HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/02/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council special study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Feb. 3, 2020
The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Rachel Harris, Larry Kraft, Anne
Mavity, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog.
Councilmembers absent: none.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Director of
Community Development (Ms. Barton), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano), and
Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guests: Legislators representing St. Louis Park: Senator Ron Latz, Rep. Cheryl Youakim, Rep.
Ryan Winkler, and Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Green; Vic Moore, Franzen &
Associates.
1. 2020 legislative priorities – meeting with elected and appointed representatives
Mayor Spano noted the top strategic priorities for St. Louis Park and presented a draft list of
legislative issues and priorities for the city to the elected and appointed representatives. He
stated the top priorities are: affordable housing, climate action, multimodal transportation, and
in the general category, noted funding the Pathways to Policing program, and support of a
statewide system to track race data for police traffic stops, as being priorities.
Councilmember Brausen added marijuana legislation should have consideration for a portion of
tax revenues from sales to come back to the city.
Councilmember Harris noted capital investments bonding requests which provide service to
young children as another priority, as well as partnerships and funding on road maintenance
projects.
Councilmember Mavity thanked the legislators, noting she continues to be impressed with the
city’s delegation and their depth of expertise, which aligns well with St. Louis Park. She stated
affordable housing and climate change are the two main areas of priority in St. Louis Park.
Councilmember Kraft stated climate action is his main priority and asked the legislators what
might be helpful to keep this issue moving forward . Rep. Youakim stated continuing to relate
stories and showing collaboration on the part of the city with others will help to keep pressure
on the issue and create momentum.
Councilmember Mohamed stated while she is very impressed with the priorities noted, racial
equity is her main concern. She would like representatives to know this priority is embedded in
all the city does, and she would like them to be cognizant of it as well, in all they do in their
work.
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Study session minutes -2- Feb. 3, 2020
Councilmember Rog stated climate action on a statewide basis, along with affordable housing
are priorities, as well as livable wage concerns.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
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Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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