HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/03/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes
City council special study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
March 3, 2025
The meeting convened at 7:55 p.m.
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd,
Yolanda Farris, Lynette Dumalag, and Margaret Rog
Council members absent: none
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), city attorney (Mr.
Mattick), engineering director (Ms. Heiser)
Discussion item
1. Right-of-way acquisition
Ms. Heiser and Mr. Mattick presented the staff report.
Council Member Brausen noted most roadways have 60 feet of right-of-way. Ms. Heiser agreed
and added from the back of the curb toward a home, there is an area of about 15 feet
designated as right of way for city utilities, sidewalks or signs.
Council Member Rog asked about right-of-way when considering housing or a community
center. Mr. Mattick stated all the condemnation actions by the city have been on areas that are
roads, trails and sidewalks.
Council Member Budd asked how many challenges the city is having with right-of-way
acquisitions regarding the Cedar Lake and Louisiana Avenue project. Ms. Heiser stated there
were 125 property owners to work with and the city settled with owners on 119 of these
properties. She added there are four properties going through condemnation for Phase II and
four that went through on Phase I.
Ms. Keller stated staff worked to cap costs with offers and limiting exposure.
Council Member Budd asked if the city has had to purchase properties including entire houses.
Ms. Heiser stated there has been only one that she is aware of, and that most projects have
been permanent easements involving a sidewalk or roadway.
Council Member Dumalag asked if this process is similar for MnDOT and if their work also
requires rights-of-way. Mr. Mattick stated yes.
Council Member Rog stated this information is useful. She noted the area of Minnetonka west
of Highway 100 and the idea of adding roundabouts at intersections where there are currently
traffic lights, adding this is important information on making these types of decisions and
weighing considerations of costs.
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Study session minutes -2- March 3, 2025
Council Member Baudhuin stated it should be hard and expensive to take someone’s land
away. He added it should not be easy for the city to do this.
Council Member Dumalag asked about the Three Rivers Park long range trail plan. Ms. Heiser
stated Three Rivers could not move ahead with a bike trail on Louisiana Avenue without
partnership with the city, and Three Rivers would pay a portion of the trail construction cost.
She stated they do not have the same cost participation requirements as Hennepin County.
Council Member Rog stated she is surprised that the League of Minnesota Cities is not taking a
position on right-of-way acquisition because it costs cities so much. She added that this seems
like a system ripe for reform as well. Mr. Mattick stated that there is no political will to make
changes to right-of-way acquisition processes. He added that the commissioners that are called
upon to make these decisions are three individuals who perform multiple roles that make it
difficult to be objective. Limited timelines for decision making further complicate the process.
Council Member Baudhuin asked about the process and how it has evolved, and if communities
have been protected or taken advantage of throughout history. He pointed to the Rondo
community as an example. Mr. Mattick stated communities like Rondo were not protected, and
unfortunately, no legislation came out of it.
Written Reports
2. Connected infrastructure system kick-off
3. Community engagement system wrap-up
Council Member Budd asked about non-CIP expenses within the connected infrastructure
system kick off. Ms. Keller stated this year, she will talk with council members individually to
discuss their priority perspectives and then make budget recommendations. She added that
items will be called out and the council can have discussions on those items with Ms. Cruver.
Ms. Keller stated she will send the questions to council members individually so they can
prepare before the one-on-ones.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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