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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/12/09APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting December 9, 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. Tuesday, December 9, 2025, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Approve the Tuesday, December 9, 2025, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Lindstrom requested a change to the November 24, 2025 City Council minutes noting on Page 4, Line 1 should read: completed within 30 days instead of 10 days. Approval of Minutes: November 24, 2025, and December 1, 2025 (TNT) Just and Correct Claims. Resolution 10178, Authorizing a Cost-of-Living Adjustment, Insurance Contribution and Insurance Opt-Out Payment. Resolution 10179, Approving Retirement Health Savings Plan Policy Revisions. Resolution 10181, Approving Minnesota Paid Leave Policy. Resolution 10185, Approving the 2026 Recording Secretary Service Agreement with Minute Maker Secretarial. Resolution 10189, Approving Change #10 Order for the 2025 Street Project. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Gunn. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Mayor Lindstrom questioned what impact the new Minnesota Paid Leave Policy would have on the City of Mounds View. Human Resources Director Ewald stated the paid leave policy would have a positive impact on younger employees that would be starting families. She indicated these employees would now be able to have up to 12 weeks off paid leave for bonding time with their child. She reported the City opted for the 50/50 pay option through MetLife. She commented further on how employees would positively benefit from this policy. Council Member Meehlhause indicated this policy would also apply to employees with elderly parents or an ailing spouse. Human Resources Director Ewald reported this was the case. Council Member Clark inquired if the City would hire to backfill for an employee should someone choose to take their 12 weeks of family leave. Human Resources Director Ewald explained this would depend on the position and the budget the department may have. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. SBM Fire Chief Retka – Quarterly Update. Fire Chief Retka provided the Council with a quarterly update from the SBM Fire Department. He stated 2025 was a busy year and calls continue to go up, especially for medical calls. He reported the department’s prevention efforts were continuing to work along with the efforts to sprinkle buildings. He reviewed a year-to-date call map for the City of Mounds View. He commented on the major fires that occurred in the community in 2025 and discussed why yearly inspections were important. He discussed how overlapping calls were addressed by the department. He provided further information on how SBM would be taking over operations for Circle Pines and Centerville on a contract basis. He described how the department’s budget would also be positively impacted by the new contract with Circle Pines and Centerville. He noted this contract will assist with providing improved services to the east side of Blaine and the I-35W corridor. He explained he was proud of how response times have improved based on the department’s new staffing model. He discussed how the North Metro EMS, which was started by the SBM Fire Department, was working to train the majority of Anoka County, Ramsey County and the surrounding police departments which were creating a new revenue stream for the fire department. He asked for any comments or questions from the Council. Council Member Meehlhause requested further information regarding the recent promotions at the fire department. Fire Chief Retka reviewed the recent internal appointments with the Council and described how the deputy staff and battalion chiefs were reorganized. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the Centennial Lakes Fire Department just had a fire station in Circle Pines. Fire Chief Retka explained there was a fire station in Circle Pines and another in Centerville. He indicated the SBM Fire Department would have a 10-year renewable contract with the Centennial Lakes Fire Department going forward and their increases would follow the SBM increases. Mayor Lindstrom questioned how the call load would be impacted once Centennial and Circle Pines were brought on board. Fire Chief Retka explained Circle Pines had 391 calls this past year and there were 300 for Centerville. Mayor Lindstrom inquired if the department was becoming more competitive with pay. Fire Chief Retka explained he was continuing to work on this to remain competitive and commented on how important the instruction sessions were to his firefighters. He noted he was doing very well when it comes to retention. Fire Chief Retka thanked the community for attending the Santa Parade this year. He reported 46,000 pounds of food was collected for two local food shelves. Mayor Lindstrom thanked the SBM Fire Department for being a great community partner with the City of Mounds View. Fire Marshal Isaiah Schoeman introduced himself to the City Council and provided an overview on the inspections that were completed in Mounds View for 2025. He explained he was using new inspection software through the fire department and properties were being updated. He reported in 2026 he would be taking on commercial fire inspections in Spring Lake Park. He estimated he would be doing six to eight inspections per week in the coming year. He commented on the fire occupancy certification program he would be pursuing. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Fire Marshal Schoeman for his collaboration with the City. 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, encouraged the Council to review their homeowner’s policies because cover and policies were changing. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, addressed the Council regarding building heights in Mounds View. He questioned why the Council wanted to have higher buildings in the City. He discussed the Met Council density projections and inquired what the actual increase in density had to be for the community. He anticipated the City would have to hire additional police officers if the density were increased exponentially. In addition, he anticipated there would be water and sewer impacts. He commented on how the Mounds View Boulevard corridor would be adversely impacted if more tall flat buildings were added. He was of the opinion three story buildings were adequate. Andre Koen, 7951 Greenwood Drive, thanked the City Council for supporting the community meal, which was held on Monday, December 8. He thanked the Mermaid for being a tremendous host for this event. He was pleased to report 120 to 140 people attended the community meal. He thanked the Manna Market and RJ Riches for assisting with the City on the community meal. He thanked Pink Flower, Caribou Coffee, Dos Hermanos and Sandwich King for also partnering with the City on this project. He commented on how some members of the community may have been tentative to attend due such a public event given the fact their immigration status could have been challenged. He presented the Council with $308 that was collected from the community meal. He asked that these dollars be passed along to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Mr. Koen and the entire Community Engagement Committee for all their time and effort in planning the community meal. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS 2026 Tax Levy and Budgets for All Funds. I. Resolution 10182, Adopting the 2026 Tax Levy. II. Resolution 10183, Approving the 2026 EDA Tax Levy. III. Resolution 10184, Adopting 2026 Municipal Budget. Finance Director Bauman reviewed the 2026 tax levy and budgets for all funds in detail with the Council. She reported the Truth in Taxation Hearing was held on Monday, December 1 where the proposed budget and tax levy was reviewed. She explained the proposed levy increase would be 6.69%. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To recommend the 2026 Tax Levy be reduced to 6.5% keeping the reliance on LGA at 90%. Council Member Smith asked how much this change would reduce the tax levy. Finance Director Bauman stated this would be a $15,000 reduction. Council Member Clark explained she supported this recommendation. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10182, Adopting the 2026 Tax Levy reducing the levy to 6.5% and keeping the reliance on LGA at 90%. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Finance Director Bauman requested the Council approve the 2026 EDA tax levy, noting there were no changes to the recommendation from August. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10183, Approving the 2026 EDA Tax Levy. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Finance Director Bauman requested the Council approve the 2026 municipal budget. She noted she would make adjustments to the general fund based on the reduction that was made to the tax levy. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To amend the 2026 Municipal Budget and directing staff to have the budget reflect the 6.5% tax levy. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Brian Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, requested clarification on the fire expense for 2026. Finance Director Bauman reviewed the operational and capital expenditures for the coming year. She explained the capital debt portion would remain as is. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Smith. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10184, Adopting 2026 Municipal Budget as amended. Mayor Lindstrom thanked staff and the City Council for all of their efforts on the 2026 budget and tax levy. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Resolution 10186, Approving Appointments to the Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve appointments to the Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. He clarified there was only one vacancy on the Planning Commission at this time. He noted the vacancies for the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission would be reposted. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10186, Approving Appointments to the Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission and Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission effective January 1, 2026. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Approving a Fee Reduction on the Senior Suite Living Development at 7687 Long Lake Road. City Administrator Zikmund reported that the Council previously considered a fee reduction on the Senior Suite Living Development at 7687 Long Lake Road. He explained the Council did not support a reduction in park dedication fees. He requested the Council direct staff to continue to work with the developer on pursuing fee reductions of up to $40,000 for the Senior Suite Living Development project. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To authorize Staff to Continue to Work with the Developer on a Fee Reduction up to $40,000 on the Senior Suite Living Development at 7687 Long Lake Road. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Resolution 10187, Approving $8,925 for Rental Assistance/Support. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve $8,925 for rental assistance and support in LAHA dollars. He noted these funds would help a single female with young children. Council Member Smith inquired if the City would be responsible for the lease agreement. City Administrator Zikmund reported the lease would be the responsibility of the tenant. Mayor Lindstrom explained that the Council has been discussing how to distribute the City’s LAHA dollars throughout the community and was working to assist those living in the manufactured home communities to make their homes more efficient and rental assistance could also be provided. He stated he was excited that these funds would offer safe housing for an individual that was struggling in the community. City Administrator Zikmund indicated the City would be visiting this apartment monthly going forward. Council Member Clark reported she supported the proposed rental assistance. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10187, Approving $8,925 for Rental Assistance/Support. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Resolution 10188, Approving $7,200 to Manna Market for Food Security for January and February 2026. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve an allotment of $7,200 to Manna Market for Food Security for January and February 2026. Council Member Clark reported in the first six weeks of Manna Market distributions, 1,086 residents have been served. She thanked the 80 volunteers that have made these distributions possible. She reported the volunteers would like to make the distribution timeframe one hour long given the colder temperatures and noted deliveries could be made for residents that do not have a vehicle. She stated distributions would occur from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 14. Mayor Lindstrom stated he understood the residents were very appreciative of the distributions. He thanked Councilmember Clark for all of her efforts and for organizing the volunteers each week. He indicated this has been a tremendous project to be a part of. Council Member Smith asked if the people new to this service had heard about the distributions from the City. Mayor Lindstrom stated he was uncertain how residents were hearing about the distributions. He indicated Manna Market never had a presence in Mounds View previously. He commented on the numerous ways residents could have heard about the distribution days from the City, which included a mailing from the City and sandwich boards. Council Member Clark commented on how there were 50 to 100 families picking up distributions on a weekly basis and noted 130 families were receiving deliveries each week. Council Member Smith inquired if a working relationship should be pursued with Manna Market. City Administrator Zikmund did not believe this was necessary. He explained the City has a working relationship with Ralph Reeder without a contract in place. Mayor Lindstrom explained he appreciated the fact residents could pick up a box of food from the Manna Market each week and could remain anonymous. Council Member Smith indicated residents could still pick up a box of food from Manna Market at their other location if the City were to stop the local distributions. Mayor Lindstrom reported this was the case. Council Member Smith stated she was concerned about the City getting into the food distribution business. She questioned if the City should be giving funding to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf instead. She understood there were some residents that would not visit the Manna Market based on their faith. She inquired if the food distributions offered by the City were only going to Mounds View residents. Council Member Clark reported the City could limit distributions, but this has not been done to date. Council Member Smith reiterated that Mounds View has a food shelf that was available for Mounds View residents. She indicated the Manna Market services were available to Mounds View residents just two miles down the road. She explained she did not support the City offering these services when other entities were already offering these services. She noted there were five entities offering food assistance within a five mile radius of the City. She suggested this funding go to provide assistance to residents struggling to pay their water bills. She recommended the City partner with Manna Market at their existing location to have distributions and deliveries made from that site. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10188, Approving $7,200 to Manna Market for Food Security for January and February 2026. Ayes – 4 Nay – 1 (Smith opposed) Motion carried. 9. REPORTS Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Gunn reported Heroes and Helpers would be held on Tuesday, December 16. She noted the Planning Commission would be meeting next on Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. Council Member Gunn stated she attended the tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 5. She thanked the Police, Fire, Public Works and Parks and Rec staff for all their assistance with this event. Council Member Gunn thanked the City for opening its doors to the Annunciation parents to have a forum to speak to the public on Saturday, December 6. Council Member Gunn thanked all of the residents who attended the community meal and all of the volunteers that made this event possible. Council Member Clark reported the Festival in the Park Committee would not be meeting in December and neither would the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission. Council Member Clark thanked all of the volunteers who helped Greg fill three dumpsters from the abatement project. Council Member Clark indicated she enjoyed attending the tree lighting ceremony where she helped serve hot cocoa and coffee on behalf of Project Ardan. She thanked staff for all of their assistance with this event. Council Member Clark stated the Manna Market food distribution would occur