1-06-2025
City Council Meeting
January 6, 2025
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Former Mayor Lund called the City Council Meeting of January 6, 2025, to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present
Former Mayor Scott Lund
Mayor Dave Ostwald
Councilmember Patrick Vescio
Councilmember Ryan Evanson
Councilmember Ann Bolkcom
Absent
Councilmember Tom Tillberry
Others Present
Walter Wysopal, City Manager
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director
Melissa Moore, City Clerk
Sarah Sonsalla, City Attorney
Pledge Of Allegiance
Proclamations/Presentations
1. Oath of Office
Mayor Lund administered the Oath of Office was administered to Mayor Ostwald. Mayor Lund then
stepped down from the Council and Mayor Ostwald joined the Council as Mayor.
Melissa Moore, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to new Councilmember Patrick Vescio.
Councilmember Vescio joined the Council.
Approval of Proposed Consent Agenda
Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda. Seconded by
Councilmember Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously.
City Council Meeting 1/6/2025 Minutes Page 2
Approval/Receipt of Minutes
2. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of December 23, 2024.
3. Receive the Minutes from the Council Conference Meeting of December 23, 2024.
4. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of December 18, 2024.
New Business
5. Resolution No. 2025-01, Confirming City Council Appointments and Designations.
6. Resolution No. 2025-04, Approving a Lot Split, LC # 24-02, Petitioned by Maria Herrera, the
Property Owner of 5216 Pierce Street N.E.
Claims
7. Resolution No. 2025-03, Approving Claims for the Period Ending January 2, 2025.
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 Bolkcom to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember
Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously.
Regular Agenda
New Business
8. Resolution No. 2025-02, Approving Change Order No. 1 for the Private Ash Tree Removal Program
Project
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, provided background information on the grant the City received
in 2023, the contract that was awarded in 2024, and the work that has been completed thus far. He
reviewed the details of the proposed change order, which would increase the contract amount and
work that could be done, noting that the additional costs would be covered by the grant funds. He
reviewed the next steps and provided appropriate staff contacts for interested residents.
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Councilmember Bolkcom asked for a progress update and whether staff believe that another grant
cycle would be made available for additional removals. Mr. Kosluchar stated that of the original 100
trees, 25 have been removed. He anticipated that the remainder would be removed by the end of
February and additional trees could be cued for removal. He anticipated that 50 to 60 additional trees
could be removed under the change order.
Mayor Ostwald asked if this is a one-time grant opportunity or whether the grant would be anticipated
to continue as additional trees will need to be removed. Mr. Kosluchar replied that this was a new
DNR program, and he was unsure if the DNR would continue to award funds through this program.
He stated that if the program is available and there is still a need, staff would apply again.
Motion made by Councilmember Vescio to adopt Resolution No. 2025-02, Approving Change Order No.
1 for the Private Ash Tree Removal Program. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously.
Informal Status Reports
Wally Wysopal, City Manager, commented that prior to this meeting the Council had a discussion related
to vision and strategic planning and advised that the conference meeting will continue after this meeting.
Councilmember Evanson provided details on the holiday lights recycling currently taking place at City
Hall.
Councilmember Bolkcom thanked former Mayor Lund for his work over the years and reminded the public
th
of the celebration on February 20 that will honor his contributions.
Adjourn
Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously and the meeting
adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Moore Dave Ostwald
City Clerk Mayor