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04-24-2023 City Council Meeting April 24, 2023 7:00 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE Minutes Call to Order Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of April 24, 2023, to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Scott Lund Councilmember Dave Ostwald Councilmember Tom Tillberry Councilmember Ryan Evanson Councilmember Ann Bolkcom Absent: None Others Present: Walter Wysopal, City Manager Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director Joe Starks, Finance Director Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Paul Bolin, Assistant Executive Director Madison Zikmund, Fire Chief Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney Stacey Valving, Ehlers and Associates Pledge Of Allegiance Proclamations/Presentations 1. Arbor Month Proclamation and Presentation of Tree City USA Award Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, presented Mayor Lund with the City’s sixth Tree City USA Award and recognized the efforts of City staff and Council. He commented that there is a forestry section on the City website where residents can find more information and noted the upcoming tree sale details. 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. City Council Meeting 4/24/2023 Minutes Page 2 Approval/Receipt of Minutes 2. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of April 10, 2023. 3. Receive the Minutes from the City Council Conference Meeting of April 10, 2023. 4. Receive the Minutes from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting of March 2, 2023. 5. Receive the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission EQEC) Meeting of March 14, 2023. New Business 6. Resolution No. 2023-36, Requesting the Fridley Charter Commission Convene and Proposing the Review of Chapter No. 4, Nominations and Elections, of the Fridley City Charter. 7. Resolution No 2023-37, Approving Cost Share Agreement with Coon Creek Watershed District for Apex Pond Enhancement and Purchase of a Trommel Screener. 8. Resolution No. 2023-38, Approving Grant Agreement with Anoka Conversation District for Apex Pond Enhancement. 9. Resolution No. 2023-41, Approving Gifts, Donations and Sponsorships Received Between March 21, 2023 and April 14, 2023. Licenses 10. Resolution No. 2023-39, Approving 2023-2024 Business License Renewals. Claims 11. Resolution No. 2023-40 Approving Claims for the Period Ending April 19, 2023. Adoption of Regular Agenda Motion made by Councilmember Evanson 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.) A resident recognized the Police for their quick response in a recent situation involving a troubled neighbor and expressed concern with the assisted living/group home facility in his neighborhood. Wally Wysopal, City Manager, provided additional context on group home regulations and rental license inspections. He noted that the City can bring concerns with staffing of that facility to the State of City Council Meeting 4/24/2023 Minutes Page 3 Minnesota. He encouraged residents to report issues by calling 911. Council also encouraged residents to reach out to their legislator with issues on this topic. Regular Agenda Public Hearing(s) 12. Ordinance No. 1407, Public Hearing and First Reading Establishing Innsbruck North Housing Improvement Area Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. Joe Starks, Finance Director, reported the City received a complete application with petitions setting up this public hearing for the consideration of a proposed housing improvement area (HIA). Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers and Associates, reviewed the role of the City in this type of request. She provided details on the process and timeline, the proposed association improvements, project costs and financing request. She explained how the loan/bond would be repaid and provided additional details on risk, noting that the risk to the City would be minimal. An HIA consultant for the association provided a presentation on behalf of the association explaining that the project scope focuses on needed improvements rather than desired projects. Additional information was provided on the plan for funding future capital improvements, the bidding process the association followed, and what would happen if the improvements did not occur. It was noted that this project would also work to address some issues being experienced by homeowners, such as drainage. Information was also provided on how homeowners were contacted. Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney, reviewed the intent for the public hearing and role the Council plays in the HIA process, acknowledging that many comments that will be provided would most likely be to the association and related to the project rather than about the financing. She stated that those who object to the project and related assessment would be voiced and filed in writing, in order to preserve their right to appeal in the future. Residents who supported the project thanked Council for their cooperation during this lengthy process and willingness to provide financing for the needed improvements. It was also acknowledged that there is an economy of scale in completing these improvements now as costs will continue to rise. Residents who opposed the project acknowledged that the improvements are needed but expressed concern with the process followed by the association Board, lack of transparency from the association Board, the limited amount of time provided to pay in full at a lesser rate, the additional cost of the 20 year financing, lack of affordability, and frustration with the association Board and a lack of general maintenance. City Council Meeting 4/24/2023 Minutes Page 4 The Council noted that it appears that the association Board should hold a meeting to hear all comments of the residents to address the comments and concerns. Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to close the public hearing, Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. The Council acknowledged that this is a good project that is needed but expressed concern with the comments made by residents at tonight’s meeting. It was suggested that the association hold its own meeting to sort out the issues. The consultant representing the association explained that the assessment is billed to the property taxes and will increase the value of the properties if the homeowner does need to sell. Mr. Starks provided more details on the next steps in this process and staff commented that they would look to see if the prepayment deadline could be slightly extended. Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1407 establishing Innsbruck North Housing Improvement Area. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. The Ryan Evanson, Ward 2 Councilmember, volunteered to attend the next association meeting. New Business 13. Resolution No. 2023-42, Approving Purchase of Aerial Fire Apparatus Replacement Madison Zikmund, Fire Chief, provided the request to replace the aerial fire apparatus. He reviewed the maintenance that has been completed which has in recent years. He stated in August of 2022, Council provided approval to staff to begin to work on this replacement. Due to rising costs and long build-times, the project is being presented ahead of schedule, as the need already presents itself. He explained how the equipment is used and reviewed other justifications for the request. He reviewed the process that was followed to make this recommendation. The Council said they appreciated the due diligence of staff. A question was posed as to whether equipment could be shared between municipalities. Mr. Zikmund replied that while shared services are a top priority, a ladder truck is not something they would want to share in that manner. Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt Resolution No. 2023-42 Approving Purchase of Aerial Apparatus Replacement. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. City Council Meeting 4/24/2023 Minutes Page 5 14. Resolution No. 2023-43, Receiving Bids and Awarding Moore Lake Park Community Building and Site Improvements Project Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, reviewed the bidding method and bids received for the project, as well as options to offset the costs within the Parks Master Plan budget. Staff recommends approval of the resolution as presented. Council asked for details on the timing of items that would be placed on hold. Mr. Kosluchar provided additional details on the timing and/or other options for those items noting that one of the alternates was not included in the original plan but bid, in the chance that it could fit into the project budget. Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adopt Resolution No. 2023-43 Receiving Bids and Awarding Moore Lake Park Community Building and Site Improvements Project. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. Informal Status Reports rd Mr. Kosluchar provided details on an upcoming open house for 73 Avenue. Council provided details on the upcoming Block Captains meeting and thanked the residents who attended the community forum and environmental fair. The North Suburban Art Center will host a night out at Forgotten Star Brewery on April 28 to raise funds. The Springbrook Spree was successful, and Council thanked those who participated. Adjourn Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund City Clerk Mayor