City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 5:30 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Acting Mayor Cross called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Acting Mayor Mark Cross and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, and Jeff Phillips were present. Mayor Olson was absent. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Community Development Director Josh Doty, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, Assistant Finance Director Brenda Brooks, and Police Chief Jim Exsted, and Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Transit Discussion – Brainerd City Engineer Jessie Dehn Brainerd City Engineer Jessie Dehn presented findings on transit ridership and projections that were shared with the Transportation Advisory Committee earlier this year. Changes to operations and rate adjustments have been proposed by Brainerd for the projected ongoing annual deficits. Staff recommends the rate adjustments would be effective on August 1, 2023 and be $1 higher than the Transportation Advisory Committee recommended to cover the debts. Council consideration of rate adjustments is on the regular council agenda for action. 2. 2022 Audit Exit Interview Nancy Schulzetenberg, with BerganKDV presented the results and findings of the city’s 2022 audit. The presentation included a summary of the city’s general and enterprise funds and recommendations contained in the Communications Letter and Independent Auditor’s Reports. A clean, unmodified option was issued once again. A recommendation to accept the 2022 financial statements and 2022 BerganKDV audit report and its findings will be added to the July 5th regular council agenda. 3. City Hunting Map Chief Exsted explained last year a committee comprised of local community members was formed to help address the deer population within the city. The committee focused on improving the hunting processes for the city which included creating a better permitting process, improved hunting map, and a new registration process. The committee also wanted to expand hunting opportunities in the city. The work planned to be completed by the committee meant the current hunting ordinance would need to be updated. A new permitting and registration process will be available online. A managed archery zone will be added to the hunting map. Chief Exsted submitted several applications to the Minnesota DNR to request a special hunt within the city. If approved, individuals would apply for permits through the state. Changes are proposed to the hunting ordinance to provide 6/20/2023 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 clarification, the elimination of issuing nuisance permits, and would require the registration of any big game taken in city limits. The council will be asked to consider the recommend changes to the ordinance and hunting map in July. 4. Whiskey Creek Stormwater Improvements Project Final Plan Presentation Bridget Osborn, with HR Green, presented the Whiskey Creek Stormwater Improvements. A copy of the final project plans are on the regular council agenda for approval. The project site will provide treatment for the Highway 371 commercial corridor to the west, containing 400 acres of impervious area, which ultimately outlets east to the Mississippi River. The primary goal of the project is to reduce total suspended solids to the Mississippi River in order to work towards compliance with MPCA TMDL requirements. A secondary goal is to treat total phosphorus in storm water runoff. Crow Wing SWCD and the city have received a $890,000 Board of Water and Soil Resources Clean Water Fund Grant. $860,000 of the grant has been allotted as the city’s portion for construction. The estimated project cost is $990,890 with an additional $55,640 in additional miscellaneous project costs. A resolution to approve plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids is on the regular council agenda for consideration. 5. Discuss Requested Amendment to City Code Chapter 3, Liquor Control Assistant City Administrator Steele explained Mann Theaters has requested the city consider an amendment to the city code to allow theaters the ability to be eligible to apply for an on-sale intoxicating liquor license. Baxter city code currently allows the issuance of an on-sale liquor license to hotels, clubs, restaurants and exclusive liquor stores. Mann Theaters operates five other theaters that hold a liquor license. An agent with the MN DPS Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division explained it is very common for movie theaters to hold an on-sale intoxicating liquor license. Should the council consensus be to further review the issuance of a liquor license to a movie theater, staff will prepare an ordinance amendment for consideration at a future council meeting. The council consensus was to direct staff to prepare an ordinance amendment for consideration at a future council meeting. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Lyscio, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to adjourn at 6:31 p.m. Motion unanimously carried. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Mark Cross Kelly Steele Acting Mayor Assistant City Administrator