City Council

Owatonna City Council Minutes The Owatonna City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Schultz called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance. Attending were Council Members Dotson, Burbank, Raney, Svenby, Voss, Okerberg and Schultz. Also attending were Mayor Kuntz, City Attorney Walbran; Community Development Director/Interim Parks and Recreation Director Klecker; Public Works Director Skov; City Administrator Busse and Administrative Specialist Clawson. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Council Member Svenby made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented; Council Member Dotson seconded the motion and all members voted aye in approval. Council President Schultz explained the procedure of conducting a public hearing during the City Council Meeting. Interim Park Director Klecker advised the Owatonna Soccer Association (OSA) submitted a written request to name the soccer fields and Wall of Fame at the Daikin Soccer Complex at 1102 E Rice Lake Road. Their request is to name the five fields and the Wall of Fame after businesses or organizations that have made significant contributions towards this project. Fields will be named after Federated Insurance, Wenger Foundation, Gopher Sport, Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Owatonna and Viracon. The “Wall of Fame” would be named after the Owatonna Foundation which was also a major contributor to the project. This request was presented to the Park and Rec Board during their November 2019 meeting and the Park Board recommends approval of the OSA naming request. At 7:04 p.m., a public hearing was opened for comments; with no comments heard, at 7:05 p.m., Council Member Burbank made a motion to close the public hearing, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion and all members voted aye in approval. Interim Park Director Klecker requested approval of Resolution 126-19 to name the five soccer fields and Wall of Fame at Daikin Soccer Complex as requested by the Owatonna Soccer Association. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve Resolution 126-19, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members voted aye for approval. Council President Schultz explained council members review the Consent Agenda items prior to the meeting for approval in one motion. Consent Agenda items for approval include: Council Minutes: Council Meeting – November 19, 2019. Renew Annual Tobacco Licenses. Minutes – OPU Commission Meeting – October 22, 2019. Minutes – OPU Commission Meeting – November 14, 2019. Minutes – Library Board Meeting – November 19, 2019. Renew Annual Lease – Operation of Warsinski Chalet. Authorize TAP Grant Application: Connect 18th Street Trail (Linn Ave to Austin Road). Resolution 128-19: Authorize Purchases at Fame Awards. Council Member Voss recused himself due to Conflict of Interest, one of the items involves his business Fame Awards. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve these Consent Agenda items, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion. All members voting, voted aye in approval. City Council Minutes December 3, 2019 Page 2 of 4 Vice President Raney recapped expenses for the period. Bills presented for payment totaled $686,139.99. Council Member Dotson made a motion to approve payment of these bills, Council Member Voss seconded the motion and all members voted aye in approval. Public Works Director Skov presented the first reading of proposed Ordinance Amendment 19-11 which will require public sidewalks be cleared of debris, snow, ice, dirt, or any items in all districts within 24 hours after its deposit. The ordinance provides an administrative citation may be issued to any person in violation of the ordinance and an administrative civil fine may be imposed in addition to the costs incurred by the City to clear the sidewalk. The current City Ordinance requires sidewalks in the Business Districts be cleared within 24 hours and allows within 48 hours in residential districts. The proposed amendment requires all sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours. The amount of the administrative penalty will be determined by the Council. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve the first reading of Proposed Ordinance 19-11 and Council Member Dotson seconded the motion. With a roll call vote, voting aye were Council Members Burbank, Raney, Svenby, Voss, Okerberg, Dotson and Schultz; voting nay were none; the motion was approved. The second reading of the proposed ordinance will be heard during the next Council Meeting on December 17, 2019. Public Works Director Skov presented the first reading of proposed Ordinance Amendment 19-12 to amend the Fee Schedule in Chapter 35, Appendix A of the City’s 2015 Code of Ordinances with addition of a Civil Penalty for violation the ordinance requiring sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours. The penalty amount charged for violating this ordinance will be $40 for the first occurrence, $60 for the second occurrence and $80 for the third occurrence. Council requested the proposed ordinance clarify penalty amounts are applicable for occurrence within a calendar year. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve the first reading of Proposed Ordinance 19-12 with this change, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion. With a roll call vote, voting aye were Council Members Burbank, Raney, Svenby, Voss, Okerberg, Dotson and Schultz; voting nay were none; the motion was approved. The second reading of the proposed ordinance will be heard during the next Council Meeting on December 17, 2019. City Administrator Busse presented Resolution 127-19 designating the City’s Precinct Polling Sites for 2020 Elections. Three elections currently planned during 2020 include: Presidential Nomination Primary on March 3rd; Primary Election on August 11th; and the General Election on November 3rd. First Ward/First Precinct - Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Lincoln Avenue First Ward/Second Precinct - Associated Church, 800 Havana Road Second Ward/First Precinct - Owatonna Public Library, 105 N Elm Ave Second Ward/Second Precinct – Brooktree Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse, 1369 E Cherry Street Third Ward/First Precinct - Owatonna Arts Center, 435 Garden View Lane Third Ward/Second Precinct - Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 750 Jeffrey Street City Council Minutes December 3, 2019 Page 3 of 4 Fourth Ward/First Precinct - Sacred Heart Parish Center, 810 South Cedar Avenue Fourth Ward/Second Precinct - Steele County History Center, 1700 Austin Road Fifth Ward/First Precinct - Grace Baptist Church, 265 26th Street NE Fifth Ward/Second Precinct - Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1909 St. Paul Road These polling places are the same as those used during 2019. Council Member Svenby made a motion to approve Resolution 127-19, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members voted aye in approval. Public Works Director Skov requested update to the City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy and Procedures. The last update was completed December 21, 2010 and amendments are needed to reflect the current practices for snow removal. Recommended changes include restitution for mailboxes physically hit by a snowplow; the City would provide a breakaway mailbox post or a one-time payment of $75 reimbursement per property and if a mailbox is hit a second time, the City would provide a breakaway post. The Heavy Snow Removal Plan was removed as it included outdated employee positions and procedures. The Plow Zone Map was also updated within the policy. Council asked how caul-de-sacs are cleared; most receive one pass with a large truck and then smaller trucks, or skid loaders are sent to clear the street. Plans are in place to store snow at various places: at the fairgrounds but unable to put snow on the track infield for two years to allow grass to establish, the area north of the former Walmart, area in the Industrial Park and other City owned properties. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve the amended Snow and Ice Control Policy and Procedures, Council Member Okerberg seconded the motion; all members voted aye in approval. Interim Park Director Klecker requested Council accept a life insurance benefit of $52,473 from Gladys L. Wavrin for the West Hills Social Commons. Ms. Wavrin passed away in September, she had participated in many activities at the West Hills Social Commons. Staff have identified projects and items of need that would benefit the facility users: completion of the kitchen remodel project, replace folding tables and chairs in the dining area and install a security system. Mayor Kuntz commented he worked with Ms. Wavrin at Owatonna Public Utilities and honored she named the City as a beneficiary recipient. Council Member Burbank made a motion to accept these funds, Council Member Dotson seconded the motion; all members voted aye in approval. Community Development Director Klecker requested Council authorize purchase of the property at 117 W Bridge Street. Currently, the property has a failing roof and the City has begun enforcement measures for the property to be repaired. The property owner, Centro Campesino, Inc., does not have the means to make the necessary repairs. Orders to have the City repair the roof and assess against the property have been approved. The estimated cos of repairs to the roof are $140,000. There is money owed to first United Bank for Centro Campesino to purchase the property over 10 years ago. Since the amount owed on the building plus the costs to repair the roof exceed the value of the property even after the improvements, the bank and city staff (with City Council Minutes December 3, 2019 Page 4 of 4 approval from the EDA) have negotiated a purchase of the property for $22,500. The bank would forgive the remainder of the loan on this property if the City purchases it for $22,500. Centro Campesino has signed the purchase agreement to bring this request to the City Council for approval. Once the roof is repaired, the City would market the property for sale. The EDA has given approval to purchase the property for $22,500. Council Member Svenby made a motion to purchase this property as recommended by the EDA, Council Member Voss seconded the motion; all members voted aye in approval. During Staff Comments, Public Works Director Skov advised plans for the 2020 street projects are getting underway, most will be presented to Council during the next meeting for authorizations. A major project next year will be the Bridge Street Project as this street has heavy traffic every day. Council Member Raney asked why the left turn arrow light hasn’t worked on the intersection of Oak & Bridge/Main for the last several days. Engineer Skov explained the light loop was damaged while repairing concrete at this intersection and decision made to not repair as an update to the light was planned which will be installed later this week. Community Development Director/Interim Park Director Klecker said projects are continuing to progress; the outdoor temperatures have been around freezing and dirt work being done in the Industrial Park at Costco, Minimizer and Rise Modular. Staff is watching the weather to determine when the ponds will be safe for skating, there will not be skating on the river this year. Council Member Voss thanked Mayor Kuntz and the Owatonna Exchange Club for hosting the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. The speaker, Karen Vaugh, mother of fallen US Navy SEAL, Aaron Vaughn advocates for members of the armed forces fighting on foreign soils and for a better, stronger more resilient America. The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast was taped and can be viewed on the Owatonna Live website. Council Member Okerberg reminded everyone of events planned for this Thursday, December 5th: CP Holiday Train, Chili Supper at the First Baptist Church and then the Lighted Holiday Parade in the downtown area. Council Member Schultz added the number of floats registered for the Lighted Holiday Parade is more than last year so anticipating a great parade. At 7:33 p.m., Council Member Raney made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Council Member Voss seconded the motion. All members voted aye in approval. Dated: December 11, 2019 Respectfully Submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Administrative Specialist  Minutes Truth-in-Taxation Public Meeting The Owatonna City Council met Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in a public meeting for comments regarding the City’s Proposed 2020 Budget and Levies. Council Chairman Schultz called the meeting to order. Present were: Council Members Voss, Svenby, Schultz, Okerberg, Dotson and Burbank; Finance Director Moen; Holli Loken, Sr Accountant; Community Development Director Klecker; City Administrator Busse and Administrative Specialist Clawson. Council Chairman Schultz welcomed everyone to the meeting. Finance Director Moen reviewed the process used to prepare the Proposed 2020 Budget and Levies. The Preliminary General Fund Budget presented and approved by council during the September 17, 2019 Council Meeting included a levy increase of 4.50%, which has been reduced to 4.25% in the current proposal. Finance Director Moen explained the budget was prepared with consideration to the four Key Focus Areas of the current Strategic Plan: Infrastructure, Economic Vitality, Quality of Life and Efficient, Effective and Economical Government. The City’s Tax Levy provides for: • 24/7 police and fire protection • Maintenance of City streets including snow removal and storm water management. • Amenities such as parks, trails, aquatic center, tennis & fitness center, golf, a library and an airport. • Enforcement of city codes adding to the quality of life for all residents. • Economic Development and Housing and Redevelopment providing for well-planned growth of the community. The largest expense for each of the City’s departments is personnel costs. The largest category for department expenditure is Public Safety provided by the City’s Police and Fire Departments. The City receives revenue from various sources. The Tax Levy provides approximately 53% of the overall revenues. Other sources of revenue include: • Local Government Aid (LGA) • Charges for Services • Other Inter-Governmental Sources • License & Permits • Other Taxes, Fines & Forfeits, Interest on Investments and Miscellaneous Items Tax Rate is calculated by dividing the Tax Levy by the Tax Capacity. The proposed levy will decrease property taxes on a home valued at $175,000 by $11.50 annually. Property value adjustments would also affect the tax amount owed. Moez Essa Manji, 415 Cedar Ave, asked if valuation adjustments and anticipated tax revenues included properties under development projects in the Industrial Park. Concerned the school levy will increase since the referendum passes last month. Finance Director Moen confirmed all improvements eligible were considered and included. Council Member Schultz added the effect of construction projects are usually seen in a 2-year period; taxes assessed during 2019 are collected in 2020. Council Member Voss thanked Finance Director Moen and Sr Accountant Loken for assisting him better understand the budget preparation process. City Administrator Busse commented the proposed budget is consistent with the City’s Strategic Plan. The percent of increase in the budget is lower than the rate of growth allowing the tax rate to remain the same or lower. Truth-in-Taxation Public Meeting December 3, 2019 Page 2 of 2 Dennis Warner, 1780 Cedar Valley Drive, commented he as a member of the Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority and was present to hear what the City will be doing for more affordable housing. Many people hope to acquire a smaller home when they retire, and affordable housing is hard to find. Hopefully, the City, County and State will offer some programs to assist. Mayor Kuntz commented this was topic of discussion during the LMC Fall Conference as this is a concern for most areas of the state. Mayor Kuntz thanked Finance Director Moen and staff for preparing the budget and tonight’s presentation explaining the process and requests. Finance Director Moen explained Council would not take action during this meeting. The Final Budget and Levies will be presented to Council during their next meeting on December 17, 2019 for consideration and approval. With no additional comments heard, the meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m. Dated: December 12, 2019 Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Administrative Specialist