HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.c. Minutes of the May 4 2021 Work Session ProceedingsROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MAY 4, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a work session of the Rosemount City Council was held
on Tuesday, May 4th, at 5:00 pm at Rosemount City Hall, Council Chambers, 2874 145th Street West.
Mayor Droste called the meeting to order with Councilmember Weisensel, Block, Essler and
Freske.
Staff present included City Administrator Martin, Public Works Director/City Engineer Erickson,
Community Development Director Kienberger, and Chief of Police Dahlstrom.
DISCUSSION
2.a. Spectro Alloys Update
Luke Palen, President of Spectro Alloys Corporation, presented to the council and staff the changes
they have implemented since their violation in October 2019 and the planned changes going
forward.
Councilmember Freske and Mr. Palen discussed the installation of future furnaces and the past
violation. Mr. Palen explained why the furnace did not pass in October 2019. Their staff has gained
more experience with the equipment and know what to do to comply going forward.
Councilmember Essler expressed concern about having a representative with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) be present to answer questions about safety for Rosemount residents.
Staff will coordinate having an EPA representative to provide information at a future meeting.
Councilmember Weisensel questioned whether the bag house Spectro Alloys is building is
considered to be “state of the art”. Mr. Palen stated that they are installing the best available within
the industry.
Mayor Droste requested that Mr. Palen explain all of the past violations that Spectro Alloys has
encountered with the EPA and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Mr. Palen explained
violations from 2003 to present time and the steps they took to remediate the issues. Mr. Palen has
been with Spectro Alloys since 2011. Since that time, management has focused heavily on staff
training to help ensure proper operations.
Mayor Droste opened up the meeting to public comment at 5:48 p.m.
Rosemount resident, David Fry - 13273 Pine Bend, questioned the smell of the chemicals coming
from Spectro Alloys. Mr. Palen explained that the smells may be chlorine. Their operations do use a
small amount of chlorine and during their melting operations, aluminum oxide may be released into
the air causing another chemical/metallic smell.
Lakeville resident, Susan Landberg - 16576 Flagstaff Ave, requested that air testing be complete
further out in the residential areas to ensure the safety of citizens. Mr. Palen stated that Spectro will
work on their community outreach. In the future, citizens can call the safety team at Spectro Alloys
for assistance at 651-437-2851.
ROSEMOUNT CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION PROCEEDINGS
MAY 4, 2021
Rosemount resident, Gary Dion - 13992 Clover Lane, was concerned that citizens’ concerns not
being handled seriously by Spectro Alloys. Mr. Palen stated that Spectro Alloys is currently installing
better equipment to help with emissions from their operations.
Public comment was closed at 6:01 p.m.
Councilmember Essler questioned whether Spectro would be willing to meet with citizens on a
quarterly basis to address their concerns. Council recommended that the EPA or MPCA be invited
as well to help handle environmental safety questions.
2.b. Progress Report on 2021 Goals
City Administrator Martin briefly discussed the ongoing goals for 2021.
Councilmember Freske requested that councilmembers be notified a week in advance electronically
when quarterly newsletters go out so they can review the items before residents receive them.
City Administrator Martin discussed the next steps with new Recreation Center and hoped to have a
contract in front of council within 45 days to be reviewed, before council action.
Staff signed with Baker Tilly for the compensation and benefits study. The study will take about 5
months to complete the study. Staff should have the results in time for preliminary budget talk in
late 2021.
UPDATES
3.a. Project Updates
City Administrator Martin and Community Development Director Kienberger presented an update
on the Hansen property. Council requested the current property owner to focus on individual
residential or townhouse lots verse a senior housing complex.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council and upon a motion by Droste,
second by Weisensel, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:56 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessie Paque
Deputy City Clerk