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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/