HomeMy Public PortalAbout12.20.2022 City Council Meeting MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
December 20, 2022
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2022
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on December 20, 2022 at
7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Cavanaugh, DesLauriers, Martin, and Reid.
Members absent: None.
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, City Clerk Caitlyn Walker, 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 December 6, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin stated that prior to the meeting Johnson distributed proposed corrections to the
minutes that she had proposed.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the December 6, 2022 regular City
Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:01 p.m.)
A. Approve Resolution 2022-111 Accepting Highway 55 Rental Donation for
Celebration Day
B. Approve MnDOT Agreement and Resolution 2022-112 for Federal Funds
C. Approve Memorandum of Understanding with LELS for 2023 Wages
D. Approve Resolution 2022-113 Accepting Public Utilities within the Marsh
Pointe Preserve
E. Approve Resolution 2022-114 Accepting Public Utilities within the Weston
Woods of Medina
F. Approve Sewer Cleaning and Televising Services Agreement with Empire
Pipe Services
G. Approve Resolution 2022-115 Accepting Donation from James Victorsen
Moved by Reid, seconded by Cavanaugh, 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.
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December 20, 2022
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B. Park Commission
Scherer stated that staff is working to establish ice for the skating rinks while managing
snow clearing. He stated that there are two candidates for the open position on the Park
Commission. He noted that the December meeting has been canceled.
C. Planning Commission
Finke reported that the Planning Commission did not hold a December meeting. He
stated that at the January meeting the Commission will most likely review the updated
plans for Meander Park and Boardwalk.
DesLauriers agreed that case should go back before the Planning Commission before
returning to the Council.
Albers asked if a date has been set for interviewing candidates.
Finke provided different options and advised that he would follow up to find the best
date, noting that there are three candidates for the two positions.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discuss Key Items for State Funding for Representative Kristin Robbins
(7:05 p.m.)
Johnson noted that Representative Robbins will be attending the January meeting and
advised that staff developed a draft of key items that could be discussed. He asked for
input from the Council.
Martin commented that while almost everyone in the community would have access to
broadband, there is still the matter of cost to connect. She stated that her two neighbors
split the cost for connection, paying $3,000 each. She commented that most people do
not need cable television but require internet service for school or work. She
commented on the poor internet service available to residents which is provided for the
same cost as the better internet service in neighboring communities. She stated that
she would like to see a legislative push for those utility companies to invest in
infrastructure in the communities they serve.
Albers asked if the list needs to be prioritized. He agreed that all the items listed make
sense. He suggested that funding for a future fire station and costs to serve a new fire
district should be added to the list.
DesLauriers agreed that all the items are important.
Cavanaugh provided a suggestion about providing Wi-Fi service throughout the
community.
VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:15 p.m.)
Johnson stated that staff worked with the Council to establish a date of Thursday,
January 4, 2024 for the employee appreciation event for 2023.
IX. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:17 p.m.)
Albers complimented public works on the excellent job they have been doing clearing
snow.
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December 20, 2022
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Martin commented that there were a few meetings the previous day at City Hall with the
development branch of Interfaith Outreach to talk about a potential housing development
with Common Bond. She provided details on the potential timing for additional
consideration of the project. She stated that some members of the Council and staff
also met with the Loretto, and Hamel fire department groups related to the consolidation
of those two groups into one and provided a brief update. She stated that they also met
with representatives from the Long Lake Fire Department about potential shared
services with Orono.
Albers asked if funding from the State would be helpful in these situations and
suggested it be added to the list for the upcoming discussion with Representative
Robbins.
Martin confirmed that could be added to the list.
X. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:27 p.m.)
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Martin, to approve the bills, EFT 006630E-006649E
for $63,277.96, order check numbers 053755-053812 for $295,418.57, and payroll EFT
0512340-0512375 for $64,068.51. Motion passed unanimously.
XI. CLOSED SESSION: DISCUSS ACTIVE LITIGATION FILED AGAINST THE
CITY BY CHRIS SELE, MICHELLE SELE, AND BRAD SANKEY WITH THE
CITY’S LEGAL COUNSEL PURSUANT TO MINN. STAT. 13D.05, SUBD. 3(b)
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at 7:28
p.m. to discuss active litigation filed against the City by Chris Sele, Michelle Sele, and
Brad Sankey with the City’s legal counsel pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, Subd. 3(b).
Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting returned to open session at 7:55 p.m.
XII. ADJOURN
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
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Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk