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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/02/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes City council special study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota Feb. 1, 2021 The meeting convened at 5:45 p.m. 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), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Principal Planner (Ms. McMonigal), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Senior Planner (Ms. Monson), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas) Guests: Emily Tranter, city lobbyist 1. Update on federal legislative issues and opportunities Ms. Tranter, city lobbyist in Washington , DC, updated the council on legislative issues and opportunities. She noted there are opportunities now for local governments, especially now that the house and senate are 50-50 with VP Harris breaking any ties. She added, however, this is a slim margin and not filibuster proof. Ms. Tranter added there will be two years of opportunities and then things will turn again to the 2022 election . She noted this will be the first time in a long time that cities will be asking for things rather than defending cuts to housing or grants. Ms. Tranter stated the stimulus bill will be a $1.9 trillion bill with $350 billion going to cities . There is also a $15 federal minimum wage proposal and robust unemployment through the end of 2021. Additionally, there will be more funding for COVID relief and vaccination distribution, plus immediate relief for HUD programs. She stated President Biden wants bipartisanship and compromise, adding the back-up plan is to pass this all through budget reconciliation. She stated the local aid piece of this bill has been lobbied hard and she is very optimistic on local dollars coming through. Ms. Tranter also noted there will be a long-term relief bill for infrastructure projects and bigger highway projects. She suggested the city start an inventory or register of items so they are ready to go when funding becomes available and noted this will be much more flexible than the CARES dollars and will help stimulate the economy with infrastructure type projects. Ms. Tranter added there will also be earmarks with congressionally directed spending and designated funding out of each appropriated bill. This would allow opportunities for more projects in the future also. Ms. Tranter noted the city’s priorities of racial equity and sustainability are both especially important to the Biden administration, which will be beneficial to the city. DocuSign Envelope ID: FD64F8C2-1665-4BA9-8A46-E767D5E9842E Study session minutes -2- Feb. 1, 2021 Mayor Spano asked if there are any plans for funding for transportation and light rail . Ms. Tranter stated this is being reviewed now and more information will be forthcoming. Councilmember Kraft asked if the Biden administration will invest $2 trillion over 4 years on recovery and with a focus on energy and climate change as the platform noted . Ms. Tranter stated yes, the administration’s platform is all about sustainability, clean energy, and equity. Councilmember Harris stated this is an exciting time, noting the priorities of the city fit well with what the Biden Administration is focusing on. She asked for more details on how the city would be invited to the table to discuss issues with the administration. Ms. Tranter stated this administration is more proactive in hearing from cities and their priorities of equity and sustainability. She added the city should be proactive and meet with the right folks to show what the city is working on. She stated the city might be a pilot project, and more collaboration might come on environment through the MN senate office or the US conference of mayors. She added this is a great time for the city to present opportunities that highlight the city, and the administration should be aware of what St. Louis Park is working on. Councilmember Harris asked about HUD and the potential for earmark. She wondered if affordable family housing could be a project included in the infrastructure stimulus bill of the administration. Ms. Tranter stated yes, this would fit in. Councilmember Rog asked staff if the city is in a good position on projects that are ready to be presented to the administration if the opportunity arises . Mr. Harmening stated staff is working on this list now and is ready to go, noting some of these projects might include solar for the Rec Center, community solar gardens, radio towers and infrastructure project. Councilmember Rog asked if infrastructure projects include transportation, roads, and bridges. Mr. Harmening stated yes, this would all be part of it, as well as projects such as Minnetonka Blvd. Ms. Tranter confirmed roads and bridges will be part of this. Councilmember Brausen stated the city’s climate action plan will cost an additional $2 million per year to incentivize residents and businesses to work on this. He appreciated Ms. Tranter’s efforts on helping to gain funding for the city on this. Councilmember Dumalag stated she is interested in affordable housing and NOAH an d is concerned about HUD reasoning the definition of affordability above 30%, and not increasing rents. Mayor Spano stated it is refreshing the focus of this administration is on race and equity . He added he hopes both large and small cities will be included in the funding packages as all will need help. Councilmember Mohamed added she is also happy this administration is focused on equity and noted there is so much diversity within the administration’s department heads and she loves seeing that. DocuSign Envelope ID: FD64F8C2-1665-4BA9-8A46-E767D5E9842E Study session minutes -3- Feb. 1, 2021 The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: FD64F8C2-1665-4BA9-8A46-E767D5E9842E