REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, May 3, 2021
CALL TO ORDER AND DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Olivia, Minnesota, was called to order by Mayor Hawkinson at 7:00 P.M.
Council Members Present: Jon Hawkinson, Blanca Ferguson, Tom Kalahar, George Ebbers and Landon Padrnos.
Others present: Dan Coughlin, City Administrator; Jason Krumheuer, Police Chief; Christi Weidemann, City Clerk; Justin Alderman, City Attorney; Nanette Serbus, Liquor Store Manager; Jason Krumheuer, Chief of Police; Brian Stenholm, Emergency Manager; Scott Tedrick, Editor, Renville County Register (via Zoom).
AGENDA
Motion by Ferguson, second by Padrnos: to approve the Agenda as updated. Motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Padrnos, second by Ebbers: to approve the presented Consent Agenda items:
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- Regular Meeting Minutes of April 19, 2021
- Updated Cable Access and Digital Sign Policies
- Authorization for Parks Department to Advertise Summer Student Worker Position
- Lexipol Police Policies 201, 320, 342
- May Payables #1
Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolution 2021-24, Authorization of Employment for Jessica Balderston
Hawkinson reported that the Administrative Assistant interview committee conducted interviews of ten finalists for the position. He noted that he was impressed with the quality of the applicants we had for this position. Hawkinson said he is excited to welcome Balderston to the team. Ebbers mentioned that he has worked with Jess Balderston for several years and commented that she is a great person to have join our team.
Motion by Ebbers, second by Ferguson: to approve Resolution 2021-24, Authorization of Employment for Jessica Balderston. Motion passed unanimously.
Architectural Design Services Agreement for Olivia Liquor Store – Nanette Serbus
Serbus reported that she has been working with Barbara Marks, Coughlin and Assistant Liquor Store Manager Ashley Jansen on the design plan for the potential remodel of the Olivia Liquor Store. Serbus said that in order to dig further into the plan Council needs to approve a service agreement with Engan and Associates.
Motion by Ebbers, second by Kalahar: to approve the Architectural Design Services Agreement for Olivia Liquor Store. Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2021-25, Call for Public Hearing on Amended Business Subsidy Criteria
Hawkinson said that this resolution is a formality to call for a public hearing for an amended business subsidy plan the EDA will use to help foster additional business development in Olivia in the years ahead.
Motion by Kalahar, second by Padrnos: to approve Resolution 2021-25, Call for Public Hearing on Amended Business Subsidy Criteria. Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2021-26, Call for Public Hearing on Business Subsidy Agreement with Olivia Chrysler, Inc.
Hawkinson said this resolution involves a public hearing for a business subsidy agreement with Olivia Chrysler, Inc. to assist with their business expansion efforts.
Motion by Kalahar, second by Padrnos: to approve Resolution 2021-26 Call for Public Hearing on Business Subsidy Agreement with Olivia Chrysler, Inc. Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Ordinance 2021-02, Golf Cart Ordinance Update
Hawkinson introduced and read Ordinance 2021-02.
Padrnos asked the meaning of “original” equipment. Attorney Alderman said if it was meant to be specific to manufactured it would be spelled out. Coughlin said that “original” means that it’s not homemade. He shared that Aaron Walton tried to take the majority of the ordinance wording directly from State Statutes in order for it to be as defensible as possible.
Kalahar inquired about signal lights and noted that he would like to see all street worthy vehicles have the same requirements. Krumheuer said that he is seeing more and more people not using signal lights with their cars and trucks, and most motor cyclists still use hand signals. He explained that he did not feel this was an issue at present; but added that if it did become an issue later on, he would ask the Council to consider amending this code section further. Kalahar said he would defer to the Chief’s judgment on the topic and said that with that question answered he was comfortable supporting the code amendment as presented.
Krumheuer mentioned that Golf Carts and ATVS are required to have insurance and their operators needed to be licensed drivers. It was also noted that anyone operating a vehicle of any type on public streets are subject to state motor vehicle codes including penalties for operating while under the influence.
Motion by Ebbers, second by Kalahar: to approve Ordinance 2021-02, Golf Cart Ordinance Update. Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Ordinance 2021-03, Illegal Dumping
Hawkinson introduced and read Ordinance 2021-03.
Motion by Padrnos, second by Ferguson: to approve Ordinance 2021-03, Illegal Dumping. Motion passed unanimously.
City Department Virtual Tour: City Hall
The City Hall staff provided the Council with some video-based staff introductions and a virtual tour of some city operations such as our cable access system and the new AMI utility metering system and available online info related to our new utility meters.
Public Forum
No one from the public asked to speak during the public forum.
COVID-19 Update
Stenholm reported that there are 50 active cases in Renville County. He said that approximately 5,900 people in the county have received their first dose of their Covid vaccine and approximately 5,100 have completed the series and are considered fully vaccinated.
Technology Committee – April 22
Ferguson reported that the committee updated the digital sign and cable access policies, participated in a demonstration of the Verkada cameras and other security systems offered by the company, and a first look demo of the community portal concept that was showcased by Leta Jacobs. Ferguson shared that the Library meeting room is now open to the public with masks required.
Corn Capital Days Committee – May 3
Ebbers shared that the committee’s plan is to have things as they were pre-covid. Ebbers said the Torch Run was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Bio-Legacy foundation. He mentioned that after serving for a few years the coordinators for the kiddie parade have opted to retire from their work so presently there is a need for a new a coordinator for the kiddie parade. Ebbers also mentioned that Jake Fejedelem will be heading up the park vendor coordination role which was done by Curt Reese for many years.
Parks and Trails Report
Coughlin reported that he is still working closely with MnDOT on upcoming projects. He said MnDOT plans to join the upcoming neighborhood meetings that will be facilitated by our city engineers. Coughlin said the goal is to give the public as much information as possible, as soon as possible.
Other Reports
Chief Krumheuer provided the council with calls for service list for the month of March. Krumheuer said that with court cases and trials dragging out due to COVID, the department has been dealing with repeat offenders. Krumheuer said the Renville County Jail has just over 70 beds but the majority of the housed inmates are from other locations. Krumheuer reported that part-time officer Sam Olson has submitted his resignation as he is ending his service as a law enforcement officer.
Ferguson told Krumheuer that the officers are very appreciated. The Council echoed Fergusons comments.
Hawkinson shared that the Chamber, EDA, Main Street and Mid Minnesota Development Corporation will be holding a joint seminar on May 20 at 7:30 am on “the 5 C’s of credit.” This will be the first seminar in the series.
Hawkinson stated that Community Ed will be holding Summer Rec this summer and more information will be available soon.
Hawkinson acknowledge receipt of the “Certificate of Commendation” that was received from the MPCA for the City of Olivia’s wastewater treatment plant and staff for compliance with NPDES / SDS wastewater permit requirements.
CLOSED MEETING
Hawkinson closed the regular meeting at 7:58 P.M. and entered closed session.
Hawkinson reopened the regular meeting at 8:12 P.M.
Hawkinson asked the Council to accept the quote from Verkada / Heartland Business Systems for City Hall security systems.
Motion by Ferguson, second by Ebbers: to accept the quote from Verkada / Heartland Business Systems to upgrade aspects of the City Hall security system. Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Kalahar, second by Padrnos: to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 P.M. Motion passed unanimously.
