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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2021/11/08APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 8, 2021 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:30 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Bergeron, Cermak, Hull, Meehlhause, Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, November 8, 2021, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, November 8, 2021, agenda as amended noting staff would be presenting several reports under Item 9B. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: October 11, 2021 and October 25, 2021. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9488, Authorizing the addition of Section 3.20 – Access to Gender Segregation Activities and Areas, to the Personnel Manual. D. Resolution 9486, Approving MOU between Mounds View Police Foundation and City of Mounds View on Lease sharing cost specific to COP House. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Police Chief Harder – 3rd Quarter Police Report. Police Chief Harder presented the 3rd Quarter Police Report to the City Council. He reported civil unrest and COVID really knocked the department backwards which led him to make community Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 2 engagement a priority in 2021. He discussed how the neighborhood resource officer was interacting with the community. He explained he welcomed Officer Vert and Officer Boscardin to the Mounds View Police Department. He reported there has been an increase in drug use in the Twin Cities and commented on how the K-9 unit and VCET team member were positively impacting the community. He indicated calls for service were up in 2021, along with arrests. He stated he was very proud of his officers and the great work they were doing on behalf of the community. He then asked for comments or questions from the Council. Council Member Bergeron thanked Police Chief Harder for the report and commended all of the officers for their tremendous service to the community. Council Member Meehlhause questioned when Niko would be replaced. Police Chief Harder indicated he would like to purchase a new dog in December with the dog coming to the United States in January. Council Member Meehlhause inquired how the partnership with NYFS was working. Police Chief Harder stated this partnership was working very well and noted he would have stats for the Council to review in the future. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Police Chief Harder for his tremendous leadership and for the department’s commitment to the citizens of Mounds View. Mayor Mueller thanked Police Chief Harder for applying for a full time DWI officer grant on behalf of the community. She asked how long this grant was good for. Police Chief Harder reported this grant was good for one year. Mayor Mueller thanked Police Chief Harder for his thorough report and requested staff post this information on the City’s website. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 983, an Ordinance Adopting the 2022 City of Mounds View Fee Schedule (Public Hearing to be held on 11/22/2021). City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council introduce an Ordinance that would amend the City’s fee schedule. He reported a public hearing would be held on this item on November 22. He discussed the minor changes that were made to the fee schedule and recommended the Ordinance be introduced. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance No. 983, an Ordinance Adopting the 2022 City of Mounds View Fee Schedule. Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 3 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9487, Approve the adding of a Conference Room and other City Hall Improvements. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve adding a conference room and other improvements to City Hall. He stated staff has been completing upgrades to City Hall over the past three years, which included new walls, carpeting and painting. He stated a new conference and training room was now being requested along with flooring for the fitness area. Staff discussed the expenses for the proposed improvements and recommended approval. Council Member Meehlhause questioned when the work would be completed. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson anticipated the work would carry over into 2022. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9487, Approve the adding of a Conference Room and other City Hall Improvements. Council Member Meehlhause stated there was a need for additional conference room space since the building was updated. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 981, Regarding Business License Expiration Date. ROLL CALL VOTE City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council hold the Second Reading and adopt an Ordinance that would change the business license expiration date. He reported staff was recommending the license renewal to December 1. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Meehlhause. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 981, Regarding Business License Expiration Date. ROLL CALL: Bergeron/Cermak/Hull/Meehlhause/Mueller. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Introduction and First Reading, Ordinance 985, Amending the Zoning Map for Properties at 4889, 4943 Old Highway 8 (Public Hearing to be held on 11/22/2021). Community Development Director Sevald requested the Council introduce an Ordinance amending the Zoning Map for the properties at 4889 Old Highway 8 and 4943 Old Highway 8. He noted this rezoning was being done for the new Skyline redevelopment. He reported a Public Hearing for this matter would be held on November 22. Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 4 Council Member Meehlhause discussed how the proposed development would fulfill a portion of the City’s need for affordable housing. Community Development Director Sevald discussed how the development would provide 53 new affordable housing units. Mayor Mueller discussed how the Skyline property had been a concern to the community due to the number of police calls the site received. She stated she was happy to see this site being redeveloped. She questioned when the Planning Commission reviewed this matter. Community Development Director Sevald reported the Planning Commission reviewed this item at their November 3 meeting and recommended approval of the rezoning, along with the preliminary plat, development review and the PUD. Mayor Mueller reviewed the proposed rental rates for the new affordable apartments. She believed the proposed project would be very helpful to seniors in the community, allowing them to age in place in Mounds View. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 985, Amending the Zoning Map for Properties at 4889, 4943 Old Highway 8. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 982, Amending Title III, Chapter 37, Section 37.060(B) and Title IX, Chapter 92, Parks and Recreation. ROLL CALL VOTE City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance that would amend Title III, Chapter 37 and Title IX, Chapter 92 regarding Parks and Recreation. It was noted this was a clean up matter that was recommended by the City Attorney. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 982, Amending Title III, Chapter 37, Section 37.060(B) and Title IX, Chapter 92, Parks and Recreation. ROLL CALL: Bergeron/Cermak/Hull/Meehlhause/Mueller. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9484, Approving Consulting Contract with CSL to conduct market research on expanded Community Center. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a consulting contract with CSL to conduct market research on an expanded Community Center. He discussed the history of the boulevard and how the City was working to draw people from the area to the Community Center. He stated there were individuals present from CSL to discuss this matter further with the Council. Mayor Mueller reported representatives discussed the Community Center with the Council last Monday at the worksession meeting. Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 5 Joel Feldman, CSL in Minneapolis, thanked the Council for their time and introduced himself and his company in further detail. He described how market research would assist the Council with their decision-making with respect to an expanded Community Center. He noted after the market research was completed, he would have recommendations for the Council as to what was the right amount of space that should be pursued. Mayor Mueller stated the City’s goal was to make the Community Center a destination driver in order to bring more growth and economic development to the City of Mounds View. Council Member Meehlhause explained Mounds View was part of Twin Cities Gateway convention and visitor’s bureau. He asked if Mr. Feldman would be looking at tourism opportunities for this entire area. Mr. Feldman indicated he would be investigating the indoor amateur sports market for the entire region. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9484 Approving Consulting Contract with CSL to conduct market research on expanded Community Center. Council Member Bergeron stated he looked forward to learning what the potential was for the Community Center through the market research. He explained he fully supported this study going forward. Council Member Meehlhause concurred. Finance Director Beer questioned how long it would take to complete a market study. Mr. Feldman stated it would take approximately three months to complete a market study. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 9485, Approving Consulting Contract with Libby Law Firm to develop Bonding Bill proposal for Community Center Expansion. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a consulting contract with the Libby Law Firm to develop a bonding bill proposal for the Community Center expansion. He discussed his history with the Libby Law Firm and stated there were individuals present from the Libby Law Firm to discuss this matter further with the Council. Bill Strusinski, Libby Law Firm, explained he was excited to have the opportunity to work with the City of Mounds View on a bonding bill for a Community Center expansion. He reported the City Council was doing all the right things in order to prepare for this project. He discussed how the project would have to be economically and regionally significant in order to be considered by the State for bonding. He commented further on the two-phased approach that would be taken for this project. Council Member Meehlhause asked how CSL and the Libby Law Firm would work together going forward. Mr. Strusinski explained his work would start after the market study was completed. He Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 6 stated reasonably, this was a two or three year process. Mayor Mueller reported the City was willing to offer a 50% match if this project were to move forward. Mr. Strusinski commented further on the site tours and paperwork he would complete on the City’s behalf in order for the bonding request to be considered favorably. He stated he has had a tremendous amount of success of the years and he would like to share this knowledge with the City of Mounds View. Mayor Mueller discussed how beneficial it would be for the City to have a lobbyist working on behalf of Mounds View given the fact the City did not have enough staff members to serve in this capacity. She stated what was even better was that the City would have a lobbyist with a tremendous amount of expertise. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9485, Approving Consulting Contract with Libby Law Firm to develop Bonding Bill proposal for Community Center Expansion. Council Member Bergeron discussed how beneficial it would be to have a professional working along side the City, should this project move forward. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Cermak reported she attended the Halloween festivities at the Community Center and was pleased to see the number of children in attendance. She noted the Community Center would be hosting Cookies with Santa on Saturday, December 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Council Member Cermak indicated the Mounds View Police Foundation would be meeting next on Tuesday, November 9 at 4:30 p.m. where the recent coat drive would be discussed along with the upcoming Daddy Daughter Dance which would be held on February 5, 2022. Council Member Meehlhause stated the Mounds View Lions would be hosting a waffle breakfast on Saturday, December 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as part of the Cookies with Santa event at the Community Center. Council Member Meehlhause noted he would be attending an emergency NYFS board meeting on Tuesday, November 9, along with a Convention Bureau Finance Meeting where the 2022 budget will be discussed. He further discussed the October finance report from the convention bureau. Council Member Meehlhause reported he would be attending an NYFS finance meeting and HR committee meeting on Wednesday, November 17. Council Member Bergeron reminded the public that Thursday was Veterans Day. He encouraged residents to take time to thank a veteran in their life. Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 7 Mayor Mueller explained the Council was considering a tribute park at City Hall to recognize veterans, first responders and other residents in Mounds View that lost their life due to disasters in the community. Mayor Mueller reported the Ramsey County League of Local Government would meet on Thursday, November 18 and the Minnesota Women in City Government would meet on Friday, November 19. B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Zikmund discussed the items that were discussed at the Five Cities meeting this afternoon. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson updated the Council on projects that were being completed in the City. He noted the slip lining project would be completed ahead of schedule. He commented Water Treatment Plant 2 would be brought back online at the end of the week. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission has been discussing updates to the Random Park playground. He commented the project was delayed due to the expense of the material. He noted this matter was recently revisited and the Commission would like to move forward with updating this playground. He stated the cost for the upgrades would be $135,577.37. He requested the Council discuss how to fund this project. Staff commented further on other potential park improvement projects. Mayor Mueller asked if this type of a project would qualify for infrastructure funding that was being approved by the federal government. Finance Director Beer did not believe this to be the case. Council Member Meehlhause stated the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission was interested in completing park improvements and was bringing this project forward for Council consideration. He indicated the Council would have to work with staff to find funding for this project. He noted he was bias to this project as he lives on the south side of Mounds View Boulevard. He discussed the other park playground improvements that have been completed in the community and explained this would be a tremendous enhancement for this park. He stated he strongly supported this project moving forward, whether the funding comes out of Park Dedication or the Special Projects Fund. Council Member Bergeron agreed that these park improvements at Random Park should move forward. Further discussion ensued regarding the safety concerns of having a zip line within the play structure. Mayor Mueller indicated she liked the idea of having more than a tot lot at Random Park. Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 8 City Administrator Zikmund reported he would bring this matter back to the Council for further consideration in two weeks. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated staff was requesting the Council approve a “No Parking” Resolution for Spring Lake Road in conjunction with the 2022 Street Improvement Project. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9489, Approving a “No Parking” on Spring Lake Road from County Road J to County Road H2. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Finance Director Beer stated he would be meeting with contractors with Arvig on Wednesday in order to discuss fiber installations. City Administrator Zikmund explained staff has had an inquiry from a legal firm asking questions about tobacco sales, specifically when it comes to online tobacco sales and how legal age should be confirmed. He reported City Code was silent on this matter and a determination should be made by the Council. Mayor Mueller questioned how the League of Minnesota Cities have addressed this matter. City Administrator Zikmund stated he could look into this further but noted in his conversation with the City Attorney this was a growing concern. Discussion ensued regarding how compliance checks would be completed for the sale of tobacco products to ensure they were not being sold electronically to minors. Councilmember Bergeron stated he would be hesitant to consider the online sale of tobacco until the League of Minnesota had language in place to address this matter. Mayor Mueller explained the Council did not support this matter moving forward at this point in time. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 10. Truth In Taxation Meeting: Monday, December 6, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 6, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Next EDA Meeting: Monday, November 22, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, November 22, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Mounds View City Council November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 9 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial