SUNFISH LAKE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
First Calvary Baptist Church – 5495 S Robert Trail
7:00 P.M.
Attendants
Mayor: Dan O’Leary
Councilmembers: Present: Steve Bulach, Mike Hovey, Shannon Nelson
Absent: Ginny Beckett
City Attorney: Kori Land
City Forester: Jim Nayes
Police Chief: Brian Sturgeon
City Planner: Lori Johnson
City Engineer: Justin Messner
City Clerk: Christy Wilcox
City Treasurer: Char Stark
- Call to Order
Mayor O’Leary called the meeting to order.
- Approve Agenda
Mayor O’Leary asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda. Mayor O’Leary requested that agenda item 8A, discussion of 2025 budget changes be moved to after item 8E.
Councilmember Bulach moved to adopt the agenda as amended, seconded by Councilmember Hovey. Motion carried (4-0).
- Consent Agenda
Councilmember Hovey moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (4-0).
- Approve Regular Minutes of July 9, 2024
- List of Bills
- Monthly Financial Statements
- Receive Building Inspection Report
- Receive City Forester Report
- Receive Public Safety Report
- Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
- Public Hearing/Presentations
Dakota County Social Services Update with Crisis Respond Team
6a. 5940 Zehnder Road Variance Request
The City Planner presented the Planning Memorandum dated August 7, 2024, regarding an application for a Major Site Plan Approval and Variance to allow for the installation of a new septic system at 5940 Zehnder Road.
Moved by Mayor O’Leary to adopt Resolution No. 24-13, approving Major Site Plan Approval and a Variance for the property at 5940 Zehnder Road, Sunfish Lake, Dakota Couty, Minnesota, seconded by Councilmember Bulach. Motion carried (4-0).
6c. Planner’s Report
The City Planner presented the Planner’s Report dated August 7, 2024.
- Engineer’s Report:
The City Engineer presented the Engineer’s Report dated August 7, 2024.
- 8. NEW/OTHER MATTERS:
- City Attorney Discussion on Council Training and Other Miscellaneous Items
Mayor O’Leary went over the hourly charges for the City Attorney and noted that this has been increased since the retirement of Tim Kuntz. It was agreed that the City Attorney will only attend meetings that the City Council or staff find necessary. No formal action was necessary. Kori Land outlined the training that she is proposing to conduct with the Mayor and City Council in the future. The Mayor and City Council agreed that this training would be beneficial and will be scheduled for later in the year or in the beginning of 2025.
- Excess Liability Insurance
Char Stark, City Treasurer referred to her council report dated August 14, 2024, outlining the excess liability insurance request. Each year during the annual renewal of insurance coverage the City must decide if there is a need to increase the insurance liability coverage. The limits set by the State are that the individual claimant would be able to recover no more than $500,000 on any claim to which the statutory tort limits apply. The total, which all claimants would be able to recover for a single occurrence to which the statutory tort limits apply, would be limited to $1.5 million. After discussion by the City Council and comments from the City Attorney, it was agreed to not wish to waive the liability limits.
Moved by Mayor O’Leary that the City of Sunfish Lake does not wish to waive the liability limits and accepts the coverage of $1,500,000, seconded by Councilmember Nelson. Motion carried (4-0 nays).
- Discussion of City Newsletter
City Clerk Wilcox discussed the option of decreasing the number of city newsletters that are mailed out to residents each year, which is currently four (4). This was suggested based upon the increasing cost of postage and getting more information available on the website. After discussion, it was agreed that there will be no change in the number of newsletters at this time.
- Discuss City Council Participation at Planning Commission Meetings.
Mayor O’Leary discussed how involved the City Council would like to be in participating in and attending Planning Commission meetings. The Mayor and City Council do participate in the site meetings when they feel it is necessary and no change in this policy is recommended. After discussion, it was agreed not to adopt a policy allowing a quorum of members of the Mayor and City Council to attend the Planning Commission meetings.
- Discussion of the 2025 Budget
City Treasurer Stark presented the working preliminary budget for 2025. The Mayor and City Council discussed the preliminary budget and will discuss further at the special meeting to be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
- Adjournment
Mayor O’Leary adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m.
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Christy Wilcox, City Clerk Dan O’Leary, Mayor
We are a small community proud of our heritage and committed to the preservation of our pristine, rural character. We cherish our privacy, yet know we are part of a thriving Dakota County and the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. With these partnerships in mind, we strive to preserve that unique spirit which is Sunfish Lake, Minnesota.