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[00:00:01]

ALL RIGHT. ARE WE READY? HELLO, EVERYONE.

[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

HELLO THERE. WE'LL GET STARTED WITH OUR MEETING.

MY NAME IS AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, AND I'M THE MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WELCOME TO OUR MONDAY, JULY 8TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

COULD WE PLEASE HAVE A ROLL CALL? THANK YOU. AND WELCOME TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND WATCHING THE RECORDING AS WELL.

OR WATCHING IT LIVE.

THERE WILL BE TIME FOR COMMUNITY FORUM COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE MEETING.

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT, IF YOU'RE ONLINE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO AS WELL.

OTHERWISE, IF YOU'RE HERE AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM, THEN WE'LL ASK YOU TO FILL IN A FORM OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER ON THE TABLE AND THEN HAND IT IN TO THE CITY CLERK. AND LIKE I SAID, THAT WILL BE AT THE END OF THE MEETING.

NOW, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU. AND NEXT WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED. SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU.

THIS EVENING, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION ANNOUNCEMENTS OR GUESTS, SO WE WILL GO TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

THESE ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED AS PART OF THE CONSENT AGENDA BY ONE MOTION.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL WILL BE TAKEN UP AS THE NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS.

DOES THE CITY COUNCIL HAVE ANY ITEMS THEY'D LIKE REMOVED OR ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION SHARED? ALL RIGHT THEN SEEING IS NOT.

COULD OUR CITY MANAGER CHIRPICH LET LEAD US THROUGH THE ITEMS? THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THE FIRST ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 24TH, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM TWO IS APPROVAL OF THE JULY 1ST, 2024, CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION.

MEETING MINUTES. ITEM THREE IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JUNE 3RD, 2024, REGULAR EDA MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM FOUR IS APPROVAL OR OF A GAMBLING PERMIT FOR THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH.

IT'S FOR CHARITABLE GAMBLING FOR BINGO AND RAFFLE ACTIVITIES AT THEIR FUN FEST ON AUGUST 18TH OF THIS YEAR.

IT'S JUST A MOTION TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO FORWARD A LETTER TO THE STATE CHARITABLE GAMBLING BOARD THAT THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS WITH THE PERMIT BEING ISSUED FOR THAT EVENT.

ITEM FIVE ARE THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.

ITEM NUMBER SIX IS THE LICENSE AGENDA APPROVING VARIOUS BUSINESS LICENSES THAT HAVE COME INTO THE CITY.

AND ITEM NUMBER SEVEN IS REVIEW OF THE BILLS FOR THIS PERIOD.

THAT TOTAL $1,982,500.48.

THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? NO. ALL RIGHT THEN.

HEARING IS NONE. THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED. SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

ANY QUESTIONS? SEEING AS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR? SAY AYE. AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. THIS EVENING, WE HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH TAKES US TO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.

[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]

TODAY. WE HAVE UNDER OUR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS NUMBER EIGHT, RESOLUTION 2020 4-052, CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 4129 FIFTH STREET NORTHEAST.

AND TONIGHT, THAT WILL BE TAKING US THROUGH.

THAT WILL BE ANDREW BOUCHER, OUR CITY PLANNER.

[00:05:07]

SPECIFIC.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR AARON? YOU SAID IN THE LETTER.

OKAY. WELL, I READ THROUGH THE LETTERS OR ANY DISCUSSION OR ANYTHING.

LOOKS LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS OR JAMES MAYBE HAS SOMETHING.

YES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE THE PACKET IN FRONT OF THEM IT SAYS THE HOMEOWNER HAS A JOB RELOCATION LASTING ABOUT 12 MONTHS SEEKING PERMISSION TO RENT OUT THE HOME DURING THAT PERIOD.

I THINK IN MY MIND, THIS IS WHAT WE CREATED THE EXEMPTION FOR AS A SHORT-TERM RENTAL, WHERE THEY PLAN TO COME BACK AND LIVE IN THAT HOME AGAIN.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE WITH WHAT HE HAS SAID THAT HE'S SIGNIFICANTLY INVESTED IN THE HOME AND WANTS TO COME BACK AND LIVE IN THAT HOME.

SO, I HAVE NO OBJECTIONS TO THIS EXEMPTION.

THANK YOU. I'LL ADD TO THAT IN THE LETTER, THEY SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT THEY WILL BE EMPLOYING A REPUTABLE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICE TO OVERSEE THIS. SO, IT ISN'T AS SOMEONE WHO HAS A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AND THEN THINKS THEY'LL GET INTO THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS FOR 12 MONTHS, MAYBE NOT HAVE A GOOD HANDLE AND THEN MOVE FORWARD.

TO ME, IT SOUNDS LIKE A PRACTICAL WAY TO MAINTAIN THE OWNERSHIP, BUT MAYBE NOT HAVE TO COVER THE COSTS OF CARRYING TO LIVING ARRANGEMENTS FOR A WHILE. SO, I THINK IT SOUNDS ALL RIGHT TO THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BASE THIS ON HARDSHIP AND ONE, TO ME, A HARDSHIP IS BEING OUTSIDE THE CONTROL, OUTSIDE OF YOUR CONTROL THAT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM THE RESIDENCE.

BEST EXAMPLE IS SOMEBODY WHO'S IN THE MILITARY IS BEING ASSIGNED OUTSIDE OF THE AREA.

THAT'S A HARDSHIP. THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THAT, BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T DO WHAT THEIR ORDERS ARE SPECIFIED FOR THEM TO DO, THEY'RE GOING TO BE AWOL.

JOB RELOCATION I THINK IS A DIFFERENT CATEGORY.

AND THERE'S EVERY LETTER WE GET INDICATES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO COME BACK AND LIVE IN THE RESIDENCE.

SO, I DON'T KNOW.

I PERSONALLY CAN'T PUT ANY HARD WEIGHT IN THAT.

IT'S A CONSIDERATION, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS A HARD DETERMINING FACTOR.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT, THAT WE ARE CAREFUL THAT WE ARE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE DO APPROVE AND DO NOT APPROVE IN TERMS OF WHAT A HARDSHIP IS. SO THAT WOULD BE MY ONLY COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.

SO, IF WE ARE READY, THEN I'LL ASK FOR A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.

MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-052.

THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS TO WAIVE THE READING.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES, AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

RESOLUTION 2024-052, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION AT 4129 FIFTH STREET, NORTHEAST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 55421. SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE. THEN ALL IN FAVOR TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION? SAY AYE. AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NAY. AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. NEXT, FOR ITEM NUMBER NINE, WE HAVE THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1699, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3.315 OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION.

AND TAKING THIS ITEM WILL BE OUR CITY MANAGER, AARON CHIRPICH.

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

[00:10:01]

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THIS ORDINANCE, OR RATHER THE AMENDMENT OF AN EXISTING ORDINANCE 1699 MAKES STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO THE CITY'S YOUTH COMMISSION JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND. IN OCTOBER OF 2021, THE CITY COUNCIL CREATED OR APPROVED THE CREATION OF THE CITY'S YOUTH COMMISSION.

IT WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE CITY, AND THE PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL AND OTHER BOARDS TO INSPIRE AND BRING TO LIGHT NEW IDEAS OF THE YOUTH PERSPECTIVE AND CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH LOOKING TO EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP AND FUNCTIONS.

SINCE ITS CREATION YOU KNOW, STAFF HAVE OBSERVED A DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING MEMBERSHIP OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION AND ENGAGE THE COUNCIL IN A CONVERSATION AND SOUGHT FEEDBACK ON WAYS TO CHANGE THE STRUCTURE THAT MIGHT CHANNEL, YOU KNOW, THE SPECIFIC DESIRES OF DIFFERENT YOUTH TO SPECIFIC BOARDS WITHIN THE CITY RATHER THAN JUST SERVING ON THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT BOARD.

SO, THIS ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU IS REFLECTIVE OF THAT CHANGE AND WOULD CHANGE IT FROM A STANDALONE YOUTH COMMISSION TO APPOINTING SPECIFIC YOUTH MEMBERS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD, PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION.

INSTEAD OF HAVING THAT OWN SEPARATE, DEDICATED YOUTH COMMISSION, IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE WORK SESSION ON JULY 1ST, THE DRAFT ORDINANCE IN THE SAME FORM, AND WAS SUPPORTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND I WOULD STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT THAT THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS? JUST A COMMENT.

SURE. JAKE. I'M COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

I THINK THIS IS JUST A GREAT MOVE FOR MOVING IT FROM THE FROM THE YOUTH COMMISSION TO SITTING ON THE OTHER COMMISSIONS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO BECOME ACTIVE AND BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS FROM WHAT THEY WERE, THE WORK THEY WERE DOING.

NOT THAT THE WORK THAT THEY WERE DOING ON THE YOUTH COMMISSION WAS NOT SOLID.

IT WAS VERY SOLID WORK, BUT IT GIVES THEM A WHOLE NEW OPPORTUNITY.

AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WE'RE MOVING THIS, SWITCHING THIS, OR SHIFTING THIS TO A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, THANK YOU.

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

AND I JUST ALSO WANTED TO SAY TO ANY YOUTH OR PARENTS OF YOUTH WHO ARE LISTENING, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, LOOKS GREAT ON THE COLLEGE RESUME AND ALSO YOU WOULD REALLY HELP OUR CITY OUT BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR ON THE LIBRARY BOARD, ON THE PARKS AND REC, ON THE PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY, WHAT DO YOU THINK? AND THIS IS THE BEST CHANCE FOR US TO DO THAT.

SO, I'M HOPEFUL THAT WITH THIS NEW CHANGE, WE CAN GET AT LEAST 1 OR 2 YOUTH ON EVERY ONE OF THOSE BOARDS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, I ALSO AGREE WITH BOTH COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOUTH IN, AND I'M GLAD THAT PRIOR COUNCIL HAD, YOU KNOW, WE WENT FORWARD WITH TRYING IT OUT.

I THINK IT WAS VERY BRAVE TO TAKE ON A NEW PROJECT WITH HAVING YOUTH BE INVITED INTO GIVING THEIR OPINIONS AND IDEAS, AND I APPRECIATE THE FLEXIBILITY TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE, AS THIS WAS HARD TO.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE CHANGING THIS IS BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO HAVE YOUTH ATTEND MEETINGS.

SO, THERE ARE A LOT OF ACTIVE ACTIVITIES OUT THERE.

AND BECAUSE WE NEEDED A QUORUM TO HAVE A MEETING, IF ONLY THREE STUDENTS, LET'S SAY, OR FOUR STUDENTS COULD COME, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ENOUGH OF A QUORUM TO HAVE A BUSINESS MEETING. SO, THIS WAY THIS SHOULD HOPEFULLY HELP WITH ATTENDANCE.

AND LIKE I HOPE I'M INFERRING, IS THAT ATTENDANCE IS NOT BASED ON STUDENTS NOT WANTING TO BE HERE AS MUCH AS THEIR SCHEDULES, JUST BEING BUSY.

SO, WE ARE HOPING THAT THIS WILL BE A BETTER CAPACITY FOR THEM TO BE A PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND WE LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES SAID.

WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUTH.

YOU HAVE A PLACE HERE AND THIS IS THE WAY WE'RE HOPING TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FLEXIBILITY, THOUGH, THAT WE DIDN'T SAY IT DIDN'T WORK.

LET'S STOP. WE'RE JUST GOING TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO GET YOUTH INVOLVED AND HEAR THEIR VOICE.

ALL RIGHT, THEN. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING? MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1699.

THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE.

THEN ALL IN FAVOR? SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO SET THE SECOND READING.

MOVE TO SET THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1699, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3.315 OF THE CITY CODE RELATING THE YOUTH COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR JULY 22ND, 2024.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES TO SET THE SECOND READING.

[00:15:07]

ALL IN FAVOR? SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE NO BID CONSIDERATIONS OR NEW BUSINESS REPORTS.

SO, WE GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

AND FIRST WE HAVE A REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS? HI, EVERYBODY. I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A NICE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND.

THE WEATHER WAS GREAT, NOT TOO HOT.

IT WAS TERRIFIC.

START OFF FIRST WITH WELCOMING OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, AARON CHIRPICH.

THIS IS HIS FIRST MEETING TONIGHT, SO CONGRATULATIONS AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

SECOND ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE DOWN IN ROCHESTER WITH THE MAYOR.

WAS THERE. LOTS OF GREAT WORKSHOPS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGERS FROM OTHER CITIES.

IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT TIME TO REFLECT AND LEARN NEW THINGS THAT WE CAN BRING BACK TO THE CITY AND HOPEFULLY ADOPT DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT IT'S A GREAT, GREAT EXPERIENCE.

SO, I APPRECIATE THE CITY ALLOWING US TO ATTEND THAT MEETING.

SECOND WAS IN ATTENDED THE JAMBOREE PARADE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE PARADE.

GREAT ATTENDANCE. A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, LOTS OF KIDS, LOTS OF KIDS.

THIS YEAR I HAD PLENTY OF CANDY, THOUGH.

I EVEN HAD SOME LEFT OVER.

I HAD TO GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE TO SPREAD OUT.

NEXT THE JAMBOREE FIREWORKS.

I WANT TO THANK THE LIONS AND THE CITY STAFF THAT HELPED PUT THAT TOGETHER.

IT WAS A GREAT SHOW AGAIN.

FOUND A SPOT THAT I COULD PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO WALK.

I'M NOT GOING TO TELL ANYONE WHERE IT IS, BUT IT HELPED ME A LOT.

SO, IT WAS A GREAT, GREAT EVENING.

I CONTINUE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN ON TUESDAYS AT 5:30 AND OTHER TIMES.

WE GOT PLENTY OF VOLUNTEERS COMING IN AND WE ENJOY HAVING MORE.

SO, IF YOU HAVE TIME AND YOU WANT TO COME CHECK US OUT, WE'RE AT LOMAX PARK AT 8030 NINTH AVENUE NORTHEAST, AND WITHIN ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO, WE WILL HAVE GARLIC AND APRICOTS TO HARVEST.

SO, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THAT.

AND THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES? THANK YOU.

WE HAD A WONDERFUL JAMBOREE.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LIONS AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS.

I SAW KEY CLUBBERS AND OTHERS OUT THERE HELPING.

I ALSO WAS IN THE PARADE.

IT WAS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE RIDE.

THAT WAS GREAT.

AND VISITED THE LIONS BEER GARDEN AND GOT TO SEE THE BAND THAT WAS THERE.

THEY WERE FANTASTIC AND THE NEXT NIGHT GOT TO SEE JOE MACKO.

THAT WAS AWESOME.

THEY DID A GREAT JOB.

THE CARNIVAL WAS WONDERFUL.

IT WAS GREAT TO GET THE DISCOUNT TICKETS AT TASTY PIZZA.

AND THEN THE FIREWORKS WERE WONDERFUL.

I THINK THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS REC AS WELL AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HELPED WITH THE FIREWORKS.

AND FOR MY MONEY, THAT'S THE BEST FIREWORKS EXPERIENCE.

THERE'S NO LINES. YOU GET HOME EASY.

ON THE FIREWORKS NOTE, I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF RESIDENTS THAT WE HAD A GREAT FOURTH, BUT LET'S GIVE IT A REST ON THE FIREWORKS.

SO, IF YOU ARE DOING FIREWORKS PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE ARE ASKING US THAT THEY'RE HAVING DOGS AND SLEEP ISSUES.

SO, LET'S CELEBRATE OUR FOURTH AND MOVE ON.

ON SUNDAY, THE MAYOR INVITED ME TO HELP BE IN THE DUNK TANK FOR THE FIREFIGHTER'S ASSOCIATION PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT MURZYN HALL.

THAT WAS A GREAT TIME.

THOSE KIDS ARE DEADLY, SO HOPEFULLY WE RAISED SOME GOOD MONEY.

THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.

WE GOT DEFINITELY GOT IN THERE MANY TIMES.

AND THEN WE HAD A GREAT EDA MEETING AND WORK SESSION ON JULY 1ST.

AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE THOSE MINUTES, WE HAD A LOT OF MOVEMENT ON PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IN THE CITY, SO IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THAT.

THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS? I'M GOING TO PIGGYBACK ON COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES' COMMENT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE THING TO HEAR A BOTTLE ROCKET HISS AND GO OFF, BUT THE CHERRY BOMBS AND THE M-80S AND I THINK THE DOG GOES NUTS.

BUT I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE RESIDENTS WITH PTSD, AND THIS IS VERY, VERY TROUBLING FOR THEM.

IT CAN SET THEM BACK AND IT CAN REALLY PUT THEM IN A BAD POSITION.

SO, WE NEED TO CONSIDER THOSE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY I ATTENDED THE JAMBOREE AND THE FIREWORKS AND THE PANCAKE BREAKFAST, AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF HAVING MY GREAT NIECE AND MY GREAT NIECE SUNDAY ON AT THE CARNIVAL.

AND I HAVE TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS LITTLE SIX-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS TOLD TO RING THE BELL AND IT WAS A CHILD SIZE RING THE BELL.

SO, SHE LOADED UP THAT HAMMER AND SHE WENT RIGHT FOR THE BELL, AND SHE RANG THE TOP.

HE JUST LOOKED AT IT AND SAID, THAT'S NOT THE PART YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HIT.

IT WAS GREAT. IT WAS A GREAT MOMENT.

VERY PROUD OF HER.

I VISITED THE NEW BRIGHTON FARMERS MARKET FOR SOME OF JANA'S GLUTEN FREE BAKERY PRODUCTS AND FOUND A WHOLE NEW PLACE TO DO MY SHOPPING OVER THE SUMMER.

I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING TO BE MOST EVENINGS ONCE A WEEK, SO THAT WAS REALLY GREAT.

[00:20:06]

THE WEATHER WAS GREAT WHEN I WAS UP THERE, AND THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY A CITY ITEM, BUT I WANT TO SHARE IT.

I'VE BEEN ATTENDING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

I'VE BEEN ATTENDING THE NDASA MEETINGS, WHICH IS A, IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBSTANCE USE FIELD, AND IT'S KIND OF A TOWN HALL FORUM OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT PROVIDES INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT'S PENDING OR ALREADY BEEN PASSED, AND THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND MUNICIPALITIES.

AND IT REALLY AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITIES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE DON'T THINK ABOUT ON THE SURFACE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE FALLBACK IS THAT A LOT OF THE DATA IS SHOWING MORE NEGATIVE THAN POSITIVE OUTCOMES OVER LONGER TIME FRAMES.

SO THAT'S KIND OF DISAPPOINTING, ESPECIALLY WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN STATE.

AND THEN I WANT TO BELATEDLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE 4TH OF JULY, OUR NATION'S CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT DAY TO THIS COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYED THEIR HOLIDAY AND THAT THEY REMAIN SAFE.

AND I HOPE IN FUTURE YEARS WE'LL PRODUCE A PROCLAMATION OR SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT EQUAL TO WHAT WE OFFER FOR OTHER COUNTRIES.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CELEBRATE OUR OWN VICTORIES AND OUR OWN HISTORY AS WELL.

THAT'S IT. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

I'LL START BY PIGGYBACKING ON EVERYONE'S COMMENTS ABOUT JAMBOREE IS A GREAT WEEKEND.

SUPER FUN. I GOT TO RIDE AN ENGINE NUMBER FOUR FOR THE PARADE, WHICH WAS SUPER FUN.

I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A FIRE TRUCK BEFORE.

ALSO ATTENDED OUR EDA AND WORK SESSION AS A COUPLE OTHER MEMBERS HAD ALREADY MENTIONED.

A LOT OF EXCITING WORK GOING ON IN THE CITY, AND HOPEFULLY SOME MORE MOVEMENT ON BIG PROJECTS SOON.

AND THEN I ALSO ATTENDED THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION FOR THE MAYOR, AS SHE WAS AT THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES MEETING, AND THEY HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SPORT COURT THAT WILL BE COMING TO SULLIVAN LAKE PARK.

AND THEN ALSO AN UPDATE ON SUMMER PROGRAMING, WHICH IS VERY FULL AND VERY ACTIVE.

SO EXCITING TO HEAR ABOUT THAT AWESOME UPDATE FOR THE PARKS AND REC.

CAN WE ADD THAT TO A WORK SESSION AND LEARN SOME MORE ABOUT THIS PARK? THE PARK, THE COURT, I MEAN COMING.

AWESOME. THANK YOU.

I DIDN'T REALIZE THEY WERE AT A TIME TO LIKE, START NAMING THINGS, SO THAT'LL BE GREAT FOR THE WHOLE COUNCIL TO HEAR.

THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S REPORTS.

I WILL ADD THAT PROCLAMATIONS ARE ABLE TO BE REQUESTED ON THE CITY WEBSITE.

IF YOU WERE, IF YOU JUST GOOGLE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PROCLAMATIONS, THERE IS A FORM THERE.

SO DEFINITELY AM OPEN TO HAVING A PROCLAMATION FOR JULY 4TH.

JUST USE THE COMMUNITY'S INPUT TO HELP GET THOSE THINGS TAKEN CARE OF.

OVER MY LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AS COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS HAD SAID, ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES CONVENTION IN ROCHESTER.

ATTENDED MANY DIFFERENT PANELS SOME ON BRINGING IN NEW ELECTED OFFICIALS AFTER THERE'S AN ELECTION YEAR RANKED CHOICE VOTING.

THE NEW CANNABIS PROGRAMS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

SO, LEARNING A LOT OVER THE WEEKEND.

THERE'S KIND OF TOO MANY TO NAME.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE JAMBOREE PARADE.

THANKS SO MUCH TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR HELPING TRANSPORT ME.

IN THE PARADE, THANKS TO THE LIONS, ALL THE VOLUNTEERS, AND OF COURSE, ALSO TO THE CITY.

FOR HELPING PUBLIC WORKS.

WE ACTUALLY HAD A RESIDENT WHO ASKED FOR WHO LIVED ON A CORNER AND ASKED TO MAKE SURE THAT HER YARD WAS PROTECTED A BIT MORE FROM TRAFFIC ON THE ROUTE AND FROM PARADE GOERS AND PUBLIC WORKS DID A GREAT JOB OF HELPING HER OUT, AND I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL RIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING THAT SHE'S VERY HAPPY WITH HOW EVERYTHING WENT. SO JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS SO MUCH TO THE CITY FOR WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SUCH A SUCCESS.

WENT TO THE FIREFIGHTER PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND WENT IN THE DUNK TANK.

WE DID RAISE OVER $120, WHICH IS A LOT BECAUSE IT WAS MOSTLY CHILDREN, AND THEY ONLY PAID A DOLLAR OR SO.

SO, IT WAS 100, 100, AT LEAST 100 DUNKS.

BETWEEN THE THREE OF US IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

AND BECAUSE IT WENT SO WELL, I THINK WE'LL BE DOING IT AGAIN.

SO LOOK FOR THAT POSSIBLY AT THE MONARCH FESTIVAL ATTENDED OUR EDA AND WORK SESSION ON OPERATION POLLINATION, MEETING WITH OUR ROTARY CLUB, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

AND JUST WANT TO SAY AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW CITY MANAGER AARON CHIRPICH, FOR YOUR FIRST MEETING AS THE CITY MANAGER.

AND THEN ALSO, JUST THANK YOU TO THE STAFF FOR ALL OF THE KIND OF ALIGHTING THROUGH ALL THE CHANGES AND FLEXIBILITY NEEDED WITH KEVIN HANSEN

[00:25:03]

NOW AT PUBLIC WORKS AND CITY PLANNER, ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT POSITIONS HAVE HAD A LITTLE HOW DO WE NAVIGATE EVERYBODY? AND NOW EVERYONE'S FALLING INTO PLACE.

SO JUST THANKFUL TO STAFF FOR BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH EVERYONE SO WELL.

AND THAT IS THE END OF MY REPORT.

NOW FOR THE CITY MANAGER.

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL JUST SOME COMMENTARY ON UPCOMING EVENTS AND SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH IT WITH THE CITY.

SO, MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES STARTS THIS WEDNESDAY, JULY 10TH.

THE FIRST BAND UP IS A SWEDISH GROUP PRONOUNCED SHAAN BLOOM.

MUSIC IN THE PARK IS SPONSORED BY NORTHEAST BANK AND WILL TAKE PLACE IN HUSET PARK EAST.

FROM 630 TO 8:30 P.M.

THE BIG RED WAGON FOOD TRUCK WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE, AND YOU CAN OF COURSE, VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

JUST A REMINDER, NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, AND RESIDENTS CAN REGISTER THEIR BLOCK PARTY BY VISITING THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

TAKES PLACE ON AUGUST 6TH.

THE CITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACTION PLAN THAT'S GOING TO EVALUATE THE SAFETY ISSUES FOR PEOPLE DRIVING, WALKING, BIKING, ROLLING AND USING TRANSIT IN THE CITY.

WITH THE COMMUNITY'S HELP, THIS PLAN WILL IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SAFETY PROJECTS AND STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR THOSE WHO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY IN THE CITY.

AND RIGHT NOW, PUBLIC FEEDBACK IS BEING REQUESTED BY USING AN INTERACTIVE COMMENT MAP AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE, WHERE YOU CAN PLAY WITH DIFFERENT ISSUES IN THE CITY AND PROVIDE INPUT ON THE, THE CONCERNS THAT YOU CONSIDER OF, OF HIGHEST CONCERN.

SO PLEASE DO CHECK THAT OUT.

CITY'S CHARTER COMMISSION AND THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION ARE CURRENTLY THEY EACH HAVE ONE OPEN SEAT.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE OR AT CITY HALL OR THE LIBRARY.

THEY'RE DUE BY AUGUST 1ST.

AND JUST A REMINDER, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO GET INVOLVED AND HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE.

THANK YOU. COULD YOU REPEAT WHICH SEATS ARE OPEN? YEP. ONE ON THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND ONE ON THE CITY'S CHARTER COMMISSION.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, THEN, THAT BRINGS US UP TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.

[COMMUNITY FORUM]

CITY CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING? THERE ARE PEOPLE IN CHAMBERS, NOT ON TEAMS. ALL RIGHT. SO, THE NO ONE IS VIRTUALLY ABLE OR HERE TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEMS, BUT WE HAVE SOMEONE IN THE CHAMBERS.

I'LL JUST READ A LITTLE INTRO.

THE COMMUNITY FORUM IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING ANY MATTER THAT HAS NOT HAD A PUBLIC HEARING EARLIER IN THE MEETING.

AND I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH.

THANK YOU.

LAUREL DENEEN WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU. WELCOME LAUREL.

MISSIONS AND CITY COUNCIL TO REALLY THINK ABOUT HOW THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE ARE ENGAGING WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

AND BECAUSE WE DON'T START STOP BEING COLORFUL AND DIVERSE.

ONCE PRIDE MONTH IS OVER, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE OUR PRIDE EVENT COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER, WHICH I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO TO.

I AM PART OF THAT PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO MAKE OUR CITY MORE ACCEPTING AND MORE OBVIOUSLY WELCOMING TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND WHETHER THAT'S CHANGING CITY CODE TO REQUIRE GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS, WHETHER THAT'S STARTING A CAMPAIGN OF STICKERING FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES FREE OF CHARGE THAT HAVE STICKERS THAT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DESIGN AND TALK TO BUSINESSES ABOUT.

AS FAR AS MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE SOMETHING ON THEIR DOOR THAT SAYS EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE, WE WELCOME ALL PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS ESPECIALLY A SMALLER TOWN THAT CONTINUES TO GROW AND THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE SUCH A DIVERSE AND WONDERFUL POPULATION THAT WE THINK ABOUT THIS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND NOT JUST IN JUNE, AND HOW TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME AND PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

THERE WAS ANYONE INTERESTED IN SPEAKING THIS EVENING? WE HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL PERSON IN CHAMBERS.

MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

WELCOME, MOHAMMED.

THANK YOU. HELLO AGAIN EVERYBODY.

IT'S MY SECOND TIME I COME TO THIS PODIUM.

PROBABLY I'LL BE COMING A LOT MORE, I THINK.

BUT AGAIN, MY NAME IS MOHAMMED MOHAMMED.

I'M A RESIDENT OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

THIS IS MY NINTH YEAR IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

BUILT A HOUSE IN PIER STREET 46 AND PIERCE, AND I BUILT A SECOND HOME AT 3710 PIERCE STREET, ALSO WITH THE INTENTION

[00:30:03]

OF DOING IT LIVING ASSISTANT.

AND ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, BEFORE I EVEN DID STARTED FOR THE LICENSING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, I CAME TO THE CITY HALL AND ASK IF THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. AND I WAS TOLD YES.

AND NOW, AFTER IT'S COMPLETED AND GOING THROUGH STATE LICENSING AND ALL THE REGULATIONS AND INSURANCE, THEY TOLD ME TO GO BACK TO THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND GET A CERTIFICATE WHEN I COME HERE.

A FEW DAYS AGO, I WAS TOLD, NO, YOU CAN'T BE LIVING ASSISTANT BECAUSE THERE'S ANOTHER ONE BLOCK AWAY OR SO. SO THAT'S KIND OF YOU KNOW, DISAPPOINTED IN ONE.

AND AGAIN, WE PUT OUR FAMILY, WE PUT A, YOU KNOW, TOO MUCH MONEY TO JUST SAY, HEY, DO WHATEVER.

YOU KNOW, I GOT THE LICENSE, RENT THE LICENSE THE LAST TIME, AND SO ON.

BUT RIGHT NOW, I WAS TOLD THAT.

AND I JUST ASKED FOR CITY COUNCIL AND EVERYBODY ELSE TO LOOK INTO THAT AND SEE HOW BIG MISTAKE THAT HAPPENED.

JUST YOU CAN DO IT AND NOW YOU CAN'T DO IT OR, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S THE WAY AROUND IT.

OKAY. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

WE WILL FIND OUT SOME MORE ABOUT THAT.

AND THEN IS YOUR CONTACT INFO LEFT WITH THE WHEN YOU FILLED IN THE.

I PUT MY NAME DOWN, BUT I HAVEN'T PUT MY PHONE DOWN.

COULD YOU PUT YOUR OR IF YOU HAVE YOUR EMAIL THAT'S GOOD.

BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO PUT YOUR PHONE NUMBER DOWN YOU COULD, TOO.

AND THEN WE CAN KIND OF CONNECT BACK WITH YOU TO GET SOME ANSWERS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

YOU'RE WELCOME. YES. THANKS FOR COMING IN AND SHARING THAT WITH US.

AND IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING? THERE IS NOT.

ALL RIGHT THEN, I'LL JUST ASK ONE MORE TIME IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT TONIGHT'S COMMUNITY FORUM.

SEEING IS NONE.

THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

SO MOVED. SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU. GOOD NIGHT.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.