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Home My WebLink About2019-07-30 CC MIN Sti 1(water 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 TheBirt��inn www.ci.stillwater.mn.us CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES July 30, 2019 REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins,Junker,Weidner and Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator McCarty Attorney Peter Mikhail Community Development Director Turnblad Police Chief Gannaway Fire Chief Glaser Public Works Director Sanders Finance Director Provos City Clerk Wolf PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PETITIONS, INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS&COMMENDATIONS Proclamation: Stillwater High School Boys Golf Team State Champion Golfer Brock Winter Mayor Kozlowski read a proclamation designating July 31, 2019 Brock Winter Day. He congratulated SAHS Senior Brock Winter on his accomplishments as the Class AAA Individual State Golf Champion, the first in Stillwater history. Mr. Winter expressed his appreciation. Community Thread Budget Request- Sally Anderson, Executive Director Sally Anderson,Community Thread Executive Director,reviewed the nonprofit's impact and future plans. She requested a general operating grant of$16,000 for 2020. Youth Service Bureau Budget Request- Robert Sherman. Executive Director There was no representative from the Youth Service Bureau in attendance. Washington County Historical Society Budget Request- Brent Peterson. Executive Director Brent Peterson, Washington County Historical Society Executive Director, requested an operating grant of$5,000 for 2020, and a capital funding grant of$250,000 over five years to help create the Washington County Heritage Center on South Greeley Street.He explained the Society's programs and plans for the Heritage Center. Councilmember Junker asked if the old Warden's House will be closed; and Mr. Peterson replied that when the new facility is opened,the Wardens House may be closed for a year to do repairs and clean-up. City Council Meeting July 30, 2019 Comprehensive Financial Report Audit Review- Chris Knopik. ClifftonLarsonAllen Chris Knopik, ClifftonLarsonAllen, presented the 2018 audit,which revealed no findings or compliance issues. OPEN FORUM Mary Russell, 921 North Second Street,spoke in support of choosing HKGi to do the parking capacity study.She asked that the study look at the sustainability aspects of cars,permeable surfaces, and the possibility of fewer spaces for cars and more spaces for people. Cameron Murray, 350 Main Street North,thanked the council for increased street sweeping. He showed an example of smoking stations that could be mounted on city-owned posts and near parking lots. Sustainable Stillwater volunteers have agreed to empty them. He also commended The Locals and the City on the clean-up after Lumberjack Days. He has been stenciling signs on storm drains saying"No dumping- drains to river" and has a few left to do. Autumn, St. Paul (no last name stated), showed a presentation about her cousin Ralph Bell, who went missing December 20,2018,and was found dead March 22,2019 in Roseville.She stated Mr. Bell's family and friends conducted 95% of the searches for him. Mr. Bell's family would like the police to reopen the case. She asked what is the protocol for a missing person report. Police Chief Gannaway responded that the police gather information, search as needed and investigate as needed. Nicole Holliday, Minneapolis, stated she is a business owner and activist for people of color. She is seeking to raise awareness and improve the handling of future cases involving people of color. She questioned what City leaders are doing to locate Mr. Bell's murderer(s). She stated Minnesota statutes indicate there should be protocol in place immediately on a missing person, however in Mr. Bell's case, at some point in time an officer stated they had to wait. Police Chief Gannaway stated staff will review the policies. Nicole further expressed concern that criminals across Minnesota now know where they can commit crime, especially if it concerns a person of color. She stated the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states that suicide by stabbing accounts for only 1.6-3% of all suicides that are successful. She feels it is negligent for anyone to be satisfied with the conclusion that this case was suicide. She believes the police gave up on Mr. Bell right away and didn't take the time to look for him.She suggested that the City start a fund for his family. Austin Wiley, St. Paul, Mr. Bell's cousin, asked how differently the case would be handled if it was a child of a City official. Jason Taylor, St. Paul, Mr. Bell's cousin, stated that his family was treated disrespectfully especially in regard to the search efforts. STAFF REPORTS Police Chief Gannaway informed the Council that Lumberjack Days was fairly uneventful. He reminded the Council of Night to Unite on August 6. Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting July 30, 2019 Fire Chief Glaser reported that the Washington County Fair is this weekend. City Clerk Wolf reminded the Council of the boards and commissions picnic August 22, and the next council meeting which will start at 3:00 p.m.August 20. Community Development Director Turnblad reported that the draft work plan for the GreenStep Cities program is almost complete. CONSENT AGENDA July 16, 2019 regular, recessed and closed session meeting minutes Payment of Bills Bagpipes and Bonfires Event and Temporary Liquor License Rivertown Art Festival Event, Contract and Temporary Liquor License Resolution 2019-084,Approving the State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government Grant Contract Resolution 2019-085,Approving the State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government Grant Contract Approve Stipulation Regarding Quick Take and Lease for Shorty's Purchase of Sun Control Window Film Mayor Kozlowski noted that the item,Approve Stipulation Regarding Quick Take and Lease for Shorty's, should be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Attorney Mikhail added that the reason is that at the last minute the deal fell apart. Motion by Councilmember Weidner, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adopt the Consent Agenda as amended.All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Bakertilly Sewer Rate Study Patty Kettles, Director, Bakertilly, presented an analysis of the City's current sewer utility rates and fee structure. The Sewer Fund's operating and net income has been negative in each of the past four fiscal years with fiscal year 2019 projecting a net loss of ($422,338). The Sewer Fund has not had a cash balance since 2016; it has borrowed money other City funds. The goal is to fund operations, fund capital, repay the three years of internally borrowed fund, and eventually fund a reserve. 15% is the recommended rate increase for 2020 and 2021. Councilmember Junker asked if rate increases only during capital outlay years are preferable to a gradual increase each year. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting July 30, 2019 Ms. Kettles stated they recommend a gradual rate increase if possible,but currently there is no money in the fund. Normally, a 3% rate increase should be able to cover capital outlay projects. Councilmember Weidner asked if some communities use automatic increases that mirror the Met Council rate increases. Ms. Kettles replied that some communities use annual increases to offset the Met Council rates. Finance Director Provos added that in the past, the City has raised its rates to match the dollar amount of the Met Council rate hikes, but not the percentage of the rate hike. City Administrator McCarty stated that during budget discussions, the Council can choose an option that seems like the best path to stay in the black rather than the red over time. Parking Capacity Study Consultant Selection Community Development Director Turnblad stated that two proposals were received for the Downtown Parking Capacity Study, whose goal is to find ways to maximize use of the existing parking system. Proposals were received from the Hoisington Koegler Group (HKGi), $25,000, and from Stantec, $78,000. The Downtown Parking Commission and staff recommend HKGi. Mayor Kozlowski asked that a reminder be sent out to the community about the parking rules. Mr. Turnblad replied a reminder could be published in the City newsletter. Staff will bring back a contract with HKGi for action at the next meeting. Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to authorize staff to draft a contract with HKGi for the Downtown Parking Capacity Study.All in favor. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS There were no Council request items. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. Ted Kozlowski, Mayor ATTEST: Beth Wolf, City Clerk Resolution 2019-084,Approving the State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government Grant Contract Resolution 2019-085,Approving the State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government Grant Contract Page 4 of 4