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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/08/11APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting August 11, 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, August 11, 2025, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Smith. To Approve the Monday, August 11, 2025, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: July 28, 2025. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 10141, Authorizing a Recruitment Process for Ice Rink Attendants. D. Resolution 10143, Approving the Art for the Fitness Court. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. Citizen of the Year – Gary Rundle. Council Member Gunn and Council Member Meehlhause presented the Citizen of the Year award to Gary Rundle and thanked him for his 45 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the City of Mounds View. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 2 Mindy Weizenegger stated her dad was an amazing person who does so much for others and has been so proud to be a member of the Mounds View community. She explained this is such an honor and she thanked the City Council for supporting and recognizing her dad. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Roger Backstrom, Brooklyn Park Lions Club member, reported he has been friends with Gary Rundle since he was in sixth grade. He stated as a Lion he bonded with Gary through service to the community. He appreciated the Rundle family’s dedication to Mounds View and thanked the City of Mounds View for recognizing the contributions Gary Rundle has made to this community. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Council Member Meehlhause explained he has known Gary Rundle since 2009 when he served with Mr. Rundle on the Planning Commission. He indicated Mr. Rundle has dedicated a lot of time to this community and he was well deserving of this honor. He stated he was proud to have Mr. Rundle as a friend. Council Member Gunn reported she became acquainted with the Rundle family through Kelcie Rundle and over time she served on committees with Gary Rundle. She thanked the Rundle family for being a blessing to this community. She stated she was proud to have served with Gary and thanked him for his dedicated service to the City of Mounds View. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Gary Rundle for filling the Council Chambers and for leaving a finger print on this community over the past two decades through his work on the Parks and Planning Commissions. He appreciated Mr. Rundle’s willingness to serve and run for office. He stated it takes a tremendous amount of dedication and love to serve a community for over 40 years. Council Member Smith thanked Gary Rundle and his family for their dedicated service to the community. Darice Weems explained she lost a brother to this disease and she was so glad the City could celebrate Gary Rundle while he was still here. She indicated her entire class would be celebrating Mr. Rundle on Saturday for their 50-year class reunion. Council Member Clark thanked Gary Rundle for his support over the years and for creating a legacy of service through his devotion to the community. City Administrator Zikmund thanked Gary Rundle for his over welcome and volunteer service to the City of Mounds View. He stated it has been pure joy to know Mr. Rundle and explained this award was very well deserved. Mayor Lindstrom recessed the City Council meeting at 6:19 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom reconvened the City Council meeting at 6:39 p.m. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mayor Lindstrom encouraged the public to speak with kindness and respect when addressing the City Council during Public Comment. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, stated the last time the Council Chambers were this full was when the Council was discussing the Ardan Park development. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. PUBLIC HEARING: Second Reading and Approval of Ordinance 1045, Amending Mounds View City Code 160.088 relating to Accessory Dwelling Units ROLL CALL VOTE. Kribashini Moorthy, Stantec, requested the Council hold the second reading and adopt Ordinance 1045 which would amend City Code relating to accessory dwelling units. She explained detached ADU’s, if not occupied by the owner would have to be licensed with the City. She further reviewed the requirements for ADU’s and recommended approval of the Ordinance. Council Member Clark asked if the waiver for ADU’s should speak directly to family instead of children or parents. Ms. Moorthy reviewed how Mounds View City Code defines family, noting this includes four persons who were not related. For this reason, the language was changed from family to the primary owners’ parents or children. She indicated she could amend the language to include siblings, grandparents or grandchildren. Council Member Clark commented her sister will eventually be living with her and she would like this language amended. Evan Monson, Stantec, explained the language was taken from the City’s rental code. He reported the language could be amended to allow for immediate family. Council Member Smith suggested a definition then be offered in City Code for immediate family. Council Member Clark asked if this change would impact other portions of City Code. Mr. Monson stated a change to this portion of code would not adversely impact the remainder of City Code. Council Member Clark inquired if attached ADU’s required a waiver. Ms. Moorthy explained attached ADU’s do not require a waiver from the City. Council Member Clark questioned if a waiver should be required if a detached ADU was vacant. Mayor Lindstrom recommended a waiver be required for family members and if the ADU was vacant. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the proposed language changes would require the Council to table action on the Ordinance. Mr. Monson stated the Council could approve the Ordinance as amended. Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 4 City Administrator Zikmund explained typically on a Second Reading, the language is right on. He reported he reviewed City Code and noted there was a definition for immediate family which included in-laws. Ms. Moorthy suggested immediate family be defined as one or more persons each related to the other by blood, marriage or adoption. The Council supported this recommendation. Mayor Lindstrom reported the Council could approve the Second Reading of this Ordinance with the understanding staff would amend the language as discussed by the City Council. Ms. Moorthy reported this was the case. Council Member Smith indicated she still had an issue with people coming and going from ADU’s that served as short term rentals. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 6:56 p.m. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, asked if the ordinance still had language that required ADU’s to be in a rear yard. Mayor Lindstrom reported this was the case noting Ms. Kirscher could apply for an exception. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1045, Amending Mounds View City Code 160.088 relating to Accessory Dwelling Units as amended directing staff to publish a summary ordinance. Council Member Meehlhause indicated he was not fully supportive of this ordinance in the past, but noted he would be offering his support given the specific requirements that were written into the ordinance. It was his hope this ordinance would assist the City in regulating ADU’s should the State try and step into local control when it comes to housing regulations and zoning authority. Mayor Lindstrom commented he too had previously been a no vote when it came to this ordinance, but he has changed his position on this matter. He reported housing was not getting any cheaper and he anticipated more families would be living in close proximity. He encouraged residents to be optimistic when it comes to ADU’s and noted he did not believe this code amendment would change the fabric of the community, but rather would offer residents options for housing family members. ROLL CALL: Clark/Gunn/Meehlhause/Smith/Lindstrom. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. Introduction and First Reading or Ordinance 1047, Approving a Cable Franchise Extension Agreement with Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 5 City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council introduce an ordinance that would approve a cable franchise extension agreement with Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. He explained Nine North did all of the work on this item and staff recommended approval of the franchise extension agreement. MOTION/SECOND: Smith/Meehlhause. To Waive the First Reading and Introduce Adopt Ordinance 1047, Approving a Cable Franchise Extension Agreement with Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. PUBLIC HEARING: Second Reading and Approval of Ordinance 1046, Amending Mounds View City Code Chapter 92, section 92.007 of the Municipal Code to Specifically Prohibit Nudity ROLL CALL VOTE. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council hold the Second Reading and adopt Ordinance 1046 which would amend City Code to prohibit nudity within City parks. He explained this amendment was in response to a recent Minnesota State Supreme Court Case when it comes to lude conduct and the state of undress. Staff commented further on the proposed City Code amendment and recommended approval of Ordinance 1046. Council Member Clark requested the Code allow nursing mothers to be within the City’s parks. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported he could work with the City Attorney to amend the language to allow nursing mothers in City parks. Council Member Smith questioned how the City would define appropriate swim suits, noting many suits were high cut which exposed the backsides of females. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated this ordinance would provide the City with a dress code for public parks. He explained he could not offer a definition for an appropriate swim suit. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 7:18 p.m. Joyce Jones Strait, 7728 Knollwood Drive, stated she believed this ordinance was extremely problematic. She reported the State Supreme Court case said lude equals nude. She commented on the difference between an ordinance and a law. She questioned if the laws of Minnesota were applied within the boundaries of Minnesota and inquired if this ordinance would be a redundancy. She was of the opinion the proposed ordinance was poorly written. She stated she did not want anyone in the community to be a victim of sexual assault and she understood the State’s ruling from the Supreme Court case has left the indecent exposure laws extremely ambiguous. She noted for the record, breastfeeding mothers were exempt from the indecent exposure law. She believed this ordinance was a huge overreach for the City Council and recommended the Council rethink their position on this. Chris Lillimo, 5132 Long Lake Road, stated he believed this ordinance was out of control. He reported the law for the State of Minnesota allows breast feeding mothers to do this anywhere in Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 6 public. He recommended the City not step in and try to change the rules that were set by the State when it comes to breastfeeding in Mounds View. He also feared the City would be discriminating based on sex. He noted there have been no incidents in Mounds View and for this reason, he recommended this ordinance not move forward until it was rewritten to represent all people and real issues. He recommended the goal for the City be more clearly defined and stated he did not want breastfeeding mothers in Mounds View being discriminated against. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, stated the sexuality of women was a concern and explained men wearing their pants low with their underwear exposed was also inappropriate. She recommended the ordinance be reconsidered by the Council. Jean Jones Strait, 7728 Knollwood Drive, reported the young people in the community were leaving Mounds View because of things like this. She was of the opinion this ordinance was too oppressive. She stated there was nothing more natural than when someone was working with a child. She believed the sexualization of women was a real concern. She was of the opinion this ordinance was going in the wrong direction and recommended the City refer to State law when it comes to this matter. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 7:32 p.m. Mayor Lindstrom asked if the language within the ordinance should be addressed prior to moving forward. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained he could speak to the City Attorney regarding this matter. Mayor Lindstrom inquired if action on this ordinance should be tabled. Council Member Smith and Council Member Clark supported action on this item being tabled. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson clarified this ordinance was not targeted at breastfeeding women. Council Member Smith questioned why age 10 was selected within the ordinance. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this was a recommendation from the City Attorney. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the person who came before the Supreme Court was completely naked in a city park. Mr. Lillimo reported the individual was topless in a gas station parking lot. Council Member Clark inquired if a rule could be put in effect for the splash pad without moving this ordinance forward. City Administrator Zikmund recommended action on this item be tabled to a future workshop meeting. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Smith. To continue the public hearing to a future date and table action on this item to a workshop meeting. Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 7 Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 9913, Approving the Driveway Alterations for Properties in Area J of the 2022/2023 Street Project that has less than a 12-foot driveway. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the driveway alterations for properties in Area J of the 2022/2023 Street Project that have less than a 12-foot driveway. He explained this work had to be put off until the warranty period was done. He stated staff reached out to three contractors to complete this work and the noted staff received a bid back from Schmidt Curb Company in the amount of $11,987.90. He described the improvements that would be done to correct the driveway aprons for those residents that want to move forward with the work. Council Member Smith asked why the City would not correct all of the driveways. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the City would be leaving this decision up to the residents on whether or not they want to pursue the apron correction. Council Member Clark recommended the notifications be hand delivered to the impacted residents. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported he could do this. Mayor Lindstrom supported the notifications being hand delivered. He indicated he was supportive of the residents being allowed to choose whether or not they want to move forward with the driveway correction. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9913, Approving the Driveway Alterations for Properties in Area J of the 2022/2023 Street Project that has less than a 12-foot driveway. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS Chris Lillimo, 5132 Long Lake Road, requested the Council reinstall the zip line at Random (Hodges) Park. He noted this park generates the most money for Mounds View. He reported he has been speaking daily with neighbors at this park about the zip line and they are disappointed that the zip line was going to be removed. He questioned why one person was being allowed to impact this park. He suggested a fence be built for the resident that was having a problem with the zip line. He recommended the zip line remain in Random Park and that the City also consider pursuing an accessible zip line. A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn stated the Mounds View Police Foundation would meet on Tuesday, August 12. Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 8 Council Member Gunn invited the public to attend the Tribute Park Dedication on Saturday, September 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Council Member Gunn noted the Mermaid would be returning to Mounds View on Saturday, September 20. Council Member Smith stated two weeks ago she attended a picnic at Island Lake Park along with Council Member Meehlhause. Council Member Smith explained she would be attending an airport commission planning meeting noting this group was working to bring back aviation days. Council Member Smith indicated the Minnesota State Fair started on Thursday, August 21 and would run through Labor Day. Council Member Clark thanked all of the residents who have been attending the movies in the park. She reported after the penny carnival on Friday, Moana 2 would be screened and next Friday, the live action How to Train Your Dragon would be screened at City Hall Park. Council Member Clark stated she would be attending a Festival in the Park Committee meeting on Wednesday, August 13. She encouraged residents to attend the Festival in the Park events on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16. She reviewed all of the events that were planned for this coming weekend. Mayor Lindstrom thanked everyone who hosted a Night to Unite party last week. Mayor Lindstrom indicated he and City Administrator Zikmund attended a meeting with the Superintendent last week. Mayor Lindstrom thanked the Mounds View Police Foundation and the Community Engagement Committee for their work on the movies in the park. Mayor Lindstrom reported he was looking forward to celebrating the 50th Festival in the Park this weekend. He noted the first clue for the medallion hunt would be coming out on Wednesday, August 13. He thanked all of the local businesses who have contributed to the festivities this year. Mayor Lindstrom explained he was working with the Housing Task Force and Election Task Force for the League of Minnesota Cities. Mayor Lindstrom commented at the last Board of Pardons meeting the group heard 40 cases. B. Reports of Staff. Finance Director Bauman stated she was looking forward to her new staff member starting on Monday, August 18. She reported the MNGFOA was holding round table discussions next week and she would be cohosting a discussion regarding wages, taxes and paid leave. Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 9 Assistant City Administrator Beeman provided the Council with an update on the Dunkin Donuts development noting they were still interested in the Simons property and were looking for a second tenant. Assistant City Administrator Beeman anticipated Planet Fitness would be open on September 1 with a September 6 grand opening date. Assistant City Administrator Beeman commented Auto Zone was about two months out for their rebuild. Assistant City Administrator Beeman indicated he would be bringing forward a draft affordable housing ordinance at the October 6 Council worksession meeting. Assistant City Administrator Beeman discussed the potential of a non-profit joining the City and the school district in pursuing an indoor facility. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the Tribute Park was under construction and the fitness court would be installed on September 1. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained base layer of the street pavement on Bronson would be installed on Tuesday, August 12. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported staff was working on an updated lease with AT&T for the water tower, noting AT&T wants first right of refusal should another company want to locate on the City’s water tower. He asked how the Council wanted to address this matter. Council Member Clark stated she did not like this language. Mayor Lindstrom questioned if there had been any interference with AT&T in the past and if this were the case, would AT&T compensate the City for the loss of a lease with a competitor. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the City wants a private company telling the City what it can and cannot do on the water tower. The Council did not support this. C. Closed Session Date. City Administrator Zikmund reported there was a conflict with the Monday, September 15 meeting date. The Council agreed to hold the Closed Session meeting on Tuesday, September 23. 10. Next Council Work Session: Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Mounds View City Council August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Page 10 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial