1-27-2025
City Council Meeting
January 27, 2025
7:00 PM
Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE
Minutes
Call to Order
Mayor Ostwald called the City Council Meeting of January 27, 2025, to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present
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
Paul Bolin, HRA Assistant Executive Director
Brandon Brodhag, Assistant City Engineer
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director
Pledge Of Allegiance
Proclamations/Presentations
1. Proclaiming the Week of January 27-31 as Winter Salt Awareness Week
Mayor Ostwald presented the proclamation to a member of the Environmental Quality and Energy
Commission (EQEC). Aaron Klemz, Chair of the EQEC and member of the Planning Commission,
provided background information on the work he has done to raise awareness on the issue of
thoughtful salt use.
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.
Approval/Receipt of Minutes
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2. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of January 6, 2025.
3. Receive the Minutes from the Council Conference Meeting of January 6, 2025.
4. Receive the Minutes from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission (EQEC) Meeting of
December 10, 2024.
5. Receive the December 5, 2024 Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting Minutes.
6. Receive the Minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of December 2, 2024.
7. Receive the December 11, 2024 Public Arts Commission Meeting Minutes.
New Business
8. Resolution No. 2025-06, Awarding Sylvan Hills Park Improvements Project No. 24-706.
9. Resolution No 2025-07, Authorizing the Use of the Municipal State Aid System Funding for 2025
Local Improvement Projects.
10. Resolution No. 2025-11, Approving Recommendations by the Public Arts Commission’s Top Three
Priorities for Placing Public Art in the City of Fridley Public Arts Plan and its Recommendation for
its Preferred Location for Placement of Art in Commons Park.
11. Resolution No. 2025-12, Approving Encroachment Agreement for Fridley Terrace.
12. Resolution No. 2025-13, Approving and Authorizing Signing an Agreement with Fire Officers (IAFF
Local #1986) for the City of Fridley Public Safety Department for the Years 2025 and 2026.
Licenses
13. Resolution No. 2025-10, Approving Temporary Intoxicating Liquor Permit for Fridley Lions Club
Winter Warm Up Event.
Claims
14. Resolution No. 2025-08, Approving Claims for the Period Ending January 22, 2025.
Open Forum, Visitors: (Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes.)
Dane Carlson expressed concern with an issue he had with the adoption of his daughter over a decade
ago as well as the mental health care that she was receiving during that time as well as potential abuse.
City Council Meeting 1/27/2025 Minutes Page 3
Mayor Ostwald was unsure what the resident was asking of the City Council. Mr. Carlson stated that he
is sharing this information to spread awareness in the community. Mayor Ostwald commented that he
will have a member of the Police Department follow up with Mr. Carlson.
Elyse Mckenzie asked for information on the relationship between the City of Fridley and the Fridley Police
Department. Mayor Ostwald replied that the Police is a department of the City.
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
15. Ordinance No. 1428, Amending the Fridley City Code Chapter 209, Fees, to Update Fees Related
to Rental Housing Licensure (First Reading)
Paul Bolin, HRA Assistant Executive Director, provided background information on the City’s rental
housing program as well as details on the current rental housing stock. He stated that the current
license fee structure has remained unchanged for more than a decade and no longer covers the
demands of the program nor does it compare to fees charged by other cities in the metro. He
reviewed the staff recommendation to increase the licensing fees.
Mayor Ostwald asked if the increase would more accurately cover the cost of staffing. Mr. Bolin
confirmed that to be correct.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked the number of visits that can be made to a property before additional
fees are charged. Mr. Bolin replied that the rental inspectors strive to work with property owners to
bring them into compliance. He explained that with an initial inspection if issues are identified, staff
would return a second time to determine if those issues have been corrected. He noted that if a third
visit is required, additional fees come into play.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if additional fees are charged if the property owner does not show
up to the scheduled inspection. Mr. Bolin replied that an additional charge does occur if the property
owner does not show up to a scheduled visit.
Councilmember Evanson stated that rent continues to increase and would assume that these costs
are passed to tenants rather than absorbed by landlords. He asked how this program benefits the
tenants. Mr. Bolin explained that the inspections are for the benefit of residents. He stated of the
8,000 violations that are found some of those are life safety issues and provided examples.
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Councilmember Vescio asked if the inspection includes other elements of the building such as
mechanical equipment in addition to individual units. Mr. Bolin confirmed that is correct, and
reviewed other areas and elements of the building that are included in inspections.
Motion made by Councilmember Vescio to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1428, Amending
the Fridley City Code Chapter 209, Fees, to Update Fees Related to Rental Housing Licensure. Seconded
by Councilmember Bolkcom.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously.
16. Resolution No. 2025-05, Receiving a Petition and Ordering Preparation of a Preliminary Report for
Traffic Calming Improvements Along East Danube Road
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, stated that during the public engagement process for the
upcoming road construction project staff were advised of traffic speed and volume concerns on East
Danube Road between Matterhorn and Innsbruck. He stated that the draft resolution receives a
petition from owners on East Danube Road and requests a report be completed by staff that will
summarize whether the addition of traffic calming is feasible. He provided background information,
additional details on the traffic calming meeting that was held with the residents of East Danube Road,
the subsequent petition that was received, and the next steps.
Councilmember Bolkcom commented that it was great to receive the input of the residents at a
previous meeting on this topic. She asked for clarification on whether the cost for traffic calming
would only be assessed to the directly benefiting properties. Mr. Kosluchar stated that the report will
provide additional details on anticipated costs and most likely those improvements would be
assessable to those directly fronting onto the road. He confirmed that both traffic counts and speed
are collected as part of the data collection. He noted that while there was not a huge concern with
speed as shown through the data, the road is convenient for drivers to cut through.
Councilmember Evanson reviewed some elements that could be considered for traffic calming that
would range in cost and asked how those solutions would be decided upon. Mr. Kosluchar explained
that the report will review the best options for traffic calming based on the information gathered. He
stated that speed humps were more supported by the residents in attendance at the traffic calming
meeting.
Wally Wysopal, City Manager, commented that even though this action was resident-initiated, staff
will be expending resources to complete this report. He stated that if the ultimate decision of the
residents is not to pursue improvements, the cost of that staff time would not be recouped.
Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to approve Resolution No. 2025-05, Receiving a Petition and
Ordering Preparation of a Preliminary Report for Traffic Calming Improvements Along East Danube
Road. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously.
Informal Status Reports
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Councilmember Vescio commented on the positive experience his family had at Winter Fest which was
recently held at Springbrook Nature Center.
Mayor Ostwald noted that tickets are on sale for the Winter Warm Up hosted by the Fridley Lions which
st
will be held on February 21.
Councilmember Evanson noted an upcoming public meeting at the Columbia Heights Library related to
th
public improvements on Highway 65 which will take place on February 4. He noted that resident
feedback can also be submitted on the City website.
Adjourn
Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Vescio.
Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously and the meeting
adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Moore Dave Ostwald
City Clerk Mayor