City Council

Owatonna City Council Minutes Administration Building Tuesday, March 3, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. The Owatonna City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Administration Building. Council President Abraham called the meeting to order. Present were: Council Members Abraham, Dotson, Burbank, Raney, Svenby, Schultz, and Okerberg; Mayor Kuntz; City Attorney Walbran; Public Works Director Skov; Community Development Director Klecker; Police Chief Hiller; Park Recreation Superintendent Knutson; Human Resource Director Gorske; City Administrator Busse and Assistant City Clerk Clawson. Council Chairman Abraham welcomed everyone to the meeting and Council Member Burbank led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve the agenda with this item removed, Council Member Svenby seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Mayor Kuntz advised he hopes to get students more involved in city government; so he will be recognizing a Student of the Month. The student will attend the council meetings during the month. March Student of the Month, Robert Sorensen was introduced. Mayor Kuntz made proclamation for the week of March 15th – 21st, 2015 as National Child & Adult Care Food Program (NCACFP) Week in Owatonna. Two fundamental goals of the NCACFP are that children serviced by their program will be well nourished during their crucial years while concurrently learning healthy eating behaviors that will last their lifetime. Sonja Harris, Executive Director of Parent Provider Connection in Owatonna was present and thanked the Mayor. Their agency has been in Owatonna for 31 years and have used the NCACFP for many years. They work with home care child providers regarding food and security for children and are committed to combat child obesity. Mayor Kuntz made proclamation for March to be Business and Professional Women’s Month. The Business and Professional Women’s Organization promotes assistance to others in their careers, volunteer in professional organizations and have leadership roles within the community. Chief Hiller introduced Judge Joseph A. Bueltel who will be administering the Oath of Office to officers. New officers receiving the Oath of Office were: Travis Ardolf, Adam Dupic, Jason Christensen, Alexandra Mieritz, Steven Bowman, and Said Hilowle. Judge Joseph A. Bueltel administered the oath and then the officers were pinned with their badges. Officer Emily Ammentorp was also recently hired but unable to attend this meeting. Officers Andrew Drenth and John Bata received the Oath of Office for promotions to position of Police Sergeant. Family members pinned the officer’s badges following their oaths. Chief Hiller presented officers with the following commendations: Officer Christian Berg, Class D Commendation for outstanding performance in his response to information pertaining to the whereabouts of a habitual juvenile runaway on December 8, 2014. Officer Andrew Seifert, Class D Commendation for outstanding performance in his life saving efforts on October 11, 2014. Council Minutes March 3, 2015 Page 2 of 5 Sergeant Timothy Hassing, Sergeant Jason Petterson, Detective Andrew Drenth and Detective Brandon Fandel, Class C Commendation for outstanding performance over many months/years in a complex methamphetamine trafficking case which began in January 2012. Sergeant John Bata, Officer Jess Ackerson, Officer John Petterson, Officer Jason Christensen, Officer Steven Bowman, Officer Travis Ardolf, and Officer Melissa Michael, Class D Commendation for outstanding performance on January 4, 2015. Officers responded to a domestic assault involving a hostile individual with a shotgun and young children present. Officer Brady Vaith, Class D Commendation for outstanding performance on February 20, 2015 at the Owatonna Hospital Emergency Room to calm a violent patient. Outstanding Service Awards were presented to Rick Ellingson and Kelly Arndt for outstanding public safety involvement on September 10, 2011. Acting in the capacity of a paramedic and public safety partner they intervened during an emergency situation to break an irrational person’s choke- hold on an officer which allowed the officer to breathe. Chief Hiller advised an Outstanding Service Award will also be given to Paula Johnson for outstanding citizen involvement. Unfortunately, Ms. Johnson was unable to be at tonight’s meeting to accept this award. On February 7, 2015, she confronted two male strangers in her garage who then fled and unknowingly dropped a set of keys. These keys helped officers identify the intruders and were then able to solve several previous break-in cases. Council President Abraham, thanked the police staff for their dedication and service to the City. A short break was taken to congratulate the officers. Council Vice President Schultz recapped the expenses for the period totaling $451,457.05. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve payment of these bills; Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. President Abraham advised council members review the Consent Agenda Items prior to the meeting to approve in one motion. Consent Agenda Items for approval include: Minutes: City Council Meeting – February 20, 2015. OPU Minutes – January 27, 2015. Monthly Report – Fire Department – January 2015. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. City Administrator presented the Application for an On-Sale Liquor License with Sunday Sales Permit received from Wingin It Investment, dba Wings Tavern and Grille at 1805 Elm Avenue South. Purchase of the property is in process and the new license will become effective when the transfer of title is complete, anticipating mid-March. The license will expire at the end of the current licensing period, June 30, 2015. Chief Hiller and City Attorney Walbran have reviewed the application and recommend approval with a six-month probationary period for no felony or liquor law violations by the applicant and/or staff. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve the liquor license and permit as recommended, Council member Raney seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Council Minutes March 3, 2015 Page 3 of 5 City Administrator presented Resolution 23-15 for authorization to apply for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from the Local Trail Connections Program. The grant will assist in the development of the North Straight River park trail segment to connect from the North Street trail head to the 26th Street trail. The requested grant amount is $124,029 with the financial match to be provided by the Federal Transportation Alternative Grant. The DNR will announce the awards in July. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve Resolution 23- 15, Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Public Works Director Skov presented Resolution 24-15 supporting an omnibus transportation funding bill that will provide additional dedicated state funding for city streets. The League of Minnesota Cities is requesting support of cities as this bill is considered by legislature. Currently, 20% of the City’s streets are eligible for MSA funds and the remaining 80% are funded through general fund and assessments. This bill will provide another means of funding repair and maintenance of the remaining 80%. Council members questioned the funding source of the additional state aid funds as they hoped it wouldn’t would lead to additional regulated street maintenance from the state. City Administrator Busse advised Discretionary Funds for cities eligible for MSA Funds would be used which should not dilute the current pool of distribution. Public Works Director Skov stated state aid municipal funds is a portion of the current gas tax collected. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve Resolution 24-15, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Public Works Director Skov presented Resolution 25-15 establishing a fee schedule for Stormwater Fees. Fees have been established within an ordinance which has not allowed for simple annual revisions. Also, many fees are out of date due to the difficulty in completing the fee adjustments. Fees are expected to be revisited on an annual basis which should minimize the occurrence of large fee increases. Stormwater fees will be: Grading/Erosion and Sediment Control Permit Fees (based on size of disturbance) All Single Family Residential $150.00 5,000 Square feet - 0.5 Acre $150.00 0.5 Acre - 1 Acre $250.00 1 Acre - 5 Acres $300.00 5 or more Acres $350.00 Additional Review and Stormwater Inspection Fees Foundation Elevation Certification Plan Resubmission and Review $300.00 Major Changes resulting in Resubmission and Review $100.00 Repeat Non-Compliant Construction Site Inspections $100.00 Repeat Non-Compliant Permanent Treatment System Inspections $100.00 Repeat Non-Compliant Illicit Discharge Inspections $100.00 Council Member Okerberg made a motion to approve Resolution 25-15 adjusting the Stormwater Fees. Council Member Burbank seconded the motion and all members voted aye for approval. Council Minutes March 3, 2015 Page 4 of 5 Public Works Director Skov presented Resolution 26-15 to approve MnDOT Agreement No 07451 for repairs on T.H. 14. The agreement is the City’s share of the cost of the sidewalk on the west side of T.H. 35, a ¾ access at Brady Blvd and frontage road sidewalk and utility adjustments construction and other associated construction along and adjacent to Trunk Highway No. Old T.H. 14 from 1886 feet West of C.S.A.H. 7 to C.S.A.H. 45 within the corporate City limits under State Project No. 7401-41. The current estimated cost is $169,630.97 of which $136,787.36 is eligible for state aid reimbursement. $30,267.81 is expected to be from local funds. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve Resolution 26-15, Council Member Svenby seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Public Works Director Skov presented Resolution 27-15 giving the City Administrator authorization to dispose of any items with a value less than the CIP threshold of $5,000.00 through a public means. Examples include sealed bids, Minnbid, local internet auction houses with the proceeds going to the appropriate department. City Employees will be eligible to bid/participate along with all members of the public. Items such as scrap metal and junk cars may be sold to local scrap and used parts dealers. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve Resolution 27-15, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Public Works Director Skov presented the second reading of Proposed Ordinance 2-15 to update the Stormwater Management Ordinance. The ordinance incorporates mandatory language required for the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The first reading of the proposed ordinance was approved during the February 17, 2015 Council Meeting and there have been no changes since. Council Member Okerberg made a motion to approve Proposed Ordinance 2-15 with authorization for summary publication, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion. With a roll call vote; all members voted aye and the motion carried. This will be knows as Ordinance 1519. Community Development Director Klecker requested authorization to forward a letter to Steele County requesting turnback of County Road 107 (Lemond Road) north of US Highway 17 and south of 18th Street SW to the City. This stretch of County Road 107 was retained by Steele County and not turned back with the previous agreement. With completions of the City’s west belt line and Highway 14, Steele County no longer has a connection to this section of roadway. The City will assume all short and long term maintenance for this section of roadway. Council Member Svenby made a motion authorizing the request for turnback of this road segment be sent, Council Member Schultz seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. There were no comments heard during Public Comments. During Council Comments, Council Member Okerberg requested prayers for former Council Member Rick Ellingson for some recent health concerns. Council Member Raney thanked Mayor Kuntz and City Administrator Busse for presenting the “State of City” to a high school history class saying this was an excellent way to connect with youth and encourage their involvement in city matters. Council Member Burbank commented this had been a very positive and interesting meeting. Council Member Schultz was glad to see Boy Scouts present who were probably here as a requirement for their Citizenship Merit Badges. Council Member Abraham congratulated the Council Minutes March 3, 2015 Page 5 of 5 officers and public members receiving awards for service and also welcomed the new officers sworn in during the meeting. At 7:54 p.m., Council Member Raney made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Council Member Schultz seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval and the meeting was adjourned. Dated: March 9, 2015 Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Assistant City Clerk