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Home My WebLink About03-25-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes 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, 3989 Central Ave NE Monday, March 25, 2024 6:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 6:00 pm on Monday, March 25, 2024, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 3989 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota. WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Council President Buesgens called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Present: Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Jacobs; Councilmember Spriggs; Councilmember James Absent: Mayor Márquez Simula Also Present: Lenny Austin, Chief of Police; David Cullen, Interim Public Works Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Joe Kloiber, Finance Director; Scott Lepak, City Attorney; 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 The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember James, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. National Library Week Proclamation. Council President Buesgens proclaimed April 7-13, 2024 as National Library Week and read the City’s proclamation. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. 1. Approve the March 4, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the March 4, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting minutes. 2. Approve the March 8, 2024 and March 11, 2024 Special City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the March 8, 2024 and March 11, 2024 Special City Council Work Session Meeting minutes. 3. Approve the March 11, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the March 11, 2024 City Council Meeting minutes. 4. Accept the February 16, 2024 Sustainability Commission Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the February 16, 2024 Sustainability Commission minutes. 5. Second Reading of Ordinance 1694, revising City Code Section 5A.410 regarding Conduct on Licensed Premises/Crime Free/Drug Free and Disorderly Use Lease Requirements. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1694, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance 1694, revising City Code Section 5A.410 regarding Conduct on Licensed Premises/Crime Free/Drug Free and Disorderly Use Lease Requirements and to direct staff to send a summary of the ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. 6. Resolution 2024-25, Adopting Rates for Water, Sewer, Storm Water, and Refuse Services, Provided After March 31, 2024. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-25, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2024-25, being a resolution adopting rates for water, sewer, storm water, and refuse services, provided after March 31, 2024. 7. Adopt Resolution 2024-26, Appointing Board and Commission Members. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-26, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2024-26, appointing City of Columbia Heights Board and Commission Members. 8. Capital Equipment Replacement of Unit #16: F600 Cab/Chassis and Forestry Aerial Unit Uplift. MOTION: Move to approve the acquisition of a 2024 Ford F600 XLT 4x4 pickup truck from Midway Ford, in the amount of $71,473.43; and the forestry/aerial upfit from the State of Minnesota purchasing contract vendor Aspen Equipment in the amount of $121,165.00, for a total cost of $192,638.43 City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 3 9. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for March 25, 2024, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 10. License Agenda MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for March 25th, 2024, as presented. 11. 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 $1,341,403.26. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember James thanked and congratulated the new board and commission members. She mentioned that she attended a policy primer with Local Progress and her students attended the library boba tea event. She attended the State of the Region address by the Metropolitan Council. She congratulated the Public Works Department for their plow work during the last snow storm. She mentioned that she signed onto two letters, one for a brief that will go to the Supreme Court for homelessness not to be criminalized, and the other letter is in support of House File 4009. She encouraged residents to complete the survey on the City’s website in order to provide feedback on the selection of the next Police Chief. Councilmember Jacobs stated she attended Alexander’s retirement party, walked in the St. Patrick’s parade, and attended the commission appointments. She participated in another plow ride and has put in about 25 hours in the plow. She complimented two young adults that found a lost wallet while running and returned it to the Police Department. Councilmember Spriggs noted that he attended the board and commission application sessions and thanked those who applied. He added that he had a number of meetings with residents. Council President Buesgens stated she gathered with volunteers for the Blooming Sunshine Garden to make plans on what will be planted. She attended the Valley View Winter Extravaganza, and an event at the Central Mix Restaurant. She mentioned that the owner of Rapid Graphics would be retir ing. She also attended the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization meeting and mentioned that Fridley would be helping the City clean Sullivan Lake through a proposed project of installing a hydrodynamic separator within a residential neighborhood. She attended the commission interviews and thanked all of the 17 people who applied. She added that she attended the Sustainability Commission as the liaison and Alexander’s retirement party as well as the speech showcase at the high school. She stated she did a snow plow ride along. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES March 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 4 Report of the City Manager Police Chief Austin stated the City’s Services Expo would be on April 11, 2024 from 5 -7 pm at City Hall. The event will allow residents to meet with staff regarding the City’s short-term and long-term projects as well as job opportunities. Rail Works Brewery will be in attendance and will be serving root beer. The Arbor Day tree sale is still going on and the City still has a few trees available for purchase. More information on how to purchase a tree can be found on the City’s website under the Public Work’s section. The Police Chief survey is still open and community members are encouraged to provide their feedback through the City’s website. Responses are due back by April 4, 2024 at 1 pm. There is a “name a mini truck” contest that will end on March 31, 2024. Votes can be cast through the City’s Facebook page. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember James, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary