Roseville City Council — Transcript
Monday, May 4, 2026
Proclamation of National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclamation of National Public Works Week
Proclamation of Poppy Days in Roseville
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Variance Appeal
Conduit Debt Application for Senior Living Housing
Year-End 2025 Cash Reserve Levels and Fund Balance Adjustments
Consent Agenda Items
Votes (3)
Appeal of a Variance Board Denial for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at 2700 Snelling Avenue
Dissent: Council member Strong
Moved by Council member Schroeder [0:45:07] · Seconded by Council member Bower [0:45:10]
The appeal concerned a proposed medical office and research facility that sought to provide significantly fewer EV charging stations (8 instead of 26) and EV service equipment stalls (22 instead of 53) than required by city ordinance. The applicant, Hemple Real Estate, argued for a phased compliance approach based on an internal employee demand study and highlighted the high cost and logistical challenges of meeting the full ordinance requirements for their private, multi-shift facility. City staff supported the original variance request, citing the newness of the ordinance and its potentially mismatched application to a private employer of this scale. Council members discussed the balance between supporting sustainable infrastructure and the practical difficulties faced by businesses, with some expressing concern over 'legislating by variance' and calling for a review of the ordinance by the Planning Commission, particularly concerning different land use types (commercial vs. private employment) and charging levels (Level 1 vs. Level 2).
Consider Approving a Resolution Supporting Standard Communities' Conduit Debt Application
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Strong [1:10:04] · Seconded by Council member Grath [1:10:07]
The council considered granting preliminary approval for conduit bonds to support Standard Communities' acquisition and substantial renovation of a 127-unit senior living affordable housing development. This financing method leverages tax-exempt bonds, with the city acting as a conduit issuer, incurring no financial liability. The project aims to preserve affordability for 30 years and improve the facility while implementing a 'tenant-in-place' renovation strategy to avoid displacement. The city benefits from a 1% administrative fee on the bond issuance, which covers staff time and contributes to the general fund.
Review of Year-End 2025 Cash Reserve Levels and Annual Adjustments to Address Fund Balance Matters
Dissent: None
Moved by Council member Grath [1:37:46] · Seconded by Council member Strong [1:37:50]
The Finance Director presented a detailed analysis of the city's year-end 2025 financial position, highlighting that the General Fund was below its 35% target. Causes included conservative budgeting and increased expenditure requirements. Recommendations were made to transfer funds from the License Center ($637,643), the Cash Reserve Fund ($926,008), and the Parks and Recreation Fund ($40,978 for General Fund, $40,378 for Communication Fund) to bring the General Fund and Communication Fund up to their minimum 10% and 35% targets respectively. The transfers were crucial for maintaining financial stability and a favorable bond rating. The council noted the transparency of the report and the strategic use of reserve funds.
Notable Quotes (10)
I don't know if that that would be a real good assessment though. If you don't currently have EV charging, someone wouldn't count on that at work.
Roseville is very committed to sustainability and so we thought we needed to start somewhere, but we didn't have um really good information to determine what the most appropriate standard would be. So when we presented information to the planning commission, we were very upfront with them that this is a good starting point.
the challenge we have is that uh sort of legislating by variance doesn't feel like the right process either. Um I I get concerned that each cons each sort of request is sort of considered on its own and isn't in a context.
I'm not um in favor of this variable uh decision making and it is unfortunate that it um is a time frame that is important to the organization, but I think it's important so that we are consistent with um practices that I would vote uh to not grant the variance and withhold or and uphold the decision made by the variance board.
It's important to point out that the proposed application to the state requests bonding authority in a total principal amount of $23,750,000. But this is not a budget request to the city. No city funds would be used for the bonds. The city would not have any liability for the payment of the proposed issuance of bonds.
our plan here is to acquire the building and do a substantial renovation uh using these this tax exempt instrument as well as uh low-inccome housing tax credits which will apply for uh after hopefully we get the uh bond allocation in early July. the part of that uh allocation as well as the bonds uh means that we this property will be affordable for another 30 years.
I have friends who do a lot of volunteer work at that particular facility. Um and I've heard um it can be seen as somewhat sad and so I'm really happy for the people who do live there that um maybe that isn't the end outcome that it feels has some hope and some like positive vibes about it.
So one of the reasons we have a fund reserve policy is to really meet uh that cushion of unexpected revenue in income interruptions and also provide a working capital by ensuring sufficient cash flow to be the city cities need this throughout the year and provide funds to address unexpected or unplanned events.
our reserve are going to go up. We're going to need more money. And especially if we're using fund balance reserves, we're also decreasing that fund balance throughout the year.
And one of the reasons we want to do that is because what's coming ahead uh especially with the bond issuance a lot of times if we have to go through another bond uh rating call they will be looking at our reserves. So if our reserves are going to be below uh the recommended office of the state auditor which is 35%. That might not be favorable for us.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Minimum number of required electrical vehicle charging stations.
Required number of electrical vehicle service equipment.
Document for Board of Adjustments and Appeals decision.
Police Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week.
Recognizing public works professionals.
Commemorating veterans and supporting VFW Buddy Poppy campaign.
Preliminary approval for 127-unit senior living housing development bonds.
Federal program supporting affordable housing development.
Existing federal housing assistance for residents.
City policy regarding fund balance and reserves.
Restricting parking due to road narrowing.