HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 08092016CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2016
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
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7 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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11 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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13 Present: Mayor Faust Councilmembers Brever, Gray, Jenson, and Stille
14 Absent: None
15 Also Present: City Manager Mark Casey
16 Guests: Superintendent Bob Laney, District #282; Community Services & Communications
17 Director Wendy Webster, District #282; and GreenCorp Member Kristin Seaman
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19 Mayor Faust reviewed the manner in which the City Council Meetings are held. All speakers are limited
20 to five minutes.
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22 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
23 ITEMS.
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25 I. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 9, 2016, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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27 Motion by Councilmember Gray, seconded by Councilmember Jenson to approve the City
28 Council Meeting Agenda of August 9, 2016.
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30 Motion carried 5 -0.
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32 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
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34 A. St. Anthony/New Brighton School District #282 Presentation Bob Laney Superintendent
35 and Wendy Webster. Director of Community Services & Communications
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37 Dr. Bob Laney, Superintendent and Ms. Wendy Webster, Director of Community Services and
38 Communications provided an update on St. Anthony/New Brighton School District #282. The
39 Objectives, Vision, Strategic Objectives, Demographics of the Community and Students,
40 Guiding Principles, and Early Childhood at Community Services were reviewed with a
41 PowerPoint presentation. The St. Anthony -New Brighton School District is committed to the
42 success of all learners by engaging and leveraging the strength of our community. There is a
43 focus on racial equity and the goal is to address inequity and barriers to participation. There is a
44 need for support from the community.
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46 Mayor Faust thanked Dr. Laney and Ms. Webster for their presentation.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2016
Page 2
Councilmember Stille stated in 2009, School Board Members were challenged with too much
open enrollment. That was a bridge and the tone has been set nicely by the school.
Councilmember Stille thanked Ms. Webster for the community engagement that has occurred.
Mayor Faust stated he appreciates the commitment, noting the City Council has made resolutions
to assist the School District. When looking at building onto the schools due to increasing
enrollment, the message needs to be communicated properly.
B. GreenCorp presentation. Kristin Seaman GreenCorp Member
Ms. Kristin Seaman, GreenCorp Member, presented a PowerPoint summarizing their Year in
Review. Ms. Seaman reviewed the Sustainability Fair, Rain Barrel Workshop and Beyond the
Barrel Event, Pollinator Pathway Project, Sustainable St. Anthony Tour and Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony, City Sustainability, and work with St. Anthony Schools. She has completed 1,698
hours of the 1,700 required hours. Ms. Seaman thanked St. Anthony.
Mayor Faust stated this position is funded by the Minnesota Pollution Agency.
Councilmember Jenson thanked Ms. Seaman for her participation and help to the City.
Councilmember Brever stated Ms. Seaman accomplished much, noting that $35,000 in grants
were received this year.
Councilmember Stille stated the City will miss her as it was great to see her at City Hall when he
stopped by.
Councilmember Gray echoed the other Councilmember's comments.
Mayor Faust asked for the amount of the grant for the school and Ms. Seaman stated it was for
$21,000. Mayor Faust recalled taking her to a MWMO Board Meeting and stated she fit in well.
Mayor Faust described the Roy Quady House Project and noted no City funds were used on the
project. Mayor Faust wished Ms. Seaman well and thanked her for the eleven months she has
been with the City.
III. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Approval of July 26, 2016, City Council meeting minutes
B. Licenses and Permits
C. Claims
D. Resolution 16 -060: a Resolution Approving Redpath and Company as the City Auditor
for Auditina Years 2016 and 2017 and Authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to
Execute Such Engagement Contract.
Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Brever, to approve the Consent
Agenda items as presented.
Motion carried 5 -0
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2016
Page 3
IV. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE
V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF - NONE
VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL - NONE
9 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
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11 City Manager Mark Casey reported the date for the Lowry Grove Public Hearing has been
12 changed and the revised notice will be published in tomorrow's newspaper. The new date is
13 Thursday, September 8, 2016, at 7:00 p.m, in the Council Chambers.
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15 Councilmember Gray stated on August 1 he participated in the Work Session. On August 2, he
16 visited several Night to Unite parties and heard what residents are thinking. On August 4, he
17 attended the North Suburban Communications meeting and reported they are close to a franchise
18 agreement, which should be completed within the next couple of months. On August 5 -6 he
19 attended Village Fest.
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21 Councilmember Brever stated she attended the Work Session on August 1. On August 2, she
22 visited six block parties. She attended Village Fest and wishes to thank JulieAnn Hunter and her
23 crew for coordination of a wonderful event, along with City Public Works Department and
24 Police Department.
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26 Councilmember Jenson stated he also attended the August 1 Work Session and visited with six
27 different groups on August 2. He attended the July 18 LMC the Service Delivery Policy
28 Meeting. Councilmember Jenson stated he is liaison to the Kiwanis, History Committee, and the
29 Fire Department Relief Association.
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31 Councilmember Stille stated on June 30 he attended the Advance Workshop for Sustainability in
32 the Comprehensive Plan. He attended six block parties on August 2.
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34 Mayor Faust stated there were 55 Night to Unite meetings this year. The Council rotates and tries
35 to attend as many meetings as possible. The Council is speaking to the community through these
36 meetings and also at Village Fest. There is overwhelming support for City Staff. Mayor Faust
37 stated he attended the walkabout on Sunday for Sustainability. More information will be
38 forthcoming in the form of a brochure.
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40 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM
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42 Mayor Faust reviewed individuals may address the City Council about any item not included on
43 the regular agenda. Speakers are requested to come to the podium, state their name and address
44 for the Clerk's record, and limit their remarks to five minutes. Generally, the City Council will
45 not take official action on items discussed at this time, but may typically refer the matter to staff
46 for a future report or direct the matter to be scheduled on an upcoming agenda.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2016
Page 4
1 Ms. Mageen Caines, 3100 32nd Avenue NE, thanked Council for the opportunity to speak. While
2 she went to the Army, she recalled how she loved St. Anthony Village and her neighbors. They
3 are organizing as allies and resources and she asked the Council to utilize them. She provided
4 handouts summarizing what they are working on, noting it was also handed out at Village Fest.
5 They want to support City officials and hold them accountable as well as themselves. This group
6 wants to engage with the school and support the mission of the schools. They want to increase
7 community outreach and like town hall meetings. Ms. Caines stated they want to liaise more
8 effectively with the Council, noting they are small but mighty.
10 Ms. Jennifer McGuire, 3408 3151 Avenue NE, stated she has lived in St. Anthony for two years.
1 I She is a professor at the U of M. She stated several pieces of information have been gathered that
12 show processes may not have been followed appropriately and she found some of Chief Ohl's
13 comments in the annual report offensive. Ms. McGuire described an incident she had witnessed.
14 There was a black family in a car in her front yard. The officers had pulled over the car and it
15 would be towed away. She did not feel there was a compelling reason for the vehicle to be
16 towed. She gave details of the incident and stated the police did not exercise any positive
17 discretion in this incident. She has heard of one other similar incident within the City. She asked
18 Council to create systems and procedures for the Police Department to follow. A Community
19 Group should be involved in the hiring of the new Police Chief and to oversee police procedures.
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21 Ms. Mary Jackson, 3605 37`h Avenue NE, stated she wants to emphasize the recent past dealing
22 with some incidents such as in 2014 regarding the Muslim Worship Center. She is also
23 concerned with the death of Philandro Castile and the recent information on racial bias on traffic
24 stops within the City. She is also concerned about the sale of Lowry Grove and the families that
25 would be displaced. She stated the City of St. Anthony needs to use this as an opportunity to
26 review practices, policies, procedures, programs, etc. to remove racial bias and discrimination.
27 She referred to an article in the Star Tribune and stated this crisis should be tackled with
28 overwhelming force and matters need to be looked at urgently. The community group is being
29 supportive.
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31 Ms. Maggie Whiting, 2509 30`h Avenue NE, spoke on behalf of St. Anthony Villagers for
32 Community Action (SAVCA). She is a member of the Communications Committee. She thanked
33 Mayor Faust for attending their block party but stated she was disappointed he failed to discuss
34 with the neighbors the topics of face, diversity, or inclusion. She stated things are heated topics
35 in the community and the community is having a difficult time in talking about these issues. The
36 Council must take the lead, lead by example, and Mayor Faust is the face of the community. Ms.
37 Whiting suggested Council review the information provided this evening as St. Anthony is in the
38 spotlight.
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40 Ms. Marleen Fry, 3205 Harbor Lane, Plymouth, stated she is here in support of SAVCA. The
41 group is here to assist the community as a mediator and advocate. She quoted scripture and
42 stated SAVCA can assist in the transformation to take place. She asked what the Council is
43 afraid of, noting racism is something that has been done for many years and it hurts. Council can
44 choose to participate in the transformation and be part of the solution or be part of the problem.
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46 Ms. Nona Kennedy - Carlson, 2926 Armor Terrace, a member of SAVCA, stated they have over
47 300 members and she is speaking as a citizen. They are the same as the Councilmembers who are
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2016
Page 6
2 Ms. Erica Crone, 4033 Fordham Drive, stated she has lived here for 11 years. She thanked the
3 Village Fest Committee for a wonderful event and asked Mr. Casey to relay her thanks to the
4 City Departments. She is a board member for the History Committee and she enjoyed two other
5 booths at Village Fest. She stated the Citizens for Sustainability and the SAVCA booths were
6 very informative and referred to the City Notes pyramid outlining the City's goals. Ms. Crone
7 stated the non -City sponsored organization is making headway and asked the Council to read the
8 information distributed.
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Mr. Dave Johnson, 2916 Silver Lake Court, stated he worked in the booth at Village Fest and
received support from his neighbors and friends; however, there was some tension. He stated we
need to support each other through this.
Ms. Kelly Wilson, 3319 Valdin Drive, stated she is supporting SAVCA. She clarified that in the
2008 Comprehensive Plan, it talks about redevelopment of Lowry Grove to high density which
would also be residential.
Mayor Faust stated he appreciates everyone coming out this evening and indicated it isn't going
to happen overnight. He noted the conversation needs to carry on in all the neighborhoods and
with other people. He stated there are two issues, one handled by the courts and the other in
changing society.
An unidentified woman appeared and Mayor Faust asked her to take her seat. She is a mother of
two Chinese American children, felt things need to be changed, and demanded we move faster.
IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - NONE
X. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Wolfe
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
gayor