HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-2021 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, September 13, 2021
7:00 PM
MINUTES
The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday,
September 13, 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: Lenny Austin, Chief of Police; Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Aaron Chirpich, Community
Development Director; Mohamed Farah, Police Officer; Ibrahim Farah, Police Officer; Minerva Hark,
City Planner; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary; Rachel James, Resident;
Matt Markham, Police Captain; Kathleen Moriarty, Director of Adult Basic Education Center; Dan
O’Brien, Assistant Fire Chief; Representative Ilhan Omar; Will Rottler, Events and Communication
Specialist; Tabitha Wood, Investigator.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MISSION STATEMENT
Omitted
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the Agenda
as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
A. Representative Ilhan Omar
Mayor Márquez Simula welcomed Representative Omar, who congratulated the City on its
Centennial Celebration and presented the award and resolution that was submitted to the
Congressional Record. Representative Omar said “co-governance is one of the core values of her
office, shapes the work done every single day, and she fundamentally believes her success in
Congress is contingent upon collaboration with community and government bodies through these
conversations” and then shared an update on her work in Washington D.C.
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• Last week she went on a Congressional delegation trip to Line Three with fellow Congress
members, including Senator Mary Kunesh.
• Last month the House passed a budget resolution that advances the bipartisan
infrastructure package, so now House committees have begun to write instructions for the
budget reconciliation package. She said it will:
o deliver more jobs;
o cut taxes;
o lower costs;
o make the wealthiest few and big corporations pay their fair share;
o create millions of jobs while tackling the climate crisis;
o ensure that America will not only compete but lead the way on the clear energy
future
o clean technologies will create two billion jobs each year over the next decade while
reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030;
o “transformative” investments in women and families, including childcare, paid leave,
home-based care and universal free pre-K and unlock the full economic potential of
parents in the workplace; and
o “historic” investments in workforce training to connect workers to jobs, R&D to
strengthen American manufacturing and small business access to credit and
investment.
• She said, “We have been able to make sure 40 million American families receive a tax cut
through the Biden childcare tax credit while already cutting child poverty in half. The Build
Back Better agenda doubles down on those investments and will result in one of the largest
tax cuts for Americans overall.”
• Lastly, she said that she hoped to update the City in the next couple of weeks on the
advancement of the cited legislation.
Mayor Márquez Simula thanked Representative Omar for attending the meeting, and
Councilmember Buesgens thanked her for the work she does for the Community.
B. Constitution Week Proclamation
Mayor Márquez Simula read the proclamation designating the week of September 17-23 as
“Constitution Week” in the City.
Chief Austin said it was fitting during Constitution Week to talk about the Police Department’s
collaborative effort with the Adult Education Center in their most recent project entitled “Rights
and Responsibilities of Communities and Police,” with the help of the National Constitution Center
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The charter of the National Constitution Center is to “disseminate
information about the United States Constitution on a nonpartisan basis in order to increase
awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people,” and their training
and education, he said, certainly fulfilled this goal. He then thanked the Columbia Heights Public
Library Foundation for their help, including attending members Sharon Shedlov, Terry Nightingale
and Jane Polley.
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He then introduced Kathleen Moriarty, Director of the Adult Basic Education Center Columbia
Heights-Fridley, who described it as part of an eight-district consortium that is titled Metro North
Adult Basic Ed that offers free programming for adults 17 and older (as long as they are not dual-
enrolled in secondary ed) and the Center on Central Avenue primarily serves nonnative English
speaking learners. The project cited previously consisted of three phases, the first this spring being
seven online Constitution training sessions for five officers, three basic ed teachers and Ms.
Moriarty. The second this summer consisted of three basic ed teachers drafting a 24-hour unit of
instruction, incorporating all that was learned in the first phase to pass onto the participants who
are part of the IEL Civics Federal Grant Program and will increase their knowledge of United States
history, the Constitution, the knowledge of their rights and responsibilities as community members
or police officers, their ability to engage in civil discourse and civil dialogue and learn to listen to
different perspectives, and build a comparative understanding of the current role of police and
their historical role in society. The third phase was a recent trip to Philadelphia, where training
continued and participants were immersed in history.
Captain Markham said the project has been in process for a while but the pandemic slowed its
progression quite a bit. Four officers and five teachers trained over five weeks by Constitution
Center teachers, which he said was excellent but the Philadelphia trip “brought it home” for all
attending participants, specifically the exhibits in the National Constitution Center. The last day of
the trip included civil dialogue amongst the group, which will be discussed with students.
Mayor Márquez Simula said it has been an exciting journey and she is very proud of the Community
and those thinking ahead in ways to engage learners.
C. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Proclamation
Councilmember Buesgens read the proclamation designating September 2021 to be “National
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month” in the City.
D. Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
Mayor Márquez Simula read the proclamation designating September 15 to October 15, 2021 to be
“Hispanic Heritage Month” in the City, which will be available to read in both Spanish and English
on the City website.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to approve the Consent
Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
1. Approve August 23, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to approve the City Council Meeting minutes of August 23, 2021.
2. Approve September 7, 2021 City Council Work Session Minutes
MOTION: Move to approve the City Council Work Session minutes of September 7, 2021.
3. Accept August 4, 2021 Library Board Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept the Library Board Meeting minutes of August 4, 2021.
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4. Consideration of Resolution No. 2021-71, Joint Agreement and Contract Between the City of
Columbia Heights and the City of Hilltop for Rental Licensing Services
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2021-71, there being ample copies
available to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2021-71, being a resolution entering into a Joint
Agreement and Contract between the City of Columbia Heights and the City of Hilltop for Rental
Licensing Services.
5. License Agenda
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the Business License Agenda for September 13,
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 $1,763,828.71.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1669, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 5.5 of the Columbia
Heights City Code to Update Definitions and Application Requirements, Eliminate Limited
Intoxicating Liquor Licenses, and Eliminate Minimum Building and Capacity Requirements in
Restaurants for Liquor and Beer Licensing
Planner Hark reported that, in summary, Ordinance No. 1669 would:
• Eliminate the minimum dining floor area and minimum number of guests for restaurants
to qualify for any on-sale alcohol licenses;
• Amend the requirement for hotels with on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses to meet
minimum gross sales of 55% food in their dining areas;
• Amend the requirement for restaurants with on-sale liquor or wine licenses to meet
minimum gross sales of 55% food, not to exceed 45% alcohol sales;
• Amend the requirement for bowling centers with on-sale liquor licenses to meet
minimum gross sales of 55% food and bowling;
• Eliminate Limited Intoxicating Liquor Licenses, as they are no longer applicable;
• Provide a definition for Bowling Center;
• Amend definition of Bona Fide Club or Club;
• Amend definition of Hotel;
• Amend definition of Restaurant;
• Update application requirements for all alcohol licenses; and
• Incorporate gender neutral language.
Staff recommends approval of Ordinance No. 1669, on second consideration.
Mayor Márquez Simula opened the public hearing.
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No one wished to speak. The Mayor then closed the public meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to waive the
reading of Ordinance No. 1669, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion
Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Novitsky, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve
Ordinance No. 1669, being an Ordinance amending Chapter 5.5 of the Columbia Heights City
Code to update definitions and application requirements, eliminate Limited Intoxicating Liquor
Licenses, eliminate minimum building and capacity requirements in restaurants for liquor and
beer licensing, and direct staff to send a summary of the ordinance as presented, for publication
in the legal newspaper. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
Ordinances and Resolutions
8. Consideration of Resolution No. 2021-72, a Resolution of the City Council for the City of
Columbia Heights Identifying the Need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account
Funding and Authorizing Application for Grant Funds
Planner Hark explained that Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA) and Reuter Walton
Development have teamed up to apply for the Metropolitan Council’s 2021 Livable Communities
Demonstration Account (LCDA) grant funding program. The goals of the LCDA program are to maximize
connections between housing, jobs, and regional amenities such as parks, trails, and cultural centers, to
create more housing choices by introducing new housing types or preserving affordable housing,
minimizing a project’s impact on climate change through sustainable site design and building practice, and
to contribute to an economically prosperous and equitable region by creating living wage jobs accessible
to local workers.
Qualifying applicants include local government organizations that participate in the Local Housing
Incentives Account Program and counties or development authorities (such as HRAs, EDAs, etc.)
in the seven-county metro region. Since developers, individuals, or community organizations
cannot apply directly to LCA programs, SACA and Reuter Walton are working directly with the
City of Columbia Heights Community Development Department as their government partner in
order to apply for this grant funding. Eligible costs include storm water management, public
realm improvements, renewable energy systems, site acquisition and preparation, and
rehabilitation of affordable housing. If approved for funding, project must begin within the 36-
month grant period.
SACA and Reuter Walton have requested a combined total of $1,232,000.00 in LCDA grant
funding and hope to be awarded this amount to assist in the future development of affordable
housing units and SACA’s new food shelf on the vacant portion of 825 41st Avenue NE. Funding
recommendations are set to be made in 2022.
In support of SACA and Reuter Walton pursuing grant funding for their collaborative projects in
the City of Columbia Heights, City Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. 2021-72.
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Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to waive the reading
of Resolution No. 2021-72, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion
Carried 5-0.
Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to approve
Resolution No. 2021-72, a resolution of the City Council for the City of Columbia Heights
identifying the need for Livable Communities Demonstration Account funding and authorizing
application for grant funds. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
9. Restructure the Information Systems Department, Create an Information Technology Director
Position and Amend the 2021 IS Budget to Fund the IT Director Position for the Remainder of
2021
Manager Bourgeois explained that earlier this year the City contracted with Sciens Consulting to
assess the City’s IS functions and to provide a strategic plan to guide information technologies
moving into the coming years. Sciens has completed their analyses and provided the City with
their final strategic plan report. At last week’s work session Sciens presented an overview of their
findings.
These findings included recommendations for significant organization structure and staffing
changes to the existing Information Systems Department. These changes include:
• Creating an Information Technology Division under the direction of the City Manager and
eliminating the Information Systems Department under the Finance Director’s authority;
• Creating a new division-head position of Information Technology Director; and
• Change the existing Information Systems Director position to a Network Engineer position and the
existing Assistant Information Systems Director position to a Systems Administrator position.
It is recommended that these staffing changes be made immediately in order to have the
Division Head position in place before implementation of other hardware, software, and systems
changes are made. Staff has prepared job descriptions for the new position and the two
restructured positions and is prepared to post for the IT Director position immediately.
Councilmember Buesgens thanked Manager Bourgeois and said she is excited about the creation
of an information Technology Department and getting its necessary support and looks forward
to meeting the new Director.
Mayor Márquez Simula said she thinks Councilmember Buesgens spoke for their entire Council
and said the changes seem to have been overdue.
Director Bourgeois commented that the current Information Systems staff are wonderful and
have done so much with the resources given over the years and the changes are to help them get
to the next level that residents and staff expect.
Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to waive the reading of
Resolution No. 2021-73, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion
Carried 5-0.
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Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adopt Resolution No.
2021-73, a resolution authorizing the establishment of an Information Technology Division under
the direction of the City Manager, creating an Information Technology Director position to be
posted and filled immediately and amending the 2021 budget to appropriate $28,125.00 to fund
the Information Technology Director position. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0.
CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Report of the City Council
Councilmember Novitsky said the week has been active with school starting and he congratulated the
football team on their win; volleyball is doing well, and he volunteered as a line judge for the varsity
team; thanked the police officers for keeping the heavy traffic moving on 49th; and attended the
swearing-in ceremony of Officer Andrew Nightingale. He said the Library is doing well, able to fill
programs to capacity, and the board had a constructive discussion about using media platforms more
efficiently.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. attended his grandson’s first soccer game; the VFW will conduct its flag
retirement ceremony on Saturday, September 18, at 10:00 am; and the first Sunday Breakfast will be
held on September 19 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Councilmember Buesgens attended via Zoom the Metro Council Housing and Economic meeting; said
she loved the new storm drain mural at Silver Lake Park and challenged residents to sign up on the
Public Works website to adopt a storm drain and keep an eye out for trash, which could then fall
straight into the Mississippi River; attended the “Movie in the Park” that featured “The Goonies,”
which about 100 residents attended; attended a Somali picnic and soccer tournament and was able to
hand out their trophies and medals to the individual young people; volunteered at the Blooming
Sunshine Garden; attended the retirement part for firefighter Will Shutte; attended the swearing-in
ceremony of new police officer Andrew Nightingale, who is the son of previous Officer Nightingale who
retired a few years ago; attended on Saturday the first “Art in the Park” (50 artists) in Kordiak County
Park, which she said was a super hit from a number of Metro cities and the food trucks ran out of food
before the end of the event.
Councilmember Jacobs attended some presentations the past couple of weeks on “Cultural
Competency Isn’t Enough” (how cultural humility develops trust as the core of inclusivity), “Gestalt
Approach to Global Diversity and Inclusion” (nationalities, ethnicities and culture being recognized as
the sum of diversity and how we risk losing that focus when we over dissect the pieces) and “Building
Electrification” (looking at ideologies, combining policy and technology and sustainability and trying to
remove us from fossil fuel utilization and moving into full electrical supply in both public and
residential buildings); attended the retirement ceremony for firefighter Will Shutte; attended the
swearing-in ceremony for Officer Andrew Nightingale and said the supported the previous comments
regarding that, which is the historically the first father-son officers in the City and is a monumental
event. She gave a shout-out for Coordinator Sandell on the proposed Youth Commission in the Bylaws,
“which is a very tedious and arduous undertaking and often feels thankless until one gets to the end
(of it) and he has done a great job and is weathering that.”
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Councilmember Jacobs also thanked Mayor Márquez Simula for recognizing suicide awareness; as she
has worked in a portion of the mental health field, it holds a very personal importance for her and said
she was glad it was included in the evening’s agenda.
Mayor Márquez Simula said she has had quite a few family funerals over the last three weeks so hasn’t
be able to attend most of City events; however, she did attend the school convocation and staff picnic
at Kordiak County Park, which she said was a lot of fun; the Columbia Heights Business Council has
resumed meeting in person, which meets quarterly at the Library, and the next meeting will be held on
the first Friday in December; and attended “The Goonies” movie night and plans to attend this Friday’s
movie night.
Report of the City Manager
Manager Bourgeois said Assistant Chief O’Brien spoke with the resident who expressed a concern
during the Open Forum at the Council’s last meeting about Wendy’s garbage issue. The Fire
Department had been out to the site to do an enforcement inspection prior to the last Council meeting
and continues to work with Wendy’s new general manager, who has been given notice of compliance
and a week to resolve the issue. There will be a follow-up inspection on Tuesday, September 21, and it
is Manager Bourgeois’ understanding that a contractor has been secured by Wendy’s to do the work.
“Movie in the Park” will be held on Friday, September 17, at 7:30 pm and feature “Moana.” The
Recreation Department’s “Fall Boogie Bash” roller-skating event will be held 6:00-8:30 pm on Tuesday,
September 21, at Murzyn Hall parking lot. The Fire Department’s open house will be held on Saturday,
October 9, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The “Trucker Treat” will be held on Saturday, October 30,
1:00-5:00 pm.
The monthly e-newsletter is available on the City website. 40th Avenue will be closed by Central
Avenue to allow for the new building’s sanitary sewer connection from at least September 20-24, and
notices are being distributed to neighboring residents. Over 100 trees have been adopted by various
groups and people, which was a huge success, and she thanked all of the organizations and people that
adopted a tree.
Report of the City Attorney
Attorney Hoeft had no update.
COMMUNITY FORUM
Rachel James, City resident, offered kudos and thanked the Council and City staff for all of the 100th
Celebration events, which she said were amazing, as well as the “Mayor’s Monarch Festival” and
HeightsNEXT’s “Art in the Park.” She said it seems like the City is going in a long way for a small city, is
excited about that, is anxious to find out the Census results and wonders how the next 100 years will
be, thinking about the connection to Anoka County and the development and growth of Minneapolis –
seeing more arts sector from Northeast, more dense housing and how the City might meet the next
challenges over those years.
Mayor Márquez Simula thanked Ms. James for her comments, said more information will be shared as
Census updates become available, and also thanked Coordinator Sandell and City staff for all of their
work on the 100th Centennial events.
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Lastly, Mayor Márquez Simula said the “Heights Cultural Festival,” a free event, will be a view of
Columbia Heights’ cultures over the last 100 years and held on Saturday, September 25, 2:00-5:00 pm
at the High School gym.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., to adjourn. All Ayes,
Motion Carried 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary