City Council Meeting

City of Hinckley City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7:00 PM Council Chambers (Community Room) 106 First Street SE, P. O. Box 366 | Tel: (320) 384.7491 | Fax: (320) 384.7492 | ww.hinckleymn.gov Mayor and Councilmembers: Mayor Don Zeman | Councilmember Tim Burkhardt Councilmember John Frank | Councilmember Judy Hopkins | Councilmember Jace Scharpnick PRESENT: Mayor Donald Zeman, Tim Burkhardt, John Frank, Judy Hopkins, Jace Scharpnick. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Leaha Jackson, Fire Chief Elliot Golly, Assistant Fire Chief Greg Pardun, and Firehouse Manager Phil Taggart. OTHERS PRESENT: Rebecca Wiczek, North Pine County News. 1. Call to Order-Pledge of Allegiance Zeman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Council in the pledge of allegiance. 2. Approve Agenda Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Frank, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Zeman called for a motion to recess the meeting until after the Canvassing Board meeting. Motion made by Burkhard, Seconded by Hopkins, to recess the meeting until after the Canvassing Board meeting. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Zeman called the recess to end and the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 3. Minutes of Previous Meetings A. October 8, 2024, Regular Meeting & Summary Minutes Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Scharpnick, to approve the October 8, 2024, Regular Meeting & Summary Minutes. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Public Hearings - None 5. Consent Agenda (Those items listed under Consent Agenda are considered routine by the City Council and will be acted upon by one motion under this agenda item. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless the Mayor or a Councilmember so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered under New Business.) A. Resolution 36-2024 Appointing Lexus Sumner as Bartender/Retail Clerk with Firehouse Liquors B. 2025 City of Hinckley Section 125 Premium Only Plan - Resolution 38-2024 Section 125 Premium Only Plan  - Section 125 Adoption Agreement C. Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures- Amphitheater- On-Sale Liquor D. Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures- Grand National Golf Club- On-Sale Liquor E. Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures- The Grille House- On-Sale Liquor F. Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures- Rival House- On-Sale Liquor G. Tobies Enterprises Inc- Tobies- On-Sale Liquor H. Pheasants Forever- East Central Spurs Chapter Inc- Raffle- Tobies- 3/1/2025 Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Scharpnick, to approve the consent agenda as presented. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 6. Reports of Officers, Council Committees, & Citizens Committees A. Pine County Sheriff- Calls were included in the packet. B. Bolton & Menk- Lead & Copper Inventory letters were mailed to homeowners to satisfy MN Dept of Health requirements. Councilmembers can direct questions to City Hall. Staff is still working on a utility easement from the owner of 501 Barry Ave. C. Hinckley Fire Department 1. Monthly Run Report- Fire calls 95-110 through October 31st were included in the packet. Fire Chief Elliot Golly and Assistant Fire Chief Greg Pardun were present to report on pumper #2. The pump didn't pass the inspection, and Pardun stated that one of the engine cylinder liners or walls is most likely failing and will need an in or out-of-frame repair. The ruff number is around $30,000 to $40,000, plus the cost of repairing the pump. Golly is asking that the Council consider contracting with Niel Meierhofer to apply to the FEMA 2024 grant to replace the pumper. Mayor Zeman asked what an expected contribution would be. Golly responded that the contribution is 5%, and the ones you can get with the grant must either be new or a demo model. One listed online was $700,000, and Pine City just received one for around $665,000. Councilmember Burkhardt asked if the items would be available in one application. Golly and Pardun responded that they would be separate as the SCBA compressor would be small equipment while the pumper would be large equipment. Zeman thought it would make sense to try for the FEMA grant before looking at repairing or purchasing it outright. Jackson responded that this is the next vehicle on the replacement schedule. 2. Compeer Financial Grant- Firefighter McFerran applied for a grant from Compeer Financial for life-saving ropes, and it was awarded. Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Frank, to accept the Compeer Financial Grant of $1,679.00. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. D. Fire Department Grant Services Contract for SCBA Compressor and Grant Support Mayor Zeman moved item 8.B. Fire Department Grant Services contract for SCBA Compressor and Grants Support up for consideration. Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Hopkins, to apply for both the SCBA compressor and pumper truck. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0.  E. Firehouse Liquors - The manager's report was included in the packet. Manager Taggart reported that October was tight numbers-wise, but part of that was some larger repairs, including the ice machine and a cooler. They are working on moving out old items and getting ready for inventory. F. Library- The branch highlights for October were included, and Jackson noted that the new branch Librarian was in the office today. G. Standing Committees 1. Planning Commission- October 22, 2024, Regular Meeting & Public Hearing Minutes were included in the packet. Councilmember Frank updated the Planning Commission held the public hearing but did not have a quorum for its meeting. 2. Park Board- Councilmember Burkhardt reported that the final report is almost completed. 3. EDA- There was no meeting in October. Councilmember Burkhardt gave an update from today's EDA meeting. They will send out a questionnaire to business owners and put an ad in the paper for the revolving loan fund. They also heard an update on the Family Dollar property. 7. Unfinished Business A. 2024 Budget Update October financials were included in the packet. The 101 fund looks good, with staff looking at applying for a safety grant to help complete the vestibule rehab, and this may carry over into 2025. The 400 fund still has $44,000 left from this year. Councilmember Burkhardt asked what that was from. Jackson responded there was some microsealing on the schedule that, when looking at the road condition it was too far gone for this type of treatment. Jackson also noted the budget committee will be working on tightening the 2025 proposed budget ahead of the December meeting. B. Small Cities Development Program The 2020 Small Cities Development Program ended on September 30, 2024, with $149,749.15 in unspent funds being recaptured by MNDEED. Jackson would like the Council to consider applying for this program in the future, and she will find out when the next round opens. The City partnered with Lakes & Pines to administer the grant. For the next round, the City may want to consider finding another partner or considering administering it in-house. C. Resolution 37-2024 Delegating the Registration of Cannabis Retail Businesses Planning and Zoning Administrator Mark Perry provided information on Cannabis Business Registration and has recommended the Council consider delegating the registration of said businesses to the County. The planning commission held a public hearing on October 22, 2024, to take public comment, but none was heard. Councilmember Burkhardt asked if registration would be the same as licensing and if we could control how many. Jackson responded that businesses need to be licensed and registered; the State does the licensing, with local control being the registration. For the number of businesses allowed, we would fall under those populations who choose to go with the County for registration. The County would also then be responsible for the compliance checks. Mayor Zeman feels that the County would be better suited to manage this. Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Hopkins, to approve Resolution 37-2024 Delegating the Registration of Cannabis Retail Businesses. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 8. New Business A. City Vision/Future Planning Mayor Zeman said he would like to see the City hold an open house in the new year, where the public can come and meet the Council members and staff. He has heard that many people do not know who these people are. Councilmembers remember doing this in the past and agree that many residents may be new or have not had a chance to meet the newer staff. More to come on this in the new year. Hopkins asked about Poplar Lane, and the streetlight on that road is out. Scharpnick asked if there is any news on the lot across from Kwik Trip, there is no news yet; the site plan was approved at a previous Planning Commission meeting. B. Hinckley Hockey Association, Inc- Equipment Use Agreement The Hinckley Hockey Association was unable to decide on dissolving, and retain ownership of some equipment, including the Zamboni, edger, and skate sharpener. The packet includes an equipment use agreement outlining responsibilities and allowing the City to use the equipment and be covered by our insurance. Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Frank, to approve the Equipment Use Agreement. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. C. Empowering Small Communities After a Zoom call with one of the Empowering Small Minnesota Communities' regional representatives, our wayfinding, welcome sign, and landscape project was identified as a possible entry for their Tactical Action application, due by November 15th. This application would be in conjunction with our US DOT Thriving Communities Program, of which this was identified as one of the projects/needs. This technical assistance program utilizes the University of Minnesota, including the Minnesota Design Center. Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Hopkins, to approve the City's application to the Tactical Action Pathway. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. D. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) NLX Letter of Support Request MnDOT has requested a letter of support for their NLX grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration's Federal-State Partnership (FSP) program. Included in the packet was a sample letter of support. Administrator Jackson noted that MnDOT is now leading the NLX project, and they are working on updating the studies that were previously done. Discussion was had on the request, item failed to move due to a lack of a motion from the Council. E. Community Center Floor Refinishing The finish on the floor at the Community Center has not held up and needs to be redone. Staff has obtained a quote for chemicals to clean and refinish at $5094.79. City staff would do the refinish. This could be an item that the City sends in a request to the Lions to donate in place of the 2024 Community Center rental fees. Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Burkhardt, to send in a request to the Lions asking for a donation to cover the cost of the chemicals to refinish the Community Center floor. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. Motion made by Scharpnick, seconded by Frank to approve the quote of $5094.79 for the chemicals to refinish the floor. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0.  F. Total Control SCADA Computer Upgrade Inlcuded in the packet was a quote from Total Control to replace the SCADA computer, firewall, and SCADA programming. Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Hopkins, to approve the quote from Total Control Systems of $17,615.00 to replace the SCADA computer, firewall, and SCADA programming. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 9. Presentation of Claims A. General Fund Payables - $193,339.49 B. Firehouse Payables - $288,251.08 C. EDA Payables - $0.00 D. Payroll Payables - $47,870.32 Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Burkhardt, to approve the claims as presented. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 10. Notices and Communications A. Truth in Taxation Public Hearing is scheduled for the December 10, 2024, meeting B. Hinckley Board of Appeal and Equalization- April 16, 2025, 8:00 AM at the Pine County Courthouse. The Council does not need to be present; the County runs this meeting. It is more, open counter hours for people with questions. C. Minnesota Tax Credit Tips from Lakes & Pines CAC D. Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Law E. Firehouse Liquor Inventory Scheduled for November 25, 2024 F. Fall 2024 Newsletter and Correction 11. Presentation of Petitions, Complaints, and Requests (3 minutes each) 12. Closed Session - None 13. Adjournment Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Hopkins, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. Don Zeman, Mayor Attest: Leaha Jackson, City Administrator