01-12-2016 CCMHUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
(The City Council is provided background information for agenda items in advance by city staff, committees and boards. Many
decisions regarding agenda items are based upon this information as well as: City policy and practices, inputfrom constituents,
and other questions or information that has not yet been presented or discussed regarding an agenda item)
CALL MEETING TO ORDER — 5:30 P.M.
Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Mary Christensen, Chad
Czmowski, Bill Arndt and John Lofdahl. Others present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, Marc
Sebora, City Attorney and Kent Exner, City Engineer
(a) Approve the Council agenda and any agenda additions and/or corrections
Motion by Lofdahl, second by Christensen, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
2. INVOCATION — Vineyard United Methodist Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. RECOGNITION OF GIFTS, DONATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE CITY
(a) Proclamation — "One Book, One Community"
Mary Henke, representative from Hearth of Hutch, presented before the Council. Ms. Henke
explained that the subcommittee of Heart of Hutch that she represents is the area of Connect
Wholeheartedly. This area believes that a strong community finds many ways for residents to
interact with each other. The purpose of "One Book, One Community" is to have the community
of Hutchinson focusing on one book at the same time. Ms. Henke reviewed programs associated
with the book that are going on while the community is reading the book.
(b) Resolution No. 14510 — Resolution Accepting Donation from VFW Post 906
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich noted that the VFW
Post 906 has donated $15,000 to the City. Two conditions are associated with the donation —
one is that the money be used to construct a bathroom facility at the VFW Park and the other is
that the money be spent by July 1, 2016. Sara Redekpp, Hunger Free McLeod, presented before
the Council. Ms. Redekopp explained that Hunger Free McLeod is requesting the construction of
a permanent bathroom facility at VFW Park. Hunger Free McLeod uses the park for their
Summer Feeding Program. Ms. Redekopp explained that Hunger Free McLeod receives federal
funding for the program. In order to receive funding, a restroom is required to be at the facility.
Hunger Free McLeod has been renting a porta-potty for the last three summers, however there
have been issues with vandalism. The estimated cost to construct a bathroom at VFW Park is
approximately $43,700. The park department has indicated that they can allocate $10,000 from
the 2016 budget to help cover the costs and Hutchinson Utilities Commission would be willing to
provide the electrical service "in-kind". Along with the VFW donation, the project is still
approximately $17,200 short of the needed funding to pay for this project. Ms. Redekopp noted
she will continue to work on seeking funding to complete the program.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Arndt, to approve Resolution No. 14510. Motion carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the City Council on items not on the current agenda. If you have a
question, concern or comment, please ask to be recognized by the mayor— state your name and address for the record. Please keep
comments under 5 minutes. Individuals wishing to speak for more than five minutes should ask to be included on the agenda in
advance of the meeting. All comments are appreciated, but please refrain from personal or derogatory attacks on individuals)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2016
5. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
(a) Regular Meeting of December 22, 2015
Motion by Christensen, second by Lofdahl, to approve minutes as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
(The items listed for consideration will be enacted by one motion unless the Mayor, a member of the City Council or a city
staff member requests an item to be removed. Traditionally items are not discussed.)
7. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA I
(a) Resolution No. 14506 - Designating Depositories of City Funds in Commercial Banks and Institutions
(b) Resolution No. 14508 - Appointing Matthew Jaunich as City Administrator for 2016
(c) Resolution No. 14509 - Designating Official Newspaper as Hutchinson Leader
(d) Selection of Council's Vice President — Chad Czmowski
(e) Designation of Council Representatives to Boards & Commissions:
1. AIRPORT COMMISSION — Gary Forcier
2. CREEKSIDE ADVISORY BOARD — John Lofdahl
3. HUTCHINSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) — Chad
Czmowski and Mary Christensen
4. HUTCHINSON HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA) —
Gary Forcier
5. JOINT PLANNING BOARD — Bill Arndt
6. LIBRARY BOARD — Mary Christensen
7. MID -MINNESOTA COMMISSION — Bill Arndt
8. PARKS, RECREATION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD —
Chad Czmowski
9. PLANNING COMMISSION — Bill Arndt
10. PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION — Mary Christensen
11. TREE BOARD — Gary Forcier
12. BICYCLE -PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE — John Lofdahl
(f) Designation of Council Representatives to Other Committees:
1. HUTCHINSON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION — Gary Forcier
2. FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION — Fire Chief Mike Schumann, City Administrator
Matthew Jaunich, Mayor Gary Forcier
3. RESOURCE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE — Gary Forcier and John Lofdahl
4. WAGE COMMITTEE — Chad Czmowski and Gary Forcier
5. CITY -SCHOOL DISTRICT JOINT PLANNING COMMITTEE — Chad
Czmowski and Gary Forcier
6. RADIO BOARD —John Lofdahl
2
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2016
7. SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE — Bill Arndt
(g) Consideration for Approval of 2016 City Calendar
(h) Reappointment of Daron Vanderheiden to Hutchinson EDA to December 2021
(i) Appointment of Mike Cannon to Hutchinson EDA to December 2021
0) Resolution No. 14517 - Resolution Establishing Location for Traffic Control Devices
(k) Resolution No. 14519 - Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Adoption of a
Modification to the Development Program for Development District No. 4 and the Proposed
Establishment of Tax Increment Financing District No. 4-16 Therein and the Adoption of a Tax
Increment Financing Plan Therefor
(1) Consideration for Approval of Items for 2016 Pavement Management Program Phase 1 Project —
Letting No. 1, Project No. 16-01
- Resolution No. 14511 - Ordering Preparation of Report on Improvement
- Resolution No. 14512 - Receiving Report and Calling Hearing on Improvement
- Setting Public Hearing for February 9, 2016, at 6:00 p.m.
(m) Consideration for Approval of Items for 2016 Street Sealcoating Project — Letting No. 3, Project No.
16-03
- Resolution No. 14513 - Ordering Preparation of Report on Improvement
- Resolution No. 14514 - Receiving Report and Calling Hearing on Improvement
- Setting Public Hearing for February 9, 2016, at 6:00 p.m.
(n) Consideration for Approval of Items for City of Hutchinson Local Surface Water Management Plan
- Resolution No. 14518 - Resolution Calling Hearing
- Setting Public Hearing for February 9, 2016, at 6:00 p.m.
(o) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments - Register A
Item (f)5 — Chad Czmowski questioned if this committee is still active
Item (f)7 — Bill Arndt questioned if this committee is still active
Matt Jaunich noted he will check into whether or not these committees are still active.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to approve Consent Agenda I. Motion carried
unanimously.
8. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA II
(a) Claims, Appropriations and Contract Payments - Register B
Motion by Arndt, second by Czmowski, with Forcier abstaining, to approve Consent Agenda II.
Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (6:00 P.M.)
9. Consideration of Ordinance No. 15-749 — An Ordinance Approving Revisions to Sections of the
3
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2016
Hutchinson City Charter as Recommended by the Charter Commission (Set Second Reading and
Adoption for January 26, 2016)
Marc Sebora, City Attorney, presented before the Council. Mr. Sebora explained that the Charter
Commission met in November and December 2015 and has recommended some amendments to the City
Charter. Mr. Sebora explained that state law requires a public hearing be held when considering
amendments to the Charter via ordinance. Mr. Sebora reviewed the proposed amendments. They are as
follows: Section 2.04 —Elective Officers: changing the beginning of the term of an elective officer be the
first Monday in January as opposed to the first business day in January. If the Monday is a holiday, then
it would be the first Tuesday in January. Section 2.09 — Vacancies in the Council: Allowing an appointee
to complete an expired term of a council member if there are two years or less of a term rather than one
year or less. In addition, language has been revised to indicated holding a special election to fill a vacant
seat if an unexpired term exceeds two years rather than one year. Section 3.01— Council Meetings: This
change is to hold the first Council meeting of the year following an election of the first Monday in January
rather than on the first business day in January. If the Monday is a holiday, then the meeting would be
held on the first Tuesday in January. Section 4.011 — Municipal Election: The amendment strikes out
reference to a specific month of the primary and simply refers to the state law. Section 4.02 — Special
Elections: Adds language allowing the Council the authority to cancel a special election if the candidate
appointed to serve the remainder of an unexpired term is the only candidate on the ballot. Section 7.05 —
Capital Improvement Program: Changes the timeline from June 1 to August 1 of each year for the city
administrator to prepare and submit a recommended five-year capital improvement program. Section
7.06 — Council Action on Budget: Changes the timeline from the first meeting in September to the
second meeting in September for the Council to consider the City's budget. Section 10.01— Franchises
Required: Amended language allows Council approval rather than ordinance adoption for temporary uses
of public property.
Council Member Lofdahl asked questions about whether or not the Council should consider any of these
items being voted on at an election, or instead have a petition circulated to consider amendments.
Council Member Lofdahl specifically questioned amendments to Section 2.09 — Vacancies in the Council.
He thought perhaps voters could vote on this item or if a resident had a desire to have this section
amended differently, a petition could be circulated.
Steve Cook, 728 Juul Road, presented before the Council. Mr. Cook spoke about the proposed changes
to Section 2.09. Mr. Cook explained that in the year 2000, voters did vote on this section and voted to
the one year language. Since this language was adopted (as it is currently written), the only instance
where an appointment has been made was in 2015. Mr. Cook suggested that if the concern is having a
special election for only one candidate, he suggested amending Section 4.02 — Special Elections. Mr.
Cook felt that amending Section 2.09 as it is presented overturns a vote of the people. Mr. Cook
requested the Council table this item, including all the recommended amendments, and refer it back to the
Charter Commission. Mr. Cook suggested that the Council not overturn a vote of the people and take
care of the issue by amending the Charter in a different manner. Mr. Cook also suggested amending
Section 4.02 to clarify that the only way a special election would be cancelled is if the appointed
individual was the only candidate on the ballot.
Council Member Lofdahl noted he would be in favor of tabling this item to allow more time to receive
additional information.
Steve Cook noted that he feels the Council should honor the vote of the people in 2000. He noted he has
considered petitioning for an additional amendment to increase the mayor's term to four years, however
he is second guessing the work that goes into circulating a petition if a future Council and Charter
Commission will just overturn a decision by the voters. Mr. Cook spoke about responsibilities of the
mayor's position. Mr. Cook noted that at a recent Charter Commission meeting, it was mentioned that
the mayor was just a figurehead. Mr. Cook stated that this statement is a disservice to the position. Mr.
Cook provided various statistics on the numbers of cities that have four-year mayoral terms. Mr. Cook
also spoke of the benefits he sees to a four-year mayoral term. He asked that the Charter Commission
reconsider changing the mayor's term from two years to four years and allow the people to vote on the
issue. Mr. Cook also encouraged the Council to adopt by-laws.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Lofdahl, to close public hearing. Motion carried unanimously
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2016
Motion by Lofdahl, second by Christensen, to table this item to February 9, 2016.
Marc Sebora noted that state law requires the Council to vote on this ordinance within one month from
today. Mr. Sebora also noted that there are other alternatives available to amend the Charter.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. Water Tower (Golf Course Road) Reconditioning Project — Letting No. 4, Project No. 16-04
- Resolution No. 14515 - Resolution Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans and
Specifications
- Resolution No. 14516 - Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering
Advertisement for Bids
- Setting Bid Opening for February 18, 2016, at 10:30 a.m.
Kent Exner, City Engineer, presented before the Council. Mr. Exner provided a brief project overview of
the Golf Course Road water tower reconditioning program. The project is to address the internal and
external coatings of the water tower. The water tower was constructed in 1972 with the last coatings
being applied in 1988. The estimated cost of the project is $600,000.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Arndt, to close public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Christensen, second by Lofdahl, to approve Resolution No. 14515 & 14516 and set bid
opening for February 18, 2016. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS, REQUESTS AND PETITIONS
(The purpose of this portion of the agenda is to provide the Council with information necessary to craft wise policy. Includes
items like monthly or annual reports and communications from other entities)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
11. Approve/Deny Purchase of Property Located at 126 Franklin Street NW As Requested by the
Hutchinson Economic Development Authority
Miles Seppelt, EDA Director, presented before the Council. Mr. Seppelt explained that the
Hutchinson EDA is requesting authorization to purchase a blighted property located at 126 Franklin
Street NW which is known as the "old medical clinic". The EDA's plan is to purchase the property,
demolish the existing building and improve the site in order to set the stage for future development.
The project would be funded out of existing tax increment dollars in Development District No. 4,
which can only be used for the remediation and removal of blight.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Lofdahl, to approve purchase of property located at 126 Franklin
Street NW as requested by the Hutchinson EDA. Motion carried unanimously.
12. Approve/Deny Setting January 25, 2016, as Special Meeting for Hutchinson Center for the Arts
Annual Meeting
Matt Jaunich noted that the Council has been invited to attend the CFA annual meeting being held at
6:00 p.m. on January 25, 2016.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Lofdahl, to set special meeting for January 25, 2016, at 6:00 p.m.to
attend the Hutchinson Center for the Arts annual meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
GOVERNANCE
(The purpose of this portion of the agenda is to deal with organizational development issues, including policies,
performances, and other matters that manage the logistics of the organization. May include monitoring reports, policy
development and governance process items)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2016
13. MINUTES FROM COMMITTEES, BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS
(a) Public Library Board Minutes from November 23, 2015
(b) Snow Removal — Ice Control Report for November and December 2015
c) Liquor Hutch Annual Report for 2015
d) Bicycle -Pedestrian Advisory Committee Minutes from September 16, 2015
MISCELLANEOUS
14. STAFF UPDATES
Matt Jaunich — Mr. Jaunich noted that City offices will be closed January 18, 2016, in honor of Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day. Mr. Jaunich also noted that over the last few weeks staff has received anonymous
letters posing questions to staff. Mr. Jaunich encouraged people to provide their contact information so
they can be responded to.
15. COUNCIL/MAYOR UPDATE
Bill Arndt — Council Member Arndt suggested that the Council representatives to the various
boards/commissions provide updates at the Council meetings from their respective meetings.
Council Member Arndt also noted that he had received a comment from an elderly woman in reference
to the lighting in the area of the ice arena/recreation center. Matt Jaunich and Kent Exner noted that
staff received a comment as well and at this time have agreed to put wall-pacs on the buildings
surrounding the parking lot. Council Member Arndt suggested putting a fixture up in the space between
the buildings so as not to take up parking lot space. Council Member Arndt also commented the back
lot of the Hutchinson Mall is extremely dangerous with the number of potholes. Staff noted that there is
little they can do other than perhaps look into nuisance scenarios, however that could open the door to
several private properties that would be categorized as a nuisance that the City really has no control
over.
John Lofdahl — Council Member Lofdahl asked Marc Sebora, City Attorney, to look into compliance
with the new federal legislation related to gun laws and the gun shows that are held in the City. Council
Member Lofdahl spoke of a nuisance property a couple doors down from his home on Jefferson Street.
Mary Christensen — Council Member Christensen asked staff to provide an update on regulating the
turkey population. Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, informed the Council that the City recently
received its permit from the DNR to capture turkeys and to date have captured five. The permit allows
the City to capture 25 turkeys so therefore staff will continue to capture up to 25 turkeys.
Council Member Christensen also suggested having new employees come forth at Council meetings so
the Council and the public can meet new employees and be able to put a name with the face of public
positions.
Gary Forcier — Mayor Forcier encouraged residents to adopt a fire hydrant and clean the snow from
around them to assist firefighters in case of an emergency. Mayor Forcier noted that John Olson will
give a presentation at an upcoming meeting on how snow routes are prioritized.
16. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTE §13D.05, SUBD. 3(a) TO
CONDUCT CITY ADMINISTRATOR ONE-YEAR PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Motion by Arndt, second by Christensen, to convene into closed session at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Arndt, to reconvene into open session at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
I
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2016
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to approve a 6% salary increase for City Administrator,
Matthew Jaunich. Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Czmowski, second by Christensen, to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator
7