HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-19 CC MINStiI1wki
The Birthplace of Minnesota
216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082
651-430-8800
www.ci.stillwater.mn.us
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
January 19, 2021
REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order via Zoom at 7:01 p.m.
Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker, Odebrecht and
Polehna
Absent: None
Staff present: City Administrator McCarty
City Attorney Land
City Clerk Wolf
Community Development Director Turnblad
Finance Director Provos
Fire Chief Glaser
Police Chief Mueller
Public Works Director Sanders
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The 34th Military Police Company led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance,
RECOGNITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS
Swearing in of Police Chief Brian Mueller
Mayor Kozlowski swore in Police Chief Mueller. Chief Mueller thanked the Council for
trusting him to lead the department.
34th Military Police Company Proclamation
Mayor Kozlowski read a proclamation recognizing the 34th Military Police Company for
their devotion to duty, and designating January 19, 2021 as 34th Military Police Company
Day.
Sustainable Stillwater - Complete Streets
Rick Heidick, 3557 White Pine Way, Vice Chair of Sustainable Stillwater, gave a presentation
on Complete Streets. Complete Streets is a Minnesota Statute regarding the planning,
scoping, design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of roads, in order to
reasonably address the safety and accessibility needs of users of all ages and abilities.
Complete Streets has been incorporated into the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDOT) policy as part of its "Minnesota GO Plan." Additionally, both the GreenSteps Cities
program and the Bicycle Friendly program recognize the need for cities to have a Complete
Streets policy. He provided a draft Complete Streets policy for Council consideration.
City Council Meeting January 19, 2021
Community Development Director Turnblad added that the City has already been moving
toward Complete Streets tasks with a number of initiatives. He and the Public Works
Director will review the proposed policy and bring back a recommendation to the Council.
OPEN FORUM
There were no public comments.
STAFF REPORTS
Public Works Director Sanders stated that the National Park Service provided a letter of
concurrence for the riverwalk and restoration project. After a letter of concurrence is
received from the State Historic Preservation Office, staff will apply for the permit from the
Corps of Engineers and work will begin this spring.
Police Chief Mueller updated the Council on mental health related calls, burglaries and
COVID cases.
Finance Director Provos notified the Council that the Assistant Finance Director will be
leaving to work for the City of Lake Elmo.
Community Development Director Turnblad summarized building permit and inspection
activity, which hit record levels in 2020.
CONSENT AGENDA
January 5, 2021 regular and recessed meeting minutes
Payment of Bills
Resolution 2021-014, a resolution adopting the North Aiple Park Plan
Resolution 2021-015, accepting Proposal and Awarding Contract to MK Mechanical for
Stillwater City Hall Boiler Replacement Project
Resolution 2021-016, resolution approving Additional Workhours for the
Manning/TH36 Interchange Project
Ordinance No. 1158, an Ordinance amending the Stillwater City Code Section 31-300
entitled Establishment of Districts by rezoning approximately nine acres to TR,
Traditional Residential (CPC Case No. 2020-54)
Resolution 2021-017, Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Lake McKusick Sediment
Removal Project (Project 2020-08)
Revised Itasca Marketing Agreement
Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adopt the Consent
Agenda. All in favor.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Enacting City Code Chapter 34 Utiliti j Commission - Ordinance 2nd Reading
City Administrator McCarty summarized comments by the Utilities Commissioners on their
review of the draft ordinance. There was discussion of whether to add to the current
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City Council Meeting January 19, 2021
ordinance language about education and communication to the community. Staff believes
that this is already covered in the catch-all phrase in Item 9, allowing the Commission to
perform such other functions concerning public utilities as the City Council may direct.
There also was discussion about other utilities, for example signs, lighting, storm sewer, and
parking. At this point staff recommends keeping the Utilities Commission focused on water
and sanitary sewer services.
Motion by Councilmember Junker, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adopt Ordinance
No. 1159, an Ordinance enacting Chapter 34 of the City Code of the City of Stillwater regarding
the Establishment of a Utilities Commission. All in favor.
Stillwater Events
a) COVID-19 Preparedness Plans Guidance: Requirements for Outdoor Non -Seated
Venues
City Administrator McCarty stated that the Governor issued another order reopening some
venues and activities. He led discussion of how the new order may impact City -approved
events. Staff recommends that all event approvals require event organizers to comply with
any Governor Executive Orders, and MDH and CDC guidelines issued related to COVID-19,
and that City staff develop COVID-19 Preparedness Plans for specific events, as may be
required by State COVID-19 Guidelines. Staff has made event organizers aware of this.
Mayor Kozlowski indicated that he understands the need to require that events have a
COVID plan, but the City should not be the interpreter of whether that plan adheres to every
guideline; and Mr. McCarty responded that the City's approach throughout the COVID
pandemic has always been to provide information, but not to be the enforcement arm - that
is State responsibility.
Councilmember Odebrecht asked if the City is accepting any liability by verifying that an
event has a preparedness plan. He added that the guidelines are very difficult to follow; and
City Attorney Land answered that each event must agree to certain terms and conditions,
including the commitment to adhere to their plan. If their plan were not in compliance with
the Governor's order, the City would not accept it. Adherence is the responsibility of the
organizer.
Councilmember Junker inquired if the Governor's order is expected to change after January
31; and Mr. McCarty replied he is not aware of any further planned changes at this point.
On a question by Councilmember Collins about the Fire and Ice event; Mr. McCarty
responded that Fire and Ice organizers have revised their COVID-19 preparedness plan to
meet the current guidelines.
b) Downtown Ice Rink Event Contract
City Clerk Wolf stated the Council approved the event at the last meeting. A COVID-19
preparedness plan has now been added into the contract, which is ready for Council
approval.
Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to approve the
Downtown Ice Rink License Agreement between the City of Stillwater, the Water Street Inn and
Summer Tuesdays. All in favor.
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City Council Meeting January 19, 2021
Councilmember Polehna stated the event organizer would like to use old hockey nets
available from the Rec Center.
Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to approve the
use of the old hockey nets from the Rec Center on the downtown ice rink. All in favor.
c) Frozen Flannel Outdoor Curling and Mini Spiel Event
City Clerk Wolf stated this event requires no contract, just event approval. The Water Street
Inn must adhere to both COVID-19 preparedness plans covering the hockey rink for public
skating, and to the requirements for outdoor non -seated venues. The Water Street Inn also
will have to adhere to the rules for their alcohol and food sales.
Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to approve the Frozen
Flannel Outdoor Curling and Mini Spiel Event. All in favor.
d) Zphyr Theatre Ice Maze
City Clerk Wolf stated this event is entirely on private property and does not require Council
approval, it is FYI only. Staff is granting an outdoor use permit extending from half to all of
their parking lot, but the liquor license area does not need to be extended because the
COVID-19 preparedness plan requires that customers be seated for alcohol service, which
is already approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Act Program Status
Community Development Director Turnblad informed the Council that since November, the
City has become ineligible for the Met Council Livable Communities Act program that
provides grant money. This is due to three issues: 1) the Metropolitan Council, in approving
the Comprehensive Plan amendment related to Central Commons, required the City to
update its affordable housing goal by 14 more units; 2) all cities in the Metropolitan Area
are now required to commit to reaching half of their affordable housing goals by 2020,
however the existing 2040 Comprehensive Plans gave each city until 2030 to meet their
housing goals. The number of affordable units was increased by the Met Council; and
3) effective June 1, 2021, if any city in the metro area has not adopted a Housing Action Plan
(policy), it will become ineligible for the LCA Program. The City's Comprehensive Plan
identified June of 2022 as the adoption date for a Housing Action Plan. Stillwater has not
made a commitment to adopt these changes, and therefore has lost eligibility for the LCA
Program, which is little -used by Stillwater. Staff recommends continuing with the work plan
to adopt a Housing Action Plan in 2022 and to pursue re -instating LCA Program eligibility
subsequent to that. The Housing Action Plan will take a big effort over a year. Discussion
will begin at the Council's next workshop.
Mayor Kozlowski agreed that affordable housing is needed, but questioned whether the City
has the tools necessary to influence the number of affordable housing units available.
COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS
There were no Council request items.
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City Council Meeting
January 19, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adjourn. All in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Ted l<ozlowski, Mayor
ATTEST:
ci,edg/7
Beth Wolf, City Cler
Resolution 2021-014, a resolution adopting the North Aiple Park Plan
Resolution 2021-015, accepting Proposal and Awarding Contract to MK Mechanical
for Stillwater City Hall Boiler Replacement Project
Resolution 2021-016, resolution approving Additional Workhours for the
Manning/TH36 Interchange Project
Resolution 2021-017, Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Lake McKusick
Sediment Removal Project (Project 2020-08)
Ordinance No. 1158, an Ordinance amending the Stillwater City Code Section 31-300
entitled Establishment of Districts by rezoning approximately nine acres to TR,
Traditional Residential (CPC Case No. 2020-54)
Ordinance No. 1159, an Ordinance enacting Chapter 34 of the City Code of the City of
Stillwater regarding the Establishment of a Utilities Commission
Page 5 of 5