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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-2021 City Council Meeting Minutes CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula Councilmembers John Murzyn, Jr. Connie Buesgens Nick Novitsky Kt Jacobs City Manager Kelli Bourgeois City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE Monday, July 26, 2021 7:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday, July 26, 2021 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this hybrid meeting was held both virtually and in-person. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Márquez Simula called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Jacobs; Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Councilmember Novitsky Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Anthony Chester; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Zachery Picard, Fire Captain; Renee Dougherty, Library Director; Lillian Johnson; Verna King; Lynn Mayotte; Ben Sandell, Communications Coordinator; Lenny Austin, Chief of Police; Nicole Tingley, City Clerk CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to provide the highest quality public services. Services will be provided in a fair, respectful and professional manner that effectively addresses changing citizen and community needs in a fiscally- responsible and customer-friendly manner. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Márquez Simula announced the addition of item B, “National Night Out,” to the agenda. Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the Agenda as amended. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Oromo Week Proclamation Mayor Márquez Simula read the proclamation designating the week of July 24-31, 2021 as “Oromo Week in the City of Columbia Heights,” in tribute to the legacy of Haacaalu Hundessa, an Oromo artist assassinated in Ethiopia, and in remembrance and honor of Oromo human right activists and heroes held in Ethiopia without due process. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 2 B. National Night Out Proclamation Mayor Márquez Simula read the proclamation calling upon all citizens of the City to join the Columbia Heights Police Department in supporting and participating in the annual “National Night Out” event on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Chief Austin said “National Night Out,” a community building program, has been a part of the City for over 30 years, so this year’s event will be even more special as it could not be scheduled last year due to the pandemic. It was designed to promote police community relations throughout the United States and allows the Police Department to increase awareness of local crime issued; local, state and national trends; and prevention tips. He said the City anticipates 45-50 neighborhood parties, which the Police and Fire Departments will visit, and encouraged Councilmembers to participate if possible. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 1. Approve July 8, 2021 Special City Council Work Session Minutes MOTION: Move to approve the Special City Council Work Session minutes of July 8, 2021 2. Approve July 12, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes MOTION: Move to approve the City Council Meeting minutes of July 12, 2021 3. Accept April 15, 2021 Charter Commission Meeting Minutes MOTION: Move to accept the April 15, 2021 Charter Commission Meeting minutes 4. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for July 26, 2021, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code 5. License Agenda MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for July 26, 2021 as presented 6. Review of Bills MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8 the City Council has reviewed the enclosed list to claims paid by check and by electronic funds transfer in the amount of $1,370,628.31 PUBLIC HEARINGS 7. Consideration of Resolution 2021-62, Revocation of the License to Operate Rental Units Within the City of Columbia Heights Against the Rental Property at 600 51st Avenue NE for Failure to Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 3 Captain Picard reported that City inspectors on May 4, 2021 noted Rental Housing License violations at 600 51st Avenue NE and a compliance letter was subsequently mailed to the owner. Reinspections conducted on June 9 and July 6, 2021 revealed no corrections had been made, including immediate repair/replace of missing smoke detectors in the unit three bedroom and side bedroom (storage room), repair/replace broken tub overflow (found plugged with trash bag) in unit three, repair/replace unit 3 number (numbers are to be placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible). All parties, including the License Holder and any occupants or tenants, were given the appropriate notice of this hearing. Mayor Márquez Simula opened the public hearing. Lillian Johnson, a resident at 600 51st Avenue NE, said there have been problems with a resident living downstairs when the owner has made attempts to make repairs. The owner has called the police because she argues and fights and, according to Ms. Johnson, the Police Department “does nothing.” She reported there was an issue with heat and the owner did tear the walls out, due to a water leak under Ms. Johnson’s bathroom upstairs that she was unaware of, and he did paint but the paint is not drying. Lastly, she said the owner has been fair to all the residents, has not given her a problem in that she has not paid rent following the recent death of her husband and “does his best for everybody there.” Anthony Chester, proprietor of 600 51st Avenue NE, said he has had the building for 22 years and everything had been going well up until recently. The violations were painting over unit 3 and its renter stole the stacked washer/dryer unit, and he had been unaware that at the end of the double stack a scent rose after about 90 days, which the new renter became aware of though no other renters had. He said he capped it, which Assistant Fire Chief Dan O’Brien had asked him to, but did not cement it because he planned to put another double stack that was coming from Illinois. Mr. Chester said he has had two back surgeries in 2021 but went back to work six days after the last surgery and has not been able to heal. He said he is trying his hardest to resolve the issues. Councilmember Buesgens asked whether Mr. Chester has started eviction notice of the renter who is not allowing access to the apartment needing work. Mr. Chester said he has but the renter is protected according to the pandemic moratorium. Councilmember Buesgens asked whether the signed lease provided for his access, as owner, to make repairs to her unit; and he said the renter has more rights than he has, that he cannot control what the renter does behind closed doors. Verna King, 600 51st Avenue NE, said she lives in an upstairs unit and Ms. Johnson lives above the “problem” renter, adding that she is “always drunk, panhandles and is always yelling” for no reason. In addition, she has a dog but does not have its paperwork and the owner does not allow dogs, makes it impossible for the owner to complete the needed work, and locks the doors. Ms. King said she has lived at the address for a long time and the owner is a very good landlord. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 4 Councilmember Buesgens asked Attorney Hoeft what the timeline is for the pandemic moratorium regarding evictions. He said he did not know but thinks it would have no relevance in the evening’s proceedings. Mayor Márquez Simula asked if the only problem was with the one particular unit at the address. Captain Picard said all of the violations are related to unit 3. Councilmember Jacobs asked Mr. Chester whether he had done a background check on the problem renter in advance. He said he did not have a professional background check performed but, instead, relied on a third party’s (“Willy Wonka”) reference. Councilmember Jacobs asked how long the renter has been in the unit, and he said since March 1, 2021. Councilmember Jacobs asked for clarification that the owner has been unable to resolve the issues over the three months of May, June and July . Mr. Chester said, because of the excessive heat, the painting he has done has not dried. Councilmember Novitsky asked if smoke detectors are in the unit in question. Mr. Chester said he installed them but is unaware of their current working status because he has been unable to confirm so due to lack of access. Councilmember Buesgens asked Captain Picard if he was able to get into unit 3 to notice the missing smoke detectors. He said he was not one of the inspectors doing the July 6 reinspection but said he had photos from those who did and that they were able to access the unit. Councilmember Buesgens asked if there is any history of unfinished requested repairs at the address since Mr. Chester has owned the property, and Captain Picard said was unaware but there could be. Councilmember Novitsky asked if “Willy Wonka” is an authorized background checker for the City’s rental program, and Captain Picard said he did not know. Lynn Mayotte, unit 4 at 600 51st Avenue NE, said she lives next door to unit 3 and said there have been a lot of problems with that renter personally, with police having been called, she is an alcoholic, has a dog that barks constantly and messes in the yard that she does not pick up, and has “bums that come and go all hours of the night and one even has a key to get into her place.” As far as maintenance in the apartment building, she said Mr. Chester does it as well as he can; she has been living in the apartment five years and has never had any major problems. She said the woman that is causing all of the problems “just needs to go” and is constantly trouble in the building. Councilmember Jacobs asked whether there any record of calls made to the building regarding the woman being drunk and possibly disorderly and, if so, whether they would factor into the ability to evict under the pandemic moratorium. Chief Austin said he could not say specifically whether there have been calls or associated unlawfulness related to the renter in question but, according to previous speakers, sounds like they may have made calls to unit 3. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 5 Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to close the public hearing and waive the reading of Resolution 2021-62, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Councilmember Buesgens said she is “on the fence” about how to vote since the other tenants who are here to support the property owner are in attendance, which is highly unusual, and state that he has done work and there are no known prior issues with the City. She said that she would like to see research done about eviction if there is damage to a property from a renter, and possible criminal activity as cited earlier, and if an owner is prevented from doing maintenance – and come back in a month to provide an update to Council. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. said he did not understand why the owner could not access unit 3 for repairs or hire a third party for the work if City inspectors were able to do so for their reinspections. Councilmember Novitsky said a background check by a reputable agency would have possibly helped prevent the situation. Attorney Hoeft said the landlord would have needed a crime-free and drug-free provision in his lease and a proper background check. Councilmember Novitsky then asked how many police calls are allowed at a rental property. Attorney Hoeft said he does not believe it is a consideration for the evening’s vote but the nature of calls for service is to be considered, though he would not want to cite a specific number of calls. Procedurally, he said, if there is any inclination to defer a decision, then the proper procedure would be to table the matter to the next Council meeting and see what progress has been made by that time or take the steps that are recommended. Mayor Márquez Simula said it would be good to find out if there is a track record of police calls regarding the problem tenant, what the history has been on the apartment building and whether the owner has been compliant with needed updates. Her preference is to wait and find out more information because there are a lot of questions. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. said the City inspectors have been to the site three times and nothing has been done – and he thinks nothing will get done even with a postponement because the owner still may not be able to access unit 3. He thinks the Council should vote and “be done with it.” Councilmember Jacobs commented that her only concern is that if someone comes in with a position of authority, having a badge and uniform, there is a higher likelihood of obedience from the renter of unit 3 rather than the landlord “knocking on her door.” Councilmember Buesgens suggested, as a condition, to hire a third party to complete the three required repairs. She said that she would like to see the three other tenants not lose their housing because the problem tenant. Councilmember Novitsky said his preference would be to vote on the Resolution tonight. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 6 Mayor Márquez Simula said she is concerned about the other tenants and would hate to vote against a landlord if his 22-year past history is satisfactory just because one problem tenant has been pushing back. She thinks offering 30 days is not going to hurt anything, just shows that the Council is able to be compassionate, though she can understand why some Councilmembers wish to vote now. Councilmember Jacobs asked if two weeks until the next City Council meeting would be ample for records of the property and tenant in question to be researched because she would not want to go out 30 days for a Council vote. Captain Picard agreed that two weeks would be sufficient. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. asked if two weeks would be ample for the landlord to complete the needed work. Captain Picard said the required work includes on smoke detection, a bathtub drain and the number on unit 3 and two weeks should be sufficient time. Chief Austin confirmed that his department should be able to get the information the Council requested within the two-week timeframe. Councilmember Jacobs said she would be comfortable with a two-week delay and asked if there would be some way to show authority for the landlord to be able to g et into unit 3 and get things done. Councilmember Novitsky disagreed and said he would not want that for any of the City’s officers to have to deal with, that it was something that could have possibly been avoided by doing a professional background check. Councilmember Jacobs said if there is no history of problems with the property, then she thinks there are extenuating circumstances and would give him two weeks to find a way to get the repairs done – and then perhaps some additional information will come back to the Council that would be helpful for the landlord to move forward with an eviction. Attorney Hoeft added that the Statute provides landlords as well as tenants specific rights and a landlord has a specific right to enter that property under certain circumstances and conditions; so an officer is not needed because he already has the right. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to table Resolution 2021-62 to the August 9 City Council meeting. A roll call vote was taken. 3 Ayes (Buesgens, Jacobs, Mayor Márquez Simula), 2 Nays (Murzyn, Jr. and Novitsky). Motion Carried 3-2. 8. Consideration of Resolution 2021-63, Revocation of the License to Operate Rental Units Within the City of Columbia Heights Against the Rental Property at 3849 Edgemoor Place NE for Failure to Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes Captain Picard reported that City inspectors on May 6, 2021 noted Rental Housing License violations at 3849 Edgemoor Place NE and mailed a compliance letter to its owner, and the same violations were still noted upon reinspections on June 15 and July 13, including replace bulbs in rear exterior light and missing light globe in front stairwell, appropriately secure wiring/power for camera in front stairwell, repair/replace missing metal flashing (fascia) on building, secure loose hand rail going upstairs, replace rusted gutter sections on south side, remove excess storage from laundry/utility room, and submit 2021 rental City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 7 renewal forms and fee. All parties, including the License Holder and any occupants or tenants, were given appropriate notice of this hearing. Mayor Márquez Simula opened the public hearing. No one was onsite or online to address the Council. Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to close the public hearing and waive the reading of Resolution 2021-63, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adopt Resolution 2021-63, 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. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION New Business and Reports 9. Columbia Heights Public Library Meeting Use Policy Director Dougherty explained that the Library building was closed to the public from March to June 2020 due to the pandemic and all Library programs and services were delivered virtually or at curbside. Beginning in mid-June 2020, the building was reopened with capacity limits, social distancing, mandate masking, periodic surface de-sanitizing and no use of meeting or small study rooms. On July 12, 2021 the City repealed the emergency pandemic declaration. She reported that other metro area libraries are reopening facilities, lifting restrictions and slowly restarting live programming and said it is time to take the next step to return library services in Columbia Heights to pre-pandemic levels. In preparation for the reopening of Library meeting and study rooms, the Council is asked to re-consider the CHPL Meeting Room Use Policy approved on March 9, 2020. The Council and Library Board may want to reconsider the policy in light of the following environmental changes. Audiovisual equipment in the Library Community room was retrofitted and enhanced to enable the space to function as a backup Emergency Operations Center for the City. This decision was based on the presence of a backup generator at the library and the availability of equipment funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Aspects cited for the Council to consider include whether audiovisual equipment in the Library Community Room be available to room users beyond City staff and elected officials, whether a damage deposit be required for use of the audiovisual equipment and, if so, what would be a reasonable amount. Councilmember Jacobs asked if commercial purposes have been defined, as they are not intended. Director Dougherty said the practice has been no admission can be charged, cannot charge fees and cannot sell. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 8 Councilmember Jacobs asked if that was relative to all rooms or just the Community Room, noting that historically in 2020 the Community Room was the big issue at that time. She also said, because of all of the technology that has been placed in that room, that she has concerns about whether the deposit would be sufficient to cover any damage and/or replacement to the room or its technology. Councilmember Jacobs said Community Room hours are cited as 7:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday and asked if there had been discussion about extending those hours in the evening and, if so, if that was resolved. Director Dougherty explained that in March of 2020 it was decided that 9:00 pm was sufficient, as it had been 11:00 pm. Councilmember Jacobs cited, from the Library’s Meeting Use Policy, that “the Library may not be identified as a co-sponsor of a meeting without prior approval of the Library Board or authorized Library staff” and said that she would prefer that it would read “the Library Director or the City Manager in the Director’s absence,” which would be more reasonabl e than “staff.” She also cited “no fundraising may occur as either a primary or incidental use of the rooms” and asked if it should be more specific, with the history of this being about townhall or campaign events. Councilmember Jacobs said the Policy states “persons or groups are required to provide all supplies and are responsible for cleaning up all food and beverage waste and exceptions to this policy are possible for Library- or City-sponsored events” and said the Library and City staff should be held accountable the same as residents, having noted as Census Chair that the Community Room was not left in a pristine state before her meetings. Director Dougherty clarified the Policy is in reference to the refrigerator that is not available to any group that uses the room, as the space has been used to provide summer meals for students. Councilmember Jacobs asked if there is anyone at night to verify that whoever has rented the room has cleaned up all food and beverage waste. Director Dougherty sai d that verification is made the next morning, according to current policy. Councilmember Jacobs said that is a concern because it leaves both parties, the Library and the renter, vulnerable. Councilmember Jacobs cited from the Policy that “the library reserves the right to revoke a reservation to use any room if the room is needed for Library purposes” and said, as a renter, is unreasonable. If a renter books 60 days out and then two weeks before is told that a room is no longer available after having sent out notices or posters, that is less than equitable. Councilmember Jacobs asked for clarification in the Policy that if a renter books a room until 9:00 pm, there are a few minutes allowed for clean-up. Director Dougherty said, according to current policy, if a room is rented until 9:00 pm, clean -up time is allotted within that timeframe – until 9:00 pm only. She added that none of the study rooms or City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 9 small meeting rooms follow the 7:00 am to 9:00 pm schedule, rather go according to open Library hours only. Councilmember Jacobs said that may need to be more clearly written in the Policy. Director Dougherty said it is intended to address all meeting rooms, not just the Community Room. Councilmember Jacobs suggested that it may be more helpful to break out the Community Room policy separately because it is a very different situation. Councilmember Jacobs cited in the Policy that “if study or meeting room users are late for their booked time” they are not allowed to use a study room. She asked for clarification that study rooms are reserved first-come first-serve. Director Dougherty said users may now reserve study rooms online and is not currently stated in the policy. Councilmember Jacobs said it needs to be included because it contradicts earlier language. Councilmember Jacobs said it is a personal aggravation for her that the cited “Fairview Parking Ramp” in the Policy should, rather, be identified as “municipal parking ramp.” The current identification on the ramp just states “Parking.” The Policy also reads “If the Library experiences issues with patrons not having available parking during a large group reservation the Library may deny future room reservations to that group,” and she does not believe that is necessary to include because there is parking availability in the municipal lot and the parking ramp available and the Library rooms can only accommodate 100 at the most. Councilmember Buesgens asked for clarification, referencing no fundraising allowed, that it does not cover suggested donations at the door. Manager Bourgeois said donations are not allowed either. Councilmember Buesgens said she preferred that renters not have access to the new audiovisual equipment. Councilmember Buesgens how damage deposits would be accepted, be it credit cards, and whether signatures would be needed in the event of damages that might go beyond the damage deposits themselves. She also asked whether there has been damage in the Community Room or had a major mess left behind from users. Councilmember Buesgens asked if there have been parking issues with large groups using the Community Room in the past. Director Dougherty said there have been a couple training events when the Library was open and Library patrons were using the building, so there were problems with people double parking, parking in the fire lanes, people not being able to find a parking space. Councilmember Jacobs asked if those people had been referred to the municipal ramp or parking lot, and Director Dougherty said they had been. Councilmember Novitsky said the new audiovisual equipment should not be rented out or used. Even with the damage deposit, he would question how long it would take to get damage repaired or replaced and he would hate to have something happen in that timeframe. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 10 Mayor Márquez Simula asked if it would be possible to hire a librarian to do audiovisual work on the side and said if there might be some groups, such as the Columbia Heights Business Council, allowed to use the new equipment if they have had the right training. Manager Bourgeois said, because staff coordinates those meetings at the Library, she considers them a City-sponsored event; though she would not expect that she or Aaron Chirpich to be using the major audiovisual equipment, as they could bring in their own equipment and plug those in. Beyond the screen, the rest should not be available; and mice, keyboards and cables tend to “walk away,” so they should not be in the room. She agreed that, unless a way can be determined to check in and check out with a significant deposit, the new audiovisual equipment should be available to the public – as it is highly specified equipment and there is a lag time for repairs or replacement if needed. Manager Bourgeois responded concerning aspects that affect Council that:  She would have no problem with a policy change to read “the Library may not be identified as a co-sponsor of a meeting without prior approval of the Library Director or City Manager in the Director’s absence.”  Regarding the suggestion to make the fundraising policy more specific, she said it is more helpful to be general.  Regarding the concern about “the library reserves the right to revoke a reservation to use any room if the room is needed for library purposes at the specified time and all attempts will be made to provide a minimum twoweek notice of the cancellation,” the Community Room is a community room – and that if the room is needed for a community event, City staff does everything possible to try to not have to supersede a renter, either at the Library or Murzyn Hall. But to take that option away from staff really ties their hands as far as providing that service. Councilmember Jacobs asked how often the Library has to call a renter to notify of a cancellation. Director Dougherty said it has been less than a handful, and Councilmember Jacobs said she is then comfortable leaving the current wording as is.  As far as time allotted for cleaning after meetings, the Community Room is the exception and other meeting rooms must be cleaned up within the Library hours. Without hiring additional staff to go in after evening meetings, the Community Room meeting rooms are checked the following morning by Library staff, though custodians are sometimes in the rooms and can verify that everything is in good order. With the building automatically locked at 9:00 pm, there is no way for others to access the rooms until staff is on site the following morning. Mayor Márquez Simula suggested that, should any room be found the next morning to be uncleaned or damaged from the night before, staff contact that group immediately to inform them of the problem, rather than waiting until perhaps the next week.  Agreed that the “Fairview parking ramp” be changed to “municipal parking ramp.” City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 11  Regarding the policy statement “if the Library experiences issues with patrons not having available parking during a large group reservation, the Library may deny future room reservations to that group,” Director Bourgeois thinks it is important to be included. If the person renting the room knows 100 people will be in attendance and they don’t share the fact that there is offsite parking available and encourage their users to take advantage of that, the Library’s own parking lot is congested because the renters did not do what was asked of them. Councilmember Jacobs suggested that the Policy state more strongly that the person renting the Community Room is responsible for ensuring that their guests are utilizing the proper parking and that the cancellation part of the statement be cited at the top, rather than at the end. Councilmember Buesgens asked whether it would be possible to put an additional parking sign to direct users to the offsite locations, and Councilmember Jacobs supported that suggestion. Mayor Márquez Simula suggested that the number of expected attendees be required on the Community Room reservation application. Councilmember Buesgens asked for clarification that the municipal parking ramp is usable, and Manager Bourgeois said it is though issues remain. Manager Bourgeois confirmed with the Council their main proposed Policy edits regarding the audiovisual equipment, co-sponsor authorization, removing “study” from meeting room designation, change parking from “Fairview” to “municipal” and make it emphasized more pronounced on the reservation form and potential consequences. She said she would not be comfortable separating the Community Room and meeting rooms with the evening’s approval, as more discussion is needed for correct clarification. Councilmember Novitsky suggested accepting the Library Policy as amended and then at a future Council Work Session discuss in detail the future of the Community Room, and the Council agreed. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adopt the amended Public Library Meeting Room Use Policy as presented and amended. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. said there was a good turnout at the 100-Year Celebration at the park, it was a warm day and everyone had fun, and “Coffee with a Cop” last week at the VFW Post was also a big turnout and another will be planned in another three months or so. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 12 Councilmember Jacobs attended the MTA’s increasing ridership on public transportation that addressed post-pandemic concerns and as a green environmental impact. Attended the ad hoc Race Equity Committee today that included a discussion about the differences of race and ethnicity, equity versus equality, diversity and multi-cultural and how they relate individually and are very often intermingled or misused. Observed at the Traffic Commission meeting and attended the Charter Commission meeting. Attended the Community Picnic at Huset Park, was in the dunk tank thanks to Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Community Dinner in the Park and had a terrific time visiting with attendees and took special pleasure in joining in singing “happy birthday” to one of those attending, who said she was so excited to share her birthday with the same day as Columbia Heights. Attended the Crestview picnic and was fun to be in their yard; “Coffee with a Cop” that had a great turnout and was excited to see the tradition returned to the Community, adding that residents were equally enthused because it was so well attended. In resident reach-outs, she accommodated 11 resident issues, including Ngawang Dolker, president of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota; a donation of three adult titles and one children’s title were donated to the Library, commemorating the birthday of the Dalai Lama, and joined the Library staff in appreciation of that donation and extended special thanks to TAFM. Councilmember Buesgens said she tried to attend a School Board meeting, thinking it was on but they take a break in July so their next meeting will be August 12. Attended the Centennial Celebration and said it was great to see people out, happy, smiling and enjoy the events; a Climate Adaptation webinar, where they talked about things they are working on that included adaptation or mitigation in the Harbor but she waiting for them to talk about something clo ser to the Metro area; Crestview picnic and said it was nice to see people out again though it was a little hot that day but nice to say “hi” to the residents who live there; the Metro Housing and Economic Committee meeting. Mayor Márquez Simula attended an Improving Local Economies Committee meeting for the League of Minnesota Cities; had the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Zoom meeting, “Ask a Landscape Architect a Question,” which had great attendance; attended the Traffic Commission meeting; attended a neighbor’s wedding at Murzyn Hall and said it was great to be at the hall again and seeing a social event happening; attended the Centennial Celebration was fantastic, it was a hot day, was one of many volunteers in the dunk tank, which raised $600 for SACA, and she thanked all the City staff, Fire Department, Police Department, service groups, Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, HeightsNEXT; the Columbia Heights-Fridley Rotary Golf Classic was at the Refuge, which was also a fundraiser for SACA; attended the Crestview Senior Center picnic, along with Councilmembers Buesgens and Jacobs, State Senator Mary Kunesh-Podein and Representative Sandra Feist. The first city-wide Library Book Zoom discussion of the book “Flight of Butterflies” for the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, which will be held on Thursday, July 29, and reservations may be made on the City’s website. Report of the City Manager Manager Bourgeois reported that the “Police Eat and Greet” will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 5:00 - 7:00 pm at McKenna Park, and hopefully the vaccine site with the County will be at the event as well as a demo of the City’s new drone. The “Mamma No No and the Yes Men” band will play at Huset Park East on Wednesday, August 4, 6:30-8:00 pm. She then thanked Clerk Tingley, whose last day is Tuesday, July 27, and said the City has been lucky to have had her the last couple of years. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Page 13 Councilmember Jacobs added that the Lions is hosting on September 18 the “Speakeasy,” commemorating the 100-year anniversary; tickets are available through a Lions member or her. The $50 ticket includes all of the events between 6:00 pm to midnight and includes a lot of entertainment. Report of the City Attorney Attorney Hoeft had no update. COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one onsite or online to address the Council. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ___________________________________ Nicole Tingley, City Clerk/Council Secretary