLY-IN (j)CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REGARDING 2007 PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT (LETTING NO. 5/PROJECT NO. 07-05) (k)RESOLUTION NO. 13185-A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED GRANT APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF CUSTOMER ELATION (l)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF ADOPTING 2008 BUDGET PARAMETERS (m)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD Items 6(b)3, 6(c)2, 6(c)6, 6(k) and 6(m) were pulled for separate action. Motion by Stotts second by Peterson, to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the items noted above. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(b)3 had further discussion. Mayor Cook suggested combining some of the items into one sentence. The content of the Resolution will not change. Motion by Peterson, second by Stotts, to approve Resolution No. 13187 with minor revisions. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(c)2 had further discussion. Mayor Cook noted that part of this application includes plantings around the pond area. Mayor Cook suggested requiring plantings around the pond as opposed to merely encouraging plantings as the Planning Commission recommended. Rebecca Bowers, Plannng/Zoning/Building Director, noted that staff and the Planning Commission recommended planting mainly because there is no set policy or standard in place identifying what type of plantings should be incorporated. Kent Exner, City Engineer, noted that staff generally directs property owners to plant Mn/DOT-type grasses that do not flood out easily. Council Member Peterson encouraged that staff develop a policy or ordinance related to plantings around ponds. Motion by Peterson, second by Stotts, to approve Resolution No. 13179, additionally directing staff to develop a policy or ordinance related to planting around ponds. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(c)6 had further discussion. Mayor Cook suggested staff researching a similar-type ordinance that was adopted in Mason City, Iowa. The ordinance the mayor is referring to has additional language that is not included in the proposed ordinance. Motion by Peterson, second by Stotts, to table this item until a revised draft of the ordinance is presented. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(k) had further discussion. Mayor Cook noted that the next Council meeting scheduled for May 8, 2007, may be rescheduled and noted that the public hearing date will need to be reset. Motion by Stotts, second by Haugen, to set public hearing for May 9, 2007. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(m) had further discussion. Mayor Cook recommended that Abby Dahlquist and Guy Stone be appointed. Motion by Peterson, second by Stotts, to ratify the Library Board appointments. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 6:00 P.M. - NONE 7. COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS 8. 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – APRIL 24, 2007 (a) EXPLANATION OF PROPERTY VALUATIONS AS PROVIDED BY SUE SCHULZ, MCLEOD COUNTY ASSESSOR Sue Schulz, McLeod County Assessor, presented before the Council. Ms. Schulz noted that there were some issues with commercial properties. Ms. Schulz explained that there are other avenues that can be explored in assessing the values of commercial properties. Essentially all of the commercial property valuations will be reverted to the 2006 valuation and a better process will be established moving forward. Commercial property owners had seen very large increases in their valuation. Council Member Stotts asked if the shift in commercial property valuations will increase residential valuations. In addition, he asked if the State would shift things this summer. He also asked that communications be improved between the Assessor’s office and the City. Ms. Schulz noted that her office is looking into using a consultant to assess property valuations and have them equitably placed where they should be. (b) UPDATE ON BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR “DREAM SHEDS” PROPOSAL Rebecca Bowers, Planning/Zoning/Building Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Bowers explained that at the last Council meeting some information was presented regarding the City of Hutchinson’s building permit fees that was inaccurate. Ms. Bowers presented information showing that Hutchinson is in the median related to surrounding communities when it comes to building permit fees. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS 10. (a)CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTING COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON ADVISORY PANEL FOR HIGHWAY 7 CORRIDOR STUDY Rebecca Bowers, Planning/Zoning/Building Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Bowers requested that at least one Council Member sit on the advisory panel for the Hwy 7 Corridor Study. Other members include Planning Commissioners, staff members, and an EDA board member. Council Member Haugen volunteered to sit on the Hwy 7 Corridor Study advisory panel. (b)DISCUSSION OF SUMP PUMP INSPECTION PROGRAM OPTIONS Kent Exner, City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Exner explained the importance of a sump pump inspection program to the Public Works department. Four proposals were presented to the Council to administer the sump pump inspection program. One option is a full proposal by Bolton & Menk in the amount of $31,000. A second option is a revised proposal from Bolton & Menk in the amount of $21,000 (this revised proposal would include more staff contribution than the first proposal). The third proposal is to hire a private contractor along with City staff support. There is some concern by staff that this proposal would not be completed in the most timely manner. The fourth proposal is that the inspection program is completely conducted by City staff. Current staff loads do not make this the most viable option. Council Member Peterson noted some liability concerns with hiring a private contractor. City Attorney, Marc Sebora, noted that conditions could be placed on the contractor to have appropriate insurance in place. Council Member Stotts suggested utilizing engineering interns to conduct the inspections. Kent Exner noted some concerns on putting this type of responsibility on inexperienced individuals. Some of these inspections could be adversarial situations. Kent Exner noted that the inspections will be administered and conducted by engineering technicians and interns trained by Bolton & Menk. 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – APRIL 24, 2007 Mayor Cook noted that after this major project is completed, he would prefer that staff carry out the inspections in the future. Motion by Cook, second by Peterson to approve using the Bolton & Menk revised proposal at $21,000. Motion carried unanimously. (c) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF TRUNK HIGHWAY 15 COALITION ANNUAL DUES AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDCONTRIBUTION Kent Exner, City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Exner reviewed the objections of the Hwy 15 Coalition. The coalition consists of municipalities between I-90 to Sauk Rapids. The Coalition will be seeking a federal grant in the amount of $1 million to conduct a corridor study and to preserve the corridor. Staff is requesting the Council authorize $200 for the dues to the Coalition and contribute $5000 to the development fund. Mr. Exner explained that Hutchinson has much to gain from a preserved Hwy 15 corridor. Ultimately, the City will benefit from a comprehensive plan that will be developed by the Coalition. The funds would be utilized from comprehensive planning fees that are collected. Motion by Stotts, second by Peterson, to approve a paying annual dues in the amount of $200 and making a development fund contribution in the amount of $5000 to the Hwy 15 Coalition. Motion carried unanimously. (d) DISCUSSION OF MN/DOT TRUNK HIGHWAY 7/15/22 RECONSTRUCTION 2007 CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, PHASING AND DETOURS Kent Exner, City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Exner reviewed the construction plan and detour route for phase 2 of the Hwy 7 project. Construction plans to begin on April 30, 2007. The first part of the project will begin from where the project left off last year to School Road NW. The detour route will run from Water Street, along Golf Course Road, to School Road NW. The truck detour route will be the same as last year: from the west the route will run from Vale Avenue to County Road 82 to School Road to Airport Road; from the east the truck route will follow Hwy 22 to Airport Road linking back up to Hwy 7. (e) CONSIDERATION OF RESETTING MAY 8, 2007, CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO MAY 9, 2007 Due to the absence of Council Member Bill Arndt, it has been requested that the next Council meeting date be moved to May 9, 2007. Some topics that will be addressed at the next Council meeting deserve the full Council’s attention. Motion by Haugen, second by Stotts, to approve resetting the May 8, 2007, City Council meeting to May 9, 2007. Motion carried unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS 11. (a)COMMUNICATIONS Hutchinson Area Health Care Request Mayor Cook noted that HAHC is requesting approval of a $2.7 million construction of a new Orthopaedic/Rehabilitaiton Center. Motion by Haugen, second by Peterson, to approve the request of Hutchinson Area Health Care. Motion carried unanimously. 5 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – APRIL 24, 2007 Landform Contract Rebecca Bowers requested that the contract with Landform, who will be conducting the Hwy 7 Corridor study, be approved as distributed. Motion by Stotts, second by Peterson to approve the proposed contract with Landform. Motion carried unanimously. Orville Moe, 18017 Common Street, presented before the Council. Mr. Moe noted that he has been involved with renewable energy research and offered to hold a short seminar/presentation on renewable resources. Mayor Cook suggested holding a workshop prior to the next Council meeting. Council Member Stotts suggested setting a presentation in the evening some time at the Event Center and invite the public and other representatives to attend. Marc Sebora – Mr. Sebora noted that the City’s smoke-free workplace ordinance goes into effect June 1, 2007. Mr. Sebora will put on a presentation to business owners related to what the requirements are. Discussion was held regarding the proposed acts in the state legislature. th Kay Peterson – Council Member Peterson suggested setting April 26 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Fairgrounds as a public meeting to attend the mock crash. Motion by Peterson, second by Stotts to set as public meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Gary Plotz – Mr. Plotz noted that McLeod County is starting a program related to e-waste. The e-waste disposal site for Hutchinson is Creekside compost facility. A nominal fee will be charged. In addition, another program is going to be offered at the Fairgrounds. More information will be forthcoming. th Kent Exner – Mr. Exner noted that a meeting of the Hwy 15 Coalition will be held on Friday April 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 12noon at the Event Center. Mayor Cook – Mayor Cook asked John Olson, Public Works Manager, about the amount of potholes on the streets. Mr. Olson noted that two-run days are being scheduled which will allow for more repairs to be made. He encouraged anyone with concerns or specific areas to contact Public Works. Kent Exner also noted that striping on Hwy 7/Hwy 15 will begin in the near future. Mayor Cook also noted that City representatives met with Sen. Amy Klobuchar yesterday and it was a very beneficial meeting spent with her. Mayor Cook also noted that HUC is having a meeting on May 8, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. at the Utilities office to consider joining a Minnesota municipal gas agency. Motion by Cook, second by Peterson, to set May 8, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. at the Hutchinson Utilities Commission office as a public meeting. Motion carried unanimously. CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS 12. Motion by Peterson, second by Stotts, to approve claims, appropriations and contract payments. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURN 13. Motion by Stotts, second by Cook, to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 6