Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-2023 City Council Meeting CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula Councilmembers Connie Buesgens Kt Jacobs Rachel James Justice Spriggs Interim City Manager Kevin Hansen City Hall—Council Chambers, 590 40th Ave NE Monday, April 24, 2023 6:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 6:00 pm on Monday, April 24, 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 6:05 pm. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Jacobs; Councilmember Spriggs; Councilmember James Also Present: Lenny Austin, Chief of Police; Kevin Hansen, Interim City Manager; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Sulmaan Khan, Interim City Engineer; Kathy Ahlers, City Resident; Shelly Johnson, City Resident; Hikari Nakane, City Resident MISSION STATEMENT Columbia Heights is a vibrant, healthy and connected City. We are here to actively support the community, deliver equitable services, build and strengthen connections, improve upon our past, and uphold our successes. We strive to be better and ensure Columbia Heights is a great place for everyone, today and in the future. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Márquez Simula requested to change the order of the proclamations to consider Item F. “May Asian and Pacific Islander Minnesotan Heritage Month Proclamation” before item A under Proclamations, Presentations, Recognition, Announcements, Guests. Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve the agenda as amended. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS F. May Asian and Pacific Islander Minnesotan Heritage Month Proclamation. Mayor Márquez Simula introduced Hikari Nakane and stated she is a pastor at Church of All Nations. She had reached out to the community for anyone who identified as Asian and Pacific Islander and invited them to the meeting to receive the proclamation on behalf of those who cannot attend. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 2 Mayor Márquez Simula read the City’s proclamation declaring May 2023 as Asian and Pacific Islander Minnesotan Heritage Month. Ms. Nakane thanked Mayor Márquez Simula and the Councilmembers and explained she is of Japanese descent and has lived in Columbia Heights for 15 years. She expressed her pride in being a part of the Church of All Nations and noted they are committed to diversity and inclusion. She added because of the relationship with the City, she desires to invest in the community. Ms. Nakane again thanked the Council. A. April Arbor Day Proclamation. Councilmember Buesgens read the City’s proclamation. Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed April 28, 2023 as April Arbor Day and the month of May 2023 as Arbor Month. Mayor Márquez Simula noted on April 28, 2023 at 12:15 pm there will be a tree planting ceremony at McKenna Park. B. April National Library Week Proclamation. Councilmember James read the City’s proclamation. Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed April 23, 2023—April 29, 2023 as April National Library Week. C. April Fair Housing Month Proclamation. Councilmember James read the City’s proclamation. Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed April 2023 as Fair Housing Month. D. May Public Works Week Proclamation. Mayor Márquez Simula read the City’s proclamation declaring May 21, 2023—May 27, 2023 as May Public Works Week. Interim City Engineer Khan accepted the proclamation and st ated he began work with the City in July 2022. He thanked the Council for the proclamation and explained how proud the department is to serve the community. E. May Police Week Proclamation. Councilmember Spriggs, on behalf of the City Council, read the City’s proclamation declaring May 14, 2023—May 20, 2023 as May Police Week. Chief of Police Austin accepted the proclamation and thanked Mayor Márquez Simula and the Councilmembers. He stated on April 15, 2023 in Pope County, Deputy Joshua Owen was killed in the line of duty and two other officers were shot. The week prior, in Wisconsin, Officer Emily Breidenbach and Officer Hunter Scheel were killed in the line of duty. He explained these recent events made the proclamation more significant. Chief Austin explained in 2022, 224 officers died in the line of duty and 332 officers died in previous years. These names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington D.C. He noted there have been six officers killed in the line of duty in Anoka County including Columbia Heights’ Officer John Ramsdell. He explained the City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 3 importance of taking time to honor the officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. He noted the candle light vigil will be held on Saturday, May 13, at 8 pm Eastern Time in Washington D.C. This event will be live streamed and can be found it at www.nleomf.org. He explained the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association will conduct a memorial service on May 15 at 7 pm at the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial in St. Paul. Councilmember Jacobs stated she has had the privilege to attend ceremonies at the Memorial in Washington D.C., noted it was an incredible experience, and encouraged anyone who had the privilege to visit it. Mayor Márquez Simula agreed and noted she joined the St. Paul police officers in placing the wreath at the Memorial. She added how grateful she is to have Officer Piehn involved in the organization. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Márquez Simula requested Item 9 “Amend the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy” be removed from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. Councilmember James noted she did not need to pull Item 10 “Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval” for discussion but mentioned page 103 in the Agenda Packet. She noted several of the licenses were for Brian Buffington and explained he has six public corporations under his name with multiple homes in Columbia Heights and hundreds of homes in the U.S. She explained th ere was no reason to not approve the licenses so it can remain in the Consent Agenda but she wanted to note the corporation of single-family homes. She added that Mr. Buffington has three Foreign LLC’s listed with one address in Scottsdale Arizona. She expressed her concern regarding that and encouraged the Council to continue to keep an eye on it as they consider rental licenses. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve removal of Item 9 removed for further discussion. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 1. Approve the April 3, 2023 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes . MOTION: Move to approve the April 3, 2023 City Council Work Session meeting minutes. 2. Approve the April 10, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes . MOTION: Move to approve the April 10, 2023 City Council meeting minutes. 3. Accept the February 8, 2023 Youth Commission Meeting Minutes . MOTION: Move to accept the February 8, 2023 Youth Commission meeting minutes. 4. Award Contract to Abdo Financial Solutions F or Approximately Four Months of Payroll Services. MOTION: Move to authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Abdo Financial Solutions for payroll preparation services at the terms listed in the agenda packet. 5. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the city of Minneapolis for the reconstruction and construction administration of 37th Avenue from Central Avenue to City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 4 Stinson Boulevard and 37th Place from 37th Avenue to Stinson Boulevard, Projects 2110 and 2306 MOTION: Move to approve a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Minneapolis to provide cost-share not expected to exceed $2,909,847.71 for the construction, construction engineering, construction inspection, material testing, and construction administration for street reconstruction on 37th Avenue from Central Avenue to Stinson Boulevard and 37th Place from 37th Avenue to Stinson Boulevard, City Projects 2110 and 2306. 6. Accept MWMO Grant Agreement for 37th Avenue and 37th Place Green Stormwater Infrastructure Implementation. MOTION: Accept the grant from the MWMO in the amount of $274,729 for the 37th Avenue and 37th Place reconstruction projects, Projects 2110 and 2306. 7. Award Traffic Signal Painting for Five Traffic Signal Systems Along Central Avenue, Project 2308. MOTION: Move to approve the proposal for traffic signal system painting at five intersections on Central Avenue; Project 2308, with Cobalt Companies for an estimated cost of $39,700.00 appropriated from Fund 430-3170-45185-2308. 8. Award of Professional Services for Topographic Surveys for 2024 and 2025 Alley Reconstruction Projects 2406 and 2506. MOTION: Move to approve the Proposal for Topographic Surveying for 2024 and 2025 Alley Reconstruction; Projects 2406 and 2506, with Bolton & Menk, based on time and materials with an estimated cost of $27,176.00 appropriated from Funds 415-6400-43050-2406 and 415-6400-43050-2506. 9. Pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion “Amend the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy.” 10. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for April 24, 2023, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 11. License Agenda. MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for April 24, 2023 as presented. 12. 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 $2,155,798.16. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with Item 9 removed for further discussion. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 5 ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA 9. Amend the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy. Interim City Manager Hansen stated there are two components to the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy amendment. The first is amending the time the community room would be available to rent for the public and the second is amending the usage of food in the community room in order to keep the room clean. Mayor Márquez Simula explained the reason she pulled the item for discussion was because there was much discussion during the Council work session where the Council asked to have the Library Board review the policy. She did not know if it was ready to be voted on yet. She agreed removing the usage of food makes sense but she would like to have further discussion in the work session regarding the times and hours that is open. Motion by Councilmember Jacobs to table the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy discussion to a work session. Motion failed for lack of a second. Councilmember James suggested the Council move forward with waving the fee since it is a large change in the policy. She agreed with Mayor Márquez Simula’s comment on having further discussion in a work session. Councilmember Buesgens explained she would like to wave the fee and have further discussion but since there was a motion on the table, it could prevent that from happening. City Attorney Hoeft advised that if the Council lets the motion fail, the Council would be able to make whatever motion it prefers. Councilmember Spriggs expressed his excitement for the policy changes and noted he feels comfortable approving the amendments during the meeting but is also comfortable having further discussion with the Council. He added the changes would not go into effect until July 1, 2023 so the Council is not under a time crunch. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens to amend the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy, remove the fee for the Community Room rental, remove food in the Community Room, and table the discussion on room hours. Motion failed for lack of a second Mayor Márquez Simula noted there was another amendment for smoking that could be added in the motion. Interim City Manager Hansen clarified it was for chewing tobacco. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember James, to amend the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy, to approve removal of the Library fees, that no food be allowed in the Community Room, prohibition of chewing tobacco in the Library, and to table discussion on the hours to a work session. Discussion during the motion: City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 6 Councilmember Jacobs expressed her concern that fees may be attached to the hours so it should be tabled it because of the correlation. Mayor Márquez Simula explained she is ready to make a decision regarding the fees. Councilmember James asked where the date it would go into effect is written. Interim City Manager Hansen explained it was on the front of the Staff report in the Agenda Packet with the recommendation from Staff having it be in effect July 1, 2023. 4 Ayes, 1 Nay, Motion Carried 4-1. Ayes: James, Spriggs, Buesgens, Márquez Simula Nay: Jacobs. PUBLIC HEARINGS This is the public’s opportunity to speak regarding this matter. Any comments made after the public hearing is closed will not be considered by the City Council and will not be included as part of the formal record for this matter. 13. First Reading of Ordinance No. 1683, Amending Chapter 3, Article 3 of the City Code Pertaining to Boards and Commissions. Interim City Manager Hansen explained the Ordinance has four parts:  Updating language related to the period of time between service on the same board and commission to “one term”;  Removal of the Traffic Commission;  Addition of Sustainability Commission; and  Updates to Youth Commission language to reduce the number of members from 20 to 13, and to include members who attend school in ISD 13. Councilmember Buesgens expressed her excitement in adding the Sustainability Commission. There was no one in council chambers or via zoom who wished to speak regarding this ordinance. Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1683, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember James, to set the reading of Ordinance No. 1683, an Ordinance amending Chapter 3, Article 3 of the City Code pertaining to Boards and Commissions, for May 8th, 2023, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Bid Considerations City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 7 14. Adopt Resolution 2023-26 Being a Resolution Accepting Bids and Concurring with Awarding a Contract for the Street Reconstruction of 37th Avenue and 37th Place, Projects 2110 and 2306. Interim City Engineer Sulmaan Khan explained the bids were opened and completed by the City of Minneapolis. Five bids were received with the lowest bid by Eureka Construction, Inc at $11.1 million. Staff are happy with the bid that was received and recommending the Council to move forward with Eureka Construction, Inc. Councilmember Buesgens expressed her excitement for the project and asked residents to continue to be patient during the constructio n, noting it would be worth it when it is done. Mayor Márquez Simula agreed, thanked the MWMNO for their assistance in the project , and thanked Staff for applying for grants. Councilmember James noted the City received a Metropolitan Council Regional Grant as well as State Aid funds to bring down the funds the City is responsible for to $2.9 million. Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to waive the reading of Resolution 2023-26, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to adopt Resolution 2023-26 being a Resolution accepting bids and providing concurrence for awarding the 2023 Street Rehabilitation Program consisting of 37th Avenue Full Street Reconstruction; Project 2110, and 37th Place Full Street Reconstruction; Project 2306, to Eureka Construction, Inc. based upon their low, qualified, responsible bid in the amount of $11,171,519.53, of which $2,909,847.71 is the total that Columbia Heights will be responsible for providing to Minneapolis, appropriated from the following funds, $1,000,000 from Fund 402-3191, $160,000 from Fund 601-6400, $25,000 from fund 602- 6400, $200,000 from Fund 653-6400, $274,729 MWMO grant funds, and the remaining is anticipated to be covered by other City funds. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 15. Approve Exterior Signage for the New City Hall, Project 1911. Interim City Manager Hansen reviewed the background on the new City Hall project stating they are nearing completion around June 2023 for the interior buildout. The exterior signage was not included in the plans that were presented to the Council. One of the remaining items is exterior building signage specific to City Hall. City staff has been working with Albrecht Signs of Fridley to develop and design the exterior signage. Albrecht signs has fabricated and installed the exterior signage and LED message boards at the Library and City liquor stores. Interim City Manager Hansen showed the Council photos of proposed signs for the new City Hall building. He described the various signs and where they would be placed on the building. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 8 Interim City Manager Hansen noted the final cost is $52,010 and the budget had $60,000 for the project. He added Staff are recommending approval of the signage proposal from Albrecht Sign Company and in order to get it in, they would need get permits in tomorrow. Mayor Márquez Simula stated she was happy to hear they were under budget and thought the new signage looked classy. Councilmember Jacobs agreed and add it looks modern and speaks to the future and is delighted to see it. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs to approve the exterior signage proposal from Albrecht Sign Company for the new City Hall at 3989 Central Avenue in the amount of $52,010 from Fund 411.9999.45120.1911. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember Buesgens thanked the Public Works Department for refreshing the traffic signal poles on Central Avenue. She added the City would be replacing ten alleys in 2024 and 2025. Interim City Manager Hansen mentioned in 2019 the City had replaced three alleys and the next ten are part of 30 alleys in the City. Councilmember Buesgens noted she drove through all ten alleys. She attended the Iftar at the mosque, the Iftar the Police Department hosted, Council Corner with the other Councilmembers, Metro Cities annual meeting, Council Police Academy with the other Councilmembers, and the Neighborhood Watch meeting. She gave her condolences to a family who lost their five month old baby and noted that Public Safety Staff tried to save the baby but unfortunately could not. She thanked the Staff for their efforts in trying to save the baby. Councilmember James stated she attended the Iftar at the local mosque with the Columbia Heights Police Association, a webinar on land use regulation with the League of Minnesota’s Cities, Council Corner, and a school safety panel hosted at First Lutheran Church with Superintendent Stenvik, Assistant Superintendent Bondo, the High School Principal, and two School Board members. The two themes that emerged from the safety panel were mental health help especially related to bullying and the prevalence of gun violence. She noted caring adults make a difference and thanked those who work and volunteer with students. She stated “Happy Eid” to those who celebrate and “Happy Earth Day”. HeightsNext organized a street clean up on Central Avenue that had 75 volunteers, cleaned four parks, and collected 35 bags of trash which included car parts due to car crashes. Community partners included a Girl Scout Troop, Gay for Good, a Manager from a liquor store, and a teenage girl who brought her friends for an Earth Day party. She thanked all the volunteers who helped. She noted there was an adopt a park clean up with the Sunday school students from First Lutheran Church. There will be hydrant flushing in parts of the City so residents may see some discoloration in the water. She added she has been in discussion with residents regarding skate parks, rental density cap, and meeting with Somali American neighbors. Councilmember Jacobs stated she was out of the country in Havana, Cuba, and explained it was a moving trip. She noted her takeaway was seeing the perseverance in the people who live there and can continue to enjoy each other. She attended the Council Corner and Council Academy. She noted May is City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 9 No Mow May and mentioned an article that suggests to let the grass grow and to maintain it at six inches so it does not cause stress on the grass. She acknowledged former City Manager Kelli Bourgeois’ last meeting and congratulated Interim City Manager Kevin Hansen. She facilitated eight resident reach outs. Councilmember Spriggs noted he met with Senator Knuesh, Representative Feist, Mayor Márquez Simula, and residents at the Legend regarding the rent increases and is continuing to work on the issue. He also met with the Governor’s top policy aids to see what solutions there were. He attended Council Corner, Council Academy, Central Avenue Clean-up, Metro Cities meeting as the liaison, and the Charter Commission as a fill in liaison. He stated he had many resident reach outs. Mayor Márquez Simula thanked Councilmember Jacobs for bringing up No Mow May. She stated she attended the Sister Cities meeting and noted the Sister Cities organization is going to Poland from September 21, 2023—October 4, 2023 and welcomed residents to join, noting they can email her if anyone is interested or attend the next meeting on May 9, 2023 at 1 pm. She attended the Council Corner, went to the State Capitol with Councilmember Spriggs regarding the issue of rental increases for the Legends, attended the Youth Commission meeting, Iftar at the local mosque, and went to the boxing gym, Golden Gloves, with the City Manager and Community Development Director. She noted she did a pet bed event in partnership with the Library in February and was able to donate the beds in the past week to MARS (Minnesota Animal Rescue Services). She attended the School Safety Panel and met with the Somali American Public Affairs Committee (SAPAC). She thanked the Library for allowing people to meet in the parking lot before the street clean up . She attended the Police Academy with the rest of the Council and attended the Chanhassen Dinner Theater to see the production of Prom , which she and recommended. Report of the City Manager Interim City Manager Hansen noted April 25, 2023 would be the last day to register to purchase a No Mow May yard sign in order to alert Staff and residents that they are not cutting their grass. He noted that May is a large pollinator month and not mowing can help with the pollination process. Information can be found at the website at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/pollinators. Interim City Manager Hansen stated submissions for Outstanding Citizen of the Year award are due at midnight on April 24, 2023. Nominations for adults and youth can be found on the C ity website at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/outstanding. Beginning on May 1, 2023 those who are interested in the City wide Garage Sale (June 9, 2023-June 11, 2023) can sign up to be included on a locator map. Information can be found at www.columbiaheightsmn.gov/garagesale. Residents can sign up between May 1, 2023 and May 31, 2023. The Fire Department is continuing to look for on call firefighters and is hosting an informational recruitment on April 26, 2023 from 6-9 pm at the Fire Station. Interim City Manager Hansen stated the intended goal to begin construction on 37 th Avenue is May 15, 2023. Prior to that, Minneapolis and Columbia Heights will hold informational meetings for residents who are impacted. Construction is expected to be completed in October or early November. The City is doing sanitary sewer lining on Central Avenue from 37th Avenue to 44th Avenue and are looking at doing it during the evening from 7pm-7am. Staff have sent out a notice for everyone who is impacted. A schedule has not been set yet due to waiting on permits being approved. He noted Public Works is City of Columbia Heights MINUTES April 24, 2023 City Council Meeting Page 10 patching up pot holes and flushing fire hydrants. He suggested for community members run their water for about 10 minutes if there is any discoloration in their water. If the water does not clear, call Public Works. COMMUNITY FORUM Shelly Johnson, City resident, stated Brian Buffington is associated with Haven Brooke. She explained that last year, the Fire Department went through a process of potentially revoking and reinstating all of Haven Brooke properties. One of the changes coming from that was Brian Buffington being listed as the licensee on all properties. She noted they have about 20 properties. Kathy Ahlers, City resident, stated she has lived in Columbia Heights for 36 years and acknowledged the good work Public Works Director Hansen has done over the years. As well as that in the living memory of the residents of Columbia Heights there h as not been an open search for the City Manager. She recognized Minnesota has a top ten public affairs graduate program and reviewed the education and training that is provided in the program. She would prefer to have a more modern method of community engagement to select a City Manager. She asked that the City Manager search utilize a consultant and consider using community-wide forums to collect feedback from residents. She also suggested having community-wide events before the Comprehensive Plan revision. She asked the Council to conduct a full and complete search for a City Manager. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:23 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary