02-11-20 CM Minutes
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
The meeting began at 6:30 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Present: Mayor Harris and Council Members; Rosenquist, Fonnest, Sanberg and Harris.
Staff present: City Manager Cruikshank, City Attorney Cisneros, Parks and Recreation Director
Birno, and Park Maintenance Supervisor Lundstrom.
1. Medley Park Off-Leash Pet Exercise Area and Community Garden Proposal
Parks and Recreation Director Birno presented the staff report which included results from the
2016 community survey. The key takeaways were recreation amenities requests to be included in
park planning. The two amenities that topped the request list were a community garden and an
off-leash pet exercise area. Funding was allocated by City staff in the 2019 and 2020 Park Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) budget. The Open Space and Recreation Commission (OSRC) has held a
public input session where resident comments were taken and tabulated into a community input
report. The OSRC provided the Council with a unanimous recommendation not to add and off-leash
pet exercise area to Medley Park and not to reconstruct tennis courts due to poor soil conditions
The Council discussed the condition of the soil that is under the asphalt pads and the possibility to
utilize raised containers that would aid in the aesthetic of the garden area as well as provide ADA
compliance to allow people with disabilities to access the garden with ease. The Council also
discussed potential tree removal, landscape restoration and sustainability in the Medley Park area.
The Council thanked staff and OSRC members for their work
2. Control of Animal Ordinance Discussion
Police Chief Sturgis presented the staff report including recommendations to update the City’s
control of Animals ordinance which has not been updated in several decades. Staff recommends
updating City Code Sec. 6-33 since current language allows for any dog or animal to be “under
control and direction of the person having control or custody so as to be as effectively restrained
by command as by leash”. The proposed amendment would not allow for voice command as a form
of control and would require the use of a leash no longer than six feet.
The Council discussed the proposed language and communication methods as public information
campaigns outlining issues and to gather community input.
Communications department will include a brief survey in both online and printed versions
(available for six weeks). City website will also contain information as well as CityNews and social
media posts.
February 11, 2020 – 6:30 pm
Council Conference Room
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
DocuSign Envelope ID: 8E319C09-EA62-4AA5-9D52-2661F85A9734
2
City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2020 – 6:30 pm
The Council will take formal consideration of the proposed ordinance language changes tentatively
in April 2020.
3. MnDOT Highway 55 Trail Project — Winnetka Avenue North to Glenwood Avenue
Physical Development Director Nevinski presented the staff report. MnDot has plans to resurface
Hwy. 55 form General Mills Blvd to Hwy. 100 in 2021. There is a proposal to construct a multi-use
trail along the south side of Hwy. 55 between Winnetka Ave and Glenwood Ave. Mr. Nevinski
indicated that the trail is identified on the City’s bike and pedestrian plan and is the first section of
a larger route for the Hwy 55 corridor.
The Council discussed the construction of the trail and the City’s responsibility to maintain it as it
will become a Golden Valley trail. The Council also discussed impacts to trees in the right of way
during the eight-week estimated duration of the construction.
The Council also discussed public engagement and communications associated with the project.
The City will link information to the project through its website to MNDot’s. The City is estimating
to hold an open house this spring to gather community feedback (including residents along Hwy. 55
who may be impacted by the project).
4. Census Enumerator Access to Multi-Family Buildings
Planning Manager Zimmerman presented the staff report. The 2020 U.S. Census is scheduled to
begin April 1st. The City has coordinated efforts with other State offices to create awareness. Mr.
Zimmerman elaborated on the State’s demographer request to communities to take an additional
step by passing an ordinance to ensure census workers have access to multi-family buildings.
The Council discussed the implications of considering the passage of such ordinance. The Council
took into consideration the number of multi-family buildings currently in Golden Valley and the
implications of Census workers being able to access such units to conduct the Census. The Council
considered how a local ordinance can provide enforcement support while also clarifying
protections for renters (who historically have a lower response rate in U.S. Census)
5. Amendment to the Proclamation, Resolution and Letter of Support Policy
City Manager Cruikshank presented the staff report. City Council has expressed interest in
amending the Proclamation, Resolutions and Letter of Support Policy. City Manager Cruikshank
outlined the proposed changes presented in the attachments. The Council reviewed the proposed
changes on the Golden Valley Proclamations, Resolutions and Letters of Support Policy.
6. Council Review of Future Draft Agendas, City Council February 18, City Council March 4, and
Council/Manager March 10, 2020
No changes were submitted for future draft agendas.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 8E319C09-EA62-4AA5-9D52-2661F85A9734
3
City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2020 – 6:30 pm
________________________________
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Tomas Romano, Assistant to the City Manager’s Office
DocuSign Envelope ID: 8E319C09-EA62-4AA5-9D52-2661F85A9734