from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 14 at the Community Center. She encouraged those who needed their distribution to be delivered to contact her directly. Council Member Clark commented she attended the meeting on Saturday, and she appreciated the fact the City made space for the forum with the Annunciation parents. Council Member Clark reported she attended the community meal where Project Ardan served hot cocoa. She thanked Pursue Church for providing volunteers and dessert at this event. Council Member Clark wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Council Member Meehlhause stated the Chamber of Commerce would meet next on Thursday, December 18 at 8:00 a.m. at the Community Center where Police Chief Ben Zender would be the guest speaker. Council Member Meehlhause reported he attended a Gateway Visitor Bureau finance committee meeting on Friday, December 5 where the 2026 budget was discussed. He noted he would be attending a Gateway Visitors Bureau board meeting on Tuesday, December 16 where the 2026 budget will be considered. He then reviewed the year to date actuals for 2025 along with the proposed budget for 2026 in further detail with the Council. He was pleased to report revenues were running 2% higher through July of 2025. He noted the grants that would be awarded to cities in the coming year would be slightly reduced in the coming year. Council Member Meehlhause explained the City hosted three tremendous events in the past several days. He thanked all of the volunteers that made these events possible. Council Member Meehlhause recommended that from this day forward the tree lighting ceremony be called the Sherry Gunn annual tree lighting ceremony. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Lindstrom. To recommend the Tree Lighting Ceremony be called the Annual Sherry Gunn Tree Lighting Ceremony going forward. Ayes – 3 Nays – 2 (Clark and Smith) Motion carried. Council Member Meehlhause wished everyone happy holidays. Council Member Smith thanked all of the volunteers for making the recent events possible. Council Member Smith explained on the Saturday after Thanksgiving she did some bell ringing in the community and this past Saturday she participated in Shop with a Cop with the St. Paul Police Department. She thanked all of the volunteers that assisted with wrapping gifts. Council Member Smith reported she attended a cable commission meeting last week where she learned Woodbury had successfully secured a broadband franchise. Council Member Smith stated on Friday, December 5 she attended the tree lighting ceremony. She thanked Public Works for all of their assistance with event. Council Member Smith indicated she was asked by a resident to learn more about the Somali community and stated this was very educational for her. She appreciated how welcome this community was to her but discussed how this community was fearful at this time. Council Member Smith explained she enjoyed attending the community meal on Monday, December 8. Council Member Smith reported she runs a daycare in her home and noted she was looking at losing her daycare license. She discussed how several parents were questioning her honesty and accountability. She stated she has been accused of hiring and being part of an anti-gun activist who goes to people’s homes and harasses them. She commented she has also been accused of breaking her oath of office and that she should be removed from the City Council. She reported her daughter has been staying at a friend’s house because she fears for her safety. She stated two months ago the Mayor reached out to him to discuss her thoughts on having the Annunciation parents at the City to talk about their experiences, gun safety and safety in the schools. She noted her response was to have a social worker or counselor from the school district available to talk about what was being done or has been done in the schools. In addition, this individual could speak to the school levy that just passed and how this would address and improve school safety. She also suggested the Mayor reach out to Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office to have someone speak to how this organization went out to local schools and talked about improving student safety. She explained she voiced concern to the Mayor about the City not being sued or how this event would lead to the discussion of banning guns. She noted she suggested the event with the Annunciation parents be held at the Community Center versus at City Hall because this would allow for more people to attend. She indicated she had not heard anything back from the Mayor and the next thing she saw was a flyer stating Keith Ellison would be coming in as a speaker. She stated the Mayor has made it very clear that he would like to advance his political career and there was nothing wrong with that. She indicated her issue was that he had stated he supported Keith Ellison’s reelection. She discussed how the Mayor has brought in different candidates for the Council and community to get to know, but noted these events were not held in the Council Chambers. She reported the City Council was non-partisan and did not endorse candidates on campaign for individuals in the Council Chambers. She discussed how the recent event held with the Annunciation parents was labeled a town hall event. She indicated a few years ago, the town hall event was changed to the State of the City. She felt this event should not have been labeled as a town hall event and felt it was wrong to have a hired anti-gun activist brought in to speak at City Hall. She explained she had not learned of this until Sunday. She understood the community needed to talk and have discussions about what has happened because innocent people have been