[00:00:02]
>> THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR COMING TONIGHT.
[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
SARAH, THE TECHNICAL'S READY?>> ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. WELL, WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 9TH.
SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL?
>> WELCOME TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE CHAMBERS AND IF ANYONE IS WATCHING ON ZOOM AS WELL, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.
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, PLEASE, WOULD YOU STAND AND SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WITH ME? IF YOU ARE ABLE.
>> THE NEXT PART OF OUR MEETING IS OUR PROCLAMATIONS,
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND GUESTS.I'M GOING TO SWITCH UP THE ORDER A LITTLE BIT FIRST, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR POLISH HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION FIRST, THEN OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY PROCLAMATION, AND THEN OUR ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF BRAD WISE WILL COME UP.
THEN ADD IT TO THAT WILL BE MICHELLE PETTWAY, WHO IS OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT LIAISON TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
FIRST IS OUR POLISH HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION.
[NOISE] POLISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, OCTOBER 2023.
WHEREAS, OCTOBER IS NATIONAL POLISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, A CELEBRATION OF POLISH HERITAGE FOUNDED IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA IN 1981 TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE MANY NOTABLE AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS BY POLES AND POLISH AMERICANS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE WORLD.
WHEREAS OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, WHOAMI YANKEE POLAND, SISTER CITY INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION IS CELEBRATING ITS 34TH ANNIVERSARY.
THIS ALL-VOLUNTEER GROUP HAS BEEN DEDICATED AND ACTIVE EVER SINCE A TASK FORCE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WAS CALLED TOGETHER BY FOUNDER DOLORES POINTS A STRAND.
WHERE IS DOLORES? THERE SHE IS.
IN LATE 1989, AFTER RECEIVING APPROVAL FROM THEN MAYOR, DALE HEADDRESS, AND WHEREAS OUR SISTER CITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN TRUE IN SPIRIT AND IN DEEDS TO OUR ORIGINAL GOALS, PROMOTING EDUCATIONAL, HUMANITARIAN, CIVIC, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
WHEREAS A NUMBER OF OUR MEMBERS ARE ALSO OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF POLISH AMERICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MINNESOTA, PATCH HIM AND PARTICIPATE IN THEIR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
WHEREAS EVERY SEPTEMBER SINCE 1993, THE PEOPLE OF OUR SISTER CITY, [INAUDIBLE] WHILE MYANKE POLAND, GATHER AT THE WAR CEMETERY IN GILPIN TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
REMEMBERING THE WARSAW AND SURGEONS AND THE ALLIED PILOTS WHO HELPED THE INSURGENTS WHEN A US AIR FORCE PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN.
THIS COMMEMORATION HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS AND JUST LAST WEEK, MANY MEMBERS OF OUR SISTER CITY GROUP VISITED WHOAMI ANKI, POLAND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CEREMONY AND SHOW THEIR RESPECT FOR THIS IMPORTANT EVENT.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I AM OTHER MARKETS SIMILAR MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023 TO BE POLISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.
[APPLAUSE] NOW PUT MEMBERS OF THE SISTER CITY ORGANIZATION WHO ARE ABLE TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM HERE.
[00:05:13]
>> [INAUDIBLE] I'M GOING TO HAND THIS TO YOU AND RACHEL JAMES WILL TAKE OUR PICTURE.
>> FRANK AND MARY, ARE YOU JOINING THE SISTER CITIES? FRANK AND MARY WENT ON THE TRIP WITH US, SO THEY'RE JOINING OUR SISTER CITY GROUP.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU DID IT.
YOU DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB SPEAKING [INAUDIBLE] THE COMMEMORATION.
>> WELL, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE THIS IS RECORDED SO IT'LL I CAN HEAR YOU BETTER IF YOU SAY IT IN THE MICROPHONE.
>> AT THE COMMEMORATION SERVICE IN BALMY YANKEE, POLAND, THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AMERICA DID MOST BEAUTIFUL JOB IN GIVING, I HATE TO CALL IT THE SPEECH.
BUT A TALK ABOUT FRIENDSHIP, ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, ABOUT THIS RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH WHOAMI ANKI, POLAND, AND ALL THE VETERANS WHO HAVE ALSO NOT JUST VETERANS, BUT ALL THE MILITARY MAN FROM WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II.
ANYWAY, SHE DID COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SO PROUD AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.
IT IS AN HONOR AS ALWAYS, TO BE A PART OF OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE ON THE COUNCIL.
BUT ALSO FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT KNOW.
SISTER CITIES IS A LEGAL PART OF OUR CITY GOVERNMENT.
SO THERE ARE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THAT ARE THE LIONS, THE KIWANIS HEIGHTS SNACKS CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALSO DO MANY THINGS FOR OUR CITY.
BUT SISTER CITY IS ACTUALLY A PART OF OUR CITY.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO HAVE A GROUP OF 12 OF US THAT WERE JUST WANTED TO PULL IN TWO WEEKS AGO.
WE JUST GOT BACK THIS PAST WEDNESDAY.
I'M WEARING MY GARLAND IN HONOR OF THAT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
OUR NEXT PROCLAMATION IS FOR A VERY SPECIAL RECOGNITION.
TODAY, BEING THE FIRST DAY IN MINNESOTA THAT WE HAVE THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY.
WHEREAS MINNESOTA IS HOME TO 11 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES, SEVEN OF THEM ARE ANISHINAABE, OJIBWE AND FOUR ARE DAKOTA, OYATE DAKOTA.
WHEREAS CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ON THIS DAY BRINGS A MOMENT FOR EDUCATION AND AWARENESS OF THE GENOCIDE THAT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ENDURED DURING THE ARRIVAL OF SETTLER COLONIALISM.
WHEREAS RECOGNIZING TODAY'S IMPORTANCE PROVIDES US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO OUR CITY, STATE, AND NATION.
WHEREAS INDIGENOUS NATIONS IN MINNESOTA CONTINUED TO FACE THE EFFECTS OF COLONIZATION AND CONTINUED DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THEIR WAY OF LIFE, LANGUAGE TRADITIONS, AND HISTORY THROUGH THE LEGACY OF THE INDIAN REMOVAL ACT, INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL POLICIES, AND OTHER POLICIES THAT INFRINGED ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS.
WHEREAS THE LEGACY OF STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES IS VISIBLE AND PRESENT IN THE CRISIS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AND RELATIVES, SUFFERING IS, AND HOW'S PERSONS OR FROM THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.
WHEREAS INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ARE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN THE HISTORICAL AND PRESENT CRISIS OF MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND RELATIVES, AND WHEREAS THE COMMUNITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS CALLED TO REFLECT AND WORK TOWARDS BETTER POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT CENTER AROUND INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES AND UNDER INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY.
WHEREAS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS A COMMITMENT TO BEING A LEADER IN RACE, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, AND ENCOURAGES OUR COMMUNITY TO HONOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY BY TAKING THE TIME TO LEARN ABOUT, SUPPORT, AND CONNECT WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
[00:10:04]
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, AMÁDA MÁRQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DO NOW HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 9, 2023 TO BE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ENOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.[APPLAUSE] COLUMBIA HEIGHTS MEMBER, ALICIA DE LA CRUZ IS GOING TO COME UP TO RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION.
>> ANITA, DO YOU WANT TO COME UP HERE?
>> ALL RIGHT, SO YOU WANT TO SPEAK FIRST AND THEN ANITA, AND YOU'RE GOING TO STAY UP HERE AND YOU CAN SPEAK RIGHT AFTERWARDS.
WHEN YOU CAN SPEAK WE CAN MOVE THE MIC THAT WAY.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
MY NAME IS ALICIA DE LA CRUZ, MY NAME AND OJIBWE IS [FOREIGN] AND I AM FROM THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE, ON MY FATHER'S SIDE.
I AM LEECH LAKE PILCHER ON MY MOTHER'S SIDE.
I COME HERE TODAY WITH GREAT HONOR AND ACCEPTING THIS PROCLAMATION FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THIS IS THE CITY THAT I GREW UP IN.
THIS IS THE CITY THAT UNFORTUNATELY, MY FATHER WAS A PART OF THE 1955 INDIAN RELOCATION ACT.
HE WAS INDIAN RELOCATION ACTED DOWN TO THE CITIES AND WHEN HE WAS RELOCATION ACTED, IT WAS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THAT THEY ENDED UP MOVING TO.
I AM GETTING A LITTLE EMOTIONAL BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, FOR MY PEOPLE, THE LAND BACK MOVEMENT, THE MISSING MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN.
I'M HERE, DESPITE ALL OF THAT.
I AM A LANGUAGE BEARER, I AM A CULTURAL BEARER, I AM AN ART BEARER, I'M A BEAD WORK ARTIST.
I CONTINUE TRADITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FORCED TO BE SQUASHED DOWN FOR SO MANY YEARS AND NOW I'M HERE PROUDLY AS AN INDIGENOUS WOMAN, JUST IN MY CULTURE AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT THRIVES AND SURVIVES FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
I'M VERY HAPPY TO ACCEPT THIS TODAY AND I HAVE MY FRIEND HERE, ANITA, WHO ACTUALLY HAS A FEW WORDS TO SAY AS WELL ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AT SCHOOL.
ANITA WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> AT SCHOOL TODAY, WE GOT TO CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY.
WE GOT TO GO DOWN TO THE GYM AND WE GOT TO DANCE LIKE HOW THE NATIVE AMERICANS WOULD AND WE GOT TO HEAR A NATIVE AMERICAN SONG AND WE GOT TO HAVE A NATIVE AMERICAN PERSON COME AND DANCE FOR US.
THEY WEAR A LOT OF FEATHERS AND A LOT OF THINGS FROM DIFFERENT ANIMALS.
WE ALSO NOTICED THAT HE HAS BELLS THAT EVERY TIME YOU MOVE, YOU COULD HEAR THE BELLS MOVING.
UNFORTUNATELY, I LOOKED AROUND AND SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE LAUGHING AND STUFF.
IT'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING NEW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN LEARN.
IT'S NOT FUNNY TO LAUGH AT OTHER PEOPLE'S CULTURE BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY WERE TO LAUGH AT YOURS, YOU WOULD BE MAD.
>> I GO TO NORTH PARK SCHOOLS FOR INNOVATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALICIA AND ANITA.
WELL, JOHN, THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND BEING HERE AS A RECIPIENT AND WANTING AND BEING WILLING TO COME INTO OUR COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT AND BRINGING YOUR FAMILY WITH YOU AS WELL.
WE LOVE HAVING YOU HERE AND SEEING YOUR ART AROUND THIS COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. ANITA, WELL DONE SPEAKING TONIGHT. GOOD JOB.
[LAUGHTER] NEXT WE ALSO HAVE MICHELLE PETTWAY, WHO IS OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL BOARD LIAISON WITH A QUICK REPORT AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THAT SIDE, YES, WHERE YOU ARE JUST PULL THE MICROPHONE TOWARDS YOU THOUGH.
WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THE PROCLAMATION.
>> WE'LL LEARN TOGETHER, IT'S A NEW SPACE.
[00:15:02]
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.IF IT WASN'T CLEAR, ANITA IS MY DAUGHTER [LAUGHTER] AND SHE LOVES TO REPRESENT HER SCHOOL DISTRICT IN HER SCHOOL.
I JUST HAVE A FEW UPDATES, IT'LL BE MORE GENERAL UPDATES ABOUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY GOING ON IN THE DISTRICT.
FIRST OFF, I WANTED TO SAY THAT I'M CALLING YOUR HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THAT TODAY IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.
CHPS RESIDES ON ANCESTRAL DAKOTA LAND SO WE ALSO HAVE 76 STUDENTS WHO ATTEND OUR SCHOOLS AND I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO JUST JOIN US AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE DAKOTA AND RIGID WAY COMMUNITY.
THEIR ELDERS, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT ALONG WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS.
THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT DEMONSTRATES A COMMITMENT TO DISMANTLING THE ONGOING LEGACIES OF COLONIAL POWER AND OUR DISTRICTS DESIRE TO SUPPORT LOCAL INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE IN OUR SCHOOLS.
ALSO, OCTOBER IS NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS IN OUR SCHOOLS WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO FOR OUR CHILDREN.
COMING UP ALSO, WE HAVE OUR 15TH ANNUAL ALUMNI FOUNDATION DINNER.
WE'LL BE CELEBRATING THE ALUMNI FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS AND WE'LL ALSO BE HONORING OUR 2023 ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION, MISS SMILEY LEWIS WHO ALSO SERVED AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.
WE ALSO HAVE A REFERENDUM INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION COMING UP SOON TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE UPCOMING LEVY ON NOVEMBER 7TH.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, THIS ONE THAT WILL BE HAPPENING AT 06:00 PM, IT'LL BE AT THE FAMILY CENTER AND THE COMMUNITY ROOM.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE TWO QUESTIONS ON THERE AND AS WELL AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT SEAT UP. HELLO, GUYS.
SO I'LL BE RUNNING FOR THAT AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE COME WE'D LOVE TO ANSWER THEM AND GET YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED TO PASS THIS REFERENDUM FOR OUR SCHOOLS.
ALONG WITH THAT, THE LOCAL 17 TEACHERS UNION DID HOST A SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM LAST WEEK, AND IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO ATTEND OR IF YOU MISSED IT, IT IS ONLINE.
LINKS ARE AVAILABLE ON BOTH THE DISTRICT WEBSITE AND THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.
THE SCHOOL BOARD ALSO WOULD LOVE THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE DO OFFER MORE THAN JUST EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
WE ALSO OFFER LOTS OF THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
I HAVE SOME EXAMPLES, LIKE THEY HAVE A HOMEBUYER SEMINAR COMING UP, PICKLE BALL, YOGA, SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S CLASS, PLAYS AND A LOT MORE.
ALL OF THIS INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE DISTRICT SIDE, AS WELL AS THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE.
WE'RE ALSO THERE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO CALL THE DISTRICT'S OFFICE AND GET MORE INFORMATION ON THOSE ACTIVITIES BECAUSE THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU AND WE WANT YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT GUEST IS ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF, BRAD WISE.
PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM AND WELCOME TO OUR NEW CITY HALL.
>> YOUR CITY HALL IS VERY NICE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY.
I'LL EXCUSE MY VOICE FOR A MINUTE, BUT I GOT ALLERGIES THIS TIME OF YEAR, SO I'M WRESTLING WITH THAT A LITTLE BIT.
BUT THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORMALLY INTRODUCE MYSELF TO BOTH YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND TO THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I'VE NEWLY ELECTED AS OF JANUARY 3RD, SO I'M JUST BEGINNING MY TERM MORE OR LESS FINISHING THE FIRST YEAR AND I MADE IT A PRIORITY BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME TO GET OUT TO ALL OF THE CITY COUNCILS WITHIN OUR COUNTY.
THAT SAID, I AM FAMILIAR TO ANOKA COUNTY IN THAT MY FAMILY MOVED TO COON RAPIDS WHEN I WAS 12 AND BASICALLY HAD BEEN IN THAT COMMUNITY FOR DECADES AFTER THAT AND I SERVED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 28 YEARS THERE WITH THE LAST 11 BEING THE POLICE CHIEF BEFORE I CAME HERE.
I LIKE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I HAVE I'D SAY NOT NECESSARILY UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE, BUT AT LEAST I HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ON LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AS IT SUPPORTS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BECAUSE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.
THAT'S REALLY PART OF WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TO A LITTLE BIT.
YOU'VE A PHENOMENON POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I KNOW YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT.
CHIEF AUSTIN IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER FOR A LONG TIME.
I REALLY RESPECT THE WAY HE PROVIDES SERVICES TO YOUR CITIZENS, BUT WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW IS WHY IS THE SHERIFF IMPORTANT TO THEM HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WE OFFER SOME UNIQUE, WHEREAS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE, RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE AND HANDLES ALL POLICING MATTERS FOR THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES A FEW THINGS, THOUGH FOR THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, NOT LEAST OF WHICH IS OPERATING THE DETENTION CENTER.
[00:20:03]
I OPERATE COURT SECURITY, WE HAVE CRIME LAB THAT DOES THE SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIONS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT EXPENSIVE IN THAT IT'S THE STUFF YOU SEE ON CSI.SOME OF THOSE TYPES OF TV SHOWS ALSO HAVE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WILL SUPPORT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN THE EVENT THAT YOU HAVE SOME UNIQUE INCIDENT AND WE ALSO DO THE CIVIL PROCESSES THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS DON'T GENERALLY HANDLE.
THOSE ARE THE FUNCTIONS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PROVIDES FOR YOUR CITIZENS THAT AREN'T PART OF THE POLICE SERVICE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO AND ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPLEMENT ANY NAME THAT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PD EVER NEEDS.
I KNOW YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS IN WORKING WITH ALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS HERE IN THE COUNTY.
BUT I DID WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT A DETENTION CENTER BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE NOP COUNTY BOARD IS LOOKING AT REPLACING THE DETENTION CENTER JAIL THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS.
THE BUILDING THAT EXISTS WAS BUILT WHAT WAS DESIGNED IN THE 1970S AND BUILT IN THE 1980S AND IF YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN A TOUR OF THAT PLACE, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU'D THINK IT WOULD BE, IT'S CINDER BLOCK WALLS AND BARS AND THAT'S THE SUM TOTAL OF THE FACILITY.
IT'S OLD AND SMALL, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS IT NEVER WAS DESIGNED TO DO WAS OFFERED RE-ENTRY SERVICES, WHICH IS A REAL BIG MISSED OPPORTUNITY IN SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE AND A NEW FACILITY WILL HELP IN A GREAT WAY OFFERING SPACES SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS THINGS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION, WHICH PLAYS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PEOPLE WHO FIND THEMSELVES LOSING THEIR FREEDOM AND BEING INCARCERATED.
IS THAT THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY IS TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME OUT, WHEN THEY GET RELEASED.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE TRYING TO AFFECT RECIDIVISM, WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE REPEAT OFFENSES, BUT WE THINK THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICES OFFER PEOPLE A PATH TO GETTING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE SUCKED BACK INTO THE LIFESTYLE THAT LED THEM THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WHEN YOU HEAR SOME OF THAT BEING TALKED ABOUT AMONGST THE COUNTY BOARD, AND IT'S FOR SURE GOING TO BE IN THE NEWS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT DOES AFFECT YOU AS TAXPAYERS IN THE CITY, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE BUILDING IS TWOFOLD, IT'S NOT JUST TO CREATE NEW CINDER BLOCK WALLS, IT'S TO CREATE THE SPACE WHEN PEOPLE NEED TO BE DETAINED BUT THEN SIMULTANEOUSLY TO FOCUS ON THE IDEA THAT WHEN THEY GET OUT, WE WANT TO HELP THEM BE BETTER PEOPLE THAN THEY WERE, IN THAT WE HAVE SO MANY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.
WITH THAT, THOSE ARE THE THINGS REALLY THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT AND MENTIONED TO YOU ALL.
IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT ME A QUESTION, PLEASE FEEL FREE.
I CERTAINLY WOULD DO IT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OR MORE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S TOPICAL THAT POPS UP.
BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW, THERE'S 22 CITY COUNCILS.
MY WIFE GETS A LITTLE MAD WHEN I'M ON EVERY SINGLE EVENING, BUT I DO ALL RIGHT, I'LL GET INTO SOME OF THESE.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, BUT IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT ME A QUESTION BEFORE I GO, PLEASE DO.
>> WE DO HAVE AN UPCOMING CITIZENS ACADEMY, I BELIEVE, AND WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER BEING A GUEST AT ONE OF OUR CITIZENS ACADEMY?
>> YEAH. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. I'D LOVE TO.
>> IT'D BE GREAT TO HAVE YOU THERE, SO THANK YOU.
ANYTHING FROM THE COUNCIL? THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING IN TODAY AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU HERE AS OUR SHERIFF.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME. TAKE IT EASY, CHIEF.
>> THAT LEADS US INTO THE MORE BUSINESS PART OF OUR MEETING.
NEXT IS APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND I ASKED
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
THE COUNCIL IF THEY HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO ADD TO THE AGENDA? SEEING AS NONE THEN.I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> MOTION TO ACCEPT AS PRESENTED.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA IS APPROVED.
[NOISE] NEXT IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
KEVIN OR COUNCIL, DO WE HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA?>> I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE NUMBER 3 SO WE CAN CELEBRATE THOSE YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBERS.
>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES. ANYONE ELSE? THEN WE'LL BE REMOVING ITEM NUMBER 3 TO BE TO GO THROUGH THAT ITEM AFTER THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
KEVIN, COULD YOU PLEASE TAKE US THROUGH THE OTHER ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> CERTAINLY MAYOR. REMEMBER AS THE COUNCIL YOU HAVE EIGHT ITEMS, ONE REMOVED ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.
THE FIRST OF THESE IS TO APPROVE THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 25TH.
THE SECOND ITEM IS TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FROM YOUR WORK SESSION OF OCTOBER 2ND.
THE NEXT ITEM NUMBER 3 HAS BEEN PULLED.
ITEM NUMBER 4 IS TO ADD AUTHORITY FOR IMPOUNDMENT, THE STATE PAYABLES LIST.
NUMBER 5 IS A SANITARY SEWER REPAIR THAT OCCURRED AT 3988 CENTRAL AVENUE.
[00:25:08]
THE SIXTH IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.THE NEXT IS THE LICENSE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED.
THE LAST ITEM FOR YOU IS THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS TOTALING 2,384,707.53. MAYOR?
>> THANK YOU, KEVIN. I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH ITEM NUMBER 3 REMOVED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBERS SPRIGGS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
[3. Adopt Resolution 2023-57, Appointing Youth Commission Members.]
KEVIN, COULD YOU TAKE US THROUGH THAT?>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THE YOUTH COMMISSION IS A RELATIVELY NEW COMMISSION THAT HAS BEEN ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPLICATIONS WERE ADVERTISED AND WE RECEIVED, I DON'T REALLY KNOW, I THINK SIX TOTAL APPLICATIONS THEN.
IN SOME OF THESE ARE RETURNING MEMBERS AND SOME ARE NEW MEMBERS ON THAT.
WE HAVE SIX YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBERS.
IN THE FIRST MEETING WILL BE OCCURRING THIS WEEK ON WEDNESDAY.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE NAMES OF OUR NEW AND RETURNING YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBERS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. IF I MISPRONOUNCE, IF ANYONE CAN CORRECT ME.
SUNDANCE MALMO, DREAMER MORALES, TRISTAN MARCUS, MIRA COURSERA, ROGER ROG KNEE, AND ROMAN TIBOR.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE YOUTH WHO APPLIED AND THOSE WHO SERVE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? I JUST WANT TO ECHO AND ADD IN THAT IT IS A CELEBRATION THAT WE HAVE SO MANY YOUTH IN OUR CITY AND DISTRICT, INCLUDING HILLTOP AND AREAS OF FRIENDLY THAT ARE ON OUR YOUTH COMMISSION AND WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE THEM BE A PART OF IT.
THIS IS GOING INTO OUR THIRD YEAR, WHICH IS MORE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS.
OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
>> MOVED TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-057.
THEY'RE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-057 BEING A RESOLUTION APPOINTING OUR YOUTH COMMISSION MEMBERS.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT SLIDE TAKES US TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[PUBLIC HEARINGS]
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS MATTER.SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN-PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CITY CLERK.
SPEAKERS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND A REQUEST TO SPEAK.
WITH THIS INFORMATION TO THE MODERATOR USING THE CHAT FUNCTION AND WAIT TO BE CALLED ON TO SPEAK.
WHEN SPEAKING, VIRTUAL ATTENDEES SHOULD TURN THEIR CAMERAS ON.
ANY COMMENTS MADE AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL NOT BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE FORMAL RECORD FOR THIS MATTER.
AS THE ITEM WILL HAVE BEEN VOTED ON AND THE ITEM FORMALLY CLOSED BY THE COUNCIL.
WE ARE AT NUMBER 9, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-59, REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 1349, 1351 CIRCLE TERRORISTS BOULEVARD NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODE.
WE HAVE HERE, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF DAN O'BRIEN TO TAKE US THROUGH THESE ITEMS.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M PRESENTING THIS LICENSE YOU THIS EVENING FOR CONSIDERATION OF REVOCATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER LICENSEE FILLED UP, OBTAIN ALL THE PERMITS NECESSARY, TO MAKE THE REQUIRED REPAIRS ON THE PROPERTY.
JUST A QUICK HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY.
WE CONDUCTED A DAY IT'S INITIAL LICENSING INSPECTION.
IT WAS A LATE LICENSING INSPECTIONS ON JULY 5TH.
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRIOR TO THE 1ST OF MAY.
PROPERTY WHEN IT WAS CHARGED A LATE FEE FOR THAT INSPECTION.
AT THAT TIME, THEY FOUND SOME VIOLATIONS.
THEY FOUND SOME PLUMBING VIOLATIONS, SOME EXTERIOR TREATMENT, SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAPPHIRE AND FASCIA, AND SOME PROBLEMS WITH ONE OF THE WINDOWS, IT WAS CRACKED, AND THAT SOME ISSUES WITH THE FRAME.
[00:30:03]
PROPERTY OWNER CONTACTED US ON AUGUST 4TH, REQUESTED SOME EXTENSION.WE GAVE THEM ADDITIONAL TIME TO UNTIL THE 30TH OF AUGUST TO CORRECT THOSE ISSUES.
ON THE 30TH, WE FOUND THAT THE PLUMBING WAS CORRECTED AND THE SOFTENED PHAGES WORD SOFT APHASIA AND THE BROKEN WINDOW WERE NOT CORRECTED.
WE DID OUR SET THE STATEMENT OF COST.
WE COME BACK ON THE 3 OCTOBER AND TO CONDUCT OUR PRE-COUNCIL INSPECTION FOR THIS MEETING AND THE SOFTEN FACIAL REPAIRED, BUT THE BROKEN WINDOW VIOLATION WAS NOT.
THE OWNER HAD HIS BACK ON THE 4TH HE HAD REPLACED THE WINDOW BUT FAILED TO GET A PERMIT FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOW AND HAVE THE INSPECTIONS AND WHATNOT PATES.
WE DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WINDOWS INSTALLED CORRECTLY OR NOT.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE THIS EVENING IS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE LICENSE.
IF IT'S REVOKED THE LICENSE WOULD BE THE FIRST LICENSE AND THE ONLY REVOCATION THE OWNER HAS HAD IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WHICH WOULD MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE TO REGAIN OR REQUIRE THEIR LICENSE PRIOR TO THE PROPERTY BECOMING ALLOWED TO OCCUPY.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I WILL OPEN THIS FOR THE PUBLIC.
SARAH, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> THERE IS NO ONE ONLINE AND NOBODY HAS REQUESTED TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME.
>> ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? JUST TO CLARIFY AS THE ONLY OUTSTANDING CONCERN THAT THERE ISN'T A PERMIT FOR THE WINDOW THAT WAS INSTALLED.
>> OKAY. WELL, THEN I'M INTERESTED IN TABLING IT TO HAVE THAT TAKEN CARE OF IF THAT'S OUR ONLY CONCERN.
MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER IF THEY'VE RECTIFIED ALL THE OTHER SITUATIONS.
>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE INITIAL NOTICE THAT WE SEND SAYS THAT DEFINITION OF WORKMAN-LIKE MATTER INCLUDING OBTAINING ALL PERMITS NECESSARY FOR THE WORK ABOUT IT.
JUST SO THAT INITIAL NOTICE WENT OUT ON THE 6TH OF JULY THAT STATES THAT.
EVERY NOTICE DOES SAY THAT TALKS ABOUT WORKING WITH PROUD MANNER AND OBTAINING WHAT THEY NOT NECESSARILY PERFECT FOR THOSE WORK.
>> SURE. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
I CAN SEE WHILE WORKING WITH A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, MAYBE MISUNDERSTANDING AND THINKING, WHILE I'M GOING THROUGH THIS, THIS MAY BE AS ALSO THE PERMIT PROCESS OR THEY'RE NOT HERE TO SAY ANYTHING.
BUT I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD BRING THAT UP AS DISCUSSION.
MATES VIRGINIANS DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> YEAH, I THINK JACOB [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT THIS HAS TAKEN AND THE FACT THAT THERE'S NOBODY HERE.
THEY KNEW THAT THIS HEARING WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE.
MY OTHER CONCERN IS THAT AND I'D LIKE THE ASSISTANT CHIEF TO CLARIFY, HOW DO YOU GET A PERMIT IN ARREARS WHEN THE WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE? HOW DO YOU GET A PERMIT IN ARREARS? IN OTHER WORD I'M ASKING YOU IS THAT YOU DIDN'T GET THE PERMIT AHEAD OF TIME NOW.
DO THEY HAVE TO CHECK THE WINDOW BACK OUT AND RE-INSTALL IT? IF THEY GET A PERMIT, HOW DOES THAT WORK?
>> THEY WOULD HAVE TO OBTAIN THE PERMIT FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
THAT BUILDING FOR SCHROEDER CAME OUT AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO EXPOSE ENOUGH TO SHOW THAT THE WINDOW WAS INSTALLED PROPERLY.
>> YEAH. I DON'T KNOW THAT I'D BE IN FAVOR OF TABLING IT.
I THINK THEY HAD PLENTY OF NOTIFICATION.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL BROGHER JAMES.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE THERE'S MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS AND BECAUSE THEY CAN REAPPLY AND PAY THE FEES AND THEN CONTINUE.
NO ONE WILL BE KICKED OUT TONIGHT IF WE VOTE FOR THEM TO BE REVOKED.
THE PERSON COULD LIKELY REAPPLY AND PAY THE FEES.
I THINK BECAUSE OF THE BACK-AND-FORTH THAT'S HAPPENED, I'D BE IN FAVOR OF REVOKING THE LICENSE AND HAVING THEM REAPPLY AND GET ALL THE PROPER PAPERWORK.
ANYTHING ELSE? THERE'S NO ONE HERE TO SPEAK.
SARAH, AGAIN ON ZOOM OR IN PERSON?
>> THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING AND RESOLUTION 2023-59.
THERE WILL BE AN AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNSELOR ABBEYSTEA AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> ANY OPPOSE? THE MOTION PASSES TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND NEXT METHOD MOTION TO ADOPT.
[00:35:01]
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-59, BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IMPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSED LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNSELOR RABYSGUN AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE ARE AT ITEM NUMBER 10.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-44, REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 4522 TYLER STREET NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODES AND AGAINST FIRE CHIEF DAN O'BRIEN.
>> MADAM MAYOR THANK YOU. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FROM THE AUGUST 28TH MEETING AT WHICH YOU TABLE THE CONSIDERATION OF THE REVOCATION.
BASICALLY, THERE WAS A MISSING SWITCH PLATE COVER FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLET IN THE DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY WHICH IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD.
MISSING INOPERABLE EXPIRED SMOKE DETECTOR IN A BEDROOM, WHICH IS A LIFE SAFETY VIOLATION.
A MOUSE INFESTATION ON THE LOWER LEVEL REQUIRING PROFESSIONAL EXTERMINATED CHECK AND TREAT THE PROPERTY FOR RODENTS, WHICH IS A HABITABILITY THING.
OF COURSE, THE SEWAGE AND SOME PUMP SYSTEMS IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM, WHICH IS ALSO HABITABILITY.
I THINK THE HOMEOWNER WAS HERE.
HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL.
HE CALLED IN AND REQUESTED ADDITIONAL TIME.
I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT BECAUSE OF THE COUNCIL SET THIS DATE THAT HE NEEDED TO COME HERE TO SPEAK WITH YOU GUYS IF HE WISHED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL TIME.
I LET THEM KNOW THAT. LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT SURE IF HE APPEARS IS HERE THIS EVENING OR NOT, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM SINCE THAT DATE.
THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED OUR OFFICE TO SCHEDULE THE INSPECTION.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SARAH, HAS ANYONE MENTIONED IF THEY'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> ANN, ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> HEARING IS NOT THEN I WILL JUST ASK SARAH ONE MORE TIME IF ANYONE IS HERE OR ON ZOOM. THANK YOU.
I DO HAVE TO ASK TWICE IN CASE ANYONE THINKS IT'S REDUNDANT THAT I ASKED TWO TIMES.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND THEY DON'T MISS AN ITEM ON THE COUNCIL ON THE AGENDA.
THEN HEARING IS NOT THEN AMANDA MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-44.
THEY'RE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING? HEARING THERE'S NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-44.
THERE BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
>> THANK YOU. FOR THOSE RESIDENTS OF THAT BUILDING AND FOR OTHERS, I KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT TO HAVE THE LICENSE REVOKED, BUT I'M CONCERNED WHERE ALL THEY HAVE ABILITY AND EXTRA TIME HAS BEEN GIVEN AND WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING.
I AM VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THE FOLKS THAT CAME AND SPOKE WITH HEALTH ISSUES.
BUT I DO BELIEVE AT THIS POINT IF WE HAVEN'T HAD COMMUNICATIONS, WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON REVOKING.
I HOPE THAT THESE CAN BE CORRECTED QUICKLY FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE BUILDING BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S RESIDENTS THERE WHO DEAL WITH THIS ON A DAILY BASIS.
THAT'S WHY I PLAN TO VOTE YES ON THIS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT THEN.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO ADOPT, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-051, REVOCATION OF A LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 677 AND 679, 43RD AVENUE NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODE.
AGAIN, FIRE CHIEF DAN O'BRIEN.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS WAS ANOTHER LICENSE REVOCATION THAT WAS TABLED FROM THE SEPTEMBER 25TH MEETING TO GIVE THE ADDITIONAL LATENCY TIME TO SHOW UP.
JUST TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY ON THAT OUTSTANDING VIOLATION.
IT WAS A LIFE SAFETY VIOLATION OF THE SMOKE ALIGNMENT IN A COMMON AREA.
[00:40:03]
THE PROPERTY OWNER MR. GLASS, DID COME INTO TOWN AS HE DISCUSSED WITH YOU AT THE PREVIOUS HEARING AND OUR INSPECTORS PERFORMED A COMPLIANCE INSPECTION ON THE 3RD OF OCTOBER HERE AND FOUND THAT THE SMOKE ALARM HAD BEEN INSTALLED.THE VIOLATION WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED.
CONSIDERING THAT THE VIOLATIONS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL CHANGE MY RECOMMENDATION AT THE COUNCIL VOTE NOT TO PASS THE PREVIOUSLY RECOMMENDED MOTION FOR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> THANK YOU. AS WE DON'T DO THIS VERY OFTEN, A NO VOTE WILL MEAN TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> MADAM MAYOR, IT'S A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING BECAUSE YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO NOT FOLLOW THE MOTION.
SOMEONE CAN MAKE THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE RESOLUTION, THAT CAN PASS, THEN THE MOTION CAN BE MADE TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT'S BEEN CORRECTED, THEN YOU VOTE NO ON THAT FORM. UNDERSTOOD?
>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] FIRST THOUGH, I WILL ASK IF ANYONE'S HERE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE, SARAH?
>> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING IS NOT.
I'LL ASK ONE MORE TIME IF THE CITY CLERK IF THERE'S ANYONE ONLINE ON ZOOM OR IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS PUBLIC HEARING? THERE IS NOT. THEN WE HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-051.
THEY'RE AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS SPRIGGS, AND ACCOUNT SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT THEN EVERYONE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-051, BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA, IT'S APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY A COUNCIL MEMBER LESBEINGS.
>> NO SORRY[LAUGHTER] ALL THOSE AGAINST PLEASE SAY NAY.
BUT WE HAVE EXCELLENT STAFF TO MAKE SURE WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
ITEM 12 IS THE CANCELLATION OF THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT, AND POLICE CHIEF AUSTIN IS HERE TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM.>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR PAST SEVERAL WEEKS WITH COUNCIL.
BUT JUST TO RECAP, EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE DID AMEND STATUTE NUMBER 121A85.
BASICALLY, IT THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN, IT LIMITS THE TYPES OF USE OF FORCE THAT OFFICERS WHO ARE ASSIGNED AS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OR ARE ASSIGNED TO CONTRACT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SITUATIONS LIKE BASKETBALL GAMES, FOOTBALL GAMES.
IT LIMITS THE TYPES OF USE OF FORCE THAT OUR OFFICERS ARE ABLE TO USE.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND IT'S BEEN REVIEWED SEVERAL TIMES, BY SEVERAL PEOPLE.
IT'S BEEN REVIEWED AND THERE HAS BEEN TWO DIFFERENT OPINIONS PUBLISHED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, AND THERE HAS BEEN ALSO THREE DIFFERENT OPINIONS THAT HAVE ALSO BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES INSURANCE TRUST.
THEN ALSO THERE'S ALSO BEEN WRITTEN CONCERNS ABOUT THIS LAW AND THE INCREASED CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LIABILITY RELATED TO THIS WAR.
THOSE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN NOTED BY THE MINNESOTA POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OR THE MPPOA, WHICH REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 POLICE OFFICERS HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AS WELL AS THE LARGEST UNION IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR SERVICES.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS ALSO TALKED ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
AS OF THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH THEM, I KNOW HIS RECOMMENDATION TO SHERIFF WISE IS DO
[00:45:07]
NOT BRING THEIR SROS BACK INTO THEIR SCHOOLS AS WELL DUE TO THE INCREASE IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LIABILITY HERE.AFTER REVIEWING ALL OF THIS INFORMATION AND ALSO REVIEWING THESE DOCUMENTS IN THIS SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, IT'S MY RECOMMENDATION THAT GIVEN THE LAW THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN RIGHT NOW THAT WE CANCEL THE CURRENT SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER CONTRACT WITH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
UPON CANCELLATION OF THAT CONTRACT, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON AN ALTERNATIVE, AND I BELIEVE WE DO HAVE A VERY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE AND THAT IS TO IMPLEMENT A JUVENILE INVESTIGATOR POSITION.
A BIG PART OF THAT OFFICER'S ASSIGNMENT WOULD BE TO WORK WITH THE SCHOOLS AS WELL AS THE STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOL TEACHERS, AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE FACULTY ON JUVENILE ISSUES, AND ALSO TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT SROS IN THE PAST HAVE BUILT ALL THESE YEARS.
I THINK IT'S A VERY VIABLE SOLUTION.
THAT INVESTIGATOR WOULD ALSO BE WORKING OUT OF THE CITY SIDE OF THE HIGHLANDER CENTER, WHICH IS OF COURSE ATTACHED TO TWO OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL.
I DO THINK IT'S A VERY VIABLE SOLUTION.
IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS LAW WILL GET REVISITED NEXT YEAR.
THERE IS HOPE THAT IT WILL GET ADDRESSED SO THAT WE CAN GET OUR SROS BACK INTO THE SCHOOLS.
IF FOR SOME REASON THIS LAW DOES NOT CHANGE, IT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION THAT AT THAT TIME, TO CONVINCE SOME TYPE OF A WORKING GROUP WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF OUR COUNCIL, TO TRY TO WORK ON SOME TYPE OF A VIABLE SOLUTION OR AN AGREEMENT TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE SRO PROGRAM EVEN IF THIS LAW DOES STAY IN PLACE AND SEE IF WE CAN COME UP WITH A WORKABLE SOLUTION AT THAT TIME.
WITH THAT, I'LL STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR DISCUSSION? THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.
I KNOW THAT WE, AS A COUNCIL, HAVE HAD MANY MEETINGS AND I'VE TALKED WITH A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL BOARD AS WELL.
BUT I JUST WANT TO ALSO SAY AGAIN, HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THE CARE AND FORETHOUGHT THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS ALTERNATE PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY ARE STILL WELL LOOKED AFTER AND WELL CARED FOR.
JUST BECAUSE THIS IS A CANCELLATION OF A CURRENT AGREEMENT DOES NOT MEAN THAT ANYONE IS TURNING AWAY FROM MAKING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE DEPARTMENT HAVING SUCH CREATIVE THINKING ON BOARD AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AS WELL TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I AGREE WITH THAT AND I THANK YOU CHIEF FOR PRESENTING, NOT ONLY WHAT YOU PRESENTED VERBALLY, BUT ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN THE DOCUMENTS.
I KNOW WE HAD MET AND I HAD REQUESTED SOME EXTRA OPINIONS FROM THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, SO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THOSE.
I SEE THE CONTRACT ATTACHED HERE, AND AS WE DISCUSSED IN OUR INDIVIDUAL MEETING, A LOT OF THE THINGS IN THIS CONTRACT I THINK NEED TO BE UPDATED AND I'M VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF MAKING A NEW WORKING GROUP.
I APPRECIATE THE WAYS IN WHICH THE POLICE WILL BE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED WITH OUR STUDENTS IN OPT-IN PROGRAMS, WHETHER THAT'S EITHER OPEN GYM, OR MENTORING, OR COOKING WITH A COP, OR WHATEVER MIGHT COME INTO PLACE.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S MANY STUDENTS WHO APPRECIATE THOSE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS AND WANT TO DO THAT, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.
ALSO, THERE MAY BE OTHER STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE INTERACTING WITH POLICE AND SO I AM ANTICIPATING AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD ON A NEW CONTRACT THAT FITS MORE OF THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THINGS IN HERE THAT SAY THEY HAVE TO DEVELOP INFORMANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WHICH I KNOW GOES AGAINST OUR IDEA OF RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.
I'M IN FAVOR OF MOVING FORWARD AT THIS TIME, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD CAN WORK WITH OUR JUVENILE INVESTIGATOR AND OTHER POLICE TO KEEP THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SAFE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
CHIEF, YOU HAD SOMETHING TO ADD?
>> MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I JUST SAID, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN OUR BIGGEST PARTNER FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.
IT REALLY HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING IN TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THIS, AND I'M JUST VERY THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE A VIABLE PLAN B FOR THE SHORT TERM AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS HASHED OUT AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.
[00:50:04]
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS?
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CONTRACT IS, SO TO SPEAK, A LIVING CONTRACT THAT IT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE MAYOR AND OTHER ENTITIES INVOLVED, AND THAT IT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS?
>> MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, YES.
ACTUALLY, THE MAYOR TOOK THE INITIATIVE WITH US EARLIER THIS YEAR, A LOT BEFORE WE KNEW THAT THIS LAW WAS AN ISSUE AND WE ACTUALLY HAD A VERY WORKABLE DRAFT THAT I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS DEFINITELY DOABLE.
IT IS SOMETHING THOUGH, LIKE I SAID, THAT'S IF THE LAW GETS TWEAKED ONCE THEY GO BACK INTO SESSION.
IF THE LAW STAYS AS IS, I THINK THEN MY RECOMMENDATION AT THAT TIME WOULD BE PROBABLY TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THE SRO PROGRAM COULD LOOK LIKE GIVEN THE CURRENT LAW.
>> THANKS. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS?
>> I JUST WANTED TO ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES' REMARKS ON THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN PUT INTO THIS.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BACK-AND-FORTH AND CHANGING ON THIS.
NOT A QUESTION, I JUST WANTED TO READ THIS AS IS IN THE PACKET, BUT JUST SO EVERYONE WAS AWARE THAT UPON CANCELLATION, ASSUMING WE DO CANCEL THIS, THAT THE JUVENILE INVESTIGATOR POSITION IS CAN BE FULLY FUNDED BY US THE CITY AND THAT THE SCHOOL IS NOT GOING TO BE PAYING FOR ANY OF THAT, UNLIKE WHERE IT WAS SPLIT WITH THE SROS.
I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT SO PEOPLE WERE AWARE.
>> THANK YOU FOR ADDING THAT CLARIFICATION.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, JUST REAL QUICK.
UPON CANCELLATION, WE BELIEVE WE COULD HAVE THAT ASSIGNMENT IN PLACE BEFORE THE END OF OCTOBER.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER ITEMS TO DISCUSS ON THIS ITEM? COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS?
>> I JUST WANTED TO THANK OUR POLICE CHIEF AND ALL THE MEMBERS THAT WORKED WITH YOU ON THIS.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN QUITE A STRUGGLE, SO THANK YOU.
HOPEFULLY, THINGS WILL WORK OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. THANKS.
>> THIS TAKES US TO OUR NEXT ITEM. MOTION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MOTION TO CANCEL THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT WITH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO CANCEL THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[OVERLAPPING] ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
NEXT, WE'RE AT ITEM NUMBER 13, CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 685, 43RD AVENUE NORTHEAST.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS REQUEST IS THE FIRST SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP EXEMPTION REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL WILL REVIEW AFTER THE NEWLY ENACTED AS OF SEPTEMBER 14TH DENSITY CAP THAT'S PLACED ON SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTIES IN THE CITY THAT ONLY ALLOWS A CERTAIN PROPORTION OF RENTAL PROPERTIES ON ANY GIVEN BLOCK WITHIN THE CITY BLOCKS BEING DEFINED NOT IN A TRADITIONAL RECTANGULAR SQUARE MANNER, BUT JUST SECTIONS OF THE CITY.
WITHIN THIS SECTION WHERE 685 43RD RESIDES, THE RENTAL LICENSING PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY OVERSUBSCRIBED, SO THERE AREN'T ANY AVAILABLE RENTAL LICENSES TO THIS PROPERTY.
WITHIN THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED, WHICH IS 1685, THERE IS A PATH TO REQUEST AN EXEMPTION AND TO ALLOW A RENTAL LICENSE TO BE ISSUED TO A PROPERTY THAT IS IN A ZONE THAT'S OVERSUBSCRIBED, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING.
THE REQUEST IS BEING BROUGHT BY THE HOMEOWNER.
THE DETAILS OF THE REQUEST ARE IN THE PACKET.
BUT MORE OR LESS, THE INDIVIDUAL HAS MOVED OUT OF STATE FOR WHAT HE CONSIDERS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT FOR A NEW JOB AND INTENDS TO MOVE BACK TO THE CITY, SO HE'D LIKE THE SPACE TO EXPLORE THAT NEW JOB OPPORTUNITY, KEEP HIS HOUSE AND THEN COME BACK.
THE EXEMPTION REQUEST, JUST A COUPLE OF ITEMS OF NOTE.
IF IT IS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE APPLICANT HAS THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE LICENSE PROCESS, GO THROUGH ALL THE INSPECTIONS, MAKE ANY CORRECTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY AND TO FULLY ACHIEVE THE LICENSE.
THEN FROM THE TIME THAT THE LICENSE IS ISSUED, IT'S VALID FOR ONE YEAR, AT WHICH TIME THE APPLICANT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE CITY AND REAPPLY FOR A TEMPORARY LICENSE FOR THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR, AND WOULD ONLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO TWO CONSECUTIVE TEMPORARY LICENSES.
[00:55:06]
THAT'S THE REQUESTS THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU.THE APPLICANT IS ACTUALLY ON ZOOM AND I THINK COULD ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR MIGHT LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
BUT STAFF ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 2023-58.
>> THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS?
>> I'D LIKE TO KNOW, WHO'S GOING TO BE MANAGING THIS PROPERTY LOCALLY?
>> I THINK WE DEFER TO THE APPLICANT.
MR. KENNEDY, CAN YOU ANSWER THAT?
>> YES, I CAN. I'VE LOOKED INTO A SMALLER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY, IT IS CALLED WITS, W-I-T-S.
THEY'VE LOOKED AT THE PROPERTY JUST PREEMPTIVELY AND I WON'T BE GOING WITH THE [LAUGHTER] LARGER RENTERS WAREHOUSE OR ANYTHING BECAUSE I WILL BE IN GEORGIA.
I'M ACTUALLY IN TENNESSEE RIGHT NOW.
BUT IT IS A SMALLER LOCAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY TO HANDLE THE PROPERTY WHILE I'M GONE.
>> DOES THE DOG HAVE ANY COMMENT? [LAUGHTER]
>> HE HAS A LOT TO SAY. HE'S BEEN IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR. [LAUGHTER]
>> THEY ALL DO. SOME ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
WHAT CONSTRUCTION WERE YOU DOING HERE LOCALLY? YOU DO AN OUTDOOR CONSTRUCTION, INSIDE?
>> I AM A CARPENTER FOR MORTENSON, SO I DO EVERYTHING FROM CONCRETE FORMWORK TO COMMERCIAL DOORS AND INTERIOR DOORS AND TRIM.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH ANY ASPECT OF CARPENTRY.
I JUST FINISHED UP THE RENOVATION AT [INAUDIBLE] WAS MY MOST RECENT PROJECT.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELOCATE OUT-OF-STATE TEMPORARILY WAS JUST PRESENTED AND I FELT LIKE I SHOULD TAKE IT AND IT'LL BE A GOOD CAREER MOVE.
I DO INTEND TO COME BACK TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO MY HOUSE.
IT'S NOT A PERMANENT MOVE WHATSOEVER.
>> THANK YOU. OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> SEEING THE REASON THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE THIS EXEMPTION, I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH IT.
SINCE IT'S TEMPORARY AND IT IS ZONED, EVEN IF YOUR SITUATION CHANGES, EVEN TO GET ANOTHER LICENSE IS TEMPORARY AND THEN IT WOULD GO BACK TO OWNER-OCCUPIED, SO I'M FINE WITH IT.
>> I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. KENNEDY THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IS A TEMPORARY LICENSE.
YOU COULD REAPPLY NEXT YEAR, BUT YOU ONLY HAVE TWO MORE OPTIONS TO DO THAT.
>> YES, I KNOW IT'S TEMPORARY, AND THE THREE MONTH TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS.
AFTER THIS, I'LL NEED THE INSPECTION, WHICH HEARING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE ALREADY IN THE MEETING SOUNDS LIKE IT'S VERY HARD TO PASS, SO I DO HEAR THAT AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S VALID FOR ONE YEAR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES?
>> THANK YOU, MR. KENNEDY, FOR BEING HERE AT THIS MEETING.
I APPRECIATE THE EMAIL WITH ALL OF YOUR IDEAS OF HOW YOU'D LIKE TO KEEP THE HOME UP.
I THINK THIS IS IN SPIRIT WITH THE MORATORIUM THAT WE HAD OF NOT HAVING OUR HOUSING BE BOUGHT BY CORPORATE LANDLORDS AND KEEPING THE PRICES REASONABLE AND THE LANDLORDS DO A REALLY GOOD JOB.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING SOME GOOD NEIGHBORS AS THIS BECOMES RENTED OUT, AND I'M IN FAVOR OF GRANTING A TEMPORARY AND MAYBE SEEING YOU BACK HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN A YEAR.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? THEN WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING AND RESOLUTION 2023-58.
THERE'LL BE AN AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE THEN, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
>> MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023 DASH 58,
[01:00:01]
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION AS 685, 43RD AVENUE NORTHEAST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MEN 55421.>>. SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEGINS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
ALTHOUGH ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE THEN ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO ADOPT SAY AYE.
>> MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, MR. KENNEDY, FOR JOINING OUR ZOOM MEETING.
>> IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ERIN SHARP AND HE'LL LET YOU KNOW. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT WE ARE AT OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
WE WILL GO THROUGH OUR REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.HAS ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST? CONNIE BUESGEN.
>> LIGHT IS GREEN. WE CAN START HERE.
I ATTENDED THE MINNESOTA CITIES CLIMATE COALITION WEBINAR VIA ZOOM.
ALSO ATTENDED THE METRO COUNCIL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC COMMITTEE, ATTENDED THE BOOSTERS 56 AWARDS DINNER AT IMMERSION HALL.
IT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO SEE FOLKS THERE AND THE AWARDS GIVEN OUT.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE HIGHLANDERS HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME AND WE WON THREE TO ZERO.
I KNOW THAT WASN'T THREE. IT WAS 14.
I DIDN'T WRITE THE SCORE DOWN, BUT WE WON.
[LAUGHTER] EXCUSE ME, BUT MY MEMORY IS FOGGY TONIGHT.
WE WERE RAINED OUT, THE STORM CAME THROUGH SO THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FINISH THEIR GAME.
IT WAS COMING IN FROM THE WEST AND WE WERE WATCHING THE DARK CLOUDS.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAD A LIGHTNING BREAK AND I DON'T RECALL IF THEY FINISHED IT ON SATURDAY OR RACHEL, THEY DID.
IF THE SCORE WAS BUT IT WAS FUN.
>> I HAD A GREAT TURNOUT IN THE SEATING EVERYONE.
IT WAS PRETTY FULL THERE, SO IT WAS A GREAT TIME.
ALSO ATTENDED THE DFW SECOND ANNUAL RIBS COOK OFF.
THEY STARTED THIS LAST YEAR AND WEREN'T PREPARED FOR THE CROWD THAT SHOWED UP.
THIS YEAR THEY ARE A LOT MORE PREPARED, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE IT WAS SO GOOD.
THEY HAD TEN DIFFERENT VENDORS THERE, AND IT WAS REALLY GOOD.
I TRIED TO GO AROUND TO VISIT ALL TEN.
I THINK CAN I JUST GET ONE RIB FROM EACH, AND I WAS FULL AFTER FOUR RIBS.
THEN THEY HAD THESE END PIECES.
I DIDN'T REALIZE TILL AFTER I LEFT IT THEY HAD TAKE-HOME.
NEXT YEAR I'M GETTING A TAKE-HOME CONTAINERS.
IF YOU GET A CHANCE NEXT YEAR, CHECK IT OUT, IT'S REALLY GOOD. IT WAS FUN.
I CONTINUED TO WORK WITH THE BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN, AND TAKING CARE OF THE FLOWERS THAT MERCHANT HALL, ATTENDED THE ASSESSMENT HERE AND WITH THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.
I ALSO ATTENDED HEARTS LAKE APARTMENTS CRAFTS AND ART CELL, AND THEY HAD QUITE A SHOWING OF DIFFERENT ITEMS. THEY HAD IT ON ALL THREE FLOORS IN THEIR SHARED SPACE.
IT'S FUN TO VISIT WITH FOLKS THERE.
I ATTENDED, I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY FOR A LITTLE BIT AT THE BIKE RACING.
RACE THAT THEY HAD AT HOUSTON PARK YESTERDAY, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE GOT A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT, BUT IT WAS REALLY COOL.
THEY HAD THE TRACK MARK BY RIBBONS OR TAPE, THAT WENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH EAST, AND THEN ON THE WESTERN SIDE PART OF THAT THERE, AND THERE WAS A NICE CROWD AND FOLKS WERE CRUISING ON THEIR BIKES AND THEY HAD DIFFERENT RATE FOR WOMEN, LGBTQ, NON-BINARY, AND THEY HAD YOUNG, THEY HAD NOVICE.
IT WAS REALLY FUN TO SEE OUR PARKS USED IN THAT WAY, SO IT WAS PRETTY COOL.
THEN YESTERDAY ALSO, I WORKED WITH THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, CAME TO LOAMIAKI PARK TO HELP HEIGHTS NEXT PREPARE THEIR GARDENS FOR THE WINTER.
THERE'S ABOUT A DOZEN FOLKS THAT SHOWED UP, AND THEY JUST WENT TO TOWN AND WE GOT SO MUCH DONE.
I WANT TO THANK THEM SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF IT, AND HELPING US OUT.
I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE CLEAN UP ON SATURDAY, BUT I WANT TO THINK HEIGHTS NEXT.
I WANT TO THANK RACHEL FOR BEING IN CHARGE OF IT AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS THAT SHOWED UP TO CLEAN UP CENTRAL AVENUE.
IT LOOKS SO NICE WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE TRASH AND LITTER ALONG THE ROAD.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL FOR JAMES.
>> THANK YOU. A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS AS COMES FROM OUR BUESGEN.
THE MINNESOTA CLIMATE COALITION MEETING WAS REALLY INTERESTING WITH OVER 20 CITIES LISTENING AND SHARING ABOUT THEIR CLIMATE RESILIENCY IDEAS.
WE GOT TO HEAR ABOUT THE BEMIDJI MODEL. I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT WASN'T.
IT WAS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COLLEGE THERE, AND LOTS OF GOOD WORK BEING DONE.
MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO ATTEND A LIBRARY EVENT.
THEY HAD A YOUTH PROGRAM FOR CLAY HAUNTED HOUSES.
[01:05:01]
THAT WAS REALLY FUN FOR MY STUDENTS, AND MY KIDS ENJOY ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR LIBRARY, THE LIBRARY ALSO CELEBRATED BANNED BOOKS WEEK AND I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND READ SOME BANNED BOOKS.THAT WAS WONDERFUL. BEYOND THAT, I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH THE HIGH-TECH STREET CLEANUP AND I WANT TO THANK OVER 40 VOLUNTEERS WHO CLEANED ALL UP CENTRAL AND TWO PARKS WERE DONE THIS WEEK.
FINALLY, I WANT TO CHALLENGE RESIDENTS A CLEAN THEIR STORM DRAIN.
IT'S TIME TO DO YOUR FALL ADAPTIVE STORM DRAIN CLEANING.
MY HUSBAND GOT TO MIND BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE, SO THEY ARE DONE.
THEN IF YOU HAVE ONE, THE LEAVES ARE STARTING TO FALL AND THIS OCTOBER IS A GREAT TIME TO CLEAN YOUR STERNUM DREAM AND THEN REPORT IT ON ADOPTIVESTORMDRAIN.ORG. THAT'S IT. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
>> YEAH. THANK YOU. EXCUSE ME.
I ATTENDED OUR LAST WEEK'S WORK SESSION WHICH WAS TALKING ABOUT OUR UPCOMING BUDGET AND THAT'S ALWAYS EXCITING TO HEAR.
I'M ALSO OUR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT MEETINGS AND THEN OUR PREVIOUS LIBRARY BOARD MEETING.
I ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM, WHICH IS A GOOD REMINDER TO EVERYONE OUT THERE THAT THERE'S EARLY VOTING, NOW OPEN FOR SCHOOL BOARD POSITION, AND THEN I PROPOSED SCHOOL LEVY.
I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND A WEBINAR THROUGH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES ON MEDICAID AND CHIP, WHICH IS THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM INFORMATION FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND HOW WE CAN BEST USE THAT FOR OUR CITY.
NOT SOMETHING I DID, BUT OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, WHICH IS WHY I'M WEARING MY PINK TIE AND THE CHIEF HAS THIS PINK BADGE ON.
IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT REMINDER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ROUTINE WELLNESS EXAMS AND CANCER SCREENINGS.
I THINK OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING SOMETHING SUPER COOL THIS MONTH.
THEY RANK DIFFERENT COLORED BADGES WHICH REPRESENT DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER.
THEN ALSO OCTOBER IS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH, WHICH I AM WORKING ON, WRITING A PROCLAMATION FOR OUR NEXT MEETING ABOUT.
IN THAT SPIRIT, ALSO WORKING ON A LETTER TO WRITE THE MNDOT REGARDING CENTRAL AVENUE.
THEN AS OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, MICHELLE PETTWAY HAD SPOKE TO US, I ALSO PLAN ON SPEAKING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AS THE LILIES ON IN THE COMING WEEKS TO GIVE THEM AN UPDATE ABOUT THE CITY.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, AND COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> YEAH. I ATTENDED THE WORK SESSION IN THE THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS PAST TUESDAY, WHICH SETS THE INTEREST RATES.
I ATTENDED THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS BURN ON SATURDAY.
I CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN MY ADOPTED DRAINS AND BUS STOPS.
THEN I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, SPRIGGS HAS SAID, IT IS OCTOBER, AND IT IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE CHARLOTTE HALEY.
SHE STARTED A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT IN 1991, HAND MAKING PEACH COLORED RIBBONS IN HER DINING ROOM TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR BREAST CANCER.
EACH SET OF FIVE RIBBONS CAME WITH A CARD THAT READ, AND THIS WAS 1991, THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE ANNUAL BUDGET IS 1.8 MILLION.
ONLY 5% GOES TO CANCER PREVENTION.
HELP US WAKE UP THE LEGISLATORS AND AMERICA BY WEARING THIS RIBBON.
SHE REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY MONEY IN ANY FORM OF DONATION FOR THE RIBBONS THAT SHE CREATED.
HER PEACH RIBBONS, LATER BECAME THE ICONIC PINK RIBBON THAT WE KNOW AND WHERE TODAY.
I WANT TO SEND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OUT TO THOSE CURRENTLY FIGHTING BREAST CANCER AND CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE DISEASE.
I EXTEND MY THANKS AND DEEP APPRECIATION TO THE RESEARCH TEAMS IN THEIR ADVANCEMENTS THAT HAVE PROVIDED HOPE TO SO MANY WOMEN AND MEN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I HAD MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING THAT I WAS IN POLAND FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
I'VE MISSED A FAIR AMOUNT OF COUNCIL MEETINGS.
I MISS THE ASSESSMENT HEARINGS, WORK SESSION, AND A COUNCIL MEETING, BUT WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR COUNCIL PRESIDENT, CONNIE BUESGEN FOR RUNNING THOSE MEETINGS.
WE DO HAVE REDUNDANCY SETUP HERE AT THE COUNCIL, SO IF ANYONE IS MISSING, WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE ALONG BUSINESS AS USUAL JUST AS IF WE HAVE ANY OTHER STAFF OR COUNCIL THAT'S OUT-OF-TOWN, SO THANK YOU.
COUNSELLOR BUESGEN FOR TAKING THE REINS.
BEFORE I LEFT, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE FLAG RETIRING CEREMONY AT THE DFW, ATTENDED THE RECYCLING ANNIVERSARY AT OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RECYCLING CENTER WITH THE QUANTAS, CELEBRATING, I BELIEVE 40 YEARS OF ASSISTING US WITH RECYCLING HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I ATTENDED A YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING, OUR FIRST ONE, AND NOW OF COURSE THIS WEEK WILL BE OUR FIRST ONE WITH NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS.
YESTERDAY WE HAD THE DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AS CONNIE SAID, AT OUR BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN, THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO SEE THEM OUT THERE.
IF YOU ARE AN OUTSIDE YESTERDAY, YOU MISSED A BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY.
ATTENDED OUR PARK AND REC MEETING, OUR LAST COUNCIL CORNER MEETING.
I WAS INTERVIEWED BY BLOOMBERG NEWS ABOUT OUR MAYORS MONARCH PLEDGE.
AND THEY CAME OUT TO OUR BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN FOR PHOTOS, VIDEOS, AND I INTERVIEWED OTHER GARDENERS THERE.
WHEN I GET THAT UPDATE ON WHEN THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED,
[01:10:06]
AND THE VIDEO WILL BE OUT, I WILL DEFINITELY LET YOU KNOW.BLOOMBERG NEWS AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, THAT'S GREAT.
ATTENDED THE NEW DISCUSSING RACE AND RACISM CLASS AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LIBRARY.
WENT TO THE FALL STREET CLEAN UP ON SATURDAY MORNING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, AND WE HAD MANY SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEMBERS WERE THERE AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF OUR PARK BOARD, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, MICHELLE PETTWAY WAS THERE AS WELL.
WE HAD LOTS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THAT CLEANUP EVENT.
THEN MY HUSBAND AND I MADE SURE ALL OF THOSE BAGS WERE THEN TAKEN TO THE GARBAGE REFUSE PLACE FOR THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
JUST THIS EVENING BEFORE OUR COUNCIL MEETING, WE HAD OUR SISTER CITY SOCIAL WHERE WE SHOWED PHOTOS AND HAD FOODS, POLISH FOODS TO SHARE, AND ABOUT OUR JUST OUR RECENT TRIP WE JUST TOOK.
NOW I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE BACK IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THAT GOES TO OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSON. WITH YOUR REPORT.
>> I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE FINAL SCORE WAS 18%.
>> THANK YOU. DO THAT QUITE OFTEN.
ONE THING I DO WANT TO REITERATE, AND I APPRECIATE THE COUNCIL BRINGING THAT UP IS THAT IT REALLY HELPS CITY STAFF.
IT REALLY HELPS OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WITH THE ADOPTED DRAIN VOLUNTEERS GETTING YOUR CATCH BASINS CLEANED UP.
NOT ONLY HELPS IN THE FALL, BUT IT REALLY HELPS IN THE SPRING WHEN WE GET THE SNOW MELT, WHEN WE GET THOSE EARLY SEASON RAINS THAT THE CATCH BASINS ARE CLEAN.
I THINK IT'S REALLY SOMETHING, IT'S A GREAT HELP FOR US.
WE ARE OUT STREET SWEEPING, BUT WHAT WE DO FOR STREET SWEEPING IS REALLY DICTATED BY WHEN THE LEAVES FALL.
THAT TYPE OF HELP IS A GREAT THING FOR US AND PARTICULARLY YOU'RE DOING IT NOW, BUT IT REALLY HELPS US IN THE SPRING ALSO.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE HAVING ITS OPEN HOUSE.
THAT'S AN ANNUAL PROGRAM THAT THEY DO AND THAT IS THIS SATURDAY FROM 11:00 A.M.- 02:00 P.M. AND THAT'S AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND THERE'LL BE OTHER AGENCIES THERE, INCLUDING THAT IT'S JUST A REALLY GOOD TIME TO GET OUT AND MEET THE FOLKS WHO OFTEN RESPOND WHEN NEEDED, EITHER TO A FIRE OR TO OTHER TYPE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY? I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS ONE AND I WAS THINKING WHILE WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO REALLY ANNOUNCE THIS, AND THEN IT DAWNS ON ME, IT'S NOT EVEN 3 WEEKS AWAY.
TRUNK OR TREAT IS COMING BACK.
THAT MEANS HALLOWEEN IS NOT THAT FAR AROUND THE CORNER.
IT'S JUST AMAZING, JUST FROM A TIME PERSPECTIVE THAT IT'S THAT CLOSE TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, BUT TRUNK OR TREAT WILL BE RUN ON SATURDAY AND THAT IS OCTOBER 28TH, FROM 1-4 IN HOUSTON PARK.
THAT IS REALLY A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN GROWING JUST IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT COME OUT TO IT.
I HOPE WE HAVE GOOD WEATHER FOR THAT BECAUSE IT'S A REALLY GOOD THING FOR IT TO GET THE COMMUNITY OUT AND TO PROVIDE SOME CANDY FOR THE KIDS THAT DO ATTEND.
THE LAST THING I HAVE IS THAT I KNOW THE COUNCIL HAS GOTTEN SOME QUESTIONS ON THE WINTER PARKING AND WINTER PARKING BAN, AND WE'VE MADE SOME TWEAKS TO THAT, SOME MODIFICATIONS TO IT.
THOSE CHANGES ARE UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BOTH ON THE CITY'S FACEBOOK, AND ON OUR WEBPAGE.
BUT REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO DO WAS TO NARROW THE WINDOW WHEN THE PARKING BAN IS IN PLACE.
IT HAD ORIGINALLY RUN FROM NOVEMBER 1ST UNTIL THE END OF APRIL, AND WE SHORTENED IT BY A MONTH SO TWO WEEKS ON THE FRONT AND TWO WEEKS ON THE BACKEND.
NOW THAT THE PARKING BAN GOES FROM NOVEMBER 15TH UNTIL APRIL 15TH.
IT'S SHORTENING UP BY ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FOR THAT. AS ALWAYS.
>> EXCUSE ME. DID I SAY APRIL 15TH?
>> MARCH 15TH. THANK YOU. AS ALWAYS THOUGH, WHEN WE GET 3 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND, THERE IS NO PARKING ON CITY STREETS UNTIL WE GET ALL THE STREETS PLOWED CURB TO CURB FOR THAT.
BUT WE JUST WANTED AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW THAT WORKS, SHORTENING THAT WINDOW UP.
IT'S REALLY REFLECTIVE TOO, I THINK OF THE SEASONS THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING ALSO, SO MAYOR.
AFTER YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE TRUNK OR TREAT, I WANTED TO MENTION ANOTHER EVENT THAT'S COMING UP FOR A SEASONAL EVENT, HEIGHTS NEXT HAS A NEW EVENT CALLED THE SPOOKTACULAR.
IT IS A JACK-O-LANTERNS PUMPKIN WALK THROUGH CORDIAC PARK, AND THAT IS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH FROM 4:30 - 7:30.
IF YOU LOOK SPOOKTACULAR UP, YOU MAY DONATE A JACK-O-LANTERN FOR THAT AND DROP IT OFF EARLY, OR JUST COME IN FOR AN EVENING WALK AND ENJOY THE JACK-O-LANTERN ENTRANCE IN OUR BEAUTIFUL CORDIAC PARK
>> QUICK QUESTION. THE CHANGES TO THE WINTER PARKING.
I'VE ALREADY HAD AN ONSLAUGHT OF PEOPLE CALLING AND ASKING ME
[01:15:02]
IF WHAT THEY'RE REFERRING TO IS THE TAG AND TOE IF THAT'S GOING TO BE, IN EFFECT.THERE ARE A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO FEEL THAT THE ORDINANCE IS NOT UPHELD TO THEIR LIKING.
THE QUESTION ULTIMATELY IS, ARE WE GOING TO IF CARS ARE IN THE WAY WHEN THERE IS A SNOW EMERGENCY? I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD ASK YOU OR IF I SHOULD ASK THE CHIEF WHOEVER WANTS TO SIT OUT IN THE HOT SEAT, HOW THAT'S GOING TO BE HANDLED? BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY AN ISSUE.
>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO WORK WITH PEOPLE.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE STILL WILL BE TOWING VEHICLES BECAUSE IT'S NECESSARY FOR US AND FOR THE CITY FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO DO ITS JOB OF PLOWING CURB TO CURB.
I GUESS THE POLICE CHIEF IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO.
>> SURE. THANKS, KEVIN, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, OUR ROLE DURING SNOW EVENTS IS REALLY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO CLEAR THE STREETS.
WE REALLY TRIED TO DO THAT WITH A MINIMAL IMPACT TO THE CITIZENS.
WE DO TRY TO WORK WITH THE CITIZENS AS FAR AS GETTING THE VEHICLES OFF THE STREETS AND THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE BEHIND THE SCENES, IT HAS HELPED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WE ACTUALLY TOLL DURING A SNOW EVENT.
BUT WE STILL DO TOW OUR FAIR SHARE.
BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES OF COURSE, BUT SO AS FAR AS THE SHORTENING OF THE TIMEFRAME, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY TYPE OF AN IMPACT IF THERE IS A SNOW EVENT WHERE THERE'S SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL, WHERE WE DO HAVE TO TOW VEHICLES WE'LL BE THERE TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC WORKS EFFORTS.
>> I WANT TO BE FAIR IN THAT MY RESPONSE TO MOST OF THE CONCERNS HAS BEEN THAT THERE'S A LOT GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COUNCILLOR HERBISKINS.
>> YEAH. QUICK QUESTION REGARDING THE PARKING IN THE WINTER. I DON'T KNOW IF I MISSED IT OR NOT.
ARE WE MAKING THE PARKING RAMP AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS AGAIN? DID I MISS THAT PART?
>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS, AGAIN, AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THEIR ON-STREET PARKING JUST AS A PLACE THAT THEY CAN GO TO.
>> THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT THEN WE ARE FINISHED WITH OUR REPORTS, WHICH TAKE US TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT OUR COMMUNITY FORUM?
>> THERE IS NO ONE ONLINE AND NOBODY HAS SUBMITTED A FORM TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> ALL RIGHT THEN. SEEING AS WE HAVE NO ONE HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY FORUM THEN COULD I ASK FOR AN ADJOURNMENT FROM THE COUNCIL FOR A MOTION?
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING? NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.