HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2025 City Council Work Session Minutes
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Mayor
Amáda Márquez Simula
Councilmembers
Connie Buesgens
Rachel James
Justice Spriggs
Laurel Deneen
City Manager
Aaron Chirpich
City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE
Monday, February 03, 2025
6:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Márquez Simula at 6:05pm.
Present: Mayor Márquez Simula, Councilmember Buesgens, Councilmember James, Councilmember
Deneen, Councilmember Spriggs joined the meeting at 8:08pm.
Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Mitch Forney, Community Development Director; Sara Ion,
City Clerk; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Joe Kloiber, Finance Director; Dan O’Brien, Fire Chief;
Chris Bower and Beth Burton, MNDOT; Alex Hassel and Ann Lenczewski of Lockridge Grindal Nauen;
Stacey Kvilvang, Ehlers; Kyle Brasser, Lincoln Avenue Communities.
WORK SESSION ITEMS
1. 2025 Legislative Session Update and Preparation – Presentation by Lockridge Grindal
Nauen.
Ann Lenczewski gave a brief overview of the 2025 session of the Minnesota Legislature as a
whole. She informed the council that the bonding bill and the tax bill are always the last
items to proceed in the session and that LGN is completing a lot of behind-the-scenes work
in anticipation of this. Alex Hassel then gave an overview of the specific status of the
projects related to the City of Columbia Heights. She informed the council that Senator
Kunesh has introduced the two bills related to Columbia Heights in the Senate. The team at
LGN will be keeping the city up to date on any developments related to these bills.
City Manager Chirpich asked for additional information related to bonding and what we
can expect for the city.
Ann Lenczewski stated that she feels that this is a four-caucus bill, and it is good to keep
Columbia Heights in the spotlight for funding, and that we want to be working our plan and
continuing to keep the needs of Columbia Heights at the forefront.
2. MnDOT Briefing: Community Engagement and Design Progress for Central Avenue.
Public Works Director Kevin Hansen introduced Chris Bower, with MnDOT. Bower started
his presentation by addressing the fatal crash history of Central Avenue and the efforts to
move towards zero fatal crashes. He stated that we must work harder, and there will be
some very bold changes that are needed. The goal is to start construction in 2028, and the
MNDOT team has been out doing community canvasing of the businesses and what they
would like to see. Overall, there are some requests for more and less parking, with a large
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emphasis on pedestrian safety as well as property specific concerns. There was very mixed
feedback on roundabouts, and that is not unusual.
There will be an open house on 2/4/2025, as well as two virtual meetings later in the week.
If residents are not able to attend the meetings, they can go online to watch the
presentation video and take a survey to provide feedback to MNDOT. Additionally, there
will also be a community conversation on 2/12/2025 at City Hall at 4pm.
Bower informed the council that ultimately there will need to be municipal consent for the
following items: closure of Reservoir Blvd, the number of lanes available for traffic, access
change at 42nd, southbound left turn restriction at 46th, roundabouts at 46 ½ and 47th as
well as 49th, 51st and 53rd, and a shared use path with the option of a bicycle facility.
Bower further clarified that the goal would be to get resident feedback before the council
considers what items to move forward with. The municipal consent process would start in
2026, but the current focus in 2025 is to get the right information for the council to have
these municipal consent discussions.
Councilmember Buesgens would like the specifics of the maintenance costs and what the
process would look like.
Public Works Director Hansen mentioned to the Council that there is a cap for the budget
related to aesthetic elements. Additionally, he indicated to the council that he would
prepare information related to the maintenance and landscaping costs that the city would
pay related to the construction project.
Mayor Márquez Simula stated that she is interested in follow up regarding the
multipurpose trails and feels that there should be visuals related to the proposals because
it would help to have photos for resident outreach purposes.
3. Medtronic Site Presentation from Lincoln Avenue Communities.
Community Development Director Mitchell Forney gave an overview of the status of the
vacant Medtronic Site and introduced Kyle Brasser with Lincoln Avenue Communities.
Councilmember Spriggs inquired about how this project would impact the school district.
Stacey Kvilvang with Ehlers indicated that this project would not impact the school district
but would create a large impact on the city and the county.
City Manager Chirpich stated that the information is being presented today so the council
can focus on how the city might be able to make this site plan work and what concessions
we would need from Lincoln Avenue Communities.
