April 6, 2020 Council Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 6, 2020 – 4:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
This meeting was conducted virtually via Zoom and in accordance with Minnesota Statute 13D.021
1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Mayor Rockvam at 4:05 p.m.
Council Members Present: Jerome P. Rockvam, Mayor; Mark Chase; Jeff Hoffman, Pamela Horton; and Gary Hughes
Staff Present: Dan Tolsma, City Administrator; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; and Theresa Schyma, City Clerk
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Rockvam led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk Schyma discussed the format of the virtual meeting and the requirements of Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
3. ADOPT MEETING AGENDA
M/Hughes, S/Chase to adopt the meeting agenda.
A roll call vote was conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
Motion carried 5-0. (Rockvam, Chase, Hoffman, Horton, Hughes – ayes)
4. ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA
a. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes from March 9, 2020
b. Tour de Tonka Special Event Permit
c. Lord Fletcher’s 2020 Concert Series Permit
M/Horton, S/Hughes to adopt the Consent Agenda.
Council Member Hoffman wanted it noted that he was contacted by two homeowners in Orono about the Lord Fletcher’s summer music and the noise levels at their homes. He stated that he contacted City Administrator Tolsma for some background information about the complete testing process and found that Lord Fletcher’s is in compliance. He stated that he responded via email but noted that he would stop by the area during the summer to listen for himself.
City Administrator Tolsma discussed the complaint email that was sent to staff and Council from the Orono resident. He discussed the history of complaints from this resident, testing process, compliance results, and noise mitigation efforts at Lord Fletcher’s. He added that approving the summer concert permit does not prevent the Council from discussing and making adjustments as they see necessary during the summer.
A roll call vote was conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
Motion carried 5-0. (Rockvam, Chase, Hoffman, Horton, Hughes – ayes)
5. PUBLIC FORUM – None.
6. PRESENTATIONS & GUEST SPEAKERS – None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
8. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, & APPLICATIONS – None.
9. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
a. Resolution 20-11: Council Authorization for Extended Local Emergency
City Administrator Tolsma presented a summary of Resolution 20-11. He stated that Mayor Rockvam declared a local emergency on April 3 and that Minnesota law gives the City Council up to three days to extend the order via resolution. He added that the end date of May 4 was selected since there is usually a meeting on that day so the Council can decide at that time whether or not to extend the order.
City Attorney Tietjen explained the local emergency process. She stated that many cities have declared a local emergency to give their cities flexibility during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
M/Hoffman, S/Chase to approve Resolution 20-11, extending the period of a Mayor-declared local emergency.
A roll call vote was conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
Motion carried 5-0. (Rockvam, Chase, Hoffman, Horton, Hughes – ayes)
b. Resolution 20-12: Establishing Emergency Measures to Aid Local Businesses and Residents
City Administrator Tolsma presented a summary of Resolution 20-12 and staff’s recommendations for aid and assistance for Spring Park residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations include:
• The due date for the first quarter utility payments will be extended from Friday, May 8th until Friday, July 17th, 2020.
• The City will not shut off water services for failure to pay utility fees during April, May, or June of 2020.
• Establishments with on-sale liquor licenses will be credited in a pro-rated amount for the duration that they are closed to the public.
• City Hall will be closed to the public for the duration of the local emergency, although City staff will continue to maintain a minimum of one staff person at City Hall during regular business hours to ensure essential services are being performed.
• All meetings of public bodies (i.e. City Council, Planning Commission, etc.) will be conducted by telephone or other electronic means during the duration of the local emergency.
City Administrator Tolsma also requested direction from the Council on whether or not to close the City’s two parks or to simply post signs that visitors are using the equipment at their own risk and encouraging safety precautions.
Council Member Chase asked what other cities are doing in their parks.
City Attorney Tietjen responded that the decision has been left up to each city and the results have varied.
Council Member Chase asked if the City can post signs that are thoughtful in their guidance so that visitors have enough information to make an informed decision.
City Administrator Tolsma responded yes, there are enough examples out currently to make an effective and informative sign.
The consensus and recommendation of the City Council was to have City staff prepare informational signs informing visitors to the City’s parks that they are using the equipment at their own risk.
M/Hoffman, S/Rockvam to approve Resolution 20-12, implementing certain measures to aid and assist Spring Park businesses and residents.
A roll call vote was conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
Motion carried 5-0. (Rockvam, Chase, Hoffman, Horton, Hughes – ayes)
10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
a. Mayor & Council
Mayor Rockvam stated that the decision was made to put up the American flags on the light poles earlier than usual this year. He stated this was done to help raise the spirits of the community and to honor everyone working on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council Member Hughes stated the Mound Fire Department has been extremely busy and are taking necessary extra protections for all medical calls.
Council Member Chase requested City staff put a notice and instructions on the City’s website about how to make face masks. The post would also include instructions on how and where to donate face masks to health care workers since there is currently a mask shortage.
City Clerk Schyma asked Council Member Chase to send the information to her so that she could put it on the City’s website as soon as possible.
b. City Staff – None.
c. Contract Staff – None.
11. NEW BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS
a. Purchase Order 20-01: Authorizing City Hall Access Ramp Project
City Administrator Tolsma provided a history of the ramp and summary of the proposed project. He further requested the Council approve up to $18,000.00 which is above the initial bid price to ensure small change orders can occur without delaying the project for additional Council approval.
Mayor Rockvam stated he was glad to see this project is moving forward. He further suggested increasing the approved dollar amount to $20,000.00.
M/Rockvam, S/Hughes to approve Purchase Order 20-01, authorizing the City Hall access ramp project in an amount up to $20,000.00.
A roll call vote was conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
Motion carried 5-0. (Rockvam, Chase, Hoffman, Horton, Hughes – ayes)
12. CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
a. April 6, 2020 Claims
M/Horton, S/Hughes to approve all claims for payment.
A roll call vote was conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
Motion carried 5-0. (Rockvam, Chase, Hoffman, Horton, Hughes – ayes)
13. UPCOMING MEETINGS & TRAINING – None.
14. MISCELLANEOUS (INFORMATION ONLY)
a. Open Book Meeting Notice of Cancellation
15. ADJOURNMENT
M/Rockvam, S/Horton to adjourn the meeting at 4:51 p.m.
A roll call vote was conducted pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.021.
Motion carried 5-0. (Rockvam, Chase, Hoffman, Horton, Hughes – ayes)
Date Approved: May 18, 2020
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Dan Tolsma, City Administrator
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Theresa Schyma, City Clerk