City Council Meeting

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 02, 2024 at 7:00 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, Jeff Phillips, and Mark Cross were present. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Police Chief Jim Exsted, Public Works Director Trevor Walter, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, and Community Development Director Josh Doty were present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE All joined Mayor Olson in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENTATIONS None. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA None. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Comments received from the public may be placed on a future meeting agenda for consideration. Gary Morgenroth, 14724 Springwood Drive, addressed various items with the council including special assessments and the proposed dog park. Howie Bahn, 4689 Joler Road, proposed a flat assessment of $10,000 so that residents can be prepared for it. Any assessment balance above that amount would be spread across the entire city. CONSENT AGENDA - The following items are considered non-controversial by staff and are recommended to be read and passed in one motion. Any council person, staff, citizen, or meeting attendee can request one or more items be pulled from the Consent Agenda and the item will be pulled and addressed immediately after the passage of the Consent Agenda; otherwise, the following items will be passed in one motion: 1. Approve City Council Work Session Minutes from June 18, 2024 2. Approve City Council Minutes from June 18, 2024 3. Approve the Payment of Bills and Finance Report (Addendum A) 4. Accept the 2026 Clearwater Road and North Lynndale Area Utility and Roadway Improvements Project Feasibility Report and Update the Capital Improvements Plan 7/2/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 5. Approve Conditional Hire of Colby Peterson as Patrol Officer 6. Accept the June 17, 2024 Long Range Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 7. Approve One-Year Extension to the Cooperative Agreement with Great River Greening for Environmental Improvement Projects at Mississippi River Overlook Park MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. PULLED AGENDA ITEMS Robert Bleimeyer, 5182 Clearwater Road, asked to pull item 4. Robert Bleimeyer, 5182 Clearwater Road, explained he inquired with the city about future plans for providing city water and sewer to his home prior to purchasing it. Mr. Bleimeyer recently learned from the Brainerd Dispatch that there would be a project in 2026. Mr. Bleimeyer asked if the council considered being flexible with connection mandates, especially if a property owner’s well and septic is working and not a threat with continued use. City Administrator Chapulis explained the city will discuss potential projects and the city’s pavement management program. Gina Bleimeyer, 5182 Clearwater, expressed concern to the council that young families are barely making it financially and this project could force them to have to move and she is also worried about her elderly neighbor. MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to Accept the 2026 Clearwater Road and North Lynndale Area Utility and Roadway Improvements Project Feasibility Report and Update the Capital Improvements Plan. Motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS COUNCIL COMMENTS 8. Connie Lyscio – Wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. 9. Zach Tabatt – No comment. 10. Jeff Phillips – Thanked residents for attending the meeting and explained the city intends to have future conversations about special assessments. 11. Mark Cross - Attended the League of Minnesota Cities conference last week. 12. Darrel Olson – Asked that members of the public that chose to make public comments do so in a cordial manner. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT City Administrator Chapulis reminded everyone city offices will be closed on Thursday for the 4th of July holiday. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT 7/2/2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to enter into a closed session at 7:24 p.m. under Minnesota Statute Section 13D.05,subd. 3(b) for attorney-client privileged for the three items identified on the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 13. The City Council will meet in closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05 subd. 3(b) for an Attorney-Client privileged discussion, to discuss ongoing litigation pertaining to Crow Wing County PID 40070529. 14. The City Council will meet in closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05 subd. 3(b) for an Attorney-Client privileged discussion, to discuss potential litigation pertaining to Minn. Stat. Section 103E 15. The City Council will meet in closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05 subd. 3(b) for an Attorney-Client privileged discussion, to discuss potential litigation pertaining to Whiskey Creek Stormwater Project MOTION by Council Member Tabatt, seconded by Council Member Phillps to return to an open session at 8:48 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. City Administrator Chapulis explained the council would be taking no action at this time on the three closed session agenda items. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Tabatt, seconded by Council Member Lyscio to adjourn at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator