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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/05/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota May 4, 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, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Paul Baudhuin, Sue Budd, Mayor Nadia Mohamed Council members absent: none Staff present: city manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), engineering project manager (Mr. Elgaard), deputy engineering director (Mr. Sullivan), community engagement coordinator (Mr. Coleman) Guests: Human Rights Commission Chair (Ms. Anderson), Human Rights Commission Co-Chair (Ms. Alvarez), Nick Turner of Alliant Engineering 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Farris, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 3. Presentations. a. Present 2025 Human Rights Award Ms. Anderson and Ms. Alvarez presented the 2025 Human Rights Awards to the Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) of St. Louis Park public schools. The award recognized the coordinated mutual aid network formed by school PTOs during Operation Metro Surge, during which many immigrant families faced fear of deportation. The PTOs organized rides, supervision and food delivery to support students and families who were afraid to appear in public. Representing their respective PTOs were Diane Jackson (Aquila Elementary), Kelsey Rohde (Susan Lindgren Elementary), Julia Wolfe Skalman (Peter Hobart Elementary), Brenna Batres (Park Spanish Immersion Elementary) and Ali Alowonle (St. Louis Park Middle School). School Board Chair Virginia Mancini, who submitted the nomination, spoke to the scope and depth of the PTOs' mutual aid efforts and expressed gratitude on behalf of school leadership and the parent community. City council meeting - 2 - May 4, 2026 A statement from organizer Kalli Reese was read on behalf of the recipients, emphasizing that the work was done out of obligation to neighbors and children rather than for recognition, and expressing pride in the St. Louis Park community. Council Member Farris congratulated the recipients and emphasized the importance of protecting children in the community. Council Member Baudhuin expressed that the organizing and community response during the preceding months was historic and that he had never been prouder to be a resident of St. Louis Park. b. Proclamation observing Small Business Week Council Member Engelking read the proclamation observing National Small Business Week. The proclamation recognized small businesses as the backbone of St. Louis Park's economy and noted that Minnesota is home to nearly 560,500 small businesses employing 1,300,000 people. Mayor Mohamed shared that she and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar planned visits to three local small businesses — Yum! Kitchen and Bakery, Mexico City Cafe and Ullsperger Brewing — noting that these businesses were also impacted by the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during Operation Metro Surge. Council Member Baudhuin encouraged residents to support the small businesses at Louisiana Avenue and Cedar Lake Road, specifically mentioning Ariana Kabob & Gyro Bistro, noting that those businesses would be entering a period of significant road construction and operating on tight margins. c. Proclamation observing Bike Month Council Member Baudhuin read the proclamation observing Bike Month for May 2026, noting St. Louis Park's silver status designation from the League of American Bicyclists and its third place ranking in the state for bike network quality. He encouraged residents to get outside and ride, and highlighted the Kenilworth Corridor ribbon cutting event on May 9, 2026, with community activities starting at 10:00 a.m. and the ribbon cutting at 11:00 a.m. d. Proclamation observing Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Heritage Month Council Member Baudhuin read the proclamation observing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month for May 2026. He noted that St. Louis Park is home to approximately 2,286 residents of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) heritage and that AANHPI peoples are the fastest-growing population in Minnesota. Mayor Mohamed recognized the Thai American community and their contributions to St. Louis Park through events such as Sunday Thai Markets and the Summer Songkran Festival. e. Proclamation observing American Indian/Native American Heritage Month City council meeting - 3 - May 4, 2026 Council Member Budd read the proclamation observing American Indian and Native American Heritage Month for May 2026. The proclamation recognizes the Dakota people as the ancestral and contemporary inhabitants of the lands that make up St. Louis Park and acknowledges the 11 sovereign tribal governments of Minnesota. f. Proclamation observing Jewish American Heritage Month Council Member Bashore read the proclamation observing Jewish American Heritage Month for May 2026. The proclamation recognizes the significant role of Jewish American communities in St. Louis Park through entrepreneurship, religious leadership and civic involvement. The proclamation affirmed the city's commitment to being a welcoming and safe community. g. Proclamation observing Military Appreciation and National Veterans and Military Families Month Council Member Farris read the proclamation observing Military Appreciation Month for May 2026. The proclamation recognizes nearly 290,000 veterans and present service members in the State of Minnesota, including the unique challenges they face in returning to civilian life. She expressed personal gratitude for veterans' sacrifices, noting her father's service as a Vietnam veteran and emphasizing that veterans deserve greater access to services and support. 4. Minutes. a. Study session meeting minutes of April 13, 2026 Council Member Engelking noted two corrections to the study session meeting minutes of Apr. 13, 2026. First, the description of Option 3 in the neighborhood grant funding discussion should read "increase floors for tier 2 and 3 neighborhoods while increasing the tier 1 grant maximum" rather than "while modestly reducing the tier 1 allocation." Second, a reference to a neighborhood declining to participate after the funding floor was reduced should indicate the neighborhood was outside his ward, not inside it. b. City council meeting minutes of April 20, 2026 No corrections were noted. c. Special study session meeting minutes of April 20, 2026 Council Member Brausen noted that comments in the Apr. 20, 2026, special study session minutes regarding involvement in the process for 18 to 19 years and transit-oriented development along the Southwest Light Rail Line were incorrectly attributed to the mayor pro tem and should be attributed to him. Council Member Baudhuin noted that a question in the same minutes regarding complimentary tickets was incorrectly attributed to him and should be attributed to Council Member Farris. City council meeting - 4 - May 4, 2026 It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin to approve the study session meeting minutes of April 13, 2026 as amended, the city council meeting minutes of April 20, 2026 as presented and the special study session meeting minutes of April 20, 2026 as amended. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Consent items. a. Approve city disbursements b. Resolution No. 26-063 accepting donations to the city to support parks and recreation department programs c. Resolution No. 26-064 authorizing elected official representation on external boards, committees and organizations d. Approve Planning Commission/BOZA workplan addition e. Resolution No. 26-065 accepting local climate action grant award from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency f. Approve bid for 2026 Pavement Management project (4026-1000) - Ward 1 g. Resolution No. 26-066 authorizing an advance of Municipal State Aid funds - Ward 4 h. Resolution No. 26-067 approving sub-grant agreement related to DEED grant for the Beltline Station development - Ward 1 i. Resolution No. 26-068 accepting transfer of 4300 36 1/2 Street from the EDA to the city - Ward 2 j. Resolution No. 26-069 approving purchase agreement for 4300 36 1/2 Street - Ward 2 k. Approve temporary liquor license for The Slavic Experience Mayor Mohamed recognized the following donations accepted under item 5b: • Tree Trust donated $1,200 in labor for Arbor Day tree planting on May 14, 2026; • John and Maureen Drewitz donated $1,000 for access programming at Westwood Hills Nature Center; • Jody Harmon donated 24 binoculars to Westwood Hills Nature Center; • Westwood Hills Nature Center visitors donated $83.23 for center programs. Council Member Brausen noted that item 5j, the resolution approving a purchase agreement for 4300 36½ Street in Ward 2, represented the conclusion of the city's effort to return the formerly EDA-owned property to the private market at roughly the price originally paid. Council Member Engelking added that the purchaser of the property at 4300 36½ Street is a BIPOC St. Louis Park business owner who currently rents their space and will become both an owner and a potential landlord, noting this as a fitting example during National Small Business Week. Council Member Bashore noted that item 5f, the bid approval for the 2026 Pavement Management Project in Ward 1, includes work in his neighborhood of Bronx Park. He advised Bronx Park residents that construction is expected to begin by late May or early June 2026 and noted that the bid came in at approximately $1,700,000 — or 20% under the Capital Improvement Plan budget. He also highlighted a community effort organized by the Bronx Park City council meeting - 5 - May 4, 2026 Neighborhood Association to help a resident along 29th Street relocate plants ahead of sidewalk installation. Council Member Budd highlighted item 5e, noting that the city received a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to support a 10-year update of the city's Climate Action Plan, to be completed in 2028. 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 7-0. 6. Public hearings. a. Public hearing for Minnetonka Boulevard reconstruction project phase 2 (4028-7000) - Wards 1 & 3 Mayor Mohamed noted that no vote would be taken at this meeting; the vote will be taken at the city council meeting on June 1, 2026. She reminded residents in attendance that staff would be available to answer any questions after the public hearing. Mr. Elgaard gave the staff report and introduced Mr. Turner. Mr. Turner provided background on the project, which covers the reconstruction of Minnetonka Boulevard from west of Highway 100 to Aquila Avenue — a segment last fully reconstructed in 1956. The project schedule includes final design in 2026–2027, private utility relocations in 2027 and construction in 2028–2029 over two seasons. Public engagement through 2025 included four phases of outreach with approximately 1,900 postcards mailed per event, 25-yard signs and around 120 in-person attendees at the Phase 3 open house in April 2025. In addition, 20 written comments were received. Three design concepts were presented: Concept A proposes separated bike and pedestrian facilities on each side of the road, similar to the Cedar Lake Road model, with a curb-separated bike path and an adjacent sidewalk. Concept B proposes shared-use paths on both sides of the boulevard, allowing cyclists to travel in either direction on either side without crossing the street. It offers more green space than Concept A and lower maintenance costs but places pedestrians and cyclists in a shared space. Concept C proposes a shared-use path on one side and a sidewalk only on the other, requiring cyclists who wish to travel in a particular direction to cross the street. It provides the most green space of the three options but limits directional flexibility for cyclists. Staff recommended Concept B as providing the best balance of mobility, maintenance efficiency and green space. The preferred concept would require removal of approximately 175 trees, 39 of which are larger than six inches in diameter and would allow for planting of new trees to replace the caliper inches of trees removed. City council meeting - 6 - May 4, 2026 Mr. Elgaard addressed maintenance and operational considerations. Concept A would require one additional full-time staff position and one specialized sidewalk snow removal machine, resulting in approximately $250,000 per year in additional snow removal costs compared to Concept B. Concept B would require one additional year-round piece of equipment (such as a pickup truck or tractor), at a substantially lower annual cost than the current corridor maintenance. Concept C would fall between A and B in cost. Images from Cedar Lake Road were shared to illustrate challenges with curb-separated bike facilities, including snowplow interaction, illegal parking on the bike lane and solid waste collection interference. Regarding utility undergrounding, Mr. Elgaard noted that overhead utilities exist in two segments: east of Blackstone Avenue to Highway 100 (estimated cost of approximately $200,000–$240,000 to underground) and west of Oregon Avenue to Aquila Avenue (estimated $5.3–$6.5 million, driven by a more complex feeder system from a substation). The preliminary total Xcel Energy estimate is approximately $5.5 million, not included in the current Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) and not including costs for private property reconnections or easements. Potential funding sources include general obligation bonds, Hennepin County cost-sharing (capped at $500,000) and a City Requested Special Facility Surcharge (CRFS), which would add a surcharge to residents' electrical bills citywide over four to five years, as only $1.5 million can be collected per year. The total estimated project cost is $39,220,000, with Hennepin County covering approximately $26,200,000 and the city responsible for approximately $13,000,000. The city's share is currently approximately $1.5 million over the CIP estimate. Staff have submitted this project for federal fiscal year 2027 community project funding. Council Member Budd asked whether the CRFS surcharge would apply citywide or only to properties in the immediate corridor. Mr. Elgaard confirmed it would be a citywide surcharge, consistent with how Phase 1 was handled. Council Member Budd asked whether the approximate per-bill cost of the surcharge was known. Mr. Elgaard indicated that figure was not yet available. Council Member Bashore asked whether the $5-million-plus undergrounding cost estimate includes the cost of private property reconnections. Mr. Elgaard clarified that the reconnection costs are captured within the 5–20% cost-overestimate range and that final numbers are still being refined with Xcel Energy. Council Member Baudhuin asked why Concept B was selected over a variation of Concept A where the boulevard would be placed back of curb with the bike lane and pedestrian path adjacent but still separate. Mr. Elgaard noted this option would warrant further investigation. He confirmed that the directional flexibility for cyclists — being able to travel in either direction on either side without crossing — was a key differentiator for Concept B. City council meeting - 7 - May 4, 2026 Council Member Baudhuin asked whether striping or markings could be added to the shared- use path to better communicate its nature to users. Mr. Elgaard indicated this could be explored further in design. Council Member Baudhuin asked whether there is long-term cost savings associated with undergrounding utilities. Council Member Brausen noted that undergrounding reduces damage from storm and wind events, which should reduce power outages. Mr. Elgaard stated he would follow up with more specific information. Council Member Brausen asked whether a decision on utility undergrounding needed to be made at the council meeting on June 1, 2026. Mr. Elgaard indicated the goal is to provide additional information from Xcel Energy before that meeting but acknowledged the decision could be deferred if information is not yet available. Council Member Brausen asked whether the project would be abandoned if the council declined to approve any of the three concepts. Mr. Jack Sullivan responded that while he could not speak for Hennepin County, he would expect the parties to find a path forward and return to the drawing board, subject to further discussion with the county. Council Member Bashore asked whether data existed on safety incidents on other shared-use paths in the city. Mr. Elgaard indicated he did not have that data on hand but would look into it. Mr. Sullivan noted that the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail and Cedar Lake Regional Trail are comparable facilities in width and see hundreds of thousands of visitors per year with very low conflict rates, per communication with Three Rivers Park District. Council Member Budd noted that over 1,500 community members had provided input through the engagement process. Council Member Engelking noted that the snow removal cost differential between Concept A and Concept B is approximately $250,000 per year and emphasized the importance of accounting for long-term maintenance costs given the road would not likely be reconstructed again for 30–50 years. Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. Eric Judge, 2824 Xenwood Avenue in the Birchwood neighborhood, spoke as an avid cyclist and raised concerns in four areas: pedestrian-cyclist safety on shared paths, economic impact on businesses along reconstructed corridors, emergency vehicle response times and gentrification. He cited Federal Highway Administration data indicating that road diets push traffic to parallel roads, including examples from Waverly, Iowa, where parallel road accidents increased 386%, and Los Angeles, where pedestrian-vehicle accidents increased 60%. He also cited business closures in Dinkytown and along Lake Street following road reconstructions, including Ann's Parlor, Palmer's Bar and others. He urged the council to request a system-wide impact study from Hennepin County before proceeding. Dave Carlson, 7006 West 23rd Street, identified himself as a long-time member of the Hennepin County Active Transportation Committee. He stated that Minnetonka Boulevard was the first City council meeting - 8 - May 4, 2026 official Hennepin County bikeway in the early 1990s and has historically served commuter and faster recreational cyclists with few vehicle conflicts. He expressed disappointment that Concept B advanced over Concept A, citing safety concerns about mixing high-speed cyclists and e-bikes with pedestrians and slower users. He suggested alternatives such as narrowing on- road shoulders to three feet on each side to create space for a two-way trail on one side while retaining a sidewalk on the other, which he argued could accommodate both user groups. He noted comparable bike lanes on county roads to the west as precedent for on-road accommodation. Mark Berg, 2913 Webster Avenue South, stated that he had attended most public engagement sessions and had advocated for Concept A. He expressed interest in a hybrid option — which he described as potential "Concept A/B” that would place bike lanes adjacent to pedestrian ways rather than in mixed shared-use paths. He also raised the possibility of reducing the speed limit on Minnetonka Boulevard from 35 to 30 miles per hour, though he acknowledged that a statutory limitation may preclude the county from doing so, and urged the council to pursue that option if possible. Isabelle Anderson stated support for Concept B. She noted that having a walking trail on both sides of the street is safer for residents who live on either side and should not be required to cross traffic. She suggested that if Concept B is pursued, a grassy median between the walking and biking portions of the shared-use path could provide a stronger visual separation and naturally slow cyclists who drift off-path. Margaret Rog expressed strong support for Concept B. She noted that the Phase 1 reconstruction west of Highway 100 has been well-received and produced positive results for nearby businesses, including Yum! Kitchen and Bakery, Open Studio Sewing and a nail salon. She also reiterated the significance of the $250,000 annual additional cost associated with Concept A and emphasized the importance of accounting for that long-term commitment. She expressed strong support for retaining Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at all proposed crossing locations, noting longstanding community desire for those crossings, and asked for a status update on the roundabouts that had previously been part of the plan. Mr. Elgaard shared that both proposed roundabouts — at Louisiana Avenue and at Lake Street/Vernon Avenue — were removed from project consideration due to the property acquisition that would have been required to accommodate them, which neither Hennepin County nor the city wished to pursue. Barbara Lever expressed general support for the project and Concept B. She raised a concern about increased traffic on Aquila Avenue because of construction and pointed out that safety is already a concern near the elementary school. She suggested the city consider temporary speed bumps or other traffic calming measures on Aquila Avenue during construction. Mark Carlson, 7821 Minnetonka Boulevard, questioned the additional snow removal cost for Concept A, noting he was unclear why extra equipment would be required. He indicated a preference for keeping cyclists on the road with a widened bike lane rather than on a separate facility. He also stated that he was unaware prior to the meeting that utility undergrounding was being considered and that he had not anticipated a share of that cost being passed on to residents. City council meeting - 9 - May 4, 2026 Mayor Mohamed closed the public hearing. Council Member Baudhuin asked whether the $250,000 additional annual snow removal cost for a Concept A-style design would still apply if the bike lane and sidewalk were placed adjacent to one another rather than separated. Mr. Elgaard suggested that if a wider combined facility were used consistently throughout the corridor, specialized equipment would not be required for snow removal. Council Member Baudhuin acknowledged the difficulty of accommodating high-speed cyclists within the preferred design framework but noted that they likely represent a small minority of total cyclists. He asked whether clearer guidance could be incorporated to help all users understand where they should be riding or walking. Council Member Bashore asked for confirmation that Concept A, as presented, is a curb- separated bike facility — not a continuation of the current on-road bike lane. Mr. Elgaard confirmed this. Council Member Bashore noted that this distinction explains the snow removal cost differential, since the county currently clears the on-road bike lane and the transition to a curb-separated facility would require the city to clear both the bike path and the sidewalk. Council Member Baudhuin requested that staff examine what a variation of Concept A — with bike lanes and sidewalk placed adjacent to each other and the boulevard positioned back of curb — would look like in terms of cost and safety, describing it as a potential "Option A1." 7. Regular business - none. 8. Communications and announcements. Ms. Keller announced that construction at the intersection of Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue had started. The intersection is closed to through traffic but all businesses remain accessible, with a small business access map to be posted online. She noted that routes may change as construction progresses and asked for public patience during the initial transition period. Ms. Keller also provided additional details on the “Trails to Rails” community bike ride event on May 9, 2026, departing from downtown Hopkins at 10:00 a.m., with riders picking up additional participants at Louisiana Station before proceeding to the West Lake Street Station for the 11:00 a.m. Green Line Extension ribbon-cutting ceremony. Council Member Baudhuin congratulated David Davis, music teacher at Park Spanish Immersion Elementary, on winning the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award. He noted the last time a teacher in St. Louis Park received this award was in 2006. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. City council meeting - 10 - May 4, 2026 ______________________________________ ______________________________________ 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.