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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-2024 City Council Meeting Minutes CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula Councilmembers Connie Buesgens Kt Jacobs Rachel James Justice Spriggs City Manager Aaron Chirpich City Hall—Council Chambers, 3989 Central Ave NE Monday, November 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, November 25, 2024, 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 Jacobs; Councilmember Spriggs; Councilmember James Absent: Councilmember Buesgens Also Present: Andrew Boucher, City Planner; Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Mitchell Forney, Community Development Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Scott Lepak, City Attorney; Ella Nekora, City resident; Michelle Petway, School Board Member 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 Mayor Márquez Simula announced the addition of “Youth Homelessness Awareness” Item A under Proclamations, Presentations, Recognition, Announcements, Guests. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 2 A. Youth Homelessness Awareness Mayor Márquez Simula shared about Lydia. She explained that Lydia reached out to her in an email and shared a heartfelt concern about children living without housing stability. Lydia wrote about how challenging it must be for children to learn, and to find happiness when they do not have a home to live in. Inspired by Lydia’s advocacy, the City shared a proclamation for awareness for youth experiencing homelessness during the October 28th meeting. November was proclaimed as Homelessness Awareness Month. The City is committed to exploring ways to support the community members, including protecting renter’s rights and addressing housing insecurity. She thanked Lydia for taking the time to raise her voice on behalf of children and families in need. B. Happy Holidays Proclamation. Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed November 25, 2024, as the beginning of the holiday season in Columbia Heights and read the City’s proclamation. C. Transgender Day of Remembrance Proclamation. Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed November 20, 2024, as Transgender Day of Remembrance and read the City’s proclamation. Ella Nekora, City resident, accepted the proclamation and thanked the Mayor for making such an important proclamation for the City. She mentioned that she is not transgender but is a part of the bigger LGBTQIA+ community. The proclamation is a good reminder that everyone is human, no matter their identity. Since Transgender Day of Remembrance, 36 transgender people have lost their lives in the US due to fatal acts of violence and 84% of the victims were people of color. She expressed her hope that the proclamation could ensure that transgender people in Columbia Heights know that it is a safe space where they can be loved and feel safe, regardless of their identity. Mayor Márquez Simula mentioned that Ella is an award-winning student in the City. D. School District Update. School Board Member Michelle Pettway reported that the School Board accepted the election results and board members who were elected to serve from January 2025 to December 2029. She announced that Shrek the Musical will be coming up. Performances are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, December 5th through December 7th at 7:00 pm. One performance will be on Sunday, December 8th at 2:00 pm. She encouraged the community to attend the School Board meetings that are held at the District community center. Regular business meetings are at 6:00 pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm. Business meetings are recorded and can be found on the district website. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 3 CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember James mentioned Consent Agenda Item 8 and thanked the contract negotiation team on the City Staff. She expressed her appreciation for the public safety union Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember James, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. 1. Approve the November 4, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the November 4, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting minutes. 2. Approve the November 12, 2024 Special City Council Meeting Minutes and City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the November 12, 2024 Special City Council Meeting and City Council Meeting minutes. 3. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1707, an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 3 Administrative Code: Article V – Administrative Offenses. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1707, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance 1707, being an ordinance to amend Chapter 3 Administrative Code, Article V – Administrative Offenses, and direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. 4. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1708, an Ordinance to amend Chapter 9 – Land Use: 9.104 Administration and Enforcement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1708, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve the second reading of Ordinance 1708, being an ordinance to amend Chapter 9 Land Use, 9.104 Administration and Enforcement, and direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. 5. Approval of Resolution 2024-81, Adopting Rates for Water, Sewer, Storm Water, and Refuse Services, Provided After March 31, 2024. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-81, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2024-81, being a resolution adopting rates for water, sewer, storm water, and refuse services, provided after March 31, 2024. 6. Consideration of Resolution 2024-85, Updating Income Limit for Senior Citizen Utility Rates. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2024-85, being a resolution to update the income limit for Senior Citizen Utility Rates. 7. Approval of Resolution 2024-86 to Transfer Funds to the Fire Department 2024 Budget. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2024-86 there being ample copies City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 4 to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2024-86, being a resolution amending the 2024 Fire Department budget. 8. Adopt Resolution 2024-88, Approving LELS Labor Agreement. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-88, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2024-88, approving the City of Columbia Heights LELS Labor Agreement. 9. Resolution 202-91; Non-Union Employee Wages and Benefit Adjustments for 2025 through 2027. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-91, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2024-91, approving 2025 through 2027 cost of living and fringe benefit adjustments for non-union supervisory and confidential/essential employees, insurance benefit and adjustments for City Council members. 10. Approval of City-wide Computer Replacements. MOTION: Approve purchase of City-wide computers and peripherals from Dell Marketing in the amount of $27,561.47. 11. License Agenda. MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for November 25, 2024, as presented. 12. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for November 25, 2024, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 13. 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 $1,442,211.23. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Ordinances and Resolutions 14. Consideration of a Rental License Exemption for 4933 6th Street NE. City Planner Boucher stated on November 19, 2024, the owner of 4933 6th Street NE, reached out to the Community Development Department requesting an exemption from the single-family rental density cap. Section 1 of Ordinance 1685, which established the single-family rental density cap, states that a property owner may request a temporary license to allow an additional rental property for that block. The property is located on City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 5 Block 64 which has a total of 23 single-family houses and an allotment of two rentals with the block being at the capacity containing two existing rentals. The City Council may grant or deny a temporary license in its sole discretion. City Planner Boucher mentioned that it is the homeowners’ right to appeal to the Council. Staff brought forth the appeal along with supporting documents for discussion and review. If approved, Resolution 2024-089 would grant a temporary rental license exemption to the homeowner with a few additional requirements. The homeowner is required to complete the license application process within 3 months from the passage of the resolution. This puts a limit on how long they can take to bring the house into rental compliance if needed. The temporary rental license will be valid for one year from the date that the license is approved. This provides the homeowner and tenant the ability to rent the home for a full one-year lease. After the term of the temporary license, the persons requesting a temporary license must make an annual application to the City. No property owner shall hold a temporary rental license for the same property for more than two consecutive years. Applicant Mark Stelmach explained that he purchased the property right before the recession. He added that he would like to sell the property within the next two years but would like to rent out the property in the meantime while he improves the property to get it ready for sale. Councilmember James asked if Mr. Stelmach had other rental properties. Mr. Stelmach replied he did not. Councilmember Jacobs noted that a rental property is a business and encouraged the applicant to keep that in mind for the future. Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember James, to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-089, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember James, to adopt Resolution 2024-089, being a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving the single-family rental exemption request for the rental application at 4933 6th Street NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421. 3 Ayes, 1 Nay, Motion Carried 3-1. Ayes: Márquez Simula, James, Spriggs. Nay: Jacobs 15. Authorization of SolSmart Participation. City Planner Boucher stated SolSmart is a program designed to provide no-cost technical assistance to help local governments identify barriers to renewable energy and implement national best practices to expand solar energy use in jurisdictions. Communities are recognized and celebrated through a SolSmart designation of Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum through actions, outreach, and education in a series of categories such as: Permitting and Inspection, Planning and Zoning, Government Operations, Community Engagement, and Market Development. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 6 City Planner Boucher explained the City will work in partnership with the SolSmart Team and Metropolitan Council to improve solar market conditions, making it faster, easier, and more affordable for residents and businesses to install solar energy systems along with increasing the efficiency of local processes related to solar development. The City intends to leverage SolSmart to achieve the solar goals defined in the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Partners in Energy participation to increase access to renewable energy and expand on energy conservation goals. City Planner Boucher mentioned to begin the process, the City needs to meet a few prerequisite criteria before the Bronze Designation can be achieved including specific actions such as: • Provide a Solar Statement demonstrating the City’s commitment to pursue SolSmart Designation. • Post an online checklist detailing the required permit(s), submittals, and steps of the permitting process for residential rooftop solar PV. • Review zoning requirements and identify restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development such as height restrictions, setback requirements, screening and visibility, etc., and have these compiled in a memo. City Planner Boucher noted the Sustainability Commission reviewed the Solar Statement and the program guide including a variety of actions in the categories mentioned above at the November 20, 2024 meeting and gave a positive recommendation in support of participation. Councilmember Spriggs asked if the height and setback restrictions were specific to solar panels in terms of Code updates. City Planner Boucher replied that he did not know if there were any barriers to renewable energy at this point because the zoning codes do not specifically address renewable energy. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-087, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to adopt Resolution 2024-087, being a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights authorizing the City of Columbia Heights’ participation in the SolSmart Designation Program, and direct staff to complete the actions described above. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember James mentioned that she attended the Public Safety lunch, a workshop through Braver Angels, and a meeting with the Chief of Police and the Mayor regarding the LaBelle community. She noted that the Economic Development Authority had an opportunity to tour the COL affordable City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 7 housing building. She added that she attended a town hall meeting that was hosted by the Mayor. She reported that she was about to bring youth from First Lutheran and other churches to volunteer at SACA food shelf. She stated she attended the Minnesota Climate Coalition meeting, and explained that if there are any residents who are having difficulty paying their energy bills, there is an energy action program that can help with the bills. It is on a first come, first serve basis. Finally, she attended the Metro Cities Policy Adoption meeting. Councilmember Jacobs stated she attended Lauren Letsche send-off at Forgotten Star, the Public Safety lunch, Emily Kosman’s pinning for the first Assistant Fire Chief, the swearing-in for Officer Swangstue, and a congressional opiate briefing. She had 13 resident reach-outs. Councilmember Jacobs noted that a few weeks ago, information began to circulate about specific Hamas supporters and organizers backing the Palestinian situation in the Middle East. She stated that it is important to remember Hamas is a recognized terrorist group by the United States and European Union. One individual in the report is named Mr. Taher Herzallah who serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission and is noted repeatedly in the articles that are posted online and in the media. According to statements made directly to her, Mr. Herzallah was the primary impetus of the Palestinian resolution and the original author of the resolution provided to the Mayor earlier this year. She noted that Mr. Herzallah’s resolution was reviewed and amended by Acting City Attorney Scott Lepak to protect the City from any future liability. Mr. Herzallah has been publicly promoted and supported by the Mayor and two other Councilmembers. Mr. Herzallah presents himself as a deep connection to the community but was personally named in a lawsuit alleging he provided material support for Hamas through his activism. Mr. Herzallah is identified as allegedly verbally accosting a member of Congress in Washington D.C. There are numerous videos of him stating his strong positions of anti-Semitism. According to one video, he states “Anybody who has any relationship or any support or identifies themselves as a Jewish person or as a Christian Zionist, then we shall not be their friend. I will tell you that they are enemy number one, and our community needs to recognize that as such.” The Anti-Defamation League reports the most extreme comments at a 2014 conference in Chicago while he was the AMPS National Coordinator. He made comments stating “Israelis have to be bombed. They are a threat to the legitimacy of Palestine.” Councilmember Jacobs noted she had voiced her concerns to City leadership to no avail. She explained that on WCCO, Mayor Frey appealed to the Minneapolis teachers union to not allow Mr. Herzallah to speak at their event. She requested this to be placed on the agenda for the upcoming work session on December 2nd in order to discuss Mr. Herzallah’s potential or possible removal from representing this community in any capacity, including removal from his current Commission as he violates the policy and expectation that the City and Council have previously demanded of its representatives. Councilmember Spriggs stated he had no updates. Mayor Márquez Simula explained she attended the senior citizen's barn quilt painting class. She spoke at the Women’s Student Union which is a high school group. She met with a student who accepted the proclamation last month. She noted she attended the Metro Cities meeting with Councilmember James, the swearing-in for Officer Swangstue, the Minnesota Coalition meeting, the pinning ceremony for Emily Kosman, and the Fire Relief meeting. She mentioned she had a couple of community listening sessions for LeBelle Park. She toured the COL building with the EDA. She stated she attended a local City of Columbia Heights MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Meeting Page 8 progress meeting and met with the executive director for ranked choice voting. She attended the Public Safety lunch, the League of Women Voters meeting, and a meeting with the Police Chief and the City Manager. She provided an update that Kordiak Park has a new swing set and new mulch underneath the swing. Report of the City Manager City Manager Chirpich stated the City’s newsletter was sent out last week. He provided an update on the water meter replacement program and noted that the first round of letters went out last week. He encouraged residents who have received a letter to schedule an appointment. City offices are closed November 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving. This is the last week for yard waste collection and noted that properties with Thursday and Friday collection will be delayed by one day due to the holiday. There is an upcoming public hearing for the City’s 2025 proposed budget and levy during the December 9th Council meeting at 6:00 pm. City Manager Chirpich commented on upcoming events. He mentioned Holiday Cheer would arrive in Columbia Heights on December 12, 2024. The holiday train rolls into town at 8:00 pm at the intersection of 37th Avenue and Stinson Avenue. On December 17th, the Columbia Heights Fire Department will be driving around town with a special guest from 5:00-6:45 pm. During the route, Magnify Financial and SACA will be collecting toys for SACA’s annual toy giveaway. He encouraged families to attend the annual Cookies and Cocoa event at Murzyn Hall from 6:00-8:00 pm. There will be a toy collection bin at Murzyn Hall for SACA’s giveaway. Mayor Márquez Simula added for the holiday train event Bella Hall is letting the City use their half of the parking lot for handicap accessible parking. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Spriggs, seconded by Councilmember James, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:44 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary