>> ALRIGHT, THEN, WE ARE READY TO START OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
[00:00:06]
WELCOME EVERYONE TO THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 23RD.WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN TODAY IF YOU'RE HERE IN THE CHAMBERS OR IF YOU'RE ON ZOOM.
SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL FOR ATTENDANCE?
>> THANK YOU. NOW I'D LIKE TO READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A VIBRANT, HEALTHY, AND CONNECTED CITY.
WE ARE HERE TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, DELIVER EQUITABLE SERVICES, BUILD AND STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS, IMPROVE UPON OUR PAST, AND UPHOLD OUR SUCCESSES.
WE STRIVE TO BE BETTER AND ENSURE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR EVERYONE TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.
NOW, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO PLEASE STAND AND RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WITH US.
>>NEXT, WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR CHANGES TO BE MADE? HEARING AND SEEING IS NONE, THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA?>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
ALL IN FAVOR TO APPROVE THE AGENDA, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND GUESTS.OUR FIRST WILL BE CHIEF LENNY AUSTIN WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF INTRODUCTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO CAPTAIN ERIK JOHNSTON, WHO WILL INTRODUCE OUR NEWEST MEMBER, NAOMI TOMBERS.
>> THANK YOU, CAPTAIN JOHNSTON.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR NEWEST CSO, NAOMI TOMBERS.
SHE'S ACTUALLY THE THIRD TOMBERS THAT WE'VE HIRED HERE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS, AND HER SISTER SHELBY IS STILL WORKING AS A POLICE OFFICER.
NAOMI GREW UP IN ANDOVER, AND GRADUATED FROM ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE'S CURRENTLY ATTENDING ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, BUT THE PLAN IS TO GO ON TO A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, ESSENTIALLY.
IN HER SPARE TIME, SHE ENJOYS WATER SKIING, TENNIS, AND BAKING, WHICH WE HAVE ENJOYED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OVER THE YEARS HERE [LAUGHTER].
WITH THAT I'M PLEASED TO INTRODUCE NAOMI TOMBERS, OUR NEWEST CSO [APPLAUSE].
>> WELCOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.
ALSO, POLICE CHIEF AUSTIN HAS SOME REALLY EXCITING INFORMATION THAT WE'RE PROUD OF HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SHARE WITH US.
>> YES. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES IN POLICING NOWADAYS IS THE ROLE OF POLICE IN RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS-TYPE CALLS.
THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH AND IT'S BEEN A SERIOUS CHALLENGE FOR US FOR DECADES AND CERTAINLY FOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN AROUND.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STARTED WORKING WITH CANVAS HEALTH.
WE DEVELOPED A COLLABORATIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM THAT'S REALLY HELPED US TREMENDOUSLY AND IT CERTAINLY HELPED THE CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORM, OR PERF, AS IT'S MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS, IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED POLICE RESEARCH AND POLICY ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF POLICE SERVICES THROUGH RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS LIKE US AND THROUGHOUT THE US AND ALSO ABROAD.
IT'S REALLY GREAT BECAUSE THEY REALLY GET INTO THE WEEDS ON DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT OTHER AGENCIES CAN USE AND TAKE AND DEVELOP FOR THEIR OWN PURPOSES.
WELL, RECENTLY, THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS ACTUALLY CONTACTED BY PERF BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING ON A PIECE OF DEVELOPMENT ON RESPONDING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CALLS AND WANTED INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRAM.
THIS PAST WEEK, THEY ACTUALLY RELEASED THE PUBLICATION THAT DISCUSSES THIS ISSUE AND TALKS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AS WELL AS SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTICES.
IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITH OUR PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMS IN THAT PUBLICATION.
WHAT I'LL TELL YOU IS WORKING WITH CANVAS HEALTH ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT OVER
[00:05:05]
THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAS REALLY BEEN ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE HAD, AND TO HAVE IT RECOGNIZED AND PUBLISHED IN PERF PUBLICATION, I THINK JUST SPEAKS VOLUMES AS TO THE HARD WORK AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS THAT THAT PROGRAM HAS MADE THROUGHOUT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.WITH THAT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PASS OUT INDIVIDUAL COPIES FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, AND THEN I'LL LEAVE A COPY WITH SARAH FOR THE RECORD, SO THANK YOU [APPLAUSE].
I'M SORRY, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, BUT HAS THIS BEEN SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA YET? OR IS IT THIS WEEK IT'S GOING OUT?
>> IT WILL. WE'LL BE PUTTING IT OUT THIS WEEK.
>> GREAT. JUST SHARE WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S SO GREAT.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S ON PAGE 29.
IT'S A FULL PAGE OF OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO THE DEPARTMENT.
>> I THINK IT WOULD ALSO BE WORTH NOTING TOO.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GETS TALKED ABOUT IN THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY RIGHT OFF THE BAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUT ALSO OF ELECTED LEADERSHIP.
I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT YOU FOLKS HAVE SUPPORTED ALL ALONG, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL.
I JUST NEEDED TO MENTION THAT AS WELL, BUT IT IS MENTIONED IN THERE AND IT'S TRUE.
IT DOESN'T REALLY DO US ANY GOOD UNLESS WE HAVE THE SUPPORT RIGHT FROM THE TOP. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL AT ALL?
>> ONTO OUR NEXT ITEM OF THE AGENDA, WHICH IS, AN ADDED PROCLAMATION FOR OCTOBER AS 2023 PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH AND COUNCIL MEMBERS SPRIGGS IS GOING TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION FOR US. THANK YOU.
>> PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH, OCTOBER 2023.
WHEREAS THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS JOINS THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, AND FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH IN OCTOBER.
WHEREAS THE PERSONAL, PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF WALKING CAN LEAD TO A HEALTHIER, QUIETER, CLEANER, AND SAFER STREETS, WALKING IT CAN ALSO IMPROVE LOCAL ECONOMIES AND ENHANCE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WHICH CAN LEAD TO MORE VIBRANT, RESILIENT, AND LIVABLE SPACES.
WHEREAS AT LEAST 7,508 PEDESTRIANS ARE STRUCK AND KILLED IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2022, AN AVERAGE OF 21 PEDESTRIANS PER DAY, INCLUDING 46 IN MINNESOTA LAST YEAR.
ADDITIONALLY, AN ESTIMATED 60,000 PEDESTRIANS WERE INJURED DUE TO THE ACCENTS WITH VEHICLES IN 2021.
OUR CITY HAS ALSO FALLEN VICTIM TO PEDESTRIAN DEATHS, INCLUDING THE TRAGEDY ON CENTRAL AVENUE FROM JULY OF THIS YEAR.
WHEREAS SAFE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PRIORITIZES THE SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLE AND TRANSPORTATION DESIGN CAN GREATLY INCREASE SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS BY IMPLEMENTING SPEED REDUCTION MEASURES, SEPARATED PATHWAYS, SIDEWALKS, AND PROTECTED BIKE LANES AMONG OTHERS.
WHEREAS NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH, AS A REMINDER THAT WE ARE ALL PEDESTRIANS, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT WALKERS, ROLLERS, AND THOSE WHO RELY ON MOBILITY ASSISTING DEVICES ARE SAFE WHEN THEY NAVIGATE OUR CITY, AND THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ALWAYS LOOK AT WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE FURTHER.
>> NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I AM OTHER MARKETS SIMILAR, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 2023 TO AS WALKCTOBER AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF A ANOKA STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA, I URGE THAT WE ALL REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF WALKING AND ENSURING THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS IN OUR COMMUNITY [APPLAUSE] I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBERS SPRIGGS FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE COUNCIL'S ATTENTION FOR THE SAFETY MONTH.
WE ALSO HAVE A COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SCOTT SKY, ARE HERE TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION AND COUNSELOR BRIGG SPRIGGS AND I WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT OVER TO HIM. SCOTT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.
>> I AM HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF ALL COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PEDESTRIANS AND A FEW CYCLISTS AS WELL.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT [APPLAUSE]
[00:10:18]
>> NEXT, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR VETERANS DAY, WHICH AS MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW, IS NOT UNTIL NOVEMBER 11TH.
BUT OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE ON NOVEMBER 13TH, SO IT WOULD BE AFTER VETERANS DAY, SO WE'RE DOING THE PROCLAMATION AHEAD OF TIME.
WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAS FOUNDED UPON BY THE NOBEL PRINCIPLE THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BASK IN THE BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.
WHEREAS WE AS A NATION CHARIS AND SAVOR THESE PRIVILEGES.
UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UPHELD THROUGH THE COUNTLESS SACRIFICES MADE BY OUR US VETERANS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE FROM OR HAVE LIVED HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS IT IS WITH SOLEMN HEARTS AND PROFOUND RESPECT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE ENDURING SACRIFICES OF COUNTLESS AMERICANS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF THE CHERISHED FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES THAT RESONATE, NOT ONLY WAS ALL AMERICANS, BUT ALSO WITH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.
WHEREAS WE HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DEBT OWED TO AMERICA'S VETERANS CAN NEVER TRULY BE REPAID IN FULL, FOR NO SINGLE DAY OR OBSERVANCE CAN EVER SUFFICE TO HONOR.
THE HEROIC MEN AND WOMEN WHO COMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO SAFEGUARD THE VERY PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY THAT DEFINE OUR NATION.
WHEREAS IT IS OUR SOLEMN DUTY TO REFLECT UPON THE IMMEASURABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES MADE BY AMERICAN VETERANS.
RECOGNIZING THAT THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT HAS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN SHAPING A WORLD THAT ASPIRES TO BE ONE OF LASTING PEACE.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I AM EITHER MARCUS SIMILAR, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 11TH, 2023 TO BE VETERANS DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.
A DAY TO NOT ONLY ON OUR VETERANS, BUT ALSO TO REFLECT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR SERVICE IN FORGING A PATH TOWARD A WORLD THAT ONE DAY MAN GENUINELY EMBRACED THE IDEALS OF PEACE, FREEDOM, AND LIBERTY FOR ALL.
THESE BRAVE INDIVIDUALS, WHETHER DRAFTED OR VOLUNTEERING, HAVE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE BETTERMENT OF OUR NATION AND THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
THEY DESERVE OUR UTMOST RESPECT AND GRATITUDE FOR THEIR ENDURING DEDICATION TO BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE [APPLAUSE] THIS EVENING, I HAVE A VETERAN HERE, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, KEN, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE [APPLAUSE].
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
JUST LIKE TO SHARE, IN MY GENERATION THERE WAS EIGHT OF US WERE VETERANS.
MY FIRST COUSINS, SEVEN OF US HAVE REAL STRONG TIES TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
JUST TALKED TO MY COUSIN DAVID. HE'S HERE TONIGHT.
SETH, HIS BROTHER WAS IN THE AIRPORT, HAD DIED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I FORGOT OR SOMETHING, SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS ISSUES.
BUT I JUST WANT TO RUN DOWN, DAVID EUGENE POACHER, SHE SAID WE'RE IN A SERVICE.
I WAS IN THE NAVY, INEXPENSIVELY FAMILY.
ROGER AND JIM WERE MARINES, AND RICK AND DENTISTS WERE ARMY.
THIS YEAR, A WORLD WAR II VET, CHAD WITH POLISH NAME.
HE JUST SEES YOU AS 94 YEARS OLD AND HE SERVED IN THE NAVY IN WORLD WAR II.
JACK WAS IN THE AIR FORCE AND HE MOVED ON TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT HE WAS IN KOREA, ONE OF THE YOUNGEST PEOPLE WHO MADE AN UNLISTED PILOT.
AND WE HAVE STEVE RAMIREZ, WHO IS MARINE,
[00:15:01]
AND DAN MORETTI WHO WAS IN THE NAVY, STILL LIVE IN HERE.I REALLY APPRECIATE MY OPPORTUNITY BEING A MILITARY AND BE WITH FINE PEOPLE.
WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT DEFENSE VETERANS A LOT, BUT THE FAMILIES ARE JUST IMPORTANT AS SUPPORTING THEM IN THEIR DUTY.
I JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU, KEN [APPLAUSE] I'D LIKE TO MENTION TWO, WE HAVE A GOOD 20 PEOPLE HERE THAT CAME HERE SPECIFICALLY TO HEAR KEN AND SUPPORT THIS PROCLAMATION AND THAT THE CITY IS RECOGNIZING ALL OF YOUR SERVICE.
AS KEN SAID TO THE FAMILIES THAT ARE THERE TOO, BECAUSE ONE VETERAN AFFECTS EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
TO THE PART OF OUR MEETING FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.THESE ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED AS PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA BY ONE MOTION.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL WILL BE TAKEN UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS.
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT ANY OF THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE REMOVED? HEARING IS NONE, THEN AARON, AARON IS OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
COULD YOU PLEASE READ THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
FIRST ITEM ON CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 3RD, 2023 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT HEARING MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 2, APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 9TH, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 3 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023 SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 4 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2023 YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 5, JUST BEAR WITH ME HERE.
FOR GOODNESS SAKES. HAVING A COMPUTER GLITCH.
ITEM 5, APPROVAL OF THE PREMISE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS TO CONDUCT CHARITABLE GAMBLING AT THE RAIL WERKS BREWING DEPOT, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 4055 CENTRAL AVENUE NORTHEAST.
ITEM 6 IS APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTERS, MONITORS, AND PERIPHERALS FOR CITYWIDE USAGE.
ITEM 7 IS RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.
FINALLY, ITEM 8 IS THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS IN THIS CASE TOTALING $1,094,897.54.
>> THANK YOU. I ACTUALLY DID HAVE A NOTE ON THE APPROVING THE OCTOBER 9TH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES. I PROPOSED CHANGE.
DO WE HAVE TO PULL THAT FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM TO PROPOSE IT? THEN WE'LL PULL THAT, PLEASE. OTHERWISE, MAY WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED, REMOVING ITEM NUMBER 2.
>> HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH ITEM 2 REMOVED.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
[2. Approve the October 9, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes.]
UNDER THE MINUTES UNDER THE PROCLAMATION FOR POLISH HERITAGE MONTH, IT STATES THAT MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA PROCLAIMED POLISH HERITAGE MONTH, READ THE CITY'S PROCLAMATION AND SHARED THAT MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA MADE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PROUD ON THE TRIP TO POLAND.I DID NOT DECLARE MYSELF THAT I MADE THE CITY PROUD ON THE TRIP.
I THINK GLORIA BERGSTROM MAY HAVE SAID THAT ABOUT ME AT THIS TRIP.
>> I THINK WE COULD EDIT THAT TO SAY TO STOP SENTENCE, READ THE CITY'S PROCLAMATION, PERIOD, AND THEN THE REST OF THAT BEING ADDED ONTO THE SENTENCE OF GLORIA BERGSTROM ACCEPTED THE PROCLAMATION.
>> THEN SHARE THE REST OF THAT SENTENCE PULL IN.
THAT'D BE MY SUGGESTION FOR AMENDING THE MINUTES.
>> I'LL MAKE UP FOR IT. I MOVE TO AMEND THE MINUTES LISTED HERE ON PAGE 13 UNDER A TO HAVE THE SENTENCE CHANGED TO END UP PROCLAMATION, AND THEN THE PART THAT SAYS AND SHARE TO BE ADDED ONTO THE SECOND SENTENCE.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES TO AMEND THE MINUTES AND THE SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.
NEXT WE'RE AT PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[PUBLIC HEARINGS]
[00:20:05]
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK REGARDING THIS MATTER.SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS FOR PUBLIC HEARING NUMBER 10?
>> CURRENTLY THERE'S NO ONE ONLINE TO SPEAK AT ALL.
NOBODY HAS JOINED THE MEETING ONLINE, AND NOBODY HAS ASKED TO SPEAK FOR ITEM 9 OR 10.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. THEN I WILL TAKE US INTO ITEM NUMBER 10.
>> YEAH, NO PROBLEM. [LAUGHTER].
>> I HAVE IT CROSSED OUT WHEN WE AMEND THE THINGS. ITEM UMBER 9.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-60, REVOCATION OF A LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 4411 6TH STREET NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODES.
DAN O'BRIEN IS HERE TO PRESENT.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, GOOD EVENING.
WE'RE PRESENTING THIS LICENSE TO YOU THIS EVENING FOR CONSIDERATION OF REVOCATION FOR FAILURE TO RENEW THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSE FOR THE PROPERTY.
IN MAY THIS YEAR, WE SENT THE LICENSE HOLDER A NOTICE TO RENEW THE RENTAL LICENSE.
THE NOTICE STATES THAT LICENSE HOLDER HAD TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION, PAY THE LICENSE FEES AND CALL THE SCHEDULE AND INSPECTION OF THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE LICENSE ON 30 OF 2023.
THE LICENSEE HAS FAILED TO TAKE ANY OF THE NECESSARY STEPS TO LICENSE THE PROPERTY AND HAS NOT CONTACTED OUR OFFICE AT ALL.
TODAY, I DROVE BY THE PROPERTY.
THE PROPERTY APPEARS OCCUPIED AND IT HAS NOT BEEN SOLD.
IF REVOKED, THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY REVOCATION THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS AN INTEREST IN IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WHICH MAKES THEM ELIGIBLE TO RE-ACQUIRE THE LICENSE PRIOR TO IT BECOMING UNLAWFUL TO OCCUPY IT.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR DAN? YES, COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS OR JAMES.
>> NO PROBLEM. HOW LONG HAS THIS PROPERTY BEEN LICENSED PRIOR?
>> THE PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2019.
WE RECEIVED A COMPLAINT OF ILLEGAL RENTAL PROPERTY IN AUGUST OF 2020.
WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET THE THING LICENSED UNTIL JULY OF 2021, FINALLY CHASED IT DOWN.
IN HIS ONE INSPECTION YEAR THAT WE'D HAVE HAD, HE HAD EIGHT INSPECTIONS TO GET THE PROPERTY SATISFACTORY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION.
HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM,.
>> WE HAVE MADE PHONE CALLS AND CONTACTED THEM, LEFT MESSAGES.
>> SORRY, I MISS IT. DID YOU SAY THAT THE PROPERTY LOOKS OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED?
>> IT APPEARS OCCUPIED. THERE'S SOMEBODY IN THERE.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING THEN.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND IF ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS PROPERTY, 4411 SIXTH STREET NORTHEAST, THEY MAY DO SO AT THIS TIME.
AS LONG AS YOU FILL IN A FORM AND HAND IT TO THE CITY CLERK.
THEN I'LL JUST ASK AGAIN, SARAH, TO THE CITY CLERK IF THERE IS ANY SPEAKERS ON ZOOM OR IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> THEN SEEING IS NOT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING IF I CAN ACCEPT GOOD MOTION.
>> MOVED CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-60.
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.
TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES.
NEXT I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-60 BE IN A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND PROVEN REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT BEEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-61, REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 838 41ST AVENUE NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODES.
AGAIN, WE'LL HEAR FROM DAN O'BRIEN.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE'RE PRESENTING THIS LICENSE TO YOU FOR CONSIDERATION FOR BASICALLY FOR FAILURE TO CORRECT OUR VIOLATIONS ON THE PROPERTY.
[00:25:02]
THE OUTSTANDING VIOLATION WAS ORIGINALLY ONE OF FIVE VIOLATIONS WRITTEN UP ON THE PROPERTIES EXTERIOR LICENSE RENEWAL INSPECTION WE PERFORMED ON JUNE 8TH OF THIS YEAR.THE VIOLATION IS A ROTTING, DETERIORATED SINGLE PANE GLASS WINDOW SILL AND FRAME THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED IN A WORKMAN-LIKE FASHION.
THERE WERE SEVERAL INSPECTIONS AND EXTENSIONS ON THE PROPERTY AND ONE OF THEM OR OWNER HAS MADE PROGRESS.
ULTIMATELY, THE INSPECTION, IT DIDN'T PASS.
THERE'S GAPS, THERE'S INCORRECT MATERIALS, IT'S NOT WORKING.
I DO HAVE FOLDERS IF THE COUNCIL WISHES TO VIEW THEM.
IF IT'S REVOKED TOO, AGAIN, THIS IS THE ONLY REVOCATION THAT THE PERSON WOULD HAVE HAD THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WHICH MAKES THEM ELIGIBLE TO REGAIN THE LICENSE IF DV.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> ONE QUESTION IS THE OWNER PRESENT?
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? THEN I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 10 ABOUT PROPERTY 838 41ST AVENUE NORTHEAST.
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS PROPERTY.
SEEING NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE, AND TO ASK THE CITY CLERK IF ANYONE IS ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU. SEEING AS NO ONE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, THEN I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-61.
THEY'RE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBERS SPRIGGS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-61 BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSED LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE THEN, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION,
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-56 AND 2023-62 SETTING THE SALE OF BONDS SERIES 2023A AND 2023B.
IN HERE TO DISCUSS THE BOND IS JOE KLOIBER, OUR FINANCIAL DIRECTOR.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
BEFORE YOU ARE A PAIR OF INFORMATIONAL RESOLUTIONS RELATED TO THE CITY'S PLAN TO GO OUT INTO THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AND OBTAIN BOND FINANCING ABOUT ONE MONTH FROM TODAY.
I'LL SPEAK TO A COUPLE OF THREE POINTS ON THAT.
IN ADDITION, I BELIEVE WE HAVE JASON ASWALT FROM OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR EHLERS IS ON REMOTE IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HIM.
THERE ARE TWO PROPOSED BOND ISSUES HERE.
NEITHER OF THESE ARE REPAID WITH PROPERTY TAXES.
THE FIRST IS AN EXTENSION OF EXISTING FINANCING TO A PRIVATE DEVELOPER.
THE PRIVATE DEVELOPER IS OBLIGATED FOR ALL THE REPAYMENTS AND ALL THE COSTS OF THIS EXTENSION OF THEIR EXISTING FINANCING.
THE SECOND IS A TAX EXEMPT GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND, 2.8 MILLION IN PROJECT PRINCIPLE.
BASICALLY TO FINANCE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR TWO STREET PROJECTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
THIS DOES NOT CREATE ANY NEW SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.
IN FACT, REALLY WHAT IT IS, IT ALLOWS THE CITY TO CONTINUE TO MAKE GOOD ON THE FAVORABLE TERMS THAT WERE OFFERED TO PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THOSE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.
THE PROJECTS WERE ALLOWED TO PAY THEIR SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS OVER 10 AND 15 YEARS.
I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW.
THE CITY'S PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT REVOLVING FUND IS SET UP TO HANDLE THAT ACTIVITY, BUT UP TO A CERTAIN LEVEL.
AS LONG AS THE ANNUAL PROJECTS ARE IN THE RANGE OF FIVE OR 600,000 A YEAR THE CITY CAN FINANCE THOSE ASSESSMENTS JUST AS A REVOLVING FUND.
[00:30:06]
HOWEVER, THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE SIZE OF THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN LARGER, CLOSER TO A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.THAT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THE CITY CAN INTERNALLY FINANCE.
GOING TO SEEK THIS TENURES SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BOND UNDER STATE STATUTES SECTION 429, ALL OF WHICH WILL BE REPAID WITH EXISTING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS THAT ARE LEVIED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FOR COMPLETED PROJECTS.
THE SECOND POINT I WOULD OFFER IS THIS RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU IS JUST AN OPTIONAL BEST PRACTICE FOR FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY.
THE CITY AND ITS ADVISERS COULD GO OUT INTO THE MARKET AND BRING BOND BIDS BACK TO YOU AND YOU COULD ACCEPT THEM REALLY AT ANY TIME.
BUT BY DOING THIS A MONTH AHEAD OF TIME, IT REALLY PUTS EVERYBODY ON NOTICE THAT THIS IS THE PLAN.
ALSO PROVIDES A LITTLE MORE OVER APPROVAL FOR THE ISSUANCE COSTS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN DOING THIS COST TO GET A BOND RATING, THINGS LIKE THAT.
MY LAST POINT IT'D BE TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THE ESTIMATED INTEREST RATES.
THE TAXABLE FINANCING FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ARRANGEMENT IS 5.95 IS THE ESTIMATE TODAY.
THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BOND, THAT'S A TAX EXEMPT ISSUE IT'S ESTIMATED AT 4.6 PERCENT.
IF YOUR FRAME OF REFERENCE IS THE LAST FEW YEARS, THOSE SEEM LIKE REALLY HIGH RATES.
THE ISSUE WITH THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND EVEN BEFORE THAT, THE RECESSION, INTEREST RATES WERE UNUSUALLY LOW.
ACTUALLY THE ORIGINAL THREE-YEAR FINANCING FOR THAT PRIVATE DEVELOPER WAS LESS THAN ONE PERCENT AND THAT'S JUST NOT NORMAL.
BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE COURSE OF 30 YEARS AND MANY OF OUR GENERATION LONG IMPROVEMENTS THESE RATES IN THE FOUR OR FIVE PERCENT RANGE ARE VERY MUCH IN THE MEDIAN WHEN YOU HAVE THAT LONGER TIMEFRAME.
WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'LL TAKE THEM.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
>> THANK YOU. I SEE IN THE PACKET THAT THE ESTIMATED CLOSING DATE IS DECEMBER 14TH OF THIS YEAR.
IF EVERYTHING GOES CORRECTLY, AND THE TERM ON THESE BONDS ARE THEY BOTH THE SAME? I KNOW THAT WE DISCUSSED IN THE EDA EXTENSIVELY, THE DEVELOPER IS A THREE-YEAR TERM.
WHAT'S THE TERM ON THE SECOND SET OF BONDS?
>> THAT'S SIMILAR TO THE TERMS THAT WE PROVIDE OUR PROPERTY OWNERS, EITHER 10 OR 15 YEARS FOR THEIR REPAYMENT?
>> YES. I BELIEVE MOST OF THE PROJECTS THAT THIS IS REIMBURSING WAS ACTUALLY 15 YEARS.
BECAUSE I SAID OF THAT REVOLVING FUND ARRANGEMENT, IT DOESN'T NEED EXTERNAL FINANCING FOR THE FULL AMOUNT.
>> THANK YOU. I THINK THIS IS A FANTASTIC WAY FOR US TO UTILIZE OUR OPPORTUNITY TO BOND AND OFFER THOSE TERMS TO OUR RESIDENTS.
>> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? HEARING IS NOT THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-56.
THEY'RE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, TO WAIVE THE READING ANY QUESTIONS? HEARING IS DONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-56 BEING A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF TAXABLE GENERAL OBLIGATION TEMPORARY TAX INCREMENT, REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2023A IN THE PROPOSED AGGREGATE PRINCIPLE AMOUNT OF $6,675,000.
>> SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? SEEING THERE'S NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
AND THEN NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING FOR RESOLUTION 2023-62.
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-62.
[00:35:03]
THEY'RE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, TO WAIVE THE READING ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING THERE'S NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-62 BEING A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2023B IN THE PROPOSED AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $2,895,000.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE MOTION PASSES. NEXT WE HAVE WE HAVE NO BIG CONSIDERATIONS OR NEW BUSINESS REPORTS WHICH BRINGS US TO CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST? COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS ALPHABETICAL. WE'LL JUST START.
>> FIRST, I ATTENDED I'M THE LIAISON FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AND ATTENDED THERE THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH THE GREEN STEPS TO FIGURE OUT AREAS THEY MIGHT WANT TO FOCUS ON AND THEY ALSO DISCUSSED BRINGING IN COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
CLEANED HEIGHTS NEXT AND OUR STORM DRAINS AND IF ANYONE'S OUT THERE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WINTER NEXT WEEK SO IF YOU HAVE STORM DRAINS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CLEAN THOSE OUT BEFORE WINTER HITS US.
THE NEXT DAY I ATTENDED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE, WHICH WAS WELL ATTENDED, LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE THERE.
IT WAS FUN, SEEING EVERYONE ENJOYING THEMSELVES.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE PURSE BINGO FOR FUNDRAISER FOR AN ANIMAL SHELTER.
IT WAS HOSTED BY THE LIONS AND THE BOOSTERS.
HUGE TURNOUT THERE TOO, MERCHANT HALL WAS FULL.
THERE WAS A LOT OF FUN THERE TOO.
SO I CONTINUED TO WORK ON THE LOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN AND TAKING CARE OF THE FLOWERS THAT IMMERSION FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I ATTENDED THE SPECTACULAR, WHICH WAS SPECTACULAR.
[LAUGHTER] IT WAS SO WELL ATTENDED.
IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIND PARKING.
I WAS VOLUNTEERING TO HELP OUT THE S'MORES AND COULD NOT BELIEVE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE, IT WAS A GREAT TURNOUT.
FOR THE FIRST TIME THE EVENT WAS THERE OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR JOE WAS ATTENDING.
IT WAS A GREAT TIME AND THERE WAS EVEN PEOPLE I HEARD SOMEONE WAS FROM BURNSVILLE, SO THERE ARE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THAT ATTENDED, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.
IT WAS FUN TO DO AN EVENT IN THE DARK BECAUSE THE SUN CAME DOWN AND WE HAD CANDLES IN THE PUMPKINS AND WE HAD THE FIRE GOING AND SOME OTHER THINGS BUT IT WAS COOL.
FOLKS HANGING OUT, TALKING AND ALL THE KIDS IN THEIR COSTUMES. IT WAS A GREAT EVENTS.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PUT THAT TOGETHER.
IT WAS WELL WORTH YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, I WAS ABLE TO HAVE A MEETING WITH CAPTAIN MARKHAM INDIVIDUALLY THINKING ABOUT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT'S STRATEGIC PLAN AS THEY'RE GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
LOTS OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING.
I ATTENDED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE TOO.
THAT WAS A GREAT TIME AND EVERYONE LOVES SEEING THE DALMATIANS THAT ARE THERE SO THAT WAS FUN.
I'M THE LIAISON TO THE CHARTER COMMISSION AND THEY MET ON OCTOBER 19TH AND I WAS ABLE TO BE THERE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON BEST PRACTICES ON THE MINUTES AND ON A ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER FOR PARLIAMENTARY MEETINGS SO WE HAD SOME GOOD WORK THERE.
THANK YOU TO THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR ALL OF THE EXTRA PROGRAMMING OVER THE MEA WEEKEND AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR KIDS AND YOUTH TO STAY BUSY.
MY KIDS WENT TO THE VALLEYFAIR TRIP AND HAD A GREAT TIME GETTING VALLEY SCARED.
AND THEN BEFORE OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS OUR NEXT ELECTION COMING UP IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND IT'S FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THIS TIME ON NOVEMBER 7TH, LAST COUNCIL MEETING, OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE, THAT'S THE LIAISON MICHELLE PETTWAY SHARED ABOUT THE UPCOMING LEVIES AND SO I ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO VISIT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU VOTE.
MOST RESIDENTS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WILL VOTE AT VALLEY VIEW OR AT HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY ON NOVEMBER 7TH.
AND THERE'S NO CITY ELECTION THIS TIME, BUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ONE BOARD SEAT, AS WELL AS TWO LEVEES UP FOR CONSIDERATION. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS?
>> I OBSERVED THE CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING ON THE 19TH.
I TENDED TO CARPENTER'S WORKSHOP AGAINST WAGE THEFT, MET WITH CAPTAIN MARKHAM.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THIS EVENING TO
[00:40:02]
THE CIVILIAN SUFFERING FROM THE MILITARY IMPACT OF THE ACTIONS IN ISRAEL, PALESTINE, AND GAZA.FIVE RESIDENT REACH OUTS. THANK YOU.
>> A LOT OF OVERLAP FOR A LOT OF US.
ALSO ATTENDED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE, WHICH MY SON WAS A HUGE FAN OF ALL THE BIG TRUCKS AND WHATNOT.
ALSO MET WITH CAPTAIN MARKHAM ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC PLAN.
I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND A COUPLE OF WEBINARS THROUGH THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES WAS AHEAD OF REALLY GOOD INFORMATION.
REALLY STARTING TO CONNECT WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE LEGENDS, AS THEY ARE PUSHING FOR SAFER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE LIVING CONDITIONS WITH THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THEN WE ALL ATTENDED OUR EDA MEETING JUST BEFORE THIS.
>> THANK YOU. SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, I HAVE ATTENDED OUR COMMUNITY SENIOR CONSORTIUM MEETING, WHICH MEETS QUARTERLY WITH THE LIBRARY SENIOR CENTER HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND MANY RESOURCES AROUND THE ANOKA COUNTY AND INTO HENNEPIN.
MET WITH THE POLICE WITH OUR NORMAL MONTHLY MEETINGS AND I'M GOING TO BE MEETING ABOUT THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN.
I HAD A CALL LAST WEEK WITH STAFF FROM SENATOR SMITH'S OFFICE DISCUSSING MANY ITEMS FOR OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
AND I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE YET, BUT VERY EXCITED TO TALK TO THE RESIDENTS AT THE LEGENDS BECAUSE WE DEFINITELY BROUGHT UP THE AMI AND THAT WE NEED TO ADJUST THAT MARKET INDEX.
ATTENDED MY COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FRIENDLY ROTARY MEETING.
ATTENDED THAT MEETING AS WELL.
WE DISCUSSED THE STRIVE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND FRIENDLY HIGH SCHOOLS.
ATTENDED THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS SOCIAL EVENT.
IT'S ONCE A YEAR AND THIS WAS OVER BY THE MALL OF AMERICA.
WE HAD A COMMUNITY MEETING WITH POLICE AND FIRE OVER AT WOMAC PARK FOR THAT COMMUNITY OFF OF MAIN STREET AND 40TH, WE HAD A TURNOUT OF ABOUT 30 PEOPLE SHOWED UP AND A LOT OF GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT COMMUNITY AND JUST WANT TO THANK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR SHOWING UP AND LETTING THE COMMUNITY KNOW HOW MUCH WE'RE THERE TO LISTEN AND RESPOND WHEN WE'RE NEEDED.
THE FIRE OPEN HOUSE WAS GREAT.
I HAD LOTS OF KIDS DEMONSTRATING TO ME THE SMOKE TUNNEL OF HOW YOU CRAWL UNDER THE SMOKE.
THAT'S MY FAVORITE AND APPARENTLY LOTS OF KIDS FAVORITES, ALSO THE DALMATIANS.
IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE, IT IS A LOT OF FUN.
I'VE BEEN WELCOMING MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE AT CITY HALL AND GIVING THEM A SMALL TOUR OF JUST THE PUBLIC ROOMS HERE, AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS THEIR CITY HALL.
SO THAT'S BEEN FUN TO HAVE PEOPLE HERE.
ATTENDED THE CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING JUST AS A RESIDENT TO OBSERVE.
I ATTENDED THE ALEXANDRA HOUSE MEETING.
I'M ON THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
WE MEET ONCE A MONTH AND WORK ON PLANS OF HOW WE CAN GET MORE WORD OUT ABOUT ALEXANDRA HOUSE HOUSING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS.
I ALSO WORE PURPLE ON OCTOBER 19TH, WHICH IS WEAR PURPLE DAY AND PURPLE IS THE COLOR TO RECOGNIZE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND ADVOCACY AGAINST THAT.
I WENT TO THE POLICE TEEN ACADEMY ON FRIDAY AND THANKED THE TEENS.
CHIEF, HOW MANY? WE HAD 32 ENROLLED.
>> MADAM MAYOR, I THINK IT WAS A RECORD FOR US.
I THINK WE HAD AROUND 25 KIDS.
>> IT WAS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT. [LAUGHTER]
>> I THINK 30 ATTENDED BUT THEN WHEN WITH FOOTBALL, THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT.
>> IT WAS A WONDERFUL TURNOUT ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE NICE WEATHER.
>> YES, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF THINGS, HANGING OUTSIDE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND THEY WERE LEARNING ALL ABOUT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY SO THAT WAS EXCITING, WE HANDOUT CERTIFICATES.
AND THEN TO FINISH OFF THE WEEKS, AS COUNSEL OF OUR BUESGENS MENTIONED THE SPOOCTACULAR HEIGHTS NEXT EVENT AT CORDIAC PARK.
I BELIEVE WE HAD UPWARDS OF 600 PEOPLE COME THROUGH.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND BROUGHT A TRUCK, AND LOTS OF KIDS GOT TO SEE THE TRUCK AND THERE WERE PUMPKINS THROUGHOUT THE PARK AND IT WAS A LOT A LOT OF FUN.
SO WE'LL DEFINITELY DO THAT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
THAT TAKES ME TO OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AARON CHIRPICH REPORT.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST A FEW EVENTS TO MAKE A NOTE FOR THE RESIDENTS.
CITY'S ANNUAL TRUCKER RE-TREATMENT IS THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH, FROM 1-4 AT HUSET PARK.
CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS CAN EXPLORE A VARIETY OF CITY VEHICLES, INCLUDING POLICE CARS, FIRE TRUCKS, TOW TRUCKS, DUMP TRUCKS,
[00:45:02]
GARBAGE TRUCKS, MAIL TRUCKS, AND A SCHOOL BUS.EACH VEHICLE STATION WILL HANDOUT CANDY FOR KIDS MIDDLE-SCHOOL AGE OR YOUNGER, AND CANTONESE ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME IN COSTUME.
THEY'LL BE FREE HOT BEVERAGES AND HOT DOGS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.
A PET COSTUME CONTEST WILL TAKE PLACE AT 02:30 PM, AND YOU CAN VISIT THE CITY'S WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
JUST A REMINDER THAT WHEN YOU'RE PARKING RESTRICTIONS WILL BEGIN NOVEMBER 15TH AND NOT NOVEMBER 1ST AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, RESIDENTS CAN REQUEST TEMPORARY PARKING PERMIT, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 08:25, 41ST AVENUE OR YOU CAN FIND IT ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
RESIDENTS IN NEED OF A PERMIT SHOULD COME TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS, OR YOU CAN CALL 76370681, 8 100 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
THE 40TH AVENUE OPEN HOUSE IS COMING.
THIS IS A CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN ANOKA COUNTY ARE INVITING THE PUBLIC INTO AN OPEN HOUSE FOR THE HIGHWAY TO OR 40TH AVENUE CORRIDOR STUDY.
THAT OPEN HOUSE IS SCHEDULED ON NOVEMBER 2ND FROM 5:00-7:00 PM HERE AT CITY HALL.
THIS MEETING IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDY AND UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THIS CORRIDOR.
WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT OF THAT CORRIDOR AND CHANGES THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE THERE.
AND THEN FINALLY, THE DRUG TAKE BACK AND COFFEE WITH A COP IS GOING ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH FROM 10:00-2:00 PM AT PUBLIC SAFETY WHERE YOU CAN RETURN UNWANTED OR UNUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND ALSO HAVE A COFFEE WITH A COP. THAT'S IT.
THAT BRINGS US TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
WHENEVER WE GO OVER ONE PAGE, I'M ALWAYS FIGURING OUT THE PAGES.
THE COMMUNITY FORUM IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
THE COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.CITY CLERK, SARAH, DO WE HAVE ANYONE WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT?
>> SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN-PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORM AND SUBMIT IT WITH 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 CAMERAS 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. THANK YOU, SARAH.
>> ABSOLUTELY. SO THERE IS NO ONE ONLINE.
THERE IS ONE PERSON IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
DUANE MORELL WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. MY NAME IS DUANE MORELL.
I WAS GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING I MENTIONED AT AN EARLIER MEETING ABOUT THE QUALIFICATIONS OF KEVIN FOR CITY MANAGER.
I'D LIKE TO SUSPEND THAT BECAUSE HE'S NOT HERE.
I'M NOT TRYING TO ATTACK HIM PERSONALLY.
I JUST SEE ISSUES WHICH NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO BRING UP OR CONSIDER AND I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THOSE ITEMS TO YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER YOU FEEL HE'S QUALIFIED TO ACCEPT THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER.
TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO COVER A COUPLE OF THINGS.
I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW MY COMMENTS MAY OVERLAP ON SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID EARLIER BUT IT WAS THE PEDESTRIAN PROCLAMATION. WAS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES. YOU'RE WELCOME TO COMMENT ON THAT.
>> I BIKE A LOT. I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE VIOLATING THE TRAFFIC LAWS CROSSING CENTRAL AVENUE.
THERE WAS ONE FAMILY, I CAN'T REMEMBER, IT WAS SIX OR SEVEN PEOPLE IN THE GROUP CROSSING AGAINST THE LIGHT AT 49TH IN CENTRAL, NOT USING THE BRIDGE.
THEY HAD, I THINK FOUR ADULTS AND THREE CHILDREN, ONE INFANT BEING CARRIED.
[00:50:05]
DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOT GOOD AT ALL, AND SO SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.THE BRIDGE WAS PUT IN VERY AWKWARD.
THE STUDENTS USING THE BRIDGE WOULD WANT TO GO UP 49TH RATHER THAN CIRCLE AROUND TO CENTRAL AVENUE AND THEN FOLLOW THE SIDEWALK AND GO UP 49TH.
PEOPLE WOULD GO IN THE SHORTEST DIRECTIONS POSSIBLE.
THAT FAMILY INDICATES THAT THEY WEREN'T INTERESTED IN USING THE BRIDGE.
THEY WERE RISKING THEIR LIVES CROSSING CENTRAL AND VERY DANGEROUS.
I SEE PEOPLE BETWEEN 40TH AND 49TH DOING THAT ALL THE TIME, CROSSING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AGAINST TRAFFIC.
RISKING THEIR LIVES FOR JUST SAVING A COUPLE OF SECONDS.
ALSO, THE COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING TRUCKS.
I MENTIONED THAT THE CITY MIGHT GET THEM SOMETHING.
I'M THINKING OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT TRUCKS, WERE THEY STARTED OUT WITH THE TWO MAIN CREWS ON THE REAR END LOADING TRUCKS FOR GARBAGE PICKUP.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE ARRANGEMENT IS WITH THAT GROUP, BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING TO MAKE THEIR PICKUP MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE.
ANY HELP THAT THE CITY COULD GIVE THEM DIRECTION OR FINANCING OR SUPPORT, I THINK WOULD MAKE IT MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE FOR THE RESIDENTS.
ALSO, I'D LIKE TO MENTION TO THE POLICE CHIEF THAT I'VE NOTICED THAT ONE SCHOOL BUS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DROPPED TO SPEED ON RESERVOIR.
I'M NOT SURE IF SOMEONE HAS TALKED TO THEM, BUT IF SOMEONE HAS, THEY DESERVE THE CREDIT OR RECOGNITION FOR ACCOMPLISHING THAT.
HE'S STILL FAST, BUT NOT NEARLY AS FAST AS HE WAS.
ALSO, DOES A COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAVE A HR DEPARTMENT ANYMORE? THEY DO? OKAY. HOW WOULD BE ISSUES OF UNPROFESSIONAL, UNETHICAL, ULTRA LEGAL ISSUES BE HANDLED? DO WE CONTACT THE HR DEPARTMENT?
>> YOU WOULD CONTACT THE CITY MANAGER.
WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO START THAT CONVERSATION.
>> HOW ABOUT IF IT INVOLVES A CITY MANAGER?
>> THEN YOU COULD CONTACT THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS IF YOU'D LIKE TO.
>> HOW ABOUT IF IT INVOLVES THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER?
>> I THINK YOU WOULD STILL NEED TO CONTACT THEM AND THE COUNCIL.
>> THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO START, AND IF YOU INVOLVE THE COUNCIL THAN WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT TOO.
>> IT WOULD BE SOMETHING FOR ME TO BRING UP AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YOU SURE COULD OR YOU COULD CALL ANY OF US OR SEND US AN EMAIL.
YOU COULD CALL AND LEAVE A VOICEMAIL TOO.
>> MAYOR, I HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> I THINK IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE CONFIDENTIAL, I THINK THAT THE BEST APPROACH WOULD BE TO GO TO THE HR DIRECTOR.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD FALL IN THAT CONFIDENTIAL RANGE ABOUT EITHER THE CITY MANAGER, THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER THEN MY OPINION IS IT'S BEST HANDLED BY THE HR DIRECTOR.
AND I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR STAFF INFORMATION IS ON THE WEBSITE. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YEAH, THAT IS CORRECT. MADAM MAYOR, CONTACT INFORMATION FOR HR DIRECTOR KELLY WICK, DIRECT EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER.
>> I CAN ASSIST YOU IN GETTING THAT INFORMATION AFTER THE MEETING.
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DUANE? SARAH, ANYONE ELSE OR CITY CLERK, SARAH, ANYONE ELSE?
>> YES. KATHY COOPER WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> I JUST HAVE A REAL QUICK QUESTION ABOUT THE NOISE ORDINANCES SPECIFICALLY FOR THE GARBAGE HAULING PEOPLE.
[00:55:09]
I USED TO DRIVE TRUCK FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 21 YEARS AND WE COULDN'T START WORKING TILL, I BELIEVE IT WAS 7:00 AM, AND I'VE BEEN WOKE UP MANY TIMES, INCLUDING THIS MORNING BEFORE 7:00 AM BY THE GARBAGE MEN.SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE ORDINANCE IS REGARDING THAT? CAN ANYBODY?
>> DO WE HAVE A QUICK ANSWER FOR THAT?
>> MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD NEED TO RESEARCH THE ORDINANCE.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES OPERATIONAL HOURS FOR GARBAGE TRUCKS.
WE DO ADDRESS CONSTRUCTION START AND STOP TIMES, BOTH LIMITED TO 7:00 AM AND 7:00 PM, BUT I DON'T THINK IT INCLUDES GARBAGE TRUCKS, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO FURTHER RESEARCH THAT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION AND WE'LL LOOK INTO THAT.
>> IS THAT SOMETHING WE COULD REPORT ON AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING?
>> YES, WE CAN DETERMINE THAT.
>> THANK YOU, KATHY. ANYONE ELSE WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT?
>> ALL RIGHT, AND THEN NO ONE ON ZOOM AS WELL?
>> ALL RIGHT THEN. HEARING THERE'S NO ONE ELSE FOR THE COMMUNITY FORUM, THEN I WOULD TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOTHING ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION IS APPROVED AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.