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2021-07-27 CC Meeting MinutesMOUND CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 27, 2021
The City Council of the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, met in regular session on
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Centennial Building.
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, City Clerk Kevin Kelly, City Engineer Brian
Simmons, Orono Police Sergeant Tim Sonnek, Hennepin County District 6 Commissioner Chris
LaTondresse, James Swietlik and Jessica Oaxaca.
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 7:08 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 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 $421,901.31.
B. Approve minutes: 7-13-21 regular meeting
C. RESOLUTION NO. 21:74 RESOLUTION APPROVING PUBLIC GATHERING PERMIT
AND MUSICAL CONCERT PERMIT FOR EVENT AT SURFSIDE PARK AND BEACH
ON AUGUST 7, 2021
D. Approve Special Meeting Workshop on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 beginning at 6:30
PM to discuss the 2022 Final Budget and Levy and update to the Long Term Financial
Plan/CIP
E. RESOLUTION NO. 21:75 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN INTERFUND LOAN FOR
MOUND HARBOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT
5. Comments and suggestions from citizens present on any item not on the agenda.
None were offered.
Mound City Council Minutes — July 27, 2021
6. Orono Police Sergeant Tim Sonnek presenting the Mound activity report for June
Sonnek presented the Mound Activity Report for June. Sonnek stated there were 316 incidents
total; six crashes, eight alarms, 35 medical issues, seven Fire Department support, 15 animal
related calls, 13 thefts, eight domestic calls, one mental health call, 28 parking and 64 traffic
related, 19 welfare checks, noting there were 326 calls in 2020.
Sonnek said the Orono Police Officers are now equipped with squad car and body cameras.
Sonnek said this is the first day he has worn a body camera and is trained in on how to use it.
Sonnek said the Orono Police Department (OPD) is working on outfitting all the squads with
cameras over the next month.
Sonnek added there was a rash of thefts in July on the east side of Orono which have included
theft from cars and stolen cars. Sonnek added that the west side of Plymouth has seen an
increase in thefts from motor vehicles and burglaries. Sonnek said there has been an increase
of thefts on the west side of Mound which the OPD does not believe are related to the Plymouth
and Orono increases.
Sonnek stated National Night Out (NNO) is on August 3rd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sonnek said
Mound True Value hardware store is giving away 2 bikes and kids need to register to get a
chance to win one. Pugh asked for the NNO list of parties in Mound. Hoversten said he would
coordinate the list.
Pugh asked if the medical calls are medical emergencies or are a wellness check as she is
worried if seniors are experiencing isolation issues in community. Sonnek said the medical calls
have been from typical issues such as breathing issues, heart attacks, falls and the usual array
of medical issues. Pugh asked if the OPD could give a breakdown of the age of the Mound
residents experiencing medical issues.
Salazar thanked the OPD for their help at the Spirit of the Lake festival which was a great event
with no incidents.
Velsor asked about the Police Commission Meeting which discussed that fact that residents are
using social media instead of making a 911 call to report incidents. Velsor noted OPD Chief
Farniok was adamant that residents should call the OPD rather than posting on social media.
Sonnek agreed and said a theft posted on social media was taken care, noting calling OPD
allows them to respond quickly to any concern.
7. Hennepin County Commissioner Chris LaTondresse providinq an introduction and update on
County Commission Activities
LaTondresse said he is here to highlight the work underway by Hennepin County (HC) and said
his goal is to try to get to at least one City Council meeting of all the cities in his District each
year.
LaTondresse said he was Vice Chair of the Hopkins School Board before being elected, noting
he understands the need for strong local government partnerships. LaTondresse said there is
no question the pandemic made it difficult to serve the public over the past year. LaTondresse
said that Hennepin County (HC) was the third County in Minnesota to reach a 70% vaccination
rate.
Mound City Council Minutes — July 27, 2021
LaTondresse said the biggest challenges faced with the public health crisis included how to
protect the health of residents and to support small businesses in the County. LaTondresse
said even though HC has reached a 70% vaccination rate, the County continues to host
vaccination events to meet residents where they are present in the community.
LaTondresse said that HC had been delivering distanced social services during the pandemic
and HC is looking to apply the lessons learned in the past year to be more efficient in serving
residents in the future.
LaTondresse said the County received $220M in CARES Act funds and the American Rescue
Plan has invested another $240M to produce better outcomes for County residents and
businesses. LaTondresse said the areas which have been funded are Human Services and
extra support for feeding kids and families, distance learning and tutoring, increasing broadband
access and emergency rental assistance of $16M which went to 6,000 households with an
additional $30M available. LaTondresse said there have been 12 households in Mound which
received $32,135.00 in assistance.
Hoversten noted there are links on the City website about the COVID relief resources.
LaTondresse said the biggest CARE funding recipients were small businesses which received
$69.4M in grants over five rounds of funding with $222,200 going to Mound businesses.
LaTondresse discussed public safety and mental health support initiatives which included a
2019 study in which HC partnered on a pilot with local law enforcement and local agencies to
respond to mental health emergencies. LaTondresse said this led to Social Worker's being
imbedded at the 911 dispatch center to improve response and outcomes. LaTondresse said
the HC Board voted to extend the pilot to embed the Social Worker program within local law
enforcement and Mound is a partner through the OPD.
LaTondresse said HC passed a Climate Action Plan for the first time which looked at HC
policies and spending and allows HC to play a part in mitigating the impact of climate change by
reducing emissions to Net -Zero by 2050. LaTondresse said Minnesota is second in the nation
for extreme weather events in the U.S.
LaTondresse said the top priorities of his office include serving as HRA Chair with a focus on
affordable housing, public safety with 911/mental health supports with law enforcement,
and economic development which includes supporting small businesses to grow and build
capacity by promoting entrepreneurial activity and improving the technical capacity.
Salazar said the imbedded Social Worker program is very much needed and the OPD is looking
to use this tool with seven other Police Departments in the lake area. Salazar said it is a great
program which the City would like to see expanded to include more social workers.
LaTondresse said the County will bring its resources to improve outcomes for residents.
Salazar said the City has recently submitted a Shoreline Drive study of the Dakota Trail
Crossing to HC. LaTondresse said he was briefed by staff on this issue and he appreciates the
City's investment in the study, noting he believes HC Public Works and the City will set up a
meeting to discuss. Hoversten said they are working with Lisa Cernia at HC to set up the
task/study group and would appreciate any advocacy LaTondresse could employee regarding
the Dakota Trail crossing of Shoreline Drive.
Mound City Council Minutes — July 27, 2021
LaTondresse said the County typically funds projects like this through the five-year Capital
improvement plan process.
Simmons asked for the Commissioner to walk the Dakota Trail Dakota crossing and possibly
ride the trail. LaTondresse said he did drive through the area before the meeting.
LaTondresse said HC has two Commissioners serving Mound, noting Jessica Oaxaca and Kyle
Olson are the staff contacts for his office.
Pugh thanked LaTondresse for working with the Westonka Public Library and LaTondresse said
it was his understanding that the Mound library is in the mix for capital improvement plan
funding.
8. City Manager Eric Hoversten requesting discussion and action on a Resolution Ordering
Analysis and Assessment of Black Lake Channel
Hoversten said a study of the Black Lake/Avalon Channel along Wilshire Blvd and Denbigh
Road is needed to determine the causes of reduced navigational water depth. Hoversten said
there are two storm water outlets which flow into the area and the lake bottom study is intended
to gather data to determine what is causing the sedimentation in the channel. Hoversten said
the Docks Commission (DCC) established a sub -Committee to work with Staff to develop a
dredge policy and the lake bottom study will provide valuable information. Hoversten said Bolton
and Menk, the City's engineering contractor, would complete the depth profile of the lake bottom
from the entry to the channel to the end of Avalon Channel.
Holt asked where would any dredging occur. Hoversten said there is not a formal agreement for
the City to take care of the lake in this area and the lake bottom study is to gather data to start
the discussion by determining if the lake bottom in this area is made up of silt or sand.
Holt asked what the next step is after the data is gathered. Hoversten said the information from
the study is needed for permitting the work and will facilitate a discussion on what is a
reasonable level of service in the area. Hoversten said the City needs to have a policy in place
to address competing interests wanting a greater level of service than the City may be able to
provide.
Salazar said the study is to help understand what has caused the sedimentation in this area as
the Avalon Channel was a marsh but may also be impacted by run off from the storm water
outlets.
