HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/04/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 17, 2023
The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Yolanda Farris, Lynette
Dumalag, Nadia Mohamed and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: none.
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), engineering director
(Ms. Heiser), engineering project manager (Mr. Sullivan), building and energy director (Mr.
Hoffman), community development director (Ms. Barton), racial equity and inclusion director
(Ms. Guess), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith)
Guests: none.
1. On-street semitruck parking regulations
Ms. Heiser and Mr. Sullivan presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano asked about the areas with time restrictions and if they are being fully utilized.
Mr. Sullivan stated they are being underutilized. Trucks find other streets to park on, without
any restrictions.
Ms. Heiser stated if the intent is to allow space in the city for trucks to park on the street, staff
believes that the current approach will not meet the needs for that. She explained if the council
would like to allow for that space, staff would need time to identify where that would be.
Mayor Spano stated he does not feel an absolute obligation to allow truck parking within the
city, adding there are spots in the city that have underutilized parking lots, and maybe the
owners of those properties could allow for that use. He noted he is open to looking at not
having time restrictions in the areas parking is allowed to see if that might be a useful option.
However, if that does not work, he does not feel the city has an obligation to let them park
elsewhere.
Councilmember Mohamed added she is not comfortable with the outcome of the policy and
where it is going. She noted it is difficult to find parking for trucks all over the metr o area. She
stated if staff says the city does not have the streets for this, then so be it, but she would like
staff to explore further, especially since 40% of truck drivers are people of color. She asked staff
to seek input from truck drivers as well, so all parties involved are heard.
Councilmember Brausen asked if there was an app for truck drivers to find locations to park.
Mr. Sullivan stated that he was not aware of one. Councilmember Brausen asked how many
trucks park within the city. Mr. Sullivan stated on 35th Street, it was fully parked from Raleigh to
the cul-de-sac, so that was about 15-20 trucks.
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Councilmember Brausen stated this seems to be a regional issue that will continue. He stated
truckers will move from one site to another, to avoid costs. He stated he is interested in
exploring private lots that might be available because keeping them on the street continues to
be a problem.
Councilmember Dumalag stated she is hesitant to do an all-out ban. She noted there are also
two major construction projects happening in one area, so that allows for more truck traffic .
She agreed with Mayor Spano’s comments about retailer lots that might be underutilized and
using those as an option for drivers. She added she is hesitant to push them out as they have a
job to do, and we depend on their deliveries.
Councilmember Farris agreed space should be made within the city as trucks and their
deliveries are important to residents. She added it is also important to have them park in safe
spaces as well.
Recess
The council took a short recess for those who observe Ramadan to break their fast.
1. On-street semitruck parking regulations (continued)
Councilmember Rog noted she has heard from residents that have experienced 10 – 12 hours
of idling, noting this needs to be taken seriously as a concern. She added she shares concerns
around site lines, business impacts and safety for pedestrians and bikers . She stated she would
rather there not be any truck parking in the city, but she does understand the need, and
supports seeking potential partnerships with local businesses that could offer space to trucks
for parking.
Councilmember Rog noted the map in the staff report and asked if any additional criteria would
be considered. Ms. Heiser stated the street width and zoning would be considered, adding staff
would need to investigate this further.
Councilmember Rog asked if the city knows the need, and if it is unlimited . Ms. Heiser stated
there are no restrictions on 35th Street, and trucks were bumper to bumper. She stated staff
does not have a tally, and it is too variable, but looking at site lines, and alternative options for
parking will be a part of the review.
Councilmember Rog stated she would like to say no and would want to look at alternatives. She
asked if staff would force the question to the state or regionally, to see what the needs are and
how others handle this issue.
Ms. Heiser stated while MnDOT will be offering federal dollars to install parking along regional
highway corridors and in greater Minnesota, it was unlikely it would be suited for St. Louis Park.
Councilmember Rog asked if this could be added to our legislative priorities . Ms. Heiser
indicated that she would include it in 2024 legislative priorities.
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Councilmember Brausen added he is worried about trying to please everyone, and ultimately
the roads are for safe travel for residents, and not for truck parking, and this is the cost of doing
business. He agreed this needs a regional solution.
Mayor Spano stated he wants to be reasonable. He noted there are many restrictions within
the city where we do not allow residents to park near their properties, much less allowing
trucks to park on city streets . He added the council recently had this conversation about where
to park dumpsters. He added prohibiting this is not what he is willing to do at this time.
Mayor Spano stated he would like to see staff look for better locations for trucks to park,
adding he wants the city to do their due diligence on this as well.
Ms. Keller stated staff will do what they can to engage with truck drivers, as well as looking into
businesses within the city that might allow parki ng in their lots. She reviewed that staff has
been directed by council to not ban truck parking altogether at this time, and to assess
locations in the city where there could be unrestricted access.
Councilmember Rog stated if staff were to look at partnering with businesses on parking, they
could exhaust this first option before looking into a second option. Ms. Keller noted it might be
best, however, to work on both tracks at the same time to come to a solution in a timely
manner.
Ms. Keller added this is a good project to pull in race equity staff to work on engagement,
because to date we have not had success connecting with truck drivers.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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