HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/08/25APPROVED
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
August 25, 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 and Meehlhause
NOT PRESENT: Smith.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Monday, August 25, 2025, City Council Agenda.
MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Meehlhause. To Approve the Monday, August 25, 2025, agenda as
presented.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes: August 11, 2025.
B. Just and Correct Claims.
C. Resolution 10142, Approving the Human Resource Assistant/Deputy City
Clerk Job Description and Authorizing the Promotion of Kari Tholkes.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Mayor Lindstrom congratulated Kari Tholkes on her promotion.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. LMC Award of Excellence – Luke Fisher.
Luke Fisher, League of Minnesota Cities, introduced himself to the Council and discussed the
work being done by the League of Minnesota Cities.
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Evan Vogal, League of Minnesota Cities, presented the City of Mounds View with an Award of
Excellence and commended the City on its efforts to discharge discriminatory covenants. Mr.
Vogal shared a video with the Council and a round of applause was offered by all in attendance.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked City staff and the residents of Mounds View for playing an instrumental
part in discharging 230 racial covenants in the City. He recognized the staff members and residents
that played a critical role in this task. He stated he was extremely grateful for the efforts of the
community to address this concern. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance.
B. Officer Logan Tan Official Swearing In – Police Chief Zender.
Police Chief Zender introduced Officer Logan Tan to the City Council and administered the oath
office. Officer Tan’s badge was pinned on and a round of applause was offered by all in attendance.
C. 2025 MVPD Quarter 2 Report – Police Chief Zender.
Police Chief Zender reviewed the Mounds View Police Department second quarter report with the
Council. He thanked the residents who participated in Night to Unite noting residents donated over
650 pounds of food and supplies to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf. He thanked all of the residents
and staff members who volunteered and helped at Festival in the Park. He discussed events that
were held in the second quarter, which included the Special Olympics Torch Run. He updated the
Council on the department’s staffing noting he was currently at 18. He noted the Community
Service Officer position would be opening and the department would be looking to bring in a new
CSO. He explained he appreciated how proactive his officers were in the community, noting calls
for service, arrests and traffic stops were all up. He reported this meant even though the department
was short, proper enforcement and education was still in place. He stated after the loss of K -9’s
Niko and Griz, he was pleased to report he had two K-9’s lined up to join the department. He noted
one K-9 would be brought in this fall and the other would join the department in the spring.
Mayor Lindstrom asked why calls for service were on the rise. Police Chief Zender attributed this
to calls coming back to normal after 2020. He indicated there has been an increase in medical calls
in the community and each proactive police visit in the community generates a police call.
Mayor Lindstrom stated he has seen an increase in police presence in the community, and he
thanked Police Chief Zender for his strong leadership in the community.
Mayor Lindstrom questioned when K-9 Ace would be retired. Police Chief Zender anticipated Ace
would be retired next week.
Council Member Meehlhause thanked Police Chief Zender and Deputy Chief Hellpap for their
outstanding leadership. He stated the Sergeants within the department were tremendous and he
greatly appreciated the dedication of the patrol officers as well.
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Council Member Gunn stated she had greatly enjoyed being a part of the police hot dog cart events
in the community. Police Chief Zender explained the hot dog cart was purchased through a joint
grant with the City of New Brighton and has been proven to be a great community building tool.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Lindstrom encouraged the public to speak with kindness and respect when addressing the
City Council during Public Comment.
Murwo Mohamed, 2657 Mounds View Boulevard, requested the City Council consider adding
new equipment at the Community Center.
Mayor Lindstrom reported the equipment was on order and the City was waiting to receive the
new exercise equipment.
Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, thanked City Administrator Zikmund and Councilmember
Clark for visiting Spring Lake Road. He indicated he cannot turn into his driveway without
impeding traffic. He noted he would be working with an engineer to try and address this concern.
Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, thanked the Council for the award stating that it was very
unexpected. She thanked the Festival in the Park Committee for their tremendous efforts on this
year’s event.
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
A. PUBLIC HEARING: Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 1047,
Approving a Cable Franchise Extension Agreement with Comcast of
Minnesota, Inc. ROLL CALL VOTE.
City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council adopt an ordinance approving a cable franchise
extension agreement with Comcast of Minnesota. He explained that staff has received no feedback
or input from the public on this item.
Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 6:46 p.m.
Hearing no public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 6:46 p.m.
MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance
1047, Approving a Cable Franchise Extension Agreement with Comcast of Minnesota, Inc.
Council Member Meehlhause was thankful the negotiations went smoother this time compared to
the previous franchise agreement renewal.
ROLL CALL: Clark/Gunn/Meehlhause/Smith/Lindstrom.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
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9. REPORTS
A. Reports of Mayor and Council.
Council Member Clark stated Festival in the Park was a huge success again this year, despite the
rain. She reported the Festival in the Park Committee would meet next on Tuesday, September 16.
She noted the car show would potentially be held on Saturday, October 4.
Council Member Clark explained the Park, Rec and Forestry Committee would be meeting next
on Thursday, August 28.
Council Member Clark indicated the County was talking about redoing Silver Lake Road and
questioned if the Council should discuss this project at an upcoming worksession meeting. The
Council recommended this topic be placed on the September worksession agenda.
Council Member Gunn explained the Mounds View Police Foundation would be meeting next on
Tuesday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Council Member Gunn thanked the Lions and all of the Festival in the Park volunteers for a
tremendous event again this year.
Council Member Meehlhause thanked the Festival Committee and Public Works Staff for all of
their efforts and assistance with the Festival in the Park. He thanked the residents that came out
and supported the Lions Club.
Council Member Meehlhause indicated he would be attending an NYFS Finance Committee
meeting on Wednesday, August 27.
Council Member Meehlhause provided the Council with an update from the Twin Cities Gateway
Visitors Bureau noting top line revenues for hotels is up 6.25% compared to last year.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked the Festival Committee and all of the volunteers for being flexible and
adjusting to the weather. He apologized to a staff member for losing his temper on Friday night.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked the Community Engagement Committee for the movies in the park.
Council Member Clark commented on an upcoming clothing swap that would be held at Hodges
Park noting individuals could drop of clothing items on Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday,
August 28 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the shopping days would be Friday, August 29 and Sunday,
August 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Mayor Lindstrom reported the Tribute Park dedication ceremony would be held on Saturday,
September 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Mayor Lindstrom noted the mermaid would be dedicated on Saturday, September 20 from 1:00
p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Mayor Lindstrom explained he would be attending a clemency review hearing on Friday, August
29.
He also thanked the residents of Mounds View for participating in the Festival in the Park events
this past weekend. There was also discussion about the Fireworks being postponed and whether
or not the fireworks would be presented this year at another community event or if we wait until
next year’s Festival where we would then have a credit for the fireworks.
B. Reports of Staff.
City Administrator Zikmund asked the City Attorney to explain the grievance process as Staff was
approaching the podium regarding the hiring of anew employee. City Attorney Riggs explained
grievances were moving forward and a specific process will have to be followed by the City. He
stated once he knows more about the grievance he would be working with staff on this matter.
On behalf of the public works bargaining group, Mike Schnur reported on July 14, 2025, the City
Council approved Resolution 10121 and the hiring of a new employee within the City of Mounds
View’s Public Works Department for a utilities maintenance worker. He explained this employee
was hired at Grade 5, Step 9, and at that time there was no member of the current Public Works
Department who was at Step 9 of the wage compensation plan. He noted there were currently four
members who qualify for Step 9 based on their years of experience within the wage compensation
plan but were not being compensated at Step 9. He believed the principle of hiring someone with
the same or less experience as current employees who have dedicated their time and efforts to the
City, and giving this new individual a higher wage was not right. He explained the public works
employees were not grieving their wages or increases but rather was grieving their placement
within the compensation scale. He and his fellow public works staff members wanted to be treated
fairly within the public works bargaining group. He requested a formal hearing with the City
Council be held to address this matter.
Finance Director Bauman reported that her new staff member began last week and she appreciated
the fact this new staff member has payroll experience.
City Administrator Zikmund explained staff was uncertain when the final lift of asphalt will be
installed in the parking lot noting the DNR was investigating a rare plant/inspect species at this
time. He stated sidewalks are being poured this week.
C. Reports of City Attorney.
City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report.
10. Next Council Work Session: Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, September 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
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11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Transcribed by:
Heidi Guenther
Minute Maker Secretarial