Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
2020-02-11 CC Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 11, 2020
The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers of the Centennial Building.
Members present: Mayor Ray Salazar; Council members Phil Velsor, Jeff Bergquist, Paula
Larson, and Sherrie Pugh
Members absent: None
Others present: City Manager Eric Hoversten, Fin Dir/Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Pausche,
Community Development Director Sarah Smith, Orono Police Sergeant Ken Beck, Consulting
Engineer Brian Simmons, Dan Johnson, Barbara Peterson, Scott Gates, Leigh Maustad,
Christopher Getz, Tim Nichols, Ben Landhauser
Consent agenda: All items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in
nature by the Council. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a
Councilmember or citizen so requests, in which event it will be removed from the Consent
Agenda and considered in normal sequence.
1. Open meeting
Mayor Salazar called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approve agenda
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Bergquist, to approve the agenda. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
4. Consent agenda
MOTION by Bergquist, seconded by Larson, to approve the consent agenda. Upon roll call
vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
A. Approve payment of claims in the amount of $1,038,415.57.
B. Approve minutes: 01-28-20 regular meeting.
C. Approve 1-4 Temporary On -Sale Liquor License for Our Lady of the Lake
Keg & Cork Fundraiser on March 7, 2020
D. RESOLUTION NO. 20-19: RESOLUTION TO APRPOVE WAIVER OF PLATTING
FOR 1754 SHOREWOOD LANE
5. Comments and suggestions from citizens present on any item not on the agenda.
None were offered.
6. Orono Police Sgt. Kenny Beck presenting the Mound Activity Report for January
Mound City Council Minutes — February 11, 2020
Sgt. Kenny Beck gave a report on January's 173 calls for service, including 36 medicals/lift
assists, 19 domestics/disturbance, 7 alarms, 23 welfare checks, 22 traffic related including 2
DWI arrests, 20 assists, 1 death, 3 animals, and 2 fire assists.
Beck congratulated Mayor Salazar for jumping in at the Polar Plunge and invited him to jump
with the Police Department next year. Salazar said perhaps he will jump with both.
7. Approve Resolution Accepting Bid for 2019 Street & Utility Project — Sherwood Drive
City Project No PW 19-01 to Kusske Construction in the amount of $254,480.00
Hoversten said the project was originally approved in 2018 for feasibility study, etc. for
execution in 2019, but, during the process, residents of the three street projects asked not to be
assessed. Hoversten said two of the street projects were abandoned, and Sherwood was bid
with Fernside force main but the results were poor so they were rebid as separate projects with
more contractor control/flexibility in timing, etc. Hoversten said all three individual projects
came in under the engineer's estimate and all three were awarded to separate contractors.
Hoversten said tonight's action acknowledges the receipt of bids and approves the
award/project. Simmons arrived and said final assessments will be in 2020 with the final ware
course the following year. Simmons noted there were eight bidders and that he is familiar with
Kusske and recommends approval and assessment as planned. Simmons also noted even
though there were more administrative costs with rebidding, the bid went from $1.2M to $900K.
Simmons noted staff will continue to refer it to as the 2019 Street Reconstruction Project for 429
purposes.
MOTION by Bergquist, seconded by Velsor, to adopt the following resolution. All voted in favor.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 20-20: RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID FOR THE 2019 STREET &
UTILITY PROJECT - SHERWOOD DRIVE CITY PROJECT NO. PW -19-01
8. _City Manager Eric Hoversten requesting discussion and direction on next steps in the
Mound Harbor District Request for Qualification and Interest process
Hoversten noted the packet contains a written update on the RFQ/I that said the Development
Committee reviewed the one response on February 4th, and the noted concerns were given to
the respondent in the form of written feedback and that the respondent expressed flexibility in
the proposed plan. Hoversten said other council members asked to be present for further
discussion with the respondent/potential developer and tonight is to decide whether to continue
with the committee structure or have future discussion in front of the full council in the form of a
special meeting workshop on February 261h
Hoversten said the response included a 55 -unit luxury, residential age -restricted cooperative
living development that would be independently financed with an $800K purchase price and
$16M market value. Hoversten emphasized staff does not anticipate the unit count to come
down in any amended proposals if the city sticks to the original goals of wanting to optimize the
price for the land and no assistance in the form of TIF. Salazar clarified `respondent' refers to
the developer who submitted the proposal in response to the RFQ/I.
Salazar said the issue for discussion is whether to continue with the Development Committee
format to work with staff to review this project and/or others prior to bringing forward to the full
council. Larson said she requested via email to sit in on meeting with the Development
Committee and developer on February 14th, just to listen. Salazar said the Council discussed
Mound City Council Minutes — February 11, 2020
the development in June and November and that this is an opportunity to vet/flush out issues
based on the parameters and objectives set by the full council. Salazar said he and Council
Member Velsor are on the Development Committee and a similar process was followed a year
ago when the Development Committee came back to recommend not to proceed with the
former developer when they wanted to change the terms of the agreement.
Hoversten said once the Development Committee vets a proposal, the developer would come
back to the full Council and present a concept plan. Hoversten noted each of these steps are a
natural progression that provide off -ramps for either party, noting the process differs somewhat
when the city owns the land vs. private development.
Pugh asked what would need to be different if the entire council participated. Smith said the
City has used the special meeting workshop format in years past, particularly when we were
dealing with Mound Harbor Renaissance, for informal review when concept plans come in with
the more technical info being worked on by staff. Smith noted the key difference between a
workshop and regular meeting is that no formal action is taken and any input is informal.
Pugh said this process has been frustrating, noting this is a big issue for the community and
having the entire council allows for more brainstorming. Salazar said if the City Council prefers
to return to a workshop format, he is open. Pugh said receiving one response to the RFQ/I
gives the city a reality check on what is possible and this would be a good time to have this
conversation. Larson said she would like to have a workshop format. Velsor said he tends to
trust himself and recently took 2.5 hours off work to discuss in length, so he is a little offended
that the committee is not trusted to represent the will of the Council. Pugh said she is not
questioning the expertise of the Development Committee but just would rather hear for herself.
Velsor asked it is the same when the Committee gives the Council feedback and Pugh said she
did not think so.
Discussion ensued on meeting formats and Hoversten clarified that posting a potential quorum
is more for social occasions like festivals or receptions where the intent is not to discuss official
business between the members. Pausche noted special meeting workshops are open to the
public to listen, but public comments are not generally taken.
Velsor said he trusts the committee format. Bergquist said there is a Development Committee
for a reason, noting they have to take time out of their work day. Pugh said people expect all
elected officials to know what is going on and to have the bigger picture. Pugh said she can
guess what the comments were — Salazar noted they were provided in narrative form in the
packet and via email — and Pugh said she has other questions as well and that the Mayor said
everyone's opinion matters. Salazar acknowledged this is a big deal and it seems Pugh and
Larson want to know more. Bergquist said the Development Committee does well and Staff
does a great job. Larson said she has been overwhelmed with people asking the status, noting
she has attended Planning Commission meetings and that she serves on the Docks
Commission where other Council members have attended, so she just asked to sit in. Larson
said she stood at the podium 22 years ago and she knows we have to do something to bring
energy, and she just feels she can share citizens' concerns and bring some fresh ideas. Larson
said she understands we need to get the ball rolling and move things forward, noting she has
seen many plans and talked to many developers. Larson agreed that this is a big deal for the
city and the fact that we got one response means this developer deserves the opportunity to
have another meeting but she is also alarmed that there was only one response. Velsor said
the Development Committee discussed the limitations in the property due to soils and other
considerations which may limit what can go there.
Mound City Council Minutes — February 11, 2020
Larson reiterated that we owe this developer a meeting but also need to listen to what the
taxpayers want. Larson said she is hearing no townhomes and no development — but she
wants a jumpstart to create some vibrancy. Larson said Mound will either become a bedroom
community that people pass through and businesses fail or we can do something to make it a
vibrant, welcoming community but that will require an about face and she recommends a
workshop. Bergquist suggested they stay the course with the Development Committee.
Salazar told Larson not to be sorry for asking questions and asking to participate as everyone
has a right to their opinion, to comment, to ask questions. Salazar said he has the utmost
confidence in the Development Committee and its ability to make the right decisions, but he
acknowledged it is a big deal and it has been over 22 years and it is an emotional, political hot
button. Salazar said some Council Members feel in the dark and he wants them to be able to
answer questions and be able to feel comfortable moving forward or not. Salazar agrees we
want energy in this and in order to have energy we have to feel confident and be included, so he
agrees to proceed with the workshop format.
Hoversten said the plan would be to add a workshop after the Wednesday, February 26th
regular meeting.
MOTION by Larson, seconded by Pugh, to approve scheduling a special meeting workshop of
the City Council on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 immediately following the rescheduled
regular meeting that begins at 7:00 pm for the purpose of discussing the Lifestyle Communities
& Partners' response to the Request for Qualification and Interest in a Residential Development
in the Mound Harbor District. The following voted in favor: Salazar, Larson, Pugh. The
following voted against: Velsor, Bergquist. The following abstained: None. Motion carried.
Discussion ensued and it was clarified that the public can attend the workshop meeting to listen
and public input would be solicited at a later date during a regular Council meeting if and when
formal action is taken. Larson said we are here for the tax payers and she wonders if only
receiving one response indicates the idea is stale and we need to think of something more
vibrant instead. Pausche said development has been discussed long enough that everyone
knows there is a contingent out there that wants it to remain green but that this will allow the
Council to see if a compromise is possible that can bring additional resources in property taxes
and utility revenues as well as customers for the businesses. Salazar noted everyone on the
council can voice both their own and their constituent's opinions and encouraged them to be
thinking of all options.
9. Council Member Sherrie Pugh with an update on the 2020 Census
Pugh did a public service announcement encouraging full participation in the Census beginning
April 1St , noting this is the first time it will be all online so people can do it on their personal PC
or go to the library. Pugh said the results inform how $8006 in federal funds are allocated,
congressional districting, plans for school districts and where businesses will relocate. Pugh
said Hennepin County has Census jobs paying $27.50 per hour.
Salazar noted there will be a public notice campaign effort to educate with personal follow-up for
those who have not responded, so he encouraged listeners to be welcoming and not to be
afraid.
4
Mound City Council Minutes - February 11, 2020
10. Information/Miscellaneous
A. Comments/Reports from Council members
Hoversten highlighted the following dates:
Monday 2/17 — City Hall closed for President's Day Holiday
Tuesday 2/18 — Joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council
Wednesday 2/26 — Rescheduled regular Council Meeting due to 2/25 precinct caucuses.
Hoversten noted Harbor Wine & Spirits is currently closed for remodeling through mid-day
Thursday and that a Grand Reopening event will be held on Saturday, 2/29
Tuesday 3/3 — Presidential Nomination Primary
3/20 — 3/29 Westonka School District Spring Break
B. Reports: Fire Department — December 2019
Liquor Store — January 2020
C. Minutes: Planning Commission — January 7, 2020
D. Correspondence:
11. Adjourn
MOTION by Larson, seconded by Pugh, to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
Mayor Raymond J. Salazar
Attest: Catherine Pausche, Clerk