2021-02-23 CC Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 23, 2021
The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Westonka Schools Performing Arts Center in
Minnetrista.
Members present: Mayor Ray Salazar; Council members Phil Velsor, Paula Larson, Sherrie
Pugh, and Jason Holt
Members absent: None
Others present: City Manager Eric Hoversten, Fin Dir/Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Pausche, City
Engineer Brian Simmons, Sherrill Dave Hutchinson, Trevor Nelson, Brian Nelson, Easton
Velsor
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 Pledae of Alleaiance
3. Approve agenda
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Larson, to approve the agenda. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
4. Consent agenda
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Pugh, to approve the consent agenda. Upon roll call vote, all
voted in favor. Motion carried.
A. Approve payment of claims in the amount of $446,063.40
B. Approve minutes: February 9, 2021 Regular Meeting
C. RESOLUTION NO. 21-21: RESOLUTION APPROVING PULIC GATHERING PERMIT
FOR USE OF SURFSIDE PARK AND BEACH AS WEIGH-IN STATION FOR
MINNETONKA CLASSIC FISHING TOURNAMENT ON LAKE MINNETONKA ON
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021
5. Comments and suggestions from citizens present on any item not on the agenda.
Trevor Nelson, 2620 Tyrone Lane, stated the right of way on Shannon is the only access they
have to get to their boat and access has been limited and he submitted his concerns to the
Council and would like to hear more from them. Nelson thanked those that have already
reached out. Nelson said 70-14 states UTVs and ATVs may be used to access their boats.
Nelson asked for the rule to be modified to allow them to allow UTVs and ATVs from their home
Mound City Council Minutes — February 23, 2021
to the dock. Nelson asked that UTVs and ATVs be allowed on city roads just like any car and
noted the fire department and DNR both use them.
Brian Nelson, 2620 Tyrone Lane, said he received a letter from the City's field officer and it
states that the access can only be used to board and unboard their boat and he can't find
anything in the City Code that limits the use. Nelson said it is a wide access and he sees lots of
different activities including fishing and boat maintenance. Nelson requested clarification on
where the language is.
Holt asked to comment on speaker. Salazar said staff has addressed the concerns in the letter
provided by the City and if they have further comments or concerns they should be directed to
City Manager Eric Hoversten. Holt said the letter was in the packet and he too would like
clarification on where the language limiting activities is. Pausche said she is in charge of Dock
Administration and she would be happy to discuss and although she feels the code does
address it, she recognizes it can be clearer. Holt again said he would like the Nelsons to get
their answer.
Pausche said the Docks and Commons Commission meets the third Thursday of most months,
including March, and that would be an appropriate starting point for addressing changes to the
Code.
6. Update from Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson
Sheriff Hutchinson said there are over 40 chiefs in Hennepin County and he communicates
regularly with them. Hutchinson said the department is working hard to prepare for the Chauvin
trial. Hutchinson thanked the Orono Police Department for their partnership and noted the
Sheriff's Water Patrol made over 200 safety and traffic stops in 2020. Hutchinson said Lt.
Shane Magnuson has been promoted to Captain of the Water Patrol Unit. Hutchinson the West
Metro Drug Task Force has made 5 arrests for 5th degree meth possession and 1 arrest for an
illegal shotgun.
Hutchinson said Operation Cold Snap collects and distributes gently used hats and glove
throughout the County. Hutchinson said the hired a full-time therapist to work with the staff on
mind-body-spirit/mental health, which is the first agency in Minnesota to do so. Hutchinson said
they improved gym equipment and they have 4 chaplains of different denomination. Hutchinson
said his emphasis is on treating the employees and customers right. Hutchinson said 150
jurisdictions are preparing for any potential unrest due to the trial.
Hutchinson said violent crime spiked because so many Minneapolis officers left. Hutchinson
said freedom of speech will be protected, but property damage will not be tolerated.
7. City Engineer Brian Simmons presenting proposed sketch work for improvement of the east City
entrance monument on Shoreline Drive (CSAH 15)
Simmons said Council Members Larson and Velsor were appointed by the Council to serve in an
advisory capacity on next steps on the eastern entrance monument sign, with the goal of bringing
down the cost and to further define the vision for design. Simmons showed the updated design
including a picture of it lit up at night. Simmons said a cost of estimate of $50K has been included and
the request is for the Council to decide if they would like to proceed.
Mound City Council Minutes — February 23, 2021
Salazar asked Simmons to clarify how it is lit and height. Simmons said the logo and letters will be lit
from behind, also known as halo lighting, with some spot lights as well. Simmons said the monument
will be just under 5 feet, which the advisory committee did not want it to get covered up by snow
and/or foliage. Salazar confirmed electrical outlets will be part of it and Simmons said yes.
Salazar said this has been under discussion since 2017/2018 and he thanked everyone for the effort.
Salazar noted this is an investment. Holt clarified if the trees shown are new or existing and Simmons
said a combination of both. All concurred that they liked the design.
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Larson, to approve the following resolution. All voted in favor.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-22: RESOLUTION APPROVING CONCEPT AND ORDERING PLANS
AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE
ENTRANCE MONUMENTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
8. Information/Miscellaneous
A. Comments/reports from Council members/City Manager:
Salazar noted there has been progress made on the Williams Store and asked the City
Manager for any updates. Hoversten said the Council agreed to keep all tools/options available
and the attorneys have exchanged some emails regarding potential milestones with the goal to
renew, refresh and remodel and bring back a planned use. Hoversten said he is optimistic that
an agreement can be made and avoid order of abatement.
Larson thanked the public utilities department and noted the Council approved the snow
removal on the trail and she can see it is heavily used and appreciated. Larson thanked the
Council for moving forward with that.
Hoversten noted meetings on March 9 and 23rd will be at the PAC, but the March 16 joint City
Council and Planning Commission will need to find an alternate site, which he will work with the
Mayor on.
Hoversten noted the Polar Plunge at Surfside Park & Beach on March 6 and encouraged
listeners to either participate or donate, noting the healthy rivalry between Mound Fire and
Orono Police Department teams.
B. Reports:
C. Minutes: Parks & Open Spaces Commission: 01-14-21
D. Correspondence: Gillespie Center Donation Request
Suburban Rate Authority 2020 Activities Report
9. Adjourn
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Larson, to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
Mound City Council Minutes — February 23, 2021
Mayor Raymond J. Salazar
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Attest: Catherine Pausche, Clerk