HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/10/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Joint Official minutes
Joint city council/
School board meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
October 22, 2019
Call to Order
Mayor Jake Spano and Vice Chair Mary Tomback called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Councilmembers Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin
(6:50pm), Anne Mavity (7:30pm), Thom Miller and Margaret Rog (5:50). Councilmember
Rachel Harris absent.
School board members present: Vice Chair Mary Tomback, Clerk Jim Beneke, Treasurer Ken
Morrison, Directors Anne Casey, Joe Tatalovich, Karen Waters. Chair Nancy Gores absent.
City staff present: City Manager Tom Harmening, Deputy City Manager Nancy Deno,
Engineering Director Debra Heiser, Housing Supervisor Michele Schnitker, Operations and
Recreation Director Cindy Walsh, Police Chief Mike Harcey
School district staff present: Superintendent Astein Osei, Communications Director Sara
Thompson, Community Education Director Lisa Greene, Curriculum and Instru ction Director
Patrick Duffy, Adult Services Manager Angie Martinez Grande
City and school board discussion was as follows:
Update on 2020/2021 School Start-End Times: Overview presented by Superintendent Osei.
General discussion on upcoming changes and working through this with others in the district to
better align start times. Discussion on early morning lighting, bus stop locations and how
middle school kids will have more daylight to walk to school with a later start. Discussions were
held with city staff and Chief Harcey. Transportation contract is in review process as it is open
for renewal, once this is completed more review will be done on bus stop locations. Follow up
will be done by staff on: Cedar Manor crossing, bus stop locations and lighting
Community Education: Overview presented by Community Education Director Greene and
Adult Services Manager Martinez Grande. Discussion and overview was done on Lenox senior
programs, outreach and the variety of options.
Vaping: City Manager Harmening discussed the upcoming council study session. The group
talked about what measures should the school district, city and community partners take to
discourage young people from using vaping products? Superintendent Osei discussed how
important it is to get youth involved on solving this issue and educating other students. It was
the consensus of the group to have Superintendent Osei review this matter and get in touch
with City Manager Harmening to see if there is joint work in this area.
Overview of Housing Policies, Initiatives, and Projects: City Manager Harmening and Housing
Supervisor Schnitker gave an overview of housing programs, housing projects under
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Joint city council/school board meeting -2- October 22, 2019
construction, number of units added in the city, housing policy and development of a housing
trust fund. The group talked about youth, housing, affordability and homelessness as it relates
to the community and schools.
General discussion: The group discussed construction in general and at Cedar Manor. Also
talked about Westwood Nature Center and the interest in collaboration on use of space and
programs. Curriculum Director Duffy discussed how curriculum will be developed in a group
planning process in the upcoming year and how they hope to incorporate WWNC in their
programs. The school staff is excited that WWNC has been updated and will have more space
for possible use.
Council and School board members would like to meet again in April if possible.
All expressed thanks and appreciation to Councilmember Miller and School Board member
Tatalovich and Gore for their service and work as they are not seeking reelection.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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