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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023/09/25APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 25, 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 25, 2023, City Council Agenda. Acting Mayor Meehlhause requested the agenda be revised to include Item 6A – Public Works Quarterly Report. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Approve the Monday, September 25, 2023, agenda as amended. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: September 11, 2023. B. Just and Correct Claims. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Public Works Quarterly Report Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson provided the Council with a quarterly report from the Public Works Department. He commented on the amount of water the City pumped and Mounds View City Council September 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 2 treated in the past quarter, noting there were five watermain breaks. He explained 80,680 feet of sanitary sewer lines had been cleaned this year and 32,000 feet of line had been televised. He stated 608 miles of street have been swept. He reviewed the park maintenance that had been completed this year. He commented on the number of trees that have been removed (130) and marked for removal (100+) by the City Arborist. He stated EAB and oak wilt were hitting the community hard. He provided further comment on the parks programming and park rentals. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported both Spring Lake Road and Pleasant View flooded due to blockage in the storm drainage. He explained the contractor was responsible for making sure these remained open. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson then provided the Council with an update on the City’s water treatment facility. He explained Phase I of the project was in litigation and Phase II was nearing completion. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson discussed the stormwater pond assessment that was completed by Stantec and reported the City held a neighborhood meeting for the Silver View Pond. He stated a neighborhood meeting would be held for Ardan Pond on Thursday, September 28. Council Member Gunn asked that staff create a list of recommended or preferred tree plantings for residents that have lost trees to EAB or oak wilt. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson recommended these residents speak with the City Arborist. He discussed how the City was working to replace its forest with a variety of tree species. Council Member Lindstrom thanked Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson and his team for all of their efforts on behalf of the community. Further discussion ensued regarding the usage of the volleyball courts. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the community was in a severe drought and even with the recent rain, the City would have to become even stricter with the water restrictions, which meant no irrigation would be allowed. He urged all residents to reduce their water usage. Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, explained he has one ash tree and one oak tree that have to be removed from his property. He urged residents to speak with several contractors in order to ensure they are providing fair rates. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, asked what kind of damage the chestnut borer was doing. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained this was another insect that was impacting oak trees. He stated there was no treatment for this insect. City Administrator Zikmund reported the chestnut borer was mostly impacting burl and white oaks. He understood there was a new herbicide that could be used to treat for this insect. He stated strong trees could survive this insect. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 3 Acting Mayor Meehlhause thanked Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson for all of his efforts on behalf of the community. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, stated she was struggling to get a date to drop the trailer for the junior library. She anticipated the first dates in October would have to be pushed back. She asked that the trailer be allowed to be parked at the burn lot at Ardan Park instead of at Laddie Lake. She stated this change would provide ample parking for her volunteers. Staff supported the requested change. Valerie Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, requested the City send a welcome letter to homes that sell in the community. She believed this would be a great way for the City to communicate with new Mounds View residents. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, thanked Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson and the City Arborist for all they do on behalf of the City. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 1009; Amending the Mounds View City Charter to Correct Typographical, Punctuation, and Spelling Errors in Multiple Chapters. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council introduce an Ordinance that would amend the Mounds View City Charter to correct typographical, punctuation and spelling errors in multiple chapters. He reported this item came from the Charter Commission. Staff commented further on the proposed typographical changes and recommended the Council introduce the Ordinance. Council Member Gunn asked if the City had a City Clerk. City Administrator Zikmund explained Rayla Ewald was the City’s official City Clerk. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, commented on the amendments that were being proposed noting a minor portion of language in Chapter 12 was missed and was being added. He thanked Barb Benesch for creating a table that showed the changes that had been made to the City Charter since 1979. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Gunn. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 1009; Amending the Mounds View City Charter to Correct Typographical, Punctuation, and Spelling Errors in Multiple Chapters. ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1005; Amending Section 31.001 (B) of the Mounds View City Code Regarding the Composition of the Council Mounds View City Council September 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 4 and Establishing a Vice Acting Mayor. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance amending Section 31.001 (B) of the Mounds View City Code regarding the Composition of the Council and Establishing a Vice Acting Mayor. He explained the Charter Commission was also coming forward with a Charter amendment, which would be six months behind this action. Council Member Lindstrom asked if the Council could substitute the Charter Commission language at Second Reading. City Attorney Riggs reported the Council could take this action. However, he made it known the Ordinance was sufficient as it was written. He explained this was a preemptive correction in the event Acting Mayor Meehlhause was not available and the City Council had to take action on a matter. He indicated this was a band aid and the fix was through the Charter. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, reported the Charter Commission put language together quickly to address this matter and the Resolution was delivered to staff on Thursday. He reported this was the correct solution. He asked that the Council table this Ordinance in order to allow the Charter Commission’s matter to come before the Council in October. City Attorney Riggs stated the significant difference in the ordinance was it included language for an Acting Mayor and a Vice Acting Mayor, which was two different positions. He supported the City Council appointing a Vice Acting Mayor at any time, and should not have to be set at the first meeting in January. Council Member Lindstrom thanked Mr. Amundsen for voicing his concerns. He understood this matter was more of a Charter function than an Ordinance matter. However, after hearing from the City Attorney, he did not believe it would be in the City’s best interest to wait six months to have this language in place. Mr. Amundsen stated the City had certain emergency processes in place that give the City Administrator powers if the mayor is not available. City Attorney Riggs reported this was fairly difficult to invoke. He stated if something were to happen to Acting Mayor Meehlhause and he wasn’t able to attend meetings for the next two months, the City would be in trouble. He was of the opinion the Council should move forward with this Ordinance to ensure the City has proper channels in place should an emergency situation occur. He reiterated that the language could be amended in the future should the need arise. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1005; Amending Section 31.001 (B) of the Mounds View City Code Regarding the Composition of the Council and Establishing a Vice Acting Mayor. Council Member Lindstrom stated he understood the need for this Ordinance, noting he would be offering his support. However, he would like to see the City bring the two languages in alignment. Acting Mayor Meehlhause and Council Member Gunn supported this recommendation. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Charter Commission Petition Regarding Organized Solid Waste, Determination of Sufficiency. City Attorney Riggs reviewed an informational item with the Council regarding a petition that had been submitted to the City and the Charter Commission regarding organized solid waste. He reported this petition was being processed by his office at this time. He understood there would be some type of response to Bob King sometime this week. Council Member Lindstrom asked if there was a special election in February, could a ballot question be added regarding organized solid waste. City Attorney Riggs reported this could possibly occur. Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, commented on how slow the mail service was in Mounds View. He encouraged the City to continue to email him in order to improve communication between himself and the City. D. Resolution 9811, Approving Various Sidewalk Panel Repairs and Replacement at the Community Center. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve various sidewalk panel repairs and replacement at the Community Center. He reported several concrete panels have been marked for removal for the safety of the public. He explained staff had contacted two companies for estimates and the low bid was received from DNS Concrete for $14,100. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9811, Approving Various Sidewalk Panel Repairs and Replacement at the Community Center. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Lindstrom reported he attended the Festival in the Park Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 19 where a recap on the recent festival was provided. He explained the committee was planning a Gerten’s fundraiser where wreaths and poinsettias will be sold. Council Member Gunn reported she attended a Cable Commission meeting last week. She commented on the meeting and streaming rate increase that would be put in place. Acting Mayor Meehlhause thanked Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson for hosting the Silver View Pond neighborhood meeting last week. He discussed how improving this pond quality would benefit the community. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 6 Acting Mayor Meehlhause thanked Vern Rice for moderating the Mayoral Candidate Forum last Thursday. Acting Mayor Meehlhause stated he attended a Twin Cities Gateway board meeting last week and he was pleased to report revenues were up 6% for the first six months of 2023. B. Reports of Staff. • Dog Kennel Licensing – 3 or more issue City Administrator Zikmund asked if the Council supported allowing residents to have three dogs as pets, with no breeding. The consensus of Council was to support this recommendation. • Noise Ordinance Conflict – 6:00 a.m. vs 7:00 a.m. City Administrator Zikmund asked if the Council wanted to allow the noise ordinance to kick in at 6:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. He stated based on feedback from residents, he did not believe the public wanted noise before 7:00 a.m. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the City still allow commercial districts to begin making noise at 6:00 a.m. He reported all contractors could not begin work until 7:00 a.m. City Administrator Zikmund explained half of the noise complaints were coming from trash haulers that were visiting apartment complexes before 6:00 a.m. Council Member Lindstrom asked if the Council could give the City an exclusion from the Ordinance. City Attorney Riggs reported this could be done. He indicated if apartment complex pickup times were adjusted the haulers would be impacted or disrupted. Rebecca Scholl, 2467 Hillview Road, stated as a construction worker, it benefits workers to start work early in the day to avoid the heat. She reported she believed it was safer to have trash haulers coming early in the day before children are on the street and walking to schools. Further discussion ensued regarding the schedules followed for trash haulers when picking up trash at apartment complexes. The Council supported keeping the Noise Ordinance language as is. City Administrator Zikmund reviewed the agenda items the Council would be addressing at their October 2 worksession meeting. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. Mounds View City Council September 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 7 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, October 2, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, October 9, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial