Roseville City Council — Transcript
Monday, October 20, 2025
Intersection Safety and Park Entrance Adjustments (Public Comment)
Ordinance on Excavations Near Existing Foundations
Updates to Advisory Commissions Appointment/Reappointment Policy
City Code Recodification
Updates to Remote Participation Policy for Council and Commissions
Consent Agenda Approvals
Votes (5)
Consider discussion regarding an ordinance potentially imposing regulations on excavations near existing foundations
Staff recommended against adopting a local ordinance, citing input from a design professional that a 1:1 horizontal to vertical excavation ratio often doesn't necessitate mitigation in most residential cases, including the Enclave. Concerns were raised about the vagueness of proposed language and the state's impending code adoption. Residents strongly advocated for immediate action, referencing previous incidents and studies, and highlighting the importance of protecting property. Council members debated the efficacy of a local ordinance versus waiting for state guidance, and ultimately decided to enhance existing permit review processes for adjacent property consent rather than adopting a new, potentially ineffective, ordinance.
Consider updates to the appointment and reappoint process or policy for advisory commissions in the city
Moved by Council member McGrath [1:10:04] · Seconded by Council member Shore [1:10:07]
The Assistant City Manager presented minor administrative updates to the policy governing how advisory commission members are appointed and reappointed. These included clarifying commission names, updating communication methods for reappointment interest, formalizing application procedures, and standardizing the inclusion of attendance records in staff reports. The changes were well-received by the council, who recognized them as aligning with current practices and improving policy clarity.
Consider adopting the entire updated city code
Moved by Council member Ran [1:21:44] · Seconded by Council member McGrath [1:21:46]
The Assistant City Manager outlined the extensive process of recodifying the city's code, which had not been updated since 1995. The project, in collaboration with MUN code, involved reviewing, updating, and reorganizing nearly 900 pages of code to correct inconsistencies and improve accessibility. An enabling ordinance, which included a new Section 8 allowing for non-substantive corrections post-adoption, and a resolution for summary publication were presented. Council members expressed appreciation for the thorough work, highlighting the future benefits of a searchable and frequently updated online code for staff and residents.
Approve or consider approving updates to the city council advisory commission rules of procedure for remote participation
Moved by Council member McGrath [1:32:55] · Seconded by Council member Bower [1:32:56]
The Assistant City Manager presented proposed updates to the city's remote participation policy, responding to recent changes in Minnesota's Open Meeting Law that removed prior limitations and location disclosure requirements. While the state law now allows unlimited remote participation, the council opted to maintain a local policy limiting remote participation to three times per calendar year, while ensuring compliance with other state law mandates like advance notice. A brief discussion regarding potential exceptions for military service was held, but no specific changes were made in that regard. The updated policy was unanimously approved.
Approval of Consent Agenda Items 10A-10D
Moved by Council member Bower [1:36:40] · Seconded by Council member Ran [1:36:42]
The City Manager presented four items for approval on the consent agenda: payments totaling over $1.2 million, expenditures for Oasis Park building repairs and five police squad vehicles, acceptance of a US Department of Justice COPS grant to fund four police officers for three years, and authorization to apply for a US Department of Justice grant for a drone first responder program. Council members expressed strong enthusiasm for both the COPS grant, acknowledging staff's excellent work in securing it, and the drone program, highlighting its potential for real-time situational awareness and rapid response, citing examples from other cities.
Notable Quotes (15)
We did ask and the council directed us to seek input from a registered design professional on those areas of concern that we outlined. ... He communicated to us one main rule uh which is that mitigations are not necessary unless the excavations exceed a one one horizontal to vertical ratio.
Why is it that city staff claims they can't do this? Why can't they utilize the language that Minnesota State Building plans to use and then simply revoke it when the code is officially enacted? I'd also like to understand why they won't work with us to come up with a mutually agreed upon resolution.
The other provision behind this 3307 final as most important is provision shall be made to control water runoff erosion during construction and demolition activities and council member uh power you mentioned that same very issue is what happens with these renderings if you have rainfall and erosion occurs and we've seen it out there on on our builds. This is the biggest risk that you want to prevent.
So, I would be in favor of continuing to look at this and to put something in place uh until the Minnesota ordinances uh is building code is adopted for something that's similar to this.
I would concur with uh council member Grath that we forgo adoption of an ordinance at this time and um as we do not really know what a new ordinance would say from this or what a new regulation from the state would be...
I just need to point that out that we are not trying to delay anything. Just because the answers may be uh or the information we're bringing back counters to what they want to see doesn't mean we don't care, doesn't mean that we're delaying.
The third change is in that same section um where we um in section A, I'm sorry. Um and really this reflects the council decision previously where you have requested that people who are interested in reappoint fill out a separate reappoint application. So, it's simply just updating that to reflect the current practice.
reconfocation is a comprehensive process of reviewing, updating, um reorganizing, republishing our city code, which includes our laws and regulations. And typically, I would say cities usually try to do this every 10 to 15 years. I believe the last time we did it was close to 30 years ago in 1995.
One of the things that was added to this ordinance is section 8. Um, and really it was added at the recommendation of our city attorney. Um, there were a couple errors that we did find um some changes and everything that might need to be made in this um final proof that allows us to go in um make those nonsubstantive changes...
during the 2025 legislative session, the Minnesota legislature made changes to the state's open meeting law. Um, particularly as it re uh pertains to remote participation. Previously, the law had required that a public official who was participating remotely had to disclose the location of where they were at and that location had to also be um open and accessible to the public.
However, at the August 11th meeting, council did provide some guidance after discussion on changes to our city policy. Um, our policy is um our Roseville rules of um procedure for advisory and council. And they pro uh council provided some direction on um limiting the remote participation for up to three times per calendar year.
I would be inclined to um take council member Bower's uh comment about um active military into consideration since um like this is their permanent home address and if that were the situation I wouldn't want someone to have to be precluded from participation.
Agenda item 10 C approves accepting grant funds to the US Department of Justice for a cops grant. This funding will provide for up to 75% of the salary and benefit for the next three years for four police officers proposed to be hired as part of the 2026 budget.
Agenda item 10D approves applying for the US Department of Justice grant for uh to use a drone for uh first responder program. The program would deploy drone technology immediately to co uh to calls for service to provide real-time situational awareness. The grant which does not include a city match would uh provide funding for drones, launch stations, software, data management systems and funding for one additional sworn officer for four years.
very excited about the cops crime. Well done to uh the department and everyone involved did a wonderful job for writing that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Proposed local ordinance discussed but not adopted, aimed at residential excavations.
Current code governing residential construction, contrasted with commercial code.
Existing code with similar excavation standards for commercial projects.
Report from April 13, 2020, cited by residents regarding geotechnical concerns at the Enclave.
State code referenced in the excavation discussion, derived from International Residential Code.
Reference code for the Minnesota Residential Code.
Code for larger or more complex structures, referenced in excavation discussion.
Worker safety regulations cited in relation to a past excavation incident.
City policy being updated to streamline the process for commission members.
The comprehensive city code resulting from the recodification project.
Ordinance passed to formally adopt the entire updated city code, including a provision for non-substantive corrections.
Resolution passed to allow for publication of a summary rather than the full updated city code.
State law recently changed, affecting local remote participation policies.
City policy for remote participation being updated to reflect local limits.
US Department of Justice grant accepted to fund four new police officers.
Grant applied for to fund a drone technology program for first responders.