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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023/11/13APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 13, 2023 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:15 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Cermak, Gunn, Lindstrom, and Meehlhause NOT PRESENT: None. 4. CANVASING ELECTION RESULTS OF THE 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION Human Resources Director Ewald reviewed the results from the recent election and requested the Council canvas the election results from the 2023 Special Election. She congratulated Zach Lindstrom on being elected Mayor. She explained the other item on the ballot was for the expansion of the City Center, noting this item did not pass. MOTION/SECOND: Cermak/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9822, Canvasing the Election Results from the 2023 Special Election. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. OATH OF OFFICE – MAYOR ZACH LINDSTROM City Administrator Zikmund administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Zach Lindstrom. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Mayor Lindstrom thanked his family for their tremendous support and for attending this meeting. He thanked Council Member Meehlhause for serving as the City’s Acting Mayor since April. He thanked staff for their support and for working to move the City forward after the passing of former Mayor Al Hull. Lastly, he thanked the residents of Mounds View for their support. 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, November 13, 2023, City Council Agenda. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, November 13, 2023, agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 7. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: October 23, 2023. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9821, Approving the 2024 SCORE Recycling Grant Request to Ramsey County. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 8. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Mounds View Police Department Third Quarter Report – Chief Zender Police Chief Zender reviewed the Third Quarter Report from the police department with the City Council. He thanked his officers for working with an individual in the community that needed permanent housing. He commented on the community outreach that occurred at Night to Unite and at Festival in the Park. He thanked the residents of Mounds View for hosting 27 block parties this year. He thanked staff and the members of the Festival in the Park Committee for all of their efforts. He further discussed the other community engagement events that were held in recent months. He noted the pink patch campaign had just ended, but the Justin Morneau coat drive was ongoing. He explained the department currently had 17 officers and was budgeted for 21. He reported two new officers were in the background process at this time. He stated he recently completed his six month probation period and noted Investigator Hellpap has been promoted to Deputy Chief. He commented on the great work being done by the reserves and K-9 unit. He explained the department’s VCET officer has been extremely proactive and was recently sworn in by the DEA. He reviewed the training his officers have been attending in recent weeks and thanked the City Council for their continued support. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Police Chief Zender for his efforts on behalf of the community and for addressing the recent housing crisis. He was of the opinion the City of Mounds View was very fortunate to have its own police department. 9. PUBLIC COMMENT Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, congratulated Mayor Zach Lindstrom for being voted in as Mayor. She believed he was unafraid to listen to the community and appreciated how he was working to better communication between the City and residents. She thanked Mayor Lindstrom for hosting the Coffee Club where the idea for the books came from. She thanked the Junior Library Guild for donating 5,160 books to Mounds View. She thanked the City Council, staff members and school district individuals for their tremendous support. She went on to thank a number of individuals that worked to make the book donation event possible in the community and thanked Mounds View City Council November 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 3 the Bear Lot for hosting this event. She commented on how this event proved volunteerism was alive and well in Mounds View. She urged the next person to host a bike repair class, photography, or other hobby class for the community. Katheryn Smith, 2142 Bell Lane, introduced herself to the Council noting she served as the Mounds View Festival in the Park Committee president. She reported the Committee donated $500 to the Community Center last year to assist families with paying for summer activities. She explained this year the Committee would be donating $750 to the Community Center. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Mayor Lindstrom reported the Festival in the Park Committee was always in need of volunteers. Andre Cohen, 7951 Greenwood Drive, thanked Mayor Lindstrom for his support and for holding Coffee Club meetings in the community. He appreciated how these events have opened the lines of communication between residents and the City. He thanked Police Chief Zender for making a wise decision and for staying involved in the schools. He indicated he recently ran for school board and he appreciated how Mounds View was put back into people’s thoughts and minds. Kris Lillemo, 5132 Long Lake Road, stated it was a new day in Mounds View. He congratulated Mayor Lindstrom. He thanked the officers in Mounds View for keeping this community safe. He commented on how he was amazed on what can be done in a community when people come together and start being involved. He hoped the City had a new path forward that was focused on its people, schools, neighborhoods and businesses. He wanted to see Mounds View Square redeveloped in the coming years. 10. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 1012, an Ordinance Adopting the 2024 Fee Schedule. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance adopting the 2024 Fee Schedule. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 1012, an Ordinance Adopting the 2024 Fee Schedule. ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1010, Amending Title XV Land Usage, Chapter 150 Building Regulations; Construction of the Mounds View City Code – ROLL CALL VOTE 1) Resolution 9816 Approving an Agreement Between Rum River Consulting and The City of Mounds View for Building Official Services 2) Resolution 9820 Approving an Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Regarding Plumbing Permit Plan Mounds View City Council November 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 4 Review Services Assistant City Administrator Beeman requested the Council adopt an ordinance amendment within Title XV Land Usage for Chapter 150 Building Regulations. He commented on how Rum River Consulting would be assisting the City with plumbing permits. He indicated the City would now have to have an agreement in place with Rum River Consulting for building official services, as well as an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry regarding the plumbing permit plan review services. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9816, Approving an Agreement Between Rum River Consulting and The City of Mounds View for Building Official Services. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9820, Approving an Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Regarding Plumbing Permit Plan Review Services. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1010, Amending Title XV Land Usage, Chapter 150 Building Regulations; Construction of the Mounds View City Code. ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1011, Amending the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Section 2.06, Subd. 3 by Providing Direction to Ensure Continuity in the Performance of the Duties of the Mayor - ROLL CALL VOTE City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an ordinance amending the Mounds View City Charter by amending Section 2.06, Subd. 3 by providing direction to ensure continuity in the performance of the duties of the Mayor. He reported staff has received no comments regarding this ordinance since the last Council meeting. It was noted this ordinance would take effect on February 13, 2024. Council Member Meehlhause commented on the reason for bringing this ordinance forward and thanked the Charter Commission for also addressing this issue. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1011, Amending the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Section 2.06, Subd. 3 by Providing Direction to Ensure Continuity in the Performance of the Duties of the Mayor. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 ROLL CALL: Cermak/Gunn/Lindstrom/Meehlhause. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 11. REPORTS A. Community Center Discussion. Mayor Lindstrom reported the sales tax initiative was voted down for Mounds View on a 65/35 vote. He explained he spoke to numerous residents who had questions about this topic. He understood there was interest in updating the Community Center but in a manner that works for the entire community. He believed everybody’s heart was in the right place, but there may need to be more context if this matter were to move forward. He supported the City forming a community task force in early 2024 to further investigate this issue. He asked if there were any comments from the public regarding the vision for the community center going forward. Kris Lillemo, 5132 Long Lake Road, stated he would like to see the City start working for its residents. He commented on how busy the Community Center was and discussed the great event space Mounds View had. He supported the Community Center becoming an event center. He recommended the money made from these events be saved for future expansion of the Community Center. Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, explained her vision for Mounds View Boulevard would be to have a brand new Community Center where one wing could be a fitness center and the other wing could be a senior center with space in the middle for food trucks. She anticipated residents were willing to spend money on something new if they understood the vision. Valerie Amundson, 3048 Woodale Drive, stated she loved the idea of creating a task force for the Community Center. She believed there were a lot of great people in this community and bringing a group together would allow people to brainstorm ideas. She anticipated there would be a great deal more buy in if this was the starting point for the Community Center. She encouraged the City Council to remember Mounds View was a smaller community that was not hugely wealthy, and it would be burdensome to overtax residents. Bethany Dickert, 5109 Rainbow Lane, recommended the Mounds View Community Center have things that surrounding community centers don’t have, such as an archery center or rock wall. She believed this would greatly assist in drawing people to the community center. Kathy Lee, 7719 Woodlawn Drive, supported the City upgrading the men’s restroom/locker room facilities within the Community Center. Kris Lillemo encouraged the Council to create greater connection between the businesses and amenities along the Mounds View Boulevard corridor by creating greater pedestrian connections for students, children and the elderly. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 6 Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, explained the Community Center was currently costing the City $400,000 per year. He stated with City had a hard time getting residents on board with the $32 million sales tax initiative. He anticipated the City would have an even more difficult time getting the residents to support $50 million. Council Member Meehlhause stated he supported Mayor Lindstrom’s recommendation to create a task force next spring to revisit the Community Center. City Administrator Zikmund reported the City has pulled its bonding request, which meant this project was dead and the initiatives of the lobbyists were done. B. December 25/26, 2023 Meeting. City Administrator Zikmund asked if the Council wanted to hold the December 26 City Council meeting. The Council consensus was to not meet on December 26. C. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn reported the Lion’s would be holding a Christmas light contest again this year. Council Member Cermak explained the Mounds View Police Foundation would be meeting next on Tuesday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Hodges Park. She noted volunteers were needed to assist with Shop with a Cop. Council Member Gunn stated Abiding Savior Church would be hosting a viewing event for the Santa Parade. She encouraged residents to bring a bag of non-perishable goods for the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf. Council Member Meehlhause explained he would be attending a Northeast Youth and Family Services Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, November 15. Mayor Lindstrom reported the Festival in the Park Committee would be meeting next on Tuesday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Works building. Mayor Lindstrom explained he attended an eight cities meeting today where he heard what was happening at the cities surrounding Mounds View. He indicated the main topic of discussion was the redevelopment of the TCAAP property. D. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Bauman provided the Council with an update on conduit debt financing and reported the St. Joseph’s Point request has been put on pause. Finance Director Bauman explained the City’s Truth in Taxation Hearing would be held on Monday, December 4. Mounds View City Council November 13, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 7 City Administrator Zikmund stated a neighborhood street meeting would be held on Wednesday, November 15 at the Community Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. City Administrator Zikmund provided the Council with an update from the recent trash hauler meetings. He noted the 44 page contract was being reviewed page by page. He anticipated the City would have a rate from the haulers by the end of the year. City Administrator Zikmund invited the Council to attend an upcoming rotary event on Tuesday, November 19th at 12:00 PM at the Community Center. City Administrator Zikmund stated the signs that have been placed on Spring Lake Road would be picked up by Public Works yet this week. City Administrator Zikmund explained the samples from the storm pond in Ardan Park have been tested and there were no hard metals, but some contaminants were found. He reported this pond would be dredged this winter and the cost would be covered by the stormwater fund. City Administrator Zikmund discussed how staff had been advocating for private assistance for private sewer lining/repair/rehabilitation and the MPCA has come out with a program that will pay for half of the expense. He asked if the Council would like staff to bring this grant opportunity forward, with the understanding additional staff may be required to assist with administering these grant funds. The consensus of the Council was to bring this item forward to a future meeting. 12. Truth in Taxation Meeting: Monday, December 4, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 4, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, November 27, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial