2023-12-05 Regular Meeting
December 5, 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 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 Sophia Ginis, Maurice Harris, Denise La Mere -
Anderson, and Gillian Rosenquist
Staff present: City Manager Cruikshank, City Attorney Cisneros, Finance Director Virnig,
Community Development Director Flores, Recreation Supervisor Erickson, Planner
Campbell, and City Clerk Schyma
1C. Approve Temporary Community Services Commission and 2024 Fund Allocation,
Resolution No. 23-099
Recreation Supervisor Erickson, staff liaison to the Community Services Commission, introduced
commission members Lisa Roden and Matt Olson to present the fund allocation report including,
the review and recommendation process.
Council Member La Mere-Anderson recommended that staff reach out to the Golden Valley
Community Foundation to see if they can help the organizations that aren’t receiving funds this
year.
The Council discussed how to help fund the requests that were not approved.
Motion by La Mere-Anderson, Second by Rosenquist to receive and file the 2024 allocation
recommendation and adopt Resolution No. 23-099 approving temporary Community Services
Commission and 2024 fund allocation.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4971979-C4F4-4EE2-AF69-75538AE08578
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
2. Additions and Corrections to Agenda
Motion by M. Harris, Second by Rosenquist 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 Item #3C.1. Adopt Resolution No. 23-100 to Approve Participation in the Metropolitan
Council Environmental Services (MCES) 2024 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Grant
Program.
Motion carried 5-0.
3A. Approval of City Council Minutes:
3A.1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 21, 2023
3B. Approval of City Check Registers
3C. Grants and Donations:
3C.1. Adopt Resolution No. 23-100 to Approve Participation in the Metropolitan Council
Environmental Services (MCES) 2024 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Grant
Program
3C.2. Approve Grant Agreement with Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) for
Publicly Owned Infrastructure Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Grant Program
3C.3. 2023 Annual Grant Funding Update
3D. Adopt Resolution No. 23-101 Granting City Council Consent for Housing and Redevelopment
Authority (HRA) Levy Payable in 2024
3E. Adopt Resolution No. 23-102 - 2024-2033 Capital Improvement Program
3F. Approve Resolution No. 23-103 Adopting the 2024-2025 Budget for Enterprise, Special
Revenue and Internal Service Funds
3. Items Removed From the Consent Agenda:
3C.1. Adopt Resolution No. 23-100 to Approve Participation in the Metropolitan Council
Environmental Services (MCES) 2024 Private Property Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Grant
Program
Council Member Harris wanted to highlight this program and asked staff to advertise the program
to help inform and educate residents.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4971979-C4F4-4EE2-AF69-75538AE08578
Council Member Ginis added that, since this item was pulled from the Consent Agenda, she
wanted to state that while she is employed by the Metropolitan Council, she works for Metro
Transit which is a different division and has no influence on any MCES programs and receives no
benefit from any Council action taken at this meeting.
Mayor Harris asked the Council to potentially add this to the legislative priorities for next year to
advocate for additional funding.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by Rosenquist to Adopt Resolution No. 23-100 to Approve
Participation in the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES ) 2024 Private Property
Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Grant Program.
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
All Ordinances listed under this heading were eligible for public input.
6A. Public Input on Adopting Resolution No. 23-104 to Adopt the Final 2024 of the General
Fund Budget and Resolution No. 23-105 Adopting the Property Tax Levies For Taxes
Payable in 2024
Finance Director Virnig discussed the staff report, budget, and tax levy.
Mayor Harris opened the item for public comment.
Bill Feist, owner of the Minnoco gas station at 1875 North Lilac Drive, stated that he appreciated
the information at the meeting tonight. He added that people are hurting financially right now and
wishes the State would spend money on the people who need it.
Mr. Nelson, homeowner in Golden Valley, stated he supports the budget but wanted to speak
during the meeting to ask the Council to lower the flags to half-mast on January 6.
Mayor Harris closed the item for public comment.
Council Member Harris stated his support for the budget . He also thanked residents for their input
and feedback throughout the year.
Council Member Ginis acknowledged how middle-class incomes and seniors have been financially
impacted over the past five years. She stated that the budget threads the needle quit e eloquently
this year between infrastructure, services, and future planning.
Council Member La Mere-Anderson added that this year’s budget takes a very responsible
approach to providing the services that residents both want and need.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4971979-C4F4-4EE2-AF69-75538AE08578
Council Member Rosenquist highlighted the City’s lack of State support regarding fiscal disparities
and Local Government Aid (LGA) and how that ultimately impacts the budget. She encouraged
residents to contact their state representatives to help advocate for changes to the fiscal
disparities and LGA formulas.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by La Mere-Anderson to approve Resolution No. 23-104 adopting
the 2024 budget of the General Fund.
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 Ginis to approve Resolution No. 23-105 adopting the property
tax levies for taxes payable 2024.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
6B. First Consideration of Ordinance No. 774 - Local Sales and Use Tax Regulations
City Clerk Schyma briefly discussed the staff report and the need for the ordinance after Golden
Valley voters approved three ballot questions authorizing the City to impose a local sales and use
tax to pay for projects to modernize its core service operations.
Mayor Harris opened the item for public comment. As there were no comments, the public
comment session was closed.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by M. Harris to approve first consideration of Ordinance No. 774
for local sales and use tax regulations.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In Favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
6C. Review of Council Calendar
Mayor Harris reviewed upcoming city meetings, events, and holiday closures.
6D. Mayor and Council Communications
1. Other Committee/Meeting updates
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:29 pm.
________________________________
ATTEST: Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
________________________________
Theresa J. Schyma, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4971979-C4F4-4EE2-AF69-75538AE08578