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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-26 City Council Meeting Minutes MINUTES MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M. Monday, June 26, 2023 City Hall, Council Chambers Meeting No. 12-23 A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the City Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Mayor Abrams. th Mayor Abrams recognized the 75 anniversary of the St Paul’s Monastery and Benedictine Center by reading a proclamation at their festival, and shared their history and contributions to the community. B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE C. ROLL CALL Marylee Abrams, Mayor Present Rebecca Cave, Councilmember Present Kathleen Juenemann, Councilmember Absent Chonburi Lee, Councilmember Present Nikki Villavicencio, Councilmember Present D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Lee moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All The motion passed. E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. June 12, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Councilmember Lee moved to approve the June 12, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. June 12, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes Councilmember Lee moved to approve the June 12, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 1 The motion passed. F. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 1. Administrative Presentations a. Council Calendar Update City Manager Coleman gave an update to the council calendar and reviewed other topics of concern or interest requested by councilmembers. 2. Council Presentations None 3. Presentation of Police Officer Medal of Special Commendation Awards Public Safety Director Bierdeman explained the situation resulting in the Medal of Special Commendation. Officers James Quirk and Connor Salchow, and Sergeants Joe Demulling and Brian Tauzell were presented with the Maplewood Police Departments Medal of Special Commendation. No action required. 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. Councilmember Cave moved to approve agenda items G1-G7. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 1. Approval of Claims Councilmember Cave moved to approve the approval of claims. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: $ 398,889.64 Checks # 110919 thru # 110954 dated 6/13/23 $ 359,583.23 Checks # 110955 thru # 110990 dated 6/20/23 $ 420,157.77 Disbursements via debits to checking account dated 06/05/23 thru 06/18/23 $ 1,178,630.64 Total Accounts Payable June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 2 PAYROLL Payroll Checks and Direct Deposits $ 702,204.32 dated 6/09/23 $ 702,204.32 Total Payroll $ 1,880,834.96 GRAND TOTAL Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 2. Resolution to Maintain Statutory Tort Liability Limits Councilmember Cave moved to approve the resolution to maintain statutory tort liability limits. Resolution 23-06-2218 RESOLUTION TO MAINTAIN THE STATUTORY TORT LIMITS FOR LIABILITY INSURANCE PROPOSED WHEREAS, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust annually requests member cities to make an election to waive or not waive the tort liability limit established by Minnesota Statutes 466.04; and WHEREAS, the City has three choices: to not waive the statutory limit, to waive the limit but to keep insurance coverage at the statutory limit, and to waive the limit and to add insurance to a new level; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Maplewood hereby elects to not waive the statutory tort liability limit established by Minnesota Statutes 466.04. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 3. Resolution to Conduct Off-Site Gambling for Merrick, Inc., July 4th Celebration at Hazelwood Park, 1663 County Road C East Councilmember Cave moved to approve the Resolution to Conduct Off-Site Gambling for Merrick, Inc. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 during the July 4th Celebration. Resolution 23-06-2219 RESOLUTION FOR CITY APPROVAL TO CONDUCT OFF-SITE GAMBLING WITHIN CITY LIMITS, MERRICK, INC WHEREAS, Merrick, Inc. has submitted an Application to Conduct Off-Site Gambling th at the July 4 Celebration at Hazelwood Park, 1663 County Road D East in Maplewood, MN 55109; and June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 3 WHEREAS, the off-site gambling will take place during the July 4th Celebration on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, that Application to Conduct Off-Site Gambling is approved for Merrick, Inc. during the date stated above. FURTHERMORE, that the Maplewood City Council requests that the Gambling Control Board approve said permit application as being in compliance with Minnesota Statute §349.213. NOW, THEREFORE, be it further resolved that this Resolution by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, be forwarded to the Gambling Control Board for their approval. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. Resolution Adopting the Maplewood Fair Housing Policy Councilmember Cave moved to approve the resolution adopting the Fair Housing Policy for the City of Maplewood. Resolution 23-06-2220 RESOLUTION ADOPTING FAIR HOUSING POLICY WHEREAS, federal and state law and policies promote equal housing opportunities for all persons and prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, national original or disability; and WHEREAS, the city of Maplewood (the “City”), as a recipient of federal, state and other governmental grants for housing, is obligated to certify that it will affirmatively advance fair housing within the City; and WHEREAS, to promote fair housing practices and opportunities, the City has drafted a Fair Housing Policy which, among other things, specifies the external and internal practices in which the City will engage to further fair housing for all citizens; and WHEREAS, the City appoints the City Manager or designee as the individual responsible for the implementation and administration of the Fair Housing Policy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS: 1. The Fair Housing Policy in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A aligns with the City’s strategic priorities and is hereby adopted. 2. The City Manager or designee is directed to post a copy of the Fair Housing Policy on the City’s website and take such other actions as appropriate to June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 4 advertise and make the Fair Housing Policy known to the public and other interested parties. 3. The City Manager or designee is directed to implement the Fair Housing Policy by taking such actions and initiatives as appropriate in all housing opportunities and development activities funded in whole or in part by the City. 4. The City Manager or designee is directed to review the Fair Housing Policy and City code periodically and recommend to the city council any amendments or additions to the same as deemed advisable. Exhibit A City of Maplewood Fair Housing Policy 1. Purpose and Vision Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act (Fair Housing Act) establishes federal policy for providing fair housing throughout the United States. The intent of Title VIII is to assure equal housing opportunities for all citizens. Further, the City of Maplewood, as a recipient of federal community development funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, is obligated to certify that it will affirmatively further fair housing within the City’s municipal boundary. The City of Maplewood is committed to meeting this obligation and has created this Policy to further that goal. 2. Fair Housing Policy Statement It is the policy and commitment of the City of Maplewood to ensure that fair and equal housing opportunities are granted and available to all persons in all housing opportunities and development activities funded in full or in part by the City regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, national origin or disability. This will be done through external policies that provide meaningful access to all constituents including fair housing informational and referral services; and through internal practices and procedures which affirmatively further fair housing throughout Maplewood. 3. External Practices a. Intake and Referral The City of Maplewood has designated the City Manager or designee as the responsible authority for the intake and referral of all fair housing complaints from city residents. At a minimum, the City Manager or designee will be trained in state and federal fair housing laws, the complaint process for filing discrimination complaints, and the state and federal agencies that handle such complaints. The date, time, and nature of the fair housing complaint and the referrals and information given by the city will be fully documented and archived for record-keeping purposes. Additionally, the City Manager or designee will monitor city activities, policies, resolutions and ordinances which could have an effect on fair housing and raise issues and concerns to the City Council where appropriate or necessary. June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 5 b. Meaningful Access. Online Information: The City of Maplewood will display information about fair housing and contact information prominently displayed on its website. The website will have links to various fair housing resources, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and others as well as links to state and federal fair housing complaint forms. In addition, the City will post the following document on its website:  Americans with Disabilities Act Pedestrian Facilities Transition Policy  The State of Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan c. In-Person Information. The City of Maplewood will provide in-person fair housing- information including:  A list of fair housing enforcement agencies  A FAQ of Fair Housing Law  Fair Housing Complaint forms d. Languages. The City of Maplewood is committed to providing information to all residents of the city, regardless of language. Therefore, the City of Maplewood will strive to provide information covering this Policy and others listed above in the most frequently spoken languages other than English spoken in the community. 4. Internal Practices The City of Maplewood commits to the following steps to promote awareness and competency regarding fair housing issues in all of its government functions. a. Staff and Officials Training. The City will regularly train its staff and officials on fair housing considerations, including working with people with disabilities and limited English proficiency constituents. b. Housing Analysis. The City will review its housing inventory periodically to examine the affordability of both rental and owner-occupied housing to inform future City actions in regard to housing affordability issues. c. Code Analysis. The City will review its municipal code periodically, with specific focus on ordinances related to zoning, building and occupancy standards, to identify any potential for disparate impact or disparate treatment. June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 6 d. Project Planning and Analysis. City planning functions and development review will consider housing issues, including whether potential projects may perpetuate segregation or lead to displacement of protected classes. e. Community Engagement. The City commits to ongoing community engagement efforts including seeking input from underrepresented populations in the community. The City commits to having robust conversations with the community regarding potential housing projects, zoning or land use changes, and any other land use planning decisions. f. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. From time to time, the City may receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or other federal funding through Ramsey County. Recipients of federal funds are obligated to affirmatively further fair housing. The City agrees to consider recommendations by the regional Fair Housing Implementation Council (FHIC) for potential integration into City planning documents, including the Comprehensive Plan and other related documents. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Grant Agreement, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative’s Multifamily Housing Project, 1375 Frost Avenue Councilmember Cave moved to approve the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council and authorize the mayor and city manager to execute the document. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. Reimbursement Agreement and Release of Claims for 2693 Red Splendor Circle East Councilmember Cave moved to enter into a cooperative agreement with Ramsey County and further authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign the cooperative agreement. Minor revisions as approved by the City Attorney are authorized as needed. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio Ayes – All The motion passed. 7. Memorandum of Agreement with Century College for Clinical Internships with the City of Maplewood June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 7 Councilmember Cave moved to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Century College and the City of Maplewood. Seconded by Councilmember Villavicencio 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. EDA Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17 a. Public Hearing b. Resolution Approving Modification of the Development District Program for Development District No. 1 and the Tax Increment Financing Plan for Tax Increment Financing District 1-17 Community Development Director Parr gave the staff report. Schane Rudlang, with Ehlers, gave the presentation. Mayor Abrams opened public hearing. The following people spoke: Kevin Schmidt – 1800 Phalen Place Kim Schmidt – 1800 Phalen Place Kathryn Johnson – 1835 Phalen Place Mayor Abrams closed the public hearing. Councilmember Villavicencio moved to approve the Resolution Approving Modifications of the Development District Program for Development District No. 1 and the Tax Increment Financing Plan for Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17. Resolution 23-06-2221 RESOLUTION APPROVING MODIFICATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 AND THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 1-17 BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota as follows: Section 1. Recitals. 1.01. The City Council of the city of Maplewood (the “City”) established the Maplewood Economic Development Authority (“MEDA”) to promote development and redevelopment within the community. 1.02. On July 22, 2019 the City adopted a modified Enabling Resolution for MEDA, giving it the authority of an economic development authority under Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.090 through 469.1081 (the “EDA Act); of a housing and redevelopment authority under Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.001 through 469.047 (the “HRA Act”); and of June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 8 a city under Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.124 through 469.133 (the “City Development Districts Act”). 1.03. In response to a proposal to redevelop the properties at 1136 and 1160 Frost Avenue E and adjacent land on Phalen Place N on which exist a structurally substandard building and other improvements, MEDA determined to establish a tax increment financing district. 1.04. MEDA and the City investigated the facts and caused to be prepared a modification to the Development District Program (the “Development Program”) for Development District No. 1 (the “Project”) and a tax increment financing plan (the “TIF Plan”) for Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17 (the “TIF District”), describing the assistance which may be provided to encourage redevelopment within the Project. 1.05. All actions required by law to be performed prior to the adoption of the modified Development Program and the TIF Plan and establishment of the TIF District have been performed, including approval of the TIF Plan by MEDA at its meeting on June 26, 2023. 1.06. MEDA and the City notified Ramsey County and Independent School District No. 622 of the public hearing on the modified Development Program and TIF Plan to be held before the City Council on June 26, 2023. 1.07. The modified Development Program and TIF Plan are contained in a document entitled “Modification to the Development District Program, Development District No. 1 and Tax Increment Financing Plan for Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17, (a redevelopment district)”, prepared by Ehlers and on file at Maplewood city hall. 1.08. The City Council has fully reviewed the contents of the modified Development Program and TIF Plan and has on June 26, 2023, conducted a public hearing thereon at which the views of all interested persons were received orally or in writing. Section 2. Findings Relating to the Adoption of the Modified Development Program. 2.01. The City finds that the modified Development Program, which consists of the inclusion of an additional tax increment financing district, continues to be consistent with the City’s comprehensive plan and other plans for the community. 2.02. The City finds that the adoption of the modified Development Program will promote redevelopment of property within the Project and is in the vital interests of the community as a whole. Section 3. Findings Relating to the Establishment of Tax Increment Financing District No. 1- 17. 3.01. The City finds and determines that it is necessary and desirable for the sound and orderly development of the Project and of the community as a whole, and for the protection and preservation of the public health, safety, and general welfare, that the authority of the TIF Act be exercised by MEDA and the City to establish Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17. June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 9 3.02. The City further finds and determines, and it is the reasoned opinion of the City, that the redevelopment proposed in the TIF Plan for the TIF District could not reasonably be expected to occur solely through private investment within the reasonably foreseeable future and that the increased market value of the land within the TIF District that could reasonably be expected to occur without the use of tax increment financing would be less than the increase in the market value estimated to result from the proposed redevelopment, after subtracting the present value of the projected tax increments for the maximum duration of the TIF District, and that therefore the use of tax increment financing is necessary to assist the project. 3.03. The expenditures proposed to be financed through tax increment financing are necessary to permit MEDA and the City to realize the full potential of the Project in terms of development intensity, diversity of uses and tax base and to facilitate the redevelopment of land and provide additional market rate housing within the City’s Gladstone area, which is consistent with the City’s plans for the Gladstone area and the comprehensive plan. 3.04. The TIF Plan will afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs of the City as a whole, for redevelopment of the Project by private enterprise. The one principal building within the TIF District is structurally substandard and parcels representing at least 70% of the area within the TIF District are improved within the meaning of Minnesota Statutes, section 469.174, subd. 10. 3.05. The TIF Plan conforms to the general plan for the development and redevelopment of Maplewood as a whole. The developer’s plans to add housing and increase the mix of uses in the Gladstone area is fully consistent with the city’s area and comprehensive plans. 3.06. The City has relied upon the written representations made by the developer, review of the developer’s proforma and other financial information by Ehlers, the opinions and recommendations of City staff, and the personal knowledge of the members of the City Council in reaching its conclusions regarding the TIF Plan and the establishment of the TIF District. The City also reviewed a Property Condition Assessment report prepared for MEDA by LHB, Inc. dated March 11, 2022 and entitled “Frost Avenue East TIF District”. 3.07. TIF District No. 1-17 is a redevelopment tax increment financing district within the meaning of Minnesota Statutes, section 469.174, subd. 10(a)(1). In preparing its report, LHB, Inc. reviewed the property to be included within the TIF District regarding the condition of the principal building located thereon. The report, which was prepared after an interior and exterior inspection of the building, establishes that the building is structurally substandard, that parcels representing at least 70% of the area are improved and, accordingly, that the TIF District qualifies as a redevelopment tax increment district. A copy of this report will be retained at city hall for the duration of the TIF District. 3.08. Additional reasons and supporting facts regarding the fundings required by Minnesota Statutes, section 469.175, subd. 3 are included in Appendix C: Findings Including Best/For Qualifications to the TIF Plan and are hereby incorporated into this resolution as if fully set forth herein. June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 10 Section 4. Approval of Modified Development Program and Tax Increment Financing Plan; Establishment of Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17. 4.01. The modified Development Program for Development District No. 1 is hereby approved. 4.02. The TIF Plan for TIF District No. 1-17 is hereby approved, as adopted by MEDA. Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-17 is hereby established. 4.03. The Executive Director of MEDA is authorized and directed to instruct Ehlers to transmit a certified copy of this resolution together with a certified copy of the modified Development Program and the TIF Plan to Ramsey County with a request that the original tax capacity of the property within TIF District No. 1-17 be certified to MEDA pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 469.177, subd. 1 and to file a copy of the modified Development Program and the TIF Plan for TIF District No. 1-17 with the Minnesota department of revenue. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes – All The motion passed. I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None J. NEW BUSINESS None K. AWARD OF BIDS None L. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Abrams adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m. Andrea Sindt, City Clerk June 26, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 11