Loading...
02-08-2011 CCMMINUTES REGULAR MEETING – HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011 CALL TO ORDER – 5:30 P.M. 1. Mayor Steve Cook called the meeting to order. Members present were Mary Christensen, Eric Yost, Bill Arndt and Chad Czmowski. Others present were Jeremy Carter, City Administrator, Marc Sebora, City Attorney and Kent Exner, City Engineer. INVOCATION 2. – Rev. John Pasche, Peace Lutheran Church, delivered the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS 4. MINUTES 5. (a)REGULARMEETING OF JANUARY 25, 2011 Motion by Czmowski, second by Yost, to approve minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA 6. (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)RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 1.RESOLUTION NO. 13846 – A RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL OF PARKLAND EXCHANGE (b)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF ISSUING TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSE TO HUTCHINSON JAYCEES ON APRIL 30, 2011, AT HUTCHINSON CIVIC ARENA (c)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SETTING BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING FOR APRIL 20, 2011, AT 4:30 P.M. AT THE HUTCHINSON CITY CENTER (d)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF ISSUING TOBACCO LICENSE TO KARIM MISHAL LOCATED AT 725 BALTIMORE AVENUE (e)SUMMARY OF CLOSED MEETING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SESSION HELD ON JANUARY 25, 2011 (f)CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT PAYMENTS Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to approve consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 6:00 P.M. - NONE 7. COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS 8. (Purpose: to provide Council with information necessary to craft wise policy. Always looking toward the future, not monitoring past) UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS 10. (a)DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR A SEASONAL FORESTRY PROGRAM CITY COUNCIL MINUTES –FEBRUARY 8, 2011 Mayor Cook noted this item is a follow-up to the presentation given at the last meeting in regard to the forestry maintenance program. Mayor Cook noted that perhaps a more formal seasonal forestry program should be put together, which could include the energy conservation program that the Hutchinson Utilities Commission administers. Mayor Cook expressed that staff should be proactive in planning for future development. John Olson, Public Works Manager, presented before the Council. Mr. Olson noted that the City Code speaks to infected trees and how the city is to work with developers and new developments. Mr. Olson noted that staff is in a position to enforce both sections of the city code. He further noted that at the next Council meeting staff will be presenting a grant awarded to the City for a forestry program which will cover the needs for 2011. Mr. Olson expressed that what needs to be discussed is a forestry program in 2012 and beyond. It was also noted that subdivision agreements typically cover tree requirements in new developments. Council Member Arndt asked if volunteers could be used for tree plantings. Mr. Olson commented that volunteers have been utilized and can continue to be utilized in the future in a limited capacity. (b) DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FIRE INSPECTIONS Mayor Cook mentioned that with some staff reductions, it has been discussed that commercial and industrial fire inspections could potentially not occur any longer. Mayor Cook expressed that he feels this program should continue in some capacity, whether its on a rotating basis or in another fashion. Council Member Czmowski noted that Fire Chief Emans should provide feedback on the program. City Administrator Carter noted that he did speak with Chief Emans regarding this and Chief Emans does feel it is an important program, however may not be able to be completed in 2011. He feels comfortable with the status of current commercial and industrial properties, but that rental properties need to be the focus for 2011. If the Council wishes, discussion should begin to be held for commercial and industrial inspections in 2012 and beyond. The consensus of the Council was to begin discussions regarding instituting a plan for commercial and industrial inspections beginning in 2012. (c)DISCUSSION OF ESTABLISHING A FORMAL EMERALD ASH BORER FUND Mayor Cook noted that the Council has discussed previously having funds for an emerald ash borer outbreak. At one of the last discussions, the Council suggested using the $2.00 recycling credit that is no longer given to residents and using that towards a fund.City Administrator Carter noted that he could draft a Resolution earmarking a certain dollar amount for this specific fund. The Council felt that $50,000 would be a good starting point and the money could come from the refuse fund which is where the recycling credit funds are sitting. (d)CONSIDERATION FOR APPROVAL OF SETTING JOINT MEETING WITH HUTCHINSON UTILITIES COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 23, 2011, AT 4:00 P.M. Motion by Arndt, second by Czmowski, to set joint meeting with Hutchinson Utilities Commission for February 23, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. at the City Center. Motion carried unanimously. GOVERNANCE 11. (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)HUTCHINSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTATION – MILES SEPPELT, EDA DIRECTOR The hardbound copy of the report is on file in the City Administrator’s office. General discussion was held regarding occupancy of vacant properties throughout the city. Mayor Cook commented on what a good year 2010 was for the EDA. 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES –FEBRUARY 8, 2011 (b)FIRE DEPARTMENT MONTHLY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2011 (c) HUTCHINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2010 (d)SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL MONTHLY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2011 No action required for these items. MISCELLANEOUS 12. Bill Arndt – Council Member Arndt commented that he and Council Member Christensen, who are both members of Historic Hutchinson, toured the recently renovated Henry J. Hill Elementary School in Glencoe. Council Member Arndt commented on a plaque that the City of Glencoe has displayed which lists previous mayors, council members and city administrators. He suggested that the City of Hutchinson research having such an item made. Eric Yost – Council Member Yost commented that he received a call from a resident who has issues over the snow emergency ordinance. The resident feels that the ordinance singles out a minority and has concerns that there are no alternative places to park during a snow emergency. Kent Exner – Mr. Exner noted that Mn/DOT is turning back the pond on Hwy 7 near Subway. This was approved by the Council in 2006 as part of the project cooperative agreement. th Council Member Arndt asked about off-street parking at Kiwanis Park on 5 Avenue North. Mr. Exner commented that design work is being completed as part of an improvement project scheduled for 2012. Mayor Cook – Mayor Cook noted that the local sales tax bill is progressing at the legislature. ADJOURN 13. Motion by Arndt, second by Czmowski, to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. 3