HomeMy Public PortalAbout08.15.2023 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes
August 15, 2023
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MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 15, 2023
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on August 15, 2023 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, 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. 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 August 2, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Martin noted that prior to the meeting Johnson circulated revisions that she had
proposed for incorporation.
Moved by Martin, seconded by Cavanaugh, to approve the August 2, 2023 regular City
Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously.
V. COMMENTS (7:01 p.m.)
A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda
There were none.
B. Park Commission
Scherer reported that the grandstand project has begun, the pickleball sound study was
being completed, and the Commission is working on vegetation control at Hunter Park.
He provided an update on Lakeshore Park and the Medina Lake Preserve grant
application process.
Albers noted an email received about emerald ash borer and asked if the City has
developed a map for known locations and/or removed trees.
Scherer replied that the City is working with WSB in an attempt to obtain grant funds for
that type of work.
Martin commented that emerald ash borer has been devastating, noting that they
removed 28 trees on her property in the last few days along with injecting additional
trees to try to treat them.
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August 15, 2023
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C. Planning Commission
Planning Commissioner Popp reported that the Commission met the previous week to
discuss the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance. He stated that there was a lot of
discussion and feedback, highlighting some of the topics. He stated that the
Commission did not make a formal recommendation.
Martin commented that she understands that most of the ash trees will die and asked if
there is a way to incentivize removal of diseased trees and keep trees that will retain
green canopy.
Popp commented that they did discuss diversification of species and noted that Martin’s
suggestion is something to consider.
Martin asked if there would be a way to mill the wood from the diseased trees for reuse.
Finke commented that Hennepin County is having that type of discussion and
Minnetonka purchased a mill to cut wood and sell it. He stated that Minneapolis is
looking at biochar. He agreed that the wood waste is unfortunate and there are ways to
reuse outside of chipping.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Jaymes Grossman – Variance from Setback from ISTS to Wetland – 3082
State Hwy 55 – Public Hearing (7:16 p.m.)
Johnson stated that the applicant is requesting a variance from the setback requirement
from a wetland for an individual subsurface sewage treatment system for the property at
3082 Highway 55. He stated that because of other factors on the property this would be
the only option for the septic location.
Finke stated that the 75-foot setback is an additional standard the City has adopted as
the State Code does not have a minimum setback from a wetland, therefore the City has
the ability to grant a variance in such situations. He noted that because of limitations on
the site this would be the only option for a treatment site. He noted that this site would
not even work for a typical system and therefore the applicant would be using a multi-
flow pretreatment system. He stated that the existing system is noncompliant and
therefore this would replace that old system with a compliant system. Staff recommends
approval, noting that a public hearing is required. He noted a change to the draft
resolution language noting inclusion of the plan date.
Martin opened the public hearing.
No comments.
Martin closed the public hearing.
1. Resolution 2023-85 Granting Wetland Setback Variance to Jaymes
Grossman for Type IV Sewage Treatment System at 3082 State Hwy
55
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August 15, 2023
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Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by DesLauriers, to adopt Resolution 2023-85 granting
wetland setback variance for Type IV sewage treatment system at 3082 State Highway
55 with the noted revision suggested by staff. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Park Policy and Code Updates (7:20 p.m.)
Johnson stated that at the July 5th meeting the Council adopted the Lakeshore Park Plan
and directed staff to make these additional revisions. He stated that those revisions are
before the Council tonight.
Albers referenced Section 515 related to tobacco use and asked if cannabis should be
added at some time.
Anderson stated that the Council adopted a prohibition on cannabis at a recent meeting
which is stricter than this language and is found in a separate ordinance.
Martin asked if it would make sense to include cannabis in this location as well.
Anderson stated that would be redundant and may make it more difficult to update
language in the future.
1. Small Watercraft Storage Rack Use Policy
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin, to adopt the Small Watercraft Storage Rack
Use Policy. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Recreational Field Use Policy
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin, to amend the Recreational Field Use
Policy. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Ordinance 716 Amending Section 515 of the Code of Ordinances
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin, to adopt Ordinance 716 amending Section
515 of the Code of Ordinances. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Resolution 2023-87 to Publish Ordinance by Title and Summary
Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Martin, to adopt Resolution 2023-87 to publish
Ordinance 716 amending Section 515 of the Code of Ordinances by title and summary.
Motion passed unanimously.
VII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:23 p.m.)
Johnson provided an update on the work being completed in the Council Chambers.
VIII. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:23 p.m.)
Albers commented that his son participated in Cops and Bobbers and really enjoyed
that. He thanked Nelson for a great event.
Martin noted that her neighbors participated and had a great time as well.
IX. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:24 p.m.)
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by DesLauriers, to approve the bills, EFT 006940E-
006955E for $65,194.33, order check numbers 054649-054715 for $1,231,713.12, and
payroll EFT 0512898-0512932 for $66,784.75. Motion passed unanimously.
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August 15, 2023
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X. ADJOURN
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
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Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk