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8-12-2024 City Council Meeting August 12, 2024 7:00 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE Minutes Call to Order Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of August 12, 2024, 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 Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Brandon Brodhag, Assistant City Engineer Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney Pledge Of Allegiance Proclamations/Presentations Approval of Proposed Consent Agenda Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. 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 22, 2024. 2. Receive the Minutes from the Council Conference Meeting of July 22, 2024. 3. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of July 17, 2024. New Business City Council Meeting 8/12/2024 Minutes Page 2 4. Resolution No 2024-105, Approving Claims for the Period Ending August 7, 2024. 5. Resolution No. 2024-106, Approving Receipt of Local Affordable Housing Aid and Transfer to Fridley Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA). 6. Resolution No. 2024-107, Approving Investment Policy Revisions. 7. Resolution No. 2024-108, Adding UBS Financial Services, Inc. as an Official Depository for the City of Fridley. Open Forum, Visitors: (Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes.) Derek Lind, Ramsey resident, stated that he is present representing Anoka County Election Integrity Team (ACEIT). He stated that ACEIT simply wants to protect the integrity of elections. Paul Barrett, Coon Rapids resident, also representing ACEIT provided additional details on the voter registration data base and how an audit was completed to find duplicate registrations. He explained that was a result of people that had moved but had not yet been updated in the system to remove their previous registration. Joe Richardson, Andover resident, also representing ACEIT provided additional details on the post- election reviews and the work the group has done on that topic. Lori Mahold, Coon Rapids resident, also representing ACEIT stated the group is requesting that the City invite the group back to discuss the post-election review more specifically to Fridley. Mr. Lind commented that their desire is to ensure that the election results are accurate. He recognized that the machine has to be used to count the election votes and provided details on the laws passed by the state related to election vote counting. He explained that the post-election review would send election judges to the state ten days after the election to hand count the votes. He stated that this movement is gaining momentum and some cities in Anoka County have agreed to complete the post- election review as proposed. Mayor Lund stated that he would be interested in double checking a few of the counts to ensure the accuracy of the machines. Julie Houle, Columbia Heights School District, thanked the voters that passed the levy that will assist with providing services to students. She also thanked Fridley organizations that provided scholarships to their students. She stated that the District worked on their Strategic Plan and initiatives this year and provided an overview. Adoption of Regular Agenda City Council Meeting 8/12/2024 Minutes Page 3 Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. Regular Agenda New Business 8. Resolution No. 2024-103, Approving Special Use Permit, SP #24-02 for a Private School to Operate in Addition to a Church Authorized Under SP#91-01 and Repealing Expired Special Use Permit, SP #94-15 for Adult Daycare, for the Property at 6180 Highway 65 NE (Ward 2) Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, presented a request to operate a private preschool and elementary school alongside an existing church located at 6180 Highway 65 NE. He provided information on the site and history of the site, noting previous uses that have been allowed through Special Use Permit (SUP). He stated that most recently, in 1994, an adult daycare was permitted through a SUP. He stated that as part of the action, the previous SUP would be revoked as that activity is no longer occurring onsite. He identified the portions of the building that would be utilized by the school and reviewed the recommended conditions for the SUP. He stated that the Planning th Commission heard this request on July 17 and unanimously recommended approval as presented. Hal Erks, applicant, provided additional details on the Harbon Montessori School noting that the school is excited to come to Fridley. Councilmember Evanson commented that it is great to have choices for education. Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to approve Resolution No. 2024-103, Approving Special Use Permit, SP #24-02 for a Private School to Operate in Addition to a Church Authorized Under SP #91-01 and Repealing Expired Special Use Permit, SP #94-15 for Adult Daycare, for the Property at 6180 Highway 65 NE (Ward 2). Seconded by Councilmember Ostwald. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. 9. Resolution No. 2024-104, Approving and Referring a Petition for Street Access Closure at the Intersection of Able Street and Mississippi Street Brandon Brodhag, Assistant City Engineer, presented a request to consider street access closure at the intersection of Able Street and Mississippi Street which was brought forward by a resident request. He provided background on the request and petition which was submitted to the City supporting the request. He provided details on project initiation and next steps. Councilmember Tillberry commented that it seems the house that would be most affected did not sign the petition and he would be curious as to why. He stated that he likes the idea of looking into this topic more, recognizing that this is probably a cut through route for some drivers. He asked what this would look like as a closure, using the example of another closure that was put in place with poles City Council Meeting 8/12/2024 Minutes Page 4 that does not have a great appearance. Mr. Brodhag replied that they would use temporary delineators this fall to show how a closure could work. He stated that a permanent closure would move the curb to close that spot. He confirmed that the land would still remain right-of-way. Councilmember Tillberry commented that it would be ideal if this would align with the County’s work on Mississippi. He asked the anticipated cost for this type of permanent closure. Mr. Brodhag commented that would depend on the design but estimated $20,000 for a simple turnaround which would have a cost of about $1,000 per resident. Councilmember Tillberry commented that he likes the feasibility study being completed as that will consider other unexpected consequences of a closure. Mr. Brodhag stated that they could also consider a modified closure that would not allow vehicles in, but would allow vehicles out. He confirmed that once the study is completed, they would present the information to the public. Councilmember Tillberry stated that he would also be interested to hear input from residents on Jackson Street. Councilmember Bolkcom asked and received confirmation on the different elements that would be reviewed through the feasibility study. It was confirmed that a petition of this nature simply requires the City to study the matter and does not commit the City to that decision. Motion made by Councilmember Tillberry to approve Resolution No. 2024-104, Approving and Referring a Petition for Street Access Closure at the Intersection of Able Street and Mississippi Street. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. Informal Status Reports The Council reported on amazing visits during Night to Unite and encouraged residents to get out and vote the following day for the primaries. It was noted that the movie in the park, fireworks, and music will take place this Friday at Commons Park. 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 8:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund City Clerk Mayor