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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/11/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Nov. 4, 2024 1. Call to order. Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. a. Pledge of allegiance b. Roll call Council members present: Paul Baudhuin, Sue Budd, Yolanda Farris, Margaret Rog, Mayor Nadia Mohamed Council members absent: Lynette Dumalag, Tim Brausen Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), director of building and energy (Mr. Hoffman), property maintenance and licensing manager (Mr. Pivec) 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Dumalag and Brausen absent). 3. Presentations. a. Observance of Veterans Day Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation. She shared that observing Veterans Day gives us all a time to pause and reflect on the important things happening in the community. She added her thanks to the service of military veterans. Council Member Budd pointed out the resources page in the council’s meeting packet; encouraging residents to explore the many references related to Veterans Day. Council Member Farris added her thanks to all veterans who have served. b. Recognition of donations Mayor Mohamed thanked Sandy Younger and the Younger Company for a donation to the police department. 4. Minutes. a. Minutes of Oct. 7, 2024 city council meeting b. Minutes of Oct. 7, 2024 city council retreat planning meeting c. Minutes of Oct. 14, 2024 city council study session meeting Docusign Envelope ID: C7A5D17E-FD33-47F9-98E8-C891C32328F6 City council meeting -2- Nov. 4, 2024 It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve the Oct. 7, 2024 city council meeting minutes, the Oct. 7, 2024 city council retreat planning meeting minutes and the Oct. 14, 2024 city council study session meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Dumalag and Brausen absent). 5. Consent items. a. Approve city disbursements b. Approve 3rd quarter 2024 city financial update c. Resolution No. 24-139 approving donation to police department d. Resolution No. 24-140 to approve joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension e. Approve 2025 social services request for proposal f. Resolution No. 24-141 approving the dissolution of Home Remodeling Fair joint powers agreement g. Resolution No. 24-142 approving a structurally substandard building designation - 5950 36th Street West - Ward 2 h. Approve easement purchase - Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue project - Phase 2 – Ward 4 i. Resolution No. 24-143 authorizing the special assessment for sewer service line repair at 8200 Westwood Hills Curve - Ward 4 It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Dumalag and Brausen absent). 6. Public hearings. a. Approve on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Gameshow Battle Rooms, LLC – Ward 4 Ms. Scott-Lerdal presented the staff report. Council Member Rog asked if this business is currently operating. Ms. Scott-Lerdal stated they are not yet open for business in St. Louis Park. Council Member Rog asked if the applicant also has a location in Golden Valley. Ms. Scott- Lerdal stated yes, the owners have several business locations and that they are relocating from Golden Valley to St. Louis Park. Council Member Budd asked about the timeframe on their opening date. Ms. Scott-Lerdal stated the applicant intends to open mid-November 2024. Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Mohamed closed the public hearing. Docusign Envelope ID: C7A5D17E-FD33-47F9-98E8-C891C32328F6 City council meeting -3- Nov. 4, 2024 Council Member Baudhuin stated he has participated at Gameshow Battle Rooms, and it is very fun, so he is glad they will be moving to St. Louis Park. Council Members Rog and Farris agreed, as did Mayor Mohamed. It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Gameshow Battle Rooms, LLC – Ward 4 as presented. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Dumalag and Brausen absent). 7. Regular business. a. First reading of various amendments to Chapters 6 and 8 of the city code Mr. Pivec presented the staff report regarding amendments to City Code, Chapters 6 and 8. Council Member Baudhuin asked if there are any significant environmental issues with the proposed change in requirements for noxious weeds or turf grass from no higher than six inches to eight inches. Mr. Pivec stated recommended heights are getting higher and his staff typically hears complaints when the grass exceeds the height of eight inches. Council Member Rog noted native plantings that are higher than eight inches and asked how the proposed changes would affect them. Mr. Pivec stated that managed native grasses are allowed to grow higher than eight inches. The proposed changes only relate to turf grasses and noxious weeds. Council Member Rog asked if there is some contextual knowledge as to why this change was made at the state level, and what the change is meant to prevent or accomplish. Mr. Pivec stated he observed some news items that drew concerns over group homes in some communities where the city revoked the license displacing occupants. Council Member Rog asked if there are any unanticipated consequences related to the proposed changes for St. Louis Park. Mr. Pivec stated the city still has its property maintenance code which covers the exterior of a property, so the city does have some authority, but there may be some limitations on the inside, adding there have been more complaints to the behavioral side. Council Member Rog asked if there will be an opportunity for the city to alert the state if there are concerns about the interior of a property. Mr. Pivec stated yes, adding staff has contacts at the state. Ms. Keller added staff will include this on the list of legislative concerns to discuss with representatives for 2025. Council Member Budd asked if the city were made aware of a group home where there are behavioral problems, if the city would then interact with the Minnesota Department of Health towards correction. Mr. Pivec stated yes, staff would reach out to the state. Mr. Mattick advised that law enforcement is also an option to reach out to, for issues beyond the scope of licensing. Docusign Envelope ID: C7A5D17E-FD33-47F9-98E8-C891C32328F6 City council meeting -4- Nov. 4, 2024 Council Member Baudhuin asked if this is the state taking away the city’s autonomy in how we regulate rentals. Ms. Keller stated this is a specific subset of rentals that are affected. Council Member Baudhuin asked for clarification. Mr. Pivec stated there was displacement of some homes in some cities, which created a counteraction by the state. Council Member Rog noted the state may have seen the change as a protective action. Mayor Mohamed agreed. Council Member Farris stated she has worked at a group home in St. Louis Park for many years and they have not had any bad behaviors, going on to say they have always been supported by the city and the police. She stated that group home residents are well taken care of, welcome in the neighborhood and are supported. Council Member Baudhuin added he appreciates getting the city’s codes in alignment with the state. It was moved by Council Member Farris, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the first reading of various amendments to Chapters 6 and 8 of the city code and set the second reading on Nov. 18, 2024. The motion passed 5-0 (Council Members Dumalag and Brausen absent). 8. Communications and announcements. Mayor Mohamed encouraged everyone to vote tomorrow at their polling place, adding it is everyone’s right to vote. Ms. Keller stated polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. She added the city’s website has more information and shared that 48% of all registered voters in St. Louis Park have voted early. Council Member Baudhuin thanked all who were involved in the voting process and stated it is truly a patriotic thing to do and important work. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor Docusign Envelope ID: C7A5D17E-FD33-47F9-98E8-C891C32328F6