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20241010 Work Session Packet 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov Posted: Oct. 4, 2024 City Council Work Session Agenda Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 6:30 p.m. Conference Room A/Zoom Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter, the work session of the Crystal City Council was held on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at ______ p.m. in Conference Room A at City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN and via Zoom. The public may attend the meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods identified in the Notice of Oct. 10, 2024, Work Session. I. Attendance Council members Staff ____ Eidbo ____ Bell ____ Kamish ____ Tierney ____ Kiser ____ Therres ____ Onesirosan ____ Elholm ____ Adams ____ Larson ____ Budziszewski ____ Revering ____ Cummings ____ Hubbard ____ Struve ____ Sutter ____ Serres II. Agenda The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items: 1. Metro Transit presentation and discussion regarding Network Now. 2. City attorney briefing on potential additional cannabis ordinance amendments. 3. West Metro Fire Board Appointment discussion III. Adjournment The work session adjourned at ______ p.m. * Denotes no supporting information included in the packet. Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the city clerk at (763) 531-1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov Posted: Oct. 4, 2024 CRYSTAL CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF OCT. 10, 2024 WORK SESSION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Crystal will hold a work session on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in Conference Room A at City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN and via Zoom. Topic: Crystal City Council Work Session Time: Oct. 10, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84724670776?pwd=3OksxhNbKiG8Negl4RDbkM3UlQX9RC.1 Meeting ID: 847 2467 0776 | Passcode: 4141 One tap mobile: +13092053325,,84724670776#,,,,*4141# US +13126266799,,84724670776#,,,,*4141# US (Chicago) Dial by your location: +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 305 224 1968 US +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 360 209 5623 US +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US +1 564 217 2000 US +1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 689 278 1000 US +1 719 359 4580 US +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kWRLwORzp Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the City Clerk at (763) 531-1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. Network Now: Concept Plan City of Crystal Thursday, October 10, 2024 Metro Transit is growing Why Network Now? Pivotal time in our history •Ridership dropped 50% between 2019 and 2020 but is now growing again •30% less service, with 60+ routes suspended Travel patterns are changing •Fewer downtown commuters and more diverse needs •Customers increasingly need all-day, all-purpose transit Workforce is a top priority •Bus and rail service expansion requires operators and support staff •Service design can impact employee satisfaction •New regional sales tax •4 new transitways under construction and more in planning •New transit modes (microtransit) Network Now Vision Improves: •New or redesigned routes •Frequency or span improvements •METRO line investments •Microtransit 3 Resolves: •Status of routes that are currently suspended (some since 2020) •Facility closure needs The foundation for network modification •Performance: details network performance, changes since 2019, and opportunities •Policy: regional policy guidance from the Metropolitan Council applied •Engagement: 2023 captured values and thoughts, surveys, workshops, customer contacts, 6,000 comments 4 Network Now Principles Adapt service to changes in transit markets and travel patterns.Adapt Prepare for new METRO and high-frequency routes.Prepare Maintain the reliability of our scheduled service consistently over time.Maintain Build on success to grow ridership, adding service where people use transit the most.Build on success Provide access to opportunities and services with a focus on advancing equity and reducing regional disparities.Provide access Draft Concept Plan 6 Network Now •Metro Transit’s vision through 2027 •The proposed plan will: –Expand service in our network by more than 35% to grow ridership –Improve coverage and mobility by expanding bus routes and Metro micro service –Redesign our express and commuter services to meet the travel needs of our region now 2027 Concept Plan Results •Grow ridership –65 routes improved frequency & span –15 routes with service 15' or better with added trips –LRT 10-minute frequency •Additional service coverage –8 new micro zones –20+ routes with new areas of coverage –25% increase in jobs accessible within 45 minutes to the average resident 8 •Adapt service to travel patterns –40 routes restructured or adjusted –53 suspended routes officially discontinued –8 routes restored 9 2027 Concept Plan Results 10 •Adapt service to travel patterns –Key Express Network all day service •15' service during highest ridership of rush hours •Service to all major highway corridors Key Express Network Routes 94 250 270 355 673 768 850 2027 Concept Plan Results Metro micro -Project Expansion 11 December 2024 A Line – Roseville Area Gold Line – Woodbury Area 2 projects/year 2025-2027 –Orange Line -98th St Station –Starlite Transit Center –Northtown Transit Center –Minnetonka -Green Line Ext. / Opus Station –Maplewood Mall Transit Center –Dakota Co. Service Center 12 Discontinuing service to meet travel demand and strengthen network Results: Improvements in access to high-frequency network •More of our region can access frequent all-day service in walking distance 13 People of Color What’s required? •Over 500 bus operators plus support staff will be needed to implement the improvements in this plan Planned Changes in Crystal 14 2024 Transit service in Crystal Route 14 Daily Every 30 min. Route 705 Weekday Hourly Route 716 Weekday, Saturday Hourly Route 717 Weekday Hourly Route 721 Daily Every 30 min. Route 755 Rush Hour 12 daily trips Route 764 Rush Hour 2 daily trips Ridership and Service Trends In Crystal •Crystal residents using Park & Rides dropped from 80 in 2019 to 10 in 2023 •Number of trips serving Crystal city limits: –2019: 1,420 trips/week –2024: 1,337 trips/week –2027: 1,481 trips/week •Ridership at bus stops in Crystal at 80% to 90% of 2019 levels •20 bus stops currently closed Crystal Overview •Service enhancements: –Routes 30, 716, 817 –Routes 14, 717 restructured •Discontinue: –Routes 14L, 758, 767 •No changes: –Routes 705, 721, 755, 764 18 No changes proposed •Local Routes –Route 705 on Winnetka Ave., Medicine Lake Rd. –Route 721 on Bass Lake Rd. •Commuter Express Routes –Route 755 on Winnetka Ave., 36th Ave., Louisiana Ave., 32nd Ave. –Route 764 on Winnetka Ave., 42nd Ave. 19 Discontinued Service •Route 14L on Noble Ave. •Route 758 –Douglas Dr., Duluth St, –Noble Ave.,Golden Valley Rd. –Alternative service on Routes 30, 716 •Route 767 on Bass Lake Rd. •Park and Rides –Faith Lilac Lutheran Church (Route 764) –I-394 corridor (Routes 645, 673) –Hwy 610 and Noble Ave. (Route 768) 20 Service Enhancements •Route 30 –Current Route 14 on Douglas Dr., 36th Ave., Noble Ave. –New weekend service every 30 minutes •Route 716 –42nd Ave., Douglas Dr., W. Broadway –Wider span of service on Saturdays –New Sunday service every 60 minutes •Route 817 –Combine current routes 717, 801 on Rockford Rd., 42nd Ave. –New Saturday service every 60 minutes –One-seat ride to Brooklyn Center, Roseville 21 Next Steps Network Now development timeline Public input to create Guiding Framework & values Foundation Report: Planning Principles Developed draft Concept Service Plan Public Review of Draft plan, modify based on input Final Council adoption of Recommend Plan Phased Implementation of the plan Spring/Summer 2023 Fall/Winter 2023 Spring 2024 Fall 2024 Winter 2024/2025 2025 -2027 We are here We want to hear from you! •Fill out a comment form (for agencies) –Open for input September through mid- November. –The feedback we receive will help us ensure we’re on the right track and determine what to focus on first. –We will make the final changes in phases, relying on workforce hiring and retention. QR code for agencies to submit comments metrotransit.org/network-now Thank You! We want to hear from you! •Fill out a comment form (public) –Open for input September through mid- November. –The feedback we receive will help us ensure we’re on the right track and determine what to focus on first. –We will make the final changes in phases, relying on workforce hiring and retention. QR code for the public to submit comments CR205\30\979358.v2 MEMORANDUM TO: Crystal Planning Commission FROM: Rachel G Tierney, City Attorney DATE: October 2, 2024 RE: Cannabis Zoning Amendments In June, the City adopted a zoning ordinance regulating retail uses of cannabis. In January of 2025, the State of Minnesota is scheduled to begin issuing licenses for all cannabis uses, including manufacturing and cultivation. Under the Cannabis Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 342), prior to the issuance of location-specific state licenses, the City will be asked for a certification of zoning compliance. This certification is required as a required-step in a business obtaining a state license. In order to provide such certification, the City must complete its work and determine where manufacturing and cultivation uses will be permitted. Attached to this memo, please find annotated amendments to the June zoning changes. This document builds on what was done in June, and provides suggestions and options to regulate the remaining uses. DESIGNATING ZONING DISTRICTS The City cannot prohibit cannabis uses and should amend its zoning code to incorporate them. The City can amend its zoning code to specifically allow each license type in a particular district or it can choose to simply allow cannabis businesses in zones with similar uses (e.g., retailers in commercial zones with other retail). The following table includes each license type and very high- level information on the businesses operations to help guide the City in determining appropriate zoning designations. The city can place these uses into a particular zoning district as permitted or conditional. License Type Main Function Use Type(s) Cannabis Retailer Sales to the customers Commercial Medical Cannabis Retailer Sales to registered patients Commercial Cannabis Delivery Service Deliver products directly to customers, can be stand-alone delivery between independent retail and customers, or connect with retail Commercial Lower Potency Hemp Retailer Sale of hemp products directly to customers Commercial CR205\30\979358.v2 Cannabis Cultivator Growing and tending to cannabis and hemp plants Indoor: Industrial, Commercial Outdoor: Agricultural Medical Cannabis Cultivator Growing cannabis plants Industrial/Agricultural Cannabis Manufacturer Creating cannabis products that are sold to retailers Industrial Medical Cannabis Manufacturer Creating cannabis products that are sold to medical retailers Industrial Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Manufacturer Creating lower-potency hemp products that are sold to retailers Industrial Cannabis Testing Testing cannabis and hemp products Industrial Cannabis Wholesaler Warehousing and Storage Industrial Cannabis Transporter Transport products from one license type to another, not direct to consumer Industrial, Commercial Medical Cannabis Combination Business Cultivation, Manufacturing, and Retail to both the general public and medical patients Industrial/Agricultural, Commercial Cannabis Mezzobusiness Cultivation, Manufacturing, and up to 3 Retail locations Industrial/Agricultural, Commercial Cannabis Microbusiness Cultivation, Manufacturing, and Retail Industrial/Agricultural, Commercial DRAFT 5-2-24 1 CR205\30\979461.v2 CITY OF CRYSTAL ORDINANCE #2024-____ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CRYSTAL UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING CANNABIS BUSINESSES The City of Crystal ordains: ARTICLE I. Chapter V, Section 505 of the Crystal city code is hereby amended as follows and renumbering the subdivisions as may be needed: Subd. . Cannabinoid. “Cannabinoid” has the meaning given the term in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subdivision 10. Subd. _. Cannabis business. “Cannabis business” has the meaning given the term in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01, subdivision 14. Subd. . Cannabis Delivery/Transportation Business. “Cannabis Delivery/Transoration Business means a business one of the following issued by the State of Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management: a cannabis delivery service license, a cannabis business license with a delivery service endorsement, a cannabis transporter license, or a cannabis business license with a transportation endorsement from the State of Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. [Note: Cannabis delivery is either stand-alone (e.g. Grub Hub) or connected with a cannabis business, and delivery is from a retail location direct to the customer. It may or may not include multiple vehicles. Cannabis transporters deliver only between licensed cannabis businesses, not the general public. These two uses can be under one definition if the City wants them in the same zoning district, or separately defined for separate zoning.] Subd. ___. Cannabis Lounge. “Cannabis Lounge” means a portion of the premises of a licensed cannabis micro-business with an on-site consumption endorsement by the State of Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management for on-site consumption of edible cannabis products and lower-potency hemp edibles. [Note: A Cannabis Lounge is a concept some cities are adopting to recognize and provide regulation for cannabis businesses that permit on-site consumption. This is not a distinct license type but is an add-on endorsement to a cannabis microbusiness. The City is not required to regulate this use in the zoning code and can rely on the underlying regulation of the microbusiness.] Subd. ___. Cannabis Or Hemp Industrial Business. “Cannabis Or Hemp Industrial Business” means a business with a one of the following issued by the Office of Cannabis Management: a DRAFT 5-2-24 2 CR205\30\979461.v2 cannabis manufacturer license, a cannabis wholesaler license, a cannabis testing facility license, a cannabis cultivator license, a medical cannabis manufacturer, a medical cannabis combination business license, a medical cannabis cultivator license, a lower-potency hemp edible manufacturing license, a lower-potency hemp cultivator license or any license with a manufacturing or testing endorsement. [Note: The above is an alternative to simply regulating cannabis uses as “Industrial Uses (Indoor)”. This approach aligns with the City’s earlier action adding the cannabis-specific retail uses to Table 3 and Table 4. The City can choose either approach.] Subd. _. Cannabis product. “Cannabis product” means any product containing a cannabinoid, including a Lower-Potency Hemp Edible as defined by Minn. Stat. § 342.01, Subd. 50, that a registered cannabis business is authorized by its state-issued license to sell to the public at retail. [NOTE: The above change is for clarity purposes only. The ordinance adopted in June includes LPHE in its definition, but the inclusion is not explicit and requires consulting several sections of the Cannabis Act. Because the statutes are lengthy and complicated, for ease of use and transparency, I recommend explicitly including LPHE within the adopted definition.] Subd. _. Cannabis retailer business. “Cannabis retailer business” means a cannabis business that is a cannabis retailer, the retail portion of a cannabis mezzobusiness with a retail operations endorsement, or the retail portion of a cannabis microbusiness with a retail operations endorsement, as those terms are defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.01 and applicable Minnesota administrative rules. [Note: Cannabis Mezzobusinesses and Mircobusinsses allow cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. These activities may or may not occur in a single location. Therefore, is necessary to clarify that the zoning district regulations of retail activities do not apply to cultivation or manufacturing.] Subd. ____.Hemp Business. “Hemp Business” has the meaning given the term in Minnesota Statutes § 342.01, subd. 24. Subd. _____. Lower-Potency Hemp Retailer Business. “Lower-Potency Hemp retailer Business” means a hemp business with a lower-potency hemp edible retailer license issued by the State of Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. [Note: The two terms above are included in the definition of “principal cannabis business” but are not defined in the ordinance.] Subd. . Off-sale liquor store. “Off-sale liquor store” means a retail business licensed to sell liquor at off-sale and that derives more than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of liquor. DRAFT 5-2-24 3 CR205\30\979461.v2 Subd. ___. On-sale establishment. “On-sale establishment” means a business holding a license under Crystal city code section 1200.05 for on-sale full liquor. [This term is needed to recognize that the Cannabis Act allows on-site consumption of lower- potency hemp edibles (e.g. “gummies” and beverages) within establishments that hold an on- sale liquor license.] Subd. . Principal cannabis business. “Principal cannabis business” means a cannabis retailer business or a lower-potency hemp retailer business that derives more than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of cannabis products. Subd. . Tobacco products. “Tobacco products” means tobacco, tobacco-related devices, and electronic delivery devices as those terms are defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 609.685, subdivision 1. Subd. . Tobacco shop. “Tobacco shop” means a retail establishment licensed by the city to sell tobacco and that derives more than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of tobacco products. ARTICLE II. Permitted Principal Uses. Chapter V, Subsection 515.17, Table 3 of the Crystal city code is hereby amended by adding additional uses as follows: Use R-1 R-2 R-3 C TC I AP Use-Specific Standards in Section: Principal Cannabis Business - - - P P P - 515.19, subdivision 4(n) Off-Sale Liquor Store - - - P P P - 1200 & 515.19, subdivision 4(o) Tobacco Shop - - - P P P - 1105 & 515.19, subdivision 4(p) Cannabis Delivery/Transportation Business ? ? ? Cannabis or Hemp Industrial Business ? ? ? ARTICLE III. Use Specific Standards for Principal Uses. Chapter V, Subsection 515.19, subdivision 4 of the Crystal city code is hereby amended as follows: (i) Retail establishments. Retail establishments are subject to the following standards: (1) Repair is allowed for a retail establishment, but a conditional use permit is required if the repair is done outdoors. The applicant shall demonstrate that such outdoor repair will not negatively impact neighboring properties; DRAFT 5-2-24 4 CR205\30\979461.v2 (2) Within the TC district, retail space is limited to 15,000 gross square feet per floor. Additional square footage may be allowed with a conditional use permit, not to exceed a building footprint of 20,000 square feet; (3) Within the Commercial district, retail establishments may have up to 50% of the gross floor area as storage or warehouse space; and (4) Within the Industrial district, retail establishments are limited to 50% of the gross floor area of the principal use. (5) Any retail establishment engaging in the sale at retail of any cannabis product, tobacco, or liquor at off-sale shall not be located within 500 feet of a school, public park, or residential treatment facility. The following apply for the purposes of this paragraph. (i) The distance between properties shall be measured from the closest points between the lot containing the business and the lot containing the identified use to which the buffer applies. (ii) The term “school” means a public or private facility that provides educational programs to ten or more people who are under the age of 21 in a classroom setting. The term includes, but is not limited to, any school operated by an independent school district or a charter school operating under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 124E. The term does not include the Robbinsdale Transition Center or similar adult education schools. (iii) The term “public park” means an open space, playground, athletic field, or other facility owned by the city, a school district, the county, or other public entity that is open to, and regularly used by, those under the age of 21. (iv) The term “residential treatment facility” means a facility providing mental health, alcohol, or drug treatment services established or operated in accordance with Minnesota Rules, chapter 2960, or Minnesota Statutes, chapters 245G or 260C. [Note: Consider whether to add buffers for non-retail uses.] . . . (n) Principal cannabis businesses. Principal cannabis businesses are subject to the following standards: (1) Shall comply with the standards imposed on retail establishments under Crystal city code, subsection 515.19, subdivision 4(i). (2) Shall not be located in any buffer zone identified in subdivision 4(i)(5) of this subsection. DRAFT 5-2-24 5 CR205\30\979461.v2 (3) Shall only be located in a zoning district in which the use is allowed, and then only upon obtaining all licenses that may be required. (4) It must be registered with the city in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22 and the registration procedures established by the city. (5) In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 342.13(i), no more than two cannabis retailer businesses may be located within the city. If, however, Hennepin County has one active registration for cannabis retailer businesses for every 12,500 residents in the county, then no cannabis retailer businesses are allowed in the city and the city shall not undertake process in Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22 to register any such business. (o) Off-sale liquor stores. Off-sale liquor stores are subject to the following standards: (1) Shall comply with the standards imposed on retail establishments under subdivision 4(i) of this subsection. (2) Shall not be located in any buffer zone identified in subdivision 4(i)(5) of this subsection. (p) Tobacco shops. Tobacco shops are subject to the following standards: (1) Shall comply with the standards imposed on retail establishments under subdivision 4(i) of this subsection. (2) Shall not be located in any buffer zone identified in subdivision 4(i)(5) of this subsection. ARTICLE IV. Permitted Accessory Uses. Chapter V, Subsection 515.21, Table 4 of the Crystal city code is hereby amended by adding additional uses as follows: Accessory Use R-1 R-2 R-3 C TC I AP Zoning Certificate Required Use-Specific Standards in Subsection: Retail sale of Cannabis products, Off- sale liquor, or Tobacco products - - - P P P - No See note [4] Cannabis Lounge ? ? ? 4. The sale of cannabis products as an accessory use to a retail use is subject to standards in subsection 515.23, subdivision 2(f), the sale of liquor at off-sale as an accessory use is subject to standards in section 1200 and subsection 515.23, subdivision 2(f), and the sale of tobacco DRAFT 5-2-24 6 CR205\30\979461.v2 products as an accessory use is subject to standards in section 1105 and subsection 515.23, subdivision 2(f). The on-site consumption of cannabis products as an accessory use to an on-sale establishment is subject to standards in subdivision 515.23, subdivision 2(g). The on-site consumption of cannabis products as an accessory use to a cannabis microbusiness is subject to the standards in subdivision 515.23, subdivision 2(h) ARTICLE V. Use Specific Standards for Accessory Uses. Chapter V, Subsection 515.23, subdivision 2 of the Crystal city code is hereby amended as follows: (f) Sale of cannabis products, off-sale liquor, and tobacco products. Any retail establishment that sells cannabis products, off-sale liquor, or tobacco products at retail as an accessory use to its principal use is subject to the following standards: (1) The sale of such products shall only be accessory to, and occur within, a retail establishment. If a retail establishment derives more than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of any one of the products, such sales cannot be considered an accessory use and the retail establishment must obtain all permits or permissions required to sell the product as its principal use. (2) The retail establishment must possess such licenses as may be required to sell such products. (3) The sale of such products is only allowed if the lot containing the retail establishment is located outside of the buffers zones identified in Crystal city code, subsection 515.19, subdivision 4(i)(5). (4) If the retail establishment is selling cannabis products, it must be registered with the city in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22 and the procedures established by the city. (g) On-site consumption of cannabis products at establishments holding an on-sale license issued under Crystal city code section 1200.05. Notwithstanding paragraph (f) above, any on- sale establishment that sells cannabis products for on-site consumption is subject to the following standards: (1) The sale of such products shall only be accessory to, and occur within, an on-sale establishment. (2) The on-sale establishment must possess a lower-potency hemp retailer license and an on-site consumption endorsement issued by the State of Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. (3) If the retail establishment is selling cannabis products, it must be registered with the city in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22 and the procedures established by the city. DRAFT 5-2-24 7 CR205\30\979461.v2 [Note: These can be added to or eliminated. They reflect existing law.] (h) Cannabis Lounges. Notwithstanding paragraph (f) above, any cannabis microbusiness that sells cannabis products for on-site consumption is subject to the following standards: (4) The sale of such products shall only be accessory to a cannabis microbusiness with a retail operations endorsement issued by the State of Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. (5) The cannabis microbusiness with a retail endorsement must possess an on-site consumption endorsement issued by the State of Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management. (6) The cannabis microbusiness must be registered with the city in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 342.22 and the procedures established by the city. [Note: These can be added to or eliminated. They reflect existing law.] ARTICLE VI. Incorporate. City staff is authorized and directed to update the table of contents and to make such other changes as are necessary to incorporate the amendments adopted by this Ordinance into the Crystal city code. ARTICLE VII. Effective Date. This ordinance is effective on January 1, 2025. BY THE CITY COUNCIL Jim Adams, Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________ Christina Serres, City Clerk Double underlined material is being added and stricken material is being deleted. First Reading: ____________, 2024 Second Reading: __________, 2024 DRAFT 5-2-24 8 CR205\30\979461.v2 Council Adoption:_________, 2024 Publication: Effective Date: WEST METRO FIRE-RESCUE DISTRICT Board of Directors Special Meeting Minutes September 18, 2024 Draft A.Call to order President Gary Laurant called a special meeting of the West Metro Fire-Rescue District Board of Directors to order at 6:33 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Station 3, 4251 Xylon Avenue N., New Hope, MN. B.Roll Call – The following Directors were present: Gary Laurant President Adam Bell City Manager, City of Crystal Reece Bertholf City Manager, City of New Hope John Budziszewski Council, City of Crystal John Elder Council, City of New Hope Jeff Kolb Citizen Representative, City of Crystal Marc Berris Citizen Representative, City of New Hope The following staff members were present: Fire Chief Sarah Larson Counsel James Monge, Campbell Knutson Recording Secretary, Amy Juntunen C.Fire Chief Hiring Process There are two applicants for the position of Fire Chief, which will open after Chief Larson’s retirement in 2025. Chief Larson met with the City Managers and worked to create a two-panel interview process. The first panel will consist of the Chiefs of Police, Public Works Directors and Community Development Directors from each city along with a Fire Chief from an outside fire department. Both City Managers would also be present to observe panel one. Feedback from the panel would be compiled for each candidate and a written recommendation would be forwarded to the District Board. The second interview panel would consist of the District Board. The Board has the final decision in hiring. Budziszewski recommended Chip Lohmiller, the Cross Lake Fire Chief, for the first panel after a recent article in the newspaper about the Fire Inc., training program. The District does not pay for an outside Chief to sit on the panel since it is a courtesy extended to other departments and is only a commitment of a few hours. However, the outside Chief selected for the panel should be familiar with the volume, type of calls handled, and needs of an urban/suburban area vs. more rural areas. Chief Larson thanked Budziszewski for the recommendation. Kolb noted that Chief Larson should choose the outside Chief for the panel. C-3 Minutes West Metro Fire-Rescue District Board Meeting Minutes September 18, 2024 Page 2 Should the second panel consist of the full Board or a smaller Executive Committee? Kolb noted that he did not feel it necessary to sit on the panel, personally. An Executive Committee interview may also avoid the requirement to hold a public meeting. Budziszewski noted the Crystal City Council voiced some concerns including preferring a larger candidate pool. The Council would also not be supportive of Budziszewski not participating in the hiring panel process. Budziszewski noted that he would prefer to participate in the panel to view the candidate’s reactions and responses personally. Elder noted that the New Hope Council is supportive of the Manager representing the City’s interest in the hiring panel. It was noted that the Chief Larson’s interview process was a debacle due to the requirement that it be a public meeting. Motion by Berris, second by Elder to approve the two panel process, with the first panel consisting of members noted above for City staff, an outside fire chief with the City Managers observing, and a second panel consisting of the Executive Committee of the Board (Laurant, Bell and Bertholf). The final hiring decision will be made by the full board in a public meeting. Motion carried by roll call vote: ayes – Kolb, Bertholf, Laurant, Elder and Berris; nays – Budziszewski and Bell. The timeline would be to have the interview panels conducted by the end of October so a hiring decision could be made at the December 11, 2024 regular meeting. If neither candidate is deemed a good fit, this would allow time to solicit for additional candidates and hire in early 2025. City Managers will reach out to their department heads to solicit interview questions. D.Other Matters and Announcements The next regular board meeting of the West Metro Board of Directors will be held Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. E.Adjournment There being no further business, motion by Elder, second by Bertholf to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amy Juntunen Recording Secretary Memorandum DATE: December 14, 2023 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: City Manager Adam R. Bell SUBJECT: Adoption of a resolution appointing Jeff Kolb as public representative to the West Metro Fire-Rescue District Board of Directors _______________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND The West Metro Fire-Rescue District Board consists of seven members. The seven members are: •Two members representing Crystal, consisting of one council member and one citizen representative; and •Two members representing New Hope, consisting of one council member and one citizen representative; and •New Hope city manager; and •Crystal city manager; and •The seventh member who is mutually agreed on and appointed by both the Crystal and New Hope City Councils. The current Crystal citizen representative is Jeff Kolb. Mr. Kolb’s current two-year term expires Dec. 31, 2023. Mr. Kolb has applied for reappointment, and it is recommended that the Council reappoint Jeff Kolb to this position. RECOMMENDATION Adopt the attached resolution reappointing Jeff Kolb as the Crystal citizen representative to the West Metro Fire-Rescue District Board for a two-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2025. ATTACHMENTS Application Resolution Appointing a Citizen Representative to the Board of Directors for the West Metro Fire- Rescue District 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 CITY OF CRYSTAL RESOLUTION NO. 2023 - _____ APPOINTING A CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE WEST METRO FIRE-RESCUE DISTRICT WHEREAS, in 1997 the cities of Crystal and New Hope approved a Joint and Cooperative Agreement to consolidate all aspects of their fire safety programs and created the West Metro Fire-Rescue District; and WHEREAS, in accordance with Article IV of the Joint and Cooperative Agreement, Crystal-New Hope Joint Fire District, members are to be appointed by Council resolution; and WHEREAS, Jeff Kolb was first appointed as Crystal’s Citizen Representative on December 17, 2019, and reappointed for a second term on December 21, 2021; and WHEREAS, Citizen Representative Kolb’s current term expires December 31, 2023, and he is seeking reappointment as Crystal’s Citizen Representative for another term. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Crystal City Council appoints Jeff Kolb as Crystal’s Citizen Representative member of the West Metro Fire-Rescue District’s Board of Directors for a two-year term, effective January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025. Adopted by the Crystal City Council this 19th day of December, 2023. ________________________________ Jim Adams, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Christina Serres, City Clerk 3.5 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned governmental units have caused this agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers and delivered on its behalf as of this� day of July , 2019. Recorded and filed this j[p_ ltciay of Ju k1 , 2019.' �ld) Clerk, City of Crystal, Minnesota Original Agreement Dated October 28, 1997Amendment and Restatement Dated May 6, 2003Amendment and Restatement Dated March 27, 2006Amendment and Restatement Dated April 20 I IAmendment and Restatement Dated February, 2017Amendment Dated� 2019 CITY OF CRYSTAL CITY OF NEW HOPE By -�Kirk McDonald, City Manager Recorded and filed this 2.2 day of July · , 2019. Clerk, City of New Hope, Minnesota