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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/01/22APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 22, 2024 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:16 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, January 22, 2024, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Cermak/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, January 22, 2024, agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Lindstrom asked to remove Item 5C. A. Approval of Minutes: January 8, 2024. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9865, Authorizing Vacation Carryover Extension for Certain Police Department and Public Works Personnel. D. Resolution 9864, Authorizing the Purchase of Lockers for the Sergeant Office. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Item 5C. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9865, Authorizing Vacation Carryover Extension for Certain Police and Public Works Department Personnel. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 2 Mayor Lindstrom explained the City has a policy in place that allows hours to be banked for vacation leave. He thanked all of the City’s public safety and public works employees for their hard work and dedication as they serve the community. He commented on the amount of hours that could be carried over and encouraged City employees to find a healthy work/life balance. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9865, Authorizing Vacation Carryover Extension for Certain Police and Public Works Department Personnel. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Resolution 9863, Appreciation to Donn Lindstrom for his Service on the Economic Development Commission. Mayor Lindstrom read a Resolution of Appreciation in full for the record and recognized Donn Lindstrom for his dedicated service on the Economic Development Commission. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9863, Appreciation to Donn Lindstrom for his Service on the Economic Development Commission. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Karen Meyer – Community Support Center Karen Meyer, Community Support Center (CSC), discussed the mission of CSC, which was to prevent homelessness and to provide financial stability for those in need. She discussed how clients are referred to the CSC and how she works to provide services for residents living in Mounds View, Arden Hills, New Brighton and Shoreview. She reported CSC was mostly supported by local churches, as well as through fundraisers and cities. She commented on how rising rental rates were impacting her clientele and thanked the City of Mounds View for their continued support. Council Member Meehlhause presented Ms. Meyer with a check from the City for the Community Support Center, noting funds from the City’s charitable gambling fund were being used to assist this non-profit organization. C. Resolutions 9866 and 9867 – Long Lake Woods Second Addition (Development Agreement and Tax Forfeited Land Acquisition). City Attorney Riggs requested the Council approve Resolutions 9866 and 9867 approving the Long Lake Woods Second Addition development agreement and tax forfeited land acquisition. He explained the Resolutions would readopt the development agreement with clarifications and updates that have been made. In addition, the Council was being asked to acquire a piece of tax forfeited parcel of land. He reported there was a strip of land that was believed to be in the City’s ownership, but this land was owned by the State. In order to get this land into the City’s hands, a Mounds View City Council January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 3 use deed was necessary in order to allow for future development. He indicated this was more of a house keeping matter and staff was recommending approval of the tax forfeit land acquisition. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9866, Approving a Development Agreement for Long Lake Woods Second Addition. City Administrator Zikmund explained this was the same agreement Mr. Harstad has and staff had conveyed to him this agreement would be updated. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9867, Authorizing Application for a State Deed for a Parcel of Tax Forfeited Land through the Ramsey County Tax Forfeiture Lands Division. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the passing of these two resolutions triggers another action. City Attorney Riggs explained this would bring back to life the other action. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, reported if there is another meeting, such as EDA, it needs to be held before or after the City Council meeting that was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. He indicated he did not like the way the garbage hauler situation was handled. He believed the citizens needed a chance to say whether or not they want to be on board with this decision. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, asked why certain employees get their vacation carried over and not others. City Administrator Zikmund explained these employees went over the policy and in order to keep their PTO, the Council had to adopt a Resolution in order to allow them to keep their PTO. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS None. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Meehlhause reported at the EDC meeting last week, staff asked for meeting topic ideas. He noted Jim Freichels suggested Kent Barnard from MnDOT be invited to a future meeting to discuss the construction work that would be done on Highway 65 in Blaine. The EDC recommended a joint meeting be held between the EDC, Planning Commission and City Council to address this topic. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 4 Council Member Gunn stated Tribute Park meetings would be held at the Community Center on Wednesday, January 31. The first meeting would be held at 10:30 a.m. and the second would be held at 6:00 p.m. Council Member Cermak reported the Daddy Daughter Dance would be held on Saturday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m. She explained the Mounds View Police Foundation was seeking volunteers for this event. Council Member Cermak noted she recently attended a Festival in the Park meeting and stated the group was hosting a fundraiser at the Northtown Chipotle on Saturday, March 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom explained he met with Commissioner Frethem last week to discuss items occurring within Ramsey County. He noted the County may be interested in renovating their library. Mayor Lindstrom stated he attended the Organized Collection Options Committee meeting where resident feedback was discussed. He indicated he would be attending another committee meeting on Wednesday, January 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom reported the Council would be holding a special work session meeting on Monday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom explained he would be attending his first Clemency Commission meeting next week. B. Reports of Staff. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson noted he met with the contractor last week and repairs would begin on Water Treatment Plant 2 the first or second week of February. He commented on the repair parts that would be needed for WTP2. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported Ramsey County was seeking a letter of support from the City Council for two different projects as they are seeking federal funding. He noted the first project was for Silver Lake Road, reducing this roadway from four lanes to three lanes. He stated this project would begin in 2025. He indicated he would be speaking with the County about expanding the trail system along this roadway. Further discussion ensued regarding the traffic and accident counts along Silver Lake Road. Mayor Lindstrom recommended staff look into grant opportunities for this project. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated the second project was on Mounds View Boulevard between Groveland and Spring Lake Road. He reviewed the crash information for this portion of the corridor. He stated it was his understanding the County was looking into installing j-turns at this intersection in order to reduce the number of accidents at this intersection. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 5 Council Member Meehlhause supported the County installing j-turns in order to improve safety at this intersection. The consensus of Council was to direct staff to draft a letter of support for Ramsey County’s roadway project on Mounds View Boulevard. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson asked how the Council wanted to proceed with the project on Silver Lake Road. Mayor Lindstrom commented on how the speed on Silver Lake Road would drop to 25 miles per hour if a bike lane were installed. Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, commented on how the speed of traffic along Silver Lake Road has increased since the speed along Long Lake Road dropped to 25 miles per hour. He stated he supported Ramsey County’s project even if this meant slowing down the speed of traffic. He suggested the Mounds View Police Department speak with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department in order to get extra patrols along Silver Lake Road and Mounds View Boulevard. City Administrator Zikmund explained the City does not contract with the County, nor does the City control where they patrol. He shared the Mounds View Police Department has an excellent working relationship with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department. The consensus of Council was to direct staff to draft a letter of support for Ramsey County’s roadway project on Silver Lake Road. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated staff was gearing up for the 2024 Street Improvement Project. He asked if the Council still supported special assessments, grouped mailboxes, bringing driveways into conformance, and adding trails and sidewalks. Council Member Meehlhause reported the City did away with special assessments. City Administrator Zikmund explained special assessment was still written into City Code and could be further reviewed a future work session meeting. He commented on how the increased costs for roadway construction may make it difficult or impossible for the City to continue to complete roadway improvement projects without assessments or an increase in the levy. Mayor Lindstrom stated he supported group mailboxes continuing. In addition, he supported driveways remaining as is. He explained he did not have an appetite for narrowing driveways. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated he would bring all driveway conformance issues to the Council for further consideration. He provided further information regarding the roadways that were included in the 2024 street improvement project. The Council supported the City exploring additional sidewalks and trails within the street improvement project. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 The Council supported discussing other financing options besides assessments at a future work session meeting. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the rinks have been flooded and were open for use. Julie Clark, 8005 Woodlawn Drive, asked if staff could provide the public with the information that was presented on Silver Lake Road. She suggested Silver Lake Road be reduced down to three lanes without a bike lane. Mr. King commented on the number of bikes that use Silver Lake Road on a daily basis and noted 25% of them were already use the street. He noted he did not support a sidewalk being added to his side of the street. City Administrator Zikmund stated an all staff meeting was held today and the primary content was to complete an employee satisfaction survey. He reported the Council would be reviewing the feedback at his performance review. City Administrator Zikmund indicated the lease with Rise was up at the Community Center. He asked the Council how they wanted to proceed. The Council supported a minor rent increase to $20,000 for the year. City Administrator Zikmund provided the Council with an update on the two houses that the City recently purchased. He reported extensive training would be held on these properties for both police and fire. City Administrator Zikmund stated the Mounds View Police Department has one new officer candidate that was being backgrounded. City Administrator Zikmund reported Director Peterson met with Brian Shank on Friday. He stated work would begin next week in order to have this plant operational by May. City Administrator Zikmund commented on the topics that will be discussed at the Organized Collection Options Committee meeting this week. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, February 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, February 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Mounds View City Council January 22, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 7 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial