HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/01/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Jan. 23, 2023
The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Nadia
Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), City Clerk (Ms.
Kennedy)
Guests: Applicants for at large A city council vacancy (Paul Baudhuin, Yolanda Farris, Leah
Lamon, Karen McCarren, Maren Anderson, Avi Olitzky, Dimitrios (Dimi) Lalos)
1. City council vacancy interview and appointment process
The city council interviewed seven (7) applicants for the office of at large A council member.
Applicants participated in a question-and-answer session with the city council, with one
applicant participating remotely. Each applicant was asked to answer the following questions:
The cost of providing essential and necessary services to the community goes up every
year. Would you propose any new programs for St. Louis Park, and if so, how would you
fund them?
Tell us about a time you took responsibility/accountability for something you did or said
that offended another person and how you handled the situation.
What's your position on property taxes in SLP? How do you see yourself navigating
decisions between making new investments, for example in climate action, housing, and
infrastructure, and the tax impacts of those investments on residents and businesses?
Scenario: A person goes on social media attacking you and a vote took on the council. The
post is angry and calling on you to “rectify” this with some specific action.
Question: Do you respond to the person and if so, how? If not, why? Would your response
be different if it was a group of 5 people? 10 people? People from your own neighborhood?
Tell us about a time you had to make a decision without a full understanding of all the
details. How did you handle that?
Please provide an example of the work you've done around racial equity. Please provide an
example of work you've done personally (internal) and with your organization and
community (external).
The applicants participated as a group in a simulated study session discussion facilitated by
Mayor Spano, City Manager Keller, and Ms. Heiser. The topic discussed was related to public
parking. The applicants were asked to use the information provided in a mock staff report and
the conversation at the session to share their position on the topic and provide policy direction
to staff.
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Study session minutes -2- Jan. 23, 2023
The city council shared their initial thoughts and observations following the interview session in
the context of the previously established criteria: thoughtful, compassionate, collaborative,
diverse perspective, and city focused. The city council did not score applicants during this round
of interviews. The city council agreed to meet in study session on January 30, 2023, to continue
their debrief discussion and to use a ranked-choice voting exercise to facilitate their decision-
making process. Ms. Kennedy provided a brief overview of ranked-choice voting rules and
potential outcomes with six (6) voters. The council directed staff to prepare a ranke d-choice
ballot for the study session on January 30 that would list the seven (7) remaining applicants and
allow council to rank up to three (3) choices.
Written reports:
2. Quarterly development update – 1st Quarter 2023
3. Application for financial assistance – Union Park Flats
4. Dakota Park bridge improvements – project update (city project no. 2122-1806)
Ms. Keller stated the council last discussed this project in November. At that time the project
estimate had come in significantly higher than originally projected. She explained staff are
ready to proceed with engagement on all three (3) options presented in the reported, if council
is comfortable with proceeding. She noted the project had not gone out for bid and would still
need to be brought back to the council for a final decision.
Councilmember Brausen asked if one of the options was to not build the bridge.
Ms. Keller stated yes, one of the options is to divert and install a trail that would meet ADA
specifications. The second option is to install a boardwalk bridge that has the same life span as
a steel truss bridge but would have additional maintenance costs within the life span. The third
option is to move forward with the steel truss bridge that was included in the capital
improvement plan (CIP) previously adopted by the council. She noted the question for council
at this time is whether they want to proceed with engagement on all three (3) options.
Councilmember Rog stated because this project is in Ward 1 she did ask residents of her ward
for feedback regarding this project. So far she has heard that people strongly feel that this is an
integral part of this park, but would prefer that the city not spend the money. She explained
she is unsure of the right thing to do because this park is the heart of Ward 1. Given the
estimated cost, she feels that this is a great opportunity to put the question out to the
community to see how important the bridge is to people. She noted her concern is that the
bridge that is currently in place is too narrow to be plowed and that results in increased cost
and staff resources to shovel. The proposed bridge would be wider, which would allow the city
to plow using equipment, but that is also a factor that is driving the cost. She noted the
boardwalk option is not that much cheaper than the steel truss bridge and comes with
additional maintenance costs. She would love to see an option for a narrower steel truss bridge
that perhaps would not be maintained in the winter months.
Ms. Keller stated staff have not prepared that fourth option for public engagement purposes. If
the project is going to stay on track for completion this year, staff need to move forward with
engagement soon.
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Study session minutes -3- Jan. 23, 2023
Mayor Spano stated he loves the idea of asking the community for help decid ing whether to
make the investment in the bridge. He explained he is comfortable with staff moving forward
with engagement around the three (3) options.
Councilmember Brausen suggested posing two questions to the community, with the first being
whether to build a bridge and the second on the type of bridge. He stated this would allow the
council to better understand if people are interested in making the investment in the amenity.
Councilmember Mohamed stated she is in favor of doing engagement city wide, rather than
only asking residents of Ward 1.
Councilmember Rog suggested reaching out to the principal at Peter Hobart to perhaps try to
engage the students on the question as well.
Ms. Keller stated she would check in with staff on details of the en gagement plan to see if there
is an opportunity to capture all users of the park, both within Ward 1 and the broader
community.
5. Business terms – purchase and redevelopment contract for OlyHi development
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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