Aug 12, 2024 City Council

>> THANK YOU. HELLO. MY NAME IS AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA,

[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

[00:00:04]

WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 12TH.

COULD WE PLEASE HAVE A ROLL CALL?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS.

>> HERE.

>> MAYOR MARQUEZ SIMULA.

>> HERE. THANK YOU.

IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, PLEASE JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

NEXT, WE HAVE OUR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE. [OVERLAPPING]

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, I HAVE OUR PROCLAMATIONS,

[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]

FIRST, I HAVE OUR MONARCH BUTTERFLY DAY PROCLAMATION.

WE JUST HAD OUR MONARCH FESTIVAL THIS PAST THURSDAY.

IT IS A BILINGUAL EVENT WITH OUR CITY.

LAST YEAR UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD TO CANCEL IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT.

IT WAS JUST TOO HOT TO HAVE IT.

BUT BEFORE THAT WE'D HAD TWO YEARS IN A ROW, AND IT GREW EVERY YEAR.

WE'RE SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT OUR COMMUNITY DOES TO HELP TAKE CARE OF OUR POLLINATORS AND OUR MONARCHS.

A PART OF THE MAYOR'S MONARCH PLEDGE, WHICH IS A NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION PROGRAM, IS THAT EVERY YEAR THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROCLAMATION, IN SOME WAY HIGHLIGHTING THE WORK WE DO TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN MONARCHS.

THIS IS OUR PROCLAMATION FOR THIS YEAR.

THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY DAY, AUGUST 8TH, WHICH WAS THE DAY OF OUR FESTIVAL LAST WEEK.

THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY, A SYMBOL OF NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE, IS RENOWN FOR ITS INCREDIBLE MIGRATION AND TRANSFORMATION.

TWENTY YEARS AGO, OVER ONE BILLION EASTERN MONARCH BUTTERFLIES MIGRATED TO MEXICO.

BUT BY THE WINTER OF 2014, ONLY 60 MILLION MADE THE TRIP, MARKING A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION DECLINE.

CITIES, TOWNS, AND COUNTIES PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SAVING THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY.

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS COMMITTED TO THIS CAUSE.

RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLANT NATIVE MILKWEED AND NECTAR PLANTS TO CREATE HABITATS FOR MONARCHS AND OTHER POLLINATORS.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE MAYOR'S MONARCH PLEDGE, A PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, DEDICATING TO PROTECTING ENDANGERED POLLINATORS.

THE CITY PROUDLY HOSTS A BILINGUAL MONARCH FESTIVAL IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

THIS FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT CELEBRATES POLLINATORS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION TO PRESERVE THESE VITAL CREATURES.

THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY IS A SEASONAL IMMIGRANT TO MINNESOTA, SYMBOLIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF GLOBAL COOPERATION IN PRESERVING OUR SHARED ENVIRONMENT.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AUGUST 8TH, 2024, AS MONARCH BUTTERFLY DAY, AND URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN IN EFFORTS TO CREATE AND PROTECT HABITATS FOR THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY AND OTHER POLLINATORS.

[APPLAUSE] I WILL ADD THAT THE REASON IT'S A BILINGUAL FESTIVAL IS THE FACT THAT AS POINTED OUT, MONARCHS DO GO TO [INAUDIBLE] IN MEXICO, AND THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE IN THE WINTER, AND SO IT IS AN IMMIGRANT SPECIES THAT TRAVELS THROUGHOUT THE US.

SPECIFICALLY, THE MINNESOTA SPECIES GOES TO MEXICO, AND ON THE EASTERN COAST.

BUT THERE IS A CALIFORNIA SPECIES THAT JUST STAYS ON THE WEST COAST.

BUT THESE ARE VERY SPECIAL TO NORTH AMERICA, AND SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT AS COMFORTABLE WITH BEES, AND SO PROTECTING MONARCH BUTTERFLIES REALLY HELPS OUR ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN GET AROUND BUTTERFLIES, SOMETIMES MORE THAN BEES.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE STAFF SUPPORT AND HELP WITH THAT MONARCH FESTIVAL.

WE REACHED OUT AND HAD OVER A DOZEN DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AT THE FESTIVAL, INCLUDING THE ANOKA COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, EXTENSIONS OFFICE, AND MANY OTHER GROUPS.

SO LOTS OF PEOPLE COULD LEARN A LOT ABOUT BUTTERFLIES AND GARDENING AS WELL.

[00:05:06]

BEFORE I READ THE PROCLAMATION, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST SHARE THE REASONS THAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS TOPIC HEAD OF PROCLAMATION.

I REALLY WANT TO HONOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AS A PART OF THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY CARRY OUR HISTORY, SHARE THEIR WISDOM, AND REMAIN PILLARS OF STRENGTH.

UNFORTUNATELY, SOCIETY OFTEN OVERLOOKS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

I'VE BEEN DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE INSENSITIVE REMARKS MADE ABOUT OUR ELDERS, PARTICULARLY REGARDING DEMENTIA, ALZHEIMER'S, AND EVEN OUR PRESIDENT.

ON THIS SENIOR CITIZENS DAY, LET'S CHALLENGE AGEISM AND CELEBRATE THE IMMENSE VALUE OUR SENIORS BRING.

I AM PROUD TO INVITE MY FRIENDS FROM THE LEGENDS HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, REPRESENTED BY JULIE ZAP, TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY SENIORS.

ON AUGUST 19TH, 1988, PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN PROCLAIMED AUGUST 21ST, AS NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY, A DAY TO RECOGNIZE AND SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THE VALUE AND CONTRIBUTION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE TO THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

THROUGHOUT HISTORY OLDER PEOPLE HAVE ACHIEVED MUCH FOR OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND COUNTRY.

THAT REMAINS TRUE TODAY AND GIVES US AMPLE REASON THIS YEAR TO RESERVE A SPECIAL DAY IN HONOR OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS WHO MEAN SO MUCH TO OUR LAND.

WITH IMPROVED HEALTHCARE AND MORE YEARS OF PRODUCTIVITY, OLDER CITIZENS ARE REINFORCING THEIR HISTORICAL ROLES AS LEADERS AND LINKS WITH OUR PATRIMONY AND SENSE OF PURPOSE AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A NATION.

MANY OLDER PEOPLE ARE EMBARKING ON SECOND CAREERS, GIVING YOUNGER AMERICANS A FINE EXAMPLE OF RESPONSIBILITY, RESOURCEFULNESS, COMPETENCE, AND DETERMINATION.

MORE THAN 4.5 MILLION SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SERVING AS VOLUNTEERS IN VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT EVERY SECTOR OF SOCIETY.

WHEREVER THE NEED EXISTS, OLDER PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR PRESENCE FELT FOR THEIR GOOD AND THAT OF OTHERS.

FOR ALL THEY HAVE ACHIEVED THROUGHOUT LIFE, AND FOR ALL THEY CONTINUE TO ACCOMPLISH, WE OWE OLDER CITIZENS OUR THANKS AND A HEARTFELT SALUTE.

WE CAN BEST DEMONSTRATE OUR GRATITUDE AND ESTEEM BY MAKING SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE GOOD PLACES IN WHICH TO MATURE AND GROW OLDER.

PLACES IN WHICH OLDER PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE TO THE FULLEST AND CAN FIND THE ENCOURAGEMENT, ACCEPTANCE, ASSISTANCE, AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO CONTINUE TO LEAD LIVES.

THEREFORE, I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, PROCLAIM AUGUST 21ST, 2024, AS SENIOR CITIZEN DAY, IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COUNTY OF ANOKA, STATE OF MINNESOTA, USA.

[APPLAUSE] I'D LIKE TO WELCOME JULIE ZAP, UP TO THE PODIUM TO RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION.

>> [BACKGROUND] [INAUDIBLE] IT SO GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, LEGENDS, AND OTHER SENIOR CITIZENS IN OUR CITY AS WELL.

SENIOR CITIZENS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR MAYOR, OUR CITY COUNCIL, POLICE AND FIRE CHIEFS, AND ALSO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO WORK ON BEHALF OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN, AND OTHERS AS WELL THAT I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD THEIR SUPPORT.

WE'RE ALSO VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU DO ON BEHALF OF SENIORS IN OUR CITY.

THERE'S ONE OTHER THING I WANT YOU TO KNOW.

IT'S LIKE GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE, MAYOR.

BECAUSE I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A WONDERFUL GROUP OF RESIDENTS IN OUR BUILDING.

THEY WORK DILIGENTLY TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY COLLECT TOYS AND GIFTS AT CHRISTMAS TIME,

[00:10:05]

THEY RECENTLY DONATED PRODUCTS AND CLOTHES TO ALEXANDER HOUSE.

WE HAVE SOME VERY TALENTED RESIDENTS AND SOME KNIT CUTE LITTLE HATS FOR PREMIES IN HOSPITALS, OR MAKE WONDERFUL BLANKETS FOR CHEMOTHERAPY PATIENTS, AND EVEN ONE RESIDENT WHO MAKES HANDMADE CARDS TO GIVE TO THE NURSING HOME FOR RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE.

THOSE ARE JUST A FEW THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING TO TRY TO KEEP PUTTING BACK IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE DO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] THANK YOU ALL. NEXT, WE HAVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

TO THE CITY MANAGER, COULD YOU PLEASE GO OVER THE ITEMS?

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

ITEM 1 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE JULY 22ND, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 2 IS APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 4TH, 2024 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 3 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE APRIL 18TH, 2024 CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 4 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JULY 1ST EDA MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 5 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE MAY 7TH, 2024 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 6 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JUNE 5TH, 2024 LIBRARY BOARD MINUTES.

ITEM 7 IS ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2024-58, APPOINTING PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBER BRIAN TIM.

ITEM 8 IS A CORRECTIVE RESOLUTION FOR A MINOR SUBDIVISION, OR LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT, FOR THE LOTS AT 334 AND 344 48TH AVENUE NORTHEAST.

THIS IS A CLERICAL CORRECTION FOR A SURVEY THAT WAS SUBMITTED WITH A MINOR SUBDIVISION IN APRIL OF 2024.

THE COUNTY HAS RECORDED THE CORRECT SURVEY, BUT TITLE COMPANY HAS IDENTIFIED A DISCREPANCY, AND THEREFORE THE COUNCIL IS BEING ASKED TO FIX THE RESOLUTION CLOSING THE LOOP ON THAT CLERICAL ERROR.

ITEM 9 IS RENEWAL OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE CITY'S MAILING EQUIPMENT WITH [INAUDIBLE] LEASING.

THE CITY'S LEASE CURRENTLY GOES THROUGH THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, AND THIS WOULD RENEW FOR ANOTHER FIVE-YEAR TERM.

ITEM 10 IS THE LICENSING AGENDA, JUST MOVING THE BUSINESS LICENSES FORWARD FOR APPROVAL BY THE COUNCIL.

ITEM 11 ARE THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.

FINALLY, ITEM 12 IS A REVIEW OF THE BILLS,

[00:15:01]

>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING AS NOT, THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED?

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

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

>> AYE. [OVERLAPPING]

>> ANY OPPOSE? THEN MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.

[PUBLIC HEARINGS]

SPEAKERS IN PERSON ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE A SPEAKER FORM AND SUBMIT IT TO THE CITY CLERK.

IF ANYONE HERE IN THE CHAMBER WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 13 OR 14, THERE ARE FORMS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR.

THERE'S A ROUND TABLE, AND YOU MAY FILL THAT IN IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK.

THEN HAND IT TO THE CITY CLERK WHO'S SITTING AT THE END HERE.

>> WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 13, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2024-50, REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 3849 EDGMORE PLACE, NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODE.

WE HAVE CHIEF THOMPSON HERE TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM.

>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THIS IS ACTUALLY A CONTINUATION FROM THE JUNE 24TH COUNCIL MEETING.

IT WAS TABLED AT THAT TIME.

ON JUNE 25TH, WE DID SCHEDULE A REINSPECTION OF THE PROPERTY.

HOWEVER, DUE TO AN INCIDENT RESPONSE THAT DAY, WE WERE UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO EDGMORE PLACE.

WE RESCHEDULED IT FOR 7-1.

WHEN WE ARRIVED, WE FOUND UNITS 1 AND 2 WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION DUE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK INSIDE THE BUILDING.

WE DID REINSPECT ON 8-1, AND THE INSPECTORS WERE UNABLE TO GAIN ACCESS.

NO ONE WAS THERE TO ALLOW THEM IN.

TO DATE, THE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE COMPLETED.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE VIOLATIONS.

VIOLATION 2, INSPECTION ACCESS, WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IN OR ACCESS TO THE BUILDING TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF THE BUILDING.

VIOLATION 3, IT'S A STORAGE VIOLATION, YOU SHOULD SECURE ALL STORAGE LOCKERS OR SHALL REMOVE ALL COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL FROM THE OPEN LOCKERS.

THAT IS STILL UNSATISFACTORY.

MADAM MAYOR WITH THAT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I OPEN UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF, OR COULD I OPEN THIS AS A PUBLIC HEARING? SEEING THERE'S NONE, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS?

>> THERE IS NO ONE ONLINE, AND NO ONE HAS TURNED IN A SHEET TO SPEAK.

>> ONE MORE TIME, I'LL JUST ASK THE COUNCIL IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF.

SEEING NONE, AND THEN ALSO IN DUE DILIGENCE, JUST TO ASK THE CITY CLERK AGAIN, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

>> THERE'S NO ONE ONLINE.

>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, THIS ITEM IS FOR 3849 EDGMORE PLACE, NORTHEAST.

I SEE AS NO ONE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-050, THERE BEING COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARING IS NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

THEN NEXT MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-050, BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.

>> SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION OF REVOCATION.

ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARING AS NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, CHIEF.

NEXT, WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 14, CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 2024-57, REVOCATION OF THE LICENSE TO OPERATE RENTAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AGAINST THIS RENTAL PROPERTY AT 4207 AND 4209 SECOND STREET NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODES. CHIEF.

>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL,

[00:20:03]

THE LETTERS WERE MAILED BY REGULAR MAIL TO THE OWNERS AT THE ADDRESS LISTED ON THE PROPERTY RECORDS.

ON JULY 15, 2024, INSPECTION OFFICE STAFF REVIEWED THE PROPERTY FILE AND NOTED THAT THE PROPERTY REMAINED UNLICENSED.

THE STATEMENT OF CAUSE WAS MAILED BY REGULAR MAIL AND THE OWNER OF THE ADDRESS THAT WE HAVE ON PROPERTY.

TO DATE, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY CONTACT WITH THE HOMEOWNER NOR HAVE WE HAD APPLICATION SUBMITTED.

CURRENTLY, THE RENEWAL PROCESS WAS NOT INITIATED, THE APPLICATION WAS NOT SUBMITTED, AND WE HAVE OUTSTANDING FEES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PAID.

WITH THAT, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, OPEN THAT UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. I SEE A QUESTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER JAMES.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANKS TO CHIEF FOR THIS INFORMATION.

HAS THIS ADDRESS RECEIVED A PRIOR REVOCATION OR IS THIS THE FIRST REVOCATION THAT THEY WOULD HAVE?

>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, BASED ON THE INFORMATION I HAVE HERE, AND THIS GOES BACK TO 2021, I'M NOT SEEING A REVOCATION IN HERE.

MY STAFF DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY TELL ME THAT WE DID NOT HAVE ONE, BUT I'M LOOKING AT ALL THE VIOLATIONS THROUGH 2021, COUNCILMEMBER JAMES.

>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEF? HEARING AS NONE, AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO TO THE CITY CLERK, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

>> NO ONE HAS PRESENTED A FORM AND NO ONE IS ONLINE.

>> I'LL JUST REPEAT TO OUR COUNCIL CHAMBERS THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING ITEM NUMBER 14, THE RENTAL PROPERTY AT 4207 AND 4209 SECOND STREET NORTHEAST FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL MAINTENANCE CODES.

THEN HEARING AS NO ONE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-57, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-57, BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS APPROVING REVOCATION PURSUANT TO CITY CODE OF THE RENTAL LICENSE LISTED.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUESGENS, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING AS NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU, CHIEF. NEXT, UNDER OUR ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION,

[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]

THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1700, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 9, LAND USE: 9.103 DEFINITIONS, 9.104 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, 9.105 NON-CONFORMITIES, 9.106 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.107 SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.109 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, 9.110 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, AND 9.111 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.

TAKING US THROUGH THIS IS ANDREW BOUCHER, OUR CITY PLANNER.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL, BEFORE YOU, YOU HAVE A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 9 LAND USE.

AT THE JULY WORK SESSION, CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED THE POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 9 LAND USE AND DIRECTED STAFF TO PREPARE A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT APPLICATION FOR THE AUGUST 7, 2024 PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 6-0.

ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIRED FINDINGS PER 9.104F.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THE PROPOSED TEXT CHANGES INCLUDES AMENDING THE FOLLOWING CITY CODE SECTIONS: 9.103 DEFINITIONS, 9.104 ADMINISTRATION ENFORCEMENT, 9.105 NON-CONFORMITIES, 9.106 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.107 SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AND THEN 9.109 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, 9.110 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, AND 9.111 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.

I'LL TAKE YOU THROUGH THESE ITEM BY ITEM.

[00:25:01]

STAFF FELT THAT IT MADE SENSE THAT WE PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR ALL THESE USES THAT ARE ALLOWED IN THE CITY, WHETHER THEY BE PERMITTED CONDITIONAL OR INTERIM USES.

REVISIONS OF EXISTING DEFINITIONS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN LAW OR TRENDS.

OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL HELPED US CRAFT THE LANGUAGE FOR TOWNHOUSE DWELLING DEFINITIONS, AND THEN ADVISED US ON THE UPDATES TO THE RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES LAW, BASICALLY EXEMPTING RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES SERVING SIX OR FEWER PEOPLE.

WE BASICALLY HAVE TO TREAT THEM AS THOUGH THEY ARE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTS AND NOT IMPOSE ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT WE DON'T ON SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES.

THEN ESTABLISHING DEFINITIONS FOR RENTAL UNIT, ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, SHARED FAMILY LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, AND PUBLIC ARTS.

THEN IN YOUR PACKET CONTAINS ALL OF THE DEFINITIONS THAT WE ARE EITHER AMENDING, REMOVING, OR ESTABLISHING.

9.104 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE AMENDED TO ALLOW FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR OF MINOR SUBDIVISIONS OR LOT SPLITS, IF THERE'S NOT AN ADDITIONAL DEDICATION OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY OR A CHANGE IN EXISTING STREETS, ALLEYS, WATER, SANITARY, OR STORM SEWER, OR OTHER PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

I'VE BEEN IN PLACES WHERE WE'VE DONE IT BOTH WAYS, BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENTS, LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS, MINOR SUBDIVISIONS.

SOME PLACES I'VE BEEN AT HAVE DONE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THESE ITEMS. OTHERS HAVE ALLOWED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.

A LOT OF THE MINOR SUBDIVISIONS THAT I THINK THAT WE'VE SEEN COME FORTH SO FAR ARE JUST THE ADJUSTMENT OF LOT LINES.

SO WE FEEL LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE ADMINISTRATIVELY AND REDUCE SOME BARRIERS TO APPLICANTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THAT.

9.105 NON-CONFORMITIES IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE AMENDED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH MSA STATUTE 462.357 OFFICIAL CONTROLS REGARDING THE DAMAGED OR DESTRUCTION OF NONCONFORMING USES.

WE JUST WANTED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE STATE STATUTE REQUIRES. THE NEXT ONE.

AS WE GO INTO GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.106, WE'RE PROPOSING TO AMEND THE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE AND USES LANGUAGE, SPECIFICALLY RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, REMOVING THE BUILDING COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS, AND THEN THE LANGUAGE REQUIRING ANY ACCESSORY STRUCTURES OVER 120 SQUARE FEET TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT.

PER THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, WE DO NOT PERMIT STRUCTURES UNDER 200 SQUARE FEET, WE DON'T REQUIRE A BUILDING PERMIT FOR THOSE.

SO THAT'S JUST SOME INCONSISTENCIES IN CODE LANGUAGE THAT NEED TO BE CLEANED UP.

THE SAME GOES FOR NONRESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES LANGUAGE BEING AMENDED FROM 120 SQUARE FEET TO 200, JUST REFLECTING WHAT WE CAN REQUIRE PERMITS FOR AND WHAT WE DON'T.

CONTINUING WITH GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, THE DWELLINGS LANGUAGE, THERE'S SOME AMENDMENTS BEING PROPOSED TO REMOVE THE NO ACCESSORY BUILDING SHALL BE USED AT ANY TIME AS A DWELLING UNIT.

THIS WOULD PROVIDE A PATHWAY FOR DETACHED ACCESSORY STRUCTURES TO BE USED AS ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS WHILE KEEPING THE RESTRICTION ON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.

WE WOULD STILL PROHIBIT THOSE FROM BEING USED AS A STANDALONE DWELLING UNIT.

THEN THE REMOVAL OF THE UNRELATED OCCUPANCY LANGUAGE THAT NO MORE THAN THREE UNRELATED ADULTS SHALL BE TENANTS IN ANY SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.

JUST A RESPONSE TO THE CURRENT TRENDS THAT WE'RE SEEING IN HOUSING AND JUST THE NEED TO BETTER SERVE MORE DIVERSE POPULATIONS AND RESPOND TO HOUSING NEEDS IN GENERAL.

NEXT IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS WITHIN THE ACCESSORY STRUCTURE LANGUAGE.

AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT SHALL ONLY BE ACCESSORY USE TO ANY LOT WITH A DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.

WE FELT THAT AS STAFF, THIS MADE MORE SENSE TO ALLOW IT AS ACCESSORY USE TO ANY SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS VERSUS IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC ZONES THAT THESE SHOULD BE LOCATED IN.

NO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT SHALL BE PERMITTED UPON A LOT WHICH MORE THAN ONE DWELLING UNIT IS LOCATED, AND NO MORE THAN ONE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT SHALL BE PERMITTED PER LOT.

[00:30:02]

IT'S VERY CLEARLY A PERMITTED ACCESSORY USE FOR A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.

EITHER THE ADU OR THE PRINCIPAL DWELLING SHALL BE OCCUPIED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER, AND A RESTRICTION SHALL BE RECORDED AGAINST THE PROPERTY OWNER REQUIRING OWNER OCCUPANCY FOR AT LEAST ONE OF THE UNITS, AND THEN A RENTAL LICENSE IS REQUIRED FOR THE NON-OWNER OCCUPIED UNIT AS IS REQUIRED.

BOTH THE SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AND THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT TOGETHER SHALL PROVIDE ADEQUATE OFF STREET PARKING ON THE LOT.

PARKING SPACES MAY BE GARAGE SPACES OR PAVED OUTDOOR SPACES.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 250 SQUARE FEET AND A MAXIMUM OF 50% OF THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THE PRINCIPAL DWELLING UP TO 1,900 SQUARE FEET.

AD USE IN MINNESOTA MUST ADHERE TO THE MINNESOTA STATE BUILDING CODE, WHICH INCLUDES FIRE SEPARATION FOR ATTACHED UNITS, SAFE EGRESS AND ENTRANCES, AND PROPER WATER AND SEWER CONNECTIONS.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS WITHIN OR ATTACHED TO THE PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE SHALL CONFORM TO THE ZONING CODE, STANDARDS FOR SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SETBACK, HEIGHT, AND IMPERVIOUS SURFACE REQUIREMENTS, CURB CUT, AND DRIVEWAY REQUIREMENTS, AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE STANDARDS IF THE UNIT IS DETACHED.

THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT IS SUBJECT TO CURRENT BUILDING, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, AND FIRE CODE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING MAINTAINING EMERGENCY ACCESS TO BOTH UNITS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE WORKED WITH BOTH THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON JUST TO TRY TO MAKE IT SO THE ZONING REGULATIONS WERE NOT MORE PROHIBITIVE THAN WHAT THE BUILDING CODE AND THE FIRE CODE REQUIRE.

WE WANTED THOSE TO BE IN SYNC.

>> GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IS TO BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS, LAND ALTERATIONS, REQUIRING A LAND USE LAND ALTERATION PERMIT FOR THE PLACEMENT, REMOVAL, OR GRADING OF ANY PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSES OF INSTALLING ARTIFICIAL TURF OR OTHER SURFACE THAT MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL REVIEW OF PERMEABILITY AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ILLICIT DISCHARGE.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A LAND APPLICATION OR LAND ALTERATION PERMIT WILL INCLUDE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION SHEETS SHOWING PERMEABILITY, MATERIAL USED, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ILLICIT DISCHARGE.

WE ALREADY HAVE A PROCESS BAKED INTO OUR CODE FOR LAND DISTURBANCE.

WE FELT THAT WITH THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING TURF, YOU ARE ALTERING THE LAND AND THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROCESS TO BASICALLY REVIEW THE MATERIAL AND JUST ASSESS IT FOR PERMEABILITY, MAKING SURE THAT IT DOESN'T CHANGE DRAINAGE PATTERNS AND ALLOWS FOR WATER TO FLOW THROUGH APPROPRIATELY, AND THEN TO UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL OF THESE MATERIALS USED AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ILLICIT DISCHARGES.

BASICALLY, IF WHAT THEY'RE MADE OUT OF AND WHAT THEY'RE TREATED WITH, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO ILLICIT DISCHARGES TO THE STORM WATER SYSTEM.

CONTINUING OFF STREET PARKING AND LOADING THE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF PARKING FACILITIES, ESTABLISHING A SETBACK REQUIREMENT, STATING THAT NO MORE THAN 50% OF THE FRONT YARD SETBACK SHALL BE PAVED FOR PARKING PURPOSES.

OF STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS.

THIS IS ANOTHER CLEANUP ITEM FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES, ESTABLISHING THAT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACILITIES SERVING SIX OR FEWER PEOPLE.

THAT HAS THE PARKING REQUIREMENT THAT A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE WOULD HAVE.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE CAN'T IMPOSE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BEYOND WHAT WE REQUIRE FOR A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTS.

THEN MAKING THAT DISTINCTION BETWEEN CARE FACILITIES SERVING SEVEN OR MORE, THAT HAS THE REGULAR REQUIREMENT OF ONE PER EMPLOYEE, ONE PER EVERY SIX RESIDENTS.

WE JUST WANTED TO SEPARATE THOSE IN CODE TO INDICATE THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO.

TREE PRESERVATION AND PLANTING STANDARDS.

WE JUST WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENT LANGUAGE FOR SETBACKS INCLUDED LANGUAGE THAT STATES ARTIFICIAL TURF SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A PREVIOUS GROUND COVER UNLESS A LAND DISTURBANCE PERMIT IS ISSUED AND APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.

WE WORKED WITH ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS JUST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS WERE AND TRY TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THOSE TO THE ZONING CODE.

BUILDING DESIGN IS BEING AMENDED OR PROPOSED TO BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE STATING THAT THE DESIGN GUIDELINES SHALL NOT PROHIBIT PUBLIC ART AND THAT PUBLIC ART SHALL BE ALLOWED TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE BUILDING DESIGN AND MAY INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO PAINTED BLOCK,

[00:35:02]

PUBLIC ART SHALL BE ENCOURAGED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL DESIGN GUIDELINE REQUIREMENTS AND THEN CONTINUING WITH PUBLIC ART, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WAS EXEMPTED FROM SIGN REGULATIONS.

SO LONG AS ONLY THE PORTION OF THE ARTWORK DISPLAYING THE NAME OF THE BUSINESS SHALL COUNT TOWARDS THE OVERALL SIGN AREA.

OUR ZONING CODE DEFINED SIGN AREA, AND SO I FEEL LIKE THERE IS ADEQUATE LANGUAGE CURRENTLY TO BASICALLY DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WHAT'S ART AND THEN WHAT IS ACTUALLY BUSINESS SIGNAGE.

THEN CONTINUING ON THAT NOTE, WE ARE PROPOSING TO REMOVE LANGUAGE IN PROHIBITED SIGNS, STATING THAT A SIGN OR GRAPHICS PANT DIRECTLY ON ANY EXTERIOR SURFACE OF A BUILDING OR STRUCTURE.

IT JUST BASICALLY CLEANS UP SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED PUBLIC ART FROM BEING USED ON A BUILDING, 9.107 SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS WE'RE PROPOSING TO MAKE TO FOLLOW SUIT WITH THE PREVIOUS TWO ZONING TAX AMENDMENTS THAT WE PROCESSED AND APPROVED FOR DAYCARE FUNCTIONS.

RIGHT NOW, HOME DAYCARE IS THE ONLY OF OUR THREE DAYCARE USES, WHERE IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR A WRITTEN PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED TO PROPOSE TO USE A PARK WITHIN 1,500 FEET OF THE FACILITY.

THIS WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE OTHER TWO ZONING TAX AMENDMENTS THAT WERE PROCESSED AND APPROVED.

ONE MOST RECENTLY EARLIER THIS SUMMER.

THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN USES THAT EITHER HAVE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS THAT ARE ENCOMPASSED ELSEWHERE IN THE ZONING CODE OR REALLY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE ENFORCED.

SOME OF THESE ARE FIREWORKS TENTS, LIMITED FOOD SERVICE, LIKE COFFEE SHOP OR DELI, FOOD SERVICE, FULL SERVICE, LIKE A RESTAURANT OR A NIGHTCLUB, GREENHOUSES, RESIDENTIAL, OUTDOOR, AGRICULTURAL SALES, OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS TREE SALES, AND PARKING RAMPS.

RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES, AS I MENTIONED, ANY FACILITIES SERVING SIX OR FEWER PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO BE SUBJECT TO THE DISTANCE RADIUS REQUIREMENTS.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE LANGUAGE THAT SAYS THAT IF THE USE IS LOCATED AT LEAST ONE QUARTER MILE FROM ALL EXISTING FACILITIES, THEY BASICALLY DON'T ALLOW FOR NEW ONES.

THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE BECAUSE OF THE LAW THE STATE PASSED LAST YEAR, AND WE HAVE TO TREAT THESE AS IF THEY WERE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES.

SEVEN OR MORE ARE STILL SUBJECT TO THE SAME DISTANCE REQUIREMENT, SO WE JUST MAKE THAT CARVE OUT FOR SIX OR FEWER RESIDENTS.

THE OTHER ADDITION IS, AS I MENTIONED, WE REMOVING SEA TEMPORARY USES AND ENCOMPASSING THEM UNDER A SEASONAL SALES TERM, AND THAT BASICALLY ENCOMPASSES ALL THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE REQUIRE FOR TEMPORARY OR SEASONAL SALES WITH ONE OF THEM BEING SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARDS FIREWORKS TENTS, AND THAT BASICALLY ENCOMPASSES THE TWO CONDITIONS THAT WE HAVE FOR FIREWORKS TENTS.

GOING INTO THE DISTRICTS NOW.

WE ARE PROPOSING TO REMOVE THE PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES LANGUAGE FROM EACH INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL THE SAME USES, AND HAVING THAT BE PART OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS DETAILING THE PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES.

THE ONLY NEW ADDITIONS TO THOSE ARE THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND SHARED FAMILY LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.

CONTINUING WITH RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, WE'RE PROPOSING TO CLEAN UPS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PROPERTIES THAT WERE PLATTED BEFORE THE CURRENT ZONING CODE, AND THEY WERE PLOTTED OR PLATTED AT LOT SIZES AND LOT WIDTHS THAT ARE BELOW OUR CURRENT MINIMUMS. WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT ESSENTIALLY MAKES ALL OF THESE PROPERTIES LEGALLY NON CONFORMING.

TO DO SOMETHING LIKE AN ADU OR TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THAT HOUSE THAT WOULD EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT, IT'S CURRENTLY PROHIBITED.

BECAUSE A NUMBER OF THESE LOTS WERE PLATED THAT WAY, THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES IN THE CITY.

I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT NUMBER FOR YOU, I APOLOGIZE.

BUT THAT WAS JUST SOMETHING WE OBSERVED JUST LOOKING AT THE ZONING MAP AND THEN DEALING WITH PROBLEMS OR JUST INQUIRIES ON PROPERTIES IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

STAFF IS RECOMMENDING WE BASICALLY USE THE SAME LANGUAGE THAT WE USED TO PERMIT DUPLEXES AND THE R2B BUILT AS DUPLEX DISTRICT.

IF THESE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE R2A, R2,

[00:40:05]

WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT BASICALLY GRANDFATHERS THEM IN FROM WHEN THEY WERE PLATTED AND REMOVES THAT LEGAL LEGALLY NON CONFORMING STATUS FROM THEM AND WOULD ALLOW THEM TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, MAKE ADDITIONS, BUILD GARAGES, OFF STREET PARKING.

IT ADDRESSES, I FEEL LIKE A NUMBER OF THE ISSUES WE SEE COME UP AS A RESULT OF THAT.

USING THAT EXISTING LANGUAGE THAT WE USE FOR DUPLEXES, STAFF FELT THAT THAT WAS A GOOD FIT TO REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS FROM THE ZONING CODE.

THE OTHER MAJOR CHANGE IS THE REMOVAL OF A BUILDING COVERAGE REQUIREMENT.

THE WAY IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, IF YOU'RE WITHIN THE SHORELINE OVERLAY DISTRICT, YOU'RE SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE.

BUT ONCE YOU'RE OUTSIDE OF THAT, YOU'RE JUST LIMITED TO BUILDING COVERAGE, AND TECHNICALLY, THERE REALLY ISN'T MANY MECHANISMS TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM PAVING THEIR ENTIRE PROPERTY.

YOU CAN SEE HOW, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD BE OUTSIDE THE SHORE LINE OVERLAY ZONE.

BY A PROPERTY OR TWO AND THEN IMMEDIATELY START COVERING EVERYTHING IN CONCRETE.

THAT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF THE SHORELINE OVERLAY ZONE WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THE PROPERTIES AROUND IT, BASICALLY CONTRIBUTING TO THAT PROBLEM AREA.

STAFF IS PROPOSING THAT WE USE THE EXACT SAME LANGUAGE BASICALLY THAT WE USE FOR BUILDING COVERAGE, TO MIMIC THE SHORELINE OVERLAY LANGUAGE IMPOSING THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE MAXIMUM.

FOR LESS THAN 6,500 SQUARE FEET, THEY WOULD BE LIMITED TO 35% OF THAT TOLL LOT AREA THAT CAN BE COVERED IN IMPERVIOUS SURFACE.

LOTS GREATER THAN 6,500 SQUARE FEET WOULD BE LIMITED TO 30%, AND THOSE ARE NUMBERS, FROM CITIES I'VE WORKED IN PREVIOUSLY, AND THEN SOME OF THE RESEARCH I WAS DOING, THAT'S A VERY CONSISTENT NUMBER BETWEEN 25 AND 35% BOTH FOR BUILDING COVERAGE AND IMPERVIOUS SURFACE.

BUT THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.

THEN THE OTHER CHANGE IS FOR THE R2A AND R2B FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, 12 FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, BUILT AS DUPLEX.

IT MADE SENSE FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW DUPLEXES TWIN HOMES IN THE ZONING DISTRICT LANGUAGE, LIKE THE DESCRIPTION OF IT, IT SHOULD BE A PERMITTED USE BECAUSE THAT IS CLEARLY THE INTENT OF THAT DISTRICT.

IT DIDN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE FOR US TO HAVE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS REQUIRING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS TO NECESSARILY HOLD THEM TO.

COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS. WE'RE PROPOSING TO JUST REALIGN SOME THINGS.

AGAIN, CONTINUING WITH THE THEME OF HAVING CONDITIONAL USES THAT DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THE LIMITED BUSINESS DISTRICTS, PERMITTED USES ARE BEING PROPOSED TO INCLUDE OFFICE SPACE, RETAIL SALES, FOOD SERVICE LIMITED LIKE A COFFEE SHOP OR A DELI, SOMETHING WITHOUT FULL SERVICE OR A DRIVE THROUGH COMPONENT, AND THEN MUSEUM AND ARCADE.

FOR THE GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, WE ARE PROPOSING TO INCLUDE ARCADE, FIREARMS DEALER SLASH SHOOTING RANGE, WHICH HAS SIMILAR LANGUAGE TO THE RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY, WHERE IF IT'S WITHIN 500 FEET OF A LICENSED, SCHOOL LIBRARY, THERE ARE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS THAT BASICALLY SAY WHERE IT CAN BE AND WHERE IT CAN'T AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ONCE IF WE RECEIVE INQUIRIES ON THAT, THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN EXAMINE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND DOESN'T NECESSARILY, RISE TO THE LEVEL WHERE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WOULD BE REQUIRED.

THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL STANDARDS ON THAT USE BESIDES THE DISTANCE RADIUS.

PARKING RAMP, PRINTING, PUBLISHING, CLUB, LODGE.

ALL OF THESE DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

THE PARKING RAMP REQUIRES CERTAIN DESIGN COMPONENTS THAT ARE ADDRESSED SPECIFICALLY IN THE DESIGN GUIDELINES, SO IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE SENSE TO BASICALLY DOUBLE DOWN ON SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY COVERED IN THE DESIGN STANDARDS.

THE OTHER CHANGES FOR GENERAL BUSINESS ARE THE REMOVAL OF INTERIM USES.

THE ONLY ONES THAT WERE CURRENT EXIST IN INTERIM USES ARE THE SEASONAL SALES, THE FIREWORKS TENTS, THE OUTDOOR EGG, OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS TREE.

STAFF FEELS LIKE IT'S A BETTER USE OF RESOURCES,

[00:45:04]

THOSE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS ARE ADDRESSED IN THE SEASONAL SALES LANGUAGE.

CENTRAL BUSINESS, THE SAME USES, BASICALLY, WE IDENTIFIED THEM AS BEING CONDITIONAL USES, ARCADE, FIREARMS DEALER PARKING RAMP, PRINT AND PUBLISHING, CLUB LODGE.

AGAIN, NO SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TO HOLD THEM TO, SO IT MADE SENSE TO INCLUDE THEM AS PERMITTED USES.

AGAIN, THE REMOVAL OF THE INTERIM USE LANGUAGE TO ALLOW SEASONAL SALES AS A PERMIT ACCESSORY USE.

FINALLY, I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE.

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS ALONG THAT SAME THEME, REMOVING PERMIT RETAIL SALES AND PARKING RAMPS FROM CONDITIONAL USES.

SECA, FOR EXAMPLE, CAME IN LAST YEAR TO REQUEST A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW FOR LIMITED RETAIL USES.

AS PART OF THAT PROCESS, WE LOOKED AND SAW THAT THERE WERE OTHER RETAIL USES THAT WE ALLOW FLY CURRENTLY, MOTOR VEHICLE, PART STORES, SOME PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, BODY PIERCING, TATTOOING.

IT JUST MADE SENSE TO ALLOW RETAIL SALES JUST BECAUSE OUR COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS ARE VERY SIMILAR.

PARKING RAMPS, AGAIN, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS BEYOND WHAT WE REQUIRE IN THE DESIGN GUIDELINES.

I FEEL LIKE THAT IS SATISFIED IN A DIFFERENT PART OF CODE.

THEN THE OTHER CHANGE IS TO REMOVE CARETAKERS RESIDENTS FROM CONDITIONAL USES AND ALLOWING THEM AS PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES.

WE WOULD NOT ALLOW A CARETAKER RESIDENCE AS A SINGLE STANDALONE USE.

IT WOULD HAVE TO BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANOTHER EXISTING PRIMARY USE, SO THAT WAS KIND OF THE INTENT OR THE THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND MAKING THAT AN ACCESSORY USE.

WE WOULDN'T APPROVE IT AS A STANDALONE USE, SO THERE DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO BE A REASON TO REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR IT.

ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE FOUR FINDINGS OF FACT, THAT THE AMENDMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

THE AMENDMENT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND NOT SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF A SINGLE PROPERTY OWNER, AND THEN WHERE THE AMENDMENT AMENDMENT IS TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A PROPERTY.

THE THIRD AND FOURTH ONES DO NOT APPLY HERE.

THE AMENDMENT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE NOT CHANGING THE ZONING OF ANY PARTICULAR PROPERTY.

WE'RE JUST CHANGING THE ZONING TEXT.

THE CITY IS THE APPLICANT.

THIS IS NOT THE BENEFIT FOR A SOLE PROPERTY OWNER.

I THINK AS PRESENTED, YOU GUYS CAN SEE THE BENEFIT THAT THIS WOULD PROVIDE A NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS THAT MAY HAVE WANTED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT WE'RE BASICALLY TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T BECAUSE THEIR PROPERTY IS LEGALLY NOT CONFORMING.

I THINK THAT THIS JUST MAKES US A LITTLE MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY BY REMOVING ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS THAT WE JUST OTHERWISE WOULDN'T HAVE A MECHANISM TO, THE CONDITIONAL USES WITH NO STANDARDS.

I THINK IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CLEAN UP AND JUST MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BIT MORE EFFICIENT.

IN THIS REGARD, THE CITY ATTORNEY HAS REVIEWED THE FOLLOWING ZONING ORDINANCE MODIFICATIONS, AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE DRAFT ORDINANCE.

I BELIEVE HE JUST POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT WEREN'T IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, AND THEN REMOVING DEFINITIONS FOR USES SUCH AS GOVERNMENT OFFICE AND HOSPITAL, JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE WAS PRETTY SELF EXPLANATORY.

WE DIDN'T FEEL THE NEED TO SPELL THAT OUT IN CODE.

THEN HOSPITALS, THERE'S A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS FOR IT.

BUT THE NATURE OF MEDICINE IS ALSO CHANGING, SO THINGS THAT WOULD USUALLY BE DONE IN A HOSPITAL SEEMINGLY ARE ABLE TO BE DONE IN A MEDICAL OFFICE? IT DIDN'T NECESSARILY BENEFIT US TO HAVE A DEFINITION FOR THAT THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY LIMIT A FUTURE HOSPITAL OR FACILITY TO COME IN.

WITH THAT, I'M FREE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU GUYS HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, YES.

>> ACCESSORY DRILLING UNITS.

I THOUGHT IN THE WORK SESSION THAT THE CONSENSUS THE MAYOR HAD SAID THAT SHE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE A FOOTPRINT, NOT THE TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE.

THEN COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES HAD FOLLOWED THAT UP WITH 50% OF THAT IF I WAS OKAY WITH THAT 50% OF THE FOOTPRINT.

WHAT I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY TONIGHT IS THAT IT WOULD BE A TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE EXISTING RESIDENTS.

[00:50:03]

>> IT'S A MAXIMUM OF 50% OF THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THE PRIMARY HOUSE UP TO 1,000 SQUARE FEET.

YOU COULDN'T GO OVER IT, BUT IT WOULD BE LIMITED TO 50% OF WHAT THE HOUSE IS.

YOU COULDN'T GO ABOVE THAT.

>>OKAY. BUT THE MAYOR HAD SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE FOOTPRINT, WHICH IF YOU'VE GOT 1,000 SQUARE FOOT HOUSE, THAT FOOTPRINT IS ROUGHLY 500 SQUARE FEET.

>>AND THAT WOULD BE WHAT YOU'RE LIMITED TO.

>> I HEARD YOU INCORRECTLY, THEN, OR AM I NOT UNDERSTANDING IT? BECAUSE I'M HEARING YOU SAY TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE AND NOT FOOTPRINT.

>> ACCURATE FEET.

>> SETTING THE MAXIMUM OF 1,000 SQUARE FEET.

YOU CAN GO UP TO THAT IF YOU HAVE THE SPACE IN THE PRIMARY RESIDENCE TO DO THAT.

IT'S 50% OR A MAXIMUM OF UP TO 100% OR 1,000 SQUARE FEET. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> YEAH, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU HAD BROUGHT UP.

THE FOOTPRINT COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT THEN, IF THE FOOTPRINT IS ONLY 1,000?

>> THEN THEY WOULD BE LIMITED TO 500 SQUARE FEET.

>> THEN THE OTHER THING I HAD REAL QUICK, ON TALKING ABOUT NON-PERMEABLE OR DRIVEWAYS.

YOU SAID 50% OF THE FRONT YARD CAN BE PAVED, IS THAT HOLDING THE SETBACKS?

>> THAT'S THE SET SPECIFICALLY THE SETBACK.

THE FRONT YARD SETBACK CAN BE PAVED UP TO 50% IS WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING.

>> BUT THEY'RE NOT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LET THEM PAVE THROUGH THE SETBACKS.

>> ONCE YOU'RE IN WITHIN THE SETBACK.

THE SETBACK IS MEASURED IS FROM THE DISTANCE FROM THE FRONT PROPERTY LINE TO WHERE THE BUILDING STARTS.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD QUESTIONS.

ANYONE? COUNCILOR BASKINS.

>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE ADU GOING FORWARD.

NINE, TEN YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS OBSERVING COUNCIL MEETINGS, WASN'T ON THE COUNCIL.

STAFF HAD BROUGHT THIS TOPIC TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME AND IT FELT LIKE DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

I KNOW THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE COMMUNITY, WE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT CAME AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT COME FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES, WHERE IT'S GENERATIONAL FAMILY AND THEY'RE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING THIS AND HOPEFULLY IT MOVES FORWARD, SO THAT WAS REALLY GOOD.

DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYONE THAT OPPOSED IT, BUT ANYWAY, THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE THERE THAT DEFINITELY ARE HAPPY WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WELL, AFTER I GOT DONE WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT I'M THE LIAISON FOR AN IDEA CAME TO MY HEAD BECAUSE I KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES TO MAKE CHANGES IN OUR ZONING.

THERE'S AN IDEA THAT'S NOT RELATED TO THE ADUS, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE COUNCIL THINKS ABOUT WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT STREAMLINING, PERMITTED, ACCESSIBLE USES, ONE OF THOSE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AND I TALKED ABOUT IT A LONG TIME AGO AND DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE IS IF IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE ADD GREENHOUSES.

THAT, AS LONG AS THEY'RE BUILT ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS AS FAR AS SETBACK SIZES, WE ALREADY ALLOW CHICKEN COOPS.

WE HAVE SHEDS, AND NOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH ADUS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE COUNCIL IS OKAY WITH STAFF.

I TALK TO STAFF IF WE CAN ADD BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, GREENHOUSES, IF YOU LOOK AT THE DEFINITIONS TEMPORARY OR SEASONAL, AND ANYONE THAT PUTS UP A GREENHOUSE IN THEIR BACKYARD HAS TO TAKE IT DOWN BY ONE.

>> I SEE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

>> THIS WOULD ALLOW A PERSON TO BUILD A PERMANENT GREENHOUSE IN THEIR BACK YARD AS LONG AS THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SIZE AND EVERYTHING LIKE A SHED, IT'D BE SIMPLE BECAUSE IT COULD TAKE A WHILE BEFORE THIS COULD BE ADDED AGAIN WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY OTHER CHANGES THAT MIGHT COME UP.

THAT WAS ONE THING.

THEN I JUST FOUND TWO INCONSISTENCIES WHEN I WAS READING THROUGH THIS ON PAGE 278.

I ALREADY MENTIONED IT TO ANDREW AND TO CITY MANAGER ERIC CHIRPICH, ABOUT THERE'S A CONFLICT ON PAGE 278, SECTION 6 NUMBER A, THEY LISTED CARPORTS, ALONG WITH OTHER GARAGE AND STUFF CARPORTS.

WHAT I HEARD YEARS AGO ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CITY.

I MENTIONED THAT, AND THEY TALKED ABOUT CLEANING THAT UP LATER.

THEN ALSO THERE WAS A CONFLICT WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT COULD BE IN A HOUSE, BOARDING OR RENTING ROOMS ITEM NUMBER D ON PAGE 278, SECTION 6 TO NO MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE, AND THAT CONFLICTS WITH US REMOVING THE LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND A THING.

THE OTHER THING, JUST A POINT OF INTEREST, I WAS LOOKING UP BOARDING HOUSES BECAUSE I KNOW THEY THEY MET THE DEMISE PROBABLY IN THE 60S, MAYBE 70S.

ONE OF ONE OF THE WAYS, I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THEY DID, BUT ONE MAIN REASON THEY SHUT THE WAY THEY SHUT HIM DOWN IS BY BY CREATING THESE LAWS.

DIDN'T ALLOW MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE OR THREE PEOPLE, UNRELATED PEOPLE TO LIVE IN A HOUSE.

BOARDING HOUSES WERE A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF HOUSING BACK THEN.

I HAD A MANAGER IN HER 20 'S WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED TO WORK IN THE 1950 'S.

[00:55:06]

THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM ROOMMATES.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARDING HOUSES VERSUS JUST RENTING A ROOM TO SOMEBODY.

ANYWAY, THOSE ARE THE THINGS.

WHAT DOES THE COUNCIL THINK ABOUT ADDING GREENHOUSES, ALLOWING PEOPLE IF THEY WANT?

>> COUNCILOR JACOBS. DO WE HAVE A LIMIT ON HOW MANY OUTBUILDINGS CAN BE ON A PROPERTY?

>> YES, WE LIMIT TO ACCESSORY STRUCTURES PER PROPERTY.

>> THEY COULDN'T HAVE AN ACCESSORY DWELLING, A GREENHOUSE AND A CHICKEN COUP ALL ON.

>> SOME OF THEM, THERE IS LANGUAGE IN OUR SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS THAT SAYS, GREENHOUSES, RESIDENTIAL GREENHOUSES DO NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE NUMBER OF ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, SO THE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS MAKES A CARVE OUT FOR GREENHOUSES SPECIFICALLY.

>> I'M OKAY WITH IT AS LONG AS WE DON'T END UP WITH 17, I'M EXAGGERATING, 17 OUT BUILDINGS IN 200 FOOT LOT.

>> POTENTIALLY YOU'D HAVE AN IMPERVIOUS SURFACE REQUIREMENT, AND SO I THINK THAT WOULD LIMIT THE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS THAT COULD BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG WITH WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN OUR ACCESSORY OF STRUCTURE LANGUAGE.

>> AS LONG AS WE RESPECT THAT AND WE DON'T START ISSUING CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS IN ORDER TO MAKE THOSE APPLICABLE TO A PROPERTY, I'M OKAY WITH IT.

I THINK THE GREENHOUSE IS FINE.

I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THAT.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL JAMES.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I ALSO THINK GREENHOUSE IS A GREAT IDEA.

MY OVERALL COMMENT IS THAT THIS IS WONDERFUL TO GET A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE STAFF AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND OTHER ITEMS. THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE NUMBER 1, I HEARD YOU MENTION SUFFICIENT PARKING, CAN YOU PLEASE DEFINE WHAT THAT WOULD BE?

>> I WOULD JUST MEET THE CURRENT PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES, IT'S TWO PER UNIT TWO ENCLOSED, AND THEN IT WOULD POTENTIALLY BE ONE ADDITIONAL SPOT FOR THE ADU.

IT WOULD JUST TOGETHER HAVE TO MEET THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH THOSE USES COMBINED.

THEN WITH THE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT LANGUAGE, WE DO ALLOW FOR PAVED OUTDOOR SPACES AS WELL AS COVERED SPACES.

THERE'S FLEXIBILITY ON HOW YOU ACHIEVE THAT.

BUT WE DO FEEL LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST ONE OFF STREET PARKING THINGS FOR THE DWELLING UNIT.

>> IT'S WHAT OUR CURRENT STANDARD IS, AND THEN IF YOU ADDED IN AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, AN ADDITIONAL ONE.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU COULD OBVIOUSLY ADD MORE IF IT FITS INTO YOUR.

THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT IS IN THE LEGAL NON CONFORMING STATUS OF DIFFERENT R2, ET CETERA R3.

THE CARVE OUT FOR THE DIFFERENT DATES DOES NOT APPLY TO R1.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THAT WOULD BE?

>> MOSTLY BECAUSE THOSE PROPERTIES, I WOULD SAY, AREN'T REALLY PRESENT IN THE R1.

THAT WAS DESIGNED WITH A LARGER LOT SIZE IN MIND.

MOST OF THOSE LOTS, AT LEAST TO MY KNOWLEDGE, MEET THAT CURRENT REQUIREMENT AND HAVE HISTORICALLY.

THIS IS JUST MORE SO FOR THE ONES THAT WERE PLATTED, AND THEN ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE OTHER ZONES WERE IMPLEMENTED LATER.

>> MY QUESTION REGARDING IF IT'S MOST, SHOULDN'T WE JUST HAVE IT CONSISTENT ACROSS ALL SO THAT ALL CAN BE THE SAME BECAUSE THAT WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT ANY NEW LOTS WOULD STILL HAVE TO MEET THE STANDARD OF 70 FEET JUST SAY EXISTING, IF IT'S MOST AND NOT ALL, I DON'T KNOW.

I WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE FOR ME IF IT WAS CONSISTENT.

THAT'S A QUESTION I HAVE ON THAT, BUT I DON'T KNOW YOU CAN WORK THROUGH THAT ONE.

BUT, I WASN'T SURE.

IF THERE ARE R1 LOTS THAT DO NOT HAVE A 70 FOOT, I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THEM AND HAVE THEM INCLUDED IN THE SAME RIGHTS AS THE REST OF THE CITY.

THE OTHER THINGS THAT I HAD WAS, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PUBLIC ART THAT'S BEING INCLUDED, AND I KNOW THERE'S SEVERAL BUILDINGS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

ARE WE ADOPTING ANY STANDARDS OF THAT PUBLIC ART OR WOULD THAT BE JUST ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS?

>> I FEEL LIKE THAT WOULD BE A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT WOULD BE.

>> THANK YOU. THEN MY LAST THIS ISN'T A QUESTION, JUST A COMMENT FOR PEOPLE.

I HAVE HEARD SOME PEOPLE ASKING ME ABOUT ADUS AND WITH CONCERN, AND THEIR MAIN CONCERN IS,

[01:00:01]

IF YOU'RE WORRIED THAT YOUR NEIGHBOR IS GOING TO PUT UP A HOUSE RIGHT ON YOUR PROPERTY LINE OR TOO CLOSE THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE ROOM IN THEIR LOTS TO ADD THESE HOUSES.

BUT IF YOU DO HAVE ROOM AND IT FITS IN THE IMPERVIOUS DISTRICT, I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE'RE KEEPING THOSE BORDERS AROUND TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE. THANK YOU.

>>THANK YOU. COUNCILOR BASKINS? NOTHING, TAD. COUNCILOR JACOBS? YOU'RE GOOD.

I ALSO SUPPORT THE GREENHOUSES.

I THINK THAT'S JUST FINE, HAVING PERMANENT GREENHOUSES.

I WAS SURPRISED, THOUGH BY THAT CARPORTS ARE NOT ALLOWED. I SEE A LOT OF THAT.

>> IT'S ALLOWED, AND IT'S NOT ALLOWED.

THAT IS A CONTRADICTION IN THE ZONING CODE.

WE PROHIBIT THEM BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MEET THE MATERIAL STANDARDS OF AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE, PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE.

BUT THEN IN THE PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES, IT SAYS THAT IT ALLOWS FOR PRIVATE GARAGES, CAR PORTS, ET CETERA, AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO CLEAN UP.

WHAT WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO DO WITH THAT? I GUESS IS MY QUESTION.

>> I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO TAKE THEM AWAY FROM PEOPLE, BUT I BELIEVE THE ONES THAT ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ARE SEASONAL STRUCTURES THAT COULD BE TAKEN DOWN.

PEOPLE JUST CONTINUE TO USE THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T BREAK DOWN AND THEY'RE USABLE.

I THINK IT'S GREAT. I MEAN, AS SOMEONE WHO ELSE LIVES IN MINNESOTA, I THINK NOT HAVING SNOW ON MY CAR IS [OVERLAPPING]

>> I'D LIKE TO JUMP IN.

>> SO I CAN SEE WHY PEOPLE DO THAT. YES.

>> I THINK THERE'S A DISTINCTION TO MAKE BETWEEN A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE LIKE A CARPORT THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO BUY AT MENARDS THAT HAS A CANVAS SHELL VERSUS A PERMANENT CARPORT THAT'S ATTACHED TO A GARAGE OR EVEN FREE STANDING THAT MEETS BUILDING CODE.

IN THIS CONVERSATION, I WANT TO PASS THAT OUT AND RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE HAVE SUFFICIENT CODE LANGUAGE TO PROHIBIT THE TEMPORARY STRUCTURE.

>> YEAR ROUND.

>> THE MENARDS EXAMPLE.

I THINK THE BUILDING OFFICIAL HAS SOME CONCERNS WITH WIND LOAD AND ENGINEERING ON THOSE STRUCTURES IF THEY WERE ALLOWED TO BE KEPT UP YEAR ROUND.

WE'VE ENCOUNTERED SOME RESIDENTS THAT HAVE THOSE THAT HAVE ENFORCED REMOVAL OF THE TEMPORARY VERSION.

IT'S NUANCED, AND I THINK WE NEED TO DECIDE, DO WE WANT TO ALLOW THE PERMANENTLY BUILDING CODE COMPLIANT CARPORT VERSUS WHAT WE WOULD CALL A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE?

>> I HEARD THAT THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED.

I THOUGHT, I KNOW THERE'S PLENTY OF THEM IN THE CITY.

I THINK WE SHOULD CLEAR THAT UP.

I DEFINITELY, I THINK THAT SHOULD BE CLEARED UP. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

>> I AGREE WITH THE TEMPORARY.

IF A STRUCTURE IS MEETING BUILDING CODE AND IT IS EXISTING, I WOULD BE OKAY WITH GRANDFATHERING THOSE IN IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT NOT PROHIBITING THEM IN THE FUTURE OR THAT'S A DOUBLE NEGATIVE OF PROHIBITING ANY CARPORTS IN THE FUTURE.

I THINK THAT'S A DIFFERENT SUBJECT.

FROM WHAT I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE NOT.

BUT I THINK GRANDFATHER IF THEY MEET THE BUILDING CODE AND THEY ARE A PERMANENT STRUCTURE, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH GRANDFATHERING THEM IN, AND THEN ADDRESSING THE OTHER ASPECT, BUT THE TEMPORARY ONES, I THINK NEED TO COME DOWN.

NOW I'M GOING TO PLAY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE.

WHAT ABOUT THESE CANOPIES AND STUFF THAT ARE OVER RECREATIONAL VEHICLES LIKE BOATS, CAMPERS, ET CETERA.

IS THAT GOING TO FALL INTO THE SAME BUCKET OR IS THAT A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION?

>> THEY WOULD BE PLACED INTO A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE SAME AS ONE THAT WOULD COVER A CAR.

IF IT WAS THIS JUST LARGER, I THINK, IN THE CASE OF WHAT YOU'RE IDENTIFYING.

>> AT CAMPER THAT'S GOT A CANOPY OVER IT TO PROTECT THE TOP OF IT AND TO PROTECT IT FROM SNOW AND SLEET AND WHAT HAVE YOU, OR A BOAT THAT'S PARKED IN THE YARD. LARGER ITEMS.

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK, WE CAN'T WE CAN'T TRAILER SNOWMOBILES IN THE YARD.

I THINK AT ONE TIME THAT WAS I WAS TOLD THAT YOU CAN'T YOU CANNOT TRAILER SNOWMOBILES.

IN THE YARD IS A STORAGE ITEM UNLESS YOU HAVE, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT.

THAT'S A SMALLER ITEM.

I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT.

>> I'D HAVE TO ACTUALLY LOOK INTO THAT.

I HAVEN'T ENCOUNTERED THAT.

I THINK TEMPORARY CARPORTS OF ALL SIZES WOULD BE NOT PROHIBITED CURRENTLY FROM BEING UP YEAR ROUND.

>> THEY'RE SEASONAL.

>> CORRECT.

>> I THINK SOME DEFINITION WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEM?

>> I THINK WE NEED SOME WORK ON CARPORTS TO PARSE OUT THESE TWO KEY DISTINCTIONS.

[01:05:07]

>> REALLY, IT'S JUST A CONFLICT IN CODE RIGHT NOW.

WE ALLOW THEM AND WE DON'T.

THEY'RE ALLOWED AS A QUOTE PERMIT ACCESSORY USE, BUT OUR ACCESSORY STRUCTURE LANGUAGE BASICALLY PROHIBITS IT BECAUSE IT CAN'T MEET CERTAIN MATERIAL STANDARDS.

WE COULD TOTALLY ADDRESS THIS IN A FUTURE.

ONCE WE TALK ABOUT OFF STREET PARKING MORE, IS THAT MORE APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR IT?

>> YEAH.

>> I JUST HEARD IT MENTIONED.

TO CONNIE'S POINT ABOUT GREENHOUSES, WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING ADDED TO THIS UPDATE OR WAS THIS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE IN THE FUTURE?

>> IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, MOVING THAT TO A YEAR ROUND PERMITTED ACCESSORY USE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO CHANGE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL WITH THAT CHANGE.

>> OTHER ITEM REAL QUICK, DID WE WANT TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE BOARD AND RENTING LANGUAGE IN THE PERMIT ACCESSORY USES? I KNOW THAT CAME UP AS WELL.

WOULD YOU LIKE THAT TO BE REMOVED FOR THE SECOND READING?

>> IF IT CAN BE DONE.

>> SAME CATEGORY IS WHAT WE JUST DISCUSSED WITH GREENHOUSE IS PROBABLY EVEN LESS MORE MINOR OF AN ADJUSTMENT, I THINK.

>> THEY'LL BE JUST BE STRIKING THAT THROUGH.

>> THEN AT THE SECOND READING, WE WOULD JUST ACCENTUATE THOSE CHANGES SO THAT IT WAS CLEAR WHAT HAD CHANGED BETWEEN THE TWO READINGS.

IT WILL NOT BE ON CONSENT THEN.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER POINTS THAT YOU?

>> NO.

>> THEN IT'S A SMALL SMALL ITEM ON PAGE 222.

THERE'S A PRONOUN FOR HIM, REFERRING TO THE INSPECTOR AND JUST MAKE GENDER.

>> WITH YOU IDENTIFIED ALL THE GENDERED PRONOUNS.

>> GREAT. THERE'S ONE LEFT OVER THERE, SO WE'LL UPDATE THAT.

>> THERE'S A FEW, SO I'LL MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S UPDATED BY THE NEXT READING.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THOSE WOULD FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORIES, WE CAN AMEND THAT AND BRING IT TO THE SECOND READING.

>> FOR THE SECOND READING, AWESOME.

I LOOKED FOR SHES, AND FOR SOME REASON, I DID NOT FIND THE WORD SHE OR HER ANYWHERE.

>> I THINK THERE'S A FEW HERS.

>> REALLY?

>> YEAH.

>> THAT'S SURPRISING. BUT GREAT.

GOOD EAGLE EYES THAN ANDREW ON THAT ONE.

>> I GOT TO GIVE MICROSOFT WORD THE CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> WELL, MY FINDS FIRST FEATURE DID NOT DO AS GOOD AS YOURS APPARENTLY, SO THAT SEARCH F. FOR THE FIRST READING THEN, MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO WAIVE THE FULL READING?

>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1700, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, I HAVE A MOTION TO SET THE SECOND READING.

>> MOVE TO SET THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1700, AND ALLOW AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTERS 9 LAND USE, 9.103 DEFINITIONS, 9.104 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT, AND 9.105 NON CONFORMITY, 9.106 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.107 SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.109 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, 9.110 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, AND 9.11 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR AUGUST 26, 2024 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 P.M.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS TO SET THE SECOND READING.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY,.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY DISCUSSION? ANY OPPOSED? THEN THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.

I GOT DISTRACTED BY THE APPROXIMATELY 6:00 P.M. DISTINCTION.

IT JUST SEEMED VERY SPECIFIC ONE.

WE'RE HAVING A MEETING AT THAT TIME.

>> ANYWAY, ITEM NUMBER 16, APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 1703, ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON CANNABIS RETAIL BUSINESS, AND TO TAKE US THROUGH THIS ITEM AS OUR CITY MANAGER.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. [NOISE] MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, SO WITH THE EVER MOVING TARGET THAT IS THE CANNABIS LEGISLATION, WE'RE HERE TO TRY AND KEEP UP WITH STATE LAW.

ONCE AGAIN. CANNABIS WAS LEGALIZED IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO SET THE STATE UP FOR RETAIL SALES OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS IN 2025.

HOWEVER, IN THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION,

[01:10:04]

WHAT THE LAW CHANGED IN 2024 MEANS IS THAT THOSE APPLICANTS WOULD COME TO CITIES AND ASK THEM, SPECIFICALLY, IS THIS PROPERTY THAT I'M INTERESTED IN, ZONED CORRECTLY FOR ME TO OPEN A RETAIL CANNABIS BUSINESS? THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE OUR ZONING IN PLACE BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT WE HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME, SO TO ACCOMMODATE THAT GAP AND PROTECT THE CITY FROM HAVING TO ESSENTIALLY SAY YES TO ANY APPLICANT THAT CAME IN, WE'RE PROPOSING THIS INTERIM ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A MORATORIUM FOR THE RETAIL BUSINESSES SPECIFICALLY THAT WOULD TAKE US THROUGH THE END OF 2025.

IT PROVIDES US THE AMPLE TIME TO GET THE FULL ORDINANCE IN PLACE SO THAT WE'RE READY AND THIS REALLY FOLLOWS COUNCIL'S DIRECTION AT A WORK SESSION WHERE WE DISCUSSED PARAMETERS FOR THE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BE IN PLACE, AND IT WAS DIRECTION FROM THE COUNCIL THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF RETAIL BUSINESSES IN THE CITY LIMITED TO TWO.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT OBJECTIVE IS MET, THIS INTERIM ORDINANCE WILL LET US GET TO THAT GOAL.

I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? THAT'S I GUESS NONE.

WE DID GO OVER THIS ITEM PRETTY AT LENGTH AT THE [NOISE] WORK SESSION, SO I FEEL LIKE WE ALL HAD OUR ANSWERS AT THAT MOMENT.

ALL RIGHT, THEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COULD I GET A MOTION THEN TO WAIVE THE READING?

>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1703, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY, AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.

THAT TAKES US TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.

SORRY. [OVERLAPPING]

>> SORRY. THANK YOU.

>> CAN WE GET A MOTION THEN TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE INTERIM ORDINANCE 1703, BEING AN INTERIM ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON CANNABIS RETAIL BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS TO APPROVE THE INTERIM ORDINANCE.

ANY DISCUSSION. HEARING AS NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU.

NOW WE WILL GO TO OUR CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. WE GOT A LOT GOING ON.

IT'S HARD TO KEEP IT ALL STRAIGHT.

IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL SUMMER HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

I WAS ABLE TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BOOSTERS WAGON SELLING HOT DOGS AND BRATS AND I KNOW FALL SPORTS HAVE STARTED UP THEIR PRACTICES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL SO YOU MIGHT SEE THAT BOOSTER WAGON IN THE PARKING LOT OF TOP VALUE.

PLEASE STOP IN AND SUPPORT OUR SPORTS TEAMS HERE IN THE CITY.

I ATTENDED THE POLICE EAT AND GREET THAT WAS HELD IN MCKENNA PARK.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT, AND A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAME OUT, A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION WAS SHARED THERE.

ON JULY 31ST, I WAS A MEMBER OF THE METRO CITY'S HOUSING POLICY COMMITTEE, AND WE HAD OUR FIRST OF A SERIES OF MEETINGS.

I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS WAS ALSO THERE IN PERSON AND I WAS ONLINE, AND SOME STAFF WAS ALSO THERE.

IT WAS A GREAT TO HEAR WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING.

WE HAD OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING ON THE AUGUST 5TH, AND WE ALL ATTENDED AND OUR WORK SESSION.

FOR THE WORK SESSION, I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE RECEIVED A COPY OF OUR AUDIT, AND WE GOT A GREAT PRESENTATION FROM OUR AUDITOR AND OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR, AND ALSO EACH OF US RECEIVED A COPY THAT'S ALSO AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OR ANYONE TO LOOK AT ONLINE.

THE OVERVIEW WAS THAT IT'S OUR FINAL FINANCIAL POLICIES AND THE FINANCIAL WORK HERE DONE IN OUR CITY WAS AMAZING.

WE GOT A CLEAN AUDIT.

NO MODIFICATIONS NEEDED SO THAT WAS GREAT.

WE ALSO LOOKED AT SOME OF THE GRANTS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED.

WE'VE RECEIVED GRANTS FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT; FROM OUR COUNTY, FROM OUR REGION, FROM THE COUNCIL, FROM THE STATE.

HOPEFULLY, SOME FEDERAL FUNDING WE HAD SOME LAST YEAR, SOME DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH WE'RE ALL PAYING TAXES AT ALL THESE LEVELS SO IT'S WONDERFUL FOR US TO RECEIVE SOME INCOME BACK FROM THAT.

WE DID HAVE SOME SECTIONS WHERE WE HAD INCREASED EXPENSES.

SOME OF OUR PENSIONS HAVE GONE UP, AND THEN ALSO OUR REFUSE COST, WHICH WE ALL KNOW THAT THAT'S GONE UP.

WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO IN OUR BUDGET SETTING SERIES,

[01:15:03]

AFTER THAT, WE HAD OUR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, AND I WAS ABLE TO VISIT PARTIES WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, AND WE SAW LOTS OF OTHER GREAT ELECTED OFFICIALS OUT.

WE VISITED SEVEN PARTIES AND MET LOTS OF NEIGHBORS.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE HOSTS, TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR ALL THE WORK.

THEN THE LAST THING IS I ATTENDED THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN NEW BRIGHTON AREA, SUMMER SOCIAL MEETING AND BESIDES HAVING EXCELLENT SALADS, WHICH IS WHAT THEY'RE EXCELLENT AT, [LAUGHTER] WE HAD A PRESENTATION BY REPRESENTATIVE SANDRA FEISS ON IMMIGRATION AND SHE SHARED A LOT OF FACTS WITH US ON THE OVERALL IMMIGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN MINNESOTA.

SOME OF THE INTERESTING THINGS THAT SHE SAID I WANTED TO SHARE WAS A STUDY WAS DONE BY THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT HAD MENTIONED THAT EVEN IN FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANTS, THE RECEIPTS TO OUTLAY LEVEL IS GREATER THAN ONE.

MEANING THAT EVERY PERSON WHO COMES TO MINNESOTA PAYS MORE TAXES THAN THEY CONSUME IN BENEFITS, EVEN INCLUDING SCHOOLS AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE, WHICH ARE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS.

EVEN WITH THAT, THEY PAY MORE IN TAXES.

THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT SAID, WE NEED IMMIGRANTS IN ORDER FOR OUR WORKFORCE AND SO IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HEAR ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.

WE KNOW IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MANY OF US ARE FROM FAMILIES OF IMMIGRANTS, AND OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE IMMIGRANTS, AND THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL.

THE LAST THING I WANT TO MENTION IS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON OUR WINTER PARKING PROCESS, AND I'VE TALKED WITH SOME RESIDENTS AND IF YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON THAT, WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN MAKE THE COMMUNICATION AND THE PROCESS AS BENEFICIAL FOR OUR CITY STAFF AND RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'S EVERYTHING. IT'S A LOT. THANK YOU.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER OR BUESGENS.

>> LAST THREE WEEKS HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY.

THE SUMMER HAS NOT BEEN QUIET IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

I ATTENDED THE CRESTVIEW PICNIC.

UP ON THE HILL, THEY HAVE AN ANNUAL PICNIC WITH THE RESIDENTS, AND THEY INVITE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OTHER MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO ATTEND. IT WAS A NICE DAY.

ATTENDED THE SCHOOL GARDEN FARMERS MARKET.

WE HAVE IS A BLOOMING HEIGHTS GARDEN BEHIND VALLEY VIEW AND THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE KIDS PICK THEIR VEGETABLES, AND THEY HAD I THINK IT WAS A FIRST OR SECOND FARMERS MARKET.

IT'S REALLY FUN AND YOU CAN GET FRESH VEGETABLES.

I THINK THEY HAVE ONE MORE COMING UP ON THE 14TH AND MAYBE ON THE 21ST.

IT'S ON WEDNESDAYS UP IN THE FAMILY CENTER.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO MEET FUTURE FARMERS OR FUTURE GARDENERS.

ALSO ATTENDED MUSIC IN THE PARK WITH KATHY G AND THE LEMONS. IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT.

WE'VE BEEN LUCKING OUT ON THE EVENTS ON THE MUSIC IN THE PARKS.

WE'VE HAD GREAT WEATHER.

STILL ATTENDED THE BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN POTLUCK.

THERE WAS OVER 30 PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED. IT WAS REALLY FUN.

WE ALL BROUGHT I LOVE POTLUCK SO IT WAS REALLY NICE TO HAVE ONE AGAIN AFTER COVID.

AGAIN, GREAT WEATHER.

ATTENDED THE GRAND OPENING FOR GOLDEN NUTS. HUGE TURNOUT.

IT WAS FUN. I GOT TO TASTE THE KUNAFA.

AGAIN, THEY WERE HANDING OUT FOR FREE.

IT WAS SO GOOD AND THEIR CHOCOLATES, OH, MY GOSH.

THE CHOCOLATES THEY HAD, THE CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUTS, [NOISE] YOU GOT TO CHECK IT OUT THIS VERY GOOD STORE.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE METRO COUNSELING AND ECONOMIC COMMITTEE IN PERSON, HOPING TO SEE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.

BEFORE COVID, IT USED TO BE LIKE 20 OR SO PEOPLE WOULD SHOW UP FROM DIFFERENT CITIES AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED THERE ARE MAYBE FOUR OF US, BUT IT WAS STILL NICE TO GO IN PERSON AND SEE THE NEW BUILDING.

THE LEAGUE OF CITY IS NOT A NEW BUILDING, BUT REMODELED BUILDING.

IT'S CHANGED SO MUCH, AND IT'S SO NICE.

IT'S A VERY NICE BUILDING AND ALSO SHARED WITH THEM MY CONCERN BECAUSE WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT HOW OUR CITIES OVER AND OVER AGAIN NEED TO PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WHEN I WENT THROUGH THE NUMBERS OF THE TYPE OF HOUSING, HOUSING GOES BY LIMITED, CORRECT ME, ANN OR AARON, IT'S AMI, WHICH IS AFFORDABLE.

>> DEEPLY AFFORDABLE.

>> DEEPLY AFFORDABLE, BUT AFFORDABLE.

>> AMI STANDS FOR.

>> AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

>> IT GOES FROM 30, 50, 60 AND 80 PERCENT.

MAJORITY OF IT THAT'S BEING BUILT AT THIS TIME BY CITIES BECAUSE THERE'S MONIES OUT THERE FOR IT OR THE 60 AND 80%.

WHEN I WENT THROUGH THE NUMBERS FOR THE METRO AREA, APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FALLS BELOW 50 PERCENT. THE MEAN.

FIFTY PERCENT AMI.

SORRY. THAT MONEY IS VERY SCARCE.

IN FACT, THE 30 PERCENT, THE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE THAT'S NEEDED.

THOSE ARE BASICALLY COMPARABLE TO WHAT WE CALL THE PROJECTS THAT WERE STARTED IN THE 1930S, AND A LOT OF THEM WERE TORN DOWN IN THE 90S BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WASN'T TAKING CARE OF THEM.

I JUST SHARED MY CONCERN BECAUSE THEY KEEP ASKING US TO DO THIS AND THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSING THAT'S NEEDED, THERE'S VERY LITTLE MONEY, AND SO THEY NEED TO START TALKING TO THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FUND THESE PROJECTS SO THAT CITIES ARE ABLE TO MEET SOME OF THE NEED,

[01:20:04]

THEN I ATTENDED IT'S INTERNATIONAL CHARITY.

I ASKED FOR THE THING AS ICNA, RELIEF CHARITY EVENT THAT WAS UP AT KEYES PARK.

THEY WERE HANDING OUT BACKPACKS TO STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND GOT TO MEET [INAUDIBLE] WAS THERE AND SOME OTHER FOLKS THAT I KNOW.

IT WAS REALLY NICE TO HAVE THAT EVENT IN THE CITY TO HELP OUR STUDENTS OUT.

ATTENDED THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WITH OUR CITY MANAGER AARON CHIRPICH, AND OUR POLICE CHIEF MATT MARKHAM, WAS FUN.

WE ONLY GOT TO SIX PARTY SOAP.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD, BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS YEARS, I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO GET TO FOUR SO IT WAS FUN TO SEE EVERYBODY OUT THERE AND MEET NEW PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I ALSO VOLUNTEERED, AND I'M ON, IT'S THE XCEL ENERGY.

WORD, HOW DO I WRITE THAT? XCEL ENERGY PLANNING COMMITTEE, PARTNERS IN ENERGY COMMITTEE, WE HAVE NINE RESIDENTS THAT ARE PART OF THAT, AND I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A FEW MORE IN THE FUTURE, BUT WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING TO TALK ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED FOR A VISION STATEMENT, AND ALSO FOCUS ON THE AREAS THAT WE WANT TO CREATE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, LOWER COSTS FOR PEOPLE, DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROJECTS IN IT.

THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IS GETTING THE ITEMS SET UP, AND THEN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS IS TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT SOME OF THESE THINGS SO IT WAS PRETTY EXCITING.

WE HAVE VERY ENERGETIC PEOPLE, AND WE EVEN HAD A LANDLORD THAT'S AT 44TH CENTRAL, JUST NORTH OF THERE.

SHE HAS SOLAR PANELS ON HER ROOF, AND WERE ABLE TO [INAUDIBLE] THE COMMITTEE AND THEY'RE ALL VERY ENTHUSIASTIC, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON THAT DOWN THE ROAD.

ATTENDED THE GARDEN TOURS.

THERE WERE 40 PLUS GARDEN TOURS MOVING AROUND.

EVEN A WOMAN FROM CHAMPLIN CAME TO SEE OUR GARDENS, AND IT WAS FUN TO MEET NEW PEOPLE AGAIN AND CHECK OUT ALL THE WONDERFUL GARDENS SO I THANK EVERYONE THAT ORGANIZED THAT AND THOSE FOLKS THAT CAME TO ATTEND.

LET'S SEE. I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE BLOOMING SUNSHINE GARDEN IN LOMIANKI PARK, AND ALSO CONTINUE TO WATER THE FLOWER POTS AT [INAUDIBLE] HALL. THAT'S IT.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS.

>> JUST TO PIGGYBACK ON WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS TALKED ABOUT WITH THE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

CABRINI-GREEN IN CHICAGO WAS ONE WAS THE FIRST, IF NOT, ONE OF THE FIRST FULLY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED HOUSING PROJECTS, AND IT WAS A BIG DEAL.

I LIVED ABOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN CHICAGO AND THE WISCONSIN BORDER AT THAT POINT.

VERY, BIG DEAL.

IF YOU WERE CABRINI-GREEN, YOU HAD SOMETHING GOING FOR YOU.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT BECAME SUCH A GHETTO BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CARE AND LACK OF REINFORCEMENT AND IT WAS A SAD THAT IT DIDN'T LAST.

BUT THAT WAS IF NOT THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY, IT WAS ONE OF THE VERY TOP FEW.

I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS.

I ATTENDED NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AND HIT 12 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THIS YEAR.

>> THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL PICNIC, THE CRESTVIEW PICNIC.

I ALSO ATTENDED TWO AREA PARADES THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND I ATTENDED A VIRTUAL PRESENTATION ON PRIVATE FARMS. SUICIDE IS NOT THE ANSWER.

AND IT FOCUSED ON HOW PRIVATE FARMERS AND FARM FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN GENERATIONS DEEP ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO SURVIVE AS A PRIVATE FARM, AND EITHER CORPORATE FARMS COME IN OR THEY SELL IT FOR DEVELOPMENT.

AND IT HIT HOME BECAUSE I HAD A VERY CLOSE FRIEND ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO WHO ACTUALLY WENT OUT TO THE BARN AND KILLED HIMSELF BECAUSE HE COULD NOT KEEP THE FARM GOING ANYMORE AND LEFT HIS FAMILY DEVASTATED BY IT.

SO IT'S A PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T SEE IT GETTING BETTER.

THEY SEE IT GETTING WORSE.

THERE'S FEWER AND FEWER PRIVATE FARMS AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND I FACILITATED FIVE RESIDENT REACH OUTS.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU. COUPLE OF THINGS.

ALSO ENJOYED GOING OUT WITH COUNCILMEMBER JAMES TO NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.

CONFIRMED WE GOT TO SEVEN PARTIES WISHING WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN TO MORE, BUT I HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS AND SOME FOOD ALONG THE WAY.

ALSO ATTENDED OUR WORK SESSION IN EDA, AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, AN UPDATE FROM OUR LIBRARY BOARD MEETING, I BELIEVE, LAST WEEK IT WAS.

NO MAJOR ACTION ITEMS, BUT THEY TALKED ABOUT MID YEAR USAGE COMPARISONS, AND IT'S EXCITING TO SEE OUR NUMBERS CONTINUE TO GO UP IN TERMS OF CIRCULATION, COMPUTER USAGE, AND EVER SINCE COVID 19, JUST SEEING CONTINUED RECOVERY OF PEOPLE COMING INTO THE LIBRARY AND USING OUR RESOURCES.

AND THEN ALSO, THEY STARTED SOME PRELIMINARY TALKS ABOUT THE 2025 BUDGET AS WELL.

AND THEN THE LAST THING, JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT TOMORROW IS THE MINNESOTA PRIMARY ELECTION, SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET OUT TO CITY HALL TO VOTE.

[01:25:03]

>> GOOD CALL.

>> THANK YOU. YES, AND CITY HALL HAS BEEN SO BUSY WITH VOTERS, ESPECIALLY TODAY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE VOTING.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY VOTING TOMORROW IS AT ONE OF OUR EIGHT PRECINCTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IF YOU'RE NOT SURE WHERE TO FIND YOUR PRECINCT, I RECOMMEND GOING TO THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE AND JUST TYPING IN FIND MY PRECINCT.

>> YES, CITY HALL IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR VOTING TOMORROW TUESDAY.

BUT THANKS SO MUCH TO STAFF AND FOR ELECTION JUDGES FOR ALLOWING PEOPLE AND HAVING A SPACE HERE AT CITY HALL FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE EARLY.

IT'S BEEN GREAT THAT THEY COULD COME IN AND SEE OUR CITY HALL.

SOMEONE TODAY SAID IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME IN THE BUILDING, AND THEY WERE SO GLAD TO COME HERE INSTEAD OF OUR OLDER CITY HALL.

SO MANY THANKS TO OUR ELECTION JUDGES FOR THAT.

IN MY PAST THREE WEEKS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A COUNCIL MEETING THE END OF JULY, ATTENDED OUR NATIONAL WRITE OUT.

I ONLY GOT TO FIVE PARTIES, BUT I THINK THAT'S STILL A SUCCESS.

THE CRESTVIEW PICNIC WITH OUR POLICE CHIEF, I ATTENDED THE JLEC MEETING, WHICH IS A JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE FOR ANOKA COUNTY.

I ATTENDED THE PARKS AND REC MEETING THIS PAST MONTH.

OUR BACKPACK GIVEAWAY AT KEYS, WHICH ALSO HAD MEMBERS FROM THE ISLAMIC CENTER WERE THERE AS WELL.

THE POTLUCK EVENT FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FRIDLEY ROTARY CLUB WITH HEIGHTS NEXT AND THE SISTER CITIES.

THAT WAS A FANTASTIC, BEAUTIFUL EVENING.

ATTENDED THE GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE GOLDEN NUTS AND ONE OF THEIR FAMOUS, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? VIRAL CHOCOLATE IS THE DUBAI CHOCOLATE.

THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

IT'S LIKE A GROWN UP KIT CAT BAR.

ATTENDED VIRTUALLY THE METRO CITIES TRANSPORTATION AND GENERAL GOVERNANCE, MTE, OUR ART TO CHANGE THE WORLD BOARD MEETING, WHICH IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ART GROUP OUT OF NORTHEAST.

OUR EDA AND THEN OUR WORK SESSION LAST WEEK, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DISCUSSED AT THE WORK SESSION AND WANTED TO BRING IT UP DURING OUR PROCLAMATIONS IS THAT AS A COUNCIL, WE DECIDED TO UPDATE OUR PROCLAMATION WORDING TO REMOVE THE FORMAL STATEMENTS OF WHEREAS AND BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO TRANSLATE THAT FOR OTHER LANGUAGES.

AND AS AN ACCESSIBLE CITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE CAN UNDERSTAND OUR PROCLAMATIONS.

AND SO WE ARE GOING FOR A MORE SIMPLIFIED, BUT STILL KEEPING IT VERY IMPORTANT WORDING FOR OUR PROCLAMATIONS GOING FORWARD.

WE ALSO DISCUSSED CITY PROPERTIES AND WHAT OUR PLANS ARE FOR THEM.

THAT WAS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE WHERE WE'RE AT DEVELOPMENT WISE.

LAST WEEK ATTENDED THE MONARCH FESTIVAL, WHICH WAS, AS I SAID EARLIER, THE FOURTH YEAR OF HAVING THE MAYOR'S MONARCH PLEDGE AND OUR THIRD MONARCH FESTIVAL, AGAIN, IT WAS A BILINGUAL EVENT AND MANY THANKS TO OUR CITY STAFF FOR HELPING WITH THIS AND ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS FOR BEING A PART OF IT.

THAT WAS AS WE SAID, 200 PEOPLE ATTENDING, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT.

ONE LAST THING, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ANDREW BOUCHER FOR COORDINATING THE EXCEL ENERGY TEAM WITH THE COMMUNITY, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY EXCITING PROCESS TO HEAR FROM, AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE COULDN'T ATTEND, BUT THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE MEETINGS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

AND THAT'S IT FOR MY REPORT.

>> CITY MANAGER REPORT TIME. SORRY.

>> YEAH, SOUNDS GOOD. I'LL GIVE IT MY TURN SO THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST QUICKLY.

WE'VE ALREADY TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE MONARCH FESTIVAL, BUT CITY WANTED TO EXTEND A THANK YOU TO ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS AND ENTERTAINERS THAT EVENING THAT PARTICIPATED.

AND IN THAT AREA OF THE CITY, THERE'S SOME OTHER THINGS TO REPORT ON.

THAT'S THE SYLVAN LAKE PARK.

SO RIGHT NOW, THE CITY IS GETTING CLOSE TO FINISHING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT WITH THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

WE ARE REALLY EXPECTING THAT THE FINAL REVISED DEADLINE IS, IN FACT, AUGUST.

SO WE'RE HONING IN ON THAT.

THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DELAY IN THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ANALYZING SEWER CAPACITY FLOWS IN THE AREA WHERE THE NEW SEWER CAPACITY FROM THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S BEING PROPOSED WOULD INTERCEPT THEIR LINE.

WE DON'T EXPECT ANY SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS RELATED TO THAT ANALYSIS.

BUT IF THERE ARE, THEY'LL BE IDENTIFIED AND WE'LL BUILD THEM INTO THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE SITE.

SO THAT IS WHAT THE DELAY IS FOR.

BUT WE EXPECT COMPLETION OF THAT THIS MONTH.

[01:30:01]

SO WE'RE GOING TO HIRE THE CONSULTANT THAT HAS ASSISTED THE CITY IN THE PAST IN CREATING THAT PLAN JUST TO AMEND THAT TO LOOK AT THE ADDITION OF THAT SPORT COURT.

AND WE EXPECT THAT UPDATED SPORT COURT PLANS AND ACTUALLY AUTHORIZATION OF THAT CONTRACT TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER.

SO STAY TUNED FOR THAT.

IN THE UPCOMING EVENTS CATEGORY, WE HAVE TWO MUSIC IN THE PARK CONCERTS THIS WEEK ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14TH, AT 11:00 A.M. THE JOLLY POPS, AND THEN 630 THE ST. ANTHONY PARK COMMUNITY BAND, BOTH AT HUSET PARK EAST.

MOVING THE PARK SERIES KICKS OFF WITH BACK TO THE FUTURE THIS FRIDAY ON THE 16TH AT 8:30 P.M. IN HUSET PARK WEST.

ALONG WITH THOSE EVENTS, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS HOSTING CONE WITH A COP ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14TH FROM 5:00-7:00 AT DAIRY QUEEN, AND CUTS WITH A COP ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH AT THE MOLLER BARBER SCHOOL IN FRIDLEY FROM 11:00-3:00.

FALL NEWSLETTER SHOULD BE HITTING MAILBOX IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION, AND WE ENCOURAGE THE RESIDENTS TO TAKE A LOOK.

SEPTEMBER 1ST IS THE DEADLINE TO ADOPT A BOULEVARD TREE.

JUST A REMINDER THAT THESE TREES HELP CREATE AN URBAN CANOPY WITHIN THE CITY, AND IT'S FREE TO RESIDENTS.

SEPTEMBER 13TH IS THE DEADLINE FOR YOUTH TO APPLY FOR THE REVAMPED YOUTH COMMISSION PROGRAM IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

AND FOR INFORMATION ON THAT, PLEASE GO TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

AND THEN FINALLY, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE UPDATE ON MOVEMENT FOR THE RAINBOW SITE REDEVELOPMENT.

CONVERSATIONS ARE STARTING TO PICK UP WITH OUR DEVELOPMENT PARTNER ARRATUS, AND WE'RE REALLY HONING IN ON A PLAN THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE WHAT WE HOPE IS A GROCERY STORE, BUT NOW HAVE SHIFTED TO ALSO JUST SAY, WHETHER OR NOT THAT COMES TO FRUITION, WE NEED TO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD, GET THE FIRST PHASE, GEARED UP FOR THE SPRING OF 2025.

AND BUILD A SPACE, SPECULATIVELY THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE THAT GROUP, BUT POSITIVE MOVEMENT THERE, FINANCIAL MARKETS MOVING A LITTLE BIT AND FINDING NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THAT PROJECT OFF THE GROUND.

AND STAFF ARE VERY EXCITED TO INITIATE THAT, WHICH WOULD REALLY BE THE LAND USE ENTITLEMENTS PLAN UNIT DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS FOR THE FIRST PHASE.

SO STAY TUNED. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU.

ANYTHING ELSE? THAT TAKES US TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.

[COMMUNITY FORUM]

>> THERE IS ONE PERSON IN CHAMBERS, AND THERE IS NO ONE JOINING US ONLINE.

>> ALL RIGHT THEN. 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.

ONCE CALLED TO THE PODIUM, THE SPEAKER SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

SPEAKER SHOULD LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES.

PERSONAL ATTACKS, THREATS, USE OF PROFANITY, OR OTHER DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS ARE PROHIBITED.

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.

AND THAT FIRST PERSON MAY COME UP TO THE PODIUM.

>> KATHY GOMEZ, WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

>> WELCOME.

>> HI. I'M KATHY GOMEZ, RESIDENT OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR 30 SOME YEARS. LET ME DO THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND I WAS JUST WONDERING, I GUESS IT'S ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, BUT THE VENT NEXT DOOR THAT OUT OF THE RATIO MAKE SO MUCH NOISE.

>> THE VENT.

>> THE VENT.

>> YES.

>> I GUESS IT'S BEEN CALLED UPON IF YOU ALREADY SAW THAT WAS WHAT I WAS GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WITH IT BEING SO LOUD.

BUT I GUESS IT'S [INAUDIBLE]

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE IF YOU DON'T MIND.

>> KATHY, IS THAT ALL RIGHT IF WE HEAR FROM THE CITY MANAGER?

>> YEAH. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> YEAH. IT'S NOT ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WE'RE ALWAYS PREPARED, BUT THIS ONE [LAUGHTER] I'VE SPENT SOME TIME PERSONALLY TRYING TO ADDRESS.

SO I WOULD OFFER OUR APOLOGIES FOR NOT HAVING IT FIXED SOONER AND THERE IS A PLAN IN PLACE.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE ENGINEERING FIRM THAT

[01:35:01]

IT'S FAN NOISE ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE BUILDING.

AND WHAT'S GOING ON IS THAT THE FANS ARE A SEASONAL ITEM WHERE WE HAVE TO EXTRACT THE HOT AIR FOR THE HVAC EQUIPMENT IN THE SUMMER MONTHS BECAUSE IT HEATS UP WHEN THE COOLING SEASON IS ON, BUT IN THE WINTER, THE VENTS SHUT DOWN AND WE WANT TO RETAIN THE HEAT.

SO IT'S NOT THAT IT'S ALWAYS TAKING PLACE, BUT IT'S NOISY WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO BE OUTSIDE THE MOST PROBABLY.

AND IT'S DEFINITELY TO A DEGREE THAT THE CITY KNOWS THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT.

SO WHAT'S BEING DESIGNED RIGHT NOW IS A RE ENGINEERING OF HOW THAT FAN IS LOCATED TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE WALL, AND THEN ALSO CREATE AN ADDITION OF SOUND DEADENING MATERIALS TO THE DUCT WORK.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO START.

IF WE THINK THAT IT'S STILL A PROBLEM, WE HAVE OTHER ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS, BUT WE ARE WORKING TO SOLVE THAT.

I DON'T HAVE A DEFINITIVE TIMELINE, BUT WHAT WE ARE TELLING RESIDENTS IS THAT FOR THE NEXT COOLING SEASON NEXT SUMMER, WHEN THIS STUFF REALLY RAMPS UP, WE WILL HAVE IT DONE.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

>> IT'S PRETTY LOUD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TRY TO SLEEP IN THAT AND AIR CONDITIONER ON.

>> AGAIN, I WOULD APOLOGIZE THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THIS SOONER.

WHEN WE LAID OUT THE BUILDING AND DID THE SITE PLANNING AND APPROVALS, THIS ISSUE WASN'T KNOWN AT THAT TIME, AND I WISH WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE IT THEN.

SO NOW ALL WE CAN DO IS COME UP WITH AN ENGINEERED SOLUTION THAT WILL RESOLVE IT. AGAIN, THANK YOU.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION.

>> SURE.

>> I DIDN'T WRITE IT DOWN.

>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW WHERE THE ALLEY IS WHERE THE VENT IS NEXT?

>> YEAH.

>> ISN'T THAT CITY LIKE YOU GUYS PARKING ON THE OUTSIDE IN OUR ALLEY?

>> YES. ANOTHER GOOD QUESTION.

>> BECAUSE YOU COULD TELL THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU GUYS ARE ALL GONE.

CITY IS ALL GONE, AND RESIDENTS FROM RATIO IS ALL PARKING IN THERE, THROWING THEIR GARBAGE IN THERE.

I KNOW IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT, BUT IF I HAVE TO GO OUT AND PICK UP, IT'S BAD ENOUGH I GOT TO PICK IT UP ON MY STREET BECAUSE PEOPLE FROM RATIO THROW IT IN MY YARD AND IT'S ANNOYING TRYING TO GET IN OUT WHEN YOU GOT RESIDENTS ALL PARKING THERE.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT?

>> I'D ALSO TAKE THIS ONE.

[LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING. THE CITY MANAGER IS THANKFULLY HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> AGAIN, THE GROWING PAINS WE'RE TRYING TO RESOLVE AS YOUR NEW NEIGHBOR, FIX THESE ISSUES, AND THAT PARKING AREA IS THE CITY'S.

SO WHAT IS CURRENTLY GRAVEL, WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT THE PLANS FOR PAVING TO THE COUNCIL IN A MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, AND THE INTENT IS TO PAVE IT TO FULLY FINISH IT, THE CITY PORTION, AND IT WOULD BE FOR CITY USE, SO WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE RATIO TENANTS TO BE PARKING THERE.

AND PART OF THAT STRATEGY INCLUDES MOVING SOME OF THE CITY VEHICLES FROM THE PARKING GARAGE TO THAT LOT THAT WILL BE PARKED.

>> YOU COULD TELL WHAT CITY THE VEHICLE IS SOMETIMES, BUT THEN WHEN YOU SEE IT LIKE AT ONE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, YOU GUYS ARE ALL STILL.

>> YEAH. IT WILL BE INTENDED TO BE CITY HALL USE AND SIGNED AS SUCH, AND THEN WE'LL BE ENFORCING THAT.

SO WE'RE CLOSE TO RESOLVING THAT ISSUE AS WELL.

>> LET'S GO IT.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

>> THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS RIGHT AWAY.

ANYONE ELSE? THEN, AS NO ONE ELSE HAS ANY ITEMS TO BRING UP AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM, COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING?

>> SO I MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.

TO ADJOURN THE MEETING, ANY DISCUSSION, EVERYONE SAY, AYE. AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.