Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-15 CC MIN' t .r ... ....... ...... N CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING MINUTES October 15, 2013 SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. 4:30 P.M. Present: Councilmembers Menikheim, Weidner (arrived late), Kozlowski, and Mayor Harycki Absent: Councilmember Polehna Staff present: City Administrator Larry Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Fire Chief Glaser Police Chief Gannaway Public Works Director Sanders Finance Director Harrison Community Development Director Turnblad City Clerk Ward City Attorney Magnuson introduced Casi Butts as the new Assistant City Attorney. OTHER BUSINESS Presentations for 2014 Summer Festival proposals Community Development Director Tumblad introduced the three presenters. FILO Productions - Tom Butina, co -event director, introduced the company. Andrew Westphal, vice president, explained they do small and large events and there are many choices and options. He reviewed other festivals the company has produced. Engaging local civic groups and establishing deadlines for event planning would be very important. They propose a threefold festival, with a family -friendly element, a local cultural element, and a small concert series. Lumberjack activities would also be incorporated. He reviewed plans for shuttle service, marketing, sponsorships, and merchandising. Kevin Weinhandl, owner, added that the company wants to create an experience for festival -goers. The festival would take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to include a parade on Sunday. The attendance goals are: Friday 6,000- 7,000; Saturday 8,000-10,000; Sunday 5,000-6,000. Expenses would never exceed sponsorship dollars which are budgeted at $400,000. Two possible festival themes are River Jam and Sawmill Days. Genius of Fun Events - Woody McBride, event coordinator, indicated that he has done events in the St. Croix Valley for eight years and overall for 20 years. He would like to produce a downsized boutique type event that would be free, providing diverse and interesting attractions. City Council Meeting October 15, 2013 He can do it for $80,000. The event would be eco -friendly with a small footprint. He anticipates 4,000 attendance for Friday, 7,000 for Saturday, and fewer on Sunday. The event would be funded by beverage sales, parade fees, art and craft vendors, with soft costs (security, parking, fire and safety) donated by the City. He views himself more as a community organizer than a promoter. He reviewed the local and Minnesota bands that would be booked. The event would be called The Spirit of Stillwater. Mid-America Festivals Corporation - Jim Peterson, owner, introduced his staff and reviewed other events they produce, including Renaissance Festivals in four markets. The group has been in the entertainment business in Minnesota for 43 years. His group is sensitive to the expectations of local people and community organizations and would support local artisans. Activities could include local bands, a beer fest, bike run, parade, waterski show, a concert that would draw about 4,000 people with a $20 ticket, a strongman competition, wine and jazz festival, chess tournament, cupcake competition, and other family and kids' events. Sponsorships would likely generate $75,000, with the event bringing in about $200,000 income and about $100,000 in trade. They would cover extra soft costs for public safety. The event would be free except the concert, and would attract 20,000-40,000 people. It would be called River City Days. In response to a question from Councilmember Weidner, all three presenters stated that the City would own the name of the festival. Mayor Harycki recessed the meeting at 6:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Harycki called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, and Mayor Harycki Absent: Councilmember Polehna Staff present: City Administrator Hansen City Attorney Magnuson Fire Chief Glaser Police Chief Gannaway Public Works Director Sanders Finance Director Harrison Community Development Director Turnblad City Clerk Ward PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Harycki led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Page 2 of 6 City Council Meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 15, 2013 Possible approval of minutes of October 1, 2013 regular and recessed meeting minutes Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to approve the October 1, 2013 regular and recessed meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM James Cashman, 2022 Broadway Street North, a 32 -year resident, expressed concern about the mandatory wireless water meter being installed in his home. He feels having a pulse digital radiation device put inside their home is a violation of human rights because they are not as safe as they are portrayed to be. There should be an opt -out provision. On expressing his concerns, he felt the Water Board did not treat him fairly. City Attorney Magnuson stated that the issue of whether to grant an extension or opt -out provision is the Water Board's decision, not the Council's. He offered to speak to the Water Board to see if they could enact an opt -out provision. Councilmember Menikheim, liaison to Water Board, stated the Water Board made the decision to install the new meters after serious consideration and after coming to the conclusion that the radiation is minuscule and poses no danger. He believes the Water Board would welcome the opportunity to reconsider the requirement. STAFF REPORTS Fire Chief Glaser stated during Fire Prevention Week last week, firefighters visited over 1,000 students and culminated the week with a well -attended open house. CONSENT AGENDA Resolution 2013-170, directing payment of bills Resolution 2013-171, approval of 2012-2014 Labor Agreement with the Stillwater Firefighter's Association Resolution 2013-172, approving Minnesota Premises Permit for Lawful Gambling for Merrick, Inc., located at No Neck Tony's, 231 Myrtle Street E, Stillwater, MN Possible approval of utility bill adjustments Motion by Councilmember Weidner, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim, to adopt the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, and Mayor Harycki Nays: None PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. Page 3 of 6 City Council Meeting UNFINISHED BUSINESS October 15, 2013 Request by Corey Burstad on behalf of Stillwater Caves, LLC for TIF Assistance to redevelop the Joseph Wolf Block at and around 402 South Main Street Community Development Director Turnblad stated that there are three possible scenarios for concept approval: 1) grant 100% of the $1.15 million TIF assistance up -front; 2) partially up- front the TIF request and grant the balance pay-as-you-go; 3) grant 100% pay-as-you-go. The project is a strong candidate for TIF assistance because it meets many of the objectives of the City's TIF Policy. Staff believes that preservation of the block of buildings is not likely without TIF assistance, and recommends conceptual approval of a partial up -front payment of $575,000 based on using 50% up -front, 50% pay-as-you-go TIF. Staff would bring back a draft of a TIF assistance agreement for Council action. Troy Hoekstra, one of the developers, clarified that total construction costs will be $6.2 million, and that lending banks would prefer TIF to be 100% up -front. Mayor Harycki stated he is against 100% up -front TIF, and is not sure he supports 50% pay-as- you-go because this is a private venture. Councilmember Weidner expressed that he is not in favor of 100% up -front, but he agreed that it is in the City's best interest to save the buildings. He would like to have staff negotiate an amount of up -front TIF that is less than 50% to limit the risk to the City while allowing for the preservation of the buildings. Councilmember Menikheim concurred with Councilmember Weidner that he would like to reduce the risk to the City and direct staff to negotiate an agreement. He would like to see the hotel succeed and contribute to the revitalization of downtown, and would be comfortable granting concept approval. Councilmember Kozlowski agreed, adding that the building's circumstances are unique. Its preservation would be an appropriate use of TIF funds and he supports granting concept approval. Motion by Councilmember Weidner, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim, to grant concept approval and direct staff to negotiate with the developer to minimize the up -front payment and the total amount of TIF funds directed toward the project, and return to the Council for final approval. All in favor. NEW BUSINESS Possible Approval of Technology Reimbursement Policy for Planning and Heritage Preservation Commission members Community Development Director Turnblad reported that iPads have not been provided for the CPC and HPC Commission members, largely due to the desire to gain some experience with the Council iPad program first. The IT Department determined that it does not have the staff resources to support iPad setup and use for all 16 of those Commissioners, and also is concerned that damage and replacement costs could get out of control if the City were financially responsible for all of the iPads. Therefore, a draft iPad policy has been created to address these concerns. Under the proposed policy, the individual Commissioners would buy their own iPad (or tablet, or portable computer), the City would reimburse each Commissioner in the amount of Page 4 of 6 City Council Meeting October 15, 2013 $600 for the purchase, and the Commissioner would be responsible for operating, maintaining and replacing the device if damaged. Motion by Councilmember Kozlowski, seconded by Councilmember Weidner, to adopt Resolution 2013-173, approval of Technology Reimbursement Policy for Planning & Heritage Preservation Commission. Ayes: Councilmembers Menikheim, Kozlowski, Weidner, and Mayor Harycki Nays: None COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS Festival Discussion Follow -Up Councilmember Menikheim stated he is ready to make a decision on a festival producer, Councilmember Kozlowski pointed out that he is not yet ready to decide and be would like to hear from the other group that responded as well. He would like to hear more about how the community would be involved. Councilmember Weidner agreed that he too would like to hear from the fourth respondent, and ask additional questions of the presenters. He asked about the status of the City Event Coordinator position, and City Administrator Hansen responded that this position was put on hold. Councilmembers agreed they would like to hear from the fourth group and will send their additional questions for all presenters to Community Development Director Turnblad by Friday, October 18th, so they can be distributed to the presenters. Bike -Friendly Workshop Councilmember Menikheim reported that there is a bike -friendly workshop at the Stillwater Library on October 28 from 4-6 p.m. to seek input on the new bike trail. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Kozlowski, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. All in favor. 11 ATTEST: R►1J1�1J Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Page 5 of 6 City Council Meeting October 15, 2013 Resolution 2013-170, directing the payment of bills Resolution 2013-171, approval of 2012-2014 Labor Agreement with the Stillwater Firefighter's Association Resolution 2013-172, approving Minnesota Premises Permit for Lawful Gambling for Merrick, Inc. located at No Neck Tony's, 231 Myrtle Street E, Stillwater, MN Resolution 2013-173, approval of Technology Reimbursement Policy for Planning & Heritage Preservation Commission Page 6 of 6