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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023/04/24APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 24, 2023 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:30 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER Acting Mayor Meehlhause explained the City Council meeting was meeting 30 minutes late because the Council met in closed session to discuss pending litigation. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Cermak, Gunn, Lindstrom, and Meehlhause NOT PRESENT: Hull. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, April 24, 2023, City Council Agenda. Council Member Lindstrom requested Item 8E be amended to read Approving a Contract with MBI for Water Treatment Plant 2 Maintenance. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Gunn. To Approve the Monday, April 24, 2023, agenda as amended. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: April 10, 2023. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9740, Approving the Hire of Amanda Bruzer to Accountant. D. Resolution 9741, Approving the Tentative Hire of Rachel Potter to GIS Specialist. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council April 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 2 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Gary Quick, 8330 Knollwood Drive, discussed the Mounds View Matters article regarding stormwater discharge. He commented on how homes with sump pumps may be further impacted by the summer rains and recommended the pumps not be allowed to discharge into the sanitary sewer lines. He commended the Council for sending out a mailing regarding sprinklers. He discussed how creeping Charlie was becoming a noxious weed in Mounds View and encouraged the Council to address this concern. Lastly, he asked that the City require garbage cans to be stored in garages or on the side of homes. Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, requested the Council provide the public with more clarity on the joint agreement that was in place with the City of Fridley for her street project. She feared her street project has disappeared from the City of Fridley’s plans. 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Building Safety Month. Acting Mayor Meehlhause read a proclamation in full for the record declaring May to be Building Safety Month in the City of Mounds View. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 9737, Approving the Purchase of One Police Utility Administrative Vehicle along with Additional Equipment and Setup Costs. Police Chief Zender requested the Council approve the purchase of one Police utility administrative vehicle along with additional equipment and setup costs. He explained he was looking to purchase a Dodge Durango as an administrative vehicle through Burnsville Dodge. He reviewed the lighting package that would be installed and noted the expense for this vehicle would be covered by forfeiture and vehicle services funds. Acting Mayor Meehlhause asked how this vehicle would be used. Police Chief Zender explained this vehicle would serve as an administrative vehicle for himself and would not be used as a patrol squad car. He reported his old car would be auctioned off. Finance Director Beer stated Police Chief Harder’s vehicle would be put back into the fleet. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9737, Approving the Purchase of One Police Utility Administrative Vehicle along with Additional Equipment and Setup Costs. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9744, Approving Police Referral Policy and Police Tuition Reimbursement Policy. Human Resource Director Ewald requested the Council approve the Police Referral Policy and Police Tuition Reimbursement Policy. She explained these policies would assist the Mounds View Mounds View City Council April 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 3 Police Department with recruitment and retention of its officers. She noted the Police Department was missing three officers at this time. She reviewed the specifics of the program and requested approval of the new policies. Council Member Gunn asked if these policies would assist with making the Mounds View Police Department competitive with neighboring departments. Human Resources Director Ewald reported this was the case. She explained the City is finding its employees are the best recruiters. Council Member Lindstrom requested further information regarding the bonus structure for transfers. Human Resource Director Ewald explained the transfer bonuses had two parts, one set payment for new hires and a separate pay structure for lateral transfers that would be broken into two payments. Acting Mayor Meehlhause commented on how the City’s step process would assist in determining how lateral officers would be paid. Human Resource Director Ewald stated lateral officers are brought in at up to 90% of their pay and after one year they may go to top pay, if they started at 90%. Acting Mayor Meehlhause requested further information regarding the tuition reimbursement policy. Human Resource Director Ewald explained officers would receive half of the tuition reimbursement up front and the remaining half after the course work was completed with a grade of B or above. She noted the course work would have to be approved by the Deputy Chief or Police Chief, HR and City Administrator. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9744, Approving Police Referral Policy and Police Tuition Reimbursement Policy. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9745, Supporting State Legislation Addressing Law Enforcement Retention and Recruitment by Funding Peace Officer Insurance Premiums. Police Chief Zender requested the Council support State Legislation addressing Law Enforcement retention and recruitment by funding Peace Officer Insurance Premiums. He explained this would be a symbolic vote for the Council to show their support for law enforcement. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9745, Supporting State Legislation Addressing Law Enforcement Retention and Recruitment by Funding Peace Officer Insurance Premiums. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9746, Removing Bid Alternates 3 and 4 from the 2022-2023 Street Reconstruction Project of Spring Lake Road and Pleasant View Drive. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council adopt a Resolution Mounds View City Council April 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 4 removing Bid Alternates 3 and 4 from the 2022-2023 Street Reconstruction Project of Spring Lake Road and Pleasant View Drive. He explained in 2021 the Council approved the reconstruction of Spring Lake Road from County Road J to County Road H2 along with Pleasant View Drive north of Mounds View Boulevard. He reported this project was sent out with four alternates and the project was awarded to T.A. Schifsky. He indicated the alternates within this bid were for the trail that was proposed along Spring Lake Road. He noted staff was asked by the Council about moving the trail on Spring Lake Road from County Road I to County Road H2 to another street, Pleasant View Drive (Bid Alternate 3). After working with the consulting engineer, it was determined the bid alternates would come back to the Council for formal consideration. Also in the project was the continuation of trails along Mounds View Boulevard and adding lights to the trail portion in Spring Lake Park (Bid Alternate 4). He requested the Council approve removing Alternates 3 and 4 from the 2022-2023 Street Reconstruction Project. Council Member Lindstrom recalled the City entered into a JPA with the City of Fridley in order to allow their City Engineer to design the road. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this was the case. He commented further on the two separate projects for Pleasant View Drive. Acting Mayor Meehlhause requested further information regarding the timeline on the joint project with the City of Fridley. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented further on the project timeline with Fridley and stated both City Council’s would be considering the approval of this project on Monday, May 22. Ann Tate, resident living at the corner of Bronson Drive and Pleasant View Drive, stated she would like to see the pedestrian trail located on Spring Lake Road. She commented over the past six months she has been searching to find the right words to voice her opposition of a trail on Pleasant View Drive. She noted she had a petition signed by all residents but three on both sides of her road. She expressed concern with the fact the residents living on this roadway were not being heard. She has been told things like, the trail is for the greater good, you won’t live on this road forever and it was about public safety. She commented on the project from a public safety perspective. She believed her roadway was wide enough and could already accommodate walkers and bikers because the street had parking lanes. She noted Spring Lake Road has heavier traffic, was made up of two driving lanes with no parking lanes or shoulders. She reported walkers on Spring Lake Road were walking on driving lanes and their safety would be improved by having a trail. Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, reminded the Council that each Councilmembers was elected by the residents. She understood the Council took staff’s recommendations to heart, but urged the Council to hear the voices of the public for this project. Acting Mayor Meehlhause requested staff speak further as to why the trail was proposed to be placed on Pleasant View Drive. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported City staff and the consulting engineer considered this change because it would coincide with the comprehensive plan and master trail and sidewalk plan. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Lindstrom. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9746, Mounds View City Council April 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 Removing Bid Alternates 3 and 4 from the 2022-2023 Street Reconstruction Project of Spring Lake Road and Pleasant View Drive. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 9747, Approving a Contract with MBI for Water Treatment Plant 2 Maintenance. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a Contract with MBI for Water Treatment Plant 2 Maintenance. He discussed the history of the water treatment plan rehabilitation project and noted after the startup of the work it was found the plant was not functioning as designed. Staff and AE2S worked with the general contractor to remedy the problems. To date, the contractor has refused and the matter is in litigation. He reported additional work was required to ensure the water treatment plant was functioning and operational by peak water season in 2023. He asked that that the Council approve a contract with MBI in order to get the water treatment plant operational. Acting Mayor Meehlhause stated all references to change order within the Resolution would have to be changed to contract. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9747, Approving Change Order 17 with MBI for Water Treatment Plant 2 Maintenance as amended. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9742, Approving 2022 Citizen of the Year. Human Resource Director Ewald requested the Council approve the 2022 Citizen of the Year. She noted one person rolled over from the 2021 nominations and this person was recommended for the 2022 Citizen of the Year. She commended Kathie Anderson on being nominated for Citizen of the Year. It was noted Ms. Anderson would be presented with a plaque at the May 8, 2023 City Council meeting. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9742, Approving 2022 Citizen of the Year. Acting Mayor Meehlhause reported Ms. Anderson was very deserving of this award. He thanked Ms. Anderson for her service with the schools, Lions, Mounds View Festival, and Mounds View Police Foundation. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 9743, Approving 2022 Coach of the Year. Human Resources Director Ewald requested the Council approve the 2022 Coach of the Year. She reported the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission recommended Adnan Omanovic and Mounds View City Council April 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 6 Robert Turner be nominated for Coaches of the Year. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9743, Approving 2022 Coach of the Year. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Cermak discussed the luncheons she had attended recently. She explained she had attended a recent Rotary Luncheon. Council Member Cermak reported she attended a Metro Cities meeting, which was the first time this group had met since 2019. She stated she greatly enjoyed meeting the people within this organization. Council Member Cermak explained the Mounds View Police Foundation would meet next on Tuesday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Hodges Park. Council Member Lindstrom stated he attended the Festival in the Park Committee in April and noted the Festival would be hosting a cleanup day at Silver View Park on Sunday, April 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Council Member Lindstrom indicated he attended the neighborhood meeting that was held last Wednesday night with Pulte Homes. He thanked Pulte Homes for addressing the neighbors and answering their questions. Council Member Gunn explained she attended the CSC Luncheon, the CPY Luncheon along with the New Brighton/Mounds view Rotary Gala. Council Member Gunn stated the Quincy House would be holding an event at the Mermaid on Friday, May 5 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. She reported the entire City Council was invited to attend this event. Acting Mayor Meehlhause noted he attended the Rotary luncheon where the director of NYFS was the guest speaker. He stated he also attended the CSC Luncheon, the CPY Luncheon and the Rotary Gala. Acting Mayor Meehlhause thanked the residents who attended the Community Center expansion informational meetings that were held last week at the Community Center. Acting Mayor Meehlhause noted he would be attending an NYFS board meeting on Thursday, April 27. B. Reports of Staff. Mounds View City Council April 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 7 Human Resource Director Ewald reported the City of Mounds View was hiring seasonal workers at this time. Finance Director Beer explained Kennedy & Graven has provided the City with several opportunities to issue conduit debt. He noted one request would come before the City in July and the second request would come before the Council in January of 2024. The consensus of the Council was to support both conduit bond opportunities. Finance Director Beer discussed the staffing changes that would be occurring within the Finance Department and asked that the current accountant be allowed to work 10 hours of overtime each week through the end of the year. The consensus of the Council was to support this staffing change. City Administrator Zikmund stated the Council would be holding a joint meeting with Parks, Recreation and Forestry on Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. City Administrator Zikmund explained official notice to haulers has occurred regarding organized solid waste collection in Mounds View. He noted a public meeting with the haulers would be held on Monday, June 26. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, May 1, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial