11-14-2022
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
November 14, 2022
7:00 PM
Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Avenue N.E.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of November 14, 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
Joe Starks, Finance Director
Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
1. Mom’s Haven of Hope Presentation
Pam Powell, Executive Director, explained that Mom’s Haven of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit that seeks
to help single moms by providing community, and soon, a home, that will provide a safe and stable place
for moms and their children. She reviewed statistics on those who become moms between the ages of
15 to 19 and the support those young mothers need. She stated housing for single mothers is a real
need in the community. She noted this organization is seeking to fill that need and broke ground on
November 1 to build a single-family home. She stated each bedroom would be occupied by a single
mother with a house manager onsite. She reviewed the other support and coaching the moms would
receive through the program. She noted that more information can be found on their website
www.Momshavenofhope.org.
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda. Seconded by
Councilmember Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
City Council Meeting 11/14/2022 Minutes Page 2
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of October 24, 2022.
3. Receive the Minutes from the City Council Conference Meeting of October 24, 2022.
4. Receive the Minutes from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting of September 1, 2022.
5. Receive the Minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 6, 2022.
NEW BUSINESS
6. Resolution No. 2022-125, Submitting a List of Eligible Nominees to Anoka County for the Open
Manager Position on the Rice Creek Watershed District Board of Managers.
CLAIMS
7. Resolution No. 2022-127 Approving Claims for the Period Ending November 9, 2022.
ADOPTION OF REGULAR AGENDA
Motion made by Councilmember Eggert to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember
Ostwald.
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
8. Resolution No. 2022-124, Approving Proposed 2023 Rates and Fess for the Public Utilities and Solid
Waste Abatement.
Joe Starks, Finance Director, reviewed the proposed 2023 rate highlights for the solid waste abatement
fund, noting a proposed decrease of 17 percent for all customers. He explained that is possible because
the recycling commodity pricing has rebounded, meaning that recycled goods are worth more money.
He stated the water utility fund and sanitary sewer utility fund both propose three percent fixed rate and
three percent variance rate increases. He stated the stormwater utility fund proposes an increase of $1.10
quarterly, which is a ten percent fixed rate increase, noting it is largely due to increasing capital and
operational needs to comply with the new stormwater permit. He provided municipal community rates
City Council Meeting 11/14/2022 Minutes Page 3
for comparable communities, noting that Fridley falls into the middle. He stated staff recommends
approval of the resolution as presented.
Motion made by Councilmember Eggert to adopt Resolution No. 2022-124, Approving Proposed 2023
Rates and Fees for the Public Utilities and Solid Waste Abatement. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Resolution No. 2022-126, Terminating the 1980 Joint Powers Agreement Between the City of Fridley
and Anoka County Regarding Rice Creek West Regional Trail (Locke Park, Plaza Park, and Locke Lake
Park).
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, provided background information on the Locke Park
Joint Powers Agreement. He explained the City had discussed having Anoka County support to dissolve
the JPA to have Fridley take back the maintenance and programing of the parks identified in the JPA. He
noted that two pieces of legislation would be required at the State level to allow the City to recoup its
costs for maintenance and upkeep, currently paid to Anoka County. He reviewed the roles of the
commissions in this JPA process. He commented on the lack of collaboration between the City and
County. He stated staff recommends that the JPA is eliminated at this time and the City can pursue an
attempt at the legislature to become an implementing agency to be reimbursed for the maintenance of
the three noted parks.
The Council noted a recent presentation from Anoka County parks staff, as well as the letter received, and
stated that did not include clear information or action items. It was noted that residents have commented
on the desire for improvement within these parks. It was noted that Anoka County receives funding for
these parks, and it has never been made clear as to the funds that have been spent on these parks.
Mr. Hickok commented the City would be following this path in order to protect and care for its parks.
Wally Wysopal, City Manager, commented that there is a difference in the maintenance levels of the
County parks system and what is expected in City parks which was highlighted in the recent parks
improvement planning. He acknowledged that it would take effort to get these parks to the City’s
standard.
The Council commented that the vision of the City is not to change the land use, but improve the park
for use by residents. The Council expressed strong support for this action as the agreement is flawed and
has not been followed by the County. There was concern with what would be done in the park during
the one-year notice for dissolution of the agreement. It was noted that City staff would complete the
mowing and snow removal and they would attempt to begin programing on a small scale during that
time. It was noted that a County Commissioner stated that the County plans to honor their commitment
during the one-year period.
Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney, stated that she has been working with staff on this issue to review the
options of the City, and it is clear the City has the right to terminate the agreement with the one-year
notice period. She noted that she and staff have also been discussing funding.
City Council Meeting 11/14/2022 Minutes Page 4
The Council recognized the lack of a partnership on the part of the County, noting that the City was not
even included in the development of the recent master plan. It was reiterated that this land has always
been park land and would continue to be so. The experience would just be improved for users.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2022-126, Terminating the 1980 Joint
Powers Agreement Between the City of Fridley and Anoka County Regarding Rice Creek West Regional
Trail (Locke Park, Plaza Park, and Locke Lake Park). Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
INFORMAL STATUS REPORTS
The Council commented on the successful Coats from Cops event which served 167 families. Upcoming
events were also highlighted.
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 7:58 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund
City Clerk Mayor