CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010

                                                          

Meeting called to order by Mayor Dean Knudson in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:02 p.m.  Mayor Knudson led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Knudson and Alderpersons Randy Morrissette, Pam Brokaw, Lori Bernard, Lee Wyland, Scot O’Malley and Alan Burchill.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Devin Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Betty Caruso, Denny Darnold, Tom Zeuli, Randy Hanson, Mary Yacoub, Dolly Qualls, Chuck Schwartz, Marty Jensen, Greg Reiter, Michelle Reiter, Bill Hutton, Pat Olson, Dick Greckoff, Dick and Jan Stout, Jeff Knopps, Todd Zwiefelhofer, Matt Frisbie, Brooke Brokaw, and others.

 

POLICE AWARD PRESENTATION:  Police Chief Marty Jensen presented awards to Greg Reiter, from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and to Jeffrey Knopps, from the Hudson Police Department.  He stated that their tireless, in-depth, multi-state investigation resulted in the successful conclusion of two cases; a car-jacking and a robbery.  He also thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Department for sharing their employee to help work on the cases.

 

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:  Mayor Knudson called for comments and suggestions from citizens present; none were given.  He called attention for the public to have the ability to get detailed agenda item information by clicking on the hyperlinks within the agenda that is posted on the City’s website.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:  MOTION by Wyland, second by O’Malley to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

 

MINUTES:  Approve the Public Hearing, Regular Meeting, and Closed       Session minutes of 12/21/09.

 

     Claims:  Approve the following claims for payment:

 

FUND

DESCRIPTION

PAYABLES

PAYROLL

TOTALS

100

General

64,472.81

166,293.42

230,766.23

350

Special Assessments

182.52

0.00

182.52

450

Capital Projects

6,358.65

0.00

6,358.65

610

Sewer

16,113.48

12,861.39

28,974.87

620

Parking

624.05

1,038.58

1,662.63

630

Ambulance

1,858.42

25,274.84

27,133.26

860

Tax Agency

208.84

0.00

208.84

 

Totals

89,818.77

205,468.23

295,287.00

 

Application of Richard W. Inlow for renewal of Secondhand Jewelry     Dealer’s License d/b/a Inlow Designs at 523 Second Street:  Approve the renewal and issuance of a Secondhand Jewelry Dealer’s License to Richard W. Inlow d/b/a Inlow Designs at 523 Second Street.

 

     Application of Daniel J. Erickson for renewal of Secondhand Jewelry Dealer and Secondhand Article Dealer’s Licenses d/b/a Fabulous Finds,                 524 Second Street:  Approve the renewal and issuance of a Secondhand Jewelry Dealer and  Secondhand  Article  Dealer’s  License to Daniel J. Erickson d/b/a  Fabulous Finds at 524 Second Street.

 

Consider scheduling a Public Hearing date of 6:45 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2010 regarding rezoning and land use designation of City parcels: Schedule a Public Hearing for 6:45 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2010 regarding rezoning and land use designation of City parcels.

 

 REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, and COMMISSIONS: Place on file the semi-annual report of the Compliance Officer.

 

     Roll call vote taken.  All ayes (6),  MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Applications for Operator’s Licenses:  Morrissette recused himself. Mayor Knudson stated the Finance Committee recommended approval of the applications for regular operator’s licenses.  MOTION by Bernard, second by Wyland to approve the issuance of regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 1/5/10 to 6/30/11 to Celina DeMass, Cindy Monce, and Gabrielle Okray.  All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Consider amending contract with Animal Humane Society, omitting services for feral cats.  Mayor Knudson stated the Finance Committee recommended approving the amended contract with the Animal Humane Society.  MOTION by Wyland, second by O’Malley to approve the new contract with the Animal Humane Society, as presented.  Discussion was held concerning feral cats and the need for an alternate plan for their capture and placement.  All ayes (6),  MOTION CARRIED.

 

Consider proposals submitted for Design and Documentation and Construction Administration of the Police Department space at 700 First Street.  Mayor Knudson stated the Finance Committee, by a vote of two in favor and one opposed (Burchill), recommended acceptance of the proposal from Frisbie Architects for the Police Department renovation.  Information was shared including a review of the seven proposals that were submitted, the desire for the firm to have experience in building police departments or public safety buildings, and the budget of $200,000. The inability to consider the design/build proposal submitted by Gavic Construction, per City Attorney Catherine Munkittrick, was noted.  State law requires public projects over $25,000 to be advertised for bids.          

         

Discussion was held regarding the review of the proposals that were received, and the possibility of having Frisbie’s proposal include a cap of $200,000 for the total renovation costs.  Matt Frisbie stated he would agree to the total project cost.

       

        MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to accept Frisbie Architects proposal (for design and documentation and construction administration of the Police Department project at 700 First Street), including review of the Frisbie contract by the City Attorney, with a cap of $200,000 (total charges) and a cap of $2,000 for reimburseables.

 

Additional discussion was held regarding the proposals submitted, the decision making process used to reduce the number from seven to two, anticipated completion dates, the project budget, and the possibility of slowing down the process, if desired, by Council.  Burchill expressed his desire to have more information about the other proposals submitted before making a decision.  Vote taken; Ayes (5), Burchill voted No - MOTION CARRIED.

 

Consider referring to the Plan Commission the Petition for Annexation of approx. 6.84 acres in the Town of Hudson filed by Blue Jay Properties LLC (Richard Stout).  MOTION by Wyland, second by Brokaw to refer to the Plan Commission the petition for annexation of 6.84 acres in the Town of Hudson filed by Blue Jay Properties LLC.

 

Denny Darnold presented information about the need for annexation agreement terms (to be proposed by himself and the City Attorney), water and sewer service concerns, the septic systems currently in place, impact fees, and the need for annexation agreement negotiations (with the developer).   

 

     MOTION AMENDED to include authorization for staff to work on the annexation petition, with the proposed annexation agreement to come back to Council for approval.  Mayor Knudson voiced his approval for the direction the process was taking.  Mr. Darnold explained that the item, if approved, would be included on the January 7th Plan Commission agenda.  All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:  Mayor Knudson expressed his sympathy to the family of JoAnn Neubarth, who recently passed away.  Ms. Neubarth was the receptionist and first point of contact for the 3rd floor offices at City Hall.  She will be missed!

 

Mayor Knudson requested that suggestions for changes to the sign policy be shared with the Plan Commission. 

 

ADJOURN:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Burchill to adjourn.   All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED at 8:43 p.m.

 

Nancy J. Korson, City Clerk

 

 I hereby certify that the City Clerk has submitted the foregoing minutes to me, and I hereby by my signature approve said minutes and all acts of the Common Council as set forth therein.

  

Dean R. Knudson, Mayor