[00:00:01]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE, EVERYONE TONIGHT.
WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, JULY 22ND.
I'M MAYOR AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA.
WELCOME TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE CHAMBERS, BUT ALSO WATCHING OUR RECORDING.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL MEETING IN STORE FOR YOU, AND FIRST, WE WILL START OFF WITH THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, OUR ROLL CALL. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
>>THANK YOU. AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A VIBRANT, HEALTHY, AND CONNECTED CITY.
WE ARE HERE TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY, DELIVER EQUITABLE SERVICES, BUILD AND STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS, IMPROVE UPON OUR PAST, AND UPHOLD OUR SUCCESSES.
WE STRIVE TO BE BETTER AND ENSURE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR EVERYONE TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.
NOW I WOULD LIKE TO READ AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT ABOUT OUR MINNESOTA STATE FLAG.
ON MAY 11TH, 2024, MINNESOTA WELCOMED A NEW CHAPTER IN ITS HISTORY BY ADOPTING A NEW STATE FLAG AND SEAL.
THE FLAG FEATURES A WHITE, EIGHT-POINTED STAR REPRESENTING THE NORTH STAR, SHINING BRIGHTLY AGAINST A DARK BLUE, NIGHT SKY AND LIGHT BLUE WATERS REFLECTING OUR STATE'S NATURAL BEAUTY AND GUIDING SPIRIT.
THE REDESIGNED STATE SEAL SYMBOLIZES OUR UNITY AND INCLUSION.
THE OUTER CIRCLE CONTAINS 98 RECTANGULAR BARS, REPRESENTING THE STATES 87 COUNTIES AND 11 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES.
THE INNER PART OF THE CIRCLE FEATURES SYMBOLS REPRESENTING MINNESOTA.
WILD RICE, THE OFFICIAL STATE GRAIN, THE COMMON LOON, THE OFFICIAL STATE BIRD, A WHITE FOUR POINTED STAR REPRESENTING THE STATE MOTTO, LET DEL NOORD, THE PHRASE MINNESOTA MACAS, WHICH IS DAKOTA FOR LAND OF THE SKY TINTED WATER.
THE ORIGINAL RENDERING OF OUR STATES NAME, AND STYLIZED PINE TREES AND WATER REPRESENTING NATURAL AREAS ACROSS THE STATE.
THESE CHANGES ARE A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN ACKNOWLEDGING AND RECTIFYING PAST RACIAL INSENSITIVITY, TURNING ONCE OFFENSIVE SYMBOLS INTO REPRESENTATIONS THAT REFLECT OUR VALUES OF DIVERSITY AND RESPECT.
MORE THAN SYMBOLIC, THEY DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE IS SEEN, HEARD, AND VALUED.
HOWEVER, TRUE PROGRESS REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST TALK.
IT DEMANDS ONGOING ACTION, UNDERSTANDING, AND DEDICATION TO CREATING EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS EXTENDS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR IDEAS AND PASSION TO CREATING OUR NEW STATE FLAG.
LET THIS REMIND US THAT WHILE WE CELEBRATE THESE MILESTONES, OUR WORK IS FAR FROM OVER.
WE MUST CONTINUE STRIVING FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND UNITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR SOCIETY.
TOGETHER, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, UNITED IN OUR VISION FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
THIS EVENING, I BELIEVE, BECAUSE OF THE RAIN, THIS WAS GOING TO BE HANDED TO OUR AMERICAN INDIAN SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE, LIAISON YOLANDA DOOR, AND SHE IS NOT HERE AT THIS TIME.
I'M ASSUMING SHE GETS STUCK IN THE WEATHER, BUT THIS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HELP REPRESENT US MOVING FORWARD TO RECTIFY THOSE PATHS.
NOW PLEASE RISE OR STAND, IF YOU NEED TO FOR THE POSTING OF THE COLORS.
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PLEASE JOIN US IN RECITING 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. YOU MAY BE SEATED.
I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF OUR SERVICE PEOPLE [APPLAUSE].
I WANT TO THANK OUR POLICE AND FIRE HONOR GUARD FOR BEING A PART OF THIS, AS WELL AS OUR LOCAL BOY SCOUT TROOP, 1,2,3.
WE ALSO HAD REACHED OUT TO A GIRL SCOUT TROOP WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE DOING THIS.
JIM, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER TROOPS THAT NEED EDITING IN THERE? ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD ABOUT THE TROOP NUMBER? THANK YOU. NEXT, WE
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
HAVE OUR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.MAY I HAVE A MOTION FROM THE COUNCIL IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED?
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND GUESS.FIRST, WE HAVE OUR 100TH BIRTHDAY RECOGNITION FOR FERN SHAHAN OSBERG.
AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FERN.
SHE IS HERE CELEBRATING HER 100TH BIRTHDAY TODAY WITH US.
[APPLAUSE]. I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE AMAZING LIFE OF ONE OF OUR BELOVED RESIDENTS, FERN SHAHAN OSBERG.
FERN WAS BORN ON JULY 22ND, 1924 IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, AND SPENT HER EARLY YEARS IN IOWA WITH HER PARENTS AND TWO SISTERS.
SHE GRADUATED FROM IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY IN 1946 WITH A DOUBLE MAJOR IN DIET DIETETICS.
THANK YOU. INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT.
AFTER COLLEGE, SHE MOVED TO MINNESOTA FOR A JOB AT MCCALLISTER COLLEGE IN ST. PAUL.
IT WAS THERE IN 1948 THAT SHE MET HER FUTURE HUSBAND, EDWARD OSBERG, WHILE VOLUNTEERING AT A SUMMER CHILDREN'S PROGRAM.
FERN AND EDWARD MARRIED ON JUNE 18, 1949.
THEY LIVED IN MINNEAPOLIS UNTIL 1953 WHEN THEY MOVED TO ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE, WHERE THEY STAYED UNTIL 2014, AND IN 2014, THEY MOVED TO THE BOULEVARD, PART OF CRESTVIEW SENIOR COMMUNITIES IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THEY RAISED FIVE CHILDREN, FOUR OF WHOM ARE WITH US TODAY.
FERN WORKED AS A DIETITIAN, AND EDWARD AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.
STILL, THEY ALWAYS VOLUNTEERED FOR MANY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, MEALS ON WHEELS, SIMPSON HOUSING SERVICES, NORTHEAST SENIOR SERVICES, HEIFER INTERNATIONAL, AND THE UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF.
WHEN EDWARD PASSED AWAY IN 2016, AT THE AGE OF 94, FERN CONTINUED TO LIVE AT THE BOULEVARD.
SHE REMAINS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF HER SENIOR COMMUNITY AND HER CHURCH, FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN ST. ANTHONY.
SHE KEEPS IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH FRIENDS SHE HAS KNOWN HER ENTIRE LIFE.
SHE ENJOYS PLAYING SCRABBLE AND CARD GAMES WEEKLY, LISTENING TO BOOKS ON TAPE, AND PARTICIPATING IN A BOOK CLUB.
FERN BELIEVES HER LONG LIFE IS DUE TO HEALTHY EATING AND A WILLINGNESS TO TRY NEW THINGS.
TODAY IS JULY 22, AND WE ARE HONORED TO CELEBRATE FERN'S 100TH BIRTHDAY AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
THE COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT WISHES FOR FERN TO HAVE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
YOUR LIFE IS A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF DEDICATION, SERVICE, AND LOVE.
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THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.WE CELEBRATE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS.
IF WOULD YOU WOULD JOIN ME SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO FERN.
>> ANN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND RECEIVE THIS WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENT? [BACKGROUND].
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR THIS WONDERFUL HONOR FOR MY MOTHER.
SHE'S BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO SO MANY IN HER COMMUNITY AND TO HER FAMILY, AND WE'RE JUST REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF THIS HONOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FERN, THERE WAS A REALLY FANTASTIC ARTICLE ABOUT HER AS WELL.
SHE'S ALSO IN PRINT WITH HER HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENT.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
THANK YOU. WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, WHICH IS COMING UP ON AUGUST 6TH.
WHEREAS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWN WATCH IS SPONSORING A SPECIAL NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN ON THE EVENING OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2024, CALLED NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
WHEREAS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT THEIR PARTICIPATION CAN HAVE ON REDUCING CRIME AND DRUGS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WHEREAS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS TO JOIN TOGETHER WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AND THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN SUPPORT OF SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO DEMONSTRATE THE SUCCESS OF COOPERATIVE CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS.
WHEREAS NEIGHBORHOOD SPIRIT AND COOPERATION IS THE THEME OF THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PROJECT.
IT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT FIGHT THE WAR ON CRIME AND DRUGS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, AMANDA MARCA SIMLA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, DO HEREBY CALL UPON ALL CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO JOIN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2024.
FURTHER, LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT I HEREBY PROCLAIM TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2024 AS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION IS OUR POLICE CHIEF MARKHAM.
RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT 20 PARTIES SCHEDULED.
OFFICER TABITA WOOD IS NOW OUR COMMUNITY POLICING COORDINATOR, AND SHE'LL BE SETTING UP THE PARTIES, AND I ALSO KNOW THAT COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT WITH THE CITY HAS POSTED SOMETHING ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND WEBSITE.
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO HAVE A PARTY AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET A HOLD OF US, THEY CAN CALL US AT 706370680100.
THAT'S OUR GENERAL LINE. WE'LL GET THEM SENT OFF TO TABITHA. THANK YOU.
>> CAN I JUST ADD TO HAVE A NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AT YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD IS FREE.
THE CITY PROVIDES SOME BARRICADES FOR YOUR STREET TO LET THE NEIGHBORS KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DRIVE THROUGH THERE.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN SHARE? I KNOW I'M PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT FIGURE I KNOW YOU KNOW ABOUT IT.
>> WELL, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES IS HERE, SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE STARTED THIS YEAR IS YOU ACTUALLY GET A SIGN IN YOUR YARD.
ANYBODY THAT'S HOSTING A PARTY WILL GET A SIGN WHERE THEY CAN PUT IN THE YARD, AND PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHERE TO GO.
THEY'LL HAVE THEIR NAME AND I THINK ADDRESS ON IT.
>> AWESOME. THANK YOU. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING?
>> SIGN UP NOW SO YOU CAN GET YOUR SIGN BECAUSE IT'S TIME TO GET THE WORD OUT.
PEOPLE LIKE TO BRING PI, SO THAT'S BONUS.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PROCLAMATION FOR ASSISTANCE DOG DAY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. ASSISTANCE DOG DAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2024.
WHEREAS, ASSISTANCE DOG DAY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE
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THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASSISTANCE DOGS IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.WHEREAS ASSISTANCE DOGS, INCLUDING GUIDE DOGS, SERVICE DOGS, HEARING DOGS, AND THERAPY DOGS ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED TO PERFORM TASKS THAT MITIGATE THEIR HANDLER'S DISABILITIES, THEREBY PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE, SAFETY, AND WELL BEING.
WHEREAS ASSISTANCE DOGS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND COMPANIONSHIP TO THEIR HANDLERS, CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR ABILITY TO LEAD MORE FULFILLING AND ACTIVE LIVES.
WHEREAS, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGES AND APPRECIATES THE DEDICATION AND TRAINING REQUIRED TO DEVELOP ASSISTANCE DOGS AS WELL AS THE COMMITMENT OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THEIR TRAINING AND PLACEMENT.
WHEREAS ASSISTANCE DOG DAY SERVES TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS ACCOMPANIED BY ASSISTANCE DOGS, AND PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE HIGHLY TRAINED ANIMALS IN PUBLIC SPACES.
WHEREAS THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING COMMUNITY WELL-BEING BY INTRODUCING A THERAPY DOG INTO THEIR TEAM, FURTHER EXEMPLIFYING THE POSITIVE IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE OF ASSISTANCE DOGS IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, ON THIS DAY, WE HONOR THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ASSISTANCE DOGS AND THEIR HANDLERS, RECOGNIZING THE PROFOUND BOND AND MUTUAL BENEFIT THAT ENRICHES BOTH THEIR LIVES.
>> THANK YOU. NOW, THEREFORE, I AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, PROCLAIM AUGUST 4TH, 2024, AS ASSISTANCE DOG DAY IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
JOIN US IN CELEBRATING AND APPRECIATING THE EXTRAORDINARY ASSISTANCE DOGS WHO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED IT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
HERE TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION, AGAIN, IS OUR POLICE CHIEF.
HE'S ALSO GOING TO SHARE SOMETHING TO SHARE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING POLICE THERAPY DOG PROGRAM HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
>> MAYOR, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN.
OFFICER AARON AUSTIN HAS ACTUALLY BEEN SELECTED TO BE OUR VERY FIRST DOG HANDLER.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN APPOINTMENT NEXT WEDNESDAY TO GO SEE CAN-DO CANINES, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A DOG THAT WE CAN BRING ON THE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S GOING TO BE A THERAPY DOG FOR OUR STAFF, AND THEN WE ALSO PLAN TO USE A DOG FOR SPECIAL EVENTS WHEN APPROPRIATE.
[APPLAUSE] NEXT, WE HAVE OUR INTRODUCTION OF POLICE DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP TEAM AND NEW PERSONNEL.
>> WILL HAVE A LEADERSHIP TEAM COME UP TO THE PODIUM? MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LEADERSHIP TEAM.
STARTING WITH CAPTAIN ERIC JOHNSTON, AT THE END.
CAPTAIN JOHNSTON WAS IN CHARGE OF OPERATIONS, AND NOW HE'S MOVED INTO ADMIN, WHERE HE OVERSEES INVESTIGATIONS.
WE'VE GOT NEWLY PROMOTED CAPTAIN JACKIE O'NICK.
SHE IS NOW IN CHARGE OF OPERATIONS.
STANDING BETWEEN THE TWO IS LEAD RECORDS TECH, BECKY ROMNICK.
NEXT TO JACKIE IS NEWLY PROMOTED SERGEANT MOHAMMED FARRAH.
NEXT TO MO IS SERGEANT GUY JURAN, WHO IS ALSO NEWLY PROMOTED.
THEN NEXT TO HIM IS NEWLY PROMOTED SERGEANT TROY VAUGHN.
NEXT TO HIM IN THE LIMA UNIFORM IS SERGEANT JASON PINE.
NEXT TO HIM IS SERGEANT TIM NOEL, WHO IS NOW IN CHARGE OF INVESTIGATIONS.
WE DID NOT HAVE A SERGEANT IN INVESTIGATIONS FOR A FEW YEARS.
[00:20:01]
THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS.WE ARE ALL SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU HERE IN THESE LEADERSHIP ROLES.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR NEW PERSONNEL.
>> MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNSEL, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE.
I'LL START ON YOUR LEFT AND MOVE TOWARDS THE RIGHT.
OUR NEW RECORDS TECH, BRENDA PLIAGO-GENIZ.
I RECOGNIZE HER FROM THE COLUMBIA HEIGHT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SHE JUST STARTED WITH US ABOUT A WEEK AGO.
NEXT TO HER IS NEW POLICE OFFICER, AHMED ABDULAHI, WAS A CSO WITH US BEFORE GETTING PROMOTED UP TO POLICE OFFICER.
NEXT TO AHMED IS CSO ALYSSA ERICKSON.
SHE'S BEEN WITH US FOR A FEW MONTHS.
THEN NEXT TO HER IS HUNTER DEINHAMMER, OUR NEW FULL TIME CSO.
>> WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[APPLAUSE] NOW, YOU HAVE TO TURN AROUND FOR PHOTOS.
I WILL JUST REPEAT HOW PROUD I'M OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, HOW MANY AMAZING, KIND, COMPASSIONATE WORDS I HEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME AND I KNOW THE COUNCIL IS NODDING THEIR HEADS IN AGREEMENT, BECAUSE WE ALL FEEL THIS WAY ABOUT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR WORK.
FOR COMING IN TONIGHT AND BRINGING ALL YOUR FAMILIES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
THAT TAKES US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH IS OUR TYPICAL BUSINESS PART OF THE MEETING.
IF ANYONE HERE WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE BEFORE WE GO INTO THE BUSINESS, THEY'RE WELCOME TO LEAVE NOW OR YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY.
I JUST DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL AWKWARD.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO LEAVE NOW IF YOU'D LIKE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING, SO GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE IN THE MEETING.
[BACKGROUND] OF COURSE, EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE WHOLE MEETING.
WE KNOW PEOPLE GENERALLY LEAVE.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
[LAUGHTER] WE'LL CONTINUE ON WITH OUR 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 ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO HAVE REMOVED? THEN TO THE CITY MANAGER, COULD YOU GO THROUGH THE ITEMS, PLEASE?
I'M SURPRISED I THOUGHT THAT WAS CERTAINLY THE CONSENT AGENDA CROWD.
>> REALLY SOLID MOVE, ALLOWING THEM TO EXIT.
ITEM 1 ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE JULY 8TH, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM 2 IS SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1699, WHICH AMENDS CHAPTER 3.315 OF THE CITY CODE RELATING TO THE YOUTH COMMISSION.
THIS IS THE FINAL READING OF THIS ORDINANCE, BUT SHIFTING THE CITY'S YOUTH COMMISSION TO A MODEL WHERE THE CITY ANTICIPATES PLACING INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS ON DIFFERENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WITHIN THE CITY RATHER THAN HAVING A STANDALONE YOUTH COMMISSION.
ITEM 3 IS ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2024-54, WHICH AMENDS THE CITY'S FEE SCHEDULE.
IN THIS CASE, IT'S SPECIFICALLY FEE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REALM THAT IS CALLED THE BUSINESS USE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FEE, RAISING IT FROM $120 TO $160.
THIS IS A FEE THAT IS PAID WHEN THERE'S A CHANGE OF COMMERCIAL BUSINESS USE WITHIN THE CITY.
[00:25:02]
THE CITY'S BUILDING OFFICIAL AND FIRE CHIEF, USUALLY OR SOMEONE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WILL COMPLETE AN INSPECTION ON A PROPERTY TO LOOK AT BUILDING CODE AND FIRE CODE RELATED ISSUES AND THE FEE, UPON REVIEW, RELATED TO A FEW RECENT CASES WAS LOW.THIS IS BRINGING THAT FEE INTO ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER FEES IN THE DEPARTMENT.
ITEM 4 IS THE REQUEST TO PURCHASE A MOBILE PRO-SYSTEM 3100 SURVEILLANCE TRAILER.
THESE ARE THE MOBILE CAMERA TRAILERS THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEPLOYS AROUND THE CITY TO AREAS OF NEED WHERE A LITTLE ADDITIONAL POLICE PRESENCE IS NEEDED IN SPECIFIC AREAS.
THE CITY ALREADY HAS ONE, AND THIS WOULD BE THE PURCHASE OF A SECOND TO MOVE AWAY FROM AN OPERATIONAL MODEL THAT RELIES ON RENTING THESE TRAILERS.
ITEM 5 IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PURCHASE OF PASS THROUGH EVIDENCE LOCKERS, JUST UPGRADING THE EVIDENCE LOCKERS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT HAVE ESSENTIALLY JUST WORN OUT DUE TO THEIR AGE.
ITEM 6 IS THE LICENSE AGENDA, BUSINESS LICENSE APPROVALS FOR THIS PERIOD.
ITEM NUMBER 7 IS THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.
ITEM 8 IS A TEMPORARY RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSE FOR 3806 JACKSON STREET, NORTHEAST.
THIS IS THE SECOND PROPERTY THROUGH THE CITY'S RENTAL DENSITY CAP PROGRAM, WHERE THE COUNCIL PROVIDED AN EXEMPTION TO THIS PROPERTY, AND THEY'VE MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS, AND NOW ARE READY TO BE ISSUED THE TEMPORARY LICENSE.
FINALLY, ITEM 9 IS REVIEW OF THE BILLS, WHICH FOR THIS PERIOD EQUALS $1,393,294.65. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY MANAGER? THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARING IS NONE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUR FIRST AND ONLY PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER 10,
[PUBLIC HEARINGS]
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2024-55, REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 4228 MADISON STREET, NORTHEAST, FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODES.HERE TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM IS OUR FIRE CHIEF, THOMPSON.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, GOOD EVENING.
I'LL REVIEW THE FACTS OF FINDINGS ON THIS PROPERTY.
ON OR ABOUT MAY 25TH, 2024, INSPECTION STAFF SENT A LETTER REQUESTING THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY SUBMIT THE RENTAL LICENSE APPLICATION AND FEE FOR THE PROPERTY.
THE LETTER WAS MAILED BY REGULAR MAIL TO THE OWNER AT THE ADDRESS LISTED IN THE PROPERTY RECORDS.
ON JULY 9TH, 2024, INSPECTION OFFICE STAFF REVIEWED THE PROPERTY FILE AND NOTED THAT THE PROPERTY REMAINED UNLICENSED.
A STATEMENT OF CAUSE WAS MAILED BY REGULAR MAIL TO THE OWNER AT THE ADDRESS LISTED IN THE PROPERTY RECORDS.
THAT BASED UPON SAID RECORDS OF THE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE, FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND VIOLATIONS OF THE CITY'S PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE WERE FOUND TO EXIST TO WITH FAILURE TO SUBMIT RENTAL RENEWAL LICENSE APPLICATION AND FEE.
ONE ITEM, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO ADD TO THAT, MY STAFF TYPICALLY, DOES TRY TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND, AND THEY DID PHYSICALLY CONTACT THE INDIVIDUAL VIA PHONE ON THE 17TH AND SHE INDICATED ON THE 18TH, SHE WOULD COME IN AND TAKE CARE OF THE ENTIRE LICENSE, THE FEES, ETC, HOWEVER, NO ONE SHOWED UP TO THE OFFICE THAT DAY TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION.
MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF?
>> IS THE PROPERTY OWNER IN ATTENDANCE THAT YOU KNOW OF?
>> MADAM MAYOR, I DO NOT KNOW.
THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE IN HERE.
>> BUT I DO NOT KNOW THE OWNER PERSONALLY, SO.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK IF ANYONE IS HERE TO DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER 10, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2024-55 ABOUT PROPERTY NUMBER 4228 MADISON STREET, NORTHEAST TO PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.
[00:30:06]
OF COURSE, I'LL ASK IF ANYONE IS ONLINE AS THESE MEETINGS ARE VIRTUAL, IF THERE'S ANYONE.>> WE DO HAVE SOMEBODY ONLINE FOR ITEM 11, BUT NOT THIS ITEM, NOT ITEM 10.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS JUST THE CITY CLERK LETTING US KNOW THERE'S NO ONE HERE VIRTUALLY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 10.
ONCE AGAIN, IS ANYONE IN THE CHAMBER THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NOT THEM, I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL BERT JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARINGS NONE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-55 BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.
>> THANK YOU. YOU HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL BERT JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION. ANY DISCUSSION?
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION, IT'S ACTUALLY FOR THE FIRE CHIEF I JUST WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS.
HAS THIS PROPERTY HAD ANY OTHER REVOCATIONS AGAINST IT? DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT WOULD BE AND DOES THE OWNER OWN ANY OTHER PROPERTIES?
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I CAN SOMEWHAT ANSWER THAT QUESTION BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT I DO HAVE.
YOUR QUESTION WAS, ANYTIME IN THE PAST, HAD THE PROPERTY BEEN REVOKED.
THE ANSWER TO THAT WOULD BE NO.
HOWEVER, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FROM 2020 TO THIS CURRENT ISSUE THAT WE'VE HAD, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS THAT TENDED TO GO UNCORRECTED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL AFTER THE STATEMENT OF CAUSE AND THE BUILDING WAS POSTED AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
TYPICALLY IN THE PAST, THE VIOLATIONS WOULD GET TAKEN CARE OF.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE WAITED RIGHT UP TO THE LAST MOMENT TO RE LICENSE THE LICENSE.
IT'S PROBABLY THREE TIMES IN THE PAST, WE'VE SEEN ISSUES.
NO REVOCATIONS, MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR CLARIFICATION.
HOWEVER, THE VIOLATIONS IN THE PAST DID TEND TO DRAG ON FOR ANYWHERE 2-5 MONTHS.
>> THANK YOU, FIRE CHIEF THAT'S VERY HELPFUL.
I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT IF THIS IS IMPACTING ANY OTHER PROPERTY RENTERS IN THE CITY AND KNOWING THAT THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST REVOCATION, THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, I BELIEVE AND A SECOND FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
ANY OTHER QUESTION OR DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU, CHIEF. NEXT, WE HAVE ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
ITEM NUMBER 11, CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 40 302 SECOND STREET NORTHEAST AND HERE TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS IS CITY PLANNER ANDREW BOUCHER.>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. COUNCIL, BEFORE YOU, YOU HAVE CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR 4302 SECOND STREET NORTHEAST.
ON JULY 16, 2024, THE OWNER REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REQUESTING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON BLOCK 19, WHICH HAS THREE CURRENT SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS OUT OF 24 TOTAL SINGLE FAMILY UNITS, AND ALLOTMENT OF TWO SINGLE FAMILY RENTALS.
ATTACHED IS THE LETTER THAT STAFF RECEIVED.
THE PROPERTY OWNERS, THEY HAVE PARENTS THAT PASSED AWAY WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING THE PROPERTY IS MY UNDERSTANDING, IF THEY DON'T ALREADY ACQUIRE OR HAVE IT, BUT THEY INTEND TO MAKE SOME UPGRADES TO IT AND POTENTIALLY PASS IT ON TO THEIR KIDS AND SO THE RENTAL DENSITY EXEMPTION WOULD HELP THEM JUST BUY A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO DO THE NECESSARY FIXES, WHILE ALSO ALLOWING THEIR FAMILY TO DECIDE ON HOW THEY WANT TO PROCEED WITH THE HOUSE AND THE APPLICANTS ARE AVAILABLE VIA TEAMS IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO TALK THEMSELVES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AT OUR MEETING.
DON AND BARB, IS THAT RIGHT? THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SAYING? THANK YOU.
[00:35:01]
FIRST, ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? OTHERWISE, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY WE'RE ABLE TO READ THE INFORMATION IN OUR PACKET.BUT TO DON AND BARB, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING, YOU'RE WELCOME TO AT THIS TIME.
>> HE'S GOING HAVE TO TALK PRETTY LOUDLY.
>> WE MIGHT NEED YOU TO TALK VERY LOUD, I APOLOGIZE.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE UNMUTE AS WELL, TOO.
CAN YOU GUYS UN MUTE? WE'RE ALSO HAVING AN AUTO AUDIO GLITCH AS WELL, AND WE'RE TRYING TO PATCH THEM THROUGH SARAH'S MICROPHONE.
>> DON AND BARB, IF YOU CAN HIT THE UNMUTE BUTTON ON YOUR OWN TEAMS THERE.
>> THERE IT IS. CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?
>> WE CAN, JUST KEEP TALKING AND WE'LL GET YOU LOUDER.
>> I THINK THAT MR. BOUCHER SAID EVERYTHING QUITE WELL.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO ADD.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOMETHING, IF YOU'D LIKE. THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR DISCUSSION? MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING.
>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-053, THERE WILL BE AN AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO WAIVE THE READING.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
BEFORE WE GO TO APPROVE, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I AM SORRY ON THE LOSS THAT YOU'VE HAD OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND ALL THE DIFFICULTIES, I'M SURE THAT THIS HAS BROUGHT WITH UPDATING THE HOME AND TAKING CARE OF THINGS DOING THE BEST YOU CAN FOR YOUR FAMILY.
I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST REASONS WE HAVE FOR THIS EXEMPTION IS TO MAKE SURE A FAMILY IN THE SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE IS ABLE TO DO THIS, SO I WILL BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO APPROVE?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-053, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION AT 4302, SECOND STREET NORTHEAST, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS MIN 55421.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO APPROVE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
>> ANY AGAINST? THEN MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, AND THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU, YOU ARE WELCOME TO CONTINUE ON WITH YOUR WORK.
THANK YOU, BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.
NEXT, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE? NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 12, OUR BID CONSIDERATIONS.
BID AWARD FOR THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, CITY PROJECT 1807, AND TAKING US THROUGH THIS IS KEVIN HANSON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS A PROJECT THAT ACTUALLY HAS BEEN LONG IN WAIT, JUST IN TERMS OF THE CITY WAS AWARDED GRANT FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT IN 2020.
WHAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT BECAUSE IT'S FEDERAL FUNDING, THERE'S A PARTICULAR YEAR FOR FUNDING ELIGIBILITY AND FOR US THAT WAS ELIGIBLE, WE CAN NOW GET THE MONEY IN 2024.
THIS INVOLVES REALLY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOCUSING ON PEDESTRIAN IN AND AROUND THE SCHOOL ON BOTH SIDES OF CENTRAL AVENUE.
IT INCLUDES NEW SIDEWALK, IT INCLUDES PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, SIGNAGE, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS ALONG BOTH SIDES OF CENTRAL AVENUE.
STAFF COORDINATED THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECS.
WE PUBLICLY ADVERTISE THIS WORK AND RECEIVED FOUR BIDS.
THERE'S QUITE A RANGE, IF YOU NOTICE ON THE BIDS OF THIS, BUT THE LOW BID DID COME IN WITH THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION ENGINEERS ESTIMATE.
WE HAD ESTIMATED THIS PROJECT TO BE AT ABOUT 600,000 BASED ON THE SCOPE OF WORK AND THE LITTLE BIT CAME IN FROM CONCRETE IDEA IN THE AMOUNT OF $488,503.
[00:40:08]
STAFF DOES RECOMMEND AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THIS AND I WOULD NOTE, BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU MAY HAVE THE QUESTION OF THIS.WE HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED THIS WORK TO GET DONE DURING THE OFF SEASON FOR THE SCHOOL IN THE SUMMER OF THIS YEAR.
WE'VE SPOKEN WITH THE CONTRACTOR PRELIMINARY, AND THEY DO BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN GET MOST OF THIS WORK DONE BEFORE SCHOOL OPENS, BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE IN PART DEPENDENT ON RELEASE AND APPROVAL OF THE BID PROCESS BY THE STATE.
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HANDLES THE FEDERAL PROCESS OR ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SO WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR THEIR APPROVALS TO GET GOING.
BUT THEY'RE READY TO GO HERE IN ABOUT ONE OR TWO WEEKS AND OF COURSE, WE'D FOCUS ON THE MAJOR WORK, WHICH INCLUDES SIDEWALK ON MONROE SOUTH OF 49TH, AND THEN ALSO SIDEWALK ON 47TH BEHIND THE HIGH SCHOOL.
THOSE WOULD BE TWO PRIMARY FOCUS AREAS FOR US TO GET GOING SO THAT WE CAN COMPLETE THAT WORK BEFORE SCHOOL OPENS.
BUT AGAIN, OUR START TIME IS GOING TO BE DEPENDENT IN PART ON WHEN WE GET CLEARANCE FROM MNDOT.
THE BIDS CAME IN CONSISTENT WITH OUR ORIGINAL ESTIMATE AND AGAIN, THIS IS AN 80 20 SPLIT, SO FOR ELIGIBLE ITEMS, THE GRANT PAYS FOR 80% AND THEN BOTH THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND THE CITY OF HILLTOP WILL PAY THE OTHER 20% DEPENDING ON WHERE THE WORK IS DONE, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. JUST TO CLARIFY, IS THE 488,000 THE TOTAL BID, AND WE ARE PAYING 20% OF THAT, OR IS THAT OUR 20%?
>> NO, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THAT IS THE TOTAL BID, SO OUR 20% WOULD BE IN THAT 96,000 RANGE.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR COMMENTS?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AS OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR NOTED, WE HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR THIS, I'M VERY EXCITED.
I'VE SPOKEN WITH THE PTO FAMILIES AT VALLEY VIEW, AND COLUMBIA ACADEMY, AND I HAVE STUDENTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
THESE SIDEWALKS ARE GOING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH MORNING DROP OFF AND FOR PICKUP AND I HOPE THAT IT WORKS WITH MNDOT, BUT I THINK THIS IS REALLY EXCITING TO GET THIS PROJECT UNDERWAY, WHETHER IT'S NOW OR IN SEPTEMBER, AND ALSO TO JUST ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE SPACE FOR THESE PROJECTS AS THEY'RE BEING DONE SO THAT WHEN THE KIDS ARE WALKING FROM SCHOOL, WE CAN HAVE A LOT LESS CONGESTION ON THOSE STREETS AROUND THE SCHOOLS.
>> THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO ADD, I HAVE RECEIVED A FEW PHONE CALLS OVER THE YEARS ABOUT SPECIFICALLY MONROE AND 49TH, AND I KNOW THE COMMUNITY'S BE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THIS HAPPENING THERE.
IT'LL JUST BE SO MUCH SAFER AND HELP WITH THAT CONGESTED TRAFFIC A LOT, SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT COMING IN.
THANK YOU FOR WORKING ON THIS AND GETTING IT TAKEN CARE OF.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? HEARING IS NONE, THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BID.
>> MOVE TO ACCEPT BIDS AND AWARD THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, CITY PROJECT 1807 TO CONCRETE ADA INC OF MAPLE LAKE, MINNESOTA, BASED ON THEIR LOW QUALIFIED RESPONSIBLE BID IN THE AMOUNT OF $480,503.50 WITH ABOUT $390,800 FROM THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT FUNDING, WHICH USES AN 80 20 SPLIT IN THE REMAINING FROM THE PROJECT FUNDS, AND FURTHERMORE, TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE SAME.
>> HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO ACCEPT THE BID.
ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NOT, THEN ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO MORE NEW BUSINESS TO ATTEND.
NEXT, WE GO TO CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
WHO ON THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST?>> COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS. THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS IS LOOKING AT ME.
I GOT TO ATTEND OUR FIRST OF THE MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.
MY SON ENJOYED DANCING TO THE MUSIC AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE UPCOMING ONE THIS WEEK ON WEDNESDAY.
I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH THE HOUSING JUSTICE CENTER ABOUT SOME IDEAS WITH SOME RENTERS THEY HAVE WITH THEIR CURRENT LANDLORD, JUST TRYING TO WORK THROUGH SOME IDEAS AND SEEING WHAT OPTIONS THEY HAVE THERE.
ON SATURDAY, I ATTENDED A MEETING WITH CONGRESSWOMAN OMAR, STATE REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, AND MAYOR OF ST.
ANTHONY WENDY WEBSTER AT THE LEGENDS OF ST. ANTHONY, TALKING TO RESIDENTS ABOUT CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE MOSTLY ABOUT THE COST OF THEIR LIVING AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AS A COUNCIL, AND JUST WHAT CAN WE DO AT THE CITY, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO BEST SUPPORT THEM.
THEN TODAY, I HAD A MEETING WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND THE MAYOR AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BLUE ZONES TO LEARN
[00:45:01]
SOME MORE INFORMATION AND POSSIBILITIES WITHIN THE CITY.WE'LL HAVE SOME GENERAL INFO ABOUT THAT AT THE NEXT WORK SESSION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.
>> A SHORT ONE. I DID MY POLICE RIDE ALONG ON JULY 12TH WITH OFFICER CORTEZ.
I SAID I WANTED TO HEAR SIRENS AND HIS LIGHTS, AND WE HAD SIRENS AND LIGHTS ALL NIGHT LONG.
THERE WERE A COUPLE OF TRAFFIC INCIDENTS AS WELL AS TWO, UNFORTUNATELY, ALMOST AT THE IDENTICAL TIME, TWO SUSPECTED SUBSTANCE OVERDOSES.
GREAT TO BE OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY AND GET TO KNOW OFFICER CORTEZ BETTER.
NATIONAL SUBSTANCE ADDICTION CONFERENCE, I ATTENDED THAT IN LAS VEGAS FROM THE 13TH TO THE 18TH.
I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH GOING ON HERE.
IT WAS A FULL SCHEDULE WITH LOTS OF STUFF TO UNPACK AND REVIEW WHEN I CAME HOME.
I'M VERY HAPPY THAT I ONLY HAD A THREE HOUR DELAY AND NOT A CANCELED FLIGHT BECAUSE THIS MORNING THE NEWS SAID THAT THERE WERE STILL ABOUT 4,000 FLIGHTS AFFECTED, MAINLY DELTA, WHICH IS MY ALMA MATER.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THEIR NEW POSITIONS, AND ALSO TO MITCH FORNEY FOR HIS NEW APPOINTMENT.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU, AND ALSO TO WELCOME TO THOSE NEW PEOPLE ON THE STAFF.
I FACILITATED TWO RESIDENT REACH OUTS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. ALSO A SHORT REPORT.
I WAS UNFORTUNATELY ONE OF THOSE ONES WITH CANCELED FLIGHT.
I WAS IN NEW ORLEANS ALL WEEK FOR THE CONFERENCE, AND THEN WE DIDN'T MAKE IT BACK, SO WE DROVE BACK.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THIS MONTH, I WAS CORRESPONDING WITH A COUPLE OF RESIDENTS ON ALLEY CONDITIONS AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR ROADS.
WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE PROJECTS OF ALLEYS MOVING FORWARD.
BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF ALLEYS THAT NEED WORK, AND IT'S A LONG TERM PLAN.
THEN I SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT ISSUES WITH THEIR NATIVE PLANTINGS AND GRASS.
WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE THEIR GARDENS LOOK WONDERFUL, AND WE CAN INTERACT WITH ALL OF OUR CITY CODE IN A WAY THAT RESIDENTS CAN FEEL UNDERSTOOD WITH THAT.
OTHER THAN THAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
I'VE GOT A FEW PARTIES ON THE SCHEDULE.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO HOST ONE, PLEASE LET US KNOW SO WE CAN STOP BY AND GREET YOUR NEIGHBORS.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
ATTENDED THE MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION BOARD MEETING.
I ATTENDED THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSIONS LIAISON.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY STILL WORKING ON A SUSTAINABILITY PURCHASE POLICY, COMPLETE STREETS POLICY.
SEVERAL OF THEM ARE DOING RESEARCH.
I BELIEVE THEY FOUND AN ORGANIZATION WHERE WE CAN OBTAIN INTERNS TO HELP WITH SOME OF OUR SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS IN OUR CITY.
I ALSO ATTENDED MUSIC IN THE PARK.
I CANNOT PRONOUNCE THE NAME OF THE BAND, IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME.
BUT ANYWAY, IT WAS A SWEDISH STRING BAND THAT WAS REALLY COOL. IT WAS FUN.
I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TRAVEL LATELY, AND IT'S FUN TO HAVE SOME DIFFERENT TYPE OF MUSIC THAT TAKES YOU OUT INTO ANOTHER WORLD. IT WAS REALLY NICE.
IT WAS A VERY NICE EVENING TOO, SO I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
CONTINUING TO VOLUNTEER AT BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDENS.
THINGS ARE GOING WELL. WE'RE KEEPING THE PLANTS THAT WE'VE GOT WEEDED AND MOWED, AND LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON THERE.
I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE AGAIN ALL THE STAFF, MITCH, AND THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT WERE PROMOTED AND THE NEW EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE COME IN.
IT'S VERY EXCITING TO SEE THESE FOLKS WORKING IN OUR CITY.
THEY DO A TREMENDOUS JOB, SO THANKS AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS.
I'VE HAD SOME WORK IN WORKING TOWARDS OUR MONARCH FEST, DOING SOME PLANNING ON THAT WITH WILL AND KAT HERE AT THE CITY.
THAT IS SAVE THE DATE, THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH AT SULLIVAN PARK.
THE MONARCH FESTIVAL IS FROM 5:00 TO 8:00 PM AND IT IS A BILINGUAL FESTIVAL.
I BELIEVE, IT IS ONE OF IF NOT THE ONLY BILINGUAL CITY RUN FESTIVAL IN THE STATE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE CITY AND ROTARY FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND FRIDLEY, AND SISTER CITIES FOR HELP SPONSOR AND HEIGHTS NEXT FOR HELPING SPONSOR THE MONARCH FESTIVAL.
ATTENDED OUR MUSIC IN THE PARK WITH A WONDERFUL BAND THAT WE HAVE A HARD TIME PRONOUNCING THE NAME.
THANKS SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT FOR PUTTING THAT TOGETHER.
ATTENDED THE SILVER LAKE ASSOCIATION PICNIC FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LIVE OVER ON SILVER LAKE.
HAD A MEETING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ANOKA MEDIATION CENTER,
[00:50:04]
LEARNING ABOUT ALL THE WAYS THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.WOULD LOVE TO INVITE THEM TO GIVE A LITTLE PRESENTATION HERE AT A COUNCIL MEETING COMING UP.
ATTENDED OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION MEETING.
JUST SO PROUD OF HOW OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT WORKS TO KEEP THEIR OWN MORALE.
THEY DO SO MUCH WORK TOGETHER.
I DON'T REALLY KNOW. BUT THE ASSOCIATION IS A PART OF THAT, AND THEY REALLY ARE A FAMILY OVER THERE.
I'M HONORED TO BE A PART OF THEIR ASSOCIATION AT THIS TIME AS A VOTING MEMBER, AND HAD THAT MEETING.
ATTENDED THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, A ZOOM MEETING OR TEAMS MEETING THAT HAPPENS MONTHLY WITH OUR POLICE CHIEF.
ATTENDED THE CHARTER MEETING ON BEHALF OF COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, WHO WAS OUT FOR WORK AND WITH THE YOUTH.
ATTENDED THE BLUE ZONES MEETING WITH COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS THIS MORNING.
OF COURSE, MET WITH CITY MANAGER AND THE POLICE CHIEF AND COORDINATED OUR FLAG CEREMONY WITH OUR POLICE, FIRE, AND BOY SCOUT TROOP.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW BUSINESSES IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
IT HAS BEEN A JOY AND JUST SO MUCH FUN TO SEE ALL THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S HAPPENING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO STAFF FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE TO HELP WELCOME THEM HERE.
WE HAVE DIOR COFFEE, THE FIXX COFFEE,GOLDEN NUTS, RAIL WERKS BREWING, YUMMY BITES, LOS CACTUS JUST THIS WEEK.
AM I MISSING ANY? KLASH, THE DRUM STORE, YES.
WE HAVE ANOTHER COFFEE SHOP COMING IN THE FUTURE AS WELL ON 40TH.
NOT ONLY DO WE ALREADY HAVE ALL THESE WONDERFUL STAPLES, EL TEQUILA, MILLERS.
BUT JUST BRINGING IN NEW BUSINESS, I THINK IT'S SO GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S MY REPORT.
NEXT, WE'LL GO TO THE CITY MANAGER.
>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST SOME UPDATES ON UPCOMING EVENTS MOSTLY.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED, BUT THE CITY'S MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES CONTINUES THIS WEEK WITH KATHY G AND THE HOT LEMONS.
THAT'S ON JULY 24TH AT HUSET PARK EAST FROM 6:30 TO 8:00 PM.
THERE'LL BE A FOOD TRACK THERE, CAFE CAIRO.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAIN IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
YOU CAN REGISTER ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A BLOCK PARTY.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS JULY 24TH, WEDNESDAY, AND THAT EVENT IS AGAIN, AUGUST 6TH.
THE CITY'S COMMUNICATION STAFF WON A NORTHERN LIGHTS AWARD AT THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARDS FOR THE SMALL ENTITY.
THIS WAS THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS.
THAT AWARD WAS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CITY PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ARTISTS ON THE ARTWORK IN THE CENTRAL PLACE ROOM.
IF THE COUNCIL RECALLS, THE LOCAL ARTISTS DID THEIR RENDITION AND SPIN ON THE POSTER SERIES AS PART OF THE GRAND OPENING.
VERY PROUD OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT WILL ROTLER AND KAT.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL EAT AND GREET EVENT ON TUESDAY, JULY 30TH FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 AT MCKENNA PARK.
ALL COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN.
THERE'LL BE FOOD, ACTIVITIES, FACE PAINTING, AND MORE.
ANOTHER REMINDER THAT THE CITY IS DEVELOPING A TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACTION PLAN THAT IS EVALUATING THE SAFETY ISSUES FOR PEOPLE DRIVING, WALKING, BIKING, ROLLING, AND USING TRANSIT WITHIN THE CITY, A REALLY COOL INTERACTIVE MAP AVAILABLE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN LEAVE FEEDBACK ABOUT SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT YOU WANT TO BRING TO ATTENTION WITHIN THE CITY.
FINALLY, THE CITY'S PARK AND RECREATION BOARD AND CHARTER COMMISSION EACH CURRENTLY HAVE ONE OPENING.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE OR AT CITY HALL OR THE LIBRARY, AND THEY'RE DUE BY AUGUST 1ST. THANK YOU.
NOW IT BRINGS US TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
[COMMUNITY FORUM]
DO WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN TONIGHT'S COMMUNITY FORUM?>> NO ONE HAS TURNED IN A FORM TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, THEN IF YOU CAN TURN A FORM IN.
THEY'RE RIGHT BY THE FRONT DOOR. WE'LL JUST WAIT FOR YOU.
THANK YOU. RIGHT OUTSIDE ON THAT LITTLE ROUND TABLE.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING? WE WILL JUST WAIT FOR OUR ONE GUEST.
[00:55:14]
>> HELLO. THANK YOU. YES. YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME TO THE PODIUM.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF. THAT'S QUITE ALRIGHT.
>> I'VE GOT SOME HANDOUTS. CAN I GIVE THEM TO THESE GENTLEMEN?
>> WE DON'T ACCEPT THEM DURING YOUR SPEECH, BUT IF YOU JUST WANT TO SPEAK FIRST, YOU CAN LEAVE THEM.
>> SURE. MY NAME IS DERREK LINN.
I'M FROM ASIT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS REMEMBER SEEING ME.
I'M WITH A CITIZEN ADVOCATE GROUP FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY.
WE'VE JUST BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITIES IN THE COUNTY ON THINGS WITH OUR ELECTIONS THAT WE'RE HOPING TO IMPROVE ON.
THE REASON I'M HERE TONIGHT I GOT SOME NEWS FOR YOU.
BUT FIRST, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
WE'RE ASKING IF WE CAN COME BACK AND GIVE A PRESENTATION.
WE'VE GIVEN FIVE OF THESE PRESENTATIONS SO FAR WITH FIVE CITIES WERE SCHEDULED FOR TWO MORE, AND THEY RANGE FROM 20 MINUTES TO 45 MINUTES.
THEY'RE JUST THINGS ABOUT HOW YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER PARTS OF THE ELECTION HERE AT THE CITY LEVEL.
DURING THAT PRESENTATION, BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS AND STUFF FROM US.
ASIT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR TWO YEARS NOW OR WE GOT TWO YEARS COMING UP NEXT MONTH.
WE JUST HAD TO WRITE UP IN THE NEWSPAPER AND THE OTHER NEWS THAT WAS ALPHA NEWS, LIZ COLLIN.
THE OTHER NEWS THAT I HAVE FOR YOU IS TWO CITIES HAVE ALREADY PASSED RESOLUTIONS TO EXTEND THE POST ELECTION REVIEW.
THAT INFORMATION IS GOING TO BE IN THIS PAPER HERE, SO YOU CAN SEE THAT.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS, DURING THE ELECTION, THEY'RE GOING TO RUN THE ELECTION THROUGH THE MACHINES BECAUSE THAT'S MANDATED BY THE STATE, YOU HAVE TO USE THE MACHINES TO TABULATE THE VOTE.
BUT AFTER THE ELECTION, THEY WANT TO GO DOWN TO THE COUNTY 10 DAYS LATER AND HAND COUNT THE VOTES JUST TO SEE IF THEY GET THE SAME TOTAL, JUST TO BE SURE.
REAL QUICK, A COUPLE OF QUOTES FROM THE PEOPLE THAT PASSED THAT, THE MAYOR OF OAK GROVE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE CITIES.
HE SAID, ''I JUST WANT MY CITIZENS TO KNOW THAT THEIR VOTE COUNTS SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING THIS DOUBLE CHECK THING.'' DEB MUSGROVE FROM RAMSEY CITY COUNCIL, THAT'S THE SECOND CITY THAT PASSED THIS RESOLUTION.
SHE SAID, ''WE DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING.
WHY DON'T WE DOUBLE CHECK OUR VOTES? '' THEN ANOTHER MAYOR SAID, '' WE SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUR BUDGET.
WE CAN AFFORD A FEW THOUSAND DOLLAR TO HAND COUNTS OF VOTES AFTERWARDS TOO.'' THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.
DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? I KNOW YOU PROBABLY WEREN'T EXPECTING ME TO SHOW UP TONIGHT AND SAY THIS.
>> AGAIN, WE WANT TO DO A PRESENTATION.
I KNOW YOU GOT TO THINK ABOUT IT.
OUR INFORMATION WILL BE ON HERE, AND THEN YOU CAN GET BACK TO US IF YOU WANT TO.
WE'RE GOING TO EVERY CITY AND YOU'RE ONE OF 21.
APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY. I WAS COMING FROM ANOTHER CITY.
>> THAT'S JUST FINE. THANK YOU.
YES. YOU CAN SET THEM WITH THE CITY CLERK THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING? THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD NIGHT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.