[00:00:02]
I THINK WE'RE GOOD. ALL RIGHT.[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
ARE WE OKAY TO START THEN, SARAH? ALL RIGHT, THEN. THANK YOU.WELCOME TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND ANYONE ON ZOOM.
TONIGHT IS OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MAY 22ND.
SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL? ABSOLUTELY.
I'D LIKE TO READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT, WHICH WAS JUST PUBLISHED IN OUR NEW SUMMER NEWSLETTER.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A VIBRANT, HEALTHY AND CONNECTED CITY.
AND THIS MISSION STATEMENT WAS CREATED BY THE COUNCIL AND STAFF ALIKE.
SO WE ALL HAD A LOT OF TIME TO PUT GIVE OUR INPUT AND HAVE UPGRADES TO IT AS WELL.
NOW WE WILL SAY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
SO PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE, AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE.
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
NEXT ARE OUR PROCLAMATIONS.OUR FIRST PROCLAMATION TONIGHT IS MAY IS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY ON MAY 28TH.
AND WE ALSO DID THIS LAST YEAR.
THIS IS A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT THE CONCERNS OF PERIOD POVERTY FOR YOUNG WOMEN THAT AND WOMEN THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THEIR PERIODS AND THAT IT'S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
THIS IS JUST A NORMAL PART OF LIFE.
AND IF WE HAVE TAXES ON THESE THINGS, IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THEM.
SO WE'RE DOING IT AGAIN BECAUSE IT'S THAT IT'S THAT IMPORTANT.
PROCLAMATION FOR MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY MAY 28TH, 2023.
AND. WHEREAS, MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY IS A DAY WHERE CITIZENS CAN COME TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE THE EFFECTS OF PERIOD POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE IMPACT OF MENSTRUAL INEQUALITY, INEQUITIES ON THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE A PERIOD WHILE LIVING IN POVERTY.
AND. WHEREAS, THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS IS HELPING BREAK THE SILENCE AND BUILD AWARENESS ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE THAT GOOD MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT PLAYS IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO MENSTRUATE.
PROMOTE OPEN DIALOG TO HELP COUNTER TABOOS SURROUNDING PERIODS.
WHEREAS THE MAYOR AND CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SUPPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS COMMITTED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE IMPROVED.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I A AMANDA MARCUS SIMILA MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY 28TH, 2023, TO BE MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.
AND SO I'M GOING TO COME OVER AND GIVE THIS TO YOU RIGHT NOW.
HI. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR THIS.
BUT I HAD REALLY FOUGHT FOR FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US WHO MENSTRUATE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. AND I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS LIKE FOLLOWING ME IN THE STEPS AND SUPPORTING ME.
[00:05:01]
AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.THANK YOU, AMINA. ERICA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF AS WELL? ERICA IS ALSO HERE BECAUSE OF THE MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PROCLAMATION.
YOU CAN SEE ON THE SIDE OF THE PODIUM.
NOPE. JUST WAIT. SO YOU'RE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE, RIGHT WHERE THE SIGN SAYS.
I KNOW. JUST ON THE SIDE OF IT.
HI. I'M SO SORRY TO HAVE BEEN RUNNING IN LATE.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN, MINNESOTA.
AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD.
I MEAN, STUDENTS LIKE AMINA HAVE BEEN REALLY LEADING THE WAY ON THIS EFFORT.
BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REPRESENTATIVE SANDRA FEIST AND SENATOR STEVE SWIDZINSKI AND SEVERAL OTHER AMAZING STUDENT AND ADVOCACY PARTNERS TO TO PASS LEGISLATION TO MAKE THESE PRODUCTS READILY AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS.
AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SAY THAT AFTER FIVE YEARS OF WORKING ON THIS, THIS FUNDING WAS INCLUDED IN THE K-12 EDUCATION BUDGET THAT JUST PASSED LAST WEEK. YES, VERY EXCITING.
YES. SO, AGAIN, I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE AND TO SPEAK TO THIS.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU WELCOMING ME TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
BUT REALLY, THIS WAS THE EFFORT OF THE STUDENTS AND FOLKS THAT CAME BEFORE ME.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANKS FOR COMING IN, ERICA.
AND I WILL ADD THAT OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS PRODUCTS, HAS MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN THE LIBRARY.
AND IF YOU'RE EVER THERE AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY, JUST SIMPLY GO ASK WHICH OF COURSE, ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO NOT HAVE TO ASK BECAUSE THERE CAN BE A STIGMA WITH THAT AS WELL. BUT MUCH LIKE PAPER TOWELS AND TOILET PAPER, THIS IS JUST A REGULAR PRODUCT WE JUST NEED.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
THANK YOU. WHEREAS THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLES OF SAFETY, JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ITS RESIDENTS, PROTECTING ITS RESIDENTS FROM HARM, AND CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE.
WHEREAS GUN VIOLENCE REMAINS A GRAVE CONCERN THAT AFFECTS COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR NATION, CAUSING IMMEASURABLE PAIN, LOSS AND TRAUMA FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
WHEREAS IT IS OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF GUN VIOLENCE, PROMOTE DIALOG, AND UNITE IN EFFORTS TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAGEDIES.
AND. WHEREAS, GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY, OBSERVED ON JUNE 2ND, OFFERS A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO COME TOGETHER TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE, SUPPORT SURVIVORS, AND TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TOWARD FINDING LASTING SOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RECOGNIZES THE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE URGENT ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE, ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS, PROMOTE EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES AIMED AT REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE AND CREATING A CULTURE OF PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, AMANDA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 2ND, 2023, TO BE GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.
THIS DAY SERVES AS A SOLEMN REMINDER OF THE LIVES LOST AND THE URGENT NEED FOR ACTION.
I'M HERE TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION.
IS MARTHA GRAVE A COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENT? YES. YES. FORMER RESIDENTS.
I'M GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE. OH, SURE.
MM. I'M GOING TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE A LITTLE AWARENESS ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARTHA GRAVE.
I'M A FORMER COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENT, CURRENT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, SOON TO BE MOM AND VOLUNTEER WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION, A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT OF AMERICANS FIGHTING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES THAT CAN PROTECT PEOPLE FROM GUN VIOLENCE.
[00:10:03]
I WANT TO THANK OUR MAYOR AND OUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR TAKING THE STEP TO HONOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF GUN VIOLENCE, THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITIES.WHILE MANY OF US MIGHT THINK OF GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AS OTHER PEOPLE DEALING WITH THE ISSUE IN OTHER PLACES, THE MAJORITY OF ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE LIKELY EXPERIENCED SOME KIND OF GUN VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
TODAY, FIREARMS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS IN THE US AND IN MINNESOTA.
WHILE HORRIFIC MASS SHOOTINGS CAPTURE MOST HEADLINES, 99% OF THOSE WHO DIE IN SHOOTINGS IN THE US ARE VICTIMS OF OTHER TYPES OF GUN VIOLENCE, SUCH AS DYING BY GUN SUICIDE, ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS, POLICE SHOOTINGS, HOMICIDES AND HOMICIDES WITH FEWER THAN FOUR VICTIMS. FORTUNATELY, LIVES CAN BE SAVED THROUGH SIMPLE ACTIONS THAT INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES CAN TAKE.
GUN OWNERS CAN SECURELY STORE THEIR UNLOADED GUNS WITH GUN LOCKS AND SAFES.
AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION, I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR TAKING THE STEP TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT OF GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE US. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MARTHA. I APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN.
AND I SAW SOME OTHER MEMBERS FROM MOMS DEMAND ACTION IN THE BACK AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU FOR COMING INTO OUR MEETING.
WHEREAS THROUGHOUT HISTORY, IMMIGRANTS HAVE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN DETERMINING THE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY OF OUR CITY, BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR DISTINCTIVE TALENTS, TRADITIONS AND PERSPECTIVES.
AND. WHEREAS, IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH IS A TIME TO HONOR THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY IMMIGRANTS TO OUR COMMUNITY, ENRICHING OUR CULTURAL FABRIC, STRENGTHENING OUR ECONOMY, AND ENHANCING OUR SOCIAL DIVERSITY.
AND. WHEREAS, WE SHOULD USE IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVOCATE FOR FAIR AND JUST IMMIGRATION POLICIES, ENSURING THAT NEWCOMERS IN OUR CITY ARE WELCOMED, SUPPORTED AND PROVIDED WITH THE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
AND. WHEREAS, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RECOGNIZES THE SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANCE OF WELCOMING AND AIDING IMMIGRANTS, FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE ATMOSPHERE THAT VALUES DIVERSITY AND UPHOLDS THE IDEALS OF JUSTICE AND EQUALITY.
AND. WHEREAS, IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, BRIDGE DIVIDES AND STRENGTHEN THE BONDS THAT UNITE OUR COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND OR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT I.
AMANDA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 2023 TO BE IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.
AND HERE TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION IS GIANNA JAMA JAMA AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING.
YES, YOU CAN JUST STAND ON THE SIDE.
OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY NAME IS IYANNA JAMA.
