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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/10/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Oct. 20, 2025 1. Call to order. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. a. Pledge of allegiance b. Roll call Council members present: Margaret Rog, Lynette Dumalag, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Mayor pro tem Paul Baudhuin Council members absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), finance director (Ms. Cruver), community development director, interim building and energy director (Ms. Barton), city attorney (Ms. Asani), financial analyst (Ms. Stephens), deputy finance director (Mr. Olson), economic development manager (Ms. Monson), planning manager (Mr. Walther) 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent). 3. Presentations – none. 4. Minutes. a. Minutes of Sept. 2, 2025, city council special study session b. Minutes of Sept. 15, 2025, city council meeting Council Member Rog requested a revision to page 5 of the September 15, 2025, minutes, to state: “Council Member Rog stated she has concerns about a potential 18% levy increase. She sees an opportunity to reduce the tax burden on taxpayers for 2026, without any impact to staffing or programs, taking a closer look at the EDA and potentially, the HRA levies. She stated the EDA fund was implemented with the caveat that we look at it every year, and she feels this is a good year to consider pausing until conditions improve both for developers and taxpayers. She stated she also feels there may be wiggle room to reduce, not eliminate, the HRA levy temporarily in 2026 as well, if it did not impact receiving matching funds from the state for housing. Council Member Rog reiterated that in her view, reducing the EDA and potentially HRA levies could provide relief that would be palatable for staff and residents and not result in staff layoffs or program cuts.” Docusign Envelope ID: 6D8538DB-869F-4FC8-82BD-E086EB6292DE City council meeting -2- Oct. 20, 2025 It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve the Sept. 2 city council special study session meeting minutes as presented and the Sept. 15, 2025, city council meeting minutes as amended. The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent). 5. Consent items. a. Adopt ordinance amending council member salaries (This item was removed from the consent items and considered as a regular agenda item 7a.) b. Adopt Ordinance No. 2697-25 amending chapter 8 subdivision XVI relating to cannabinoid products c. Adopt Ordinance No. 2698-25 amending chapter 34 of the city code related to grass height d. Adopt Ordinance No. 2699-25 amending chapter 8, section 8-326 exceptions for rental licensing e. Resolutions No. 25-126, 25-127, 25-128, 25-129, 25-130, and 25-131 approving 2026 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service Districts 1 - 6 and district 4 extension f. Resolution No. 25-132 authorizing parking restrictions along Raleigh Avenue and 35th Street - Ward 2 g. Resolution No. 25-133 authorizing final payment for Lamplighter Pond Maintenance project (4022- 4001) - Ward 4 h. Resolution No. 25-134 authorizing the purchase of small evergreen trees in recognition of the 2025 Evergreen Award winners i. Resolution No. 25-135 authorizing the application for the Department of Natural Resources Community Tree Planting grant j. Resolution No. 25-136 authorizing a special assessment for sewer service line repair at 4721 Vallacher Avenue South - Ward 2 k. Resolution No. 25-137 authorizing a special assessment for sewer service line repair at 8011 34 ½ Street West - Ward 3 l. Resolution No. 25-138 approving amendments for a conduit revenue note issued for St. Louis Park AH I, LLLP m. Resolution No. 25-139 authorizing contract for school resource officer Council Member Budd requested that consent item 5a be moved to regular business item 7a. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin noted item 5m involves a one-year contract for a school resource officer in St. Louis Park schools. He stated the reason this is a one-year contract is that the school board would like to revisit this in the coming year. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the consent agenda items as revised and to move consent item 5a to regular business item 7a. The motion passed 6-0. (Mayor Mohamed absent). 6. Public hearings – none. Docusign Envelope ID: 6D8538DB-869F-4FC8-82BD-E086EB6292DE City council meeting -3- Oct. 20, 2025 7. Regular business. a. Ordinance No. 2700-25 amending council member salaries Council Member Budd stated that the reason she requested to move this item to regular business is to address why she will not support this ordinance. Council Member Budd noted that while she supports the ordinance amendment in theory, she feels the timing is not right, especially with commercial property values decreasing significantly. Council Member Budd added that whatever budget the council approves, it will impact residential homeowners at an escalated rate. Council Member Budd stated in times when the federal government is cutting federal programs that will impact a large number of residents in St. Louis Park, she thinks the city should tighten its own belt and decline council member salary increases. She will vote against the increase. Council Member Brausen pointed out that the proposed ordinance amendment was passed at the first reading, and this is a small line item in the city’s overall budget. In previous discussion, the majority of the council felt this action is really intended to encourage more people to seek out city council seats. Council Member Brausen stated the council wants to open the field by bringing council member pay closer to a livable wage, although it is less than what a part-time worker makes at Target. Council Member Brausen noted that this ordinance amendment will move council member salaries up to the $18 per hour range, without benefits. Council Member Brausen stated this increase is appropriate. He noted that the optics are never good because the council is the only body that can raise its own salaries, so it must be done very publicly. Council Member Brausen noted that it is appropriate to take this action during this budget cycle, stating it will have no significant impact on the average taxpayer. As impacts are negligible, he will support the ordinance amendment. Council Member Rog stated that she respects Council Member Budd’s position on salary increases for council members. At the same time, she feels the increase is modest within the context of the city budget, adding that there are many things in the city budget that the council funds that are far more expensive. Council Member Rog stated the timing of council member salary increases is right because it has not been brought up in many years and they have now had the opportunity to go through a detailed analysis. Council Member Rog stated she feels this is the right year to move forward with council member salary increases, and she will support the ordinance amendment. Council Member Dumalag thanked Council Member Budd for her statements. She added that salary increases for council members are an important discussion even though it is awkward to discuss in the public space. Council Member Dumalag added that serving the city can be very difficult and is a tough job where the council makes decisions and your neighbors can disagree with those decisions. Docusign Envelope ID: 6D8538DB-869F-4FC8-82BD-E086EB6292DE City council meeting -4- Oct. 20, 2025 Council Member Dumalag stated that if the city wants more people and more dialogue at the dais, the council needs to make sure they are treating the position of council member as seriously as it requires. This is a small salary increase to ensure that good quality people with varying life experiences have an opportunity to run for council. Council Member Dumalag stated this is why she will support council member salary increases. Council Member Farris added she also respects Council Member Budd’s comments but noted she also supports the minimal salary increases. Council Member Farris stated the council deserves this increase and this will allow a pathway for others to be on the council. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin added that it is good that council member salary increases are discussed and approved publicly. He acknowledged that while the process can be awkward, the city council is up-front about all they are doing. It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to adopt Ordinance No. 2700-25 amending council member salaries. The motion passed (5-1) (Council Member Budd opposed, Mayor Mohamed absent). 8. Communications and announcements. Ms. Keller stated that road construction on Minnetonka Boulevard is ending soon and will reopen by November 2025. Ms. Keller also stated there is no council meeting on Oct. 27, 2025. Council Member Rog stated there is a meeting with the public on Oct. 29, 2025, Lenox Community Center, related to revamping the west side of Minnetonka Boulevard. Council Member Brausen noted that Oct. 21, 2025, is the 30th anniversary celebration of the St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts. The event will be at 6 p.m. at the West End, and all are invited to join. Council Member Budd stated the Jewish Film Festival will be hosted in St. Louis Park the last week of October 2025 and encouraged residents to look for more information online. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor Docusign Envelope ID: 6D8538DB-869F-4FC8-82BD-E086EB6292DE