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6-9-2025 City Council Meeting June 9, 2025 7:00 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE Minutes Call to Order Mayor Ostwald called the City Council Meeting of June 9, 2025, to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Mayor Dave Ostwald Councilmember Patrick Vescio Councilmember Ryan Evanson Councilmember Ann Bolkcom Absent Councilmember Luke Cardona Others Present Walter Wysopal, City Manager Joe Starks, Finance Director Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director Stacy Stromberg, Assistant Community Development Director Korrie Johnson, Assistant Finance Director Rebecca Petersen, Redpath and Company Pledge Of Allegiance Proclamations/Presentations Approval of Proposed Consent Agenda Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adopt the proposed Consent Agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Vescio. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. Approval/Receipt of Minutes 1. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of May 27, 2025. 2. Receive the Minutes from the Council Conference Meeting of May 27, 2025. 3. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of May 21, 2025. City Council Meeting 6/9/2025 Minutes Page 2 4. Receive the Minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 7, 2025. New Business 5. Resolution No. 2025-65, Authorizing a Community Implementation Grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for Commons Park Improvements. 6. Resolution No. 2025-67, Accepting the 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. 7. Resolution No. 2025-68, Approving Special Use Permit, SP #25-02 for a Clinic and Repealing Expired Special Use Permit, SP #02-03 for a Daycare, for the Property at 1413 Gardena Avenue NE (Ward 2). Claims 8. Resolution No. 2025-69, Approving Claims for the Period Ending June 4, 2025. Open Forum, Visitors: (Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes.) No one from the audience spoke. Adoption of Regular Agenda Addition of Resolution No. 2025-73, Authorizing Agreement for State Funded Program for IIJA Discretionary Grant Assistance for University Avenue Corridor Safety Improvements, Project SAP 127-589- 002. Addition to make appointment to the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the regular agenda as amended. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. Regular Agenda 9. Resolution No. 2025-70, Approving and Accepting the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2024. Rebecca Petersen from Redpath and Company presented the results of the audit, noting a clean, or unmodified, opinion with no internal control findings and no findings of legal noncompliance reported. She reviewed the communication with those charged with governance section of the report. She reviewed additional information on the different City funds. City Council Meeting 6/9/2025 Minutes Page 3 Joe Starks, Finance Director, thanked the finance staff for their great work. He commented that the audit process is robust and comprehensive and recognized the work his staff does to prepare and assist with the audit. Motion made by Councilmember Vescio to approve Resolution No. 2025-70, Approving and Accepting the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2024. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. New Business 10. Resolution No. 2025-66, Authorizing Application to the US Department of Transportation for University Avenue Corridor Safety Improvements Under the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Program Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, stated that Resolution 2025-66 requests approval for a funding rd application for Vision 1 improvements in the City of Fridley on University Avenue between 53 Avenue rd and 73 Avenue. He stated that the second resolution, 2025-73, requests approval of an agreement with MnDOT to reimburse the City of Fridley for grant preparation costs. He provided background information on the project, the related formal planning study, the implementation plan, Vision 1, and funding. He provided information on the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant program, noting that if the application is successful, MnDOT has committed to reimbursing the match required of the City. Councilmember Evanson stated that this action would seem to support Vision 1, which favors the use of roundabouts as opposed to grade-level interchanges, recognizing the financial benefit of this option. He recognized that, based on the incident rate, this corridor scored exceptionally high on doing something, and this recommendation would be quicker to implement than grade-level interchanges. He also recognized that there would be additional impacts to property owners if grade- level interchanges were chosen. Mr. Kosluchar agreed with those comments and noted that, because of the placement of buildings and the narrow width of the road, grade-separated changes would not be feasible in those locations. He stated that those people attempting to access the highway would benefit from the roundabout as they would be able to move quicker than waiting for multiple light cycles. He stated that staff do have some concern for pedestrians crossing roundabouts, but MnDOT has been receptive to discussing pedestrian crossing improvements as part of the project. Councilmember Evanson stated that there was a question from residents as to why pedestrian overpasses were not added instead of completing these intersection changes, but recognized that the pedestrians do not always utilize the overpass option, and there is a high cost for construction. Mr. Kosluchar commented that there would be one location where an overpass could be advantageous, but people tend to choose the shortest route and often make the choice to stay on the ground. Councilmember Bolkcom recognized that they need to do something to improve the intersections and recalled the helpful meetings with Anoka County that they have participated in. She asked how City Council Meeting 6/9/2025 Minutes Page 4 soon they would know if the funds are awarded. Mr. Kosluchar believed that the awards would be announced late this year. He confirmed that construction would be planned for 2030 at the earliest. Councilmember Vescio commented that he was surprised by the time gained, not lost, through the roundabout option. Mayor Ostwald recognized that the grant process is competitive, but believes that the project will score well. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve Resolution No. 2025-66, Authorizing Application to the US Department of Transportation for University Avenue Corridor Safety Improvements Under the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Program. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. 11. Resolution No. 2025-72, Approving an Interim Use Permit, IUP #25-01, Requested by Chopper Powersports to Allow the Property at 7151 Highway 65 NE to be Temporarily Used for Storage and Display of Off-Road Vehicles (Ward 2) Stacy Stromberg, Assistant Community Development Director, presented the request from Chopper Motorsports for an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to allow the property at 7151 Highway 65 NE to be temporarily used for storage and display of off-road vehicles. She reviewed the analysis of the request, including the planned remodel and expansion of the current building. She stated that the IUP would allow time for the applicant to purchase the property and complete the expansion. She stated that the applicant agrees to the conditions of the IUP, noting that the Planning Commission also reviewed the request and recommended approval as presented. Mayor Ostwald invited the applicant to address the Council. Nate McNeilly and Justin Ogg, Chopper Motorsports, commented that they purchased the business in 2017 and grew from four employees at that time to over 20 employees now. They are excited to expand and remodel in order to support the growing business. They confirmed that they are aware that the IUP has a limit of three years and have already begun working with an architect on their plans. Mayor Ostwald commented that it is great to see the expansion of a local business and that the business is staying in Fridley. Councilmember Vescio asked if they plan to hire additional employees. Mr. McNeilly confirmed that they continue to add to their staff team. He highlighted some of the products they currently see and noted additional products that will be offered with the expanded site. He noted that they have a second location in Maple Plain. Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to approve Resolution No. 2025-72, Approving an Interim Use Permit, IUP #25-01, Requested by Chopper Powersports to Allow the Property at 7151 Highway 65 NE to be Temporarily Used for Storage and Display of Off-Road Vehicles (Ward 2). Seconded by Councilmember Vescio. City Council Meeting 6/9/2025 Minutes Page 5 Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. 12. Resolution No. 2025-73, Authorizing Agreement for State Funded Program for IIJA Discretionary Grant Assistance for University Avenue Corridor Safety Improvements, Project SAP 127-589-002 Motion made by Councilmember Vescio to approve Resolution No. 2025-73, Authorizing Agreement for State Funded Program for IIJA Discretionary Grant Assistance for University Avenue Corridor Safety Improvements, Project SAP 127-589-002. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. 13. Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Vacancy Mayor Ostwald commented that there is an opening on the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission. He stated that Emma Carter has expressed an interest in filling the vacancy. Motion made by Mayor Ostwald to appoint Emma Carter to the vacant position on the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. Informal Status Reports Councilmember Bolkcom noted the events that begin on Thursday with the parade for 49er Days and continue through the weekend. Residents can find a listing of the events on the 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 7:54 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Moore Dave Ostwald City Clerk Mayor