HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/05/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
May 16, 2022
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 (arrived 6:35 p.m.), Sue Budd, Larry
Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: Lynette Dumalag
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Shepherd), Finance Director (Ms.
Schmitt), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton) Office Assistant (Mr. Peterson-
Etem), Interim Communications and Technology Director (Ms. Smith)
Guests: Ms. Kvilvang, Ehlers and Associates
2. Presentations
2a. Caring youth proclamation
Mayor Spano read a proclamation related to the Caring Youth Volunteer Program.
Youth volunteers were recognized as the 2022 Caring Youth Nominees: Pedro Ramirez -
Alvarez, Olivia Wasgatt, Amelia Lewis, Catie Miller, Renee McSherry, Emma Coen-Pesch.
Olivia Wasgatt spoke about her experiences with the police explorers program. She
noted building rapport with residents was the highlight of her experience.
Tammy McKenna, one of the members of the committee, thanked the council for
recognizing the caring youth participants.
Councilmember Brausen thanked all involved and noted Parktacular is coming up on
June 16 -19.
2b. Recognition of donations
Mayor Spano thanked Neelam and Deepak Sethi for a donation of $2,200 for the
purchase of a memorial bench at Wolfe Park honoring Peachy Sethi.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4F4DFA9-169D-4BB1-8B7E-6DD62E88ED80
City council meeting -2- May 16, 2022
3. Approval of minutes
3a. Study session minutes of Feb. 28, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve
the Feb. 28, 2022, study session minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
3b. City council meeting minutes of Mar. 7, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve the
Mar. 7, 2022, city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
3c. Study session minutes of Mar. 21, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Kraft, seconded by Councilmember Budd, to approve
the Mar.21, 2022, study session minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
3d. City council meeting minutes of Mar. 21, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
approve the Mar.21, 2022, city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept city disbursement claims for the period of March 26 through April 29,
2022.
4b. Approve the vehicle towing and impounding agreement and impound lot lease
extension with Bobby & Steve’s Auto World Eden Prairie, LLC.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-069 to participate in the fencing consortium as outlined
in the joint powers agreement.
4d. Designate Geislinger and Sons, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize
execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $5,217,582.00 for the
36th Street and Wooddale Avenue Improvement project – Project No. 4022-
6000.
4e. Adopt Resolution No. 22-070 approving a preliminary and final plat of STEP
expansion.
4f. Adopt Resolution No. 22-071 authorizing all-way stop controls at 28th Street and
Monterey Parkway.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4F4DFA9-169D-4BB1-8B7E-6DD62E88ED80
City council meeting -3- May 16, 2022
4g. Adopt Resolution No. 22-072 supporting CommonBond Communities’
participation in Hennepin County’s Pandemic Recovery Fund and Affordable
Housing Incentive Fund for Rise on 7.
4h. Approve an extension until June 15, 2023, for Frauenshuh to act upon the
conditional use permit (CUP) for Bremer Bank at 7924 Highway 7.
4i. Approve premises amendment to the liquor license for Steel Toe Brewing,
located at 4848 W 35th Street.
4j. Adopt Resolution No. 22-073 authorizing a special assessment for the repair of
the sewer service line at 2655 Vernon Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN. P.I.D.
31-029-24-32-0019.
4k. Adopt Resolution No. 22-074 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of
the sewer service line at 4110 Xenwood Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN. P.I.D.
21-117-21-31-0122.
4l. Adopt Resolution No. 22-075 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of
the sewer service line at 4210 Yosemite Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN. P.I.D.
21-117-21-34-0133.
4m. Adopt Resolution No. 22-076 approving acceptance of $2,200 from Neelam and
Deepak Sethi for the purchase of a memorial bench at Wolfe Park honoring
Peachy Sethi.
4n. Adopt Resolution No. 22-077 authorizing truck parking restrictions on the north
side of Highway 7 Frontage Road from Texas Avenue West to include the cul-
de-sac. Adopt Resolution No. 22-078 prohibiting parking along the south side of
Highway 7 Frontage Road from Texas Avenue west to start of the cul-de-sac.
4o. Accept Human Rights Commission meeting minutes from March 15, 2022.
Councilmember Rog asked to make a comment regarding consent calendar item 4f.
She stated resident Neil McCollough lives on Monterey Avenue and has been working
closely with staff on installation of a stop sign on this street . She noted stop signs do
make a difference and she is pleased to be adopting this resolution this evening.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
approve the agenda as presented and items listed on the consent calendar; and to waive
reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0. (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
5. Boards and commissions
5a. Approve appointments to boards and commissions
Mr. Peterson-Etem presented the report to the council. He noted this year over 40
applications were received. The council reviewed and evaluated the applications, and
applicants were interviewed by panels consisting of councilmembers and a
representative from each commission. The interview panels recommended
appointment of individuals outlined in Exhibit A. He added orientation will be held with
all new appointees before May 31, 2022 when their new term begins.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4F4DFA9-169D-4BB1-8B7E-6DD62E88ED80
City council meeting -4- May 16, 2022
Mayor Spano noted council reviewed the applications and worked in sub-groups. He
added the decisions are difficult as there are so many qualified applicants . He thanked
the council for their work on this.
Councilmember Brausen agreed this is a difficult and challenging process on selection.
He encouraged those not selected to please stay engaged and noted there are many
other opportunities within the city, and opportunities to be on boards and commissions
in the future.
Councilmember Kraft thanked all those that applied and encouraged those not selected
to attend meetings and find other ways to stay involved. He congratulated those
appointed to serve.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve
the appointments to boards and commissions as listed in Exhibit A.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
6. Public hearings
6a. Public hearing to consider Beltline Station development conduit bond
Resolution No. 22-079
Ms. Schmitt presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano asked if there is any financial obligation to the city. Ms. Schmitt stated
there is not. She noted the money the city receives go into the city’s general fund.
Mayor Spano asked why the city does this, with pass-thru funding. Ms. Schmitt
explained that because the city is a government agency, it is the only entity that is
allowed to pass the funds on for conduit bonds.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to adopt
Resolution No. 22-079 approving the issuance of multifamily housing revenue notes;
approving a housing program; and, authorizing the execution of related documents.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
6b. Public hearing to consider Wooddale Avenue apartment s conduit bond
Resolution No. 22-080
Ms. Schmitt presented the staff report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4F4DFA9-169D-4BB1-8B7E-6DD62E88ED80
City council meeting -5- May 16, 2022
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Councilmember Budd, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to adopt
Resolution No. 22-080 approving the issuance of multifamily housing revenue notes;
approving a housing program; and, authorizing the execution of related documents.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
6c. Public hearing to consider Rise on 7 conduit bond Resolution No. 22-081
Ms. Schmitt presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing.
Karl Gamradt, 3347 Virginia Ave. S., stated he approves of the project. He noted the
area and the intersections nearest are a traffic mess and adding more units to the area
will make traffic worse. He hopes in the planning and budgeting the city accounts for
this as well.
Mayor Spano closed the public hearing.
Mayor Spano thanked Mr. Gamradt for his comments and noted this is an issue for the
county to explore as it relates to the Highway 7 and the Texas Avenue intersection. He
noted there is a study going on related to this area currently where these issues will be
addressed.
It was moved by Councilmember Budd, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to adopt
Resolution No. 22-081 approving the issuance of multifamily housing revenue notes;
approving a housing program; and authorizing the execution of related documents.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none
8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions, and discussion items
8a. Sales of bonds, Louisiana Court Resolution No. 22-082
Ms. Kvilvang, Ehlers and Associates presented the staff report.
Councilmember Brausen pointed out that once again the city has benefited from its AAA
bond rating and skilled financial management courtesy of city staff. He noted this is
almost a half-million dollars in savings and interest and shortening the term by three
years is a substantial benefit to the city as these types of bonds are how the city
finances projects that last for years.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4F4DFA9-169D-4BB1-8B7E-6DD62E88ED80
City council meeting -6- May 16, 2022
Councilmember Budd asked about the projected final interest rate . Ms. Kvilvang stated
the final rate was 3.9%, noting at pre-sale it was lower but overall, staff was still happy
with the results.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to adopt
Resolution No. 22-083, providing for the sale of refunding bonds originally used to
finance the Louisiana Court project.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Dumalag absent).
9. Communications
Ms. Keller noted small business advisors are available at city hall on the third Tuesday of each
month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and sign up is on the city website.
Councilmember Brausen noted yesterday was the state of the city address an d the ribbon
cutting ceremony of the Dakota Avenue Bridge. He thanked staff and all residents involved.
Mayor Spano stated the event was a great reminder of all the great things going on in the city.
He reported on the unveiling of the joint art project as well, which was installed in one of the
piers of the bridge. He noted the outstanding citizen award was presented at the event.
Councilmember Rog noted there will be a youth mental health forum on Tues. May 24, and
more information is available on the city website.
Mayor Spano referenced two racially motivated shootings in New York and California. He stated
Councilmember Mohamed had commented on this to him and asked everyone to pause and
reflect on these two incidents.
Councilmember Mohamed noted people are afraid and people are seeing this and there is true
danger in this. She also noted gun violence continues to be an issue and urged elected officials
to look at what it takes to have access to guns and who has access to guns. She stated she is
horrified by this and the continued hate speech that is on social media and the internet.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4F4DFA9-169D-4BB1-8B7E-6DD62E88ED80