HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/03/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
March 20, 2023
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, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Yoland
Farris, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: none
Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Deputy City Manager (Ms.
Walsh), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Communications and Technology
Director (Ms. Smith), Operations Superintendent (Mr. Stevens), Public Works Director (Mr. Hall)
Guests: Becky Bakken, Discover St. Louis Park
2. Approve agenda
The agenda was approved, as presented, by general consensus.
3. Presentations
3a. Discover St. Louis Park Update
Becky Bakken from Discover St. Louis Park presented the report.
Councilmember Dumalag noted Meet Minneapolis sells convention space . She asked
how much of that business comes into St. Louis Park. Ms. Bakken stated in 2022, very
little came into the city, adding that it has been much higher, during large events like
the Super Bowl. She added overflow is typically a natural thing but that it did not exist in
2022.
Councilmember Dumalag asked where visitors are coming from. Ms. Bakken stated St.
Louis Park is an attractive location when visiting from northern or southern M innesota,
and for folks who may not want to stay in downtown Minneapolis. She added St. Louis
Park is also an attraction for those visiting for conferences and would be stronger if that
market were back to where it had been prior to 2020, noting companies are not sending
their employees to conferences as much now, due to costs and inflation. She noted
however St. Louis Park does remain a regional destination.
Councilmember Dumalag asked within the 9 regional hotels that are reviewed, how
many rooms does that encompass. Ms. Bakken stated 1,200.
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Councilmember Rog asked about non-profit partnerships over the past year. Ms. Bakken
stated Discover St. Louis Park was very involved with STEP this year and with the Holiday
Train event. She also noted their involvement with Children First and Friends of the Arts.
She noted they also received a community partner of the year award from STEP this
year.
Councilmember Rog noted a walking tour is still of interest . She asked why the August
and September and fall numbers were so high last year. Ms. Bakken stated it would be
the Thai Festival that was held in September, and also several associations met at the
end of the year, and St. Louis Park was a popular destination this past year .
Councilmember Mohamed stated it was interesting to see them use influencers to get
through to groups. She added the use of TikTok, especially for the younger generation,
is helpful and she encouraged more of this with more experiential platforms.
Councilmember Brausen added it was good to see good news here, especially in light of
the pandemic. He asked if they are able to add staff members. Ms. Bakken stated they
have a staff of three, and will keep evaluating as things continue to grow.
Councilmember Brausen noted Ms. Bakken had mentioned that it would take around 5
years to come back from the pandemic. She agreed 2024 is the year projected to be at
full recovery.
Councilmember Brausen asked what the council and city can do to support their efforts .
Ms. Bakken said their feedback is appreciated and if there is more information they
need from Discover St. Louis Park, they are glad to provide it.
Mayor Spano added his thanks and noted Discover St. Louis Park won an award for the
Destination Marketing Organization in MN, and this helps the visibility of both St. Louis
Park and Golden Valley.
3b. Retirement recognition for Jeff Stevens
Mayor Spano recognized Mr. Stevens for his work in public works as superintendent,
operations manager, and superintendent over the past 40 years, on behalf of the
council and read the resolution into the record.
Mr. Hall, Public Works Director, thanked Mr. Stevens for his work. He noted Mr. Stevens
puts the city first, and extended his retirement date to help staff support the city . He
added he will miss working with him
Ms. Walsh added she will miss his candor, humor, loyalty, spirit, and respect for St. Louis
Park. He always meets with people when there are issues, always steps forward, and
sets high standards that the city appreciates.
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Mr. Stevens stated he started as a seasonal worker with the city and thanked the council
and city for the opportunity and for the recognition.
Councilmember Rog thanked Mr. Stevens for his service, politeness, and capability . She
added he will be missed.
Mayor Spano added his thanks to Mr. Stevens for his years of service, noting the recent
big snowstorm that featured St. Louis Park public workers. He stated he was happy to
see the comments from folks about the great support from public works, and it’s
reassuring to see. He added the clearing of roads that the team and Mr. Stevens does
has such a large impact on the city and added the city is forever in his debt, adding they
will miss him.
3c. Proclamation honoring the beginning of Ramadan
Councilmember Mohamed read the proclamation honoring the beginning of Ramadan
on March 22, 2023.
Councilmember Mohamed thanked the Mayor for having her read this as it is of great
importance to her.
3d. Proclamation recognizing Mental Health Awareness month
Mayor Spano read the proclamation recognizing Mental Health Awareness month as
May of 2023.
3e. Recognition of donations
Mayor Spano recognized a donation from the MN Waterworks Association for up to
$2,000 for City Utilities Superintendent Austin Holmes to attend and compete in the
annual conference in Toronto, Canada, and a grant of $270,000 from the Park Nicollet
Foundation to the Fire Department for a Health Referral Coordinator.
Mayor Spano noted his thanks to the Park Nicollet Foundation for their ongoing
partnership in the community and their support over these many years.
4. Approval of minutes
4a. Study session meeting minutes of Oct. 24, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve
the study session meeting minutes of Oct. 24, 2022, as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
4b. Study session minutes of Nov. 7, 2022
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It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to
approve the study session minutes of Nov. 7, 2022, as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
4c. Study session minutes of Nov. 28, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to
approve the study session minutes of Nov. 28, 2022, as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
4d. Study session minutes of Dec 12, 2022
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve
the study session minutes of Dec. 12, 2022, as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
5. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
5a. Resolution No. 23-034 accepting city manager’s performance evaluation.
5b. Adopt Ordinance No. 2662-23 amending city code chapter 36 pertaining to
zoning.
5c. Approve professional services contract for the Cedar Lake Road improvement
project.
5d. Award contract for the reconstruction of Aquila Park tennis courts.
5e. Resolution No. 23-035 accepting grant from Park Nicollet Foundation to Fire
department.
5f. Resolution No. 23-036 accepting donation from Minnesota American Water
Works Association.
5g. Reject yard waste proposals and authorize staff to solicit yard waste collection
RFP.
5h. Resolution No. 23-037 recognizing retirement of Jeff Stevens, operations
superintendent.
5i. Resolution No. 23-038 authorizing grant application and execution of grant
agreement for sanitary sewer lining projects.
5j. Resolution No. 23-039 approving amendment to contract for private
development with Beltline Station LLC.
5k. Bid tabulation: 2023 street maintenance (4023 -1200)
5l. Resolution No. 23-040 amending 2023 budget for the water utility fund and solid
waste fund.
Mayor Spano noted the yearly review of the city manager is one of the items on the
consent agenda tonight, adding this is the first-year review of Ms. Keller. He commented
on how much the council appreciates her and her work.
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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 7-0.
6. Public hearings - none
7. Regular business – none
8. Communications and announcements
Ms. Keller noted there are opportunities for youth ages 14 - 21, to learn about being a
peace officer in St. Louis Park through the police explorer program. She also noted
opportunities for adults to serve in the police reserves, in night patrols and city events.
She encouraged everyone to check out the city website for more information.
Councilmember Brausen noted there will not be a regular city council meeting or study
session as several city council members are attending the National Leagues of Cities
convention to be held in Washington D.C., to lobby legislators about projects in St. Louis
Park and discuss city issues with city representatives.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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