HomeMy Public PortalAbout05.17.2022 City Council Meeting MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
May 17, 2022
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2022
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on May 17, 2022 at 7:00
p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Cavanaugh, DesLauriers, and Martin.
Members absent: Cavanaugh and Reid.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, Attorney Dave Anderson, 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 (7:00 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 May 3, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin noted that prior to the meeting Johnson distributed proposed corrections that she
had suggested for incorporation.
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the May 3, 2022 regular City
Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:01 p.m.)
A. Approve Resolution 2022-36 for Bonner Variance
B. Approve Reimbursement Resolution 2022-37 for 2022 Road Projects
C. Approve Amendment to the Scherber Purchase Agreement
D. Approve Temporary Liquor License to Hamel Lions
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to approve the consent agenda. Motion
passed unanimously.
VI. COMMENTS (7:02 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 hold its
annual park tour at 5 p.m. He stated that anyone interested in joining should alert staff.
He stated that the Commission will also discuss the Diamond Lake Regional Trail at its
meeting later that night. He commented that the parks are being heavily used, which is
great to see.
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May 17, 2022
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C. Planning Commission
Planning Commissioner Nielsen reported that the Commission met the previous week to
hold a public hearing to consider a Concept Plan review for the Cates property, which
was scaled down from the previous concept review. She commented that the
Commission was supportive of the change in zoning to support this use and provided
input on the concepts preferred by the Commission. She stated that the Commission
unanimously agreed that truck traffic should use Willow. She stated that the
Commission also held a public hearing to consider an ordinance amendment related to
electric vehicle charging. She stated that the Commission does support an incentive-
based approach but did not support the tree reduction incentive. She stated that the
Commission did recommend approval of the ordinance with the exception of the tree
reduction incentive.
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Hamel Townhomes (7:08 p.m.)
Johnson stated that this item was reviewed at the May 3rd meeting and requested
changes to elevations have been made to the Hamel Road facing units. He stated that
because DesLauriers will be recusing himself, that would leave only two members of the
Council, therefore input can be provided, and action would be delayed to the next
Council meeting.
DesLauriers recused himself from this item.
Finke stated that the draft resolutions were included in the packet along with updated
elevations. He noted that the most significant change was related to the Hamel Road
elevation. He highlighted the changes that were made to those elevations. He
welcomed any input and noted that the intention would be to provide the same
documents at the next meeting.
Albers applauded the applicant for listening to the concerns of the Council. He believed
that this revised vision better fits into the vision for Uptown Hamel.
Martin agreed that the units are much more stylized and individualized. She agreed that
this is a vastly improved plan. She stated that upon review of the City Code, more
emphasis is placed on the Hamel Road facing units over the other units. She stated that
the western elevation is more unique and interesting and has no issues with that. She
provided suggestions to the language included in the draft resolutions.
DesLauriers rejoined the Council.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Cates Industrial Park – Concept Plan Review (7:19 p.m.)
Johnson stated that the applicant has withdrawn their original request and has submitted
a request for approximately 300,000 square feet of warehouse, light industrial, office use
on the southern portion of the property. He stated that three concepts were provided to
determine if the Council would support a scaled down use of this nature.
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Finke stated that a Comprehensive Plan amendment would still be needed to support
this use. He stated that the subject site is south of Cates Ranch Drive. He stated that
there is discussion within the report about the impression of staff highlighting positives
and negatives of each concept, if the broader land use change is supported. He
displayed the elevations that were provided along with the three concepts. He noted
that staff believes that trunk access to Willow is important regardless of the concept. He
stated that a PUD may make sense in order to maximize the setback and greenspace on
the exterior of the site and support truck circulation on the interior. He stated that the
staff report does identify changes in property use compared to the acreage previously
projected for business. He noted that transportation was thoroughly discussed with the
larger project. He stated that even though the impact would be reduced with a smaller
scale project, there would be anticipated improvements related to the project. He stated
that the applicant has stated that they would be willing to provide the land for a sanitary
sewer lift station and noted that staff would look for a lower elevation location to make
installation of the lift station earlier. He noted that the Planning Commission discussed
modulation of the building and the importance of that, should this move forward. He
welcomed input from the Council on the broader land use question as well as on the
concepts.
DesLauriers asked if the lift station was included in the City’s CIP for 2023. He also
asked if the CIP only included the cost for the lift station and not the acquisition of land.
Albers stated that he would like to discuss what has changed from the last review other
than this being smaller. He believed the direction was very specific related to a change
in zoning.
DesLauriers stated that they asked the applicant to come back with a version on the
southern half, which is what has been done.
Martin agreed that the Council invited the applicant to come back and present a request
for the southern portion.
Anderson agreed that four members of the Council supported the applicant coming back
with a reduced scale plan while Albers was opposed.
Albers asked what has changed that would change the perspective of the Council.
Finke stated that one of the Comprehensive Plan objectives is to provide opportunities
for the desired amount of business development. He stated that it could be argued that
the smaller scale would better meet the desire of the Council for that type of
development.
Albers commented that there are certain things the Council is supposed to review when
considering a Comprehensive Plan amendment and he did not think the criteria were
met.
DesLauriers stated that a vote was not taken last time as it was a concept. He read
some of the comments and consensus of the Council from the previous minutes which
invited the applicant to come back with revised plans.
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Albers asked if the answers of the Council on the broader land use question have
changed.
Finke replied that the decision would provide the Council with the highest level of
discretion. He stated that the mission, vision, principles, and goals would provide
guidance when considering an amendment to the plan.
Martin stated that in looking at the vision and goals within the report, she recalled the
previous discussion of the Council related to the use. She stated that it is a bit of a
stretch. She asked how the Comprehensive Plan goals would be achieved moving
forward. She stated that conceptually the Council seemed to buy off on a commercial
use but perhaps the size of the project was too severe. She stated that she did recall
some support for the use and invitation for the applicant to come back with a reduced
scale project.
DesLauriers commented that this request meets three of the five requirements for the
business district. He stated that when looking at FDA, the key component is that any
future development would rely on infrastructure. He noted that the infrastructure is in
place to support the development. He stated that Graphic Packaging is located across
the street and another business down the road, therefore this property is in a business
district and this project would create jobs.
Albers stated that the Council was going down the path towards denial and therefore
was confused as to what has changed.
DesLauriers stated that the size was an important factor as he believes 30 acres fits
much better than 70 acres. He stated that this sized development makes sense in this
area. He confirmed that his decision is also supported by the fact that the necessary
infrastructure is in place or would be added by the developer.
Martin recognized that two members of the Council are not present to provide input
tonight. She invited the developer to speak.
Peter Coyle, spoke representing the applicant, noting that they did attempt to make
changes to address the feedback of the Council. He stated that the broad goals they
believe their concept would address including job creation opportunity, business
creation, quality of life, and protection of natural resources. He commented that
infrastructure is important and if there are transportation impacts caused by the project,
they would fund those improvements. He noted that the northern parcel would also
remain rural, more at the direction of the Council than the applicant. He stated that the
designation of FDA is a non-designation and believes that the City should be able to
designate actual land uses for properties. He stated that they would like to proceed with
a version of this plan. He stated that they have been working with staff for eight to nine
months, including completion of the required EAW. He stated that the primary objective
of the meeting tonight was to determine whether this reduced scale project would be
supported before moving for formal submissions.
Martin asked for input on the three concepts.
Albers stated that he prefers option three.
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Martin stated that she also preferred that concept but could also support option two if
there was more modulation.
DesLauriers stated that he did not have a strong feeling either way but would lean
towards concept two. He stated that he would square up the layout of the building and
would have two access drives to Willow, one for vehicles and one for trucks.
Martin commented that it would go without saying that a submittal would also need to
meet City Code in terms of landscaping and architecture.
Coyle commented that these are just concepts as they would still need to get a tenant
and would not be building something without the input of the ultimate user.
Martin recognized that if there were two users, perhaps the two-building concept would
be the better fit in that scenario. She stated that she would be flexible between options
two and three, depending on what was most beneficial to the user.
DesLauriers asked staff if there was a preference for one of these plans in terms of the
lift station.
Finke stated that the discussion has not yet been had with the applicant. He noted that
the projected location was actually on the northern parcel but recognized that may no
longer be on the table. He noted that the concepts show the lift station on the corner of
the site, which is high in elevation, but believed there were opportunities in lower
elevations for that lift station.
DesLauriers asked if there is any concern with the future DLRT through this area.
Finke noted that layout is more to the west. He stated that there were comments related
to pedestrian connectivity included in the review.
Martin noted that she agrees with much of the analysis within the staff report. She
confirmed the consensus of the Council that any future plans would need to address the
analysis and comments within the staff report.
B. 2022 Road Project Feasibility Reports (8:01 p.m.)
Johnson stated that in the CIP for 2022 there are three different overlay projects that
would follow the residential street assessment policy.
Scherer stated that these are three simple overlay projects which are very similar in
nature. He provided details on the estimated project costs, noting 50 percent
assessment. He stated that all of the projects would have an assessment of about
$2,500 to $2,600. He stated that Iroquois Drive has two lots that do not have access,
therefore staff is proposing half of an assessment for those properties as there could be
a potential for access in the future. He noted that he would be meeting with individual
property owners to discuss the project.
Johnson clarified that this is not the public hearing but the action before the Council
would call for a public hearing at the June 21, 2022, City Council Meeting.
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1. Iroquois Drive
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adopt Resolution 2022-38 Receiving
Feasibility Report and Calling for Public Hearings on Iroquois Drive Street Improvement
Project and Levying Special Assessments for Same. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Oakview Road
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adopt Resolution 2022-39 Receiving
Feasibility Report and Calling for Public Hearings on Oakview Road Street Improvement
Project and Levying Special Assessments for Same. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Tower Drive West
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adopt Resolution 2022-40 Receiving
Feasibility Report and Calling for Public Hearings on Tower Drive West Street
Improvement Project and Levying Special Assessments for Same. Motion passed
unanimously.
Martin commented that the Council does read these reports and appreciates the
numbers and photos. She thanked Scherer for the money he continues to save the City
over the years.
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (8:09 p.m.)
Johnson had nothing further to report.
X. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (8:09 p.m.)
Martin highlighted upcoming events including Spring into Hamel, Bike Safety Rodeo, and
Memorial Day at German Liberal Cemetery at 11:40 a.m.
DesLauriers asked when the next fire district meeting will be held.
Martin noted the first Wednesday in June. She stated that she attended the west metro
mayors group meeting where there was a presentation from Hennepin County Public
Works that reviewed the projects slated for 2022 and five-year CIP.
XI. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (8:14 p.m.)
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin, to approve the bills, EFT 006368E-
006380E for $54,084.31, order check numbers 052908-052976 for $303,046.84, and
payroll EFT 0511846-0511882 for $62,596.66. Motion passed unanimously.
XII. ADJOURN
Albers recognized the information from Nelson on the West Metro Drug Task Force and
its recent actions.
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
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Kathy Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk