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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/08/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Aug 21, 2023 1. Call to order. Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. a. Pledge of allegiance. b. Roll call. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog Councilmembers absent: Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), finance director (Ms. Cruver), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), community development director (Ms. Barton), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), economic development manager (Mr. Hunt), activity specialist (Ms. McSherry), naturalist (Ms. McConnell) Guests: Junior Naturalists, community members. 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Commissioners Budd and Dumalag absent). 3. Presentations. a. Recognition of Westwood Hills Nature Center junior naturalists. Ms. McSherry introduced the junior naturalists. Mayor Spano thanked all the junior naturalists and their families for their hard work and commitment to this program and serving others at Westwood Hills Nature Center. Councilmember Brausen stated his four-year-old grandson attended a class at the nature center and enjoyed it and he thanked the junior naturalists for that. He added his thanks for all the other kids that enjoyed the programs also. He stated this program can also be a jumping point to public service for these students and noted one of the councilmembers started as a junior naturalist. Councilmember Rog added she is the parent of two former junior naturalists, and she appreciates the time and energy they shared. She added the junior naturalists are also role models for younger kids coming up and she thanked them for that. DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E55916F-11E5-46E6-B512-D27260E03A80 City council meeting minutes -2- Aug. 21, 2023 Junior Naturalist Aaron spoke and said he has been a camper and naturalist at Westwood for many years. He stated the program has helped him connect with nature, learn more, build leadership skills, and helps him connect to his community. He also thanked the staff at Westwood, and all the campers and junior naturalists and the councilmembers for recognizing their work. Sophia mentioned how she had been bullied in 7th grade, and how a conversation with another junior naturalist made her feel good about herself. Silas said he is a lead for junior naturalists and having this experience helps him to be a role model for kids and it makes his day better. He noted it is the small things that make people happy and help this community experience Westwood Hills Nature Center. Indigo said this is her second year being a junior naturalist and everyone is so nice and helpful at the nature center. She added she loves nature and working with kids, and this has been an amazing opportunity. River said the junior naturalist group forms a strong bond to the community and being able to interact with kids and touch their lives is very important, now more than ever. He also recognized Renee McSherry for her leadership and thanked also all the junior naturalists and called them the “beating heart of Westwood Hills”. Mayor Spano added this group matters to the community and to Westwood Hills and he thanked them for their work. He also thanked those not from St. Louis Park who come to the center to volunteer in the junior naturalist program. b. Recognition of service for Julie Grove, community and economic development analyst. Mayor Spano thanked Ms. Grove for her 18 years of service on behalf of the council and community members. Mr. Hunt noted Ms. Grove’s accomplishments over the years, especially as grant administrator, in helping the city to receive over $25 million in grants over the years for a wide variety of development projects within the city. He thanked her for her contributions and added her accomplishments are truly appreciated. Ms. Grove thanked the council and city for their support over the years. Councilmember Rog added her interactions with Ms. Grove have always been very professional and her work with grants has been a huge gift to the city and she hopes everyone appreciates this. Councilmember Brausen agreed and wished her all the best in her next opportunity. 4. Minutes. a. City council study session minutes of July 24, 2023 DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E55916F-11E5-46E6-B512-D27260E03A80 City council meeting minutes -3- Aug. 21, 2023 It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the July 24 city council study session minutes as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Commissioners Budd and Dumalag absent). 5. Consent items. a. Approve bid for 2023 broadcast equipment upgrade project b. Approve bid for Dakota Park infrastructure improvement project (2122-1806) – Ward 1 c. Approve temporary extension of licensed premises – The Dampfwerk Distillery d. Authorize request for proposal for multifunction printer equipment e. Resolution No. 23-094 supporting and prioritizing 2024 capital budget requests to the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget for Governor’s capital budget It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the consent items as presented; and to waive reading of all resolutions. The motion passed 5-0 (Commissioners Budd and Dumalag absent). 6. Public hearings – none. 7. Regular business. a. First reading of ordinance amending city code chapter 8, sec. 474 related to cannabinoid products Mr. Mattick presented the staff report. Councilmember Rog noted there is one liquor store in the city selling these items and asked if that is a problem. Mr. Mattick stated statutorily that is permitted so there is no issue at the state level. He added it is in violation of the city ordinance but that will be resolved with the city in the ordinance change this evening. Councilmember Brausen added it is nice to make sure our local ordinances comply with state law, adding this is necessary. Mayor Spano asked with the state developing a regulatory framework on this, would it be complicated to go back and change this ordinance again if needed. Mr. Mattick stated he does not see anything in the foreseeable future, but the laws around this are still being interpreted and what is being sold is the low-level potency, and anyone selling that must be registered with the state by Oct. He noted there may be more changes coming in 2025, with a state licensure program. Mayor Spano added aligning these items will all be helpful for staff, and he is supportive. DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E55916F-11E5-46E6-B512-D27260E03A80 City council meeting minutes -4- Aug. 21, 2023 Councilmember Brausen added this is very bare bones legislation and there are many questions being left to the state office of cannabis management to set up a full regulatory framework and then cities across the state will be implementing it. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending city code chapter 8, sec. 474 related to cannabinoid products. The motion passed 5-0 (Commissioners Budd and Dumalag absent). 8. Communications and announcements. Ms. Keller noted the following items for awareness: • Registration for Park and Recreation fall program can be completed online. • The waiting list for the “Kids in the Park” rental assistance program was opened today and will stay open through Oct. 13. • “Movie in the Park” will be Thursday featuring “Space Jam – New Legacy” at Ainsworth Park. • A naturalization ceremony will be hosted in St. Louis Park on Thurs., Aug. 24, at 10 am at The ROC and is open to the public. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E55916F-11E5-46E6-B512-D27260E03A80