Anyone can join the meetings to view presentations and participate by clicking the links below. You can join as a guest in a browser (no need to create an account) or using the Microsoft Teams App.

Work Session of City Council:  Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Virtual Meeting Link:  Click here to join the meeting

For telephone audio only:  Dial 1-612-517-3122; Enter Conference ID: 350 264 736#

• Work Session Agenda
• Work Session Report
• Work Session Map – showing 75% Plans Roll Plot (to view: zoom and scroll electronically)

Regular Meeting of City Council:  Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Virtual Meeting Link:  Click here to join the meeting

For telephone audio only:  Dial 1-612-517-3122; Enter Conference ID: 374 806 568#

• Agenda
• Meeting Packet

2020 Annual Report Cover Page

Medina’s 2020 Annual Report provides an overview of the City’s activities, accomplishments, and fiscal responsibility for 2020. The report outlines activity for each of the city departments including administration, planning, public works, police, and fire as well as statistics and charts demonstrating trend history.

We invite you to review Medina’s 2020 Annual Report to learn more about your community. This report also includes a snapshot of the important events and projects completed in 2020, a preview of 2021 goals, and sections recognizing our contributors, service providers, elected officials, appointed representatives and staff.

View Medina’s Annual Reports from previous years at:  https://medinamn.us/citygov/history-vision/ 

Over the past several months, Three Rivers Park District has been working with Medina and other communities to collect feedback on the master plan for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail (DLRT). This master plan contemplates a future north-south regional trail in western Hennepin County, including potentially through Medina.

Establishing a master trail plan with identified preferred routes will help local officials secure the land for the trail as development occurs over several years or decades. The Diamond Lake Regional trail will be constructed in segments over the course of many years as development occurs and land can be secured along the trail route.

In response to the public feedback and the direction of the Medina City Council, Three Rivers is no longer evaluating any regional trail options which would extend south of the Hamel Road right-of-way in Medina.

The Medina City Council and Park Commission have requested that Three Rivers Park District instead study and seek public comments on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City.  The routes currently under consideration are on this map for quick reference.

The City Council and Park Commission desire to collect feedback and gage support for a regional trail which could serve the growing and more densely populated neighborhoods of northeast Medina with a paved, multi-use trail for walking, running, biking and in-line skating.

The regional trail would be envisioned to provide a grade-separated crossing over Highway 55 and provide a connection to Baker Park Reserve.  Along Hamel Road, the trail would be adjacent to the roadway and predominantly be located within right-of-way.

Next Steps from Public Engagement

All community feedback from the public engagement period on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City have been put into one comprehensive summary for Park Commission and City Council review and consideration, which can be found in the linked Park Commission report below.  Staff will be sharing the results of the planning efforts to the Park Commission at its regular meeting on May 19, 2021 and the City Council at its regular meeting on June 1, 2021.

Park Commission Meeting:  May 19, 2021 at 7:00 PM held telephonically/virtually

• Diamond Lake Regional Trail Summary – Report to Park Commission – Includes engagement summary and public comments
• Virtual Meeting Link: Click here to join the meeting
• Or call in (audio only) +1 612-517-3122; Conference ID: 310 620 929#

• Online (interactive map, message board, email at https://www.letstalkthreerivers.org/diamond-lake-regional-trail-master-plan) (comment period closed on May 12th)

• Questions on the project, email DLRT@threeriversparks.org or call Stephen Shurson, Three Rivers Project Manager, at 763-559-6766

Information from Past Meetings regarding this topic (the original proposed trail routes south of Hamel Road in the meeting information below are no longer being considered):

• Video from 2/16/21 Meeting
• Video from 2/23/21 Meeting
• Video from 3/2/21 Meeting
• Maps (high resolution) – showing original three route options
• Public Comments from first engagement period as of 03.02.21
• Presentation from 2/16/21 Meeting – on project overview, route analysis, and preferred route
• Presentation for 3/2/21 Meeting – meeting between Park Commission & City Council to discuss alternative options/next steps

Announcing Clean Waters – a series of educational fact sheets put out by Public Works with focus on protecting Medina’s water resources.  To learn more or see how you can contribute photos for upcoming publications visit: https://medinamn.us/svcs/environment/cleanwaters/

A picture is worth a thousand words – below are some, submitted by residents, that capture why we’re so passionate about protecting our wetlands.

Photo Credit: Theodore Jantzen

Lake Independence – Photo Credit: Shrirang Joshi

Photo Credit: Hadassah Zohara

Photo Credit: Hadassah Zohara

Photo Credit: Hadassah Zohara

Photo Credit: Robin Reid

Photo Credit – Mandi Davis

The City’s brush/compost site will be open daily (including weekends) from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The gate will be closed and locked every day after 4:30 p.m. to limit contractors and non-residents from dumping illegally.

It is located behind the shop building northwest of City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN 55340.

Accepted Items

Brush Pile – trees, branches, brush, bushes, and other natural wood products (woody shrubs, vines, Christmas trees & large logs)

Compost Pile – grass clippings, leaves, mulch, flowers, weeds, sod, garden waste and holiday greens (no bags & no straw)

[Read more…]

Are you thinking about starting your own business or are you currently operating a small business and interested in FREE technical assistance?
Medina has partnered with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) to offer the Open to Business program. This program provides FREE one-on-one assistance from MCCD’s expert staff, customized to meet the specific needs of each entrepreneur. This can include creating a business plan, suggestions on financial management and bookkeeping practices, assisting with marketing, and referrals for financing. MCCD also administers a small business loan fund which provides capital to expand local businesses.

For more information please visit www.opentobusinessmn.org or contact John Endris from MCCD at jendris@mccdmn.org or (651)-216-6252.

UPDATES

6/15/20:  City Hall is open for in-person service at the service window located at the lower level planning entrance. To minimize the amount of people in the office at any given time, employees will continue to work a combination of hours from home and in the office. Please schedule an appointment with the appropriate employee/department to ensure you can receive proper service while visiting City Hall. Employee contact information can be found at: https://medinamn.us/contact-us/staff-directory/.

5/18/20:  Playgrounds are open- Play equipment is not sanitized, use precautionary measures to keep your family safe.

3/17/20: City Council and Commissions begin to hold telephonic/virtual meetings pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.021 – until further notice. Links to join upcoming meetings can be found at: https://medinamn.us/citygov/agenda-n-minutes/featured-page-3/.

3/16/20: Mayor declares local emergency.

Mayoral Declaration No 2020-01 finding local emergency exists at the City of Medina, Minnesota

Mayor Statement and Determination Regarding Conducting Meetings by Telephone or Other Electronic Means

Resolution Extending Mayor Declared Local Emergency

(Excerpts from State Statutes in reference to emergency declarations and telephonic meetings)

Additional Resources and Information

• COVID-19 Vaccine Connector Tool – https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/connector
• Hennepin County Rental Assistance – Application Deadline: March 19, 2021
• https://covidcalculator.hennepin.us/ – The COVID Calculator will help you better calculate and understand recommendations for quarantines
• https://www.hennepin.us/business-support – Eligible small businesses and nonprofits located in Hennepin County that have been financially harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for relief grants up to $15,000. The application period is open now through Thursday, January 14 at noon.
• COVID-19 Business Relief Payments | Minnesota Department of Revenue (state.mn.us)
• Starting Monday, November 23rd, businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply for additional relief through Hennepin County. Learn more https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/programs/Emergency-relief
  • Eligible businesses:
    • Restaurants, bars gyms, event/entertainment venues
    • Located in Hennepin County
    • Under 100 employees and $6M revenue
    • Have a COVID-19 plan
• https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/holidays.html#halloween
• Business4BusinessMSP.com
• https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/programs/Emergency-relief
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (COVID-19 Facts)
• Minnesota Department of Health (COVID-19 Guidance)
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) – Information and Resources
• A Guide for Minnesota Small Businesses that Need Help (from DEED)
• https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
• https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-disaster-loans-minnesota-small-businesses-impacted-covid-19
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans Now Available
• COVID-19 Eligible Emergency Protective Measures Fact Sheet (3.19.20)
• A message from Representative Dean Phillips
• Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans COVID FAQs (FINAL)
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQ
• Lake Minnetonka Emergency Management Group’s COVID-19 Response
• https://home.treasury.gov/cares
• Mental Health and Relieving Anxiety around COVID-19: https://youtu.be/IaldMzbiKj8 
• Business District COVID-19 Response Toolkit from Hennepin County
• Hennepin County – Emergency Rental Assistance due to COVID-19
• MN 16567 SBA Offers Disaster Assistance 8.4.2020
  • MN 16567 Agency Fact Sheet
  • MN 16567 Flyer Agency Virtual 8.4.20

On June 19, 2020, the City of Medina has lifted the enforcement of the No-Wake restriction on Lake Independence, because the water level for the Lake has not been higher than the DNR approved 958.2 feet above sea level.

You can monitor up-to-date water levels on Lake Independence at this link: https://www.lakeindependence.org/water-info

MMCD Trucks and helicopters will be out in neighborhoods and parks and with more people at home, they may be more visible this year.

Warmer weather means that mosquito season is quickly approaching and the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) will be out conducting surveillance and treatment activities to reduce the risk of disease and annoyance in an environmentally-sensitive manner.

Each year the field staff at MMCD monitors and treats wetlands that breed mosquitoes with a fleet of trucks and helicopters. The difference in 2020 is that due to the Minnesota “Stay-at-Home” order and other precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, more people may be home to notice MMCD activities in local neighborhoods and parks.

At times MMCD employees may need to cross private property for access to check and treat areas for mosquito larvae. Mosquito control staff will be practicing social distancing, wearing masks when near people, and working individually as often as possible. MMCD management asks the community to please stay at least 6 feet away from field staff and ensure children and pets are kept at a distance. If you have questions about mosquito control activities or concerns about an employee, please call the MMCD front desk at (651) 645-9149 or visit MMCD.org.

Some of the activities that MMCD may be doing in your community include:

• Wetland surveillance – determining if ponds or swamps have mosquito larvae present.
• Catchbasin surveillance – pulling off grates and inspecting neighborhood catch basins to determine if mosquito larvae are present.
• Ground larval treatments – applying control materials to a wetland with a hand spreader or backpack.
• Helicopter larval treatments – applying control materials to a wetland via helicopter.
• Catchbasin treatments – applying control materials to neighborhood catchbasins.
• Setting or collecting traps – surveillance helps MMCD determine where and what types of mosquitoes are active.

The control materials and methods used by MMCD are regularly tested for safety and only applied when surveillance indicates they would be effective. They are designed specifically to target mosquito larvae or adults with minimal impacts on non-target insects. The control materials are not harmful to people, pets, or wildlife. For a complete list of control materials used, please visit MMCD.org.

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District appreciates your support during this unprecedented time. For information about how MMCD is adapting to take COVID-19 precautions or for tips on how to reduce mosquitoes near your home, please visit MMCD.org.

The cities of Medina and Corcoran are in the planning stages for future improvements to Hackamore Road from west of County Rd 116 to east of County Rd 101.  Improvements being considered include widening, turn lanes and trail connections.  It is anticipated that improvements will be constructed in phases over multiple years, potentially beginning in 2021.

You are invited to help guide the design of these improvements and provide your feedback.  To maintain the health and safety of the community and respect CDC guidelines regarding public gatherings due to COVID-19, two online opportunities are available:

• A virtual public meeting was held on May 19, 2020.
  • Recorded Virtual Open House
• Complete an online mapping activity (open from May 14^th to June 4^th ) showing two alignment options with the ability to provide comments and thoughts.

For questions or comments, contact Dusty Finke, Planning Director, at 763-473-8846 or dusty.finke@medinamn.gov or Steve Scherer, Public Works Director, at 763-473-8842 or steve.scherer@medinamn.gov