HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 082520201 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 AUGUST 25, 2020
4
5 CALL TO ORDER.
6
7 Mayor Stille called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
8
9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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11 Mayor Stille invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
12
13 ROLL CALL.
14
15 Present: Mayor Stille, Councilmembers Jenson, Randle, Walker and Webster.
16 Absent: None
17 Also Present: City Manager Mark Casey, Finance Director Shelly Rueckert, and Assistant to the
18 City Manager Charlie Yunker.
19 Guests: None.
20
21 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
22 ITEMS.
23
24 I. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 25, 2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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26 Motion by Councilmember Randle, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
27 Council Meeting Agenda of August 25, 2020.
28
29 Motion carried 5-0.
30
31 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS — NONE.
32
33 III. CONSENT AGENDA.
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35 A. Approve 11, 2020, Council meeting minutes.
36 B. Licenses and permits.
37 C. Claims.
38 D. Appoint Student Liaisons to the Planning and Parks and Environmental Commissions.
39
40 Motion by Councilmember Webster, seconded by Councilmember Jenson. to approve the
41 Consent Agenda items.
42
43 Motion carried 5-0.
44
45 IV. PUBLIC HEARING — NONE.
46
47 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF — NONE.
48
49 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2020
Page 2
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2 A. 2021 Budget Presentation
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4 Finance Directior Shelly Rueckert presented the 2021 Budget to the City Council.
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6 Councilmember Walker indicated New Brighton discontinued their relationship with St.
7 Anthony for refueling their vehicles due to them upgrading their Public Works facility, so he
8 wondered how that relationship is established since they are no longer depending on St. Anthony
9 for that. He asked if New Brighton originally contacted St. Anthony for that or did St. Anthony
10 reach out to them and if so, are there nearby municipalities that could take their spot that have
11 been vacated. Ms. Rueckert thought that was on New Brighton's radar for awhile when they
12 expanded their maintenance facility. As far as attracting others, the contracting the City gets for
13 purchasing lets the City save the eighteen cents Federal tax. The reason why it made sense for
14 New Brighton to have that onsite is because they cannot save that eighteen cents a gallon by
15 driving a vehicle back and forth for fueling. More time and labor is lost by bringing New
16 Brighton vehicles to St. Anthony then gaining in gas savings. City Manager Casey indicated
17 New Brighton felt they were getting a good savings by coming to St. Anthony and he was
18 surprised this was not done sooner.
19
20 Councilmember Webster thanked Ms. Rueckert for the presentation, and she thought it was very
21 clear. She noted as a reminder to the residents, the profits from the City's municipal liquor
22 stores come back to essentially lower the City's property tax levy. Ms. Rueckert indicated that
23 was correct.
24
25 B. Ordinance 2020-02 Amending Chapter 91 Animal Control
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27 City Manager Casey reviewed the ordinance with the Council and indicated that this is the
28 second of three readings.
29
30 Councilmember Walker asked for an example of a proper enclosure because there is some
31 objective standard of what it looks like. He assumed the size would vary based on the dog. Mr.
32 Casey indicated the City does not have any plans for a proper enclosure but would be able to
33 provide some guidance. The Statute did define it as "A securely confined indoors or securely
34 enclosed and locked pen or structure. Suitable to prevent an animal from escaping and providing
35 protection from the elements of the dog. A proper enclosure does not include a porch, patio or
36 any part of the house, garage or other structure that would allow a dog to exit on its own volition
37 or any house or structure in which windows are open or in which a door or window screens are
38 the only obstacle that prevents a dog from exiting." He thought there was some interpretation in
39 the Statute and the Chief of Police of designee would come in and check the property.
40
41 Ms. Renee Reed thanked Mr. Casey for answering her questions regarding the proper enclosure
42 and who is going to determine the proper enclosure. She indicated she read the information and
43 wondered in regard to the signs, how many signs did there need to be and what size of the sign
44 would need to be posted on the fence. She also indicated their mail carrier has informed a
45 number of the residents on the street that if the dog is out when the mail carrier is coming to the
46 street, the mail carrier will not deliver mail that day on their street or will try to come back after
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2020
Page 3
1 the route is finished to try to deliver the mail. She wondered if there is an option to designate
2 certain times that the dog cannot be outside in the proper enclosure. Mr. Casey indicated that
3 even if the dog is out it would have to be muzzled and would have to be properly leashed if
4 considered a dangerous dog.
5
6 Ms. Reed explained the mail carrier is talking about if the dog is in the yard in the proper
7 enclosure as well. Mr. Casey thought it might be best to have a staff member contact the post
8 office to make sure they are all on the same page.
9
10 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Webster, to approve second
11 reading of Ordinance 2020-02; an Ordinance Amending Chapter 91 Animal Control.
12
13 Motion carried 5-0.
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15 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
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17 Councilmember Jenson stated he attended the Ramsey County Local League of Governments
18 Executive Board Committee meeting on August 14th. The collective action workgroup has been
19 meeting since the beginning of the year. The workgroup has proposed to focus on mental health
20 initiatives for 2020, with the hope that the team will form a partnership with the NE Youth and
21 Family Services. The executive board is scheduled to meet with them in September. He
22 indicated on August 18th he attended the Metro Cities Exec. Board meeting and discussed State
23 initiatives on livable communities as to how the State grants will be handed out for affordable
24 housing, single family starter homes and grants for home rehabilitation. Also at the meeting a
25 significant amount of time was spent on race and equity and implementation into Civic Policy.
26 A Metro Cities ad hock equity committee of thirteen members is created for one year and will
27 report out at the end of the year, of which he is a member. A process will be recommended or
28 policy committee in apply a race and equity lens for policy development, serve as a format and
29 structure to support the League of Minnesota Cities on race and equity and identify resources,
30 information and best practices for the use by the Metropolitan City Officials and the City's
31 Administrative staff.
32
33 Councilmember Webster stated the St. Anthony Family Services Collaborative met on August
34 12th and at the meeting funding was approved for the community healing circles. She noted
35 more information will be coming out in how the community can participate in that initiative.
36 She noted community members are invited to join Councilmember Jenson and her on Zoom at
37 7:00 p.m., August 26th for Coffee with the Council.
38
39 Councilmember Walker explained starting August 26th he will be moderating a series of
40 discussions titled "Stamped Racism, Anti -Racism and You" and will be going through a book
41 called "Stamped from the Beginning".
42
43 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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45 Mayor Stille invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
46 are not on the regular agenda.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2020
Page 4
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2 Hearing none, Mayor Stille moved forward with the agenda.
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4 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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6 Mayor Stille thanked Mr. Casey for his service to the City and noted he will be moving onto the
7 private sector. He indicated Mr. Casey will be sorely missed. He presented Mr. Casey with a
8 plaque of appreciation from the City.
9
10 Councilmember Webster shared that sometimes their leaders live a few lives and she has the
11 opportunity to know Mr. Casey from about twenty years ago when he was a Community Ed
12 Director and one of the things she recalled is she met Mr. Casey by serving on the Minnesota
13 Community Education Associations Board of Directors. At the time Mr. Casey was in
14 Annandale and she was in Bloomington and after he finished his term of service on the Board
15 she had heard from some of his colleagues on the Board that Mr. Casey actually left the field of
16 Community Ed and was hired by the City of Annandale. She was really sad that they lost such a
17 great leader in Community Ed across the State. Fast forward a few years and it turns out that Mr.
18 Casey was hired as St. Anthony City Manager. She indicated as her time knowing him as a
19 Community Ed Director in Annandale to the time she has had working with him as the City
20 Manager she thought back to how sad she was when he left the field of Community Ed and now
21 as a resident of St. Anthony, how grateful she was that Mr. Casey was the City Manager for the
22 past few years. She stated Mr. Casey helped the City through the most difficult time in the
23 community's history and she will be eternally grateful for his service.
24
25 Councilmember Randle indicated this resignation stings. Integrity is a word that he can say most
26 describes Mr. Casey. He can tell the respect that the City Staff has for him, the Council has for
27 him but most of all, other community leaders have for him. He explained Mr. Casey is very
28 respected throughout, in particular, the league and he wished Mr. Casey luck and to this day he
29 did not know which side of the isle Mr. Casey is on, which in his mind Mr. Casey is doing things
30 the right way. Mr. Casey is serving the community as a whole and serving people the way
31 people should be served. He indicated he will miss Mr. Casey.
32
33 Councilmember Jenson stated nine years ago today as the Council interviewed for the City
34 Manager position, Mark Casey obviously stood out among all other candidates. On behalf of the
35 City he was excited when Mr. Casey accepted the offer. As City Manager, Mr. Casey has
36 proven to be a fine leader and has expanded his talents in many capacities while serving the
37 residents throughout the years. He stated Mr. Casey's decorum in dealing with the staff,
38 Council, media, and the public is consistently professional and personable. Mr. Casey is a
39 strategic thinker and leader through encouragement, mentoring, stressing training, work/life
40 balance and most importantly, leading by example. The Council knows budget planning can be
41 difficult and Mr. Casey has coordinated his staff ensuring the City budgets provide service and
42 cost containment while improving the transparency of the process. He stated Mr. Casey has
43 coordinated several initiatives in light of significant events including Initiating the Government
44 Alliance for Racial Equity's, the Collaborative Reform Initiative, the Body Camera
45 implementation, and push notifications. He thanked Mr. Casey for his dedication and service to
46 the City. Mr. Casey has made a positive difference with all his efforts and commitment. The
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2020
Page 5
1 City wants only the best for him and wish him and his family well as he steps into the next
2 ventures in his life and career.
3
4 Councilmember Walker stated his first encounter with Mr. Casey was when he was
5 campaigning, and he came from behind and shook hands with him and reached out to him in
6 initially a partisan alliance. He stated he really appreciated that. Mr. Casey is a very reserved
7 person but also very personable. Mr. Casey is a source of great knowledge which is a very rate
8 gift. He also does things by the book which is not a negative thing. He thought Mr. Casey has
9 done a very superb job. He indicated from the bottom of his heart; Mr. Casey will be missed.
10
11 Mayor Stille noted due to COVID-19 there will not be any cake or coffee. He also remembered
12 when Mr. Casey was hired. He knew within five minutes into the interview that Mr. Casey was
13 going to be the City Manager. He hope that the City can find someone like Mr. Casey in a new
14 City Manager. He thanked Mr. Casey for putting together a financial roadmap for the City along
15 with Ms. Rueckert. There is no way to extend appreciation for that and getting the City on a plan
16 in order to preserve their infrastructure and take care of the City's assets. Under Mr. Casey's
17 leadership the City became a GreenStep City, not only at the highest level but probably one of
18 the fastest City's to achieve that status. That comes with organized collection. St. Anthony was
19 the first in the State to implement a new Statute that allowed them to organize the garbage
20 haulers, so it is most efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly for the community. The
21 voluntary review of the Police Department by the Department of Justice and as they asked for
22 and implemented best practices as provided by their technical assistance by subject matter
23 experts. Those were excellent foundations for the City's Police Department to grab onto.
24 Finally, Mr. Casey has assembled a solid staff. This staff is going to keep going without Mr.
25 Casey because they are competent, dedicated, and intelligent. All these attributes make Mr.
26 Casey City Manager of the year. He stated the City is going to miss Mr. Casey's dedication,
27 professionalism, his understanding of Government, how he has paid it forward to the youth and a
28 model for his profession. It has been an honor and privilege working with Mr. Casey and
29 everyone is going to miss him and wish him and Laurie the best.
30
31 Mr. Casey thanked the Council for their kind words. He explained it has also been an honor and
32 privilege being the City Manager for St. Anthony Village. He has appreciated this opportunity
33 and was thankful being in a position that has been well supported by the City Council and
34 Mayor. He explained he greatly appreciates this opportunity and has learned a tremendous
35 amount and always look at his years in St. Anthony very fondly and very happy to have this
36 opportunity. He wanted to personally thank Mayor Stille, Councilmember Jenson, Hale Gray
37 Jim Roth, and Jerry Faust because those people were the five that hired him nine years ago. He
38 stated it has been a great ride. He thought staff was amazing and appreciated the Council's
39 support and the community support as well.
40
41 X. ADJOURNMENT.
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43 Mayor Stille adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
44
45 Respectfully submitted,
46 Sue Osbeck
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2020
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