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[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

[00:00:07]

>> [NOISE] HELLO EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 23RD.

WELCOME TO ANYONE WHO'S ON ZOOM AS WELL.

TO BEGIN WITH, SARAH, COULD WE DO A ROLL CALL, PLEASE?

>> ABSOLUTELY. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

>> HERE.

>> MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA.

>> HERE. THANK YOU, SARAH.

NEXT, WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME FOR OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE.

THANK YOU.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

NEXT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE AN ADDITION.

BEFORE WE APPROVE THE AGENDA, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN ADDITION OF MICHELLE PETTWAY FROM THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SHE IS OUR SCHOOL BOARD LIAISON FOR THE YEAR.

I'M GOING TO ADD HER IN AFTER LETTER B.

IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT WITH COUNCIL.

>> YES.

>> ANY OTHER CHANGES TO THE GENERAL AGENDA?

>> YEAH. I'D LIKE TO PULL ITEM 6 FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. WE CAN PULL THAT ITEM 6 FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SOMEONE IS HAVING FUN.

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU. IF I GET AN APPROVAL TO ACCEPT THE AMENDED AGENDA.

>> SO MOVED IS AMENDED.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE AMENDED AGENDA IS APPROVED.

[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]

NEXT, WE GO TO OUR PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENT, AND GUESTS.

OUR FIRST GUEST IS JOHN CONNELLY.

HE'S HERE WITH AN UPDATE FROM TWIN CITIES NORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HE'S THE PRESIDENT.

WELCOME JOHN, NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR SIMULA.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR ACCEPTING THE INVITATION AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A QUICK UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR ORGANIZATION, AS WELL AS SOME NEW INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE GOT PERCOLATING TO AS WELL.

BUT WE JUST LIKE TO ALWAYS START OUT WITH OUR VISION THAT'S TO PROMOTE BUSINESS, DEVELOP LEADERS, AND CONNECT COMMUNITIES.

WE DO THAT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

BUT ONE OF THE WAYS IS THROUGH THESE QUARTERLY BUSINESS COUNCILS WHICH WE COORDINATE WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WITH AARON IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE ALWAYS TRY TO HAVE AN ENGAGED GROUP.

I'LL JUST SAY THIS, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HISTORICALLY HAS HAD A VERY ENGAGED GROUP, VERY ACTIVE AND GREAT FEEDBACK AT THE MEETINGS AND WELL ATTENDED.

I JUST WANTED TO GO OUT AND LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT REPUTATION AS A GREAT PARTICIPATION FROM THE CITY AS WELL AS THE BUSINESSES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.

JUST WANT TO QUICKLY RUN THROUGH.

THERE WE GO. JUST GO THROUGH OUR CURRENT SITUATION.

REALLY, CURRENT SITUATION IS WE HAVE ABOUT 300 MEMBERS SCATTERED ACROSS IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF OUR FOOTPRINT, WHICH INCLUDES COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, FRIDELY, SPRING LAKE PARK, ROSEVILLE, NEW BRIGHTON, SHOREVIEW AND ARDEN HILLS AND OUR FINANCIAL AND FISCAL HOUSES IN ORDER.

WE HAVE A HEALTHY FUND BALANCE PER NOT A LOT OF NON-PROFITS.

WE LIKE TO CARRY ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS OF OPERATING EXPENSES.

THOSE ARE IN LINE WITH A LOT OF GENERAL PRACTICES, WHICH IS ALWAYS GOOD.

WE HAVE NO DEBT, WHICH IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

I MENTIONED EARLIER OUR PROGRAMS, A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS GO ON.

THE MAIN ONE IS OUR BUSINESS COUNCIL WE DO ON QUARTERLY BASIS, WE ALSO DO A LOT OF ANNUAL EVENTS.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE A LOT OF TIMES HAVE ENGAGEMENT EVENTS.

SOCIALS LIKE A GALA COMING UP IN THREE WEEKS, GOLF EVENTS.

BUT WE HAVE AN ANNUAL MEETING AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF OTHER UNIQUE THINGS THAT GO ON.

I'D LIKE TO BRING ONE OF THOSE EVENTS TO THE NEW CITY HALL AT SOME POINT HERE IN NEAR FUTURE, SO I WANT TO TRY TO GET THAT ON THE CALENDAR.

I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO AARON A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> AWESOME.

>> WE ALSO STAY IN TOUCH WITH OBVIOUSLY LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ON A MICRO LEVEL WITH THE CITIES, BUT ALSO WITH THE ANOKA, AND RAMSEY COUNTY, WHICH ARE IN OUR FOOTPRINTS.

ON THE STATE LEVEL, I TEND TO PLAY IN THAT SANDBOX NECESSARILY, BUT I LIKE TO STAY LOCAL AND WE SUPPORT THAT LOCAL BUSINESS CONNECTION, BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS.

WE ALSO LIKE TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY EVENTS.

I WAS IN ONE OF THE DUNK TANK I THINK.

[00:05:03]

I THINK THERE'S SOMEWHERE BEFORE THE FESTIVAL IS GOING ON.

WE ALWAYS LIKE TO PROMOTE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, WHETHER IT'S WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IN THE HEIGHTS OR IN OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES AND SUPPORTING THOSE THINGS.

WE ALSO DO THE CAREER FAIRS. WE JUST DID ONE.

WE PARTICIPATED WITH THE ANOKA COUNTY, THE ONE OVER HERE AT THE LIBRARY JUST COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON THE 6TH, I BELIEVE, OF JANUARY.

LET'S MOVE ON. OUR BOARD.

OUR BOARD AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE IS WE HAVE A NINE-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT REPRESENTS A LOT OF, AGAIN, INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE, FINANCE AS WELL AS ELECTED SCHOOL DISTRICT SO WE GET ALL THESE CONSTITUENCIES TO COME TOGETHER THAT GIVE US OUR STRATEGIC MISSION AND VISION.

WE'RE IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WITH ALL THE STATE, LOCAL, FEDERAL FILINGS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMITTEE ACTIVITY, AMBASSADORS.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO DO THE FUN THINGS OF RIBBON CUTTINGS, GRAND OPENINGS, AND WE'RE INVOLVED IN TASK FORCES AS WELL AS JUST DOING GENERAL MARKETING AND PUBLIC POLICY THINGS.

OUR NEW INITIATIVES. IN FRONT OF YOU, I DROPPED OFF SOMETHING REGARDING OUR MANUFACTURING COHORT THAT WAS ANNOUNCED AT OUR BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING IN DECEMBER.

THAT IS UP AND RUNNING NOW.

IT'S OUR WAY TO CONNECT WITH LOCAL MANUFACTURERS IN THE AREA AND PROVIDE SOME RESOURCES AND CONNECT WITH DIFFERENT BODIES AND STAKE HOLDERS LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND GETTING THOSE BUSINESSES A LITTLE MORE ENGAGED BECAUSE THEY NEED WORKERS.

IT'S OUR OPINION THAT ANYTIME WE CAN FACILITATE THAT AND ENHANCE THAT RELATIONSHIP, WE'RE DOING OUR JOBS.

WE REALLY WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES OUT THERE AND WAYS TO CONNECT WHETHER IT'S LOCAL [NOISE] SCHOOL OR TECH SCHOOL THAT'S NEEDING WORKERS.

WE ALSO DID A RECENT PROMOTION, JUST LAUNCHED OUR WELCOME BACK TO LEXINGTON AVENUE.

THAT WAS OVER IN ARDEN HILLS AND SHOREVIEW.

THE REASON WHY I BRING THAT UP IS THAT WHEN I SPOKE TO AARON HERE BEFORE THE MEETING, THEY'RE STILL UNDERGOING PLANS FOR HIGHWAY 65 CENTRAL AVENUE.

AT SOME POINT THAT WILL GET DEVELOPED THERE, I WOULD IMAGINE THERE WILL BE SOME WORK BEING DONE.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS WE'RE TAKING A MODEL THAT WE PUT IN PLACE HERE OF STAKEHOLDERS GETTING TOGETHER WITH THE PERSON DOING THAT CONTRACTING AND THEN PUTTING A MARKETING CAMPAIGN ON THE BACKEND OF WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION IS DONE BECAUSE THE BUSINESS INTERRUPTION THAT HAPPENS IN THOSE CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE IS ENORMOUS AND WE FOUND THAT OUT IN OUR SHOREVIEW HOW MUCH BUSINESS WAS LOST.

YOU HAVE TO INVITE PEOPLE BACK TO THAT CORRIDOR AND PATRONIZE THOSE BUSINESSES AND RE-INVITE THEM PLUS CULTIVATE NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND NEW CLIENTS.

WE THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT SIDE OF THE BACKSIDE.

THE ROAD'S DONE, BUT NOW WHAT? PEOPLE CHANGE BEHAVIOR.

THEY'VE GRAVITATED TO OTHER PLACES.

WE WANT THEM TO COME BACK AND PATRONIZE THOSE BUSINESSES IN THAT CORRIDOR.

JUST MOVING FORWARD, THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO TRY TO DO AND MODEL IN SOME OF OUR MEMBER CITIES IN THE FUTURE.

WE'RE DOING A LOT OF OUTREACH.

ONE LAST THING I'LL MENTION FOR ANY BUSINESS THAT'S A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WE OFFER WHAT'S CALLED CHAMBER HEALTH.

BECAUSE OF THEIR AFFILIATION WITH US, YOU'RE ABLE TO GO INTO A BIND POOL WITH TWO GROUPS, MEDICA AND UNITEDHEALTH AND YOU'RE ABLE TO GET INTO A POOL OF BUYERS AND OFFER YOUR EMPLOYEES HEALTHCARE THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.

WE THINK THAT'S A NICE BENEFIT OF BEING A MEMBER OF OUR CHAMBER.

OPPORTUNITIES. OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE GRAND OPENINGS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS TO DO THAT AND ENGAGE IN THE NEW INITIATIVES WHICH I HAD DONE.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE LIKE TO LEVERAGE THOSE RESOURCES.

WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING, WE ALWAYS LIKE TO PLAY ALONG AND WE THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE IN OUR AREA.

IT'S JUST MAXIMIZING THE RESOURCES HERE.

WE JUST LIKE TO FOCUS ON THOSE IMPORTANT THINGS AND KEEP THE PIPELINE OF COMMUNICATION OPEN WITH ALL OF OUR GUESTS AND STAKEHOLDERS AND THEN SHARE VITAL NEWS TO ALL THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

REALLY THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO JUST SHARE WITH YOU VERY QUICKLY AS JUST TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND JUST APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU JUST TO GIVE US A BRIEF UPDATE AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE A QUESTION OR TWO OR A FOLLOW-UP AFTER THE MEETING.

YOU KNOW HOW TO REACH ME. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.

ONE LAST THING, WE DO, DO SOME THINGS THAT ARE CAUSE-RELATED AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE AWARE OF THAT.

WE DO AN ANNUAL HOLIDAY SOCIAL EVERY YEAR IN DECEMBER, AND THAT RAISES FUNDS FOR LOCAL FOOD SHELF ICA.

[00:10:02]

WE ALWAYS LIKE TO LEVERAGE THAT AND HAVE SOME CAUSES RELATED TO THAT.

IN CLOSING, JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH AND JUST APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU TONIGHT AND SHARE THIS UPDATE.

>> THANK YOU, JOHN. COULD YOU TELL US ONE OF THE NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING IS AT THE LIBRARY?

>> YES. FRIDAY, MARCH 3RD, AND IT'LL BE OVER AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY HERE.

IT'S ALWAYS FROM 8-9 AND THAT IS THE NEXT MEETING COMING UP.

TOPIC IS TO BE DETERMINED YET, WE'RE VALLING IT BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE NET RIGHT NOW, WHICH GUESTS WE HAVE.

LAST TIME WE HAD XCEL ENERGY REALLY INFORMATIVE PROGRAM ON WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AND WHAT THEIR PLAN IS FOR ALL THE INITIATIVES MOVING FORWARD ALL THE WAY UP TO 25TH SEM.

>> ALSO ANOTHER IMPORTANT QUESTION, WILL YOU HAVE HEIGHTS DONUTS?

>> WOW.

>> [FOREIGN] AGAIN, AND SOME CARIBOU COFFEE.

>> I SEEM TO RECALL THAT. AT LEAST IN THE JUNE MEETING, THAT IS A NATIONAL DONUT DAY.

I THINK IT ALWAYS FALLS ON NATIONAL DONUT DAY, SO I'M OBLIGATED TO DO THAT ONE FOR SURE.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE MARCH MEETING, BUT FOR SURE, THE JUNE MEETING. HOW DOES THAT SOUND? HEIGHTS BAKERY DOES GET A GOOD VOTE.

[LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU.

>> HEY, THANK YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> NO.

>> WE'RE JUST GREATLY APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR COMING FORWARD. THANK YOU.

>> WELL, JUST IN CLOSING, WE'RE ALWAYS A BIG BELIEVER OF PEOPLE GO THERE INVITED, AND WE ALWAYS WANT TO TRY TO INVITE PEOPLE TO SPEND THEIR MONEY HERE IN THE HEIGHTS, WHETHER IT'S GOING TO THE MOVIE AT THE HEIGHTS THEATER OR SOMETHING I JUST DID, BOUGHT GAS AND SOMETHING AT BOBBY AND STEVE'S JUST DOWN THE ROAD.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, EVERYONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT WE HAVE CORTNI O'BRIEN WHO'S GOING TO COME UP AND DO A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE CONVERSATION CIRCLES AT OUR LIBRARY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALSO VOLUNTEER PAUL IS GOING TO BE HERE TOO.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE [INAUDIBLE]

>> THANK YOU. YOU COULD JUST HIT THAT WHEN YOU ARE READY?

>> SORRY.

>> IS IT ABLE TO [INAUDIBLE] RECEIVE IT.

>> WELL, I WANT TO HOLD ON ONE SECOND.

IT'S SHOWING UP FOR THE COUNCIL.

>> PERFECT.

>> BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SHARED IN ZOOM.

THERE'S NOBODY ON ZOOM RIGHT NOW, BUT WE WANT TO SHARE IT.

>> THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT AWAY, CORTNI.

>> I WILL TAKE IT AWAY. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR SEEING US TONIGHT.

I'M CORTNI O'BRIEN AND I AM THE ADULT SERVICES LIBRARIAN AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LIBRARY.

>> MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, I AM PAUL CRAM.

I AM ONE OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

I ACTUALLY HAVE AN ALARM SET FOR THE [LAUGHTER] CONVERSATION CIRCLE THAT'S NOT HAPPENING TONIGHT.

>> WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO SHOW YOU A LITTLE VIDEO THAT WE PUT TOGETHER ON ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT HAPPENS AT THE LIBRARY.

CONVERSATION CIRCLE IS A GATHERING OF ADULT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS THAT MEETS OVER AT THE LIBRARY TWICE A WEEK.

IT'S A DROP-IN PROGRAM.

CURRENTLY, THE PROGRAM HAPPENS ON MONDAY NIGHTS AND ON THURSDAY AFTERNOONS.

>> I AM SUPER EXCITED AND HAPPY TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU THAT BRINGS ME SO MUCH JOY.

I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU THE STORIES OF IMMIGRANTS THAT HAVE MOVED HERE TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, BUT THEY'RE NOT MY STORIES.

I WILL SHARE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MINE IF YOU BEAR WITH ME FOR A MOMENT AS I SET THIS VIDEO UP.

THIS IS MY WHY.

FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T, ONE OF MY DAY JOBS IS I'M A CHARACTER ACTOR IN MOVIES, AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TRAVEL THE NATION WORKING.

YOU'VE PROBABLY HAVE HEARD SOME OF THESE.

I'M GOING TO NAME DROP, BUT YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD OF CILLIAN MURPHY, ELLEN PAGE, SUSAN SARANDON, WOODY HARRELSON, I HAVE A POINT TO [LAUGHTER] WHY I'M NAME DROPPING TOO.

I'VE BEEN REALLY FORTUNATE IN MY CAREER AS AN ACTOR.

REWIND TO ME AT 16 YEARS OLD, I WENT TO MY MOM AND I WAS LIKE, HEY, I WANT TO BE AN ACTOR.

[00:15:03]

TO MY MOM'S CREDIT, SHE DIDN'T SAY NO.

SHE JUST SAID, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT? COOL. THIS WAS PRE-INTERNET, SO THERE WAS NO INTERNET ACCESS.

I WENT TO THE LOCAL LIBRARY, I CHECKED OUT EVERY SINGLE BOOK I COULD FIND ON THIS TOPIC, AND THE STACK, I'M NOT KIDDING, WAS TALLER THAN ME.

I READ EVERY BOOK COVER TO COVER AND HAVING ACCESS TO THAT KNOWLEDGE HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON ME BEING ABLE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ACTOR WITH MY CAREER.

IN 2013, I WAS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE LIBRARY, AND I CAME ACROSS THE OPTION TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT WERE WANTING TO IMPROVE THEIR ENGLISH.

IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY AND IT GIVES ME SO MUCH JOY BECAUSE I'M ABLE TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE WITH THEM AND THEY'RE TAKING THAT KNOWLEDGE AND IT'S IMPACTING THEIR PERSONAL LIFE AND THEIR WORK-LIFE, VERY SIMILAR TO HOW ME, WITH THE LIBRARY, I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THAT KNOWLEDGE, AND IT HAS A REALLY BIG IMPACT ON MY LIFE.

I GOT TO CHECK MY NOTES HERE TOO. I'M USED TO HAVING A SCRIPT [LAUGHTER] AS AN ACTOR.

THE GENTLEMAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN THE VIDEO ACTUALLY CAN'T BE HERE TONIGHT, HIS NAME IS WASSINI, BECAUSE HE'S WORKING.

IT'S FUN TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT.

BEFORE WE PLAY THE VIDEO, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WILL ROTTLER.

I'M VERY PICKY WHEN IT COMES TO VIDEO STUFF FOR OBVIOUS REASONS AND HE DID A REALLY FANTASTIC JOB.

CORTNI O'BRIEN, THE ADULT SERVICES LIBRARIAN, HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF ME, AND CREATING SUCH A REALLY GOOD COMMUNITY WITH OUR MONDAY NIGHT GROUP.

I'M GOING TO NAME SOME OF THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IN THE VIDEO COMING UP; HOWELL ADELE, CORTNI O'BRIEN, PAT THOMPSON, AND WASSINI SOUARIT.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> THE CONVERSATION CIRCLE WAS A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND TALK IN ENGLISH.

WE HAVE ALL LEVELS IN PEOPLE THAT ARE MORE ADVANCED, INTERMEDIATE, EVEN BEGINNERS.

IT REALLY IS A SPACE THAT I ALWAYS LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE, I'M LIKE, COME, FAIL, MAKE MISTAKES, TRY THINGS OUT, SPEAK.

I'M HERE TO JUST FACILITATE CONVERSATION AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING AND THE TIMING ON IT.

>> MULTIPLE PEOPLE [INAUDIBLE]

>> WE DECIDED TO OFFER THE CONVERSATION CIRCLE BACK IN 2016 AND [INAUDIBLE] COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PRACTICE THEIR ENGLISH IN A RELAXED, COMFORTABLE, AND [INAUDIBLE] ENVIRONMENT.

WE TRAIN AND [INAUDIBLE].

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> SOMETHING THAT I LIKE TO SEE HAPPENING IN THE CONVERSATION CIRCLES, AND IT DOES HAPPEN, IS THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND PEOPLE GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

THERE'S THIS SHARE OF SENSE OF PURPOSE, WHICH IS COOL TO WITNESS AND TO BE A PART OF PEOPLE, WHERE IT'S LIKE PEOPLE ARE ALL COMING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER, AND [INAUDIBLE].

I WOULD SAY FOR ANYBODY THAT HAS A TENDENCY TO COME BETWEEN THE CONVERSATION CIRCLE OR ISN'T REALLY SURE, JUST COME, CHECK IT OUT.

WE ARE A REALLY LAID-BACK, EASY-GOING GROUP OF PEOPLE.

WE ALL ARE GOING TO MAYBE MAKE MISTAKES HERE AND THERE IN HOW WE TALK AND THINGS LIKE THAT [INAUDIBLE].

THE TIME THAT WE HAVE TOGETHER, WE'RE A GOOD COMPANY.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, JUST COME.

IT REALLY IS APPROACHABLE, FUN.

>> THE BEST PLACE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CONVERSATION CIRCLE IS TO JUST STOP IN THE LIBRARY.

WE'RE OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK.

WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO COME AND CHECK THE LIBRARY AND EVEN WORK IN THE CIRCLE.

GIVE US A CALL IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING AND IF YOU'RE ON SCHEDULE, WORD, CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY WEBSITE. THAT'S OUR VIDEO.

[00:20:02]

WE LOOK FORWARD TO USING THE VIDEO ON THE CITY'S SOCIAL MEDIA AND SHARING IT WITH THE ADULT BASIC EDUCATION CENTER, SHARING IT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO SHARE IT WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

I JUST WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY VOLUNTEERS.

PAUL HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERING WITH THE LIBRARY FOR 10 YEARS.

YOU ALSO JUST REALLY IMPRESSED WITH MY VOLUNTEERS AND THIS PROGRAM COULDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT THEM.

>> I JUST WANTED TO INVITE THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL IF ANYONE WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF MY MONDAY NIGHTS, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO DROP IN AND PARTICIPATE.

>> THANK YOU. WELL, A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR YOU GUYS.

THAT'D BE GREAT. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO JUST SWITCH UP A COUPLE OF THINGS JUST REALLY QUICK HERE.

JUST UNDER OUR PROCLAMATIONS, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO OUR BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST HERE.

HE'S A BUSINESSMAN IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DEVARIES DILLARD, AND HE'S GOT A LITTLE GIRL HERE.

I KNOW THIS IS LONG TIME TO SIT.

MICHELLE SAID SHE WOULD BE HAPPY TO WAIT AND GIVE US THE SCHOOL BOARD LIAISON UPDATE.

I WILL READ THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION AND THEN I WILL MEET DEVARIES OVER THERE AND HE WILL HAVE A MOMENT WITH THE MICROPHONE AND HE CAN SHARE HIS FEELINGS AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING A BUSINESSMAN IN TOWN.

[NOISE] BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOR FEBRUARY 2023.

WHEREAS THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS COMMITTED TO RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

WHEREAS NEGRO HISTORY MONTH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1926 BY DR. CARTER GOODWIN WOODSON AS A WAY TO NEUTRALIZE THE DELIBERATE DISTORTION OF BLACK HISTORY.

WHEREAS THIS MOVEMENT GREW OVER THE YEARS TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH TO GIVE AN OBJECTIVE AND SCULLERY BALANCE IN AMERICAN AND WORLD HISTORY.

WHEREAS THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY WAS SELECTED AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH BECAUSE IT MARKS THE BIRTH OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, WEB DUBOIS, LANGSTON HUGHES, AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

LEADERS WHOSE ACTIONS GREATLY IMPACTED THE LIVES OF THE AMERICAN BLACK POPULATION.

WHEREAS THE CONTRIBUTIONS AFRICAN-AMERICANS MADE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE TO OUR NATION'S ECONOMIC STRENGTH AS WELL AS TO OUR HISTORY, MUSIC, ARTS, NATIONAL DEFENSE FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR TO PRESENT DAY MILITARY OPERATIONS.

WRITTEN WORDS AND DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

WHEREAS ON JANUARY 1ST, 1863, THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION SET THE UNITED STATES ON THE PATH OF ENDING SLAVERY.

ON AUGUST 28TH, 1963.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS JOIN THE MARCH IN WASHINGTON IN PURSUIT OF JOBS, JUSTICE AND FREEDOM TO THE MEMORIAL OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE AUTHOR OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION IN PURSUIT OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY FOR ALL.

WHEREAS DESPITE ALL THE PROGRESS, THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY AND SEGREGATION STILL PERSISTS IN OUR NATION IN THE FORMS OF MASS INCARCERATION, THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE, RACIAL PROFILING, EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITIES, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, RACISM AND BIAS.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2023 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.

[APPLAUSE].

DEVARIES, PLEASE JOIN ME UP AT THE PODIUM.

I SPECIFICALLY INVITED DEVARIES.

HE ACTUALLY JUST GAVE ME THIS SUITE FADE HERE THE OTHER DAY AND I WAS LIKE, HEY, NEXT MONTH IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WOULD YOU BE A GUEST AND COME TO THE MEETING TO RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN BLACK COMMUNITY AND YOU VERY GENEROUSLY SAID YOU WOULD TAKE YOUR TIME TO COME IN AND BRING KELLY. HEY, KELLY.

>> HEY. [LAUGHTER].

>>HERE IS YOUR PROCLAMATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DID YOU GET A PHOTO?

>> YEAH.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. IF YOU'D LIKE, THEN YOU MAY SAY A FEW WORDS.

>> WELL, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.

IT'S AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE.

IT'S BEEN A ROAD LONG JOURNEY.

EVERYBODY'S JOURNEY IS DIFFERENT.

EVERYBODY'S STORY IS.

THIS WAS UNEXPECTED.

I JUST BEEN CHIPPING AWAY AT IT.

I LIKE TO SAY, JUST PLUGGING AWAY AT IT.

[00:25:03]

I REMEMBER MY MOM, SHE WOULD SAY, BECAUSE I'M FROM MISSISSIPPI.

I REMEMBER HER SAYING I GOT TO GET MY BABIES OUT OF HERE.

WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THE JEFFERSON, ALL MOVING ON UP TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

BY WAY OF MICHIGAN, BY WAY OF MINNESOTA.

WE ENDED UP HERE. I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE '89,1989, SO 30 YEARS AND I KNOW MINNESOTA AND I'VE HAD MY BUMPS AND MY UPS AND DOWNS.

I'VE MADE MY MISTAKES HERE.

I'VE LEARNED HERE, AND I'M IN A POSITION TO WHERE IT THROUGH HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.

I'M AN ADVOCATE FOR LEARNING, FOR RESEARCHING, READING, NOT TAKING.

[BACKGROUND] JUST LIKE A STICKLER FOR THAT.

WITH THE FEELING OF ALWAYS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE, OR TRYING TO GET SOMEWHERE OR OVERCOMING SOMETHING.

IT'S LIKE IT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF DETERMINATION.

IT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF I'LL SHOW YOU TYPE OF THING BECAUSE THERE'S A PERCEPTION THAT PRECEDES ME THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME.

IT'S JUST A STIGMA THAT'S THERE THAT'S PUT ON ME AND I HAVE TO OVERCOME.

EVERYBODY DOESN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

I'VE BEEN CUTTING HERE ON CENTRAL SINCE 2014.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY BIG CUTZ BARBER SHOP.

WE'VE TRANSITIONED FROM THERE TO THE BARBER RANCH.

THE BARBER RANCH IS A BARBER SCHOOL.

THEY'RE TRYING TO HELP THOSE WHO WANT TO BE BARBERS.

I KNOW THAT THESE BARBER PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS ARE LITTLE EXCESSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO TUITION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE WANT TO TRY BECAUSE THE STATE HAD AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, BUT THEY DISCONTINUED IT FOR WHATEVER REASON.

THEY COULDN'T FIND AN INSTRUCTOR.

OTHER PERSONAL OR OTHER BUSINESS.

PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT AGENDAS.

I'VE FOUND OUT IN BUSINESS AND EVERYONE ISN'T HERE FOR THE PEOPLE.

IT BOTHERED ME THAT YOU TAKE A BUSINESS GENERATED BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF PEOPLE $10,000 TO ACCESS, THAT [INAUDIBLE].

PART OF MY PROGRAM IS TRYING TO HELP FIGURE THAT OUT BECAUSE THERE'S ACCUMULATION OF HOURS.

THERE ISN'T A BIG AMOUNT THERE FOR THE STATE.

THESE INSTITUTIONS THAT REALLY ISN'T FOR THE PEOPLE BUT TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PEOPLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MY PROGRAM IS HERE TO HELP YOU WANT TO HELP YOURSELF.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO REALLY IS SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT.

[BACKGROUND] IN DOING THAT, I WANT TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM WHERE I CAN EVEN AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THERE IS A MINIMUM COST TO THE STATE AS FAR AS YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS.

THERE'S BEEN A ROLE AND WE'RE NOT AFRAID TO WORK.

I'M NOT AFRAID OF HARD WORK.

I WORKED TWO JOBS, I HAVE A FAMILY I TAKE CARE OF.

MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME TO ALWAYS KEEP YOUR JOB BABY.

TO ALWAYS KEEP YOUR JOB SO IRREGARDLESS TO THE PERCEPTIONS THAT THEY ARE THERE, WE'RE WORKING.

WE ARE HERE TRYING TO HELP IF WE CAN.

I CUT HAIR OVER AT MINNESOTA INTERNSHIPS CENTER.

THEY HAVE THREE LOCATIONS.

I CUT OVER A UNIT DAY-TO-DAY, RONDO, AND THE DOWNTOWN LOCATION.

THERE ARE TONS OF PROGRAMS THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR KIDS WHO AFTER THAT, THERE'S MORE [INAUDIBLE] LIKE THEIR LAST. THIS IS IT.

IF NO ONE IS REALLY ROOTING FOR THEM, THEY ARE JUST GOING TO BE THROWN TO THE STREET.

AT THAT POINT THEN THIS IS GOING TO BE A DOMINO EFFECT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT [INAUDIBLE].

WE TALK ABOUT INCARCERATION, WE TALK ABOUT RACISM, WE TALK ABOUT STIGMA, THOSE POLICIES.

LACK OF RIGHTS. BEST, I THINK WE NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES ON ALL OF THOSE THINGS BECAUSE THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE.

IF I KNOW, THEN I CAN STAND UP.

I FOUND THAT AS I'VE GROWN UP, I'VE LEARNED AND BECOME MORE AND MORE CONFIDENT IN MYSELF.

WITH THAT, THAT'S INTIMIDATING TO SOME.

ALL I WAS DOING IS STANDING UP FOR MYSELF.

I'M GOING TO KEEP STANDING UP FOR MYSELF.

I KNOW THAT THIS WHOLE MATRIX IF THEY HAVE US LIVING IN IT AS A GAME. [INAUDIBLE] I WANTED TO TRY TO DO RIGHT TO PEOPLE, AROUND MORE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'VE BEEN IN COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL SOMETIME, AND I'VE OVERCOME ALL THE OBSTACLES.

[00:30:02]

NOW WE'RE HERE TO WORK LIKE IT'S A DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

LOOKING EVERYBODY, HAVE SPOKEN AT HIGH SCHOOLS.

I'VE MENTOR TO YOUNG MEN, FACILITATE GROUPS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, SPEAKING AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF EVENTS.

WE'RE ALL ABOUT KIDS AND TRYING TO HELP THE KID.

BECAUSE FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE A HEALTHY UPBRINGING, A HOME, FATHER IN THE HOME OR MOM IS WORKING.

THAT'S WHAT WE ADVOCATE FOR IT.

THE ONE'S WHO MADE MISTAKE IN YOUR LIFE, AND TRYING TO RECTIFY, THAT'S WHY WE ADVOCATE FOR IT.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE, AND I'M GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL AND BLESSED BECAUSE I KNOW, I'M NOT HERE BY CHANCE.

THIS IS A BLESSING.

BEING HERE, STANDING UP, I'M FIGHTING FOR MY NAME, TRYING TO GET MY NAME BACK.

ONCE YOU MESS THAT UP, IT'S HARD.

YOU CAN'T EVEN GET A JOB AT WALMART, AND YOU KNOW, YOU ONLY QUALIFY. IT'S A HURDLE.

ADVOCATE NOT MESSING UP YOUR NAME.

I TALK ABOUT EMOTIONS THAT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY YOU'RE FEELING, THAT ANGER, THAT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY YOU ANGRY.

I TALK ABOUT THAT.

I'LL TALK ABOUT WHY YOU WHO YOU ARE, BECAUSE I'M YOU.

I'M A PRODUCT OF YOU, I HAVE NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU.

I HAD TO WORK TO GET TO OVERCOME A LOT OF THINGS TO GET TO WHERE I'M.

I STILL I'M, IT'S NOT DONE IT NOT OVERWHELMED.

WE HEAR THIS TON OF FIND LANE AND STAY IN MY LANE, TRY TO HELP SOMEBODY WANT TO HELP THEMSELVES.

WE WRITE DOWN 40, 20TH CENTURY WASN'T WEIGHING GOING ON.

>> THANK YOU, NAVARRO. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I REALLY DO, I WASN'T EXPECTING IT.

TO KNOW WHERE I COME FROM AND TO BE STANDING HERE.

IS THIS I'VE BEEN ON 10, SINCE YOU WALKED IN YOURSELF.

I'VE BEEN TALKING, TOLD EVERYBODY THAT ALMOST EVERYBODY I KNOW.

THERE'S SOMEBODY ANYWAY. I WANT TO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

I HAD A QUICK QUESTION, SO TELL US THE NAME OF YOUR SHOP AGAIN.

>> IS THE BERBER RANCH..

>> THE BARBER RANCH?

>> YEAH, AND IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO FOREVER.

>> FOREVER IT IS.

>> ON CENTRAL. YOU WANT TO GET A HAIRCUT, GO ON AND GET IN THERE, AND THEN WHAT DO YOU DO FOR KIDS THAT HAVE HONOR ROLL?

>> HONOR ROLL IS DOING AS GOOD A AND B WAS TO GET FREE HAIRCUT IF YOU'D LIKE THREE HAIRCUTS.

I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING OR ADVERTISING THAT FOR 10 YEARS, SINCE AVI STUDENTS DIDN'T GET A HAIRCUT.

>> THAT'S AWESOME.

>> BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? LIKE I SAID, THAT EDUCATION PIECE IS IMPORTANT.

AS WE GROW, WE MATURE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW.

THAT'S WHY WE GET MAD WHEN OUR PARENTS ARE TELLING US, AND I'M ONLY TRYING TO DO WITH GUIDANCE AND TEACHERS.

BUT I KNOW IT'S A GROUP THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT PARENT THERE.

I KNOW THAT, AND SO WE CAN SAY ALL POSITIVE STUFF.

WHEN THEY GO HOME, THEY STILL GOT TO GO HOME TO THAT.

THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO BALANCE THAT, TRYING TO JUGGLE THAT.

TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT [INAUDIBLE] DOING AT LEAST THREE HAIRCUTS, I HAVE TO BRING THEIR REPORT PART IN A STUDENT ID OR SOMETHING TO THAT NATURE.

>> THAT'S VERY GENEROUS OF YOU.

I JUST WANT TO SALUTE YOU ON THAT AND LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW YOU'RE DOING THAT.

IF WE COULD ALL DO A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR DEVARUS AND KELLY, THANK YOU FOR COMING. GOOD JOB.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING IN.

NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM MICHELLE PETTWAY.

DID I PRONOUNCE YOUR LAST NAME CORRECTLY?

>> YES.

>> GREAT. MICHELLE IS NEWLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

>> APPOINTED.

>> APPOINTED. OH, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> ACTUALLY, THE ONLY APPOINTED MEMBER ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AT THE MOON.

>> WELL, THANKS FOR CORRECTING ME.

>> NO, YOU'RE FINE.

>> EARN IT THOUGH BECAUSE IN NOVEMBER I MAY RUN. I'LL BE THERE.

>> UNTIL THEN WILL YOU BE OUR LIAISON FOR THE.

>> I'M. ALWAYS ON FOR NOW, YES.

>> GREAT. WELL, WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I JUST HAD A FEW UPDATES ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT.

I'LL KEEP IT A LITTLE GENERAL BECAUSE IF I GOT SPECIFIC, EVERY SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, I'D BE HERE ALL NIGHT, AND THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.

I WILL SAY OUT FIRST OFF, LAST THURSDAY WE DID HAVE FLU SHOTS AND COVID SHOTS.

WE HAD A GREAT OUTCOME WITH THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME.

[00:35:01]

ONE IS IT THINK ST. MARY'S HEALTH CLINICS AND MHEALTH FAIRVIEW, [INAUDIBLE] I KNOW I PROBABLY SAID THAT WRONG, SO I APOLOGIZE.

OTHER MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THEIR HELP WITH THAT BECAUSE THEY HOSTED IT.

TOMORROW, THE SCHOOL BOARD SUBCOMMITTEE WILL BE HAVING A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

THERE'LL BE HOLDING A COMMUNITY ZOOM MEETING OR IN PERSON IF YOU WANTED TO COME AND SPEAK WITH A BOARD MEMBER, IT'LL BE 5:45-6:45 WITH A BOARD MEETING TO FOLLOW AT SEVEN.

THERE'LL BE A CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK WITH A BOARD MEMBER, BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS OR GIVE SUGGESTIONS OPENLY.

THEN YOU'LL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THAT'S NOT REALLY LIKE AT THE BOARD MEETINGS WHERE YOU CAN SPEAK MORE SHORTLY, BE ABLE TO SPEAK OPENLY, AND HAVE THAT BACK-AND-FORTH MORE WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS.

THAT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. YOU'LL HAVE AN HOUR TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND THEN TUNE INTO THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING THAT WE NORMALLY HAVE ON TUESDAYS.

THERE'S MORE INFORMATION ON THAT ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE IF YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE AGENDA.

THIS FRIDAY ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT IT WILL BE THE END OF THE SECOND QUARTER FOR STUDENTS, AND THEN THERE'LL BE NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY FOR A GRADING DAY, AND THEN TUESDAY WILL BEGIN THE THIRD QUARTER FOR SCHOOL.

WRAP UP. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS ARE ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AND THEY ARE HELD AT 07:00 PM, AND THEN WE HAVE WORK SESSIONS WHICH ARE HELD AT 05:30, AND THOSE ARE ON THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH.

THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO JOIN EITHER IN PERSON OR OVER ZOOM.

YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO JOIN THERE, AND YOU CAN FIND THAT INFORMATION ALSO ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I HAD FOR IT FOR THIS TIME.

I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT TO THE MONTH THAT WE'RE IN SO THAT I DON'T OVERWHELM YOU WITH TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

BUT I'LL TRY TO GET MORE SCHOOL SPECIFIC NEXT TIME SO AS YOU CAN KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON A LITTLE BIT INSIDE EACH SCHOOL.

>> GREAT. WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT IF A PLAYER ARE CONSTANTLY COMING UP OR SPORTS EVENTS, SO AWESOME.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THIS AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS SO MUCH. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> NEXT, THAT BRINGS US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

WE HAD ALREADY MADE A MOTION AND APPROVED PULLING ITEM NUMBER 6.

WE'LL GO AHEAD, AARON, IF YOU COULD TAKE US THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED ROUTINE BY THE COUNCIL AND ARE ENACTED UPON BY SINGLE MOTION.

WITH THAT, WE'LL GET INTO IT.

FIRST ITEM IS THE APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 3RD, 2023 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 2 IS APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 9TH, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 3 IS RESOLUTION 2023-05, DECLARING THE INTENT TO BOND FOR THE 37TH AVENUE AND 37TH PLACE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, CITY PROJECTS 2,110, AND 2306.

ITEM 4 IS RESOLUTION 2023-06, APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR THE 37TH AVENUE AND 37TH PLACE STATE AID STREET RECONSTRUCTION, CITY PROJECTS 2,110, AND 2,306.

ITEM 5 IS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2023-07, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN INFLOW AND INFILTRATION GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

ITEM 6 HAS BEEN PULLED.

ITEM 7 IS AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK BIDS FOR THE 2023 SANITARY SEWER LINING PROJECT.

ITEM 8 ARE THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL, AND ITEM 9 IS THE LICENSED AGENDA.

ITEM 10 IS REVIEW OF THE BILLS, WHICH IN THIS CASE TOTAL $1,410,874.35. THAT IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> THANK YOU. AARON, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING TO DISCUSS? THEN, I MIGHT HAVE A MOTION TO [INAUDIBLE].

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. ALL THE ITEMS ON?

>> SORRY?

>> I SAID ALL THE ITEMS THAT WERE PRESENTED.

> THEY WERE REPRESENTED.

[00:40:01]

>> YES.

>> OKAY. YES. THE SECOND BY JACOBS.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED AND AMENDED. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> THAT'S IT? [LAUGHTER]

>> IF THE WORDING WAS WRONG HERE, YOU GUYS DID IT PERFECTLY.

>> WE'RE ALL APPROVED. WE'VE APPROVED ALL I HAVE.

>> YES. GOOD TO GO.

>> THANK YOU. OKAY. I GUESS I WAS THINKING MOVING TO ADOPT, BUT I'M ALL RIGHT.

[6. Resolution Adopting the 2023/2024 Snow and Ice Control Policy.]

THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ITEM NUMBER 6 NOW.

THE RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2023-2024 SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY.

KEVIN HANSEN, IF YOU CAN GIVE US A BIT MORE BACKSTORY ON THIS ITEM.

>> SURE. THANK YOU. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL., BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS A POLICY THAT REALLY ADDRESSES OUR SNOW PLOWING OPERATIONS HERE IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

IT IS NOT ANYTHING NEW, WE'VE BEEN DOING A POLICY FOR ABOUT THE LAST TWO DECADES.

IT IS ON A TWO-YEAR CYCLE, AND THAT REALLY FITS WITH SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES THAT WE DO.

THE POLICY ITSELF IS REALLY A BASIS, OR GUIDE THAT WE USE FOR HOW WE ADDRESS SNOW OPERATIONS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

SNOW OPERATIONS CAN BE PLOWING, THEY CAN BE ICE CONTROL, AND THEY CAN BE SNOW REMOVAL.

THE DOCUMENT ITSELF IS REALLY THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY, WHERE FOR HOW WE CONDUCT OUR ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THE POLITICS POLICY ITSELF STATES OUT FOR THREE ENTRIES OF SNOWFALL AND WE WILL START PLOWING OUR CITY STREETS.

BUT WE'RE MORE IN A PROACTIVE MODE AND HAVE BEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THAT MEANS THAT WHILE THE POLICY CALLS OUT FOR THAT, WE'LL BE OUT BEFORE THAT, AND REALLY THE PURPOSE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO GET SNOW OFF OF OUR CITY STREETS, AND PARTICULARLY, OUR MAIN DRAGS BEFORE A LOT OF TRAFFIC GETS ON THEM.

IT ALSO HELPS US AND JUST IN TERMS OF REDUCING CHEMICALS.

BUT THE POLICY GOES THROUGH AND REALLY LIST OUT THE PRIORITIES FOR HOW WE APPROACH OUR ACTIVITIES.

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS BROKEN TWO QUADRANTS.

EACH QUADRANT IS ROUGHLY NOT NECESSARILY AN AREA WIDE, SAME SIZE, BUT LANE MILES IS ABOUT THE SAME SIZE.

IT'S BROKEN INTO QUADRANTS, AND THEN WITHIN THAT WE HAVE QUADRANT TRUCKS AND WE'LL GO THROUGH, AND OUR FIRST ACTIVITY IS TO GET THE THOROUGHFARES OR MAIN DRAGS PLOWED.

THEN, FROM THAT WE GO TO OUR LOCAL STREETS AND GET THOSE PLOWED, FROM THAT WE GO TO OUR ALLEYS AND GET THOSE PLOWED.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THOSE ARE NECESSARILY SEQUENTIAL, BUT THAT'S JUST THE PRIORITY OF WHAT AND HOW WE'LL ADDRESS THINGS AND THAT MAY CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF SNOW EVENT THAT WE'RE GETTING.

WE JUST WENT THROUGH AND HAD A SUCCESSIVE NUMBER OF SNOW EVENTS WHERE WE ENDED UP GETTING NEARLY 20 INCHES OF SNOW, AND WE ATTACK THAT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

THE TYPE OF SNOW ALSO CHANGES.

THAT WILL DO SIMPLY BECAUSE THE DRY SNOW IS DIFFERENT THAN A WET SNOW.

THE POLICY GUIDES US ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ATTACK THAT.

IT ALSO LISTS OUT THE MANPOWER THAT WE HAVE AND THEN THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.

WHY WE DO THAT IS THAT THEY'RE ALL INTEGRATED SO THAT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH PLOWING SNOW, HOW WE DO OUR ICE CONTROL IS TIED TO THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, BOTH THE MANPOWER AND THEN THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN DOING SINCE REALLY ABOUT 1999, 2000 WAS THE FIRST POLICY THAT WE DID, BUT WE DO UPDATE IT EVERY TWO YEARS.

WE UPDATED AS WE HAVE PERSONNEL CHANGES, WE CHANGE OUR EQUIPMENT, AND THERE WILL BE MAYBE SOME MINOR CHANGES IN TERMS OF THE AREAS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF.

AN EXAMPLE OF THAT WOULD BE, WE DO TAKE CARE OF BOTH PARKING LOTS AND THEN ANY ADJACENT SIDEWALKS, OR ANY OF OUR PUBLIC FACILITIES, OR OTHERWISE PROPERTIES THAT THE CITY MAY OWN, SO WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

WE DO NOT PLOW SIDEWALKS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT WE WILL DO SIDEWALKS THAT ARE ADJACENT TO OUR CITY OWNED PROPERTIES, OR WE'LL DO SOME SNOW REMOVAL FOR SIDEWALKS THAT ARE RIGHT ADJACENT TO THE CURB LINE.

THOSE TEND TO REALLY GET A LOT OF DEPENDING ON THE SNOW, BUT THEY GET A LOT OF SNOW UP ON THEM, AND THEN THEY BECOME ALMOST IMPASSABLE OVER WHEN WE GET CERTAIN SNOWFALL EVENT.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT RECENTLY HERE, BOTH ON CENTRAL AND THEN ALSO IN 49TH AVENUE, AND THE POLICY PROVIDES JUST GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR THAT.

THAT'S REALLY THE BACKGROUND ON OUR SNOW PLOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY.

I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER OR ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> EXCUSE ME, NO QUESTIONS. I JUST WANTED TO PULL THAT TO PULL OUT THE NEXT EFFORT THAT'D BE HELPFUL FOR RESIDENTS AND ALTHOUGH,

[00:45:01]

WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE AND I FOUND IT SUPER INTERESTING TO READ THROUGH THE PACK AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY WE DO THINGS, HOW WE USE THEM, AND WHY NOT.

BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S A COMMON QUESTION OF WHY IS MY STREET PLOWED X, Y, Z OR HOW DO WE DO X, Y, Z? JUST THOUGHT THOSE HELPFUL. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE DO HAVE THIS UP ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

IF WE DO HAVE ANY RESIDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN AT LEAST SEEN WITH THE POLICY, GUIDES US FOR IT IS AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

NOW, I MAY HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-08.

>> MOVED AWAY TO THE READING OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-08.

THEY'RE BEING ABLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-08 BEING A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2023/2024 SNOW AND ICE CONTROL POLICY FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, TO APPROVE AND ADOPT. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.

NEXT TAKES US IN OUR AGENDA, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING OR FOR ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION,

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

SO WE MOVE DOWN TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.

ARE THERE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST? COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

>> I ATTENDED THE ISD 13 WORK SESSION AND ALSO THE CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING.

I DID A FULL DAY FOR THE 2023 MINNESOTA DRUG DRIVING SUMMIT.

I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING DOWN TO ROSEMONT, BUT THAT LAST BIG BURP OF SNOW THAT WE HAD, SO I FELT IT WAS BETTER TO NOT SPEND AN HOUR ON THE ROAD, SO I DID IT VIRTUALLY.

LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION.

STILL WALKED AWAY WITH A LOT OF QUESTIONS, AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT'LL BE COMING BEFORE US FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

I MADE MY ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CAKE DELIVERY TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, HONORING MY DAD'S CAREER SERVICE AS A FIREFIGHTER.

THIS YEAR MARKED MY 20TH DELIVERY AND IT NEVER GETS OLD.

I'M GLAD THAT THOSE GUYS AND GIRLS DOWN THERE CAN ENJOY THAT.

I ATTENDED THE 53RD AVENUE FREELY OPEN HOUSE.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WILL RATTLER FOR HIS REAPPOINTMENT AS TREASURER TO THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS.

HE'S NOT HERE, BUT WELL DONE.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR PROVIDING GREAT INFORMATION AND INSIGHT ON OUR FACILITIES TOUR LAST WEEK, AND THANKS TO KEVIN FOR DRIVING THE BUS FOR US.

I STILL THINK WE SHOULD HAVE SAYING THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND.

>> THANK YOU. PROJECT TO YOUR REPORT, JEFF?

>> SURE. YEAH. NOT TOO MUCH OF A REPORT, BUT ENJOYED ATTENDING OUR CITY COUNCIL TRAINING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

I'M REALLY INFORMATIVE AND GOT US UP ON THE RIGHT START.

OTHERWISE, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY OF MY BOARD APPOINTMENT MEETINGS YET, BUT THOSE WILL BE COMING UP IN THE COMING WEEKS.

OTHERWISE, JUST LOOKING INTO A LOT OF IDEAS, AND PROPOSALS FOR THE CITY AS WE HAVE OUR UPCOMING GOAL SETTING SESSION IN EARLY TO MID FEBRUARY, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES?

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE DID HAVE A FANTASTIC COUNCIL ORIENTATION.

THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR, TO THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK SARAH, FOR PULLING THAT TOGETHER.

WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE A THREE-DAY OVERVIEW OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A COUNCIL MEMBER AND THEN A TOUR AS COUNCIL MEMBER JACOB SET OF ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE BUILDINGS AND MET MANY OF THE EMPLOYEES, AND THAT WAS A WONDERFUL START.

WE HAD OUR CHARTER EMILY AS AT THE CHARTER COMMISSION AND THEY HAD THEIR MEETING THIS LAST WEEK.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK, LET'S SEE, THE CHARTER COMMISSION MEMBER, STEVE SMITH, FOR HIS TEN YEARS OF SERVICE LAST FEW YEARS AS THE CHAIR.

HE IS OFFICIALLY NOT THE CHAIR NOW.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK COMMISSIONER CAROLYN LANE FOR STEPPING UP FOR THAT VERY IMPORTANT ROLE, AS WELL AS THE OTHER OFFICERS.

ALSO, THERE IS SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION, AND SO I SPENT SOME TIME THIS LAST MONTH HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH TRAFFIC COMMISSION APPOINTED MEMBERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DISSOLUTION OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION.

I'D JUST LIKE TO REPORT THAT ALL OF THE MEMBERS I SPOKE TO WERE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THAT.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY GOOD IDEA TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE RESIDENTS DIRECTLY TO THE STAFF AND TO THE COUNCIL.

THEY WERE INTERESTED IN THE IDEA OF LOOKING BROADER THAN JUST TRAFFIC.

I WAS INTERESTED TO SEE, WAS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE APPOINTED VOLUNTEERS WERE IN FAVOR OF, AND THEY WERE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THAT. THAT WAS GOOD.

I ALSO BELIEVE STRONGLY IN OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR OTHER LEVELS OF OFFICIALS.

I HAD A MEETING THIS MONTH WITH ANOKA COUNTY COMMISSIONER,

[00:50:03]

MANDY MEISNER, WHO IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 7, AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT CENTRAL AVENUE AND 65 AND 47 AND WHAT DO WE CAN DO WITH THE COUNTY, AND ALSO SERVICES WITH THE COUNTY HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE? WE HAD A LUTEFISK AND MEATBALL DINNER AT FIRST LUTHERAN THAT SERVED 850 PEOPLE.

>> WOW.

>> WE DID A LOT OF LUTEFISK AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THINGS HERE.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SNOW GLASS.

THAT'S COMING UP ON FEBRUARY 4TH.

I'LL BE SERVING AS VOLUNTEER AT THE SMALLER STATION WITH HEIGHTS NEXT.

COME BY, GET A SWEET TREAT. SAY HELLO.

WE'VE GOT MARSHMALLOWS. HELLO, MARSHMALLOWS, CHOCOLATE SWEET STUFF, AND I'D LOVE TO MEET ALL THE RESIDENTS AND HAVE A GREAT DANCE AT SNOW BUST. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.

THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAVE BEEN REALLY BUSY FOR ME, WORKED AT THE LIBRARY FOR OUR PET BED PREP, AND I ACTUALLY BROUGHT A SAMPLE ALONG TO SHOW YOU ALL.

THIS IS ONE OF THE SAMPLES OF THE PET BEDS.

YOU DON'T NEED TO SEW.

WE HAVE ALL THE MATERIALS THERE FOR PEOPLE SO YOU CAN JUST SHOW UP AT THE LIBRARY.

IT'S ON FEBRUARY 11TH.

WE HAVE ALL THE STUFFING AND EVERYTHING'S READY TO GO.

ALL I HAVE TO DO IS TIE THESE KNOTS.

THEN, WE DONATE THEM TO MIDWEST ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICES FOR CATS AND DOGS AS WHAT THEY HAVE.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> WHAT WAS THAT?

>> THAT'S THE HAWKEYE STORE. I'LL GO FIRST.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT? [LAUGHTER] THE REASON THIS ISN'T THE GOLFERS IS BECAUSE WE TAKE DONATIONS. FOR THE MOST PART, EVERYTHING IS DONATED.

PROBABLY SOMEONE LOVED THIS, AND MAYBE THEY TRIED TO TRANSFER THEIR AFFECTION TO THE GOLFERS.

BUT WE HAVE ALL DIFFERENT SIZES; BIG DOG BEDS, SMALL DOG BED CAP BEDS.

BUT WE'D LOVE YOU TO COME TO THE LIBRARY, IT'S FREE.

THE LAST ONE WE DID IN-PERSON, WE HAD 75 VOLUNTEERS, WE MADE 92 PET BEDS.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN, SO I WOULD SAY AGES SEVEN AND UP.

AS LONG AS YOU CAN TIE A KNOT LIKE THIS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO JOIN US.

ALL-AGES EVENT AT THE LIBRARY.

I ATTENDED THIS PAST SATURDAY, THE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CLASS FUNDRAISER, THE PROM AT THE DFW, AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.

SCOTT SKY AS BAND PLAYED.

THE THEME WAS THE ENCHANTMENT UNDER THE SEA, LIKE FROM BACK TO THE FUTURE, WAS VERY FUNNY. IT WAS A FUN NIGHT.

I PLAYED MY FIRST TIME PLAYING POOL OVER AT JIMMY'S BILLIARDS ON CENTRAL.

I HADN'T HAVE HAD BURGERS THERE, BUT I HADN'T PLAYED POOL AND REALLY ENJOYED HANGING OUT THERE AND MEETING HIS LITTLE DOG, CHAMP, ATTENDED SOME ROTARY MEETINGS.

SISTER CITIES. WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS, AND IN FACT, WE ARE PLANNING THEIR TRIP TO POLAND IN SEPTEMBER SO THAT TOURISTS STARTING TO GET PLANNED WITH PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE.

THE COUNCIL TRAINING WITH THE REST OF OUR COUNCIL THAT WAS SO WELL DONE, AND JUST KUDOS TO THE STAFF OR PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER.

AS COUNSEL FOR JACOB SAID TO KEVIN, WE ALL WROTE TOGETHER IN A BOSTON, GOT TO SEE ONE OF THE LIQUOR STORES, AND DID A VERY SHORT $0.50 TOWARDS THE POLICE STATION, THE FIRE STATION, PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, IMMERSION HALL, AND LIQUOR STORE NUMBER ONE, AND WE GOT TO SEE THE BASEMENT EVEN.

THEN ATTENDED ALSO THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING, AND THAT'S IT FOR ME.

AARON, DO YOU EVER REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER?

>> YES.

IT'S STILL JANUARY, THINGS ARE A LITTLE SLOW. I KNOW.

YES. THEN, THAT BRINGS US TO THE COMMUNITY FORUM.

[COMMUNITY FORUM]

SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANYONE WHO IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THE COMMUNITY FORUM? THEN I WILL READ THE INTRO HERE.

AT THIS TIME, INDIVIDUALS MAY ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER.

INDIVIDUALS SHOULD ADDRESS THEIR COMMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS A WHOLE AND NOT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN-PERSON ARE REQUESTED TO COME TO THE PODIUM.

ALL SPEAKERS NEED TO STATE THEIR NAME AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE-MINUTES.

ALL SPEAKERS ARE ALSO ASKED TO FILL OUT THIS INFORMATION, AS WELL AS THEIR ADDRESS ON A FORUM FOR THIS COUNCIL SECRETARY'S RECORD, THAT'S SARAH, SHE'S STANDING THERE RIGHT NOW.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND THIS INFORMATION IN THE CHAT FUNCTION TO THE MODERATOR AND MAKE SURE TO TURN ON THEIR VIDEO AND AUDIO WHEN THEY ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL LISTEN TO BRIEF REMARKS AS CLARIFYING QUESTIONS.

IF NEEDED, REQUEST STAFF TO FOLLOW UP OR DIRECT THE MATTER TO BE ADDED TO AN UPCOMING AGENDA.

GENERALLY, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION ON ITEMS RAISED AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM AT THE MEETING ON WHICH THEY ARE RAISED. THANK YOU.

>> THERE'S NOBODY ON ZOOM, BUT THERE'S ONE PERSON IN-PERSON, JANE PAULINE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. COME ON UP.

>> THANK YOU, SARAH. WELCOME JANE. NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR LETTING ME SPEAK THESE FEW MINUTES.

MY NAME IS JANE PAULINE, SHE SAID, AND I COME MY ROLE IS TO BE HERE ON

[00:55:01]

BEHALF OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION.

THE FOUNDATION ADDRESSED THE CITY POLL A FEW YEARS AGO, IN WHICH RESPONDENTS WANTED TO SEE MORE ART IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WE FORMED AN ARTS COMMITTEE.

WE VISITED OTHER LIBRARIES, WE ATTENDED ART SHOWS.

WE WENT TO THE STATE FAIR FINE ART EXHIBIT THIS PAST SUMMER, AND WE ALSO WENT TO ART WORLD IN NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS.

WE PUBLICIZED OUR SEARCH FOR ART AND THE NORTHEASTEARN, AND THE LIBRARY WEBPAGE.

WE PURCHASED OUR FIRST PIECE AND BACK IN JULY.

THIS WAS A PIECE, BUT IT WAS EXHIBITED, CHOSEN BY THE STATE FAIR ARTS BUILDING.

THE COMMITTEE HAD IN THE BUILDING, AND SO SHE WON A SPOT ON THE WALL FOR THAT.

HER NAME WAS RACHEL SMITH, AND HER PAINTING WAS A PIECE ABOUT THIS BIG, IT SHOWS A CHILD LOOKING BACK AT SOMEONE, BUT IN FRONT OF HIM ARE BOOKS.

WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE PIECE AS OUR FIRST PURCHASE.

SHE BROUGHT THE PIECE TO THE LIBRARY IN MID-SEPTEMBER AND THANKED US FOR PURCHASING HER ART.

A LITTLE SIDE NOTE. SHE LIVES IN FRIDLEY.

WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT WHEN YOU PURCHASE A PIECE, SO SHE KNOWS THE LIBRARY.

HOWEVER, IT HAS TAKEN FOUR MONTHS.

WE'RE TOLD THE CITY HAS TO HANG UP BECAUSE THE LIBRARY IS RUN BY THE CITY.

IT HAS NOT BEEN HUNG.

NOBODY HAS COME TO PUT A NAIL IN THE WALL FOR FOUR MONTHS TO HANG THIS PIECE.

WE HAVE SELECTED A SITE WHERE WE FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE, AND NOW WE ARE WAITING.

MY FIRST QUESTION IS, WHO DO I CONTACT TO GET THIS PIECE HUNG? THE ART COMMITTEE HAS NOW COMMISSIONED THREE WOVEN PANELS BY AN AWARD-WINNING ARTIST WHO HAS A STUDIO IN THE NORTHROP KING BUILDING AND NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS.

THESE PANELS COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER AND ABOUT TWO FEET WIDE, FIVE FEET LONG, AND THERE ARE THREE OF THEM.

WE'D LIKE THEM HUNG ON THAT WEST WALL AS YOU COME INTO THE LIBRARY, IT'S WHERE THERE'S A COUNTER WHERE PEOPLE ARE USUALLY THERE WITH THEIR LAPTOPS.

DO WE WAIT ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS TO HAVE THAT PIECE HUNG? OR I SHOULD SAY PIECES.

THE ARTISTS DOES HAVE A CONTACT? SHE GAVE ME HIS NAME.

HE'S A PROFESSIONAL WHO DOES THIS, SPECIALIZES IN HANGING PANELS ON WALLS SO THAT THEY ARE DONE CORRECTLY.

THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PAY FOR HIS SERVICES.

THIS WOULD NOT COST THE CITY ANYTHING IF WE HAVE PERMISSION TO CONTACT HIM TO DO IT.

THOSE WERE MY QUESTIONS IS JUST TO SAY WE'RE GETTING IMPATIENT.

THIS ART, THE OIL PAINTING HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE LIBRARIAN'S OFFICE FOR FOUR MONTHS.

PEOPLE COME IN AND LOOK AT IT AND ARE EAGER TO HAVE IT ON THE WALL.

NOW WITH THIS SECOND PIECE READY TO BE INSTALLED, WE ARE MOST WANT TO KNOW HOW TO HAVE THIS DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER, IF YOU COULD LET ME KNOW WHO TO CONTACT TO HAVE THIS DONE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE ARTWORK?

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE AND LETTING US KNOW THAT YOU'RE WAITING TO HAVE THIS TAKEN CARE OF.

WE ACTUALLY SAW THE CIRCULAR ART PIECE OF THE CHILD WHEN WE DID THE TOUR LAST WEEK.

I DON'T MEAN TO SPEAK FOR THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, BUT I THINK ALL OF US WOULD PROBABLY APPRECIATE THAT HANGING ON A WALL.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FOUR PEOPLE SENDING EMAILS ASKING WHEN THEY CAN BE HANGED.

WE'LL DEFINITELY SHARE YOUR INFORMATION IF THE FOUNDATION NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED WITH THAT AT ALL.

I SEE SARAH IS RAISING HER HAND.

>> I NOTICED THAT [INAUDIBLE]

>> YES. AGAIN, TO HAVE THE PROFESSIONAL HANG THIS PIECE, IT'S GOING TO BE TRICKY. I'VE LOOKED THROUGH THAT.

>> I I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THEM.

>> I'M SURE.

>> ABOUT NOW IS ABOUT MY CONTACT.

>> GREAT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SPIN IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JANE.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK WITH THE FOUNDATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> TO ANSWER THE PUBLIC'S REQUESTS FOR ART.

>> AWESOME. THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT?

[01:00:05]

NO. THEN IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE AT THE END OF OUR MEETING THEM I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN, PLEASE.

>> MOTION MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.