Aug 26, 2024 City Council

[00:00:01]

ALL RIGHT, THEN IT IS 6:00.

[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

WELCOME TO EVERYONE HERE IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND WATCHING ON THE RECORDING OR LIVE.

COULD OUR CITY CLERK PLEASE DO A ROLL CALL? THANK YOU. AND I'D 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.

AND NOW, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, PLEASE RISE AND JOIN ME IN SAYING 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.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

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

ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARING? NONE.

THEN ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]

SO FIRST ITEM IS OUR 2024 OUTSTANDING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD.

AND THAT GOES TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PIZZA MAN.

AND CHRIS IS HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY.

AND WE DID DELIVER A PLAQUE FOR YOU EARLIER THIS SUMMER, BUT I HAVE SOMETHING TO READ ABOUT WHY YOU RECEIVED THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

HEIGHTS PIZZA MAN.

I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, EDA, HAS NAMED HEIGHTS PIZZA MAN AS THE 2024 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR UNDER CHRIS KOLSTAD'S LEADERSHIP.

HEIGHTS PIZZA MAN HAS BECOME A CORNERSTONE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THEIR DEDICATION TO SUPPORTING LOCAL NONPROFITS, ASSISTING THOSE IN NEED AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF UNITY IS COMMENDABLE, SAID COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR MITCH FORNEY. KOLSTAD PURCHASED HEIGHTS PIZZA MAN IN JANUARY 2020, JUST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES, HE FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDING FREE PIZZA SLICES DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES, AND ENSURING SACA CLIENTS COULD ENJOY HOLIDAY MEALS. HIS EFFORTS INSPIRED OTHERS TO CONTRIBUTE, AMPLIFYING HIS IMPACT.

KOLSTAD ALSO PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY SAFETY BY OFFERING FREE RIDES HOME ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, AND RECENTLY LAUNCHED A PAY IT FORWARD PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED. COLSTON SAID, WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE PIZZA.

MY FAVORITE PART IS THAT IT'S BECOME MORE THAN THAT.

HE CREDITS HIS STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT, SAYING THIS RECOGNITION MEANS A LOT NOT ONLY TO ME BUT ALSO TO MY STAFF.

CONGRATULATIONS TO HEIGHTS PIZZA MAN FOR BEING NAMED THE 2024 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHENED OUR COMMUNITY.

AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM, I HAVE A LITTLE PRESENTATION FOR YOU.

WELL, COULD YOU GRAB A PICTURE? YEAH. APOLOGIES.

I MEAN, NO DISRESPECT. I JUST GOT A LITTLE.

IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY.

IT'S A BRIGHT ROOM. WELL, WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING IN.

SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. I KNOW HOW BUSY IT IS WHEN YOU HAVE A BUSINESS TO TRANSACT WITH.

YOUR POWER GOES OUT. NO, TWICE IN A DAY BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE IS HERE.

YES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

[INAUDIBLE]. YEAH.

I MEAN, I GUESS TO BE HONEST, I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO SAY OTHER THAN THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS, THE RECOGNITION FOR IT AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. IT'S WEIRD.

MY OTHER JOB, I'M A PUBLIC SPEAKER, BUT I REALLY DON'T EVER HAVE MUCH TO SAY IN THESE SITUATIONS.

BUT I JUST APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU GUYS HAVE GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND KEEP BUILDING OURSELVES ALONG WITH IT.

SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING.

AND NOT TO BE RUDE, BUT I HAVE TO GO MAKE PIZZA.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND AGAIN, I DIDN'T SAY IT ON THE MICROPHONE.

BUT WE ALL KNOW, ESPECIALLY IN THE EDA, HOW HOW MUCH WORK IT IS TO HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS.

[00:05:02]

SO WE ALSO NOT ONLY APPRECIATE YOUR PIZZA AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT, BUT EVEN JUST COMING IN HERE AND TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD, WE KNOW IT TAKES TIME FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

SO THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION AND IT IS FOR SEPTEMBER.

IT IS THE SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES WILL READ THIS FOR US.

THANK YOU.

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH, A TIME TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO PREVENT SUICIDE AND SUPPORT THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO LEARN HOW TO HELP AND TALK ABOUT SUICIDE WITHOUT INCREASING HARM.

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS CAN AFFECT ANYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE, GENDER, RACE, ORIENTATION, INCOME, RELIGION, OR BACKGROUND.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION, SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG INDIVIDUALS AGED 10 TO 34, WITH OVER 48,000 PEOPLE DYING BY SUICIDE ANNUALLY IN THE UNITED STATES.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS STANDS WITH LOCAL EDUCATORS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, COACHES, LEADERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND PARENTS IN SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY.

LOCAL AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS NAMI ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS CRITICAL ISSUE.

WE URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO CHECK IN ON THE WELL-BEING OF FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

A SIMPLE GESTURE, A CALL, A MESSAGE, A HANDSHAKE, OR A HUG CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

THANK YOU. NOW, THEREFORE, I, AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA, MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2024 AS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ALL OF US.

I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A CONNECTION TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN THIS SITUATION, AND I THOUGHT WE SHOULD JUST TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO THINK OF THOSE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

NEXT, WE HAVE A RECOGNITION OF THE 2024 NORTHERN LIGHTS AWARD.

AND TO DISCUSS THIS PRESENTATION IS OUR COMMUNITY DIRECTOR SORRY, COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, WILL RUTTER.

OUR NORTHERN LIGHTS AWARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY ART POSTERS THAT WE HAVE IN THE CENTRAL PLACE ROOM.

EACH YEAR, THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS, YOUR STATE, YOUR COUNTY, YOUR CITY, COMMUNICATIONS PEOPLE, OUR WATERSHEDS, THEY ALL GET TOGETHER IN JULY.

AND THEN WE HAVE AN AWARD CEREMONY.

AND THESE ARE VOTED UPON THROUGH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

SO IT'S NOT MINNESOTA PEOPLE VOTING FOR MINNESOTA PEOPLE.

WE PARTNER WITH NORTH CAROLINA, WE VOTE ON NORTH CAROLINA AWARDS, AND NORTH CAROLINA VOTES ON MINNESOTA AWARDS.

SO LAST YEAR, AS PART OF OUR CITY HALL GRAND OPENING, WE DECIDED WE WANTED TO INCLUDE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

AND THIS WAS PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY ARTISTS TO RECREATE OUR ICONIC POSTER SERIES IN THEIR DIFFERENT MEDIUMS. SO PARTNERED WITH NINE DIFFERENT ARTISTS.

SOME ARE FORMER TEACHERS, SOME ARE FORMER STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SOME ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND WE GOT A WIDE ARRAY OF ART IN THE CENTRAL PLACE ROOM, AND IT WAS A FANTASTIC PROJECT.

VERY SHORT NOTICE, I THINK.

I MET WITH AARON CHIRPICH AND KEVIN HANSEN BACK IN EARLY JULY, AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE GRAND OPENING, AND SO WITHIN THREE WEEKS WE HAD SUBMISSIONS AND THE ARTISTS GOT TO WORK ON TWO WEEKS NOTICE.

AND SO BIG THANK YOU TO THEM.

IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY ARTISTS, WHETHER IT'S OUR WE'VE DONE SOME STUFF IN THE STREETS FOR ADOPTED TRAINS AND NOW WE'VE DONE THIS PROJECT. SO WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD TO WAYS TO PARTNER WITH ART ARTISTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE PROJECTS AS THEY COME ALONG.

AND I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR AWARD.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR THE COUNCIL SUPPORT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROMOTE ART IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

I THINK IT WAS SUCH A GREAT IDEA TO DO THAT, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY.

AND I HAVE SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA MANY OF THE ARTISTS WHO ARE A PART OF THIS PROJECT TO NOW THEY GET TO BE PART OF THIS AWARD.

[00:10:04]

IT'S ALL OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS WHO ARE A PART OF THAT.

SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

NEXT, WE HAVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL WILL BE TAKEN UP AS A NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS, WITH THE COUNCIL LIKE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

JUST ON ITEM NUMBER TWO, I HAVE A SMALL ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE, SO I'D LIKE TO PULL THAT ONE.

OKAY. DO WE NEED TO PULL IT FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE OR IS IT A CHANGE OF THE MINUTES? CHANGE OF THE MINUTES.

CITY ATTORNEY IS SAYING NO.

SO JUST TO COMMENT THAT ON THE JUNE 11TH SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, IT HAS LISTED COUNCIL LIAISON COUNCIL MEMBER ZINS.

AND I WAS ACTUALLY AT THAT MEETING.

IT WAS A GREAT MEETING. NICOLE CAME AND PRESENTED TO US, SO I REMEMBERED IT WHEN I READ IT THROUGH.

SO JUST TO CHANGE THAT, TO NOTE THAT I WAS PRESENT FOR THAT MEETING.

WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.

CAN WE MAKE THAT ADDITION TO THE AGENDA? THANK YOU. OR THE MINUTES? ANY OTHER ITEM.

ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

I WOULD LIKE IF WE COULD HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA INFORMATION FROM THE CHIEF.

I THINK THAT IT'S A REALLY GREAT PROGRAM, SO I DON'T I DON'T NEED TO PULL IT, BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE TO HEAR A BIT MORE ABOUT IT.

ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. THEN. THEN CITY MANAGER CHIRPICH.

YEAH. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

ITEM ONE ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 12TH, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM TWO IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JUNE 11TH AND JULY 9TH, 2024 SUSTAINABILITY ABILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, AS AMENDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS. EXCUSE ME.

JAMES. ITEM THREE.

LICENSED AGENDA IS JUST BUSINESS LICENSES APPROVED BY THE CITY.

ITEM FOUR IS A PARTNERSHIP.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM BEING PROPOSED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND WE'D LIKE TO HAVE CHIEF MARKHAM GIVE A LITTLE MORE DETAIL AROUND THAT.

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

GOOD EVENING. SO THAT ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA CAME UP WITH A CONVERSATION BETWEEN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ZINA STENVIG AND ME.

WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS CONNECTING WITH OUR SPANISH SPEAKING POPULATION.

SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN OUR ECUADORIAN POPULATION IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND WITHIN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AND THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO START A VARSITY BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

SO WE LOOKED AT THIS AS A WAY TO CONNECT WITH OUR SPANISH SPEAKING POPULATION AND ALSO GIVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AN OPPORTUNITY TO START A BOYS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP FUND THAT START UP, AND THEN WE WILL ALSO USE IT AS A MENTORING PROGRAM LIKE WE'VE DONE WITH OUR VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WITH THAT, WE'LL ALSO HAVE SOME PRE-GAME AND POST-GAME ACTIVITY, HOPEFULLY WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, AS WE CAN TRY TO CONNECT WITH A DIFFERENT SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE SO BEFORE.

SO THAT'S KIND OF THE HISTORY BEHIND THAT.

AND THEN ALSO, IF YOU COULD ALSO JUST SHARE A BIT ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AIDE FOR THIS.

YEP. SO WE'LL BE PAYING FOR IT WITH THE ONE TIME PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING MONEY THAT CAME FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO AFTER THAT, THE INITIAL STARTUP.

IT'LL BE FUNDED THROUGH OUR ANNUAL BUDGET THROUGH OUR NORMAL COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAMING.

GREAT. THANK YOU.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING AN UPDATE ONCE THE PROGRAM IS GOING FORWARD AND KIND OF HEAR HOW WELL IT'S GOING, SO THANKS.

SOUNDS GOOD. ALL RIGHT.

PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF.

ITEM FIVE ARE THE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSES FOR APPROVAL.

AND FINALLY, ITEM SIX IS THE REVIEW OF BILLS FOR THIS PERIOD, WHICH TOTALS $1,438,579.83.

MAYOR. THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT THEN. HEARING IS NOT MAY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

SO MOVED. MOVED TO APPROVE.

AS PRESENTED. SECOND.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING IS NONE.

THEN ALL IN FAVOR? SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.

[PUBLIC HEARINGS]

WE ARE MOVING TO NUMBER EIGHT, THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1704, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 12, ARTICLE IV 1583, GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO COMCAST OF MINNESOTA, INC.

[00:15:03]

AND TAKING US THROUGH THIS ITEM IS CITY MANAGER OUR IT DIRECTOR, JESSE.

NO. THANK YOU. JESSE.

AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO WE WILL LISTEN TO REMARKS FROM OUR IT DIRECTOR, AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC.

GREAT. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THE CITY AND COMCAST ENTERED INTO A CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT THROUGH THE ADOPTION AND EXECUTION OF ORDINANCE 1583, IN 2010. THAT AGREEMENT WAS EXTENDED INTO 2015 THROUGH 2020 AS A PART OF A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE PROPOSED FRANCHISE TRANSFER THAT ULTIMATELY WAS TERMINATED.

SINCE THEN, THE TERM OF THE FRANCHISE EXPIRED, ALTHOUGH COMCAST HAS CONTINUED TO OPERATE UNDER THE ORIGINAL TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.

THE CITY AND COMCAST AGREED TO USE THE INFORMAL CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL PROCESS TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.

THE PROCESS IS ESSENTIALLY A CONTRACT NEGOTIATION.

THE CITY AND COMCAST HAVE REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S APPROVAL.

IN YOUR PACKET IS A CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT ORDINANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS ORDINANCE.

LABELING OF EQUIPMENT IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.

THAT WAS A REQUEST BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SO THAT COMCAST EQUIPMENT IS CLEARLY LABELED.

THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT FRANCHISE FEE REMAINS THE SAME AT 5%.

THE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY $0.90, WHICH IT EQUALIZES OUT TO ABOUT 1.7%.

IT'S UP TO 2% NOW.

HD CHANNELS. SO THE CHANNEL THAT THIS IS BROADCAST ON FOR THE CITY, THE LIBRARY'S CHANNEL AND THE HIGH SCHOOL'S CHANNEL, THOSE NOW HAVE WILL HAVE AN HD OPTION AS WELL.

AND THEN THE CHANGE OF THE OLD CITY HALL TO THE NEW CITY HALL ADDRESS FOR CABLE BROADCAST.

IS THAT IT? THAT IS IT.

IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCILMEMBER JAMES.

THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS AND TO GETTING US ALL SET UP FOR AN ARRANGEMENT.

I DID TALK TO THE IT DIRECTOR ABOUT PAGE 119 INCLUDES A LIST OF THE FREE SERVICE, WHICH IS WONDERFUL.

I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT WAS BEEN NEGOTIATED.

NUMBER EIGHT SAYS CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL NEED TO UPDATE THAT.

AND THEN WE WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO IF THIS WOULD APPLY TO ALL THE SCHOOLS IN OUR AREA, OR JUST THESE ONES OR WHAT THE CUT OFF DATE IS.

SO BEFORE OUR SECOND READING, WE WILL LOOK INTO WHICH PUBLIC BUILDINGS OR SCHOOLS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.

THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ALL RIGHT THEN. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

SO I WILL OPEN THIS UP TO THE PUBLIC.

IF THERE'S ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

AND THIS IS JUST FOR THIS ITEM.

FOR THE FOR COMCAST.

ALL RIGHT. OR IS IT FOR THIS ITEM? SURE, YES IT IS. ALL RIGHT, THEN, IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK, IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE YOUR NAME AT THE MICROPHONE.

MY QUESTION MIC].

THANK YOU. SO THIS DOESN'T NECESSARILY CHANGE HOW THEY'RE INSTALLING THE COMPONENTS IN OUR RIGHT OF WAY.

COMCAST IS OPTING TO DO MORE BURYING OF FIBERS OR LAYING THOSE NETWORKS IN.

BUT THIS DOESN'T NECESSARILY REQUIRE THEM TO BURY THE FIBER OPTIC OR COPPER NETWORKS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

IS THAT ANYTHING THAT WE WOULD DISCUSS WITH THEM OR IS THAT JUST NOT A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION? I WOULD HAVE TO CLARIFY THAT WITH OUR CITY ENGINEER, BECAUSE THAT ACTUALLY MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT'S IN OUR RIGHT OF WAY.

PERMIT. OKAY.

IS THAT AN ANSWER YOU COULD HAVE FOR OUR NEXT? YES, I CAN HAVE THAT ANSWER FOR YOU.

OF COURSE. ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I WILL JUST DOUBLE CHECK IF WE HAVE ANYONE VIRTUALLY ATTENDING THE MEETING.

WE DO NOT.

ALL RIGHT. AND ONE MORE TIME. IF ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE HAS ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

ALL RIGHT. HEARING IS NONE.

THEN I MAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING.

OR MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING? MOVE TO CLOSE THE HEARING AND WAIVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

MOVE TO CLOSE THE HEARING AND WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1704, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

[00:20:05]

THEN ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION TO SET THE SECOND READING.

MOVE TO SET THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 17 ZERO FOUR.

BEING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 12, ARTICLE SIX, ARTICLE FOUR 1583 GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO COMCAST OF MINNESOTA INCORPORATED TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN A CABLE SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2024 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEGINS TO SET THE SECOND READING.

ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.

WAS THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO WAIVE AS WELL? OKAY. CLOSE THE HEARING AND WAIVE.

OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CAPTURED ON THE RECORD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR.

MOTION THEN HAS BEEN MOTIONED BY COUNCILMEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEGINS TO SET THE SECOND READING.

ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? HEARING IS NONE. THEN ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]

THIS IS UNDER ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.

NUMBER NINE IS THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1700.

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER NINE LAND USE 9.103.

DEFINITIONS 9.104 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 9.105 NONCONFORMITIES.

9.106 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

9.107 SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

9.109 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS 9.110 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS AND 9.111 INDUSTRIAL.

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.

MITCH FORNEY.

OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS, BUT I DO WANT TO LET THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS KNOW AND THE COUNCIL THAT WE WILL OPEN THIS UP TO COMMENTS AFTER THE PRESENTATION.

AND WE HAVE FORMS OUTSIDE THE DOOR JUST RIGHT OUTSIDE THIS EXIT DOOR HERE.

IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC, IF THEY WOULDN'T MIND PUTTING THEIR NAME DOWN AND THEN HAND THEM TO THE CITY CLERK HERE.

ALL RIGHT. AND MITCH.

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

I WILL JUST START OUT BY PREFACING THAT I WON'T GO OVER ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING IN THIS ZONING AMENDMENT.

IT HAS VERY THOROUGHLY BEEN COVERED BY OUR CITY PLANNER, ANDREW.

I'D RECOMMEND CHECKING OUT THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION OR THE FIRST READING OF THIS ORDINANCE FOR AN IN DEPTH DETAIL ON ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT ARE PROPOSED TO BE CHANGED. WITH THAT BEING SAID, AT THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THERE WERE SOME CHANGES THAT WERE SUGGESTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING A FEW ITEMS. I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT THOSE ITEMS WERE CHANGED IN THIS, THE FIRST ONE BEING GREENHOUSES.

THOSE WERE ALTERED TO BE PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES.

AND THEN THEY WOULD, AS STATED BEFORE, THEY WOULD NOT BE INCORPORATED IN THE NUMBER OF ACCESSORY STRUCTURES THAT ARE ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY.

THEY WOULD STILL HAVE TO MEET ALL IMPERVIOUS SURFACE REQUIREMENTS, WHICH WOULD LIMIT, YOU KNOW, A BUNCH OF GREENHOUSES OR A VERY LARGE GREENHOUSE GOING IN AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT THEY WILL NOW BE PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE THEM PERMANENTLY AND NOT HAVE TO TAKE THEM DOWN EVERY YEAR.

THE NEXT ONE WAS REMOVING GENDERED PRONOUNS, WHICH IS JUST AN OBJECTIVE OF STAFF TO DO.

WHENEVER WE HAVE UPDATES TO ZONING CODE, ITEMS LIKE THAT KIND OF FIX OUR LANGUAGE AND MOVE ON WITH THOSE ITEMS, AND THEN ALSO THE ALTERATION OF ROOMING, THE ROOMING AND BOARDING LANGUAGE SO THAT THE LIMITATIONS THAT WERE REMOVED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CODE ALSO JIVED WITH OUR ROOMING, ROOMING AND BOARDING AND THE NUMBER OF RENTERS ALLOWED TO BE IN THE HOME.

AND THEN THE LAST PIECE WAS JUST OF CLARIFICATION ON PARKING OR NOT PARKING PADS, BUT OVERHANGS THAT GO OVER THE VEHICLES.

PERMANENT STRUCTURES ARE ALLOWED DURING OR VIA CODE, BUT NONPERMANENT STRUCTURES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

SO TENTS ITEMS THAT ARE PUT UP TO COVER RV'S CARS.

THOSE ARE NOT ALLOWED. BUT IF, SAY YOU HAVE A HOUSE WITH A, OR A ROOF EXTENDING OFF THE SIDE, ESTABLISHED IN BUILDING CODE APPROVED BY BUILDING CODE, THOSE ARE ALLOWED IF THEY ARE PERMANENT AND THEY MAINTAIN THE SAME BUILDING MATERIAL STANDARDS AS THE HOUSE.

THEY HAVE TO BE IN CONGRUENCE WITH THE HOUSE.

THEY CAN'T JUST BE THROWN UP WITH BOARDS AND PLYWOOD.

SO AND THEN ONE OTHER ITEM IS THE WE HAVE RECEIVED SOME INTEREST FROM RESIDENT IN THE CITY ABOUT THE CHANGE FROM 120FT² TO 100 OR 200FT² WITH REGARD TO ACCESSORY STRUCTURES BEING REQUIRED

[00:25:10]

SO CURRENTLY THE STATE BUILDING CODE, WHICH IS ADOPTED BY THE CITY, ONLY REQUIRES A BUILDING PERMIT FOR ACCESSORY STRUCTURES THAT ARE 200FT² OR MORE. SO THIS IS JUST BRINGING THE CITY'S CODE INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE STATE BUILDING CODE.

IN THE PAST. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SINCE THIS CHANGE HAS HAPPENED IN THE STATE BUILDING CODE, THE STATE OR THE BUILDING OFFICIAL HAS DECIDED TO SIDE WITH THE BUILDING CODE, AS THAT IS THE OVERARCHING CODE THAT THIS FALLS UNDER.

AND IT'S NOT IT'S NOT ALLOWING LARGER STRUCTURES TO BE BUILT.

IT'S JUST ONLY REQUIRING THOSE STRUCTURES OF 200FT² TO HAVE A PERMIT.

200 OR MORE.

YOU'RE STILL ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE TWO MAXIMUM, SO PEOPLE CAN'T HAVE A BUNCH OF ACCESSORY STRUCTURES.

AND YOU CAN STILL ONLY HAVE 1000FT² TOTAL OF ACCESSORY STRUCTURES.

AND THEN ALONG WITH THE NEW IMPERVIOUS SURFACE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE ACROSS ALL DISTRICTS, YOU KNOW, THAT CAN'T BE LARGER.

IF YOU HAVE A SMALL LOT AND YOU HAVE MORE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE.

SO NOT A HUGE CONCERN ON THE SIDE OF STAFF WITH REGARD TO THAT, BUT STAFF ARE OPEN TO QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATION ON ANY PARTS OF THE ORDINANCE THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? THIS IS OUR SECOND READING.

SO WE JUST SO THAT AUDIENCE UNDERSTANDS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS ALREADY AND IT'S OUR SECOND READING.

BUT AND AS I SAID THOUGH, WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.

SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK YOU'RE WELCOME TO.

YES. IF YOU CAN GRAB A PIECE OF PAPER, PUT YOUR NAME ON THAT.

AND JUST DOUBLE CHECK ONE MORE TIME THAT THERE ISN'T ANYONE VIRTUALLY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

LAUREL DINEEN WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU.

YEP. I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK EVERYBODY HERE WHO WORKED ON THE CODE AND THE POLICY CHANGES TO ALLOW FOR ADUS AND TINY HOMES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT TO SO MANY PEOPLE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE AGING PARENTS OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SISTERS OR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, THAT THIS WILL REALLY HELP CREATE SOME INDEPENDENCE AND THE NEEDED CARE FOR THESE PEOPLE.

IT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF THE CULTURES THAT LIVE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND IT MEANS A LOT THAT YOU'VE TAKEN THIS ON AND YOU'VE MADE THESE CHANGES.

AND I REALLY WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO REALLY WORKED ON THIS.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND TO ANYONE WATCHING THE RECORDING, WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR ANOTHER GUEST WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO PAUL RADEMACHER, IS THAT CORRECT PRONUNCIATION OR.

TEN 2540.

SO THE WAY I UNDERSTAND THIS, YOU'VE GOT SIZING ON THIS AND EVERYBODY KNOWS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT HAVE STANDARD LOTS.

OUR LOT LINES WHERE I LIVE JOG BACK AND FORTH.

WE HAVE COMMON DRIVEWAYS.

I CAN HAVE A BIG HUGE SHED RIGHT NEXT TO A HOUSE THAT HAS A MINOR LOT.

YOU BROUGHT UP 1000FT².

THAT'S THE SIZE OF A HOUSE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

I MEAN, THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS.

WE'RE NOT EVEN ADDRESSING CHICKEN COOPS HERE JUST BECAUSE THE STATE SAYS 200FT².

WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

I MEAN, THAT'S THAT APPLIES TO HAM LAKE.

THAT'S LIKE EAST BETHEL.

THAT APPLIES TO MOORHEAD.

WE CAN EXCEED THAT, IF YOU ASK ME.

ANYTHING BIGGER THAN AN EIGHT BY TEN SHOULD BE A CITY PERMIT, AND IT SHOULD BE SIGNED OFF BY THE NEIGHBORS.

WE DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT IT.

MY DWELLING, THE BACK OF IT IS PROBABLY 20FT FROM THE LOT LINE.

AND YOU'RE TELLING ME A GUY CAN PUT UP A PERMANENT GREENHOUSE AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN SPECIFYING THAT IT'S ALL GLASS? I MEAN, WE COULD USE POLE BARN MATERIAL THAT'S TRANSLUCENT TO HAVE A GREENHOUSE.

YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THAT? I DON'T.

THIS IS JUST COMMON SENSE.

THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WANT.

THIS IS FOR RURAL AREAS.

[00:30:01]

MOST PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SHARE DRIVEWAYS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT THIS STUFF.

THAT'S MY COMMENT.

I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS 100%.

IT ONCE AGAIN GOING BACK TO THE COMCAST COMMENT.

TACKY. 100% COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CAN DO BETTER.

START WITH A CHICKENSHIT ORDINANCE.

WHY ARE CHICKENS ALLOWED IN THE CITY? WHY DOES MY NEIGHBOR HAVE GRASS FOUR FEET TALL? WHY DOES MY OTHER NEIGHBOR HAVE A CAR WITH NO MOTOR SITTING OUT THERE FOR YEARS? WHY DOES ANOTHER NEIGHBOR HAVE AN RV AND VEHICLES PARKED IN THEIR YARD? I MEAN, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE GOING ON.

WE NEED TO GET WITH THE TIMES AND STRAIGHTEN OUT WHAT WE HAVE.

THIS IS NOT.

THIS IS GOING BACKWARDS.

THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

AND I WOULD SAY TO THE ITEMS ABOUT PEOPLE'S YARDS AND STUFF.

WE DO HAVE ORDINANCES AND OR SAY CODES FOR THAT.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT.

YEAH. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE ALLOWS FOR VARIOUS VIOLATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE CITY'S INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS RUN THROUGH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

IF THERE'S A SPECIFIC COMPLAINT RELATED TO SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A PROPERTY MAINTENANCE VIOLATION, WE ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO REACH OUT TO US, DISCUSS IT, AND THEN WE CAN INVESTIGATE IF WARRANTED.

THANK YOU.

AND THEN I KNOW YOU HAD MENTIONED ABOUT THE BRINGING UP TO THIS TO HAVE THE SAME STANDARD AS STATE CODE IF YOU WANT TO.

COULD YOU SHARE A BIT MORE ABOUT HOW IT'S BEEN BEFORE AND WHY? WHY IT'S NEEDED TO, YOU KNOW, IN STAFF'S OPINION AND WITH COUNCIL CONVERSATION TO WHY IT'S NEEDED TO COINCIDE WITH STATE CODE. YEAH.

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

I'LL TRY TO, BUT AARON CAN DEFINITELY JUMP IN FOR A LITTLE MORE CLARIFICATION.

IN GENERAL, WE TRY TO STAY CONGRUENT WITH THE STATE BUILDING CODE JUST DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT'S EVERYTHING THAT RYAN ENFORCES.

HE MAINTAINS THE SAME STANDARDS ACROSS ALL AREAS.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN EVEN GO OFF OF THAT, BUT I THINK, AARON, THE STATE BUILDING CODE IS THE CODE THAT'S OFFICIALLY ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

SO THE CITY CAN'T HAVE A MORE RESTRICTIVE ASPECT TO THAT CODE IF IT IS THE CODE THAT WE'VE ADOPTED.

SO, OR WE COULD HAVE MORE RESTRICTIVE POTENTIALLY, BUT NOT LESS RESTRICTIVE.

AND IN THIS CASE, BUILDING OFFICIAL IS AN AGREEMENT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE WAY THE CITY WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED AND INTERPRET AND ENFORCE THE SAME WAY THAT THAT THE REST OF THE STATE.

HAS ADOPTED IT.

AND ALSO THOUGH OUR SAME BUILDING STANDARDS WOULD BE INCLUDED.

SO COMMENTING ABOUT A GREENHOUSE, FOR INSTANCE, WE WOULD HAVE BUILDING CODE STANDARDS FOR WHAT THAT WOULD BE MADE OUT OF TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ABOVE 200FT² WOULD REQUIRE THE PERMIT.

IN THAT CASE, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE, AND UNDER THAT IT WOULDN'T HAVE CODES TO FOLLOW, WOULD NOT HAVE BUILDING CODE REVIEW.

IF THIS COUNCIL WAS INTERESTED IN A ZONING REVIEW OF, YOU KNOW, ANY ACCESSORY STRUCTURE, IT COULD BE CONSIDERED.

BUT IT IS A BALANCING ACT BETWEEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS THAT JUST WANT TO GET A SHED FROM HOME DEPOT, YOU KNOW, PUT IT IN THEIR YARD AND NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PERMITTING PROCESS.

STAFF AREN'T ENCOUNTERING ENOUGH NUISANCE COMPLAINTS WITH THESE THINGS TO SUGGEST THAT, BUT IT IS SOMETHING.

AND I DO WANT TO REITERATE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL GUARDRAILS THAT GOVERN ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE OF JUST THIS LIMIT, WHICH AGAIN, THIS IS JUST THE THRESHOLD LIMIT FOR WHAT REQUIRES A BUILDING PERMIT AND WHAT DOESN'T.

IT ISN'T INCREASING THE AVAILABLE SIZE.

THAT HAS ALWAYS HAD THE LIMIT OF 1000FT² FOR ALL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES.

AND IN THE CITY YOU'RE ALLOWED UP TO TWO.

SO YOUR GARAGE COUNTS TOWARDS THAT.

AND THEN ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL SHED OR GREENHOUSE OR OTHER ACCESSORY STRUCTURE COMBINED CANNOT GO OVER THAT THRESHOLD AMOUNT.

SO THIS THE 120 TO 200 DID NOT CREATE A NEW SIZE CATEGORY OR BRACKET.

[00:35:04]

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

JUST TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION, THE MATERIAL STANDARDS STILL APPLY TO BUILDINGS THAT ARE LOWER THAN THE BUILDING PERMIT.

SO IF SOMEONE BUILDS A SHED OUT OF A FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAD ONE BUILD OUT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE THAT SOMEBODY SPRAY PAINTED AND BUILT A LITTLE ENCLOSURE WITH POLITICAL SIGNS CALLED THAT A SHED.

THOSE STILL DOES NOT MEET THE MATERIAL STANDARDS OF AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE.

SO THOSE ARE STILL REGULATED.

IT'S JUST NOT CAUGHT ON THE FRONT END THAT IS ESTABLISHED VIA A COMPLAINT FROM A NEIGHBOR OR MEETING, STUFF LIKE THAT, AND SIMILAR TO SETBACK REQUIREMENTS.

SO WITH THE COMMENTS ON HOW CLOSE IT CAN BE TO THE LOT LINE, EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T HAVE A BUILDING PERMIT, IT IS STILL REQUIRED TO BE MEET OUR SETBACK REQUIREMENTS AND BE SO FAR AWAY FROM THE LOT LINE. CAN'T BE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

STILL HAS TO MEET THOSE.

IT'S JUST NOT ESTABLISHED DURING THE BUILDING, THROUGH THE BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS.

IT'S ESTABLISHED THROUGH COMPLAINTS FROM NEIGHBORS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO JUST TO REPEAT THAT ONE MORE TIME, IT IS PEOPLE ARE NOT APPLYING FOR A PERMIT.

AND THEN HAVING THE CITY SAY, WHERE ARE YOU SETTING THIS? WHAT IS IT MADE OUT OF WHEN THEY'RE SMALLER THAN THAT? SO IT'S FOUND AFTER THE FACT IS COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS MITCH ANSWERED PART OF MY QUESTION ABOUT THE SETBACKS THAT THE SETBACKS WILL BE HELD WHEN. NOW, AN ADDITIONAL QUESTION I HAVE IS IF A BUILDING PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED, DO THOSE SETBACKS APPLY TO THOSE SMALLER UNITS? YEAH, THE ANSWER WOULD BE YES.

THANK YOU. IS THE SETBACK STANDARD FOR ALL? LOTS. LET ME SCAN IT QUICK.

I WANT TO SAY I HAD THIS BOOKMARKED.

SO IT DIFFERENTIATES BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

BUT MOSTLY WE'RE TALKING IN THE CONTEXT OF RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES FOR ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS SHALL BE SET BACK A MINIMUM OF THREE FEET FROM THE SIDE LOT LINE. A MINIMUM OF THREE FEET FROM THE REAR LOT LINE, AND A MINIMUM OF FIVE FEET FROM ANY OTHER BUILDING OR STRUCTURE ON THE SAME LOT.

THEY ALSO ARE TO BE LOCATED BEHIND THE PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE BUILDING IN THE FRONT YARD, SO NOTHING IN THE FRONT YARD.

YOU CAN'T PLACE A SHED IN YOUR FRONT YARD.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? AND THIS IS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY.

IF ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

SURE. YEAH.

IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT ITEM, I WOULD SAY IF IT'S THE SAME ONE, I JUST HAVE A REBUTTAL.

A REBUTTAL? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID? YEAH. YOU'RE WELCOME TO SAY SOMETHING.

I JUST WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO COME UP AND SAY THE EXACT SAME THING.

YES. SO STANDARD SETBACKS IN MOST CITIES ARE MINIMUM OF FIVE, USUALLY TEN.

SO THREE FEET.

I MEAN YOUR GUTTERS ARE TOUCHING AGAIN TEN.

YEAH. OH, SORRY.

TEN BY 200FT² IS TEN BY 20.

THAT MEANS YOU CAN PARK A GARAGE, A CAR IN A SHED, AND NOT HAVE A PERMIT TO PARK THAT CAR IN A SHED ON YOUR LOT.

I KNOW IT BECAUSE WE'VE DONE IT.

NOT IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, BUT WE HAVE BUILT A SHED TO PARK A CAR IN TEN BY 20.

A STANDARD PARKING STALL IS NINE BY 18.

THIS IS WHERE YOU GUYS ARE, LIKE, NOT CLOSE.

AND WHEN IT'S HARD TO-- THIS IS WHERE I AM SAYING NEIGHBORS SHOULD HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON ANYTHING OVER, SAY, AN EIGHT BY TEN JUST TO BE GENEROUS.

OKAY. I THINK THAT'S VERY FAIR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD POINTS TO CONSIDER.

THANK YOU. AND WE DO APPRECIATE I KNOW THIS ITEM HAD COME UP.

WE DO HAVE STANDARD ITEMS DURING MEETINGS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE LEGALLY THAT WE GIVE THAT OPTION.

BUT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL AND STAFF, WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HEAR PEOPLE COME FORWARD WITH ITEMS AT THE COUNCIL MEETING.

AND SO WE APPRECIATE IF PEOPLE HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO ADD TO LET US KNOW.

AND WE CAN OPEN THAT UP TO TO HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

IF THERE AREN'T ANY OTHER MORE ITEMS THEN FROM THE COUNCIL, MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO WAIVE THE READING?

[00:40:09]

THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEGINS TO WAIVE THE READING.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. I THOUGHT I SAW SOMEBODY WAVING.

NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION THEN TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.

MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 1700 BEING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER NINE.

LAND USE 9.103.

DEFINITIONS 9.10.

FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 9.105.

NONCONFORMITIES 9.106.

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS 9.107 SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

9.109 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.

9.110 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS AND 9.111 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, AND DIRECT THE STAFF TO SEND THE SUMMARY ORDINANCE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE LEGAL NEWSPAPER. SECOND, I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEGINS TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.

SEEING ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THERE'S A LOT IN THIS THAT I THINK IS REALLY WONDERFUL IN GENERAL.

I APPRECIATE US UPDATING OUR STANDARDS AND THEN HOLDING ALL PROPERTIES TO THOSE STANDARDS.

AS WE ALL KNOW, DRIVING AROUND OUR NEIGHBORS, WE SEE PEOPLE OUT OF COMPLIANCE ALL THE TIME.

BUT WHAT THIS IS, THIS IS PUT TOGETHER THROUGH THE HARD WORK OF OUR CITY PLANNER, AND WE HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITH THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST MEETING.

THERE WERE PEOPLE PAVING THEIR WHOLE FRONT YARD, OR PAVING THEIR WHOLE BACKYARD AND DOING OTHER THINGS THAT WERE WILDLY OUT OF OUR NORM.

SO THIS BRINGS US ALL INTO A VERY SPECIFIC STANDARD.

WE DO MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR GREENHOUSES AND FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE A GOOD STANDARD AND THEN WE'LL HOLD PEOPLE TO THAT STANDARD.

AND SO IF YOU SEE PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE NOT SURE ABOUT, PLEASE DO CALL.

BUT IN GENERAL, WE WANT TO ALLOW PROPERTY OWNERS TO HAVE AS MUCH POSSIBLE RIGHTS TO DO LAWFUL WORK WITHIN THEIR PROPERTY WITHOUT IMPINGING ON THEIR NEIGHBORS.

SO THAT'S WHY I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS BIG CHANGE TO LOTS OF LITTLE PARTS OF OUR CODE.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

AND I WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING SIMILAR THAT ALTHOUGH WE ALL MAY HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF HOW WE WANT PEOPLE TO USE THEIR PROPERTY, I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS THE SAME WAY THAT WE HAVE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO WITHIN REASON, AS LONG AS THEY'RE FOLLOWING OUR CODES, HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO IN THEIR PROPERTIES.

SO I APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS ON THAT, AND I APPRECIATE PEOPLE SPEAKING UP AS WELL.

ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT THEN. HEARING IS NOT I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BEGINS TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER TEN, WHICH IS THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1701, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND 5.607 PET SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL KENNELS.

AND MITCH FORNEY WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS ONE AS WELL.

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

ORDINANCE 1701 IS DRAWN DIRECTLY FROM THE AUGUST WORK SESSION.

IS THE EXACT SAME ORDINANCE THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL THEN.

BUT IN GENERAL, THE HUMANE PET STORE ORDINANCE LIMITS THE ABILITY FOR PET STORES, WHICH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOESN'T HAVE ANY NOW, BUT SAY WE WERE TO HAVE SOME TO SELL PETS THAT WERE NOT, OR CATS AND DOGS SPECIFICALLY THAT WERE NOT ACQUIRED FROM AN ANIMAL SHELTER OR RESCUE AGENCY OR ITEMS LIKE THAT.

SO IT REMOVES THE PET STORES ABILITY TO SELL CATS AND DOGS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, FROM PUPPY MILLS OR OTHER.

MAYBE NOT SO SAVORY INSTITUTIONS OR COMPANIES THAT ARE TRYING TO SELL OR MASS PRODUCE.

UNFORTUNATELY, ANIMALS TO BE SOLD 21 OTHER CITY MUNICIPALITIES OR JUST A COUPLE ACTUALLY HAVE PASSED SIMILAR ORDINANCES.

BUT THIS WAS KIND OF DRAWN FROM THE STATE ORDINANCE THAT WAS PROPOSED LAST YEAR AT THE 2324 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DID NOT PASS, BUT IT WILL BE BROUGHT FORTH AGAIN.

ULTIMATELY, THIS WAS BROUGHT TO STAFF BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND STAFF HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

KIND OF JUST MAKING THIS SMALL LIMITATION TO ANY PET STORE THAT DOES COME INTO THE CITY.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR COMMENTS.

ALL RIGHT THEN, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING?

[00:45:05]

WHERE'D IT GO? SORRY, MY COMPUTER ISN'T WORKING, SO I'M RELYING ON MY PHONE.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION WAS SOMEBODY ELSE MIGHT BE MOVED TO WAIVE THE READING.

OH. GOT IT. OKAY. SORRY.

YOU GOT IT, CONNIE. THANK YOU.

MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1701.

THERE BE AN AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

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

MOVE TO SET THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1701 BEING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND 5.607 PET SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL KENNELS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2024 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 P.M.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT I HAD CONVERSATION WITH MITCH FORNEY PRIOR TO THE MEETING ON TWO ISSUES INVOLVING I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE THEM, MITCH. THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE RESCUE SITES THAT MAY NOT BE A NONPROFIT OR NOT BE LICENSED IN ANY WAY.

AND THEN ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HE'S GOING TO LOOK INTO BEFORE WE THIS COMES BACK BEFORE US ABOUT WILDLIFE FOWL THAT ARE BEING CARED FOR, REPUTEDLY BEING CARED FOR AT A LOCAL RESIDENCE.

BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY THING I HAD.

HE'S GOING TO COME BACK WITH THAT.

OKAY. I GUESS I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT THAT I APPRECIATE STAFF BEING ABLE TO MOVE ON THIS ISSUE.

THIS WAS SOMETHING I THOUGHT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO BRING UP AT OUR COUNCIL.

AND SOMETIMES THE WHEELS TURN VERY SLOWLY IN GOVERNMENT, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IT JUST HAPPENED TO BE THAT IT WORKED OUT FOR STAFF TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON THIS AND GET THE WORDING THAT THAT WORKED THE BEST.

WE HAD HELP FROM CAN YOU TELL ME THE ORGANIZATION AGAIN YOU'RE WITH? OKAY. HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH SOME WORDINGS, SUGGESTED WORDING FOR US, AND WE WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT AS WELL.

ALL RIGHT THEN I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO SET THE SECOND READING BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR COMMENTS? HEARING IS NOT THEM.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.

THE READING WILL BE SET FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

WE HAVE NO NEW BID CONSIDERATIONS FOR TONIGHT OR BUSINESS AND REPORTS.

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

I JUST HAVE A QUICK ONE.

LET ME TURN THE PAGE. I ATTENDED THE SUMMER STAFF LUNCHEON.

I ATTENDED THE MEET AND GREET AT THE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STAFF THIS PAST WEEK, AND ALSO THIS AFTERNOON ATTENDED THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DENTISTRY OPENING UP ON 5200 BLOCK OF CENTRAL AND THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FACILITATED FOR RESIDENT REACH OUTS.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

NO UPDATES FOR ME.

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

THANK YOU. I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS MOVIE IN THE PARK AND THAT WAS REALLY FUN TO SEE.

THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY AND GREAT JOB TO THE STAFF WHO PUT THAT ON.

I WAS ABLE TO TAKE A WEBINAR WITH THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON HOW CITIES IN MINNESOTA CAN PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING PAID LEAVE LAWS.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED FULLY BY JANUARY 1ST, 2026.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT MINNESOTA IS THE 13TH STATE TO IMPLEMENT THESE LAWS.

AND SO THE DEED LEADERS WERE SPEAKING ABOUT HOW THEY'VE BEEN CHECKING IN WITH ALL THE OTHER STATES ON WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? HOW HAS IT WORKED? AND ALSO FOR FOLKS TO KNOW THAT THIS FALL THEY HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPEN FOR BUSINESS LEADERS OR ANYONE, AND THEY'RE PUTTING TOGETHER THE PROCESS OF HOW IT WILL BE ADMINISTERED.

AND SO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR IDEAS ON WHAT WOULD WORK FOR YOU, NOW IS THE CHANCE FOR YOU TO MAKE THAT COMMENT.

I ALSO TOOK A COURSE WITH THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES ON CALCULATING PROPERTY TAX FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WITH KIND OF THE TECHNICAL KNOW HOW OF HOW TO DO THAT.

AND THAT'S IT FOR ME. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

HI, EVERYBODY.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I HAD EARLIER THIS TWO WEEKS AGO IS A MEETING WITH OUR CITY MANAGER AND LAUREN FROM PUBLIC WORKS.

THE DIRECTOR OF WMO APPROACHED ME.

APPROACHED US ABOUT.

CLEANING UP SULLIVAN LAKE NOT ONLY WITHIN CONJUNCTION.

[00:50:02]

THE. I CAN'T TALK RIGHT NOW ANYWAY.

EXPLORING THE OPTION OF GOING BEYOND JUST THE REDEVELOPMENT AND CLEANING UP SULLIVAN LAKE.

SO WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE THEM AT A, I BELIEVE, SEPTEMBER 3RD WORK SESSION.

THEY'RE GOING TO PRESENT THEIR IDEAS TO US TO SEE WHAT THE COUNCIL THINKS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

IT COULD BE SMALL. IT COULD BE VERY LARGE SYSTEM THAT COULD BE PLACED.

BUT WE'RE JUST EXPLORING IT AT THIS TIME AND CROSS YOUR FINGERS THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN WORK.

BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE LOVE SULLIVAN LAKE.

AND IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE IF WE COULD DO SOMETHING TO HELP CLEAN THAT UP.

THERE'S NINE STORM DRAINS FROM 94 FROM FRIDLEY, FROM CENTRAL AVENUE, PLUS ALL THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DRAIN INTO THAT LAKE.

SO, IT'D BE GREAT IF WE COULD FIND A SOLUTION FOR THAT.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE KIDS' SCHOOL, FARMERS MARKET UP AT THE VALLEY, AT THE FAMILY CENTER.

IT WAS REALLY SWEET TO SEE THE KIDS LEARNING HOW TO SELL THEIR PRODUCE AND TELL ME WHAT IT'S ABOUT, AND IT WAS REALLY CUTE.

AND I LOVE THAT THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT THAT AND GROWING THEIR OWN VEGETABLES.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE CON WITH THE COP AT THE GREAT DAIRY QUEEN, AND I WANT TO THANK THE CHURCH NEXT DOOR THAT THIS YEAR THEY ALLOWED PEOPLE TO PARK.

THEY SHARED THEIR PARKING SPACES FOR US, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY TOWING ISSUES THIS YEAR AND ALSO ATTENDED THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION.

THEY'RE STILL WORKING HARD ON PURCHASING POLICIES, SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING POLICIES AND SOME OTHER ITEMS ON THERE.

I ATTENDED THE STAFF LUNCHEON AND IT WAS NICE TO MEET SOME OF OUR STAFF'S FAMILY.

IT'S A GREAT IT WAS GREAT WEATHER.

I ALSO ATTENDED A SOCIAL HOUR AND A STUDENT ART GALLERY AT CENTRAL MIX.

IT'S REALLY NICE TO HAVE LOCAL STUDENT EXHIBITING THEIR ART AND ALSO ENJOYING THE NICE COFFEE SHOP AND THE FOOD.

AND THEN I ATTENDED THE MUSIC IN THE PARK WITH SAINT ANTHONY COMMUNITY BAND.

THIS LAST WEDNESDAY WAS A NICE RELAXING EVENING AGAIN.

GREAT WEATHER.

SO. AND THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ATTENDED SOME OF THE SAME EVENTS AS OUR OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THE STAFF LUNCHEON WAS FANTASTIC AND THE FOOD WAS FROM BRASA, I BELIEVE.

I HAD NOT EATEN THAT FOOD BEFORE.

THAT WAS SO GOOD.

OH MY GOSH, CAN'T RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH.

ATTENDED OUR SCHOOL SCALING THE HEIGHTS EVENT, WELCOMING NEW TEACHERS AND NEW STAFF.

AND TODAY, ACTUALLY, WE HOSTED THE VALLEY VIEW NEWS STAFF AND TEACHERS HERE AT CITY HALL IN OUR COMMUNITY CENTRAL PLACE ROOM.

THERE WAS A LOT OF FUN TO SEE THEM HERE AND ALL THEIR ENERGY.

ATTENDED MOVIE IN THE PARK WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES FOR THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY FOR A BIT.

MANY THANKS TO WILL RODDER AND STAFF AT PUBLIC WORKS HELPING SET THAT UP AND THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTING THAT, INCLUDING, I BELIEVE THAT WAS MAGNIFY BANK WAS THE SPONSOR FOR THAT EVENT.

STOPPED BY THE PRIMARY ELECTION AND THANKED ELECTION JUDGES.

AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF OUR ELECTION JUDGES HERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC WORKS FOR HELPING SET ALL OF THOSE UP.

ATTENDED OUR SISTER CITY MEETING.

WE ARE GETTING REALLY CLOSE TO OUR 1944 WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL SCULPTURE UNVEILING, WHICH WILL BE AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 21ST AT WEST HOUSTON PARK.

THE PLANNING IS UNDERWAY.

THE CONCRETE PAD IS IS DONE.

THE FLOWERS ARE GOING IN AND THAT SHOULD BE GOING UP SHORTLY, BUT STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ONLINE FOR OUR 1944 MEMORIAL.

ATTENDED THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYORS EXECUTIVE TEAM MEETING, WHERE WE PLAN OUT OUR MAYOR'S MEETINGS EVERY MONTH, HAD MY BIWEEKLY MEETING WITH OUR POLICE CHIEF AND WITH OUR CITY MANAGER.

AND WE'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, IN THIS HEAT THAT WE HAVE TODAY AND THE HUMIDITY.

MY POWER WENT OUT THIS AFTERNOON.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHOSE POWER IS OUT AND JUST WANT TO SAY TO BE SAFE OUT THERE AND LOOK FOR RESOURCES IF YOU NEED THEM AND REACH OUT TO FRIENDS.

BUT BE SAFE. IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY HOT OUT THERE, SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

AND THEN I'LL HAND IT OVER TO OUR CITY MANAGER.

MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL MUSIC IN THE PARK FINALE IS AUGUST 28TH, WITH IPSO FACTO AND MINNESOTA ICE CREAM TRUCK WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE.

IT TAKES PLACE FROM 630 TO 8 P.M.

IN HOUSTON PARK EAST, AND THAT EVENT IS BEING SPONSORED BY NORTHEAST BANK.

SO THANK YOU TO THEM.

THE FALL NEWSLETTER IS ABOUT TO HIT MAILBOXES ACROSS THE CITY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

IT HAS INFORMATION REGARDING NEWS, UPCOMING PROGRAMING AND EVENTS.

IT CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

THE CITY IS ALSO INTERESTED IN RECRUITING INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT'S MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

[00:55:03]

IN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING.

MEETINGS GENERALLY LAST TWO HOURS.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT OFFICER TABITHA WOOD AT (763) 706-8110 OR ANYONE FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THAT MATTER.

THE CITY STAFF WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR A RECENT CLOSURE OF THE CITY'S RECYCLING CENTER OVER THE WEEKEND.

AND ACTUALLY, THE PREVIOUS COUPLE OF WEEKS LEADING UP TO THIS WEEKEND, WE WERE HAVING TROUBLES GETTING THE SCRAP RECYCLING BIN BEEN EMPTIED BY OUR HAULER PARTNER, WASTE MANAGEMENT.

I'M TOLD THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE BIN WAS EMPTIED IN.

THE FACILITY WILL BE OPEN THIS WEEKEND AS USUAL.

STAFF ARE EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE VENDORS TO FULFILL THAT CONTRACT IF WE CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES.

SO AGAIN, APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THAT CAUSED STAFF TO RECEIVE A HANDFUL OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

AND THEN FINALLY, THE CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2025 HAS BEEN SENT TO THE COUNCIL AHEAD OF THIS MEETING.

JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR EVERYONE.

SO AT THE SEPTEMBER WORK SESSION ON THE THIRD COMING UP, THE CITY'S FINANCE DIRECTOR WILL REVIEW THE CITY WIDE LEVEL INFORMATION.

JUST THE BUDGET OVERVIEW IN GENERAL, FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

THE NEXT TWO WORK SESSIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL INFORMATION WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL AT THE OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER WORK SESSIONS.

THOSE PRESENTATIONS ARE COMPLETED BY EACH OF THE CITY'S DIVISION HEADS.

OF NOTE, THE PROPOSED BUDGET RIGHT NOW DOES INCLUDE AN 8% INCREASE IN THE CITY'S GROSS PROPERTY TAX LEVY.

HOWEVER, THAT'S PARTIALLY OFFSET BY A LARGER THAN EXPECTED INCREASE IN THE METRO AREA FISCAL DISPARITY SUBSIDY FOR THE YEAR, YIELDING A NET INCREASE OF 5%. ALSO A BIT OF NOTES ON THE CITY'S UTILITY RATES.

SO BY RESOLUTION 20 2314.

SO IN 2023, THE CITY COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT TOOK US THROUGH 2025 FOR OUR UTILITY CHARGES FOR WATER, SEWER AND REFUSE WHICH CALCULATED APPROXIMATELY A 4.3 UTILITY INCREASE FOR THE TYPICAL HOUSEHOLD OF FOUR.

THE ENCLOSED BUDGET HAS RECALIBRATED FROM THAT TIME TO ACCOUNT FOR OUR EXPERIENCE OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND PROPOSES AN ADDITIONAL 1.1% INCREASE ON UTILITY CHARGES, WHICH WOULD AMOUNT TO A 5.4% INCREASE FOR 2025.

IT'S NOT AN AGENDA ITEM ON TONIGHT'S MEETING, BUT RATHER THIS IS TO MEMORIALIZE THE FACT THAT IN CITY CHARTER CITY IS REQUIRED TO PRESENT THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET AND LEVY AMOUNTS IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

SO THIS IS REALLY THE KICKOFF OF THE OF THE BUDGET CYCLE, THIS THIS PRELIMINARY REPORT.

AND CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE PLACED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE TOMORROW FOR RESIDENTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT IT AS WELL.

AND IT'S REALLY OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND CONVERSATIONS AND HEARINGS, THAT WE WORK TO REFINE IT BEFORE WE ADOPT IT AT THE END OF THE YEAR. BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.

JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT WE NORMALLY MEET FOR A WORK SESSION THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH, BUT THAT WILL BE LABOR DAY, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 2ND.

IS THAT CORRECT? YES.

THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.

THAT WAS IN MY NOTES.

CITY OFFICES ARE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.

THE MEETING GETS PUSHED TO THE THIRD.

ON TUESDAY. AND THEN ALSO A NOTE THAT REFUSE AND RECYCLING ARE DELAYED BY A DAY.

AND THE FINAL DAY OF THE SPLASHPAD AND WADING POOLS IS ALSO SEPTEMBER 2ND.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. I HAVE A QUESTION.

ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER JAMES, THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANY UPDATE ON THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECT I'VE BEEN HEARING? I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN SEEING SOME WORK BEING DONE, AND I WANTED TO CHECK BECAUSE SCHOOL IS STARTING IN ABOUT A WEEK.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, I WAS TOLD BY THE CITY ENGINEER AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR THIS AFTERNOON THAT IT WILL BE COMPLETE BEFORE THE START OF SCHOOL.

THEY HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE, BUT THE TEAM IS CONFIDENT THAT IT'LL BE READY TO GO.

ALL THOSE CURB CUTS LOOK REALLY GOOD ON 49TH.

YES. AND I WAS GOING TO ASK FOR OUR WORK SESSION.

I GUESS THE ITEMS FOR OUR WORK SESSION WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE OUR WORK HOUR BEFORE THE MEETING.

WORK SESSION PACKETS WILL BE POSTED THIS FRIDAY ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

YEP. OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT THEN.

[01:00:02]

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

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

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

SPEAKERS ATTENDING VIRTUALLY SHOULD SEND A REQUEST TO SPEAK, AS WELL AS THEIR ADDRESS AND CONNECTION TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO THE MODERATOR USING THE CHAT FUNCTION AND WAIT TO BE CALLED ON TO SPEAK.

WHEN SPEAKING, VIRTUAL ATTENDEES SHOULD TURN THEIR CAMERA ON.

ALL SPEAKERS SHOULD LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO FIVE MINUTES.

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

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL LISTEN TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS AND, IF NEEDED, REQUEST STAFF TO FOLLOW UP OR DIRECT THE MATTER TO BE ADDED TO AN UPCOMING AGENDA.

GENERALLY, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION ON ITEMS RAISED AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM AT THE MEETING ON WHICH THEY ARE RAISED.

NOW, I'LL ASK OUR CITY CLERK IF WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.

ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT THEN.

MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING? SO MOVED.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING IS NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.