City Council Minutes
Mankato City Council
Regular Meeting
Monday August 9, 2010, 7:00p.m.
Minnesota River Room
A Regular Meeting of the Mankato City Council was conducted on August 9, 2010, at 7 p.m. with Mayor John Brady presiding. Council Members Vance Stuehrenberg, Charlie Hurd, Mark Frost and Mike Laven were present. Council members Jack Considine and Tamra Rovney were excused. Also present were City Manager Patrick Hentges, Assistant City Manager Tanya Ange, Housing Coordinator Patti Ziegler, Planning Assistant Jon Noerenberg, and City Clerk Cheryl Lindquist. Following roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance to Our Flag was given.
Ambassador Award – 77 Lancers
The Ambassador Award presentation will be rescheduled to August 23 City Council Meeting due to no representation from the Lancers in attendance.
Approval of Agenda
Mayor Brady requested any additions to the Agenda. Mr. Hentges requested an addition as item 7.2 under the City Manager’s Report. Mr. Frost moved and Mr. Stuehrenberg seconded to approve the agenda with item 7.2. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Hurd moved and Mr. Frost seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of July 26, 2010. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Open Forum
Linda Jarvis, 621 S 2nd Street, #207, Mankato, representing the SMILES organization, stated that it is the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and asked city council members to sign “Proclamation of Recommitment for Full Implementation of the ADA”.
Ms. Jarvis also stated that the city needed to support this act through fixing potholes, installing curb cuts, and making streets and buildings accessible for people with disabilities (Ms. Jarvis commented on the new Wells Federal Bank building where people with disabilities cannot get their doors open). Ms. Jarvis also commented on the potholes near 2nd Street and Liberty.
Mr. Hentges responded that the City has made this Proclamation in the past and has been routinely executed by the City. Mr. Hentges suggested city staff prepare a proclamation on City Letterhead and have all city council sign it and return it to Ms. Jarvis since two council members are missing tonight). Mr. Hentges also stated that the city has an aggressive program for replacing crosswalks and pedestrian ramps. Mr. Hentges stated that the public is always welcome to report any that the city would happen to miss.
Consent Calendar
Mayor Brady requested any changes to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Frost requested to remove item 6.6 and Mr. Hurd requested item 6.11 be removed for further discussion. Mr. Stuehrenberg moved and Mr. Hurd seconded a motion to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously and the following items were approved:
(6.1) Motion to waive park permit fees for “Mankato’s 1st Annual Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Awareness Walk” at Sibley Park on May 7, 2011.
(6.2) Motion approving application for the Inclusion of Non-enclosed Premises in the Licensed Premises for Buster’s (to allow for food and alcohol sales to Razor Cutz adjacent premise).
(6.3) Motion approving application for Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Minnesota Wine Club Inc., DBA Minnesota Wine Club, 622 N. Riverfront Drive.
(6.4) Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to execute the continuance of the public transit assistance program contract with the State of Minnesota Department of Transportation.
(6.5) Resolution Vacating the Union Pacific Railroad Company Crossing, Grade Crossing USDOT No. 193441E, Railroad Milepost 84.43, City of Mankato.
(6.7) Resolution Awarding Contract for Relocation Services – Orness Plaza Renovations.
(6.8) Resolution of the Mankato City Council requesting decertification of all parcels within the National Handicapped Housing Institute (NHHI) Tax Increment Financing District 14 (AV) – 600 Block of South 2nd Street.
(6.9) Resolution declaring costs to be assessed, ordering preparation of proposed assessment, and setting date of hearing for August 23, 2010, on Improvement No. 03034, excavation, grading, base, and bituminous alley surfacing from Marsh Street to south, east of Sixth Street.
(6.10) Resolution declaring costs to be assessed, ordering preparation of proposed assessment, and setting date of hearing for August 23, 2010, on Improvement No. 10083, surfacing of Fourth Avenue from Harper Street to south end.
(6.12) Set Date of Hearing for August 23, 2010 on an Ordinance Amending Section 8.06 of the Mankato City Code regarding Emergency Parking Regulations.
(6.6) Mr. Frost questioned the amount of the change order #7 with Gridor for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion, Contract B, Filtration System and Plant Modifications and asked if the project was almost completed.
Mr. Hentges stated that the change orders have been within the budgetary numbers laid out for the project and are related to field issues, code compliance and safety concerns.
Mr. Frost moved and Mr. Stuehrenberg seconded a motion to approve Change Order #7 with Gridor for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion, Contract B, Filtration System and Plant Modifications. The motion carried unanimously.
(6.11) Mr. Hurd referred to the Resolution Authorizing the City of Mankato to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program and asked staff to elaborate on the program.
Planning Assistant Jon Noerenberg provided an overview of the program which was created by the Legislature in 2008 to recommend municipal actions and policies that work toward meeting the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Mr. Noerenberg stated that a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders including the League of Minnesota Cities, the MPCA, Office of Energy Security and Clean Energy Resource Teams (“CERTs”) have responded to the 2008 legislation by establishing the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program to provide a series of 28 defined best practices focusing on local government opportunities to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases.
Mr. Noerenberg stated that the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program assists in facilitating technical assistance for the implementation of these sustainable development best practices. Mr. Noerenberg outlined that there are four steps of recognition that exists and the program focuses on cities completing and publicly documenting from a list of 163 defined actions, relating to such items as land use, transportation, environmental management, economic and community development, and efficient use of buildings and lighting.
Mr. Hentges added that sustainability is a key component of the program and that the City of Mankato is well off in a number of areas.
Mr. Hurd moved and Mr. Stuehrenberg seconded a motion to adopt the Resolution Authorizing the City of Mankato to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. The motion carried unanimously.
City Manager’s Report
(7.1) Mr. Hentges presented the Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Necessary Documents to Finalize the Purchase of Property located at 726 South Front Street.
Mr. Hentges explained that on July 12, 2010 the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement for the former Auto Value Parks Store building located at 726 South Front Street. This property is adjacent to the current public Safety Center at 710 South Front Street. Mr. Hentges stated that the acquisition of this property is beneficial to the future use as a development parcel or incorporated into the Public Safety Center site. Mr. Hentges stated that the city is examining remodeling the Public Safety Center as well as potentially moving Fire Station #1 to this site or remodeling that station is its current location, and/or building a hilltop station #2 near Eastwood Industrial Center. Mr. Hentges referred to maps showing current and proposed response times by the Fire Stations under the various proposals.
Mr. Stuehrenberg asked if the maps take for granted the stations are staffed on site. Mr. Hentges responded yes, that the primary station is always staffed; Fire Station #3 is staffed much of the time and that the proposed Fire Station #2 would have some type of residency program.
Mr. Hentges added that a feasibility study by Paulsen Architects is focused both on the reuse/redevelopment of the existing structures and on a space needs analysis for the Public Safety Department.
There was no one wishing to speak from the public on this issue.
Mr. Hurd moved and Mr. Frost seconded a motion to adopt the Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Necessary Documents to Finalize the Purchase of Property located at 726 South Front Street. The motion carried unanimously.
(7.2) Mr. Hentges reported on the 13th annual Ribfest which was recently held at Riverfront Park this past weekend and distributed a recap from Executive Director Burt Lyman.
Mr. Hentges stated that Riverfront Park venue was a much better site for the event and general feedback from those attending were very complimentary. In addition, the ribbers participating in this year’s event were extremely pleased, a fifth ribber vendor has already committed to next year, and staff will work to secure an additional vendor for a total of six ribbers in 2011.
Mr. Hentges also discussed that parking was less of an obstacle than what the public may have perceived and shuttle service was provided throughout the duration of the event and used extensively.
Mr. Hentges also stated; however, that overall things went well; however, there are some logistical things the city can improve on for next year.
On a separate issue, Mr. Hentges concluded by stating that the city is in negotiations to install reserved seating at the park in exchange for naming rights to the amphitheatre.
Miscellaneous Business
Mayor Brady reminded the Council of the following, upcoming meetings:
(8.1) August 17, 2010, 4:30 p.m., Multi-Modal Transportation Committee Meeting, Minnesota Valley Room.
(8.2) Regular City Council Meeting (followed by Council Work Session), August 23, 2010, 6 p.m., Minnesota River Room.
Public Open Forum
No one spoke at the second public open spoke.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Council, Mr. Frost moved and Mr. Laven seconded a motion to adjourn. With all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
________________________
John D. Brady, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
Cheryl S. Lindquist, CMC
City Clerk
City of Mankato