City Council

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council This meeting will be a hybrid of Zoom and in-person. The Mayor has signed a declaration allowing members of the council, staff, and the public to attend the meeting remotely via Zoom as has been done during the COVID-19 pandemic. The council chambers will have limited seating, with audience chairs being set up at least six feet apart. There will be an overflow area where the meeting can be watched in the Cloverleaf Farms Room, also with chairs set up at least six feet apart. Please note that all visitors to city hall are required to wear a face mask while inside the building. Public comments may be submitted prior to the meeting by sending an email to PublicComment@BlaineMN.gov or by calling 763-717-2782 no later than Noon on Monday, July 6. Public comment during the meeting will be taken both remotely via Zoom and in-person in the council chambers. Members of the public can join the Zoom webinar at, https://blainemn.zoom.us/j/99599968252. Tuesday, May 26, 2020 6:00 PM Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, city meetings will now be held as virtual meetings until further notice EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL PURSUANT TO MN STATUTE 13D.04 SUBD 3 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR An emergency meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem Jeppson followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director Erik Thorvig; City Planner Lori Johnson; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Finance Director Joe Huss; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Recreation Manager Nate Monahan; Community Standards Director/Fire Marshall Bob Fiske; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 Present: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais and Councilmember Robertson Absent: 1 - Councilmember Paul 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.-1 PROPOSED PRORATE FOR ON-SALE LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS City Clerk Sorensen stated with the closure of restaurants on March 17 due to COVID-19, staff provided Council with budget impacts should Council direct staff to reduce license fees a prorated amount based on the period for which license holders were not allowed to exercise their license. At previous workshops Council indicated support for a two-month prorated reduction of license renewal fees. With the Governor’s updated executive order limiting restaurants to outdoor seating only, staff reviewed further budget impacts and is recommending a 20% reduction of on-sale licenses. The total reduction amounts to $40,000 and is allowed per Minnesota Statute. Staff reviewed the State Statute with the Council and reported staff is recommending Council approve a fee reduction equal to 20% for all on-sale liquor license renewals for the 2020-2021 license period. Mayor Ryan supported staff’s recommendation. Councilmember Garvais commented he supported the recommendation as well. Moved by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Councilmember Robertson, that Motion No. 20-64, “Proposed Prorate for On-Sale Liquor License Renewals,” be approved. A roll call vote was taken. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais and Councilmember Robertson 4.-2 TEMPORARY OUTDOOR DINING ACCOMMODATION POLICY IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Attachments: Policy 2020 Temporary Outdoor Dining Registration Community Development Director Thorvig stated the Stay at Home order enacted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic has limited restaurants to curbside pickup and delivery. The announcement by the governor’s office on May 20, 2020 allows restaurants to open only outdoor patio spaces to no more than 50 people and social distancing requirements shall be met. The current and anticipated loss of dine-in revenue has caused financial hardship for the city’s restaurants. Staff has City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 become aware of requests that other cities have received from restaurants regarding expansion of outdoor seating areas to achieve a 50-person maximum capacity. Staff believes that the unprecedented situation requires flexibility and is supportive of these requests, but also recognizes that expanding outdoor patio areas into non-traditional areas (sidewalks, parking stalls, etc.) could impact nearby businesses and neighborhoods. Staff understands that restaurants will want to reopen with an expanded outdoor seating area as quickly as possible. Therefore, staff is being proactive by proposing a temporary policy for adoption. Staff reviewed the temporary policy in detail with the Council and recommended approval. It was noted there would be no fee for the application. Staff commented further on the outdoor dining regulations and recommended approval of the temporary accommodation policy. Mayor Ryan stated businesses would have to spend a lot of money in order to prepare their restaurant for outdoor seating, which would come at an expense. He wished there had been a better compromise. Councilmember Jeppson stated she appreciated the language within the policy. She indicated her greatest concern was that handicap parking would be hindered. She feared that all of the restrictions that were in place would cost businesses too much to only be open for 25% of their patrons. Councilmember Garvais agreed this policy may not work for everyone given the costs that would be involved for chair and table rentals. However, for other businesses this policy may assist them in reopening. He commented he would not be opposed to the City Council sending some type of resolution to Governor Walz requesting the reopening of local businesses. He recommended the parking ratios remain liberal and that tents over 400 square feet have the permit fee waived. He also recommended special event license fees being waived for local businesses. Mr. Thorvig reported the parking ratios would be reviewed on a case by case basis. Community Standards Bob Fiske reported tent permits were typically $50. He explained the City could waive the fee but the process would still be followed to ensure the tent meets all safety and fire code requirements. Ms. Sorensen reported the special event permit fee was $200 for a business and was $100 for non-profits and indicated the City could waive this fee should a request be made. Councilmember Robertson thanked staff for working so diligently to show how the City values its small businesses. She appreciated the fact Blaine was doing everything in its power to help its local businesses to remain open. She appreciated City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 the fact staff had worked quickly to create this policy while also streamlining the approval process. She believed this was a good tool to assist local businesses and supported it moving forward. She commented her only frustration was that the City could not do more as she did not want to see any local businesses fail. She indicated the cost to provide outdoor dining would be significant and outdoor service would not be an option for all restaurants. She said she also supported a resolution being drafted from Blaine City Council recommending all local businesses be allowed to reopen. Mayor Ryan commented on how local restaurants have been crippled by this pandemic and feared how these businesses would be impacted if not allowed to fully reopen until September or October. He reiterated the fact that a better compromise should have been made. Councilmember Jeppson agreed a better compromise could have been made but noted the health and safety of Blaine residents also has to be considered. Councilmember Robertson understood but explained across the State local restaurants were working to bring their site into compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health requirements. She indicated business models were changed and restaurants had been preparing to allow for indoor dining. She commented the food service industry was under a tremendous amount of pressure to meet health guidelines. She recommended something be drafted that supports these businesses that were willing and ready to comply with all mandates in order to assist them in reopening. She feared that without further assistance these restaurants would fail. Mayor Ryan supported this recommendation and stated he wanted to see the local restaurants survive this crisis. Councilmember Garvais asked if there was anything else the Council wanted to add to the proposed policy. Councilmember Robertson commented she did not believe the policy needed anything added but wanted the policy to remain flexible. Councilmember Garvais inquired if a separate motion had to be made to amend the policy to waive the tent and special permit fees. City Attorney Sweeney reported a separate motion was not necessary as staff could follow Council direction. Mayor Ryan stated he supported staff being able to administer this policy per Council’s direction. Moved by Councilmember Robertson, seconded by Councilmember Hovland, that Resolution No. 20-73, “Temporary Outdoor Dining Accommodation Policy City of Blaine Page 4 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 in Response to COVID-19,” be approved. A roll call vote was taken. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais and Councilmember Robertson OTHER BUSINESS City Manager Wolfe updated the Council on three separate items. She explained Clear Channel has three billboards on City property and the revenue received from these billboards goes into the Neighborhood Park Improvement Fund. She reported the City receives an estimated $150,000 per year. She indicated she received a request from Clear Channel requesting a 25% reduction in fees. She stated staff does not support this recommendation but requested direction from the Council on how to proceed. Councilmember Swanson stated he did not support the fee reduction. Councilmember Jeppson did not support the fee reduction and commented further on how the City’s parks program was suffering. Mayor Ryan agreed. Council consensus was to not support the fee reduction request from Clear Channel. Ms. Wolfe reviewed quotes with the Council for glass to be used at City Hall at the public counters. She commented further about the safety and security concerns she has at City Hall. She recommended the City Council consider installing glass at any counter where City staff interacts with the public. She reported the expense for the glass could be covered by the Facility Fund. She indicated a portion of the expense may be eligible for CARES Act reimbursement. She requested feedback from the Council on how to proceed with this matter. Councilmember Garvais stated he was not opposed to ballistic level glass being installed. He explained this would assist in protecting City staff. He suggested the cost difference between regular glass and ballistic glass be quoted by staff in the event the CARES Act would assist the City in covering some of the expense. Mayor Ryan asked how many counters the City had that required glass. Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Podany reported the City had six different counters that required glass. Mayor Ryan questioned if these areas were already locked. Public Services City of Blaine Page 5 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 Manager/Assistant City Manager Therres stated this was the case, noting doors were locked but counters were wide open. He explained in the evening a gate is closed over the counters. Councilmember Robertson supported improving safety protocols at City Hall. She explained the message from the City over the past few months has been cost containment and recommended the City be very careful about pursuing building renovations at this time. She indicated the messaging for this expense would have to be very clear and precise. Mayor Ryan stated he supported the safety measures being taken given the large number of access points and open counters at City Hall. Councilmember Swanson explained he could support the ballistic glass but recommended staff receive quotes for both regular glass and ballistic glass in the event the City were able to receive a partial reimbursement. Councilmember Jeppson supported the City having a strong plan as to what this would look like and what the quotes would be for both options (glass versus ballistic glass). She explained she would be frustrated if a significant amount of money was spent on ballistic glass and the glass was torn out in five years due to a remodel. For this reason, she recommended staff have a solid plan in place for the glass installation. Ms. Wolfe explained the need for the glass came about because of the COVID crisis and staff had brought up the ballistic suggestion only because this would improve safety at City Hall. She commented further on how City Hall would be renovated in the next five years and stated two of the counters could have temporary plexi-glass installed given the fact the departments would be shifted in the future. She reported City Hall was not planning to open and explained glass would take up to four weeks to install. She explained she struggled with the cost of ballistic glass, but also understood there were real threats to the building and the safety of her employees. Mayor Ryan asked if ballistic glass would require an audio system to be installed. Mr. Therres commented this would depend on the type of glass. He reported a full enclosure would require a pass through tray and sound panel. Councilmember Robertson questioned what the estimate was for the ballistic glass, pass through trays and sound panels. Ms. Wolfe explained the cost for ballistic glass was $106,000 hand gun protection or $150,000 for rifle protection. She noted Police Chief Podany recommended the ballistic glass be to rifle protection level. Mr. Therres indicated this quote included sound panels and pass through trays. City of Blaine Page 6 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 Ms. Wolfe commented on the beach and asked if it should be fenced off. She reported staff recommends chain link fencing be installed at a cost of $2,000 in order to keep residents out of the beach area. She noted staff supported installation of the boat dock. She requested feedback from the Council on how to proceed with this matter. Mayor Ryan explained there was a lot of people sitting in the parking lot and at the perimeter of the beach. He feared that if the City were to close off the beach there would be a great deal of people gathering in the parking lot. He anticipated that residents would be quite upset if the City were to fence off the beach. Councilmember Robertson agreed people would continue to gather at the beach, even if the City were to close the beach. She expressed frustration with the fact the State had not made a recommendation regarding the beach because this was putting the City in a poor light. She suggested that if the City were to draft a resolution to the governor the beach situation should be included as well as mental health impacts. Councilmember Jeppson stated she would not like to see a chain link fence installed at the beach. She feared this would be a damaging nonverbal statement to Blaine residents. She suggested the City start less restrictive at this time versus installing a metal wall. She explained she would not support the installation of a chain link fence. Councilmember Swanson supported Councilmember Jeppson’s comment and recommended the City start out less restrictive for the time being. He indicated the problem with Blaine’s beach is that if it were to open, people from the entire County would be funneled to it because all other beaches in the County were closed. Mayor Ryan stated he hated to close the beach but he feared people would not be properly distanced if the beach were to open. Councilmember Garvais agreed putting up a fence would make the wrong statement from the City. He indicated he was still trying to find a way to open the beach this year, even if later in the summer. He understood the beach was a draw for the community that was highly utilized by Blaine residents. Mayor Ryan indicated there was a concern about cities taking too many things away and commented on how difficult it would be for families this summer with everything closed. City of Blaine Page 7 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 Recreation Manager Monahan explained Ramsey County beaches were closed for the summer. He noted Anoka County’s unguarded beaches would be open for the summer, but Bunker Beach would remain closed. Ms. Wolfe described how staff was working through different options and staffing models for the beach. She reported staff would continue working through this information as different executive orders are delivered from the Governor. Police Chief Podany summarized no fence will be installed at the beach at this point. He asked if there was a trigger point at which time a fence should be considered. He questioned if proactive patrols should continue at the beach and indicated he would like to give his staff the proper guidance regarding this matter. Mayor Ryan anticipated the beach would remain an issue. He explained he did not want to have two squad cars patrolling the beach all day long. Councilmember Jeppson recommended the beach patrols be complaint based. Police Chief Podany reported the Police Department had four calls at the beach this past weekend. He commented further on the number of calls the City received at the beach last year. Mayor Ryan recommended the volleyball court area be closed. Councilmember Robertson suggested signs be posted at the beach and that all patrols at the beach remain complaint based. She indicated kids are going to be kids and anticipated there would be calls to the beach whether the beach was open or closed. She supported the City allowing residents to use the park responsibly until there was a reason to react otherwise. Ms. Wolfe reported the beach would be signed as closed and a complaint based approach would be used by the Police Department. Councilmember Garvais suggested patrols at the beach be done on bike in order to provide the community with information on the beach being closed. Mayor Ryan stated he supported the boat dock being installed because this would allow residents to canoe and boat this summer. Ms. Wolfe reported staff would monitor the beach and report back to the Council at a future meeting. Ms. Wolfe reported the City would be holding a strategic planning retreat session for staff and Council on Saturday, May 30 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Council supported this meeting date and time. Councilmember Robertson stated she would like staff to draft a resolution for the City of Blaine Page 8 City Council Minutes May 26, 2020 Council to approve and forward to the Governor in support of reopening local businesses. Ms. Wolfe reported if there was general support from the Council a resolution could be drafted by staff for review and approval by the Council at the June 1 meeting. Councilmember Swanson explained he could support a resolution so long as the lives of Blaine residents was also being taken into consideration. Moved by Councilmember Jeppson, seconded by Councilmember Robertson, to hold a Closed Session meeting on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. pursuant to Minnesota State Statute 13D.05 Subd. 3(d) in order to discuss personnel matters. A roll call vote was taken. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais and Councilmember Robertson 6. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councilmember Hovland, seconded by Councilmember Garvais, to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. A roll call vote was taken. Motion adopted unanimously. Aye: 6 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Jeppson, Councilmember Garvais and Councilmember Robertson City of Blaine Page 9