City Council Notes-Nov. 5, 2012

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2012 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

1)  The first item was regarding the state theater demolition.  The costs were reviewed and approved.

2) The second item on the docket was a discussion over the charter franchise renewal.  The city administrator went over a very thorough review of the public hearings that were held regarding the public's concerns over charter.
She stated that the majority of the feedback was over concern for increased competition to moderate price as well as better service regarding our local cable.  There was also discussion about possible upgrades to counsel
chambers in order to attain better coverage of meetings.  It appears that should the franchise renewal occur, the term will be somewhere between 5 and 10 years.  All of the information regarding the charter decision will be placed
on the city web site and the public is able to read or make comments that will be taken under advisement before the next meeting.  The vote on whether to renew charter's franchise will occur at the November 20th, 2012 meeting.

3)  The third item discussed had to do with the mowing of nuisance weeds and grass.  Apparently there are a number of individuals who have not paid for the cost of nuisance weed removal and the proposal was to place the unpaid
portion on these individual's property taxes.  Motion approved.

4)  There was a motion and approval of seven judges her precinct this year for the election due to high potential voter turnout.

5)  There was a motion and approval to allow a 30 minute parking on the North side of East Broadway between Elm and Grove on election day in 2012; as well as in the future.
There was also discussion to make sure that Federated was notified 24 hours prior to each election.

6) There was a motion and approval for a permanent easement to allow the Cashman family to build a berm on city property near the airport.
The purpose of the berm would be to mitigate future flood issues and has no effect on any tangible cost or liability for the city of Owatonna.

7)  The labor agreement with MPEA (Minnesota public employees Association) was approved.

8) No Public Comments.  A few Council comments promoting voting on Tuesday.  Meeting adjourned.

Complete Hwy. 14

Completing the four-lane expansion of Highway 14 between Owatonna and Dodge Center is critical to our region’s economic success.  Not only does this dangerous stretch of road have a fatality rate nearly double the statewide average, but traffic volumes are expected to more than double by 2030.  Owatonna’s population and economy are growing, but employees’ ability to get to work and businesses’ ability to move their products and provide their services are being hampered by this insufficient two-lane road.

Four-lane expansion is needed to position Highway 14 for the future.  Right now, MnDOT is developing its 20-year state highway investment plan, which will establish the highway projects that will be funded in the next two decades.  We must ensure that Highway 14 is included in plan, or we risk the loss of additional lives and economic opportunity.   Please sign up here to receive updates on Highway 14 and learn about ways you can help get this project done!

http://ushighway14.com/sign-up-to-support-highway-14/

Council Notes: Oct. 16, 2012

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2012 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.



Public Hearing on 2012 Sewer and Street projects.  The interest rate will be lowered from 7% to around 3 ½% for outstanding balances.  The new interest rate will be 2% higher than the City’s cost of funds.  The City has been charging 7% interest on outstanding assessments but their cost of funds has been much lower. This change will more accurately reflect interest costs.

Ken Beck was recognized as Building Official.  Mr. Beck was in this position as temporary after the previous building official resigned.  Council and Mayor reported several positive comments they have received regarding building inspection department.

Second Reading on Ordinance 9-12, which allows OPU to be able to collect past due utility bills with property taxes.

$550,102 expenditures presented for approval, including $35,000 to Front Door realty for Hospital Sale Realty Fee.

Park & Rec budget meeting
City is looking to recover $640,000 for damaged trees at Brooktree Golf
Capital Improvement for 2013
Building Maintenance
Amount Requested  $102,000
Amount Recommended   $12,000 for Merrill Hall windows
Looking ahead for 2014 they are budgeting 1.1 million for the roof at City Hall

Park & Rec CIP
Amount Requested  $847,200
Amount Recommended  $43,000 (30k for Tennis Center, 10k Play Equipment, 3k Senior Place doors)

County Board Notes-Oct. 23, 2012

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2012 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

Human Service expenses for the month was $287,507.

SE MN Human Service Delivery Authority assessment is $25,453 this amount will be matched by the Bush Foundation.  This is the collaboration between counties to provide more streamline, more efficient services between counties in the area of human services.

Set a public hearing for the Bixby Sewer District fees for resident.  Administrator Shea stated it is not required by law but felt it was a good faith effort to inform residents what fees they will be charged.

Sheriff Lon Theile reported the capital improvements to the Law Enforcement Center in the areas of evident room and the radio system, new “Mug shot” inmate reporting system. He also reported finalizing the contract with the city of Medford for patrol services, the contract is 3 ½ % higher than the last contract.  The contract for Ellendale patrol services will be in place by the November County Board Meeting.  Both contracts need to be signed by county administrator, board chair and Sheriff.

Amended contract with Oak Glen Wind Farm.  Most of work is completed and has no outstanding deficiencies.

County Commissioner Candidate Forum

Steele County Commissioner candidates discussed a variety of topics like what their leadership would bring to the county, their stance on the Public Works facility, MnDOT negotiations with the Hwy. 14 turnback and their opinion on per diem/reimbursements for serving on the commission.

Candidates include:

•2nd District: Karen Docksey ★ Doug Johnson

•3rd District: Matt Durand ★ Mark Schultz

•4th District: James Ebeling ★ Roger Wacek

•5th: Nina Huntington

View a summary video here: http://youtu.be/TGqiXBrCUV4

VOTE November 6th!

Forum partners: Owatonna People's Press, Noon & Early Edition Rotary Clubs and the Owatonna Area 

Senate & House 24A Candidates Square Off

Senate candidates Vicki Jensen and Vern Swedin, as well as House 24A candidates Craig Brenden and John Petersburg shared their stance on working across the aisle, education funding (both K-12 and higher education), Last In First Out (LIFO) legislation, local government aid and business taxes.

VOTE November 6th!

Forum partners: Owatonna People's Press, Noon & Early Edition Rotary Clubs and the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

MnDOT's "dividing the pie" 20-year plan

Representatives from MnDOT walk local stakeholders through a "MnSHIP" meeting in Makato on Oct. 10th.  MnSHIP is the state highway investment plan, which also creates the 20-year capital plan.

Ryan Wilson, planning engineer for MnDOT presented
MnSHIP investment plan  discussion points
 based on "dividing the pie" differently in the
next 20-year plan that should be completed by May/June of 2013.

Stakeholders were presented the current status of the plan and how the resources are divided, then two options of investment in the next 20-year plan were given as launching points for discussion.  These were not final or even voting options, but a discussion starter so stakeholders could "walk in MnDOT's shoes" and see how difficult dividing the resources is on a limited $18M budget. 

MnDOT plans to gather stakeholder input at 9 regional meetings throughout the state before designing their draft of the 20-year plan for the 2013 legislature.

More investment for new roads, like Highway 14, was not presented as a possible option or discussion point. They are planning on using the funds to maintain what we currently have for roads, bridges, non-motorized transportation and Twin Cities mobility.

"I was disappointed.  It seems like they (MnDOT) just wanted us to give approval on what they've already done," stated Highway 14 President Les Abraham. "They're going to focus on maintaining instead of new roads."

Go to www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/statehighwayinvestmentplan for more information on MnSHIP.

Timeline for the 20-year plan:

End of October: complete public input

November: compile results for MnDOT leadership

Early December: set investment direction

January: districts compile 10-year project work plans

End of March: draft plan available for public review

April: public hearing on final plan

May/June: adopt final plan