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01-24-22 CC Reg Mtg MinutesCITY OF SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2022 MINUTES 1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. Mayor Labadie called the meeting to order at 7:06 P.M. and explained that the meeting was being held electronically and all votes would be taken by roll call. A. Roll Call Present. Mayor Labadie; Councilmembers Johnson, Siakel, Gorham, and Callies; City Attorney Shepherd; City Administrator Lerud; City Clerk/HR Director Thone; Finance Director Rigdon; Planning Director Darling; Park and Recreation Director Grout; Director of Public Works Brown; and, City Engineer Budde Absent: None B. Review Agenda Gorham moved, Johnson seconded, approving the agenda, as presented. Roll Call Vote: Johnson, Siakel, Callies, Gorham, Labadie voted Aye. Motion passed. 2. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Labadie reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda. Johnson moved, Siakel seconded, Approving the Motions Contained on the Consent Agenda and Adopting the Resolutions Therein. A. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of January 10, 2022 B. Approval of the Verified Claims List C. Permanent Appointment of Miechelle Norman D. Approve DNR Delegation Agreement, Adopting RESOLUTION NO.22-010, "A Resolution Approving Delegation Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for AIS Inspection at the Christmas Lake Public Access." E. Accept Greg Fasching's Resignation and Approve Advertising and Recruitment for LEO Position Roll Call Vote: Johnson, Siakel, Callies, Gorham, Labadie voted Aye. Motion passed. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2022 Page 2 of 6 Kristine Sanschagrin 27725 Island View Road, shared comments on the work session that was held prior to this meeting. She noted her disappointment that the Council did not acknowledge Mr. Larson for writing the letter to the editor and explained that she was disappointed in the type of discussion that was held. She thanked Councilmember Gorham for dissenting and questioning what occurred. She thanked Hauser and Mr. Dinsmore for raising questions about what has occurred in the past and how the Council and staff should be held responsible for their actions. She stated that she knows a lot about neonicotinoids and feels there should be an open discussion about them and why it is such an important discussion for the environment. She shared examples of people in her circle that have dealt with cancer and noted that toxins in the environment are problematic for the health of the community. She stated that she would like there to be the ability for a citizen to participate in the work session discussions which there was not the case at tonight's work session meeting. She encouraged the Council to do the right thing and not just the bare minimum. Mayor Labadie noted that there were no votes taken at the work session, so Councilmember Gorham did not 'dissent', but simply stated comments for the record. 4. PUBLIC HEARING 5. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS A. Brian Tholen, Chief of South Lake Minnetonka Police Department Brian Tholen, Chief of South Lake Minnetonka Police Department introduced himself and explained that he is honored to be the new Chief. He gave a brief presentation that reviewed his background and experience and noted that he has been impressed with what he has seen within the department so far. He stated that there are things that they can improve, but as a whole the department is solid. He stated that he is planning to continue the excellent work that Chief Meehan did in the past. He shared some priorities, such as: getting to know the officers and operations; listen to resident concerns and what it means for them to feel safe in their community; determine current practices that are working, and which ones are not; focus on officer wellness; and encourage proactive policing. He noted that they are fully staff with well trained, energetic officers. He stated that they are planning to keep residents updated via social media and thanked the Council for their continued support. Mayor Labadie asked how residents can follow the department on social media. Chief Tholen stated that the most active ones are their Instagram and Facebook accounts. The Council extended their welcome to Chief Tholen as the 'Hometown Chief'. 6. PARKS 7. PLANNING 8. ENGINEERING/PUBLIC WORKS 9. GENERAL/NEW BUSINESS A. City Council Salaries CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2022 Page 3 of 6 City Administrator Lerud explained that at the January 10, 2022 City Council meeting, the Council reviewed salaries for Mayor and Councilmembers. The Council then directed staff to prepare an ordinance to increase the Mayor's annual salary to $6,300 and the Council's to $4,800 which would be effective January 1, 2023. Mayor Labadie stated that she thought part of the discussion was also to set up a timeline for review of the salaries in the future. City Administrator Lerud stated that would be put on the January agenda every four years, as discussed. Siakel moved, Callies seconded, Adopting ORDINANCE NO. 585, "An Ordinance Amending Chapter 105 of the Shorewood City Code Relating to Salaries for the Mayor and City Council." Councilmember Gorham stated that he does not want to seem insensitive to people who may be struggling because of COVID. He stated that he does not feel the salaries are egregiously low and thinks increasing them can wait a bit longer. Roll Call Vote: Johnson, Siakel, Callies, Labadie voted Aye. Gorham voted Nay. Motion passed 4-1. 10. STAFF AND COUNCIL REPORTS A. Administrator and Staff 1. Fourth Quarter 2021 Investment Report Finance Director Rigdon gave a brief overview of the Fourth Quarter 2021 Investment Report. He reviewed the objectives of the policy for investment activities including safety, liquidity, and yield, but noted that yield is a secondary concern. He noted that the City has a stricter policy than what is demanding by the State. He explained that the portfolio at the end of 2021 was at about thirteen point two million dollars and reviewed the average maturity, yield, and income from the investments. 2. 2022 Commission Applications Update City Clerk/HR Director Thone explained that staff is looking for direction on the scheduling of the interviews for the openings on the Commissions with terms that begin March 1, 2022. She stated that there have been nine applications received for the openings. She noted that typically these types of interviews have taken place at a work session prior to a regular Council meeting, however, there was some discussion at the last meeting that sometimes the created a feeling of being rushed. She stated that staff would like to know if the full Council would like to interview the applicants or direct the Personnel Committee to conduct the interviews and make a recommendation to the Council. Mayor Labadie asked if the Council would like to conduct the interviews on February 14, 2022 or turn the initial interviews over to the Personnel Committee. Councilmember Siakel stated that she believes there is another alternative which would be to pick another date to hold the interviews. Mayor Labadie agreed that would be an option and explained that she would not be opposed to it. CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2022 Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Johnson noted that February 14, 2022 is Valentine's Day. The Council discussed the options for interviewing candidates for the commissions. City Administrator Lerud noted that if there were to be more than two Councilmembers present at the interviews, it will need to be noticed as a special meeting to comply with open meeting laws. There was consensus to have the Personnel Committee conduct the initial interviews. City Clerk/HR Director Thone stated that she will send Google Calendar information to Councilmembers Callies and Gorham and get the interviews scheduled. Other Park and Recreation Director Grout stated that Arctic Fever took place on January 15, 2022. She stated that this was the seventeenth year the event was held and felt this year had a wonderful turn out. She gave an overview of the activities that took place during the event. She stated that there were attendees from as far away as Texas and Italy. Mayor Labadie expressed her appreciation to Park and Recreation Director Grout, Communications Director Julie Moore, Public Works Director Brown, and his staff, for a very successful event. City Engineer Budde stated that bids will be opened for the Grant Street project on February 8, 2022. He stated that regarding the Smithtown Pond project, he sat in front of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed Board a few weeks ago and they conditionally approved the project. He stated that the last element for that project will be to get the permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. City Clerk/HR Director Thone explained that the City is in the middle of redistricting and are at the point in the process where they are looking at boundaries. She noted that she has been working with City Attorney Shepherd and City Administrator Lerud on a letter to send to residents in Precinct One. City Attorney Shepherd stated that he would like to make a few comments regarding a resident comment that was made at the last Council meeting. He explained that there was a comment made about the Matters from the Floor portion of the meeting and whether or not it complies with State law. He stated that a public comment section is not required by State law although many cities do have it. He stated that it is very common that cities will have a public comment section and have each commenter speak for no more than three minutes and explained that this was done as a matter of efficiency because the City Council meeting is really a business meeting. He stated that having a time limit makes sense and reiterated that it is done very frequently throughout other cities. He stated that he also wanted to make a comment about hands being `raised' during a Zoom meeting. He explained that Zoom operates like a normal meeting, even though it may not feel like it. He stated that just like during the normal discussion of business, not every matter is a public hearing and not every matter is something that the Council or Mayor would entertain public comments being made nor is every issue that comes before the Council up for public debate. He stated that public hearings will still be held, and as happened at the earlier work session meeting, public comments may sometimes be entertained, but it is not something that will happen for every agenda item. City Administrator Lerud stated that the Galpin Lake Trail and street project was included in the Governor's capital bonding request and will be going before the legislature. He stated that the CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2022 Page 5 of 6 Safe Routes to School planning committee has met twice. He stated that he believes there are one or two more meetings and then the plan will be available and will be incorporated as the City looks to complete the Galpin Lake project. B. Mayor and City Council Councilmember Johnson noted that he attended Arctic Fever at Manitou Park but has heard great things from others about the event throughout the City. Councilmember Gorham stated that caught the tail end of Arctic Fever and congratulated Park and Recreation Director Grout, Communications Director Moore, and the Public Works staff for their work to make it a successful event. He stated that he met a couple from Stillwater who had driven over because they were looking for something to do and noted that he thinks the event drew people from all over the State. Councilmember Callies stated that she would like to have the sign ordinance back on an upcoming agenda very soon. She stated that she feels the Council should discuss it prior to sending it back to the Planning Commission. She stated that she feels that there needs to be some advance notice on the agendas because they seem a bit light and thinks there could be more added to them. She stated that she understands that staff is conscious about trying to protect the Council's time but reiterated that there could be fuller agendas. She stated that perhaps there can be more input from Council in terms of what will be on the agenda. She suggested that perhaps at this point in every meeting, staff could share what the upcoming items are so the Council has a bit of advanced notice of what will be discussed before the packet is sent out. She stated that she understands that things will be subject to change but feels that there are things that staff knows will be coming up and she would like those things need to be put on the agenda sooner than what has often been the case, so things are not dragged out too long. She reiterated that she would like to see the Council discuss the sign ordinance at an upcoming work session before it goes back to the Planning Commission. She asked when Strawberry Lane is scheduled on the agenda. City Engineer Budde stated that Strawberry Lane is scheduled for the next Council meeting. Councilmember Callies asked if people had been notified about that because there will be a lot of interest in that project. City Engineer Budde explained that he had not noticed that meeting yet because his plan was to forward some information to Council and staff and then notice residents after that in order to give them at least ten days' notice. Councilmember Siakel stated that perhaps there could be a list of topics that are coming up for the quarter. She stated that she would like to see some sort of planning calendar put together for these things so people know and there is some forewarning of the discussion, so things just do not simply appear on the agenda with the arrival of the packet. She stated that she agreed with Councilmember Callies that she would like a heads up for what is coming. Councilmember Callies stated that she had received an inquiry about Century Link and believes staff has also heard from this individual about the problems with the internet connection. She asked if there was anything the City can bring up regarding the poor service from them. City Administrator Lerud stated that this is a very frequent comment that he gets but noted that it is not limited to just Century Link. He stated that the City does not have a franchise agreement with any internet service provider. He noted that they have been working with MetroNet, formerly Jaguar Communications, who has fiber in parts of the City and has interest in building out the CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2022 Page 6 of 6 entire City with fiber. He stated that he is hoping that project will begin in 2022 and should be a two-year build -out. He stated that Jim Lundberg is the general manager for LMCC and they are responsible for the cable TV franchise, but he is also happy to help out where he can on customer service issues related to internet. He suggested that people contact him if they are having problems and he can get them in touch with Mr. Lundberg. Councilmember Callies stated that the Council had received an e-mail from the Met Council representative regarding transportation funding allocation which also indicated that there is an application deadline in April of this year for 2023 and 2024 projects. She asked if this is something that the City should have on its `To Do' list. City Administrator Lerud explained that the City receives a lot of notices about available funds and assured the Council that staff goes through them and when there is a relevant one, they do pursue it. Mayor Labadie attended the Infrastructure Town Hall meeting held by Representative Morrison on January 12, 2022 and gave a brief overview of what was discussed. She thanked residents who took the time to log their concerns about Highway 7. She stated that she hosted Coffee with the Mayor on January 14, 2022 at The Pillars of Shorewood Landing where her guest speaker was Representative Kelly Morrison. 11. CLOSED SESSION — ALEX AND ELENA UGORETS V. CITY OF SHOREWOOD Mayor Labadie explained that pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, Sub 3 (b), the Council meeting would be closed for confidential, attorney -client privileged discussion of the litigation matter, Alex and Elena Ugorets v. City of Shorewood, Civ. No. 21-1446 (D. Minn.) Johnson moved, Siakel seconded, to close the meeting, pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05 for attorney -client privileged discussion of the litigation matter, Alex and Elena Ugorets v. City of Shorewood, Civ. No. 21-1446. Roll Call Vote: Johnson, Siakel, Callies, Gorham, Labadie voted Aye. Motion passed. Mayor Labadie reconvened the open meeting at 8:24 p.m. 12. ADJOURN Johnson moved, Gorham seconded, Adjourning the City Council Regular Meeting of January 24, 2022, at 8:25 P.M. Roll Call Vote: Johnson, Siakel, Callies, Gorham, Labadie voted Aye. Motion passed. ATTEST: nifer abadie, Mayor !lag Sandie Thone, City Clerk