HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2022 City Council Work Session MinutesIA NFro
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Public Safety Bldg —Training Room, 825 41st Ave NE
Monday, April 04, 2022
7:00 PM
MINUTES
Mayor
Amada Marquez Simula
Councilmembers
John Murzyn, Jr.
Connie Buesgens
Nick Novitsky
Kt Jacobs
City Manager
Kelli Bourgeois
The following are the minutes for the Work Session Meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 pm on
Monday, April 4, 2022, in the Public Safety Building, Training Room, 825 41st 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
Council President Novitsky called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Present: Council President Novitsky, Councilmember Buesgens (via Zoom); Councilmember Jacobs;
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr.
Absent: Mayor Marquez Simula
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Liam Genter, Urban Forestry Specialist; Kevin Hansen,
Director of Public Works; James Hauth, Utilities Superintendent; Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary;
Joseph Kloiber, Finance Director; Ben Sandell, Communications Coordinator; Marcell Walker, Bolton and
Menk, Inc. Community Outreach Liaison; Chris Bower, MNDOT Metro North Area Engineer; Melissa Barnes,
MNDOT Metro North Area Manager; Adam Smith
WORK SESSION ITEMS
1. MnDOT and Metro Transit Updates.
MNDOT Metro North Area Manager Melissa Barnes gave an overview of short-term and
long-term plans and programs. She reviewed some of the recent traffic signal timing,
lighting, and pedestrian benefits that will help to impact traffic and accident concerns in
the area from 37th Avenue to Highway 10. She reviewed some of the current and upcoming
demonstration projects. Currently there are temporary measures at 501" and Gould on Hwy
65 / Central. Additional projects for 2022 include Demonstration Projects at 401n, 42nd/43rd,
etc. There are additional changes that are considered medium term projects into 2025.
There will be reviews of these projects and conversations with residents. These reviews will
include a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study (PEL): Primary Needs, Secondary
Needs, Additional Considerations. Many of these items are currently in the concept
development stages. 2023 is the anticipated conclusion of the PEL Study. There will also be
a pavement study in 2028.
Marcell Walker, Bolton and Menk, Inc. is a consultant on the PEL Study. He led an overview
of the primary concerns related to pedestrian safety, bicyclist concerns and motorist
concerns. There were comments from 2220 residents and community stakeholders. There
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was not a lot of in person outreach due to the pandemic, but there was a QR code in the
community and it generated a lot of community feedback. He reviewed the overall timeline
for engagement, currently they are reviewing user needs and what the purpose and need
for the project is. There will be very tailored facilitated workshops (4 virtual and 4 in
person) that will occur in June. In the Spring of 2023 there will be a comprehensive plan for
public review and input. In the Fall of 2023 the project will be completed. There are 16
potential workshop locations, and they will explore what works best for the community.
There has been good involvement in the Community advisory group, providing feedback on
safety and equity.
Councilmember Buesgens is curious about the changing of the timing of the lights. There
will be large apartment buildings south of 47t". She would like to see pedestrians be the
consideration to reinvigorate our main street area of Central. She thinks it does not feel
safe stopping at the median. Councilmember Buesgens wants the residents to be the
priority from 371n to 49tn
Ms. Barnes stated that she believes that time was added to 415t and Hwy 65 to account for
increased pedestrian time to cross.
Councilmember Murzyn and Councilmember Novitsky stated that they did not have any
further questions.
Councilmember Jacobs stated that she would like to know if the meetings are only for
Columbia Heights residents.
Mr. Walker stated that the workshops will address a quadrant of the area, north or south
of the city. Right now, 694 would be the divider of the areas. He would like to be a point of
contact for feedback and materials.
Ms. Barnes stated that she is hoping for additional engagement and feels Chris Bower is
the best contact for follow up. There will be more targeted information as the project
progresses.
Director Hansen would like to update the website to provide links for citizens to have the
correct follow up information.
Metro BRT Project Manager, Adam Smith gave an update regarding the Metro Bus Line,
Arterial BRT. Overall, they would like faster, frequent all day access and a dignified user
experience. There will be higher capacity buses, with high tech and high amenity services.
Route 10 is among the top ridership routes. Central avenue is prioritized as F Line from 10
corridors that were evaluated. The project schedule is pending full funding and subject to
change. The corridor plan scope sets the station locations and bus service and will
hopefully move forward in 2023. The draft corridor plan will be available in Summer 2022.
More information about the project will be available, and the website will be available
soon and hopefully he will be available to attend the Art and Info Fair as opportunity to
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discuss the project further. Winter 2022 will be a time to seek public feedback on
recommended corridor plan. Spring 2023 the Plan will go for final Met Council Approval.
Director Hansen addressed concern about the project being fully funded. The routing of
this does highlight projects on 53rd avenue for when the BRT does come through the area.
Project Manager Smith stated that there is funding identified. There is about thirty million
allocated for the project, but they are unsure of the total project budget.
2. Stop Sign Plans.
Director Hansen gave some background information regarding stop sign location and
regulation. Recommendations and requests are made to the Traffic Commission and then
forwarded on for Council review. Recently the traffic commission has brought up having a
more uniform approach as to how stop signs are assigned to intersections. Most of our
intersections have a level of control occurring. There have been conversations about the
ability to have more North and South streets as a flow through in the City. Director Hansen
asked Council to consider some of the concerns related to stop signs, and to see if we want
to have a City Stop Sign Policy. Overall, do we want to evaluate a more consistent approach
to where we have stop signs. Director Hansen stated that one side of the City has a lot and
block style, and the other has the a more modern style. One of the main issues is that there
are not a lot of uncontrolled intersections.
Councilmember Novitsky inquired as to how many uncontrolled intersections there are?
The reason he is asking is he feels a lot of the concerns brought up are related to
uncontrolled intersections.
Director Hansen stated that West of Central (Hussett Neighborhood) there are 8 to 10.
When considering three-way intersections there are another 8 to 12.
Councilmember Novitsky clarified that the concern is related to the uncontrolled
intersections. He would like a more feasible way to address the uncontrolled intersections.
Councilmember Murzyn wanted to clarify the locations of the stop signs.
Councilmember Buesgens feels that there are a lot stop signs. She was curious if people
make a full stop at the stop signs. She feels that the requests to the traffic commission is
more random. She thinks it may not fix the problem. She further inquired about policy and
best practice related to traffic regulation. She would like to see things more uniform, and
to see that with a policy.
Councilmember Jacobs stated that she feels 20% stop rate is high. She does not feel like a
lot of people are making a full stop.
Director Hansen stated that there can be a lot of rolling stops, and the Police Department
would be best to address what percentage is stopping. The Police department is always
looking for North/South routing and a uniform policy might reduce stop signs and create
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easy routes for them. There are traffic counts every 4 years in 20% of the city because they
are State Aid Routes. We don't have data to support some of the traffic concerns. As a rule,
stop signs are not designed to reduce speed.
3. Traffic Commission Purpose.
Director Hansen gave the information as to why the Traffic Commission was founded in
1977. The intent of the Commission is to provide recommendations and information to the
Council related to traffic concerns and intersection control. Within the last year there has
been a discussion related to the expansion of the Traffic Commission as they would like to
see a vision zero project. The traffic commission had the Minneapolis Vision Zero
coordinator present at a meeting. They would like to see a focus on traffic calming
strategies and giving priority to pedestrians. Some of these things go beyond the scope of
the City Code and what level of service that staff can provide to the Commission.
City Manager Bourgeois stated that she feels that this topic should be included in goal
setting discussion related to Board and Commission aspirations. We do not have many
more hours in the day for staff to address the concerns that the Traffic Commission would
like to address. This is an opportunity to look more holistically at Commissions and Boards
and what our priority is moving forward.
Councilmember Novitsky stated that this is a conversation that is better discussed at the
goal setting meeting. He would like more information related to the sustainability
commission and a holistic approach. Is it time to rethink the Traffic Commission as a whole.
Councilmember Murzyn would like to hold off to a goal setting meeting.
Councilmember Buesgens apologized for not being in person as she is feeling sick. She
would like to have a 21St century discussion related to transportation and not just about
stop signs. She wants to see what it would take to transform the commission and what the
need is to update the goals for the Traffic Commission. She would like to see a scale of staff
time and the commitment needed to accomplish specific goals. There are members of the
commission that feel like their decisions could be made by staff. She would like to see part
of this Commission be incorporated into the "Sustainability Commission".
City Manager Bourgeois stated that staff time to expand has so many variables, and we
could not get our hands around the issue. There was not the ability to get the numbers
specific to these goals prior to the meeting as the staff time varies related to how broad
the scope becomes.
Councilmember Jacobs would like the staffing information as well. What we do with the
traffic commission is part of a bigger issue of what we do with our Commissions as a whole.
She needs to know not just what we want to do with the Traffic Commission, but how all of
our Commissions are impacted. She would like a meeting directly related to boards and
commissions.
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Councilmember Novitsky clarified that the goal setting meeting would be the first step in
clarifying what we want to do to move forward. There are concerns related to finding
options that work for our intersections. Council should send information to City Manager
Bourgeois about the things Council would like to see. Overall, he feels we are doing things
related to vision zero that are already impacting these objectives. He feels that the
walkability has improved.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that she would like to reach out to St. Louis Park
regarding their Sustainability Commission and Fridley regarding their Transportation and
Mobility Commission. There were a lot of responses on the city survey about additional
sidewalks. The residents on the street requesting the sidewalk would need to pay for the
sidewalks. She would also like to get information out to the community related to adding a
sidewalk and how to go about that.
Councilmember Jacobs feels that the sidewalk issue is a catch twenty-two and residents
may not want to fulfil the financial obligation related to having them.
Councilmember Buesgens inquired about when suburbs were built in 1960/70's and the
city was more car centric. There were no sidewalks because people are more interested in
driving.
Director Hansen stated that there is a policy related to assessment and state statute
regarding pulling together a petition for sidewalks. State aid routes usually have sidewalks,
and the addition of sidewalks is presented related to residents paying for sidewalks.
4. Water Service — Ordinance Updates.
Utility Superintendent Hauth lead the presentation related to Ordinance updates. There is
a need for cross connection control and the changes that are needed are highlighted to the
City Code. Council letter lays out what each chapter, article and section should look like.
Councilmember Novitsky asked for the highlights and stated that he had no concerns
related to the changes.
Director Hauth reviewed information related to the enforcement of the cross -connection
control devise and the updates to the State plumbing controls and surcharges related to
nonpayment. As a City we get more compliance related to financial penalties, and the
surcharge on the utility bill is more impactful than turning off the water to the property.
Director Hansen stated that the new update related to drinking water, and the inventory of
lead lines is recent, and we need to be in compliance. The law related to the lead service
lines was passed in 2020, and put into place by the EPA in January 2022. City Code and
State Statute is a one year replacement timeline.
Director Kloiber stated that when there is a substantial repair to the private line, the City
Contractor can be utilized to replace the line with a ten year assessment to the property.
The current methods of communication with customers have also been updated. The City
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does retain the opportunity to shut off the water if the surcharge is not applicable or
appropriate. There would be times that the Council we be approached related to
properties that are not compliant.
Councilmember Murzyn inquired about the language related to meter testing. Is there an
opportunity for Minneapolis to test the meter? Should there be a fee assigned?
Councilmember Jacobs asked that the Fee Structure be confirmed on the Fee Schedule.
Superintendent Hauth stated that the reading would be sent out to Minneapolis or third
party. There will need to be an update related to meter testing, and the city fee schedule.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that she had no other questions.
5. Tree and Weed Services — Ordinance Updates.
Superintendent Hauth introduced Liam Genter City Forester, who went over the Ordinance
regarding Tree and Weed Services from 1977. The DNR dictated that Cities add this
Ordinance and other cities adopted similar Ordinances at the same time. There is nothing
drastic that needs to be changed, just updating the language in terms of the names of
organisms and mechanisms for dealing with issues.
Councilmember Jacobs inquired about managed natural landscape, and how this seems
very open to interpretation.
Forester Genter stated that he has partnered with Assistant Fire Chief O'Brien and has
borrowed language related to this issue from the City of Minneapolis related to managed
natural landscapes. There is plan related to the general guidance that would be provided
on this topic to residents.
Councilmember Novitsky confirmed that we do have a guidance related to managed
natural landscapes.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that she did not have any questions.
Councilmember Novitsky confirmed that the public right away includes the sidewalk. This
helps improve the walkability of the sidewalks.
Forester Genter confirmed that the Public Works team can clear up to the property line.
This would include the ability to immediately address the concerns related to trimming a
tree or bush without issue.
Director Hansen stated that if Council is contacted about an issue, have the resident call
the Public Works general number to get the issue corrected. We can also include
information about this in the City Newsletter.
Superintendent Hauth stated that we are not sending letters or gaining permission to
correct these issues. We are trimming and addressing the issue immediately as the issue is
codified in Ordinance.
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Councilmember Murzyn clarified that if the tree is hanging in the public right away, we do
not need to contact homeowner.
Forester Genter confirmed that if the tree is over the sidewalk or the street, we are legally
able to trim the tree.
Councilmember Jacobs inquired if a resident can trim a tree over their property vs. public
property.
Forrester Genter stated that we are the property owner of sidewalks and streets, and we
are able to trim and prune what we need. We are wasting time and money to send letters
and correspondence related to taking care of this issue. We do not charge for this removal.
6. No Mow May.
City Manager Bourgeois stated that the Mayor and Councilmember Buesgens are in
support of the program for not mowing lawns until June to allow pollinators an opportunity
to use the yard as food and habitat. The DNR is supporting this initiative and so are many
other cities. She inquired if Council would like to move forward with this item, and if so, all
we will need to do is pass a Resolution to observe No Mow May. As a City we would not
enforce lawn and weed ordinance through May. Another option that would be more
involved, would be a process of having residents registering their property, and receiving a
sign. Overall, the first option provides less friction between neighbors.
Forester Genter stated that in general we usually would not see growth over nine inches or
heavy growth in the month of May, so it would likely not be an overall enforcement
concern.
Councilmember Novitsky and Councilmember Jacobs stated that they like the first option.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that this a great way to bring back some of the critters
and would support signs showing that we are supporting our insects and pollinators.
City Manager Bourgeois stated there will be a Resolution at next week's Council meeting
for approval of No Mow May.
7. Council Workshop and Visioning/Goal Setting Session.
City Manager Bourgeois gave information related to scheduling a Council relationship
building session, and then having a goal setting session to follow. She would like to have
Department Heads review what has been accomplished and then focus on updating the
goals of the current Council. Overall, she would like to see this process completed by the
end of May. Especially with budgeting coming into play this summer/fall.
Councilmember Novitsky stated that he is looking forward to these types of meeting.
Councilmember Jacobs stated that she is open to both pieces but wants to make sure that
everyone comes in good faith. She has better ways to spend her time if there is not any
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self -accountability by other members. She has spoken with the facilitator Amy and she is a
really neat gal.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that she also approves of this process.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary