2025-03-18 - MIN - City Council Regular Meeting
March 18, 2025 — 6:30 PM
Golden Valley City Hall
Council Chambers
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Members of the public may attend this meeting in -person, watch on cable channel 16, or stream on
CCXmedia.org.
1. Call to Order
Mayor Harmon called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
Present: Mayor Roslyn Harmon, Council Members Sophia Ginis, Maurice Harris, Denise La
Mere-Anderson, and Gillian Rosenquist
Staff present: City Manager Schuchman, City Attorney Cisneros, Community and Economic
Development Director Goellner, Housing and Economic Development Manager
Costello, City Engineer Ryan, Senior Planner Kramer, Associate Planner Okey, and
City Clerk Schyma
1A. Pledge of Allegiance and Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Harmon led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and read the City’s Land
Acknowledgement statement.
1B. Annual Westopolis Presentation
Becky Bakken, President and CEO of Westopolis, presented the Council with a year-end update.
2. Additions and Corrections to Agenda
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by 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 La Mere-Anderson, Second by Ginis to approve the Consent Agenda as revised:
removal of Item #3D.6. Approve Professional Services Agreement with Restorative Justice Practice,
LLC and Item #3D.7. Adopt Resolution No. 25-022 Approving State of Minnesota Department of
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Transportation and City of Golden Valley Cooperative Construction Agreement No. 1058427 and
Authorizing its Execution.
Motion carried 5-0.
3A. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
3B. Approval of City Check Registers
3C. Licenses:
3C.1. Approve New Brewer Off-Sale Retail Packaging License - Under Pressure Brewing
3C.2. Approve Renewal of General Business Licenses - Gas Dispensers
3C.3. Approve Renewal of General Business Licenses - Solid Waste and Recyclables Collection
3D. Bids, Quotes, and Contracts:
3D.1. Approve Purchase of Gate Valves and Parts from Core & Main
3D.2. Approve Contract for Joint Water Commission Gate Valve Project with Precision Utilities LLC
3D.3. Approve Contract for Brush Pick-Up with Bratt Tree Company
3D.4. Approve Professional Services Agreement with WSB LLC for Engineering Services on TH -
55 Ottawa Watermain Project No. 25-05
3D.5. Approve Professional Services Agreement with Bolton & Menk, Inc. for
Engineering Services on 2025 Mill and Overlay Project No. 24-07
3D.6. Approve Professional Services Agreement with Restorative Justice Practice, LLC
3D.7. Adopt Resolution No. 25-022 Approving State of Minnesota Department of
Transportation and City of Golden Valley Cooperative Construction Agreement No.
1058427 and Authorizing its Execution
3E. Grants and Donations:
3E.1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-016 Authorizing Application for the Minnesota Housing
Local Housing Trust Fund Grant Program
3E.2. Adopt Resolution No. 25-017 Authorizing Application for the Hennepin County Healthy
Tree Canopy Grant
3F. Adopt Second Reading of Ordinance No. 793 - Amending Chapter 4 of the City Code
Relating to Brewer Off-Sale Licenses to Allow Additional Vessel Sizes Permitted by
State Law
3G. Adopt Second Reading of Ordinance No. 794 Establishing an Affordable Housing Trust
Fund and Adopt Resolution No. 25-018 Approving Summary Publication
3H. Adopt Resolutions No. 25-019 and No. 25-020 Approving a Minor Subdivision and
Variance at 5111 Colonial Drive
3. Items Removed From the Consent Agenda:
3D.6. Approve Professional Services Agreement with Restorative Justice Practice, LLC
Mayor Harmon stated she is excited about this agreement and the continuing work of the City’s
public safety staff. She wanted to note that this agreement is for a lot of restorative practices
services but not necessarily restorative justice work.
Motion by Harmon, Second by Harris to approve Professional Services Agreement with
Restorative Justice Practice, LLC for restorative justice training and consulting.
Motion carried 5-0.
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3D.7. Adopt Resolution No. 25-022 Approving State of Minnesota Department of
Transportation and City of Golden Valley Cooperative Construction Agreement No.
1058427 and Authorizing its Execution
Council Member Harris state he is looking forward to this project and requested City staff keep all
impacted residents notified.
City Engineer Ryan discussed a timeline for the project.
Motion by Harris, Second by Rosenquist to adopt Resolution No. 25-022 approving State of
Minnesota Department of Transportation and City of Golden Valley Cooperative Construction
Agreement No. 1058427 and authorizing its execution.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: Harmon, Ginis, Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
4. Public Hearing - None.
5. Old Business - None.
6. New Business
6A. Consider Appeal of Board of Zoning Appeals Variance Decision for 6601 Plymouth
Avenue, Resolution No. 25-021
Senior Planner Kramer discussed the staff report, shoreland ordinance, history of the site, and the
variance process.
Mayor Harmon announced that while this item is not eligible for public input, on behalf of the
Council, she wanted everyone to know that, as part of the agenda packet, the City Council was
provided all documentation of comments and input received either in writing or as part of the
public hearing that occurred at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on February 25. She stated
that the Council would like everyone to know that their comments have been heard, and
appreciates their willingness to share their thoughts on this matter.
Mayor Harmon stated that she wants to ensure the City Council is standing behind the land
acknowledgement statement that they read before each meeting. She asked if this issue is
cosmetic or if actual harm to Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ is possible by approving a variance at this property.
Senior Planner Kramer discussed the stormwater impact review that was conducted by
Environmental Resources Supervisor Eckman, including recommendations for mitigation.
Paul Patton, homeowner of 6601 Plymouth Avenue North, stated he was speaking on behalf of
himself and his spouse Barbara Pierson, and briefly discussed their appeal of the BZA’s decision.
The Council discussed the need to protect the environment and minimize any impact or harm to
Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ, the unique circumstances of moving shoreland and original deck construction,
and the vagueness of the shoreland ordinance language.
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The Council consensus was that approving a variance with conditions would provide a greater
benefit to the shoreland than denying the variance altogether.
Council Member Ginis discussed the need to protect the water body and the unique circumstances
of this property. She stated her support for approving a variance with conditions as she believed it
would provide a greater benefit to the shoreland.
Council Member Harris added that the shoreland ordinance language is vague and moving
shoreland is a unique circumstance. He stated his support for approving a variance with conditions
to help balance out mitigation.
Council Member Rosenquist stated that an above-ground deck does not alter the essential
character of the area because it does not have a direct physical impact on the creek. She stated
that approving a variance with conditions would actually improve the creek and therefore the
essential character.
Council Member La Mere-Anderson said she agreed with her fellow Council Members and their
evaluation of the situation.
Mayor Harmon thanked the applicants for their presentation and staff for all of their work on this
item. She stated that this item has been an eye-opener on where some potential updates are
needed.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Harris to approve variance for 6601 Plymouth Avenue
contingent upon staff preparing written findings based on Council’s positions tonight and with
conditions to be considered at the April 1, 2025 City Council meeting.
Motion carried 5-0. with unanimous approval. (In Favor: Harmon, Ginis, Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
6B. Review of Council Calendar
Mayor Harmon reviewed upcoming city meetings, events, and holiday closures.
6C. Mayor and Council Communications
1. Other Committee/Meeting updates
Council Member Rosenquist congratulated the Hopkins High School Girls Basketball team on
another state championship. She added that it was a great moment during Women’s History
Month to celebrate these talented young women.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:01 pm.
ATTEST:
________________________________ _______________________________
Theresa J. Schyma, City Clerk Roslyn Harmon, Mayor
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