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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 Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 2 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. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 3 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. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 4 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