I'M AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOMALI-AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
JAMA, COULD YOU COME CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE? OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
I'M A DIRECTOR OF SOMALI-AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
IT'S A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR SOMALI AMERICANS AND IMMIGRANTS.
HONORABLE MAYOR AMANDA SIMULA, MEMBERS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL.
[00:15:02]
ALL CITY OFFICIALS, FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS.AS I REFLECT ON MY JOURNEY, I CANNOT HELP BUT FEEL A SENSE OF JOY AND GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS GREAT COUNTRY HAS AFFORDED ME. MY EXPERIENCE AS A YOUNG TEENAGER LIVING IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN KENYA WAS NOT EASY, BUT IT'S PREPARED ME FOR THE CHALLENGES THAT LAY AHEAD.
WHEN I ARRIVED IN AMERICA, I WAS SCARED, UNSURE OF WHAT THE FUTURE HELD.
HOWEVER, I WAS ALSO EXCITED AND FULL OF HOPE FOR THE BETTER LIFE.
MY EARLY DAY IN THIS COUNTRY WERE NOT LIKE THE HOLLYWOOD MOVIE I HAD WATCHED BACK HOME.
I STRUGGLED TO SPEAK ENGLISH AND TO UNDERSTAND THE AMERICAN CULTURE.
HOWEVER, THROUGH HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND THE SUPPORT OF MY COMMUNITY, I WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES AND REALIZE MY DREAMS. TODAY, I STAND BEFORE YOU AS A FATHER OF MY BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, HUDA, ALLAH AND AISHA, AND MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE, NASRA AHMED. THE FIRST PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AND A COMMUNITY LEADER AND AN ADVOCATE.
AMERICA IS A LAND OF IMMIGRANTS.
AND IT'S THE DIVERSITY OF OUR BACKGROUND, CULTURE AND PERSPECTIVES THAT MAKES US STRONG.
THROUGH OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS, WE CAN ENSURE THAT AMERICA REMAINS A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE NATION WHERE EVERY PERSON HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. LET'S HONOR THE LEGACY OF IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME BEFORE US AND LET US BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
THANK YOU. VERY WELL SPOKEN GEMMA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN TODAY AND BRINGING IN YOUR FAMILY AS WELL.
NEXT WE HAVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[Additional Item]
MAYOR. YES.I WOULD LIKE TO, IN RESPONSE TO THE CONCERNS OF A MEMBER OF OUR COUNCIL'S BEHAVIOR LAST SUMMER AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, AND THIS IS NOT AS THE SAME COUNCIL WHO REQUESTED THAT SHE RESIGN.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL.
NO DISCUSSION. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD IN THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY COUNCIL MEMBERS OR MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL THAT THEY ARE WONDERING HOW THIS CURRENT COUNCIL FEELS ABOUT OUR COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
AND WITH WHAT HAPPENED LAST SUMMER, AND THIS IS PURELY A PROFESSIONAL UNDERTAKING TO EVEN ACCEPT OR TO SECOND THE MOTION.
IT'S NOT A PERSONAL UM, CONCERN AT ALL.
BUT I FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED TO BE AN OFFICIAL IN YOUR CITY, THAT YOUR NAME, YOUR WORD NEEDS TO BE PARAMOUNT TO EVERYTHING THAT WE HOPE OF IT TO BE.
AND I DON'T HAVE FAITH IN THAT ANYMORE.
SO AS I, AS I SAID, I WILL SECOND THAT.
AND IF THERE'S NO DISCUSSION, THEN THEN WE CAN VOTE.
ALL RIGHT, THEN. SARAH, COULD WE DO A ROLL CALL? VOTE, PLEASE? YES, I DID A SECOND.
THERE WAS MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND SECOND BY USUALLY I SAY THAT.
YES. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS ABSTAIN.
[00:20:03]
MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA? YES. THE MOTION DOES PASS.I WILL NOT RESIGN AT THIS TIME.
WORKING WITH A MEMBER THAT WE ALL HAVE IN TWO COUNCILS NOW REQUESTED HER TO STEP DOWN.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
NOW, WILL WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR CONSENT AGENDA? KEVIN HANSEN, COULD YOU TAKE US THROUGH THE ITEMS? I WILL, THANK YOU, MAYOR.MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, YOU HAVE EIGHT ITEMS ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
THE FIRST OF THESE IS APPROVE THE MAY 1ST, 2023 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES.
THE NEXT IS APPROVE THE MAY 8TH, 2023 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
THE NEXT IS APPROVE THE MAY 10TH, 2023 COUNCIL CORNER MEETING MINUTES.
THE FOURTH ITEM IS THE APPROVE THE REPLACEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL WATER METERS.
THIS WOULD A BY APPROVING THIS, YOU'RE MOVING TO PURCHASE ABOUT 6000 WATER METERS FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. AND THIS INCLUDES NOT ONLY THE WATER METERS BUT ALSO INCLUDES THE RADIOS ALONG WITH THE SOFTWARE TO SUPPORT THAT.
THE INSTALLATION OF THESE WOULD OCCUR IN 2024.
THE SIXTH ITEM IS APPROVE THE LICENSE AGENDA BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
THE SEVENTH ITEM IS APPROVED THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
AND THE LAST ITEM IS THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS TOTALING $1,213,697.91.
MADAM MAYOR. THANK YOU, KEVIN.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY.
I COULDN'T HEAR WHO DID THAT, COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS? YES. ANY DISCUSSION? AND AGAIN, SARAH, DID YOU HEAR THAT? COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, THEN. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS MATTER.
ANY ITEMS OR SORRY, 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. SORRY.
NUMBER NINE IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM, IS IT? OKAY. SORRY.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
NUMBER NINE, ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-27.APPROVING LOAN MODIFICATION WITH ALATUS FOR THE 4300 CENTRAL AVENUE NORTHEAST REDEVELOPMENT SITE.
AND AARON CHIRPICH WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS.
THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS ON.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? ALL RIGHT? IT'S NOT WORKING, BUT THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
IN 2021, THE CITY PARTNERED WITH LATTICE TO ACQUIRE THAT SITE, AND THE CITY DID THAT BY PROVIDING A LOAN TO ALATUS TO ALLOW THEM TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. THE FUNDS THAT FUNDED THAT LOAN WAS AN ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION TEMPORARY TAX INCREMENT BONDS.
SO THE CITY BORROWED BY BONDING TO THEN MAKE THAT LOAN TO ALATUS.
THE TIMELINE FOR REDEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED, AS WE DISCUSSED RECENTLY WITH THE COUNCIL, DUE TO SOME DELAYS IN SECURING SOME COMMERCIAL TENANTS AND OTHER THINGS.
THE LOAN IS COMING DUE THAT WE HAVE MADE TO ALATUS AND THEN SECONDARY TO THAT, THE CITY'S TIMELINE FOR REPAYING THE BONDS IS ALSO TICKING AND WE'VE GOT UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST OF 2024.
SO THERE'S TWO ISSUES THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MANAGE WITH THIS MODIFICATION.
THE FIRST WOULD BE TO EXTEND THE LOAN MATURITY DATE WITH A LATTICE TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE MORE TIME TO HOPEFULLY GET THEIR ENTITLEMENTS THROUGH THE CITY, GET THE PROJECT PLANS FULLY APPROVED AND POTENTIALLY CLOSE ON THE PERMANENT FINANCING FOR PHASE ONE OF THIS PROJECT, WHICH THEN ALLOWS THEM TO PAY OFF THE CITY.
[00:25:05]
THE CITY USES THOSE LOAN PROCEEDS AND ANYTHING THAT WAS UNUSED TO PAY OFF THE BONDS.IF WE DON'T ACHIEVE THAT BEFORE THE MATURITY DATE OF THE BONDS, THEN WE HAVE A PROBLEM.
SO WE'RE MANAGING A COUPLE OF ISSUES AND WE KIND OF NEED TO BE LIGHT ON OUR FEET.
SO THE FIRST WOULD BE AMEND THAT LOAN MATURITY DATE GIVES GIVES US THE BREATHING ROOM.
WE'VE REQUESTED THAT WE PUSH IT OUT UNTIL DECEMBER 15TH OF 2023, AND THEN THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO MAKE A DECISION SOMETIME IN OCTOBER WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO ISSUE A SECOND SERIES OF BONDS.
AND THAT'S HOW WE WOULD DO THIS.
SO TO KEEP THE PROJECT MOVING FORWARD AND GIVE US ALL OF THE TIME WE NEED, WE WOULD ISSUE A SECOND SERIES OF BONDS THAT WOULD PAY OFF THE FIRST SERIES, AND THEN WE'D GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AGAIN AND ISSUE A NEW LOAN TO ALATUS.
IT'S THINK OF IT AS AN EXTENSION.
SO STEP ONE, MODIFY THE LOAN THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BREATHING ROOM, AND COME OCTOBER, WE'LL HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHETHER OR NOT A SECOND BOND ISSUANCE IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY.
AND WE'LL KEEP THE COUNCIL UP TO DATE WITH THAT.
BUT THE ACTION THIS EVENING IS JUST TO AMEND THE LOAN DOCUMENTS TO EXTEND THE MATURITY DATE.
AND THEN ANOTHER BIT IS THAT IT ALSO SETS A NEW DEADLINE FOR THE FINAL DRAW REQUEST THAT ALATUS CAN MAKE FOR ELIGIBLE USE OF THOSE FUNDS. AND THE NEXT DRAW THAT WE ANTICIPATE WOULD BE FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING.
SO IT'S A LOT TO UNPACK, BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THE DATE FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING? THERE'S NOT A HARD DATE, BUT THEY ARE LOOKING AT JULY.
SO THEY DO HAVE A DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR SECURED AND READY TO GO.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THE COUNCIL? QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER JAMES ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER CHIRPICH.
DOES THIS EXTENSION CHANGE THE RATES THAT ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED ON THE FINANCING? IT DOES NOT. SO THE LOAN INTEREST RATE CURRENTLY IN PLACE 4.5% DOES NOT CHANGE AND THE OR THE BOND INTEREST RATE.
RATHER THEY WOULD BE SUBJECT TO CURRENT INTEREST RATES IN A REISSUANCE OR SECOND ISSUANCE OF BONDS.
ANOTHER REASON TO TRY TO AVOID THAT, HOWEVER, THE HOLDING OR THE PERIOD IN WHICH THEY WOULD BEAR INTEREST, IT WOULD BE SMALL AND A RELATIVELY SMALL PROJECT COST IN THE GRANDER SCHEME OF THIS PROJECT AND ONE THAT CAN BE WEATHERED.
BUT WE SHOULD TRY TO BE AS EFFICIENT AS WE CAN AND THOSE COSTS WILL BE BORNE BY A LATTICE BOTH BOTH THE REISSUANCE COSTS AND THEN THE COST OF INCREASED INTEREST IF IT HAPPENS.
RIGHT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER STRIKES. YEAH, I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION, AS WE KNOW FROM READING THE PACKET, BUT AS YOU JUST STATED, THAT ALL ADDITIONAL COSTS ARE GOING TO BE BURIED BY ALATUS AND NOT THE CITY.
RIGHT. I THINK AN IMPORTANT CAVEAT, JUST TO ADD, THE CITY HAS PLEDGED OUR FULL FAITH AND CREDIT AS A BACKSTOP IN CASE THE PROJECT DOESN'T HAPPEN.
AND THERE'S SOMETHING THAT DOES GO WRONG WITH THE ALATUS.
THE CITY IS ON THE HOOK, BUT THROUGH AGREEMENTS, IT IS ALATUS THAT TAKES THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACQUISITION AND CERTAINLY NOW THAT VALUE FAR EXCEEDS WHAT IS OWED.
THE TOTAL BOND ISSUANCE WAS JUST UNDER $6 MILLION TO PAY FOR ACQUISITION OF 4.5 MILLION.
THE DEMOLITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE.
IT WOULDN'T BE THE LAST THING WE'D WANT TO DO TO TRY TO DISPOSE OF THAT TO A DIFFERENT DEVELOPER.
BUT WE WOULD HAVE TWO YEARS IF WE DID HIT THE RESET BUTTON AND SOMETHING HAPPENED, SO YES ALATUS IS IS OUR PARTNER AND RESPONSIBLE, BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO FAIR THAT WE SAY THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY THE CITY IS, IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOND.
THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT.
[00:30:06]
SO A RELATIONSHIP THAT WE'VE CULTIVATED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND CERTAINLY FROM STAFF'S PERSPECTIVE, ARE COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH THEM TO FIGURE THIS OUT BECAUSE OF THAT THAT ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP AND WANT THEM TO BE THE DEVELOPER OF THE OF THE SITE.THEY WERE JUST A LITTLE BIT BEHIND.
AND AS YOU KNOW, THEY'VE COME BACK TO THE CITY TO REINTRODUCE THE LATEST REVISED PLANS.
AND THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT THAT THEY AREN'T MOVING FORWARD WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT, THEN. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING? MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-27.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? AND I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A MOTION BY A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-27, A RESOLUTION APPROVING MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN TERMS OF A LOAN FROM THE CITY TO ALATUS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO LLC, AND APPROVING FORMS OF AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN DOCUMENTS.
ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. HEARING NONE THEN MAY I HAVE A HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER TEN.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION 2023-28, ACCEPTING DONATION OF SUSTAINABLE FUNCTIONAL ART FROM CANVAS LLC.
AND TODAY, TAKING US THROUGH THIS IS KEVIN HANSEN.
SO HE'LL GO THROUGH THIS WITH THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THANK YOU. RESOLUTION 23 OR 2023-28, ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM CANVAS LLC.
CANVAS TAKES RECYCLED WIND TURBINES THAT HAVE REACHED THE USEFUL END OF THEIR LIFE AS A WIND TURBINE AND RECYCLES THEM INTO SEATING FLOWER BOXES AND OTHER LANDSCAPING PIECES.
WHAT THEY CALL FUNCTIONAL ART.
PART OF THEIR BUSINESS MODEL IS TO WORK WITH FOUNDATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, LARGE COMPANIES THAT ARE THE CREATORS OF THIS WASTE, OR ELSE HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN FINDING WAYS TO BE SUSTAINABLE AND REUSE PRODUCTS IN LANDSCAPING OR OTHER FIELDS.
AND. DONATING PACKAGES TO CITIES, SCHOOLS.
THE MATERIALS THAT CANVAS LLC USES.
THEY USE RECYCLED RUBBER IN SOME OF THEIR SEATING.
SO THAT'S FROM TIRES, FROM SNEAKER SOLES.
THEY USED RECYCLED TEXTILES FROM SURPLUS CLOTHING, RECYCLED CLOTHING.
THEY USE RECYCLED FILM PLASTIC.
SO SOME OF THEIR PICNIC BENCHES AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE MADE WITH THE TREX RECYCLED THAT WE ALL KNOW FROM THE BENCHES THAT WE GET FOR OUR RECYCLED FILM PLASTIC PROGRAM.
AND SO THEY WANTED TO SEE IF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BEING A PARTNER AND RECEIVING A DONATION ON JUNE 1ST.
THEY WILL BE MATCHING UP THEIR DONORS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE ACCEPTED THE DONATIONS.
SO WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT ORGANIZATION, FOUNDATION OR COMPANY WE'VE BEEN MATCHED UP WITH YET.
THAT INFORMATION WILL COME TO US AFTER JUNE 1ST, AND WE WILL.
SO THAT INFORMATION WILL BE COMING.
[00:35:05]
SO THE DONATION IS THE WELCOME PACKAGE.SOME OF THOSE PIECES CAN COME AS PRIMED, READY TO PAINT, WHICH MEANS IF WE WERE INTERESTED IN HAVING SOMEBODY PAINT IT AS A MURAL OR SOME OTHER PUBLIC ART PIECE, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO.
THE ONLY RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS IS TO ACCEPT THE DONATION, BE ABLE TO OFFLOAD THE PIECES WHEN THEY GET HERE ON A FLATBED, AND THEN PLACE THEM SOMEWHERE WITHIN OUR PUBLIC SYSTEM.
SO THERE ARE NO OTHER OBLIGATIONS TO US.
AS PART OF THAT, EACH OF THE PIECES WILL COME WITH A QR CODE, SO IF WE HAD PURCHASED THE PIECES, WE WOULD GET THE DIGITAL SPACE RIGHTS TO THAT QR CODE WHERE WE COULD TELL OUR STORY ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING DONATED.
THAT'S THAT DIGITAL SPACE ON CANVASES WEBSITE WILL GO TO THE COMPANY THAT DONATES THEM TO US.
YEAH. IS IT POSSIBLE TO SHOW WHAT'S IN OUR PACKET UP ON THE SCREEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE THE PIECES THAT THEY MAKE? I DON'T HAVE IT LOADED. OKAY.
WELL, AFTER WE VOTE ON THIS, IS IT POSSIBLE TO SHARE IT SOMEWHERE ON OUR FACEBOOK OR WEBSITE SO FOLKS CAN SEE? BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY COOL PIECES.
THEY'RE VERY IT'S VERY EXCITING TO GET THIS.
SO VERY FUTURISTIC, RIGHT? YEAH. MODERN. YEAH.
IT'S REALLY COOL. AND THEY'RE VERY FUNCTIONAL.
SO WE WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE HOW WE WANTED EACH ONE OF THEM SET UP.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER TRUSTEE OR COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
I SEE HERE. IT SAYS ONCE MATCHED PRODUCTS DELIVERED 8 TO 12 WEEKS.
SO I'M THINKING LIKE LATE SUMMER, EARLY FALL ISH ON THIS.
SO THE PROCESS STARTS JUNE 1ST.
THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF DONORS AND BE ABLE TO MATCH EVERYONE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT WILL BE DEPENDENT ON KIND OF HOW THE PROCESS MOVES FORWARD.
BUT REGARDLESS, WE WOULD BE ON THE LIST TO BE MATCHED WITH THE DONOR AT SOME TIME AFTER JUNE 1ST.
GOOD QUESTION. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
IF THEY'RE GOING TO ARRIVE THAT LATE IN THE YEAR, WOULD WE NOT PLACE THEM OR FILL THE PLANTERS UNTIL SPRING, OR WOULD WE DO THAT THIS FALL? SO IF WE HAD PLANTERS, WE WOULD PROBABLY WAIT UNTIL THE SPRING.
WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PLACE THE PIECES IF WE HAD SPACES IDENTIFIED FOR THEIR USE.
AND SO I THINK BUT YES, WE WOULD WAIT TO PLANT UNTIL NEXT SPRING.
AND WHO WILL DECIDE IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE BENCHES OR PLANTERS OR BOTH OR? I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE'VE DECIDED WHO WILL CHOOSE THOSE.
I THINK IT'S OPEN FOR DISCUSSION AND IDEAS AND KIND OF WHAT WE SEE AS THE USES FOR THEM.
OKAY. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS INVOLVED IN SUGGESTING PLACES FOR PLACEMENT? I DO NOT SEE WHY NOT.
I THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE SUGGESTIONS AND WE CAN WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY, OUR COMMUNICATION STAFF TO GET THAT OUT THERE. GREAT.
COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WORKING ON THIS.
AND I THINK THAT THAT EVEN THOUGH THE DIGITAL SPACE IS GOING TO BE OWNED BY A COMPANY, THE MESSAGING AROUND IT IS VISIBLE FROM THOSE WHO SEE IT THAT WE REUSE AND WE REDUCE AND THEN WE CAN RECYCLE ITEMS. SO I'M EXCITED TO RECEIVE THESE ITEMS. AND JUST ONE OTHER ITEM THAT I FORGOT TO MENTION IS THAT QR CODE WILL ALSO TELL YOU WHERE THAT WIND TURBINE AND THOSE RECYCLED PIECES CAME FROM.
SO THERE WILL BE A HISTORICAL ASPECT OF THE STORY ONLINE.
COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS. I WAS JUST GOING TO SHARE SOMETHING ON THE THEIR WEBSITE THAT YOU PUT IN THEIR PACKAGE JUST FOR PEOPLE'S INFORMATION AND HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS THAT WE FOUND WAYS TO RECYCLE THIS.
THERE'S 5000 TO 8000 BLADES REACH THE END OF THEIR LIFE EACH YEAR AND THOSE BLADES ARE HUGE.
[00:40:01]
I DON'T KNOW WHERE.I THINK IT'S IN THE SOUTHWEST.
BUT YEAH, SO THIS IS VERY EXCITING AND THAT WE GET TO BE A PART OF IT.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, THEN. THANK YOU, JIM.
THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-28.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
AND I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-28 BEING A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATION OF THE WELCOME PACKAGE.
EIGHT POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED FUNCTIONAL ART PIECES WITH A VALUE OF $37,839 FROM CANVAS, LLC OF ROCKY RIVER, OHIO. SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
ANY QUESTIONS? THEN MAY EVERYONE WHO IS IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.
THANK YOU. NEXT IS ITEM 11, CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTY 4424 SIXTH STREET NORTHEAST.
AND MITCH FORNEY IS GOING TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS.
MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL BEFORE YOU TODAY IS A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION REQUEST.
AS PART OF THAT ORDINANCE, THERE WAS A EXEMPTION PROCESS.
IF THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY COULD MAKE AN APPLICATION OR THEY MAKE AN APPLICATION AND THEY CAN PROVE EXTREME FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AS DETERMINED BY THE CITY IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, WHICH IS WHERE THE COUNCIL HAS THE ABILITY TO GRANT AN EXEMPTION TO EACH PROPERTY.
WITH REGARDS TO THE CASE, I WILL LET THE LETTER SPEAK TO EVERYTHING.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PACKET WAS THE EMAILS BETWEEN STAFF AND THEN THE PROPERTY OWNER.
AND THE PROPERTY OWNER IS HERE TODAY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OF THE COUNCIL OR GIVE SHED A LITTLE MORE LIGHT ON THE SITUATION AND THE CLAIMED FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AS PART OF THIS. I DO JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT RESOLUTION 2023-29 WOULD ONLY GRANT A TEMPORARY LICENSE EXEMPTION.
SO THIS WOULD BE FOR ONE YEAR.
AFTER THAT, THE LICENSE OR THE PROPERTY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO APPLY THROUGH THE NORMAL MEANS, WHICH IF THE RENTAL DENSITY CAP IS PUT IN PLACE, WHICH IT SHALL BE BY THAT TIME, THEY WOULD HAVE TO FIT UNDER THAT RENTAL DENSITY CAP THIS PROPERTY.
OR THE COUNCIL COULD ALSO APPROVE OR DENY THAT AT THAT TIME AS WELL.
I CAN STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS AND LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE THE HOMEOWNER HERE.
THEY CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS WELL.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW, BUT I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS HERE.
IT'S NOT EVEN CHANGED TO NON HOMESTEAD AS A RENTAL.
SECOND, IT'S LISTED AS A RENTAL ON NEXT SEVENTH PROPERTIES LLC CURRENTLY.
TWO, IT FAILED TO, THEY FAILED TO APPLY FOR A RENTAL LICENSE.
THEY BASICALLY, IN MY MIND, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, CHOSE NOT TO APPLY FOR A RENTAL LICENSE.
EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE A BACKGROUND IN REAL ESTATE.
I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD AT LEAST CHECK WITH THE CITY TO SEE IF IT'S REQUIRED.
I ALSO AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T FAIL TO APPLY FOR THE EXEMPTION IN A TIMELY MANNER, EVEN WHEN THE STAFF GAVE THEM AN EXTENSION OF A MONTH IN FEBRUARY, THEY CHOSE NOT TO COME IN AND GET APPLY FOR THE EXEMPTION.
IT'S THE DECISIONS YOU MADE THAT PUT YOU IN THIS PICKLE.
YOU CHOSE NOT TO GET A RENTAL LICENSE.
THAT IS NOT A DECISION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
I WOULD ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS COMMENTS.
I THINK THAT THE INFORMATION BROUGHT BEFORE US, BEFORE US THIS EVENING INDICATES A DISREGARD
[00:45:10]
FOR GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE.AS AN LLC YOU ARE A BUSINESS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU HAVE TO DO.
AND YOU HAVE EITHER IGNORED THAT OR HAVE NOT DONE IT.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
I GUESS I WOULD BE CURIOUS IF.
IF WE ARE NOT TO GRANT THIS EXEMPTION, UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD WE WANT TO GRANT AN EXEMPTION? THIS SEEMS LIKE AN IDEAL TIME TO DO SO GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
I UNDERSTAND THE APPEARANCE THAT THIS WAS DISREGARDED.
HOWEVER, I THINK I CAN SPEAK QUITE FREELY TO BEING THE PERSON WHO MOST RECENTLY HAD A CHILD.
AND I GUESS IF THE PROPERTY OWNER COULD COME UP.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
SO YOU OWN A COUPLE OF PROPERTIES, CORRECT? YES. AND BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY BUILDINGS BUILT ON THESE PROPERTIES OR YOU DON'T HAVE ANY TENANTS AT ALL? NO, SIR. OKAY. AND WHAT ARE THE THE CURRENT PLANS FOR THOSE SITES AND WHAT CITY ARE THEY IN? SO MOST OF THE WORK THAT I DO IS IN THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL.
DALTON, BY THE WAY, AND I AM AN EMERGING DEVELOPER STILL LEARNING, GETTING MY FEET WET.
BUT THE PREMISE BEHIND MY REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO IS ABOUT HOME OWNERSHIP, WEALTH CREATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO CAME FROM BACKGROUND SIMILAR TO MINE, WHERE I HAD TO LIVE AND NEEDED AFFORDABLE OPTIONS IN ORDER TO SURVIVE AS MY FAMILY HAD A LARGE FAMILY.
SO MY PORTFOLIO INCLUDES DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL ON AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP, WHERE WE WOULD I WOULD WORK WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR TO BUILD A HOME FOR THESE FAMILIES, AND I WOULD SELL IT TO THEM AT A 60% OF AMI OPPORTUNITY TO OWNERSHIP.
AND THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER BUSINESS OR LLC.
CORRECT? COULD YOU JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? SO FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS I'VE BEEN RUNNING ELEMENT BOXING AND FITNESS IN SAINT PAUL, SIMILAR TO THE GYM DOWNSTAIRS I'M AFFILIATED WITH THE BOXING GYM DOWNSTAIRS.
I'M DEEP ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY WORK.
DEFINITELY, THERE'S A LOT OF, I THINK, INFORMATION ON HERE THAT WOULD MAKE ME LOOK LIKE I'M JUST AN INVESTOR THAT'S LOOKING TO JUST RENT OUT A PROPERTY, YOU KNOW, TO FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE SPACE NOW ARE CONNECTED WITH US.
AND THE FAMILY CONSIDERED AND THEY ARE RENTING AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE AND COVERING OUR OVERHEAD.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED AND THAT'S THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY MY OWN HOMESTEAD AND ANOTHER PROPERTY THAT'S JUST TOO MUCH FOR MY FAMILY.
SO THINGS STACK UP, YOU KNOW, PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK FOR A LOAN.
I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE FAR FETCHED.
I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, AS I STAND HERE, I'VE PAID MY DUES AND GIVING BACK IN MANY WAYS.
AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LEVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU'RE GIVEN.
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO WHERE IT'S NEEDED TO TO LEVERAGE PROPERTY.
AND I HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING TO, YOU KNOW, TO DO THIS FOR MY FAMILY.
AND THEN HOW LONG DID YOU LIVE OR DID YOU LIVE IN THIS HOUSE IN HEIGHTS BEFORE? EIGHT YEARS? AND YOU ATTEMPTED TO SELL, AS MY UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT? ABSOLUTELY. I MEAN, THAT WAS THE INITIAL GOAL.
SO I GUESS WHERE I'M AT IS WE CAN DENY THE LICENSE AND PUT A FAMILY OF SEVEN OUT ON THE STREET AND FAIL TWO BUSINESSES AT THE SAME TIME WHEN THEY'VE TRIED TO DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY. BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I SEE AS A GREAT DECISION.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
IF WE DID GRANT THE EXEMPTION FOR THIS CURRENT TIME, IT ONLY WOULD EXPIRE IN 12 MONTHS.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PLAN FOR THE PROPERTY AT THAT TIME? YEAH, I MEAN, WE WOULD LOOK TO GO AFTER A TRADITIONAL RENTAL LICENSE AND SEE IF WE CAN GET APPROVED.
[00:50:07]
BUT, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BE, YOU KNOW, STRAIGHT FORWARD AND SAY THAT WE WOULD DEFINITELY TRY TO REAPPLY FOR A LICENSE TO MAINTAIN THAT HOME AND NOT HAVE TO PAY OFF A HUGE LOAN. MY FEELING TOWARD THAT WOULD BE I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE HERE BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE HAVE PEOPLE APPLY AND DON'T SHOW UP.SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S THERE.
SO I SEE THE EXEMPTION FOR THIS 12 MONTHS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A HOMEOWNER WHO IS KIND OF BLINDSIDED BY SOMETHING TO HAVE 12 MONTHS TO WORK IT OUT BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T WANT LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS SAID, IT'S PRETTY QUICK.
YOU'D HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, A BIG DECISION IN YOUR LIFE IMMEDIATELY IF WE DON'T GRANT THIS EXEMPTION.
SO I'M INCLINED TO GRANT THE EXEMPTION FOR NOW, BUT I WOULD WANT IT TO BE KNOWN THAT WE WOULD PROBABLY THE MOST IF THE MORATORIUM IS CONTINUED, WE'RE NOT LIKELY TO GRANT MANY EXCEPTIONS IN THE FUTURE. SO THAT'S MY FEELINGS ON THE ISSUE RIGHT NOW.
COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS. JACOBS IS FIRST.
YEAH, I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. WHEN DID YOU TRY AND SELL THE PROPERTY? IT WAS IN 2022.
DURING A VERY MARKETABLE REAL ESTATE PERIOD.
AND WHAT WAS THE REASON THAT YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO SELL IT? THERE'S A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY, SO WE'RE UNABLE TO LIST THE PROPERTY AND SELL IT.
WERE YOU AWARE OF THE LIEN? YES. OKAY.
AND YOU HAVE RENTALS IN SAINT PAUL? NO. YOU DO NOT HAVE RENTALS IN SAINT PAUL.
DO YOU HAVE RENTALS IN ANY OTHER COMMUNITY? NO. OKAY.
ANY OTHER RENTALS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS? NO. OKAY.
BUT AS AN LLC, YOU DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT YOU NEEDED TO AS A BUSINESSMAN, YOU NEEDED TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND SEE WHAT WERE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES, CORRECT? THE LLC HAS ZERO CONNECTION.
MY LLCS HAVE ZERO CONNECTION TO THIS HOMESTEAD PROPERTY.
OKAY, SO THIS IS INDIVIDUAL BASED VERSUS LLC WITH A TOTALLY SEPARATE INTEREST AND REPRESENTATION.
WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SIX STREET HOME YOU MENTIONED.
OKAY. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
ANSWER COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS QUESTION IS WHAT QUALIFIES? THE LAST COUNCIL WE DID OFFER AN EXEMPTION FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS OUT OF THE PERSON'S CONTROL WHEN THEY HAD A MILITARY COMMITMENT THAT THEY WERE PULLED FROM COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO SOMEWHERE IN IN CALIFORNIA.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT CITY, BUT THEY HAD TO GO FOR A MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND PLAN TO COME BACK.
AND SO THAT WAS AN EXEMPTION THAT WAS MADE AT THE TIME.
SO THAT WAS ONE. BUT FOR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, THAT HASN'T BEEN THE CASE FOR THIS ONE.
AND SECOND, HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THE PROPERTY FOR YOU? HOW LONG HAVE YOU RENTED THE PROPERTY? WE BOUGHT OUR OTHER HOME IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.
SO YOU'VE RENTED IT SINCE OCTOBER? NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE. SO WE WORKED ON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIND SOMEONE TO GET INTO THAT.
AND WE WERE ABLE TO WE LISTED A FEW THINGS AS REPRESENTATION TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHICH DIRECTION TO GO, BUT WE ENDED UP FINDING SOMEBODY IN OUR CLOSE CIRCLE. WHY DIDN'T YOU APPLY FOR A RENTAL LICENSE? TO BE HONEST, I WASN'T FAMILIAR.
I DIDN'T KNOW THE STEPS THAT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN.
YEAH, I'M TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DIDN'T THINK OF IT.
I THOUGHT MAYBE AS AN LLC, LIKE, THAT'S A STANDARD YOU NEED TO TO ABIDE BY.
BUT IT WAS A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY I LIVED IN FOR EIGHT YEARS.
I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE OKAY.
AND WHY DIDN'T YOU PROPERTY SELL? IS IT MENTIONED BECAUSE OF THE LIENS AGAINST THE PROPERTY AGAIN? YES. SO FROM WHAT WE WERE TOLD THAT THE LIEN IS GREATER THAN THE WORTH OF THE HOUSE, THAT THE LOAN THAT YOU HAD TWO LOANS AND THE TOTAL COMBINED IS MORE TOTALS TO MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE HOME.
SO I THINK THAT WHAT I UNDERSTOOD, YOU CAN'T SELL A PROPERTY THAT HAS A LIEN ON IT.
I MEAN, YES, YOU CAN. YOU CAN, YES, YOU CAN.
YOU PAY THE LIEN AND YOU SELL.
YEAH, BUT THE PROCEEDS OF THE HOUSE FOR SURE.
I MEAN THAT'S GETTING INTO BUSINESS I DON'T NEED TO GET INTO, BUT IT SEEMS AWFULLY FISHY THAT A LENDER WOULD PUT A LOAN LIEN AGAINST THE HOUSE THAT CAN'T CARRY, THAT CAN'T DOESN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PAY OFF THE LOAN.
THESE ARE DECISIONS THAT YOU MADE, THINGS YOU DIDN'T FOLLOW UP ON OR CHECK OUT ON.
AND I HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME ALLOWING AGAIN TO GIVE YOU AN EXEMPTION.
SO IT'S JUST A HARD LESSON TO LEARN FROM MY I'VE GOT.
[00:55:04]
SO I THINK WE MIGHT BE READY TO VOTE A COMMENT ON THAT.I DO FEEL LIKE IT'S A LITTLE HIGH AND MIGHTY OF US TO SAY KNOW THE RULES AND THAT'S THAT.
BECAUSE AARON CAN SPEAK TO THIS, I JUST RIPPED THE DECK OFF MY HOME.
I DIDN'T KNOW I NEEDED A DEMOLITION PERMIT FOR THAT.
SO AM I. SHOULD I GET A CITATION TRYING TO RIP OFF A DECK THAT WAS ILLEGALLY BUILT ON MY OWN HOME IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT WAS UNSAFE FOR MY CHILD AND KIDS? I DON'T SEE THAT AS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, SHAME ON YOU.
YOU DIDN'T KNOW. I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF RULES THAT I DON'T KNOW.
AND I READ THE CITY CODE BOOK MULTIPLE TIMES.
LIKE IT'S TOUGH TO KNOW ALL OF THIS, ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY AND FIVE KIDS.
I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S THE THE THING WE SHOULD BE STICKING POINT IS HE MADE A MISTAKE.
HE CAME TO THE CITY TRYING TO GAIN AN EXEMPTION, WHICH A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE DON'T EVEN DO.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
AND I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD GET A CITATION FOR THAT UNDERSTANDING.
I THINK WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A VOTE, I GUESS, BEFORE WE VOTE.
I GUESS I'M CURIOUS TO. SEE HOW YOU FEEL, MADAM MAYOR.
I THINK IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT OUR GOAL OF POSSIBLY HAVING A 10% MORATORIUM OR A 10% RENTALS AND SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING.
THIS WOULD BE AN EXTENSION FOR ONLY 12 MONTHS, MUCH LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD APPLY FOR IT IN THE FUTURE AND YOU WOULD HAVE TIME, OF COURSE, NOW TO LEARN ALL THE RULES ABOUT INSPECTIONS AND RENTAL LICENSES.
AND YOU COULD BE ONE OF THE 10% THAT COULD BE CHOSEN, BUT I WOULDN'T BANK ON IT.
BUT WE HAVEN'T EVEN VOTED ON THAT, SO WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THAT'S EVEN GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND THAT WAS A PREVIOUS COUNCIL THAT WAS REALLY LOOKING TO HAVE THIS.
AND THE 10% SINGLE FAMILY WAS JUST A NUMBER WE THOUGHT WE WOULD LOOK INTO.
THAT WAS JUST A NUMBER FOR STAFF TO LOOK INTO IT TO SEE WHAT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT WOULD THIS LOOK LIKE? SO THAT'S NOT EVEN A FINITE PLAN.
BUT FOR RIGHT NOW WITH YOU, IF THIS VOTE WERE TO BE IN YOUR FAVOR, WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WOULD BE, I WOULD JUST ONLY PLAN ON THE 12 MONTHS AND TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS THEN.
YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, THANK YOU.
I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO VOTE SOON, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE ONE THING.
IT WOULD CONCERN ME IF WE HAD RESIDENTS COMING EVERY MEETING EVERY MONTH ASKING FOR AN EXEMPTION.
BUT SINCE THIS IS WE'RE NOW IN MAY AND THIS HAS BEEN ON FOR ALMOST A FULL YEAR, THIS IS IS THIS A SECOND OR THIRD THAT WE'VE RECEIVED A REQUEST FOR FROM THE COUNCIL? I BELIEVE IT'S THE THIRD THAT HAS MADE IT TO THE COUNCIL.
AND THIS HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR.
AND LAST YEAR I THINK THERE WERE TWO.
YEAH. SO IT'S NOT BEEN A COMMON OCCURRENCE THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING PEOPLE ASKING FOR EXEMPTIONS.
SO I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M INTERESTED IN.
AS OTHER MEMBERS SAID, PEOPLE DO APPLY FOR THIS AND THEY DON'T SHOW UP.
SO IT'S A BIG ASK OF THE OF THE COUNCIL.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME OF YOUR TIME TO COME IN, IT'S IT SHOWS A LOT.
SO THANK YOU THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING? MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-29, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
NORTHEAST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA.
SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
SORRY, SARAH, COULD WE PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL VOTE FOR THIS?
[01:00:11]
MOTION PASSES. THE MOTION PASSES.AND ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE WORKING WITH AN INDIVIDUAL, NOT A CORPORATION.
YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALL HERE TO DO THE BEST TO HELP EVERYONE.
AND YOU'RE LIKE YOU SAID, YOUR FAMILY, THEY'RE RESIDENTS HERE IN OUR CITY.
SO ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK.
I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I NEED TO DO.
THANK YOU. WONDERFUL. AWESOME.
WE HAVE NO ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, BID CONSIDERATIONS, NEW BUSINESS AND REPORTS.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
SO WE MOVE ON TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START? THANK YOU. I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND AND GIVE BLOOD AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT BLOOD DRIVE AND THAT WAS IN MAY.
SO IF YOU DO SEE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BLOOD, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT.
AND IT WAS JUST A GREAT TIME TO SEE YOUR COMMUNITY AND TO SEE ALL THE VIBRANCY HERE.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE ORGANIZERS.
I WENT TO THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RECREATION OPEN HOUSE AT HOUSTON PARK ON MAY 19TH.
THEY PUT IN A LOT OF WORK TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE FAMILIES OUT AND HOPEFULLY SIGNING UP FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS. WE HAVE ONE AMAZING RESOURCE IN OUR CITY FOR ALL THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE AT A DISCOUNTED COST.
AS A PARENT OF YOUNG KIDS, I KNOW SUMMER CAMPS GET EXPENSIVE AND THERE ARE OVER $600 A LOT OF PLACES AND HEIGHTS DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB AT KEEPING THE PRICES REASONABLE AND PROVIDING LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR CITY.
AND I'VE GOT A LIST ON MY FRIDGE.
WHICH ONE ARE YOU GOING TO PICK? GOT TO DO SOMETHING THIS SUMMER.
SO THANK YOU TO THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS REC DEPARTMENT FOR DOING ALL THOSE THINGS.
ON MAY 20TH, I VISITED OUR LOCAL NURSING HOME, CRESTVIEW.
THEY HAD AN OPEN HOUSE AND CRAFT FAIR.
THE RESIDENTS MAKE CRAFTS AND ALSO HAVE THINGS TO SHARE FROM THEIR FAMILIES.
AND THE I TALKED WITH THE CRESTVIEW STAFF HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND THEY'RE A FANTASTIC PARTNER TO MANY OF THE FAITH COMMUNITIES AND TO THE CITY HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND ALSO THE COMMUNITY UMC CHURCH HAS CLOSED AND THEY ARE SOLD THAT BUILDING AND THEY HAD AN OPEN HOUSE AND FREE SALE ON THE 20TH.
AND FINALLY, WE'RE WEARING ORANGE BECAUSE OF THE EVERY TOWN WEAR ORANGE DAY.
AND THE WEARING ORANGE IS TO SHARE THE MESSAGE TO END GUN VIOLENCE.
COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT IT'S VERY REFRESHING TO HAVE SOMEONE ON THE COUNCIL WHO HAS CHILDREN IN SCHOOL AND THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR REC PROGRAMS, WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY HAS FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW WELL THAT OUR REC PROGRAM ENGAGES OUR COMMUNITY.
SO IT'S VERY EXCITING. AND THEN PRETTY SOON COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, A COUPLE OF YEARS.
YES. YOU'LL BE IN THOSE LITTLE SPARKLE AND GLOW BUGS OR.
YEAH, ALL OF THEM, ALL THE LITTLE PROGRAMS I HAVE.
AND THEN I WANTED TO ADD A LITTLE BIT TO YOUR WEARING ORANGE.
THE REASON ORANGE WAS THE COLOR WAS CHOSEN WAS A YOUNG GIRL WAS KILLED BY A GUN AND SHE WAS WEARING ORANGE. AND ALSO IT SIGNIFIES THE COLOR FOR SAFETY FOR HUNTERS IS IS A BRIGHT ORANGE.
AND SO THAT HAS BECOME THE COLOR OF SAFETY AND BEING AWARE OF GUN VIOLENCE.
PEOPLE KNOW THE MESSAGE BEHIND THAT.
I DID NOT KNOW THAT. THAT'S GREAT.
THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER BEUSGENS.
ONE WORKING IN LOMIANKI GARDEN, ACTUALLY.
WE HAD A GREAT GROUP WORKING AND WE STILL HAVE LOTS TO WORK TO DO HERE.
PICKING UP TWO SOD KICKERS TOMORROW NIGHT.
WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY OUT A FEW THINGS THE TASERS, THE BOLO WRAP, WHICH IS UNBELIEVABLE.
[01:05:01]
SO IT STABILIZES THEM SO THE POLICE CAN PICK THEM UP WITHOUT ACTUALLY HURTING THEM.BUT, MAN, OH, MAN, LIKE WITHIN LIKE JUST NOT EVEN A SECOND.
IT'S JUST AROUND THAT PERSON'S BODY.
IT'S QUITE ALSO TRIED SOME FIREARMS. I TRIED A FEW. I ONLY DID.
I DID ONE WITH THE ONE SHOT WITH THE RIFLE.
THOSE THINGS ARE SCARY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND PEOPLE'S IDEA OF OWNING GUNS.
IT'S THOSE THINGS ARE VERY POWERFUL, VERY POWERFUL.
ATTENDED THE CHEERS FOR BEERS.
IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. PEOPLE HAD A GREAT TIME.
I WAS ALSO PRESENT AT BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN LOMIANKI PARK WHEN DAR, WHICH IS THE DAUGHTERS OF REVOLUTION, DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AWARDED A COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD TO OUR RESIDENT CAT, ODETTE LUEBKE, FOR HELPING TO ESTABLISH THE BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN IN LOMIANKI PARK.
THEN WE HAD OUR COUNCIL CORDON OUT OF OUR COUNCIL CORNER WAS A LITTLE FUN LITTLE THING THAT IS GOING TO BE ARRIVED, GOING TO BE DELIVERED TO THE CITY HALL ON TUESDAY. WE'RE GOING TO DO A PROGRAM SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY'VE DONE IN ENGLAND AND OTHERS IN MINNEAPOLIS, I UNDERSTAND HAS A FEW.
AND AS OF PROBABLY BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK, WE WILL BE HAVING SENDING OUT APPLICATION TO ARTISTS IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SO FAR ABOUT 20 PEOPLE INTERESTED IN PAINTING IT FOR US.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN APPLICATION PROCESS WHERE THE COUNCIL AND A FEW STAFF MEMBERS WILL BE CHOOSING THE THE DESIGN AND HOPEFULLY HAVE IT SET UP IN JAMBOREE AND I WON'T TELL YOU WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO. YOU'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT.
BUT I'M SUPER EXCITED. IT'S A PIANO THAT WILL BE OUT OUTSIDE, AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO PLAY ON, FOR KIDS TO BE INTRODUCED TO, AND ANOTHER PIECE OF ART ADDED TO OUR CITY. SO I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
THANK YOU. AND I'LL ADD ON TO THAT HEIGHTS NEXT IS YEAH YEAH.
IS DONATING TO PAY FOR THE MOVING OF THE PIANO.
YES. THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING.
THANK YOU. THANKS. COUNCIL MEMBER.
ALSO ATTENDED COUNCIL CORNER AND THE LAST COUNCIL ACADEMY.
I DID ASK COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS IF I COULD PULL HER, AND SHE SAID NO, BUT I TRIED.
BUT OVERALL, A LOT OF EXCITEMENT FOR THAT PROCESS TO GO.
ALSO ATTENDED CHEERS FOR BEERS, WHICH WAS SUPER WELL ATTENDED.
AND THEN I'VE BEEN VERY BUSY WATCHING THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND TRYING TO SEE HOW THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT US HERE IN HEIGHTS THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES AND STUFF. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF STUFF PASSED THERE.
AND THEN I THINK JUST A COUPLE EVENTS.
HOPEFULLY. I'M NOT STEALING YOUR THUNDER.
MAYOR JUNE 3RD IS A BIG DAY FOR EVENTS HERE IN THE CITY.
WE HAVE DOGS IN THE PARK, ART IN THE PARK, AND THE HIGH SCHOOL POWWOW AS WELL.
AND I MIGHT EVEN BE MISSING SOMETHING THERE.
BUT THOSE ARE THREE EVENTS COMING UP BEFORE OUR NEXT MEETING.
SO JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE.
I'LL JUST I'LL SAY PETS IN THE PARK.
YOUR BIRDS, YOUR BEARDED LIZARD.
I HAD A BEARDED LIZARD IN MY FRONT YARD THE OTHER DAY.
OH, MY. ON THE SHOULDER OF A NEIGHBOR.
AND THAT WAS IN SOMETHING THAT TOOK YOU ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE DECADES OF MENTAL HEALTH AND HOW WE'VE GONE FROM LOCKING FAMILY MEMBERS OUT OF SIGHT TO GETTING THEM THE HELP THAT THEY NEED AND THEN ALSO MENTAL HEALTH IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.
I ATTENDED THE BLOOD DRIVE AGAIN THIS YEAR AND DID TRIED TO GET SOME ART IN THE ART WORLD DONE, DIDN'T WASN'T ABLE TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME DOWN THERE AS I AS I WOULD HAVE LIKED.
AND THEN I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT TODAY IF WILLIE NA WOULD PLEASE STAND.
I BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO START GOING UP TOMORROW ALONG CENTRAL AVENUE.
THE BANNERS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FROM MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH VETERANS DAY, AND THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BANNERS WILL PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND SUPPORT OTHER LOCAL NONPROFITS.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO PUBLIC WORKS FOR THEIR ENDEAVOR AND ENERGY AND GETTING THOSE BANNERS IN PLACE.
[01:10:03]
WILLIE, I THANK YOU VERY SINCERELY.IT WAS A GREAT IDEA AND I'M GLAD IT TOOK US A LITTLE WHILE TO GET IT GOING, BUT I'M VERY GLAD THAT WE GOT IT, GOT IT UP AND RUNNING AND AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ANNUAL EVENT. KIWANIS IS GOING TO GROW.
THANK YOU. AND THIS CAME FROM YOU ARE FROM PUNXSUTAWNEY.
YEAH. HOME OF THE GROUNDHOG CAME.
THE IDEA CAME ALL THE WAY FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
PENNSYLVANIA. SO I'M VERY, VERY GRATEFUL.
YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. AND THEN FINALLY, I FACILITATED FIVE RESIDENT REACH OUTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT AT ALL.
SO WE HAD THE GRUELING TASK OF TASTING SIX DIFFERENT DESSERTS BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
AND WE HAD A WINNER, WHICH WAS, I THINK, AN OREO CAKE WITH FUDGE FROSTING.
IT WAS TOUGH JOB SOMETIMES COOKING WITH COPS.
THAT'S AN ANNUAL EVENT. AND LAST YEAR IT WAS A MAIN COURSE.
SO IT WAS A LOT OF A LOT OF FUN, THOUGH, WITH THE KIDS.
STUDENTS ATTENDED OUR COUNCIL CORNER, ALSO ATTENDED OUR LAST YOUTH COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO COME IN DURING THE SUMMER, UNLIKE OTHER COMMISSIONS IN THE CITY THAT ARE YEAR ROUND.
AND THAT SAME NIGHT WAS THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
SO MANY OF OUR YOUTH COMMISSION'S MEMBERS COULDN'T BE AT THE MEETING, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A QUORUM, BUT THE YOUTH WERE ABLE TO AT LEAST TALK ABOUT PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND THEN I LEFT THERE PRETTY QUICKLY TO GO OVER TO THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD AND HAD THE HONOR OF HANDING OUT $10,000 IN $1,000 AMOUNT SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND FRIDLEY.
OUR SCHOOL GAVE OUT OVER $270,000 OF COMMUNITY FUNDS.
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SCHOOL DISTRICT HERE, ATTENDED OUR LAST POLICE COUNCIL ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE.
CHEERS FOR BEERS WAS A GREAT EVENT.
WE DID VERY WELL AT IT AND IT'S SUCH A GREAT TIME TO HIGHLIGHT OUR MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE.
WE HAD SO MANY NONALCOHOLIC BEERS THERE THAT REALLY EVERYONE COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DRINK.
AND AND THEN, YES, OUR UPCOMING RAIL WORKS BREWERY WAS THERE AND WON FIRST PRIZE FOR THEIR HIGHLANDER ALE, WHICH WAS A DELICIOUS CREAMY ALE WAS SO GOOD.
AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO PUBLIC WORKS FOR HELPING US WITH THE GARDEN.
THE GARDENS ARE JUST COMING ALONG SO WELL.
IT'S AT WYMIARKI PARK ON 30TH AND 39TH AND MAIN IF YOU'D LIKE TO CHECK THAT OUT.
UM, I ATTENDED THE ALEXANDER HOUSE DEVELOPER COMMITTEE MEETING.
I'M A MEMBER OF THE FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION MEETING WAS LAST WEEK.
AND THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS ACTUALLY CAMPING AT THE SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE CART IN CAMPSITE.
HAD GREAT WEATHER, SO I MISSED OUT THOUGH ON SOME FUN THINGS HERE IN THE CITY.
WAS ABLE AND HONORED TO HELP PRESENT A WREATH FOR KURT RAMSDELL, AN OFFICER IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN 1977, I BELIEVE, AND HIS SON WAS AT THE WREATH PLACING AS WELL LAST WEEK.
AND IF YOU EVER HAVE A CHANCE TO BE OUT AT THE CAPITOL, IT'S ON THE SOUTH EASTERN CORNER.
IT'S A VERY, VERY WELL DONE MEMORIAL.
AND IT'S MY SECOND YEAR TO DO THAT.
BUT CHIEF, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT AS WELL? AND KIND OF THINKING ABOUT ABOUT OFFICER ABOUT JP AND HIS PART? YES. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.
AND IT'S IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME DOWN THERE, BUT WE REALLY DO SINCERELY APPRECIATE THAT.
[01:15:04]
SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.EVERY YEAR ON STARTING ON MAY 14TH AT 6:00 PM UNTIL 6:00 PM ON MAY 15TH, THE MINNESOTA LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF SEVERAL OFFICERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, TO INCLUDE SERGEANT JASON PINE, WHO'S BEEN WITH THE HONOR GUARD FOR, OH, BOY, ABOUT 15 YEARS NOW.
AND HE THEY PARTICIPATE AND PART OF THAT PARTICIPATION.
IT TAKES ABOUT 24 HOURS TO DO EVERY SINGLE ONE.
AND AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DONE EVERY YEAR.
SO SO LIKE I SAID, SINCERELY, WE DO APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND WITH WHAT HAPPENED BACK IN JULY, ON JULY 30TH, 1977, WHEN OFFICER KURT WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE TRANSPORTING A PRISONER TO THE ANOKA COUNTY JAIL, HE AND ANOTHER OFFICER HAD ARRESTED A DRUNK DRIVER AND HIS PASSENGER FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT WHILE TRANSPORTING THE PASSENGER.
THE SUSPECT WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE A 25 CALIBER HANDGUN THAT HE HAD IN HIS REAR PANTS POCKET AND SHOT OFFICER RAMSDELL IN THE STOMACH AS HE LET THE SUSPECT OUT OF THE CAR AT THE JAIL.
A JAILER WAS ALSO SHOT AND WOUNDED AS HE RAN TO THE SCENE TO HELP.
AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO MENTION, SINCE WE DID TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SCHOOL AND JUST AROUND THE CORNER, THE THERE IS THE ALSO THE ANNIVERSARY OF TIM BULL, WHO WAS WITH THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL, AND HE WAS ALSO A COLUMBIA HEIGHTS GRADUATE.
HE WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON JUNE 7TH OF 1997, UP IN, I BELIEVE, [INAUDIBLE] AT THAT TIME.
AND AND I WAS ACTUALLY WORKING THAT NIGHT WHEN WE GOT THE NEWS.
AND IT WAS QUITE A QUITE A TRAGEDY HERE FOR MANY OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY FOLKS HERE, BECAUSE AT THAT TIME, MANY OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND OFFICERS KNEW TIM PERSONALLY.
AND THAT WAS THAT WAS QUITE A QUITE A TRAGEDY.
BUT AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR DOING THAT FOR US.
IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO THE RAMSDELL FAMILY.
ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU FOR ASKING.
UM, KEVIN, DO YOU HAVE A REPORT? [INAUDIBLE] OH, DO WE HAVE AN OPEN DATE FOR RAILWORKS? OH, I DON'T KNOW.
DO WE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOW QUICKLY THEY'RE MOVING? THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED A SPECIFIC OPEN DATE, BUT ARE TARGETING SEPTEMBER.
THEY DO. THEY DO A VERY ACTIVE FACEBOOK PAGE AND THEY HAVE SHOWED PICTURES.
I THINK THEY JUST POURED SOME CONCRETE AND JUST DID SOME PLUMBING.
SO THERE ARE SOME WAYS TO CHECK IN ON THEM.
THANKS FOR ASKING. COUNCILMAN OR COUNCIL MEMBER.
CITY MANAGER, INTERIM CITY MANAGER.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS. ONE OF THEM ACTUALLY IS A FOLLOW UP TO COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, AND THAT IS THE PETS AND THE PARK AND THAT'S GOING TO BE HELD AT KEYS PARK AND THAT'LL BE ON JUNE 3RD FROM 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT JUST TO TO NOTE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS WHO DO HAVE PETS AND WANT TO ATTEND OR MAYBE ARE THINKING OF ADOPTING A PET TO THERE'S GOING TO BE PET SUPPLY VENDORS, THERE'LL BE ADOPTION AGENCIES THERE.
WE'LL HAVE THE FRIDLEY CANINE UNIT DOWN FOR DEMONSTRATION FOR THAT.
AND THEN THERE'LL ALSO BE FREE PROFESSIONAL PET PHOTOGRAPHS.
SO IT'S AT KEYS PARK FROM 11 TO 2 P.M.
WE HAVE ANOTHER EVENT COMING UP, AND THAT IS THE CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
WE DO PUBLISH THOSE LOCATIONS, THOSE ADDRESSES SO FOLKS KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR THE GARAGE SALE.
BUT THE THAT REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MAY 31ST.
AND THEN ANOTHER ITEM THAT COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS HAD BROUGHT UP.
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY ON 37TH AVENUE.
THE CONTRACTOR IS STARTING ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE PROJECT.
SO OVER AT THE STINSON SIDE AND THEN ALSO ON 37TH PLACE.
[01:20:01]
THAT AND THEY'LL BE DOING WEEKLY UPDATES FOR THAT.AND THAT'S ON THEIR ON THEIR WEBSITE UNDER THE PROJECTS PAGE, UNDER 37TH AVENUE.
BUT THAT WEEKLY UPDATE WILL BE HELD EVERY THURSDAY AT 10:30 A.M.
KEVIN COUNCIL MEMBER, DO YOU KNOW IF THOSE MEETINGS WILL BE RECORDED? I DON'T. THEY HAD TALKED ABOUT DOING THAT AT THE PRE-CON, BUT AT THIS POINT, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE RECORDED OR NOT.
THE THE ACTUAL THERE WILL BE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS.
IS IT WESTBOUND OR EASTBOUND OR WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH THAT? SO WHAT? THE STAGING PLAN IS STILL ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DEVELOPED.
SO WHAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON THE WESTBOUND LANE AND THAT EASTBOUND LANE WILL BE OPEN FOR FOLKS TO TRAVEL ON AND AFTER AND THAT'LL BE THAT WAY, 37TH PLACE AND THEN CONTINUE ON THAT STAGING UP UNTIL ABOUT JUNE 12TH.
AND THEN WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE STAGING TO COMPLETE THE WORK IN 2023.
THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY UPDATE ON 53RD WHEN THAT'S GOING TO START? WHAT DATE? MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ON 53RD AVENUE.
WONDERFUL. NEXT, WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
WE HAVE MEMBERS TO SPEAK.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.
SARAH, WHO IS THE FIRST PERSON WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? HIGGINS WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
ESSER HIGGINS, CITIZEN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
YOU CAN STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE PODIUM.
IT'S. IT FEELS LIKE I'M HANGING OUT.
WE NEED TO PUT AN X ON THE FLOOR OR SOMETHING.
JOIN THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR AN EXCITING COMMUNITY BONDING KICKOFF EVENT AS WE GATHER TO SUPPORT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN OF COUNCILWOMAN KT JACOBS, WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND THIS PIVOTAL EVENT, WHICH WILL BE HELD AT HUSET PARK IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ON MAY 30TH, STARTING AT 5:00 PM.
WE WILL BE PROVIDING DELICIOUS SNACKS AND REFRESHING BEVERAGES FOR ALL ATTENDEES.
COME READY TO ENGAGE IN INSIGHTFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MAY 30TH AND DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF A MOVEMENT STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND AGAINST UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR IN OUR COMMUNITY.
PIPER WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
SO I DID GET A WHOLE MORNING AND AFTERNOON OF BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.
SO VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ROAD BEING DONE.
[01:25:01]
UM. SO I DID SPEAK A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS TAKING THE TIME TO BRING UP THE VOTE. I AM NOT SURPRISED BY WHAT TRANSPIRED AND THAT WILL NOT DETER OUR GROUP.UM, AND I WILL BE AROUND THE CITY AT DIFFERENT EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JUNE, UM, ENGAGING AND TALKING TO PEOPLE.
I CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK WITH PEOPLE AND I THINK WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD MOMENTUM FOR THIS RECALL EFFORT. AND I INVITE EVERYONE TO COME ON TUESDAY, MAY 30TH AT 5:00 AT HUSET PARK, UM, TO GET GOING ON THIS EVENT.
AND SO FOR ME TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS AND SPEND ALL THIS TIME IN IT, IT HAS PURPOSE.
AND, UM, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU. DAGGER QABALA WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
YOU DID IT RIGHT? FINALLY GOT IT.
I'M WONDERING IF I'M REALLY TRYING.
AS LONG AS YOU GOT THE FIRST NAME, I'M OKAY.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHER ON THE COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS DAVE CHEVELLA, AND I'M HERE BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? I LOVE MY CITY.
AND HERE TONIGHT, BEING AT THE COUNCIL, I SMILED.
I SMILED BECAUSE I WAS EMPOWERED.
I WAS A WOMAN WITH THE MENSTRUAL PROCLAMATION.
RIGHT. THAT REALLY MADE ME SMILE BECAUSE I'M SEEN AS A WOMAN IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY.
AND THEN LOOKING AT THESE COLORS.
ALTHOUGH GUN VIOLENCE IS NOT SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT, BUT HOW IT REPRESENTS SAFETY.
AND AGAIN, AN IMMIGRANT WHO SPOKE ALL OF THOSE RESONATE TO ME.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S ONE COUNCIL MEMBER THAT DOES NOT RESONATE THAT FOR ME.
I DO NOT FEEL SAFE BECAUSE YOU ARE SITTING RIGHT THERE.
WE WALKED IN. I HAD BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMEN WHO WERE INTERESTED IN POLITICS.
YOU DID NOT GREET THEM BECAUSE WE ARE BLACK AND WE ARE MUSLIM.
DO YOU QUESTION MY IDENTITY? ARE YOU AFRAID OF ME? AND IF YOU ARE, YOU NEED TO STEP DOWN BECAUSE YOU DON'T REPRESENT ME ANYMORE.
YOU MIGHT STILL DO GOOD IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I APPRECIATE YOU FOR ALL THE GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY.
LOOK AT YOU. WELL, IF I MAY SAY, I AM LEAVING THIS MEETING AT THIS POINT BECAUSE OF A POLICY THAT, AGAIN, IS NOT BEING EXECUTED AS IT WAS FOUND.
SARAH. IS THERE ANYONE WHO ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? AT THIS TIME THERE IS NOT.
THANK YOU. UM, THEN IS THERE ANY OTHER TOPICS FROM THE COUNCIL? HEARING IS NONE THEN.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE MEETING? SO MOVED. SECOND.
I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO ADJOURN THE MEETING SAY AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
AND SARAH, DO WE NEED A ROLL CALL ON THAT? OKAY. MARK SOMEBODY OFF.
OKAY. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.