HomeMy Public PortalAbout06.20.2023 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
June 20, 2023
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 20, 2023
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on June 20, 2023 at 7:00
p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
I. ROLL CALL
Members present: Albers, DesLauriers, Martin, and Reid.
Members absent: Cavanaugh.
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, and Chief of Police Jason Nelson.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (7:00 p.m.)
III. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA (7:00 p.m.)
Johnson noted a limited use agreement that should be added as Item 7B.
Moved by Albers, seconded by Martin, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion
passed unanimously.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (7:01 p.m.)
A. Approval of the June 6, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin noted that prior to the meeting Johnson distributed proposed changes as
submitted by herself for incorporation.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the June 6, 2023 regular City Council
meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:01 p.m.)
A. Approve Appointment of Officer Dave Hall to Sergeant
Moved by Martin, 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
Johnson reported that the Commission will meet the following night to discuss the
pickleball courts at Hunter Lions Park to consider potential mitigation efforts.
Martin noted residents have reached out to members of the Council as well as several
written comments have been submitted.
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Albers commented that in summary of the concerns that he has received, the top
comments are related to the visual aspect and the noise and whether there could be
efforts to reduce the impacts of those elements. He stated it is great that the courts are
getting a lot of use and perhaps there could be a survey of the court users to determine
where people are coming from to play. He stated that could be helpful to target future
court locations.
Martin commented that she also received comments regarding the behavior related to
the courts such as dogs barking, loud music, and foul language. She stated that nearby
homeowners are overwhelmed by the ping pong noise of pickleball while on their decks.
She stated that residents are encouraged to call 911 to address inappropriate behaviors
at or near the courts. She noted that perhaps signage could be used to mitigate those
behaviors as well. She stated that perhaps a change in the hours could also be
considered as people begin playing at 6:30 a.m. and play until dusk. She noted that
perhaps officers could also stop by the courts occasionally to check in.
C. Planning Commission
Finke reported that the Commission met the previous week to hold four public hearings.
He stated that the first hearing was related to Blooming Meadows which would use a
PUD to create five lots and an outlot which would hold restored and created wetlands
which would be used to create a wetland bank. He noted that a fair number of residents
attended in support of the project and the Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the subdivision. The second hearing was for Reflections Dental, a multi-
tenant retail building, which the Commission also recommended approval. The
Commission also considered the rezoning which is before the Council tonight and
recommended approval of that request. The last hearing was related to the School Lake
Nature Preserve which proposed to separate the formal English garden that is on the
last unsold parcel and place that into a separate outlot that Mr. Marks would own, noting
that the applicant believes that would make the last lot more attractive to buyers and
allow his estate to maintain the garden in the future. The Commission recommended
approval of that item as well.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. 2382 Highway 55 Rezoning Request (7:14 p.m.)
Johnson stated that the applicant is requesting a rezoning from Commercial Highway to
Business zoning on the 3.28 acres.
Finke presented the rezoning request noting that the applicant has a contract for deed to
purchase the property for redevelopment for their exterior contracting business. He
stated that the proposal would include a shop, warehouse and showroom on the site and
would demolish the existing buildings on the site. He explained that prior to bringing that
forward, the applicant is requesting the rezoning. He noted that the surrounding
properties have already been rezoned as Business in implementation of the
Comprehensive Plan. He stated that staff feels that some sort of rezoning would be
justified, irrespective of the proposed use of the applicant, in order to become consistent
with the Comprehensive Plan whether that is Business or Business Park. He stated that
because of the proximity to Highway 55, staff would recommend Business for this site.
He stated that the existing motel is a conditional use. He stated that the Planning
Commission held a public hearing the previous week at which there were no public
speakers and the Commission recommended approval of the rezoning as requested.
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DesLauriers stated that he does not have an issue with the rezoning as it seems to
make sense. He asked if rezoning typically occurs when there are proposals in order to
evaluate the future development. He asked what would happen if the development
plans were to change.
Finke replied that while that is not uncommon to see the requests together, the City also
initiates rezonings itself at times. He noted that properties in this area were already
rezoned to Business from Commercial in order to match the Comprehensive Plan. He
stated that while Commercial is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, Business
or Business Park would be more consistent.
Martin commented that she does recall other instances where rezonings have been
approved prior to the site plan request coming through.
DesLauriers noted that he does not have an issue with the development proposal that is
intended to follow and simply had a question on the process.
Finke replied that this also removes unknowns for the applicant, as the rezoning would
provide certainty in moving forward with their design process.
1. Ordinance 710 Rezoning 2383 Highway 55 to the Business Zoning
District
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to adopt Ordinance 710 rezoning 2383
Highway 55 to the Business Zoning District. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Resolution 2023-72 to Publish by Title and Summary
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adopt Resolution 2023-72 authorizing
publication by title and summary. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Limited Use Agreement (7:24 p.m.)
Finke stated that this was sent to the property owner weeks or months ago and followed
up as the lift station construction is nearing. He noted that the property owner has
signed the agreement and staff recommends approval. He stated that there is no
compensation, just that the City will restore the property once done.
Albers asked if the City is confident that this would be completed prior to the end of the
year.
Finke confirmed that staff is comfortable with that term.
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the limited use agreement as
presented. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:26 p.m.)
Johnson noted that the next Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 5th.
IX. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:26 p.m.)
Martin commented on a presentation from the League of Minnesota Cities that was
provided at a recent meeting of the West Hennepin County mayors related to the recent
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legislative session. She noted that the next Future Fire Services Planning Group
meeting will be held on July 12th.
X.APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:28 p.m.)
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to approve the bills, EFT
006867E-006889E for $64,050.88, order check numbers 054418-054486 for
$543,035.48, and payroll EFT 0512769-0512803 for $65,549.59, and payroll manual
check 050458-02459 for $11,667.71. Motion passed unanimously.
XI.CLOSED SESSION: CONSIDERATION OF LAND ACQUISITION AT PID 11-
118-23-21-0005 PURSUANT TO MINN. STAT. SEC. 13D.05, SUBD. 3(c)
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at 7:29
p.m. to consider land acquisition pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subd. 3(c). Motion
passed unanimously.
The meeting returned to open session at 7:54 p.m.
XII.CLOSED SESSION: POLICE UNION CONTRACT PURSUANT TO MINN.
STAT. 13D.03
Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting to closed session at 7:55
p.m. to discuss police union contract pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.03. Motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting returned to open session at 8:17 p.m.
X-III. ADJOURN
Moved by Albers, seconded by DesLauriers, to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk