City Council

Owatonna City Council Minutes Administration Building Tuesday, July 7, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. The Owatonna City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Administration Building. Council Chairman Abraham called the meeting to order. Present were: Council Members Abraham, Dotson, Raney, Schultz, and Svenby; Mayor Kuntz; City Attorney Walbran; Public Works Director Skov; Community Development Director Klecker; Human Resource Coordinator Lynn Gorski and City Administrator Busse. Council Members Okerberg and Burbank were not present. Council Chairman Abraham welcomed everyone to the meeting and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Svenby made motion to approve the agenda; Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. Public Works Director Skov presented the proposed Assessment Roll for the 2015 Sidewalk Assessments. The preliminary assessment amount is $7,179.97; current policy is completed repairs are paid 50% by the property owner and 50% by the city. City Administrator Busse advised a letter was received from Brian Stendel, property owner of 135 W Main Street objecting the proposed assessment for a damage caused by the tree the City planted in the tree box under his sidewalk. Council Member Schultz noted the first three parcels listed are for repairs to the tree boxes and sidewalk along Cedar Avenue and asked the city develop a comprehensive plan for repairs caused by trees planted by the city. Skov explained these damages caused by the tree roots could be repaired at a lower cost by removing the tree box and covering with a slab. Council Members agreed a comprehensive plan should be developed for future repair considerations. Skov stated these proposed sidewalk repairs are needed to prevent tripping; council decision could be to lower the assessment amount for these repairs. At 7:06 p.m. a public hearing was held for comments. With no comments heard, at 7:07 p.m. Council Member Dotson made a motion to close the public hearing, Council Member Raney seconded the motion. All members present voted aye to close the public hearing. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve the needed repairs with anticipation the preliminary assessment amounts will be lowered for the parcels along Cedar Avenue needing repairs caused by tree roots. Council Member Dotson seconded the motion and all members voted aye for approval with anticipation of completing a study to develop a comprehensive plan for sidewalks damaged by trees planted and maintained by the City. Council Member Schultz recapped the expenses for the period totaling $1,217,463.61. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve payment of these bills; Council Member Svenby seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. Chairman 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 – June 16, 2015. Annual Renewal of Lawful Gambling Permits by Non-Profit Organizations: American Legion Post 77 Community Charites Of Minnesota Council Minutes July 7, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Elks Lodge 1395 Fraternal Order Of Eagles Knights Of Columbus Owatonna Wrestling Association Owatonna Youth Hockey Association Steele County Trail Association VFW Post 3723 Event Permit – Dog Pound Birthday Party – August 8, 2015 Event Permit – Spirit Run/Walk – October 10, 2015 – Catholic Youth of Owatonna. Exempt Permit – MN Pheasants Inc. – August 23, 2015 – Raffle at the Fair Event Permit – Habitat 500 Bike Ride – July 18, 2015 Minutes – Park & Rec Board – June 8, 2015 Minutes – OPU Commission – May 26, 2015 Minutes – Planning Commission - June 9, 2015. Change Order No. 1 2015 State Aid Bituminous Pavement Reconstruction Project Temporary Street Closures – Lakeside Foods for 2015 Seasonal Sweet Corn Pack beginning July 25, 2015. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve these Consent Agenda Items. Council Member Raney seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. City Administrator Busse requested approval of the 2014 - 2015 labor agreement with the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Employee’s Union, Local No. 320 (Police Officers). Staff has been in negotiations with this union for an extended period of time and now have reached this tentative agreement. Summary of the major changes include:  2% increase in base wage effective January 1, 2014 - this was the rate provided to all other unions and nonunion personnel.  $25.00 increase in uniform allowance effective January 1, 2014.  2% increase in employer portion of health insurance - this is consistent with other union groups and nonunion staff.  3% increase in base wage for 2015 effective January 1, 2015. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve the proposed agreement, Council Member Svenby seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. City Administrator Busse requested approval IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) Local No. 1920 Labor Agreement effective January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The major changes from previous contract include:  3% increase in base wage effective January 1, 2015 – this was the rate provided to all other unions and nonunion personnel.  $25.00 increase in uniform allowance effective January 1, 2015. Council Member Svenby made a motion to approve the labor contract, Council Member Raney seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented application for Conditional Use Permit C-1376 received from Gold Cross Ambulance Service to construct a new ambulance crew residence facility at 1005 Cedar Avenue South. The current facility will be demolished to allow for the new construction. The Planning Commission held a public hearing regarding this request and no comments were received from adjoining property owners. The Planning Commission is recommending approval of this conditional use permit with the following conditions: Council Minutes July 7, 2015 Page 3 of 3 1) The three parcels shall be combined into one parcel prior to a building permit being issued. 2) A demolition permit shall be issued prior to commencing demolition. 3) Prior to issuance of the building permit, the city and Owatonna Public Utilities shall approve all grading, drainage, and utility plans. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve Conditional Use Permit C-1376 as recommended by the Planning Commission, Council Member Schultz seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. Mayor Kuntz explained a recent survey showed the current benefit package offered to the City Administrator was low in comparison with comparable cities. Kuntz requested the following revisions to City Administrator Kris Busse’s benefit package:  Increase severance package from five to six months  City will match up to $1,000 into an approved deferred compensation plan through payroll deduction per year Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve these proposed changes, Council member Raney seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. During Public Comments, John E Gibson, 307 1/2 N Cedar Ave reported Fire Chief Johnson recently added wild parsnips to the list of noxious weeds within the city and the Park & Rec Department conducted an eradication effort against wild parsnip at area south of Lake Chase which he believes will need some additional care. During Council Comments, Council Members thanked Mr. Gibson for his comments regarding wild parsnip and litter within the city and his concern of maintaining the City’s parks, streets and trail ways. At 7:25 p.m., Council Member Raney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Council Member Schultz seconded the motion, all members present voted aye and the meeting was adjourned. Dated: July 15, 2015 Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Assistant City Clerk