Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-10 City Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M. Monday, November 10, 2025 City Hall, Council Chambers Meeting No. 21-25 A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the City Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Mayor Abrams. Mayor Abrams referred to the swearing-in ceremony of two sergeants held during the workshop as one of the many wonderful things happening in Maplewood. B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Boy Scout Troop 461 members James Williams, Theo McLaughlin, Connor Reinholz, Jake Henslin and Joe Boros led the council in the pledge of allegiance. C. ROLL CALL Marylee Abrams, Mayor Present Rebecca Cave, Councilmember Present Kathleen Juenemann, Councilmember Present Chonburi Lee, Councilmember Present Nikki Villavicencio, Councilmember Present D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Consent Agenda item G4 a-d was removed from the agenda. The following items were added to the agenda under Council Presentation: Trash and Recycling Cans Councilmember Cave moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Councilmember Jueneman Ayes – All The motion passed. E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. October 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes F1a Council Calendar Update was corrected from “City Manager Sable” to “Assistant City Manager Darrow”. Councilmember Lee moved to approve the October 27, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes as amended. November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 1 Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. F. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 1. Administrative Presentations a. Council Calendar Update City Manager Sable gave an update to the council calendar and reviewed other topics of concern or interest requested by councilmembers. 2. Council Presentations Councilmember Juenemann reminded residents to keep trash and recycling cans up on the curb and out of the way of snowplows with the upcoming snow season. 3. Resolution of Appreciation for Sue Vento Councilmember Lee moved to table the resolution of appreciation honoring Sue Vento until the distinguished guest can be present. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed G. CONSENT AGENDA – Items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and non- controversial and are approved by one motion of the council. If a councilmember requests additional information or wants to make a comment regarding an item, the vote should be held until the questions or comments are made then the single vote should be taken. If a councilmember objects to an item it should be removed and acted upon as a separate item. Consent Agenda item G4 a-d was removed from the agenda. Councilmember Cave moved to approve agenda items G1-G3 and G5-G7. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. 1. Approval of Claims Councilmember Cave moved to approve the approval of claims. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: $ 640,432.24 Checks # 124487 thru # 124546 dated 10/28/25 $ 2,139,404.72 Checks # 124547 thru # 124576 November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 2 dated 11/04/25 $ 491,205.26 Disbursements via debits to checking account dated 10/20/25 thru 11/02/25 $ 3,271,042.22 Total Accounts Payable PAYROLL $ 788,971.25 Payroll Checks and Direct Deposits dated 10/24/25 $ 788,971.25 Total Payroll $ 4,060,013.47 GRAND TOTAL Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. ClearGov Subscription Renewal and Service Order Amendent Councilmember Cave moved to approve the ClearGov software subscription renewal and Service Order Amendment. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. 3. Resolution Certifying Delinquent Accounts Receivable, Sewer Service Line Repairs, and Tree Removals Councilmember Cave moved to approve the resolution certifying delinquent accounts receivable, sewer service line repairs, and tree removals to the County Auditor. Resolution 25-10-2442 Resolution Certifying Delinquent Accounts Receivable and Miscellaneous Assessments to the County Auditor RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify to the Auditor of Ramsey County the following delinquent accounts, totaling $296,041.21 for collection with the customers property taxes payable in 2026 and subsequent years, as specified, including interest at the appropriate rate on the total amount. Delinquent trash collection bills $138,952.89 Delinquent miscellaneous bills $22,141.72 Sewer service line assessments $76,353.73 Tree removal assessments $58,592.87 Seconded by Councilmember Ayes – All November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 3 The motion passed. 4. Collective Bargaining Agreements a. AFSCME (2026-2028) b. IAFF Fire Fighters (2026-2028) c. IAFF Fire Captians (2026-2028) d. LELS Local 173 Police Sergeants (2026-2027) This item was removed from the agenda. 5. Resolution Approving 2026 Pay Rates for Temporary/Seasonal and Casual Part-Time Employees Councilmember Cave moved to approve the resolution for temporary/seasonal and casual part-time employees’ payrates effective January 1, 2026. Resolution 25-10-2443 2026 PAY RATES RESOLUTION TEMPORARY/SEASONAL & CASUAL P/T EMPLOYEES WHEREAS, according to the Minnesota Public Employees Labor Relations act, part-time employees who do not work more than 14 hour per week and temporary/seasonal employees who work in positions that do not exceed 67 days in a calendar year, or 100 days for full-time students, are not public employees and are therefore not eligible for membership in a public employee union. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota 1. The following pay ranges and job classifications are hereby established for temporary/seasonal, casual part-time employees effective January 1, 2026. Accountant $16.00 - 30.00 per hour Accounting Technician $16.00 - 22.00 per hour Administrative Assistant $16.00 - 23.00 per hour Background Investigator $35.00 - 45.00 per hour Building Inspector $16.00 - 35.00 per hour CSO $16.00 - 25.00 per hour Election Judge $16.00 - 25.00 per hour Fire Maintenance Engineer $16.00 18.00 per hour Fire/EMS Cadet $16.00 - 25.00 per hour Gardener $16.00 - 25.00 per hour Intern $16.00 - 25.00 per hour IT Technician $16.00 - 20.00 per hour Laborer $16.00 - 20.00 per hour Recreation Worker $16.00 - 30.00 per hour 2. This resolution will supersede previous resolutions setting pay rates for these pay classifications; and November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 4 3. The City Manager shall have the authority to set the pay rate within the above ranges. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. T-Mobile Plan Renewal Councilmember Cave moved to approve the T-Mobile plan renewal. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. 7. Fixed Price Fuel Program for 2026 Contract Fuel Purchases Councilmember Cave moved to direct the Mayor and City Manager to authorize the Utility and Fleet Superintendent to enter into a contract with the State of Minnesota Fixed Price Fuel Program for 2026 fuel purchases. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS – If you are here for a Public Hearing please familiarize yourself with the Rules of Civility printed on the back of the agenda. Sign in with the City Clerk before addressing the council. At the podium please state your name and address clearly for the record. All comments/questions shall be posed to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor will then direct staff, as appropriate, to answer questions or respond to comments. 1. Special Assessment of Abatement Costs, 1830 Howard Street North a. Public Hearing b. Resolution Adopting Assessment Related to the Cost of Abating Hazardous/Nuisance Conditions Community Development Director Parr gave the staff report. Mayor Abrams opened public hearing. The following people spoke: None Mayor Abrams closed the public hearing. Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the resolution adopting assessment related to the costs of abating the hazardous/nuisance conditions located at 1830 Howard Street North. Councilmember Lee moved a friendly amendment to include the recommended language from Ramsey County. November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 5 Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All The friendly amendment passed. Resolution 25-10-2444 RESOLUTION ADOPTING ASSESSMENT RELATED TO THE COSTS OF ABATING THE HAZARDOUS/NUISANCE CONDITIONS LOCATED AT 1830 HOWARD STREET NORTH WHEREAS, on February 12, 2024, the Maplewood City Council passed Resolution No. 24-02-2288 (the “Resolution”); and WHEREAS, the Resolution established that the vacant single-family dwelling located at 1830 Howard Street North, Maplewood, Minnesota (the “Abandoned Structure”) was hazardous, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 463.15, and unsafe, as defined in Minnesota Rules, section 1300.0180; and WHEREAS, the Resolution also established that the exterior of the property located at 1830 Howard Street North, Maplewood, Minnesota was a public nuisance due to the presence of a junk vehicle and the accumulation of other rubbish and debris; and WHEREAS, the Resolution directed staff to finalize and serve an abatement order (the “Order for Abatement”) on the owner of the subject property pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 463 and Maplewood City Code, chapter 18; and WHEREAS, by Order dated September 3, 2024 (the “Court Order”), which granted the City’s motion for default judgment, the District Court determined that the Order for Abatement met all statutory requirements and was properly served on all interested parties; and WHEREAS, in the Court Order, the Court expressly authorized the City and its contractors to enter onto the subject property pursuant to state and local law to enforce the Order for Abatement by razing the Abandoned Structure, removing and disposing of all personal property, and restoring the subject property to a safe and vacant condition, and that the City’s costs in doing so may be recovered by the City in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 463.21 and Maplewood City Code, section 18-37; and WHEREAS, subsequently, the City’s contractor, Goodmanson Construction, Inc. (the “Contractor”), entered onto the subject property and razed and removed the Abandoned Structure pursuant to the authority granted in the Court Order (the “Abatement Work”) and WHEREAS, the City is in receipt of invoices related to the Abatement Work from the Contractor and associated utility providers, which included the demolition and removal of the Abandoned Structure and all necessary site restoration work, and the City has paid such invoices; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 463.21 and Maplewood City Code, section 18-37 authorize the City to recover those costs by means of a special assessment against the subject property in the manner provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 429.061 to 429.081; and November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 6 WHEREAS, pursuant to proper notice duly given as required by law and in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapters 429 and 463, along with Maplewood City Code, chapter 18, the City Council has met, heard, and passed upon all objections to the proposed assessment against the subject property. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD, AS FOLLOWS: 1. The proposed assessment roll, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof, is reasonable and is hereby accepted and shall constitute the special assessment against the subject property specified therein. Not only is such assessment reasonable, but the subject property is hereby found to be benefited by the associated work in the amount of the assessment levied against it. 2. The owner of the property so assessed may, at any time prior to certification of the assessment to the county auditor, pay the whole of the assessment on such property, with interest accrued to the date of payment at the rate of 5.5 percent per annum from the date of the adoption of the resolution, to the city, except that no interest shall be charged if the entire assessment is paid within 30 days from the adoption of this resolution. 3. If the assessment is not paid in full within 30 days of the date of this resolution, the city clerk is directed to transmit a certified duplicate of this assessment to the county auditor to be extended on the Pay 2026 property tax list of the county. The assessment shall be collected and paid over in the same manner as other municipal taxes. Such assessment shall be payable in one installment and shall bear interest at the rate of 5.5 percent per annum from the date of the adoption of this assessment resolution until December 31, 2026. EXHIBIT A Assessment Roll for the Abatement of the Hazardous/Nuisance Conditions Located at 1830 Howard Street North, Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota ASSESSMENT ROLL Project: Number of Years: Hazardous/Nuisance Property 1 Abatement at 1830 Howard St N st 1 Assessed Year: Interest Rate: 2026 5.5% Property Property Assessment PID # Owner(s) Address Amount Karen M 1830 Howard 142922410021 $41,656.65 Haraldsen St N Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All The motion passed. November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 7 I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Budget Presentation – Police Department Public Safety Director Bierdeman gave the presentation. Council shared comments and asked questions. City Manager Sable provided additional reflections. No action required. 2. Award of 2026 Charitable Gambling Funds City Manager Sable gave the staff report. Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the proposed charitable gambling awards for 2026 as listed. Recommended Organization Award Environment & Natural Resources and Safety Programs Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary $ 6,867.20 Friends of Maplewood Nature Center $ 7,300.00 Justice Allan Page Elementary School $ 5,832.80 Total: $ 20,000.00 Social Supports and Senior Citizen Services Common Bond Communities $ 5,000.00 Gladstone Senior Program $ 5,000.00 Maplewood Monarchs Special Olympics Delegation $ 2,000.00 Merrick Community Services $ 2,900.00 Twin Cities Pet Rescue $ 2,853.80 Woodland Hills Church - The Corner Shelf $ 2,246.20 Total: $ 20,000.00 Youth Programs and Community Engagement & Events Cross Lutheran Church $ 2,800.00 Hmong Tuj Lub Association, INC $ 3,000.00 Karen Football Association $ 1,700.00 Maplewood Area Historical Society $ 1,600.00 Path of Grace UMC $ 1,900.00 Phillipine Center of MN $ 2,600.00 The Salvation Army Lakewood $ 6,400.00 Total: $ 20,000.00 November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 8 Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. J. NEW BUSINESS 1. On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor and Sunday Sales License for Taco Shop Maplewood LLC, dba The Taco Shop Maplewood, 1275 County Road D East City Clerk Sindt gave the staff report. Inti Martinez-Aleman, legal counsel with Angel Ruleas Castellano, owner of The Taco Shop Maplewood, addressed council and provided additional information. Councilmember Cave moved to approve the On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor and Sunday Sales License for Taco Shop Maplewood LLC, dba The Taco Shop Maplewood, 1275 County Road D East, Suite 105. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. Design Review and Parking Waiver Resolution, Seven Brews Coffee, 2982 White Bear Avenue North Community Development Director Parr gave the presentation. Andrew Commers, Maple Branch, LLC, addressed council and shared additional comments. Councilmember Lee moved to approve a design review and parking waiver resolution for a drive-thru coffee stand at 2982 White Bear Avenue North, subject to certain conditions of approval. Resolution 25-10-2445 DESIGN REVIEW AND PARKING WAIVER RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, as follows: Section 1. Background. 1.01 Seven Brews Coffee has requested approval for a design review and a parking waiver to construct a drive-thru coffee stand on the property located at 2982 White Bear Avenue North. 1.02 The property located at 2982 White Bear Avenue North is legally described as: That part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 2, Township 29, Range 22, lying Easterly of the center line of White Bear Avenue and lying Northerly of the following described line and its Easterly and Westerly extensions: Commencing at said Northeast corner of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter; thence South 00 degrees 56 minutes 16 seconds East, along said East line of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, a distance of 174.51 feet to the point of beginning of said line; thence South 89 degrees 03 minutes 44 seconds West, a distance of711.79 feet to the center line November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 9 of White Bear Avenue as described in Document No. 1813704 and there terminating. Together with the benefit of the easements created pursuant to Operation and Easement Agreement dated August 23, 1999, recorded August 26, 1999 as Document Number 3265663 and First Amendment filed May 25, 2011 as Document Number 4281218. PIN: 022922240019 Section 2. Site and Building Plan Standards and Findings. 2.01 City ordinance requires that the community design review board make the following findings to approve plans: 1. That the design and location of the proposed development and its relationship to neighboring, existing, or proposed developments and traffic is such that it will not impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood; that it will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring, existing or proposed developments; and that it will not create traffic hazards or congestion. 2. That the design and location of the proposed development are in keeping with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and are not detrimental to the harmonious, orderly, and attractive development contemplated by this article and the city's comprehensive municipal plan. 3. That the design and location of the proposed development would provide a desirable environment for its occupants, as well as for its neighbors, and that it is aesthetically of good composition, materials, textures, and colors. 2.02 The community design review board reviewed this request on October 21, 2025, and voted to approve it. 2.03 The proposal meets the specific findings for design review approval. Section 3. City Council Action. 3.01 On November 10, 2025, the City Council discussed this resolution. They considered reports and recommendations from the Community Design Review Board and City staff. 3.02 The above-described site and design plans are hereby approved based on the findings outlined in Section 2 of this resolution. Subject to staff approval, the site must be developed and maintained in substantial conformance with the design plans. Approval is subject to the applicant doing the following: 1. If the city has not issued a building permit for this project, repeat this review in two years. 2. The proposed building requires a building permit, and it must be constructed to meet the minimum requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code. November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 10 The permit plans must address the code requirements as outlined in the building review comments. 3. The site requires 207 parking stalls, and the project will necessitate the removal of 34 parking stalls. However, a parking waiver has been approved, allowing the site to have a total of 173 parking stalls. The city must approve any additional changes to the site plan to alter parking. 4. The applicant must submit a plan review application to the environmental health official and obtain an annual food license. 5. The applicant must satisfy the requirements in the engineering review memo by Jon Jarosch, dated October 10, 2025. 6. Per city ordinance standards, all mechanical equipment and trash receptacles shall be screened from the view of all residential properties and adjacent public streets. 7. Before the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit for staff approval the following items: a. The applicant shall provide the city with a cash escrow or an irrevocable letter of credit for all required exterior improvements. The amount shall be 150 percent of the cost of the work. b. The applicant must provide a tree preservation plan and a revised landscape plan as outlined in the environmental review comments. c. The canopy structure cannot extend over the property line. The applicant can prepare an easement for the encroachment, which must be provided to the city for review, or apply to adjust the south lot line so that the canopy does not encroach over the lot line. d. A copy of all shared agreements for the property and the neighboring properties. The property must have a cross-access and shared parking agreement in place with the adjacent properties. e. An updated lighting plan, including architectural plans, a detailed description of each luminaire, and a site plan showing the light spread at the property lines. The elevations must show the location of wall-mounted lighting. 8. The applicant shall complete the following before occupying the building: a. Replace any property irons that were removed because of this construction. b. Provide continuous concrete curb and gutter around the parking lot and driveways. November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 11 c. Install all required landscaping and an in-ground lawn irrigation system for all landscaped areas. d. Install all required outdoor lighting. e. Install all required sidewalks and trails. 9. If any required work is not done, the city may allow temporary occupancy if: a. The city determines that the work is not essential to public health, safety, or welfare. b. The City of Maplewood holds the above-required letter of credit or cash escrow for all required exterior improvements. The owner or contractor shall complete any unfinished exterior improvements by June 1 of the following year, provided occupancy of the building occurs in the fall or winter, or within six weeks of occupancy if it occurs in the spring or summer. 10. All work shall follow the approved plans. The director of community development may approve minor changes. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. K. AWARD OF BIDS None L. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Abrams adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m. Andrea Sindt, City Clerk November 10, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes 12