killed by acts of gun violence. She supported more conversations being held and people working together to address this concern. She reported the name calling and arguing was getting the City nowhere. She indicated it was her understanding the City had not contributed any money to having this event held at City Hall and noted she had no knowledge of the anti-gun activist that was hired to attend this event. She explained she had done a lot of ugly crying over the past two days, and this was very difficult for her to speak about. She stated she greatly respected her fellow Councilmembers and how this group worked together for the benefit of the community. She explained she was speaking out on this topic because she did not want to lose her job or her daycare license because her daycare families that she had had for the past 31 years no longer trust her. Mayor Lindstrom thanked Parks and Rec, Project Ardan, the Community Engagement Committee and the community for attending the tree lighting ceremony and for making this event possible. Mayor Lindstrom stated he would be attending a Board of Pardons meeting on Wednesday, December 17. Mayor Lindstrom read a statement of reflection on the past year. He stated he was proud of the humanitarian efforts the Council pursued. He thanked Councilmember Smith for suggesting the Council adopt a family in order to provide them with a Merry Christmas. He explained the Council would continue to pursue opportunities for everyone to do better. He stated he was grateful for all of the volunteers in the community. Mayor Lindstrom commented on the recent statements and hate that has been focused towards the Somali community. He reported Mounds View has Somali residents, and he reported this hateful rhetoric will not be tolerated in Mounds View. He discussed how the Somali residents he knows were some of the most resilient people he knows. He proposed the City host a community event in early 2026 to show solidarity with the Somali residents in Mounds View. He apologized to the Somali community for the comments that have been made noting he wants his Somali friends to feel loved and welcomed in this community. Mayor Lindstrom spoke to the town hall event that was held on Saturday, December 6 with the Annunciation parents at City Hall. He explained he took full responsibility for the event that took place in the Council Chambers. He noted there were community members that did not support this event. He made it clear that none of his fellow Councilmembers had a part in planning this event. Rather it was him and him alone. He asked that all feedback regarding this event be directed to him. He noted he was available to talk to residents about what occurred at City Hall on Saturday. He asked that comments not be directed to his fellow Councilmembers. Mayor Lindstrom noted he received two complaints about this event from residents and an uncountable amount of gratitude and support. He understood issues like this were polarizing and tough. He reported this conversation would only become more intense and more polarizing in 2026. He indicated he would advocate for the Annunciation parents to be heard at every opportunity he can. He stated his fellow Councilmembers can disavow this work, and he was okay with that. He understood this was an intimidating topic and that it may not be a space they want to associate with. He indicated he would not stop. He stated for 101 days these parents were ignored and were questioning if anyone cared. He commented on December 6 these parents had their first chance to speak and feel cared for. He was proud of the fact Mounds View had opened its doors and made a space for them. He explained he was happy these parents had a space to share their story and that residents showed up to hear from them as there was a record number of people in the Council Chambers. He stated this event showed that the events from August 27 was not a one day event and that the pain and trauma was still very real. He indicated this was not the last town hall event because he would stand with these parents to ensure their voices were heard at the capitol. He understood that Annunciation was not in Mounds View, but they were neighbors, friends and fellow human beings. He was grateful for the residents who showed up and confirmed that they care and that these parents’ matter. He reported the Annunciation parents were eternally grateful for this. He clarified for the record that no money was paid to any of the presenters that attended the event on Saturday. Mayor Lindstrom sent his love and wished every Mounds View resident a happy holiday and a Merry Christmas. B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Zikmund thanked his entire team for their tremendous efforts over the past year. Finance Director Bauman reported her department was working on payroll and setting field dates for the 2025 audit. City Administrator Zikmund commented on a Charter Commission that would be coming to the Council in January. City Administrator Zikmund stated the solid waste numbers had been provided to staff and noted there were some variations in the numbers. City Administrator Zikmund thanked Council Member Gunn for all of her efforts on the tree lighting ceremony. City Administrator Zikmund explained the City now has the ability to franchise broadband services if this was the desire of the City Council. City Administrator Zikmund commented it was time for the Council to complete a performance review of the City Administrator. He recommended this be held in January of 2026. The Council supported holding the performance review on Monday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Next Special Council Meeting: Monday, January 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial