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12/20/2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 20, 2021 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Avenue N.E. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of December 20, 2021, to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Scott Lund Councilmember Dave Ostwald Councilmember Tom Tillberry Councilmember Stephen Eggert Councilmember Ann Bolkcom Walter Wysopal, City Manager Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner Korrie Johnson, Acting Finance Director Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Eggert. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of December 13, 2021. NEW BUSINESS 2. Resolution No. 2021- 128, Approving a Grant for Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 3. Resolution No 2021-132, Approving Participating in Opioid Litigation Settlements. City Council Meeting 12/20/2021 Minutes Page 2 4. Resolution No. 2021-133, Approving Gifts, Donations and Sponsorships Received Between November 13, 2021, and December 10, 2021. CLAIMS 5. Resolution No. 2021-134 Approving Claims for the Period Ending December 15, 2021. ADOPTION OF REGULAR AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OPEN FORUM, VISITORS: Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes. No one from the audience spoke. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS NEW BUSINESS 6. Resolution No. 2021-124, Receiving Final Report and Recommendations of the Public Finance Advisory Committee for the Park System Improvement Plan. Wally Wysopal, City Manager, stated in 2019 the Park Department began the “Finding Your Fun in Fridley” explorations to gather input from residents and business owners related to the desire for improvements to the parks system. He said there were significant opportunities for public participation and engagement throughout the process. He noted that the City Council asked for further refinement of the improvements and associated costs. He reviewed the different commissions and committees that were involved, including the Public Finance Advisory Committee that was tasked with determining the financing for those improvements. He reviewed the recommendation of the Committee provided at its November meeting to use bonding and existing funds for the improvements. He provided additional details on the tax abatement bonding recommended for a portion of the cost. He stated the Committee felt that the parks are an essential service of the City which was confirmed by the input received from the residents. He reviewed the benefits the group identified for using tax abatement bonds rather than referendum bonds. He stated that the unanimous recommendation from the Committee includes use of abatement bonds in the amount of $20,000,000. He noted that Council is asked to endorse the recommendation. He said consideration of abatement bonds would follow the formal process and include a public hearing. Mayor Lund thanked the Advisory Committee for their efforts and hard work. He agreed with the recommendation and believed that this was a viable form of financing for the park improvements. He said this was a worthwhile endeavor that is needed by the parks system and acknowledged the lengthy planning process that has gotten them to this place. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if staff could provide details on when the public hearings would be anticipated and what the next steps would be. City Council Meeting 12/20/2021 Minutes Page 3 Mr. Wysopal replied that the next step would be for Council to review the recommendations from the Refinements Committee. He noted that group was tasked with refining the park improvements in order to address the needs throughout the park system in a moderate fashion. He noted that the Committee was tasked with reducing the scale from the originally proposed $50,000,000 to $30,000,000. He advised that Council would review that plan at its January 3, 2022, meeting. He stated that the public hearing would only be initiated for the bonds when the money is needed. He provided some estimates on when additional actions could occur. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if there would be ongoing communication to the residents throughout this process to keep them informed. Mr. Wysopal confirmed that communications will continue to pass information to residents and identify important dates for public comment opportunities. Councilmember Tillberry said he enjoyed the process of how this came about. He stated that the public can be assured that many minds and points of view were considered throughout this process. He was very comfortable accepting the recommendation. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2021-124, Receiving Final Report and Recommendations of the Public Finance Advisory Committee for the Park System Improvement Plan. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. Resolution No. 2021-127, Approving the Phase 2 Addendum to the Energy Action Plan and a Memorandum of Understanding with Xcel Energy Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner, provided background information on how the Energy Action Plan (EAP) was created and the collaboration with Xcel Energy. She noted that staff began to work with the EQEC in August 2021 to begin work on Phase 2 of the EAP. She stated that the EQEC recommended approval of Phase 2 at its November meeting and the Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of Phase 2 at its December meeting. She reviewed the original vision and mission of the EAP as well as the original EAP goals and expected benefits. She reviewed the implementation that occurred for the EAP and related results. She noted that it is recommended to maintain the mission, vision and goals and highlighted the new participation goals that have been created. She said the original strategies are maintained and also identified the new strategies proposed. She stated that staff recommends approval of the Phase 2 Addendum to the EAP along with the MOU with Xcel Energy. Mayor Lund asked about the ultimate number of phases. Ms. Workin commented there is no limit on the number of phases. She stated that the program provides guidance to the City, but they can also go outside of the EAP to consider and support additional activities. She provided an example of Xcel providing a breakfast to employees to learn about the new electric vehicle that was added to the City’s fleet. City Council Meeting 12/20/2021 Minutes Page 4 Councilmember Eggert asked if the first phase had been wrapped up. Ms. Workin explained that Xcel typically works on a two-year cycle for MOUs. She stated that the first two-year cycle has been completed and this would begin a new two-year cycle. Councilmember Eggert asked if the EAP was a relatively new program. Ms. Workin stated Fridley was involved in the third cohort of cities to participate. Since then, a number of Minnesota cities have joined and the program has expanded to Wisconsin and Colorado. Councilmember Eggert said he suspected in the first round the City most likely accomplished a number of the low hanging fruit items, and perhaps the second round would have more challenging goals. Ms. Workin stated that is something they saw through the Home Energy Squad visits sponsored through the HRA. She stated that this would be an attempt to reach new residents through new strategies. Councilmember Eggert commented that he thought there may be some momentum towards electric vehicle use and wished staff luck. Ms. Workin confirmed that there is interest in electric vehicles, and therefore it is helpful for City staff to have experience driving an electric vehicle. Councilmember Bolkcom commented that it appears many households received a postcard comparing their use to neighbors and of those she has spoken to, it always appears the home receiving the postcard does not rank well compared to neighboring homes in terms of energy or water usage. She stated that it would be nice if there were more suggestions on energy savings rather than just showing that the home is exceeding the usage of others. Motion made by Councilmember Eggert to adopt Resolution No. 2021-127, Approving the Phase 2 Addendum to the Energy Action Plan and a Memorandum of Understanding with Xcel Energy. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. Resolution No. 2021-130, Certifying the Final Tax Levy Requirements for 2022 to the County of Anoka Korrie Johnson, Acting Finance Director, provided a brief overview of the proposed 2022 budget including the revenues and expenditures and all budgeted funds. She provided an overview of the property tax levy, noting that the proposed 2022 budget assumes an overall property tax levy increase of about 2.97 percent. She reviewed net tax capacity information for the City and also provided information on the median-value residential property value increases for 2022, noting that a property valued at $247,200 would pay an estimated $3.07 more per month as a result of the property tax increase proposed. She also provided historical information on the property tax levy from 2012 through 2022 and compared the City’s levy to that of neighboring communities. She stated that staff recommends approval of Resolution City Council Meeting 12/20/2021 Minutes Page 5 2021-130 certifying the final tax levy requirements for 2022 to the County of Anoka and Resolution 2021- 131 approving a budget for the FY 2022 and the 2022-2026 Capital Investment Program. Councilmember Bolkcom thanked Ms. Johnson for all her work on the budget and for assuming the duties of Finance Director when the previous staff member left the City. Councilmember Eggert noted the only debt the City has is related to the City Hall complex. The City is saving a lot of money by not paying interest on other projects. Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt Resolution No. 2021-130, Certifying the Final Tax Lecy Requirements for 2022 to the County of Anoka. Seconded by Councilmember Eggert. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 9. Resolution No. 2021-131, Approving a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2022, and the 2022-2026 Capital Investment Program. Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt Resolution No. 2021-131, Approving a Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, and the 2022-2026 Capital Investment Program. Seconded by Councilmember Eggert. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. INFORMAL STATUS REPORTS Councilmember Bolkcom thanked everyone who participated or attended the recent North Suburban Center for the Arts event. She stated the group continues to fundraise and hopes to move into the new building in the spring. She also thanked Anoka County for allowing the organization to operate in the Banfill Locke building for many years. Mayor Lund wished everyone happy holidays. ADJOURN Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:41 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund City Clerk Mayor