HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-03 CC MIN
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216 4 Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082
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www.stillwatermn.gov
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 3, 2024
WORKSHOP MEETING 4:30 P.M.
Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht, Polehna
Absent: None
Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann
Acting City Attorney Johnson
City Clerk Wolf
Interim Community Development Director Gutknecht
Finance Director Provos
Fire Chief Glaser
Police Chief Mueller
Public Works Director Sanders
IT Manager Rice
Library Director Troendle
OTHER BUSINESS
2024 Proposed Budget
City Administrator Kohlmann presented the proposed 2025 budget. The total property levy
increase is 7.77% and the property tax rate will go from 47% to 52.4%.
In discussing the additional Senior Building Inspector position, Councilmember Junker
asked what was spent in contracted services last year; and City Clerk Wolf replied $62,000.
Referring to the four additional positions requested, totaling 2.0 FTE, Councilmember
Polehna stated he would like to see justification on paper, with the long-term ramifications
of upgrading the positions so he can justify them to the taxpayers.
Police Chief Mueller stated the requested upgrade of two Sergeants would provide 24/7
supervision which the City currently does not have.
Councilmember Junker remarked that the $62,000 spent last year on contracted services
justifies the new Senior Building Inspector position. He also feels the requested
Administrative Services Director position is justified.
Mr. Kohlmann reviewed public safety costs, debt service, capital outlay, and permanent
improvement projects, and the proposed increases for on-sale liquor license fees and
elected officials’ salaries.
Councilmember Junker remarked the liquor license fees have not been raised in 20 years
and Stillwater’s fee is among the lowest in the metro area.
Mayor Kozlowski stated he would not be opposed to a policy stepping it up over time, but
he questioned the timing of a large hike on the heels of the new Downtown Service District.
City Council Meeting September 3, 2024
Councilmember Odebrecht agreed, and suggested increasing the fees 7.7% in accordance
with the levy increase, increasing them annually until Stillwater is in the 50th percentile +/-
10% of the curve.
Council consensus was to decline an increase in elected officials’ salaries.
Mr. Kohlmann will bring a budget resolution to the next Council meeting.
2024 Stillwater Strategic Visioning Report
City Administrator Kohlmann led discussion of vision components, strategies and priorities.
Councilmembers complimented staff on the report.
STAFF REPORTS
Public Works Director Sanders updated the Council on the downtown lighting project and
reported that RFPs for PFAS treatment and the courtesy docks are out. The 2024 street
project should be done next week. He stated the Parks Commission has identified a
preferred location for the skateboard park in the lot across from Teddy Bear Park. Staff will
start working on concept plans. There has been discussion about using the concrete wall
there as a place where kids can paint graffiti.
Police Chief Mueller gave an update on staffing of events, the alcohol training ordinance
amendment, and mental health partnership with Washington County. Officers are aware of
curbside solicitors and have offered services to them.
Fire Chief Glaser reported on last week’s storm damage, staffing for events, the position
offering, and October 6-12 Fire Prevention Week. The Department offers condolence to the
Crotty family on the loss of Tom Crotty, who served the Fire Department from 1989-2009.
Finance Director Provos gave an update on finance software.
Interim Community Development Director Gutknecht noted that Community Development
Director Tim Gladhill and Assistant City Planner Katriona Molasky are leaving the City’s
employ. He explained the chicken coop item on tonight’s agenda.
City Clerk Wolf stated the City newsletter will be out soon; and staff will tour the Recycling
and Energy Center in Newport.
City Administrator Kohlmann stated that a press release has gone out about the Local Option
Sales Tax Referendum; and the League of Minnesota Cities Magazine had an article about
Union Art Alley.
IT Manager Rice updated the Council on technology projects and the upcoming cloud system
phone project.
Library Director Troendle shared info on upcoming programs and the roof project.
RECESS
Mayor Kozlowski recessed the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
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City Council Meeting September 3, 2024
Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht, Polehna
Absent: None
Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann
Acting City Attorney Johnson
City Clerk Wolf
Interim Community Development Director Gutknecht
Finance Director Provos
Police Chief Mueller
Fire Chief Glaser
Public Works Director Sanders
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS
Stillwater Police Department Oath of Duty Presentation for Officer Daniel Peters
Police Chief Mueller gave the Oath of Duty to Officer Peters.
Certificates of Appreciation for Downtown Graffiti Clean-Up
Mayor Kozlowski presented Certificates to Patrol Sgt. Josh Gow, Officer Brandon Crosbie,
Public Works Crew Jeff Melstrom, Dave Fleischhacker, Dan Radke and Josh Wille. Police
Chief Mueller and the Council credited the officers with organizing the entire event.
Certificate of Appreciation for Tim Gladhill, Community Development Director
Mayor Kozlowski recognized Tim Gladhill for his service of more than three years.
Certificate of Appreciation for Katriona Molasky, Assistant Planner
Mayor Kozlowski recognized Katriona Molasky for her service for the past 10 months.
OPEN FORUM
Residents of 101 Olive Street East, Nick May and Jim Buggert spoke about noise pollution
from the Century Link building HVAC units. Mayor Kozlowski stated the City will try to
contact the building owner.
CONSENT AGENDA
August 20, 2024 Special Meeting and Regular Meeting Minutes
Payment of Bills
2024 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project Declare Costs and Call for Hearing – Resolution
2024-098 and Resolution 2024-099
Ash Tree Replacement Planting Project Bid Award and Agreement
Energy Action Committee Appointments
Flexible Work Arrangement Policy Renewal – Resolution 2024-100
Interim Community Development Director Appointment
Laurel Street Retaining Wall Project Final Payment
Lumberjack Landing Park Design Services Contract Amendment
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City Council Meeting September 3, 2024
Lumberjack Landing Aiple House Geotechnical Engineering Services Agreement
Planning Services Agreement
St. Croix Valley Rec Center Roof Replacement Project Contract Agreement
Councilmember Odebrecht suggested pulling the Flexible Work Arrangement item so the
new HR staff member can work on the policy.
Councilmember Collins asked about funding for ash tree removal and replacement, and
Public Works Director Sanders confirmed there may be more funding coming.
Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt the
Consent Agenda with the removal of Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. All in favor.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS
Variance Appeal for 3393 Pioneer Place
Interim Community Development Director Gutknecht stated that on June 26, 2024, the
Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application for a Variance request to
exceed structural impervious surface and facilitate the construction of a pool. The Planning
Commission denied the application, finding that there are no unique physical conditions
that necessitate having a pool, and requesting a pool larger than allowed by City Code is not
a practical difficulty. Applicant Nik Hawley from Performance Pool and Spa has appealed
this decision to the City Council. He is seeking a Variance to permit the construction of the
pool, increasing the total allowed structure impervious to approximately 41.7% coverage.
Councilmember Junker asked if the 25% max for shoreland districts is consistent
throughout the Twin Cities and the State, and Mr. Gutknecht replied yes, the Department of
Natural Resources established these minimum standards. Most cities in Minnesota adopt
similar standards accepted by the DNR.
Mayor Kozlowski remarked in Liberty there are lots way over the 25% imperious surface
coverage, and asked how did they get built; and Mr. Gutknecht answered staff looked at a
smattering of the other permits to see if there was some interpretation from staff that was
missed, but could not find anything. The City Attorney stated that previous errors by staff
do not negate enforcing the standards today.
Councilmember Junker noted there was an elaborate mitigation plan in place for this
development. He asked if the applicant’s proposed mitigation plan could be reviewed by
City engineers or a third party to justify whether the runoff would stay on site, and Mr.
Sanders stated yes that could be looked at.
Councilmember Odebrecht noted this issue has popped up so often in planning, the policy
should be updated.
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City Council Meeting
September 3, 2024
Mayor Kozlowski stated the question is, can the City review individuals' mitigation efforts;
and Mr. Sanders answered that would require a thorough review of the development,
including the pipe size in streets and the pond size to see if there's additional capacity in the
system to determine whether extra impervious on this site would impact the system. The
City would need to hire a consultant to do that kind of review.
Councilmember Polehna stated he would like the City to be able to offer the opportunity for
property owners to devise mitigation efforts to make their plans work.
Mr. Sanders noted the applicant proposed in their design to mitigate the impervious area
for a 1.1" rainfall event. The City has used that formula in other areas where the minimum
is 35% coverage. Maybe one way to remedy it, instead of having 1.1" of treatment, would be
to bump it up to 2" of treatment. He would be comfortable with that.
Councilmember Junker pointed out that as recently as 2006, many of the City's lakes were
in poor condition, so the City put together a number of efforts to control and monitor lake
quality resulting in several of the lakes getting off the impaired list.
Councilmember Odebrecht asked if there is enough time to table this case and ask staff to
come back with a recommendation on how to address this on a broader level.
City Attorney Johnson explained the Council's options. Overturning the denial would
require the Council to provide a reason why. The Council could potentially add a condition
or conditions to the variance, for instance, a condition that the mitigation technique
proposed be vetted through City staff and engineers and that the calculations provided are
correct. There would need to be a discussion about what the City could require, in terms of
1.1" versus 2" rainfall events. Or the Council could table the case and instruct staff to create
an ordinance that would be the policy moving forward.
Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to table the case
to October 1. All in favor.
Sale of General Obligation Capital Outlay Bonds, Series 2024A.
Lauren Volz, BakerTilly, explained the proposed sale. Proposals will be opened and
tabulated on October 1, 2024 and the results presented to the City Council that night.
Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt Resolution
2024-101, Resolution Providing for the Competitive Negotiated Sale of $4,130,000 General
Obligation Capital Outlay Bonds, Series 2024A. All in favor.
COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS
There were no Council request items.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn. All in
favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. •
Ted Kozlowski, Mayor
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City Council Meeting
September 3, 2024
ATTEST:
Beth Wolf, City Clerk
Resolution 2024-098, Resolution Declaring Cost to be Assessed and Ordering
Preparation of Proposed Assessment for 2024 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project
(Project 2024-03)
Resolution 2024-099, Resolution Calling for Hearing on Proposed Assessment for
2024 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Project (Project 2024-03)
Resolution 2024-101, Resolution Providing for the Competitive Negotiated Sale of
$4,130,000 General Obligation Capital Outlay Bonds, Series 2024A
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