CCM 07/13/2020
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF FRIDLEY
JULY 13, 2020
The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lund
Councilmember Ostwald
Councilmember Tillberry
Councilmember Eggert
Councilmember Bolkcom
OTHERS PRESENT: Wally Wysopal, City Manager
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
PROCLAMATION:
Parks & Recreation Month – July 2020
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. City Council Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2020.
APPROVED.
NEW BUSINESS:
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-35 Calling for a Public Hearing on the Issuance of
Educational Facilities Revenue Notes and Authorizing the Publication of a Notice of the
Hearing (Totino-Grace High School Project).
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2020-35.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-36 Ordering Preparation of Preliminary Report, Plans, and
Specifications for 2021 Street Rehabilitation Project No ST2021-01.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2020-36.
4. Receive Bids and Award the 2019 Street Rehabilitation Project No. ST2019-01.
RECEIVED BIDS AND AWARDED PROJECT NO. ST2019-01.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 13, 2020 PAGE 2
5. Approve Metropolitan Stormwater Agreement Grant between the City of Fridley and
the Metropolitan Council.
APPROVED.
6. Licenses.
APPROVED.
7. Claims: (ACH PCard 2006; 189319-189544).
APPROVED.
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
Mayor Lund commented on Item No. 4, as there were high expectations from the neighborhood
for changes in the road and to be assured they would get a trail connection. Staff will check and
see if this connection will be made.
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the proposed consent agenda as presented.
Seconded by Councilmember Tillberry.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OPEN FORUM, VISITORS:
No one from the audience spoke.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by
Councilmember Tillberry.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS:
8. Adopt Resolution No. 2020-37 Repealing and Rescinding Resolution No. 2019–77 and
Requesting Conveyance of Tax Forfeit Property at no Cost to the City of Fridley.
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, stated this resolution would rescind the
resolution Council passed asking the County for the Citco site. After the request was sent in, the
value of the property was $128,000. If the intent was to develop this property, they are asking the
city to compensate some value for the land. The plan is to add this property as an amenity to the
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 13, 2020 PAGE 3
University Avenue project to have open space along the corridor and add safety at the intersection.
This resolution would repeal the previous resolution to use this property for public purpose and
the County would give an endorsement to go to the Commissioner of Revenue to use the land at
no cost.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if the City would absorb the cost on this site.
Mr. Hickok replied the cost is shared by jurisdictions and would be divided up and recovered in
taxes. Everyone will from benefit from this corridor clean-up and the statute would support the
City getting the land at no cost.
Mayor Lund asked what the City’s portion was from the loss of taxes.
Mr. Hickok replied $17,000 plus the taxes owed on the property. It is very optimistic that the
County would take that loss and the City would be able to use this for public purpose.
Mayor Lund said he understood the City would get the land at no additional cost, but asked if the
City would be locked into only using this for public purpose.
Mr. Hickok replied that it would not be impossible to develop this land, but at that time, the value
would need to be determined and staff would go back in good faith to determine the value. The
City had $82,000 in 8100 East River Road and staff would remind the County that we gave that
up to help remove blight and clean up the contaminated property. When that property went tax
forfeit, the City did not get any of those funds back.
Councilmember Bolkcom said she thought this was a great purpose for this property, as this is
what was heard from people during the corridor study. Hopefully the City can recover some of
the other costs.
Councilmember Eggert stated that this is what the people want to make an impact in the
community.
Mr. Hickok said this will be sent to the next County Board meeting. Once we receive a positive
recommendation from the County Board, it will go to the Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue
for approval.
MOTION by Councilmember Tillberry to Adopt Resolution No. 2020-37. Seconded by
Councilmember Ostwald.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Receive Bids and Award the Trunk Highway 47 Fencing and Landscaping Project.
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, stated this project is along Trunk Highway 47 between
thth
37 Avenue and 69 Avenue. This project is in the 2019-2024 Capital Investment Plan and is
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 13, 2020 PAGE 4
scheduled for 2020. In 2019, the City Council, staff, and residents actively participated in a
planning effort to envision and identify improvements along Trunk Highway 47 in Fridley. This
effort resulted in a summary report presented to the City Council on June 24, 2019. Included in
the recommendations were improvements to enhance safety and improve our corridor aesthetics.
Mr. Kosluchar said in 2019, City staff discussed plans with MnDOT for replacement and removal
of the existing Trunk Highway 47 right-of-way fencing in Fridley, which has fallen into disrepair.
The City Council subsequently approved Resolution 2019-29 which was a disposition for fencing,
segments identified for removal, replacement with alternate buffers and replacement with fencing.
MnDOT completed plans. The fencing will be largely removed in Fridley by our staff and replaced
with black chain link in Columbia Heights by a contractor. Plans include enhanced landscaping
in Fridley. Plantings are native perennials or ornamental grass. Plantings will be directed largely
to medians, including small caliper trees. He said MnDOT will fund the project for fencing
replacement up to $844,000. This will require an agreement amendment to increase the project
amount, working with MnDOT staff on the process.
Mr. Kosluchar said the City has requested performing in-kind services to administer project
(reimbursable), fencing and tree removal (in-kind reduction of cost), and the segment at Rice Creek
to remain. Bids opened on July 7, 2020. The estimate was $644,910.82 and two bids were
received. The low bid was received from Hoffman & McNamara Co. of Hastings, Minnesota, in
the amount of $510,523.30, 20.8% below estimate.
Mr. Kosluchar stated staff requests the City Council move to receive the bids per the attached bid
tabulation and award the Trunk Highway 47 Fencing and Landscaping Project to Hoffman &
McNamara of Hastings, Minnesota, in the amount of $510,523.30. If the City Council approves
this motion, staff will issue a notice of award to the contractor, and upon acceptable submittals,
issue the construction contract for signature. Further, staff will begin working with MnDOT to
allow additional investment of project savings in the corridor.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if this could be completed this year, given the limited staff and
tight timeline.
Mr. Kosluchar replied the project deadline is June 30, 2021. To facilitate getting the vegetative
buffer planted, they may have to plant segment by segment, but changes will be seen this year.
Councilmember Bolkcom thought this would be a great addition and the area can only look better.
Mayor Lund was surprised there were only two estimates.
Mr. Kosluchar replied there were 4 to 5 prime bid holders and he was also surprised to only see
two. Hoffman & McNamara is the right size company for this project.
Mayor Lund asked if the in-kind staff work would be deducted from this bid.
Mr. Kosluchar replied the in-kind staff work is already factored into the total with no out-of-
pocket funds from the City.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 13, 2020 PAGE 5
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to receive bids and award the Trunk Highway 47 Fencing
and Landscaping Project to Hoffman & McNamara Co. of Hastings, Minnesota. Seconded by
Councilmember Tillberry.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Approve the Roadway Major Maintenance Final Policy for the City of Fridley.
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director, stated the Street Capital Projects Fund supports general
street improvement projects with Municipal State Aid (MSA) and special assessments, among
other funding sources. Since 2009, the fund allowed reconstruction of about 2.76 miles per year,
or enough for the City to rehabilitate all local roads every 40 years. The City requires about
$1,025,000 annually to support street projects. The programming surrounding the fund remains
quite successful with respect to replacement. However, it does not allow the City to easily respond
to changes in public policy such as fulfilling the goals of the ADA transition plan.
Mr. Kosluchar said the City Council guided staff to further analyze five possible revenue strategies
to support the planned activities for the Street Capital Projects Fund. The City Council also
expressed a desire to expand, not otherwise limit, the capital project supported by the fund.
Following several discussions, the City Council adopted a fund projection that included the use of
the property tax levy and local government aid to support activities in the Street Capital Projects
Fund. The proposed 2021 CIP also assumes a $549,000 increase in special assessments due to
change in major roadway assessments.
Mr. Kosluchar stated the proposed policy changes include eliminating the width for assessment
on residential streets, updating project engineering, oversight and administration to include a
minimum of 15% of construction, correcting minor typographical errors and providing clarity.
These policy changes were tested on recent projects, with results ranging in special assessment
increases from 10% to 16%. The City’s policy still allows relatively modest special assessments
for major roadways projects in comparison to other major cities.
Mr. Kosluchar said staff requests the City Council to approve the Roadway Major Maintenance
Financing Policy, incorporating the changes shown. If Council approves such a motion, staff will
begin applying the updated policy to current and future projects.
MOTION by Councilmember Eggert to approve the Roadway Major Maintenance Final Policy
for the City of Fridley. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Informal Status Reports.
Councilmember Bolkcom said people can vote in the primary at City Hall or by absentee ballot.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 13, 2020 PAGE 6
Councilmember Ostwald said the census was extended until October. If you have not completed
your census, please fill it out. It is very important for the community as it determines the funding
we will receive for the next 10 years.
ADJOURN:
MOTION by Councilmember Ostwald to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Eggert.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Krista Peterson Scott J. Lund
Recording Secretary Mayor