09-11-2023
City Council Meeting
September 11, 2023
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of September 11, 2023, to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present
Mayor Scott Lund
Councilmember Dave Ostwald
Councilmember Ryan Evenson
Councilmember Tom Tillberry
Councilmember Ann Bolkcom
Others Present
Walter Wysopal, City Manager
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
Nancy Abts, Associate Planner
Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney
Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk
Adam Bedard, Fridley Lions Club
Pledge Of Allegiance
Proclamations/Presentations
1. Proclamation: Domestic Violation Awareness Month – October 2023
Mayor Lund presented the proclamation recognizing October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness
Month. Tina Bronson, Alexandra House, commented on the importance of raising the awareness about
domestic violence to provide support to those struggling and afraid. She commented that people who
feel supported are more likely to leave their situation and look for help. She thanked the City for the
support it provides to Alexandra House. She asked that the City and residents turn their lights purple for
the month of October and noted that yard signs are also available. She provided details on the Hope
Fest event which will take place on September 30. She commented that domestic violence is a pressing
issue in Anoka County.
Mayor Lund requested a moment of silence remembering the events of September 11.
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Approval of Proposed Consent Agenda
Councilmember Ostwald asked that Item 8 be removed from the Consent Agenda for additional
discussion. Mayor Lund noted that item would then be considered after Open Forum.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda as amended.
Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Approval/Receipt of Minutes
2. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of August 28, 2023.
3. Receive the Minutes from the Joint City Council and Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Conference Meeting of August 28, 2023.
New Business
4. Ordinance No. 1415, Amending the Fridley City Code to Add Chapter 311, Public Use of Cannabis.
5. Resolution No. 2023-98, Declaring Costs to be Assessed, Ordering Preparation of the Proposed
Assessment Roll and Directing Publication of the Public Hearing Notice for the 2023 Street
Rehabilitation Project No. ST-2023-01.
6. Resolution No. 2023-99, Declaring Costs to be Assessed, Ordering Preparation of the Proposed
rd
Assessment Roll and Directing Publication of the Public Hearing Notice for the 53 Avenue
Roundabout Safety Project No. ST-2023-22.
7. Resolution No. 2023-100, Declaring Costs to be Assessed, Ordering Preparation of the Proposed
Assessment Roll, and Directing Publication of the Public Hearing Notice for the 2023 Nuisance
Abatements and 2023 Rental Reinspection Fees.
Licenses
8. Resolution No. 2023-104, Approving Lawful Gambling Lease for Fridley Lions Club to Add Bingo
Events to Forgotten Star Brewery.
Claims
9. Resolution No. 2023-108 Approving Claims for the Period Ending September 6, 2023.
Open Forum, Visitors: (Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes.)
No one from the audience spoke.
City Council Meeting 9/11/2023 Minutes Page 3
Licenses
8. Resolution No. 2023-104, Approving Lawful Gambling Lease for Fridley Lions Club to Add Bingo
Events to Forgotten Star Brewery.
Wally Wysopal, City Manager, commented that Councilmember Ostwald serves as the President of
the Lions Club and therefore will need to abstain from this vote.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2023-104 Approving Lawful
Gambling Lease for Fridley Lions Club to Add Bingo Events to Forgotten Star Brewery. Seconded by
Councilmember Tillberry.
Upon a voice vote, Mayor Lund, Councilmember Evanson, Councilmember Tillberry and
Councilmember Bolkcom voting aye and Councilmember Ostwald abstaining from voting, Mayor
Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Adam Bedard, Fridley Lions, thanked the Council for approving this item. He noted that Forgotten
Star is looking to give back and this will be another way of doing so.
The Council thanked the Lions for all they do for the community.
Adoption of Regular Agenda
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember
Tillberry.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Regular Agenda
Public Hearing(s)
10. Public Hearing to Consider On-Sale Liquor License by Justin Puliot for Two Stooges Sports Bar
and Grill and Resolution No. 2023-103, Approving On-Sale Liquor License for Two Stooges Sports
Bar and Grill
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.
Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk, presented a request from Justin Puliot on behalf of Two Stooges
Bar and Grill for an On-Sale Liquor License. She noted that the transfer of ownership will occur the
following day and the new owner does not plan to change the business name or business model. She
reviewed background information and analysis.
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Councilmember Bolkcom asked if the new owner has previous experience. Ms. Kondrick replied that
while the new owner does not have previous experience, he has done his research and is prepared to
take this on.
Justin Puliot introduced himself and stated that he has been pursuing this opportunity since April and
is looking forward to this new venture, noting that the current owners are willing to stay on and
provide him with assistance. Mayor Lund recognized that the existing owners have been in the
community for 35 years and have done a good job, noting the incidents that occurred and the actions
that have been taken to turn that around.
Mr. Puliot stated that a connection to the community matters to him and he looks forward to new
opportunities. Mayor Lund noted that there are some great businesses in Fridley that are partners
with the City and involved with the community. The Council welcomed the new business owner and
encouraged him to reach out if he needs assistance.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2023-103, Approving On-Sale
Liquor License for Two Stooges Sports Bar and Grill. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to close the public hearing, Seconded by Councilmember
Bolkcom
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
11. Ordinance No. 1416, Public Hearing and First Reading to Consider Amending the Fridley City Code
Chapter 205, Zoning, to Allow Interim Use Permits
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to open the public hearing. Seconded by
Councilmember Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Nancy Abts, Associate Planner, presented the request to amend the zoning ordinance to provide a
process for allowing interim uses. She provided more details on Interim Use Permits (IUP) and the
difference between an IUP and Special Use Permit.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember
Evanson.
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. 1416,
Amending the Fridley City Code Chapter 205, Zoning, to Allow Interim Use Permits. Seconded by
Councilmember Ostwald.
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Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
New Business
12. Resolution No. 2023-101, Approving a Registered Land Survey, PS #23-01 Petitioned by the City’s
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for the Property Located at 5660 Main Street N.E.
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, presented a plat request submitted by the HRA
which would create two new lots from the property located at 5660 Main Street N.E. He reviewed the
analysis of the request and background information on the property.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked for details on the decisions at the state level and progress on that
front.
Mr. Hickok commented that the legislature provided the remaining funding the City needed to
complete the design phase of the bridge project that will provide an important east/west connection.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2023-101, Approving a Registered
Land Survey, PS #23-01 Petitioned by the City’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for the
Property Located at 5660 Main Street N.E. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Informal Status Reports
Council provided details on the three public workshops focused on the topic of public art, noting that the
first workshop has occurred and welcomed any interested residents to participate in the next workshops
on September 21 and October 5. The sessions are recorded and available for playback on the City’s
website. The City celebrated the 5th anniversary of the Civic Center campus this past Saturday, and it
was well attended.
Councilmember Evanson commented that he attended the annual Islamic Center of Minnesota picnic on
Sunday, noting that they are very welcoming and accommodating. He commented that Forgotten Star
is holding its Octoberfest this coming weekend.
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 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund
City Clerk Mayor