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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 082520261 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 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 25, 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 Thomas Randle. Absent: Councilmember Jan Jenson. Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Assistant City Manager Ashley Morello, Police Chief Jeff Spiess, Finance Director Deborah Maloney, City Planner Steve Grittman. Others Present: Officer Tommy Gleason and Officer Ben Hansen. CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. IV. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 25, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA. Motion by Councilmember Randle, seconded by Councilmember Elnagdy, to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of August 25, 2026, as presented. Motion carried 4-0. V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS. A. Swearing in of New Police Officers. Police Chief Spiess introduced the two new officers, Tommy Gleason and Ben Hansen. He noted they both entered the policing profession as a second career through the ICPOET program, which addresses shortages in Police Departments. He thanked his team for their success in expanding their Department. He thanked Finance Director Maloney for her assistance in managing the ICPOET grant. He explained the terms of the ICPOET program and the education both officers underwent. Police Chief Spiess acknowledged that tonight is a celebration of their intensive training. He thanked both officers for taking a chance in switching careers to join their Department. Police Chief Spiess introduced Tommy Gleason, overviewing his hometown of Hopkins, his degree in Business Management, and his prior career coaching college baseball. He noted that City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 Page 2 his coaching experience translates to police work through teamwork, preparation, accountability, and the ability to perfonn under pressure. Police Chief Spiess introduced Ben Hansen, noting his hometown of Forest Grove, Oregon, his bachelor's degree in classics, master's degree in religion, and Ph.D. in history, and his prior career in teaching and research. Officer Gleason thanked the Police Department for the opportunity. He stated that he loved the teamwork aspect of coaching college baseball, and how the idea of being on a team translates well to police work. He thanked all of his FTOs. He stated that he looks forward to working every day. Officer Hansen thanked Police Chief Spiess, the captains, his FTOs, fellow officers, the front office, and his mentors. He thanked the Mayor and Council for trusting him with this role. He also thanked his family. He overviewed the many jobs that he has had while living in Minnesota. He expressed that policing is necessary, that he enjoys the work, and that it will mesh well with his skills. Officer Hansen stated that he was drawn to St. Anthony because of the Department's reputation and that it felt like home. He noted how impressed he has been with every aspect of working in St. Anthony. He hoped he could live up to the trust the community placed in him. Police Chief Spiess thanked Officer Gleason and Officer Hansen's families, who were in attendance. Officer Gleason recited the Oath of Office, and afterward, his nephew pinned his badge on. Officer Hansen recited the Oath of Office, and afterward, his daughter pinned his badge on. Councilmember Elnagdy expressed that the St. Anthony Police Department has earned its good reputation. She stated that both Officers would be assets to the Department, and that she found their backgrounds fascinating. She welcomed them to the City. Councilmember Doolan expressed her pride in the St. Anthony Police Department and thanked them for joining St. Anthony. Councilmember Randle welcomed both officers and noted the great, well -established culture of the St. Anthony Police Department. He stated that they couldn't have joined a better force. Mayor Webster thanked both Officer Gleason and Officer Hansen for joining St. Anthony. She expressed her gratitude for their service -focused Police Department. She congratulated them both. VI. CONSENT AGENDA. A. Approve August 10, 2026, Council Meeting Minutes. B. License and Permits. C. Claims. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 Page 3 1 D. Resolution 26 055 - Authorizing Payment For Emergency Watermain Repair And 2 Roadway Restoration. 3 4 Motion by Councilmember Randle, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve the 5 Consent Agenda items. 6 Motion carried 4-0. 7 8 VII. PUBLIC HEARING — NONE. 9 10 VIII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF — NONE. 11 12 IX. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL. 13 14 A. 2027 Proposed Budget and Levy Presentation. 15 16 Finance Director Maloney presented on the 2027 Proposed Budget. She reviewed the 2027 17 Budget Calendar, which began in February. She noted some budget parameters, such as using 18 current run rates, conservative baseline estimates, expense budgeting to maintain current City 19 services, and liquor transfers. She explained the progress to date on budget development, 20 including the meetings where the budget was discussed, as well as Staff considerations and 21 calculations. Finance Director Maloney showed a chart breaking down the overall levy by fund 22 type: 72 percent General Fund and HRA, 23 percent Debt Service and Infrastructure Funds, and 23 five percent Capital/Building/Parks Improvements. She also presented a chart reviewing the 24 2027 General Fund revenues, including 77 percent tax levy, 10 percent intergovernmental 25 revenue, four percent licenses, permits, and fines, four percent transfers, two percent contracts, 26 and two percent miscellaneous. Finance Director Maloney presented a chart explaining the 2027 27 General Fund expenditures, including 41 percent Police, 23 percent Fire, 11 percent Public 28 Works, 11 percent Administration, six percent for all other Departments, five percent Parks, and 29 three percent Finance. She explained the pathway for creating the 2027 levy. She reviewed some 30 of the main 2027 budget cost drivers, such as Police services, personnel costs other than Police, 31 contracted services, other insurance costs, pass -through costs, supplies and utility costs, and 32 remaining budget line items. She provided the General Fund and total levy amounts. Finance 33 Director Maloney informed the Council of additional considerations, including shifting focus to 34 Capital levies for CIP, Buildings and Parks funds, continuing to increase costs for equipment and 35 facility maintenance and upgrades, planning for a Public Safety Facility, and franchise fees. She 36 concluded with a review of the next steps, reviewing what will be discussed regarding the budget 37 and levy in coming meetings. She requested Council feedback, and noted that the levy can be 38 reduced. 39 40 Mayor Webster thanked Finance Director Maloney for her review and for reminding everyone 41 that the preliminary levy amount approved in September will be the highest the levy may be. 42 43 Councilmember Doolan asked whether the 135,000 dollars allocated to Comprehensive Plan 44 updates is specific to the RFP for community engagement, or will be used to fund additional 45 required work by current Staff. Finance Director Maloney stated that it includes only the RFP, as 46 the City Planner did not expect additional costs to be billed outside of it. Councilmember Doolan City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 Page 4 1 noted that relief could come in the form of a grant from Met Council. Finance Director Maloney 2 reminded that the one-time costs are coming from additional funds the City currently has, not the 3 levy. 4 5 B. Ordinance 2026-OX - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To The 6 Establishment Of Regulations For Sustainable Development And Building Practices. 7 8 City Planner Grittman briefly reviewed the history and context of the Sustainable Building 9 Ordinance. He noted that this is the second of three readings of this ordinance, and that Council 10 did not direct any changes to the text in the first reading. He stated that the ordinance discusses 11 the types of projects subject to it, the third -party rating system it uses, categories to be reviewed 12 in buildings subject to it, such as water use, and compliance and monitoring. 13 14 Mayor Webster reviewed the previous discussion of this ordinance and the meetings at which it 15 was discussed. 16 17 Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Elnagdy, to approve the 18 second reading of Ordinance 2026-OX - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To 19 The Establishment Of Regulations For Sustainable Development And Building Practices. 20 21 Motion carried 4-0. 22 23 C. Ordinance 2026-OX - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To Accessory 24 Buildings And Establishing Regulations For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). OR 26 City Planner Grittman noted that this is the second of three readings of this ordinance. He stated 27 that this ordinance arose from a discussion about land use and affordability. He noted slight 28 changes in the language to clarify that the City was not relying on implied standards in the 29 previous reading. He stated that the ordinance clarifies that it negates the previous prohibition on 30 ADUs, and that only one ADU is allowed per lot in a single-family district. He highlighted that 31 there would likely be more discussion of the ADU ordinance during the Comprehensive 32 Planning process and further housing discussions. 33 34 Councilmember Elnagdy noted a potential inconsistency: Section 2A states that an ADU may be 35 attached to an existing principal or accessory building, but also states that no attachment to or 36 occupancy of other accessory buildings is permitted. City Planner Grittman stated that she is 37 correct, and that the first language mentioned, stating that an ADU could be attached to an 38 existing accessory building, is correct. He thanked Councilmember Elnagdy for her vigilance. 39 40 Mayor Webster provided an overview of the previous discussion of this ordinance and the 41 meetings at which it was discussed. 42 43 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve the 44 second reading of Ordinance 2026-OX - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To 45 Accessory Buildings And Establishing Regulations For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 46 2 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 August 25, 2026 Page 5 Motion carried 4-0. X. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. Assistant City Manager Morello reported that Fozia Warsame, the Summer Sustainability Intern, has her final day with the City on Friday, August 28, 2026. She thanked Fozia for all her hard work and noted what a pleasure it was to have her, and how sad it will be to see her depart. Councilmember Randle had no report. Councilmember Doolan reported that she attended the MWMO Board Executive Planning meeting where they discussed how professional St. Anthony Staff is. Councilmember Elnagdy had no report. Mayor Webster thanked Deputy Fire Chief Jaros for conducting CPR and First Aid classes, noting that she will have conducted four classes in one week for school staff. XI. COMMUNITY FORUM. Carl Neumann, a resident, yielded his time to Dr. Bibi Neumann. Dr. Bibi Neumann, a 20-year resident and businessperson, noted that she submitted a public comment and submitted an email. She requested it be preserved appropriately, including her authorship and credentials, and that confirmation of receipt be provided with the retaining department noted. She reviewed her extensive educational history, including previous work on the Planning Commission and municipal work in St. Anthony. She noted the importance of a through line from evidence to results. She highlighted that the packet regarding the Salo trip does not inform residents of the trip's costs or who paid them, despite the fact that these costs were likely documented. She commented that undocumented expenditures can't be understood by residents, which is important if public funds were used to pay for the trip. She overviewed notes within the packet regarding the public/private partnerships that the Salo delegation witnessed and how these could be brought to St. Anthony, including building a campus at 39th and Stinson. She took issue with a note that questioned how the City could learn what investors think would be best for the City, stating that residents should define this. She expressed that the ADU ordinance makes it difficult for residents to determine which types of ADUs are allowed, such as one built above a detached garage. She highlighted that the Sustainable Building Ordinance requires reductions in water and energy use without establishing a baseline. Dr. Neumann noted that she submitted articles from the Journal of the American Planning Association to show how local conditions and implementation shape housing outcomes. She requested a definition of what residents will receive from the 135,000 dollars and 20,000 dollars allocated to the Comp Plan update and sustainability initiatives, respectively. She requested that her submissions be preserved, that a full accounting of the Salo trip be provided, that ambiguities be corrected, and that spending be connected to results. She requested more analysis and public participation regarding the proposals discussed in the Salo, Finland, trip packet. 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 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 Page 6 Mayor Webster thanked the Neumanns for taking their time to attend meetings and comment. XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. A. Future Agenda Items. Councilmember Doolan stated that there was an invitation to the Council from Ableview Assisted Living to attend their Grand Opening on September 1 I from two p.m. to six p.m. XIIL ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Mayor Webster, to adjourn the meeting. The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Samina Crabtree TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: &&kka!�On City Clerk Mayor Motion carried 4-0.