HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-14-2020 City Council Meeting MinutesOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday,
September 14, 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 and reported that the meeting could be
conducted by a combination of in-person and electronic means.
Present: Mayor Schmitt; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Councilmember
Novitsky; Councilmember Williams
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Aaron Chirpich, Community Development Director; Mitch
Forney, Community Development Coordinator; 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 Murzyn, Jr., to approve the agenda
as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
5. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
A. Constitution Week Proclamation
Mayor Schmitt read the Proclamation announcing the week of September 17 through September 23,
2020, as “Constitution Week,” acknowledging the 233rd Anniversary of the drafting of the
Constitution of the United States of America and asking citizens to reaffirm the Framers’ ideals by
vigilantly protecting their liberties, remembering that lost rights might never be regained.
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 Special Work Session of June 3, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of June 10, 2020.
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of August 24, 2020.
City Council Minutes
September 14, 2020 Page 2
B. Accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of June 2, 2020.
MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the EDA Meeting of July 13, 2020.
MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Library Board Meeting of August 5, 2020.
C. Approve Resolution No. 2020-65, a Minor Amendment to the Planning Unit Development
District Plan for Property Located at 3989 Central Avenue NE in the City of Columbia Heights
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-65, there being ample copies available
to the public.
MOTION: Move to approve Resolution No. 2020-65, approving a Minor Amendment to the Planned
Unit Development District Plan for property located at 3989 Central Avenue NE in the City of
Columbia Heights.
D. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-66 to Amend 2020 Budgeted Transfers
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-66, there being ample copies available
to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2020-66 amending the 2020 Budget to transfer $600,000.00
from the General Fund to the General Government Building Fund and to rescind transfers from the
Liquor Fund of $10,000.00 to the General Fund and $50,000.00 to the Infrastructure Fund.
E. Authorization to Seek Bids for Improvements to Liquor Store 3
MOTION: Move to authorize staff to seek bids for improvements to Liquor Store 3.
F. Establish a Public Hearing Date to Consider Alley Lighting
MOTION: Move to establish October 23, 2020, at 7:00 pm as a Public Hearing for consideration of
alley lighting behind 2105 Fairway Drive.
G. Approve Change Order No. 1 for Sanitary Sewer Lining, Project No. 2004
MOTION: Move to approve contract Change Order No. 1 for the Sanitary Sewer Lining, Project 2004,
to Insituform Technologies USA, LLC in the amount of $76,962.90 for a new contract amount of
$265,228.40.
H. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-67 to Order Preparation of a Report for MSAS Overlay, Project No.
2005
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-67, there being ample copies available
to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2020-67, being a Resolution ordering preparation of a
feasibility report for MSAS Overlay, Project 2005.
I. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-68 to Order Preparation of a Report for Water Service
Repair/Replacement, Project No. 2103
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-68, there being ample copies available
to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2020-68, being a Resolution ordering preparation of a
feasibility report for water service repair/replacement, Project 2103.
City Council Minutes
September 14, 2020 Page 3
J. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-69 to Order Preparation of a Report for Zone 3B Seal Coat, Project
No. 2101
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-69, there being ample copies available
to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2020-69, being a Resolution ordering preparation of a
feasibility report for Zone 3B Street Seal Coat Program, Project 2101.
K. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-70 to Order Preparation of a Report for Zone 4B Street
Rehabilitation, Project No. 2002
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-70, there being ample copies available
to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2020-70, being a Resolution ordering preparation of a
feasibility report for Zone 4B Street Rehabilitation, Project 2002.
L. Final Payment for Zone 3A and City Parking Lot Seal Coat, Project No. 1801
MOTION: Move to accept the work for 2020 Seal Coat, City Project No. 1801 (Zone 3A) and authorize
final payment of $3,130.60 to Allied Blacktop Company of Maple Grove, Minnesota.
M. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the Business License Agenda for September 14,
2020, as presented.
