City Council Meetings and Work Sessions

City of Excelsior City Council Work Session MINUTES Monday, June 29, 2020 5:30 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Carlson called the work session to order at 5:34 p.m. This work session was a remote meeting conducted via Zoom. City Council: Councilmembers Caron, Dierking, Kurschner and Miller (joined at 5:39 p.m.), and Mayor Carlson Absent: None Also Present: City Manager Luger, Public Works Superintendent Amundsen, Event Coordinator Edwards, City Engineer Dawley and City Clerk Peterson Mayor Carlson stated in accordance with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.021, the Mayor, the City Manager and the City Attorney have determined that an in- person meeting is not practical or prudent because of the “COVID-19 Health Pandemic” emergency declared under Chapter 12 of the Minnesota Statutes. All staff and City Council members will be participating by telephone or other electronic means. All actions votes will be recorded as roll call votes. 2. AGENDA APPROVAL Caron moved, Kurschner seconded, to approve the June 29, 2020 City Council Special Work Session Agenda with the addition of “Mask Wearing in Excelsior” as an agenda item in between items 4 and 5. On a roll call vote, Caron, Kurschner, Dierking and Carlson voted yes. Motion carried 4/0. 3. CRAZY DAYS Event Coordinator Edwards presented background information on the Chamber’s request to host Crazy Days on Water Street Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19. The request includes closing Water Street from Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19 for retailer annual sales and approving a flat rate of $500 total for the Water Street closure. The Council discussed the event complying with the Governor’s Order for safety measures and social distancing and requiring masks at the event. Signs should be posted reflecting masks being required with Attorney Staunton giving direction on legal requirements for requiring masks. This item will be on the Consent Agenda on the July 6, 2020 Council Agenda. Minutes City Council Special Work Session June 29, 2020 Page 2 4. POTENTIAL EAST PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS Manager Luger and Engineer Dawley presented background information on the potential east parking lot improvements. Council directed Engineer Dawley to bring back a proposal to maximize parking and circulation flow using the $340,000 in the budget with ala carte options to add above the basic proposal. The Council would like staff to research grants to help with the costs of the improvements. 5. MASK WEARING IN EXCELSIOR Councilmember Caron is interested in the Council discussing regulations on mask wearing in Excelsior. This item will be discussed in more detail at the July 6 work session. The Council asked Attorney Staunton to research what other cities are doing to encourage residents to use masks. 6. MAKING COUNCIL MEETINGS MORE EFFECTIVE Mayor Carlson lead a discussion on how to make Council meetings more effective. The Council agreed to continue with a Consent Agenda; delegate work to staff; increase the City Manager’s spending authorization from $10,000 to $20,000; have a goal to end Council Meetings by 9:30 p.m.; continue with the multiple touch rule; implement a deadline for adding items to the agenda; be cognizant of the amount of time speakers are allowed and submit questions in advance of Council meetings to staff to help make informed decisions. The Council would like an executive summary added to staff reports to encapsulate a quick comprehensive overview of items. A sub-committee with Councilmembers Dierking and Kurschner and City Manager Luger was set up to clarify the parameters of delegating more work to staff. 7. ADJOURNMENT Dierking moved, Caron seconded, to adjourn the work session at 7:28 p.m. On a roll call vote, Dierking, Caron, Kurschner, Miller and Carlson voted yes. Motion carried 5/0. Respectfully submitted, Lynette R. Peterson, City Clerk