HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-16-2024 City Council Work Session Minutes
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Mayor
Amáda Márquez Simula
Councilmembers
Connie Buesgens
Kt Jacobs
Rachel James
Justice Spriggs
City Manager
Aaron Chirpich
City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE
Monday, September 16, 2024
5:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Assistant City Engineer Sulmaan Khan called the work session to order at 5pm, and attendees
introduced themselves.
School Board Members present: Ms. Medearis and Superintendent Stenvik
School Board Administration present: Superintendent Stenvik, Bryan Hennekens
City Council Members present: Mayor Marquez Simula, Councilmember Buesgens, Jacobs, James,
Spriggs
City of Columbia Heights Staff present: Aaron Chirpich, Matt Markham, Kevin Hansen, Sara Ion,
Sulmaan Khan
City of Hilltop Staff present: Ruth Nelson
Anoka County Commissioner present: Mandy Meisner
Anoka County Staff present: Joe MacPherson
WORK SESSION ITEMS
1. Anoka County Engineering Staff as well as Anoka County Commissioner Mandy Meisner
met with the ISD 13 District Representatives, City of Hilltop Council and City of Columbia
Heights Council to Answer Questions / Take Feedback on Safety on County Roadways
within Columbia Heights and Hilltop. The following items were discussed:
Discuss School Zone Safety Concerns on CSAH 4 (49th Avenue).
There was a discussion related to the West bound traffic on 49th and finding a way to
redirect traffic to an easier drop off location that is safer and prevent people from
making U-turns. There was a focus on increasing signage, painting cross walks and
creating a pathway for students to stay safe. Councilmember Spriggs inquired about
making Monroe a one way for school drop off and pick up.
Additionally, there was also a discussion related to student bus traffic in the corridor.
Councilmember Buesgens also recommended reaching out to MNDOT about
narrowing Central Avenue in the area where 49th meets Central. Councilmember
Spriggs brought up concerns related to the area of 49th near Upland Crest and Chatom.
He would like to see the County create a trail or sidewalk that links to Kor. Mr.
MacPherson let the Council know that he and his team could work on some potential
options for this stretch of road.
Councilmember Spriggs inquire about making Monroe a one way for school drop off
and pick up.
City of Columbia Heights MINUTES September 16, 2024
City Council Work Session Page 2
Discuss general pedestrian/bicyclist safety concerns along CSAH 2 (Reservoir
Blvd).
Mr. MacPherson informed the group that Anoka County is responsible for the
maintenance of Reservoir above 40th. Additional he discussed the possibility of
converting this from a County road to a City street. Recently in the cities o Coon
Rapids and Anoka there have been road turnback efforts, and there is a negotiated
dollar amount that is determined that the County will pay. Public Works Director
Hansen advised the group that there is an overall maintenance expense related to a
turn back that the Council would need to consider. Mr. MacPherson indicated that
overall, the pavement surface is in good shape, and would need maintenance projects
going forward.
Councilmember James brought up a concern related to the lack of drainage north of
44th and Reservoir.
Mayor Marquez Simula requested sidewalks near Keyes Park and the property that
was recently purchased by the County. The County confirmed that they would
investigate utilizing county level grant money to complete these updates.
Director Hansen brought up the concern with connecting the trail corridor that
connects to the River Road focusing on 44th or Main Street. Main street from 40th to
57th is a county road.
Mr. MacPherson gave a brief recap of the concerns that were addresses and the things
the County can do in the short term and long term. Overall, the county is going to
work on signage on the 49th corridor near the schools and look at ways to assist with
school drop off and pick up off of Monroe. Additionally, the County is also doing its
own Safe Streets for All from a County Wide Perspective. There will be a meeting
tomorrow (30 invited participants) to kick off a plan to get some of the
implementation grants. He indicated that there has been a lot of feedback from
residents on the interactive online map.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:03pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary