Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />December 23, 2014 <br />Page 2 <br />VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL. <br />A. Resolution 14-088: a resolution aDmovine the Consent Order in the Federal Court Matter <br />Captioned United States of America v. City of Saint Anthony Village, Minnesota and the <br />Contingent Settlement Agreement in the Federal Court Matters Captioned Abu-Huraira <br />Islamic Center and the Muxamedrashid Ali v. City of St. Anthony. Jay Lindgren, Dorsey <br />& Whitney will be presenting <br />9 Mr. Jay Lindgren, Dorsey & Whitney advised that the resolution would approve the execution of <br />10 two documents this evening and approval of these two documents would resolve three lawsuits. <br />11 He stated this has always been a land use issue. Mr. Lindgren reviewed the provisions of the <br />12 documents. He noted the normal process for the PUD will be followed and the PUD will go <br />13 before the Council on February 10, 2015 for final approval. If the PUD is approved, then the <br />14 provisions would become part of the PUD. There would be a training session for the Council and <br />15 the Planning Commission on the requirements of RLUIPA. The agreement with the DOJ runs for <br />16 three years requiring compliance with RLUIPA. There would be a payment of $200,000 that <br />17 would pay for the plaintiff's attorney fees due from the City. <br />18 <br />19 Councilmember Stille asked about the activities that would be held in the center and if religious <br />20 training would be considered a school. Mr. Lindgren stated it would not be classified as a <br />21 school. Councilmember Stille asked if this is the first step in the agreement and the PUD would <br />22 be upcoming. Mr. Lindgren stated this would be considered a contingency. <br />23 <br />24 Mr. Todd Guerreo, attorney for the Abu-Huraira, stated he concurs with the City Attorney's <br />25 review and appreciates the Council's consideration and diligence during the conference. This <br />26 was a compromise on the part of all parties. <br />27 <br />28 Mr. Sadik Warfa, Abu-Huraira Islamic Center, said he is very happy with the Mayor's leadership <br />29 and e is in support of the proposal before the Council for consideration this evening. He felt it <br />30 was a win-win for all. <br />31 <br />32 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to adopt Resolution 14- <br />33 088: a resolution approving the Consent Order in the Federal Court Matter Captioned United <br />34 States of America v. City of Saint Anthony Village, Minnesota and the Contingent Settlement <br />35 Agreement in the Federal Court Matters Captioned Abu-Huraira Islamic Center and the <br />36 Muxamedrashid Ali v. City of St. Anthony. <br />37 <br />38 Councilmember Gray stated it is never all right to discriminate against anyone for their religion. <br />39 He noted this has always been a land use issue but hit the press and became something it was not. <br />40 Councilmember Gray stated this is a good solution that he fully supports and welcomed them <br />41 into the community. <br />42 <br />43 Councilmember Stille stated since the City was incorporated in 1945, many land use issues have <br />44 come before the Council. There were never plans to have religious activities in an industrial area. <br />45 He stated to fight this case would be very costly without a known outcome so he reluctantly <br />