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Mounds View City Council September 27, 2021 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br />1 <br />2 Police Chief Harder introduced newly hired Police Officer Boscardin and Police Officer Vert to <br />3 the City Council. He administered the Oath of Office to Officers Boscardin and Vert and badges <br />4 were pinned on. He then discussed the promotion of Police Officer Mike Hanson and administered <br />5 the Oath of Office to Sergeant Hanson. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. <br />6 <br />7 C. Tara Jebens-Singh NYFS Executive Director. <br />8 <br />9 Tara Jebens-Singh, NYFS Executive Director, provided the Council with an update from NYFS. <br />10 She explained NYFS was a community -based, trauma -informed, nonprofit mental health and <br />11 human services agency that has served suburban Ramsey County for the past 45 years. She <br />12 described the mental health counseling services that are provided at clinics, through telehealth <br />13 services, school -based mental health, NETS day treatment and through REACH Academy. She <br />14 explained the community -based human services include the diversion program, senior chore <br />15 program, telephone reassurance calls with seniors and the community advocate program. She <br />16 reported in 2020 the City of Mounds View provided NYFS with $22,779 in funding and was <br />17 provided with $76,000 in services for its residents. The services provided in 2021 were further <br />18 discussed. She thanked the City of Mounds View for providing NYFS with CARES Act funds. <br />19 She explained these funds were used to assist with mortgage payments during a partial shutdown. <br />20 She discussed the future plans for NYFS which included exploring expanded senior services, a <br />21 greater return to in -person mental health counseling, growing Community Connections, expanding <br />22 NYFS's online presence and providing culturally responsive care. She thanked the Council for <br />23 their time and noted she was available for comments or questions. <br />24 <br />25 Mayor Mueller requested further information regarding the social worker program that was <br />26 connected to the Mounds View Police Department. Ms. Jebens-Singh explained Marley Yang was <br />27 serving as a Community Advocate and was deeply connected in Ramsey County. She discussed <br />28 how Ms. Yang was able to connect people in crisis with the services they need. <br />29 <br />30 Mayor Mueller thanked Ms. Jebens-Singh for her presentation and wished her all the best in her <br />31 new position with NYFS. She congratulated NYFS on 45 years of service to our community. <br />32 <br />33 7. PUBLIC COMMENT <br />34 <br />35 Carol Eshelman, 7465 Spring Lake Road, discussed the upcoming road projects. She explained <br />36 the Council has heard from many residents regarding this project. She indicated this was an <br />37 emotional and stressful issue for her due to her love for her neighborhood. She requested the <br />38 Council break the project into three areas (Area J — north of Mounds View Boulevard, Area K - <br />39 divided into two separate designs). She spoke on behalf of the residents that live on Spring Lake <br />40 Road south of the lake. She noted she did not want the road widened or realigned for a trail or <br />41 sidewalk. She encouraged the City to keep the tree canopy in place for this short two -block span. <br />42 She discussed how mature trees positively affect property value, make for cooler streets, and <br />43 absorb harmful pollution while creating oxygen. She feared how her neighborhood would be <br />44 impacted if all of the trees were removed. She explained she moved to Mounds View because of <br />45 its mature trees. She stated she was not anti -progress, but rather was pro -history and encouraged <br />