HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/06/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes
City council special study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
June 3, 2024
The meeting convened at 8:24 p.m.
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd,
Yolanda Farris, Lynette Dumalag, Margaret Rog
Council members absent: none
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), engineering project
manager (Mr. Sullivan), public works director (Mr. Hall), park superintendent (Mr. Umphrey),
deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal)
Guests: none
Discussion items.
1. Future infrastructure project planning.
Ms. Heiser presented the staff report. The policy question was whether the council supports
the draft evaluation criteria for future infrastructure project planning.
Council Member Rog stated she would like to add several items to the criteria. Under the equity
items, she suggested to add ability, and under environmental impact, to add tree preservation
or tree impacts. On return on investment, Council Member Rog asked if there will be increased
operational costs as well as reduced costs. She referenced long-term plans of other agencies
and asked if those should also be added as a consideration. She recalled the Dakota Avenue
project as an example and noted she supports the policy question.
Council Member Budd asked whether the impact of vehicle miles traveled could be considered
under the criteria for environment. Ms. Heiser clarified that this data would be difficult to
measure and gather but could be generally considered as a part of closing gaps in the city’s
sidewalk or bikeway network.
Council Member Brausen stated he likes the inclusion of the equity lens in planning.
Council Member Baudhuin asked if there is a guide that can assist with equity measures. Ms.
Heiser stated there are few cities that include an equity lens for infrastructure planning. She
explained that the basis for the proposed criteria was drawn from the work taking place in
Minneapolis and Baltimore.
Council Member Baudhuin noted his appreciation for this proactive approach.
Council Member Dumalag asked if there was available grant funding for equity issues. Ms.
Heiser stated that staff monitors federal funding opportunities, but that none of the city’s
census blocks meet the threshold for most equity driven funding opportunities.
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BA0A7EA-ED6C-4183-B660-48F425F7AFC3
Study session minutes -2- June 3, 2024
Council Members Budd, Dumalag and Farris also stated they are in favor of the criteria and
policy in question.
Mayor Mohamed agreed and stated she supports the list of criteria also and shared her
appreciation for this approach.
2. The ROC sound system.
Council Member Rog presented the discussion item.
Council Member Brausen stated the sound panels were eliminated from the Recreation
Outdoor Center project’s budget at the time of its construction in 2016.
Council Member Rog shared that she engaged with the community regarding the sound system
at the ROC, and the resounding response was that the quality is terrible. She noted that the
investment for staff to research options is around $7,000. Ms. Keller stated staff can handle this
offline and recommended the $7,000 be spent to investigate and bring their findings back to
council for review.
Council Member Brausen stated on June 22, a band is playing at the ROC and that should give a
good indication if a sound system is needed.
Council Member Dumalag asked if the $7,000 fee would be designated to hire an acoustician.
Ms. Keller stated the fee would retain a consultant to review and discuss options for a sound
system at the ROC.
It was the consensus of the city council to have staff handle this issue offline and bring back
information for further review.
Communications/meeting check-in (verbal)
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: 5BA0A7EA-ED6C-4183-B660-48F425F7AFC3