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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-2025 City Council Meeting Minutes CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula Councilmembers Connie Buesgens Rachel James Justice Spriggs Laurel Deneen City Manager Aaron Chirpich City Hall—Council Chambers, 3989 Central Ave NE Monday, February 24, 2025 6:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 6:00 pm on Monday, February 24, 2025, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 3989 Central Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, Minnesota WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Márquez Simula called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Deneen; Councilmember Spriggs; Councilmember James Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Jesse Hauf, IT Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Tim Dickie, CEO of Rise; Grace Gee, Co-Chair of League of Women Voters; Jessica Medearis, Columbia Heights School Board Member; Adrian Murphy, City resident; Michelle Pettway, Columbia Heights School Board Member; Dirk Schmitz, City resident; Alec Waldoch, 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 "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 Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember James, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. School Breakfast Week Proclamation. Receiving Proclamation: Michelle Pettway and Jessica Medearis, Columbia Heights School Board Members. Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed March 03-07, 2025 as National School Breakfast Week read the City’s proclamation. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 2 Columbia Heights School Board Members Michelle Pettway and Jessica Medearis received the proclamation. Ms. Medearis thanked the Council for issuing the Proclamation and recognizing the importance of school breakfast and the school’s nutrition programs. She added that she would ensure that the Proclamation would be shared with the school’s food service staff in the district. Ms. Pettway explained that she used to be the school board liaison with the City Council and would be passing the role to Ms. Medearis. Ms. Medearis expressed her excitement to work with the Councilmembers and the City. She added that she plans on attending several Council meetings and to provide the Council with updates from the school district. She updated the Council that the school board held the swearing-in for two incumbent school board members and welcomed a new board member. Mary Granlund will be the new school board chair. She added that there are two new student school board members who will be joining the school board. She mentioned that a group of music and art students traveled to Chicago participated in college tours and attended art exhibits and performances. The Columbia Academy will be doing a production of Annie Junior at the high school on March 14-16. She noted that the Columbia Heights high school girls' basketball team is starting their section of four double A tournament. She mentioned that enrollment remains strong in the district. The school board continues to look at enrollment and opens and closes it when it is appropriate. Residents in Columbia Heights always have a place in their neighborhood school. She stated that summer programming would be announced by the district soon. She expressed her gratitude for the close relationship between the school and the Parks and Recreation Department. B. Women's History Month / International Women's Day Proclamation. Receiving Proclamation: Grace Gee, Co-Chair of League of Women Voters - New Brighton Area Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed March 2025 as Women’s History Month and March 8, 2025, as International Women’s Day, and Councilmember James read the City’s proclamation. Co-Chair of League of Women Voters – New Brighton Area Grace Gee received the Proclamation. She explained the history of the League of Women Voters. It was established when women got the right to vote in 1920. The original purpose of the organization was to educate and empower voting and to defend democracy. The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan, non-profit, and encourages informed and active participation in government. It influences policies and does nationwide studies. They do not support candidates but they support issues. The New Brighton League incorporates St. Anthony, New Brighton, and Columbia Heights. The League is concerned about America’s democracy right now. She added that the website has informational webinars and opportunities to learn what rights people have and a link to contact legislators. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 3 Mayor Márquez Simula thanked Ms. Gee for coming in to speak. She asked if only women were allowed to be in the League of Women Voters. Ms. Gee replied that there are some men in the League. Mayor Márquez Simula asked if the meetings were monthly. Ms. Gee replied that they meet most months. There is a new member education meeting at the New Brighton Community Center next Tuesday, March 4th from 7:00-8:30 pm. She referenced a documentary called Join or Die and explained that it stresses the importance of community and defending democracy and the League will be doing a showing soon. C. National Developmental Disability Awareness Month Proclamation. Receiving Proclamation: Tim Dickie, CEO of Rise Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed March 2025 as Developmental Disability Awareness Month and Councilmember Spriggs read the City’s proclamation. CEO of Rise Tim Dickie thanked the Council for the Proclamation. He explained that Rise has been around since 1971 and serves individuals with disabilities. Rise serves Anoka County, Hennepin County, and the broader metro area. Rise’s mission unlocks potential and opens doors to success for people with disabilities or other challenges through creative solutions and customized support. They provide services in the areas of employment, life enrichment, and housing. Mr. Dickie explained that Rise is a private, nonprofit organization. They serve over 2,500 people annually across their programs. There are over 25 locations across Minnesota and in New Richmond, Wisconsin. They provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people with mental illness, people involved with the criminal justice system, people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing, people with brain injuries, and people with barriers to employment or housing. Mr. Dickie noted in Columbia Heights they provide for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through life enrichment and employment programs. The life enrichment programs include recreation, skill-building, volunteerism, health, and wellness and can be a retirement option. The employment programs include group community employment and competitive employment. COMMUNITY FORUM Adrian Murphy, City resident explained that he attended the MnDOT meeting regarding the road reconstruction on University Avenue and Central Avenue. He added that he was under the impression that someone from the City would be representing the City and relaying information about what the City’s thoughts are and what the City is looking to do. He added that the two proposals that are being considered will be presented to the City and the City will approve it. He stated that the Council would be the ones making the decisions on what action to take and he asked what the Council’s thoughts were. He added that he did not like both of the proposals. He mentioned that he lives on Central Avenue and he did not believe the proposals were fixing the safety issues. He wondered what the causes of the accidents were. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 4 Mr. Murphy mentioned since the beginning of the year, there have been six DWIs on University Avenue and Central Avenue. Three of the DWIs involved crashes. He wondered if the proposed changes would help the safety or if it was simply trying to change things in hopes that things would get better. He stated that 45th Avenue and Central Avenue is a death trap and he asked the MnDOT representatives if they had tried to cross the street there and they replied that they had not. He wondered how MnDOT was going to make plans if they had not experienced the area. He noted that one of the proposals is to make the road a one-lane with a bus stop included. He explained that if the bus stops, then all of the traffic will have to stop with it. He asked if anyone had investigated the root causes of the safety issues and asked what the City’s ideas were. He mentioned that there are tools in place, such as having speed limits. He asked if the speed limits were being enforced. He noted that St. Anthony lowered their speed limits and implemented strict enforcement which has resulted in calmed traffic. Minneapolis has lowered its speed limits but has not implemented strict enforcement which has caused someone to point a gun at him for not driving fast enough. Mr. Murphys mentioned that it does not cost a lot to change speed limit signs and to add enforcement. He noted that the Police Department is doing a great job, and if they are able to enforce, they would be able to create a pattern of behavior instead of having to spend millions of dollars to reconstruct a roadway. Mayor Márquez Simula replied that the City has had a number of meetings with MnDOT. She noted that during the Community Forum portion of the meeting, the Council does not generally answer questions since they are there to listen. She added that she would provide him with more information and a staff member could meet with him. She noted that it is not the first time the Council has heard about the plans. Mr. Murphys expressed his understanding and mentioned that the community does not know what the work in progress is with the City. He added that the Council makes the decisions but the public does not know what the decisions are or why they were made or what the Council is leaning towards. Mayor Márquez Simula replied that the Council has heard a lot of input over the last few years and has gone through many iterations of the plans and data. There is a large staff that has walked the area in order to be informed on what the area is like. She added that MnDOT has also contacted all of the businesses in the area to gather information. She stated that she would make sure he would be in the loop for the next MnDOT meeting so that they could hear some of his input. Mr. Murphys thanked Mayor Márquez Simula and added that he would send the Council an email about minor concerns. Alec Waldoch, City resident stated he would like to discuss garbage and recycling and how the City handles it. He explained that his wife and he live in a duplex and noted that the garbage and recycling are double with it is in New Brighton and asked what that is. City Manager Chirpich replied that it is a policy decision to have an organized collection or not. It would take a lot of consideration by the City to move from that type of system. He mentioned that the City believes they are offering better service but do need to be aware of what is happening in other cities since leverage is knowledge. The City is not actively considering a wholesale change to a more free market system. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 5 Mayor Márquez Simula mentioned that there are pros and cons. When there are multiple trash haulers there is more wear and tear on the roads and more traffic. It could be a difficult change for the City. She added that the City would look into it. Mr. Waldoch mentioned a number of years ago the City had a contract with a waste management company and the company would pick up the garbage once a month. He noted he called the City about it and the City said that they could not do anything about it since they were in a contract. The City was paying the bill in full even though the waste management company was not fulfilling their portion of the contract. He suggested that the City consider including something in a contract about what happens if the company in the contract is unable to fulfill its portion of the contract. Dirk Schmitz, City resident asked about side street traffic. He wondered about the line of sight in intersections. He asked if there would be any changes to landscaping to increase the line of sight for intersections. Mayor Márquez Simula replied that the City has received a grant for safe streets for all. City Manager Chirpich added that the City has taken in comments across the whole City with an interactive map. Many intersections were identified as concerning. An action plan will be developed based on public engagement. Councilmember James mentioned that there is a report a concern page on the City website that can be utilized if there are areas that have foliage or trees that are blocking the view. The City Forester is able to come out within the week to take a look at the concern. Mayor Márquez Simula added that the Sustainability Commission worked on a more robust plan for when construction is completed. City Manager Chirpich added that Complete Streets was the initiative that the Sustainability Commission worked out. It includes a checklist that the City goes through for every street improvement. It will help produce a report of the known issues. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Deneen expressed her excitement over the Sullivan Lake development and thanked staff for looking into grants in order to keep costs from the community. She added her excitement over the second reading for solar energy. Councilmember James agreed with Councilmember Deneen and noted her excitement over the new sign at City Hall. Mayor Márquez Simula appreciated the renewal of the Anoka County internet services. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Deneen, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 1. Approve February 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the February 10, 2025 City Council meeting minutes. 2. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1711, an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 9 - Land Use: 9.101 Purpose, 9.103 Definitions, 9.106 General Development Standards, 9.107 Specific Development Standards, 9.109 Residential Districts, 9.110 Commercial Districts, 9.111 Industrial Districts, 9.113 Planned Unit Development Districts, 9.114 Overlay Districts, City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 6 and 9.115 Public and Open Space Districts. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1711, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance 1711, being an ordinance to amend Chapter 9 - Land Use: 9.101 Purpose, 9.103 Definitions, 9.106 General Development Standards, 9.107 Specific Development Standards, 9.109 Residential Districts, 9.110 Commercial Districts, 9.111 Industrial Districts, 9.113 Planned Unit Development Districts, 9.114 Overlay Districts, and 9.115 Public and Open Space Districts, and direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. 3. Adopt Resolution 2025-25 to Amend the 411 Budget for City Hall Betterments. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-25, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2025-25 amending the Fund 411 budget to authorize the betterments from the listed vendors. 4. Adopt Resolution 2025-26 Authorizing Staff to Apply for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-26, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-26, being a resolution authorizing staff to apply for grant funding to repair, resurface, and improve the Sullivan Lake walking trail under the DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. 5. Adopt Resolution 2025-27 Approving Plans and Specifications And Ordering Advertisement For Bids For 2025 Concrete Alley Construction, Project 2506. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-27, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-27 approving Plans and Specifications and ordering Advertisement for Bids for 2025 Concrete Alley Construction, City Project 2506. 6. Adopt Resolution 2025-28 Declaring the Intent to Bond for 2025 Alley Construction, City Project 2506. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-28, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-28 being a resolution approving the declaration for the official intent of the City of Columbia Heights to bond for 2025 Alley Construction, City Project 2506. 7. Adopt Resolution 2025-30, Approving the Assignment of TIF Note and Redevelopment Agreement for Ratio Apartments Refinance. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-30, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 2025-30, a resolution approving an assignment of TIF note and redevelopment agreement. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 7 8. Renew Microsoft O365 Contract and Award to New Vendor. MOTION: Move to approve the renewal of Microsoft Office 365 software for an additional 3-year term at an annual cost of $43,966.82 through Dell Marketing. 9. Renew Connect Anoka County Internet Services Agreement. MOTION: Move to approve the renewal of Connect Anoka County services for an additional 5-year term at an annual cost of $2,700.00. 10. License Agenda. MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 24th, 2025, as presented. 11. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 24, 2025, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 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 $2,169,207.78. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Ordinances and Resolutions 13. Consideration of Resolution 2025-29 Approving Closing of City Hall Condominium Transfer Agreement and Related Insurance Agreement City Manager Chirpich stated in October of 2020, the City executed a City Hall Transfer Agreement with BPOZ Columbia Heights, LLC (Alatus). The Transfer Agreement specified the terms for completion and conveyance of the new City Hall condo unit by Alatus to the City. Since the execution of the agreement, Alatus has completed the City Hall condo unit and delivered on their obligations under the agreement. However, the City has not taken ownership of the unit. Rather, the City was allowed to move into the new City Hall under a Move In Agreement that was executed in July of 2023. The delay in transferring ownership to the City was initially related to challenges and delays at the County level with recording the CIC plat (condo plat). Due to the complex chain of ownership for the underlying parcels that make up the redevelopment site, it took the City, Alatus, and the County more time than expected to unpack all the encumbrances that impacted the title transfer and recording of a new clean plat. Ultimately, the title and plat issues were resolved in late 2023, and the City was set to close on the transfer of the City Hall condo in March of 2024. However, during the final review of the closing documents, the City’s general counsel at Barna Guzy identified issues with the property and liability insurance that was in place for the condo association. These issues were last discussed with the Council at the August 5, 2024 work session. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 8 City Manager Chirpich mentioned the primary concerns related to the following: • The insurance proposed by Alatus was not secured solely by the condo association as specified in the condo declarations. Rather the insurance was provided through the primary equity investor in the apartment project under a master policy of property insurance that also covers additional properties. • There were gaps in coverage under the master policy that left the City exposed to greater risk. The gaps related to how the City and condo association were represented on the insurance certificates proposed under the master policy. The position of any given entity on the certificates dictates the ultimate level of coverage provided. The City’s counsel determined that changes needed to be made in this regard. • There were concerns by the City that the coverage would not guarantee full replacement of the project in the event of a catastrophic loss such as severe fire, or significant tornado occurrence. City Manager Chirpich explained since the August 2024 work session, the City and Alatus have continued to work together to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. This solution is represented in the proposed Insurance agreement being considered by the Council. The primary points to consider are as follows: • The property insurance provided for the condo association remains as a master policy that covers additional properties. • The master policy approach is acceptable to the City because of changes that have been made to how the City and the condo association are represented on the insurance certificates. The property insurance certificate will now designate the City and association as “named insureds” or “additional named insureds.” The liability insurance certificate will now designate the association as “named insured”, and the City as “additional insured.” These changes will close the gaps in coverage and give the City a stronger seat at the table in the claims negotiation and procurement process. • The question of rebuilding the project in the event of a significant casualty occurrence remains open. Although there is statutory authority to require rebuilding that the City has not formally waived and may be able to utilize in the future, the developer has indicated a concern with such statutory obligation regarding required reconstruction and effectively seeks to leave this as an open issue to be negotiated in the event of a significant casualty occurrence. In lieu of this issue causing further delay and in lieu of negotiating a formal and tedious contractual agreement, the developer has agreed to include the City as a named insured in the casualty policy procured by the developer and the association to help ensure that the City is included in insurance proceeds checks, receives notifications about policy cancellations/revisions and has a seat at the table as the parties determine whether to reconstruct or alternatively for the City to accept insurance proceeds and negotiate a buy out of the City’s unit, so the property may be sold and/or redeveloped and put back into use. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 9 Councilmember Buesgens thanked staff and the partners who helped bring the item to a final closing. Councilmember Deneen agreed and thanked staff for the amount of time they spent on the contracts. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-29, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve Resolution 2025-29, being a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving closing of transfer agreement which recites terms for conveyance to City of City Hall component and providing authority to sign necessary and customary closing documentation. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember James thanked the Community Development Department and those who participated in the Mapping Prejudice Project and Just Deeds presentation. She thanked HeightsNext for putting together a puzzle exchange event. She mentioned that she was at the Anoka County Hazard Mitigation meeting with the City Manager. The League of Women Voters held an event at Silverwood Park. She added that she attended the Elected Leaders Institute training by the League of Minnesota Cities. The Communications Department has put together a new resident guide and it can be found on the City’s publication on the City’s website. Councilmember Buesgens mentioned that MnDOT held smaller meetings for the public to ask questions. She noted that she attended the Fire Relief meeting, met with Spano Group for the upcoming Leadership Workshop, and the Kordiak and Highland Lake meeting. She stated she trimmed the fruit trees with Blooming Sunshine Garden. She announced on Saturday, March 1, HeightsNext would host CoHi Con from 10:00 am until midnight. The event will include video games, vendors, karaoke, and a costume contest. She explained stroads are a hybrid street/highway and have been criticized by urban planners for safety issues. Streets serve as a destination and provide access to shops and residences at safe traffic speeds. Highways serve as a high-speed connection that can efficiently move traffic at high volumes. When streets and highways are combined by become stroads and are often expensive, inefficient, and dangerous. She encouraged community members to educate themselves on stroads and how MnDOT is trying to deal with them. Councilmember Deneen stated she attended the School Board meeting, the MnDOT update, the Mapping Prejudice Project meeting, the Kordiak and Highland Park meeting, and the two-day League of Minnesota Cities Elected Leaders Institute training and seminar. She mentioned she is looking forward to CoHi Con. Councilmember Spriggs noted that he attended the special EDA meeting and the Just Deeds presentation. He added that he was working on some leadership prep for the leadership workshop with City Council and Department heads. He listened to the 2025 State of the Region from the Met City of Columbia Heights MINUTES February 24, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 10 Council. He added that he has been watching the different things going on at the Capitol and the Senate and the House. Mayor Márquez Simula stated she attended the Rotary meeting. She mentioned she hosted a listening session regarding deportation and immigration concerns. She handed out red cards during the listening session. She added that she has more cards if anyone is interested in receiving one or people can go to redcard.com to get more information. She reassured people that the School District and the Police Department are there to take care of all residents and community members and are not an arm of ICE or National Homeland Security. There was a puzzle exchange at Murzyn Hall. She mentioned that she had her water meter replaced and it took about 20 minutes. She noted that she attended an online meeting on safe railroad crossings. She volunteered at Every Meal at Valley View School and attended the Buy Nothing event. She stated she attended the League of Minnesota Cities conference and helped host the Kordiak and Highland Park meeting. She appreciated the new signage at City Hall. She announced CoHi Con would occur on Saturday, March 1 and is a video game and board game convention. Tickets are available at cohicon.com. She mentioned she set up with the Attorney General’s Office a criminal expungement clinic that will be hosted at the library on April 24th. It will be hosted all day. The City’s newsletter went out and includes new Council photos and an explanation of why they are excited about serving the community. Report of the City Manager City Manager Chirpich mentioned that the City’s newsletter is also on the City’s website. The 2025 Arbor Day tree sale will begin on March 3rd and is a great way for residents to build the City’s urban tree canopy at a low cost. Residents can visit the City’s website for more information regarding tree varieties and how to place an order. The City is currently accepting applications for boards and commissions through Friday, February 28th. The terms are scheduled to begin on April 1st. Applications can be submitted online or in person at City Hall. The City has openings for the Planning Commission, the Library Board, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Sustainability Commission, and Youth Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember James, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:33 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary