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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2022/04/25APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 25, 2022 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 (attending via Zoom), Cermak, Hull, Meehlhause (attending via Zoom), Mueller NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, April 25, 2022, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Cermak. To Approve the Monday, April 25, 2022, agenda. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: April 11, 2022 and June 18, 2019. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9579, Approving Severance for Sherri Eisenbraun Permit Technician. D. Resolution 9581, Appointing Karen Mills to the Mounds View Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Cermak. 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 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 2 Phyllis Moore, 2669 Scotland Court - Apartment 306, asked if she would be able to make a comment on Item 8A. She stated she was concerned about the noise that would be generated by the clubhouse. Mayor Mueller recommended Ms. Moore come forward during the public hearing in order to voice her concerns. 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Review Annual Audit, Aaron Nielsen, Principal MMKR. Aaron Nielsen, MMKR, introduced himself to the Council and provided a presentation on the 2021 audit. He commended the City for receiving an unmodified or clean opinion on the basic financial statements. He commented on the City’s governmental funds and enterprise funds, and noted the City had healthy balances at this time. He further discussed the financials and complimented staff on their tremendous efforts on behalf of the City of Mounds View. Mayor Mueller thanked Mr. Nielsen for his thorough report. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Public Hearing: Resolution 9576, Conditional Use Permit and Development Review for H2 Flats at 2662 Scotland Court. Community Development Director Sevald stated H2 Flats was built in 1972, and includes 11 buildings, totaling 385 units. In 1978, the owner proposed to build indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. The outdoor sport courts were built. The recreational building was not. The current plan is to remove the outdoor sport courts (unmaintained), to be replaced with sod and a garden; and build a “club house” to include administrative offices, co-working space, and a recreational room. The building will be in the same location as proposed in 1978 (open area along County Road H2). Additionally, dumpster enclosures will be rebuilt. A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required for the expansion of a Multi-Family facility (e.g. Club House). Community Development Director Sevald explained a Development Review is required for a new principal building (e.g. Club House). The two reviews are duplicative. This application is specific to the Club House, although the entirety of the property may be included in the Council’s discussions. The property is zoned R-4 High Density Residential, and guided Multi- Family Residential in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The complex is boarded by Silver View Pond (north & west), wetland (east), and townhomes (south). Additionally, the owner intends to make interior improvements to units, as they become vacant. Staff commented further on the request and reported the Planning Commission recommended the Conditional Use Permit and Development Review be approved. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. Phyllis Moore, 2669 Scotland Court - Apartment 306, stated she appreciated all of the upgrades the new owners were putting into the property. She indicated she appreciated the idea of a Mounds View City Council April 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 3 clubhouse, but feared the noise of construction would be detrimental to those residents that work from home at the apartment complex. She recommended the basketball courts be fixed up for the dads and kids that use the courts versus installing a community garden. Sheri Lee, 2658 Scotland Court – Apartment 308, indicated she appreciated the proposed upgrades and investments the new owners were making in the facility. However, she also works from home and was concerned about the noise that would be generated by the proposed projects. Dana Slimmer, 2655 Scotland Court – Apartment 308, stated she found out about this public hearing today. She expressed frustration with the fact the new owner has been working in her building on three different occasions and she too works from home parttime. She indicated she has heard her rent was going to go up. She expressed frustration with the fact these new amenities were being brought in, whether they were wanted or not, and now rents were going to go up. She discussed how her building had flooding and dirt coming in through the sewage when construction occurred across the street. She recommended this be looked into by the City and the developer. Amanda Riser, 2677 Scotland Court, stated she lives on the third floor above the basketball court area. She indicated she wanted to speak on behalf of the children in the apartment complex, noting there were a lot of kids that used the basketball court. She explained the children in this complex need areas to play. Leo Riser, 2677 Scotland Court, reported he would like the dog park and community garden shifted in order to allow the basketball court to remain in place. Sean Walther, 5272 Sunnyside Road, thanked staff for laying out the code requirements for this project. He indicated he was concerned about the past maintenance of this property and how it could be impacting the tenants. He discussed how greenspace would be lost with the clubhouse and recommended further landscaping be considered for the site. He suggested the high value trees be saved and asked that the parking situation be further considered in order to preserve more greenspace. He hoped that the rents for the current residents would not be increased so substantially that they would not be able to stay in their units. He requested the lighting in the rear parking lot be adjusted to have it directed down instead of out. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. Council Member Bergeron indicated the new clubhouse would have a shared work space for residents that work from home. He inquired how many work spaces would be included in this area of the clubhouse. Community Development Director Sevald deferred this question to the applicant. Paul Humiston, project architect with Paul Myer Architects, discussed the layout of the coworking space. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the elimination of the basketball court was tied to the CUP. Community Development Director Sevald explained the CUP was for the use and the Development Review was for the appearance of the building and the property. He indicated the focus of the discussion was on the clubhouse and the conditions were for the intended use. He stated if the owners wanted to remove the sports courts a permit was not required. Mounds View City Council April 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 4 Council Member Cermak commented she was one of the first people to live in 2669 Scotland Court in Apartment 110. She stated she understood what the residents were going to lose. She asked if the owners were hearing the concerns voiced by the tenants and questioned if a compromise could be reached. Mr. Humiston explained he had heard these comments. Council Member Cermak indicated she understood the concerns of those working from home and encouraged the owners to work with these individuals. She stated she really appreciated the proposed enhancements and improvements being made to this property but indicated she also wanted the people living in these apartments to be able to remain in the apartments. Mayor Mueller questioned if any part of this project would require the basketball area to be removed. Community Development Director Sevald stated the clubhouse was not requiring the removal of the basketball court. Mayor Mueller discussed the City’s current parking requirements and she anticipated the additional 18 parking spaces near the clubhouse would be welcomed. She encouraged the developer to find a way to keep and even improve the basketball court and swing set for the children onsite. She understood there were concerns about rent and discussed how improvements to the property could increase rental rates. She discussed how the large number of rental units in the community has kept rental rates competitive in Mounds View. She hoped that the property owners would be able to keep rents stable for their existing tenants. She requested the applicant speak to this matter further. Dana Erdahl, project manager for the applicant, stated he could not speak to this matter. He explained this property was undermanaged in the past and he guaranteed the new owners would take care of this property going forward. He reported the owners were investing a considerable amount of money in the property. He spoke to the construction noise that would be generated by the work on the clubhouse and stated he has working hours. He anticipated it would take 160 days to construct the clubhouse, weather pending. Mayor Mueller questioned where the residents working from home within H2 Flats could relocate during the construction period if they need a quiet working environment. Community Development Director Sevald stated the Community Center would be available, along with the library. Mayor Mueller indicated there may be local faith based organizations that would have work space available as well. She noted the Caribou Coffee also has free wi-fi for visitors. She then requested further information on the landscaping plan. Community Development Director Sevald reviewed the landscaping plan in further detail with the Council. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9576, Conditional Use Permit and Development Review for H2 Flats at 2662 Scotland Court amending Condition 3 to keep the first sentence and omitting the second and third sentences. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council April 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 5 B. Public Hearing: Second Reading and Adoption, Ordinance 990 Amendment City Code 119.024 related to the Issuance of a Rental License. ROLL CALL VOTE Community Development Director Sevald requested the council adopt an Ordinance that would amend City Code 119.024 related to the issuance of a rental license. He stated staff recently discovered a mistake that was made in 2018 and this amendment would correct this mistake. Staff commented further on the proposed language change and recommended approval of the Ordinance. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 990 Amendment City Code 119.024 related to the Issuance of a Rental License. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Public Hearing: Resolution 9575, Adopting a Housing Finance Program for a Multifamily Rental Housing Development, Approving the Project and the Program and Authorizing the Issuance of Conduit Multifamily Housing Revenue Obligation and the Execution of Related Documents (Villas of Mounds View Project). Finance Director Beer requested the Council adopt a Housing Finance Program for a multifamily rental housing development, approving the project and the program and authorizing the issuance of conduit multifamily housing revenue obligation and the execution of related documents for the Villas of Mounds View Project. He discussed the history of this project and noted $14.5 million would be issued in bonds. Staff commented on the proposed Housing Financing Program and it was noted the City would receive a 1% fee for the bond issuance. City Attorney Riggs reported he has been working the last few days to get all of the closing documents together. He anticipated the closing would be going forward mid-May. Jenny Bolton, Kennedy & Graven, commented on the conduit bonds that would be issued for this project and noted the property closing would occur prior to the bond closing. She indicated this was the Council’s last approval for the bond issuance and recommended the City Council hold a public hearing, prior to adopting the Resolution. Mayor Mueller opened the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Mueller closed the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. Mounds View City Council April 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 6 Council Member Meehlhause stated the City would be making $145,000 from this bond issuance. Finance Director Beer stated this was correct. Chris Stocka, 7645 Lyndale Avenue in Richfield, thanked the Council for considering this request. He indicated this project has been a journey and he was happy to have been selected to be a part of it. Mayor Mueller requested further information regarding the proposed project. Mr. Stocka explained he would be constructing a 120 unit affordable senior housing rental project on the Skyline property for seniors 55+. He reported he was hoping to break ground in June 2022 and the property would be open mid-summer of 2023. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Bergeron. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9575, Adopting a Housing Finance Program for a Multifamily Rental Housing Development, Approving the Project and the Program and Authorizing the Issuance of Conduit Multifamily Housing Revenue Obligation and the Execution of Related Documents (Villas of Mounds View Project). A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9580, Approving Recruitment Process for Permit Technician Position. Human Resources Director Ewald requested the Council approve the recruitment process for the Permit Technician position. She explained the City’s Permit Technician resigned effective Thursday, April 21 and staff was requesting to promote Jennifer Nelson into the Permit Technician position today. She reported Ms. Nelson has provided backup/support for this position for the past few years and was trained to complete the job. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9580, Approving Recruitment Process for Permit Technician Position. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 9577, Approving the Storm Water Permit for 4889 Old Highway 8, Villas of Mounds View. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the Storm Water Permit for the property at 4889 Old Highway 8 for the Villas of Mounds View. He explained the City became the local LGU back in October 2021 and as part of this, the City now reviews storm water permits with Stantec. He reported the Villas of Mounds View permit had been reviewed and staff recommends approval with the five conditions listed. Mounds View City Council April 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 7 MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9577, Approving the Storm Water Permit for 4889 Old Highway 8, Villas of Mounds View. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9578, Accepting Bids Received by the City of Coon Rapids, Joint Powers Agreement for 2022 Crack Filling. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council accept bids received by the City of Coon Rapids for the Joint Powers Agreement for 2022 Crack Filling. He stated back in 2017 the City entered into a JPA with Coon Rapids for street maintenance. He reported this year only crack sealing would be done in Area H. It was noted the low bid for this project was received from Allied Blacktop in the amount of $14,950.23. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9578, Accepting Bids Received by the City of Coon Rapids, Joint Powers Agreement for 2022 Crack Filling. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 9582, “No Mow May” Initiative. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a Resolution supporting the No Mow May initiative. He stated this was a pollinator friendly initiative and noted many communities in the metro area were participating in No Mow May. Staff estimated it would cost $250 to print signs for this program. Mayor Mueller asked how this program would impact the City’s parks. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated this program would only apply to residential properties, not commercial areas or City parks. He explained the athletic turfs had to be maintained for safety reasons. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9582, “No Mow May” Initiative. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Authorize Part Time Receptionist Recruitment Process and Amend Part Time Storm Water and Part Time Office Assistant Positions by Increasing Wage. Mounds View City Council April 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 8 Human Resources Director Ewald requested the Council authorize Part Time Receptionist Recruitment Process and amend Part Time Storm Water and Part Time Office Assistant Positions by increasing wage. She reported the original plan to fill Jennifer Nelson’s position was to have the receptionist at Parks and Recreation fill in on a part time basis. She indicated this could not occur. Staff was recommending the Council authorize recruitment of the part time receptionist position and that the wages be increased to $20 per hour. Council Member Meehlhause asked how an adjustment to the wages for part time employees would impact current employees. Human Resources Director Ewald stated current part-time employees were seasonal and were not in the same grouping as this position. Mayor Mueller questioned if the City would have a hard time finding seasonal parks workers this summer. Human Resources Director Ewald indicated the City had all seven Public Works positions filled, but one person dropped out. She explained the City still had multiple seasonal parks positions open at this time. MOTION/SECOND: Hull/Cermak. To Authorize Part Time Receptionist Recruitment Process and Amend Part Time Storm Water and Part Time Office Assistant Positions by Increasing Wage. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Cermak reported she would be attending a Fire Board meeting on Thursday, April 28. She noted this group would be voting on the 2023 budget. Council Member Meehlhause stated the new NYFS Executive Director would be Angela Lewis- Demello. Council Member Meehlhause noted he would be attending an NYFS Board meeting on Thursday, April 28 via Zoom. Mayor Mueller congratulated DJ Chuck Broast and Jess on their wedding day of Saturday, April 23, 2022. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Beer stated the 2021 audit was now completed and staff has shifted their attention to the 2023 budget. City Administrator Zikmund thanked the Mounds View Lions for accepting his recent donations to the upcoming garage sale. It was noted the Lions garage sale would be held on Wednesday, Mounds View City Council April 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Page 9 May 11 through Friday, May 13 at Hillview Park. He noted the Mounds View Police Foundation would have brats and hot dogs on Wednesday and Thursday for an in-kind donation. City Administrator Zikmund explained he attended the New Brighton/Mounds View Rotary Gold Plate Dinner at the Mounds View Community Center. He indicated this event had a great turnout. City Administrator Zikmund stated he would have a final agreement for Long Lake Woods later this week. City Administrator Zikmund reviewed the items the Council will be discussing at their May worksession meeting. City Administrator Zikmund reported Police Chief Harder needed Council authorization to purchase the training simulator. Finance Director Beer asked if the Council could authorize this $47,500 purchase tonight. City Attorney Riggs advised the Council could take this action if there is a timing issue. Finance Director Beer indicated the Police Chief would be bringing back a Resolution on May 9 authorizing the grant and the expenditure. MOTION/SECOND: Bergeron/Meehlhause. To Authorize Staff to Spend up to $47,500 on the Training Simulator. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, May 2, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, May 9, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial