02-09-2010 CCMMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING Î HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
1. CALL TO ORDER Î 5:30 P.M.
Mayor Cook called the meeting to order. Members present were Jim Haugen, Bill Arndt, Eric Yost and Chad
Czmowski. Others present were Gary Plotz, City Administrator, Kent Exner, City Engineer, and Marc Sebora,
City Attorney.
2. INVOCATION Î Rev. Greg Nelson, Bethlehem United Methodist Church, delivered the invocation.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kerry Hansen, Crow River Wheelers, presented before the Council. Mr. Hansen informed the Council that
the Crow River Wheelers is attempting to obtain a grant for an ATV park in Meeker County and the group is
asking for the CouncilÓs support. The land is already developed and being used for ATV use, however the
grant would be for improvements and construction of a shelter.
Motion by Arndt, second by Czmowski, to approve a letter of support for the Crow River Wheelers to apply
for state and federal grant funds. The City Attorney will draft said letter for the CouncilÓs consideration at
the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
5. MINUTES
(a) REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 25, 2010
Motion by Arndt, second by Haugen, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
(Purpose: only for items requiring Council approval by external entities that would otherwise
have been delegated to the City Administrator. Traditionally, items are not discussed.)
(a) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
(b) RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
1. RESOLUTION NO. 13693 - RESOLUTION REVISING 2010 FEE SCHEDULE (SEWER RATES,
LIQUOR LICENSES)
(c) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SETTING BOARD OF REVIEW HEARING FOR APRIL
14, 2010, AT 4:30 P.M.
(d) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT HANGAR LEASE POLICY
(e) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT AGRICULTURAL LAND LEASE
(f) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SHORT-TERM GAMBLING LICENSE FOR CROW
RIVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. ON AUGUST 22, 2010
(g) CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS
Items 6(c) and 6(d) were pulled for separate discussion.
Motion by Haugen, second by Arndt, to approve consent agenda with the exception of the items noted
above. Motion carried unanimously.
Item 6(c) had clarification that the Board of Review hearing will be held in the Council Chambers.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ÎFEBRUARY 9, 2010
Motion by Yost, second by Cook, to approve Item 6(c). Motion carried unanimously.
Item 6(d) had further discussion. Mayor Cook noted that a refundable fee used to be part of the policy if an
individual was removed from the hangar waiting list. Mayor Cook suggested having the fee be
nonrefundable. John Olson, Public Works Manager, noted that a nonrefundable deposit could be used
towards the first monthÓs rent. $50.00 was suggested for the deposit amount.
Motion by Yost, second by Cook, to table this item until the next Council meeting and bring forth a revised
policy with the language noted above included. Motion carried unanimously.
Miles Seppelt, EDA Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Seppelt explained that in late December
the
EDA staff was contacted by a company that wanted to do a project in McLeod County. The project is
estimated to create 60 jobs within two years, paying $15/hour with full benefits. The project could be
classified as Ðrenewable energy/bio-scienceÑ. The project location would be in McLeod County, but not in
Hutchinson. Hutchinson will obtain significant benefits if this project happens. EDA staff has contacted the
county about this opportunity. The County approached the EDA about providing assistance for the
coordination and implementation of this economic development project. Both the EDA Finance Team and
the EDA Board have reviewed the project in detail and are recommending approval of this request.
Mr. Seppelt provided a Resolution for the Council to consider approving an authorization of the Hutchinson
EDA to contract with McLeod County for this specific economic development project.
Motion by Arndt, second by Haugen, to approve authorizing Hutchinson EDA to contract with McLeod
County for a specific economic development project, adopting Resolution No. 13694. Motion carried
unanimously.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS Î 6:00 P.M.
8. COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS
(Purpose: to provide Council with information
necessary to craft wise policy. Always looking toward the future, not monitoring past)
(a) Dan Hatten, Police Chief, presented before the Council. Chief Hatten provided a report on the first snow
emergency event that occurred last evening. 42 vehicles were cited for parking on the streets during the
snow emergency. Along with the citation was an informational sheet providing residents educational
information on the snow emergency ordinance.
It was noted that the ordinance does allow for the HPD to tow vehicles parked on the street, but the Chief
had suggested ticketing the vehicles to provide residents more information. The Council suggested
giving tickets for one more snow event before vehicles are towed.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
10. NEW BUSINESS
(a) CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 10-0540 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 90.03 Î
OBSTRUCTIONS IN STREETS (WAIVE FIRST READING AND SET SECOND READING AND
ADOPTION FOR FEBRUARY 23, 2010)
Gary Plotz, City Administrator, noted that the Council will be implementing a leaf vacuum system in the
Fall of 2010. With this new program, an ordinance revision is necessary to allow residents to rake their
leaves into the gutter portion of the street.
Motion by Arndt, second by Czmowski, to waive first reading and set second reading and adoption of
Ordinance No. 10-0540 for February 23, 2010. Motion carried unanimously.
(b) DISCUSSION OF PURCHASING NETBOOKS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Cook noted that this item was discussed at the last Council meeting. A list of benefits was identified
for having Council Members use laptop computers.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ÎFEBRUARY 9, 2010
Tom Kloss, Information Technology Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Kloss identified a $329
Netbook with very low licensing rates. The main purpose for the Netbook is to provide Council Members
with electronic Council packets and allow better emailing capabilities with attachments. These would be
city-owned machines. The City would see a cost savings of at least $1500 over a six-year period.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Haugen, to approve purchasing Netbooks for City Council Members.
Motion carried unanimously.
(c) OVERVIEW OF 2009 FINANCIALS Î JEREMY CARTER, FINANCE DIRECTOR
Jeremy Carter, Finance Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Carter reviewed financial data for 2009
and explained each line item. Overall, for 2009, the budget came in at approximately $600,000 under
budget. These excess funds will potentially be used for the dramatic cut in LGA funds that is anticipated in
future years.
(d) CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF RESETTING FEBRUARY 23, 2010, CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
Mayor Cook noted that the hospital board has a meeting the same night as the next Council meeting.
Although the hospital board will be changing their standing meeting, obligations were already scheduled for
the February 23, 2010, hospital board meeting. Changing the Council meeting from February 23, 2010, will
allow Council Member Yost to attend both meetings, as he serves on the hospital board as well.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Haugen, to re-set February 23, 2010, City Council meeting and 4:00 p.m.
workshop to February 22, 2010. Motion carried unanimously.
(e) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTE 13D.05 TO DISCUSS THE SALE OF
TH
PROPERTY (450 4 STREET NORTH Î DASSEL, MINNESOTA)
Motion by Arndt, second by Yost, to convene into closed session at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Arndt, second by Haugen, to reconvene into regular session at 7:29 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
11. GOVERNANCE
(Purpose: to assess past organizational performance, develop policy that guides the organization and
Council and manage the logistics of the Council. May include monitoring reports, policy development and governance
process items.)
(a) PRESENTATION BY MARILYN HED, DEPUTY REGISTRAR, REGARDING PERFORMANCE OF
MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT IN 2009 WITH MEASUREMENTS
Gary Plotz, City Administrator, explained that Ms. HedÓs report is the first of the year for multiple
presentations that will be given by various departments throughout the year.
Marilyn Hed, Deputy Registrar, provided an overview of 2009 for the motor vehicle department. Ms. Hed
explained that the biggest change for the department in 2009 was changing to a 4-day work week. Overall,
the motor vehicle department is operating very strongly for such a small office.
(b)REVIEW OF CITY-SCHOOL-COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT OF
UNDERSTANDING
Mayor Cook noted that the City and School District are taking applications for interested persons to serve
on
The City-School-Community Advisory Committee. As part of the application, a statement of understanding
Is attached. Mayor Cook asked that the Council review the statement.
(c)FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2010
(d)HUTCHINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ÎFEBRUARY 9, 2010
(e) HUTCHINSON HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD MINUTES FROM
DECEMBER 15, 2009
(f)RESOURCE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2010
(g) PARKS, RECREATION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION BOARD MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 7, 2009
(h) SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL MONTHLY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2010
No action required for Items 11(a) Î 11(h).
(i) REAFFIRMATION OF COUNCILÓS ENDORSEMENT OF STAFF WORKING WITH STATE
LEGISLATORS ON LOCAL SALES TAX
Mayor Cook noted that Senator Dille and Rep. Shimanski are currently working on a local sales tax bill for
the water/sewer debt related to the recent expansions. They requested that the Council take formal action
noting the CouncilÓs support of their work on this project.
Motion by Yost, second by Cook, to officially resolve CouncilÓs endorsement of state legislators working on
local sales tax bill for the City of Hutchinson. Motion carried unanimously.
12. MISCELLANEOUS
Eric Yost Î Council Member Yost stated that board positions are open on the Pioneerland Library Board.
Gary Plotz Î Mr. Plotz noted that staff is working on outcomes of Ends Statements identified by the
Council.
Mr. Plotz noted that a promotion and swearing in ceremony for the recent position changes at the
Hutchinson Police Department will be held on February, 19, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. at the Event Center.
Motion by Arndt, second by Haugen, to set February 19, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. at Event Center as public
meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Plotz mentioned that there are a renewable resource of pellets made in Cherokee, IA. These pellets
are made out of residuals that Creekside can produce. Mr. Plotz and Doug Johnson of Creekside would
like to visit the plant to see how the pellets are produced. Staff will bring along a representative from
Ameresco.
Motion by Arndt, second by Yost, to approve out-of-state travel for Plotz and Johnson to visit Cherokee,
IA. Motion carried unanimously.
Kent Exner Î Mr. Exner noted that a bid opening date will be set for April 19, 2010, for the
Washington/Adams Street project.
General discussion was held regarding assessments for improvement projects and options there may be for
deferring assessments.
Mayor Cook Î Mayor Cook noted that on February 17, 2010, he and a couple of staff members will be
meeting with legislative leaders to discuss the local sales tax issue.
Mayor Cook talked about a Ðbill stufferÑ going out with the utility bills promoting the Buy Local program
and Census 2010 information.
Mayor Cook also asked for an update on foreclosure properties.
13. ADJOURN
Motion by Arndt, second by Yost, to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
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