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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/12/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota Dec. 10, 2024 The meeting convened at 6:09 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), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), community development director (Ms. Barton), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen), finance director (Ms. Cruver), facilities superintendent (Mr. Eisold), legislative and grants analyst (Ms. Ferris), public services superintendent (Ms. Fisher), recreation superintendent (Ms. Friederich), public works director (Mr. Hall), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), building and energy director (Mr. Hoffman), economic development manager (Mr. Hunt), police chief (Mr. Kruelle), zoning administrator (Mr. Morrison), financial analyst (Ms. Stephens), HR director (Ms. Vorpahl), planning manager (Mr. Walther), sustainability manager (Ms. Ziring) Guests: Momentum Advocacy - Natalia Madryga, Amy Koch, Alysen Nesse Representatives: Commissioner Marion Greene, Representative Larry Kraft, Representative Cheryl Youakim Discussion item 1. 2025 Legislative delegation discussion Mayor Mohamed introduced the legislative delegation and Momentum Advocacy group. She thanked them for their time and support. The legislative delegation presented an overview of the political landscape for 2025. Commissioner Greene stated the priority remains affordable housing. Commissioner Youakim thanked Hennepin County for their support of light rail. She noted there is much work being done in the healthcare area. She pointed out work for the benefit of children, education and affordable housing efforts as well. Representative Larry Kraft also thanked Hennepin County and stated it is wonderful for him to represent St. Louis Park, as it allows him to be forward thinking. He noted 2025 will be challenging and fascinating with dynamics that will be interesting. Affordable housing and missing middle will be priorities, as well as looking at DWI policies based on the tragedy at Park Tavern. Momentum Advocacy stated they are happy to support and assist the city with their legislative priorities. Docusign Envelope ID: 37D3DD71-F652-41FD-8422-677EE15F8186 Study session minutes -2- Dec. 10, 2024 Mayor Mohamed noted the city’s priorities listed in the staff report. She noted one of the main priorities for 2025 is infrastructure and stated Ms. Heiser would present on this topic. Ms. Heiser presented one of the city's priorities in detail: the Oxford and Louisiana Avenue area infrastructure redevelopment. She noted planned improvements and repairs to sidewalks, water and sewer facilities, and upgrades related to traffic and pedestrian safety. She also stated the Wayzata Boulevard, Zarthan Avenue, and 16th Street improvements are being made to address replacement or repair of streets and sidewalks, repairs to water and sewer facilities, and upgrades related to traffic and pedestrian safety. Council Member Budd expressed concerns about taxes and noted anything that can be done to help with tax rates would be helpful for residents. Council Member Dumalag stated the Oxford and Louisiana Avenue project is in her ward. She noted there are residential and commercial areas within the project area, including Methodist Hospital, and it is the first light rail stop in the city. She stated this project, as well as housing, are major priorities. She added the voucher acceptance for Section 8 is another priority as well. Council Member Dumalag added construction debris, urban forest management and funding for tree preservation are other areas of priority. Smart salting legislation is also a concern that should be addressed, especially close to Minnehaha Creek. Council Member Rog noted group homes in St. Louis Park and concerns that New Hope had earlier this year. She stated being able to license and monitor discrimination within the city is important. She noted the city does things well in-house and is a leader because of that history. She stated they are asking for a repeal of the group home licensing legislation because St. Louis Park policy protects this already. Council Member Rog added the city's current paid medical family leave policies go above and beyond the state legislation, therefore the state and city policies are not compatible. She noted the city should have an exemption. Representative Youakim stated she would look into this concern as well. Council Member Farris noted she has worked in group homes for many years, and the city has been very supportive. She stated she has concerns about going to the state level if needs arise. She also noted the light rail and how dangerous they are right now, and concerns for the St. Louis Park police department, and asked for this concern to be a priority also. She asked if more police officers could be hired to meet these concerns and have a presence on light rail trains, similar to the City of Bloomington’s practice. Representative Kraft stated concerns about the light rail continue to be worked on by the transportation committee. Ms. Keller confirmed this is a priority for the city. Representative Kraft added the state has made this investment using tax dollars and agreed it must be safe, while people will be held accountable. He appreciated the council’s feedback and concerns related to this priority. Docusign Envelope ID: 37D3DD71-F652-41FD-8422-677EE15F8186 Study session minutes -3- Dec. 10, 2024 Council Member Budd noted the water main break in her ward and stated underground infrastructure is a concern. She stated it is an important issue and has impacts on housing as well. Representative Youakim stated this has not come up as a priority with affordable housing as yet. Representative Kraft noted grant funds through the Environmental Protection Agency might be an option. Council Member Brausen observed that the state should be concerned because so many cities are going through similar breakdown issues now with infrastructure that is old and aging. He stated it is difficult for cities to produce funding for projects of this scope, and the problem is something that the state should consider funding. Council Member Brausen asked if a divided government will be able to still push through building performance standards on construction and demolition debris. Representative Kraft stated the challenge is that the performance standards are a mandate, which can be challenging. He added there may be some creative approaches and he is not giving up and is committed to this issue. Council Member Brausen also noted the Oxford and Louisiana Avenue as a priority, as well as keeping the creek as clean as possible. He added with housing he has concerns about raising rents and the supply of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) decreasing. He stated lower and middle-income people also need assistance towards ownership and this needs to remain a priority. Representative Youakim stated this issue is being worked on. Representative Kraft added with housing, there is a massive transfer of wealth from the “have-nots” to the “haves.” However, we cannot invest our way out of this problem and it must be the housing market that resolves it. He added new zoning and the “missing middle” bill is key to solving this problem long-term. Council Member Rog also noted the issue of businesses accepting cash as a form of payment. She noted many states and cities have decided to address this practice as an equity and access issue, and asked for this to be a priority for the state. Council Member Brausen also noted the open meeting law and stated virtual options are allowed for all forms of meetings and government and it should be allowed for city government meetings as well. Representative Youakim stated there are some access concerns, but added they will work on this question. Mayor Mohamed noted urban forest management and TIF district modifications, both of which are priorities. Through TIF, the city supports authority for local housing trust funds and any local expenditures. She also noted solid waste management tax revenue is providing for local government recycling grants. Representative Kraft stated there is a limited number of things the legislators can work on, but they will focus their efforts as much as possible on the items the council brought forward this evening. Docusign Envelope ID: 37D3DD71-F652-41FD-8422-677EE15F8186 Study session minutes -4- Dec. 10, 2024 Ms. Keller noted staff can also research further on the priorities and work with the legislators on helping to move forward some of the priorities as well. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor Docusign Envelope ID: 37D3DD71-F652-41FD-8422-677EE15F8186