HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/05/30 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council Emergency meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
May 30, 2020
1. Call to order at 10:00 am
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), Police Chief (Mr. Harcey), Fire Chief (Mr.
Koering), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Racial Equity Manager (Ms. Sojourner), Communications
Manager (Ms. Smith), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano),
Guests: None.
1a. Roll call
2. Presentations- none.
3. Approval of minutes- none.
4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar- none.
5. Boards and commissions – none.
6. Public hearings – none.
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none.
8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items
8a. Approve proclamation declaring a citywide curfew for all persons within the
City of St. Louis Park
Police Chief Harcey updated the council on several incidents from the previous night. In
addition, he mentioned that individuals are looking for opportunities to loot or damage
businesses. Officers have been successful deterring individual thus far. He noted that
there had been verified burglaries and some damage to businesses in the city. He stated
that damage continues to Minneapolis businesses, including looting at Calhoun Village
near the St. Louis Park border. He shared that the national guard will be assistin g
Minneapolis today and that he is coordinating with other metro cities on assisting the
city.
Councilmember Harris noted that the Governor’s statement indicated that many people
are from out of state, she asked if people are staying in St. Louis Park hotels. Chief
Harcey noted that the city is investigating and monitoring the hotels closely.
Councilmember Harris thanked Mr. Harcey for the department’s coordinated efforts and
thanked the department for keeping the city safe and preventing any damage.
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City council meeting -2- May 30, 2020
Councilmember Mohamed asked what properties were damaged and if there were
arrests made. Chief Harcey noted that no arrests were made, and he doesn’t have a
complete list of businesses that sustained damage. He noted one business individuals
tried to break into was Aldi. Councilmember Mohamed asked if the curfew helped. Chief
Harcey noted that it’s unclear if it helped but it didn’t slow down individuals with the
intent to damage property and commit burglaries. Councilmember Mohamed asked if a
curfew will slow down further activities. Chief Harcey noted that intelligence shows
there are more people coming from out of town and he expects another busy night for
the metro area.
Councilmember Rog thanked Chief Harcey and the city’s officers for their work.
Councilmember Rog stated this is not a situation confined to city borders and asked if
the city was coordinating with other departments in the metro area and the national
guard. Chief Harcey said there is a multi-agency emergency operation center that is
controlling and directing the operation. Chief Harcey noted that St. Louis Park can work
with other agencies, although suburban communities are not relying on that support
due to all the activity occurring in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Chief Harcey noted he
cannot speak about the operations with the national guard or active military
deployment.
Councilmember Kraft thanked Chief Harcey and staff and asked what worries the chief
the most. Mr. Harcey said his biggest concern is an attack on our city hall and police
department as intelligence shows that suburban facilities will be targeted.
Councilmember Brausen thanked Chief Harcey and staff and asked if anything occurred
at the high school. Chief Harcey noted that no activity occurred at the high school and
the police department and school staff are monitoring the building 24/7.
Mr. Harmening also noted that we have cameras at all city facilities, and we are
monitoring those buildings as well.
Mr. Spano noted that it’s important to keep coordinating with other agencies and has
asked the county that they keep our city staff informed.
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Harris to approve
the proclamation declaring a citywide curfew for all persons within the City of St. Louis
Park.
The motion passed 7-0.
9. Communications – none.
10. Adjournment
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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