2023-09-19 Regular Meeting Minutes
September 19, 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 6:49 p.m.
1A. Pledge of Allegiance and Land Acknowledgement
City Attorney Cisneros led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish and Mayor Harris
read the City’s Land Acknowledgement statement.
1B. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Shep Harris, Council Members Sophia Ginis, Maurice Harris, Denise La Mere -
Anderson, and Gillian Rosenquist
Staff present: City Manager Cruikshank, City Attorney Cisneros, Equity and Inclusion Manager
Kaempfer, Finance Director Virnig, and City Clerk Schyma
1C. Proclamation Honoring September 15 - October 15, 2023 as Hispanic and Latino/a/e
Heritage Month
Equity and Inclusion Manager Kaempfer discussed the proclamation and how the month uplifts
the rich cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage representing many countries, ethnicities, and
religious traditions that have contributed to America’s past, present, and future from Hispanic and
Latino/a/e people.
Mayor Harris invited City Attorney Cisneros to read a portion of the proclamation in Spanish and
English.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by La Mere-Anderson to support a proclamation honoring
September 15 - October 15, 2023 as Hispanic and Latino/a/e Heritage Month.
Motion carried 5-0.
2. Additions and Corrections to Agenda
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Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Ginis 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 Ginis to approve the Consent Agenda as revised:
removal of Items # 3D.1. Accept Resignation from the Board of Zoning Appeals; 3D.2. Board and
Commission Appointments; 3D.3 Amend the 2023 Planning Commission Annual Work Plan; 3F. 1.
Adopt Resolution No. 23-081 for The Youth Art and Music Grant From The Hennepin County Board
of Commissioners for $1,150 to Purchase Supplies for The Golden Valley Puppet Wagon; and 3G.
Adopt Resolution No. 23-082 Approving the Appointment of Election Judges and Establishment of
an Absentee Ballot Board for the General Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Motion carried 5-0.
3A. Approval of City Council Minutes:
3A.1. Minutes of the Special City Council Closed Executive Session of September 12, 2023
3B. Approval of City Check Registers
3C. Licenses:
3C.1. Approve THC Retail Establishment License Renewals
3C.2. Approve Gambling License Exemption and Waiver of Notice Requirement - Hope
International
3D. Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces:
3D.1. Accept Resignation from the Board of Zoning Appeals
3D.2. Board and Commission Appointments
3D.3. Amend the 2023 Planning Commission Annual Work Plan
3E. Bids, Quotes, and Contracts:
3E.1. Approve Reimbursement Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for
Crossing Replacement at Golden Valley Road
3E.2. Adopt Resolution No. 23-080 Approving Joint Powers Agreements with the State of
Minnesota and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
3F. Grants and Donations:
3F.1. Adopt Resolution No. 23-081 for The Youth Art and Music Grant From The Hennepin County
Board of Commissioners for $1,150 to Purchase Supplies for The Golden Valley Puppet
Wagon
3G. Adopt Resolution No. 23-082 Approving the Appointment of Election Judges and
Establishment of an Absentee Ballot Board for the General Election on Tuesday, November
7, 2023
3H. Set Date for Proposed Property Tax Levy Payable 2024 and 2024-25 Budget
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3. Items Removed From the Consent Agenda:
3D.1. Accept Resignation from the Board of Zoning Appeals
Council Members Rosenquist and Ginis thanked Chris Carlson for their thoughtful service to the
Board of Zoning Appeals.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Ginis to accept the resignation of Chris Carlson from the Board
of Zoning Appeals effective September 27, 2023.
Motion carried 5-0.
3D.2. Board and Commission Appointments
The Council consensus was to make the following appointments and reappointments:
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TERM DATE
Anthony Corrado April 30, 2026
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION TERM DATE
Lisa Roden April 30, 2026
DEI COMMISSION TERM DATE
Drew Jones (Youth) August 30, 2024
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by La Mere-Anderson to make the aforementioned appointments
and reappointments.
Motion carried 5-0.
3D.3. Amend the 2023 Planning Commission Annual Work Plan
Council Member La Mere-Anderson stated the reason for amending the work plan so late in the
year is due to a pending state law change regarding Sacred Communities that becomes effective in
January 2024.
Motion by La Mere-Anderson, Second by Rosenquist to amend the 2023 Planning Commission
Annual Work Plan by adding language addressing Sacred Communities.
Motion carried 5-0.
3F.1. Adopt Resolution No. 23-081 for The Youth Art and Music Grant From The Hennepin
County Board of Commissioners for $1,150 to Purchase Supplies for The Golden Valley
Puppet Wagon
Council Member Harris discussed the grant and its impact to the amazing Golden Valley Puppet
Wagon.
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Motion by M. Harris, Second by Rosenquist to adopt Resolution No. 23-081 approving the Youth
Art and Music Grant from Hennepin County Board of Commissioners for $1,150 to purchase
supplies for the Golden Valley Puppet Wagon.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
3G. Adopt Resolution No. 23-082 Approving the Appointment of Election Judges and
Establishment of an Absentee Ballot Board for the General Election on Tuesday,
November 7, 2023
Council Member Harris recognized election judges for their hard work and commitment to the
community.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by Rosenquist to adopt Resolution No. 23-082 approving the
appointment of Election Judges and establishment of an Absentee Ballot Board for the General
Election to be held on November 7, 2023.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
4. Public Hearing
5. Old Business
6. New Business
6A. Public Input on Adopting Resolution No. 23-083 to Adopt Proposed 2024-2025 Budget
and Proposed Tax Levies Payable in 2024 and Adopt Resolution No. 23-084 Consenting
to the Proposed 2024 Housing and Redevelopment Levy
Finance Director Virnig discussed the proposed budget and tax levy and highlighted changes from
last year’s budget.
Mayor Harris opened the item for public comment. As there were no comments, the comment
session was closed.
Council Member Ginis stated that she believes the core of the budget is adjusting for i nflation,
prioritizing good financial management for cash flow, addressing debt in responsible way, and
incrementally building up necessary funds so in the future Golden Valley is more solvent.
Council Member Harris discussed the budget process and how this year’s proposed budget allows
the City to continue providing valuable services in a cost effective manner and keeps tax increases
reasonable for current residents.
Council Member La Mere-Anderson discussed City services and how they impact the budget.
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Council Member Rosenquist discussed the delicate balance of planning for the City’s future,
addressing current needs, and keeping tax increases reasonable for current residents.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by La Mere-Anderson to adopt Resolution No. 23-083 for Proposed
2024-25 Budget and Proposed Tax Levies Payable in 2024.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by M. Harris to adopt Resolution No. 23-084 Consenting to the
Preliminary 2024 Housing and Redevelopment Proposed Levy.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
6B. Review of Council Calendar
Mayor Harris reviewed upcoming city meetings, events, and holiday closures.
6C. Mayor and Council Communications
1. Other Committee/Meeting updates
Council Member Rosenquist provided an update from the most recent METRO Blue Line Extension
Corridor Management Committee meeting.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:12 p.m.
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ATTEST: Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
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Theresa J. Schyma, City Clerk
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