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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-25-2019OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 25, 2019 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7 pm on Monday, March 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 7:02 pm Present: Mayor Schmitt, Councilmember Buesgens, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., Councilmember Novitsky Also Present: Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Gary Gorman, Fire Chief; Elizabeth Hammond, City Planner; Jodi Griffin, Community Development Administrative Assistant; Katie Bruno, City Clerk; and Candy Lack, Recreation Clerk 2. INVOCATION Invocation provided by Rachel James, First Lutheran Church Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries 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 manner. 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Schmitt requested the addition of Item 6B, "Update from Lorien Mueller, Columbia Heights School Board." 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. 2020 Census — Establish Partnerships with U.S. Census Bureau and MN State Demographic Office, establish a Complete Count Committee in Columbia Heights and declare April 1, 2019 "One Year Out 'til 2020 Census Day." RESOLUTION NO. 2019-27 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, ESTABLISHING A CENSUS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU AND MINNESOTA STATE DEMOGRAPHIC CENTER, ESTABLISHING A COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE AND DECLARING APRIL 1, 2019 "ONE YEAR OUT'TIL 2020 CENSUS DAY," IN SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO CONDUCT A COMPLETE COUNT FOR THE 2020 DECENNIAL CENSUS. City Council Minutes March 25, 2019 Page 2 WHEREAS the U.S. Census Bureau is required by the U.S. Constitution to conduct a count of the population provided historic opportunity to help shape the foundation of our society and plan an active role in American democracy; WHEREAS federal and state funding is allocated to communities and decisions are made on manners of national and local importance based in part on census data and housing; WHEREAS census data helps determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is necessary for the accurate and fair redistricting of state legislative seats, county and city councils and voting districts; WHEREAS information from the 2020 census and American community survey are vital tools for economic development and increased employment; WHEREAS the information collected by the census is confidential and protected by law; WHEREAS the City of Columbia Heights is committed to ensuring every resident is counted; WHEREAS the City of Columbia Heights has established a 2020 census Complete Count Committee; WHEREAS a united voice from business, government, community -based and faith -based organizations, educators, media and others will enable the 2020 census message to reach more of our citizens. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights is committed to partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau and the State of Minnesota and will: 1. Support the goals and ideas for the 2020 census and will disseminate 2020 census information; 2. Encourage all Columbia Heights residents to participate in events and initiatives that will raise the overall awareness of the 2020 census and increase participation; 3. Provide census advocates to speak to Columbia Heights residents and community organizations; 4. Support census takers as they help the City of Columbia Heights complete an accurate count; 5. Strive to achieve a complete and accurate count of all persons within our borders. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights declares April 1, 2019 as "One Year Out'til 2020 Census Day." Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adopt Resolution No. 2019 -27 as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried. KT Jacobs, Complete Count Committee Chair, thanked the City Council for its support and reported a training session is being organized that will hopefully include surrounding communities and provide productive brainstorming and feedback. The committee currently totals 21 members, and there will be various promotion events and a rally at the State Capitol on April 1, 2019. Mayor Schmitt thanked and acknowledged the efforts of the committee, Elizabeth Hammond and Jodi Griffin. City Council Minutes March 25, 2019 Page 3 B. Updates from Lorien Mueller, Columbia Heights School Board. 1. Columbia Heights High School concert band is in New York City and will be performing on the USS Intrepid. 2. Columbia Heights High School choir has a concert on April 3, 7 pm at the high school Performing Arts Center. 3. "Fine Arts Night" will be held at North Park Elementary on April 4, 6 -8 pm and at Highland Elementary on April 11, 5 pm. 4. April 4 is the end of third quarter for the Columbia Heights Public School District. 5. Columbia Heights 11th graders will be taking their SAT and ACT tests the first weeks of April. 6. In partnership with Anoka County, there will be a film screening of "Angst, Raising Awareness Around Anxiety" on April 8, 5:30 pm in the Performing Arts Center, which will be followed by a panel discussion. It is intended for parents and youth aged 11 and older, and RSVP is required for childcare ages 3 -10; and pizza will be provided. Contact: 763 - 528 -4414 to RSVP. 7. The spring high school musical 'Beauty and the Beast" performances will be held at 7 pm on April 25 -26 and May 3 -4 and 2 pm on May 5. 8. Prom will be held on April 27 and will include a grand march at the Performing Arts Center. 9. Community Baby Shower will be 6:30 -7:30 pm on April 25. 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.) Councilmember Buesgens requested that Item H, "Adopt Resolution 2019 -34 supporting dedicated street funding source," be removed for discussion. A. Approve Minutes of the City Council MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting of March 11, 2019 MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council work session of March 4, 2019 B. Accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Library Board meeting from January 9, 2019 C. Adopt Resolution 2019 -28 Being a Resolution adopting the State of Interest in All Hazard Mitigation Planning with Anoka County MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -28, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2019 -28, being a Resolution adopting the Statement of Interest in All- Hazard Mitigation Planning with Anoka County. D. Consideration of approval of attached list of rental housing applications MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing applications for March 25, 2019, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. City Council Minutes March 25, 2019 Page 4 E. Acceptance of feasibility study, approving plans and specifications, and ordering advertisement for bids for 2019 water main improvements, Project 1903 MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -30, there being ample copies available for the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2019 -30, which accepts the Feasibility Report, approves the Plans and Specifications, and orders the Advertisement for Bids for the replacement of water main on 39th Avenue from Hayes Street to Arthur Street, Arthur Street from 39th Avenue to 40th Avenue, Stinson Boulevard from 43rd Avenue to 450' south of 43rd Avenue, and 49th Avenue from 7th Street to Washington Street. F. Adopt Resolution 2019 -31 awarding street striping and Resolution 2019 -32 awarding crack sealing as part of JPA contract MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -31, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2019 -31 being a Resolution awarding the Joint Powers Agreement Contract with the City of Coon Rapids for the 2019 Street Striping Project to AAA Striping Service based upon their low, qualified, responsible bid in the amount of $28.84 per gallon for Street Markings and $133.00 per gallon for Street Symbol Markings with an estimated cost of $5,770 to be appropriated from Fund 212 - 43190 -4000 and $940 to be appropriated from Fund 101 - 43170 -4000. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -32, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2019 -32, being a Resolution awarding the Joint Powers Agreement Contract with the City of Coon Rapids for the 2019 Crack Sealing Project to Allied Blacktop Company based upon their low, qualified, responsible bid in the amount of $0.42 per lineal foot for rout and seal crack sealing and $0.37 per lineal foot for blow and go crack sealing with an estimated cost of $29,700 to be appropriated from Fund 415 - 51801 -4000, and $2,250 to be appropriated from Fund 430 - 46323 -4000. G. Adopt Resolution 2019 -33 approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for 2019 concrete alley construction, City Project 1906 MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -33, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2019 -33, approving Plans and Specifications and ordering Advertisement for Bids for 2019 Concrete Alley Construction, City Project 1906. H. Adopt Resolution 2019 -34 supporting dedicated street funding source *Removed for discussion I. Adopt Resolution 2019 -35 approving Plans and Specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for Silver Lake Water Quality Pond Reconstruction, City Project 1808 MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -35, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2019 -35, approving Plans and Specifications and ordering Advertisement for Bids for Silver Lake Water Quality Pond Reconstruction, City Project 1808. J. Approve Business License Applications Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for March 25, 2019, K. Review of Bills City Council Minutes March 25, 2019 Page 5 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 $1,015,935.11. Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve Consent Agenda items A through G and I through K as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried. H. Adopt Resolution 2019 -34 supporting dedicated street funding source Councilmember Buesgens stated the following resolution was put together by the League of Cities asking cities to support dedicated funding for street funding source. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -34, there being ample copies available to the public. 3 Ayes, 2 Nays, Motion Failed. Ayes: Buesgens, Williams, Murzyn, Jr. Nays; Schmitt, Novitsky. Councilmember Buesgens read the resolution. RESOLUTION 2019 -34 SUPPORTING DEDICATED STREET FUNDING SOURCE Resolution of the City Council for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota WHEREAS all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient, adequately- funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and WHEREAS the integrity of Minnesota's transportation infrastructure is dependent upon long -term planning and ongoing maintenance, both of which require dedicated and sustainable revenue sources; and WHEREAS current funding for roads, bridges and transit systems across all government levels of Minnesota is inadequate and this underinvestment diminishes quality of life for Minnesota residents and hinders Minnesota's progress as a national business, economic and civic leader; and WHEREAS Minnesota's transportation system is failing to meet the capacity needs necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and WHEREAS many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are not meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; and WHEREAS insufficient State funding has delayed regional significant road construction and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and WHEREAS transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and WHEREAS for every one dollar spent on maintenance, a road authority and, therefore, tax payers save seven dollars in repairs; and City Council Minutes March 25, 2019 Page 6 WHEREAS Minnesota contains over 141,000 miles of roadway and over 22,500 miles, or 16 %, are owned and maintained by Minnesota's 853 cities; and WHEREAS almost 85% of all municipal streets are not eligible for