2022-03-01 Regular Meeting
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 6:53 pm.
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Shep Harris, Council Members Maurice Harris, Denise La Mere-
Anderson, Gillian Rosenquist, and Kimberly Sanberg
Staff present: City Manager Cruikshank, Assistant City Engineer Kakach, Parks and
Recreation Director Birno, City Attorney Cisneros, and City Clerk Schyma
Mayor Harris requested a point of personal privilege to share comments about the current
Police Chief search process. He read the City’s Welcome Statement and stated that to live up to
these values the City must be honest with the community and each other as to the internal and
policy changes that are needed. The issues that are occurring in Golden Valley are not unique
but they must be addressed. He believes the search process has spun out of control and must
be put back on track. He stated that the process has been negatively influenced by some
members of the Police Department, Crime Prevention Fund, and others in the community. For
these reasons, he is calling on City management to conduct an independent investigation into
allegations of intimidation, harassment, and racism.
He continued that the selection of the next Police Chief should not be made based on threats of
resignation, intimidation, and bullying. The community has called for change within the Police
Department culture that better reflects the City’s values and Welcome Statement – safety,
accountability, transparency, and service with a high level of community engagement. On paper
the decision is left to the City Manager but the community was brought into the search process
and believes that is how the process should finish. He stated h is support for candidate Virgil
Green and thanked the Council for allowing him a point of personal privilege.
2. Additions and Corrections to Agenda
Motion by M. Harris, Second by La Mere-Anderson to add Item #3D3 - Approve Appointment
of Rachel Zuraff to the Environmental Commission as a Youth Member and Item #3D4 -
Approve Appointment of Drew Jones to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission as a
Youth Member to the Consent Agenda.
March 1, 2022 – 6:30 pm
Council Chambers
Hybrid Meeting
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City of Golden Valley City Council Regular Meeting
March 1, 2022 – 6:30 pm
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Motion by Sanberg, Second by Rosenquist to approve the agenda as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
3. Consent Agenda
Motion by Sanberg, Second by M. Harris to approve the Consent Agenda as revised: removal
of Item #3D1 - Approve Appointment to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission; #3D2
- Accept Resignation from Planning Commission; #3E3 - Approve First Amendment to the
Professional Services Agreement with Landscapes Unlimited, LLC for the Brookview Golf
Course Irrigation Replacement Project.
Motion carried 5-0.
A. Approval of City Council Minutes
1. Regular Meetings of 2021 – November 16 and December 21
2. Special Meetings of 2022 – January 25, February 15 and 22
B. Approval of Check Register
C. Licenses:
1. Approve General Business License - Fireworks Sales
2. Approve Gambling License Exemption and Waiver of Notice Requirement – Sons of
the American Legion Post 523
D. Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces:
1. Approve Appointment to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission
2. Accept Resignation from Planning Commission
3. Approve Appointment of Rachel Zuraff to the Environmental Commission as a Youth
Member
4. Approve Appointment of Drew Jones to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Commission as a Youth Member
E. Bids, Quotes, and Contracts:
1. Award Contract and Authorize Construction Agreement with Allied Blacktop
Company for the 2022 Fog Sealing Project #22-10
2. Approve Verizon Antenna Lease Agreement Amendment #1
3. Approve First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Landscapes
Unlimited, LLC for the Brookview Golf Course Irrigation Replacement Project
F. Approve Resolution No. 22-021 Providing For the Competitive Negotiated Sale of
$4,150,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2022A
3. Items Removed From the Consent:
3D1. Approve Appointment to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission
Mayor Harris stated that he was abstaining from the discussion and vote due to a perceived
conflict of interest with this appointment.
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City of Golden Valley City Council Regular Meeting
March 1, 2022 – 6:30 pm
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Motion by M. Harris, Second by Rosenquist to appoint Carol Luo to the Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Commission.
Motion carried 4-0. (In Favor: M. Harris, La Mere-Anderson, Rosenquist, Sanberg. Abstained:
S. Harris. Opposed: N/A.)
3D2. Accept Resignation from Planning Commission
Council Member La Mere-Anderson thanked Rich Baker for his service on the commission.
Motion by La Mere-Anderson, Second by Rosenquist to accept the resignation of Rich Baker
from the Planning Commission.
Motion carried 5-0.
3E3. Approve First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Landscapes
Unlimited, LLC for the Brookview Golf Course Irrigation Replacement Project
Parks and Recreation Director Birno discussed the project.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by La Mere-Anderson approve first amendment to the
professional services agreement with Landscapes Unlimited, LLC for the equipment and
irrigation installation services for the Brookview Golf Course Irrigation Replacement Project.
Motion carried 5-0.
4. Public Hearing
A. Golden Valley Country Club Greenway Villas Development Project
1. Continuation of Public Hearing to Vacate a Portion of the Sanitary Sewer Easement
through Northwest Corner of Golden Valley County Club Property
Assistant City Engineer Kakach discussed the staff report regarding continuation of
this public hearing and item.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by Rosenquist to continue the public hearing for
sanitary sewer easement vacation through the northwest corner of Golden Valley
Country Club property until the March 15, 2022, Council meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
2. Continuation of Public Hearing to Vacate Street, Trail, and Utility Easement Along
Pennsylvania Avenue at Northwest Corner of Golden Valley County Club Property
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City of Golden Valley City Council Regular Meeting
March 1, 2022 – 6:30 pm
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Motion by Rosenquist, Second by M. Harris to continue the public hearing for
street, trail, and utility easement vacation along Pennsylvania Avenue at the
northwest corner of Golden Valley Country Club property until the March 15, 2022,
Council meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. Old Business
6. New Business
All Ordinances listed under this heading are eligible for public input.
A. Review of Council Calendar
Mayor Harris reviewed upcoming city meetings, events, and holiday closures.
B. Mayor and Council Communications
1. Other Committee/Meeting updates
Council Member Harris shared his personal comments about the Police Chief search process and
the level of community involvement. He stated that future processes need to be altered so that the
process is clear and followed and to address whether or not interim positions should be able to
apply for permanent positions. The City will learn from this pro cess to grow and do better in the
future. The entire community along with Council, management, and staff are responsible for
creating change and progress including with the City’s equity work. While turnover is not desirable,
equity work for staff and being part of a welcoming community for all residents and visitors are
things that are not negotiable. The process is not easy and includes difficult periods of reflection,
but that is part of the work that needs to be done.
Council Member Sanberg agreed with the comments of Council Member Harris. Not all may agree
with the final decision but that does not mean that the outcome was pre-determined.
Council Member Rosenquist thanked her colleagues for their eloquent words and offered support
and agreement. Staff and Council brought honesty and integrity to the search process.
7. Adjournment
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by M. Harris to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 pm.
Motion carried 5-0.
ATTEST:
________________________________
Theresa J. Schyma, City Clerk Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
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