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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/04/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota April 6, 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, Jim Engelking, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Paul Baudhuin, Mayor Nadia Mohamed Council members absent: none Staff present: city manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), community engagement coordinator (Mr. Coleman), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen), facilities superintendent (Mr. Eisold), public service worker (Mr. Kaiser), deputy engineering director (Mr. Sullivan), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), deputy community development director (Mr. Walther), parks and recreation director (Mr. West) 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 3. Presentations. a. Recognition of retirement of facilities maintenance public service worker Ken Kaiser Mayor Mohamed read the resolution recognizing Ken Kaiser for his 20 years of service with the city. Mr. Kaiser began employment on June 27, 2005, as a public service worker in the parks and recreation department’s facilities division. The resolution noted Mr. Kaiser’s contributions to opening and remodeling the municipal service center, both fire stations and the Westwood Hills Nature Center. Mr. Kaiser also contributed to remodeling for offices and operational spaces across city facilities. Mr. Eisold spoke about Mr. Kaiser's many contributions to work that took place behind-the- scenes, noting that Mr. Kaiser ensured facilities were safe, welcoming and properly maintained. Mr. Eisold highlighted that Mr. Kaiser not only resolved problems but proactively prevented them. Mr. Kaiser thanked the city for the opportunity to serve the residents of St. Louis Park and expressed that while he would not miss the early morning work hours, he would miss the people he worked alongside. Docusign Envelope ID: 5C069E1C-9161-8B87-8299-49600EEDE374 City council meeting - 2 - April 6, 2026 Council Member Brausen acknowledged Mr. Kaiser's involvement in the substantial rehabilitation of city hall and noted that residents benefit daily from that work. Mr. Kaiser noted that the renovation of the council chambers at city hall was a significant project; he was proud to have been part of it. b. Proclamation observing Deaf History month Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation observing April as Deaf History month in St. Louis Park. The proclamation recognized the rich history of deaf individuals and communities in the United States and affirmed St. Louis Park's commitment to equity and inclusion for deaf residents, colleagues and neighbors. Mayor Mohamed noted the importance of including deaf individuals in the city's equity and inclusion work and acknowledged that accessibility for deaf people is often overlooked. Council Member Brausen encouraged residents to access the additional resources available on the meeting’s online agenda to learn more about deafness and its history in American society. c. Proclamation observing Genocide Awareness and Prevention month Council Member Baudhuin read the proclamation observing Genocide Awareness and Prevention month during April 2026. The proclamation acknowledged the origin of the term “genocide” following the Holocaust, the United Nations' definition of the term and the ongoing challenges faced by genocide survivors and their descendants. Mayor Mohamed acknowledged the difficulty of current world events. d. Proclamation Observing Neurodiversity Celebration Month Council Member Engelking read the proclamation observing Neurodiversity Celebration month during April 2026. The proclamation recognized that neurodiversity encompasses conditions including autism, dyslexia, ADHD and bipolar disorder, which affect 15% to 20% of the world's population. The proclamation noted the city's recreational offerings including sensory kits and sensory hours. It also affirmed St. Louis Park's commitment to inclusivity for neurodiverse employees and residents. Council Member Engelking shared that he volunteers at a nonprofit grocery store teaching culinary skills to neurodiverse post-secondary students. He reflected on the value of helping individuals develop marketable and vocational skills. Mayor Mohamed shared that her brother has autism and that advocacy for him was the foundation of her work in public service. She noted the importance of ensuring neurodiverse individuals have space in the community and in city interactions, including with law enforcement. Docusign Envelope ID: 5C069E1C-9161-8B87-8299-49600EEDE374 City council meeting - 3 - April 6, 2026 e. Proclamation observing Arbor Day and Arbor Month 2026 Council Member Budd read the proclamation observing Arbor Day on May 14, 2026, and Arbor Month during May 2026. The proclamation recognized St. Louis Park's designation as a Tree City USA since 1980 and as a Tree City of the World. The proclamation detailed the environmental and public health benefits of urban trees including stormwater management, wildlife habitat and climate change mitigation. Council Member Budd noted the council's commitment to the city's tree canopy policy and highlighted city programs that assist residents with tree disease treatment costs. Mayor Mohamed noted the Arbor Day tree planting event to be held at Carpenter Park on May 14, 2026. Council Member Baudhuin emphasized the importance of St. Louis Park's tree canopy to the character of the city and encouraged residents with ash trees to treat them against emerald ash borer, noting the high cost of tree removal as a practical incentive. Council Member Brausen shared that he lost three of five mature ash trees on his property due to emerald ash borer before treatment was applied. He noted that city programs help spread out treatment costs. The city's tree canopy is currently at approximately 30% coverage and is projected to decline to approximately 25% due to emerald ash borer and other diseases. He encouraged residents to participate in the city's tree sale through Tree Trust to purchase new trees at a discount. 4. Minutes. a. Special city council meeting minutes of March 9, 2026 b. Study session meeting minutes of March 9, 2026 c. City council meeting minutes of March 23, 2026 d. Special study session meeting minutes of March 23, 2026 It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Bashore, to approve the March 9, 2026 special city council meeting minutes, the March 9, 2026 study session meeting minutes, the March 23, 2026 city council meeting minutes and the March 23, 2026 special study session meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed 7–0. 5. Consent Items. a. Resolution No. 26-048 recognizing retirement of Ken Kaiser b. Approve city disbursements c. Resolution No. 26-049 approving the Safe Streets Action Plan and supporting a Vision Zero goal d. Approve bid for 2026 Mill and Overlay (Area 2) project (4026-1200) – Wards 1 and 2 e. Approve bid for 2026 Concrete Replacement project (4026-0003) Docusign Envelope ID: 5C069E1C-9161-8B87-8299-49600EEDE374 City council meeting - 4 - April 6, 2026 f. Resolution No. 26-050 authorizing acceptance of the Hennepin County IGNITE funding award - Ward 2 g. Resolutions No. 26-051 and 26-052 authorizing application for the Minnesota DEED contamination cleanup and investigation grant for Wooddale Station redevelopment project - Ward 2 h. Resolution No. 26-053 authorizing application for the Met Council Water Efficiency grant i. Resolution No. 26-054 authorizing submission of grant application and execution of grant agreement for citywide sanitary sewer lining projects j. Resolution No. 26-055 approving agreements for vehicle towing and impound and impound lot lease k. Resolution No. 26-056 designating polling places for 2026 election cycle l. Approve temporary/seasonal premises amendments for liquor establishments m. Approve temporary extension of licensed premises - Ullsperger Brewing n. Resolution No. 26-057 accepting a donation to the city for Kim Keller to attend the 2026 ICMA Local Government Reimagined conference It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public hearings - none. 7. Regular business. a. Resolution No. 26-058 adopting Vision 4.0 Strategic Priorities Ms. Brodeen presented the staff report. She was joined by Mr. Coleman and Mr. Walther. Ms. Brodeen provided an overview of the visioning process, noting that St. Louis Park has conducted a community visioning process every 10 years since 1995. The previous process was completed in 2016, and the current process began in 2024. The engagement plan was designed following a council discussion in February 2024 and a consultant was engaged to support the work. An internal staff planning committee and an external planning committee were established. In 2025, the city conducted pre-engagement work including community identity sessions involving council members, planning committee members, boards and commissions representatives and nonprofit partners. Community facilitator training sessions were held to prepare residents to lead their own engagement sessions. Through the summer of 2025, the city engaged over 1,600 residents through community events, city-led events, community conversations, surveys, social media and arts-based engagement activities. In December 2025, a final engagement report was presented to the council summarizing themes from the process. Docusign Envelope ID: 5C069E1C-9161-8B87-8299-49600EEDE374 City council meeting - 5 - April 6, 2026 Beginning January 2026, a new consultant has led the council through four priority-setting discussions that refined the themes into the five final strategic priorities: a Welcoming, Safe Community, Good Governance, Connected Safe Infrastructure, Diverse Affordable and Dignified Housing and Climate Leadership in Natural Spaces. It was moved by Mayor Mohamed, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the resolution adopting Vision 4.0 Strategic Priorities. The motion passed 7-0. Mayor Mohamed thanked staff and all participating residents. She noted that pausing every 10 years to re-examine priorities based on resident input is an important commitment for the city. Council Member Farris praised the engagement work, particularly noting outreach to youth and community members across the city. Council Member Baudhuin, drawing on nearly 30 years of experience as a pastor engaged in strategic planning work, stated this was the most effective strategic visioning process he had participated in. He credited both city staff and the consultants involved. Ms. Keller congratulated the Vision 4.0 team and noted that outcomes of previous visioning processes included Excelsior and Grand, West End, the city's sustainability work, the equity team and the inclusionary housing policy. She announced that strategic planning conversations to deliver on the new priorities are already underway. 8. Communications And Announcements – none. Ms. Keller announced the Walk the Park event scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Lamplighter Park from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. She also announced the Spring Swap Series will be held at The Rec Center on the last three Thursdays of April (April 16, 23 and 30) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The swap events will cover arts and crafts, puzzles and clothing respectively. Mayor Mohamed reported that the city council had been unable to attend the National League of Cities conference in Washington D.C., due to flight cancellations caused by a regional snowstorm. In lieu of meeting with legislative representatives in Washington D.C. during the conference, she and other council members visited federal offices in Saint Paul on April 6, 2026. Mayor Mohamed noted requests were made for funding related to the Oxford-Louisiana infrastructure project and Minnetonka Boulevard Phase 2, as well as discussion of the impacts of immigration and customs enforcement activity in the community. Council Member Baudhuin joined her for Senator Tina Smith's office; Council Member Farris joined her for Senator Amy Klobuchar's office and a visit to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's office was scheduled for the following day. Docusign Envelope ID: 5C069E1C-9161-8B87-8299-49600EEDE374 City council meeting - 6 - April 6, 2026 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 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: 5C069E1C-9161-8B87-8299-49600EEDE374