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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-03 CC MIN Changed from 2016-08-02 due to Night to Unite 1 lwater TNF IINTNâ–șLEGE Of MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 3, 2016 REGULAR MEETING 3:30 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Polehna Absent: Councilmember Weidner Staff present: City Administrator McCarty City Attorney Magnuson Community Development Director Turnblad Finance Director Harrison Public Works Director Sanders Police Chief Gannaway Fire Chief Glaser City Clerk Ward Administration Secretary Manos OTHER BUSINESS Discussion with Library Board Library Board and staff members introduced themselves: Lynne Bertalmio, Director, Library Board members Brandon Otte (Trustee), Mike Keliher (President), Maureen Bell (Vice President), Mary Richie (Trustee), Gregg Carlsen, (Trustee), Kathy Stark (Trustee). Library Board President Mike Keliher led discussion of the Library's 2014-2017 strategic plan and its primary goals of maximizing use of the building,refining the staffing plan, and expanding community outreach and partnerships. Maureen Bell, Board Vice President, reported the history of the library and how it fits into the county and state library system. She explained the maintenance of effort requirement, which is the minimum level of operating support needed for the library to participate in regional public library services. The amount of maintenance of effort is determined by a state formula that is calculated annually. Maintenance of effort ensures that federal and state funding is used to enhance services,not to replace local funding. She added that the Library Board is grateful for the City funding the library 24% more than the maintenance of effort requirement, which is about average for libraries in the metro area. Lynne Bertalmio, Director, reviewed the strategic plan goal to develop closer partnerships with community organizations. The Stillwater Public Library is fortunate to have both a Friends group and a Foundation, both independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations with their own boards, bylaws, and goals. She pointed out how each group benefits the library. Mary Richie, Trustee and member of the Finance Committee, presented information describing 2015 expenditures and revenues. She noted that the reason there are accounts under City control City Council Meeting August 3, 2016 is that up until 10 years ago there was no Foundation, so donations were handled through the City. She continued that the Foundation established a new $25,000 endowment and will work on finding other donors who would be interested in an endowment. Additionally, all the gross revenue from renting the event space comes directly to the library and the cost for the event coordinator is borne by the Foundation. Councilmember Menikheim commented that, as a Library Board member, he has known of all the different funds, but has never seen them presented in this way before. Councilmember Junker remarked that he would like to see statistics on the number of users, because he keeps hearing that libraries across the country are becoming obsolete. Ms. Bertalmio responded that from January through June, circulation (the number of things checked out) is up: 304,000 physical items were checked out last year, however downloads also are growing. Councilmember Polehna spoke to the need to improve communication between the library and City administration. He also is bothered by the fact that residents of other communities use the library at no cost while Stillwater taxpayers bear the burden of funding the library. Mr. Keliher explained that participation in the Washington County library system gives users access to many materials that the Stillwater Public Library cannot afford to buy, so some benefit is derived from county taxes. Mayor Kozlowski stated he would welcome any information from the Library to justify the dollars that are going out; and City Administrator McCarty pointed out that more information will be presented during the budget discussions this year. Ms. Stark reminded the Council that one of the main goals of the current strategic plan is to enhance City/Library collaboration and understanding. Mayor Kozlowski spoke to the differences in the amount of detail provided by City departments at budgeting time, versus the amount of detail provided by the Library. He feels the Council should be given more details so they will know the City is doing a good job of managing constituents' tax dollars. Mr. Keliher agreed there is room for improvement with regard to the level of detail provided. He clarified that there is a difference between the maintenance of effort amount, and the true baseline for library operations; he would not want the maintenance of effort amount to be seen as the bare minimum it would take to keep the library open. Councilmember Polehna added that he receives lots of complaint emails about events being held at the library. He stated it would be nice to know what is being done to correct the situation. Mayor Kozlowski agreed that he would prefer not to get any more complaints. He noted for example that if the City were to sell the library and turn it into an event space, it would require a vote, and if someone buys a house next door and wants to turn it into a bed & breakfast or an event space, it requires a vote and a variance. He feels that the City basically turned the library into an event space, but did not do the public hearings nor the notifications that would typically be done in any other part of the City. He asked library leaders to do whatever is possible to remedy the neighbors' concerns. Councilmember Polehna informed the audience that previous councils pushed the library into coming up with more revenues to fund the operation. Community Agencies Budget Requests Sally Anderson, Executive Director of Community Thread, explained the history and services of Community Thread. She requested a donation of$16,000 from the City to support programming. Page 2 of 7 City Council Meeting August 3, 2016 Bob Sherman, Executive Director of Youth Service Bureau, reviewed the programs provided by Youth Service Bureau. He requested a donation of$10,000 for general operating expenses. Brent Peterson, Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society, provided an overview of the organization's history and offerings. He requested a grant of $7,500 for the organization. Erin McQuay, The Locals, and Dave Ratte, Lumberjack Days Parade Coordinator, presented a request for funding of$12,000 to sponsor the 2017 parade. Request for Historic District Sign on new St. Croix Crossing Bridge - Corey Buettner Corey Buettner, Leo's Grill and Malt Shop, and Christie Rosckes, Stillwater Convention and Visitors Bureau, requested the City's help getting a brown tourist sign installed on the new river crossing directing drivers to the downtown historic district. Mr. Buettner stated, per MnDOT, a green sign with white lettering is planned to state"Downtown Stillwater Next Right."They would like to work with MnDOT to add a brown "Historic District" tourist sign above the green sign. However, the City must apply for the brown tourist/recreation sign and he cost of the two signs, one in each direction, would be $6,000. If requested after the bridge is done,the cost would go up to $9,000, due to traffic control needed to install it after bridge opening. The process will include an appeal to MnDOT's external sign variance committee which meets every six months. Mr. Buettner stated he will work with City staff to submit the application. Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to direct staff to apply to get an historic district sign for the new bridge. All in favor. Discussion on Stillwater Collision City Attorney Magnuson reviewed the history of a lawsuit brought by the City against Stillwater Collision in 2000. He reviewed the requirements of the resulting mediation agreement and the Special Use Permit, and informed the Council that none of the conditions of either have been met. Mr. Magnuson stated that the two approaches are 1) to send a notice to Stillwater Collision requiring them to comply with the conditions by a certain date, or face revocation of the permit (which would not deal with the paint booth,for which a permit was issued in 1977); or 2)to notify Stillwater Collision that their SUP and the paint booth permit will be revoked because it has turned into a public nuisance. Councilmember Junker stated that there are clear remedies for the six unmet conditions of the SUP, but no clear solution to the paint booth situation. The business owner needs to know what he is being told to do. Mr. Magnuson replied that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has stated that they do not need to regulate the paint booth, however a lot of neighbors object to it and claim serious interference with the private use and enjoyment of their property. Councilmember Polehna noted that the City also should expect the business to meet all Washington County and MPCA guidelines for their hazardous waste. Mayor Kozlowski stated he would like the notification to be sent allowing the business owner to state their case at a Council meeting. Motion by Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim, to follow the recommendation of the City Attorney to send a letter to Stillwater Collision, giving them until the second meeting in Page 3 of 7 City Council Meeting August 3, 2016 September to meet all requirements of their permit, that would include MPCA and Washington County Hazardous waste requirements. All in favor. STAFF REPORTS Police Chief Gannaway reported that Night to Unite last night went well. There were about 15 block parties. Community Development Director Turnblad told the Council that a contract has been signed for the consultant to begin the study on short term vacation rental properties, and the first meeting is scheduled for either Friday or Monday. Public Works Director Sanders stated he had spoken to Terry Zoller from MnDOT regarding the idea of relocating a bridge segment to Bridgeview Park, as brought up at the last meeting by Councilman Junker. He learned that MnDOT does not own this bridge segment-it is owned either by the general contractor or the concrete subcontractor, so the City would have to see if the owner would be willing to donate it to the City. He added that Mr. Zoller stated MnDOT probably would not pay to have it moved. Also, because Bridgeview Park is in the floodplain overlay district, placement of the segment there would probably require approval from the Heritage Preservation Commission. He questioned whether its placement could jeopardize the area's designation as a historical site and therefore jeopardize funding for improvements on the site. Mr. Sanders noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission did not think the bridge segment would be best suited for this park property and sought more information on cost and exact location. Mayor Kozlowski remarked he would like to know options for removing the segment if it does not work out. He loves the idea that park users could see the structure, but he is concerned about weeds and graffiti. Councilmember Junker commented that Mr. Sanders' report conflicts with his initial contact with Terry Zoller, in which he understood MnDOT would move the structure to Bridgeview Park and only wanted help controlling traffic when they move it. He added that he had brought the idea to the Downtown Plan team members, who felt it would be preserving history to keep the bridge segment downtown, so that in 50 or 100 years, park visitors would be able to see how the bridge was built. Public Works Director Sanders stated he believes the contractor would move it, not MnDOT. He also expressed concern that digging the foundation for the structure could disturb the archaeological integrity of the area. Councilmember Junker asked that the issue be kept open and Mr. Sanders agreed to follow up. Finance Director Harrison reported that budget requests from all departments have been submitted, which together would result in a 9% increase in the operating levy. Staff is looking at how to reduce that to a more acceptable rate and will put together the final proposed budget for the Council next week. The first budget meeting is August 16 at 3:30 p.m. City Administrator McCarty reminded the Council of the annual boards and commissions picnic August 17 at Pioneer Park. He added that the installation of the Pedal MN Bike Tune-up station on McKusick and Owen was completed this week. RECESS Mayor Kozlowski recessed the meeting at 6:12 p.m. Page 4 of 7 City Council Meeting August 3, 2016 RECESSED MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Polehna Absent: Councilmember Weidner Staff present: City Administrator McCarty City Attorney Magnuson Community Development Director Turnblad Public Works Director Sanders Police Chief Gannaway Fire Chief Glaser City Clerk Ward PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of July 19, 2016 regular meeting minutes Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve the July 19, 2016 regular meeting minutes. All in favor. OPEN FORUM Mike Robinson, 801 Pine Street West, provided names of rogue lodging operators in the City along with information on taxation and City regulations on the collection of lodging taxes. He feels the City has suspended the collection of lodging taxes for a certain group of individuals running rogue lodging in residential districts. CONSENT AGENDA Resolution 2016-150, directing the payment of bills Resolution 2016-151, approving the purchase of Microsoft licenses and authorizing the City Administrator and City Clerk to execute agreement Resolution 2016-152, approving salary schedule for seasonal Parking Lot Attendants Resolution 2016-153, granting license to Elevage Hotel Group, LLC & Stillwater Caves, LLC for the operation of valet stations on South Main Street Possible Purchase of New Hook/Plow Truck Resolution 2016-154, appointing member to Human Rights Commission Motion by Councilmember Menikheim, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Polehna Nays: None PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. Page 5 of 7 City Council Meeting August 3, 2016 UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Discussion on Stillwater Log Run City Administrator McCarty stated staff will advise organizers of the proposed annual Stillwater Log Run of some of the issues from last year. The event will be before the Council in two weeks. The Locals request to renew Lumberjack Days contract for three year term 2017-2019 City Administrator McCarty asked that the Council direct staff to work with The Locals to develop updated language and bring the proposed three-year agreement back for formal approval. He added that this year's event went well despite flooding in Lowell Park. Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Menikheim,to directed staff to work with The Locals to develop an updated contract with an annual review for Lumberjack Days for 2017- 2019. Ayes: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Polehna Nays: None Possible approval of first reading of ordinance for opt-out of Temporary Healthcare Dwellings law Community Development Director Turnblad reviewed the proposed ordinance which memorializes the City's decision to opt out of a Minnesota Statute concerning temporary family healthcare dwellings. Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna,to approve the first reading of an Ordinance opting-out of the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.3593. Ayes: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Polehna Nays: None COMMUNICATIONS/REQUESTS Letter on Fire Department response - Wes and Susan Cochrane Fire Chief Glaser shared a letter of thanks received from victims of a fire caused by a lightning strike on Norrell Avenue North. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS There were no Council request items. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. All in favor. 11110111111W Ted-zlowski, Mayor Page 6 of 7 City Council Meeting August 3, 2016 ATTEST: e2aee-0 Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2016-150, directing the payment of bills Resolution 2016-151, resolution approving the purchase of Microsoft licenses and authorizing the City Administrator and City Clerk to execute agreement Resolution 2016-152, approving salary schedule for seasonal Parking Lot Attendants Resolution 2016-153, resolution granting license to Elevage Hotel Group, LLC & Stillwater Caves, LLC for the operation of valet stations on South Main Street Resolution 2016-154, appointing member to Human Rights Commission Page 7 of 7