HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/11/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council special study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Nov. 15, 2021
The meeting convened at 5:30 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 (Ms. Keller) and Interim Deputy City Manager/Director of
Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh)
Guests: none
1. Use of shipping containers or other similar structures for the purpose of food service
in the parks
Ms. Walsh presented the report.
Councilmember Rog asked if there is openness to allow entrepreneurs, at their own expense, to
create gathering spaces within city parks. She noted that this is not an ask for funding, but it will
involve staff time, and this concept of commercial activity in parks would be dependent on
updated ordinances and at the business owners’ risk.
Councilmember Rog stated regarding food trucks, while she supports them having long-term
presence in parks, she is not sure this works for their business. She has concerns about
greenhouse gases and generator noise pollution. She stated if there were an environmentally
sustainable idea that a food truck owner could provide, that would be helpful.
Councilmember Rog noted shipping containers are becoming more of the norm now and could
be used for food service businesses in parks. She stated they are increasingly more affordable.
Councilmember Rog asked the council to consider authorizing a pilot project in one park for 180
days to gather input from the community to see if there is interest. Specifically, the Bronx Park
neighborhood is interested in this currently. She asked staff to help the council understand a
pilot on this, what challenges and opportunities exist for this, and how data gathered could be
used to pursue this idea.
Councilmember Harris stated this is an exciting idea. She added when she applies an equity lens
to this idea, she is curious about financial aspects and how could those with lower means be
able to have access to participating in this project.
Councilmember Mohamed stated this is a nice idea, but wants to be sure we are opening this
opportunity to the BIPOC community as well, and it’s not only the usual people that have
access to do this type of project.
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Councilmember Kraft stated he likes this idea of more spaces and places for neighborhoods to
gather together and would like to look at a pilot. He does understand the concerns of others,
adding he would not want to allow a generator to run for days and days. He stated the city
would not be involved in the marketing of this and would assume the business would be doing
marketing.
Councilmember Dumalag added she is always in favor of trying things out. She would like to
know if the city has equipment to assist in running this and keeping the park clean. She asked in
the future how would we allow for others outside of the pilot to pursue a business like this,
especially when looking through an equity lens.
Councilmember Brausen stated he would not want to exclude anyone from being able to have a
business in the park. He also has concerns about infrastructure within the park chosen to do
this.
Councilmember Mohamed stated for the pilot, if council is in charge of inviting businesses to
set up, there will be a way to control the equity part better. She stated this would require more
staff time and energy to seek businesses to invite. She would like staff to do more research on
inviting so the city can be more equitable with this project.
Mayor Spano stated he is familiar with this type of project from his work in St. Paul. He stated
there was a lot of time spent on contracts, process, and procedures. He would be willing to
support this but agreed with the point on generators mentioned by Councilmember Kraft as
well as other comments made about equity. He stated he is supportive of the pilot and would
like to have a conversation with the neighborhood first.
Mayor Spano asked how to build relationships with those who might need financial aid and
what conversations has staff had with Edina regarding Braemar and the restaurant in that
clubhouse.
Ms. Walsh stated the city has contractual obligations with vendors. She noted in Edina , they
provide the infrastructure, and the vendor comes in, at Braemar.
Ms. Walsh stated before staff could do a pilot project, they would need to do more research,
especially for public purpose to occur, as well as how to provide accessibility to people. She
added they would need to look at public process first, and if it should go to the parks and
recreation commission. She stated she would speak to the city attorney and look at vendor
selection and the RFP process. Staff will also talk to the residents who had the proposal to gain
more information.
Councilmember Rog thanked the council for their comments and agreed with staff doing more
research first. She asked how diversity in a neighborhood is defined and stated this could be a
way for BIPOC business owners to be supported because this is a strategic priority of the city.
She understands concerns if a problem arises and would hope the city would police or manage
that as they do other issues.
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Mayor Spano stated the real issues are what is the public process, legal implications, and what
will residents in the area think about the concept.
Ms. Keller stated while staff can investigate this further, they are not ready to do a pilot. She
recommended staff visit with residents and look further into shipping containers as food service
structures, before committing to develop a pilot program.
Ms. Walsh stated she would like to bring this to the parks commission for discussion. She added
staff needs to do further research and she has concerns about deciding on a location without
doing this research and taking time to be thoughtful.
It was the consensus of the council to have staff research this further and report back to council
with more information.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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