HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-2019 CC MinutesOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 25, 2019
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday,
November 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 7:00 pm.
Present: Mayor Schmitt; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Councilmember
Novitsky; Councilmember Williams
Also Present: Lenny Austin, Police Chief; Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Aaron Chirpich, Community
Development Director; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; KT Jacobs; Dan O’Brien, Fire Captain; Father James
Peterson.
2. INVOCATION
Invocation was provided by Father James Peterson, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
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 announced three corrections to the agenda: moving Item 7B, “Voluntary Cost-Sharing
Agreement for Anoka County Economic Development Between City and Anoka County and Request
of Funds from Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority” to Item 8E under Public
Hearings; and removing Item 8A, “Consideration of Revocation of the License to Operate a Rental
Unit at 3969 Reservoir Boulevard NE” and Item 8C, “Consideration of Revocation of the License to
Operate a Rental Unit at 4330 Washington Street NE,” as the properties have come into compliance.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to approve the agenda
as amended. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
6. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
None
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.)
City Council Minutes
November 25, 2019 Page 2
A. Approve Minutes of the City Council
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 12, 2019.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Work Session of November 4, 2019.
B. Approve the Voluntary Cost-Sharing Agreement for Anoka County Economic Development and
Approve Resolution 2019-93 Requesting Funds from the Anoka County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority
Moved to Public Hearings as Item 8E.
C. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1657, an Ordinance Authorizing the Conveyance of Certain
Real Property by the City of Columbia Heights to the Columbia Heights Economic Development
Authority
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1657 and the summary of Ordinance No. 1657,
there being ample copies available to the public.
MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1657, being an Ordinance authorizing the conveyance of
certain real property by the City of Columbia Heights to the Columbia Heights Economic Development
Authority located at 961 Gould Avenue NE, 950 40th Avenue NE and Tract B Registered Land Survey
No. 250 and direct staff to send a summary of the Ordinance, as presented, for publication in the
legal newspaper.
D. Approving a Professional Services Agreement Between the City of Columbia Heights and
Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc.
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2019-94, there being ample copies available to the
public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2019-94, approving a professional services agreement between
the City of Columbia Heights and Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc.
E. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the Business License Agenda for November 25,
2019, as presented.
F. Consideration of Approval of the Attached List of Rental Housing Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for November 25,
2019, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
G. Review of Bills
MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8, the City Council has
reviewed the enclosed list of claims paid by check and by electronic funds transfer in the amount of
$956,179.91.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the Consent
Agenda items. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
City Council Minutes
November 25, 2019 Page 3
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 3969 Reservoir Boulevard NE for Failure to
Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes
Removed
B. Consideration of Revocation of the License to Operate a Rental Unit within the City of Columbia
Heights is Requested Against the Rental Property at 4240 Jefferson Street NE for Failure to
Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes
Captain O’Brien reported the 4240 Jefferson Street NE rental property does not comply with the
Residential Maintenance Codes.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to close the public
hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution 2019-90, there being ample copies available to the
public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adopt Resolution No.
2019-90, 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 5-0.
C. Consideration of Revocation of the License to Operate a Rental Unit within the City of Columbia
Heights is Requested Against the Rental Property at 4330 Washington Street NE for Failure to
Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes
Removed
D. Consideration of Revocation of the License to Operate a Rental Unit within the City of Columbia
Heights is Requested Against the Rental Property at 4556/4558 Fillmore Street NE for Failure to
Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes
Captain O’Brien reported workmanship on the window repairs does not meet the Residential
Maintenance Codes at 4556/4558 Fillmore Street NE and confirmed that the owner is aware of the
consequences for failure to do so. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., stated that he accompanied Captain
O’Brien at the recent site visit and agreed the workmanship is noncompliant.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to close the public
hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution 2019-92, there being ample copies available to the
public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
City Council Minutes
November 25, 2019 Page 4
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adopt Resolution No.
2019-92, 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 5-0.
E. Approve the Voluntary Cost-Sharing Agreement for Anoka County Economic Development and
Approve Resolution 2019-93 Requesting Funds from the Anoka County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority
Director Chirpich provided background information regarding last year’s approved five-year
Memorandum of Understanding with Anoka County regarding cost sharing a portion of the Economic
Development agency’s budget annually. Staff was informed that Anoka County requests, as a
technicality, that the City of Columbia Heights 1) approve the voluntary cost-sharing agreement with
Anoka County, which accounts for six cents per resident ($1,200.00) and 2) approve an allocation of
those resources and pay the invoice already submitted by the County.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to close the public
hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2019-93, there being ample copies available to the
public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the voluntary
cost-sharing agreement for Anoka County Economic Development by and between the County of
Anoka and the City of Columbia Heights. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve Resolution
No. 2019-93, a Resolution requesting funds from the Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment
Authority to support economic development activities within the City of Columbia Heights. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
None
B. Bid Considerations
None
C. New Business and Reports
None
10. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Councilmember Buesgens assisted HeightsNEXT with wrapping ten new fruit trees in their Blooming
Sunshine Garden; and attended the National League of Cities Conference in San Antonio, Texas,
citing, in particular, a presentation regarding “emotional infrastructure.”
City Council Minutes
November 25, 2019 Page 5
Councilmember Williams asked Chief Austin for clarification regarding parking permits considering
the oncoming snowstorm.
Chief Austin responded that during snow events of 3-1/2” inches or more those permits become null
and void so that Public Works can plow streets as soon as possible and allow for emergency services.
Councilmember Novitsky added that the Council had reviewed the parking protocol and agreed that
it was worth keeping.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilmember Novitsky attended the Lions’ wrestling event at Murzyn Hall and reported there will
be a wrestling steel-cage match on February 22, 2020. The Lions’ first Santa Breakfast will be
Saturday, December 15, from 9:00 am to noon; and all ticket proceeds will go to the “Shop with a
Cop” program.
Mayor Schmitt reported she had completed the annual review for the Police Chief and complimented
him and his staff for their great work and reminded the Council that an annual review of the City
Manager will be forthcoming in December. She attended the Kiwanis’ annual turkey shoot fundraiser
at Elsie’s bowling center; and met with Streetlight to discuss the City’s vision for Central Avenue.
Manager Bourgeois reported refuse collection will be pushed back a day because of the upcoming
holiday; this is the last week of yard waste pickup; and street sweeping will discontinue once there is
enough snowpack on the roads.
KT Jacobs, City resident, inquired as to whether, in the future, there is a way to find our how many
properties in Columbia Heights do not have driveways that would prevent them from having a place
to park. Chief Austin said he believed the number is low and added that, in that situation, a resident
without a driveway could apply for a parking permit for the winter months.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary