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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/07/14APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting July 14, 2025 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: Clark, Gunn, Lindstrom, Meehlhause and Smith NOT PRESENT: None. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A. Monday, July 14, 2025, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Approve the Monday, July 14, 2025, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Meehlhause asked to remove Item 5G. Council Member Smith asked to remove Item 5C. A. Approval of Minutes: June 23, 2025. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 10127, Adopting the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Policy and Designating the Responsible Authority and Compliance Official. D. Resolution 10120, Authorizing Separation Compensation for Accountant Amanda Bruzer. E. Resolution 10123, Approving an Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement with North Metro Mayors Association. F. Resolution 10121, Approving the Hire of Clint Schumann to Public Works Utilities Maintenance Worker Position. Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 2 G. Resolution 10122, Appointing Rebecca Scholl to the Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Items 5C and 5G. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 10127, Adopting the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Policy and Designating the Responsible Authority and Compliance Official. Council Member Smith asked if residents could request data both verbally or in writing. City Administrator Zikmund explained this language was boilerplate from the League of Minnesota Cities and the City Attorney. He indicated staff requests residents put the request in writing for recording purposes, and this usually occurs. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, asked if the City always responded to residents in writing. Mayor Lindstrom explained the City sends some sort of correspondence to each data request. MOTION/SECOND: Smith/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10127, Adopting the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Policy and Designating the Responsible Authority and Compliance Official. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 10122, Appointing Rebecca Scholl to the Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission. Council Member Meehlhause thanked Rebecca Scholl for being willing to apply and serve on the Planning Commission. He also thanked the other two candidates that applied for this open seat. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10122, Appointing Rebecca Scholl to the Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Rebecca Scholl for being willing to serve noting her feedback was very meaningful to him. Rebecca Scholl, 2467 Hillview Road, thanked the Council for appointing her to the Planning and Zoning Commission. She explained she appreciated having the chance to contribute to Mounds View and the community she has lived in for the past 28 years. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 3 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, 8380 Spring Lake Road, stated there have been some issues on Spring Lake Road. He discussed how trees were planted along the trail and creating safety issues. He requested the trees be trimmed so as to not harm people using the trail. He indicated he still had an issue with noise from the manhole cover in front of his house. He asked that the City investigate this matter further. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, asked what Just and Correct Claims were. Finance Director Bauman explained this was a listing of the claims the City has paid since the last City Council meeting. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 1043 Amending the Zoning Code Relating to Public Hearing Processes. Kribashini Moorthy, Stantec, requested the Council introduce an ordinance that would amend the zoning code relating to the public hearing process. She reviewed the proposed changes and asked that the Council hold the first reading for Ordinance 1043. Mayor Lindstrom reported this change would move public hearings to Planning Commission meetings instead of being held by the City Council. Ms. Moorthy reported this was correct. Mayor Lindstrom questioned if items required two hearings prior to being approved. City Administrator Zikmund explained the first hearing would be held by the Planning Commission and the second hearing would be held by the City Council, prior to being approved. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he liked the idea of moving public hearings to the Planning Commission as this will allow for more public engagement. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Ordinance 1043 Amending the Zoning Code Relating to Public Hearing Processes. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 1045 Amending Mounds View City Code 160.088 related to Accessory Dwelling Units. Kribashini Moorthy, Stantec, requested the Council introduce an ordinance that would amend Mounds View City Code related to accessory dwelling units. She reviewed the proposed changes noting the City would now allow for attached and detached ADU’s with a conditional use permit. She reported the Planning Commission reviewed this ordinance amendment and recommended Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 4 approval. Council Member Smith asked if Airbnb’s were considered rentals. Ms. Moorthy explained rental permits run for one year and it was the duty of the homeowner to pursue a rental permit each year. She reported currently, the City was not in favor of allowing short term rentals. Beth Elliott, Stantec, clarified if the City would like to include language within City Code that would prohibit short term rentals. The City Council supported including this language within City Code. Council Member Meehlhause questioned what would happen if a homeowner put an ADU on their property and their mother in law lives within the ADU. He stated this mother in law passes away and property owner then sales the property. He asked what would happen if the new property owner lived within the ADU and rented out the home. Ms. Moorthy reported the ADU could not be rented and the property owner would be required to live in the primary residence. She indicated she could make this language clearer. Council Member Meehlhause discussed the footprint that was allowed for ADU’s and understood a certain maximum of accessory building space was allowed on each property. He questioned if a homeowner with a second garage could they also have an ADU. Ms. Moorthy reported the homeowner could have an ADU if they do not exceed the maximum accessory building area. Council Member Meehlhause inquired if a resident could apply for a variance in order to have two garages and an ADU on their property. Council Member Gunn recalled the Council discussing this matter and she believed this language was pulled out. Ms. Moorthy reported the language was not removed. She noted one option for homeowners would be to build an ADU on top of a garage in order to meet the accessory building guidelines. Council Member Meehlhause questioned if homes had to be 15 feet from the property line. Ms. Moorthy explained ADU’s would follow the City’s design standards. Mayor Lindstrom commented the proposed language would ensure ADU’s were not closer to the road than the home itself. Council Member Meehlhause inquired why the ADU would have to use the property’s existing water meter. Ms. Moorthy reported after discussing this matter with staff it did not seem reasonable for ADU’s to have their own water meters. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented he believed attached ADU’s should have the same water and sewer. However, he was of the opinion a detached ADU should have their own water and sewer, which was currently a requirement per City Code. Council Member Smith believed if the ADU had its own address it should have its own hookups. The Council agreed. Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 5 Further discussion ensued regarding how utilities would be charged to ADU’s. Council Member Meehlhause inquired if an ADU would be allowed on the second story of a garage. Ms. Elliott reported this would be allowed if it conforms to the requirements within the City’s ordinance. Council Member Smith stated she has received comments from residents that were concerned with the number of cars that would be in driveways with ADU’s. Council Member Clark recommended the ordinance language require ADU’s to have frost footings to ensure campers were not being used as ADU’s. The Council supported this recommendation. Rebecca Scholl explained only the property owner has to pay the utility bill when a property is sold and not the tenant. Mayor Lindstrom questioned if a lot with a detached ADU could be split by a new property owner. Ms. Moorthy reported this would not be allowed because the structure would be registered as a detached ADU. Mayor Lindstrom asked staff what made the most sense, when it comes to utilities for detached ADU’s. Public Works/Park and Recreation Director Peterson stated he believed it made the most sense for detached ADU’s to have their own water and sewer lines. Council Member Clark inquired if the Council would support allowing ADU’s to be used as a short-term rental. Council Member Gunn, Meehlhause and Smith did not support this. Mayor Lindstrom reported the City has been consistent about the desire to not turn ADU’s into short term or long-term rentals. He asked what the City’s current rental license requirements were. Ms. Elliott explained the City wanted to be consistent with how rental licenses are enforced and that properties are being inspected. She reported there was a benefit to delineating short term rentals from long term rentals. Mayor Lindstrom indicated the Council was trying to address a need that the City doesn’t know if it exists or not. He stated he supported the Council dipping its toe in the water at this time and the ADU ordinance could always be amended in the future. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance 1045 Amending Mounds View City Code 160.088 related to Accessory Dwelling Units. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Resolution 10134, Approving an Option Agreement and Authorizing the Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 6 Purchase of Real Property. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve an Option Agreement and authorize the purchase of real property. He explained this agreement would expire at the end of this month and the proposed Option Agreement would renew the agreement. Council Member Clark questioned when the City would have to purchase this land. City Administrator Zikmund anticipated this would occur by the end of the year. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Smith. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10134, Approving an Option Agreement and Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 10128, Approving a Water Tower Lease Agreement with AT&T. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a water tower lease agreement with AT&T. He reported the lease agreement was for a 300 square foot area inside the fence by the booster station along with antennas on the water tower. He explained the City would receive $36,846.09 from the lease on a yearly basis with a 4% increase each year. He stated the term of the lease was for five years. Staff recommended the Resolution be contingent upon having a signed lease from AT&T. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10128, Approving a Water Tower Lease Agreement with AT&T noting approval was contingent upon having a signed lease from AT&T. Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, recommended the annual increase be higher than 4% since the City’s taxes were increasing at a rate each year higher than 4%. He questioned how many entities had antennas on the City’s water tower. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the 4% increase was standard in this industry. He noted there were currently two other providers on the City’s water tower. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 10129, Approve and Accept the Park System Master Plan. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve and accept the Park System Master Plan. He reported the City has been working on this plan for well over a year and staff was recommending approval of the master plan. Council Member Clark requested staff put the master plan into the City Council packet for public viewing. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported typically staff does not add items this large to the Council packet, but noted the master plan would be available on the City’s website for public viewing. Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 7 MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Smith. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10129, Approve and Accept the Park System Master Plan. Mayor Lindstrom thanked all of the residents and staff members who worked on the Parks Master Plan over the past year. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 10131, Approve the Bids and Authorize Roof Repairs for Well #4. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the bids and authorize roof repairs for Well #4. He explained this roof needed replacement and he spoke with Garland Company LLC to assist staff with acquiring three bids for this project. He commented on the proposed bids that were received and recommended the bids be accepted and that a contract be approved with Garland Company for Well #4. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10131, Approve the Bids and Authorize Roof Repairs for Well #4. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 10133, Approve the Purchase of (2) Service Trucks for the Public Works Department. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the purchase of two service trucks for the Public Works Department. He noted one of the trucks would be used for the street department and the other would be used for storm water. It was noted staff received two quotes for these trucks and recommended the Council move forward with the truck purchases for the Public Works Department. Council Member Smith asked if the City received any extended warranties on these vehicles. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the trucks would come with warranties on the drive trains. Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, questioned why the City was not looking to purchase used vehicles with low miles, noting this may save the City a great deal of money. Council Member Meehlhause asked how old the vehicles were that the City was replacing. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated the trucks were from 2011 and 2012. Mayor Lindstrom stated he believed the pricing for the two new trucks was fair. He explained he would not be inclined to begin purchasing used vehicles going forward because the City hangs onto their vehicles for 15+ years. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10133, Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 8 Approve the Purchase of (2) Service Trucks for the Public Works Department. Council Member Meehlhause reported the City buys new vehicles and takes great care of his work trucks. He did not believe the City would be able to keep used trucks for 15+ years. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Resolution 10132, Approving Various Sanitary Sewer Manhole Repairs. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve various sanitary sewer manhole repairs. He explained this was a routine maintenance request. He reported the City received two separate bids for this work and staff was recommending the Council approve the Resolution authorizing Innovative High-Performance Coatings to improve the manholes. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10132, Approving Various Sanitary Sewer Manhole Repairs. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. I. Resolution 10112, Accepting the 2025 Twin Cities Gateway Marketing Grant. Finance Director Bauman requested the Council accept the 2025 Twin Cities Gateway Marketing Grant. She explained each year the City receives an annual grant amount from Twin Cities Gateway that is a percentage of the lodging tax collected from the prior year. She indicated these grant funds can be used to market and promote events that draw tourists to the community. She requested direction from the Council on how to split the funds received for 2025. Council Member Smith recused herself from acting on this item. Council Member Clark questioned how much funding the City would be receiving in 2025. Finance Director Bauman reported the City would be receiving $9,945. Mayor Lindstrom proposed allocating $7,000 of grant funds per year going forward to Festival in the Park with the remainder being allocated to the Community Center. Council Member Meehlhause stated he believed this recommendation made sense. He commented further on the cities that were involved in Twin Cities Gateway. Council Member Clark anticipated the Festival in the Park could utilize $7,000 per year from these grant funds. She supported Mayor Lindstrom’s proposal and noted the Community Center could utilize the remainder of the funds to promote the fall festival. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10112, Accepting the 2025 Twin Cities Gateway Marketing Grant allotting $7,000 to Festival in the Park and the remainder of the funding going to the Mounds View Community Center. Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 9 Mayor Lindstrom thanked the Council for supporting his proposal for this grant funding. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. J. Resolution 10125, Approving the Purchase of Cloud Storage and Licensing for (8) 4RE In-Car Camera Systems and (4) Vista Body Worn Cameras. Police Chief Zender requested the Council approve the purchase of cloud storage and licensing for (8) 4RE In-Car Camera Systems and (4) Vista Body Worn Cameras. He discussed how the department was constantly updating its equipment but for the time being the City had to maintain its cloud storage and licensing for eight 4RE in-car camera system and four Vista body worn cameras. He explained as the department buys new, these units would be phased out. Mayor Lindstrom questioned how long it would be until the department had all new camera units. Police Chief Zender anticipated this would occur in the next five years. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Smith. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10125, Approving the Purchase of Cloud Storage and Licensing for (8) 4RE In-Car Camera Systems and (4) Vista Body Worn Cameras. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. K. Resolution 10126, Adopting a Five-Year Financial Plan for 2026 through 2030. Finance Director Bauman requested the Council adopt a five-year financial plan for 2026 through 2030. She explained at the Council work session meeting last week the Council reviewed the capital improvement plan and the only change made at that meeting was to remove the Hillview Park playground project scheduled for 2026 or 2027 because it was included in the Parks System Master Plan in a later year. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10126, Adopting a Five-Year Financial Plan for 2026 through 2030. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. L. Resolution 10130, Approving the Implementation of an Advisory (sub) Committee for the Park System Master Plan. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the implementation of an Advisory (sub) Committee for the Park System Master Plan. He explained at a recent worksession meeting staff was advised to form a subcommittee to advise the Parks Commission on funding for the Parks System Master Plan. He discussed how the subcommittee would have one representative from each park (Groveland, Greenfield, Woodcrest, Hillview, Lambert, Silver View, Hodges, City Hall, Oakwood and Ardan), along with two liaisons from the Park Commission one being the Chair. It was noted the City staff member would be himself. He explained if the Council approves the formation of this subcommittee, the group would meet on Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 10 the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Council Member Clark asked if a Council liaison should serve on this subcommittee. Mayor Lindstrom did not recommend a Council liaison be assigned to this group because he wanted their recommendations to be autonomous and free from Council influence. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10130, Approving the Implementation of an Advisory (sub) Committee for the Park System Master Plan. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Smith stated the Cable Commission would not be meeting in July. She indicated this group would meet next on October 16. Council Member Smith reported she attended a Climate Action Work Group meeting where community solar gardens were discussed. Council Member Smith commented the Ramsey County League of Local Government toured the St. Paul Regional Water Services last Friday. Council Member Smith explained yesterday she attended an Irondale adaptive baseball game. She encouraged more residents in Mounds View to get involved. Council Member Smith stated she got to see the splash pad in operation this weekend and she appreciated how the splash pad was accessible to children in wheelchairs. She encouraged the City to consider additional adaptive park amenities in the community because this was a huge need. Council Member Smith reported she would be meeting with Police Chief Zender and daycare providers in the community to discuss emergency preparedness. Council Member Clark stated she attended a Mounds View Police Foundation meeting last week, noting the hot dog cart would be at the movie in the park on August 8. Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 11 Council Member Clark explained the Festival in the Park Committee would be meeting next on Tuesday, July 15. She encouraged all residents to attend Festival in the Park which would be held on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16. Council Member Clark reported Project Ardan would be planting seeds in Ardan Park on Thursday, July 17 at 6:00 p.m. Council Member Clark commented on upcoming activities that would be held at the Community Center for seniors. Council Member Gunn invited residents to visit Culver’s in St. Anthony this weekend noting a portion of the proceeds would be donated to the Mounds View Police Foundation. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reviewed a photograph of the first monument that had been completed for the Tribute Park. Council Member Meehlhause stated he would be attending a Charter Commission meeting this week. Council Member Meehlhause explained USA Cup would be held at the National Sports Center this week in Blaine. Council Member Meehlhause stated Community Support Center (CSC) would be holding their annual walk on Sunday, July 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Council Member Meehlhause reported the City Council attended the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference the last week of June. He indicated he has attended 12 of these events and he believed this year’s was one of the best yet. He provided further information on the sessions he attended at the conference. Mayor Lindstrom thanked the Public Works Department staff for taking the time and making 4th of July more festive this year. Mayor Lindstrom explained he attended a Board of Pardons meeting last Thursday where 40 cases were reviewed and 34 people were given second chances. Mayor Lindstrom reported he attended a Nine Cities meeting today where the group discussed upcoming city festivals. Mayor Lindstrom stated Night to Unite would be held on Tuesday, August 5. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he applied to join the Board of the League of Minnesota Cities and explained he did not receive enough votes for an appointment. He reported there were 16 applicants for five positions. He noted he would be serving on the Land Use and Housing Committee with the League of Minnesota Cities. He commented on how important it was to him for Mounds View and other municipalities to maintain local control when it comes to zoning standards. Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 12 Mayor Lindstrom reported the City of Mounds View received a City of Excellence Award at the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference for the discharge of discriminatory covenants. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Bauman reported she was working to fill the vacant accountant position. Police Chief Zender stated the flags look amazing and he thanked the Public Works Department for their efforts on this. He explained he was working on his quarter two report and noted the department has had a great deal of outreach recently. He reported popsicles in the park would be held on Thursdays and stated he was looking forward to attending the Movie in the Park event on August 8. He briefed the Council on a viscous dog attack that occurred in the community where another dog in the community was killed. He noted the viscous dog involved was being quarantined and would not be allowed back in the community. He encouraged residents in Mounds View to keep their dogs under control. City Administrator Zikmund explained two Mounds View Police Officers paid to have the injured dog euthanized out of their own pocket and noted he was working with a local organization to have these officers reimbursed. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the splash pad was in full swing. He reported the contractor was working to get this project done by August 15. He indicated the curb has been removed and discussed the timeline for the parking lot work. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson discussed the ice cream social that was held on Saturday, July 12 in honor of National Parks and Recreation month. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the Explore More and Rec on the Go programming were almost done for the summer. He commented on how each of these programs were continuing to grow this summer. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported 22 seniors attended the Minneapolis Queen Cruise on July 11. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated fall registrations were now open for youth and adult leagues. 1. Fitness Court Artist Selection Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson commented on the artist that was selected for the fitness court. He reported he met with the artist today, noting his name is Reggie LeFleur and he lives in Minneapolis. He explained Mr. LeFleur has done work for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. He indicated a concept drawing would be provided to City staff in the coming weeks and the project would be considered by the Council at the first meeting in August. Mounds View City Council July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 13 It was his hope this project would be completed by September 13. He asked that two Councilmembers volunteer to review the renderings in order to keep this project moving forward. Council Member Clark and Council Member Gunn volunteered to serve in this capacity. City Administrator Zikmund commented on a recent trip he made to a remote cabin in Voyageur’s National Park. City Administrator Zikmund explained he received correspondence from the Spano family and they were requesting 15 families be invited to the Tribute Park opening ceremony. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, August 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, July 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial