HomeMy Public PortalAbout03.15.2022 City Council Meeting MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
March 15, 2022
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2022
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on March 15, 2022 at 7:00
p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
Martin stated that the meeting is being held in a virtual format due to the ongoing
pandemic and provided instructions for public participation.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Cavanaugh, DesLauriers, Martin, and Reid.
Members absent: None.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, 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 (7:03 p.m.)
III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:04 p.m.)
The agenda was approved as presented.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:04 p.m.)
A. Approval of the March 1, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Moved by Martin, seconded by Reid, to approve the March 1, 2022 regular City Council
meeting minutes as presented.
A roll call vote was performed:
DesLauriers aye
Albers aye
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:05 p.m.)
A. Adopt Resolution 2022-19 for Abraham Accessory Dwelling Unit
Conditional Use Permit
B. Adopt Resolution 2022-20 for Deng Septic Variance
C. Approve Resolution 2022-21 Reestablishing Precincts and Polling Places
D. Approve Lawn and Grounds Services Agreement
E. Approve Portable Sanitation Agreement
F. Approve Amended and Restated Grounds Services Agreement with Orono
Baseball
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G. Approve Amended and Restated Grounds Services Agreement with Hamel
Athletic Club
H. Approve Hamel Legion Park Concession Services Agreement with the
Hamel Athletic Club
I. Approve Renewal of Consumption and Display Permit for American Legion
Post 394 at 75 Hamel Road
J. Approve the Appointment of Trevor Ratke to the Public Works Maintenance
Technician Position
K. Approve Service and Videography Agreement with Cipher Laboratories Inc.
L. Ordinance 685 Adopting an Amended Fee Schedule for Clean-up Day
M. Resolution 2022-22 Authorizing Publication of Ordinance Adopting an
Amended Fee Schedule by Title and Summary
N. Feasibility Report for Water Treatment Plant
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to approve the consent agenda.
A roll call vote was performed:
DesLauriers aye
Albers aye
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Motion passed unanimously.
VI. COMMENTS (7:08 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 welcome its
new member and receive a presentation from the Hamel Athletic Club for a new
scoreboard at the Paul Fortin field. He noted that the existing scoreboard would then be
moved to another field. He stated that HAC would like to get the scoreboard project
completed by July. He noted that the Commission will also receive an update on the
plans for Lakeshore Park.
C. Planning Commission
Planning Commissioner Rhem reported that the Planning Commission met the previous
week to consider the request to amend the plat for Weston Woods. He noted that the
changes would reduce density and was supported by the Commission. He stated that
the Commission also reviewed a request to expand the McDonald’s drive-thru and that
was also unanimously supported by the Commission. He noted that the Commission
also reviewed a potential land acquisition and found that to be consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan.
VII. PRESENTATIONS
A. Hennepin County Commissioner Kevin Anderson (7:13 p.m.)
Johnson introduced Hennepin County Commissioner Kevin Anderson.
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County Commissioner Anderson introduced himself noting that he was elected in 2020
and took office in January of 2021. He provided background information on his career
and government experience along with his committee and board assignments. He
provided information on the County budget, ARP funding distribution, affordable housing,
other programs to address housing and homelessness, broadband expansion, and
stable housing for veterans. He stated that they are beginning to implement a hybrid
format which will allow some people to go back to work in the office and others continue
to work from home. He stated that they have also been working to raise awareness and
prevention of gun violence. He provided additional details on the work they have been
doing to expand mental health services. He noted the expanded training center for the
Sheriff’s Department and the embedded social worker program.
Martin expressed appreciation for the work Anderson is doing on behalf of the County
and residents of Medina.
Albers asked what the County has been doing to address the opioid problem.
Anderson replied that many of the things the County is doing has been designed to meet
those needs, supporting law enforcement officers, and attempting to address the other
issues that go along with addiction (homelessness, mental health, crime, etc.). He
stated that the County also joined the opioid settlement which will provide funding to
increase services and ensure there are treatment options available.
Cavanaugh thanked Anderson for the presentation and hard work.
Reid expressed appreciation to Anderson for attending the meeting.
DesLauriers referenced the statement that $246,000,000 was distributed in 2021. He
asked the amount distributed in 2020 for comparison and the projection for 2022.
Anderson replied that Hennepin County received approximately $240,000,000 from
CARES as well as the $246,000,000 received through ARPA. He noted that Hennepin
County did not spend all those dollars and advised that he can provide more detailed
information on how those funds were allocated. He stated that the County has through
2025 to spend those dollars and will be using those to fund programs and methods to
stabilize the programs which will not cause increased funding needs in the future when
those funds are not available. He used the example of investing in affordable housing
which will provide benefit for the future.
DesLauriers referenced the funding into mental health, which tapers down to zero dollars
and asked for more information.
Anderson replied that is showing the ARPA portion of the funding. He noted that they
hope to see a shift in upstream resources which would alleviate pressure on emergency
services which are much more expensive. He stated that if they can divert those
situations upstream, they can fund those avenues on a more permanent basis and
hopefully prevent more of those emergency situations.
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Martin recognized that the County relies on real estate taxes to a certain degree and
asked if there has been an impact to the budget because of the devaluation in real
estate values. She asked how the County will be covering that gap.
Anderson replied that residents have, or will be, receiving their valuation notices. He
commented that residential property values have raised nearly 17 percent while
commercial real estate has remained flat, or perhaps decreased in some areas. He
noted that shifting that tax burden from commercial properties to residential properties is
a main concern of his. He commented that it will be a real challenge to keep the tax
burden low on residents while still addressing the needs of the County to provide
services.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Land Sale Discussion – Portion of PID 02-118-23-24-0002 – Marsh Point
Preserve (7:34 p.m.)
Johnson stated that there is a 30-foot-wide strip of property running north/south in the
middle of the subdivision which the City obtained through tax forfeiture. He commented
that the parcel is located within a large wetland with a small portion that would include a
portion of the right of way for Marsh Point Preserve. He stated that Finke will present
options for the Council to consider.
Finke stated that the City Attorney, staff, and the developer have discussed paths
forward. He noted that only a small portion of the property is located outside of the
wetland area and the total acquisition cost for the auction price and fees was just over
$1,600. He stated that it would be proposed to recoup those costs with administrative
costs for a potential purchase price of $1,850. He noted that rather than having a
separate purchase agreement, staff would include the sale of the property as a provision
of the development agreement to be approved at the time of final plat.
Cavanaugh asked if this additional land would make the property more developable.
Finke replied that the buildable property is on the north property line and would be part
of the right-of-way dedicated in the plat and would not be part of any home sites.
Cavanaugh referenced the Diamond Lake Regional Trail (DLRT) and asked the path
that would be proposed to follow.
Finke stated that two locations were discussed for potential trail easements and
identified those locations. He stated that the trail and street would cross east to west
across the buildable portion of the land.
Cavanaugh asked if the City could use the land for parking spots along the roadway
and/or benches along the trail.
Finke commented that the strip of red property is 30 feet wide, and the buildable portion
is only about 35 feet across and would be included in trail or road right-of-way. He
stated that after recording of the plat the land would remain in right-of-way and therefore
the City would retain those abilities.
DesLauriers asked if staff would ever consider the red area to be used for the DLRT.
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Finke replied that was considered as one of the options, but the potential issue would be
that the south end would end in the wetland and that route is probably the longest route
through the wetland in any location. He noted that the other trail options would minimize
the wetland crossings which is why they were seen as better options.
Martin commented that there is about 1,000 square feet of usable land which would
equate to about $1.80 per square foot. She asked how that compares to the valuation
for park dedication.
Finke stated that the calculation for park dedication would be higher per square foot but
noted that this would be more equivalent to what the City would be paying for parkland
to the west.
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin, to direct staff to include provision for the
sale of the 30-foot-wide extension of PID 02-118-23-24-0002 for a cost of $1,850 to BPS
Properties within the Marsh Pointe Preserve development agreement.
A roll call vote was performed:
DesLauriers aye
Albers aye
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Motion passed unanimously.
B. Virtual Meeting Discussion (7:47 p.m.)
Johnson stated that staff worked with the City Attorney to draft a plan to return to in
person meetings beginning with the May 3rd City Council meeting and provided
additional details. He confirmed the consensus of the Council to return to in person
meetings beginning with the May 3rd City Council Meeting.
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:49 p.m.)
Johnson had nothing further to report.
X. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:49 p.m.)
Martin noted clean-up day on April 30th.
DesLauriers noted the Loretto pancake breakfast on April 24th and Long Lake on May
1st.
Cavanaugh stated that he provided Johnson some ideas of things the City could do
related to the situation in Ukraine. He welcomed additional ideas the Council may have.
Reid stated that perhaps support could be provided to relocate a few refugee families in
Medina.
Martin commented that there are a lot of Ukrainian refugees coming to the border near
Mexico. She commented that she would welcome placing an article in the newsletter, a
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resolution that would support rule of law across the world but was uncertain that she
would like to accept funds or families or earmark City funds. She noted that many of the
members of the Council support outreach of nonprofits in the community, but City funds
are not earmarked for that purpose.
Cavanaugh noted that his suggestion would be to have a nonprofit administer collection
of donations for that purpose. He recognized the difficulty in lighting the water tower but
noted that a blue and yellow banner could be placed on a retaining wall.
Martin commented that the only time donations have been allowed for collection at
clean-up day was a private resident that was collecting for milkweed which relates in a
manner to clean-up day. She was not certain she wanted to tie that type of donation
collection to clean-up day.
Albers commented that he agrees with the comments of Martin. He agreed that the
milkweed seeds were environmentally related to clean-up day and did not want to bring
something that could be considered a political issue with a City event. He agreed that it
is a horrible situation and noted that he would support hanging a blue and yellow flag or
banner, but otherwise would leave organization of other efforts to local nonprofits.
DesLauriers thanked Cavanaugh for bringing his ideas to Medina. He agreed with the
comments of Albers and Martin. He stated that he would support the idea of a resolution
and providing information to residents in the newsletter that could link them with an
organization that could accept donations.
Reid agreed that it would be helpful to provide residents with information where they can
make donations for the cause.
Albers suggested that only a reputable site be provided by the City, such as the Red
Cross.
Cavanaugh noted that he would be happy to look into it with City staff to find a reputable
international organization for donations, such a UNICEF.
Johnson stated that staff can draft a resolution for the Council to review but was unsure
the City would want to fly the flag of another country at a City building.
Martin noted that the flags are pretty cheap to purchase online if residents wanted to
purchase them for their own property. She confirmed the consensus of the Council to
direct staff to prepare a resolution as well as prepare a newsletter article.
Reid commented that the design has been completed for the Uptown Hamel banners
and a presentation will be made for the cost for the banners.
XI. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (8:06 p.m.)
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the bills, EFT 006285E-
006302E for $55,346.71, order check numbers 052685-052735 for $191,064.16, and
payroll EFT 0511680-0511715 for $59,716.16.
A roll call vote was performed:
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DesLauriers aye
Albers aye
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Motion passed unanimously.
XII. ADJOURN
Moved by Reid, seconded by Martin, to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
A roll call vote was performed:
DesLauriers aye
Albers aye
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Motion passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathy Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Scott Johnson, City Administrator