HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 2020_MinutesCEC Committee
Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2020
Present: Sarah Watters, Patrick Heaney, Marcia Diers, Dick Felch, Jessica Weber, Kim
Churchill, Lori Olson, Jason Wedel, Andy Brotzler
Excused:
Unexcused:
Brad McCarter, Annette Thompson, Dave Elbon
Andrea Nelson
Next Meeting:
TBD
I. Welcome & Introductions
Meeting was held via Zoom
II. CR21/TH13 Downtown Banner
Andy Brotzler, Public Works Director, talked about a banner that will be hung over CR21 in
downtown after the completion of the roadwork. The banner is part of the street scape
design for the project. The committee was asked their opinion on design and message. The
committee agreed the sign should indicate “downtown” and the word “community,” if
possible, on the sign.
III. 2020 Budget Adjustments due to COVID-19
Jason Wedel, City Manager, reviewed the City’s 2019 financial report and told the group the
City ended the year strong with 54% in reserve (the goal is to between 40%-50%). This is
good news given the current budget situation as a result of COVID-19. Jason walked through
the financial issues the City is facing in 2020, including lost revenue projections. There are
many unknowns for how 2020 will shake out, but Jason told the group the City expects a
loss of building permit, license and fees, police over-time revenue and small property tax
delinquency as a result of COVID-19. As such, the City has taken measure to address the
potential budget shortfall including layoffs, not hiring any seasonal personnel, and
reductions in department budgets. These measures won’t fully make up for the projected
revenue loss. The remainder will be pulled from the City’s general fund reserves.
IV. City Hall Re-Opening Plan
Lori Olson, Assistant City Manager, informed the group that City Hall will re-open to the
public on Tuesday, May 26. In preparation for this event, staff prepared a “return to work
plan,” which was based on the MN Dept of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
template. Safety protocols including social distancing signage, extra sanitizing stations, and
glass shields being installed at customer counters are all part of the plan.
CEC Committee
Meeting Minutes, May 21, 2020
Page 2
V. Brief Updates
• City Council Special Election. Jason relayed that the special election for the vacant seat
left by Warren Erickson’s resignation will occur during the regular election in November
2020. Council decided not to appoint anyone to fill the seat in the interim.
• Parks Master Plan. Jason informed the group that the City Council gave staff direction at
the recent Council work session to move forward with a feasibility study for pickleball
courts. The larger master plan discussion has been delayed due to COVID-19. Jason is
scheduling a staff retreat to discuss next steps and hopes to have the plan completed and
adopted by the City Council by the end of the year.
• Downtown Mural. Work is expected to begin in the new couple of weeks on the mural on
the Nuvera building downtown. Painting the mural needs to be coordinated with road
construction.
• Outdoor Dining. This item was added as an update given the Governor’s recent move to
allow restaurants and bars to open and begin service outside patios only. Jason said the
City is working with local restaurants on plans to expand outdoor seating areas.
• Other items:
1. Due to scheduling conflicts, the committee agreed to move regular CEC meetings to
the second Tuesday of the month (currently third Tuesday) to ensure that everyone
can attend.
2. The committee discussed whether the next meeting should be held in person and, if
so, what precautions should be in place (e.g., wearing masks). Lori told the
committee the decision was up to them and that she would follow-up with a survey
to determine the direction the committee would like to take.
Next Meeting: Thursday, June 11