Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-2023 City Council Minutes CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula Councilmembers Connie Buesgens Kt Jacobs Rachel James Justice Spriggs City Manager Kelli Bourgeois City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE Monday, March 13, 2023 6:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota. WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Márquez Simula called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Jacobs; Councilmember James; Councilmember Spriggs Also Present: Lenny Austin, Police Chief; Kelli Bourgeois, City Manager; Aaron Chirpich, Community Development Director; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Sara Ion, City Clerk 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 1. Approve February 6, 2023 EDA Meeting Minutes MOTION: Move to approve the February 6, 2023 EDA meeting minutes. 2. Approve February 6, 2023 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the February 6, 2023 City Council Work Session meeting minutes. 3. Approve February 27, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the February 27, 2023 City Council meeting minutes. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 2 4. Accept December 7, 2022 and February 1, 2023 Library Board Minutes. MOTION: Move to Accept the Library Board minutes from December 7, 2022 and February 1, 2023. 5. Accept July 19, 2022 Traffic Commission Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the July 19, 2022 Traffic Commission minutes. 6. Approval of Resolution 2023-18 Amending the Economic Development Escrow Deposit Fees. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2023-18, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 2023-18, a resolution amending the 2023 economic development fee schedule. 7. Approval of Resolution 2023-19 Requesting Funds from the Anoka County HRA. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2023-19, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Resolution No. 2023-19, a resolution requesting funds from the Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to support economic development activities within the City of Columbia Heights. 8. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for March 13, 2023, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 9. 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 $1,732,415.94. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 10. Approval of Resolution 2023-20, Supporting Housing and Local Decision-Making Authority. City Manager Kelli Bourgeois explained that Councilmember Buesgens asked this resolution be added to the agenda. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs to Read Resolution 2023-20. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Councilmember Buesgens noted that after attending many League of City and Metro Council meetings she has noticed people on the State Legislative level who continue to try to take the local control away from cities. She explained the importance of reading the resolution so communities can join the people who are fighting to maintain local control. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 3 Councilmember Buesgens read Resolution 2023-20. Mayor Márquez Simula thanked Councilmember Buesgens for bringing the resolution to the Council. She stated she attended the League of Minnesota Cities conference where there was discussion on the resolution as well as entities that are trying to take the authority from cities and take control. Councilmember James agreed with Mayor Márquez Simula and added that she has the opportunity to speak the legislators directly and knows that they listen to us. She encouraged individuals to bring concerns and comments directly to legis lators since they have expressed a desire to listen. She thanked Councilmember Buesgens. Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens to Approve Resolution 2023-20, a resolution supporting housing and local decision-making authority. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember Jacobs stated she attended the ISD 13 Board Meeting, Council Corner, MnDOT corridor study and MICAH policy meeting. She noted she spent three days in Washington D.C. advocating for mental health and substance abuse issues. She added a small group met with the Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh who spoke on the changing THC regulations and how state legislation actions will directly and indirectly impact employers in cities. She noted other presenters included the director of National Health Services, office of public health, the office of inter-governmental affairs, and director of legislator affairs. She mentioned she attended the final Traffic Commission meeting and individually thanked the commissioners for their work and hoped they know how much their volunteer work is appreciated and hope that they will continue to serve the community. She remembered Todd Estrem, former owner of Tasty Pizza who passed away on February 27, 2023 due to cancer. She expressed her condolences and noted the impact he had on the community. She facilitated six resident reach outs. Councilmember Spriggs noted he presented the update from the City perspective at the School Board meeting, and attended the most recent Library Board meeting. He explained the library is looking to approve eliminating the fees to rent the community room. He attended the Council work session, and the joint school board meeting. He stated he attended the Minnesota League of Cities, “City Day on the Hill” with Councilmember James, Councilmember Buesgens and Mayor Márquez Simula where they were able to meet with Senator Kunesh and Representative Feist and Representative Koegel to discuss important bills at the Capital. He noted the Council completed first round of interviews for openings on Boards and Commissions. He signed a letter for the Minnesota’s City Climate Coalition to the legislator urging them to pass bills to support local climate action. He is continuing to work with residents at the Legends regarding rental increases and will be attending a meeting at the Capitol to speak with the governors’ staff on the issue. He explained there is a MnDOT feedback session on Thursday from 4-7 pm in Minneapolis and encouraged residents to attend in order to give their feedback on Central Avenue. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 4 Councilmember Buesgens noted an update that residents can expect that the City will be replacing Garbage carts soon, the worst carts will be replaced first. She gave a shout out to the Public Works team for adding Spanish and Somali options in the written directions for garbage and recycling on the carts. She attended the Council Corner where they are discussing the book “For the Love of Cities” and encouraging the City to read a version of the book for a potential upcoming book club. She noted MnDOT has complied the feedback received and have created 4 design concepts for Central Avenue. She stated the meeting would be on March 16, 2023 from 4 -7 pm at Northeast Minneapolis Recreation Center (1530 Johnson Street NE). She added there is a virtual option on March 21 , 2023 at 11:30 am that can located at the City website. There will be a survey in mid-March that will be added on the City website. She attended a car crash analysis webinar where they explained what could cause a car crash that excludes the driver and biker. She attended CoHi Con which was hosted by HeightsNEXT and noted the various activities and that it had good attendance. She attended the afternoon portion of the City Day on the Hill and explained the Council presented four pages of bills to Senator Kunesh, Representative Feist and Representative Koegel, that they believe are important for the City. She attended the joint session with the School Board, and a MnDOT meeting regarding the possible installation of a rain garden with HeightsNEXT on Central Avenue. Councilmember James stated she attended the Traffic Commission as a liaison and thanked the members for their service. She noted during the meeting it was announced that the City was award a Safe Streets for All grant of $200,000 to be used to develop a safety action plan. She noted on March 1, 2023 she attended the policy advisory committee meeting for University and Central Avenue corridor planning study. She explained that the bus transit is coming to Columbia Heights with construction beginning in 2025 and opening in 2026. She mentioned that she signed the climate commission letter and a letter through the National League of Cities that is working on legislation toward acting on rail safety. She noted at the joint School Board meeting she was impressed by the collaboration but explained how underfunded the schools are. She stated the levy for the school district in the City is $308 compared to other districts that receive $2,000 per pupil. She added that the School Board expressed the need for more funding and can help by volunteering, tutoring and considering how to fund the schools. In addition she mentioned that she attended the City Day on the Hill event and had discussions regarding legislation that effects cities included zoning laws, cannabinoid legislation, with 250 other elected officials. She also attended the Buy Nothing event. She noted street clean ups for earth day would by on April 15, 2023 on University Avenue with the Lion’s Club and April 22, 2023 on Central Avenue with HeightsNEXT. She noted there would be a St. Patrick’s Day parade and encouraged residents to nominate a business of the year with the City. Mayor Márquez Simula noted it is time to nominate a citizen of the year with a component to nominate a youth and adult. She showed a piece in The Life newspaper highlighting photos from CoHigh Con and explained that many people asked when they could do the event again because they saw it as a community event. She noted the diversity in age represented at the event. She attended the City Day on the Hill and thanked the City for sending the Councilmembers to it. She stated there was a lengthy presentation on cannabis and how legislation has not provided the cities with much guidance yet and that they also learned about affordable housing. She attended the combined Council and School District meeting and learned about the programs and opportunities for students and the lack of funding for the schools. She encouraged individuals to contact their representatives in order to let them know the State needs to fund the schools appropriately. She attended the Community Education City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 5 Advisory Commission, Communication Commission, and Youth Commission meeting. She noted the Youth Commission did not have a quorum so they were unable to vote on anything and instead shared ideas including a haunted house or a lantern lighting festival. She thanked the members of the traffic commission for their service. She attended the soup dinner and prayer at First Lutheran Church, Council Corner, and the PEL study for MnDOT. She stated Cheers for Beers will be hosted by HeightsNEXT and in partnership with municipal liquor stores on May 12, 2023 at Murzyn Hall with tickets selling in advance for $40 and $45 at the door. The event will have 40 different breweries. She attended the Buy Nothing event that she helped arrange. Report of the City Manager City Manager Bourgeois stated the winner of the snowplow naming contest is “Blizzard of Oz” and Staff are working on securing a sticker for the plow. She explained business of the year nominations are due March 27, 2023 and added that it was the first year to officially nominate a business. She read an email written to the Police Department on behalf of the Somali American Public Affairs Committee expressing their gratitude for their work in the City. City Manager Bourgeois explained that she submitted her letter of resignation with her last day being on April 13, 2023. She expressed her love for Columbia Heights and added that she would starting a new position as the City manager in Bristol Tennessee. She noted the Staff have been the most caring, professional, and dedicated people she has had the opportunity to work with. She added that the elected officials truly care about the community and the community is vibrant and engaged and have embraced the positive changes that have occurred. She stated the City is on an upward journey and would miss not being a part of that journey but is proud of the time she has had to move the City toward that trajectory. She thanked the community for making her love the City. Mayor Márquez Simula stated they would miss her and have great Staff to continue to move them forward. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:33 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary