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

County Meeting Notes: Dec. 17, 2013

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2013 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.

• Approved purchase of new loader. 
• Approved Hwy 14 turn back settlement, more info to come Thursday(settlement release)
• 800 Mhz radio is conversion nearing completion, total cost around 2.5 million, Will also need fulltime county sheriff to service and operate.
• Approved levy of 2.44% increase or $20,435,170,
• Approved budget of 8.30% increase or $ 45,739,990
• Asked why with new moneys they still had increase in the levy,  Answer health care increases and the increase in wheelage tax was dedicated to the roads.(more documentation at meeting Thursday.)

County Board Notes-November 26, 2013

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2013 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.

• Finance Department – Proposed a 2.44% Levy & 8.28% Overall Budget Increase for 2014
• Human Services – Hiring additional staff to handle workload
• Sheriff – Want to add a Sergeant to be the Radio System Manager for the  800 MHZ system for $66,000.00. So far the 800 MHZ system has cost the county just under 2.5 Million
• Court Appointed Attorney’s – Cost has increased because of a change in the system. They used to contract with one Attorney, but now use a “pool” of Attorney’s.
• Wheelage Tax – They are going to use this money for road improvements rather than tax reductions. #310,000.00
• Capital Budget Improvements – Looking to use $214,000.00 from Reserves & $440,000.00 from Budget for a total of $653,961.00.
• Visitor Phone Upgrades at Detention Center – They are looking to spend $63,000.00 to upgrade Visitor Phones at Detention Center to utilize SKYPE. This will also allow them to record conversations.
• All budgets have gone through Policy Committee’s
• Quick Claim Deed – The County is going to quick claim deed some right of way to 4 business located across from Grace’s Restaurant to the City so these businesses can get clear titles to their property
• Strategic Plan – They discussed their Strategic Plan a bit without detail and we can request a copy if we would like one.

City Council Notes-November 19, 2013

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2013 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.

Tax Increment Financing District 3-6.  Modification to add another parcel of property that is owned by Viracon to TIF District 3-6.

Building permits for 2013, through October 31.  There were 11 permits for single family dwellings issued.  In 2012 we had 10.

New liquor license for Bump’s Bar (Carol Gowland) at the former Reno’s bar site on 18^th Street.

Owatonna Public Utilities Commission.  Request by OPU to increase the pay per month for the OPU commissioners.  Original request was for an additional $100.00 per month.  Council voted 5-2 to increase by $25 per month to new monthly amount of $125.  Previously the pay rate was $100 per month.  Budget impact for OPU will be about $1500 per year.

MN DOT office of Aeronautics grant purchase for John Deere Gator for airport use.  Total cost of $16300 of which $5433 will be paid by Owatonna.

Council Hearing for City Budget for 2014, hearing at Council Chambers before next Council meeting on December 3, at 6pm.  The budget will be adopted on December 17^th Council Meeting.

Adjourn 7:20 pm