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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-14-2022 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall —Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE Monday, February 14, 2022 7:00 PM MINUTES Mayor Amdda Mdrquez Simula Councilmembers John Murzyn, Jr. Connie Buesgens Nick Novitsky Kt Jacobs City Manager Kelli Bourgeois The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on Monday, February 14, 2022, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40t" 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 Marquez Simula called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present: Mayor Marquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Jacobs; Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.; Councilmember Novitsky Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary; Minerva Hark, City Planner; Fatemeh Raboodan, Owner of Central Cuts and Styles; Delores Puente Strand, City Resident; Rachel James, City Resident. 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 Motion by Murzyn Jr., seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Dolores Puente Strand Day, February 8, 2022. Mayor Marquez Simula recognized February 8, 2022, as "Delores Puente Strand Day" and read the City's Proclamation. Delores Puente Strand accepted the proclamation. Ms. Puente Strand thanked the Council and said she is humbled, grateful, and excited; "it is fun to be ninety" years old. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. City of Columbia Heights City Council Meeting MINUTES February 14, 2022 1. Approve January 24, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the City Council Meeting minutes of January 24, 2022. 2. Accept November 16, 2021 Traffic Commission Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the November 16, 2021 Traffic Commission minutes. 3. Accept January 5, 2022 Library Board Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the Library Board Minutes of January 5, 2022. Page 2 4. Approve Recent Library Board Updates to the Policies of the Columbia Heights Public Library. MOTION: Move to Approve Updates to the Policies of the Columbia Heights Library. 5. Approve Gambling Permit, Immaculate Conception Church. MOTION: Move to direct the City Manager to forward a letter to the State Charitable Gambling Control Board indicating that the City of Columbia Heights has no objection to a gambling permit for Immaculate Conception Church to conduct bingo, pull -tabs, a raffle from August 5-7, 2022 (raffle drawing to be held on August 7, 2022) at 4030 Jackson Street NE, Columbia Heights; and furthermore, that the City of Columbia Heights hereby waives the remainder of the thirty -day notice to the local governing body. 6. Adopt Resolution 2022-16, Approving IAFF Labor Agreement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-16, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-16, approving the City of Columbia Heights IAFF Labor Agreement. 7. Adopt Resolution 2022-17, Approving PMA Labor Agreement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-17, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-17, approving the City of Columbia Heights PMA Labor Agreement. 8. Adopt Resolution 2022-18, Approving IUOE Labor Agreement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-18, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-18, approving the City of Columbia Heights IOUE Labor Agreement. 9. Adopt Resolution 2022-25, Approving LELS Labor Agreement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-25, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-25, approving the City of Columbia Heights LELS, Local 342 Labor Agreement. City of Columbia Heights City Council Meeting MINUTES February 14, 2022 Page 3 10. Adopt Resolution 2022-19; Non -Union Employee Wages and Benefit Adjustments, City Council Insurance Adjustments, and Paid On Call Wage Adjustments for 2022 Through 2024. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-19, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-19, approving 2022 through 2024 cost of living and fringe benefit adjustments for non -union supervisory and confidential/essential employees, insurance benefit adjustments for City Council members, and wage adjustments for seasonal/temporary recreation positions, part time library positions, seasonal public works positions, and paid on call firefighter positions. 11. Resolution 2022-20 Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for Zones 6 and 7 Street Rehabilitation Program and State Aid Street Rehabilitation, City Projects 2202 and 2206. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-20, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-20 approving Plans and Specifications and ordering Advertisement for Bids for Zones 6 and 7 Street Rehabilitation Program and State Aid Street Rehabilitation, City Projects 2202 and 2206. 12. Resolution 2022-21 Declaring the Intent to Bond for Zones 6 and 7 Street Rehabilitation Program and State Aid Street Rehabilitation. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-21, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-21, approving the declaration for the official intent of the City of Columbia Heights to bond for the Zones 6 and 7 Street Rehabilitation Program - Project 2202, and State Aid Street Rehabilitation - Project 2206. 13. Resolution 2022-22 Requesting Municipal State Aid System Construction Funds for Other Local Transportation Uses. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-22, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-22, requesting Municipal State Aid System construction funds for other local transportation uses. 14. Final Payment for 37th Avenue Mill and Overlay, City Project 1907. MOTION: Move to accept the work for Mill and Overlay on 37th Avenue from 5th Street to Central Avenue, City Project 1907, and authorize final payment of $123,561.83 to the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 15. Request to Modify the Two Hour Parking on the West Side of Central Avenue NE from 39th Avenue to 40th Avenue to Two Hour Parking 8 am to 5 pm. MOTION: Move to designate two hour parking 8 am to 5 pm on the west side of Central Avenue from 39th Avenue to 40th Avenue, based on the recommendation of the Traffic Commission. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 14, 2022 City Council Meeting Page 4 16. Updates to the Solid Waste Operating Policy (SWOP). MOTION: Move to update the Solid Waste Operating Policy (SWOP) dated February 7, 2022. 17. Authorize Purchase of Loose Equipment For New Fire Engine. MOTION: Move to authorize the Fire Department to enter into an agreement with MacQueen Emergency Group in the amount of $29,264.87 and Jefferson Fire in the amount of $25,804.36 for the purchase of loose equipment to come from the 2022 Fire Department Capital Equipment Replacement Fund 431-42200 in the amount of $55,069.23. 18. Authorize Carpet Replacement, Painting, Office Equipment Removal and Replacement, Cubical Replacements and Upgrades in the Fire Department and Police Department. MOTION: Move to authorize the Police Department and the Fire Department to enter into an agreement with the listed vendors and pricing for carpet and paint, furniture removal and reinstallation and cubical upgrading and replacing in the public safety building utilizing budgeted amount from 411-42100 and 411-42200 police and fire Capital Improvement General Government Buildings. 19. Add Parking Violation to State Payable Citation List. MOTION: Move to add Ordinance Section 7.202 (B) PARKING AND STOPPING ZONES to the State Payables List. 20. Approve Permit for the 2022 St. Patrick's Day Parade. MOTION: Move to authorize the Police Department to issue a parade permit for the St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, beginning at 6:00 p.m. for the following streets: 40th Avenue at Van Buren St; west on 40th Avenue to Mill Street and end on Mill St in the area of Murzyn Hall. 21. Adopt Resolution 2022-23, Appointing Youth Commission Members. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-23, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-23, appointing Youth Commission members. 22. Resolution 2022-26, Approving Purchase Agreement With Heartland Properties of Blaine, LLC for the Purchase of Property Located at 5233 University Avenue NE, in the City of Columbia Heights. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-26, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2022-26, approving a purchase agreement with Heartland Properties of Blaine, LLC for the purchase of property located at 5233 University Avenue NE, in the City Of Columbia Heights. 23. Approval of License Agenda. MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 14, 2022 as presented. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 14, 2022 City Council Meeting Page 5 24. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 14, 2022, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 25. 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 $4,016,430.74. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 26. Adopt a Fair Housing Policy City Planner Hark reported that the Metropolitan Council's Housing Policy Plan calls for local governments to adopt fair housing policies in order to be eligible to receive Livable Communities Act (LCA) grants that support housing development. The Council is being asked to consider adoption of a Fair Housing Policy to help ensure fair and equal housing opportunities for all residents of Columbia Heights. The Fair Housing Policy describes the steps that the City will take in advancing the goals and obligations under the Federal Fair Housing Act. In summary, the policy establishes a statement of purpose; describes steps to provide fair housing information on the City's website, in -person visits, and referrals; and outlines how internal practices will be evaluated, ranging from training opportunities to periodic City code reviews. Additionally, the policy identifies how the City will encourage greater community engagement when it comes to fair housing practices. Staff recommended that the Council adopt the Columbia Heights Fair Housing Policy. Once adopted, Staff will inform the Metropolitan Council of the City's actions, provide information on the City's website, and begin implementing practices in March 2022. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to waive the reading of Resolution 2022-24, 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 2022-24, a resolution to approve the Columbia Heights Fair Housing Policy and direct Staff to implement the policy. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. ,�Iji't��IiP[�ll�el►l�le\ 7►�i11�I1;�7:7er7i�1���1�]:i�� Report of the City Council Councilmember Jacobs reported that she attended the following virtual events: Mayor's Homelessness Survey Study, African Americans Recovering their Role in U.S. History, Planning for the Inclusive City. She attended the League of MN Cities Land Use Regulation for Local Officials webinar, LMC's two-day advanced training for elected officials focused on crisis communication; she stated that she shared the table at that event with four other charter city officials and one of the discussions focused on each city's process for a catastrophic event, and she said she was proud that the City was "leading the pack". City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 14, 2022 City Council Meeting Page 6 She is proud of the City departments and Staff and that Council has been encouraged to be involved in the process, and being proactive in keeping the community safe. She attended SnowBLAST; had seven resident reach outs; and she attended the Salvation Board Meeting. Councilmember Buesgens stated that her and the other Councilmembers had their annual meeting with the School Board, where they meet and share what is happening with the school and the City. She attended the Columbia Academy Band and Choir concert in the new performance center at the high school, she stated it was well attended. She also attended the League of MN Cities Land Use Regulation for Local Officials webinar; she attended St. Louis Park's new Westwood Hills Nature Center which includes a small rapture center, and she mentioned she liked the concepts there, which the Council may consider when they look to redo Murzyn; she attended SnowBLAST and mentioned with the addition of the ponies, there were long lines for kids to ride them, and with the extension of the ice skating rink to the other side of the bridge; she attended the 211 Annual Galentine luncheon with Representative Ilhan Omar virtually with other elected officials from the area. Councilmember Murzyn Jr. congratulated Delores Puente Strand and said it is well -deserved; he thanked her for all her efforts she has put into the City. He wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. Mayor Marquez Simula said she attended several of the events as mentioned by the other Councilmembers. She shared her condolences to the Al Kordiak Family, who was the county commissioner, and started the first park in County, Kordiak Park, which is located in Columbia Heights. Report of the City Manager Manager Bourgeois stated that the citywide survey is still ongoing, for those residents that receive a phone call, she asked that they set up a time to answer the questions; she said that the 2nd annual SnowBLAST doubled in attendance this year, with 600 attendees; she mentioned to that to stay up-to- date with city events, there is an electronic City newsletter to sign up for at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/enews; applications for boards and commissions are being accepted through March 4, 2022, three planning commission seats, two library board seats, three parks and recreation commission seats, and one charter commission seat; the application can be found be www.columbiaheiRhtsmn.aov/boardsandcommissions. Report of the City Attorney Attorney Hoeft had no update. COMMUNITY FORUM Mayor Marquez Simula opened the community forum. Fatemeh Raboodan, Owner of Central Cuts and Styles, expressed her concerns regarding parking in front of her business; the majority of her clients are elderly and some are handicap, and she wants to make it as convenient and as safe as possible for them to visit her business. She stated that currently businesses on Central Avenue do not have assigned parking and owners are responsible for shoveling the sidewalk. She stated that during a snow emergency, cars are often left on the street, which causes the plow to leave a large amount of snow in front of her business and creates more cleanup and liability for her. She said that the street parking is public property and taxes pay for it, and she opposed City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 14, 2022 City Council Meeting Page 7 granting parking to the apartment building next to her business at 3932 Central Avenue Northeast; she doesn't want to get a permit. She requested that the parking not be changed from two-hour parking. She stated that people have been sleeping in their cars or have come into her business, and her clients and her have been scared and concerned for their safety. She said that if overnight parking is allowed, it encourages people to camp out and increases the possibility of crime. Ms. Raboodan thanked the Council for their time and consideration. Dolores Puente Strand, City resident, said she wanted to recognize the Sister City members that were there that evening and that you could not ask for a better group of dedicated people. Rachel James, City resident, stated via Zoom that she wanted to speak regarding the youth commission. She said she is excited to see the ten members that are in the packet that evening and that it was approved by the Council. She is a professional children, youth, and family minister for 20 years, and she hopes the youth have the opportunity for meaningful and substantive decision making in the City. She stated that if the "youth are not leading, then they are leaving", so this needs to be an opportunity for them to be a voice for the City. She thanked Staff and those that helped recruit members, and she hopes they can be part of the boards and commissions and help make suggestions for the future. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Murzyn Jr., seconded by Councilmember Novitsky, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:32 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary