City Council Meeting

City of Hinckley City Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 10, 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, and Jace Scharpnick. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Leaha Jackson and Firehouse Manager Phil Taggart. OTHERS PRESENT: None. 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 The agenda was approved on a motion made by Hopkins, and seconded by Burkhardt, with Resolution 44-2024 2025 Tax Levy added to item 7B. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 3. Minutes of Previous Meetings A. November 12, 2024, Regular Meeting & Summary Minutes B. November 12, 2024, Special Meeting Canvassing Board & Summary Minutes C. November 26, 2024, Special Meeting & Summary Minutes Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Scharpnick, to approve November 12, 2024, Regular Meeting & Summary, November 12, 2024, Canvassing Board & Summary Minutes, and November 26, 2024, Special Meeting & Summary minutes as presented. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Public Hearings A. Public Hearing to Take Comments on Potential Sale of Real Property 40.0136.000 Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Hopkins, to open the public hearing to take comments on the potential sale of Real Property 40.0136.000 at 7:02 p.m. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Zeman noted that the public hearing will stay open until just before starting section 7, Unfinished Business. Mayor Zeman called for any last comments from the public before closing the public hearing. None were received. Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Scharpnick, to close the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0.  B. Final Levy and Budget (Formerly Truth in Taxation) Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Hopkins, to open the public hearing on the 2025 Final Levy and Budget (formerly truth in taxation) at 7:02 p.m. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. Staff presented the 2025 budget and property tax levy that will be up for approval later in the meeting. The proposed final is $1,146,026 with a tax rate of 48.34%. This is an increase of 3.63% over 2024. Property values are set by the county and homeowners. While it is too late to change the 2025 values without going through tax court, homeowners should attend the Hinckley Board of Appeals and Equalization on April 16, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. at the Pine County Courthouse. Mayor Zeman asked for comments from the public, but no comments were received. Motion made by Scharpnick, Seconded by Hopkins, to close the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 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. Hinckley Area Chamber of Commerce- Bingo- February 1, 2025 B. Resolution 41-2024 Accepting Restricted Donation From Hinckley Lions - Community Center Floor Refinishing C. Resolution 43-2024 Appointing Daniel Blesener and Karen Elliot as Bartender/Retail Clerk with Firehouse Liquors Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Hopkins, 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. PeopleService—The September O&M Budget, October O&M Budget, and September and October maintenance expenditure reports were included in the packet. C. Hinckley Fire Department- Runs 111-119 were included in the packet. D. Firehouse Liquors - Monthly Report and Manager’s Reports The manager's report was included in the packet. Manager Taggart reported that he expects the year to close out well, as some strong sale items are available. The inventory was moved to January. E. Library- The new librarian has started and is looking to start some programs again, like story time. F. Standing Committees 1. Planning Commission-November 26, 2024 Minutes. Frank reported that the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit at the last meeting. 2. Park Board- Burkhardt noted that ECRAC has the final grant report, and he is starting to work on the 2025 grant application. 3. EDA- November 12, 2024- Since the last council meeting, nothing new was reported for EDA. 7. Unfinished Business  A. 2024 Budget Update November financials were included in the packet. 601/602 includes some expenses for the Wellhead Protection Plan that were not budgeted for. B. 2025 Final Budget & Levy Staff presented the budget and levy that was included in the public hearing. The levy presented in the public hearing did not include the Flock camera request from the Pine County Sheriff's office. Council had some discussion on the cameras, with some noting that the comments from the public have not been favorable on the expense. Councilmember Hopkins asked if we could add cameras later, depending on what the county does. Adding the cameras would bring the levy increase up to 5.28%. Also included in the packet is the 2025 budget of $7,029,307. Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Burkhardt, to approve Resolution 44-2024 2025 Tax Levy at $1,146,026 and the 2025 Budget as presented. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. C. City Hall Vestibule Staff sent the RFP for the City Hall Lobby Remodel to multiple contractors. Three came and looked, but only two proposals were received, with the low bid being $26,700 from Demosubs Construction. This project will provide some safety for city staff and a better resident experience. The contractor has done some work in the area including the business incubator space (old True Value building) for the City of Sandstone. Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Hopkins, to approve the bid from Demosubs for $26,700. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 8. New Business A. City Vision/Future Planning Once the vestibule is done, Mayor Zeman would like to have an open house for residents to come in and meet City workers and contractors. The consensus is this would be a good idea. Councilmember Frank had a resident ask for the changing station to be installed at the community center. B. Ordinance 1-2024 2025 Fee Schedule Ordinance 01-2025 2025 Fee schedule was included in the packet changes, including updates to special assessment searches, photocopies, staff time, bulk water to match our ordinance, water rates (1% increase to fixed and usage rate), sewer rates (2% increase to fixed and usage rate), Community Room Rental adding half day rate, Softball field rental rate, and adding cannabis registration. Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Hopkins, to approve Ordinance 01-2024 2025 Fee Schedule and Summary Ordinance. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. C. Resolution 42-2024 Approving a Conditional Use Permit Request to Allow an Accessory Dwelling Unit on Property 40.5391.000 The Planning Commission held a public hearing, and after no comment from the public, they approved the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with conditions for an accessory dwelling unit in the R-1 district at its November 26, 2024, meeting and asked Council to consider adopting Resolution 42-2024 approving the CUP with conditions for the parcel 40.5391.000. Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Scharpnick, to approve Resolution 42-2024 Approving an  Accessory Dwelling Unit, on the Property Identified by PID# 40.5391.000. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. D. Sewer Force Main Air Release Valves Provided in the packet was a quote to replace the air relief valves on the 12" forcemain that goes from lift station 2 to the WWTP. These have not been exercised in many years, most likely since installed. There are two locations each with a valve and a new " inch shut off valve would be installed on the main line. Motion made by Hopkins, Seconded by Scharpnick, to replace the two air release valves with stainless and add the new shut off valve by Hydro Tech for $12,500.00. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. E. Lift Station #2 Pump Replacement Hydro Tech provided a list of recommended work on some of the lift stations around town. The most pressing of these would be to replace pump #1 at lift station #2; the pump has worn through the case. Jackson noted that more repairs would be needed at the other lift stations in the coming years. The cost will come out of the sewer fund. Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Burkhardt, to approve the replacement of lift station #2, pump #1 with a Flygt pump by Hydro Tech for $26,900. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 9. Presentation of Claims A. General Fund Payables - $170,126.53 B. Firehouse Payables - $234,828.33 C. EDA Payables - $51.24 D. Payroll Payables - $39,962.17 Motion made by Frank, Seconded by Hopkins, to approve the claims as presented. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0. 10. Notices and Communications A. Hinckley Board of Appeal and Equalization- April 16, 2025, 8:00 AM at the Pine County Courthouse. Council does not need to be present; the County runs this meeting. It is more open counter hours for people with questions or concerns. B. Minnesota Tax Credit Tips from Lakes & Pines CAC 11. Presentation of Petitions, Complaints, and Requests (3 minutes each) Councilmember Burkhardt reported that the Minnesota Association of Small Cities will have lunch and learn upcoming. Administrator Jackson will send the information to the Council when it comes out. Mayor Zeman wanted to thank the volunteers who helped decorate the tree in front of the Fire Museum, including the shaping done by Corey Stafne. 12. Closed Session - None 13. Adjournment Motion made by Burkhardt, Seconded by Scharpnick, to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Voting Yea: Mayor Zeman, Burkhardt, Frank, Hopkins, Scharpnick. Motion carried 5-0.  Don Zeman, Mayor Attest: Leaha Jackson, City Administrator