HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-22-2019OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 22, 2019
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday,
April 22; 2019 in the Columbia Heights Public Library Community Room, 3939 Central Avenue NE,
Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL
Mayor Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
Present: Mayor Schmitt, Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., Councilmember Novitsky, Councilmember Williams
Absent: Councilmember Buesgens
Also Present: Lenny Austin, Chief of Police; Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Gary Gorman, Fire Chief; Jim
Hoeft, City Attorney; KT Jacobs, 2020 Census Complete Count Committee Chair; Al Mustafa
2. INVOCATION
None
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.
S. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the agenda as
presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4 -0.
6. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
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 April 8, 2019
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council work session of April 1, 2019
B. Accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes
C. Authorize the purchase of replacement radios for the Fire Department
MOTION: Move to authorize the purchase of radios and accessories in the amount of $70,564.40 from
Motorola Solutions per State Contract #119587 and additional accessories from Ancom Communications
in the amount of $305.00.
City Council Minutes
April 22, 2019
Page 2
MOTION: Move to authorize the Fire Chief to expend up to $2,500.00 for the installation of the radios.
D. Acknowledge Receipt of Body -Worn Camera Audit
MOTION: Move to acknowledge the receipt of the findings of the Body -Worn Camera Audit conducted on
the Columbia Heights Police Department by the Office of the Minnesota State Auditor on February 19,
2019. A copy of those audit findings will become a part of the record of this meeting.
E. Request to Adjust Police Department Organizational Structure
MOTION: Move to modify the Police Department's organizational structure from five part -time
Community Service Officers to seven part -time Community Service Officers.
F. Approve Gambling Permit, Immaculate Conception Church
MOTION: Move to direct the City Manager to forward a letter to the State Charitable Gambling Control
Board indicating that the City of Columbia Heights has no objection to the gambling permit for
Immaculate Conception Church to conduct bingo and a raffle at its Fun Fest event being held August 1 -4,
2019 at 4030 Jackson Street NE, Columbia Heights; and furthermore, that the City of Columbia Heights
hereby waives the remainder of the thirty -day notice to the local governing body.
G. Consideration of approval of attached list of rental housing applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for April 22, 2019, in
that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
H. Authorize emergency repairs to elevator at City Hall
MOTION: Move to authorize the repair work and payment to Schindler Elevator Corporation in the
amount of $16,955.00 from the City Buildings Repair and Maintenance Fund 101.41940.4020 for the
emergency repair of the elevator located at City Hall.
I. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for April 22, 2019.
J. 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 $1,419,370.84.
MOTION: Move to approve the Consent Agenda items.
Motion by Councilmember Williams., seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to approve the Consent
Agenda. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4 -0.
S. 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 1330 43'd Avenue NE for failure to meet the
requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing at 7:06 pm. Chief Gorman provided background information
regarding the rental unit under consideration, noting that its owner had not responded to the City's
attempt for them to provide a rental property application, and stated the City would be starting the
revocation process.
City Council Minutes
April 22, 2019
Page 3
There being no further comment from attendees, Mayor Schmitt requested the public hearing be closed
at 7:07 pm.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Williams, to close the public hearing
and to waive the reading of Resolution 2019 -40, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 4 -0.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to adopt Resolution 2019 -40,
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
4 -0.
9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
B. Bid Considerations
C. New Business and Reports
10. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Councilmember Novitsky helped with the Egg Hunt on April 12, with 26 children participating, and
commended the Recreation Department for doing a great job. Adopt a Highway Heights Cleanup Day was
held over the weekend, resulting in over 80 collected bags, and he thanked all volunteers, including the
Columbia Heights Ski Club, Local Girl Scout Troop 1024 and Immaculate Conception School.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., reported on the good turnout for the Lions Club shredding event.
Mayor Schmitt attended the Muslim Christian Dialogue on April 14 and the Kiwanis breakfast and
community Good Friday service at Community Methodist Church, acknowledging the great work done by
area churches. She also attended the Grand Central Flats grand opening on April 19, as well as the
meetings of the Public Safety Staffing Study and Salvation Army Advisory Council.
Manager Bourgeois attended the Grand Central Flats grand opening and made a presentation, as did new
Community Development Director Aaron Chirpich, that morning on the State of the City with the
Chamber of Commerce, along with neighboring cities. The Citizens Academy at the Police Department is
going very well and spurring great dialogue among attendees. Work on the elevator at City Hall should
soon be completed, and it is expected that Council Meetings will be able to be held there again beginning
in May, dependent on the State Inspector's evaluation. Interviews will be held next week to fill the City
Clerk vacancy.
11. COMMUNITY FORUM
KT Jacobs reported that the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee will meet at the Library at 6:30 pm
on April 30.
Al Mustafa, 2526 Fremont, reported that he'd heard there were traffic problems associated with worship
services in Columbia Heights on Friday evenings. Mayor Schmitt recommended that he discuss the
subject, following the meeting, with Chief Austin, who was present.
City Council Minutes
April 22, 2019
Page 4
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion
Carried 4 -0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
Respectfully Sub r fitted,
Kelli Bourgeons, City Manager