HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 01112022I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 JANUARY 11, 2022
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
6 Mayor Stille called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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10 Mayor Stille invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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12 ROLL CALL.
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14 Present: Mayor Stille, Councilmembers Jenson, Randle, Walker and Webster.
15 Absent: None
16 Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker
17 Guests:
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19 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
20 ITEMS.
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22 I. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 11, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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24 Motion by Councilmember Webster, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve the City
25 Council Meeting Agenda of January 11, 2022 as revised.
26 Motion carried 5-0.
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28 Motion by Councilmember Webster, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to add a discussion
29 item prior to Information and Announcements — Steps the City Council can take to ensure the
30 health of our First Responders who live and work in St. Anthony.
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32 Mayor Stille stated he believes this is already being done.
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34 Councilmember Jenson stated he checked on the website to see what the City of Edina is doing
35 and weekly, their leadership team contacts the Minnesota Department of Health and Hennepin
36 County Emergency Management Group. He suggested this could be done by St. Anthony, if
37 desired.
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39 Motion carried 5-0.
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41 11. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
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43 A. Swearing in of Councilmember Jan Jenson
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45 City Manager Yunker administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember Jan Jensen.
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47 B. Swearing in of Councilmember Wendy Webster
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49 City Manager Yunker administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember Wendy Webster
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2022
Page 2
2 C. Water Conservation Poster Contest Winners.
4 City Manager Yunker presented the Water Conservation Poster Contest Winners as:
5 1' Place — Hazel Melancon — 4d' Grade Wilshire Elementary
6 2"d Place — Ceci Dallmeyer — 4 h Grade Wilshire Elementary — present at the meeting.
7 3`d Place — Louise Hieserich — 4d' Grade Wilshire Elementary — present at the meeting.
8 Runner Up — Bernie Urdahl — Yd Grade St Charles
10 Photographs were taken with the two winners present with Mayor Stille
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III.
CONSENT AGENDA.
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A. Approve December 14, 2021, Council meeting minutes.
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B. Licenses and permits.
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C. Claims.
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D. Resolution 22-001 — Accepting Donations and Grants for the 4' Quarter of 2021
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E. Resolution 22-002 — Approving Participation in Ovioid Litigation Settlements
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F. Resolution 22-003 — Designating Bernard Walker as Mayor Pro-Tem for the Calendar
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Year 2022.
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G. Resolution 22-004 — Authorizing the Mayor City Manager and Finance Director to Make
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Certain Financial Transactions Regarding City Financial Accounts
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H. Resolution 22-005 — Designating US Bank. N.A. of St Anthony Village as the Official
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Depository for City Funds for the Calendar Year 2022
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I. Resolution 22-006 — Designating the Star Tribune the Legal Newspaper for the City of
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St. Anthony Village for the Calendar Year 2022.
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J. Resolution 22-007 — Adopting the Standing Rules of Conduct for City Council Meetings
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for 2022.
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K. Resolution 22-008 — Adopting the Elected Officials Travel Policy for 2022
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L. Resolution 22-009 — Designating Steve Carlson of Hedbeck Arendt and Carlson as the
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Prosecuting Attorney for the City of St. Anthony Village for 2022
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M. Resolution 22-010 — Street improvement Bond Reimbursement
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34
Mayor Stille reviewed the consent agenda items, adding detail to some of the items.
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Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Walker, to approve the Consent
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Agenda items.
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Motion carried 5-0.
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IV.
PUBLIC HEARING — NONE.
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V.
REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF — NONE.
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VI.
GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2022
Page 3
A. 4`h Quarter Goals Update
City Manager Yunker reviewed the Strategic Initiatives for Environmental Stewardship, Quality
Infrastructure, Robust Technology, Quality Housing & Commercial/Industrial Businesses,
Welcoming "Village", and Safe, Sound & Progressive Community goals and provided the 4'
Quarter Updates.
8 Mayor Stille stated this is the product of 3 days of work at the beginning of 2021. This will be
9 done again in 2022.
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11 VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
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13 Councilmember Walker had no report.
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15 Councilmember Jenson had no report.
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17 Councilmember Randle stated January 5, 2022 he attended the Sports Boosters meeting.
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19 Councilmember Webster stated to prepare for the goals setting session, she has outlined some of
20 the themes she heard from residents while door -knocking this Fall.
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22 The City Manager had no report.
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24 Mayor Stille stated he attended the Mississippi Water Management Organization meeting earlier
25 today. A recruiting firm was hired to find the executive director replacement. On January 10,
26 2022, he and the City Manager attended the Regional Council of Mayors Meeting. The
27 consensus of the meeting is that there is a great need for affordable housing and all housing. The
28 second part of the meeting focused on crime.
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30 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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32 A. Steps the City Council can take to Ensure the Health of our First Responders who Live
33 and Work in St. Anthony.
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35 Councilmember Webster stated currently the Omicron virus is highly contagious and is affecting
36 first responders and many others. She asked for Council discussion to determine what the City
37 Council can do to provide support to our first responders short term to help ensure the health of
38 people in our community. Councilmember Webster asked what might be some options that can
39 be taken such as having a mask mandate in St. Anthony through the end of January.
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41 Mayor Stille stated we are nearly two years in the pandemic and a good job has been done on
42 education and endorsing practices. Mayor Stille stated he is not really prepared to speak to this as
43 it was added to the agenda this evening.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2022
Page 4
1 City Manager Yunker stated the City's communication channels have been used to communicate
2 CDC guidance and the importance of remaining diligent especially through this recent Omicron
3 virus. He stated another video could be done or communication through the website.
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5 Councilmember Randle asked what can be done from a healthcare facility standpoint. What can
6 be done to stress to the facilities about wearing a mask and to take COVID seriously and they are
7 affecting the lives of other people. This has been on his mind for a while and he doesn't know
8 how to address it. He has noticed some of the healthcare facilities are lax in wearing masks.
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10 Councilmember Webster stated she appreciates Councilmember Randle's perspective. Within the
11 community, there are vulnerable residents and how can we ensure those that care for vulnerable
12 residents can help each other. She noted that as staff becomes ill, some vulnerable residents will
13 not be cared for adequately.
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15 Mayor Stille asked if it is the City's responsibility to govern actions in facilities. Councilmember
16 Randle stated probably not but he was just trying to think of ways to encourage people to
17 practice safely, noting the City cannot monitor as to how people are taken care of in a facility.
18 Councilmember Randle stated he wished there was more the City could do to make them
19 comply.
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21 Councilmember Walker stated Omicron will most likely peak out in February. Many people
22 think once they have the booster the sky is the limit. A video could provide the actual facts for
23 people when dealing with Omicron. He asked Councilmember Webster to speak more about the
24 mandate.
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26 Councilmember Webster stated she is thinking about the data on community transmission which
27 creates illness among our front workers. She suggested a short-term mask mandate to try to keep
28 the City's essential personnel as healthy as possible.
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30 Councilmember Jenson asked how a City-wide mandate would be created and how would it be
31 enforced. Councilmember Webster stated on stores in Northeast Minneapolis, there are signs that
32 state masks are required. She suggested asking the community to mask -up and stay home if they
33 are sick. Mayor Stille stated asking is okay but a mandate that isn't enforced eliminates the need
34 for a mandate.
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36 Councilmember Walker stated if he sees a sign that a mask is recommended versus a mask
37 required sign is taken more seriously, noting there seems to be a more morale obligation.
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39 Councilmember Jenson asked whose job is it to communicate that to the City-wide
40 organizations.
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42 Mayor Stille asked Mr. Yunker his thoughts about enforcement. Mr. Yunker stated enforcement
43 would be difficult as the City leans on voluntary compliance and education is normally done. He
44 agreed a message of recommended versus required is different. Staff could possibly visit a
45 facility and recommend and educate.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2022
Page 5
I Mayor Stille stated at the Regional Council of Mayors, it was indicated that other cities have
2 been discussing this. As of now, just Minneapolis and St. Paul have taken steps of mandating.
4 Councilmember Randle stated he would be in favor of whatever would get the word out whether
5 it is education or communication. He agrees it would be problematic for enforcement. Anything
6 the Council comes up with he would be fine with whether it be education or re-education.
8 Mayor Stille stated a video has been done and it was a lot of work. If Council thinks it would
9 really help he would be willing to do it.
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I I Councilmember Webster suggested mandating masks in all City -owned facilities. Mr. Yunker
12 stated in the Liquor Stores staff wears masks and it is recommended that patrons wear masks.
13 We are in compliance with the CDC. Councilmember Webster stated there could still be a focus
14 on education and at the same time putting signs on doors as required rather than recommended.
15 If the Council is not in favor of something community wide it could be modeled in the City-
16 owned facilities.
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18 Councilmember Walker stated since the pandemic there have been inconsistencies where
19 personnel have not worn masks. The education component and what can be augmented to add to
20 the education. He thinks it would be a good idea to do that.
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22 Councilmember Jenson thinks from a mandate standpoint, who is supposed to enforce it. It may
23 end up as the City and we do not want our police force to be chasing after someone for not
24 wearing a mask. If we were to mandate it for three weeks, it will take businesses a long time to
25 be compliant.
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27 Councilmember Walker stated issuing a mandate in public buildings would not be a big deal. He
28 is not as concerned about enforcement as he is about communicating. If someone sees a sign that
29 shows masks required he believes the majority of people would comply.
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31 Mayor Stille stated he is not prepared to debate this, draft a resolution, noting we are here to
32 discuss this and he is not suggesting any action be taken tonight. Mr. Yunker stated he did not
33 want to suggest people would be chased down for people not wearing a mask. It is more about
34 staff time to address telephone calls and the time responding to the call. This would add to their
35 call volume. Masks in public facilities is straight forward. If someone comes to a public meeting
36 without a mask, would they be turned away? Staff could do a video rather quickly.
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38 Mayor Stille stated he does not know the unintended consequences would be.
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40 Councilmember Walker stated he was not thinking about staff responding to calls. People who
41 want to do the right thing will wear a mask when a sign says required. There would be a benefit
42 to mandating in public facilities and some will not wear a mask and staff will not address that.
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44 Councilmember Webster stated if someone comes to a public meeting and won't wear a mask,
45 there are other avenues that people can participate in City Meetings. She asked Council for their
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2022
Page 6
1 thoughts on mandating in City -owned businesses. Mayor Stifle stated he would like to speak
2 with City Staff and first responders to see if they feel they need protection.
3
4 Councilmember Jenson agreed to get input from the City Staff department leads to get their
5 opinions. Mr. Yunker stated all Emergency Managers contact the CDC often to get updates.
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7 Councilmember Webster asked Council to think about preparing for some staff shortages and
8 how to deal with them. Mayor Stille stated that is something the City Manager will deal with and
9 let the Council know if their help is needed. City Manager Yunker can speak with the
10 Emergency Managers to get their opinions. Mayor Stille stated he could call a State of
11 Emergency but every day we see updates on the news about Omicron. This can also be discussed
12 during goal setting.
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14 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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16 There were none.
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18 X. ADJOURNMENT.
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20 Mayor Stille adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
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22
23 Respectfully submitted,
24 Debbie Wolfe
25 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
26
27 /ayo
28 ATTEST:
29 City Clerk
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