HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-2020 City Council Meeting MinutesOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 27, 2020
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday,
April 27, 2020, 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: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Nicole Tingley, City Clerk
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. 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.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to approve the agenda
as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
5. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
A. National Library Week and Library Services Announcement
Mayor Schmitt reported last week was the first, since the Covid-19 Stay Home directive, that the
Library was open for drop-off and pick-up services and announced, on behalf of director Renee
Dougherty, the City proclamation celebrating National Library Week April 19-25, 2020. Those
services will be available 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and any information
needed regarding all Library services can be obtained by calling 763-706-3690.
6. 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 13, 2020.
B. Authorize Purchase of Fire Department Vehicle
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2020-43, there being ample copies available to the
public.
City Council Minutes
April 27, 2020 Page 2
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2020-43, appropriating $66,000.00 from the fund balance of the
General Capital Equipment Replacement Fund 431 to the 2020 Budget and awarding a Related
Vehicle Purchase Agreement.
C. Consideration of Approval of Attached List of Rental Housing Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for April 27, 2020,
in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
D. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the Business License Agenda for April 27, 2020, as
presented.
E. 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
$637,986.97.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the Consent
Agenda items as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
7. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Councilmember Buesgens reported that, adhering to social distancing and facemasks, she, along with
Mayor Schmitt and the Fire Department, attended a neighborhood get-together honoring City
resident LeRoy Knealing on his 88th birthday. She also thanked residents who have completed their
2020 Census forms and encouraged all to do so, with hope to attain a 90% response or higher.
Councilmember Williams also encouraged everyone to complete their 2020 Census forms and stated
that his company, which employs 300-400 people, has not had one positive Covid-19 test and is
pleased about that.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., congratulated and wished longtime friend LeRoy Knealing a Happy 88th
Birthday.
Councilmember Novitsky reiterated Councilmember Buesgens’ request that everyone complete their
2020 Census forms and said it will make a significant difference. He also thanked everyone who
participated in the “Handmade Mask Dropoff,” which resulted in a total of about 365 masks.
Mayor Schmitt thanked City residents who have completed their 2020 Census forms, which as of the
previous Friday was at 61.1%, and said Minnesota is #1 in the nation for completions and Anoka
County is at 70.1%. She hopes more residents may be able to complete theirs when the Library
opens for building internet access. Manager Bourgeois reported the Library has trained staff to assist
patrons in completing their forms online and is working on a reopening plan that would incorporate
social distancing. In addition, wi-fi spots are currently available on the Library grounds.
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April 27, 2020 Page 3
Mayor Schmitt announced April 27, 2020, as “Essential Workers Appreciation Day” and expressed
appreciation to all. Regarding significant Covid-19 dates in Minnesota, she cited the first reported
positive case as February 26 of a cruise ship passenger, though not confirmed until March 6;
University of Minnesota suspension of classes March 11, extending spring break by an additional
week and hasn’t open since; all schools officially closed March 18 and remain so the rest of the school
year; first death was reported March 21; and “Shelter in Place” began March 27. She expressed
appreciation to City staff and condolences to all who have been affected by the virus and said she
looked to forward to when things improve.
Manager Bourgeois also thanked those who participated in the Fire Department’s successful
“Handmade Mask Dropoff” and said a process is being worked on to accept more masks, which will
be distributed to City nursing homes and care facilities. She stated that City staff are doing great
work and are committed to doing their work in a safe manner, noting also that no staff member has
tested positive for Covid-19. She reported that Top Valu Liquor I on Central is open and work
continues to open Top Valu Liquor II on 37th with a similar layout; the Library is working on a
procedure for a planned opening May 4; work continues on what programming will look like for both
the Library and the Recreation Department over the summer, which will correlate with Governor Tim
Walz’s directive; EDA meeting and Council work session will be held in Council Chambers on
May 4, Commission meeting in Council Chambers May 5, Library Board either in the Council
Chambers or via Zoom May 6, and web meetings with both the MAC (Multi-Cultural Advisory
Committee) and Neighborhood Watch groups next week.
Councilmember Williams inquired about how to access HGTV on cable in order to view a “Property
Brothers” episode that features a Columbia Heights home, which was remodeled in September 2019,
and will be aired on April 27.
Mayor Schmitt ended the meeting by also wishing Leroy Knealing a Happy 88th Birthday.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:21 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary