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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2026/08/24APPROVED PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Special Meeting August 24, 2026 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Mounds View Boulevard, Mounds View, MN 55112 5:00 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 24, 2026, Special City Council Agenda. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Smith. To Approve the Monday, August 24, 2026, agenda as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 5. CONSENT AGENDA City Administrator Zikmund requested Item F be removed from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. A. Approval of Minutes: August 10, 2026. B. Just and Correct Claims. C. Resolution 10287, LELS 204, Police Patrol and Investigators, Memorandum of Understanding, Adjusting School Resource Pay. D. Resolution 10288, Approving the Promotion of Alex Aase to Position of Police Sergeant. E. Resolution 10289, Authorizing Revisions to Section 2.01 Compensation and Classification, and Section 5.01 Separation of Employment, in the Personnel Manual. F. Central Square Agreement – memo on Monday. Mounds View City Council August 24, 2026 Special Meeting Page 2 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Approve the Consent Agenda as amended removing Item 5F. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. F. Central Square Agreement – memo on Monday. Police Chief Zender commented on the records management system that was in place with Central Square. He commented on the data transfer that would have to occur. He explained he discussed this matter with City Attorney Riggs noting that Central Square was seeking approval of an agreement with all cities in Ramsey County. MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Smith. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 10291, Authorizing Law Enforcement RMS Data Transfer to Central Square Data DocuSign. Council Member Smith inquired if Police Chief Zender had considered switching over to Axon. Police Chief Zender explained he was happy with the services provided by Central Square. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS None. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Lindstrom encouraged the public to speak with kindness and respect when addressing the City Council during Public Comment. Noella Merchant, 2126 Hillview Road, explained a week ago the Mounds View Police Department created a Facebook post that asked, “Who is up for a little light reading?” She reported the post went on to describe 11 calls the police department responded to including multiple domestic violence incidents complete with block numbers and unnecessary details about the assaults. She indicated a few hours later the police department removed the reference to “light reading” but left the rest untouched with no apology. She stated this edit does not undo the decision to post this information in the first place. She commented she was disgusted by the fact the police department posted this information. She doubted any of the victims were told the information from the worst days of their lives would be made into social media content. She discussed how assault victims already carry misplaced shame and now their neighbors know all the details of how they were assaulted. She understood this information was technically public record, but she did not believe this information should be broadcast on social media by the people who are supposed to treat people with dignity in their time of need. She feared that posts like this would keep victims of domestic violence from calling the police. She noted the post did not offer any resources to the survivors or language that suggested any concern for the victims, except for the reference that a cat was safe. She indicated the entire social media post was very flippant, and she urged the police department to use their time and energy to create posts that build community trust. Mounds View City Council August 24, 2026 Special Meeting Page 3 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS A. Second and Final Reading of Ordinance 1065 Amending the Zoning Ordinance Regarding Height of Principal Structures in the R-1, R-2, R-3 Zoning Districts ROLL CALL VOTE. Beth Elliott, Stantec, requested the Council consider Ordinance 1065 amending the Zoning Ordinance Regarding Height of Principal Structures in the R-1, R-2, R-3 Zoning Districts. She reported this was a legislative action that was reviewed first by the Planning Commission and then the City Council. She commented further on the proposed text amendment noting the proposed revisions would bring the City into alignment with neighboring communities. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance 1065 Amending the Zoning Ordinance Regarding Height of Principal Structures in the R-1, R-2, R-3 Zoning Districts as presented. ROLL CALL: Clark/Gunn/Meehlhause/Smith/Lindstrom. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 9. REPORTS A. Reports of Mayor and Council. Council Member Smith reported Festival in the Park was held this past weekend and she thanked all the volunteers that made this event possible. She also thanked the public works and police department for their assistance with this event. Council Member Smith explained Skiba Road was named after a famous family in the community that had a farm. Council Member Clark reported the Parks, Rec and Forestry Commission would meet next on Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Clark thanked all the volunteers that assisted with Festival in the Park. Council Member Gunn thanked all the residents who supported the Lions food booth at Festival in the Park. She indicated the fireworks were wonderful at this years Festival in the Park. Mayor Lindstrom agreed this year’s Festival in the Park was tremendous. He thanked all the staff members, volunteers and residents that made this event possible. B. Reports of Staff. Police Chief Zender stated the Festival in the Park was amazing this year. He thanked the public works staff and Festival Committee for all their efforts. Mounds View City Council August 24, 2026 Special Meeting Page 4 Police Chief Zender addressed the comment that was made during Public Comment. He apologized for offending the speaker and reported the notion that the department takes domestic violence lightly was not the case. He indicated he was a member of the NYFS Board where he offers specific resources to domestic violence victims. He stated he was not a social media person, but he takes full responsibility for the posts for the department. He explained he spoke to the crafter of the domestic violence post. He apologized again for the harm that was done. He reported the intent of the post was to show how busy the department was over the weekend and not to make light of the type of calls the department responds to. He stated he appreciated the public feedback and apologized again for the harm that was done. Council Member Gunn explained the police department used to post about the calls they were responding to make the public aware of the types of calls the police department was responding to. She noted this information went away. She stated she was glad to see this was being put back out there. Police Chief Zender commented further on how the police department works to protect the privacy of victims while keeping Mounds View citizens informed. Council Member Gunn noted she would like to see the postings regarding police calls continue. City Administrator Zikmund reported three individuals were interviewed today for the open police officer position. 1. Open House – Park Bonding – October 14 City Administrator Zikmund stated staff was proposing to hold an open house for the park bonding on October 14. Council supported the proposed open house and suggested the open house be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Council Member Gunn asked if the community survey meeting would still be held on Wednesday, September 9. City Administrator Zikmund reported the City’s consultant recommended the Council not hold this meeting. The Council recommended the community survey meeting be canceled. Council Member Smith supported the City completing a mailing to all residents in Mounds View, but noted she would like to know the expense for the mailing before the mailing was sent. City Administrator Zikmund estimated the mailing would cost up to $20,000. Council Member Gunn supported the City spending the money for the mailing. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Clark. To allow staff to spend up to $20,000 to send the park bond mailing. Sharon Kirscher, 8406 Red Oak Drive, suggested the information be included in the next water bill. Council Member Gunn reported there was too much information to include in the water bill. Mounds View City Council August 24, 2026 Special Meeting Page 5 Ayes – 4 Nays – 1 (Smith) Motion carried. C. Reports of City Attorney. There was nothing additional to report. 10. Next Council Work Session: Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Next Council Meeting: Monday, September 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Transcribed by: Heidi Guenther Minute Maker Secretarial