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August 12, 2025 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 5 <br />could be made to the budget. Councilmember Elnagdy asked about the $60 per year. She stated it does <br />not make sense to keep the staffing model we have had for years. Councilmember Doolan asked what <br />the other taxing entities are doing as far as their levies. Mr. Yunker stated that all levies are posted at <br />the same time. Councilmember Doolan stated she does not doubt there is a need, but 6% is more than <br />the residents' income increases. The question is, are we willing to decrease our level of service? Can we <br />do a phased-in approach by not adding all at the same time? Mayor Webster stated they need to look at <br />what could be sacrificed to decrease the levy. Councilmember Doolan stated she knows many seniors, <br />and the high level of services helps them stay in their homes. Mayor Webster stated we would need to <br />structure some community engagement sessions so they can understand the goal of maintaining service <br />and the cost. Councilmember Elnagdy stated she agrees and is philosophically on board. Councilmember <br />Doolan stated that the risk of future emergencies and different types of emergencies will wear on staff. <br />Mr. Yunker would like any more comments that Council has. <br />B.Sustainable Building Policy. <br />Sustainability Coordinator Minette Saulog reviewed a PowerPoint presentation. She noted the City has <br />no existing policy or regulations for sustainable building. The Center for Energy and Environment, in <br />collaboration with Hennepin County, published a sustainable building policy guide in 2021, offering <br />recommendations for policy frameworks and best practices. The following MN Cities have <br />sustainable/green building policies: St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Eden Prairie, Edina, Maplewood, <br />Minneapolis, Rochester, Duluth, and Northfield. <br />Ms. Saulog reviewed the sustainable building policy basics: <br />A City can develop a sustainable building policy or ordinance to reflect the following <br />components: funding incentives, land use incentives, process incentives, and building size. Staff <br />is researching best practices for how to ensure policy compliance. <br />A policy can include compliance with a third-party rating system (i.e., LEED, 83, etc.) to <br />encourage standardization for sustainable building across the region. These rating systems are <br />well-known in the construction industry, allowing developers flexibility to meet policy <br />requirements. <br />Three approaches can be taken. Mandatory – establishes requirements that would apply to all buildings <br />that meet specific criteria. Typically, in an ordinance. Scoring – scores buildings/developments on a set <br />of criteria, often used when there is a competition for a specific site. Higher-scoring projects are better <br />qualified for City program funding or approval. Suggestion – Strong encouragement to comply with the <br />provided guidelines, no established requirements. Provides education and information to consider <br />sustainability in construction. This is a good option for guidance to residents in single-family homes. <br />The mandatory approach is the recommended option, ensuring compliance from a sustainability <br />standpoint. <br />More standardization helps with competition and cost control. <br />We do not want to turn off developers who are considering new/redevelopment in St. Anthony <br />Village. <br />There is less confusion if a policy is straightforward and clear for developers to follow, and if it is <br />written into Code. <br />7