HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/01/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Jan. 4, 2021
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Rachel Harris,
Larry Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Senior Management
Analyst (Ms. Solano), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas)
2. Presentations
2a. Recognition of donations
Mayor Spano noted that Mark Coin donated $250 to the St. Louis Park Fire Department
for education programs.
3. Approval of minutes - none
4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of November 28 through
December 25, 2020.
4b. Adopt Resolution No. 21-001 designating the St. Louis Park Sun-Sailor as the city’s
official newspaper for 2021.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 21-002 declaring 2021 city council meeting dates.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 21-003 appointing councilmembers to the office of mayor
pro tem for the 2021 calendar year.
4e. Approve the second reading and adopt Ordinance No.2602-21 amending
Chapter 36 pertaining to zoning and approve summary ordinance for publication.
4f. Approve the joint powers agreement for the distracted driving vehicle program
between the City of Richfield and the City of St. Louis Park. (This item was
removed from the consent calendar and considered as regular agenda as item
8b.)
4g. Adopt Resolution No. 21-004 to approve a gift certificate policy for ad hoc
committee members.
4h. Adopt Resolution No. 21-005 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the
amount of $163,102.57 for project no. 4019-1000 pavement management (Area
7) with GMH Asphalt Corporation, Contract No. 74-19.
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4i. Adopt Resolution No. 21-006 accepting donation to the fire department from
Park Coin for fire prevention programs and equipment.
4j. Adopt Resolution No. 21-007 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the
amount of $144,410.94 for project no. 5318-5006 Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) System Replacement with Telemetry and Process Controls,
Inc., Contract No. 100-19.
4k. Approve easement purchase at 3440 Beltline Blvd for the Beltline Blvd SWLRT
pedestrian improvements project.
Councilmember Brausen requested that consent calendar item 4f be removed and
placed on the Regular Agenda to 8b.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
approve the agenda and items listed on the consent calendar as amended to move
consent calendar item 4f to the regular agenda as item 8b; and to waive reading of all
resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 7-0.
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. First reading of ordinance establishing a second voting youth member on city
boards/commissions
Ms. Solano presented the report to the council.
Mayor Spano noted he wants youth members to have a vote and is excited about this
change to the ordinance, which will allow for greater youth engagement in the city.
Councilmember Harris agreed with Mayor Spano noting that youth members on
commissions have been a bright spot. She asked which commissions currently have two
youth members. Ms. Solano stated the ESC has two youth voting members. Ms. Solano
noted that the planning commission will remain with one non-voting youth member.
Councilmember Harris stated youth membership on the ESC worked very well, and this
is an exceptional ordinance to engage youth.
Councilmember Kraft noted he is thrilled about the ordinance and not surprised about
council support, adding he presented this in September as a study session topic. He
pointed out youth have initiated the climate action plan, gun violence and racial issue
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protests, and added having them on our commissions reinforces the message that youth
voices matter.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to
approve first reading of ordinance amending the St. Louis Park Code of Ordinances
Chapter 2 to add a second voting youth member to the Community Technology Advisory
Commission, Human Rights Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Police
Advisory Commission, and to set second reading for Jan. 19 2021.
The motion passed 7-0.
8b. Approve joint powers agreement for the distracted driving vehicle program
between the City of Richfield and City of St. Louis Park
Councilmember Brausen pointed out this program focuses on distracted driving and is a
federally funded program called Toward Zero Death (TZD). He noted the agreement will
be between the City of Richfield and St. Louis Park, will make use of an undercover
vehicle, and make stops related to seatbelt use, speeding, and distracted driving.
Councilmember Brausen added in Minnesota between 2015- 2019 there were 15,000
car crashes with 3,300 injuries and 32 deaths, adding many are still not abiding by the
no texting and driving laws which are in place. Councilmember Brausen stated this is an
opportunity to notify our citizens about the laws in place to keep everyone safe and
convey that it is time to obey them.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to
approve the joint powers agreement for the distracted driving vehicle program between
the City of Richfield and the City of St. Louis Park.
The motion passed 7-0.
9. Communications
Councilmember Harris stated on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. the planning commission
is reviewing the proposal related to the townhouse development at Texa-Tonka by
Paster Company. She noted the proposal will be viewable on the city website and city
planner Jennifer Monson will be available to answer questions and provide information
on how to access the meeting. All are welcome.
Councilmember Brausen stated this is his eighth and possibly final year on the city
council so he wanted to thank residents and his colleagues who continue to serve,
adding he looks forward to the opportunity to meet in person this year . He stated
democracy is better served if we are working together in front of the public.
Mayor Spano noted the process for applying for boards and commissions is now open
and more information is on the city website. He also stated the city has new grant
funding available for businesses impacted by COVID-19 and that information is also on
the city website, with priority given to first time applicants.
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Mayor Spano noted this past weekend was the first time he went to the new Westwood
Hills Nature Center, stating the AIA has awarded a very prestigious award for its design,
which is forward-thinking and bold, as well as set apart from others. He thanked the
architects for their building design and stated all are excited to use it soon.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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