HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/07/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
July 8, 2024
1. Call to order.
Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance
b. Roll call
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag,
Yolanda Farris, Margaret Rog
Council members absent: Tim Brausen
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), community
development director (Ms. Barton), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen), finance
director (Ms. Cruver), recreation superintendent (Ms. Friederich), public works director (Mr.
Hall), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), city clerk (Ms. Kennedy), fire chief Koering, police chief
Kruelle, housing supervisor (Ms. Olson), property maintenance and licensing manager (Mr.
Pivec), sustainability specialist (Ms. Pottorff), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), chief building
official (Mr. Skallet), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), park superintendent
(Mr. Umphrey), HR director (Ms. Vorpahl), parks and recreation director (Mr. West),
sustainability manager (Ms. Ziring)
Guests: David Benowitz, Craft n’ Crew Hospitality; members of city departments
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Brausen absent).
3. Presentations.
a. Retirement recognition for Fire Chief Steve Koering
Ms. Keller presented the staff report recognizing the service of Fire Chief Steve Koering. She
highlighted his commitment to the community, his proactive work and his 35 years with the fire
service. On behalf of city staff, she wished him all the best in his retirement.
Mayor Mohamed shared that Fire Chief Koering’s leadership for the city through the COVID-19
pandemic was wonderful and noted his work to secure federal funding for the city to hire more
firefighters. On behalf of the city, she thanked Chief Koering for his service.
Council Member Rog commented that she will remember Fire Chief Koering’s working during
the COVID-19 pandemic as well and thanked him for his leadership during that time. She shared
that the community programs and community health alliance programs he created are very
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helpful and she hopes they can be expanded. She pointed out the Staffing for Adequate Fire
and Emergency Response grants that will serve the community are also noteworthy and
helpful. Council Member Rog shared that she admires that he always looked for creative ways
to get the job done.
Council Member Rog added that Fire Chief Koering had spoken to her about how much he loves
this community. She relayed that many in the community love him back. Council Member Rog
wished him all the best in his retirement.
Council Member Farris said she is devastated about Fire Chief Koering’s retirement, noting his
support through the years and shared that she will miss his laugh.
Council Member Budd stated the community health alliance program has made her so proud to
be part of the city. She observed that preventative work versus reactive work has been helpful
and pointed out that she enjoyed the Chief’s podcasts also. He is always thinking outside the
box, which is a skill beyond words, and a skill she respects. She trusts the outreach work he has
done; hopes he carries his work proudly and stated he will be missed.
Council Member Dumalag stated she has been grateful for his work in response to the
community and their health needs. She is impressed with his leadership positions outside the
community and brought up the fire department’s annual open house, which has been a
wonderful program. She looks forward to seeing Chief Koering in other spaces as well.
Council Member Baudhuin thanked Chief Koering for his vision. He shared the hope that if his
children pursue firefighting careers, as they have indicated they would like to do, that they will
have a leader such as Chief Koering. Council Member Baudhuin thanked him for his service to
the community.
Chief Koering thanked his wife and son for their support over the years. He stated the city’s
public service makes a difference. He thanked the women and men of the city’s police
department for their work, and for the way they do their work. Chief Koering shared that the
police and fire departments amplified each other through their work. He also thanked and
recognized the fire chiefs in surrounding cities for their work and support.
Chief Koering relayed that the women and men in the city’s fire department know how he feels
and how proud he is of them. To the community, the Chief shared that he has been honored to
serve them and appreciates how they supported his work. Even though he does not live in St.
Louis Park, Chief Koering stated that he loves the community.
4. Minutes.
a. Minutes of June 10, 2024 city council study session
b. Minutes of June 17, 2024 city council meeting
It was moved by Council Member Farris, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the
June 10, 2024 city council study session minutes and the June 17, 2024 city council meeting
minutes as presented.
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The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Brausen absent).
5. Consent items.
a. Approve city disbursements
b. Resolution No. 24-078 accepting tree donations
c. Resolution No. 24-079 authorizing St. Louis Park to enter into a memorandum of
agreement to participate in the Twin Cities Commercial Energy Efficiency Collaboration
d. Resolution No. 24-080 approving grant funding assistance for Cedar Lake Road and
Louisiana Avenue improvements project
e. Approve temporary extension of licensed premises – Ullsperger Brewing
f. Approve temporary on-sale liquor license – Church of the Holy Family
g. Resolution No. 24-081 authorizing special assessment for installation of high efficiency
windows at 6211 Hamilton Street
h. Resolution No. 24-082 authorizing a funding award of the non-profit capacity building
program
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Paul Baudhuin, to
approve the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Brausen absent).
6. Public hearings.
a. Approve on-sale intoxicating liquor license with Sunday sales for Wells Roadside LLC
Ms. Scott-Lerdal presented the staff report.
Council Member Dumalag noted that the council previously approved conditional use permits
and variances for the proposed use at this site. She recognized that this action is related to past
council actions, noting prior discussions had been held regarding allowed uses and the
proposed liquor license with Sunday sales.
Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Mohamed
closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Council Member Baudhuin, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve
on-sale intoxicating liquor license with Sunday sales for Wells Roadside LLC as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Brausen absent).
7. Regular business – none.
8. Communications and announcements.
Ms. Keller noted the Fourth of July city fireworks, which were rained out that day, have been
rescheduled to this Thursday, July 11, at Aquilla Park with festivities starting at 7 p.m. and
fireworks beginning at 10 p.m.
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Mayor Mohamed stated she will be there to celebrate. She also shared that the Thai Sunday
Market events have begun, and the food is delicious. The market festival is scheduled every
Sunday through August at the Wat Promwachirayan temple near Highway 100.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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