HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/11/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Nov. 20, 2023
1. Call to order.
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance
b. Roll call
Council members present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda Farris,
Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Council members absent: Sue Budd
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick)
Guests: none
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Budd absent).
3. Presentations – none.
4. Minutes.
a. Minutes of Nov. 6, 2023 city council meeting
b. Minutes of Nov. 6, 2023 special study session
It was moved by Council Member Mohamed, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the
Nov. 6, 2023 city council meeting and special study session minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Budd absent).
5. Consent items.
a. Resolutions No. 23-144, 23-145, and 23-146 authorizing administrative modification of
TIF plan budgets for 4900 Excelsior, West End and Park Commons TIF districts
b. Resolution No. 23-147 accepting pooled tax increment from tax increment financing
districts for the affordable housing trust fund
c. Resolution No. 23-148 authorizing modification of permit parking on the east side of the
3300 block of France Avenue, Traffic Study No. 782
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7405E1C3-D81A-4CDB-8E52-422F2F12164F
City council meeting -2- Nov. 20, 2023
d. Resolution No. 23-149 approving The West End alternative urban areawide review
update
e. Resolution No. 23-150 and 23-151 rescinding resolutions 5545, 20-49, and 12-059 for
Traffic Study No. 781 and authorizing alternating stop conditions on 29th Street
between Louisiana and Texas Avenues
f. Approval of retainer for PFAS settlement
g. Resolution No. 23-152 appointing alternate representative to the Basset Creek
Watershed Management Commission
h. Resolution No. 23-153 authorizing cancellation of special assessment at 3912 Inglewood
Avenue South and voidance of contract no. 111-23
i. Resolution No. 23-154 approving Hennepin County West Metro Drug Task Force
participation
Mayor Spano made a comment regarding consent item 5f. He pointed out this action is the
approval of a retainer for legal representation and is not an indication of PFAS contamination,
nor is there a problem with St. Louis Park’s water. City water is tested and treated on a regular
basis. He noted the city is part of a class action suit of clients and needs to approve legal
representation to participate.
It was moved by Council Member Mohamed, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve
the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Budd absent).
6. Public hearings.
a. First reading of ordinance establishing utility rates for 2024
Ms. Cruver presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano closed the
public hearing.
Council Member Rog asked if residents know about their rate increases and how they were
notified so they can choose to attend the public hearing.
Ms. Cruver stated rates are set annually by city ordinance. She explained that rates are
published as part of the council meeting and the meeting notice, but they do not show up in
residential bills until 2024 and after they are approved.
Council Member Mohamed stated residents were required to pay $55 and then for the next 4
years, it would be in the $25 range each year. She said this seemed like the best option for
residents.
Council Member Brausen agreed with Council Member Mohamed’s comments and observed
the rate increases are driven by market realities and costs for trash pickup, which have
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7405E1C3-D81A-4CDB-8E52-422F2F12164F
City council meeting -3- Nov. 20, 2023
increased substantially. He remarked the rate increase is unfortunate for taxpayers, but it is the
reality.
Council Member Rog also agreed with comments made and staff recommendations for smaller
increases in future years. She asked about requirements for having a public hearing on this. Mr.
Mattick remarked that as a charter city, this is the way an ordinance is handled for a public
hearing on the first and second readings. This is done annually, and notification varies.
Council Member Rog asked that residents be notified in the future about what their rate
increases will be along with the notification for the public hearing.
Council Member Dumalag added residents should be aware there was a robust Request for
Proposal process leading to the final decision of solid waste vendors. She agreed it would be
helpful for folks to be aware in advance in the future, and noted this is a reality with rate
increases.
Mayor Spano added the increase for 2024 will be higher, and then will level out in the future.
He observed there are always residents that are not reachable and pointed out this is the first
reading, so if someone wants to reach out prior to the second reading, that is part of the
process.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Mohamed to approve
the first reading of an ordinance establishing utility rates for 2024 and schedule the second
reading for Dec. 4, 2023.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Budd absent).
7. Regular business - none.
8. Communications and announcements - none.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7405E1C3-D81A-4CDB-8E52-422F2F12164F