Kyle Brasser introduced his team and provided information about the things they are
excited about for the project.
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Councilmember Buesgens asked Brasser if it seems reasonable to ask taxpayers to increase
the amount of taxes they are paying to fund the project. Brasser stated that he feels this is
a broader policy question, and an evaluation would need to occur by the council.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that she feels that it is not affordable for residents to
directly subsidize this project by increasing taxes. Brasser additionally stated that he feels
that market rate development is not feasible for this property. He elaborated that his
concern is that waiting for this to be an option could take over ten years.
Councilmember Deneen expressed her concerns related to the commercial aspect of the
plan, as well as the market rate housing placement. She stated that she does not feel like
this is conducive to anyone who is interested in developing this type of use. Additionally,
she has concerns about pushing into the park for townhomes and the space allocated for
storm water treatment. However, she is very happy to see that there are larger units
proposed.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that the community would like to see the park space /
corridor along the lake to increased and to connect 53rd to 51st with a band of public space.
City Manager Chirpich clarified that the city would like to see more of a 50 /50 mix of
market rate multifamily housing and for the townhomes proposed on the site not being
affordable housing. The reasoning being that in other communities, market rate condos are
easier to rent and/or sell. He thanked Brasser and his team for all the work that they did in
bringing this item to the council.
Mayor Márquez Simula highlighted the need for commercial space along 53rd unless the
businesses are service for those living in the development.
Councilmember James indicated that she is also concerned about the items brought
forward by other councilmembers. She stated that her major concern related to the
development is the time frame. She thinks there is work to be done on making this the
right project for the Community.
Kvilvang clarified to Brasser that there are a lot of opportunity for market rate developers
to build townhomes. She will connect him with the information and resources that she has.
Brasser thanked the council and stated that this was a great opportunity to get this project
before the council. He asked for additional information related to the watershed area, as
well as feedback from the council regarding the initial architectural designs so that the
ideas could be incorporated into future presentations.
Overall, the council preferred the more mid-century design components and trying to
incorporate more color, and a design aesthetic that fits the property being so close to
Sullivan Lake.
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4. Review Of Public Feedback and Next Steps For 2025 Concrete Alley Reconstruction,
Project 2506.
Public Works Director Hansen gave a brief overview of the status of the alley project after
the continuation of the public hearing on January 27th, 2025. He informed the council that
there is no state aid available for alleys, and that the city pays 50% of the cost of the
project. One of the questions that was posed by the council is “what is the alternative” to
not doing the alley projects. Director Hansen stated that the alleys have been extensively
reviewed and that they are at their end of life, the only thing that can be done is to
reactively patch the potholes that occur.
Mayor Márquez Simula stated that it was important to have all perspectives related to the
damage that has occurred to residents’ vehicles and city equipment. She also wants to
make sure that we communicate these projects better with the impacted residents.
Councilmember James was very concerned about the burden for those residents near 37th
and 39th that still have avenue assessments related to the 37th Avenue project.
Director Hansen clarified that the amount of that assessment to the residents
Councilmember James is concerned about was $1400. Hansen added that he is not sure
when we will be able to take care of alleys again. There will be a large cost involved with
upcoming projects on Central Avenue and 40th Avenue. He indicated that we need to get
back on our road improvement programs.
Councilmember Deneen stated that she feels that there should be equity when it comes to
the assessment process, and she would like to get a process in place to make sure that we
are working towards how we could do city-wide assessments.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that she supports getting these six alleys completed and
then exploring the options for total city assessments to accomplish the street projects that
are needed in the future.
Councilmember Spriggs stated that he leans towards moving forward with completing
these alleys and then moving forward with investigating a city-wide assessment program.
Councilmember James also added that she felt it was important for Staff to relay the
benefits of the completion of this project now before construction costs rise in addition to
the other costs and harm of waiting a year.
5. Code Enforcement Officer Discussion.
Community Development Director Forney gave a brief overview of the process of code
enforcement that falls on various departments within the city. He stated that a code
enforcement officer would address most of the city code concerns related to what is
currently enforced relates to the Fire and Community Development Departments. He
additionally clarified that reactionary code enforcement only goes so far, and staff wants to
make a shift to proactive enforcement. Forney explained that other surrounding
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communities have a full-time staff member that addresses code enforcement issues. This
position would fall under the Community Development department.
Forney additionally stated that if the council would like to move forward with this position,
for 2025 the city can tap into the 201 Reserve Budget and there would not be an impact to
the city budget until 2026 and this would allow the city to move forward with the position
quickly.
City Manager Chirpich also clarified that creating this position is something that would
allow the Fire Department to focus on the rental inspection program, and shift things back
to community development for a proactive approach in partnership with the building
official / inspector positions. He also foresees that this position would be working closely
with law enforcement and there would be some possibility of using the position for career
development.
Councilmember Buesgens stated that she is very excited to move forward with this
position, and to have the Tyler System in place to track these issues. She strongly supports
this change.
Councilmember James stated that she feels that it is unhelpful to budget for the position in
a way that the fees are correlated with the funding of code enforcement position. She
wants to make it clear that the goal is not to increase fees, but to make our community as
safe as possible.
The consensus from the council was to move forward with the code enforcement position.
6. Expenditures Using 2023 Public Safety Aid.
Fire Chief O’Brien gave the Council follow up information related to the expenditures that
have been made from the 2023 Public Safety Aid that was allocated to Columbia Heights.
Chief O’Brien then reviewed what he would like to use some of the remaining funds for.
Additionally Chief O’Brien and Finance Director Kloiber clarified that there is not an
expiration date set for the funds, but it would be wise for the Council to have a plan to
make sure that it is used prudently for the city’s needs.
The council consensus was to move forward with the purchase outlined, and Chief O’Brien
will prepare the item for council approval at the 2/10/2025 meeting.
7. Update Purchasing Delegated to City Manager.
Finance Director Kloiber gave a brief overview of the need to update the $15,000
purchasing limit set in 2003 and increase it to $25,000 for 2025. Kloiber clarified that
calling this a spending limit is a misnomer, and there is an exception related to the
purchase of resale goods as it is part of the inherent cost of the sale price (in line with the
purchase of goods for the liquor store). Additionally, he would also recommend delegation
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to the City Manager to complete change orders to a contract that has already been
approved by the council.
Councilmember Deneen asked if there was a threshold that would be set for the change
order. She would like to have this outlined and approved of by Council.
Director Kloiber stated that there was an internal purchasing policy for a ten percent
threshold. He will make sure that there is a dollar amount and / or percentage to dollar
amount threshold included in the resolution that will be brought forward to the council for
approval on February 10, 2025.
8. City Newsletter Format Update.
City Manager Chirpich introduced to the council the project that the Communications
Department has been spearheading to reformat the city newsletter and create a separate
youth recreation brochure. Going forward there will be a youth focused newsletter that
includes youth recreation information in Spanish and English that can be distributed to the
schools. The city newsletter will have more of a focus on community information and will
help advertise for the city owned liquor stores.
Councilmember James stated that she would also like to make sure that the registration
process is in Spanish and English. Mayor Márquez Simula state that she is very excited
about this program and appreciates all the work that has been completed by the
Communications Department to move this item forward.
9. Council Corner.
Monthly Calendar Sharing, Event Notification and Attendance.
The council shared with each other upcoming meetings and events that they plan to
attend. Including the upcoming MNDOT presentations and listening sessions.
Monthly Proclamations and Meeting Guests
The council discussed adding the following proclamations to upcoming meeting agendas:
March Trans Day of Visibility, Foster Children and Youth, Public Health Awareness,
Women’s History. Additionally, the group also discussed inviting the Columbia Heights Met
Council Representative to attend an upcoming meeting.
Additional Topics
Councilmember James informed the group that she feels that it is time to revisit the rental
density cap. She believes that there has been significant progress made in resolving the
issues that need to be addressed when the cap was implemented. Additionally,
Councilmember James would also like to see the rental density cap approval moved to a
standard process that is administrative with the council setting the policy and staff
managing the process.
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Councilmember Buesgens stated that she is in favor of updating the program and wants to
be careful that we are still restricting corporate landlords.
The overall council consensus was to reevaluate the program at an upcoming work session.
Councilmember Buesgens brought up the topic of the city participating in a registered
apprenticeship program with the state. She would like to see HR investigate this program
further.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Márquez Simula adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________________
Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary