Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/06/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota June 28, 2021 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano (arrived 6:34 p.m.), Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Rachel Harris, Larry Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog Councilmembers absent: none Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Building and Energy Director (Mr. Hoffman), Sustainability Manager (Ms. Ziring), Housing Supervisor/Deputy Community Development Director (Ms. Schnitker), Assistant Housing Supervisor (Ms. Olson), Community Development Director (Ms. Barton), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Elections Specialist (Mr. Sund) Guests: Marissa Bayer, Chair, Environment & Sustainability Commission 1. Environment and sustainability commission 2021 work plan review Commissioner Marisa Bayer, ESC Chair, presented the report and goals for 2021. Councilmember Harris asked what the biggest opportunity is th is year for the commission. Commissioner Bayer stated one-on-one engagement is the biggest opportunity sharing and engaging with fellow commission members, businesses, and the community. Councilmember Harris asked what the strategies are for engaging with businesses. Ms. Ziring stated that Annie Pottorff has mapped out each business within each ward and staff is planning a September-October business blitz. She added they will ask councilmembers to join them to assist in communicating with businesses on climate action during the business blitz. Councilmember Kraft stated he would like to accompany the commission as they meet with businesses. He asked if there are any concerns with being able to do both residential and business engagement. Commissioner Bayer stated she did not see it as an issue, adding they will work at events and reach out to organizations and businesses. Councilmember Kraft asked what the goal is in reaching out to residents. Commissioner Bayer stated the priority is promoting home energy audits to help residents learn how their home uses energy and to share energy assistance programs with residents. Councilmember Kraft referenced the recent heat, stating we are clearly in a climate emergency. He noted soon there will be a transition away from natural gas. He asked if the ESC is thinking about this with their resident outreach. Commissioner Bayer stated yes and pointed out that with recent legislation, there will be new opportunities and incentives for residents to change out their appliances and make upgrades to all-electric equipment. Councilmember Kraft asked the ESC to push the council on how to do things that are transformative and get additional businesses involved. He added the council heard from CTAC DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -2- June 28, 2021 and noted they are doing a study on plug loads. He asked if this could tie in with ESC work, perhaps looking at conserving energy in affordable housing. He also stated there are some cities where neighborhoods are implementing climate action plans, and with the strong neighborhood associations in St. Louis Park, he would like to see similar ideas here. Councilmember Brausen stated he appreciated the ESC working toward personal engagement this year after COVID prevented it last year. He stated he is hopeful there will be monies in the budget to direct to additional climate action plan activities, especially to get the most payback on carbon reductions in both residential and commercial areas. Ms. Ziring stated the largest percentage of emissions come from commercial buildings so those properties are the focus for the first phase of the climate champions program. Councilmember Dumalag also noted CTAC’s presentation and their dashboard, adding it would be helpful for the ESC to have a dashboard as well. She added the most effective way to approach commercial properties and multi-tenant buildings may be through the Building Owners and Managers Association Greater Minneapolis (BOMA). She added they are always looking for ways to be more energy efficient since they pass these costs on to tenants. She also noted a funding source called PACE that can help with funding projects for capital improvements. Mr. Hoffman added the city is sponsoring legislation for an assessment program similar to PACE and will report back to council as this progresses. Councilmember Rog noted the ESC partnering with other commissions is a good plan , adding the HRC would be a good partner for the ESC. She stated the more climate action and equity are tied together, the better. She also noted neighborhood food truck events that are upcoming where the ESC can meet with residents one-on-one. Councilmember Mohamed added part of the ESC education could be to work with low-income families, as well as immigrant families, to inform them about climate action and equity issues. Councilmember Brausen encouraged the city to use the community engagement vehicle for additional ways to reach out to residents on climate action issues, perhaps at the food truck events. Mayor Spano stated he liked the ESC’s focus of their work plan, with a lot of ideas, energy, and passion, and commended the commission for staying focused on their objectives. 2. Creating pathways to homeownership for BIPOC individuals and families pilot program Ms. Schnitker and Ms. Olson presented the report. Councilmember Rog thanked staff and the community for this project and investment in homeownership. She stated the Twin Cities has the 3rd highest gap for black homeowners in the United States and only 1% of homes are owned by black families in St. Louis Park. She agreed DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -3- June 28, 2021 with the criteria for first generation home buyers and the approach to wealth -building that is included in the city’s pilot program. She has concerns for the program in the current market and asked staff for their thoughts. Ms. Schnitker stated they did not anticipate today’s market when they developed the pilot program, noting they will watch and make changes as needed. Councilmember Rog stated there is an opportunity with this program to focus on townhomes and condos, to help make the program work with alternatives to houses. Ms. Schnitker agreed, especially since homes in St. Louis Park are very expensive currently. Councilmember Rog stated she also liked the fact that programs could be layered with other programs in place. She asked if the city has any control or influence on the new townhomes being built in the city on Minnetonka Boulevard and how that might be done. Ms. Barton stated yes, the city could save a certain amount of those units for folks within this program. Ms. Schnitker added there could be some modification done and plans are being explored to set aside a unit or two in this development for buyers utilizing the Wealth Building homeownership program. Councilmember Rog stated folks with kids participating in the Kids in the Park Program would be good candidates for the program. She asked if the EDA levy fund could be directed towards this program. Ms. Barton stated no, they are for business subsidy only. Mr. Harmening noted the HRA levy could be used here though. Councilmember Rog asked why CCE is the lender. Ms. Olson stated the city has worked with them for over 16 years on loan programs, and they are also a MN housing approved agency and do the current down payment assistance plan and are non-profit. She added the city has had a very good working relationship with them, and they are set up for this type of work, while their fees are low, and they service the loans also. Councilmember Mohamed asked about the financial assistance figures and if the loan also depends on the buyer’s income. Ms. Olson stated yes, and the city would look at the level of affordability depending on the buyer’s income, the level of subsidy, and the lower the income, the greater the subsidy. Councilmember Mohamed asked if there are any other plans to cover gaps for families who need larger homes. Ms. Olson stated this is difficult, and part of the issue is balancing, and finding a larger home is a challenge, and then at a higher price, it is n ot affordable. Ms. Schnitker added there are some homeowner programs around the Twin Cities that do not have a limit, so St. Louis Park can look further at this as it is a pilot program. Councilmember Mohamed also pointed out that as a Muslim, she would not be able to accept a traditional loan that has interest, so for this pilot program to address this issue is amazing . She asked about classes and how homebuyers would find out about this. Ms. Olson stated the city can give ideas and help, noting other organizations have programs as well, and the city will assist people with finding these other options. DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -4- June 28, 2021 Councilmember Mohamed asked if there will be a time limit on the loan application and approval process. Ms. Schnitker stated yes there will be time limits and details are still being worked through. Councilmember Mohamed asked if there might be a collaboration effort with climate -friendly initiatives. Ms. Schnitker stated yes, this could be looked at also. Councilmember Harris asked how family is defined for this program. Ms. Schnitker stated a family is of 1 or more household members. Councilmember Harris stated with no interest, there is wealth-building which she approves of. She stated this feels like an olive branch in reconciling with our land history. She asked about lending institutions and lending to BIPOC families. Ms. Schnitker stated they are working with Trent Bowman, a lender who is very involved in the metro community and addressing th e homeowner gap. She added he has offered to reach out to other lenders for the city and help promote the program to lenders who serve the BIPOC populations. Councilmember Harris asked about proactively identifying homes that fit into this program . Ms. Schnitker stated they will work with realtors on this program, as they work with clients, along with the organizations that work with potential homebuyer clients. Councilmember Harris pointed out the Amherst Townhomes as appropriate for the program . Councilmember Harris asked if there is a goal for the number of families to be assisted each year. Ms. Schnitker stated 4-6 families and possibly more in the future. Ms. Olson stated folks interested in the pilot program can call her at 952 -924-2196, and there is information on the city website also. Councilmember Harris asked if a video could be created on the program. Ms. Schnitker stated yes, this can be investigated. Councilmember Dumalag asked if the program considers association fees on affordability. Ms. Olson stated no and are following the way the Met Council does this. Ms. Barton added the first mortgage lender will take this into consideration, however. Councilmember Dumalag asked what happens if a homeowner defaults on the first mortgage . Ms. Barton stated the city would be the second mortgage holder, and the city could buy the first mortgage, but the city could risk losing that money. Councilmember Dumalag asked if there are contingencies and if all improvements have been made. Ms. Olson stated the home will be inspected at point of sale. Councilmember Dumalag asked if there is a right of first refusal. Ms. Schnitker stated this can be looked at. DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -5- June 28, 2021 Councilmember Brausen stated he likes the program, and his only concern is the homeowner gets the equity the city puts in, plus their own equity, and while it is a pilot program, he would be interested in seeing a shared equity program in order to be able to provide more than 4 -6 homes per year. He also would like to see savings incentives for energy as well. However, he noted that this is a pilot program, he supports pursuing it as staff has laid out, and then making adjustments later depending on results. Councilmember Kraft asked about national data and moderate amounts not doing so much. Ms. Schnitker stated moderate amounts will open it up to a fair number of individuals to purchase a home, so capping this at 80% or below, they need to go above those moderate incomes to give more folks an opportunity. Councilmember Kraft asked what the homeownership rate and gap is in St. Louis Park. Ms. Olson stated based on 2019 ACS data, overall ownership is 56%, while 63% of white households are homeowners. She noted also that households of color owners are at 21% and black owners are at 8% homeowner. She noted also the further it is broken down, the higher the margin of error. Councilmember Kraft asked about the upper limit of $352,000, and where that comes from. Ms. Olson stated that is the limit MN Housing uses for their first-time homeowner programs. Councilmember Kraft asked about the family of 6-7 looking for a larger home. Ms. Olson stated increasing the home purchase limit for larger families can be explored. She continued that income limits would be adjusted higher for larger families, as the income listed is adjusted for a family of 4. She added they worked with the figures used by Met Council for household size. Councilmember Kraft asked what success will look like for the pilot program . Ms. Schnitker stated having the program utilized for families and households, first generation buyers and the majority being BIPOC families and that they can be successful in sustaining homeownership. Councilmember Kraft noted keeping energy bills down will be helpful for building income also. He asked if this program is the first of its kind. Ms. Schnitker stated Roseville is doing a program focused on 1st generation buyers, but the financial assistance provided by the St. Louis Park program is unique and innovative. Councilmember Kraft asked if there is an opportunity to partner with a foundation, and they can learn with the city and provide matching funds, and then help others across the country. Ms. Schnitker noted the state of MN is talking about setting aside funds for a program such as this. Councilmember Kraft stated this is part of an overall strategy for affordable housing and can help us change the supply in St. Louis Park, so there are more opportunities for first -time home buyers. Councilmember Rog agreed with Councilmember Kraft’s comments. She noted out of state rental ownership and stated there might be opportunities to create policy here and reclaim . DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -6- June 28, 2021 She asked if a larger family with need for a higher valued home and could combine multiple programs to afford a home. Ms. Barton stated yes, this could help, and can be looked further into. Councilmember Rog stated this may seem like free money but with all due respect, many received free labor for generations from black people in this country, and reparations are in order. She stated St. Louis Park will be a leader, adding she does not see this as free money at all, but money that is owed. Councilmember Mohamed stated she will support this program but asked for more support for larger families that want to be homeowners. Mayor Spano thanked staff for their work on this program . He asked about the partners the city will be working with. Ms. Schnitker stated there are many programs that provide education for families to build wealth and attain home ownership, and the city will continue to work with these groups. She added these groups have the clientele to make th is program work. Ms. Barton added the city is doing very strategic marketing to reach the appropriate groups . Mayor Spano asked if the pilot can be reviewed in 1 year or 2 years. Ms. Schnitker stated it will be reviewed ongoing but after 1 year, staff will definitely want to check in with council on the success of the program. Mayor Spano stated homeowners will need to qualify for financing and asked what this will look like. Ms. Olson stated the organizations the city is working with is getting these households ready for homeownership and focusing on disparities in home ownership. She added the whole goal is to get folks ready and qualified before the process of buying begins. Mayor Spano stated he is happy with the process in place now and the pilot program . He stated success will be when one of these families is able to save $10,000 and give that to their child to put a down payment on a house. He stated this will assist BIPOC families in creating homeownership, which is the single greatest wealth creator this country has ever seen . Councilmember Dumalag added she would like to hear back from staff who takes a chance on these homeowners, in allowing them a primary mortgage. 3. Elections 2021 updates and strategic overview Ms. Kennedy presented the report. Councilmember Harris asked if the social vulnerability map was added to the analysis maps on race equity that were shown. Mr. Sund stated staff continues to analyze using various data sets, noting the goal is to be able to identify patterns that will better help us understand where gaps exist and why. Councilmember Harris asked related to positive voter engagement, if staff has seen voter champions of any kind. Ms. Kennedy stated this program began in the city in 2019, and ambassadors were also election leaders. She added staff continues to explore and evaluate DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -7- June 28, 2021 these types of programs to ensure that resources are being dedicated to areas that have the most need and greater opportunity for impact. Councilmember Harris asked if a map could be created for positive voter engagement, and help people imagine themselves in it. Ms. Kennedy stated yes, this could be created and looked at and measured over time. Councilmember Harris asked if dashboards will be used to measure data over time . Ms. Kennedy stated yes, there is an opportunity to present data via dashboards to show trends over time. The key is to present data that is meaningful and easy for people to und erstand. Councilmember Kraft asked if the geo-enable data was adjusted for density of a certain area. Mr. Sund stated yes, that is an important component of understanding the data. Councilmember Kraft stated he is surprised race was not shown as a factor, even though it may be a factor. Ms. Kennedy stated the data doesn’t definitively say it is not a factor, it just wasn’t one of the most recognizable gaps. She noted once the updated census data is received, this could shift, and other gaps may become more definitive. Councilmember Kraft noted comments staff made about closing the gap in engagement for voters in multi-family housing through building sustainable relationships and creating a sense of belonging, and that this is a community issue, not only an elections issue. He suggested the council and staff could possibly hold listening sessions and group events to start to build relationships. Ms. Kennedy agreed that could be one way to start creating relationships and noted going to places in the community where people are already gathering has been extremely effective because that is where people are more likely to interact through less formal conversations. For many people that setting is less intimidating than coming to a city meeting on a specific topic. Councilmember Kraft asked how much staff is involved with schools and their communication resources to reach people living in multi-family housing. Ms. Kennedy stated elections staff is as involved as they can be. She noted elections staff did make a request through district leadership for more collaboration on communications initiatives, specifically asking them to share the city’s social media postings regarding elections. She noted the district’s staff is willing to share some information within their network, but not all and they are still working through that to see if more opportunities exist to communicate with district families. Councilmember Kraft noted he is happy to help in any way with this connection with schools. Councilmember Kraft stated he is so impressed with Ms. Kennedy’s and Mr. Sund’s work and how they came together to work on the election in 2020. Councilmember Mohamed asked if council workers are allowed to be election judges . Ms. Kennedy stated as long as the councilmember is not on the ballot. Councilmember Mohamed asked if the election staff will conduct mobile voting in 2021. Ms. Kennedy stated that was done as a pilot project in 2019. The city received mixed opinions from other agencies on the project and given some of those barriers and the volume of resources DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -8- June 28, 2021 required to make it work within the framework of current election law, it won’t be offered this year. Councilmember Mohamed stated she liked that the election went to the people, adding it was helpful, especially for first time voters. Ms. Kennedy agreed, noting hopefully in the future the legislature will further expand early voting laws to make this type of service more feasible. Councilmember Rog commented on the challenge of gaining access to multi-family housing to conduct outreach and asked if it would be possible to include in rental license agreements a requirement that elections outreach be allowed and facilitated by management. Ms. Kennedy stated that would be a question for the city attorney and staff could look into this further. Councilmember Rog stated she appreciates Mr. Sund’s videos but seems to receive them piecemeal. She continued if she received those videos more regularly, she would post them to her social media. Ms. Kennedy stated every Tuesday, there is an elections-themed post on the city’s social media accounts, and they have received a lot of positive feedback response. Mr. Sund stated the first Tuesday of each month the post includes a video. The posts will show up more regularly in a person’s feed the more they interact with the city’s social media accounts. Councilmember Rog expressed concern that voters cannot request their ballot online this year and asked about early voting applications and how they can be distributed. Mr. Sund stated these are provided in the candidate tool kit and more can be provided at any time upon request. Councilmember Rog noted the next time there is a council/school board meeting, there should be discussion about how to work together on elections and election preparations. Councilmember Brausen noted the community engagement vehicle could be used for elections also, in combination with an event. Mr. Sund stated elections staff is likely one of the top users of the community engagement vehicle and routinely brings it to events. Councilmember Brausen asked if the elections group has enough financial resources to get their work completed. Ms. Kennedy stated yes, to maintain current service levels. Elections staff appreciate that they have resources to be able to provide high-level core administrative services, as well as the special projects that allow staff to better understand the needs of voters and design programs and services that will be impactful. She noted St. Louis Park is a model for other communities. Mayor Spano thanked elections staff for the great work they are doing and noted that they are routinely looked at by other agencies as a model for services and outreach. 4. Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Mr. Harmening asked if, at the July 12 study session, the council would like the auditor to do a presentation. Mayor Spano stated yes. Councilmember Harris stated she would like to have this presentation as well. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the council to have the report presented, if the auditor is available. DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565 Study session minutes -9- June 28, 2021 Councilmember Kraft noted he would like to have a meeting scheduled with the council and the school board soon. He added the policing next steps item would be good to hear about soon as well. Mayor Spano and Councilmember Mohamed agreed. Mayor Spano stated there should be a discussion related to city facilities soon also . Councilmember Rog noted on the community sidewalks combined with Connect the Park, this should be included on an upcoming discussion. Additionally, she noted the Westwood Hills access funds discussion, as well as the semi-truck parking ordinance, adding she hoped it can come forward in July for approval. Communications/meeting check-in (verbal) Mayor Spano noted the recent events at Wat Prom, and with more activities happening in the city, it might be helpful to have a city permit one-stop shop for folks doing events. Councilmember Harris noted a neighbor in the Wat Prom area mentioned the parking situation and could this be addressed with the event providing a discount ticket for a beverage as incentive to park across Highway 100 at the synagogue. Mayor Spano noted the St. Louis Park Education Foundation is interested in a councilmember joining their board in a liaison position. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 5 Comprehensive annual financial report for the year ended December 31, 2020 6. May 2021 monthly financial report 7. Minnetonka Boulevard redevelopment update 8. Update on anti-idling research and recommendations ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: A8F1C2EB-F9C5-4597-93C4-FBE5BDBE6565