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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-23 City Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M. Monday, March 23, 2026 City Hall, Council Chambers Meeting No. 06-26 A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the City Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 7:05 p.m.by Mayor Abrams. Mayor Abrams reflected on the great clean-up of the recent snowstorm by the public works department and spring arriving. B. 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 The following was added to Council Presentations Maplewood Mall City Clean-Up Climate Mitigation Heading Home Ramsey Gun Range Update Councilmember Lee moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. March 09, 2026 City Council Workshop Minutes Councilmember Cave moved to approve the March 09, 2026 City Council Workshop Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. March 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 1 Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the March 09, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Councilmember Cave 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. Mayor Abrams asked council for support for Maplewood joining the worldwide platform, Just Serve, which connects people with volunteer opportunities. Council supported the suggestion and instructed staff to create a proclamation. 2. Council Presentations Maplewood Mall Councilmember Lee gave a shout out to Maplewood Mall for hosting a recent wrestling match and encouraged residents to visit the mall. City Clean-Up Councilmember Juenemann reminded residents that Spring Clean-up will be at Aldrich Arena on April 25. Climate Mitigation Councilmember Juenemann shared the climate mitigation plan is on the city website and residents may review and comment on the plan there. Heading Home Ramsey Councilmember Villavicencio shared attending the Heading Home Ramsey meeting and shared some of the responsibilities and topics they focus on. Gun Range Update Mayor Abrams gave an update there will be a meeting taking place with Ramsey County and the City of St Paul before the end of the month. 3. Summarize Conclusions of the City Manager Performance Evaluation Mayor Abrams gave a summary of City Manager Sable’s performance evaluation of the past year and upcoming goals. City Manager Sable provided comments. No action required. March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 2 4. Resolution for Commissioner Appointments City Manager Sable gave the staff report. Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the resolution appointing candidates to respective commissions. Resolution 26-03-2476 RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA: Hereby appoints the following individuals, who the Maplewood City Council has reviewed, to be appointed to the following commission or board: Environmental & Natural Resources Commission Deborah Schneiderman term expires September 30, 2029 Heritage Preservation Commission Joel Peiffer term expires April 30, 2028 Parks & Recreation Commission Frank Marchio term expires April 30, 2029 Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. Resolution for Commissioner Reappointments City Manager Sable gave the staff report. Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the Resolution for Commissioner Reappointments. Resolution 26-03-2477 RESOLUTION FOR COMMISSIONER REAPPOINTMENTS BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA: Hereby reappoints the following individuals to the indicated commissions and boards for terms as specified: Community Design Review Board Ananth Shankar term expires April 30, 2028 Environmental & Natural Resources Commission David Lates term expires September 30, 2028 Ted Redmond term expires September 30, 2028 March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 3 Heritage Preservation Commission Richard Currie term expires April 30, 2028 David Hughes term expires April 30, 2028 Parks & Recreation Commission Jason DeMoe term expires April 30, 2028 Kimii Porter term expires April 30, 2028 Planning Commission John Eads term expires December 31, 2027 Allan Ige term expires December 31, 2027 Tushar Desai term expires December 31, 2028 Tom Oszman term expires December 31, 2028 Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – Mayor Abrams Councilmember Cave Councilmember Juenemann Councilmember Villavicencio Abstain – Councilmember Lee 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. Agenda items G3 and G8 were highlighted. Councilmember Cave moved to approve agenda items G1-G10. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 1. Approval of Claims Councilmember Cave moved to approve the approval of claims. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: $ 681,170.42 Checks # 125158 thru # 125179 dated 3/10/26 $ 95,916.87 Checks # 125180 thru # 125223 dated 3/17/26 $ 568,285.35 Disbursements via debits to checking account dated 3/02/26 thru 3/15/26 March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 4 $ 1,345,372.64 Total Accounts Payable PAYROLL $ 830,633.90 Payroll Checks and Direct Deposits dated 3/13/26 $ 830,633.90 Total Payroll $ 2,176,006.54 GRAND TOTAL Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. Criminal Justice Data Network a. Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Maplewood on Behalf of its City Attorney b. State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement for Criminal Justice Data Network c. Court Data Services Subscriber Amendment to CJDN Subscriber Agreement Councilmember Cave moved to approve the Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Maplewood on behalf of its City Attorney – Prosecution Services. Resolution 26-03-2478 RESOLUTION APPROVING STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ON BEHALF OF ITS PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the City of Maplewood, MN on behalf of its Prosecuting Attorney and Police Department desires to enter into Joint Powers Agreements with the State of Minnesota, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to use systems and tools available over the State’s criminal justice data communications network for which the City is eligible. The Joint Powers Agreements further provide the City with the ability to add, modify and delete connectivity, systems and tools over the five-year life of the agreement and obligates the City to pay the costs for the network connection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota as follows: 1. That the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements by and between the State of Minnesota acting through its Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the City of Maplewood on behalf of its Prosecuting Attorney and Police Department, are hereby approved. 2. That the Director of Public Safety, Brian Bierdeman, or his or her successor, is designated the Authorized Representative for the Police Department. The March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 5 Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the City’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State. 3. That the Prosecuting Attorney, Martin Norder, or his or her successor, is designated the Authorized Representative for the Prosecuting Attorney. The Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the City’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State. 4. That Marylee Abrams, the Mayor for the City of Maplewood, and Andrea Sindt, the City Clerk, are authorized to sign the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. Councilmember Cave moved to approve the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement for Criminal Justice Data Network. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. Councilmember Cave moved to approve the Court Data Services Subscriber Amendment to CJDN Subscriber Agreement. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 3. Resolution Accepting Donation from Meyer Family and Friends Councilmember Cave moved to approve the resolution accepting the donation made by Meyer family and friends in the amount of $1,661.82 for a new bench with bronze plaque to be installed at the Maplewood Nature Center. Resolution 26-03-2479 EXPRESSING ACCEPTANCE OF AND APPRECIATION OF A DONATION TO THE MAPLEWOOD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the Meyer family and friends of Hannah Signe Meyer, have presented to the Maplewood Public Works Department a donation in the amount of $1,661.82 for the installation of a park bench with a bronze plaque at the Maplewood Nature Center; and WHEREAS, this donation is being made in memory of their daughter, Hannah Signe Meyer; and WHEREAS, the Maplewood City Council is appreciative of the donation. March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, that: 1. The donation is accepted and acknowledged; and 2. The donation will be used to install a bench with a bronze plaque at the Maplewood Nature Center in memory of Hannah Signe Meyer. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. LHB Professional Services Agreement for Phase 2 Harvest Park Improvements Councilmember Cave moved to approve the Professional Services Agreement with LHB for the Phase 2 Harvest Park Improvements and direct the Mayor and the City Manager to sign the agreement. Minor revisions as approved by the City Attorney are authorized as needed. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. Four Seasons Tennis Court Replacement Councilmember Cave moved to approve the replacement of two tennis courts in Four Seasons Park and authorize the City Manager and the Mayor to enter into an agreement with ACI Asphalt & Concrete Inc. for construction services in the amount of $94,958. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. Purchase of Fleet Mechanics Tool Sets Councilmember Cave moved to approve the purchase of three fleet mechanics tool sets and direct the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract with Snap-On Industrial under MN State Contract #244406 in the amount of $58,903.99. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 7. DNR Local Trail Connections Grant Councilmember Cave moved support to apply for the DNR Local Trail Connections Grant. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 7 8. MnDOT Trunk Highway 5 Improvements, City Project 25-10 a. Resolution Entering into a Cooperative Construction Agreement b. Resolution Approving Amendment #1 of Limited Use Permit # 6230- 0224 Councilmember Cave moved to approve the resolution authorizing the City of Maplewood to enter into a cooperative construction agreement, with MnDOT, Ramsey County, and the City of Maplewood, for improvements to Trunk Highway 5. The Mayor and City Manager are authorized to sign said agreement signifying council approval. Minor revisions as approved by the City Attorney are authorized as needed. Resolution 26-03-2480 RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING ENTERING INTO MnDOT COOPERATIVE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT 1059129 WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is leading a roadway improvement project on Trunk Highway 5 (TH5); and WHEREAS, MnDOT, Ramsey County, and the City of Maplewood wish to entered into Cooperative Construction Agreement for the proposed improvements of the TH5 project; and BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Maplewood enter into MnDOT Agreement 1059129 with the State of Minnesota MnDOT and Ramsey County for the following purpose: 1. To provide for payment by the City to the State of the City's share of the costs of the City utility and signal construction and other associated construction to be performed upon, along, and adjacent to Trunk Highway 5 from 528 feet south of Minnehaha Avenue to 651 feet north of Stillwater Avenue East under State Project 6230-33 (TH 5=045). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to execute and enter into MnDOT Cooperative Construction Agreement 1059129. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. Councilmember Cave moved to approve the resolution authorizing the City of Maplewood to enter into Amendment #1 to the limited use permit, with MnDOT and the City of Maplewood, to include the proposed trail which will be constructed as part of the Trunk Highway 5 improvements. The Mayor and City Manager are authorized to sign the agreement signifying council approval. Minor revisions as approved by the City Attorney are authorized as needed. Resolution 26-03-2481 AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER AMENDMENT #1 OF LIMITED USE PERMIT 6230-0224 March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 8 WHEREAS, the City of Maplewood entered into Limited Use Permit No. 6230- th 0224 with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation on February 13, 2023 for the following purposes: To provide for the maintenance and use by the City of Maplewood upon, along, and adjacent to Trunk Highway No. 5 and the limits of which are defined in said Limited Use Permit. BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Maplewood enter into Limited Use Permit No. 6230-0224 Amendment 1 with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation for the following purpose: 1. To provide for the maintenance and use by the City of Maplewood upon, along, and adjacent to Trunk Highway No. 5 and the limits of which are defined in said Limited Use Permit. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to execute and enter into the Limited Use Permit Amendment #1 (Permit No. 6230-0224). Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 9. Blood Services Agreement with Health Partners Laboratories Councilmember Cave moved to approve the Blood Services Agreement with Health Partners Laboratories. Seconded by Councilmember Lee Ayes – All The motion passed. 10. Purchase of Police Radios Councilmember Cave moved to approve the police radio purchase. Seconded by Councilmember Lee 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. None I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None J. NEW BUSINESS March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 9 1. Resolution of Support for the Revised Bronze Line Locally Preferred Alternative City Manager Sable gave the presentation and answered questions of council. Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the resolution of support for the revised Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Bronze Line BRT project. Resolution 26-03-2482 RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE REVISED LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council (Council) and Ramsey County (County) are jointly funding and leading the design and construction of the METRO Bronze Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project (Project) in partnership with Metro Transit (an operating division of the Council), the cities of Saint Paul and Maplewood (Municipalities), and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT); and WHEREAS, community outreach and engagement has been and will continue to be a major focus as the Project progresses through the preliminary engineering, environmental review, final design, and construction phases; and WHEREAS, this reimagined project, shown in Figure 1, builds upon the former Purple Line project with a renewed focus on community, safety, accessibility, and improved transit connections; and WHEREAS, the Council has completed a Route Modification Study (Study) to identify a new northern terminus (Phase 1) and evaluate an alternate alignment north of Maryland Avenue (Phase 2) for the Project in response to actions taken by the White Bear Lake and Maplewood City Councils; and WHEREAS, on December 11, 2025, the Project’s Corridor Management Committee recommended to the Council and County a revised Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Project; and WHEREAS, the overall revised LPA consists of a 10-mile route between Union Depot in downtown Saint Paul and the Maplewood Mall Transit Center with 22 stations; and WHEREAS, the revised LPA between on White Bear Avenue between Larpenteur Avenue and Beam Avenue, and on Beam Avenue between White Bear Avenue and Southlawn Drive in Maplewood is consistent with coordination with the City of Maplewood over the past year. The project definition in this area includes: 6 new stations, including improvements at the existing Maplewood Mall Transit Center, and a full pavement reconstruction between Frost Avenue and Beam Avenue. The full pavement reconstruction will replace existing elements such as existing curb and gutter, median islands, and roadway pavement. The full pavement reconstruction will not reconfigure the roadway for such changes as converting lanes to bus lanes, adding new medians or changing the geometry at intersections. Any sidewalk additions or improvements outside of the existing facilities will need approval from County and City before completing design. Buses will operate in existing lanes with other vehicles, March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 10 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota: 1. The City of Maplewood supports adoption of the revised Locally Preferred Alternative recommendation for the METRO Bronze Line BRT Project into the Imagine 2050 Transportation Policy Plan, the region’s long-range transportation plan. 2. The City of Maplewood supports the implementation of the stations in the planned locations and the full pavement reconstruction between Frost and Beam avenues in Maplewood; and 3. The City of Maplewood commits to working collaboratively with the Metropolitan Council and Ramsey County to resolve technical issues through the engineering and design process; and 4. That this resolution adopted by the City of Maplewood be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council and Ramsey County for their consideration. THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Figure 1: METRO Bronze Line Project Map (December 2025) March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 11 Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. 2026 Maplewood Street Improvements, City Project 25-21 a. Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Advertising for Bids b. Resolution Ordering Preparation of Assessment Roll Public Works Director Love gave the staff report. Councilmember Lee moved to approve the resolution approving plans and specifications and advertising bids for the 2026 Maplewood Street Improvements, City Project 25-21. Resolution 26-03-2483 RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISING FOR BIDS CITY PROJECT 25-21 WHEREAS, following a resolution passed by the City Council on January 26, 2026, plans and specifications for 2026 Maplewood Street Improvements, City Project 25-21, have been prepared under the direction of the City Engineer and presented to the City Council for approval. March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 12 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota: 1. Such plans and specifications are hereby approved and ordered placed on file in the office of the City Engineer. 2. The City Clerk or office of the City Engineer shall prepare and publish an advertisement for bids in the official paper and Finance and Commerce based on the approved plans and specifications for the improvement. The advertisement shall be published twice, at least twenty-one days before the date set for bid opening, shall specify the work to be done, shall state that bids will be opened electronically via QuestCDN and considered at 10:00 a.m. on April 28, 2026. Bids shall be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond, payable to the City of Maplewood, Minnesota for five percent of the amount of such bid. 3. The City Clerk and City Engineer are authorized and instructed to receive and open bids received at the time and place herein noted, and to tabulate the bids received. The City Council will consider the bids, and the award of a contract, at the regular City Council meeting of May 11, 2026. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes – All The motion passed. Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the resolution ordering preparation of assessment roll for the 2026 Maplewood Street Improvements, City Project 25-21. Resolution 26-03-2484 RESOLUTION ORDERING PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL CITY PROJECT 25-21 WHEREAS, the City Clerk and City Engineer will receive bids for the 2026 Maplewood Street Improvements, City Project 25-21. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota: 1. The City Clerk and City Engineer shall calculate the proper amount to be specially assessed for such improvement against every assessable lot, piece or parcel of land abutting on the streets affected, without regard to cash valuation, as provided by law, and they shall file a copy of such proposed assessment in the city office for inspection. 2. The City Clerk shall notify the City Council upon completion of such proposed assessment. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All The motion passed. K. AWARD OF BIDS None March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 13 L. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Abrams adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Andrea Sindt, City Clerk March 23, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes 14