January 3, 2022 - City Council Minutes

CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 3, 2022 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL

1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m.  The following Council Members were present:
Jeff Hoffman, Mark Chase, Gary Hughes, Pam Horton, and Jerome P. Rockvam.

Others present: City Administrator Tolsma, City Engineer Mike Nielson, Rick Gorra, Mike Mason

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

3. ADOPT MEETING AGENDA
Council Member Hughes motioned, being seconded by Council Member Horton to adopt the meeting agenda as presented. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

4. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Horton motioned, being seconded by Council Member Hoffman to:
  1. Approve City Council Work Session Minutes from December 20, 2021
  2. Approve Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from December 20, 2021
  3. Resolution 22-01: Naming Official Depository
  4. Resolution 22-02: Establishing Order of Business
  5. Resolution 22-03: Approving Pre-Authorization of Certain Claim Payments
  6. Resolution 22-04: Authorizing the Use of City Credit Card by Designated Employees
  7. Resolution 22-05: Designating Annual Polling Place

On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

5. PUBLIC FORUM - none

6. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS - none

7. PUBLIC HEARINGS – none

8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & APPLICATIONS – none

9. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS – Council Member Hoffman motioned, being seconded by Council Member Chase to adopt:
                 a. Resolution 22-06: Dates of Meeting, Holidays, and Office Hours
On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.
 
City Administrator Tolsma brought forth discussion surrounding city hall hours of operation and whether they can be amended and still meet resident needs. Discussion was had.  It was determined that the subject will be moved to the next work session for further review.

10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES – none
                 a. Mayor & Council – Mayor Rockvam brought forward the project list provided by City Administrator Tolsma and stated he would like to see some of the projects completed prior to Tolsma leaving.

                  b. City Staff – City Administrator Tolsma provided Council with the list of Appointments for 2022. Discussion was had. 
Council Member Hoffman motioned, being seconded by Council Member Horton to adopt the Appointments for Year 2022.  On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

Tolsma provided the Council with a list of open projects and recommended holding a special meeting to discuss the open administrator position and next steps. 
Discussion was had.  It was determined to meet with the prior interim administrator, Jim Brimeyer, for coverage assistance and the search for a new one.  Council Member Hoffman also asked Tolsma to put together a job description and post on the League of MN Cities website. 

                    c. Contract Staff –

                                                  i. Black Lake Road: Authorization of Plans & Specifications

City Engineer Nielson stated he hoped to have the Black Lake Road public meeting tonight but there was a glitch with sending out the notice so the public meeting will be held 2 weeks from now.  Nielson said they thought maybe we could use a prescriptive easement for the right of way acquisitions, but he was advised the Torrens properties were exempt from the MN ruling and roadway improvements are not covered under the current utility easement. Discussion was had. Mayor Rockvam stated if there is property we need to purchase, then we need to move forward and purchase it and get that resolved prior to having a public meeting.  Nielson said he will get the appraisal ordered and asked the Council for approval to pay for the appraisal assessments.

Mayor Rockvam motioned, being seconded by Council Member Hoffman to allow staff to approve the cost of the appraisal. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

Nielson brought forward whether we should use the cost estimate from Xcel or obtain a firmer estimate for the undergrounding of the power lines. Discussion was had.             

Council Member Hoffman made a motion, seconded by Council Member Horton to accept the cost estimate from Xcel Energy in addition to obtaining an estimate from a licensed electrician for the hook-up from the residence to the post. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.

11. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS – none

12. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
                 a. January 3, 2022 Claims
Council Member Horton motioned, being seconded by Council Member Hughes to approve the claims for payment.  On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.
 
13. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAININ

                 a. January 12 – Planning Commission Meeting – 6:00 PM

                 b. January 12 – LMCD Work Session with Regular Meeting to Follow – 6:00 PM

                 c. January 18 (Tuesday) – City Council Work Session Meeting – 6:00 P

                 d. January 18 (Tuesday) – City Council Regular Meeting – 7:00 PM

14. MISCELLANEOUS (INFORMATION ONLY)
Tolsma passed out an invitation from the Gillespie Center to present a partnership award to the partner cities on January 13th at 6:00pm. 

15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, Council Member Hoffman motioned, being seconded by Council Member Chase to adjourn the meeting at 8:09p.m.  On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved.