This regular City Council included eight cases for Council Business.
The first case was to Introduce Ordinance #23-13 Amending Ordinance #22-28: 2023 Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges. The water treatment plant was officially awarded on March 28, 2023, with a total project cost estimated at $42.5M, with financing to come from current water and sewer utility funds and the issuance of a revenue bond whose debt service will be paid by utility users via utility bill collections. The ordinance includes a 10 percent increase for each utility; updated rates will go into effect on the July 25, 2023, utility bill. The ordinance also includes a $35 per one-half hour of footage fee for body-worn camera footage that the police department provides. The ordinance was introduced and will return for a public hearing and final consideration at the June 13, 2023, Council meeting.
The second case was to Introduce Ordinance #23-11, Granting Centerpoint Energy a Nonexclusive Franchise and Public ROW Access. The proposed ordinance grants the same rights that Centerpoint has had through Ordinance #03-16, passed on July 8, 2003. The original ordinance was effective for 20 years and expires on August 11, 2023. The new ordinance is also effective for 20 years and grants Centerpoint Energy permission to construct, operate, repair and maintain in the City of Ramsey a gas distribution system for the furnishing of natural gas energy to the City, its inhabitants and others and to use public ways and grounds within the City for such purposes. The ordinance was introduced and will return for a second reading at the next council meeting.
The third case was to Introduce Ordinance #23-10 Amendment to Ch. 105, Building and Building Regulations. Currently, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry conducts plumbing plan reviews for permits in Ramsey for all commercial entities in public buildings. The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 105 by adding a section that grants the City of Ramsey the authority to collect fees, issue permits and inspect plumbing work. The ordinance was introduced and will return for a second reading at the next council meeting. The intent of this ordinance is to increase customer service by reviewing commercial building plans locally versus having the state conduct the review.
The fourth case, Adopt Ordinance #23-09 Interim Ordinance Regulating the Sale of THC. The ordinance will prohibit the establishment of new uses or the expansion of existing uses related to sales, testing, manufacturing, and distribution of genuine THC products and chemically related products for up to one year or until the City Council determines the proper regulations are in place.
The fifth case was to Adopt Resolution #23-104 Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for Improvement Project #23-05, Barthel’s Rum River Acres 2nd Street Reconstructions. The project proposes reconstructing the streets within Barthel’s Rum River Acres 2nd subdivision, generally located between 161st Avenue and 164th Avenue, adjacent to the Rum River. The resolution was approved and the project was awarded to Douglas-Kerr Underground, L.L.C.
Sixth case was to Adopt Resolution #23-114 Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertisements for Bids for Improvement Project #23-04, 167th Avenue Reconstruction, CSAH 5 to Highway 47. City Improvement Project 23-04 proposes reconstructing 167th Avenue between Nowthen Boulevard NW (CSAH 5) and St. Francis Boulevard NW (TH 47). Funding for this improvement is proposed to come from MSA Funds and Storm Water Utility Funds. Construction is expected to begin in mid-July and be complete by mid-September. Council passed the resolution to approve plans and specifications and authorized advertisements for bids.
The seventh case, Adopt Resolution #23-115 Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for Improvement Project #23-14, 2023 Critical Mill and Overlay Improvements. On April 25, the City Council approved plans and specifications prepared by the City Engineer. It also authorized advertisements for bids for Improvement Project #23-14, Critical Mill and Overlay Improvements, which propose two-inch mill and overlay improvements at 21 locations around the City with extensive pavement damage. This project is proposed to be funded using a portion of the $750,000 budgeted for streets maintenance in 2023, with an expected completion date of June 30, 2023. The resolution was approved and the project was awarded to Diversified Paving, Inc.
Finally, the last case to Adopt Ordinance #23-06 Amending Chapter 2, Article V Boards, Commissions and Authorities of the City Code pertains to updating our city code to match our recent Charter amendment that all board and commission members must be Ramsey residents. Council adopted the ordinance.