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Home My WebLink About12-22-2025 City Council Meeting December 22, 2025 7:00 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue NE Minutes Call to Order Mayor Ostwald called the City Council Meeting of December 22, 2025, to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Mayor Dave Ostwald Councilmember Patrick Vescio Councilmember Ryan Evanson Councilmember Luke Cardona Councilmember Ann Bolkcom Absent Others Present Wally Wysopal, City Manager Paul Bolin, Community Development Director Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director Joe Starks, Finance Director Pledge Of Allegiance Proclamations/Presentations 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 1. Approve the Minutes from the City Council Meeting of December 8, 2025. 2. Receive the Minutes from the City Council Conference Meeting of December 8, 2025. 3. Receive the Minutes from the HRA Commission Meeting of October 2, 2025. New Business City Council Meeting 12/22/2025 Minutes Page 2 4. Resolution No 2025-168, Accepting the 2026 Animal Impound Agreement Between Companion Animal Care and the City of Fridley. Claims 5. Resolution No. 2025-174, Approving Claims for the Period Ending December 17, 2025. Open Forum, Visitors: (Consideration of Items not on Agenda – 15 minutes.) Brenda Lewis, Superintendent of Fridley Public Schools, shared a resolution the School Board adopted at its December 16, 2025, meeting and provided context on why the resolution was adopted. Avonna Starck, a Fridley School Board member, provided input on the importance of student safety and well-being and spoke out against the actions of ICE. Councilmember Vescio asked what the Council could do to meet with community partners to discuss further what could be done. Mayor Ostwald stated that they could discuss that after, noting that the open forum is not meant for action. Jonathon Relander, United Front, provided comments on the fear that some families are living in at this time and encouraged a larger discussion on this topic. David Carlson provided additional comments on a matter he has brought before the Council in the past. Adoption of Regular Agenda Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adopt the regular agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. Regular Agenda Public Hearing(s) 6. Public Hearing and Resolution No. 2025-173, Approving Creation of TIF District #27 Motion made by Councilmember Vescio to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. Paul Bolin, Community Development Director, provided background information on the proposed TIF District #27 and the related project. City Council Meeting 12/22/2025 Minutes Page 3 Jessica Green, HRA Development Consultant, provided additional information on tax increment financing (TIF), proposed TIF District #27, an analysis of the request for TIF, the proposed TIF Plan, and terms for assistance to the developer. Councilmember Evanson asked if the developer plans to monetize the TIF and whether there would be risk if the developer failed to perform on the monetization of the TIF note. Ms. Green replied that it has not been determined, but if the developer monetized the TIF, there would be no risk to the City. Evan Matson, Endeavor Development, stated that he is present to answer any questions, noting that they are not planning to monetize the TIF. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to close the public hearing, Seconded by Councilmember Cardona. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. The Council agreed that this will be a great reuse of a vacant property. Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2025-173, Approving Creation of TIF District #27. Seconded by Councilmember Cardona. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. New Business 7. Resolution No. 2025-172, Approving the Concept Proposal for the Commons Park Sculpture by Artist Ken McCall Mike Maher, Parks and Recreation Director, presented a request for approval of a resolution approving the concept proposal for the Commons Park sculpture. He provided information on the public art program, public art projects and priorities, the Commons Park redevelopment, Artist Ken McCall, the proposed sculpture, and the ongoing community engagement process. Councilmember Bolkcom commented on the great discussion that has occurred with the Public Arts Commission, as she is the liaison to that group. Councilmember Cardona asked for more information on the funding source. Mr. Maher replied that the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation is fully funding this piece. Councilmember Evanson asked for more information on the educational sessions and assurances that the piece would be delivered when agreed upon. Mr. Maher replied that the staff is still working on the education plan and provided details of the contractual agreement that includes milestones and a delivery date. City Council Meeting 12/22/2025 Minutes Page 4 Motion made by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution No. 2025-172, Approving the Concept Proposal for Commons Park Sculpture from Artist Ken McCall. Seconded by Councilmember Cardona. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. 8. Resolution No. 2025-169, Certifying the Final Tax Levy Requirements for 2026 to the County of Anoka Joe Starks, Finance Director, presented the 2026 proposed budget and tax levy, providing additional information on the budget process, final tax levy, proposed 2026 budget, and recommendation to adopt the resolutions certifying the final tax levy, and approving the budget and Capital Investment Program as presented. Councilmember Cardona thanked Mr. Starks for the assistance he has provided throughout this process, as this is his first year on the Council. Councilmember Evanson provided directions on how residents can find information on property tax relief programs. Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adopt Resolution No. 2025-169, Certifying the Final Tax Levy Requirements for 2026 to the County of Anoka. Seconded by Councilmember Vescio. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. 9. Resolution No. 2025-170, Approving a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2026 and the 2026-2030 Capital Investment Program Motion made by Councilmember Evanson to adopt Resolution No. 2025-170, Approving a Budget for the Fiscal Year 2026 and the 2026-2030 Capital Investment Program. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. 10. Resolution No. 2025-171, Approving Budget Reappropriation for Certain Funds for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025 Mr. Starks provided an overview of the request and related proposed 2025 budget amendments. He recommended adoption as presented. Motion made by Councilmember Vescio to adopt Resolution No. 2025-171, Approving Budget Reappropriation for Certain Funds for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Evanson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Ostwald declared the motion carried unanimously. Informal Status Reports City Council Meeting 12/22/2025 Minutes Page 5 Councilmember Bolkcom reminded residents to keep trash bins on their own property to ensure they do not interfere with plowing activities. Councilmember Cardona commented that through the input he has received, people are feeling scared, hurt, and abandoned right now. He acknowledged those feelings and comments. He appreciated the input from the School Board and residents tonight and shared his own input, welcoming conversations with those who want to share their input with him. Councilmember Vescio noted the upcoming WinterFest, which will take place on February 7. He stated that donations of new or gently used winter gear will be accepted beginning January 5, 2026, which will be distributed free of charge at WinterFest. The Mayor and Council wished everyone happy holidays. 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 8:17 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa Moore Dave Ostwald City Clerk Mayor