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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2023/11/27APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 27, 2023 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:10 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, November 27, 2023, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Cermak/Gunn. To Approve the Monday, November 27, 2023, agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: November 13, 2023. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9826, Authorizing Separation Compensation for Police Officer Jason Eyberg. D. Resolution 9825, Approving a Public Works Memorandum of Understanding for 2023 Wages Payable to the Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreement. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. SBM Fire Department Update – Deputy Fire Chief Matt Grantz. Mounds View City Council November 27, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 2 Deputy Fire Chief Matt Grantz provided the Council with an update from the SBM Fire Department. He explained SBM would be kicking off the Santa Parade next week, Monday through Thursday and would be in Mounds View on Tuesday night. He stated back in March the department hired a recruitment individual to assist with bringing 29 new individuals into the department. He discussed how important this was to the department while it shifts to a duty crew on January 1, 2024. He commented further on how the fire stations would be staffed in the new year. He was pleased to report the department took delivery of new fire engine #3, which would be at the North Station. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Deputy Chief Grantz for his update and stated he was looking forward to the Santa Parade. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, stated at the last meeting he asked if needed a permit to park a dumpster on his road. He explained the police department told him he cannot. He reported there was a tree removal service on his street today for three hours that locked up traffic and this past weekend a family had a birthday party with eight visiting cars that were parked in the street. He anticipated residents on his street would have garage sales this summer. He questioned how this parking should be addressed and asked if a special permit was required for parking. He discussed the bad driveways that were found along his roadway and requested the City communicate better with the residents within this street improvement project. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, discussed the traffic meeting she was not able to attend. She indicated she was irritated with the options that were proposed, such as putting a stop sign at LaPort and Red Oak Drive. She was of the opinion the only way to slow traffic down would be to put in traffic circles because people were not slowing down for the stop signs. Nick Super, 8088 Edgewood Drive, explained he has lived in his home for the past three years and has bene a resident of Mounds View for the past 29 years. He commented on the sales tax referendum that failed in the last election. He believed that the community center expansion project was a good project for the City and would have drawn people to the community. He anticipated the communities negative response was due to the proposed funding. He urged the City Council to find another funding method to move this project forward without additional taxes on Mounds View residents. He then asked if the Council was offered any form of compensation from Pulte Homes or an affiliate in order to support the Ardan Park project. Mayor Lindstrom and the remainder of the Councilmembers reported they received no compensation to support this project. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, spoke to the Council regarding the proposed 2024 tax levy. He reported he received the recent edition of the Mounds View Matters. He explained he was confused because it appears total revenues and expenditures would be less in 2024, but the City would be asking for more taxes. He commented on the Charter cap, which was 6% and could only be raised to 9% if four Councilmembers agreed to raise it to 9%. He feared that the percentage of increase was more than was spoken about by the Council in September. He understood the amount Mounds View City Council November 27, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 3 that was certified to the County could go down, but could not go up. He urged the Council to work to lower the proposed tax levy, noting the proposed increase would be a huge burden on hard working families and seniors. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 9824, Approving Appointments to the Mounds View Planning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission for 2024. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve appointments to the Planning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission for 2024. He reviewed the recommendations from each commission and asked that the Council approve the appointments. Valerie Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, spoke to the process followed by the City for commission appointments. She believed the Council was reappointing individuals that were already serving without considering new individuals for appointment. She supported the Council reviewing these applications and making appointments. It was her hope that the Council would be appointing the best individuals to these positions versus strictly following Commission recommendations. Council Member Meehlhause supported the Council tabling action on this item to a future meeting in order to allow the Council to further discuss the appointment process. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Table action on this item to a future Council meeting. Mayor Lindstrom stated he supported the Council further discussing this topic as well. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9827, Approving a Special Election for a Vacant Seat on the City Council and Setting a Date for the Special Election. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a Special Election for a vacant seat on the City Council and setting a date for the Special Election. He reviewed the proposed dates for the special election, noting filing would open in January and the election would be held in April. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, questioned if the Council could direct the procedures for the election versus having to work with Ramsey County. City Administrator Zikmund explained the City could not meet the County’s February deadline, which meant the election would have to be pushed to April. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9827, Approving a Special Election for a Vacant Seat on the City Council and Setting a Date for the Special Election. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council November 27, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 4 C. Resolution 9823, Approving the Subscription to Flock Services to include License Plate Readers and Software. Police Chief Zender requested the Council approve a subscription to Flock Services to include License Plate Readers and Software. He explained he would like to install 10 cameras throughout the City. He reported the expense for this project would be coming out of the public safety grant the City would be receiving next month. He spoke further to the value of having these cameras in place to assist with solving crimes in the community. Council Member Meehlhause asked what kind of data would be captured from these cameras that would be included in the quarterly reports. Police Chief Zender explained he would speak to the instances on when the cameras were used to solve crime. Mayor Lindstrom questioned when the new cameras would be installed. Police Chief Zender reported the cameras would be installed within 45 days of the first camera being installed. He anticipated the cameras would be installed within one to two weeks. Mayor Lindstrom explained this system would only capture data if data was entered into the system. Police Chief Zender stated this was the case and commented on how this system spoke with neighboring communities. He explained there would be great benefit to sharing information with neighboring agencies in order to solve crimes. Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, explained after speaking with several officers he was concerned with the fact the people committing crimes may put different license plates on their vehicles when driving through the City, which would make this technology useless. He commented further on how quickly this technology may become obsolete and asked if the technology could be used after two years. Police Chief Zender reported the current contract was to have the cameras in place for two years. Once that two years is up, the City would not have to renew the contract. While he understood people steal license plates, he still saw the benefit of having this technology in place in the community. Mayor Lindstrom spoke to how this technology was already being used to solve crimes and explained he appreciated the fact neighboring communities already had cameras in place. He stated Flock had a heavy presence in the area. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9823, Approving the Subscription to Flock Services to include License Plate Readers and Software. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9828, Authorization to apply for a 2024 Municipal Inflow and Infiltration Grant Request to the Metropolitan Council. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council authorize staff to apply for a 2024 Municipal Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Grant Request to the Metropolitan Mounds View City Council November 27, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 5 Council. He explained this grant was designed to assist cities with addressing I&I in the community. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9828, Authorization to apply for a 2024 Municipal Inflow and Infiltration Grant Request to the Metropolitan Council. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 9829, Approving a Contractor for Private Inflow and Infiltration Televising and Repairs. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a contractor for private inflow and infiltration (I&I) televising and repairs. He discussed the City’s point of sale program which requires homeowners to have their sanitary sewer line televised and submitted to public works. He reported the Council wanted this program in place in order to preserve its infrastructure and have contractors in place to assist homeowners with I&I televising. He reviewed the contractors that submitted proposals and recommended the Council approve a contract with Marvel Sewer. Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, expressed concern with the amount of money he was being charged to have his lines inspected by a contractor. City Administrator Zikmund reported residents are not obligated to use this contractor, but at a point of sale residents are required to submit a video from their house to the City main. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated this was the case and noted the City will reject a video of a video, or if the video did not have proper clarity. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9829, Approving a Contractor for Private Inflow and Infiltration Televising and Repairs. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9830, Authorization 2024 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration Grant Program from the Metropolitan Council. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council authorize the 2024 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration Grant Program from the Metropolitan Council. He commented further on the grant program that had been established by the Met Council noting this would be a pilot program on a sliding scale that would be in place for one year. He reviewed a map of the City’s sewer lines noting the age of the lines that would require lining. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the homeowners who were proactive and got their lines inspected would be eligible for this program. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated these residents should be included. Council Member Meehlhause questioned if the City was seeing an improvement in the amount of Mounds View City Council November 27, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 6 I&I that was getting into the system. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the City was seeing a reduction in I&I, but there was still clear water flowing into the sanitary sewer system. Mayor Lindstrom asked how the funds would be divided by the City. City Administrator Zikmund reported it would make the most sense to speak with the pre 1960’s homeowners first because staff knows their lines were in the worst condition. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9830, Authorization 2024 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration Grant Program from the Metropolitan Council. Mayor Lindstrom thanked staff for all of their efforts to pursue this grant for the community. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn stated a Native American Heritage Celebration would be held at Irondale High School on Tuesday, November 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Council Member Gunn reported Cookies with Santa would be held at the Mounds View Community Center on Saturday, December 2 starting at 10:00 a.m. Council Member Meehlhause reported he would be attending an NYFS Governance Committee and Convention Bureau Finance Committee meetings on Thursday, November 30. Council Member Cermak encouraged fourth, fifth and sixth grade students to participate in the Mayor for a Day Contest, noting the deadline for this contest was Tuesday, December 12. Council Member Cermak reported the Mounds View Police Foundation would meet next on Tuesday, December 12 at Hodges Park at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom explained the Festival in the Park Committee would be meeting on Tuesday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mounds View Community Center. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Bauman reported the Truth in Taxation Hearing would be held on Monday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. Police Chief Zender explained Investigator Jeremy Helpap was promoted to Deputy Chief and his position was now being backfilled. He explained Officer Riley Solz would be promoted to Investigator and the department was backgrounding for one new officer. He stated he was looking Mounds View City Council November 27, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 7 to promote a fourth sergeant in 2024. Further discussion ensued regarding the staffing levels within the department. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the Council will have to go into a closed session (December 18 or 19) regarding the water treatment plant to discuss settlement options. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained projects were wrapping up for the season. He stated the only project that was underway at this time was the City’s sanitary sewer lining project. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson discussed the watermain break that occurred on Thanksgiving Day along Long Lake Road. City Administrator Zikmund provided the Council with an update on the garbage hauler negotiations. He anticipated the negotiations would be completed in January 2024. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Truth in Taxation Hearing: 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, December 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial