HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/11/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Nov. 21, 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, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Larry Kraft
(participating remotely), Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: Tim Brausen
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Police Chief Harcey,
Deputy City Manager (Ms. Walsh), Finance Director (Ms. Schmitt), Community Development
Director (Ms. Barton), Communications and Technology Director (Ms. Smith), Engineering
Director (Ms. Heiser), Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Shamla), Property Maintenance and
Licensing Manager (Mr. Pivec)
Guests: Leigh Block, 287 Roma Ave, Roseville, MN
2. Presentations.
2a. Proclamation declaring November 2022 as “Family Court Awareness Month”
Ms. Block thanked council for the proclamation to raise awareness on child safety issues
in the court system.
3. Approval of minutes.
3a. Special meeting minutes of Sept. 29, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to approve
the Sept. 29, 2022, special meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
3b. Study session minutes of September 12, 2022
Councilmember Dumalag noted on page four it should read “…particularly if it was
related to selling a substance.” She added on page 5 it should read, “She is fine with the
level of testing even if it adds to the cost .”
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
approve the Sept. 12, 2022, study session minutes as amended.
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The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
3c. City council workshop meeting minutes of Oct. 10, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to approve
the Oct. 10, 2022, city council workshop meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Approve cooperative agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
(MCWD) for the construction of the Northside Park water quality filtration
system (city project 4022-4001).
4b. Adopt Resolution No. 22-175 rescinding Resolution No. 21-076 and approving
the updated list of snow removal exempt parking areas.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-176 authorizing the special assessment for the Texa-
Tonka Shopping Center Sidewalk.
4d. Approve agreement between the city and Dish Wireless LLC for communication
antennas and related equipment to be placed on the city’s water tower at 2541
Nevada Avenue South.
4e. Accept parks & recreation advisory commission minutes from September 14,
2022.
It was moved by Councilmember Budd, 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 Brausen absent).
5. Boards and commissions – none.
6. Public hearings.
6a. Minnetonka Boulevard reconstruction project (4023-7000)
Ms. Heiser introduced Mr. Warford and Mr. Staebell who presented the report.
Mr. Shamla noted the utility undergrounding configuration and relocation.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing.
Diane Pecoraro, 2900 Glenhurst Ave., stated she lives close to the city border and there
are many apartments in her area, which have become a wall. She is concerned because
there are new residents driving, heavy traffic, and Minnetonka Boulevard is closed at
that area. She stated this will create a traffic mess. She agreed the area is a mess from
Joppa Avenue to France Avenue and is happy to hear it will be addressed.
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Jerry Ribnick, 4310 West 25th St., stated he is a long-term resident, a walker, and biker.
He suggested the issue is automobiles and people are understating the needs. The
housing density will create more traffic. He noted if you travel east on Minnetonka
Boulevard during rush hour, it’s a mess and this will just move it f arther west. He added
a shared-use trail is a concern with walkers, bikers, and scooters. He added from Joppa
to France Avenue, if the traffic is reduced, it seems it will be doubled on Highway 25.
Heath Hertel, 2833 Joppa Ave., stated his concerns relate to moving from a 4-lane to a
2-lane road. He explained trying to get onto Minnetonka Boulevard during rush hour is
challenging and it’s the only way to get to Highway 100 efficiently. He stated when it
goes down to one lane, turning will be a concern. He added rerouting of Inglewood
Avenue traffic and not being able to turn there is also a concern.
Mark Fredrickson, 2851 Joppa Ave., stated he has lived in his home for 28 years and in
that time has seen changes, including adding a synagogue and narrowing of the road. He
explained on Fridays and Saturdays only one lane of traffic can get on Joppa Avenue. He
stated he is concerned about stormwater issues and has not heard how this will be
addressed.
Teresa Simon, Quentin Ave., noted the illustrations don’t show what will happen west of
the mapped area. She noted moving the traffic away from the homes will be a good
thing and residents need to have a say related to livability in the neighborhood. She
thought the goal would be to make this a more residential street and move faster traffic
to Highway 7. She added Quentin is a cut through and the front door of city hall should
remain where it currently is.
Julia Fredrickson, 2851 Joppa Ave., echoed many of the comments and disagreed that it
is equally as fast to go from Minnetonka Boulevard to Highway 100 as on Highway 7.
She is not a huge fan of three lanes and is concerned with the traffic light on Joppa and
the traffic near the synagogues. She suggested a flashing crossing light should be there
and to keep the current light at Inglewood. She noted Joppa is very narrow and it’s
difficult to get through with cars parked along both sides .
Virgil Boller, Joppa Ave., stated the traffic light on Joppa is not very thoughtful. He asked
if staff knows how many streetlights are on Joppa, noting there are six lights on the
school and synagogue, because there is constant foot traffic. He has concerns about
more traffic on Joppa and noted that traffic accidents will be addressed by diverting
traffic onto Highway 7.
Mayor Spano closed the public hearing.
The city council is scheduled to take formal action on this item at the Dec. 5, 2022,
meeting.
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none.
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8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions, and discussion items
8a. Adopt resolution accepting Councilmember Kraft’s resignation effective Dec.
30, 2022, and declaring a vacancy for the office of council member at-large A
for the term expiring Jan. 2, 2024. Resolution No. 22-177
Councilmember Kraft stated he is excited and sad as he has e njoyed being on council
and noted he will recuse himself from this discussion.
Ms. Kennedy presented the report to council. She stated the application period will
open on Nov. 22 and will close on Dec. 6. She noted applications are available on the
city website, on the 3rd floor at city hall or upon request from her office. She explained
as per council’s previous direction, staff developed an appointment process that would
allow council to fill the vacancy in early 2023.
Ms. Kennedy stated the new member will be appointed to fill the remainder of the term
expiring on January 2, 2024. The office of council member at large A will be on the ballot
in November 2023. If the new member wants to see a new terms, they will need to file
for candidacy and run for the office during the 2023 election cycle.
Mayor Spano stated Councilmember Kraft is resigning because he was elected to the
state legislature representing St. Louis Park, noting the council is proud of him .
Councilmember Rog asked where this information about the vacancy will be shared.
Ms. Kennedy stated the information will be shared via the city’s social media accounts,
the Sun Sailor, Next Door, Gov Delivery notifications, and on the city website.
Mayor Spano encouraged residents to reach out with questions about serving in this
role.
It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
adopt Resolution No. 22-177 accepting Councilmember Kraft’s resignation effective Dec.
30, 2022, and declaring a vacancy for the office of council member at-large A for the
term expiring Jan. 2, 2024.
The motion passed 5-0. (Councilmember Kraft recused himself).
8b. Adopt ordinance related to licensing requirements for the sale of cannabinoid
products. Ordinance 2658-22
Mr. Pivec and Chief Harcey presented the staff report.
Councilmember Kraft asked if license holders are notified in advance of compliance
checks. Chief Harcey stated a notification letter is sent in advance of the check.
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Councilmember Kraft asked if there is a violation, will the city wait until the following
year to do a follow-up check. Chief Harcey stated typically the police will do a recheck
within the next 6 months.
Councilmember Kraft stated as a parent of teens he has mixed feelings about the
legalization of marijuana, but generally he does feel this should be legal to avoid
creation of a black market. He noted this should be kept out of the hands of teens
whose brains are much more susceptible to being harmed by using this substance. He
added given that the checking of a facility is not a surprise, he is not comfortable with
the penalties being as low as they are and is more comfortable with something that is
done much like liquor penalties. He asked that something different be considered for
the penalties for violations.
Councilmember Budd asked if the 3rd offense will stay at $2,000. Councilmember Kraft
stated he made no changes to the 3rd offense.
Councilmember Rog asked why there are different departments administering penalties
for alcohol and tobacco – being city clerk and licensing.
Mr. Mattick explained the city clerk does the liquor licensing, and tobacco is done in
licensing. Mr. Hoffman added liquor licensing is something that is approved by the city
council; therefore, the city clerk handles this. He noted other licensing is done
administratively and does not need to go to council or the city clerk. He stated city
council approval of liquor licenses is done in accordance with state statute and includes
a public hearing requirement.
Mayor Spano stated he is supportive with changing the penalty noting the rationale
makes sense here.
It was moved by Councilmember Kraft, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to adopt
Ordinance 2658-22 related to licensing requirements for the sale of cannabinoid
products, adding that the first offense be $1,000, and the second offense be $2,000, with
no other changes to the penalties.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
8c. Adopt ordinance establishing fee for 2023 THC edible licensing and add to
Appendix A of the city code of ordinances. Ordinance 2659-22
Mr. Pivec presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano thanked staff and council for their work on this licensing process.
Councilmember Rog stated she is supportive of further discussion related to parity
between THC and alcohol violation penalties.
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It was moved by Councilmember Dumalag, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
adopt Ordinance 2659-22 establishing fee for 2023 THC edible licensing and add to
Appendix A of the city code of ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
9. Communications
Ms. Keller noted Thanksgiving and Hmong new year, which are both holidays rooted
around gratitude and the annual harvest. She stated she plans to educate herself about
the history of Thanksgiving and activities she and her family can do to make sure this is
an inclusive event for her and deepens her gratitude. She expressed her gratitude for
council and staff and for the St. Louis Park community.
Councilmember Mohamed commented on a shooting in Colorado Springs affecting the
LGBTQ+ community and stated she wanted to pause and reflect on this incident.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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