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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04/07/2015 Special City Council Minutes" " MEDINA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2015 The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in special session on April 7, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at the Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN. I. Call to Order Members present: Mitchell, Anderson, Cousineau, Martin, Pederson Members absent: Also present: City Attorney Ron Batty, City Administrator Scott Johnson, City Planner Dusty Finke, Public Works Director Steve Scherer, Randy Anhorn Hennepin County Environmental Services, Pioneer Sarah Watershed Commissioner Elizabeth Weir, and Public Safety Director Ed Belland. II. Fire Contract Discussion Mayor Mitchell thanked the Hamel and Loretto Fire Departments for their tremendous response to the fatal accident at the Highway 55/Mohawk Drive intersection the evening of April 6, 2015. Hamel Fire Chief Jeff Ruchti informed the Medina City Council that his fire department is open to discussions with the Loretto Fire Department regarding consolidation to provide better service and unite the departments. Loretto Fire Chief Jeff Leuer agreed with Chief Ruchti and will meet with the Hamel Fire Department to discuss consolidation. The City Council endorsed the discussions between the two fire departments. Mayor Mitchell also informed the City Council that a facilitator would be needed to lead the discussions. III. Pioneer Sarah Watershed Discussion Staff, Pioneer Watershed Commissioner Elizabeth Weir, and Randy Anhorn from Hennepin County Environmental Services provided background information on the Pioneer Sarah Watershed. The City Council discussed the watershed governing options, tax base differences that exist with the three watersheds in Medina and the funding of watershed projects. Staff was directed to follow up with Steve Christopher from BWSR regarding two questions: 1) Does BWSR provide loans for organizations to change to a watershed management district? 2) What is the timeline to change to a watershed management district? Staff was directed to provide the following responses to the requested survey from Pioneer Sarah: Respond No to questions 1, 2, and 3 with the following explanation, "The City of Medina's answer to each of Questions 1, 2 and 3 is dependent on whether the City would receive assurance that the additional contribution would be employed to fund identified capital improvements within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Medina has seen little active water quality management from the Commission in recent years." Staff is directed to answer yes to question #4. Finally, staff was directed to answer yes to question #5 with the following explanation, "If the Commission will not seek ad valorem funding to implement the Third Generation Plan, then the City would support replacing the Commission with a Watershed District." Adjournment Mitchell closed the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Bob Mitchell, Mayor Attest: Scott Johnson, Ci Administrator -Clerk • • •