City Council

Owatonna City Council Minutes The Owatonna City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Present were Council Members Schultz, Raney, Voss, Svenby, Boeke and Burbank; Mayor Kuntz; Public Works Director Skov; Parks & Rec Director Tuma; City Attorney Walbran; City Administrator Busse; Sergeant DeVinny; IT System Administrator O’Connor and Administrative Specialist Clawson. Council Member Dotson was unable to attend. Agenda Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Council President Schultz welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised Resolution 73-21, authorization of the PSI Grant Application, has been added to the meeting’s agenda. Council Member Svenby made a motion to approve the agenda with this item added; Council Member Burbank seconded the motion, all members present voted aye for approval. Consent Agenda Council President Schultz explained council members review Consent Agenda items prior to the meeting for approval in one motion. Tonight’s Consent Agenda Items include: Minutes - Council Meeting – July 6, 2021. Minutes – Library Board – June 22, 2021. Minutes – West Hills Commission - July 6, 2021. Minutes – Park Board – July 12, 2021. June Building Inspection Report. Exempt Permit – Raffle - October 5, 2021 – Owatonna Soccer Association. Exempt Permit – Raffle at SCFF – August 22, 2021 – Minnesota Pheasants. Event Permit with Exception to City’s Noise Ordinance – Movie in Lincoln Park – Park & Rec Event - July 23, 2021. Event Permit - Jennifer Anderson Benefit – Dog Pound Bar - July 31, 2021. Event Permit with Exception to City’s Noise Ordinance – Movie at River Springs Water Park – August 6, 2021. Event Permit with Exception to City’s Noise Exception – Reggie’s Brewhouse Parking Lot Dance - August 7, 2021. Event Permit – Federated 5K Walk/Run – September 18, 2021. Event Permit with Exception to City’s Noise Exception – Federated FEC Fall Celebration - September 24, 2021. Event Permit – OHS Homecoming Parade – October 8, 2021. Special Use Permit – Temporary Outdoor Service Area - Central Park Coffee. Special Use Permit – Temporary Outdoor Service Area - Dog Pound. 2021 Contractor Pricing Agreements – Cemstone. Inc. Council Member Boeke made a motion to approve these Consent Agenda Items; Council Member Burbank seconded the motion. Council Member Raney commented use of City resources during community events should continue but not at private events and requested use of the City’s picnic tables be removed from Reggie’s Parking Lot Dance Event Permit. Council Member Svenby agreed with this comment and added rental businesses are available within the community. With no additional comments, members present voted aye for approval. Finance Report City Council Minutes July 20, 2021 Page 2 of 4 Vice President Raney recapped expenses for the period. Bills presented for payment totaled $777,299.14. Council Member Svenby made a motion to approve payment of these bills, Council Member Voss seconded the motion, all members present voted aye for approval. Council President Schultz explained disbursements for TIF are reimbursement of the taxes paid per the respective TIF Agreements with each of these companies for improvements. Ordinance 21-1: Winter Parking Public Works Director Skov presented the first reading of Proposed Ordinance 21-1 to amend Chapter 72.05, Parking during Street Maintenance or Snow Emergency. The current ordinance requires signs announcing the existence of the winter parking ordinance and the hotline telephone number be places at all entrances to the City. This item was tabled during the January 19, 2021, Council Meeting pending review of the app created by GIS and LEC staff to replace the hotline. This app received good reviews during the winter months and signs will be remain posted but not required by ordinance. Council Member Raney made a motion to approve the first reading of Proposed Ordinance 21-1; Council Member Voss seconded the motion. With a roll call vote, voting aye were members: Raney, Svenby, Voss, Boeke, Burbank and Schultz, the motion carried. The second/final reading of this proposed ordinance will be heard during the next Council Meeting. Resurface Basketball Courts at Brown Park Parks & Recreation Director Tuma requested approval of the quote received from Finley Bros. Inc., of Hopkins, MN to resurface the basketball courts at Brown Park. The 2021 CIP included $20,000 for this project, their quote was $8,870.00 which may allow some repairs to Sid Kinyon Courts, Dartts Park and Manthey Park. These additional locations will be prioritized by safety and preventative needs for repairs. Council Member Voss made a motion to accept this quote, Council Member Svenby seconded the motion; all members present voted aye in approval. 2021 Storm Sewer Project Public Works Director Skov requested authorization to proceed with advertisement for bids for the 2021 Storm Sewer Project which includes replacing the storm sewer at these locations: 1) From the intersection of Maple Avenue NE and Pearl Street E through the 300 block of Rose Street E. 2) Condor Place NE. Skov explained the current line on Rose Street is an older private field tile that is collapsing; the City has obtained permanent easements from these property owners for the new tile line to follow. A short stretch of storm sewer on Condor Place NE is currently undersized will also be replaced. Council Member Raney made a motion authorizing bids for the 2021 Storm Sewer Project; Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all members present voted aye in approval. Point Source Implementation Grant Public Works Director Skov requested approval of Resolution 93-21 authorizing application for a Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG) of approximately $7,000,000 through the Public Facilities Authority (PFA). Staff anticipated receiving this grant and it was used in the City’s Rate Study to determine new rates and rate structure implemented on June 1, 2021. This grant covers approximately 20% of the proposed WWTP Improvement Project. Council Member Svenby made a City Council Minutes July 20, 2021 Page 3 of 4 motion to approve application for this PSIG, Council Member Burbank seconded the motion; all members present voted aye in approval. Staff Comments Jenna Tuma, Parks & Rec Director reported the ribbon cutting ceremony for We all Play, the Inclusive playground and miracle field at Manthey Park was held last night. Approximately, 500 people attended with many heartfelt emotions showing as they watched kids participating and enjoying this new amenity. Today, we received notification Owatonna will be one of the cities awarded a Lowe’s 100 Hometown Grant of $100,000. This grant will be used for improvement at the Lake Kohlmier play area this year as work must be completed by October 31st. The Council Chamber Renovation Project Team is meeting next week to continue progression of this project. Kyle Skov, Public Works Director gave brief updates on several improvement projects: W Bridge Street Project – Today they paved the west bound lanes in this first project area, and they should pave the east bound lanes tomorrow which will allow the I-35 ramps to reopen in seven days. Then after another seven days, this first area will open allowing access to Park Drive and Fleet Farm. N Cedar Streetscape Project: Working in the 300 block, sanitary sewer has been extended to Pearl Street. The Rose Street intersection is currently closed and will be paved along with the area by on Rose Street by the Blast after the contractor completes pouring the first area on W Bridge Street. Truman Avenue Project: Moving along well, the underground work is complete to University. Progress will become slower when they reach Phelps because the storm sewers are larger in that area. County Project – Roundabout at Intersection of 26th & State Street: This project will begin next week on Monday, July 26th as set by the railroad. Mayor Kuntz asked if the N Cedar Streetscape Project is on schedule? Skov responded it is on schedule, it may appear slow moving as the 18” storm sewer is being placed underground. There is a one-month period for this 300 block to be worked, they are on schedule and have done a great job barricading the sidewalk to allow foot traffic to businesses. There is a lot going on with the hotel project and apartment project also in this downtown area. Council Member Boeke asked if the project on 26th Street will remove the current bump? Skov responded the project will raise the tracks approximately 6” which will reduce most of this bump at the tracks. Public Comments There were no comments heard during Public Comments. Council Comments Council Member Raney commented the ribbon cutting ceremony for the We All Play playground and ballfield was the most meaningful ceremony he has attended as a Council Member. Attendance was good with all Council Members, Mayor, City Staff, former ball players present. It was great to see these kids put on a glove and take the field for their first game. Council Member Svenby thanked everyone who donated to the We All Play project which included many local businesses. He then gave a special thanks to project committee members Tim Truelson, Amanda Gislason and Missy Ahrens. City Council Minutes July 20, 2021 Page 4 of 4 Council Member Voss also thanked City Staff for helping to complete this project; he saw they were placing sod earlier this week. He then commented he noticed the siding was removed from the frontside of the former Jerry’s Restaurant today, which revealed some unique columns and stonework. Mayor Kuntz commented his wife had told him, “It used to be kids with disabilities watched other kids having fun on the playgrounds, now it is their turn”. City Administrator Busse commented Night to Unite will be Tuesday, August 3rd so the next Council Meeting was previously moved to Monday, August 2nd. She also thanked everyone for their donations and work done for the We All Play Project; this park area will be a great addition to our City’s Parks. Council President Schultz commented it was great to see a true grassroots project develop; this project was done because two mothers wanted a play area for their children. Adjournment At 7:28 p.m., Council Member Raney made a motion to adjourn, Council Member Boeke seconded the motion, all members voted aye for approval and the meeting closed. Dated: July 26, 2021 Respectfully Submitted, Jeanette Clawson, Administrative Specialist