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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021/02/22APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 22, 2021 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 7:07 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, February 22, 2021, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Approve the Monday, February 22, 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 5D. A. Approval of Minutes: February 8, 2021. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9396, Approval of a Professional Services Contract with Rum River Construction Consultants. D. Resolution 9398, Nominating Joe Flaherty for Second Term to SBM Fire Board. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Item 5D. Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 2 A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9398, Nominating Joe Flaherty for Second Term to SBM Fire Board. Mayor Mueller explained former Mayor Joe Flaherty has been serving on the SBM Fire Board for the past three years and was willing to be appointed for another three-year term. She thanked former Mayor Flaherty for his service to the City of Mounds View. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9398, Nominating Joe Flaherty for Second Term to SBM Fire Board. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Peter Lindstrom – Metropolitan Council Commissioner. Metropolitan Council Commissioner Peter Lindstrom thanked the Council for their time. He stated his colleagues Jannine Clancy and Kyle Colvin were also attending this meeting. He commended the City of Mounds View for initiating the HOPP Program and described how this program would assist the City with addressing I&I concerns. He commented further on the wastewater services that were provided by the Met Council to the seven county metro area. He reported the Met Council had nine wastewater treatment plants and processed 250 million gallons of water per day. He discussed how the Met Council has been working to improve overall water quality for the region, especially along the Mississippi River. He explained he appreciated the strong partnership that had been created between residents, cities and the Met Council to protect public health and the environment. He commented further on how communities were working now to address I&I and noted the Met Council had grants available to assist with I&I efforts. He reported Mounds View has received a total of $169,382 in I&I grants. Mayor Mueller thanked Commissioner Lindstrom for his presentation. Jeannine Clancy, Assistant General Manager for Wastewater Planning and Capital Delivery with the Met Council, introduced herself to the City Council. She stated she appreciated the great work the City of Mounds View was doing to address its I&I. She discussed how costly it was to maintain the wastewater system while maintaining flow. Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 3 Kyle Colvin, Manager of Wastewater Planning, introduced himself to the City Council. City Administrator Zikmund asked how deep the pipes go for wastewater. Mr. Colvin reported the deepest pipes served the City of Minneapolis and were 100 feet in the ground and were 10 to 12 feet in diameter. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Commissioner Lindstrom, Mr. Colvin and Ms. Clancy for attending this meeting. He explained all of the credit for the City’s HOPP program should go to Public Works Director Don Peterson. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 9397, Approval of a Development Review of Midwest Motor Express, 2169 Mustang Drive. Community Development Director Sevald requested the Council consider the Development Review of Midwest Motor Express at 2169 Mustang Drive. He explained this business was requesting a business expansion as well as an expansion to the parking lot. He described the type of trucking work that was conducted on this property and noted this property has been used as a truck terminal since 1974. He commented on the concerns the neighbors raised regarding noise, screening and exterior lighting. He noted the truck trailers were currently parked 100 feet from the north property line. He reported with the proposed parking lot expansion this would be reduced from 100 feet to 57 feet. He explained City Code allowed for trucks to be parked as close as 30 feet from the property line. Community Development Director Sevald discussed the screening on the property. He reported the applicant was proposing to construct or add on to the berm. He noted the existing berm was four feet high and this would be increased to 14 feet. He commented further on the request and reported the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request with the four foot berm with pine trees planted on top. He reviewed the new plans for the berm and noted the location of the pine trees. Staff recommended that additional landscaping be installed on the property for aesthetic purposes. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the Council would be approving an increased height in the berm plus pine trees or the four-foot berm with two rows of pine trees. Community Development Director Sevald explained the 14-foot berm wasn’t discussed by the Planning Commission. He noted this was a new request from the applicant. He commented further on the view of the tractor trailers from the adjacent mobile home park. Council Member Meehlhause questioned how the taller berm would impact the easement. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the taller berm would make it more difficult to access the watermain. Council Member Meehlhause inquired if the existing trees on the MME property would be addressed. Community Development Director Sevald explained at the Planning Commission meeting adjacent residents called in to complain about the existing trees and the fact that they were dropping large limbs onto the mobile home park. He stated with the proposed 14-foot berm, all or Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 4 most of these trees would be removed. Mayor Mueller asked if there was a risk of damage to the watermain if trees were planted on the berm versus shrubs or bushes. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported trees would do more damage. Mayor Mueller questioned if the watermain could be moved. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated this would be cost prohibitive. Mayor Mueller inquired what made the most sense for the height of the berm on this property. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained his only concern was how much fill would be placed on top of the watermain. He stated the City would still need to be able to access the easement and watermain. He discussed a watermain break that occurred several years ago that discharged a large amount of water into the mobile home park. Mayor Mueller asked who was attending the meeting on behalf of the applicant. Community Development Director Sevald reported Chris Bonello, Ben Ford and Tyler Johnson were attending the meeting. Chris Bonello, representative for the applicant, introduced himself to the Council. He stated Tyler Johnson was his contact at MME and Ben Ford was an engineer. He commented further on the proposed 14 foot berm. He stated the increased size of the berm would assist with deflecting sound, vibrations and light. He indicated clumps of cedars would be planted out on the ends of the berm and shrubs would be planted along the length. Ben Ford, Rehder & Associates, explained he was working with MME on this project. He reported after hearing the concerns of the neighbors at the Planning Commission meeting a larger berm was discussed with the applicant. He stated this would be a great way to knock down noise and improve sight lines. Mayor Mueller asked what the recommendations from the City Arborist were for this request. Community Development Director Sevald reviewed the six conditions that were recommended by staff in detail with the Council. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9397, Approval of a Development Review of Midwest Motor Express, 2169 Mustang Drive. Mayor Mueller stated she appreciated Midwest Motor Express (MME) being in the City of Mounds View and the jobs they brought to the community. She thanked MME for working with the City to address the concerns of the neighbors. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9401, Authorization to Hire Mental Health Consultant and Fitness Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 5 Equipment for Workout Room. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council authorize staff to hire mental health consultants and fitness equipment for the workout room. He commented on the challenges police officers were facing in today’s environment, with civic unrest, etc. He reported this led him and Police Chief Harder to discuss offering additional resources for the City’s officers. He explained staff was seeking funds to provide mental health professionals that work exclusively with law enforcement, along with additional fitness equipment for the workout room. Mayor Mueller requested further information regarding the mental health services being proposed. City Administrator Zikmund explained the initial vision would be to provide officers an opportunity to speak with a mental health professional at least once per year. He reported this would be a confidential conversation between the mental health professional and the officers. Police Chief Harder discussed how difficult it was to recruit and retain police officers at this time. He explained the environment for law enforcement officers was extremely challenging which was leading him to find new ways to keep his officers well cared for, both physically and mentally. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9401, Authorization to Hire Mental Health Consultant and Fitness Equipment for Workout Room. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9399, Approval of Part Time Parks and Recreation Positions. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council approve the part time Parks and Recreation positions. She reported staff has completed four part-time Parks and Recreation job description and the HR Committee has reviewed the information presented. She requested the Council review the positions and direct staff to post for the positions. It was noted the Senior Programs Coordinator position would be posted later this summer or early this fall, while the remaining positions would be posted on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. It was noted none of the positions would be benefits eligible. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9399, Approval of Part Time Parks and Recreation Positions. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9400, Approval of Seasonal Parks and Recreation Positions. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council approve the seasonal Parks and Recreation positions. She reported staff has completed four seasonal Parks and Recreation job Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 6 description and the HR Committee has reviewed the information presented. She requested the Council review the positions and direct staff to post for the positions. It was noted these positions were not benefits eligible and would be posted on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9400, Approval of Seasonal Parks and Recreation Positions. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Human Resources Coordinator Ewald for all of her efforts on behalf of the City. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 974, Amending Chapter 802 of the Mounds View City Code Relating to Parking Regulations and ordering summary publication. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council adopt an Ordinance that would amend Chapter 802 of the Mounds View City Code relating to parking regulations and ordering a summary publication. He explained this Ordinance addressed parking and allows the Public Works Director to declare snow emergencies. He reported staff has not received any public feedback regarding the proposed City Code change. He indicated this was part of the GreenSteps Cities program noting the City would have a new mass communications process in place. City Administrator Zikmund commented further on the new mass communication system the City would be putting in place. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 974, Amending Chapter 802 of the Mounds View City Code Relating to Parking Regulations and ordering summary publication. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Approve a Budget Adjustment and Authorize Staff to Purchase the Emergency Alert Communication System. Finance Director Beer questioned what the budget adjustment would be for this purchase. City Administrator Zikmund recommended the adjustment be for up to $5,000. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 7 F. Resolution 9402, Authorizing AE2S Inc. (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.) to complete final design plans and prepare documents and specifications for bidding for the Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project, Phase II. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council authorize AE2S Inc. to complete final design plans and prepare documents and specifications for bidding for the Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project for Phase II. He explained all water treatment plants were being updated in the City. He indicated staff was requesting the main water treatment plant be bid on February 23, 2021 with the contract being awarded in April. He anticipated work on the main water treatment plant would begin later this summer. Staff commented further on the project and recommended the Council authorize AE2S to complete the final design plans. City Administrator Zikmund reported he had received a guided tour of water treatment plants 2 and 3, which are currently under construction. He stated he was very pleased with the work that had been done and understood the project would be completed in a timely manner. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9402, Authorizing AE2S Inc. (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.) to complete final design plans and prepare documents and specifications for bidding for the Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project, Phase II. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Meehlhause reported he would be attending an NYFS board meeting on Thursday, February 25th. Council Member Meehlhause explained he recently had his sewer line inspected and he was happy to report his line passed inspection. Council Member Cermak indicated she was attending the fifth week of Zoom classes from the League of Minnesota Cities for newly elected councilmembers. She stated the classes have been very informational and she appreciated the fact the City paid for her to attend this training. Council Member Cermak reported she attended a Fire Chief’s meeting last week and noted this group would be meeting again at the end of March, hopefully in person at SBM #3. Mayor Mueller stated on Monday, February 15th the Council held a Closed Session meeting at the Community Center where a security briefing was provided by Police Chief Harder. Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 8 Mayor Mueller commented on Friday, February 19th she attended a Minnesota Women in Government meeting and this group was working to plan a panel discussion for April that would address how the pandemic has impacted individuals. Mayor Mueller stated her thoughts and prayers were with the people struggling with ice and cold and were without power at this time. She wished them all the best as they recover from the horrendous weather. B. Reports of Staff. 1. Public Works 2020 Year End Report – Don Peterson Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson provided the Council with a presentation on the Public Works 2020 Year End Report. He stated with COVID he had a number of employees that were out following protocols and noted he still had staff members working remotely. He understood they were anxious to return to the Public Works Department. He discussed how the event center and park rentals were impacted by COVID. He described how staff has been implementing the HOPP program and noted the number of lines that were viewed in 2020. He reviewed the homes that had participated in the program and commented on the homes that were at risk, noting the City would be targeting these homes with information on the HOPP program. He commented further on the slip lining repairs that were being done along Silver Lake Road. He stated the rooftop HVAC units were being replaced at the Community Center and discussed the rooms that were being rented out at the Community Center by local organizations. Council Member Meehlhause asked if RISE was in the Community Center very often. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported RISE was in the building every day, Monday through Friday. Mayor Mueller stated if the rooms within the Community Center were changed around, would the Community Center still have a room available for use by the bridal party for wedding receptions. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported there were a number of rooms that could still be rented by bridal parties for receptions. Finance Director Beer reported he was wrapping up the 2020 audit. City Administrator Zikmund stated he would be out of the office next week and noted he would be attending the worksession meeting via Zoom. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, March 1, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, March 8, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Mounds View City Council February 22, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 9 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial