HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-2020 City Council Meeting MinutesOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 24, 2020
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday,
August 24, 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; Mitch Forney, Community Development Coordinator; Jim
Hoeft, City Attorney; KT Jacobs; Dan O’Brien, Assistant Fire Chief; 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 reported the addition of Item 5B, “Flag Ceremony Announcement,” to the agenda.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the agenda as
amended. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
5. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
A. Recognition of Census Complete Count Committee
KT Jacobs, Census Complete Count Committee Chair, thanked and acknowledged Sue Betzold, Larry
Betzold, Martha Grave, Veronica Johnson, Janet Kendall, Angela Koppes, Jessica Oldham, Jane Polley,
Tammy Schmitz and Stephanie Small “for their contribution and volunteerism, raising awareness and
engagement, ensuring the complete count of Columbia Heights in the 2020 Census.”
She also made a presentation to the Council and City, thanking them for their support and efforts of
the Census Complete County Committee. Mayor Schmitt expressed thanks to Ms. Jacobs and the
team for their hard work, as well as area restaurants who provided help.
B. Flag Ceremony Announcement
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., announced the Columbia Heights Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held
on Saturday, September 12, at 10:00 am in the upper parking lot at VFW Post 230, 4446 Central
Avenue NE. Mayor Schmitt also thanked the Fire Department Honor Guard for their participation at
the upcoming event.
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August 24, 2020 Page 2
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 August 10, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of August 14, 2020.
B. Resolution No. 2020-60, Accepting Elections Specific CARES Act Grant Funding
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-60, there being ample copies available
to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2020-60, Accepting Elections Specific CARES Act Grant
Funding.
C. Approval of Purchase Using Coronavirus Relief Funds – Swagit Cable Equipment/Service
MOTION: Move to accept the proposal from Swagit in the amount of $55,145.00 for installation of
four Council Chamber cameras and for remote recording and live streaming services under the Cares
Act.
D. Consideration of Approval of Attached List of Rental Housing Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for August 24,
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 August 24, 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
$1,501,271.72
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the Consent
Agenda items as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Consideration of Revocation of the License to Operate a Rental Unit within the City of Columbia
Heights is Requested Against the Rental Property at 979 44-1/2 Avenue NE for Failure to Meet
the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Code
Assistant Chief O’Brien reported several property maintenance violations remain that have not been
corrected on the property at 979 44-1/2 Avenue NE since May.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
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August 24, 2020 Page 3
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to close the public
hearing and waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-61, there being ample copies available to the
public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adopt Resolution No.
2020-61, being a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving revocation
pursuant to City Code, Chapter 5A, Article IV, Section 5A.408(A) of the rental license listed. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
B. Consideration of Revocation of the License to Operate a Rental Unit within the City of Columbia
Heights is Requests Against the Rental Property at 1122 40th Avenue NE for Failure to Meet the
Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Code
Assistant Chief O’Brien reported several property maintenance violations remain that have not been
corrected on the property at 1122 40th Avenue NE since May.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to close the public
hearing and waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-62, 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.
2020-62, being a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving revocation
pursuant to City Code, Chapter 5A, Article IV, Section 5A.408(A) of the rental license listed. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
8. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
a. Columbia Heights Business Relief Program
Coordinator Forney provided background information regarding the Federal CARES Act and the
funding available to small businesses and the City for COVID-19 related costs. The City wishes to
use remaining funds to establish a business relief grant program in the amount of up to
$10,000.00 grants, which is in line with the requirements of the Federal government and other
entities handling the administration of the CARES Act. The guidelines presented to Council are
essential to establishing the program and to guide the conversation. It is necessary for the City to
enter into an agreement with a third-party nonprofit entity to administer parts of the grant since
there is insufficient current City staffing, for financials and to review business financials when
grant applications are submitted. City staff is working with Northeast Bank and Central
Minnesota Development Company to negotiate terms.
Mayor Schmitt expressed support for the program and thanked City staff and Northeast Bank for
their assistance in its establishment.
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Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to waive the reading
of Resolution No. 2020-63, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion
Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adopt Resolution
No. 2020-63, being a Resolution approving the Creation and Implementation of the Columbia
Heights Business Relief Grant Program. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
B. New Business and Reports
a. Options for Dropping Off Election Ballots
Clerk Tingley asked for Council feedback regarding election drop-off boxes for the upcoming 2020
General Election. Options were suggested and it was Council consensus to install just one box at
City Hall. Mayor Schmitt expressed concern about control of legitimate drop-off ballots because
verification is doubtful and said she does not support a drop-off box. Councilmember Buesgens
said she supported a ballot box. After discussion, it was Council consensus to allow in-person
drop-offs at City Hall, where monitoring will be present. Ballots may be accepted from Friday,
September 18, until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3.
9. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Councilmember Buesgens thanked Ben Sandell, Communications Coordinator, for the great picture
slideshow on the City website; volunteered at the Blooming Sunshine Garden at Lomiaki Park;
attended the online Metro Council Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting, where
it was announced the State will face a $4 billion deficit due to COVID-related costs, the group will be
addressing the issues of large companies that buy houses in the cities and then rent them and the
need for an additional 38,000 affordable housing options, and shared good news that COVID cases for
the homeless are down. She thanked residents who turned their batteries into the Recycling Center,
which resulted in a total of 300 pounds, and reported prep work has begun on demolition of the
Business Center.
Councilmember Novitsky attended the Lions Club Picnic at Sullivan, which was well attended, and the
Lions have 9-10 new members; attended the Kiwanis meeting, with peak sales; and the Booster
meeting was very good and new officers will be elected at the next meeting.
Mayor Schmitt reported she received an email of congratulations on the recent Sustainable Award
and thanked City staff and the Kiwanis for their efforts; she, Manager Bourgeois and Police Chief
Lenny Austin met with a group concerned about the Police force in light of current nationwide events
and was pleased with the discussion, noting that Chief Austin reassured them that training is ongoing;
participated in the League of Minnesota Cities zoom conference regarding annual budgeting and
Columbia Heights’ dues, with limited increases.
Manager Bourgeois said the 2020 Budget books had been distributed; a school supply drive-through
will be held by the Police Department 3:00-7:00 pm on Thursday, August 27, at Murzyn Hall.
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10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Discuss Litigation in the Matter of the Complaint Filed Against the City by Jeffrey Bahe and
Robert Williams
Mayor Schmitt reported the complaint filed against the City by Jeffrey Bahe and Robert Williams
concerns the property at 675 37th Avenue NE and the Council will meet in Executive Session to discuss
and determine legal action with regard to the matter.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adjourn into Executive
Session to discuss litigation related to the complaint filed against the City of Columbia Heights by
Jeffrey Bahe and Robert Williams with regard to the property at 675 37th Avenue NE, Columbia
Heights, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(b). 4 Ayes (Buesgens;
Novitsky; Murzyn, Jr.; Schmitt), 0 Nays, 1 Abstained (Williams), Motion Carried 4-0-1.
Councilmember Williams left the meeting at 7:49 pm.
The Executive Session was held in the Administration Office Common Area to discuss litigation related
to the complaint filed against the City by Jeffrey Bahe and Robert Williams with regard to the
property at 675 37th Avenue NE in Columbia Heights.
Present: Mayor Schmitt; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Councilmember
Novitsky.
Absent: Councilmember Williams.
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Paul Reuvers of Iverson,
Reuvers, Condon; Aaron Chirpich, Community Development Director; Elizabeth Hammond, City
Planner
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adjourn the
Executive Session and reconvene the open session. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
The Executive Session was adjourned and the open session was reconvened at 8:33 pm.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:38 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary