Loading...
CCM 08/10/2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF FRIDLEY AUGUST 10, 2020 The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lund Councilmember Ostwald Councilmember Tillberry Councilmember Eggert Councilmember Bolkcom OTHERS PRESENT: Walter Wysopal, City Manager Daniel Tienter, Finance Director/City Treasurer/City Clerk Scott Hickok, Community Development Director PRESENTATION: Engineering Intern Report by Kevin Rudd APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. City Council Meeting Minutes of July 27, 2020. APPROVED. NEW BUSINESS: 2. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of July 15, 2020. RECEIVED. 3. Approve a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Fridley and the City of Columbia Heights for the 53rd Avenue Turnabout Project APPROVED. 4. Claims: ACH PCard 2020-07-06; 189657 - 189809 APPROVED. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2020 PAGE 2 ADOPTION OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt the proposed consent agenda as presented. Seconded by Councilmember Eggert. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OPEN FORUM, VISITORS: Natividad Seefeld stated that for safety reasons there is a need for streetlights on Fireside Drive. Xcel Energy recommends lighting every 20. Mayor Lund said he would have a discussion with the Public Works Director about this request. ADOPTION OF AGENDA: MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the agenda with the following additional items: 6B. Appointments to the Planning Commission 6C. CARES Act Business Assistance Grant Program Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING/NEW BUSINESS: 5. Public Hearing on a Proposal for the Issuance of Educational Facilities Revenue Notes for the Totino-Grace High School Project; and Adopt Resolution No. 2020-41 Approving the Issuance and Sale of an Educational Facilities Revenue Note, Series 2020, and Authorizing the Execution of Documents Relating Thereto (Totino-Grace High School Project) MOTION by Councilmember Eggert to waive the reading of the notice and open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:19 P.M. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2020 PAGE 3 Daniel Tienter, Finance Director, said earlier this year, the City received a request from Totino- Grace High School for financial help with the refinancing of certain debt related to a past land acquisition, and to support the coast of certain improvements for their existing facilities. On July 13, 2020, the City Council called for a public hearing to consider the issuance and sale of an Educational Facilities Revenue Note of up to $4,200,000. Since the public notice, the draft application to the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has been available for inspection at City Hall. Mr. Tienter stated MN Statutes 469.152-469.165 and Internal Revenue Code 147 allow the City to issue revenue obligations to finance improvements for qualifying organizations. For this arrangement, the City will issue and sell an Education Facilities Revenue Note. The revenues derived from the qualifying organization and other collateral are pledged to the lender to service the debt. Based on this arrangement, the Note does not constitute a debt of the City, and has no financial obligation related to it. The City will issue the Note as bank qualified, which allows Totino-Grace to realize a lower interest rate on the debt. Mr. Tienter said assuming the approval, issuance and sale of the Note, the next steps in the process include obtaining signatures for the various documents, submitting an application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, close on the Note, transfer funds, and begin construction. As a direct placement with a qualified lender, the Note will not receive a credit rating. Based on the process to date, staff recommends Council open the public hearing to accept comments regarding the project and the proposed Note. Following closure of the public hearing, staff recommends Council adopt Resolution No. 2020-41, authorizing the issuance and sale of an Education Facilities Revenue Note in the amount not to exceed $4,200,000 and the execution of the various documents related to the Totino-Grace High School Project. Craig Junker, President of Totino-Grace High School, said he is proud that the high school is part of the Fridley community. They have a strong relationship with and the greatest respect for the Police Department. He said he is grateful for the partnership with the City of Fridley. The turf field is very important and will allow players to be on campus more often. There may be some opportunities for the City to utilize the new turf field too. Other improvements include HVAC, sidewalks and new bathrooms. Councilmember Bolkcom said she thought that maybe the Park & Recreation department may have opportunities to share the new field to expand out to different parts of the neighborhood. Mr. Junker replied that the schools provided meals to students and Totino-Grace was a location. He said 50% of kids would not be at Totino-Grace without the financial assistance and generosity of people. It was great to distribute meals to students this summer. MOTION by Councilmember Eggert to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:25 P.M. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2020 PAGE 4 MOTION by Councilmember Eggert to adopt Resolution No. 2020-41. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. Approve Preliminary Plat Request, PS #20-01, by Java Companies, to Replat the Properties at 6290 and 6310 Highway 65 to Provide Additional Land to the Vacant Parcel Located at 6290 Highway 65 to Allow for the Construction of a Caribou Coffee Cabin (Ward 2) Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, stated that the petitioner is requesting to have the properties at 6290 and 6310 Highway 65 NE replatted. This will provide the additional land area needed for 6290 Highway 65 NE to be developed by constructing a Caribou Coffee Cabin. The C- 3; General Shopping, zoning district required a minimum lot size of 35,000 square feet. To meet this lot size requirement, the vacant parcel at 6290 Highway 65 will need to be combined with the vacant parcel to the west and an 18’ x 232’ foot strip of land lying north of the two vacant properties. Mr. Hickok shared a letter received from a neighboring property owner who expressed concerns about additional traffic to the neighborhood to the north. After hearing from the petitioner and the neighboring property owner, the Planning Commission agreed that the concerns of the neighbor are important; but separate from the replat. This is the first time staff has heard of this concern. He said they would start with some speed monitoring in the neighborhood to determine if a traffic count study needs to be completed. The Commission held a public hearing for PS #20-01 on July 15, 2020, and unanimously recommended approval. Staff recommends concurrence with the Planning Commission. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if there were concerns about people parking on the street due to the increased traffic in this area. Mr. Hickok replied that Maple Lanes parking is something that is a Maple Lanes apartment issue. The concern in the letter is about increased traffic to the north. Banquets of MN was a new addition to the neighborhood, and this owner has experienced activity at these sites that has caused traffic to the north and into the neighborhood. They did not want to ruin the opportunity for the development, and requested traffic to as far north as the Maple Lane apartments and add stop signs in different locations. Photos were included in the packet where the suggested speed bumps and stop signs would be installed. Staff will look at comments and speak with individuals and departments involved. Jim Kosluchar and the engineering staff talked about this and determined that though the number of trips generated combined with others in the areas will raise questions on impact in the neighborhood, they will put out equipment for a study to check if there are speed issues and count trips in the neighborhood. In the future, they will do another count to see if traffic is moving north. Inbound traffic is what will come into this new business, get their coffee, and head southbound onto Highway 65 or West Moore Lake Drive. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if the parking has been addressed that is shown in one of the pictures. She asked the street parking was from the apartment. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2020 PAGE 5 Mr. Hickok replied that “No Parking” signs could be installed on the street. Maple Lane Apartments was built for single income households, with one stall per unit, and there are likely two vehicles per unit. The street is wide enough that it should not impose any safety issues. Councilmember Tillberry asked in the photograph on page 107 if there was a public safety concern when two cars meet on the corner, as people often cut that corner. Mr. Hickok replied looking back on developments, things may have been designed differently. The zoning with this coffee cabin was originally meant to be a shopping center with this road design. Engineering staff will look at traffic before and after and see if any revisions need to be done and evaluate the area. Mayor Lund said he thought the issue is when there is an event at Banquets of Minnesota. There is no stacking room heading south to get to Highway 65. Usually events are in the evening when there is less traffic. With Caribou Coffee, there will be constant traffic coming and going. He is in st favor of this project but there is a problem with no stacking ability to get on to 61 Avenue. Mr. Hickok said he did not think the current traffic would hamper the development of this area. Traffic is imperfect, but this is a good use for the site. Stacking is required for the drive up and it will not cause traffic to back up onto the street. The drive up has a very large loop for stacking. Councilmember Eggert said he thought the traffic concern was realistic. The roads are very wide, and intersections have no stop/yield signs. He said he thought it was a good idea for staff to take a look at this area. Mark Krueger, Java Companies, said that 90-95% of coffee shop business comes before 2:00 p.m. Customers will go right back on Highway 65. This is a good use for this property and neighbors to the north should not be concerned. Customers are headed south and back onto Highway 65. He said they were excited for this opportunity and ready to go. He said Fridley has been great to work with. MOTION by Councilmember Eggert to approve Preliminary Plat Request, PS #20-01, by Java Companies, to Replat the Properties at 6290 and 6310 Highway 65 to Provide Additional Land to the Vacant Parcel Located at 6290 Highway 65 to Allow for the Construction of a Caribou Coffee Cabin (Ward 2). Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6B. Appointments to the Planning Commission. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to appoint John Buyse and Ross Meisner as two new Planning Commission members. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 10, 2020 PAGE 6 6C. CARES Act Grant Funding Opportunities. Daniel Tienter, Finance Director, stated the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act provides the ability for business grants and to tailor programs to Fridley business needs. There is a demand from several business sectors including daycare, hospitality, manufacturing and specialty. We expect the demand to exceed funds available and will use the lottery system. Underwriting and review will be done by Central Minnesota Development Company. MOTION by Councilmember Ostwald to receive the informational memo on the COVID-19 Business Grant Program. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve the CARES Act Grant Funding Opportunities. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. Informal Status Reports. Councilmember Bolkcom thanked the participants at the Locke Park open house. A lot of great information was shared. They will be breaking ground in September. Councilmember Ostwald said that the all the polling locations will be open tomorrow for voting. Please call if there are any questions. ADJOURN: MOTION by Councilmember Ostwald to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Eggert. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Krista Peterson Scott J. Lund Recording Secretary Mayor