Mar 13, 2023 City Council

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

[00:00:02]

IT IS MONDAY, MARCH 13TH, AND WELCOME TO ANYONE WHO IS ON ZOOM AND EVERYONE IN THE ROOM HERE TODAY.

SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL? THANK YOU, SARAH.

WILL YOU ALL PLEASE STAND IF YOU ARE ABLE TO, AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? NEXT, WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

SO MOVED. SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

AND THE MOTION PASSES.

FOR TONIGHT, WE DO HAVE, WE HAVE NO PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR GUESTS.

I MEAN WE HAVE GUESTS IN THE AUDIENCE, BUT THEY'RE NOT SPECIAL RECOGNIZED GUESTS ON THE AGENDA.

SO THE NEXT PART OF OUR AGENDA IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

PLEASE TAKE US THROUGH THAT.

THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. SO ITEM NUMBER ONE IS APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 6TH EDA MINUTES.

ITEM TWO IS APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 6TH CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES.

ITEM THREE IS APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 27TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM FOUR IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE DECEMBER 7TH, 2022 AND FEBRUARY 1ST, 2023 LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES.

ITEM FIVE IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JULY 19TH, 2022 TRAFFIC COMMISSION MINUTES.

ITEM SIX IS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2023-18.

THAT RESOLUTION AMENDS THE 2023 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FEE SCHEDULE ADDRESSING ESCROW DEPOSITS FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING.

ITEM SEVEN IS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2023-19.

THAT RESOLUTION REQUESTS FUNDS FROM THE ANOKA COUNTY HRA TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

ITEM EIGHT IS APPROVAL OF THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSE IN YOUR PACKET, AND ITEM NINE IS A REVIEW OF THE BILLS TOTALING $1,732,415.94. THANK YOU, KELLY.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? NO. THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

MOVE AS PRESENTED.

SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? THEN I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU, KELLY.

THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS EVENING.

WHICH BRINGS US TO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION NUMBER TEN, WHICH IS THE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2023-20, SUPPORTING HOUSING AND LOCAL DECISION MAKING

[10. Approval of Resolution 2023-20, Supporting Housing and Local Decision-Making Authority. MOTION: Move to Read Resolution 2023-20. MOTION: Move to Approve Resolution 2023-20, a resolution supporting housing and local decision-making authority.]

THIS IS A RESOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS LOCAL DECISION MAKING, MAKING IN HOUSING, AND I BELIEVE COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS WANTED TO READ THE RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. WE HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION SO I CAN READ IT.

ALL RIGHT. I MOVE THAT WE WOULD READ RESOLUTION 2023-20.

SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO READ THE RESOLUTION.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

PLEASE READ THE RESOLUTION.

WHAT I WANT TO DO.. BEFORE I READ IT, I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT AFTER GOING TO MANY LEAGUE OF CITIES AND METRO COUNCIL MEETINGS, THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL THAT KEEP TRYING TO TAKE THIS LOCAL CONTROL AWAY FROM CITIES.

SO WHEN THEY BROUGHT THIS TO OUR ATTENTION TO READ AS A RESOLUTION, I FELT IT REALLY IMPORTANT THAT COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS JOIN IN WITH THE FOLKS THAT ARE FIGHTING TO MAINTAIN OUR LOCAL CONTROL.

WITH THAT, I WILL GO AHEAD AND READ IT.

THANK YOU. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, BEING A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HOUSING AND LOCAL DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY, WHEREAS LOCAL ELECTED DECISION MAKERS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO DETERMINE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE REGULATIONS THAT BEST SERVE THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS. AND WHEREAS, ZONING REGULATION IS AN IMPORTANT PLANNING TOOL THAT BENEFITS COMMUNITIES ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY, IMPROVES HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND HELPS

[00:05:07]

AND WHEREAS, LOCAL ZONING REGULATION ALLOWS COMMUNITIES TO PLAN FOR THE USE OF LAND TRANSPARENTLY INVOLVING RESIDENTS THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

AND. WHEREAS, CITIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE KEENLY AWARE OF THE DISTRICT HOUSING DISTINCT HOUSING CHALLENGES FACING THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND THEY TARGET THOSE LOCAL HOUSING CHALLENGES WITH AVAILABLE TOOLS.

AND. WHEREAS, IN RECENT YEARS, BILLS TO RESTRICT LOCAL DECISION MAKING RELATED TO HOUSING HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, THAT THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTS LOCAL DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY AND OPPOSES LEGISLATION THAT RESTRICTS THE ABILITY FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

LET IT ALSO BE RESOLVED THAT THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTS HOUSING POLICY THAT ADVANCES SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT FULL HOUSING SPECTRUM SOLUTIONS, LOCAL INNOVATION INCENTIVES INSTEAD OF MANDATES AND COMMUNITY SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA.

THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION IN THE COUNCIL.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO BRINGING THIS TO US COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS .

I JUST ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES CONFERENCE AND THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND ENTITIES THAT ARE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THE AUTHORITY FROM THE CITIES TO CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY.

COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS OR SORRY, JAMES.

I WAS GOING TO ECHO THE MAYOR.

I ALSO WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THIS, AND I ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH OUR LEGISLATORS DIRECTLY, AND I KNOW THAT THEY LISTEN TO US, NOT JUST US ON THE COUNCIL, BUT EVERYONE IN THE AREA. SO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING THERE, I THINK THIS WILL BE HELPFUL FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD US, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND I AGREE WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION.

MUCH APPRECIATED. YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU. THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION? MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-20, A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HOUSING AND LOCAL DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY.

SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU. THIS EVENING WE DO NOT HAVE ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, BID CONSIDERATIONS, NEW BUSINESS OR REPORTS.

WHICH BRINGS US TO COUNCIL, TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

I ATTENDED THE ISD 13 BOARD MEETING, COUNCIL CORNER MNDOT CORRIDOR STUDY IN THE MICA POLICY MEETING.

I SPENT THREE DAYS IN WASHINGTON, DC ADVOCATING IN ACTION ON THE HILL FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.

SORRY. THERE'S BIG BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT OF A CHIMNEY OVER THERE.

AND LET'S SEE PRESENTATIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE.

WE HAVE A SMALL GROUP OF US MET WITH THE SECRETARY OF LABOR, MARTY WALSH, WHO SPOKE TO US SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE CHANGING THC REGULATIONS AND HOW STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY IMPACT EMPLOYERS AND CITIES.

OTHERS PRESENTING INCLUDED THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES, OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, THE OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.

AND THEN I ALSO ATTENDED THE FINAL TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING AND WAS ABLE TO INDIVIDUALLY THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR WORK.

ADAM DAVIS, CHAIR.

ALAN CIESINSKI, JARED FINKELSTEIN, STACY NICORA AND JOE SCHLENDER.

THEIR VOLUNTEERISM IS VALUED AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND IT'S APPRECIATED AND THAT THEY'LL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN SOME SOME WAY IN THE FUTURE.

FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TO REMEMBER TODD EDSTROM, THE FORMER OWNER OF TASTEE PIZZA AND HANGAR 45.

TODD WAS A TREMENDOUS SUPPORTER OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

TODD PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 27TH FROM CANCER.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY PERSONAL.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY PERSONAL CONDOLENCES AS WELL AS THAT OF OUR COMMUNITY TO TANYA AND THE ASTRÖM FAMILY AND I FACILITATED SIX RESIDENT REACH OUTS.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

YEAH. UM, I PRESENTED THE UPDATE FROM THE CITY PERSPECTIVE AT THE LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

I ATTENDED OUR LAST LIBRARY BOARD MEETING, AND ONE OF THE PROPOSALS THAT IS GOING THROUGH THE LIBRARY BOARD THAT I BELIEVE THEY'RE LOOKING TO EITHER APPROVE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS OR AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, IS ELIMINATING THE FEES FOR THE RENTING OF THE COMMUNITY ROOM.

[00:10:01]

ON LAST THURSDAY, I HAD THE PLEASURE WITH THE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND COUNCIL MEMBER BASKINS OF ATTENDING THE MINNESOTA LEAGUE OF CITIES CITY DAY ON THE HILL, WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH SENATOR KUNESH AND REPRESENTATIVES WEISS AND KEGEL TO DISCUSS IMPORTANT BILLS AT THE CAPITOL THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE JUST COMPLETED OUR FIRST ROUND OF INTERVIEWS FOR OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TONIGHT, WHICH WAS EXCITING.

I SIGNED ON TO A LETTER TODAY WITH THE MINNESOTA CITIES CLIMATE COALITION TO THE LEGISLATURE URGING THEM TO PASS BILLS TO SUPPORT LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION.

I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH RESIDENTS AT THE LEGENDS REGARDING CONCERNS ABOUT RENTAL INCREASES, AND I'LL ACTUALLY BE ATTENDING A MEETING TOMORROW AT THE CAPITOL TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.

AND THEN LASTLY, NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED, BUT UPCOMING THIS WEEK.

THERE'S A MNDOT FEEDBACK SESSION THIS THURSDAY FROM 4 TO 7 P.M.

IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WOULD LOVE TO SEE RESIDENTS GET OUT AND SHARE THEIR VISION OF WHAT CENTRAL AVENUE IS.

AND I'M SORRY FOR STEALING YOUR THUNDER COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS ABOUT THAT.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. ADD MORE.

THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, WELL, THAT GOES TO COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I GOT TO GET TO MY MICROPHONE AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN HEAR ME.

FIRST OFF, IN THE GREEN SHEET WE RECEIVED, WE RECEIVED SOME TRASH CARTS FOR CARTS IN THE CITY THAT ARE IN BAD SHAPE.

AND JUST TO NOTE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE ONES THAT ARE THE WORST FIRST.

SO SOME OF THOSE THAT ARE WAITING, YOU'LL BE NEXT IN LINE IF YOUR CARTS NOT COMPLETELY BROKEN, BUT ONE THING THAT THEY ADDED TO THE CARTS, WHICH I THINK IS AWESOME, THEY ADDED INSTRUCTIONS IN SOMALI AND SPANISH.

AND I WANT TO DO A SHOUT OUT TO OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR ADDING THAT.

I THINK THAT'S AWESOME.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ATTENDED THE CASUAL CORNER AND OUR COUNCIL IS STILL CONTINUING TO DISCUSS A BOOK CALLED FOR THE LOVE OF CITIES.

AND THERE'S SOME REALLY COOL THINGS THAT WE'VE COME UP WITH, SOME IDEAS POSSIBLY ENCOURAGING THE CITY TO MAYBE READ ANOTHER VERSION OF THAT BOOK FOR A CITY BOOK CLUB THAT'S IN DISCUSSION.

SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THAT.

MNDOT THE MEETING, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THEY'VE TAKEN ALL THE FEEDBACK THAT THEY COLLECTED FROM RESIDENTS IN OUR AREA AS WELL AS NORTH AND SOUTH OF US, AND THEY'VE CREATED FOUR DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF THE WAY THEY WOULD THINK OF DESIGNING.

I CAN'T EVEN TALK TODAY, SORRY, CENTRAL AVENUE FROM 53RD TO 37TH, BOTH ON CENTRAL AND UNIVERSITY.

SO THERE'LL BE FOUR CONCEPTS FOR US TO LOOK AT AND DECIDE WHAT WE LIKE, WHAT WE DON'T LIKE, AND IT'S GOING TO BE AT AGAIN, LIKE JUSTICE SAID, MARCH 16TH, FROM 4 TO 7.

IT'S THE MEETING IS GOING TO BE AT THE NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS RECREATION CENTER.

THE ADDRESS, 1530 JOHNSON STREET NORTHEAST.

IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THAT MEETING IN PERSON, CHECK THE CITY WEBSITE.

WE DO HAVE THIS INFORMATION FOR THE VIRTUAL MEETING, WHICH WILL BE ON MARCH 21ST AT 11:30.

AND THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE MID-MARCH.

SO IT'LL PROBABLY BE NEXT WEEK.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE ADDING A SURVEY ONLINE THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO LOCATE AGAIN ON THE CITY WEBSITE.

THERE IS A PAGE THAT IN FACT THEY HAVE IT IN THE NEWS, THE VERY FRONT PAGE YOU GO TO ABOUT THE MEETINGS THAT MNDOT IS GOING TO BE DOING.

SO YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND IT FAIRLY EASILY.

I ALSO ATTENDED VIA ZOOM A CAR CRASH ANALYSIS WEBINAR THAT WAS HOSTED BY STRONG TOWNS.

QUITE INTERESTING TO SEE AN ACCIDENT WHERE THEY HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE A PERSON WAS KILLED ON THEIR BIKE AND THEN THEY PUT FIVE PEOPLE AND YOU LOOK AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE STREET AND EVERYTHING AND YOU'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WELL, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENED, WHAT CAUSED IT.

AND THEY HAD FIVE EXPERTS ON THEIR PANEL THAT LOOKED AT THE ROAD.

THEY LOOKED AT THE LIGHTING, THEY LOOKED AT THE STREETLIGHTS.

THEY LOOKED AT THE PATHS, THE SIDEWALKS.

AND THEY TORE APART THAT SCENE WHERE ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'RE SEEING THINGS THAT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DRIVER'S DECISION MAKING SKILLS OR THE BIKERS.

THERE WERE ACTUALLY PHYSICAL THINGS IN THE ROAD THAT CREATED THE THE SCENARIO WHERE IT WAS EASILY IT WAS EASY TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF ACCIDENT.

SO IT WAS QUITE EDUCATIONAL AND IT'S FREE.

SO IF ANYONE'S INTERESTED IN SEEING THAT, CALL ME OR EMAIL ME AND I'LL SEND YOU THE LINK, MAYBE ASK, YOU KNOW, SOMEHOW WE CAN SHARE IT WITH THE PUBLIC.

BUT IT WAS VERY EDUCATIONAL.

AND THEN I ATTENDED COHI COMFY CON.

I THOUGHT IT WAS HOSTED BY HEIGHTS NEXT AT MERSHON HALL.

MY HUSBAND IS, THEY HAD GAME DAY THERE WHERE THERE'S LIKE 50 DIFFERENT TYPES OF GAMES PEOPLE COULD COULD PICK FROM.

AND THE ROOMS, THE GAMING ROOMS WERE FULL.

UPSTAIRS THEY HAD VENDORS, THEY HAD CRAFTS, THEY HAD PEOPLE IN COSTUME.

THEY HAD LOTS OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES FOR FOLKS UPSTAIRS.

AND THEN AT NIGHT THEY HAD THE KARAOKE THAT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.

AND THEY HAD WHEN I CAME UP, THERE WERE 50 PEOPLE IN LINE ALREADY READY TO SING.

SO IT'S LIKE, OKAY, I DON'T HAVE TO GO UP THERE.

THERE'S NO WAY I CAN WAIT THAT LONG.

SO IT WAS A VERY FUN EVENT.

[00:15:01]

TILL MIDNIGHT, AND I WAS THERE MOST OF THE AFTERNOON AS PART OF THE EVENING.

BUT SOMEBODY HAD TO GO HOME AND TAKE CARE OF THE ANIMALS.

SO ANYWAY, WE HAD THAT.

I HAD I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE AFTERNOON PORTION OF THE THE CITY ON THE HILL, AND OUR COUNCIL BROUGHT FOUR PAGES WORTH OF BILLS THAT WE THINK ARE IMPORTANT FOR OUR CITY AND PEOPLE IN OUR CITY.

WE PRESENTED THOSE TO OUR STATE SENATE LEGISLATOR, MARY KUNESH AND THEN TO OUR HOUSE REPS.

AARON KEGEL AND SANDRA FEIST.

WE HAD GREAT DISCUSSIONS.

IT WAS IT WAS A GOOD AFTERNOON AND THEN BACK TO ATTENDED THE JOINT SESSION WITH SCHOOL BOARD WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AND ATTENDED A MEETING, A MNDOT MEETING WITH THAT APPROACHED HEIGHTS NEXT REGARDING INSTALLING A POSSIBLE RAIN GARDEN ON CENTRAL AVENUE.

AND THEN LET'S SEE.

I THINK THAT'S IT.

YEAH, I THINK THAT'S IT.

THAT'S ENOUGH. ANYWAY, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER.

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

YEAH, THANK YOU.

I WENT TO THE FINAL COMMISSION OF THE MEETING OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION AS THE LIAISON AND AGAIN THANKED ALL OF THOSE MEMBERS FOR THEIR GREAT SERVICE.

THEY WERE, THEY HAD A LOT OF GREAT INFLUENCE AND EXPERIENCE TO OFFER.

SO I WAS SO BLESSED TO HEAR THEIR VOLUNTEERING AND THEIR IDEAS.

SO THAT WAS WONDERFUL.

I ALSO WAS EXCITED TO AT THAT MEETING IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT OUR CITY HAS RECEIVED A STREET SAFE STREETS FOR ALL GRANT, WHICH WILL BE $200,000 FOR OUR CITY TO DEVELOP A CITYWIDE SAFETY ACTION PLAN.

SO THAT'S EVEN GREATER THAN THE USUAL CONCERNS OF WHERE ONE STOP SIGN MIGHT BE OR ANOTHER.

SO THERE'S PROBABLY MORE DETAILS ON THAT THAT THE STAFF COULD GIVE YOU.

BUT AS AT THAT MEETING, WE WERE ALL VERY EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT A BIG PICTURE LOOK AT HOW WE CAN CREATE SAFE STREETS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.

I ATTENDED ON MARCH 1ST, THE POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING FOR UNIVERSITY AND CENTRAL AVENUE CORRIDOR PLANNING STUDY THAT WAS ALREADY REFERENCED.

THE BIG PART FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW IS THAT BUS RAPID TRANSIT IS COMING TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CONSTRUCTION IN 2025, OPENING IN 2026, AND THAT WILL BE GOING RIGHT NOW.

IT'S SLATED FOR CENTRAL AVENUE, AND THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE ANOTHER WONDERFUL TRANSIT OPTION.

BEYOND THE CLIMATE COMMISSION LETTER, WHICH I ALSO SIGNED IN ON, THERE IS ANOTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES THAT IS WORKING ON LEGISLATION TOWARD RAIL SAFETY.

WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING WITH THE OTHER TRAIN DERAILMENTS, MANY OF US ARE CONCERNED ABOUT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAVING A RAIL YARD AND WHAT'S THE SAFETY THERE AND WHAT LEGISLATION IS THERE AT A FEDERAL LEVEL TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AS WE HAVE THAT? SO I SIGNED ON TO A LETTER ASKING CONGRESS TO ACT ON RAIL SAFETY.

AT THE JOINT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED.

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE ALL OF THE FANTASTIC THINGS THAT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS DOING.

THEY ARE A FANTASTIC PARTNER FOR OUR CITY IN MANY WAYS.

WE SHARE RESOURCES, WE SHARE BUILDING, WE SHARE STAFF IDEAS.

THEY WORK TOGETHER.

BUT OUR CITY SCHOOLS, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, ARE VERY UNDERFUNDED.

WE FOUND OUT THAT THE LEVY FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, IS ONLY $308 COMPARED TO OTHER DISTRICTS AROUND US RECEIVING 2000 PER PUPIL.

SO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

BUT THE MAIN MESSAGE THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD WAS WE NEED FUNDING AND SO WE CAN SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS THROUGH VOLUNTEERING IN THE SCHOOL.

THEY ASK FOR HELP WITH THAT.

THEY ASK FOR HELP WITH TUTORING.

AND THEN CONSIDERING HOW OUR CITY CAN PROPERLY FUND OUR SCHOOLS.

FOR THE CITY DAY ON THE HILL, THE PART THAT I WANTED TO MENTION, IT WAS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATOR.

WE DID HAVE A CONVERSATION BEFOREHAND WITH 250 OTHER LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ABOUT LEGISLATION THAT AFFECTS CITIES.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENT ZONING LAWS THAT MIGHT BE COMING DOWN THE PIPE, INCLUDING THE NEW CANNABIS LEGISLATION.

SO THERE WAS A LOT TO DISCUSS AND PLAN.

WE'RE REALLY THANKFUL THAT OUR LEGISLATORS HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH US AND THEY LISTEN TO US AND RESPOND TO OUR EMAILS.

SO WE'RE VERY LUCKY HERE, BUT I'LL BE GOING BACK AGAIN TOMORROW.

THERE IS ANOTHER CONVERSATION ABOUT PAID MEDICAL AND FAMILY LEAVE.

I ATTENDED. I DIDN'T ORGANIZE OR HELP WITH IT AT ALL.

THE BUY NOTHING GROUP FREE EVENT THAT WAS ON SATURDAY AND THAT WAS A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WERE HELPING THE EARTH BY NOT THROWING THINGS AWAY AND ALSO CREATING COMMUNITY.

AND THEN LOOKING AHEAD.

PUT ON YOUR CALENDARS, STREET CLEANUPS FOR EARTH DAY.

I KNOW THERE'S ONE BEING ORGANIZED FOR UNIVERSITY AVENUE WITH THE LIONS ON APRIL 15TH.

AND THEN THERE'S ONE THAT I'M HELPING TO ORGANIZE WITH HEIGHTS NEXT ON CENTRAL AVENUE FOR APRIL 22ND.

AS THE SPRING COMES AND THE SNOW MELTS, THE TRASH COMES OUT AND WE NEED TO PICK THAT UP AND TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GET WASHED INTO OUR STORM DRAINS AND INTO THE MISSISSIPPI

[00:20:05]

LOOK FOR MORE EVENTS ON THIS AND YOU CAN HELP PICK UP THE TRASH.

BEFORE THAT, WE HAVE A SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE COMING UP THIS WEEK HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

COME VISIT THAT. AND FINALLY, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO NOMINATE A BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WITH THE CITY.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. VERY GOOD.

YOU JUST REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING.

YES. UH.

OKAY. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

UM, WHAT I JUST WAS REMINDED OF WAS ALSO THAT IT'S TIME TO NOMINATE A CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AS WELL.

SO. AND THERE IS A COMPONENT FOR A YOUTH OR AN ADULT AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE PEOPLE NOMINATED FOR BOTH OF THEM.

AND IF YOU ARE ARE INTERESTED IN NOMINATING ONE, YOU CAN NOMINATE FOR BOTH TOO.

SO DON'T FEEL THAT YOU ONLY CAN NOMINATE FOR ONE OR THE OTHER.

KOJI KHAN WAS BROUGHT UP.

I JUST WANT TO SHOW OFF THAT IN THE NEWEST ISSUE OF THE LIFE NEWSPAPER, IT'S ON THE COVER.

AND THEN ALSO MULTIPLE PHOTOS ON THE SECOND AND THIRD PAGE.

IT WAS THE A GAMING CONVENTION, AS COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS HAD SAID THERE WAS ABOUT 350 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.

MANY FAMILIES, CHILDREN OF ALL AGES.

AND EVERYONE KEPT ASKING WHEN WE COULD DO IT AGAIN.

AND ALSO MANY PEOPLE WERE SAYING HOW EITHER THEY GREW UP IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND STILL LIVE HERE OR THEY MOVED AWAY.

BUT THEY USED TO LIVE HERE, AND EVERYONE REALLY LOOKED AT IT AS A COMMUNITY EVENT AND THEY WERE JUST SO HAPPY TO HAVE IT, SOMETHING LIKE THAT HERE THAT PEOPLE WERE SO ENGAGED WITH. SO IT WAS A LOT OF FUN, VERY MULTIGENERATIONAL.

IF YOU LOOKED AROUND THE TABLES PLAYING GAMES OR, YOU KNOW, TEENAGERS AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAD ANY I'M SURE WE HAD PEOPLE IN THEIR 80'S.

SO OCTOGENARIANS AND TEENAGERS PLAYING THE SAME BOARD GAME.

SO A LOT OF FUN.

LET'S SEE. TALKING ABOUT THE CITY DAY ON THE HILL.

THE FOUR OF US WERE ABLE TO GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS WAS OUT OF STATE AND UNABLE TO ATTEND.

SHE WAS IN DC STUFF SO BUT WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR SENDING US THERE.

IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME GOING AND IT WAS JUST A LOT OF FUN AND ENGAGING TO SEE OTHER OTHER PEOPLE.

WE KNOW THAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES.

AS COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES HAD SAID, THERE WAS A VERY LENGTHY PRESENTATION ABOUT CANNABIS AND THC AND HOW CITIES ARE TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD BUT DON'T HAVE A LOT OF GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE YET.

SO JUST KNOWING THAT WE'RE NOT THE ONLY CITY THAT'S KIND OF WAITING TO SEE WHAT TO DO, IT REALLY HELPS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S THE PROCESS OF THINGS BECAUSE IT CAN FEEL FRUSTRATING WHEN WE WANT THINGS TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND THE SAME WITH STAFF.

SO THAT WAS A REALLY GREAT LEARNED A LOT ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS WELL.

AND WHEN WE ATTENDED THE COMBINED COUNCIL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING LAST WEEK, WHICH WE PLAN TO DO TWICE A YEAR, AND THE NEXT ONE WE WILL HOST AT THE NEW CITY HALL.

WE DEFINITELY LEARNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE GREAT PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR KIDS ARE HAVING AND HOW WELL THEY'RE PROGRESSING IN THEIR EDUCATION.

BUT AS COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES HAD SAID THAT THE STATE HAS MANDATED MANY EFFORTS FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE BUT NOT PROVIDING THE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR CITY, TO OUR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SO IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO LET YOUR REPRESENTATIVES KNOW THAT OUR STATE NEEDS TO FUND OUR SCHOOLS APPROPRIATELY, WE DEFINITELY NEED THAT HELP.

IN FACT, I ATTENDED THREE DIFFERENT MEETINGS AT THE SCHOOL LAST WEEK.

I WAS THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THEN ALSO FOR THE COMMUNICATION COMMISSION AND I HAD THE SAME REPORT FOR BOTH OF THEM BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A BIG MESSAGE.

BUT I JUST HAPPENED TO BE WEARING MULTIPLE HATS FOR THAT AND ATTENDED OUR YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING FOR OUR CITY.

WE ACTUALLY DIDN'T HAVE A QUORUM SO WE WEREN'T ABLE TO HAVE AN ACTUAL MEETING.

WE WERE ABLE YOU KNOW, WE JUST KIND OF DISCUSSED, I DON'T KNOW, JUST, I GUESS SOME GENERAL IDEAS.

BUT WE COULDN'T VOTE ON ANYTHING.

AND I SAY WE I'M THE LIAISON, SO BUT THE YOUTH WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE AN ACTUAL MEETING, SO THEY GOT TO HAVE A LIVED EXPERIENCE OF WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO BE THERE WHAT WHAT A QUORUM REALLY IS IN ACTUAL TIME.

BUT THEY ARE EXCITED TO WORK ON POSSIBLY A HAUNTED HOUSE THIS FALL AND OR A LANTERN LIGHTING FESTIVAL ARE THE TWO IDEAS THEY REALLY WANT TO WORK ON, AND THEY'RE ALSO INTERESTED IN ATTENDING OTHER CITY MEETINGS.

I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR TRAFFIC COMMISSION.

[00:25:01]

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PART IN BEING ON A COMMISSION AT OUR CITY.

I ATTENDED THE SOUP DINNER AND PRAYER AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH.

A LOT OF FUN. I HAVE MET A LOT OF YOUTH THERE, SO THAT'S BEEN FUN TO MEET.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE ARE MORE OF THE YOUTH, OF COURSE, OUR COUNCIL CORNER ATTENDED THE PEL STUDY FROM FOR MNDOT, CHEERS FOR BEERS, WHICH IS A HEIGHTS NEXT BEER TASTING EVENT IN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TOP VALUE MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES HERE IN THE CITY.

WE JUST STARTED OUR PLANNING AND THAT PLEASE SAVE THE DATE IS FRIDAY MAY 12TH AT MURZYN HALL.

TICKETS ARE $40 IN ADVANCE, $45 DAY OF.

AND THERE WILL BE ABOUT 40 DIFFERENT BREWERIES, INCLUDING CIDERIES AND NA, NA BEVERAGES TO TASTE AS WELL.

SO HOPE YOU CAN COME OUT AND SUPPORT OUR MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES AND HEIGHTS NEXT.

UM, AND THEN I THINK THE LAST THING IS COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES HAD MENTIONED IT WAS THE BUY NOTHING GROUP, A FACEBOOK SOCIAL MEDIA GROUP CALLED BUY NOTHING, AND WE HAD A FREE EVENT I HELPED ARRANGE AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH.

THEY HOSTED IT AND WE HAD, I THINK, 25 DIFFERENT TABLES AND MANY PEOPLE THERE.

WE THINK ABOUT 175, 175 PEOPLE CAME TO GET FREE ITEMS AND IT'S LIKE A GARAGE SALE BUT FREE.

AND IT WAS GREAT.

SO VERY WELL ATTENDED.

PEOPLE KEPT ASKING, WHEN CAN WE DO THIS AGAIN? SO IT WAS A NICE SOCIAL EVENT.

AND ALSO THEY HAVE A GYM THAT WAS OPEN SO FAMILIES WERE WELCOME TO COME BRING THEIR KIDS SO THE KIDS COULD RUN AROUND IT'S WINTER AND THEY COULD PLAY IN A GYM WITH SOME BALLS AND BOUNCE THINGS AROUND AND THE PARENTS COULD LOOK AT ITEMS AND JUST MEET THE COMMUNITY.

SO IT WAS REALLY FUN.

IT WAS FUN FOR FAMILIES.

AND THAT'S IT. NEXT, WE HAVE OUR CITY MANAGER, KELLY BOURGEOIS.

HIS REPORT. THANK YOU.

I JUST ENJOY SAYING SAYING YOUR NAME.

IT BEATS MY OTHER LAST NAME.

BUT FIRST OF ALL, WE HAD OUR FIRST OUR INAUGURAL NAME A SNOWPLOW CONTEST.

AND WE DO HAVE A WINNER.

SO WITH ALMOST 200 TOTAL VOTES CAST, BLIZZARD OF OZZ IS OUR SNOWPLOW WINNER.

STAFF IS WORKING ON SECURING A STICKER FOR THE SNOWPLOW RIGHT NOW.

SO THAT'S PRETTY COOL.

AND THEN AS COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES ALREADY MENTIONED, BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS ARE DUE MARCH 27TH, SO PLEASE GET YOUR NOMINATION IN FOR THIS AWARD. IT'S OUR FIRST OFFICIAL ONE EVER.

SO THAT'S IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD GET A LOT OF NOMINATIONS FOR THAT.

AND THEN I WANTED TO SHARE AN EMAIL THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT GOT OVER THE WEEKEND SAYS, DEAR CAPTAIN LENNY AUSTIN, CHIEF, ON BEHALF OF THE SOMALI-AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SAPAC, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND DEDICATION TOWARDS MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

AS THE PRESIDENT OF SAPAC, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY FULLY SUPPORTS THE POLICE FORCE, AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE THE GREAT WORK YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE DOING TO KEEP US SAFE.

THE MODEL OF POLICING USED BY THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WHICH EMBRACES DIVERSITY, IS A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF PROGRESSIVE POLICING.

AS A RESIDENT OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, I CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT THE LEADERSHIP PROVIDED BY YOU AND THE MAYOR IS EXCEPTIONAL, AND OUR COMMUNITY IS PROUD TO HAVE SUCH OUTSTANDING LEADERS. WE APPRECIATE THE EXCELLENT WORK BEING DONE BY YOU AND YOUR TEAM, DESPITE THE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE PANDEMIC.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO US ANY TIME YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

ONCE AGAIN, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR HARD WORK, AND WE WISH YOU AND YOUR TEAM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

SINCERELY, ALON IRONI JAMA, PRESIDENT OF SAPAC.

SO WE DON'T GET NEARLY ENOUGH KUDOS EMAILS.

SO IT'S NICE WHEN WE DO GET THOSE THAT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SHARE THOSE WITH THE COUNCIL, WITH OUR RESIDENTS AND CERTAINLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT STAFF THAT DO SO MUCH WORK.

AND THEN LAST, I'M GOING TO TRY AND DO THIS WITHOUT CHOKING UP.

I'M GOING TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW BECAUSE I ALREADY LET THE COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF KNOW THAT, DANG IT.

I SUBMITTED MY LETTER OF RESIGNATION.

I STARTED MY LAST DAYS IN HEIGHTS IS APRIL 13TH AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

I'M GOING TO BE THE CITY MANAGER IN BRISTOL, TENNESSEE.

I THINK YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I ACTUALLY LOVE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

OUR STAFF REPRESENT THE MOST PROFESSIONAL, DEDICATED AND CARING GROUP OF PEOPLE I'VE EVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH.

[00:30:05]

OUR COMMUNITY ITSELF IS VIBRANT, ENGAGED AND HAS DEFINITELY EMBRACED WITH OPENNESS THE INCREDIBLE POSITIVE CHANGES THAT OUR CITY HAS EXPERIENCED AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BY EVERY MEASURE, IS ON AN INCREDIBLE UPWARD TRAJECTORY AND READY TO SOAR INTO THE FUTURE.

I WILL MISS NOT BEING A PART OF THAT JOURNEY, BUT I DO TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN BEING A PART OF THE MOVEMENT THAT BROUGHT US TO TODAY.

SO AS I MENTIONED, MY LAST DAY IS APRIL 13TH.

I CERTAINLY WILL NOT JUST WALK AWAY.

I'M AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH ANYTHING THAT I CAN, AND I WILL ALWAYS WATCH HEIGHTS WITH JUST THE MOST PRIDE.

HEIGHTS WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HUGE PLACE IN MY HEART, AND I'M JUST CHEERING FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE COMING FOR THE CITY.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY FOR MAKING ME LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH AND MAKING ALL OF MY TIME THAT I'VE GOTTEN TO SPEND HERE, JUST INCREDIBLE.

CERTAINLY NOT GOODBYE, BUT JUST SEE YOU LATER.

AND I'M NOT GONE YET.

SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO STOP IN AND CHAT AND I'LL BE AT THE NEXT MEETINGS, BUT I DO WANT TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YES. YES. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THAT'S A HARD ANNOUNCEMENT TO HEAR AGAIN.

WE WILL MISS YOU.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING SO WE DON'T HAVE TO REALLY GO INTO THE GOODBYES RIGHT NOW.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT WE WILL MISS YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.

I KNOW STAFF IS GOING TO MISS YOU AND YES, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD, BUT WE DO HAVE REALLY, REALLY GREAT STAFF TO KEEP MOVING US FORWARD.

SO I KNOW WE HAVE TO KEEP LOOKING FORWARD.

THANK YOU, KELLY. UM, THAT BRINGS US TO OUR NEXT SECTION OF THE MEETING, OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.

SARAH, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM? OKAY. NOPE.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT, THEN.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF OUR MEETING.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES JACOBS.

SORRY. SECOND.

I KNOW TO CLOSE TO NAMES, AND I NEED A SECOND.

SECOND.

SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. OH, YEAH.

OH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.