Loading...
10-28-2024 City Council Meeting October 28, 2024 7:00 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE Minutes Call to Order Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of October 28, 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 Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Jim Kosluchar, City Engineer Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney Pledge Of Allegiance Proclamations/Presentations Approval of Proposed Consent Agenda Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. 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 October 14, 2024. 2. Receive the Minutes from the City Council Conference Meeting of October 14, 2024. 3. Approve the Minutes from the Special City Council Meeting of October 14, 2024. City Council Meeting 10/28/2024 Minutes Page 2 4. Receive the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission (EQEC) Meeting of September 10, 2024. 5. Receive the Minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 3, 2024. 6. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of October 16, 2024. New Business 7. Resolution No. 2024-157, Approving Gifts, Donations and Sponsorships Received Between September 16, 2024 and October 18, 2024. Claims 8. Resolution No. 2024-152 Approving Claims for the Period Ending October 23, 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. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. Regular Agenda Old Business 9. Ordinance No. 1425, Second Reading to Consider a Rezoning, ZOA #24-01, by Natasha Lawrence to Rezone the Property at 6677 Lucia Lane N.E. from R-1, Single-Family to R-3, Multi-Family (Ward 2) Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, provided background information on the rezoning request noting that the Council held the public hearing and approved the first reading on October th 14. He stated that the first reading was approved with a modification that required the filing of a declaration of restrictive covenants from the property owners that would restrict the use of the property to a duplex. He stated that the document had been signed by the property owner and sent to Anoka County for filing. City Council Meeting 10/28/2024 Minutes Page 3 John Vardis, 6546 Lucia Lane, asked if there is a copy of the document that is being filed with Anoka County. Mr. Hickok stated that he does have an original copy of the document and read it into the record. Dan Christianson, 6640 Lucia Lane, stated that the declaration spoke of heirs, successors and signees and asked if that includes the scenario in which the property was sold. He asked if the approval of the resolution is dependent upon Anoka County approving the document. Mr. Hickok replied that sale of the property would be covered under successors and explained that Anoka County will file the document upon request of the City and does not actually approve anything on its own. Councilmember Ostwald noted that a copy of the document was included in the agenda packet which is available on the City website. Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to approve the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1425, Consider a Rezoning, ZOA #24-01, by Natasha Lawrence to Rezone the Property at 6677 Lucia Lane N.E. from R-1, Single Family to R-3, Multi-Family (Ward 2). Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. New Business 10. Resolution No. 2024-151, Awarding Trunk Highway 47 (University Avenue) Lighting Project Jim Kosluchar, City Engineer, provided background information as well as information on the existing conditions, grant funds received through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, project elements, and location plan. He reviewed other project considerations and details of the project bidding. He reviewed the tentative project schedule and next steps stating that staff recommends approval of the resolution as presented. Councilmember Bolkcom thanked staff noting that it will be incredible to have this lighting as she often receives comments about how dark it is. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve Resolution No. 2024-151, Awarding Trunk Highway 47 (University Avenue) Lighting Project. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. Further discussion: Mayor Lund acknowledged that this concept began in 2019 and has now gained funding and is coming to fruition. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. 11. Resolution No. 2024-155, Approving Hemp THC Product Shop License Beth Kondrick, Deputy City Clerk, provided background information on Chapter 310 of the Code, which was established in 2023. She stated that an application was received from Uniflora Holistics for the final Hemp THC Products Shop License at the location of 7331 Baker Street. She reviewed the City Council Meeting 10/28/2024 Minutes Page 4 verification steps that were performed by staff and stated that staff recommends approval of the license. Councilmember Evanson asked if approval of this license would open the door for the future opportunity of this business to sell other cannabinoid products. Ms. Kondrick stated that could be a possibility but noted that type of license is obtained by the State and is not something the City could issue. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if there would be construction or renovation before the business is opened. Ms. Kondrick stated that the site is well set up as it was a pet facility and therefore there will not be much work needed but some work will be done for the retail component. Councilmember Ostwald asked what would be entailed in manufacturing. Ms. Kondrick commented that the business receives the product in a liquid form and them bakes it into other foods, so it would operate similarly to a bakery in terms of manufacturing. Motion made by Councilmember Ostwald to approve Resolution No. 2024-155, Approving Hemp THC Products Shop License. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. Further discussion: Councilmember Evanson commented that he is not thrilled with this location as it could potentially become a dispensary in a mostly residential area that is close to two schools. He recognized that the state has taken away a lot of control from the City, but believed a different location would be better. Mayor Lund asked and received confirmation that this business is within the proper zoning district. Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney, commented that the City has the authority to not issue the license but that would need to be related to the license provisions within the City Code and not based on personal preference. Councilmember Evanson asked if the applicant was present and was informed that they were not. He asked the procedures for identification of customers and believed the applicant should be present to answer questions. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if this could be tabled, and the applicant could be asked to attend the next meeting. Ms. Sonsalla replied that she did not believe there was a deadline for review of the application. Mayor Lund commented that it would come down to whether the Council trusts that staff is completing the proper steps to ensure that the license would be issued to the proper party, such as the background check and zoning review. He stated that he would need additional reasoning on why the applicant should be present. He believed that the applicant would have attended if they felt it would have been necessary, as all requirements of the law have been met by the request. Councilmember Evanson commented that he believes the location is too close to schools. Mayor Lund stated that he understands that, but the business is in the proper zoning, and it behooves the business owner to not sell to those that are underage. Councilmember Bolkcom stated that the matter could be tabled, and the applicant could be asked to attend to answer questions. City Council Meeting 10/28/2024 Minutes Page 5 Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to postpone consideration of this item to the next Council meeting, or date when the applicant could attend to answer questions of the Council. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, 3 ayes, 2 nays (Lund and Tillberry opposed), Mayor Lund declared the motion carried. 12. Resolution No. 2024-156, Approving Appointment to the Fridley Parks and Recreation Commission Mayor Lund commented that there was an opening on the Parks and Recreation Commission for which three applicants were interviewed and one candidate was selected. He stated that Melissa Luna was chosen and has accepted the position. Motion made by Mayor Lund to approve Resolution No. 2024-156, Approving Appointment to the Fridley Parks and Recreation Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Lund declared the motion carried unanimously. Melissa Luna thanked the Council for the opportunity, noting that she is excited to be a part of the Commission. Informal Status Reports The Council commented on the successful Pumpkin Night in the Park event and thanked all the volunteers and staff that assisted with the event. Councilmember Ostwald provided details on the event clean up that he participated in to remove the pumpkins from the trail. He noted that this is the last week of early voting for those that wish to do so. 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 7:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Moore Scott J. Lund City Clerk Mayor