Aug 14, 2023 City Council

[00:00:02]

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 14TH.

[CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

I'M ABOUT TO DO THAT.

OKAY. MAYOR MARQUEZ, SEMILLA.

ALL RIGHT. I'M HERE. THANK YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE DOWN AN ALARM REAL QUICK.

SO HOLD ON.

SURE. I THINK THAT WILL CAN ALSO HELP WITH THAT.

HE HAS THE ALARM CODE.

SO HOLD ON. I WAS JUST WAITING TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE IF IT HAPPENS.

OH, SURE. I APOLOGIZE.

OH, NO. I WAS WAITING TO BE LIKE, SHOULD WE RESTART IF WE NEED? BECAUSE EVERYTHING'S STILL IN TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, SO I SHOULDN'T SAY DIFFICULTIES.

TECHNICAL CURIOSITIES.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. I WILL READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT TONIGHT.

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

THE NEXT PART OF OUR MEETING IS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

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

ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT THEN.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANYONE AGAINST SAY NAY? AND THE MOTION.

SORRY. THE MOTION IS APPROVED.

WE HAVE A WEEK EXTRA WEEK OFF AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

TODAY WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR GUESTS, SO THAT MOVES US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

I'LL JUST READ OFF THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, THE FIRST BEING APPROVAL OF THE JULY 5TH, 2023 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES.

THE SECOND ITEM IS APPROVAL OF THE JULY 12TH, 2023 CITY COUNCIL CORNER MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM THREE IS APPROVAL OF THE JULY 24TH 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AND ITEM FOUR IS APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 5TH, 2023 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE IS THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1685, WHICH IS ESTABLISHING A DETACHED, SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING RENTAL DENSITY CAP.

ITEM SIX IS THE APPROVAL OF THE LICENSE AGENDA, WHICH INCLUDES THE BUSINESS LICENSES THAT ARE UP FOR APPROVAL.

ITEM NUMBER SEVEN IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES THAT ARE UP FOR APPROVAL.

AND FINALLY, ITEM EIGHT IS REVIEW OF THE BILLS, WHICH IN THIS CASE TOTAL $5,621,903.22. THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANY CHANGES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM FIVE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THANK YOU. WE'LL PULL ITEM FIVE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ANYTHING ELSE? ALL RIGHT THEN. COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND REMOVING ITEM FIVE TO BE TAKEN UP AS A NEXT PART OF THE MEETING? APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE REMOVAL OF ITEM FIVE SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. NEXT MAY, YOU TAKE US THROUGH ITEM NUMBER FIVE.

[Item 5. Second Reading of Ordinance 1685, Establishing a Detached Single-Family Dwelling Rental Density Cap. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1685, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance No. 1685, being an ordinance amending chapter 5a article iv of the Columbia Heights City code to regulate rental density for detached single-family rental dwellings and direct staff to send the summary ordinance for publication in the legal newspaper.]

I THINK JUST TO PULL IT SO WE CAN ADDRESS WHAT THE ITEM IS.

OKAY. AND THEN IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, WE HAVE A MOMENT TO DO THAT.

SURE. SO THE RENTAL DENSITY CAP HAS BEEN KIND OF AN ONGOING DISCUSSION, AS THE COUNCIL KNOWS, FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

THIS BEING THE SECOND READING OF THE ORDINANCE IN ITS MOST BASIC FORM, ESTABLISHES A CAP ON THE NUMBER OF SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL LICENSES

[00:05:10]

THE THE BASIS OR THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVERSATION REALLY CENTERED AROUND ISSUES THAT THE CITY WAS HAVING WITH CORPORATE OWNERSHIP OF SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS AND WAYS TO ADDRESS THAT AND THAT CONVERSATION, AGAIN, WAS ONGOING OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

ALSO PROMOTING OF HOME OWNERSHIP BEING ROLLED INTO THIS INITIATIVE.

UM, A LOT OF DETAIL, BUT THAT'S KIND OF THE BASIS OF THE ORDINANCE.

WOULD BE HAPPY TO STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO MAKE? I COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS YEAH, NO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, BUT JUST KIND OF MORE COMMENTS THINKING ABOUT THIS MORE AND I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A WIDELY DISCUSSED TOPIC BETWEEN OUR COUNCIL AND OTHER CITIES AS WELL.

AND JUST THINKING MORE ABOUT IT, I I'LL BE VOTING NO FOR THIS JUST BECAUSE I HAVE SOME DISCOMFORT WITH SOME OF THE POINTS OF IT, BUT JUST KIND OF WANTED TO STATE SOME OF THOSE POINTS.

I KNOW IN OTHER CITIES THAT THIS HAS BEEN TAKEN UP, LIKE NORTH MANKATO, ANOKA, FRAZEE AND NORTHFIELD HAS BEEN A VERY CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC AND COME WITH A LOT OF BLOWBACK.

I DO WORRY IF THIS APPEARS TO BE DISCRIMINATORY TO SOME OF OUR OUR RESIDENTS OR POSSIBLE RESIDENTS, JUST KNOWING THAT A MAJORITY OF RENTERS, ESPECIALLY IN MINNESOTA, ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND LOWER INCOME, I WORRY THAT WE'RE SENDING THE MESSAGE THAT MAYBE WE DON'T WANT THEM HERE.

AND THAT'S THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I'M SUPER COMFORTABLE WITH.

I KNOW THE POINT HAS BEEN MADE BY BY SOME PEOPLE IN FAVOR OF THIS, JUST THAT THIS CAN LIMITING RENTAL PROPERTIES CAN HELP STABILIZE THE PRICES OF HOMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR THAT TOO MANY RENTAL PROPERTIES WILL END UP DECREASING THE VALUE OF DIFFERENT HOMES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND JUST ON THAT POINT, LOOKING AT THE MAP FROM THE JULY WORK SESSION ON MY STREET, FOR EXAMPLE, THE THERE ALREADY IS 10% OR GREATER OF SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS.

AND QUITE HONESTLY, I WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD EVERY SINGLE DAY AND I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHICH ONE OF THOSE THOSE ARE.

SO I FEEL THAT THAT NECESSARILY ISN'T TRUE.

AND IT'S MORE SPEAKING TO THE PERSON LIVING IN THE THE HOME, NOT NECESSARILY IF THEY'RE A RENTER OR NOT.

I THINK THERE'S PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES WHO TAKE GREAT CARE OF THEIR THEIR EXTERIORS AND THEIR YARDS AND WHATNOT AND THOSE WHO MAY NEED TO IMPROVE THAT.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT REALLY DELINEATES ON HOMEOWNER VERSUS RENTER IN THAT.

UM, ANOTHER QUESTION OR KIND OF POINT I HAVE IS THAT BUYING A HOUSE IS NOT NECESSARILY THE RIGHT MOVE FOR EVERYONE GIVEN THEIR SITUATION. I KNOW JUST BUYING A HOUSE THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, IT WAS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO PAY FOR A DOWN PAYMENT COVER, CLOSING COSTS, MOVING FEES, IMMEDIATE REPAIRS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO MOVING INTO A RENTAL PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH THE THE MORE THE THE PRIVACY AND THE COMFORT OF A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE WITHOUT ALL OF THOSE COSTS BEING IMMEDIATE TO THEM.

ANOTHER THING THAT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT WITH THIS IS THAT THE 10% CAP STILL LEAVES A LOT OF AREAS OF OUR CITY AVAILABLE FOR THESE RENTAL LICENSES.

AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S SOMEWHAT ARBITRARY TO THAT IN TERMS OF CURRENT BLOCKS HAVING 10% OR NOT.

AND THE FACT THAT ONE HOUSE ON A CORNER LOT COULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL.

HOWEVER, YOU MOVE 30FT ACROSS THE STREET AND THEN THAT HOUSE IS AVAILABLE STILL IN THE SAME AREA OF THE CITY, BUT TECHNICALLY NOT ON THE SAME BLOCK.

ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THE INCREASE IN ILLEGAL RENTALS.

THAT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS.

AND I KNOW THAT THAT WILL BE STAFF INTENSIVE ON THEIR TIME AND THEIR ENERGY.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU KNOW, PUTTING TENANTS IN POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS BENEFICIAL TO THEM, OBVIOUSLY. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE THE WAY I WOULD SEE US TRYING TO LIMIT SPECIFICALLY THE LARGE SCALE CORPORATE INVESTORS FROM BUYING OUR HOUSING STOCK AND FLIPPING THEM TO RENTAL PROPERTIES IS TO GO DOWN THE PATH OF STRONGER RENTAL OR TENANT PROTECTIONS LIKE RIGHT TO COUNSEL, JUST CAUSE SECURITY DEPOSIT LIMITS AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. AND THEN ALSO LOOKING WHAT CAN WE DO AS A CITY TO TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES? I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OUT THERE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEXT YEARS OR SO, IF WE CAN INCLUDE SOME THINGS IN OUR BUDGET THAT ACTUALLY PROVIDE OUR OWN RESIDENTS WITH SOME HELP AS WELL.

ANOTHER SMALLER THING, BUT I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT REALLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE ADU DISCUSSION, WHICH I THINK IS SOMETHING MAYBE NOT ATTAINABLE FOR EVERYONE BUT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN CONSIDERATION AS WE FACE A MASSIVE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

[00:10:01]

SO THOSE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. I DO WANT TO I WILL CHIME IN THAT I HAVE SIMILAR FEELINGS TO COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS AND AND AS WELL AS HAVING THOSE CONCERNS AND THOUGHTS, I ALSO AGREE WITH STAFF NEEDING THE SPACE TO WORK ON IMPROVING OUR PROCESS AND APPLICATION PROCESS AND INSPECTIONS.

AND VERY MUCH LOOK AT THIS AS SOMETHING THAT WE AREN'T DOING INTO INFINITY.

AND I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT EVERY YEAR TO MAKE SURE IT IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY.

AND BUT I REALIZE ONCE SOMETHING IS A LAW, IT'S MUCH HARDER TO CHANGE IT.

SO I REALIZE THAT THERE'S A KIND OF A DOUBLE EDGE TO THAT, THAT THOUGHT.

ALL RIGHT THEN. SEEING AS THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION, THEN COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING? MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1685.

THERE BE AN AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.

ANY ANY, EVERYONE.

SAY AYE. IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED.

AND THE MOTION PASSES.

AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 1685.

BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5A, ARTICLE FOUR OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CODE TO REGULATE RENTAL DENSITY FOR DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DWELLINGS AND DIRECT STAFF TO SEND THE SUMMARY ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE LEGAL NEWSPAPER.

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

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING IS NONE.

THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE, AYE, AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. WHAT? DID YOU GET THAT RIGHT, SARAH? ALL RIGHT.

THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH WE HAVE NO ITEMS TODAY.

NO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND TAKES US TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

ATTENDED THE KIWANIS MEETING RECENTLY AND WANTED TO SHARE THAT.

KIWANIS IS GOING TO BE CELEBRATING THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RECYCLING PROJECT FOR THE CITY TO DEFINE IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

THE KIWANIS CLUB OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND FRIDLEY VOLUNTEERS AT THE RECYCLING CENTER, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THAT SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 19TH FROM 9 A.M.

TO NOON. THERE WILL BE SOME FUN TREATS AVAILABLE WHILE THEY LAST.

I HEARD SOMETHING SAID ABOUT DIRT CUPS.

I AGREE.

I WOULD LOOK AT ME THE WAY SAME WAY YOU ARE.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY THERE. THEY'RE TASTY LITTLE CUPCAKES THAT ARE MADE TO LOOK LIKE A POT OF DIRT.

SO I HOPE THAT YOU'LL ALL ATTEND.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE RECYCLING HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS AND HOW MUCH MORE WE DO TODAY THAN WE DID 40 YEARS AGO.

AND THEN I ALSO ATTENDED JIMMY'S PRO BILLIARDS THE OTHER NIGHT, STOPPED IN REAL QUICK FOR TO SHARE WITH HIS CELEBRATION.

IT IS LOOKING FANTASTIC IN THERE.

HE'S MADE A LOT OF CHANGES.

IT WAS PACKED, A LOT OF POOL TABLES WERE BEING UTILIZED AND EVERYONE WAS HAVING A GREAT TIME.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THAT BUSINESS.

AND I HAD 13 RESIDENT REACH OUTS.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

THANK YOU. LET'S SEE.

I GOT TO ATTEND THE MUSIC IN THE PARK WITH THE CHANGE UPS.

THAT'S BEEN A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY THIS SUMMER AND I'M REALLY THANKFUL THAT THE NORTHEAST BANK HELPED SUPPORT THE COST OF THOSE EVENTS.

I ATTENDED NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PARTIES WITH COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.

WE WERE ABLE TO VISIT SEVEN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS.

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SPEAK WITH THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR SOCIAL WORKERS, WHICH WERE OUT ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND TO EVEN SEE SOME FIRE EXPLORERS THAT WE SAW.

I ATTENDED THE CRESTVIEW COMMUNITIES APPRECIATION BARBECUE ON AUGUST 9TH AND TALKED WITH RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT THEIR ISSUES ARE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT HOPING TO GET A SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF CRESTVIEW UP ON RESERVOIR, AND THEN A LOT OF EXCITEMENT FOR THE CITY.

[00:15:07]

ALSO, I'M A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, AND WE HAD AN ANNUAL MEETING WHERE WE PLANNED SOME THINGS AND WE ARE GOING TO GOT TO MARCH IN THE STOCKYARD DAYS, PARADE WITH THEM IN NEW BRIGHTON AND TO SEE HOW THEY DO THEIR TOWN DAYS, WHICH IS PRETTY FUN.

THEY HAVE A MORNING PARADE, WHICH IS A LITTLE COOLER, WHICH WAS NICE.

AND THEN THERE EVERYONE IS INVITED.

THEY ARE DOING A SUMMER SOCIAL ON AUGUST 21ST WITH SENATOR MARY NASH SPEAKING ABOUT THE REED ACT THAT SHE HELPED WITH THE LAST LEGISLATURE.

AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE.

THE PREVIOUS PASSING OF THE SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.

AND I WANTED TO SAY THAT I REALLY HOPE THAT WE CAN GET TO WORK ON SOME TENANT PROTECTIONS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP MAKE OUR CITY A GREAT PLACE FOR RENTERS.

AND I VERY MUCH AM EXCITED TO SUPPORT THE RENTERS I RENTED HERE IN THE CITY FOR A YEAR.

LOVED IT SO MUCH THAT I DECIDED TO BUY OUR HOUSE HERE.

AND SO I AGREE THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS A GOAL THAT I HAVE FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, IS TO WORK ON STRENGTHENING OUR SUPPORT FOR RENTERS AND THEN HOPEFULLY LOOKING INTO SOME HOME BUYING SUPPORT AS WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS YEAH.

I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH RESIDENTS AT THE LEGENDS, SO I WAS ABLE TO MEET WITH A FEW RESIDENTS FROM OUR LEGENDS AND A FEW OTHER DOMINION FACILITIES UP AT THE RIVER NORTH PROPERTY IN COON RAPIDS.

AND THAT WAS A GREAT DISCUSSION.

I ALSO HAD A GREAT TIME VISITING A FEW PARTIES FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

IT'S FUNNY, WE ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN TO GET TO MORE THAN WE THINK AND DISCUSSIONS ARE GREAT, BUT THEY ARE JUST END UP TAKING LONGER.

SO WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET AS MANY AS WE THOUGHT TO, BUT IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT.

I MET WITH OUR CITY ENGINEER, SULEMAN KHAN AND CAPTAIN MARKHAM REGARDING SAFETY AND UPCOMING PLANS FOR CENTRAL AVENUE.

I WAS ABLE TO TALK TO THE CEO OF USSI, WHICH IS AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER LOOKING TO EXPAND TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

IT MIGHT BE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR US.

I MET WITH MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JASON JASON CHAVEZ TO TALK ABOUT COMMON ISSUES IN OUR CITIES AND HOW WE COULD POSSIBLY PARTNER IN THE FUTURE.

AND THEN I ATTENDED THE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING AS THE LIAISON AND THEN THE EDA AND WORK SESSION.

THANK YOU. UM, AND FOR MYSELF, WE HAD OUR HEIGHTS.

OH, SORRY. OH.

COUNCIL MEMBER. BUESGENS. GOING BACK AND FORTH.

SORRY. IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE.

SORRY. I SHOULD JUST LEAVE IT ON.

YOU CAN HEAR ME COUGH, WHATEVER.

ANYWAY, ATTENDED THE METRO COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING.

THEY REVIEWED THE CURRENT LEGISLATION THAT WILL BE COMING UP IN THE NEXT YEAR AND THEY REVIEWED THE PAST SUCCESSES THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF LAST YEAR.

ATTENDED MUSIC IN THE PARK ROAD AGAIN WITH CAPTAIN MATT MARKHAM, VISITED AND WE VISITED SEVERAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PARTIES.

WE TRIED, WE GOT TO THREE.

WE TRIED TO GET TO TWO MORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, TIME RUNS OUT WHEN YOU'RE HAVING GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

I ATTENDED THE POTLUCK GARDEN PARTY AT BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN.

I WAS INVITED TO WATCH THE DRESS REHEARSAL OF THE PLAY.

RUMER, PUT ON BY THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FINE ARTS FOUNDATION, ENJOYED THE PERFORMANCE.

IT WAS GREAT. IT WAS VERY GOOD.

AND THE I ALSO, AS A LIAISON TO THE NEW SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS GROUP.

THEY WERE ITCHING TO GET TO WORK, BUT THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH WHAT THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION IS ABOUT.

SOME OF THE RULES AND THEY'RE GOING TO START BRAINSTORMING.

BUT FOLKS WERE ITCHING TO GET TO WORK AND THERE WERE 16 PEOPLE THAT APPLIED.

ONLY NINE COULD BE CHOSEN, BUT THOSE SEVEN THAT REMAIN ARE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE GROUP WHEN THEY START WORKING ON THEIR PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT THEIR WHAT THEY PLAN AND DO.

I ALSO HAVE SOMETHING TO READ.

I'M SORRY TO REPORT THAT I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING A CITY MANAGER.

FIRST, I'M DISMAYED.

APPARENTLY A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, A RESIDENT CAME UP, WAS TALKING TO THE OTHER DAY, STATED THAT SOMETHING VERY DISPARAGING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT OUR CURRENT INTERIM CITY MANAGER, THAT THEY WERE PART OF A GOOD OLD BOY CLUB AND THEY NEED TO BE GETTING RID OF AND THIS PERSON IS VERY CREDIBLE.

AND I'M VERY UPSET THAT A COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD SAY THAT.

I THINK IT'S DISRESPECTFUL.

IT'S AN UGLY THING TO SAY AND IT'S NOT TRUE.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE GOOD OLD BOY CLUB AS FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR MANY YEARS.

THEY'RE GONE.

THEY'VE EVER PASSED ON OR THEY MOVED OUT OF THE CITY, THEY'RE GONE.

SO I REALLY HAVE A HARD TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY TALK DURING THIS WORK SESSION AND SAY TOTALLY SOMETHING ELSE.

THIS IS TRANSPARENCY.

WHAT YOU SAY AT THE WORK SESSION ABOUT THINGS SHOULD BE SAID OUTSIDE AND NOT CONFLICTING.

SECOND, OUR MAYOR WOULD NOT ALLOW DISCUSSION OF THIS TOPIC AT THE LAST WORK SESSION.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUR THIRD DISCUSSION.

THAT IS NOT THAT IS WHAT WORK SESSIONS ARE FOR, TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES IN FRONT OF US BEFORE WE VOTE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.

[00:20:07]

I STILL DO NOT KNOW THE REASONS BEHIND MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS DECISION TO CHOOSE AN OUTSIDE SEARCH FOR CITY MANAGER.

I HAVE NO CLUE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A DISCUSSION.

THEY UNDERSTOOD WHERE I CAME FROM, BUT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO TALK DURING THE WORK SESSIONS AND BE ALLOWED TO STATE WHAT THEY FEEL AND THINK.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION A CITY COUNCILMAN CITY COUNCIL MAKES, CHOOSING A CITY MANAGER.

I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO BE HONEST AND SHARE THEIR REASONS, THEIR REAL REASONS BEHIND THEIR DECISION WITH THE PUBLIC.

FOR AN OUTSIDE SEARCH, I THINK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS NEED TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION, IF WE GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO DISCUSS THIS, WHAT IS THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER NOT DOING THAT LED THEM TO THEIR DECISION TO DO AN OUTSIDE SEARCH FOR THE CITY MANAGER, WHICH THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS DID.

THEY DECIDED THAT THAT'S THE ROUTE THEY WANTED TO GO.

I DECIDED I WANTED AN INTERNAL SEARCH.

THIS PROCESS HAS TO BE TRANSPARENT AND SO FAR IT'S NOT.

AND THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

WE DID DISCUSS THIS AT THE COUNCIL CORNER AND THAT'S PUBLIC MEETING AND ANY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRINGS WAS NOT THERE.

THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR DISCUSSION.

THIS IS A REPORT AND WE CAN TALK WHATEVER WE WANT.

YOU DID NOT ALLOW IT TO DISCUSS DURING THE WORK SESSION.

YOU SAID IT WAS TOO HEATED, TOO MANY EMOTIONS AND YOU WOULDN'T DISCUSS AND YOU WENT AHEAD AND DID A VOTE.

YOU DIDN'T EVEN ALLOW THE HUMAN RESOURCE PERSON TO SPEAK.

WE WELL ONE, THE HUMAN RESOURCES PERSON KELLI WICK, WE TALKED ABOUT AHEAD OF TIME AND SHE SAID ALL I NEED TO DO IS SEND THE INFORMATION.

MAYOR, YOU DID NOT ALLOW THE DISCUSSION AT THE LAST WORK SESSION THAT YOU WENT FROM HER SPEAKING.

YOU SAID, WE DON'T NEED A DISCUSSION.

YES, IT IS. GO BACK AND LISTEN TO IT.

I SAID, DO WE NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION? AND ANYONE COULD HAVE SAID AT ANY TIME, YES, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION.

YOU DID NOT ASK THAT.

THAT'S GOING TO STOP YOU FROM NOT SAYING SOMETHING, CONNIE, BECAUSE I DIDN'T ASK IT.

I SAID, DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THIS? IT WAS EMOTIONAL. IT WAS EMOTIONAL.

EMOTIONAL, YES. AND WE SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED NEED TO GO.

DO WE NEED TO GO INTO IT? DO WE FEEL THAT? I DID NOT HEAR WHAT JUSTICE SPRIGGS, THE LAST THING I HEARD FROM HIM ON THE FIRST WORK SESSION, HE SAID, I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT.

YOU HAD SOME. YOU HAVE NOT SAID ANYTHING.

COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

I SAID, I THINK DO WE HAVE THE MOST WE HAVE THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION.

DO WE HAVE THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION? ANYONE COULD HAVE SAID, NO, I'M NOT READY TO MAKE A DECISION.

AND NO ONE SAID THAT.

NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAID.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I HEARD.

I HEARD YOU SHUTTING DOWN DISCUSSION.

YOU WENT RIGHT TO A VOTE.

I SPOKE ABOUT IT WITH THE HR DIRECTOR AND THE CITY MANAGER AND SAID AND THEY SAID THAT WAS JUST FINE.

THEY FELT THAT EVERYONE HAS ALREADY SAID THEIR SAY.

AND KELLI HAD SENT AN EMAILED OUT ALL OF THE INFORMATION.

AT ANY TIME ANYONE CAN DECIDE.

NO, I'M NOT READY TO MAKE A DECISION.

I NEED TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE.

AND NO ONE SAID THAT.

SO I THINK FOR YOU TO SAY THAT IT WASN'T TRANSPARENT OR THAT IN ANY WAY, I WAS NOT ALLOWING PEOPLE TO HAVE CONVERSATION.

IT WAS NOT IS NOT ACCURATE AT ALL.

NO, THAT'S THAT'S THAT IS NOT ACCURATE.

ANYONE AT ANY TIME COULD HAVE SAID, I'M NOT READY TO MAKE A DECISION.

YOU MAY SAY THAT, BUT I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I HEARD THAT.

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I'M EXCITED TO MAKE THIS DECISION TOGETHER AS A COUNCIL BECAUSE I DO AGREE THAT TRANSPARENCY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

AGAIN, I'VE MENTIONED THIS IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WORK SESSIONS.

I BROUGHT THIS UP. WE SPOKE ABOUT IT AT TWO WORK SESSIONS BEFORE THE VOTE AT THE PREVIOUS BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN JUNE AND JULY.

I BROUGHT IT UP IN JUNE.

THE MAIN THING FOR ME IS TRANSPARENCY IN THE FACT OF I INVITE I DON'T APPRECIATE THE FRAMING OF EXTERNAL VERSUS INTERNAL.

I APPRECIATE THE FRAMING OF GOING THROUGH A SEARCH PROCESS OR NOT GOING THROUGH A SEARCH PROCESS.

I INVITE ALL INTERNAL CANDIDATES, INCLUDING OUR CURRENT INTERIM CITY MANAGER, TO APPLY.

IT'S BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SEARCH.

BUT FOR ME, HAVING NEVER HIRED A CANDIDATE FOR CITY MANAGER BEFORE AND ALSO KNOWING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HIRES NO ONE ELSE, WE DO NOT HIRE A CHIEF OF POLICE.

WE DO NOT HIRE FIRE CHIEF.

WE DO NOT HIRE THE LIBRARY HEAD EMPLOYEE.

WE DON'T HIRE OUR CITY ATTORNEYS.

WE DON'T HIRE. THAT'S ALL THE CITY MANAGER'S PURVIEW ALONG WITH HR.

THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS IS IN HIRING THE CITY MANAGER.

AND I WANT TO DO THE BEST POSSIBLE JOB, WHICH INCLUDES SEVERAL MONTHS OF MEETINGS, SETTING UP A WHOLE JOB DESCRIPTION AND A LARGE, LONG PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE BEST PERSON BECAUSE HOPEFULLY THIS PERSON WILL SERVE OUR CITY IN HIRING THE NEXT ROUND OF LEADERS.

AND SO I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING A DIFFERENT OPINION.

I RESPECT YOUR OPINION, BUT I THINK THAT I WOULD I AM VOTING FOR TRANSPARENCY.

[00:25:02]

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CLARIFY SOMETHING THAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE PROCESS OF THIS DEBATE.

THE COUNCIL CORONER WAS DEVISED LAST YEAR AS AN INFORMAL WAY FOR THE COUNCIL TO MEET AND TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT WOULD NOT BE COVERED AT A WORK SESSION.

AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, BECAUSE I WAS THE ONE AT THAT WORK AT THAT COUNCIL CORONER WHO WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BEING ON THE AGENDA.

IT DIDN'T BELONG THERE.

IT HAD ALREADY BEEN ON A WORK SESSION AGENDA.

COUNCIL CORONER WAS HANDED TO US IS NOT A MANDATORY ATTENDANCE.

IT FOLLOWS THE SAME CRITERIA AS ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEETING IN ORDER TO AVOID OPEN MEETING LAWS OR VIOLATING OPEN MEETING LAWS. THAT'S ITS MAIN PURPOSE.

MY CONCERN WHEN THAT CAME TO US.

AS AN OPTION WAS THAT WE WOULD GET IN THE WEEDS ON THINGS THAT WE PROBABLY SHOULDN'T GET IN THE WEEDS ON.

AND THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE.

IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THAT AGENDA.

AND I OBJECTED TO IT.

AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AT THAT TIME TOOK FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAYING THAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION AND THAT SHE DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD GET INTO THE WEEDS. BUT CLEARLY, IT'S A IT'S A VOLATILE IT'S AN EMOTIONAL SUBJECT, AND I RESPECT THAT ALL THE WAY DOWN THE LINE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS COUNCIL CORONER IS NOT A MANDATED MEETING.

WE'RE NOT MANDATED TO ATTEND THAT.

ITS PURPOSE IS TO TALK ABOUT PAINTED PIANOS, WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN A PARK OR ON A STREET CORNER.

IT'S NOT ABOUT HARD DECISIONS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE AS A COUNCIL.

THOSE BELONG AT THE COUNCIL WORK SESSION.

AND I MADE MYSELF CLEAR THAT DAY, AND I APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER BASKINS TAKING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HAVING ASKED FOR IT TO BE ON THE THE COUNCIL CORONER AGENDA.

I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT A MANDATORY MEETING.

THAT'S NOT WHERE THAT STUFF SHOULD BE TAKING PLACE.

COMMENT WAS MADE AT THAT SAME MEETING THAT NO DECISIONS ARE MADE OR NO VOTES ARE BEING TAKEN THERE.

WELL, WE DON'T TAKE VOTES AT A WORK SESSION EITHER.

AND THERE'S A DECORUM.

THERE IS A PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED AND IT WASN'T BEING FOLLOWED.

AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE THAT WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE COURSE OF THIS, THAT WE BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ON THAT.

THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT TO THE REPORT.

SO FOR MY REPORT.

WELL, ACTUALLY, I'M GOING TO BACK UP AND JUST SAY THAT MUCH LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, I THINK THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT DECISION.

I MET WITH THE MAYOR OF BURNSVILLE LAST WEEK AND I'M TALKING I'VE BEEN TALKING TO OTHER MAYORS SINCE KELLI BOURGEOIS LEFT AND ASKING THEM, HOW DOES YOUR CITY GO ABOUT HIRING YOUR CITY MANAGER? WHAT SERVICES DID YOU USE? HOW WAS THE PROCESS FOR YOU AND JUST HEARING THAT MAYORS FIND MAYORS AND THE COUNCIL FIND A LOT OF EDUCATIONAL VALUE IN THIS PROCESS AND CHOOSING AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB.

AND I AM EXCITED FOR THIS.

I'M EXCITED TO LEARN FROM OUR COUNCIL WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR AND WHAT THAT WHAT THE ROLE WILL BE THAT WILL BE THE BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

UM. AND I FELT EVERYTHING WAS VERY TRANSPARENT AND I AM APOLOGIZED THAT COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS DID NOT FEEL THAT WAS HAPPENING.

AND WHEN I TALK TO THE CITY MANAGER AS THE MAYOR AND GET FEEDBACK FROM.

WELL, I DIDN'T TALK TO THE CITY ATTORNEY ABOUT IT, BUT HAVING THIS THE CITY MANAGER, INTERIM CITY MANAGER AND THE HR DIRECTOR GUIDANCE.

AND WHEN I FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IT, TO SAY THAT THAT WAS SOMEHOW NOT WORKING FOR THE WHOLE COUNCIL DOESN'T MAKE SENSE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE THERE FOR.

THEY ARE THERE TO GUIDE US AND GIVE US INFORMATION TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING THE BEST JOB FOR THE COUNCIL.

I ATTENDED THE HEIGHTS NEXT GARDEN TOUR LAST FRIDAY.

ALTHOUGH WE GOT RAINED AND HAILED OUT, THE MONARCH FESTIVAL WAS CALLED BECAUSE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BAD WEATHER, BUT WE DID NOT.

AND THAT HAS NOW BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 24TH, THURSDAY.

ATTENDED THE BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN POTLUCK WITH MEMBERS OF ROTARY HEIGHTS, NEXT KIWANIS AND SISTER CITIES AND ATTENDED FOUR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENTS. AND I THINK AS WE HEARD FROM OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, THAT SOMETIMES IT IS QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

[00:30:03]

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST A FEW UPCOMING EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS.

THE CITY HALL OPEN HOUSE WILL BE THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 17TH HERE AT THE NEW CITY HALL, 5 TO 7:30 P.M.

WE INVITE ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME CHECK OUT THE NEW CITY HALL AND GET A FULL TOUR OF NOT JUST THE PUBLIC SPACES, BUT BACK OF HOUSE.

THERE'LL BE MUSIC AND FREE FOOD AND A FEW PRESENTATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT WE'RE EXCITED TO FINALLY HAVE THAT DAY UPON US HERE.

UM, MOVING THE PARKS COMING UP FRIDAY, AUGUST 18TH AT 8:30 P.M.

IT'LL BE ET AND THAT IS SPONSORED BY THE TWIN BY THE SISTER CITIES AND THAT WILL BE IN HUSET PARK WEST.

WE HAVE MUSIC IN THE PARK COMING UP WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23RD FROM 630 TO 8 P.M.

IT'S STEVE WEST AND THE NORTHERN STARS, AND THAT IS SPONSORED BY NORTHEAST BANK IN HUSET PARK EAST.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, MADAM MAYOR, THE MONARCH FESTIVAL, THAT'S BEEN RESCHEDULED.

JUST A NOTE, IT IS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24TH, 5 TO 8 AT KORDIAK PARK AND THEN MOVIE IN THE PARK.

THE THE LAST ONE, I BELIEVE, FRIDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 8 P.M., BLACK PANTHER IN HUSET PARK WEST.

AND THEN NOT IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, BUT TUESDAY, AUGUST 20TH, FROM 5 TO 7 IS CONE WITH A COP AT THE DAIRY QUEEN WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN GET A FREE SMALL CONE IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

AND THAT'S IT. AARON IT'S ACTUALLY TOMORROW, SO.

OH, TOMORROW. I'M SORRY.

I READ ON THE WEBSITE I DIDN'T HAVE MY NOTES.

GOOD. CHIEF FROM DIVISION HEAD.

SO THANK YOU. SO TOMORROW FROM 5 TO 7.

OKAY. DAIRY QUEEN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND YOUR CALENDAR EVENTS REMINDED ME THAT WE ARE HAVING A FRIENDS OF KORDIAK PARK MEETING WITH ANOKA COUNTY PARKS AND COUNCIL MEMBER I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER MEISSNER ON WEDNESDAY THE 23RD AT NO SORRY, WEDNESDAY, TOO MANY DATES WEDNESDAY THE 16TH, THIS WEDNESDAY AT KORDIAK PARK FROM 5:30 TO 6:30, AND IT IS A POTLUCK MEETING AND WE WILL BE DISCUSSING WATER QUALITY, PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.

NEXT WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.

[COMMUNITY FORUM]

OKAY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

YEP. THIS IS THE TIME.

WE JUST NEED YOU TO FILL IN A FORM.

AND WHERE ARE THE FORMS, SARAH? OKAY.

AND IT'S A VERY SMALL TABLE.

RESIDENT CLIFF JOHNSON WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

WELL, LET ME READ THE COMMUNITY FORUM.

I WAS JUST TRYING TO SEE IF ANYONE WANTED TO SPEAK BEFORE I READ IT.

THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

THE COMMUNITY FORUM IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.

SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CITY CLERK.

ONCE CALLED TO THE PODIUM, THE SPEAKER SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

SPEAKERS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND A REQUEST TO SPEAK AS WELL AS THEIR ADDRESS AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO THE MODERATOR USING THE CHAT FUNCTION AND WAIT TO BE CALLED ON TO SPEAK WHEN SPEAKING.

VIRTUAL ATTENDEES SHOULD TURN THEIR CAMERA ON.

ALL SPEAKERS SHOULD LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES.

PERSONAL ATTACKS, THREATS, THE USE OF PROFANITY AND OTHER DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS ARE PROHIBITED.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS AND IF NEEDED, REQUEST STAFF TO FOLLOW UP OR DIRECT THE MATTER TO BE ADDED TO AN UPCOMING AGENDA.

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

AND WELCOME. THANK YOU, CLIFF.

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, CLIFF JOHNSON I'M A RESIDENT OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT JUST ABOUT THE 1685, THE ORDINANCE YOU JUST PASSED TODAY.

TONIGHT. I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD START.

I'D LIKE TO SEE IT ENHANCED A LITTLE MORE AS ON OUR BLOCK WHERE WE LIVE WE HAVE 18 PROPERTIES OUT OF 60 THAT ARE IN SOME FORM OF RENTAL THAT WE KNOW OF THAT HAVE LICENSES.

OF THOSE, EIGHT ARE SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS.

THE REST ARE FOURPLEXES, DUPLEXES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S A LOT OF DENSITY PACKED INTO ONE BLOCK ALREADY.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE'RE DOING THESE CAPS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT CONSIDERING THEM ANYWAY EITHER WAY AS TOTALS OR AS NOT TOTALS.

[00:35:03]

WE HAVE PLENTY OF RENTAL AND I CAN ONLY SPEAK OF HAVING LIVED WHERE I'VE LIVED FOR THE PAST DECADE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE HIGH DENSITY ONES.

GARBAGE PROBLEMS, TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME, PARKING PROBLEMS, TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME.

SO I GUESS MY POINT IS, IF WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN THIS ROAD.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE STAFF TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL MEMBER HIT ON IT, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE NOT GETTING LICENSES.

THEY DON'T CARE. THEY DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH IT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EITHER HAVE THE GOOD LANDLORDS PAY BY INCREASING THE FEES OR WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE TO HIRE MORE STAFF TO HAVE THIS DONE.

BECAUSE SINCE THAT REPORT WAS DONE, I DON'T KNOW FIVE YEARS AGO THAT STAFF LEVELS THAT WE NEEDED, WE'VE ADDED THE RATIO, WE'VE ADDED THE ONE NEXT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO ADD A HUGE ONE AT THE OLD RAINBOW SITE, ALL WITHOUT INCREASING OUR STAFF AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT ALL FOR INSPECTIONS.

SO I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HOW WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE THIS IN THE FUTURE AND ACTUALLY DO IT CORRECTLY AND DO IT THE WAY WE WANT TO DO IT.

SO THERE'S NO LOOPHOLES.

EVERYBODY'S TREATED THE SAME.

EVERYBODY GETS A FAIR TREATMENT.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MAYBE NOT RIGHT NOW, BUT FINE TUNE THIS LATER ON.

WHEREAS IF THERE'S A HIGH DENSITY AREA LIKE WE LIVE IN, MAYBE THE RENTAL COUNT FOR SINGLE FAMILIES IS LESS, WHICH WOULD OPEN UP MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO BUY HOMES, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. AND I THINK THAT'S THE TOTAL GOAL WE ALL WANT.

ANYWAYS, THANK YOU.

BARBARA DELARIA WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

WELCOME, BARBARA.

UM, LAST YEAR, I HAD AN ABATEMENT.

I HAD.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, CLEANED AND DID EVERYTHING THAT WAS ON THE VIOLATION PAPERS.

BECAUSE I WAS TOLD TO CLEAN UP WEEDS AND CUT THE GRASS.

AND SHRUB.

AND I KNOW WHAT WEEDS AND SHRUB AND GRASS ARE.

BUT WHEN THE CITY COMES WALKING IN AND TAKES OFF WITH A WHOLE BIN FULL OF SPLIT FIREWOOD.

ALSO IN THE ABATEMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY AM I CHARGED FOR IT? AND I TALKED TO THE MAYOR LAST YEAR.

I TALKED TO.

UM. DANIEL.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

ALL HE WILL TELL ME IS YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED.

YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED.

WELL, WHY WOULD I CALL IF I DIDN'T HAVE A QUESTION? IF HE HAD WROTE WOOD ON THE PAPER.

I WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT.

BUT THEY DIDN'T.

SO I COMPLIED WITH MY PAPERWORK COMPLETELY.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

AND I'VE TRIED TO TALK TO.

I WANT TO COME IN AND TALK TO THE COUNCIL LAST YEAR ABOUT IT.

AND WHEN I TRIED TO COME IN, I WAS TOLD I COULDN'T.

AND DANIEL TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL THIS YEAR AND THERE'S SOME MEETING I'M SUPPOSED TO COME TO TO TALK TO.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHERE BECAUSE NOBODY WILL TELL ME WHERE.

SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER? YES, I'M SURE YOU DO.

AND NO, NO.

I MEAN, DO WE HAVE IT RIGHT NOW FROM YOUR FORM? NO, PROBABLY NOT.

ALSO, PART OF THIS WAS THAT THE CITY PART WHERE THEY DIDN'T HAVE RUBBISH OR ANYTHING PICKED UP.

AND SO WHAT WAS LEFT IN MY YARD WAS TWO BUNDLES OF.

STUFF TIED UP, READY TO GO TO THE DUMP WHICH HAD ALREADY DUMPED ALL THE OTHER WEEDS THAT KNEW THE DUMP WAS OVERFLOWING INTO THE STREET.

SO I HAD LEFT THESE TWO BUNDLES AND I HAD LEFT TEN.

TEN CUT LOGS THERE FOR THE FIREWOOD THAT HAD BEEN HOLDING THE TARP DOWN.

AND ALSO THEY WERE BREAKING APART AND NEEDED TO BE CLEANED UP THAT AREA.

AND THERE WAS A BRANCH THERE THAT I HAD TO BREAK DOWN, BUT THAT DID NOT CAUSE $650, TEN PIECES OF WOOD AND A BRANCH AND TWO BUNDLES TO PICK UP.

I MEAN, I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND WHAT MEETING I'M SUPPOSED TO BE AT.

YEAH, I DON'T. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MEETING THAT WOULD BE REFERRED TO.

I DON'T. I DON'T KNOW EITHER.

I TALKED TO DANIEL.

HE TOLD ME THERE WAS SOMEWHERE I HAD TO BE IN AUGUST.

I TALKED TO THE MAYOR.

[00:40:01]

I WAS TOLD AFTER TALKING, EXPLAINING TO YOU WHAT DANIEL SAID.

THE SAME THING.

COME TO THE MEETING NEXT AUGUST.

SO I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE I'M SUPPOSED TO GO.

OKAY. COULD YOU.

THE MEETING WILL BE ENDING IN A FEW MINUTES.

COULD YOU STAY? AND THEN WE CAN I CAN KIND OF CONFIRM WITH THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER ON WHAT NEXT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR YOU.

YES. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. AND BARB.

YES. IF I MAY, I WANT TO MAKE A PUBLIC APOLOGY TO YOU.

YOU DID STOP BY AND YOU TALKED TO ME ABOUT A WEEK OR WEEK AND A HALF AGO.

YES. AND I HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK TO YOU.

MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL, AND I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE OVERWHELMED.

AND I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU FOR NOT GETTING BACK TO YOU.

THAT'S OKAY. THANK YOU.

DID YOU WANT MY PHONE? YES, PLEASE.

YES. THANK YOU.

AND THEN. AND THEN JUST STAY SO WE CAN TALK AFTER THE MEETING.

THANK YOU. AND SARAH.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT? I DON'T BELIEVE SO.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

I'LL JUST ASK ONE MORE TIME TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE.

ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT AT TONIGHT'S COMMUNITY FORUM? SEEING AS NO ONE IS HERE, THEN I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT. THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.