City Council

Maple Grove City Council Meeting Meeting minutes March 4, 2024 Call to order Pursuant to call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Maple Grove City Council was held at 7:30 p.m. on March 4, 2024 at the Maple Grove Government Center/Public Safety Facility, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Members present were Mayor Mark Steffenson and Councilmembers Judy Hanson, Kristy Barnett, Kristy Janigo, and Rachelle Johnson. Absent was none. Present also were Heidi Nelson, City Administrator; Joe Hogeboom, Community and Economic Development Director; Joe Amerman, Economic Development Manager; Chris Labounty, Public Works Director/City Engineer; and Justin Templin, City Attorney. Mayor Steffenson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the city in the Pledge of Allegiance. Additions or Mayor Steffenson asked if there were any additions and/or deletions to the deletions to the consent agenda to which Heidi Nelson stated agenda the following: Item amended to the agenda 6B. Public Hearing – Assessment Hearing 2024 Street Rehabilitation Program – Resolution No. 24-034 Item amended to the consent agenda None Item added to the agenda None Item removed from the consent agenda for discussion None Consent items The following consent items were presented for Council’s approval: Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 2 MINUTES A. Regular meeting – February 20, 2024 B. Work session meeting – February 20, 2024 HUMAN RESOURCES ITEMS C. Appointment of facilities technician Motion to approve the hiring of Keith Peterson to the facility technician position, subject to successful completion of all pre- employment requirements and a 12-month probationary period. D. Recruitment approval for community service officer pt Motion to authorize staff to begin recruitment for the community service officer pt position in the Police Department due to the resignation of Aria Christ, which was accepted with an effective date of March 7, 2024. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ITEMS E. Project Libre TIF development agreement Motion to table TIF development agreement until March 18, 2024. F. Rush Creek Hollow final plat - Resolution No. 24-033 Motion to adopt Resolution No. 24-033 approving Rush Creek Hollow final plat. ENGINEERING ITEMS G. Parkway Station March 2024 license agreement with the Hindu Society of Minnesota Motion authorizing the mayor and city administrator to execute the license agreement between the City of Maple Grove and the Hindu Society of Minnesota for use of the Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 3 Parkway Station on March 8, 2024. H. Sureties - 03-04-24 Motion to approve the surety actions. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS I. Amending Maple Grove City Code Chapter 26, Article II Regarding Organic Recyclables - Ordinance No. 24-02 Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 24-02 amending Maple Grove City Code Chapter 26, Article II Regarding Organic Recyclables. J. Approve transfer of 2023 general fund surplus Approve the following transfers from the 2023 general fund surplus: Reserved for critical building/facility $665,000 improvements and replacements Unfunded equipment needs/new $287,000 equipment part of 2024 budget Sports Dome fund – cover 2023 deficit $50,000 CED software upgrade $58,000 EAB removal/treatment $700,000 Retain for general fund reserve requirements $800,000 Estimated total of transfers $1,782,000 K. Special appropriation application with MN DEED for the Community Center renovation and expansion project Resolution No. 24-036 Adopt Resolution No. 24-036 supporting an application for special appropriation with the Department of Employment and Economic Development for the Community Center renovation and expansion project and authorize the mayor to execute the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. L. Approve claims Motion to approve claims totaling $ 3,037,054.84. Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 4 Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to approve the consent items as presented. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Consideration of None items pulled from the agenda Special business Open forum There were no open forum issues brought before the Council at this meeting. Hennepin County Hennepin County District Court Chief Judge Kerry Meyer District Court thanked the Council for their time. She presented the Council Chief Judge Kerry with a short video that provided detailed information on the Meyer 4th Judicial District. She discussed the work that was done on presentation behalf of the city by the city attorney versus the county attorney. She reported on election night she would have a team of judges available to handle emergency situations. She noted she has close ties with the City of Maple Grove because she serves on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee with Police Chief Werner. She commented on the fines and disbursements that were collected in 2023 and noted $259,770 was reimbursed to Maple Grove. Councilmember Janigo asked how Hennepin County was managing eviction and housing court. Chief Judge Meyer explained filings continue to be very high and reported referees have been dedicated solely to housing in order to manage the cases. Mayor Steffenson thanked Chief Judge Meyer for her tremendous service and for her presentation to the City Council. Hennepin County Hennepin County Commissioner Kevin Anderson addressed the Commissioner Council and discussed items the county was working on that Kevin Anderson were impacting Malpe Grove. He explained he was elected in Presentation 2020 and listed the committees he serves on. He provided an overview of the county’s 2024 budget, noting the largest Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 5 portion went to health and human services. He reported he was proud of the relationship Maple Grove has with the county and noted 21% of the residents in Maple Grove receive social or human services through Hennepin County. He stated the next largest portion of the county’s budget was public safety. He commented on how challenging it was to recruit and retain officers. He discussed how successful the embedded social worker program has been stating the county received 450 referrals from the City of Maple Grove to this program. He commented on the public works projects that would be occurring in 2024. The support the county offers to youth sports was further detailed. He discussed how successful the Maple Grove Library was noting this library was being used for more than just books. He explained the county was pursuing organics recycling noting he would be working with garbage haulers to provide clarity to residents. He indicated he would be working to increase recycled matter in order to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills. Mayor Steffenson thanked County Commissioner Anderson for his support on TH610. He stated he was proud of the fact this roadway would finally be completed. He also thanked County Commissioner Anderson for supporting funding for TH169 and Elm Creek Boulevard. Councilmember Janigo stated she appreciated the multi modal safety plans the county was pursuing for Hemlock Lane and Elm Creek Boulevard. Councilmember Barnett recommended the county make the organics recycling program simpler or more streamlined in order to encourage participation and to reduce the costs that are being passed along to residents. County Commissioner Anderson agreed the haulers were taking advantage of citizens at this time. He reported the county does not contract with garbage haulers and noted he would continue to engage and work with haulers. He stated making the program simpler was the goal. Councilmember Barnett commented on how difficult it was for the city to put rules in place to meet the county’s mandate regarding organics recycling. Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 6 Mayor Steffenson thanked County Commissioner Anderson for his presentation and for his efforts on behalf of the City of Maple Grove. Public hearings Public hearing City Administrator Nelson requested the council consider an on-sale intoxicating / Sunday sale liquor license application for On-sale Dancing Ganesha. She reported this property had a beer and intoxicating – wine license and was now requesting a full liquor license. She Sunday sale explained all necessary paperwork and fees have been liquor license for submitted to the city and staff recommended approval of the Dancing Ganesha request. Anthony Fernances, Manager for Dancing Ganesha, introduced himself to the Council and thanked the Council for considering his request. Mayor Steffenson encouraged Mr. Fernances to properly train his employees to ensure sales do not occur to underaged or overly intoxicated individuals. He reported the city provides alcohol training sessions through the Maple Grove Police Department. Motion by Councilmember Hanson, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to open the public hearing. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Mayor Steffenson opened the public hearing at 8:09 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember Hanson, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to close the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Hanson, to approve the on-sale intoxicating - Sunday sale liquor license for S & G Dining LLC, dba Dancing Ganesha, 11628 Fountains Drive, Maple Grove, Minnesota, Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 7 subject to compliance with liquor licensing requirements in Chapter 4, Article I of the City Code, with said license to expire June 30, 2024. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public hearing Public Works Director/City Engineer Labounty stated Project 24-01 consists of local streets in the 101st Avenue Area (16 Assessment single family detached units proposed to be assessed), Project hearing 24-02 consists of local streets in the Centennial Crossings, Willow Bend, and Pond Hollow Area (167 single family 2024 detached units and 68 single family attached units proposed to rehabilitation be assessed), and Project 24-07 consists of local streets in the program Dalton Commons, Cranberry Meadows, Longstreet Apartments, and Centennial Crossings Area (11 single family Resolution No. detached units and 259 single family attached units proposed 24-034 to be assessed). He explained there was an amendment to the resolution related to Project 24-07, and an assessment has to be amended. It was noted this would require another assessment hearing to be held on April 1, 2024. He reported he would still go through his entire presentation and allow for comments from the public. Staff described the work that would be done within the proposed street improvement projects, reviewed the city’s special assessment policy and recommended the Council take comments from the public at this time. Councilmember Hanson stated historically, the special assessment interest rate has been 4% and staff was proposing this increase to 5%. She asked why this rate increased. Public Works Director/City Engineer Labounty explained this rate was set based on the city’s ability to bond within the current year and includes an administrative fee. Councilmember Hanson thanked staff for holding neighborhood meetings for these street improvement projects and for posting information online for these projects for residents. Councilmember Janigo questioned if the increases in assessments, over last year’s projects, were due to increases in labor and material costs. Public Works Director/City Engineer Labounty reported the proposed assessments were the Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 8 engineers estimate for construction. Councilmember Janigo thanked staff for holding neighborhood meetings and for providing residents with a detailed presentation on the proposed street improvements. Motion by Councilmember Hanson, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to open the public hearing. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Mayor Steffenson opened the public hearing at 8:22 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. Dean Prabakar, 8993 Garland Lane North, explained he objected to the street improvement project and the assessment that would be charged to his property. He commented on how he was impacted by a layoff last year and explained the assessment would impose a large burden on his family. Motion by Councilmember Hanson, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to close the public hearing at 8:25 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Hanson, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adopt Resolution No. 24-034 as amended ordering 101st Avenue Area Project No. 24-01 and Centennial Crossings, Willow Bend, and Pond Hollow Area Project No. 24-02 adopting the special assessments against benefitted lands, ordering plans, approving plans and authorizing advertisement for bids. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Hanson, to adopt Resolution No. 24-037 establishing hearing, declaring costs to be assessed, ordering preparation of assessment roll, ordering special assessment hearing, amending feasibility reports, ordering plans, approving plans and authorizing advertisement for bids for the Dalton Commons, Cranberry Meadows, Longstreet Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 9 Apartments, and Centennial Crossings Area Street Reconstruction Project No. 24-07. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Public hearing Economic Development Manager Amerman stated the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program 2024 Community provides funding to local jurisdictions to help address certain Development challenges related to providing housing and employment Block Grant options for persons of low and moderate income levels. The Funds Allocation statute authorizing the CDBG program requires that at least Plan 70% of the funds be used for activities benefiting very low and low income persons, such as affordable housing. Additionally, Resolution No. no more than 15% of the allocation can be used for social 24-035 service activities. Staff commented further on the city’s proposed allocations to the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust (WHAHLT), the city’s affordable scattered site program, and Hennepin County’s housing rehabilitation program. Staff recommended approval of the proposed allocation plan. Motion by Councilmember Janigo, seconded by Councilmember Barnett, to open the public hearing. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Mayor Steffenson opened the public hearing at 8:32 p.m. and asked if anyone would like to address this issue. No public testimony was offered. Motion by Councilmember Barnett, seconded by Councilmember Hanson, to close the public hearing at 8:33 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Councilmember Janigo stated she appreciated the great work that was accomplished by the CDBG funding. She was proud the city had 28 affordable homes available for income qualified families. She stated she would like to see even more homes available. She indicated she also appreciated the scattered site homes that were available to Maple Grove residents. She commended the city and staff for being good stewards of the Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 10 CDBG funding. Motion by Councilmember Barnett, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adopt Resolution 24-035 approving the 2024 Community Development Block Grant funds allocation plan. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Community and economic development items Adjourn to EDA Mayor Steffenson adjourned the City Council meeting to the meeting EDA meeting at 8:35 p.m. Reconvene to Mayor Steffenson reconvened the regular City Council meeting regular meeting at 8:36 p.m. Report on Community and Economic Development Director Hogeboom upcoming updated the Council regarding the following: community and economic  The Planning Commission would meet next on Monday, development March 11. items Engineering- public works items Report on Public Works Director/City Engineer Labounty had no updates upcoming for the Council. engineering items Administration items City goals 2024- City Administrator Nelson explained the Council and directors 2026 team met on Saturday, January 27 for a strategic planning session. She reviewed the city goals for years 2024 through 2026. Staff commented on the goals further with the Council Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 11 and recommended approval. Councilmember Barnett stated she supported the well- rounded list of goals. She appreciated the city’s commitment to commercial property owners, to residents through exploration of the pavement reconstruction plan and to the city’s employees. She explained she supported the proposed goals. Motion by Councilmember Barnett, seconded by Councilmember Janigo, to approve the goals for 2024-2026 for the City of Maple Grove. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. Report on City Administrator Nelson explained that the Council has her upcoming Monday report if there are any questions. She stated the administration Presidential Nomination Primary would be held on Tuesday, items March 5 and polls would be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Maple Grove. She then provided the Council with a legislative update, noting a number of Councilmembers would be attending the League of Minnesota Cities Day on the Hill on Thursday, March 7. She provided the Council with a brief overview on the Missing Middle Housing Bill and asked if the Council supported staff submitting a letter to legislators regarding the concerns staff has with this bill. Mayor Steffenson indicated he had a lot of fundamental concerns regarding this bill. He believed the Council was elected to address local concerns, especially when it came to housing projects. He wanted to see the public continuing to have the opportunity to have input on housing projects. He stated he was also concerned with the fact the bill didn’t properly address safety and utility concerns. He did not understand the origins of this bill, but he believed the bill was misconceived. Councilmember Hanson agreed with the Mayor’s comments. She believed the proposed bill undermines local control, especially when it came to safety issues and public input. Councilmember Janigo explained she understood where this bill was coming from because there has not been enough Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 12 affordable housing for decades. She anticipated the city would have to be persuasive in order to get its point across. She encouraged staff to share success stories on how affordable housing has been created in Maple Grove and recommit to the cause of not having enough affordable housing. She stated she supported the letter being sent on behalf of the city. Councilmember Barnett indicated the authors of this bill have not taken into consideration the costs that would be incurred by cities to fix infrastructure and the problems that would be created in communities. She stated this would negatively impact all residents. She did not support the legislature rushing a bill through that was short sighted and did not solve the long- term objectives they are trying to achieve. She commented on how current residents have invested in Maple Grove through home ownership based on a design and community that has been developed. She explained if the state were to come in and change all of the design requirements, these properties would be devalued. She did not believe this was fair to any resident who has invested in a home to lose on their investment. She recommended certain controls remain in place and that cities be allowed local control over how their neighborhoods and housing develops. She wanted to ensure that residents were properly represented where they live. Councilmember Johnson explained she supported the letter noting there were many concerning issues within the bill. She feared the bill did not take into consideration every city was very unique and has unique challenges. She indicated the Met Council has already approved land use and zoning for Maple Grove and she would like a partnership mentality to continue versus the state taking control of these issues. She believed the most power should be closest to the people. Councilmember Janigo indicated there were ways the city could get creative in the future such as with accessory dwelling units. She supported the Council discussing ADU’s at a future work session meeting. Items added to None the agenda Adjournment Motion by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Maple Grove City Council Minutes March 4, 2024 Page 13 Councilmember Barnett, to adjourn to the regular City Council meeting on March 18, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Upon call of the motion by Mayor Steffenson, there were five ayes and no nays. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. by Mayor Steffenson. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Nelson City Administrator