HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/07/08APPROVED
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
July 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, Clark, Gunn, Lindstrom, and Meehlhause
NOT PRESENT: None.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, July 8, 2024, City Council Agenda.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Approve the Monday, July 8 , 2024, agenda as
presented.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes: June 24, 2024.
B. Just and Correct Claims.
C. Resolution 9948, Amending Revised Resolution 9945, Revisions to Accountant
Job Description.
D. Resolution 9947, Amending Police Department Tuition Reimbursement
Policy.
E. Resolution 9952, Approving an Application from the Mounds View Police
Foundation to Conduct Excluded Bingo at the 2024 Festival in the Park.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
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Carol Mueller, 8343 Groveland Road, explained she received a survey regarding stop signs on
Groveland Road. She explained she would be handing her survey in to the City. She expressed
concern with the addresses that the survey was sent to. She discussed how surveys were collected
from people who do not live on Groveland Road. She commented on how the stop signs have not
detoured traffic, as previously anticipated, but rather have slowed the speed of passing traffic. She
questioned why more opinions were needed versus the opinions of those most impacted on
Groveland Road. She hoped that anyone who received the survey understood there was more going
on.
Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, commented on the Spring Lake Road project. He reported
he had debris on his roadway and sidewalks. He explained he was told by the Public Works
Director that the rocks and debris would be cleaned up. He asked the debris and trash be cleaned
up.
Barb Lucarelli, 8381 Groveland Court, discussed the notice regarding the flashing stop signs. She
reported the letter stated the survey was being sent to Mounds View residents that live on
Groveland Road and Groveland Court. She indicated she lives on Groveland Court and not one of
the residents on Groveland Court received the notice. She encouraged the City to review their
mailing list to ensure impacted residents receive the proper information.
City Administrator Zikmund stated he would follow up on this.
Luke Edmond, 8407 Spring Lake Road, reported 160 trees were cut down for the Spring Lake
Road project. He understood the trees were to be replanted on a 3:1 ratio. He asked where in
Mounds View the new trees had been planted. He explained he lives on Spring Lake Road and he
did receive the Groveland Road survey information. He was of the opinion the stop signs should
remain in place. He reported his wife was working on a petition to have stop signs installed on
Spring Lake Road.
Mayor Lindstrom commented on how the Groveland Road survey results will be broken down by
street.
6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. SBM Fire Chief Dan Retka - Update.
Fire Chief Retka provided the Council with an update from the SBM Fire Department. He was
pleased to report he was trending under budget for 2024, due to streamlining decisions that were
made by the department. He commented on how calls for service were up 30% and explained the
new staffing model was improving response times.
Assistant Chief Scavo discussed the fire corps initiative the SBM Fire Department was pursuing.
He explained the fire corps was a group of civilians that want to give back to the community. He
noted the fire corps currently has 26 members. He stated in 2023 the volunteers logged over 3,400
hours of vo lunteer time and worked to assist with rehab, taking photos/videos, assist with hosting
special events, and provide a care team. He commented further on the outreach that was conducted
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Regular Meeting Page 3
by the fire department. He discussed the work that was completed on the safety house, noting the
fire corps worked to revamp this vital piece of equipment for the SBM Fire Department.
Fire Chief Retka stated he was really proud of the great work that was being done by the fire corps
team.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked Fire Chief Retka and the entire SBM Fire Department for their
dedicated service to the community.
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. Resolution 9950, Supporting Mapping Prejudice – Director Dr. Kirsten
Delegard, Michael Corey, Technical Lead.
Dr. Kirsten Delegard thanked the Council for their public service. She discussed the work she has
been doing with Mapping Prejudice in order to bring light to how race has shaped the environment
over the past century. She commented on the policies that were put in place to steer public and
private investments as well as determining who has access to highly resourced schools and
greenspace. She indicated the Twin Cities metro area has one of the highest racial gaps when it
came to home ownership. She reviewed an example of the racial covenants that were in place in
Mounds View. She commented further on how her team has worked to map prejudice and had
worked to flag deeds that have racial covenants in place. She discussed how she has worked with
more than 9,000 volunteers on this project. She reported more than 30,000 racial covenants have
been identified to date. She commented how racial covenants drove segregation in the metro area
and legitimized violence against black residents, while also impacting generat ional wealth for
decades. She believed the City was sitting in a moment of historic opportunity and she appreciated
how the City Council was addressing this matter. She appreciated how the City was
acknowledging the racial covenants or structural racism t hat was in place and she looked forward
to working with Mounds View residents to have these covenants discharged.
A round of applause was offered by all in attendance.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked Dr. Delegard for her detailed presentation on Mapping Prejudice.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a Resolution supporting Mapping
Prejudice. He explained the City has been working to bring awareness in order to have racial
covenants within the City of Mounds View properly discharged. He explained the City would be
donating $1,000 in charitable gambling funds to Mapping Prejudice in order to assist with their
efforts.
Council Member Clark requested further information on the letters that were sent from the City to
residents. City Administrator Zikmund explained per the Council’s direction staff sent letters to
residents that have racial covenants in place. He noted the packet of information sent to residents
included a letter from staff explaining racial covenants, along with a form to assist with discharging
the covenants. He reported he has had residents reaching out to him or visiting City Hall in order
to have their racial covenants discharged.
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MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9950,
condemning the use of Discriminatory Covenants, Discharging Discriminatory Covenants on City
Property and Supporting Mapping Prejudice.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked Dr. Delegard and her staff for all of her efforts. It was his hope Mapping
Prejudice would receive the funding they need to continue their good work.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
B. Resolution 9951, Condemning the Use of Discriminatory Covenants,
Discharging Discriminatory Covenants on City-Owned Property and
Authorizing the City of Mounds view to Participate in the Just Deeds Coalition
– Ramsey County Just Deeds Coordinator Amber Bougie, Maria Cisneros –
Just Deeds Director.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt a Resolution that condemns the use of
discriminatory covenants, discharging discriminatory covenants on City-Owned property and
authorizes the City of Mounds View to participate in the Just Deeds Coalition.
City Attorney Riggs explained Just Deeds is a coalition of cities and private entities that was
working to assist with discharging racial covenants. He reported his firm has assisted with this
work.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9951,
Condemning the Use of Discriminatory Covenants, Discharging Discriminatory Covenants on
City-Owned Property and Authorizing the City of Mounds View to Participate in the Just Deeds
Coalition.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
C. Introduction and First Reading Ordinance 1014, Discharging of Racial
Covenants required at Point of Sale – Todd Uecker Ramsey County
Recorder/Registrar of Titles.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council introduce an ordinance that would require
discharging of racial covenants at the point of sale. He reported Mounds View would be the first
City in the State of Minnesota to adopt an Ordinance requiring property owners to discharge
covenants prior to point of sale.
City Attorney Riggs explained the Ordinance would codify the requirement to remove
discriminatory covenants in Mounds View prior to point of sale. He reported the Ordinance
addresses all materials that were discussed tonight. He indicated this Ordinance was unique, as no
other communities have a similar Ordinance in place. It was his hope this Ordinance would be
considered by other communities as it would be a great step forward for all.
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Mayor Lindstrom read a portion of the Ordinance aloud for the record and stated he was proud of
the great work the City was doing to address racial covenants. He stated he did not want to see
Mounds View or any other community taking a step backwards.
Mayor Lindstrom opened the meeting for public comment.
Rene Johnson, 7385 Pleasant View Drive, explained she and her husband supported this
Resolution. She discussed her journey with Mapping Prejudice and reported having their racial
covenants discharged. She commented on the power of words, how they can hurt or they heal. She
hoped to set a strong example in this community for her family as she wanted everyone to be
treated with kindness and respect. She thanked the City Council and staff members for all of their
efforts to address this matter. She urged those who received a letter from staff to have their racial
covenants discharged.
Joyce Jones-Strait, 7728 Knollwood Drive, spoke to the Council regarding racial covenant
language. She thanked the Mayor for his work to have the racial covenants on City-owned
properties discharged. She explained her property did not have racial covenant in place but when
reviewing the map of Mounds View, she learned that many of her neighbors did. She encouraged
her neighbors to have these covenants discharged, even though they were not enforceable, because
it was the right thing to do to dismantle the hate that was perpetuated by former systems. It was
her hope Mounds View would be a beloved co mmunity that brings justice to this issue.
