HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023/09/11APPROVED
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
September 11, 2023
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112
6:02 P.M.
1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL: Cermak, Gunn, Lindstrom, and Meehlhause
NOT PRESENT: None.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, September 11, 2023, City Council Agenda.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Lindstrom. To Approve the Monday, September 11, 2023, agenda as
presented.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Lindstrom asked to remove Item 5C.
A. Approval of Minutes: August 28, 2023.
B. Just and Correct Claims.
C. Resolution 9805, Authorizing Separation Compensation for Finance Director
Mark Beer.
D. Resolution 9802, Adopting a Special Assessment Levy for Reconstruction of
an Existing Nonconforming Curb Cut.
E. Resolution 9806, Annual Polling Place Designation for 2024.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing
Item 5C.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
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C. Resolution 9805, Authorizing Separation Compensation for Finance Director
Mark Beer.
Council Member Lindstrom thanked Finance Director Beer for his dedicated service to the City of
Mounds View and wished him all the best in his retirement.
Council Member Gunn wished Finance Director Beer a long and healthy retirement.
MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9805,
Authorizing Separation Compensation for Finance Director Mark Beer.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. Quarterly Update – SBM Fire Chief Dan Retka.
SBM Fire Chief Dan Retka provided the Council with an update from the SBM Fire Department.
He stated he appreciated the relationship he was building with the Mounds View Police
Department and thanked them for participating in a recent softball game. He commented on the
staffing shortages that the department was facing and discussed how the new recruiting specialist
was working to address this concern. He hoped to have his team where it needs to be by next year.
He described how the department would be increasing its prevention efforts in hopes of reducing
the number of structure fires. He stated home safety surveys have been jump started. He explained
he would be completing an audit of the entire department in order to ensure he had equipment in
the proper place after reorganizing the duty crews. Lastly, he spoke to the staffing challenges
Allina ambulance services were facing in the metro area and commented on how this was
impacting the fire department.
Council Member Lindstrom questioned where new recruits were being brought in from. Fire Chief
Retka explained the majority were from Blaine, Spring Lake Park and Mounds View, noting only
four were from outside these communities.
Council Member Lindstrom requested further information regarding the new staffing model. Fire
Chief Retka described how the new duty crews were staffed and commented on the hours recruits
would be working. He discussed the robust training that would be required from the duty crews.
Council Member Lindstrom thanked the fire department for having a ladder truck out on I-35W in
remembrance of 9/11.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause stated he was pleased to see the SBM Fire Department was successfully
moving to a new staffing model with duty crews.
Fire Chief Retka invited the Council to attend the SBM Open House on Saturday, September 23
at Aquatore Park in Blaine from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause thanked Fire Chief Retka for his detailed report.
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
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7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, encouraged residents of Mounds View to never forget what
happened on 9/11. He reported the petition against the garbage haulers was turned into the City on
Wednesday. He asked that the City be in communication with him if there was a concern with the
number of signatures.
Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, thanked the City for holding more neighborhood
meetings and for working to improve communication between residents and the City. She
discussed how valuable these meetings were to the community. She then discussed the children’s
book drive events she would be holding at the City’s parks in October. She stated notice would be
provided to each of the elementary schools regarding the book events.
Council Member Lindstrom thanked Ms. Johnson for her efforts on the book drive.
Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, discussed the damage the City’s curbs were receiving
from the plow drivers. He urged the Council to consider a rental program for curb edge markers
for the winter months in order to protect the City’s concrete curbs.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause reported he used to pick up posts from the Public Works Department
in order to mark his curbs and noted the posts were free. He anticipated the program ran its course
because people failed to return the posts. He stated having residents leave a deposit for the posts
may prove to be more successful.
Julie Clark, 8005 Woodlawn Drive, explained a community meeting would be held on Thursday,
September 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Center. She reported more information would be
provided on organized trash collection as well as the community center proposal.
Chris Lillemo, 5132 Long Lake Road, commented on the number of political signs that are posted
throughout the community. He suggested the City reconsider where signs can be placed on
personal property. He feared that having to put signs back 15 feet from the street was ridiculous
and noted no one follows this requirement.
Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Park Road, thanked the Council for having the police catching
the speeders on his roadway. He stated he appreciated the fact his boulevard was being restored,
but indicated the City should have done it correctly the first time. He requested that the stump
grindings be cleaned up from the restoration area.
Dr. Jean Strait, 7728 Knollwood Drive, asked if there would be a warranty on the restoration work.
City Administrator Zikmund reported the restoration work would come with a warranty. He
explained homeowners would be responsible for watering the hydroseeded areas after two weeks.
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1008; Amending Chapter 12 of
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
Regular Meeting Page 4
the City of Mounds View Charter by Adding a New Section 12.16 Adding a
Severability Clause to the Chapter. ROLL CALL VOTE
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance that would amend Chapter
12 of the City Charter by adding a new Section 12. 16 adding a severability clause to the chapter.
He noted the first reading for this Ordinance was held on August 28. Staff commented further on
the proposed Ordinance and recommended approval.
Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, explained this change was brought forward because some
language was changed earlier that had severability. He reported the City Attorney advised
language be considered for Chapter 12 that would add this new section in order to address the
severability concern.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1008;
Amending Chapter 12 of the City of Mounds View Charter by Adding a New Section 12.16
Adding a Severability Clause to the Chapter.
ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
B. Resolution 9794, Take from Table. Establishing exclusive negotiation period,
organized solid waste collection.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt a Resolution that would establish the
exclusive negotiation period for organized solid waste collection.
Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, stated at 8:30 p.m. last week a representative from Ace
knocked on her door and asked her if they could give her a better rate.
Council Member Lindstrom explained for transparency purposes he wanted the public to know he
signed the petition. He believed the question warranted clear context and clarity as to what the
contract is and isn’t. He supported the City Council pursuing the details of the contract in order to
provide the public with more information.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause explained he has supported the City pursuing this ever since he was
elected to the City Council. He believed it was important to pursue this because the City has
invested $35 million in its streets. He supported the City taking care of its streets in order to make
them last as long as possible. He indicated the City would learn a great deal from this process.
Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, commented on how the haulers were managing their businesses
in order to pursue new customers. He agreed the City should go through this process in order to
see what price is offered for organized collection.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Lindstrom. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9794,
Establishing exclusive negotiation period, organized solid waste collection.
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
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Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
C. Second Reading, Ordinance 1007, and summary publication; Prohibiting use
of Cannabis in Public Places. ROLL CALL VOTE
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance that would prohibit the use
of cannabis in public places. He commented on the distance requirement language that was added
to Section 1B and recommended approval of the Ordinance.
MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Cermak. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance
1007, Prohibiting use of Cannabis in Public Places and directing staff to complete a summary
publication.
ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
D. Resolution 9803, Authorizing Certification of the Preliminary General Fund
Budget and Preliminary Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2024.
Finance Director Beer requested the Council authorize certification of the preliminary General
Fund Budget and preliminary property tax levy for fiscal year 2024. He explained staff was
proposing a 7.5% preliminary levy. It was noted this percentage could be reduced between
September and December, but could not be increased. Staff commented further on the General
Fund Budget and recommended approval of the budget and tax levy.
Council Member Lindstrom explained the proposed levy included the hire of a new Public Works
employee. He commented on how the Council reviewed the budget line by line and the only thing
that was being added was one staff member. He stated the percentage increase was also due to
rising costs for gas and insurance.
Council Member Gunn reported the Council always goes to the max in September with the
preliminary levy and the Council then works to reduce this percentage by December.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause stated another contributing factor to the levy increase was for COLA
and negotiated pay increases for staff members.
Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, reminded the Council that Subdivision 1 of 703 talks about
the Resolution to levy ad valorem taxes. He explained this statement reflects on all taxes. While
he understood inflation was at 3.5%, he encouraged the Council to continue to work to reduce the
proposed levy. He stated the City may have to consider cutting some services, given the fact the
City was subsidizing the Community Center with $300,000 on an annual basis. He feared that
elderly residents in Mounds View would be taxed out of their homes if the City continued to
increase taxes by 7+% each year.
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
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MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Lindstrom. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9803,
Authorizing Certification of the Preliminary General Fund Budget and Preliminary Property Tax
Levy for Fiscal Year 2024.
Council Member Lindstrom stated he would not be supporting a levy of 7.5% in December. He
hoped the Council could work to reduce this down to 6% in the coming months.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause agreed and then reviewed the proposed tax levies for the communities
surrounding Mounds View.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
E. Resolution 9804, Approving the Preliminary EDA Property Tax Levy Request
and Budget for Fiscal Year 2024.
Finance Director Beer requested the Council approve the Preliminary EDA property tax levy and
budget for fiscal year 2024. He reported the levy would be for $100,000, which was the same
amount that has been levied for the past several years.
Council Member Lindstrom asked if this levy was supposed to have been increased to $150,000
for 2024. Finance Director Beer reported this was the case.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause requested staff speak to the purpose of the EDA levy. Finance Director
Beer explained in 2013 the City had three TIF districts that have since decertified, along with the
funding from these districts. For this reason, the EDA established a levy to assist with marketing
the City.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9804,
Approving the Preliminary EDA Property Tax Levy Request and Budget for Fiscal Year 2024.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
9. REPORTS
A. Reports of Mayor and Council.
Council Member Gunn reported the Tribute Park group would be meeting on Tuesday, September
12 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Council Member Gunn explained Finance Director Beer would be recognized for his retirement at
City Hall on Thursday, September 14 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Council Member Gunn indicated the Community Resource Fair would be held at the Community
Center on Saturday, September 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
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Council Member Lindstrom stated he was very excited about the book drive that was being hosted
by Rene Johnson. He supported the City paying for the freight cost to get the books to Mounds
View from the Charitable Gambling Fund.
Council Member Gunn reported she could support the City paying the freight cost. Finance
Director Beer indicated he would have to investigate this further to see if the gambling funds could
be used in this manner.
Finance Director Beer questioned what the freight costs would be.
Council Member Lindstrom indicated the freight costs were estimated to be $1,600.
City Administrator Zikmund asked what the size of the POD trailer would be. Rene Johnson, 7385
Pleasant View Drive, estimated the POD would be 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. She indicated the
POD may be smaller. She asked that the City allow her to store the POD at a public park. The
Council supported this request.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Lindstrom. To direct staff to investigate the use of charitable
gambling funds and if possible, to use these funds to pay the freight cost for the book drive.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
Council Member Cermak indicated the Mounds View Police Foundation would be meeting next
on Tuesday, September 12 at Hodges Park at 5:30 p.m.
Council Member Lindstrom read a statement in full stating on September 4 the community lost a
great friend, son and brother. He stated Dan and Carol Mueller have suffered the unimaginable
with the passing of their son. He reported Dan asked that he make an announcement at this meeting
and requested the public to be supportive, loving and praying for the Mueller family.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause offered his deepest sympathies to Dan and Carol Mueller. He wished
them the very best as they work through the grief they are feeling.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause stated from Tuesday, September 12 through Monday, September 18 he
would have no access to email. Any members of the public who were hoping to reach him should
call his cell phone.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause reported he would be attending a Twin Cities Gateway Board meeting
on Tuesday, September 19 and on Wednesday, September 20 he would be attending an NYFS
Finance Committee meeting.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause stated there would be a mayoral candidate forum at City Hall on
Thursday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Acting Mayor Meehlhause reported a Mounds View School District Candidate Forum would be
held at the Community Center on Monday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
Regular Meeting Page 8
Acting Mayor Meehlhause explained this was Finance Director Beer’s last City Council meeting.
He thanked Finance Director Beer for his dedicated service to the City of Mounds View and wished
him all the best in his retirement.
Council Member Gunn stated a meeting was being held on Thursday, September 21 at 5:00 p.m.
at Silver View Park to discuss the stormwater pond at Silver View Park.
B. Reports of Staff.
Finance Director Beer thanked the Council for their kind words. He stated this has never been just
a job for him. He believed the City was getting a great new Finance Director who would serve the
citizens of Mounds View well. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance.
City Administrator Zikmund thanked Finance Director Beer for his dedicated service to the City
of Mounds View. He explained he has worked with Finance Director Beer for his entire career and
he considered him the finest finance director. He believed Mr. Beer’s greatest gift to the City was
that he was leaving the City with new brand new streets, a new water system, 70% of the sanitary
sewer lines rebuilt, and on the verge of rehabilitating all storm ponds, with all the money to fund
this. He stated it was extraordinary what has been accomplished during Mr. Beer’s career and all
with a levy cap in place.
City Administrator Zikmund spoke further regarding the number of ash and oak trees the City
would be losing in the coming years. He explained the City was working to identify the trees that
were on public property that needed to be removed.
City Administrator Zikmund provided the Council with an update on the renovations that were
being made to the Big Dipper property.
City Administrator Zikmund commented further on the stormwater pond meetings that would be
held on September 21 at Silver View Park and September 28 at Ardan Park.
City Administrator Zikmund reviewed the items that would be discussed by the Council at their
upcoming workshop meeting. He noted the City has been asked to allow a private property owner
to host a handful of crafting vendors and this matter would be discussed by the Council.
10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, October 2, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, September 25, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Mounds View City Council September 11, 2023
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11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial