Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/02/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Feb. 2, 2026 1. Call to order. Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. a. Pledge of allegiance b. Roll call Council members present: Daniel Bashore, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Mayor Nadia Mohamed Council members absent: Jim Engelking, Paul Baudhuin Staff present: senior planner (Ms. Chamberlain), associate planner (Ms. Champoux), public works director (Mr. Hall), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), city manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), economic development manager (Ms. Monson), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), deputy engineering director (Mr. Sullivan), parks and recreation director (Mr. West), engineering project manager (Mr. Wiesen) 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Farris, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Engelking and Baudhuin absent). 3. Presentations. a. Proclamation observing Black History Month Mayor Mohamed read a proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. The proclamation acknowledged the significant contributions Black Americans have made to the nation's culture, politics, workplace, medicine, science, economics, business, education, arts and legacy. It also highlighted their courageous work for civil rights despite consequences and noted that St. Louis Park celebrates Juneteenth annually. Mayor Mohamed reflected on how Black Americans have taught valuable lessons about resistance and challenging racist ideologies that don't work for the entirety of America. Council Member Farris expressed that the month should inspire people not only to remember history, but also to learn from it and act with purpose. She shared a personal experience of still encountering prejudice in everyday situations and encouraged everyone to try to be better. Mayor Mohamed acknowledged with sadness that respect can end when council members step away from the dais. Docusign Envelope ID: D5962D98-D862-4305-8828-2DBB9322CD26 City council meeting - 2 - Feb. 2, 2026 Council Member Budd highlighted the rich resource section compiled by staff related to Black History Month, available in the agenda packet for all to access. b. Recognition of donations. Mayor Mohamed acknowledged a donation of $4,000 from the American Legion Post 282 through the Community Charities of Minnesota to support the police department's K9 program. 4. Minutes. a. Study session meeting minutes of January 12, 2026 b. City council meeting minutes of January 20, 2026 c. Special study session meeting minutes of January 20, 2026 It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Bashore to approve the Jan. 12, 2026, special study session meeting minutes, the Jan. 20, 2026, city council meeting minutes and the Jan. 20, 2026 special study session meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Engelking and Baudhuin absent). 5. Consent items. a. Approve city disbursements b. Resolution No. 26-015 accepting a donation to the city to support the police department's K9 program c. Resolution No. 26-016 accepting a donation to the city for Rita Vorpahl to attend the 2026 Minnesota Public Employer Labor Relations Association winter conference d. Resolution No. 26-017 approving annual liquor license renewals e. Resolution No. 26-018 approving Hennepin County Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant agreement f. Approve 2025 Pay Equity Report Council Member Brausen noted a resolution accepting a donation for Rita Vorpahl, Human Resources Director, to attend the 2026 Minnesota Public Employer Labor Relations Association Winter Conference and thanked the benefactor for their generosity. He also pointed out that the city council was approving annual liquor license renewals for 63 different establishments in St. Louis Park. He congratulated these establishments for successful legal compliance and encouraged residents to support local restaurants during difficult economic times. Mayor Mohamed echoed the sentiment about supporting small businesses. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Engelking and Baudhuin absent). Docusign Envelope ID: D5962D98-D862-4305-8828-2DBB9322CD26 City council meeting - 3 - Feb. 2, 2026 6. Public hearing. a. Public hearing for Greenway-Cedar Trail Connection and Streambank Restoration project (4025-2000) - Ward 2 Mr. Sullivan presented the staff report. He introduced Mr. Michael Haymen from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, with whom the city is partnering for the project. Mr. Haymen provided background on the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's work in the community, explaining they are a special purpose unit of government tasked with protecting natural resources in their 178 square mile watershed spanning 29 communities. He described past projects in the area including work with Methodist Hospital, Japs-Olson Company, Minnehaha Creek Preserve and Cottageville Park. Mr. Haymen highlighted how these projects have improved water quality, increased flood storage, addressed contamination and provided better access to green space. Mr. Sullivan stated this project would create a quarter-mile multi-use paved trail to fill the gap between Methodist Hospital and the Cedar Lake Regional Trail. The trail would be maintained year-round, includes bank stabilization and restoration where appropriate, and would cost approximately $415,000 for the city's share after a $200,000 grant from Hennepin County. The cost exceeded the $300,000 identified in the Capital Improvements Projects fund, but the finance department confirmed sufficient capacity within the 2026 capital improvement budget. Council Member Bashore asked where the trail would connect on the eastern side. Mr. Sullivan explained it would be north of the Japs Olson company property near Powell Road. Council Member Brausen asked for clarity regarding tree and buckthorn removal. Mr. Sullivan confirmed this work would occur on the south side of the creek, with buckthorn removal on the easterly end and select removal of box elder and cottonwood trees further west. Council Member Brausen confirmed that the watershed district is supportive of the city's pending bonding request for the Louisiana-Oxford project. Council Member Budd asked where the trail crossing at Oxford Street was planned. Mr. Sullivan explained it would be an at-grade crossing with future improvements planned as part of a larger project. Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. Mr. Andy Willette, 2541 Rhode Island Avenue South, spoke briefly in support of the project. As a bike commuter, he felt the proposed trail was a critical connection that would benefit the city and people who do not use cars. Ms. Janet Kimmerle, a new resident of St. Louis Park, expressed concerns about pedestrian safety. She shared that prior to having been struck by a vehicle, she had been an avid walker. Her safety concerns included whether bikes or e-bikes and pedestrians would be sharing space Docusign Envelope ID: D5962D98-D862-4305-8828-2DBB9322CD26 City council meeting - 4 - Feb. 2, 2026 on the boardwalk. She also raised questions about the boardwalk's condition and how buckthorn would be removed. Mayor Mohamed closed the public hearing, noting that staff was available in the lobby to address any questions from residents. Mayor Mohamed reiterated that the city council will vote on this project at the meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. 7. Regular business. a. Resolutions No. 26-019 and 26-020 establishing the 2026 Pavement Management Project (4026-1000) - Ward 1 Mr. Wiesen presented the staff report. Following the public hearing on Jan. 20, 2026, staff had revised their recommendations after further consultation with fire, police and public works departments. The revised staff recommendation was to maintain existing street widths on all north-south streets (Kentucky, Jersey, Idaho, Colorado and Brunswick Avenues) and reduce 29th Street from 30 feet to 26 feet only if a sidewalk is approved for the north side of the street. The recommendation included prohibiting parking on the north side of 29th Street to address seasonal emergency access and operational needs. Mr. Wiesen addressed questions raised during the previous public hearing. Regarding snow removal operations, he explained that neither 28th nor 29th Street is exempt from parking restrictions during snow emergencies and the city does not have designated public parking areas available during these events. He also detailed the proposed five-foot sidewalk on the north side of 29th Street, explaining that it would include a four-foot boulevard in most areas to minimize impacts to trees and private property. The updated cost estimate for the entire project was $8.7 million, including an additional $150,000-$200,000 for the revised plans. Council Member Bashore asked for clarification regarding the recommended boulevard width. Mr. Wiesen explained that while a boulevard width of five to six feet is typical, staff recommends four feet to minimize impacts to trees and property. In some locations, it would be reduced to three feet or even to zero at the back of the curb to preserve mature trees or maintain adequate driveway lengths. Council Member Bashore thanked staff and residents for their engagement in the process. He expressed support for applying the Living Streets policy while acknowledging the unique parking challenges in the neighborhood. He proposed an amendment to the resolution to reduce the boulevard width from zero to four feet to zero to three feet to provide more room for properties closer to 29th Street. He also recognized that snow removal on sidewalks would Docusign Envelope ID: D5962D98-D862-4305-8828-2DBB9322CD26 City council meeting - 5 - Feb. 2, 2026 create an additional burden for property owners and committed to addressing this issue in the future. Mayor Mohamed asked if the smaller street width would result in more snow being pushed onto sidewalks. Mr. Wiesen noted that narrowing the street would result in less street snow being pushed onto the boulevard. However, having only three feet of boulevard would provide less space there to pile up snow. Council Member Brausen supported the amended proposal, acknowledging that changes to infrastructure can be difficult for residents but noting that staff does an excellent job balancing safety concerns with neighborhood input. When possible, he prefers narrowing streets to reduce pollution and runoff while increasing green spaces. Mayor Mohamed stated she would not support the amendment to narrow the boulevard; her intention is to remain aligned with how policies are applied in other neighborhoods. It was moved by Council Member Bashore, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve Resolution No. 26-019 establishing the 2026 pavement management project, approving the plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids, with the modification that the sidewalk design along 29th Street shall use a zero to three-foot boulevard as amended, and Resolution No. 26-020 to install no parking signage on the north side of 29th Street between Louisiana Avenue and Brunswick Avenue as presented. The motion passed 4-1 (Mayor Mohamed opposed, Council Members Engelking and Baudhuin absent). b. Resolution No. 26-021 authorizing a conditional use permit for a religious institution at 6805 Minnetonka Boulevard - Ward 3 Ms. Champoux presented the staff report. The church at 6805 Minnetonka Boulevard plans to renovate the interior of the sanctuary and community spaces, expand the sanctuary by approximately 500 square feet, and replace pavement on the north and west sides of the building with green space. The project would reduce hardcover on the site from 75% to 59%, add 30 trees and 172 shrubs, and bring the site into compliance with electric vehicle charging and bicycle parking requirements. The church requested a parking reduction from 98 to 85 spaces, which would be met through 60 off-street spaces, with potential for 12 proof-of-parking spaces and 13 on-street spaces. Ms. Champoux noted that the church has an ongoing shared parking agreement with the Lenox Community Center, though it does not meet the city's standards for a permanent easement. Council Member Budd asked if church patrons parking at the Lenox Community Center would be ticketed. Pastor Andrew Peterson explained they have a mutual shared parking agreement where the church uses the Lenox lot on Sundays while the community center uses the church lot during the week when needed. Docusign Envelope ID: D5962D98-D862-4305-8828-2DBB9322CD26 City council meeting - 6 - Feb. 2, 2026 Council Member Bashore noted that he lives near the property and can personally attest to the smooth parking situation on Sundays. It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Mayor Mohamed, to approve Resolution No. 26-021 for a conditional use permit to allow a religious institution and a parking requirement reduction at 6805 Minnetonka Boulevard. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Engelking and Baudhuin absent). c. Resolutions No. 26-022, 26-023 and 26-024 rescinding previous approvals, approving preliminary and final plat and approving variance for 5430 Minnetonka Boulevard – Ward 1 Ms. Champoux presented the staff report. The property at 5430 Minnetonka Boulevard, a vacant 1.1-acre site, was previously used as a gas station and later acquired by MnDOT for reconstruction of the southbound Highway 100 off-ramp. The proposal is to redevelop the site with a three-story, 33-unit apartment building with underground and surface parking. The project would include a public trail to the east of the property connecting Minnetonka Boulevard and Utica Avenue South. The applicant, SELA Investments, requested a variance to allow an 11-foot minimum front yard setback instead of the required 25 feet, though this would only apply to the underground portion of the building. Ms. Champoux explained that the variance was justified due to the ten-foot elevation change across the site and the need to meet shadow ordinance requirements by shifting the building south. The project would exceed landscaping requirements by planting 57 trees and 365 shrubs. Council Member Bashore asked if the development would be affected by potential changes to the intersection as part of the Minnetonka Boulevard redevelopment. Ms. Champoux confirmed that staff and Hennepin County had no concerns about impacts. Council Member Budd asked about soil contamination from the former gas station. Ms. Champoux confirmed there are contaminated soils that will need to be properly removed and disposed of during construction. Ms. Barb Patterson, Browndale neighborhood, commented that she was disappointed the development did not include affordable housing and that the plantings were not specifically described as native plantings, which would promote wildlife diversity. Council Member Bashore expressed support for the project, noting that SELA has a history of good property management in St. Louis Park. He addressed a resident concern about traffic impacts, suggesting that the apartment would likely generate less traffic than the former gas station. Docusign Envelope ID: D5962D98-D862-4305-8828-2DBB9322CD26 City council meeting - 7 - Feb. 2, 2026 Council Member Brausen shared his disappointment about the lack of affordable housing but acknowledged the applicant had followed all ordinance requirements and the proposal would add needed market-rate housing to the community. Mayor Mohamed also supported the project despite preferences for affordable housing, noting the housing crisis and the benefit of developing a long-empty lot. Council Member Farris expressed similar sentiments, noting her disappointment about the lack of affordable housing. She acknowledged the busy corner might not be ideal for families with children. It was moved by Council Member Bashore, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to rescind previous special permit, conditional use permit and variance approvals for property located at 5430 Minnetonka Boulevard, approve the preliminary and final plat of Parkway on 5, and approve a variance to allow a minimum front yard setback of 11 feet instead of the minimum setback of 25 feet in the N2 zoning district. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Engelking and Baudhuin absent). 8. Communications and announcements. Mayor Mohamed noted that the previous day was World Hijab Day, which recognizes the choices Muslim women make to wear hijabs. Mayor Mohamed announced that the City of St. Louis Park has formed a coalition with 13 regional mayors to address concerns related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s "Operation Metro Surge." The coalition is focusing on public safety, local control and economic stability. The coalition has been working with city managers and police chiefs to develop solutions at state and federal levels. Council Member Budd mentioned attending the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's launch of their ten-year plan, where St. Louis Park was featured as one of three cities with successful partnerships. Council Member Bashore announced an upcoming winter fun event hosted by the Bronx Park Neighborhood Association on Feb. 22, 2026, at Dakota Park. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 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 city staff person. Docusign Envelope ID: D5962D98-D862-4305-8828-2DBB9322CD26