HomeMy Public PortalAbout01.03.2023 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2023
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2023
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on January 3, 2023 at
7:03 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, City Clerk Caitlyn Walker, 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 & CEREMONIAL MATTERS (7:03 p.m.)
A. Oath of Office for Mayor Kathleen Martin
Walker administered the Oath of Office to Martin.
B. Oath of Office for Councilmember Todd Albers
Walker administered the Oath of Office to Albers.
C. Oath of Office for Councilmember Dino DesLauriers
Walker administered the Oath of Office to DesLauriers.
III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:07 p.m.)
The agenda was approved as presented.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:07 p.m.)
A. Approval of the December 20, 2022 Work Session City Council Meeting
Minutes
Martin noted that prior to the meeting she had provided Johnson with a proposed
change that has been distributed to the Council.
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Martin, to approve the December 20, 2022 work
session City Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Approval of the December 20, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin noted that prior to the meeting Johnson distributed changes she had proposed for
the minutes for incorporation.
Moved by Reid, seconded by Cavanaugh, to approve the December 20, 2022 regular
City Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:09 p.m.)
A. Resolution 2023-01 Establishing 2023 Appointments and Designations to
Various City Services, Authorities, Commissions and Agencies
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January 3, 2023
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Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the consent agenda.
Motion passed unanimously.
VI. COMMENTS (7:09 p.m.)
A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda
There were none.
B. Park Commission
Scherer reported that two members were just appointed to the Commission, one new
member and one reappointment.
C. Planning Commission
Finke reported that the Commission will meet the following week to consider the updated
architectural information for the Meander Boardwalk project and will also welcome a new
member and conduct elections.
VII. PRESENTATIONS
A. Medina Legislative Priorities Discussion with Representative Kristin
Robbins (7:11 p.m.)
Johnson introduced Representative Kristin Robbins.
Representative Robbins commented that it is an honor to serve the community, noting
that she was sworn in today as well. She provided details on the committees that she
will be serving on and noted that she will be involved in the Highway 55 corridor as well.
She noted bonding projects that she will be involved with as well. She recognized the
need for broadband and the interest in a firefighting district, noting that she looks forward
to learning more about those issues and working with the City on those topics. She
stated that she is also very engaged and active in returning the surplus to taxpayers.
Martin noted that she previously met Robbins at the West Hennepin Mayors meeting
and appreciated the discussions she has been able to have with Rep. Robbins to
discuss options for future funding of an area wide fire station. She commented on the
importance of Medina residents having access to reliable and affordable internet service.
Albers emphasized the importance of funding for a future fire station as that would be
intended to serve multiple communities.
Robbins observed that is a need for the community and surrounding areas. She stated
that she has spoken with the State Fire Marshal’s office and was advised of the items
that would need to first be in place, such as a JPA. She stated that she would be happy
to be of assistance but would want to see those items in place prior to requesting
funding.
DesLauriers noted a fire service district meeting that will occur the following morning and
invited Robbins to attend. He noted that the Hamel Rodeo which currently has a
contract for the site it uses in Corcoran but may need a new home in the future. He
suggested that perhaps they could partner with the Hennepin County Fair.
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Martin thanked Robbins for attending and looked forward to working with her in the
future.
B. Resolution 2023-02 Recognizing City Attorney Ron Batty for 36 Years of
Service (7:21 p.m.)
Johnson commented that it has been an honor and privilege to work with Batty in his
time at Medina, noting that Batty has worked for Medina for 36 years.
Martin commented that she holds Batty in the highest regard, and he has done a
wonderful job bringing others up to speed that can take over for him. She read aloud the
draft resolution recognizing Batty for 36 years of service to the City.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to adopt Resolution 2023-02 recognizing Ron
Batty for 36 years of service to the City of Medina. Motion passed unanimously.
Batty commented that he has worked with 10 of 13 mayors of Medina shown on the wall.
He commented that Medina has been a great community to work with because of the
quality of its staff and members of its councils. He commented that he is not officially
retiring but will be stepping back.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Fire Assets Discussion Update (7:29 p.m.)
Johnson noted that an e-mail was provided from Barnhart summarizing the meeting held
today with the Hamel Fire Department and Loretto Fire Department.
Barnhart stated that the e-mail summarized the discussions between Loretto and Hamel
related to the debt, noting that Hamel will be paying off the debt with their cash on hand
and Medina will continue to make payments as scheduled over the next three years.
Martin reiterated that agreement and provided details on the new agreement the City
would have with the new fire department that will be formed by the merging of the two
fire departments.
Barnhart noted that the assets will be signed over for use of the merged fire
departments.
Cavanaugh noted that Medina will be contributing assets and asked if the portion for
future services paid by Medina be less than other communities that are not contributing
assets.
Barnhart provided details and noted that it has been determined that would not be a
factor as Hamel was already showing up to those fires with that equipment. She noted
that any new assets would be purchased under the new entity and all communities
would contribute.
Martin commented that there has been a lot of discussion on this topic in the fire district
meetings. She explained that although Medina has a vested interest in the assets, it
does not own anything outright and would only receive payment if the equipment were
sold. She stated that this equipment would stay in service to provide service to the
communities and Medina would give up its interest in the assets.
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Barnhart noted that most of the equipment and the Hamel station will remain at that
location, it will just change names and run as one department under the new name.
Albers commented that it sounds like great progress.
IX. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:38 p.m.)
Johnson advised of the upcoming January EDA meeting and thanked Scherer and the
public works crew for the great job with snowplowing during the current winter storm.
X. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:38 p.m.)
No comments.
XI. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:39 p.m.)
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the bills, EFT 006650E-
006669E for $58,123.60, order check numbers 053813-053850 for $103,231.38, and
payroll EFT 0512376-0512405 for $62,343.76, and payroll manual check for $223.30.
Motion passed unanimously.
XII. ADJOURN
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Martin, to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
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Kathy Martin, Mayor
Attest:
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Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk