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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2022/02/14APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 14, 2022 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:44 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 14, 2022, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, February 14, 2022, agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5.CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Mueller asked to remove Item 5C. A.Approval of Minutes: January 24, 2022. B.Just and Correct Claims. C.Resolution 9549, ANC Advisory Commission Appointment. D.Resolution 9538, Approving 2022 Public Works Seasonal Positions. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Item 5C. A roll call vote was taken. Mounds View City Council February 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 2 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9549, ANC Advisory Commission Appointment. Mayor Mueller stated Barbara Haake has expressed an interest in continuing to serve as the ANC Commission appointee and noted City Administrator Zikmund would consider to serve as the alternate. She thanked Ms. Haake for her interest in considering to serve the community in this capacity. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9549, ANC Advisory Commission Appointment. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Valerie Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, reported a letter was delivered from well-respected attorney Jack Perry to the City Council on behalf of 500 Mounds View citizens with full legal reasons on why Minnesota law was not followed when declaring the petition was inadequate. She reported Mr. Perry believes that the petition was sufficient and meets all statutory requirements. She indicated she was amazed by the lack of discussion the Council had when deciding the petition was insufficient. She questioned why the Council had no discussion about this very important issue and where was the Council’s concern about the citizens of Mounds View. She stated she has been denied being provided proper numbers to make this petition sufficient when asked of Nyle and Rayla this week. She commented she was astonished and the Mounds View citizens should be too. She encouraged the Mounds View City Council to follow the law. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, asked why this Council was afraid of the citizens having a vote if the Charter language limiting annual taxes was voted on. He indicated the Council has limited the citizens right to make decision and asked if this was due to the City Administrator, the City Attorney or the City Council. He reported since 2016 the tax burden on Mounds View residents has increased from $3.8 million to $5.2 million which was a 33% increase in City taxes alone. He discussed how the City was no better off even with higher taxes, but rather had more rentals in single family neighborhoods, along with increased crime rates and gun violence. He discussed how he and his wife had worked to collect the necessary signatures to put the change to the charter language to the citizens or reconsider the Ordinance adoption. He reported the City Attorney should have known that the courts have determined that format was not the measure for petitions. Mayor Mueller encouraged Mr. Amundsen to put his concerns with City staff in writing. She indicated she would not allow Mr. Amundsen to disparage City staff at a public meeting. Mr. Amundsen requested the City Clerk properly inspect the petition, find the petition sufficient and pass a proper Resolution onto the City Council. Mounds View City Council February 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 3 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Metro Transit Presentation: Victoria Dan, Cyndi Harper Peter Lindstrom, Met Council representative, introduced himself to the Council and provided updates on the Met Council’s zero-emission bus plan. He commented on the three BRT routes that would be pursued in the east metro in the coming years. Cyndi Harper, Metro Transit representative, thanked the Council for their time. She introduced herself and stated she appreciated the invitation to attend this meeting. Victoria Dan, Metro Transit representative, provided the Council with a presentation on the plans Metro Transit has for the east metro. She discussed how operator shortages and COVID-19 has impacted routes and then discussed considerations Metro Transit has for future services. A chart for ridership from 2020 to 2021 was reviewed. The routes running through Mounds View were further discussed and the number of users was described pre and post-COVID. The principles in place for local route planning was reviewed noting routes must serve a variety of trip purposes and destinations, match level of service to demand and be simple and direct. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Ms. Dan for the thorough presentation. He asked if Route 250 served the Medtronic facility in Mounds View. Ms. Dan reported this was the case. Council Member Bergeron requested further information on how Metro Transit defines “intersection density”. Ms. Dan explained this gets at the intensity of roadway connections within a community. She stated within an urban street grid there would be a higher density of roadway connections, which was conducive to transit. Ms. Harper explained as the Met Council works to update the Transportation Policy Plan they will be taking another look at some of the things that influences the likelihood to ride transit. Council Member Bergeron questioned how auto availability was evaluated by Metro Transit. Ms. Dan reported this was conducted through data research, studying the number of private vehicles and the population over 16 years of age within a certain area. Mayor Mueller asked if there was a route in Mounds View that would take residents to the Northtown area. Ms. Dan explained Route 25 would take residents to the Northtown Transit Center at the Northtown Mall. She reported Route 804 would take residents south through New Brighton to St. Anthony and terminates at Silver Lake Village. Mayor Mueller requested further information regarding the suburb to suburb commute and if times had improved. Ms. Harper described the suburb to suburb routes that were available currently to Mounds View residents, noting these were the most challenging routes for Metro Transit. She commented further on how reroutes were considered four times a year. Council Member Bergeron reported the suburb to suburb bus connections were important to Mounds View residents. He encouraged Metro Transit to do whatever they can to improve the Mounds View City Council February 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 4 times on these routes in order to allow those living in Mounds View to get to their jobs in a more efficient manner. Mayor Mueller stated it was also important for Metro Transit to offer rides for Mounds View residents to the DMV and social security offices. Mayor Mueller asked what the rates were for bus routes. Ms. Harper reviewed the current rates for the different types of bus routes running in the metro area. Mayor Mueller thanked the representatives from Metro Transit for their presentation this evening. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing: Resolution 9546, Approving a Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Building Exceeding 952 square feet at 7975 Long Lake Road. Community Development Director Sevald requested the Council approve a Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Building Exceeding 952 square feet at 7975 Long Lake Road. He stated the property used to have a one car garage, which has been removed in anticipation of a larger one. He noted the proposed garage was 36’ by 28’ or 1008 square feet. He noted the R-1 zoning district allows up to three accessory buildings per property totaling 1800 square feet and a CUP for any one structure that was more than 952 square feet. He reported CUP’s for oversized garages was not unusual. The requirements for the garage were discussed in further detail with the Council and staff recommended approval of the request. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:47 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9546, Approving a Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Building Exceeding 952 square feet at 7975 Long Lake Road. Mayor Mueller commended the applicant for the great work on these plans and for making an investment in their property. Council Member Meehlhause agreed stating he supported the proposed request. LaShawn Albert Hart, 7975 Long Lake Road, explained she has been a Mounds View resident since 2001 and her daughter recently purchased a home in Mounds View. She thanked the Council for considering her request. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9528, Approving PT Public Works Office Assistant Job Description Mounds View City Council February 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 5 and Authorizing Recruitment Process. Human Resources Director Ewald requested the Council approve a part time Public Works Office Assistant job description and authorize the recruitment process. She stated this matter was discussed by the Council at a worksession meeting and noted the HR Committee also discussed this position. She reported this position would require 20 hours of work per week. Mayor Mueller questioned how soon this position would be posted. Human Resources Director Ewald indicated this position would be posted tomorrow on the League of Minnesota Cities, American Public Works Association, local colleges, and on the City’s website. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9528, Approving PT Public Works Office Assistant Job Description and Authorizing Recruitment Process. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9529, Approving PT Storm Water Assistant Job Description and Authorizing Recruitment Process. Human Resources Director Ewald requested the Council approve a part time Storm Water Assistant job description and authorize the recruitment process. She explained this position was discussed by the Council at a recent worksession meeting and was recommended for approval. Mayor Mueller asked if this was a new position. Finance Director Beer reported this was an interim position that has been carried in the budget for several years and were converted to different part time positions. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9529, Approving PT Storm Water Assistant Job Description and Authorizing Recruitment Process. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 987, Deleting Title XI, Chapter 111, Sections 111.20 through 111.030, Amusement Devices and Centers. ROLL CALL VOTE City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance deleting Title XI, Chapter 111, Sections 111.20 through 111.030 regarding Amusement Devices and Centers. He reported staff received no comments from the public regarding this amendment and recommends adoption. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Mueller. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance Mounds View City Council February 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 6 987, Deleting Title XI, Chapter 111, Sections 111.20 through 111.030, Amusement Devices and Centers and directing staff to publish a summary of the ordinance. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 9545, Amending MPCA Loan Agreement. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council amend the MPCA Loan Agreement. He explained this agreement provided zero interest loan money through the MPCA for single family and multi-family rehabilitation work. He commented further on the loan agreement amendments and recommended approval. Council Member Meehlhause asked how many residents have taken advantage of this loan program. City Administrator Zikmund reported two residents have taken advantage of this program. Council Member Meehlhause questioned if staff had scheduled a meeting with the manufactured home parks. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported he had a meeting scheduled with them and noted work on the sewer lines would be discussed. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9545, Amending MPAC Loan Agreement. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9548, Approving Transfers between Funds for 2021. Finance Director Beer requested the Council approve transfers between funds for 2021. He explained as part of the 2021 budget a number of transfers between funds had been approved. He noted the General Fund had a surplus due to ARPA funds and LGA. Staff commented further on the proposed transfers and recommended approval. Mayor Mueller asked if the ARPA funds had restrictions in the way these dollars could be spent. Finance Director Beer discussed how the City opted to spend the dollars for capital projects, public safety and other one-time projects. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9548, Approving Transfers between Funds for 2021. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council February 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 7 G. Resolution 9550, Approving Proposal for a Preliminary Review of Water Treatment Plant Designs. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a proposal for a preliminary review of Water Treatment Plant Designs. He stated this matter was discussed by the Council at a recent worksession meeting. He commented on the work the City has been doing on its water treatment plants. Staff recommends Barr Engineering be hired to review the design and specs of Water Treatment Plants 2 and 3 to make sure everything was all right. Finance Director Beer reviewed the fund that would be used to pay for this project. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9550, Approving Proposal for a Preliminary Review of Water Treatment Plant Designs. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Resolution 9551, Approving Change Order #2 to Include Bid Alternate #4 during the 2021 Sewer Lining Project. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve Change Order #2 to include Bid Alternate #4 during the 2021 Sewer Lining Project. He stated this project was bid last year with the base bid and alternates #1 through #4. Staff recommended that Alternate #4 proceed at this time for additional sewer lining as part of the 2021 sewer-lining project. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9551, Approving Change Order #2 to Include Bid Alternate #4 during the 2021 Sewer Lining Project. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Bergeron reported he would be attending a Cable Commission meeting on Thursday, February 17. Council Member Cermak stated she attended the Father Daughter Dance on Saturday, February 5. She thanked all of the volunteers that worked so hard to make this event possible. Council Member Meehlhause explained he would be attending an NYFS Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, February 16 and an NYFS board meeting on Thursday, February 24. He Mounds View City Council February 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 8 noted the search committee was working with a search firm to assist in hiring a new Executive Director. Council Member Meehlhause reported he would be attending a Twin Cities Gateway Board meeting on Tuesday, February 15. He commented further on the revenues that were received by this organization over the past year stating it was a great year, even with COVID. Mayor Mueller reported the Festival in the Park Committee would meet on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Works Building. She encouraged those interested in getting involved in the community to consider attending this meeting. Mayor Mueller stated the Ramsey County League of Local Government would be meeting next on Thursday, February 17 where mental health and homelessness would be discussed. She commented on Friday, February 18 she would be meeting with the Minnesota Women in City Government and on Thursday, February 24 she would be meeting with the Minnesota Mayors Association Meeting at the League of Minnesota Cities building in St. Paul. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Beer reported the annual audit would begin next week. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported there was five feet of frost in the ground this year. City Administrator Zikmund shared with the Council an email that was sent from SBM Board President Joe Flaherty announcing that on March 1, 2022, Deputy Chief Recka will be promoted to the position of Interim Fire Chief and be given all administrative and operational control. He noted Fire Chief Charlie Smith announced his retirement effective May 1, 2022. C. Reports of City Attorney. No report since the City Attorney was not in attendance. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, March 7, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, February 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial