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Home My Public Portal About09.05.2023 City Council MinutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes September 5, 2023 1 MEDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on September 5, 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 15, 2023 Work Session City Council Meeting Minutes Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the August 15, 2023 work session City Council meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. B. Approval of the August 15, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Martin noted that prior to the meeting Johnson distributed changes that she had proposed for incorporation. Moved by Martin, seconded by Albers, to approve the August 15, 2023 regular City Council meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously. V. CONSENT AGENDA (7:01 p.m.) A. Set Date of Truth in Taxation Meeting for December 5, 2023 B. Adopt Resolution 2023-87 Accepting Donations for the 2023 Cops N’ Bobbers Program C. Adopt Resolution 2023-88 Authorizing Medina Recreations Inc. to Dispense Liquor at Hamel Legion Park During Medina Celebration Day and Approve the Indemnification Agreement D. Approve 2024 Solution Builders Agreement E. Approve Memorandum of Agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for the Morningside Ravine Stabilization Project F. Approve Trail Sealcoating Services Agreement with Gopher State Sealcoat G. Approve WSB Professional Services Proposal for Grant Writing H. Approve Data Storage Server Sharing and Governance Agreement Moved by Albers, seconded by Cavanaugh, to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes September 5, 2023 2 VI. COMMENTS (7:03 p.m.) A. Comments from Citizens on Items not on the Agenda There were none. B. Park Commission Scherer highlighted recent work of the parks department including the seating area and the kayak racks that will soon be installed at Lakeshore Park. He commented that the pickleball sound study for Hunter Park has been completed and the report is being finalized. C. Planning Commission Finke reported that the Planning Commission will meet the following week to hold public hearings to consider ordinances related to edible cannabinoid products and the continued discussion related to tree preservation. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. 2024 Preliminary Budget & Tax Levy (7:05 p.m.) Martin commented that the Council held a work session/budget open house prior to the Council meeting where there was an in-depth presentation on the budget. She noted multiple meetings have been held throughout the year related to the budget to reach this point. Barnhart stated that tonight they will ask the Council to approve the preliminary budget and levy for certification to Hennepin County, noting that the final budget public meeting will be held on December 5th and at that time the final budget and levy would be adopted. She reviewed proposed balanced general fund budget, which is an increase of $154,000 from the previous year. She highlighted increases and decreases to the budget and provided details on staffing. Martin provided additional details on the police contract noting that the Council and City staff worked collaboratively to develop a new pay scale and benefits for the police department to ensure that our police officers are paid adequately for the services they provide and the risks they face in the line of duty. Barnhart reviewed the proposed property tax levy for 2024, which is an increase of $139,044 which equates to 2.3 percent above that of 2023. She reviewed the projected market values received from Hennepin County, noting the combination of new single- family home construction and increase to property values. She stated that the 2024 tax rate for Medina will result in a decrease of 7.1 percent. She recognized that this was a brief presentation and noted that she does have more detailed information for members of the public that may be interested. Martin commented that a number of questions were asked and answered during the budget open house earlier tonight. 1. Resolution 2023-89 Approving Proposed Tax Levy for 2024 Medina City Council Meeting Minutes September 5, 2023 3 Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adopt Resolution 2023-89 approving the 2024 preliminary tax levy. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Resolution 2023-90 Approving Proposed General Fund Budget for 2024 Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Cavanaugh, to adopt Resolution 2023-90 approving the 2024 preliminary general fund budget. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Resolution 2023-91 Reducing Debt Service Tax Levies for 2024 Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Reid, to adopt Resolution 2023-91 reducing debt service tax levies for 2024. Motion passed unanimously. B. 1755 Tamarack Drive After-the-Fact Replacement Plan and Voluntary Restoration (7:15 p.m.) Johnson reported that the applicant constructed a detached storage building without submitting a permit application and the City issued a stop work order, although the construction was significantly completed. He stated that approximately 3,899 square feet of wetland was filled without obtaining the proper approvals and without following the buffer requirements. He stated that the structure also does not meet the setback requirements from the northern property line. Finke stated that when the City became aware of this, it looked for a plan to mitigate the wetland impacts. He noted that the original suggestion was to solely mitigate through the purchase of wetland credits, but the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) met onsite and there was an interest to try to minimize the impacts that had already occurred. He stated that a portion of the impacts are proposed to be restored which would result in an impact of 1,836 square feet of impact. He stated that the original proposal was to mitigate at a rate of two to one, but the state rules do allow for mitigation up to four to one which is what is being recommended by the TEP along with the restoration as described in the application. He stated that the draft Notice of Decision was provided in the packet and staff suggests some latitude that the restoration would be subject to an agreement where the applicant agrees to complete the work. He recommended approval of the replacement plan, with the rate of four to one and the restoration as described. DesLauriers asked if the City would also go back to charge the permitting fees that should have been paid. Finke commented that the building permit would be assessed a penalty and the wetland replacement plan has been fully reimbursed. Martin asked if the fees of the City Attorney to draft the agreement would also be charged to the applicant. Finke confirmed that would be part of the wetland replacement plan. Martin acknowledged the difficulty in addressing these after the fact situations, noting that it can seem punitive, but the regulations of the City must be followed. She believed the proposed action makes sense and confirmed the consensus of the Council. Medina City Council Meeting Minutes September 5, 2023 4 Moved by Reid, seconded by Martin, to approve the Wetland Replacement Plan and restoration/monitoring plan for 1755 Tamarack Drive after-the-fact replacement as presented by staff. Motion passed unanimously. VIII. CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (7:21 p.m.) Johnson noted the upcoming fall business tours which will take place in October or November. He stated that Celebration Day will be held on September 16th at Hamel Legion Park and Fun Fest/West Suburban Fire Street Dance will be held September 9th in Loretto. IX. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL REPORTS (7:22 p.m.) Martin provided a brief update on the recent meetings of the future fire services group and the input of legislators that were in attendance. She noted that a task force was created to craft legislation commissioning a legislative task force to evaluate the effectiveness of fire districts and incentives for creation of fire districts. She also provided input on the participation of Orono in the meetings noting that Orono is not a part of the task force. Cavanaugh asked and received confirmation that only residents that would be served within a fire district would be taxed for such services, should such a district be created. X. APPROVAL TO PAY THE BILLS (7:30 p.m.) Moved by Martin, seconded by Cavanaugh, to approve the bills, order check numbers 054716-054771 for $167,649.88, EFT 006984E-006984E for $124,447.52, and payroll EFT 0512933-0512992 for $134,668.17. Motion passed unanimously. XI. ADJOURN Moved by DesLauriers, seconded by Albers, to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. __________________________________ Kathleen Martin, Mayor Attest: ____________________________________ Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk