HomeMy Public PortalAbout03.21.2023 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2023
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 21, 2023
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on March 21, 2023 at 7:00
p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Albers presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, Cavanaugh, Martin (virtual), and Reid.
Members absent: DesLauriers.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, City Clerk Caitlyn Walker, 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. MOTION TO DELEGATE DUTIES TO PRESIDE OVER THE MEETING TO
COUNCIL MEMBER ALBERS
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to delegate duties to preside over the meeting
to Council Member Albers.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (7:02 p.m.)
IV. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:02 p.m.)
The agenda was approved as presented.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:03 p.m.)
A. Approval of the March 7, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Albers noted that prior to the meeting Johnson distributed proposed changes suggested
by Martin.
Cavanaugh noted on page five, line 42, it should state, “…asked if that is a standard
amount or…”
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to approve the March 7, 2023 regular City
Council meeting minutes as amended.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
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March 21, 2023
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Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA (7:04 p.m.)
A. Approve Street Sweeping Services Agreement with Carefree Services
B. Approve Tree Trimming Service Agreement with CJS Services
C. Approve Tree Trimming Service Agreement with Ray’s Tree Service
D. Approve Ball Field Rental Agreement with Orono Baseball Association for
Maple Park
E. Approve Ball Field Rental Agreement with Orono Baseball Association for
Morningside Park
F. Approve Tennis Court Rental Agreement with Carrie Agre
G. Approve Resolution 2023-31 Designating Tamarack Drive from TH 55 to
Meander Road as a Municipal State Aid Street
H. Approve Resolution 2023-32 Approving Grant Agreement with the
Metropolitan Council of Environmental Services for the Improvement of
Publicly Owned Infrastructure
I. Approve Resolution 2023-33 Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for the
Willow Drive Lift Station
J. Approve Resolution 2023-34 Accepting Donation from Lorraine Wagner
K. Approve Resolution 2023-35 Declaring Costs to be Assessed, Ordering
Preparation of Proposed Assessments, and Calling for Hearing on the
Proposed Assessments for the Clydesdale Trail Rehabilitation Project
Moved by Albers, seconded by Reid, to approve the consent agenda.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
VII. COMMENTS (7:06 p.m.)
A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda
There were none.
B. Park Commission
Scherer reported that the Park Commission met the previous week to consider the Cates
Industrial proposal noting that the Commission discussed the proposed trails and agreed
with the trail recommendations proposed by staff.
C. Planning Commission
Planning Commissioner Nielsen reported that the Planning Commission met the
previous week and held a public hearing on the Cates Industrial proposal. She stated
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March 21, 2023
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that the Commission appreciated that the applicant listened to the feedback previously
provided and incorporated related changes to the plan. She noted that a resident spoke
in support of the proposal but asked that access to the parcel be limited to one on Cates
Ranch Drive and expressed concern with vehicles passing the access and needing to
turn around on private property. She noted discussions related to architecture and
parking, noting that the Commission unanimously recommended approval of the
requests.
Albers asked for details on the parking as Nielsen mentioned that the calculations
required 100 additional spaces.
Nielsen noted that proof of parking was offered in case additional parking needed to be
constructed.
Finke confirmed that there is plenty of space for additional parking and noted that one of
the conditions is for the applicant to show that design so that it could easily be
constructed in the future if needed.
VIII. PRESENTATIONS
A. Resolution 2023-36 Recognizing League of Minnesota Cities Mayor for Day
Essay Competition Winner Hadley Aasness (7:11 p.m.)
Albers read Resolution 2023-36 recognizing Hadley Aasness as the winner of the Mayor
for Day essay contest.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Cavanaugh, to adopt Resolution 2023-36 recognizing the
League of Minnesota Cities Mayor for Day essay competition winner Hadley Aasness.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
B. Resolution 2023-37 Recognizing Chris McGill for 25 Years of Service
Albers read the Resolution 2023-36 recognizing Officer Chris McGill for 25 years of
service.
Nelson commented that McGill has been the longest serving member of the department
and he has enjoyed working with him throughout their careers. He commented that
McGill is an integral part of the department and is someone that the department relies
on.
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to adopt Resolution 2023-37 recognizing
Chris McGill for 25 years of service to the City of Medina.
A roll call vote was performed:
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March 21, 2023
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Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
C. Annual Fire Department Reports
Hamel Fire Chief Ruchti presented a summary of the 2022 year in review for his
department. He noted an increase in service calls over the last nine years of 170
percent. He also provided details on EMS call response, mutual aid, and a breakdown
of hours. He stated that there were three new firefighters that have all become pinned
members with another two members undergoing training.
Cavanaugh referenced the increase in EMS calls and asked if response has changed
during the past five years.
Ruchti replied that they have equipped the department with more EMT staff and have a
dedicated rig for those calls. He reviewed the different things they are able to administer
to better serve the community.
Cavanaugh commented that he would anticipate that need would continue to grow as
more senior facilities come into the community.
Ruchti confirmed that there are multiple facilities in the community and that is a growing
population.
Loretto Fire Chief Leuer stated that he submitted his year-end report and would like to
provide an update on their merger. He stated that they began in July of 2021 and
provided an overview of that process including the relief association, operations,
organization, legal documents and review, and legislative efforts and support. He stated
that the process needs to wait for legislative action to be completed before the merger is
completed. He stated that Loretto membership will vote on the merger tomorrow
evening which will be followed by Hamel the following Monday evening. He noted that
the paperwork will then be taken to the Secretary of State to be finalized. He thanked
the members of both departments as this has been a long process that is moving well
and has support from both departments. He stated that they will be able to do more
together than they could separately. He thanked Medina for its support.
Martin commented that she has witnessed this process and applauded Leuer and Ruchti
and those that worked with them. She stated that this only happened because the
departments realized they will be stronger together and thanked those involved for the
energy they brought to this process. She expressed appreciation and respect for what
the departments have been able to accomplish.
Albers echoed the words of thanks and appreciation in the work these departments have
done to come together.
Leuer noted the upcoming pancake breakfast on April 16th.
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Long Lake Battalion Fire Chief Adams stated that their pancake breakfast will be April
23rd. He reviewed the current organization of the department and its membership. He
provided details on calls for service and response times. He also recognized a recent
retirement, new members, training, member milestones, and upcoming events for the
year.
Martin thanked Adams for stepping in with the departure of the previous Fire Chief. She
admired all that his team has done and how the department has stood strong with the
distractions from Orono.
Chief Leuer noted a celebration is scheduled for September 9th that will be a kickoff for
the West Suburban Fire District held in downtown Loretto.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
A. Elevate Hennepin Program (7:55 p.m.)
Johnson noted that the Council requested additional information on the program in the
packet.
Finke stated that usage data of the Open to Business program was provided in the
packet. He stated that this program would have additional services for businesses. He
noted that Hennepin County would request that the City enter into a contract for
enrollment in the program even if the City chooses not to contribute financially. He
stated that the financial contribution is meant to supplement for the additional
consultants that were hired for the program. He noted that $1,250 was budgeted for
involvement in this type of programing. He stated that staff recommends using those
budgeted funds to financially contribute to the program. He noted that other
communities will be contributing in larger amounts. He stated that if the Council does
not want to financially contribute, staff would suggest updating the contract with in-kind
contribution rather than financial.
Cavanaugh commented that it is a relatively small contribution for the benefit that could
be received by residents.
Finke clarified that the contract has a contribution of $1,250 the first year and $2,500 the
second year. He noted that the Council has typically allocated $1,250 each year and the
contract could reflect that amount for the second year.
Cavanaugh stated that he would be comfortable with continuing with $1,250 each year.
Martin, Albers and Reid also agreed with the amount of $1,250.
Albers noted that he requested the additional information and found the data to be
helpful.
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Albers, to approve the agreement for Elevate
Hennepin programming, amending the 2024 City contribution to $1,250.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
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Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
X. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (8:01 p.m.)
Johnson stated that if the Council is interested, staff can order them business cards. He
also stated that staff requests to add a worksession for May 2nd to discuss affordable
housing at 6:00 p.m.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Cavanaugh, to schedule a worksession on May 2, 2023
at 6:00 p.m.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
XI. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (8:03 p.m.)
Martin commented that staff has done a great job with analysis that will help guide the
May 2nd work session on affordable housing. She noted that there have been continued
discussions with public works and engineering with the City of Independence related to
sewer units for a development project that was not anticipated by that community in its
planning. She thanked staff for their interaction with Independence noting that through
this process additional sewer flow was identified that was not originally accounted for in
the system. She noted that if that were not discovered, Medina could have given up
capacity that was not available.
XII. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (8:06 p.m.)
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to approve the bills, EFT 006753E-006770E
for $78,894.30, order check numbers 054083-054143 for $299,444.26, and payroll EFT
0512573-0512603 for $66,038.12.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
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March 21, 2023
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XIII. ADJOURN
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m.
A roll call vote was performed:
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Albers aye
Motion passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk