HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-2020 City Council Meeting MinutesOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 10, 2020
The following are the minutes for a special meeting of the City Council held at 4:00 pm on
Wednesday, June 10, 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 4:00 pm.
Present: Mayor Schmitt; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Councilmember
Novitsky; Councilmember Williams
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Aaron Chirpich, Community Development Director;
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
Mayor Schmitt stated that U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar is not able to attend the meeting so item 8
needs to be removed.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to approve the agenda
with the removal of item 8A. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar. 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.)
A. Approve Minutes of the City Council
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Special Work Session of May 13, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Special Work Session of May 14, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Special Work Session of May 20, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Special Work Session of May 21, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 26, 2020
B. Accept Board & Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept the Library Board minutes of May 6, 2020.
C. Review of Bills
MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8 the City Council has
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June 10, 2020 Page 2
reviewed the enclosed list of claims paid by check and by electronic funds transfer in the amount of
$774,439.50.
D. Approve Business license Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for June 10, 2020 as
presented.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the Consent
Agenda items. All Ayes, Motion Carried, 5-0.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Resolution 2020-50 Amending the Terms of Revenue Funding Note for the Grand Central Flats
Project.
Community Development Director Aaron Chirpich stated that the Grant Central Flats project
completed by Dominium in 2017 received conduit bonds from the City. Chirpich stated that the bonds
were originally construction financing which are now being transferred to permanent financing. This
requires oversight from the City because the terms of the loan that Dominium is seeking have
changed enough to require a public hearing. Dominium is proposing to change the timing of
payments, from equal monthly principal and interest payments to monthly interest-only payments
for approximately ten years with monthly principal and interest payments thereafter. Chirpich stated
that the City has no obligation to pay this loan.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to close the public
hearing and waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-50, there being ample copies available to the
public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve Resolution
No. 2020-50, a resolution amending the terms of the multifamily housing revenue funding note
(Grand Central Flats project), series 2017, and authorizing the execution and delivery of documents in
connection therewith. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
7. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Councilmember Buesgens volunteered spreading mulch at Lomianki Park in the garden. She
encouraged people interested in what is happening at the garden to visit in July noting that there has
been a lot of planting completed and a new gathering space. Additionally, a new bench has been
added thanks to Dave Szurek for allowing the usage of his wood shop.
Councilmember Williams shared information on his business Bobby, & Steve’s Auto World. He noted
that there has been a lot of publicity with the Washington Street location in Minneapolis. He stated
that two stores were burglarized and that money and cigarettes were stolen. He discussed events
that occurred during the evening of Sunday, June 7 by and at the Washington Street location.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. stated that the VFW will be opening up regular hours at 50% capacity on
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June 10, 2020 Page 3
Friday, June 12. He noted that the menu will be shortened.
Councilmember Novitsky reported that he been visiting the parks with his kids and volunteered at the
Lions garden.
Mayor Schmitt attended a Zoom Meeting with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
(MWMO). She thanked the Police and Fire Departments for all of their work over the past couple of
weeks. Additionally, she thanked City Staff for enduring all of the changes during this time and is glad
to see everyone back in the office.
City Manager Bourgeois reported City Hall, Public Safety, and Liquor Stores 1 and 2 are open. The City
is working on expanding services at stores 1 and 2 given the governor’s new orders and the ability to
increase the number of people in the buildings. Additionally, the City is working on how to open store
3. She stated that Recreation is starting programming including senior programming that has been
reviewed the Fire and Police Chiefs. She commended City Staff for doing what they can to provide
services and not only ensuring meeting the governor’s orders, but also ensuring safety.
8. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUCEMENTS, GUESTS
A. Removed: U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 4:15 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary