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Home My WebLink About06-03-2020 City Council Special Work Session Packet Mayor Donna Schmitt Councilmembers Robert A. Williams John Murzyn, Jr. Connie Buesgens Nick Novitsky City Manager Kelli Bourgeois City of Columbia Heights 590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 Visit our website at: www.columbiaheightsmn.gov NOTICE OF SPECIAL WORK SESSION Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for disabled persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 48 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements. Meeting of: Columbia Heights City Council Date of Meeting: June 3, 2020 Time of Meeting: 3 pm Location of Meeting: City Hall- Council Chambers Purpose of Meeting: Special Work Session 1. Development Concept for Public Safety Remnant Parcel 2. Auto Business Code Violations 3. Business Use Certificate of Occupancy Permit 4. Recognition of Departing Board & Commission Members 5. COVID-19 Operational Status Update AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 1 MEETING DATE JUNE 3, 2020 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: Discuss Development Concept for Public Safety Remnant Parcel DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Aaron Chirpich – 5-28-2020 BY/DATE: 5/29/20 CITY STRATEGY: #2: Economic Strength Additional Strategy? #6: Excellent Housing/Neighborhoods SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): N/A Additional Goal? N/A BACKGROUND: At the May 4 work session, the Council met with a representative from Reuter Walton Development regarding Reuter Walton’s interest in constructing an apartment complex on the vacant lot located behind the public safety building. The development concept presented by Reuter Walton included 58 units of income restricted affordable housing, and space for the development of a new 12,000 square foot building that could serve as the future home for the SACA food shelf and thrift store. During the work session, the Council expressed concerns related to parking management for the affordable housing complex. The primary concern related to Reuter Walton’s intent to charge residents for underground parking. In the past, projects within the City with similar arrangements have caused issues with residents that try to avoid parking fees and find parking off-site. Following the work session, Reuter Walton contacted staff and indicated that they could find a solution to the parking concerns and provide free underground parking to all residents. To achieve this goal, Reuter Walton will have to secure additional funding from the State. For this work session, Reuter Walton will be in attendance to discuss their revised parking management plans and to share their vison for how to move the project forward. Reuter Walton will be seeking feedback from the Council regarding the revised concept. If the Council is interested in moving forward, Reuter Walton would like to apply for low income housing tax credits (LIHTC) to support the project. The applications for LIHTC projects are due in mid-July. ATTACHMENTS: • Concept Site Plan • Sample Rendering Rentable Area Legend 1BR 2BR 3BR AMENITY CIRCULATION COMMERCIAL COMMON AREA ELECTRICAL MECH PARKING TRASH 42ND AVE NE JA C K S O N S T . N E 4730 SF COMMON AREA FOOD SHELF 12,040 SFTOT LOT AND RECREATION 1280 SF 3BR 1010 SF 2BR1395 SF 3BR 705 SF 1BR 1010 SF 2BR 705 SF 1BR 980 SF 2BR 705 SF 1BR 1255 SF 3BR 1265 SF 3BR 1265 SF 3BR 1285 SF 3BR 1280 SF 3BR 230 SF CIRCULATION 230 SF CIRCULATION FOOD SHELF ENTRYAPT. ENTRY TRUCK DOCKS ALLEY ACCESSFOOD SHELF SPACES DURING BUSINESS HOURS ADA ADA AD A AD A RAMP TO GARAGE 20035 SF PARKING 165 SF CIRCULATION 205 SF CIRCULATION 165 SF CIRCULATION 235 SF TRASH 370 SF MECH 245 SF MECH 185 SF ELECTRICAL ADA ADA 1340 SF 3BR 1390 SF 3BR 1280 SF 3BR 1010 SF 2BR1395 SF 3BR 705 SF 1BR 1010 SF 2BR 705 SF 1BR 980 SF 2BR 705 SF 1BR 1255 SF 3BR 1265 SF 3BR 1265 SF 3BR 1285 SF 3BR 1280 SF 3BR 230 SF CIRCULATION 235 SF CIRCULATION 2000 SF COMMON AREA UNIT BREAKDOWN UNIT TYPE COUNT 1 BR 12 TOTAL58 2 BR 3 BR 12 34 PARKING BREAKDOWN TYPE COUNT GARAGE 54 2 ADA TOTAL 111 SURFACE 51 4 ADA % 58 21 21 Copyright 2020 DJR Architecture, Inc. PLANS AND MATRIX COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN RWD 19-094 04/06/20 1" = 60'-0" FLOOR PLAN -LEVEL 1 AREA SCHEDULE (GROSS) Name Level Area 1BRNot Placed0 SF 2BRNot Placed0 SF 3BRNot Placed0 SF CIRCULATIONNot Placed0 SF COMMON AREANot Placed0 SF Not Placed 0 SF CIRCULATIONLEVEL P1542 SF ELECTRICALLEVEL P1187 SF MECHLEVEL P1619 SF PARKINGLEVEL P120,036 SF TRASHLEVEL P1236 SF LEVEL P1 21,621 SF 1BRLEVEL 12,118 SF 2BRLEVEL 13,008 SF 3BRLEVEL 19,045 SF CIRCULATIONLEVEL 1470 SF COMMON AREALEVEL 14,735 SF LEVEL 1 19,375 SF 1BRLEVEL 22,118 SF 2BRLEVEL 23,008 SF 3BRLEVEL 211,776 SF CIRCULATIONLEVEL 2473 SF COMMON AREALEVEL 22,004 SF LEVEL 2 19,379 SF 1BRLEVEL 32,118 SF 2BRLEVEL 33,008 SF 3BRLEVEL 311,776 SF CIRCULATIONLEVEL 3473 SF COMMON AREALEVEL 32,004 SF LEVEL 3 19,379 SF 1BRLEVEL 42,118 SF 2BRLEVEL 43,008 SF 3BRLEVEL 411,776 SF CIRCULATIONLEVEL 4473 SF COMMON AREALEVEL 42,004 SF LEVEL 4 19,379 SF Grand total 99,133 SF 1" = 60'-0" LEVEL P1 1" = 60'-0" FLOOR PLAN -LEVEL 2-4 TYP3" = 1'-0" Henn Co Property Map AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 2 MEETING DATE JUNE 3, 2020 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: Seeking direction for staff related to auto business code violations - begin enforcement in “Area 1” DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Elizabeth Hammond May 22, 2020 BY/DATE: 5/29/20 CITY STRATEGY: #1; Safe Community Additional Strategy? #6: Excellent Housing/Neighborhoods SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): N/A Additional Goal? N/A BACKGROUND: In relationship with the Central Avenue clean up initiative, staff from the Police, Fire and Community Development Departments have been working together to review commercial and industrial