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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021/01/11APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 11, 2021 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:56 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Mueller stated due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting would be held virtually. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron, Cermak, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, January 11, 2021, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Approve the Monday, January 11, 2021, agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Mueller asked to remove Item 5A. She explained she submitted changes to staff for the January 4, 2021 minutes and these changes were not made. She recommended approval of these minutes be postponed to the January 25, 2021 City Council meeting. She recommended the Council approve the December 14, 2020 under a separate motion. A. Approval of Minutes: December 14, 2020 and January 4, 2021. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9380, Appointment of Planning Commission Chairman. D. Resolution 9372, Accepting Miscellaneous Donations for 2020. Mounds View City Council January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Item 5A. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: December 14, 2020. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve the Minutes from December 14, 2020. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Ramsey County Commission Nicole Joy Frethem. Ramsey County Commissioner Nicole Frethem thanked the Council for their time. She updated the Council on the status of TCAAP noting this property was still in litigation. She was hopeful that a resolution would be found in the next few months. She explained the County Board would be receiving a public health update on Wednesday, January 13th regarding COVID. She encouraged Mounds View residents to sign up on the County website to receive the COVID newsletter for the most up to date information. She commented further on the COVID vaccination rollout and potential funding that would be available to Ramsey County businesses. She discussed the assistance that was available to landlords and renters. She explained she would like to look at expanding and improving the Mounds View Library to include a County service center. Mayor Mueller questioned if there were any transportation projects coming up between the City of Mounds View and Ramsey County. County Commissioner Frethem stated she was not aware of any specific projects. City Administrator Zikmund explained the infrastructure under the semi-fours along Mounds View Boulevard was extremely old, from the 1970’s and 1980’s. He recommended the County look at replacing and updating this technology. County Commissioner Frethem commented further on the importance of having additional transit routes in the suburbs that go east and west and not just north and south. City Administrator Zikmund stated another concern for the City was access to Mounds View Boulevard. He understood accidents occur more at intersections than elsewhere, but he also Mounds View City Council January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 3 understood that the City needed to have proper access to the properties along the Mounds View Boulevard corridor. County Commissioner Frethem thanked staff for pointing out this concern. Council Member Bergeron thanked County Commissioner Frethem for attending this meeting. He stated he appreciated the fact that County Commissioner Frethem would be holding future discussions with the Met Council regarding public transportation. He explained the Met Council needs to consider completing transit projects in Northwest Ramsey County. He indicated Mounds View was two halves that are divided by Mounds View Boulevard. He believed the eastern portion of Mounds View needed greater access to public transit. County Commissioner Frethem thanked Council Member Bergeron for his comments. She indicated she understood there was a need for some east/west transit routes. She stated she would continue to push for the A Line extension. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated he has had preliminary talks with the Ramsey County Public Works Director on how to partner on the Mounds View Boulevard intersections. He reported he was a ways from anything concrete but noted talks had begun. Council Member Meehlhause thanked County Commissioner Frethem for attending this meeting. He commented the City has great pride in its library and requested the Mounds View Library remain operational. County Commissioner Frethem stated she would be working to expand and improve the Mounds View Library. Council Member Meehlhause asked what kind of social services were available for Mounds View residents. County Commissioner Frethem encouraged any resident facing a crisis situation to visit a Ramsey County Service Center. She reported these sites have a full suite of services available to residents. She then described the types of services available to residents of Ramsey County in further detail. She reported the Navigators are well equipped to identify needs and provide County resources. Mayor Mueller commented on the importance of the library to the City of Mounds View. She explained this site was used by members of the community for job searches and she suggested a team of Navigators be located at this library branch. County Commissioner Frethem stated the Navigators program was quite new and stated a mobile unit of Navigators may be a great option for this library branch. Council Member Meehlhause commented if the library was not an option, the Mounds View Community Center would be another option for the Navigators. County Commissioner Frethem thanked Council Member Meehlhause for this suggestion. Mayor Mueller thanked County Commissioner Frethem for attending and for her service to the City of Mounds View. B. Resolution 9377, Appreciation to Mary Zaiger for her Service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Council Member Hull read a Resolution of Appreciation in full for the record recognizing Mary Zaiger for her years of service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Mounds View City Council January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 4 MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9377, Appreciation to Mary Zaiger for her Service on the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9378, Appreciation to Dennis Farmer for his Service on the Economic Development Commission. Council Member Meehlhause read a Resolution of Appreciation in full for the record recognizing Dennis Farmer for his years of service on the Economic Development Commission. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9378, Appreciation to Dennis Farmer for his Service on the Economic Development Commission. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9379, Appreciation to Justin Klander for his Service on the Planning and Charter Commissions. Council Member Bergeron read a Resolution of Appreciation in full for the record recognizing Justin Klander for his years of service on the Planning and Charter Commissions. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9379, Appreciation to Justin Klander for his Service on the Planning and Charter Commissions. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 9369, Approving Updated Joint Powers Agreement with Blaine and Spring Lake Park regarding Cost Sharing of Spring Lake Park Fire Department, Inc. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve an updated Joint Powers Agreement with Blaine and Spring Lake Park regarding cost sharing for the Spring Lake Park Fire Department, Inc. Mayor Mueller stated she was very proud of the JPA the City had in place with Blaine and Spring Lake Park for its top notch fire services. Mounds View City Council January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 5 MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9369, Approving Updated Joint Powers Agreement with Blaine and Spring Lake Park regarding Cost Sharing of Spring Lake Park Fire Department, Inc. Council Member Meehlhause spoke to the numerous benefits of having a shared fire department and stated he appreciated the fact Blaine was still willing to have a JPA in place with Mounds View and Spring Lake Park. Council Member Bergeron commented he too appreciated the SBM Fire Department and noted he fully supported the JPA. Council Member Hull stated he appreciated Blaine and Spring Lake Park for coming together on this JPA noting it benefited all cities involved. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9382, Authorizing Vacation Carryover Extension for Certain Public Works and Police Department Personnel. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council authorize vacation carryover extension for certain Public Works and Police Department personnel. She discussed how the carryover extension would function in 2021 and recommended approval of the request. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9382, Authorizing Vacation Carryover Extension for Certain Public Works and Police Department Personnel. Council Member Meehlhause stated he was very supportive of moving this item forward in order to allow Public Works and Police Department personnel to use their earned vacation time. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9373, Approving Memorandum of Understanding VCET Pay Converted to Percentage, FTO Increased to 1.00 Hour Compensatory Time, and Outreach Increased to 1.25 Hours Compensatory Time for the Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 204 Police Patrol and Investigators. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 204 Police Patrol and Investigators for VCET Pay Converted to Percentage, FTO Increased to 1.00 Hour Compensatory Time, and Outreach Increased to 1.25 Hours Compensatory Time. She discussed the proposed changes in further detail with the Council and recommended approval. She noted upon approval Mounds View City Council January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 6 the MOU would become effective January 1, 2021. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9373, Approving Memorandum of Understanding VCET Pay Converted to Percentage, FTO Increased to 1.00 Hour Compensatory Time, and Outreach Increased to 1.25 Hours Compensatory Time for the Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 204 Police Patrol and Investigators. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9374, Approving Job Description for the Custodian and Authorizing Hiring for the Position. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council approve a job description for the Custodian and authorize staff to hire for this position. She discussed how the position would be funded, noted the hourly pay rate and recommended approval of the job description. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9374, Approving Job Description for the Custodian and Authorizing Hiring for the Position. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 9375, Approving Job Description for the Sports Official and Authorize Hiring for the Position. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council approve a job description for the Sports Official and authorize hiring for this position. She commented further on the position noting it was seasonal in nature and therefore would not be benefits earning. She commented up to five Sports Official positions would be filled as needed. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9375, Approving Job Description for the Sports Official and Authorize Hiring for the Position. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9376, Authorizing the Extension of Sick Leave Balances to Cover COVID Related Absences. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council authorize the extension of sick leave balances to cover COVID related absences. She explained the language of this Resolution had to be reworded to allow for the extension of sick leave balances for Public Works and first responder Mounds View City Council January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 7 employees. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9376, Authorizing the Extension of Sick Leave Balances to Cover COVID Related Absences. Mayor Mueller reported the City Council was working to create a culture where employees desire to work and because the federal government amended their funding, the City of Mounds View would not be leaving its employees in the lurch. She stated she appreciated staff’s efforts on this Resolution. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald reported staff really appreciated the City Council supporting this Resolution. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Meehlhause reported on Tuesday, January 12th he will be attending the Police Foundation Zoom meeting and on Tuesday, January 19th he would be attending a convention bureau meeting. He was proud to report hospitality tax revenues for 2020 through September were at $423,000 and anticipated this may reach $550,000 for 2020. Council Member Meehlhause stated in 2016 he attended a meeting with former Ramsey County Public Works Director Jim Tolaas, former County Commissioner Blake Huffman, former Mounds View Mayor Joe Flaherty and former City Administrator Jim Ericson, along with two representatives from MNDOT. He explained the reason for this meeting was to discuss the renaming of County Highway 10 to Mounds View Boulevard. He indicated it was agreed upon at this meeting that this change would be made and the agreement was that MNDOT would post new signs on I-35W. He commented the MNPASS project was approaching year three which led him to send an email to Mark Lindberg at MNDOT to see if the name change on I-35W would happen. He stated he received a reply from Jennifer Wiltgen at MNDOT noting she was happy to report the Mounds View Boulevard designation has been added to the overhead signage along north and southbound I-35W. Mayor Mueller thanked Council Member Meehlhause for keeping the sign issue on his radar and following up. Mayor Mueller stated she recently attended the Five Cities Mayor meeting with City Administrator Zikmund. She explained at this meeting, she was introduced to two new mayors. She commented further on the new housing that would be built in Shoreview along Lexington Avenue. Mayor Mueller reported on Friday, January 15th she would be attending a virtual Minnesota Women in City Government meeting and in the weeks to come she would be attending several meetings with the League of Minnesota Cities. Mounds View City Council January 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 8 Further discussion ensued regarding the relocation of the Deluxe Corporation corporate campus from Shoreview to Minneapolis. B. Reports of Staff. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported ice rink usage was quite high already this year. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson updated the Council on the Water Treatment Plant 1 project. Director Peterson offered to share the project plans with the City Council at the February work session. He explained staff was planning to come to the Council at the February 8th meeting to have plans approved. The Council supported this suggestion. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated staff has been meeting with Quincy House representatives. He reported a partnership has been discussed along with usage of the Cedar Room at the Community Center for youth programing. He stated the proposed partnership would open up Quincy House to be a shelter for displaced youth. The Council supported the proposed partnership. City Administrator Zikmund stated he attended a workshop meeting with the Rice Creek Watershed District noting they received an indirect appeal from Mr. Fields to extend the grant. He noted the extension was approved for one final year. City Administrator Zikmund explained Kennedy & Graven had heard from Mr. Dahl’s attorney regarding the right-of-way acquisition. He noted the appraisal had been completed and explained Mr. Harstad was working through the title issues for this project. City Administrator Zikmund questioned how the Council wanted to address future committee appointments. The Council supported staff conducting these interviews and appointments. It was noted staff would work to seek diversity and equity in the new committee members. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, February 1, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, January 25, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial