HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/02/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Feb. 27, 2023
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Yolanda Farris, Nadia
Mohamed and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: Lynette Dumalag
Staff present: Deputy City Manager (Ms. Walsh), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Building
and Energy Director (Mr. Hoffman), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Race,
Equity, and Inclusion Director (Ms. Guess) Communications and Technology Director (Ms.
Smith), Sustainability Manager (Ms. Ziring), City Assessor (Mr. Bultema), Assessment technician
(Ms. Carr), Solid Waste Manager (Ms. Fisher)
Guests: None.
1. Just Deeds program update
Mr. Bultema presented the report.
Councilmember Budd asked if a house does not show a covenant on the Just Deeds
map, does it mean this covenant does not exist on the title. Mr. Bultema stated no,
adding it would require a review by an attorney or title firm to ensure there is nothing
on the title.
Councilmember Budd asked if it would show up on the land versus the home. Mr.
Bultema stated it is the title of the entire property including the land and home.
Mayor Spano asked if most of these show up on residential properties. Mr. Bultema
stated yes, mostly on residential properties.
Councilmember Rog asked about what type of education goes along with this for
residents. Mr. Bultema stated historically we have tried to acknowledge the truth of
history and from there you can take the next step to a more positive place . He deferred
to Ms. Guess on the education program.
Ms. Guess added REI staff do want to do outward engagement and education through
open houses and resource fairs as well as tabling and education to bring awareness to
the community.
Councilmember Rog asked about dates when these no longer showed up on titles . Mr.
Bultema stated he would send a synopsis of dates to the council. He noted the 1960’s as
when most racial covenants were actively prohibited even though the law was passed in
1953.
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Councilmember Rog asked what area of St. Louis Park is most interested in pursuing
knowing if racial covenants exist on their properties. Mr. Bultema noted in late 2021 the
Elmwood neighborhood showed to have the most interested parties following an
educational outreach session at that time.
Councilmember Rog stated she has updated her residents about racial covenants and
added the city could provide more information and links for residents to investigate. Mr.
Bultema added the city will be working with real estate agents on this as well.
Ms. Guess added staff will come back to the council in September on this issue with real
estate industry people in attendance.
Mr. Bultema stated he will send a link to the council related to the definitive map with
all properties in the city that still have racial covenants, for their review.
2. Climate Equity Map presentation
Ms. Ziring presented the report.
Councilmember Brausen asked if the map is online yet. Ms. Ziring stated not yet, but it
will soon be available on the city website.
Councilmember Budd asked about the 40% clause. Ms. Ziring stated that the Biden
Administration’s Justice 40 requirement means 40% of federal investments will be
directed toward disadvantaged communities, so staff is working toward setting up
projects according to this requirement.
Councilmember Budd asked about the heat map and how it works. Ms. Ziring presented
the map and the layers including heat and age data and census tracks.
Councilmember Mohamed asked about the three neighborhoods with higher scores.
Ms. Ziring stated that areas with higher scores are offered more energy efficiency
incentives to help reach equity goals.
Councilmember Rog added she is excited about seeing this data gathered and used city
wide. She asked about census tracks and neighborhoods and noted they are not the
same. Ms. Ziring stated she is using the neighborhood names along with the census
track information as approximations.
Councilmember Rog noted that tree sale discounts were offered in the Birchwood area.
She stated Birchwood is very socio-economically diverse, and asked how decisions are
made about giving financial assistance. Ms. Ziring stated it’s difficult to parse out
assistance for this type of program based on individual income levels, so staff looks at
the greater good and benefiting the community with additional trees.
Councilmember Budd asked how many cities are doing this work. Ms. Ziring stated not
many, but there are a few, and added the Met Council has interest in this work as well .
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She added she likes this tool because the data is specific to St. Louis Park and includes
utility program participation data for the city.
3. Solid waste collection proposals, 2023-2028
Ms. Fisher presented the report. She noted information on proposals and contracts and
setting rates will be discussed later with the council. She noted the two policy questions:
1) Does the council support staff recommendations regarding entering contracts with
the haulers included in Option A?
2) Does the council support rejecting yard waste proposals and issuing a new request
for proposals (RFP) for yard waste services only?
Councilmember Brausen stated he is supportive of option A and hopefully residents will
understand these changes. He added he would like to see the RFP cut back, especially
when much of the yard waste can be used all year long on properties. He added he
would like to see removing yard waste only charged to the individual residences that
choose to regularly have yard waste removed, as mulching is the environmentally
preferred method and other residents should not have to subsidize the hauling of yard
waste.
Councilmember Rog agreed and noted leaves left on yards can also be helpful to lawns .
She asked about services for multi-family housing units. Ms. Fisher stated ordinance
ensures that residents at multi-family buildings have access to recycling collection but
does not require organics collection. She added the city provides organics drop off
collection sites.
Councilmember Rog stated she is in support of option A. She asked if applicants are
aware they are vying for only one contract. Ms. Fisher stated staff do meet with the
applicants and they are aware they can provide RFPs for one or all four types of
contracts. Ms. Fisher added vendors do let staff know what they are able to provide
service for.
Councilmember Rog asked if the contracts go through 2028, will there be significant
changes prior to 2030. Ms. Fisher stated she does not see any large changes, noting that
the organics program is in place and there is always more focus and education that can
be done on waste reduction.
Councilmember Mohamed stated she supports option A and noted the yard waste
removal is not essential for city services.
Councilmember Budd asked if this analysis was based on cost and if any other factors
were looked at. Ms. Fisher stated cost is the easiest metric to share and compare, but
also questions are asked about customer service and references as well. One proposer
noted they will pilot electric collection vehicles as well.
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Councilmember Farris stated she supports option A and deferring the yard waste
proposal.
Mayor Spano will support option A and deferring the yard waste proposal as well. He
added this has been a difficult year for trash and recycle haulers and the city staff going
out to fill the gaps is very appreciated. He asked about other cities and if there are
similarities in what staff see in costs and proposals.
Ms. Fisher stated St. Louis Park is unique related to other suburbs a little farther out,
and 1/3 of our residents require alley collection. She stated communities that have high
alley collection are having trouble finding collectors and fewer proposals coming in, as
well as increases in rates. She noted this is similar to what St. Louis Park has been seeing
as well.
It was the consensus of the council to approve option A and defer on the yard waste
collection until staff comes back with more information.
Communications/meeting check-in (verbal)
The Children’s First Breakfast is Thurs., March 2 and all are welcome to attend.
Mayor Spano thanked staff for their work on the snow removal last week.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Written Reports
4. MnDOT excel land updates
5. Update on Sherman Associates’ proposed Beltline Station Redevelopment
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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