July 20, 2020 City Council Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JULY 20, 2020 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rockvam at 7:04 p.m.
Council Members Jerome P. Rockvam, Mayor; Mark Chase; Pamela Horton; and Gary Hughes
Present:
Council Members Jeff Hoffman
Absent:
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Al Brixius, City Planner; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Rockvam led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ADOPT MEETING AGENDA
M/Hughes, S/Horton to adopt the meeting agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
4. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA
a. City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes from May 18, 2020
b. City Council Special Meeting Minutes from June 23, 2020
c. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from July 6, 2020
d. 2413 Black Lake Road Variance Extension – 1 Year
M/Horton, S/Chase to adopt the Consent Agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
5. PUBLIC FORUM
Michael Mason, 3950 Del Otero Avenue, commented on the money the City will receive from the Federal CARES Act.
City Administrator Tolsma discussed the application and certification process of certain expenses that can be reimbursed for the City’s COVID-19 related expenses.
Josh Clemons, 2486 Black Lake Road, wanted to comment on the proposed short-term and long-term rental ordinances. He would like to see a vote happen on these ordinances because a lot of work was put into drafting the language. He supports allowing short-term rentals and implementing a long-term rental licensing program in the City. He added that he wants the Council to understand that the language has been drafted to regulate these ordinances in a reasonable manner for all parties involved. He further stated that he is in favor of having the long-term rental licensing program apply to multi-family buildings as well because he has previously rented units in multi-family buildings in Spring Park and has seen the questionable conditions first-hand.
6. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS
a. 2019 Audit Presentation – Jim Eichten, representative of the City’s audit firm of Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A., presented a PowerPoint summary of the 2019 audit report and provided information on the City’s current financial condition. He stated that the compliance piece of the 2019 audit was satisfactory and there were no findings to report. He stated the City’s funds are in stable financial condition and he was able to issue an unmodified and clean opinion for the City’s activities.
Mayor Rockvam stated he is happy to see the positive impact to the City’s financial standing after adjusting utility rates to address depreciation.
The City Council consensus was to accept Mr. Eichten’s 2019 Audit presentation and report. The Council thanked him for his thorough report.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & APPLICATIONS
a. Resolution 20-16: 4364/68 West Arm Rd East Variance Request
City Planner Brixius presented a summary of the public hearing process and setback variance application for 4364/4368 West Arm Road East to allow for a home and garage expansion. He stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance application at their July 8, 2020 meeting.
M/Chase, S/Horton to approve Resolution 20-16 allowing a street side setback variance for the expansion of the two-family dwelling at the property located at 4364 and 4368 West Arm Road.
Mayor Rockvam requested a roll call vote.
Motion carried 4-0. (all ayes)
b. Resolution 20-17: 4317 Channel Rd Variance Request
City Planner Brixius presented a summary of the public hearing process and setback variance application for 4317 Channel Road to allow for a home and garage expansion. He stated that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the variance application at their July 8, 2020 meeting.
M/Hughes, S/Horton to approve Resolution 20-17 allowing a side yard setback variance for the expansion of the home and garage for the property located at 4317 Channel Road.
Mayor Rockvam requested a roll call vote.
Motion carried 4-0. (all ayes)
9. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS – None.
10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
a. Mayor & Council – None.
b. City Staff – None.
c. Contract Staff – None.
11. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS – None.
12. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
a. July 20, 2020 Claims
M/Horton, S/Chase to approve all claims for payment.
Motion carried 4-0.
13. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING
a. July 22 – Police Commission – 8:00 AM
b. July 22 – Fire Commission – 11:00 AM
c. July 22 – LMCD Work Session at 6:00 PM with Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM
d. August 3 – City Council Regular Meeting – 7:00 PM
14. MISCELLANEOUS (INFORMATION ONLY)
a. Mound Fire Department June Report
15. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
a. Special City Council Closed Executive Session to have an attorney-client privileged discussion related to ongoing litigation to enforce nuisance abatement at 2254 Lilac Road and 2433 Interlachen Road. The Closed Session will be convened pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05, subd. 3(b).
City Attorney Tietjen stated that tonight’s Closed Executive Session is related to an attorney-client privileged discussion related to ongoing litigation.
M/Horton, S/Chase to adjourn to the Closed Executive Session in the Council Chambers at 7:39 p.m. to have an attorney-client privileged discussion related to ongoing litigation to enforce nuisance abatement at 2254 Lilac Road and 2433 Interlachen Road. The Closed Session will be convened pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 13D.05, subd. 3(b).
Motion carried 4-0.
All members of the public were asked to exit the building to ensure confidentiality for the meeting but were informed that they would be allowed to return at the adjournment of the Closed Executive Session.
The Closed Executive Session was called to order by Mayor Rockvam at 7:42 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Members Present: Jerome P. Rockvam, Mayor; Mark Chase; Gary Hughes; and Pamela Horton
Members Absent: Jeff Hoffman
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
The Closed Executive Session was convened pursuant to M.S. 13D.05.
M/Horton, S/Hughes to adjourn the Closed Executive Session in the Council Chambers at 8:18 p.m.
Motion carried 4-0.
16. RECONVENE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rockvam in the Council Chambers at 8:19 p.m.
There was no other business to come before the City Council.
17. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:19 p.m.
Date Approved: August 3, 2020
_________________________
Dan Tolsma, City Administrator
_________________________
Theresa Schyma, City Clerk