2023-03-21 Regular Meeting
March 21, 2023 — 6:30 PM
Council Chambers
Hybrid Meeting
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
City Council meetings are being conducted in a hybrid format with in -person and remote options
for attending, participating, and commenting. The public can make statements in this meeting
during public comment sections, including the public forum beginning at 6:20 pm.
1. Call to Order
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 6:39 pm.
1A. Pledge of Allegiance and Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Harris led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and read the City’s Land
Acknowledgement statement.
1B. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Shep Harris, Council Members Maurice Harris, Denise La Mere-Anderson,
Gillian Rosenquist, and Kimberly Sanberg
Staff present: City Manager Cruikshank, City Attorney Cisneros, Planning Manager Zimmerman,
Planner Campbell, and City Clerk Schyma
2. Additions and Corrections to Agenda
Mayor Harris noted that a couple of pages in the agenda packet for Item #3E.5.B. have been
corrected since the billable rates that were included in the original packet were not current.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by M. Harris to approve the agenda as submitted.
Motion carried 5-0.
3. Consent Agenda
Approval of Consent Agenda - All items listed under this heading are considered to be routine
by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no discussion of these
items unless a Council Member so requests in which event the item will be removed from the
general order of business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by La Mere-Anderson to approve the Consent Agenda as revised:
removal of Item #3D.3. Adopt Resolution No. 23-015 Approving an Appointment to the Bassett
Creek Watershed Management Commission; and #3F. Approve the 2023 Public Land Inventory
Report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F8789B11-6571-45B2-8F29-FBCE84836D60
Motion carried 5-0.
3A. Approval of City Council Minutes:
3A.1. Minutes of the Annual Joint Meeting with the City Council and Boards and Commissions
on February 28, 2023
3A.2. Meeting Minutes of March 7, 2023 - Special City Council Meeting with Closed
Executive Session and Regular City Council Meeting
3B. Approval of City Check Registers
3C. Licenses:
3C.1. Approve Temporary On-Sale Liquor License - Good Shepherd Catholic Church
3C.2. Receive and File - Gambling License Exemption and Waiver of Notice
Requirement - American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 523
3C.3. Approve Renewal of General Business Licenses - Solid Waste and Recycling Collection
3C.4. Approve Renewal of General Business Licenses - Gas Dispensers
3D. Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces:
3D.1. Receive the Planning Commission Annual Report and Approve the 2023 Work Plan
3D.2. Receive and File the Board of Zoning Appeals Annual Report
3D.3. Adopt Resolution No. 23-015 Approving an Appointment to the Bassett Creek
Watershed Management Commission
3E. Bids, Quotes, and Contracts:
3E.1. Approve Contract for Tree Trimming and Removal with Bratt Tree Company
3E.2. Award Contract for 2023 Crack Sealing Project #23-05 to Allied Blacktop Company
3E.3. Award Contract for 2023 Asphalt Microsurface Project, City Project # 23-06, to
Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation
3E.4. Award Construction Contract for 2023 Fog Sealing Project #23 -10 to Allied
Blacktop Company
3E.5. 2023 Pavement Management Program Project Awards:
A. Award Construction Contract to Northwest Asphalt
B. Award Contract for Construction Engineering Services to Short Elliott Hendrickson,
Incorporated
3F. Approve the 2023 Public Land Inventory Report
3. Items Removed From the Consent Agenda:
3D3. Adopt Resolution No. 23-015 Approving an Appointment to the Bassett Creek Watershed
Management Commission
Council Member Rosenquist thanked outgoing Commissioner Stacy Harwell for her eleven years of
service on the BCWMC and advocating for the residents of Golden Valley. She further thanked
Alternate Commissioner Paula Pentel for stepping up and expressing interest in filling the
Commissioner role for the remainder of the term ending January 31, 2024.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by M. Harris to adopt Resolution No. 23-015 appointing Paula
Pentel as Commissioner to the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: M. Harris, S. Harris, La Mere-Anderson,
Rosenquist, Sanberg. Opposed: N/A)
3E9. Approve the 2023 Public Land Inventory Report
DocuSign Envelope ID: F8789B11-6571-45B2-8F29-FBCE84836D60
Council Member Rosenquist asked how the parcel located at 7901 – 23rd Avenue North will fit in
with the proposed intersection improvements since traffic and pedestrian safety is a Council goal
in 2023.
Assistant City Engineer Kakach responded that the actual parcel will not be used for pedestrian
improvements but the adjacent right-of-way will be used for pedestrian improvements including
creating additional space for wheelchair accessibility.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Sanberg to approve the 2023 Public Land Inventory Report.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Public Hearing
4A. Land Use and Zoning Map Amendments and Preliminary Plat for 8200 Golden Valley Road
and 8240 Golden Valley Drive
- Approve Resolution No. 23-016 - Amending the Future Land Use Map
- Approve Ordinance No. 760 - Amending the Zoning Map
- Approve the Preliminary Plat (Golden Valley Apartments)
Council Member Harris stated he will step away from the dais and abstain from the discussion
and vote on this item tonight since his employer is involved in the transaction.
Planning Manager Zimmerman discussed the staff report, history of zoning in the area, planning
theory, site plan review, and the Downtown Plan.
Fabrizio Montermini, Managing Director of Sentinel Management Group, spoke about their
process, intent, design, and vision for the site that they have been working on since 2021.
Burt Coffin, ESG Architecture and Design, spoke specifically about the site design, stormwater
management plan, and building placement, height, and setbacks.
Mayor Harris opened the public hearing.
Lauren Crosby, resident of Golden Valley, spoke against the proposed project and discussed
public safety concerns with adding more units in Golden Valley.
Ilsa Bursens, resident of Golden Valley, spoke against the size of the proposed project due to
concerns regarding building height, shading, congestion, and reduced privacy.
Ted Wender, 8038 Golden Valley Road, stated his support for the proposed project and it is a
benefit for the community. He added that studies have proven property values do not decrease
with adding multi-family housing in the neighborhood, they increase and he would like his
property values increase.
John Holmquist, resident of Golden Valley, spoke against the proposed project and expressed
concerns with construction vehicles and increased bus traffic on Golden Valley Road.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F8789B11-6571-45B2-8F29-FBCE84836D60
Steve Gummert, 8112 Golden Valley Road, spoke against the proposed project and expressed
concerns regarding building height, shading, and aesthetics for the neighborhood.
Ruth Paradise, 8515 Duluth Street, spoke in favor of the proposed project and how it will be nefit
the community including increasing affordable housing opportunities in Golden Valley.
Thomas Green, 8012 Golden Valley Road, spoke against the proposed project and expressed
concerns with building height, shading, setbacks, and the incompatibility of the proposed design
with the neighborhood.
Ron Quanback, 7930 Golden Valley Road, stated his concerns since the site plan is not approved
until a later date so the building height, setbacks, and congestion could change from what is
being shown by the applicants at this time.
Alisa Ditvig, 7930 Golden Valley Road, stated she wants the site developed but believes this
particular location should be zoned Neighborhood Mixed Use instead of Community Mixed Use
due to the differences in building height and number of units.
Mayor Harris closed the public hearing.
Council Member Sanberg stated she did hear many comments that redevelopment does need to
occur there and that the shopping center area needs to be upgraded. She thinks the benefit of
increasing density is that it could help the area add a grocery store and more restaurants and
businesses to downtown.
Council Member La Mere-Anderson agreed with Council Member Sanberg and encouraged the
developers to listen to the comments from the neighborhood about the design of the building.
She further stated she is excited about adding more affordable housing opport unities to the City.
Council Member Rosenquist stated she hears the concerns that the neighborhood has brought
forward but she is thankful that the Code requires an additional step in the site plan review
process so that some of the concerns can be managed.
Mayor Harris stated he agrees with his colleagues and also thanked the residents for their civility
during the hearing process. He responded to comments about public safety concerns, stated that
crime levels are at a pre-COVID-19 level, and added that he believes the Police Department is
making changes for the better.
Motion by Sanberg, Second by La Mere-Anderson to adopt Resolution No. 23-016, Amendment
to the Future Land Use Map Designating 8200 Golden Valley Road and 8240 Golden Valley Drive
as Community Mixed Use, and to authorize staff to forward the requests to the Metropolitan
Council for review.
Motion carried 4-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, La Mere-Anderson,
Rosenquist, Sanberg. Opposed: N/A. Abstained: M. Harris.)
Motion by La Mere-Anderson, Second by Sanberg to adopt Ordinance No. 760 Amending the
Zoning Map and Rezoning Properties at 8200 Golden Valley Road and 8240 Golden Valley Drive
from Commercial to Community Mixed Use.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F8789B11-6571-45B2-8F29-FBCE84836D60
Motion carried 4-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, La Mere-Anderson,
Rosenquist, Sanberg. Opposed: N/A. Abstained: M. Harris.)
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Sanberg to approve the proposed Preliminary Plat for 8200
Golden Valley Road and 8240 Golden Valley Drive (Golden Valley Apartments) subject to the
following conditions:
1. The applicant shall modify the final plat to accommodate the planned cul-de-sac on
Golden Valley Drive.
2. The applicant shall work with staff to evaluate if any additional modifications to the final
plat are required in order to accommodate a future mini roundabout at the intersection
of Wisconsin Avenue and Golden Valley Road.
3. A park dedication fee equal to 6% of the land value shall be paid prior to the release of the
final plat.
4. The City Attorney will determine if a title review is necessary prior to approval of the final
plat.
Motion carried 4-0. (Abstained: M. Harris.)
5. Old Business
6. New Business
All Ordinances listed under this heading are eligible for public input.
6A. First Consideration of Ordinance No. 761 Amending the 2023 Master Fee Schedule
for Items Related to Micromobility Licenses
Planner Campbell presented the staff report, discussed a partnership with the cities of Hopkins
and St. Louis Park, and detailed the process for micromobility applicant s and reasoning for
updating the fees.
Mayor Harris opened the item for public comment. No one requested to speak.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Sanberg to approve first consideration of Ordinance No. 761
Amending the 2023 Master Fee Schedule for Items Related to Micromobility Licenses.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: M. Harris, S. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist, Sanberg. Opposed: N/A)
6B. Approve Updated Bylaws of Various Boards and Commissions
City Attorney Cisneros discussed the report and reasoning for updating the bylaws.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by Sanberg to approve the Police, Employment, Accountability, &
Community Engagement Commission, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission, Planning
Commission, Environmental Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Open Space and
Recreation Commission Bylaws.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F8789B11-6571-45B2-8F29-FBCE84836D60
Motion carried 5-0.
6C. Mayor and Council Communications
1. Other Committee/Meeting updates
Mayor Harris announced that he is not seeking a fourth term due to his need to devote more time
and attention to his family and career. He will continue to be an active member of the community
and supportive of the Council, staff, commissioners, and community.
6D. Review of Council Calendar
Mayor Harris reviewed upcoming city meetings, events, and holiday closures.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:05 pm.
________________________________
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Theresa J. Schyma, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: F8789B11-6571-45B2-8F29-FBCE84836D60