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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC WS PACKET 03102026CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE WORK SESSION AGENDA Tuesday, March 10, 2026 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 CC 02 -24 -2026 WS.PDF Work Session Topics Ice Rink Usage Charlie Yunker, City Manager, presenting. COVER MEMO.PDF Council Discussion On Amicus Brief Options Future Work Session 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 -3334 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. 1 CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGEWORK SESSION AGENDATuesday, March 10, 2026 at 5:30PMMembers of the public who wish to attend the meeting may do so in person.MinutesApproval Of CC WS Meeting MinutesCC 02 -24 -2026 WS.PDFWork Session TopicsIce Rink UsageCharlie Yunker, City Manager, presenting.COVER MEMO.PDFCouncil Discussion On Amicus Brief OptionsFuture Work Session 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 -3334 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. 2 City of St. Anthony CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Minutes February 24, 2026 Present: Mayor & Council: Mayor Wendy Webster, Councilmembers Lona Doolan, Jan Jenson, Nadia Elnagdy, and Thomas Randle. Absent: None Staff: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello, City Code Official Richard Sonterre, and City Planner Steve Grittman Call to Order: Mayor Webster called the Work Session to order at 5:33 p.m. 1.Approval of CC WS Meeting Minutes A.February 4, 2026, and February 10, 2026 Council Work Session Meeting Minutes Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve the City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2026, and February 10, 2026, as presented. Motion carried 5-0. 2.Work Session Topics A.City Code Updates City Code Official Sonterre provided information on the proposed changes to the definition of vision triangle. Councilmember Elnagdy asked for clarification. Mr. Sonterre provided additional explanation of how the language is used regarding whether there is curb and gutter. Councilmember Elnagdy suggested a grammatical change. She asked if there is a potential for confusion with the reference to the curb line and/or gutter line. Mr. Sonterre replied that this language attempts to avoid that confusion and provided additional explanation. Councilmember Jenson asked and received confirmation that the picture would be included in the ordinance, as that helps to make it easy to understand. Mayor Webster referenced a scenario where a stop sign is in front of a corner home and asked if there is a parking restriction within 30 feet of a stop sign. She stated that it may help for consistency to use the same distance regulation. Mr. Sonterre was unsure of the regulation for a stop sign and explained why the distance is required for the vision triangle. Councilmember Elnagdy referenced subclause D and asked why 18 inches was chosen rather than the standard of 30 inches. Mr. Sonterre stated that 18 inches was chosen as that was the height previously included in the Code, and it is also consistent with the language found in the native and natural section. 3 Councilmember Elnagdy asked if that rationale could be included to show that the height is not arbitrary. Mr. Sonterre stated that he did not want to get into the practice of providing rationale within the Code, as that would lengthen an already lengthy document. He noted that if there are violations, he does have verbal communication with those residents and/or provides educational information specific to the issue and property. Councilmember Elnagdy referenced subclause E and asked if language could be included that would require immediate removal in certain situations. Mr. Sonterre confirmed that could be included if desired. Councilmember Doolan stated that while she understands why that language may be desired, she had a plant that had to be removed to meet the less than 18-inch threshold and was happy to have the 90 days, as it was a lengthy project. Councilmember Elnagdy stated that while she can appreciate the ability to have those 90 days, there may be some situations when immediate action is needed. Mr. Sonterre explained that Councilmember Doolan’s home is not at an intersection and therefore does not present a public safety risk. He explained that while the language allows up to 90 days, the amount of time provided is related to the level of risk and type of violation. He stated that there are additional regulations within the right-of-way section. Mayor Webster used the scenario of a corner lot with a bus stop for kids, and the homeowner built a shelter. She believed that would have been someone with good intentions, but also something that would not be allowed within the right-of-way, as it would obstruct views. Councilmember Jenson referenced a corner home with a large pine tree, which requires vehicles to pull forward for a clearer view of the roadway. He asked if the branches could be trimmed up to improve the view for drivers, or whether the tree would need to be removed. Mr. Sonterre stated that they would request that the homeowner trim the tree on their own, but there would also be a right for the City to take action on vegetation obstructions within the right-of-way. He noted that incidents can be reported to public works. Councilmember Doolan asked for clarification on the grandfathered-in clause. Mr. Sonterre explained that this is not a change to the policy, but simply an attempt to explain the language in a clearer manner. Councilmember Doolan asked and received confirmation that there is no difference between uphill and downhill. Mr. Sonterre provided additional explanation on how the 18 inches is measured in those scenarios based on the slope of the road. Mr. Sonterre moved to the discussion on impervious surface, or lot coverage. He provided information on misconceptions that exist and noted that this update would add clarifying language to make the regulation easier to understand. Councilmember Elnagdy asked for information on violations, using the scenario where a permit is not pulled, and a deck is constructed. Mr. Sonterre stated that there are about 30 properties in violation, and there is currently nothing short of a court injunction to force the removal of impervious surface. He recognized that many times the violation occurs in the backyard, and the work is done on weekends. He provided additional information on the violations that can be imposed through administrative fines. Councilmember Elnagdy asked if language should be added, stating that the matter could progress to court. Mr. Sonterre stated that he would leave the decision of threatening language to administration. Councilmember Jenson asked if that is a problem they need to solve. He stated that if the right language is provided within the Code, he believed that most people want to comply. 4 Assistant City Administrator Morello noted that this is a definition section and did not believe enforcement language should be added to this section. Mayor Webster stated that years ago, she wanted to add a three-season porch, but they could not because they would have exceeded the maximum impervious surface for their lot. She understood that the threshold exists to ensure there is a proper area for water drainage and infiltration, which most people are not aware of. She recognized the misconception of whether the right-of-way is included in the calculation and believed that the new language would help to clarify that situation. City Planner Grittman explained that excluding the right-of-way actually assists most property owners, as the driveway typically covers a large percentage of the right-of-way as well. Councilmember Doolan commented that her lot, as designed, violates the threshold, but there is nothing she can do about it. Mr. Sonterre explained that staff have never held a buyer accountable for the work done by a previous homeowner. Mr. Sonterre moved to scavengers, which is the existing language within the Code, and reviewed the proposed changes to the language. Councilmember Jenson provided the scenario where someone puts a shelf at the curb with a free sign and asked if that would fall under this regulation or whether the language is specific to items within the waste container. Mr. Sonterre replied that this language is specific to items in the waste container or yard waste at the curb. He noted that items placed at the curb and marked free do not fall within this language. Councilmember Elnagdy asked if they should specifically permit those curb alert items as described by Councilmember Jenson. She asked if there should be exceptions for City-sponsored collections. Mr. Sonterre stated that the City has not done those types of events, as typically those items are brought to public works. He stated that if there were a collection event, permission could be provided through a resolution rather than a Code amendment. He stated that branches/yard waste would be allowed under the language as proposed. He stated that there is language within the Code that specifies a length of time household items can be left within the right-of-way. Mr. Sonterre moved to the definition of rodents and reviewed the proposed changes. Councilmember Elnagdy asked why two definitions are needed. Mr. Sonterre explained that each section of the Code has its own definitions. Councilmember Elnagdy noted the reference to squirrels and chipmunks and asked why they are being included. Mr. Sonterre replied that they are listed as rodents by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and are common critters able to create health issues based on severity and/or density. He stated that there is language within the Code that prevents people from feeding them. Councilmember Jenson stated that he likes that those animals are included. He noted that there was a remodeled home in their neighborhood where two families of squirrels had invaded the attic. Councilmember Randle noted additional damage that can be done to wiring. Mr. Sonterre moved to amusement devices and recommended the removal of that section as it is no longer relevant. 