>> TECHNOLOGY. SO I'D LIKE TO START THE MEETING.
[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
[00:00:06]
WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH.SARAH, COULD YOU PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL?
>> ABSOLUTELY. COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> NEXT, I'LL 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.
NEXT, IF YOU ARE ABLE PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> AND IF YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR PAST MEETINGS, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT ADDING THE LANGUAGE FOR THE PLEDGE IS NEW.
THIS IS SOMETHING I DISCUSSED WITH OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSEN, THAT IF WE ARE SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, THERE MAY BE PEOPLE HERE WHO MAY NOT KNOW THE PLEDGE AND WOULD LIKE TO SAY IT ALONG WITH US AND LEARN IT OR PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE WHO ARE NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH IT.
THAT THIS WOULD HELP PEOPLE BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF OUR OF OUR PLEDGE.
SO WE'VE ADDED THAT INTO OUR AGENDA.
NEXT IS THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA OF THE COUNCIL.
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY ADDITIONS OR SUBTRACTIONS? SEEING AS NONE THEN, MAY HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED?>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING IS NOT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NOW WE HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR OUR COUNCIL MEETING.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
THE PORTION OF THIS MEETING IS CLOSED PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATE 13D-0.05 SUB3B.MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND.
FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE, PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION AT 763-706-3610.
WE HAVE ONE TOPIC, DISCUSS CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGY RELATED TO THE CURRENT LEGAL CASE OF K. KATIE JACOBS VERSUS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND SARAH ION, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CLERK.
COURT CASE FILE 02-CV-23-5152.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO RECESS TO THE CLOSED SESSION.
>> MOVE TO RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION, PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 13D-0.05 SUBDIVISION 3D IN THE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE TO ENGAGE IN CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGY RELATED TO THE CURRENT LEGAL CASE OF K. KATIE JACOBS VERSUS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND SARAH ION IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CLERK.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> IS THERE ANY ABSTAIN? ALL RIGHT.
YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION, SARAH, FOR THAT?
NOW WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND GO TO A BACK CONFERENCE ROOM FOR THIS CLOSED SESSION AND THEN WE WILL RETURN AND RECONVENE THE MEETING.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
>> LOOKS LIKE WE'RE ALL READY TO GO.
SARAH, READY TO RECONVENE AND START OVER OR CONTINUE, I SHOULD SAY? NOT START OVER.
>> YES. YOU'LL WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECONVENE?
>> YES. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE READY TO GO BEFORE I ASK FOR A MOTION.
>> MAY HAVE EMOTION THEN TO RECONVENE THE OPEN SESSION.
[00:05:01]
>> MOVE TO RECONVENE THE OPEN SESSION.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
>> THANK YOU. WAS THAT ALL AYES? IT WAS ALL EYES, YES. THE MOTION PASSES.
WE ARE NOW BACK IN OUR SESSION.
NEXT WE HAVE, IN ADDITION TO OUR AGENDA,
[Additional Item]
WHICH IS AN INTRODUCTION OF OUR ANOKA COUNTY ATTORNEY, BRAD JOHNSON.WELCOME TO OUR COUNCIL MEETING, BRAD.
THANK YOU. ATTORNEY JOHNSON I SHOULD SAY.
>> HERE WE GO. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO COME TONIGHT.
GOOD EVENING TO ALL OF YOU AND THE STAFF.
ATTORNEY EVE, CHIEF, CHARLIE, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO COME HERE AND JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ANOKA COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
MY MINDFUL OF PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING THIS ON TELEVISION.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW SOMETIMES WHAT THE ANOKA COUNTY ATTORNEY DOES.
SOMETIMES THAT'S A GOOD THING BECAUSE THAT MEANS THAT MAYBE OUR OFFICE HASN'T RISEN TO THEIR ATTENTION OR THE NEED FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH US AND THAT HOPEFULLY MEANS THAT WE'RE DOING SOME THINGS RIGHT.
BUT LET ME JUST START OUT BY SAYING THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, IS TO BE THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR FOR ALL FELONY.
THAT'S THE BIG STUFF, CRIMES AND ALL JUVENILE CRIMES AND THE COUNTIES.
SO THAT'S THE STUFF THAT RELATES TO THE KIDS.
IT'S ALSO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND MY PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING OUR LEVEL BEST TO GIVE GOOD LEGAL ADVICE TO ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, SO THAT INCLUDES HUMAN RESOURCES AND THE SHERIFF AND TRANSPORTATION AND ALL THE VARIOUS SERVICES, ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT THE COUNTY DOES AND ENGAGES WITH PEOPLE IN, AS WELL AS GIVING GOOD LEGAL ADVICE TO THE COUNTY BOARD, WHICH IS OUR GOVERNING BODY.
WE HAVE 46 ATTORNEYS, INCLUDING ME AND 105 STAFF.
WE'RE ALMOST THE SIZE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.
THAT'S BECAUSE WE LIVE IN AN ANOKA COUNTY, WHICH IS THE FOURTH LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WITH NEARLY 370,000 PEOPLE IN IT, AND SO IT'S A BIG DEAL.
IT'S THE LARGEST LAW OFFICE OF ANY TYPE NORTH OF THE CITY IS TO CANADA AND IT'S THE SECOND-LARGEST ALL THE WAY OUT TO SEATTLE FROM THE CITY.
I AM PLEASED TO REPORT TO YOU THAT WE ARE AT FULL STAFF, AND THAT'S A BIG THING BECAUSE YOU HAVE PEOPLE COMING AND GOING, YOU HAVE RETIREMENTS, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO TAKE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR COUNTY BOARD IN THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET THAT IT HAD APPROVED SEVEN NEW POSITIONS IN OUR OFFICE, AND THAT'S EVEN A BIGGER DEAL BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SHORT STAFFED ON VARIOUS FUNCTIONS IN THE OFFICE, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
OUR PLAN IS TO ADD IN 2024 THREE NEW ATTORNEYS, THREE SUPPORT STAFF, AND ONE INVESTIGATOR TO OUR RANKS SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
THIS IS MY FIRST FULL YEAR AS COUNTY ATTORNEY.
I RAN ON A PLATFORM THAT I USED TO CALL CRIMINAL JUSTICE 2030, AND THAT'S BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU CAN TAKE A JOB LIKE THIS WITHOUT HAVING A PLAN FOR WHAT TO DO IN THE FUTURE DOWN THE ROAD.
THERE'S SOME IMPORTANT BENCHMARKS IN THAT PLAN THAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT VERY BRIEFLY TONIGHT.
A SPECIFIC ITEM ON THAT PLAN WAS TO ASSIGN A RELATIONSHIP ATTORNEY FROM OUR CRIMINAL DIVISION TO EACH OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.
YOUR RELATIONSHIP ATTORNEY IS JASMIN QUIGGLE IN OUR CRIMINAL DIVISION.
SHE'S BEEN ASSIGNED TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND WE'VE DONE THAT WITH ALL OF THE OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
THE PURPOSE OF THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE HAS SOMEBODY TO CALL WHEN THEY NEED TO FIND OUT ABOUT A CASE, OR FIND OUT ABOUT A DECISION, OR FIND OUT ABOUT SOME EVOLUTION IN THE LAW OR PRACTICE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITIZENS IN YOUR AREA.
WE ALSO ARE ASSIGNING A LIAISON OR RELATIONSHIP ATTORNEY TO EACH OF OUR MAJOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY, AND IN 2024, YOU WILL HAVE ONE OF OUR JUVENILE DIVISION ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ABILITY TO STAY CONNECTED ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
IT'S MY VIEW THAT EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT OR LIKE A BAROMETER ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.
[00:10:02]
SO THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN ST.FRANCIS OR IN BLAINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN ANOKA OR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND SO IT'S JUST GOOD TO HAVE THAT POINT OF COMMUNICATION.
I ALSO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOME POLICIES THAT EXISTED.
I THINK THEY CAME ABOUT BEFORE OR AROUND THE TIME OF COVID WHERE THE OFFICE HAD MADE SOME DECISIONS NOT TO PROSECUTE CERTAIN CRIMINAL OFFENSES.
USUALLY THOSE WERE LOWER-LEVEL DRUG OFFENSES, BUT THERE WERE SOME OTHERS THAT THEY WOULD MAKE DECISIONS NOT TO PROSECUTE ON, AND I DIDN'T LIKE THAT.
WHAT I RATHER WANTED WAS A PRE-CHARGED DIVERSION PROGRAM.
WHENEVER PEOPLE COME INTO CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT'S THE EXPECTATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY THAT OUR OFFICE IS GOING TO DO WHAT IT CAN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT PUT THEM INTO CONTACT WITH THE POLICE.
DOESN'T ALWAYS REQUIRE A SOLUTION IN COURT, DOESN'T ALWAYS REQUIRE A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OR A SENTENCE.
IT'S OUR JOB TO TRY TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THOSE CASES WHERE WE THINK WE MIGHT MEET OUR GOALS OF REHABILITATION WITHOUT EVEN INVOLVING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEREBY LEAVING PEOPLE WITHOUT A CRIMINAL RECORD WHERE IT'S APPROPRIATE TO DO SO.
I THINK THAT'S JUST PART OF A HEALTHY COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND PART OF A HEALTHY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WE HAVE THAT PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING.
THOSE ARE SOME MAJOR THINGS WE'VE DONE TOWARD OUR GOAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE 2030.
THERE'S PLENTY MORE WORK FOR US TO DO.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT VERY BRIEFLY IS WHAT A PLEASURE IT IS TO WORK WITH CHIEF AUSTIN AND OTHERS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WE HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL THINGS IN ANOKA COUNTY THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SO THAT PEOPLE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS KNOW THAT THEY EXIST.
MAYOR, YOU'RE ON THE JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL WITH ME AND THE CHIEF, AND THE JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL IS A SPECIAL THING IN ANOKA COUNTY.
NO OTHER COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS ONE.
WHAT THE JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL IS IS IT'S A COUNCIL THAT INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES FROM EVERY CITY THAT HAS A POLICE DEPARTMENT IN ANOKA COUNTY, PLUS THE SHERIFF, PLUS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, PLUS ME.
THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY INCLUDE THE POLICE CHIEF AND EITHER A COUNCILMEMBER OR A MAYOR FROM THAT CITY.
THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HELPS US LEVERAGE THE DIFFERENT TALENTS WE HAVE AROUND THE COUNTY.
IT ALSO HELPS US COLLABORATE ON THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO US.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAD IN OUR LAST JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL MEETING WAS THE CREATION OF A SCHOOL SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU MAYOR AND CHIEF FOR ACCEPTING MY INVITATION TO BE PART OF THAT COMMITTEE BECAUSE I THINK YOUR VOICES AND YOUR VIEWS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT, JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THEY ARE FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ANDOVER WITH MY SHERIFF OR IN BLAINE WITH THE BLAINE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT THEY SERVE AND ELSEWHERE.
WE WILL GET TOGETHER SOON AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
BUT A LOT OF THAT AS YOU WELL KNOW AND WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS HEARD STEMS FROM SOME OF THE RECENT LEGISLATION ON SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO ENCOURAGE THE LEGISLATURE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM? IT WAS CREATED BY SOME OF THAT LEGISLATION.
BUT ALSO TO SEE ARE THERE OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN BE DOING THAT WILL IMPROVE THE WAY THAT WE PROTECT KIDS IN SCHOOLS AND ALSO BE MINDFUL OF THE IMPACTS THAT THE PRESENCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ON PEOPLE THAT THEY COME INTO CONTACT WITH, WHETHER THEY'RE IN A SCHOOL OR OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.
WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO UNWITTINGLY CREATE LIABILITY FOR ANY CITY OR A COUNTY WITHOUT THINKING THROUGH WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS.
I KNOW YOUR CITY ATTORNEY HAS SOME STRONG VIEWS THAT I HAPPEN TO AGREE WITH ALONG THOSE LINES.
IN ADDITION TO THE JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL, I WANT TO COMPLIMENT THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR BEING A LEADER ON SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT TO ME NOT JUST IN THIS ROLE, BUT ALSO WHEN I SERVED ON THE COON RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL.
THAT IS YOU WERE AMONG THE FIRST THAT HAD AN EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER IN YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKING WITH CANVAS HEALTH.
I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW LEADERSHIP HAPPENS.
YOU DO IT HERE AND YOU HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
THAT THEN MEANS THAT COON RAPIDS AND BLAINE GET TOGETHER AND THEY SAY WE OUGHT TO DO THAT.
I REMEMBER HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH MY CHIEF OF POLICE, WHO WAS BRAD WISE AND WHO IS NOW THE SHERIFF AND WE DECIDED TO DO THAT WITH BLAINE.
[00:15:02]
IN FACT THAT WAS DURING OUR YEAR COMING OUT OF COVID, THAT WAS THE ONE EXTRA THING THAT WE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO REFLECT POSITIVELY ON THE LEVY.WE WERE GOING TO DO A ZERO LEVY THAT NEXT YEAR, BUT WE DID A POINT WHATEVER IT WAS LEVY BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT SOCIAL WORKER AND WE WANTED THE PUBLIC TO KNOW ABOUT THAT.
WHAT THAT MEANS THOUGH IS THAT NOW THAT IS EVOLVED SO THAT BLAINE HAS ITS OWN FULL-TIME EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKER, COON RAPIDS HAS THE SAME THING.
THE SHERIFF WHO WAS THE COON RAPIDS CHIEF IS LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO EMBED SOCIAL WORKERS WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY HOW THIS EVOLUTION HAPPENS AS WE LOOK AT CONCEPTS FOR THE NEW JAIL THAT THE COUNTY NEEDS TO BUILD.
THERE IS A PLAN TO EMBED A SOCIAL WORKER IF NOT MORE THAN ONE, AS A PART OF THE RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS INSIDE THE JAIL ITSELF.
THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR THAT LEADERSHIP.
WE COUNT ON YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS AND YOU SHARING THOSE IDEAS THROUGH THE JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL AND THROUGH YOUR PROFESSIONALS.
WE COUNT ON YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THAT AREA, AND I'M HAPPY TO SERVE WITH AND ALONGSIDE ALL OF YOU.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ACCOLADES.
I KNOW OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS WORKED VERY HARD ON ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS AND ALSO WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE THE MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT HELPS WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AS AN OUTREACH INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND WITH OUR COUNSEL AND MANY OTHER LEADERS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR VERY POWERFUL COMPLIMENTARY WORDS TO OUR DEPARTMENT.
>> THERE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK THE PUBLIC DOESN'T ALWAYS SEE.
JUST ON VETERANS DAY OR THE DAY OFF FOR VETERANS DAY, I WAS SPEAKING TO ABOUT 40 PEOPLE THAT WERE ASSEMBLED AT THE HUMAN SERVICES CENTER IN BLAINE, NEW AMERICANS WANTING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE COURT SYSTEM.
I SAID MUCH AS I'M DOING HERE AND GOING ALONG, I SAID, WHO'S NEXT ON YOUR LIST? I THINK THE CHIEF IS GOING TO BE GOING THERE AND SPEAKING TO THEM ABOUT THINGS WITH THE CHIEF FROM BLAINE AS WELL.
THE PUBLIC DOESN'T ALWAYS SEE THAT, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE HERE AND WE ARE AT THE COUNTY VERY ENGAGED IN MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE OUT THERE AND WE'RE AVAILABLE TO SERVE THEM.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
>> VERY EXCITED TO SEE OTHER CITIES ADOPTING OUR PROGRAM. IT'S JUST A GREAT WAY.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, BEFORE WE HAD THE CANVAS, HOW WE COULD GO ABOUT DOING IT, TRY DIFFERENT THINGS AND THEN FINALLY HOOKED INTO THIS PROGRAM.
IT'S SO EXCITING BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE NOW WITH THESE MORE CITIES EMBEDDING THIS PROGRAM INTO THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT MEANS THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COUNTY WILL NOW START IMPROVING, TOO SO I'M SUPER EXCITED, ESPECIALLY THE JAILS.
I LOOK AT THE POLICE REPORT WHEN THEY RECORD ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE DEALING WITH OUT THERE AND IT'S LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY.
I KEPT LOOKING, I HAVE A SOCIAL SERVICE BACKGROUND.
BUT IT'S SO EXCITING, VERY EXCITING.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE CITIES WHO ARE DOING THE WORK, TOO.
>> ALL RIGHT. WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN AGAIN AND YOU'RE WELCOME ANYTIME, WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
>> THANK YOU. IT WAS MY PLEASURE. APPRECIATE THE TIME.
>> I ACTUALLY SHOULD WE DO A PICTURE WITH YOU, ATTORNEY JOHNSON WITH THE COUNCIL.
SO IT'S NICE THAT WE LIKE TO QUITE TAKE MEMORY THESE MOMENTS.
>> WE'RE GOING TO COME DOWN AND STAND IN FRONT OF ME.
>> SORRY, TO ASK [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER].
>> THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE] I APPRECIATE IT.
[00:20:01]
>> IT WAS A MOMENT OF [INAUDIBLE].
YOU DON'T GET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HERE EVERY DAY.
THAT TAKES US NOW TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[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 CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL WILL BE TAKEN UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS.
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REMOVED? COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE ITEM 2, PLEASE.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? SORRY. INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN, COULD YOU GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH REMOVING ITEM NUMBER 2?
>> I WILL. THANK YOU. MAY I REMEMBER IS THE COUNCIL THERE ARE SEVEN ITEMS ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.
THE FIRST OF THESE IS TO APPROVE THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 23RD.
THE THIRD ITEM IS HVAC MAINTENANCE PROPOSALS.
THAT WOULD BE TO ACCEPT THE BID FROM NORTHLAND REFRIGERATION? WE DID RECEIVE FOR BIDS FOR THIS.
THIS ISN'T A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
THE CURRENT HOLDER THIS CONTRACT IS HOROWITZ.
WE'VE HAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
AND NORTHLAND JUST CAME IN AT A MUCH LOWER COST TO THE CITY OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD.
WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH NORTHLAND REFRIGERATION AND THEIR LEAD TECH IS SOMEONE THAT WE'VE USED AND HAD GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH WITH HOROWITZ.
SO REALLY AS A COST SAVING MEASURES, IT'S FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT.
WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO AWARD THAT CONTRACT TO NORTHLAND REFRIGERATION.
THE NEXT ITEM IS TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH LOCKRIDGE, GRINDAL AND NAUEN.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN SPEAKING WITH THE COUNCIL REGARDING LOBBYISTS SERVICE FOR SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS THAT WE HAVE AND REQUESTS THAT WE HAVE FOR 2023.
THE VERY FIRST OF THESE WILL BE THE STATE BONDING REQUESTS WE HAVE INTO THE LEGISLATURE FOR STATE GRANT, REALLY BONDING FOR OUR PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THAT BUILDING.
OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE COMING UP, WE'LL DISCUSS WITH THE COUNCIL.
CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THAT, WOULD BE FOR SALES TAX, REFUND OF SALES TAX FOR THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS USED IN THIS BUILDING.
THE FIFTH ITEM BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS THE BUSINESS LICENSE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
THE SIXTH ITEM IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES AS PRESENTED, AND THOSE ARE FOR RENTAL HOUSING.
AND THEN THE LAST ITEM FOR YOU ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA IS REVIEW THE BILLS TOTALING $1,739,843.44, MAYOR.
>> I HAVE A COMMENT. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE AGREEMENT WITH A LOBBYIST AND I KNOW PEOPLE MAY BE WONDERING WHY OUR CITY IS HIRING A LOBBYIST.
WE ALL KNOW THAT BIG CORPORATIONS HAVE LOBBYISTS WORKING ON THEIR BEHALF AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
AND SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE BEEN LEARNING IT'S A WHOLE SYSTEM, THE LEGISLATURE AND I'M EXCITED THAT WE CAN NOW AS CITIZENS AND AS THE CITY HAVE A LOBBYIST WORKING ON OUR BEHALF.
>> SOMEONE THERE WHO KNOWS THE SYSTEM, WHO KNOWS HOW TO MOVE THROUGH THE HEARINGS AND TO WORK FOR US.
AND SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THE STAFF RECEIVING THESE BIDS AND I'M EXCITED TO LOOK AT THE PROVING THIS LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT.
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE LOBBYISTS WHO HAVE HAD LOTS OF CONVERSATION ABOUT IT AND WORK SESSIONS.
AND I'M GLAD WE'RE ABLE TO DECIDE ON ONE AND GET THIS ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK PUT IN TO GET THIS TO HAPPEN.
IT'S REALLY GOING TO IMPROVE OUR CHANCES AS A CITY TO MOVE A LOT OF PROJECTS FORWARD.
JUST ECHOING OUR COUNCILMEMBER JAMES HERE. COUNCIL BUESGENS.
>> I JUST WANTED I BELIEVE IT WAS MARY [INAUDIBLE] THAT BROUGHT UP THE IDEA FOR US TO GET A LOBBYIST.
SO I WANT TO THANK HER TOO FOR BRINGING IT TO OUR ATTENTION.
>> VERY GOOD. THEN SAYING THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, MAY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS ITEM NUMBER 2. SO MOVED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEGINS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUS ITEM NUMBER 2.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 2, COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
[2. Approve the November 6, 2023 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes. MOTION: Move to approve the November 6, 2023 City Council Work Session Meeting minutes]
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE MINUTES FOR THE WORK SESSION OF NOVEMBER 6TH DO CONTAIN A LOT OF THE PIECES OF THE STATEMENT THAT COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS READ,
[00:25:03]
IN REGARDS TO THE PROPOSALS FOR AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM FOR THE CITY MANAGER SEARCH.BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACTUALLY INCLUDE HER LETTER IS PART OF THE COLLATERAL TO THOSE MINUTES.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? I GUESS, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THAT, BUT WE CAN JUST ADD THE LETTER, CONNIE'S INFORMATION TO THE MINUTES.
>> WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT, IT'S A MOTION.
>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVE OTHER THINGS TOO FOR THE SAME.
>> YEAH. IF YOU ARE AMENDING OR MODIFYING THE MINUTES, OR ADDING ANYTHING TO THE MINUTES, IT'LL NEED TO BE DONE BY MOTION.
>> WHICH I MADE A MOTION SPECIFICALLY TO ADD THAT SWITCH WOULD PROBABLY VOTE ON THAT BEFORE MOVING FORWARD UNLESS THERE'S DISCUSSION ON IT.
>> THE PROCEDURE ON THAT SINCE THE COUNCILMEMBER DID MAKE EMOTION, IS YOU ASK IF THERE'S A SECOND AND IF YOU DON'T GET A RESPONSE AFTER TO REQUEST THEN THE MOTION FAIL TO IMPLY AS A SECOND.
IF YOU GET A SECOND THEN YOU GO ON [INAUDIBLE]
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAD A COUPLE OF CHANGES TO THE MINUTES.
IF WE WOULD LIKE TO AMEND AS AMENDED MOTION OR WE CAN GO FORWARD WITH TWO SEPARATE VOTES ON THE SAME MINUTES.
>> THAT'S UP TO COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS BECAUSE SHE DID MAKE THE MOTION.
IF SHE WANTS TO MODIFY THAT MOTION OR SUSPEND THAT MOTION UNTIL THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION IS DONE, THAT'S FINE.
OTHERWISE, SHE CAN ASK THAT IT BE MOVED DOWN RIGHT NOW.
>> I BELIEVE THAT MY MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE A VOTE ON THAT MOTION AND KEEP THE OTHER SEPARATE.
>> I'VE EMOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS TO ADD IN COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS' STATEMENT.
IS THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO PHRASE IT? THAT'S OKAY.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT ITEM? HEARING IS NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU. I JUST HAD TO CLARIFICATIONS UNDER THE TOPICS.
ON PAGE 16 UNDER FINANCE AND LIQUOR, IN THE FOURTH PARAGRAPH, IT SAYS, MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE THE SALE OF MINIATURE LIQUOR BOTTLES TO BE ENDED.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE TO MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA STATED THAT SHE HAS CONCERNS ON THE SALE OF MINIATURE LIQUOR BOTTLES AND THE CORRESPONDING LITTER AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE INFORMATION RELATED TO THE SALES STATISTICS.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE THAT CHANGED AND THEN LATER IN THE SAME FINANCE AND LIQUOR, MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE STAFF IN TRAINING THEM IN LIQUOR AND BEER EDUCATION.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE STAFF BE MORE EDUCATED AND TO ADD THIS TO THE BUDGET.
I DIDN'T REQUEST TO ADD IT TO THE BUDGET.
I HAD REQUESTED TO DISCUSS IF BENEFICIAL BUDGET IMPLICATIONS.
IF THERE WERE MORE EDUCATION HAPPENING.
>> I MOVE TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? THEN ALL IN FAVOR ON MAKING THOSE CHANGES SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME CLARIFY THAT.
THEN MAY HAPPEN, I GUESS THAT OUR MOTION IS TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES THEN.
>> GOOD, SO WE'RE NOT DONE. WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AMENDED NOVEMBER 6TH CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS TO APPROVE THE AMENDED MINUTES.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING IS NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, THAT BRINGS 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
[00:30:01]
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.OUR ITEM NUMBER 8, FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1690, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9.111 OF THE CITY CODE OF 2005 TO ESTABLISH LIMITED RETAIL SALES AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE CITY'S LIGHT INDUSTRIAL I1 AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL I2 DISTRICTS.
THANK YOU. ANDREW BOUCHER WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM.
>> COUNCILMEMBERS, TODAY, AS WAS STATED, WE HAVE THE FIRST READING OF ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT ORDINANCE TO SECTION 9.11 D AND E. ALLOWING LIMITED RETAIL SALES AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE LIGHT AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
THIS WAS AN APPLICATION BROUGHT TO US BY SOUTHERN ANOKA COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS SACA, AND TIM MCCARTHY ACQUIRED LAW IS REPRESENTING SACA IN THEIR ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT APPLICATION AND IS PROPOSING LIMITED RETAIL SALES AS A PERMITTED USE IN BOTH THE LIGHT AND IN GENERAL INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS.
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT FOR ZONING AMENDMENTS PER 9.104F.
JUST SO YOU GUYS ARE AWARE OF WHAT THOSE FINDINGS OF FACT ARE, THE FOUR CRITERIA ARE THE AMENDMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE AMENDMENT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND NOT SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A SINGLE PROPERTY OWNER.
THEN THE OTHER TWO ARE NOT NECESSARILY AS APPLICABLE HERE WHERE THE AMENDMENT IS TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
THE EXISTING USE OF THE PROPERTY AND THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY WITHIN THE GENERAL AREA OF THE PROPERTY ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE PROPOSED ZONING CLASSIFICATION.
WE'RE NOT PROPOSING A ZONING CHANGE.
THIS IS JUST AN ADDITION TO THE USES THAT ARE ALREADY ALLOWED THERE.
THEN THE FOURTH CRITERIA IS WHERE THE AMENDMENT IS TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION.
HAS THERE BEEN A CHANGE IN THE CHARACTER OR TREND OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE GENERAL AREA WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE SINCE SUCH PROPERTY WAS PLACED IN ITS CURRENT ZONING CLASSIFICATION? THE FIRST TWO ARE REALLY WHAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON.
IS THIS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND IS THIS IN THE PUBLIC INTERESTS AND NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF A SINGLE PROPERTY OWNER? THE PROPOSED TAX CHANGES ARE AS FOLLOWS.
WE WOULD LIKE TO AMEND SECTION 9.103, THE DEFINITION SECTION OF THE ZONING CODE TO PROVIDE CLARITY REGARDING THE SCOPE AND INTENSITY OF LIMITED RETAIL SALES, WHICH READS AS FOLLOWS.
WE DEFINE LIMITED RETAIL SALES AS THE RETAIL SALES OF PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED, PROCESSED, OR DELIVERED IN BULK AND REPACKAGED FOR SALE ON THE SITE.
PROVIDE THAT THE SALES AREA DOES NOT EXTEND 20% OF THE GROSS FLOOR AREA OF THE PRINCIPLE BUILDING AND HERE'S TO FORM THE STANDARDS THAT WE SET IN SECTION 9.106.
THE BUYING CONDITION GOT TO KIND OF SEE SOME EXAMPLES OF SECANTS CURRENT SITE AND THEN THEIR FUTURE SITE AT 3905 CALIFORNIA'S STREET.
BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL.
THIS IS JUST TO ALLOW THE USE, SO THEY WOULD STILL COME IN FOR BUILDING PERMITS.
WE WOULD STILL GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO REVIEW IT ADMINISTRATIVELY.
BUT THIS IS VERY MUCH NOT A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL.
THE OTHER EDITION THAT WE WOULD ADD IS THE ADDITION OF LIMITED RETAIL SALES AS PERMITTED USES IN BOTH THE LIGHT AND IN GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS AND IS STAFF'S OPINION THAT THIS AMENDMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE GOALS OF THE INDUSTRIAL GUIDING FOR A MIX OF LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND VEHICLE REPAIR USES AS AN ACCESSORY USE TO WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION.
LET ME PULL UP JUST SO YOU GUYS HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT'S ALREADY ALLOWED THERE.
IN THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, WE DO ALLOW MAJOR AND MINOR AUTOMOBILE REPAIR, OFFICE SPACE, SHOWROOMS, WAREHOUSING, PAWN SHOPS, TATTOO SHOPS, BODY PIERCINGS SHOPS, MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS STORES, AND BREWERY TAP RUNS.
THE MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS STORE IS SOMETHING I'D LIKE YOU GUYS PAY ATTENTION TO YOU BECAUSE THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF RETAIL THAT'S ALLOWED AT A FULL INTENSITY WITH NO LIMITATIONS.
IF SOMEONE WERE TO BE INTERESTED IN ONE OF THOSE USES, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ALLOWED PERMITTED OUTRIGHT.
[00:35:01]
WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY BEYOND THEM COMING IN FOR BUILDING PERMITS.THAT'S ABOUT AS MUCH AS WE REGULATE THAT.
SOME OTHER USES INCLUDE ROUGH LOVE DOGS.
THAT'S COMMERCIAL KENNEL PROPERTY.
WHAT ELSE? WE'VE GOT SOME OUTDOOR SALES AND DISPLAYS.
>> STARTING TO STREAM THROUGH.
YES. STAFF IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE REQUEST AND CHANGE TO THE CITY CODE AND WE HAVE DRAFTED THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR LIMITED RETAIL SALES IN THE I1 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND I2 GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS AS A PERMITTED USE.
BUT LIKE I SAID THEY WOULD BE LIMITED TO 20% OF THAT GROSS FLOOR AREA, SO THAT WOULD BE A HARD LIMIT THAT WE WOULD BASICALLY REVIEW, SHOULD THERE EVER BE A DESIRE TO EXPAND THE BUILDING OR FOR ANY OTHER USES TO COME IN LIKE THAT.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1690 ON THE FIRST CONSIDERATION.
>> ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER, JACOBS?
>> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE NEIGHBORS THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THIS INDUSTRIAL AREA.
WE FIGURED THAT THEY WERE WITHIN TWO SITES THAT WE'RE AWARE OF WHERE THIS USE WAS TO BE CONSIDERED.
BUT LIKE I SAID THIS IS NOT A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
WE WOULD GET A CRACK AT THEM IF THEY WERE TO COME IN AND APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT FOR ANY CHANGES.
BUT THIS IS JUST MORE SO TO ALLOW THE USE AND SO WE DID SOLICIT SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
WE HAD TWO PEOPLE TESTIFY ONE IN SUPPORT OF IT, ONE AGAINST IT AND THE PERSON AGAINST IT WAS WITHIN THE 350 FOOT RADIUS.
SHE JUST HAD CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC, CRIME AND I BELIEVE THOSE WERE THE PRIMARY ONES.
>> I'M GOING TO ASK MY QUESTION A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY FOR CLARIFICATION.
THE HOMES THAT ARE ALONG THAT AREA LOMIANKI PARK AND THE ACTUAL RESIDENTS, THE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, ONE OF THOSE HOMES CANNOT BE CONVERTED INTO A RETAIL BUSINESS IF WE MAKE THIS CHANGE, IS THAT MY UNDERSTANDING?
>> THIS ONLY APPLIES TO THE INDUSTRIAL ZONE PROPERTIES, AND SO THERE ARE NO RESIDENTIAL USES BEYOND A CARETAKER'S RESIDENCE THAT'S ALLOWED IN THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, SO THAT'S CORRECT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE OF THAT, THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> THANK YOU, CITY PLANNER ANDREW BOUCHER.
WELL I'D LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING THEN.
CITY CLERK ION, IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> NO ONE HAS ASKED TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE IN CHAMBERS OR VIA ZOOM.
>> IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL ONE MORE TIME? ALL RIGHT AND THEN CITY CLERK ION JUST ONE MORE TIME, IF THERE'S ANYONE ON THIS COUNCIL CHAMBERS OR ON ZOOM THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ALL RIGHT THEN. THEM HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING.
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE OF READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1690.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC?.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING AS NONE THEN MAY YOU SAY AYE IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF THIS.
NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO SET THE SECOND READING.
>> MOVED TO SET THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1690 AND ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9.111 OF THE CITY CODE OF 2005 TO ESTABLISH LIMITED RETAIL SALES AS A PERMITTED USE OF THE CITIES I1 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND I2 GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS FOR NOVEMBER 27TH, 2023, AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
>> HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING IS NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU. NEXT STEP BRINGS US TO ITEM NUMBER 9.
[00:40:03]
[NOISE]>> ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-65 FOR ABATEMENT AT 3912 ULYSSES STREET NORTHEAST PURSUANT TO CITY CODE AND WE HAVE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF O'BRIEN HERE FOR THIS TOPIC.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, GOOD EVENING.
>> THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS TO DISCUSS THE DECLARATION OF VIOLATIONS LOCATED AT 3912 ULYSSES STREET AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND FOR THE SUBSEQUENT APPROVAL FOR AN ABATEMENT MEASURES BY A CITY HIRED CONTRACTORS.
THE ORIGIN OF THIS MATTER CAN BE TRACED BACK TO A COMPLAINT FILED IN LATE APRIL DETAILING VIOLATIONS PERTAINING TO A DAMAGED FENCE AND A FAILING RETAINING WALL ON THE MENTIONED PROPERTY.
STAFF HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE INSPECTIONS AND SEVERAL NOTICES WERE SENT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER WHO REGRETTABLY HAS NOT RESPONDED.
THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION ON NOVEMBER 13TH REVEALED THAT THE VIOLATIONS REMAIN UNCORRECTED.
I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR YOU TO SHARE SOME PHOTOS WITH YOU.
I SET IT UP WITH SARAH HERE TO DO JUST THAT.
I'M JUST GOING TO SHOW YOU FOUR PICTURES, BUT TWO BEFORE THE INITIAL INSPECTION AND TWO ON THE LAST INSPECTION THAT WE TOOK.
YOU'LL SEE HERE FIRST ONE IS OF THE DAMAGED AND LEANING FENCE WITH MISSING SECTION.
THIS ONE HERE IS OF THE RETAINING WALL THAT'S COLLAPSING WITH DIRT COMING THROUGH.
THEN THESE ARE THE FINAL INSPECTIONS HERE ON NOVEMBER 3RD, FENCE STILL NOT REPAIRED AND THE RETAINING WALL IN WORSE CONDITION.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I CAN CERTAINLY ANSWER THEM FOR YOU.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT.
HEARING NONE, THEN I OPEN UP THIS ITEM NUMBER 9 FOR THE PUBLIC FORUM.
>> CITY COUNCIL ION, IS ANYONE HERE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> NO ONE HAS ASKED TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM EITHER VIA ZOOM OR IN CHAMBERS.
>> THANK YOU, AND I'LL ASK ONE MORE TIME FROM THE COUNCIL IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
SEEING IS NONE. I WILL ALSO ASK CITY CLERK ION ONE MORE TIME IF ANYONE IN THE CHAMBERS OR ON ZOOM WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> THANK YOU. THEN I WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-65 THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? WE MOTION THEN TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-65 BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING ABATEMENT PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE PROPERTY LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AS NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT STEP BRINGS US TO ITEM NUMBER 10, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-66, REVOCATION OF A LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 1153 AND 1155 CHEERY LANE NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODE.
AGAIN WE HAVE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF O'BRIEN TO BRING US THIS TOPIC.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO RENTAL LICENSE REVOCATIONS FOR THE PROPERTY AND ALSO THEY WERE BACK-TO-BACK THERE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TWO HEARINGS FOR THE REVOCATION IT'S FOR THE SAME LICENSE.
IT'S A PROCEDURAL MATTER THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
THE NEED FOR THE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS ARISES FROM DISTINCT AND SEPARATE ISSUES PROMPTING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE REVOCATION IN EACH CASE.
THE INTENT IS TO ADDRESS EACH ISSUE THROUGH SEPARATE HEARINGS AND IS AIMED TO UPHOLD DUE PROCESS AND ENSURE A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF THE MATTERS UNDER CONSIDERATION.
[00:45:01]
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE INTENTION BEHIND THESE HEARINGS IS PROCEDURAL AND WILL NOT COUNT AS TWO SEPARATE INSTANCES OF THE LICENSE REVOCATION AGAINST THE LICENSEE.IF THE LICENSE IS REVOKED IN ONE OR BOTH CASES, IT ONLY COUNTS AS A SINGLE REVOCATION AGAINST THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY THAT HE'S HAD IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WHICH MAKES THEM ELIGIBLE TO RE-ACQUIRE A LICENSE PRIOR TO THE PROPERTY BECOMING UNLAWFUL TO OCCUPY.
THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE'LL DISCUSS IS THAT AND PRESENTED TO YOU IS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE REVOCATION FOR THE LICENSEE'S FAILURE TO RENEW THE RENTAL LICENSE.
NOTICE FOR THE RENEWAL OF RENTAL LICENSE WAS SENT TO THE OWNER IN AUGUST, THE BEGINNING AUGUST.
THERE ARE THREE ELEMENTS OF RENEWAL IN THIS CASE.
THEY HAVE TO CALL AND SCHEDULE INSPECTION OF THE PROPERTY, SUBMIT THEIR COMPLETED LICENSE APPLICATION AND PAY THE LICENSING FEES.
THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY SCHEDULED THE INSPECTION BUT FAILED TO SUBMIT A RENTAL APPLICATION OR PAY THE LICENSING FEES BY THE DUE DATE.
I'M OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> THANK YOU, ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?
>> WHAT'S THE LICENSE HISTORY OF THIS PROPERTY? HAVE THEY PREVIOUSLY BEEN LICENSED?
>> YES THEY HAVE. OUR SYSTEM GOES BACK TO 2019 AND THEY'VE HAD A LICENSE EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN.
>> AND THE RENEWAL CYCLE FOR THAT? THIS IS THEIR SECOND TIME RENEWING IT?
>> NO, THIS IS PROBABLY THEIR FIFTH TIME RENEWING IT, THAT'S IN THIS CURRENT SYSTEM.
>> THAT TELLS ME THAT THEY'RE LIKELY AWARE OF THE RENEWAL SYSTEM.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? THEN I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THIS TO THE PUBLIC.
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM NUMBER 10, PROPERTY 1153 AND 1155 CHEERY LANE, NORTHEAST.
>> CITY CLERK ION IS THERE ANYONE HERE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC?
>> THERE IS NOT ANYBODY IN CHAMBERS OR VIA TEAMS.
>> ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. ANYTHING FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING IS NONE.
I'LL JUST ASK CITY CLERK ION ONE MORE TIME IF THERE'S ANYONE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS OR ON TEAMS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> ALRIGHT. THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING AND RESOLUTION 2023-66.
THERE'LL BE AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>>I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING THERE'S NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-66 BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, IMPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING AND HEARING AS NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, ITEM 11, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-67, REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 1153 AND 1155 CHEERY LANE NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODE.
AND AGAIN, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF O'BRIEN.
>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M PRESENTING THE LICENSE TO YOU AGAIN FOR CONSIDERATION OF REVOCATION FOR A FAILURE TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS ON THE PROPERTY.
THE INSPECTORS WERE UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRY ON THE ORIGINALLY SKELETON INSPECTION OF THE PROPERTY ON SEPTEMBER 1ST BECAUSE THE LICENSEE DID NOT NOTIFY THE PROPERTY MANAGER AND OUR INSPECTORS COULD NOT VERIFY THAT THE TENANTS WERE PROPERLY NOTIFIED OF THE INSPECTION PER STATE LAW.
ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, INSPECTORS CONDUCTED THE INITIAL INSPECTION AND FOUND 11 VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE, INCLUDING SMOKE ALARM AND EGRESS WINDOW OF LIFE SAFETY VIOLATIONS.
ON OCTOBER 18, A DAY PRIOR TO THE NEXT SCHEDULED INSPECTION, THE PROPERTY MANAGER COMPANY CONTACTED OUR OFFICE TO REQUEST AN EXTENSION.
PER OUR POLICY, WE DO NOT GRANT EXTENSIONS ON LIFE SAFETY VIOLATIONS AND AN EXTENSION FOR OTHER ITEMS REQUIRES A DEMONSTRABLE HARDSHIP AND AN EFFORT TOWARDS COMPLIANCE.
THE PROPERTY MANAGER WAS INFORMED OF THIS AND WAS TOLD THAT IF THE LIFE SAFETY VIOLATIONS WERE CORRECT ON THE NEXT INSPECTION AND THEY CAN PROVIDE US WITH A SIGNED CONTRACTS FOR REPAIRS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR, WE'D BE WILLING TO GRANT THEM REASONABLE EXTENSION OF TIME FOR COMPLIANCE.
[00:50:01]
THE FOLLOWING DAY THE INSPECTORS ARRIVED FOR THE SCHEDULED INSPECTION, BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY FOR THE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE TENANTS ARE AGAIN, NOT NOTIFIED.WE'VE PERFORMED OUR PRE-COUNCIL INSPECTION ON NOVEMBER 3RD AND ONLY ONE OF THE VIOLATIONS, A CLOGGED DRAIN WAS CORRECTED.
THE OTHER VIOLATIONS INCLUDING LIFESAVING SAFETY ONES REMAINED UNCORRECTED.
AGAIN, I'M OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE REGARDING THIS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER JAMES? YES.
>> THANK YOU. ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF O'BRIEN, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANTED TO STATE I'M VERY GLAD THAT YOU ARE HOLDING THE PROPERTY MANAGERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOTICE TO TENANTS.
I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM TENANTS IN OUR CITY AND ELSEWHERE THAT THEY'VE BEEN ENTERED IMPROPERLY WITHOUT NOTICE.
AND SO I WAS GOING TO ASK WHAT'S YOUR PROCEDURE TO VERIFY THAT THEY'VE NOTIFIED TENANTS?
OUR INSPECTORS, ASK THE TENANTS WHEN THEY ARRIVE, IF THEY KNOW ABOUT THE INSPECTION, KNEW THAT WE WERE COMING AND THEY GET VERIFIED OR NOT OR IF THEY'RE NOT AROUND, THE PROPERTY MANAGER TAKES US THROUGH AND WE ASSUME THAT PEOPLE HAD BEEN NOTIFIED.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT THE CITY IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE TENANTS IN THIS CASE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALRIGHT THEN. I WILL OPEN THIS UP.
IF ANYONE IS HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 11, THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.
>> THANK YOU. JUST GOING TO ASK YOU, ONCE AGAIN TO THE COUNCIL, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK OR HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ITEM NUMBER 11? SEEING NONE, I'LL JUST ASK THE CITY CLERK ION ONE MORE TIME IF THERE'S ANYONE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS OR ON TEAMS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> THANK YOU. SEEING AS NO ONE HAS COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM, COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> MOVED TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-67.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING IS NOT THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-67.
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 COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AND DISCUSSION.
SEEING IS NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THEN THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE ARE AT ITEM NUMBER 12, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-68.
REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 1401 AND 1403 CIRCLE TERRACE BOULEVARD NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODE.
THEN WE HAVE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF O'BRIEN HERE AGAIN.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS HEARING IS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE REVOCATION OF A LICENSE FOR A DUPLEX BECAUSE THE LICENSEE, PAUL ALLEN DOMINO, FAILED TO RENEW THE RENTAL LICENSE BY THE DUE DATE OF JULY 31ST.
NOTICE FOR THE RENTAL LICENSE RENEWAL WAS SENT OUT TO THE OWNER ON OR AROUND JULY 1ST.
THE THREE ELEMENTS OF RENEWAL IN THIS CASE, WERE AGAIN CALL AND SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION OF THE PROPERTY, SUBMIT A COMPLETED LICENSE APPLICATION AND PAY THE LICENSING FEES.
A CHECK OF OUR RECORDS ON OCTOBER 10TH REVEALED THAT THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY HAD NOT INITIATED OR COMPLETED ANY OF THE ELEMENTS NECESSARY TO RENEW THE RENTAL LICENSE.
A STATEMENT OF CAUSE AND NOTICE OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING WAS SENT ON THAT SAME DAY.
ON NOVEMBER 6TH, OUR OFFICE WAS CONTACTED BY THE BROTHER OF THE LICENSEE KEITH, STATING THAT THE LICENSEE HAD A MEDICAL ISSUE WAS HOSPITALIZED THE DAY PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 5TH.
HE ALSO STATED THAT THE LICENSEE'S MOTHER WAS ILL.
NO EXPLANATION OF WHY THE RENTAL LICENSING PROCESS HAD NOT BEEN INITIATED WAS PROVIDED TO US AT THAT TIME.
IF REVOKED, THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY REVOCATION THE OWNER HAS HAD IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WHICH WOULD MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE TO RE-ACQUIRE THE LICENSE PRIOR TO THE PROPERTY BECOMING UNLAWFUL TO OCCUPY.
JUST FOR NOTICE OR WHATEVER, IT'S BEEN ABOUT 98 DAYS OR 3 MONTHS AND 6 DAYS OVERDUE SINCE THE APPLICATION WAS DUE.
>> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING AND BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR COMMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS?
>> ASSISTANT CHIEF, HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION OR ANY PROOF THAT THERE WAS HOSPITALIZATION OR FAMILY CRISIS?
[00:55:02]
>> NONE THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US NO.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALRIGHT, THEN THIS IS AN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM, SO I'D LIKE TO OPEN THIS.
SORRY, CITY CLERK ION, IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> THANK YOU. THE COUNCIL ONE MORE TIME.
WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT OR HAVE QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM? SEEING IS NOT.
WE WILL ASK ONE MORE TIME IF THERE'S ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT OR QUESTION ON ITEM NUMBER 12. CITY CLERK ION.
>> THERE IS NO ONE ONLINE OR IN PERSON.
>> ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. SEEING AS NO ONE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, WOULD I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAVE THE RESOLUTION OF 2023-68.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBERS SPRIGGS, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AS NONE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-68, 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 COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBERS SPRIGGS, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE RECESS BEFORE WE MOVE TO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE. CITY CLERK, ARE WE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD NOW? IS THAT ALL RIGHT?
>> GREAT. THAT TAKES US TO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
ITEM NUMBER 14, THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 1691 BEING AN ORDINANCE TO UPDATE REGULATIONS REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL.WE HAVE CAPTAIN JOHNSTON HERE TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED THIS ORDINANCE WITH YOU IN WORK SESSION AND AGAIN, THIS IS AN ORDINANCE BASICALLY TO UPDATE ARTICLES OF OUR CURRENT CITY CODE TO ALIGN THEM WITH STATE STATUTES AS RELATES TO ANIMAL CONTROL AND SPECIFICALLY HEARINGS RELATED TO MOTIONS RELATED TO YOUR ORGANIZATION AND OTHER AVENUES WITH ANIMALS.
I DID TAKE THE FEEDBACK YOU PROVIDED IN THE WORK SESSION.
WE'VE MADE THOSE CHANGES IN THE CODE.
THERE'S QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT PUBLIC NUISANCE SECTION, AND I DID ACTUALLY REMOVE THAT OUT OF THIS SECTION AND WE'RE JUST NOT EVEN GOING TO USE THAT.
THEN FINALLY, I DO HAVE ONE MINOR CORRECTION IN THE SECOND MOTION.
ON THE SECOND LINE IT SAYS CHAPTER 8, IT SHOULD SAY ARTICLE 1, SO IT SHOULD BE A ONE AFTER THE WORD ARTICLE.
WITH THAT, I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS?
>> I HAVE A COMMENT. THANK YOU FOR DOING ALL THE WORK AND CHANGES IN THE LANGUAGE FOR US.
IT'S A LOT MORE HUMANE. APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT COMPLIMENT.
THEN NO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL BESIDES COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
THEN HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1691.
THERE'LL BE AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, AND THE SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO SET THE SECOND READING.
>> MOVE TO SET THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NUMBER 1691, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING.
DO I INCLUDE CHAPTER 8 OR NOT?
>> CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE 1 OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CODE TO UPDATE REGULATIONS REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL TO ALIGN WITH THE STATE STATUTE FOR NOVEMBER 27TH, 2023 AT APPROXIMATELY 06:00 PM AND THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
ANY DISCUSSION? THEN ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT ITEM 15, CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 48 24TH STREET NORTHEAST.
WE HAVE CITY PLANNER BOUCHER HERE.
>> COUNCIL, THE OWNER FOR 48 24TH STREET CAME IN TO APPLY FOR RENTAL LICENSE.
WE FOUND THAT THAT BLOCK WAS AT THE CAP.
[01:00:01]
THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF THE EXEMPTION PROCESS, AS WELL AS THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A TEMPORARY LICENSE THAT CAN ONLY BE RENEWED TWICE.THEY WOULD COME BACK NEXT YEAR SHOULD THEY DESIRE FOR THE SAME PROCESS AND THEY ARE AWARE THAT NO PROPERTY CAN HAVE THIS TEMPORARY LICENSE MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN A ROW.
THERE'S A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE APPLICANT THAT'S ATTACHED TO THE PACKET AND IT IS AT YOUR SOLE DISCRETION TO APPROVE OR DENY IT.
>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OTHER THAN THEY JUST WANT TO RENT IT IN THE LETTER.
>> I DID SUGGEST TO THEM THAT THEY TRY TO CREATE A COMPELLING NARRATIVE, BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE.
>> THEY JUST WANT TO RENT IT TO RUN IT.
>> YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY CRITERIA FOR THEM TO SATISFY AS THIS IS UP TO YOU GUYS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS. COUNCILMEMBER, JACOBS.
WHEN LOOKING AT THE INDIVIDUAL'S LETTER, IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THE PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED TO BE A RENTAL.
THAT'S AN INCOME PROPERTY THAT THERE'S NO MILITARY SERVICE INVOLVED.
THERE'S NOTHING I WOULD FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, ANY OTHER COMMENT OR QUESTION FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING THERE IS NONE THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING?
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OR RESOLUTION 2023-63.
THERE'LL BE AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING THERE'S NONE, A LL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
>> MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
WE'LL JUST START OVER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE MOTION PASSES TO WAIVE THE READING.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-63, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION OF 48 24TH STREET NORTHEAST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS MEN 55421.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS TO ADOPT ANY DISCUSSION. COUNCILMEMBER JAMES.
>> I'LL NOTE THAT THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO GRANT IT ARE SAYING NO.
WAS THERE ANY TESTIMONY IN PERSON FROM THE HOMEOWNER HERE TONIGHT? THAT'S THE ONLY DISCUSSION I HAD.
>> THANK YOU. JUST A QUESTION OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
>> IF WE VOTE YES ON THIS RESOLUTION, THEN WE WILL GRANT THE EXEMPTION.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GRANT THE EXEMPTION, VOTE IT NO.
>> THANK YOU. CAN WE HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE?
>> IF WE IF WE NEED IT, WE COULD DO THAT, BUT WELL, CITY CLERK.
>> IF NEEDED, WE'LL CLARIFY THE VOTES.
>> THEN ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO GRANT THE APPROVAL SAY AYE.
ALL THOSE AGAINST PLEASE SAY NAY.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS NOT ADOPTED.
NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 16, EXTENSION OF THE ACRED ACRID MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
I HEARD MITCH WOULD BE HERE BUT ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
>> ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AARON SHEPHERD CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS TO DISCUSS AN EXTENSION FOR THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CITY HAS WITH LOCAL AND COUNTY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS ACRED.
SO JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND THIS INITIATIVE REALLY STARTED IN 2017 AND SET OUT TO ESTABLISH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES ACROSS THE COUNTY AND COLLABORATE WITH CITIES, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND NETWORKING.
AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS A MARKET ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY A CONSULTANT HIRED BY ANOKA COUNTY TO REALLY CREATE THIS INITIATIVE.
IN 2019, THE CITY SIGNED ONTO THE INITIATIVE FOR A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, AND THAT FIVE-YEAR PERIOD IS SET TO EXPIRE JANUARY 10TH OF 2024.
[01:05:01]
WHAT ACRED IS DOING? THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING ANOTHER CONSULTANT TO DO A LOOK AT WHERE'S THE ORGANIZATION NOW? WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD? RATHER THAN RESIGN FOR AN MOU THAT WOULD EXTEND THE PARTNERSHIP ANOTHER FIVE YEARS, BOTH THE COUNTY AND ALL OF THE CITIES AND THE CONSORTIUM THOUGHT THAT IT WAS PRUDENT TO LOOK AT A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE PARTNERSHIP TO COMPLETE THAT NEW STRATEGIC PLAN AND THEN SEE IF THERE'S ANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WOULD CHANGE THE PARTNERSHIP OR LOOK AT A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING MOVING FORWARD.WITH THAT IN MIND, STAFF ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE RECOMMENDED ONE-YEAR EXTENSION.
CREATING THAT TIME, IT WOULD BE THE SAME COST-SHARING AGREEMENT THAT'S CURRENTLY IN PLACE FOR THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT.
JUST AS A MATTER OF CLARIFICATION, THE CITY HAS HISTORICALLY OVER THIS FIVE-YEAR SPAN, DRAWN THOSE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THIS COLLABORATION WHICH ARE $1,246 FROM THE CITY SPECIAL EDA LEVY THAT'S PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY.
SO THAT'S BEEN THE FUNDING SOURCE AND STAFF THINK THAT THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE BRIDGE MEASURE TO GET US TO THE NEXT LEVEL OR THE NEXT ITERATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, AARON. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? I WILL ADD THAT I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING WITH, DID YOU SAY ACRED.
>> YEAH, THAT'S THE ACRONYM. THANK YOU.
>> ACRED AND I THINK IT'S BEEN HELPFUL TO HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD TO US.
ANY DISCUSSION IN THE COUNCIL OR COMMENTS? SEEING THERE'S NONE, THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION.
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-64.
THEY'RE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS TO WAIVE THE READING ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE THEN? OH, I JUST CAN'T DO IT.
>> I DIDN'T I DIDN'T KNOW IF I DIDN'T HEAR COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS OR NOT.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
SEEING IS NO DISCUSSION IS WARRANTED, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION IN 2023-64 APPROVING THE FORM AND SUBSTANCE OF THE AGREEMENT, EXTENDING AND AMENDING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR ANOKA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND, EXCUSE ME, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO EXECUTE AND IMPLEMENT AN AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBERS SPRIGGS.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY, COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ANY AGAINST AND THE MOTION PASSES.
WE HAVE NO BID CONSIDERATION, SO THAT TAKES US TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
WHO ON THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO START? WE USUALLY START WITH COUNCILMEMBER BEGINS HERE.>> THANK YOU. MY MICROPHONE'S ON.
LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON IN TOWN.
FIRST OFF, THOUGH, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF BRIAN DRUZE.
I AM VERY, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I'M THINKING OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
SECOND, CLEANED UP THE FLOWER POTS AT MERCHANT HALL FOR WINTER, ATTENDED THE PLANNING COMMISSION, ATTENDED THE SAKE OF SOUP FUNDRAISER WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.
LOTS OF PEOPLE THERE VOLUNTEERED AT THE TRUCKER TREAT FOR HEIGHTS NEXT AND THE CITY COUNCIL TABLE, IT WAS PACKED.
I THINK WE I MEAN, THE CANDY AND WE COUNTED 600 TO START OUT WITH THAT WAS GONE AND THEN WHENEVER YOU'RE LYING ON THE CITY'S SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPLY AND LOTS OF PEOPLE, LOTS OF KIDS.
IT WAS A LITTLE CHILLY, BUT IT WAS STILL FUN.
I ATTENDED THE LIBRARY BOARD AS LIAISON TO HELP FILL IN FOR COUNCILMEMBERS SPRIGGS.
THEY EXPLORED IMPROVEMENTS FOR A LIVE FOR THE LIBRARY WEBPAGE DESIGN AND WE'RE TALKING DISCUSSING ABOUT POSSIBLY HAVING THE LIBRARY HAVE THEIR OWN WEBSITE AND PHONE APPS AND A LOT OF INTERESTING IDEAS FOR THAT.
ATTENDED THE 40TH AVENUE OPEN HOUSE.
YOU GUYS, I THINK LISTED THAT THERE WERE 30, I COUNTED 60.
THEN THERE WERE PEOPLE COMING IN AFTER THAT,
[01:10:01]
SO I THINK WE GOT CLOSE TO 80 PEOPLE SHOW UP AT THE OPEN HOUSE AND IT WAS GREAT TURNOUT.THEY ALL GET TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY ROOM AND LOTS OF INPUT THAT THEY GAVE TO AN AKA COUNTY AND I BELIEVE IT'S A THREE-MONTH PROCESS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR FINAL INPUT FROM THE COUNTY AND JANUARY, I BELIEVE.
THEN LOTS OF STUFF IN OUR GREEN SHEET, I WANTED TO BRING UP OR AT LEAST A FEW THINGS.
ONE, THE CITY HAS INSTALLED OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORK FOR THE PUBLIC TO ACCESS FOR FREE.
IN THE CITY HALL PARK LIT, WHICH IS OFFSITE.
HERE ARE WINDOWS AND THEN OUR LIBRARY PARKING LOT ARE SOCIAL WORKER PROGRAM WAS RECENTLY FEATURED IN A PUBLICATION PRODUCED BY THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM, A LEADING POLICE RESEARCH AND POLICY FORUM AND THE UNITED STATES, CITING HOW WELL OUR PROGRAM IS SHOWING US AS A MODEL FOR OTHER POLICE POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO USE, SO CONGRATULATIONS, CHIEF CHIEF AUSTIN AND THE STAFF IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
VERY GOOD. SUPER EXCITED. LET'S SEE.
I THINK THERE WERE SOME OTHER THINGS, BUT I THINK THE CITY MANAGER WAS GOING TO MENTION THOSE.
ANYWAY, THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ADOPTED NEW TREES.
WE GOT ANOTHER RUSSIA VOLUNTEERS AND THANK THE FORESTRY.
LIAM GENTER AND THE STAFF THAT HELPED HIM PLANT ALL THOSE TREES THIS FALL AND FOR THOSE OUT THERE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS, COUNCILMEMBER JAMES.
>> THANK YOU. IN THE END OF OCTOBER, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL LEVY MEETING AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FAMILY CENTER WITH THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THAT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL TO HEAR THEIR INFORMATION, I ALSO ATTENDED THE SAKE OF EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER AND IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE ALL THE GUEST CHEFS THEY HAD FROM NEIGHBORING RESTAURANTS.
THE TRUCKER TREAT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE CITY STAFF WHO WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
I KNOW THIS IS THERE SEVERAL YEARS INTO IT AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND I LOVED THAT THE KIDS DECORATED THE SNOW PLOW BLADE.
THAT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW THAT WORKS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND TO THE COUNTY STAFF WHO SHOWED FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING 40TH AVENUE.
WE DID RECEIVE A LOT OF COMMENTS, BUT I THINK THERE'S STILL ACCEPTING ONLINE COMMENTS.
IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE THAT MEETING, WE'RE IN THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PHASE OF DESIGNING 40TH AVENUE.
I WENT TO A LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 2, AND THEN THE MAYOR HOSTED A VETERANS DAY EVENT AND LOVED BALLPARK.
THEN THERE WAS A GAZA COMMUNITY TEACHING LED BY COMMUNITY MEMBER TO HEAR HER ZOLOFT AND IN FEATURES SEVERAL SCHOLARS ON ISRAEL AND PALESTINE, A RABBI, A PASTOR, AND TO HEAR WHO HAS RELATIVES IN GAZA AND FROM THERE, IT WAS A WONDERFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND PROBABLY HAD OVER 125 PEOPLE FROM COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THERE TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN GAZA AND I ALSO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO ARE WORKING FOR PEACE THERE AND HOW THAT IMPACTS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THEN I ALSO COMPLETED ONE ONLINE LEARNING COURSE WITH THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA STUDIES ON HOW TO LEGALLY CLOSE A MEETING. THAT'S IT. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER JAMES. COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
>> I DIDN'T GET IT WRONG ALL NIGHT UNTIL NOW.
I ATTENDED A PRESENTATION MOVING UPSTREAM USING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES.
IT WAS FOCUSED ON PREVENTION PRACTICES IN CURTAILING OR WORKING WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY, IN A PROACTIVE MANNER TO GET A HANDLE ON THE EVER-INCREASING OPIATE EPIDEMIC AND A LOT OF THE DEATHS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
I WAS IN TWO DIFFERENT INTERVIEWS.
ONE BY A COLLEGE STUDENT ON A COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENT REGARDING THE EFFECT OF RENTAL AND HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING ON THE COMMUNITY.
ANOTHER INTERVIEW THAT I WAS PARTICIPATING IN ACTUALLY REGARDED COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE HIRING OPPORTUNITIES AND TAX ALLOCATIONS AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, I ATTENDED TRUCKER TREAT IT WAS GREAT FUN.
CHAIRED THE TABLE WITH COUNCILMEMBER BISSCHEN, ATTENDED THE PUBLIC SAFETY LUNCH IN BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTER PRESENTATION AT PUBLIC SAFETY AND I DID ATTEND THE 40TH AVENUE OPEN HOUSE FOR JUST A FEW MOMENTS.
THAT WAS UNFORTUNATELY THE DAY THAT WE LOST BEANIE DRUZE.
AND I LEFT EARLY, BUT I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THAT ROOM.
IT WAS PACKED AND IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THAT A RESPONSE.
I HAD FACILITATED NINE RESIDENT REACH OUTS AND I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT OFFICER MAGDEBURG IS LEAVING HIS POSITION AS COMMUNITY COORDINATOR
[01:15:03]
AND IS MOVING INTO INVESTIGATION WITH THE PD AND HE'S GONNA BE REPLACED BY OFFICER VAN AND HE'S GOING TO BECOME THE NEW COMMUNITY POLICING COORDINATOR.I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS? COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS?
>> YEAH. THANK YOU. ATTENDED OUR WORK SESSION LAST WEEK WITH ALL OF US.
JUST NOTABLY THAT MIN.IN METRO TRANSIT WERE ON THE CALL TALKING ABOUT BUTTERED BUS RAPID TRANSIT BE RT AND THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF REDEVELOPING CENTRAL AVENUE.
I THINK THAT THAT WORKS NICELY WITH OUR DISCUSSION AROUND 40TH AVENUE, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THAT OPEN HOUSE AS WELL AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE ALL THE PEOPLE OUT FOR THAT AND SHARE THEIR IDEAS AND HOPES FOR THE CORRIDOR.
THEN CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE LEGENDS AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION PERSISTENT BUNCH AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SOME MOVES FOR THIS UPCOMING SESSION.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> I'M SORRY, I KEEP CLEARING MY THROAT.
>> A LOT OF TALKING THIS EVENING.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE JUST HAD OUR VETERANS DAY.
THANK YOU TO THE SERVICE FOR EVERYONE, FOR BEING THERE, FOR OUR COMMUNITY, OUR COUNTRY, AND THE WORLD.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING OUR VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION WE HAD AT LAVELLE PARK THIS PAST SATURDAY, WE HAD CUB SCOUT PACK 3132 DOING THE FLAKE CEREMONY, AND I THINK WE HAD ABOUT 25 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.
IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME DOING ONE AND EVERYONE WAS VERY HAPPY WITH WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE.
[NOISE] INCLUDING WE HAD PEOPLE FROM THE METRO AREA, THEY CAME, I THINK WE HAD 10 VETERANS IN ATTENDANCE.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE TEACH-IN ABOUT THE SITUATION IN GAZA.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO EVERYONE DEALING WITH ALL OF THE TRAGEDY THAT IS HAPPENING IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD AND HOW IT AFFECTS ALL OF US.
I SPOKE AT MISSION HEIGHTS, WHICH IS A SOBRIETY HOME HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND JUST MET WITH ALL THE RESIDENTS THERE LAST FRIDAY.
THIS WEEKEND, HAD A FEW MEETINGS AND MET WITH THE COUNCIL FROM POLAND AT THE PATCHAM LIBRARY, WHICH IS THE POLISH AMERICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MINNESOTA'S LIBRARY, AND DISCUSSING [NOISE]
>> OUR CONNECTION WITH OUR SISTER CITY NIEMIECKI IN POLAND.
I TOURED THE S&S GRIND, WHICH IS A LOCAL GRINDING BUSINESS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ON 37TH AVENUE AND GOT TO MEET ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES THERE, WAS VERY COOL TO SEE OUR INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN THE CITY AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE ARE MAKING RIGHT HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PARTS FOR MANY DIFFERENT BUSINESSES.
WE HAD MEETINGS HERE AT CITY HALL WITH CONSTITUENTS.
SOMEONE FROM ART TO CHANGE THE WORLD, BARBARA BRIDGES, WHO IS THE LEADER IN THAT ORGANIZATION, [NOISE]
>> DISCUSSING ART AND OUR COMMUNITIES.
I VOTED IN THE ELECTION LAST WEEK, AND I WOULD SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, MICHELE PETWAY, AND THAT I'M VERY HAPPY FOR OUR SCHOOL PASSING BOTH OF THEIR REFERENDUMS. THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR TURNING OUT THE VOTE.
WE ARE GOING TO SEE OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT REALLY THRIVE WITHOUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT MOVES FORWARD.
HAD MY MONTHLY MEETING WITH THE POLICE CHIEF AND CAPTAIN JOHNSTON.
ATTENDED THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI'S SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION DINNER AT THE BANQUETS OF MINNESOTA.
ATTENDED RJ LAKE MEETING THE JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT [NOISE]
>> MEETING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
ATTENDED EMPTY BOWLS FOR SAKER, IT WAS SO GREAT TO SEE.
IT WAS A HUGE TURNOUT, IT WAS SUCH FUN ENERGY AND THE SOUPS WERE REALLY GOOD.
ATTENDED THE PARKS AND REC MEETING, A CLIMATE COALITION MEETING, A LEADERSHIP OUTREACH MEETING WITH FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, AND TODAY, ATTENDED THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS MEETING WHERE WE HAD SPEAKERS ON THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD AND LOOKING BACK OVER THE LAST 200 YEARS AT OTHER PANDEMICS AND WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH COMMUNITIES AFTERWARDS AND HOW WE'RE IN THE SAME REALM AS IT'S BEEN IN THE PAST.
ALSO, MINDOT WAS A SPEAKER AND THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE I94 HIGHWAY BETWEEN ST.
PAUL IN MINNEAPOLIS AND WHAT CHANGES ARE COMING DOWN THE TURNPIKE AS IT WERE [NOISE]
TOMORROW I'M EXCITED THAT I'M GOING TO BE DOING A RIDE ALONG WITH OUR STREET SWEEPERS.
[01:20:03]
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AND THEY ARE OUT PROBABLY.KEVIN IS GOING TO BE GIVING US AN UPDATE, BUT WE'RE FIXING POTHOLES AND STREET SWEEPING AND GETTING READY FOR WINTER SO I'M EXCITED TO GO OUT WITH THEM TOMORROW.
LET ME TURN THE MIC OVER TO ASSISTANT.
>> CAN I INTERJECT ONE THING THAT I FORGOT?
>> THERE IS A FUNDRAISER FOR BEANIE AT TASTY ON THE 18TH AT 06:00 P.M.
IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO JOIN, I'M SURE THAT THEY WOULD APPRECIATE.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A SILENT AUCTION AMONGST SOME OTHER THINGS, SO IT SHOULD BE A GOOD EVENING.
>> THANK YOU FOR ADDING THAT. KEVIN HANSEN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I HAVE A FEW THINGS FOR YOU FOR UPDATES TO REPORT ON.
THE FIRST TWO ARE REALLY RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF A COUPLE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS.
THE FIRST OF THESE IS IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT THIS FRIDAY.
SERGEANT TIMOTHY NEAL WILL BE GRADUATING FROM THE NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL OF POLICE STAFF AND COMMAND.
THIS IS A VERY INTENSIVE TRAINING SESSION THAT A FEW OF OUR OFFICERS HAVE GONE THROUGH AND REALLY IT'S IN PREPARING THE LEADERS FOR SENIOR LEVEL POSITIONS, COMBINING ACADEMICS, AND THEN ALSO PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS THE CHIEF ADDED IN HERE WHILE ATTENDING STAFF AND COMMAND SERGEANT NEAL WAS ALSO ELECTED BY HIS CLASSMATES AS A CLASS ACTIVITY DIRECTOR.
ELECTION TO THIS POSITION IS TRULY AN EXCEPTIONAL INDICATION OF THE HIGH REGARD THAT HIS CLASSMATES HAVE FOR HIM AND ALSO HIS LEADERSHIP ABILITIES.
SERGEANT NEAL IS GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME OFF, BUT WILL BE RETURNING TO US AT THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER.
THEN THE NEXT RECOGNITION REALLY GOES OUT TO OUR COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT AS THEY HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY A STATEWIDE AGENCY AND RECEIVED THREE AWARDS FOR THEIR WORK OVER THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR.
THE STATEWIDE AGENCY THAT PROVIDES RECOGNITION IS THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS.
THE ACRONYM FOR THAT, I CALL IT MAGC.
IT MIGHT NOT QUITE BE THAT, BUT IT'S M-A-G-C.
IT'S REALLY A GROUP OF CITY-COUNTY FOLKS THAT WORK IN THE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY.
THEY'LL GO THROUGH AND THEY'LL PROVIDE AWARDS FOR SUBMITTALS THAT THEY HAVE.
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, OUR COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT WON THREE AWARDS.
FIRST PLACE FOR THE CITY NEWSLETTER, FIRST PLACE FOR THE TRUCKER TREAT EVENT THAT WE'VE ALL JUST TALKED ABOUT HERE, AND THEN THIRD PLACE FOR CONVERSATIONS CIRCLE THAT IS BEING FACILITATED THROUGH THEM, SO KUDOS OUT TO THEM.
I THINK NOW I CAN SAY THAT OUR AWARD-WINNING COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE CITY NEWSLETTERS ARE OUT TO PRINT AND THAT'LL BE GOING OUT TO OUR RESIDENTS HERE RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING.
THEY'LL BE GETTING THAT IN THE MAIL.
THIS THURSDAY WE'RE HAVING A JOINT MEETING WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION BETWEEN THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL.
THE FOCUS OF THAT IS TO REALLY REVIEW THE COMP PLAN UPDATE THAT'S GOING TO BE NECESSARY AS THE CITY CONSIDERS THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDTRONIC SITE UP ON 53RD AVENUE.
IT'S REALLY THE FIRST MEETING, THE KICKOFF FOR THAT WITH OUR PLANNING COMMISSION.
THE FIRE CHIEF INDICATED THAT NOVEMBER IS WINTER HAZARD AWARENESS MONTH, SO THEY'LL BE PUTTING OUT TOPICS THIS WEEK FOR SAFETY TIPS AS IT RELATES TO HAZARDS THAT CAN OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS.
ONE THING JUST TO BE AWARE OF, WE HAVE AND IS NOT WE BUT THERE'S A WATER MAIN BREAK FROM THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND THAT'S UP ON CHATHAM ROAD.
RIGHT NOW THAT'S RIGHT BEHIND OUR LIVES STATION THERE, SO IF YOU DO HAPPEN TO SEE ANY WATER OR GET ANY REPORTS OF WATER COMING DOWN IN THAT AREA, MINNEAPOLIS IS WORKING ON FIGURING OUT THEIR APPROACH TO HOW TO FIX THAT WATER MAIN.
WE HAVE SERVICES RIGHT UP THERE AS DOES MINNEAPOLIS.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN WE'LL BE INFORMED OR WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO REPAIR THAT WATER MAIN BREAK, BUT THAT'S REALLY PART OF THEIR SERVICE FOR THE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY UP THERE.
THEN THE LAST THING I HAVE IS WE'RE NEARING THE END OF CONSTRUCTION.
I REALLY HAVE TO SAY WE'VE BEEN LUCKY BECAUSE WE'LL END UP FINISHING BOTH 37TH AND 53RD AVENUE.
BY TWO MINUTES PLANTS ARE STILL OPEN, SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING THE FINAL LIFT OF PAVING ON BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS ON BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, SO THAT'LL 99% COMPLETE BOTH THOSE PROJECTS.
WE'LL BE BACK AT IT IN THE SPRING TO REALLY DO SOME OF THE FINISHING WORK, SOME OF THE RESTORATION ON BOTH OF THOSE, BUT WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE WITH THE WEATHER THAT WE'VE HAD ON THOSE.
I KNOW MARY HAD BROUGHT UP THAT YOU'RE GOING OUT WITH A STREET SWEEPING.
QUITE FRANKLY, WHETHER IT'S STREET SWEEPING OR IF IT'S SNOW PLOWING, I REALLY ENCOURAGE ANY OF THE COUNCIL IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT BECAUSE IT REALLY SHEDS A DIFFERENT LIGHT WHEN YOU GET IN THOSE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT, WHETHER IT'S IN THE DAYTIME OR IN THE EVENING, TO SEE HOW OUR FOLKS WORK AND OPERATE, PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES OF EITHER SWEEPING OR PLOWING.
THEN THE OTHER THING YOU BROUGHT UP, WE STILL THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR HAS SHIFTED SOME OF
[01:25:01]
THE CREW ACTIVITY BECAUSE WE CAN STILL GET BY TWO MINUTES.THEY'RE GOING TO BE OUT TRYING TO GET WHAT WE'RE AWARE OF FOR POTHOLES AND REALLY GETTING READY FOR THE WINTER SEASON.
BUT THOSE DO OCCUR AND IF WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN EVERY ONE OF THEM, WE'LL TRY TO GET WHAT'S REMAINING OUT THERE RIGHT THROUGH THE COURSE OF THIS WEEK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WEATHER THAT WE'RE HAVING. MAYOR.
>> I ALSO WANTED TO ADD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GO OUT WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND SOME TREE PLANTING LAST WEEK.
WE WERE RIGHT AT THAT PARK AND HELP PLANT EIGHT TREES THERE.
IT WAS PRETTY EXCITING. THEY'RE ALL SO DIFFERENT.
OUR TREE DIVERSITY IS INCREDIBLE.
MANY THANKS TO THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM FOR LETTING ME COME ALONG TO THE TREE PLANTING. COUNCILOR BUESGENS.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION BEING COMPLETED.
I CAN'T WAIT TO DRIVE DOWN 37TH.
I HAVEN'T DONE THE EASTBOUND, BUT I JUST THOUGHT THE OTHER DAY WHERE BOTH SIDES ROADS HAVE BEEN LAID DOWN.
I'M VERY EXCITED AND I LOVE THE TURNAROUND AT TARGET.
IT IS SO MUCH SMOOTHER AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT EIGHT CARS BEHIND TRYING TO GET OUT TO TURN LEFT AND IT'S JUST WORKING REALLY WELL, SO THANK YOU ALL FOR WORKING ON THAT AND PUTTING THAT TOGETHER.
>> IF I COULD JUST ADD TO [OVERLAPPING]
THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH OR FIFTH YEAR DOING PLOW RIDES.
IT IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE.
YOU CANNOT BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY GO THROUGH AND SOME OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE WITH PEOPLE NOT MOVING THEIR CARS IN SNOWFALL AND STAFF GATES.
YOUR PERCEPTION OF WHAT THEY DO IS COMPLETELY CHANGED.
I HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR I THINK THIS IS EITHER THE FOURTH OR FIFTH YEAR AND IT'S FUN AND IT'S ALSO VERY ENLIGHTENING, SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO JUMP ON.
>> THAT DOES REMIND ME THOUGH THAT STARTING ON NOVEMBER 15TH, OUR WINTER PARKING WILL GO INTO EFFECT.
WE WERE ABLE TO PUSH THAT BACK A COUPLE OF WEEKS, TRY THAT OUT TO GIVE OUR RESIDENTS A BIT MORE TIME TO PARK ON THE STREETS AS THEY NEED TO.
BUT STARTING ON NOVEMBER 15TH, THAT WILL BE OUR WINTER PARKING AND IT'LL GO THROUGH MARCH 15TH.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT, PLEASE CHECK THE CITY WEBSITE.
THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF OUR REPORTS, SO WE ARE NOW AT OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
CITY CLERK ION, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM?>> THERE IS NO ONE ONLINE, BUT THERE IS ONE PERSON HERE IN CHAMBERS.
>> ALL RIGHT THEN. THEY HAVE FILLED IN THE FORM?
>> I'LL JUST READ OUR STATEMENT HERE.
THE COMMUNITY FORUM IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MANNER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.
SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN-PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CITY CLERK.
ONCE CALLED TO THE PODIUM, THE SPEAKER SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
SPEAKERS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND A REQUEST TO SPEAK, AS WELL AS THEIR ADDRESS AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO THE MODERATOR USING THE CHAT FUNCTION AND WAIT TO BE CALLED ON TO SPEAK.
WHEN SPEAKING, VIRTUAL ATTENDEES SHOULD TURN THEIR CAMERA ON.
ALL SPEAKERS SHOULD LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE-MINUTES.
PERSONAL ATTACKS, THREATS, THE USE OF PROFANITY AND OTHER DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS ARE PROHIBITED.
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS, AND IF NEEDED, REQUESTS STAFF TO FOLLOW UP OR DIRECT THE MATTER TO BE ADDED TO AN UPCOMING AGENDA.
GENERALLY, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION ON ITEMS RAISED AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM AT THE MEETING ON WHICH THEY ARE RAISED. SARAH.
>> DEREK LIND WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS DEREK LIND AND I ACTUALLY LIVE UP IN RAMSEY.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF A CITIZEN ADVOCATE GROUP FOR AN ANOKA COUNTY FOR ELECTION REFORM.
RIGHT NOW I'M PASSING OUT PACKETS, YOU SHOULD BE GETTING A PACKET OF THREE CARDS WRAPPED IN A RUBBER BAND.
WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING PRIMARILY AT THE COUNTY LEVEL FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
OUR GOAL IS TO REFORM OUR ELECTIONS.
WE WANT TO GO BACK TO THE WAY WE DID ELECTIONS ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO.
I'M NOT HERE TO TALK YOU INTO ANYTHING TONIGHT, I'M JUST BASICALLY HERE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO US AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
WE'VE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THE CITIES, I THINK YOU ARE THE 17TH CITY I'VE BEEN TO NOW.
ALL THE CITIES TEND TO MEET ON MONDAY, SO IT'S HARD TO SCHEDULE EVERYBODY IN.
I THINK THE CARDS CAN CONTINUE ON TO THESE PEOPLE HERE TOO.
WE'VE HAD 30 DIFFERENT CITIZENS PRESENT OVER 80 PRESENTATIONS DIRECTLY TO THE ANOKA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON ISSUES WITH ELECTION REFORM.
[01:30:03]
BASICALLY, WE WANT TO GET THE ELECTRONICS OUT OF OUR ELECTIONS AND MAKE THEM MORE TRANSPARENT SO WE CAN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.WE'RE NON-PARTISAN TOO, BY THE WAY.
IF I COULD, I'D LIKE TO WALK YOU THROUGH THESE CARDS REAL QUICK.
DO WE HAVE A CHANCE TO PASS THEM ALL?
>> THE FIRST CARD IS A BLUE CARD.
THE THREE MAIN PROBLEMS WITH OUR ELECTIONS IS WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TRY TO CHEAT IN ELECTIONS.
PROBLEM NUMBER TWO IS ELECTRONICS CAN BE HACKED AND THE THIRD PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH OUR ELECTIONS, OUR CURRENT SYSTEM TODAY HAS NO TRANSPARENCY.
YOU CAN TELL ME WHO WON THE ELECTION, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T SEE IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES AND I DIDN'T SEE IT EITHER, AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO CHANGE.
WE WANT TO MAKE OUR ELECTIONS TRANSPARENT.
IF YOU COULD GO TO THE SECOND CARD QUICKLY, IT SHOULD HAVE A FLAG ON IT.
THESE ARE THE SIX ITEMS WE HAVE SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE COUNTY TO DO.
FIRST ONE IS TO SECURE OUR ELECTION JUDGE DATA, THEY ACTUALLY FARM THAT OUT.
ONCE UPON A TIME WHEN YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE, THAT WAS DONE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.
THAT'S CHANGED TODAY. THE STATE DOES A LOT OF THAT THROUGH THE DMV AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.
WE WANT TO BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNTY LEVEL.
VALIDATED PAPER BALLOTS, THAT INVOLVES CHAIN OF CUSTODY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE FOURTH ITEM IS AN IMPORTANT ONE, PAPER POLL BOOKS.
UP UNTIL 2018 WE WERE USING PAPER IN ANOKA COUNTY AND THEN WE SWITCHED TO ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS.
OUR ADVOCATE GROUP BELIEVES THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE POTENTIAL CHEATING COULD BE DONE.
WE JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO PAPER.
WE DON'T THINK WE NEED ELECTRONICS TO CHECK PEOPLE IN, MOST PRECINCTS, WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A SECOND.
THE FIFTH ITEM, HAND COUNTED PAPER BALLOTS.
MOST OF THE CITIES WEREN'T EVEN AWARE OF THIS.
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PASSED A LAW IN MAY MANDATING THE USE OF TABULATION MACHINES.
YOU HAVE TO USE THEM WHETHER YOU WANT TO USE THEM OR NOT.
THAT'S A LAW. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS KNEW THAT.
WE STILL WANT A HAND COUNT, BUT WE WANT TO DO A PARALLEL ACCOUNT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO USE THE MACHINES NOW, IT'S STATE LAW.
RUN THE VOTES THROUGH THE MACHINE, TAKE THEM OUT BY HAND, SEE IF YOU GET THE SAME NUMBER.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PUSHING FOR.
THEN SMALL VOTING PRECINCTS, WE ACTUALLY DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF THIS ALREADY AT ANOKA COUNTY.
THE MIDTERMS, I THINK WE AVERAGED ABOUT 1,200 VOTERS, WERE NOT AS BIG AS YOU THINK.
IT'S NOT AN OPERATION THAT WE CAN'T DO.
WE BELIEVE WE WERE HAND COUNTING UP UNTIL ABOUT 1992, WE ACTUALLY FOUND A COUPLE OF CITIZENS THAT USED TO BE JUDGES WHERE THEY WOULD HAND COUNT THE VOTES AND THEY REMEMBER DOING IT ALL THE WAY UNTIL THAT TIME.
THE THIRD CARD, IF YOU COULD LOOK AT IT QUICK, THERE'S A GENTLEMAN ON THERE WITH A HAT AND SOME SUNGLASSES.
HE'S ONE OF THE TOP ELECTION CYBERSECURITY EXPERTS IN THE COUNTRY.
HE MET DIRECTLY ON A ZOOM CALL WITH TWO OF ANOKA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, LUKE AND COMMISSIONER REINER, AND HE SHOWED THEM HOW TO HACK INTO THE MACHINES AND THEN THE OTHER THING HE TOLD THEM IS THAT YOU CAN'T TRUST OUR CURRENT SYSTEM.
IF YOU LOOK TO THE RIGHT THERE, HE CALLS IT HIS ELECTION ECOSYSTEM.
OUR ELECTIONS ARE PRETTY SIMPLE ACTUALLY.
THERE'S ONLY A COUPLE OF PARTS TO THEM.
FIRST OF ALL, WE REGISTER A VOTER, WE VALIDATE THE VOTER, WE COUNT THE VOTES, AND THEN WE REPORT THE VOTES, MOST OF THOSE FUNCTIONS WERE PERFORMED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IS A LOT OF THAT IS SHIFTING OVER TO THE STATE LEVEL AND ULTIMATELY THEY WANT TO SHIFT IT OVER TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE BEST PLACE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN IS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
WE VOTE AT THE LOCAL PRECINCTS, COUNT IT HERE, SEND THE VOTES UP.
THAT'S BASICALLY IN A NUTSHELL.
I KNOW YOU PROBABLY WEREN'T EXPECTING ME TO COME, I CAUGHT YOU OFF GUARD, BUT DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? ANYBODY?
>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THANKS FOR ASKING.
I DIDN'T DO IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND THE REASON I SAY THAT, EVEN THOUGH I SAT HERE FOR TWO HOURS TONIGHT.
>> WHAT IS THE ANSWER [INAUDIBLE]
>> SEVERAL PEOPLE IN OUR GROUP DO. I DO NOT.
I WOULD SAY THE MAJORITY IN OUR GROUP WE'RE ELECTION JUDGES.
THREE WERE FIRED AND ONE HAD RESIGNED AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO CERTIFY AND THEY WERE SAYING, I CAN'T TELL WHAT'S GOING ON INSIDE THE MACHINE.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> HAVE A GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC FORUM OR PUBLIC COMMUNITY FORUM?
>> I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[01:35:03]
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES, AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.