City Council

MANTORVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2019 6:30 PM 1. Call to Order – Mayor Bradford called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Members Present: Chuck Bradford, Henry Blair, Don Hofstad, Sharon Davern and Luke Nash Others Present: Holly Schmidt, Ruth Pettey, Joan Nesvold, Ryan Christensen, City Attorney Scott Riggs, Dan Greensweig of LMC, Joe Adams, and Cami Reber. 2. Pledge of Allegiance - Done 3. Additions/Deletions to Agenda - None 4. Consent Agenda – Motion made by Member Hofstad, second by Member Nash to approve the consent agenda as follows: a) City Council Meeting Minute’s June 10, 2019 b) Warrant List June 24, 2019 • Pay Request #1 – Elcor Construction – 3rd Street Loop Project Motion passed unanimously. 5. Public Concerns - None 6. Public Hearing(s) - None 7. Old Business/New Business a) LMC Presentation on Good Governance and Other Educational Topics City Attorney Scott Riggs – Kennedy & Graven and Dan Greensweig from the League of Minnesota Cities gave a presentation on Good Governance and other Educational Topics. b) Safety Committee Presentation Member Davern presented to the Council the project being worked on by the Safety Committee. They are working on traffic calming at 9th Street. The less expensive alternatives they are looking at is planting 6 – 8 trees along the boulevard, which is meant to narrow the vision while people are driving, and murals on the streets. The High School is on board and the art and community service kids would be happy to do the stenciling and painting on the roads. The suggestion is to do it at the intersections. She explained that research shows it slows traffic down between 4-9 miles per hour. If we do this, she suggests that we do this every time we look at replacing streets. It could also be a tourism thing that would help to bring people into town. Joe Adams asked if there is more distracted driving with these on the road? Member Davern noted it is supposed to decrease this. We can decide how elaborate we want it to be. Citizen Ruth Pettey asked how the study is done on the trees – she doesn’t like it if they are placed at the intersections. Member Davern noted it is meant to narrow the line of vision along the street and they wouldn’t be placed in the intersections. Member Blaire noted that adding more trees in the boulevard goes against their plan to take away boulevard trees to get rid of the maintenance issues. He also asked on maintenance on the street painting and who is going to do that, how long is it going to last. Member Davern noted that as long as the school is on board, you’re not talking a high dollar item. She is waiting on Tim to get those paint  numbers. Council members discussed the longevity. Member Nash questioned if the citizens have a say if they are for or against it – he personally wouldn’t like to see more traffic by his home. Mayor Bradford noted he likes the idea, it’s a clever solution. He would like to identify images consistent with Mantorville’s Brand, not too artsy, but to promote a historic town. Member Davern asked what if the committee windle’s down things and then we get a vote on the final ones, let the people vote on the final ones and those would be the ones selected. Members continued the discussion. She noted a contest. Mayor Bradford noted the sign ordinance and how you have to be careful with the content and focus on safety. A concern about approving one image over another brings up some red flags. Member Nash noted if its polished and tweaked, there might be something out of it. Members Blair and Hofstad noted concept is good, concerns about input from the residents who have it closest to their property. Member Davern noted good thoughts expressed and can the committee get the individual thoughts and concerns so they can be addressed. City Attorney Scott Riggs noted we should work closely with our engineer on his recommendations. If we do this, we will want to adopt a policy, there are issues we can run into and we need to look at that. The League has information also, this is no different than any sign out there. There is a balancing issue and we need to refer to Tim and our engineering firm. Have a well-defined policy so we don’t run into problems. Scott will get Cami some contacts for the group. Mayor Nash noted we have to decide if we want to do this and second put a policy in place. Still a lot of front work to do but continue this discussion. A policy template will be sent to Cami. Member Davern asked that the Committee get the thoughts and concerns sent forward and they will take the lead on this. If you think of further things after tonight, please send those to her. They will do the foot work and meet again. c) Community Relations Presentation Community Relations Committee member Holly Schmidt gave an update on what the committee is working on. Their mission is to bring the community together, to get to know each other and to support each other. Some of the things they are working on is they have started a Facebook page, which you can find by searching the Mantorville Community Relations. They have two sub groups on the page known as pay it forward and shop local group to give access to people looking for local services or a place to ask for help on things. There is no exchange of money. This is geared towards all City residents. They are also looking to spot light local businesses each month; not just the ones downtown but those throughout the City. The next initiative is called the Welcome Stagecoach Program, geared towards new residents which would introduce them and welcome them to Mantorville. They would request that new residents sign up through City Hall when they sign up for new services. They are also working on a Christmas lights contest with a cash prize, being donated by a private family, and partnering with the School district teachers, government class to get the students involved in local government. Discussion on this. Mayor Bradford asked If the City is being the facilitator in the pay it forward, what is our exposure. Attorney Scott Riggs noted when you turn it in to a city sponsored thing, you can start to get into issues of concerns. City is here for governmental interests, not to further commercial interest. Be careful of the data portion, that’s the area of biggest concern. The more it looks like its City volunteers, the more it looks like a City program and the more potential liability there is on the City. Right now, it is citizens of the community doing this and Sharon happens to be on City Council. It’s a group of citizens working to connect people, not directed by the City Council.  d) Public Works Position Mayor Bradford noted that as of today, we have received 4 applicants for the PW position. We previously discussed posting longer if we do not receive a lot. Do we want to extend it? Member Nash feels we need to interview those that have met the criteria so far. If we find there are problems as we move forward with them, we can always rule them out at that point but we should move forward now. Member Davern noted her concerns with the expectations and the salary we pay to this position. She feels this needs to be revisited. Mayor Bradford noted this needs to be a larger discussion and the ripple down effect it will have with existing staff. Member Nash noted that before we change things, we need to work with what we got. Member Hofstad asked would it make a difference if we leave it out another week or two. They asked Joe how he is holding up and Joe stated that he is doing ok, there are people helping out with a few things. Member Blair asked how we are handing the review process; committee or whole council. Depending on that, there may not be a reason to move on. Attorney Scott Riggs noted you have to evaluate the candidates. If you have 4, you can move forward now and keep things open to see what else comes in. The process isn’t magical, its policy driven. You’ve got a policy that covers most of the basis of what you have. If you have a committee, you certainly can do that. You can do it with full council and that is an open meeting. Mayor Bradford noted past practice is that the Personnel Committee has done screening and initial interviews and brought recommendations for top two to Council. Member Nash noted to go ahead and interview the candidates and bring back the top 2 and we can go with that. Mayor Bradford said we can extend it two weeks but move forward with the 4 individuals we have. Consensus of council to go that route. e) Temporary Liquor License Approval – Opera House Motion made by Member Blair, second by Member Davern to approve the temporary liquor license for August 3rd for the Opera House event pending insurance information being submitted. Member Blair clarified if this is the Opera House or Theatre Company? Cami noted the applicant is the Theatre Company with the even being held at the Opera House. Motion passed unanimously. 8. TBD a) Public Works Report • WW Emergency Discharge Pipe – Public Works worker Joe Adams explained the need to extend the emergency discharge pipe for the treatment plant. The current pipe as it sits is back too far. He got two quotes for the extension. Greatland $2,000, DeCook $2,280. He noted that the work could be done by Greatland, who is low bid, when they come in and do the rip rap work previously approved. Motion made by Member Nash, second by Member Davern to approve the expenditure as recommended. Motion passed unanimously. • He gave the update on the watermain break on Walnut and 9th and noted that they found another one by Casey’s. The leak detector found a leak at the 7th and Walnut hydrant. He will get bids and bring to the next Council. • He updated the Council on the wedding at the Park over the weekend and how Elcor went over and beyond to make things nice b) City Clerk Report – Cami reported on the following items: • Received partial LGA and Property taxes.  • Bond proceeds will be coming in July 1. • First dog impound a couple weeks ago, all went well and owner was located. • Email update on 3rd Street sent out. • 5th Street East Project update. Questions on contract and finish date. • Reminder on SCD this weekend. c) Consultant Report – None d) Committee Report • Infrastructure – Member Hofstad updated everyone on the 5th Street Load Limits sign memo. Member Bradford noted a conversation he did have with a citizen on West Street and noted Tim is looking at issues. • Personnel – needs to meet on an issue. e) Council Member Report • Member Hofstad – he noted Stagecoach Days this weekend, Saturday night a lot of people in town. f) Mayor Report – Mayor Bradford gave a reminder on the cliff diving, a reminder on the solicitors and permits needed, many projects both local and private are impacted on the weather and the Council sent update on 3rd Street. 9. Executive Session - None 10. Adjourn – Motion made by Member Nash, second by Member Blair to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 pm. Motion passed unanimously.