5 Councilmember Doolan noted that some businesses have retro machines as part of their operations and asked whether those businesses could still operate without the language. Mr. Grittman stated that the Commercial District does allow retail entertainment as a permitted use. He stated that this change would just remove the licensing requirement. Mr. Sonterre moved to food trucks and reviewed the proposed language. Councilmember Elnagdy asked where ice cream trucks would fall under this language. Mr. Grittman stated that ice cream trucks and lunch trucks could be carved out, with the requirement that they serve only prepackaged food. Councilmember Elnagdy stated that she would like the ice cream truck to be licensed. Mr. Sonterre noted that several other cities have carved out that exception because they serve prepackaged foods. He stated that ice cream trucks do have a state licensing process. Councilmember Randle stated that there is an ice cream truck that comes down his street, and the neighbor kids enjoy that. He stated that most of the drivers of those trucks are minorities and did not want to see an additional burden placed on those drivers. Mayor Webster stated that she would agree to the suggested carve-out that would allow for the trucks that serve prepackaged food items. Councilmember Randle stated that he would want to see everything treated equally and would not want to carve out exceptions. Mayor Webster recognized the desire for equitable treatment and noted that they could have different regulations for those serving only prepackaged items. Councilmember Doolan asked if the truck serving prepackaged foods would only have to have state licensure, which would be different than a truck cooking food onsite. Mr. Grittman commented that they could carve out allowed hours as well, and/or require a peddler’s license. He explained that the general reasoning behind the prohibition was to protect brick-and-mortar businesses. Mayor Webster appreciated that this language would still allow a graduation party to have a food truck on their own property for catering purposes. Councilmember Elnagdy asked if there should be allowed times specified and why the City would not require a license. Mr. Grittman explained that the City will rely on County and State licensing, and staff are comfortable based on the location restrictions. Mayor Webster asked if administrative penalties would be moved to the next worksession. Mr. Yunker suggested that they handle any questions offline in order to keep this moving forward. He confirmed that this will go to the Planning Commission before it comes back to the City Council. 3.Future Work Session Dates, Times, and Agenda Items A.Future Agenda Items No comments. 4.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. 6 Respectfully submitted, Amanda Staple TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 7 MEMORANDUM To:Saint Anthony Village City Council From:Charlie Yunker, City Manager Date:March 10, 2026 Request: Ice Rink Usage BACKGROUND There have been recent discussions regarding existing park amenities in the City of Saint Anthony. Due to the City’s size and built-out nature, open space and parks are limited. The City’s three main parks, Central, Emerald and Silver Point, are currently at capacity. Any consideration of new park amenities would likely require modifying or removing an existing amenity. The City’s ice rinks have been a topic of interest as an amenity to explore further. As such, the purpose of this meeting will be as follows: establish a cohesive understanding of how the ice rinks are currently utilized discuss the feasibility and interest in modifying the existing ice rink system if modifications are preferred, identify emerging priorities Staff recommends that Council determines a consistent position related to ice rinks in preparation of future conversations with external stakeholders. ICE RINK OPERATIONS Ice Rinks Overview This memo outlines the existing operational conditions for the City’s ice rinks. The facilities are located at Emerald Park, Central Park and Silver Point Park. Each facility includes one warming house, 2 sheets of ice at each park, one serving as a hockey rink and the other one as a pleasure rink. Ice rinks are seasonal, typically opening in late December and staffed with part-time seasonal rink attendants. The operations of the ice rinks vary each year based on weather, season duration, and staffing levels. This analysis focuses on ice rink operations between 2016-2026 for a ten-year review. Community Interest Community interest in the outdoor rinks remains strong. Staff typically begin receiving inquiries in early November regarding rink opening timelines. Each year the middle school uses the Central Park rinks for a day activity with approximately 200 students using the rink which is not reflected in the skating counts summary. Staffing Model & Scheduling Each ice rink facility is staffed with six seasonal rink attendants to cover scheduled shifts for a total of 18 among the three parks. One attendant is assigned per shift, per warming shelter, per day. 8 Typical Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM Sundays: 1:00 PM – 8:30 PM Weekdays with no school: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM Sunday through Friday shifts are single shifts for ice rink attendants. Saturday and weekdays with no schools are divided into two shifts. Table 1 illustrates the two shifts. Table 1: Saturday and weekdays no school shifts First Shift Second Shift Saturdays 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 3:00 PM – 8:30 PM Weekdays with no school This staffing model of 18 ice rink attendants has been in effect since the 2022-2023 season. Based on staffing, the total expenditures for rink attendants for 2025-2026 season was $11,955. Setup and Installation The hockey rink boards at Central Park and Silver Point Park remain installed year-round. Each ice rink requires installation of back stop netting annually which takes two full-time Public Works crewmembers approximately 3 hours at each park to install. Emerald Park boards are transported, installed, and removed each season by the full time Public Works crew. Emerald Park board installation and removal require approximately six staff members, 6 hours for transport, set up, teardown, and return transport. Back stop netting installation requires two staff members approximately three hours at each park to set up both hockey nets. Ice Creation & Ongoing Maintenance Ice creation is weather dependent. On average, it requires one staff member watering daily for approximately ten consecutive days to establish safe, stable ice conditions. Routine maintenance occurs every 2–3 days depending on use and weather. Maintenance includes brooming, scraping surface irregularities, and watering during favorable conditions. When weather conditions are not conducive to ice preservation, maintenance is postponed. Snow removal and plowing of rinks occur following all snow events to maintain rink usability. Water Usage Ice rinks require routine watering for maintenance. Water has been recorded per season, not per park. Table 2 illustrates the estimated gallons of water per season. Seasons with N/A indicate that the gallons were not recorded. Table 2: Water usage (gallons) Season Gallons of Water 2016-2017 N/A 2017-2018 N/A 2018-2019 302,400 9 2019-2020 261,000 2020-2021 221,400 2021-2022 285,300 2022-2023 174,600 2023-2024 N/A 2024-2025 347,400 2025- 2026 282,600 Total 1,874,700 gallons Seasonal Usage Table 3 depicts the total skaters between 2016 and 2026. Ice rink attendants record the number of skaters, reporting a total of 16,743 skaters in that ten-year period. While the rinks were open for the 2020-2021 season, the warming houses were not opened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so no skaters are reported for 2020-2021 season. In recent years, the 2021-2022 season reported the highest number of skaters overall. The 2023-2024 season had overall the lowest reported skaters. Through the ten-year period, the average number of skaters were 620 annually. Overall, Central Park reported the highest number of skaters, and Silver Point reported the lowest. Averages do not include the 2020-2021 season as data was not collected that season. Table 3: 2016-2026 reported skaters Season Emerald Central Silver Point Total Skaters Average per year 2016-2017 1109 593 666 2368 789 2017-2018 893 971 566 2430 810 2018-2019 432 659 618 1709 570 2019-2020 634 924 605 2163 721 2020-2021 0 0 0 0 0 2021-2022 600 1285 713 2598 866 2022-2023 571 854 604 2029 676 2023-2024 94 158 39 291 97 2024-2025 337 884 439 1660 553 2025- 2026 398 740 357 1495 498 Average Per Park 563.1 785.3 511.9 620 The ice rinks are open based on seasonal conditions. Operations close when the weather is too warm or too cold. Table 4 compares the total skaters compared to the number of days open per season. Over the ten-year period, the ice rinks were open on average 57 days, with a high of 86 days in 2019-2020 and a low of 7 in 2023-2024. Table 4: Skaters compared to days open Season Total Skaters Days Open Average Skaters per Day 2016-2017 2368 45 53 2017-2018 2430 65 37 2018-2019 1709 77 22 10 2019-2020 2163 86 25 2020-2021 0 56 0 2021-2022 2598 43 60 2022-2023 2029 70 29 2023-2024 291 7 42 2024-2025 1660 70 24 2025- 2026 1495 52 29 REQUEST Staff requests Council to consider the ten-year overview of ice rinks to consider the following: establish a cohesive understanding of how the ice rinks are currently utilized discuss the feasibility and interest in modifying the existing ice rink system if modifications are preferred, identify emerging priorities 11 FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS Date Type Staff Present / Contributing Packet Due Date 2026 March 24 Work Session Student Development Proposals City Council City Manager March 18 March 24 Regular Fire Annual Report Police Annual Report Police Department Renovation Project Liquor Store Renovation Bids Engineering Ad for Bids City Council City Manager Fire Dept Police Dept March 18 April 1 Joint Work Session Parks Summit City Council City Manager Sustinability Coordinator March 26 April 14 Work Session Stinson Blvd RFP Housing Topics Discussion City Council City Manager City Planner April 8 April 14 Regular Planning Commission Items from March Quarterly Donations & Grants Arbor Day Proclamation Earth Day Proclamation Quarterly Goals Update Water Treatment Plant City Council City Manager April 8 April 28 Work Session Franchise Fees Discussion Sustainability Initiatives Funding Discussion City Council City Manager April 22 April 28 Regular Insurance Renewal & Tort Limits- Consent Villager of the Year and Business of the Year City Council City Manager Finance Director April 22 May 12 Work Session Sustainable Building Ordinance and Housing Topic Ordinance Review City Council City Manager May 6 May 12 Regular Planning Commission items from April Commissioner McGuire Presentation City Council City Manager May 6 May 26 Work Session Housing Topics Ordinance Review City Council City Manager May 20 May 26 Regular City Council City Manager May 20 June 9 Work Session City Council City Manager June 3 June 9 Regular Planning Commission Items from May City Council City Manager June 3 June 23 Work Session City Council City Manager June 17 June 23 Regular City Council City Manager June 17 12 FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS Date Type Staff Present / Contributing Packet Due Date June 30 Joint Work Session Comprehensive Plan Preliminary Planning City Council City Manager June 24 July 14 Work Session 2027 Initial Property Tax Levy Scenarios City Council City Manager Finance Director July 8 July 14 Regular Planning Commission items from June Quarterly Donations & Grants Audit Report Quarterly Goals Update City Council City Manager Finance Director July 8 July 28 Work Session City Council City Manager July 22 July 28 Regular Liquor Operations Mid Year Report VillageFest Presentation Night to Unite Presentation Night to Unite Proclamation Public Safety Engagement Presentation City Council City Manager Liquor Op Mgr Police Chief Fire Chief July 22 August 10 Work Session Discuss Updated Levy Scenarios/Detailed General Fund Budget City Council City Manager Finance Director August 4 August 10 Regular Planning Commission items from July City Council City Manager August 4 August 25 Work Session City Council City Manager City Planner August 19 August 25 Regular 2027 Proposed Budget & Levy Presentation City Council City Manager Finance Director August 19 September 8 Work Session City Council City Manager City Planner September 2 September 8 Regular Planning Commission items from August 2027 Preliminary Operating Budget and Debt Levy-PUBLIC HEARING Students in Leadership-Consent City Council City Manager Finance Director Engineer September 2 September 22 Work Session Existing and Future Community Center Needs Discussion City Council City Manager September 16 September 22 Regular Spirit of St. Anthony Award Fire Prevention Presentation Planning Commission items from August Climate Plan Update Energy Action Plan Update City Council City Manager Fire Dept Sustain. 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September 16 October 13 Work Session 2027 Long Term Capital Budget Plalns City Council City Manager October 7 October 13 Regular City Council City Manager October 7 October 27 Work Session 2027 Utility Rates and Budgets City Council City Manager October 21 13 FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS Date Type Staff Present / Contributing Packet Due Date October 27 Regular Quarterly Donations & Grants Quarterly Goals Update City Council City Manager October 21 November 10 Work Session Commission Interviews City Council City Manager November 4 November 10 Regular Score Grant Funding Application Approval Canvass Election Results City Council City Manager November 4 November 24 Work Session City Council City Manager November 18 November 24 Regular Fire Poster Contest Winners Approval Plans & Specifications & Order Advertisement for Bids for the upcoming Street Project Fee Schedule Review City Council City Manager Fire Chief City Engineer November 18 December 8 Work Session Goal Setting Preparation City Council City Manager December 2 December 8 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 2027 City & HRA Budgets and Final Property Tax Levy - PUBLIC HEARING 2027 Fee Schedule MS4 Quarterly Goals update Final reading and adoption of water, sewer, & stormwater City Council City Manager Finance Director December 2 December 22 Regular (Typically Cancelled) 2027 January 12 Work Session City Council City Manager January 6 January 12 Regular Planning Commission items from December Housekeeping Resolutions Quarterly Donations & Grants NYFS Agreement Outside Orgs-Council City Council City Manager NYFS January 6 January 26 Work Session 2027 Goals Draft City Council City Manager January 20 January 26 Regular Public Works Snow Plowing Operations presentation City Council City Manager PW Director January 20 February 9 Work Session City Council City Manager February 3 14 FUTURE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS Date Type Staff Present / Contributing Packet Due Date February 9 Regular Planning Commission items from January Public Hearing-2028 Budget Calendar and Process 2027 Planning Commission Work Plan- (motion only) 2027 Parks and Environmental Commission Work Plan- (motion only) Adoption of Strategic Plan City Council City Manager Finance Director February 3 February 23 Work Session Miscellaneous Ordinance Revisions City Council City Manager February 17 February 23 Regular City Council City Manager February 17 March 9 Work Session City Council City Manager March 3 March 9 Regular Planning Commission Items from February Finance Annual Report Public Works Annual Report NineNorth Presentation City Council City Manager Finance Director PW Director March 3 March 23 Work Session City Council City Manager March 17 March 23 Regular Fire Annual Report Police Annual Report City Council City Manager Police Dept Fire Dept March 17 April 13 Work Session City Council City Manager April 7 April 13 Regular Planning Commission Items from March Quarterly Donations & Grants Arbor Day Proclamation Earth Day Proclamation Quarterly Goals Update City Council City Manager April 7 April 27 Work Session City Council City Manager April 21 April 27 Regular Insurance Renewal & Tort Limits- Consent Villager of the Year and Business of the Year City Council City Manager Finance Director April 21 May 11 Work Session City Council City Manager May 5 May 11 Regular Planning Commission items from April Salo Park Concert Series Presentation City Council City Manager May 5 May 25 Work Session City Council City Manager May 19 May 25 Regular City Insurance Renewal City Council City Manager Finance Director May 19 June 8 Work Session City Council City Manager June 2 June 8 Regular Planning Commission Items from May City Council City Manager June 2 15