Holt said he didn't like the amount of money spent on the study. Pugh said the City has a
responsibility to create good policy and define city responsibility by having the information on
what is happening in the Channel.
Hoversten said the City has a formal obligation to maintain the Lost Lake Channel but does not
have any obligation to alter the lake which is the responsibility of other agencies. The City's
formal responsibility ends at the shoreline.
Larson and Hoversten said the dredge sub -committee was discussed at a DCC meeting earlier
in 2021 in order to start gathering information and report back to the DCC.
Mound City Council Minutes — July 27, 2021
Simmons said the lake bottom study will create precise GPS points and determine hard and soft
bottom areas at those specific areas so it is known what the sediment consists of.
Holt asked if there can be a way to conduct a study at a lower cost and whether the City
responsible to dredge the entire channel. Hoversten said the study will help the City determine
how the sedimentation happened and from what source which will then help frame the
conversation on City policies and if work needs to be done the analysis of the lake bottom would
be required by a contractor.
Salazar said the study costs money but the study needs to be done.
MOTION by Larson, seconded by Pugh, to approve the following resolution. All voted in favor.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-76: RESOLUTION ORDERING ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF
BLACK LAKE CHANNEL
9. City Engineer Brian Simons Requesting discussion on 2021 Pavement Repair
Projects and approve a Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering
Advertisement for Bids for the 2021 Pavement Improvements Project; City Project No.
PW-21-09
Simmons presented the plans to conduct patching and pavement repairs which have been
combined with the Centennial Building parking lot rehabilitation. Simmons said $176,000.00
was budgeted in this year's Capital Improvement budget.
Velsor asked what the pavement rehab is going to do. Simmons said the funds will pay for
fixing areas of severe raveling and some pavement reconstruction. Hoversten said the Langdon
area cul-de-sacs built by the developer are not holding up well and this will allow the City to put
off major rehab to a later date. Hoversten said this will give the City time to plan for budgeting
this item. Hoversten said the CIP allows for this planning and bundling these smaller items
together will allow for better fund health and financial planning.
Hoversten said the wear course is eroding in some areas and is needed to extend pavement
life, noting this will keep the pavement in decent shape until more major rehab is needed.
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Holt, to approve the following resolution. All voted in favor.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-77: RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND
ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE 2021 PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT NO. PW-21-09
10. Information/Miscellaneous
A. Comments/reports from Council members/City Manager: Salazar said the Spirit of the
Lakes (SOTL) was a great event with everyone in the community together again. Salazar said
the Council would like to extend its thanks to the SOTL volunteers and City staff. Salazar said
the response of staff during the event and the quick work they did to get the park back in shape
was commendable.
Holt said he has signed up to do the 43-mile run of the Tour de Tonka.
Mound City Council Minutes — July 27, 2021
Hoversten said he would like residents know that the City has an even -odd watering schedule
policy and would like to see City residents adhere to the schedule so the demand for water
doesn't need to be addressed through any further restrictions.
Hoversten mentioned the National Night Out event is on Tuesday, August 3rd, noting the Chief
of OPD requests all residents leave their exterior lights on and lock cars and garage doors.
Velsor said the Wizard of Oz is playing for one more week of shows at Westonka PAC.
B. Reports: Finance — June 2021
Fire — June 2021
C. Minutes:
D. Correspondence: MCES Westedge/County Road 44 Boulevard Restoration Project
Update
Andrew Swietlik, 6363 Rambler Lane, handed out copies of his utility bill to the Council
requesting that it be investigated as he was gone from the City for 20 months. Swietlik said no
one was at his residence except for a care taker who came in once a week to water plants.
Swietlik said he did not use 32,000 gallons of water while he was away from home from March
of 2020 to May of 2021.
Swietlik said he wants restitution for being over charged and did not want other residents to be
taken advantage of.
Salazar said he will ask staff to look into the issue and is sympathetic to Swietlik. Hoversten
said he will look into the issue. Swietek said he will call his attorney.
11. Adjourn
MOTION by Velsor, seconded by Holt, to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. All voted in favor. Motion
carried.
Mayor Raymond J. Salazar
Attest. -Kevin Kelly, Clerk/