Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/09/23APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting September 23, 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, September 23, 2024, City Council Agenda. Mayor Lindstrom reported there was an amendment to Item 5C on the Consent Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Approve the Monday, September 23, 2024, agenda as amended. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Lindstrom asked to remove Items 5D and 5E. A. Approval of Minutes: September 9, 2024. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9976, Approving Early Wage Increase for Sergeant Sydney Dison (AS AMENDED). D. Resolution 9984, Approving Hire of Stormwater Intern Emma Macki. E. Resolution 9985, Approving Hire of Police Officer Logan Tan. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Items 5D and 5E. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 2 D. Resolution 9984, Approving Hire of Stormwater Intern Emma Macki. Mayor Lindstrom welcomed Stormwater Intern Emma Macki to the City of Mounds View. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9984, Approving Hire of Stormwater Intern Emma Macki. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 9985, Approving Hire of Police Officer Logan Tan. Mayor Lindstrom welcomed newly hired Police Officer Logan Tan to the Mounds View Police Department. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9985, Approving Hire of Police Officer Logan Tan. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Lindstrom encouraged the public to speak with kindness and respect when addressing the City Council during Public Comment. Vince Meyer, 8180 Spring Lake Road, stated he asked the Council to address the manhole cover on his street. He indicated work was done, but it was still clanking. He requested the Public Works staff address this matter. He expressed concern with the fact the warranty work on his roadway has still not been addressed. Mayor Lindstrom stated the road would be milled tomorrow. Kayla Roste, 8400 Long Lake Road, discussed the Ardan Park stormwater project. She explained her husband was a civil engineer and works for the MPCA. She indicated she missed both neighborhood meetings that were hosted by the City and expressed frustration with the fact the City’s notices were not sent out sooner. She recommended the plans for Ardan Park be posted on the City’s website and not just be made available at Public Works. She believed this would allow the City to gain additional valuable feedback from residents who have a deep understanding on this topic. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Second Reading and Approval of Ordinance 1017, an Ordinance Amending Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 3 the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Sections 7.04 and 7.05 Pertaining to Taxation and Finances ROLL CALL VOTE. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council consider an Ordinance that would amend the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Sections 7.04 and 7.05 Pertaining to Taxation and Finances. He explained the Charter Commission requested this change and noted staff has received no input from the public. Staff commented further on the amendment and recommended approval. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1017, an Ordinance Amending the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Sections 7.04 and 7.05 Pertaining to Taxation and Finances, directing staff to publish an Ordinance summary. ROLL CALL: Cermak/Clark/Gunn/Meehlhause/Lindstrom. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Second Reading and Approval of Ordinance 1018, an Ordinance Amending the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Section 4.05 Pertaining to Vacancy of Municipal Elected Office ROLL CALL VOTE. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council consider an Ordinance that would amend the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Section 4.05 Pertaining to Vacancy of Municipal Elected Office. He explained a memo had been submitted by City Attorney Joe Sathe. He advised per legal counsel’s advice the City Council could not amend this language, but would have to remand it back to the Charter Commission. In addition, legal counsel recommends the entire chapter within the Charter be rewritten. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Deny the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1018, an Ordinance Amending the Mounds View City Charter by Amending Section 4.05 Pertaining to Vacancy of Municipal Elected Office. Council Member Meehlhause recommended the Charter Commission consider allowing a vacancy on the City Council to be filled as quickly as possible. He explained he supported an identified process being in place to assist with selecting a temporary member for the City Council. He supported this member being appointed without a voting process and that this member should remain in place until an election can be held. In addition, he recommended the identified succession list be expanded. Mayor Lindstrom asked why a defined succession plan would have to be voted on. City Administrator Zikmund indicated he was uncertain as to why this was a requirement. Rebecca Scholl, 2467 Hillview Road, explained she was the Vice Chair of the Charter Commission. She reported she spoke about the line of succession and noted the Charter Commission supported the proposed list. However, if the Council wanted a longer list, the Commission could review this matter further. Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 4 Council Member Gunn stated she supported the suggestions from Council Member Meehlhause being further addressed. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 9983, Approving the Purchase of One Ford Police F-150 Responder Truck along with additional equipment and setup costs. Police Chief Zender requested the Council approve the Purchase of One Ford Police F-150 Responder Truck along with additional equipment and setup costs. He noted this was the CSO vehicle that was over 10 years old and was due to be replaced. He explained the Tahoe would be replaced with a Ford Police Responder Truck. He reviewed the cost for the purchase noting the vehicle and equipment fund and forfeiture fund would to cover this expense. MOTION/SECOND: Cermak/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9983, Approving the Purchase of One Ford Police F-150 Responder Truck along with additional equipment and setup costs. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9986, Approving a Three (3) Year Contract (01/01/2025 through 12/31/2027) with North Suburban Access Corporation. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a three (3) year contract (01/01/2025 through 12/31/2027) with North Suburban Access Corporation. He explained this contract would provide Mounds View with a City cable channel. He detailed the core services that would be provided noting the City was charged $60 to $190 per meeting, depending on the services provided, along with three free videos per year. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9986, Approving a Three (3) Year Contract (01/01/2025 through 12/31/2027) with North Suburban Access Corporation. Council Member Meehlhause requested the Executive Director of Nine North be invited to attend a future City Council meeting. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Budget Discussion. City Administrator Zikmund provided the Council with additional information on the 2025 budget. He discussed the one time purchases that would be made in the coming year. Mayor Lindstrom stated he was committed to taking a dent out of the budget and noted he could support rescinding his raise in 2025. City Administrator Zikmund indicated he could gather Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 5 information on how this would impact the budget. Council Member Meehlhause explained he could forego his raise as well. Council Member Gunn and Council Member Clark supported foregoing the raise. Council Member Cermak commented she supported the raise remaining in place. She feared that if the raise was given back to balance the budget, this would set a precedent. Finance Director Bauman reported the Council would continue to review the budget in October and November. She anticipated the Council would have a utility discussion in October and would go through the budget line by line in November. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he was the one that suggested raising the street levy and balancing the budget and he did not need the entire Council to support foregoing their raise. He stated he was fine doing this on his own and noted this could be further discussed in November. F. Resolution 9987, Approving Service Contracts with Architect Mechanical Inc. for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) at the Public Works Facility, Park Buildings and Water Treatment Plants. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a Service Contracts with Architect Mechanical Inc. for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) at the Public Works Facility, Park Buildings and Water Treatment Plants. He explained this would be an HVAC contract for five years with Architect Mechanical. He reported this contract would cover preventative maintenance at the Public Works Facility, Park Buildings and Water Treatment Plants. Staff recommended approval of the contract. Rebecca Scholl, explained she was a proud member of Pipe Fitters #539 Heating and Air Conditioning. She reported Trane Mechanical Services was a union contractor using well trained vendor. She indicated union contractors provide on the job training with qualified people and livable wages. She asked if Architect Mechanical was a union contractor. She questioned if this item should have been put out for bid. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated this item was not put out for bid but rather was a renewal of the current contract the City has with Architect Mechanical. He reported he was not sure if Architect Mechanical was union or non-union. He discussed how it would be quite expensive to migrate to Trane. He noted the City has been using Architect Mechanical for a number of years. Council Member Clark reported in researching Architect Mechanical it states they are a union affiliated company. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9987, Approving Service Contracts with Architect Mechanical Inc. for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) at the Public Works Facility, Park Buildings and Water Treatment Plants. Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 9988, Approving a Three (3) Year Contract With Upper Cut Tree Service for Diseased Tree Removals. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a three (3) year contract with Upper Cut Tree Service for diseased tree removals. He explained Public Works had a duty to oversee tree removal services. He reported this included the removal of elm, oak and ash trees. He stated staff was seeking assistance with this service for private tree removal and the City received three bids for this work. He understood tree contracts were very busy due to EAB. He commented on the contract further and requested the Council approve a three year contract with Upper Cut Tree Service. Council Member Meehlhause asked if this contract was for both City trees and private trees. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this contract would be for City owned trees in the parks or trees in the right of way that need to be removed. He noted the expense to remove trees in the right of way would be split 50/50 between the City and the property owner. He indicated this contract would also allow Upper Cut to remove trees on private property in both the front and backyard at the negotiated rate. He explained homeowners would be able to get their own quotes for tree removal as well. Mayor Lindstrom questioned how much money the City had set aside for tree removal at this time. Finance Director Bauman estimated the City had over $160,000 set aside and assessment letters have been sent out for $50,000 worth of tree work. Mayor Lindstrom inquired if the City should be in the business of tree removal on private property. City Administrator Zikmund stated there was evidence that tree removal slows the spread of EAB. Council Member Gunn believed it was a matter of safety to have the dead and diseased trees marked for removal. Council Member Meehlhause asked if there was anything in State Statute that required the City to inspect trees on private property. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated City Ordinance indicates Public Works will go onto private property to mark diseased trees. He noted the diseased tree policy specifically addresses elm, oak, ash, and hazard trees. Vince Meyer supported the City pursuing a tree treatment program for ash trees versus only having a tree removal program. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the City partnered with Davie Tree Company to provide EAB treatment at a reduced cost to homeowners. He stated this was only recommended for young and healthy ash trees. Mayor Lindstrom requested this item be brought back to the Council for further discussion. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated he was seeking direction from the Council on whether or not stumps should be removed. He reported the City would be grinding and Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 7 removing stumps on City property, then also reseeding the area. The Council did not support requiring stump removal for trees removed on private property. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9988, Approving a Three (3) Year Contract with Upper Cut Tree Service for Diseased Tree Removals, without requiring stumps to be removed on private property Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Resolution 9989, Approving the Plans and Specifications and Authorize for Bidding for Ardan and Silver View Park Storm Water Pond Projects and Accept the Grant from BWSR for the Projects. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the Plans and Specifications and authorize for bidding for Ardan and Silver View Park Storm Water Pond Projects and accept the grant from BWSR for the projects. He explained the City has been talking about this project for over a year. He commented further on the proposed improvements that would be completed for the Silver View and Ardan Park storm water ponds. He was pleased to report the City received a grant in the amount of $230,300 from BWSR for these projects. He discussed the estimated proposed costs in further detail, along with the bidding process and recommended the Council approve the plans and specifications and to authorize staff to bid the project. Mayor Lindstrom asked the upland vegetation management would be done by the City, such as removing buckthorn and removing less desirable trees. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained there was a portion the City could do themselves. He commented on how the City would have to provide $34,500 in staff time for this project in order to receive the grant. Mayor Lindstrom questioned if the engineering plans allowed the City to receive the grant from BWSR. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented this was the case, noting the City could not have applied for the BWSR grant without a plan for these ponds. He discussed how part of the grant would assist with education for the project. Kayla Roste, asked why there was not a range with the estimated costs, noting the dredging could be a lot more expensive than expected. Mayor Lindstrom reported the material has been tested. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the City was aware of the fact the material removed from Ardan Park would have to go to a lined landfill. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9989, Approving the Plans and Specifications and Authorize for Bidding for Ardan and Silver View Park Storm Water Pond Projects and Accept the Grant from BWSR for the Projects revising the project amounts. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented on the Storm Water Intern that Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 8 was recently hired and noted this individual would be assisting with this project and future grant writing. Mayor Lindstrom thanked staff for pursuing grant funding to assist with this project. Further discussion ensued regarding the ditch work that was needed in the City. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Meehlhause provided the Council with an update from the Twin Cities Gateway Board stating he was pleased to report hotel revenues were up 2% for 2024. Council Member Clark stated the community bonfire would be held on October 3 at the Community Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Council Member Clark commented Project Ardan was partnering with Public Works to do a park clean up and planting event on October 5 at City Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Council Member Clark reported a Candidate Forum would be held on October 9 and October 10 at 7:00 p.m. Council Member Clark noted the Festival in the Park Committee would be meet next on October 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Works Facility. Council Member Gunn stated the Resource Fair was a big success this year at the Community Center. She commented on the valuable services that were available to Mounds View residents through the Ramsey County Service Centers, Hope Kids and the Suicide Prevention Line (988). Council Member Cermak reported the Mounds View Police Foundation met last Tuesday and discussed a Faith and Blue event at the Cross of Glory Church on October 13. Further discussion ensued regarding the community holiday dinner that was slated for December 11. Council Member Gunn reported Music of the Night would be held on Saturday, September 28 at Irondale High School at 5:00 p.m. Council Member Gunn indicated the SBM Fire Department would be holding an open house at Aquatore Park on Saturday, September 28. Council Member Gunn stated Tammy Moberg would be honored on Sunday, September 29 at the Quincy House from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 9 Mayor Lindstrom explained on Thursday, September 26 he would be attending a meeting with the Pinewood principal to see if an after school reading program can be developed. Mayor Lindstrom commented on Sunday, September 29 he would be joined by Royce White at 5:00 p.m. at Dos Hermanos. He stated the following Sunday, he would be joined by Council Candidate Kathryn Smith at Dos Hermanos at 5:00 p.m. He thanked the candidates that have attended his recent forums. Mayor Lindstrom indicated on Friday, October 4 he would be attending his third clemency hearing. Mayor Lindstrom reported he was invited to the governor’s pheasant opener. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Bauman reported she has filed all necessary levy reports with the County. She commented last week she sent out assessment letters for delinquent utilities and diseased tree accounts. She estimated 200 letters were sent out. Police Chief Zender stated the police department attended the Resource Fair and noted there was great attendance and great food. He explained the coat drive would begin shortly and he was working on flyers that would be sent to schools and churches. He indicated the pink patch campaign would be held again this year. He commented on the brief talk he would be doing at Cross of Glory on October 13. He noted he was up to 18 officers and two CSO’s, which was encouraging for him. He reported he talked with Tubman and noted the Council would be receiving an update from this organization at a future worksession meeting. He indicated he would be attending an NYFS meeting on Thursday, September 26. City Administrator Zikmund shared a compliment to the Police Chief noting there has been great teamwork within the department. City Administrator Zikmund explained he would be attending the NYFS board meeting on Thursday as well. City Administrator Zikmund commented the Town Hall meeting would be held on Monday, October 21. City Administrator Zikmund stated updated information on the organized trash contract has been provided regarding seniors and public safety professionals. He reported a trash mediation meeting was held last Tuesday and the mediator sent this item back to the judge. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, October 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, October 14, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 10 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial