This transcript is from a meeting on **May 20, 2014**. Please note that while your provided context lists current officials (like Mayor Matt Montgomery), the transcript features the 2014 council, including **Mayor Robinson**. I have identified the speakers based on the roll call, the titles mentioned, and the staff names that overlap (such as Justin Padgett and Jeff McCormick). [8:25] **Mayor Robinson**: Good evening. I'll now call the City of Cannon Falls City Council meeting for Tuesday, May the 20th, 2014, to order. Roll call: Council Member Duncan? (Here) Hol? (Here) Johnson? (Here) Matson? (Here) McCusker? (Yes) Schumm? (Here) and Mayor Robinson? (Here). I'll please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Good evening everyone, welcome to the City Council meeting this evening. At this time the chair will take a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. [9:10] **Council Member Schumm**: So moved. **Council Member Matson**: Second. **Mayor Robinson**: Have a motion by Merl [Schumm] and a second by Bill [Matson]. All those in favor? (Aye) Opposed? Carries. At this time we'll move on to item five on the agenda this evening which is public input. Citizens may speak to items not on the agenda. Before speaking please give your name, address for the minutes, and please limit your comments to 3 minutes. Is there anyone wishing to address the council under public input this evening? Seeing as there are none, we will move on to the consent agenda. Items on this area of the agenda may be adopted or they may be removed and placed on the business area of the agenda for discussion purposes. Before approving, for the folks at home, I'll read the consent agenda. Item A is the just and correct claims for the accounting period ending May the 16th, 2014. Item B are the meeting minutes for the May 6, 2014 City Council meeting. Item C is food for fines. Item D is credit for water sewer usage for the winter 2013-2014. Item E is resolution 2076 approving final plat for the Mevill property. Item F is disposal of forfeited vehicles. Item G is resolution 2077 approving a special assessment agreement and adopting assessment for lateral connection fee. Are there any items anyone wishes to bring down? [10:43] **Council Member McCusker**: A, E, and G. **Mayor Robinson**: Item A will become 7B. Which one was the other one? **Council Member McCusker**: A, E, and G. **Mayor Robinson**: E is resolution 2076; that will become item 7C. And G is going to be item 7D, which is the special assessment. Okay, with the items of Item A (just and correct claims), Item E (resolution 2076, the plat for the Meville Hill property), and Item G (resolution 2077, approving a special assessment agreement)—are there any other items anyone wishes to bring down? Not? The chair will take a motion to approve the consent agenda minus those items. [11:23] **Council Member Schumm**: So moved. **Council Member Matson**: I'll second that. **Mayor Robinson**: A motion by Merl and second by Bill. All those in favor? (Aye) Opposed? Carries. That will bring us on to Council Business this evening, which is the Second Street Southwest Water Main Street Project. Mr. [Ron] Johnson? [12:10] **Ron Johnson (City Administrator)**: Yes, thank you. Um, this goes back to the water main project, of course. The water main that had broke over Easter weekend. Several attempts at fixing it were done, water was turned on again and the main kept breaking. It is a 4-inch main. Greg [with SEH] has put a cost estimate together for that water main replacement and street reconstruction of approximately a total cost of about $140,000; $65,000 on the water main itself. The Public Works Commission discussed this project last week, last Tuesday, and they directed staff to come up with options or a preferred option for moving forward with the project. Keep in mind that time is of the essence because there are temporary service lines—plastic hose above ground. Summertime gets to be a little bit of a miserable situation with those temporary service lines; obviously, wintertime is even worse. And the Public Works direction discussed—and Bill, you can correct me if I'm wrong—discussed trying to do this project, at least the water main project, in as quick of a time frame as we possibly could with the limits that we have as a local government. There would be two options. One would be to go through the total 429 special assessment process, which will take time with the feasibility report and calling for bids. The Public Works Commission really thought that the water main was a separate project than the street itself because of the timing issue. Because the water main portion of the project is under $100,000, we can call for proposals and don't have to go through the formal bid process, which does speed that up quite a bit. So the recommendation that staff is proposing is to actually break this project into two different components. One would be the water main project, directing SEH to call for proposals for construction of a 6-inch main. The second motion would be to direct SEH to move forward with a feasibility report on the street reconstruction. That would be a chapter 429 process; we would go through the public hearings and bidding process on that second part of the project but still be able to get the street done in a timely fashion before the end of the fall season. [15:12] **Mayor Robinson**: Ron, how long would it take to do the water main if we went ahead with that tonight? I mean, what time frame are we looking at to get that completed? **Ron Johnson (City Administrator)**: I would address Greg with that question. **Greg (City Engineer, SEH)**: Since we don't have to go through the bid process, I would think at least a month. We need a week or so to put the documents together, give the contractors a couple weeks to put numbers together... then once it's awarded, the work itself is probably a week or so. About a month and a half from now to get that done, I'd say. [16:00] **Council Member Matson**: Yeah, well, something I know Public Works we wrestled with—we knew we had to replace the main as quickly as possible. The compromise that staff has come up with I think is a very good one. Because it is less than $100,000, we can obtain a couple of proposals to do the water main and get that done in a short period of time, the 6 to 8 weeks that Greg has mentioned. Then the other concern, of course, was do we treat this as a whole city project or do we do the chapter 429 for some of it? I think the chapter 429 for the road part would be fair and equitable for all parties, and of course, the city will bear the cost on just the water main part. [17:35] **Council Member McCusker**: The other thing I wanted to ask was—so we're talking at least 30 days probably before something could get going? We talked at Public Works about, in the meantime, temporarily just saw a trough through there and get that plastic water main down so that we can at least open up that street. I mean, there's a lot of traffic through there and the church traffic all has to be rerouted too. Is there a possibility we could just lower that so we can get that back open in the meantime? **Ron Johnson (City Administrator)**: I think Public Works would have to do that. We would have to check with Tom [Haan] to see if the crew would be able to do that for the interim period. [18:21] **Council Member McCusker**: Yeah, and I think we can check with Tom and see if the crew can do that on a temporary basis while we're... assuming we approve, right? **Mayor Robinson**: Any other discussion? So let's treat this as two separate motions then on this project. At this time the chair will accept a motion authorizing the City Engineer to request proposals to replace the 4-inch water main with a 6-inch water main on Second Street Southwest between North Street West and Bell Street West. **Council Member Schumm**: So moved. **Council Member Matson**: I will second that. [19:08] **Mayor Robinson**: I have a motion by Merl and a second by Bill. Any further discussion? **Council Member Matson**: I just wanted to mention to the homeowners up there that it's also in here to put new lines into the house and the new curb boxes. All the shallowness that has been there will be taken care of. The mains will be down to over 7 feet and the water lines will all be checked to be down to depth. Engineering is approved not to just run the main, but to fix the shallow water lines too. Greg, that's part of that whole process? **Greg (City Engineer, SEH)**: Typically, the water main is replaced and then the services are replaced back to and including the curb box. Not all the way to the house, but to the curb boxes. [20:40] **Mayor Robinson**: Any further discussion? Not? All those in favor? (Aye) Opposed? Carries. Okay, the second part of this request is to approve a motion directing the City Engineer to complete a feasibility study before the reconstruction of the street portion of Second Street Southwest. **Council Member Schumm**: So moved. **Council Member Matson**: Second that also. **Mayor Robinson**: Motion by Merl and a second by Bill. Any further discussion on this? Not? All those in favor? (Aye) Opposed? Carries. That moves us on to item 7B, which is the just and correct claims. Leroy, you had something on that? [21:27] **Council Member McCusker**: I don't need the answer tonight, but I was looking through that again and I see we have telephone leases in there. One was for $4,500, there were two of them for $4,500, and one was for $2,500. I was just wondering if that's our cell phone lease or leases on the phones themselves, if that's yearly or quarterly? You could just send me an email and let me know. [21:43] **Lenell (City Clerk)**: Leroy, that's for our ShoreTel phone system that we have here in City Hall that connects all City Hall and Public Works. It's a phone system that we purchased several years ago. This is an annual amount that we have to pay for our phone system. **Council Member McCusker**: Okay, thank you. I make a motion to approve 7B, just and correct claims. **Council Member Schumm**: Second. **Mayor Robinson**: Have a motion and a second by Merl to approve the just and correct claims. All those in favor? (Aye) Opposed? Carries. That moves us on to item 7C, which is resolution 2076 approving the final plat for the Mevill Hill property. [22:30] **Council Member McCusker**: Yeah, the only question I had on that was for Dave. When I was on the Planning Commission 3 or 4 years ago, we've seen different drawings. My biggest concern is there's like a 7-foot culvert across [Highway] 19 right by the school. If that all becomes blacktop, there's going to be a high volume of water and we certainly can't dump it across that culvert to the school. I saw some print in there about dumping that towards Hardwood. I just wanted to make sure we don't start dumping a lot of water by that school and creating a drainage problem. [23:16] **Dave (Planning Staff)**: I'll maybe let Greg respond to this, but we have asked the City Engineer to look at the drainage plan for the six lots that are part of this plat. We'll continue to work with Mr. Mevill as he brings forward the preliminary plat for the balance of the property with respect to storm water. **Greg (City Engineer, SEH)**: Like any new development, the requirements are they can't increase the rate the water leaves the site. It doesn't mean the volume can't change, but it can't come off any faster than it does now. We've been working with their engineer on the pond sizing and piping. It'll meet the pre-existing rates. [24:49] **Council Member McCusker**: Okay, thank you. I make a motion to approve that. **Council Member Matson**: I've got another question for Dave on this plat. Are we just approving the plat for those six lots tonight? **Dave (Planning Staff)**: Correct. **Council Member Matson**: Okay, because I know there's going to be issues when the county brings County 24... I'll second Leroy's motion. **Mayor Robinson**: Motion by Leroy and a second by Bill to approve the final plat for the six lots in the Mevill Hill property. Any further discussions? Not? All those in favor? (Aye) Opposed? Approved. That moves us on to item 7D, which is resolution 2077 approving a special assessment agreement and adopting assessment for lateral connection fee. [25:37] **Council Member McCusker**: I think I got a question for Dave on that one. When we went under the highway out there to get that sewer and water, it ended up being like a $38,000 deal. Our total package was like 90 or 100,000, but then we divided it up between three lots. This agreement is all about sewer and water being $5,000 or $6,000. I thought Leon out there was like 38,000 for his portion, and then Muller was supposed to pick up the other two. Has that all been paid? [26:22] **Dave (Planning Staff)**: That's a good question. It is a little bit confusing. The overall project cost for that extension under Highway 20 served three lots: one that Leon Hansen purchased (now has a house on it), the second lot which we're talking about tonight with Jacob and the Wals, and the third one is a lot still owned by Carl Molnar. Through Ordinance 325, we spread one-third of the cost against each one of those lots. Leon Hansen paid his in full. The Wals paid half of their share, which left the $5,800 or so that we're talking about tonight to be assessed. The balance of the cost on the other one-third share will continue to be deferred until someone purchases that lot owned by Mr. Molnar. So we've got all the costs covered. **Council Member McCusker**: Okay, I make a motion to approve. **Council Member Matson**: I'll second that. **Mayor Robinson**: Motion by Leroy and second by Bill. All those in favor? (Aye) Opposed? Carries. Okay, that moves us on to reports. Dave? (Nothing for me, thank you). [27:56] **Mayor Robinson**: I'd like to thank Boldt Construction. I toured the hospital tonight; very wonderful facility. Any updates, Greg, on the interchange? **Greg (City Engineer, SEH)**: It's a big mess, lot of dirt. It's all going to happen quickly in the next couple of months. We'll have bids here on the 18th, paving here in June for the council. That'll coincide with the paving on the county collector and the hospital site. It's going to be a busy month of July and August. [28:42] **Brenda (EMS Director)**: I have just a couple of things. This week happens to be EMS Week. There is a proclamation from the Governor. I'll ask that you include that in the minutes when they're written up. I'd also like to recognize employees with a number of years of service with the ambulance: Jeremiah Growth, Greg Heasulok, Kyra Ivan, Maerowitz, and Elizabeth Piney for 5 years. I also have two members with 10 years of service: Mike Elto and Christy Macaros. I’d like to recognize all those individuals and the rest of my service who give of their time so faithfully. [30:14] **Mayor Robinson**: Thank you. I just want to say the city couldn't work without the work you guys do out there. Whether it's winter, summer, or storms, EMS is always there. Justin? **Justin Padgett (Library Director)**: Actually tonight, if y'all remember when we were planning the new library, we intentionally left out landscaping as a cost-saving measure. Well, an impromptu group in Cannon Falls actually got together and landscaped the building today. I'd like to say a special thank you to Carol Em, Barb Camholtz, Bonnie Viston doll, Kathy Dalton, Mary Sturm, Lori Totall, Dennis and Dark Halo, and Sandy Megi. They did a great job. Also, summer is coming up. I’d like to push our summer reading to all the children and parents during June and July. Check our Facebook page for a full list of activities. [31:47] **Jeff McCormick (Police Chief)**: Well, a few things. This will be the last council meeting before the end of the school year. Please watch for kids out and about during the daytime. We are going into Memorial Weekend which kicks off our summer events, starting with the Memorial Day Parade on Monday. There will be some disruption along the parade route, but it should be minimal. [32:33] **Ron Johnson (City Administrator)**: I have nothing. I will be submitting a first-quarter report summary of my activities since March 10th. It’s been almost two and a half months now. I’ve enjoyed the welcome I’ve received. [33:21] **Mayor Robinson**: A couple of things. First, back about a week and a half ago, we had an employee recognition breakfast. We as council members don't always get to say thanks for the job our staff does. We recognize time of service with little proclamations. Go ahead, Lenell. **Lenell (City Clerk)**: I was just going to say that I actually have a memo prepared for your next city council meeting with a list of all those employees that received that recognition. **Mayor Robinson**: Okay. The other thing—earlier this evening we passed the water and sewer credit for those that ran their water during the winter months. Public Works will be working on a policy for future situations so we all know where we stand. Leroy? [34:55] **Council Member McCusker**: I just want to say last Saturday I think was our "going out day" in Cannon Falls. People are finally over the winter. I went by the Dairy Queen and that was full of cars; the golf course was full; the parks and trails were full. Hopefully, spring is here. [35:44] **Mayor Robinson**: Everybody just enjoy the spring. Memorial Day is Monday. The parade will be at 10:30 with the ceremony to follow. Everybody please come out and pay homage to the folks that have paid the price of freedom. With that, the chair will take a motion to adjourn. **Council Member Matson**: Second. **Mayor Robinson**: Meeting adjourned.