HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 021020261
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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRURARY 10, 2026
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 him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL.
Present: Mayor Webster, Doolan, Jenson, and Elnagdy
Absent: Randle
Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello, Finance
Director Deborah Maloney, and Sustainability Coordinator Minette Saulog
CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS.
IV. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 10, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
Council Meeting Agenda of February 10, 2026.
Motion carried 4-0.
V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS — NONE.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Approve January 27 2026 Council meeting minutes.
B. Licenses and permits.
C. Claims.
D. Resolution 26 018 Acc pting And Approving The Grant Agreement Between The City
Of Saint Anthony Village And Metropolitan Council Environmental Services For The
Improvement Of Privately Owned Infrastructure (MCES Agreement No. SG-26117).
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Elnagdy, to approve the
Consent Agenda items.
Motion carried 4-0.
VI. PUBLIC HEARING.
A. 2027 Budget Calendar and Budget Calendar Process.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2026
Page 2
Finance Director Maloney highlighted the goals set in the 2026 goal -setting session and
reviewed the budget calendar with the Council, indicating the different steps within the budget
process. She provided additional information on the overall levy by fund type, general fund
revenue, and general fund expenditures for 2026.
Mayor Webster opened the public hearing.
Dr. Bibi Neumann commented that this is a lovely presentation, which includes a timeline and
provides information, but noted that it lacks specificity. She asked for more information on the
mentioned allocation for the HRA.
A resident recognized that about 40 percent of the budget is allocated to the police and asked for
more information on those expenditures.
Mayor Webster confirmed that 42 percent of the budget is allocated to the police. She noted
that, typically for a city, 82 percent of the budget is allocated towards personnel. She stated that
staff could follow up with the resident on the specific expenses within that department.
Dr. Neumann asked if that information could be posted publicly for everyone to see.
Mayor Webster noted that within the budget calendar, she noticed that eight of those meetings
are public hearings and acknowledged that three of those are public hearings, which provide a lot
of opportunity for residents to provide input throughout the process.
Councilmember Doolan appreciated the transparency in the schedule and believed that it
provides a clear outline of the topics that will be discussed and identifies opportunities for public
comments. She commented that this process worked well this last year and was glad to see it
continuing.
Councilmember Jenson stated that this is the plan to go forward and develop the budget and
recognized that it is a lengthy process.
Councilmember Elnagdy thanked the Finance Director for her presentation.
Mayor Webster closed the public hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Elnagdy, to approve the 2027
budget calendar and process.
VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
A. 2026 Plannin, Commission Work Plan.
Motion carried 4-0.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2026
Page 3
1 Mayor Webster stated that in the goal -setting session, the Council outlined the goals for the City,
2 recognizing the work that the commissions do towards those items as well.
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4 City Manager Yunker stated that each Commission works to identify priorities for the coming
5 year and presented the items within the Planning Commission Work Plan.
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7 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the 2026
8 Planning Commission Work Plan.
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10 Motion carried 4-0.
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12 B. 2026 Parks & Environmental Commission Work Plan.
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14 City Manager Yunker presented the items within the Parks and Environmental Commission
15 Work Plan.
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17 Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Mayor Webster, to approve the 2026 Parks &
18 Environmental Commission Work Plan.
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20 Motion carried 4-0.
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22 IX. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
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24 A. Resolution 26-019 — Affirming Council Stance on Community Safety. Inclusion, and
25 Immigration.
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27 Mayor Webster and the members of the Council read the draft resolution aloud.
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29 City Manager Yunker reviewed the resolution with the Council and indicated that ??
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31 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Resolution
32 26-019 affirming Council's stance on Community Safety, Inclusion, and Immigration.
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34 Motion carried 4-0.
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36 Mayor Webster invited resident input.
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38 Dr. Neumann referenced a statement made earlier that the most vulnerable residents do not want
39 a separation ordinance because it increases risks to the community. She stated that if that is the
40 case, she asked for the risk assessment that supports the conclusion. She noted that the
41 resolution acknowledges "verifiable, visible increases" in enforcement activity and recognizes
42 fear and dissolution of trust. She asked that the information showing that codification would
43 cause harm, the City should provide that, if not, the City should be cautious of using that
44 language.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2026
Page 4
1 B. Resolution 26-020 — Authorizing, Use of Funds to Respond to Impacts From Federal
2 Immigration Enforcement During Operation Metro Surge.
4 Mayor Webster stated that this item was discussed at the worksession last week, where they
5 discussed how they could assist residents who are most impacted.
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7 -City Manager Yunker reviewed the resolution with the Council and provided more information
8 on the allocation of funds that would assist if a resident's vehicle was left abandoned in the
9 roadway as a result of detainment. He noted that this would create a tool that could be reviewed
10 and amended in the future if needed.
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12 Mayor Webster and the Council read the draft resolution aloud.
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14 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Resolution
15 26-020 to authorize the use of $15,000 to subsidize towing and storage fees for residents targeted
16 during Operation Metro Surge.
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18 Motion carried 4-0.
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20 C. Active Transportation Plan
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22 Sustainability Coordinator Minette Saulog reviewed the process that was followed over the last
23 year to develop the plan and explained how the planning document is used going forward. She
24 provided an overview of the plan and the different sections within which identify different goals,
25 recommendations, and implementation steps. She reviewed the key takeaways and identified the
26 next steps.
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28 Councilmember Jenson commented that he likes the emphasis on safe routes to schools.
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30 Councilmember Elnagdy asked for more information on complete streets and neighborhood
31 traffic calming. Assistant City Manager Morello provided additional information on a complete
32 streets policy, which provides design principles that adhere to the different stratification of
33 roadways. She stated that neighborhood traffic calming would be a targeted look at different
34 areas. Ms. Saulog commented that those two programs speak to moving away from traditional
35 design, which is vehicle -centric, to incorporate different modes of transportation and pedestrian
36 activity.
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38 Councilmember Doolan commented on different efforts over the past ten years to increase
39 awareness and safety of pedestrians and cyclists. She believed that this plan provides a
40 comprehensive look and appreciated that it included a broad outreach into the community. She
41 recognized that these planning documents are important to have in place so that design can be
42 done with these plans in mind.
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44 Mayor Webster recognized the work that has been done over the past 14 months to develop this
45 plan.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2026
Page 5
1 Councilmember Doolan asked for more information on the next step in the process. Ms. Saulog
2 explained how the plan will be used in ongoing conversations and recognized that
3 implementation may look a little different than other plans.
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Councilmember Jenson asked how many people were involved in the different sessions
throughout the plan development. Ms. Saulog estimated 12 to 15 people were involved in the
local planning team, with 60 to 70 people providing input in person and over 100 online
responses for public engagement.
Mayor Webster invited public comments.
Casey stated that her road is proposed to become a bicycle boulevard, and they are very excited
about that. She noted that many residents in her neighborhood use bicycles, and many children
play outside. She did not believe that people should be penalized if they do not have a car. She
thanked the Council and staff for their work on this.
Dr. Neumann stated that she has lived in St. Anthony for almost 20 years and responded to the
survey. She commented on the low percentage of responses to the survey compared to the
population of the community.
A resident asked what could be done to improve the safety at 315t and Silver Lake, as she notices
many children crossing in that area. Mayor Webster thanked the resident for making them aware
of that observation, as they continue to focus on pedestrian safety.
D. 2026 Strategic Plan
Mayor Webster noted the three sessions that were used to develop the Strategic Plan.
Assistant City Manager Morello stated that the Strategic Plan process includes two deliverables,
which include the brochure and pyramid. She provided more information on the team that were
involved in the planning process and the planning process. She provided more detailed
information on the information found within the pyramid, noting that those are more high-level.
City Manager Yunker reviewed the goals and action steps in more detail for environmental
responsibility, thriving village, informed and engaged, safe and secure community, and fiscal and
organizational strength. He noted that both the pyramid and the goal -setting document can be
found online. He stated that the action before the Council tonight is approve, or reaffirm, that the
information presented is what was discussed for the documents.
Councilmember Jenson stated that nine hours were spent on the planning process and
appreciated the good definition that was provided for each of the goals. He also liked the
participation of leaders, staff, and guests throughout this process, as well as the overlap and
integration between the goals and action steps.
Councilmember Elnagdy agreed that a significant amount of time was spent on this, and she is
excited to get started.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2026
Page 6
2 Mayor Webster stated that in reviewing the document and the adopted legislative priorities, she
3 noticed the alignment and considered that another priority could potentially be added to the list.
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5 Councilmember Doolan agreed with the words of Councilmember Jenson and also appreciated
6 the input of the guests who were involved in the process. She believed that allowed them to be
7 more reflective and forward -thinking. She commented that it was nice to see that four of the five
8 goal areas speak to community engagement, recognizing the progress they have made in that
9 area.
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11 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the 2026
12 Strategic Plan.
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14 Motion carried 4-0.
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16 X. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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18 Mayor Webster invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items
19 that are not on the regular agenda.
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21 A. Public Comment — Immigration Special Work Session Follow -Up.
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23 B. Public Comment — 02-10-2026 Agenda Items.
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25 Mayor Webster invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on the
26 Council Statement on Community Safety, Inclusion, and Immigration Enforcement.
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28 Dr. Neumann referenced language within Resolution #26-019 and commented that if fear exists,
29 that must be addressed through policy. She stated that, relating to Resolution #26-020, she
30 supported mitigating harm, but compassion without guardrails degrades trust. She believed there
31 should be clear guidelines and reporting. She stated that the same comments apply to Resolution
32 #26-018, noting that this requires access to the interior of homes. She noted that if residents do
33 not feel safe, they will not allow access into their homes, which will not result in a successful
34 project. She stated that she has personally contacted residents from the community to attend
35 tonight and was pleased that they attended, as she plans to bring more.
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37 Matt Swantek thanked the Council for the resolution on the authorization of funds and asked for
38 codification of police policy 413, limiting the use of City parking lots in a neutral way, and
39 approving staff to partner with neighboring cities. He commented that for the second meeting,
40 Councilmember Randle is not present and has previously stated that he does not believe what he
41 does not see. He provided information on things that he has seen in the community related to
42 ICE activity. He stated that if Councilmember Randle is willing to stick his head in the sand,
43 while his own employees do not feel safe to come to work, he should resign. He referenced the
44 statement that the police can only observe and asked why people would call 911 if the police
45 cannot offer assistance. He referenced the statement that St. Anthony Village is too small to
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2026
Page 7
fight ICE and protect its residents and believed that if this is true, the City should dissolve itself
and be incorporated into Minneapolis. He stated that the City must be proactive and not reactive.
Casey stated that if Councilmember Randle does not believe what is happening, she finds that
appalling and shameful. She commented that she and her partner have been protesting at
Whipple and have been pepper -sprayed. She stated that she is happy to see that the City is
beginning to try to help people, acknowledging the allocation of funds for abandoned vehicles,
and liked the acknowledgement of flexibility going forward. She thanked the Council and staff
for their quick efforts to put that policy into place. She supported the comments of the previous
speakers.
XI. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
City Manager Yunker had no report.
Councilmember Elnagdy stated that she and Councilmember Doolan participated in a Connect
With the Council event the previous day, speaking with residents and answering questions.
Councilmember Jenson stated he attended a Zoom meeting hosted by the Majority of the Middle,
the Ramsey County League of Local Governments townhall, listening sessions, the special
worksession, and a community food parking and delivery exercise.
Councilmember Doolan stated she attended the Ramsey County League of Local Government
meeting, the listening sessions, and the Connect with the Council event.
Mayor Webster stated she attended the NineNorth Board meeting, Winter Carnival Mayors
Reception, the special worksession, and the listening session earlier tonight.
XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
A. Future ALenda Items.
No comments.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to adjourn the meeting
at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Staple
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
Motion carried 4-0.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2026
Page 8
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3 ATTEST:
4 City Clerk
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Mayor 7