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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 041420261 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 14, 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 her in the Pledge of Allegiance. III. ROLL CALL. Present: Mayor Webster, Councilmembers Lona Doolan, Nadia Elnagdy, and Jan Jenson. Absent: Councilmember Thomas Randle. Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker and City Planner Steve Grittman. Others Present: None. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. IV. APPROVAL OF APRIL 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of April 14, 2026, as presented. Motion carried 4-0. V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. A. Earth Day Proclamation. The Council read aloud the Earth Day Proclamation. Information about ecological impacts and the importance of sustainability was shared. Mayor Webster proclaimed April 22, 2026, as Earth Day in St. Anthony and encouraged citizens to celebrate the Earth. B. Arbor Day Proclamation. The Council read aloud the Arbor Day Proclamation. Information about the ecological impact of climate change on Minnesota was provided. The environmental benefits of tree planting were explained. Mayor Webster proclaimed April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day, and the month of May 2026 as Arbor Month in St. Anthony. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 2 2 VI. CONSENT AGENDA. 3 4 A. Approve March 24, Council Meeting Minutes. 5 B. License and Permits. 6 C. Claims. 7 D. Resolution 26-027 - Accepting Grants And Donations Received In The 1 st Quarter Of 8 2026. 9 E. Resolution 26-028 - Exercising The City's Authority To Opt -In To, And Support, The 10 Ramsey County Economic Development Agency ("EDA"). 11 F. Resolution 26-029 - Accepting The FY2024 Assistance To Firefighters Grant (AFG) For 12 Installation Of New Fire Station Exhaust Removal System. 13 G. Resolution 26-030 - Awarding Proposal For Professional Engineering Services For The 14 Water Treatment Facilities 20-Year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Study. 15 16 Mayor Webster commented that she was excited that Ramsey County's expansion of its HRA 17 into the Economic Development Agency could help support local businesses in St. Anthony. 18 19 Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the Consent 20 Agenda items. 21 22 Motion carried 4-0. 23 24 VII. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE. 25 26 VIII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF. 27 28 A. Ordinance 2026-01 - Amending Sections Of The City Code Related To Vision Triangle, 29 Administrative Penalties, Mobile Food Units, Impervious Surfaces, Scavengers, 30 Definitions Of Rodents, Amusement Devices, And Sign Enforcement. 31 32 Mayor Webster stated that this is a first reading of this ordinance. The Council first heard the 33 proposed amendments at the Work Session on February 24, 2026, and the proposed language 34 was then shared at the Planning Commission meeting on March 17, 2026. The Council reviewed 35 the first reading along with the Planning Commission comments. 36 37 City Planner Grittman asked Mayor Webster whether he should provide information on each 38 item or leave it open for questions and comments. Mayor Webster commented that they 39 discussed these items at length in the Work Session. She suggested that City Planner Grittman 40 provide a summary, then allow Council to comment on each item in turn. 41 42 City Planner Grittman stated that vision triangle language exists in the current code in many 43 ways. The new proposed code seeks to clarify the current language and better explain what a 44 vision triangle is. The new code will include a graphic to visualize the language. A vision 45 triangle is a triangle at an intersection that attempts to minimize obstructions to traffic's vision. M, 2 3 4 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 3 Councilmember Jenson appreciated the graphic's clarity. Councilmember Doolan asked if houses were on a corner if they were adjacent to an alley, not just a street. City Planner Grittman stated that houses adjacent to alleys would be considered corner units, provided the alley intersected with a street. Councilmember Doolan had a question regarding Section F. She asked whether only the utility features and signage are grandfathered, or whether plantings would also be grandfathered. City Planner Grittman stated there is no immediate intention to remove planted objects within the triangle. Still, they would not necessarily be grandfathered in, as the City has permission to remove these objects if they become a public safety concern. Mayor Webster proposed that the Council move on to the next point, administrative penalties. Councilmember Elnagdy cited that in City Planner Grittman's memo, an appeals process is mentioned as a response option. The actual language stated that "a party can seek judicial review as provided in state law." She questioned why an internal appeal and review process was not chosen instead. City Planner Grittman informed the Council that the administrative penalty section is a City -based opportunity for someone who has committed a violation to make their case. The violator would appear before the City Examiner instead of the Council. This is the City -based method for appealing a violation. If the violator is not satisfied with the City -based appeal, they can appeal to the U.S. District Court. Councilmember Doolan stated there is concern to ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally throughout this process. She commented that Section 2C is a good start, noting that the City Clerk must establish a process for evaluating the City Examiner's competency. However, she questioned if there could be more criteria, such as the Hearing Examiner being an expert in a particular field. She stated that if citizens lack faith in processes, unclear selection criteria could damage trust. City Planner Grittman stated that it is envisioned that the Council will provide an approved list of potential City Examiners, and that it would be the Clerk's job to select an Examiner from the approved list to hold the first hearing. The appellant would have the opportunity to object, and upon an objection, the Clerk would choose a second Examiner from the list. The opportunity to object allows the appellant to have a say in who their judge is. Councilmember Doolan asked whether the suggested addition would be included in a previously presented flowchart that explains the appeals process more visually. City Planner Grittman stated that he believed this was the plan. City Planner Grittman explained that the mobile food unit regulations in St. Anthony were modified to protect the interests of an ice cream vendor. Exceptions to the regulations were created to exempt businesses like ice cream vendors and lunch trucks from current regulations. Otherwise, the language of this section restricts food trucks to event locations where they are serving the property owner or the event occurring, or to the on -site location of the brick -and - mortar restaurant from which the food truck operates. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 4 1 Councilmember Doolan highlighted that special event permits can be restrictive in who is 2 allowed to obtain them. She asked whether there was a process for applying for a conditional use 3 permit for a non -City event. Councilmember Doolan provided an example of how her neighbor 4 hosts a carnival in the middle of the street in the summer and asked how they could acquire a 5 conditional use permit. Mayor Webster stated that she believed Councilmember Doolan's 6 neighbor could contract with a food truck, allow it to park in their driveway, and have food 7 served. 9 City Planner Grittman explained that if they had a special events permit, they could host the food 10 truck. He confirmed that the event described would qualify for the special events permit. 11 12 City Planner Grittman highlighted that impervious surfaces are primarily a clarification 13 amendment. He explained that the new language clarifies that impervious surfaces are regulated, 14 included in lot coverage, and calculated. Specifically, City Planner Grittman stated that the new 15 language explains that pavers are not considered pervious in St. Anthony due to the soil quality. 16 17 City Planner Grittman informed the Council that the section on scavengers eliminates the license 18 requirement to remove items a property owner has set out for removal or refuse, but retains the 19 requirement for the property owner's permission. 20 21 City Planner Grittman stated that there is currently no clear definition of rodents in the housing 22 maintenance code for the management of rodents in rental dwellings. The proposed amendment 23 adds a list of rodents that must be protected from in housing units and rental dwellings. 24 25 City Planner Grittman provided information that a City license is currently required to operate an 26 arcade. In the new proposed language, this requirement will be removed. Arcades would be 27 allowed as an entertainment venue in St. Anthony's commercial zone. 28 29 City Planner Grittman added that the current sign removal policies read as though they apply to 30 the entire city of St. Anthony. The was amended to limit enforcement of sign removal and 31 disposal policies to non -single and two-family zoning districts. 32 33 Motion by Councilmember Jenson, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve the first 34 reading of ordinance 2026-01 Amending Sections Of The City Code Related To Vision Triangle, 35 Administrative Penalties, Mobile Food Units, Impervious Surfaces, Scavengers, Definitions Of 36 Rodents, Amusement Devices, and Sign Enforcement. 37 38 Motion carried 4-0. 39 40 IX. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL. 41 42 A. Resolution 26-031 - Awarding Professional Services Contract And Authorizing Purchase 43 Of Valves For The Water Treatment Plant Valve Replacements. 44 45 Mayor Webster reviewed information from the January goal -setting session, noting that the 46 valves in the water treatment plant are original to the building and need to be replaced. She City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 5 1 welcomed WSB Project Engineer Koscielak to present on the contract for the replacement valves 2 of the water treatment plant. 3 4 WSB Project Engineer Koscielak presented information on valve replacement at the water 5 treatment plant. She highlighted the age of current valves, which are more susceptible to issues 6 such as leaks, corrosion, and operational problems. WSB Project Engineer Koscielak also stated 7 that automating the valves increases the efficiency of the water treatment plant and all City 8 Works employees. The lowest quote was achieved for the furnishing of the 39 Butterfly Valves 9 through Rep Rite Burk & Associates and the upgrades to the SCADA system through Dusk 10 Systems. 11 12 Councilmember Jenson asked whether the monitoring aspect could be completed at the Public 13 Works building rather than at the Water Treatment Plant. WSB Project Engineer Koscielak 14 stated that she believed it would mainly remain at the Water Treatment Plant. 15 16 City Manager Yunker informed the Council that it is common to set up water treatment plants as 17 technological "islands." Alarms can be sent to staff, but remoting them in is not allowed for 18 security purposes. It is commonly preferred for staff to remain on -site. 19 20 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Resolution 21 26-031 - Awarding Professional Services Contract and Authorizing Purchase Of Valves For The 22 Water Treatment Plant Valve Replacements. 23 24 Motion carried 4-0. 25 26 B. 2026 Goals Update (No Action Needed). 27 28 Mayor Webster clarified that the item is a quarterly update on progress towards goals established 29 at the goal -setting session in January. 30 31 City Manager Yunker presented information on the 2026 Goals Update. He provided information 32 on Action Steps and Progress Updates for Environmental Responsibility, Thriving Village, 33 Informed & Engaged Community, Safe & Secure Community, and Fiscal & Organizational 34 Strength. 35 36 X. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. 37 38 City Manager Yunker reported that an update was received from the property owner of the 39 triangle parcel in the 2534 Kenzie Terrace redevelopment. This parcel was scheduled to be 40 returned to the City, but was undergoing a process with the MPCA to assess contamination in the 41 area. City Manager Yunker informed the Council that this process was now complete and that 42 the City can begin closing on the property. 43 44 Councilmember Elnagdy reported that she attended the Park Summit with Sports Boosters, 45 Public Works, and the Parks and Environmental Commission. Councilmember Elnagdy also 46 attended the Community Advisory Committee meeting. She noted that exciting summer plans City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 6 1 are in the works. Councilmember Elnagdy added that she attended Fire Ops 101, where she 2 experienced what it's like to be a firefighter. 4 Councilmember Jenson reported that he attended Connect with the Council, the work session on 5 parks and park usage fees, the Ramsey County Local League of Governments Climate Action 6 Working Committee, the Ramsey County Local League of Governments Program Meeting, and 7 the Northeast Youth and Family Services open house. 8 9 Councilmember Doolan reported she also attended the Parks Summit and the Connect with the 10 Council event. 11 12 Mayor Webster reported that she met with Metro Inet to test new security systems. Mayor 13 Webster also attended the Parks Summit and the Connect with the Council event. 14 15 XI. COMMUNITY FORUM. 16 17 Dr. Bibi Neumann, a resident, highlighted that the public record is not functioning as it should. 18 She stated that the March 24, 2026 minutes did not substantively capture public comments. She 19 noted that the names listed were sometimes incorrect and that the general summaries did not 20 reflect what was said, and that this prevents residents from determining who spoke, what issues 21 were raised, or how the comments relate to City decisions. She also stated that the Consent 22 Agenda continues to lack sufficient discussion on the record and that Licenses and Permits are 23 approved without stated criteria or a compliance context. Dr. Neumann noted that the check 24 register indicates over half a million dollars in expenditures without explanation, and that grants 25 are noted as received without indicating that many are reimbursement -based and contingent. She 26 also highlighted that the EDA Opt -In Resolution is a material policy decision, but there is no 27 record of local engagement, city -specific analysis, or information about how this will impact 28 residents and businesses in St. Anthony. Dr. Neumann commented that the administrative 29 penalties section of the ordinance amendments establishes a new enforcement structure and that 30 this is a shift in how the City exercises power over residents, but she stated that she felt it was 31 not being clearly explained. She finished by noting that the City keeps a detailed record of its 32 own actions, but fails to document public comments in the same manner. She highlighted that 33 written submissions are not incorporated into the materials and that this creates a system in 34 which participation occurs but is not meaningfully preserved. 35 36 Carl Neumann, resident, began by stating that it is very difficult to hear when the microphones 37 are turned off. He noted that this is worsened because he is a veteran and, as a result of his 38 service, has more difficulty hearing. He addressed the water treatment plant upgrades and stated 39 that he felt it should be segregated in its own network. He highlighted that the purchase items, 40 the PLCs and SCADA devices, are well-known vulnerable devices which are prone to [cyber] 41 attacks. He noted a 230 percent increase in attacks, 97 percent targeting small cities, and stated 42 that this underscores the importance of maintaining segregation of our water treatment plants and 43 ICS systems. He stated that small towns cannot defend against these attacks, sometimes launched 44 by other states, and that they require a significant increase in spending or a dedicated task force 45 to monitor them. He strongly concurred with City Manager Yunker that the water treatment plant 46 should be a technical island, regardless of efficiency or convenience. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 14, 2026 Page 7 XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. A. Future Agenda Items. The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on April 28, 2026. Councilmember Elnagdy mentioned that the Community Engagement Committee is seeking individuals to assist with the Picture of a Graduate Survey. The Community Engagement Committee is seeking diverse perspectives to discuss what the Picture of a Graduate looks like to them. This event will occur on April 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the High School Media Center. Councilmember Jenson asked what the event hopes to accomplish. Councilmember Elnagdy clarified that the goal is to understand what the ideal, well-rounded graduate looks like from multiple perspectives, so they can build programming that helps foster this kind of individual. Councilmember Elnagdy also highlighted the Clothing Swap at Silverwood Park on April 19, the Pops Concert on April 24 and 25, and that April 25 is Earth Day Cleanup in all St. Anthony parks. Councilmember Jenson stated that the Annual meeting for Metro Cities is on April 15 at the Roseville Oval Conference Center. Councilmember Doolan noted that on April 18 at 10:00 a.m., the St. Anthony Historical Society will hold its Annual meeting at City Hall. She also mentioned that on April 23, the Chamber of Commerce is having the Annual meeting at Jack's Cafe. Councilmember Doolan ended by highlighting sustainability programming, including the Earth Week calendar on the Citizens for Sustainability website, and that on April 20, there will be a Water Sustainability Fair at City Hall. XIII. ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to adjourn the meeting. The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Samina Crabtree Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: ��&LhQAv City Clerk J I-P.calt&.6c4 /,6;. Mayor Motion carried 4-0.