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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/04/08APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 8, 2024 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 6:00 P.M. 1. MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL: Cermak, Lindstrom, and Meehlhause NOT PRESENT: Gunn 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, April 8, 2024, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Approve the Monday, April 8, 2024, agenda as presented. Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: March 8, 2024 and March 25, 2024. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9897 Accepting the 2024 Twin Cities Gateway Member City Marketing Grant. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Arbor Day/Earth Day - Proclamation. Mayor Lindstrom read a proclamation in full for the record declaring April 22 as Earth Day and April 26 as Arbor Day in the City of Mounds View. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Mounds View City Council April 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 2 Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, thanked the City for their hard work on the Tribute Park. She requested action on this item be held off until the park report could be further studied. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution 9898, Approving a Chicken-Keeping License for Jeffrey Hedstrom, 7748 Woodlawn Drive. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council consider approving a chicken-keeping license for Jeffery Hedstrom at 7748 Woodlawn Drive. He explained all necessary paperwork was submitted to the City and staff recommended approval. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. Maxine Smedshammer, 7730 Pulner Road, explained she grew up on a farm and was familiar with raising animals. She questioned if a standard sized lot was required to keep chickens. She asked why six hens were not recommended as was done in other communities. She inquired if the City had requirements when it came to the size of the chicken coop and asked if a fenced outdoor space was required for the hens. She recommended the fenced area be covered to protect the hens from flying pests. She questioned if the City had other animal ordinances in place that would allow for goats or horses. She asked of the houses on this block could have chickens. She expressed concern with the number of wild animals in her neighborhood, which included fox and coyotes. She stated she was concerned for the welfare of the chickens given the number of predators in the neighborhood. She indicated she was not in favor of residents of Mounds View keeping chickens, given the size of the lots in the community. Jeffrey Hedstrom, 7748 Woodlawn Drive, reported he had an outside pen and he was following all of the City’s requirements that was completely covered and contained. He explained he would be having the hens for personal use. He indicated his backyard had a six foot fence in place. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom responded to Ms. Smedshammer’s questions noting the City did not have a lot size requirement in place for chicken keeping. He indicated the City has allowed up to 12 chickens after receiving a request from a community member. He noted this number has not been a concern. He stated he has found the neighbors have embraced the residents who keep these animals. He explained the City does have requirements for coop size and the run. He indicated all of the neighbors on the street could keep chickens. Council Member Meehlhause commented there is no requirement in the Ordinance related to lot size, but there are requirements related to how far the coop had to be from property lines. City Administrator Zikmund stated coops had to be 20 feet from property lines. Mr. Hedstrom explained his coop was 20 feet from the north property line and 60 feet from the west property line. He asked the Council if the chickens could free range in his backyard given the fact his backyard was fully fenced. Mounds View City Council April 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mayor Lindstrom stated this was allowed given the fact the rear yard was fenced. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9898, Approving a Chicken-Keeping License for Jeffrey Hedstrom, 7748 Woodlawn Drive. Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Resolution 9892, Approving an Individual Therapeutic Massage License for Crystal Hoon, Minnesota Muscle Recovery, LLC. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve an individual therapeutic massage license for Crystal Hoon with Minnesota Muscle Recovery. He reported Ms. Hoon was proposing to teach massage classes out of the Mounds View Community Center. He explained all necessary paperwork had been submitted to the City and staff recommended approval. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9892, Approving an Individual Therapeutic Massage License for Crystal Hoon, Minnesota Muscle Recovery, LLC. Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1013, Easement Vacation for Alexander Gardens. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an Ordinance, which was an easement vacation for Alexander Gardens. He reported staff has received no feedback from the public and staff was recommending approval of the request. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1013, Easement Vacation for Alexander Gardens and direct staff to publish a summary of the Ordinance. ROLL CALL: Cermak/Meehlhause/Lindstrom Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9899, Approving Various Sanitary Sewer Manhole Repairs. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve various sanitary sewer manhole repairs. He explained during the City’s regular cleaning of sewer lines, staff found several sanitary sewers that required repair work. He stated staff pursued bids for this work and the low bid was received from Thul Specialty Contracting. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9899, Approving Various Sanitary Sewer Manhole Repairs. Mounds View City Council April 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 4 Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Water Meter Replacement Program - Valve Replacement. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the water meter replacement and valve replacement program. He explained the Council approved the replacement of the City’s water meters back in June of 2023. He indicated at the April 1, 2024 Council work session that the Council discussed the replacement of residential valves on each side of the inoperable meters. He stated water service lines, including the internal service lines were to be maintained by residential property owners. He reported letters were sent to residential property owners encouraging them to schedule a time to have their water meter replaced. It was noted this letter explained residents would be responsible for replacing valves on either side of the meter, if there were concerns. Staff estimated it would cost residents $92 to replace inoperable valves if requiring only 30 minutes of work, this amount would increase to $185 for an hour of work. Staff requested the Council review this information and provide staff with direction on how to proceed. Mayor Lindstrom asked if water meters were in an inconvenient location, how the contractor would address this concern. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated he would have to speak with the contractor regarding this matter. A member of the public (Tony Preciado) asked if he could replace his own water meter. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained this could not be done. He stated staff had to ensure all meters were properly installed and operational with software readings. He reported the contractor would be doing inspections of service lines in order to inventory which homes have lead water lines. He indicated this was a requirement of the federal government. Jeffery Hedstrom, 7748 Woodlawn Drive, reported he had the City out last summer and noted the valve inside his home was not holding. He questioned how the water meter would be changed out if this valve was not holding. Mayor Lindstrom explained this valve would be addressed as part of the meter replacement. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented further on how valves were replaced. Council Member Meehlhause asked if there would be a small increase in utility fees to cover the cost for the water meter replacements over time. Mayor Lindstrom recalled this would be a later discussion for the Council. City Administrator Zikmund indicated this item would be discussed at the May budget session. Council Member Meehlhause suggested the Resolution be amended to include an amount up to, for the valve replacement work. Mayor Lindstrom suggested a maximum reimbursement of $300 be considered for work performed to replace valves. Mounds View City Council April 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 5 Rebecca Scholl, 2467 Hillview Road, asked if the City inspector had to come back to inspect the water meter and would there be a permit fee loss for this work. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained no permit would be required. City Administrator Zikmund reported Kennedy & Graven has prepared a waiver that individuals that want to avail themselves could fill out. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated a new letter would be sent by the contractor after the Council takes action at this meeting. He reported Nine North created a proactive video that would be pushed to the public via social media. Ms. Scholl questioned if homeowners could replace the valves on their own and seek a reimbursement from the City. City Administrator Zikmund indicated the contractor would have to say the valve needs replacing in order for property owners to be reimbursed. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained once this is approved, homeowners will be notified that the contractor has been approved to replace the valves. City Administrator Zikmund clarified that if a homeowner has a plumber complete the valve replacement work, the homeowner could receive a reimbursement up to $300. Mike Lee, 7719 Woodlawn Drive, reported he had a leak last year with his water main. He stated his valve was replaced last year and asked if this could be reimbursed this year or was this too far out. Further discussion ensued regarding when the letters were sent to residents regarding the valve replacements. Mayor Lindstrom supported the City tying the valve replacement to the date of this letter, which was in March of 2024. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson supported this recommendation. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9901, approving to allow Keystone Utilities Systems to replace inoperable residential meter valves during the 2024 Water Meter Replacement Project at the City’s expense allowing for to $300 in reimbursement fees and directing staff to clarify the date the letter was mailed with the program ending April 15, 2024. Ayes – 3 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Cermak reported the Mounds View Police Foundation would be meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Hodges Park. Mounds View City Council April 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 Council Member Meehlhause reported NYFS would be holding a finance committee meeting next week. He indicated he would be attending the Community Support Services luncheon on April 18. He noted he would also be attending the CPY luncheon on April 23. Mayor Lindstrom stated the Festival in the Park Committee would be doing an Earth Day Clean Up at 12:00 p.m. at Silver View Park on April 21. He commented further on the clothing drive that was being sponsored in partnership with Disability Motivation and encouraged residents to participate in the clothing drive. Mayor Lindstrom commented on a collaboration conversation that was held surrounding a potential project with the County and school district. He explained four other cities were also in attendance at a meeting, along with Commissioner Frethem, Commissioner Jeppson, and Commissioner Meisner. He reported another meeting would be held on April 30, where additional guests would be in attendance. Mayor Lindstrom encouraged all residents in Mounds View to get out and vote for at the Community Center for a vacant Council Member seat and also on the proposed charter amendment regarding organized collection. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Bauman reported the audit was still moving along. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the Public Works crew would be planting trees for Earth Day on Friday, April 26 at Groveland Park at 12:00 p.m. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the City was working to hire seasonal workers for summer programs. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated Water Treatment Plant 2 was up and operational. City Administrator Zikmund reported the Council would be holding a Special Worksession meeting on Monday, April 15 along with a Special City Council meeting where the election results will be canvased and the new Council Member will be sworn in. City Administrator Zikmund explained four of the City’s flock cameras went into operation on Friday, April 5. He noted a felony arrest was made in the community on this same day. He indicated six of the ten cameras should be operational by the end of this week. He commented further on how the flock camera system worked to assist the Mounds View Police Department. City Administrator Zikmund commented on the SBM Fire Department staffing concerns that were discussed by Fire Chief Retka at last week’s worksession meeting. He noted a safer grant was being considered by the City of Mounds View, which would assist with paying salaries for full time fire fighters. Mounds View City Council April 8, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 7 City Administrator Zikmund stated the Options Committee was done. He explained a Resolution would be brought to the Council on April 22 addressing the City’s next step. He reported the recommendation at this time was for the City to pursue an RFP. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, May 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Next Special Council Meeting: Monday, April 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, April 22, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial