Maplewood council approves zoning change for group homes, sets tax rates and other ordinances; awards lighting repair and camera contracts

The Maplewood City Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions at its regular meeting on Sept. 23, including a zoning change that redefines group homes and allows them as permitted uses in residential districts.

On final reading the council approved Bill 62-91, which amends multiple sections of the Maplewood Code of Ordinances related to zoning and 'group living facilities.' The ordinance was approved by roll call and recorded in the meeting as ordinance 60 85. Council member Faulkingham thanked the city attorney and members of the Planning & Neighborhood Commission for clarification and input during debate.

The council also approved final readings of Bill 62-92 (establishing 2025 tax rates for the city and the Maplewood Special Business District; approved as ordinance 60 86), Bill 62-93 (amending the definition of 'source of income' in Chapter 30 to comply with state law; approved as ordinance 60 87), and Bill 62-94 (adding rules of procedure for boards and commissions; approved as ordinance 60 88). Each bill passed on recorded roll-call votes recorded in the session.

On Bill 62-95 the council approved creation of a Police Advisory Board (ordinance 60 89). City staff clarified that the proposed board will have five members who may be residents, business owners, or employees of Maplewood-based businesses; councilors expressed support for establishing the advisory body to strengthen community understanding of police roles.

New-business resolutions included Resolution 25-42, accepting Reinhold Electric's bid of $13,457 to bore and repair damaged electrical lines serving antique lighting on the 7400 block of Manchester Road; staff said the vendor's labor and materials warranty is one year (excluding owner-provided materials, negligence, intentional misuse, or failure to maintain). Council discussed whether damage was caused by another contractor and whether the city could recoup costs if that is proved; staff said that would depend on whether the cause can be established.

The council also authorized Resolution 25-43, a $49,479 purchase of security cameras from Goin INet, Inc., to replace and expand the system at City Hall; staff said most of the $50,000 request had been budgeted and that approximately $4,500 would be reimbursed by Blue Shield. A council member on technology matters said the system uses Rhombus technology and expressed no privacy concerns.

Finally, the council held the first and second reading of Bill 62-96 to update the municipal code of ethics for council members and board/commission members; the measure passed two readings and will go to a third and final reading at the next council meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Bill 62-91 (zoning: redefine group homes) — approved (recorded as ordinance 60 85) — roll call: Garcia: Yes; Mayor Greenberg: Yes; Homa/Houma: Yes; Maddox: Yes; Page: Yes; Wiley: Yes; Faulkingham/Falkingham: Yes. - Bill 62-92 (2025 tax rates) — approved (ordinance 60 86) — roll call: unanimous yes by same members. - Bill 62-93 (source of income definition) — approved (ordinance 60 87) — roll call: unanimous yes by same members. - Bill 62-94 (boards/commissions rules) — approved (ordinance 60 88) — roll call: unanimous yes by same members. - Bill 62-95 (police advisory board) — approved (ordinance 60 89) — roll call: unanimous yes by same members. - Resolution 25-42 (Reinhold Electric lighting repair, $13,457) — approved (roll call yes). - Resolution 25-43 (security cameras, Goin INet, $49,479) — approved (roll call yes).

Next steps: The Ethics Code update (Bill 62-96) will appear for a third and final reading at the council's next meeting. Staff will report back about the Reinhold Electric warranty terms and whether damaged wiring can be tied to another contractor for potential cost recovery.