HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-05-2019 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes 1
February 5, 2019
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5, 2019
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on February 5, 2019 at
7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Acting Mayor Pederson presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Anderson, DesLauriers, and Pederson.
Members absent: Martin.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, City Attorney Ron Batty, City Engineer
Jim Stremel, City Planning Director Dusty Finke, 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.)
The agenda was approved as presented.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:00 p.m.)
A. Approval of the January 15, 2019 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Albers, to approve the January 15, 2019 special City
Council meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Approval of the January 15, 2019 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
It was noted on page four, line 22, it should state, “Anderson asked for the if there was a
plan to potentially keep large trucks off the newly constructed road.”
Johnson noted that staff will also incorporate the suggested changes provided in writing
by Martin.
Moved by Anderson, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the January 15, 2019 regular
City Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:02 p.m.)
A. Approve Agreement by and between the City of Medina and Steven R.
Hughes and Mary J. Hughes
B. Approve Tennis Court Rental Agreement with Carrie Agre
C. Approve Amended and Restated Grounds Services Agreement with Hamel
Athletic Club
D. Approve Cemetery Custodian Services Agreement with Joe Kittok
E. Resolution No. 2019-04 Accepting Resignation of Public Works Foreman
Ivan Dingmann
F. Schedule Special Meetings on April 17, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. for the Spring
Business Forum and 9 a.m. for the Business Tours
G. Approve Stormwater Construction and Maintenance Agreement with BT
Real Estate
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February 5, 2019
Johnson thanked Ivan Dingmann for his many years of dedicated service, noting that he
will be greatly missed. He stated that his date of retirement will be July 8, 2019.
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Albers, to approve the consent agenda. 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
Scherer reported that the Park Commission recently appointed a new slate of Officers
and discussed the repaving of Hamel Road, specifically whether the shoulders could be
widened. He stated that the County did not respond favorably to the request. He stated
that the Youth Park Commission members provided an update on their two-year terms
and hoped that the Commission would gain new youth members as the previous youth
member terms have expired.
C. Planning Commission
Finke reported that the Planning Commission will meet the following week to hold four
hearings: proposed changes to the Commercial Neighborhood Zoning District, continued
discussion of rezoning 35 properties in the City for consistency with the Comprehensive
Plan, a Conditional Use Permit to construct a large accessory structure, and a request
from a property owner for a proposed amendment to the R-R1 District to reduce side
yard setbacks.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. 2019 Work Plan Goals (7:09 p.m.)
Johnson noted that during the previous discussion of 2019 Work Plan goals, the public
safety section was not able to be reviewed in depth and therefore time has been allotted
tonight.
Belland provided a summary of the 2018 accomplishments of the public safety
department which includes implementation of a Narcan program, revision of the training
schedule, community outreach opportunities, and continued research on gun cameras.
He stated that the gun cameras would be an intermediate step that he hoped to bring
forward for Council consideration in the next few months. He explained that when the
life of the dash cameras expire, he would then hope to integrate a combined dash and
body camera system at that time through a Hennepin County program.
Albers asked for information on data retention.
Belland stated that the Medina policy requires 90-day retention. He stated that the
majority of the held data could be eliminated after 90 days. He noted that if there is a
large event, that data could be held longer. He explained that 90-day mark is based on
policies used by other adjacent community department policies.
Pederson asked if Hennepin County will require a different timeline for data retention.
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February 5, 2019
Belland stated that could be possible but noted that with a gun camera, if there is an
incident that will be known immediately. He provided information on a demo that was
done by the police department using the gun cam equipment. He continued to review
accomplishments from 2018 including updates to the radio system and equipment and
recruitment and retainage of officers. He stated that the most recent hires have come
from the department’s Community Service Officers, confirming that those Officers are
trained first responders. He noted that the department continues to work on the planning
for Medina Celebration Day and continues to work with the fire departments on future
planning. He acknowledged that there are challenges for the future and priorities will
continue to be identified which will help to prioritize future needs for the public safety
departments.
Albers asked the average age of a volunteer firefighter.
Belland estimated that the average age is most likely late 20’s to early 30’s, noting that
there are some members that have many years of experience. He explained that most
of the volunteers do not exceed more than five years of service because they accept
other positions and no longer have time.
Pederson asked if there are things that could be offered in terms of recruitment or
whether people choose to accept the position because they simply want to help.
Belland stated that most people simply want to help. He noted that because of the high
home values and high mortgage prices in Medina, there are not a lot of people from the
community accepting the volunteer firefighter positions. He provided details on other
communities that have moved towards duty crews to ensure sufficient coverage. He
reviewed the 2019 goals which include the rotation of the new Investigator and
evaluation of the administrative staff.
Johnson noted that staff will be updating the staffing and succession plan in 2019.
Belland stated that he intends to retire in March of 2020. He stated that Sergeant
Nelson has done a great job and would be a good choice as the next Chief. He noted
that obviously the final decision would be for the Council and staff to make. He stated
that he has been lucky to have the staff members that he has as they do a great job and
conduct themselves in a professional manner. He noted that there are no complaints on
his department and often receives positive responses from members of the community.
Pederson stated that he also feels that Sergeant Nelson would make a great
replacement. He asked and confirmed that the position would be open for recruitment
within the department.
Johnson stated that since 2015 the City has followed a staffing and succession plan to
ensure that there are employees ready to step up when another employee leaves or
retires.
Belland continued to review the goals for 2019 including weapon and body cameras,
mobile computers, squad replacement, and emergency training. He welcomed any
members of the Council that would be interested in doing a ride along with an Officer.
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February 5, 2019
Pederson referenced a medical call in which the police, fire and ambulance all
responded. He stated that perhaps if the police are first to respond, the fire department
would not be necessary, in order to save funds.
Belland stated that there are only eight types of medical calls which the fire department
are required to respond. He noted that some of the fire departments want to be involved
in more medical calls as that is an opportunity to gain experience and provide customer
service to the community.
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Albers, to Adopt 2019 Work Plan Goals. Motion
passed unanimously.
VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:44 p.m.)
Johnson had nothing further to report.
IX. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:44 p.m.)
Albers stated that he and DesLauriers attended new city official training recently, which
he found very interesting. He noted that it was also an opportunity to make connections
with members of adjacent community City Councils.
DesLauriers agreed that the training was helpful and informational. He stated that he
also participated in the Freeze Your Buns Run 5K event in Hamel on February 3rd.
X. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:46 p.m.)
Moved by Anderson, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the bills, EFT 004943E-
004966E for $1,548,306.69 and order check numbers 048378-048457 for $430,862.62
and payroll EFT 0509200-0509226 for $52,178.38. Motion passed unanimously.
XI. ADJOURN
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Jeff Pederson, Acting Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Jodi M. Gallup, City Clerk