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Home My WebLink About2024-07-16 CC MINj (water 216 41h Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 r0 0651-430-8800 The Birthplace of Minnesota www.stillwatermn.gov CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES July 16, 2024 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 (via Zoom) Deputy City Clerk Schmid Community Development Director Gladhill Finance Director Provos Assistant Fire Chief Zeuli Police Chief Mueller Public Works Director Sanders PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS Certificates of Appreciation for Downtown Graffiti Cleanup Mayor Kozlowski, Police Chief Mueller, and the Council thanked Patrol Sergeant Josh Gow and Officer Brandon Crosbie for organizing two teams for the Downtown Graffiti Clean -Up day July 14; and thanked City Public Works Crew Jeff Melstrom, Dave Fleishhacker, Dan Radke and Josh Wille as well as businesses and individuals who participated. Certificates will be presented at a Council meeting. Community Thread Budget Request - Cathleen Hess Cathleen Hess, Development and Communications Director, shared Community Thread's mission and activities. She requested $16,000 of municipal support for Community Thread and $5,000 support for the Connector Loop Bus serving Stillwater and Oak Park Heights. Washington County Historical Society Budget Request - Brent Peterson Brent Peterson, Executive Director, recapped the Society's 90th year, highlighted a few historic artifacts, and requested $7,500 for 2025. OPEN FORUM Kent Musser, 806 Willard St W, voiced concern about a recent ordinance amendment involving training for servers of alcohol. He asked the Council to reinstate the annual alcohol training requirement for all servers of alcohol, adding that the training the Police Department provides is incredible. Mayor Kozlowski replied that the training requirement City Council Meeting July 16, 2024 was inadvertently changed with an ordinance amendment, and the Council will adopt an amendment reinstating it at a meeting. Lizzie Harris, Owens Street, asked Council's thoughts about transportation accessibility issues. STAFF REPORTS Public Works Director Sanders gave flood and street construction project updates. He stated the emerald ash borer tree removal and replacement is underway. Councilmember Junker commended the work on the pickleball court resurfacing project. Councilmember Odebrecht stated the fiber optic installation throughout the City is generating a lot of calls, although the company is trying to not be disruptive. He asked if the City can get the company to better communicate with residents; Mr. Sanders stated he can ask them to send out notices. Police Chief Mueller stated Public Safety staff is ready for Lumberjack Days; $440,000 FEMA reimbursement for the 2023 flood was received; and kudos to the Stillwater investigative team for their excellent work especially over the past few weeks. The 4th of July Fireworks that were postponed due to high water is scheduled for August 31, 2024. Assistant Fire Chief Ballis stated staff is prepared for Lumberjack Days; a new rope tech truck was put in service today; and noted the new boat has been very beneficial. Finance Director Provos stated the 2024 general obligation bond process is starting. Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed Lumberjack Days parking. Deputy City Clerk Schmid reminded the Council the next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 7 due to Night to Unite. City Administrator Kohlmann stated 2025 budget drafts and the library preliminary report will be presented in August. CONSENT AGENDA July 2, 2024 Workshop, Regular and Closed Session Meeting Minutes Payment of Bills 2024 Street Improvement Project Easement Acquisitions along Greeley Street - Resolution 2024-087 Downtown Special Service District Sidewalk Cleaning Agreement Main Street Traffic Signal Pole Painting Project Agreement Public Safety Cadet Program Memorandum of Agreement Stop Sign Installation at Brick Street and County Road 12 - Resolution 2024-088 Terra Spring Retaining Wall Engineering Services Agreement Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adopt the Consent Agenda. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS Proposed Vacation and Discontinuance of a Permanent Drainage and Utility Easement at 201 and 211 Olive St W (Case 2024-0301 Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting July 16, 2024 Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to postpone until August 7, the Public Hearing for Case 2024-030, Proposed Vacation and Discontinuance of a Permanent Drainage and Utility Easement at 201 and 211 Olive St W. All in favor. Proposed Vacation and Discontinuance of an Easement located at 1904 5th St N near Willow St W (Case 2024-012) Community Development Director Gladhill stated that on May 21, 2024 the City Council approved the Plat subdividing 1904 5th Street North into two new lots. As part of this plat, the applicant dedicated right-of-way, measuring 15-feet wide by 290-feet long running the length of the Property, parallel to Willow Street. Currently, a 10-foot wide by 290-foot long easement runs the length of the Property parallel to Willow Street. The existing easement was provided in lieu of right-of-way in 2004 for drainage, utility, and roadway purposes. Staff is recommending the vacation of the existing easement as the newly dedicated right- of-way provides the same access and purpose, thus making the easement obsolete. Staff is recommending the reduction of the existing assessment and approval of the Amended Assessment Waiver. Mayor Kozlowski opened the public hearing. There were no public comments and the public hearing was closed. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt Resolution 2024-089, Resolution Vacating Easement Located at 1904 5th Street N within the City of Stillwater, Minnesota. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Second Amendment to Resolution and Order to Repair Structures at 1309 3rd St S Mr. Gladhill stated that in late 2023, the City Council ordered the abatement of a garage and retaining wall, requiring that the structures be razed and removed by December 31, 2023. The garage was demolished but the garage slab remained because its removal may further deteriorate the structural integrity of the retaining wall, which is jointly owned with a neighboring property at 1314 2nd Street South. The Council extended the compliance deadline to July 1, 2024. Around July 3, 2024, the neighbor filed a District Court action against the owner challenging ownership of the wall, claiming that the wall is solely the responsibility of the owner. City staff suggests an extension to the compliance deadline for the owner until October 31, 2024 in order to allow litigation efforts to resolve the matter. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adopt Resolution 2024-090, Second Amendment to Resolution and Order to Raze and Remove the Hazardous Structures Located at 1309 3rd Street South. All in favor. Potential City Charter Amendments Section 4.03 and 5.12 City Administrator Kohlmann reviewed two possible Charter Amendments, involving filing for office and conflict of interest/financial disclosure; and Council gave feedback for the Charter Commission. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting July 16, 2024 COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS There were no Council request items. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. , Ted Kozlowski, Mayor ATTEST: A / Beth Wolf, City Cler Resolution 2024-087, Authorizing Permanent Easement Acquisition for 2024 Street Improvement Project (2024-02) Resolution 2024-088, Relating to Intersection Control on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) No. 12 (75th St N/Myrtle) at its Intersection with Brick Street Resolution 2024-089, Resolution Vacating Easement Located at 1904 5th Street N within the City of Stillwater, Minnesota Resolution 2024-090, Second Amendment to Resolution and Order to Raze and Remove the Hazardous Structures Located at 1309 3rd Street South Page 4 of 4