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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 9, 2016 Page 5 1 citizens. Ms. Kennedy - Carlson stated she worked on the school bond referendum, School Board 2 elections in support of the incumbents, and on many other causes. She felt SAVCA had been 3 misunderstood, stating change creates discomfort — discomfort creates change. Ms. Kennedy- 4 Carlson quoted from Mayor Faust's letter and stated she wants to be part of the solution. She 5 referred to the book distributed Council at the last meeting and stated she wants the Council to 6 attend upcoming events. She also wants Council to join SAVCA in meetings following Open 7 Meeting Rules. 9 Mr. Michael Bird, 3416 Edwards Street, stated just because there are racial disparities does not 10 mean there has been unjust discrimination. He has attended a number of graduation ceremonies 11 where most of the valedictorians are female, noting mechanics at auto repair shops are male. He 12 is concerned this being a lot more through race than might possibly be present. Mr. Bird stated in 13 the U.S.A., people are considered innocent until proven guilty and he trusts St. Anthony 14 policemen and policemen in general. 15 16 Ms. Sandy Sherman, Mirror Lake Condominiums, Foss Road, stated she cannot have a yard sign. 17 She shared how proud she is of the members and organizers of SAVCA. She participated at 18 Village Fest in the booth for SAVCA and believes the issue of racial profiling across the United 19 States is well known. Ms. Sherman stated the study showed that blacks were disproportionally 20 stopped and searched within St. Anthony, commenting it is hard to get past the study numbers. 21 She is proud to be part of SAVCA and stands with the Lowry Grove residents in their efforts. 22 23 Ms. Antonia Alvarez, 2501 Lowry Avenue NE, along with two others stated, the residents of 24 Lowry Grove are requesting Council's support. The Attorney General is supporting them. She 25 stated the purchase was illegal by the purchaser and asked the Council NOT to change the 26 zoning. She thanked the Council for the change in the date for the public hearing. Ms. Alvarez 27 stated they want to save Lowry Grove and the future is uncertain. Their children attend St. 28 Anthony schools also and there is no future for them. She requested Mayor Faust come to a 29 meeting in Lowry Grove to speak with the residents, noting Lowry Grove has good values and 30 good people and they want to work with Council for a strong St. Anthony and good future for all. 31 32 Mayor Faust stated when the Council was requested to reschedule the public hearing, it needs to 33 follow the State Statute. Since this is a civil action it would not be pertinent for him to attend a 34 meeting. He noted the Council's responsibility is to residents first and indicated he will research 35 it and come to a meeting if he can do so. 36 37 Mr. Bill McConnell, Lowry Grove, asked that Lowry Grove be removed from the City's 38 redevelopment schedule. Mayor Faust stated there is no schedule to redevelop any area. He 39 explained that Lowry Grove is listed as residential and something would need to be proposed to 40 change that. This is now a legal battle between a seller and two potential buyers and the courts 41 will decide as to what will be done. 42 43 Ms. Kate Martin, 2513 30th Avenue, member of SAVCA, stated she was happy to hear about the 44 school's commitment to equity, noting things outside of the school have an impact. She stated 45 there are no other options for residents of Lowry Grove within St. Anthony and she would like 46 the Council to use an equity lens when looking at the issues. She asked the Council to support 47 the residents of Lowry Grove.