City Council Notes-February 18, 2014

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2014 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.

John Petersburg, House Representative made a presentation to the Council regarding upcoming session. 

Some issues for this year

Sunday Liquor sales

Minimum wage

Anti -bullying bill

Public hearing bond issuance for South Central Human Relations Center.  Issue of bonds for maximum of 2.5 million

Resolution to support the MoveMN campaign.  Passed, but Councilman Dotson voting no.

Conditional use permit by Panda Express to allow second building on their lot, possible use of Aspen Dental.

County Board Notes-Feb. 11, 2014

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2014 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.

Senator Vickie Jensen

See Attached

·         Senator Jenson commented that it was important to her to bring back the county/state match with regard to infrastructure. She would like to see the amount increased to $2MM.

·         The B2B tax is a hot button for everyone and there is tremendous support to repeal it. The Senator did mention that if it is not done soon they will have to look for other sources for the money that this tax was to support.

·         I35 will undergo major work in our community 2014/2015. The Senator wants to make sure that the county is kept in the loop concerning access and material handling logistics.

Public Works Building Review

See Attached

·         Anita Benson presented Options 2 and 4 to the committee

o   Option 2 has a price of approximately $9.5MM.

§  This is a much larger facility and has more amenities.

§  This is the option that she is supporting.

o   Option 4 has a price of approximately $7MM.

§  This is a scaled back facility

§  It subsequently has fewer amenities. It has room for fewer vehicles than the original Hoffman facility.

§  According to Anita, the Task Force “whittled it down” to one of these two options with a preference for Option 4.

·         Tom Shae reported that the decision on the second appeal is “eminent”. He made inquiries to determine the meaning of eminent. Apparently a decision has been made and forwarded to “legal”. Once it clears that hurdle it will be expressed to the county. He had no idea how long that will take.

·         Commissioner Ebling presented that the Task Force really did not support an option as much as a price tag of $7MM.

·         There was concern that Option 4 does not meet the needs of the county with regard to room.

·         Others on the committee concurred and it was determine that the issue needs to go to Public Works to scale back the features of Option 2 to more closely fit the Option 4 price tag.

·         There is some concern that the county will get into the bonding process and then find out that the FEMA claim is approved. It was determined that it is more prudent to move along in the process using the 2015 lease expiration as a deadline.

·         There is also some concern in that some of the cost saving plans call for moving the building itself closer to the highway therefore limiting the amount of driveway. The city would like to add a retaining pond in that location. There was also some discussion by the Commissioners that the space nearest the highway might be better used for commercial development. 

City Council Notes: Feb. 4, 2014

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2014 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.

State Senator Vicki Jensen provided some pre-session information regarding bills she is authoring/sponsoring.  I have attached the handout she provided for the session. 

The Mayor spoke about his trip to DC for the state of the union address as a guest of Congressman Tim Walz.

The most exciting thing on the agenda was the permit request to hold a wedding reception in a hangar at the airport, there was some discussion on the topic regarding the city competing with private businesses for this kind of space or event.  The request was ultimately approved based upon the groom's status as a pilot and his ties to the airport. 

City Council Notes-Jan. 21, 2014

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2014 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.

Most of the meeting was a consent agenda issuing permit for routine gambling permits. Only concern on the consent agenda was a wedding reception schedule at the airport on May 17, 2014 was tabled until the next meeting.

The major item of the meeting was the approval of the new construction of a Kwik Trip on 26th and Landmark Drive.

-Concerns were the bike path/ side walk from Landmark to Cedar Avenue.  Who is going to maintain the bike path/walkway for snow removal and lawn care in the summer.  The land owners (Kwik Trip) will maintain the pathway from their property line to west to Cedar Avenue.

-The council also brought up a concern of public safety. The kids participating in sport activities at Manthe Park crossing 26th Street to Kwik Trip with no cross walk.  The cities position was citizens will have to travel west on the south side of 26yh street and cross 26th to the north on Cedar to access Kwik Trip.  Council concern was kids were going to cross 26th at the new left turn lane for a short cut to Kwik Trip.
Other major topic was the addition of 4 new propane tanks for Pirkl Gas Inc. off of Mineral Springs Road.

-Decision was to place four new 45,000 lbs. storage propane storage tanks on the property.

-Two of the 45,000 lbs. tanks will be installed that meet the city code and meet the requirements set by the Minnesota state  statute. Safety concerns were raised regarding the expansion of the two additional new 45,000 lbs. The business owner assured the council that Pirkl Gas has  gone above and beyond the state requirements for safety and is confident that the state will approve the additional  two 45,000 lbs. to be installed in the future on that site referred to above.

-Pirkl Gas is seeking State approval for the next two 45,000 lbs. tanks to be installed in the future.  Pirkl Gas will install the infrastructure (i.e. base concrete in nature and empty 45,000 lb. propane cylinders) for the two additional 45,000 tanks to be installed in the future.

County Board Notes-Jan. 7, 2014

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2014 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.

County Commissioners discussed the layout and organizational structure for a new position-Community Service Director (option) within public health. Commissioners are focused on not creating more mid-management layers and not adding more FTE's. There has been difficulty in finding qualified candidates that having the nursing education, as well as the administration background.

Commissioners discussed two grievances: one individual issue and another a group/union classification issue. 

Administrator Shea and Bill Effertz will be hosting a land values meeting with land owner lots (two or more) on Jan. 16th.  The purpose is to education land owners how property valuations are factored, as well as get land owner input.

City Council Notes-Jan. 7, 2014

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2014 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.

Building Inspection Report, 17 permits for new single family dwelling in 2013 versus 12 for 2012.

The only action item on the Agenda was to set hearing for Bond sale regarding South Central Human Relations Center.  The hearing is set for Tuesday February 4, 2014.

Meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm

County Settles with MnDOT on Hwy. 14 Turn Back

January 3, 2014 - 4:45 pm
Joint Statement by Steele and Waseca County Board of Commissioners
For further information contact:
Tom Shea, Steele County Administrator - 507-444-7431
Laura Elvebak, Waseca County Administrator - 507-835-0631

Steele, Waseca Counties Agree to MnDOT Agreement
Steele and Waseca County Boards voted today to approve the Settlement Agreement drafted by
the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) relating to old Highway 14* turn back
and presented to the Counties as a final agreement offer. The insistence of MnDOT that the
Counties accept substantive changes to the hand shake agreement of October 28th has eroded
the confidence and trust in the Counties working relationship with their transportation partner.

The Counties have experienced an unnecessary and burdensome process and strongly
encourage MnDOT to establish guidelines on the turn back system so that other counties do not
repeat the waste of time and resources Steele and Waseca Counties have to achieve this
resolution, a resolution which could have and should have been done 16 months ago.

Despite all of this, the Counties believe this agreement, while not perfect, is still in the best
interests of the citizens of the Counties. Further, in spite of this unfortunate process, Steele
and Waseca Counties are committed to restoring a mutually respectful working relationship
with MnDOT and pledge to work hard to re-store that trust between the counties and State of
Minnesota.

*Between the Waseca/Blue Earth County line and the City of Owatonna