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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-23 CC WS & CC Minutes - Approved CITY OF CENTERVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, LOCAL BOARD OF APPEAL & EQUALIZATION, AND COUNCIL MEETING April 23, 2025 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City of Centerville held their City Council Work Session, Local Board of Appeal & Equalization, and Council Meeting. The Work Session took place prior to the City Council meeting, commencing at 5 p.m. The Council held their regular City Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m., in Council Chambers and the meeting was live streamed by North Metro TV. WORK SESSION (5:00 PM) I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Golden called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 1. Roll Call PRESENT: Mayor Nancy Golden Council Member Russ Koski Approved Council Member David Kubat Council Member Darrin Mosher (Via Zoom) Council Member Anita Rios Junior Council Member Sophia Wynn (Non-Voting) ABSENT: None STAFF: Interim City Administrator, Athanasia Lewis City Attorney, Kurt Glaser II. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Irrigation at LaMotte Park Interim City Administrator Lewis reviewed the issue with the current Storm Water Irrigation Reuse Equipment located at the park and reviewed the quote. The council requested additional bids/quotes for repair. This item will be returned for additional discussion and action by Council later. 2. Brian Drive Pond Interim City Administrator Lewis informed the Council of action that had been taken by the previous Council, status of resident willingness for participation in lowering of the pond (2/4), and the two residents that were not in favor of the project were present. Both residents (1922 & 1932 Eagle Trail) provided reasoning for their unwillingness to be assessed or have the project go forward. They stated that they utilize the pond for ice skating, that their yards would be affected the greatest with infrastructure being installed between their yards and disruptions associated with removing (i.e. fencing, irrigation, planter box, electrical equipment and trees). Both residents felt that the property owners of 6996 Brian Drive purchased the home, being fully aware of the backyard situation, as they previously lived next door. Both residents felt that measures could be taken by the property owners of 6996 Brian Drive on their own accord (i.e. pond liner, re-enforcement of the foundation, etc.) City of Centerville City Council Work Session, LBAE & Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025 Council direction was to forward certified letters to all four residents that abutted the pond (6996 Brian Drive, 1922, 1932 and 1940 Eagle Trail) informing them of the status of the proposed project (signed agreements, lack of signed agreements, engineering services in-house versus contracted services with the former Engineer no longer being with the City, implications to property owners and how to proceed) along with providing the property owners of 6996 Brian Drive an opportunity to appear before Council. Letters were forwarded to all property owners involved on May 14, 2025. 3. Procedures for Council Vacancy City Attorney Glaser reviewed the information contained in Council’s packet. Brief discussion took place as no resignation had been received to date. Mayor Golden adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. allowing for a five-minute break prior to the regularly scheduled Council meeting. COUNCIL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Golden called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 1. Roll Call PRESENT: Mayor Nancy Golden Council Member Russ Koski Council Member David Kubat Approved Council Member Darrin Mosher (Via Zoom) Council Member Anita Rios Junior Council Member Sophie Wynn (Non-Voting) ABSENT: None STAFF: Interim City Administrator, Athanasia Lewis City Attorney, Kurt Glaser II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Golden stated that one member of the audience had requested to speak to Council. Mr. Derek Lind, Anoka County Election Integrity Team (ACEIT), Ramsey, provided the council with a handout and he reviewed the material. He stated that they were concerned that the e-poll pads that have been utilized since 2018 by Anoka County municipalities had not received proper procedures for purchase, not voted on by the County or the municipalities and that he was concerned that the city could be held liable. He stated that these devices are utilized on election day for signing in electronically rather than on a paper roster. He stated that two municipalities, the cities of Oak Grove and Ramsey have cancelled their poll Page 2 of 6 City of Centerville City Council Work Session, LBAE & Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025 pad agreements with Anoka County. He clarified that the City of Oak Grove does not want to utilize the poll pads at all and he stated that the City Attorney for Ramsey has stated that the agreement from 2018 with Anoka County is a very one-sided agreement. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Golden provided an opportunity for others to add or delete any items. Interim City Administrator Lewis stated that she would like several changes to be made and that they were as follows: Remove IX. New Business, Item #1, Irrigation at LaMotte Park and Item #2, Request for Proposal for Planning Services. Motion by Council Member Rios seconded by Council Member Kubat to Approve the Agenda as presented. Roll Call: Mayor Golden, Council Members, Koski, Kubat, Mosher and Rios. Motion carried. IV. APPOINTMENTS & PRESENTATIONS 1. None V. PUBLIC HEARING Mayor Golden opened the public hearing at 6:44 p.m. 1. Local Board of Appeal & Equalization Interim City Administrator Lewis stated that the Council is bestowed with the duties of acting as the Local Board of Appeal & Equalization along with contracted Assessors, Ms. Mary Wells, Misters Erik Skogquist (Commercial/Industrial/Apartments) and Chris Larson (Residential). Interim City Administrator Lewis introduced Ms. Wells. Ms. Mary Wells appeared before the Council and introduced herself to them. She stated that Mr. Erik Skogquist and Diana Stellmach, Senior Manager, Commercial/Industrial/Anoka County were present, but Mr. Larson was unable to attend. Ms. Wells reviewed her presentation that was included in Council’s packet. Ms. Wells addressed the processes and timelines associated with setting the 2025 market values for taxes payable in 2026, State and County requirements, qualified and unqualified sales (59 with 48 being “qualified” similar to last year), sales periods utilized (October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024), inspections of properties being every five years, permits issued, new construction, changes in values from 2024 to 2025 in property types. She briefly discussed interactions (six) with residential property owners and (one) with a commercial property owner throughout the year. Ms. Wells answered several questions from Council Members. Ms. Wells stated that she received one appeal and explained the process. She stated that if the assessors resolve the concern of the property owner prior to 10 days prior to this evening’s meeting, the board does not need to be involved in the decision, and they make the decision, but if it is within the less than a 10-day period, it needs to be read into the minutes. She stated that she would like for the Council’s support of their decision as the property Page 3 of 6 City of Centerville City Council Work Session, LBAE & Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025 owner is not present this evening and he was amicable to the decision. She stated that the property owner called the day prior to the meeting and read into the minutes parcel # R23-31-22-21-0043, 7194 Clear Ridge, original valuation $342,900 and reduced to $332,300. Ms. Wells also stated that there was an appellant in the room and that a motion could need to be made regarding this residential valuation reduction and the appellant at the same time or separate motions. Motion by Mayor Golden, seconded by Council Member Kubat to Approve the Reduction in Parcel #R23-31-22-21-0043, 7194 Clear Ridge, from $342,900 to $332,300 as discussion. Roll Call: Mayor Golden, Council Member Koski, Kubat, Mosher and Rios. Motion carried. Ms. Wells introduced Mr. Brandon Wright with Amazon. Mr. Wright provided Council with a handout. st Mr. Wright stated that Amazon had a facility within the city located at 6985 – 21 Avenue. He stated that what they are asking is to have the Board consider correcting the property taxes and not lowering the property taxes. He stated that they felt that the valuations following their research show that the building is overvalued. He stated that the valuation may have been derived from permits rather than market information. He reviewed the information that was provided to Council. Mayor Golden stated that she would like to hear from the contracted Assessors prior to making any decisions and what Mr. Wright was requesting was rather a large reduction in the valuation of the property from $33,885,800 to $18,300,000. Mr. Erik Skogquist introduced himself to the council and stated that throughout this process he has worked with Brandon and the Anoka County Assessors’ office, tax court and supreme court cases, he explained the process for evaluation, that it was a new facility, and that additional analysis was needed in this case. He recommended that the Board act on this as a no change, which would allow for additional analysis and the appeal process through the Anoka County Board allowing additional guidance or an agreement. Mr. Skogquist answered several questions from the council. City Attorney Glaser stated that this was a super-calculated tax valuation, and these types of issues need to go with a large amount of study and that this Board was not equipped to complete the task. He stated that the City’s Assessor stated no change this evening but would get studied to length and that it is not uncommon that they go to tax court because it is such an unusual property and many other factors. Mr. Wright stated that it was a community decision to make, they provided additional information, and they wanted to avoid court. The council thanked Mr. Wright and stated that they appreciate Amazon, their materials and their willingness to understand that they are not equipped to decide on this issue. Motion by Council Member Rios, seconded by Council Member Koski to make no change to the St valuation for Parcel #R24-31-22-32-0004, 6985 – 21 Avenue. Roll Call: Mayor Golden, Council Member Koski, Kubat, Mosher and Rios. Motion carried. Council Member Koski, seconded Council Member Kubat to Close the Public Hearing at 7:37 p.m. Roll Call: Mayor Golden, Council Member Koski, Kubat, Mosher and Rios. Motion carried. VI. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1. None. VII. CONSENT AGENDA Page 4 of 6 City of Centerville City Council Work Session, LBAE & Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025 1. City of Centerville Claims through March 26, 2025 (Checks #37462-37490, E2389-2394 & Voided Check #37489 & 37477 2. Centennial Lakes Police Department Claims through March 20, 2025 (Checks #15642- 15661, E2025021-2025024 & Payroll Check #15639-15641) 3. Centennial Fire District Claims through March 26, 2025 (Checks #9866-9871, 9877-9886, Payroll Check #9872-9876 & E2025003) 4. Appointment of Lloyd Drilling to the Economic Development Authority Mayor Golden provided an opportunity for members to pull items for additional discussion. Motion by Council Member Kubat, seconded by Council Member Koski, to Approve Consent Agenda as presented. Roll Call: Mayor Golden, Council Member Koski, Kubat, Mosher and Rios. Motion carried. VIII. OLD BUSINESS 1. None IX. NEW BUSINESS 1. None X. COUNCIL/ADMINISTRATOR ANNOUNCMENTS 1. Administrator/Engineer Report – Interim City Administrator Lewis stated that her report was contained in the packet and that she would be happy to address any questions from the Council. She provided the Council with a brief review. 2. Council Reports Junior Council Member Wynn stated that there was nothing new to report. She did state that Cleanup Day was heartwarming and fun. City Attorney Glaser stated that May 2, 2025, was Law Day. He explained that there would be free legal services in the areas of housing, criminal and family law along with expungement or Driver’s Licenses. a. Kubat – Council Member Kubat stated that he would be out of town from May 22-28, 2025. (i) Parks & Recreation Committee – Council Member Kubat stated that the Committee would be meeting the following week. (ii) Centennial Fire District Steering Committee – Council Member Kubat stated that Chief Retka challenged cities regarding salaries for paid, on-call firefighters as they would be increasing for the upcoming budget. He also reported that the Committee approved the installation of a boat lift on Centerville Lake for the district to house their boat during the summer season assisting in water rescues being substantially improved. b. Koski – Page 5 of 6 City of Centerville City Council Work Session, LBAE & Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025 (i) Planning & Zoning Commission – Council Member Koski gave no report. (ii) Fire Steering Committee – Council Member Koski stated that they also discussed the Life Saving Awards of Adam Montain and Bryce Waslowski. He stated that the paid, on-call pay was $10.50/hour and the number would be changing. He also stated that the audit was completed and in the “ballpark”. (iii) Anoka County Fire Protection – Council Member Koski stated that the meeting was scheduled for April 24, 2025, and that the mayor would be in attendance as he was unable to attend. He stated that there would be budget discussions. c. Rios – Council Member Rios thanked Parks & Recreation for their Annual Cleanup Day and stated that the Scout had a phenomenal turnout, and she thanked them. She stated that Jr. Council Member Wynn, Mayor Golden and herself also assisted. She thanked the residents of Centerville as there was not a large amount of refuse to clean up. (i) Economic Development Authority – Council Member Rios reported that the Board was excited to swear in Mr. Lloyd Drilling who was a business owner in town and that it was a short meeting. d. Mosher – (i) Economic Development Authority – Council Member Mosher gave no report. (ii) Police Governing Board – Council Member Mosher gave no report. e. Golden – Mayor Golden thanked the Centerville Lions for their $500 donation and that there was a recent traffic study completed along Centerville Road near the pedestrian crossing and that she looked forward to the results and discussions with Anoka County about the installation of flashing lights for the crosswalk. (i) Centennial Lakes Police Department Governing Board – Mayor Golden reported the Board would be meeting on May 12, 2025. (ii) North Metro Telecommunications Commission– Mayor Golden stated that they continue their search for an Executive Director. (iii) Other Mayoral Reports – Mayor Golden gave no report. XI. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mayor Golden, seconded by Council Member Kubat to adjourn the meeting of April 23, 2025, at 7:44 p.m. Roll Call: Mayor Golden, Council Member Koski, Kubat, Mosher and Rios. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted by City Clerk, Teresa Bender. Page 6 of 6