10-09-2023
City Council Meeting
October 9, 2023
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of October 9, 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
Others Present
Walter Wysopal, City Manager
Joe Starks, Finance Director
Melissa Moore, City Clerk
Brandon Brodhag, Assistant City Engineer
Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk
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 September 25, 2023.
2. Receive the Minutes from the City Council Conference Meeting of September 25, 2023.
City Council Meeting 10/9/2023 Minutes Page 2
New Business
3. Resolution No. 2023-105, Certifying Certain Delinquent Utility Services and Other Unpaid Charges
for Collection with 2024 Property Taxes.
4. Resolution No. 2023-107, Designating Time and Number of City Council Meetings for 2024.
5. Resolution No. 2023-122, Adopting the Assessment for 2023 Utility and Driveway Lateral Repair
Projects.
Claims
6. Resolution No. 2023-124 Approving Claims for the Period Ending October 4, 2023.
Open Forum, Visitors: (Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes.)
No one from the audience spoke.
Regular Agenda
7. Resolution No. 2023-123, Repealing and Replacing Resolution No. 2023-104, Approving
Gambling Lease to add Lawful Gambling to Forgotten Star Brewery for Fridley Lions Club.
Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk, provided background information and changes requested by the
State of Minnesota since the last adoption.
Councilmember Ostwald recused himself from this item as he is the Acting President of the Lions
Club.
Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adopt Resolution No. 2023-123 Repealing and Replacing
Resolution No. 2023-104 Approving Gambling Lease to add Lawful Gambling to Forgotten Star
Brewery for Fridley Lions Club. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom.
Upon a voice vote, Mayor Lund, Councilmember Tillberry, Councilmember Evanson and Councilmember
Bolkcom voting aye, and Councilmember Ostwald abstaining from voting, Mayor Lund declared the
motion carried unanimously.
Public Hearing(s)
8. Public Hearing and Resolution No. 2023-119, Adopting the Assessment for 2023 Street
Rehabilitation Project No. ST-2023-01.
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to open the public hearing. Seconded by
Councilmember Ostwald.
City Council Meeting 10/9/2023 Minutes Page 3
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Joe Starks, Finance Director, provided background information on special assessments noting that
the City typically levies special assessments as part of street projects. He reviewed the special
assessment process and stated the City can now proceed with the final portions of the assessment
process tonight. He provided information on the appeal process and noted that to date, the City has
not received any appeals. He provided a summary of the project and remaining construction
schedule. He provided details on the proposed assessment roll to be levied against 33 properties in
the project area. He provided details on payment options for those being assessed.
Mayor Lund noted that there are no residents in attendance which would lead him to believe residents
are satisfied with the project. Brandon Brodhag, Assistant City Engineer, replied that the City has not
received any negative comments about the project.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if grass repair would be needed in any segments and whether that
would occur this year. Mr. Brodhag replied that the topsoil has been laid and noted that seeding and
restoration would be completed this week after the final lift of pavement.
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to close the public hearing, Seconded by Councilmember
Ostwald.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2023-119, Adopting the
Assessment for 2023 Street Rehabilitation Project No. ST-2023-01. Seconded by Councilmember
Tillberry.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
rd
9. Public Hearing and Resolution No. 2023-120, Adopting the Assessment for 53 Avenue
Roundabout Safety Project No. ST-2023-22.
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry 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, provided details on special assessments and the ability for the City to
assess special assessments as part of a street improvement project. He reviewed the special
assessment process and process for appeal. He noted that to date, the City has not received any
objections to the proposed assessment. He provided a summary of the project and remaining
construction schedule. He stated the assessment will be levied against the six properties in the project
area and provided options for payment.
City Council Meeting 10/9/2023 Minutes Page 4
The Council commented on how great the project looks. Councilmember Ostwald noted that this is
a shared roadway and asked if Columbia Heights would be holding a similar assessment hearing. Mr.
Starks confirmed that Columbia Heights would be holding a similar hearing.
Councilmember Tillberry asked if there were complaints about this assessment. Mr. Brodhag replied
that the City did not receive any complaints about the proposed assessment.
rd
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if better lighting would be installed along 53 in the future. Mr.
Brodhag replied that the turnabout project would have lighting and they would look for additional
rd
lighting along 53 in the future.
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember
Bolkcom.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to adopt Resolution No. 2023-120, Adopting the
rd
Assessment for 53 Avenue Roundabout Safety Project No. ST-2023-22. Seconded by Councilmember
Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
New Business
10. Resolution No. 2023-106, Receiving the City of Fridley Administrative Appeals Guide.
Melissa Moore, City Clerk, provided background information related to administrative enforcement
of ordinance violations. She reviewed the purpose of administrative citations and the administrative
appeals process. She provided an overview of the administrative appeals guide, which would be
reviewed every two years going forward.
Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt Resolution No. 2023-106 Receiving the City of
Fridley Administrative Appeals Guide. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Informal Status Reports
Mr. Wysopal provided details on the work being done to develop a final report related to the public art
open house meetings. He stated that the report should be ready to publish within the next week and will
be available on the City’s website. He provided additional explanation on how that information will be
used going forward.
City Council Meeting 10/9/2023 Minutes Page 5
Councilmember Bolkcom thanked the Lions, scouts, and other volunteers who performed highway
cleanup this past weekend. She commented that the Fire Station open house was also a great event. She
reminded residents to purchase tickets for Pumpkin Night at the Park to be held October 21.
Councilmember Ostwald noted the upcoming Coats with Cops event, where residents in need can come
to get coats, hats and mittens for free.
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 7:33 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund
City Clerk Mayor