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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-15 CC MINlillwater The Birthplace of Minnesota 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES February 15, 2022 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator McCarty City Attorney Land City Clerk Wolf Community Development Director Gladhill Finance Director Provos Fire Chief Glaser Police Chief Mueller Public Works Director Sanders Assistant City Engineer Abdullah PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS Certificate of Appreciation for Sustainable Stillwater Mayor Kozlowski recognized Sustainable Stillwater for their work to engage local businesses and improve sustainability at a citywide level. Roger Tomten, Sustainable Stillwater, recognized its board members, community volunteers and students. Promotion Ceremony for Captain Brian Bruchu Police Chief Mueller commended Captain Bruchu for his 22 years with the department and re -affirmed his oath of office. Capt. Bruchu's children pinned on his badge. Police Distinguished Service Award Presentation to Sergeant Chris Felsch and Detective Dave Wulfing Noting that both are stepping down from their training roles, Chief Mueller presented service awards to Sgt. Felsch and Det. Wulfing for their work on defensive tactics, firearms training and use of force policy and training. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. City Council Meeting February 15, 2022 STAFF REPORTS Public Works Director Sanders reported that the snow sculptures will be removed from downtown this week. At the March 1 meeting, the Council will be updated on the White Bear Lake court case. One major impact that will be addressed is that the City's appropriation permit could be reduced significantly, affecting residential and commercial users. A group of cities is working together to get a bill introduced in the legislature to help mitigate the impacts of the case. He asked for Council direction on a request from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to consider a boundary change to place a section of the south frontage road within Oak Park Heights to clean up the boundary lines. The Council asked Mr. Sanders to bring the map showing the entire southern boundary to the next workshop for further discussion. Police Chief Mueller reminded residents to lock their cars and not to leave unattended vehicles running, as thefts of motor vehicles are up. He stated Community Resource Officer Brad Junker was nominated for the Stillwater Chamber's Hero of the Year Award. Officer candidate interviews will conclude today. Mental health calls are up. He summarized the work of the Stillwater Police Association and stated its fundraiser went well. Fire Chief Glaser noted Brad Junker is also on the Fire Department. Todd Kockelman is also up for an ambassador award. The Department, along with the Police Department, has been working with the school district on preparedness and response. He reminded residents the ice on the river is very unpredictable despite cold temperatures. Finance Director Provos reported that the new utility bills are generating a lot of confusion about service dates. She will send a brief explanation of the changes to the Council. City Clerk Wolf stated the final redistricting maps were received and no precinct splits are necessary, so the City will be split just by its four wards for the next election. City Administrator McCarty updated the Council on the legislative bonding bill and the DNR White Bear Lake court case. The employee mask requirement will be lifted soon due to a decline in Omicron cases. CONSENT AGENDA February 1, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes Payment of Bills Building Inspections Vehicle Purchase Request Emerald Ash Borer Bulk Discount Treatment Program Extension Employment Policy Manual Amendment Regarding Employment of Relatives and Domestic Partners Final Payment for 2018 Street Improvement Project Final Payment for 2020 Street Improvement Project Lake McKusick Sediment Removal Project Contract William Street North Right of Entry Agreement First Amendment Reconciliation of St Croix Recreation Center Dome Project St Croix Recreation Center Management Contract Renewal Stillwater Library 2022 Roof Replacement Project Bid Award Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting February 15, 2022 Councilmember Polehna commended St. Croix Valley Rec Center Manager Doug Brady for his excellent oversight of the Rec Center. Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chestnut Street Plaza Project Contract Amendment #2 Community Development Director Gladhill explained that the Phase II environmental site assessment determined that the first 2.5 feet over most of the project area is contaminated and needs to be removed and disposed of. There is no imminent health threat to the public and testing indicates that the contaminated soils have not impacted groundwater quality. There are two options for the City to consider: 1) Enrollment in the MPCA Brownfield Program/Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) Program or 2) Enter into a Cooperative Construction Agreement with an Additional Provisions Addendum to the future Construction Plans, Specifications and Construction Contract. The engineer's estimate for remediation of these soils is approximately $150,000, which is above the current estimate for the project. In total, with a conservative estimate and contingency, staff expects a project cost increase of approximately $200,000. With this change, the new project estimate is $2,600,000. The maximum contribution from MnDOT per the current grant is $2,000,000. The City Council had already directed staff to plan to fund the remaining $400,000 through City sources (Pre-1990 Pooled TIF Dollars). There are sufficient dollars in this fund if the Council chose to allocate an additional $200,000. However, the City is actively pursuing legislation with the Minnesota Legislature to be included in the 2022 bonding bill. This project is included in this request. The hope is that the 2022 bonding bill can fund the $400,000 to $600,000 'gap' in funding after the current MnDOT Grant. This would likely require the project to be constructed in 2023, not 2022. Mr. Gladhill went on to state that the City was asked by the contractor responsible for the current holiday light show on Chestnut Street about the possibility of adding conduit for data wiring for animations separate from the primary electric source. The project costs are estimated to increase by $3,000 for additional design and $3,000 for construction costs. The Council is asked to provide direction and potentially approve an additional Contract Amendment for the following purposes: additional soils corrections and contaminated soils remediation; and additional conduit for the holiday light show. Councilmember Junker stated he would like to see the final design of the pavers, types of trees and benches. Councilmembers voiced concerns about being financially responsibly for contamination mitigation on land that is not owned by the City. Mr. Gladhill stated staff will continue having conversations with MnDOT. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to approve the Chestnut Street Plaza Project Contract Amendment #2 as proposed. All in favor. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting February 15, 2022 Public Works/Water Board Transition Report Public Works Director Sanders presented the Public Works/Water Board Transition Report and reviewed the timeline and tasks achieved. After 41 meetings over two years and estimated 1000 hours of staff time, the Transition Team finds that the transition period is complete. Strategic Plan Action Steps Update Mr. McCarty reviewed the action steps that have been taken since the last update. Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to accept the Updated Strategic Action Plan. All in favor. NEW BUSINESS Feasibility Report for 2022 Street Improvement Project Assistant City Engineer Abdullah gave an overview of the proposed 2022 Street Improvement Project. The total estimated cost is $2,398,304 including design, surveying, inspection, administration, and contingencies. The project funding is through assessments, permanent improvement bonds, State Aid Funding, and utility improvement funding. Construction would take place May through October 2022. Staff recommends that the Council accept the feasibility report and order a public hearing for March 1, 2022. Councilmember Junker noted the mileage is down slightly, 3.44 miles of streets compared with the usual 4.5-5 miles a year. Mr. Abdullah answered the City did more reconstruction this year than last year and prices are increasing. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt Resolution 2022-023, Resolution Receiving Report and Calling Hearing on 2022 Street Improvement Project (Project 2022-02). All in favor. Resolution S pporting Housing and Local Decision Making Authority Mr. Gladhill explained a proposed resolution supporting the protection of local decision - making as it relates to Zoning, Development Fee and Building Permit Fees. Over the past several years, a number of bills at the Minnesota Legislature have challenged local authority over zoning and development and would reduce authority for land use decisions currently found in various State Statutes. Several recent bills, while intended to help with affordability of housing, likely would not have the intended outcome. Staff recommends adoption of the resolution supporting local decision making authority. City Administrator McCarty suggested adding a therefore clause directing the City Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to all elected officials at the State that represent the City, to the League of Minnesota Cities, Metro Cities and to the City's lobbyist. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adopt Resolution 2022-024, A Resolution Supporting Housing and Local Decision -Making Authority, with the additional clause directing the City Clerk to distribute the resolution. All in favor. Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting February 15, 2022 COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS There were no Council request items. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Ted Kozlowski, Mayor Beth Wolf, City Cler Resolution 2022-017, Amending City of Stillwater Employment Policy Manual on Employment of Relatives and Domestic Partners Resolution 2022-018, Accepting Work and Ordering Final Payment for 2018 Street Improvement Project (Project 2018-02) Resolution 2022-019, Accepting Work and Ordering Final Payment for 2020 Street Improvement Project (Project 2020-02) Resolution 2022-020, A Resolution Approving Right of Entry Agreement First Amendment Relating to Landowner Improvements Associated with Lot 4, Block 11, Sabin's Addition (CPC Case No. 2021-16) Resolution 2022-021, Resolution Authorizing a Transfer of $230,820 from the Recreation Center Special Revenue Fund to the Capital Projects Fund as Final Reconciliation of the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center Dome Replacement Project Resolution 2022-022, Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Stillwater Public Library 2022 Roof Replacement Project Resolution 2022-023, Resolution Receiving Report and Calling Hearing on 2022 Street Improvement Project (Project 2022-02) Resolution 2022-024, a Resolution Supporting Housing and Local Decision -Making Authority Page 5 of 5