Dr. Jean Strait, 7728 Knollwood Drive, explained she supported the discharging of racial
covenants on all properties in Mounds View. She stated she was a Hamline University Professor
and wrote the first ever Truth and Racial Healing Grant which created the Truth, Racial Healing
and Transformation Center at Hamline University. She discussed how removing racial covenants
was one way to dismantle systemic injustice and wanted Mounds View to lead by example. She
reported after first reviewing the map for Mounds View, she was shocked to see how many
properties had racial covenants in place. She indicated these covenants were felt as racist
discriminatory language of exclusion. She urged all residents of Mounds View to have their
covenants discharged in order to assist in creating an inclusive community for all.
Andre Koen, 7951 Greenwood Drive, stated he was proud of this community and the City Council
for stepping up and defending liberty and freedom through action. He understood freedom was not
free. He explained the cost for freedom was action and he was proud of his community.
Timothy David Wood, 2501 Sherwood Road, reported he has a degree in sociology and he
sometimes felt that racism didn’t necessarily impact him. He stated it wasn’t until he learned about
other ways discrimination impacted him or other people that he became more aware. He
commented on the time he spent studying abroad in Ireland and how important religion was to
those in that country. He discussed how things have been given or handed to him because of the
color of his skin. He explained he tried to consider how a black man would feel walking into
similar situations as him. He stated he completely supported the City approving the discharging
of racial covenants in the City of Mounds View.
Bob King, 7408 Silver Lake Road, noted he had a covenant on his property. He explained he was
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proud of Mounds View for making it easy for residents to have their covenants discharged. He
understood it was important to have these covenants discharged and he did not ever want this to
be an issue for his property.
Ben Gillespie, 7980 Fairchild Avenue, reported his home has racial covenants in place and that he
was in the process of having them discharged. He thanked the Council for the manner in which
they were addressing this issue. He explained this was one very important issue that was being
brought to light and noted there were many other systemic or institutional oppression issues that
happen in cities. He encouraged residents to watch how they speak to their neighbors and to work
to better understand where their neighbors are coming from in order to spread kindness.
Jacinta Moss, 2970 Mounds View Blvd., explained she moved to Mounds View to be in a
community that supports change. She stated she worked to love her neighbors in this community
and she appreciated how the Mayor held his head high.
Murwo Mohamed , 2657 Mounds View Blvd, reported she has lived in this community for the past
11 years. She believed this was a beautiful City to live in. She indicated she would consider
purchasing a home in the community and she was pleased the racial covenants were being
discharged.
Paula Mielke, Councilmember from Falcon Heights, explained when Philando Castile was killed
in her community eight years ago, some residents were asking why their community was so white.
She discussed how this led her to research deeds in search of racial covenants. She reported she
found the horrible story as to why Falcon Heights was so white. She indicated she was very proud
of Mounds View for passing this ordinance and she looked forward to doing the same in Falcon
Heights.
Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, reported her family has lived in Mounds View since 1957
when her parents purchased their first home. She noted her home does not have a racial covenant
in place, but she would be looking into the platting of her property. She explained she supported
the City doing away with all racial covenants as she wanted systemic racism done away with.
Sarah McClindon, 7710 Greenwood Drive, stated she supported the City doing away with racial
covenants. She commented on how removing the covenants would not undue the harm of forced
racial segregation, but she believed this would confront the racial roots the country has as well as
the values of the community, which was that racism was not welcome in Mounds View.
Kelly Moller, State Representative in District 48, thanked the Council for inviting her to this
meeting and for t heir historic work. She explained she appreciated the great work the City of
Mounds View was doing and noted she would go back to the Capitol to see how this could be done
on a State-wide basis.
John Marty, State Senator for District 40, thanked the Council for their strong leadership on this
issue. He reported this was a great community and he appreciated how the community was
acknowledging this shameful practice publicly.
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Luke Edmond, 8407 Spring Lake Road, thanked the City for their efforts on this matter. He
explained he supported it becoming a criminal charge for those who chose not to discharge their
racial covenants.
Rebecca Scholl, 2467 Hillview Road, thanked the Council for their great work. She appreciated
how the community was coming together to not be racist, but to also fight against racism. She
reported she was aware of racial covenants years ago when she worked in the mortgage industry.
She appreciated how simple the City has made it for residents to have their covenants discharged.
She stated she understood that words mattered and she wanted everyone in this community and
outside of this community to know who this community was.
Darnell Baker, 3024 County Road J, reported he does not have a covenant in place on his home.
He explained he works with the Quincy House and their new property in Mounds View does have
a racial covenant in place. He discussed how the Quincy House works primarily with children of
colo r. He explained he was honored to be a part of this community and he was proud of the work
being done by the City.
Mayor Lindstrom closed the meeting for public comment.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance
1014, Discharging of Racial Covenants required at Point of Sale.
City Administrator Zikmund reported it was the Mayor who asked if an Ordinance of this manner
could be approved. He explained after discussing the matter with the City Attorney he understood
that an Ordinance of this type could be approved and made law.
ROLL CALL: Cermak/Clark/Gunn/Meehlhause/Lindstrom.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
Mayor Lindstrom stated today marks a historic day for Mounds View. He appreciated the step the
City had taken to being to right the wrongs of the past and to begin to take steps towards equality
for all. He explained today was the end for racial covenants in Mounds View and also make it
illegal to have any type of exclusionary covenant. He commented on his Juneteenth speech and
how it was focused on the children in this community. He was proud that if asked by his children,
did you do something to address racial covenants, he could say yes. He reported the children in
this community should k now that the local leaders in this community stood up and took action on
July 8, 2024 to put an end to racial covenants to right the wrongs of the past. He stated there was
no room for prejudice in Mounds View, Minnesota. He then recognized and thanked all who were
involved in moving this Ordinance forward. He thanked all of the residents of Mounds View that
had already discharged their racial covenants. It was his hope the City’s Ordinance would become
a model for all communities in the State. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance.
Mayor Lindstrom recessed the City Council meeting at 7:42 p.m.
Mayor Lindstrom reconvened the City Council meeting at 8:07 p.m.
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D. Resolution 9953, Organized Trash RFP Recommendation and Authorizing
Negotiations.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve the organized trash RFP
recommendation and authorize staff to move forward with negotiations. He explained the City
received seven responses to the RFP and reported the RFP’s were reviewed by Council Member
Meehlhause, Council Member Clark, himself and City Attorney Tierney. He reported price,
customer service, cart roll out, experience and community presence were considered. He noted
LRS received the highest ratings and Aspen received the second highest ratings.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9953,
Organized Trash RFP Recommendation and Authorizing Negotiations.
Council Member Clark stated a lot of time was spent reviewing the RFP’s and she hoped
negotiations would continue in a positive manner.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked Council Member Meehlhause and Council Member Clark for all of their
time and efforts. He was confident that one of the top two vendors would serve the community
well.
City Administrator Zikmund explained half or more of the residents of Mounds View would see
significant savings for their trash collection. He explained if the Council approves this Resolution
staff would begin negotiation efforts tomorrow.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
E. Resolution 9954, Calling for a Special Election November 8, 2024 for Ballot
Question on Organized Trash.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council call for a special election November 8, 2024
for ballot question on organized trash. He reviewed the proposed yes or no organized trash ballot
question and recommended approval for the November ballot.
Mayor Lindstrom asked if the ballot question could be condensed. City Attorney Riggs reported
the ballot question was similar to language that has been used by other cities. He explained distinct
language had to be used. He recommended the ballot question remain as is.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9954,
Calling for a Special Election November 8, 2024 for Ballot Question on Organized Trash.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
F. Resolution 9955, Three Year contract with Community Partners in Youth.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a three year contract with Community
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Partners with Youth. He explained the Council discussed this matter in 2023. He noted this contract
was included in the 2024 budget and was preliminarily included in the 2025 and 2026 budget.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9955,
Three Year contract with Community Partners in Youth.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
G. Resolution 9956, Approving a Janitorial Cleaning Contract for City Hall,
Police, Public Works, Community Center.
Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a janitorial
cleaning contract for City Hall, Police, Public Works and the Community Center. He discussed
the proposed three year contract, noting the contract was with a local vendor and recommended
approval.
Mayor Lindstrom explained he had the privilege of meeting the cleaning folks and stated he was
very pleased by the quality of their work.
MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9956, Approving
a Janitorial Cleaning Contract for City Hall, Police, Public Works, Community Center.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
H. Resolution 9957, Approving a Service Contract for the Standby Emergency
Generators.
Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a service
contract for five standby emergency generators. He discussed where the emergency generators
were located throughout the City and commented on the importance of having these generators
routinely maintained/load tested. He commented further on the proposed service contract and
recommended approval.
Mayor Lindstrom asked if the City has had to use these generators. Public Works/Parks and
Recreation Director Peterson explained the generators are used by the City in the event of a power
outage to keep the wells and lift stations operational. He reported the generators can run for
approximately eight hours if the power were to remain out.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9957,
Approving a Service Contract for the Standby Emergency Generators.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
9. REPORTS
A. Reports of Mayor and Council.
Mounds View City Council July 8, 2024
Regular Meeting Page 10
Council Member Gunn reported the Tribute Park Committee would be meeting on Tuesday, July
9 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Council Member Gunn explained she would need someone to attend the Cable Commission
meeting on Thursday, July 18.
Council Member Cermak stated the Mounds View Police Foundation would be meeting on
Tuesday, July 16 at Random Park at 5:30 p.m. where future fundraisers will be discussed. She
indicated a fundraiser would be held at Von Hanson’s in North Oaks on Saturday, July 13 from
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Council Member Clark reported she attended her first League of Minnesota Cities Annual
Conference two weeks ago in Rochester.
Council Member Clark invited the public to attend the Parks Master Plan open house on Thursday,
July 11 at the Community Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Council Member Clark encouraged all residents to attend Festival in the Park on Friday, August
16 and Saturday, August 17.
Council Member Meehlhause stated during his time serving on the City Council he has served
with eight different individuals and he was the only one who has never missed a City Council or
Work Session meeting. He indicated this perfect attendance record would end in two weeks as he
will not attend the July 22 City Council meeting.
Council Member Meehlhause explained one week ago a non-Mounds View resident spoke at a
neighboring community and this individual made disparaging and false statements about Mayor
Lindstrom. He clarified for the record that Mayor Lindstrom was not lazy. He indicated Mayor
Lind strom did not attend the negotiation sessions with the trash haulers because this would have
been inappropriate regardless of the subject matter. He commended Mayor Lindstrom for the
amount of time he devotes to his position stating he was greatly appreciated. He reported he has
served with four different mayors on his time with the City Council and stated Mayor Lindstrom
was the best Mayor he has served with when it comes to representing the community and
establishing community partnerships.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked Council Member Meehlhause for his kind words. He thanked everyone
who participated in this meeting.
Mayor Lindstrom reported filings for City Council would begin on Tuesday, July 30.
Mayor Lindstrom stated Night to Unite would be held on Tuesday, August 6.
Police Chief Zender encouraged residents to register their block party with the Mounds View
Police Department.
B. Reports of Staff.
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Regular Meeting Page 11
Finance Director Bauman provided the Council with an update on two separate conduit debt
projects, noting one has pulled out and the other was still proceeding.
Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated staff was looking at the parking
situation at Oakwood. He indicated this matter would be reviewed by the Parks,
Recreation and Forestry Commission, and a recommendation would be brought forward to the
City Council.
Police Chief Zender provided the Council with an update from the Police Department. He
explained he had two officers in shadow training at this time. He reiterated that Night to Unite
would be held on Tuesday, August 6.
Police Chief Zender explained he was chosen as the law enforcement liaison for NYFS and stated
he looked forward to serving with this organization.
Police Chief Zender indicated he would be working with staff to address the parking concerns at
Oakwood.
Police Chief Zender commented on the event that occurred at the splash pad on July 4 noting his
officers showed a tremendous amount of restraint and professionalism.
Police Chief Zender discussed the Intern and CSO programs that had been created noting he hoped
these would assist with bringing officers to the department.
City Administrator Zikmund commended the Mounds View Police Department for handling the
issue at the splash pad extremely well. He appreciated how well trained the departments officers
were. He reported over the past seven years, when body cameras have been used, the department
has not had a single substantiated complaint.
10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, August 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, July 22, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial