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05/23/2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 23, 2022 7:00 PM Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Avenue N.E. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of May 23, 2022, 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 Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. 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 May 9, 2022. 2. Receive the Minutes from the City Council Conference Meeting of May 9, 2022. 3. Receive the Minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 4, 2022. 4. Receive the Minutes from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting of April 7, 2022. City Council Meeting 5/23/2022 Minutes Page 2 NEW BUSINESS 5. Resolution No. 2022-49, Approving a Public Works Joint Powers Mutual Aid Agreement. 6. Resolution No 2022-50, Approving a Fence Consortium Joint Powers Agreement. 7. Resolution No. 2022-52, Authorizing Participation of the City of Fridley in the Minnesota Local Performance Measurement Program. 8. Resolution No. 2022-54, Approving 2022 Clean Water Fund Efficiency Grant Program Agreement with Metropolitan Council. 9. Resolution No. 2022-55, Approving an Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. 10. Resolution No. 2022-57, Approving Gifts, Donations and Sponsorships Received Between April 18, 2022, and May 13, 2022. CLAIMS 11. Resolution No. 2022-56 Approving Claims for the Period Ending May 18, 2022. ADOPTION OF REGULAR AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Eggert. 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. A resident commented on vehicles speeding through his neighborhood from the Muslim University. The Council commented that the City is aware of the issue. The City has met with representatives from the university in order to discuss this matter. The University has agreed to pay for a Fridley officer to assist in directing traffic on Fridays and is expected to develop a long-term plan. The Council also directed staff to follow up on enforcement and asked the residents to call 911 when there is an issue. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS NEW BUSINESS 12. Resolution No. 2022-51, Approving and Accepting the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2021. Dave Mol, Redpath and Company, presented the results of the 2021 audit. He reported an unmodified or “clean” opinion. He noted that the City received the GFOA Award for excellence in financial reporting City Council Meeting 5/23/2022 Minutes Page 3 and has received this award for nine consecutive years. He reported no findings relating to internal controls and no findings of noncompliance. He reviewed the communication to those charged with governance and provided a summary of the different City funds. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2022-51, Approving and Accepting the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2022. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARING(S) 13. Resolution No. 2022-53, Approving Property Tax Abatements and Public Hearing Motion made by Councilmember Eggert to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 7:23 P.M. Dan Tienter, Ehlers and Associates, provided background on this process to develop the Parks System Improvement Plan and the recommendations from the Public Finance Advisory Committee which were adopted by the City Council in December, and included the use of $20,000,000 in General Obligation Tax Abatement Bonds. He provided additional explanation on property tax abatements and how those funds are typically used by communities for park improvements. He stated that Council called for the sale of bonds on May 9, and the next step was to hold this public hearing. He reviewed the timeline and next steps in this process, noting that the bond sale would be awarded on June 13, with estimated closing to occur on July 7. A resident commented on the results of the citizen survey versus the results presented in the staff report and identified items believed to be inconsistent. The resident believed that a referendum should have been used to allow all residents to provide their input rather than choosing this method of financing and did not believe this was the right time to move forward given the rising inflation costs. The Council provided additional information on the resident input that was solicited throughout the process over the past several years. It was noted that there is no perfect time to complete needed improvements in the community. It was acknowledged that during the pandemic the parks use increased which makes that a valuable amenity in the community. The resident referenced authorities provided in the Charter related to financing and bond increases. Mr. Tienter replied that those sections of the Charter do not encumber the City’s ability to issue these types of bonds. He commented that once awarded, the interest rate would be locked over the period of the bond. He assured the Council that legal counsel did provide their opinion that the City is not restricted against using this form of financing. City Council Meeting 5/23/2022 Minutes Page 4 The Council commented that this process has been going on for a long time with input from a variety of people from different groups and of different ages. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to close the public hearing, Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 8:01 P.M. Motion made by Councilmember Eggert to adopt Resolution No. 2022-53, Approving Property Tax Abatements. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. INFORMAL STATUS REPORTS The Council provided an update on current showings at the North Suburban Art Center and upcoming events at Springbrook Nature Center. ADJOURN Motion made 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 8:05 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund City Clerk Mayor