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MINUTES Mankato City Council Regular Meeting June 24, 2024 - 6 p.m. IGC - Mankato Room |
1.
Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call
Members Present: Michael McLaughlin, Jenn Melby-Kelley, Jessica Hatanpa, Kevin Mettler, Mike Laven, Dennis Dieken, and Mayor Najwa Massad.
Staff Present: City Manager Susan Arntz, Public Works Director Jeff Johnson, Community Development Director Mark Konz, Public Safety Director Amy Vokal, Associate Director of Public Safety Resources Jeff Bengtson, and City Clerk Renae Kopischke.
Members Present: Michael McLaughlin, Jenn Melby-Kelley, Jessica Hatanpa, Kevin Mettler, Mike Laven, Dennis Dieken, and Mayor Najwa Massad.
Staff Present: City Manager Susan Arntz, Public Works Director Jeff Johnson, Community Development Director Mark Konz, Public Safety Director Amy Vokal, Associate Director of Public Safety Resources Jeff Bengtson, and City Clerk Renae Kopischke.
Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag
2.
Approval of Agenda
Mayor Massad stated that the Presentation of the Ambassador Awards would be rescheduled and noted the addition of a flood update at the beginning of the meeting as well as an Emergency Ordinance under the City Manager's Report. Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Massad stated that the Presentation of the Ambassador Awards would be rescheduled and noted the addition of a flood update at the beginning of the meeting as well as an Emergency Ordinance under the City Manager's Report. Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
3.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Dieken moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 10, 2024 as written. The motion carried unanimously.
4.
Appearances, Recognition, and Proclamations
Mr. Bengtson and Mr. Johnson provided an update on flooding, closures, etc. and mentioned safety protocols as well as the debris drop-off site on Sakatah Drive which is open daily through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tom Olinger and Abby Schmidt, Abdo, presented the City of Mankato 2023 Financial Review and Audit.
5.
Public Open Forum (15 Minutes)
Jeremy Redland, 1010 North 2nd Street, commented about discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and how he has requested that a liaison be established by the Public Safety Department. He provided examples of incidents that he has experienced.
Eric Anderson, 204 Emerson Lane, commented on events over the last 72 hours and how he was heartbroken and sincerely hoped that things would not further escalate for the community. He mentioned the winter of 2010 and concerns about floodwall at that time and how it started a personal quest to understand the issue. He mentioned the adoption of the One Watershed Plan by the Council. He referred to several things that have occurred over the years and expressed his concerns about planning moving forward, especially in flood-prone areas. He asked that the Council seriously consider projects moving forward.
Jeremy Redland, 1010 North 2nd Street, commented about discrimination against the LGBTQ community, and how he has requested that a liaison be established by the Public Safety Department. He provided examples of incidents that he has experienced.
Eric Anderson, 204 Emerson Lane, commented on events over the last 72 hours and how he was heartbroken and sincerely hoped that things would not further escalate for the community. He mentioned the winter of 2010 and concerns about floodwall at that time and how it started a personal quest to understand the issue. He mentioned the adoption of the One Watershed Plan by the Council. He referred to several things that have occurred over the years and expressed his concerns about planning moving forward, especially in flood-prone areas. He asked that the Council seriously consider projects moving forward.
6.
Consent Calendar
NOTE: All items listed under the Consent Calendar will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If a Council Member wishes to discuss any of these items, they may ask that the item be removed from the Consent Calendar. Removed item(s) will be discussed and acted upon by separate motion.
Ms. Hatanpa moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Ms. Hatanpa moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as written. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
A.
Motion approving Opioid Remediation Grant to MY Place for a 2024 Summer Mental Health Program.
B.
Resolutions designating Acting City Manager per City Charter, Section 3.03, Subd. 1., and designating Acting City Clerk per Section 2.09.
C.
Resolution petitioning District Court for re-appointments to the City of Mankato's Charter Commission pursuant to Minn. Stat. 410.05.
D.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a one-year extension to the Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau Operating Agreement.
E.
Resolution approving First Amendment to Lease Supplement with Alltel Communications, LLC, DBA Verizon Wireless for a small cell lease location on Glenwood Avenue.
F.
Report on projects and change orders on Capital Improvement Projects:
- 10994 Riverfront Drive
- 11071 LED Lighting Improvements
G.
Report on project and motion approving change orders 43 - 49 for Capital Improvement project 20170, Tourtellotte Park Aquatic Center.
H.
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into Grant Agreement Number 105719 with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for Capital Improvement Project 11119; North Fence Line Replacement (SP A0701-123) at the Mankato Regional Airport.
7.
City Manager’s Report
A.
Ms. Vokal stated that the 2023 Legislature included one-time payment of public safety aid for cities in the Omnibus Tax Bill, and the amount of aid for Mankato is $1,955,560. She noted that as presented at the City Council Work Session on February 26, 2024, areas of focus for spending were identified based on eligible uses and restrictions outlined in the bill which she summarized. She mentioned the process for reporting and indicated that any expenditure using aid money will be brought to the Council for approval with quarterly reports/updates as required by law.
Ms. Vokal indicated that as expenditure ideas are developed, there may be a need for new policy creation or addendums to existing policies to ensure compliance, as is the case with the proposed establishment of a reward fund. She reviewed the proposed spending area and amounts and added that the traffic officer position and vehicle were previously allocated in the 2024 operating budget.
Mr. Mettler asked when the traffic officer started. Ms. Vokal replied around mid-March and stated that it overall has been a positive experience as they have been very busy with proactive communication and education.
Mr. Laven wondered if the $444,400 included everything or if there was a threshold. Ms. Arntz responded that any adjustments, if needed, would come back before the Council.
Brief discussion on budget, and it was noted that there were items that were already allocated related to “response” which were reflected on the chart. In addition to the use of bike patrols.
Mr. McLaughlin inquired about noise ordinance and levels and commented on how with the increase in traffic, especially at Madison and Riverfront, there have been more noise issues.
Mr. Dieken moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the Resolution authorizing the allocation of Public Safety Aid funds for Phase I planned purposes, and the Resolution adopting updated Financial Management Policies. The motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Vokal indicated that as expenditure ideas are developed, there may be a need for new policy creation or addendums to existing policies to ensure compliance, as is the case with the proposed establishment of a reward fund. She reviewed the proposed spending area and amounts and added that the traffic officer position and vehicle were previously allocated in the 2024 operating budget.
Mr. Mettler asked when the traffic officer started. Ms. Vokal replied around mid-March and stated that it overall has been a positive experience as they have been very busy with proactive communication and education.
Mr. Laven wondered if the $444,400 included everything or if there was a threshold. Ms. Arntz responded that any adjustments, if needed, would come back before the Council.
Brief discussion on budget, and it was noted that there were items that were already allocated related to “response” which were reflected on the chart. In addition to the use of bike patrols.
Mr. McLaughlin inquired about noise ordinance and levels and commented on how with the increase in traffic, especially at Madison and Riverfront, there have been more noise issues.
Mr. Dieken moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the Resolution authorizing the allocation of Public Safety Aid funds for Phase I planned purposes, and the Resolution adopting updated Financial Management Policies. The motion carried unanimously.
B.
Ms. Arntz reported that on Friday, June 21, 2024, per Minnesota State Statute, an Emergency Declaration was issued declaring an Emergency and finding immediate action necessary to increase the level of flood protection and provide other emergency aid to avoid catastrophic damage to residential and commercial property adjacent to the river. She provided an overview of activities to date and presented an Emergency Ordinance under Section 2.15 of the City Charter relating to Flood Emergency preparation and flood fighting and rescue options. She noted that the Emergency Ordinance would be effective upon adoption and would automatically stand repealed as of the 61st day following the date of adoption, which is August 24, unless appealed or extended.
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the Emergency Ordinance relating to Flood Emergency Preparation and Flood Fighting and Rescue Operations. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Laven moved and Ms. Melby-Kelley seconded a motion to approve the Emergency Ordinance relating to Flood Emergency Preparation and Flood Fighting and Rescue Operations. The motion carried unanimously.
8.
Reports of City Council Members
None.
None.
9.
Miscellaneous Business
View all city committee meetings by clicking on our City Calendar
Regular Council Meeting, July 8, 2024, 6 p.m., Mankato Room (with EDA to follow if needed)
Regular Council Meeting, July 22, 2024, 6 p.m., Mankato Room (with Work Session to follow)
Work Session, August 5, 2024, 6 p.m., Minnesota River Room
View all city committee meetings by clicking on our City Calendar
Regular Council Meeting, July 8, 2024, 6 p.m., Mankato Room (with EDA to follow if needed)
Regular Council Meeting, July 22, 2024, 6 p.m., Mankato Room (with Work Session to follow)
Work Session, August 5, 2024, 6 p.m., Minnesota River Room
10.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Council, Mr. Laven moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to adjourn. With all members voting in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
There being no further business before the Council, Mr. Laven moved and Mr. Mettler seconded a motion to adjourn. With all members voting in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
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Minutes Approved.
_________________________ Mayor Massad |
ATTEST:
_________________________
Renae Kopischke
City Clerk
_________________________
Renae Kopischke
City Clerk