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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/06/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota June 16, 2025 1. Call to order. Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. a. Roll call Council members present: Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda Farris, Margaret Rog, Mayor Nadia Mohamed Council members absent: none Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), city clerk (Ms. Kennedy), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), community development director (Ms. Barton), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen), finance director (Ms. Cruver), financial analyst (Ms. Stephens), public works director (Mr. Hall), fire chief (Mr. Hanlin), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), building and energy director (Mr. Hoffman), police chief (Mr. Kruelle), chief building official (Mr. Skallet), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), HR director (Ms. Vorpahl), parks and recreation director (Mr. West), sustainability manager (Ms. Ziring) Guests: Representative Larry Kraft, former mayor Jake Spano, former city manager Tom Harmening, Hoffman family Mayor Mohamed asked all present to join her in a moment of silence to honor Minnesota House Representative Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman. Mayor Mohamed commented on the tragic events that transpired on Saturday, June 14, 2025. She thanked the St. Louis Park Police for their response and support, along with other police throughout the area, and condemned the violent and politically motivated assassination of Representative Hortman. She thanked everyone for joining her in a moment of silence. b. Pledge of allegiance 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 3. Presentations a. Recognition for Brian Hoffman on his retirement Docusign Envelope ID: DEB4B0D7-EA3C-414F-86D0-70623CA8D93D City council meeting -2- June 16, 2025 Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation recognizing Mr. Hoffman recognizing his years of service to the city. Culminating in his current role as building and energy director, Mr. Hoffman served the City of St. Louis Park for over 26 years. Council Member Rog thanked Mr. Hoffman for his help over the years and reflected on the numerous times they worked together to assist Ward 1 residents on issues related to noise, light and air pollution, the strict nature of inspections and unauthorized vacation rentals. She noted remembering the pictures of problematic fats, oils and greases particularly well. Her list continued with mysterious oily water in the street, airplane and train noise, and unlicensed bakeries and daycares. Council Member Rog concluded that the list of ways they had worked together in Ward 1 was both long and expansive. Council Member Rog added that some of the listed work took place before Mr. Hoffman became the head of the building and energy department. She recalled when Mr. Hoffman brought his passion for sustainability to work toward the city’s sustainability goals. She thanked Mr. Hoffman for his accessibility, personability, fair-mindedness, patience, confidence, kindness, caring, and capability. She added that whenever she asked him for help with something, she always knew she could rely on Mr. Hoffman to get it done. She stated Mr. Hoffman was professional at all times, representing the very best in our city. Council Member Rog added he will be missed, and wished him all the best to him and his family in retirement. Council Member Brausen stated he met Mr. Hoffman 12 years ago when running for city council, and stated he has been steady, responsible and consistently even-keeled. He added Mr. Hoffman has been great at dealing with constituent problems regularly, on behalf of council and the city, and stated that he loves hearing stories about the Hoffman cabin and his grandson as well. He wished Mr. Hoffman the best in his retirement, adding that he is sad to see him go. Council Member Dumalag stated her congratulations and added that Mr. Hoffman has always been a great resource to her. She stated the work Mr. Hoffman has done within regulatory, safety, and building requirements has been to make St. Louis Park safe. When people come into city buildings, they can rest assured they are occupying a safe place. Council Member Dumalag added she has always appreciated Mr. Hoffman’s candor and how he walked her through issues when she needed his perspective. She congratulated him and stated his life will be just as fulfilling as “Brian 2.0” after his retirement. Council Member Budd recalled when she first learned Mr. Hoffman was the building and energy director, and that he also supported sustainability. She had wondered how one person could handle all the responsibilities within his position. Council Member Budd remembered observing him handle sustainability concerns for the city, adding she really admires his commitment across all areas of his broad expertise. She thanked Mr. Hoffman for his work over the years. Ms. Keller stated that it is not often that the city witnesses the retirement of a department head. She stated that the impact Mr. Hoffman has had is not only on the city, but also on the people who have worked with him. She added that Mr. Hoffman led the building and energy department through various evolutions. Ms. Keller stated he has always been steady through Docusign Envelope ID: DEB4B0D7-EA3C-414F-86D0-70623CA8D93D City council meeting -3- June 16, 2025 change and focused on the greater good. She thanked Mr. Hoffman’s family for sharing him with the city, and how their commitment to the City of St. Louis Park is also appreciated. Ms. Keller also thanked Mr. Hoffman for his leadership, calm presence, and unwavering commitment to his coworkers and to the community. She added he has left a lasting legacy in St. Louis Park. Ms. Walsh stated that in St. Louis Park, she has worked with Mr. Hoffman the longest – all 26 years. She shared that he has always remained a calm and steady presence in the midst of change and uncertainty. She added that Mr. Hoffman’s ability to remain calm and assess a situation is something she has always admired. He is a team player, and he does what needs to get done while bringing his expertise to the table. She stated Mr. Hoffman is a master at resolving resident issues, adding she congratulated him on his retirement and wished him all the best. Representative Larry Kraft voiced his thanks to the St. Louis Park Police for their work over this past weekend. Representative Kraft thanked Mr. Hoffman for assisting him while he served on the St. Louis Park city council, and also for Mr. Hoffman’s work around sustainability. Mr. Kraft added that Mr. Hoffman taught him a great deal about building codes and noted that Mr. Hoffman is well known and respected by the state legislature for his work on buildings, and is noted for his guidance and expertise. Mr. Kraft stated he hopes to continue to check in with Mr. Hoffman on building issues at the state level, and thanked him for his service to St. Louis Park and Minnesota, stating Mr. Hoffman will be missed. Former St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano thanked Mr. Hoffman. He stated that building a community is a team effort between neighbors, city council, and a professional staff that implements the decisions that council makes in policy. While this work is not easy or straightforward, he noted that Mr. Hoffman has always modeled the values of objective opinions and informed professionalism. He added that Mr. Hoffman made him a better mayor, the city council a better decision-making group, and the community a better place to live. Mr. Spano stated Mr. Hoffman was always thoughtful, informed and creative, adding he also has a great laugh. He thanked Mr. Hoffman for his work and thanked his family and friends who have given their time in allowing Mr. Hoffman to work for the city and make the community a better place. Former City Manager Tom Harmening stated he began work as city manager with St. Louis Park in 1995 and worked with Mr. Hoffman for many years before his own retirement. He stated Mr. Hoffman is a great problem solver and excels at working with residents to find solutions to issues. He stated that Mr. Hoffman also met the needs of business owners and balanced the need for general safety in the community. Mr. Harmening added that Mr. Hoffman is patient and a team player with a calming demeanor. “Versatility” is the one word that describes Mr. Hoffman best, and Mr. Harmening stated that Mr. Hoffman knows a lot about everything and brings a wide range of skills and gifts to the Docusign Envelope ID: DEB4B0D7-EA3C-414F-86D0-70623CA8D93D City council meeting -4- June 16, 2025 table. He is adaptable, curious, and open to change, and always willing to take on new responsibilities and new roles whenever asked. Mr. Harmening recalled how Mr. Hoffman was also willing to take on new responsibilities of leading the environmental sustainability efforts of St. Louis Park with Ms. Ziring’s assistance, and he has done a remarkable job at that. Mr. Harmening noted Mr. Hoffman’s work with the Minnesota Airports Commission, as well as leading the inspections division, both of which were critical roles where he proved both his operational and customer service skills. He added that Mr. Hoffman played a significant role in the state legislature and in other code-related issues; having testified many times because he is well-respected and very knowledgeable in many areas. Mr. Harmening stated that without a doubt, the City of St. Louis Park is better and stronger because of Mr. Hoffman’s contributions to public service, which have made a lasting difference, and stated Mr. Hoffman will be missed. Mr. Harmening congratulated Mr. Hoffman on a very successful career and wished him all the best as he begins this new chapter. Mr. Hoffman stated that the comments from everyone meant a lot to him and filled his heart. He added he has always felt the work he did at the city of St. Louis Park was very fulfilling. He thanked his wife and family for their support. After working in engineering and surveying early in his career, Mr. Hoffman recalled that he had been happy to move into a public servant role. He thanked Mr. Harmening and all with whom he has worked with over the years. He expressed his appreciation to those who had confidence in him and encouraged him to learn and perform this work. Mr. Hoffman stated he appreciated the resolution for his retirement, noting July 9, 2025, will be his final day at the city. Mr. Hoffman thanked everyone for their support and encouragement over the years. b. Proclamation observing Juneteenth in 2025 Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation. Mayor Mohamed stated that a common misperception is that that slavery ended for all when it was first abolished, but that was not the case. In recent years, many states, including Minnesota, have established Juneteenth as a holiday celebrated by Black Americans. Council Member Rog stated she has appreciated the Juneteenth celebrations put on by the city, noting that they are award-winning. She likes the fact that there are also new things being added this year to the celebrations as well. Council Member Baudhuin stated this proclamation is important and there is also a need to continue to tell our nation’s history with accuracy. He pointed out that there are many who want to deny and bury these things. He stated there are resources in the packet to learn more about Juneteenth and about our true American history, which is something that everyone needs to own. Docusign Envelope ID: DEB4B0D7-EA3C-414F-86D0-70623CA8D93D City council meeting -5- June 16, 2025 4. Minutes a. Minutes of June 2, 2025, city council meeting b. Minutes of June 2, 2025, special study session It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the June 2, 2025 city council meeting minutes and the June 2, 2025 special study session minutes as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Consent items a. Resolution No. 25-062 recognizing Brian Hoffman, building and energy director b. Resolution No. 25-063 approving 2024 calendar year financial transfers to/out of other funds c. Approve amendment to temporary premises extension - Ullsperger Brewing, LLC d. Approve temporary/seasonal premises amendment - Haggard Barrel Brewing Company, LLC e. Approve temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license - Church of the Holy Family f. Resolution No. 25-064 declaring a hazardous building at 7436 North Street - Ward 2 g. Resolution No. 25-065 supporting and prioritizing 2026 capital budget requests to the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget h. Resolution No. 25-066 support for an affordable housing revenue bond request to the State of Minnesota for Beltline Station - Ward 1 i. Resolutions No. 25-067, 25-068, 25-069 authorizing on-street parking restrictions on Alabama Avenue and 37th Street - Ward 2 j. Resolution No. 20-070 authorizing loading zone on 31st Street - Ward 1 k. Resolution No. 25-071 authorizing loading zone on County Road 25 South Service Drive - Ward 1 l. Approve replacement purchase of freightliner truck with plow and dump m. Resolution No. 25-072 authorizing special assessment for sewer line repair at 4124 Xenwood Avenue South - Ward 2 n. Approve appointment to the Community Technology Advisory Commission It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public hearings – none. 7. Regular business – none. 8. Communications and announcements. Mayor Mohamed wished all the dads in the room, the city, and the state a Happy Father’s Day. Docusign Envelope ID: DEB4B0D7-EA3C-414F-86D0-70623CA8D93D City council meeting -6- June 16, 2025 Ms. Keller stated construction on Louisiana Avenue will begin on June 30, 2025. She directed residents to the city’s website for more information, including the option to sign up to receive weekly updates. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor Docusign Envelope ID: DEB4B0D7-EA3C-414F-86D0-70623CA8D93D