City Council

Minutes Woodbury City Council Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Pursuant to the due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting was duly held at the Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road, on the 8th day of April 2020. Call to Order Mayor Anne Burt called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of the Flag Audience, staff, and Council pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Roll Call Mayor Burt welcomed those watching at home to join the Council meetings and call City Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 651-714-3524 and leave a voicemail message if they have questions regarding Council Meeting Agenda Items. To encourage public participation and to practice appropriate social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the public may comment during the Council meeting by texting 651-829-5483. She explained there are three people in the room practicing social distancing. Everyone else is attending virtually. Upon roll call the following were present: Mayor Anne Burt (in person), Councilmembers: Andrea Date (remote), Amy Scoggins (remote), Steve Morris (remote), and Jennifer Santini (remote. Others Present: Kimberlee K. Blaeser, City Clerk (remote); Mary Tietjen, City Attorney (remote); Clinton Gridley, City Administrator (in person); Chris Hartzell, Engineering Director (remote); Rob James, ICT Director (in person); and Jason Posel (remote), Police Commander. Special Order of Business A. Volunteer Recognition Week Proclamation Mayor Burt read the Volunteer Recognition Week Proclamation of the City of Woodbury. She thanked everyone for supporting the community. Open Forum The Open Forum is a portion of the Council meeting where a maximum of three persons will be allowed to address the Council on subjects, which are not a part of the meeting agenda. Persons wishing to speak must complete a sign-up sheet prior to the start of the meeting. Give the sign-up sheet to any staff person. Speakers are limited to two minutes each. The Council will listen attentively to comments but, in most instances, will not respond at the meeting. Typically, replies to the concerns expressed will be made via letter or phone call within a week. Mayor Burt read an email from Patrick Tschida, 6395 Aspenwood Plaza, Woodbury. He is disappointed the City Council is not conducting the entire meeting virtually since the City is in the middle of a pandemic. He also expressed a concern that nothing on the agenda addressed COVID-19. Last, he is concerned over the spike in hate crimes. Mayor Burt said technology had limitations and the transition is not easy; however, the next meeting will be totally online. She also addressed the hate crimes. She said diversity inclusion is very important to the City of Woodbury. There had been two incidents and both cases are assigned to a detective. City Administrator Clinton Gridley added COVID-19 will be addressed later under the Administrative Report. He said Dr. Tschida had also sent a text message asking about a Human Rights Commission. The cases are being handled by knowledgeable public safety detectives. Mayor Burt also mentioned the passing of Dick Bielenberg, the son of the first Mayor. He was dedicated to his family, friends and community. She shared condolences to his family. Consent Agenda All items listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and an affirmative vote by roll call of a majority of the members present. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a  City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Councilmember or citizen so requests, in which event, the items will be removed from the consent agenda and considered a separate subject of discussion by the Council. Item A Approval of Council Minutes – March 18, 2020 Item B Approval of Council Minutes – March 25, 2020 Item C To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-72 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota adopting a Resolution of Support, Approving Cooperative Agreement, Authorizing Preparation of Preliminary Report, Authorizing Preparation of Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Preparation, Acquisition and if Necessary, Condemnation of Easements for the CSAH 19 (Woodbury Drive) Management and Safety Project. Item D To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-73 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota awarding the contract for the 2020 Reclamite Maintenance project to Corrective Asphalt Materials, LLC, with a low bid of $235,381 and authorizing the Mayor and City Administrator to execute the construction contract. Item E To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-74 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota supporting application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Environmental Assistance Grant Program for the City of Woodbury Urban Forestry Plan Update. Item F To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-75 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota authorizing 2020 Regional Solicitation Grant Application submittal for METRO Gold Line BRT Local Trail Improvements; and, To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-76 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota authorizing 2020 Regional Solicitation Grant Applicant Submittal for Lake Road and Pioneer Drive Intersection Improvements; and, To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-77 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota authorizing 2020 Regional Solicitation Grant Application Submittal for the Lake Road Rehabilitation and Safety Improvements. Item G To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-78 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota authorizing an amendment extending the expiration date to December 31, 2020 for the South Washington Watershed District 2018 Coordinated Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) Grant in the amount of $200,000 to the City of Woodbury. Item H To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-79 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota authorizing acceptance of City of Woodbury Temporary Water Treatment Plant Construction and Operation Project Grant from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in the amount of $7,900,000 and approving a budget amendment to the Water and Sewer Utility Fund. Item I To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-80 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota entering a Playground Equipment Removal Agreement with Kids Around the World for removal and disposal of the Page 2 of 4  City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Cobblestone Park play structure and authorizing the Mayor and City Administrator to sign said agreement. Item J To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-81 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota amending CD-FIN-5.1 Purchasing Policy. Item K To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-82 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota approving the labor contract between the City of Woodbury and the Woodbury Police Officers Association and authorize required signatures by the Mayor and City Administrator. Item L To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-83 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota reclassifying the Environmental Technician position and employee Spencer Hilgers Effective April 13, 2020; and, To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-84 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota reclassifying the Environmental Technician and employee Spencer Hilgers and Approving 2020 Water and Sewer Utility Fund Budget Amendment Item M To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-85 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota promoting Jennifer Torning to regular full-time Investigative Technician effective April 9, 2020. Item N To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-86 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota creating the position of Emergency Services Coordinator and appointment of Earl Merchlewicz as Emergency Services Coordinator in the Public Safety Department effective March 29, 2020. Item O To adopt the following resolution Resolution 20-88 Resolution of the City of Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota appointing Janelle Schmitz to the position of Community Development Director effective April 9, 2020. Item P The abstract of bills includes payments made from the operating or project budgets for expenses of the city. The expenditures are from all funds of the city. Any purchased contracts requiring signature of the mayor and City Administrator is hereby approved. Staff recommends approval of the abstract of bills for March 20, 2020 in the amount of $862,598.39 and March 27, 2020 in the amount of $655,092.40. Councilmember Scoggins moved, seconded by Councilmember Date, to approve the Consent Agenda items. Voting via voice: Andrea Date – aye Amy Scoggins – aye Steve Morris – aye Jennifer Santini – aye Anne Burt – aye Public Hearings No items scheduled Discussion No items scheduled Page 3 of 4  City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Transportation Report (2nd meeting of the month, May-October) No items scheduled Administrative Report City Administrator Clinton Gridley gave a brief update on COVID-19. He said the City has an Emergency Operations Command System. The System has been working and meeting every day. Based on information from the state, Minnesota has flattened the curve better than any other state. The Governor extended the stay at home order through May 4 th. The City is thinking about how to implement the updated orders from the Governor. Commander Jason Posel, Public Safety, discussed the three public safety initiatives to assist the community. First, they had teamed up with SoWashCo CARES and Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf to deliver prepackaged food and groceries four days per week. Second, the Police Department donated gift cards it had received as part of Night to Unity. Last, a City staff help line had been created that operated 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mayor Burt said she appreciated the work of Commander Posel and his colleagues for all they are doing to serve the community. Mr. Gridley read a text from Mariah Neuharth, 1553 Headwaters Lane, Saint Paul. She asked for clarification concerning the collaboration with the Department of Human Rights. She said it seemed like the issue of racism and hate crimes are passed off to public safety and asked about the impacts of the current events. Mr. Gridley explained the City did not have a Human Rights Commission. Situations, like the recent incidents, go to Public Safety because they are in the best position to investigate. As a manner of practice all discrimination, racism and potential hate crimes are sent to Public Safety to investigate. Regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and how current events may impact Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Council has strategic initiatives and those efforts have been operationalized. Work continues and the Council will continue to evaluate. With a pandemic, the current focus is health, safety and welfare of the community. Mr. Gridley announced that all other Boards and Commissions meetings for the month are cancelled. Councilmember Date appreciated all the work that is happening. She asked Commander Posel how residents can help Public Safety be more effective. Commander Posel directed residents to SoWashCo CARES, Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf and Woodbury Community Foundation for ways to help. Adjournment Councilmember Santini moved, seconded by Councilmember Date, to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Voting via voice: Andrea Date – aye Amy Scoggins – aye Steve Morris – aye Jennifer Santini – aye Anne Burt – aye Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser, City Clerk Approved by the Woodbury City Council on April 22, 2020 Page 4 of 4