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Home My WebLink About08-03-20 City Council 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 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: August 3, 2020 Time of Meeting: 7 pm Location of Meeting: City Hall- Council Chambers Purpose of Meeting: Work Session AMENDED AGENDA ORDER 8/3/20 1. Centennial Celebration Update 5049-5051 Jackson St. 2. 5049-5051 Jackson St. Centennial Celebration Update 3. Contaminated Material Stockpile Disposal 4. Council Meeting Times COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM To: Mayor Donna Schmitt and Members of the City Council From: Lenny Austin, Chief of Police Subject: 5049-5051 Jackson St NE Date: July 23, 2020 At the December 2, 2019 City Council Work Session, I introduced a concern related to the property located at 5049-5051 Jackson St NE, which is a group home. Specifically, the concern was related to a tenant in the 5049 unit who had generated an excessive number of police, fire, and EMT calls for service with frequent threats of self-harm and suicide. The police department had recently begun issuing notices pursuant to the city’s Repeat Nuisance Call Service Fee ordinance, with the hope of encouraging a solution to the ongoing issues. The property is a duplex owned by Haelen House, LLC of Minneapolis and has been issued a City of Columbia Heights rental license. It is managed and operated by Bridges MN, which is affiliated with Haelen House, LLC. Bridges MN provides group home living arrangements for two disabled adults at this particular location, each residing in their own unit. The resident living in the 5049 unit, an adult female identified as NM, has 24-hour staff coverage and has generated at least 259 calls for service to the Columbia Heights Police Department since March 2018. NM was originally placed in the home under the guidance of Scott County Human Services Adult Mental Health division, although it is unclear what, if any, role Scott County still has in these arrangements. Bridges MN states that it strives to be the most innovative and courageous organization supporting individuals with disabilities while setting the industry standard in quality of care. On the main page of its website, the organization touts a living environment that is different than the traditional group home model, and states that many of the individuals they support have had trouble finding success in that model. The company appears to have multiple housing settings throughout the greater Twin Cities area. This specific property is located approximately one block from Minnesota State Highway 65 (Hwy 65); a high traffic-volume highway that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimates carries 35,000-45,000 vehicles per day. After a January 2019 study, this particular corridor of Hwy 65 has been designated by MnDOT as having a high risk of pedestrian-related fatality and injury crashes. Scott County representatives were advised of this designation in a March 3, 2019 email, and Bridges MN staff were advised at a March 25, 2019 meeting at the Columbia Heights Police Department. Of particular concern is the fact that NM is frequently reported to have suicidal thoughts and ideations, and has a long history of absconding from the group home setting and sitting in roadways. NM states these actions are done to carry out her suicidal intentions by being hit by a vehicle. As of July, 2020, CHPD has responded to at least 26 reports of NM sitting on a roadway attempting to be hit by a vehicle, including at least five instances of her sitting on Hwy 65. On March 13, 2019, NM was seated in a traffic lane on 51st Ave NE and was struck by a moving vehicle, sustaining injuries that required hospitalization. Prior to being housed by Bridges MN at this location, NM was housed at a group home in Andover. Anoka County Sheriff’s Office records show 28 calls for service involving NM between January and July 2017, including multiple incidences of sitting in traffic and assaulting staff members. The sheriff’s office eventually refused to allow NM to be transported to a hospital via ambulance. Concern related to NM’s behavior and environment has escalated recently. On July 2, 2020, NM gained access to a kitchen knife and threatened suicide. Upon police arrival, NM refused to discard the knife and continued to threaten to harm herself, and was ultimately subdued with a Taser and transported to the hospital. Despite the successful outcome of this particular incident, the escalation of dangerous behavior could foreseeably lead to a far more tragic outcome. On July 14, 2020, CHPD received reports that NM was reporting unwanted sexual contact from the vulnerable adult who lives in the adjoining unit. Additionally, on July 11, 2020, police were called as NM was once again seated in the roadway. The responding officer documented the following conversation with NM’s staff member: “When I arrived, I spoke with [NM’s] staff. He was identified as Marsell Brown. He stated that [NM] had been sitting in the road in front of her group home to try and get hit by a car. He said staff was able to talk her into getting out of the street. Marsell told me that his supervisor won't do anything to place her into a different living situation. He stated they were unable to care for her, and he said she probably needed different living arrangements.” A July 22, 2020 report documents that NM left the group home and was planning to take a bus to Minneapolis where she intended to harm herself. After police arrived, NM stood up and tried to intimidate staff, who told officers that they did not feel safe with NM. CHPD has had ongoing communication with NM’s care team, which includes representatives from Scott County Human Services, Bridges MN, and Allina Health. Communication has included participation in meetings on 11/27/2018, 1/8/2019, 3/25/2019, 8/6/2019, 10/21/2019, and 4/7/2020. Attempts to curb the highly excessive use of community resources and risks to NM’s personal safety have yielded a few short- term gains, but have ultimately proved unsuccessful. Despite Bridges MN’s admirable intentions to house and provide services for individuals facing challenging circumstances, it is the opinion of the Columbia Heights Police Department that NM is not in a safe or appropriate placement at this time. The City of Columbia Heights, MN Code of Ordinances outlines comprehensive requirements related to property maintenance to create and maintain a safe environment at and around rental properties in the city. The police department has explored and exhausted all reasonable avenues in an attempt solve the complex issues surrounding this property, and requests the City Council consider revocation of the rental license issued for 5049-5051 Jackson St NE. AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 1 MEETING DATE AUGUST 3, 2020 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: Centennial Celebration Update DEPARTMENT: Administration CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Will Rottler, July 29, 2020 BY/DATE: 7/31/20 CITY STRATEGY: #4: Opportunities for Play and Learning Additional Strategy? #8: Engaged, Multi-Generational Population SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): Chhhhh hh hhhhh Additional Goal? Chhhhh hh hhhhh BACKGROUND: The City of Columbia Heights is set to celebrate its centennial on July 21, 2021. Leading up to the centennial, a year-long celebration of events has been tentatively scheduled. Along with a schedule of events, promotional items and different ways of storytelling are being pursued. City staff welcomes any comments on the plans for the 100 year anniversary. ATTACHMENTS: 100 Year Schedule of Events Centennial Banner Program Lapel Pin Design Northeast Bank Coloring Page Contest 1 100 Years of Columbia Heights Plan (July 30, 2020) 2 Event Schedule July 2020 July 21 • Website page is launched • Message from the Mayor August 2020 August 5 • Calendar Contest Deadline September 2020 Mid-September • 100 Year Calendars go on-sale Sept 18 • Color Run – North Park (Event not confirmed – but added to school’s calendar) October 2020 Oct 6 • National Night Out (previous event – Moved from Aug 4) Oct 9 • Minnesota Historical Society October Small Grant Application Deadline • Homecoming Football Game (Event not confirmed – but added to school’s calendar) Oct 10 • Fire Department Open House (previous event) 3 Oct 21 • Bootstrap Book Discussion o Online book discussion with the library and residents Oct 24 • Truck or Treat (previous event) November 2020 Nov 7 • Earl Bakken Day (Library event with the Bakken Museum) Nov 19 • Family Culture Night – North Park (Event not confirmed – but added to school’s calendar) December 2020 Dec 1 • Columbia Heights Inaugural Snow Sculpture Contest Begins hosted by Recreation Department Dec 11 (2019 date) • Holiday Train (previous event) Dec 16 • Holiday Family Fun Night hosted by Recreation Department 4 January 2021 Jan 1 • Minnesota Historical Society Grant Project Begins (if awarded) Jan 6 • Coloring Page Contest Begins hosted by Northeast Bank o Northeaster insert is submitted – also online to reprint o Coloring pages placed around town Jan 28 • Trivia Night o Hosted by the City of the Columbia Heights – Murzyn Hall February 2021 Feb 8 (2020 date) • City Services Expo March 2021 March 1 • Columbia Heights Inaugural Snow Sculpture Contest Ends – Winners announced March 6 or 13 • Coloring Contest Winner Event o Event at the library/Murzyn hall announcing the coloring contest winners March 14 (Date of interest) • Formed as a village – March 14, 1898 March 29 • Spring Family Fun Night hosted by Recreation Department 5 April 2021 April 10/17 • Public Safety Open House April 30 • Arbor Day - Tree planting ceremony with the sister cities May 2021 May 15 (2020 Date) • AARP Grant Deadline o The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund "quick-action" projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are being accepted for projects to improve housing, transportation, public space, technology ("smart cities"), civic engagement and more. June 2021 June 24 • Community Picnic June 25 • Jamboree Parade – have a float with committee members wearing shirts handing out giveaways June 26 • Fireworks o Jamboree fireworks hosted by the Lions 6 July 2021 July 1 • 100 Ice Cream Cone Giveaway – Dairy Queen o One free ice cream cone for the first 100 people to mention Heights 100 July TBA • Heights Theater Old Footage o Showing old footage that Heights Theater has in its archives July 17 • Centennial Carnival Event o Have cake at Huset Park – sponsored by local organizations o Free event for the community o Looking into music/entertainment July 21 • Columbia Heights Movie/Reception o Bootstrap book movie at Heights Theater/reception to follow at the library o Invite all former mayors and city council members back/members of the community July 24 • Roaring ‘20s Dance December 2021 Dec 18 (2020 Date) • AARP Project Completion Deadline 7 Events waiting to hear back on • ACHS History Presentation • Somali Museum Dance Troupe • Minnesota Streetcar Museum Presentation • Minnesota's Wild and Woolly Prohibition Days • Columbia Heights Residents History Panel • Water plant tour • ‘20s themed car show • Multicultural Night 8 Signage Banners Purchasing light pole banners to place around the City with the 100 year logo on it. Sticker Decals Purchase sticker decals to place in the windows/entry ways at businesses. Library Display Case Friends of the Library are decorating the display case throughout the year. Dairy Queen Poster Display Case Create a poster for the dairy queen display case. Plaques Casted Create plaques to be casted with information at different parts of the City. 9 Sponsorship Opportunities Banners Businesses can sponsor a banner for 150 dollars, which includes cost of a banner and donation to the 100th anniversary fund. Birthday Party Sponsor a cake, provide staffing. Roaring 20s Dance Provide money/staff to help put on the roaring 20s dance. End of Year Reception Provide money/staff to help put on the end of year reception. Trivia Night- hosted by the City Local businesses could provide prizes to the winners or food at the event. Community Events Local businesses could provide food/drinks at local events or sell items as well. Help provide staffing. Coloring Page Contest Northeast Bank is overseeing the coloring page contest – Jan to March. Will sponsor prizes to the winners/local schools. 10 Social Media/Advertising Social Media Flashback Friday posts showcasing old stories/photos YouTube Share Your Story videos will be placed on YouTube telling the story of our Columbia Heights residents The history informational sessions will be shared on YouTube. Northeaster Work with the Northeaster to promote upcoming events/share stories of the 100 years. Newsletter Use the Columbia Heights Newsletter to promote the 100 year anniversary. Sun Focus/Life Work with the Sun Life to promote upcoming events/share stories of the 100 years Columbia Heights Public Schools Alumni Groups Reach out to the alumni groups to help share the word about the 100 years of Columbia Heights. Possibly also attend any class reunions. Columbia Heights Community Groups Post in the Facebook groups about upcoming events and deadlines. 11 Other Items/Events to Include (Events can always be added/removed) Bake sale/chili cookoff Class Reunions Coffee With a Cop Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters Events Columbia Heights Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner Columbia Heights Lions Events Columbia Heights Public Schools Alumni of Distinction Columbia Heights Public Schools Events Columbia Heights Speaker Series at the Library | Historical sessions at the Library Community Potlucks Dance groups Display at the Anoka County Historical Society Frantic 7 Book Discussion HeightsNEXT Events Monthly Movie New year’s eve countdown Restaurant/Support Local Business Weekend Sister Cities History Discussion Spring egg hunt Resident Storytelling Times Weekend film festival – Pat Proft movies 12 Community Engagement Projects Audio Tour of Columbia Heights Work with the ACHS on finding places to highlight its history. 2-3 minute audio clip of the history. Old location markings (VFW from 1971) Similar to what was done in 1971 – early spring of 2021 create yardsigns with photos of previous building. Punch card contest based on attending events Once in-person events start happening, create a card for people to get stamped to enter to win a larger prize at the end. Community Quilt Members of the community will ask for ideas for memories of Columbia Heights. Will encourage other residents to help make a quilt. Find any residents that are turning 100/are 100 Through our media platforms and organizations find any residents that are 100. Honor them with a cake/gift Donate 100 gifts for families during the holiday time – SACA/Police Ask different organizations to have a gift drive of 100 items. Each organization would have a different request. Spring Clean Up Event Work with organizations to schedule a city-wide cleanup project in the spring of 2021. Restaurant Week Discounts applied for mentioning Heights 100 or wearing a lapel pin. City of Columbia Heights 100th Anniversary Street Banner Program The City of Columbia Heights is celebrating its 100th anniversary of incorporation in 2021 and would like you to help with the celebration! Your business or organization has an opportunity to take part in the centennial by sponsoring a banner along Central Ave. The banners are scheduled to be hung in early 2021 and then taken down in late 2021. In addition to the banners, you’ll receive recognition at 100 year events and on the City’s website. Proceeds from this project will go towards helping fund 100 year events. The banner will read SPONSORED BY with your organization name or business name displayed near the bottom of the banner on both sides. The banners will be on display along Central Ave from 37th to 43rd and 47th to 51st. A business or organization is eligible to purchase one banner. By completing this form and submitting payment, you will be entered into the program. Spaces are limited for this program and it is on a first come first serve basis. DEADLINE TO RESPOND IS OCT 1, 2020. Organization/Business: Contact Information: Name: Phone: Email: Mailing Address: Name as you would like it to appear on the banner: I would like to receive my banners back at the end of the year (Please Circle) YES NO Please return the form with a check for $150 to Columbia Heights City Hall 590 40th Ave NE Columbia Heights, Minnesota 55421 If you have questions please call Will Rottler at (763) 706-3614 or email wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov Columbia Heights Centennial Celebration - "Heights Pride" Coloring Contest Heights Pride Coloring Contest The contest is open to Columbia Heights residents and students only. Forward your completed picture to The City of Columbia Heights, Attn: Will Rottler, 590 40th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421. Entries must be delivered or postmarked by February 19, 2021. A panel of judges from the Columbia Heights Centennial Planning Committee will be judging the entries. One winner will be selected from each of five age categories: 4 and under, 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 17, and 18 and up. Each winner will receive a $30 gift card to a local restaurant. All winners will be notified by email or phone prior to the formal announcement taking place March 6, 2021. In addition, the school with the most entries will be awarded a $500 check from Northeast Bank, our coloring contest sponsor. If the number of entries is tied, the award will be split equally. Name: Age: School/Organization (if applicable): Street Address: City, State, Zip: Home Phone Number: Email: 2021 Columbia Heights Centennial Celebration In honor of Columbia Heights' 100th Anniversary, there will be a variety of festivities throughout the year to celebrate. The official Centennial begins on July 21, 2020 and concludes on July 21, 2021. For updated information on the Centennial and for additional coloring page options, please visit: www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/community/100th.php A special thank you goes out to our Centennial Coloring Contest Sponsor, Northeast Bank! AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 3 MEETING DATE AUGUST 3, 2020 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: CONTAMINATED MATERIAL STOCKPILE DISPOSAL DEPARTMENT: Public Works CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Kevin Hansen / July 31, 2020 BY/DATE: 7/31/20 CITY STRATEGY: #7: Strong Infastructure/Public Services Additional Strategy? #1; Safe Comunity SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): N/A Additional Goal? Chhhhh hh hhhhh This item is Informational Only BACKGROUND: As reported in the green sheet, municipal solid waste (MSW) of varying materials was found during the excavation for sanitary sewer replacement on Polk Street. Testing was done to document the required procedures for disposal. In addition to typical MSW, heavy metals, such as Barium, Chromium and Lead; and cement fiberboard, typically referred to as Transite, were found. The fiberboard contains asbestos. Pieces of fiberboard were scattered throughout the stockpile and therefore, it must all be treated as an asbestos abatement project. The material handling and disposal work will be done by Northdale Construction and supervised by an environmental contracting service that handles asbestos related removals in accordance with state requirements. There is a 10 day waiting period required by the MPCA, once the contractor has been given permission to proceed. The trucks need to be lined, loaded, and sealed before transport to SKB Landfill in Rosemount. As the trucks are loaded, the material will be watered down to prevent dust from spreading. The stockpile site will be cleaned up as required. Staff estimates 550 tons of material is stockpiled at a cost of $138 per ton for handling, trucking and disposal, for a total of $75,900. Staff will bring this as Change Order once final quantities and disposal costs have been determined. ATTACHMENT(S): Photos AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION ITEM NO. 4 MEETING DATE AUGUST 3, 2020 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER ITEM: Council Meeting Times DEPARTMENT: Administration CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: BY/DATE: Nicole Tingley / July 31, 2020 BY/DATE: 7/31/20 CITY STRATEGY: Additional Strategy? SHORT TERM GOAL (IF APPLICABLE): Additional Goal? BACKGROUND: At the June 3, 2020 Special Work Session, changing the times of City Council meetings was brought up and it decided to have it brought back for a later discussion. Changing the Regular City Council Meeting time would require a resolution. Changing the days for regular meetings (second and fourth Monday) would require an ordinance. A resolution would also be recommended for any changes to the Work Session Schedule (day or time). Amendments to the City Charter would not be required for any of these changes. For your reference included below is the meeting schedule for City Council and Boards and Commissions. Please note making a change to the Planning Commission time or date would also require an ordinance change. First: Monday: Traffic Commission- 5:30 pm, EDA- 6 pm, City Council Work Session- 7 pm Tuesday: Planning Commission- 6 pm Wednesday: Library Board- 5:30 pm Second: Monday: City Council Meeting- 7 pm Fourth: Monday: City Council Meeting- 7 pm Wednesday: Park & Recreation Commission- 5:30 pm Charter Commission- 3rd Thursday of January, April, July, and October at 7 pm ATTACHMENT: City Code Section on Regular Meetings for City Council ARTICLE III: COUNCIL RULES AND PROCEDURES Section 2.301 Regular meetings § 2.301 REGULAR MEETINGS. (A) The first regular meeting of a newly elected Council following a regular municipal election shall be on the second Monday in January. Regular meetings shall be held the second and fourth Mondays of each month, which are not holidays. Regular meetings shall be adjourned from time to time. Any regular meeting which would fall on a legal holiday shall be held on the Tuesday following such legal holiday. The Council may vary this meeting schedule by resolution and may set such special meetings in the form and manner prescribed by Charter. (B) At the first regular meeting of the Council in January, following a regular municipal election, the Council shall choose from amongst their number, a Council President, who shall be their chairperson in the absence of the Mayor. At such meeting, the Council shall appoint from amongst their number the liaisons to the various boards and commissions as provided by this code. (`77 Code, § 2.301)