City Update - 09/26/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Highlights - September 23 Presentation The meeting began with a proclamation read by Mayor Heineman declaring October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Consent Agenda The City Council unanimously approved all 16 items on the Consent Agenda. Public Hearing Three Public Hearings were on the docket. The first was to Adopt Resolution #25-218 Vacating Easements and Right -of -Way in Business Park 95 Second and Eighth Additions. As a part of the replatting of Zero Zone's three parcels into one lot to accommodate an expansion project, some easements need to be vacated in the area where the building expansion will go. Council approved the resolution. The second case involved considering a Request for a Private Kennel License at 14365 Bowers Drive NW. The residents and owners of 14365 Bowers Drive NW have submitted a request for a private kennel license for their property. This request was prompted by the family's decision to foster a puppy under six months of age. The family already has three adult dogs in their home and wants to adopt the puppy, following the proper procedures to stay in compliance with City Code. Council approved the request for a kennel license. The final public hearing was to Adopt Resolution #25- 220, Adopting Assessments for Past -Due Charges on Municipal Utility Bills and Current Services Rendered. The City of Ramsey offers various services that are billed directly to residents through the municipal utility bill and city invoices. The proposed assessment is made in accordance with Minnesota Statute 429.101. The City of Ramsey will be certifying delinquent payments as assessments to be collected with property taxes payable in 2026. Council adopted the resolution. Property owners with a past -due amount owed may pay that balance by November 15, 2025, to prevent the amount from being certified to their 2026 taxes. Council Business (included four cases) The first case was to Adopt Resolution #25-221 Adopting Proposed 2026 Payable Tax Levies (General, Pavement Management, EDA and Debt Service) & Schedule Public Hearing for December 9, 2025; Adopt Resolution #25- 222 Adopting Proposed 2026 General Fund Budget and Resolution #25-223 Adopting Proposed 2026 EDA Budget. The proposed property tax levy amount is $23,376,916. The proposed levy reflects a $1,426,222 (6.50% increase) over the adopted levy in 2025 of $21,950,694. The proposed General Fund Budget amount is $22,789,599, and the proposed EDA budget is $91,167. The levy may be reduced but not increased before the December 9, 2025, final budget adoption. Council approved the tax levy and general fund budget resolutions with a vote of 4 to 3. The resolution authorizing the EDA budget was passed unanimously. The second case was to consider an Appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of a variance for lot width for the proposed plat of "O'Shaughnessy 3rd Addition" at 17201 St. Francis Blvd. NW. The applicant provided a sketch plan that was reviewed by the Planning Commission on August 28, with the intention of subdividing the property into four lots: three fronting St. Francis Boulevard and one fronting Germanium Street. All four of the proposed lots meet the minimum required 2.5 acres oflot area. One of the lots does not meet the required 200 feet of lot width, resulting in a lot with a width of approximately 109 feet. The Planning Commission denied the variance. The Planning Commission's decision, however, can be appealed to the Council by anyone within 10 days of its action. The applicant has submitted a request for an appeal. Council tabled the case and directed staff to prepare a resolution overturning the Planning Commission's denial of the variance. The following case was to Adopt Ordinance #25-08 - Zoning Code Updates. The updates included in Ordinance #25-08 focus on areas where staff have had challenges when working with residents or businesses on various issues. The proposed changes address: Daycare Centers as Accessory Uses in Residentially -Zoned Religious Institutions, Photography Studios as Home Occupations, Accessory Structure Setbacks, Parking Surfaces, and Off -Premises Digital Billboards. Council adopted the ordinance. The final case was to Adopt Charter Recommended Ordinance #25-09 Amending Chapters 2, 3 and 7 of the City Charter. The changes the Charter is recommending include adding language in section 2.5 that establishes a vacancy when a member moves outside their ward but remains in the City of Ramsey, updates Section 3.1 to mirror state statute for Council meetings and notices and finally updates section 7.6.1 to allow for the final budget and levy to be adopted at the same meeting as the public hearing. Council unanimously approved the ordinance to amend the City Charter. The changes will take effect on December 26, 2025. To see the entire agenda of this meeting, please visit https://weblink.cityoframsey.com/weblink/Browse. aspx ? dbi d= 0 & s tartid= 674764. To watch the City Council meeting on QCTV for more details, please visit httgs://acty org/ramsey/ramsey-city- council/. CITY OF RAMSEY 1 City UPDATE I September 26, 2025 2