[00:00:01]
>> IT IS SIX O'CLOCK, WE CAN START NOW.
[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
WELCOME TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, APRIL 22ND.COULD WE PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL?
NOW, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND AND SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WITH US?
>> WE NEED ONE MINUTE? ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH UP SORRY.
IT IS NOW TIME FOR OUR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
DOES THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR QUESTIONS ON THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED? THEN COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED?>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT ON OUR AGENDA, WE HAVE PROCLAMATIONS,
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND GUESTS.TODAY, I'D LIKE TO ACTUALLY SWITCH A AND B AROUND SO WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR PRESENTATION OF THE VFW AWARD TO INVESTIGATOR TABITHA WOOD.
SORRY. THAT WILL BE, I GUESS, CHIEF AUSTIN. YES.
>> ALL RIGHT. MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IF I COULD JUST REAL QUICK, AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO THE VFW POST COMMANDER NEIL JOHNSON IN JUST A MINUTE BUT JUST REAL QUICK.
EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO SUBMIT FOR THE PUBLIC SERVANT AWARD THAT THE VFW SPONSORS AND FOR THIS PAST YEAR, BRINGING IN TABITHA, NOMINATING HER FOR THIS AND JUST SOME OF THE GREAT WORK THAT NEIL WILL SHARE WITH YOU IN JUST A MINUTE IT'S A SNAPSHOT ON JUST SOME OF THE GREAT WORK THAT SHE DOES.
IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE HER NOT ONLY HERE AT THE COUNCIL, BUT ALSO NOW AT THE STATE LEVEL THROUGH THE VFW.
WITH THAT, I'LL GO AHEAD AND TURN IT OVER TO POST COMMANDER NEIL JOHNSON.
>> THANK YOU AND IF YOU COULD ACTUALLY SPEAK IN THE MICROPHONE THERE, WE WILL HAVE A [INAUDIBLE].
I HAVE DISTRICT COMMANDER, KEN SCHAEFER WITH ME ALSO FOR THIS HONOR.
THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT TABITHA WON THE POST, WENT TO DISTRICT, SHE WON THE DISTRICT, AND SHE WAS SENT ON TO STATE AND SHE WON THE STATE.
SHE'S THE VFW POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND SHE'S NOW AT NATIONAL.
I'D LIKE TO READ THE LETTER THAT THE CHIEF SENT TO NOMINATE INVESTIGATOR WOOD.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE INVESTIGATOR TABITHA WOOD FOR THE VFW PUBLIC SERVICE CITATION.
INVESTIGATOR WOOD HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT SINCE SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2015, AND SHE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO CHP INVESTIGATIONS UNIT SINCE 2019.
INVESTIGATOR WOOD HAS PERFORMED AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL IN HER CURRENT ASSIGNMENT.
SHE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY OTHER AGENCIES FOR HER PERSISTENT FOLLOW-UP ON THE CRIMINAL CASES THAT HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY THROUGHOUT THE METRO AREA.
BECAUSE OF HER SKILLS, SHE HAS BEEN A MAIN POINT OF CONTACT FOR OTHER METRO AGENCIES.
INVESTIGATOR WOOD HAS ALSO BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR HER WORK AT COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE, INCLUDING HER WORK IN RESPONSE TO A SHOOTING THAT OCCURRED IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ON JULY 8TH, 2023.
INVESTIGATOR WOOD ALSO TAKES ON OTHER SIGNIFICANT DEPARTMENT TASKS INCLUDING
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SEVERAL COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVES SUCH AS CHP ROLL CALL PODCAST, CHP TEEN ACADEMY.SHE WAS A KEY COMPONENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMUNITY AND POLICE, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE METRO NORTH ADULT EDUCATION CENTER AND THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA, WHERE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HELPED CITIZENSHIP AND DEVELOPED TECHNIQUES FOR ENHANCED CIVIC LESSONS GEARED TOWARD IMMIGRANTS WHO WERE NEW TO THE COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE OF INVESTIGATOR WOOD'S COMMITMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE MINDSET, THIS PROGRAM HAD A GREAT DEAL OF SUCCESS.
INVESTIGATOR WOOD HAS ALSO SERVED AS A MENTOR AND HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH INTERNS WHO ARE ASSIGNED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SHE HAS EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND HAS BEEN A GREAT ROLE MODEL IN WORKING WITH OUR INTERNS.
INVESTIGATOR WOOD'S COMMUNICATION SKILLS ALSO SHINE THROUGH IN DEALING WITH THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WHETHER IT IS WORKING WITH CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN CRIME VICTIMS OR GENERAL PUBLIC QUESTIONS SHE ALWAYS DISPLAYS A HIGH LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM AND RESPECT TOWARDS THE CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
INVESTIGATOR WOOD WORKS WITH A PASSION AND POSITIVE IMPACT THAT TRULY MEET THE MISSION OF THE CHP AND ITS COMMITMENT TO ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY, INNOVATIVELY SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND ENHANCE THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
IT IS FOR THESE REASONS THAT I FEEL THAT INVESTIGATOR TABITHA WOOD DESERVES YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THE VFW PUBLIC SERVANT AWARD CITATION AND IT'S SINCERELY POLICE CHIEF LENNY AUSTIN.
AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR BEING A GOOD PARTNER WITH US THESE YEARS, AND I HOPE THAT CONTINUES.
WE ALSO HAVE FIREFIGHTERS AND EMTS THAT WE HAVE SENT IN FOR THEIR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
TABITHA IF YOU WANT TO COME UP, I HAVE A CITATION FOR YOU AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE RECOMMENDATION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH [APPLAUSE]. IF YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING, GO AHEAD.
>> I'LL JUST SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND CHIEF AUSTIN.
AS WE ALL KNOW, HE'S RETIRING THIS WEEK.
I'VE BEEN VERY HONORED TO WORK UNDER YOU, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE AND THE LEADERSHIP YOU'VE SHOWN.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WAS THE ONLY PLACE THAT I APPLIED TO.
GOING ON 10 YEARS WITH THE CITY THIS YEAR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US DO THAT HERE.
AND TABITHA HAS MANY MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY HERE TODAY IN THE CHAMBERS, SO WE'RE SO GLAD YOU JUST SHARED YOUR FAMILY WITH US ON THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION.
WE DID PHOTOS BEFORE THE MEETING, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO TAKE MEETING TIME UP.
WE DID TAKE PICTURES BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND MANY THANKS TO YOUR HUSBAND AS WELL, HELPING OUT WITH EVERYONE.
NEXT, I'M TRYING TO SEE IF WE'RE READY FOR OUR NEXT SPEAKER OR GUEST.
OUR NEXT ITEM WILL BE LETTER A.
WE HAVE TODAY IN OUR COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR IS HERE, AND WITH SOME STAFF MEMBERS.
SHE'S HERE TO SHARE SOME ITEMS OF WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING NATIONALLY, THROUGH THE STATE THAT COMES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO OUR COMMUNITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WELCOME, CONGRESSWOMAN AND IF YOU CAN SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE.
YOU ALL HAVE GIVEN ME SO MUCH CARE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY STAFF FOR HAVING ME.
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I'M REALLY HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU ALL TONIGHT TO PROVIDE SOME UPDATES ON WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO IN WASHINGTON AND HERE.AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, LOCAL GOVERNANCE IS ONE OF THE CORE VALUES OF OUR OFFICE AND SHAPES THE WORK THAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I'VE PARTNERED WITH THE MAYOR ON SEVERAL EVENTS THIS PAST YEAR, INCLUDING A ROUNDTABLE WITH MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS WITH SBA ADMINISTRATOR GUZMAN AND THE SECOND GENTLEMAN, DOUG EMHOFF.
LAST SUMMER, WE HELPED HOST THE MAYORAL LUNCH IN WITH OUR 14 MAYORS, AND WE WERE REALLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE MAYOR AMADA HOST US.
SHE ALSO JOINED ME AT MISSION HEIGHTS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WHICH PROVIDED HOUSING RESOURCES TO WOMEN, MEN, TRANS, AND NON-BINARY PEOPLE FOR RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING AND WAYS THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THEM ON A MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO HOLD ONE OF OUR TOWN HALLS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
AND MORE RECENTLY, WE WERE ABLE TO HOST A VERY WELL-RECEIVED ROUNDTABLE REPRESENTATIVE AARON CABO.
WE BROUGHT TOGETHER ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR LOCAL COUNTY AND STATE LEVEL TO DISCUSS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN MINNESOTA TO MAKE SURE WE WERE MAXIMIZING THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL MONEY COMING INTO OUR STATE.
WE ALSO INVITED DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION POLICY, TO ANSWER THE FACT, SO THAT SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY ABOUT THE NEEDS THAT OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE AND HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN INVEST IN US.
LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I WAS VERY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SECURE $400,000 FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO REHABILITATE THE CITY'S SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE.
THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL TO $1 MILLION WE WE'RE ABLE TO SECURE SHELF, WHICH WE DID LAST CYCLE.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, SACA HAS BEEN SERVING COMMUNITIES OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, HILLTOP, TWIN PEAKS, SPRING LAKE PARK, AND MOLDY, MINNEAPOLIS FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS.
THE FUNDING ALLOWED THEM TO PURCHASE AND REMODEL NEW FACILITIES THAT WERE CONTRIBUTING 58,000 POUNDS OF FOOD EVERY MONTH.
THE FUNDING FOR THESE TWO PROJECTS IN ADDITION TO 38 OTHER PROJECTS CAME AS MARKED $54 MILLION FOR THE DISTRICT IN THE MOST TEMPERATE AND MOST DEPLOYED COMMUNITIES.
LASTLY, I WANT TO FLAG THAT MY OFFICE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, WORKING ARTS.
WE EXPECT THE GUIDELINES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON, AND WE'LL WORK WITH YOU TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT YOU CAN APPLY FOR THOSE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
WE WILL RUN UP AND WILL PROVIDE AS WELL.
I WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE LINE F BUS RAPID TRANSIT THAT IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT TO GO ON THE UNIVERSITY CENTRAL.
METRO TRANSIT HAS APPROVED THIS ROUTE AND THEY ARE NOW DEVELOPING STATION PLANS.
I KNOW OUR CONSTITUENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM A RELIABLE FAST TRANSIT SERVICES AND I'M COMMITTED TO BRINGING HOME THE RESOURCES YOU NEED TO BUILD THIS TRANSIT LINE.
ANOTHER AREA OF INTEREST THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE IS RELATED TO CLIMATE ACTION AND THE CONSUMER PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
THIS IS MONEY THAT WAS RELEASED IN THE INFLATION OF REDUCTION ACT, SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW FEDERAL PROGRAMMING WHICH MEANS CARBON-LESS AND CARS WITH MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
SOLAR TAX CREDITS ARE ALREADY ROLLING OUT AS OUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CREDITS.
WE COULD GET UP TO 70% OF THE COST OF SOLAR PANELS COVERED BY THE FEDERAL PROGRAM AND UP TO $4,000 IF YOU USE ELECTRIC CAR.
AFTER THIS YEAR, THE WHOLE ENERGY REBATE PROGRAM WILL BE UNVEILED BY MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
THIS WAS ALSO FUNDED BY CONGRES'S LARGEST CLIMATE INVESTMENTS, THE INFLATION DEDUCTION ACT.
AS SOON AS THE PUBLIC CAN START GETTING REBATES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ELECTRIFICATION WORK, WELL, THEY'RE HOME, MY TEAM WILL BE ABLE TO HOST RESOURCE FAIRS VIRTUALLY AND IN-PERSON SO THAT PEOPLE CAN FIND OUT HOW THEY CAN APPLY FOR THESE PROJECTS.
I WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE UPDATES ON SOME OF THE BENEFITS THAT
[00:15:05]
ARE IN THERE FOR OUR SENIOR FOLKS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ON INSULIN.THE INFLATION DEDUCTION ACT THAT WAS FINALLY INTRODUCED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO INCLUDED SEVERAL PROVISIONS FOR MORE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE AND REDUCED DRUG SPENDING.
NOW, INSULIN WILL BE HALF AT $35 A MONTH FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES ENROLLED IN MEDICARE PART B, SAVING A LOT OF MONEY.
PART B WILL ALSO PAY FOR INSULIN THROUGH TRADITIONAL [INAUDIBLE] MEDICAL EQUIPMENT [INAUDIBLE] TO THE DAY.
BENEFICIARIES WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN $35 FOR THE SUPPLIES AS WELL.
OTHER PROVISIONS THAT ARE INCLUDED IS FOR RECOMMENDED VACCINES PROCEDURES TO COST ZERO.
IN ADDITION, THE PRESIDENT RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT STARTING NEXT YEAR, THE INFLATION DEDUCTION ACT WILL HAVE TOTAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG COST PROCEDURES AT 2,000 ANNUALLY, THIS WILL ALLOW NEARLY 19 MILLION SENIORS AND OTHER BENEFICIARIES TO SAVE $400 A YEAR ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND WE'LL DO THAT FOR EVERYONE.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, OUR OFFICE IS A LIASON TO EVERY FEDERAL AGENCY, SO IF YOU HAVE A CONSTITUENT THAT NEEDS SUPPORT FOR ACCESSING THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, THEIR DISABILITY BENEFITS, THEIR VETERAN BENEFITS, EXPEDITED PASSPORTS, [INAUDIBLE] RELOCATION FOR THEIR FAMILIES FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, IF YOUR POSTAL OFFICE IS NOT DELIVERING YOUR MAIL ON TIME, THOSE ARE ALL SERVICES THAT WE CAN HELP EXPEDITE.
FOR NON-PROFIT THAT SERVE [INAUDIBLE] WILL ALSO WORK WITH THEM IN IDENTIFYING FEDERAL GRANTS THAT THEY MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AND HELP EXPEDITE THOSE GRANTS FOR THEM BY WRITING RECOMMENDATION LETTERS. WE ALSO [INAUDIBLE] AS WELL [INAUDIBLE].
>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] I APPRECIATE YOU MAKING THE TIME TO COME IN AND REALLY, I KNOW WE APPRECIATE HEARING, AGAIN, THE WAYS THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY, [INAUDIBLE] BEING LOCATED IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT ALSO, AS YOU SAID, REALLY HELPING A LARGER GROUP OF PEOPLE, NOT JUST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS, SO SHARING THAT BENEFIT ACROSS TO MORE PEOPLE, BUT ALSO THE MONEY FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND GETTING THAT MONEY FROM FEDERAL DOLLARS MEANS WE DON'T HAVE TO RAISE OUR TAXES.
THAT IS A BIG HELP TO OUR COMMUNITY.
ANOTHER THING I JUST WANT TO [NOISE] JUST, I GUESS, SHARE THANKS FOR WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE IN THE PAST.
WE'VE HAD TWO RESIDENTS THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT IMMIGRATION CONCERNS.
ONE WAS A MOTHER WHO WAS TRYING TO CONNECT WITH AN ADULT SON IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, AND THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING IMMIGRATION STUFF TAKEN CARE OF SO THAT THEY COULD COME BACK TOGETHER.
HE HAD JUST BEEN VISITING, BUT THEN WAS HAVING SOME ISSUES, AND YOU WERE ABLE TO HELP IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND THE MOTHER ACTUALLY CALLED ME.
I DON'T KNOW WHO SHE IS, BUT SHE CALLED ME AND SAID, "THANK YOU, MY SON'S HOME, AND WE'RE ALL SAFE." THAT WAS AMAZING BECAUSE SHE HAD ASKED ME WITHIN, I THINK, MY SECOND MONTH OF BEING MAYOR.
MAYORS GENERALLY DON'T HELP WITH IMMIGRATION STUFF AT ALL.
BUT THE CONGRESSWOMAN HAD SAID, IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY OF THESE CONCERNS, AS YOU JUST SAID, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, SO I DID, AND YOUR OFFICE WAS ABLE TO EXPEDITE THAT.
THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, I MET A CSO IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO I HAD SAID, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER SOMEDAY?" HE SAID, "ABSOLUTELY, BUT I'M NOT A CITIZEN".
IN MINNESOTA, WE NEED POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE CITIZENS.
HE SAID, "I'M WAITING ON SOME PAPERWORK.
I JUST CAN'T GET MY STUFF THROUGH." I WAS LIKE, WELL, DON'T TAKE, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T PROMISE, BUT LET'S CONNECT WITH OUR CONGRESSWOMAN AND HE LIVED IN CD5, AND THAT ALSO, YOUR OFFICE WAS ABLE TO CONNECT HIM, AND NOW HE IS A POLICE OFFICER HERE, AND HE GETS SO MANY RAVE REVIEWS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
HE'S SO THANKFUL, HIS WHOLE FAMILY IS THANKFUL.
I JUST KNOW HOW MUCH YOU REALLY DO SEE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE FACT THAT YOU ARE IN WASHINGTON, DC DOING WORK ACROSS FOR THE WHOLE NATION, YOU NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE HERE IN YOUR DISTRICT, AND I JUST THINK THAT'S VERY COMMENDABLE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALWAYS REMEMBERING THE PEOPLE HERE.
>> WELL, OUR OFFICE IS SUPPOSED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.
>> YEAH. LETTING THEM KNOW WE'RE HERE TO HELP.
[00:20:01]
>> YEAH. NOT EVERYONE CAN REMEMBER, AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, SO WE DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU REALLY DO ON THE GROUND.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? I SEE THAT YOU BROUGHT SOMETHING WITH YOU TODAY.
>> I DID. [LAUGHTER] WE HAVE A CHECK, I GUESS. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE].
>> YES. WE'D LOVE TO DO A BIG PHOTO SO WE'LL COME DOWN.
ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO COME DOWN AS WELL.
>> WELL, THAT WAS FANTASTIC. GUESTS DON'T ALWAYS BRING LARGE CHECKS, JUST SO YOU KNOW.
[MUSIC] IF YOU WANT TO VISIT, COUNCIL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BRING A BIG CHECK.
OUR NEXT ITEM IS LETTER C, WHICH IS OUR EARTH DAY PROCLAMATION.
COUNCIL MEMBER RACHEL JAMES IS GOING TO READ THAT FOR US TODAY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 22ND, 2024 AS EARTH DAY.
WHEREAS, EARTH DAY WAS FIRST CELEBRATED ON APRIL 22ND, 1970, WITH THE GOAL OF INSPIRING AND APPRECIATION OF OUR NATION'S NATURAL RESOURCES THROUGH CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND WHEREAS FROM THE CONCEPTION OF EARTH DAY, ACTIVISTS ACROSS MINNESOTA HAVE ENGAGED IN THIS NATIONAL MOVEMENT AND ESTABLISHED A TRADITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS.
ON THE VERY FIRST EARTH DAY IN 1970, APPROXIMATELY 350 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENTS PROTESTED UNSUSTAINABLE ENERGY PRACTICES, AND WHEREAS INDIGENOUS MOVEMENTS IN MINNESOTA HAVE ORGANIZED TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH AND STABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
AND WHEREAS THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY IS FACING EXTRAORDINARY ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES SUCH AS CLIMATE EXTREMES, PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES, ECONOMIC STRAINS, AND FOOD AND WATER SHORTAGES.
AND WHEREAS THESE CHALLENGES WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MORE SEVERE NEGATIVE AND LASTING IMPACTS ON EVERY MEMBER OF OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME, PEOPLE OF COLOR, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, AND IMMIGRANTS, WHEREAS THE PEOPLE OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS MUST CONTINUE TO STEP FORWARD AND TAKE ACTION TO CREATE POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE TO COMBAT THESE EXTRAORDINARY CHALLENGES, AND WHEREAS PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CELEBRATE EARTH MONTH WITH ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT APRIL IN RECOGNITION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND WHILE REMEMBERING THAT ONE DAY IS NOT ENOUGH.
>> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AND RECOGNIZE APRIL 22ND, 2024 AS EARTH DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.
[APPLAUSE] MA'AM. TO SAY TO THAT, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES WOULD LIKE TO ADD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PAST WEEKEND.
>> THANK YOU. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A LONG TRADITION OF INVOLVEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
ON THIS EARTH DAY WEEKEND, THERE WERE MULTIPLE CLEANUPS ORGANIZED.
THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LIONS CLEANED UP ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE, AND WE'RE SO THANKFUL FOR THEM.
THEN ABOUT 82 VOLUNTEERS GATHERED TOGETHER FOR THE HEIGHTS NEXT ORGANIZATION, WHICH PARTNERED WITH OTHER GROUPS TO CLEAN UP CENTRAL AVENUE AND FIVE PARKS, AND WE GOT 42 BAGS OF TRASH OFF JUST CENTRAL AVENUE.
A LOT OF THINGS WERE SMALL LIQUOR BOTTLES, CIGARETTE BUTTS, FAST FOOD LITTER, VEHICLE DEBRIS, THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE CAREFULLY REMOVED.
THEN ALSO THE CITY STAFF SOME PARTICIPATED IN AN EARTH DAY CLEANUP RIGHT HERE AT LABELLE PARK, SO WE'RE THANKFUL.
RESIDENTS, IF YOU MISSED IT TODAY, YOU STILL HAVE THE REST OF EARTH MONTH TO CLEAN UP YOUR BLOCK, YOUR LOCAL PARK, AND YOUR STORM DRAIN.
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>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> I'M GOING TO BE DATING MYSELF, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY I PARTICIPATED IN THAT VERY FIRST EARTH DAY.
IT WAS IN ILLINOIS, AND WE ALL ENDED UP AT RANDY'S SNACK SHOP GETTING MALTS AFTERWARDS, AND SERVED A THREE DAY SUSPENSION FOR DITCHING SCHOOL.
[LAUGHTER] THE ONLY TIME I EVER GOT SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE DID AS A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS THE NATION AND COLLEGE STUDENTS THAT IT HAS BECOME SO IMPACTFUL THAT HERE WE ARE 50 PLUS YEARS LATER, AND IT'S STILL A RECOGNIZED DAY EVERY YEAR.
>> THANK YOU. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I, WE WERE PICKING UP TRASH BAGS ON CENTRAL AVENUE, WE WENT OVER TO UNIVERSITY AND SAW OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS TAKING A FEW BLOCKS OF UNIVERSITY THERE PICKING UP TRASH, SO SHOUT OUT TO THEM.
AGAIN, AS RACHEL HAD SAID, TWO CITY STAFF FOR PICKING UP LABELLE PARK.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY GETTING IN THE SPIRIT.
WE ALSO SAW ON SOCIAL MEDIA PEOPLE SAID, I DIDN'T GET TO MAKE IT ON CENTRAL, BUT I CLEANED UP MY STORM DRAINS, OR I WAS GOING FOR A WALK, AND I PICKED UP TRASH, SO GOOD INSPIRATION.
IF YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT TAKE A BAG WITH YOU FOR EXTRA TRASH PICKUP.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
SORRY. WHAT DID I MISS? SORRY. SINCE WE CLEAN CENTRAL AVENUE, I'M THINKING CENTRAL AVENUE.
LETTER D IS CENTRAL AVENUE, FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM IS OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER, KEVIN HANSEN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
IT'S ACTUALLY A NICE SEGUE TALKING ABOUT CENTRAL AVENUE AND THE WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE OUT THERE, AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE THAT DOES HELP US ALSO, IN TERMS OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS STAFF FOR CLEANING UP ON CENTRAL AVENUE, CONTINUING TO KEEP THAT CLEAN.
AT THE APRIL 2024 WORK SESSION, WE HAD A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MNDOT HERE TO TALK TO US ABOUT CENTRAL AVENUE.
IT WAS REALLY EXCITING NEWS, AND I THINK AS PART OF THAT, WE JUST WANTED TO REALLY MAKE A MATTER OF RECORD WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT ON CENTRAL AVENUE.
THE WORK THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REALLY BEGAN ABOUT 3.5, 4 YEARS AGO THROUGH A STUDY THAT MNDOT WAS LEADING CALLED A PEL STUDY.
THE FOCUS OF THAT STUDY IS REALLY TO EXAMINE, AND THEN LOOK AT WAYS TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON NOT ONLY CENTRAL AVENUE, BUT ALSO ON UNIVERSITY.
THE SCOPE OF THAT PEL RUNS BEYOND BOTH THE SOUTH AND NORTH BORDERS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT REALLY WHAT WE'RE INTERESTED IN, OBVIOUSLY, IS JUST HERE IN TOWN.
I THINK WITH THE PEL WRAPPING UP HERE IN THE MONTH OF MAY, THE BIG THING THAT CAME OUT OF THAT IS MNDOT RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF CENTRAL AVENUE, BUT ALSO RECOGNIZES THE NEED TO IMPROVE SAFETY.
AS PART OF THAT, MNDOT WORKED VERY HARD TO PUT TOGETHER REALLY A FUNDING PACKAGE FOR THAT, AND THEY WERE VERY PLEASED TO TELL US AND TO TELL OUR CITY THAT THERE'S ABOUT 25 MILLION THAT THEY'LL BE MAKING AVAILABLE FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION, NOT JUST THE REHABILITATION, REALLY FOR THE FULL RECONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL AVENUE.
THIS GOES THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF CENTRAL AVENUE WITHIN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND SO FROM 37TH TO 53RD.
I THINK THE TIMING OF THIS IS THAT WITH THE PEL WRAPPING UP, THE VERY NEXT PHASE IS TAKING WHAT THE PEL IS PRESENTING AS OPTIONS AND REALLY REFINING THOSE OPTIONS OVER THE COURSE OF MAYBE ABOUT THE NEXT 9-12 MONTHS.
IN OTHER WORDS, COME UP WITH THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE FOR WHAT CENTRAL AVENUE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, THE PREFERRED LAYOUT.
AS PART OF THAT PROCESS, MNDOT WILL BE ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, SO WE'LL BE HOSTING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS OVER THE COURSE OF THIS SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL.
WE'LL BE CERTAINLY SHARING THOSE ON THE CITY'S SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT FOR ANYONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN CONTINUING TO PROVIDE INPUT, WE'VE HAD AN AWFUL LOT.
WE REALLY ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO DO THAT.
THE NEXT STEP AFTER THAT IS ONCE THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE IS CHOSEN IS REALLY TO GET INTO DESIGN.
I THINK YOU HEARD CONGRESSMAN OMAR INDICATE THE SUPPORT FOR THE F LINE.
WELL, WE REALLY NEED TO COORDINATE THAT, SO THE F LINE AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL AVENUE WILL HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME IN 2028.
ALSO FOR US, IT DEFERS SOME OTHER SAFETY WORK THAT WE HAD PLANNED OUT THERE FOR STREET LIGHTING AND SIDEWALK, BUT THOSE WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE 2028 PROGRAM.
I THINK IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, I WOULD REALLY ASK THEM TO CALL THE CITY.
WE CAN HELP OR REALLY REFER THEM TO MNDOT BECAUSE MNDOT TO THIS POINT, AND POSSIBLY IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE LEAD AGENCY.
THE 25 MILLION IS A HUGE STEP.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO COVER ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, BUT I THINK ONCE WE GET THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE, ONCE WE GET SOME OTHER PRELIMINARY DESIGN DONE, WE'LL CERTAINLY LOOK AT ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE SO THAT WE CAN REALLY GET CENTRAL AVENUE TRANSFORMED IN 2028.
[00:30:02]
>> THANK YOU, KEVIN. THANK YOU, I WANTED TO ADD TO THAT TOO, THAT YOU'VE MENTIONED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THIS SUMMER, BUT JUST WANTED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR PROBABLY FIVE YEARS ON THE PEL STUDY AT THIS TIME.
IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MNDOT, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME, BUT THEY'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE OPTIONS FOR MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SO JUST KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THAT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF SHARING YOUR VISION AND IDEAS AND CONCERNS FOR CENTRAL AVENUE.
BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION, IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, SO THEY'VE BEEN REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB, I THINK, OF REACHING OUT TO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THEY'VE HAD TABLES HERE AT CITY HALL, AT THE LIBRARY, AT SUMMER EVENTS AT THE CITY AS WELL AS MEETING PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND CULTURES.
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A VERY THOROUGH JOB WITH THEIR OUTREACH.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS?
>> OTHER THAN I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
I DID HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION FOR KEVIN.
WE RECEIVED A $2 MILLION GRANT FOR THE 43RD-47TH SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, CORRECT? IS THAT PART OF WORK THAT WE HAVE TO HOLD OFF NOW TO 2028? IS THAT ON TOP OF THE 25 FROM MNDOT OR IS IT GOING TO BE INCORPORATED?
>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE TWO MILLION.
THE GRANT AWARD THAT WE HAD TO DO THOSE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS WAS PART OF THE MNDOT PROGRAM CALLED HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OR HSIP.
WHAT THE CITY NEEDS TO DO, WHAT STAFF WILL BE DOING OVER THE COURSE OF THIS SUMMER IS REQUESTING THAT THAT MONEY BE REAPPROPRIATED TO THE 2028 WORK.
ONCE WE HAVE A RESPONSE FROM MNDOT I CAN LET YOU KNOW, WE'LL CERTAINLY INFORM THE CITY THAT WE STILL HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE FUNDS.
BUT NO, WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY ASK FOR IT MORE OR LESS TO BE DELAYED UNTIL THE 28 PROGRAM.
>> THERE'LL BE TWO PARTS, THE TWO MILL PLUS THE 25, RIGHT?
>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I THINK THERE'LL BE MULTIPLE PARTS [LAUGHTER] FOR THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT.
>> WELL, I WANT TO THANK MNDOT FOR DEDICATING THE 25 MILLION AGAIN.
I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT CREATING MORE SAFETY ON OUR STREET THAT OUR RESIDENTS WILL FEEL SAFE WALKING TO DQ AND THE THEATER AND OTHER PARTS OF CENTRAL AVENUE AND USING THEIR BIKES AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RACING ACROSS THE STREET SO THEY DON'T GET HIT BECAUSE I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS JUST IN THE LAST WEEK AND ON THE OTHER SIDE AND SEEING HOW FAST CARS GO SOUTH, AND THEN THIS BUILDING, HOW FAST THEY GO PAST.
THEY'RE JUST DRIVING TOO FAST, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL AVENUE AND ALL THE WORK.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN WORKING ON IT SO FAR.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THE REASON THEY'RE DOING THIS IS AS YOU SAID, SAFETY, AND THEY SAID THEIR GOAL IS ZERO DEATHS, IS ZERO ACCIDENTS. THAT'S THEIR GOAL.
THEIR GOAL ISN'T NECESSARILY TO SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN, THEIR GOAL ISN'T TO MAKE IT PRETTIER, THEIR GOAL IS TO MAKE IT SAFER.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE OF THAT, WHEN THERE'S THESE CHANGES, THE CHANGES ARE TO MAKE IT SAFE.
THAT MAY MEAN SOME INCONVENIENCE FOR PEOPLE, BUT THEY ARE USING THEIR BEST KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR ALL OF US.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR COMMENTS?
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.THESE ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINED 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.
ANYONE HAVE ANY ITEMS THEY WOULD LIKE TO REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD JUST HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA INFO ON NUMBER 6 AND NUMBER 8.
>> THANK YOU. THEN, COULD WE HEAR THE ITEMS?
>> THANK YOU MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
YOU HAVE 12 ITEMS FOR YOU ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.
THE FIRST FOUR ARE APPROVAL OR ACCEPTING MINUTES.
THE FIRST IS TO APPROVE THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 8TH, 2024, MEETING MINUTES.
THE NEXT IS TO APPROVE THE APRIL 4TH PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING MINUTES.
THE NEXT FOR YOU IS TO ACCEPT THE MARCH 4TH, 2024 REGULAR EDA MINUTES.
THE NEXT AFTER THAT IS TO APPROVE THE MARCH 12TH, SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MINUTES.
THE FIFTH ITEM IS A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A NOMINATION THAT STAFF IS PROPOSING FOR ONE OF OUR FINEST FOLKS, FOR THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES PROGRAM UNDER THEIR EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM FOR 2024, AND THAT WOULD BE FOR OUR IT DIRECTOR JESSE HOFF.
NUMBER 6, YOU WANTED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NUMBER 6, THE TITLE OF IT IS TO ALLOCATE THE USE OF FUNDS AND AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURES USING THE 2023 PUBLIC SAFETY AID.
[00:35:02]
IN 2023, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RECEIVED FUNDS FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO USE FOR SPECIFIC USES AS IT RELATES TO BOTH POLICE AND FIRE.THESE ITEMS WERE REVIEWED WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE APRIL WORK SESSION, AND THIS USES PART OF THOSE FUNDS FOR ITEMS AS LISTED IN YOUR AGENDA.
IT USES ABOUT 483,000, WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF WAGES AND WAGE ADJUSTMENTS FOR BOTH POLICE AND FIRE, BUT THEN ALSO NEEDS OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE REALLY BUILT UP OVER TIME.
IF YOU WANT MORE SPECIFIC, I KNOW BOTH CAPTAINS ARE HERE THAT COULD ADDRESS WHAT THE SPECIFIC USES ARE, BUT THOSE ARE WHAT'S INTENDED, AND IT'S NOT THE FULL USAGE OF THE FUNDS HERE, IT'S A PARTIAL USAGE.
>> THOSE ARE FULLY LISTED IN THE PACKET AS WELL?
>> CORRECT. ITEM NUMBER 7 IS TO ACCEPT PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE MSC, WHICH IS OUR PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, PRELIMINARY PLANS AND FINAL SITE LAYOUT FOR A NEW PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY.
I THINK AS, THE COUNCIL IS CERTAINLY AWARE, BUT MAYBE THE PUBLIC'S NOT, WE'VE BEEN PURSUING FUNDING FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
WE DID DO A MASTER PLAN BEGINNING IN 2021, AND THE MASTER PLAN WAS COMPLETED, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE A FINAL SITE LAYOUT.
WE HAD ABOUT THREE OPTIONS, AND WE'D LIKE TO NOW WRAP UP THE FINAL SITE LAYOUT AND THEN ALSO GO THROUGH PRELIMINARY PLAN PREPARATION THROUGH SCHEMATIC DESIGN, AND REALLY, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WITH THAT IS SO THAT WE CAN UPDATE COSTS.
THE COSTS WERE ORIGINALLY GENERATED IN 2021.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE STILL ON TRACK FOR THAT.
THE INTENT HERE WOULD BE THEN WE WOULD WAIT TO GET FUNDING IN ORDER FOR THIS, AND THEN FROM THAT POINT, WE'D MOVE ON WITH BOTH THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND FINAL PLANS AFTER FUNDING WAS SECURED FOR THE BUILDING.
ITEM NUMBER 8 IS AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
IN THIS CASE, IT'S ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SAFE STREETS FOR ALL.
WE REFER TO THAT AS OUR SS4A PROGRAM FOR A CITY WIDE SAFETY ACTION PLAN.
THIS PROJECT IS BEING FUNDED THROUGH TWO GRANTS THAT THE CITY RECEIVED.
ONE IS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER THE SS4A PROGRAM, AND IT'S FOR THE PLANNING GRANT, AND THEN THROUGH MINDA WE ALSO GOT A SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT THAT TAKES CARE OF OUR CITY MATCH.
THE FEDERAL GRANT PAYS FOR 80% OF THE TOTAL PROJECT COSTS, AND THEN THE GRANT WE GOT FROM MINDA PAYS FOR THE CITY MATCH OR THE 20%.
WE DID GO OUT AND REQUEST FIVE ENGINEERING FIRMS FOR BIDS, AND WE GOT TWO BACK.
WE DID HEAR FROM TWO OF THE OTHER FIRMS THAT, QUITE FRANKLY, THEY'RE DOING OTHER PLANS, AND THEY JUST CAN'T TAKE ON MORE WORK.
THE TWO BIDS CAME IN FROM SRF AND BOLTMAN AND MENK.
WE'RE RECOMMENDING BOLTMAN AND MENK FOR TWO REASONS.
THEY HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE ROBUST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PLAN, AND THE PRICE WAS LOWER THAN SRF'S.
WITH THAT, WE'RE RECOMMENDING ALSO TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY ON THIS TO FULFILL THE OVERALL FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS IN CASE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT STAFF OR THE COUNCIL IS LOOKING FORWARD TO BE INCLUDED WITH THE PLAN.
THAT WAS A 7.5%. THE TOTAL LOW BID CAME IN AT $257,999, AND OF THAT 250,000 IS COMING FROM GRANT FUNDS FOR THAT.
ITEM NUMBER 9 IS ACCEPT CORRECTIVE ASPHALT MATERIALS PROPOSAL FOR BITUMINOUS SURFACE TREATMENT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE BEGAN ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, AS WE HAVE STOPPED DOING SEAL COAT, REALLY DUE TO PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS WITH TRADITIONAL SEAL COATING.
THIS IS JUST A DIFFERENT APPLICATION TECHNIQUE TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF OUR STREETS.
THEY ARE A SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER FOR THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT.
ITEM NUMBER 10 IS LICENSE AGENDA FOR APRIL 22ND.
ITEM NUMBER 11 IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL, AND THE 12TH ITEM, THE LAST ITEM IS THE REVIEW OF THE BILLS TOTALING $1,110,456.90, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? THEN, MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISGINS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
ANY DISCUSSION OR COMPLAINTS? HEARING AS NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARING, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 14 UNDER ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
[00:40:02]
WE HAVE THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1695, CREATING A TIME OF SALE REQUIREMENT WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.HERE WE, MITCH FORNEY, TO PRESENT.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO AARON ACTUALLY TO GET US STARTED OFF.
>> JUST A BRIEF INTRODUCTION, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1695.
THE FIRST READING TOOK PLACE APRIL 8TH AT THE CITY'S LAST COUNCIL MEETING WHERE THE PUBLISHED PUBLIC HEARING DID TAKE PLACE AT THE FIRST READING.
JUST BRIEFLY GO THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND PROJECT DETAILS OF THIS ORDINANCE, BUT WHAT IT SEEKS TO CREATE IS A TIME OF SALE REQUIREMENT WITHIN THE CITY, WHICH WOULD CREATE A CERTIFICATE OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, WHICH IS BORNE OUT OF AN INSPECTION PROGRAM THAT WOULD REQUIRE INSPECTION BY THE CITY FOR PROPERTY TRANSFERS, CONVEYANCES, BASICALLY ANY TIME A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF THREE OR FEWER UNITS WOULD CHANGE HANDS.
THIS CITY WOULD REQUIRE AN INSPECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY A CITY INSPECTOR.
WE'RE LOOKING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE CITY'S HOUSING STOCK, WITH A FOCUS ON HEALTH AND SAFETY.
IT'S NOT A FULL REVIEW OF ALL CODES TO BRING PROPERTIES UP TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH MODERN CODES, IT'S REALLY LOOKING AT BASIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ITEMS AND MORE OR LESS MIMICS THE CITY'S EXISTING RENTAL INSPECTION PROGRAM.
A SECONDARY GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO HELP THE CITY CONTAIN UNLICENSED AND UNPERMITTED WORK THAT'S TAKING PLACE, WHICH IN MANY CASES, INCLUDES FLIPPING OR SELLING OF HOUSES THAT HAVE HAD UNLICENSED AND UNPERMITTED WORK THAT TAKES PLACE.
THEN FINALLY, A SEWER INSPECTION OF THE PRIVATE SERVICE IS ALSO REQUIRED WITH THE ORDINANCE.
OWNERS WOULD TELEVISE THE SEWER LINE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ISN'T CORRECTIVE ACTION NEEDED, AND THAT IS BORNE OUT OF A CITY EMPHASIS ON CONTROLLING INFLOW AND INFILTRATION.
TRYING TO KEEP RAINWATER MORE OR LESS OUT OF THE CITY SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM BECAUSE THE CITY PAYS FOR EVERY GALLON THAT WE SEND INTO THAT SYSTEM.
THAT'S JUST A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW.
IF THE ORDINANCE IS APPROVED AT TONIGHT'S MEETING, IT WOULD ACTUALLY GO INTO EFFECT 30 DAYS FROM NOW, SO MAY 22ND.
STAFF IS HERE TO STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS, BUT WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AND THEN DIRECT STAFF TO PUT THE SUMMARY ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE CITY'S LEGAL NEWSPAPER.
>> MITCH DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD OR YOU'RE HERE FOR QUESTIONS?
>> ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I RECOGNIZE THE NECESSITY.
BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE NEGLIGENCE AND THE UNPERMITTED REPAIRS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE OLDER HOUSING STOCK THAT IS IN THE CITY.
BUT I HAVE HAD DOZENS OF CALLS FROM RESIDENTS WHO ARE AGAINST THIS.
THE FEELING IS THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN OTHER METHODS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND INCLUDING THE SEWER INSPECTION AS BEING A PART OF THAT WITH AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION TAKING PLACE AND NOT THAT BY ANYBODY WHO WOULD BENEFIT FINANCIALLY FROM THAT PROCESS, SUCH AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS COME UP REPEATEDLY FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME.
THEN THE INSPECTION COULD THEN BE PRESENTED TO THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE AND THE PERMITS ARE IN PLACE.
I DON'T DENY THE REASON I'VE SEEN THE PICTURES AND I'VE SEEN THE HORRENDOUS EFFECTS OF WHAT PEOPLE HAVE DONE.
IT'S ALARMING TO ME THAT THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING, AND THEN PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN INTO UNSAFE HOMES THAT, YOU KNOW, THE BIGGEST PURCHASES IN LIFE RIGHT NOW ARE A CAR AND A HOME.
I'M VERY MIXED ABOUT HOW I WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VOTE.
BUT IN THE EVENT THAT I VOTE AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE, I WANT IT TO BE CLEAR THAT IT'S NOT BECAUSE I DON'T RECOGNIZE THE NEED.
I JUST, BASED ON THE INPUT I'VE RECEIVED, I THINK THAT THERE WERE OTHER OPTIONS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RESEARCHED AND POSSIBLY PUT INTO PLACE OTHER THAN THE CITY TAKING THIS ON. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'VE HAD TWO QUESTIONS THAT I'VE RECEIVED FROM RESIDENTS, AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE STAFF ABOUT THOSE.
[00:45:03]
THE FIRST IS, I'M AWARE THAT WE HAVE STAFFING FOR THESE INSPECTIONS.CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE GENERAL TIMELINE OF HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET AN INSPECTION AND WHO DO WE HAVE IN PLACE TO DO THOSE INSPECTIONS.
THEN THE SECOND QUESTION IS REGARDING THE SEWER INSPECTION.
AS WE TALKED BEFORE, JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, THAT THERE'S NOT CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED, BUT JUST THE INSPECTION ITSELF. THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS.
MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
YES, SO THE TIMELINE IN GENERAL, RIGHT NOW, WE COULD HAVE AN INSPECTION SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW MORNING WITH RYAN'S CURRENT SCHEDULE, AND THAT'S JUST RYAN, NOT HAVING THE ADDITIONAL BUILDING INSPECTOR IN PLACE YET.
SHE'S STILL JOB SHADOWING RIGHT NOW.
GENERALLY, EVEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND TIMES LIKE THAT, WE'RE USUALLY 24-48 HOURS WITH INSPECTION.
THAT IS PRIOR TO ADDING THE ANOTHER INSPECTOR, WHICH WILL BE FOCUSED SOLELY ON THIS PROGRAM, AND THEN ALSO COMPLETING SOME OF THE INITIAL RENTAL INSPECTIONS BEFORE THEY GET MOVED OVER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THEN WITH REGARDS TO THE SEWER INSPECTION, YOU'RE 100% CORRECT.
COUNCIL MEMBER, JAMES, IT IS NOT A YOU HAVE TO FIX THIS.
IT IS A THE BUYER NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF IT.
THE SEWER INSPECTION PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE MUCH MORE WIDELY BROUGHT ABOUT WITH THE TWIN CITIES AREA BECAUSE THE MET COUNCIL IS STARTING TO HAMMER DOWN ON THAT I&I COMING IN, AND THE BIGGEST PLACE FOR I&I ARE THE INFILTRATION IS IN PRIVATE SEWER LINES BECAUSE CITIES THERE'S GRANT FUNDING WHERE WE CAN FIX OUR SEWER LINES AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
BUT REALLY, IT IS THE HOMEOWNER SEWER LINES THAT ARE THE ISSUE.
IN THE CASE OF ONE HOME THAT WAS RECENTLY FOUND OUT, THEY HAD A DRAIN FROM THE BACK STOP, THAT DRAINED RIGHT INTO THE SEWER LINE.
THE RAINWATER THAT WAS GETTING INTO THE STAIRWELL WAS JUST GOING RIGHT INTO THE SEWER LINE, WHICH THE REST OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS TO PAY FOR.
I HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR, CAN I FINISH WITH THAT? [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEN MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS.
ALTHOUGH I HAD HEARD CONCERNS WITH THE TIMELINE, I KNOW WE CURRENTLY ARE VERY QUICK WITH INSPECTIONS, AND ADDING A WHOLE ANOTHER INSPECTOR, I THINK THE TIMELINE IS GOING TO BE NOT AN ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME FOR SELLING OR BUYING HOUSES.
REGARDING THE SEWERS, I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.
AS YOU SAID, OTHER CITIES I'VE TALKED TO ARE ALSO THINKING ABOUT REQUIRING THESE OR HAVE REQUIRED THEM SO THAT HOMEOWNERS JUST KNOW WHAT THEY CAN GET INTO.
I'M EXCITED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HELP OUR HOUSES BE BETTER.
I KNOW IT IS A FINANCIAL COST TO BRING THINGS UP TO CODE, BUT WE DON'T WANT OUR RESIDENTS LIVING IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST MEETING THAT THE COST FOR THE INSPECTIONS ARE LESS THAN $200 AND THEN REINSPECTION.
IT'S NOT A LARGE COST FOR THE INSPECTION, BUT THE COSTS MIGHT COME IN AND DOING THE WORK, AND THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY WORKED INTO THE REAL ESTATE DEAL AND ADDED TO A MORTGAGE.
I'M EXCITED TO USE THIS TOOL AS A WAY FOR US TO BRING OUR HOUSES UP TO CODE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> THANK YOU. I'M DEFINITELY IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROGRAM.
THIS IS SOMETHING I THOUGHT ABOUT COMING TO THE COUNCIL IN TERMS OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK THAT THIS IS A BIG STEP FORWARD WITH THAT.
THEN I ACTUALLY HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND I TALKED TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT THIS WHEN WE INITIALLY TALKED ABOUT THIS AT OUR WORK SESSION THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE LOOKING AT ANOTHER HOUSE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, ABOUT A YEAR AGO OR SO.
THE PERSON AT THE TIME, WHO WAS SELLING HAD ALSO DONE SOME WORK ON THE HOUSE AND SAID WITH THE HOT MARKET, WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK FAST OR MOVE FAST THAT IS AND REQUESTING THAT PEOPLE FOREGO AN INSPECTION.
WE WERE REALLY INTERESTED IN THIS HOUSE, BUT DIDN'T FEEL SUPER COMFORTABLE WITHOUT MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT AN INSPECTION.
WE ENDED UP GETTING THAT TWITCH TO SPEAK TO THAT.
PRIVATE INSPECTION IS MUCH MORE THAN $200 NOWADAYS.
THAT'S A PRETTY DECENT DEAL THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING ON THAT ASPECT.
BUT IN TERMS OF THE FINDINGS, JUST TO SUMMARIZE BETWEEN SEWER DRAINAGE ISSUES, MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL AND FIRE HAZARDS, VERMICULITE IN THE ATTIC, A CRUMBLING CHIMNEY AND FAILING APPLIANCES.
IT WAS GOING TO BE OVER $70,000 THAT WE WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE NOT KNOWN ABOUT.
IN TERMS OF PEOPLE MOVING INTO A HOUSE THAT'S A HUGE INVESTMENT FOR THEM AND SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BUILD WEALTH WITH, IF THEY'RE INITIALLY HIT WITH THESE HUGE COSTS RIGHT AWAY, THAT'S A HUGE DETRIMENT TO US AND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
JUST SUPER EXCITED FOR THIS, I DO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS ABOUT COSTS TO EITHER BUYERS OR SELLERS, BUT I THINK THAT WE'VE GIVEN THEM MULTIPLE OPTIONS TO TRY TO WORK THROUGH THAT AND SUPER EXCITED FOR THIS.
>> THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? COUNSELOR BUESGENS.
>> I SPOKE A LOT FOR THE FIRST HEARING, BUT I THINK IN RESPONSE TO COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
IF THERE HAD BEEN OTHER CHOICES THAT WOULD HAVE CLEANED
[00:50:01]
UP THIS ISSUE WITH OUR OLDER HOUSING STOCK, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE ALREADY COME TO SURFACE.WE NEED TO WORK ON KEEPING THE HOME SAFE FOR PEOPLE WHO MOVE INTO OUR CITY, $70,000 IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT A NEW BUYER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR WITHOUT COMING INTO THAT HOUSE.
I THINK IT'S OUR JOB AS COUNCIL MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE OUR HOMES ARE SAFE FOR PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE, AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY GOOD THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SEWER SYSTEM, SO WE CAN GET RID OF THAT FINE, HOPEFULLY.
THEN MAYBE NEXT TEN YEARS, MAYBE 20, I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET RID OF THAT FINE FROM METRO COUNCIL BECAUSE WHO KNOWS IF THEY'RE STARTING TO HAMMERING, THEY MIGHT INCREASE IT.
THIS WOULD BE A WAY OF PREVENTING THAT HOPEFULLY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT, THIS HAS BEEN IN A CONVERSATION FOR A VERY LONG TIME WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND MUCH TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS SAID THAT I TRUST THAT OUR STAFF HAS BROUGHT FORWARD THE BEST PLAN OF HOW WE COULD DO THIS.
YES, THERE MAY BE OTHER IDEAS OUT THERE, BUT I THINK AS CONNIE BUESGENS SAID, THIS WOULD HAVE COME TO LIGHT IF THAT WAS THE CASE.
WE'VE DEFINITELY PUT OUR SUPPORT BEHIND HIRING AN ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBER, MAKING SURE THAT THIS PROGRAM WOULD ALSO BE WORKING WITH OUR RENTAL INSPECTIONS AS WELL.
THEY'RE NOT THE SAME PROGRAM, BUT WE'RE USING SIMILAR IDEAS ACROSS THE BOARD, MAKING OUR CITY SAFER.
SOMETHING I SAID AT THE LAST MEETING WAS THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SELLING THEIR HOMES AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOVING IN ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.
WE WANT TO CREATE A CITY WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE AND SAFE, AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFE.
THE BIG PICTURE IS THAT WE WANT PEOPLE, OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS, PEOPLE ACROSS THE STREET TO FEEL SAFE AND THAT THEIR CITY IS LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTERESTS.
I AGREE THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THIS, BUT THERE IS A COST ALWAYS WITH SELLING HOMES, AND THAT IS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION.
OPPORTUNITIES WHEN YOU ARE BUYING AND SELLING.
THERE'S ALWAYS NEGOTIATION, AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PART OF THAT PROCESS.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT I DO SUPPORT THIS, AND ALSO I AM VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS BE OUR SECOND READING AND VOTE.
THANK YOU. THEN, IF WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD, THEN, COULD I GET A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING? WAIT A MINUTE. MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1695.
THEY'LL BE AN AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO WAIVE THE READING, ANY DISCUSSION.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 1695, BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDED CHAPTER 5A OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CODE TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFICATE OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND ITS ASSOCIATED REQUIREMENTS AND AMENDING PARALLEL REFERENCES TO REFLECT THE SECTION CHANGE, AND DIRECT STAFF TO SEND A SUMMARY OF THE ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED FOR PUBLICATION IN THE LEGAL NEWSPAPER.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO APPROVE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING IS NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.
NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM 15, CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 3806 JACKSON STREET NORTHEAST.
WE HAVE ANDREW BUSCHE TO BRING THIS ITEM.
>> CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE HAVE THE CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 3806 JACKSON STREET NORTHEAST.
ON APRIL 17, 2024, THE OWNER OF 3806 JACKSON STREET REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REGARDING REQUESTING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON BLOCK 143, WHICH HAS SIX SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS OUT OF 38 TOTAL SINGLE FAMILY UNITS.
THIS COMES OUT TO AN ALLOTMENT OF FOUR SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS BASED ON THE MATRIX OF ORDINANCE 1685, WHICH ESTABLISHED THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL CAP.
STATING THAT IF THE NUMBER OF DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL PROPERTIES MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF RENTAL PROPERTIES PER DEFINED BLOCK ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDINANCE FROM WHICH THE SECTION IS DERIVED.
PROPERTY OWNER MAY REQUEST A TEMPORARY LICENSE TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL RENTAL PROPERTY FOR THAT BLOCK.
[00:55:02]
THE CITY COUNCIL MAY AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION, GRANT OR DENY A TEMPORARY LICENSE.PROPERTY OWNERS REQUESTING A TEMPORARY LICENSE MUST MAKE AN ANNUAL APPLICATION TO THE CITY AND NO PROPERTY OWNER SHALL HOLD A TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE FOR THE SAME PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.
IT'S THE HOMEOWNER'S RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL.
STAFF HAS BROUGHT FORTH THE APPEAL ALONG WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR DISCUSSION AND REVIEW.
AND IF APPROVED RESOLUTION 2024-033 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.
THIS PUTS A LIMIT ON HOW LONG THEY CAN TAKE TO BRING THE HOME INTO COMPLIANCE IF NEEDED.
THE TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE WILL BE VALID FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE THAT THE LICENSE IS APPROVED, AND THAT PROVIDES BOTH THE HOMEOWNER AND THE TENT THE ABILITY TO RENT THE HOUSE FOR A FULL ONE YEAR LEASE.
AFTER THE TERM OF THAT TEMPORARY LICENSE, THE PERSON REQUESTING A TEMPORARY LICENSE MUST MAKE AN ANNUAL APPLICATION TO THE CITY.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, NO PROPERTY OWNER SHALL HOLD THE TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE FOR THE SAME PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.
I HAVE THE APPLICANT VIA TEAMS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT ALL.
>> HELLO. IF YOU COULD TAKE YOURSELF OFF OF MUTE, LUKE.
>> THANK YOU. LOOKS LIKE IT WORKS NOW.
LUKE, WE DO HAVE YOUR LETTER IN OUR PACKET, SO WE HAVE SEEN THAT, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD.
>> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE MY LETTER, AND I'VE REALLY ENJOYED ACTUALLY BEING ON THIS COUNCIL CALL AND BEING A PART OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHEN I PURCHASED THE HOUSE IN OCTOBER OF 2023, IT WAS MY PRIMARY RESIDENCE, LIVING IN THIS AND HAVING A FEW FRIENDS WITH ME LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND JUST REALLY EXCITED TO LIVE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THEN I ENDED UP ACTUALLY GETTING MARRIED THIS JANUARY OF 2024, AND THE REASON FOR NEEDING TO MOVE WAS GETTING MARRIED AND MY WIFE WORKS IN STILLWATER.
MY INTENTION WAS NEVER TO CAUSE A PROBLEM OR TO NOT FOLLOW ANY RULES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
MY GOAL WAS TO LIVE IN THIS PROPERTY AND THEN LIFE CHANGED AND NEEDING TO MOVE CLOSER AND MOVE IN WITH MY WIFE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
THAT'S WHY I'M JUST REQUESTING THAT YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE THIS APPEAL WITH ME ON THIS PROCESS.
I'M NOT AN INVESTOR OR TRYING TO TAKE THIS HOUSE AND FLIP IT OR DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
I REALLY HAVE ENJOYED BEING A PART OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY, AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE IT BETTER, AND HAVE VERBIAGE OF NEIGHBORS ON THE STREET SINCE ME AND FRIENDS MOVED IN THAT WE'VE HELPED THEM OUT WITH SNOW AND SEVERAL THINGS WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO BE A GOOD PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT DUE TO THIS LIFE CHANGE, I DON'T WANT TO BE, I GUESS, PUNISHED FOR IT, BUT JUST REALLY VALUE AND RESPECT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY AND WOULD LOVE FOR MY HOUSE AND THE GUYS LIVING IN IT TO CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF IT.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL, COMMENT, CLARIFICATION? CLARIFICATION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS?
>> IT CURRENTLY HAS SIX RENTALS ON THAT BLOCK, AND THIS WOULD MAKE NUMBER 7?
>> SORRY. MY APOLOGIES. THANK YOU. I FORGOT TO PUSH THE BUTTON.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY FIVE RENTAL PROPERTIES ON THAT BLOCK.
THIS WOULD BE A SIXTH PLACES THAT BLOCK 2 OVER THE CAP.
JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE NEXT EXEMPTION REQUEST IS ALSO ON THAT BLOCK.
>> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?
>> I CAN PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH
[01:00:02]
JUST A HISTORICAL RUNDOWN OF THE LICENSING FOR THE PROPERTY.SO MR. SCHIMOLER PURCHASED THE PROPERTY IN JULY OF 2023.
AT THE TIME OF THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY WAS A RENTAL PROPERTY AND LICENSED WITH THE CITY.
SINCE THE SALE WAS PRIOR TO THE PASSING OF THE RENTAL DENSITY CAP, THE LICENSE COULD BE TRANSFERRED IN AN AREA BECAUSE THE CAP DIDN'T EXIST, SO IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO A NEW OWNER.
HE WAS GOING TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE.
WE WERE UNAWARE THAT THE PROPERTY WASN'T STILL RENTAL PROPERTY, SO WE ACTUALLY SENT A RENEWAL LETTER OUT THIS SPRING WHEN IT WAS GOING TO EXPIRE.
THEN THAT'S HOW WE FIGURED OUT, HE'S LIVING THERE, BUT NOW HE'S NOT, BUT HE WANTS TO RENT IT, BUT IT'S OVER CAP, AND HERE WE ARE.
LIKE I SAY, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IN A NUTSHELL.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, I CAN HELP YOU.
>> THERE'S NOT LIKE A TIMELINE WITH HIM JUST BUYING IT LAST SUMMER.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION FOR ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF DAN O'BRIEN.
THE LAST TIME THAT THE HOUSE WAS LICENSED AS A RENTAL, DID IT PASS THE INSPECTION? DID IT NEED MULTIPLE RE-INSPECTIONS? IS IT UP TO THE CODE FOR RENTALS?
>> THE PROPERTY ACTUALLY I BELIEVE HAD AN EXTERIOR INSPECTION FOR THE LICENSE FOR THIS YEAR, AND I BELIEVE IT PASSED.
THAT WASN'T AN ISSUE BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR RENTAL LICENSING INSPECTIONS ARE AUTOMATICALLY PERFORMED BY US, SO NOT KNOWING IT WASN'T RENTAL ANYMORE. WE INSPECTED IT.
>> THANK YOU. THEN I ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION FOR THE HOMEOWNER IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU.
>> IN YOUR LETTER, YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT YOU WERE HOPING TO RENT TO CLOSE FRIENDS, AND IN YOUR TESTIMONY, YOU RECOMMEND YOU SAID THAT YOU HAD PEOPLE LIVING THERE NOW.
IS IT THE SAME RESIDENCE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING THERE, BUT YOU'RE JUST OUT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT, COUNCILWOMAN.
>> ARE THERE COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> NO QUESTIONS, BUT JUST COMMENT ON BOTH THIS AND THE NEXT HOUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS VERY MUCH THE SAME SITUATION.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT PASSING THIS ORDINANCE IS THAT WE'RE AIMING TO PREVENT LARGE CORPORATIONS FROM COMING IN AND BUYING UP OUR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
BUT NOW WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE SITUATIONS LIKE THIS WHERE SOMEONE HAS RUN INTO SOME KIND OF LIFE SITUATION WHERE THEY NEED ONE YEAR TO RENT THE HOUSE OUT.
AND IN US DENYING THAT, I DON'T SEE NECESSARILY WHAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN TERMS OF THE GOAL TO PREVENT LARGE CORPORATIONS FROM COMING IN.
I'M GOING TO BE VOTING FOR BOTH OF THESE TO BE EXEMPTED BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THIS IS JUST PUNISHING ONE PERSON OR ONE FAMILY UNWRONGLY FOR A LARGER GOAL, WHICH I SOMEWHAT AGREE WITH, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS THE WAY TO BE DOING IT, SO I'M GOING TO BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS IN THE NEXT ONE JUST TO MAKE THE COUNCIL AWARE.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
YOU HAVE RENTERS IN THE HOUSE AT THIS TIME.
LUKE, IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING?
>> YES, I DO. THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY MY ROOMMATES, AND I MOVED OUT ONCE I GOT MARRIED IN JANUARY, AND MY FRIENDS ARE STILL LIVING IN THE HOUSE.
>> AND THEY'RE PAYING RENT TO LIVE THERE?
>> THEY HAVE BEEN PAYING ME TO LIVE THERE. THAT'S CORRECT.
>> LISTENING TO COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS' COMMENTS, I DISAGREE.
I THINK ONE OF IN PART, WE WANTED TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CORPORATE LANDLORDS.
THE CAP WAS IN PART DUE TO PROVIDE A QUALITY OF LIFE AND MAINTAIN PROPERTIES WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALSO TO MAKE THOSE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN ABOUT CORPORATE LANDLORDS.
A BIG ISSUE, BUT I ALSO SEE THAT I THINK THAT THE PURPOSE WAS WIDER THAN THAT. THAT'S ALL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> I THINK IN RESPONSE, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT I TOTALLY AGREE, WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE TO OWN AND TO BUY.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, ONE, IT'S NOT THE RIGHT PLACE IN EVERYONE'S LIFE WHERE THEY'RE LOOKING TO BUY OR AVAILABLE TO BUY.
I THINK, ASSUMING THAT SOMEONE WHO'S RENTING A HOUSE INSTEAD OF OWNING IT IS GOING TO POSSIBLY LEAD TO A DIFFERENT QUALITY OF LIFE.
ON THE STREET IS THE WRONG ASSUMPTION TO BE HAVING SO I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER TO SAY THAN THOSE COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
[01:05:01]
>> QUICK QUESTION FOR THE HOMEOWNER.
IT SAYS THAT YOU'RE RENTING YOU HAD ROOMMATES, AND THEN YOU MOVED OUT OF THE HOUSE, AND THEY'RE PAYING YOU RENT RIGHT NOW. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, THAT'S WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS JUST ASKED.
>> DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOU CAN'T BE COLLECTING RENT UNTIL YOU HAVE A RENTALS LICENSE IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET ONE AS A LANDLORD IF YOU'RE NOT LIVING THERE?
>> YEAH. THIS WAS MY REASON, COUNCILWOMAN FOR WANTING TO GET ON THIS MEETING AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW I CAN ABIDE BY THE RULES.
MY GOAL WAS TO HONOR THE RULES OF GETTING A RENTAL LICENSE FOR THIS HOUSE.
I GOT MARRIED, TWO, THREE MONTHS AGO, AND I'VE BEEN JUST WANTING TO FIGURE OUT HOW CAN I ABIDE BY THE RULES AS A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER.
I AM NOT IN UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THIS, AND I'M WANTING TO APPLY.
BUT AS THE CHIEF SHARED BEFORE, THIS HOUSE PREVIOUSLY WAS A RENTAL PROPERTY, AS I LEARNED, AND MY GOAL WAS NEVER TO MAKE IT A RENTAL PROPERTY.
NOW BEING MOVING OUT OF IT, MY GOAL IS TO ABIDE BY THE RULES AND FOLLOW SUIT, AND THAT'S WHY I WAS HOPING TO GET GRANDFATHERED IN ESSENTIALLY WITH THIS AS THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY A REGISTERED PROPERTY, SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN I PURCHASED THIS HOUSE.
I'M HAPPY TO PAY AND GO THROUGH, THE NECESSARY INSPECTIONS TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THIS AGAIN, BY NO MEANS AM I TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM THIS ISN'T A JOB OR ANYTHING THAT I'M DOING IT FOR.
I JUST TURNED 24, AND WAS EXCITED TO BUY MY FIRST HOUSE AND LIFE CHANGED.
I'M JUST ASKING FOR GRACE AND, SOMEONE TO WALK ALONGSIDE ME AND DOING THIS CORRECTLY.
>> THE REASON I VOTED FOR THIS ORDINANCE WAS TO DEAL WITH CORPORATE LANDLORDS BECAUSE WE WENT THROUGH A NIGHTMARE WITH THE OTHERS, BUT ALSO TO INCREASE OUR HOUSING STOCK FOR HOME BUYERS AND OUR HOUSING STOCK IN THE CITY IS VERY TIGHT FOR NEW BUYERS, AND WE'RE STILL AN AFFORDABLE CITY.
FOR ME, I UNDERSTAND THAT LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CHANGE, BUT THIS EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANTCES THAT YOU HAVE AT THIS MOMENT DON'T MEET MY STANDARD FOR SUPPORTING IT.
LIFE CHANGES, THINGS HAPPEN BUT THIS ORDINANCE HAS A GOAL TO INCREASE OUR HOME OWNERSHIP FOR THE NEW HOME BUYERS THAT ARE OUT THERE LOOKING AND TRYING TO FIND HOMES TO MOVE INTO THAT THEY CAN AFFORD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. IN THIS SPECIFIC CASE, BEING THAT THIS HOUSE HAS BEEN A RENTAL IN THE PAST AND PAST INSPECTIONS, AND THAT IT HAS PEOPLE LIVING IN IT RIGHT NOW WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN A PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WILL CONTINUE AND ALSO KEEPING IN MIND THAT THIS IS JUST A ONE YEAR INCREASE, WHICH WILL GIVE YOU TIME TO MAKE A PLAN.
I THINK FOR ME, PART OF THE ORDINANCE GOAL THAT I VOTED FOR WAS A LONG TERM BIG PICTURE.
THIS IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE A HOUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE MARKET IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
IT'S STILL EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE THAT.
I THINK I APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND SPEAKING AND WANTING TO DO A GOOD JOB.
I AM IN THIS SPECIFIC INSTANCE IN FAVOR OF THE RENTAL EXCEPTION PART OF ME, WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE ORDINANCE, WE PUT THIS PROCESS IN PLACE SO THAT WE COULD DO THESE SPEAKING WITH THE CITY PLANNER, A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T FOLLOW ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND GET THEIR RENTAL LICENSE, BUT I DO AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS THAT UNTIL THAT LICENSE IS GRANTED, WE CANNOT RECEIVE RENT IF THAT WERE TO BE GRANTED.
IN THIS INSTANCE, I THINK THAT THIS HOME SHOULD REMAIN WITH THIS PROPERTY OWNER SO THAT WE CAN GIVE YOU TIME TO MAKE A PLAN FOR THIS TEMPORARY RENTAL EXTENSION.
>> THANK YOU. I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AS WELL.
SPECIFICALLY, LUKE, IF YOU'RE AWARE THAT YOU ONLY HAVE ONE YEAR OF THIS IF IT WERE TO PASS.
IT DOES MEAN THAT YOU DO HAVE TO MAKE THIS DECISION GOING FORWARD, WHICH MEANS EITHER YOU'RE MOVING BACK IN OR AND THAT'S YOUR PRIMARY RESIDENCE OR YOU ARE SELLING IT.
BUT THAT GIVES YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE STAYING WITH YOU TIME TO MAKE THAT DECISION, AND IT DOES FULFILL OUR GREATER CONCERN OF HAVING A CAP OF RENTAL PROPERTIES PER BLOCK.
[01:10:02]
I THINK THAT THIS DOES FULFILL OUR GOAL OF THAT, AND I'M GLAD TO HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE PEOPLE COME FORWARD.OF COURSE, YOU'RE LEARNING THROUGH THIS PROCESS THAT EVERY CITY IS DIFFERENT IN THEIR RENTAL LICENSING AND A LOT OF PEOPLE EVEN BUY A HOUSE AND AFTER THEY CLOSE, THEY COME TO THE CITY AND SAY, I WANT TO RENT IT, AND WE'RE LIKE, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARN THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK UP BEFORE YOU PURCHASE SO GOING FORWARD, IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL OF COURSE BE LOOKING INTO DOUBLY NOW THAT YOU'VE GONE THROUGH ALL THIS.
IF THERE'S NO MORE COMMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> I WOULD JUST CLOSE BY SAYING MY CONCERN IS THAT HE'S BEEN COLLECTING RENT, KNOWING THAT IT WAS AN UNLICENSED UNIT, AND THAT THE OTHER ONE COMING BEFORE US TONIGHT IS ALSO IN THE SAME BLOCK.
THE CAP FOR THAT AREA IS FOUR.
HE WOULD BE NUMBER 6 AND IF WE APPROVE THE OTHER ONE, THAT SEVEN, THAT'S ALMOST DOUBLE OF WHAT THE CAPACITY OF THE CAP IS SO I THINK THAT'S A MAIN CONSIDERATION FOR ME.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT.
ANYTHING ANDREW FROM YOU? ALL RIGHT.
LUKE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY? YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
I'M JUST ASKING IF YOU DO. YOU'RE GOOD. OKAY, THEN.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, LUKE.
IT ALSO MEANS A LOT THAT YOU SHOWED UP AT THE MEETING VIRTUALLY.
COULD I THEN HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING?
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-033.
THERE ARE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO WAIVE THE READING.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARING IS NONE.
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, WHICH WOULD BE APPROVING.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-033, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION AT 3806 JACKSON STREET NORTHEAST, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, 55421.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM 16.
CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 3857 QUINCY STREET NORTHEAST ANDREW BOUCHE.
>> CITY COUNCIL, YOU HAVE A CONSIDERATION FOR A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 3857 QUINCY STREET BEFORE YOU TODAY?.
THE OWNER REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REQUESTING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP.
THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE SAME BLOCK AS THE PREVIOUS ONE, BLOCK 143 WITH ASSISTANT CHIEF O'BRIEN POINTED OUT, FIVE SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS OUT OF THE TOTAL 38 SINGLE FAMILY UNITS.
THIS BLOCK IS ALLOTTED FOUR TOTAL SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS.
STAFF HAS ATTACHED THE LETTER THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE HOMEOWNER, AS WELL AS ORDINANCE 1685, WHICH ESTABLISHED SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP.
STATING THAT IF THE NUMBER OF DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING RENTAL PROPERTIES MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE PERMITTED NUMBER OF RENTAL PROPERTIES PER DEFINED BLOCK ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDINANCE FROM WHICH THE SECTION IS DERIVED, PROPERTY OWNER MAY REQUEST A TEMPORARY LICENSE TO ALLOW FOR AN ADDITIONAL RENTAL PROPERTY FOR THE BLOCK.
THE CITY COUNCIL MAY HAVE ITS SOLE DISCRETION, GRANT OR DENY A TEMPORARY LICENSE, AND PEOPLE REQUESTING A TEMPORARY LICENSE MUST MAKE AN ANNUAL APPLICATION TO THE CITY.
NO PROPERTY OWNER SHALL HOLD A TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE FOR THE SAME PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS AS IT IS THE HOMEOWNER'S RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL, STAFF HAS BROUGHT FORTH THE APPEAL ALONG WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR DISCUSSION AND REVIEW.
IF APPROVED RESOLUTION 2024-034 WOULD GRANT A TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION TO THE HOMEOWNER WITH A FEW ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, BEING THAT THE HOMEOWNER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION.
THIS PUTS A LIMIT ON HOW LONG THEY CAN TAKE TO BRING THE PROPERTY INTO COMPLIANCE, IF NEEDED.
THE TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE WILL BE VALID FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE THAT THE LICENSE IS APPROVED AFTER THE TERM OF THE TEMPORARY LICENSE, THE PERSON REQUESTING A TEMPORARY LICENSE MUST MAKE AN ANNUAL APPLICATION TO THE CITY.
THE TEMPORARY TERM ALLOWS THE HOMEOWNER AND
[01:15:01]
TENANT THE ABILITY TO RENT THE HOME FOR A FULL YEAR.AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, NO PROPERTY OWNER SHALL HOLD A TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE FOR THE SAME PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
I DO HAVE THE PROPERTY OWNER IN ATTENDANCE TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. IF THE PROPERTY OWNER WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? IF YOU CAN JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELVES BEFORE YOU SPEAK, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> MAKE SURE YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THE MICROPHONE SO WE CAN HEAR YOU BETTER. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE], AND IS MY WIFE, [INAUDIBLE].
YOU GUYS HAVE OUR LETTER IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT BRIEF SUMMARY.
WE BOUGHT THIS HOUSE ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, AND WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE ORDINANCE FOR THE RENTAL, I GUESS, BLOCK LIMIT.
DURING OUR CONTRACT PROCESS, WE UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT KNOW THIS AND WE SIGNED A CONTRACT SAYING WE WON'T LIVE IN THE HOUSE FOR MORE THAN 14 DAYS A YEAR, AND OUR MORTGAGE DOES NOT ALLOW US TO SELL THE HOUSE WITHIN A YEAR, SO WE'RE STUCK AT THE MOMENT.
CAN YOU PROVIDE US WITH A DOCUMENT THAT STATES IN WRITING FROM YOUR CLOSING PACKAGE THAT STATES THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO SELL IT WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR?
>> OKAY. BECAUSE IT WASN'T IN THE PACKET.
>> IT'S IN THE WHOLE BINDER. [OVERLAPPING]
>> NO, I NEED TO SEE THAT BEFORE I EVEN CONSIDER [OVERLAPPING].
>> ARE YOU ASKING FOR US TO TABLE THIS UNTIL THEY GET THIS TO US?
>> I WOULD THINK SO, AT LEAST, I DON'T KNOW.
IT DEPENDS ON WHAT EVERYONE'S SAYING, BUT USUALLY, I'VE BEEN A CLOSER, SO I KNOW EVERYTHING'S IN WRITING, AND YOU PROVIDED SOMETHING ABOUT 14 DAYS, WHICH TO ME, DOESN'T MATTER.
BUT THE FACT IS TOO, SECOND THING IS UNFORTUNATELY, YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ME, BUT YOU ALSO HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING SURE YOU DID YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU PURCHASED THE INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO SEE BECAUSE VARIOUS CITIES HAVE DIFFERENT RULES.
WE'RE NOT THE ONLY CITY IN THE METRO AREA THAT HAS THIS DENSITY CAP FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS. THAT'S SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE, BUT I DON'T NEED IT. THANK YOU.
>> ANY COMMENTS, COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS?
>> I WOULD AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS, I'D LIKE TO SEE THE DOCUMENTATION THAT STATES THAT YOU NOT SO MUCH THE 14 DAYS, BUT DEFINITELY THAT YOU CAN'T SELL IT FOR A YEAR.
>> IN ADDITION, REFERRING BACK TO THE EXEMPTION THAT WAS JUST APPROVED, I WOULD SEE THIS AS BEING FAR MORE QUALIFYING THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE.
BUT BECAUSE THIS WOULD NOW PUT US AT SEVEN, WITH THE CAP BEING FOUR, IT WOULD PUT US AT SEVEN HOMES BEING RENTAL HOMES, THAT'S PROHIBITIVE TO ME BECAUSE THAT'S ALMOST DOUBLE OF WHAT THE ALLOWANCE IS, AND I THINK THAT, THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY ON YOUR PART OR THE AGENT'S PART, BUT SPECIFICALLY, YOUR PART TO KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO INTO ANY KIND OF A BUSINESS, YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE AND THE RULES ARE FOR THAT BUSINESS.
BUT I FEEL VERY EMPATHETIC FOR YOU MAKING A MASSIVE INVESTMENT AND THEN BEING CAUGHT IN BETWEEN.
WITH HAVING THE OTHER ONE BE APPROVED, IF I HAD TO VOTE TONIGHT, I COULD NOT APPROVE THIS ONE, EVEN THOUGH I FEEL THIS IS A GREATER NEED THAN THE PREVIOUS EXEMPTION.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT PAPERWORK AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> I WON'T REPEAT WHAT I [NOISE] SAID FOR THE LAST ONE, BUT THIS IS NOT WHO I THINK OF "CRACKING DOWN ON".
IN TERMS OF APPLYING FOR A RENTAL EXEMPTION, THIS IS ONE I APPLY FOR A YEAR, THEN THE HOUSE WILL BE ABLE TO BE SOLD.
WE WANT TO RE-CONFIRM THIS NEXT YEAR.
THEN THIS IS ANOTHER HOUSE THAT COULD GO BACK ON THE MARKET, SO I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS.
>> QUESTION FOR THE HOMEOWNERS.
WHAT IS YOUR PLAN IF YOU HAVE THE RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION APPROVED? IS THE HOME UP TO RENTAL CODE? DO YOU HAVE A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY? ARE YOU MANAGE IT YOURSELF? DO YOU HAVE RENTERS IN PLACE, OR IS THAT ALL IN THE FUTURE TO BE DECIDED?
>> WELL, WE DON'T HAVE RENTERS AS OF RIGHT NOW.
WE HAD INTEREST, BUT OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN'T RENT IT UNTIL WE HAVE A LICENSE.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD BE LOOKING TO SELL IT WITHIN A YEAR SINCE WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RENEW OUR LICENSE AS SOON AS OUR MORTGAGE ALLOWS US TO, THEN WE WOULD SELL THE PROPERTY.
>> YES IT IS UP TO CODE AT THE MOMENT.
>> THANK YOU. DAN, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE ON THE HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH ISN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT YOU, BUT JUST FOR US TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION?
>> ACTUALLY, JUST A COUPLE OF INTERESTING PIECES OF INFORMATION FOR YOU, JUST FYI.
THE PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 31ST OF THIS YEAR FROM A CORPORATION HOME TRS,
[01:20:08]
LLC, WHICH IS AN AFFILIATE OF PROGRESS RESIDENTIAL, WHICH IS FORMERLY KNOWN AS HAVENBROOK HOMES.IT'S BEEN A RENTAL PROPERTY SINCE IT WENT THROUGH FORECLOSURE IN 2012 WHEN A HAVENBROOK AFFILIATE PURCHASED IT.
I FIGURED YOU'D FIND THAT INTERESTING.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE ON THE PROPERTY THAT'S RELEVANT TO THIS.
>> THANK YOU. YES, MUCH TO WHAT WAS SAID EARLIER THAT YOU ARE AWARE IF YOU WERE TO RECEIVE YOUR RENTAL LICENSE, YOU STILL ONLY HAVE A YEAR FOR THAT [INAUDIBLE].
IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE IT INTO THE FUTURE.
UNLESS, OF COURSE, FOUR OF THE OTHER SINGLE-FAMILY OR THREE OF THE OTHER SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON YOUR BLOCK SOLD AND WERE NOT RENTALS, THEN MAYBE, BUT THAT'S PROBABLY HIGHLY UNLIKELY.
IT COULD BE IN A YEAR THAT YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH YOUR MORTGAGE AND STUFF, BUT AT LEAST IT GIVES YOU TIME TO FIGURE OUT WAYS OF HOW YOU COULD REFINANCE OR WHATEVER YOU CAN DO BECAUSE I CAN UNDERSTAND BEING STUCK IN THAT ROCK AND A HARD PLACE RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS ALL JUST HAPPENING SINCE JANUARY, TOO. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.
>> I SEE THAT IT'S A HARDSHIP, BUT HOWEVER, THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER ONE THAT WAS APPROVED, AS IN THIS THAT YOU ENTERED INTO IT AS A BUSINESS, NOT A PERSONAL SITUATION WHERE THEY GOT MARRIED AND MOVED OUT AND NEEDED SOME TIME TO SELL THE HOUSE.
THE OTHER THING. TO ME, AGAIN, DOING YOUR HOMEWORK AS A BUSINESS IS IMPORTANT.
I HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS THAT PEOPLE WHO COME INTO OUR CITY AND DO BUSINESS WITH US, THAT THEY CHECK WITH THE CITY, THAT THEY MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW EVERYTHING, ESPECIALLY AS A BUSINESS.
WE HAD A GUY DOWN THE STREET ON CENTRAL, NORTH OF 40TH, WHO PURCHASED A PROPERTY TO TURN IT INTO A SENIOR DAYCARE CENTER WITHOUT CHECKING WITH THE CITY.
THE INSPECTOR CAUGHT THEM, NO PERMITS PULLED, AND HE HAD PUT IN 100 GRAND WORTH OF CHANGES IN THIS BUSINESS THAT HE DID NOT HAVE APPROVAL FOR, AND THE SITE DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SENIOR DAYCARE, AND IT WAS A HIT.
HE TOOK A BIG HIT FOR NOT DOING HIS HOMEWORK.
THE SAME THING HERE AS A BUSINESS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING YOUR HOMEWORK TO TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING FALLS IN PLACE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE THE PROPERTY, JUST LIKE BIG DEVELOPERS TOO.
THEY COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL, THEY COME BEFORE THE STAFF, THEY MAKE SURE ALL THEIR TS ARE CROSSED AND THEIR IS ARE DOTTED BEFORE THEY PURCHASE THE LAND TO DO THEIR PROPERTY.
SO IT'S PART OF DOING BUSINESS.
I'M SORRY IT'S A SITUATION THAT'S HARD, BUT SOMETIMES LIVES CAN HIT YOU WITH THINGS WHEN YOU DON'T DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
I SUGGEST STRONGLY NEXT TIME YOU DO THIS, YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST.
BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I APPRECIATE YOU COMING.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> ONE MORE QUESTION. PIGGYBACKING ON WHAT THE MAYOR BROUGHT UP.
IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT YOU COULD RENEGOTIATE A MORTGAGE RATHER THAN WAIT A YEAR? THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION THAT I WOULD LOOK AT CURRENTLY.
>> THE WAY MY LENDER EXPLAINED IT TO ME IS WHEN YOU PULL A MORTGAGE AND THEY SELL OFF THE MORTGAGE, THAT MORTGAGE COMPANY, THEY WANT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS BEFORE YOU REFINANCE OR SELL OFF A HOUSE BECAUSE I GUESS THERE'S SOME TYPE OF CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO.
>> I JUST THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD LOOK INTO AT THIS TIME RATHER THAN WAITING A YEAR.
>> SORRY, I HAVE TO CALL ON PEOPLE SO WE KEEP IT CLEAR.
>> IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE DOCUMENT, DO YOU WANT TO TABLE IT TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING TO SEE THE DOCUMENT?
>> I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF TABLING IT TO SEE THE DOCUMENT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT MY DECISION WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTATION.
>> WE HAVE A QUESTION OF TABLING THE ITEM, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, THAT WE DON'T TABLE TO A SPECIFIC TIME, WE JUST TABLE IT, SO THEN WE WOULD WAIT FOR STAFF TO GATHER THAT INFORMATION TO THEN BRING IT FORTH IN A PACKET.
RIGHT, ANDREW? THAT'S HOW [INAUDIBLE] COULD DO IT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR THEN TO TABLE THE ITEM. DOES IT HAVE A SECOND?
>> ANY QUESTIONS? I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS TO TABLE ITEM 16, WHICH IS 3857 QUINCY STREET.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT THEN.
ALL IN FAVOR IN TABLING THE ITEM? THEN STAFF WILL BE IN DISCUSSION WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT DAY YOU WOULD COME BACK IF THIS PASSES.
WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT MOMENT FIGURED OUT RIGHT NOW, BUT IT WOULD GET FIGURED OUT, SO WE'RE JUST VOTING IF WE WOULD TABLE IT OR NOT.
JUST TO BE CLEAR. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS TO TABLE ITEM NUMBER 16.
[01:25:05]
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.>> THE MOTION PASSES TO TABLE. THANK YOU.
YES, SO STAFF WILL JUST FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.
ITEM 17, CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY ONE-YEAR RENTAL LICENSE.
THIS WILL BE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF DAN O'BRIEN. THANK YOU, DAN.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, GOOD EVENING.
THIS LICENSE APPROVAL IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS THE FIRST TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE WE ARE PRESENTING TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
I FIGURED I'D JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO REFRESH THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC'S MEMORY ON THE TEMPORARY LICENSING PROCESS TO DO MY BEST TO ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS ON THIS PROPERTY OR THE PROCESS IN GENERAL.
THE RESOLUTION'S FINDINGS OF FACT, CONTAIN THE RECENT HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY.
THERE WAS A REVOCATION IN OCTOBER OF 23 FOR NON RENEWAL OF THE LICENSE.
YOU GUYS APPROVED AN EXEMPTION REQUEST IN JANUARY.
IT PASSED A ZONING REVIEW IN THE BUILDING OFFICIALS NEW RENTAL INSPECTION EARLIER THIS MONTH, AND THEN THEY PAID THEIR APPLICATION AND THEIR REINSTATEMENT FEES, AND SO HERE WE ARE.
I FIGURED IT'D ALSO BE BENEFICIAL TO REVIEW HOW THE RENEWAL OF A TEMPORARY LICENSE IS ACCOMPLISHED.
IT CAN ONLY BE RENEWED FOR A SECOND YEAR, WHICH ANDREW SPOKE TO EARLIER.
BUT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THAT ONE YEAR IS A TEMPORARY LICENSE, SO BEFORE IT IS OVER, THE PROPERTY OWNER MUST SUBMIT AN EXEMPTION REQUEST TO THE COUNCIL, HAS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL, AND YOU GUYS NEED TO APPROVE A SECOND YEAR, JUST LIKE YOU WOULD A FIRST YEAR.
THE PROPERTY OWNER THEN HAS TO SCHEDULE THEIR LICENSING INSPECTION IF YOU GUYS PASS IT, PASS THEIR INSPECTION AND SUBMIT THEIR LICENSING APPLICATION AND LICENSE FEES TO OUR OFFICE, ALL OF THAT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE LICENSE OR THE LICENSE LAPSES, AND IT'S NO LONGER VALID.
IT'S A LOT TO DO, SO WHAT WE DO TO ACCOMMODATE THAT IS WE SEND THE RENEWAL NOTICE OUT DETAILING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO THE LICENSEE TWO OR THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE LICENSE ON 4/30 OF 2025.
THIS GIVES THEM PLENTY OF TIME TO GET ON THE COUNCIL SCHEDULE TO COME BEFORE YOU, GET THEIR LETTERS, AND SUBMIT IT, GET THEIR INSPECTION DONE, OR RE INSPECTION DONE IF THEY NEEDED IT, AND THEN GET ALL THEIR STUFF SUBMITTED.
THEN WE WOULD PRESENT THE LICENSE TO YOU GUYS FOR CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
SHOULD THE LICENSE BE RENEWED FOR THAT SECOND YEAR BY YOU GUYS, TWO OR THREE MONTHS TO THAT LICENSE EXPIRATION, SO THAT WOULD BE THE SECOND YEAR'S LICENSE, WE WOULD SEND A NOTICE TO THE LICENSEE THAT THEIR FINAL EXEMPTION YEAR ENDS ON 4/30 OF 2026 AND REQUEST A PLAN FROM THEM ON HOW THEY WILL TRANSITION THE PROPERTY TO A NON RENTAL STATUS.
HOW ARE THEY GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE TENANTS, HOW THINGS ARE GOING TO GO.
ADDITIONALLY, IT MAKES SENSE TO MAKE NOTE OF THIS, AT POINT DURING THE EXEMPTION PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL PROPERTIES IN THAT AREA THAT BLOCK THAT THEY'RE ON DROPS BELOW THE CAP OF THREE LICENSES, WHICH RIGHT NOW THERE'S POTENTIALLY SEVEN.
BUT THE LICENSEE, CAN APPLY FOR A CONVERSION OF THAT TEMPORARY LICENSE TO A REGULAR LICENSE.
IF THERE'S A SPOT OPEN, THEY CAN APPLY FOR THAT THING.
HOWEVER, IT'S THE LICENSEE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MONITOR THAT AND APPLY FOR THE CONVERSION SHOULD THAT SITUATION OCCUR.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE FOR THIS, SO IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I AM CERTAINLY OPEN FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL.
>> DO YOU REMEMBER WERE THERE ANY EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES AS TO THE REASON WE ALLOWED THIS TO GO THROUGH OTHER THAN THAT THEIR TIMING HAD LAPSED? THEY HAD MISSED THE TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY EXTENDING WAITING CIRCUMSTANCES AS TO WHY THEY'RE NOT SELLING OR TAKING CARE OF THIS PROPERTY AND APPLYING FOR A SECOND YEAR LICENSE? YOU SAID YOU SENT OUT A NOTICE THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AGO, LETTING HIM KNOW THAT THIS PROCESS, ALL THESE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO GET DONE.
>> YES. WELL, ONCE YOU GUYS APPROVED HIM IN JANUARY, WE SENT HIM A NOTICE THAT, HEY, THIS HAPPENED THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN, THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN, THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
NOW, IF YOU GUYS APPROVE HIS LICENSE THIS EVENING, WHICH HE'S READ ALL THE REQUIREMENTS REQUIRED TO DO THAT, WE WILL IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE TIMING IS, BUT WE'LL SEND OUT A RENEWAL NOTICE TO HIM, AND THEY'LL HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING COMPLETED BY 4/30 OF 2025, ALL THE NECESSARY STEPS.
[01:30:01]
>> THANK YOU. YES, THIS IS SOMEONE WE JUST VOTED ON THIS IN JANUARY, SO THIS JUST HAPPENED WITH THE INTENT THAT THEY WOULD THEN FOLLOW THROUGH IN ONE OR OTHER WAYS.
THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? THANK YOU. THEN FOR ITEM NUMBER 17, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 2024-035 BEING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING A ONE YEAR TEMPORARY RENTAL HOUSING LICENSE PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, ANY DISCUSSION.
SEEING AND HEARING IS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
OUR NEXT ITEM IS OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.WHICH COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST? COUNCIL MEMBER BERBGINS, THANK YOU.
>> FIRST OFF, I ATTENDED THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION.
THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF FINISHING UP THE FINAL TOUCHES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING POLICY, AND ALSO, THEY CONTINUED THEIR WORK ON THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY.
SECOND, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE 82 VOLUNTEERS THAT CLEANED UP CENTRAL AVENUE.
IT'S SO NICE AND THANK YOU FOR COMING TO OUR CITY.
SOME PEOPLE CAME FROM ANOTHER CITY WITH A HUGE GROUP OF KIDS, TEENAGERS THAT PARTICIPATED IN OUR CLEAN UP, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING DOWN HERE AND HELPING OUR CITY.
I ATTENDED THE SWEARING IN FOR OUR NEW POLICE OFFICER, JENNIFER CORTEZ, WELCOME TO OUR CITY.
VOLUNTEERS HELPED ME BUILD A HUGO CULTURE IN BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN, WHICH IS A TYPE OF GARDEN THAT'S BEEN USED IN EUROPE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, AND IT'S YOU LAYER IT WITH LOGS, FIREWOOD, TWIGS, AND THEN COMPOSTING TYPE MATERIALS AND THEN DIRT, AND IT GIVES YOU MORE SURFACE TO PLANT ON.
BUT THE MAIN PART OF IT IS AS THE WOOD DECAYS, IT PROVIDES A SPONGE THAT ABSORBS WATER, AND WITH THESE DROUGHTS WE'VE HAD FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IT'LL COME IN HANDY IN THE FUTURE FOR LESS WATER AND REQUIRED FOR THE GROWTH THAT TAKES PLACE.
IT'S ALSO SOMETHING EDUCATIONAL THAT PEOPLE CAN PUT IN THEIR OWN YARDS.
YOU CAN HAVE LITTLE ONES, YOU CAN HAVE GREAT, GREAT, BIG ONES.
I THANK THE VOLUNTEERS FOR HELPING ME PUT THAT TOGETHER.
LET'S SEE. I WORKED WITH THE COUNCIL IN INTERVIEWING TWO OF OUR CAPTAINS WHO ARE VYING FOR OUR POLICE CHIEF POSITION, ATTENDED THE CITY SERVICES EXPO AND HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH RESIDENTS I HAD NOT MET BEFORE, SO THAT WAS REALLY FUN.
I ATTENDED THE NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE WITH STAFF.
ANDREW BOUCHER SUBMITTED OUR CITY HALL AND THE RACIAL BUILDING PROJECT TO THE NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE FOR A TOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS THAT CAME TO TOWN, AND THESE PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE.
THERE WAS TWO PEOPLE I MET THAT WERE FROM ENGLAND THAT WAS PRETTY EXCITING TO TALK ABOUT THEIR SITUATIONS THEY HAVE OVER THERE.
IT WAS JUST SUPER EXCITING TO SHOW OFF OUR CITY HALL.
THEY SAID THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH OUR STAFF AND VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THIS BUILDING AS IT'S THE FIRST CONDO THAT A GOVERNMENT FACILITY HAS DONE IN THE COUNTRY, I BELIEVE, MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE MORE SOME ANOTHER STATE, BUT AS FAR AS WE KNOW, WE'RE THE FIRST, SO THAT'S PRETTY COOL.
I ATTENDED THE ART SHOW, THE PEARL OF MISSISSIPPI.
IT'S STILL IN OUR ENTRY WAY HERE AT THE CONFERENCE, SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN SEEING IT, IT WAS A PROJECT THAT VOLUNTEERS PUT TOGETHER FROM TRASH THAT THEY COLLECTED FROM THE MISSISSIPPI, AND IT TURNED OUT REALLY COOL.
IT'S NICE TO HAVE A PIECE OF PUBLIC ART IN OUR CITY HALL, THE COLOR IS GREAT.
ALSO WORKED WITH THE COUNCIL WITH CITY MANAGER SEARCH INTERVIEWS.
ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CITY HALL IS A NEW BUSINESS CALLED CLASH DRUM, I ATTENDED A DRUM KARAOKE NIGHT.
I WAS GOING TO GO THERE FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR, MEET THE OWNER, SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, CHECK OUT THE SHOP.
THEY'RE TEACHING PEOPLE DRUMMING FROM THE AGES OF FIVE ALL THE WAY TO SENIORS.
THERE'S A WOMAN THAT DID HER KARAOKE, AND SHE HAD BEEN DRUMMING NOW FOR TWO YEARS, SHE WAS REALLY GOOD.
JUST BEFORE I FINALLY LEFT AT 8:30, THERE WAS A SIX YEAR OLD THAT THEY HAD. IT WAS REALLY CUTE.
THEY HAD TO ADJUST THE DRUM SET TO FIT HIS SIZE, AND HIS HEAD COULD BARELY SEE OVER THE BASE, THE BIG BASS DRUM.
I WAS JUST LIKE, WOW. IT WAS SO EXCITING.
BUT IT WAS REALLY FUN, NICE ATMOSPHERE, GREAT OWNER.
I THANKED HIM MANY TIMES FOR CHOOSING OUR CITY TO MOVE HIS BUSINESS INTO,
[01:35:01]
SO THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.>> NO. IF I WANTED TO, I HAVE NO CLUE.
BUT THERE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AGES AND FOLKS IN THERE.
IT WAS JUST A REALLY FUN ATMOSPHERE, SO IF YOU WANT A CHANCE, HE'S GOING TO BE DOING THIS MORE OFTEN AND THE DRUMMER FROM KISS.
>> ALICE COOPER. THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING ME. THANK YOU.
HE IS COMING TO OUR CITY TO THIS BUSINESS IN AUGUST, SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR NOTIFICATION OF THAT BECAUSE THAT WILL BE A BIG THING.
THE OTHER EXCITING THING THAT WE DID IS I TOOK MY HUSBAND ON A LITTLE OUTING.
WE WENT TO THE GOLDEN NUT SHOP ON CENTRAL, THAT'S WHERE THE WELL OTTO STORE USED TO BE.
YOU WALK IN THERE, IT IS SO PRETTY.
I FEEL LIKE I'M WALKING INTO A SHOP AT THE MALL OF AMERICA, AND THE SELECTION, ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHOCOLATES AND TURKISH DELIGHTS, AND THEY HAVE A KNAFEH, SOMEONE IS CORRECTING ME IN THE AUDIENCE, AND IT'S THIS WARM DESSERT THAT'S CHEESE WITH SLIGHTLY SWEETENED AND A TOPPING, AND OH, MY GOSH.
I HAVE TO REALLY BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE PIECE IS THIS BIG.
IT'S VERY FILLING, BUT, OH, MY GOSH, YOU NEED TO CHECK IT OUT.
I MET HIM, AND VERY BUSY PLACE RIGHT NOW, SO CHECK IT OUT.
IT'S REALLY A NICE ADDITION TO OUR CITY.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THAT BUSINESS MOVING INTO OUR CITY.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. IN MY ROLE AS LIAISON, I ATTENDED THE CHARTER COMMISSION, AND THE UPDATES FOR EVERYONE ELSE IS THAT THERE IS AN OPENING FOR A NEW MEMBER.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, YOU NEED TO APPLY BY JUNE 14TH.
THE INFORMATION IS ON THE CITY WEBSITE THERE ON HOW TO SERVE ON OUR VERY IMPORTANT CHARTER COMMISSION.
FOR THE BUSINESS OF THE CHARTER, THEY BEGAN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THE LANGUAGE IN OUR CITY CHARTER TO UPDATE THE SECTION ON RECALLS.
NO DECISIONS WERE MADE YET, AND THAT PROCESS IS ONGOING.
THE CHARTER COMMISSION MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT, I INVITE YOU TO ATTEND.
THINGS THAT I'VE DONE SINCE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, I MET WITH SOME OTHER LOCAL LEADERS REGARDING THE PUBLIC SAFETY AID.
AS WE DISCUSSED IN THIS MEETING TONIGHT, WE ALLOCATED A LARGE PORTION OF THAT AID, BUT THERE'S STILL SOME LEFT, AND SO WE TALKED ABOUT, WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT WE CAN WORK ON PREVENTING VIOLENCE IN OUR CITIES THROUGHOUT ALTERNATIVE IDEAS.
I ATTENDED THE COUNCIL WORK SESSION AND THE CITY EXPO ON APRIL 11TH, AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE CITY STAFF THAT WERE HERE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE PROVIDED, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THAT NIGHT, THOSE ARE STILL AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE FOR YOU TO SEE.
I ATTENDED THE ART SHOW AS WELL AS OUR CITY MANAGER INTERVIEWS, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ARTISTS, THAT WAS WONDERFUL.
ALSO THE EARTH DAY CLEANUP, I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT DOING THIS HANDS-ON SERVICE IS THE IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY.
WHEN WE LOOK AT A LOT OF THE TRASH BEING, THE MINI LIQUOR BOTTLES, WE CONSIDER HOW DO WE WANT TO USE OUR MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES.
WE LOOKED AT THE TRASH BEING CIGARETTES.
I HEARD OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE INTERESTED IN HOW DO THEY TAX CIGARETTES AND HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE OUR BUSINESSES TO HELP PROVIDE TRASH RECEPTACLES.
OF COURSE, WE HEARD TONIGHT ABOUT THE [INAUDIBLE] FUNDING ON CENTRAL AVENUE, AND EVERY YEAR, WE KEEP FINDING MORE AND MORE CAR PARTS AND VEHICLE DEBRIS.
JUST BEING ON THE STREET, YOU CAN SEE HOW THESE POLICY DECISIONS AFFECT THAT.
NOT TO MENTION ALL THE PLASTIC BAGS AND FAST FOOD LITTER THAT WE SEE AND TO CONSIDER WHAT KIND OF WORK CAN WE DO AS A CITY TO HELP OUR BUSINESSES RECEIVE THEIR TRASH BACK, SO IT DOESN'T GO FLYING AROUND OUR CITY.
ALL OF THAT TRASH PREVENTED WATER GETTING INTO OUR STORM DRAINS AND TO THE MISSISSIPPI AND TO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND IMPACTING OUR WHOLE PLANET.
OTHER THAN THE OTHER MEETINGS THAT WE ALL ATTENDED, I DID SIGN ON TO TWO PIECES OF ADVOCACY.
ONE IS THE HOUSING STABILITY ACT HOUSE FILE 3640, WHICH PREVENTS SOURCE OF INCOME DISCRIMINATION SO THAT LANDLORDS CAN'T REFUSE TO RENT TO APPLICANTS BASED ON IF THEY RECEIVE HOUSING ASSISTANCE.
THAT IS A BILL THAT'S LED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, ALONG WITH A LARGE COALITION OF OTHER ADVOCACY GROUPS.
I SIGNED ON TO SUPPORT THAT AS A LOCAL LEADER.
THEN ANOTHER BILL THAT'S GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, OUR REPRESENTATIVE HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, REPRESENTATIVE KOEGEL INTRODUCED A BILL CALLED HOUSE FILE 4413, WHICH IS EXPANDING ACCESS TO LOCAL ADVISORY BOARDS, AND IF PASSED, THEN MEMBERS OF OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS COULD PARTICIPATE REMOTELY.
I REALLY THINK THAT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION FROM GROUPS WHO HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED OR WHO JUST CAN'T MAKE IT OUT TO OUR EVENINGS, WHETHER THEY'RE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT OR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A CAR,
[01:40:01]
OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AT HOME.I'M HOPING THAT WORKS OUT SO WE CAN INCREASE THE ACCESS OF PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVEN'T SEEN THE SOURCE OF INCOME, BUT I DEFINITELY SUPPORT THAT AS WELL, SO THAT WE ARE NOT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE'S DIFFERENT INCOME SOURCES FOR HOUSING, BUT I ALSO RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT THE OTHER BILL ABOUT, I'M SORRY. REPEAT WHAT YOU'RE JUST SAYING.
>> THE LOCAL ACCESS TO ADVISORY SPORTS.
>> YES, AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO ATTEND MEETINGS, BUT MAYBE ENGLISH ISN'T THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE.
THEY DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR THEY'RE SICK, AND IT'S NOT HEALTHY FOR THEM TO GO OUT TO MEETINGS, BUT THEY'RE STILL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STILL CITIZENS.
SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.
NEXT SPEAKER, COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
>> I ATTENDED THE SWEARING-IN FOR THE NEW OFFICER OVER AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MEETINGS FOR THE SELECTION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND POLICE CHIEF.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I HAD 27 RESIDENTS THAT HAD REACHED OUT.
I'D LIKE TO SPEND A MOMENT BRINGING SOMETHING UP THAT IS A CONCERN OF MINE.
RECENTLY AT THE COUNCIL CORNER, FIRST OF ALL, THERE WAS A MECHANISM PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED AS A MEETING FORMAT FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, NOT STAFF TO DISCUSS NON-BUSINESS ITEMS. BECAUSE OF ITS FAILURE AS A MONTHLY MEETING, WE PLACED IT AT THE END OF THE REGULAR WORK SESSION AGENDA.
COUNCIL CORNER HAS NOT AND HAS NEVER BEEN A MECHANISM WHERE ANY BUSINESS ITEMS SHOULD EVER BE DISCUSSED.
HOWEVER, AT THE APRIL WORK SESSION, A PROPOSED CHICKEN ORDINANCE WHICH INCLUDED A DRAFT ORDINANCE AND EXAMPLES FROM SURROUNDING CITIES WAS PLACED UNDER THE COUNCIL CORNER, CLEARLY NOT QUALIFYING AS A TOPIC FOR THAT ADDITIONAL AGENDA OR PLACE MARKER.
AFTER THE APRIL WORK SESSION, I WAS FRUSTRATED THAT THE APPROPRIATE POLICIES, AGAIN, WE'RE EITHER BEING IGNORED OR FELT LIKE THEY WERE BEING MANIPULATED TO ACCOMMODATE THE POTENTIAL DESIRES OF INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY PROPOSED ORDINANCE OR ORDINANCE AMENDMENT EVER BEING DISCUSSED IN A NON-BUSINESS FORMAT.
THOSE BUSINESS ITEMS DESERVE UNBIASED DISCUSSION AND TRANSPARENCY, ALSO DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STAFF TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE PRESENTATION THEY'VE SPENT HOURS RESEARCHING AND DEVELOPING, AND NEITHER OF THOSE CONDITIONS WERE IN PLAY THAT EVENING.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST WORK SESSION VIOLATED THE RESIDENTS EXPECTATION THAT THE BUSINESS NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE BEING FAIRLY CONSIDERED OVER THE PERSONAL NEEDS OR DESIRES OF ANY SINGLE COUNCIL MEMBER, MYSELF, OR ANY OF THE OTHERS ON THIS DIAS.
MY INTENT IS TO SEE THIS ORDINANCE PROPOSAL PLACED ON THE MAY WORK SESSION AGENDA, FOR THE FULL PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION THAT IT DESERVES.
ANYTHING LESS, I FEEL IS AN ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMVENT THE PROCESSES THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN ELECTED AND HAVE BEEN TASKED WITH BY THE VOTERS.
I'M HOPING THAT THAT CAN BE PLACED ON THE WORK SESSION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGS.
>> THANK YOU. A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS AS OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ATTENDED THE MULTIPLE MEETINGS REGARDING THE CITY MANAGER AND POLICE SHIFT INTERVIEWS, AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME IN AND PARTICIPATED IN THOSE.
ALSO ATTENDED THE CITY SERVICE EXPO, WHICH FOR THE FIRST HOUR I WAS THERE, HAD A GOOD TURNOUT AND IT LOOKS LIKE LOTS OF GOOD CONVERSATIONS, AND SOME REALLY DELICIOUS ROOT BEER WAS BEING HAD.
THEN ALSO THE MAYOR AND I TODAY MET WITH A TENANTS GROUP BASED IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND DISCUSSED CURRENT CONCERNS REGARDING THE SITUATION, POSSIBLE ACTION MOVING FORWARD, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO WORK WITH THEM GOING FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS THOUGHT THAT THINGS WERE NOT DISCUSSED FULLY AT THE WORK SESSION.
I BELIEVE I CAN SHARE SOMETHING IF I'D LIKE TO.
AT THAT MEETING, WE DISCUSSED IF WE SHOULD HAVE A CHICKEN ORDINANCE, AND WE ALL DISCUSSED THAT WE COULD LOOK INTO MORE DATA, AND THAT WE HADN'T HEARD A LOT ABOUT THIS FROM ANY CONSTITUENTS.
I'VE HAD ONE PERSON REACH OUT TO ME ABOUT IT.
I THINK YOU SAID YOU HAD DOZENS OR MANY PEOPLE.
AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD INTO IT, THAT THEY HAVE HAD PRESSURE FROM THE COMMUNITY.
WE DISCUSSED IT, AND ALL I BELIEVE AGREED THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT DATA AND ASK STAFF TO BRING US MORE INFORMATION IN THE FUTURE, AND WE BASICALLY TABLED IT AND SAID WE WOULD COME BACK TO THAT IN THE FUTURE.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING THAT UP IN MAY, YOU'RE WELCOME TO, BUT TO PRESENT IT THAT NO ONE WANTED TO DISCUSS YOUR IDEA OR THAT ANYONE HAD IN
[01:45:05]
ANY WAY PUSHED IT OUT OF THE TOPIC WHEN YOU WERE THERE JUST AS MUCH AS US, I THINK THAT'S VERY DISILLUSIONED COMPARED TO WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.I WOULD APPRECIATE IF ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ANY ITEMS TO SAY ON THAT.
>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I DID NOT BRING THAT ITEM TO COUNCIL CORNER.
I NEVER SUBMITTED IT TO COUNCIL CORNER.
WELL, I SUBMITTED BY SOMEBODY ELSE.
I DID NOT. I WOULD NEVER HAVE WANTED THAT TO BE UNDER COUNCIL CORNER.
>> WELL, IT WOULD APPEAR ON COUNCIL CORNER.
>> WELL, THE POINT IS IT DID NOT BELONG THERE, AND I AM HOPING THAT WE WOULD BE GIVING ENOUGH IN OUR POSITIONS TO TAKE IT UNDER CONSIDERATION IN A FORMAT THAT IS APPROPRIATE.
THAT WOULD BE ON THE MAY WORK SESSION.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS IN THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT THAT HAVE WORKED ON THIS FOR ALMOST 18 MONTHS, NOT CONTINUALLY BUT HAVE WORKED ON IT FOR 18 MONTHS, AND I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS THAT OTHER CITIES HAVE THIS, AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING CHICKENS THAN THEY DID FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO.
IT IS BEING BROUGHT FORWARD BY INDIVIDUALS OF THE COMMUNITY.
I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO SEE THE STAFF FROM DEVELOPMENT BEING ABLE TO BRING FORWARD THE WORK THAT THEY'VE PUT INTO IT.
>> THANK YOU. MAKING SURE THAT THIS HAS THE OPTION FOR STAFF TO BRING IT FORWARD.
THE BEST WAY YOU THOUGHT TO DO THAT WAS TO WRITE A LETTER TO SEND TO THE NEWSPAPER INSTEAD OF JUST DISCUSSING THAT WITH THE COUNCIL OR ASKING FOR IT TO BE ON A WORK SESSION.
YOU DECIDED TO PUT THAT IN THE NEWSPAPER IN SOME WAY TO IMPLY THAT NO ONE WAS LISTENING TO YOUR IDEAS TO BEGIN WITH, WHEN WE ALL AT THE END OF OUR MEETING SAID, YES, LET'S LISTEN TO SOME MORE DATA, AND THEN THAT'S WHAT COMES OUT IN THE NEWSPAPER, IS THAT YOUR ITEM WAS NOT ADDRESSED PROPERLY.
THANK YOU. I DO THINK THAT I APPRECIATE YOU ADDRESSING IT, AND TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS.
I ORIGINALLY HEARD THAT THE COUNCIL CORNER WAS THE NON-BUSINESS MEETING, BUT THEN WE ALSO HAD A SEPARATE CONVERSATION THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING UP ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT WORK SESSIONS.
I WONDER IF PERHAPS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT'S LABELED COUNCIL CORNER.
I THINK IT'S MORE NEW ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AS BROUGHT BY THE COUNCIL.
I DON'T RECALL US AGREEING TO HAVE THE NAMED COUNCIL CORNER ON THE WORK SESSION.
I BELIEVE THAT PART OF WAY YOU PUT IT AT THE END OF THE AGENDA SO THAT WHOEVER ADDED IT TO THE AGENDA, USUALLY THE THINGS UNDER THAT ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T YET DIRECTED STAFF TO WORK ON.
THAT'S MY QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT GOT ADDED TO THE AGENDA.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
IF STAFF'S WORKING ON IT, IT SHOULDN'T BE LISTED UNDER A COUNCIL CORNER BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE DISCUSS THINGS THAT WE THEN WANT TO ASK STAFF TO WORK ON.
I ALSO THINK A LOT OF IDEAS GET BROUGHT UP AND THEN WE SEE IF THERE'S AGREEMENT BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD IN WORKING ON THEM.
AGREE. THE WAY I SEE IT IS THAT MANY COMMUNITIES DURING THEIR WORK SESSIONS HAVE AN ITEM, IF THEY CALL IT COUNCIL CORNER OR COUNCIL ITEMS OR NEW BUSINESS OR WHATEVER THEY CALL IT.
BUT THERE IS A PART OF THE WORK SESSION IF STAFF ISN'T DIRECTING A PART OF THE CONVERSATION, THAT COUNCIL HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING INFORMATION UP.
IN THE PAST, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES HAS BROUGHT UP INFORMATION ABOUT TENANT RIGHTS AND SAID, HEY, IS THIS SOMETHING WE CAN DISCUSS TO MOVE FORWARD.
I BELIEVE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE BROUGHT UP STUFF, AND THEN WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DIRECT STAFF OR ASK QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW UP OR ANY OTHER THING.
BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS LIMIT OUR DISCUSSION OR STAFF.
WHEN I AS MAYOR MEET WITH THE CITY MANAGER IN TERM CITY MANAGER, WE DISCUSS ITEMS ON THE THING, BUT ALL OF THEM ARE SET IN A WAY THAT IT JUST MAKES SENSE.
IT WAS AN ITEM THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON WITH STAFF.
YOU ARE A COUNCIL MEMBER AND SO IT MADE SENSE, BUT IN NO WAY WAS IT MEANT TO DIMINISH THE ITEM.
IN FACT, I THINK WE ALL GAVE IT OUR FULL DISCUSSION, AND WE ALL SAID WE'D LIKE TO SEE MORE DATA, AND WE ASKED STAFF TO DO THAT.
WE FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH WHAT YOUR REQUEST WAS.
>> WELL, I WAS TOLD IT WAS YOUR REQUEST.
I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE ON A WORK SESSION AGENDA.
>> I ASKED ABOUT IT REPEATEDLY OVER THE LAST YEAR.
>> SOUNDS LIKE YOUR REQUEST OR CONCERN.
>> NO ONE ELSE HAS ASKED TO TALK ABOUT IT.
>> I DID NOT ASK FOR IT TO BE PUT ON COUNCIL CORNER.
I HAVE WORKED WITH THE STAFF AND ON THIS ISSUE.
I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE IN AN UPCOMING WORK SESSION,
[01:50:04]
WHICH IS WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS ITEMS. LET'S VOTE ON CENTRAL AVENUE UNDER COUNCIL CORNER.
>> WE DON'T VOTE ON CENTRAL AVENUE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON AGENDA STUFF.
>> YOU'RE TAKING IT INTO THE WEEDS.
>> EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME TO A WORK SESSION.
ALL OF THE ITEMS IN THE WORK SESSION, WHETHER THEY'RE CALLED OLD BUSINESS OR NEW BUSINESS OR THEY'RE UNDER STAFF-DIRECTED ITEMS, EVERYONE'S ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THEM AS THEY NEED TO.
I THINK THAT IMPLYING THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT ADDRESSED IS HONESTLY, JUST RUDE AND DISINGENUOUS TO THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.
MOVING ON. EXCUSE ME. WHAT DID YOU SAY? MY REPORT IS I ATTENDED THE SISTER CITIES MEETING WHERE WE ARE STILL DISCUSSING THE SCULPTURE FROM OUR SISTER CITY IN POLAND TO BE IN PLACE HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
ATTENDED OUR SENIOR CONSORTIUM MEETING, WHICH TAKES PLACE AT GENERALLY THE SOUTHERN PART OF ANOKA COUNTY, SO WE HELP WITH ANY SENIORS AND WE MEET QUARTERLY TO DISCUSS DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES WE CAN SHARE TO HELP SENIORS.
I ACTUALLY HOSTED THE MEETING HERE AT CITY HALL.
IT WAS NICE TO SEE SO MANY OF OUR MEMBERS HERE.
ATTENDED OUR ROTARY MEETING FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND FRIDLEY.
THE SWEARING-IN FOR OFFICER JENNIFER CORTEZ.
I ATTENDED OUR YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING AND MY UPDATE TO THE REST OF THE COUNCIL FROM THAT MEETING.
CHIEF AUSTIN WAS THERE IN ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS OUR CITY ATTORNEY AND ANSWERED A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM THE YOUTH ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY JOBS, HOW DID THEY GET INTO PUBLIC SAFETY? HOW DID THEY GET INTO LAW? REALLY JUST TALKING WITH THE YOUTH ABOUT HOW ADULTS LIVES GENERALLY DON'T FOLLOW ONE SINGLE PATH, AND THAT AS YOU BECOME A GROWN-UP, YOU REALIZE, WOW, I TOOK A LOT OF TWISTS AND TURNS TO GET HERE.
VERY ROBUST CONVERSATION THOUGH WITH OUR YOUTH COMMISSION.
I READ BOOKS TO THE FOURTH GRADERS AT VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
ATTENDED OUR CITY SERVICES EXPO HERE AT CITY HALL, AND TOURED AND HELPED OUT AT OUR NEW OPENING BREWERY NEXT MONTH.
NO DEADLINE OR DATE FOR THAT YET, BUT AT RAIL WORKS AND WAS ABLE TO SAMPLE SOME OF THEIR BARBEQUE AND THEIR RUPIER.
WE'RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE THEM OPENING HERE.
ALSO ATTENDED THE NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE TOUR AT CITY HALL HERE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER AARON CHIRPICH DID A REALLY FANTASTIC JOB OF TALKING WITH ALL OF THE CONFERENCE MEMBERS AND EXPLAINING WHAT WENT INTO THIS CITY HALL AND ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS.
AS COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS MENTIONED, THEY WERE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING TWO FROM THE UK, AND PEOPLE WERE REALLY JUST FLOORED.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STAFF ON CREATING THE CITY HALL AS IT IS.
THEN, OF COURSE, WE WENT UP AND HAD A TOUR OF THE RATIO APARTMENTS AS WELL.
PEOPLE WERE JUST VERY EXCITED BY THE BUILDING, AS COUNCIL BUESGENS SAID.
WE HOSTED HERE AN ART EXHIBIT FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER PEARL, WHICH IS PART OF AN ORGANIZATION CALLED ART TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
THAT WILL BE HERE IN THE LOBBY AT CITY HALL FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL MOVE OVER TO THE LIBRARY IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
IT IS A PUBLIC WORK OF ART THAT IS FOR PEOPLE TO TOUCH AND BRING YOUR KIDS AND OPEN THE DRAWERS AND LOOK AT IT AND LEARN ABOUT HOW DOES POLLUTION IMPACT YOU AND IMPACT THE WORLD? WE HAD OUR INTERVIEWS FOR OUR CITY MANAGER SEARCH AS WELL AS OUR POLICE CHIEF.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR BEING A PART OF THAT WITH OUR ONLINE SURVEY.
WE HAD MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS HELP WITH INTERVIEWS.
I JUST REALLY WANT TO APPRECIATE OR SHARE MY APPRECIATION TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR BEING A PART OF THOSE THINGS, OUR COUNCIL FOR BEING A PART OF THOSE INTERVIEWS, AND FOR OUR WONDERFUL APPLICANTS.
WE ARE VERY BLESSED HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO HAVE SUCH A FANTASTIC POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE FOR OUR NEXT POLICE CHIEF.
ATTENDED THE EARTH DAY CLEANUP.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THE ONLY TRASH I ACTUALLY SAW REDUCED, DISPOSABLE MASKS.
THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THERE WERE A LOT OF PAPER MASKS THAT WERE ON THE GROUND, AND I DIDN'T REALLY SEE ANY.
I GUESS THAT'S GOOD NEWS THAT WE WERE NOT FEELING AS DANGEROUS IN OUR HEALTH.
[01:55:01]
WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS HAD A MEETING TODAY WITH THE LEGENDS AND THEIR TENANT CONSORTIUM.TODAY, OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER MANDY MEISNER CAME AND HAD A MEETING.
WE JUST HAD AN UPDATE OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WITH THE COUNTY AND JUST GIVING HER UPDATES ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MINDA.
BASICALLY, THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT.
MINDA CITY MANAGER SEARCH, POLICE CHIEF SEARCH, AND OUR COUNTY COMMISSION.
COMMISSIONERS ARE ALSO DOING A SEARCH FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE THE TITLE OR THEIR TITLE.
EARLIER TODAY, WE HAD OUR APPEALS MEETING FOR TAXES.
I HAVE ALSO ATTENDED THE GOLDEN NUTS AND HAVE AMAZING FOOD.
WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY THERE BECAUSE IT'S LIKE THE WILLIE WONKA OF CHOCOLATE AND SPICE NUTS AND CANDY, AND EVERYTHING'S HALAL, AND IT'S JUST REALLY WONDERFUL SPACE.
BUT THEN THIS IS THE LAST WEEK OF APRIL, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO READ A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING BECAUSE TONIGHT IS OUR LAST MEETING WITH OUR CHIEF AUSTIN.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT FOUR YEARS AGO, FROM THE MOMENT I TOOK OFFICE AS MAYOR, CHIEF AUSTIN WELCOMED ME WITH OPEN ARMS, GUIDED ME THROUGH THE INTRICACIES OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
A STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO EMBEDDED SOCIAL WORKERS, OFFICER WELLNESS, AND IMPROVED COMMUNITY POLICING HAS MARKED HIS LEADERSHIP.
AS WE BID FAREWELL TO CHIEF AUSTIN, I'M GRATEFUL FOR HIS TIRELESS DEDICATION TO OUR SHARED GOALS.
THOUGH HIS TIME WITH US MAY BE DRAWING TO A CLOSE, HIS LEGACY OF SERVICE WILL ENDURE.
CHIEF AUSTIN, I SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR INTEGRITY, AND COMPASSION.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CHERISHING ONE MORE WEEK WITH YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WISH YOU THE VERY BEST IN YOUR WELL DESERVED RETIREMENT. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] SORRY, NOT SORRY. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS, MAYOR.
I'VE BEEN HERE NOW, LIKE I SAID, JUST A LITTLE OVER 29 YEARS NOW.
I'M DOING THIS FOR ALMOST 35 YEARS.
I'VE BEEN DOING THIS PRETTY MUCH MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT 29 YEARS UP HERE, THEY'VE REALLY FLOWN BY.
I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A JOB THAT I'VE ENJOYED PRETTY MUCH EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THERE AREN'T A LOT OF JOBS OUT THERE LIKE THAT.
BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY, AND I DO MEAN THIS SINCERELY TO ALL OF YOU, WE'VE DONE SOME VERY GOOD THINGS, AND WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT OFFICERS, AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT APPLICANTS THAT WILL BE TAKING OVER WHEN I HIT THE ROAD.
BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT IS THINGS DON'T GET DONE UNLESS WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF OUR ELECTED LEADERS.
YOU TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT NEED TO CONTINUE TO GET BETTER IN POLICING AS A WHOLE.
THAT RELATIONSHIP, WHEN I SEE OTHER CITIES STRUGGLE, THAT'S WHERE THAT STRUGGLE LIES.
I AM VERY THANKFUL TO SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT STRUGGLE.
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK THROUGH AN AWFUL LOT TOGETHER.
BECAUSE OF THAT, THE CITY IS IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE.
TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND TO ALSO THE PREVIOUS COUNCILS THAT I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK WITH OVER THE YEARS AS WELL, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
QUITE FRANKLY, THE CITIZENS SHOULD BE PROUD OF ALL OF YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT BECAUSE IT REALLY HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. [APPLAUSE] ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
THANK YOU, CHIEF. I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON THE SPOT A LOT THIS WEEK, SO IT'S JUST THE START.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR REPORT FROM OUR CITY MANAGER.
>> JUST A FEW THINGS. I THINK ONE THING PARTICULARLY FROM CITY STAFF, I'D LIKE TO ADD ON TO THE CHIEF.
YOU'VE MENTIONED A LOT OF THINGS AND PARTICULARLY WITH HIS QUALITIES.
ONE THING I THINK THAT MAYBE THE COUNCIL AND PARTICULARLY THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T SEE, IS ONE THING I'LL MISS WITH LENNY IS REALLY HIS SENSE OF HUMOR.
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, HOPEFULLY, WE'LL SEE SOME MORE OF THAT THIS WEEK.
BUT HE HAS A CERTAIN WAY OF BRINGING LEVITY TO A LOT OF QUESTIONS, BUT IN SOMETIMES ROUNDABOUT AND OFTENTIMES FUNNY WAY.
THAT'S ONE THING I'LL CERTAINLY MISS WITH THE CHIEF.
THE COUNCIL CERTAINLY HAS TALKED ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH EARTH DAY.
THE CITY WEB PAGE DOES HAVE ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
IF YOU GO TO THE COMMUNITY PAGE,
[02:00:01]
GO DOWN TO VOLUNTEERING, THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS.IF THERE ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE INTERESTED THAT CAN VOLUNTEER FOR THE CITY AND DO A WIDE VARIETY OF THINGS THAT REALLY DO HELP AND PROVIDE CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY.
SOME OF THESE ARE STORM DRAIN, STENCILING, ADOPT THE PARK, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
IF THERE ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THAT INFORMATION FOR WHAT WE DO HAVE AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEB PAGE. WE DO HAVE COMING UP TO CITY NOMINATIONS, AND THEY ARE FOR OUTSTANDING CITIZEN.
THOSE CLOSE NEXT MONDAY, AND WE HAVE TWO CATEGORIES, AND THEY'RE AGE-RELATED.
ONE IS FROM AGES 14-18, AND THE OTHER ONE IS 18 AND OLDER.
IF YOU HAVE ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT FOR THIS THAT HAS DONE GOOD THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY, IT'D BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO NOMINATE THEM TO GET RECOGNIZED.
WE DO HAVE OUR CITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE COMING UP HERE SHORTLY.
IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR PARTICULAR GARAGE SALE REGISTERED, SO IT GETS ON OUR MAPPING SYSTEM, WE'LL TAKE REGISTRATIONS FOR THAT BEGINNING ON MAY 1ST, AND THAT CAN BE FOUND THROUGH THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
THE LAST THING, I KNOW, MAYOR, YOU HAD BROUGHT UP IN TERMS OF THE ARTWORK THAT'S COMING IN THROUGH THE POLISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY, I DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THAT GROUP, AND THAT'S THE POLISH AMERICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MINNESOTA.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAY IT PACIM OR PAC.
>> PACIM. THANK YOU. MET WITH THEM LAST WEEK AND WE TALKED ABOUT LOCATION FOR THE ARTWORK WHERE IT CAN GO, AND THEN JUST COORDINATION OF THAT WITH WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO ASSIST THAT, AND REALLY WHAT THE SCHEDULE IS GOING TO BE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GETS IN.
WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM PACIM AND HOPEFULLY LOOK FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 21ST THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE IN PLACE. THAT'S IT, MAYOR.
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
WE'RE AT OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.SARAH, IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? YES. I WILL READ OUR COMMUNITY FORUM RULES.
THE COMMUNITY FORUM IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.
SPEAKERS THAT ARE IN PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORUM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CITY CLERK.
ONCE CALLED TO THE PODIUM, THE SPEAKERS SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
SPEAKERS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND A REQUEST TO SPEAK AS WELL AS THEIR ADDRESS AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO THE MODERATOR USING THE CHAT FUNCTION AND WAIT TO BE CALLED ON TO SPEAK.
WHEN SPEAKING, VIRTUAL ATTENDEES SHOULD TURN THEIR CAMERA ON, ALL SPEAKERS SHOULD LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES.
PERSONAL ATTACKS, THREATS, THE USE OF PROFANITY, AND OTHER DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS ARE PROHIBITED.
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS, AND IF NEEDED, REQUEST STAFF TO FOLLOW UP OR DIRECT THE MATTER TO BE ADDED TO AN UPCOMING AGENDA.
GENERALLY, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION ON ITEMS RAISED AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM AT THE MEETING ON WHICH THEY ARE RAISED.
SARAH, WHO IS OUR FIRST SPEAKER?
>> I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT THERE IS NO ONE ATTENDING ON TEAMS ANY LONGER.
>> BUT THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ARE HERE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
>> LAUREL DENEEN, WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS LAUREL DENEEN, RESIDENT AND CITY PLANNING COMMISSIONER FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THANK YOU, CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR FOR LETTING ME COME AND SPEAK TONIGHT.
I HAVE COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CONSIDER REVISING ITS CITY CODE TO PERMIT ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS OR ADUS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
THIS IS A PROGRESSIVE STEP ALREADY TAKEN BY OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES LIKE FRIDLEY AND BLAINE.
FRIDLEY ACTUALLY PASSED THEIR NEW ORDINANCE IN APRIL OF 2022, AND ADUS OFFER NUMEROUS BENEFITS TO HOMEOWNERS ACROSS VARIOUS AREAS.
PERSONALLY, MY INTEREST GREW AS FAR AS MY PARENTS AGED.
WITH OUR AGING POPULATION, FAMILIES INCREASINGLY REQUIRE OPTIONS TO SUPPORT ELDERLY RELATIVES WHILE ENSURING THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND PRIVACY, A PRACTICE ACTUALLY ENDORSED BY THE AARP.
ADDITIONALLY, ADUS CAN ASSIST HOMEOWNERS IN SUPPORTING FAMILY MEMBERS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OR OTHER CARE NEEDS, ENABLING THEM TO LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY WHILE STILL HAVING THAT FAMILY MEMBER NEARBY.
OUR COMMUNITY IS ALSO WONDERFULLY DIVERSE AND MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS HAIL FROM CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS WHERE MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIVING IS COMMON IN A CHERISHED TRADITION.
THE ABILITY TO CONSTRUCT ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS ON THEIR PROPERTIES COULD PROFOUNDLY BENEFIT THESE FAMILIES ALIGNING WITH THEIR CULTURAL PRACTICES AND ENHANCING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
MOREOVER, ADUS OFFER HOMEOWNERS THE CHANCE TO AUGMENT THEIR INCOME BY UTILIZING THEM AS RENTAL PROPERTIES THAT ASSIST CITIZENS IN PAYING DOWN THEIR MORTGAGES FASTER AND THEREBY IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
BY INCORPORATING ADUS INTO CITY CODE, WE NOT ONLY SUPPORT CURRENT HOMEOWNERS BUT ALSO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR DESIGN AND LAND USE AND PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING CONDITIONS FOR OCCUPANTS BY ENHANCING THE OVERALL COMMUNITY STANDARDS,
[02:05:03]
WHICH WE WOULD HOLD THESE ACCOUNTABLE TO. THANK YOU.>> ED HIGGINS AND AHMED WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
I DIDN'T GET AHMED'S LAST NAME. IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE HIM.
>> YOU CAN STAND, YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE.
>> YOU CAN JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELF AT THE MICROPHONE.
NICE TO MEET YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TODAY.
MY COUSIN'S THE OWNER OF THE GOLDEN NUTS THAT JUST CAME TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
IT'S A PLEASURE. YOU'RE WELCOME YOU AND ALL.
>> ED HIGGINS, I'M A BUSINESS OWNER AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENT.
MADAM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO BRING UP TODAY, AND ONE IS TOBACCO LICENSES AND POSSIBLY REVISITING THE AMOUNT IN THE CITY.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, I'M NOT A FAN OF TOBACCO AND THE CARCINOGENS INVOLVED, BUT TOBACCO THAT DOESN'T HAVE CARCINOGENS AND HOOKAH IS CULTURALLY IMPORTANT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY TO THINK ABOUT EXTENDING THE LICENSES FOR ADDITIONAL HOOKAH OR TOBACCO STORES IN THE CITY.
THE OTHER THING THAT I'D LIKE TO BRING UP IS FOOD TRUCKS.
I LOOKED ON THE CITY WEBSITE, AND I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING THAT STATED THE POLICY AS TO HOW LONG A FOOD TRUCK CAN STAY IN ONE PLACE.
I HAVE MANY CLIENTS IN THE CITY WHO HAVE STATED THAT THE POLICY THAT THEY'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THEY CAN ONLY HAVE ONE FOOD TRUCK IN THEIR PARKING LOT PER 30 DAYS, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO MOVE.
THEY COULD STAY IN THE CITY, BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A HUSTLE TO KEEP MOVING AROUND THE CITY WHEN YOU HAVE CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS LOOKING FOR WHERE YOU'RE AT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A FOOD TRUCK.
THE THIRD THING, MY WIFE WOULD KILL ME IF I DIDN'T BRING UP, THE DOG PARK.
WE WOULD LIKE A DOG PARK IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, FOR GRACIE LOU AND HER SCOOBY DUDE. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY?
>> THAT'S IT. COOL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
>> AND I AM PRO CHICKEN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING OR SO WE WILL HAVE A REPORT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS FROM STAFF.
SPECIFICALLY, THANK YOU FOR ASKING ABOUT HOOKAH, FOOD TRUCKS, AND THE DOG PARK.
THEN SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE YOU ASKED A QUESTION, AND LAUREL, YOU JUST BROUGHT UP THAT YOU WOULD LIKE US TO CONSIDER ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. THANK YOU.
>> KATHY COOPER, WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
HI, KATHY. IF YOU COULD JUST PUT THE MICROPHONE CLOSER TO YOU.
>> LET ME GET TO MY NOTES HERE, PLEASE.
WELL, MY NAME IS KATHY COOPER, AND I'VE BEEN A 25-YEAR RESIDENT AND HOMEOWNER IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THIS IS MY FIANCE JOHN BLASSINGAME WHO HAS RESIDED WITH ME THE PAST TWO YEARS.
I HAVE THREE ISSUES THAT I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT TONIGHT, AND I'LL START OUT WITH THE MOST SERIOUS OF THE THREE ISSUES.
I HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT TAKING SERIOUSLY MY REPORTS OF CRIMES AGAINST VULNERABLE ADULTS, AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN AT ALL HELPFUL ASSISTING THOSE VULNERABLE ADULTS TO GET THE NECESSARY PROTECTIVE ORDERS IN PLACE.
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHEN A GROUP OF US MET WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY REFUSED TO WATCH A 20-MINUTE VIDEO CALLED DECEPTION OF PROTECTION ANATOMY OF AN INVOLUNTARY GUARDIANSHIP.
DECEPTION OF PROTECTION ANATOMY OF AN INVOLUNTARY GUARDIANSHIP IS AN ESPECIALLY GOOD PIECE OF EXPLANATORY REPORTING DESCRIBING THE RISING CRIME OF ADULT GUARDIANSHIP EXPLOITATION.
RIGHT BEFORE I CAME TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT, I DID GET A RETURN PHONE CALL FROM POLICE CAPTAIN JOHNSTON, AND WE SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH HIM ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT CAPTAIN JOHNSTON WILL TAKE SERIOUSLY MY REPORTS OF CRIMES AGAINST VULNERABLE ADULTS.
MY SECOND ISSUE IS THAT EVER SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2020, JESSE DAVIES,
[02:10:06]
THE REFUSE AND RECYCLING COORDINATOR IN PUBLIC WORKS HAS REFUSED TO HONOR MY REQUEST TO MAKE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MY DISABILITIES WITH REGARD TO YARD WASTE COLLECTION.I HAVE SPENT AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME THESE PAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO GET HIM TO ACCOMMODATE MY REASONABLE REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS.
MY THIRD ISSUE IS MINOR COMPARED TO THE OTHER TWO ISSUES.
BUT A LONG TIME AGO, PERHAPS 2017 OR 2018, A SNOWPLOW DRIVER TOOK DOWN MY MAILBOX.
AT THAT TIME, THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DID REPAIR MY MAILBOX, BUT THE REPAIR HAS NOT HELD UP, SO MY MAILBOX IS VERY WOBBLY AND UNSTABLE.
I'M HOPING THAT I CAN GET SOME HELP WITH THESE ISSUES AND NOT CONTINUE TO SPIN MY WHEELS.
>> THANK YOU, KATHY. WE'LL MAKE SURE TO HAVE STAFF FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.
>> WELL, I HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER.
>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK TONIGHT?
>> THAT'S IT. WELL THEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING IS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.