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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/12/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes Special city council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Dec. 8, 2025 1. Call to order. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin called the special city council meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. a. Roll call. b. Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present: Margaret Rog, Lynette Dumalag, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen (arrived 6:19 p.m.), Yolanda Farris, Mayor pro tem Paul Baudhuin Council members absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Ms. Heine), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), assistant city engineer (Mr. Sullivan), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal) 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Mohamed and Council Member Brausen absent). 3. Presentations – none. 4. Minutes – none. 5. Consent items – none. 6. Public hearings – none. 7. Regular business. a. Resolutions authorizing traffic control changes in Minikahda Vista neighborhood – Ward 2 Mr. Sullivan presented the staff report. The proposed traffic control changes for the Minikahda Vista neighborhood would change the current inconsistent pattern of stop signs to an alternating pattern across 39 intersections. Of those, 30 intersections would be modified, primarily by removing two of four stop signs at most all-way stops. The proposal was based on a systems approach intended to create greater consistency, safety and predictability. The proposal was based on a systems approach intended to create greater consistency, safety and predictability. Docusign Envelope ID: 7386BB07-95B4-4C7D-9D3A-B4D6ED9EC43C Special city council meeting -2- Dec. 8, 2025 Mr. Sullivan explained that the recommendation was developed based on three factors: industry standards for stop sign installation, neighborhood predictability and community feedback. Though many intersections did not meet criteria for stop signs, staff recognized residents' desire for some stop control and tried to balance engineering standards with safety concerns. Mr. Sullivan presented maps showing the current configuration and the proposed changes, which would affect 30 of the 39 intersections studied. Most changes involved removing two of four stop signs at intersections to create an alternating stop control pattern. He noted that staff had sent newsletters to nearly 1,000 properties and over 2,000 email recipients to inform them of the recommendations. Based on feedback from approximately 70 residents, staff conducted a second review and modified two locations. They decided to maintain all-way stops at 40th and Quentin and at 42nd at the intersection of Princeton and Quentin (near Susan Lindgren School) due to sight line issues. Mr. Sullivan emphasized that staff would continue monitoring intersections after implementation, reviewing data on vehicle volumes and speeds, and considering modifications if conditions warranted adjustments. Council Member Rog asked about crash history data for the neighborhood. Mr. Sullivan explained that he could provide data from a state-maintained database covering the last ten years, which included everything from minor fender benders to more severe crashes. He indicated that the neighborhood's crash patterns were consistent with other areas in the city, with most incidents related to sideswipes and mid-block activities rather than intersection- related crashes. Council Member Dumalag inquired about the timeframe for data collection on stop sign compliance. Mr. Sullivan noted that data was typically collected in advance of neighborhood reconstruction projects and that the low compliance rates aligned with regional and national studies showing similar patterns of rolling stops. Council Member Budd questioned the rationale for leaving some intersections uncontrolled. Mr. Sullivan clarified that these were primarily short cul-de-sacs with extremely low traffic volumes, used mainly by residents and regular service providers. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin opened the floor for public comment. Residents provided extensive public comment with residents expressing strong opposition to the proposal. Their key concerns included: ● Potential increased speeds and cut-through traffic, particularly on 38th Street ● Pedestrian safety, especially near parks and school bus stops ● Lack of sufficient data showing safety improvements would result from the proposed changes ● Unique neighborhood characteristics not addressed Docusign Envelope ID: 7386BB07-95B4-4C7D-9D3A-B4D6ED9EC43C Special city council meeting -3- Dec. 8, 2025 Paul Jennings, 3925 Joppa Avenue South, identified himself as a retired attorney and expressed disagreement with Sullivan's approach. He argued that the proposal approached the problem from an engineering perspective rather than a driver's perspective. Mr. Jennings contended that stop signs serve multiple purposes beyond right-of-way control, including addressing sight lines and managing cross-traffic volumes. He criticized the proposal for removing 26 stop signs, including one near his home close to Minnehaha Park. Kate Pickman, 3829 Kipling Avenue, stated that her block housed 13 children under age 16. She argued that the proposed plan was dangerous and unsupported by data. Ms. Pickman cited a McGill University study showing significant speed reductions with all-way stops and a Richfield study demonstrating 64 percent speed reduction after adding stop signs. She expressed particular concern about the proposed removal of stop signs at Kipling and 29th Street, where elementary school children wait for buses in the dark. Rudy Rosen, 3800 Joppa Avenue South, emphasized differences between Minikahda Vista and Browndale neighborhoods. He explained that unlike Browndale, which is insulated by Highway 100, Minikahda Vista experiences significant cut-through traffic from commuters using Google Maps to find faster routes. Mr. Rosen argued that removing traffic controls would incentivize more cut-through traffic, contradicting the principle of directing traffic to arterial streets rather than through residential areas. Patrick Roche, 3836 Kipling Avenue South, presented signatures from neighbors opposing the changes. He requested that the council delay judgment, arguing inadequate due process given the late distribution of materials. Mr. Roche characterized the proposal as a solution in search of a problem, noting that the process began with residents requesting more stop signs, not fewer. He questioned whether the pavement management project was used as a pretext to implement the basket-weave system. Lyn Wik, 40th Street and Quentin Avenue, thanked Mr. Sullivan and staff for reconsidering and maintaining the four-way stop at her intersection. She spoke on behalf of neighbors regarding the intersection at Natchez and Vallacher, presenting a list of 34 signatures supporting retention of that four-way stop. Ms. Wick argued that while stop sign compliance is never perfect, stop signs remain universally noticed and create predictable pause points for safety. Bill Weber, 3824 Huntington Avenue, advocated postponing the decision to consider neighborhood concerns. He emphasized that 38th Street differs significantly from other neighborhood streets, describing it as becoming a highway with traffic backing up during peak hours. Mr. Weber warned that removing stop signs would increase speeds and endanger pedestrian traffic crossing to Minikahda Vista Park. Tim Burke, 3741 Huntington Avenue, thanked staff for their work while emphasizing that safety should be the primary end goal, not consistency or predictability. He noted that the original concerns about stop sign compliance were fundamentally about safety and urged council to review the proposal from a safety enhancement perspective. Docusign Envelope ID: 7386BB07-95B4-4C7D-9D3A-B4D6ED9EC43C Special city council meeting -4- Dec. 8, 2025 Steve May, 3901 Joppa Avenue, shared his 35 years of neighborhood residence. He questioned how removing stop signs would increase safety when the city was actively promoting walkability. Mr. May expressed particular concern about stop signs on 29th and 38th Streets. Mark Rekow, 3833 Kipling Avenue, read an email he had sent to city officials expressing concern about removing all-way stops at 28th and 29th Streets at Kipling. He stated there are 13 children under the age of 15 on his block and questioned how the changes would improve traffic flow while balancing safety needs. Mr. Rekow cited increasing pedestrian accident rates nationally and argued the proposal would increase neighborhood risks with little benefit. Bruce Richardson, 3800 Glenhurst Avenue, stated that stop signs slow speeders and protect children, including his four-year-old grandson. He argued the city seemed more interested in traffic movement than neighborhood safety and noted traffic on 38th Street had increased 20- 25 percent in two years. Mickey Goldstein, 3800 Glenhurst Avenue, recounted efforts from 25-30 years ago with previous city managers to discourage traffic on 38th Street. He questioned why the current approach seemed focused on moving traffic rather than keeping non-residents out of the neighborhood. Mr. Goldstein emphasized that over 50 percent of 38th Street traffic comes from non-residents. Claudia Johnston Madison, 3931 Joppa Avenue South, spoke on behalf of Jonathan and Kathleen Hoffman at 3905 Joppa Avenue. She read their email requesting reconsideration of several intersections based on sight line concerns similar to those that prompted modifications on Quentin. The email detailed specific safety issues at multiple intersections frequently used by young children accessing playgrounds. Amy Kinsley, 3928 Joppa Avenue South, described studies showing all-way stops reduce speeds and improve pedestrian safety. She detailed safety concerns for families accessing the park at 39th and Joppa, where children often travel ahead of parents on bikes and scooters. Ms. Kinsley shared personal experiences returning loose dogs to owners and helping an elderly man who had fallen, emphasizing how stop signs provide crucial moments for drivers to scan their surroundings. Mary Mackey, 3924 Joppa Avenue South, questioned why the city would fix something that was not broken. She noted traffic had increased exponentially in the last three years and removing stop signs would invite more traffic. Linda Jennings, 3925 Joppa Avenue South, spoke on behalf of herself, her husband Paul, and several neighbors. She emphasized that eliminating the north-south stop at 39th and Joppa would create three consecutive blocks without north-south stops. Ms. Jennings noted significant school traffic from two private schools affecting Joppa nine months per year and expressed concern about speed limit confusion as drivers enter from Edina where limits are higher. Penny Leporte, 3741 Huntington Avenue, commended the city for improving walkability through sidewalk additions but argued removing stop signs contradicted these initiatives. She Docusign Envelope ID: 7386BB07-95B4-4C7D-9D3A-B4D6ED9EC43C Special city council meeting -5- Dec. 8, 2025 referenced the city's “Connect the Park” initiatives emphasizing people-first infrastructure and urged consideration of long-term impacts. Karen Kelly Bridston, 3921 Joppa Avenue South, read a letter from neighbor Paul Miller at 3908 Joppa Avenue South. The letter argued that stop signs must stay where non-vehicle users rely on them for safety. It criticized the lack of pedestrian traffic studies and questioned specific data regarding vehicle speeds, measurement locations and evaluation criteria for monitoring changes. Kristen Sigmund (3905 Glenhurst Avenue) spoke about her daughter, who lives at 3905 Joppa. Ms. Sigmund emphasized concerns about creating a long unstopped speedway from Grimes to 38th Street. She recalled when stop signs were originally installed to slow traffic and questioned the cost of removing 36 signs for a change no one requested. Lindsey Rose, 3716 Huntington Avenue, expressed gratitude for existing stop signs that allow safe crossing despite rushed motorists. She strongly opposed removing four-way stops on 38th Street, emphasizing the street serves as a heavily crossed route for families, bicyclists and school bus stops. Ms. Rose urged maintaining existing four-way stops to protect neighbors and community. Connor McDougall, 3836 Joppa Avenue South, challenged the notion that incomplete stops equal failure, arguing that rolling stops at 10 mph are safer than vehicles passing at 50 mph. He expressed concerns for his four-year-old son learning to ride and emphasized the neighborhood is not a highway. Mr. McDougall cited his professional experience in safety management and concluded that removing stop signs would not improve safety. Peter Bridston, 3921 Joppa Avenue South, observed that Joppa Avenue is the busiest north- south street between Wooddale and France for inter-city traffic. He noted that West 39th crossing Joppa is the major pedestrian route to the park, with heavy foot traffic for winter sledding. Mr. Bridston guaranteed average vehicle speeds would increase if signs were removed and rejected the notion that stop signs cannot be used for speed control. Dennis Gubanka, 3744 Huntington Avenue, echoed previous speakers' points and urged the council to revise the policy that produced these recommendations. He noted that while staff emphasized consistency, predictability and best practices, residents prioritize safety above all else. Olivia, 38th Street and Joppa Avenue, discussed the logic of decision-making, noting the process began with residents requesting more stop signs but somehow shifted to removing them. She argued that the Browndale neighborhood was not an appropriate comparison and that no evidence showed that changes improved safety or reduced speed there. Olivia noted that while 88 percent of drivers did not stop completely, 66 percent did slow down. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin thanked the public for their comments and closed the comment period. Docusign Envelope ID: 7386BB07-95B4-4C7D-9D3A-B4D6ED9EC43C Special city council meeting -6- Dec. 8, 2025 It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Rog, to delay the vote and revisit the 2022 policy. The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Mohamed absent). Council Member Dumalag explained her reasoning, noting the city council’s composition had changed since the 2022 policy decision, with two members no longer serving and two new members not part of the original decision. She emphasized the importance of residents trusting their representatives and the need to thoughtfully consider geographic-specific approaches versus citywide consistency. Council Member Dumalag thanked staff for their extensive work and community engagement. Council Member Budd expressed amazement at the community turnout and quoted a resident's observation that neighborhood residents best understand their streets' safety needs. Council Member Rog supported the motion while defending engineers' safety priorities. She suggested increased police enforcement of stop signs might address compliance issues more effectively than sign removal. Council Member Rog sought clarification about which four-way stops were being preserved. Council Member Farris reflected on her eight years addressing street safety concerns. While pleased with the approach to listen and revisit, she hoped future councils would consider creative solutions including flashing beacons, speed humps, additional speed limit signs at entry points, and strategies to address cut-through traffic on 38th Street. Council Member Dumalag emphasized that pedestrian studies seemed inadequate given the city's initiatives to increase pedestrian and bike traffic. She appreciated the unified message from residents and noted she avoids 38th Street due to the many stops. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin acknowledged that while 38th Street is a public road with cut-through rights, safety must be ensured. He supported adjusting the system approach to fit neighborhood particularities and favored delaying action for further review. Council Member Dumalag added final comments about the complexity of governing decisions, including balancing pedestrian and vehicle priorities, determining whether neighborhoods serve only residents or are shared resources, and allocating police resources for enforcement versus other city needs. 8. Communications and announcements. Ms. Keller announced upcoming winter weather requiring plowing. She asked residents to avoid parking across from each other to keep streets accessible to snowplows. She noted the same staff handle both plowing and ice rink preparation, hoping to have rinks ready by the week’s end if weather permits. Ms. Keller reminded everyone that at the Dec. 15, 2025 city council meeting, the council would adopt the 2026 budget. Docusign Envelope ID: 7386BB07-95B4-4C7D-9D3A-B4D6ED9EC43C Special city council meeting -7- Dec. 8, 2025 Council Member Farris reminded attendees about the Holiday Train on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. around 6:00 p.m. near STEP. 9. Adjournment. Mayor pro tem Baudhuin wished a Happy Hanukkah to community members who celebrate the holiday and adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor These minutes were created with the assistance of a generative AI transcript service, then edited and finalized by a human. Docusign Envelope ID: 7386BB07-95B4-4C7D-9D3A-B4D6ED9EC43C