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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2025 City Council Meeting MinutesCITY 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, January 27, 2025 6:30 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held on Monday, January 27, 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 7:10 pm. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Deneen; Councilmember James Absent Councilmember Spriggs Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Mitchell Forney, Community Development Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Scott Lepak, City Attorney; Michael Corey, Mapping Prejudice Project Representative; Rebecca Gillette, Mapping Prejudice Project Representative; Wilton Howard, City resident; Kiki Latham, City resident; Amelia Palacios, Mapping Prejudice Project Representative; Gabriella Walker, 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 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 James, seconded by Councilmember Deneen, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A.Black History Month Proclamation. Singing Black National Anthem: Kiki Latham Receiving Proclamation: Wilton Howard & Gabriella Walker. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 2 Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed February 2025 as Black History Month and read the City’s proclamation. City resident Kiki Latham sang the Black National Anthem. City residents Wilton Howard and Gabriella Walker received the proclamation. B. Racial Covenant Awareness and Action Day Proclamation. Receiving Proclamation: Michael Corey, Rebecca Gillette, Amelia Palacios of the Mapping Prejudice Project. Website: mappingprejudice.umn.edu Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed February 13, 2025, as Racial Covenant Awareness and Action Day and read the City’s proclamation. Mapping Prejudice Project Representatives Michael Corey, Rebecca Gillette, and Amelia Palacios received the proclamation. Mr. Corey explained that mapping prejudice began in 2016 at the University of Minnesota libraries. A group of geographers, historians, and journalists began the work to understand the scope of racial covenants in the Twin Cities. A covenant is a provision on a property sale that limits the buyer's use of the property. A covenant often runs with the land which means that the covenant applies to future buyers. Not all restricted covenants are racial covenants. Mr. Corey shared an example of where a racial covenant would be seen in Columbia Heights. He highlighted the Sheffield Acres subdivision which has a racial covenant that reads “no person or persons other than of the Caucasian race shall be permitted to occupy said premises or any part thereof.” He mentioned that most racial covenants target black property ownership, but all races are mentioned through racial covenants. A.C. Kavli and his wife Mary Kavli were responsible for many of the racial covenants in the Anoka County area. Mr. Corey noted that they have identified about 1,800 covenants on properties in Anoka County. The work of mapping out covenants in Anoka County is complete, except for properties that are on un-platted land. He showed a graphic of the covenants that have been found in Columbia Heights and noted they found 210 covenanted properties in the City with a majority of them being from the 1940s. Mr. Corey stated he grew up in a home in Wisconsin that had a racial covenant on it. He added that entire neighborhoods typically have racial covenants placed on them, which is why today there are still many neighborhoods of only white people. He explained that the Twin Cities has one of the most comprehensive maps in the nation. The Twin Cities has one of the largest gaps in homeownership between white families (75%) and black families City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 3 (33%). Research has found that in the Twin Cities, covenanted homes are worth 15% more than non-covenanted homes. Redlined homes are worth 25% less than the median value. Mr. Corey emphasized that racism happened in the north just as it did in the south. He explained that a very overt racial prejudice existed in the Twin Cities. Racial covenants are only a function of the ecosystem of segregation. Cities in the United States experimented with racial zoning. The courts ruled that unconstitutional so the racial covenants became beyond the reach of the courts. Redlining was also used to segregate. After 1968 a lot of the overt discrimination went away but there was still an ongoing cycle of zoning rules that have a long afterlife which has caused more implicit segregation. Mr. Corey showed a picture of the black population in Minneapolis and St. Paul in 1940 and illustrated that because of racial covenants, redlining, and violence, black people were only allowed to live in a couple of neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. The freeways were developed in the late 1950s and managed to find every single black neighborhood in the Twin Cities and displace people. Because of 35W, over 24,000 people were displaced in Minneapolis. There were many white people who were displaced, but they were able to move to the suburbs. For people of color, they were forced to move deeper into the neighborhoods because racial covenants would not allow them to move into the suburbs. He explained that it is decades of segregation. Mr. Corey explained how to find the covenants. Many of the covenants are on property records from the 1960s but have not been digitized until a few years ago. Once records are digitized, they are available to see. He mentioned that they use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to go through the records. There is a community of volunteer map makers who go through the records of potential homes with covenants confirm if there is a convent on it or not and transcribe the information that is needed. Mr. Corey mentioned that the volunteers have taught them that the conversations they are having and the work they are doing are powerful. The process is the product. They are not only trying to map out covenants, but they are trying to facilitate conversations on race. Mr. Corey explained that the ways people can help include helping research racial covenants. In addition, he encouraged government institutions to be honest about the role they have had in historically racist practices. People of color have been discussing the issue for decades. Any progress that has been made is because of the work that the NAACP and people of color have done before. He added that we need to take guidance from the people who have been living with this for a long time and have been talking about it. He mentioned that people can discharge the covenant on their property which is a process where a document is added to the pile that mentions that there was a racial covenant on the home. It is a symbolic action for people to say that it is illegal to have the racial covenant on the home, it is unenforceable, and that they do not agree with it. Mr. Corey noted that the City is considering making it a mandate to discharge covenants on properties. He mentioned that it is inspiring to see the City want to take a step to be a City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 4 more welcoming community. He shared that he believes the discharge process should be voluntary because it ensures that the actions come from a place of genuine commitment to racial justice. Mandatory discharge could add a significant burden on local custodians of public property records. It also can complicate the work of expanding the map in communities that are less inclined to participate. He asked the City to consider his perspective as they decide what to do moving forward. Mayor Márquez Simula expressed her gratitude for Mr. Corey explaining that people of color have been discussing the issue for many decades. She added that many people in government are white people so she was grateful to have him come in to speak. Councilmember Deneen mentioned she became aware of covenants when she was working on a light rail project and they were going through documents of properties that were in the right-of-way of the line. She expressed her appreciation for Mr. Corey bringing attention to the issue and explaining how it continues to affect communities. Councilmember Buesgens mentioned she worked in the mortgage business in the 1980s and was familiar with covenants during that time. She asked if the City would create more work for the County if they made the discharges mandatory. Mr. Corey replied that having 210 discharges from the City would not break the bank. Councilmember Buesgens added that it would not all be at the same time. Mr. Corey explained that many cities are discharging covenants and there is concern that more cities will discharge covenants at the same time. Councilmember Buesgens asked Mr. Corey if he believed that mandating discharging covenants could work against the work they are doing. Mr. Corey replied yes. He added that if everyone wanted to discharge their covenants then they would lose all of the County revenue for discharge fees which helps them continue the work they are doing. He added that a lot of County staff time would be required as well. He explained that they are trying to find the balance to continue to expand the work while also acknowledging that the County does not have the staff time available. Councilmember Buesgens explained that it is new work for the County and they are working to figure out the process for staff time and the amount of work it will take. Mr. Corey agreed. Councilmember Buesgens expressed her understanding that there is limited staff time available. Mayor Márquez Simula noted that the information would be included in the City’s minutes and that she would share it with the community. C. World Hijab Day Proclamation. Receiving Proclamation: Islamic Center of Minnesota Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed February 1, 2025, as World Hijab Day, and Councilmember James read the City’s proclamation. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 5 Members from the Islamic Center of Minnesota received the proclamation. Vice President of the Islamic Center of Minnesota Javeed Hadi thanked the City for what they do for the community. He added that in 1972 the first mosque in Minnesota was put in Columbia Heights. He added that they feel safe in the City and that it is their home. COMMUNITY FORUM CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember James mentioned that all of the previous equipment has surpassed their expected life span. She added that she appreciates the safety of City Staff and believes the requested equipment looks appropriate. She thanked those who are on the labor agreement teams. She explained that the City works in partnership to complete the contracts. She added that the Council supports unions in the City. She mentioned that the contracts are public and on the City’s website. Mayor Márquez Simula agreed with Councilmember James’ comments and acknowledged how much time goes into the agreements. She added that the Council wants to support unions. Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. 1. Approve January 13, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the January 13, 2025 City Council meeting minutes. 2. Accept November 20, 2024, Sustainability Commission Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the November 20, 2024, Sustainability Commission minutes. 3. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1709, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 9 - Land Use: 9.104 Administration and Enforcement, 9.106 General Development Standards, 9.107 Specific Development Standards, 9.110 Commercial Districts, and 9.111 Industrial Districts. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1709, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve the second reading of Ordinance 1709, being an ordinance to amend Chapter 9 Land Use, 9.104 Administration and Enforcement, 9.106 General Development Standards, 9.107 Specific Development Standards, 9.110 Commercial Districts, and 9.111 Industrial Districts and direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. 4. Adopt Resolution 2025-18, Approving PMA Labor Agreement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-18, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-18, approving the City of Columbia Heights PMA Labor Agreement. 5. Adopt Resolution 2025-19, Approving LELS Sergeant Labor Agreement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-19, there being ample copies City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 6 available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-19, approving the City of Columbia Heights LELS Labor Agreement. 6. Adopt Resolution 2025 - 020, Appointment of Hearing Examiners. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-020, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-020, appointing City of Columbia Heights Hearing Examiners. 7. Resolution 2025-22, Amending Resolution 2024-103 Awarding a Consulting Contract to Spano Group Advisors LLC. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-22, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-22, being a resolution amending resolution 2024-103 awarding a consulting contract to Spano Group Advisors LLC. 8. Accept the 2024 Pay Equity Report. MOTION: Move to accept the City of Columbia Heights 2024 Pay Equity Report. 9. Purchase Order Authorization for 2025 Newsletter Printing Services. MOTION: Move for approval to authorize staff to process a blanket purchase order for 2025 newsletter printing services. 10. Capital Equipment Replacement of Unit #10: Caterpillar CB2.7 Utility Compactor. MOTION: Move to approve the acquisition of a 2025 Caterpillar CB2.7 Utility Compactor purchased from Ziegler CAT located at 8000 County Rd 101 Shakopee, MN 55379 under the Sourcewell Co-op Contract #060122-CAT for purchase price of $71,548.00, with funding from Streets Capital Equipment Fund 431.3121.45180. 11. Capital Equipment Replacement of Unit #23: FT-12 Felling Trailer. MOTION: Move to approve the purchase of a 2025 FT-12 IT-I Felling Trailer from Lano Equipment, located at 6140 Hwy 10 NW, Anoka, MN 55303. The purchase, priced at $15,781.36, is based on State Contract #T-603(5) #221690 with funding from Streets Capital Equipment Fund 431.3121.45180. 12. Capital Equipment Replacement of Unit 06: Scorpion II MASH Trailer-Mounted Attenuator. MOTION: Move to approve the purchase of a 2025 Scorpion II MASH Trailer-Mounted TL-3 (MnDOT SPEC) from Street Smart Rentals, LLC, located at 6811 137th Ave NE, Columbus, MN 55025. The purchase, price sourced through State Contract #202192, is for a total cost of $32,635.00 with funding from Streets Capital Equipment Fund 431.3121.45180. 13. Accept Bids and Award 2025-2026 Tree and Stump Removal Contract. MOTION: Move to award the 2025-2026 Removal of Trees, Trees and Stumps or Stumps Only on Public and Private Property contract to Nick’s Tree Service Inc. based upon their City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 7 low, qualified, responsible total quote for tree and stump removal, tree removal only, or stump removal only; and furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for the same. 14. Rental Occupancy License for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for January 27, 2025, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 15. License Agenda. MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for January 27th, 2025, as presented. 16. 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 $1,749,838.24. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Ordinances and Resolutions 17. Approval of Resolution 2025-016 Regarding the Condemnation and Action Toward Removal of Discriminatory Covenants. Community Development Director Forney thanked Map and Prejudice for attending the meeting. He added that they have been helpful in educating Staff. He explained that the Resolution ties in with the presentation that the Mapping Prejudice Project did. He noted in Columbia Heights, the Mapping Prejudice Project identified 181 properties with discriminatory covenants. The University of Minnesota Libraries, through Mapping Prejudice, has documented these covenants and highlighted their ongoing societal effects. Complementing this effort, the Just Deeds Project provides free legal and title services to assist property owners in identifying and discharging discriminatory covenants while fostering community education and reconciliation. Just Deeds Project works with the Mapping Prejudice Project to find the history of the properties and help residents identify the history of the property. Community Development Director Forney stated Resolution 2025-016 sets out to begin the City’s role in reconciling with its past by formally condemning the use of discriminatory covenants and acknowledging the harm they have caused to the community. The resolution directs staff to investigate City-owned properties for the presence of discriminatory covenants and take appropriate legal steps to discharge them. By doing so, the City affirms its commitment to removing symbols of systemic racism from its property records and fostering an inclusive community. Community Development Director Forney noted the resolution authorizes the City to join the Just Deeds Project as a member organization. This partnership will provide Columbia City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 8 Heights property owners with access to free legal and title services to identify and discharge discriminatory covenants on their properties. The resolution also emphasizes community education, directing staff to actively promote the Just Deeds Project and develop resources to raise awareness about the history and lasting impacts of discriminatory covenants. In entering the city as a member organization the City recognizes the following truths and principles: • Systemic racism in housing occurs today. Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color continue to face discrimination and lack of access to affordable housing and home ownership. • Continued denial of opportunities to build generational wealth through homeownership perpetuates inequity within our communities. • We will not erase or deny history. We will acknowledge it and learn from it. • We are dedicated to honesty about institutional roles (public and private) in building and perpetuating systemic racism. • We commit to begin and participate in hard conversations within our communities and institutions about our shared history of discrimination and systemic racism. • We pledge to examine the current policies and practices of our institutions to prevent future racist actions. • When we identify racism in our institutions and processes, we will actively work to remove it. Community Development Director Forney stated City staff are working to include a marketing and outreach campaign alongside the Council’s efforts. As highlighted in the proclamation, staff will host a presentation and information session on the history of discriminatory covenants within the City. This event will educate homeowners and neighbors on the history of their neighborhoods and promote community-wide efforts to create a more inclusive future. Staff will also collaborate with the library to offer continuing education sessions, ensuring this critical conversation remains at the forefront of community dialogue. One of the resolution’s most impactful directives is for staff to identify and discharge any discriminatory covenants on City-owned or leased properties. Staff have already identified one such property: the flat parking lot on Van Buren Avenue. While further research into the property's history and covenant is required, staff will present their findings to the Council before taking steps to formally discharge the covenant. Community Development Director Forney mentioned that there will be a community event at City Hall on February 13th to talk about the history of the Mapping Prejudice Project. There will be an educational meeting on February 20th. He thanked City Planner Boucher for beginning the research and working with the Council. Mayor Márquez Simula mentioned she liked the quote that was shared earlier of “the process is the product.” She noted that even when the 210 properties have been discharged there still needs to be a discussion. She added that they are continuing to try to learn, but the system is constantly trying to cover racism up. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 9 Councilmember Deneen thanked staff for taking such purposeful and meaningful steps towards discharging covenants. She expressed her appreciation for staff finding ways to ascribe education around the matter and to ensure that the City is addressing it and taking accountability for the past. She added that it is important that the City talks about the history of racism in the City. She mentioned that people can see what happened in the City and the City condemns what happened. She added it is important for people of color to see the steps because they were impacted by it. She thanked those who took the steps to bring the program to the City and for staff for bringing it to the Council. Councilmember Buesgens stated cities get it done. She added that it is powerful to work with the community to make the changes. Councilmember James agreed with the previous comments. She asked to share more details about the February 13th meeting. Community Development Director Forney replied that the meeting will be held on February 13th in Council Chambers at City Hall from 5:00- 7:00 pm. Mapping Prejudice Project Community Engagement Lead Rebecca Gillette added that it will be a two-part program with the second part being on February 20th. On February 13th it will be a presentation to educate people about the history of racial covenants. On February 20th, they will do a community mapping session where community members will be able to see their deeds and learn how to read them. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Deneen, to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-016, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve Resolution 2025-016, being a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights condemning the use of discriminatory covenants, discharging discriminatory covenants on city-owned property, and approving participation in the Just Deeds coalition. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. 18. First Reading of Ordinance 1710, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 5A Property Maintenance Code, to Include the Removal of Discriminatory Covenants. Community Development Director Forney stated at the December 2024 Council Work session staff brought forth the start of a plan for the City to tackle discriminatory covenants. Earlier in this meeting, the City council will consider a resolution condemning the use of discriminatory covenants, discharging discriminatory covenants on city-owned property, and approving participation in the Just Deeds coalition. Staff have planned a large outreach push for February. Including sending out mailers, hosting a presentation and covenant removal meeting on Covenant Awareness and Action Day, as well as targeting social media and marketing. As part of the work session, the council discussed adding a requirement for the removal of discriminatory covenants. Similar to Mounds View, staff have brought forth ordinance 1710 which would amend the city’s Time of Sale Program, requiring upon transfer, a property to remove the discriminatory covenant. Staff plan on City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 10 conducting outreach throughout 2025 but have brought forth the ordinance for those properties that decide not to remove the covenant voluntarily. Councilmember James asked what the timeliness would be. Community Development Director Forney replied that it would be proof that the action had been completed without waiting for the County. Councilmember Buesgens asked if it would be something that could be completed prior to the sale. Community Development Director Forney replied that it could be completed at any time and would be done before the sale. Councilmember Buesgens asked what the process would include. Community Development Director Forney explained that it would be a form that would be filled out before or after closing. The Time of Sale program allows for a temporary certificate to be allowed after closing. Councilmember Deneen acknowledged that having mandatory discharges on racial covenants can create more work. She explained that the Council wants to set the tone for the City. She added that it is important for the City to make a statement on how they feel about the covenants and how they would like to move forward as a City. Mayor Márquez Simula added that it is similar to the City’s values for the Point of Sale and how they mandated it in the City. Councilmember James mentioned that something the City can model for other cities is that they are committed to the work and not discharging all of the covenants at once since the City values the County staff. Mayor Márquez Simula expressed her appreciation for the mayor of Mounds View for encouraging the City to take the steps. She added that it has been nice to see a city of a similar size making a large impact. Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1710, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember James, to set the second reading of Ordinance 1710, being an ordinance amending chapter 5a of the Columbia Heights City Code to require the removal of discriminatory covenants before a certificate of property maintenance may be issued, for February, 10th, 2025 at approximately 6:00 pm. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember James mentioned she attended the Equal Rights Amendment rally at the State Capitol, the Sustainability Commission meeting, and the hearing examiner interviews. She added that she City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 11 brought some teenagers to justice education and packed care kits for unhoused neighbors. She noted that the City is aware of the fears and worries that people have regarding deportation. She noted if people have concerns, questions, or ideas to email her or the Councilmembers. She explained that the Council agrees that they want to bring forth the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Councilmember Buesgens stated she attended the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization board meeting, the mini pancakes with a cop event, the ceremonial push of the new fire truck with the other Councilmembers, the Kordiak Park meeting, the interviews for the appeals position, the police awards academy, the celebration of life for Brian Clerkin, the Park and Recreation Commission, the work session for Partners and Energy workshop, and a meeting with the County Commissioner. Councilmember Deneen noted she attended the push-in ceremony for the new fire engine, the hearing examiners' interviews, and the Friends of Hyland meeting. She added that she met with the Police Chief to discuss community safety and police staffing. She mentioned she attended the Police Department award ceremony, the final Partner Energy workshop, and the HeightsNext meeting. She mentioned that she would attend SnowBLAST on February 1st at Huset Park from 4:00-7:00 pm. Mayor Márquez Simula mentioned if people want more information about racial covenants and the Mapping Prejudice Program they can watch Jim Crow of the North which can be found on YouTube. She noted it was Assistant City Engineer Khan’s last meeting and thanked him for his service. She stated she attended the Sister City’s meeting. She presented at the Rotary meeting about what the City has done with the Mayor’s Monarch pledge, Blooming Sunshine Garden, and the Monarch Festival. She added that she participated in the hearing examiner interviews with the rest of the Council. She explained she met with members of the League of Minnesota Cities about their DEI practices and how they are working to have more representation of presenters at the conference. She presented at the fire truck push-in. She stated she attended the Kordiak Park water quality meeting, the neighborhood watch meeting, and a class with St. Olaf students to discuss their race and class meeting. She mentioned she was a member of the Cannabis Expungement focus group. She attended the police awards. She noted that during the next Rotary meeting, Kathleen Moriarty from the Adult Basic Education at the school district would be speaking about free adult education. She stated she attended the Latinx round table with the Secretary of State and the JLAP meeting. She explained that the City’s Police Department is not a part of ICE and does not detain people or hold people for ICE. If Homeland Security is in the City they simply call and say they are there and do not provide more details. She added that she attended a training for deportation information and plans to bring something to the City. She stated she attended the alley assessment meeting. She mentioned that the City typically does a World Holocaust Day proclamation and was glad Councilmember James mentioned it. She added that it is a horror that we can never forget. Report of the City Manager City Manager Chirpich gave an update on the water meter project. The City contractor is moving into the third phase. He encouraged residents who had received the notice to schedule their appointment. For residents who have not scheduled their appointment in a zone that is active or has been completed the City will start placing door hangers on doors as a reminder. SnowBLAST will be on February 1st. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 12 Barna, Guzy & Steffen will be sponsoring the event. The City’s e-newsletter will be coming out on February 1st. Community members can sign up to receive the e-newsletter on the City’s website. The last day to schedule the holiday tree pick-up is Friday, January 31st. Scheduling can occur on the City’s website or by calling Public Works at 763-706-3727. MnDOT is hosting an open house for the Central Avenue improvements on February 4th from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Columbia Heights Library. There will also be two virtual public meetings. The dates and times have not been determined yet but the City’s website will have further announcements. He noted that it was Assistant City Engineer Khan’s last meeting and that he helped the City during a critical time. Councilmember Buesgens mentioned that a resident reached out to her about receiving the new internet service and asked if that had started in the City yet. City Manager Chirpich replied that to his knowledge it had not entered the City yet. There is a permitting process with the City so they would be tracking it. He added that he did not have an anticipated start date yet. He stated he would follow up with the IT Director to get more information. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember James, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:41 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary