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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/05/28APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting May 28, 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, Clark, Gunn, Lindstrom (attending remotely) and Meehlhause NOT PRESENT: None 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Tuesday, May 28, 2024, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark . To Approve the Tuesday, May 28, 2024, agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: May 13, 2024. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9929, Approving an amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Stantec Engineering Services. D. Resolution 9930, Approving Shallow Monitoring Wells, Updating the Draft Prospectus, and Meeting with Various Agencies For Ardan Park Wetland Banking Project. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Cermak. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 2 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Troy Olson – North Metro Mayors – Session Wrap Up. Troy Olson, North Metro Mayors, provided the Council with a wrap up on the recently completed legislative session. He explained North Metro Mayors was an organization that was made up of 15 communities in the North Metro that collaborates on issues of importance, such as infrastructure, to the region. He thanked Mounds View for being a part of the coalition. He commented on how important it was to have a collective voice on infrastructure issues. He discussed how the session ended noting there was not enough support to pass the bonding bill, which was disappointing to the region. Mayor Lindstrom asked what happened with the ERA bill. Mr. Olson reported a vote was not taken in the Senate on this bill. City Administrator Zikmund inquired if the legislature would be holding a special session. Mr. Olson did not believe a special session would be held. Acting Mayor Meehlhause questioned if the North Metro had any victories for the region. Mr. Olson stated the bill regarding local control and affordable housing did not move forward, which was considered a victory for the region. Acting Mayor Meehlhause asked if there were any cities that received local sales tax authorization and had a bonding request. Mr. Olson explained he was uncertain but noted there was a lot of conversation around how the State was to consider local sales tax requests without coming to the legislature. Mayor Lindstrom requested further information on what community the affordable housing bill was aimed at. Mr. Olson indicated the advocates cast their net pretty wide, noting they were looking at Minneapolis and growing suburbs, more than outstate Minnesota. Mayor Lindstrom commented on how this change would incentivize developers to purchase normal single family homes to be redeveloped into small, unaffordable rental units. He anticipated this bill would continue to drive the price of housing up and would not be equitable for those with lower income. City Administrator Zikmund explained the City belongs to three professional organizations, North Metro Mayors, Metro Cities and the League of Minnesota Cities. He commented further on the focus for each of these organizations. He stated the North Metro Mayors was a unique organization that worked effectively to collaborate for the region as a formidable force within the legislature. Council Member Gunn requested further information on the Blue Line. Mr. Olson reported the Met Council would have oversight on the Southwest Line (Green Line). He indicated the Blue Line continues to move forward and funding was allocated for those who have been displaced for the line. He stated this line would run from Minneapolis through Robbinsdale and up into Brooklyn Park. Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 3 Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, questioned how the public transportation lines would be supported given the fact more and more people were now working from home and did not rely on public transportation. Mr. Olson stated this was a good question for the Met Council. He commented on how ridership was picking up for the Blue Line and Green Line. Acting Mayor Meehlhause thanked Mr. Olson for his presentation. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, commented on the forum that was held regarding Mercy and Unity Hospitals. She requested the City take an active role in what’s happening at these hospitals because the changes would greatly impact Mounds View residents. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Resolution 9926, Authorization to Repair a Storm Sewer on Lois Drive. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council authorize the repair of storm sewer on Lois Drive. He explained over the last several months staff has explored storm sewer repairs that were needed along Lois Drive. He reported the pipe has rusted out and needs to be replaced. He indicated staff requested bids for the project. Staff reviewed the cost for the repairs and recommended the Council move forward with the project. Council Member Gunn requested staff update the bid amounts within the fourth whereas statement within the Resolution. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained he would update the bid amounts. Mayor Lindstrom thanked staff for their efforts to receive bids for the tree removal. City Administrator Zikmund asked if this was one of the largest culverts in the City. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this was a very large culvert. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9926, Authorization to Repair a Storm Sewer on Lois Drive as amended. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Community Engagement Committee – Update by Mayor Lindstrom. Mayor Lindstrom stated the Community Engagement Committee was back in action and has a plan to hold an event on Saturday, June 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. He reported the group would be chaired by Andre Koen and Shauna Bock. He explained applications would be taken from other members of the community in the future. Council Member Clark commented further on the Juneteenth community engagement celebration Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 4 that would be held at the Community Center on Saturday, June 22. She stated there would be music, bounce houses and ice cream for all in attendance. Andre Koen, 7951 Greenwood Drive, stated he was proud of the community for stepping up and recognizing that all histories matter and that all people are connected. He appreciated the fact that Juneteenth would be celebrated in a celebratory manner. He was excited about the direction this event was going. He appreciated all of the wonderful and amazing things that were occurring in the community. He encouraged the public to stay tuned for future community conversations. He stated the tag line for the Community Engagement Committee would be “Welcome. Home.” He indicated the goal would be to inform the community that this was a welcoming community that was home. C. Charter Commission council vacancy discussion – Council Member Meehlhause & Administrator Zikmund. City Administrator Zikmund reported the Charter Commission met last Tuesday and discussed if there was an issue in the past year with not having five Councilmembers in place. He stated the city attorney staffing the meeting could not come up with any concrete examples. Acting Mayor Meehlhause indicated he brought this issue up to the Charter Commission back in November. He stated the City Council operated for one year with four councilmembers. He thought a lot about this situation and statutory cities are allowed to make temporary appointments, if or when a vacancy occurs. He reported the City Charter requires that a special election be held if a vacant position has more than 365 days left remaining on the term. He explained the Charter Commission discussed this requirement for quite some time, but in the end recommended the requirement remain as is. He was of the opinion some sort of temporary succession plan should be put in place within the City Charter. He suggested the first person to be asked to serve in the vacant role be the chair of the Charter Commission, then the chair of the Planning Commission, the chair of the PTRC and then the vice chair of the Charter Commission. He stated the Charter Commission was interested in hearing feedback from the Council on this proposal. City Administrator Zikmund explained the Charter could state the Council determines the succession plan. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he thought about this and his only real concern was with the incumbent advantage, if appointed to the seat. He commented he did like the idea of succession planning. He did not believe it was appropriate to ask someone to not run for office, if appointed. He supported the City pursuing some sort of succession plan with chairs of committees being appointed in the event of a future vacancy. He was open to moving beyond the Charter Commission if need be. Council Member Cermak supported the City having an order of succession in place. She indicated she was uncertain if this should be commission chairs. She stated she would have to think on this further, but she understood the Council had a tough time over the past year with only four members. Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 5 Council Member Clark stated she supported the plan as proposed. She indicated she has met with most of the commission chairs and she appreciated their commitment and dedication to the City. She commented another alternative would be have the Charter Commission make the appointment. Council Member Gunn explained she was in favor of appointing someone to fill the empty seat until the next election, without requiring a special election. She indicated this would assist with creating more continuity. She recommended commission members not serve on both the City Council and their former Commission if appointed, for to conflict of interest reasons. She supported the City filling vacant Council seats as soon as possible so as not to have seats vacant for almost a year. Acting Mayor Meehlhause indicated his main concern with a four person Council was if the four members were split when approving the budget and tax levy. Rebecca Scholl, 2467 Hillview, thanked the Council for sharing their thoughts. She explained the Charter Commission discussed this matter several years ago and commented on the number of days a vacancy should remain open before holding a special election. She was adamant a position should remain vacant, but after the loss of Mayor Hull she supported making a change. She believed a chain of succession was the right way to go moving forward. She anticipated the residents of Mounds View were getting gun shy when it came to special elections. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, thanked the Council for their feedback. He understood this was not a pressing issue now, but he hoped the Charter Commission could address it yet this year. He thanked Council Member Meehlhause for his succession proposal. Council Member Gunn requested the Charter Commission collaborate with the Council as this topic moves forward. City Administrator Zikmund explained the Charter Commission was seeking feedback on this topic and noted their next meeting would be held on Tuesday, July 16. D. Resolution 9927, Authorizing the Purchase of a SGX 60 Stump Grinder Bob Cat Skid Steer Attachment. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council authorize the purchase of an SGX 60 stump grinder bob cat skid steer attachment. He explained this piece of equipment would assist with tree removal in the City’s natural areas. He discussed the price for the piece of equipment and recommended approval of the purchase. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9927, Authorizing the Purchase of a SGX 60 Stump Grinder Bob Cat Skid Steer Attachment. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 E. Resolution 9928, Appointing the Park Master Plan Steering Committee (PMPSC) Members. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council appoint the Park Master Plan Steering Committee (PMPSC) members. He explained staff received three additional applicants for consideration. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this steering committee would be comprised of seven to ten members with one City staff member. He reported Josh Deer from IBL and Matt Molden from the Mounds View Lacrosse Association be appointed to this committee, along with PTRC members Cindy Palm and John Lundberg. He noted Councilmember Clark and himself would also serve on the committee. He stated the steering committee was slated to hold its first meeting on Thursday, June 20 at City Hall. Acting Mayor Meehlhause asked if the Council wanted to consider the three additional applicants. The Council supported including these applicants for consideration of appointment to the steering committee. Council Member Gunn recommended applicants C, D, E, H and K be appointed to the steering committee. Council Member Clark supported applicants B, F, J, K and L be appointed to the steering committee. Council Member Cermak recommended applicants A, C, F, G, and H be appointed to the steering committee. Acting Mayor Meehlhause supported applicants C, D, E, K and L be appointed to the steering committee. Mayor Lindstrom recommended applicants A, B, F, H and K be appointed to the steering committee. City Administrator Zikmund reported the following candidates have received three or more votes: C, F, H and K. He stated applicants A, B, D, E and L each have two votes. Council Member Gunn recommended applicant D be appointed. Council Member Clark supported applicant B be appointed. Council Member Cermak recommended applicant B be appointed. Mayor Lindstrom supported applicant B be appointed. Mayor Lindstrom requested staff reach out to applicant I to gain feedback on Greenfield. City Administrator Zikmund explained he could do this, noting feedback would be requested from the Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 7 public. Council consensus was to appoint applicants B, C, F, H and K being appointed to the steering committee. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9928, Appointing the Park Master Plan Steering Committee (PMPSC) Members appointing John Lundberg, Cindy Palm, Josh Deer, Matt Molden, Council Member Julie Clark, Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson along with applicants B, C, F, H and K. Mayor Lindstrom thanked all of the residents from the public that submitted an applicant. He encouraged all residents to provide feedback to the steering committee as the park master plan moves forward. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 9920, Request a variance for the Street Design Standard for State Aid Road Operation for Project No. S.A.P. 146-242-002. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a variance for street design standards for State Aid Road operation for Project No. S.A.P. 146-242-002. He stated in 2023 the street improvement project included Pleasant View Drive from County Road H2 to County Road I. He explained Mounds View has a JPA in place with the City of Fridley for Pleasant View Drive. Through this process a trail was to be installed on the east side of the road with the mailboxes on the west side. He reported during final construction, the US Postal Service recommended the mail boxes be installed on both on the west side because there were two different postal services serving the residents living along this roadway. Staff feels confident a variance would be received for the trail in order to accommodate the mailboxes. Mayor Lindstrom questioned if the variance were not approved, would the trail be pushed further into the right of way. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented the trail could be moved further east or State Aid would not be used to pay for the trail. Acting Mayor Meehlhause asked when this matter came about. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated last fall State Aid looked at the project and staff understood a variance would be required for the mailboxes. He indicated the variance committee only meets twice a year. He commented it was not uncommon for MSA projects to request a variance. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9920, Request a variance for the Street Design Standard for State Aid Road Operation for Project No. S.A.P. 146- 242-002. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 8 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn reported the Cable Commission will not meet in June, but would be meeting in July. Council Member Clark explained she finished her orientation this past month and has learned a great deal about serving as a City Council Member. She thanked staff for all of their time. Council Member Clark reported there would be a city-wide garage sale in Mounds View this weekend, May 30 through June 2. She stated an interactive map was available online. Council Member Clark stated Festival in the Park would be held on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17. She explained volunteers were still needed for this event. She indicated the Festival in the Park Committee would meet next on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Works Facility. Council Member Clark commented on a community gardening opportunity that was being hosted by Pike Lake Elementary in New Brighton (Pikelakevolunteer@gmail.com for more information). She also reported the PTA at Pinewood Elementary was seeking volunteers at this time (pinewoodvol@gmail.com). Council Member Cermak stated the Mounds View Police Foundation would be hosting a fundraiser and bake sale at Pink Flower on Wednesday, June 12 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. She noted the Mounds View Police Foundation would meet next on Tuesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Hodges Park. Mayor Lindstrom explained he attended a North Metro Mayors meeting and stated the Election Day holiday was discussed. He commented he also talked to 621 noting mock elections were held for students. He indicated he reached out to a Met Council representative to see if they were interested in provided a mobility vehicle to assist with getting residents to the polls on election day. Mayor Lindstrom stated a joint Council meeting would be held with Arden Hills in June to discuss partnering on recreation programming. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he would be reaching out to the president of Allina to see if a minute clinic could be located in Mounds View. Mayor Lindstrom explained he spoke to the Anoka City Council regarding the City’s experience with organized collection last week. Mayor Lindstrom reported on Wednesday, May 29 he would have the honor of attending a Board of Pardon Hearing. Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 9 Mayor Lindstrom commented he had contact with the Mermaid regarding where the mermaid was housed. It appears the Mermaid wanted to see her back on the skyline in Mounds View. He understood the mermaid needed a paint job, a new concrete pad and pole structure. Acting Mayor Meehlhause wished Mayor Lindstrom a happy birthday. Acting Mayor Meehlhause thanked the public who contributed to and visited the Mounds View Lions garage sale, and specifically recognized Mounds View resident Dennis Erickson for his contributions. B. Reports of Staff. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported staff was working with the Ramsey County Library on a story trail. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the PTRC was discussing community gardens and would be seeking public feedback at the June 27 PTRC meeting. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated public works would be turning the hockey rinks at Hillview and Lambert Parks into off leash dog areas. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported park and recreation has all of their positions filled and classes will begin shortly. He explained park and recreation staff was seeking feedback on community programs. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson provided the Council with an update on the 2022/2023 street project. He stated concrete removal would begin early this week and the contractor planned to pour new concrete on Thursday and Friday of this week. He indicated the sanitary sewer that was fixed once, was vibrated and this did not work. He reported the road would be closed and this would be corrected through June 4. City Administrator Zikmund stated the goal was to finish this project by June 15 and unresolved issues would be addressed after this point. He indicated the street pavement would be addressed with the contractor yet this week. Mayor Lindstrom questioned when the road would be milled. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director stated he was uncertain but noted this could be done in one day. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director commented on the grants the City was pursuing. He explained both grants cover Ardan and Silver View ponds. He stated the grant in 2025 would be for $200,000 and 2026-2027 would be for another $50,000 to $100,000. He indicated the CPL grant would be for $500,000 and the BWSR grant would be for $300,000. He reported some of these grants would overlap and would cover tree removal, restoration and pollinator maintenance expenditures. City Administrator Zikmund stated these grant opportunities were made possible due to the work completed by Stantec and the fact that the City was willing to restore these ponds. Mounds View City Council May 28, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 10 City Administrator Zikmund explained the SBM Fire Department completed their live burn training for the house on Hillview. He stated the City would begin marketing this lot once the basement was filled in. City Administrator Zikmund reported the RFP for garbage went out to 29 haulers and three more companies reached out to him. He indicated he received 29 questions and the proposals from the haulers were due June 10. City Administrator Zikmund stated he met with 621 who was looking for 12 gyms and turf fields. He commented on the meeting that was held with Commissioner Frethem. He indicated Outlot A was 40 acres in size and 621 was looking for 20 acres of land. Mayor Lindstrom explained the County was interested in a community based project, potentially in the City with a smaller vision with the library and a service center. City Administrator Zikmund stated the City was received $29,000 from the Met Council in water efficiency grant funding. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, June 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, June 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Budget Retreat Session: Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial