>> OKAY. GREAT. WELL, IT IS SIX O'CLOCK,
[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
[00:00:05]
SO LET US START OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 8, AND WELCOME TO EVERYONE WHO'S HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND TO ANYONE WHO'S WATCHING ON THE RECORDING AS WELL.COULD WE HAVE OUR CALL TO ORDER? COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, IF YOU ARE ABLE TO PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
NEXT WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
COUNSEL, ANYONE HAVE ANY ITEMS THEY'D LIKE TO CHANGE OR ADD TO THE AGENDA? SEEING AS NONE, THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA MOVED.>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER.
ANY DISCUSSION, SEEING AND HEARING AS NOT, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANYONE AGAINST AND THE MOTION PASSES.
THAT TAKES US TO OUR PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS,
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
AND TODAY WE HAVE A GUEST HERE FROM THE MWMO, WHICH IS THE MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION.THAT IS KEVIN REICH HERE TO GIVE US AN INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION.
WELCOME, KEVIN. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE HAPPY TO BE HERE.
HAVE TO BE INVITED. IT'S MY HONOR TO DO A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS.
OBVIOUSLY, YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS, IS OUR COMMISSIONER WHO SERVES US WELL ON OUR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
THE MWMO, THE MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION, IS A LEAN INTO THIS THING.
NEW SYSTEM AND A NEW BUILDING SYSTEM?
>> YEAH, SO MWMO MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION, I'M ITS CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
I DID SERVE ON ITS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR 10 YEARS, AND VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE ORGANIZATION AND VERY FAMILIAR HOW IMPORTANT IT CAN BE IN SERVICE OF ITS MEMBERS.
WE ARE A SPECIAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT THAT'S A JOINT POWERS.
WE HAVE THAT AUTHORITY UNDER THE STATE.
THE JOINT POWERS ARE MADE UP OF THE SEVEN JURISDICTIONS TAXING JURISDICTIONS IN OUR AREA OF INFLUENCE, WHICH IS 40 MILES AND ABOUT 15 MILES OF THE RIVER.
STRADDLING THE COMMUNITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS, WHICH INCLUDES PARK AND REC, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WHICH INCLUDES HILLTOP, CITY OF ST. ANTHONY LAUDERDALE, A LITTLE TINY PORTION OF ST. PAUL AS WELL.
ALL OF THE MEMBERS REPRESENT TAXING ENTITIES.
ALL OF THEM ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THEREFORE, WE CAN ACT AS AN INDEPENDENT, SPECIAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT WITH A PURPOSE THAT IS GUIDED BY THE STATE.
WE ARE PART OF THE STATE'S LAW OF WATER.
IT'S VERY MUCH NATION A EXERCISE TO SAY THAT THERE'S A PUBLIC INTEREST OF THE STATE AND ITS COMMUNITIES IN THE RESOURCE CALLED WATER.
TO DO THAT HAS A DISPERSED SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
AND IT DECIDED TO NOT HAVE A TOP DOWN BUREAUCRATIC BUREAU OVERSEE ALL THE ACTIVITIES ACTUALLY FULFILL THE MISSION OF PRESERVING OUR WATERS FOR NOW IN THE FUTURE THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS COULD PROBABLY DO IT BEST.
BUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF UNITS NEED TO BE ACTUALLY CONFIGURED WITHIN WATER SHEDS.
AND WATERSHEDS ARE BOUNDARIES THAT ARE NATURE DERIVED.
THEY AREN'T NECESSARY, LEGAL OR JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES.
TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR WATER, WE HAVE TO GO WHERE NATURE AND LAND TOLD US TO BE.
OUR AREA HAS 40 ACRE OR 40 SQUARE MILES THAT STRADDLES THE RIVER.
AND THE UNIQUE ASPECT OF IT, IT'S THE HIGH, IF NOT THE MOST, HIGHLY URBAN STRETCH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, WHICH CREATES UNIQUE CHALLENGES, AND THEREFORE, IT NEEDS UNIQUE SOLUTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS TO GET THINGS DONE.
AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE 14 MILES, ALMOST 15 MILES, OF THE RIVER THAT GOES THROUGH.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOESN'T NECESSARILY TOUCH IT DIRECTLY IN TERMS OF A SHORELINE, BUT YOUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT DOES TOUCH IT.
THAT'S REALLY THE ZONE THAT WE FIND OURSELVES AND THE MONIES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO TAX AND WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS, MANY OF THE STAFF PEOPLE HERE, WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH TO IMPLEMENT THE INFLUENCE THAT THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT HAS.
BY THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, I MEAN THE THINGS THAT ARE BUILD ARE STRUCTURES AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
BOTH THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL BUILT ENVIRONMENT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE RIVER.
THE POINT IS THAT HOW CAN WE MAKE THOSE IMPACTS MITIGATED TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF THE RIVER? A VERY IMPORTANT RIVER AT THAT.
WE DO THAT THROUGH VERY COLLABORATIVE, I WILL SAY,
[00:05:02]
PARTNERSHIPS THAT REALLY COME DOWN TO HOW WELL DIVVY OUT A PROJECT, HOW WE'LL IDENTIFY OBJECTIVES THAT MEET THE CITY'S GOALS AND THE GOALS OF MITIGATING IMPACTS TO THE RIVER.WE DO THAT IN TERMS OF DESIGN, POLICY MAKING, AND COST PARTICIPATION IN THE HANDOUT THAT I PASSED AROUND.
THERE'S TWO EXAMPLES OF WORK THAT WE DID THAT DID JUST THAT.
ACTUALLY, THE BUILDING THAT WE'RE IN, IN THE NAME OF INNOVATION AND TRYING TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF SALT, WHICH IS A VERY IMPACTFUL ELEMENT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DEAL WITH MORE AND MORE AS A WATERSHED.
HERE ARE SIDEWALKS AT THE PERIMETER OF THIS BUILDING ARE HEATED.
THAT'S A NICE, CONVENIENT THING.
IT'S A NEAT, INNOVATIVE APPROACH.
BUT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE HOPING THAT IT ACTUALLY REDUCES THE IMPACT OF CHLORINE ON THE RIVER.
THE POINT OF INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IS WHAT CAN IT TEACH US FOR THE NEXT ONE OR TO DO EVEN A DIFFERENT TREATMENT? IN MANY WAYS, IT'S A LABORATORY.
IN ADDITION TO THE OSTENSIBLE IMPROVEMENT THAT IT MAKES, WE'LL BE COMING BACK AND SEEING HOW IT WORKS.
ALSO, I THINK ONE THAT WE KNOW WORKS AND WORKS WELL IS YOUR BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY JUST UP THE STREET HERE.
TO MY EARLIER POINT ABOUT THE URBAN BUILT ENVIRONMENT BEING ITS UNIQUE CHALLENGE, WE JUST COULDN'T GO IN AND SAY, ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO CAPTURE THE WATER AND LET IT SOAK IN THE EARTH LIKE A LOT OF THE MORE RURAL PROJECTS ARE ALLOWED TO DO.
THERE ACTUALLY WAS STUFF UNDER THAT LAND.
STUFF THAT REALLY, WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE THE PLUME PUSHED DOWN THROUGH WATER RETENTION AT THAT SITE.
WE HAD TO COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT SOLUTION, AND THAT TIERED MECHANISM THAT WE HAVE IN THE BACK OF THAT BUILDING ALLOWS FOR A FILTRATION PROCESS.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU CAN ALMOST THINK OF IT LIKE A BRITA SYSTEM FOR YOUR LIBRARY. IT WORKS.
IT KEEPS IT OUT OF THE POLLUTED UNDERGROUND IMPACT BELOW, AND IT ACTUALLY MANAGES THE WATER RATHER EFFECTIVELY AND TO HIGH VOLUMES.
WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT PROJECT AND WE'RE VERY PROUD TO HAVE PARTNERED WITH YOU ON THAT ONE THAT WAS SO FRESH IT COULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE HANDOUT IS 37TH AVENUE.
NO SMALL PROJECT EVEN FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
TWO COUNTIES, TWO CITIES, ONE BIG ROAD.
OF COURSE, WHEN YOU'RE DOING FULL RECONSTRUCTS, THAT'S A HUGE ENDEAVOR WE'RE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.
IN MANY WAYS, PARTNERING WITH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND THEIR VISION FOR WHAT A ROAD SHOULD MEAN.
MOVING FORWARD, I REMEMBER TALKING TO OFFICIALS WAY BACK WHEN, REALLY WE DON'T DO SIDEWALKS.
WELL, YOU WENT WAY BEYOND DOING SIDEWALKS.
YOU HAVE PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY, MULTI MODAL FRIENDLY, AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY STRETCHES OF ROAD IN THE STATE.
IT WAS DONE I THINK COST EFFECTIVELY.
THE IMPACTS WE PROJECT TO BE RATHER POWERFUL.
WE'LL OF COURSE, COME BACK AND MEASURE.
WE DO THAT, WE DO THAT IN PARTNERSHIP AS WELL.
IF WE CAN PROVE THAT IT CAN BE DONE HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AT THE BOUNDARY OF TWO COUNTIES AND TWO CITIES.
IT'S PROBABLY A RECIPE FOR FUTURE ROAD PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE METRO REGION, MET COUNCIL, AND BOWSER, WHICH OVERSEES AS THE BUREAU OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES, THEY LOOK AT THESE PROJECTS.
THEY LOOK AT THESE PARTNERSHIPS.
IT HAS AN IMPACT ON STATEWIDE POLICY, BUT THE INNOVATION STARTS HERE.
IT STARTED WITH A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU FOLKS.
I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THAT, I'M HAPPY TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, MY ORGANIZATION, AND THE GOOD WORK WE'VE ALREADY DONE IN THE NAME OF DOING MORE, AND I STAND FOR QUESTIONS, MADAM MAYOR.
>> WELL, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING HERE, KEVIN.
HOW COULD COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO MAYBE ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE MWMO, HOW DO THEY GET INVOLVED?
>> WELL, THEY CERTAINLY CAN CONTACT OR OFFICE ANYTIME.
WE HAVE A PRETTY SPIFFY WEBSITE THAT CAN GIVE A GOOD INTRODUCTION OF WHAT WE DO.
WE'RE VERY OPEN TO DIRECT PARTICIPATION.
WE HAVE A CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT OVERVIEWS OUR GRANT PROGRAMS. WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE PARTICIPATION.
I KNOW COUNCILOR BISKINS HAS REALLY DONE HER PART TO GET SOME PEOPLE FROM COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AT THE TABLE.
WE ALSO HAVE A PROGRAM OF WATER STEWARDS WERE IT'S ALMOST LIKE HAVING A BLOCK LEADER, BUT FOR WATER QUALITY.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM WHERE WE CAN TRAIN, INFORM, TAKE A PERSON'S PASSION FOR THEIR BLOCK OR THEIR COMMUNITY AND REALLY PUT IT TO WORK.
WE'VE HAD GREAT SUCCESS THERE.
YOU CAN DO DIRECT ACTION, BUT YOU CAN ALSO CHECK US OUT AND CALL US ANYTIME WE'RE A PUBLIC ENTITY AND WE'RE OPEN TO PUBLIC DISCOURSE.
>> CAN PEOPLE STOP BY THE MWMO? DO YOU HAVE HOURS OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
>> YOU CAN CERTAINLY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ANYTIME WE HAVE A PUBLIC BUILDING, YOU CAN ALSO RING THE BELL AND WE'LL PROBABLY JAUNT DOWN AND ADDRESS WHOMEVER STOPS IN. WE'RE VERY OPEN TO THAT.
IF WE'RE THERE, WE'RE TYPICALLY THERE 9-3 EVERY DAY. WE ARE OPEN TO THAT.
OF COURSE, IF YOU WANT TO FULL ON REALLY INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION OF WHAT THAT FACILITY IS AND WHO WE ARE, CALL IN ADVANCE BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WAY MORE DETAILED INFORMATION THAN I HAVE WOULD BE AVAILABLE PER APPOINTMENT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
THIS IS SO EXCITING. I LOVE TO SEE THE PROJECTS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I NOTED THAT YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT YOU ALSO CONTROL WORK WITH THE WATER QUALITY FOR THE LAKES WITHIN YOUR DISTRICT.
[00:10:03]
HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WE BORDER SILVER LAKE, AND THEN THERE'S SULLIVAN LAKE.HOW WHAT'S YOUR WORK AROUND THOSE WATER BODIES?
>> WE HAVEN'T DONE MUCH WORK WITH THE STANDING WATER BODIES.
A LOT OF OUR WORK HAS REALLY EMPHASIZED THE RECEIVING WATER BODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
BUT AS YOU NOTED, WE WILL BE INVITED IN AND PARTICIPATE WITH ANY WATER BODY THAT CAN IMPACT ANYTHING IN OUR JURISDICTION.
WE'VE DONE A FEW PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE WITH PARTNERSHIP BECAUSE I THINK YOU GUYS, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BORDERS A FEW OTHER WATERSHEDS.
THOSE JOINT CONVERSATIONS, JUST LIKE YOUR ROAD PROJECT WITH MINNEAPOLIS, WE CAN HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS WELL.
>> THANKS. ANYONE ELSE IN THE COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.
>> MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER, THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.
>> DID ANYONE HEAR ME? DO I NEED TO REPEAT MYSELF? THANK YOU FOR COMING.
YOU DO GREAT WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> I JUST WANT TO GIVE A PLUG FOR THE BUILDING.
THE MWMO IS AN INCREDIBLE BUILDING.
I'VE HAD MULTIPLE TOURS THERE. IT IS SUCH A GEM.
IT'S ONE OF THE PLACES IF I HAVE FAMILY COME INTO TOWN OR FRIENDS, I WILL MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO LET THEM SEE THE BUILDING BECAUSE IT'S SO INNOVATIVE AND THERE'S SO MUCH INTERACTION IN THERE.
SO I JUST REALLY WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN WATER, INTERESTED IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AND THAT DEFINITELY CHECKING OUT THE BUILDING IS A GREAT PLACE TO START.
ALL THE PROGRAMMING ON THE WEBSITE, THERE'S CANOE TRIPS IN THE RIVER AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF.
>> I FORGOT. I GO DOWN THERE WHEN THERE'S HEAVY RAINS JUST TO CHECK THINGS OUT BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE SOME REALLY COOL RAIN GARDENS AND TREE TRENCHES, AND THE WAY THE WATER IS FILTERED THROUGH DIFFERENT THINGS, THE EXPERIMENTS THAT YOU RUN, AND ALSO YOU CAN SEE THE MISSISSIPPI REALLY UP CLOSE IN A SAFE SPOT WHEN IT'S FLOODED.
SO NO, IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO HANG OUT WHEN IT'S A HEAVY RAINSTORM JUST TO SEE HOW THE WATER RUNS THROUGH THEIR LANDSCAPE.
>> YEAH. IT'S ON THE CORNER OF LAURIE AND MARSHALL.
>> THERE'S A BIG BRIDGE, A FERRIS WHEEL, AND US.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. YES, KEVIN HANSEN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I TOO WANT TO JUST THANK KEVIN AND YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR PARTNERING WITH US A COUPLE OF POINTS.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN PART OF THE MWMO.
WE JOINED THE MWMO, WE WERE ACCEPTED REALLY IN 2012.
SO WE'VE BEEN A MEMBER AND PART OF THE MWMO FOR ALMOST 12 YEARS NOW, AND THEY'VE REALLY BEEN A GOOD PARTNER, HELPING US BOTH WITH WATER QUALITY, SOME LEVEL OF FLOOD CONTROL.
BUT I THINK ONE THING TO ALSO NOT OVERLOOK IS SOME EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO BUILDINGS THAT WERE BUILT THAT WAS KIND OF ONE OF THE FOCUSES IS, BOTH THEIR FACILITY BUT ALSO THE LIBRARY IN TERMS OF HERE ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO THAT THE PUBLIC DOES IN TERMS OF IMPROVING WATER QUALITY.
I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD FOR OUR LIBRARY DOES THAT WITH SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT CERTAINLY IF THEY WANT TO LEARN ABOUT IT, THOSE ARE TWO RESOURCES RIGHT THERE THAT CAN PROVIDE THAT EDUCATION.
>> WONDERFUL. THANKS FOR ADDING THAT.
ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE LET KEVIN GO? ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING IN.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSION, THANK YOU.
>> NOW WE'RE AT THE NEXT PART OF OUR MEETING, THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THESE ARE ITEMS 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 THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE REMOVED?
>> I HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO A MINUTES.
DO YOU NEED TO REMOVE IT FOR THAT OR DO WE JUST DO THAT IN THE MIDDLE?
>> YOU CAN JUST MENTION WHAT THE AMENDMENT OR WHAT YOUR.
>> ALL RIGHT. FOR ITEM NUMBER 1 IN PACT PAGE NUMBER 14 OF THE PACKET, THERE'S JUST A SMALL CORRECTION TO MAKE.
PARAGRAPHS 1, 2 AND 3, THE TITLE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, AARON TERPITCH, MRS. THE CITY MANAGER PART.
SO IT JUST SAYS DIRECTOR/ASSISTANT.
>> YEAH, THIS IS ON PAGE 14 OF THE PACKET.
>> YEAH. SO I'D LIKE TO AMEND PARAGRAPHS 1, 2 AND 3 OF PAGE 14 TO INCLUDE THE CORRECT TITLE.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL ON THAT? ALL RIGHT. THEN WE CAN JUST MAKE THAT CHANGE, RIGHT?
>> ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS, IF THAT'S OKAY.
[00:15:04]
>> THIS IS THE QUESTION ABOUT IT.
NUMBER 14, THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS ON PAGE, LET'S SEE, I JUST HAD A QUESTION ON WHAT ONE OF THE ITEMS WAS, I'M SURE.
I'M STILL LEARNING HERE, A YEAR IN.
IT SAID ANIMAL SERVICES TO A VETERINARY FIRM.
LET ME SEE IF I CAN GRAB THE EXACT PAGE I HAD IT ON.
SO I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE WOULD, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT DEPARTMENT, IF THAT WAS ANIMAL CONTROL OR.
IF ANYONE WANTED TO SPEAK TO THAT ITEM, I THINK IT WAS.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE CHIEF HAS AN ANSWER TO THAT.
>> YES, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I BELIEVE THAT'S THE REGULAR CONTRACT WITH PET CENTRAL DOWN IN NORTHEAST.
WE'VE BEEN CONTRACTING WITH THEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.
WE WENT TO THEM, OH BOY, IT'S BEEN A WHILE NOW.
ONE FOR CONVENIENCE, OF COURSE, BUT BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST DOWN THE STREET.
BUT QUITE FRANKLY, THERE'S JUST NOT A LOT OF PLACES THAT ARE SET UP FOR THE NEEDS THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS THEM FOR.
NOT JUST FOR VETERINARY CARE, BUT ALSO FOR KINDLING OF DOGS, DANGEROUS DOGS, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
>> DO WE OWN ANY ANIMALS OR THIS IS FOR MAINLY ANIMALS THAT ARE PICKED UP?
>> JUST FOR ANIMALS THAT ARE PICKED UP.
>> OKAY. JUST $6,000, I WAS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE SEEN THAT ONE BEFORE.
>> YES, THAT IS AN ANNUAL FEE.
COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, ANYTHING ELSE? ALL RIGHT. OKAY.
THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CONSENT AGENDA IS, WE ARE READY TO HEAR THE CONSENT AGENDA FROM OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
YOU HAVE 14 ITEMS ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA.
THE FIRST IS TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 11, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS IT'S SO AMENDED.
THE SECOND IS ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER 14, 2023 SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES.
THE THIRD ITEM IS TO ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER 8, 2023 YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.
THE FOURTH ITEM IS EXCEPT DECEMBER 6, 2023 LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES.
THE NEXT ITEM IS A RESOLUTION 2403, DESIGNATING THE OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THE NEXT ITEM IS RESOLUTION 2404, TO ACCEPT CERTAIN DONATIONS RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER ANNUAL ITEM THAT WE DO FOR DONATIONS RECEIVED IN 2023.
ITEM 7 IS RESOLUTION 2405, AND THAT'S DESIGNATING THE CITY COUNCIL LIAISON AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT APPOINTMENTS FOR 2024.
THE NEXT ITEM IS RESOLUTION 2408, AND THAT'S DESIGNATING ELECTION JUDGES AND THEIR SALARIES FOR THE UPCOMING MUNICIPAL SPECIAL ELECTION.
THE NINTH ITEM IS DESIGNATION OF THE LEGAL NEWSPAPER FOR 2024, THAT BEING THE LIFE NEWSPAPER.
THE TENTH ITEM IS THE PUBLIC WORKS BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS FOR 2024.
THIS IS ANOTHER ANNUAL ITEM FOR FOUR ITEMS THAT WE PURCHASED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
THE 11TH ITEM IS THE CAPITAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT ITEM, AND THAT WOULD BE FOR A HEAVY DUTY TRUCK.
IT'S JUST THE CAB AND CHASSIS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PARKS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS A BUDGETED ITEM FOR 2024.
THAT'S FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PURCHASING CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,421.
THE REST OF THAT TRUCK, THE OUTFITTING OF THAT, WILL COME AT A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING TO YOU.
THE 12TH ITEM IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.
THE 13TH ITEM IS THE LICENSE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
THE LAST ITEM IS THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS TOTALING $2,680,493.27. MAYOR?
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS, SEEING AND HEARING AS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
NEXT WE ARE AT 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 THEN 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,
[00:20:02]
AND WILL NOT BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE FORMAL RECORD FOR THIS MATTER, AS THE ITEM WILL HAVE BEEN VOTED ON AND THE ITEM FORMALLY CLOSED BY THE COUNCIL.ITEM 15, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-76 AND 2023-77 REGARDING THE REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 4144 QUINCY STREET NORTHEAST, FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODE.
TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM, WE HAVE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF DAN O'BRIEN.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, GOOD EVENING.
THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS BASICALLY, NOT SURE WHAT THE PROTOCOL WOULD BE WITH WHETHER WE HAVE TO SEPARATE THEM OR IF WE CAN HOLD THE HEARINGS TOGETHER.
I THINK THEY WERE ORIGINALLY SEPARATE, SO I THINK WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH ONE, THEN GO THROUGH THE OTHER, AND MAKE MOTIONS BASED ON THAT.
THIS IS FOR A REVOCATION HEARING THAT YOU TABLED AT THE NOVEMBER 28TH COUNCIL MEETING.
BASICALLY NOTE THAT THE TWO HEARINGS FOR THE REVOCATION OF THE SAME LICENSE IS A PROCEDURAL MATTER AND EVEN IF THE COUNCIL WERE TO PASS BOTH RESOLUTIONS FOR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE, IT WOULD ONLY COUNT AS A SINGLE REVOCATION FOR THAT LICENSE.
[NOISE] I'LL DRAW THE COUNSEL'S ATTENTION TO AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE THAT HAPPENED IN THE INTERIM SINCE THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
THE PROPERTY OWNER, MR. SULLY, SOLD THE PROPERTY TO SEGUNDO ROGER AND MARIA GONZALE ON DECEMBER 19TH OF LAST YEAR.
THE NEW OWNERS, AS THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES, WERE LEGALLY NOTICED FOR THIS MEETING AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, AT LEAST ONE OF THE TWO TENANTS OCCUPYING THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO THE SALE IS STILL OCCUPYING THE PROPERTY.
THE NEW OWNERS HAVE NOT APPLIED TO TRANSFER THE RENTAL LICENSE, BUT HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 18TH TO DO SO.
RENTAL LICENSES AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATE 30 DAYS AFTER THE SALE OF A PROPERTY IF IT'S NOT TRANSFERRED TO AN ELIGIBLE PROPERTY OWNER LICENSEE.
AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING, I PRESENTED A LICENSE TO YOU FOR CONSIDERATION OF REVOCATION FOR FAILURE TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS.
JUST TO REFRESH THE COUNSEL'S MEMORY ON THE VIOLATIONS THEY WERE, SHALL HAVE ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING INSPECTED BY THE STATE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR AND PROVIDE PROOF THAT THE WIRING IS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND APPROVED, SHALL REMOVE ANY NON COMPLIANT AND UNAPPROVED WIRING.
THIS WAS COMPLETED TO OUR SATISFACTION.
WE'RE PROVIDED WITH THE COPIES OF THE PERMITS FROM THE STATE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR.
SHALL INSTALL A HARD WIRED SMOKE ALARM IN THE BASEMENT.
SMOKE ALARM SHALL BE INSTALLED BY A LICENSED LOW VOLTAGE CONTRACTOR, AGAIN, AND THIS HAS BEEN SATISFIED.
THE PROPERTY IS LICENSED AS A DUPLEX RENTAL PROPERTY.
THE INSPECTORS NOTED THAT A THIRD UNIT HAD BEEN ADDED AND MULTIPLE FAMILIES ARE OCCUPYING THE PROPERTY, SHALL REMOVE THE ILLEGAL THIRD UNIT AND ITS PROPERTY CANNOT BE LEGALLY CONVERTED TO A TRIPLEX.
THEN YOU NEEDED TO REMOVE ANY REMAINING UNPERMITTED PLUMBING IN THE BASEMENT BATHROOM AREA.
SHALL PROPERLY CAP ALL COPPER WATER PIPES IN THE BASEMENT KITCHEN AREA, UNDER THE FLOOR THAT ARE CAPPED WITH GALVANIZED STEEL CAPS.
DISSIMILAR METALS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
SHALL REMOVE ANY OF ALL DRYWALL AND FRAMING INSTALLED WITH ALL PERMITS IN THE BASEMENT.
THE BASEMENT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN.
SHALL SEAL OR PROPERLY CAP REPAIR, REPLACE THE OPEN SEWER PIPE IN THE BASEMENT KITCHEN AREA.
OUR INSPECTORS HAVE PERFORMED A COUPLE OF INSPECTIONS ON THE PROPERTY SINCE NOVEMBER AND SINCE THE NOVEMBER MEETING, AND ALL THE VIOLATIONS LISTED ABOVE IN THE FINDINGS OF FACT HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND RESOLVED.
I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ON THIS AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROPERTY IS PRESENT OR NOT.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF? COUNCILOR BISKINS.
>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION, BUT YOU HAD ANSWERED THAT IN THE FACT THAT THE PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY ARE LANDLORDS, AND THEY HAVE WHAT? APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LEFT TO APPLY THE TRANSFER?
>> UNTIL THE 10TH OF JANUARY. YEAH.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
>> YOU SAID THAT THE THIRD UNIT WAS REMOVED?
>> AND THE TENANTS ARE NO LONGER THERE?
>> CORRECT. BUT IT WASN'T OCCUPIED AT THIS POINT.
THE BASEMENT UNIT HADN'T BEEN OCCUPIED YET, SO THEY WERE ADVERTISING FOR IT, THAT HADN'T BEEN OCCUPIED.
>> CAN YOU REFRESH MY MEMORY, I KNOW THAT WE TABLED THIS BECAUSE THERE WERE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE THAT DAY OF THE MEETING OR THE FOLLOWING DAY.
CAN YOU REFRESH ME AS TO WHAT THOSE ITEMS WERE AND HAVE THEY BEEN SATISFIED?
[00:25:03]
>> EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SATISFIED, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL, SO HE HAD ELECTRICIAN COMING IN.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> DID YOU EVER HEAR FROM MR. SULLY ABOUT WHY HE ENDED UP SELLING THE PROPERTY WHEN WE HAD DELAYED THE REVOCATION?
>> I HAD SPOKE WITH HIM PRIOR TO THAT AND I KNEW THAT HE WAS LOOKING AT SELLING THE PROPERTY AT SOME POINT, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE DURING THIS.
>> JUST FOR A POINT FOR THE COUNCIL.
JUST IF YOU DECIDE THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO REVOKE THE LICENSE, YOU HAVE TO VOTE THE MOTION DOWN, SO IT'S A NAY VOTE IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THAT.
>> I'M SORRY. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR A PROCEDURAL QUESTION.
CAN WE TABLE THIS UNTIL AFTER THE 18TH? IF THEY HAVE TILL THE 18TH TO GET A LICENSE, WE'RE BEING PREMATURE AND HAVING THAT DISCUSSION OF REVOCATION TONIGHT.
>> WHY WOULD THAT BE? TONIGHT WE'RE JUST DEALING WITH THE LICENSE AND IF THEY DON'T APPLY TO TRANSFER THE LICENSE TO THEMSELVES, THAT'S A DIFFERENT ISSUE I WOULD THINK.
THIS JUST CLEARS THE LICENSE FOR THEM TO USE IF THEY GO AHEAD AND APPLY FOR THE TRANSFER.
>> AND TO CLARIFY, IS THERE A STAFF RECOMMENDATION?
>> THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO NOT TO REVOKE THE LICENSE.
>> THANK YOU. AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
I WILL OPEN THIS AS A PUBLIC HEARING IF THERE'S ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
SEEING NO ONE IN THE COUNCIL, I'LL ASK IF THERE'S ANYONE ON OUR VIRTUAL TEAMS?
>> THERE'S NO ONE WHO HAS JOINED VIA TEAMS.
>> THANK YOU TO THE CITY CLERK.
THEN ONE MORE TIME I'LL ASK IS THERE ANYONE IS IN THE CHAMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING IS NONE, HEARING IS NONE, THEN CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-77, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
SORRY, I'M UP ABOVE. I WENT TOO FAR DOWN.
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-76.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. MY APOLOGIES.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND THE SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING THERE IS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-76.
>> OH, YES. YOU WANT US TO CHANGE THE READING OF THAT?
>> YOU GUYS JUST REVOKED THE LICENSE THAT GAVE IT.
THE HEARING AND WAIVED THE READING.
>> OH, OKAY. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> SORRY TO MAKE YOUR HEART ON THERE.
>> I'M GLAD ASSISTANCE CHIEF DANIEL O'BRIEN, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE CONFUSED TONIGHT.
IT'S THE FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR.
>> IT'S THE FIRST MEETING OF THE YEAR, YES.
>> SO FAR WE'VE JUST MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND THAT PASSED.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.
BUT NOW WE'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION OF 2023-76.
THERE BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED. SECOND.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO REVOKE.
I THINK THAT'S THE FIRST TIME WE GOT IT RIGHT ON THE FIRST GO.
>> YOU WERE JUST MAKING SURE EVERYTHING WAS VERY CLEAR. YOU-ALL KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION AND THIS IS FOR THE SECOND PART OF THIS PROPERTIES RESOLUTION.
>> YES. MAYOR, MANAGER OF THE COUNCIL.
JUST SO THE SECOND REVOCATION IS FOR BASICALLY FAILURE TO CORRECT VIOLATIONS AS WELL.
IT WAS BASICALLY REMOVAL AND EXHAUST FAN AND THEN HAD EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT THE ELECTRICIAN CAME IN AND TOOK CARE OF.
SO WE'VE BEEN PROVIDED WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION, WE INSPECTED, EVERYTHING IS GOOD TO GO ON THIS ONE AS WELL.
AGAIN, OUR MOTION OR OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD CHANGE TO NOT TO REVOKE THE LICENSE.
>> THANK YOU. THEN I WILL NOW OPEN FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ITEM.
[00:30:06]
THIS IS FOR CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2023-77.THIS IS AN OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.
SO IF ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE STEP FORWARD.
AND THEN I'LL ASK THE CITY CLERK IF THERE'S ANYONE VIRTUALLY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC?
>> THERE IS NO ONE ON TEAMS, AND I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF ANYBODY JOINS.
>> THANK YOU. AND THEN ONE MORE TIME I'LL JUST ASK IF THERE'S ANYONE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING THERE'S NONE, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO GET A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2023-77.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY QUESTIONS? HEARING THERE'S NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE?
>> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION?
>> MOVE TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION 2023-77.
THERE BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION FOR THE REVOCATION.
ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING THERE'S NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE? AND ALL OPPOSED SAY NAY?
>> AND THE MOTION DOES NOT PASS.
NEXT, IT TAKES INTO OUR ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
OH, THAT IS UNDER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, NUMBER 16.AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A STATION ALERTING SYSTEM, THE PHOENIX G2 ALERTING SYSTEM, AND ASSOCIATED INSTALLATION COSTS FOR THE SYSTEM IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
AND HERE TO TAKE US OVER THIS ITEM IS OUR FIRE CHIEF, CHARLES THOMPSON.
>> GOOD EVENING. IF YOU RECALL, IN OCTOBER 2ND AT THE BUDGET WORK SESSION 2024 WORK SESSION, I PRESENTED TO YOU AN ALERTING SYSTEM.
TALKED ABOUT SOME PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH THE CURRENT ONE, AND THEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO YOU AFTER IT WAS BUDGETED UNDER THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR 2024.
JANUARY 2ND, WE REVIEWED THIS AGAIN AND I DISCUSSED THE CURRENT SYSTEM, AND I INDICATED THAT IT'S SIMPLY A PAGER THAT'S WIRED TO SEVERAL SPEAKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATION.
WHEN THE PAGER GOES OFF, IT GOES OFF FULL BLAST.
IT GETS A SERIES OF BEEPS AND IT JUST WAKES PEOPLE UP, IF THE PAGER GOES OFF.
NOW I TALKED ABOUT THE RELIABILITY.
IT'S NOT JUST THE FACT THAT THE BATTERY MAY GO OUT OR SOMEONE OCCASIONALLY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT BECAUSE THEY LOST THEIR PAGER, DIDN'T HAVE THEIR PAGER, AND NOW THE PAGER IS OUT OF THE CRADLE, NOT KNOWING INNOCENTLY ENOUGH, NOT KNOWING THAT, THAT CONTROLLED THE WHOLE SYSTEM.
IT WAS REALLY A FIX FROM THE RADIO SHOP TO ASSIST US IN SOME ALERTING SYSTEM WHEN THEY OPENED UP THE STATION MANY YEARS BACK, 2009.
I PRESENTED TO USE THIS PHOENIX SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF SOLUTIONS FOR US.
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM DISPATCH ADVANTAGES ARE IT'S A DIGITAL SYSTEM, SO IT'S FAST.
WITHIN A SECOND, AS SOON AS THAT CALL GETS TO DISPATCH, IT'S IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED TO US.
IT'LL EITHER COME TO US OR MULTIPLE STATIONS OR WHOEVER WE DESIGNATE IT.
IT TIES INTO WELLNESS FOR THE DISPATCHERS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SITTING THERE UNDER PRESSURE TRYING TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM THE PERSON AND THEN SEND IT OUT TO US.
AS SOON AS THAT INFORMATION COMES TO THEM, THEY DON'T HAVE TO.
IT COMES DIGITALLY, SO IT'S AUTOMATICALLY SENT TO US AGAIN WITHIN SECONDS.
THEY CAN GO AHEAD AND DO THEIR JOB AND THEY CAN DO THEIR INTERROGATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WE CALL IT THAT.
THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO PULL AS MUCH INFORMATION AS THEY CAN.
AS THEY'RE TYPING THAT INFORMATION, IT CONTINUES TO SHOOT TO OUR STATION AND OUR READER BOARDS AND OUR COMPUTERS THAT WE HAVE LAID OUT.
THE RELIABILITY, IT'S A TRIPLE REDUNDANT SYSTEM.
SO EVEN IF THE CAD SYSTEM GOES DOWN, THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT.
AS SOON AS THE CALL COMES IN, IT'S IMMEDIATELY AGAIN SENT TO US AND WE HAVE THE AVAILABILITY.
IT CAN GO TO OUR CELL PHONES OR THE COMPUTER SCREENS THAT WILL DESIGNATE IN THE STATION ITSELF.
[00:35:01]
FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS, IT INCREASES OUR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND MENTAL PREPAREDNESS BY USING ITS CLEAR, CONCISE LANGUAGE EVERY TIME.RIGHT NOW, WE'RE DEPENDING ON DIFFERENT DISPATCHERS.
SOME HAVE SOFTER VOICES, SOME LOUDER, SOME MALE, SOME FEMALE SO IT MAKES A BIT OF A DIFFERENCE THERE.
ULTIMATELY, IT GETS TO US QUICKER.
WELLNESS, IT CERTAINLY DOES THIS, REDUCES CARDIAC STRESS.
WHEN YOU HEAR A PAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, IT BLASTS AND IT BLOWS YOU OUT OF THE RACK.
THAT'S REALLY NOT THE WAY TO START THE CALL, HONESTLY, WE DON'T WANT OUR HEART GOING.
IT CAN REDUCE ANXIETY AND THE OPTICAL SHOCK.
WHILE THE OPTICAL SHOCK IS LIGHT IS COMING ON RIGHT AWAY.
I CAN GET INTO THAT A LITTLE MORE.
WHEN THIS PAGE COMES ACROSS, WE HAVE PROGRAMMED SPEAKERS IN THE OVERHEAD THAT ALSO HAVE LIGHTS IN, AND THOSE LIGHTS COME ON SLOWLY.
THE SPEAKER STARTS VERY LOW IN TERMS OF VOLUME AND IT STARTS GOING UP IN VOLUME TO THE SET POINT.
AT THAT SAME TIME, IN STRATEGIC AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATION, WE HAVE THE INFORMATION FROM THE CAD CALL UP ON THE WALL, ON THE SCREEN SO WHEN THE CREWS GET UP ON THEIR BEDS AND THEY'RE HEADING OUT TO THE TRUCKS WAITING, NOT ONLY ARE THE AISLE LIGHTS ON, THEY'RE TURNED ON FOR THEM.
THEY'RE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE READER BOARD.
IF THAT CAD HAS BEEN UPGRADED, LET'S SAY LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOWS UP AND IT'S MORE CRITICAL OR IF IT'S A FIRE SCENE, LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOWS UP AND THERE'S HEAVY FLAMES SHOWING.
THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR US BECAUSE NOT THAT WE DON'T MOVE ANY FASTER, WE CONFIRM WHAT OUR MISSION IS GOING TO BE WHEN WE GET THERE.
ALL THE ADVANTAGES IT BRINGS TO THE TABLE AGAIN, I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE COUNCIL LAST TUESDAY.
IT JUST FEELS THAT THIS WAS APPROPRIATE THAT WE LOOKED AT PUTTING THIS INTO THE STATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND QUITE FRANKLY THE CITIZENS TOO, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE QUICKER.
IF WE CAN CUT A MINUTE OFF A CALL, BECAUSE THIS THING IS SHOT RIGHT TO US, THIS CALL SHOT TO US WHILE THE TELECOMMUNICATOR'S DOING THEIR JOB IN TRYING TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, 20 YEARS AGO, FIRES USED TO DOUBLE IN SIZE.
TODAY THEY QUADRUPLE IN SIZE WITH THE THINGS THAT WE PUT IN OUR HOME.
SO THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT DEAL.
NOW, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I DID TELL YOU WE QUOTED THIS LAST YEAR, SO I WENT BACK.
WE WERE HAVING THE ENGINEERS DO THE FINAL QUOTE FOR US AND LAST FRIDAY, WE DID RECEIVE IT.
I WAS A LITTLE SHOCKED AT THE INCREASE IN PRICE, BUT IT WAS WHAT I'M GOING TO BRING TO YOU TONIGHT AND I'LL DECIPHER THE INCREASES IF I MAY.
WE BUDGETED 75,000 FOR THE SYSTEM.
THIS SYSTEM COMING IN WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT WE FEEL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE.
NOT A BUNCH OF EXTRAS ACTUALLY CAME IN AT $85,905.50.
I WENT THROUGH THE SPEC AND I WENT THROUGH THE LAST SPEC, 2023 SPEC.
IN THE SPEC, THIS IS WHERE OUR SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE LIES.
LAST YEAR'S QUOTE IN 2023, THEY QUOTED US 19,572 TO INSTALL THE SYSTEM ENTIRELY.
THEY HAVE LOW VOLTAGE CONTRACTORS AND HIGH VOLTAGE CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE TO COME IN AND INSTALL THIS SYSTEM.
WE CAN'T JUST HIRE PEOPLE AND THEY WON'T ALLOW THAT BECAUSE THIS IS PROPRIETARY FROM HONEYWELL.
THIS QUOTE CAME BACK, AND THIS IS THE EXACT QUOTE, THAT IT'S GOING TO COST 27,723.46.
THAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHUNK OF THE INCREASE, IT WAS $8,148.
THE OTHER INCREASE IN 2023, THE MODULE OR THE CONTROLLER, THE BRAIN BOX FOR THIS ENTIRE SYSTEM, THEY QUOTED US AT 19,005.75, WELL IT CAME BACK AT 20,945.
AGAIN, THAT'S A $173.25 INCREASE.
IF YOU ADD THOSE TOGETHER, WE'RE ALMOST AT THAT 10,000.
THAT'S OUR SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE PRICING OF THIS SYSTEM.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD PROCEED IN THE PURCHASE AND THE INSTALLATION.
IT'S STILL GOING TO TAKE US SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET IT LINED UP AND PUT IN THE STATION.
BUT ULTIMATELY, I THINK IT'LL IMPROVE A LOT OF THINGS.
AS I INDICATED WITH THAT, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I WOULD OPEN IT UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES?
[00:40:02]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH, FIRE CHIEF.
THIS IS MONEY WELL SPENT FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS, FOR THEIR WELLNESS.
WE WANTED OUR CITY TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK SO THAT PEOPLE STAY HERE AND DO A GOOD JOB.
SO WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THAT AND I THINK THIS IS VERY MUCH AS A HOMEOWNER HERE, I WANT THE SAFETY AND REDUNDANCY AND THE COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OF THAT.
SO I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THIS SYSTEM.
IT'S A BIG UPGRADE FROM THE OLD PAGER.
I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE ON 1990S TECHNOLOGY RIGHT NOW, SO THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT, AT LEAST AS UPDATED AS DOORDASH, SO THAT'LL BE GREAT.
IN OUR WORK SESSION, ALL THE COUNCIL SPOKE ABOUT HOW HAPPY WE ARE TO BE MOVING FORWARD IN THE DEPARTMENT TO BRING THIS THERE, AND SO WE ARE BASICALLY SO EXCITED ABOUT IT.
WE WANTED TO BRING IT UP AT THE COUNCIL MEETING SO THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD KNOW THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE COMING TO OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THOUGHT WAS REALLY GREAT ABOUT THIS WAS THE FACT THAT THIS IS WHAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS HAVE.
THIS HELPS YOU ALL COMMUNICATE BETTER AS WELL, AND WE'RE JUST HAVING THE SAME QUALITY OF SAFETY AS OUR NEARBY CITIES.
THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TOO, IS THAT WE'RE DOING WHAT WE KNOW IS BEST, GOOD PRACTICE.
ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? NO. I SEE KEVIN HAS HIS HAND.
>> YEAH. THANK YOU, MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, BECAUSE THE BUDGET CAME IN OVER THE FINAL PRICING, THE MOTION SHOULD INCLUDE BECAUSE YOU'RE WORKING ON AN APPROVED BUDGET, IF YOU COULD JUST HAVE THE MOTION ALSO BE ADDING AMENDING THE BUDGET TO 85,000 INSTEAD OF 75,000 BECAUSE YOU HAD ALREADY APPROVED THE BUDGET FOR THIS.
>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW.
>> AND THEN THAT DOES REQUIRE FORFEIT VOTE.
>> IS IT 85,000 OR I WAS LIKE 8059, SOMETHING?
>> MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER, JAMES.
>> THANK YOU. MAYBE YOU SHOULD MAKE THAT.
>> WELL, HEARING THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS THEN FROM THE COUNCIL OR COMMENTS, THEN MOVE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE.
>> I MOVE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND ACTING CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH US DIGITAL DESIGNS FOR A G2 FIRE STATION ALERTING SYSTEM AND INSTALLATION, AND AMENDING THE BUDGET TO THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $85,905.50.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARING THERE'S NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> AYE. [OVERLAPPING] ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, CHIEF.
NEXT WE ARE AT OUR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
NUMBER 17, CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 4721 CHATHAM ROAD NORTHEAST.
ANDREW BOUCHER IS HERE, OUR CITY PLANNER.
>> MA'AM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
TODAY, WE'RE HERE TO CONSIDER A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 4721 CHATHAM ROAD NORTH EAST.
ON DECEMBER 14TH, THE OWNER REACHED OUT TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REQUESTING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP.
MR. BATES IS HERE IN CASE YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HIM.
THE LETTER HE SUBMITTED DETAILING HIS FAMILY'S HISTORY WITH THE PROPERTY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM IS ATTACHED AS WELL AS SECTION ORDINANCE 1685, WHICH ESTABLISHES THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP.
THE NUMBER OF SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL PROPERTIES ON THIS BLOCK IS THREE, IT IS AT THE ALLOTMENT, SO THIS WOULD PUT IT OVER THAT CAP, WHICH IS WHY THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING THE EXEMPTION.
AS IT IS THE HOMEOWNER'S RIGHT TO APPEAL TO COUNCIL, STAFF BROUGHT FORTH THE APPEAL ALONG WITH THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR DISCUSSION AND REVIEW.
IF APPROVED, RESOLUTION 2024-001, WOULD GRANT A TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION TO THE HOMEOWNER WITH A FEW ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
THE HOMEOWNER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION.
THAT PUTS A LIMIT ON HOW LONG THEY CAN TAKE TO BRING THE HOUSE INTO COMPLIANCE IF NEEDED, THE TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE WOULD BE VALID FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE THAT THAT LICENSE IS APPROVED.
THIS PROVIDES THE HOMEOWNER AND THE TENANT THE ABILITY TO RENT THE HOUSE FOR A FULL YEAR AFTER THE TERM OF THE TEMPORARY LICENSE.
THE APPLICANT MAY REQUEST A TEMPORARY LICENSE THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME THROUGH ANOTHER RENEWAL THROUGH YOU GUYS.
NO PROPERTY OWNER SHALL HOLD A TEMPORARY RENT LICENSE FOR THE SAME PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO THE APPLICANT,
[00:45:01]
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK AT ALL.>> THANK YOU. THERE'S SOMETHING IN MY LETTER THAT OR I SHOULD SAY THERE'S SOMETHING THAT I LEFT OUT OF MY LETTER THAT I HAVE MATERIALS HERE IF I MAY APPROACH AND SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL.
>> SO MY NAME IS DEREK BATISTE, AND WHAT I WANTED TO SHARE THAT WASN'T IN MY LETTER WAS MY GRANDFATHER WAS THE COUNTY AUDITOR FOR ANOKA COUNTY STARTING IN 1971 THROUGH, I THINK, 1989.
THEN JUST TO REITERATE, THE HOUSE HAS BEEN IN OUR FAMILY SINCE WE WERE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND IT'S BASICALLY A FAMILY HEIRLOOM.
I MYSELF WAS BORN IN LOS ANGELES, BUT MY MOTHER BROUGHT ME AND MY SISTER HERE WHEN I WAS EIGHT, AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I SAW SNOW.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN WHAT LOS ANGELES WEATHER IS LIKE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE THUNDERSTORMS AND THE LIGHTNING THAT WE HAVE HERE.
I REMEMBER VERY VIVIDLY GOING OUT DURING THE FIRST PEAL OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING AND I FELL DOWN AND I REMEMBER MY GRANDPARENTS LAUGHING.
BASICALLY, THE HOUSE WAS BESTOWED TO MY GRANDMOTHER, BUT MY GRANDFATHER WANTED ME TO HAVE IT AS A RESULT OF ME TAKING CARE OF HIM AND MOVING IN WITH THEM IN MY FIRST UNDERGRAD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN 2006.
SO MY GRANDMOTHER HAD IT AFTER HIS PASSING IN 2010.
I WAS IN GERMANY NEAR THE TIME OF HER SETTLING HER AFFAIRS AND SHE SHE DIDN'T WANT ANY COMPLICATIONS WITH REGARD TO MY TRAVEL FOR WORK TO COME INTO PLAY, SO SHE LEFT IT TO MY MOTHER WHEN SHE PASSED AWAY, AND SHE PASSED AWAY ABOUT A YEAR AGO, DECEMBER OF 2022.
[NOISE] I'VE RECENTLY RECEIVED THE PROPERTY THROUGH A QUITCLAIM DEED FROM MY MOTHER.
WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE I'M STARTING MY FAMILY, ME AND MY PARTNER ARE GOING TO BE LIVING IN OREGON FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR SO AND WE WOULD LIKE TO USE THE PROPERTY FOR RENTAL INCOME, BUT ALSO TO KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY, AND MY MOTHER WOULD LIKE TO RETURN HERE WHEN SHE RETIRES.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
WE APPRECIATE THE EXTRA INFORMATION AND YOU ATTENDING OUR MEETING.
>> I KEEP FORGETTING THE BUTTONS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SENTIMENT FOR YOUR HOME.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE AWARE THAT, ONE, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION, AND THERE'S NOT A GUARANTEE, IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES THIS, THAT YOU'LL PASS THAT TO GET THE APPLICATION, AND THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE ONE YEAR AND THEN YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR THE SECOND YEAR AND THEN THAT'S DONE.
SO HOPING YOUR MOTHER RETIRES SOON SO YOUR PLANS CAN GO AHEAD WITH HOWEVER THEY GO.
>> TO YOUR POINT, THERE'S SOME UNCERTAINTY.
WE DON'T HAVE A DATE WITH REGARD TO WHEN SHE WILL BE READY TO COME BACK, BUT IN THE EVENT THAT WE NEED MORE TIME, MY PARTNER USED TO BE PROFESSOR AT ST. THOMAS.
LIKE I SAID, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR MOST OF MY LIFE. WE LOVE IT HERE.
SO WE WOULD PLAN TO COME BACK AND SPEND OUR TIME HERE IF NECESSARY.
ALSO TO YOUR POINT REGARDING THE RENTAL LICENSE INSPECTION, MY PLAN IS TO TAKE OUT AN EQUITY.
THERE'S NO MORTGAGE ON THE HOUSE, SO I'LL BE TAKING A LOAN AGAINST THE EQUITY TO DO ANY OF THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO PASS THE INSPECTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING?
YOU SAID THAT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE OF ABOUT A YEAR.
WHO'S BEEN STAYING IN THE HOUSE FOR THE LAST YEAR? HAS IT BEEN OCCUPIED?
>> IT'S BEEN ME PART OF THE TIME, AND DURING THE TIMES THAT I'VE BEEN AWAY, I'VE HAD MY NEIGHBOR.
SO ON ONE SIDE IT'S THE ORIGINAL NEIGHBOR WHO'S BEEN CLOSE FAMILY FRIENDS AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE IS HER DAUGHTER.
SO WHEN I'VE HAD TO GO OUT FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, I'VE HAD THEM CHECKING ON THE HOUSE.
>> SO WHAT'S THE AVERAGE PERIOD OF TIME THAT THE HOUSE HAS BEEN OCCUPIED IN THE PAST YEAR? LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, MORE THAN SIX MONTHS?
>> I'D SAY IN THE PAST YEAR, LESS THAN SIX MONTHS.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF GOING THROUGH MY CHILDHOOD HOME AND ALSO GOING THROUGH BOTH OF MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOMES, WHICH I SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN AND I KNOW HOW IMPACTFUL THAT CAN BE.
[00:50:01]
MY CONCERN IS THAT YOUR TIMELINE IS NOT FINITE.IT'S ALREADY SAT OPEN OR EMPTY.
EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE, IN PART, OCCUPYING IT, IT HAS SAT EMPTY FOR A GOOD PORTION OF THE LAST YEAR, WHICH IS PART OF YOUR ARGUMENT, IS KEEPING SOMEONE THERE TO KEEP IT SAFE.
[NOISE] MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT TYPICALLY WHEN SOMEBODY COMES FORWARD AND ASKS FOR US TO RECONSIDER THE ORDINANCE, IT'S USUALLY BECAUSE OF SOME KIND OF A HARDSHIP THAT'S PRESENTED.
SOMEBODY THAT'S IN THE MILITARY OR THERE'S SOME OTHER HARDSHIP THAT IS RELEVANT THAT MAKES IT MORE IMPACTFUL THAT SOMETHING BE DONE, AND I'M NOT SEEING THAT IN YOUR CASE.
SO IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME, AS MUCH AS I APPRECIATE THAT THIS IS, IN ESSENCE, YOUR CHILDHOOD HOME IN MANY WAYS.
I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT BECAUSE I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT CAN BE, AND MEANINGFUL, BUT I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THAT AND THE FACT THAT THERE'S NO FINITE TIMELINE.
YOU'RE NOT SURE WHEN MOM'S GOING TO RETIRE, YOU'RE INDICATING THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE BACK HERE IN A YEAR, MAYBE YOU CAN MOVE THAT TIME LINE UP.
I DON'T KNOW. WITH A CHILD COMING, I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF LEARNING CURVE THERE.
>> SURE. SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO EXPAND ON, THE HARDSHIP ASPECT OF THIS IS THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL REASON WHY MY MOTHER WOULD LIKE TO RETURN.
SHE JUST WENT THROUGH A DIVORCE AND WE NEEDED TO SELL THE JOINT PROPERTY, WHICH SHE LIVES IN BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, AND SHE DOES NOT MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO LIVE IN THAT AREA.
SO I GUESS IT'S OPEN TO INTERPRETATION HOW YOU WOULD DEFINE HARDSHIP, BUT BEING PART OF OUR FAMILY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO LEVERAGE TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT HER SECURITY AND HER FUTURE ARE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, IF THE HOUSE IS PAID FOR, WOULDN'T SHE BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND LIVE IN? [OVERLAPPING]
>> I FEEL THAT YOU'VE SHARED ENOUGH THOUGH.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE NEED TO GO TOO MUCH INTO HIS PERSONAL.
>> I KNOW. I'M NOT TRYING TO GO INTO HIS PERSONAL LIFE, BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S GROUNDS TO ESTABLISH WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S HARDSHIP, AND THAT HARDSHIP WAS NOT PRESENTED UNTIL NOW.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I, AS AN INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBER, WILL HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS [PHONETIC].
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING FORWARD AND SHARING EVERYTHING.
I RECENTLY HAD A CHILD WHO IS NOW ALMOST TWO YEARS OLD.
I WOULD CLASSIFY HAVING A CHILD AS A HARDSHIP IN ITS OWN WAY.
IT'S VERY HARD, AND I THINK YOU HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE CLOSER TO FAMILY TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT AND STUFF, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S SUPER SPECIAL.
THE REASON WHY WE WOULD DENY AN APPLICATION, IN MY OPINION, WOULD BE TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM RENTING OUT A HOME WITH THE SOLE IDEA OF MAKING A PROFIT OFF OF THAT.
THE REASON TO DO THAT, IN THIS CASE, WOULD BE TO COVER FINANCES AND ANOTHER PLACE TO LIVE OUT IN OREGON OR WASHINGTON, WHICHEVER STATE YOU SAID.
I THINK THAT THIS FITS RIGHT WITHIN THE GUIDELINES OF WHY WE HAVE THIS EXEMPTION.
I THINK IT'S A FANTASTIC NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE HAVE A GREAT AREA OF THE CITY WE LIVE IN.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A PERFECT REASON TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT THEN. THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TO SPEAK.
>> JUST TO FINISH THINGS OFF, STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVING RESOLUTION 2024-001, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION AT 4721 CHATHAM ROAD NORTHEAST.
SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE THE APPLICANT SPOKE.
I JUST WANTED YOU GUYS TO HEAR FROM HIM FIRST.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS REMARKS ABOUT THE TIMELINE FOR TWO YEARS, YOU HAVE TO COME IN, AND YOU ONLY HAVE TWO YEARS.
SO I ALSO AGREE THAT YOU ALREADY UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE A TWO-YEAR EXEMPTION AND YOU'LL GET YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER AND FIGURE THINGS OUT IN TWO YEARS TO DO WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO.
SO I FEEL LIKE IT'S WITHIN THE REALM OF THE MORATORIUM THAT WE HAVE.
SAYING THAT, THEN MAY HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-001.
THERE'LL BE AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
[00:55:02]
ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-001, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION AT 4721 CHATHAM ROAD NORTHEAST, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MN 55421.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
SORRY, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVE YOUR MATERIALS HERE JUST SO YOU DON'T FORGET THEM.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
[NOISE] NEXT WE ARE AT ITEM NUMBER 18.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2024-02, BEING A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE PARTICIPATION IN THE EXCEL ENERGY PARTNERS AND ENERGY PROGRAM.
ANDREW BOUCHER, OUR CITY PLANNER, WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM AS WELL.
>> MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THIS ITEM WENT BEFORE THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION IN DECEMBER AND YOU GUYS TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE WORK SESSION ON THE SECOND.
EXCEL ENERGY PARTNERS IN ENERGY PROVIDES COMMUNITIES IN COLORADO, MINNESOTA, AND WISCONSIN SERVICES THROUGH A TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP AN ENERGY ACTION PLAN AND ASSISTANCE WITH IMPLEMENTING THAT PLAN, UNDERSTANDING THAT COMMUNITIES UNIQUE VISION ARE UNIQUE ENERGY NEEDS AND PRIORITIES AND TAILORING THEIR SERVICES TO COMPLEMENT THAT VISION.
BY WORKING WITH CITIZENS, BUSINESSES, AND EVEN THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, COMMUNITY CAN SHAVE DOLLARS OFF UTILITY BILLS, PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY, DRIVE RESOURCE CONSERVATION, OR CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION GOALS.
PARTNERS IN ENERGY HELPS ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF IDENTIFYING LOCAL PRIORITIES, AND THEN BASICALLY STRUCTURES A PATH THAT LEVERAGES ALL OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
THE ENERGY ACTION PLANNING APPLICATION DESCRIBES HOW PARTNERS IN ENERGY HELPS GATHER STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THESE PLANS TO ADDRESS LOCAL ENERGY CHALLENGES AND PRIORITIES WITH ACTIONABLE AND EQUITABLE STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES.
IF THE CITY IS ACCEPTED AS A COMMUNITY, THERE WILL BE A SCOPING MEETING TO HELP DETERMINE THE PATHWAY THAT BEST ALIGNS WITH OUR COMMUNITY'S INTERESTS AND CAPABILITIES.
THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANT COMMUNITIES.
THE EXPECTATION THAT EXCEL PROVIDES STAFF AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES DURING THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASE, AS WELL AS THE CITY COMMUNITY PROVIDES STAFF TIME AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENT THOSE STRATEGIES.
ONCE WE'RE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM, EXCEL WILL ORGANIZE KICKOFF MEETINGS TO BUILD THE FRAMEWORK AND LAUNCH THE ENERGY ACTION PLANNING WORKSHOPS.
EXPECT ABOUT 6-8 WEEKS FOR THIS PREPARATION AND THEN 5-6 MONTHS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PLAN.
FOLLOWING THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT, WE'LL COLLABORATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS TO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGIES AND OUTLINE ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES THAT MAY INCLUDE PROMOTIONAL OUTREACH, EDUCATION EVENTS, PR TO HELP GUIDE THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND BRING TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO HELP OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS.
IDEALLY, YOU'RE GOING TO PICK A CHAMPION FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND HELP SMOOTH THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AN ACTION PLAN AND ROLLING OUT IMPLEMENTATION.
EXCEL WILL PROVIDE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS TO HELP LEAD WORKSHOPS AND EMPOWER THE TEAM WITH RESOURCES AND ENERGY EXPERTISE.
OVER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF WORKING TOGETHER TO DEVELOP THE ACTION PLAN.
THE CHAMPION MAY REQUIRE UP TO 100 HOURS OF TIME FROM YOUR PARTNER'S IN ENERGY CHAMPION.
I HANDLE A LOT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AS A CITY PLANNER, SO I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A REALLY GREAT WAY TO NARROW THAT FOCUS A LITTLE BIT AND JUST STREAMLINE SOME OF THAT WORK.
THROUGH THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, THEY WILL LEVERAGE THE CITY'S EXISTING COMMUNICATION CHANNELS, SUCH AS THE CITY WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, PRESS MEDIA, NEWSLETTERS OR CABLE CHANNELS.
THESE ARE EXCEL RESOURCES, BUT IS THE COMMUNITY THAT OWNS THE PLAN.
WE WOULD HAVE THE ULTIMATE SAY ON WHAT WE DEFINE THE PRIORITIES ARE.
THE PROGRAM ALSO SERVES AS AN INFLATION REDUCTION RESOURCE FOR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, NONPROFIT, AND FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND TRIBES TO ACCESS INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS TAX CREDITS, RESIDENTIAL REBATES, GRANTS FOR THE CREATION OF NEW PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS, AND DIRECT TAX CREDITS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ACCESS CLEAN ENERGY,
[01:00:02]
COMMERCIAL CLEAN VEHICLES, ALTERNATIVE FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE.OTHER AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDE BUILDING EFFICIENCY, ELECTRIFICATION, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND EV FLEET AND CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK UTILIZED THE PROGRAM TO CREATE THEIR CLIMATE CHAMPIONS PROGRAM.
I ATTACHED AS PART OF THE PACKET, THE CITY OF COON RAPIDS, THEY'VE REALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM, AND SO I JUST WANTED YOU GUYS TO SEE WHAT THAT FISH PRODUCT LOOK LIKE.
THEN SOME OF THE FEEDBACK I RECEIVED AT THE WORK SESSION WAS TO REVIEW THE 2040 COMP PLAN AND THE 2018 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY REGARDING COMMUNITY GOALS FOR ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND CLIMATE ACTIONS.
GOALS FOR SOCIAL EQUITY, COMMUNITY AND LAND USE, HEALTHIER FOODS, ENERGY AND WASTE WERE IDENTIFIED AND THEN INCLUDED AN AMENDED APPLICATION.
THEN I ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE CITY CLERK, TREASURER OF HILLTOP, RUTH, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT.
THEY'RE GOING TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM TO PURSUE THEIR OWN APPLICATION.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THEM, BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE WITH THEM AS WELL.
STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT COUNSEL APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-002, AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SUBMIT THE PARTNERS AND ENERGY APPLICATION BEFORE THE JANUARY 15 DEADLINE.
I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU GUYS HAVE.
IT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE MARCH-ISH WE WOULD HEAR SOMETHING.
>> WELL, THE DEADLINE IS THE 15TH FOR THIS QUARTER OF APPLICATION, SO I WOULD ASSUME AS SOON AS WE GET AN APPLICATION IN, I FEEL LIKE WE'D PROBABLY START WORKING THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
>> VERY COOL. THANK YOU. VERY EXCITING.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNSEL BISKINS, PLEASE.
>> WHEN WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO START WORKING ON THIS MARCH?
>> WE SUBMIT THE APPLICATION BEFORE THE 15TH, WHICH IS THE NEXT DEADLINE, BUT I ANTICIPATE THAT WE START WORK PRETTY SOON AFTER THAT.
>> EVEN BEFORE WE HEAR THAT IT'S BEEN APPROVED?
>> I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THEY SAID, HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE FOR APPLICATIONS TO GET PROCESSED AND FOLLOW UP WITH THAT AND GET YOU GUYS THAT INFORMATION.
>> I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM. SUPER EXCITED.
HOPEFULLY ONE OF THE IDEAS AS FAR AS BECAUSE YOU'RE FROM WARREN AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE WORK SESSION THAT YOU WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE DRONE PROGRAM THAT THEY USED TO LOOK AT NIGHT TO SEE HOW MUCH HEAT IS COMING OUT OF PEOPLE'S HOMES.
>> IT WAS MY ENTIRE WORK PLAN FOR A YEAR.
>> I THINK IT WOULD BE SO COOL IF WE COULD DO THAT FOR A COMMUNITY AS PART OF THIS, IF IT GETS APPROVED AND IF COUNCIL AGREES THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO USE THE DRONE WE ALREADY HAVE, IF POSSIBLE.
ANYWAY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND SO EXCITED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR WORK IN THIS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILOR JAMES, ANYTHING.
>> I JUST THANK YOU FOR UPDATING THAT TO THOSE GOALS THAT I HAD THOUGHT THAT WERE OUT THERE.
I ALSO REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ONCE THIS PROGRAM IS CREATED, IT WILL BE A USE NOT ONLY TO OUR CITY BUT TO ALL OF OTHER FAITH BASED LOCAL BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS.
IT'S REALLY OUR WAY OF GETTING IT THROUGH.
IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS AND YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE COON RAPIDS PLAN THAT WAS ATTACHED IN THE COUNCIL PACKET, GO TO THE WEBSITE AND LOOK FOR MEETING MATERIALS BECAUSE IT IS JUST INCREDIBLE.
IF SOME OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE BROUGHT TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, I'M EXCITED FOR THAT AND I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD USE OF OUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COUNCIL WES BRIGGS?
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY [INAUDIBLE]
>> I'LL BE THE THIRD TO ECHO WHAT THE COUNCIL SAID, AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH ASPECT OF THIS, AND THEM BEING ABLE TO COME AND COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY ON SOME SUPER EXCITING PROJECTS OVER THE COMING YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THE APPLICATION AND WHAT I'M EXCITED TO HEAR WHAT'S NEXT.
>> IT'S SUCH A GREAT TIMING WITH HAVING A SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE FIRED UP WITH THAT AND ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS GOING ON.
THE REASON I SAID MARCH IS BECAUSE YOU WERE MENTIONING 6-8 WEEKS.
I WAS THINKING, SO MARCH, WE'LL HEAR BACK IF HOW THINGS ARE GOING.
NO PRESSURE [OVERLAPPING] OR ANYTHING. JUST CURIOUS.
EXCITED. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING?
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-02.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO WAIVE THE READING.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND THE NEXT MAY HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-02, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PARTNERS IN ENERGY PROGRAM.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[01:05:02]
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
WE HAVE NO BID CONSIDERATIONS FOR TONIGHT, BUT THAT DOES TAKE OUR NEW BUSINESS AND REPORTS.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING WITH THAT? ALL RIGHT THEN.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
WE GO TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS AND REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO GO FIRST? COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> I ATTENDED THE LISTENING SESSION TOURS WITH METRO TRANSIT, THE CITY HOLIDAY LUNCH, AND I'D LIKE TO REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT BEGINNING JANUARY 1, NEW REGULATIONS ARE NOW OFFERING PROTECTIONS TO RENTERS AND TENANTS, SUCH AS MANDATORY 24-HOUR NOTICE BEFORE ENTERING FOR A NON-EMERGENCY ITEM.
YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE NEW REGULATIONS BY GOING TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA RENTERS RIGHTS, WHICH WILL TAKE YOU TO SEVERAL REALLY GREAT RESOURCES.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALONG WITH COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS, AND OTHERS, I ATTENDED THE FUNERAL SERVICES FOR BRE MARKHAM WHO IS THE DAUGHTER OF OUR CAPTAIN MATT MARKHAM AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I WANT TO SAY THAT IT WAS VERY MOVING AND IMPACTFUL TO SEE THAT FIVE PLUS PEWS WERE FILLED WITH BOTH FORMER AND CURRENT OFFICERS AS WELL AS MANY, MANY PEOPLE FROM THE CITY.
IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THAT WE HAVE THAT KIND OF A SENSE OF FAMILY AND TOGETHERNESS.
IT WAS A SAD DAY, BUT IT WAS INCREDIBLE TO SEE THAT.
I ALSO FACILITATED THREE RESIDENT REACH OUTS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNSEL, WES BRIGGS?
>> SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, WHICH EXCUSE ME, HAS BEEN A WHILE NOW, I ATTENDED THE I GUESS I DIDN'T ATTEND SIT THE CITY TOUR, WENT RIGHT BY MY HOUSE, WHICH WAS SUPER EXCITING TO SEE.
MY SON LOVED THAT, AND ALSO THE HOLIDAY LIGHT TRAIN WAS GREAT TO STOP BY.
I SIGNED ON TO TWO LETTERS RECENTLY.
ONE WAS WITH OVER 250 LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY URGING PRESIDENT BIDEN CONGRESS TO PASS A DURABLE CEASEFIRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
THE SECOND LETTER I SIGNED ON WAS FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP.
THEY JUST RELEASED A LETTER URGING OUR DELEGATION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM MINNESOTA TO MAKE SPECIFIC POLICY CHANGES AROUND EXPANDING THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT AND ALSO INCREASE FUNDING FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS. ADDITIONALLY, I PROVIDED A WRITTEN UPDATE OF IMPORTANT THINGS GOING ON IN THE CITY, TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, PRIOR TO OUR JOINT MEETING COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH.
I ALSO CONNECTED WITH OUR STREET THREE STATE LEGISLATORS BEFORE THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO TALK ABOUT PRIORITIES FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND WAYS WE CAN HELP THEM OUT AS WELL AND THEN ATTENDED OUR LIBRARY BOARD EDA AND WORK SESSION MEETINGS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
>> THANK YOU. ALSO VISITED THE HOLIDAY TRAIN, GREAT JOB BY ALL THE PUBLIC WORKS STAFF AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT WAS A FANTASTIC NIGHT.
VOLUNTEERED WITH THE SACA TOY GIVEAWAY THIS YEAR.
THAT'S BEEN JUST A BUSY CHRISTMAS SEASON.
I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE CITY STAFF HOLIDAY LUNCHEON AND CONGRATS TO OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR, DIANA, FROM THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT, WELL DESERVED.
I ALONG WITH THE MAYOR MET WITH SOME ST.
ANTHONY CITY LEADERS ON DECEMBER 19TH, MAYOR ELECT, WENDY WEBSTER, THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, AND THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR, TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR PLANS FOR MAYBE SOME SORT OF COMMUNITY CENTER IN ST. ANTHONY.
I ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH OUR ANOKA COUNTY COMMISSIONER THAT REPRESENTS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MANDY MEISNER, TO HEAR ABOUT THINGS FROM THE COUNTY LEVEL, INCLUDING THE COUNTY TAX LEVIES AND THEIR PRIORITIES FOR 2024.
WE TALKED IN DEPTH ABOUT CORDIAC PARK AND THE PAVILION THAT CAME DOWN AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT THERE.
I EXTEND INVITATION TO YOU ALL TO GET IN TOUCH WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MANDY MEISNER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
I HAD A MEETING WITH A CRESTVIEW BOARD MEMBER AND ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND THEIR GOALS.
I WENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WATCH UPDATE WITH CHIEF LENNY AUSTIN, I GOT TO SPEAK WITH OUR CONSULTANT REGARDING OUR SEARCH PROCESS.
MY KIDS GOT TO GO SKIING WITH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WRECK AND THEY LOVED IT.
IT WAS A GREAT DAY AT WILD MOUNTAIN AND THEY CAME BACK WITH ALL THEIR TOES AND FEET AND THAT'S A BIG ACHIEVEMENT.
ALSO ATTENDED THE EDA AND THE WORK SESSION AND SIGNED ON TO THE LETTER THAT COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS MENTIONED REGARDING THE HOUSING PROGRAMS. I JUST WANTED TO READ A PARAGRAPH FROM THE LETTER FOR THE CEASEFIRE BECAUSE I REALLY AGREE THERE'S NOT MUCH WE CAN DO AS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COUNCIL MEMBERS, BUT WE ARE JOINING WITH OTHER LOCAL OFFICIALS, STATE LEVEL OFFICIALS, COUNTY OFFICIALS, FEDERAL OFFICIALS, AND INTERNATIONAL ELECTED LEADERS TO CALL FOR AND IT SAYS, A DURABLE CEASE FIRE TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES,
[01:10:04]
TO DELIVER HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, AND TO BEGIN THE CONDITIONS FOR A POLITICAL AGREEMENT THAT CAN END THIS CONFLICT.IF YOU'RE INTERESTED ANYMORE IN THOSE LETTERS, THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR US TO SHARE.
BUT WE STAND TOGETHER WITH ALL OF THE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE TO SAY THAT WE ARE CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I SIGNED ON TO PERSONALLY.
THEN ALSO JUST WANTED TO SAY, I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS COMMUNITY AND ALL THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE.
THERE WAS A GREAT RECAP ON THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, I THINK IT WAS ON THE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM OF EVERYTHING ACCOMPLISHED IN 2023 SUMMARIZED AND IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE ALL THE WORK THAT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE DONE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNSEL MEMBER BISKINS
>> I AS WELL AS WITH THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTENDED THE HOLIDAY TRAIN AND IT WAS A HUGE TURNOUT.
IT WAS PACKED WITH THE NICE WEATHER AND NO SNOW.
UNFORTUNATE PART IS THEY'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO RECEDE THAT AREA [LAUGHTER] WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WALKING ON THERE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SNOW TO PROTECT IT.
ATTENDED THE MWMO MEETING, WHOM WE MET THE DIRECTOR TONIGHT, KEVIN REICH.
IT'S A GREAT ORGANIZATION THAT DOES WONDERFUL THINGS TO TRY TO KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN AND IN OUR WATERSHED AND OUR RIVER.
I'M THE LIAISON FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, AND AS USUAL, THIS GROUP IS VERY EXCITED AND WE DEALT WITH THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
AND ONE OF THE OUTPUTS WAS THE THING THAT WE VOTED ON TONIGHT WITH EXCEL.
I ATTENDED THE HIGH SCHOOL BAND CONCERT.
WE HAVE A HUGE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WORD IS YOU COULD DESCRIBED, BUT THE DRUMS?
>> PERCUSSION, BUT THEY CALL IT A CERTAIN NAME, I CAN'T REMEMBER.
THERE WAS, I THINK 18, DON'T QUOTE ME BUT THE DRUM LINE, A LOT OF KIDS IN THE DRUM LINE AND THEY WERE REALLY GOOD AND THEY ONLY PLAYED ONE SONG.
I WAS LIKE, I COULD HAVE LISTENED TO HIM A COUPLE MORE TIMES.
I ATTENDED THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FIRE PANCAKE BREAKFAST, AND I FOLLOWED THE SANTA TOO.
I TRIED TO STAY BACK, BUT I WANTED TO SEE THE FOLKS THAT CAME OUT FROM THEIR HOMES, AND THERE WAS QUITE A FEW PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY IN CERTAIN PARTS.
PEOPLE PULLED THEIR CARS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF TOWNS AND WAITED.
IT WAS VERY EXCITING TO SEE OUR SANTA TRAVEL THROUGH TOWN AND SAY HI TO OUR RESIDENTS.
SHE IS THE WOMAN THAT'S BEEN THE ASSISTANT OVER AT OUR PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING FOR, WHAT? TWENTY SIX YEARS, I THINK IT WAS?
>> TWENTY FOUR? VERY SAD TO SEE HER GO, BUT I'M SURE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF LIFE WILL BE VERY EXCITING AND HOPEFULLY HEALTHY FOR HER.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE PARK VIEW VILLA. CHRISTMAS DINNER.
SAID HI TO RESIDENTS THERE TOO, ALONG WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, ATTENDED MATT MARKHAM'S DAUGHTER'S FUNERAL.
IT WAS A VERY SAD EVENT, BUT IT WAS GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE THERE TO GIVE HIS FAMILY THE SUPPORT THEY NEEDED DURING THIS VERY SAD TIME. AND THAT'S IT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILOR BISKINS.
BEFORE I START MY REPORT, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE COUNCIL, WHETHER ATTENDING THE FUNERAL OR NOT, ALL THE STAFF IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, ALL OF OUR CONDOLENCES TO CAPTAIN MARKHAM ON THE PASSING OF HIS DAUGHTER.
VERY SAD TRAGEDY AND WE'VE JUST ALL HAD OUR HEARTS WITH HIM, THE DEPARTMENT AND EVERYONE GOING THROUGH ALL THAT.
[NOISE] TO GO INTO MY REPORT, I ATTENDED A GOVERNOR'S MEETING FOR THE LATIN COMMUNITY LEADERS ON DECEMBER 12.
ATTENDED OUR YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING.
WE'RE GETTING THINGS ON THE ROLE.
WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE READING A BOOK TOGETHER ON THE FIRST, THEY'RE READING IT OVER THE HOLIDAY AND SO WE'RE GOING OVER THAT AT THE YOUTH COMMISSION ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
WEDNESDAY IS OUR YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING.
ATTENDED THE STAFF HOLIDAY LUNCHEON WHERE DIANA SAFEKY WAS NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR, THAT WAS EXCITING.
AT THE STAFF LUNCHEON THEY ALSO CALL OUT ANY OTHER EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FIVE, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 YEARS.
IT'S VERY EXCITING TO SEE THEM HONORED IN THAT WAY.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, I ATTENDED THE SHOP WITH A COP, WITH THE POLICE CHIEF AUSTIN, AND A COMMUNITY MEMBER.
AND THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN AD WE'VE OF COURSE, RAN INTO MANY PEOPLE.
WHERE ELSE DO YOU MEET UP BUT AT TARGET? RAN INTO A LOT OF PEOPLE AT TARGET.
I'VE TOURED A LOT OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SITES AND MET WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES IN LAST MONTH.
ATTENDED, AS COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES MENTIONED, A MEETING WITH ST. ANTHONY ON THE POSSIBILITIES FOR COLLABORATING.
ATTENDED A HOUSING MEETING WITH A LOCAL HOUSING ADVOCATE WHO WORKS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
ATTENDED SUE CHAPMAN'S RETIREMENT PARTY OVER AT THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
ATTENDED THE PARK VIEW VILLAS HOLIDAY PARTY.
[01:15:01]
IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE ALL THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THIS SPRING.I'M GOING TO RETURN THE FAVOR AND INVITE THEM TO COME OVER TO CITY HALL AND HAVE COFFEE OVER HERE.
ATTENDED THE SILVERWOOD NEIGHBORHOODS HOLIDAY PARTY, AND THAT WAS IN ST. ANTHONY AT THEIR COMMUNITY CENTER.
ALSO, OUR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BOOSTERS THE SAME NIGHT HAD A HOLIDAY PARTY AND ATTENDED THAT AS WELL.
THEN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS, WE HAD A HOLIDAY LUNCH IN ST. LOUIS PARK TO SAY GOODBYE TO SOME OF THE MAYORS WHO WERE FINISHING THEIR TERMS. WE MET AT THE WESTWOOD HILLS NATURE CENTER.
I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT, IT'S NOT IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, IT IS THE FIRST AND ONLY ZERO NET BUILDING IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
WESTWOOD HILLS NATURE CENTER IN ST. LOUIS PARK.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND IF YOU EVER WANT TO JUST TAKE A LITTLE TOUR AND WALK AROUND, THEY HAVE RAPTORS AS WELL AT THE BUILDING, BUT A LOT OF GREEN IDEAS FOR BUILDING SITES.
I'M NOW A MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYOR EXECUTIVE TEAM AND WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING LAST WEEK.
THEN TODAY WAS OUR REGULAR RCM MEETING WHERE WE HAD TWO SPEAKERS.
FUTURIST JACK ALDRICK SPOKE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AI IN COMMUNITIES AND THEN PHIL HANSON SPOKE FROM GLOBAL MINNESOTA AND THEY DO A LOT OF INTERNATIONAL WORK IN BRINGING GUESTS TO MINNESOTA.
I ALSO SIGNED ON TO THE LETTER THAT COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS BROUGHT UP AND COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
I'M REALLY GLAD THAT YOU READ SOME PARTS OF THE CEASEFIRE.
I WILL POST THE LETTERS ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA, SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO READ THE FULL LETTER, THEY'RE ABLE TO DO THAT THERE.
IN THE FUTURE AT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 22, I HAVE INVITED I BELIEVE I JUST GOT THE CONFIRMATION FROM OUR STATE SENATOR MARY KUNESH, REPRESENTATIVE SANDRA FEIST, AND AARON KEGAL TO ATTEND THE MEETING JUST TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.
THEY'LL BE HERE PRESENTING JUST WHAT THEY'VE BEEN UP TO AT THE CAPITOL AND THEY'LL BE AT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
THEN LAST, I DID MEET AT CRESTVIEW AS WELL WITH THE CRESTVIEW DIRECTOR FOR SOME UPDATES ON THEIR CRESTVIEW PROPERTY ON 44TH.
INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSEN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I DO HAVE JUST A FEW THINGS TO GO OVER WITH YOU.
THE FIRST IS MEETING IN THIS ROOM TOMORROW AND THAT IS FOR OUR COMP PLAN UPDATE FOR THE MEDTRONIC SITE.
THE WAY THAT'S GOING TO BE ORGANIZED IS THAT THERE WILL BE A PRESENTATION FROM THE CONSULTANT WHO'S RUNNING THAT IN THIS ROOM FIRST AND THEN WE'LL DO BREAKOUTS TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY ON WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS AND POSSIBLY VISION ARE IN DIFFERENT ROOMS. ONE BEING RIGHT ACROSS FROM US, AND THEN RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO US TOO.
THAT'S HAPPENING STARTING AT 6:00 AND PROBABLY AFTER THE PRESENTATION THERE WILL BE FOOD PROVIDED.
WE'D LIKE TO HEAR CERTAINLY FROM THE COMMUNITY ON THOUGHTS FOR MEDTRONIC.
WE HAVE OUR FOURTH ANNUAL SNOW BLAST COMING UP THAT'S GOING TO BE HELD IN HUSET PARK ON FEBRUARY 3RD.
THAT'S TURNED OUT TO BE A REALLY GREAT EVENT AND GETTING THE COMMUNITY OUT DURING THAT TIME OF YEAR.
HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET SOME WEATHER TO COOPERATE SO WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE ICE.
IT LOOKS LIKE NEXT WEEK WILL HELP US ALONG WITH THAT.
NEXT MONDAY IS MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY AND CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THAT.
THEN I HAVE A COUPLE OF UPDATES JUST FOR PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.
AS YOU KNOW, THE FIRE TRUCK HAS ORDERED NEW EQUIPMENT.
ONE OF THEM IS A LADDER TRUCK.
THE CHIEF WILL BE VISITING THE FINAL, HOW DO YOU WANT TO SAY, DESIGN OF THAT.
THIS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY THAT'LL BE GOING INTO FINAL PRODUCTION, AND THEY'RE STILL ON SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERY THIS FALL ACCEPTING THAT TRUCK HERE UPON COMPLETION.
>> KEVIN, THAT'S IN APPLETON, ISN'T IT?
>> CORRECT. 40TH AVENUE, WE'RE DOING A COOPERATIVE STUDY WITH ANOKA COUNTY AND REALLY LOOKING AT REVISIONING 40TH AVENUE FROM CENTRAL THROUGH UNIVERSITY AND OVER TO MAINE.
WE HELD ONE PUBLIC MEETING HERE. IT WAS AN OPEN HOUSE.
BASED ON THAT, DESIGNS HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND THOSE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE CONSULTANT AT YOUR FEBRUARY WORK SESSION MEETING.
FOLLOWING THAT, AFTER THE COUNCIL HAS A CHANCE TO SEE THOSE AND PROVIDE INPUT, THEN WE'LL BE HOLDING ANOTHER OPEN HOUSE BASED ON BOTH COUNCIL INPUT AND THEN REALLY WHAT THE DESIGNS ARE, THE OPTIONS ARE BASED ON THE COMMUNITY INPUT.
THAT DATE WILL BE IN MID FEBRUARY.
I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE YET, BUT WE'LL ADVISE BOTH THE COMMUNITY OF THAT AND THE COUNCIL WHEN THAT GETS ESTABLISHED. WE'VE BEEN WORKING.
AS YOU KNOW WE GOT A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE SAFE STREETS FOR ALL OR SS4A.
[01:20:04]
THE CITY ENGINEER HAS THE RFP DONE, THAT WE'RE DOING THAT BY INVITE TO CONSULTANTS.MINDA HAS A LIST FOR US FOR THAT.
THAT'LL BE COMING BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR BOTH REVIEW AND THEN APPROVAL OF THE CONSULTANT IN FEBRUARY AND THAT'S WHERE THAT'S AT.
THEN THE LAST THING I HAVE IS ON THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL.
WE GOT THAT GRANT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THAT'S TO ADD SIDEWALKS AND OTHER SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ALONG WHERE WE HAVE FOUR CITY SCHOOLS ON 49TH AVENUE.
THE CONSULTANT WAS HIRED NEAR THE END OF 2023.
THEIR SURVEYING IS DONE, THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN IS DONE.
OUR NEXT STEP IS MEETING WITH THE CITY OF HILLTOP, BECAUSE ABOUT HALF THE PROJECT IS IN THE CITY OF HILLTOP AND THEN COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY FOR THE FINAL REVIEW AND THEN ALSO TO GET AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK BIDS.
WE ARE PLANNING THAT FOR A 2024 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
THAT'S WHERE THAT'S AT. MAYOR?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE ON THAT.
ANY OTHER REPORTS FROM THE COUNCIL TO ADD IN? THEN THAT TAKES US TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
TO THE CITY CLERK. IS ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON IT?>> NO ONE HAS JOINED THE MEETING ONLINE ON TEAMS, BUT THERE IS ONE PERSON IN CHAMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. FOR OUR COMMUNITY FORUM, THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.
SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORUM 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 TAX, 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.
>> DIRK SCHMITZ WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
2336 45TH AVENUE NORTHEAST. GOOD EVENING.
IT IS SAID THAT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A CITY WITH A SMALL TOWN FEEL.
WHAT SMALL TOWN IS FEELING OR WHAT IS A SMALL TOWN FEEL? I THINK IT'S A COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER WHEN THE CITY CREATES AND PROMOTES CIVIC ACTIVITIES.
WHEN WE CAN WALK AND BIKE TO REAL SERVICES THAT OUR RESIDENTS NEED, WHEN WE CAN ENJOY A WIDE VARIETY OF FABULOUS RESTAURANTS HERE IN THE CITY.
BUT SHOULDN'T A SMALL TOWN FEEL ALSO INCLUDE PLACES TO WORK AND SHOP WHERE YOU LIVE? LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICES ARE DISAPPEARING.
USING INFORMATION FROM THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 2040 COMP PLAN, WHICH WAS REALLY INFORMATIONAL TO READ, ACCORDING TO CHAPTER 5, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS LOST 725 JOBS SINCE 2015.
THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 4,300 CENTRAL AVENUE.
THE OLD RAINBOW SITE LOST EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICES.
THE COMP PLAN OF 2040 STATES THAT WE SHOULD CREATE 900 MORE RESIDENCE BY 2040.
I BELIEVE THE CITY HAS SURPASSED THAT WITH THE ADDITION OF 4-600 UNITS AT THE OLD RAINBOW SITE.
NOT COUNTING OTHER NEW HOUSING UNITS SUCH AS THE ONES ABOVE US, THE LEGENDS, THE NEW ASSISTED LIVINGS ON 39TH AND ETC.
MY QUESTION TO THE CITY IS, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE ANSWERED TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE MEDTRONICS REDEVELOPMENT MEETING, WHY DO THE CONSULTANTS AND THE CITY STAFF BELIEVE THE OLD MEDTRONIC SITES SHOULD BE REZONED FOR HIGH DENSITY HOUSING VERSUS OTHER COMMERCIAL ENDEAVORS THAT COULD INCREASE BUSINESS AND PROVIDE JOBS FOR RESIDENTS? I ALSO READ THAT ONE OPTION FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SOUTHWEST INDUSTRIAL AREA IS TO CHANGE HALF OF IT TO HIGH DENSITY HOUSING.
WITH THAT AS A POSSIBILITY, THE LARGE RAINBOW SITE GOING TO HIGH DENSITY HOUSING, AND NOW POSSIBILITY OF THE MEDTRONIC SITE DOING THE SAME.
WHERE DOES THE CITY THINK A LARGE EMPLOYER OR BUSINESS LIKE FESTIVAL FOODS OR ANOTHER GROCERY STORE WOULD HAVE THE AREA TO OPERATE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS? WITH OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES OF FRIDLEY, NEW BRIGHTON, AND ST. ANTHONY ALSO CONVERTING THEIR COMMERCIAL AREAS TO HIGH DENSITY HOUSING.
EVEN LARGER AREA AFFECTING OUR RESIDENTS IS LOSING
[01:25:01]
ITS EMPLOYMENT AND SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES TOO.WHERE WILL OUR RESIDENTS BE ABLE TO WALK OR BIKE TO IF WE CONTINUE TO LOSE THE POSSIBILITY OF SERVICES IN THE CITY? IF TARGET DECIDED TO CLOSE THEIR FRIDLEY STORE, WHERE'S THE NEXT CLOSEST PLACE TO BUY BASIC HOUSEHOLD NEEDS BESIDES GROCERIES LIKE NEW CLOTHING, SHOES, KITCHEN UTENSILS, BEDDING, ETC? THE PAST CITY STAFF AND COUNCIL WAS FORWARD THINKING FOR THINGS LIKE FINANCING A FUTURE CITY HALL, WHICH IS A LOVELY FACILITY.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT CITY STAFF AND COUNCIL PLANNING NOW FOR THE FUTURE OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS? THIS FIFTH GENERATION COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE COMP PLAN AND HOW DOES THE CURRENT CITY STAFF AND COUNCIL PLAN TO KEEP A SMALL TOWN FEEL TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN 2040? THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU. WILL YOU BE AT THE MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT?
>> WONDERFUL. GOOD. WE'LL HAVE ANSWERS I'M SURE.
TO THE CITY CLERK. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN THE COMMUNITY FORUM?
>> YES. LAUREL DENON WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU. WELCOME, LAUREL.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THAT EXCEL PROGRAM.
IT'S SO EXCITING. I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT.
I WONDERED IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY THOUGHT TO HOW WE COULD CONVERT OUR GRANTS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN OLDER BUILDINGS THAT ARE AGING POORLY TO DO GREEN INITIATIVES WITHIN THE CITY.
ALSO, I KNOW THAT WE'RE DOING A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAVE THE MEETING TOMORROW ABOUT THE MEDTRONIC SITE, WE HAVE THE RAINBOW SITE AS WELL I JUST HOPE THAT THIS PROGRAM WILL ALLOW US TO GO EVEN FURTHER AND DO MORE WITH OUR GREEN INITIATIVES HERE IN THE CITY.
BUT ONE OF MY MAIN CONCERNS IS THE BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE AGING AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE THOSE BUILDINGS TO CHANGE OVER TO MORE CARBON NEUTRAL OPTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. IT IS OUR PRACTICE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT ARE GIVEN AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM AT THE NEXT MEETING OR IF WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS BY THEN, AT THE NEXT MEETING AFTER THAT.
WE MAKE SURE STAFF WILL HAVE AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, AND THEN WE'LL ANSWER IT AT THE COUNCIL MEETING.
IF SOMEONE ISN'T HERE, THEY'LL STILL GET THE INFORMATION THANK YOU.
TO THE CITY CLERK, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK?
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, I SEE THERE'S A COUNCIL CHAMBERS GUEST.
THANK YOU. IT SAYS GUESTS, SO OTHERWISE I WOULD NOT KNOW WHO IT WAS.
[LAUGHTER] SEEING AS NO ONE IS HERE TO SPEAK AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM, THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING?
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.