01-08-2025 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA JANUARY 8, 2025 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 8th day of January, 2025 in the Council Chamber of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor Tom Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: ROLL CALL: In attendance were Mayor Fischer, City Council Members Gutierrez, Kwapick, Miller, and Malone. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Chris Heineman, Community Relations Manager Laura Linehan, and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. CONSIDER 2025 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Fischer stated that he has gotten involved in elected official and mayor groups that have discussions about city priorities so he has learned more about the legislature and process. The City Administrator stated that historically Little Canada has not adopted or discussed formal city - endorsed legislative priorities. He noted that several east metro cities have begun having formalized legislative priorities that are discussed and approved annually by their city councils. He explained that the 2025 legislative session will begin on January 14, 2025. He stated that the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) and Metro Cities advocated on behalf of all member cities, which includes Little Canada. The City Administrator reviewed the League of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities policies and asked the Council if they have any specific priorities, and if they would be interested in adopting a formal list. He explained that typically the LMC and Metro Cities list of priorities does not change much from year to year unless a law was passed that they feel is satisfactory so that item may be removed from the list. Fischer stated that one issue that Metro Cities is supporting is to allow Council members to participate remotely up to 50% of the time. He stated that he feels strongly that elected officials should be attending Council meetings in person to face their constituents, although he noted that cities can choose to be more restrictive. Fischer stated that there is a proposal to add restrictions by cities to group homes. Kwapick agreed that reviewing and discussing potential priorities is a good thing for the Council to do each year. He noted that the Legislature passes the budget in odd years and bonding bills in even years. The proposed Little Canada Road and Country Drive project was discussed, and if the current alignment is approved, there will be additional costs above what is already covered by grants that will be split between the City of Little Canada and Ramsey County. Fischer stated the city would be responsible for $1-2 million in costs. Kwapick stated that he recommends bonding for the