>> ALL RIGHT THEN THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
[CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
[00:00:05]
I AM MAYOR AMÁDA MÁRQUEZ SIMULA AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER.THIS IS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, MARCH 27TH.
WELCOME TO ANYONE WHO IS ON ZOOM AS WELL.
WE WILL START OUR MEETING WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE THEN WE WILL START THE ROLL CALL.
>> THANK YOU. SARAH, WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP US WITH A ROLL-CALL?
>> ABSOLUTELY. I AM GOING TO START THE ROLL CALL, COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER AMÁDA MÁRQUEZ SIMULA.
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
>> THANK YOU, SARAH. OUR NEXT POINT OF THE MEETING IS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR CHANGES FROM THE COUNCIL? IT LOOKS LIKE A NO.
THEN MAY HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
SARAH, COULD YOU GRAB ME A PAPER COPY OF THE AGENDA. THANK YOU.
>> IT'S MUCH EASIER EVEN THOUGH I CAN USE THE INTERNET TO TAKE A PIECE OF PAPER. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.
OUR NEXT PART OF THE AGENDA IS OUR PROCLAMATIONS,
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND GUESS.AND TONIGHT I'M VERY HAPPY TO HAVE OUR FIRST PROCLAMATION FOR RAMADAN.
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO THIS BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS WE CURRENTLY CELEBRATE THE MONTH OF RAMADAN, I WISH TO EXTEND MY WARMEST GREETINGS TO OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS RAMADAN IS A TIME OF REFLECTION, SELF-DISCIPLINE AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH, IT IS A TIME TO STRENGTHEN MUSLIMS' CONNECTIONS WITH GOD AND THE COMMITMENT TO VALUES OF COMPASSION, GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS.
THIS MONTH LONG OBSERVATION BRINGS OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN A UNIQUE WAY.
WE ARE ALL ENRICHED BY THE EXPERIENCE.
WHEREAS WE STAND FIRMLY WITH THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN REJECTING VOICES THAT SEEK TO DIVIDE US OR LIMIT OUR RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS OR CIVIL RIGHTS, WE STAND COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER THEIR RELIGION.
WE STAND TO CELEBRATE OUR COMMON HUMANITY AND DEDICATION TO PEACE AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
WHEREAS WE ENTER THIS BLESSED MONTH, I URGE ALL OF US TO SUPPORT AND UPLIFT OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS.
LET US TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT RAMADAN AND ITS ASSOCIATED CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS.
LET US SHOW OUR SOLIDARITY AND RESPECT FOR OUR MUSLIM FRIENDS BY HONORING THEIR OBSERVANCE AND SHARING IN THE JOY OF THEIR CELEBRATIONS.
NOW THEREFORE, I, AMÁDA MÁRQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, RECOGNIZES THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN AND HONORS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR MUSLIM COMMUNITY.
RAMADAN MUBARAK, AND MAY THIS BE A MONTH OF PEACE, UNITY, AND HARMONY FOR ALL.
HERE IN OUR AUDIENCE TODAY WE HAVE SOME HONORED GUESTS TO COME IN AND RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION.
OUR FIRST ONE I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE IS MR. ZAHIR BULBAR.
HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC CENTER AT MINNESOTA HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WELCOME UP TO THE PODIUM. [APPLAUSE]
[00:05:32]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
LIKE I SAID, IT MEANS A LOT TO US, STONE'S THROW FROM HERE IS THE FIRST EVER MOSQUE THAT WAS RECOGNIZED IN MINNEAPOLIS.
FROM HERE, THERE ARE ABOUT 70, MAYBE EVEN 90 MOSQUES ACROSS MINNEAPOLIS.
THERE IS OVER 200,000 MUSLIMS THAT LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS.
WE WILL SHARE THIS PROCLAMATION WITH ALL OF THEM.
NOT ONLY WILL WE DO THAT, WE'LL SHARE THIS ACROSS THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN DIFFERENT STATES.
WE WILL SHOW TO THE FOLKS THAT THE RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTS BETWEEN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS OFFICIALS LIKE ALL OF YOU PLUS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, PLUS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, PLUS THE EMD, WE JUST GET ALONG SO WELL.
IT'S A SHINY EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN LIVE SIDE-BY-SIDE AND HAVE WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIPS.
NOT ONLY BY THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF MINNESOTA, BUT COMMUNITIES AT LARGE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
>> SERINE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING AT ALL? IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO. COULD YOU COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE SINCE WE HAVE PEOPLE AT ZOOM, THEY CAN'T HEAR EITHER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING THIS [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU.
SHEREEN IS THE SOCIAL DIRECTOR FOR THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF MINNESOTA. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
[APPLAUSE] DEGAS, ANYTHING? [LAUGHTER] OUR COMMUNITY MEMBER, DEGAS, THANK YOU FOR COMING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> [FOREIGN] PEACE BE UPON YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CHIEF, CITY MANAGER, AND ALL THE OTHER STAFF.
I AM SUPER, SUPER HONORED FOR THE PROCLAMATION MAYOR.
LIKE OUR PRECEDENTS, THE FIRST MOSQUE, AND I KNOW HE SAID MINNEAPOLIS, BUT ACTUALLY, OUR BEAUTIFUL MOSQUE HERE IS THE FIRST IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF [INAUDIBLE] I HAVE TO SAY THAT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED, BEING SEEN, BEING HEARD, BEING LOVED AND PROTECTED IS SOMETHING THAT I ALWAYS LOVED OF MY CITY AND MAYOR.
SERIOUSLY, TRULY, YOU HAVE SHOWN ME THIS TIME AFTER TIME, THAT THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS NOT ONLY WARM AND WELCOMING BUT ALSO ACCEPTING OF WHO WE ARE.
I'M HOPING THAT WE WILL HAVE AN IFTAR HOSTED BY OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR SOON.
I'M WAITING TO SEE THAT EMAIL OUT.
[LAUGHTER] BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU, MAHATSINI ON BEHALF OF THE SOMALI COMMUNITY.
RAMADAN MUBARAK FOR THE REST OF US.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] I WAS JUST SHARING WITH SOME MEMBERS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT AS A CHILD, I LOVED SESAME STREET.
I LOVED THE DIVERSITY, I LOVED PEOPLE WHO ARE SPEAKING DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, THERE ARE DIFFERENT SKIN COLORS.
PEOPLE WERE COMING IN FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD, AND I ALWAYS FEEL THAT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS LIKE OUR OWN SESAME STREET.
[LAUGHTER] AND THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IS DEFINITELY A PART OF THAT, MAKING US THIS BEAUTIFUL MOSAIC, SO WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT PROCLAMATION FOR THIS EVENING IS FOR THE UPCOMING DATE OF APRIL 22ND, EARTH DAY.
WHEREAS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT, AND PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, WE RECOGNIZE THAT CLIMATE CHANGE POSES A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO OUR PLANET AND WE MUST ALL TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
WHEREAS IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE SEEN THE EFFECTS OF
[00:10:02]
CLIMATE CHANGE MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN DEVASTATING WAYS; FROM WILDFIRES AND DROUGHTS TO FLOODS AND HURRICANES, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE ON THIS PATH.IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO MITIGATE OUR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESTORE OUR PLANET.
WHEREAS THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS TO HELP OUR ENVIRONMENT; CARPOOLING, CYCLING, WALKING, REDUCING AND COMPOSTING FOOD WASTE, UNPLUGGING UNUSED ELECTRONICS, AND MANY, MANY MORE, TOGETHER WE HAVE THE POWER TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BETTER BY PERFORMING SIMPLE TASKS LIKE THIS.
WHEREAS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS COMMITTED TO TAKING CONCRETE STEPS TOWARD BUILDING SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS AND BUILD A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
NOW, THEREFORE, I AMÁDA MÁRQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 22ND AS EARTH DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN US IN THIS EFFORT AND TO DO THEIR PART IN PROTECTING OUR PLANET.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND RESTORE OUR EARTH FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
[APPLAUSE] THIS EVENING TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR RESIDENT JANE PALI.
JANE HAS DONE MANY EFFORTS OF CLEAN-UPS IN THE CITY, AMONGST OTHER THINGS.
JANE, I WOULD INVITE YOU UP TO THE PODIUM AND SHARE MORE ABOUT HOW YOU SEE THE FUTURE FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND CITY COUNCIL.
I FIRST MET CONNIE BUESGENS, [LAUGHTER] WAS THE FIRST CLEANUP DAY AND I THINK IT WAS THROUGH HEIGHTS NEXT [BACKGROUND] MANY MANY YEARS AGO.
[LAUGHTER] WE WERE STARTING BY PICKING UP CIGARETTE BUTTS [LAUGHTER] ON CENTRAL AVENUE [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] OUR COMMITMENT.
EVER SINCE THEN, WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS MORE PROACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
CENTRAL AVENUE WAS A HUGE PART OF THAT.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, IT'S A HIGHWAY THAT GOES THROUGH OUR CITY, AND SO IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE TRY TO PRESENT A CLEAN PICTURE TO THE REST OF THE CITY THAT PASSES THROUGH.
OF COURSE, EARTH DAY IS THE 22ND.
IT ACTUALLY FALLS ON THE EARTH DAY AND SO YOU WILL BE SEEING OTHER ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE AROUND THE COMMUNITY.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS DONE A MARVELOUS JOB.
NOW WE'RE PROMOTING THE SEWER, WATCHING WHAT'S GOING IN THEIR SEWERS, WATCHING WHAT'S GOING INTO OUR LAKES OUR RIVERS.
MY NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET JUST MOVED BACK FROM CHICAGO AND HE NOTICED A TRAIL OF GASOLINE WAS GOING DOWN THE STREET.
SOMEONE'S CAR WAS LEAKING, SOME CAR THAT WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND HE CAME TO ME AND HE SAID, THAT'S NOT RIGHT.
THAT'S GOING INTO SILVER LAKE, IT'S GOING INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AND IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF THAT DAY.
WE FOUND OUT WHO THE CULPRIT WAS, THE CAR [LAUGHTER] THAT WAS DOING THE DAMAGE.
AS FAR AS THE FUTURE OF EARTH DAY, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT SARAH HERE.
[BACKGROUND] JUST COMING IN THIS EVENING, SHE TOLD ME WHAT SHE WAS DOING IN PROMOTING THE COMPOSTING IN HER SCHOOL AND ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE PROMOTING BECAUSE IT IS CRITICAL.
IN THE PAPER TODAY WE READ ABOUT HOW THE BUTTERFLY ENVIRONMENT IS GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER, AND SO WE'VE GOT TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO KEEP OUR CITY, OUR COMMUNITY, THE STATE, THE COUNTRY, AS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE.
I'M HONORED THAT I WOULD BE ASKED TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> THANK YOU, JANE. [APPLAUSE] [NOISE]
>> THANK YOU, JANE. [BACKGROUND] [OVERLAPPING]
[00:15:02]
>> THANK YOU. NEXT FOR OUR PROCLAMATIONS SECTION IS OUR FINAL STRATEGIC PLAN REPORT PRESENTED BY PHIL KERN.
I KNOW OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.
>> NOW, THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL.
MEMBERS OF STAFF, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND IT'S PARTICULARLY FUN TO BE HERE AND WATCH THESE TWO PROCLAMATIONS YOU PRESENTED BECAUSE AFTER WORKING WITH YOU IN DEVELOPING THE STRATEGIC PLAN, JUST MORE OF AN EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU'RE ALIGNED WITH THE OBJECTIVES THAT YOU SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH AND THE LONG-TERM VISION YOU HAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY, SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.
I'M HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU THE OUTCOMES FROM THE STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK THAT WAS CONDUCTED OVER TWO WORKSHOPS IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.
I'VE WORKED WITH YOUR STAFF TO FINALIZE THE DOCUMENT TONIGHT AND I'LL PRESENT TO YOU THE OUTCOMES OF THAT SESSION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS IS TO DEVELOP A SHORT-TERM WORK PLAN BUT TO ALSO BASE THAT ON A SHARED LONG-TERM VISION YOU HAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE ORGANIZATION WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE AND FOR FOCUS DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES.
AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE, THE MATTERS OF BUSINESS THAT COME BEFORE THE CITY ARE OFTEN URGENT AND IMPORTANT DETAILS BUT KEEPING A LONG-TERM EYE ON THE LONG-TERM VISION, LONG-TERM DIRECTION, AND YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS HELPS FOR OVERALL PERFORMANCE.
WE SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH FOUR THINGS: UPDATE OUR MISSION STATEMENT, WHICH DEFINES OUR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSE, DEVELOP A LONG-TERM DIRECTION, WHICH WE DEFINE AS CORE STRATEGIES IN THE PLAN.
WE DISCUSSED AND EVALUATED CURRENT CONDITIONS IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND CAME UP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GOALS PLAN TO GUIDE YOU FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
WHAT I PRESENT TO YOU TONIGHT IS A DRAFT MISSION STATEMENT THAT ENCOMPASSES THE ELEMENTS THAT CAME OUT OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT DISCUSSION, OUR VALUE PROPOSITION DISCUSSION FOR WHAT THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION, AND WHAT YOU SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH AS AN ORGANIZATION.
I WORKED WITH YOUR STAFF TO TAKE THOSE PRINCIPLES AND WE DEVELOPED A DRAFT FOR YOU TONIGHT.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN YOUR FEEDBACK OR IF YOU THINK IT FITS, ULTIMATELY RECOMMEND IT FOR YOUR APPROVAL.
WE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE ELEMENTS, TRYING TO MAKE IT MOTIVATING, TRYING TO MAKE IT INSPIRING, [NOISE] BUT ALSO MAKING IT A CONCISE STATEMENT OF THE CORE PURPOSE.
WHAT WE PRESENT TO YOU TONIGHT IS THE DRAFT STATEMENT THAT STATES COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A VIBRANT, HEALTHY, AND CONNECTED CITY.
WE ARE HERE TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, DELIVER EQUITABLE SERVICES, REINFORCE EXISTING CONNECTIONS AND BUILD NEW ONES, AND IMPROVE UPON OUR PAST AND UPHOLD OUR SUCCESSES.
ABOVE ALL, WE WILL ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE BETTER AND MAKE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS A GREAT PLACE FOR EVERYONE, TODAY, AND IN THE FUTURE. THAT MISSION STATEMENT IS SUPPORTED BY SIX CORE STRATEGIES.
THESE CORE STRATEGIES ARE A STATEMENT OF YOUR LONG-TERM VISION.
WE WORKED THROUGH A PROCESS IN WHICH WE IDENTIFIED WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE LONG RUN, AND WHAT ARE THE TENETS THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS BUILT UPON.
THOSE SIX CORE STRATEGIES ARE RECOMMENDED AS A HEALTH AND SAFE COMMUNITY, EQUITABLE, DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE, AND FRIENDLY, SUSTAINABLE, STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES, THRIVING AND VIBRANT DESTINATION COMMUNITY, AND TRUSTED AND ENGAGED LEADERSHIP.
EACH OF THOSE STRATEGIES IS SUPPORTED BY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.
THE STRATEGY OF HAVING A HEALTH AND SAFE COMMUNITY FUNDAMENTALLY WOULD ACCOMPLISH SIX THINGS.
PRIORITIZATION OF WELL-BEING OF COMMUNITY AND CITIZENS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY, ACCESSIBLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY, COMMUNITY-BASED POLICING FOCUSED ON PREVENTION AND REINFORCED BY NEIGHBORLY RELATIONSHIPS, HEALTHY AND INTENTIONAL SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SPACES WHERE RESIDENTS FEEL SAFE, AND ENGAGED CITIZENS INTERACTING WITH A SHARED PURPOSE.
THE SECOND CORE STRATEGY, TO BE EQUITABLE, DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE, AND FRIENDLY, IS SUPPORTED BY STATEMENTS STATING EMOTIONAL CONNECTEDNESS, A SENSE OF STRONG COMMUNITY AND RELATIONSHIPS, STRONG SENSE OF FAMILIARITY AND CLOSE-KNIT RELATIONSHIPS, PROGRESSIVE POSITIVE COHESIVE ENERGY, ACTIVE, UNIFIED AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY [NOISE] EMBRACING OF ALL CULTURES AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
THE THIRD CORE STRATEGY, BEING AN ORGANIZATION WITH TRUSTED AND ENGAGED LEADERSHIP, MEANS YOU'LL BE INTENTIONALLY WORKING TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE AND SOCIALLY JUST CITY, CARING AND RESPONSIVE CULTURE OF WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS,
[00:20:04]
TRANSPARENT, TRUSTED, DEPENDABLE, AND ACCOUNTABLE WOULD DESCRIBE YOU, WORKFORCE AND COMMISSIONS THAT TRULY REFLECT THE COMMUNITY IN INNOVATIVE FUTURE-FOCUSED ORGANIZATION, HIGHLY SKILLED AND WELL-TRAINED STAFF, EFFECTIVE, ENGAGED, DEFICIENT, AND SERVICE-FOCUSED THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION, AND PROACTIVELY STRIVING TO CONNECT AND INFORM THROUGH A VARIETY OF TIMELY, RELIABLE, AND CREATIVE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION.THE FOURTH STRATEGY, THRIVING IN VIBRANT DESTINATION COMMUNITY, YOU WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING, A FLOURISHING BUSINESS DISTRICTS, RESTAURANTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT, REDEVELOPMENT TO MEET YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS, STABLE AND RISING PROPERTY VALUES, REVITALIZING EXISTING HOUSING, RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND INCUBATORS, ATTAINABLE HOUSING FOR ALL STAGES OF LIFE, PROMOTING PUBLIC ART AND SUPPORTING ARTISTS, AND WELCOMED, ENGAGED, AND CONNECTED RENTAL COMMUNITY.
THE FIFTH CORE STRATEGY, STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES, WOULD PROVIDE WELL-PLANNED, MODERNIZED, AND MAINTAINED INFRASTRUCTURE, PHYSICALLY CONNECTED, EQUITABLE, ACCESSIBLE AND INVITING TO PEDESTRIANS, BIKERS, AND VEHICLES, IMPLEMENTING STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS COUNTING IN NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, ALL-INCLUSIVE WELL-ROUNDED COMMUNITY-DRIVEN RECREATION SERVICES, PROGRAMS, PARKS, TRAILS IN NATIVE AREAS, AND PROMOTING THE LIBRARY AS A COMMUNITY FOCAL POINT IN LEARNING HUB.
THE SIXTH AND FINAL CORE STRATEGY IS FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABILITY, MAKING PLANS WITH THE NEXT SEVEN GENERATIONS IN MIND.
THANK YOU CONY FOR SHARING THAT.
I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THAT EVER SINCE THE WORKSHOPS.
OPEN-MINDED APPROACH AND EVOLVE WITH CLIMATE FRIENDLY AND GREEN BEST PRACTICES BEING BUILT TO LAST, MAINTAINING AND IMPLEMENTING A LONG-TERM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR BUILDINGS, SEEKING ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS, CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION NOT JUST WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE, BUT ALSO WITH KNOWLEDGE, INSTITUTIONAL WISDOM, AND CURRENT CULTURE, YOUR CITY STAFF.
RETENTION, LOWERING THE TURNOVER OF STAFF AND RESIDENTS, REVISING CODES GEARED TOWARDS THE ABOVE VALUES AND CLEAR MESSAGING AND STRONG EDUCATION.
THESE SIX STRATEGIES AND THEIR SUPPORTING STATEMENTS PROVIDE THAT [NOISE] VISION IN THAT LONG-TERM DIRECTION FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.
WITH THAT LONG-TERM IN MIND, WE SPENT TIME DEVELOPING SHORT-TERM GOALS.
THESE ARE GOALS THAT YOU WISH TO ACCOMPLISH OVER THE NEXT 2-3 YEARS.
WE WENT THROUGH A PROCESS WHERE WE BRAINSTORMED MANY POTENTIAL GOALS AND AS A GROUP, WE PRIORITIZED IDENTIFYING THE ONES THAT WERE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOUR ORGANIZATION.
THOSE PRIMARY GOALS ENDED UP TOTALING SEVEN.
THESE WOULD BE THE PRIMARY ORGANIZATIONAL FOCUS OVER THE NEXT 2-3 YEARS.
THOSE GOALS INCLUDE DEVELOPING ARCHITECTURAL AND FINANCIAL PLANS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF YOUR PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO OTHER PRIORITIES, PARTICULARLY BEFORE STRUCTURAL FAILURE.
UPDATING YOUR PARKS MASTER PLAN, DEVELOPING A FINANCING PLAN, AND ESTABLISHING INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT THESE PLANS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
DEVELOPING A MERCHANT HALL RENOVATION PLAN OR IDENTIFYING AN ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY CENTER PLAN, PREPARING LONG-TERM COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES TRANSITIONING TO RENTAL, INCLUDING INCREASED TENANT AND RENTER PROTECTIONS AND A NEW RENTAL LICENSING PROGRAM, UPDATING THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOCUSING ON LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING FACILITIES, FINALIZING PLANS FOR CENTRAL AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS, AND RE-ESTABLISHING THE CITY ART COMMISSION AND INVESTING IN PUBLIC ART.
SECONDARILY, WE CAME UP WITH A LIST OF GOALS THAT WERE ALSO IMPORTANT AS A STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL-SETTING PROCESS.
IT'S ALWAYS MY RECOMMENDATION TO KEEP YOUR PRIMARY GOALS FOCUSED ON REALLY A SET OF 6-8 GOALS, BUT YOU ALSO WANT TO HAVE OPPORTUNITY GOALS.
THESE ARE GOALS THAT MAYBE AREN'T THE MOST AT THE FOREFRONT IN TERMS OF YOUR RESOURCE ALLOCATION, BUT AS TIME GOES ON AND OPPORTUNITIES PRESENT THEMSELVES, THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT IF YOU CAN CAPITALIZE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMPLISH THEM, WE WISH TO DO SO.
THOSE OPPORTUNITY GOALS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS INCLUDING FINDING EXTERNAL GRANTS AND EVALUATE ESTABLISHING A CITY GRANT PROGRAM FOR NATURALLY OCCURRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPERTIES.
DEVELOPING A FORMAL PROCESS TO REVIEW GOALS, DEVELOPING A SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE CITY COUNCIL'S GOALS AND STRATEGIC PLAN REGARDING THIS WORK THAT YOU'VE PUT IN AND THE STATEMENT YOU HAVE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.
BUILDING END-TO-END COMMUNICATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CITY BUILDINGS AND SITES,
[00:25:01]
EDUCATING STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICIALS ON NIMS, WHICH IS THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING INTEGRATED ONLINE SERVICES, COMPLETING THE 43RD AND CENTRAL PUD APPROVAL AND INITIATING CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVING AND EXPANDING CODE ENFORCEMENT, INCLUDING EVALUATING A POINT-OF-SALE PROGRAM, CONTINUING WORKING TOWARDS CREATING A CITY WORKFORCE THAT ACCURATELY REPRESENTS THE COMMUNITY, ESTABLISHING CENTRALIZED TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS AND PROVIDING LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS AND LASTLY, STRENGTHENING BRAND AWARENESS ACROSS PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES, GOALS, AND ESPECIALLY AT THE LIQUOR STORE.WHERE THIS TAKES US NOW IS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE AND I PRESENT THIS TO YOU FOR YOUR ACCEPTANCE.
WITH THIS, IT'S MY RECOMMENDATION TO LINK THESE TOGETHER, TO LINK YOUR LONG-TERM DIRECTION, YOUR SHORT-TERM ACTION PLANS AND START THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING ACTION PLANS.
TYPICALLY, A GOOD ACTION PLAN WILL CONTAIN THREE AREAS, ONE WOULD BE MEASURABLES.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO MEASURE THESE GOALS IN TWO YEARS WHEN WE COME BACK AND SEE HOW WE DID? WHAT ARE THE ACTION STEPS? WHAT ARE THE STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE GOALS? WHAT ARE THE RESOURCE NEEDS? WHAT NEEDS DO YOU HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE GOALS? I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH KELLY ABOUT SHARING SOME RESOURCES AND SHARING SOME IDEAS IN TERMS OF HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING THAT AND HOW TO WORK WITH YOUR STAFF TO DO THAT AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONTINUE SHARING THAT IN THE FUTURE, BUT ULTIMATELY, AS I SAID AT THE BEGINNING, THE PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN, THE PURPOSE OF THIS GOALS PROGRAM IS TO KEEP THIS CONSISTENCY, KEEP THESE THINGS FRONT AND CENTER.
THESE ARE YOUR PRIORITIES, THESE ARE WHAT YOU VALUE AND TO KEEP THEM IN FRONT OF YOU AS YOU GO THROUGH THE COMING YEARS.
LASTLY, IT'S IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY COMMUNICATING THIS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION, BUT ALSO WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BEFORE YOU AND PRESENT THIS.
I HOPE THE COMMUNITY IS AS EXCITED ABOUT IT AS I AM BECAUSE I THINK YOU ALL PUT A LOT OF WORK AND TIME AND THOUGHT INTO THIS AND CAME BACK WITH A VERY IMPRESSIVE RESULT.
I WOULD STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OTHERWISE, I PRESENT THIS TO YOU FOR YOUR ACCEPTANCE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT WAS SUCH A REALLY A JOY TO WORK WITH STAFF AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL ABOUT COMING UP WITH THESE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.
IT WASN'T JUST FUN, BUT IT WAS LIKE, THIS IS WHY I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO WANTED TO BE A PART OF THE COUNCIL AND WORKING ON POLICY WAS TO HEAR THESE IDEAS FROM STAFF AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.
AS COUNCIL, WE REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY.
HEARING ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS WE'VE REACHED OUT TO PEOPLE AND FIND OUT HOW THEY WANT THE CITY TO MOVE FORWARD AND SEEING IT COME TOGETHER IN THIS PLANNING THING WAS A LOT OF FUN.
I WAS VERY MUCH NERDING OUT ABOUT HOW EXCITING IT WAS.
[LAUGHTER] ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING? THANK YOU, PHIL.
>> I LOVE THE PROCESS THE SECOND TIME I'VE GONE THROUGH IT AND THE CHANGES.
JUST ALL THE DIFFERENT IDEAS AND DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, THAT JUST SEEMED EVEN MORE ENERGETIC THIS TIME AROUND.
I REALLY LIKE THIS MISSION STATEMENT, ESPECIALLY AT THE BEGINNING, WE ARE HERE TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY TO DELIVER EQUITABLE SERVICES.
IT'S SO MUCH BETTER THAN OUR OTHER ONES, WHICH WAS BASICALLY A NUTS AND BOLTS STATEMENT THAT DIDN'T BRING THE LIFE OF OUR CITY INTO IT.
>> I HAVE TO MAKE SURE TO GIVE CREDIT.
KELLY AND BEN BALLS PUT A LOT OF [OVERLAPPING] EFFORT INTO THAT AND HELPED TO COME UP WITH THESE DRAFTS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING WITH OUR GOALS.
I'M PARTICULARLY EXCITED TO SEE US WORK ON A PROCESS TO LINK THE MISSION STATEMENT AND OUR SIX AREAS WITH OUR GOALS BECAUSE OUR GOALS ARE ALL VERY PRACTICAL, CONCRETE THINGS AND OUR SIX AREAS ARE ALL ASPIRATIONAL AND EXCITING CORE STRATEGIES.
THAT'S WHERE MY MIND GOES NEXT, IS HOW DO WE TAKE OUR SIX AREAS AND BRING THEM INTO ALL OF THE PLANNING WORK THAT IT LOOKS LIKE OUR FOCUS WILL BE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS?
>> COUNCIL, THANK YOU. COUNCIL JACOB'S?
>> IT WAS A JOY TO PARTICIPATE AND I THINK THAT IT'S A VERY ACHIEVABLE PLAN [INAUDIBLE] WHICH IS THOSE PIECES COMING TOGETHER IN REALITY.
>> I WILL JUST BE THE FOURTH ONE TO SAY THE SAME THING.
BASICALLY, IT WAS A GREAT PROCESS TO GO THROUGH WITH EVERYONE AND HEAR NOT ONLY WHAT OUR GOALS ARE, BUT OUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR THE CITY AS WELL.
IT WAS REALLY ENJOYABLE TO GET TOGETHER AND THEN SEE THIS COME TO LIFE AND HAVE A GUIDING DOCUMENT OVER THE NEXT, 2, 4, 10 YEARS TO FOLLOW US AND GROUND US WHEN WE NEED IT OURSELVES. THANK YOU.
>> KELLY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING?
>> JUST THAT, THANK YOU TO PHIL FOR FACILITATING THIS [INAUDIBLE] FOR OUR COUNCIL AND STAFF.
[00:30:04]
AS STAFF, IT IS VERY ENERGIZING TO BE HERE AND BE A PART OF THE GOALS AND VISIONS FOR ALL OF OUR APPLICATIONS.WE DO YOUR WORK, WE DO THE COMMUNITY'S WORK AND IT'S NICE WHEN WE GET TO SEE THEM GET ASPIRATIONAL PIECES COME INTO OUR DAILY LIVES AND HOW DOES THAT ALL FIT TOGETHER.
I AGREE. I THINK THIS MISSION STATEMENT IS A MUCH BETTER PROJECTION OF WHAT OUR GOALS AND OUR PURPOSE ARE HERE AND SO IT'S NICE TO SEE ALL OF THOSE IN A DOCUMENT THAT ISN'T SO BIG THAT PEOPLE, THEY LOOK AT IT AND THEY GET DAUNTED AND THEY PUT IT AWAY.
THIS IS REALLY A DIGESTIBLE DOCUMENT, JUST A FEW PAGES IN SIZE THAT'S WORKABLE AND ANYONE FROM THE COMMUNITY CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND REALLY SEE WHAT ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND WHAT ALL OF THE STAFF ARE HERE TO DO.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PROCESS AND PHIL FOR WALKING US THROUGH IT AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. COUNSELOR BUESGENS.
>> ONE QUESTION. ARE THESE OUR MISSION STATEMENT AND OUR PILLARS AND OUR GOALS ARE THEY GOING TO BE LISTED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND OUR CITY WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE, LIKE IN THE FRONT WHERE WE ANNOUNCE NEW THINGS, SO PEOPLE CAN CLICK RIGHT ON IT AND THE REST OF US CAN SHARE?
>> THEY WILL BE AS SOON AS YOU ADOPT THEM.
[LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] AND THEN WE'LL INCORPORATE THEM INTO ALL OF OUR DOCUMENTS AND OTHER THINGS AS WELL. YES.
>> THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
DO WE HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO PULL? COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS? [OVERLAPPING]>> ITEM NUMBER SIX HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO PULL. I'M ALRIGHT WITH THAT.
ANY OTHER ITEMS? KEVIN, MOTION TO ACCEPT? WELL, YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH IT FIRST?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
ITEM NUMBER 1 IS APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 9TH AND FEBRUARY 16TH CITY COUNCIL GOALS-SETTING MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 2 IS THE APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 6TH CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES.
ITEM 3 IS APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 7TH JOINT SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 4 IS APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 13TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 5 IS APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 13TH AND 14TH SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 7 IS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2023-23, AND THAT'S AWARDING A COPIER CONTRACT TO COORDINATED BUSINESS SYSTEMS AND APPROPRIATING A BUDGET OF $60,000 FROM FUND BALANCE, GOVERNMENTAL EQUIPMENT FUND 431.
THAT'S PRIMARILY FOR THE NEW CITY HALL, BUT IT DOES INCORPORATE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL.
ITEM 8 IS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2023-24.
RESOLUTION ON MEN'S RESOLUTION 2023-001, WHICH DESIGNATES DEPOSITORIES AND SIGNATORIES, MAKING SURE THAT WE ONLY NEED TWO OFFICIAL SIGNATURES ON OFFICIAL BANK DOCUMENTS INSTEAD OF THE THREE.
ITEM 9 IS APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER 1 FOR 37TH AVENUE DESIGN.
ITEM 10 IS APPROVAL OF THE CAPITAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PURCHASE FOR THE EMPTY TRACKLESS SIDEWALK MACHINE AND THAT'S FOR A TOTAL OF $193,110 FROM THE PARK'S CAPITAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND.
ITEM 7 IS APPROVAL OF THE SERVICE FLUX CONTRACT WITH PRIME X FOR THE SCADA UPGRADES.
ITEM 12 IS APPROVAL OF THE LICENSE AGENDA IN YOUR PACKET.
ITEM 13 IS APPROVAL OF THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES ALSO IN YOUR PACKET AND ITEM 14 IS A REVIEW OF THE BILLS TOTALING $909,860.34.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH ITEM NUMBER 6 REMOVED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
BEFORE WE HEAD TO ITEM NUMBER 6, ONE OF OUR GUESTS HAD A QUICK QUESTION.
>> IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A GROUP PICTURE. IS THAT POSSIBLE?
>> SURE. CAN WE JUST PAUSE THE MEETING TO DO THAT?
>> I THINK LIKE A QUICK RECESS?
>> A LITTLE QUICK RECESS? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE WILL DO A QUICK RECESS.
YES. [BACKGROUND] THANK YOU TO HAVE EVERYONE DO THAT, SO THANK YOU.
[BACKGROUND] ALL RIGHT THEN, I BELIEVE WE'LL BE FINISHED WITH OUR RECESS AND WE WILL START THE MEETING AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. CITY MANAGER BOURGEOIS,
[6. Adopt Resolution 2023-21, Appointing Board and Commission Members.]
COULD YOU PLEASE TAKE US THROUGH ITEM NUMBER 6?>> YES. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, ITEM NUMBER 6 IS ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2023-21.
THAT RESOLUTION APPOINTS BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS FOR THE 2023 TERM.
BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL MET IN WORK SESSIONS ON MARCH 13TH AND
[00:35:03]
14TH AND INTERVIEWED ALL OF THE BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICANTS AND THERE WERE 13 OF THEM, WHICH IS A GREAT TURNOUT.THE LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER PROPOSED TO BE APPOINTED TONIGHT IS MELANIE MADGA.
THE PARK AND REC COMMISSION, BASED ON THE INTERVIEWS, THE RECOMMENDATION OR THE DECISION AT THE COUNCIL WORK SESSIONS WAS TO APPOINT TAHLIA HAZELL AND ANDREA ULSTERGUARD.
THEN A NOTE AT THE LAST PARK AND REC COMMISSION MEETING, BRYAN CLERKIN VERBALLY GAVE HIS RESIGNATION.
HE HAS JUST SOME PERSONAL COMMITMENTS, BUSINESS COMMITMENTS THAT WERE TAKING TOO MUCH TIME.
SO THERESA IZENBISE WHO HAD APPLIED AND HAD BEEN INTERVIEWED BOTH FOR LIBRARY BOARD AND PARK AND REC COMMISSION, WE REACHED OUT TO HER AND SHE IS INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE PARK AND REC COMMISSION.
TONIGHT WE'VE ADDED THAT FOR THE THIRD COMMISSION APPOINTMENT FOR PARK AND RECREATION.
THEN, JOHN, I MAY NOT SAY HIS NAME RIGHT.
JONALIS IS OUR PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT FOR THE EVENING.
AGAIN, THAT'S RESOLUTION 2023-21, MAKING THOSE FORMAL APPOINTMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING?
>> NO, I JUST WANT TO WELCOME ALL THE NEW COMMISSIONERS TO THEIR POSTS.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WORK THEY SHALL BRING TO THE COUNCIL, SO I'M VERY EXCITED.
THANK YOU. FOR THE PREVIOUS WHO ENDED THEIR TERMS, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THEIR SERVICE.
HOPEFULLY, WE WILL HAVE A RECOGNITION PLAQUES COMING UP, I THINK IS WHAT WE USUALLY DO.
NORMALLY WE DO THE PROCLAMATIONS AND THAT AT THE SECOND MEETING OF THE MONTH, SO THE END OF THE SECOND MEETING IN APRIL.
>> RIGHT, SO THANK YOU, EVERYONE. THANK YOU. KELLY.
>> THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SERVED AND TO THOSE WHO APPLIED, I JUST WANT TO SAY WE ALL HAD SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME CHOOSING BECAUSE WE HAD 13 REALLY GREAT CANDIDATES AND I'M SO THANKFUL FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BEING SO PROACTIVE.
I WISH WE HAD SPACE ON ALL THE COMMISSIONS FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE WE NEED SO MUCH GOOD LEADERSHIP AND IT WAS WONDERFUL TO MEET YOU ALL AND TO SHARE AND I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR THESE THAT ARE BEING APPROVED TONIGHT AS WELL AS OUR NEW CHARTER COMMISSION MEMBER BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME EXCITING LEADERS IN THAT TEAM.
>> I AGREE. ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS?
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT BOTH PRIOR TO MY BEING ELECTED TO COUNCIL AND DURING COUNCIL, I'VE PROBABLY OBSERVED ABOUT AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT PROCESSES OF COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS, AND THE FIELD OF APPLICANTS THIS TIME WAS EXTRAORDINARY.
IT IS JUST SUCH A THRILL TO SEE THAT TYPE OF APPLICATION HAVE THOSE APPLICANTS COME FORWARD IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WANT TO TAKE THEIR PLACE AND STEP INTO THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I THINK THE ONLY THING I'D ADD IS FIRST, THANK EVERYONE FOR APPLYING AND EXCITED TO SEE EVERYONE GET STARTED, AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE EITHER NOT SELECTED OR MAYBE INTERESTED IN SERVING, WE WILL HAVE THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION COMING UP AS WELL SO KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR THAT.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR THAT TO START HERE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
WITH THAT, YEAH, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL JUST, OF COURSE, ECHO THE SENTIMENT FROM THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AND OUR APPRECIATION FOR ALL OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS WHO APPLIED.
I DID GIVE A PHONE CALL TO EVERYONE THANKING THEM FOR APPLYING AND FOR PEOPLE WHO, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION AND CHOICE TO MAKE OF WHO WOULD BE APPOINTED TO THE COMMISSION, REACHED OUT TO ASK PEOPLE IF THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AT THE LIBRARY.
I MEAN OTHER WAYS TO STAY INVOLVED BECAUSE THAT PASSION IS SO NEEDED AND EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
WE WILL ALWAYS BE ASKING FOR MORE COMMISSIONS.
IN ANOTHER 12 MONTHS, WE WILL BE ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO APPLY AGAIN.
[LAUGHTER] IF YOU'RE STILL INTERESTED OR HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER COMMISSIONS YOU'RE NOW THINKING ABOUT APPLYING, WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR MORE PEOPLE TO APPLY NEXT YEAR.
[APPLAUSE] THERE WE GO. OH, OKAY.
>> MAY WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM?
>> MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING BECAUSE WE DIDN'T FULLY READ THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-2021.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO WAIVE THE READING?
>> NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-21, APPOINTING CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE NEW MEMBERS.
[00:40:02]
>> WE DO HAVE ONE MEMBER HERE IN THE MEETING TONIGHT.
[INAUDIBLE] IS JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING YOUR WHOLE FAMILY TO RECEIVE YOUR COMMISSION.
YES, YOUR DADDY IS GOING TO BE A NEW COMMISSIONER HERE.
NEXT FOR OUR COUNCIL MEETING IS, WELL IS OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH WE HAVE NONE TONIGHT.
THEN WE MOVE TO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.
[15. Interim City Manager Appointment. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2023-22, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 2023-22 appointing Kevin Hansen as the Interim City Manager.]
OUR FIRST ITEM NUMBER 15, IS FOR OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER APPOINTMENT.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
AS WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE LAST MEETING, I WILL BE RESIGNING MY POSITION EFFECTIVE APRIL 13TH.
WITH THAT, WE NEED TO HAVE A CITY MANAGER APPOINTED.
I'VE TALKED WITH KEVIN AND I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE WORK SESSION AS WELL.
I RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNCIL APPOINT FOR AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSEN, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND CITY ENGINEER.
I THINK HE'LL DO A WONDERFUL JOB.
IF ALL WORKS OUT AND YOU MOVE INTO 2024, I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IF EVERYONE CONSIDERED THAT AS A PERMANENT APPOINTMENT.
BUT FOR THIS EVENING, JUST THE RECOMMENDATION AND THE RESOLUTION 2023-22 IS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPOINT KEVIN HANSEN AS THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER EFFECTIVE APRIL 14TH, AND THAT RUNS THROUGH THE END OF 2023.
THE SALARY PROPOSED FOR THAT AS 161,491.
THEN I DID INCLUDE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
KEVIN IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC MANAGERS ASSOCIATION UNION.
DURING HIS INTERIM APPOINTMENTS THAT WILL BE SUSPENDED.
WE ARE ENTERING INTO AN MOU WITH THE PMAS FOR THAT.
THERE'S MORE DETAILS WITHIN THE MOU IN YOUR PACKET.
THAT MOU DOES NOT HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY COUNCIL.
IT WAS REALLY FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR YOU.
I WOULD BE ASKING THE COUNCIL TO ACT ON TONIGHT'S RESOLUTION 2023-22, APPOINTING KEVIN HANSEN AS THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING?
>> MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-22, THERE BEING HANDLED COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS TO WAIVE THE READING. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-22, APPOINTING KEVIN HANSEN AS THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
EVEN THOUGH WE WILL MISS KELLY, [BACKGROUND] SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO KEVIN.
>> THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.
>> IT'S HARD [OVERLAPPING] TO READ THAT, BUT I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE DID GO THROUGH A VERY IN-DEPTH MEETING IN THE CONSOLE AND TALKING WITH KELLY ABOUT THE TRANSITION.
I JUST WANT OUR COMMUNITY REALLY FEEL THAT NOT ONLY IS THE CITY IN GOOD HANDS, IN GREAT HANDS WITH KEVIN, THE COUNCIL FULLY SUPPORTS THIS, AS WELL AS STAFF.
I THINK THE TRANSITION WILL GO REALLY WELL FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH IT JUST SEEMS SO SEAMLESS.
I JUST WANT TO REASSURE THE COMMUNITY HOW MUCH THOUGHT HAS BEEN PUT INTO THIS LAW AND HOW MUCH WORK HAS BEEN DONE OVER THE YEARS TO GET TO THIS.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL, SO WE'LL MOVE ON. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU.
[16. Approval of Agreement for Building Official Services Between the City of Columbia Heights and Rum River Ventures, LLC. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2023-25, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2023-25, a resolution approving an agreement for building official services between the City of Columbia Heights and Rum River Ventures, LLC.]
THE APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR BUILDING OFFICIALS SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND RUM RIVER VENTURES, LLC.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT EASIER ONE.
OUR EXISTING ON STAFF BUILDING OFFICIAL RYAN SMITH IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUT HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A LEAVE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
WITH HIS LEAVE, THERE WON'T BE ANYONE BECAUSE IT'S JUST A ONE-PERSON INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT THAT WE HAVE.
THERE WON'T BE ANYONE TO PROVIDE BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE CITY.
A COUPLE OF WEEKS, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO NOT HAVE ANYONE TO PROVIDE THOSE PERMIT AND INSPECTION SERVICES.
WITH THAT, AND THEN JUST SO WE DO HAVE A BACKUP IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS WHERE RYAN ISN'T ABLE TO PROVIDE INSPECTION SERVICES.
IN YOUR PACKET IS A CONTRACT WITH RUM RIVER VENTURES, LLC TO PROVIDE THOSE INSPECTION SERVICES ON JUST A CONTRACT AS-NEEDED BASIS, BOTH FOR RYAN'S IMPENDING LEAVE, BUT ALSO THEN MOVING INTO THE FUTURE IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR,
[00:45:03]
THAT WE WOULD NEED THAT BACKUP SERVICE.RESOLUTION 2023-25 APPROVES ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH RUM RIVER VENTURES FOR BUILDING INSPECTIONS SERVICES.
AGAIN, MOVING FORWARD JUST ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> I JUST HAVE A COMMENT IF THAT'S ALRIGHT.
>> I'M REALLY APPRECIATING THIS, BUT THE CONTRACT RATE, I THINK OUR LOCATION, GIVES US THIS OPPORTUNITY.
THIS IS JUST FANTASTIC TO HAVE ABILITY TO JUST CHARGE SOMEONE FOR THE QUICK SERVICE.
I THINK A LOT OF STUDIES WOULD HAVE TO HIRE AN ADDITIONAL OR A BACKUP PERSON.
THIS WILL SAVE US MONEY, BUT ALSO GIVES US THAT FLEXIBILITY.
I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR THE STAFF WORKING THIS OUT TO HAVE A CONTRACTED BUILDING OFFICIAL.
I'VE TALKED WITH OTHER COHORTS IN OTHER CITIES AND THEY JUST DON'T HAVE ANYONE WHEN THEIR BUILDING INSPECTOR IS GONE OR THEY HIRE TWO PEOPLE AT A MUCH HIGHER COST.
THIS IS A REALLY CREATIVE GOOD IDEA.
>> THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING?
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-25, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-25, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR BUILDING OFFICIAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND RUM RIVER VENTURES, LLC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU. WE HAVE NOTHING TONIGHT FOR ORDINANCES RESOLUTIONS.
[17. Accept Bids and Award Contract for Sanitary Sewer Lining, City Project 2304. MOTION: Move to accept bids and award the contract for Sanitary Sewer Lining, City Project 2304, to Hydro-Klean Solutions Group based upon their low, qualified, responsible bid in the amount of $486,657 with funds to be appropriated from Fund 652.9999.45185.2304, and, furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for the same.]
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR BID CONSIDERATIONS, NUMBER 17, ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD CONTRACT FOR SANITARY SEWER LINING FOR CITY PROJECT 2304.I ASSUME, KEVIN YOU'RE GOING TO [INAUDIBLE]
>> CORRECT. THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
BEFORE YOU TONIGHT ARE BIDS FOR AN ANNUAL PROGRAM THAT WE DO FOR SANITARY SEWER LINING.
LINING OUR SANITARY SEWERS DOES A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT HELPS US EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE SEWERS.
IT ALSO HELPS US WITH CERTAIN ISSUES THAT WE HAVE WITHIN OUR SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM FOR ROOT INTRUSION AND THEN ALSO FOR INI.
IT ACHIEVES SEVERAL THINGS FOR US.
IT'S AN ANNUAL PROGRAM THAT WE DO.
IN 2022, WE DID NOT DO SANITARY SEWER LINE AS OUR WORK EFFORT WAS FOCUSED ON CENTRAL AVENUE WITH MANHOLE AND OTHER STRUCTURAL REPLACEMENTS.
THIS IS REALLY A TWO-YEAR COMBINATION SO TAKING CARE OF BOTH '22 AND '23.
THE WORK HERE WILL BE DONE PRIMARILY AGAIN ON CENTRAL AVENUE FROM 37TH UP TO 44TH, AND THEN ALSO ON 40TH AVENUE.
THESE ARE TWO AREAS WE REALLY WANT TO GET THROUGH CENTRAL AVENUE FOR WORK THAT'S ANTICIPATED TO OCCUR ON CENTRAL AVENUE. WE'RE DONE WITH THAT.
THEN ALSO FOR 40TH AVENUE, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY TO TRY TO DEVELOP SOME PLANS ON THAT, SO WE'RE THROUGH WITH THAT ALSO.
WE DID RECEIVE THREE BIDS FOR THIS WORK.
THE LOW BID CAME IN FROM HYDROCLEAN.
THIS IS A COMPANY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT HAS DONE OUR SANITARY SEWER LINING PROGRAM.
I WOULD NOTE THAT THE BID PRICING, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT, IS HIGHER AND IT'S HIGHER THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN PAST YEARS.
IT'S REALLY DUE TO INFLATIONARY INCREASES FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK.
WE'RE RECOMMENDING AWARD OF THE BID TO HYDROCLEAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $486,657. MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BIDS AND AWARD THE CONTRACT?
>> MOVE TO ACCEPT THE BIDS AND AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR SANITARY SEWER LINING CITY PROJECT 2304 TO HYDROCLEAN SOLUTIONS GROUP BASED UPON THEIR LOW QUALIFIED RESPONSIBLE BID IN THE AMOUNT OF $486,657 WITH FUNDS TO BE APPROPRIATED FROM FUNDS 652.9999.45185.2304.
FURTHERMORE, TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER TO INTERACT AND TO LOOK AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE SAME.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
DID YOU GET THAT, SARAH? THANK YOU.
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT WE HAVE, I GUESS THAT'S IT, TO ACCEPT THE BID. THANK YOU.
WE HAVE NO NEW BUSINESS AND REPORTS.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
NEXT WE HAVE OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.WE CAN START WITH THE COUNCILMEMBER, WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST?
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER JAMES. [LAUGHTER]
>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE HAVE HAD A GREAT WEEK.
IN MARCH 14TH, I WAS ABLE TO VISIT THE CAPITAL WITH
[00:50:03]
THE ISAIAH GROUP OF INTERFAITH CLERGY TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE.I AGAIN SPOKE TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND IF THAT GOES THROUGH, THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR CITY.
I ENCOURAGE ALL TO WATCH THAT.
ALSO, WE HAD A, I HAD MENTIONED EARLIER, FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE INTERVIEWING ON THE 14TH AND 15TH THE CANDIDATES FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
BEFORE I WENT TO ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE, I WENT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, WHICH WAS ON ZOOM WITH CHIEF AUSTIN.
IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HEAR ABOUT THE EVENTS COMING UP AND TO CONNECT WITH OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETINGS, THEY'RE JUST HALF AN HOUR LONG AND IT'S ON ZOOM.
IT'S VERY ACCESSIBLE. IT WAS A GREAT DAY.
LIKE I SAID, I DID GO TO THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE.
THANK YOU TO THE MINNEAPOLIS ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE ORGANIZATION, LOCAL FAMILIES HERE, THE CLERKLANDS, AND TO THE DFW AND THE LIONS FOR CO-SPONSORING THAT PARADE.
IT WAS VERY FUN. IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD.
MY KID GOT AN ENTIRE BAG OF CANDY BECAUSE THERE WASN'T VERY MANY KIDS.
[LAUGHTER] THEY WERE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
I WAS A SIGNER ON A LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE LEGISLATION THROUGH THE MINNESOTA CITIES CLIMATE COALITION.
I ATTENDED THE ZOOM MEETING OF THE MINDOT AND METRO TRANSIT TO THE CENTRAL UNIVERSITY AVENUE STUDY MEETING.
IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A MEETING, THERE IS AN ONLINE SURVEY.
YOU GET TO SEE ALL THE OPTIONS AND TO VOTE. IT WAS REALLY FUN.
I ALSO WENT TO THE LIBRARY ON SATURDAY TO DO THEIR PUZZLE COMPETITION.
IT WAS WONDERFUL. SO CREATIVE.
THANKS TO COURTNEY, THE ADULT LIBRARIAN, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOR SUPPORTING IT AND TO DO IT.
WE HAD A LOT OF TEAMS. I THINK THERE WAS 12 TEAMS. WE DIDN'T WIN, BUT WE SURE HAD A LOT OF FUN.
MY DAUGHTER AND I PUT TOGETHER TWO PUZZLES.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS.
>> FIRST OFF, I ATTENDED THE MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION BOARD MEETING.
I ALSO ATTENDED VIA ZOOM A MINI ROUNDABOUT WEBINAR THAT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING.
THEN I ATTENDED THE OPEN HOUSE THAT MINDOT PUT ON TO LAY OUT FOUR DIFFERENT CONCEPTS FOR CENTRAL AND UNIVERSITY.
IT WAS VERY INTERESTING, FAIRLY GOOD TURNOUT.
BUT THEY HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD IDEAS TO HELP.
THE NUMBER 1 PRIORITY OF OURS IS TO MAKE CENTRAL AND UNIVERSITY SAFE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER ROUND A YEAR FROM NOW, I BELIEVE, THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING, BUT THERE'S SOME OTHER PROCESS WHERE THERE'LL BE TALKING TO THE PUBLIC ONE MORE TIME BEFORE IT GOES TO THE ENGINEERS AND WE START LOOKING FOR FUNDINGS FOR IT.
THEN THE LAST ONE I ATTENDED, I WAS FILLED IN FOR MAYOR SIMULA FOR THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, AND PART OF THAT MEETING, THEY REVIEWED THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED FOR OUR PARKS.
WE HAVE LOTS OF WORK TO DO, AND THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER JAMES.
>> YEAH. I ATTENDED SEVERAL CITY MEETINGS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, INCLUDING THE COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS.
DISAPPOINTED THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE [NOISE] [INAUDIBLE] MEETINGS, BUT I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO COUNCILMEMBER BISKINS FOR KEEPING ME UP-TO-DATE ON THAT.
[LAUGHTER] AS WELL, I ATTENDED THE FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING OPEN HOUSE, AND I WAS A GUEST OF THE MAYOR FOR THE ROAD BERRY BREAKFAST ALONG WITH THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER.
I JUST WANTED TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT [INAUDIBLE] IS SELLING BANNERS TO HONOR OUR LOVED ONES THAT HAVE SERVED IN THE MILITARY.
THEY INCORPORATE A PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE, AND BLUE DESIGN.
THOSE BANNERS CAN INCLUDE A PHOTO, AND SERVICE STATES OF YOUR LOVED ONES.
THE BANNERS ARE THE SAME WAY IN QUALITY AS THOSE THAT WE USED FOR THE-
>> CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, THANK YOU. THEY'RE VERY SIMILAR.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE SAME SIZE AND WEIGHT.
THEY'RE VERY STURDY. THEY'LL COST $150 A BANNER.
WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE ALL THE ORDERS IN BY APRIL 15TH.
I HAVE SOME APPLICATIONS HERE IF ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN ONE OR YOU CAN CONTACT MYSELF OR JULIE FOSTER FOR MORE INFORMATION.
THE PROCEEDS FROM THESE BANNER SALES WILL GO TO THE KEY CLUB KIDS.
I'M NOT SURE SPECIFICALLY HOW IT'S GOING TO BE SPENT, BUT I WOULDN'T BE A BIT SURPRISED IF IT WOULD OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS.
YOU'VE HEARD THEIR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, SO THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO A VERY GOOD CAUSE.
JUST TO MENTION THAT THE KEY KIDS ARE OFTEN SEEN AROUND IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITY EVENTS.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST, THEY'RE CLEARING TABLES AND COFFEEING EVERYBODY AND WORKING AT DIFFERENT JAMVARI EVENTS AND OTHER THINGS.
WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGS.
>> YEAH. I HAVE SOME DUPLICATION HERE AS BEEN PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, BUT ON MARCH 14TH, I ALSO ATTENDED THE COMMISSION INTERVIEWS, WHICH WERE GREAT, AND I WAS ALSO AT THE CAPITOL THAT DAY FOR A DIFFERENT REASON THOUGH.
[00:55:04]
THE MAYOR AND I WERE THERE WITH RESIDENTS FROM THE LEGENDS THERE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS WITH DOMINIUM AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDING AND ALSO THE RENT HIKES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED THERE.THERE WERE A COUPLE OF STATE LEGISLATORS THAT ALSO SPOKE THERE AND IT WAS GREAT TO GET TOGETHER THERE AND MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.
THEN ALONG WITH THAT, THEY HAD ASKED ME TO FORWARD OUT THE LETTER WE ALL SIGNED TO THE OTHER CITIES THAT WERE INDEPENDENT.
I EMAILED THAT OUT TO THE MAYORS AND COUNCILS OF THOSE CITIES AND GOTTEN SOME RESPONSES BACK AND HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSION WITH THEM AS WELL AND SEEING IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO COLLABORATIVELY AROUND THE ISSUE.
I ALSO ATTENDED THAT MINDOT MEETING IN NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS ABOUT RECONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL AND UNIVERSITY AND WOULD NOTE THAT WE HAD A VERY STRONG SHOWING FOR PEOPLE FROM COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THERE, WHICH WAS GREAT TO SEE, HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD.
I ALSO SIGNED ONTO THAT MINNESOTA CLIMATE COALITION LETTER FOR CLIMATE LEGISLATION AT THE CAPITOL.
THEN I ALSO ATTENDED THEIR LAST MEETING, LAST WEEK, AND THERE WAS A GOOD PRESENTATION THEY HAD FROM THE MET COUNCIL AND THE CENTER FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ABOUT PLANNING COMING UP FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THEY HAD ASKED FOR COUNSELS TO STAY INFORMED AND ENGAGED ABOUT THAT AS THEY ASKED FOR RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT AROUND THE WORK.
JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP OUR EYES OUT ON FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
THEN COUPLE OF EVENTS FOR TOMORROW.
THERE'S A MEETING AT THE LEGENDS WITH THE RESIDENTS THERE AND I WILL BE THERE JUST TO TALK FURTHER ABOUT QUESTIONS, CONCERNS THEY HAVE AS WELL.
THEN TOMORROW THERE'S ALSO A TOUR OF THE CITY HALL.
ALL THE COUNSEL WILL BE THERE, WHICH WILL BE EXCITING.
THEN MOST OF YOU PROBABLY HAD SEEN NOW ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN NASHVILLE TODAY.
JUST WANTED TO COMMENT THAT I'M HEARTBROKEN FOR THEM AND JUST THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE THAT IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY TO OUR KIDS WITH GUN VIOLENCE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WE JUST NEED TO DO BETTER ABOUT THAT. THAT'S ALL.
>> THANK YOU. I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND HAD NOT HEARD THAT NEWS YET, SO THANK YOU.
FOR MY REPORT I HAVE, OF COURSE, DUPLICATES.
I REALLY THINK IT'S EXCITING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY DUPLICATES THAT WE ARE, AS A COUNSEL, SO INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WHEN WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE THERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WE REALLY TAKE THEM.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENCES BECAUSE WE HEAR ABOUT DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES.
I THINK THAT THAT'S REALLY GREAT.
I JUST READ TODAY THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT OUR LEGENDS MEETING AT THE CAPITALS.
I JUST THINK IT WAS VERY EXCITING THAT OUR SENIORS HERE AND ACROSS THE STATE, I THINK THERE WERE SEVEN DIFFERENT CITIES THAT WERE LISTED, BUT IT'S A TWO-PAGE ARTICLE IN THE LIFE NEWSPAPER.
FOR A SECOND-PAGE, COLOR PHOTO ABOVE THE FOLD.
BUT TALKED ABOUT OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS AND HOW WELL THEY CAME TOGETHER.
ANOTHER ARTICLE IT WAS IN THE NORTH EASTER WAS ABOUT THE NLX, THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS.
THERE'S A LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN THERE ABOUT THAT AND HOW WE COULD HELP WITH JOBS AND TRANSPORTATION TO DULUTH.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT TOPIC, YOU CAN SEE THAT AT NORTHERNLIGHTSEXPRESS.ORG. WE'RE ALSO A PART OF, OF COURSE, FINISHING THE COMMISSION INTERVIEWS.
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR APPLYING AND ALL OF THE STAFF.
I KNOW SARAH INR, CITY CLERK DID A LOT TO CONNECT WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE, SETTING UP ALL OF THEIR APPOINTMENTS.
THERE ARE ABOUT A 20-MINUTE INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT AND SO SCHEDULING THAT WITH 13 APPLICANTS IS A LOT.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US GET THAT PROCESS THROUGH VERY WELL.
WE HAD A PLANNING MEETING FOR THE GARDEN AT THE BLOOMING SUNSHINE LOMIANKI GARDEN AND IT'S SO EXCITING IN MARCH TO BE PLANTING GARDENS, [LAUGHTER] ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE SNOW WE'VE HAD, SO THAT WAS REALLY FUN.
ATTENDED OUR CITY MANAGER TRANSITION MEETING.
I AM VERY SORRY I MISSED THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND WHERE ARE YOU IN THE PARADE? THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
OKAY [LAUGHTER] I'M EXCITED TO HEAR YOUR REPORT ABOUT THAT AND THEN TODAY THE COUNCIL GOT HERE AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE IN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BAKE-OFF AND JUST WANT TO THANK OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THE WORK.
THEY REALLY PLAN THESE FUN EVENTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND TO SEE ALL OF THE PICTURES OF ALL THE CAKES AND I GUESS BAKING GOODS THAT OUR YOUTH DID.
IT WAS VERY FUN TO VOTE IN THAT.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY WHO WAS A PARTICIPANT AND THAT IS THE END OF MY REPORT.
>> THANK YOU. YOU SAID RECREATION DOES SO MANY GREAT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS AND THEY SENT ME A LIST OF SOME OF THAT UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS FOR THE MOST PART THAT REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR.
[01:00:03]
KINDERGARTEN TO FIRST GRADE T BALL AND SECOND AND THIRD GRADE SQUIRTS BASEBALL, THEY BOTH HAVE OPENINGS FOR MOST PARK LOCATIONS.LADIES NIGHT BASKETBALL IS MONDAY NIGHTS FROM 6:00 -8:00 AT THE HIGHLANDER CENTER UNTIL MAY 22.
THAT'S OPENED TWO LADIES 13 YEARS AND OLDER, BOTH RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT AND YOU CAN JUST PAY $2 AT THE DOOR TO GET IN THERE.
VOLLEYBALL, THERE'S A CLASS FOR SIXTH TO EIGHTH GRADERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN VOLLEYBALL STARTING IN MAY AND THERE'S STILL SPACE AVAILABLE THERE.
THEN THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ADULT CO-ED SOFTBALL FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A TEAM FOR MEN'S, THURSDAY NIGHT SOFTBALL LEAGUES YET.
ANYONE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THAT CAN GO ON OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT OF PHONE CALL.
IN ADDITION, YES, I WAS THE GRAND MARSHAL AGAIN THIS YEAR AT THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE, WHICH WAS A SURPRISE, BUT IT WAS WONDERFUL AND WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE OUR NEW FIRE ENGINE IN THE PARADE AGAIN.
YES, IT'S NICE TO GET TO RIDE IN THAT AND NOT HAVE TO WALK OUTSIDE.
BUT ALSO OUR FIRE HONOR GUARD WERE WALKING THE PARADE SO WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THEIR DOING THAT, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE WEATHER.
STILL GOOD TURN OUT EVEN WITH THE WEATHER.
THEN THERE WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT OVER AT MERCHANTS HALL AFTER THE PARADE SO IT WAS STILL A LOT OF FUN.
I THINK THEY SAID THE COLDEST ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
NOT WARM, BUT STILL A GREAT TIME.
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS SO IF ANYONE HAS A NOMINATION, PLEASE, THEY CAN GO ON OUR WEBSITE AND SUBMIT THAT UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
DOUG ULMAN IS DOING A PRESENTATION AT OUR LIBRARY THIS WEEKEND.
IT'S CALLED URBAN GEMS OF ST. PAUL, AND THAT'S ON SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST AT 11:00 A.M. RSVP'S ARE NOT REQUIRED, BUT THEY'RE APPRECIATE IT IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO ATTEND AND GIVE THE LIBRARY COLUMN, LET THEM KNOW THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
FINALLY, POTHOLE REPORTING, I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS HOW GREAT THIS YEAR HAS BEEN FOR POTHOLES.
I ACTUALLY DROVE THROUGH ST. CLAUDE OVER THE WEEKEND AND THEY HAD BIG SIGNS ON HIGHWAY 10 TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE POTHOLES WERE SO BAD ON THE HIGHWAY.
IF YOU DO KNOW OF A POTHOLE, PLEASE CALL PUBLIC WORKS OR WE HAVE THE FORM FOR THE POTHOLE NOTIFICATIONS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE.
PLEASE FILL THOSE OUT, I KNOW PUBLIC WORK TRACKS THOSE AND THEN THEY PRIORITIZE THE PATCHING OF THOSE BASED ON TRAVEL VOLUMES AND JUST HOW IMPACTFUL THOSE ROADS IN THE POTHOLES ARE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE THIS EVENING. THANK YOU.
>> I'M SORRY, MAYOR, I'M SORRY, ONE MORE.
JOE SITTING BACK THERE, HE WOULD'VE SAID SOMETHING TO ME.
WE HAVE NOT DONE WATER SHUT OFFS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
WE PASSED A RESOLUTION BACK IN 2016 THAT DISCONTINUED DOING WATER SHUT OFFS FOR THE MOST PART AND WE JUST ASSESS DELINQUENT WATER BILLS.
HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE ONE PROPERTY WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE WATER SHUT OFF ON AND I JUST WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW ABOUT THAT.
FOR EVERYTHING WE CAN TELL IT AS NOT A RENTAL, IT'S AN OWNER OCCUPIED HOME AND WE'VE SENT MANY NOTICES AND ACTUALLY OUR PUBLIC WORK STAFF HAS GONE TO THE PROPERTY TO TALK WITH THE RESIDENTS AND TO NO AVAIL.
THEY CURRENTLY HAVE A $14,000 WATER BILL.
THAT'S AN ADDITION TO THE $7,000 THAT WERE CONVERTED TO SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS THIS LAST ROUND.
THERE'S SEEMINGLY NO CONCERN OR INTENT TO CORRECT THAT SO A SHUT-OFF IS REALLY OUR ONLY MEANS TO GET A RESOLUTION TO THAT END.
WE'RE ASSUMING THAT THERE'S A LEAK SOMEWHERE, BUT THERE'S JUST NO WILLING THERE TO GET IT CORRECTED.
I DO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE NOTICED SENT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER WILL GO THROUGH THAT ENTIRE PROCESS, HOPEFULLY AT SOME POINT BEFORE THE ACTUAL SHUTOFF WILL GET THEM ENGAGED AND WE'LL GET IT CORRECTED, BUT WE DO WANT TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT IT IS GOING DOWN THAT PATH.
WE DID PRESERVE THAT OPTION WITHIN THE ORDINANCE FOR UNUSUAL SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, WE'RE LUCKY THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD TO RELY ON THAT FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, BUT THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL ONE.
NEXT PART OF OUR MEETING IS OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
THE COMMUNITY FORUM IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.SARAH, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT. SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN-PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CITY CLERK.
ONCE CALLED TO THE PODIUM, THE SPEAKER SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
SPEAKERS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND A REQUEST TO SPEAK, AS WELL AS THEIR ADDRESS AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO THE MODERATOR USING THE CHAT FUNCTION AND WAIT TO BE CALLED ON TO SPEAK.
WHEN SPEAKING, VIRTUAL ATTENDEES SHOULD TURN THEIR CAMERAS ON.
[01:05:03]
ALL SPEAKERS SHOULD LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE-MINUTES AND ADDRESS THEIR COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, NOT TO INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS.PERSONAL ATTACKS, THREATS, THE USE OF PROFANITY AND OTHER DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS ARE PROHIBITED.
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS AND IF NEEDED, REQUESTS 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.
SARAH, WHO MAY LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT?
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ON ZOOM AND MR. JOHN ADLER WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU. WELCOME AND PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
JOHN ADLER, ADLER PROPERTIES, I OWN A RENTAL AT 4033 ARTHUR, CAN YOU HEAR THIS MICROPHONE?
>> LESS FAMOUS THAN MY BROTHER, THE CHRISTIAN CAMP DIRECTOR OR MY BROTHER, STATE SENATOR JIM ADLER.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, I'VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN RENTAL LICENSURE AND NOW IT'S $300 A YEAR.
A YEAR AGO I PAID $460 SINCE GOING FROM A FAMILY RENTAL, WHICH USED TO BE FREE THAN $50 THAN $75.
WE DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE AN INSPECTION.
INSPECTION WAS $160 AND THE LICENSE $300, WHICH IS CONSIDERING MORE THAN OTHER RENTAL PROPERTIES BUT I'LL ADDRESS THAT IN A MOMENT.
WHEN I BROUGHT THIS UP WITH A CITY MANAGER, MS. BOURGEOIS, SHE SAID THAT THERE ARE BEING SOME REAL ESTATE MATTERS BEING CONSIDERED AT THE TIME.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH A QUOTA ON THE NUMBER OF RENTAL LICENSURES AS A FUNCTION OF OVERALL SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT'S NOT EVEN NEAR THE 10% THRESHOLD IF WE'RE STILL ONLY AT 5.6% AS INVESTOR-OWNED OR 7% RENTAL.
BUT THIS OTHER CONCERN DOES GO BEGGING ABOUT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM ABOUT RENTAL LICENSURE.
IT WAS ALLUDED TO A LITTLE BIT.
IF RYAN WAS OUT AND HE DID THE INSPECTION FOR $160, IT WAS NO LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES.
OUR PROPERTY THAT HAD BEEN A FAMILY RENTAL FOR 10 YEARS PASSED WITH NO DEFICIENCIES, ZERO DEFICIENCIES.
OUR PROPERTY IS NO BETTER OFF OR WORSE OFF, BUT IT COST US $460.
I SUGGESTED, AND BEING IN TOUCH WITH DAN O'BRIEN AND ALSO WITH THE CITY MANAGER, THAT FOLLOWING SUIT TO SOME OTHER CITIES, ST. PAUL, SOUTH ST. PAUL, ANOKA, AS YOU'RE TRYING TO FIND OTHER MODELS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY TO GO TO A MULTIPLE YEAR LICENSE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE AND ALSO RE-READ THE STAFF REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE TO HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.
IN THIS CASE, IF RYAN'S NOT ABLE TO INSPECT THE PROPERTY, IT CERTAINLY MAKES HIS JOB OR HIS SUCCESSOR'S JOB EASIER IF THAT'S ONLY DONE, LET'S SAY ONCE EVERY THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
I HAVE SOME DOCUMENTS HERE THAT INDICATE FROM ANOKA THREE AND $30 LAST INSPECTION, 2019.
WE JUST HAD IT DONE LAST FRIDAY.
PASS, JUST A MINOR CHANGE IN SOME SMOKE ALARMS AND ALL OF MY SMOKE ALARMS TODAY ARE 10-YEAR SMOKE ALARMS, WHICH ARE PROBABLY SEALED AND I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
THAT'S SOMETHING I DO ON MY OWN CHOICE TO GO WITH A 10-YEAR SMOKE ALARM.
BUT THAT COMES OUT TO $110 A YEAR.
ALSO, OUR RENTAL PROPERTY IN SOUTH ST. PAUL, WE JUST GOT A RENEWAL APPLICATION.
NEXT INSPECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR 8/11/2024.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THERE ABOUT A THREE-YEAR INSPECTION SCHEDULED AT $30 A YEAR.
AS IT STANDS, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS AT 10 TIMES THAT AMOUNT.
ALSO, WE WORK REALLY HARD, MY WIFE AND I.
OUR DAUGHTERS LIVE IN THE HOUSE WHILE THEY'RE IN COLLEGE, BOTH DAUGHTERS LIVE IN THE HOUSE WHILE THEY'RE IN GRAD SCHOOL. IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL.
RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE IN KYOTO, JAPAN WITH MY WIFE VISITING GRANDMA AND OBSERVING BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN KYOTO, JAPAN.
BUT IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE OVER THAT.
BUT IT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT, MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN THAT.
OUR RENTAL PROPERTY IN ANOKA TAXES ARE $3,100 A YEAR.
[01:10:04]
THIS IS THE NEW BILL THAT I HAVE TO MAIL OUT IN A MONTH.COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS THAT 3,600 DESPITE IT BEING ASSESSED FOR $30,000 LESS.
THE CITY COMPONENT IS $1,784 FOR A PROPERTY ASSESSED 30,000 LESS THAN ANOKA, WHICH IS THE CITY COMPONENT AT $1,000.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
EVERYBODY IS HAVING TO WATCH HOW THEY SPEND TODAY, BE CAREFUL.
FOR RENTERS, I THINK THE CITY HAS COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE WITH NEEDS, BUT IT'S A STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE REFRIGERATOR FULL AND PAY THE RENT.
WE'VE BEEN RENTING TO A LOT OF KIDS LATELY, WITH THIS CASE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HOUSE, $500 A MONTH AND $50 A MONTH FOR UTILITIES. I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE.
I'M TRYING TO RAISE IT $45 TO COVER UTILITIES THAT HAVE GONE UP 50%.
GASOLINE, ELECTRIC, ALSO, THERE'S GARBAGE, PNC, INSURANCE, TAXES, ALL THAT.
I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH PUTTING A QUOTA ON THE NUMBER OF RENTAL PROPERTIES IN, I THINK WE HAVE A LAWYER HERE.
AS IS THE CASE IN ANOKA, THAT THEY PASSED THAT ORDINANCE TWO YEARS AGO, CODIFIED AS LAW, I'M NOT SURE HOW IT'S WORDED.
RUNS THE RISK OF, IF WE WANT TO CONVEY, SINCE I'M 67 YEARS OLD, ANY OF OUR RENTAL PROPERTIES TO OUR DAUGHTERS, THAT THEY WOULD FALL OUT OF COMPLIANCE AS RENTALS, AND BASICALLY, RUNS THE RISK OF BEING IN VIOLATION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL 5TH AMENDMENT VIOLATION TAKINGS CLAUSE, WHICH WOULD BE WITHOUT DUE PROCESS, TAKING PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT COMPENSATION.
MATTERS THERE TO CONSIDER AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS.
ALSO, I DON'T ENCOURAGE YOU TO USE ANOKA FOR A MODEL FOR EVERYTHING.
JUST RECENTLY, A MONTH AGO WHEN WE HAD THE INSPECTION DONE, FIRST RECEIVED THE VIOLATIONS NOTICE IN THE MAIL, INQUIRED ABOUT IT, I'M INCLUDING THIS WITH MY REMARKS HERE, SENIOR CITY PLANNER OF ANOKA HUNG UP ON ME TWICE.
I WAS NOT IN VIOLATION, ALL THEY WANTED TO DO WAS SCHEDULE A RENTAL INSPECTION.
I'M JUST SAYING WHEN IT COMES TO THE RENTAL BUSINESS, WE'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR 35 YEARS.
TO SEND A VIOLATION NOTICE OUT WHEN ACTUALLY THEY JUST WANTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, THAT'S A MAJOR FALLOUT.
I CAUTION YOU ABOUT USING ANOKA, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR WEST ST. PAUL.
WE DO HAVE A PROPERTY IN SOUTH ST. PAUL WHERE WE HAVE A $30 LICENSE, BUT JUST CAUTION YOU TO NOT RELY ON ANOKA TOO MUCH WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THEIR ORDINANCES.
BECAUSE OF MY BEING VOCAL ABOUT SOME THINGS WHICH ACTUALLY RESULTED IN APOLOGY LETTER WHICH I'M INCLUDING HERE FROM THE CITY PLANNER FOR UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
BRINGING THAT ATTENTION, I WAS ON THE PHONE THREE OR FOUR TIMES WITH THE CITY MANAGER, WHICH OUR MANAGER PROBABLY KNOWS, GREG LEE, AND WAS VERY CORDIAL, APPRECIATED MY COMMENTS AND DID SOME THINGS TO TRY TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.
I THINK WE AT SOME POINT NEED TO BE THERE, I THINK, IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I DON'T SEE THINGS CONTINUE AS THEY ARE, $300 A YEAR, THOSE COSTS GET PASSED ONTO RENTERS, WHICH END UP GETTING DIMINISHED SERVICES AT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
I THINK MY FIVE MINUTES IS UP. [LAUGHTER]
>> YES IT IS. I WANT YOU TO FINISH THOUGH.
THESE ARE SOME NOTES AS I'M TRYING TO INCREASE THE COST OF UTILITIES FOR OUR RENTERS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
IN ANY ERA OF INCREASES IN EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES, WE STILL TRY TO DO BEST TO PROVIDE AN HONEST AND FAIR VALUE TO THE HOUSING NEEDS OF THOSE WHO LIVES ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
WE CONSIDER OUR LIVES TO BE VERY BLESSED, KEPT SUCH WONDERFUL RENTERS, TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF OUR INVESTMENT, ALWAYS COURTEOUS, AND HAVE FAITHFULLY PAID THE RENT.
WE BELIEVE THAT, SURE, IT'S A BUSINESS AND EVERYTHING.
IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE 10%, MAYBE BLACKROCK NEEDS TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PROPERTIES THEY CAN BUY IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WE JUST HAVE ONE, JUST ONE PROPERTY, AND I WORKED ON IT FOR A YEAR TO BRING IT UP TO STANDARDS.
WE WORK REALLY HARD AND WE BELIEVE THAT SUCCESS IN LIFE IS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE SERVE AND HOW WELL WE SERVE THEM.
WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO SERVE A NUMBER OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
[01:15:05]
LESS IMPORTANT THAN NUMBER OF RENTERS, BUT THE QUALITY RENTERS AND THE QUALITY PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH.I SUGGEST IT TO THE CITY MANAGER, MAYBE SOME KIND OF A SCORING SYSTEM WHICH THEY HAVE IN ST. PAUL, WHERE INSPECTOR COMES OUT, AND ALL WE'RE MISSING WAS SOME LITTLE DETAIL WITH AN AIR CONDITIONER AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE NUMBERS ON THE ALLEY, WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE GOT A FOUR INSTEAD OF A FIVE AND THEY GAVE US A FOUR-YEAR LICENSE BECAUSE OF THE SCORING SYSTEM.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO OPT FOR THAT.
IT TAKES PRESSURE OFF WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OTHERS LIKE RYAN, AND NONE OF THAT, BUT IT ALLOWS US TO HELP WITH OUR COSTS AND IT DEMONSTRATES A SINCERE COMMITMENT TO TRY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
>> I'VE BEEN AT THIS A LONG TIME.
I LEFT MY CONTACT INFORMATION BEFORE.
IF THERE'S A WORK SESSION OR SOMETHING, I'M VERY HAPPY OR TO GET SOME OTHERS WHO ARE PART OF A CONSORTIUM OF RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS WHO OFTEN ARE INVITED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THEY HAVE THE SEMINARS [OVERLAPPING] WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO OFFER INPUT TO TRY AND MAKE THIS [OVERLAPPING].
WE DEFINITELY HAVE NOTES FROM YOUR. I'M NOT SAYING YOU NEED [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE DO HAVE A QUESTION FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> MR. [INAUDIBLE], DO YOU ATTEND THE LANDLORD MEETINGS?
I WOULD HAVE ATTENDED THE LAST ONE, BUT IT WASN'T THE TOPIC THAT I.
OVER THE COURSE OF 10 YEARS, I'VE PROBABLY BEEN TO AT LEAST 10 OF THOSE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SUGGEST THAT MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ATTENDING THOSE, THAT WOULD BE A GOOD OUTPUT FOR YOU. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THEY WERE ON HIATUS WHEN THE FIRE OFFICERS, YOU PROBABLY KNOW, OFFICER LARKIN RETIRED AND THE THINGS WE'RE PUT ON HIATUS AFTER THAT.
THE ONE I'VE MISSED I REALLY WANTED TO BE, WHERE A JUDGE WAS THERE, AND I WANT TO HERE OF THAT ONE. I MISSED THAT ONE.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.
>> BUT I APPRECIATE THAT THEY DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU. SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS TONIGHT?
>> ALL RIGHT. [NOISE] OKAY THEN CONSIDERING THERE'S NO OTHER SPEAKERS HERE TONIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY FORUM, THEN I'LL ASK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.