HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-15-2019 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes 1
October 15, 2019
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 15, 2019
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on October 15, 2019 at
7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Anderson, DesLauriers, Martin, and Pederson.
Members absent: None.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, Assistant City Administrator Jodi
Gallup, City Attorney Ron Batty, City Engineer Jim Stremel, City Planning Director Dusty
Finke, Finance Director Erin Barnhart, Public Works Director Steve Scherer, and Chief of
Police Ed Belland.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (7:00 p.m.)
III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:00 p.m.)
Johnson requested to add an item to the agenda under Presentations titled Elm Creek
Watershed Update.
The agenda was approved as amended.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:00 p.m.)
A. Approval of the October 1, 2019 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin noted that Anderson submitted suggested corrections to be incorporated into the
minutes.
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Pederson, to approve the October 1, 2019 regular
City Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:01 p.m.)
A. Approve Tornado Siren Maintenance Contract Renewal with Embedded
Systems, Inc.
B. Approve MAP Agreement and Addendum with Marco Technologies LLC
C. Schedule a Special Meeting on October 22, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
D. Resolution No. 2019-65 to Enter into a Grant Agreement between the City of
Medina and the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services for the
Improvement of Publicly Owned Infrastructure
E. Resolution No. 2019-66 Certifying Delinquent City Charges for Services to
the Hennepin County Auditor for Collection in 2020
F. Resolution No. 2019-67 Certifying Delinquent Storm Water Utility Charges
to the Hennepin County Auditor for Collection in 2020
G. Resolution No. 2019-68 Certifying Delinquent Utility Charges to the
Hennepin County Auditor for Collection in 2020
Moved by Pederson, seconded by Anderson, to approve the consent agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
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October 15, 2019
VI. COMMENTS (7:02 p.m.)
A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda
There were none.
B. Park Commission
Scherer reported that the Park Commission will meet the following night to review the
Mark of Excellence concept and Weston Woods. He stated that public works has been
working to complete mowing and begin winterizing.
C. Planning Commission
Planning Commissioner Reid reported that the Planning Commission met the previous
week to consider the Mark of Excellence concept which included a Comprehensive Plan
amendment for a residential development with a mix of housing products. She noted
that the applicant would be funding the required watermain and Chippewa Road
extension, which are both identified in the City’s future plans. She noted that five acres
of park land would also be dedicated. She noted that residents from Bridgewater spoke
with concern of additional traffic. She noted that the Commission was split on its opinion
as the project would make good use of the property, the developer would be funding
needed infrastructure, the southern portion would be more appropriate for residential
compared to business, and it would be beneficial to develop both properties jointly. She
noted that most of the Commissioners did not feel it appropriate to request a
Comprehensive Plan amendment this soon as the most recent plan was recently
approved. She stated that those Commissioners felt that the developer’s offer to finance
the infrastructure was not sufficient in return for the Comprehensive Plan amendment.
She stated that the Commission did also express concern with the additional traffic on
Arrowhead. She noted that the Commission recommended denial of the
Comprehensive Plan amendment with two Commissioners dissenting. She stated that
the second request before the Commission was a zoning change from Commercial-
Highway to Commercial-General. She noted that one nearby business owner spoke in
objection of the zoning change. She stated that the Commission concluded that this was
a minor zoning change and recommended approval of the request.
VII. PRESENTATIONS
A. Orono School District Referendum (7:07 p.m.)
Martha Van de Ven stated that in August the School Board voted unanimously in support
of the technology referendum. She stated that Minnesota does not provide categorical
aid for technology and therefore the School must request that funding from the voters or
through the normal educational budget. She stated that the last referendum was passed
in 2002, with a renewal but no increase in 2011. She explained that this year they will
be requesting an increase in that referendum. She highlighted some of the technology
elements that were implemented most recently. She stated that the District is behind the
average of the area communities on the technology funds per pupil. She noted that the
median home would pay an additional eight dollars per month for the technology
referendum. She invited people to find additional information on the School District
websites. She provided information on voting locations, noting that absentee voting is
accepted at this time.
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October 15, 2019
Martin thanked Ms. Van de Ven for her contributions to the community throughout the
year.
B. Elm Creek Watershed Update (7:16 p.m.)
Commissioner Liz Weir stated that there are some upcoming changes. She noted that
Medina is one of seven cities in the Elm Creek Watershed. She stated that the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has set TMDL goals and development
standards within the 3rd Generation Plan. She stated that Hennepin County
Environmental Services had previously been reviewing development requests, but that
arrangement will be terminated at the end of the year. She stated that the Commission
completed an RFP process and Barr Engineering was chosen for a two-year contract.
She noted that City dues will increase to support the additional review costs. She
explained that cities are encouraged to thoroughly review development requests before
passing them to the Watershed Commission for review in an attempt to lower review
costs. She was unsure what the rate increase will be but wanted the City to be aware.
Johnson stated that the same process is ongoing with Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed,
transitioning from the County review to a private engineering firm.
Commissioner Weir provided additional information on the improvement projects
completed by the Watershed Commission, or partially funded by the grants from the
Watershed. She provided details on the educational program of the Watershed. She
reported that the Fish Lake alum treatment was completed on time.
Pederson asked how many taxpayers will be sharing the costs for the projects.
Weir commented that the taxpayers within the Watershed would share that cost. She
explained that the City is split between three different watersheds.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Martha and Andrew Van de Ven; Mark and Sara Welch – Lot
Combination/Rearrangement (7:23 p.m.)
Finke provided aerial photographs showing the three existing lots noting that the
proposed rearrangement would create two lots, one fronting on Medina Road and the
other onto County Road 24. He noted that both lots would exceed minimum lot
standards and would eliminate access concerns for the eastern lot. He stated that staff
recommends adoption of the request as submitted.
1. Resolution No. 2019-69 Approving a Lot Rearrangement/Combination of
1765 Medina Road and 1752 County Road 24 with Land Located to the
East
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Pederson, to adopt Resolution No. 2019-69
Approving a Lot Rearrangement/Combination of 1765 Medina Road and 1752 County
Road 24 with Land Located to the East. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:26 p.m.)
Johnson stated that the business tours will take place at 1 p.m. on November 5th with the
City Council meeting on November 6th due to the conflict with the School Board election.
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October 15, 2019
Gallup provided an update on the interview process for the Public Safety Director which
will take place at 5:30 p.m. next Tuesday night.
X. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:28 p.m.)
Anderson reported that he visited the Loretto Fire Department open house the previous
weekend, noting that the event was well attended.
Martin stated that she also attended the Loretto open house along with the Long Lake
Fire open house. She stated that discussions with the Hamel Fire Department have also
continued.
Pederson stated that he also attended the Loretto Fire open house.
Martin encouraged members of the Council to alert staff of upcoming vacations to
ensure that a quorum would be present at upcoming meetings.
XI. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:30 p.m.)
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to approve the bills, EFT 005253E-
005272E for $71,530.19 and order check numbers 049372-049446 for $423,673.76 and
payroll EFT 0509741-0509772 for $54,122.73. Motion passed unanimously.
XII. CLOSED SESSION: ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED DISCUSSION ON
LITIGATION MATTER SPECIFICALLY WW FARM AND GEORGE WESSIN V.
CITY OF MEDINA, PURSUANT TO MINN. STAT. SEC. 13D.05, SUBD.3(B)
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at 7:31
p.m. to discuss client-privilege litigation matter specifically WW Farm and George
Wessin v. City of Medina. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting reconvened to open session at 8:00 p.m.
XIII. ADJOURN
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Pederson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathy Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Jodi M. Gallup, City Clerk