The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023-12-05 CC MIN61illwater 216 41h Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 The Birthplace of Minnesota www.stillwatermn.gov CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 5, 2023 WORKSHOP MEETING 4:30 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann City Attorney Land City Clerk Wolf Community Development Director Gladhill Finance Director Provos Fire Chief Glaser Police Captain Julien Library Director Troendle OTHER BUSINESS Request for Loading Zone on 200 Block of Main Street Community Development Director Gladhill explained two requests for Loading Zones on the 200 block of Main Street and the establishment of a Valet Zone. If granted, the City would lose multiple parking stalls recently gained by re -striping and elimination of a turn lane. Any change requires approval by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), as Main Street is a State Highway. Staff is concerned about the ripple effect of approving individual requests without a broader study and policy on loading zones. The Downtown Parking Commission (DTPC) supports the relocation of the 15 Minute Parking, recommends a one-year pilot project converting three existing parking stalls to Loading Zone for general use (not reserved for a single user), and recommends that the proposed loading zone be located further to the north for logistical purposes. Mayor Kozlowski noted that no decision has been made on what to do with Water Street. He agreed that a long term solution is needed and for now, it makes sense to have some loading zones on Main Street. Councilmember Junker stated it is a good spot for a centralized loading zone to benefit a lot of businesses. To not have a loading/unloading area for the event center, which hosts more than 100 events a year, is not a good presentation. For the record, he would never vote to close Water Street because it is a crucial north -south artery. He would support designating 3-4 loading spaces as requested, on an interim basis up to a year. Councilmember Odebrecht suggested temporarily suspending granting additional loading zones until the DTPC comes up with a policy. Judd Sather, The Loft at Studio J, stated he is fine with other businesses using the loading/unloading space, adding that all other event centers downtown have dedicated parking. City Council Meeting December 5, 2023 Council consensus was to direct staff to work on a loading/unloading zone policy. STAFF REPORTS Police Captain Julien reviewed event activities. Fire Chief Glaser reported on fire calls, position applications, and grants. The City received $3,211 from the Department of Natural Resources, $6,600 from the Minnesota Board of Fire Training, and $233,363 will be coming from Fire State Aid. The City did not receive the SAFER grant. Happy 92nd birthday to former firefighter Bernie Peltier. Finance Director Provos thanked staff for all their work on the new finance software. Community Development Director stated he recently met with Washington County Economic Development staff. A downtown solid waste study is underway and code enforcement is ramping up. He stated that Stillwater was selected as a tour stop for a 2024 national planning conference in Minneapolis. City Clerk Wolf gave a staffing update. City Attorney Land explained the judicial resolution of the Stillwater Towing case. City Administrator Kohlmann thanked staff for work on the software upgrade. He attended the Energy Action group meeting and will provide a report in January; an IT report also will be coming in January. He gave a status on the Lakeview development team. Library Director Troendle explained a new history display and reported on activities. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to adjourn the meeting to Closed Session at 5:20 p.m. All in favor. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05 subd. 3(b) for attorney -client privileged communication, the Council met in Closed Session to discuss the Lakeview Hospital Easement Acquisition Litigation. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann, City Attorney Land, Attorney Bjerkness Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05 subd. 3(b) for attorney -client privileged communication, the Council met in Closed Session to discuss a human rights complaint. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann, City Attorney Land, Attorney Fleming - Wolfe, League of Minnesota Cities Representative Neubauer Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to reopen the meeting. All in favor. Mayor Kozlowski recessed the meeting at 6:06 p.m. Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting December 5, 2023 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 Kohlmann City Attorney Land City Clerk Wolf Community Development Director Gladhill Finance Director Provos Fire Chief Glaser Police Captain Julien PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS Proclamation for Stillwater High School Girls Swimming Relay Team and Player Maddie Reed Mayor Kozlowski read a Proclamation declaring December 6 "Stillwater Area High School Girls 400 Yard Relay Team Day" and recognized team members for capturing the 2023 Minnesota State High School League Class AA State Championship. He then read a Proclamation declaring December 6, 2023 "Maddie Reed Day" recognizing her accomplishments as a member of the Stillwater Area High School Girls Swimming & Diving Team. OPEN FORUM Lizzie Harris, Owens Street resident, pointed out conflicts in pedestrian signals on Highway 36 intersections, and Mayor Kozlowski directed her to email the City. CONSENT AGENDA November 21, 2023 Regular Meeting and Closed Session Meeting Minutes Payment of Bills 2024 Street Improvement Project Survey Agreement Amendment Animal Humane Society Impound Housing Services Agreement for 2024 Certification of Delinquent Utility Charges - Resolution 2023-163 Liquor and Tobacco License Renewals for 2024 - Resolution 2023-164 Maryknoll Lift Station Control Panel Contract Agreement Playground Equipment Purchase Request for Lily Lake Park and Staples Park Stillwater Library Terrace Roof Replacement Project Bid Award - Resolution 2023-165 Cybersecurity Contract Renewal for 2024 Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting December 5, 2023 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS World Snow Sculpting Championship 2024 Event Contract and Temporary Liquor License Administrator Kohlmann reviewed the contract and the request for a fee waiver and noise ordinance waiver. This will be the third year of the event in Stillwater. Councilmember Junker stated the only fee waiver that he struggles with is the alcohol permit because it covers some of the police costs. Mayor Kozlowski noted the event is volunteer and sponsorship driven and does not involve a hard cost to the City. Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve the contract, grant the temporary liquor license and waive all fees for the 2023 World Snow Sculpting Championship event. All in favor. Parking Lot 4 Ice Rink Agreement Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to approve the 2024 Hockey Rink in Parking Lot #4 Event Agreement and waive all fees. All in favor. Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, and Zoning Map Amendment to rezone properties located at 12811 62nd Street North to LR (Lakeshore Residential district) - Ordinance 1st Reading Mr. Gladhill reviewed the case. Kurt Zaspel has applied for a Zoning Map Amendment, Preliminary Plat, and Final Plat to facilitate the reconfiguration of two existing lots into two new lots that comply with local zoning controls. Tonight the City Council is acting on the Zoning Map Amendment request. Final action on the Preliminary and Final Plat will be taken at the same time as the Zoning Map Amendment's Second Reading. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Zoning Map Amendment, Preliminary and Final Plat. The 60-day rule was extended until February 6, 2024. Staff recommends approval of first reading of the Zoning Map Amendment with four conditions. Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve first reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 31, Article 3 Section 31-303 of the City Code of the City of Stillwater Regarding Cove Townhouse Residential Zoning, Case No. 2023-48. All in favor. Truth in Taxation Presentation for 2024 Budget & Tax Levy City Administrator Kohlmann presented the City's Preliminary 2024 Budget and Preliminary 2024 Tax Levy, resulting in tax levy adjustment of 7.67% over the adopted 2023 Tax Levy. The proposed budget and levy maintain a balanced 2024 budget. As a result of increases in property values and taxable tax capacity, the proposed budget and levy also result in the lowest City tax rate in the past decade. Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting December 5, 2023 Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adopt Resolution 2023-166, Adopting the Final Tax Levy for the Payable Year 2024 and to adopt Resolution 2023-167, Adopting the Final Budget Appropriations for the Year 2024. All in favor. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Councilmembers thanked everyone especially Public Works for the beautiful Christmas tree and decorations downtown. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn to Closed Session at 7:31 p.m. All in favor. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05 subd. 3 (a), the Council met in Closed Session for a check -in on the performance review of the City Administrator. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann, City Attorney Land Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to reopen the meeting. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. • ATTEST: / zy/o/ Beth Wolf, City Clerk () 7ZZ/ Cf " Ted Kozlowski, Mayor Resolution 2023-163, Adopting Delinquent Utility Charges L.I. Project No. 0001 Resolution 2023-164, Resolution Approving Renewals of Liquor Licenses for 2024 Resolution 2023-165, Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for 2024 Roof Replacement Project - Stillwater Library Resolution 2023-166, Adopting the Final Tax Levy for the Payable Year 2024 Resolution 2023-167, Adopting the Final Budget Appropriations for the Year 2024 Page 5 of 5