HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-26-2020 City Council Meeting MinutesOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 26, 2020
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday,
May 26, 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; Aaron Chirpich, Community Development Director; Jim
Hoeft, City Attorney; 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 Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the agenda as
presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
5. 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 Items B, “Resolution Approving Parking Staff Lease Agreement
with Fairview Health Services for Municipal Ramp Located at 4011 Van Buren Street,” and C,
“Resolution Advising and Encouraging Support for Reopening Who Will Follow Requirements on
Social Distancing and Safety and Follow State, Local and CDC Guidelines Regarding Covid-19,” be
pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion.
A. Approve Minutes of the City Council
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Work Session of May 4, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 11, 2020.
B. Removed: Resolution Approving Parking Staff Lease Agreement with Fairview Health Services
for Municipal Ramp Located at 4011 Van Buren Street
City Council Minutes
May 26, 2020
Page 2
C. Removed: Resolution Advising and Encouraging Support for Reopening of Business and Places
of Worship Who Will Follow Requirements on Social Distancing and Safety and Follow State,
Local and CDC Guidelines Regarding COVID-19
D. Consideration of Approval of Attached List of Rental Housing Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for May 26, 2020,
in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
E. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the Business License Agenda for May 26, 2020, as
presented.
F. 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
$884,686.95.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the Consent
Agenda items as amended. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
B. Resolution Approving Parking Staff Lease Agreement with Fairview Health Services for
Municipal Ramp Located at 4011 Van Buren Street
Councilmember Buesgens inquired as to why the lease agreement is not $30.00 instead of the
proposed $20.00, making is more in line with parking leases in Minneapolis and providing more
funding for building upkeep.
Director Chirpich said the City does not have much leverage in dictating a higher rate and two
engineering firms declined the City’s request for quotes, citing not enough comparative properties.
Staff believes the proposed lease is fair. Over the last five years under the last expired agreement,
the City paid 40% of the annual operating and maintenance costs, at an annual average cost
$14,000.00 of the total $36,000.00. An assessment of capital improvements had been conducted a
few years ago and a five-year maintenance plan was cited at $600,000.00, of which Fairview has
agreed to contribute $91,500.00, and Director Chirpich cited several opportunities for paying down
the remaining balance. Councilmember Buesgens strongly suggested a $30.00 to $40.00 lease rate
for users once the maintenance plan has been completed.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to waive the reading of
Resolution No. 2020-47, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried
5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to approve Resolution
No. 2020-47, a resolution approving parking stall lease agreement with Fairview Health Services and
related amendments to the 2020 budget. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
City Council Minutes
May 26, 2020
Page 3
C. Resolution Advising and Encouraging Support for Reopening of Businesses and Places of
Worship Who Will Follow Requirements on Social Distancing and Safety and Follow State, Local
and CDC Guidelines Regarding COVID-19
Councilmember Buesgens said she supports Governor Tim Walz’s stance on opening up gradually
because it is based on science and data, to stay safe and to keep the hospital beds available for those
becoming ill. She said she cannot support the proposed resolution.
Mayor Schmitt said the proposed agreement is not in complete alignment with Anoka County’s
stance, and Manager Bourgeois confirmed their difference about law enforcement of the Governor’s
executive orders and reference to the Constitution. It was reported that picnic tables have been
dropped off, which could help some restaurants and bars that do not have outdoor patios for
customers. Manager Bourgeois will bring to the Council further proposed actions as changes occur.
Mayor Schmitt commended Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., and his associates on recent VFW
improvements. She also reported she had spoken with an area pastor who was planning outdoor
summer services as an option for worship.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. , to waive the reading of
Resolution No. 2020-48, 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.
2020-48, being a resolution advising and encouraging support for reopening of businesses and places
of worship who will follow requirements on social distancing and safety and follow State, local and
CDC Guidelines regarding Covid-19. 4 Ayes (Schmitt; Murzyn, Jr.; Novitsky; Williams), 1 Nay
(Buesgens), Motion Carried 4-1.
6. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
B. Bid Considerations
C. New Business and Reports
a. Consideration of Appointments to Advisory Commissions
Mayor Schmitt thanked all participants in the recent commission opening interviews, of which
there were nine applicants for the Planning Commission, one applicant for the Traffic
Commission, three for the Library Board and eight for the Park and Recreation Commission.
Clerk Tingley reported that following recommendations: Jared Finkelson for the Traffic
Commission, a four-year term expiring April 1, 2024; Teresa Eisenbise for the Library Board, a
three-year term expiring April 1, 2023; Mike Novitsky and Mark Vargas for the Planning
Commission, four-year terms expiring April 1, 2024; Becky Groseth and Rachel James for the Park
and Recreation Commission, two-year terms expiring April 1, 2022, and Tom Greenhaigh for the
Park and Recreation Commission, a five-year term expiring April 1, 2025.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to appoint volunteers
to serve on various commissions as recommended. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
City Council Minutes
May 26, 2020
Page 4
7. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Councilmember Novitsky said distance learning is wrapping up, and he thanked all who participated.
He encouraged residents to stay home and complete projects during the Governor’s order.
Councilmember Williams thanked residents and all in the State for being alert, aware and cautious
during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Councilmember Buesgens reported that she had worked on the Gardens, Lomiaky Park and thanked
Public Works for providing outdoor facilities, for those unable to find restaurant bathrooms while
they worked.
Mayor Schmitt thanked all for their cooperation and said she had been attending meetings via Zoom.
She asked for patience for anyone trying to reach her via email or phone and said she would respond
as soon as possible.
Manager Bourgeois requested Council feedback on an upcoming audit presentation, which is
currently scheduled for the next Council meeting. Council consensus was a preference to receive the
report and send questions to the auditor for response. Manager Bourgeois said the report will be
sent to them in pdf form but she could send a paper copy if desired by a Councilmember.
She then reported that the City will be open to the public in a limited capacity, restricting numbers
and ensuring safety measures are in place, starting Monday, June 1. The Library will not be open to
the public, but with curbside pickup still in place, and will monitor Anoka County and Hennepin
County systems to remain aligned with them. The City newsletter was recently distributed, and the
website should be checked for updates on openings. City staff still prefers business by phone or
email when possible.
Clerk Tingley reported that candidate filing opened up on May 19 and will be open during business
hours until Tuesday, June 2, until 5:00 pm that day. Those interested may call her to set up an
appointment, and the filing fee is $15.00. Credit cards may be used for phone calls but not
walk-ins.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:29 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary