HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-2020 City Council Meeting MinutesOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 26, 2020
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday,
October 26, 2020, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights,
Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: Mayor Schmitt; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Novitsky; Councilmember
Williams
Absent: Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Luke Fischer; Mitch Forney, Community Development
Coordinator; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; James Hoeft, City Attorney; Dan O’Brien, Assistant
Fire Chief; Will Rottler, Communications and Events Specialist; Ben Sandell, Communications
Coordinator; Nicole Tingley, City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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 and customer-friendly manner.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the agenda as
presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
A. League of Minnesota Cities Presents its 2020 Sustainable City Award to the City of
Columbia Heights
Luke Fischer, Deputy Director of the League of Minnesota Cities, acknowledged and thanked
Mayor Schmitt for her service at the organization. He described the League as an association
that represents 835 Minnesota cities, ranging in population from 13 to 425,000, and described
the services that it provides to them. Then, on behalf of the League of Minnesota Cities Board
of Directors, he presented to the City of Columbia Heights the “2020 Sustainable City Award”
and a check for $1,000.00 for its successful yard waste organics pickup expansion program.
Mayor Schmitt acknowledged the groups who worked so hard on the program, thanked Mr.
Fischer for the honor of receiving the award, and then presented to him, as a visiting guest,
the Columbia Heights 100-Year pin.
City Council Minutes
October 26, 2020 Page 2
B. 100th Anniversary Celebration Update
Coordinator Sandell reported that he had met with city and staff committees to help plan the
Columbia Heights’ 100th Anniversary Celebration and has been working on the 2021
commemorative calendar, with a goal for it to be ready for sale on November 9. He then
introduced Specialist Rottler, who reported it has been a six-month process. The most recent
event was “Movie in the Park,” with 40 families (150 residents) attending, and he thanked the
Boosters for donating popcorn, Northeast Bank for donating bags, and Pizza Man donating
coupons. Current and upcoming activities include those of the Centennial Quilt Committee,
Bakken Museum virtual programming at the Library, Bootstrap book discussion, banner
sponsorship program, snow sculpture contest, winter festival event, Minnesota Streetcar
Museum presentation, splashpad poster, and upcoming sale of lapel pins, tee-shirts, and cups.
Mayor Schmitt requested a monthly Celebration update from the Communications
Department.
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.)
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the Consent
Agenda items as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
1. Approve September 28, 2020, City Council Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of September 28, 2020.
2. Accept November 4, 2019, Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Traffic Commission Meeting of November 4,
2019.
3. Accept September 2, 2020, Library Board Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Library Board Meeting of September 2, 2020.
4. Final Compensating Change Order and Payment for 2020 Miscellaneous Concrete, City
Project No. 2000
MOTION: Move to approve the final compensating change order and accept the work for 2020
Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs and Installations, City Project No. 2000, and authorize final
payment of $6,793.25 TO Create Construction LLC of Maple Grove, Minnesota.
5. Consideration of Approval of Attached List of Rental Housing Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for October
26, 2020, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
6. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the Business License Agenda for October 26,
2020, as presented.
City Council Minutes
October 26, 2020 Page 3
7. 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 $1,261,989.47.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-73 for Abatement
Director Hansen provided background information and an update regarding the property at
3821 Reservoir Boulevard. Staff has had several discussions with the property owner; and
retaining wall drawings have been prepared and submitted to the Building Official, with a
permit issued. The owner has started excavation for the wall base and blocks have been
ordered and delivered. Staff is pleased with the owner’s compliance and intends to stay in
contact with him, continuing site inspections to verify the status of the wall installation. Staff
recommends tabling the declaration of a nuisance and abatement of violations to a Council
Meeting until May of 2021.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to close the public
hearing and waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-73, there being ample copies available
to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
Motion by Councilmember Novitksy, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to table
Resolution No. 2020-73, being a resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights
declaring the property listed as a nuisance and approving the abatement of violations from the
properties pursuant to City Code Section 8.206 until May 2021. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
9. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-88, Levying and Adopting the Assessment for Alley Light Area
No. 677-47
Director Hansen provided background information regarding the assessment of adding one
alley light to benefit nearby properties on an existing pole behind 2105 Fairway Drive. The
subject had been tabled to October 26 to better inform impacted residents of the preferred
Night Watch lighting option, which would reduce the number of properties assessed from
nine to six at a cost of $1.00 per month, though the cost may increase with electric rate
increases. He stated that the three properties that would not receive benefit of the lighting
were informed by mail and the remaining six had all signed off on the Night Watch selection.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to close the public
hearing and waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-88, there being ample copies available
to the public. Motion Carried 4-0.
City Council Minutes
October 26, 2020 Page 4
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adopt
Resolution No. 2020-88, being a resolution levying and adopting the assessment for alley light,
Area No. 677-47. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
10. Consideration of Revocation of the License to Operate a Rental Unit within the City of
Columbia Heights is Requested Against the Rental Property at 4710 Heights Drive NE for
Failure to Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes
Assistant Chief O’Brien confirmed that the owner of the rental property at 4710 Heights Drive
NE had not responded to the Fire Department concerning the potential license revocation.
Mayor Schmitt opened the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to close the public
hearing and waive the reading of Resolution No. 2020-89, there being ample copies available
to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to adopt
Resolution No. 2020-89, 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 4-0.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Ordinances and Resolutions
11. Business Relief Grant Agreement
Coordinator Forney provided background information regarding the grant process and
reported that applications for the 2020 Columbia Heights Business Relief Grant Program were
reviewed by the City’s underwriting contractors at CMDC and recommendations were based
off of their findings. Grantees approved will be required to provide proof of expenditures and
losses to the Community Development Department pursuant to the grant guidelines, with the
maximum grant award allowed being $20,000.00.
The recommended businesses include Advanced Collision Repair ($20,000.00), Big Cutz Barber
Shop LLC ($20,000.00), Cashman Dental Clinic PLLC ($20,000.00), Central Cuts and Styles
($12,000.00), Columbia Heights Dairy Queen ($2,073.00), El Tequila ($20,000.00), Embroidery
and More $20,000.00), Hairatage ($15,000.00), Heights Theater ($20,000.00), Jimmy’s Pro
Billiards ($20,000.00), K-Mama Sauce ($20,000.00), NE Chiropractic ($16,000.00), Quick Fix
($10,000.00), Roman’s Café ($20,000.00), Sarna’s Class Grill ($20,000.00), and Sportsmen’s
Barbers ($20,000.00, totaling $275,073.00.
Mr. Forney conveyed to the Council that all applicants had expressed profound appreciation
for their grants. Councilmembers thanked Mr. Forney for his effort to speak with the
applicants in person.
City Council Minutes
October 26, 2020 Page 5
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to waive the
reading of Resolution No. 2020-90, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 4-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adopt
Resolution No. 2020-90, a resolution approving the form and substance of the Columbia
Heights Business Relief Grant Agreement and approving City staff and officials to take all
actions necessary to enter the City into Business Relief Grant agreements with various grant
recipients. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0.
CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Report of the City Council
Councilmember Buesgens attended several Zoom meetings: the League of Minnesota Cities
concerning a legislative update and police accountability; Economic Outlook for the Cities and
briefing from Governor Tim Walz; attended in person the School Board meeting and learned
that Valley View Elementary will be getting a new boiler, which will better regulate the Library
temperature. She also planted garlic in the food forest at Lomiaki Park; attended new police
officer Shelby Tomber’s swearing-in ceremony; watched the MWMO’s North Columbia Golf
Course stormwater project presentation; and listened to the book conversation regarding the
Bootstrap’s book.
Councilmember Williams said he had the privilege of attending the get-together honoring
Councilmember Novitsky’s mother, who recently passed away, and expressed his sympathy to
the family. Councilmember Novitsky said it was a good celebration of life and expressed
appreciation to those who supported the family during the difficult time.
Mayor Schmitt took part in Shelby Tomber’s swearing-in ceremony and said it was nice to see
the accomplishments of a young person who works hard and is now a new police officer on
the force, and also expressed appreciation to all of the City officers who sacrifice so much and
support the community. She attended the MAC meeting via Zoom, which included a
presentation by Alexander House, and reminded residents to be mindful of domestic abuse.
Report of the City Manager
Manager Bourgeois provided reminders about the “Boo Drive-Thru “ on Thursday, October 29,
5:00-8:00 pm on Mill Street and the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 7:00 am to
8:00 pm. She also announced that Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. would be unable to attend the
Park and Recreation meeting on Wednesday, October 28, at 5:30 pm and asked that a
Councilmember stand in for him.
Report of the City Attorney
Attorney Hoeft had no updates for the Council.
City Council Minutes
October 26, 2020 Page 6
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
___________________________________
Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary