HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC WS PACKET 08272024CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE
WORKSESSION AGENDA
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 5:30PM
Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person.
Minutes
Approval Of CC WS Meeting Minutes
WS 08 -15 -2024.PDF
Worksession Topics
Administrative Fines For Code Violations
Richard Sonterre, City Code Official, presenting.
COVER MEMO.PDF
Renaming Of Salo Park - Discussion Only
Charlie Yunker, City Manager, presenting.
Future Worksession Dates, Times And Agenda Items
Future Agenda Items
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.PDF
Adjournment
If you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City
Clerk at 612 -782 -3313 or email city@savmn.com . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can
contact us by using 711 Relay.
Our Mission is to promote a high quality of life to those we serve through
outstanding city services.
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CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGEWORKSESSION AGENDATuesday, August 27, 2024 at 5:30PMMembers of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person. MinutesApproval Of CC WS Meeting MinutesWS 08 -15 -2024.PDFWorksession TopicsAdministrative Fines For Code ViolationsRichard Sonterre, City Code Official, presenting.COVER MEMO.PDFRenaming Of Salo Park - Discussion OnlyCharlie Yunker, City Manager, presenting.Future Worksession Dates, Times And Agenda ItemsFuture Agenda ItemsFUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.PDFAdjournmentIf you would like to request special accommodations or alternative formats, please contact the City Clerk at 612 -782 -3313 or email city@savmn.com . People who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact us by using 711 Relay.
Our Mission is to promote a high quality of life to those we serve through
outstanding city services.
1.A.Documents:2.A.Documents:B.3.A.Documents:4.
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City of St. Anthony
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Minutes
AUGUST 15, 2024
Present:
Mayor & Council:
Mayor Wendy Webster, Councilmembers Lona Doolan, Jan Jenson, Thomas Randle, and Andrea
Stephens.
Absent:
Staff:
City Manager Charlie Yunker and Finance Director Deborah Maloney.
Call to Order:
Mayor Wendy Webster called the Work Session to order at 5:30 p.m.
1.Approval of CC WS Meeting Minutes
A.July 23, 2024 Council Work Session Meeting Minutes
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve the City Council
Work Session Meeting Minutes of July 23, 2024 as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
2.Work Session Topics
A.Updated Levy Scenarios/Detailed General Fund Budget
Finance Director Deborah Maloney reviewed the Current Levy Summary noting the General Fund Cost
Drivers as follows:
Estimated Union contracts COLA settlements at 3%, plus appropriate market adjustments. Net
impact after use of one-time public safety aid $241,131.
Health Insurance premiums increased 9.1% - estimated for City portion of increase with current
elections $72,925.
Hennepin County Assessor services will be provided with no fees to cities per 2025 JPA, savings
of $82,000 from 2024.
Professional Services. Contracted IT services costs and other contracted services are up $54,400
due to activity levels and anticipated rate increases due to inflation.
Remaining budget items netted to an increase of $32,223.
General Fund Revenue Impacts:
Reflects $921 increase in Local Government Aid.
Base increase of 2025 charges for police services adds revenue of $68,688.
Includes estimated $50,000 increase in excess TIF collections.
Liquor transfer to General Fund remains at $275,000.
HRA, Capital, and Debt Levy Impacts:
HRA Levy remains at the same level as 2024.
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August 15, 2024 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 2
Debt service levy at a zero levy increase.
Infrastructure annual levy increases are consistent with Long Term Capital plans.
Building fund increase of an additional $12,500 to accommodate Solar on Public Buildings
project if approved by Council.
CIP recommended a $30,000 additional increase for the health of the fund balance due to
inflation.
Park Improvements fund levy recommended increase of $15,000 for the health of the fund and
greater ability to fund minor amenity upgrades.
The spreadsheets showing General Fund Revenues Detail, General Fund Expenditures Detail, and
Liquor Operation Cash Position were provided for Council consideration.
Mayor Webster asked about solar on the buildings and their alignment with upgrades to the roof at the
buildings we were looking at. Ms. Maloney stated the public works building was being pushed forward a
year. The CIP would accommodate pushing that forward one year.
Councilmember Randle asked about the park improvement levy increase of $15,000. He asked if that is
part of the pyramid along with the sustainability coordinator position. City Manager Yunker stated the
amount is ramped up every year and will cover park improvements. This will allow the park fund to pay
for lower-level amenities. The Sustainability Coordinator position was for the FTE that was already in
place. This was shifting from one area to another.
Councilmember Jenson asked Ms. Maloney to go over the line items to allow residents watching to hear
the details. He asked about the Police Service additions and that comes from Lauderdale. Ms. Maloney
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Doolan commented on the General Fund Revenues Detail the first line was what the
County tax portion could be. They are planning an 8% increase. She wants to be mindful that this is a
cost of living increase for services. Ms. Maloney stated there are no new programs or services provided.
Councilmember Stephens stated Ramsey County is lower.
Councilmember Randle stated with the sustainability issues we want to implement in the City how can
that be done without an increase? What will need to be cut and what direction will we need to take?
The Climate Action Plan is being implemented. Councilmember Randle stated the money needs to be
prioritized by services and he is trying to tie the two together. He asked where the funds are going and
how we prioritize where the money goes without cutting services. The Assistant to the City Manager
position is included in the budget. There is a gap in the hiring for the position.
Mayor Webster stated the amount of the levy has an impact on resident’s budgets. City Manager Yunker
stated the action item from the Climate Action Plan is through education of residents. Adjustments to
Operations will also be done which includes equipment. Need to determine where to add in electric
vehicles. Solar Panels are through grants and the decision needs to be made whether to own or lease.
The preliminary levy can be decreased but not increased after September.
Councilmember Doolan stated when she was campaigning sustainability is important to the residents
but it needs a return of investment. There is a state grant coming out which Staff is working on. The
amount of return on energy reduction costs will be substantial. Now is the time to invest in solar due to
the State grant availability. Excel Energy is also helping by providing resources.
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August 15, 2024 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 3
Councilmember Stephens stated it is good to hear we are capitalizing on grant monies available.
Councilmember Jenson stated we are just getting started with our sustainability plan. The Coordinator
has been hired and some other small projects are being considered. We do not know the cost yet as the
projects have not been identified.
Mayor Webster stated there are a lot of recommendations on the Climate Action Plan but they are also
flexible.
Councilmember Randle suggested before we go forward, we need to settle down. We need to be
mindful in what we are doing. We can’t do everything that larger cities do. Residents are concerned
about property taxes. We need to be careful where we are spending money and recognize what we can
and cannot do. St. Anthony has good staff that manage the budget well. Services need to be the main
priority.
Mayor Webster asked if Councilmember Randle sees items in the budget that are concerning.
Councilmember Randle stated he does not but doesn’t want it to be in the future.
Councilmember Doolan referred to the liquor operations page. She asked why a lower cash ceiling is
noted for 2025. She asked what the benefits/risks are in doing that. Ms. Maloney stated it was a stress
test and if revenues were to drop how the ending cash balance would be affected. Mr. Yunker stated
this is due to how the business was affected during the pandemic. Improvements need to be made to
the stores. It is unknown how cannabis sales will affect the revenue.
Councilmember Jenson asked Ms. Maloney to review the graph provided. Ms. Maloney stated one line
shows the current rate of revenues along with the ceiling and the floor.
Councilmember Stephens asked what the legend says on the graph as it is very small to read. Mr. Yunker
responded.
Councilmember Doolan stated the opportunity to grow in the liquor operations, noting we need to
invest while achieving some of the sustainability goals. There will be great savings when replacing the
refrigerator with an energy efficient refrigerator.
Mayor Webster stated we are using liquor store revenue to make improvements that will save money in
the long run.
Councilmember Jenson stated it looks like we are going forward in a good state. The projected increase
in levy is in line with other years.
Mayor Webster stated this would be a 4.46% increase to the levy. This cannot be increased but can be
decreased. The counties and school districts are going through a similar process for their levy.
Councilmember Doolan observed when looking at the larger increases, they are in police and fire
services to offer critical services.
Councilmember Jenson commended Ms. Maloney and the Staff on this and how money is being spent.
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August 15, 2024 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 4
Councilmember Doolan stated she appreciates all the work Staff does to find grants.
Mr. Yunker stated a full presentation will be done by Staff at the August 27 City Council meeting. The
4.46% could creep up slightly. We know to keep it below 5%.
Future Work Sessions:
The next Work Session will be held on August 27, 2024, in the Council Chambers.
Future Agenda Items:
There were no future agenda items mentioned.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Wolfe
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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MEMORANDUM
To:City of Saint Anthony Village Parks & Environmental Commission
From:Richard Sonterre, City Code Official
Date:August 27, 2024 City Council Worksession
Request:Lawn Irrigation, Code Compliance Procedures and Administrative Citations
BACKGROUND
An action step in the 2024 Pyramid adopted by the City Council included an action step from the City’s Climate
Plan to review the compliance rate of the City’s watering restrictions and consider fees for non-compliance. In
addition, the City Council agreed to discuss the compliance rate of yard maintenance in the City and if the City’s
compliance efforts are achieving the desired result. This also presents an opportunity to discuss whether non-
compliance fees should be an added step the staff has available to achieve compliance.
Following is a summary of the Parks & Environmental Commission discussion on irrigation, staff’s recent
experience with lawn maintenance issues in the City, and a summary of staff’s approach to gain code
compliance and the option of an administrative fine component for your consideration.
LAWN IRRIGATION
On June 3rd 2024, the Parks & Environmental Committee (PEC) discussed the topic of additional enforcement
and non-compliance fees to the action steps for environmental responsibility, specific to residential lawn
irrigation. After staff presented a very minimal record of non-compliance and no record of either lack of remedy
or repeat offenses, the PEC determined that non-compliance was not a major issue and no changes are
warranted to the current city policy, shown below:
Currently, the city utilizes two primary sets of language to seek public compliance on this issue. First, Section
52.09 of City Code reads:
No person may draw or use the city water system for the purpose of watering lawns or gardens
during any period of emergency as declared under § 52.08, except during the days and hours
permitted. Notice of the emergency and any permitted watering will be given by publication and
posting. At no time may a hose larger than 1 inch in diameter be used from any service pipe
without special permission of the City Council, and upon payment of a fee set forth in Chapter 33
for the water to be used from the special connection.
Additionally, Council Resolution 17-032 further clarifies the specific dates, days and times in which season
irrigation restrictions are to be adhered to, indicating:
• Watering restrictions shall apply each year between April 15th and November 1st
•Residents with an odd house number shall water lawns,when necessary,only on odd-numbered
calendar days and those with even -numbered addresses shall water lawns only on even-
numbered days.
• Lawns shall not be watered between the hours of 11am – 6 pm
•An exception may be granted for recently established lawns.Those lawns may be watered daily
for one year following installation, but only during the hours listed above.
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LAWN AND LANDSCAPE
On 5/24/2022, the city council approved language (Am. Ord 2022-03) approving language within section 151.10,
specific to the inclusion of natural or native vegetation, included below:
(E) Yard cover. Every yard of premises on which a dwelling stands must be covered by lawns and/or
ground cover of vegetation, gardens, hedges, shrubbery, or related decorative materials and must
be maintained. Once an area has been converted to turf grass, the land owner shall not allow the
turf grass to exceed the height of six inches or be allowed to go to seed. No land owner may permit
or maintain on the land any growth of weeds, grass, brush, or other rank vegetation to exceed the
height of six inches, any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush, or any noxious weeds or
plants as defined by the State Department of Agriculture. Gardens (pollinator, vegetable, flower,
rock, and the like) are permitted types of yard cover, and must be maintained and not encroach on
other property or the right-of-way.
(1) Any natural or native grass vegetation exceeding six inches shall not be any closer to a
fire source than 25 feet.
(2) Setback requirements for surfaces covered by native vegetation and/or pollinator
gardens shall be a minimum of three feet from a side yard property line. No vegetative
growth greater than 12 inches in height five feet from any public roadway adjacent to
the front yard, and for corner houses, a public roadway adjacent to the side yard.
To facilitate the transition of this newly approved option to traditional yard cover, staff, working with
Community Services, hosted two courses specific to the process and commitment required for a healthy native
and natural landscape. Additional content was provided on the creation and benefits of pollinator friendly
species within these spaces. Since this change occurred many residents have made alterations to their
traditional turf grass spaces and this has been accompanied by a certain amount of confusion within the
community regarding the legitimacy of the native and natural species and opinions on the change. The
remainder of the code specific to traditional turf grass remained as it was.
Since making native and natural spaces allowable, there have been few locations in which directed research into
potential code violations have yielded issues of non-compliance. The most common conversations with
residents have been over the need to place a commitment on the continued maintenance of these spaces,
specifically the need to remove weeds and unintended vegetation. The code has setback requirements from
property lines and from the curbline. More conversations over the need to keep species exceeding height
setback limits have been necessary more than any other relating to these native and natural spaces.
CODE COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
The City’s approach to code compliance is an endeavor to balance enforcement of the city code as written and
intended by the City Council with consideration for reasonableness for the conditions around each situation that
may at times indicate compliance is unable to be achieved or overly burdensome to achieve strict compliance.
Staff works to educate residents on compliance standards and assist with compliance when possible.
Through both proactive monitoring and being directed to specific locations reported by residents, staff identifies
locations which are non-compliant and depending on the severity of the problem or giving consideration to
factors which may have prevented compliance, the location is set for a recheck or an attempt to speak with the
property owner is made. When personal contact cannot be made, an informational flyer with the specific
section causing the violation(s) highlighted is left.
Should the council wish to institute a process of incorporating administrative citations (fines) for violations of
the city policy on residential lawn irrigation, or other violations of code, at what point in the process of seeking
remedy should an administrative citation be issued?
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To help better understand the current process used, the steps in seeking remedy are shown below:
1)Attempt to contact homeowner or renter and identify the violation and discuss aspects of
remedy. If contact is not made, an informational flyer identifying the violation(s) is left,
often with a written note and invitation to contact me. Document in Caselle [records
management system].
2)Recheck location for remedy, usually 2 to 7 days later. Document in Caselle.
3)Attempt to contact homeowner. Document in Caselle.
4)Attempt to contact homeowner. Document in Caselle.
5)Write letter to property owner highlighting the violation(s) and invite them to contact me to
discuss the violations or reasons for not being able to remedy. Document in Caselle.
6)Recheck location for remedy, usually 2 to 7 days later. Document in Caselle.
7)Recheck location for remedy, usually 2 to 7 days later. Document in Caselle.
8)Letter sent from Fire Chief asking for either remedy or contact to discuss
9)Recheck location for remedy, usually 2 to 7 days later. Document in Caselle.
10)Based upon type and severity of violation, letter sent from city attorney informing property
owner as to the city’s options for criminal or civil actions to seek compliance to the city code.
Document in Caselle.
11)Recheck location for remedy. Document in Caselle.
12)Repeat #11 until it is determined the city council should be involved to consider legal action.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS
Staff does find an administrative citation to be a reasonable option for use in circumstances in which
steps 1-9 have been unsuccessful, ahead of seeking court ordered remedy. Additionally, discussion
may be needed on the timeline in which administrative citations might be applied to repeat offenders
versus first time unresolved violations.
DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR COUNCIL FEEDBACK
Below are the specific items for discussion and feedback for staff:
•Comments and thoughts on the staff’s Code Compliance approach
•Administrative citations for one or more types of violations
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Date Type Staff Present
September 10 Work
Session Police Services Contract Exploration Update
City Council
City Manager
City Planner
September 10 Regular
Commissioner MaryJo McGuire Presentation
Planning Commission items from August
2024 Preliminary Operating Budget and Debt Levy‐PUBLIC HEARING
Students in Leadership‐Consent
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
Engineer
September 17 Joint Work
Session
Active Transportation Planning (Joint with Planning and PEC)
Grand Rounds Missing Link (Mpls Park and Rec)
City Council
City Manager
City Planner
September 24 Regular
Spirit of St. Anthony Award
Fire Prevention Presentation
Approve Union Contracts
City Council
City Manager
Police Dept
Fire Dept
October 8 Work
Session
2024 Long Term Capital Budget Plans
City Facilities Discussion
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
October 8Regular
Preliminary Certification of Delinquent Waste Hauler Accounts‐Consent Agenda
Preliminary Certification of Delinquent Utility Accounts‐Consent Agenda
Planning Commission items from September
Approval of Sale of Bonds
City Council
City Manager
October 15 Work
Session Rental Housing Ordinances
City Council
City Manager
City Planner
October 22 Work
Session Requirements for EV charging for new multi‐family projects
City Council
City Manager
City Planner
October 22 Regular
Quarterly Donations & Grants
Quarterly Goals Update
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
November 12 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
November 12 Regular
Planning Commission items from October
1st Reading Water, Sewer, & Stormwater‐PUBLIC HEARING
Presentation on Water and Sewer Rates
Canvass election results
Approval of CIP
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
November 18 Work
Session Commission Interviews City Council
City Manager
November 26 Regular
Fire Prevention Poster Winners
2nd Reading and Adoption Water, Sewer, & Stormwater
Street Project Approve Plans & Specifications, Authorize Advertisement for Bids
Union Contracts
City Council
City Manager
December 10 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
2024
FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS 11
Date Type Staff Present
FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS
December 10 Regular
Planning Commission items from November
Appoint Parks and Planning Commissioners and Chair/Vice Chairs
Setting Salary of City Manager
Authorizing Transfers & Closing of Specified Funds
Setting the 2025 City & HRA Budgets and Final Property Tax Levy ‐PUBLIC HEARING
2025 Fee Schedule
MS4
Quarterly Goals update
Final reading and adoption of water, sewer, & stormwater
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
December 25 Regular
January 14 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
January 14 Regular
Planning Commission items from December
Housekeeping Resolutions
Resolution for the Street Improvement Bond Reimbursement
Quarterly Donations & Grants
NYFS Agreement
Outside Orgs‐Council
Students in Government Presentation
City Council
City Manager
January 28 Regular
Public Works Snow Plowing Operations presentation City Council
City Manager
PW Director
February 11 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
February 11 Regular
Police Chief Swearing‐In
Planning Commission items from January
Public Hearing‐2025 Budget Calendar and Process
2025 Planning Commission Work Plan‐ (motion only)
2025 Parks and Environmental Commission Work Plan‐ (motion only)
Administration Annual Report
Liquor License Renewals (Consent Agenda)
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
February 25 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
February 25 Regular
Water Conservation Poster Winners
Adoption of Strategic Plan
Liquor Annual Report
City Council
City Manager
Liquor Op Manager
March 11 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
March 11 Regular
Planning Commission Items from February
Public Works Annual Report
City Council
City Manager
Public Works Director
March 25 Regular
Police Annual Report
Call for Public Hearing on Road Improvements and Assessments
Order the Preparation of Assessments
City Council
City Manager
Police Dept
WSB
2025
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Date Type Staff Present
FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS
April 8 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
April 8Regular
Planning Commission Items from March
Quarterly Donations & Grants
Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando
Fire Annual Report
Arbor Day Proclamation
Earth Day Proclamation
Quarterly Goals Update
City Council
City Manager
Fire Dept
April 22 Regular
Finance Annual Report
Insurance Renewal & Tort Limits‐ Consent
Road Improvements and Assessments‐ PUBLIC HEARING
Villager of the Year and Business of the Year
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
WSB
May 13 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
May 13 Regular Planning Commission items from April
City Council
City Manager
June 10 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
June 10 Regular
Planning Commission Items from May
Authorize preparation of feasibility study for 2026 street project
City Council
City Manager
June 24 Work
Session Discuss Initial Debt Levy/Updated Street Improvement Plan
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
June 24 Regular
City Council
City Manager
July 9 Work
Session 2026 Initial Property Tax Levy Scenarios
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
July 9Regular
Planning Commission items from June
Quarterly Donations & Grants
Audit Report
Quarterly Goals Update
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
Police Chief
July 22 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
Police Chief
July 22 Regular
Liquor Operations Mid Year Report
VillageFest Presentation
Night to Unite Presentation
Night to Unite Proclamation
City Council
City Manager
Liquor Op Mgr
Police Chief
August 12 Work
Session Discuss Updated Levy Scenarios/Detailed General Fund Budget
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
August 12 Regular Planning Commission items from July
Approve 2025 Feasibility Study and Order Plans and Specs
City Council
City Manager
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Date Type Staff Present
FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS
August 26 Work
Session
City Council
City Manager
City Planner
August 26 Regular 2026 Proposed Budget & Levy Presentation
City Council
City Manager
Finance Director
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