properties around the City where various property maintenance and zoning code violations are present. There are a variety of issues we see, with the primary violations relating to the storage of junk and inoperable vehicles throughout the City. This violation is a pattern on certain properties due to the nature of their primary business operation being auto repair, or in some circumstances the property is being used for junk vehicle storage alone, which is not permitted by the City’s Code. Staff would like to work to address these auto related code violations over time with the property owners. Due to the fact that the violations we are seeing aren’t one or two property specific but a wide spread issue, we have decided to divide the City up into four primary areas, and then focus on one area at a time. We would like to start with “area 1”, which is identified on the attached map. From there we will move onto the subsequent areas throughout the City where these violations are present. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff would like direction from the City Council on the phased effort we are proposing. If the City Council supports this approach, staff will move forward with enforcement in “area 1”. ATTACHMENTS: Map (1 page) Map of City showing four areas of focus for junk vehicle code enforcement strategy. Area 1 Area 4 Area 3 Area 2 AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 3 MEETING DATE JUNE 3, 2020 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: Discussion regarding proposed business use permit DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Ryan Smith – 5/28/2020 BY/DATE: 5/29/20 CITY STRATEGY: #1; Safe Community Additional Strategy? Chhhhh hh hhhhh SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): N/A Additional Goal? Chhhhh hh hhhhh BACKGROUND: In the past, many new businesses have moved into Columbia Heights without the knowledge of City staff. New business owners sometimes do not have a complete understanding of the fire safety and building code requirements that apply to their type of business and consequently, have failed to comply with some of those requirements. To help prevent these issues from happening, staff recommends that the City create a Business Use Certificate of Occupancy (BUCO) permit for all new businesses in Columbia Heights. The permit will allow businesses to avoid potential fire safety and building code problems by registering with the City through the BUCO program and working with Columbia Heights Building and Fire Departments to resolve any code issues before opening for business. This inspection will ensure that the new business’ building is safe, appropriately equipped, and meets building and fire code requirements for the type of operation planned. By proactively addressing building code and fire hazards, the BUCO program will help to ensure the safety of employees of local businesses and the surrounding community and protect the investment of commercial and industrial property owners. The process will begin with the completion of an application that will provide the city with basic information about its proposed operation. A fee of $50 will be collected with the application to help pay for the program. After reviewing the application, City building and fire code officials will advise the business owner of building code and safety requirements they must comply with. Once a new business owner believes they are in compliance with all code requirements, he or she will schedule an appointment with the building and fire departments. After the inspections have been completed, a business that has met all city code requirements will be issued a Business Use Certificate of Occupancy and will be able to begin operations. If the inspections uncover a few minor issues that need to be resolved the business may open with a temporary Business Use Certificate of Occupancy but must make the changes required to be in full compliance within 15 days. If a business needs more than two inspections there will be a $50 charge for each subsequent inspection. To establish the BUCO program, the City code will have to be amended to add the new ordinance, and the City’s fee scheduled will have to be updated to include the new permit fee. City of Columbia Heights - Council Letter Page 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff would like direction from the Council regarding the potential establishment of the BUCO program. If the Council is supportive, staff will prepare the proposed ordinance and fee schedule amendments for review by the Planning Commission and Council in the coming months. AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 4 MEETING DATE JUNE 3, 2020 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: Recognition of Departing Board & Commission Members DEPARTMENT: Administration CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Nicole Tingley/May 28, 2020 BY/DATE: 5/29/20 CITY STRATEGY: #8: Engaged, Multi-Generational Population Additional Strategy? Chhhhh hh hhhhh SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): Chhhhh hh hhhhh Additional Goal? Chhhhh hh hhhhh BACKGROUND: Appointments for the Boards & Commissions were made at the May 26, 2020 meeting. As a part of the process, Board & Commission Members who had been serving for many years were not reappointed. They include the following: • Marlaine Szurek- 34 years on the Planning Commission (Originally appointed Jan. 1986) • Kevin McDonald- 16 years on the Park & Recreation Commission (Originally appointed Nov. 2003) • David Payne- 17 years on the Park & Recreation Commission (Originally appointed Oct. 2002) • Len Olson (did not reapply)- 9 years on the Traffic Commission (Originally appointed Jan. 2011) • Steve Smith- 9 years on the Library Board (Originally appointed Apr. 2011) City Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on how the City should recognize these commissioners for their many years of service.