dedicated highway user tax distribution fund dollars; and WHEREAS more than 700 cities with populations below 5,000 are ineligible for dedicated highway user tax distribution fund dollars but have benefited from the creation of the Small Cities Assistance Account; and WHEREAS city cost participation in state and county highway projects diverts resources from city -owned streets; and WHEREAS maintenance costs increase as road systems age and no city large or small is spending enough on roadway capital improvements to maintain a 50 -year life cycle; and WHEREAS cities need greater resources including an additional State funding source for transportation and flexible policies to meet the growing demands for city improvements and maintenance; NOW THEREFORE in accordance with the foregoing and all ordinances and regulations of the City of Columbia Heights, the City Council of Columbia Heights makes the following findings of fact: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, that this Council requests that the Minnesota Legislature pass and Governor Tim Walz sign a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation; that this Council defines a comprehensive and balanced transportation funding package as an initiative that permanently increases dedicated funding for State and local road and transit systems in greater Minnesota and the metropolitan area; and that this Council requests an omnibus transportation funding bill that provides additional dedicated State funding for city streets, including funding that can be used for non -MSA city street maintenance, construction and reconstruction. Public Works Director Kevin Hansen provided background information regarding the proposed Resolution, which includes a fee increase in license renewal, enabling legislation to allow for a comprehensive street fee across the entire City, and enacting a local cost share account. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to adopt Resolution 2019 -34 supporting dedicated State funding for City streets. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Consideration of revocation of the license to operate a rental unit within the City of Columbia Heights is requested against the rental property at 4017 4th Street N.E. for failure to meet the requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes Fire Chief Gary Gorman provided background information regarding the property in question, which is not licensed as a rental unit and the owner, Properties for You LLC, has not responded to the City inquiry. Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing. City Council Minutes March 25, 2019 Page 7 Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to close the public hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -29, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adopt Resolution 2019 -29, being a Resolution 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 license listed. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions a. First reading of Ordinance 1655, being an Ordinance relating to Small Cell Facilities Public Works Director Kevin Hansen stated that the ordinance concerns 5G deployment for cell phone speed and increased data services, which has nothing to do with the City's macro towers, and provided background information and requirements for the permits. Councilmember Buesgens expressed concerns about cell carrier support equipment aesthetic consistencies and the City's limited control. Mr. Hansen may be contacted for further questions from the Council or residents. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to waive the reading of Ordinance 1655, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to set the second reading of Ordinance 1655, being an Ordinance relating to Small Cell Facilities, for April 8, 2019 at approximately 7 pm in the Council Chambers. All Ayes, Motion Carried. B. Bid Considerations C. New Business and Reports a. Consideration of Appointments to Advisory Commissions Mayor Schmitt reported that a work session would be held following the March 25 Council meeting to discuss additional advisory commission appointments. Councilmember Buesgens read the City Council's recommendation to appoint to the Traffic Commission: Joe Schluender, for a four -year term, and Stacy Nekora, for a four -year term. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to appoint volunteers Joe Schluender and Stacy Nekora to the Traffic Commission for four -year terms. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 10. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Councilmember Novitsky requested that, with spring in process, residents be aware and pick up garbage near storm sewers before it enters the system. Councilmember Buesgens reported that she attended "Tea with a Cop" at Circle Terrace and "Chili with a Cop" at St. Mathews Lutheran Church, both having had great turnouts, and Keith Dahl's goodbye party, who served as the City's Economic Development Director. City Manager Kelli Bourgeois reported that openings remain for the upcoming Police Department's Citizen City Council Minutes March 25, 2019 Page 8 Academy, held 6:00 -8:30 pm every Thursday in April at the Police Department; contact C.O.P. coordinator Bill Monberg to register. She also thanked the Public Works Department for their work. Public Works Director Kevin Hansen gave an update on pothole repairs and stated that residents may either call Public Works, 763 - 706 -3700, or may go to the City's website front page "Report a Pothole" to report potholes. He also reported that he met with Anoka County regarding 49th Avenue, which is being considered for a reclamation project from Central Avenue to University this summer. 11. COMMUNITY FORUM Amada Marquez Simula, 1700 49th Avenue N.E., invited residents to attend the HeightsNEXT and Top Valu Liquor fundraiser "Cheers for Beers" 6 -9 pm on May 17 at Murzyn Hall. Tickets purchased in advance are $35, $40 at the door; may purchase tickets at cheersforbeersmn.com or Top Valu Liquor. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm Respectfully ub itted, Kelli Bourgeon , ity Manager