HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-2017 Work SessionMeeting of: COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
Date of Meeting: March 6, 2017
Time of Meeting: 7:00 PM (Following the EDA Meeting)
Location of Meeting: Council Chambers
Purpose of Meeting: WORKSESSION
CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL - The meeting was called to order at 7:14 PM
Present: Mayor Schmitt, Councilmembers Murzyn Jr, Williams and Buesgens
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois; Human Resource Director /Assistant to the City Manager, Joe Kloiber;
Finance Director, Jackie Zillmer; Assistant Finance Director and Katie Bruno; City Clerk
Mayor Schmitt indicated staff has recommended amending the order of the agenda.
Motion by Mayor Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to amend the agenda as follows.
All Ayes, Motion Carried.
1. Discussion related to interviews for Council vacancy
Judy Clerkin, 509 Mill St NE extended her support for Nick Novitsky. Clerkin indicated Novitsky was
"nothing but greatness."
Michael Novitsky, 5252 5t" St NE described Nick Novitsky as a great asset.
Ann Novitsky, 5252 5t" St NE described Nick Novitsky as very dedicated.
Jane Halek, 4602 Fillmore St NE described Nick Novitsky as kind and considerate, indicating his character
speaks for itself.
Jenny Ketchum, 4600 Fillmore St NE stated that Nick Novitsky is good at connecting people and helping
to get them involved.
Adam Davis, 3932 Central Ave NE #3 offered his support for Tim Utz, indicating he will work to find
common ground.
Raquel Tabor, escribed Nick Novitsky as civic minded and possessing good moral
character.
David Mitchell Shrauner, 4319 Fremont Ave N, Minneapolis offered support for Tim Utz, stating he is a
well- informed, family, Godly man.
Nelson M.L. Moore, Sr., 1323 41St Ave NE described Nick Novitsky as a stand -up guy.
Stan Hoium, 1105 42 % Ave NE expressed concern with the process. Hoium indicated the Public
Comment portion of the meeting was not included on the agenda, but was announced via Facebook. A
video taken at the recent interview with a cell phone was also included on the internet.
City Council Worksession
March 6, 2017
Page 2 of 5
Adrian Durand, 2127 Forest Dr NE described Sean Broom as energetic, creative and hardworking.
Andrew Macko, 4424 2% St NE described Nick Novitsky as family and community minded.
Jared Hendrickson, 4340 Jefferson St NE stated he grew up with Nick Novitsky, and that he is involved
and helpful.
Sean Broom, 4117 5th St NE indicated he is concerned with the lack of transparency in the appointment
process.
Julienne Wyckoff, 789 Parkside Lane indicated she finds out her information from Facebook and thanked
Mayor Schmitt for posting this meeting on Facebook.
Mayor Schmitt indicated the council will go through the 17 applicants and make comments as desired. A
straw poll will take place following the council comment period.
Timothy Fitze
Councilmember Williams indicated he was impressed with Fitze, and would rate him high.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. agreed Fitze was a good candidate. Councilmember Buesgens liked the fact
that he has a background in working with youth as a teacher. Mayor Schmitt indicated she would like to
learn more about Fitze.
Tim Utz
There were no comments.
Stan Hoium
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. indicated he has known Hoium awhile, he interviewed well, and would like
to see him considered. Councilmember Williams also felt Hoium should be considered.
Denelle Bing
Councilmember Buesgens appreciated her new perspectives.
Jerome Klein
Councilmember Williams rated him high, as he seems to know the City well.
Frost Simula
Councilmember Buesgens stated she thinks Simula is a great candidate, he attends meetings regularly,
and has great ideas of where the City should go in the future.
Tammera Diehm
Councilmember Williams indicated he served with Diehm for several years on the council, and thinks she
could bring the council together.
Christine Nelson
Councilmember Buesgens liked that Nelson has experience in working at the Capitol, and her interest in
diversity and family first values.
City Council Worksession
March 6, 2017
Page 3 of S
Catherine Vesley
Councilmember Buesgens stated Vesley is very forward thinking and tenacious. Councilmember
Williams agreed that Vesley would be a strong candidate.
Ted Landwehr
Councilmember Buesgens liked the fact that Landwehr has works for several years in the community.
Councilmember Williams agreed, and pointed out he served on the School Board for many years.
Julienne Wyckoff
Councilmember Buesgens shared Wyckoff has a lot of energy and insight to the needs of the young
families.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. agreed that Wyckoff would be good for the community.
Melinda Bak
Councilmember Williams stated she was well spoken, and knowledgeable about the City.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. indicated he was impressed with Bak. Councilmember Buesgens indicated
she seems very organized and seems to be a good strategic thinker.
Barb Gertsema
There were no comments.
Missy Lee
Councilmember Williams indicated Lee served on the School Board.
Nick Novitsky
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. stated Novitsky is a hard worker and devoted member of the Lions Club.
Councilmember Williams shard Novitsky is one his favorites, and is impressed with his tenacity and
leadership skills. Councilmember Buesgens indicated Novitsky is good at getting things done.
Sean Broom
Councilmember Buesgens has been amazed at the energy Broom has, as well as his knowledge and
background.
Bruce Nawrocki (Phone interview)
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. stated it would be nice to have him back on the council.
Councilmember Williams stated Nawrocki is Mr. Columbia Heights, and has served the City for a long
time.
Mayor Schmitt asked the councilmembers to indicate whether they think each candidate should move
forward in the process.
Murzyn, Jr
Williams
Buesgens
Schmitt
Nick Novitsky Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Timothy Fitze Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City Council Worksession
March 6, 2017
Page 4 of 5
Melinda
Bak
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Sean
Broom
No
No
Yes
Yes
Tammera
Diehm
Yes
Yes
No
No
Jerome
Klein
Yes
Yes
No
No
Ted
Landwehr
No
No
Yes
Yes
Bruce
Nawrocki
Yes
Yes
No
No
Frost
Simula
No
No
Yes
Yes
Catherine
Vesley
No
Yes
Yes
No
Stan
Hoium
Yes
Yes
No
No
Denelle
Bing
No
No
Yes
No
Tim
Utz
No
No
No
Yes
Julienne
Wyckoff
Yes
No
No
No
Christine
Nelson
No
No
Yes
No
Barbara
Gertsema
No
No
No
No
Missy
Lee
No
No
No
No
Nelson M.L. Moore, Sr., 1323 41St Ave NE commented that the Council has narrowed the pool down to
the top two candidates, and should focus on the top two. Councilmember Buesgens reported the
Charter has specific guidelines regarding the appointment process, and an appointment cannot take
place earlier than March 27th. Mayor Schmitt indicated the Council will continue to discuss the
applicants at future meetings.
2. Continued discussion of options for refinancing the 2007 and 2008 bonds
Finance Director Joe Kloiber reported the Council will need to make decisions regarding the refinancing
of the Liquor Store and Public Safety Center bonds; whether or not to use the general obligation pledge.
Kloiber suggested the council may want to coordinate long term goals with the EDA. At this point the
goal is to obtain information and direction, and not use time and money preparing documents that the
council would have no intention of approving.
Mayor Schmitt asked for a timeline. Kloiber indicated he will work with the City Manager and Bond
Attorney to create a rough schedule. Kloiber stated he wouldn't expect to see a dramatic change in
interest rates.
Kloiber reported the City's credit rating (AA +) is as good as it can be, due to property values related to
population; noting values are increasing. Councilmember Buesgens requested a copy of the Anoka
Country Property Value report.
3. Information on the 2017 effects of not assessing delinquent utility bills in 2016
Finance Director Joe Kloiber reported that because the Sun Focus failed to publish a required Public
Hearing Notice the City was unable to levy special assessments to 2017 taxes, including delinquent utility
bills. Staff is under the assumption Council's intent was not to include the prior year delinquent accounts
when calculating the decision making process of shutting water off. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.
questioned how many shut -offs are possible, and if there are repeat offenders. Klaiber indicted there are
about 140; some residents have figured out the system, and are deliberate. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.
reported that many cities no longer do shut -offs, as it is a long process.
Jackie Zillmer, Assistant Finance Director explained collections are time consuming, and customer
relations are easier when dealing with current cycles. Zillmer gave an overview of the collection process,
indicating there are 4 -5 steps involved.
City Council Worksession
March 6, 2017
Page 5 of 5
Mayor Schmitt stated she would like to see information from other cities regarding their policies.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. requested the policy be discussed at an upcoming worksession. Kloiber
suggested asking neighboring communities details regarding the terms of assessments as well as any
narrative feedback regarding unintended consequences when the policy was implemented.
Mayor Schmitt asked if there are financial assistance opportunities for residents. Zilimer stated that
residents are referred to Anoka County for assistance.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Suesgens adjourn. All Ayes, Motion
Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:07 PM
Respectively Submitted,
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Katie Bruno,
Council Secretary /City Clerk