HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/09/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular
Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Sept. 9, 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 Pro Tem Farris, Paul Baudhuin, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag,
Margaret Rog
Council members absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Council Member Tim Brausen
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), community development director (Ms. Barton), social
media specialist (Ms. Byers), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), economic development
manager (Mr. Hunt), multimedia producer (Ms. Malik), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), operations
superintendent (Mr. Okey), communication manager (Mr. Sandell), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-
Lerdal), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), housing supervisor (Ms. Olson),
city clerk (Ms. Kennedy)
Guests: Rabbi Alexander Davis, Noah Marrell and Matt Walzer, Beth El Synagogue; Chris
Barron, former St. Louis Park Communications Intern; Ari Lyksett, MN Association of
Government Communicators; Kim Zlimen and Nicole Stromgren, MnDOT
Mayor Pro Tem Farris shared a statement expressing condolences to the families and friends of
those who died in the tragic incident at Park Tavern on Sept. 1, 2024. She thanked the St. Louis
Park police and public safety for their support during and after the incident.
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve the
agenda as amended.
The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Mohamed and Council Member Brausen absent).
3. Presentations.
a. Presentation observing Beth El Synagogue’s centennial anniversary – Ward 1
Rabbi Alexander Davis shared wishes for healing regarding the incident at Park Tavern. He
discussed the experience of Jewish people in the Twin Cities over the years. He stated the Beth
El community has always had wonderful partnerships with the city, city council, other faith
groups and residents in the community. Rabbi Davis described the Beth El community and
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many of the social justice programs they participate in. He invited his colleagues to share in a
prayer for the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris read the proclamation into the record.
Mayor Mohamed, who was not able to attend the meeting, sent comments for Mayor Pro Tem
Farris to read into the record. Mayor Mohamed congratulated the Beth El community on their
centennial and said “… personally growing up as a Muslim, I found great comfort in knowing
that my Jewish neighbors, like me are also visible in their identities and proudly embrace and
celebrate who they are.”
Council Member Baudhuin shared his strong connections with Beth El since his childhood and
congratulated Beth El on 100 years of work in the community.
Council Member Rog stated Beth El is in her ward and noted she was able to give remarks there
recently. She observed that Beth El is one of the very few synagogues that have stayed together
as one congregational family. She congratulated them on their centennial and encouraged
them to keep up their good work.
Council Member Dumalag also congratulated Beth El on their centennial, remarking that they
have been a significant cornerstone in the community and continue to be so.
Council Member Budd added there are resources in the council packet that cover the history
and traditions of Beth El and encouraged attendees to review them.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris added her congratulations to the Beth El community.
a. Minnesota Association of Government Communicators Northern Lights Awards
presentation
Ari Lyksett, Vice President and Board Member at the MN Association of Government
Communicators presented the award to the city. She explained the articles and publications
that were awarded honors.
Council Member Dumalag thanked staff and noted the importance of communication in how
residents receive information.
Council Member Rog added she is very proud and honored that the city continues to win these
awards as they communicate with the public.
Council Member Baudhuin added his thanks also to city staff and offered his congratulations.
4. Minutes.
a. Minutes of Aug. 12, 2024 city council study session
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Council Member Rog requested a revision to page 2, paragraph 3, to state: “… an investment of
$275,000.” She also requested a revision on page 3, paragraph 6, to state: “… but not used for
facial recognition” and on page 4, paragraph 5, to state: “… Safer Grant.”
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the
Aug. 12, 2024, 2024 city council study session minutes as amended.
The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Mohamed and Council Member Brausen absent).
5. Consent items.
a. Approve city disbursements
b. Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2681-24 rescinding Ordinance No. 2576-
19 Efficient Building Benchmarking
c. Second reading and adoption of pre-eviction notice Ordinance No. 2683-24 (This item
was removed from the consent items and considered as regular agenda item 7a.)
d. Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2682-24 amending chapters 34 and 36
for tree preservation
e. Resolution No. 24-102 of support for Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Greenway to
Cedar Trail connection – Ward 2
Council Member Dumalag requested that consent item 5c be moved to regular business as item
7a.
Council Member Dumalag also noted consent item 5e that connects from the southern side of
the city. She stated there are now some planning dollars and final design that can go into this,
and we are grateful for partners like Hennepin County and the MCWD to do this work, which
will be a great asset to our community.
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the
consent items as revised and to move consent item 5c to the regular agenda as item 7a; and to
waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Mohamed and Council Member Brausen absent).
6. Public hearings.
a. MnDOT I-394 and Louisiana Avenue improvements – Ward 4
Ms. Heiser introduced MnDOT staff.
Ms. Stromgren from MnDOT presented an overview of the project.
Council Member Budd asked if the presentation referenced the 2023 congestion report. Ms.
Stromgren stated that is correct.
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Council Member Rog asked if the cost share is unique to St. Louis Park or if that is typical in
other communities across the state. Ms. Heiser stated both Hennepin County and MnDOT have
cost participation policies for signal construction at intersections with local streets. In this
scenario, the agreements calls for each agency to pay for a portion of the signal costs based on
the number of legs on their system. She stated this is a four-legged intersection and Louisiana
Avenue is the responsibility of St. Louis Park, while the ramps are the responsibility of MnDOT,
resulting in a 50/50 cost split.
Council Member Baudhuin asked for clarification on pedestrian and bike safety at the
intersection and requested more detail. Ms. Stromgren noted pedestrian improvements of
sidewalks and ramps that were non-ADA compliant. She also noted the area where vehicles
turning from Louisiana onto Highway 394 on higher-speed, “free right” turns, will be tightened
to improve pedestrian safety.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris opened the public hearing.
Kathleen Beaushoof, 1631 Virginia Ave. S., asked for staff to present the visual diagram again,
go through what is being proposed, and where they are including retaining walls. She asked if
the bridge be wider over 394, and will there be more lanes of traffic.
Ms. Beaushoof asked how many events there have been related to public comment, whether
this the first one or have there been more. Ms. Keller stated staff will put these responses
together on the website, but staff and council do not typically respond to questions during
public hearings.
Ms. Beaushoof asked how long the council has been aware of this project, how long they have
studied it, and has it been going on for six months or a year. She also asked the opinion of each
council member at the moment; whether they are planning to approve or deny. She stated this
is city government at work. She stated a year ago, she read that MnDOT will not build new car
traffic lanes and that people are being instructed to ride bikes and walk.
Ms. Beaushoof asked how many lanes of traffic will be on Louisiana Avenue, noting right now
there are two. She asked how wide they will be and noted her concern is that the city is divided
four major roads – Highway 7, Highway 169, Highway 394, and Highway 100 – adding those are
major roads. She stated with the Louisiana Avenue project which widens the road and cuts
through neighborhoods, now we will have this project with Highway 394 and Louisiana Avenue,
with another road perpendicular to Cedar Lake Road, and going through the city. She stated
this is in a residential neighborhood and she opposes this.
Joe Weyandt, 6801 Wayzata Blvd., stated he is small business owner on Wayzata Boulevard. He
stated the presentation is unclear on the timeline – and how long the project’s duration will be.
He asked will the road be closed and will customers be able to access businesses during
construction. He stated August is the busiest time of the year for his business, and this
presentation is very unclear what the impact will be on small businesses.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris closed the public hearing.
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Ms. Heiser clarified some details of the presentation. She stated the Louisiana Avenue
construction project was approved by the council in February 2023. She stated Louisiana
Avenue will be one lane in each direction and there will be no change to the number of lanes
related to this project. She stated there is a roundabout being constructed at Louisiana and
Cedar Lake Road and the street width will also be reduced to save mature trees on the street.
She added there will be a sidewalk on the east side.
Ms. Stromgren provided further detail on the quarter-mile additional lane being added to the
outside of Highway 394. She showed the entrance ramp of Louisiana Avenue and pointed out
the auxiliary lane to help with the continuity of lanes.
Council Member Budd asked what the more controlled right lane will be. Ms. Stromgren stated
there is a median that will be removed.
Ms. Stromgren noted the project will be conducted from August through October 2025. Ms.
Heiser stated the Louisiana Avenue project will be from May through November 2025 and will
be coordinated with MnDOT.
Ms. Heiser stated she will work on MnDOT-related questions received this evening and will get
back to council and residents.
Council Member Budd asked if pushing the vote out on this project hinders the funding for the
project. Ms. Heiser stated she will find out and get back to council on that question. She stated
funding would not be affected if the delay is a few weeks, but if it is six months or longer, it
could be affected.
Council Member Rog stated perhaps an open house meeting would have been better for this
discussion to answer questions and concerns. She stated the city is responsive and works hard
to engage residents and she hopes a delay in voting will reassure residents that the council
does listen to what they have to say - and they will continue to listen.
Ms. Keller stated city council will not vote on this item this evening and this item will come back
before the council at a later meeting date. This will allow council more time to deliberate and
for residents to understand the project better.
7. Regular business.
a. Second reading and adoption of pre-eviction notice Ordinance No. 2683-24
Ms. Olson summarized the proposed ordinance.
Council Member Dumalag stated this is a tough ordinance for her personally as it pits those
who care about affordable housing against each other. She stated she will vote no on this
ordinance.
It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the
second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2683-24 pre-eviction notice as presented.
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The motion passed 4-1 (Council Member Dumalag opposed; Mayor Mohamed and Council
Member Brausen absent).
8. Communications and announcements.
Ms. Keller stated the Fire Department open house is Sept. 17 from 5-7:30 p.m. and all are
welcome to attend. There will be safety demonstrations and fun activities for kids, as well as
food. Shuttles will be available at park-and-ride sites that can be found on the city website.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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