This transcript is from the June 1, 2020, Bayport City Council meeting. Please note that while your provided list includes some current or different officials, the transcript specifically identifies the individuals present in 2020 (such as Councilmembers Carlson, Dahl, and Buckley, and Administrator Adam Bell). As an expert transcriptionist, I have identified the speakers based on the roll calls and contextual cues within the dialogue. *** **[0:19] Mayor Michele Hanson:** I'd like to call to order the June 1st, 2020, Bayport City Council meeting. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance... [Pledge of Allegiance]. Good evening, everyone. Adam, please call the roll. **[0:36] Adam Bell (City Administrator):** Councilmember Carlson? **[0:40] Connie Carlson:** Here. **[0:42] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[0:44] Michelle Hanson:** Here. **[0:46] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[0:48] John Buckley:** Here. **[0:50] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[0:52] John Dahl:** Present. **[0:54] Adam Bell:** All present. **[1:07] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Excellent. Okay, that takes us to the approval of tonight's agenda. Does anyone have any questions, comments, or additions? If not, would someone like to make a motion to approve tonight's agenda? **[1:15] Connie Carlson:** I'll make a motion approving tonight's agenda. **[1:18] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Thank you, Connie. Is there a second? **[1:20] John Dahl:** I will second it. **[1:22] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Thank you, John. Adam? **[1:24] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? **[1:26] Connie Carlson:** Aye. **[1:27] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[1:28] Michelle Hanson:** Aye. **[1:30] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[1:32] John Dahl:** Aye. **[1:33] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[1:35] John Buckley:** Aye. **[1:36] Adam Bell:** Mayor Hanson? **[1:38] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Aye. Motion carries. That takes us to our proclamations, commendations, petitions, and announcements. And we have the April/May recycling award recipients. The first is Katie Earlbeck and then Jennifer Hedke. They will be rewarded for their recycling efforts with funding made possible by a grant from Washington County. So thank you very much, Katie and Jennifer, for your recycling. That takes us to tonight's consent agenda where we'll consider a resolution adopting items one through seven. [Reads items 1-7]. Does anyone have any questions, comments, or additions to the consent agenda? **[3:04] Adam Bell:** Mayor? I just had one moment on the Flag Day event. That's typically open to the public; this year it is not open to the public. The American Legion is holding it at Carroll Park, but due to the COVID restrictions, it is a closed event. **[3:23] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Okay, thank you very much. If that's the only comment or change, then would someone like to make a motion to approve? **[3:28] Michelle Hanson:** I move that we approve the consent agenda. **[3:32] Mayor Michele Hanson:** I have a motion to approve the consent agenda. Thank you, Michelle. Is there a second? **[3:35] John Buckley:** Second. **[3:37] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Thank you, John Buckley. Adam? **[3:40] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[3:42] Michelle Hanson:** Aye. **[3:44] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[3:45] John Buckley:** Aye. **[3:46] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? **[3:48] Connie Carlson:** Aye. **[3:49] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[3:51] John Dahl:** Aye. **[3:52] Adam Bell:** Mayor Hanson? **[3:54] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Aye. Motion carries. **[3:55] John Dahl:** Mayor, before we move on, I'm sorry, I know this is a little out of order. So for the speed limit sign, I noticed—unless I missed it again—that was just for the actual sign itself, not installation? **[4:14] Adam Bell:** It's authorizing the sign along with the price and the cost of the installation. I noted there in the memo— **[4:25] John Dahl:** Why do I not ever see it? I see what says "does not include installation." **[4:31] Adam Bell:** That memo mentions that installation work is estimated to be approximately $1,675. That's under the recommendation. **[4:42] John Dahl:** Oh, I was looking at their actual quote. Yes, I never understand why they're not on there. **[4:51] Adam Bell:** The sign company does not do the installation, plus we had an electrical contractor. **[4:55] John Dahl:** All right. Okay, sorry about that. Thank you. Seems reasonable. **[5:02] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Very good, excellent. Okay, so then we'll move on with the presentation of the 2019 city audit and we have Ryan here visiting us this evening. So welcome, Ryan, and we will hand the mic over to you. **[5:15] Ryan Smits (Auditor):** Thank you. Everybody hear me okay? **[5:17] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Yes. **[5:18] Ryan Smits:** All right. I'm going to share my screen with you here and walk through my presentation that way. But it looks like I'm actually getting a message that says the host has disabled participant screen sharing. Is there a way to enable that? Maybe Adam? You're muted, Adam. **[5:45] Adam Bell:** I know, adjusting that. Yeah, I actually had a presentation two hours ago and the same thing happened. So it must be the default. **[6:40] Ryan Smits:** Is it appearing for you yet? No, not yet. Still getting the same message. **[6:52] John Dahl:** I'm listening in. I'm just gonna go to the other room and grab my book—the finance report then. I don't know if I need it if there's a presentation out there. **[7:08] Ryan Smits:** There, it just popped up for me. Yep, we should be good now. Awesome, thanks Adam. All right, can everybody see that now? **[7:20] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Oh yeah, yes. **[7:24] Ryan Smits:** So I've actually done quite a few of these remotely now and it's kind of slick because I can walk right through the presentation and point to things that I'm talking about. So yeah, works out okay. Moving into the first page here, my name is Ryan Smits, I'm a senior manager with Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co. [MMKR]. I believe I presented to you for a number of years now. So if we walk into our presentation here, we're going to be going through the overall results of the 2019 audit. [Detailed presentation of the audit through 16:50]. Any questions there? Any questions from the council? **[17:10] Mayor Michele Hanson:** It seems like we're in a positive position. It looks like we did make some significant investments in our future and that we're tracking according to all guidelines. So all very, very positive. I think an outline item that we're going to discuss later in our agenda may help a little bit with our segregation of duties. So we'll be discussing that later topic this evening. We are definitely diversifying some of the financial responsibilities within our city staff. Final ask of anyone on the council or staff who may have questions? All right. Adam, I don't believe there's any action that we need to take at this point—I guess we need to accept the audit? **[18:15] Adam Bell:** Yes, if you could formally accept the 2019 audit please. **[18:19] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Okay, sounds good. Would anyone like to make that motion? **[18:25] John Dahl:** I'll move that we approve the 2019 audit as submitted. **[18:28] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Thank you, John. Is there a second? **[18:31] John Buckley:** I'll second it. **[18:34] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Thank you, John Dahl. Thank you, John Buckley. Adam, please call the roll. **[18:39] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[18:41] John Dahl:** Aye. **[18:42] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[18:44] John Buckley:** Aye. **[18:45] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[18:47] Michelle Hanson:** Aye. **[18:48] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? **[18:50] Connie Carlson:** Aye. **[18:51] Adam Bell:** Mayor Hanson? **[18:53] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Aye. Motion carries. Thank you very much, Ryan, for your presentation. **[18:58] Ryan Smits:** You bet, thank you. **[19:00] Mayor Michele Hanson:** That takes us to our next item on the agenda which is the public hearing that we have this evening to consider a resolution for a variance to expand an existing legally non-conforming single-family home with a new attached single-stall garage at 466 Perro Creek Avenue. I will turn the mic over to Sara to present this item. **[19:26] Sara Taylor (City Planner):** Thank you, Madam Mayor and Council. Can you hear me okay? **[19:30] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Yes. I do have our gentleman in the audience, so we want to make sure that we have good sound. Are you good? Okay, great. Please proceed, Sara. **[19:43] Sara Taylor:** I'm going to do a screen share here... perfect, there it goes. Okay great. So the subject property contains a single-family house... [Presentation of variance request details]. I'd be happy to take initial questions from the council prior to opening the public hearing. The applicant, Jeff Oswald, is also present and available for questions. **[22:55] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Excellent. So at this time, Mr. Oswald, do you want to come and speak? I'll put my mic on mute. **[23:05] Jeff Oswald (Applicant):** All right. Well, basically the only thing I want to cover is me and my family currently have a situation where our kids race motocross nationally... [Explains need for storage]. As a licensed residential builder in the state of Minnesota, I will be constructing the garage myself and following all current building codes. That’s pretty much all that I have. **[24:50] Michelle Hanson:** I think it looks like a nice project and well-designed. It's gonna match the house and it seems like a natural fit for that property. Makes a lot of sense. **[25:01] Connie Carlson:** I agree. It seems like it's gonna be a great benefit. When you want to sell the house, it'll have a garage and it'll add value for you and the next owner, too. It's a great idea. I have no problem with it. That was a house my husband grew up in and they never had a garage, which they hated. So someone putting in a garage—that's great. **[25:35] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Excellent. Any other questions? Otherwise, we'll move on to the next portion of our public hearing. **[25:48] John Dahl:** I was just gonna say as long as we move on to the public hearing next, we're good. **[26:16] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Is there a motion to open the public hearing? **[26:22] Michelle Hanson:** I move that we open the public hearing. **[26:24] John Dahl:** I will second that. **[26:27] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[26:29] Michelle Hanson:** Aye. **[26:30] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[26:32] John Dahl:** Aye. **[26:33] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[26:35] John Buckley:** Aye. **[26:36] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? **[26:38] Connie Carlson:** Aye. **[26:39] Adam Bell:** Mayor Hanson? **[26:41] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Aye. The public hearing is officially open. We do not have any other members in our audience this evening except for Mr. Oswald. Our police officer is checking and there's no one else on the premises. Adam or Sara, please confirm one more time that we don't have any other public comment? **[27:18] Adam Bell:** That is correct, Mayor. **[27:23] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Well then, I think it's appropriate to close the public hearing. **[27:27] John Dahl:** I'll move to close the public hearing. **[27:29] Connie Carlson:** I'll second it. **[27:32] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[27:34] John Dahl:** Aye. **[27:35] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? **[27:37] Connie Carlson:** Aye. **[27:38] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[27:40] John Buckley:** Aye. **[27:41] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[27:43] Michelle Hanson:** Aye. **[27:44] Adam Bell:** Mayor Hanson? **[27:46] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Aye. At this time, the City Council can engage in any other conversation regarding this application. **[28:22] Connie Carlson:** I'll make a motion to adopt the resolution approving a variance to expand an existing legally non-conforming single-family home at 466 Perro Creek Drive with the context and conditions as presented by the staff. **[28:43] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Thank you, Connie. Is there a second? **[28:46] Michelle Hanson:** I'll second. **[28:49] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Thank you, Michelle. Adam? **[28:51] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? **[28:53] Connie Carlson:** Aye. **[28:54] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[28:56] Michelle Hanson:** Aye. **[28:57] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[28:59] John Dahl:** Aye. **[29:00] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[29:02] John Buckley:** Aye. **[29:03] Adam Bell:** Mayor Hanson? **[29:05] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Aye. [Discussion about battery/PC power]. Okay, everything is all set for Mr. Oswald. Thank you so much for coming and good luck with your project. That takes us to our unfinished business. The first item is to consider a statement of conduct of disapproval on behalf of the City Council from the April 16th, 2020 workshop. **[30:21] Andy Pratt (City Attorney):** Mayor and Council, hopefully everyone can hear me. I'll be brief on this one. All members of the City Council met on a special workshop on April 16th and I was the only non-council member present. [Explains the draft statement of disapproval regarding Councilmember Buckley and the former Finance Officer]. **[41:35] John Buckley:** I am a person with the change from "inappropriate tone" to "unprofessional." It kind of pinpoints—it's more clarity to whoever's reading it. I appreciate the change in those, if the council agrees to that. **[42:21] Connie Carlson:** I agree with that. "Unprofessional" sounds better. **[45:45] Mayor Michele Hanson:** I'm not sure that that language is necessary either. I think that the context of this second paragraph is kind of getting a bit off-course. [Discusses the severity of the conduct and unprofessional communication]. **[49:00] Michelle Hanson:** I tend to agree with the Mayor's statement. Well said on your part, Mayor. **[49:10] John Dahl:** I'm fine the way it is except I do feel that "inappropriate" should be replaced with "unprofessional." [Discussion continues regarding specific paragraphs of the statement]. **[1:05:01] Michelle Hanson:** For me, the statement of disapproval is about paragraph two only and not about paragraph one. So I would like it to be removed in order for me to approve this statement of disapproval. **[1:05:14] John Buckley:** I'll second. **[1:05:37] Mayor Michele Hanson:** I have strong feelings about someone voting and making a motion to dismiss behavior that's been brought to the council's attention... but I will put it to the vote of the council. Adam? **[1:06:33] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? **[1:06:35] Michelle Hanson:** Aye. **[1:06:36] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Buckley? **[1:06:38] John Buckley:** Aye. **[1:06:40] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? **[1:06:42] Connie Carlson:** I'm gonna have to go nay after listening to Andy's explanations. **[1:06:50] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? **[1:06:52] John Dahl:** Nay. **[1:06:53] Adam Bell:** Mayor Hanson? **[1:06:55] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Nay. Motion fails 2 to 3. **[1:07:58] Mayor Michele Hanson:** We'll move on now to new business. Item number one is to consider the authorization to solicit quotes for sanitary sewer cleaning and televising. Matt, you are up. **[1:08:12] Matt Kline (Public Works Director):** Madam Mayor, members of Council. This is just to solicit quotes for sanitary sewer cleaning and televising. The last time this was done was 2017... [Explains the 46,000 feet of cleaning]. Staff recommends City Council adopt a motion authorizing solicitation of quotes. **[1:12:40] Connie Carlson:** I'll make a motion to authorize solicitation of quotes for the sanitary sewer cleaning and televising specs by the City Engineer. **[1:13:10] Michelle Hanson:** I'll second that motion. **[1:13:35] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? Aye. Councilmember Dahl? Aye. Councilmember Hanson? Aye. Councilmember Buckley? Aye. Mayor Hanson? Aye. [Motion carries]. **[1:13:54] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Our second item under new business is to consider a temporary reclassification of the Office Support Specialist position to resume city accounting and utility billing functions. I turn the mic over to Adam. **[1:14:12] Adam Bell:** Thank you, Madam Mayor. As you are all aware, back in March, Finance Officer Madsen retired. Her duties have been split... [Explains moving staff members Mary Goulette and Cheryl Gruhlke up the pay scale to recognize increased workload]. Both of our current staff members are more than capable of stepping up. **[1:22:15] John Dahl:** I had the opportunity to talk to Adam today about this. It makes a lot of sense for me and Adam. They're both on board and up for taking this on? **[1:22:38] Adam Bell:** Yes, Councilmember. Mary and Chantal are very interested in taking on a lot of this additional workload. **[1:31:40] Connie Carlson:** I'll make a motion to temporarily reclassify the office support specialist positions and authorize a salary adjustment as presented and discussed tonight. **[1:32:04] John Buckley:** I'll second it. **[1:32:10] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Carlson? Aye. Councilmember Buckley? Aye. Councilmember Dahl? Aye. Councilmember Hanson? Aye. Mayor Hanson? Aye. [Motion carries]. **[1:32:21] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Item number three under new business is to consider a resolution for temporary waiver of city permit and zoning requirements to promote business activity during COVID-19 health pandemic. Adam? **[1:32:40] Adam Bell:** This item is fairly straightforward. Effective today, the most recent executive order allows expanded outdoor seating for up to 50 people. This resolution allows us to authorize these permits administratively to expedite the process for our businesses. **[1:38:18] Michelle Hanson:** I move that we adopt a resolution for temporary waiver of city permit and zoning requirements to promote business activity during COVID-19 health pandemic. **[1:38:35] John Buckley:** I'll second that motion. **[1:38:45] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? Aye. Councilmember Dahl? Aye. Councilmember Carlson? Aye. Councilmember Buckley? Aye. Mayor Hanson? Aye. [Motion carries]. **[1:39:15] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Our next item under new business is to consider the renewal of the contract with MinSpect for building inspection services. Adam? **[1:39:35] Adam Bell:** Back in 2016, we started using MinSpect. We're now due for a three-year renewal. Staff has been very satisfied. Scott Qualle is joining us to answer any questions. **[1:43:54] Scott Qualle (MinSpect):** [Responds to questions about permit fees and survey ratings]. I would agree with you that doing better than a three in those areas is something we would aspire to do. **[1:52:05] John Dahl:** I'm prepared to make a motion that we approve a three-year renewal contract with MinSpect Incorporated to provide building official and inspection services to the City of Bayport as presented. **[1:52:25] Michelle Hanson:** I'll second. **[1:52:35] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Dahl? Aye. Councilmember Hanson? Aye. Councilmember Carlson? Aye. Councilmember Buckley? Aye. Mayor Hanson? Aye. [Motion carries]. **[1:53:15] Mayor Michele Hanson:** This will take us to our city council liaison reports. Does any council member have anything to report? **[1:53:30] Connie Carlson:** We had a virtual library board meeting on the 21st of May. Jill [Smith] will be planning some virtual programming this summer. **[1:56:15] John Buckley:** Andersen Advisory Committee has postponed meetings until September. **[1:56:35] John Dahl:** Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization met virtually... nothing specifically related to Bayport. **[1:57:15] Mayor Michele Hanson:** I have a meeting with Adam tomorrow with the Chamber Director. I want to thank our Police, Fire, Admin, and Public Works staff for their flexibility during this time. Department head reports? **[2:00:10] Chief Allen Eisinger (Fire):** For the month of May, we had 68 fire calls. We've had to do a lot of changes in our response due to the pandemic. **[2:03:55] Chief Laura Eastman (Police):** Responses are at 3,341. We've been working with businesses on delineating outdoor areas. Officer Lipowski has been assigned to the SWAT team. We have extra staff on tonight due to protest information in Stillwater and the DOC announcement regarding the Oak Park Heights prison. **[2:10:45] Matt Kline (Public Works):** Mowing has been hectic. Hydrant flushing and street sweeping are ongoing. Highway 95 work is on schedule. Lakeside playground equipment will be installed June 8th and 9th. **[2:16:15] Sara Taylor (City Planner):** Survey and wetland work for the land and water legacy project is nearly complete. Washington County provided election updates; absentee voting is strongly encouraged. **[2:19:30] Adam Bell:** [Discusses city reopening plan and park reservations]. Staff's recommendation is to keep reservations for July but not necessarily make new ones for the next two weeks in June. **[2:40:40] Michelle Hanson:** The loop trail opened today which was pretty exciting. I move we adjourn. **[2:41:00] John Dahl:** I'll second that. **[2:41:05] Adam Bell:** Councilmember Hanson? Aye. Councilmember Dahl? Aye. Councilmember Buckley? Aye. Councilmember Carlson? Aye. Mayor Hanson? Aye. **[2:41:35] Mayor Michele Hanson:** Good night everyone, stay safe.