Apr 24, 2023 City Council

[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

[00:00:06]

WELL, WELCOME, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TODAY.

I WILL START OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, APRIL 24TH.

TO THOSE ON ZOOM, WELCOME AS WELL.

WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.

SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL? ABSOLUTELY.THANKS, SARAH. AND TODAY IS OUR FIRST TIME WITH OUR NEW MISSION STATEMENTS.

I'M VERY PROUD TO READ THIS.

THIS IS A NEW STATEMENT THAT THE CURRENT COUNCIL AND STAFF HAD INPUT ON.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A VIBRANT, HEALTHY AND CONNECTED CITY.

WE ARE HERE TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, DELIVER EQUITABLE SERVICES, BUILD AND STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS, IMPROVE UPON OUR PAST AND UPHOLD OUR SUCCESSES. WE STRIVE TO BE BETTER AND ENSURE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR EVERYONE TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.

NOW, IF YOU MAY STAND AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES FROM THE COUNCIL? I WOULD LIKE TO SWITCH AROUND OUR PROCLAMATIONS AND MOVE THE MAY ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MINNESOTAN HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION TO THE FRONT. DO I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA? SO MOVED. SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. AND THAT WAS A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR BUESGENS.

[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]

FOR EVERYONE WHO IS ON ZOOM, WE WERE DOING A LOT OF PHOTOS BEFORE THE MEETING STARTED, SO THINGS GOT MOVED AROUND.

THANK YOU, SARAH. TODAY IN OUR AUDIENCE, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE WE HAVE AN AKARI NATARI.

AKARI? NAKANI. NAKANI? NAKANI.

WHO IS A PASTOR AT CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS, AND SHE WILL INTRODUCE HERSELF AFTER THIS.

BUT I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASKED FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT IDENTIFY AS ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER TO COME TO THE MEETING AND RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE REST OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO IS NOT IN ATTENDANCE.

WHEREAS THE MONTH OF MAY WAS CHOSEN BY CONGRESS TO COMMEMORATE THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST JAPANESE IMMIGRANT TO THE UNITED STATES ON MAY 7TH, 1843.

IN MINNESOTA, THE FIRST ASIAN PERSON NOTED ON RECORD, CAME TO DULUTH, MINNESOTA, IN 1875.

AND WHEREAS, ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS, MINNESOTANS, CONTINUE TO MAKE MINNESOTA HOME WITH MORE THAN 300,000 ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MINNESOTANS REPRESENTING OVER 40 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES, MAKING THIS THE FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS, THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MINNESOTAN COMMUNITIES, LONG AND DEEPLY ROOTED LEGACY, REMINDS US OF BOTH PROUD AND PAINFUL CHAPTERS OF OUR HISTORY.

AND WHEREAS, DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MINNESOTANS HAVE REPORTED AN INCREASED LEVEL OF DISCRIMINATION AND HATE CRIMES BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS'S GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN.

AND WHEREAS, VIRUSES DON'T DISCRIMINATE, AND NEITHER SHOULD WE.

AND WHEREAS, WE HONOR THE IRREPLACEABLE ROLES ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MINNESOTANS HAVE PLAYED IN OUR PAST, INCLUDING THE RICH DIVERSITY THEY BROUGHT TO THE STATE THROUGH WAVES OF MIGRATION.

WE CELEBRATE THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GENERATIONS OF IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES WHO HAVE LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON THE STATE OF MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY AS WELL AS OUR CULTURE.

AND WE RECOMMIT TO ENSURING OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR GENERATIONS OF ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER MINNESOTANS TO COME.

AND. WHEREAS, WE CELEBRATE ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MINNESOTANS HERITAGE MONTH TO ENSURE THAT THE CULTURES, HISTORIES AND STORIES OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE SEEN AND HEARD.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 TO BE ASIAN AND

[00:05:03]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

AND THEN PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE SO OUR FRIENDS CAN HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR AMADA AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M OF JAPANESE DESCENT AND HAVE LIVED IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS.

I'M SO PROUD TO REPRESENT CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS AND PASTOR JEN KIM IN RECEIVING THIS PROCLAMATION.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT'S COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND WELCOMING ALL PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

AND WE REALLY LOVE THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE CITY AND WITH THE POLICE AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REPRESENTED HERE.

SO REALLY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AND SO PROUD OF OUR CITY THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO HONORING AND REPRESENTING AND SEEING THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. IT MAKES ME PROUD TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO CARE FOR THE PEOPLE HERE.

AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND TIME AND GIVING US THE THE SPACE TO RECEIVE THIS HONOR.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE. NEXT WE HAVE THE APRIL ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS WILL READ THIS ONE AND THEN I CAN READ JUST THE LAST PART OF IT HAS MY NAME IN IT.

THAT'S FINE. OKAY.

HELLO EVERYONE.

THIS IS THE ARBOR DAY ARBOR MONTH PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS TREES AND FOREST SOILS KEEP OUR LAKES AND STREAMS CLEAN BY ABSORBING AND FILTERING POLLUTANTS AND SEDIMENTS.

AND WHEREAS, FOREST SOILS PREVENT FLOODING AND REDUCE STORM WATER BY CAPTURING AND STORING RAINWATER AND SNOWMELT, WHICH IS THEN SLOWLY RELEASED TO OUR LAKES, STREAMS AND GROUNDWATER. AND WHEREAS, CAREFUL MANAGEMENT OF OUR FORESTS IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER AND REDUCE THE COST OF WATER TREATMENT.

AND WHEREAS, SOUND MANAGEMENT OF FORESTED PUBLIC LANDS SURROUNDING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ENSURE CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR MORE THAN 1 MILLION MINNESOTANS.

AND WHEREAS, ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF MINNESOTANS GET THEIR DRINKING WATER FROM THE FORESTED PARTS OF THE STATE AND PLANTING.

AND WHEREAS, PLANTING TREES IS A NATURAL AND EASY WAY TO KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN.

AND WHEREAS, THE LAST FRIDAY IN APRIL AND THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF MAY, MINNESOTANS PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR TREES AS NATURAL RESOURCES AND REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE VITALITY OF OUR FORESTS.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM FRIDAY, APRIL 28TH, 2023, AS ARBOR DAY AND THE MONTH OF MAY 2023 AS ARBOR MONTH IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

AND I WILL ADD THAT THIS FRIDAY ON ARBOR DAY AT 12:15 THAT THERE WILL BE A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY AT MCKENNA PARK.

AND YOU'RE VERY MUCH WELCOME TO JOIN US THERE.

THANK YOU, CONNIE.

NEXT, WE HAVE APRIL NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK PROCLAMATION WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

THANK YOU. WHEREAS, LIBRARIES PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO PURSUE THEIR PASSIONS AND ENGAGE IN LIFELONG LEARNING, ALLOWING THEM TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE.

WHEREAS. LIBRARIES HAVE SERVED AS TRUSTED INSTITUTIONS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF RACE, ETHNICITY, CREED, ABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.

WHEREAS, LIBRARIES STRIVE TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN PROGRAMS AND COLLECTIONS THAT ARE AS DIVERSE AS THE POPULATIONS THEY SERVE AND ENSURE EQUITY OF ACCESS FOR ALL. WHEREAS, LIBRARIES ADAPT TO THE EVER CHANGING NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITY, CONTINUALLY EXPANDING THEIR COLLECTIONS, PARTNERSHIPS AND SERVICES.

WHEREAS, LIBRARIES PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AS LITERACY SKILLS AND SUPPORT FOR JOB SEEKERS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS.

WHEREAS, LIBRARIES ARE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE, PLACES THAT PROMOTE A SENSE OF LOCAL CONNECTION, ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SHARED COMMUNITY GOALS. WHEREAS, LIBRARIES ARE CORNERSTONES OF DEMOCRACY, PROMOTING THE FREE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND IDEAS FOR ALL.

WHEREAS, LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY WORKERS ARE JOINING LIBRARY SUPPORTERS AND ADVOCATES ACROSS THE NATION TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, PROCLAIM NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK, APRIL 23RD THROUGH

[00:10:01]

DURING THIS WEEK, I ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO VISIT THEIR LIBRARY TO EXPLORE THE WEALTH OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

AND TODAY WE HAVE OUR LIBRARY DIRECTOR, RENEE, HERE TO RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, RENEE.

NEXT, WE HAVE APRIL FAIR HOUSING MONTH PROCLAMATION AGAIN WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

WHEREAS, THE FAIR HOUSING ACT ENACTED APRIL 11TH, 1968, ENSHRINED INTO FEDERAL LAW THE GOAL OF ELIMINATING RACIAL SEGREGATION AND ENDING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND WHEREAS, THE FAIR HOUSING ACT PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, FAMILIAL STATUS, NATIONAL ORIGIN AND DISABILITY, AND COMMITS RECIPIENTS OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHER FAIR HOUSING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS COMMITTED TO THE MISSION AND INTENT OF CONGRESS TO PROVIDE FAIR AND EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.

AND WHEREAS, OUR SOCIAL FABRIC, THE ECONOMY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT ARE STRENGTHENED IN DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS, MORE THAN 50 YEARS AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT, DISCRIMINATION PERSISTS AND MANY COMMUNITIES REMAIN SEGREGATED.

AND WHEREAS, ACTS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AND BARRIERS TO EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY ARE REPUGNANT TO A COMMON SENSE OF DECENCY AND FAIRNESS.

NOW. THEREFORE, I AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY DECLARE THE MONTH OF APRIL 2023 AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH.

I FURTHER DECLARE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AS AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO FAIR HOUSING AND TO PROMOTING APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES BY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ENTITIES TO PROVIDE AND ADVOCATE FOR EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL RESIDENTS AND PROSPECTIVE RESIDENTS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS. NEXT WE HAVE, OH, I GUESS THAT'S NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IS A VERY BUSY MONTH FOR PROCLAMATIONS.

LOTS OF IMPORTANT THINGS GOING ON IN CITY GOVERNMENT.

WHEREAS, PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES PROVIDED IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR CITIZENS EVERYDAY LIVES.

AND WHEREAS, THE SUPPORT OF AN UNDERSTANDING AND INFORMED CITIZENRY IS VITAL TO THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF PUBLIC WORKS, SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS WATER, SEWER STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, PARKS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND SNOW REMOVAL.

AND WHEREAS, THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND COMFORT OF THIS COMMUNITY GREATLY DEPENDS ON THESE FACILITIES AND SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS, THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE FACILITIES, AS WELL AS THEIR PLANNING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, IS VITALLY DEPENDENT UPON THE EFFORTS AND SKILL OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICIALS. AND WHEREAS, THE EFFICIENCY OF THE QUALIFIED AND DEDICATED PERSONNEL WHO STAFF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS IS MATERIALLY INFLUENCED BY THE PEOPLE'S ATTITUDE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THEY PERFORM.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 21ST THROUGH MAY 27TH, 2023, AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

AND I CALL UPON ALL CITIZENS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE ISSUES INVOLVED IN PROVIDING OUR PUBLIC WORKS AND TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT PUBLIC WORKS OFFICIALS MAKE EVERY DAY TO PROTECT OUR HEALTH, SAFETY, COMFORT AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND HERE WE HAVE SALMAN KHAN, WHO WILL COME TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION.

YOU DIDN'T SAY YOUR TITLE.

ON THE SPOT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M SALMAN KHAN.

I AM RIGHT NOW ACTING AS THE INTERIM CITY ENGINEER.

SO I'VE BEEN WITH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR, SINCE JULY LAST YEAR.

SO ABOUT, WHAT, TEN MONTHS NOW? SO DEFINITELY GLAD TO BE SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THE WORK THAT WE DO IN PUBLIC WORKS IS DEFINITELY INTEGRAL TO, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE'S LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS.

AND WE'RE DEFINITELY PROUD TO, YOU KNOW, PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE DO AND WE CONTINUE TO, YOU KNOW, IMPROVE AND AND, YOU KNOW, MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.

NEXT, WE HAVE MAY POLICE WEEK PROCLAMATION WITH OUR COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

POLICE WEEK, MAY 14TH THROUGH 20TH 2023 TO RECOGNIZE THE NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2023 AND TO HONOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF

[00:15:05]

WHEREAS, THE APPROXIMATELY 800,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SERVING IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS, SINCE THE FIRST RECORDED DEATH IN 1791, OVER 23,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, INCLUDING KURT RAMSDELL OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHO WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON JULY 30TH, 1977.

WHEREAS, THE NAMES OF THOSE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE ENGRAVED ON THE WALLS OF THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC.

WHEREAS, MAY 15TH IS DESIGNATED AS PEACE OFFICER, MEMORIAL DAY IN HONOR OF ALL FALLEN OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL FORMALLY DESIGNATES MAY 14TH THROUGH 20TH 2023 AS POLICE WEEK IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND PUBLICLY SALUTES THE SERVICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION.

THANKS. THANKS. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST RECENTLY, ON APRIL 15TH IN POLK COUNTY, MINNESOTA, DEPUTY JOSHUA OWEN WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

DURING THAT INCIDENT, TWO OTHER OFFICERS WERE ALSO SHOT.

AND THEN THE WEEK PRIOR IN WESTERN WISCONSIN, OFFICER EMILY BREIDENBACH AND OFFICER HUNTER SCHIELE WERE ALSO KILLED IN A DIFFERENT INCIDENT.

THESE RECENT EVENTS MAKE THIS POLICE PROCLAMATION EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT.

THIS YEAR, THE NAMES OF 224 OFFICERS WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN 2022, ALONG WITH AN ADDITIONAL 332 OFFICERS WHO DIED IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WILL BE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC.

THEIR NAMES WILL BE READ AND ADDED TO THE MEMORIAL DURING THE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL ON ON MAY 13TH, WHEN THE ROLL CALL OF HEROES IS READ.

THERE HAVE BEEN SIX OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN ANOKA COUNTY, INCLUDING COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE OFFICER KURT RAMSDALE.

OFFICER RAMSDALE. AND THE MORE THAN 22,000 OFFICERS THAT WERE KILLED HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ARE RECOGNIZED EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THEY LIVED A LIFE OF PURPOSE AND SERVICE TO THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY.

AND THAT'S WHY WE TAKE TIME EVERY YEAR TO ALWAYS REMEMBER.

SO THIS YEAR IN WASHINGTON, DC, THE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 13TH, 8:00 EASTERN, AND IT WILL BE LIVE STREAMED, AS USUAL ON THE.

AND YOU CAN GET THAT LIVE STREAM AT THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL WEB PAGE@OMF.ORG FOR ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN WATCHING THAT VIGIL.

AND THEN A LITTLE MORE LOCALLY ON MONDAY, MAY 15TH, THE MINNESOTA LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION WILL ALSO BE CONDUCTING A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT 7 P.M. AT THE MINNESOTA LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL IN ST.

PAUL. AND IF ANYONE'S NEVER BEEN TO THE MEMORIAL IN SAINT PAUL, IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE NICER LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIALS IN THE IN THE US.

IT'S A THEY DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB WHEN THE WHEN THEY BUILT THAT.

SO IF YOU GET A CHANCE STOP BY IT'S A IT'S A VERY, VERY NICE EVENT.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, CHIEF, BEFORE YOU STEP DOWN, I'M WONDERING IF WE COULD DO A COUNCIL PHOTO WITH YOU AND THE PROCLAMATION AS WELL, SINCE THIS WAS ON BEHALF OF THE FULL COUNCIL? OH, YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE'LL DO IT OVER BY THE OVER BY THE PICTURE THERE.

.

[00:20:04]

YOU KNOW MORE OF THE HISTORY OF WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, TOO, AND JUST SHOWING HOW IMPORTANT ALL OF THE WORK IS AND HOW TRAGIC IT IS WHEN THESE DEATHS OCCUR, SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

YES. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT BEEN I'VE NOT BEEN TO THE ONE IN ST.

PAUL, BUT I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OR THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING CEREMONIES AT THE MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON, DC, AND IT IS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.

AND IF ANYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVER STOP AT THAT MEMORIAL OR TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE DO SO.

PLEASE DO SO. YEAH, I AGREE.

LAST YEAR I HAD JOINED OUR POLICE OFFICERS IN ST.

PAUL AND WITH PLACING THE WREATH AT THE MEMORIAL AND VERY MOVING BEAUTIFUL LOCATION AND HAPPY THAT WE CAN SUPPORT IT AND THAT WE HAVE OUR OWN OFFICER PEEN IS THERE AND HE IS VERY INVOLVED IN THE ORGANIZATION.

SO YEAH, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HIM ON THE HONOR GUARD.

DEFINITELY. YES.

THANK YOU. THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL WILL BE TAKEN UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ITEM NUMBER NINE AMENDING THE LIBRARY MEETING ROOM USAGE POLICY.

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES? I HAVE A DISCUSSION ITEM.

I DO NOT NEED TO PULL ITEM NUMBER TEN RENTAL LICENSES FOR APPROVAL, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO IN THE PACKET, IF YOU HAVE THAT, IT'S PAGE 103.

SEVERAL OF THE LICENSES ARE FOR BRIAN BUFFINGTON AND LOOKING FURTHER, HE HAS SIX PUBLIC CORPORATIONS UNDER HIS NAME WITH MULTIPLE HOMES IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND HUNDREDS OF HOMES ALL ACROSS THE US.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY REASON AT THIS TIME TO DENY THOSE RENTAL APPLICATIONS.

SO I THINK IT CAN STAY IN THE CONSENT.

BUT I'D LIKE TO BRING UP ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING IS THE CORPORATIZATION OF PUBLIC HOMES.

I MEAN, OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

AND EVEN IN OUR GROUP, HE HAS THREE DIFFERENT LLCS AND THEY'RE ALL LISTED AS FOREIGN LLCS.

WHEN YOU SEARCH INTO THEM AND ALL SERVICED AT ONE OFFICE IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA.

SO I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

AND I JUST WANTED TO DRAW ATTENTION FOR US TO KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR RENTAL LICENSES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER ITEMS FOR THAT? I DO SEE SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE IS RAISING THEIR HAND.

BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY FORUM COMMENTS TO EITHER AN AGENDA ITEM OR IF IT'S AT A PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE DON'T TAKE COMMENTS AT THIS TIME, THOUGH.

SO BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THEM JUST AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM TIME.

THANK YOU. UM, LET'S SEE.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH REMOVING ITEM NUMBER NINE.

SO MOVED. SECOND.

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

ALL IN OR ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. KEVIN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE US THROUGH THE ITEMS? CERTAINLY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, YOU HAVE 12 ITEMS ON CONSENT FOR YOUR THAT JUST GOT APPROVED.

THE FIRST OF THESE IS APPROVE THE APRIL 3RD, 2023 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM NUMBER TWO IS APPROVE THE APRIL 10TH, 2023 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

THE THIRD ITEM IS ACCEPT THE FEBRUARY 8TH, 2023 YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ABDO FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FOR ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FOR PAYROLL SERVICES FOR THE CITY.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE IS APPROVE A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FOR REALLY TWO THINGS.

ONE IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 37TH AVENUE.

AND THIS GOES FROM CENTRAL OVER TO STINSON BOULEVARD.

AND THEN THE SECOND THAT'S INCLUDED WITH THAT IS THE CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS FOR THAT SAME SEGMENT.

AND I WOULD NOTE IT ALSO INCLUDES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 37TH PLACE FROM 37TH AVENUE UP TO STINSON BOULEVARD. THE SIXTH ITEM IS ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE MWMO, WHICH IS THE MISSISSIPPI WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION FOR 37TH AVENUE AND 37TH PLACE, AND THAT IS IN THE AMOUNT OF $274,729.

[00:25:03]

WHEN WE USE THAT TERM, IT'S REALLY FOR TREE TRENCHES AND FOR RAIN GARDENS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AS WE RECONSTRUCT 37TH AVENUE.

THE SEVENTH ITEM IS AWARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL PAINTING FOR FIVE TRAFFIC SIGNALS ALONG CENTRAL AVENUE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF BUDGET CYCLES.

AND REALLY THE CONDITION OF THOSE TRAFFIC SIGNALS IS TO BRING THEM UP TO A CONSISTENT STANDARD.

WE USE THE SAME COLORING SCHEME THAT YOU SEE CURRENTLY ON THOSE, WHICH IS BOTH GREEN AND YELLOW AT THE BASE AND THEN ALSO THE POLE.

THE EIGHTH ITEM IS AWARD OF SURVEY TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS FOR BOTH OUR 2024 AND 2025 ALLEY RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

THIS IS REALLY SINCE WE'RE DOWN IN OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, WE'VE BEEN CONTRACTING, SURVEYING OUT.

AND THIS WOULD BE GOING TO THE CONSULTANT FIRM OF BOLTON AND MINK.

ITEM NINE HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM NUMBER TEN IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES.

ITEM NUMBER 11 IS THE LICENSE AGENDA FOR YOUR APPROVAL.

AND THE LAST IS ITEM NUMBER 12 IS THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS TOTALING $2,155,798.

MADAM MAYOR? THANK YOU. AND I WANTED TO JUST CLARIFY THAT I WAS ASKING FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE REMOVING THE ITEM NINE.

AND SO I WOULD NOW LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE VOTE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS KEVIN HAS PRESENTED IT TO US.

SO JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR.

SARAH? OKAY. THANK YOU. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED, OR AS KEVIN HAS PRESENTED IT.

SO MOVED.

SECOND. A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BIGGINS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR THEN SAY AYE.

AYE. AND THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

[9. Amend the Library Meeting Room Usage Policy.]

THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. UM, YES.

ITEM NUMBER NINE, THEN. KEVIN.

SO, MAYOR. ITEM NUMBER NINE IS AMENDING THE LIBRARY MEETING ROOM USAGE POLICY.

AND THERE ARE REALLY TWO COMPONENTS TO THAT.

THE FIRST IS AMENDING THE TIME THAT THE COMMUNITY ROOM WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL TO THE PUBLIC.

AND THEN THE SECOND OF THOSE IS REALLY AMENDING THE USAGE OR THE PROVISION OF FOOD WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ROOM AND JUST MAKING SURE THAT THAT ROOM IS KEPT CLEAN. SO IT'S REALLY THOSE TWO ITEMS. THANK YOU. AND THE REASON I PULLED THIS IS THAT DURING OUR LAST WORK SESSION, THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION AND WE ASKED THE ITEMS THAT WE WERE DISCUSSING THESE ITEMS TO GO BACK TO THE BOARD.

AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE WERE QUITE READY TO VOTE ON IT AS PRESENTED RIGHT NOW.

I THOUGHT IT MIGHT NEED FURTHER DISCUSSION AT THE WORK SESSION.

SO PERSONALLY, I FEEL THAT EXCLUDING FOOD FROM THE ARRANGEMENT MAKES SENSE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE TIMES.

THE HOURS THAT IT'S OPEN, ANOTHER AT A WORK SESSION.

DISCUSSION FOR THE COUNCIL? MOVE TO TABLE THAT.

OKAY, THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

I KNOW WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE, BUT I ALSO JUST WANTED TO NOTE I THINK A REALLY BIG CHANGE ON THE POLICY IS THE REMOVAL OF THE FEE.

AND I THINK THAT WE COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I READ FROM THE LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES AND COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS IS A LIBRARY LIAISON THAT THEY WANTED TO INVITE MORE GROUPS TO USE IT.

AND SO HAVING THE FEE REMOVED, I'D LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT RIGHT AWAY.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE TIMES AGAIN AT A WORK SESSION FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBER JACOB'S RECOMMENDATION.

POINT OF ORDER. THE MOTION TO TABLE.

YES NEEDS TO BE SECONDED TO MOVE FORWARD AND THAT WOULD PREVENT ANY FURTHER ACTION.

UM, IF WE DON'T SECOND IT BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO PASS THE BEFORE WE TABLE IT OR VOTE IT IS TO PASS THE FEE WAIVER FIRST, GET THAT DONE, AND THEN TABLE THE DISCUSSION ON THE HOURS.

HOW ABOUT WE DO A SECOND TO TABLE IT THEN WE CAN VOTE? IF WE WANT TO TABLE THE FULL ITEM OR NOT.

OR SHOULD WE? WE CAN'T TAKE AWAY A MOTION ONCE IT'S BEEN MADE, SO.

BUT IT HASN'T BEEN SECONDED.

IF THERE'S NO SECOND, WE CAN JUST.

THE MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF A SECOND.

OKAY. THEN YOU CAN MAKE WHATEVER MOTIONS YOU WOULD PREFER.

OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMMENT ON IT? YEAH. AS THE LIBRARY LIAISON, OBVIOUSLY, I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS PRETTY CLOSELY, AND I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE FEE REMOVAL PROCESS AND THE EXCLUSION OF FOOD.

I FEEL I'M PERSONALLY READY TO VOTE ON THE ENTIRE THING TONIGHT, BUT IF MORE OF THE COUNCIL FEELS THAT THEY WANT TO PUSH US BACK TO A WORK SESSION, I'M OKAY WITH THAT TOO,

[00:30:06]

SO WE'RE NOT UNDER ANY PRESSURE TO APPROVE THIS TONIGHT FOR SAY SOMETHING NEXT WEEK.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE AMEND THE LIBRARY MEETING ROOM USAGE POLICY AND REMOVE THE FEE FOR THE RENTAL AND THE FOOD AND THE FOOD AND REMOVING FOOD.

YOU KNOW, HAVING FOOD IN THE ROOM.

AND THEN THEN MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THE PART ABOUT THE HOURS, IF THAT'S OKAY.

IS THERE A SECOND THEN TO REMOVE? AND THEN THERE WAS A SMOKING ORDINANCE OR CHANGE TO SO WE COULD HAVE A MOTION.

IF THE MAIN CONCERN WE HAVE IS THE HOURS THAT IT'S OPEN, WE COULD HAVE A MOTION TO CHANGE THE SMOKING.

WE ADDED E-CIGARETTES, I THINK ARE ADDED IN THERE.

CHEWING TOBACCO. CHEWING TOBACCO.

MAYOR, MEMBERS THE COUNCIL, THAT WAS FOR CHEWING TOBACCO.

SO E-CIGARETTES AND REGULAR CIGARETTES WERE INCLUDED IN THERE AND THEN ADDED CHEWING TOBACCO.

I'M TRYING TO FIND WHERE THEY HAVE IT.

SO I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CHANGE IN REMOVAL OF THE LIBRARY FEES THAT NO FOOD BE ALLOWED IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM AND PROHIBITION ON USE OF CHEWING TOBACCO IN THE LIBRARY.

I SECOND THAT MOTION.

ALL RIGHT. THEN WE HAVE A FIRST ON FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

ANY DISCUSSION? YES, COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT THE FEES MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE HOURS IN DISCUSSION.

THAT CAN BE ADDED.

ONE MAY AFFECT THE OTHER.

WELL, RIGHT NOW. I THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THAT, I FEEL THAT THAT SHOULD BE PART OF WHAT'S TABLED.

OKAY. I FEEL THAT I'M READY TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE FEES TONIGHT.

REMOVING THEM OR INCLUDING THOSE IN THE MOTION.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS THEN.

SO I'LL JUST REPEAT.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO REMOVE FOOD FROM THE ORDINANCE. A CONTRACT? REMOVE FOOD FROM THE ROOM.

POLICY? POLICY. REMOVE FOOD FROM THE POLICY.

REMOVE THE FEES BEING CHARGED AND ALSO APPLYING CHEWING TOBACCO TO THE POLICY AS WELL.

AND THEN WE WILL TABLE THE HOURS OPEN TO ANOTHER WORK SESSION.

IS THAT CORRECT? THE PROHIBITION OF CHEWING TOBACCO.

PROHIBITION OF CHEWING TOBACCO.

IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S WHAT.

OKAY. IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION.

I HAVE ONE QUESTION.

I DIDN'T SEE IN WRITING.

WHEN? IF WE APPROVE THIS TONIGHT, WHEN I HEARD YOU SAY JULY 1ST.

BUT WHERE IS IT WRITTEN ABOUT THE DATE THAT THIS CHANGE WOULD GO INTO EFFECT IF WE VOTED? WOULD IT BE IMMEDIATE OR WOULD IT BE A LATER DATE? KEVIN SO, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND IT'S JUST ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE STAFF REPORT THERE, RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF WOULD BE THAT IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST OF 2023. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THEN.

IF THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION THEN, WE HAVE THE MOTION ON THE TABLE.

SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. AND THE MOTION PASSES.

WOULD YOU LIKE THAT AS A ROLL CALL? OKAY. THANK YOU.

[13. First Reading of Ordinance No. 1683, Amending Chapter 3, Article 3 of the City Code Pertaining to Boards and Commissions.]

THANK YOU. YOU NEED TO, JIM, DO WE NEED TO TABLE? THE MOTION TO TABLE? WE DON'T NEED TO.

OKAY. YOU CAN TAKE THAT UP WHENEVER YOU WANT TO.

OKAY? OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT THEN WE'RE MOVING ON TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS MATTER.

ITEM NUMBER 13, ANY COMMENTS MADE AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL NOT BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE FORMAL RECORD FOR THIS MATTER. ITEM 13.

THIS IS THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1683 AMENDING CHAPTER THREE, ARTICLE THREE OF THE CITY CODE PERTAINING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

KEVIN THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS AN ORDINANCE THAT REALLY HAS FOUR PRIMARY PARTS TO IT MAKING CHANGES.

THE FIRST OF THESE IS JUST UPDATING LANGUAGE IN TERMS OF THE PERIOD OF TIME BETWEEN WHEN ANY COMMISSION MEMBER CAN SERVE CONCURRENTLY, THAT THAT WOULD BE

[00:35:02]

THE SECOND IS REMOVAL OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION.

THE NEXT IS ADDING A SUSTAINABILITY, ESTABLISHING A SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, AND THEN THE LAST CHANGE OF THE FOUR REALLY DOES TWO THINGS AS IT RELATES TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION.

ONE CHANGES THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ON THE YOUTH COMMISSION FROM 20 DOWN TO 13 AND THEN ALSO SPECIFICALLY ADDS AND INCLUDING MEMBERS WHO ATTEND ISD 13 OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

MAYOR THANK YOU.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? I JUST HAVE A COMMENT. I'M VERY EXCITED THAT WE'RE ADDING THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION.

IT'S TAKEN A WHILE TO GET IT DONE, BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE STAFF THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND HAVE THE TIME TO WORK WITH IT AS LIAISONS.

VERY EXCITED AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE INTERVIEWING PROCESS AND THE WORK THAT THEY'LL BE DOING IN THE FUTURE.

SO VERY EXCITED.

THANK YOU. HEAR, HEAR.

I AGREE. ALL RIGHT, THEN.

THEN WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.

MOVE TO SET THE READING OF ORDINANCE.

MOVE TO SET THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1683.

THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SECOND.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? WAS THAT A-- I'M SORRY? COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, DID YOU SAY MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OR MOVE TO SET THE READING? I THOUGHT I SAID MOVE TO WAIVE.

OH, WAIT. OKAY. I COULDN'T QUITE HEAR BECAUSE OF THE.

THANK YOU. OKAY. NO OTHER DISCUSSION? YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, THEN.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO SET THE READING.

MOVE TO SET THE READING OF ORDINANCE 1683, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER THREE ARTICLE THREE OF THE CITY CODE PERTAINING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FOR MAY 8TH, 2023, AT APPROXIMATELY 6 P.M.

IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? THEN ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.

[14. Adopt Resolution 2023-26 Being a Resolution Accepting Bids and Concurring with Awarding a Contract for the Street Reconstruction of 37th Avenue and 37th Place, Projects 2110 and 2306.]

AND NEXT WE HAVE BID CONSIDERATIONS FOR NUMBER 14 ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-26 BEING A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND CONCURRING WITH AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE STREET RECONSTRUCTION OF 37TH AVENUE AND 37TH PLACED PROJECTS 21-10 AND 23-06.

AND KEVIN HANSEN WILL TAKE US THROUGH THAT.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

I THINK OUR CITY ENGINEER, SALMAN KHAN.

SALMAN KHAN? CAN WALK THROUGH THAT. WELCOME, SALMAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

SO FOR THIS RESOLUTION, THIS IS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 37TH AVENUE FROM CENTRAL AVENUE TO STINSON BOULEVARD, AND ALSO INCLUDES 37TH PLACE FROM 37TH AVENUE TO STINSON BOULEVARD.

THE BIDS, THEY WERE DONE.

THEY WERE OPENED BY THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

THEY COMPLETED THE BIDDING PROCESS ON THAT AND RECEIVED, I THINK IT WAS FIVE DIFFERENT BIDS.

AND THE LOWEST ONE WAS FROM EUREKA CONSTRUCTION.

SO WE ARE ASKING FOR CONCURRENCE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BID FROM EUREKA.

SO THEY ARE THE LOWEST AND QUALIFIED BIDDER FOR THE PROJECT.

AND SO THEIR BID WAS FOR ABOUT 11.1 MILLION.

THAT WAS ABOUT A 1% DIFFERENCE FROM THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE.

SO IT WAS, WE WERE HAPPY WITH THE BID THAT WAS RECEIVED.

AND YEAH, WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT BID WITH EUREKA CONSTRUCTION.

IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, I'M CERTAIN WE CAN ANSWER ANY THAT ANYBODY HAS.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS, BUT COMMENTS.

COMMENTS? VERY EXCITED, AGAIN, WE HAVE 37TH REPLACED AND I'M SURE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LIVED THERE WITH THUNDER ROAD AS IT'S BEEN CALLED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, ARE VERY EXCITED. I JUST ASKED THAT THEY BE PATIENT AND THIS IS A BIG CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND ONCE IT'S DONE, YOU'LL LOVE IT.

AND I'M SO EXCITED.

SO THANKS AGAIN TO STAFF AND EVERYONE THAT'S WORKED ON THIS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

AGREED AND THANKS TO THE MWMO FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE WITH THE PROJECT AND OUR STAFF FOR APPLYING FOR THOSE GRANTS AND WORKING WITH THE WATERSHED DISTRICT.

IT'S GOING TO BE SUCH AN AMAZING IMPROVEMENT.

YEP. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS AND THE PUBLIC THAT NOT ONLY IS MINNEAPOLIS PAYING THEIR PORTION, WE ALSO RECEIVED, BESIDES THE MWMO GRANT, A

[00:40:01]

IT SAYS IN THE PACKET ABOUT 2.9 MILLION.

SO THAT'S A WONDERFUL JOB FOR RECEIVING STATE AID AND ALSO METRO COUNCIL FUNDS TO HELP US MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN HAVE A GREAT ROAD THAT SERVES NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY BUT THE WHOLE AREA AND OTHERS THAT DRIVE THROUGH.

SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT AND WE'LL BE HAPPY TO SEE THE TRAIL WHEN IT'S DONE.

RIDE MY BIKE.

THANK YOU FOR POINTING OUT ALL OF THOSE DETAILS OUT AS WELL THEY'RE IN THE PACKET, BUT NOT EVERYONE GETS THE PACKET.

YEAH, EXACTLY.

YES. ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT THEN.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING? MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-26.

THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SECOND.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, THEN EVERYONE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.

I'LL TAKE THE MOUTHFUL OF THE ONE.

MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-26 BEING A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND PROVIDING CONCURRENCE FOR AWARDING THE 2023 STREET REHABILITATION PROGRAM CONSISTING OF 37TH AVENUE FULL STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT 2110 AND 37TH PLACE.

FULL STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT 23-06 TO EUREKA CONSTRUCTION, INC.

BASED UPON THEIR LOW QUALIFIED, RESPONSIBLE BID IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,171,519.53 OF WHICH $2,909,847.71 IS THE TOTAL THAT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING TO MINNEAPOLIS.

APPROPRIATED FROM THE FOLLOWING FUNDS.

1 MILLION FROM FUND 402-3191, $160,000 FROM FUND 601-640, $25,000 FROM FUND 602-6400, $200,000 FROM FUND 653-6400 274,729 MWMO GRANT FUNDS AND THE REMAINING IS ANTICIPATED TO BE COVERED BY OTHER CITY FUNDS.

SECOND. OH, GOOD JOB.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS IN A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

ANY DISCUSSION? THEN HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

[15. Approve Exterior Signage for the New City Hall, Project 1911.]

APPROVE EXTERIOR SIGNAGE FOR THE NEW CITY HALL PROJECT 1911.

AND KEVIN HANSEN WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM.

THANK YOU. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WHAT I WANTED TO DO IS WE HAVE THE RENDERINGS AND ACTUALLY IT'S THE SHOP DRAWINGS FOR THE EXTERIOR SIGNAGE FOR THE NEW CITY HALL.

THE BACKGROUND ON THIS IS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY NEARING COMPLETION RIGHT AROUND THE FIRST PART OF JUNE FOR THE INTERIOR BUILD OUT, AND THOSE PLANS HAVE BEEN BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THOSE PLANS WHERE THE EXTERIOR SIGNAGE AND WHEN I SPEAK OF THAT, IT'S REALLY KIND OF THE WAYFINDING AND BRANDING FOR THE EXTERIOR PORTION OF OUR BUILDING WITHIN THE LATTICE DEVELOPMENT.

SO WE WENT AHEAD AND RECEIVED A PROPOSAL FROM WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE OUR SIGN COMPANY, WHICH IS ALBRECHT.

ALBRECHT HAS DONE WORK BEGINNING WITH THE LIBRARY AND THEN THEY'VE DONE OUR LED MESSAGE BOARDS AND THEN THEY'VE ALSO MOST RECENTLY DONE WORK ON OUR LIQUOR STORE. SO IN WORKING WITH THEM, WE OBTAINED A PROPOSAL AND THEY'VE DONE SHOP DRAWINGS FOR US.

AND I GUESS WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS SHARE MY SCREEN ON THAT.

GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT.

HERE WE GO. SO THIS IS JUST, AND I KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE, BUT THIS IS A BUILDING RENDERING FOR THE NEW CITY HALL SITE AT 40TH AND CENTRAL.

AND BASICALLY WHAT THIS DOES IS JUST IDENTIFIES THE LOCATIONS OF THE NEW EXTERIOR SIGNAGE.

SO ON 40TH, THAT'S THE TOP RENDERING, THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO FIND PARKING AND ACCESS THE CITY HALL OFF OF 40TH.

SO AT THIS SITE, WE HAVE CITY HALL ENTRANCE OVER THE GARAGE DOOR RIGHT ON THE CORNER.

AGAIN, FROM A BRANDING PERSPECTIVE AND FROM A LOCATION PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE THE CITY'S LOGO, THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LOGO ON THE DRAWING.

RIGHT BELOW THAT, WE HAVE TWO ADDITIONAL EXTERIOR SIGN LOCATIONS.

AGAIN, THAT SAME BRANDING LOGO IS ON THE CENTRAL AVENUE SIDE AND THAT'S LOCATED RIGHT HERE.

[00:45:04]

WE HAVE ANOTHER SIGN THAT ALSO SAYS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WE SPECIFICALLY DID NOT WANT TO PUT LETTERING ON THE ICONS SO THAT INDIVIDUALS, IF THEY HAPPEN TO BE WALKING TO THIS SITE.

SO THEY KNEW THAT THAT WAS NOT THE ENTRANCE.

IT WAS REALLY MORE OF BUILDING IDENTIFICATION AND BRANDING.

AND I'LL GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THESE LOCATIONS WITH YOU.

SO THE FIRST ONE THAT WE THOUGHT WAS APPROPRIATE WAS REALLY WAYFINDING.

AND THESE ARE FOR INTENDED FOR DRIVERS.

SO WE USE THE STANDARD SYMBOLOGY FOR PARKING, AND THIS IS GOING TO BE RIGHT OVER WHERE THE GARAGE IS AND VISIBLE FROM EACH DIRECTION ON 40TH AVENUE. AND ON THIS PARTICULAR ONE, IT HAS THE DAYTIME VIEW, BUT IT ALSO HAS THE NIGHTTIME VIEW.

SO THESE ARE INTERNALLY LIT AND THESE WILL REMAIN LIT THROUGHOUT ANY NIGHTTIME HOURS.

THESE WILL BE PHOTOCELL CONTROLLED.

THE NEXT ONE IS A COMBINATION OF BOTH THE ICON AND THEN ALSO JUST A CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ABOVE IT ON THE FRONT FASCIA OF THE BUILDING.

SO THAT'S ON THE EXISTING ALUMINUM FASCIA.

THE ONE BELOW IT IS A CURRENT ICON, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IDENTIFICATION.

AND THEN BOTH OF THESE, THEY SHOW A NIGHTTIME ILLUMINATION THAT JUST SHOWS THAT THEY'RE BOTH INTERNALLY LIT FOR NIGHTTIME VIEWING.

AND I THINK THE ICON REALLY HAS A NICE LOOK AND NICE VISIBILITY WITH THAT.

THE NEXT IS ACTUALLY NOT AN EXTERIOR SIGN, BUT AGAIN, IS INTENDED TO BE A WAYFINDING SIGN.

AND THIS IS AT THE MAIN VESTIBULE INSIDE THE PARKING GARAGE.

THERE IS AN EXISTING COLUMN THAT IS CURRENTLY WRAPPED WITH METAL CLADDING.

IT'S THE SAME BLUE COLOR THAT WE HAVE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING IN AND PARKING.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S VERY CLEAR AND VERY EVIDENT WHERE FOLKS, ONCE THEY GET OUT OF THEIR CAR, CAN ENTER INTO THE CITY HALL SPACE.

SO HERE AGAIN, WE HAVE IT BOTH INTERNALLY LIT AND DAYTIME VIEW, BUT WE HAVE OUR ICON CITY HALL.

AND THEN IT WAS POINTED OUT, EVEN THOUGH THE ARROW IS SOMEWHAT SMALL, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT AT LEAST GIVES YOU SOME WAYFINDING SO FOLKS KNOW WHEN THEY COME IN WHERE TO ENTER INTO THE CITY HALL SPACE.

AND THEN THIS ONE JUST SHOWS.

WHAT'S GOING TO BE ABOVE THE GARAGE ENTRANCE.

AND RIGHT HERE IT JUST SAYS CITY HALL ENTRANCE.

THIS IS NOT INTERNALLY LIT.

THESE ARE JUST METAL LETTERS.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A DOWNCAST LIGHT RIGHT ABOVE THIS THAT ALREADY EXISTS, AND THAT'S REALLY TO SHOW THE ENTRANCE TO THIS.

BUT IT PROVIDED ADEQUATE LIGHTING FOR THE SIGNAGE THAT'S RIGHT THERE.

AND THEN THE LAST ONE.

AND THERE ARE TWO RENDERINGS OF THIS, AND I WANTED TO SHOW EACH OF THESE TO YOU.

AND THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY HALL.

SO IT REALLY HAS THE IDENTIFICATION.

SO FOLKS KNOW THAT THIS IS ALSO AN ENTRANCE.

AND WE HAVE TWO WAYS TO REALLY LIGHT THIS.

ONE IS INTERNALLY LIT AND THE OTHER ONE HAS DOWNCAST LIGHTING.

THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO AND YOU CAN SEE THIS RIGHT HERE, IS THAT IN ORDER TO GET THE ELECTRICAL, THE WIRING, TO THOSE FOR INTERNALLY LIT, THEY DO HAVE TO DO A HIDDEN PANEL TO GET THE WIRING DOWN TO THOSE.

AND WHAT THAT ENDS UP DOING IS COVERING THE LIMESTONE WITH THAT.

STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS NOT TO GO WITH INTERNALLY LIT AT THIS LOCATION, BUT TO USE TWO DOWNCAST LIGHTS THAT REALLY SHOW THIS AND KEEP IT VISIBLE DURING NIGHTTIME HOURS.

WE JUST FELT THAT THIS SIZE OF A PANEL, IT WILL STAND OUT AT THIS LOCATION THAT WE'RE BETTER SERVED FROM A APPEARANCE PERSPECTIVE TO HAVE THIS AS DOWNCAST LIGHTS HERE. AND I'LL BRING WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR YOU UP HERE SHORTLY.

I WILL ALSO NOTE THAT THERE'S NO REALLY NO PRICE DIFFERENCE.

IT WAS $180 BETWEEN THE TWO.

SO IT'S NOT A COST CONSIDERATION.

IT'S REALLY WHAT DO WE WANT FOR AN APPEARANCE HERE? AND I HAVE TO GO BACK AND SHARE THIS SCREEN.

OH, THERE IT IS. AND AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE, THESE ARE SOMEWHAT SMALL, BUT HERE WE'LL HAVE TO DOWNCAST LIGHT.

AND THEN IT REALLY, I THINK, HAS A BETTER APPEARANCE HERE ANYWAYS AT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION.

AND THEN WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT PANEL REALLY KIND OF STANDING OUT AT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION.

SO THE PRICE WE GOT FROM ALBRECHT SIGNS FOR ALL OF THIS LIGHTING INSTALLED WAS $52,010.

[00:50:07]

SO WITH THAT, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE ARE RECOMMENDING ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL FROM ALBRECHT.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, IN ORDER TO GET THIS IN FOR THE TIME THAT WE OPEN, THEY NEED TO GET PERMITS GOING TOMORROW, SO I'LL BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

I'LL JUST SAY THANKS. IT'S GREAT IT CAME IN UNDER BUDGET, THAT'S RARE.

I'D LIKE TO HEAR THAT AND I THINK IT LOOKS SO CLASSY.

I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK AND THOUGHT INVOLVED WITH IT AND IT'S GOING TO LOOK SO SHARP ON THAT CORNER.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? JUST THAT IT LOOKS I AGREE WITH YOU.

IT LOOKS CLASSY, IT'S MODERN.

IT'S TO ME IT SPEAKS TO THE FUTURE.

IT SPEAKS TO TODAY AND IT SPEAKS TO THE FUTURE.

I'M VERY, VERY DELIGHTED TO SEE IT.

ALL RIGHT, THEN. HEARING NO OTHER COMMENTS, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOVE TO APPROVE THE EXTERIOR SIGNAGE PROPOSAL FROM ALBRECHT SIGN COMPANY FOR THE NEW CITY HALL AT 3989 CENTRAL AVENUE.

AND THE AMOUNT OF $52,010 FROM FUND 411.9999.45120.1911. SECOND.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU, KEVIN, FOR TAKING US THROUGH THAT.

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

WOULD ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS LIKE TO GO FIRST? COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS, PLEASE. THANK YOU.

FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK PUBLIC WORKS AND THE PROJECT WITH REFRESHING UP THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL POLES ON CENTRAL.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHEN THINGS GET FRESHENED UP AND IT'S GOING TO LOOK SO MUCH NICER.

SO THANK YOU.

AND SOMEONE'S NOT HERE.

SO ANYWAY, THE OTHER GOOD NEWS IS THAT WAS LISTED IN OUR CONSENT AGENDA IS WE'LL BE STARTING TO REPLACE TEN ALLEYS IN 2024 AND 2025. WHEN I STARTED, THERE WERE 30 ALLEYS THAT WERE SEEING WERE VERY ROUGH SHAPE.

AND IN THE LAST FIVE, SIX YEARS, I THINK WE'VE DONE, WHAT, 3 TO 6? IS IT THREE ALLEYS THAT WE'VE FIXED? SO, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL IN 2019, WE DID THREE ALLEYS AND THEN THESE ARE AN ADDITIONAL TEN OF THAT ORIGINAL 30.

RIGHT. SO WE'RE ABLE TO GET THE THREE.

AND NOW IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, 2 OR 3 YEARS, WE'LL BE DOING TEN AND WHICH LEAVES ANOTHER 15.

AND I ON SUNDAY, I BELIEVE, I DROVE THROUGH ALL TEN ALLEYS AND TWO OF THOSE ALLEYS ARE TIED FOR THE WORST.

I WAS SO AFRAID TO DRIVE DOWN THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE SO ROUGH AND BUMPY AND BIG HOLES THAT I ALMOST BACKED MY CAR OUT.

BUT I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE ALONG THERE HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH IT EVERY DAY.

AND I THOUGHT, OKAY, LET'S JUST GO REALLY SLOW.

AND SO THIS IS WELL WORTH THE TIME AND THE MONEY THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO THESE.

AND HOPEFULLY IT WON'T TAKE US TOO LONG TO GET TO THE OTHER 15 BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE OTHERS, BUT THEY'RE DEFINITELY NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN.

THANK YOU, STAFF. AS FAR AS ATTENDANCE, I ATTENDED THE IFTAR AT OUR MOSQUE AFTER OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, AND IFTAR THAT OUR POLICE ASSOCIATION HOSTED AS WELL ATTENDED AND IT WAS REAL FUN TO MEET AND SHARE MEAL WITH OUR NEIGHBORS.

I ATTENDED WITH THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, OUR COUNCIL CORNER METRO CITY'S ANNUAL MEETING, WHERE THEY HAD A VERY INTERESTING SPEAKER FROM OUR STATE DEMOGRAPHICS AND QUITE INTERESTING INPUT ON WHAT SHE HOW SHE EXPLAINED WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OUR LABOR SHORTAGE AND THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THIS TYPE OF LABOR SHORTAGE FOR AT LEAST A DECADE OR LONGER, DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE POPULATION . ATTENDED WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL POLICE ACADEMY.

AND I APPRECIATE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT PUTTING THAT ON FOR US.

IT'S THE SECOND ROUND FOR ME, AND I'M STILL LEARNING NEW INFORMATION ABOUT HOW OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKS.

ATTENDED THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING.

AND I ALSO WANT TO GIVE MY CONDOLENCES TO A FAMILY WHO LOST THEIR FIVE MONTH OLD BABY.

THEIR NAME WASN'T MENTIONED IN OUR GREEN SHEET.

OUR PUBLIC SAFETY STAFF TRIED TO SAVE THE BABY BUT WAS UNFORTUNATELY COULD NOT.

AND I WANT TO THANKS TO OUR STAFF FOR THE VALIANT EFFORTS THEY DID IN TRYING TO SAVE HER OR HIM IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES? THANK YOU. I WANTED TO, I STARTED WITH THE IFTAR AT THE LOCAL MOSQUE WITH THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE ASSOCIATION.

THAT WAS A FANTASTIC NIGHT.

[00:55:03]

AND THEN WE DID A THERE WAS A SCHOOL SAFETY PANEL THAT WAS HOSTED AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH WITH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT STENVIK, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT BONDO HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND TWO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, MICHELLE PETTWAY AND MARY GRANLUND.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND, WE HAD JUST A FANTASTIC NIGHT TALKING ABOUT HELPING OUR STUDENTS BE SAFE.

AND TWO THEMES REALLY EMERGED THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY RELATED TO BULLYING THROUGH ONLINE, THROUGH THE PHONES.

AND THERE'S JUST A HUGE STRUGGLE HAPPENING WITH THAT.

AND THEN ALSO THE PREVALENCE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR SOCIETY.

AND BOTH OF THOSE HAVE REALLY AFFECTED OUR STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT.

WE DIDN'T COME TO ANY CONCRETE RESOLUTIONS EXCEPT FOR THAT RELATIONSHIPS AND CARING ADULTS MATTER.

SO THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER IN OUR SCHOOLS AND WHO WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO KEEP OUR CITY SAFE.

ALSO, IT'S HAPPY EID TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATED AND THEN HAPPY EARTH DAY AND WE DID A LOT OF EARTH DAY THINGS.

HEIGHTS NEXT ORGANIZED AND I WAS ABLE TO HELP ORGANIZE WITH THE MAYOR A STREET CLEANUP ON CENTRAL AVENUE.

WE HAD 75 VOLUNTEERS.

WE WENT ALL THE WAY FROM 37TH TO 53RD THIS YEAR, AND WE DID FOUR PARKS MCKENNA, RAMSDELL, LABELLE AND PRESTEMON, AND WE GOT 35 BAGS OF TRASH.

MANY OF THOSE INCLUDED CAR AND VEHICLE PARTS FROM ACCIDENTS ON CENTRAL.

WE HAD SOME WONDERFUL COMMUNITY PARTNERS JOIN US.

A GIRL SCOUT TROOP JOINED US, AN ORGANIZATION CALLED GAY FOR GOOD BROUGHT MEMBERS.

WE HAD ONE OF THE MANAGERS OF THE LIQUOR STORES HELPING TO PICK UP BECAUSE HE HEARD THERE WAS LITTLE LIQUOR BOTTLES AND HE WANTED TO SEE FOR HIMSELF.

AND HE DID A LOT OF WORK.

AND WE HAD A TEENAGE GIRL WHO BROUGHT FOUR FRIENDS AND HAD AN EARTH DAY PARTY, AND THEY CAME TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO PICK UP AND A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WORKED HARD.

SO THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP AND HELPED WITH THAT.

AND THEN ALSO WE DID ADOPT A PARK CLEANUP IN OSTRANDER PARK YESTERDAY WITH THE SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS AT FIRST LUTHERAN COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS IS ALWAYS ENCOURAGING US TO CLEAN OUR STORM DRAINS AND THEY'RE DOING HYDRANT FLUSHING IN OUR PART OF THE CITY.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN YOUR HYDRANT FLUSHED YET, YOU MAY SEE SOME DISCOLORATION IN YOUR WATER.

AND SO BECAUSE OF THAT, WE DID OUR FOUR DRAINS ON OUR STREET BECAUSE WE WANTED IT TO BE CLEAN BEFORE THE HYDRANTS FLUSHED THAT.

I'VE ALSO BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH SOME MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ON SKATE PARK DISCUSSION, RENTAL DENSITY CAMP AND MEETING WITH OUR SOMALI-AMERICAN NEIGHBORS.

THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.

I KNOW I HAD TO KEEP A NOTE.

YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS? SURE. I DON'T HAVE NEARLY THAT MUCH AS COUNCIL MEMBER.

JAMES. YEAH, I WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE MONTH.

UM, I WILL SAY THAT I'VE ATTENDED, I VISITED A LOT OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES AND I THINK THIS WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST MOVING VISITS I'VE MADE.

I WAS IN HAVANA, CUBA, AND JUST TO GIVE SOME PERSPECTIVE, THEIR MONTHLY INCOME IN US DOLLARS IS BETWEEN 20 AND $22 A MONTH.

RIGHT NOW, 30 EGGS COSTS $10 IN US.

SO IT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE.

AND I THINK THAT MY TAKEAWAY IS IT AMAZES ME THAT AS DESTITUTE AS THESE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE WHEN YOU GET INTO THE BARRIO.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY'RE ALL OUT IN THE STREET AND THEY'RE LAUGHING AND THEY HAVE A SMILE ON THEIR FACE AND THEY PERSEVERE.

I MEAN, WE SPEND, I SPEND MORE ON MY DOG A MONTH THAN WHAT THEY HAVE FOR AN INCOME.

AND IT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE THAT THEY STILL FIND REASON TO ENJOY EACH OTHER AND TO LAUGH.

SO KUDOS TO THEM.

I ATTENDED THE COUNCIL CORNER WHEN I GOT BACK AND COUNCIL ACADEMY.

THIS IS MY THIRD OR FOURTH ACADEMY THAT I'VE ATTENDED.

AND ONE IS MORE INTERESTING AND EDUCATIONAL THAN THE LAST AS WE MOVE TOWARDS MAY IT BE.

AND I DON'T WANT TO PREMATURELY REACH THIS TOPIC, I'M SURE THE MAYOR WILL TALK ABOUT IT, BUT WE HAVE NO MOW MAY AND I FOUND AN INTERESTING ARTICLE AUTHORED BY JOHN TRAPP, WHO'S THE EXTENSION TURFGRASS EDUCATOR AT THE U OF M AND WHAT THEY'RE NOW RECOMMENDING, THE ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER PROMOTING NO MOW MAY WAS RETRACTED, BUT I DON'T I'M NOT SURE WHAT YEAR THAT WAS RETRACTED.

THE TAKEAWAY IS THAT AT OUR CLIMATE WE HAVE GRASSES THAT GENERALLY HAVE AN EARLY GROWTH PERIOD AND A LATE GROWTH PERIOD.

SO WHAT THEY'RE ASKING TO AVOID STRESS IS THAT WE ONLY LET OUR GRASSES GROW TO SIX INCHES AND THEN CUT THEM BACK SO THAT THEY'RE NOT

[01:00:10]

LET ME CORRECT MYSELF.

IF YOU NORMALLY GO TO A FOUR INCH LENGTH, WAIT TILL IT'S SIX INCHES AND JUST TAKE THAT TOP TWO INCHES OFF AND OUR LAWNS WILL FARE BETTER.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

KEEP THAT NO MOW MAY GOING, THOUGH.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE COMMUNITY.

LET'S JUST HOPE THAT SPRING AND SUMMER ARE TRULY AHEAD OF US.

AND WE FINALLY LEFT THE COLD TEMPS BEHIND.

I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AS I WAS NOT HERE AT THE LAST MEETING, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FORMER CITY MANAGER, KELLI BOURGEOIS LAST MEETING, NOR WAS I ABLE TO WELCOME INTERIM CITY MANAGER KEVIN HANSEN.

CONGRATULATIONS, KEVIN.

I KNOW HOW YOU ENJOY A CHALLENGE AND WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR DARNDEST TO KEEP YOU CHALLENGED.

SO I DID CHAT WITH KELLI THIS WEEK.

SHE MISSES HER PRIVATE AND HER PUBLIC MINNESOTA FAMILIES, BUT IS WARMED BY THE MANY KINDNESSES OF THE PEOPLE IN BRISTOL.

AND KELLI.

I THINK KELLI KNOWS THAT WE WILL MISS HER.

AND AND BRISTOL IS GOING TO FIND OUT JUST HOW LUCKY THEY ARE FOR THE COMING DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS.

SO KUDOS FOR HER.

FACILITATED EIGHT RESIDENT REACH OUTS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS? YEAH, I CAN CONFIRM THAT COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS WAS GOING THROUGH THE ALLEYS ON SUNDAY.

SHE WAS ON THE PHONE WITH ME AND KIND OF GASPING AT THE STATE OF SOME OF THOSE.

SO THAT WAS QUITE AN ENTERTAINING FEW MINUTES.

I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HER.

YES. UM, BUT YEAH, THIS WEEK OR BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS, I MET WITH SENATOR KUNESH AND REPRESENTATIVE FEIST AT THE CAPITOL WITH THE MAYOR AND RESIDENTS OF THE LEGENDS REGARDING THE RENT INCREASES PROPOSED BY DOMINION.

WE'RE STILL WORKING VERY HARD ON THIS ISSUE AND LOOKING FOR A RESOLUTION BEFORE THE RENT IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO GET RAISED IN MID-MAY.

AND INCLUDING WITH THAT, WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S TOP POLICY AIDES TO SEE ABOUT POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE THE ISSUES THEY'RE FACING.

A LOT OF OVERLAP AS WELL WITH COUNCIL, CORNER COUNCIL, ACADEMY AND THE EARTH DAY CLEANUP THAT WE MANY OF US ATTENDED.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE METRO CITIES MEETING IN ROSEVILLE AS THE LIAISON WHERE WE ELECTED OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR.

AND THEN ALSO HAD THAT VERY INTERESTING PRESENTATION FROM THE STATE DEMOGRAPHER, AND IT WAS VERY INFORMATIONAL ABOUT THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES THAT SHE SPOKE ABOUT. I THINK THE FACT SHE GAVE WAS THAT THERE ARE 224,000 JOB OPENINGS IN MINNESOTA AND ONLY 68,000 PEOPLE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR WORK.

AND LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS SAID, IT'S NOT GETTING BETTER ANYTIME SOON.

I FILLED IN AS THE LIAISON FOR THE CHARTER COMMISSION WHERE THERE WAS A ROBUST DISCUSSION, AND THEN ALSO I HAD MANY RESIDENT MEETINGS AND REACH OUTS.

SO GLAD THAT PEOPLE ARE ENGAGED IN BRINGING THINGS FORWARD.

THANK YOU. IT HAS BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I ACTUALLY HAD A BAD HEAD COLD LAST WEEK, SO I MISSED A COUPLE OF DAYS OF MEETINGS AND APPOINTMENTS AND I'M STILL TRYING TO RESCHEDULE AND CATCH UP FROM THAT.

I CAN KIND OF HEAR IN YOUR VOICE YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE BOTH OF US ARE WITH THE WEATHER CHANGE AND EVERYTHING WAS ECSTATIC ON SATURDAY BECAUSE I HAD NOTHING MORE THAN A WHISPER.

OH, HE HAD DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN.

SO YES, I WANTED TO BRING UP NO MOW MAY I KNOW KEVIN HANSEN WILL BRING UP MORE ABOUT THAT.

SO THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS ATTENDED OUR SISTER CITIES MEETING AND WOULD LIKE TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT OUR SISTER CITIES ORGANIZATION AND [INAUDIBLE] IS GOING TO POLAND SEPTEMBER 21ST THROUGH OCTOBER 4TH AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN.

AND I'M SPECIFICALLY THINKING ABOUT OUR CITY MANAGER SHOULD COME ON OUT TO POLAND WITH OUR GROUP.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION, YOU COULD SEND ME AN EMAIL.

MY EMAIL IS ON THE CITY WEBSITE AND WE CAN SHARE OUR BROCHURE WITH YOU OR ATTEND A SISTER CITY MEETING.

OUR NEXT ONE IS ON MAY 9TH AT 1 P.M.

ATTENDED THE COUNCIL CORNER WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, WENT TO THE STATE CAPITAL WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

AND WE'VE BEEN CONSISTENTLY WORKING ON ON THE ON THE ISSUE OF RENT AND WORKING WITH DOMINION.

WE'RE NOT WORKING WITH DOMINION, TRYING TO GET DOMINION TO LISTEN TO US AS ALL THE COUNCIL HAS SIGNED A LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THESE RENTS LOOKED AT FOR OUR SENIORS IN AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS.

ATTENDED THE YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING.

THE YOUTH ARE DISCUSSING HAVING A LANTERN FESTIVAL AND ALSO PARTICIPATING AND WORKING ON A HAUNTED HOUSE.

SO THEY'RE HAVING A LOT OF FUN LEARNING ABOUT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS.

WE HAD A GUEST, KATIE AND ELIZABETH FROM PARKS AND REC, CAME IN AND SPOKE TO THE KIDS ABOUT PARKS AND RECS, JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES THERE WITH YOUTH.

[01:05:09]

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE POLICE ASSOCIATION AND WERE ABLE TO SEE MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THERE DID A BOXING GYM OF THE GOLDEN GLOVES BOXING GYM DOWNSTAIRS WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AARON CHIRPICH.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO SEE ALL OF THE HISTORY DOWN THERE AND IF YOU HAVE ANY YOUTH OR ADULTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW TO BOX OR WORKING OUT AT THE GYM, JUST STOP IN ANY EVENING, THEY'RE OPEN.

WE DID A PET BED EVENT HEIGHTS NEXT AT A PET BED EVENT IN FEBRUARY WITH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LIBRARY.

WE MADE 95 PET BEDS WITH DONATED MATERIALS.

WE HAD 55 VOLUNTEERS AND WE JUST WERE ABLE TO DONATE THEM THIS PAST WEEK TO MARS, WHICH IS THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF. RESCUE.

RESCUE SERVICES.

ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICES.

MINNESOTA ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICES.

AND SO DONATED 95 BEDS, WALKED THEM IN THERE.

ATTENDED THE SCHOOL SAFETY PANEL AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, AS RACHEL, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, BROUGHT UP THIS MORNING, I MET WITH RESIDENTS FROM SAPAC, WHICH IS A SOMALI AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AT THE STREET CLEANUP THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE LIBRARY.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO THE LIBRARY FOR LETTING US MEET IN THE LIBRARY PARKING LOT.

AND ALSO WE ALL SHARE DELICIOUS HEIGHTS BAKERY DONUTS, WHICH IS ALWAYS AN EXTRA REASON TO GET OUT OF BED EARLY IN THE MORNING AND CLEAN UP A STREET AND THE COUNCIL, POLICE ACADEMY WITH THE REST OF OUR COUNCIL AS WELL.

OUT OF TOWN, I ATTENDED THE CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATER.

THEY HAD A PRODUCTION OF PROM THERE AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

IT'S NOT IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT ONE OF OUR LOCAL THEATERS, AND I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND IT WAS A REALLY GREAT TIME.

OH, THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR LISTENING.

KEVIN HANSEN, OUR NEW INTERIM CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU.

THIS IS YOUR FIRST MEETING LEADING AS THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER.

IT IS, THANK YOU.

I HAVE A FEW THINGS. ALL RIGHT, YOUR TURN FOR THE REPORT NOW.

SURE. AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, NO MOW MAY, A COUPLE OF THINGS RELATED TO THAT.

SO TOMORROW, APRIL 25TH WOULD BE THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO PURCHASE A NO MOW MAY YARD SIGN.

IT'S NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE, BUT AT LEAST IT ALERTS OUR STAFF, BUT ANYBODY ELSE WHO HAPPENS TO BE LOOKING AT IT THAT YOU'RE NOT CUTTING YOUR GRASS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY.

WE DO LOOK AT THE MONTH OF MAY.

IT'S REALLY WHEN GRASS STARTS GROWING, BUT IT'S ALSO REALLY AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR POLLINATORS, YOU KNOW, AND THEY LOOK FOR PARTICULAR PLANT MATERIALS, CLOVER, THAT TYPE OF THING. SO IT DOES HELP THEM GET GOING IN THAT MONTH.

IF YOU DO WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THAT, IT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR CITY'S WEBSITE, COLUMBIAHEIGHTSMN.GOV POLLINATORS SO THAT WE CAN GET THOSE YARD SIGNS MADE AND DELIVERED TO YOU.

WELL, I SHOULDN'T SAY THAT.

THEY'RE NOT DELIVERED. PICK UP.

OKAY. I'M JUST USED TO DELIVERING.

THEN TONIGHT, VERY IMPORTANT ONE, TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR 2023 OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD. AND THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO THAT.

ONE IS, OF COURSE, ADULT, AND THE OTHER ONE IS FOR YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY.

FILLABLE NOMINATIONS, THEY CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND THAT'S AGAIN AT THE SAME, COLUMBIAHEIGHTSMN.GOV AND OUTSTANDING IS THE EXTENSION FOR THAT.

SO THAT WE WOULD ENCOURAGE, IF ANYBODY HAS FOLKS THAT THEY'D LIKE TO NOMINATE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE TO PLEASE DO SO AND GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.

WE ALSO HAVE STARTING ON MAY 1ST, WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GARAGE SALE CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE, AND THAT'S FROM JUNE 9TH THROUGH THE 11TH, THAT THEY CAN SIGN UP TO BE INCLUDED ON A LOCATOR MAP.

AGAIN, THAT'S ALSO ON OUR WEBSITE WITH THE EXTENSION OF JUST GARAGE SALE.

FOR THAT, FOLKS CAN SIGN UP BETWEEN MAY 1ST AND MAY 31ST.

SO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR MORE ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS.

THEY'RE HOLDING INFORMATIONAL RECRUITMENT ON APRIL 26TH, WHICH IS THIS WEDNESDAY FROM 6 TO 9 AT THE FIRE STATION.

I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION.

THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED AND AWARDED A CONTRACT TONIGHT, ALONG WITH THE JPA FOR 37TH AVENUE.

THE INTENDED OR THE GOAL FOR STARTING THAT CONSTRUCTION OUT THERE IS MAY 15TH.

SO PRIOR TO BEGINNING THAT CONSTRUCTION, BOTH THE CITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WILL BE HOLDING INFORMATIONAL MEETING WITH THE ADJACENT AND REALLY IMPACTED, IN OTHER WORDS, UP THE SIDE STREET BLOCKS WITH THOSE RESIDENTS JUST TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, TO MEET STAFF THAT WILL BE OUT IN THE FIELD AND TO GET A BETTER IDEA OF

[01:10:08]

AND WE ALSO ANTICIPATE THAT THAT THE SIZE OF THAT PROJECT, IT'S A MILE OF ROADWAY WILL REALLY TAKE PLACE OVER THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION SEASON.

SO LOOKING AT MORE TOWARDS THE END OF OCTOBER, BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER, FOR THAT TO BE COMPLETE.

THE OTHER ONE THAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT THE CITY THIS YEAR IS DOING SANITARY SEWER LINING ON CENTRAL AVENUE.

AND THIS GOES FROM 37TH AVENUE UP TO 44TH AVENUE.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC OUT ON CENTRAL AND REALLY BECAUSE WE DO HAVE BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS THAT DO USE THE SEWER, WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING THAT AS EVENING WORK.

SO THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE LOOKING AT DOING THAT FROM ABOUT 7:00 P.M.

UNTIL ABOUT 7 A.M.

WE HAVE NOTICED EVERYBODY THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED THAT HAS SERVICE BY THE CENTRAL AVENUE LINE.

SO THEY'RE AWARE OF IT.

BUT I THINK IT REALLY HELPS FACILITATE AND MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OUT FOR THAT BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WHEN WE'RE LINING, YOU CAN'T USE YOUR SEWER.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.

ALSO, IT GETS THEM ON THAT ROADWAY WHEN THERE'S LESS TRAFFIC ON THE ROADWAY.

WE DON'T HAVE A SCHEDULE YET BECAUSE THEY'RE WAITING FOR PERMITTING FROM MDOT ON THAT.

AND THE LAST THING I HAVE, IT ALSO RELATES TO PUBLIC WORKS.

BUT WE'RE OUT.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT. WE HAVE IT UP ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE'RE OUT BOTH POTHOLE PATCHING AND THEN WE'RE ALSO THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THAT WE DO OUR HYDRANT FLUSHING.

I KNOW THE COUNCIL MEMBER HAD BROUGHT IT UP REGARDING HYDRANT FLUSHING, BUT IF YOU DO FROM THAT, WE YOU OFTENTIMES WILL GET SOME DISCOLORED WATER.

THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST RUN YOUR WATER FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND IT USUALLY CLEARS.

IF IT DOESN'T, PLEASE CALL PUBLIC WORKS AND WE CAN COME OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AND TRY TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING THAT MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FLUSHING OR FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING INTERNAL TO YOUR HOME THAT THAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THAT.

AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE, MAYOR.

THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT, THEN. THANK YOU.

[COMMUNITY FORUM]

SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT. 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.

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 CAMERA ON.

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

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

SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL UP THE FIRST PERSON? ABSOLUTELY. SHELLY JOHNSON WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU. WELCOME.

HI. SHELLY JOHNSON.

1027 43RD AVENUE.

MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST OFFER A LITTLE CLARIFYING INFORMATION.

CAN YOU MOVE CLOSER TO.

YES. WE'D LIKE YOU TO SPEAK AT THE MICROPHONE.

OKAY. IF YOU CAN STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE PODIUM.

ACTUALLY, THAT'S EASIER.

I'M USUALLY GOT A BIG ENOUGH VOICE.

I JUST WANTED TO ADD SOME, A LITTLE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE RENTAL LICENSES THAT COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES BROUGHT UP.

BRYAN BUFFINGTON, FOR THOSE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, IS ASSOCIATED WITH HAVENBROOK AND HAVENBROOK IS THE COMPANY FOR THOSE WHO WERE HERE LAST YEAR, REMEMBER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WENT THROUGH A PROCESS OF POTENTIALLY REVOKING AND REINSTATING THEM ALL AND ONE OF THE CHANGES THAT CAME OUT OF THAT IS BRYAN BUFFINGTON WILL BE LISTED AS THE LICENSEE ON ALL OF THEIR PROPERTIES.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HIS NAME.

THE OTHER THING I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT IS THEY'VE GOT A LITTLE OVER 20 PROPERTIES.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE HIS NAME COMING THROUGH SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH THE RENTAL LICENSE PERIOD THIS YEAR.

SO THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE TO BRING THAT UP AT THIS PART OF THE MEETING.

SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER? ABSOLUTELY. SO I'M GOING TO ASK RESIDENT KATHY AHLERS TO GO AHEAD AND UNMUTE AND TURN HER VIDEO ON TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU. AND WELCOME, KATHY.

KATHY, YOU'RE MUTED STILL.

MAYBE ON OUR SIDE.

OH, JUST ONE MINUTE. OUR SPEAKER MIGHT BE PAUSED.

[01:15:04]

NOT YET, CATHY.

JUST WAIT A MOMENT. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, TOO.

IT HAD RESET AGAIN.

I APOLOGIZE. IT'S ON NOW.

YEAH, BUT IT HAD TURNED OFF.

I APOLOGIZE. THAT'S QUITE OKAY.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES THAT WE WON'T HAVE TO ENDURE.

SHORT LIVED, RIGHT? IT'S FOR THIS SUMMER AND WE'RE IN THE NEW CITY HALL.

SIX MORE WEEKS.

THANK YOU. SOUND.

SOUND CHORD. I THINK I HEARD A.

KATHY, COULD YOU TRY AGAIN? OH, WE'RE HEARING YOU JUST REALLY QUIET.

SO JUST ONE SECOND.

WAS THAT THE LAPTOP SPEAKER, THOUGH? I'LL TRY TO BOOST IT A LITTLE MORE.

IS THAT BETTER? KATHY, WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH SPEAKER TO TURN UP LOUDER.

SO IT'S NOT NOTHING ON YOUR END.

IT'S OUR END. I SHOULD JUST RECITE.

TESTING. TESTING.

ONE, TWO, THREE. TESTING.

TESTING. THAT IS, WE TRY TO SEND IT THROUGH THE.

WE MIGHT HAVE TO USE A LAPTOP.

WE COULD HEAR HER FROM THE LAPTOP IF WE HAVE TO.

AND THEN THE AIR CONDITIONING KICKS IN.

NOW I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING.

JUST NEED SOME BOXING TO TAKE PLACE.

AND WE REALLY CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING.

YEAH. CAN YOU SPEAK AGAIN? THANK YOU, KATHY. WE APPRECIATE.

WE APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH US.

WE CAN HEAR YOU BETTER.

IS THIS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT, KATHY.

I WILL. I'M GOING TO WRITE DOWN YOUR TIME NOW SO I DON'T GET IT MIXED UP.

THAT WAS ONLY FOUR MINUTES, SO IT'S OKAY.

ALL RIGHT, KATHY, PLEASE START WITH YOUR FORUM OPPORTUNITY ITEM.

MY NAME IS KATHY EVERS.

I LIVE AT 1410 8TH STREET, AND I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 36 YEARS, I BELIEVE.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD WORK THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR HAS DONE OVER THE YEARS AND ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WITHIN THE LIVING MEMORY OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WE HAVE NEVER HAD AN OPEN AND COMPLETE EXECUTIVE SEARCH FOR OUR CITY MANAGER.

AND I BELIEVE THAT IT ALSO IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT MINNESOTA, OUR PROUD STATE OF MINNESOTA AS A TOP TEN PUBLIC AFFAIRS GRADUATE PROGRAM AT SCHOOL, THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL THAT TRAINS CITY POLICY MAKERS, PLANNERS AND CITY ADMINISTRATORS IN MODERN DIVERSITY, OPEN GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY PRINCIPLES AND ETHICAL PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES, AS WELL AS WAYS TO DEEPLY AND MEANINGFULLY INVOLVE AND ENGAGE THE PUBLIC.

[01:20:01]

YOU WOULD BE MUCH MORE HELPFUL TO HAVE THOSE MODERN ENGAGEMENTS, COMMUNITY WIDE FORUMS FOR LARGE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE FOR THE CITY, INCLUDING SELECTING A CITY MANAGER.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE? AND CERTAINLY THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER NOW, YOU KNOW, IF INTERESTED IN THE CITY MANAGER POSITION WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE THE APPLICANTS THAT THE SEARCH, THE SEARCH COMMITTEE, THE SEARCH CONSULTANT FIRM WOULD ENGAGE WITH AND CONSIDER ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE.

BUT HAVING COMMUNITY WIDE EVENTS IN ADVANCE OF THE NEXT COMP PLAN REVISION I THINK IS ALSO CRUCIAL.

THAT'S GOING TO BE DUE IN 2028.

THE LAST TIME THIS CAME AROUND WE WERE STILL UNDER [INAUDIBLE].

AND WE HAD VERY WHAT THEY CALL THIN ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE.

NOT REALLY PROVIDING A WAY FOR DETAILED DESIRES OF THE COMMUNITY.

IT WOULD PUT FORTH WITH REGARD TO OUR $40 MILLION BUDGET, WHICH THE CITY COUNCIL HAS FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY IN OVERSEEING.

AND THAT, I THINK, IS.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT MUCH, BUT.

YOU FOLKS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR ARE OUR STOP GAP BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL OF OUR TAX DOLLARS? SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ENTREAT AND ASK AND PLEAD AND BEG YOU TO PLEASE.

CONDUCT A FULL SEARCH.

PUT AN RFP OUT FOR A SEARCH.

AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM.

NOT JUST GOING WITH THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD CONSULTANTS WITHOUT PUTTING AN OLD RFP OUT TO A FULL AND COMPLETE SEARCH AND START TO EMBODY THESE MORE MEANINGFUL, DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, KATHY. SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER? NO. ALL RIGHT.

ANY SPEAKERS ON ZOOM.

ALL RIGHT. SO JUST IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, LET US KNOW NOW.

OTHERWISE WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE END OF THE MEETING.

ALL RIGHT. HEARING AS NONE THEN.

THEN I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

SO MOVED. SECOND.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.