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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/09/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota Sept. 8, 2025 The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Lynette Dumalag, Sue Budd, Tim Brausen (arrived 6:13 p.m.), Yolanda Farris, Mayor Pro Tem Paul Baudhuin Councilmembers absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Margaret Rog Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen), city assessor (Mr. Bultema), finance director (Ms. Cruver), racial equity and inclusion specialist (Ms. Hernandez Guitron), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), racial equity and inclusion director (Ms. Yang), community engagement coordinator (Mr. Coleman) Guests: Katie Lawler Turnbull, Human Rights Commission Chair; Andrea Alvarez, Human Rights Commission Vice Chair Discussion items 1. Boards and Commissions check-in with the city council: Human Rights Commission Mr. Coleman, Human Rights Commission (HRC) staff liaison, introduced the Chair Katie Lawler Turnbull and Vice Chair Andrea Alvarez. They presented the report related to the commission's work plan and goals for the coming year. The Human Rights Commission is one of the five advisory boards and commissions whose purpose is to advise the city council in its efforts to ensure protection of all citizens, their human rights, and full and equal opportunity for participation in the affairs of the community. The commission assists individuals and groups in cultivating a community that embraces principles of equity and respect for all its citizens. Tonight’s discussion will cover an overview of the commission's approved work plan, including any completed tasks, ongoing projects and strategies for addressing unaddressed work plan items. Additionally, the discussion will include opportunities for council feedback, potential modifications or additions to the work plan, and any other relevant topics concerning the commission's activities. The first item on the HRC’s work plan was to offer feedback and suggestions on the Neighborhood revitalization grant program. The HRC also offered feedback on the policy regarding cashless businesses and unbanked individuals. Chair Lawler Turnbull added that the HRC worked on the St. Louis Park Summer Reading Festival. Children First is driving this work and 2025 was the third year for the HRC to be involved. This was the HRC’s second year hosting the Banned Book Brunch, which took place on Aug. 16, 2025. Chair Lawler Turnbull thanked Council Members Baudhuin and Rog for reading at the Docusign Envelope ID: F560D01B-4FFF-4EB9-B167-475CBAC4ADBA Study session minutes -2- Sept. 8, 2025 event. She noted there was a smaller turnout this year and shared there seemed to have been a marketing issue on the end of the organizer. The HRC partnered with elections and did a tabling event at the Ice Cream Social. There, they participated in educating people on rank-choice voting as well as promoting Vision 4.0. The HRC will continue to table at the event in the future. The 2024 Human Rights Award was given to Dana Strahnson, who is the children’s librarian for St. Louis Park. Chair Lawler Turnbull described how Ms. Strahnson does engagement as well as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work, and was thrilled to win the award. Chair Lawler Turnbull added that the HRC will soon be conducting their call for 2025 award submissions. Commission members have been tabling at events to promote the Vision 4.0 process and materials have been distributed at all events to engage neighbors. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated one of the HRC’s previous goals was to have increased LGBQT+ allyship. This year, they were able to collaborate with Golden Valley Pride and table with the race, equity and inclusion division at the Golden Valley Pride Festival, which is the biggest pride festival outside of downtown Minneapolis. There was a high level of engagement and they plan to continue participating with the event going forward. After the 2024 election and with the current administration, Chair Lawler Turnbull stated the HRC convened to discuss how to support members of the community who felt isolated or alienated. The HRC has developed physical handouts bringing attention to available resources for people who need additional assistance. She presented the council with a draft of a brochure as an example of a handout directing residents to the city’s resource page. In collaboration with St. Louis Park’s Friends of the Arts, the HRC hosted an art walk at Wolfe Park. She stated the theme was “my dream for my community,” and many enjoyed the artwork. Council Member Budd asked for more information on resources available to residents. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated resources from the drafted brochure had been added to the city website. Mr. Coleman added that the HRC will also hand out flyers with a QR code to direct people to sites and resources. Council Member Budd asked if the handouts would require approval by the city council. Mr. Coleman stated the HRC brochure was developed in collaboration with the city’s communications department. Chair Lawler Turnbull added that the HRC hopes to collaborate with the Environment and Sustainability Commission (ESC) and will have a presence at all the 2025 Welcoming Week events. Council Member Farris thanked the HRC for their amazing work. Docusign Envelope ID: F560D01B-4FFF-4EB9-B167-475CBAC4ADBA Study session minutes -3- Sept. 8, 2025 Council Member Budd commented that the commission’s 2026 work plan could include the prevailing wage issue and labor rights within the city. She stated Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions are being ramped up federally and there is a need for more immigration resources to be included in the resource brochure. Council Member Budd asked if the HRC has any connection with the school district. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated the school board member who was on HRC was a great liaison but noted the person has now stepped down. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated the HRC is happy to work with someone else from the school district. Mr. Coleman added that the vacant seat was not filled by another school board member. Council Member Budd asked if the HRC has any vacant positions. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated that the commission has no vacancies. Council Member Budd added that with the two youth members on the HRC now, they could offer some connection to the school district. Chair Lawler Turnbull agreed. Council Member Dumalag noted the Creekside neighborhood within her ward has a racial equity association and has crafted a policy that neighborhood vendors should be women- or BIPOC-owned (black, indigenous, people of color). She asked if there are other neighborhood groups that are interested in creating a similar policy. Mr. Coleman stated that Creekside is the only neighborhood with such a group. He noted the neighborhood group is still working on its purpose, and there has been no collaboration with the HRC yet. Council Member Brausen noted the first commission he served on in the city was HRC, and he is proud of having done so. He asked if the HRC interacts with the police department. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated the HRC does and responded to bias crimes in the past. She noted there have been no recent incidents. Council Member Brausen asked about the HRC and ESC plans for collaboration and whether the HRC has any interaction with other commissions. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated not at this time. Council Member Brausen thanked the HRC for their work and asked how the council can support them. Chair Lawler Turnbull stated that the council can continue to send ideas they think are important for the HRC to engage in and work on. She also noted there is a DEI commission forum in September 2025 and several HRC members will attend to connect with other DEI commissioners; more work may arise from the additional gathering. Mayor Pro Tem Baudhuin thanked the HRC for their work and for their collaboration with Golden Valley Pride Festival. 2. Title VI program Ms. Yang and Ms. Brodeen presented the staff report. Ms. Brodeen gave background on Title VI, noting the work on Title VI will now be expanded with a policy and a plan. She stated Title VI is a landmark civil rights law from 1986 that Docusign Envelope ID: F560D01B-4FFF-4EB9-B167-475CBAC4ADBA Study session minutes -4- Sept. 8, 2025 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, and any program in receipt of federal assistance. Ms. Brodeen stated the city requires a Title VI program and public funds must not be used to discriminate. Over time, Title VI has also expanded to include discrimination based on age, sex and disability. In addition to Title VI, the city is subject to additional laws such as the Human Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ms. Brodeen shared that the work of Title VI aligns with the city’s strategic priorities of being a leader in race, equity, and inclusion. Equality is a value the community holds near and dear. The city will continue to work on equality and inclusion, and Title VI lays the foundation for such ideals. She stated Title VI allows the city to be intentional and proactive in removing barriers, creating access and building trust. Title VI will support the city in enacting its values. Ms. Yang presented details on immigrant populations in Minnesota and within St. Louis Park, including the languages most frequently spoken. Council Member Budd noted the language data was derived from the Minnesota Department of Education’s enrollment surveys. She understood from the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) that Russian is one of the top languages spoken in St. Louis Park. In a previous conversation, she had asked the director of STEP, Derek Reise, why Russian was not listed as a top language. Mr. Reise had explained that Russian is not spoken by younger populations; Russian is the third most frequently spoken in St. Louis Park. Ms. Yang stated that while staff utilizes U.S. Census information, the data is high-level and does not necessarily reflect the languages spoken in St. Louis Park. She noted that Russian, however, is within the top ten languages spoken in St. Louis Park based on the Minnesota Department of Education St. Louis Park School district enrollment data. Ms. Yang stated that a work group has been developed for the city to review Title VI and implement it through all city departments and services. She noted there will be review and feedback as the policy is being updated and will bring information back to the city council to review and approval for 2026. She added that a communication plan will be put in place for staff and residents to provide resources for all. Ms. Brodeen stated the HRC could assist in reviewing a draft plan of Title VI before it is brought to the council for review. She pointed out that during research, staff did not find any Title VI complaints in the city. Council Member Dumalag asked if there is a cost in the budget for creating the Title VI program and for resources. Ms. Yang stated yes, staff is working to allocate funds for the program and is working to hire a consultant this fall. Council Member Budd asked when the program will be launched. Ms. Yang stated the goal is to launch in January or February of 2026. Docusign Envelope ID: F560D01B-4FFF-4EB9-B167-475CBAC4ADBA Study session minutes -5- Sept. 8, 2025 Council Member Budd stated she received a complaint about discrimination related to the police department from a non-resident. She asked if the Title VI program is limited to only St. Louis Park residents. Ms. Yang stated the program would be related to any situation occurring in St. Louis Park. She added that in addition to the city’s discrimination reporting avenue, people can report discrimination through the Minnesota Human Rights Commission or to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. In addition to reporting an issue directly to the city, the city would also be informed if a complaint were filed with the Minnesota Human Rights Commission or the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Council Member Brausen stated Title VI is a good program and asked who is leading the effort. Ms. Yang stated that she and Ms. Brodeen are leading this effort. The workgroup comprises of police chief (Mr. Kruelle), fire chief (Mr. Hanlin), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), housing manager (Ms. Olson) and sustainability manager (Ms. Ziring). All are leaders within the city; nearly every department is represented. Mayor Pro Tem Baudhuin stated that current staff have never received a Title VI complaint, but that does not mean there has never been a situation warranting a complaint. Ms. Brodeen agreed and stated that it is possible that complaints could be under-reported and may exist. Hence, a significant part of the Title VI program is public participation to inform residents and community members of their rights to report discrimination when it occurs and to continue education with city staff to identify discrimination when it occurs and understand steps to address discrimination at the city. 3. Language access plan overview Ms. Yang, Ms. Smith and Ms. Hernandez Guitron presented the staff report. Ms. Yang pointed out that this plan is an extension of the Title VI program. Ms. Hernandez Guitron noted that on March 1, 2025, federal administration declared an executive order that English be the official language of the United States. She stated that the Department of Justice then rescinded prior limited English proficiency guidance, which has significantly weakened federal access frameworks. Ms. Hernandez Guitron stated that to support the diverse linguistic community in St. Louis Park and to ensure compliance with Title VI law, the city will implement a language access plan. The plan is designed to ensure everyone has equitable access to our city programs, services and activities. Staff will work with the communications division to produce a robust plan to provide guidance and meaningful access on how to engage with our limited English proficiency (LEP) communities, understand the federal law in alignment with Title VI for nondiscrimination and provide technical assistance. Ms. Yang noted a workgroup has been formed to work on the language access plan. The HRC will review the plan prior to bringing it back to the city council for implementation in 2026. Council Member Dumalag stated these services should be provided for residents, as language barriers and definitions can pose challenges. She appreciates the work being done in this space. Docusign Envelope ID: F560D01B-4FFF-4EB9-B167-475CBAC4ADBA Study session minutes -6- Sept. 8, 2025 Council Member Budd stated the program looks great, and she appreciates the city’s work. Mayor Pro Tem Baudhuin agreed that the language plan looks good. He noted the presidential executive order declaring English as national language versus compliance with Title VI law. He asked how the city would handle a hypothetical legal case. Ms. Keller stated her understanding is that an executive order is largely symbolic. Ultimately, the law is the law, so the city will continue to follow the law. Mayor Pro Tem Baudhuin asked if language resources in the city are available to all businesses within the city. Ms. Keller stated the best place to start is to help businesses know what resources are available. Written Reports 4. Racial equity and inclusion (REI) system kick-off Council Member Brausen asked whether a planned race equity and inclusion training for council members will take place soon. Ms. Keller suggested scheduling the training for the 2026 city council retreat. 5. Impact of changing property values in commercial and residential property types Mr. Bultema and Ms. Cruver were available for questions related to the written report. Ms. Cruver explained that the property tax levy is set through the budget process and then distributed among property taxpayers in the city according to their property type and taxable market value. Hennepin County finalizes the relevant net tax capacity for 2026 taxes in the middle of August, typically around the time the city is finalizing its preliminary levy. From year to year, the timing of when the city receives the information from the county can vary. Once those values are known, city staff can compute an estimated median value of a home’s property tax bill in the budget year 2026. Unfortunately, staff had not received the information from the county in time for the study session on Sept. 2, 2025. They had the information to conduct the analysis after the study session took place. Ms. Cruver noted the results included in the written report. Steady growth in residential values, combined with falling values in commercial buildings, particularly office buildings, is shifting a greater tax burden onto residential property owners. Staff wanted to get the information to the council now, before approving the preliminary levy on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. Ms. Cruver stated that property tax statements will go out to residents in mid-November 2025, showing the preliminary tax estimates Council Member Budd noted that many items will be hitting residents with federal changes as well. With residential values continuing to increase, Council Member Budd asked what authority the city council has in supporting the adjustments. Docusign Envelope ID: F560D01B-4FFF-4EB9-B167-475CBAC4ADBA Study session minutes -7- Sept. 8, 2025 Ms. Cruver stated the rates applied to different classifications, and the percentage of taxable values paid on commercial and residential cannot be changed on the state level by anyone except the state legislature, noting these are set by state statute. She added that the city cannot plan for these underlying shifts in the value markets. She stated that those who have a property tax increase of higher than 12% can apply to the state for a partial refund. Council Member Dumalag asked how many residents in St. Louis Park have applied. Mr. Bultema stated that data can be requested from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Council Member Budd stated the levy increase is in the city council’s control. She asked if the council would have to put the levy down to 0% to meet the median. Ms. Keller stated yes, along with significant cuts in services to meet the median. Ms. Cruver pointed out a levy of 0% would require a $4 million reduction in the city budget. Council Member Brausen commented that the levy is due to valuation and market increases for residences. The state has cushioned the increase to some extent with the option to apply for relief if their property tax increase is higher than 12%. However, the city cannot slice government services or proceed and let the taxpayers deal with the consequences. Council Member Budd added that the increases are also due to city expenses related to the cost of providing services. Ms. Keller noted that increases are unpredictable each year. Staff have some ideas that can be discussed in the fall regarding the 2027 budget season. For now, there are limited options available to address these increases. Ms. Cruver stated that Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth have cut many services to address the tax increases. The funding reduction is putting pressure on many cities. St. Louis Park will need to address the issue more immediately. She noted that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds in the affordable housing fund could be discontinued to address some of the increases. She added that the city will need to act by the fall of 2025 to address reduced funding. Mayor Pro Tem Baudhuin stated that changes will affect those who need housing assistance the most because the affordable housing fund would be depleted. Council Member Budd asked if any comparable cities have increases above 15% as their median point. Mr. Bultema stated that these value shifts are hugely abnormal. He stated comparable cities with heavy commercial sector tax capacity have these types of increases to an extent and noted the office sector is seeing difficulties. Ms. Cruver stated when it comes to the actual levy increase, there are many surrounding cities with higher percentage tax increases than St. Louis Park. Communications/meeting check-in (verbal) – none. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor Docusign Envelope ID: F560D01B-4FFF-4EB9-B167-475CBAC4ADBA