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Home My Public Portal About12.19.2023 City Council Meeting MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes December 19, 2023 1 MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19, 2023 The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on December 19, 2023 at 7:05 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 Engineer Jim Stremel, City Planning Director Dusty Finke, Public Works Director Steve Scherer, and Sergeant Dave Hall. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (7:05 p.m.) III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:05 p.m.) The agenda was approved as presented. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:05 p.m.) A. Approval of the November 30, 2023 Special Session City Council Meeting Minutes Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the November 30, 2023 special session City Council meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. B. Approval of the December 1, 2023 Special Session City Council Meeting Minutes Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the December 1, 2023 special session City Council meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. C. Approval of the December 5, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the December 5, 2023 regular City Council meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:06 p.m.) A. Adopt Resolution 2023-117 Accepting Resignation of Planning Commissioner Beth Nielsen B. Adopt Resolution 2023-118 for Counting Write-In Votes for Local Elective Office C. Approve State of Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program Grant Agreement for Hackamore Road D. Adopt Resolution 2023-119 for Local Road Improvement Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions for Hackamore Road E. Approve Construction Cooperative Agreement with Hennepin County and City of Corcoran for Improvements at County Road 116 and Hackamore Road Medina City Council Meeting Minutes December 19, 2023 2 Martin thanked Nielsen for her years of service on the Planning Commission and also with elections. Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. VI. COMMENTS (7:07 p.m.) A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda There were none. B. Park Commission Scherer reported that the December Park Commission meeting has been canceled. He stated that public works has tried to make snow for the sledding hill but that was impacted by the recent rain. He reported that the trees at Hunter Park were not able to be planted as the contractor believed the survival rate would be much better in the spring and therefore that will take place first thing in the spring. DesLauriers asked if salt contracts are made ahead of time. Scherer confirmed that he made the salt order last spring, noting at that time the salt bunker was almost empty from the long winter last year. C. Planning Commission Finke reported that the Planning Commission did not meet in December as there was no business to consider. He stated that there will be interviews conducted for the Commission the following night. He stated that there are three terms expiring and one resignation, which is a total of four seats. He stated that one Commission member has expressed interest in continuing to serve, while another may be interested. He noted that there are five applications. VII. PRESENTATIONS (7:11 p.m.) A. Resolution 2023-120 Recognizing Fire Chief Jeff Ruchti for 41 Years of Service to the Hamel Volunteer Fire Department as He Retires Martin stated that tonight the Council has the opportunity to recognize the work of Chief Ruchti for his service, not only to Medina but to the other communities that have been served by the fire department as well. She also recognized the work of Ruchti to effect the recent merger of the Hamel Volunteer Fire Department with the Loretto Volunteer Fire Department and applauded all the Hamel firefighters in attendance for their exemplary service to Medina. She read aloud the proposed resolution recognizing Ruchti for his 41 years of service to the Hamel Volunteer Fire Department. She wished him the best in his retirement. Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Martin, to adopt Resolution 2023-120 recognizing Fire Chief Jeff Ruchti for 41 years of service to the Hamel Volunteer Fire Department as he retires. Motion passed unanimously. Martin presented the resolution to Ruchti. VIII. NEW BUSINESS Medina City Council Meeting Minutes December 19, 2023 3 A. Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training Program (7:15 p.m.) Johnson stated that there is a State grant program available for training new police officers. Hall stated that the grant program is available to cities, counties and tribal entities to assist in hiring career transitioning candidates. He reviewed the criteria that candidates would need to meet and noted that the grant would then allow reimbursement of $50,000 per candidate to assist in the training process. He reviewed some of the obligations of the grant and eligible expenses. He stated that the department struggles to fill officer positions and this opportunity could provide assistance in that process, recognizing that this would most likely apply to only a small pool of candidates. He also noted the competitive nature of the grant. He stated that if the grant were awarded, they would ask for the authorization to increase personnel strength from 12 to 13. DesLauriers commented that he does support the program. He asked if the City would be able to complete the psychological test prior to applying for the grant. Hall confirmed that the testing would be completed prior to the hiring, similar to the typical hiring process. He noted that the test would be valid for a period of one year. Albers commented that it seems like a low risk, high reward opportunity recognizing that the pieces may not fall in line to receive the grant. Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to authorize staff to apply for the ICPOET grant. Motion passed unanimously. Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to consider allowing the Police Department to go beyond their authorized personnel strength of 12, to 13, if there are pending retirements in 2025. Motion passed unanimously. IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:22 p.m.) Johnson commented that the flat screens have been installed in the Council Chambers as part of the upgrades. He stated that typically the Council holds an EDA meeting at the second meeting in January and confirmed the consensus of the Council to hold the meeting January 2nd instead. X. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:24 p.m.) No comments. XI. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:24 p.m.) Moved by Albers, seconded by Martin, to approve the bills, order check numbers 055093-055158 for $462,300.71, EFT 007088E-007108E for $76,172.71, and payroll EFT 0513190-0513225 for $70,667.12. Motion passed unanimously. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes December 19, 2023 4 XII. CLOSED SESSION: CONSIDERATION OF LAND ACQUISITION AT PID 0311823220004 PURSUANT TO MINN. STAT. SEC. 13D.05, SUBD. 3(c) Moved by Martin, seconded by Cavanaugh, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at 7:25 p.m. to consider land acquisition at PID 0311823220004 pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subd. 3(c). Motion passed unanimously. The meeting returned to open session at 7:54 p.m. XIII. CLOSED SESSION: CONSIDERATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY EASEMENT ACQUISITION ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1225 AND 1245 MAPLEWOOD DRIVE PURSUANT TO MINN. STAT. SEC. 13.D05, SUBD. 3(c) Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at 7:54 p.m. to consider right-of-way easement acquisition on property located at 1225 and 1245 Maplewood Drive pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subd. 3(c). Motion passed unanimously. The meeting returned to open session at 8:01 p.m. XIV. ADJOURN Moved by Albers, seconded by Cavanaugh, to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. _________________________________ Kathleen Martin, Mayor Attest: _________________________________ Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk