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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-2025 City Council Work Session Meeting 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 Tuesday, September 02, 2025 6:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Márquez Simula at 6:07pm. Present: Mayor Márquez Simula, Councilmember Buesgens, Councilmember Deneen, Councilmember James, Councilmember Spriggs. Also Present: Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; David Cullen, Public Works Director; Mitch Forney, Community Development Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Jesse Hauf, IT Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Joe Kloiber, Finance Director; Rochelle Widmer, City Engineer; Stacey Kvilvang, Ehlers; Erik Simonson, Excel Energy; Bob Lux, Alatus. WORK SESSION ITEMS 2. Group Ice Breaker. Mayor Márquez Simula led the group in an ice breaker discussion regarding what meeting participants are proud of accomplishing. 3. Xcel Energy: Community Relations Manager Erik Simonson. Public Works Director Hansen introduced Erik Simonson with Xcel Energy. Erik Simonson thanked the council for allowing him to attend and present information related to the work that Xcel is doing to take the lead on clean energy initiatives, giving back to communities in Minnesota, and also addressing concerns related to infrastructure. Additionally, he informed the Council that he will be the point person for constituent issues that the Council is receiving in terms of complaints related to failures in the power grid. The more specific information that can be provided when issues arise, the better he can help address the issue. Most recent analysis indicated that power failures are occurring due to vegetation concerns, and Xcel recognizes that there is opportunity to invest more into trimming vegetation. He believes that the work they will be doing will address many of the issues in combination with addressing power substation updates. Council consensus was that they are very concerned about the repeat power outages and want information about the best way to report power outages. Additionally, they wanted more information on power outages that are not related to storm issues and notifying residents in advance. The council also wanted information related to reporting streetlight outages and additional partnership with critical infrastructure and underground power lines. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES September 02, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 2 Erik Simonson stated that he can be a primary contact for any concerns that the Council has and can take care of any issues related to planned maintenance outages, storm outages and streetlight concerns. He clarified that ultimately if Xcel does not know about the issues, they cannot address them. He is looking to be a partner on issues moving forward and will continue to update council and staff on the work being completed to resolve the concerns highlighted. 4. 4300 Central Development Update. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the topic to the council, Bob Lux from Alatus and Stacey Kilvang from Ehlers were also in attendance to address questions and concerns from the council related to the redevelopment of the property at 4300 and the current status of bonds issued to Alatus. City Manager Chirpich informed the council that staff is proposing a different type of bond to be issued related to this project, these would be general obligation TIF bonds factoring in the timeline to complete the project. Staff feels that this is mitigating the risk for the City but also planning to begin work on the project in the next two to three years. The only alternative to issuing bonds would be taking back the property and ending the loan agreement with Alatus (if they were to default on their loan). Consensus of the council was that the proposed plan outlined by staff was what they would like to proceed with. Additionally, the council would like increased communication from Alatus and the City related to the plans for the property to the community. Bob Lux thanked the council for having him and stated that he appreciated the feedback that the council has given Alatus related to the Ratio project as well as the 4300 Central Project. He first addressed the ongoing concerns related to the ventilation issues at the Ratio Apartment Complex and that he is fully engaged in the issue and he stated that he felt there was an incorrect design and implementation of the ventilation system for the building. He mentioned to the council that there has been a lot of work completed related to the 4300 Central property behind the scenes, including moving out existing tenants for demo work to be completed, keeping the property maintained, and working with the Mississippi Water Shed District as well as MNDOT to refine site plans. Alatus is committed to this project, and it is important to continue to push forward, and he would like to meet with the council every five to six months. Finance Director Joe Kloiber also informed the council about communication to citizens regarding the delay in the project. He finds it very hopeful that there is not a problem renting the apartments if they can get them built. The issue is interest rates and not the overall success of the project. City Manager Chirpich stated that staff will continue working on plans to communicate updates on the 4300 Central Avenue project and to also continue to work with Ehlers and Alatus on the new bond issuance. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES September 02, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 3 5. Overview of 2026 Proposed Budget Finance Director Joe Kloiber introduced the topic to the council and gave a brief presentation on the proposed 2026 budget. The overall gross tax levy is proposed to be 9.2%, this would be reflected in the Truth in Taxation statement that is provided to all taxpayers. There are three components to the proposed levy increase: operating expense increases, the new street rehabilitation program, and key priorities to position the City for success in 2026 and beyond. Director Kloiber additionally discussed the key activities and budget initiatives for 2027, 2028, and 2029. Council consensus was to move forward with the budget as presented at the second council meeting in September. Councilmember Buesgens added to that she would like to see an increase to youth enrichment programing, she would like to see $20,000 allocated to this initiative for this year and the library budget for 2026. Mayor Márquez Simula would also like to see some additional funding for the Senior Program and Murzyn Hall. City Manager Chirpich clarified that this would likely be something that could be flexed into the budget without it being factored into the levy. This is something that the City Manager and Finance Director will work on. The council consensus was that they would like to see this addition included, but not as an increase to the proposed levy. 6. Renew Legislative Services Agreement with Lockridge, Grindal and Nauen P.L.L.P. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the topic to the council and highlighted the work that Lockridge, Grindal and Nauen (LGN) has done for the City and upcoming initiatives for 2026. These initiatives include MSC funding, city sales tax exemption and special legislation related to the 4300 site TIF district. There is no proposed increase in the contract, and they have built a lot of momentum for our requests. Council consensus was that they would like to move forward with renewing the contract. City Manager Chripich indicated that this item will be brought forward for approval at the last September council meeting. 7. Polling Place Designations for 2026. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the topic to the council, as well as the proposed accommodation to satisfy the request of the school district to remove all polling places from school district locations. Staff clarified that moving all three polling places to one foot print would be too many voters for one location and that this was not supported by Anoka County Elections. Council consensus was to move forward with partnering with the School District to move Precinct 4 from the Highland Elementary School to the High School Gym Portion of the City of Columbia Heights MINUTES September 02, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 4 Hylander Center and to leave Precinct 7 at Valley View Elementary. City Manager Chirpich will reach out to Superintendent Stenvik to see if this proposed plan is amenable. 8. City Manager Performance Evaluation Format. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the item to the council as well as his proposed improvements to the current evaluation format. This format would include job performance ratings from city council members as well as feedback from division heads that have worked for the City Manager for one year. Council consensus was to move forward with the proposed changes in the staff report and to have an evaluation completed by the end of October. 9. Council Corner. The council reviewed the September calendar, notified each other of upcoming events and discussed proclamations for the September meetings. Cricket Field in Columbia Heights Mayor Márquez Simula introduced the topic to the council, and Councilmember Buesgens gave additional information about a local cricket group that is active in the community. Plymouth, Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis have opened cricket fields. She would like to explore converting a softball field for this purpose. City Manager Chirpich added that there are some pickup games occurring in the City right now, and that this addition could be added for analysis for the upcoming updates to the parks master plan. Board and Commission Member Attendance at City Events Mayor Márquez Simula introduced the topic to the council. Councilmember Buesgens elaborated on how she would like to see commissioners get more involved in City Events. She proposed that commissioners attend one or two community events a year. Consensus of the council was that board and commission members would be asked to attend a city event for a minimum of two hours every year. This information will be added to the interview process for newly appointed members. Polish School Park Reservation Mayor Márquez Simula introduced the topic to the council, and that the Polish School is using the space near the splash pad this upcoming weekend. She wanted to make sure that it was addressed as part of the greater conversation related to dedicated space and time for community groups. The council consensus was that they would like a policy created related to park usage for events. Directing staff to draft this policy and bring it to the council for review and approval. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES September 02, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 5 Wargo Court Park Update Mayor Márquez Simula introduced the topic to the council and asked City Manager Chirpich to give an update. He indicated that the creation of the park was based on funding from the Wargo Family, and future plans for the park will be incorporated into the Central Avenue redesign. There is a time capsule at the site that is scheduled to be opened in 2026. There will be more updates as plans for the Central Avenue redesign continue. Statement Regarding Assault Weapon Ban Mayor Márquez Simula introduced the topic to the council and Councilmember James spoke to the steps that have been made to encourage change on a Federal, State and City level. Mayor Márquez Simula will be working on a statement for the upcoming council meeting and hopes to have a full resolution for council review by the last council meeting in September. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Márquez Simula adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:25pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary .