HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 090820261
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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 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, Jan Jenson, Thomas Randle, and
Nadia Elnagdy (arrived at 7:06 p.m.).
Absent: None.
Also Present: City Manager Charlie Yunker, Finance Director Deborah Maloney, and City Planner
Steve Grittman.
Others Present: None.
CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE
FOLLOWING ITEMS.
IV. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
Motion by Councilmember Randle, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
Council Meeting Agenda of September 8, 2026, as presented.
Motion carried 4-0.
V. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS — NONE.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA.
A. Approve August 25 2026 Council Meeting Minutes.
B. License and Permits.
C. Claims.
D. Resolution 26 056 — Authorizing Staff To Enter An Agreement With Hennepin County
To Accept IGNITE Program Funding,
E. Resolution 26 057 Authorizing Staff To Enter An Agreement With Ramsey County To
Accept The Be Active! Be Green! Bench Grant.
Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the Consent
Agenda items.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page 2
1 Motion carried 4-0.
2
3 VII. PUBLIC HEARING.
4
5 A. Resolution 26-058 — Setting The Preliminary 2027 Tax Lew And General Operating Budget
6 For The City Of Saint Anthony Village And Certifying Debt Lew Reductions.
7
8 Mayor Webster noted that the public hearing is intended to incorporate public input into the
9 preliminary 2027 tax levy and general budget.
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11 Finance Director Maloney presented the 2027 Preliminary Budget. She began by reviewing the
12 2027 budget calendar. She informed the Council of the budget parameters, noting conservative
13 estimates and a focus on maintaining current City service levels. Finance Director Maloney
14 reviewed the progress to date on budget development, discussing meetings and prior Council
15 meetings. She provided pie charts showing the overall levy by fund type, 2027 general fund
16 revenues, and 2027 general fund expenditures. She explained how the levy is developed, starting
17 with costs for operating funds, capital improvements, and debt and infrastructure. Finance
18 Director Maloney stated that the total levy amount is 11,033,355 dollars. She informed the
19 Council of main budget drivers, including police costs, personnel costs other than police,
20 contracted services, other insurance costs, pass -through costs, supplies and utilities costs, and
21 remaining budget line items. Finance Director Maloney provided a full table reviewing the
22 general fund and total levy amounts. She noted future budget topics, including capital levies,
23 continuing cost increases for equipment and facility maintenance and upgrades, and franchise
24 fees. She reviewed the next steps, including future Council meeting dates. She stated that Staff is
25 requesting Approval of Resolution 26-058.
26
27 Mayor Webster opened the Public Hearing at 7:19 p.m.
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29 Dr. Bibi Neumann noted that she submitted public written comments on this topic.
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31 Councilmember Jenson commented that there has been a long-standing plan to reduce the debt
32 service. Finance Director Maloney stated it has been going on for 8 years. Councilmember
33 Jenson informed the Council that the City is paying off their debt a bit faster and allocating funds
34 to other items.
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36 Councilmember Doolan asked if the Comp Plan budgeting is only for 2027. Finance Director
37 Maloney stated that it may bleed into 2028, as it is meant to be for the whole planning process.
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39 City Manager Yunker stated that the bulk of the work will be done in 2027, but they will have to
40 wait for the Met Council to approve the plan into 2028.
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42 Mayor Webster asked if potential Comp Plan grants are included in the current budget. Finance
43 Director Maloney stated that they are not.
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45 Councilmember Jenson asked who is responsible for requesting grants. City Manager Yunker
46 stated that Staff will submit the requests after the proposal has been submitted.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page 3
2 Councilmember Elnagdy asked if the police cost increase is only from COLA and wage
3 increases. Finance Director Maloney stated that the police budget has no new costs.
4
5 Councilmember Jenson asked whether this amount includes any equipment or capital costs.
6 Finance Director Maloney said these items are not assessed on a yearly levy, but she has
7 estimates. She noted that funds for large items, such as fire trucks, are built up slowly over time
8 to avoid increasing the levy.
9
10 Councilmember Jenson asked if the assumed police budget for 2027 includes a full police force.
11 Finance Director Maloney confirmed that it does, whereas 2026 did not budget for a fully staffed
12 force.
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14 Mayor Webster thanked Finance Director Maloney for her time and hard work.
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16 Mayor Webster closed the Public Hearing at 7:28 p.m.
17
18 Motion by Councilmember Randle, seconded by Councilmember Doolan, to approve Resolution
19 26-058 Setting The Preliminary 2027 Tax Levy And General Operating Budget For St. Anthony
20 Village And Certifying Debt Levy Reductions.
21
22 Motion carried 5-0.
23
24 VIII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF — NONE.
25
26 IX. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
27
28 A. Ordinance 2026-02 - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To The
29 Establishment Of Regulations For Sustainable Development And Building Practices.
30
31 City Planner Grittman indicated that this is the third reading of the sustainable building
32 ordinance. He stated that the purpose is to set expectations for larger construction projects to
33 comply with certain sustainability requirements. He noted that City Staff will work on materials
34 to present to interested and affected parties throughout the permitting process. He said the three
35 readings have yielded only small technical changes.
36
37 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the final
38 reading of Ordinance 2026-02 - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To The
39 Establishment Of Regulations For Sustainable Development And Building Practices.
40
41 Motion carried 5-0.
42
43 B. Ordinance 2026 03 - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To Accessory
44 Buildings And Establishing Regulations For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
45
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page 4
1 City Planner Grittman repeated that this is the third reading of the ADU ordinance. He noted that
2 this will apply to single-family homes in St. Anthony's RI and RI districts. He stated that the
3 ordinance explains expectations and requirements for developing an ADU. He commented that
4 this will relate closely to the Comp Planning process and may change during that process due to
5 expansive housing discussions. City Planner Grittman reviewed a critique from the prior Council
6 meeting identifying internal conflict in the ordinance language. He stated that the language has
7 been amended to reflect its intended purpose of distinguishing between a property owner's ability
8 to add an ADU with a major accessory building and a minor accessory building. He stated that
9 only major accessory buildings will be allowed to be converted into an ADU and will require a
10 building permit.
11
12 Councilmember Elnagdy stated that the language in 3A was amended, but noted that the
13 language in section 2(A)(1)(h) remained stating that an ADU may be attached to a principal
14 building or an existing accessory building. She proposed changing this to "an existing major
15 accessory building."
16
17 Motion by Councilmember Elnagdy, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to amend the
18 language in section 2(A)(1)(h) to include a more specific reference to a major accessory
19 building.
20
21 Motion carried 5-0.
22
23 Motion by Councilmember Doolam, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve the third
24 reading of Ordinance 2026-OX - Amending Section 154 Of The City Code Related To Accessory
25 Buildings And Establishing Regulations For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
26
27 Motion carried 5-0.
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29 C. Resolution 26-059 - Approving Summary Publication For Ordinance 2026-02.
30
31 City Manager Yunker stated that a summary publication allows the City to put a public notice in
32 the newspaper in summary form to save space and money while still informing the public of the
33 new ordinance.
34
35 Motion by Councilmember Randle, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve Resolution
36 26-059 - Approving Summary Publication For Ordinance 2026-02.
37
38 Motion carried 5-0.
39
40 D. Resolution 26-060 - Approving Summary Publication For Ordinance 2026-03.
41
42 Motion by Councilmember Doolan, seconded by Councilmember Randle, to approve Resolution
43 26-059 - Approving Summary Publication For Ordinance 2026-03.
44
45 Motion carried 5-0.
46
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page 5
X. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
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City Manager Yunker had no report.
Councilmember Randle had no report.
Councilmember Doolan reported that on August 31, she attended the Minnesota Watershed
Legislative Committee Recommendation Annual Meeting, noting the discussion of restricting
stormwater reuse and having consistent wake board regulations. She stated that she also attended
the MWMO Board Meeting on September 8.
Councilmember Jenson reported that on August 13, he attended the Ramsey County Local
League of Governments Working Committee. He stated that the following day, he attended the
Ramsey County Local League of Governments Programming Meeting. He noted that on
September 11, the Ramsey County Local League of Governments will be holding a Program
Meeting regarding privacy and Flock cameras. He thanked the Sister City delegation for
compiling their briefing on the trip to Salo, Finland.
Councilmember Elnagdy had no report.
Mayor Webster reported that she attended the St. Anthony Kiwanis meeting on September 1. She
noted that the Annual Kiwanis Dinner and Fundraiser will be on November 8, and the
International Peace Day is being hosted on September 20. She stated that this will be a gathering
of Mayors from the Twin Cities to honor the International Day of Peace, recognizing the
principles of nonviolence and the Twin Cities area's goal of being a safe area for all.
COMMUNITY FORUM.
Carl Neumann, a resident, yielded his time to Dr. Bibi Neumann.
Dr. Bibi Neumann, a resident, stated that she has lived in St. Anthony for over 20 years. She
highlighted her history of working in St. Anthony and that she is a parent. She informed all that
she submitted a more detailed public comment online. She noted that grants are intended to fund
specific purposes within the City, and that she approves of the City seeking them when they
benefit residents. She noted that the League of Minnesota Cities can be useful to cities, and
reviewed the services they may provide. Dr. Neumann said the League of Minnesota Cities
supports cities as institutions rather than the residents who pay for them. She requested that the
City make clear the improvements achieved for residents when it uses outside frameworks. She
commented that if residents complain that communication is too technical, it should not look like
an employee newsletter or a celebration of City activity. She requested clearer public explanation
and clarity regarding all levels of the decision -making process. She noted that the tax levy
increase is around 6 percent, and the total levy cost is around 11 million dollars. She highlighted
that police costs comprise around 40 percent of the general fund expenditures, fire comprises
around 20 percent, public works 11 percent, and parks around 5 percent. She requested clarity on
when a department's budget exceeds expectations, why, and how long these heightened costs
will impact the levy. She noted that this lack of transparency is a common complaint across
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
Page 6
residents in all Twin Cities areas. Dr. Bibi Neumann requested that the City inform residents
what is cut to accommodate heightened costs in other areas. She requested a plain language
summary for all departments before the final levy is adopted. Dr. Bibi Neumann stated that true
transparency means explaining in detail how the City reached the final tax levy number, not just
providing the number.
XII. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
A. Future Agenda Items.
XIIL ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Webster adjourned the Regular Meeting of the City Council at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Samina Crabtree
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
ATTEST: &MU
City Clerk