HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/03/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
March 6, 2023
1. Call to order.
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
1a. Pledge of allegiance.
1b. Roll call.
Councilmembers present: Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda Farris, Nadia Mohamed, and
Mayor Pro Tem Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jake Spano, Sue Budd
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Deputy City Manager (Ms.
Walsh), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Zoning Administrator (Mr.
Morrison), Communications and Technology Director (Ms. Smith)
Guests: None.
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
approve the agenda as presented.
The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Spano and Councilmember Budd absent).
3. Presentations – none.
4. Approval of minutes.
4a. Study session minutes of Nov. 14, 2022.
4b. City council meeting minutes of Nov. 21, 2022.
4c. City council meeting minutes of Dec. 5, 2022.
4d. City Council meeting minutes of Jan. 17, 2023.
It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
approve the Nov. 14 study session minutes, and the Nov. 21, 2022, Dec. 5, 2022, and Jan.
17, 2023, city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Spano and Councilmember Budd absent).
5. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
5a. Accept city disbursement claims for the period of January 28, 2023 , through
February 24, 2023.
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5b. Adopt Ordinance No. 2662-23 amending city code chapter 3 related to alcoholic
beverages.
5c. Designate Pro-Tree Outdoor Services as the lowest responsible bidder and
authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $147,452.80 for
the removal of nuisance trees on public property for 2023 – 2024.
5d. Designate Bituminous Roadways, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and
authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $6,833,384.89
for the 2023 pavement management project no. 4023-1000.
5e. Adopt Resolution No. 23-033 approving Community Charities of Minnesota to
conduct off-site gambling on March 18, 2023, at the St. Louis Park ROC, 3700
Monterey Drive.
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 5-0 (Mayor Spano and Councilmember Budd absent).
6. Public hearings – none.
7. Regular business.
7a. Approve first reading of Ordinance amending chapter 36 of the city code
pertaining to zoning and set the second reading for Mar ch 20, 2023.
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
Councilmember Brausen thanked staff for their work on this amendment as well as the
planning commission.
Councilmember Brausen asked about section 7 related to the residential restrictions on
performance standards specifically the established maximum three vehicles stored
outside on a property. He noted it says additional vehicles would need to be parked in a
garage or on the street as allowed. He asked Mr. Morrison for the planning commissions
and staff’s analysis of this and why they recommended three vehicles.
Mr. Morrison stated the current ordinance has a minimum of three and allows
exceptions of up to five vehicles. He added the intention is to remove the exception. He
noted the planning commission discussed increasing it to four but decided to go with
staff recommendation.
Councilmember Brausen noted in his neighborhood two residents did have five vehicles
each in their driveways. He stated his concern if it is limited to three vehicles, those
additional vehicles then move onto the street, and everyone is walking around them. He
was more in favor of four and recommended amending the ordinance to four vehicles.
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Councilmember Brausen stated his concern is moving these vehicles out of the driveway
and onto the street with pedestrians and bikers having to move around them – along
with then moving the vehicles back into the driveway during snow emergencies. He
noted it seems backwards and might be a hardship on some residents .
Mayor Pro Tem Rog asked if this is typically enforced on a complaint basis . Mr. Morrison
stated yes, that is correct.
Councilmember Mohamed asked why staff recommended three vehicles maximum. Mr.
Morrison stated because it is the current code requirement of three plus exceptions.
Mayor Pro Tem asked how frequently staff receives complaints. Mr. Morrison stated
complaints about parking are common and it’s typically a frequent violator that is
complained about.
Councilmember Dumalag stated she is open to going either way on this . She noted there
may be instances where this is needed, such as with multigenerational families.
Councilmember Mohamed stated she would support the maximum of four versus three,
noting multigenerational families have multiple vehicles.
Mayor Pro Tem stated she also could go either way, and noted if it is taking staff time to
enforce the three vehicles, it might cut down on time staff spends on this. She stated
she also will support Councilmember Brausen’s amendment to the motion.
Councilmember Dumalag asked if the ordinance change related to restaurants was
made due to COVID. Mr. Morrison stated yes, that is correct and there are business
owners that want to continue that option. She thanked staff for their work on this and
stated she supports it.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
approve first reading as amended to increase the maximum number of vehicles allowed
in the driveway of single-family residences to four (4) instead of three (3) and to set the
second reading for March 20, 2023.
The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Spano and Councilmember Budd absent).
After the motion, Ms. Keller asked for clarification and if this would also be the case for
duplexes and moving the maximum vehicles allowed on a driveway from six to eight.
Councilmember Mohamed asked if this should be reviewed as a point of equity related
to people who live in duplexes.
Mr. Mattick stated the council can reflect on this and then make a change to the
ordinance at the March 20, 2023, second reading.
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Councilmember Mohamed asked staff to really reflect on this to see if there is an equity
issue.
8. Communications
Ms. Keller stated discounted rain barrels are now available for 50% off $90 and folks can reach
out to Recycleminnesota.org or the city website for more information.
Ms. Keller added it is time to nominate an outstanding community member for an award. This
can be submitted for folks who live or work in the community and contribute significantly to the
city. Nominations will be reviewed and awarded at the state of the city address. Nominations
can be completed on the city website and are due April 14.
Councilmember Brausen stated on March 9 is MN League of Cities Day at the State Capitol and
city manager Keller, staff members, and he will be there to discuss pressing issues.
Mayor Pro Tem Rog stated several from council were at the Children’s First Breakfast last week
and it was a very successful event.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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