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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2024/11/12APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting November 12, 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. Tuesday, November 12, 2024, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Approve the Tuesday, November 12, 2024, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: October 28, 2024. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 9999 Approving Professional Services Agreement with Tubman to Provide Public Safety and General Welfare Related Services Addressing Domestic Abuse. D. Resolution 10001 Authorizing a Recruitment Process for Ice Rink Attendants. E. Resolution 9998 Approving the 2025 SCORE Recycling Grant Request to Ramsey County. F. Resolution 10002, Approving the 2025 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration Grant Program for the Metropolitan Council. G. Resolution 10003, Approving Change Order #3 Regarding the Water Meter Change out Project. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Cermak. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 2 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Official Swearing In- Deputy Chief Hellpap, Sergeant Dison, Officer Torres, and Officer Tennison. Police Chief Zender introduced Deputy Chief Hellpap, Sergeant Dison, Police Officer Torres and Police Officer Tennison to the City Council. The Oath of Office was administered to Deputy Chief Hellpap, Sergeant Dison, Police Officer Torres and Police Officer Tennison. Badges were pinned on and a round of applause was offered by all in attendance. B. Resolution 10000, Canvassing Election Results of the 2024 General Election. Human Resources Director Ewald reviewed the election results from the General Election that was held on Tuesday, November 5 and requested the Council canvass the election results. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10000, Canvassing Election Results of the 2024 General Election. Mayor Lindstrom thanked everyone who had the courage to run for City office. He congratulated Kathryn Smith and Gary Meehlhause for being elected to the City Council. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. SBM Fire Chief Dan Retka - Quarterly Update. Fire Chief Retka provided the Council with a quarterly update from the SBM Fire Department. He congratulated the City of Mounds View for the great work they were doing and for the culture that was being built within the Mounds View Police Department. He discussed how calls were increasing within the fire department and described how he was working to improve the fire prevention and training divisions. He commented on how the department was working to address the rising number of medical calls and repeat medical calls. He discussed how he was working to create a Fire Corp to address these type of calls. He explained a new fire station was needed in the northeast corner of Blaine and stated the department had begun looking for land. He described how the fire training provided by Century College was not working and noted the fire academy would be shifted back to SBM. Mayor Lindstrom questioned why the SBM Fire Department would never become a career fire department. Fire Chief Retka explained the future is to shift towards career firefighters. He described how he wants his firefighters focused on only fire related matters, with the understanding they would still have to complete non-fire related tasks. Mayor Lindstrom appreciated how the Fire Corp would assist with addressing the non-fire related matters with in the SBM response area. Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 3 Further discussion ensued regarding the growing need to screen fire calls by the Anoka County Dispatch Center in order to ensure the fire department is being dispatched to emergency calls and then having EMT’s or the Fire Corp going to non-emergency or medical calls. Mayor Lindstrom asked if the SBM Fire Department could switch to Ramsey County Dispatch. Fire Chief Retka stated he did not know the answer to that question. He discussed how Anoka County Dispatch was moving in the right direction noting Anoka County has a new County Administrator. Council Member Gunn questioned if a crime watch group could be created to assist with triaging calls for the fire department. Fire Chief Retka stated he did not know how this would work with the Anoka County Dispatch system. He indicated it all comes down to liability, which was the reason Anoka County does not want to require all of their dispatchers to be EMT’s. It was his hope in the future there would be a more equitable disbursement of assets to calls versus what was being done today. Council Member Meehlhause suggested the Fire Corp consider a partnership or hold discussions with NYFS. He asked if the fire chief received any explanation as to why the department did not receive the SAFER Grant. Fire Chief Retka stated he did not receive an explanation. He stated the SBM Fire Department would try again next year and indicated he has spoken with the successful grant writer. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Fire Chief Retka for his presentation. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Lindstrom encouraged the public to speak with kindness and respect when addressing the City Council during Public Comment. Kris Zack, 8431 Pleasant View Drive, stated she moved into her neighborhood in 2009 and her street was very unsafe. She indicated there was a major issue with speeding traffic and there were no speed limit signs posted. She reported her neighborhood has many families with children and one family with deaf children. She explained she wanted the children, residents and pets in her neighborhood to be safe on her street. She discussed how the residents from the duplexes were obstructing views by parking on the curve of the street. She noted many residents have called to complain and nothing was being done to address this concern. She asked that 20 miles per hour speed limit signs be posted on her street, along with Children at Play and No Parking signs. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Ms. Zack for bringing her concerns forward to the City Council. Ms. Zack commented her other issue was that on Wednesday, April 3 she received a notice from the City that she has a tree with Ash borer that needs to be removed. She indicated this notice states her tree will be removed by the City and the expense would be billed back to her. She informed the person who gave her the notice that this would not be necessary and that her husband would take down the tree. She reported the City employee became very rude and stated this was not the way it works. She stated as a homeowner and taxpayer, it was her right to complete this work or Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 4 to find her own contractor to complete the tree removal. She explained on Monday, April 8 her tree had been removed. She believed this was not okay. She indicated her neighbors were given 90 days to address their problem trees and she was given five. She reported she has copies of the letter she received from the City as well as the emails she received from the City Administrator. She questioned why she was charged for this, given the fact only a few inches of the tree were within the boulevard. She indicated she has spoken to professional tree removal businesses and they agreed she should have received at least a 30 day notice. She reiterated that she received her notice from the City after the tree was removed. She commented the City’s contractor was removing trees in a systematic manner throughout the City. She commented on the process that should have been followed for the abatement procedures noting she was not given proper notice regarding the tree removal. She stated what the City did to her was not right and was not legal. She indicated she would not be paying for the tree removal. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Ms. Zack for bringing her concern forward and noted he would be willing to meet with her to discuss this matter further. Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, asked if the City had done research on how other communities were conducting ash tree removal. He encouraged the Council to look into this. Sharon Kircher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, thanked Mayor Lindstrom for bringing the candidates to Mounds View. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution 9997, Approving a Chicken Keeping License for Amy Boyd, 2461 Clearview Avenue. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council consider a chicken keeping license for Amy Boyd at 2461 Clearview Avenue. He reported all necessary paperwork has been submitted to the City and staff recommends approval. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. Amy Boyd, 2461 Clearview Avenue, thanked the Council for considering her request. She indicated she has nine hens at this time and may have up to 12. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9997, Approving a Chicken Keeping License for Amy Boyd, 2461 Clearview Avenue. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. PUBLIC HEARING: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 1020 Amending Chapter 33 of the Mounds View City Code Regarding Economic Development Bylaws. Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 5 City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council introduce an Ordinance that would amend City Code regarding the Economic Development Bylaws. He reviewed the proposed language changes, noting this group would begin to meet when they need to and recommended the Ordinance be introduced. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 1020, Amending Chapter 33 of the Mounds View City Code Regarding Economic Development Bylaws . Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 1021, Amending the 2025 Fee Schedule Regarding Water Rates. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council introduce and Ordinance that would amend the 2025 fee schedule regarding water rates. He reviewed the proposed amendment to the water rates and recommended to ordinance be introduced. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Cermak. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 1021, Amending the 2025 Fee Schedule Regarding Water Rates. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 10004, Approving the Proposal from Arko Restoration & Remodeling for the Public Works Office Remodel. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the proposal from Arko Restoration and Remodeling for remodeling work at the Public Works office. He explained administrative staff has been added to the Public Works office which would require the remodeling of the space. He reported staff pursued bids for this project and received two bids. He indicated a revised bid was submitted by Arko Restoration, which came in as the low bid. He reported staff would be completing the painting, which would reduce costs slightly. It was noted this project would be paid for through the Special Projects Fund. Staff recommended the Council approve the proposal from Arko Restoration. Council Member Clark asked if the City had to go with the low bidder. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the City did not have to go with the low bidder for this project. He explained the City does not have experience with Arko, but does have experience with Rack. Council Member Clark indicated she would rather move forward with the bid from Rack, given the fact Arko was not able to provide a bid without errors. Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 Council Member Gunn stated she supported moving forward with the bid from Arko because they successfully completed a remodeling project at SBM Fire Station #3. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10004, Approving the Proposal from Rack Construction for the Public Works Office Remodel. Council Member Meehlhause indicated he could support either bid moving forward given the fact the bid amounts came back so closely. Mayor Lindstrom explained he supported moving forward with the Rack Construction bid. He stated Arko did not make a strong first impression by having errors in their bid. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 10005, Authorizing a Feasibility Study for Bronson Drive from Edgewood Drive to Long Lake Road. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council authorize a feasibility study for Bronson Drive from Edgewood Drive to Long Lake Road. He explained this was the section of Bronson Drive in front of the Public Works Facility from Edgewood to Long Lake Road and was approximately 1,300 feet in length. He reported the roadway was 33 feet wide and was originally constructed in 1993. He stated the current condition of the pavement was poor, noting the cores show striping or separation of the pavement in multiple areas. Staff recommended a full depth reclamation for this roadway be completed and requested the Council authorize a feasibility study. Council Member Clark indicated this road was used by heavy trucks. She asked if concrete should be installed versus pavement. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented the feasibility study would look at if the project was feasible but would not go into project design. Mayor Lindstrom questioned if the project could move forward without the feasibility study. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported the study was necessary in order to assess for the project. Mayor Lindstrom commented on the amount of money the City would spend on the feasibility study and questioned if it was worth going through this process only to receive $10,000 in assessments. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented he could not put numbers to the project costs or assessments at this time. Mayor Lindstrom did not believe it was worth pursuing the feasibility study given the fact the property owners may not agree to pay the assessments. Council Member Gunn questioned how the City should move forward with this project fairly. Mayor Lindstrom stated the City would be spending $10,000 on the feasibility study in order to Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 7 receive approximately $10,000 in assessments. He was of the opinion, it did not make sense to move forward with the study. Council Member Gunn explained the City had already assessed other businesses in the community for street improvements. Council Member Clark commented on how this road was mainly used by the Public Works Department and not by the church. City Administrator Zikmund indicated the church was tax exempt, but were not assessment exempt. Council Member Meehlhause reported the properties along Mustang Circle and Business Park North were surrounded fully by businesses, which was different from this portion of roadway. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10005, Authorizing a Feasibility Study for Bronson Drive from Edgewood Drive to Long Lake Road. Council Member Meehlhause stated because this portion of Bronson Drive was similar to Woodale Drive, he would be voting no on this motion. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he would be opposing this motion as well. Ayes – 1 (Gunn) Nays – 4 Motion failed. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn stated she attended the Anoka Blaine Airport Commission meeting. She explained the airport hopes to gain more traffic from MSP, noting this should occur next summer when the St. Paul Airport closes for construction. She then reviewed the number of flights that occurred in the third quarter, along with the number of noise complaints. Council Member Meehlhause commented on the veterans’ event that was held at the Community Center on Saturday, November 9. He thanked Connie Allen for her efforts on this event. Council Member Clark thanked Connie for the great work she was doing with the senior programming in the community. She discussed the newsletter that was being sent out monthly for seniors. Council Member Clark commented there was a great turnout for turkey bingo at the Community Center last Saturday. Council Member Clark indicated she would be attending the Community Engagement meeting on Thursday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 8 Council Member Clark noted the Festival in the Park Committee would be meeting next on Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Works Facility. She indicated the Festival Committee would be hosting a fundraiser at Crisp N Green in Blaine on Friday, November 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Council Member Cermak thanked Allan ___________ for assisting with the waffle breakfast on Saturday, November 9. She explained she attended the veterans’ breakfast at the Community Center and noted she was able to sit by the speaker from honor flight. She indicated she attended the turkey bingo as well. Council Member Cermak reported the Mounds View Police Foundation would meet next on Tuesday, November 19 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Lindstrom congratulated all of the officers that were sworn at this meeting and thanked the Mounds View Police Officers for their dedicated service to the community. Mayor Lindstrom thanked all of the veterans for their service to this country. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he would be attending the community engagement committee meeting on Thursday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom reported he attended a governance rules committee meeting where the Clemency Review Commission was discussed. B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Zikmund stated interviews were held for the Park, Recreation and Forestry Committee. He explained two candidates did very well and a recommendation will be coming forward for Council consideration. City Administrator Zikmund reported the Council would be holding a joint work session with the Park, Recreation and Forestry Committee on Monday, November 18 where the draft master park plan will be presented by WSB. City Administrator Zikmund explained both parties submitted paperwork to the courts to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice. He noted these papers were filed with the court today. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, December 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, November 25, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Mounds View City Council November 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 9 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial