08-14-2023
City Council Meeting
August 14, 2023
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of August 14, 2023, to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present
Mayor Scott Lund
Councilmember Dave Ostwald
Councilmember Tom Tillberry
Councilmember Ryan Evanson
Councilmember Ann Bolkcom
Others Present
Walter Wysopal, City Manager
Melissa Moore, City Clerk
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
Andrew Todd, Administrative Police Sergeant
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director
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/Receipt of Minutes
1. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of July 24, 2023.
2. Receive the Minutes from the City Council Conference Meeting of July 24, 2023.
3. Receive the Minutes from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting of June 1, 2023.
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Old Business
4. Ordinance No. 1413, Amending the Fridley City Code Chapter 220, Residential Rental Property
Maintenance and Licensing Code
New Business
5. Resolution No. 2023-93, Awarding 2023 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Lining Project No. 23-
450.
Licenses
6. Resolution No. 2023-92, Approving City Licenses.
Claims
7. Resolution No. 2023-95 Approving Claims for the Period Ending August 14, 2023.
Adoption of Regular Agenda
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember
Evanson.
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
Public Hearing(s)
8. Ordinance No. 1414, Public Hearing and First Reading to Create Title No. 4 (Public Nuisance) of
the Fridley City Code and the Chapters Contained Therein
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to open the public hearing. Seconded by
Councilmember Ostwald.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Melissa Moore, City Clerk, provided background information on the City’s recodification process
which is anticipated to be completed in 2025. She stated the proposed changes focus on Title No. 4,
Public Nuisance, and the chapters within. She reviewed the proposed changes to the following
chapters: public nuisance, abatement of exterior public nuisances, houses of prostitution, clandestine
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drug lab and chemical dump sites, vehicles, and noise. She also reviewed the anticipated next steps
in this process.
Councilmember Bolkcom provided some items that she would like clarification on.
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, explained the reasonable test that is built into
different provisions. He commented that parking is only allowed on a hard surface such as asphalt,
concrete, or pavers. He confirmed that staff can inspect both the front and backyard of properties
with complaints, even if the property owner is not home. He also provided details on the ability for
someone to make payments on a fine.
Councilmember Tillberry reviewed language and asked if that is directed at panhandlers.
Administrative Police Sergeant Andrew Todd replied that would apply to panhandlers and those
attempting to sell items within the right-of-way as those are not safe activities. He noted that there
are grass areas where people can stand with signs, but they cannot enter the right-of-way. The
Council asked additional questions related to panhandling and Mr. Todd provided clarification on
those situations. He noted that the intention is not to ticket but to ensure public safety of the
pedestrian and the vehicles on the roadway.
Mr. Hickok explained that some of these changes are related to things the City has experienced and
learned, while others are placed in the ordinance in hopes that they never see those situations but
would still have the appropriate tools to handle them.
Ms. Moore commented that she has not received any feedback from the public prior to tonight’s
public hearing.
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.
Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1414 Creating
Title No. 4 (Public Nuisance) of the Fridley City Code and the Chapters Contained Therein. Seconded
by Councilmember Bolkcom.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
New Business
9. Resolution No. 2023-94, Awarding 2023 Neighborhood Parks Improvements Project No. 23-70123
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, provided background information on the Park System
Improvement Plan and Capital Investment Plan which identified the sequencing of improvements for
the neighborhood parks. He reviewed the projects identified for 2023, described the existing
conditions, and reviewed the outreach that occurred with residents. He stated that the playground
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improvements have been selected and items have begun to be procured along with additional design
work. He provided details on the project bidding, in-kind services of operations staff, and cost of bids
received and funding source. He reviewed the tentative schedule and next steps.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked the if the park would be closed during construction.
Mr. Kosluchar replied that they will be working with the contractor to determine if things could be
opened when safe during the off-hours or as items are completed. He confirmed that there would
be signage placed providing a link to the webpage with updates. He stated that residents can also
call Public Works with questions.
Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt Resolution No. 2023-94, Awarding 2023
Neighborhood Parks Improvement Project No. 23-70123. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Informal Status Reports
The Council noted an upcoming bluegrass concert at Springbrook and urged residents to provide input
on parks scheduled for future improvements. It was noted that Happy Tails Rescue provides emotional
support animals free of charge to veterans. There are still openings for the Citizens Academy. Thanks to
everyone who participated in Night to Unite.
th
Mr. Hickok commented that on September 9, the City will have a 5 anniversary celebration on the Civic
Campus plaza with different activities. He noted that the City is soliciting input from the public on the
topic of public art and provided additional details.
Adjourn
Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald 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 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund
City Clerk Mayor