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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-2025 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 Monday, December 01, 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: Ursula Bandt, City Planner; Aaron Chirpich, City Manager; David Cullen, Public Works Director; Mitch Forney, Community Development Director; Jesse Hauf, IT Director; Sara Ion, City Clerk; Zekima Rashid, City Green Corp. Consultant; Rochelle Widmer, City Engineer; Chris Bower, MNDOT; Patti Constant, Anoka County Public Health; Matt Thibert, MNDOT; Kevin Reich, MWMO Executive Director; Nancy Stowe, MWMO Projects and Planning Director WORK SESSION ITEMS 1. Group Ice Breaker. Mayor Márquez Simula led the group in an ice breaker discussion regarding what meeting participants favorite winter vacation or destination is. 2. Columbia Heights Naloxone Access. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced Patti Constant with Anoka County Public Health to give a presentation on current Naloxone access points in the community and the need to add additional sites within Columbia Heights. City Manager Chirpich informed the Council that Division Heads discussed the best location for placing a Naloxone Purple Access Point, and the Public Safety Building was determined to be the best location due to staffing and 24hr accessibility. Chirpich inquired if there is an agreement that needs to be signed related to the placement of the access points with the County and the Steve Rummler Hope Network. Constant confirmed that she will prepare an agreement for the council’s approval at an upcoming meeting. Councilmember Buesgens asked if there was another facility within the City that could also host an access point. Mayor Márquez Simula asked if Naloxone access points could be located at liquor stores, City Hall and the Library. Council consensus was to start the process with the placement at Public Safety and have Patti return to a future work session to evaluate how the program has been received and to discuss additional location implementation. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES December 01, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 2 3. MnDOT: Layout Recommendations for Central Avenue Corridor. City Engineer Rochelle Widmer introduced Chris Bower and Matt Thibert with MNDOT to present information on the proposed updates on the Central Avenue corridor redesign, including proposed roundabouts, pedestrian signals, park impacts and storm water management strategies. Councilmember Buesgens inquired if the City would be responsible for maintaining infiltration boulevards. Bowers said that it would be a partnership. She would also like to see the median of Central Avenue used for water infiltration concerns. Mayor Márquez Simula stated that she would like to see the parks utilized regarding storm water management without there being standing water that would be unsafe for children in the community. She inquired about using the space between Central Avenue and the Public Safety Building as well as the City owned property behind the DMV. Councilmember Deneen stated that she is concerned about impacts to amenities in Sulivan Lake Park. She wants to make sure that there are plans to make sure that storm water treatment is not displacing amenities that are most important to the surrounding communities. Councilmember Spriggs inquired about the agreement with the family related to Wargo Park and if storm water management would be allowed use. Councilmember James also clarified that she does not want to lose any of the grassy play areas at Sullivan Lake Park. Mayor Márquez Simula clarified that the council is in support of the efforts that MNDOT proposed during the presentation. Specifically, the use of the parks and strip process to accomplish storm water management on the corridor and asked that MNDOT continue to find a way to promote business development in the City. Councilmember James inquired about the current design for a northbound bus lane. Council consensus was that they would like to have a presentation about this design prior to a vote related to these changes. MNDOT would like to get this on the calendar for an early 2026 work session and have someone from Metro Transit available for the conversation related to the design for the bus line. 4. Medtronic Site Update and Sullivan Lake Regional Storm Water Discussion. Community Development Director Mitch Forney introduced the topic as well as representatives from MWMO (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization), Nancy Stowe and Kevin Reich. Reich stated that he is very excited for the synergy with the City, MNDOT and the property developer and what the group will be able to accomplish together related to storm water management. Stowe gave a brief overview of the twelve-acre site at the former Medtronic property, ongoing water quality studies that are occurring and the potential solutions for City of Columbia Heights MINUTES December 01, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 3 improving the quality of the waterbody. One of the factors to consider is the space available to implement storm water management. Councilmember Buesgens inquired about the video she shared with the MWMO related to debris that was coming into the lake as run off. She also inquired about the process that is used in St. Anthony Village regarding the storm water management. Additionally, she stated that she wanted to make sure that the City is taking advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity for this collaboration related to the Medtronic site. Additionally, Chris Bower also stated that he is thankful for the collaboration and that MNDOT’s priority is to do water treatment on the surface of the projects in the corridor. Bower recommended that there be public engagement related to potential implications to the park land. Councilmember Deneen inquired how the MWMO feasibility study’s completion will impact future TIF / Bond application discussions with the property developer as well as MNDOT related to municipal consent on the amount of space needed for their projects. Director Forney stated that there will be some implications to the park land, but there will be partnership between all parties to bring forward the best solutions for the City. There will be some tug and pull related to the process and agency input, and staff will keep the council informed at upcoming work sessions. 5. Parks and Recreation Updates. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the topic to the council. He stated that he is excited about the upcoming potential for the Recreation Department with the direction of new leadership and expanding the position. He informed council that the revised job description was in the packet materials and that the position will be posted as soon as possible. He also clarified that there will be a bridge period where there will be recruiting and interviewing occurring to get the right person in position and during that period Deana Saefke has offered to serve as the interim director for the department. Councilmember James stated that she is excited to have new developments related to the increased attention paid to park planning as well as department leadership. Councilmember Deneen inquired about the increased staffing needs related to the increased responsibilities of the Recreation Director position. City Manager Chirpich stated that there is the potential to increase staffing as well as develop existing staff as the new position is brought up to speed. Mayor Márquez Simula stated that she does not want the City to rush on filling the position of Recreation Director. She also wants to make sure that the interim director is being compensated fairly for their work. Councilmember Buesgens stated that she is glad to see that the job posting will be relevant to culturally competent connections. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES December 01, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 4 City Manager Chirpich also gave the council an update on Sullivan Lake Park and the proposed soccer field site in Huset Park West. He is looking forward to the recreation director playing a larger roll in park planning and development. Huset Park has been identified as the best possible location for the soccer fields, more precisely the Huset Park West area because of the reduction of impacts to existing infrastructure. He also engaged the council in conversation related to master planning and gaged their interest in a slight delay related to soccer field placement if waiting for a new director to be onboarded. Councilmember Buesgens would like to see the City move forward with the soccer field without delay. Mayor Márquez Simula would like to wait for a Park and Recreation Director to be hired to develop and implement a plan for the placement of a soccer field and a master plan for Huset Park. Councilmember Deneen and James understand the desire to wait but were concerned that the City will lose momentum on the soccer field project. Councilmember Spriggs feels that there are very few things that the City can do quickly for the community, and a soccer field could be one of them. He would like to see the momentum continue. Council consensus was to proceed with the soccer field as planned at the Huset Park West location and then look at additional park planning as proposed by staff with the onboarding of the Recreation Director. 6. Comprehensive Plan and Parks Master Plan. City Planner Ursula Brandt introduced herself and stated that she is looking forward to one of her first big projects being updates to the Comprehensive Plan for the City. There is a deadline of December 1, 2028 to complete the 2050 comprehensive plan and there is a lot of work to fit into the next two years. City Planner Brandt outlined the process, including committee formation, community engagement, consultant selection and integration of new elements that are required by the Metropolitan Council. Brandt noted that the current 2040 Comprehensive Plan was a complete overhaul of the previous plan and was completed by HKGI in 2018. The Met Council has asked that the plan be updated and not substantially changed for the 2050 update cycle. Staff recommend that the City update the current plan in partnership with HKGI as they are also currently working on plan amendments for the Medtronic and 4300 Central redevelopment sites. Mayor Márquez Simula mentioned that she felt during the last Comprehensive Plan amendment HGKI was pushing their agenda, and she was told that multiple members of a City of Columbia Heights MINUTES December 01, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 5 family / household could not serve on the Comprehensive Plan Committee at the same time. She wants to make sure that the process is engaging the residents and gets robust feedback. She wants to make sure that the City and HKGI are not just placing a rubber stamp on the process. Councilmember Buesgens felt that there were some dominant personalities on the committee during the last update and she would like to see better facilitation from HGKI to handle those concerns. She also elaborated that the substantial work that was undertaken by HGKI during the 2030 plan makes her want to continue utilizing them. Councilmember Deneen would like to see how this sole source contract is being handled and what is the justification to the community for utilizing HGKI is. Community Development Director Forney indicated that HGKI is being utilized as they are further ahead in knowledge base and experience that will allow the City to piggyback off the work they previously completed for the 2030 comprehensive plan overhaul as well as the amendments related to the 4300 and Medtronic Development site. Community Development Director Forney also indicated that there is a large need from the community related to a parks master plan. He would like to see additional work completed during the 2050 Comprehensive plan to incorporate and inform a parks master plan. This can be added on as part of the scope for HGKI or can be put out for bid. Councilmember James stated her approval for moving forward with this work in conjunction with a parks master plan. She would like to have timelines and suggested funding streams for implementing improvements that are suggested as part of the parks master plan. Councilmember Spriggs would like to know if incorporating park planning would impact the timeline for the immediate needs related to repairing existing park amenities. Mayor Márquez Simula would like to see the plans developed with sponsorships in mind to fund updates and new equipment for the parks. She would like to identify what dream items are so the City can plan for the cost. Council consensus was that they would like to utilize HGKI for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update and possibly go out to bid for the work related to park planning. Additionally, the council would like to appoint 10 to 15 community members to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Committee based on an application submission and review process and have City Board and Commission members appointed to the committee (either one or two per commission depending on the level of interest). The council would also like to see the economic impact portion of the Comprehensive Plan continue for the revision being completed for 2050. 7. Community Connector Position for 2026. Communications and Engagement Coordinator Will Rottler updated the council on the City of Columbia Heights MINUTES December 01, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 6 success of the Community Connector position over the past year and recommended to the that the position be increased from 15 to 25 hours per week for 2026. Beyond 2026 there could also be continued expansion of this position. Mayor Márquez Simula stated that she is glad to hear that everything is going well. She would also like to see room for professional development and continuing to build emotional resilience in this position. Councilmember Deneen is glad to provide the resource to the community. Councilmember James is glad to see the expanded hours and translation services available when help is needed. She would be interested in seeing two twenty-hour positions to increase flexibility. Council consensus was to proceed with the position as proposed by Rottler. 8. Review 2026 Polling Place Locations. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the topic to the council as well as the recent work that has been completed related to the original proposed compromise of relocating the polling location at Precinct 4 from Highland Elementary to the School District portion of the Hylander Center gym. Council directed staff to move forward with the draft resolution included in the packet for approval at December 8, 2025, City Council Meeting. 10. Review Council Meeting Dates / Important Dates for 2026. City Manager Aaron Chirpich introduced the topic for the council. The council discussed adjustments in the calendar for holidays, election dates and community events. Council consensus was to move forward with the meeting schedule as presented in the council packet. 11. Council Corner. The council reviewed the December calendar, notified each other of upcoming events and discussed proclamations for the December meeting. Protestor Rights Communication The council discussed recent ICE interactions in the community and the need for clear protest rights information. Council asked that staff prepare, format and distribute guidelines based on the ACLU MN protesting guidelines. Winter Parking Town Hall Planning The council discussed organizing a winter parking town hall in January to address community concerns, share educational resources and review operational challenges. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES December 01, 2025 City Council Work Session Page 7 EV Charging and Public Art Initiatives Mayor Márquez Simula would like to see City staff explore options for electric vehicle charging stations and public art displays in parks throughout the City. Proactive vs. Complaint Based Code Enforcement Mayor Márquez Simula would like to make sure that the City’s approach to code enforcement includes a shift to proactive inspections and improved communication to avoid community division related to reporting concerns. Lighting and Infrastructure Maintenance Updates Public Works Director David Cullen gave the council a brief update on some lighting repairs and infrastructure maintenance that had been recently completed. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Márquez Simula adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:05pm. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________________________ Sara Ion, City Clerk/Council Secretary