7-8-2024
City Council Meeting
July 8, 2024
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of July 8, 2024, 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
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director
Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney
Pledge Of Allegiance
Proclamations/Presentations
1. Morris Leatherman Presentation on Resident Survey Results
Peter Leatherman gave details on the survey methodology and demographics of residents. He then
provided a brief summary of the 2024 resident survey results.
Wally Wysopal, City Manager, explained how the data gained from the survey will be used to guide
goals and policies.
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
2. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of June 24, 2024.
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3. Receive the Minutes from the Council Workshop Meeting of June 24, 2024.
New Business
4. Resolution No. 2024-91, Appointing Election Judges for the 2024 Election Year.
rd
5. Resolution No 2024-93, Approving Change Order No. 3 (Final) for 53 Avenue Trail and Walk
Improvements Project No. ST2023-21.
6. Resolution No. 2024-94, Approving a First Amendment to Existing Tower Site Lease Agreement
with T-Mobile for the Commons Park Tower.
7. Resolution No. 2024-95, Approving the Interim Ethical Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy.
Claims
8. Resolution No. 2024-92 Approving Claims for the Period Ending July 3, 2024.
Open Forum, Visitors: (Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes.)
No one from the audience spoke.
Adoption of Regular Agenda
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to adopt the regular agenda with the addition of an Item 9a,
Commons Park Redevelopment Update and FYSA Field Development Plan. Seconded by Councilmember
Bolkcom.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
Regular Agenda
New Business
9. Resolution No. 2024-96, Approving Public Art Agreement City of Fridley, Rice Creek Watershed
District, and Jessica Turtle
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, provided background information on the public art
process which led to the creation of the Public Arts Commission and a process for the Commission to
bring forward a set of policies on how public art can be advanced in Fridley. He stated that the City
received an offer from the Rice Creek Watershed District to donate $6,000 for a piece of art for Fridley.
He stated that Jessica Turtle completed the Water Stewardship program and is also a local artist that
was interested in being a part of the process. He stated that a local restaurant also donated $10,000
towards this project. The City worked with legal counsel to draft a contract and process for the piece
of art which is before the Council tonight for consideration. He stated that once approved by the
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Council it would set forward the steps to put the piece of art in place at Moore Lake Park by December
of 2024.
Mayor Lund asked if the Council would consider placement of the art, or whether that would be within
the concept from the artist. Mr. Hickok reviewed the steps that would be followed to identify the
location, review the concepts, and then select the piece of art for installation.
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve Resolution No. 2024-96, Approving Public Art
Agreement City of Fridley, Rice Creek Watershed District, and Jessica Turtle. Seconded by
Councilmember Ostwald.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
9a. Commons Park Redevelopment Update and FYSA Field Development Plan
Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that at the last Council meeting residents and
representatives from FYSA were present to provide their input on the Commons Park redevelopment
plan. He provided background information on the Commons Park planning status and process,
recognizing that the concept for the park did remove some of the baseball fields, which was a concern
of the residents at the last meeting. He presented the updated Commons Park concept which includes
two fields. He stated that staff and FYSA representatives have looked to develop a plan to convert a
field at Community Park to a lit baseball field and to convert underutilized space into soccer fields.
He displayed the Community Park updated concept. He stated that the updated concepts have been
incorporated into a document, Field Development Proposal. He then reviewed the next steps for the
Fridley and FYSA partnership. He asked that the Council endorse this plan to allow them to continue
with the planning process for Commons Park while also ensuring that the future needs of FYSA will
continue to be met.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked and received confirmation that the other amenities included in the
Commons Park concept have carried through as well as details on the budget impacts. Mr. Maher
commented that the additional field will not have tremendous expense. He commented that the
improvements for Community Park can be done in-house by City staff and therefore can be
completed at minimal cost. He stated that because those are low-cost improvements, the other
amenities in the concept can be fully realized within the budget for the project. Councilmember
Bolkcom thanked City staff for their hard work to address the concerns of the residents at a low cost
to the City.
Councilmember Evanson thanked the members of the public that have spoken on this topic, as well
as staff for being able to incorporate that input into the plans.
Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to approve the plan detailed in the FYSA Field Development
document to develop new fields at Commons and Community parks which are consistent with the
Parks System Improvement Plan and are achievable within the approved budget. Seconded by
Councilmember Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously.
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Jake Karnopp thanked the Council, recognizing that it has been a hard path. He thanked the Council
for listening to the input provided and to Mr. Maher for the time he has dedicated to this in order to
create a collaborative and creative solution. He stated that the City has made a decision, with the
new fields, that will serve the youth of Fridley for years to come.
Informal Status Reports
Councilmember Bolkcom commented that she and Councilmember Evanson will attend the upcoming
Springbrook concert to engage with residents and gain input. Councilmember Tillberry noted that he
attended a recent concert at Springbrook, and it was a great experience.
Mr. Maher provided a brief update on the park improvement projects occurring at this time.
Councilmember Evanson encouraged residents to register their Night to Unite parties and to attend their
local neighborhood party.
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 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund
City Clerk Mayor