City Update - 05/29/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Highlights May 26, 2026 Councilmembers in attendance were: Mayor Heineman, Councilmembers Buscher, Olson, Peters, Riley, Specht, and Stewart. Presentation The regular City Council meeting began with two presentations; the first was the Oath of Office for Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Andrew Winkel. The next presentation was the Public Works Department annual update, which provided an overview of activities and operations completed by staff from June 2025 through May 2026. Citizen's Input This meeting included multiple citizens addressing the City Council. View Citizen Input at https://qctv.org/ show/8/17353. Consent Agenda The City Council unanimously passed 14 Consent Agenda items. Council Business Included Eight Cases The first case concerned Authorization to Hire a Part-time Communications Specialist. This position was discussed during the 2026 budget talks and included in the budget for an April hire date. The purpose of this position is to assist with day-to-day City communications, including, but not limited to, social media and website management, ADA compliance, content creation, and cross -departmental support to ensure continuity, consistency, and responsiveness across communication platforms. The motion failed on a 3-4 vote. The second case was Adopt Ordinance #26-06, Approving a Zoning Map Amendment from I-1, Light Industrial, to I-2, General Industrial, for 14021 Azurite Street NW, 14021 Basalt St NW, and 14050 Basalt Street NW; Case of ACE Solid Waste. ACE recently acquired an adjacent property at 14021 Basalt Street NW with the intent to remove the building and expand the truck parking lot into this area. The Zoning Map Amendment for 14021 and 14050 Basalt Street NW is to align these parcels with the zoning of ACE'S main property at 6601 McKinley Street NW. Council approved the adoption of Ordinance #26-06. The next case was to Adopt Ordinance #26-10 Authorizing the City of Ramsey to Sell/Convey Parcel of Real Property. This parcel is located off Sunfish Lake Boulevard and lacks street access. The parcel is currently not a buildable lot due to the topography and existing stormwater and will be marketed/sold for development to an adjacent landowner. Council approved the adoption of Ordinance #26-10. The fourth case was to Adopt Resolution #26-127 Approving Purchase Agreement, Right of Re -Entry Agreement and Sale of City Property to LH Road, LLC. The purpose of this case is to consider the sale of Tract B, Registered Land Survey No. 251, to LH Road, LLC (Wildlife Research Center) to expand business operations. Currently, the site is vacant and contains two MPCA monitoring wells and City and MPCA Stormwater infrastructure. The site is not buildable based on existing infrastructure and topography. Based on these conditions, the site has not been marketed and has no value in its current condition. Council adopted the resolution approving the purchase agreement. The next case was to Adopt Resolution #26-114 Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for 2026 Neighborhood Pavement Overlay Improvements, Improvement Project #26-08. This project proposes to mill and overlay four subdivisions within the City: Alpine Woods, Evergreen Point Townhomes 1st & 2nd, Hall -Anderson Acres (TH 47 Service Road only) and Section 16 Unplatted and Riverside West. The project totals 1.39 miles in length and is split between urban and rural sections. Council approved the resolution awarding the contract to North Valley, Inc. The sixth case was to Adopt Resolution #26-102 Designating the Historic Minnesota State Flag as the Official Flag of the City of Ramsey to Ensure Local Control and Fiscal Responsibility. Mayor Heineman, Councilmember Specht and Councilmember Olson requested that this resolution be placed back on the agenda following its removal and inaction at the last meeting. After discussion and citizen input, the motion failed with a 3-4 vote. A second motion was presented to bring forward a resolution at the next meeting that the City does not fly any State flag, and that motion passed 6-1. The next case was to Adopt Resolution #26- 108 Expressing Formal Disapproval and Censure of Governor Tim Walz. Mayor Heineman and Councilmember Olson requested that this case be added. After discussion and citizen input, the motion failed with a 3-4 vote. The final case was to Adopt Resolution #26-111 Authorizing Staff to Explore City's Ability to File Claim Against Governor Walz and Other State Leaders. Mayor Heineman and Councilmember Olson requested that this resolution be placed back on the agenda following its removal and inaction at the last meeting. The motion failed on a 3-4 vote. A secondary motion to present a resolution not to bring forward resolutions that are political in nature or symbolic failed with a 3-4 vote. View the entire agenda. Watch the City Council meeting on QCTV. CITY OF RAMSEY 1 City UPDATE I May 29, 2026 2