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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026/04/27APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting April 27, 2026 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, April 27, 2026, City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Smith. To Approve the Monday, April 27, 2026, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes: April 13, 2026. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 10240, Adopting and Reporting Performance Measures. D. Financial Report for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2026. E. Resolution 10242, Approving 3-year contract with Guardian Pest Solutions for Pest Control at City Hall, Community Center and Public Works Facilities. F. Resolution 10248, Approving $7,950 for Rental Assistance/Support. G. Resolution 10249, Authorize Internal Office Assistant Recruitment Process. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Meehlhause. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 2 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, commented on an issue at Ardan Park noting the mount should be removed and put back to its natural state. He requested Groveland Park have an address assigned to it for public safety purposes. Murwo Mohamed, 2651 Silver Lake Common, Apartment #203, stated water was leaking at the Community Center whenever it was raining. She asked that the City Council address this concern. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, noted last Wednesday was City admin appreciation day and she wanted to share her thanks with City staff. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Resolution 10246, Approval of a Chicken-keeping License for Cally-Ann Jacobson, 7338 Silver Lake Road. City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council consider approving a chicken-keeping license for Cally-Ann Jacobson for the property at 7338 Silver Lake Road. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 6:06 p.m. Representative for Cally-Ann Jacobson, 7338 Silver Lake Road, reported they were requesting to keep a 12 chickens. Hearing no further public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10246, Approval of a Chicken-keeping License for Cally-Ann Jacobson, 7338 Silver Lake Road. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. B. PUBLIC HEARING: Second Reading and Approval of Ordinance 1062, an Ordinance Continuing a Franchise Fee on Xcel Energy Electric and Natural Gas Operations within the City of Mounds View ROLL CALL VOTE. Finance Director Bauman requested the Council consider an ordinance that would continue a franchise fee on Xcel Energy Electric and Natural Gas Operations within the City of Mounds View. She reported approval of this Ordinance would extend the franchise fee through 2032. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 3 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1062, an Ordinance Continuing a Franchise Fee on Xcel Energy Electric and Natural Gas Operations within the City of Mounds View. ROLL CALL: Clark/Gunn/Meehlhause/Smith/Lindstrom. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. PUBLIC HEARING: Second Reading and Approval of Ordinance 1063, an Ordinance Continuing a Franchise Fee on Center Point Energy Natural Gas Operations within the City of Mounds View ROLL CALL VOTE. Finance Director Bauman requested the Council consider an ordinance that would continue a franchise fee on Center Pointe Energy Natural Gas Operations within the City of Mounds View. She reported approval of this Ordinance would extend the franchise fee through 2032. Mayor Lindstrom opened the public hearing at 6:10 p.m. Hearing no public input, Mayor Lindstrom closed the public hearing at 6:10 p.m. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Clark. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1063, an Ordinance Continuing a Franchise Fee on Center Point Energy Natural Gas Operations within the City of Mounds View. Council Member Meehlhause reported franchise fees were a more equitable fee then property taxes because all properties are subject to this fee. He explained the City places the franchise fees equally between the general fund and street improvement fund. ROLL CALL: Clark/Gunn/Meehlhause/Smith/Lindstrom. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. D. Resolution 10241 and Resolution 10245, Recommending Approval of a Preliminary and Final Plat Request to Adjust the Lot Line Between 8408 and 8428 Eastwood Road. Evan Monson, Stantec, requested the Council approve a preliminary and final plat request to adjust the lot line between 8408 and 8428 Eastwood Road. He reviewed an aerial of the site noting that the property owner would like to shift the lot line 25 feet to the north, which would bring the lot into compliance. He explained that any new lot line requires a subdivision request and platting. Staff commented further on the request and reported the Planning Commission recommended approval. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10241, Recommending Approval of a Preliminary Plat Request to Adjust the Lot Line Between 8408 and 8428 Eastwood Road requiring the applicant to execute the City’s standard development Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 4 agreement. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10245, Recommending Approval of a Final Plat Request to Adjust the Lot Line Between 8408 and 8428 Eastwood Road requiring the applicant to execute the City’s standard development agreement. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 10243, Authorization for Restoration regarding the 2024 Lois Drive Storm Sewer Repair. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council authorize staff to complete restoration work regarding the 2024 Lois Drive Storm Sewer Repair. He noted staff received two bids for this project and staff was recommending the Council authorize staff to complete this work with a 7% contingency for this project. MOTION/SECOND: Smith/Meehlhause. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10243, Authorization for Restoration regarding the 2024 Lois Drive Storm Sewer Repair. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Resolution 10244, Approval of the Sanitary Sewer Line Rehabilitation - CIPP (Cured-in-Place-Pipe) Project. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve the sanitary sewer line rehabilitation CIPP (cured in place pipe)project. He stated this was an ongoing project with the City completing a portion of sewer lines every year. He noted the City received three bids for this project and all three bids came in over the budgeted amount of $500,000. He explained that the Council could reject the bids and move this project to 2027, reject the bids and direct staff to revisit the project to reduce the base bid amount or accept the bids and authorize the base bid without alternates to include a budget increase. Staff is recommending the Council approve the base bid without alternates with a budget adjustment and 7% contingency. Council Member Gunn inquired if this project could be pushed out until 2027. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated this could be done but noted some of the video showed I&I concerns that should be addressed sooner rather than later. Council Member Meehlhause asked if the sewer fund had a fund balance to cover the overage for this project. Finance Director Bauman reported the sewer fund has a balance that could cover the overage for this year, but adjustments may have to be made in future years. Mayor Lindstrom indicated the cost for these projects seemed to be increasing. He asked that staff look at the budgeted amounts for future projects to make necessary adjustments. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 5 MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10244, Approval of the Sanitary Sewer Line Rehabilitation - CIPP (Cured-in-Place-Pipe) Project with VisuSewer with the project not to exceed $561,429. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. G. Resolution 10247, Approving Professional Service Agreement with WSB to begin the Park System Master Plan Educational Campaign. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a professional service agreement with WSB to begin the park system master plan educational campaign. He discussed the bond levy that was being proposed to assist with reaching the City’s park master plan goals. He indicated the proposed bond levy led staff to recommend the City work with WSB on a communication and educational campaign. Council Member Clark inquired if an intern would be able to assist staff with communication efforts. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated he would like to see this happen, but noted the City has not received any applications for the intern position to date. It was his hope that the WSB services could be reduced if the City was able to bring an intern on. He provided further information on how the tasks could be divided between WSB and City staff/intern. Council Member Smith requested further information on what the pop-up events would look like. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the pop-up events would be similar to the events previously held during the parks master planning process to gather feedback from the public, noting WSB envisioned attending Festival in the Park. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10247, Approving Professional Service Agreement with WSB to begin the Park System Master Plan Educational Campaign, striking Item 9. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. H. Resolution 10250, Approving OpenGov Asset Management Software for the Public Works Department. This item was removed from the agenda. I. Discussion of a Community Garden. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated staff was asked to look at the possibility of installing a community garden at 8271 Long Lake Road. He reviewed several options along with costs with the Council and requested feedback on how to proceed. Mayor Lindstrom opened the meeting for public comment. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 6 Timothy Wood, 2501 Sherwood Road, explained he was the facilitator of the community garden next to the Edgewood Middle School. He noted this garden has eight plots that were offered to parents and/or students. He commented no fees have been charged for these plots and reported there have been 10 people showing up regularly at the community garden. He indicated there was interest in having more community garden plots available to the public. He stated he would be interested and willing to assist the City with a new community garden if the Council were to move forward with this project. Fatone, resident of Mounds View, explained she has lived in Mounds View for the past six years. Before this, she lived in St. Cloud where she had her own garden. She encouraged the City to consider hosting a community garden, noting she was willing to pay a fee for the community garden plot. Murwo Mohamed, 2651 Silver Lake Common, Apartment #203, stated she grew up farming back home and she urged the City to move forward with a community garden. Suaad, 2901 Mounds View Boulevard, Apartment #104, explained those living in an apartment complex do not have a way to grow fruits and vegetables. She stated a community garden would provide residents of Mounds View with a way to connect with nature while also providing valuable life skills. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, stated she supported the City pursuing a community garden. She encouraged the City to ask for volunteers to assist with the fencing and tilling the garden space. Vince Meyer, 8380 Spring Lake Road, suggested the City rent a tiller versus purchasing a tiller. Jennifer Higgin, 8432 Groveland Road, read a letter from a newer member of the school’s community garden. This individual wanted the Council to know she moved to Mounds View in 2024 from South Minneapolis. This individual was looking for ways to connect with the community and noted she attended an event at the Community Center where she was introduced to Project Ardan. This individual volunteered at the expo this year and has enjoyed getting to know more individuals in the community. This individual hoped the City would pursue a plot-styled community garden for Mounds View residents. Carmen Heiselmann, 2143 Bronson Drive, supported the City moving forward with a community garden. She explained she was new to community gardening and noted she saw value in expanding this use to the community. Rebecca Scholl, 2467 Hillview Road, questioned if this property would have to be rezoned. She questioned how the City would offer the plots and if it would be on a first-come, first-served basis. She supported the City pursuing smaller plots to begin within order to allow more people to be involved in the community garden. Council Member Gunn thanked Ms. Scholl for her comments. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 7 Mayor Lindstrom suggested two-thirds of the plots be set aside for multi-family dwellers. He asked why staff brought forward the larger plot sizes. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained this was based on what other communities were doing. He stated it would be staff’s recommendation that the City charge for the garden plots so there is some ownership of the garden space. He commented on how it would be beneficial for the City to have a community member overseeing the plots to keep the City out of this. Mayor Lindstrom asked what size plot the residents were looking for. Mr. Wood explained the plots in St. Cloud were 12’ x 12’. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson indicated the smaller plots he was proposing were 10’ x 15’. Mayor Lindstrom explained he would be willing to take an active role in the community garden because he wanted to see this being successful and equitable for everyone involved. City Administrator Zikmund reported the City could look at renting a tiller for the first year. He noted the property had utilities onsite which would assist with providing water to the garden plots. He anticipated this would be a program with great interest and the City would have to assign the garden plots through a lottery system. He suggested the plots be 10’ x 10’ in size for the first year. Council Member Clark recommended this lot not be marketed for sale in 2026 and that this land be designed as a community garden in 2027 if the program was successful. She indicated she supported the City moving forward with a community garden. Council Member Smith suggested staff reach out to the schools to see if a small garden shed could be built for the community garden to allow for the storage of gardening tools. Mr. Meyer stated he could speak with Dave, the owner of Central Rental, noting he may be willing to provide a tiller to the City free of charge. He explained if he was provided with a blueprint he could work with the school to have a garden shed built. Ms. Higgin reported the school community garden has a lot of gardening tools that have already been donated from the buy nothing group. Mayor Lindstrom closed the meeting for public comment. Mayor Lindstrom recommended staff be directed to draft a list of rules for the garden plots. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained he could work on this but asked the Council to provide direction on what the fee should be for the garden plots. Council Member Gunn suggested the City charge $25 per plot. Mayor Lindstrom suggested the garden plot fee be $50. Council Member Smith reported Roseville charges $24 for a 15’ x 20’ plot and $39 for a 15’ x 40 plot. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 8 The Council consensus was to charge $25 per garden plot and it was recommended the plots be reserved for Mounds View residents with 75% of the plots being reserved for multi-family residents. MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Gunn. To direct staff to work with Tim Wood to move the community garden forward at 8271 Long Lake Road charging $25 per garden plot with plots being available only for Mounds View residents and 75% of the plots being reserved for multi-family residents. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Smith reported last week she attended a safety discussion with officers and firefighters in the community. She indicated this group was seeking to draft an autism safety book that could be provided to police officers that could then be handed out to individuals in the community. Council Member Smith explained on Wednesday, April 15 she met with Sergeant Fuzz and the St. Paul Mayor. Council Member Smith indicated she would be attending defensive tactics and taser training on Thursday, April 30. Council Member Smith stated the Mounds View Festival in the Park would be hosting a Car Show fundraiser on Saturday, May 2. She noted this event would have bingo, food trucks and vendors at this event. Council Member Smith indicated the Ramsey County League of Local Government would be meeting next on Friday, May 8 where Minnesota elections will be discussed. Council Member Smith explained on Saturday, May 9 she will be attending the quilt of valor ceremony at Blaine’s veteran’s memorial. She noted this was something the City of Mounds View could consider hosting. Council Member Smith reported Mounds View was incorporated as a village on April 22, 1958 and was later designated as a City in 1973. Council Member Clark stated she attended the Anoka County Fire Protection Board last week where the 2027 budget was approved. Council Member Clark indicated she attended the Earth Day cleanup event that was held on Saturday, April 18. She thanked police, fire, the Lions and all the volunteers that made this event possible. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 9 Council Member Clark explained she attended the Community Engagement Committee movie night that was held on Friday, April 24. She stated there was a great turnout for this event. Council Member Clark commented on the tree planting event that was held on Friday, April 24 for Arbor Day at Groveland Park and Pinewood Elementary School. Council Member Clark indicated Project Kindness would be moving down to twice a month (1st and 3rd Sunday) instead of weekly. She explained the food distribution would continue every week at the Community Center from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Council Member Clark stated she attended the Festival in the Park Committee meeting last week and noted this group was in full planning mode for this year’s event. Council Member Clark reported she would be attending the NYFS Luncheon on Wednesday, May 6. Council Member Clark commented she would be attending a Mounds View Police Foundation meeting on Tuesday, May 12. Council Member Clark indicated she would be attending the funeral for Diana Hackett, who was a long time Mounds View resident on Friday, May 1. Council Member Clark discussed the two events El Novillo Alegre would be hosting in the coming weeks. Council Member Meehlhause explained he would be attending the NYFS luncheon next week and on Thursday, April 30 he would be attending the CSC’s luncheon at the North Church. Mayor Lindstrom stated he and staff met with representatives from the school district to discuss a partnership in relation to a leasing agreement for use of the Community Center. Mayor Lindstrom thanked the Community Engagement Committee for hosting the movie night on Friday, April 24. Mayor Lindstrom indicated on Friday, May 1 he would be officiating the clemency hearing for the State of Minnesota. Mayor Lindstrom reported he spoke at a law clinic regarding clemency at St. Thomas last week. Mayor Lindstrom thanked all the volunteers who assisted with the food distribution and participated in the Earth Day clean up event. Mayor Lindstrom explained there was an attempted hit on the president and stated political violence was becoming far too prevalent in the United States. He did not believe differing Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 10 viewpoints should be a death sentence. He urged people to be open minded and to be able to hear the opinions of others. B. Reports of Staff. City Administrator Zikmund thanked resident Sharon Kirscher for her kind words regarding City staff. City Administrator Zikmund explained the Finance Director has tendered her letter of resignation and her last day with the City would be on Thursday, June 4. He asked the City Council to make a motion to post for this position. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Smith. To direct staff to post the Finance Director position. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Finance Director Bauman commented the City’s audit was on its final leg and staff should have the document included in the May 11 packet. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the City had a variable frequency drive (VFD) go down on Well 5 and this drive needs to be replaced. Staff recommended that the VFD at Well 6 also be replaced. MOTION/SECOND: Smith/Meehlhause. To direct staff to replace the variable frequency drives (VFD’s) for Wells 5 and 6. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained staff received an MPCA planning grant in the amount of $242,000. He indicated this grant would allow the City to address the two stormwater ponds behind Edgewood Middle School and to educate students on the engineering work that would be completed on the ponds. MOTION/SECOND: Clark/Gunn. To direct staff to accept the MPCA planning grant in the amount of $242,000. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated the property owner at 5127 Long Lake Road has been experiencing a sewer back for several months. He reported staff has learned the sewer line on this property had two 90-degree elbows and staff has investigated how to address this concern. He explained that the resident has requested the City complete the work and allow the resident to pay back the City for this work over the next two years at a 0% loan. He noted he had the City Attorney review the estimate from Perkins and draft an agreement for the property owner to sign. Mounds View City Council April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Page 11 MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Meehlhause. To direct staff to move forward with the project at 5127 Long Lake Road to address the sewer backup and to support the 0% payback loan for the resident. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. C. Reports of City Attorney. City Attorney Riggs had nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, May 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial