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Home My WebLink About02-25-2019OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 2019 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7 pm on Monday, February 25, 2019 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota 1. CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL Mayor Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm Present: Mayor Schmitt, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., Councilmember Buesgens, and Councilmember Novitsky Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Gary Gorman, Fire Chief; Elizabeth Hammond, City Planner; Keith Dahl, Economic Development Manager; Mitch Forney, Community Development Intern; and Katie Bruno, City Clerk /Council Secretary 2. INVOCATION Invocation provided by Nikki Wakal, Pagan Community 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. MISSION STATEMENT, Read by Mayor Schmitt Our mission is to provide the highest quality public services. Services will be provided in a fair, respectful and professional manner that effectively address changing citizen and community needs in a fiscally - responsible and customer friendly manner. S. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Schmitt announced the addition of item 6D; Update from School Board liaison Lorien Mueller. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve the agenda as amended. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 6. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Update from John Connelly, Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce John Connelly thanked the council for their involvement and invited them to participate in numerous upcoming events. Connelly also shared positive feedback he received from local business owners regarding the signage Grant for Central Ave. B. Update from SACA; Fire and Ice Plunge Dave Rudolph, representing SACA thanked the many individuals and groups that assisted with the event. Checks were presented to the individual with the best costume, and the most money raised. A check was presented to Scout Troop #117, for the number of jumpers, as well as their volunteering throughout the year. C. Tibet Day Proclamation Mayor Schmitt read the proclamation. Tenzin Nangsel accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Tibet Community. City Council Minutes February 25, 2019 Page 2 of 4 D. Update from School Board liaison Lorien Mueller School board liaison Lorien Mueller provided information on many upcoming events within the schools. It was announced that students in Concert Band will be bagging groceries at the St. Anthony Cub Foods on March 9th in order to raise money for their upcoming New York trip. 7. CONSENT AGENDA (These items are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted as part of the Consent Agenda by one motion. Items removed from consent agenda approval will be taken up as the next order of business.) A. Approve Minutes of the City Council MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting of February 11, 2019 MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council work session of January 28, 2019 B. Second reading of Ordinance No. 1653, an ordinance amending City Code of 2005 relating to community centers, banquet halls, and recreational facilities within the City of Columbia Heights. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1653, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1653, being an Ordinance amending City Code of 2005 relating to community centers, banquet halls, and recreational facilities within the City of Columbia Heights, and direct staff to send a summary of the ordinance, as presented, for publication in the legal newspaper. C. Second reading of Ordinance No. 1654, an ordinance amending City Code of 2005 relating to brewer taprooms, and brew pubs within the City of Columbia Heights. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1654, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1654, being an ordinance amending City Code of 2005 relating to brewer taprooms, and brew pubs within the City of Columbia Heights, and direct staff to send a summary of the ordinance, as presented, for publication in the legal newspaper. D. Consideration of Resolution 2019 -23 Requesting funds from the Anoka County HRA MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2019 -23, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Resolution No. 2019 -23, a resolution requesting funds from the Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to support economic development activities within the City of Columbia Heights. E. Consideration of Resolution 2019 -24 Providing for the Prepayment and Redemption of the City's Outstanding Taxable GO Tax Increment Bonds, Series 2009B MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2019 -24, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Resolution No. 2019 -24, a resolution providing for the prepayment and redemption of the City's outstanding Taxable General Obligation Tax Increment Bonds, Series 2009B. F. Consideration of approval of attached list of rental housing applications. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 25, 2019, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. City Council Minutes February 25, 2019 Page 3 of 4 G. Approve Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 25, 2019. H. Review of Bills MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8, the City Council has reviewed the enclosed list of paid claims in the amount of $1,097,247.62. Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Consideration of Resolution Adopting the Business Subsidy Policy Mitch Forney, Community Development Intern gave a brief explanation of the origin of the Business Subsidy policy. The proposed policy will be bringing the city into compliance with State Statute. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams to close the Public Hearing and waive the reading of Resolution Number 2019 -22, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams to adopt Resolution Number 2019 -22, a resolution adopting the Business Subsidy Policy. All Ayes, Motion Carried. B. Consideration of revocation of the licenses to operate rental units within the City of Columbia Heights is requested against the rental properties at 1407/1409 Circle Terrace Blvd. NE and 4645 Upland Crest NE for failure to meet the requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes. Gary Gorman, Fire Chief reported that the property at 1409 Circle Terrace has mold, a hole in a wall, and the owner is required to pay a re- inspection fee of $150. The property owner at 4645 Upland Crest has not had a follow -up inspection as required. Mayor Schmitt questioned if either of the properties have had issues previously. Gorman was not aware of any. Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitksy to close the Public Hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution Numbers 2019 -20 and 2019 -21, being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams to adopt Resolution Numbers 2019 -20 and 2019 -21, being Resolutions of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving revocation pursuant to City Code, Chapter 5A, Article IV, Section 5A.408(A) of the rental licenses listed. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions B. Bid Considerations C. New Business and Reports 10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Councilmember Novitsky thanked the Public Works Crews for keeping the roads clear through the multiple recent snow events. Residents were reminded to clear the snow around fire hydrants. City Council Minutes February 25, 2019 Page 4 of 4 Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. reported the Lion's Club wrestling event was a success. Councilmember Williams thanked Lorien Mueller for providing the report from the school district. Councilmember Buesgens attended climate conversations at Silver Lake Park, the Booster Club meeting, and the HeightsNext volunteer potluck dinner. Buesgens reported that for the month of January, approximately 495,900 pounds of residential trash; 25 pounds per person went into the landfill. Because of this, residents are encouraged to recycle more. Residents were encouraged to utilize the fix -it clinic scheduled for Saturday March 2nd from 11 -1. Mayor Schmitt attended the 5t" congressional district Mayor's luncheon, where she met with Representative Ilhan Omar. Omar indicated that she is hoping that her staff can connect with Columbia Heights staff in the future. City Manager Kelli Bourgeois announced the City Services Expo & Town Hall meeting will take place on March 2nd from 11 -2 pm at the Columbia Heights Library. Nominations are being accepted for the Outstanding Citizen award through May 1St Bourgeois commented that the Public Works crew has done an outstanding job keeping the roads clear. They will continue to address visibility issues at major intersections. Bourgeois announced John Larkin and Lauren McClanahan will be retiring at the end of February. 11. COMMUNITY FORUM Robert Sibell -4049 Washington St requested the council consider adjusting the rental license fee. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 pm tP- Respectively Submitted, Katie Bruno, City Clerk /Council Secretary