>> HELLO, CHECK. IT'S WORKING.
[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
[00:00:08]
>> WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, JUNE 26TH.
SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL?
>> ABSOLUTELY. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> THANK YOU, SARAH. WELCOME TO EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE AND ANYONE ON ZOOM.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT TONIGHT'S MEETING OR IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE A COPY OF THE AGENDA, THEY ARE ON THE TABLE RIGHT BY THE DOOR WHEN YOU WALKED IN.
THERE IS A FORM FOR THE COMMUNITY FORUM TO FILL IN.
IF YOU DO WANT TO SPEAK AT THE END OF THE MEETING, YOU CAN HAND THAT TO SARAH UPFRONT.
AND IF YOU ARE ON ZOOM, JUST BE READY AT THE END OF THE MEETING AND THEN YOU'LL CHAT TO THE MODERATOR IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TONIGHT.
I WILL 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, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO PLEASE STAND AND SAY THIS PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE WITH ME.
IS OUR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
TO THE COUNCIL, IS THERE ANY CHANGES? NO. THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SO MOVED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, AND I'M SECOND BY COUNCIL BUESGENS.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE THEN, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND GUEST.WE'RE WAITING FOR A FEW GUESTS TO SHOW UP, SO WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE AROUND THIS PART OF THE MEETING.
FIRST WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF INTRODUCTIONS AND INTRODUCING ALL OF OUR NEW POLICE OFFICERS, AND CSOS IS CAPTAIN ERIC JOHNSTON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF HIRING LATELY AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS CREW WE'RE BRINGING ON BOARD.
I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE CHANCE INTRODUCING US.
EVERYBODY THAT'S IN A LIGHT BLUE UNIFORM IS ONE OF OUR CSOS AND THEY'RE ALL GOING TO BE ENROLLED IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.
TROY YVONNE IS RETURNING TO US AS AN OFFICER, AND THEN MANNY ALVAREZ IS A PART OF OUR PATHWAYS PROGRAM.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ABOUT THEM.
HE GREW UP ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MINNEAPOLIS IN THE CEDAR-RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD.
ATTENDED CEDAR-RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL BEFORE GRADUATING FROM THE ST. LOUIS PARK SENIOR HIGH.
HE'S CURRENTLY AT CENTURY COLLEGE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
HE HAS HOBBIES THAT INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHY, FLYING DRONES, AND HANGING OUT WITH FAMILY AND HAS FAMILY THAT LIVES IN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AREA.
JOHANNA SAID WAS BORN IN PHOENIX AND HAS LIVED IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SINCE THIRD GRADE.
HE'S ENROLLED AT HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HIS HOBBIES INCLUDE VIDEO GAMES AND SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS.
CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT CENTURY COLLEGE FOR A DEGREE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN PARK AND ATTENDED OSSEO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
HOBBIES INCLUDE FISHING, BASKETBALL, AND PHOTOGRAPHY, AND HAS FAMILY LIVING IN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
TROY YVONNE COMING BACK TO US FROM A COUPLE OF YEAR HIATUS IN FLORIDA.
HE GREW UP IN MINNEAPOLIS, GRADUATED FOR ROBBINSDALE COOPER HIGH SCHOOL, HAS A DEGREE FROM BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY IN FLORIDA, AND THEN WAS ORIGINAL GRADUATE OF OUR PATHWAYS PROGRAM BACK IN 2017.
IN 2020, SOME FAMILY TOOK THEM TO FLORIDA WHERE HE DOUBLED IN SOME EDUCATION AND NOW HE'S BACK AS AN OFFICER WITH US AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THEM.
HE WAS BORN IN FRIDLEY, LIVED IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN MINNEAPOLIS GROWING UP AND GRADUATED FROM COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL.
HE'S ALSO ENROLLED AT HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
ALSO LIKES PHOTOGRAPHY AND MODERN CARS.
JENN HAVRON, GREW UP AND ATTENDED SCHOOL IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
SHE ATTENDED THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AND WORKED IN ACCOUNTING.
[00:05:02]
SHE COMES FROM THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHERE SHE'D WORKED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND NOW SHE'S JOINING US AS A SUPPORT SERVICE TECHNICIAN HERE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.WE SAVE THE BIGGEST FOR LAST FOR THE TALLEST, MANNY ALVAREZ.
HE GREW UP IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, ATTENDED SCHOOL IN OUR DISTRICT.
HE REPORTS THAT HE EXCELLED IN SPORTS. IS THAT TRUE MAN?
>> OKAY. INCLUDING FOOTBALL AND WRESTLING BEFORE ATTENDING COLLEGE AT ST.
CLOUD STATE. HE'S HIRED AS A CADET IN OUR PATHWAYS PROGRAM.
HE'S GOING TO BE WITH US FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS THIS SUMMER, GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND.
HE'LL BE ATTENDING HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN AUGUST AND IN JANUARY HE'S GOING TO BE READY TO START AS A POLICE OFFICER WITH US.
WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO HAVE THIS CREW.
GREAT, ADDITION TO THE FAMILY HERE.
[APPLAUSE] HE IS NOT NEW, BUT, [LAUGHTER] HE DID DRIVE A COUPLE OF MORE OVER TONIGHT.
[LAUGHTER] WE CAN'T NOT RECOGNIZE SONIA AND HE DOES A GREAT JOB OUT THERE.
>> YOU ALREADY WENT THROUGH THIS LAST TIME.
>> HE DID. ONLY ONE INTRODUCTION IS ALLOWED. [LAUGHTER]
>>WELL, CAN WE DO A QUICK LIKE THE COUNCIL JUST COME OVER AND DO A GROUP PICTURE?
>> CAN I HAVE SOMEBODY WHO'S [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'M GOING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.
>> CHIEF, MAYBE YOU SHOULD JUMP IN THERE ON THE END. [BACKGROUND]
>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO TWO ROWS.
>> JENN HAVRON STAND AT THE BACK.
[BACKGROUND] YEAH, CAN WE MOVE THEM DOWN THIS WAY, PLEASE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. YOU'RE WELCOME. [BACKGROUND]
>>THAT WAS MY SECOND QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANNA SAY THANKS FOR ALL THE WORK FOR OUR HIRING TEAM.
WE HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY THIS PAST WEEK.
I WAS IN DULUTH FOR THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES ALONG WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND BUESGENS AND OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSEN.
AARON CHIRPICH, WHO'S OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
ONE OF THE QUESTION THAT ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE ATTENDING THIS ARE ASKING IS HOW IS YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT DOING? BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE HAVING STAFFING ISSUES EVERYWHERE AND I HAD TO CAREFULLY NOT BRAG TOO MUCH ABOUT WHAT HOW POLICE DEPARTMENT WE ARE CLOSE TO FULLY STAFFED, AND HAVING THE SUCH HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR OFFICERS AND CSOS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AS WELL.
I WAS JUST SO PROUD TO BE AT AN EVENT WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE AND SAYING HOW GOOD COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS DOING.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HARD WORK.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT WE HAVE OUR SOMALI-AMERICAN DAY PROCLAMATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I'M SO THANKFUL WE HAVE A COMMUNITY MEMBER HERE JAMA, WHO HELPED TO WRITE THE PROCLAMATION FOR SOMALI-AMERICAN DAY AND FOR THE DUGGLEBUG SISTER-CITY PROCLAMATION.
FIRST WE WILL DO THE SOMALI-AMERICAN DAY AND THEN JAMA, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP AND RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION, THEN YOU MAY SAY A FEW WORDS WHEN I'M FINISHED.
[LAUGHTER] SOMALI-AMERICAN DAY, JULY 1ST, 2023.
WHEREAS THE INDEPENDENCE DAY OF SOMALIA IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY OBSERVED ANNUALLY IN SOMALIA, AND THE DYSPHORIA WORLDWIDE ON THE 1ST OF JULY.
AND, WHEREAS MANY SOMALI REFUGEES AND THEIR FAMILIES IMMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES, AND TODAY'S SOMALI-AMERICAN ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING IMMIGRANT GROUPS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
AND, WHEREAS MANY IMMIGRANT GROUPS BEFORE THEM, SOMALI-AMERICAN SOUGHT SHELTER TO THE UNITED STATES TO ESCAPE WAR AND
[00:10:04]
PERSECUTION TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES AND TO BETTER THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN.AND, WHEREAS SOMALI-AMERICANS PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN BUILDING A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, CONTRIBUTING SOCIALLY, CULTURALLY, POLITICALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY TO OUR CITY.
NOW THEREFORE, I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY 1, 2023, SOMALI-AMERICAN DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA IN MAKING THIS PROCLAMATION, THE HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF SOMALI-AMERICANS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ARE BEING RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATING. [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR GALDOGOB SISTER CITY PROCLAMATION.
ESTABLISHING A SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GALDOGOB, SOMALIA AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, USA, JULY 1ST, 2023.
WHEREAS SISTER CITY INTERNATIONAL WAS FOUNDED AS A PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE BY PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 1956 AT THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON CITIZEN DIPLOMACY TO CREATE MORE COMMUNITY-LED GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS SO THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT CULTURES COULD APPRECIATE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND BUILD PARTNERSHIPS THAT WOULD LESSEN THE CHANCE OF NEW NATIONAL CONFLICTS.
WE'RE ASKED TO FACILITATE THE MODERN-WORLD PEACE.
CITIES, THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THEIR CITIZENS NEED TO COLLABORATE INTERNATIONALLY.
ONE OF THESE WAYS IS THROUGH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SISTER CITY INTERNATIONAL.
WHEREAS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS A SIGNIFICANT SOMALI-AMERICAN POPULATION THAT ENHANCES OUR RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNITIES, AND OVERALL CULTURE, THE RESIDENTS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA AND GALDOGOB, SOMALIA VALUE CULTURAL DIVERSITY, INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING, AND GLOBAL PEACE.
WHEREAS THE CITIZENS OF THESE TWO GREAT CITIES HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO BECOME MORE CONNECTED, TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, AND TO COLLABORATE ON IMPORTANT ISSUES BY BECOMING SISTER CITIES, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND GALDOGOB BOTH SEEK TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EQUALITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL OF THEIR RESIDENTS.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND ABDULGAFAR SHEIKH IBRAHIM AHMED, MAYOR OF GALDOGOB, SOMALIA ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR CITIES ARE NOW SISTER CITIES CONNECTED THROUGH THE SISTER CITY INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
[APPLAUSE] I INVITE JAMAL BACK UP TO THE PODIUM TO RECEIVE THIS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT JAMAL BROUGHT THIS IDEA FORTH AND SAID THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM SOMALIA AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WOULD MAYBE POSSIBLY BE INTERESTED IN HAVING A SISTER CITY IN SOMALIA? I SAID, ABSOLUTELY, WE WOULD LOVE THAT.
THEN JAMAL ALSO ATTENDED SISTER CITY MEETINGS WITH ME.
OUR CURRENT SISTER CITY IS IN LOMIANKI, POLAND.
THE WOMEN AT THE SISTER CITY EVENT WERE SO HAPPY TO MEET JAMAL AND TO SHARE THEIR WISDOM AND HOW THEY HAD CREATED THE LOMIANKI, POLAND SISTER CITY GROUP SHARED THAT INFORMATION SO THAT JAMAL COULD ALSO START THE PROCESS AND WE MET WITH OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSEN AS WELL.
IT WAS JUST SO EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS ALL TAKEN CARE OF IN TIME BEFORE JULY 1ST, WHICH IS INTERNATIONAL SOMALI-AMERICAN DAY.
THIS SATURDAY AT ONE O'CLOCK WE WILL BE AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LIBRARY IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM AND THE MAYOR IN GALDOGOB, SOMALIA WILL BE ON ZOOM SO THAT WE CAN SIGN THE PAPERWORK TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY.
THEN AFTER THAT, THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG CELEBRATION WITH FOOD AT SULLIVAN PARK.
[LAUGHTER] SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S INVITED TO THAT.
BUT JAMAL, IF YOU WOULD POP TO RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION.
[00:15:27]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH ALL OF YOU CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND EVERYBODY WHO'S HERE.
EVERYBODY IS INVITED IN SATURDAY, JULY 1ST, JUST LIKE THE MAYOR SAID AT ONE O'CLOCK AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY, THEN SULLIVAN PARK FROM THEN ON FOR A PARTY FOR THAT AND FOR SOMALIA INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR JULY 1ST.
THANK YOU THE MAYOR. [APPLAUSE]
>> I'LL ALSO ADD THAT OUR CURRENT SISTER CITY HAS BEEN HERE FOR 32 YEARS.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY YEARS OF GALDOGOB, SOMALIA BEING A SISTER CITY WITH US AS WELL.
THANK YOU. NOW THE NEXT PART OF OUR AGENDA IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
KEVIN, WOULD YOU PLEASE GO OVER THE ITEMS FOR US?>> CERTAINLY. MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THERE ARE FIVE ITEMS TONIGHT ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA.
THE FIRST OF THESE IS APPROVE THE JUNE 5TH, 2023 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES.
THE SECOND ITEM IS APPROVE THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM JUNE 12TH.
THE THIRD ITEM IS A CAPITAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FROM OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS REPLACING A TORO GROUNDSMASTER WITH A VENN TRACK UNIT, AND THIS IS FROM CUSHMAN MOTOR COMPANY AT A PURCHASE PRICE OF $64,130, ALONG WITH A TRADE-IN ALLOWANCE OF THAT GROUNDSMASTER OF 6,200 FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF $57,930.
THIS WAS A 2023 BUDGETED ITEM.
THE FOURTH ITEM IS RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.
THEN THE LAST OF THESE IS THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS AMOUNTING TO $1,391,602.47. MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT THEN. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED?
>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGS.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING AS NONE THEN.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE GO TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[PUBLIC HEARINGS]
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS MATTER.ANY COMMENTS MADE AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING AS CLOSED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL NOT BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE FORMAL RECORD FOR THIS MATTER.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS. SORRY, JUST TO CLARIFY, IS THIS A PUBLIC HEARING?
THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 1684, COUNCIL AND MAYOR SALARY INCREASE.
KEVIN, WILL YOU TAKE US THROUGH THIS?
>> CERTAINLY. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THE CITY'S CHARTER ESTABLISHES HOW SALARIES ARE SET FOR BOTH THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THAT IS DONE THROUGH ORDINANCE, WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
THE CITY HAS GONE THROUGH A RECENT COMPENSATION STUDY FOR OUR CITY STAFF AND THROUGH THAT THEY ESTABLISH THAT OUR GENERAL COMPENSATION WOULD BE AT ABOUT THE 50TH PERCENTILE IN TERMS OF COMPARABLE CITIES TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THE CURRENT CITY SALARY FOR EACH OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBER IS $7,800 PER YEAR AND THE SALARY OF THE MAYOR IS 13,800.
THE LAST TIME THAT THESE WERE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL WAS IN 2008 FOR THE MAYOR AND ACTUALLY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME BUT ALSO NOT CHANGED.
THE MAYOR AT THAT TIME WAS SET AT 13,800 EFFECTIVE 2009.
WHAT I FOUND TO BE QUITE INTERESTING IS THAT THE LAST TIME THAT THE COUNCIL REALLY CHANGE THEIR SALARY WAS OVER 30 YEARS AGO, AND THAT WAS DONE IN 1988, EFFECTIVE 1989.
SO IT'S BEEN OVER 30 YEARS SINCE THE CITY COUNCILS HAD A SALARY ADJUSTMENT.
IN DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNCIL AT THE MOST RECENT WORK SESSION, WE LOOKED AT ESTABLISHING COUNCIL AND MAYOR SALARIES ON THE SAME BASIS OF WHAT THE CITY STAFF ARE, THE GENERAL TARGET IS FOR THE COMPENSATION THAT'S AT THE 50TH PERCENTILE FOR COMPARABLE CITIES.
ESTABLISHING THAT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL HERE WOULD ESTABLISH THEIR NEW SALARY TO BE AT 10,800 PER YEAR, AND THEN FOR THE MAYOR THAT WOULD BE AT 15,000 PER YEAR.
ONE THING TO NOTE WITH THIS, IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES THIS ORDINANCE BY THE TWO READINGS THAT
[00:20:04]
THIS WOULD NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, SO IT'D BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1 OF 2025. MAYOR.>> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT, THAT IT DOESN'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL 2025.
WELL, I'M OPENING UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT? NO. I SEE SOME WITH THEIR HAND UP.
>> I'LL FILL OUT A FORM. [OVERLAPPING]
>> AND YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SALARY?
>> JENNIFER PIPER MUNO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL, I FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE WHO DO A JOB THAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO OUR CITY ARE PAID SO THAT WE CAN STILL ATTRACT QUALITY PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO WANT TO RUN FOR THESE POSITIONS THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT.
WHEN I FOUND OUT THE LAST TIME THEY HAD A SALARY INCREASE, I WAS JUST MORTIFIED AND TO HEAR HOW MANY HOURS THAT THESE PEOPLE PUT IN EACH WEEK FOR US.
I KNOW I'VE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY ARE SO LIKE WHAT? THEY GET PAID THAT LITTLE THAT'S RIDICULOUS SO I HOPE YOU GUYS VOTE YES.
>> THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER FOR THIS PUBLIC HEARING? THEN SARAH IS THERE ANYONE ON ZOOM WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS MATTER?
>> SEEING AS NO ONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, SO MOVED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANY DISCUSSION?
>> HEARING AS NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE MOTION PASSES TO CLOSE THE HEARING.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1684.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIED AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO WAIVE THE READING. ANY DISCUSSION?
>> THERE'S ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD IT AND I JUST WANT TO DOUBLE-CHECK WITH THE CITY MANAGER.
WE SET IT UP NOT ONLY TO DO THIS INCREASE AFTER SUCH A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, BUT ALSO TO SET UP FOR THE TIMELY EVALUATION FOR FUTURE COUNCILS THAT EVERY TWO YEARS, THE COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW AND IF THEY CAN CHOOSE WHETHER TO KEEP IT AS IT IS OR INCREASE IT AT THAT POINT, BUT IT JUST BRINGS IN MORE TIMELY MANNER OF REVIEW VERSUS 33 YEARS. LET'S SEE.
>> THANK YOU FOR ADDING THAT. COUNCIL MEMBER, JAMES.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS THAT WE DO NEED TO REVIEW IT MORE FREQUENTLY.
I WILL MAKE A STRONG RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COUNCIL REVIEWS IT EVERY TWO YEARS, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE OUR CHARTER ALLOWS US TO ADD THAT AS A ACTUAL ORDINANCE, BUT I DO KNOW, I WAS DOING MANY RESEARCH.
THERE ARE OTHER CITIES WHO HAVE THAT DIRECTLY IN THERE, ROSEMONT HAS IT JUST WHATEVER THE COST OF LIVING IS, JUST AUTOMATICALLY GOES EVERY TWO YEARS.
THAT WAY, THE COUNCIL HAS A CHANCE TO APPROVE IT OR NOT APPROVE IT IN ROSEMONT.
BUT OUR CITY, I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE THAT AS PART OF THE ORDINANCE, BUT I DO THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE IT REVIEWED EVERY 2-4 YEARS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU I WAS GOING TO ADD THAT TOO THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A TIMELY LOOK AT IT.
PEOPLE THINK POLITICIANS, OF COURSE, DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON THEIR OWN SALARY INCREASE BECAUSE THEN IT LOOKS GREEDY.
I THINK IN 33 YEARS, IT DOESN'T LOOK VERY GREEDY TO BE TAKING US ANOTHER SECOND LOOK AT IT.
I AGREE THAT IF THERE'S A WAY WE CAN JUST MAKE IT NORMAL, NORMALIZE LOOKING AT IT JUST LIKE ANY OTHER SALARY IT'S HEALTHIER FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY.
>> AFTER LISTENING TO THE ARGUMENTS TO THE WORK SESSIONS ON THIS ISSUE, I HAD STATED THAT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN A COST-OF-LIVING RAISE.
I THINK THAT A 75% AND A 40% INCREASE ALL AT ONE TIME AS MUCH AS I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR NEED TO BE PAID MORE THAN WHAT THEY ARE, I THINK THAT'S A BIG CHUNK TO MOVE FORWARD ALL AT ONCE.
IT'S A $6,000 INCREASE AND A $4,200 INCREASE AND I THINK THAT'S A BIT MUCH, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE CONSIDER THE LACK OF COLON LANGUAGE IN THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT.
I WAS HOPING THAT WOULD BE IN THERE AND AS A CITY,
[00:25:02]
WE'RE LOOKING AT 24% OR HIGHER TAX INCREASE OVER THE COMING COUPLE OF YEARS AND SOME OF THAT IS FOR MOST ITEMS, WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO FIX THOSE ITEMS, WE HAVE TO DO IT AND THAT INCREASE THAT I JUST MENTIONED DOES NOT INCLUDE ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE NORMAL BUDGET INCREASES.IN VIEW OF ALL OF THAT AND THAT THERE NOT BE ANY LANGUAGE ABOUT COST OF LIVING PERCENTAGES MOVING FORWARD I CANNOT IN GOOD FAITH AND IN TRANSPARENCY VOTE YES FOR THIS AT THIS TIME.
I BELIEVE IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT AS A QUESTION TO THE VOTERS, AND LET THE VOTERS DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO WITH OUR SALARIES. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WITH BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, WHICH CHANGED THE MAYOR'S SALARY FROM ITS CURRENT OF 13.8 PER YEAR TO 15,000.
THAT'S A $ 1,200-A-YEAR INCREASE.
THEN IT WOULD CHANGE EACH COUNCIL MEMBER SALARY FROM 7,800 PER YEAR TO 10,800 PER YEAR OR $3,000 INCREASE.
>> I STAND CORRECTED, THANK YOU.
IT'S STILL A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND I CAN'T IN GOOD FAITH VOTE FOR THAT.
I THINK IT'S A DECISION FOR THE RESIDENTS.
>> KEVIN, COULD YOU SAY THE GRAND TOTAL IN 2024, WHAT THE RAISE WOULD BE FOR FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR?
>> MAYOR, THAT WOULD BE IN 2025.
FOR THE FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS, THAT WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 12,000 AND THEN FOR JUST THE MAYOR, THAT WOULD BE 1,200 SO IT'D BE 13,200.
>> THIRTEEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR RAISE FOR FIVE PEOPLE IN 2025.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING OR NOT CLARIFYING BUT.
YES, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS?
>> JUST TO THE POINTS THAT WERE MADE, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE CITIZENS ELECT US TO BE DILIGENT AND REVIEW EVERYTHING IN THE CITY AND THAT INCLUDES OUR OWN SALARIES JUST TO POINT OUT THAT THE LAST TIME THE COUNCIL SALARY WAS RAISED, I WAS NOT BORN.
JUST TO BE QUITE FRANK [LAUGHTER] THAT PUTS IT IN PERSPECTIVE AND I'M SITTING UP HERE NOW.
I THINK IF WE'RE BEING THOROUGH WITH EVERYTHING THAT INCLUDES A REVIEW OF OUR OWN SALARIES AND I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WOULD AGREE THAT EVERY TWO YEARS WE'RE GOING TO RAISE OUR OWN SALARIES, BUT TO NOT LOOK AT IT FOR ALMOST 35 YEARS IS ALSO NOT ACCEPTABLE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, THANK YOU, EVERYONE WHO SPOKE.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING OUR CITY COUNCIL BE A FEASIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKING PEOPLE, AND I THINK THAT MANY PEOPLE NEED INCOME FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES AND GIG ECONOMY AND I DO NOT WANT A SYSTEM WHERE ONLY RETIRED FOLKS OR INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY FOLKS CAN REPRESENT US.
I APPRECIATE THAT THE CHARTER SAYS THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SET THE AMOUNT AS THEY DEEM REASONABLE.
I FEEL THAT FITS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SET OTHER SALARIES IN THIS CITY THROUGH OUR CITY MANAGER SYSTEM.
I JUST NOTE THE INFLATION SINCE I DIDN'T CHECK IT FROM 1989, I CHECKED IT FROM 2009 FOR THE MAYOR'S SALARY, WE'RE 42% INFLATION FROM 2009.
SO THE COST OF LIVING IS MUCH LESS AND I KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE OUR MAYOR AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO RUNS FOR COUNSEL, AND WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO HAVE A SALARY THAT REFLECTS THAT WORK.
I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD AS AN IDEA FOR EQUITY FOR FUTURE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE HOPING THAT ALL THE GREAT PEOPLE IN HEIGHTS WOULD CONSIDER THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND BE COMPENSATED FOR THAT TIME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL ADD TO THAT AS WELL, THAT MANY PEOPLE ASSUME THAT THE MAYOR IS A FULL-TIME PAID POSITION, THAT THE MAYOR IF WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK.
I WILL SAY IT IS A 24/7 JOB, THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS ANYTIME OF THE DAY, THE MAYOR IS RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE PHONE CALLS, SHOW UP FOR THE NEWS.
ANYTHING THAT COULD HAPPEN 24/7 AND AT 40 HOURS A WEEK THAT I AM PAID OR ANY MAYOR AT THIS TIME IS PAID $6.63 AN HOUR.
GOING TO WORK TO PAY THE RENT WOULD SAY, SORRY, I CAN'T SHOW UP I HAVE TO WORK.
I HAVE A JOB, I HAVE TO PAY MY OWN BILLS AND I THINK THAT THE SYSTEM, THE WAY IT'S SET UP, AND THIS IS THE SAME ACROSS ALL CITIES.
IT'S NOT JUST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
IT'S NOT THAT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DIDN'T WANT TO PAY PEOPLE.
THIS IS HOW THE SYSTEM WAS SET UP.
BUT ACROSS THE METRO AREA AND THE STATE, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE METRO AREA PEOPLE ONLY CAN RUN FOR OFFICE IF THEY ARE RETIRED AND HAVE INCOME TO DO IT,
[00:30:01]
OR THEY HAVE A SPOUSE THAT CAN HELP THEM PAY THE BILLS BECAUSE YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME DOING THIS AND IT'S TIME YOU'RE NOT MAKING YOUR OWN MONEY.I KNOW IT IS AN HONOR TO DO THIS JOB ABSOLUTELY.
JUST BECAUSE I LOVE SOMETHING IT DOESN'T MEAN IT ISN'T A LOT OF WORK AND I WANT TO DO THE JOB WITH CARE AND WITH THOUGHT AND WITH INTENTION AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TOO, AS WE ALL KNOW.
IT'S GOOD TO DISCUSS THIS, GOOD TO LOOK AT WHAT THE REAL SITUATION IS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING ACROSS THE STATE BUT PEOPLE, WE CAN'T EXPECT OUR REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK LIKE OUR COMMUNITY WHEN THE COMMUNITY CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE HOURS A WEEK TO DO THAT JOB.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE LOOKED AT.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS TO WAIVE THE READING.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED TO MOVING THE READING?
>> WE NEVER VOTED TO WAIVE THE READING.
WE HAD DISCUSSIONS. ALL RIGHT, I'LL START OVER.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS TO WAIVE THE READING.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO SET THE SECOND READING.
>> MOVE TO SET THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1684 PERTAINING TO THE SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR MONDAY, JULY 10, 2023, AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS TO SET THE SECOND READING.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING THERE'S NOTHING. ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> SARAH, DO YOU HAVE THAT? [NOISE] ALL RIGHT, THEN THE MOTION PASSES TO SET THE SECOND READING FOR THE MONDAY, JULY 10TH MEETING.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, NOTHING ON THE AGENDA FOR THAT AND IT BRINGS US
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST?
JUNE IS VERY BUSY IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
[LAUGHTER] ATTENDED THE SISTER CITY MEETING.
WE DID AS WELL AS WE COULD CONSIDERING IT WAS THE SMOKIEST DAY I THINK IN THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY, COMMUNITY AND ART INFO FAIR, WE NOW HAVE COUNCIL TABLES THAT WE'RE BRINGING UP TO DIFFERENT EVENTS.
IN THE FUTURE, AT THE NEXT CITY EVENT, LOOK FOR US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL, THERE'LL BE SOMEBODY THERE, HOPEFULLY, CAN ANSWER TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.
ATTENDED OUR FIRST POOL WITH A COP AT JIMMY'S POOL HALL HERE IN 40TH AVENUE, WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED, WAS A LOT OF FUN EVEN DRAGGED MY HUSBAND FROM THE HOUSE TO COME OUT AND PLAY SO HE COULD GET INVOLVED WITH THAT.
I ATTENDED JERRY HERRENCH'S FUNERAL AND GAVE MY CONDOLENCES AND RESPECT TO HIS FAMILY.
WELL, I ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CONFERENCES WITH, AGAIN THE MAYOR AND RACHEL, AND KEVIN HANSEN, OUR CITY MANAGER, AND OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AARON CHIRPICH.
I VOLUNTEERED AT THE CARNIVAL GATES FOR THE JAMBOREE SATURDAY NIGHT.
THAT WAS FUN TO HANG OUT AND SEE ALL THE PEOPLE POURING IN AND THEN THE KIDS. IT WAS A GOOD TIME.
THERE'S ONE THING I WANTED TO MENTION APPARENTLY, I THINK IT WAS THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING OR THE ONE BEFORE.
THERE WAS A RESIDENT THAT MENTIONED THAT I HAD BEEN A TAD BIT HARSH WITH THE LANDLORD THAT HAD COME BEFORE, AND I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
I AM VERY PASSIONATE, I HAVE VERY HIGH STANDARDS FOR LANDLORDS.
THIS ONE WASN'T QUITE GETTING UP THERE.
BUT I LET MY EMOTIONS GET CONTROL ME, AND I CAME ACROSS HARSHLY TO FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I WILL TRY TO CONTAIN MY TEMPER OR MY EMOTIONS BETTER EVEN THOUGH I STILL, WILL KEEP THOSE STANDARDS HIGH.
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ON JUNE 13TH, I ATTENDED THE SILVER LAKE PARK BEACH MEETING WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND MANY OTHER RESIDENTS.
I THINK THERE WAS 30 RESIDENTS TOTAL.
I MENTIONED THIS LAST MEETING, BUT THANKFUL TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND EVERYONE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY CONNECTION.
IT WAS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS A BIG SHOOTING INCIDENT.
LUCKILY, WE DIDN'T SEE ANY VICTIMS. BUT THE GOOD NEWS OF IT IS THOSE 30 RESIDENTS HAVE REALLY ORGANIZED INTO A VERY FUNCTIONING COMMUNITY WATCH TEAM AND THEY'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN NECESSARY, AND TO WATCH OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND ESPECIALLY FOR OUR PUBLIC PARK THERE, SILVER LAKE PARK BEACH.
[00:35:01]
I ALSO ATTENDED THE ART AND INFO FAIR.GREAT JOB TO ALL THE CITY STAFF WHO PULLED THAT TOGETHER.
AT THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE, I ATTENDED SESSIONS WITH THE MINNESOTA CLIMATE CITIES COALITION, FAIR VOTE MINNESOTA ON RANKED-CHOICE VOTING, LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING SESSION, AS DEI, A DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PLANNING MEETING, A SESSION ON DEVELOPING UNDER-UTILIZED PROPERTIES, AND THEN A CREATIVE STREETS REDESIGN ALONG WITH A METRO CITIES MEETING WHERE WE GOT TO MEET WITH OTHER LOCAL MAYORS AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE TIME, AND I'M THANKFUL THAT THE CITY HAD BUDGETED FOR US TO GO AND TO LEARN FROM OTHER CITIES AND THEIR BEST PRACTICES.
I WAS IN THE PARADE, SUPER WET, SUPER CRAZY, BUT THANKFUL TO THE LIONS AND TO ALL THE CITY STAFF WHO MADE THAT PARADE HAPPEN, A LOT OF WORK WAS DONE.
THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO SET UP FOR THE CARNIVAL AND THE FIREWORKS, OUR PUBLIC WORKS, OUR POLICE, AND OUR FIRE TEAMS, AS WELL AS ALL THE CITY STAFF THAT WERE THERE.
THE FIREWORKS AND THE CARNIVAL WERE WONDERFUL.
THEN TODAY WE ALL PARTICIPATED IN INTERVIEWS FOR OUR NEW SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> I ATTENDED MR. HERRON GERRY'S FUNERAL AND SAW A COUPLE OF THE CITY PEOPLE THERE.
HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED IN THIS CITY AND I WILL MISS HIS SENSIBILITIES AND HIS FINANCE ACUMEN AT THE EDA.
THEN I ALSO ATTENDED THE TENANTS MEETING WHICH WAS HELD AT THE LIBRARY.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU. I MET WITH ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF O'BRIEN AGAIN ABOUT RENTAL LICENSING.
I MET WITH THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOLS ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR JAKE HENDERSON ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE SCHOOL AND POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CITY AND THAT WAS AN EXCITING MEETING.
I MET WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER ABOUT SOME UPCOMING POLICY PROPOSALS AND IT WAS GREAT TO TALK WITH THEM.
I TALKED WITH ONE OF THE LIBRARY COORDINATORS IN ROCHESTER ABOUT SOME IDEAS THAT THEY DO AT THEIR LIBRARY AND POSSIBLE THINGS WE COULD DO WITH OURS TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER THAN IT IS.
I GOT TO SIT AT THE BOOTH FOR THE ART AND INFO FAIR AND TALKED TO A FEW RESIDENTS, WHICH WAS GREAT, AND THEN GOT OUT FOR JAMBOREE EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER WASN'T THE BEST BUT STILL A GREAT TIME. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU. FOR MY REPORT, THERE'S ALWAYS SOME OVERLAP BECAUSE WE'RE VERY INVOLVED HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WELL, ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES CONFERENCE, AS I STATED, AND ATTENDED THE CLIMATE CAUCUS, HAPPY HOUR, THE VAULT RUN LEAD EVENT WHERE THEY WERE TEACHING US ABOUT RANKED-CHOICE VOTING AND WHAT CITIES CAN DO THERE.
I ATTENDED A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PANELS.
ONE WAS CALLED SUSTAINABILITY LOVE LANGUAGE, IT'S THE LOVE LANGUAGE OF YOUR CITY, CANNABIS REGULATIONS, AND ALL OF THAT'S COMING DOWN THE PIPE HERE NO PUN INTENDED, [LAUGHTER] AND COMMUNICATION PLANNING AS WELL.
SILVER LAKE IS HAVING SOME TREATMENTS AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR CITY MANAGER TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THAT WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR REPORT IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT?
>> I'VE BEEN WORKING A LOT WITH THE RESIDENTS ALONG SILVER LAKE THEN ALSO THAT'S INCLUDES ST. ANTHONY AS WELL.
THIS MORNING I HAD A MONARCH FESTIVAL MEETING WITH WILL ROTTER AT THE CITY.
I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO SAVE THE DATE.
IT WILL BE AT CARDIAC PARK FROM 5:00-8:00 PM, THE MONARCH FESTIVAL, AND HOPE ALL OF YOU COMING.
WE HAVE MANY BOOTHS LEARNING ABOUT POLLINATORS, MONARCHS, AND OTHER SERVICES AROUND THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.
PLEASE MARK THE DATE FOR THAT.
ATTENDED THE RENTAL MEETING THAT I HELPED CREATE WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE HAD A FEW RESIDENTS THERE AND EVEN THOUGH THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF RESIDENTS AT THE MEETING, I KNOW THE RIPPLE EFFECT FOR RESIDENTS AND TENANTS KNOWING THAT THIS COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY IS THERE FOR THEM, AND THERE TO GIVE THEM INFORMATION AND HELP IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE WITH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEM AND THEIR LANDLORDS, I KNOW THAT INFORMATION WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.
THIS WAS ONLY OUR FIRST MEETING, AND I KNOW IT'S GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AS EVERYTHING WE DO HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I, UNFORTUNATELY, MISSED THE POLICE AND POOL EVENT BUT I WILL SAY THAT DAY AND THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY [LAUGHTER] I HAD A COLONOSCOPY, AND I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR ALL OF YOUR THINGS.
I CARE ABOUT YOU AND IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT.
IF YOU DON'T, AND YOU NEED TO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WOULD LOVE TO HELP CONNECT YOU WITH SERVICES IN OUR COUNTY AND OUR STATE.
I VOLUNTEERED WITH MY HUSBAND AND ANOTHER YOUTH IN THE BOOSTERS WAGONS SELLING HOT DOGS AND PULLED PORK SANDWICHES AT THE JAM BERRY.
ON SATURDAY WAS IN THE PARADE AND GOT DRENCHED ON.
WE HAD BORROWED A 1931 VEHICLE.
[00:40:07]
>> WHAT WAS IT CALLED? MODEL A MAYBE.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE WINDOWS IN IT AND IT WAS POURING, SO WE HAD THE ROOF UP, BUT I HAD A BIG SUN HAT IN THE WINDOW TO KEEP THE RAIN FROM COMING IN.
THE PARADE ACTUALLY DRIED OUT WAS GREAT.
WE JUST SET OUR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION INTERVIEWS, OUR FIRST RUN OF THOSE AND JUST WANT TO DO A SHOUT OUT THAT WE JUST HAD JUNETEENTH.
IT WAS A LOT OF HUSTLE FOR THE CITY.
IT WASN'T A DATE THAT WAS INITIALLY PLANNED FOR IT TO BE ON A PAID TIME OFF.
THERE WERE SOME HUSTLING FOR THE STAFF TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.
I'M VARIOUS WHEN I GIVE KUDOS TO STAFF FOR MAKING THAT WORK FOR EVERYONE AND TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH, SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW HIM AS SCIENCE FICTION FAN.
I WATCHED AN EPISODE OF DEEP SPACE NINE, WHICH IS A STAR TREK SHOW.
THEY HAVE A SHOW CALLED BEYOND THE STARS AND IT IS ABOUT 1951 POLICIES AND COMMUNITY DUE TO RACISM AND SEXISM IN THE '50S.
HOW THAT IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY IS JUST ASTOUNDING AND I'M SO THANKFUL THAT OUR STATE IS CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH NOW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW THIS TAKES OVER TO THEIR CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSEN. [NOISE]
>> MAYOR MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, I JUST HAVE A FEW ITEMS. I THINK ONE THING THAT'S COMING UP FOR THE COMMUNITY IS MUSIC IN THE PARK.
THAT SERIES STARTS THIS WEDNESDAY.
JUNE 28TH, AND THAT'LL BE AT HUSET PARK EAST.
THIS IS A SERIES HOSTED AND SUPPORTED BY THE NORTH EAST BANK.
THE BAND THERE WILL BE THE CHANGE-UPS.
I THINK THEY'RE ALTERNATIVE AMERICANA, AS WE'LL DESCRIBE THEM TO ME.
THAT STARTS FROM 6:30 AND ENDS AT 08:00 P.M. AND THAT'LL BE AT HUSET PARK EAST.
THE CITY DID GET SOME GRANT MONEY THROUGH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR BROADBAND.
AS PART OF THAT, WE AGREED TO GO OUT AND DO A SURVEY TO HELP THE STATE PREPARE A DIGITAL EQUITY PLAN FOR SERVICE AND ACCESS ACROSS THE STATE.
RIGHT NOW THAT'S AVAILABLE TO CITIZENS TO HELP FILL THAT OUT.
WE'VE ALREADY HAD ABOUT 70 RESPONSES FOR THAT.
IT'S AVAILABLE BOTH ON SOCIAL MEDIA FROM THE CITY AND ALSO ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
A COUPLE OF PROJECT UPDATES IS MOST PEOPLE HERE PROBABLY KNOW YOU'VE BEEN DRIVING THROUGH THE CITY 37TH AVENUE IS IN THE PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTION.
RIGHT NOW THEY'RE WORKING MORE TOWARDS THE EAST END OF THE PROJECT AND THAT'S OVER BY STIMSON AND THEY'RE JUST MOVING AND THEY JUST STARTED MOVING TODAY TO THE PAVEMENT REMOVAL FROM JOHNSON OVER TO CENTRAL ON THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC LANE.
EXCUSE ME, AND THAT'LL REALLY WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO WITH HOW THEY'RE ADVANCING THIS IS TO TRY TO GET THE PROJECT BUILT AND DONE IN 2023.
SO IT IS GOING TO BE A FULL YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THAT SITE AND WE HOPE BY NOVEMBER WE'LL HAVE EVERYTHING COMPLETED ON 37TH AVENUE.
RIGHT NOW ALL THE WORK IS FOCUSED ON THE WESTBOUND LANE, SO ONLY EASTBOUND LANES TRAFFIC IS OPEN FOR 37TH AVENUE FROM CENTRAL ALL THE WAY OVER TO STIMSON.
WELL, SECOND-TO-LAST THING THAT I HAVE FOR A PROJECT UPDATE IS ON OUR 53RD AVENUE.
SO THE 53RD AVENUE FROM CENTRAL OVER TO UNIVERSITY WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED ALSO IN 2023.
IN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY, WE'RE WORKING AS A JOINT PROJECT WITH THEM.
WE HAVE TWO SEPARATE PROJECTS DUE TO THE FUNDING SOURCES.
ONE IS ON THE EAST HALF OF THE PROJECT RIGHT BETWEEN TARGET AND MEDTRONIC.
THEN THE OTHER ONE TAKES IT FROM WHERE MEDTRONIC ENDS ALL THE WAY OVER TO MAIN STREET IN FRIDLEY.
WE'RE LOOKING AT AWARDING CONTRACTS ON JULY 10TH BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, AND THAT WORK WILL BEGIN AT THE END OF JULY.
THAT'S ANOTHER PROJECT THAT WILL CONTINUE IN TERMS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.
WE HOPE TO HAVE THAT OPEN BY THE NOVEMBER TIME-FRAME FOR THAT.
THEN THE LAST THING, MAYOR, YOU HAD ASKED FOR JUST REALLY AN UPDATE AND SOME BACKGROUND ON THE TREATMENT THAT WE'RE DOING.
I SHOULDN'T SAY WE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT REALLY DOING.
IT'S BEING COORDINATED BY THE LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FOR SILVER LAKE.
A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THAT.
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, ALONG WITH THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS TO SILVER LAKE.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BEACH DOWN THERE AND IT'S A SWIMMABLE LAKE, BUT IT'S ONE OF THE HIGH-QUALITY WATER BODIES WITHIN THE INNER RING.
WHEN I SAY INNER RING, THAT'S A INTERIOR OF 694,494.
A LOT OF MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT TO CLEAN UP THE WATER QUALITY THERE.
I THINK ONE OF THE RECENT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN NOTICED WITHIN THE LAKE IS INVASIVE SPECIES.
ONE OF THE FEW WAYS TO CONTROL THAT IS BY TREATING FOR THOSE INVASIVE SPECIES THAT CAN REALLY AND RAPIDLY DEGRADE THE WATER QUALITY OF A WATER BODY,
[00:45:01]
A LAKE, IN THIS CASE.SO THE LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION WENT AHEAD AND GOT PERMITTING THROUGH THE MINNESOTA DNR TO DO THAT.
THEY'RE TREATING FOR TWO TYPES OF WHAT'S BEEN DETECTED IN SILVER LAKE.
THE FIRST OF THESE IS EURASIAN MILL FOIL, AND THAT'S REALLY PREVALENT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
THEN THE SECOND OF THESE IS CURLY POND WEEDS.
I THINK WE'LL LOOK AT THE TREATMENT AND THEN THE COMPANY THAT DID THE TREATMENT WILL DO SOME FOLLOW-UP, SEE HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS.
BUT THAT'LL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL LIKELY BE CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD TO REALLY TRY TO CONTROL AND LIMIT THE IMPACT THAT THOSE TWO INVASIVE SPECIES HAVE, PARTICULARLY IN SILVER LAKE, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. JUST TO ADD THAT, THE BOAT LANDING WAS CLOSED FOR THIS TREATMENT, BUT NOW IS IT OPEN THEN?
MAYOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT NEEDED TO BE CLOSED FOR THE DAY OF THE TREATMENT SO THAT NOBODY WAS ACCESSING THE LAKE OR GETTING INTO THE LAKE FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. THE BEACH AND THE BOAT LANDING ARE OPEN NOW?
>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] THEN NEXT THAT BRINGS US TO THE COMMUNITY FORUM.
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
THE COMMUNITY FORUM IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN-PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CITY CLERK.
AGAIN, THOSE ARE BY THE DOOR WHEN YOU ENTERED.
ONCE CALL TO THE PODIUM, THE SPEAKER SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
SPEAKERS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND REQUESTS 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 TO TURN THEIR CAMERAS ON, ALL SPEAKERS SHOULD LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE-MINUTES AND ADDRESS THEIR COMMENTS TO THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, AND NOT TO THE 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 TONIGHT?
>> JULIA DE GONZALEZ WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I AM THE PROPERTY MANAGER FOR THE COAL THAT JUST GOT CONSTRUCTED.
UNFORTUNATELY, US AS OWNERS OR THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROUP HAS FAILED TO GO THROUGH THE CITY ABUNDANCES AND GET YOUR GUISES PERMISSION TO GET THE RENTAL LICENSE.
NOT ALL CITIES ARE THE SAME, SO WE DID NOT FORESEE THIS.
WE JUST GOT THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY THIS AFTERNOON.
>> YOU JUST SPEAK CLOSER TO THE MIC.
>> YES. ABSOLUTELY. I'M SORRY.
WE JUST GOT THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY THIS AFTERNOON.
IT WAS PASSED AND ALL OF OUR INSPECTIONS HAVE PASSED AS WELL.
SO I SCREWED MY WAY DOWN HERE TO FILL OUT THE RENTAL APPLICATIONS SO THAT WE COULD GET THAT APPROVED FOR ALL OF OUR TENANTS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR MOVING JULY 1ST.
WE HAVE 30 TENANTS THAT HAD PLANNED ON MOVING IN JULY 1ST AND NO LONGER WILL BE ABLE TO UNTIL YOUR NEXT MEETING ON JULY 10TH.
SO THAT LEAVES 30 FAMILIES THAT HAVE SINGLE MOMS, SECTION EIGHT HOLDERS, CITIES, TENANTS THAT ARE COMING FROM DIFFERENT CITIES, DIFFERENT STATES, LEFT HOMELESS FOR THOSE 10 DAYS.
WHAT I'M ASKING THAT THE COUNCIL IS TO EITHER APPROVE IT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN PAID FOR AND READY TO GO, OR BE LENIENT ENOUGH TO ALLOW THOSE TENANTS TO MOVE IN BY JULY 1ST UNTIL WE GET OUR RENTAL LICENSE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] ONE, IF YOU'RE RAISING YOUR HAND.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> HAVE YOU CONSIDERED PROVIDING HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE TENANTS IN THE EVENT THAT THAT LICENSING IS NOT MOVED FORWARD.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WERE NOT THEY DO KNOW IT'S NEW CONSTRUCTION, SO WE HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN WITH OUR TENANTS THAT THE RENTAL LICENSE MAY OR MAY NOT BE DELAYED.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD SO MUCH NEED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR THESE RESIDENTS TO MOVE.
THREE-FOURTHS OF THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE THE SOMALIAN COMMUNITY HAS COME OUT AND REACH TO US AND WE'VE ACTUALLY APPROVED THE WHOLE BUILDING TO BE 100% OCCUPIED BY AUGUST 1ST.
IT WAS FORESEEN, SOMETHING THAT WE HAD PREDICTED THAT WE NEEDED TO DO, BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY OUR FAULT THAT WE DO NOT LOOK INTO THE RENTAL LICENSE BEFOREHAND.
[00:50:03]
>> I'M VERY EMPATHETIC FOR YOUR TENANTS, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU PROBABLY FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE THAT HOUSING FORM IN THE INTERIM UNTIL YOU CAN GET THAT LICENSE.
>> YES, WE ARE AWARE OF IT, BUT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE MOVING IN ITS HUGE EXTENT THAT WE UNFORTUNATELY CAN'T AFFORD AT THE MOMENT, BUT NOT US.
I'M NOT HERE TONIGHT FOR OURSELVES BECAUSE THE OWNERS THEMSELVES ARE NOT THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HURTING, IT'S GOING TO BE THE TENANTS AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.
I TAKE CARE OF MY TENANTS AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR MY TENANTS.
WE HAVE A CYST DURING BUILDING COMING UP IN LITTLE CANADA TOO AS WELL.
THAT'S ALSO MULTIFAMILY AND LOW-INCOME HOUSING.
THREE FOR THE WHOLE BUILDING AS LOW-INCOME AT THE TAX CREDIT PROPERTY.
I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF MY TENANTS.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID NOT DO [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEM WOULD BE TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THEM IF THE LICENSE IS NOT APPROVED.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT OUR TENANTS DO UNDERSTAND THAT TOO, THAT IT IS NEW CONSTRUCTION HICCUPS TO HAPPEN, SO YES.
>> AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT AN AGENDA ITEMS, SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT TECHNICALLY THE COUNCIL CAN VOTE ON.
I WOULD GET ALL COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, SINCE YOU MISSED IT AS A CORPORATION AND ACCOMPANY, I WOULD FEEL THAT IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THESE PEOPLE THE NEXT 10 DAYS IS PART OF BEING LATE ON GETTING THE LICENSE TAKEN CARE OF.
I FEEL FOR THEM BUT THIS IS NOT AN ITEM THAT CAN BE VOTED ON AT THIS TIME BECAUSE IT'S NOT AGAIN, THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.
>> KIKI LATHAM WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME COUNCIL.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS KIKI JOY LATHAM, AND I LOVE THIS CITY.
I SERVE ON MANY BOARDS, [LAUGHTER] I VOLUNTEER OFTEN, AND IT'S THE CITY I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO READ SOMETHING TO ALL OF YOU.
I AM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WHO WAS BORN INTO A COUNTRY WHERE IT WAS DECIDED THAT MY SKIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED, A COLOR THAT GOD CHOSE TO GIVE ME.
BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M LOOKED AT DIFFERENTLY.
AT FIRST, I ALLOWED THAT SHAME TO LOWER MY SELF-ESTEEM, MAKE ME THINK HORRIBLE THOUGHT TO MYSELF.
I UNDERSTOOD THAT AN EARLY AGE THAT BIPOC PEOPLE WERE CONSIDERED A VIRUS AND WE'RE MEANT TO STAY UNDER THE FOOT OF OTHER PEOPLE.
MY HEAD STAYED DOWN AND I KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT.
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW WAS, I WAS DYING INSIDE.
I THOUGHT MY LIFE MEANING WAS TO DO MENIAL JOBS AND PAY BILLS.
I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT I NO LONGER BELIEVE THAT.
MY PEOPLE BOUGHT SOUL FOOD, MELANIN, PASSION, FIRE IN AFRICA TO THIS COUNTRY.
WE ARE VIBRANT, WELL-SPOKEN, EDUCATED, WE ARE BEAUTIFUL.
THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD ALLOW MY SKIN COLOR TO MAKE YOU FEEL A CERTAIN WAY IS SO DISAPPOINTING.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU MADE AN OATH TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.
YOU CAN'T DECIDE WHICH PEOPLE TO SERVE.
IF YOU ONLY TOOK THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW US, OUR MINDS, ABILITIES, AND SOULS MAYBE YOU WOULD CHANGE YOUR OPINION.
ALL SHOULD BE RESPECTED. THANK YOU.
>> STEVE JOHNSON WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> GOOD EVENING. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
I CONSIDER ALL OF YOU MY FRIEND.
I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE AND I'VE SAID I LOVE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I DO. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 10 YEARS.
NOW I LIVE AT PARKVIEW VILLA, WHICH IS NINE STOREYS, THE TALLEST BUILDING IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I'M HERE TO SAY TONIGHT THAT IN THE LAST ELECTION, I WROTE A VERY GOOD LETTER TO THE NORTHEASTERNER PAPER SUPPORTING KATIE JACOBS.
WELL, I'VE CHANGED MY OPINION FEELING THAT INTEGRITY HAS BEEN LOST.
[00:55:04]
I WENT OUT AND GOT 75 SIGNATURES FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION.I CAN TELL YOU, IT WAS VERY EASY, 90% OF THE PEOPLE I ASKED FOR A SIGNATURE GAVE ME THAT SIGNATURE.
I'M HERE TO SAY TONIGHT THAT I HOPE WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION THAT I HOPE WE HAVE A RESIGNATION.
>> JENNIFER PIPER IMMUNO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU. MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY FOR ALMOST A MONTH ON THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN, COLLECTING SIGNATURES, TALKING TO THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY, AND IT'S BROUGHT A LOT OF US WHO KNEW EACH OTHER REALLY CLOSE AND WE PUT A LOT OF PASSION INTO THIS.
AS WE ARE GETTING READY TO WRAP THIS UP ON WEDNESDAY, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE ARE THIS CLOSE TO WHAT WE NEED TO TRIGGER YOU GUYS TO DO A SPECIAL ELECTION.
WE TOO HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T COME TO THAT.
WE HOPE THAT THE PERSON THAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT KNOWS THAT WE KNOW SHE'S A HUMAN BEING AND THAT WE BELIEVE IN REDEMPTION, AND HOPE THAT THIS PERSON MAKES THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR HEALING THE COMMUNITY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HURT, NOT JUST THE PERSON THIS IS ABOUT.
THE COMMUNITY HAS SURROUNDED US WITH LOVE AND OUR PURSUIT OF JUSTICE.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE HOPE COME WEDNESDAY THAT WE BRING IN EVERYTHING REQUIRED FOR THAT.
WE HOPE THAT THE RIGHT DECISION IS MADE BY THE PERSON ON THIS COUNCIL WHO HAS HEARD SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
>> EDD HIGGINS WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL.
THIS LAST MONTH HAS BEEN A LONG MONTH. I COULD TELL YOU THAT.
BUT IT'S BEEN A EXCITING MONTH.
IT REALLY HAS BEEN AMAZING MEETING ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY AFTER A HARD COUPLE OF YEARS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I CAME HERE MYSELF TWO YEARS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.
I SAID TO MYSELF, I WAS GOING THROUGH SOME THINGS AND THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT AND I SAT IN MY HOUSE BECAUSE I WORKED FROM HOME.
I SAT IN MY HOUSE FOR ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS.
MOST OF MY WORK WAS THROUGH POLITICS OR ARE BEING ONLINE VIDEO GAMING.
I DIDN'T REALLY MEET MANY PEOPLE FROM THIS COMMUNITY UNTIL THE LAST MONTH.
NOW I'VE MET ALMOST THE WHOLE COMMUNITY [LAUGHTER].
IT'S BEEN EXCITING THAT WE HAVE SUCH AN AMAZING COMMUNITY HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I AM REALLY THRILLED TO BE A PART OF IT AND IT WARMS MY HEART.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL, ESPECIALLY YOU, COUNCILMAN JACOBS, FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND MEET ALL OUR NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING YOUR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> MIKE LYONS WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> MY NAME IS MIKE LYONS BY THE WAY.
I WAS JUST WONDERING WHAT YOU COULD DO ABOUT THE PARKING.
I'VE LIVED THERE FOR 23 YEARS, LIVED IN THE CITY FOR 31 YEARS TOTAL, SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS IN APARTMENT BEFORE I GOT THE HOUSE.
BUT THE STREET AND EVER SINCE THAT RATIO APARTMENT BUILDING IS PACKED.
I LITERALLY HAD TO GET SOMEBODY TO MOVE.
THEY'RE GOING TO BLOCK MY DRIVEWAY.
I KNOW THEY DON'T GIVE THEM A FREE PARKING SPOT.
I THOUGHT I WAS TOLD THERE WAS SUDDEN A MEETING THAT THEY ALL GOT A PARKING SPOT OR SOMETHING. I DON'T GET IT.
HE HAS TO PAY HONOR AND $25 A MONTH FOR PARKING SPOT.
SECOND THING IS WE HAVE ALMOST LADY LIVING ON
[01:00:04]
THE STREET AND HER CAR FEEL BAD FOR HER AND EVERYTHING, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO GET HER SOME HELP TO GET HER TO GO.SHE'S GOT GARBAGE OUTSIDE HER.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF CAR LICENSE TAGS SO THE POLICE CAN SEE.
>> THESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN OUT THERE.
THEY SAID THERE'S REALLY NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL WINTERTIME, BUT SHE WAS LIVING IN THAT CAR IN THE STREET IN THE WINTERTIME WHEN YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO PARK ON THE STREET.
BUT SHE'LL COME WITH A SHOPPING CART FROM TARGET FILLING UP A COOLER.
SHE DOESN'T HAVE A FRONT LICENSE PLATE, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU NEED A FRONT LICENSE PLATE ON THE CAR ANYMORE.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WAS SOMETHING YOU COULD DO.
THAT'S ALL. THE PARKING IS JUST TERRIBLE.
I WAS GOING TO WORK ON MONDAY IF THERE'S A MOVIE, THE STREET GETS SO PACKED THAT I COULDN'T EVEN GET DOWN THE ROAD TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE THE WAY EVERYBODY PARKS ON BOTH SIDES.
THAT'S ALL I GOT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY IF YOU GUYS CAN LOOK AT THAT DOWN THE ROAD AND FIGURE SOMETHING OUT, I APPRECIATE IT.
>> MIKE IS YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON YOUR SLIP?
>> I GOT MY ADDRESS. I DIDN'T PUT MY PHONE NUMBER.
>> IF YOU PUT YOUR PHONE OR EMAIL DOWN AND THEN WE'LL FOLLOW UP.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING ABOUT THE WOMAN THAT'S ON HOUSED IN HER CAR.
WE WILL TALK TO SOME RESOURCES.
>> RODNEY SEAFORD WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> I'M SORRY. I COULDN'T HEAR YOU AT ALL.
ESPECIALLY YOU, MAYOR. I COULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING YOU SAID.
THEY GOT ME OUT OF THE HOUSE REAL QUICK, AND I FORGOT MY HEARING AID.
ANYWAY, I COULDN'T HEAR WHAT MIKE SAID, BUT HE'S MY NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET, AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING, BIG TIME.
WHEN NEEDED A CONSTRUCTION WORK.
THEY TOOK OUT SOME TREES THAT WERE RIGHT NEXT TO THE CHURCH, AND THEY MOVED IT OVER TO FEET THAT THE ROAD OVER TWO FEET.
WHY THEY DIDN'T GO ALL THE WAY UP TO THE SIDEWALK, I DON'T KNOW.
BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER TWO FEET, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY HAVE ALLEVIATED THE WHOLE PROBLEM.
BUT WHEN YOU HAVE PICKUP TRUCKS ON EACH SIDE, THERE'S NO ROOM FOR ANOTHER TRUCK TO GO THROUGH.
IT'S A BOTTLENECK THERE. IT'S REALLY BAD.
AND PEOPLE WERE SAYING, WELL, WHEN THEY TOLD US ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION ARE GOING TO BE THE APARTMENTS THERE, EVERYBODY WOULD HAVE A PARKING SPACE, BUT THEY DIDN'T SAY THAT THEY HAD TO PAY FOR IT SEPARATELY.
AND THE WORD EXTRA, I THINK, GOT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IF THEY WOULD HAVE SAID, THE PARKING IS INCLUDED IN THE RENT, IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL RIGHT.
BUT ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE PARKING ON THE STREET.
THEN WITH THE THEATER THERE AND THE CHURCH THERE AND ONCE YOU TOOK THAT PUBLIC PARKING PRIVILEGES AWAY, THERE'S NO PLACE TO PARK.
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THESE PEOPLE TO PARK.
THEY SAID, WELL, THEY CAN USE THE ONE BEHIND ON 40TH THERE, BEHIND THE CLINIC.
NOBODY'S GOING TO USE THAT, ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER.
AND THEN WHEN YOU PEOPLE COME OVER TO THAT BUILDING, WHERE ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO PARK? WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT? IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY TERRIBLE THERE.
REALLY TERRIBLE. BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO SAY.
THE OTHER ONE IS WE HAVE A HOMELESS LADY THAT'S PARKING ON THAT STREET. SHE'S BEEN THERE.
I KNOW I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MISS LAST WINTER BECAUSE I WENT DOWN TO ARIZONA.
BUT MY NEIGHBORS SAID THAT SHE WAS THERE ALL WINTER LONG.
WHEN I GOT BACK HERE AT THE END OF MARCH, I NOTICED THERE WAS A CAR OUT THERE AND ALL THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS WERE ICED UP ON THE INSIDE AND I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEBODY DIED.
SO I ASKED MY NEIGHBORS ABOUT IT, AND THEY SAW THAT SHE'S BEEN IN THERE ALL WINTER.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THIS LADY? BECAUSE WE'VE ASKED THE POLICE, THEY'VE DONE SOME WELFARE CHECKS ON HER, BUT SHE NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE.
SHE DOES. AND I KNOW SHE'S MAYBE GOT A LITTLE PROBLEM WITH HER MENTAL ABILITIES BECAUSE SOMETIMES SHE GETS OUT THERE AND STARTS SCREAMING AND YELLING AND STUFF.
BUT THEN SHE GETS BACK IN THE CAR.
SHE DIDN'T HURT NOBODY, BUT THE KIDS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR ARE REALLY AFRAID OF HER.
SO IS THERE ANY AGENCY THAT CAN COME AND HELP HER?
[01:05:01]
YOUR NEIGHBOR, MIKE, ALSO MENTIONED THAT.
>> THAT'S OKAY. WE WANT IT TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE.
AND HOPEFULLY, AT OUR NEW CITY HALL, WE'LL HAVE BETTER SPEAKERS, SO YOU CAN HEAR BETTER.
>> BUT THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER SURE, WE CAN FOLLOW UP, BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO THE COUNCIL, SO WE CAN LOOK AT GETTING HER SOME SERVICES.
IT'S A LITTLE OUT OF SEASON, BUT IT'S ABOUT SNOW PLOWING.
WE HAVE AN ALLEY AND WHEN THEY PUT THE NEW ALLEY FROM A BLACK TOP TO CONCRETE, THEY PUT A GROOVE IN THERE, SO THE WATER WOULD GO DOWN IN THE MIDDLE KIND OF.
I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL YOUR NEW ALLEYS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME GROOVE.
PEOPLE WHO COME DOWN THERE TO PLOW FROM THE CITY, THEY HAVE A STRAIGHT PLOW.
ONLY THING THAT GETS PLOWED IN THAT ALLEY ARE THE EDGES.
WHEN I GOT BACK FROM THE ARIZONA IN AT THE END OF MARCH, I WENT OUT THERE TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THE RUTS IN THAT ICE IN THAT ALLEY, AND I MEASURED THEM, WAS FOUR AND A HALF INCHES DEEP.
YOU COULD DRIVE DOWN THAT ALLEY WITHOUT STEERING BECAUSE IT'S IN THE GROOVES. IT'S REALLY BAD.
I TALKED ABOUT THAT, AND HE SAID ONE OF THE OLD MAYORS THAT WAS HERE SAID WHEN THEY PUT THAT ALLEY IN THERE, THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A PLOW WITH AN ATTACHMENT THAT GOES LIKE THIS UNDERNEATH IT, TO DO THE CONTOUR OF THE ALLEY.
IT'S NEVER HAPPENED. NEVER HAPPENED.
AND ANOTHER THING, WHEN YOU USE A STRAIGHT PLOW, ALL THAT SNOW GOES OFF THE EDGES. ALL OF IT.
WE HAVE TO CONTEND WITH THESE BIG MOUNDS OF SNOW.
JUST BECAUSE YOU GO DOWN THE MIDDLE OF IT, YOU PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 30 YEARS, AS A YOUNG MAN, I COULD THIS.
I'M 80 NOW. IT'S TAKING A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH FOR ME TO DO.
EVEN WHEN I GOT BACK IN MARCH, WE HAD EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW.
IT TOOK ME TWO DAYS OF MY SNOW BLOWING TO TRY TO GET THAT STUFF THAT THE SNOW PLOW GAVE US FROM THE CITY.
I'M GETTING A LITTLE TOO OLD TO HANDLE THIS STUFF, AND SO ARE MY NEIGHBORS.
ONE YEAR THEY USED THE FRONT-END LOADER BECAUSE WE HAD SO MUCH SNOW.
THE SNOW PILES WERE SO HIGH, OUR SNOW BLOWERS COULDN'T GET UP THAT HIGH.
SO THEY COME ALONG WITH A FRONT-END LOADER, AND THEY PUSHED IT ALL THE WAY STRAIGHT OUT.
AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT PETER'S PLACE COMES ACROSS AT THE END OF MY ALLEY.
THEY PUSHED ALL THE SNOW OVER THE BANK INTO THE CHURCHES LAND BECAUSE IT'S DOWN ABOUT EIGHT FEET.
AND THEY DID THAT. IT WORKED OUT PERFECT.
BUT THEY'VE NEVER COME BACK. THEY'VE NEVER COME BACK.
>> THANK YOU, RODNEY. OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER ACTUALLY IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE PLOWING.
BUT WE WILL KEEP A NOTE ABOUT THE PARKING THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER.
>> OH, YEAH, THAT PARKING IS TERRIBLE RIGHT NOW.
>> WE HAVE THAT WRITTEN DOWN TOO, BUT KEVIN IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE SNOW PLOWING.
>> MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, IN 2022, '23, THAT'S SNOW SEASON.
WE DO HAVE A PLOW, IT'S A V-PLOW, BUT ALSO IT'S TIPPED DOWN FOR THOSE INVERSE CROWN.
THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS THE TRUCK THAT RAN THAT WAS BROKEN DOWN MOST OF THE SEASON.
WE PLOWED MOST OF OUR ALLEYS THIS YEAR WITH REGULAR FRONT PLOWS LIKE YOU HAD DESCRIBED.
THAT'LL BE CORRECTED FOR THE NEXT PLOW SEASON.
THE UNFORTUNATE THING WAS MECHANICAL, AND WE ENDED UP PLOWING MORE ALLEYS WITH STRAIGHT PLOWS THAN WE EVER INTENDED.
>> RIGHT. YEAH. I THINK THERE'S AN ATTACHMENT, ISN'T THERE THAT YOU CAN PUT UP TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT STRAIGHT PLOW.
>> MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S IN OUR CAPITAL PLAN IS TO GET A PLOW SPECIFIC TO ALLEYS BECAUSE OF THE INVERSE CROWN.
SO IT'S CROWNED IN THE MIDDLE DOWN, SO IT WILL BE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
KEVIN, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PARKING ISSUE.
I BROUGHT THAT UP AT A WORK SESSION AT LEAST A
[01:10:03]
MONTH OR MAYBE TWO MONTHS AGO AND I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, ARE WE AWARE THAT THE TENANTS WERE GOING TO BE CHARGED FOR PARKING?
>> MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, SO THAT WE ARE AWARE THAT THE TENANTS ARE BEING CHARGED FOR PARKING AT THE RATIO APARTMENTS.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON TO GET WHERE THEY'RE PARKING CHANGED TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE PARKING EITHER ON THE SURFACE LOT OR OVER IN THE RAMP.
AND OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH A DEVELOPER WITH A LATTICE TO MAKE SURE THAT GETS UP.
>> IS THIS SOMETHING THEY DID AFTER THE FACT?
>> YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER CONSTRUCTION APARTMENTS GOING TO BE WHERE RAINBOW IS AND THAT'S GOING TO BE EVEN BIGGER.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE PARKING PROBLEMS. IF THEY CAN RENT THEM WITH THE PARKING IN THE RENT, PEOPLE WILL SAY, OH, OKAY.
>> WE WERE ON IT DURING THE PROCESS.
>> I WASN'T SURPRISED THAT MOST APARTMENTS I BELIEVE I HEARD THEM SAYING IT BECAUSE MOST APARTMENTS DO CHARGE FOR PARKING IF THEY HAVE IT THESE DAYS.
IT'S VERY UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO INCLUDE IT IN THEIR RENT.
>> THEN THERE'S THE WHOLE GRAND CENTRAL FLAT THING.
>> MY RECOLLECTION COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS, WAS THAT THERE WAS SOME IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED AT CENTRAL FLATS, THAT IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, COUNCIL MEMBER NOVITSKY WHO WAS ON AT THE TIME AND OTHERS HAD SOME VERY STRONG DEMANDS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS PARKING BE INCLUDED IN THE RENT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO FACE THE SAME THING.
>> THAT WAS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BEHIND SAFETY BUILDING.
>> SARAH, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT?
ALL RIGHT, HEARING AS THERE IS NO OTHER SPEAKERS TONIGHT, THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING?
>> VOUCHED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE THEN ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.