N. 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
$1,572,530.89.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to approve the Consent
Agenda items as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
a. Business Relief Grant Program Underwriting Services Agreement
Coordinator Forney reported that City staff recommend approval of Resolution No. 2020-71,
authorizing an agreement with Central Minnesota Development Company (CMDC) to utilize their
expertise in grant administration and underwriting. As the Community Development staff do not
have the current capacity to securely review all application materials, they seek to collaborate
with a third-party vendor, as have other communities, to assist with business financial reviews to
ensure that COVID-19 related losses and expenditures have been demonstrated by applicants for
the Business Relief Grant Program. As part of the agreement, CMDC would be paid $500.00 for
each application reviewed and $100.00 for each grant agreement processed out of the CARES Act
funding.
City Council Minutes
September 14, 2020 Page 4
Mayor Schmitt expressed support for the agreement. Councilmember Buesgens inquired about
application turnaround timing, and Coordinator Forney stated it would depend upon the number
of applications received.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to waive the reading
of Resolution No. 2020-71, 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. 2020-71, being a Resolution authorizing the Execution of the Underwriting Services Agreement
between Central Minnesota Development Company and the City of Columbia Heights. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
b. Amendment to the Business Relief Grant Program Guidelines
Coordinator Forney reported that City staff recommend approval of an amendment to the
Business Relief Grant Program Guidelines, which would increase a potential grant amount from
$10,000.00 to $20,000.00 and increase incentive for businesses to apply for the grant relief
monies. He said other cities, such as Andover and Coon Rapids, have experienced increased
participation with higher grant amounts.
Interested businesses should contact the City Community Development Department for
information about the funding application process.
Councilmember Buesgens inquired as to what total grant amount will be available to businesses.
Director Chirpich said Community Development staff is working with Finance to determine that
amount, which should be decided in about a week. Councilmember Buesgens said she
appreciated City staff going door-to-door to inform businesses of available funds, adding that it is
also a good way for them to get to know staff.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to amend the
Columbia Heights Business Relief Grant Program language, removing “Grants will not exceed
$10,000.00” and replacing it with “Grants will not exceed $20,000.0.”. All Ayes, Motion Carried
5-0.
8. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Councilmember Buesgens continues her work at Blooming Sunshine Garden at Lomianki Park
harvesting vegetables and herbs. She attended online the Minnesota Climate Adaptation
Conference, which focused on Northeast Minnesota, citing in particular a 35% increase in
precipitation and an average 2.5% increase in temperature. Along with Councilmembers Novitsky
and Murzyn, Jr., she attended the teardown ceremony for the 3989 Central Avenue building.
Councilmember Buesgens also attended the school supply distribution and Planning Commission
meeting.
City Council Minutes
September 14, 2020 Page 5
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., reported the VFW Flag Retirement Ceremony was well attended and
went well. He then stated that Fridley Fire Chief Mike Spencer died unexpectedly last weekend, and
he expressed deepest sympathy to Chief Spencer’s family and the City of Fridley, adding that he was a
great chief, person and friend.
Councilmember Novitsky attended the Flag Retirement Ceremony and thanked everyone who turned
out. He said his children’s distance school learning is going better than expected and thanked the
schools for their good work.
Mayor Schmitt said she, along with Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., Councilmember Novitsky and
Director Chirpich, attended the ribbing cutting ceremony for Prodeo Academy. She also participated
in meetings via Zoom for the Mississippi Watershed, EDA and League of Minnesota Cities and stated
that a high priority noted for the League of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities board is racial equality.
Manager Bourgeois announced “Movie in the Park” will be held on Friday, September 18, at 6:30 pm
at McKenna Park, featuring “Abominable” and utilizing social distancing; tickets are available and free
via the City website or Facebook page. She also expressed condolences regarding the death of the
Fridley Fire Chief and said the Columbia Heights Fire Department will be available to provide any
additional assistance Fridley needs.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:23 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary