[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.
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.AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
[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.
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 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.
AND ITEM NUMBER SEVEN IS REVIEW OF THE BILLS FOR THIS PERIOD.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES, AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION 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.
[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.
ANY QUESTIONS? JUST A COMMENT.
SURE. JAKE. I'M COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE.
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.
[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.
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.
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 HAD TO GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE TO SPREAD OUT.
I WANT TO THANK THE LIONS AND THE CITY STAFF THAT HELPED PUT THAT TOGETHER.
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.
COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES? THANK YOU.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LIONS AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS.
I SAW KEY CLUBBERS AND OTHERS OUT THERE HELPING.
IT WAS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE RIDE.
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.
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.
SO, LET'S CELEBRATE OUR FOURTH AND MOVE ON.
THOSE KIDS ARE DEADLY, SO HOPEFULLY WE RAISED SOME GOOD MONEY.
WE GOT DEFINITELY GOT IN THERE MANY TIMES.
AND THEN WE HAD A GREAT EDA MEETING AND WORK SESSION ON JULY 1ST.
COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS? I'M GOING TO PIGGYBACK ON COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES' COMMENT.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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.
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.
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.
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.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE OR AT CITY HALL OR THE LIBRARY.
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.
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.
LAUREL DENEEN WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
AND BECAUSE WE DON'T START STOP BEING COLORFUL AND DIVERSE.
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.
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. 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.
[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.
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.
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.
THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU. GOOD NIGHT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.