HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-18-2020_minutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes 1
February 18, 2020
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 18, 2020
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on February 18, 2020 at
7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Anderson, and Martin.
Members absent: DesLauriers and Pederson.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, Assistant City Administrator Jodi
Gallup, City Attorney Ron Batty, Finance Director Erin Barnhart, City Engineer Jim
Stremel, City Planning Director Dusty Finke, Public Works Director Steve Scherer,
Police Sergeant Jason Nelson, 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 February 4, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin noted that she and Anderson submitted written changes to be incorporated into
the minutes.
Moved by Albers, seconded by Anderson, to approve the February 4, 2020 regular City
Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:01 p.m.)
A. Approve On-Sale Wine License and Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License to
Three Rivers Park District at Baker National Golf Course, 2925 Parkview
Drive
B. Approve Weed Control Services Agreement with Jenco Property
Maintenance
C. Authorize Recruitment and Appointment for Seasonal Public Works
Maintenance Technician
D. Authorize Internal Job Posting for Police Officer Position
E. Resolution No. 2020-09 Accepting Donation from Farmers State Bank of
Hamel
Anderson referenced Item D, noting that he had the pleasure of sitting in on the interview
process. He stated that he believed applicants three and four to be good candidates
and asked why they were not pursued.
Nelson replied that there were some background issues that appeared when a second
review of the applications was completed.
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Albers, to approve the consent agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
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VI. COMMENTS (7:04 p.m.)
A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda
Eric Thompson stated that he is the power of attorney for Ms. Thompson the property
owner at 345 Hamel Road. He stated that he completed a document search for the
property of 345 Hamel Road at the City of Medina. He stated that his concern is an
apparent incompetency of archived documents of the City prior to 2000. He referenced
documents between the property of 345 Hamel Road and the City that were absent in
the document search. He asked where the documents are from prior to 2000. He stated
that the City either has a training issue or incompetency related to document storage.
He stated that he spoke with both Scherer and Johnson prior to the meeting and they
will be working with him to resolve the issue, noting that his issue is related to wells and
abandoned wells.
Martin asked if the resident is looking for records related to abandoned wells on the
property at 345 Hamel Road.
Thompson confirmed that he was originally looking for that information. He stated that
he had the date as June of 1992. He stated that it was discovered that in 2020, the
policy of the City is that the State tracks that reporting process. He stated that his
question is who was responsible for the tracking of that information in 1992, as the State
did not track that information during that time.
Martin stated that the Department of Health tracks that information. She noted that
sometimes wells are abandoned, and the paperwork is not ultimately filed.
Thompson noted that prior to 2000 there was no documentation of any type, including
building permits for additions to the home that were added after the original construction
of the home.
Martin expressed appreciation for Mr. Thompson’s comments and frustration. She
stated that sometimes porches and garages are constructed but not permitted, as
residents were unaware that permits were required at that time. She stated that the
Council has a great deal of confidence in the current staff, noting that current staff did
not work here during the time in which the documents Mr. Thompson is attempting to
find would have been filed.
Thompson stated that he appears tonight wearing the hat of a private citizen and
representing his mother. He noted that his concerns related to his mother have been
resolved with the help of Scherer and Johnson but still wanted to express his concerns
related to the topic of document storage.
B. Park Commission
Scherer reported that the Park Commission meeting this month has been canceled for
lack of quorum, but will potentially be rescheduled to the following week. He stated that
Hamel Athletic Club would like to change a field for little league purposes for the
Commission to consider when it does meet.
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C. Planning Commission
Finke reported that Reid was elected as Chair and Amic as Vice Chair for 2020. He
reported that the Commission held a public hearing related to minimum garage size
requirements and ultimately, with a 4-3 vote, the Commission recommended a reduction
to the minimum garage size from 440 square feet to 400 square feet for townhomes.
Martin commented that the reduction of 40 square feet seems to remove the area that
would be used for storage of bicycles and trash containers and would essentially leave
room for two vehicles.
Finke confirmed that was the main point of discussion for the Commission on that topic.
He stated that the Council will review this item at its next meeting.
VII. PRESENTATIONS
A. Three Rivers Park District – Commissioner Marge Beard (7:15 p.m.)
Three Rivers Park District Commissioner Beard introduced herself, noting that she was
selected to fill a vacant seat on the Three Rivers Park District. She provided background
information on herself noting that she is a resident of Plymouth for the past 25 years and
also served on the Plymouth City Council. She provided background on Three Rivers
Park District which was established over 50 years ago as a standalone government
entity. She also provided some fun facts about Medina including the most used parks
and recreation activities.
Martin thanked Beard for her work and noted that it would be helpful to have some
written information that could be shared with new residents.
B. Other
Kevin Anderson stated that he is running for Hennepin County Commissioner for District
7. He stated that he is a resident of Maple Grove and has been for the past seven
years. He stated that he noticed a lack of cooperation between some cities and the
County government. He noted that he has noticed disparities in the availability of mental
health services in different schools and wants to see the County resources paired with
the school districts to ensure that mental health services are available to both students
and teachers. He commented that taking care of the environment is one of the most
important things. He stated that he is committed to helping Medina preserve its rural
nature, work with the City on County level projects, ensure there is continued focus on
public safety and work cooperatively with the City.
Anderson asked how many seats are open this year.
Kevin Anderson replied that there are four seats currently open this year.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Hackamore Road Project Estimates and Scope of Work (7:27 p.m.)
Scherer stated that Hackamore has been discussed several times in the past. He stated
that Medina staff met with Corcoran and decided it was time to start planning for the
project to ensure right-of-way can be obtained as properties are developed. He stated
that Corcoran would most likely want to move forward on the eastern side prior to when
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Medina would be ready but noted that the road would need to be completed
cooperatively. He noted that two proposals were received.
Finke stated that the process will include some sort of public participation. He stated
that the scope includes two options at the 30 percent level at which time the preferred
choice can be selected to move forward. He noted that selection would move forward to
the 75 percent level, but not full design. He stated that the cost for the scope would be
split equally, noting that the cost-share for the road improvements would be determined
at a later date.
Martin asked for additional details on what is included in a 30 percent and 75 percent
design.
Stremel explained that a 75 percent design would include a plan set with information that
could be submitted for permitting. He explained that 30 percent design would most likely
identify more issues than it would resolve but noted that most of those issues would be
resolved by 75 percent. He stated that the last 25 percent of design would focus on
specifications and more detailed design elements to prepare for bidding.
Martin asked if each municipality would have the ability to comment on the 30 percent
design.
Stremel confirmed that each City has the ability to provide input.
Finke stated that this process assumes that the cities will come to an agreement on the
preferred design option.
Martin stated that she would be in agreement with the 50/50 cost-share for this process.
She stated that she would want to make it clear that Medina is not in agreement that the
total project cost would be shared at the same rate. She explained that a big push in
development will occur from the Corcoran side of the road, while Medina does not have
the same scale of development within the next 20 years. She stated that the
development that will occur in Corcoran will cause additional congestion on Medina
roads and that the City will have to fund those improvements itself.
Anderson agreed with the comments of Martin, noting that he was hesitant to even cost-
share the study at 50/50. He stated he would agree to the study cost-share proposal,
echoing the comments that Medina will not necessarily agree to the same cost-share for
the roadway improvements.
Martin stated that the 50/50 cost-share for the design would ensure that Medina has an
equal place at the table for the design discussion.
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Albers, to approve the proposal from WSB for the
30% and 75% design work for the Hackamore Road Improvements and to equally split
the costs of such design work with the City of Corcoran. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:41 p.m.)
Johnson had nothing to report.
X. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:41 p.m.)
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Martin advised of a meeting with representatives of the Cloquet Fire Department that
she and staff attended, noting that notes of that meeting had been circulated for
distribution to the West Hennepin County mayor’s group.
Anderson provided a brief update from the last meeting of the West Hennepin County
mayors’ group related to the discussion of regional fire service.
XI. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:43 p.m.)
Moved by Albers, seconded by Anderson, to approve the bills, EFT 005398E-005416E
for $66,223.05, order check numbers 049878-049941 for $124,194.45, and payroll EFT
0510011-0510043 for $54,065.08. Motion passed unanimously.
XII. ADJOURN
Moved by Anderson, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathy Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Jodi M. Gallup, City Clerk