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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-2025 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, August 11, 2025 6:00 PM MINUTES The following are the minutes for the Meeting of the City Council held at 6:00 pm on Monday, August 11, 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 6:01 pm. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula; Councilmember Buesgens; Councilmember Deneen; Councilmember Spriggs; Councilmember James Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; Mitch Forney, Community Development Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Travis Lutz, Assistant City Attorney; Dan O’Brien, Fire Chief; Brad Roddy, Assistant Fire Chief 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. A. Columbia Heights City Council and Staff Norms. While we are accountable to each other for these norms, the Mayor and City Manager will help us adhere to them with respectful reminders and reinforcement as needed. 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 Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to approve the Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Bilingual Monarch Festival Proclamation. Accepting Proclamation: Metro Blooms Mayor Márquez Simula proclaimed August 8, 2025, as Monarch Butterfly Day and read the City’s proclamation. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 11, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 2 Mayor Márquez Simula noted that Metro Booms would accept the Proclamation. COMMUNITY FORUM There were no public comments. 2. City Manager's Response to Community Forum. City Manager Chirpich mentioned that during the last meeting at the Community Forum, there was a resident who expressed concerns with Gould Avenue parking enforcement. The resident had concerns regarding the six-hour parking rule and inoperable vehicles parked on the street. He mentioned that he discussed the matter with the Police Department. The Police Department reported back that they had interacted with the owner of the car and that they had requested that the vehicle be started up. The Police Department confirmed that the vehicle was operable, and was not a junk car, or an abandoned vehicle. Officers chalked the vehicle three times on July 18, 2025, and the car owner was manipulating the six-hour rule by moving the vehicle incrementally, which is not the intent of the Ordinance. Officers followed up with the individual who made the complaint and confirmed that the vehicle was moving on its own power and it was not a violation that needed to be processed at the time. Staff are looking at other ways to update the Ordinance, however it is not considered a widespread problem. CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Council Councilmember James mentioned that she attended the Police Department Eat and Greet at LaBelle Park, a Central Avenue meeting at the Library, the EDA meeting, the Council work session meeting, and National Night Out parties. She noted that the City’s Parks and Recreation Department has been doing programs all summer. There will be a theater production with the Mill Street Players at 6:30 pm on Thursday and Friday at the Performing Arts Center at the High School. Councilmember Buesgens stated she attended the Metro Council Housing and Economic Committee meeting. She explained that the City would be adding value through the two development sites. She thanked the previous Mayor and Council for fighting to keep big box stores out of the City because other cities are struggling with big box stores leaving the cities and causing the cities to go down in value. She mentioned that she attended the Central Avenue open house, the Police Eat and Greet event, the school farm stand, the Local Government Official meeting, and Music in the Park. She added that she volunteered at Blooming Sunshine Garden. Councilmember Deneen noted she attended the open house for Central Avenue, the EDA meeting, the City Council work session meeting, National Night Out, and Music in the Park. Councilmember Spriggs stated he attended the EDA meeting, the City Council work session meeting, and Music in the Park. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 11, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 3 Mayor Márquez Simula noted she attended a conference that was focused on public involvement as well as the Library Board meeting. She mentioned that the Library would have a new program called the Great North Star Read Together and would have an event on September 20th. She added that she attended the EDA meeting, the City Council work session meeting, and a painting class at the Senior Center. She stated there would be a proclamation for Senior Citizen Day during the next City Council meeting. She mentioned that the City partnered with the Superintendent and the School Board to write a letter to Xcel Energy requesting upgrades to the City’s power infrastructure. She stated the Bilingual Monarch Festival would be this Thursday. If there is rain, it will be rescheduled for next Thursday, August 21st. She read a statement regarding budget cuts to SNAP, medical programs, families, and children living with the stress and worry of possible deportation of loved ones, and those impacted by the devastation in Gaza. She added that her thoughts are with those who are living in uncertainty and loss. She added that she has seen on social media that white supremacy flyers were distributed in the City. She stated that Columbia Heights is a place that values all the residents and there is no room for racism, discrimination, or hate. Report of the City Manager City Manager Chirpich updated the Council that the fitness court installation was beginning. Installation should be completed in a couple of weeks, and staff will continue their work with the National Fitness Campaign with Blue Cross Blue Shield to schedule a grand opening in September. The City is hosting the Bilingual Monarch Festival on Thursday, August 14, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Huset Park West. Movie in the Park will begin on Friday, August 15, at 8:30 pm and will be showing The Wizard of Oz at Huset Park East. He thanked Magnify Financial for sponsoring the event. He encouraged community members to visit the City’s website or Facebook page for updates regarding inclement weather. At the 2025 Northern Lights Award, the City won the bronze award in the general publication category for the City’s welcome guide for new residents. The welcome guide gets mailed monthly to new residents in the City and can also be viewed on the City’s website. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember James mentioned that she had some questions regarding item 8, “Approval of Resolution 2025-67, Reservoir Boulevard Access Closure at 37th Avenue,” and would like to discuss them when City Manager Chirpich gets to that portion of the Consent Agenda. Mayor Márquez Simula commented that she was happy about item 9 and the investment that the City was about to put in. Motion by Councilmember James, seconded by Councilmember Buesgens, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. 1. Approve July 28, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the July 28, 2025, City Council meeting minutes. 2. Approve August 4, 2025, City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the August 4, 2025, City Council Work Session meeting minutes. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 11, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 4 3. Accept May 28, 2025, Park & Recreation Commission Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the May 28, 2025, Park & Recreation Commission minutes. 4. Accept June 4, 2025, Library Board Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the June 4, 2025, Library Board meeting minutes. 5. Accept July 7th, 2025, EDA Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to accept the July 7th, 2025, Regular EDA meeting minutes. 6. Second Reading of Ordinance 1716, Approving the Rezoning to PUD of 800 53rd Ave NE Columbia Heights. MOTION: Move to waive the readings of Ordinance No. 1716, PUD District #2025-01, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1716, being an ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Columbia Heights and city ordinance relating to zoning and development pertaining to the rezoning of a portion of a certain property located at 800 53rd Avenue NE from general business district (GB) to planned unit development district (PUD) number 2025-01, and to direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. 7. Second Reading of Ordinance 1718, Amending Alcohol Ordinance Restrictions in Silver Lake Beach Park. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1718, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1718, being an ordinance amending chapter 10.201 of the Columbia Heights City Code to allow, upon council approval, alcohol at events within Silver Lake Beach Park, and to direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper. 8. Approval of Resolution 2025-67, Reservoir Boulevard Access Closure at 37th Avenue. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-67, as there are ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2025-67 authorizing the Closure of Reservoir Boulevard at 37th Avenue and requesting the Minnesota Department of Transportation to make such closure with their Central Avenue Reconstruction project scheduled for 2028 construction. Public Works Director Hansen reviewed what the Resolution does. The Public Works Department has been working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on the redevelopment of Central Avenue. There have been discussions regarding what will happen with 37th Avenue. He mentioned that Reservoir Boulevard comes to 37th Avenue skewed. Staff have been discussing the impact of the intersection due to the skew. As MnDOT was going through its process, it recommended that the City close Reservoir Boulevard in order to focus on the operation of the street lights and to review the safety of the intersection. A Resolution is required for an access control change since it is a State aid route. The Resolution would close the intersection and would recognize that MnDOT would complete City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 11, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 5 the work. Staff would propose that the pedestrian access would still be open. The State aid funds would still be available to the City. Councilmember James mentioned that she had questions regarding funding because she wanted to ensure that the City would preserve as much funding as possible. Mayor Márquez Simula expressed her support for the Resolution and mentioned that the intersection has been dangerous and the improvements will help slow down traffic and make it safer. 9. Approval of Change Order No. 1 for 40th Avenue Utilities, City Project 2504. MOTION: Approve Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $77,132.75 to A1 Excavating of Bloomer WI, for the 40th Avenue Utilities, City Project 2504, for a revised contract amount of $925,980.75. 10. Approval of Final Payment for City Hall and Library Parking Lot Paving, City Project 2410. MOTION: Move to accept the work for the City Hall and Library Parking Lot Paving, City Project 2410, and authorize final payment of $15,526.30 to Winberg Companies LLC of Shafer, Minnesota. 11. Approval of Final Payment for 2021 Zone 4B & Zone 5 Street Rehabilitation Program and State Aid Street Rehabilitation, City Projects 2002 and 2005. MOTION: Move to accept the work for 2021 Street Rehabilitation, City Projects 2002 and 2005, and authorize final payment of $15,000 to Bituminous Roadways, Inc. of Mendota Heights, Minnesota. 12. License Agenda. MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for August 11th, 2025, as presented. 13. Rental Occupancy Licenses for Approval. MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for August 11, 2025, in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. 14. 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 $2,077,534.75. PUBLIC HEARINGS 15. Consideration of Resolution 2025-046, Revocation of the License to Operate Rental Units Within the City of Columbia Heights Against the Rental Property at 4642/4644 Taylor Street NE for Failure to Meet the Requirements of the Residential Maintenance Codes. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 11, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 6 Assistant Fire Chief Roddy stated that the rental license renewal document was in the Agenda Packet. On May 28th inspection office staff sent a letter requesting the owner of the property to submit the rental license application and schedule the interior/exterior inspection for this property. The letter was mailed by regular mail to the owner at the address listed in the property records. The notice clearly stated that the inspection, completed application, and fee payment were required before the license expiration date of June 30th. Between June and July, there have been several attempts by City staff to contact the property owner to encourage compliance with the rental license renewal process. The efforts were not successful, and the property owner did not take any action. Assistant Fire Chief Roddy noted that on July 8, 2025, inspection office staff reviewed the property file and noted that the property remained unlicensed despite multiple reminders to the owner and all contacts via mail, phone calls, and email. A Statement of Cause was mailed by regular mail to the owner at the address listed in the property records. The notice gave a deadline of August 4th to bring the property into compliance. Assistant Fire Chief Roddy explained that on August 4, 2025, records showed that the property owner had still not taken any action to renew the rental license. If the license is revoked, it would be the first revocation that the owner has had in the last five years, which would make him eligible to reacquire a new license. Mayor Márquez Simula opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember James, to close the public hearing. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Councilmember Deneen asked how the City found the contact information for the property owner. Assistant Fire Chief Roddy replied that they found the contact information on property tax records. He added that they also have the contact information listed on the previous rental license application. He mentioned that staff attempted to reach the property owner in a variety of ways but was unable to get ahold of him. Mayor Márquez Simula mentioned that the Agenda Packet shows the steps that staff take and appreciated the process to ensure transparency. She added that the property owner has an opportunity to apply for a new rental license in the future and believed that due diligence had been done. Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to waive the reading of Resolution 2025-46, as there are ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Motion by Councilmember Deneen, seconded by Councilmember Spriggs, to adopt Resolution 2025-46, being a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights revoking the rental license for the property at 4642/4644 Taylor Street NE in that it has failed to follow the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES August 11, 2025 City Council Meeting Page 7 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Buesgens, seconded by Councilmember James, to adjourn. All Ayes, Motion Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:38 pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary