HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/04/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 25, 2022
The meeting convened at 5:45 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Larry
Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: none
Staff present: Interim Deputy City Manager (Ms. Walsh), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Interim
Information Resources Director (Ms. Smith)
1. Board and commissions – considering new commissions
Ms. Kennedy presented the report.
The council agreed with the approach taken by staff on boards and commissions.
Councilmember Rog stated having a youth voice is very important and she hopes the consultant
will have recommendations about this.
Councilmember Budd asked about youth terms. Ms. Kennedy stated the term is for one year,
beginning in August so it somewhat coincides with their school year.
Councilmember Kraft stated he is supportive and would also want the consultant to look into
Northfield and Eden Prairie, which have more formally structured commissions that are
integrated with the schools. He noted typically they will have 2 -5 youth on their commissions.
He added with a youth advisory commission, he would like the consultant to engage with young
people on this. He noted in Goshen, Indiana, youth are even participants on the city council. He
stated he is not sure which structure works best, but added this plan makes sense.
Mayor Spano referenced the Northfield youth commissions and stated he has heard their
program is successful as well.
Councilmember Rog added years ago there was some lobbying for a senior commission also.
Ms. Kennedy stated this can be brought up during the stakeholder analysis.
Councilmember Mohamed added she agrees and looks forward to hearing from the consultant
as to what the barriers are to youth participation and the solutions.
Councilmember Kraft stated the transportation commission should possibly be called the active
transportation commission or the mobility transportation commission. Mayor Spano agreed
and noted it should be more inclusive than just roads.
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2. Proposed study session agenda topic
Mayor Spano noted the report on tree canopy percentage goal. Councilmember Brausen stated
the report is very thorough.
Mayor Spano asked about the staff response, and the recommendation of a study session .
Ms. Walsh stated this is a case where the strategic initiatives are not mutually exclusive. She
stated the tree canopy idea is great and staff is on board but can limit solar array options. She
noted another concern about planting many small trees, is that it doesn’t really gain much
ground as the city has trouble maintaining and watering them. She added we incent folks to
take care of their boulevard trees, but that’s been a struggle, when some adopt the tree and
take care of it, and some don’t. She added this can be a challenge, so it’s better to plant fewer
more mature trees that will survive versus a lot of small trees that will not survive.
Ms. Kennedy stated a discussion is probably warranted with council to consider establishing a
goal, but more work is needed by staff to get a better understanding of the current conditions.
Councilmember Brausen added he would like to discuss a legacy tree ordinance, noting it’s sad
to see a large healthy tree taken down off a property, because someone is worried it will fall on
their house.
Councilmember Kraft stated he likes taking the holistic view on this and noted the tree
replacement policy needs to be reviewed. He added development around light rail stations will
also take away some trees. He noted we are losing 400 trees a year to emerald ash borer, and
all city activity on trees needs to be reviewed.
Councilmember Dumalag noted a few neighbors have been asking about the city’s tree policy
and related to city development. She agreed a tree inventory is what should be done first.
Councilmember Kraft stated when looking at full climate mitigation of trees and the shade they
provide, they are a tremendous benefit of energy savings, health, along with cleaner air.
Councilmember Rog added trees are helpful and beneficial for mental health issues as well.
Communications/meeting check-in (verbal)
Councilmember Rog reminded folks of the open house from 4 -7 p.m. related to Minnetonka
Boulevard on Tues., April 26, at city hall.
Mayor Spano asked about two written reports noted below.
Mayor Spano stated he is fine with the budget process and noted it is similar to what’s been
done in the past. He added a discussion on debt-free financing would also be helpful and
wanted to be sure it was included in the timeline provided. Ms. Walsh stated it was included in
the planned budget discussions.
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Study session minutes -3- Apr. 25, 2022
Mayor Spano referenced the draft sidewalk policy framework report and stated this feels like a
big enough issue that it should be a discussion by council . He asked if this would be applied to
connect the park projects as well and if staff wants to use this as a pilot that’s fine.
Ms. Kennedy stated this will be a discussion in the next system on connected infrastructure.
Councilmember Rog noted she is supportive of this pilot project and added if this is ultimately
put into policy, it will be helpful as to size of sidewalks and if they are city maintained or not .
Councilmember Kraft stated there should be something uniform and it should be done with
thoughtful implementation.
Councilmember Rog asked about the written report on ARPA funding and how it will be decided
if external partner requests for funding will be included . Ms. Walsh stated if council decides on
this and wants to discuss policy, it can be reviewed when the budget comes forward .
Mayor Spano would like a discussion on the process but noted if funding external entities there
needs to be a transparent process.
Councilmember Brausen commented on the needed funding for STEP and construction
beginning this summer. He stated there should be a council decision on this within the next 6-8
weeks.
Councilmember Mohamed added she likes the idea of discussion of the process before making
decisions.
Councilmember Dumalag agreed and noted council will need to be fair with all organizations,
adding she has some concern about accelerating this without a process in place.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
3. March 2022 monthly financial report
4. First quarter investment report ( Jan – Mar 2022)
5. Quarterly development update – 2nd Quarter 2022
6. 2023 Budget process and ARPA funding overview
7. Business terms for contract for private redevelopment with Real Estate Equities
8. Draft sidewalk policy framework
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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