January 19, 2021 City Council Minutes

CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 2021 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL

1. CALL TO ORDER
The following Council Members were present: Jerome P. Rockvam, Mark Chase, Jeff Hoffman, Pamela Horton, and Gary Hughes. No Council Members were absent. Mayor Rockvam chaired the meeting.

2. OATH OF OFFICE
City Administrator Tolsma administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Rockvam and Council Members Hoffman and Chase.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Rockvam led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. ADOPT MEETING AGENDA
Council Member Hughes motioned, being seconded by Council Member Hoffman to approve the agenda as presented. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

5. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Horton motioned, being seconded by Council Member Hughes to approve:
a. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from January 4, 2020
b. Resolution 21-06: Establishing Official Polling Place for 2021
On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

6. PUBLIC FORUM - none

7. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS
a. Gillespie Center Presentation – Deb Taylor & Susan Navratil
Deb Taylor, CEO of Senior Community Services, stated the residents of Spring Park are aging and like many want to remain in their own homes and communities. Senior Community Services (SCS) has been in partnership with The Gillespie Center from the beginning. SCS provides services through The Gillespie Center with their Home Program. They provide services like minor repairs, outdoor chores and housekeeping based on a sliding scale and their income. The Gillespie Center also provides a pro-gram called Medicare Partners and they also have a licensed social worker providing support to resi-dents and caregivers. Taylor presented on CareNextion and virtual programming which is helping seniors in these difficult times.

Susan Navratil, president of The Gillespie Center, presented on their operations. Navratil stated they are multigenerational, and community involved. She presented on their many activities and the new group Mens Shed. Navratil reviewed the COVID-19 guidelines put in place and how they stayed safe. They developed a reopen plan that was responsive, innovative, and creative. They re-imagined pro-grams and were able to keep running while still following guidelines. Navratil stated that the volunteers are a big reason the Gillespie center can stay in business. In December, The Gillespie Center had a shutdown due to COVID-19 exposure and reopened on January 4th. Navratil gave a brief history of the four-city partnership and her goal as president. The 20th anniversary is in July and invited anyone to come to the board meetings. Rockvam asked if The Gillespie Center will be doing COVID-19 vac-cines. She is unsure at this time but are set up for it if they are asked. City Council thanked Taylor and Navratil for their presentation.

8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - none

9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & APPLICATIONS
a. 3872 Northern Avenue Variance Application (Resolution 21-07)
Al Brixius reviewed the Planning Commission recommendation to approve a variance regarding set-backs for a new single-family home to be constructed at 3872 Northern Avenue. The current property has become a safety issue and the request is to remove the blighted house to construct a 26-foot house centered on the property. The applicant is seeking side yard variances to allow the new home to be constructed with side yard setbacks of not less than 7.5 feet along both the east and west lot lines with a setback encroachment for a doorway covered landing on the east side of the building. Brixius stated they find that it meets the consistency with the development plan and increases the values in the neighborhood. Brixius stated there are practical difficulties with the lot and reviewed the following conditions of the requested variance: Construction will not deviate from the site plan submitted, the applicant shall submit a grading and drainage plan with the building permit, and hard cover with the new house and lot improvements shall not exceed 30% of the lot area.

Following discussion Council Member Horton motioned, being seconded by Council Member Hughes to approve Resolution 21-07: A resolution addressing variances for side yard setbacks located at 3872 Northern Avenue. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

10. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS - none

11. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
a. Mayor & Council - Mayor Rockvam welcomed the new City Clerk Jennifer Nelson.
i. Skunk Hollow Historic Prints
Mayor Rockvam presented two historic prints of what Spring Park looked like in the past. Rockvam presented on past businesses and the history of “Skunk Hollow” in Spring Park. He had Stan Straley recreate watercolor paintings of the area. He presented a list of businesses that were there in the past and what is there now and inquired if there is an interest to have paintings made. Rockvam estimated it would cost the City maybe $6-8,000 to have paintings of historic businesses for display at City Hall. Council agreed with Rockvam and liked the idea.

Hoffman stated he would like to explore the opportunity of going paperless. He said the City spends a fair amount of time and resources creating copies. He recommends going paperless and adding it to the next agenda to discuss further. Tolsma discussed a trial run that did not take off but will investigate further options and bring back for discussion.

Horton inquired about the park plaques and discussion was had. Tolsma stated money is set aside and a summer event will be planned if possible. Rockvam inquired where we were at in the process. Tolsma said the language is approved for the plaques and they just need to be ordered. A rededication event was the main goal and is still on target. Horton also inquired about the community garden and a plaque for Megan. Tolsma stated the community garden could be dedicated to Megan Pavot as she was the driving force behind it and Council agreed.

Chase asked Tolsma to send an email or two for an update of what is happening around City Hall given the fact there will be no February council meetings unless needed. Tolsma stated maybe we should still have the 2nd meeting in February and cancel the first meeting in March. Council agreed but Tolsma will still send updates the week they were supposed to meet.

b. City Staff-none
c. Contract Staff-none

12. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS – none

13. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
a. January 19, 2021 Claims
Council Member Horton motioned, being seconded by Council Member Chase to approve claims for payment including addendum #1 dated January 19th for other checks that have been submitted. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

14. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. January 27 – Fire Commission – 10:00 AM
b. January 27 – LMCD Work Session followed by Regular Meeting – 6:00 PM
c. February 16th – Regular City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM

15. MISCELLANEOUS (INFORMATION ONLY)

16. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Hughes motioned, being seconded by Horton to adjourn the meeting. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.