Joint School Board and City Council Work Session

JOINT SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE Monday, January 29, 2024 6:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula called the Joint School Board and Council Work Session at 6:06pm. School Board Members present: Ms. Granlund, Ms. Houle, Ms. Medearis, Ms. Mueller, Ms. Palmer, Ms. Pettway and Superintendent Stenvik School Administration present: Bondo Nyembwe, Bryan Hennekens, Kristen Stuenkel, Sarah Godfrey, Stephanie Alvarez City Council Members present: Mayor Marquez Simula, Councilmember Buesgens, Jacobs, James City Councilmembers absent: Spriggs City Staff present: Lenny Austin, Aaron Chirpich, Renee Dougherty, Kevin Hansen, Sara Ion, Keith Windschitl PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INTRODUCTIONS / ICE BREAKER All council and school board members introduced themselves, as well as school staff and city staff. CITY DEPARTMENT UPDATES A. Police Department Updates and Collaborations. Chief Austin gave information about the successes of the imbedded social worker program and the important impacts that the team has had. Currently there is an opening on the team as one of the social workers is going to assist the City of Fridley Police Department. He also discussed recent hires, and new additions to the PD Team, and stated that from a retention perspective the department is looking very good. Additionally Chief Austin expects that there will be an appointment at the end of February to the BCA program assisting with investigating violent crime reduction unit. Chief Austin also thanked the school district for their partnership. Utilizing the Highlander Center has been instrumental in the success of continuing to connect with the students within the district. They have also started the basketball mentorship program, and overall, it has been successful in connecting with students. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 29, 2024 Joint School Board and City Council Work Session Page 2 Chief Austin let the group know that his retirement date is going to be April 26, 2024. He thanked the Council and School Board for their support. He is very thankful for the teachers in his life, and the impact that education makes. B. Transportation Projects / Updates on Safe Routes to School. Interim City Manager Hansen updated the Council and School Board on the upcoming transportation projects related to alley projects for the next two year, the conclusion of the Central Avenue and University Avenue PEL studies and funding the BRT Line. Additionally, Hansen elaborated on the implementation of the Safe Route to School program that focuses on pedestrian safety and access. There is funding for the project to start in 2024. He highlighted the upcoming sidewalk and crosswalks that are going to be put into place. C. Economic Development / Updates on Pending Redevelopment Projects. Assistant City Manager / Community Development Director Aaron Chirpich gave an update on the pending redevelopment projects. He stated the City continues to work with the developer on the former Rainbow site. Chirpich also clarified that we are still trying to achieve a grocery store in the space. Chirpich also gave an overview of the current evaluation that is underway of the Medtronic site. D. Recreation and Library Upcoming Events and Collaborations. Recreation Director Keith Windschitl discussed the collaboration with the recreation department and physical education department at the school. The gym is shared in many ways. He also elaborated on the afterschool, day off and summer programs that are being offered. Recreation is looking forward to applying for grants and focusing on transportation needs. Library Director Renee Dougherty gave an update on the collaborations that are currently occurring with the school. She thanked the district for partnering with the library for the ESL meetings. Currently the library is seeing these families return to the library to utilize library materials and enrichment programs. Dougherty also highlighted the upcoming spring break programing, and the collaboration with East Side Co op. SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES A. State of The School District Update. Superintendent Zena Stenvik gave a brief update on what is going on at the school, and the focus on Heads, Hearts, and Hands initiative. Stenvik also discussed the strategic planning updates that are occurring. GENERAL DISCUSSION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY COLABORATIONS There was a brief discussion of the things the council and school board hope to work together on in the upcoming months and year. Mueller asked that there be a working group to access the need for the SRO Program returning to the schools. City of Columbia Heights MINUTES January 29, 2024 Joint School Board and City Council Work Session Page 3 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula adjourned the meeting at 8:48pm.