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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/02/12APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting February 12, 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, February 12, 2024, City Council Agenda. City Administrator Zikmund explained staff was recommending the Council go into a Closed Session meeting after the Council finished with Council Business Item 8C. Council Member Meehlhause noted the Council had received updated Resolutions for Consent Agenda Items 5C and 5D. City Administrator Zikmund reported Special Order of Business Guest Lynette Harris would not be able to attend this meeting and has been scheduled to attend a Council meeting in March. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Approve the Monday, February 12, 2024, agenda as amended. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Meehlhause asked to remove Item 5D. A. Approval of Minutes: January 22, 2024. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9875, Authorizing Recruitment Process for Public Works Foreman Position and Approve Job Description. Mounds View City Council February 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 2 D. Resolution 9873, Authorizing Recruitment Process for 2024 Public Works Seasonal Positions. E. Resolution 9874, Authorizing Recruitment Process for 2024 Parks and Recreation Seasonal Positions and Approving Job Descriptions. F. Resolution 9870, Approving Budget Carryovers from 2023 to 2024. G. Resolution 9872, Approving Migration of Video Footage from the Physical Server to the Cloud for the Police Department Video Evidence Library. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Item 5D. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9873, Authorizing Recruitment Process for 2024 Public Works Seasonal Positions. Council Member Meehlhause explained this item was revised from the original report to reflect the correct hourly rates paid for these positions. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9873, Authorizing Recruitment Process for 2024 Public Works Seasonal Positions. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Lynette Harris – Care #4All Youth Haven This item has been rescheduled for March. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, reported on November 27 he provided the City with pictures and a claim from his property after his home was flooded. He explained he had two to three inches of raw sewer in his basement after his sewer line was sheared off by the City. He indicated he was contacted by Westfield, the insurance carrier, stating they needed pictures and these pictures were submitted on November 27. These pictures were never received. He stated after speaking with his attorney he was encouraged to contact Schifsky’s. He commented he spoke with Schifsky’s and understood they were selling all of their equipment this spring and would be closing their business. He indicated it has been 76 days and he has received no response from Schifsky’s or the insurance company. Mr. Meyer requested City staff drive down Spring Lake Road. He expressed concern with how wavy the road was after being newly paved. He explained Pleasant View does not have the wave effect. He believed after paying $3.3 million Spring Lake Road should have a nicer finish. City Administrator Zikmund reported he would respond to Mr. Meyer on Tuesday, February 13. Mounds View City Council February 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 3 Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, explained her road was great, but noted the wings or flares at the end of the driveways that were installed were tearing apart her tires. She indicated the road was not wide enough and the fog lane had been removed. She commented on how it was now very difficult to make turns into her driveway because her driveway was narrower. Lynn Artesiger, 8180 Spring Lake Road, stated she drove a small car and she was having trouble making turns into her driveway. She noted she was told her driveway would be 13 feet wide and it is 10 feet wide. She requested this be fixed by the City. Cindy Clark, 8180 Spring Lake Road, indicated Spring Lake Road was wavy, especially in front of her house where a pipe was fixed. She anticipated this pipe was still not right. She understood some kind of vibration work would be done this spring to try and bring the pipe together. She reported she went 17 years with no water in her basement and after work began on the roadway her basement was flooded, in addition to having her water pipe busted off. She noted her sump pump ran all summer and there was little to no rain. Luke Edmond, 8407 Spring Lake Road, thanked the police department for their continued efforts with the buses along his roadway. He understood the Council may be tired of hearing about Spring Lake Road, but noted his driveway wings were incorrect as well. He reported last July he emailed public works regarding the popping at the end of his driveway. He believed the concrete work that was done was of poor quality. He stated he loved this City, but he wanted the work he paid for to be done property. City Administrator Zikmund explained the City had protections in place within the contracts. He indicated the warranty work concerns would be addressed in the spring and a lot of concrete would be replaced. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported Schifsky’s would be closing their doors this spring but their plants would still be available for asphalt. He stated he met with the contractor on Friday and noted the City has a contract in place with them through June, in order to address punch list and warranty work. He explained the pop outs were done in cold weather and proper measures were not taken. He indicated the State Aid inspector has walked Spring Lake Road and reported their concrete standards had not been met. He noted core samples were taken from the concrete and the lab confirmed proper cold weather standards were not followed. He indicated the contractor would be responsible for replacing all of this concrete. He reported he would continue to work with the contractor on the sewer line and vibration work would be done this spring to make the line level. He stated a slight sag may go forward in order to avoid digging up the entire street. He explained the City Attorney has been made aware of the situation with the contractor and their bond would be pulled if the concrete work was not properly completed. It was his understanding that Schifsky would be completing the concrete work later this spring when weather permits. Mayor Lindstrom requested staff take a look at the waviness of Spring Lake Road. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated this had been brought to his attention and he spoke with the City Engineer regarding this matter. He indicated the crown and watershed on this Mounds View City Council February 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 4 roadway could be further examined. He noted the manhole heights would be properly set on this roadway as well. Mr. Meyer asked that the wings on the driveways be at least five feet. He stated this was the size of the wings that were installed on Long Lake Road. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 9868, Accepting Two Ramsey County 2023 Critical Corridor Commercial Corridor Initiative Grants: Mounds View Boulevard Design Theme Project and Filipino Village/Kusina. Assistant City Administrator Beeman requested the Council accept two Ramsey County 2023 Critical Corridor Commercial Corridor Initiative Grants for Mounds View Boulevard design and the Filipino Village. He explained these grants would assist staff with studying the Mounds View Boulevard Corridor, noting staff would be focusing on wayfinding and pedestrian concerns. He indicated the grant would also assist with improvements to the Filipino Village property. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9868, Accepting Two Ramsey County 2023 Critical Corridor Commercial Corridor Initiative Grants: Mounds View Boulevard Design Theme Project and Filipino Village/Kusina. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9871, approving a $172,411 Contribution to SBM Capital Fund and approval of Capital Plan addition of Uniforms. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a contribution to the SBM Capital Fund and approve a Capital Plan addition of uniforms. He explained the new uniforms would assist with moving the SBM Fire Department to duty crews. Fire Chief Retka thanked the City Council for considering this request. He provided a brief update on the transition that has occurred to duty crews as of January 1, 2024. He explained this change was being made due to staffing concerns. He commented on how SBM has been seeking new recruits over the past year in preparation for the crew change and the capital contribution would assist with providing turnout gear and uniforms for these new recruits. He reported the duty crew model was working well and response times had gone down two or three minutes. He thanked the City Council for their continued support and stated he was available for comments or questions. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9871, approving a $172,411 Contribution to SBM Capital Fund and approval of Capital Plan addition of Uniforms. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9869, Approving Transfers Between Funds for 2023. Mounds View City Council February 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 5 Finance Director Bauman requested the Council approve transfers between funds for 2023. She reported this transfer occurs on an annual basis and were included in the 2023 budget. She provided further comment on the transfers that would occur and recommended $955,620 be moved from the General Fund to the Special Projects Fund. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9869, Approving Transfers Between Funds for 2023 and also moving $955,620 from the General Fund to the Special Projects Fund per staff’s recommendation. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. City Attorney Riggs requested the Council recess this meeting and move into Closed Session. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Recess the City Council meeting at 6:50 p.m. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Reconvene the City Council meeting at 7:42 p.m. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Staff Report – Organized Solid Waste Status Report 1. Options Committee Status 2. Deadline City Administrator Zikmund provided the Council with a status report on organized solid waste collection. He explained the committee met today with the haulers and the group has agreed to meet again on February 13, February 16 and February 19. He indicated the haulers conveyed progress and are exchanging substantive ideas. He reported the goal would be to see a draft on Friday, February 16th. Mayor Lindstrom asked if a motion should be made to pause the options committee. City Attorney Riggs stated this would not be a bad idea. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Pause the Options Committee for the Week of February 12-16 and Authorize Staff as Needed Pending Progress Made with the Haulers. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Judy Elstram, 2071 Pinewood Drive, stated she understood the City has purchased two properties, one on Hillview and the other on Mounds View Boulevard. She understood the City was considering having the SBM Fire Department burn these two facilities down. She objected to this Mounds View City Council February 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 because of the particles that would be released into the air. She commented on how the burning of the Skyline adversely impacted her property. She recommended items be salvaged from the properties wherever possible. Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, explained she received a mailing from the haulers lobbyists that caused her some concern. She feared the haulers were reaching out to the community to try and influence voters prior to voting on the charter amendment. She stated this influence made her uncomfortable. City Administrator Zikmund reported the police and fire would be conducting a great deal of training in the houses. He stated any items of value would be removed from the properties and donated. He commented on how important it was for firefighters to learn from live fires, but stated he would pass Ms. Elstram’s concerns onto the Fire Chief. Council Member Cermak stated the Daddy Daughter Dance was very successful this past Saturday. She explained the fathers and daughters appreciated having the bear and winter carnival junior royalty in attendance. She thanked all of the volunteers that worked to make this event a tremendous success for the community. Council Member Cermak indicated the Mounds View Police Foundation would be meeting next on Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Hodges Park. Council Member Cermak reported the Festival in the Park would be hosting a fundraiser at Gerten’s beginning today. In addition, a fundraiser would be held at Red Robin on Thursday, May 2. She stated the Festival in the Park Committee would be meeting next on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Works Facility. Council Member Gunn stated the Cable Commission would be meeting on Thursday, February 15 and noted she would be serving as the Chair. Council Member Meehlhause indicated he would be attending an NYFS Finance Committee meeting on Wednesday, February 21. He commented on how Twin City Gateway hotels had a record year in 2023. Council Member Meehlhause reported the Community Center would be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day event on Sunday, March 17 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the Mounds View Lions serving corned beef and cabbage. Mayor Lindstrom explained he met with a Ramsey County Commissioner candidate and attended a Pinewood PTA meeting last week. He noted he had lunch with Representative Betty McCullum today and he received a broad overview of the gridlock in Washington. He commented he would be meeting with a Met Council representative on Thursday to discuss grant opportunities and indicated he attended a Climate Crisis Call that was held by Met Council. Mayor Lindstrom reported he attended the Daddy Daughter Dance with his daughter Penelope. He thanked the Mounds View Police Foundation for all of their efforts on this event. Mounds View City Council February 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 7 B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Zikmund stated public works held a quarterly meeting and would be reorganizing. City Administrator Zikmund explained the DFL would be addressing SRO concerns at the State level this year. City Administrator Zikmund reported Jim Freichels was interested in serving as the Fire Board representative. He stated the Council would be considering this appointment in March. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, March 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, February 26, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial