City Council Notes-May 20, 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.

1. Demolition of houses on Lemond Road. The contract for demolition was awarded NOT to the lowest bidder rather to a contractor that has displayed good and faithful work practices in the past. A local contractor was the lowest bidder but has performed poorly in past contracts awarded with the city. Mark Wallbran , city attorney clarified this ruling under state law.

2. Airport work order: The estimates for engineering services has with Bolton and Menk engineering has come in $2,500 over budget for services. Troy Klecker reported that the bonding bill that recently passed in St. Paul will cover the immediate cost of repairs at the airport. Net cost to the city is zero.

3. A lot of discussion on residential variances. The planning and zoning committee will re-visit the setback limits on three and four season porches. Current set backs are 20 ft. form property line. Troy Klecker reported in recent years there has been an increase amount of requests for this variance. Council input stated to be careful in re-writing the variance to open up the opportunity for citizens to request building closer to their property line.

4. The council approved a pay increase for council members and the mayor. Last pay increase was in 1997. Minimal increase of $50.00 per month. And the mayor $100.00 per month. Council member Raney suggested having the charter commission evaluate future pay increase for the council to avoid a conflict of interest.

5. Repair road on Mineral Springs Road and put a bike path/trail extension on east side of road. A lot of decision on this topic. Council member Svenby noted he has been on the council for nine years and this project has been pushed back to the nest year for nine years. He voted to approve the repairs. The building inspector met with land owners and all of the land owners are not in favor of the repairs. The council vote was 3-2 vote. They need four votes for the resolution to pass. Council voted to table the vote to next meeting. One land owner expressed concern on the bike path on the east side of the road. That land owner opposed the bike trail, “stating that five houses will be impacted with the bike trail on the east side of the road and if the built trail is constructed on the west side of the road would only impact one land owner” Land owners concern bike path would be to close to the house and any screening (ie bushes , trees, fencing, etc.) would take even more of their land.

6. Gateway Apartment was given the go ahead to build a new apartment building in the vacant lot to the east of the existing gateway building. They are approved for tax increment financing (TIFF) with a payback structure to the city.

County Board Notes-May 13, 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.

There was much discussion on the Mathiowetz – Burnham Pit. Parties from both sides were very passionate about this case and in the end, the Commissioners voted to approve the pit. Mathiowetz has agreed to 25 additional conditions (above and beyond those required) in an effort to reduce the impact on the area residents.

County Board Notes-April 22, 2013

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.

General:

·         President’s Volunteer Service Awards given to Dave Purcell, Shirley Woodfill and Tom Carnaskus (I make no claims of  for >100 volunteer hours in 12 months

·         EMS week proclamation for May 18-24 – resolution approved

·         On sale liquor license for Spurgy’s Bar and Grill in Hope, MN – approved

·         Extensive discussion (public and Council) centered around a Conditional Use Permit request for Burke Firing Range to use their property in Blooming Prairie for civilian and Law Enforcement training. Approximately ten citizens from Blooming Prairie were present and voiced objections, mostly centered around safety. A motion to deny was presented and carried by the Council.

Land Use/Records:

·         Regional Rail Authority public hearing date set for May 13 at 7:30

Public Works

·         Continue environmental assessment on building project – on hold since 2012 – motion to proceed carried

·         Advertise for bids for striping 6” on eligible county highways (Federal Aid – Highway safety project) due May 22, 10am  – motion carried

·         Advertise for bids for 4” striping on remaining county highways and city of Owatonna due May 22, 11am – motion carried

o   Higher traffic roads get 6”, lower 4”, Public Works can provide maps

·         Spring parking lot sweeping awarded to Wolf and Sons $1580 – motion carried

·         Parking lot striping awarded to Seykora $3641 – motion carried

·         Purchase of skid loader attachment $12,701 from Bobcat of Mankato – motion carried

·         Professional Services Agreement – approve a not-to-exceed contract with Stolberg(?) Engineering- $159,730 for promotional service project for Kasa(?) 42 and Main St project in Blooming Prairie. Doug Johnson abstained from the vote because of a potential conflict – motion carried

·         Disposition of Excess Right of Way Easements Policy – policy approved

Committee of the Whole

·         Personnel report – carried

·         Ag Society Loan $100,000 draw on already approved loan – motion carried

·         Emergency Management Director Position – motion to remove tabled item from last meeting (resignation was withdrawn) – motion carried

·         Emergency Management Director Position – modified service delivery structure presented to Cmte of the Whole and arrangement discussed with Mike Johnson to continue as emergency director  reporting structure proposed. Board discussion – concern expressed in reporting relationship. Nina believes in emergency situations it’s appropriate, but has philosophical concern with the Board being administrative responsibility day to day. Will the Board be expected to do documentation, performance evaluations, etc.? In favor of concept, but wants duties and reporting worked out – motion carried

·         I-35 easement – relocation of utilities so I-35 bridge can be replaced – motion carried

·         Added agenda item – Drug Court MOU – motion to authorize Chair to sign – motion carried

City Council Notes-Aprl 15, 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.

We held a public hearing on the TIF district for Daikin Applied (McQuay) and passed the TIF modification.

We passed resolutions supporting Daiken and Jostens in their application for the MN Jobs Creation Fund for business expansion.

We had a hearing to address non-compliance issues with Charter Communications, the hearing was tabled until the next meeting.

We approved  a cooperative agreement with the county on doing some sanitary sewer repair on Dane Rd. to coincide with their repairs.

A proposed ordinance to increase setbacks on accessory structures was tabled to allow a meeting with the Planning Commission.

New polling places were designated for the primary election.

A contract was awarded for Boiler repair at the WWTP (treatment plant), unfortunately a local contractor was the low bidder but didn't fulfill all of the necessary requirements to win the bid. 

Authorization was approved to Bid this year's crack sealing. 


The public comment portion was used to discuss the proposed pay increase for the council and dissatisfaction with the City's efforts to bring in another cable TV provider. 

County Board Meeting Notes-April 8, 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.

Dangerous Dog Ordinance meeting set for May, 6^th, 2014

Authorize advertising for three or four bids for work to be done this summer,

Accepted bids on three projects to be done this summer.

Presentation and request for continued support and funding of the Steele County Humane society

Authorized the purchase of Veterans Service van and passed a resolution thanking Veteran groups for donations to purchase the van.

Employee actions where accepted except the resignation from Michael Johnson, Apparently he is not happy with some changes and has turned in a resignation, the board and administrator do not want him to go and are going to try and change his mind.

Most interesting item was the Conversation at the Committee of the whole on the future financial plan for the county.

Things of interest

• They have 7.5 million built into the plan as a place holder for a Public works building.
• We have about 20 years of service left with the landfill, conversation needs to begin on purchase of new land and or plans for a future landfill or contracting this out. 5-6 million in the next 5 years,
• A mention of a Criminal Justice center to be discussed in the next 10 years or so. Approx cost 15 million plus.
• Roofs are going to become an issue that needs attention in the next 5 years.

County Board Meeting: March 25, 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.

2 positions have been filled,  1 for Exec. Asst. Director of HR and Project Engineer

The South Central Human Relations Center has updated their renovation plans to remove a parking lot and are working on a refinance option.

They discussed the possibility of collaborating with OPU for some IT needs.

There was also discussions about standardizing some processes across departments to ensure continuity and uniformity across the departments.

They were presented with bids for farmland rental which they will likely approve at a rate of $503.00/acre if I understood it correctly.

Much of the meeting was a presentation on the pay equity/compensation study.  The study and report are not yet complete and they would like to do some tweaking to minimize employee appeals based upon the findings as this could open a can of worms with regard what employees are paid compared to other communities.  

City Council Meeting Notes-March 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.

Most of the meeting was a consent agenda but there was a fair amount of discussion on some street and utility improvement projects. A number of citizens expressed their opinion, some for and some against the projects. One was tabled till next meeting and one passed to order bids.

One of the major items of the meeting was the approval of the approval of the Assessment Rate to stay the same at $52.00 per linear foot.

They also approved replacement of the Heat Pump at the Waste Water Treatment Plant as well as a feasibility study for the Lemond Road Project.