HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/12/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes
City council special study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
December 3, 2018
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne
Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman);
Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno),
Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Fire Chief Koering, Management Assistant
(Ms. Carrillo Perez), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: Senator Ron Latz; Representative Cheryl Youakim; Hennepin County Commissioner
Marion Greene; St. Louis Park Lobbyist Vic Moore.
1. 2019 Legislative priorities and issues
Mayor Spano welcomed the legislators and introductions were made. He pointed out the
summary of the issues and themes the council will present . He thanked the legislators for their
years of work on the SWLRT, and noted the project will begin soon.
Mayor Spano noted the following priority items:
Community Development/Housing – including a vast majority of issues like bonding, fund
raising, TOD housing fund, and local housing trust funds. He added this is the council’s number
one priority.
Transportation – including the redesign of Hwy 25 and the intersection of Texas Ave and
Minnetonka Blvd, the latter of which is to be redone in 2020, by Centerpoint. He stated this
would be the optimal time to redo this area, allowing for minimal disruptio n.
Public Safety – including the Pathways to Policing Program, which he stated has been
transformational. He noted the city would like to see this program funded at the state level,
adding that many other cities are doing this program as well.
General items noted also included the city’s aggressive work on sustainability and
environmental issues. Mayor Spano pointed out the city’s recently passed climate action plan
noting it is a hallmark for the city and an aggressive plan for any city in the state. Mayor Spano
stated the city would like to see some support from the state on their climate action plan, and
would also like to see the state or county adopt the St. Louis Park climate action plan.
Councilmember Mavity added there are many opportunities to work together on climate
action, adding St. Louis Park students enlightened the council on this topic, and the council
adopted the plan. She stated the city is 65% of the way on the plan, but will need to figure out
the other 35%.
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Senator Latz stated he was pleased to see all the work the city is doing, adding the council has
an impact on the community. He thanked them for their work on climate action, housing,
transit, and the smoking ban in St. Louis Park, and said it pushes the rest of folks to do likew ise.
Senator Latz noted he is more optimistic for St. Louis Park community issues now with the
legislature, after the mid-term elections. He stated incoming Governor Walz is collaborative and
energetic, and will work with both Democrats and Republicans in the senate and house.
Likewise, incoming Majority Leader Gazelka has been collaborative as well.
Senator Latz stated he sees issues on data practices and gun safety taking priority and he is glad
to see St. Louis Park has those items on their list of important issues as well.
Councilmember Rog thanked Senator Latz for his advocacy on the gun issue for so long.
Senator Latz stated he introduced the idea of permit to purchase, which has been more
accepted across the state, noting this is an effective way to prevent unlawful gun sales.
Mayor Spano noted the concerns of St. Louis Park high school students on gun control, adding
he has met with both students and the city’s local gun store owner. Mayor Spano stated the
owner would be a good person for the legislators to meet with and discuss these issues, adding
he can provide contact information.
Senator Latz added the legislature will work also on net neutrality and internet privacy issues.
Councilmember Hallfin asked if high speed internet for greater MN would be part of this
discussion. Senator Latz stated that is a different issue, related to the build -out of
infrastructure. He noted although this is not funded at this time, it may be funded this session .
Representative Youakim added her thanks to the council and city on their work with SWLRT and
keeping local control. She noted the transportation and finance committees were combined,
after the election, and there is a whole entire committee dedicated to housing now, and
chaired by Representative Hausman.
Representative Youakim added the labor committee is now under the public safety committee
and will deal with police training and non-traditional items. She pointed out there are 39 new
members in the house, many with degrees, and a great new majority leader and new speaker
as well. She also noted 40 members are now suburban members in the DFL caucus, which is a
big shift.
Councilmember Brausen asked about the possibility of the legalization of marijuana in MN, and
if it were to be legalized in MN, he would like to see local authority given to cities for some
piece of the taxation. He noted 10 states have legalized marijuana already, and in CO, funds go
to their educational system, while others like CA and MA are just starting this process .
Representative Youakim stated this will be a long conversation, and the MN senate majority
leader has no interest in this based on a very strong moral objection.
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Senator Latz added there is much discussion on this topic, and will likely be covered in more
than one session; however, added it will not pass this year, and there will also be hearings on
this as well.
Commissioner Greene also thanked the council for the work they are doing with SWLRT,
housing, transportation and climate, noting the city is on the cutting edge in many ways.
Commissioner Greene added Hennepin County Council has evolved and added two new people
of color to the board. She stated there is a new level of energy and excitement, adding she sees
the council board as similar to the St. Louis Park council, being prudently innovative in an
informed way.
Commissioner Greene noted work being done in Hennepin County on jail bonds, immigrant
community housing, racial equity, and changing county highways to be more like city streets.
She stated they are working to engage more with residents and local government, and hear
from all.
Councilmember Rog asked about timing or updates on the Minnetonka Boulevard project, east
of Highway 100. Commissioner Greene stated there is updated information on the county
website, including a 5-year plan and information about community input being gathered.
Councilmember Harris noted the project at Texas and Minnetonka Blvd. She stated the
intersection has housing, transit and three NOAH properties, all o f which are on a bus line and
in a hub of commerce. She stated the city and county have an opportunity to be innovat ive
here, and asked what sort of engagement might occur in advance of the intersection design.
Commissioner Greene stated there will be resident engagement; however, she is not sure of
specifics yet. She noted there is project information on the county website.
Mr. Harmening also pointed out the city will be partnering with the utilities on the Texas and
Minnetonka Blvd project, and it is important that they do so. He noted also that biking and ADA
accessibility and a new signal system will all be part of the project.
Councilmember Mavity noted the county project at 38 th and Glenhurst, which created crossing
lanes and slowed traffic. She noted the grant from the county and the collaboration was helpful
and significant.
Commissioner Greene noted this and added she will be the Hennepin County board chair
beginning in 2019.
Mr. Moore thanked the council for the outstanding job this year, adding it is a joy for him to
work for the city, which he pointed out is one of the most progressive in the state .
Councilmember Hallfin pointed out that while housing is a major issue, the root of the problem
continues to be that folks don’t make enough money to pay for their rents or homes. He asked
if the state can look into increasing the minimum wage.
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Representative Youakim commented this is a concern; however, there is a threshold where it
becomes a larger problem for some that would lose their housing benefits, if they made too
much money. She noted there is a balance with this issue that needs to be considered as well.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk Jake Spano, Mayor
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