May 08, 2023 City Council

ALL RIGHT, THEN.

[00:00:04]

[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

AND SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL FOR US? THANK YOU, SARAH. AND I'D LIKE TO READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT.

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, MAYBE YOU PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

ALLEGIANCE].

NEXT IS OUR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED? MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.

SECOND. I HAVE A FIRST AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING AS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

SAY AYE. AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR GUESTS TODAY.

SO THAT TAKES US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

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

ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE REMOVED? ALL RIGHT. SEEING AS NONE THEN, KEVIN, OUR CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU PLEASE PRESENT THE ITEMS? I WILL. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THERE ARE 12 ITEMS ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT.

THE FIRST IS ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 7TH, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION.

THE SECOND ITEM IS ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 6TH, 2023, EDA MEETING MINUTES.

THE THIRD IS ACCEPT THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 3RD, 2023 EDA MEETING.

THE FOURTH ITEM IS APPROVE THE APRIL 12TH, 2023 CITY COUNCIL CORNER MEETING MINUTES.

THE FIFTH ITEM IS APPROVE THE APRIL 24TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

THE SIXTH ITEM IS ACCEPT THE APRIL 5TH, 2023 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES.

THE SEVENTH ITEM IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF THE AUDIT PERFORMED FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR BODY WORN CAMERA AUDIT. THE EIGHTH ITEM IS AMEND THE LIBRARY MEETING ROOM USAGE POLICY.

THIS REALLY FOLLOWS THE LAST ITEM THAT THE COUNCIL HAD CONSIDERED FOR THE TIME THAT THE MEETING ROOM WOULD BE OPEN, AND THAT'S NOW BEEN AMENDED TO BE ONE HALF HOUR PAST WHEN THE LIBRARY CLOSES.

THE NINTH ITEM IS TO THIS IS AN ANNUAL ITEM THAT IS DONE AS IT RELATES TO THE INSURANCE THAT THE CITY HAS.

AND THAT WOULD BE THAT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ESTABLISHES THAT WE DO NOT WAIVE THE MONETARY LIMITS ON MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES.

SECTION FOUR SIX 604.

THE 10TH ITEM IS THE LICENSE AGENDA.

THE 11TH ITEM IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.

AND THE LAST ITEM IS THE REVIEW OF BILLS AND THE AMOUNT OF $378,581.31.

MAYOR THANK YOU, KEVIN.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. HEARING IS DONE. THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

SO MOVED. SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS SORRY, JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

ANY DISCUSSION HEARING AS NONE.

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

NEXT. THAT TAKES US TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING.

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

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.

[00:05:03]

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

AND KEVIN HANSEN MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

THERE IS NO NEW INFORMATION FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER.

WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS DOES PERFORM SOME CHANGES, REALLY FOUR PRIMARY CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

THOSE CHANGES ARE RELATED TO THE TIME OF SERVICE ON THE SAME BOARD AND COMMISSION TO ONE TERM.

IT REMOVES THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION, IT ESTABLISHES THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AND THEN UPDATES THE YOUTH COMMISSION.

THE MEMBERSHIP FROM 20 TO 13 MEMBERS.

AND THEN ALSO IT PROVIDES THE ADDITION FOR ANY STUDENTS THAT ARE IN ISD 13 ARE SCHOOL DISTRICT MAYOR.

THANK YOU, KEVIN.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? STATEMENTS. I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AND THAT THIS WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

AND APPLICATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REQUESTED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

SO PLEASE, IF YOU'RE WATCHING AND INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS NEW SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONS.

SACHSE COUNCIL MEMBER.

MS. YES, I'M ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT THE YOUTH COMMISSION HAS BEEN WORKING FANTASTICALLY AND WE'RE EXCITED TO EXPAND MEMBERSHIP TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS AS WELL.

WE'RE REDUCING THE NUMBERS NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE GREAT STUDENTS, BUT TO MAKE IT WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY BECAUSE THEY DO WORK HARD.

AND THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF LIAISON, BEN, WHO SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE AND TO THE MAYOR AS OUR COUNCIL LIAISON, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONS AND THAT'S ALSO WHY THE BOARD, THE COUNCIL IS INTERESTED IN CREATING SPACE FOR NEW APPLICANTS AND CHANGING THE TIME PERIOD THAT YOU'RE OFF OF COMMISSION TO MAKE SPACE FOR NEW APPLICANTS. SO WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH IN WORK SESSIONS AND WE'RE EXCITED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SUSTAINABILITY, KEEP THE YOUTH COMMISSION VIBRANT AND MAKE SPACE FOR NEW PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I WILL ALSO ADD THAT SARAH AND OUR CITY CLERK IS ALSO ONE OF THE STAFF LIAISON OR STAFF THAT IS A PART OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION.

SO THAT'S AWESOME. THEY GOT TO HAVE TWO STAFF MEMBERS HELPING WITH THEM.

AND THIS WEDNESDAY, IN FACT, IS OUR LAST MEETING OF THE YEAR.

UNLIKE MOST COMMISSIONS THAT GO ALL YEAR ROUND, THE YOUTH COMMISSION, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THEM BEING STUDENTS, WE ARE NOT PLANNING ON HAVING YOUTH COMMISSION MEETINGS DURING THE SUMMER, SO THIS WEDNESDAY WILL BE THEIR LAST ONE FOR THE YEAR AND THEN THEY'RE BACK IN SEPTEMBER.

ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT, THEN THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING THEN.

SO I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN TALKING ON THIS MATTER, YOU MAY GIVE YOUR NAME TO SARAH AND SPEAK AT THE PODIUM.

YOU DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC? ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

THEN I WILL JUST SAY IT ONE MORE TIME TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SPACE FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS TIME, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SEEING AS NONE, THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING? SO MOVED. SECOND.

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

ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.

MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 1683.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER THREE, ARTICLE THREE OF THE CITY CODE PERTAINING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND DIRECT STAFF TO SEND THE ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE LEGAL NEWSPAPER.

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

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

AND THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT. WE HAVE NO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST? SURE. IT'S BEEN A BUSY TWO WEEKS.

BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN.

THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER AND WE'VE STARTED WORKING ON THE GARDEN AND PLANNING WHAT THINGS? AND VEGGIES, VEGGIES AND FRUITS AND THINGS WERE GOING TO PLANT.

AND ALSO WE RECEIVED A LARGE GRANT FROM WMO TO PLANT.

WE GOT ABOUT $1,800 TO PLANT POLLINATOR PLANTS ALONG THE BERM FOR WHERE PEOPLE WALK.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE START WORKING ON THAT SOON TOO.

SO IT'S SUPER EXCITING. WE'VE GOT WATER.

THE CITY HELPED US TO BRING WATER INTO THE GARDEN SO WE'RE NOT DRAGGING A 300 FOOT HOSE TO THE VERY BACK.

SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

ALSO, IT'S THIS TIME OF YEAR WE START CLEANING OUT THE STORM DRAINS.

FOLKS, IF YOU HAVEN'T ADOPTED ONE, PLEASE DO.

I DID 23 STORM DRAINS FOR HEIGHTS NEXT AND FOR OUR OWN THAT WE DID.

AND I WENT BACK AGAIN AND HAD 1010 GALLONS OF STUFF STUCK IN ONE STORM DRAIN.

[00:10:01]

GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT.

I ATTENDED THE SENSIBLE LAND USE COALITION ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.

AARON CHIRPICH, OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WAS THERE AND WAS AND HE WAS ON THE PANEL THAT DISCUSSED ISSUES WITH SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS.

I ATTENDED THE METRO CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING AND THEY DISCUSSED THE VARIOUS GRANTS AVAILABLE TO HELP CITIES COPE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

I. I, AS WELL AS OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, ATTENDED THE POLICE ACADEMY TWICE SINCE OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING.

VERY EDUCATIONAL. IT'S MY SECOND ROUND AND I'M STILL LEARNING NEW THINGS.

IT'S A REALLY GOOD PRESENTATION THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT TOO.

ALSO, WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT ACTORS AND ACTRESSES IN THIS CITY.

I ATTENDED THE OPEN THE OPERA JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR AT SAINT MATTHEW'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.

OH, MY GOSH. THE SINGING WAS PHENOMENAL.

IT WAS SO COOL TO HAVE THAT TALENT IN OUR CITY.

IT WAS JUST REALLY COOL.

I ALSO ATTENDED OUR HIGH SCHOOL PLAY LEAVING IOWA.

THE STUDENTS THERE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUE TO IMPRESS ME WITH THEIR TALENT.

IT WAS A TWO HOUR PLAY AND THEY DID PHENOMENAL.

THEY JUST DID REALLY GOOD JOB.

AND I'M KIND OF SAD THAT SOME OF THEM ARE SENIORS BECAUSE I WANT TO KEEP WATCHING THEM IN THEIR PLACE BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING SO GOOD.

SO ALSO ATTENDED WITH SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THE ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION AT MCKENNA WITH THREE KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS, THEY ALL GOT A TURN AT WATERING THE TREE, WHICH WAS REALLY CUTE.

I WANT TO, THANKS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, FOR SAVING THE SQUIRREL WHOSE HEAD GOT STUCK IN A DRAIN HOLE IN A DUMPSTER.

I KNOW. IT'S JUST SO SWEET THOUGH, THE POOR THING.

SO I'M REALLY GRATEFUL THAT SOMEONE SAW IT AND ALSO CALLED OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO HELP WITH THAT.

AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR PATIENCE WITH THE POTHOLE REPAIR THE PUBLIC WORKS CREW ARE WORKING AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN.

THEY'RE GOING THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 12 TONS OF ASPHALT A DAY.

SO THEY'RE MOVING.

IT'S A LOT OF ASPHALT, FOLKS.

SO, PLEASE BE PATIENT.

THEY'LL GET TO YOUR POTHOLE IF THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO IT ALREADY.

AND THAT'S IT FOR THE DAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

THANK YOU. I ALSO ATTENDED THE COUNCIL ACADEMY WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AT OUR LAST SESSION, THEY SHARED WITH US SOME WONDERFULLY DETAILED NUMBERS ON THE SROS IN THE SCHOOL AND BROKE IT DOWN OVER THE LAST SINCE 2016 UNTIL NOW. AND SO THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING REALLY GOOD TRACKING AND CAREFUL WATCH ON HOW THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS INTERACT WITH STUDENTS.

AND SO I WAS REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT DATA.

AT THE MAY 1ST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, WE HAD A PRESENTATION BY ATLANTIS, THE DEVELOPER THAT IS WORKING IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE CORNER OF 40TH AND CENTRAL.

HOW'S THAT BUILDING RATIO DOING? WELL, WE HEARD THAT THEY'RE HAVING A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH US AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE REALLY PLEASED WITH THE LEASING.

IT'S 60% FULL NOW AND THAT'S REALLY GREAT.

THAT SAME DEVELOPER IS ALSO GOING TO BE DOING THE BIG PROJECT ON CENTRAL BETWEEN 43RD AND 44TH WHERE THE RAINBOW USED TO BE, AND THEY PRESENTED TO US THAT THEY'RE PLANNING TO TEAR THAT BUILDING DOWN LATER THIS SUMMER.

SO THAT IS A GREAT START AND START THE FIRST PART OF THEIR PROCESS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE HOUSING OF ABOUT 258 UNITS, TWO BIG RETAIL SPACES OF ABOUT 15,000FT², SOME KIND OF FITNESS CENTER AND JUST BEGINNING BEGINNING TO BUILD OUT ON CENTRAL INSTEAD OF WHERE WE HAVE KIND OF AN EMPTY HOLE RIGHT NOW. SO WE'RE BOTH WE'RE ALL VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AND THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND THEY'LL BE WORKING WITH THE CITY FOR ALL THE NECESSARY DETAILS ON BUILDING CODE ON THAT.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE TREE PLANTING AND IT WAS VERY FUN.

AND I ON MAY 4TH I WAS ABLE TO VISIT WITH METRO TRANSIT.

AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THEY ARE SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON THE NEW BUS RAPID TRANSIT THAT'S SLATED TO COME THROUGH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

THEY ARE LOOKING RIGHT NOW TO DETERMINE WHERE THEY WANT THE STOPS TO BE.

THERE'S A SURVEY THAT THEY HAVE OPEN ON THE METRO TRANSIT WEBSITE OPEN UNTIL MAY 14TH.

THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION ON THERE ABOUT WHAT THE STOPS, WHAT THE STATIONS WILL LOOK LIKE AND HOW OFTEN AND FREQUENT THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT WILL BE.

AND THEN FINALLY, TWO MORE THINGS.

I CONNECTED WITH THE BUY NOTHING GROUP FREE SALE.

I JUST WENT AS A PARTICIPANT, GOT SOME FREE THINGS, GAVE AWAY SOME FREE THINGS.

IT'S A FANTASTIC WAY FOR RESIDENTS IN OUR CITY TO START WITH THE FIRST PART OF REDUCE, REUSE AND WE GET TO REUSE THINGS RATHER THAN JUST RECYCLING THEM.

AND I THINK THAT'S ALL FOR NOW. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COUNCILOR JACOBS.

YEAH. I ATTENDED THE COUNCIL ACADEMY WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AND ALSO ATTENDED THE ARBOR DAY TREE PLANTING AND WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT WOLFGANG GERHARDT WAS QUOTED.

[00:15:07]

PROBABLY ONE OF HIS MOST COMMON AND GUT IS TO THE GERMAN LITERARY WORLD WHAT SHAKESPEARE IS TO THE ENGLISH.

SO IT WAS NICE TO SEE THAT THE MAYOR TOOK THE TIME TO HAVE THAT POEM.

I ATTENDED THE SENSIBLE LAND USE PRESENTATION AND WAS VERY EXCITED TO HEAR SOME INTERESTING ALTERNATIVES TO RENTAL PLACEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'M HOPING THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK WITH IN OUR FUTURE AND I BELIEVE THIS IS BEN'S LAST COUNCIL MEETING THAT HE'LL BE WITH US.

BEN'S GOING TO BE LEAVING US, UNFORTUNATELY, BUT I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY WISH HIM THE VERY BEST IN ALL.

ALL HE DOES IN HIS FUTURE.

YOU WILL BE MISSED. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE HERE.

THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS. YEAH.

EXCUSE ME. A LOT OF OVERLAP.

SO KIND OF JUST HIT ON THOSE THINGS THAT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY HIT ON THE COUNCIL ACADEMY SESSIONS, WHICH ARE GOING GREAT.

AND I GOT TO ATTEND TWO ARBOR DAY CELEBRATIONS.

WE WENT TO THE ONE ORIGINALLY ON FRIDAY THAT GOT RAINED OUT, BUT THE MAYOR AND LIAM AND KEVIN WERE STILL THERE AND LIAM WAS SUPER EXCITED TO SHOW OFF THE TREE TWO TIMES.

NOT ONE, BUT BOTH TIMES WERE GREAT.

UM, I GOT MY OWN ARBOR DAY TREE SALE, TREE DELIVERED AND PLANNING ON PLANTING THAT THIS WEEK I HAD, IN ADDITION TO OUR COUNCIL ACADEMY SESSION, A MEETING WITH THE MAYOR, CHIEF AUSTIN, CAPTAIN MARKHAM, AND THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT OUR SCHOOL SAFETY AND TALKING ABOUT THE SROS MORE IN.

IT'S GREAT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT PROCESS AND PARTNERSHIP.

UM, I AUTHORED AND SIGNED ON TO A JOINT LETTER OF SUPPORT WITH BASICALLY STILL WORKING ON THE ISSUE WITH THE RESIDENTS AT THE LEGENDS THERE WITH THEIR SENIOR LIVING FACILITY RENT BEING HIKED UP PRETTY HIGH.

AND I WAS HAPPY THAT THE ENTIRE COUNCIL SIGNED ON IN SUPPORT FOR THAT.

AND WE ALSO HAD ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM COON RAPIDS, MINNETONKA, FALCON HEIGHTS, SPRING LAKE PARK AND BLAINE, WHO ALSO SIGNED ON IN SUPPORT AS WELL, AND THEN ATTENDED THE WORK SESSION IN EDA AND ALSO THE LIBRARY BOARD LAST WEDNESDAY.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.

YEAH, THANK YOU. YES, IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE COUNCIL THAT'S SO ACTIVE.

AND WE END UP KIND OF GOING TO A LOT OF THE SAME ACTIVITIES BECAUSE WE'RE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.

FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS FRIDAY IS CHEERS FOR BEERS, WHICH IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HEIGHTS NEXT, A NONPROFIT SERVICE ORGANIZATION HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND ALSO WITH TOP VALUE LIQUOR, OUR MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES.

HERE IT IS ON FRIDAY AT CHEERS FOR BEERS FROM 6 TO 9 P.M.

AND YOU CAN BUY TICKETS AT CHEERS FOR BEERS.

MN.COM. THERE ARE $40 AHEAD OF TIME AND $45 THE DAY OF AND THERE ARE $20 DESIGNATED DRIVER TO DESIGNATED DRIVER TICKETS AS WELL.

AND JUST A QUICK HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT OUR MOTHERS ARE MOTHERS TO BE AND PEOPLE WHO JUST ARE GOOD FRIENDS AND HELPING OTHER PEOPLE, EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT THEIR MOTHER.

THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO BE A CAREGIVER.

AND SO HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ME MEANS CAREGIVING, PARENTING, FRIENDS, GUARDIANS.

SO HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND WITH THAT.

I HAVE ATTENDED IT'S BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS.

JUST TODAY ATTENDED THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS MEETING, WHICH WAS DOWNTOWN AT DORSEY AND WHITNEY WITH ALL OF THE MAYORS IN THE REGIONAL AREA AND DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING THE WORLD'S EXPO HERE IN MINNESOTA IN 2027.

THAT WOULD BE BASICALLY THE WORLD FAIR.

IT'S NOW CALLED THE WORLD EXPO, AND THE THEME IS HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY PLANET.

WE ARE IN THE TOP FOUR CONTENDER COUNTRIES, BUT MOSTLY AGAINST SPAIN AND THE US, WHICH IS BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA.

SO SINCE WE HAVE A SISTER CITY GROUP HERE, WE WILL DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO OUR SISTER CITY IN WYMIARKI, POLAND, THAT IF THEY KNOW PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE VOTING FOR DECIDING WHAT COUNTRY TO GO TO, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE THE WORLDS EXPO HERE IN BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA, AND ALSO HELPED ORGANIZE THE BUY NOTHING EVENT ON SATURDAY.

A GREAT WAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GET TOGETHER AND THE KIDS CAN PLAY IN THE GYM AND PEOPLE KEEP COMING IN AND SAYING, WELL, HOW MUCH IS THIS OKAY? WELL, NOT THAT. HOW MUCH IS THIS? IT'S FREE. HOW MUCH IS THIS? IT'S FREE. IT'S FREE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO EVEN HAVE A HAVE A TABLE TO SIT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIT THERE. IT'S JUST ALL FREE.

VOLUNTEERED FOR THE EVERY MEAL PROGRAM AT VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL.

AND I DID A I WAS VERY HONORED AND HAPPY TO DO A POTHOLE REPAIR DRIVE ALONG ON THURSDAY MORNING AND MET OUR SIX CREW MEMBERS WHO ARE OUT THERE WORKING AND JUST SUPER IMPRESSIVE.

[00:20:02]

SO BEST WAY TO DO IT IS GO ON THE WEBSITE AND PUT IN THE ADDRESS WHERE THERE IS A POTHOLE THAT NEEDS REPAIRING.

BUT THEY ARE GETTING OUT THERE AND THERE'S SIX PEOPLE IN THE CITY THAT DO IT AND IT TAKES AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO GET DONE.

AND SO THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

AS COUNCIL MEMBER BISSCHEN SAID, THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SUPPORT OF ALL OF OUR STAFF.

WE ALSO HAD THE STAFF POTLUCK LAST WEEK.

IT WAS A TACO THEME AND IT WAS DELICIOUS.

IT WAS A REALLY NICE WAY TO TO CONNECT WITH STAFF HERE, ATTENDED THE POLICE COUNCIL ACADEMY WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, AND DURING OUR DISCUSSION OF THE SRO WAS THAT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE A COUNCIL.

CONVERSATION WHERE WE REALLY GO INTO IT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND BRING IN THE OFFICERS WHO ARE OUR SRO OFFICERS AND HAVE A CHANCE TO REALLY GET TO KNOW MORE OF THE PROGRAM. LAST WEDNESDAY WAS A RED LETTER DAY FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

THE VICE PRESIDENT'S HUSBAND, WHO IS THE SECOND FIRST GENTLEMAN OR FIRST.

SECOND GENTLEMAN FIRST THE FIRST SECOND GENTLEMAN.

DOUG EMHOFF WAS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AT ADAMA RESTAURANT AND WAS HERE AS PART OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION DISCUSSION AND ROUNDTABLE.

AND I WAS VERY HONORED TO BE THERE AND MEET WITH HIM AND ALSO SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR GUZMAN.

IT WAS A GREAT CONVERSATION ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN CONNECT OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WITH RESOURCES AND HOW CAN OUR RESOURCES BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THEN LATER THAT MORNING, OUR FOOD SHELF HERE SACA RECEIVED A VERY LARGE $1 MILLION CHECK FROM CONGRESSWOMAN OMAR AND WAS VERY HAPPY TO BE THERE REPRESENTING THE COUNCIL AND THE CITY STAFF IN SUPPORTING CEQA'S MISSION AS A FOOD SHELF IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THEN AT MURZYN HALL, I ALSO HELPED HOST A LUNCHEON FOR CONGRESSWOMAN OMAR AND ALL OF THE MAYORS WHO ARE IN DISTRICT FIVE AND CITY MANAGERS WERE INVITED AS WELL.

THE LUNCH WAS CATERED BY [INAUDIBLE] AND THE FOOD WAS AMAZING AND IT WAS SO GOOD.

BUT A REALLY GREAT DISCUSSION WITH OUR COUNCILMAN, WITH OUR CONGRESSWOMAN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON DC.

AND THEN EVERY MAYOR WENT AROUND THE ROOM AND THEN SHARED A FEW MINUTES OF THEIR CONCERNS, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SO THERE'S 14 CITIES IN DISTRICT FIVE AND WE HAD 12 MAYORS HERE AND THEN ALSO STAFF.

SO IT WAS VERY GOOD, GOOD CONVERSATION.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH OR SORRY, FATHER JAMES IS LEAVING IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

SO WE GOT TOGETHER FOR A CUP OF COFFEE LAST WEEK.

UM, I WAS ABLE TO GO ON ANOTHER RIDE ALONG WITH THE NORTH METRO CARPENTERS UNION ON A WAGE THEFT INVESTIGATION DRIVE ALONG.

AND SO I WAS ABLE TO CHECK OUT A COUPLE CONSTRUCTION SITES TO LEARN WAYS THAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION.

AND IF THERE'S WAYS THAT THERE ARE HUMAN RIGHTS THAT ARE BEING VIOLATED.

AND I HAVE TO SAY, OUR BUILDING BEHIND PUBLIC SAFETY PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS.

AND OUR INSPECTION TEAM DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB AND OUR STANDARDS ARE SO HIGH THAT EVERYONE WAS JUST SO RESPECTFUL ON THAT SITE.

IT WAS VERY GOOD TO SEE.

AND I WAS GOING TO SAY AT OUR EDA, WE TALKED ABOUT THE 44TH AND CENTRAL PROPERTY AND JUST WANT AS TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES WAS SAYING, BUT JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT IS PUBLIC DOCUMENT.

SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE PROPOSED LOOK OF THE NEW BUILDING SITE WILL BE THAT IS ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE, UNDER AGENDAS AND MEETINGS UNDER GOVERNMENT.

AND YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE PICTURES IN 3D MODELING OF WHAT THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT WILL BE IS PRETTY EXCITING TO SEE THAT.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL PLAY, LEAVING IOWA.

AMAZING TALENT HERE.

THE ARBOR DAY CEREMONY WAS SO MUCH FUN TWICE IN A ROW AND I GOT TO READ MY POEM TWICE TO PRACTICE IT.

AND CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS HAD AN ART NIGHT AND IT WAS REALLY FUN TO SIT AROUND WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND JUST WORK ON ART TOGETHER.

AND THEY DO THAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

THE ANOKA FIRE PROTECTION COUNCIL HAD A MEETING IN BLAINE AND ATTENDED THAT WITH OUR ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF.

OUR RACIAL OR SORRY, OUR REGIONAL COUNCIL MAYOR GROUP EQUITY MEETING WAS HAD I ATTENDED THE STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND SHARED WITH THEM WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH CITY JOBS AND THE YOUTH COMMISSION AS WELL ATTENDED WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL

[00:25:07]

I'M THE LIAISON FOR THE PARKS AND REC AND WE HAD A MEETING THEN AND DISCUSSED CHEERS FOR BEERS AND ALSO WELCOMED OUR NEW PARK AND REC PARK BOARD COMMISSIONERS.

SO IT WAS REALLY FUN TO HAVE NEW PEOPLE THERE.

WE ALSO HAD A MEETING AT THE LIBRARY WITH THE COUNTY AND THE DNR SERVICES FOR THE FRIENDS OF CARDIAC PARK GROUP DISCUSSING CARDIAC PARK AND HIGHLAND LAKE THAT WAS AT THE LIBRARY.

AND THERE WAS ABOUT, I THINK LIKE 60 PEOPLE.

65 PEOPLE WERE IN ATTENDANCE.

VERY WELL ATTENDED.

PEOPLE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THE COUNTY.

BE INTERESTED IN OUR FEEDBACK AND WAYS TO GET INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO IN I THINK ON JUNE 4TH, THE HIGH SCHOOL IS TAKING OVER A GROUP OF KIDS TO START PULLING BUCKTHORN.

SO WE'RE ALREADY GETTING SOME COMMUNITY ACTION GOING ON THAT.

AND AGAIN, I WILL ALSO ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS WITH A BIG THANK YOU TO BEN, OUR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, FOR YOUR WORK HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FUTURE, BUT WE WILL DEFINITELY MISS YOU HERE.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO SAINT LOUIS PARK, RIGHT? YEAH. SO THEY'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE YOU.

I IMMEDIATELY TEXTED THE MAYOR OVER THERE AND SAID, THANKS FOR STEALING ONE OF OUR AMAZING SHINING STARS HERE, BUT BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE HERE. AND THEN ONE LAST PLUG FOR OUR CHEERS FOR BEERS ON FRIDAY.

SO CHEERS FOR BEERS AND ENTERCOM AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANKS. KEVIN HANSEN CITY MANAGER REPORT.

WELL, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I'VE GOT A FEW THINGS FOR YOU SINCE BOTH YOURSELF AND COUNCIL MEMBER BISCAYANS BROUGHT UP POTHOLE PATCHING, THAT IS SOMETHING.

IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR NOT ONLY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT I THINK YOU REALLY SEE IT ACROSS THE METRO HERE FOR THE TYPE OF WINTER THAT WE HAD.

SO I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER BASKINS BROUGHT UP THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE PUTTING DOWN AND WE ARE GOING TO UP THAT AND IT'S STRICTLY FROM TO GET AS MUCH AS WE CAN DONE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ALLOCATE MORE RESOURCES TO THAT, BOTH MANPOWER AND TIME.

SO WE'RE GOING TO UP THAT FROM 12 TO 18 TONS PER DAY JUST TO GET AFTER IT.

AND WE'LL GET STARTED ON THAT THIS WEEK.

A COUPLE OF PROJECTS COMING UP.

CERTAINLY THE COMMUNITY WILL SEE THESE AROUND TOWN.

THE FIRST OF THESE IS WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING SANITARY SEWER LINING ON CENTRAL AVENUE, AND THAT WORK BEGINS NEXT MONDAY.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WITH THAT IS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE EVENING OR NIGHTTIME WORK AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EQUIPMENT OUT IN THE STREET, IN THE MAIN THOROUGHFARE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROADWAY.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS WORK IS BEING DONE AT NIGHTTIME WHEN THE TRAFFIC IS LESS, YOU KNOW, LESS POTENTIAL FOR ANY TYPE OF, YOU KNOW, INCIDENTS OUT THERE WITH OUR WORK THAT'S BEING DONE.

AND THIS WORK SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 6 TO 8 WEEKS.

BUT THEY'RE STARTING THE CLEANING PROCESS ON MONDAY WITH THAT.

THE OTHER ONE, IT'S A PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROJECTS THAT WE'VE DONE IN A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND THAT'S 37TH AVENUE.

THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON MAY 22ND, AND WE ARE JOINTLY HOLDING A INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR THE RESIDENTS THIS WEDNESDAY AT THE LIBRARY, AND IT'S BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL.

AND THOSE NOTICES HAVE GONE OUT TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS.

AND THAT'S THIS WEDNESDAY AT 6 P.M.

AT THE LIBRARY.

A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS, THE CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE, THE REGISTRATION FOR THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THAT REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.

YOU CAN GO TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND REALLY WITH THE EXTENSION OF GARAGE SALE TO REGISTER TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET ON A MAP THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF THE FOLKS THAT GO GARAGE SALING AND THE DEADLINE TO GET ON THAT IS THE END OF THIS MONTH OR MAY 31ST.

THE OTHER THING WE HAVE COMING UP, WE HAVE PETS IN THE PARK.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

ALSO, THAT'S ON JUNE 3RD AND THAT WILL BE HELD AT KEYS PARK THIS YEAR.

I KNOW YOU HAD BROUGHT UP ALSO, MAYOR, YOU HAD BROUGHT UP THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AND THOSE APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN, BUT THEY DO CLOSE ON JUNE 16TH.

SO FOLKS HAVE JUST ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO GET THEIR APPLICATIONS IN FOR THAT NEWLY FORMED COMMISSION.

AND THEN WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS GOING ON AT THE LIBRARY.

THE ANOKA COUNTY JOB TRAINING CENTER IS DOING A JOB FAIR FOR TEENS, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY TOMORROW.

AND THAT WILL BE HELD AT THE LIBRARY FROM 3 TO 6 P.M.

WE'RE ALSO DOING A BIKE FIXIT CLINIC AT THE LIBRARY, AND THAT'LL BE THIS SATURDAY FROM 10 TO 12 P.M.

AND THERE'LL BE FOLKS THERE.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT REPAIRING YOUR BIKE OR FOR ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRING YOUR BIKE, AGAIN, THAT'S SATURDAY FROM 10 TO 12 P.M.

AND THEN ALSO AT THE LIBRARY.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A WEEK FROM WEDNESDAY ON MAY 17TH.

AT 5:30, THERE WILL BE A WORKSHOP FOR END OF LIFE PLANNING.

[00:30:04]

AND THEN ONE LAST THING RELATED TO THE LIBRARY.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE CLOSED FOR TRAINING NEXT THURSDAY ON MAY 18TH.

SO THEY'LL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, MAY 18TH.

MAYOR THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS. GOOD QUESTION, KEVIN, FOR THE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, IS THAT CAN WE GET I HAVEN'T SEEN IT ON THE CITY WEBSITE IN THE FRONT END ALSO, I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR IT ON FACEBOOK SO I COULD SHARE WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ANOTHER WAY TO REACH FOLKS.

SO MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE'LL GET THAT LINKED.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.

[COMMUNITY FORUM]

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 WHOLE 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 AS 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 DO WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? THERE IS NO ONE ATTENDING VIA ZOOM, BUT WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE IN CHAMBERS THIS EVENING AND EARL MCCOY WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

GIRL COME ON UP. THANK YOU.

YOU JUST WANT TO SPEAK PRETTY CLEARLY INTO THE MICROPHONE.

WELCOME. AND IF YOU COULD STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE PODIUM SO YOU COULD SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. HELLO.

I'M EARL MCCOY. I AM A RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WHAT I'M INQUIRING IS THE HIGHLANDER CENTER.

THE GYM THERE HASN'T BEEN OPEN SINCE COVID TO ADULTS.

WHEN I'VE REACHED OUT, IT'S ONLY FOR YOUTH PROGRAM.

WE JUST WENT THROUGH A REALLY LONG WINTER, AND SO IT WAS REALLY ROUGH TO NOT BE ABLE TO PLAY ANY KIND OF ACTIVE SPORTS AND BE WITH THE COMMUNITY IN THAT WAY.

SO I'M JUST ASKING IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO LOOK INTO THE HIGHLAND CENTER AND SEE IF A HIGHLANDER CENTER AND SEE IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO REOPEN IT TO ADULTS FOR BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL. THANK YOU, EARL.

I ACTUALLY JUST SAW A POST FROM THE SCHOOL THAT THEY DO HAVE SOME TIMES OPEN.

GOOD. YEAH. AND I WAS LIKE, I HAVE TO GET AN EMAIL TO YOU, BUT.

YES. SO, THAT'S ON THE FACEBOOK.

OR WHERE WOULD I FIND THAT POST? I THINK I SAW IT ON INSTAGRAM.

INSTAGRAM, BUT SARAH HAS YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION OR YOU COULD LEAVE IT THERE.

THEN I CAN SEE THAT YOU GET CONNECTED WITH IT.

BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP THOUGH.

YES. WELL, THANK YOU, GUYS.

YOU'RE WELCOME. THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

AN EMAIL WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE MEETING.

THANK YOU, GUYS. STEVE FORSAITH WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU. AND.

HI. HELLO.

I'M HERE TO SAY GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MADAM MAYOR.

I'M SO PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BECAUSE OF YOU.

AND I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE JUSTICE SPRIGGS REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

HE JUST FINISHED EIGHT YEARS OF EXTENSIVE EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL AND HAS BEEN AWARDED HIS DOCTOR OF MEDICINE DEGREE.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SO PROUD OF HAVING SUCH A HIGHLY EDUCATED, ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN EXTREMELY ETHICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO OUR CITY.

NOW, I SAY HIGHLY EDUCATED BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE ONLY CREAM, ONLY THE CREME DE LA CREME IN INTELLIGENCE CAN EVER COMPLETE THE RIGOROUS STUDIES YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR UP TO EIGHT YEARS OF STUDY.

AND I ALSO KNOW YOU'RE EVEN PLANNING TO CONTINUE NOW WITH ANOTHER FOUR YEARS GOING FOR PEDIATRICIAN AND INTERNAL MEDICINE DEGREES.

SO KUDOS TO YOU.

AND I SAY ACTIVELY ENGAGING BECAUSE I SEE YOU ACTIVELY FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS THAT ARE BEING UNFAIRLY TREATED AT THE LEGENDS APARTMENTS

[00:35:08]

JAMES, BUESGENS, AND MAYOR ARE ALSO ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEES AND ARE HELPING OUR CITY TO PROGRESS.

THERE'S JUST ONE COUNCIL MEMBER EXCEPTION.

SINCE SHE DOES NOT SERVE IN OFFICIAL OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED CAPACITY ON ANY COMMITTEE, ON ANY CITY COMMITTEES.

AND THAT'S A SHAME OF A WASTE OF SPACE.

I SAY YOU ARE EXTREMELY ETHICAL BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED LAST FALL.

AND IF EVER ANYONE HAD ANY DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR ETHICAL NESS, JUSTICE.

THAT WAS ALL CLEARED UP AND PROVEN BY AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION THAT THIS COUNCIL DID THAT PROVED THAT JUSTICE WAS SPEAKING THE TRUTH AND THOSE RESULTS PROVED JUSTICE WAS SPEAKING TRUTH.

YOU ARE AN HONEST AND ETHICAL PERSON, JUSTICE SRIGGS.

HE'S CITING AN INDIVIDUAL OF THE COUNCIL [INAUDIBLE].

IF YOU CAN.

OH, YES, THE WHOLE COUNCIL.

I'M SO PROUD AND I'M PROUD OF OUR COUNCIL.

AND AS COLLECTIVELY, I'M SORRY THAT YOU'RE NOT PROUD, BUT I'M PROUD.

POINT OF ORDER. THAT NEEDS TO STOP.

OH, OKAY. I'M SORRY.

WELL. YES, I HEAR YOUR POINT OF ORDER.

BUT, STEVE, IF YOU CAN JUST KEEP EVERYTHING TO THE FULL.

OKAY. WELL, THE COUNCIL HAD AN INVESTIGATION ON A COUNCIL MEMBER, AND WE KNOW THE RESULTS OF THAT OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION THAT THE COUNCIL, OUR CITY CONDUCTED FROM THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION THAT CONCLUSIVELY STATED IN WRITING THAT KATIE JACOBS WAS GUILTY OF LYING. THIS NEEDS TO STOP.

THERE IS NO I WAS QUOTING.

I WAS QUOTING THE INVESTIGATION.

YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER.

YOU'RE OUT OF ORDER FOR BEING ON OUR COUNCIL.

THAT HAS TO STOP AND YOU HAVE TO STOP ATTACKING ME INDIVIDUALLY.

OKAY, I'LL CHANGE THE SUBJECT ON ANOTHER MATTER COMES TO MIND, I'M WONDERING WHAT THE COUNCIL'S POSITION IS ON THE CITIZENS CITYWIDE MISSION THAT IS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW.

NOW, THIS IS SOMETHING TO PUT ON YOUR BURNER TO DISCUSS AND BRING UP LATER.

AS YOU SEE, I'VE BEEN GOING I'VE BEEN SEEING THESE SIGNS ALL OVER TOWN THAT YOU CANNOT SHOW.

OH, WELL, THIS IS NOT ME PROTESTING.

IT'S JUST EVIDENCE OF WHAT I SEE ALL OVER TOWN.

PUT THAT DOWN. WELL, HAVE YOU SEEN THESE ALL OVER TOWN? THANK YOU. YES, THEY'RE ALL WELL, THESE SIGNS.

AND YOU CAN JUST USE THE QR CODE TO GET MORE INFORMATION OFF OF THAT.

THEY'RE POPPING UP ALL OVER. I HOPE EVERYONE DOES SIGN THE PETITION THAT WILL BE GOING AROUND FOR A RECALL VOTE TO BE HELD THAT WILL REMOVE OUR KNOWN RACISTS FROM COUNCIL. WE MUST DISMANTLE SYSTEMIC RACISM FROM ALL GOVERNMENT POSITIONS.

WE CANNOT HAVE SUPPORTERS OF WHITE SUPREMACY, WHITE SUPREMACY IDEALS AND THE KKK T IDEALS MAKING GOVERNMENT DECISIONS FOR US.

PLEASE. THERE IS A POLICY TO BE FOLLOWED.

I KNOW WHAT I.

WE CAN'T STOP SOMEONE FROM SPEAKING ONCE THEY SPEAK.

THERE IS A POLICY TO BE FOLLOWED.

WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE SPEAK AND THEN WE CAN SAY, SORRY, YOU'RE ADVOCATING FOR RACISM.

I'M FIGHTING AGAINST IT.

STEVE, THANK YOU. WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.

STEVE. THANK YOU FOR SITTING DOWN.

SARAH. JENNIFER PIPER.

MUNA WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU. AND A REMINDER TO THE AUDIENCE THAT WE DO HAVE TO KEEP ALL COMMENTS AS TO THE FULL COUNCIL.

AND WE CANNOT JUST POINT OUT INDIVIDUALS, EVEN IF THEIR GLORIOUS REMARKS ABOUT A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO HAS GRADUATED.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JENNIFER PIPER.

I'M A RESIDENT OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WE HAD PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED THE EVENTS THAT TRANSPIRED AGAINST ONE OF OUR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS AND AS PART OF A RECALL FOR THE CITY COUNCIL. KATIE JACOBS CAMPAIGN.

WE WANTED TO FORMALLY UPDATE THIS BODY.

WE HELD NUMEROUS MEETINGS, ENGAGED WITH THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HAVE BEEN HAVING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT TRANSPIRED LAST SUMMER.

THESE EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SAID COUNCIL PERSON RESIGNS OR FORMALLY REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

AFTER WATCHING THE WORK SESSION IN FEBRUARY, I WAS APPALLED.

[00:40:03]

AND THAT IS DEEPLY OFFENSIVE TO ME, AS I HAVE MANY FAMILY MEMBERS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WHO WOULD NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THIS BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND UNDERMINES PUBLIC TRUST AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

IT IS CRUCIAL FOR INDIVIDUALS IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP.

OF THEIR ACTIONS AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES.

FURTHER ACTION IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTION.

DESPITE THESE BEHAVIORS, I REMAIN COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND ENSURING THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WE MUST WORK TOWARDS FOSTERING A CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY, HONESTY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THE PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL CENSURED THE COUNCILPERSON AND TOOK AWAY ALL THEIR COMMITTEES AND ASKED THAT PERSON TO RESIGN, SINCE SHE HAS REFUSED TO STEP DOWN.

OUR GROUP OF CONCERNED CITIZEN IS ASKING WHERE DOES THE CURRENT CITY COUNCIL STAND ON THIS ISSUE? I THINK WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW.

ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN CENSURED, THEY CONTINUE TO CONSUME A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME, RESOURCES AND ATTENTION FROM THE CITY.

THIS RECALL EFFORT WILL BECOME MORE VISIBLE AS OUR VOLUNTEERS GO DOOR TO DOOR THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO OBTAIN NECESSARY VOTER SIGNATURES FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL.

WE WILL CONTINUE KEEPING THE CITY INFORMED OF THIS CAMPAIGN.

AS ONE CITIZEN OF OUR COMMUNITY AND FORMERLY REPRESENTING MANY OTHERS, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT ACCEPTING ACCOUNTABILITY IS CRITICAL TO MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER PAIN AND EMBARRASSMENT.

GIVEN TIME AND ACCOUNTABILITY, THE COMMUNITY CAN ONCE AGAIN PLACED ITS TRUST IN THIS INDIVIDUAL.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO SEEING THIS EFFORT THROUGH UNTIL WE HAVE OFFICIALLY REPLACED THIS COUNCIL PERSON.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING.

THANK YOU. SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? I DO NOT BELIEVE SO. OKAY.

AND THERE'S NO ONE ON ZOOM AS WELL.

ALL RIGHT. THEN COUNCIL.

ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? NO. ALL RIGHT, THEN.

THEN I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

SO MOVED.

I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

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

THANK YOU. AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.