HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/10/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes
City council special study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Oct. 21, 2024
The meeting convened at 6:35 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: Deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), community development director (Ms.
Barton), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen), senior planner (Ms. Chamberlain),
racial equity and inclusion specialist (Ms. Hernandez Guitron), economic development manager
(Mr. Hunt), planning manager (Mr. Walther)
1. Arrive + Thrive draft gateway plans and discussion – Wards 1, 2 and 3
Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report.
Ms. Chamberlain led the council in discussion on creating a consistent framework for each area
surrounding the light rail stations and how the project meets the goals of the comprehensive
plan.
Council Member Rog asked if there were target community engagement numbers prior to
launching the project, and if so, whether those numbers were met. Ms. Chamberlain stated
there was no specific target set, but staff wanted to be cognizant of focusing on connection
with those who were traditionally left out of engagement processes. She stated their first round
of engagement showed diversity goals were not being met, so staff did pivot to try to have
better-targeted engagement. Ms. Chamberlain shared that the second phase of engagement
was better and more diverse input was obtained.
Council Member Budd asked if the Louisiana Avenue gateway extends to the north of Highway
7. Ms. Chamberlain stated that it does and added a portion of the gateway includes the
southern part of Walker Lake. Through this process, Louisiana Avenue was identified as a
corridor for pedestrian and bicycle connections to Highway 7.
The council ranked outcomes within each gateway area and decided what they would discuss
tonight and provide feedback on.
Council Member Rog asked how to encourage investment and what actions the council could
take if a property in question is privately owned. Mr. Walthers stated that zoning guides the
new use of a building. More flexibility around uses and design guidelines for reusing buildings
will also be helpful.
Council Member Dumalag stated she liked the idea of active and passive areas and would like to
see more opportunities for walkable and bikeable areas that connect.
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Study session minutes -2- Oct. 21, 2024
Council Member Rog asked if there is currently inadequate stormwater management in
buildings built on the flood plain. Ms. Chamberlain stated she is not an engineer, but having a
dedicated area that holds the stormwater can be on a district approach versus on individual
properties. Staff wanted to promote more innovative thinking on stormwater management.
Council Member Rog agreed and stated the city will need to be resilient with change.
Council Member Budd stated the input on the project came from white homeowners, and not
much feedback came from renters. She stated the city’s population is nearly 50% renters and
many are cost-burdened right now. She asked for a way to hear from renters as well as making
transit areas attractive to commuters. It is nice to have park amenities but we need to highlight
on the maps where renters are living. She stated the developments must be transit- and
commuter-friendly.
Ms. Chamberlain stated demographic information was pulled for their first round of
engagement and found them to be overwhelmingly white, older and homeowners. On
subsequent rounds, staff did not collect demographic information, so that is why there are no
similar statistics on later engagement reports evaluating in-person events and walking tours on
Excelsior Boulevard. In the third phase of engagement, staff used the city’s social media to
reach residents online as well.
The council completed a ranking exercise and added comments to the topics selected.
Council Member Brausen and Council Member Baudhuin both stated they appreciate
discussion on the Micro Center property, but added it could be redeveloped or updated,
especially since it is such a successful business in the city. Mr. Walther stated the Micro Center
property is up for sale and it is anticipated that there will be new ownership soon.
Mayor Mohamed reminded the council they can send an email with feedback on their rankings
to staff as well.
Council Member Brausen noted Methodist Hospital and development at Cambridge Avenue
and Louisiana Avenue. He noted that Methodist should be brought into the conversation to
discuss options and get them involved to help enhance the light rail connection for the benefit
of their own employees.
Council Member Baudhuin added this area is changing and it would be good for the city to get
involved with more pedestrian and bike enhancements.
Mayor Mohamed stated she would like to see more development near the Party City property.
Council Member Dumalag shared that transit on Excelsior and crossing the street can be
difficult. She appreciated the walking tour to actually see how pedestrians and bicyclists have
difficulty maneuvering on and around Excelsior Avenue.
Council Member Dumalag referenced the data gathered from ERA and Susan Lindgren School
and stated the description of the data is not accurate. Mr. Walther agreed and stated this will
be important for staff to address.
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Study session minutes -3- Oct. 21, 2024
Council Member Rog added going forward there are a number of very active neighborhood
associations that could be a conduit for online survey links, as well as boards and commissions,
which are ready to provide feedback. She asked to what lengths the city would go to help
businesses like Micro Center and Burlington Coat Factory relocate within St. Louis Park. Mr.
Walther stated the city does participate and offers services to help with relocation. He
reminded the council that the city has programs and opportunities aside from funding. Upon
new property ownership, the city would approach the new owners.
Mr. Walther stated staff will take these comments from council, prepare and bring further
information back to council for review.
2. Cashless business discussion
Ms. Hernandez Guitron and Mr. Hunt presented the staff report.
Council Member Farris shared that she knew people whose bank accounts were closed by their
banks with no explanation provided, this being one reason to allow cash. She added people
want to bank so as not to have cash in their home, but stated people are struggling. She stated
many people are more comfortable using cash.
Council Member Baudhuin asked how staff determined that there are very few businesses in St.
Louis Park that accept cash. Mr. Hunt stated that city staff connected with businesses several
ways and also took note as they made purchases within the city. At this time, only two
businesses were found that do not accept cash, though Mr. Hunt noted there could be more.
Council Member Dumalag stated council needs to remember there are many who spend money
within St. Louis Park - it is not only residents who do so. There are many people who work and
spend money in the community as well.
Mayor Mohamed asked about the legislation related to cashless business that was introduced
last year. Mr. Hunt stated there was cashless business legislation introduced into committee,
but it did not pass.
Council Member Budd posited that if there are cashless businesses in St. Louis Park and the
council passed a requirement for businesses to accept cash, that would apply to the city as well.
If a cash requirement were approved through state legislation, then any business in the State of
Minnesota would be required to accept cash. Mr. Hunt affirmed that businesses do not
appreciate it when municipalities adopt unique requirements on their operations that are not
widely adopted by other cities. To create an even playing field for businesses, it is preferable to
implement requirements like this on a statewide basis.
Council Member Rog thanked staff for the well written report and felt both sides were equally
explored. She stated that sometimes the city needs to be a leader in situations like this and
pointed to the 30-day eviction notice that Minneapolis adopted after St. Louis Park’s adoption.
The city has been a leader in many areas that have later helped to make changes at the state
level as well.
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Council Member Rog asked if the city surveys businesses. Mr. Hunt stated yes, from time to
time. He indicated this particular topic was not consistent with the most recent survey which
dealt with business conditions. He stated further surveys will be conducted when there is a
need.
Mayor Mohamed stated the unintended consequences of a potential requirement like this can
be significant, but added she likes the idea of educating businesses in this area. The city values
the businesses that are here and liked the idea of further checking in with businesses on the
issue. She can see this working in large cities across the country and added she can only recall
one business within the city that does not accept cash. She stated she would not want a city
policy to keep businesses from coming to St. Louis Park or causing them to leave the city.
Council Member Brausen stated his concern was for equity and the unbanked community. He
stated he appreciated all the data in the report and stated the issue appears not to affect a
large number of people. However, even if it is only a few dozen people, it is difficult for those
affected. He supported the staff recommendation of monitoring the situation.
Council Member Baudhuin stated he was in favor of an ordinance to ban cashless businesses,
but after reading the staff report, he totally agreed with Council Member Brausen and is in
favor of monitoring the situation. This is not only about the underbanked, but also about
people having the freedom to use cash or not. He stated he is all for providing tools and
resources for people who are underbanked. If there is a problem, he would not want to imply
that underbanked people are the problem as that is not the case. He clarified that cashless
businesses are the issue at hand. He stated his intention to side with the people over the
businesses. He thanked staff for the well written report, which he found very helpful and had
great recommendations.
Council Member Rog asked how educating people about the advantages of using cash relates to
public purpose. She stated staff is not advocating for funding a new program on the topic. If
council is considering a resolution to identify how people can be discriminated against through
cashless businesses, they might consider a resolution drawing attention to the benefits of being
banked. She reminded council that passing a resolution would make a statement to help and
uplift efforts, and she wanted to include these points in the report.
Council Member Rog stated she is frustrated that all purchases made with credit or debit cards
are subject to transaction fees from credit card companies. She would like people to have the
choice to pay cash. She also noted that 16 states have adopted legislation eliminating cashless
businesses, so there is supporting evidence of this practice.
Council Member Rog added when looking at the small number of people impacted, she thinks
about the number of resources the city provides to support housing for a small number of
impacted people. She believes the city needs to take care of everyone regardless of the number
affected. She shared that it seems odd to implement a new rule without baseline data in terms
of the return on investment. She would like to know how many businesses the cashless
business policy is referring to. In general, she is not worried about the impact on businesses.
The council should look out for all residents that do not want to fund credit card companies on
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demand. For these reasons, she supports an ordinance but understands it would be a lot of
effort for only two businesses.
Mayor Mohamed stated, for the clarity of the record, that no one said that the small number of
affected people are not important.
Council Member Budd stated she supports the staff recommendations in the report and would
also like to see regulatory legislation approved at the state level, noting banks are not always
friendly to deal with.
Council Member Dumalag added it is important to think about everyone who makes purchases
in the city. She noted people who work in the city and do not live here, as well as population
demographics that are unknown. She shared knowledge of friends and family who use cash
only. She is concerned there may be other businesses that do not accept cash and agreed the
council needs to monitor the issue. She would prefer state legislation to a city ordinance.
Council Member Rog asked if another survey can be conducted. Ms. Barton stated that an
additional survey could be done at an estimated cost of $25,000. There are less formal ways to
gather feedback, but agreed the data may not be as reliable.
Ms. Hernandez Guitron noted that a postcard could be sent to businesses informing them that
accepting cash is an equity and inclusion issue, noting there are different ways of interacting
with businesses.
Mayor Mohamed stated that certain businesses that provide necessities, such as grocery stores
and clothing stores, would be her highest priority to ensure that cash is accepted. For the two
businesses in St. Louis Park that do not accept cash, she is less inclined to enact an ordinance
versus offering education.
Council Member Baudhuin added when looking at a potential ordinance, the council would also
need to consider food trucks, most of which do not accept cash.
Council Member Rog stated her support for the proposed actions and that they can be
powerful, adding she appreciates staff recommendations.
Council Member Farris stated she is also supportive of staff recommendations.
Mr. Hunt stated staff understands that there is consensus support for the staff
recommendations in the report and that council would also be in favor of adding the issue to its
state legislative policy agenda. Ms. Barton added staff will continue to monitor the issue as they
interact within the business community.
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3. Proposed agenda topic - dog parks
Council Member Rog asked if the council would want to discuss this topic. She shared she has
heard from residents who would like more dog parks and she has location recommendations.
She stated it does not seem like a large-cost item, but would need more information on this.
Council Member Dumalag shared that she has received emails about dog parks as well as
concerns about maintenance. Some residents noted they did not want increased traffic and
noise related to dog parks.
Council Member Brausen shared that he has received one request for a dog park in Lamplighter
Park and he would be interested in discussing that request at a study session.
Council Member Budd stated she has also heard similar requests and would like to explore the
topic.
Mayor Mohamed stated she would like the topic to begin with the parks and recreation
commission for discussion on the relevance of requirements and criteria, and then bring the
topic back to the council for discussion. Many in the community fear dogs and do not want dogs
nearby, so that is an issue that needs to be discussed.
It was the consensus of the council to have the parks and recreation commission review the
proposed agenda topic first and return to city council for future discussion.
Written Reports
Ms. Walsh stated the 2025 social services request for proposal will be coming to council for
approval on the consent agenda soon.
Council Member Budd stated it would be a good opportunity for the human rights commission
to review the racial equity and inclusion system kick-off. Staff has related timing issues that will
prevent this; Ms. Walsh stated it will be reviewed in early 2025.
4. Authority to change and scope/purpose of the statutory bodies
5. REI system kick-off
6. 2025 Social Services Request for Proposal
Communications/meeting check-in (verbal)
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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