Feb 10, 2025 City Council

>> HOW ARE WE DOING, COUNCIL?

[00:00:03]

MY NAME IS AMADA MARQUEZ SIMULA.

[WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL]

WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH.

TO THOSE HERE IN THE ROOM, AND ALSO IF YOU'RE WATCHING IT ON THE RECORDING OR STREAMING, WELCOME.

WE WILL START OUR MEETING WITH A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

>> HERE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

>> HERE.

>> HERE, MARQUEZ SIMULA.

>> HERE. THANK YOU.

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

>>

>> THANK YOU, AND NOW WE HAVE OUR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

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

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

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE AN AMENDED AGENDA.

[ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION]

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. [NOISE] EXCUSE ME.

THIS ITEM WAS BEFORE YOU AS A PUBLIC HEARING AT YOUR JANUARY 27TH MEETING, AND AT THAT TIME, YOU CONTINUED IT TO THE FEBRUARY 3RD WORK SESSION FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION.

AT THE JANUARY 27TH MEETING, YOU DID OPEN AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

BASED ON THOSE TWO MEETINGS, I'D JUST LIKE TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND, SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR YOU, BOTH AS A MATTER OF RECORD, AND I THINK TO ADDRESS SOME ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT MAY HAVE COME UP.

BACKGROUND ON THE ALLEY PROGRAM THAT THE CITY HAS HAD AND REALLY STARTED IN 1999.

AT THAT TIME, THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTED A POLICY THAT REALLY FOCUS ON TWO THINGS, HOW WE'RE GOING TO RECONSTRUCT THE ALLEY, AND THEN ALSO HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT.

IT DEVELOPED GENERAL CRITERIA FOR WHAT THE ALLEYS ARE GOING TO BE WHEN WE RECONSTRUCT THEM, AND THAT IS CONCRETE IN TERMS OF A MATERIAL TYPE.

THEN IT ALSO DEVELOPED THE ASSESSMENT POLICY THAT WE HAVE USED SINCE THAT TIME, AND I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT YEARS THAT WE'VE DONE OR ALLEYS OR ALLEY PROGRAMS HERE IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

AT THAT TIME, WHAT WE'VE BEEN USING IS THAT THE CITY DOES PARTICIPATE IN THE COST OF THESE ALLEYS.

THE CITY PAYS 55% OF THE COST OF THE ALLEY AND WE ASSESS 45%.

THE PROCESS OF HOW WE ASSESS IS THAT WE USE A REU OR RESIDENTIAL EQUIVALENT UNIT.

WE LOOK AT THE LOT SIZES IN ANY PARTICULAR AREA AND LOOK AT THAT FROM A BENEFIT PERSPECTIVE THAT WHEN WE DO THIS TYPE OF RECONSTRUCTION, THEY ALL BENEFIT THE SAME, SO THAT FOR SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTIES, THEY ALL PAY THE SAME RATE FOR THESE ALLEYS.

THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS WE'VE DONE.

WE STARTED IN 1999 AND 2000.

WE DID 15 ALLEYS AT THAT TIME.

IN 2014, WE DID THREE ALLEYS.

IN 2020, WE DID THREE ALLEYS, AND THEN LAST YEAR, THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF A TWO YEAR PROGRAM, WE DID FIVE ALLEYS IN '24, AND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT ARE SIX ALLEYS.

THE ASSESSING POLICY THAT WE DO HAVE IS NOT A NEW POLICY.

WE'VE BEEN USING IT FOR THE LAST ALMOST 25 YEARS.

ONE THING I'D LIKE TO NOTE IS THAT THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WE DO HAVE 70 MILES OF LOCAL STREETS, BUT WE ONLY HAVE 17 MILES OF ALLEY.

I THINK THAT REALLY LENDS TO THE BENEFIT GOING TO THE ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNERS WHEN THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 20% OF THE PROPERTIES HERE HAVE ALLEYS WITH THEM.

THAT I THINK THAT WAS A PRIMARY REASON FOR THE ASSESSING POLICY WHEN THEY FIRST DEVELOPED THIS, AND THAT WE'VE BEEN USING SINCE THAT TIME.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY WITH OUR STREETS, BUT THIS IS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WE OWN, THAT WE MAINTAIN.

[00:05:03]

THESE ARE LARGE COSTS.

WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THE PROGRAM, I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH FOR YOU WHAT THE RATES WERE.

I WENT AS FAR BACK AS 2014.

THE RATES IN 2014 WERE 2050 PER PARCEL, IN 2020, THEY WERE $2,871 PER PARCEL.

IN 2024, THEY WERE $3,990 A PARCEL, AND THE PROPOSED RATES THIS YEAR ARE 4,365.

I THINK THAT REALLY HITS HOME JUST WITH THE COSTS DO NOT GO DOWN ON ALMOST ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE DO, AND THAT'S BOTH MATERIAL COSTS AND LABOR COSTS.

HOW WE BUILD THESE ALLEYS REALLY DOESN'T CHANGE YEAR OVER YEAR.

IT IS A CONSISTENT APPLICATION OF THE POLICY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DO.

THERE ARE CONCRETE ALLEYS.

WE MIGHT HAVE A FEW SOILS AMENDMENTS.

WE MIGHT HAVE SOME MATCHING TO DO AT EITHER END, BUT REALLY, IT'S CONSISTENT FOR ALL OF THESE ALLEYS.

THE COSTS DO GO UP EACH AND EVERY YEAR WITH THAT.

AS I SAID, THE RATE PROPOSED THIS YEAR IS 4,365.

I THINK ONE THING I WOULD NOTE, AT THE TIME OF THE IMPROVEMENT HEARING, WHICH IS BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, AT THAT TIME, COSTS CANNOT GO UP, BUT THEY CAN COME DOWN.

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND ALL OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WHETHER IT'S ALLEYS OR WHETHER IT'S STREETS, WE BASE FINAL COSTS ON CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

IF CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE LOWER, THEN THE ASSESSMENT RATES ARE REDUCED TO REFLECT THAT LOWERED AMOUNT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW THAT UNTIL THE COUNCIL ACTS ON THIS TONIGHT AND THEN ASSUMING THAT WE WOULD BUILD OR RECONSTRUCT ALLEYS OR ALL OF THE ALLEYS, UNTIL WE GET BIDS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHERE THAT IS AT.

THE PROCESS THAT WE DO IS TONIGHT'S THE IMPROVEMENT HEARING.

THE CITY COUNCIL DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

IF WE DO MOVE FORWARD, THEN WE GO THROUGH FINAL DESIGN AND WE GO THROUGH PUBLIC BIDDING.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS STAFF DOES NOT RECONSTRUCT THESE ALLEYS, SO WE GO THROUGH A PUBLIC BIDDING PROCESS AND A CONTRACTOR COMES IN AND DOES THAT FOR US.

AT LEAST AT THAT TIME, WE'LL HAVE A CONTRACTOR ON BOARD, WE'LL KNOW THE SCHEDULE, AND THEN WE'LL GO THROUGH AND GET THE ALLEYS RECONSTRUCTED.

ONCE THEY ARE COMPLETED, WE DEVELOP WHAT ARE THE FINAL RATES BASED ON THE CONSTRUCTION COST.

THEN IN THE FALL, TYPICALLY IN OCTOBER, THE FIRST MEETING IN OCTOBER, WE WILL COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME WITH AN ASSESSMENT HEARING, AND AT THE TIME OF THE ASSESSMENT HEARING, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE RATES ARE DEVELOPED AND ANY PROPERTY OWNER MAY PAY OFF A FULL OR A PORTION OF THE ALLEYS OR NONE OF IT.

IF THERE'S ANY REMAINING BALANCE TO ANY PROPERTY, THEN THAT REMAINING BALANCE DOES GO ON THAT PROPERTY'S TAXES FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

THE METHODOLOGY WE USE, IT'S CALCULATED SIMPLE INTEREST, SO THAT WHATEVER THE REMAINING BALANCE IS, IF YOU DIVIDE THAT BY 10, THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF THE TERM, THAT'S AN EQUAL AMOUNT, BUT EACH YEAR, THAT IS A REDUCED INTEREST AMOUNT, SIMPLE INTEREST.

THE INTEREST IS ALWAYS DECLINING FOR THAT.

IT CAN BE PAID OFF IN ANY YEAR WITHOUT FUTURE INTEREST BEING PAID.

ANY PROPERTY OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY THAT CURRENT YEAR INTEREST, BUT THEY DON'T PAY ANY FUTURE YEARS OR ANY ADDITIONAL INTEREST, AND THERE ARE NO PENALTIES RELATED TO THAT.

I HAD SOME NOTES WRITTEN DOWN.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I AM COVERING ALL OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP AT THAT TIME.

AGAIN, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A VERY LARGE INVESTMENT IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT THE COST OF THIS DOES NOT GET CHEAPER.

I THINK THE OTHER THING TO RECOGNIZE, TOO, IS IF WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD, THE PROGRAM IS, WE BRING THE WORST CONDITIONED ALLEYS.

WE COULD DO 25, OR WE COULD DO THESE SIX IN TERMS OF THE CONDITION, BUT THESE ARE THE WORSE.

HOW THAT WAS DEVELOPED WAS A REVIEW OF THE CITY ENGINEERING STAFF, BUT THEN ALSO OUR MAINTENANCE STAFF.

OUR MAINTENANCE STAFF HAS BROUGHT UP THAT THESE ALLEYS DO REQUIRE A HIGHER LEVEL OF MAINTENANCE JUST WITH PATCHING, BUT ALSO IT DOES CAUSE ISSUES FOR US AS IT RELATES TO ANY OF OUR EQUIPMENT USE OUT THERE.

WE DO FROM TIME TO TIME, DO GET DAMAGE FROM JUST THE CONDITION OF THESE ALLEYS.

THEY ARE FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT WHERE THEY'RE CURRENTLY AT.

WITH THAT, MAYOR, I THINK I'VE COVERED MOST OF THE THINGS THAT I HAD WRITTEN DOWN.

I'LL CERTAINLY TRY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] I JUST HAD A QUESTION.

I THINK YOU SAID THAT 20% OF THE PROPERTIES HAVE

[00:10:02]

>> IF YOU TAKE IT AS A PERCENTAGE, THERE'S ABOUT 17 MILES OF A TOTAL OF 70 MILES OF LOCAL STREETS.

GENERALLY, THAT IS ABOUT 19, 20%.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM KEVIN FROM THE COUNCIL? COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, I THINK THEY'RE POINTING.

>> THIS IS A QUESTION FOR OUR PUBLIC WORK INSTRUCTOR, BUT MAYBE FOR OUR CITY MANAGER OR FINANCE DIRECTOR.

WE HAD SOME FOLKS TALKING ABOUT PUTTING IT OFF OR OR MAYBE PUTTING OFF THE INTEREST, AND I KNOW THIS ISN'T THE MEETING WHERE WE SET THE INTEREST RATE.

WE DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT THE INTEREST RATE WILL BE IN THE FALL, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT AND PEOPLE HAVE ASKED, HOW DO WE DO THE FINANCING FOR BOTH THE CITY PORTION, AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DIDN'T HAVE INTEREST ON THE RESIDENTS PORTION?

>> SOUNDS GOOD. SOUNDS LIKE PUBLIC WORK INSTRUCTOR WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT FIRST, AND WE DO HAVE JOE KLOIBER, FINANCE DIRECTOR FOR MORE DETAILED QUESTIONS AROUND IT.

>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, SO THERE'S A CITY PORTION THAT THE CITY PAYS FOR.

BUT WHAT WE WOULD TYPICALLY GO OUT AND FINANCE IS ACTUALLY THAT PORTION WHICH RESIDENTS WOULD PAY FOR.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT MONEY ON HAND SO THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT AND GET A LOAN, SO TO SPEAK, OR A BOND, FOR THAT, AND THEN WE HAVE TO PAY THAT BACK OVER TIME.

THE INTEREST RATE IS TYPICALLY DETERMINED BY WHATEVER RATE WE WOULD BOND AT THAT PARTICULAR YEAR.

WHEN YOU ASK THE QUESTION, THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT THAT THE CITY PAYS FOR, THAT'S 55%.

THAT 45% IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT GOING OUT AND OBTAINING MONEY THAT CAN BE DONE THROUGH BONDING OR CAN BE DONE THROUGH INTERNAL LOANS THAT WE DO HAVE TO PAY BACK, A VERY SIMILAR PRINCIPLE, BUT ONE OF THOSE TWO.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?

>> YES, THANK YOU. IF I CAN ADD TO THAT, MAYOR, THEN.

WHAT I'M THINKING ABOUT IS I WAS THINKING FOR THOSE WHO HAD ASKED US AT THE LAST HEARING, COULD WE PUT IT OFF A YEAR? NOTING THAT THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS WENT UP JUST 10% IN ONE YEAR, AND IT MAY GO UP 10% IN ANOTHER YEAR, YOU'D BE BETTER OFF JUST BUYING IT NOW AT THIS YEAR'S RATES, PAYING OFF WHAT YOU CAN, AND THEN OVER TIME PAYING THE REST.

I KNOW INTEREST IS HARD. IT'S A BIG DEBT.

I DEFINITELY FEEL FOR THE HOMEOWNERS, BUT FINANCIALLY, YOU'D SAVE MONEY BUYING IT NOW IF THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS CONTINUED TO RISE, AND ALSO, IF WE DIDN'T CHARGE THE INTEREST THAT THE CITY GOT, I'D BE WORRIED THAT THE REST OF US WOULD BE PAYING FOR THAT INTEREST BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY ALREADY.

WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THE CITY OR THE INDIVIDUAL.

THOSE ARE SOME THOUGHTS I HAD ON THE FINANCING, BUT I'LL BE HERE.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG ON ANY OF THAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT AND SHARING THAT. ANYTHING ELSE? I JUST WANTED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW, SO WE HAD A ALLEY ASSESSMENT MEETING A FEW THURSDAYS AGO.

WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE SHARING THEIR CONCERNS, AND THEN WE DISCUSSED IT AT A MEETING TWO MONDAYS AGO, AND THEN WE BROUGHT IT AGAIN TO THIS MEETING, MAKING SURE THAT JUSTICE SPRIGGS WOULD BE ABLE TO BE HERE BECAUSE THIS IS A FOUR, FIVE VOTE.

IN ORDER TO PASS, WE NEED AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE TO VOTE ON THIS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT ALL FIVE OF US COULD BE HERE.

I'M REALLY GLAD THAT IT WORKS OUT FOR US.

WE DID HAVE A VERY IN DEPTH CONVERSATION ON MONDAY, GOT EXTRA INFORMATION, AND WHICH I THINK KEVIN PRESENTED EVEN MORE INFORMATION THAN WHAT WE HAD AT THE FIRST MEETING BECAUSE OF OUR QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

I JUST WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A VERY THOROUGH PROCESS.

I KNOW ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS, THE CITY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR 20 YEARS, AND PEOPLE WERE SAYING, WELL, WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN OUR ALLEYS, AND WE WISH WE HAD KNOWN SOONER.

I THINK ONE OF THE REALLY BIG TAKEAWAYS IS HAVING A BETTER PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE COMMUNICATING OUT IN THE FUTURE OF HELLO, NEIGHBORHOOD.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE THINKING THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE PROPERTIES AT THIS MOMENT, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD BENEFIT FROM IF THE VOTE GOES FORWARD, BUT I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE LEARNED THAT THROUGH THIS.

WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO DO BETTER, AND WITH THE WAY THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY COMMUNICATE, THERE'S JUST BECOMING MORE AND MORE UNDERSTANDING OF WAYS TO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY.

I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THAT WILL BE IMPROVING AND IS I THINK ONE OF OUR BIG GOALS.

WE HAVE TWO FULL TIME COMMUNICATION PEOPLE, CHIEF OF STAFF, AND THEY WORK REALLY HARD TO GET INFORMATION OUT.

I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT.

I ALSO JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES SAID,

[00:15:03]

I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT AS KEVIN SAID, THIS ALWAYS CAN BE PAID OFF EARLY, AND IT'S SIMPLE INTEREST.

IF YOU'RE ABLE TO SAVE MORE MONEY AND PAY IT OFF, THERE ISN'T SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE BEHOLDEN TO FOR THE 10 YEARS OF THE LOAN.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT GOT BROUGHT UP WAS THAT THE AMOUNT THAT WAS SENT TO EVERYONE CANNOT GO UP.

IF THIS GOES FORWARD TONIGHT, ONCE WE LOOK FOR BIDS, IF THE BIDS COME BACK AND IT'S MORE THAN THAT AMOUNT, THE CITY THEN WOULD JUST HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN 55%, BUT THE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE STILL ONLY PAYING THE AMOUNT THAT WAS IN THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO THEM.

I THINK THAT THAT IS JUST REALLY GOOD TO KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT EXPECTING PROPERTY OWNERS TO WONDER WHAT IT WOULD BE.

THAT'S LAID OUT THERE IN THE LETTER.

>> YES. IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS THEN.

I DID WANT TO SAY, WE DID GET SOME EMAILS FROM PEOPLE.

WE GOT SOME EMAILS SENT TO US, AND WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED THEM IN OUR EMAIL, WAS PRINTED OUT FOR THE MEETING.

BUT THEY ARE THE SAME COMMENTS THAT WERE THERE BEFORE.

THEY JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THE INFORMATION.

THEN IF THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION, THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO WAIVE THE READING.

>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2025-017, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

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

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

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-017 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARATION OF PLANS FOR 2025 CONCRETE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION, CITY PROJECT 2506.

>> SECOND.

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

ANY DISCUSSION? I GUESS I HAVE ONE POINT TO CLARIFY.

OH, NO, I JUST HAD IT AT THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

SHOOT.

SORRY.

I'M JUST CHECKING MY NOTES.

IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP CITYWIDE ASSESSMENTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP AS A WAY TO FUND THIS, AND IF WE COULD WAIT ON THAT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I STILL AM IN FAVOR OF OUR CITY LOOKING INTO CITYWIDE ASSESSMENTS.

BUT AT THIS TIME, IT WOULD TAKE TIME, AND WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT IF WE WERE TO STAY WITH THE ALLEYS WE HAVE NOW, THE COST OF DAMAGING OUR CITY EQUIPMENT IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.

THE COST OF THE PRICES GOING UP AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ALSO HAVE ASKED FOR THIS.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS TO BALANCE OUT, BUT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THAT THE CITYWIDE ASSESSMENTS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS STILL IN MY MIND.

IT'S JUST THAT WE CAN'T WAIT ON THIS ANY LONGER.

THAT'S WHY I THINK THE VOTE NEEDS TO HAPPEN TODAY.

IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS.

A COMMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT WAYS TO BE MORE EQUITABLE WITH OUR COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS INFORMING PEOPLE AHEAD OF TIME, BUT MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE BEING AS EQUITABLE AND COMPASSIONATE IN OUR POLICIES AS POSSIBLE IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING FURTHER.

>> THANK YOU. THEN I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS, AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

WE WILL MOVE FORWARD THEN WITH THE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

I WILL SAY TOO, I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A HARDSHIP.

IT IS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT OVER THE WEEKEND.

RACHEL IS NODDING ALONG TOO.

FOR ANYONE THAT THIS IS AFFECTING, WE VERY MUCH UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS, AND WE ALL LIVE HERE TOO, AND GETTING THESE FEES ARE NOT SOMETHING THAT'S FUN AS PART OF A COMMUNITY.

WE JUST NEED TO ADOPT THEM AT TIMES, SO I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW IS HARD.

THANK YOU, KEVIN, FOR PRESENTING.

WE WILL MOVE ON THEN INTO OUR MEETING.

[00:20:05]

[COMMUNITY FORUM]

I'LL ASK OUR CITY CLERK IF WE HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.

>> THERE IS TWO PEOPLE IN CHAMBERS AND NO ONE ONLINE.

>> DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE THEM?

>> YEAH. THE FIRST PERSON WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK IS DEAN BUYER.

>> THANK YOU. WELCOME, DEAN.

>> DEAN BUYER, RESIDENT.

I JUST GOT SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE GARBAGE CAN RECYCLE CAN ORDINANCE.

YOU DRIVE AROUND THE CITY AND YOU SEE THESE CANS ALL ALONG THE CITY THE STREETS.

THEY'RE NOT BEING PUT AWAY, LIKE THEY BE PUT AWAY.

THEY'RE EVEN OUT INTO THE STREETS.

NOW YOU GOT PLOWS GOING AROUND THEM, AND NOW I HAVE TO WALK AROUND THEM, WHICH THEN PUTS ME FURTHER OUT INTO THE STREET.

I'VE ALREADY BEEN TOLD THAT IF I GET RUN DOWN BY A VEHICLE, IT'S MY FAULT FOR PUTTING MYSELF IN HARM'S WAY.

I DON'T NEED ANY MORE TICKETS FOR PUTTING MYSELF IN HARM'S WAY BECAUSE I HAVE TO WALK AROUND GARBAGE CANS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT, BUT LIKE I SAY, DRIVE AROUND, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE GARBAGE CANS, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE TIRES, FURNITURE.

IT JUST LOOKS TRASHY.

IT'S TRASHY AND IT'S UNSAFE.

THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

>> THANK YOU. KEVIN'S NODDING ALONG.

I ALSO DON'T LIKE TO SEE THOSE AND WE DON'T WANT TO PLOW AROUND THEM.

IT LOOKS LIKE KEVIN HAS SOMETHING TO ADD.

>> MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE CAN WORK WITH OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, TRY TO GET MORE MESSAGING OUT THERE, BUT ALSO WORK WITH OUR REFUSE COORDINATOR, AND THEN ALSO JUST LOOK AT WAYS TO REMIND PEOPLE TO GET THEIR CANS BACK IN AT THE END OF THE DAY ONCE THEY'VE BEEN PICKED UP.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

>> THERE IS ONE ON SEVENTH STREET THAT IS OUT THERE YEAR ROUND.

>> IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN PUT IN OUR REPORT A PROBLEM WEBSITE PAGE?

>> YEAH. MADAM MAYOR, THAT COULD BE REPORTED.

I'D ALSO ADD THE RECENT CONVERSATIONS AROUND PROACTIVE CODE ENFORCEMENT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ITEMS THAT WOULD FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY AND BE INCLUDED IN THE TYPE OF WORK THAT A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WOULD PICK UP IN THEIR TRAVELS THROUGHOUT THE CITY WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT OTHER CODE VIOLATIONS.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS IN ASKING OUR COMMUNITY TO BE PROACTIVE IS BEING ABLE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT IF YOU GOOGLE REPORT A PROBLEM, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, THERE IS A WEBSITE PAGE WHERE YOU CAN PUT THE ADDRESS SO YOU CAN CHOOSE A POTHOLE OR WRITE IN YOUR COMMENT.

BUT AS THOSE THINGS GET REPORTED, THEY GO ON THE LIST OF STAFF.

AS THEY GET TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, OR IF THE PERSON WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT OR PROBLEM, THEN IT WOULD GET PART OF THEIR ROUTE.

IF YOU PUT IT IN THERE, IT MIGHT NOT BE LOOKED AT THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE OF STAFFING, BUT THAT IS A WAY FOR THE CITY TO TRACK THAT.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP HERE, AND WE CAN DEFINITELY ADD IT.

BUT JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THAT'S A GREAT PLACE TO PUT, POTHOLES, OR IF YOU SAW BROKEN SWINGS AT THE PLAYGROUND OR BROKEN TRAILS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

YOU CAN REPORT A PROBLEM, AND IT'LL GET ROUTED INTO THE CITY.

JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S THAT, TOO.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT PERSON FOR THE COMMUNITY FORUM.

>> MOHAMMED ABDUL.

>> WELCOME, MOHAMMED AND WE'LL ASK YOU TO SPEAK IN THE MICROPHONE.

WE CAN HEAR YOU WELL.

I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO BE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE.

WE CAN HEAR YOU IN THE ROOM, BUT IN THE RECORDING, IT DOESN'T PICK UP, SO THAT'S WHY. THANK YOU.

>> NO WORRIES. WE'RE ASKING FOR LIKE A POTENTIAL RELEASE OR AMENDMENT OF A DEED RESTRICTION.

I THINK OUTLINED IN SECTION 15F FOR AN AGREEMENT.

WE PURCHASED THE HOUSE ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND THE DEED WAS APPARENTLY FOR 10 YEARS.

WE BOUGHT THE LAND BEFORE IT WAS DEVELOPED, AS WELL AS THE HOUSE, BUT WE CAME TO FIND OUT THAT A DEED WAS PLACED BY THE DEVELOPER THROUGH THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BECAUSE THEY GOT SOME KIND OF A DISCOUNT THAT WE WEREN'T MADE AWARE OF.

NOW WE'RE BEING HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR IT.

WE HAVE TWO MORE YEARS LEFT ON THE DEED UNTIL 2027.

BUT WE WERE HOPING TO SEE HOW WE COULD GO ABOUT

[00:25:03]

>> AARON DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?

>> SURE. I COULD PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT FOR THE COUNCIL, JUST SO YOU KNOW THE PROGRAM THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS, THE CITY HAD PURCHASED, FORECLOSED, IN MANY CASES, DILAPIDATED HOMES, TORE THEM DOWN, AND THEN SOLD THE LOTS TO DEVELOPERS IS REALLY RAMPED UP DURING THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS.

THOSE LOTS WERE SOLD AT A DISCOUNT TO THE DEVELOPERS UNDER CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS, AND IN THIS CASE, THAT IT COULD NOT BE A RENTAL PROPERTY FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS.

THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT IS THEN PASSED ON TO THE PURCHASER OF THE HOME AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASERS OF THAT HOME WITHIN THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD ARE BOUND BY THE RENTAL RESTRICTION, SO CANNOT BE A RENTAL PROPERTY.

THAT'S THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

I THINK A DEVIATION FROM THAT WOULD TAKE A PRETTY DEEP CONVERSATION WITH CITY GENERAL COUNSEL, A POLICY CONVERSATION WITH IN THIS CASE, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO DECIDE IF THERE WERE ANY CHANGES, BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE CERTAINLY ACTED UPON IN THIS MEETING, BUT SOMETHING FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION.

>> THEN, ARE YOU ABLE TO FOLLOW UP WITH MOHAMMED TO LET THEM KNOW THE TIMELINE WITH THE EDA MEETING.

>> COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF HAVE BEEN CORRESPONDING.

CORRECT, ANDREW. SHE DOES? YEAH.

>> WE DO HAVE CONTACT. YEAH.

>> WE WERE HOPING FOR LIKE A FINAL RESOLUTION BECAUSE FROM MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS NOT TO ALLOW IT.

BUT WE ASKED, ARE YOU GUYS A FINAL DECISION MAKER ON THIS? I SAID, IT'S USUALLY ULTIMATELY GOING TO COME TO A BOARD OR SOMEONE ELSE.

WE'RE HOPING TO GET TO THAT FINISH LINE SO THAT WE CAN GET A FINAL ANSWER.

>> WELL, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN TONIGHT.

WE CAN'T VOTE ON THAT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE OUR AUTHORITY, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER ORGANIZATION CALLED THE EDA.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? THAT'S A DIFFERENT MEETING THAN THIS ONE.

IT'S TOTALLY FINE THAT YOU BROUGHT IT UP TONIGHT BECAUSE NOW IT'LL GET ON OUR REGISTER TO MAKE SURE IT'S TALKED ABOUT, BUT TONIGHT, WE CAN'T GIVE YOU RESOLUTION ON THAT.

BUT THAT'S WHY I'M MAKING SURE THAT SOMEONE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU SO THAT YOU KNOW WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE MITCH STORY IS TALKING TO YOU, BUT NOW YOU KNOW WHERE THE COUNCIL SAID.

>> JUST TO HOLD TO IT. FOR SURE, WE'LL BE ON LIKE AN EDA THING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY SIT DOWN OR FIGURE IT OUT.

WE'LL GET ANSWER AT SOME POINT. OR DO WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH MITCH? IS THAT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT?

>> IT'S A FAIRLY LARGE POLICY CONVERSATION THAT STAFF NEED TO PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL AND EDA TO HAVE A DISCUSSION, DELIBERATION, AND THEN IF THEY DIRECT STAFF TO TAKE ACTION, IT WOULD FOLLOW THAT PROCESS.

I CAN'T PUT A FINITE TIMELINE ON IT.

WE COULD DISCUSS IT AT THE NEXT EDA MEETING, WHICH IS AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH AND THEN FROM THERE.

BUT CERTAINLY MAKING NO PROMISES.

THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE INFORMATION AND DISCUSSED AND DELIBERATED.

BUT FOLLOWING THAT, I HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH WITH OUR COUNCIL TO SEE WHAT THE LEGAL PROCESS IS FOR DISCHARGING THAT COVENANT EARLY, IF THAT WAS THE PATH.

A LOT TO CONSIDER. WE NEED TO RUN THAT COURSE THROUGH THE DUE PROCESS WITH THE BOARD.

>> OUR EDA MEETING IS MONDAY, MARCH 3RD AT FIVE O'CLOCK AND WE MEET IN THAT ROOM WITH THE GLASS WINDOWS HERE.

IT'S NOT A MEETING THAT YOU WOULD COME AND YOU CAN'T TALK, BUT IT'S A MEETING FOR US TO WORK AND ASK QUESTIONS WITH STAFF.

BUT WE'LL HAVE YOUR INFORMATION, OR THIS TOPIC, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT AT THAT TIME.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN COME AND JOIN IN ON OR?

>> YOU CAN ALREADY SEND INFORMATION TO US.

BUT IT'S A TIME FOR US TO, LIKE, ASK STAFF QUESTIONS AND THAT.

YOU CAN ALWAYS SEND US AN E MAIL WITH MORE INFORMATION.

BUT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO MAKE A DECISION TONIGHT, THOUGH.

BUT IT'S GOOD THAT YOU CAME IN JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE BRINGING IT UP, SO IT'S TOTALLY FINE YOU CAME IN.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. APPRECIATE IT. LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

>> LET MITCH KNOW AND WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH MITCH.

>> IF I CAN JUST ADD, IF YOU GUYS WANT TO FORWARD ME THE CORRESPONDENCE YOU'VE HAD WITH HIM, I CAN WORK ON THINGS WELL. HE'S AWAY.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> THANK YOU. ANDREW IS ON THAT TEAM, SO THEY'LL ALL BE SPEAKING.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THE COMMUNITY FORUM? NO. SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE.

FOR TONIGHT, UNDER OUR PROCLAMATIONS,

[PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS]

[00:30:02]

WELCOME. GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, GOOD EVENING.

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO OFFICIALLY INTRODUCE THE CITY'S NEW ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, BRAD RODDY.

FOR ANYONE WHO HASN'T MET HIM OR IS UNFAMILIAR WITH HIS HISTORY, BRAD COMES TO US FROM LAKE JOHANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE SERVED AS A FIRE CAPTAIN.

HE GREW UP HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, AND WENT GRADUATED FROM COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL. LET'S SEE WHERE TO GO.

HE GREW UP IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND AND HAS A LEGACY IN EMERGENCY SERVICES.

FATHER BILL RODDY WAS THE POLICE CAPTAIN WITH THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BRAD AND HIS TWIN BROTHER, BRETT JOINED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN JULY OF 2003, AND WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS WHILE THEY WENT TO SCHOOL AND ATTENDED SCHOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ALEXANDRIA.

FOLLOWING THEIR GRADUATION, BASICALLY IN JULY OF 2009, THEY STARTED THE CAREER AS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN MANKATO, MINNESOTA, WHERE THEY BOTH BECAME POLICE OFFICERS.

SEVERAL YEARS LATER, BRAD MOVED TO WOODBURY AS A POLICE OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER DUAL ROLE KIND OF THING.

WOODBURY PHASED THAT PROGRAM OUT, AND BRAD'S LOVE OF THE FIRE SERVICE GOT THE BETTER OF HIM, AND HE LEFT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PIECE AND JOINED LAKE JOHANNA FIRE FULL TIME AS A FIRE CAPTAIN.

WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE THEM BACK.

FROM WHAT I CAN SAY, I'M GRATEFUL THAT HE HAS CHOSEN TO WORK WITH US.

AGAIN, HE WILL DO GREAT THINGS FOR OUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY.

I'M SURE HE WILL COME TO LEARN AND APPRECIATE THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL AS I HAVE.

WITH THAT, I'LL LET BRAD SAY A FEW WORDS.

>> THANK YOU. WELCOME, BRAD.

CAN WE APPLAUD?

>> MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU, MR. CHIRPICH, AND ALSO CHIEF O'BRIEN FOR BRINGING ME ALONG.

EVERYBODY AT THE CITY STAFF IN THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF HAS BEEN VERY WELCOMING AND MADE ME FEEL INCLUDED IN PART OF THE TEAM.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WHEN I SAW THE POSTING, I KNEW THIS WAS THE PATH I WAS HEADED ON.

I KNEW I WANTED TO ELEVATE TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

IT'S PRETTY NEAT THAT IT'S ABLE TO COME BACK FULL CIRCLE LIKE IT HAS.

I WAS 20-YEARS-OLD WHEN I STARTED ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I'M NOT 20-YEARS-OLD ANYMORE.

[LAUGHTER] BUT TO COME BACK AND BE A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY THAT INVESTED IN ME IN A VERY YOUNG AGE IS PRETTY REWARDING. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU AGAIN.

[NOISE] NEXT, WE HAVE OUR DEMONSTRATION BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF NEW LIFE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

>> AGAIN, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THAT'S ME.

AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE OF AT THE COUNCIL WORK SESSION, I MADE A PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT USING FUNDS FROM THE CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY AID ACCOUNT.

APPROVAL OF THE FUNDS. ALLOCATION FOR THE PURCHASES IS NUMBER 9 ON THIS EVENING'S CONSENT AGENDA, AND FOLLOWING THE WORK SESSION PRESENTATION, THE MAYOR ASKED ME TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT AT THIS MEETING.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE'RE PURCHASING WITH THESE FUNDS AND TO MAKE A GENERALIZATION FOR FIREFIGHTERS, WE TEND TO BE VISUAL LARDERS.

FOR THAT, I BROUGHT SOME VISUAL AIDS TODAY.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE THE SCBAS, IS WHICH ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE'LL BE PICKING UP.

>> CHIEF, CAN I INTERRUPT YOU? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CAMERA.

MAYBE YOU MAY NEED TO MOVE UP A BIT.

>> THAT'S FINE.

>> WE HAVE CAMERAS IN DIFFERENT SPOTS.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ALL GO, MAYBE AARON, YOU KNOW THE BEST PLACE.

>> [INAUDIBLE]

>> THAT STAND NEXT TO LIVE IN MOST CASE ARE.

>> [OVERLAPPING] CAN HAVE THEM STAND HERE AND I CAN USE SIDE.

>> THAT'D BE FINE [INAUDIBLE]

>> THERE YOU GO. THE PODIUM IS IN THE WAY COVERING YOU.

BUT WE CAN SEE YOU AND HEAR YOU. THANK YOU.

>> THE FIRST ONE HERE IS ONE OF THE ICONIC SYMBOLS OF FIREFIGHTERS, THE SCBA, WHICH IS A SELF CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS.

THIS IS THE DEVICE THAT FIREFIGHTERS USED TO GO INTO WHAT ARE REFERRED TO AS IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND HEALTH ATMOSPHERES TO PROTECT THEM FROM BREATHING TOXIC GASES AND HEATED SUPERHEATED AIR.

A COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT IT IS THAT PEOPLE CALL THEM ARE OXYGEN TANKS.

THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY NOT OXYGEN TANKS.

THEY TAKE AIR THAT HAS BEEN FILTERED AND IS COMPRESSED INTO THE BACK, JUST LIKE A SCUBA TANK WOULD BE, REALLY.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE, BUT THERE ARE NUMBER 1 LINE OF DEFENSE.

AGAINST ALL THAT HORRIBLE THINGS THAT

[00:35:01]

THE SECOND PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IS MUCH LESS KNOWN, ESPECIALLY TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

>> SORRY. DAN, YOU MIGHT NEED TO TALK IN THAT MICROPHONE, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S MAKING THE CAMERA.

THE CAMERA IS FOCUSING ON YOU.

WELL, I THINK IT'S BECAUSE HE MOVED.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE SEE ON THE RECORDING ALL THE EFFORT THAT YOU'VE GONE THROUGH TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN SEE THIS.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A BLANK WALL OR SOMETHING.

>> NOT A PROBLEM. I'LL JUST HAVE TO [INAUDIBLE] HERE.

WON'T YOU GO INTO THIS SIDE HERE.

>> THERE YOU GO. DAN ON THE MICROPHONE SIDE.

>> WE DID SHARE.

>> AWESOME, TEAMWORK.

>> THIS HERE IS THE LESSER PIECE OF KNOWN EQUIPMENT THAT IS ASSOCIATED TO THE GENERAL.

PUBLIC. IT'S CALLED A RAPID INTERVENTION PACK OR ITCH PACK.

THIS IS AN ENORMOUS LIFESAVING TOOL FOR FIREFIGHTERS.

WHEN WE HAVE NO ONE TO CALL WHEN WE GO DOWN OR SOMETHING HAPPENS TO A FIREFIGHTER, ESPECIALLY IF THEIR AIR PACK WORK TO FAIL.

THIS IS A UNIVERSAL BACKUP SYSTEM FOR FIREFIGHTERS TO SAVE OTHER FIREFIGHTERS.

IT HAS A UNIVERSAL CONNECTION ON THERE THAT YOU CAN CONNECT TO JUST ABOUT ACTUALLY EVERY SINGLE MODEL AND MAKE OF SCBA DON'T DOESN'T MATTER WHAT MANUFACTURER THERE IS.

IT'S A UNIVERSAL FITTING FOR THE FIRE SERVICE CAN CONNECT TO ANYTHING.

WHAT THAT DOES, WHEN A SCBA THAT HE'S WEARING, FIREFIGHTERS GO DOWN, THERE'S USUALLY 202 PROBLEMS. EASILY EITHER THEY'RE OUT OF AIR, OR THEIR SCBA HAS FAILED, SOMEHOW, IT'S FROZE UP, SOMETHING ELSE HAS HAPPENED, SO WE NEED TO GET THEM AIR.

IF THEY'RE OUT OF AIR, THIS TANK CAN ACTUALLY REFILL THEIR TANK.

THEY WILL EQUALIZE, AND THEY'LL HAVE AIR HOPEFULLY ENOUGH FOR THEM TO ESCAPE.

THE OTHER PIECE IS, SHOULD THAT HIS SCBA FAIL, THEY CAN USE THAT THIS AS A SUPPLEMENT.

BYPASSES EVERYTHING THEY HAVE, AND THEY CAN USE THIS AND GET THAT TO USE THAT VALUABLE TIME TO GET OUT OF THE HAZARD.

THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT BUYING THREE OF THESE.

WE PUT ONE ON EACH ENGINE.

AT EVERY FIRE, WE SET UP AN AREA FOR FIREFIGHTERS TO SAVE FIREFIGHTERS.

IT'S A SAFETY THING FOR US.

THE THIRD PURCHASE. [NOISE] THEY MAKE A LOT OF NOISE, TOO.

WHICH IS INTENTIONAL.

THE THIRD PURCHASE EQUIPMENT SIDE IS SOME TECHNICAL ROPE RESCUE RELATED EQUIPMENT.

AS A GROUP, THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN ANOKA COUNTY MAINTAIN A SPECIALIZED RESCUE TEAM.

AS ALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS CONTRIBUTE MEMBERS.

WE ACTUALLY CURRENTLY HAVE FIVE MEMBERS ON THE DEPARTMENT.

I THOUGHT WE ONLY HAD THREE, SO WHAT THEY DO THOUGH IS, IF WE HAVE A HIGH ANGLE RESCUE, SWIFT ROUTER RESCUE, STRUCTURAL COLLAPSES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, THIS TEAM WOULD RESPOND.

PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, ROPES, SOME CARABINERS, SOME OTHER EQUIPMENT ON IF THE TARNESS IS IN THERE OR WHATEVER, BUT PULLEYS WILL ENABLE US TO OUR FIRE PEOPLE WHEN WE'RE RESPONDING TO START SETTING IT UP BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING FROM ALL OVER ANOKA COUNTY, GRABBING EQUIPMENT AND COMING.

THAT DELAYS A RESPONSE.

THIS WILL HELP US START GETTING GOING TO SAVE SOMEBODY IMMEDIATELY.

THEREFORE, WE CAN DO THAT OR SUPPLEMENT THE RESPONSE WHEN THEY DO SHOW UP.

WE HAVE, AND WE'RE OPEN FOR QUESTIONS, AND GRANT YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

>> NOT MUCH. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO BUY IS THE BASIC EQUIPMENT FOR ROPE RESCUE.

EVEN THOUGH WE USE ROPE.

>> YES, PLEASE USE THE MICROPHONE.

>> ALWAYS SAY ROPE RESCUE.

ROPE IN THIS EQUIPMENT CAN BE USED IN ANY OF THOSE SITUATIONS, WHETHER IT'S CONFINED SPACE, STRUCTURAL, COLLAPSE, TRENCH RESCUE, SWIFT WATER.

THIS IS MAINLY THE BASIC STUFF THAT YOU NEED.

WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH THREE YEARS AGO WHEN WE FIRST JOINED THE TEAM TO GET HARNESSES AND HELMETS.

BUT THAT'S ALL WE GOT.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENED AROUND HERE, WE'D STILL BE STANDING AROUND WAITING.

PROBABLY THE AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME FOR THE WHOLE TEAM TO GET HERE WITH ALL THE EQUIPMENT, WHICH IS ALL HOUSED AT COON RAPIDS RIGHT NOW WOULD PROBABLY BE 30-45 MINUTES.

>> QUESTION. I AM A ROCK CLIMBER.

I DO INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING, BUT I LOVE IT.

WHAT DOES THE TRAINING ENTAIL TO BE CERTIFIED OR JUST DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE ROPES TO DO THIS KIND OF RESCUE.

>> REALLY, THERE'S NOT MUCH LEVEL OF CERTIFICATION THAT YOU HAVE TO BE AT TO JOIN THE TEAM.

BUT SO WE TRAIN TWO DAYS EVERY MONTH.

OTHER THAN IN THE SUMMER, WE ONLY DO IT ONE DAY A MONTH AND EACH MONTH, IT'S A DIFFERENT WHETHER CONFINED SPACE OR A ROPE RESCUE OR TRENCH RESCUE.

[00:40:07]

>> FOR THE ROPE, NECESSARILY.

>> THERE IS A STATE CERTIFICATION TO BE A ROPE RESCUE TECHNICIAN, BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE THAT TO BE ON THE TEAM.

>> COOL. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? WELL, I APPRECIATE THE DEMONSTRATION, AND I SAW YOU KEPT HAVING TO MOVE THAT EMERGENCY SIGNAL.

THE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE TO MOVE IT ALL THE TIME, BECAUSE IF IT SIT STILL, IT INDICATES THAT SOMEONE IS LYING DOWN.

WHILE THEY'RE STANDING THERE, IF WE EVER SEE THEM, AND THEY'RE HITTING IT, IT'S LETTING THEM KNOW, DON'T GO OFF.

THE ALARM. WE DON'T NEED THE ALARM GO OFF.

>> IF YOU EVER DRIVE BY A FIRE, YOU SEE FIREFIGHTERS GETTING READY, STANDING AROUND, YOU'LL SEE THEM JIGGLING THAT OR THEY'LL DO THE SHOULDER THING LIKE THAT JUST BECAUSE THAT THING HAS TO MOVE EVERY 30 SECONDS OR IT STARTS ALARMING.

>> WOW, MARK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE DEMONSTRATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HAPPY TO HAVE YOU IN PERSON AND SHOWING US SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN HERE. THANK YOU GUYS.

THAT TAKES US THROUGH OUR PRESENTATIONS.

ALSO, WE'RE ABLE TO MEET A NEW ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, SO THAT WAS GREAT.

NOW WE'RE AT OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

[CONSENT AGENDA]

ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE OR HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT? WE HAVE AN EXTRA ITEM.

NUMBER 10, AND THE CITY MANAGER HERE WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS, AND HE CAN SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

I GUESS THAT'S IT, SO YOU CAN TAKE US THROUGH. THANK YOU.

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

IT'S A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW.

THE BEST ENTRANCE INTO [OVERLAPPING] I CAN'T BEAT THE ENTRANCE.

ONCE I CAN SAY THAT. THAT WAS PRETTY COOL.

IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT WE GET TO LOOK AT THE THINGS THAT YOU GUYS ARE AUTHORIZING LIVE. REALLY COOL.

AGAIN, WANT TO WELCOME ASSISTANT CHIEF BRAD RODDY TO THE TEAM.

REALLY THRILLED TO HAVE HIM COMING HOME TO THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND FILL THAT SPOT FOR US.

>> ITEM 1 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 27, 2025 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 2 IS THE JANUARY 27, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 3 IS THE FEBRUARY 3, 2025 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES.

ITEM 4 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JANUARY 6 REGULAR EDA MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 5 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JANUARY 7, 2025 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 6 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JANUARY 8, 2025 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING MINUTES.

ITEM 7 IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE JANUARY 22, 2024, REGULAR HRA MEETING MINUTES. FROM LAST YEAR.

ITEM 8 IS A CHANGE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.

THE COUNCIL HAS DISCUSSED THIS WITH CITY LEADERSHIP, ESSENTIALLY ADDING THE POSITION OF DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ITEM 9 IS ALLOCATE USE OF FUNDS AND AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES FOR THE 2023 PUBLIC SAFETY AID, WHICH IS THE PRESENTATION THE COUNCIL JUST RECEIVED FOR THE EQUIPMENT PURCHASES BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

ITEM 10 IS THE ITEM THAT WAS ADDED THIS AFTERNOON, WHICH IS SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1710, WHICH IS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5 OF THE CITY'S PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, WHICH ADDS THE REQUIREMENT TO REMOVE OR DISCHARGE THE DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS, ADDING THAT TO THE CITY'S TIME OF SALE PROGRAM.

THE FIRST READING WAS AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.

ITEM 11 IS CONSIDERATION OF A RENTAL LICENSE EXEMPTION EXTENSION FOR 4302 SECOND STREET.

THIS IS A PROPERTY THAT RECEIVED AN EXTENSION PREVIOUSLY FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

THE FAMILY IS JUST TAKING A LITTLE BIT EXTRA TIME TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS NECESSARY TO RENT IT.

THIS WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY AN EXTENSION OF THE EXTENSION.

THEY'VE BEEN KEEPING IN GOOD CONTACT WITH STAFF AND WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND STAFF ARE SUPPORTIVE OF GRANTING ADDITIONAL TIME TO COMPLETE THESE REPAIRS AND ULTIMATELY RECEIVE WHAT WOULD BE THEIR FIRST PROVISIONAL LICENSE.

ITEM 12 ARE RENTAL OCCUPANCY LICENSE FOR APPROVAL.

ITEM 13 IS THE CITY'S LICENSE AGENDA FOR BUSINESS LICENSES THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED DURING THIS PERIOD,

[00:45:03]

>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ITEM NUMBER 8.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS FOR THE PUBLIC THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING OR WONDERING, I REALLY APPRECIATE OUR POLICE CHIEF MARKHAM BRINGING FORWARD THE IDEA OF A CHANGE IN OUR STRUCTURE TO CREATE A DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF.

I KNOW THAT THIS POSITION IN OUR STAFF LETTER, LET US KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON INTERNAL AFFAIRS, PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, ACCOUNTABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, AND JUST OVERALL GENERAL LEADERSHIP IN COMMAND, AND THAT IT'S GOING TO BE FILLED INTERNALLY.

I'M VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF THIS IDEA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT OFFICERS, BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE DOING THE BEST JOB POSSIBLE, WE WANT TO HAVE A HIGH DEGREE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

I'M SO THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADD THIS NOW WITHIN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AND NOT INCREASE OUR EXPENSES FROM WHAT WE'VE ALREADY PREVIOUSLY BUDGETED.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE AND WELCOME OUR NEW DEPUTY CHIEF.

>> THANK YOU FOR ADDING THAT.

I'M REALLY GLAD TO SEE THIS CHANGE, ALDUS ECHO. ECHO WHAT YOU SAID THAT.

THIS IS A GOOD CHANGE FOR THE DEPARTMENT, AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO HOLD UP OUR POLICE CHIEF.

HE IS DOING A GREAT JOB IN HIS FIRST YEAR WITH HANDLING ALL OF THE CHANGES AND I THINK THIS IS A VERY CREATIVE WAY TO LOOK AT, WORKING WITH WHAT STAFF WE HAVE AND STILL RECRUITING.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY CHANGES WITH STAFFING, BUT ALSO WITH OUR SRO CONTRACT, SRO CONTRACT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AS WELL.

I WILL ADD TO THAT THAT OUR VEHICLE THAT'S UP AT THE HIGH SCHOOL NOW HAS A NEW DECAL ON IT.

LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS VEHICLE IS PART OF THE SCHOOL OUTREACH, AND THAT'S WHEN PEOPLE ARE DRIVING PAST, THEY'LL KNOW, THIS POLICE OFFICERS THERE BECAUSE IT'S A SCHOOL OUTREACH OFFICER.

>> I JUST APPRECIATE THE CREATIVITY AND THINKING OUT OF THE BOX, HOW TO MEET US WHERE WE ARE.

IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THEN, I WILL JUST ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> I'LL SAY THIS, MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS, A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING THERE'S NOTHING, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

>> AYE. [OVERLAPPING]

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

I'LL JUST SAY ALSO, I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT WE ARE DOING THE REMOVAL OF DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS.

I THINK WE'VE COME A LONG WAY AS A CITY AND STAFF TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.

I'VE HEARD A LOT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTENDING THE MAPPING PREJUDICE AT THE LIBRARY, AND THE OUTREACH THAT'S COMING.

BECAUSE ONE PART OF THIS IS REMOVING THE DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS, BUT THE OTHER PART IS THE EDUCATION OF HOW THEY GOT THERE TO BEGIN WITH, HOW WERE THEY APPROVED TO BEGIN WITH? I THINK THAT THEY'RE DOING THIS FULL LOOK AT MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED ON IT. ANDREW, THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING]

>> REAL QUICK, I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY HELD AT CITY HALL.

>> WHAT WAS THAT?

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE HELD AT CITY HALL. NOT THE LIBRARY.

>> NOT THE LIBRARY. THANK YOU FOR THE CORRECTION. THANK YOU, ANDREW.

I KNOW THAT YOU PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EXPERTISE IN THIS.

ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DID TO BRING THIS TO LIGHT HERE. THANK YOU.

THEN WE ARE AT OUR PUBLIC HEARING.

WE HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS TONIGHT.

WE HAVE ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION,

[ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION]

WE ARE AT NUMBER 15.

THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 17-11, AND OUR CITY PLANNER, ANDREW BOUCHER, WILL TAKE US THROUGH THIS.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL, BEFORE YOU TODAY, WE HAVE A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT.

THIS IS RELATED TO THE EFFORTS THAT STAFF HAS TRIED TO HAVE TO JUST CONTINUALLY ENGAGE THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AS WE HAVE LONG STANDING ITEMS. WE JUST LIKE TO TRY TO KEEP PROGRESS TOWARDS THOSE THINGS AND JUST MAKE SURE WE'RE ENGAGING OUR CITIZEN BOARDS.

STAFF DISCUSSED POTENTIAL UPDATES TO ZONING CODE AT THE JANUARY 7, 2025 PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP, BASED ON WORK RELATED TO THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO

[00:50:01]

THEN INCORPORATING THESE ALONG WITH OTHER RECENT ZONING CODE UPDATES INTO THE CITY'S DESIGN STANDARDS.

THESE AMENDMENTS ARE DESCRIBED IN EACH APPLICABLE ZONING SECTION AS FOLLOWS.

THE FIRST IS 9.101, PURPOSE AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION.

WE'RE PROPOSING TO INCLUDE AN ITEM TO BE PURPOSE, ENCOURAGE AND STRENGTHEN SOLAR DEVELOPMENT IN THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, WHILE PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND THE WELFARE OF ITS RESIDENTS, AND FURTHERING PROGRESS TOWARDS SPECIFIC COMMUNITY GOALS AND PLANS.

THIS IS CONTINUED FURTHER ON IN THE PURPOSE SECTION TO REFLECT OTHER SPECIFIC GOALS DEFINED IN PLANS SUCH AS THE ENERGY ACTION PLAN AND OTHER GUIDING DOCUMENTS.

AS STAFF, I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF OUR WORK IS GUIDED BY THOSE HIGH RANKING DOCUMENTS, SO IT MADE SENSE THAT THE ZONING CODE SHOULD, IN ITS PURPOSE, BE WORKING TOWARDS THOSE GOALS AS WELL.

GOING ON, 9.103, DEFINITIONS ARE BEING AMENDED TO TWEAK THE LANGUAGE FOR ACCESSORY BUILDING, STRUCTURE BUILDING, AND STRUCTURE TO EXPLICITLY STATE THAT SOLAR EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE STRUCTURES.

THIS GOES ALONG WITH SOME OF THE BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT SOLSMART PROVIDED.

ALONG THOSE LINES, THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED ADDING DEFINITIONS FOR COMMUNITY SCALE SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, GRID CONNECTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM AS BOTH AN ACCESSORY AND PRIMARY USE, ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, AND SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM.

THE RATIONALE IS THAT SOLSMART'S PERSPECTIVE IS THAT IF THE CITY WANTS TO ENCOURAGE THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THESE THINGS, THERE SHOULD BE EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS FOR THOSE.

THEN JUST CONTINUING ON THAT TREND, SOME OF THE OTHER BEST PRACTICES THAT THEY HAVE RELATED TO 9.106, GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AND JUST REMOVING LANGUAGE FROM LOT CONTROLS, HEIGHT LIMITATIONS, ESTABLISHING A ROOF AREA MAXIMUM FOR MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, AND ADDING LANGUAGE TO ALLOW SOLAR AND OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT TO EXCEED THAT COVERAGE MAXIMUM, AND ALSO EXEMPT IT FROM THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMITATION BY UP TO 50%.

THIS ISN'T NEW NECESSARILY.

THERE ARE PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW OTHER ITEMS TO EXCEED THAT MAXIMUM BY 50%.

WE JUST WANTED TO INCLUDE THAT AS A USE, AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN'T CREATING ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS THAT COULD RESTRICT THEIR USE.

ALONG THAT ARE AMENDING ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES TO INCLUDE SOLAR AND OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT, SUBJECT TO THE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSORY STRUCTURES, BUT NOT CONSIDERING THESE AS BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES.

THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION ON THIS.

SHOULD WE ALLOW THE SOLAR EQUIPMENT TO BE SUBJECT TO ANY SETBACKS, OR SHOULD WE JUST USE THE LANGUAGE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE FOR ACCESSORY STRUCTURES? IT FELT LIKE WHERE THE CONSENSUS WAS THAT WE SHOULD STILL RESPECT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES, AND THIS FITS IN LINE WITH WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING.

THEN THE OTHER ITEM IN GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS RELATED TO SOLAR ENERGY IS JUST EXEMPTING SOLAR AND RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS FROM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

THAT WAS ANOTHER BEST PRACTICE FROM SOLSMART.

THEY FOUND THAT IT DOESN'T PRODUCE ENOUGH GLARE OR SOUND TO WARRANT REQUIRING THOSE ADDITIONAL STUDIES THAT MAKES IT MORE.

YOU ADD ADDITIONAL COST ON FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT THAT YOU HAVE OF THIS, SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE JUST ENCOURAGING SOLAR DEVELOPMENT.

THE OTHER TWO CHANGES MORE SIGNIFICANT TO 9.106, GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, ARE IN RELATION TO SIGN REGULATIONS, AND INTRODUCING A TABLE OF USES SHOWING THE PERMITTED CONDITIONAL ACCESSORY USES FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND PUBLIC DISTRICTS.

IT'S BEEN A BEST PRACTICE IN PLANNING TO MOVE TOWARDS FORM-BASED CODING.

IT CLEARS UP A LOT OF REPETITIVE INFORMATION THAT IN OUR CASES IS LARGELY REPEATED IN EVERY ZONING DISTRICT.

WE JUST SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS A LITTLE MORE COHESIVE, MORE READABLE.

WITHIN THE FIRST HALF HOUR OF ME PUTTING THIS TOGETHER, I GOT TO SHOW SOMEBODY, THIS IS ALL THE SIGNAGE THAT YOUR PROPERTY CAN DO.

[00:55:01]

I THINK IT'LL JUST CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME PEOPLE HAVE TO, MYSELF INCLUDED, GO THROUGH THE ZONING CODE.

JUST CONTINUING ON THAT, 9.107, SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

WE WANTED TO ADD LANGUAGE FOR ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AS A USE, AND INCLUDING SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS THAT THE SYSTEM SHALL COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL FIRE CODES TO ENSURE EMERGENCY ACCESS TO THE ROOF, PROVIDE PATHWAYS TO SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE ROOF, PROVIDE AREAS FOR SMOKE VENTILATION, AND PROVIDE EMERGENCY EGRESS FOR THE ROOF.

WHEN I WAS IN SHOCKED B, WE WOULD REVIEW SOLAR PERMITS, AND IT WAS PLANNING, IT WAS BUILDING, AND FIRE.

IT JUST MADE SENSE THAT IF THERE ARE APPLICABLE FIRE CODES, WE DON'T WANT TO RELY ON CONTRACTORS OR PRIVATE HOMEOWNERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT, AND JUST HAVE THAT AS AN EXPECTATION FROM THE FRONT.

THEN FOR GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS, WE WANTED TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE THAT SAYS THAT IF THE AREA UNDER THE SYSTEM CONTAINS VEGETATIVE GROUND COVER SUCH AS GRASS, NATIVE PLANTING AND VEGETATIONS, OR POLLINATOR HABITATS AS THE TILT AND SPACING ALLOWS FOR PRECIPITATION TO DRAIN TO THE PERVIOUS GROUND COVER.

WE DIDN'T WANT SOLAR SYSTEMS TO BE SUBJECT TO IMPERVIOUS SURFACE MAXIMUMS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

WHEN I WAS IN THE GREENCORP, I ACTUALLY HAD A COLLEAGUE THAT WORKED SPECIFICALLY ON BUILDING POLLINATOR HABITATS ON SOLAR SITE.

IT FELT LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THINGS A CERTAIN WAY, IN A WAY THAT SUPPORTS THE OTHER INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE PUT FORTH.

9.109, 9.110, 9.111, AND 9.115, THESE ARE ALL OF OUR ZONING DISTRICTS, AND THESE WERE AMENDED JUST TO REMOVE THOSE USES AND RELOCATE THEM INTO 9.106, INTO THAT FORM BASED TABLE.

IT MADE SENSE TO REMOVE THOSE USES FROM THE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO, I WOULD SAY, INTERCHANGEABLE.

THAT'S WHERE OUR PARKING STANDARDS LIVE.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE WHERE THE TABLE OF USES MAKES THE MOST SENSE.

THEN ROUNDING THINGS OFF, 9.113, PLAN YOUR DEVELOPMENT AMENDED TO INCLUDE SOLAR RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS AND BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION, AS PARTS OF THE AREAS OF FLEXIBILITIES, AS WELL AS REVIEW PROCEDURE TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO GUIDING DOCUMENTS IN PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATION.

PLAN YOUR DEVELOPMENTS TYPICALLY ARE USED TO GUARANTEE A SUPERIOR DESIGN, WHILE ALSO ALLEVIATING SOME TECHNICAL PROVISIONS THAT COULD MAKE DEVELOPMENT DIFFICULT AS IT RELATES TO THE ZONING CODE.

WE TOOK THE POSITION THAT IF THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE US A SUPERIOR PRODUCT, IT SHOULD ALSO BE IN LINE WITH THE OVERARCHING GOALS OF THE 2040 COMP PLAN, ENERGY ACTION PLAN, ANY OTHER CITY-WIDE PLANS THAT WE SHOULD REFERENCE IF THEY INCLUDE THINGS IN THE PROJECT AREA THAT ARE CALLED OUT IN THOSE GUIDING DOCUMENT.

IT'S LIKE THE DESIGN STANDARDS.

YOU'RE DOING THIS PROJECT HERE, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO BRING TO THE TABLE.

THEN WRAPPING THINGS UP, 9.114, OVERLAY DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES.

WE JUST WANTED TO INCLUDE REFERENCE TO SOME OF THOSE OVERARCHING PLANS IN THE PURPOSE SECTION, AND THEN TO JUST BAKE IN ZONING DISTRICT CODE SECTIONS.

THEY OFTEN HAVE A PURPOSE SECTION, AND WE DID NOT HAVE THAT IN THE OVERLAY DISTRICTS.

IT JUST LABELS WHAT THOSE DISTRICTS ARE.

I THINK IT JUST HELPS START THE PROCESS FOR EVENTUALLY REBOOTING THOSE DESIGN GUIDELINES IF WE HAVE WHAT THOSE INTENTS OR WHAT THOSE PURPOSES ARE IN THE ZONING DISTRICT ITSELF.

THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE, SO I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU GUYS HAVE.

>> THANK YOU, ANDREW. I KNOW THIS IS A LOT TO GO THROUGH, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE UPDATES.

I WILL GO AHEAD WITH LETTING COUNCIL GO FIRST. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

>> [NOISE] EXCUSE ME, I HAVE A FROG IN MY THROAT TONIGHT.

FIRST OFF, I'M SUPER EXCITED THAT THE [LAUGHTER] SOLAR IS IN OUR ZONING NOW.

TWELVE YEARS AGO, WE PUT IN SOLAR IN OUR HOUSE, AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING.

HAVING TO ASK DEVELOPERS, ARE YOU GOING TO PUT ZONING ON YOUR BUILDING,

[01:00:01]

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS.

I'M SUPER EXCITED.

THAT'S ONE POINT IN BRINGING US INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. THANK YOU.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU AS A FORMER PLANNING COMMISSIONER, REORGANIZING INFORMATION BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST READ THROUGH THE ZONING AND WHEN WE'D HAVE TO GO DIG THROUGH, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT AS A LAY PERSON [LAUGHTER] TO FIND THINGS, ESPECIALLY ON THE SIGN STUFF, BECAUSE THAT CAME UP QUITE A BIT.

ALSO, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT US INITIATING REBOOTING OUR DESIGN GUIDELINES. IT'S TIME.

IT'S 22 YEARS SINCE THEY WERE LAST DONE, SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PROCESS. THANK YOU, ANDREW.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN.

>> I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT CONNIE SAID.

I WANT TO THANK ANDREW AND THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION FOR DOING SO MUCH WORK AND BEING FORWARD THINKING, AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN BETTER EQUIP OURSELVES TO DEAL WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ENERGY PLAN AND STUDY, WHAT WE JUST WENT THROUGH.

HOPEFULLY, THE NEW PLAN THAT WILL COME WILL BE ADOPTED BY THE CITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY EXCITING.

PERSONALLY, THE SAME THING AS CONNIE, THAT SIGNAGE CHART THAT YOU MADE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S SO GREAT TO READ.

IT'S SO EASY TO READ.

I ALSO JUST CAME FROM CITY PLANNING.

WHEN PEOPLE COME IN OFF THE STREET AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHERE I CAN PUT A SIGN, AND HAVING TO READ, I THINK IT WAS LIKE 14 PAGES OF LANGUAGE ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN PUT A SIGN ON WHICH FRONTAGE, AND WHAT HEIGHT.

THIS DOCUMENT NOW JUST SHOWS YOU ONE OR TWO PAGES, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.

IT'S SO EASY TO READ. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

I THINK EVERYBODY WHO WILL EVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH SIGNAGE IN OUR CITY WILL ALSO APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

>> I WILL ALSO ECHO WHAT THEY BOTH JUST SAID.

JUST A QUESTION I GUESS I HAD FOR SOLSMART, AND ALSO FOR YOU JUST IN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH USING SOLAR.

I ALWAYS ASSUME IT'S GOING TO BE ON TOPS OF ROOF TOPS OR EXISTING STRUCTURE, BUT WITH THE WORDING, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IMPERVIOUS SURFACES.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S OPTIONS OUTSIDE OF THAT.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU TYPICALLY WOULD SEE OR POSSIBLY EXPECT IN A CITY LIKE US WHERE WE DON'T HAVE A TON OF ROOM TO DEVELOP? I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS AN INTERESTING IDEA.

I HADN'T THOUGHT OF SPECIFIC IN FIRST RING SUBURBS LIKE US.

>> I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD ANTICIPATE THAT KIND OF DEVELOPMENT HERE.

OUR THOUGHT PROCESS AND ONE OF OUR PLANNING COMMISSIONERS HAS BACKGROUND IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

I FEEL LIKE THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING SOLAR CAN BE A LITTLE RESTRICTIVE SO IT'S ALONG THE SAME LINES AS LIKE THE ADU CONVERSATION, TO WHAT DEGREE DOES ZONING NEED TO PUT ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON SOMETHING THAT IS ALREADY GOING TO HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS BY THE INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES.

WE JUST WANTED TO TRY TO BE IN AS ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT THE BEST PRACTICES ARE FOR THE INDUSTRY AS WE COULD.

>> I HAD A QUESTION. I GUESS I CAN FIRST START WITH THANK YOU.

VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

QUESTION. IS THIS SOMETHING THEN WE CAN USE IN OUR GREENSTEP CITIES QUALIFYING?

>> I'D HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE DIRECT MENTIONS TO SOLSMART.

I WOULD PRESUME UNDER THE EXPANDING GREEN BUSINESS, I COULD SEE THAT BEING AN ACTION, BUT THIS IS JUST I THINK SOMETHING THAT WE CAN JUST DO TO BETTER SUPPORT SOLAR DEVELOPMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A GREEN STEP ACTION.

I'LL LOOK INTO THAT AND SEE IF IT IS.

BUT NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> THANK YOU. FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW GREENSTEP CITIES IS PART OF.

>> VOLUNTARY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

IT'S THROUGH THE MPCA, AND THEN THEY ORGANIZE LOCAL MINNESOTA CITIES.

IT'S A CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE.

YOU DECIDE HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN IT, TO WHAT DEGREE DO YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED AND HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU WANT TO PUT BEHIND IT?

>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

WE ARE A TWO-STEP CITY, AND WE'VE BEEN TWO FOR A LONG TIME.

I KNOW AS A COUNCIL, WE'RE ASKING ALL THE TIME, WHEN ARE WE READY FOR OUR NEXT STEP? THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING ABOUT IT.

BUT ANDREW IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS ONE OF OUR GOALS, AND WE'LL JUST KEEP MOVING ALONG, BUT THIS IS A HUGE STEP. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

JUST CUTTING DOWN ON ALL OF THE PAPER, IT'S SO HARD TO READ AND FOR STAFF TO, LIKE, WELL, THIS SLIDE ON THIS PAGE AND THIS LINE TO JUST MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC AND STAFF IS SO SMART.

THANK YOU. THEN, IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, AND I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO WAIVE THE READING.

>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 1711.

THERE ARE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS, TO WAIVE THE READING.

ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS?

[01:05:01]

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

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

>> MOTION TO MOVE TO THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 1711, BEING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 9 LAND USE, 9.101 PURPOSE, 9.103, DEFINITIONS, 9.106, GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.107, SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, 9.109, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, 9.110, COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, 9.111, INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, 9.113, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS, 9.114, OVERLAY DISTRICTS, AND 9.115, PUBLIC AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR JANUARY 27TH, 2025 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM.

>> IS THAT DATE CORRECT?

>> THAT DATE IS INCORRECT.

OUR CLERK CAUGHT THAT. I APOLOGIZE.

THAT SHOULD THAT SHOULD READ AS FEBRUARY 24TH, 2025.

>> GREAT, SO THAT WILL BE AMENDED TOO.

CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY 24TH, 2025 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM.

GREAT. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN. CAN I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS TO SET THE SECOND READING. ANY DISCUSSION?

>> SEEING NONE. THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

WE WILL FINISH AT THE NEXT READING.

THEN WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 16, RESOLUTION 2025-83, UPDATING THE DELEGATION OF PURCHASING TO THE CITY MANAGER.

TAKING US THROUGH THIS IS OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR JOE KLOIBER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT, JOE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYORS AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

THIS ITEM WAS DISCUSSED VERY THOROUGHLY AT THE WORK SESSION LAST MONDAY.

BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING THE RECORDING OR WATCHING AT HOME, I'LL GIVE A BRIEF BACKGROUND, IF YOU'LL PUT UP WITH THAT.

THE COLUMBIA HEIGHT CITY CHARTER HAS A DIVISION OF DUTIES SOMEWHAT LIKE THE PUBLIC MAY HAVE HEARD REPORTED AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHERE YOU COMMONLY HEAR THAT CONGRESS CONTROLS THE PURSE STRINGS, AND SO FEDERAL AGENCIES CAN ISSUE CONTRACTS AND AWARDS, BUT THE BUDGET AND THE FUNDING TO DO THAT IS HELD BY THE ELECTED OFFICIALS BY THE LEGISLATIVE BODY, SIMILARLY.

THE CITY CHARTER HAS A SIMILAR DIVISION OF DUTIES.

ONLY THE CITY COUNCIL CAN APPROPRIATE PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR A BUDGET, WHETHER THAT BE LEVY TAXES OR ASSESSMENTS OR OTHER AVAILABLE FUNDS MAKE AVAILABLE.

BUT ONCE THAT BUDGET IS CREATED, THE CITY CHARTER GIVES THE POWER TO AWARD CONTRACTS AND MAKE PURCHASES FROM THAT BUDGET TO THE CITY MANAGER, SUBJECT TO COUNCIL CHOICE OF LIMITING THE CITY MANAGER'S ABILITY IN THAT REGARD.

IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY ACTION BY THE COUNCIL, THE CITY MANAGER COULD MAKE ALL CONTRACTS AND PURCHASES.

HISTORICALLY, THERE'S BEEN A DOLLAR LIMIT IN GENERAL AND THEN SOME OTHER SPECIALIZED PROVISIONS ON LIMITING THAT POWER.

THAT'S WHAT'S BEFORE THE COUNCIL HERE.

THE DOLLAR LIMIT HASN'T BEEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION IN OVER 20 YEARS.

THE MAIN GENERAL DOLLAR LIMIT THAT WE STAFF WOULD RECOMMEND WOULD BE INCREASING IT FROM 50,000 TO 25,000, WHICH IS COMPARABLE TO THE INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

THEN THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OTHER SPECIALIZED PROVISIONS LIKE THE ABILITY NOT SUBJECT TO THAT $25,000 LIMIT, SUCH AS UTILITIES FOR CITY BUILDINGS AND PURCHASES OF ITEMS FOR THE LIQUOR STORE FOR RESALE.

THINGS THAT LIMITING THEM TO A DOLLAR AMOUNT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY SAFEGUARD THE ACHIEVEMENT OF COUNCIL OBJECTIVES.

THAT'S TRULY THE DECIDING FACTOR HERE IS.

THOSE LIMITS SHOULD BE SET IN SOME PLACE THAT IS THE RIGHT TRADE OFF BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY AND PROTECTING BEFOREHAND FOR ACHIEVING COUNCIL OBJECTIVES.

THEN THE THIRD ELEMENT OF THE LIMITATIONS ON THE THE CITY MANAGER'S ABILITY TO AWARD CONTRACTS AND PURCHASES IS HOW TO DEAL WITH CHANGE ORDERS ON CONTRACTS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED.

WE'RE PROPOSING AT THIS TIME A POLICY THAT REALLY HAS BEEN FOLLOWED INFORMALLY WITHOUT HAVING EXPLICIT AUTHORIZATION IS 10%.

IF THE COUNCIL WAS TO AWARD A CONTRACT AND THE NEED TO

[01:10:02]

IF THERE WERE SUBSEQUENT CHANGE ORDERS, THEN ANY FUTURE USE OF THAT POWER WOULD REQUIRE COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL AND RATIFYING THE PRIOR CHANGE ORDERS BEFORE THAT 10% POWER COULD BE USED AGAIN.

WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR FURTHER DISCUSSION, THAT'S THE BACKGROUND I OFFER FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> THANK YOU. THANKS FOR PRESENTING MORE INFORMATION.

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT FROM THE COUNCIL? I WILL SAY THAT WE HAD A REALLY IN DEPTH CONVERSATION AT OUR WORK SESSION SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING QUESTIONS ANSWERED FOR US.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ONE OF OUR NEWEST COUNCIL MEMBER, DENEEN HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND CONTRACTS, AND SO SHE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD POINTED QUESTIONS THAT STAFF HAD ANSWERS TO AND/OR SAID, LET'S LOOK IT UP AND SEE.

BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK THE VOTERS OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR HELPING ELECT LAUREL DENEEN SO SHE CAN BE HERE WITH US.

I THINK ALL OF US, WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE COUNCIL, AND WE ALL BRING DIFFERENT THINGS TO THE COUNCIL AND TO OUR QUESTIONS WHILE WE WORK WITH STAFF, SO YOU JUST CAME IN, AND RIGHT AWAY, YOU HAD SOME REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS.

YOUR BACKGROUND IS ESPECIALLY SUITED FOR.

>> I THANK YOU FOR DEALING WITH ALL OF MY QUESTIONS AND TAKING THEM IN STRIDE AND REALLY HAVING GREAT ANSWERS, AND I APPRECIATE WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS.

THANK YOU. I ENJOY BRINGING THAT HERE, AND LOOK FORWARD TO DOING MORE WORK.

>> THANK YOU. I'M REALLY GLAD TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BROUGHT UP BECAUSE 20 YEARS IT'S BEEN, $15,000 IS NOT ENOUGH SOMETIMES TO WORK ON STUFF, AND WE REALLY IN A TRANSPARENT WAY, THE COUNCIL, PEOPLE COULD SAY, WELL, COULDN'T THE CITY MANAGER JUST SEND AN EMAIL OR CALL THEM.

BUT THE NATURE OF US BEING A TRANSPARENT COUNCIL IS THAT WE HAVE TO DO THINGS WHERE THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS TO THE MEETING AND TO OUR CONVERSATIONS.

WE HAVE TO POST THINGS THREE-DAY NOTICE.

UNLESS THERE'S AN EMERGENCY, WE HAVE TO DO THINGS AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE.

IN ORDER FOR OUR CITY MANAGER TO TAKE THOSE STEPS TO MAKE A DECISION, I THINK THIS IS REALLY LIKE DULY NOTED.

THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT AND VOTE ON.

THANK YOU, JOE, FOR ALL THE WORK TO BRING IT TOWARDS TO US.

THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS THEN MAY I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO WAIVE THE READING?

>> MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2025-83, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> SECOND.

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

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

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

NEXT, WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.

>> MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-83, BEING A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE DELEGATION OF PURCHASING TO THE CITY MANAGER.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS, TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

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

>> AYE.

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

LOOK FORWARD TO MORE EFFICIENT DECISION MAKING. THANK YOU.

WE HAVE NO BID CONSIDERATIONS TONIGHT, SO THAT TAKES US TO OUR CITY COUNCIL REPORTS,

[CITY COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS]

>> WE'VE HAD A LOT GOING ON.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HAS BEEN A REALLY FUN LATE WINTER.

I WANTED TO THANK THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR HOSTING THE WINTER SKI DAY.

MY TEENAGERS WENT AND SAID IT WAS A LOT OF FUN SO THANK YOU TO THAT.

I HAD A MEETING WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON SOME UPCOMING DEVELOPMENT IN OUR CITY.

COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS AND I WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THE STATE OF THE REGION ADDRESS AT ALLIANCE FIELD WITH MET COUNCIL, AND WE WERE ABLE TO HEAR FROM MANY MET COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL AS ATTEND A WORKSHOP ON THE 2050 COMP PLAN THAT'S BEING PUT TOGETHER BY THE MET COUNCIL AND HEAR ABOUT SOME COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IDEAS.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL STADIUM AND A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO MEET WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR REGION.

ALSO, WE HAD HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, OUR SNOW BLAST, AND I'M SURE ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL HAVE THINGS TO SHARE.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO SPECIALLY THANK WILL ROTLER, OUR EVENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM.

THEN THE VOLUNTEERING ORGANIZATION, THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LIONS, HEIGHTS NEXT, THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS, HEIGHTS CHURCH, AND THE KEY CLUB.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN OTHERS, BUT THOSE WERE SOME AMAZING COMMUNITY MEMBERS I SAW OUT THERE IN THE COLD.

[01:15:04]

COUNCIL MEMBER THEN I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE CENTRAL AVENUE DISCUSSION WITH MIN-DOT FOR RESIDENTS WHO MAYBE WEREN'T ABLE TO ATTEND THAT LIVE MEETING.

I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE POSTED ONLINE VERSION SO YOU CAN SEE AND MAKE COMMENTS.

IT'S REALLY EXCITING TO SEE THE ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDS TO OUR CITY AND HELPING TO MAKE OUR STREET BETTER.

ALSO ATTENDED WITH THE MAYOR THE RESOURCE FAIR AT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I'LL LET YOU SHARE MORE ABOUT THAT. IT WAS WONDERFUL.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALSO MET WITH THE CHAIR OF THE BONDING COMMITTEE OF THE STATE HOUSE REPS BECAUSE OUR PUBLIC WORK SERVICE CENTER IS UP FOR BONDING AND THANK YOU TO OUR PUBLIC WORK STRICTOR KEVIN HANSEN, WHO HAS LEFT, BUT WHO PRESENTED OUR NEED TO THE REPRESENTATIVES.

I'M ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE WINTER REEDS PROGRAM AT THE LIBRARY, AND I'M HOPING FOR SOME NEW SOCKS, BUT WE'LL SEE.

I MAY NOT WIN THIS YEAR. I HAVE ABOUT SIX PAIRS ALREADY.

THEN FINALLY, I WROTE A LETTER WITH OTHER LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS THE US TO JOIN A COALITION TO ASK CONGRESS TO PRESERVE CLEAN ENERGY TAX CREDITS THAT ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO BE REMOVED.

THAT'S IT FOR MY REPORT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BUESGENS.

>> HELLO. IT'S BEEN BUSY.

FIRST OFF, I ATTENDED A WORKSHOP ONLINE FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CONFERENCE ON HOW APPRENTICESHIPS STRENGTHEN MUNICIPAL WORKFORCE IS LOOKING FOR POSSIBILITY POSSIBLE SOURCES LIKE WE HAVE INTERNS COMING IN FOR VARIOUS SOURCES.

THIS IS AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THAT OUR STATE DOES HAVE.

I SHARED THAT WITH OUR CITY MANAGER TO SEE IF IT'S POSSIBLE THAT ANOTHER POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING PEOPLE IN TO HELP BECAUSE WE'RE STILL ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET FOLKS WITH STAFFING.

ANYTHING THAT WE CAN FIND TO HELP WOULD BE GREAT.

ALSO, AGAIN, STATE OF THE REGION, METRO COUNCIL WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES.

THE MAIN SPEAKER TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WELL DEVELOPED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, WHICH INCLUDES LIGHT RAIL AND BRTS THROUGHOUT OUR METRO AREA TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE AROUND IN A SAFE MANNER.

>> IT WAS A GREAT TREAT TO ACTUALLY SEE THE NEW SOCCER FIELD.

MY HUSBAND'S NOT A SOCCER FAN, SO IT WAS VERY NICE TO BE ABLE TO BE INSIDE AND SEE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

I ATTENDED THE CRAFT NIGHT AT MERCAN HALL WITH OTHER MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I ATTENDED THE PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE FOR MINDOT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED.

THE ROOM IN HERE WAS PACKED, SO IT WAS VERY EXCITING.

IT WAS IN THE LIBRARY. IT WAS VERY BUSY, AND IT WAS COOL.

THE PRESENTATION WAS GOOD.

ONE THING, I DO WANT TO LET FOLKS KNOW, THEY DO HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS ON CENTRAL AVENUE FOR 2024 IT'S THE SECOND HIGHEST IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, I BELIEVE, 470 ACCIDENTS ON CENTRAL AVENUE, BETWEEN 37TH AND 53RD.

WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BRING THAT NUMBER DOWN.

I KNOW MINDOT TALKED ABOUT THEIR TARGET GOAL IS TO BRING IT DOWN TO 225.

WITH THE NEW DESIGN PLANS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT.

ANYWAY, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT HAPPEN.

ATTENDED THE PINNING CEREMONY FOR OUR NEW ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF BRAD RODDY, ATTENDED THE PET BED PREP WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS WITH HEIGHT SNACKS TO GET READY FOR SATURDAY, WHICH WAS OUR PET BED EVENT.

EVEN WITH THE SNOW, WE HAD PEOPLE SHOW UP ONE WOMAN AND HER SON DROVE 45 MINUTES FROM NORTH OF ANOKA TO COME DOWN AND HELP MAKE BEDS.

WE MADE ABOUT 52 BEDS, AND ABOUT 24 PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE SNOW AND GET THERE.

IT WAS A REAL FUN EVENT. IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

LAST THING I WANTED TO MENTION, I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE SNOW BLAST BECAUSE I WAS SICK.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP VOLUNTEER AT THE SNOW TABLE, AND I WANT TO THANK MY HUSBAND AND MY NEIGHBOR, BILL BURTON FOR FILLING IN FOR ME.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

SOME THINGS CAN'T HELP, BUT ANYWAY.

THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.

>>THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN.

>> THANK YOU. I ATTENDED THE ANOKA COUNTY LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MEETING ON JANUARY 29 WITH MAYOR MARCO SIMLA.

I VOLUNTEERED WITH EVERY MAIL TO HAND OUT MEALS TO STUDENTS AT VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON JANUARY 31ST.

VOLUNTEERED AT SNOW BLAST ON FEBRUARY 1ST.

I WANT TO THANK OUR COMMUNITY FOR COMING OUT IN THE EXTREME COLD THAT IT WAS THAT DAY.

CONNIE IT WAS A GOOD DAY TO BE SICK.

IT WAS A REAL COLD.

BUT EVERYBODY HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME.

WE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE COMING UP TO THE TABLE, EVEN THOUGH THINGS WERE FLYING WITH THE WIND, IT WAS GREAT. IT WAS A GOOD TIME.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY TO SHARE COMING UP FOR THAT.

I SERVED AS COUNCIL LIAISON FOR THE CITY PLANNING COMMITTEE ON FEBRUARY 4TH, WHERE WE DISCUSSED CITY DESIGN STANDARDS IN OUR DISTRICTS, AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING IT'S GOING TO BE COMING

[01:20:02]

THEN I ALSO ATTENDED THE BADGE AND CEREMONY FOR OUR NEW ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF BRAD RODDY ON FEBRUARY 5, I'M WAS SO GLAD TO SEE HIM HERE AGAIN TODAY AND WELCOME HIM BACK TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

I KNOW HIS FAMILY, AND HE HAS A LONG HISTORY HERE, AND HE'S REALLY GLAD TO BE BACK. THAT WAS IT FOR ME.

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SPRIGGS.

>> A LOT OF CARRYOVER.

I KNOW WE'VE JOKED ABOUT SNOW BLAST, MAYBE NEEDING TO BE RENAMED ICE BLASTS, BASED ON THE WEATHER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BECAUSE IT WAS VERY COLD, BUT THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT.

I TOOK THE LAST SHIFT, AND IT WAS LESS POPULATED.

I WOULD ASSUME THAN THE FIRST TWO, BUT THERE'S STILL A GOOD SHOWING OVERALL.

THAT WAS FUN TO SEE OUT AND TALK ABOUT RUN BUTS AT THE TABLE.

WE GOT TO HEAR SOME PEOPLE'S OPINIONS ON THAT.

OTHERWISE, A LOT OF THE SAME AS THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I MISSED THE BEGINNING OF THE EDA SESSION, BUT WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE SECOND HALF OF THE WORK SESSION.

BUT I ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF TO TALK ABOUT SOME IDEAS THAT CAME UP AT THAT MEETING AND SOME OTHER THINGS AS WELL GOING ON IN OUR CITY, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE MIND VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE ON, I BELIEVE IT WAS WEDNESDAY, AND THERE WERE ABOUT 25 PEOPLE THERE AS WELL.

I THINK AT LEAST THROUGH A COUPLE OF SESSIONS THAT PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO GET TO PRETTY WELL ATTENDED.

THEN, AS WE'RE SWITCHING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, I ATTENDED MY FIRST MAC MEETING, WHICH IS THE MULTICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW IT'S A MEETING WITH THE POLICE CHIEF, AND OTHER OFFICERS, OFFICER WOOD AND OFFICER VANN I THINK HELD AT DIFFERENT AREAS AROUND THE CITY, BUT AS EVERY OTHER MONTH, THE THIRD TUESDAY, I BELIEVE IT IS.

ANYONE IS WELCOME TO COME AND JOIN US JUST HEAR ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND BRING UP QUESTIONS, CONCERNS ABOUT THE CITY.

>> THANK YOU. LET'S SEE.

THINGS I'VE BEEN DOING THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

ALSO ATTENDED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER DENEEN, THE ANOKA COUNTY ELECTED MEETING.

THAT'S A QUARTERLY.

IT'S A QUARTERLY MEETING.

THEY HAD COMING BACK OFF OF, LIKE, COVID, THEY WERE QUARTERLY MEETING.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED THERE.

THEY COVER WE HAVE A DINNER THAT IS PAID FOR BY THE CITY, BUT THE TWO SPEAKERS AT THE MEETING WERE FROM THE COUNTY, AND WE HEARD ABOUT OPIOID SERVICES AND RESOURCES IN THE COUNTY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY SHARED ABOUT WAS THAT IT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE NARCAN AVAILABLE AND WHERE THERE ARE AEDS.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT OUR WORK SESSION.

ALSO THE COUNTY GAVE US AN UPDATE ON ELECTIONS AND HOW THE ELECTIONS WENT THROUGH THIS PAST FALL AND HOW SAFE THEY ARE AND HOW SECURE THEY ARE.

WE HAD A GREAT PRESENTATION ABOUT THAT.

I ATTENDED THE BOMAC TRAINING WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND FIREFIGHTERS.

IT WAS THREE DAYS, SEVEN, EIGHT HOUR DAYS OF TRAINING OF WHAT OUR CITY WOULD DO IN AN EMERGENCY.

IT WAS A FANTASTIC TRAINING JUST SEEING HOW EVERYONE WORK TOGETHER, HOW THEY'RE ABLE TO BE FLEXIBLE AND NIMBLE AND LEAN ON EACH OTHER AND TRUST EACH OTHER.

BUT THE TRAINING WAS REALLY GREAT AS A MAYOR TO SEE ALL THE WAYS THAT OUR STAFF HAVE THOUGHT THROUGH WHAT WE WOULD DO IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, AND A LOT OF IT WAS ALSO WATCHING RECORDINGS OF OTHER EMERGENCY STAFF IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THINGS AND AS THEY HAVE DEBRIEFED.

IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL AND HEAVY TRAINING, BUT I THINK IT WAS SO WELL DONE AND SO WORTH IT BECAUSE WANT TO BE PREPARED TO NEVER USE THOSE SKILLS.

I THINK THAT OUR STAFF DID A GREAT JOB.

I REALLY WANT TO THANK US FOR PUTTING THAT ON AND SUPPORTING THAT.

IT' HAD BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE THEY HAD DONE IT.

I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD. OUR NEW ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF WAS ABLE TO BE THERE.

I WAS HIS FIRST DAY AT WORK.

HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BOND AND WORK WITH ALL OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THEN POLICE AS WELL. IT WAS A GREAT TRAINING.

ALSO ATTENDED THE SNOW BLAST OR WIND BLAST OR ICE BLAST.

A LOT OF FUN. THE LAMAS AND PONIES ARE SO CUTE. OH, MY GOODNESS.

THERE WAS SO MUCH FUN. I ATTENDED THE ANCESTRAL CONNECTION AT THE LIBRARY.

IT'S A THREE WEEK CLASS WHERE MAN IS PLAYING PROBABLY ABOUT A DOZEN INSTRUMENTS FROM AFRICA, AND JUST LIKE AS A MEDITATION MUSICAL SPACE, AND IT WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL.

BUT HE DID A GREAT JOB AND JUST WANT TO THANK THE LIBRARY FOR BRINGING SUCH DIVERSE PROGRAMMING TO OUR CITY.

ATTENDED THE EDA, OUR ALLEY ASSESSMENT MEETING, AND ALL OF THE FOLLOW UP WITH MANY EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS WITH PEOPLE ABOUT THE ALLEYS.

[01:25:02]

IT'S A REALLY GREAT EVENT AT THE CITY WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS MULTIPLE TABLING EVENT WITH MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS.

BUT THIS ONE IS SPECIFICALLY HAS SPANISH TRANSLATORS AT EACH TABLE, AND SO THEY ACTUALLY HAD THE CONSULATE FROM MEXICO WAS THERE.

I BELIEVE THE CONSULATE OF ECUADOR WAS THERE.

THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE THERE, THE CITY HAD A TABLE, AND THEY WERE ALSO DOING COVID AND FLU SHOTS, WHICH HAD A GREAT TURNOUT.

FAMILIES WERE REALLY GETTING A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ANOKA COUNTY AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

AT OUR ROTARY MEETING, WE HAD METRO BLOOMS PRESENTED, AND THEY'RE THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT DOES THE LAWNS TO LEGUMES PROGRAMS. IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO HAVE THEM IN ATTENDANCE SHARING ABOUT THE METRO BLOOMS PROGRAM.

ALSO WAS ON OUR VIRTUAL PUBLIC WORKS TOUR FOR OUR BONDING.

I'M SO GLAD COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES WAS ABLE TO BE ON THAT CALL.

WE MET WITH CHAIR LEE AND ALSO SANDRA FEIST, OUR REPRESENTATIVE, AND REPRESENTATIVE AARON CAGLE WAS ON THE CALL.

WE'RE SO THANKFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

WORKED AT OUR PET BED EVENT AS WELL.

TODAY WAS OUR REGIONAL COUNCIL OF MAYOR'S MEETING, WHICH WAS AN INCREDIBLE MEETING.

IT WAS TITLED IMAGINE A DIFFERENT FUTURE, AND SO WE HAD THREE DIFFERENT FUTURISTS THAT WERE THERE SPEAKING.

I'LL DEFINITELY SHARE MORE INFORMATION WITH THE COUNCIL, BUT RIGHT NOW I CAN JUST SAY TOM FISHER, WHO'S PROFESSOR WAS THERE.

HE ALSO IS FROM THE MINNESOTA DESIGN CENTER.

JACK ALDRICH IS A GLOBAL FUTURIST.

SOME OF THEIR KEY QUOTES FOR, IMAGINE A FUTURE, BE BETTER AND BOLDER.

I ALSO LEARNED THE TERM FOOD SWAMP.

WE'VE HEARD OF A FOOD DESERT, BUT THE BETTER WORD FOR FOOD DESERT IS FOOD APARTHEID, BECAUSE IT'S A SYSTEMATIC REASON, WHEREAS A DESERT IS A NATURALLY OCCURRING SPACE.

APARTHEID MEANS SYSTEMS DECIDED YES OR NO TO CERTAIN PEOPLE.

FOOD SWAMP IS WHERE THERE'S A ABUNDANCE OF FOOD THAT IS MAYBE NUTRITIONALLY DEFICIENT.

ABUNDANCE OF FAST FOOD, AN ABUNDANCE OF GAS STATION FOOD DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S FOOD IN THE NUTRITION WAY.

FOOD SWAMP WAS THE NEW PHRASE I LEARNED AT THAT MEETING.

I WANT TO THANK OUR PLOWS.

THANK PUBLIC WORKS FOR TAKING CARE OF THE STREETS DURING OUR LAST AND ONLY SNOW OF THE YEAR, I THINK.

THANK YOU TO THE PLOW DRIVERS FOR GETTING US OUT THERE.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU MOVE YOUR GARBAGE CANS OFF THE STREET AND YOUR CARS SO THAT THE PLOWS CAN COME THROUGH.

I WANT TO HAVE ONE LITTLE JUST ANNOUNCEMENT AGAIN, AND I SAID THIS AT THE LAST MEETING, BUT JUST REMINDING PEOPLE THAT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE ARE NOT AN ARM OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

THEIR ROLE IS NOT HERE TO DO THE BIDDING OF ANY ICE PROGRAMMING OR DEPORTATION.

THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS POLICE ARE HERE TO PROTECT ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY BOUNDARIES, AND THEY ALSO DO ALL OF THE WORK FOR HILLTOP.

THEN TWO OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE, WE HAVE A BOARD GAME.

THERE'S A BOARD GAME AND PUZZLE SWAP ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13 AT MERCAN HALL.

AT WHAT TIME? 6:30 DOWNSTAIRS IN THE SENIOR CENTER.

IF YOU HAVE ANY BOARD GAMES OR PUZZLES YOU WANT TO GET RID OF, BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A NEW ONE HOME.

PLEASE COME TO THAT EVENT.

ANOTHER COMMUNITY EVENT COMING UP IS CO ICON, WHICH IS A GAMING AND COURSE PLAY CONVENTION THAT WHOLE FAMILY CAN COME AND PLAY BOARD GAMES, SING KARAOKE, AND THAT IS ON MARCH 1ST.

YOU CAN BUY TICKETS FOR THAT AT COICOMMN.COM.

THAT'S MY REPORT. WE'LL GO TO THE CITY MANAGER AARON CHIRPICH.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. JUST A FEW UPDATES.

THE 2025 SPRING NEWSLETTER IS BEING FINALIZED THIS WEEK AND WILL BE SENT TO PRINT.

LOOK FOR THAT IN YOUR MAIL MAILBOX OR YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND IT ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AS WELL, INCLUDING PAST PUBLICATIONS OF THE NEWSLETTER.

JUST ONE LAST SNOW BLAST RECAP, SO STAFF WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT TO ENJOY THE FIFTH ANNUAL EVENT.

DESPITE WINDY CONDITIONS, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT ROUGHLY 400 PEOPLE ATTENDED, SO GREAT TURNOUT.

THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND THEN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM BARNEGAZ AND STEPHAN AS WELL.

MAPPING PREJUDICE PROJECT DATE.

[01:30:02]

THE FIRST WILL BE FEBRUARY 13TH, THIS WEEK AND THE SECOND ON FEBRUARY 20TH.

THE FIRST EVENT COVERS THE HISTORY OF RACIAL COVENANTS, AND THE SECOND WE'LL FOCUS ON SOME MAPPING ACTIVITIES AND MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO DISCHARGE THE COVENANTS.

BOTH EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 PM.

WE RECOMMEND THAT ATTENDEES THAT DO COME TO THE SECOND EVENT ON THE FEBRUARY BRING A LAPTOP, IF POSSIBLE.

BOARD AND COMMISSION UPDATES.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR TERMS THAT BEGIN APRIL 1, BUT THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FEBRUARY 28TH.

THE APPLICATIONS CAN BE FIND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE OR AT CITY HALL, AND YOU COULD CONTACT THE CITY CLERK AS WELL AT 763-706-3611, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

THE CURRENT OPENINGS, WE HAVE THREE PLANNING COMMISSION SPOTS OPEN, TWO ON THE LIBRARY BOARD, TWO ON THE PARK AND REC COMMISSION, TWO ON THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION, AND YOUTH COMMISSIONERS ARE ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS.

A REMINDER THAT CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH IN OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENT'S DAY. THAT'S IT.

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE TWO MORE THINGS I FORGOT.

ONE, I DID BRING IN A COPY OF OUR POLICE TRADING CARDS.

IF YOU SEE A POLICE OFFICER, ASK IF THEY HAVE A TRADING CARD ON THEM.

THEY HAVE A PHOTO ON THE FRONT WITH THEIR NAME, AND THEN SOME STATS ON THE BACK.

YOU CAN GET TO KNOW OUR POLICE OFFICERS.

OUR CHIEF IS IN HERE AS WELL.

I'M HOPING THE IDEA TAKES HOLD IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF BRAD.

BUT MAKE SURE IF YOU MEET ANY OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS, ASK THEM FOR A TRADING CARD.

THOSE ARE MEANT TO BE A GREAT WAY TO ENGAGE.

THEN ALSO WANTED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS SATURDAY AT 9:00 AM IS THE BY NOTHING EVENT. 10:00 AM. THANK YOU.

AT 10:00 AM AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH.

IT'S A BY NOTHING EVENT.

IT'S LIKE A GARAGE SALE, BUT YOU DON'T BUY ANYTHING.

YOU JUST CAN HAVE IT FOR FREE.

YOU CAN JUST BRING THINGS AND GIVE THEM AWAY FOR FREE TO YOUR COMMUNITY.

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH AT 10:00 AM ON SATURDAY.

FROM 10:00 AM TILL NOON.

THANKS FOR ASKING. JUST SHOW UP.

IF YOU WANT TO COME AND GIVE THINGS AWAY, THOUGH, THEN JUST COME A LITTLE BIT EARLY SO YOU CAN SET UP YOUR TABLE AND LET'S SHARE OUR GENEROSITY, SHARE OUR ITEMS. ANYTHING ELSE? I GOT LOTS OF THINGS.

THEN IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO HAVE TO DISCUSS AT OUR MEETING THEN, COULD I HAVE A MOTION THEN TO ADJOURN?

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BISKINS, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE?

>> AYE.

>> AYE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PASSES.

THE MEETINGS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU, AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.