Loading...
01-08-2008 CCMMINUTES REGULAR MEETING – HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2008 CALL TO ORDER – 5:30 P.M. 1. Mayor Cook called the meeting to order. Members present were Casey Stotts, Bill Arndt and Jim Haugen. Member absent was Kay Peterson. Others present were Gary Plotz, City Administrator, Kent Exner, City Engineer, and Marc Sebora, City Attorney. INVOCATION 2. – Rev. Brian Brosz, Congregational UCC Church, delivered the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS 4. Julie Neubarth, 20732 Belle Lake Road, owner of Landscape Concepts on Hwy 15, presented before the Council. Ms. Neubarth appeared on behalf of 15 business owners on Hwy 15/North High Drive. Ms. Neubarth read a letter on behalf of the business owners who are opposed to the construction of the proposed roundabout at North High Drive/Hwy 15 without having road access to their businesses. The group is in favor of a controlled access intersection as compared to a roundabout. The group is asking for support from the City Council in their opposition to the proposed roundabout. Kent Exner, City Engineer, noted that staff and Mn/DOT are aware of the group’s concerns. Staff is working with a property owner to build access to Hwy 15 through Michael Court. Mr. Exner explained the analyses completed for the roundabout versus a control signal intersection. Discussion was held in regard to the cost comparison between signal lights versus a roundabout, but Mr. Exner stated that regardless of the cost comparison, a roundabout intersection configuration was determined to be the proper traffic control mechanism by Mn/DOT through an extensive process that examined existing traffic counts, future traffic projections, turning movements, safety considerations and access impacts to adjacent properties. Mr. Exner explained that the variable between the two options is the property acquisition that is required for turning lanes and widening of the highway for a turn signal intersection. Mr. Exner noted that due to funding issues, this roundabout project could possibly be delayed, however staff is confident that it will still happen. Mr. Exner spoke about the obstacles if the project were done in halves. Kent Exner noted that the intent is that at the next Council meeting staff will have a document of some sort outlining the access road area for the local businesses. Gary Hotovec, Hotovec Auction Center, presented before the Council. Mr. Hotovec noted that at one of the open houses he was concerned with the engineer’s lack of response for the need of access for emergency services. Mr. Hotovec also questioned who is allowed local access to the temporary access road. He doesn’t want his out-of-town customers to not be able to use the temporary access. Bill Corby, Chamber of Commerce, presented before the Council. Mr. Corby expressed his support of the businesses along the construction route and pressed for an access road to the local businesses during the project. Bruce Neubarth, 20732 Belle Lake Road, presented before the Council. Mr. Neubarth expressed concerns of having construction on both Hwy 7 and Hwy 15 in the same year. Mr. Neubarth also noted that he feels no facts and figures have been presented as related to traffic counts and costs. Tom Callier, business owner on Hwy 15, presented before the Council. Mr. Callier asked for the reason why the highway cannot be left open during the project. Kent Exner, City Engineer, responded with the cost-effectiveness and safety issues of doing the project in halves. Butch Hausladen, B&B Sports - Hwy 15, presented before the Council. Mr. Hausladen noted his concerns with having construction in the city for two years on Hwy 7 and now a third year with construction on Hwy 15. He pleaded for the Council’s help in putting a stop to the construction of a roundabout. MINUTES 5. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – JANUARY 8, 2008 (a)REGULARMEETING OF DECEMBER 27, 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.FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2007 2.BUILDING DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2007 3.HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2007 (b)RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 1.RESOLUTION NO. 13335 – RESOLUTION FOR PURCHASE (VOICE RECORDING EQUIPMENT AND BIODIESEL) 2.ORDINANCE NO. 08-0490 – AN ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 897 HWY 15 SOUTH FROM R-3 TO C-4 REQUESTED BY STEVE GASSER OF VIVID IMAGE (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 3. ORDINANCE NO. 08-0491 – AN ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY FROM C-3 TO R-2 IN BLOCK 33, SOUTH HALF HUTCHINSON, REQUESTED BY FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 335 MAIN STREET SOUTH (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) (c)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SOLICITOR’S LICENSE FOR KEVIN MESSNER DBA CORNERSTONE CONTRACTING (d)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SHORT-TERM GAMBLING