HomeMy Public PortalAbout02.06.2024 City Council Meeting MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
1
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 6, 2024
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on February 6, 2024 at
7:01 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Cavanaugh (virtual due to travel), 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 Chief of Police
Jason Nelson.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (7:01 p.m.)
III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:01 p.m.)
The agenda was approved as presented.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:02 p.m.)
A. Approval of the January 16, 2024 Work Session City Council Meeting
Minutes
Martin noted that a minor revision was circulated earlier this week for incorporation.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Reid, to approve the January 16, 2024 work session City
Council meeting minutes as amended.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
DesLauriers aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
B. Approval of the January 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Albers noted on page five, line 21, it should state, “…noted that automation of the forms
and requests on the website will benefit the City and assist with automation.”
Moved by Martin, seconded by Reid, to approve the January 16, 2024 regular City
Council meeting minutes as amended.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
2
Reid aye
DesLauriers aye
Albers aye
Martin aye
Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:03 p.m.)
A. Approve Consumption and Display Permit Renewal for American Legion
Post 394
B. Approve Encroachment Agreement with Jan-Har LLP for Property Located
at 2900 Eagle Bluff Circle
C. Approve City of Medina Multi-Year Strategic Plan as of January 1, 2024
Moved by Albers, seconded by Reid, to approve the consent agenda.
A roll call vote was performed:
Albers aye
Martin aye
DesLauriers aye
Reid aye
Cavanaugh aye
Motion passed unanimously.
VI. COMMENTS (7:04 p.m.)
A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda
There were none.
B. Park Commission
Park Commissioner Sharp provided an update on the most recent meeting of the Park
Commission.
Martin recognized the efforts of the Commission and Commissioner Sharp.
Albers commented that the meeting was well run, and he looks forward to being the Park
Commission Liaison this year.
VII. PRESENTATIONS (7:07p.m.)
A. Maple Plain Fire Chief Rick Denneson
Maple Plain Fire Chief Denneson introduced himself as he is new to the Chief position.
He stated that he has been in the fire department for 38 years in a variety of roles and is
excited to serve in the Chief position. He encouraged the Council to reach out with any
questions, comments or concerns that may arise.
DesLauriers asked the average number of calls received for Medina annually.
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
3
Denneson stated that while he does not have the exact number, the higher percentage
of calls in Medina are mutual aid calls from the West Suburban Fire District. He stated
that he will bring that information to the annual report presentation.
DesLauriers recalled a ladder truck refurbishment that was mentioned in the past as a
need and asked if that has occurred or whether that is still needed.
Denneson replied that the department has had some refurbishment completed and
estimated that there would be another seven years for the lifespan of that fire truck. He
stated that the truck and ladder still pass annual inspections and continues to be a great
asset.
Martin stated that it had previously been difficult to receive budget numbers for the
department and asked if there is a sense that the budgeting process has been improved
with more isolated costs for the Fire Department.
Denneson commented that the new City Administrator has been wonderful to work with
during this transition and the City is moving towards using Abdo for its budgeting
process, which will be a benefit. He believed that the new system would be much easier
to work with in the future.
Martin asked if there are still conversations between Maple Plain, Maple Grove, and the
West Suburban Fire District towards merging departments and services.
Denneson replied that Maple Grove has not been involved. He confirmed that Maple
Plain, Independence and the West Suburban Fire District continue conversations. He
believed that those discussions are important and would provide benefit to the
communities served.
Martin commented that the Medina Council has embraced the idea of consolidation of
fire services.
Albers and the Council congratulated Denneson on his new position.
VI. COMMENTS (Continued) (7:16 p.m.)
C. Planning Commission
Finke reported that the Planning Commission will meet the following week to hold two
public hearings to consider an amendment to the Meander Park and Boardwalk PUD
and to consider a rezoning of the property located at 4612 CR 116.
DesLauriers commented that he would like to see comparison information for the
requested building height to ensure consistency with what has been allowed thus far.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Hamel Townhomes Extension (7:19 p.m.)
Johnson stated that the applicant has requested an extension of time to record the plat
to August 16, 2024. He stated that this is a two-acre site located at 342 Hamel Road.
He noted that DesLauriers will be recusing himself from this item.
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
4
Finke stated that the subdivision ordinance includes language related to the length of
time for which approvals are good. He stated that an extension is a fairly common
request, noting that this extension would be at about the two-year mark.
Albers asked the reasoning behind the requested date, rather than extending it for an
additional 12 months.
Finke replied that the ordinance language suggests that an extension should not be
granted for more than six months at a time.
1. Resolution 2024-07 Granting Extension of Time to Record Hamel
Townhomes Final Plat
Moved by Albers, seconded by Reid, to adopt Resolution 2024-07 Granting Extension of
Time to Record Hamel Townhomes Final Plat, Amending Resolution 2022-64.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
DesLauriers rejoined the Council.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Reiser-Hauser Lot Line Rearrangement (7:22 p.m.)
Johnson stated that this is a lot line rearrangement request between the properties at
1622 and 1642 Dusty Drive. He noted that the result would be a net benefit to the
properties and therefore is recommended for approval.
Finke identified the two properties on Dusty Drive and noted that this rearrangement
would place the septic back into the lot it serves, as it currently exists within an
easement. He stated that this change would also increase the size of the smaller of the
two lots. He stated that staff recommends approval as presented.
DesLauriers asked if this was reviewed by the Planning Commission.
Finke replied that lot line rearrangements are not reviewed by the Planning Commission.
1. Resolution 2024-08 Approving Lot Line Rearrangement Between
1622 Dusty Drive and 1642 Dusty Drive
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Reid, to adopt Resolution 2024-08 Approving a Lot
Line Arrangement as described in the staff report.
A roll call vote was performed:
Albers aye
Martin aye
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
5
DesLauriers aye
Reid aye
Cavanaugh aye
Motion passed unanimously.
B. West Suburban Fire District for Air Pack Funding/Donations (7:25 p.m.)
Johnson provided details on the air pack request which is not included in the 2024
budget. He provided details on potential equipment sales that could be used towards
that purchase and the remaining balance owed.
Nelson stated that he reached out to the Fire Chief in an attempt to provide additional
background but did not yet receive additional information. He confirmed the initial cost
that was reported on January 25th and the potential reimbursement from the sale of the
older air packs. He commented that the new equipment is needed, although it was not
budgeted for. He stated that the Fire Chief did state he had funds that could cover these
costs, but also mentioned a request for donations. He stated that he would recommend
waiting until this is done to determine whether funds should be contributed and where
those funds could come from.
DesLauriers commented that the air packs from Hamel were five years old and while
there is an issue with compatibility, that only occurs when the two models are used
together. He stated that Medina already contributes and therefore would not be in favor
of providing additional funds.
Martin commented that there is an enhanced department with more firefighters and
agreed that all firefighters should be adequately outfitted with gear, but that the air packs
had previously been purchased by Medina. She agreed that the funds should come
from the already allocated budget of the Fire Department.
Albers commented that he was surprised this was not discovered earlier in the merger
process if this was an issue.
Nelson commented that it could have been identified during that process, but it was just
brought to the attention of the City at the recent meeting.
Albers asked the lifespan of an air pack.
DesLauriers commented that the air packs are rarely used because there are not many
fires each year where the equipment is needed.
X. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:31 p.m.)
Johnson had nothing further to report.
XI. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:31 p.m.)
DesLauriers commented that he and Albers will be attending the fire taxing district
meeting the following morning.
XII. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:32 p.m.)
Medina City Council Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2024
6
Moved by Martin, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the bills, order check numbers
055274-055353 for $633,948.37, EFT 007152E-007176E for $954,734.60, and payroll
EFT 0513293-0513354 for $146,391.51.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
DesLauriers aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
XIII. CLOSED SESSION: CITY ADMINISTRATOR QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE
REVIEW PURSUANT TO MINN, STAT, 13D.05, SUBD. 3(a)
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at 7:32
p.m. pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subd. 3(a).
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
DesLauriers aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting returned to open session at 8 p.m. Martin commented the Council held a
Closed Session where it concluded a quarterly satisfactory review of the City
Administrator.
XIV. ADJOURN
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
DesLauriers aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk