11-10-20 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, Physical Development Director Nevinski, City Engineer
Oliver, Assistant City Engineer Kakach, Environmental Resources Supervisor
Eckman, Environmental Specialist Chirpich, Finance Director Virnig and Physical
Development Assistant Schwalbe.
Also present: Mike Kotila (SEH consulting)
1. Local Residential Street Speed Limit Discussion
Assistant City Engineer Kakach presented the staff report. The Minnesota State Legislature adopted a bill
which was signed into law that provides limited authority to cities to set speed limits for streets under their
jurisdiction. The City contracted with consulting traffic engineer firm SEH Inc. to perform a speed limit study
on roadways. The attached report provides background for consideration of potential speed limit changes
and outlines three courses of action:
Option 1: Maintain the current speed limits within the City.
Option 2: Adopt the statutory 25 mph on all residential streets and make no changes to other streets in non-
residential areas in the community.
Option 3: Adopt a 20 mph speed limit on all residential streets with speed limits on nonresidential streets
based upon the nature and function of the roadway.
Kakach explained that the primary point of discussion for this meeting was the speed limit at local
neighboring streets. Neighboring cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul have already implemented a 20 mph
speed limit for local streets. St Louis Park is looking at implementing a similar model as Minneapolis. Kakach
added the cities of Robbinsdale and Crystal have no plans to make adjustments at this time. He said that if
so decided by the Council, implementation of option 2 or 3 would occur in 2021 and would require
additional signage and public education. While there would be some cost, the cost difference between
option 2 and 3 would be negligible. It is worth noting that both of those options would be more expensive
than leaving the status quo.
Councilmember Rosenquist asked about school speed zones and if the City had the ability to regulate speeds
differently in those areas. Mike Kotila explained the City has the ability to treat school zones independently
and that school speed zones can be implemented. These speed zones vary based on roadway and
circumstances, he said.
The Council discussed the role of continuity of speed limits across cities and its importance. Engineering staff
pointed out that there is concern of varying speed limits in different communities and that there is no state
wide residential roads speed limit to this date. Staff established that uniformity within our community is
something Golden Valley can aim form.
November 10, 2020 – 6:30 pm
Virtual WebEx Meeting
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A1BD486-3EEC-45AB-A205-BD867BB39572
2
City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2020 – 6:30 pm
The Council agreed that they have heard from neighbors and residents who are concerned about speeding
in Golden Valley. The Council is supportive of 20 mph limit on residential streets. Aside from the data that
shows that crash risks for pedestrians is reduced at lowers speeds, the Council points out that there are
many streets in Golden Valley that do not have sidewalks, where people walk, bike and exercise in. The
Council is supportive of taking a proactive approach with a focus on educating the community, utilizing
signage instead of a patrol and enforcement mode of operation around this issue.
Council consensus was to re visit this item at an upcoming City Council Meeting, following some public
outreach through the newsletter and website, where there would be opportunity for the public to provide
input prior to potential implementation.
2. Review of 2021 Master Fee Schedule
Finance Director Virnig presented the staff report which includes the 2021 Master Fee Schedule up
for review on the upcoming City Council Meetings on November, 17 and December, 1, 2020. Virnig
presented the major changes in administration fees by department. Mayor Harris inquired about
the emergency water supply fee. Virnig explained the fee started in 2014 and will go until 2025, to
pay for an emergency pipe that broke and for wells needed for emergency use. The Council had no
concerns with the schedule or its additions and will be re visiting the topic on the upcoming City
Council Meetings.
3. Discussion of Organic and Recycling Request for Proposal
Environmental Resources Supervisor Eckman presented the staff report. He explained that
following the June 9, 2020 Council/Manager meeting, staff has been working on next steps to
implement curbside organics recycling collection in Golden Valley. Eckman explained that the
Environmental Commission’s recommendation to expand the City’s contracted recycling services by
adding an “all in, everyone pays” curbside organics recycling collection service seems to offer the
lowest cost for residents, with the opportunity for higher participation rates. Eckman added that
the City will consider the recycling company’s commitment to equity as part of the evaluation
criteria with the Request for Proposals (RFP).
Councilmember Sanberg asked about the City’s ongoing conversations with haulers. Environmental
Specialist Chirpich said the City has maintained ongoing correspondence with currently licensed
haulers to help guide specifications within the contract. Among other topics, discussion was
centered on: the size of carts for organics recycling; pricing of services for one vs two separate
contracts; sticker, tag education on carts; and the plan of action for residents to return carts should
they want to opt out after the initial roll out.
Councilmember Sanberg asked if participation rates increased when every resident receives a cart
in their home. Staff indicated that data supports that notion.
Councilmember Rosenquist asked if there was a way for residents to opt out of using a durable cart
to collect their recyclables and use a durable bag system. Staff explained the preference would be a
durable cart system but noted there could be alternate methods to achieve the goals of this
program.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A1BD486-3EEC-45AB-A205-BD867BB39572
3
City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2020 – 6:30 pm
Councilmember Harris asked about grant funding from Hennepin County to offset some of the
increase in cost to the Recycling Program and the addition of the Organics Collection service.
Eckman said that the grant program funding from Hennepin County is score based and that under
the current formula, if the City decides to roll out the Organics Collection service program, it could
receive more funding. Hennepin County is in the process of reviewing and updating its grant
funding program and staff will continue to monitor progress and look for opportunities to engage
with the County in its effort.
Physical Development Nevinski added that the expansion of the City’s contracted recycling services
by adding an all-in, everyone pays Curbside Organics Collection service will represent a budget
increase, and that the amounts could vary depending upon a number of factors.
4. Temporary Paid Leave Policy
City Manager Cruikshank presented the staff report. In April 2020 , the City Council approved
various Temporary Employment Policies in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The policies
included a temporary PTO and Vacation Policy which allowed staff to continue to accrue PTO and
Vacation beyond their existing maximum annual through the end of the year. As the City continues
to operate under the pandemic, several staff members have not been able to use PTO or vacation.
Staff is proposing a policy amendment to mitigate some PTO and vacation loss for City employees.
The proposal includes:
- Buying back PTO or Vacation hours from employees who are over their maximum accrual by
December 6, 2020.
- Allowing certain employees to continue accruing PTO or Vacation hours beyond their
existing maximum accrual until August 29, 2021.
Cruikshank explained there are several employees in various departments who do not have the
ability to take time off due to staffing shortages in the current situation.
The Council is supportive of the proposed changes and thanks staff for their service and
commitment to the City in these challenging times.
5. Council Review of Future Draft Agendas
11-17-20: City Council Meeting
12-01-20: HRA Special Meeting
12-01-20: City Council Meeting
12-08-20: Council Manager Meeting
12-15-20: City Council Meeting
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A1BD486-3EEC-45AB-A205-BD867BB39572
4
City of Golden Valley City Council/Manager Regular Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2020 – 6:30 pm
No changes were submitted for future draft agendas.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30pm
________________________________
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Tomas Romano, Assistant to the City Manager’s Office
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6A1BD486-3EEC-45AB-A205-BD867BB39572