HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 09232025F
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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
I. CALL TO ORDER.
Mayor Webster called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Webster invited the Council and audience to join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL.
Present: Mayor Webster, Councilmembers Lona Doolan and Jan Jenson.
Absent: Councilmembers Nadia Elnagdy and Thomas Randle.
Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello, Fire Chief
Diaz, Deputy Fire Chief Mattie Jaros, and City Planner Stephen Grittman.
Others Present: None.
CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE
FOLLOWING ITEMS.
IV. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve the City
Council Meeting Agenda of September 23, 2025, as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
A. Fire Prevention Presentation.
Deputy Fire Chief Mattie Jaros reviewed a PowerPoint titled Annual Fire Prevention
Presentation. The presentation included Fire Prevention Week History, St. Anthony Fire
Prevention Program, 2025 Fire Prevention Week Theme, What is a Lithium Ion Battery, Safety
Tips, When to Stop Using Lithium Ion Batteries, and Annual Fire Department Open House. Fire
Prevention Week is October 5-11, 2025. The St. Anthony Annual Fire Department Open House
will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 3505 Silver Lake Road NE.
Councilmember Doolan asked if batteries that are just sitting around impose a risk, and Deputy
Fire Chief Jaros stated they should be stored in a cool place, and there are some risks without
them being on a charger.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2025
Page 2
2 A. Approve September 9, 2025, Council Meeting Minutes.
3 B. License and Permits.
4 C. Claims.
5 D. Resolution 25-059 Approving Summary Publication for Ordinance 2025-03.
6 E. Resolution 25-060 — Approving a Combination of Lots and Waivingthe he Requirements
7 for Plattine.
8 F. Resolution — Ap_provin� a Contract Agreement for Police Services with the Cityf
9 Lauderdale.
10 G. Students in Leadership._
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12 Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the Consent
13 Agenda items.
14
15 Motion carried 3-0.
16
17 VII. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE.
18
19 VIII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
20
21 A. Ordinance 2025-05 — An Ordinance Amending the City Code, Sections 152 and 154,
22 Related to Licensing and Regulations for Rentingof f Single -Family Detached Housing
23 and Ordinance 2025-06 — An Ordinance Amending the City Code, Section 152, Related
24 to Licensing and Regulations for Rentine of Sinale-Familv Housing.
W
26 City Planner Grittman reviewed the City Council, which considered the first reading of two
27 ordinances related to the regulation of the rental of single-family dwellings and licensing of all
28 residential rentals in August. Following that discussion, the Council tabled action to have further
29 discussion at a work session held on September 9, 2025. At the work session, the Council's
30 discussion coalesced around accommodating a tightly limited allowance for the continuation of
31 certain short-term rental single-family homes.
32
33 Ordinance 2025-05 — The first ordinance 2025-05 updates the draft ordinance related to caps on
34 licenses and the short-term provisions noted. The redlined portion of the new language changes
35 from existing code, while the yellow highlights are those sections added since the original first
36 reading.
37
38 The language proposed in this ordinance retains the general prohibition of short-term rentals, but
39 creates an exception that permits licensed rental houses, operating as short-term rental units, and
40 located on property directly adjacent to the owner's homestead property, to continue operating as
41 a short-term rental unit, including the opportunity to renew licenses on the standard annual basis.
42
43 The new language adds clauses that require termination of the short-term allowance when the
44 owner no longer lives on the homestead property, sells the short-term rental property to another
45 ownership, or converts the property to long-term rental. The language also requires full ongoing
46 compliance with all Section 152 licensing requirements.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2025
Page 3
2 The ordinance language does not refer to or allow existing short-term rentals that cannot meet
3 these requirements. Those parcels must either convert to long-term rental no later than the time
4 of renewal of their licenses, or if currently unlicensed, apply for a long-term rental license and
5 operate in compliance with those requirements.
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One other section was modified based on the Council's discussion, relating to the potential
exceptions to the overall single-family rental cap. Council expressed concern over a lack of
definition of the hardship clause. While there is going to be some subjectivity to this
determination, the additional language is intended to create some boundaries around a request for
a waiver from the cap. The exception would be in play only if a homeowner were unable to
continue to occupy their homestead but wished to retain ownership during an interim period,
renting out the home during that temporary period, and if the maximum number of single-family
home rentals had been reached in that neighborhood.
Ordinance 2025-06 — The second ordinance, 2025-06, is administrative in nature and is intended
to supplement Section 152 (Rental Housing) but is more generally applied to all rental housing in
the community. Section 152 is proposed to be amended by adding several more specific
definitions and process requirements. No changes have been made to this draft since the prior
reading.
Mr. Grittman noted that the Staff recommends approval of the first reading of Ordinance 2025-
05 and Ordinance 2025-06, if the drafts are found to accurately reflect the Council's direction.
Councilmember Jenson stated that the Council has gone through this several times, and he would
be in favor of approving.
Councilmember Doolan stated she also would be in favor of approving First Reading.
Mayor Webster asked about the short-term rentals that were licensed through the City; those that
do not have a rental license will not be able to use the property as a rental. On June 30, those
who have had a license would continue until June 30, when they would need to apply for
renewal. A license would have had to be in effect by September 9, 2025.
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve First
Reading of Ordinance 2025-05 — Ordinance Amending the City Code, Sections 152 and 154,
Related to Licensing and Regulations for Renting of Single -Family Detached Housing.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve First
Reading of Ordinance 2025-06 — An Ordinance Amending the City Code, Section 152, Related
to Licensing and Regulations for Renting of Single -Family Housing_
Motion carried 3-0.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2025
Page 4
2 IX. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
4 1. Ordinance 2025-04 — An Ordinance Amending Section 91 of the Cite Code Regulating
5 the Keeping and Licensing of Dangerous Dogs.
6
7 City Planner Grittman presented a proposed draft of revised regulations related to Dangerous
8 Dogs for a second reading. The ordinance is intended to strengthen the City's ability to address
9 licensing and identification of dogs that have been identified as dangerous and potentially
10 dangerous, and incorporates relevant state law in this regard.
11
12 The draft modifies the ordinance language slightly from the first reading, clarifying that all dates
13 related to notice of a seized animal will be a consistent 14 days, based on the City Council's
14 review of the original version as discussed at the Council's September 9 meeting.
15
16 Staff recommends approval of this 2nd reading of Ordinance 2025-04. Any final modifications
17 will be reflected in the 3rd reading of the Ordinance at an upcoming meeting.
18
19 Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve 2nd
20 Reading of Ordinance 2025-04 — An Ordinance Amending Section 91 of the City Code
21 Regulating the Keeping and Licensing of Dangerous Dogs.
22
23 Motion carried 3-0.
24
25 X. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
26
27 Assistant City Manager Morello provided an update on the Active Transportation Plan. Input can
28 be obtained from residents during engagement events or online on the City's website. Jill Speidel
29 started work in the City as the new Human Resources Coordinator. She is a St. Anthony resident.
30
31 Councilmember Doolan stated that on September 18, she attended the NETCAPS Meeting and
32 the Met Council Land Use Advisory Commission Meeting. On September 18, she attended the
33 League of Women Voters showing of Plastic People. She participated as a panel member. On
34 September 19, she met with the Hayden Grove manager regarding composting.
35
36 Councilmember Jenson stated on September 11 that he participated in the Ramsey County Local
37 League of Governments Climate Action Working Group Subcommittee. On September 12, he
38 attended the Ramsey County Local League of Governments Program Meeting. Also on
39 September 12, he attended the Ramsey County Local League of Governments Board Meeting.
40 On September 17, he attended a Northeast Youth and Family Services Board Finance Committee
41 Meeting. On September 22, he attended the Active Transportation Plan presentation.
42
43 Mayor Webster stated she is working with City Manager Yunker to schedule community
44 engagement sessions on the Fire Department Staffing recommendations. She attended the
45 September 22 Active Transportation Plan presentation.
46
'City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2025
Page 5
1 XI. COMMUNITY FORUM.
2
3 Ms. Michelle Gross, Communities United for Police Brutality, raised a concern about a particular
4 St. Anthony family. A lack of service is the reverse of police brutality. This family has
5 experienced a lack of service. They have had issues with some of their neighbors trespassing on
6 their yard. When they try to get police services, the police come, and trouble comes to them.
7 They are not comfortable in their own home. They face ongoing harassment from their
8 neighbors.
9
10 Ms. Bibi Neuman wants to speak about the overregulation of property owner rights and how the
11 code in St. Anthony is being applied differentially to residents. She is being unfairly targeted and
12 does not feel safe. She has lived in her home since 2016 and made the choice to keep her
13 household private. That decision marked her as an undesirable property owner and opened the
14 door to harassment that is not addressed equally according to the City Code. She has three dogs,
15 which many communities feel is reasonable. She has been reported as having too many dogs and
16 false accusations of dog bites. The process denied her a fair path to appeal to the City Council.
17 She is forced into a position where allegations pile up and due process is withheld. She has
18 continued to receive harassment and assaults. Her home has been vandalized, shot with pellets,
19 and her family has been subjected to offensive language, theft, and intimidation. She has video
20 evidence, but when she asks for accountability, she is told to take it to civil court. That is not
21 how similar matters are handled for other homeowners. There is one process for some and a
22 different process for her. This is not ok. It is not inclusive, it is not safe, or just. Her family has
23 the right to live here. She is asking for equal treatment. Everyone has the right to safety, dignity,
24 and fairness in this community.
25
26 Mr. Shola appeared in support of Bibi Neuman. He lived in St. Anthony and was subject to
27 harassment every single day. He was being monitored. His daily schedule was school, work, and
28 church. He would rather be homeless than rent that house. It is a white neighborhood, and he was
29 the only black person. He called for help. Everyone wants to live in peace. He would like a good
30 neighborhood. He chose to live in his car.
31
32 XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
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34 A. Future Agenda Items
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36 The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on October 14, 2025.
37
38 XIII. ADJOURNMENT.
39
40 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to adjourn the meeting.
41
42 Motion carried 3-0.
43
44 The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
45
46
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2025
Page 6
1 Respectfully submitted,
2 Debbie Wolfe
3 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
4
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8 ATTEST: Nkj�Av
9 6ty Clerk
10
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Mayor