Chatfield councilors were faced with three options when adopting the 2019 preliminary levy at their September 24 meeting. Councilor John McBroom was absent.
The first option included the staff budget and the swimming pool debt (reflecting a 22.3% levy increase). The second option also included Small City Aid replacement funding in the amount of $24,000 (reflecting a 23.7% levy increase). Small City Aid from the state can be used for infrastructure/streets, but it has not been reauthorized. The third option included everything in the second option plus funding for parkland acquisition in the amount of $105,000 (reflecting a 30.1% levy increase).
Councilor Paul Novotny maintained the acquisition of parkland at this point is bad timing. He continued he was not opposed to the idea and felt it was doable. The city has been looking at the purchase of 73 acres of land adjacent to Groen Park in an effort to create a regional park. Novotny suggested putting together a better plan, adding he supported adopting option two, which did not include funding for the parkland acquisition.
Mayor Russ Smith noted the obvious that the biggest bump in the levy is due to the $284,000 payment on the swimming pool referendum bonds. Novotny pointed to the fact the general levy for operation of the city would show an increase of 6.24% without the swimming pool debt payment.
The council voted unanimously to adopt option two for the 2019 preliminary levy showing a 23.7% levy increase. The total levy for 2019 would be $2,032,036, which is an increase of $390,340 over 2018.
A resolution to adjust the pay grid upward 3% for full-time and part-time employees effective January 1, 2019, was approved. The increase was recommended by the Personnel/Budget Committee to maintain its position in the marketplace.
The first consideration of Ordinance 436 was approved. It provides that the mayor will be paid $5,000 per year plus $37 for each special council meeting. Each member of the city council will be paid $3,200 per year plus $27 per special city council meeting. The resolution is effective January 14, 2019.
Charter Commission proposal
A public hearing was held on the proposed amendments to the City Charter. The Charter Commission’s recomended amendments include making the city administrator the chief administrative officer of the city.
Jenny Bradt, who has served on the Charter Commission for two years and who has lived in Chatfield over 20 years, spoke in favor of the proposed amendments. She noted that the commission originally proposed a city manager position, which did not move forward because the city council wanted to maintain the ability to hire and fire employees.
Bradt maintained the city clerk currently is functioning as a city administrator. He is in charge of day to day operations and as it says in the Ordinance No. 437 he “serves in an advisory and consulting capacity as special assistant to the mayor and the city council.”
The city council will retain their function to hire and fire employees.
The first consideration of Ordinance 437 was approved. City Attorney Fred Suhler explained a unanimous vote was not necessary on the first consideration (McBroom was absent). A unanimous vote with all councilors voting will be required for the second consideration to amend the city charter.
Other business in brief
• Kristi Clarke, Consultant Planner, presented the request for a conditional use permit from Sean Nixa to construct a 1,008 square foot storage garage in the rear yard of his property. A public hearing was held at Planning and Zoning and a recommendation was made for the city council to issue the CUP. The CUP was approved.
A request to combine two parcels along First St. and Winona St. submitted by Elmira Township was approved as recommended by Planning and Zoning. The township purchased and demolished a single family home on one of the parcels and wants to construct a new town hall near the center of the two parcels.
• Chris Giesen, Community Development Coordinator, detailed a residential subdivision assistance request from Geoffrey Griffin. The developer has proposed to develop 13 new residential lots along Amco Dr. and Vindmol Dr. in two phases. Griffin has proposed installing public infrastructure and roadway at the expense of G-Cubed Development Corporation.
Griffin’s intention is to create affordable single family homes. To make this cost effective, Griffin has requested the city assist with a grant of $10,000 for each lot sold to a qualified buyer, up to a maximum of $130,000. Lots sold to non income qualified buyers would not receive a grant. The lots sold to income qualified buyers would not be sold for more than $55,000.
A resolution authorizing a development agreement with G-Cubed Development Corporation to provide financial assistance for residential development was approved. Funds will be provided from the Lonestone Tax Increment Financing District. Giesen noted the final development agreement will be up for consideration at the next council meeting.
• A public hearing was set for October 8 for a business subsidy request made by EZ Fabricating as recommended by the EDA. They are considering a 10,000 square foot expansion. They are requesting an EDA loan through the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF). Authorization was also given for the submission of a MIF funding application.
• The second considerations and publications of Ordinances 433, Miniature Pigs, 434, Rural Residential, and 435, Mixed Development were approved.
• Approval was given to replace 12 ambulance pagers. The new pagers will be purchased from Ancom Communications at a cost of $5,868.
• An Eagle Scout proposal from Jack Martinka to put up bat houses in Mill Creek, Groen, and Shady Oak Parks along with two on the Lost Creek Trail was approved.
• Approval was given to purchase five new picnic tables per year to replace the old wooden picnic tables until the goal of replacing all 60 wooden tables is reached.
• A request for a park bench in honor of Charlie Prokop to be donated by his family and placed in Mill Creek Park was accepted.