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Home My Public Portal About12-01-2020_minutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes 1 December 1, 2020 MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 1, 2020 The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on December 1, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. virtually. Mayor Martin presided. Martin read a statement explaining that meetings continue to be held in a virtual format due to the ongoing pandemic and provided instructions on how members of the public can participate in the meeting. I. ROLL CALL Members present: Albers, Anderson, DesLauriers, and Martin. Members absent: 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, and Chief of Police Jason Nelson. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (7:07 p.m.) III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:07 p.m.) The agenda was approved as presented. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:08 p.m.) A. Approval of the November 13, 2020 Special City Council Meeting Minutes Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the November 13, 2020 special City Council meeting minutes as presented. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. B. Approval of the November 17, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Martin noted that prior to the meeting proposed changes from herself and Anderson were distributed to be incorporated into the minutes. Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the November 17, 2020 regular City Council meeting minutes as amended. A roll call vote was performed: Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 2 December 1, 2020 Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:10 p.m.) A. Approve LMCIT Liability Insurance Renewal Waiver B. Approve 2021 Rate Schedule with Kennedy and Graven C. Approve Continuing Education Program Request for Police Officer Andrew Scharf D. Resolution No. 2020-93 Approving a Preliminary Plat for a Subdivision to be Known as “Holy Name Lake Estates” Moved by Martin, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the consent agenda. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Martin aye Albers aye Motion passed unanimously. VI. COMMENTS (7:11 p.m.) A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda There were none. B. Park Commission Park Commissioner Thies reported that the Commission met in November and the majority of the discussion focused on the Weston Woods proposal, noting that the Commission recommended dedication of the preserved wooded area to the City, as well as the trail along Chippewa Road, through the townhome area, through the northern portion, and through the woods. She noted that she requested that the park boundaries be marked. Albers asked if there is a plan to open the skating rinks once the weather permits. Scherer stated that he does not see a reason the skating rinks cannot be opened along with the sledding hill. He stated that he is unsure if the warming house would be open based on COVID restrictions. Albers commented that having the outdoor elements would make sense but agreed that he would be leery of the warming house. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 3 December 1, 2020 Nelson asked that Scherer call him the following day to ensure that those activities would not conflict with the most recent orders from the Governor. C. Planning Commission Finke reported that the Planning Commission will meet the following week to hold a public hearing to consider an ordinance amendment related to density lot requirements and bonuses, specifically related to sound suppression. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. 2021 Budget (7:19 p.m.) Martin commended staff and the Council for sharpening pencils and thinking about impacts on the economy that could result because of the ongoing pandemic. 1. Budget and Tax Levy Presentation – Public Comment Barnhart reviewed the changes from 2020 to 2021 related to the general fund and budget. She stated that the primary goals for this budget were to plan for the unknown and keep a flat tax rate. She stated that much of the proposed increase is due to new growth that is expanding the tax base. She explained that the City was able to capture that growth and continue to build reserves to plan for the future. She reviewed some of the items that were out of the control of the City including health insurance and other personnel costs. She displayed the expenditures broken down per department, noting that police and emergency services constitutes the largest staff and expenditure of the City as that department operates 24/7. She advised that the debt services levy will be reduced going into 2021 and provided additional explanation. She reviewed the tax levy comparison of the City to the neighboring communities. She reviewed the information from Hennepin County related to market value and tax capacity. She explained how property taxes are allocated between the different entities. She reviewed the City’s debt levels and other budget information including proposed utility rates. She noted that some City and/or road projects have been further spaced out to better allow for any impacts that could occur because of the pandemic. Scherer provided additional details on proposed road improvements included for 2021. Barnhart provided details on different grants/aid that the City receives and/or will receive in 2021. Martin thanked staff for the thorough presentation. Martin opened the public hearing. No comments. Martin closed the public hearing. Anderson thanked staff for its hard work in putting this together. He referenced the year to date and budget figures for fire and asked for details on the overage that occurred in 2020. Barnhart stated that the City does not know how much State aid will be provided for fire services and explained that the City budgets conservatively, so if additional funds are Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 4 December 1, 2020 received from State aid it can show as a higher expenditure because the City pays that out to fire. She confirmed that she could provide additional information to the Council via email. Albers complimented staff for its outstanding job in guiding the Council through the discussions of the past several months to get to this point. 2. Resolution No. 2020-94 Approving 2021 Final Tax Levy Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to Adopt Resolution No. 2020-94 Approving the 2021 Final Tax Levy. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. 3. Resolution No. 2020-95 Approving 2021 Final Budget Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to Adopt Resolution No. 2020-95 Approving the 2021 Final Budget. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. 4. Resolution No. 2020-96 Reducing Debt Service Tax Levies for 2021 Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to Adopt Resolution No. 2020-96 Reducing Debt Service Tax Levies for 2021. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. B. Ordinance No. 663 Adopting an Amended Fee Schedule (7:47 p.m.) Johnson stated that this item requires a public hearing. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 5 December 1, 2020 Martin opened the public hearing. No comments made. Martin closed the public hearing. Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adopt Ordinance No. 663 Adopting an Amended Fee Schedule. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. 1. Resolution No. 2020-97 Authorizing Publication of Ordinance No. 663 by Title and Summary Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-97 Authorizing Publication of Ordinance No. 663 by Title and Summary. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. C. Three Rivers Park District – Baker Park Outdoor Learning Center – Conditional Use Permit Amendment (7:51 p.m.) Johnson provided background information on the Three Rivers Park District Outdoor Learning Center Conditional Use Permit noting that the Planning Commission reviewed the request and recommended approval. Finke presented the request from Three Rivers Park to add a building at its Outdoor Learning Center that would include showers and an infirmary for those camping on the site. He stated that the exterior of the building is meant to match the existing larger lodge with log siding. The applicant is proposing to possibly use solar panels on the building, noting that those would have to meet relevant standards when the applicable permits are requested. He noted that this would be an accessory use to those already occurring on the property. He stated that the Conditional Use Permit criteria are listed within the staff report and confirmed that the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the CUP amendment. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 6 December 1, 2020 Anderson asked if the road leading to the new building would support emergency vehicles, should that be necessary to access the infirmary. Finke replied that this was coordinated with the Maple Plain Fire Department, which provides service to this area. He noted that some widening will occur to ensure accommodation of emergency service vehicles. Marge Beard, Three Rivers Park District, provided background information on the site which has eight log cabins, a lodge and many other amenities which support over 150 overnight visits per year. She stated that over 18,000 guests are served annually at this facility and this dual-purpose building will meet the needs of those visitors. Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to direct staff to prepare a resolution approving the amended CUP subject to the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. D. Fire Department Services Contract Notification Letters (8:01 p.m.) Martin thanked staff for the draft letters and incorporation of the language suggested by Anderson. Johnson thanked Martin, DesLauriers, Anderson and Batty for working with staff to draft the letters to the Fire Departments which request amendments to the contracts to allow transition to a Fire Service District/Joint Powers Agreement. He noted that if approved the letters would be sent to the applicable fire departments on December 31, 2020. DesLauriers appreciated the additional items that Anderson added, and stated that he is excited to continue to move forward with all the Fire Departments. Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Anderson, to direct staff to mail fire department services contract notification letters to the Hamel, Maple Plain, and Loretto Fire Departments on December 31, 2020. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes 7 December 1, 2020 VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (8:05 p.m.) Johnson had nothing further to report. IX. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (8:05 p.m.) DesLauriers commented that the parks continue to get a lot of use and it is exciting to see people using it. Martin advised of a recent presentation provided to the Northwest Mayors group related to the housing market in the western Hennepin area noting that she would attempt to share the information with Johnson to distribute to the Council. X. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (8:08 p.m.) Moved by Anderson, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the bills, EFT 0057828E- 005732E for $24,943.17, order check numbers 050951-051001 for $184,605.22. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. XI. ADJOURN Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m. A roll call vote was performed: Pederson absent Anderson aye DesLauriers aye Albers aye Martin aye Motion passed unanimously. __________________________________ Kathleen Martin, Mayor Attest: ____________________________________ Jodi M. Gallup, City Clerk