Roseville City Council — Transcript
Monday, February 10, 2025
Lake Owasso Water Ski Slalom Course Permit Renewal
Minor Plat Approval at 571 Roselawn Avenue
Revision of Pollinator Support Program ('Less Mow' Initiative)
Request for Proposals for City Campus Architectural Services
Commissioner Application Process Update
Consent Agenda Items Review and Approval
Votes (5)
Lake Owasso State Boating Association Request for Permanent Renewal of Water Ski Slalom Course
Moved by council member Sher [00:05:43] · Seconded by council member St [00:05:44]
Chief Eric A presented the request for the annual permit renewal, noting that Ramsey County issues the permit but Roseville's policy allows for public comment. The course has been in the same location for over 50 years with no reported problems. Staff recommended approval to allow the association to proceed with Ramsey County. Council members appreciated the tradition and noted that prior questions had been resolved.
Public Hearing and Consideration of a Request to Approve a Plat at 571 Roselawn Avenue
Moved by council member gra [00:13:30] · Seconded by council member Scher [00:13:31]
Senior Planner Brian Lloyd presented the subdivision application to split a large parcel into two. He noted that previously existing structures had been demolished and that stormwater management, tree preservation, and setbacks were straightforward. A proposed driveway, initially too close to a property line, will be removed as part of a collaborative stormwater management plan with the city. Council inquiries clarified the vacation of a Kent Street right-of-way and the handling of stormwater runoff, which will result in public benefit through city-maintained improvements. No public speakers opposed the request.
Consideration of Change to 'Less Mow' Initiative
Moved by council member St [00:24:45] · Seconded by council member gra [00:24:47]
Sustainability Specialist Ms. Bachan reviewed the history of 'No Mow May' and 'Less Mow' initiatives. She presented new research from the University of Minnesota's Bee Lab indicating that May is not ideal for concentrated pollinator support in Minnesota due to weather patterns and turf stress. Staff recommended rescinding the old resolution and focusing on a year-round pollinator support program, emphasizing native plants, responsible mowing practices (higher mower settings, mulching, evening mowing), and reducing watering/fertilizer. Council members strongly supported the updated, science-based approach and discussed promoting electric lawn equipment and native plant sales.
Draft Request for Proposals for Architectural Services Related to Various City Campus Projects
Moved by council member gra [00:39:10] · Seconded by council member Bower [00:39:12]
Public Works Director Mr. Fry Hammer and City Manager Pat Tron presented the draft RFP for architectural services, outlining a two-phase approach. Phase one focuses on updating cost estimates for the License/Passport Center and Maintenance Operation Center, exploring single-story alternatives, and assessing reuse options for the existing maintenance facility. Phase two would explore additional cost-saving designs. Public comment suggested including recreational uses for the existing facility and investigating rental options for the license center, which staff noted would be explored. Council members emphasized the importance of evaluating phasing and parking as part of the study.
Consent Agenda Items (10A-10J)
Moved by council member Scher [00:52:16] · Seconded by council member St [00:52:17]
The City Council discussed several items on the consent agenda. Council Member St expressed satisfaction with the short-term rental at 1901 Ryan Avenue having no issues, appreciated the body-worn camera audit results, and offered condolences for the passing of Commissioner Jessica Raeager. She also inquired about the rate structure for contracted police overtime services, to which the City Attorney clarified that the rate would be uniform per officer, with potential future inclusion in the city's fee schedule after union contract discussions. No significant policy debates arose on any individual item.
Notable Quotes (13)
few things to know it'll be in the same location that it's been for over 50 years now
the only thing is 56 years that that's a tradition so that is something that's thank you for for continuing to do that
the proposal generally is to just split that one large parcel into two roson Avenues on the south side or the bottom of this drawing here so it would be just a a left half and a right half
we did work with this developer since it is picking up some uh Road right away um this will actually they're constructing it but it will end up being turned over to the city to maintain just because of the topography so we'll actually get some some public benefit out of that
however we're hearing a little bit more from the latest research that less m in the month of May is not necessarily the best option for pollinators in Minnesota no M really originated in the UK where their May are a little bit more like our aprils so it doesn't necessarily match with our meteor meteorological systems in Minnesota
I definitely concur with the with the watering discussion because I think there there are a lot of of folks who are sort of in the traditional mode of maintaining a lush green lawn all summer long no matter how much or how little rain we get and I think that that just lends itself to more and more uses
I would just like to again commend you and the rest of the folks in Roseville working on it it was really exciting when I looked on the BB knowing this was coming up before I even read my packet and seeing that we were kind of listed as a model
the first step would be to provide an updated cost estimate of the proposed license passport and dance studio that was currently in the Civic campus master plan so basically an update of what the current plan is the second part would be an update of the maintenance Operation Center so as you recall those those estimates were done in 2022 there was a lot of inflationary C on so certainly just getting a baseline level level of where that is
I think there's a lot that we don't know we're trying to figure out and just don't want to leave any Rock unturned in case we learned some things as part of that phase one work and then we decided we want some more information more iterations or something like that
where it talks about on here the feasibility options and talks about office space restaurant and event venue if possible I'd like you to include recreational uses and to see if there's any possible recreational uses could happen in the current Public Works building and then I still want we've waited forever to get build a new Public facil Works facility I don't want to build it in phases I want to get it started and get us get it done right away so but to do that you got to get the license center out of the way so I would like you to have a third option on here and have someone spend two minutes to just call see what it cost to rent space to put that in
I was happy to see that 1901 Ryan Avenue the short-term rental after so much consternation had not had any issues this year so I wanted to applaud them since they had a little bit of a hard time
I was pleased and thank you for sharing the body warn camera audit results it is often an issue that people are very concerned about and it was good to see that we passed that
my understanding is that the rate will be uniform for all officers I don't know what it is but that it would just be kind of a blended rate so that it would fully compensate the city and then be predictable for the Contracting parties
Ordinances & Resolutions (18)
Annual permit issued by Ramsey County, for which Roseville provides public comment.
Application to split a large parcel into two at 571 Roselawn Avenue.
Proposed plan for dividing the parcel at 571 Roselawn Avenue.
Draft resolution for adoption to approve the proposed plat with conditions.
Original resolution from April 2022 to be rescinded, concerning reduced mowing in May.
New resolution to be adopted, reaffirming year-round pollinator support and responsible lawn care.
Draft document for soliciting bids for architectural services for City Campus projects.
Approval of regular city payments.
Approval to purchase fuel for 2025 from the state contract.
Renewal of license for a short-term rental property.
Agreement to provide services for community members facing relationship violence, sexual assault, etc.
Agreement related to the Rice and Larpenter Alliance.
Agreement regarding the Rice and Larpenter Alliance.
State grant for recruiting and training police officer candidates, bringing total funding to $150,000.
Grant to offset costs of the city's mental health core coordinator positions embedded in the police department.
Template for standardized agreements and reimbursement rates for contracted police overtime services.
Report on the audit of police body worn camera usage and practices.
Declaration of a new vacancy due to the passing of Commissioner Jessica Raegar.