Roseville City Council — Transcript
Monday, March 3, 2025
Twin Cities North Chamber Update and Initiatives
Hotel Licensing Program Implementation
2024 Cash Reserve Fund Report and Transfers
2025 Budget Calendar Review
Advisory Commission Appointments
Votes (12)
Report and Presentation from Twin Cities North Chamber
John Conley, representing the Twin Cities North Chamber, presented an update on their operations, vision (promote business, develop leaders, connect communities), and strategic initiatives. He highlighted sustainable membership growth, engagement in public policy on a local level, and specific collaborations with the City of Roseville on 'green to go' and energy efficiency. New initiatives include a manufacturing cohort funded by a DEED grant, aimed at promoting career opportunities for 18-30 year olds, and expanded social media presence. Council members praised the Chamber's energy, particularly with young professionals, and its partnership on city initiatives.
Consider Approval of Hotel License for Courtyard by Marriott
Moved by Council Member Schroer [0:35:28] · Seconded by Council Member Bow [0:35:32]
City Manager Pat Treon introduced the new hotel licensing program, noting it was the result of extensive legislative and ordinance work. This item was the first of seven hotel licenses to be considered. The Courtyard by Marriott, located at 2905 Centerpoint Road with 120 rooms, was confirmed to have submitted all necessary information, passed background checks, completed required inspections by Community Development and Fire, and had no outstanding code violations or city charges. The police department reported 37 reactive calls since January 1, 2024, and no overdose deaths, expressing no concerns. Staff recommended approval.
Consider Approval of Hotel License for Fairfield Inn and Suites
Moved by Council Member Bow [0:40:48] · Seconded by Council Member St [0:40:51]
The City Council considered the license application for Fairfield Inn and Suites at 3045 Center Point Drive, which has 79 rooms. City staff confirmed that the hotel met all licensing requirements, including application submission, background checks for associated persons, completion of city inspections, and no outstanding building, fire code, utility bills, or tax issues. The police department reported 17 reactive calls since January 1, 2024, with no overdose deaths, and had no concerns. Staff recommended approval.
Consider Approval of Hotel License for Hampton Inn
Moved by Council Member Gra [0:43:53] · Seconded by Council Member Schroer [0:43:56]
The license application for Hampton Inn, located at 2050 Iona Lane with 100 rooms, was reviewed. Staff reported full compliance with all licensing criteria, including successful background checks, completed inspections by Community Development and Fire departments, resolution of all necessary corrections, and no outstanding financial obligations to the city. The police department noted 22 reactive calls since January 1, 2024, and no overdose deaths, indicating no concerns with the license grant. Staff recommended approval.
Consider Approval of Hotel License for Holiday Inn Express
Moved by Council Member St [0:48:33] · Seconded by Council Member Schroer [0:48:38]
The City Council evaluated the license application for Holiday Inn Express at 2715 Long Lake Road, which features 119 rooms. Staff confirmed that the hotel had met all application requirements, passed background checks, completed all inspections with necessary corrections addressed, and had no outstanding city bills or code violations. The police department reported 39 reactive calls since January 1, 2024, and no overdose deaths, advising no concerns for approval. Staff recommended granting the license.
Consider Approval of Hotel License for Home2 Suites
Moved by Council Member Bow [0:50:57] · Seconded by Council Member Gra [0:51:00]
Home2 Suites, located at 2020 Iona Lane, had its hotel license application reviewed by the City Council. City staff confirmed that the hotel had satisfied all conditions for licensing, including complete application, background checks for key personnel, successful inspections of all rooms by Community Development and Fire departments with corrections made, and no outstanding city charges. Police data indicated 37 reactive calls since January 1, 2024, and no overdose deaths, with the department having no concerns. Staff recommended approval of the license.
Consider Approval of Hotel License for Residence Inn
Moved by Council Member Schroer [0:54:33] · Seconded by Council Member St [0:54:36]
The City Council addressed the license application for Residence Inn at 2895 Center Point Road, an establishment with 108 rooms. Staff reported that Residence Inn fully complied with all licensing requirements, including application submission, cleared background checks, satisfactory city inspections with all corrections completed, and no outstanding debts to the city. The police department noted 70 reactive calls since January 1, 2024, and zero overdose deaths, confirming no objections to the license. Staff recommended approval.
Consider Approval of Hotel License for Country Inn & Suites
Moved by Council Member Gra [0:56:06] · Seconded by Council Member Bow [0:56:10]
The final hotel license application considered was for Country Inn & Suites at 2740 Snelling Avenue, which has 91 rooms. Staff confirmed that the hotel met all criteria for licensing, including complete application, successful background checks, completed city inspections with all necessary corrections, and no outstanding utility bills, taxes, or charges with the city. The police department reported 30 reactive calls since January 1, 2024, and no overdose deaths, indicating no concerns for approval. Staff recommended granting the license.
Receive 2024 Cash Reserve Fund Report and Consider Potential Transfers
Moved by Council Member Gra [1:07:38] · Seconded by Council Member Schroer [1:07:42]
Finance Director Michelle Petri presented the preliminary 2024 cash reserve fund report, analyzing the General, Parks and Recreation, Communications, and License Center funds. The Parks and Recreation fund exceeded its high reserve level by $424,000, while the Communications fund was below its minimum by $1,388. The License Center fund had a surplus of $153,000 above its high target. Recommendations included retaining the License Center surplus for future facility costs, sweeping Parks and Recreation's excess into the cash reserve (with future plans for vehicle/equipment funds), and bringing the Communications fund to its minimum from the cash reserve. The General Fund, though below its minimum, would be brought to 37% upon merging with the excess cash reserve. The Council approved the recommendations.
Receive 2025 Budget Calendar
Moved by Council Member St [1:13:38] · Seconded by Council Member Gra [1:13:42]
The Finance Director presented the proposed 2025 budget calendar. A primary point of discussion centered on scheduling the 'Truth in Taxation' public hearing, which state law mandates after November 24th. Given that the last November meeting falls on the 24th, options included a special meeting on November 25th or combining the hearing with the final budget adoption in December. Council members expressed concern about past issues with residents receiving county tax notices late, thus preferring to move the hearing to December 1st to provide more lead time. The decision on holding a separate meeting on December 8th for final adoption was deferred.
Consider Appointments to Various Advisory Commissions
Dissent: Council Members Bow and Schroer's motion to amend Parks & Recreation appointments failed (2-3).
Moved by Council Member Strong [1:18:03] (Equity & Inclusion), Council Member Bow [1:21:46] (Finance), Council Member Strong [1:26:09] (Parks & Rec), Council Member Bow [1:32:48] (Planning), Council Member Bow [1:36:03] (Police Civil Service) · Seconded by Council Member Bow [1:18:06] (Equity & Inclusion), Council Member Schroer [1:21:49] (Finance), Council Member Gra [1:26:17] (Parks & Rec), Council Member Gra [1:32:51] (Planning), Council Member Schroer [1:36:07] (Police Civil Service)
The Council appointed members to five advisory commissions. For the **Equity & Inclusion Commission**, three members were appointed: Singaram (2-year partial term), Stanley (1-year partial term), and Taylor (full term). For the **Finance Commission**, Kuenyback was appointed to a full term. For the **Parks & Recreation Commission**, four appointments were made: VK, Donaldson, Harris (1-year partial term), and Her (full term). A motion to amend, substituting Kuna for Her, failed with Council Members St, Gra, and Mayor Roe dissenting due to concerns about broader representation and candidate's interview style. For the **Planning Commission**, four appointments were made: S (2-year partial term), Barstead (1-year partial term), Jensen (full term), and Lynch (full term). Finally, for the **Police Civil Service Commission**, Akondo was appointed to a full term. Post-appointment, there was a discussion about staff-led onboarding and the potential for a formal mentorship program for new commissioners, especially for commissions with significant turnover.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Council Member St [1:49:15] · Seconded by Council Member Gra [1:49:19]
The consent agenda included five items: approval of payments totaling $232,207.28, revocation of T-Massage's license, and granting Y Wellness a new massage therapy establishment license; approval of funds ($15,879 to Husky Construction) for tree removal and clearing for four city projects in 2025; approval to enter into an updated 5-year Ramsey County GIS Users Agreement (JPA) for 2026-2030; and approval to enter an agreement with Language Line for language interpretation services, with costs incurred only as services are used.
Notable Quotes (19)
I think the first thing I always like to start out with is our vision and that is to promote business develop leaders and connect communities
we did engage with the team here with City of Roseville with green to go initiative you know promoting that as well as the energy effic initiative too
that type of energy with you know all these young business owners under 35 or 40 years old just really contagious and I that's a really exciting thing
I also want to thank you for the partnership on the green to go you really were able to to help open some doors for businesses to us to make the connection and it really helped that you were by our side as we talked to businesses so thank you for for being directly involved in that
many of the council know this has been a long slog to get here we had to have legislation introduced considered voted on approved U then we then after that um did create an ordinance about hotel licensing
if there were to be concerns that came up during the year would that potentially be a reason to withdraw not saying this specifically but if any of these particular lienes were to have a situation that caused concern
I wanted to thank city manager and the staff for all the hard work they did getting this not only P you know worked on getting it passed but also getting it in place it's one thing to have it Changed but then to also have all our ducks in a row to be able to go through this
probably we are going to be setting the example for other communities I don't think there may have been a couple of communities that have maybe special legislation or attempted special legislation over the years but I don't know of anybody else that's done the enactment of this licensing program and and been as thorough about it as we have
I've been involved with it somewhat through the visit rosille because we we work with the hotels there so it's been a process but I think we really handle it well communicating you know this is something that could be contentious and it wasn't it was working hand in hand so I think it was a real Community Builder and we're going in the same direction
You mentioned the lack of Overdose deaths on the other properties does that mean there was one or more at this particular property since it wasn't mentioned it
I think that it's so important that this is being done because it brings all of our rooms up to a standard that's consistent and I think it was mentioned that you know for for guests here it's a really good program
the Parks and Recreation fund exceeds its high Reserve level of 30% by $424,000... the communications fund is currently at 8% it's below its minimum Reserve level which is 10%
I'm recommending that the license center fund retain the 153,000 to pay for costs associated with a new facility or a remodeled facility
for the time being we wanted to just park the money there because we don't know where it's going to be obviously it would go towards some of the expenses to help figure it out and then to the extent of whatever we end up doing we would you know utilize some of that for the capital needs
your last November meeting is on November 24th so we would either have to have a council meeting on the 25th or two meetings in December or you could hold the budget hearing and the final Levy and budget adoption on the same night
wasn't there I'm wrong but I think the notices that were mailed out came pretty late this past year correct and there's some we actually some people did not actually receive their notices prior to us having the meeting even though they were supposed to be delivered and I will note that we did everything correct but they had just R kind not get them out in time might be something for us to consider when we're figuring out this calendar date to doing the same day or
my Tally is reflective of I really couldn't make a decision between between two very qualified candidates
I very much appreciate what Mr kruno brought to the table and with his experience however I think that he does fill a niche that is already filled by some of the others in that length of service he also is exceptionally excited about the programs that he's worked on and I think that we have w we have worked a lot to have an advisory Mr um this particular individual didn't provide Prov an opportunity for um a lot of questions of him and directed the conversation and I just wasn't sure he'd be the best groupmate but not to undermine in any way the amazing contribution he brings to our city and we would be at a big loss if he were to not be there and it could have been nerves um but it was it was um was hard to get a word in
in my conversation with Miss akando I was almost thinking that the commission might be a bit of a letdown from what she was looking forward to being able to do in relation to the police department
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
New city ordinance for hotel licensing, created after state legislation.
Specific resolutions adopted for granting individual hotel licenses.
Small grant from DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) for manufacturing cohort.
License required for hotels to operate in Roseville.
Policy guiding the management of the city's cash reserve fund.
Schedule for the 2025 city budget preparation and adoption process.
Updated 5-year agreement (2026-2030) for GIS services with Ramsey County.
Agreement to provide language interpretation services for city residents and customers.
Upcoming ordinance to implement a previously approved sales tax.
Agreement with Waste Management for recycling services.