City Council

Owatonna City Council Minutes The Owatonna City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Council Chairman Abraham called the meeting to order. Present were: Council Members Abraham, Raney, Schultz, Okerberg, Dotson and Burbank; Community Development Director Klecker; Library Director Feltes; City Attorney Walbran; City Administrator Busse and Assistant City Clerk Clawson. Council Member Svenby was not in attendance. Council Chairman Abraham welcomed everyone to the meeting. Council Member Burbank led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Dotson made motion to approve the agenda, Council Member Schultz seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented a request from Troy and Lisa Johnson to annex their property located at 2732 Hoffman Avenue into the city limits for purpose of connecting to the city sewer. A Letter of Understanding was issued allowing the utility connection prior to completion of the annexation process which included an agreement of the assessment for this utility connection. The assessment will be paid over 10 years at an interest rate of 3.5% and the fee for the second sewer service installed will not be assessed until that service is connected. At 7:03 p.m. a public hearing was opened for comments regarding this annexation request. With no comments heard, at 7:04 p.m., Council Member Schultz made a motion to close the public hearing, Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. The first reading of Proposed Ordinance 13-15 to extend the corporate limits to include the Johnson’s property was held. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve the first reading of Proposed Ordinance 12-15, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion. With a roll call vote voting aye were Council Members: Raney, Dotson, Okerberg, Schultz, Burbank and Abraham for approval. The second reading of this proposed ordinance will be held during the November 17th Council Meeting. Council Member Schultz recapped the expenses for the period totaling $675,777.06. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve payment of these bills; Council Member Dotson 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 Meetings – October 20, 2015 and October 27, 2015. Event Permit – US Holiday Train Stop – December 6, 2015. Exempt Permit – Kid’s Corner Educare Center, Inc. – Raffle – December 12, 2015. Minutes - EDA Meeting – September 16, 2015. Minutes – OPU Special Meeting – September 22, 2015. Minutes – OPU Meeting – September 22, 2015. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve the consent Agenda Items, Council Member Burbank Seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. City Attorney Walbran presented Proposed Ordinance 12-15 for the second and final reading for approval. This ordinance will amend Section 115.20, Disorderly Use of the City’s 2015 Code of Ordinances by clarifying the City does not penalize a residential tenant or a landlord when the tenant contacts law enforcement in instances of domestic abuse. This is in compliance with Minnesota Statute 504B.205, subd. 3 which preempts city ordinances from penalizing tenants or landlords when a tenant seeks police or emergency assistance. Council Member Dotson made a motion approve Proposed Ordinance 12-15, Council Member Schultz seconded the motion. With a Council Minutes November 2, 2015 Page 2 of 3 roll call vote voting aye were Council Members: Raney, Dotson, Okerberg, Schultz, Burbank and Abraham for approval. This will be known as Ordinance 1529. City Administrator Busse presented Resolution 85-15, authorization to apply for an Aging Mastery Program (AMP) Grant to implement the AMP program and to receive a letter of support from the Council for the grant. The goal of this initiative is to improve the health, independence and well-being of rural older adults by introducing the AMP program. This is a three-year grant project from the National Council on Aging. The project is led by the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association in partnership with Minnesota Association of Senior Services. Thirteen awards may be made to organizations in Minnesota, each grantee will receive $12,000 in funding plus an in-kind grant of $4,800 of program materials. Technical assistance on program implementation and sustainability strategies are available. The grant period runs from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, grant winners will be announced December 31, 2015. There is no financial match required by this grant. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve Resolution 85-15, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented Resolution 86-15 to establish the Parking Restrictions on Public parking Lot 25. In 2014, the City of Owatonna purchased a structure located at 215 Walnut Avenue with the purpose of demolishing the structure and constructing a public parking lot. The structure was in need of repairs and located within the flood plain. There was also a need for additional public parking in this area. The City, in conjunction with Owatonna Public Utilities, has constructed a public parking lot with 23 parking stalls. The Downtown Parking Committee is recommending the Parking Restriction be similar to other public lots in this area, a 24 hour lot with a “No Parking” restriction each week for four hours for lot maintenance. The maintenance schedule will be established by the Street Department. Council Member Schultz made a motion to approve resolution 86-15 setting the Parking Restrictions for Public Parking Lot 25, Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all member voted aye for approval. Library Director Feltes presented Resolution 87-15 requesting authorization to apply for a Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Community Collaboration Grant. A $7,000 Legacy Grant will be requested to construct and install an arts and cultural project, a lantern titled “Light of Learning” which will hang from the ceiling over the lobby area. The project will also receive matching funds from the Library Foundation. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve Resolution 87-15, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. Community Development Director Klecker presented Resolution 88-15 to set a date for a public hearing regarding Bushel Boy Farms, LLP Business Subsidy. The City proposes to submit a Business Development Public Infrastructure grant application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development that will partially fund storm water retention improvements in conjunction with the proposed Bushel Boy Farms, LLP expansion project. The City has determined that the assistance provided to project is a business subsidy under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 116J.993 to 116J.995 because the City is providing at least 50% of the project cost through matching funds. The proposed hearing will be during the next council meeting on Tuesday, November 17th. Council Member Raney made a motion to approved Resolution 88-15, Council Member Schultz seconded the motion; all members present voted aye for approval. There were no comments heard during Public Comments. Council Minutes November 2, 2015 Page 3 of 3 During Council Comments, Council Members and Mayor Kuntz encouraged everyone to vote November 3rd in the Special School Election. Council Member Schultz thanked the Park & Rec staff for organizing the Trick or Treat Trail event; it must have been a huge success based on the number of cars and people in the Mineral Springs Park and Brooktree Club House area last Saturday afternoon. Mayor Kuntz asked everyone to mark their calendars for the Canadian Pacific Railroad Lighted Holiday Train which will be in Owatonna on Sunday, December 6th to benefit the Steele County Food Shelf. City Administrator advised the next Coffee with the Council is planned for Saturday, November 21st at Hy-Vee from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. At 7:18 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: November 3, 2015 Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Assistant City Clerk