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Home My WebLink About2022-03-15 CC MINThe Birthplace of Minnesota CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 15, 2022 216 4th Street N Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 www.ci.stillwater.mn.us 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 (remotely; left at 7:20 p.m.) Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann City Attorney Land City Clerk Wolf City Planner Wittman Community Development Director Gladhill Finance Director Provos Fire Chief Glaser Police Captain Bruchu Public Works Director Sanders PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS Introduction of City Administrator, Joe Kohlmann Mayor Kozlowski and the Council welcomed newly hired City Administrator Kohlmann. Redistricting and Establishing Polling Locations City Clerk Wolf explained the Charter amendment that redefines the electoral boundaries affecting Wards 1 and 2. Polling locations are also being reestablished. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 1180, An Ordinance Amending the Stillwater City Code Chapter 21, General Provisions, Section 21, Subd. 11, Entitled "Election Wards" and adopt Resolution 2022-035, Resolution Designating 2022 Election Polling Locations Within the City of Stillwater, Minnesota. All in favor. OPEN FORUM Louise Hansen, Rivertown Commons resident, voiced concerns about reckless skateboarders. Allison McGinnis, Sustainable Stillwater, spoke about the Lights Out initiative for birds. As part of Stillwater's Bird City initiative and its commitment to GreenStep City Best Practices, Sustainable Stillwater would like the City to encourage measures that address City Council Meeting March 15, 2022 light pollution and its impact on the environment to help with the problem of birds being killed or injured in collisions with buildings. Residents and businesses can prevent these collisions by turning off building lights at night, which also saves electricity and cuts costs. STAFF REPORTS Public Works Director Sanders reported that no flooding is predicted for the St. Croix River. Captain Bruchu reported that mental health issues remain a concern. There was a worksite incident at the 200 Chestnut project resulting in the death of a worker. The Police Department is filling open positions. Fire Chief Glaser gave ice safety reminders as the weather warms up, and reminded residents to watch for weather alerts. Sirens mean seek shelter, not all clear. Community Development Director Gladhill updated the Council on progress of the event policy, the 200 Chestnut project, Curve Crest and Manning Avenue project, and outdoor seating permit pilot project. Interviews for the Assistant Planner position are taking place. City Administrator Kohlmann recapped his activities his first week on the job. CONSENT AGENDA March 1, 2022 Regular and Recessed Meeting Minutes Payment of Bills 602 Churchill Street West Encroachment Agreement — Resolution 2022-036 2022 Opera on the River Event 2022 St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon Event 2022 Stillwater Half Marathon Event Acting City Clerk Appointment — Resolution 2022-037 Designating a Responsible Authority in accordance with the State Data Practices Statute — Resolution 2022-038 Fee Schedule Amendment — Resolution 2022-039 Public Works Plow Truck Purchase Request St. Croix Recreation Center Parking Lot Improvement Project Final Payment — Resolution 2022-040 Stillwater Area Hockey Association Off -site Gambling Permit at Lift Bridge Brewery — Resolution 2022-041 Supporting Legislative Action on Water Supply — Resolution 2022-042 Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. 2022-10 to consider vacating public drainage and utility easements located upon 1701 Curve Crest Blvd. City Planner Wittman explained that the applicant has requested vacation of a portion of existing drainage and utility easements on the property at 1701 Curve Crest Boulevard. Staff recommends approval of the vacation as it is no longer needed. Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting March 15, 2022 Mayor Kozlowski opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mayor Kozlowski closed the public hearing. Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt Resolution 2022-043, A Resolution Vacating a Portion of Public Drainage and Utility Easement Located Within the City of Stillwater, Minnesota. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS 1330 5th Street South Resubdivision Ms. Wittman stated that the property owner is requesting the Council's consideration of a Resubdivision to split the property into two lots. The proposed Resubdivision does not conform to the minimum lot standards nor the maximum Other Impervious Surface restriction. The property owner obtained three variances from the Planning Commission after the Commission determined practical difficulties existed. Staff recommends approval of the resubdivision with five conditions. Councilmember Junker asked if there are similar sized lots in the neighborhood. He noted that a portion of the property is fairly low lying in regard to potential drainage issues. Ms. Wittman replied there are a number of other historically smaller, 6,700 square foot lots in the neighborhood. Staff would look at drainage when a building permit is applied for. Councilmember Odebrecht lauded the amount of staff and Planning Commission time spent on the case. Councilmember Junker expressed reluctance to approve a square footage amount below the minimum. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adopt Resolution 2022-044, A Resolution Approving the Resubdivision of Lot 7 & 8 Block 2, Churchill's 2nd Addition (Case No. 2022-01). Motion passed 3-1 with Councilmember Junker voting nay. Brown's Creek State Trail Private Land Purchase/Stillwater Marina & Yacht Club LLC Ms. Wittman explained that in April of 2021, Stillwater Marina & Yacht Club LLC purchased from D. L. Paradeau Marketing LLC a strip of land that runs underneath approximately one-half mile of the Browns Creek State Trail. Andy Malone of Stillwater Marina & Yacht Club LLC would like to retain a portion of the subject property and sell other portions to adjacent landowners, including the City of Stillwater, as a portion of the subject property runs adjacent to Lumberjack Landing. Ownership would be beneficial to the City given future development plans for Lumberjack Landing. City staff is requesting authorization to negotiate a purchase agreement with Stillwater Marina & Yacht Club for the portion of the subject property adjacent to Lumberjack Landing. Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to adopt Resolution 2022-045, Authorizing City Staff to Negotiate a Purchase Agreement for the Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting March 15, 2022 Public Acquisition of a Portion of Private Land Underneath the Brown's Creek State Trail. All in favor. Minnesota GreenCorps Program Intern Mr. Gladhill explained an application to become a GreenCorps Host Site, which would provide the City with an 11-month Intern at no cost to the City. The City would commit at least four hours of supervision. Many of the tasks were previously coordinated by the previous Zoning Administrator. This opportunity would allow the new Assistant Planner (replacement for the Zoning Administrator) to focus on demands in Planning and Zoning including Code Enforcement. Sustainable Stillwater has committed to eight hours per week of utilization of this Intern. There is sufficient workload for the City to consume the remaining 32 hours per week. Councilmember Junker asked what tasks the intern would be doing for the City. Mr. Gladhill replied that the intern would work in these areas: GreenStep Cities tracking energy usage in City facilities and associated reporting; special events; planting initiatives; tracking rain gardens; explore and help develop recycling programs; and participate in Sustainable Stillwater's workgroup meetings. Staff feels there is ample work to keep the individual busy. They would not be doing zoning or code enforcement work. The new Assistant Planner will be doing that work. Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to adopt Resolution 2022-046, Approval to Apply for MPCA GreenCorps Intern. Motion passed 3-1 with Councilmember Junker voting nay. 2022 Street improvement Project Approve Plans and Specs and Advertise for Bids Mr. Sanders recommended that the Council approve plans and specifications for the 2022 Street Improvement Project and order advertisements for bids. The public hearing was held on March 1, 2022. Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adopt Resolution 2022-047, Approve Plans & Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for 2022 Street Improvement Project (Project 2022-02). All in favor. Downtown Street Lighting Project Order Feasibility Study Mr. Sanders reported that there are two styles of street lights in the downtown area, the taller style lights that are located throughout the downtown and the decorative lights located primarily on Main Street. The taller lights were installed in 1991 and the decorative lights in 1999. Both of these light styles have been operated and maintained through an agreement with Xcel Energy. The agreement for the taller lights expired in 2015 and the agreement for decorative lights expires in 2024. The taller lights are deteriorating, especially at the light pole bases. In 2020 the City hired a consultant to look at options for replacement of all the lights in downtown with a new decorative pole and fixture, and replacement of conduit and feeder cabinets. Cost of replacement lights was estimated at $3,000,000. Staff would like to proceed with a feasibility to explore funding options to include assessment of affected properties. Staff recommends the Council pass a resolution authorizing the preparation of a Feasibility Study for Downtown Lighting. Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting March 15, 2022 Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt Resolution 2022-048, Resolution Ordering Preparation of Feasibility Report for Downtown Lighting Project (Project 2022-07). All in favor. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS There were no Council request items. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember unker, to adiourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Ted Kozlowski, Mayor ATT ST: Ri Beth Wolf, City CI Resolution 2022-035, Resolution Designating 2022 Election Polling Locations Within the City of Stillwater, Minnesota Resolution 2022-036, A Resolution Approving an Agreement Relating to Landowner Improvements on 602 Churchill Street West (CPC Case No. 2022-16) Resolution 2022-037, Appointing Joseph Kohlmann as Acting City Clerk Resolution 2022-038, Designating a Responsible Authority and Assigning Duties in Accordance with the State of Minnesota Data Practices Statute Resolution 2022-039, Resolution Amending Resolution 2022-004 Approving the City of Stillwater 2022 Fee Schedule Resolution 2022-040, Accepting Work and Ordering Final Payment for St. Croix Rec Center Parking Lot Improvement Project (Project 2021-04) Resolution 2022-041, Approving Stillwater Area Hockey Association Application to Conduct Off -Site Gambling at Lift Bridge Brewery Resolution 2022-042, A Resolution Supporting Legislative Efforts to Ensure a Sustainable, Safe, and Reliable Water Supply Resolution 2022-043, A Resolution Vacating a Portion of Public Drainage and Utility Easement Located Within the City of Stillwater, Minnesota Resolution 2022-044, A Resolution Approving the Resubdivision of Lot 7 & 8 Block 2, Churchill's 2nd Addition (Case No. 2022-01) Resolution 2022-045, Authorizing City Staff to Negotiate a Purchase Agreement for the Public Acquisition of a Portion of Private Land Underneath the Brown's Creek State Trail Resolution 2022-046, Approval to Apply for MPCA GreenCorps Intern Resolution 2022-047, Approve Plans & Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for 2022 Street Improvement Project (Project 2022-02) Resolution 2022-048, Resolution Ordering Preparation of Feasibility Report for Downtown Lighting Project (Project 2022-07) Ordinance No. 1180, An Ordinance Amending the Stillwater City Code Chapter 21, General Provisions, Section 21, Subd. 11, Entitled "Election Wards" Page5of5