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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021/04/12APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 12, 2021 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:55 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 (had technical difficulty and watched the meeting live on NineNorth), Cermak, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, April 12, 2021, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, April 12, 2021, agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: March 22, 2021. B. Just and Correct Claims. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 2 Solomon Tilleskjor, 7534 Greenfield Avenue, explained he spoke with his neighbor today along with the City staff. He indicated he has been a resident of Mounds View since the summer of 2019 and has been a member of the National Guard since the spring of 2016. He reported on June 1, 2020 he was called up and deployed to East Africa. He stated on October 23, 2020 he received an emergency message from his brother (who was living at his house at the time) letting him know that one of his dogs got out overnight. He indicated he contacted City Hall and the Police Department to see if his husky had been picked up. He noted he also reached out to his neighbor to assist with finding his lost dog and posted an ad on Facebook. He learned that all dogs found in Mounds View were impounded at the Hillcrest Animal Hospital. He called the Hillcrest Animal Hospital and learned this business was permanently closed. He commented his neighbor was able to contact a City Councilmember and learned impounded dogs were brought to Otter Lake Animal Care in Hugo, Minnesota. He stated the number for Otter Lake also did not work. He explained his brother found another number for Otter Lake and learned the lost dog was at this facility. He indicated his brother went to this facility right away to pay the $90 impound fee and get the dog back. He stated he spent 3.5 hours in the middle of the jungle in Africa trying to get his dog back. He commented he had an issue with how this situation was handled by the City. He reported he had informed the City, specifically Executive Assistant Barb Benesch that he would be on long- term military deployment and had applied for all necessary pet and kennel licenses for his three dogs. He questioned why his licensed pet was not brought back home at no cost, since this was the benefits listed on the City of Mounds View’s website. He believed the Mounds View Police Department had more than enough information on file to return the dog. He expressed frustration for having to pay an impound fee when his dog was licensed and microchipped with the City. He stated his dog was not brought home and the impound did not contact him even though they had access to his contact information. He encouraged the Police Department to take a little more time on these matters. He proposed a database be created for all licensed pets in Mounds View and that the Police Department try and contact owners prior to impounding pets 20 miles away. He stated if the City did not have a microchip reader, he would personally donate one to the Police Department. He suggested a volunteer task force be created to assist with getting dogs back to their owners. He did not want to see pets brought to an impound unnecessarily. Mayor Mueller thanked Mr. Tilleskjor for sharing his experience with the City Council. She thanked Mr. Tilleskjor for his service to the country. She apologized for the experience he had and stated she appreciated the solutions Mr. Tilleskjor offered to the Council. City Administrator Zikmund reported this information was brought to his attention earlier today. He noted the City’s website has been updated and explained Police Chief Harder was made aware of the concern. He explained Police Chief Harder would be making his officers aware of the process to follow to look up information for pets. 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Proclamation: National Public Works Week. Mayor Mueller read a proclamation in full for the record declaring May 16 through May 22, 2021 to be National Public Works Week in the City of Mounds View. B. Annual Audit Review – Aaron Nielsen, Principal MMKR. Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 3 Finance Director Beer stated each year the City is required to complete an audit. He reported this audit was completed by Aaron Nielsen with MMKR. Aaron Nielsen, MMKR, provided the Council with a presentation on the 2020 audit and commented on the Financial Statement Audit, the Federal “Single Audit” along with the Minnesota Legal Compliance Audit. He reported the City’s financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. He explained the City received an unmodified or clean opinion. He discussed the increase in the City’s estimated market value and tax capacity. The financial position of the General Fund was reviewed, along with a government-wide statement. The balance within the City’s utility funds was discussed further with the Council and Mr. Nielsen asked for comments or questions. Mayor Mueller commented the City paid invoices outside of the 35 day window and asked why this occurred. Finance Director Beer explained this occurred because people were working from home due to COVID and invoices were not always sent to the correct inbox in a timely manner. Council Member Meehlhause stated this was his ninth year on the City Council. He thanked Mr. Nielsen for his detailed presentation on the audit. He asked how many employees the City of Mounds View Finance Department would have to add in order to properly segregate duties. Mr. Nielsen stated he had not completed a detailed analysis regarding this matter. Mayor Mueller thanked Mr. Nielsen for his presentation. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing: Resolution 9411, Approval of Honeybee-Keeping License for Ann Donadio at 7090 Knollwood Drive. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a honeybee-keeping license for Ann Donadio at 7090 Knollwood Drive. He reported all necessary paperwork and fees have been paid to the City. He noted staff had received a number of calls and several emails all in support of this request. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. Ann Donadio, 7090 Knollwood Drive, explained she began keeping bees when she was a child with her dad and she looked forward to having a hive in Mounds View. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9411, Approval of Honeybee -Keeping License for Ann Donadio at 7090 Knollwood Drive. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 4 B. Public Hearing: Resolution 9417, Approval of a Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Building Exceeding 952 square feet for Curtis Goettsch at 2229 Lambert Avenue. Community Development Director Sevald requested the Council approve a conditional use permit for an accessory building exceeding 952 square feet for Curtis Goettsch at 2229 Lambert Avenue. He explained the applicants would like to tear down their existing garage in order to build a larger garage. He noted a conditional use permit was required due to the fact the garage would exceed 952 square feet. He reported notification this matter was published in the Shoreview Press and was mailed to surrounding property owners. He commented further on the proposed request and recommended approval. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:42 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. Curt Goettsch, 2229 Lambert Avenue, explained he would like to build one larger garage versus building two detached buildings. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9417, Approval of a Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Building Exceeding 952 square feet for Curtis Goettsch at 2229 Lambert Avenue. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Public Hearing: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 975, Amending the Municipal Code, Chapter 1100 Relating to Home Occupations. Community Development Director Sevald requested the Council adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 1100 relating to home occupations. He explained a resident requested to build a commercial green house in his backyard to grow mushrooms and other microgreens. He discussed how the City currently defines home occupations noting these types of businesses must be conducted in the house. He reported staff was suggesting the Ordinance be amended to allow for home businesses to occur in the house or a garage. He noted the resident that contacted him would then be allowed to build a greenhouse for commercial purposes. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:51 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 975, Amending the Municipal Code, Chapter 1100 Relating to Home Occupations, directing staff to publish an Ordinance summary. Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 5 A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Public Hearing: Resolution 9412, Approval of a Chicken Keeping License for Amber Urlacher at 5406 Adams Street. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a chicken keeping license for Amber Urlacher at 5406 Adams Street. He reported Ms. Urlacher has submitted all necessary paperwork and fees to the City. He noted the City received two letters and calls in support of the request. He stated the City currently has four residents keeping chickens in Mounds View. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:54 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. Amber Urlacher, 5406 Adams Street, thanked the Council for considering her request. Council Member Meehlhause asked how many chickens Ms. Urlacher would have. Ms. Urlacher stated she would start out having six chickens. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9412, Approval of a Chicken Keeping License for Amber Urlacher at 5406 Adams Street. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 9414, Appointing MMKR to Provide Auditing Services for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 through 2025. Finance Director Beer requested the Council appoint MMKR to provide auditing services for the years ended December 31, 2021 through 2025. He stated no increase was proposed for the audit completed in 2022 and 2% increases were planned for each subsequent year. He discussed how well staff worked with MMKR and Aaron Nielsen and recommended the Council approve the contract extension. Mayor Mueller stated the City has been very pleased with the services provided by MMKR. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9414, Appointing MMKR to Provide Auditing Services for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 through 2025. A roll call vote was taken. Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 6 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9415, Adopting a Calendar for the Preparation of the 2022 Budget. Finance Director Beer requested the Council adopt a calendar for the preparation of the 2022 budget. He reviewed the proposed budget calendar and reported this action was required per City Charter. City Administrator Zikmund explained the first budget meeting will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021 and will be held at the Community Center. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9415, Adopting a Calendar for the Preparation of the 2022 Budget. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 9418, Authorizing the End of the Extension of Sick Leave Balances for COVID-19 Related Absences Effective 11:59 P.M., April, 30, 2021. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council authorize the end of the extension of sick leave balances for COVID-19 related absences effective 11:59 P.M. on April, 30, 2021. She reported at the January 11, 2021 City Council meeting the Council authorized additional sick leave for public works and first responders for COVID related absences. She explained that because COVID vaccines were readily available, staff would recommend the extension of sick leave end on April 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9418, Authorizing the End of the Extension of Sick Leave Balances for COVID-19 Related Absences Effective 11:59 P.M., April, 30, 2021. Council Member Meehlhause stated he appreciated the City Council for making this available to public works and first responders for the first part of this year. He also thanked staff for bringing this matter forward. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Resolution 9417, Approving the Hire of Rene Montero to the Facility Maintenance Position. Human Resources Coordinator Ewald requested the Council approve the hire of Rene Montero to the Facility Maintenance Position. She reported the City recently concluded an external recruitment process for the Facility Maintenance position at the Community Center. She stated Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 7 three candidates applied for the position and staff was recommending the City Council approve the hire of Rene Montero, a former seasonal worker with the Public Works Department. It was noted Mr. Montero was slated to begin working for the City next week. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9417, Approving the Hire of Rene Montero to the Facility Maintenance Position. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Human Resources Coordinator Ewald for all of her great work on behalf of the City of Mounds View. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. I. Resolution 9419, Accepting Bids and Awarding a Contract to Municipal Builders, Inc. for the Water Treatment Rehabilitation Project, Plant #1. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council accept bids and award a contract to Municipal Builders, Inc. for the Water Treatment Rehabilitation Project, Plant #1. He discussed the work that would be completed on Plant #1 and commented on the virtual bid process that was followed by the City. He explained the low bid was submitted by Municipal Builders, Inc. Staff recommended the bid be awarded to Municipal Builders, Inc. along with a 5% contingency. Council Member Meehlhause asked what type of additional work would be completed on the booster station. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained there was a typo and this should be work on Well #1. Council Member Meehlhause questioned if the City had worked with Municipal Builders in the past. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the City has worked with Municipal Builders in the past. Mayor Mueller expressed concern regarding the fee charged by AE2S which calculated to be almost 16% of the total project costs. She asked if this was the going rate for engineering services. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this included project oversight along with programming of the SCADA system. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9419, Accepting Bids and Awarding a Contract to Municipal Builders, Inc. for the Water Treatment Rehabilitation Project, Plant #1. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 8 J. Resolution 9420, Approving Braun Intertec to Collect Pavement Cores and Approve Stantec to begin the Street Design for the 2022, 2023 Street Project, (City Project 2021-C03). Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve Braun Intertec to collect pavement cores and approve Stantec to begin the street design for the 2022 and 2023 Street Project. He explained the City is in the process of rehabilitating all streets that were not included in the 2007 Street Rehabilitation Project. He reviewed the streets that would be completed in 2022 and 2023 and recommended the Council approve Stantec to begin street design and pavement cores with Braun Intertec. Council Member Meehlhause asked if residents wishing to replace their private sewer lines would be eligible for interest free loans through the City. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this would be available. Mayor Mueller discussed the four phases Stantec would be assisting the City with this project and questioned if 10% was the industry standard for this work. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated he would review the charges from last year to see how the numbers correlated. He explained the 2022 and 2023 projects were larger and involved more community engagement. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9420, Approving Braun Intertec to Collect Pavement Cores and Approve Stantec to begin the Street Design for the 2022, 2023 Street Project, (City Project 2021-C03). A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. K. Resolution 9421, Approving the Purchase of a John Deere 5090M Utility Tractor with Implements. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested staff approve the purchase of a John Deere 5090M utility tractor with implements. He reported this utility tractor would be used for maintenance items including snow removal, ball field maintenance, mowing of the parks, rough cutting around stormwater ponds, etc. He described the rising repair costs the City was incurring to keep the current utility tractor running. He indicated this led the City to sell the existing tractor as is in order to purchase a new utility tractor. Staff reviewed the cost for the new utility tractor with the implements and recommended approval of the purchase. Council Member Hull questioned if the utility tractor would come with a warranty. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the tractor came with a warranty, but he would have to investigate how long the warranty would last. Council Member Hull asked how long this type of tractor would last. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson anticipated this tractor would last longer than the current tractor. Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 9 Mayor Mueller inquired if there was a benefit to buying the implements at the same time as the tractor. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this was the case. Council Member Meehlhause noted this purchase may require a budget adjustment. Finance Director Beer explained he would hold off on adjusting the budget until later this year. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9421, Approving the Purchase of a John Deere 5090M Utility Tractor with Implements. 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 three different NYFS meetings the week of April 19th. In addition, he would be attending a Police Foundation meeting on April 20th. Mayor Mueller requested staff post information regarding the Police Foundation on the City’s website along with contact information for Katrina Joseph. Mayor Mueller reported she attended a CPY meeting last week where Chief Justice Allen Page spoke to the group. Mayor Mueller explained she attended the League of Minnesota Cities Safety and Loss workshop and noted she would be sharing her notes with staff. She commented this Friday she would be attending a Minnesota Women in Government Board. She reported the Minnesota Women in Government would be hosting a free virtual event on Friday, April 23rd at 9:00 a.m. for all women interested in being elected or appointed to city government. She noted the theme would be lessons learned during the pandemic. Mayor Mueller stated the Minnesota Mayor’s meeting was rescheduled to Friday, April 30th and the annual conference would be held on September 17th and 18th. Mayor Mueller commented on the tragic death that occurred in a metro city on Sunday. She sent her sincerest sympathy and prayers to everyone who has been impacted by the loss of life in Brooklyn Center. She discussed the curfew that was in place for Anoka, Ramsey and Hennepin Counties. She understood there were peaceful demonstrations occurring in Brooklyn Center at this time. Mayor Mueller explained the number one goal in the City of Mounds View was public health and safety. She indicated the City was prepared to protect City Hall, the Public Works Facility, along with its residents. She encouraged residents to honor the curfew that was in place as a way to preserve public health and safety. B. Reports of Staff. Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 10 Finance Director Beer reported the Metro INET group met and provided direction to the Executive Board to create an RFP for hiring the firm that will hire the Executive Director. Finance Director Beer explained the City’s new utility billing website was rolled out last week. Assistant City Administrator Beeman stated on April 26, 2021 the EDA would be holding a public hearing for the public sale of land to BioClean. He discussed the work staff has been doing to prepare for the land sale. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported he had a meeting with MnDOT regarding right-of-way along Groveland Road. He stated there was a portion of land MnDOT would like to return to Mounds View and another portion that would be potentially returned to Blaine. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained staff applied for an EAB grant and was awarded $11,996 for the replacement of ash trees in Lambert and City Hall Park. He asked if there was Council consensus to accept this grant. The Council supported the City accepting this grant. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson discussed an I&I Grant that he applied for through the Met Council for 2021 and 2022. He explained he requested $700,000 for pipe lining, $20,000 for joint sealing, $30,000 for manhole lining and $20,000 for manhole sealing. Mayor Mueller and the Council supported the City pursuing this grant. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson the Parks, Rec and Forestry Commission was looking at upgrading the playground equipment at Random Park. He discussed how the price of construction material, steel and rubber were quite high at this time. He questioned if the Council wanted to move forward with this purchase or to wait on this purchase. Council Member Hull supported the purchase going forward. Mayor Mueller recommended staff prepare the necessary documentation for the playground purchase and the Council can vote on this in two weeks. Council Member Meehlhause stated he lived on the south side of town and he looked forward to having improvements made to Random Park. City Administrator Zikmund reported Council Member Bergeron supported the Council taking action on this item in two weeks. Council Member Cermak supported the Council looking at this item in further detail in two weeks. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the splash pad could open this year but according to CDC guidelines could only be at 50% capacity. He indicated this would Mounds View City Council April 12, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 11 allow 47 people to use the splash pad at any one time and reported the City could post signage to this effect. It was noted the splash pad could be shut off remotely if complaints were raised. He anticipated the splash pad would open after Memorial Day. Mayor Mueller recommended staff and Council continue to monitor guidelines from the CDC regarding the splash pad. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, April 19, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, April 26, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial