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HomeMy Public PortalAbout02.20.2024 Work Session Minutes Medina City Council Work Session Minutes February 20, 2024 MEDINA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 20, 2024 The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in work session on February 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN. I. Call to Order Members present: Albers, DesLauriers, Cavanaugh (virtual due to travel), Martin (virtual due to travel) Members absent: Reid Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, City Clerk/Assistant to the City Administrator Caitlyn Walker, Finance Director Erin Barnhart. Planning Director Dusty Finke, Public Works Director Steve Scherer, Police Sergeant Kevin Boecker, City Engineer Jim Stremel. II. Motion to Delegate Duties to Preside Over the Meeting to Council Member Albers Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to delegate duties to preside over the meeting to Council Member Albers. A roll call vote was performed: Martin aye Cavanaugh aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Motion passed unanimously. III. Request for Two Members of the City Council to Attend Meetings Electronically In 2022, Staff implemented technology to allow the option of virtual attendance for council members to participate in council meetings. At the time of implementation, the Council decided to allow only one virtual attendee per meeting. Council Member Cavanaugh requested the Council revisit this topic to evaluate whether more than one virtual attendee should be allowed. Johnson explained that the technology can accommodate up to four virtual attendees and that state law requires that one member be physically present at the regular meeting location. DesLauriers expressed support for allowing additional virtual attendees but would like to monitor the quality of the technology with additional virtual attendees. Martin expressed support as the option for additional virtual council members provides the council greater flexibility to have a quorum when council members are traveling and/or are sick, or in the event there is another uncontrollable event that could impact members’ ability to reach city hall. The City Council agreed to allow up to four city council members to participate in the city council meetings virtually. Medina City Council Work Session Minutes February 20, 2024 IV. Uptown Hamel Study Finke explained that in 2022, the City of Medina was awarded a $25,000 grant from Hennepin County through their Housing & Economic Development Corridor Planning program. The City contracted with WSB to create an actionable plan for how the City and property owners can encourage and support improvements and development in Uptown Hamel. Kim Lindquist of WSB presented the Draft Uptown Hamel Market Analysis and Redevelopment Feasibility Study. Linquist explained the study analyzed the market area and demographics, evaluated market demand, identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the area, created development concepts, and provided an action plan. Linquist highlighted there is high demand for food services and that the public engagement survey showed that residents are interested in restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and retail. The development concepts include both multifamily housing and retail areas. She explained the strengths of Uptown Hamel are that it is unique, has historic character, and has nearby housing and a park. The weaknesses are that sites are not economical to develop because they require costly redevelopment or renovation and there is no local draw or anchor tenant to draw visitors and other businesses. The opportunity for Uptown Hamel is due to recent population growth resulting in demand for more retail and services. Additionally, there are many community and regional events in the area and the adjoining park. The threats to Uptown Hamel include the competition with Highway 55 sites and the economics of redevelopment are often not feasible due to cost. Linquist provided several action items for the City Council to consider. First, consider modifying the city code to encourage economically feasible development. Specifically, evaluate existing height and density limitations. Second, identify potential funding sources and financial tools to assist with redevelopment. Third, work with willing sellers to prioritize sites for future redevelopment and identify acceptable land uses. Fourth, work with local developers and property owners to attract private development interest. Fifth, complete an engineering analysis of Mill Street/Hamel Road/Sioux Drive intersection as many residents, business owners, and developers have safety concerns with the existing intersection. Sixth, continue public education and participation with residents and developers. Overall, Linquist recommended the City Council identify and establish a clear consensus on the vision for the area. The City Council thanked Linquist for the report and her presentation. V. Brush Pile Gate & Pickleball Gate Discussion Scherer presented that staff is seeking options to alleviate non-emergency calls for police to enforce pickleball court hours. In 2023 there were over 30 calls for police service to the pickleball court. Scherer presented a quote for an automatic lock for the court. The automatic lock would allow staff to program the lock based on the court hours of 7 a.m. to sunset. The goal is to enforce the court hours while reducing the number of calls for service to the police. The Medina City Council Work Session Minutes February 20, 2024 total estimate for the automatic gate lock, including installation of power from the parking lot to the gate, is $9,044.00. The Council expressed concern about using different enforcement strategies at the pickleball court than the other parks. The Council agreed that rather than spending money on a lock, the first strategy should be a policy that the police do not respond to calls regarding park complaints unless there is an emergency or criminal activity occurring (Council further discussed this topic at the March 6, 2024 City Council meeting and directed staff to ask residents to contact the non- emergency number for dispatch with park complaints. The Police Department will respond to park complaints if time allows). Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin to recess the Work Session Meeting at 7:00 PM to after the Regular City Council Meeting. A roll call vote was performed: Martin aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Motion passed unanimously. Motion by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers to reopen the Work Session Meeting at 7:37 PM. A roll call vote was performed: Martin aye Cavanaugh aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Motion passed unanimously. V. Brush Pile Gate & Pickleball Gate Discussion Continued Scherer explained the cost of operating the brush and compost site has drastically increased over the last few years. Costs have steadily increased to $60,000 per year and continue to increase. To help mitigate the rising costs, Scherer presented three options for the Council to consider. First, consider installing a card reader system and issuing a card to residents who wish to utilize the site. This would help prevent residents of other communities from utilizing the site. The card reader system's estimated cost is $12,634. Second, reconsider allowing commercial haulers to use the site. Currently, commercial haulers who do work for Medina residents are allowed to use the site. The problem is commercial haulers often leave a significant amount of brush and there are no staff to monitor whether they leave brush that belonged to residents outside of Medina. Third, reconsider sharing the site with the residents of Loretto. Currently, Loretto pays for half of the brush grinding and removal services and Loretto has requested to renegotiate the agreement. Medina City Council Work Session Minutes February 20, 2024 The City Council agreed to move forward with the implementation of the card reader system. They agreed that the cards should be administered to residents for a fee to encourage residents to not share their card with other people. Additionally, the Council agreed not to allow any commercial use of the site. The Council requested that once these policies are implemented, staff should evaluate the reduction in brush and costs before renegotiating with Loretto. IV. Adjourn Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Cavanaugh to adjourn the work session meeting at 8:04 p.m. A roll call vote was performed: Martin aye Cavanaugh aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Motion passed unanimously. _________________________ Kathleen Martin, Mayor Attest: _________________________ Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk