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11-12-2008 CCMMINUTES REGULAR MEETING – HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2008 CALL TO ORDER – 5:30 P.M. 1. Mayor Cook called the meeting to order. Members present were Bill Arndt, Casey Stotts, Jim Haugen and Kay Peterson. Others present were Gary Plotz, City Administrator, Kent Exner, City Engineer, and Marc Sebora, City Attorney. INVOCATION 2. – Sister Lucille, St. Anastasia Catholic Church, delivered the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS 4. MINUTES 5. (a)REGULARMEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 2008 Motion by Stotts, second by Peterson, 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 OCTOBER 2008 2. PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 3. PLANNING, ZONING, BUILDING DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2008 4. PARKS, RECREATION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION BOARD MINUTES FROM AUGUST 4, 2008 (b) RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 1.RESOLUTION NO. 13493 - RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE MCLEOD COUNTY ALL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2.ORDINANCE NO. 08-0517 - ORDINANCE REVISING THE ORDER OF CITY COUNCIL AGENDA (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 3.ORDINANCE NO. 08-0513 – AN ORDINANCE REZONING 1285 HWY 7 WEST FROM R2 (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ) TO C4 (FRINGE COMMERCIAL) REQUESTED BY CITIZENS BANK (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 4. ORDINANCE NO. 08-0514 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 153; SUBDIVISION CONTROL, AMENDING SECTION 153.39 AND 153.50 TO UPDATE THE FINAL PLAT FILING REQUIREMENTS AND ADD AN APPLICATION FEE FOR FINAL PLATS (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 5. ORDINANCE NO. 08-0515 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO SPECIFY FENCE HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND CLARIFY EXISTING SECTION 154.118 (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) 6. ORDINANCE NO. 08-0516 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 154.064, ADDING “OFFICES, BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL” AS A PERMITTED CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – NOVEMBER 12, 2008 USE IN THE C4 ZONING DISTRICT (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION) (c) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF REVISED ASSESSMENT ROLL – SA5088 (LETTING NO. 1, PROJECT NO. 08-01) (d) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF ACTIVATION OF DEFERRED ASSESSMENT (e) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDING CHARTER COMMISSION APPLICANTS TO BE FORWARDED TO CHIEF DISTRICT JUDGE (f) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF DESIGNATING THE HUTCHINSON CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO ACT AS THE DANGEROUS DOG HEARING OFFICER (g) CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS Items 6(b)1, 6(e) and 6(f) were pulled for separate discussion. Motion by Stotts, second by Arndt, to approve consent agenda with the exception of the items noted above. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(b)1 had further discussion. Mayor Cook noted that the memo provided by Kevin Mathews of McLeod County did not provide detailed information related to the request for approval of the Resolution. Gary Plotz, City Administrator, noted that he had spoken to Mr. Mathews shortly before the start of this meeting and Mr. Mathews stated the item could be tabled to the first meeting in December when he could be in attendance to explain the project in more detail. Motion by Arndt, second by Haugen, to table this item to the December 9, 2008, City Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(e) had further discussion. Mayor Cook noted that he had distributed a list of recommended names to be forwarded to the Chief Judge who makes the actual appointment. The individuals he is suggesting are Diane Gordon, Marlin Torgerson, Mark Lewandowski, Lyle Mullins, Mary Inglis, Steve Bauer and reappointing Deb Roepke and Mark Cormier. Further appointees will be needed in 2010. Motion by Peterson, second by Stotts, to approve Mayor’s recommendations be forwarded to the Chief Judge for appointment. Motion carried unanimously. Item 6(f) had further discussion. City Attorney Marc Sebora noted that during the last legislative session, the legislature amended the dangerous dog statute. One of the revisions was allowing municipalities to appoint an impartial hearing officer to administer dangerous dog hearings. This hearing officer would replace the necessity of the Council to take part in such hearings. Another change made to the dangerous dog law was requiring mandatory penalties as opposed to options that the Council could consider previously. The provisions of the state law must be enforced. Mayor Cook also suggested posting the dangerous dog law information on the City’s web site. Motion by Arndt, second by Haugen, to appoint the City Attorney’s office or his designee as the hearing officer to administer dangerous dog hearings. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 6:00 P.M. - NONE 7. COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS 10. 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – NOVEMBER 12, 2008 (a)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF 2009 EMPLOYEE INSURANCE RENEWALS – AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS FOR COVERAGE AND RELATED SERVICES Brenda Ewing, Human Resources Director, presented before the Council. Ms. Ewing explained that renewals for the employee insurance program to be considered are for health insurance, dental insurance, life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance and long term disability insurance. Ms. Ewing explained that the proposed plan for health insurance is to transition to a health reimbursement account plan through the City’s current carrier, Medica. This is a high deductible plan, however covered in-network preventative services are covered at 100%. In addition, the plan includes a three-tiered drug plan. Premiums are proposed at $450.59/month for single coverage and $1126.10/month for family coverage with employees paying 20% of the premium costs and the City covering the remaining 80%. In addition, the City is proposing to contribute $500 and $1000 annually to the HRA for each single participant and family unit respectively. These contributions will be funded from the City self-insurance fund. Also, the City contribution will pay for eligible out of pocket expenses on a 50%/50% cost share basis with the employees. There may be additional City contributions available to employees through a wellness initiative program that is still being developed. Dental insurance is proposed to continue with Midwest Dental as the third party administrator for the City’s self-insured plan. The single monthly premium will increase 2.5% and the family monthly premium will increase 5.1%. No changes are being proposed to the plan. Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance is being proposed to transition to a new carrier, CIGNA. This transition will see a cost savings to the City. Long Term Disability Insurance is proposed to transfer to Hartford for coverage. It is being proposed to transition from a contributory plan to a non-contributory plan. This change will provide an advantage to the employees in that if an employee becomes disabled and receive a benefit, that benefit is not taxed. The rate being proposed is significantly less than what is currently being paid. Motion by Stotts, second by Peterson, to authorize the City Administrator to enter into contracts/agreements with the noted providers for the 2009 employee insurance plans. Motion carried unanimously. (b)DISCUSSION OF 220 LYNN ROAD RESIDENCE Marc Sebora, City Attorney, presented before the Council. Mr. Sebora explained that a couple of neighbors in the area of 220 Lynn Road had approached him regarding the condition of the property which is vacant. Mr. Sebora explained that the home has gone through foreclosure and is now owned by US Bank. Mr. Sebora has been in contact with an attorney representing US Bank and they are aware of the situation. Hutchinson city code allows the Council to conduct a hearing to discuss and review the hazards and public nuisance of the property and to discuss assessing clean-up costs to the property tax roll. Motion by Stotts, second by Haugen, to set hearing to assess clean-up costs of 220 Lynn Road for 4:30 p.m. on December 23, 2008. Motion carried unanimously. Gary Plotz will discuss with Hutchinson Police Services securing the property. (c)DISCUSSION OF ROUNDABOUT INTERSECTION Kent Exner, City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Exner noted that education of roundabout use has been a topic of discussion lately. Mn/DOT and the local road research board has put together a video and pamphlet on roundabout safety and features. Mr. Exner played the video for the Council and public. Suggestions were made to have the video available at the Chamber of Commerce and posted on the City’s web site. MISCELLANEOUS 11. Eric Yost, 440 Campbell Lane, appeared before the Council. Mr. Yost, Councilmember-elect, noted that he has had questions and comments from residents that use the Hwy 15 roundabout and have had issues with 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – NOVEMBER 12, 2008 semi-trucks failing to yield to motorists in the roundabout. A suggestion was made to have enforcement near post to cite violations. Police Chief Dan Hatten noted that all law enforcement officers can issue citations to violators. Chief Hatten noted that he will have HPD presence near the roundabout. Bill Arndt – Council Member Arndt urged vehicles being parked on the streets to park off the street so as to ease the street department’s work in cleaning the streets. Gary Plotz – Mr. Plotz noted a new orientation program will be taking place for the newly elected City Council Members, Eric Yost and Chad Czmowski. City Council packets will be delivered to them beginning with the November 25, 2008, Council meeting and they will also be invited to all scheduled Council meetings. Mr. Plotz also mentioned that additional enterprise fund workshops need to be scheduled. Mr. Plotz th suggested starting the workshop on November 25 at an earlier time that that which it is scheduled. Motion by Peterson, second by Cook, to change the start time of the November 25, 2008, Council workshop from 4:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Plotz further mentioned that a general fund budget workshop needs to be held prior to the December 2, 2008, Truth in Taxation hearing. Motion by Haugen, second by Cook, to set November 21, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. as a general fund budget workshop. Motion carried unanimously. Gary Plotz noted that effective January 1, 2009, there will be a vacant position of Assistant Finance Director with the retirement of the Finance Director and promotion of the current Assistant Finance Director. Mr. Plotz noted that interviews were held and an offer was made to an individual for the position, however the individual declined the offer. It appears that more interviews will need to be held to find a candidate. Mayor Cook asked if Ken Merrill could come back for a short time in 2009 to aid in the transition. Gary Plotz noted that could be a possibility. Mayor Cook – Mayor Cook reminded the Council of the Policy Governance workshop scheduled for November 20, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. Chad Czmowski and Eric Yost, Councilmembers-Elect, are invited to attend. Stacy Sjogren, Policy Governance consultant, suggested having Gary Plotz provide them an overview of Policy Governance, preferably before that date. Mayor Cook also noted that Gary Plotz’s performance review should be on the next agenda to set in December. ADJOURN 12. Motion by Arndt, second by Peterson, to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 4