City Council

Owatonna City Council Minutes Administration Building Tuesday, September 15, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. The Owatonna City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 15, 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, Raney, Schultz, Okerberg, Svenby, Dotson and Burbank; City Attorney Walbran; Community Development Director Klecker; Public Works Director Skov; City Administrator Busse and Assistant City Clerk Clawson. Council Chairman Abraham welcomed everyone to the meeting. Council Member Burbank led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Staff advised Resolution 78-15 to approve the sale of forfeited tax delinquent properties has been added to the agenda. Council Member Schultz made motion to approve the agenda with this additional item, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Mayor Kuntz read a letter received from Ben Flemke as his resignation from the Park and Rec Board. Council Member Dotson made a motion to accept Ben’s Letter of Resignation, Council Member Raney seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Mayor Kuntz recommended Karina Garcia be appointed to complete this term which expires April 30, 2016. Council Member Svenby made a motion to approve the appointment of Karina Garcia to the Park & Rec board, Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Mayor Kuntz then administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Garcia. Mayor Kuntz made proclamation for the week of September 13-19, 2015 to be Suicide Prevention Week in the City of Owatonna. Tegan Kampe, a 21-year-old suicide attempt survivor and a suicide prevention advocate spoke about her website, Reciprocitea. This website is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, combating stigma, and decreasing suicide rates, while promoting wellness, healing, and recovery. Mayor Kuntz made proclamation recognizing September 3 rd as the official Riverland Community College Anniversary Day. Riverland Community College was established 75 years ago on September 3, 1940 in Austin and is currently open in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna. Matt Bissonette, Dean of Business, Technology, Trade & Industry Division and Dean of Health and Wellness was present to accept the proclamation on behalf of the college’s President, Adenuga Atewologun and advised September 20th will be their 40th anniversary offering classes in the City of Owatonna. Peter Grant, Administrator of the Owatonna Public Schools presented a brief overview of the Special Election planned for Tuesday, November 3, 2015. The School District studied its facilities to identify the most appropriate and cost effective ways to handle various facility needs including: aging school building with a growing list of deferred maintenance needs; elementary crowding; school security issues and multiple school transitions. There will be using 11 polling sites; the City’s regular ten polling places and an additional site at the Four Seasons for rural residents. Polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day. Absentee Ballots will be available beginning September 18 th at the School District’s Administration Office. Council Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Council Member Schultz recapped the expenses for the period totaling $458,054.55. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve payment of these bills; Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members 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 – September 1, 2015. Special Event Permit – Cultural Fest – September 26, 2015. Minutes – Human Rights Commission Meeting – August 11, 2015. Minutes – Park & Rec Board Meeting – August 31, 2015. Minutes – Airport Commission Meeting – August 13, 2015. Building Inspection Report – August 2015. Lease Renewal – SEMCAC Contact Center – Rooms 101, 102, 103, & 104 in Velve Hall. Lease – Parent Provider – Room 211(D) in Merrill Building. Change Order #1 – 2015 Street & Utility Project. Grant Agreement – Cabela’s - Dock at Lake Chase. Council asked how the dock will be built; City Administrator Busse advised the dock will be received preassembled and staff will complete the construction by connecting two pieces. Council Member Svenby made a motion to approve these Consent Agenda Items. Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented the second reading of Proposed Ordinance 11-15 to annex the property located at 124 32nd Avenue SW. The first reading of this proposed ordinance was approved during the September 1, 2015 Council Meeting; there have been no changes since the first reading. Rodney Peterson, owner of the property, requested this annexation to allow connection to the city sewer system. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve the second reading of this proposed ordinance, Council Member Burbank seconded the motion. With a roll call vote, voting aye were Council Members: Raney, Schultz, Okerberg, Svenby, Dotson, Burbank and Abraham. This will be known as Ordinance 1528. Public Works Director Skov presented Resolution 72-15 to declare the costs to be assessed on the 2015 Street & Utility Project and the 2015 Bituminous Pavement Rehabilitation Project. The total costs of the improvements are $1,321,765.08; the costs to be assessed the property owners is declared to be $322,816.00. Council questioned if these projects were finished; Skov responded there are a few things on the contractor’s punch-list but these final items do not affect the project costs. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve Resolution 72-15, Council Member Schultz seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Resolution 73-15 was then presented to set a public hearing on October 6th at 7:00 p.m. to consider the assessments proposed for these two street improvement projects. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve Resolution 73-15, Council Member Raney seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. City Administrator presented Resolution 74-15 to declare costs to be assessed the 2015 Mowing of Weeds, Grasses and Other Harmful Vegetation on various lots in the City. The costs of services is $5,053.37 which will all be assessed to the property owners. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve Resolution 74-15, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Resolution 75-15 was then presented to set a Council Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 3 of 4 public hearing on October 6th at 7:00 p.m. to consider these assessments proposed for these services. Council Member Okerberg made a motion to approve Resolution 75-15, Council Member Raney seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented Resolution 76-15 to accept MnDOT Grant Agreement No. 1001515 for the hangar area taxilane pavement reconstruction project. This will be State Project No. A-7401-4 at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport. The grant offer is for $332,696.00 state funding participation for all eligible project costs including engineering, construction and administrative costs. The City’s share of all project costs is not to exceed $64,204.00. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approved Resolution 76-15, Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented Resolution 77-15 to accept the quotes and award the project to demolish the structures at 425 & 437 Mineral Springs Road. Four quotes were received and the low quotation for the demolition of the structures was received by JJD Companies LLC with a total fee of $21,500 for demolition of both properties. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) will be paying for all of the demolition costs and the City will maintain the properties as park land areas for the long term. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve Resolution 77-15, Council Member Svenby seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented Resolution 78-15 to approve the sale of forfeited tax delinquent properties. Steele County Auditor, Laura Ihrke provided a listing of two parcels within the City of Owatonna that have become tax-forfeited due to non-payment of property taxes. Per Minnesota Statue 282.01, a municipality must approve the parcels for sale or request a conveyance to the city for public use. A public use is defined as a road, park, trail, transit facility, public parking, civic recreation facilities, etc. Staff has reviewed the parcels and have determined there is no appropriate public use for these two parcels: Parcel #17-100-0917: Sublot 1 of Lot 17 in Block 9 of the Original Town (now City) of Owatonna, also described as the N 1/3 of Lot 17 in Block 9, Original Town (now City) of Owatonna Parcel #17-411-0106: Lot 6, Block 1, Skyview Townhouses, Steele County, MN Approval of this resolution will allow the county to proceed with the sale of the properties. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve Resolution 78-15, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. During Public Comments, Anna Richer, Anna Richer, SE Minnesota Community Coordinator at Conservation Minnesota presented results of their recent survey regarding clean, renewable, and health energy options. This survey helps them set their organizational priorities. The survey was mailed to more than 4,000 Owatonna residents asking if they support or oppose past and potential future actions related to energy use and conservation. Key findings from their survey were: 1) Owatonna residents were very interested in the survey. 550 people in Owatonna completed the survey, a 13% response rate which is more than six times higher than a typical direct mail response rate. Council Minutes September 15, 2015 Page 4 of 4 2) Respondents strongly support past community actions aimed at promoting energy conservation and use of renewable energy. 3) Respondents are strongly supportive of the City taking more steps to use healthy, renewable energy and believe the City should support similar efforts at the state level. During Council Comments, Council Member Svenby mentioned the SCFF will be hosting a Barn Dance this Saturday, September 19th with activities beginning in the afternoon and into the evening. Mayor Kuntz thanked Public Works Director Skov and staff for the clean-up being done below the dam in Morehouse Park. City Administrator Busse reminded everyone of several activities planned: The Watershed Clean up this Saturday morning beginning in Morehouse Park; the Park Passport Program is currently in process; and the Fall Shindig on the Patio is scheduled for next Wednesday, September 23rd. Council Member Burbank advised participants in the river clean-up will receive gloves and it is recommended to bring their boots or hip waders to wear into the water. At 7:34 p.m., Council Member Raney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Council Member Dotson seconded the motion, all members voted aye and the meeting was adjourned. Dated: September 25, 2015 Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Assistant City Clerk