07-08-2026 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA JULY 8, 2026 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 81" day of July 2026 in the Conference Room of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor Tom Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Fischer, Council Members Kwapick, Malone, Miller and Schwalbach. Absent: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryce Shearen, Assistant City Administrator Laura Linehan, Parks & Rec Director Steve Anderson, and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. DISCUSS AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 2601 TO INCORPORATE POLICY AROUND E- BIKES The Parks and Recreation Director explained that electric -assisted bicycles (e-bikes) have become very popular many communities have begun evaluating whether existing park and trail regulations adequately address the unique characteristics of electric -assisted bicycles. He stated that questions surrounding rider safety, trail etiquette, enforcement, accessibility, and compatibility with shared -use trails have led many Minnesota cities to review or establish policies regarding a -bike use within parks and trail systems. He noted that over the past year, city staff have received several complaints and concerns of dangerous encounters between a -bikes and pedestrians. He stated that the ones that go faster are actually classified as a-motos and are considered motorcycles where a driver's license is required to drive one. The Parks and Recreation Director reported that at the June 4, 2026, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Commission members discussed current industry trends and safety concerns related to e-bikes. The Commission made a motion of support for city staff to continue research and pursue potential policy direction for a -bike use in Little Canada parks and trails. Miller asked if all the Ramsey County cities could get together to adopt the same rules. The City Administrator stated that he will discussing this at the next contract cities meeting to see if at least the five contract cities could be the same to make it easier for Ramsey County deputies to know the rules. There was Council consensus for staff to work with other Ramsey County cities to adopt consistent language regarding e-bikes, and bring forward a code amendment to add language into the City Code addressing a -bike usage in the city. 2026 League of Minnesota Cities Conference Recap City Council members Fischer, Malone and Miller, and the City Administrator and Assistant City Administrator attended the annual League of Minnesota conference in June that was held in Rochester. Each attending Council and staff member reviewed the sessions that they attended at the League of Minnesota conference and any highlights and topics of interest.