HomeMy Public PortalAbout10.17.2023 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
October 17, 2023
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 17, 2023
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on October 17, 2023 at
7:10 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Cavanaugh, DesLauriers, Martin, and Reid.
Members absent: None.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, City Clerk Caitlyn Walker, Attorney
Dave Anderson, Finance Director Erin Barnhart, City Planning Director Dusty Finke,
Public Works Director Steve Scherer, and Chief of Police Jason Nelson.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (7:10 p.m.)
III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:10 p.m.)
Johnson requested to add an item XI to the agenda, Closed Session: PFAS Litigation.
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Martin, to approve the agenda as amended.
Motion passed unanimously.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:11 p.m.)
A. Approval of the October 3, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin noted that prior to the meeting Johnson distributed changes that she had
proposed for incorporation.
Moved by Albers, seconded by Cavanaugh, to approve the October 3, 2023 regular City
Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:12 p.m.)
A. Approve Final Voucher for Arrowhead Drive Turn Lane Expansion Project
B. Approve Final Voucher for Clydesdale Trail Rehabilitation Project
C. Approve LMCIT Insurance Liability Renewal Waiver
D. Resolution 2023-98 Certifying Delinquent Utility Charges to the Hennepin
County Auditor for Collection in 2024
E. Resolution 2023-99 Certifying Delinquent Stormwater Utility Charges to
Hennepin County Auditor for Collection in 2024
F. Resolution 2023-100 Certifying Delinquent City Charges for Services to the
Hennepin County Auditor for Collection in 2024
G. Resolution 2023-101 Authorizing Execution of MNDOT Agreement No.
1053965 Pertaining to Turn Lane Construction for Eagle Bluff 5th Addition
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the consent agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
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October 17, 2023
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VI. COMMENTS (7:13 p.m.)
A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda
There were none.
B. Park Commission
Park Commissioner Mayer commented that the Commission will meet the following night
to continue discussions related to pickleball noise mitigation, review the Capital
Improvement Plan and Trail Work Plan, and to review the amendment request for
Meander Park and Boardwalk. He also provided a brief update on the progress on
different ongoing park projects.
DesLauriers referenced Hunter Lions Park and the reconstruction of the tennis court,
noting that phase two is now shown as 2025 and asked why that is not occurring in
2024.
Scherer commented that they will need to discuss what will be done with the old court.
DesLauriers commented that he would like to see the pickleball courts for Maple Park
moved forward, as those are shown in 2026.
Martin asked if there would be an available funding source that could move that project
forward.
Johnson stated that there would be an option for an interfund loan.
Scherer commented that he was unsure that would be necessary, noting that they were
being conservative in their planning.
Barnhart commented that there will be some revenue increase to the park fund as
discussed in budgeting beginning in 2024.
Reid wondered if there would need to be a mandatory buffer zone around pickleball
courts. She commented that the problems that arose relating to noise was due to the
proximity to homes.
Mayer commented that is part of the discussion the Commission has been having.
C. Planning Commission
Planning Commissioner Ahmed reported that the Planning Commission met the previous
week to hold a public hearing to consider an amendment to the Meander Park and
Boardwalk project. He stated that the amendment added a strip of property to the east
to increase the space for the daycare and parking along with a request to add carport
structures with solar panels. He stated that there was a lengthy discussion on the solar
panels/carport and the Commission recommended approval with the request that
landscaping is increased around the carport.
DesLauriers asked if any changes were requested to the solar panels.
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October 17, 2023
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Ahmed replied that no changes were recommended to the panels, but increased
landscaping. He noted that the applicant has stated that this will be an event venue and
therefore it is also in their best interest to make the site attractive.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution 2023-102 Awarding the Sale of $2,215,000 General Obligation
Improvement Bonds, Series 2023A (7:23 p.m.)
Keith Dahl, Ehlers, presented the sale results for the General Obligation Improvement
Bonds that will be used to finance road projects. He noted that the City was upgraded to
a AAA bond rating. He presented a placard acknowledging that the City has upgraded
its rating as this is a huge achievement for Medina. He stated that three bids were
received, and they were able to reduce the bond size by about $100,000. He
recommended awarding the bond sale to Northland Securities Inc.
DesLauriers thanked Barnhart for the work she does to help the City achieve this rating.
Barnhart acknowledged that it is a joint effort between staff and the Council.
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to approve Resolution 2023-102 awarding
the sale of General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2023A, in the original
aggregate principal amount of $2,115,000; fixing their form and specifications; directing
their execution and delivery; and providing for their payment. Motion passed
unanimously.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, recognizing the years of hard work of City staff to
achieve the new bond rating. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Personnel Policies Update (7:32 p.m.)
Johnson stated that some changes were required to be made due to changes with State
law and provided a brief overview.
Walker stated that these changes are to ensure compliance with recent State law
changes and most of the language for the policies came from the League of Minnesota
Cities model personnel policies. She reviewed the changes related to drug and alcohol
testing for non-DOT employees. She reviewed additional changes to earned sick and
safe leave.
Martin asked how much earned sick and safe leave full-time employees would earn
compared to what is required by statute.
Walker replied that currently full-time employees earn eight hours per month and part-
time employees earn four hours per month and the law requires one hour of earned sick
and safe leave for every 30 hours worked.
Barnhart noted that full-time employees earn 3.7 hours for every 80 hours.
Walker noted that temporary and seasonal employees would be capped at 48 hours per
year, per the State requirements.
Reid asked what safe leave is.
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Walker replied that sick and safe leave would cover sick time, appointments, and issues
related to safety could be related to domestic situations. She also reviewed the other
updates related to pregnancy, nursing, parental leave, and voting leave. She noted that
staff will conduct a training to go over the changes with all staff.
Cavanaugh asked if there is an estimate of the financial impact of the discretionary
change regarding parental leave.
Walker commented that the goal was to simplify the policy and allow employees to use
their earned time during parental leave.
Barnhart commented that the impact would depend on the employee that would use it.
She stated that this change would allow an employee to use their earned sick time
before vacation time. She stated that there would probably be a reduced financial
impact with the proposed change as sick time can be carried over from year to year and
the updated policy would allow employees to utilize more of their sick leave.
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the amended personnel
policies. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:46 p.m.)
Johnson had nothing further to report.
IX. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:46 p.m.)
Martin commented that she attended a ribbon cutting today for Tee Hive. She explained
that the ribbon cutting had been delayed because they opened during COVID.
X. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:47 p.m.)
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the bills, order check
numbers 054889-054944 for $1,062,654.94, EFT 007019E-007036E for $63,611.06,
and payroll EFT 0513058-05132092 for $66,677.39. Motion passed unanimously.
XI. CLOSED SESSION: PFAS LITIGATION
Moved by Martin, seconded by Cavanaugh, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at
7:48 p.m. to discuss the PFAS litigation issue pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subd. 3(b).
Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting returned to open session at 8:02 p.m.
XII. ADJOURN
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by DesLauriers, to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
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Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk