[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]
[00:00:04]
ALL RIGHT. IT IS 6:00, SO WE CAN START OUR MEETING FOR THIS EVENING.
LET ME JUST CHECK IN IF WE'RE OKAY WITH TECHNICALS TO MOVE FORWARD.
MY NAME IS AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA.
I'M THE MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH.
TO START OUR MEETING, COULD WE PLEASE HAVE A ROLL CALL? [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU.
I WOULD LIKE TO START OUR MEETING WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME IN SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
I HAVE A QUICK ADDITION TO THE AGENDA.WE HAVE A GUEST HERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE HER A COPY.
A COPY OF THE NATIONAL HOMELESS YOUTH AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL.
IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU. SO THAT I'LL HAVE THAT RIGHT BEFORE LETTER A.
BESIDES THAT, THEN I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU. WELL, FIRST WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST IN OUR COUNCIL CHAMBERS TODAY.
[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]
AND I HAVE SOMETHING I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.LYDIA, WHO IS SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE HERE.
INSPIRED BY LYDIA'S ADVOCACY, WE SHARED A PROCLAMATION FOR AWARENESS FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT OUR OCTOBER 28TH MEETING, AND HOPE FOR YOUTH JOINED US TO RECEIVE IT ON NOVEMBER 12TH.
WE CONTINUED THIS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION BY PROCLAIMING NOVEMBER AS HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS MONTH.
KEITA FROM THE SALVATION ARMY GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED THE PROCLAMATION AND SHARED HER INVALUABLE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS ACCESS SERVICES AND FIND STABLE HOUSING.
AS A CITY, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO EXPLORING WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING PROTECTING RENTERS RIGHTS AND ADDRESSING HOUSING INSECURITY. LYDIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TAKING THE TIME TO RAISE YOUR VOICE ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED.
YOUR COMPASSION AND DEDICATION INSPIRES US ALL AND WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU TONIGHT.
LET'S GIVE LYDIA A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
SO I'D ASK LYDIA IF SHE COULD COME ON UP AND TAKE A PICTURE.
AND I THOUGHT, IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO COME DOWN AND STAND WITH US AND HER FAMILY.
[00:05:05]
NEXT WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR HAPPY HOLIDAYS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.HAPPY HOLIDAYS IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IS HOME TO A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORS WHO CHOOSE AND SORRY, WHO CELEBRATE A RICH ARRAY OF HOLIDAYS, TRADITIONS, AND CULTURES DURING THE WINTER SEASON.
HOLIDAYS SUCH AS THANKSGIVING, NATIVE AMERICAN, HERITAGE DAY, HANUKKAH, KWANZAA, CHRISTMAS, WINTER SOLSTICE, LAS POSADAS, DIWALI, AND LUNAR NEW YEAR, AMONG OTHERS, BRING JOY, UNITY AND WARMTH TO THE HEARTS OF OUR RESIDENTS.
IT GAINED POPULARITY IN THE 1940S AND 50S AS A WELCOMING MESSAGE THAT RESPECTS THE DIVERSITY OF HOLIDAYS, FOSTERING A WARM AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO SHARE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION AS WE BEGIN THIS FESTIVE SEASON.
CONSIDER DONATING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL SHOP WITH A COP PROGRAM.
THESE ACTS OF GENEROSITY REFLECT THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS.
AS MAYOR OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, I AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 25TH, 2024, AS THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND EXTEND MY BEST WISHES TO ALL RESIDENTS FOR A JOYOUS AND MEANINGFUL CELEBRATION.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS ONE AND ALL.
WE ALSO HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR TONIGHT.
IT IS FOR TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE WHICH WAS THIS PAST NOVEMBER 20TH.
TRANS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1999 AS A VIGIL TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF RITA HESTER AND CHANEL PICKETT, TWO BLACK TRANSGENDER WOMEN WHOSE LIVES WERE TRAGICALLY TAKEN DUE TO ANTI-TRANSGENDER VIOLENCE.
THIS DAY HAS SINCE GROWN INTO AN ANNUAL OBSERVANCE IN NOVEMBER TO HONOR THE MEMORIES OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WORLDWIDE, WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN CUT SHORT BY ACTS OF VIOLENCE.
THIS DAY SERVES AS A VITAL PLATFORM FOR TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES AND THEIR ALLIES TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE ONGOING THREAT OF VIOLENCE FACED BY TRANSGENDER NON-BINARY, GENDER NON-CONFORMING, AND TWO SPIRIT INDIVIDUALS.
IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE PERVASIVE ANTI-TRANSGENDER PREJUDICE AND BIAS PRESENT IN OUR SOCIETY.
TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS FACE DISPROPORTIONATE LEVELS OF HATE CRIMES AND VIOLENCE, COMPOUNDED BY DAILY CHALLENGES SUCH AS DISCRIMINATION, HIGH LEVELS OF UNEMPLOYMENT, AND LIMITED ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE.
WE ALSO SOLEMNLY REMEMBER AND COMMEMORATE THE LIVES OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE LOST TO VIOLENCE.
REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO CREATING A SAFER AND MORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY.
AND TONIGHT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY MEMBER, ELLA NAKURA, WHO IS HERE TO RECEIVE THE PROCLAMATION.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM? ELLA? [INAUDIBLE] . THANKS FOR COMING IN, ELLA.
[00:10:03]
IS. CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? OKAY.I AM NOT TRANSGENDER OR NON-CONFORMING, BUT I AM A PART OF THE BIGGER LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK THIS PROCLAMATION IS A GREAT REMINDER THAT WE ARE ALL HUMAN.
NO MATTER OUR IDENTITY, OUR IDENTITIES AND OUR POTENTIALS ARE GREATER THAN OUR DIFFERENCES.
SINCE THE LAST TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.
84% OF THE VICTIMS WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND IT'S CLEAR THAT TRANSGENDER AND LGBTQ RIGHTS HAVE BEEN UNDERMINED SINCE THEY WERE BROUGHT UP AS AN ISSUE, INCLUDING THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF VIOLENT ACTS ON TRANS INDIVIDUALS AND THE ACTS AND THE EFFECTS THAT THEY CAN HAVE ON COMMUNITIES.
I HOPE THIS PROCLAMATION ENSURES THAT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS KNOW THAT THIS IS A SAFE SPACE WHERE THEY CAN BE LOVED AND FEEL SAFE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR IDENTITY, AND THAT WE AS A CITY WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO KEEP THAT PROMISE.
WE SEE YOU AND WE STAND WITH YOU.
THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS OUR SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE AND TONIGHT WE HAVE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER MICHELLE PETTWAY HERE TO SHARE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS.
SO SINCE MY LAST UPDATE, WHICH WAS QUITE A LITTLE BIT AGO ELECTIONS HAPPENED AND AS A BOARD, WE CONDUCTED A BUSINESS MEETING WHERE WE ACCEPTED THE ELECTION RESULTS AND BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE ELECTED TO SERVE FROM JANUARY 2025 TO DECEMBER 2029.
THOSE CANDIDATES ARE MARY GRANLUND, KARINA SMITH AND MYSELF.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO VOTED AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT, AND I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STILL BE A PART OF THE BOARD AND ITS CONTINUED GROWTH. I LOVE OUR DISTRICT SO MUCH AND I'M SO PROUD OF YOU, ELLA.
GOOD JOB AND LYDIA, YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.
SO I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO RAN.
SHREK THE MUSICAL WILL BE BEING PERFORMED AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL.
COMING UP. PERFORMANCES ARE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH THROUGH SEVENTH AT 7:00 AND THEN WE HAVE ONE PERFORMANCE ON SUNDAY THE 8TH AT 02:00PM. WE HAVE VERY TALENTED STUDENTS, SO I DO INVITE YOU TO COME OUT.
THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO PUT ON QUITE THE SHOW.
SO YEAH, COME OUT AND SUPPORT THEM AND AND SEE WHAT THEY'RE ALL ABOUT.
ALSO FEEL FREE TO ATTEND OUR BOARD MEETINGS.
AND BE A PART OF THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT DISCUSSION WITH US AS WE GO FORWARD WITH THINGS.
TOMORROW WE WILL HAVE A BOARD MEETING AND WE'LL BE CELEBRATING A HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHT, WHICH WE DO SOMETIMES TO HIGHLIGHT OUR HIGHLANDERS BECAUSE WE'RE CLEVER, RIGHT? WHICH WILL FEATURE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS GIRLS SOCCER SOCCER ASSISTANT COACH VICTOR ALVAREZ, WHO WAS NAMED GIRLS SOCCER CLASS AA STATE ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR. SO AND THAT PART IS USUALLY AT THE BEGINNING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY THE ENTIRE TIME FOR THE BORING STUFF, BUT IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO COME AND HAVE PEOPLE CELEBRATED AND ENJOY THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, YOU KNOW, WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
SO COME OUT, GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND HELP COACH ALVAREZ.
OUR MEETINGS AND WORK SESSIONS ARE HELD AT THE DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTER.
OUR REGULAR BUSINESS MEETINGS ARE AT 6 P.M.
OUR BUSINESS MEETINGS ARE RECORDED.
YOU CAN FIND THEM ON OUR DISTRICT WEBSITE, AND OUR WORK SESSIONS AREN'T.
BUT THE PUBLIC IS STILL MORE THAN WELCOME TO ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS.
WE TALK THINGS THAT WE'RE OFFERING AND CLASSES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
SO ALWAYS GOOD INFORMATION GIVEN THAT WORK SESSIONS TOO.
THANK YOU. WELL, THAT IS OUR MOST EXCITING PART OF THE MEETING.
I SHOULDN'T SAY EXCITING, BUT THAT'S OUR PRESENTATION, PART OF OUR MEETING.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO CONSENT AGENDA.SO YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY IF YOU'D LIKE.
[00:15:01]
BUT WE WILL GO INTO THE BUSINESS AS USUAL.IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE YOU HERE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
THAT TAKES US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
DOES THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT THEY'D LIKE, PULLED OR ADDED OR NOT ADDED, BUT QUESTIONS? LOOKS LIKE NOT THEN.
COULD OUR CITY MANAGER, AARON CHIRPICH TAKE US THROUGH THAT? MADAM MAYOR. COUNCIL FIRST ITEM ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 4TH, 2024 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES.
ITEM TWO IS APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 12TH SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
ITEM THREE IS SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1707, WHICH AMENDS CHAPTER THREE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE ARTICLE FIVE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFENSES. THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO PREVIOUS ACTION THAT THE COUNCIL TOOK REGARDING INSTITUTING THE ADMINISTRATIVE FINE SYSTEM AND PROCESS.
WE'RE CLEANING UP ADDITIONAL CODE SECTIONS.
ITEM FOUR IS THE SAME SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1708, WHICH AMENDS CHAPTER NINE LAND USE.
ITEM FIVE IS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 20 2481, WHICH IS ADOPTING RATES FOR WATER, SEWER, STORMWATER AND REFUSE SERVICES. THE ONLY CHANGE TO THESE FEES IS ACTUALLY TO THE REFUSE RATES AND THAT IS BECAUSE THAT CONTRACT WITH THE CITY'S HAULERS ACTUALLY TIED TO ANNUAL CHANGES IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
SO IT HAS TO BE UPDATED ANNUALLY TO REFLECT THOSE CHANGES AND THIS ALSO BRINGS THOSE RATES INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE BUDGET THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE 2025 BUDGET.
ITEM SEVEN IS RESOLUTION 20 2486, WHICH IS A FUND TRANSFER FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS 2024 BUDGET.
JUST TO PUT IT INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET FROM THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND.
ITEM EIGHT IS RESOLUTION 2020 4-888, WHICH IS APPROVING THE LES LABOR AGREEMENT.
SO THIS IS THE FIRST CONTRACT NEGOTIATION TO CONCLUDE FOR THE CITY IN PREPARATION OF 2025.
THIS IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT LABEL LABOR SERVICES UNION, WHICH REPRESENTS THE CITY'S POLICE OFFICERS.
ITEM NINE IS RESOLUTION 202- 91, WHICH IS NONUNION EMPLOYEE WAGES AND BENEFIT ADJUSTMENTS FOR 2025.
ITEM TEN IS APPROVAL OF CITYWIDE COMPUTER REPLACEMENTS.
SO THESE WERE BUDGETED IN 2024 BULK PURCHASE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
AND THE AMOUNT IS EXCEEDING CITY MANAGER AUTHORITY FOR AUTHORIZATION.
SO THAT'S WHY IT WOULD BE HERE THIS EVENING.
THE ROUTINE BUSINESS LICENSE APPROVAL FOR THE CITY.
SO SAME RENTAL LICENSES THAT HAVE COME TO THE CITY DURING THIS PERIOD.
AND FINALLY, ITEM 13 IS A REVIEW OF THE BILLS FOR THE CURRENT PERIOD, WHICH TOTAL $1,442,211.23.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL OR COMMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR.
A LARGE PART OF OUR CITY BUDGET IS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE UNION AND THEIR POSITION AND HOW THEY WE ARE WORKING TO HAVE COST OF LIVING UPGRADES FOR OUR OFFICERS AND ALSO POSITION DIFFERENTIALS AND LONGEVITY BOOSTS, AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
[00:20:05]
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT I AGREE.ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. HEARING IS NOT THEN HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, THEN ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS EVENING, SO IT TAKES US TO ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION.
[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]
I'M SORRY AND ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS, WHICH WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 14.ATTACHED IS THE LETTER THAT STAFF RECEIVED.
SECTION ONE OF 1685, ESTABLISHING THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL DENSITY CAP, STATES THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER MAY REQUEST A TEMPORARY LICENSE TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL RENTAL PROPERTY FOR THAT BLOCK.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON BLOCK 64, WHICH HAS A TOTAL OF 23 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, AN ALLOTMENT OF TWO RENTALS WITH THE BLOCK BEING AT CAPACITY, CONTAINING TWO EXISTING RENTALS THE CITY COUNCIL MAY GRANT OR DENY A TEMPORARY LICENSE AND SOLE DISCRETION, AS IT IS THE HOMEOWNER'S RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL. STAFF HAS BROUGHT FORTH THE APPEAL, ALONG WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR DISCUSSION AND REVIEW.
IF APPROVED, THE RESOLUTION WOULD GRANT A TEMPORARY LICENSE RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION TO THE HOMEOWNER WITH A FEW ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY COMPLETE THE LICENSE PROCESS WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION.
THIS PUTS A LIMIT ON HOW LONG THEY CAN TAKE TO BRING THE HOUSE INTO COMPLIANCE IF NEEDED, AND THE TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE IS VALID FROM FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE THAT THE LICENSE IS APPROVED. THIS GIVES THE HOMEOWNER AND THE TENANT THE ABILITY TO RENT THE HOME FOR A FULL ONE YEAR TERM AFTER THE TERM OF THE TEMPORARY LICENSE.
THE PROPERTY OWNER REQUESTING A TEMPORARY LICENSE MUST MAKE AN ANNUAL APPLICATION TO THE CITY, AND NO PROPERTY OWNER SHALL HOLD A TEMPORARY RENTAL LICENSE FOR THE SAME PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, AND I HAVE THE APPLICANT HERE IN ATTENDANCE IF HE WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING.
THANK YOU. IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK IN THE PODIUM, I APPRECIATE IT.
BOUGHT RIGHT BEFORE THE RECESSION.
SO IT WAS BELOW WATER FOR QUITE A BIT OF TIME.
SO WE'VE HAD THE PLACE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT I WANTED TO RENT IT OUT FOR.
I'M PLANNING ON SELLING IT WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS ANYWAY, SO IT WOULDN'T GO BEYOND THE TEMPORARY LICENSE, BUT I WANTED TO RENT IT OUT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS WHILE I IMPROVED THE PROPERTY SO THAT I CAN, YOU KNOW, GET IT READY FOR SALE SO I CAN, YOU KNOW, MAKE A PROFIT ON MY INVESTMENT FROM WAY BACK WHEN.
SO I JUST HOPE I CAN GET THIS EXCEPTION PASSED SO THAT I CAN COME INTO COMPLIANCE AND MOVE FORWARD.
YOU KNOW, I THINK, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THOUGH? YOU MIGHT WE MIGHT HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU IF YOU WANT TO.
WAIT A SECOND. COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.
DO YOU HAVE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT YOU OWN AS RENTAL PROPERTIES, OR IS THIS THE ONLY ONE? NO. OKAY, THAT'S MY ONLY.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER JACOBS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU RENT OUT A PROPERTY, IT'S A BUSINESS AND BEING A LANDLORD IS A BUSINESS, AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A BUSINESS OWNER TO KNOW WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T DO.
AND I GUESS, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD AT ALL? ALL RIGHT THEN.
SORRY. JUST SCROLLING TO THE RIGHT PAGE HERE.
THEN I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO WAIVE THE READING.
MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024 089, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND NEXT WE HAVE A MOTION THEN TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-089.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SINGLE FAMILY RENTAL EXEMPTION REQUEST FOR THE RENTAL APPLICATION AT 4933 SIXTH STREET, NORTHEAST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 55421 SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
[00:25:04]
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AS NOTHING.AYE. ANY OPPOSED? OPPOSED. AND THE MOTION PASSES.
NEXT WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 15, AUTHORIZATION OF SEOUL SMART PARTICIPATION AND THIS WILL ALSO BE REPRESENTED OR PRESENTED TO US BY OUR CITY PLANNING PLANNER, ANDREW BOUCHER.
COUNCIL, BEFORE YOU, YOU HAVE AN AUTHORIZATION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE SOLSMART PROGRAM.
SOLSMART IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE NO COST TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AND IMPLEMENT NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES TO EXPAND SOLAR USE IN JURISDICTIONS.
COMMUNITIES ARE RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED THROUGH A DESIGNATION PROCESS OF BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD, OR PLATINUM THROUGH ACTIONS, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION, AND A SERIES OF CATEGORIES SUCH AS PERMITTING AND INSPECTION, PLANNING AND ZONING, GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT. THE CITY WILL WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOLSMART TEAM AND THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL TO IMPROVE SOLAR MARKET CONDITIONS, MAKING IT EASIER, FASTER AND MORE AFFORDABLE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO INSTALL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS, ALONG WITH INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF LOCAL PROCESSES RELATED TO SOLAR DEVELOPMENT.
THE CITY INTENDS TO LEVERAGE SOLSMART TO ACHIEVE SOLAR GOALS DEFINED IN THE CITY'S COMP PLAN, AND PARTNERS IN ENERGY PARTICIPATION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AND EXPAND ON ENERGY CONSERVATION GOALS.
TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS, THERE ARE A FEW PREREQUISITES THE CITY NEEDS TO MEET BEFORE THE BRONZE DESIGNATION CAN BE ACHIEVED, INCLUDING PROVIDING A SOLAR STATEMENT DEMONSTRATING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO PURSUE SOLSMART DESIGNATION.
AN ONLINE CHECKLIST DETAILING THE REQUIRED PERMITS, SUBMITTALS, AND STEPS OF THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR, AND THEN REVIEWING ZONING REQUIREMENTS AND IDENTIFYING ANY RESTRICTIONS THAT UNINTENTIONALLY OR INTENTIONALLY PROHIBIT SOLAR PV DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS, SETBACK REQUIREMENTS, SCREENING AND VISIBILITY, AND THEN HAVE THESE COMPILED IN A MEMO FOR FUTURE ACTION.
THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REVIEWED THE SOLAR STATEMENT AND THE PROGRAM GUIDE, INCLUDING A VARIETY OF ACTIONS IN THE CATEGORIES MENTIONED ABOVE AT THE NOVEMBER 20TH, 2024 MEETING AND GIVE A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION IN SUPPORT OF PARTICIPATION.
WITH THAT, STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-087, AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SUBMIT THE SOLAR STATEMENT LETTER AND BEGAN PARTICIPATION IN SOLSMART.
WITH THAT, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
THANK YOU. JUST ONE QUICK QUESTION.
THE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS AND THE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
IS THAT JUST IN GENERAL, IS THAT SPECIFIC TO SOLAR PANELS IN TERMS OF, LIKE, IF WE'RE MAKING CODE UPDATES? SO IN MY OPINION, AS THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE ANY BARRIERS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THE ZONING CODE DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS RENEWABLE ENERGY.
SO THIS WOULD BASICALLY JUST BE IDENTIFYING IF THERE ARE ANY BARRIERS AND THEN PROPOSING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LANGUAGE THAT WOULD SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY AND I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SAY I'M EXCITED FOR US TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AND UNLESS I MISSED IT, JUST THIS CAME FROM OUR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION.
YEP. SORRY IF YOU SAID THAT AND I MISSED YOU SAYING THEY GAVE IT A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION.
SO I'M SO GLAD AND SO THEY THAT MEANS THEY HAD OUR OUR.
IT'S A VOLUNTEER COMMISSION FOR THE CITY.
IT'S RELATIVELY NEW I THINK IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF.
THEY'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSION AND CONVERSATION AND DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SHARE ABOUT KIND OF THE JOURNEY OF HOW THIS CAME HERE? THIS ACTUALLY SHOWS UP IN OUR IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND AS WE'VE KIND OF GONE THROUGH THE ENERGY PARTNERS AND ENERGY PROCESS, WE LANDED ON SOME GOALS FOCUSING ON ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ENCOURAGING RENEWABLE ENERGY.
AND SO THIS JUST FELT LIKE A REALLY GOOD SEGWAY INTO SOME OF THOSE GOALS AND I THINK AS WE KIND OF LOOK FORWARD TO SOME OF THE COUNCIL ACTIONS IN THE FUTURE, I THINK THIS WILL JUST BE A REALLY GOOD RESOURCE TO HAVE.
AS WE KIND OF GET INTO THE GOAL SETTING SIDE OF THINGS.
GREAT. YEAH. I'M SO EXCITED TO HAVE THIS.
WELL, IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS AND I HAVE A MOTION, THEN TO WAIVE THE READING.
MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-087.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
[00:30:04]
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES AND NEXT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-087.
BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PARTICIPATION IN THE SOLSMART DESIGNATION PROGRAM, AND DIRECT STAFF TO COMPLETE THE ACTIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE. SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING AND HEARING AS NONE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]
COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST? SURE. THANK YOU.THANKS. SINCE OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, WE WERE.
I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC SAFETY LUNCH.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THEN THE BRAVER ANGELS HAD A WORKSHOP FOR CITY OFFICIALS AND IT WAS ABOUT MANAGING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WITH CONSTITUENTS AND COLLEAGUES AND IT WAS TAUGHT BY DOCTOR BILL DOHERTY.
ALSO THAT DAY, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND A MEETING HOSTED BY OUR CHIEF OF POLICE AND MAYOR REGARDING THE LABELLE COMMUNITY AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH GUNSHOTS THAT WERE FIRED THERE AND LISTENING TO RESIDENTS AND I REALLY LOVE TO HEAR THE QUESTIONS AND THE ANSWERS PROVIDED BY OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY BUILDING, WHICH MAKES US ALL SAFER. AND SO IF YOU MISSED THAT MEETING, I DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR TO OUR MAYOR OR TO MYSELF TO SHARE KIND OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR PARTICIPATION IN BUILDING SAFE COMMUNITIES.
WE SAW ALL OF THEIR AMENITIES AND THEIR OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS THERE.
BY THAT DEVELOPMENT THE MAYOR HOSTED A TOWN HALL MEETING, WHICH I ATTENDED.
I WAS ABLE TO BRING YOUTH FROM FIRST LUTHERAN AND OTHER CHURCHES TO VOLUNTEER AT A FOOD SHELF.
WE SORTED ABOUT 3,000 POUNDS OF FOOD IN MAYBE AN HOUR AND 20 MINUTES.
SO IF YOU HAVE SOME FREE TIME, I ENCOURAGE YOU.
I ATTENDED THE MINNESOTA CLIMATE COALITION MEETING WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT WAYS THAT WE CAN UTILIZE OUR CITY AND STATE PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE APPLY FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE.
A MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS IS IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY PAYING YOUR ENERGY BILLS, THERE IS ENERGY ACTION PROGRAMS IN OUR COUNTY AND OTHER WAYS THAT YOU CAN GET HELP WITH THOSE BILLS. IT IS ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS, SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY SO THAT YOU CAN GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT.
AND THEN I FINALLY ATTENDED THE METRO CITIES POLICY ADOPTION MEETING AND THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER JACOBS.
I PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED LAUREN LEITCH'S SEND OFF AT FORGOTTEN STAR AND THEN THE PUBLIC SAFETY LUNCH THAT EMILY COSSMAN PINNING OUR FIRST FEMALE CAPTAIN AND WELL DESERVED.
THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A SEPARATE CLINICAL Q&A AND THEN HAD 13 RESIDENT REACH OUTS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER HAMAS IS A RECOGNIZED TERRORIST GROUP BY THE US AND EUROPEAN UNION.
THE FOCUS OF ONE INDIVIDUAL IN THE REPORT IS NAMED AS MR. TAHA SALAH.
NOT ONLY DOES HE SERVE ON OUR PARKS AND REC COMMISSION, AND THAT IS NOTED REPEATEDLY IN ARTICLES THAT ARE POSTED ONLINE AND IN THE MEDIA, ACCORDING TO A STATEMENTS MADE DIRECTLY TO ME, HE WAS THE PRIMARY IMPETUS OF THE PALESTINIAN RESOLUTION AND THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR OF THE RESOLUTION PROVIDED TO THE MAYOR EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THAT RESOLUTION WAS EVENTUALLY PASSED BY A VOTE OF 4 TO 1 AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS RESOLUTION, HIS RESOLUTION WAS REVIEWED AND AMENDED BY ACTING CITY ATTORNEY SCOTT LEPIK, PROTECTING THE CITY FROM ANY FUTURE LIABILITY.
THE ISSUE IS THAT MR. HERZOG, WHO PRESENTS HIMSELF AS A DEEP CONNECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY, WAS PERSONALLY NAMED IN A LAWSUIT ALLEGING HE PROVIDED MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR HAMAS THROUGH HIS ACTIVISM.
HE'S ALSO IDENTIFIED AS AN ALLEGEDLY VERBALLY ACCOSTING A MEMBER OF CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
[00:35:08]
ACCORDING TO ONE VIDEO DOCUMENTING MR. HATZALAH, HE STATES, ANYBODY WHO HAS ANY RELATIONSHIP OR ANY SUPPORT OR IDENTIFIES THEMSELVES AS A JEWISH PERSON OR AS A CHRISTIAN ZIONIST, THEN WE SHALL NOT BE THEIR FRIEND.I WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE ENEMY NUMBER ONE, AND OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THAT AS SUCH.
THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE REPORTS A MORE HIS MORE EXTREME OR MOST EXTREME COMMENTS AT A 2014 CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO CAME FROM HIM WHEN HE WAS THE AMPS, THE AMPS NATIONAL CAMPUS COORDINATOR.
HE ENDED HIS COMMENTS WITH A CALL FOR VIOLENCE, STATING ISRAELIS HAVE TO BE BOMBED.
THEY ARE A THREAT TO THE LEGITIMACY OF PALESTINE.
EARLIER LAST WEEK, I VOICED MY CONCERNS TO CITY LEADERSHIP TO NO AVAIL.
HOWEVER, REPORTED ON WCCO RADIO ONLY HOURS LATER, MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR FREY APPEALED TO THE MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS UNION TO NOT ALLOW MR. SALEH TO SPEAK AT THEIR EVENT THIS PAST WEEK.
YOU CAN GOOGLE MAYOR FREY'S COMPELLING COMMENTS AND THE REASONS FOR THE REQUEST, AND THE BEST INTERESTS OF SERVING THIS COMMUNITY AND BASED ON UNPRECEDENTED ACTION BY THIS COUNCIL, I AM REQUESTING THIS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE UPCOMING WORK SESSION OF DECEMBER 2ND, TO DISCUSS HIS POTENTIAL OR POSSIBLE REMOVAL FROM REPRESENTING THIS COMMUNITY IN ANY CAPACITY, INCLUDING REMOVAL FROM HIS CURRENT COMMISSION.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.
IT'S BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS.
SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A SHORT WEEK, AND THEY WORK JUST AS MUCH EVERY DAY.
SO I ATTENDED OUR SENIOR CITIZENS BARN QUILT PAINTING CLASS THIS WEEKEND.
ONE OF THE FUN THINGS ABOUT BEING AT MURZYN HALL FOR THE SENIOR ACTIVITIES IS THAT THE BUILDING IS BEING USED BY SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND YOU REALLY GET A TASTE FOR HOW ACTIVE OUR COMMUNITY IS USING THAT SPACE.
I JUST TODAY SPOKE AT THE WOMEN'S STUDENT UNION, WHICH IS YOUTH, AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL GROUP.
IT WAS A LOT OF FUN TO HEAR FROM OUR YOUTH AND HOW THEY SEE THEMSELVES AS LEADERSHIP IN THE FUTURE.
TODAY I MET WITH OUR YOUTH, ANOTHER YOUTH AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL.
HIS FAMILY CAME IN AND WE MET ATTENDED OUR METRO CITIES MEETING ALONG WITH COUNCILMEMBER JAMES.
THESE MEETINGS HAVE, I DON'T KNOW, DOZENS OF PEOPLE ON THEM AND SO IT'S FUNNY SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SEE THEM IN THE ZOOM AND YOU'RE LIKE, OH, YOU'RE HERE TOO AND OF COURSE, MAKING SURE WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM IN ATTENDANCE OF A MEETING, SO ATTENDED OUR NEW OFFICERS STU'S SWEARING IN CEREMONY.
THE MINNESOTA CLIMATE COALITION COMMITTEE MEETING.
THIS WAS MY FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION, THE LAST MEETING.
AND IN JANUARY, WE WILL DECIDE THE NEXT MEETINGS THAT WE ARE LIAISONS FOR THE COUNCIL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING ABOUT A DIFFERENT GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT ALSO, THERE'S SADNESS TO LEAVE THOSE GROUPS YOU'VE BEEN SPENDING TIME WITH FOR SO LONG.
HAD A COUPLE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS, AS COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES HAD MENTIONED, LABELLE PARK AND I WANT TO THANK OUR CITY MANAGER, AARON CHIRPICH, FOR ATTENDING THE MEETING AND HELPING MAKE COFFEE FOR ALL OF US, AND OUR CHIEF OF POLICE WERE THERE, AS WELL AS TABITHA WOOD, WHO'S OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND MORE OFFICERS WERE THERE.
YES, TOUR THE OF THE COAL BUILDING WITH OUR EDA.
AND THAT IS SUCH A GREAT BUILDING.
IT HAS BEEN, I THINK, REALLY A LIKE A PINNACLE OF WHAT WE CAN DO.
I'VE HEARD NO COMPLAINTS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S SO CLEAN AND IT JUST SEEMS TO FIT RIGHT IN THERE.
SO I JUST THINK IT WAS A LOT OF WORK TO GO THROUGH, BUT IT REALLY HAS TURNED OUT WELL.
SO I'M GLAD THAT THEY'RE THERE.
LOCAL PROGRESS MEETING ONLINE.
MET WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR RANKED CHOICE VOTING LAST WEEK.
[00:40:08]
ATTENDED THE PUBLIC SAFETY LUNCH, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEETING.THEY MET AT THE WOMEN'S CLUB DOWNTOWN.
A FEW OF US WENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PAST ELECTION.
SO GLAD TO SEE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS.
MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST A FEW UPDATES.
THE CITY'S WINTER NEWSLETTER WAS SENT OUT LAST WEEK.
UPDATE ON THE WATER METER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM.
SO FIRST ROUND OF LETTERS WENT OUT LAST WEEK.
IF YOU RECEIVE THAT LETTER, PLEASE DO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER.
CITY OFFICES ARE CLOSED NOVEMBER 28TH AND 29TH FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
SO THIS IS THE LAST WEEK FOR YARD WASTE COLLECTION.
THAT IS AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 9TH AT 6 P.M.
AND THEN SOME EVENTS IN DECEMBER.
OF NOTE, NEXT MONTH THERE'S HOLIDAY CHEER ARRIVING IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ON DECEMBER 12TH.
THE HOLIDAY TRAIN ROLLS INTO TOWN AT 8 P.M.
AT THE INTERSECTION OF 37TH AND STINSON, AND ON DECEMBER 17TH, THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE DRIVING AROUND TOWN WITH A SPECIAL GUEST FROM 5 TO 06:45 P.M. ALONG THAT ROUTE.
MAGNIFY FINANCIAL AND SECA WILL BE COLLECTING TOYS FOR SECA'S ANNUAL TOY GIVEAWAY.
WE ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL COOKIES AND COCOA EVENT AT MURZYN HALL FROM 6 TO 8 P.M.
I JUST SAW A COPY OF THE NEWSLETTER AND IT LOOKS SO EASY TO READ AND FRESH.
AND THE WHOLE FRONT INSIDE IS ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP.
I DO WANT TO ADD FOR THE HOLIDAY TRAIN THAT THE BELLA HALL USED TO BE THE UNIQUE THRIFT STORE.
THEY ARE LETTING US USE HALF THEIR PARKING LOT FOR HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE PARKING, SO THAT'LL BE GREAT TO HAVE THAT RIGHT THERE AND THE CITY WILL REACH OUT AND THEY'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THAT FIGURED OUT.
BUT I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
SO IF YOU NEED THOSE WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO THE HOLIDAY TRAIN, THERE IS SOME SPACE NOW.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORT AND THEN I WILL TAKE US NOW TO OUR COMMUNITY FORUM.
I'LL ASK THE CITY CLERK IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.
NO ONE HAS ASKED IN PERSON AND THERE'S NO ONE ATTENDING ONLINE.
ALL RIGHT AND I DO SEE SOME PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION PASSES.
THANK YOU. THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.