10-13-20 CM Minutes
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
The meeting began at 6:30 pm.
Present: Mayor Harris and Council Members; Rosenquist, Fonnest, Sanberg and Harris.
Staff present: City Manager Cruikshank, City Attorney Cisneros, Police Chief Sturgis, Physical
Development Director Nevinski, City Engineer Oliver, Assistant City Engineer
Kakach, Deputy Fire Chief Massicotte, Physical Development Assistant Schwalbe
and Finance Director Virnig.
Also present: Nicole Appelbaum (Chestnut Cambronne)
1. Pavement Management Policy
Assistant City Engineer Kakach presented the staff report including feedback from residents in the
remaining four PMP project areas. The majority of input received was in favor of 28-foot-wide
streets. Kakach explained that increasing street width may increase project costs by an estimated
$150,000 to $235,000 for the 2020 (now 2021) PMP.
Councilmember Fonnest asked about the impact of moving from 26 to 28 foot, in terms of cost to the
City. Staff explained that over a four year period, the low estimate was of $600,000 whereas the high was of
$940,000 when considering the four quadrants left to be done.
Councilmember Rosenquist asked staff to address input and comments from residents including
issues with intersections, plowing and clearing snow, and large vehicles passing through the street. City
Engineer Oliver explained that intersections are looked at so that center lines match up, so that drivers are
looking at the other car once they are approaching an intersection. This improves intersection safety, he
said. He continued explaining that if there are cars parked, it can be difficult for vehicles to pass, hence
vehicles tend to slow down. This effect in slowing vehicles down is referred to as traffic calming, but this is
not necessarily measurable. Oliver explained that in 26 foot-wide streets, large vehicles such as a snow
plows or fire trucks can get through when there are cars parked immediately adjacent, so long as they do it
one at a time. In terms of snow plowing and snow clearing, Oliver explained that plows don't get up against
the curb—they do what is commonly referred to as “winging up the banks”, where they push back, clear the
edge of the roadway and clear the snow further away from the streets. Rosenquist added that speed on big
roads is also a concern from residents. Oliver explained that studies find that speeds are usually far lower
than what pedestrians perceive, making this a perception issue. He added that it is generally accepted that
narrower streets promote slower travel.
Councilmember Fonnest shared that his motivation on bringing this topic back to Council stems from a
concern for safety and the sense of community streets bring to Golden Valley. Of equal importance, the
financial implications of the pandemic and downturn in the economy need to be considered in all projects
that demand money from the City.
October 13, 2020 – 6:30 pm
Virtual WebEx Meeting
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City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2020 – 6:30 pm
Councilmember Harris shared he empathized with residents who are concerned with Council changing their
minds midstream. Harris said residents took the time to bring these concerns and comments and that, while
the pandemic does have a financial impact, residents understood the costs associated with this project.
Harris said at this point he is leaning towards 28 foot-wide streets.
Councilmember Sanberg shared that she understood residents’ concerns and that the current climate of
unpredictability made the Council re visit the decision. She stated that she is currently undecided on the
topic.
Mayor Harris said that the upcoming City Council Meeting on October, 20 would enable the opportunity to
hear more feedback from residents and others who support 26 foot width streets. He added that all of
Council's decisions take into consideration the best interest of those living in the community as a whole—
and not just those living in the neighborhood. Mayor Harris said the Council will discuss the issue on the
upcoming Council meeting and have a final decision. Finally, Mayor Harris asked residents to put this issue
into perspective and continue to have reasonable and respectful conversations.
2. Crime Free Ordinance Discussion
Deputy Fire Chief Massicotte presented the staff report. He explained that this agenda item comes forth for
discussion as a result of recent inquiries staff has had from Council and residents. The item refers to four
sections on the Rental Licensing section of ordinance (Article III, Sec. 16). According to Massicotte, these
sections are concerning to fair housing advocates as they can lead to negative impact on the public’s
perception and people being deterred from seeking emergency assistance for fear of being evicted from
their properties. Understanding that those perceptions can be drastic, the City certainly wants to avoid that.
Staff agrees with the potential negative impacts these sections can produce and recommends removing
them from ordinance.
Councilmember Sanberg inquired about Sec. 16-56. (h) Crime Fee Training and if there is any other program
that would deal with landlord-tenant rights and relationships. Massicotte explained that the Safer Tenants
and Renters (STAR) program encourages landlords to participate in training and regular meetings with City
inspections and Police staff. Police Chief Sturgis added that the program focuses primarily on crime
prevention, advocacy and giving the landlords access to the resources they need. City Attorney Cisneros
explained the program is referenced in the training section of the code that staff is proposing to get rid of.
Cisneros therefore recommended that should this section of code be approved for removal, a few lines
referring to the City’s STAR program be added as a policy for adoption by the Council or by staff (if the
authority is delegated). Cisneros also commented that wording on the most recent STAR program
description would require some changes because it references the Crime Free Housing Lease Addendum
which is proposed to be eliminated in this provision.
Councilmember Rosenquist commented that Housing Advocates have discussed having a simplified
mechanism where landlords and tenants could access information about rules and regulations in Golden
Valley in a simple way. City Manager Cruikshank explained that hiring a dedicated Housing Manager will
enable these sorts of responsibilities to reside with the individual on this position.
Councilmember Fonnest inquired about lease agreements and if they would need to be modified to reflect
the deletion of these sections. Cisneros explained the lease agreements wouldn’t necessarily need to be re-
written as it is up to the landlord’s discretion to keep or remove this addendum from the leasing contract,
the change being that the City is no longer requiring it. Cisneros added that the enforceability of the
addendum is a matter of contract law and the lease agreement has to comply with the requirements of
Minnesota landlord-tenant law (a field that is regulated by State Statute).
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City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
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The Council directed staff to look at incentives to further protect renters and to bring back this topic to a
future Council meeting to remove the aforementioned sections from ordinance.
3. Proposed Revision to Disorderly Conduct Ordinance
City Attorney Cisneros presented the staff report. She explained that there was overlap and
repetition between the Disorderly Conduct Ordinance and State Law adding that the Golden Valley
Police Department and the prosecutor’s office is usually inclined to rely on State law rather than
City Ordinances when dealing with cases. Cisneros gave an overview of the proposed changes.
Councilmember Fonnest inquired if the language change in paragraph two inferred that Golden
Valley was assuming policing responsibility for property that technically is part of the Minneapolis
Park Board or if the language change proposal is more in alignment with the Park Board’s in terms
of unauthorized activities. Cisneros explained the addition of the terms “lake” “creek” and “pond”
were appropriate because it would not make sense that the referenced activities would only apply
to a river when there are more bodies of water in Golden Valley. It was also noted that the primary
concern is occasional flooding in Golden Valley where, during flood conditions, those bodies of
water can be very dangerous to swim in. Cisneros added the proposed changes do not affect the
relationship between the City of Golden Valley and the Minneapolis Park police when it comes to
policing those areas of common jurisdiction.
In reference to the proposed changes on paragraph 3, Councilmember Sanberg commented that
these types of ordinances might disproportionately affect unhoused people (i.e. obstructing
sidewalks, loitering, public urination). She asked staff if there was any insight regarding the
circumstances people are cited, in relation to this section of the ordinance. Chief Sturgis explained
that primarily the police department deals with this issue in buildings (like a gas station or
restaurant) during the weekend nights and that it is not something the department gets called on
usually.
The Council thanked staff for their work and proposed changes.
4. Council Review of Future Draft Agendas: Housing and Redevelopment Authority - October 20,
2020, City Council - October 20, 2020, City Council - November 4, 2020, Council/Manager -
November 10, 2020, City Council - November 17, 2020, Housing and Redevelopment Authority -
December 1, 2020, City Council - December 1, 2020, Council/Manager - December 8, 2020 and
City Council - December 15, 2020.
City Manager Cruikshank informed the Council that the October, 20 HRA Meeting would be
cancelled and that the topics listed on that agenda would be discussed on a future HRA work-
session.
No changes were submitted for future draft agendas.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm
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City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2020 – 6:30 pm
________________________________
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Tomas Romano, Assistant to the City Manager’s Office