LICENSE FOR THE HUTCHINSON ROTARY FOUNDATION ON APRIL 25, 2008 AT THE HUTCHINSON EVENT CENTER (e)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SHORT-TERM GAMBLING LICENSE FOR ST. JOHN’S COUNCIL 4797 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AUXILIARY ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008, AT THE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY (f)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF MASSAGE LICENSE RENEWAL FOR LORETTA CLAYBURN, DBA MASSAGE THERAPY BY THE WOODS (g)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF 2008 LEASE AGREEMENT FOR EVERGREEN SENIOR DINING (h)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR LENNY RUTLEDGE, BUILDING OFFICIAL, TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL HEARINGS IN PALM SPRING, CALIFORNIA, FROM FEBRUARY 18 – 24, 2008 (i)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF 2008 FEE AGREEMENT WITH GAVIN, OLSON & WINTERS, LTD. FOR ATTORNEY SERVICES (j) CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS Items 6(b)3, 6(g), and 6(i) were pulled for separate action. Motion by Stotts, second by Haugen, to approve consent agenda with the exception of the items noted above. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(b)3 had further discussion. Council Member Arndt questioned the location of the rezoning. Rebecca 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – JANUARY 8, 2008 Bowers, Planning/Zoning/Building Director, noted that the rezoning is for the entire block where the church currently sits. Motion by Haugen, second by Arndt, to approve Item 6(b)3. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(g) had further discussion. Mayor Cook asked what some of the service numbers were for those meals that were prepared for non-residents. Due to the high number of non-resident meals, Mayor Cook suggested seeking contributions from those communities from where the non-residents are coming from. Rebecca Bowers noted that staff has contacted the cities from which the residents are coming from and have only received interest from the City of Glencoe. Motion by Stotts, second by Arndt, to approve Item 6(g). Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(i) had further discussion. Mayor Cook noted that the flat fee agreement allows for up to 40 hours per month and asked Marc Sebora how many hours the firm actually spends on services. Marc Sebora noted that ¾ of the time, the firm exceeds the 40 hours, however doesn’t charge us for those excess hours. Motion by Arndt, second by Stotts, to approve Item 6(i). Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 6:00 P.M. - NONE 7. COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9. (a) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF REVISING RESOLUTION NO. 13292 – RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Council Member Stotts noted that the revised Resolution deletes any reference to other commissions and only refers to the City Council. Mayor Cook suggested an alternative to the guidelines that require all communications going through the City Administrator to be revised to allow Council Members to email directly to directors with questions, and then copying the City Administrator. The expectation would not be that the director would have to respond immediately. If a Council Member would have a task request of a staff member, those should go through the City Administrator. If staff would have any issues with the number of communications received, they should inform the City Administrator. Gary Plotz, City Administrator, noted that he hasn’t received much, if any, communication from other boards and commissions. Motion by Stotts, second by Haugen, to approve revised Resolution No. 13292 as proposed by Council Member Stotts. An evaluation will be held in a few months to see how it is working. Mayor Cook noted not to communicate with the that he feels that the sentence that states “Council Members are encouraged public via electronic means during a public meeting”. Mayor Cook would like for that to read “Council Members will not communicate with the public…”. Stotts agreed to amend his motion to include this revised language. Motion carried unanimously. (b)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT CONTRACT WITH CLARKE ENVIRONMENTAL MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT, INC. John Olson, Public Works Manager, presented before the Council. Mr. Olson explained that the basis of the mosquito control program originates from the American Public Works Associations’ Public Works Management Practices Manual. Mr. Olson explained the mosquito life cycle. A study was completed in 2006 which identified the wetlands and breeding sites.Based on the larvae counts, it was determined that the adult treatments were effective. The goal of the program is to reduce the population of nuisance mosquitoes. Part of the strategy for control includes barrier controls at various parks throughout the city. Mr. Olson further explained the chemical and physical controls used in the program. The total cost for the program in 2007 was approximately $2.50 per resident. The total cost proposed for 2008 is projected at $3.17 per resident (a 17% increase) which is mainly due to fuel price increases and technology enhancements. If the contract is paid prior to April 15, 2008, a 5% savings is in effect. Staff 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – JANUARY 8, 2008 recommendation is to use a scheduled, integrated treatment of both adults and larvae, conduct periodic reviews of the program and adopt a three-year contract. Council Member Arndt noted that he has concerns that if it is a dry season, spraying isn’t necessary. However, with entering into a contract, spraying would occur regardless. Mr. Olson noted that an at- demand structure could be set up, however it is at a higher cost than a structured program. Discussion was also held regarding conducting the program in-house, versus contractual. Mayor Cook noted that he would like to see the program move towards only spraying as needed. Council Member Haugen also noted that he would like to see the cost comparison to an on-demand program. Mayor Cook suggested having a contracted amount and the remaining be at-demand. Motion by Stotts, second by Arndt, to approve entering into a one-year contract with the integrated program, including the adult study. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 10. (a) DISCUSSION OF HUTCHINSON CITY ORDINANCE 72.06 – TRUCK PARKING RESTRICTIONS – MAYOR STEVE COOK Mayor Cook noted that included in the Council packet were sample ordinances from other cities that regulate truck parking. All of the ordinances do not allow truck parking on city streets, however only two cities do not allow truck parking in residential areas. John Olson stated that the main issue from his viewpoint is the parking of trailers on residential streets. Mayor Cook noted that the issue that should be discussed is the parking of trucks on private property. Mayor Cook suggested no commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs. can be parked on city streets except for loading/unloading and no idling allowed on private property. Gary Plotz noted that he had received a complaint from a resident who had concerns with a truck idling on private property in a residential neighborhood. These limitations are only restrictive to residential neighborhoods and not commercial/industrial zones. Council Member Haugen noted he is in favor of protecting the residential neighborhoods. Motion by Stotts, second by Arndt, to table this item until January 22, 2008. Motion carried unanimously. (b) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SETTING CITY COUNCIL VISIONING SESSION Gary Plotz, City Administrator, noted that a visioning session is held annually amongst the Council. Some of the topics that could be discussed include setting budgetary items early, prioritizing some objectives (including a ranking system), discussing a process of getting public input into the process, reviewing efforts by other communities of their visioning/goal setting/public involvement and reviewing past visioning outcomes. Mayor Cook suggested having one meeting to discuss the first two items (setting parameters and prioritizing). He suggested using information from the focus groups and the goals set for the City Administrator. Mr. Plotz also mentioned that a meeting would like to be held with the state legislators before the state legislative session begins. Motion by Stotts, second by Haugen, to approve setting City Council visioning session for January 29, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and a meeting with the legislators from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS 11. Bill Arndt – Council Member Arndt noted that he had received a concerned call about loud noise being conducted in a residential area due to the HUC plasma burner. This item will be discussed at the joint meeting with HUC on Thursday, January 10, 2008. 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – JANUARY 8, 2008 Gary Plotz – Mr. Plotz noted that at the next Council meeting, the County Assessor will be present at the meeting to explain how the County is assessing commercial properties. Kent Exner – Mr. Exner distributed literature on roundabouts. Additionally, Mayor Cook asked Mr. Exner to review extending the temporary road access to the south from Michael Court and assessing the feasibility. Mayor Cook – Mayor Cook noted the feedlot expansion requested by Skyview Dairy that sits in the joint planning area. Rebecca Bowers, Planning/Zoning/Building Director, noted that Skyview Dairy is requesting an ordinance change to allow for more animal units to their feedlot. General discussion was held regarding concerns and comments of the city. ADJOURN 12. Motion by Arndt, second by Stotts, to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: _______________________________________ _____________________________________ Steven W. Cook Gary D. Plotz Mayor City Administrator 5