HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 09/03/2024 - Workshop
APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2024 CITY CENTER
5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, PG Narayanan, and Lisa Toomey
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Julie Klima, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Sara
Aschenbeck
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30) I. RACE EQUITY UPDATE
Getschow stated the Human Rights and Diversity Commission (HRDC) and staff have focused time
and effort on advancing race equity. The Council is provided an annual update on efforts. Klima
noted the Council accepted the Race Equity Report in January 2022. An internal Race Equity Action
Team (REAT) was created to facilitate progress and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
within the organization. Klima introduced Paja Xiong, Community Services Manager and HRDC
Staff Liaison. Xiong summarized the makeup of REAT, including staff from all departments and
levels. REAT fosters professional development and tracks and communicates progress on goals
related to race equity.
Xiong explained an interactive, online REAT dashboard was constructed last year and is now
available for resident use. The REAT dashboard includes six areas of inquiry as recommended by
the Race Equity Report. Residents can view individual inquiry areas to read recommendations,
updates, activities, measurements, and other characteristics. Narayanan asked how many visitors
view the online REAT dashboard. Getschow stated that information could be compiled. Viewership
would likely increase with promotion.
Klima explained REAT promotes education and cultural awareness within the organization. This
includes professional development, speakers, and visits to culturally significant areas. The REAT
team has held meetings on foundational DEI language and updates to programming to expand access
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and outreach. The REAT team visited the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Cultural
holidays are highlighted.
Markle explained the Parks and Recreation team has added equity and inclusion elements to
community events. Parks and Recreation hosts free pop up events for targeted neighborhoods. Free
programs are offered at the Outdoor Center, Art Center, and Senior Center. The theater program
hosts multiple performances throughout the year with a pay-what-you-can model. Programs are
designed or modified for the disabled community. Starring at Staring concerts reflect a variety of
cultural groups. Emerging sports, such as cricket, are supported. Narayanan asked if winter activities
were offered for free. Markle confirmed there are free winter activities. Narayanan asked if the City
can accept financial sponsors from the business community. Getschow answered the City does
accept financial sponsorships. Sparklefest was sponsored by T Mobile.
Case asked if the Party for Pride event will be expanded. Markle noted Party for Pride began two
years ago, it has and will continue to expand. Case indicated he would like Council to discuss
expanding Party for Pride. Markle stated a sensory retreat space has been added to large community
events. Accessibility is prioritized including parking, sidewalks, and mobility shuttles. Narayanan
asked if the number of drones at Sparklefest can be increased. Markle answered the City used the
100 drone package, the vendor also offers a 200 drone package. Case stated council direction drives
the City’s race equity initiatives, the City has been making good progress.
II. FENCE UPDATE
Klima stated staff reviewed code of 13 metro cities for electric and barbed wire fencing regulations.
Ten cities address electric fences in their code; four cities specifically prohibit use. 12 cities address
barbed wire; two cities specifically prohibit use. Plymouth issues a conditional use permit for
electric fences and barbed wire. Freiberg asked if barbed wire has been a recent topic of
conversation. Klima stated in her tenure barbed wire has not been a recent topic of conversation.
Narayanan asked if a brick wall is considered a fence. Klima confirmed a brick wall is an accessory
structure. Toomey asked if cities specifically discuss electric fences in farm areas. Klima confirmed
other cities do specify areas where electric fences are allowed, such as industrial or agricultural
areas.
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Klima noted the City regulates fence height but not materials. Staff would like Council feedback on
limiting electric fence and barbed wire use to outdoor storage and the keeping of farm animals.
Freiberg asked if cities address electric voltage in code. Klima answered of the 13 metro cities
researched, none specifically addressed voltage. Case asked if there are any properties in the City
that would need an electric fence for keeping farm animals. Klima answered there are two properties
that potentially keep farm animals. Case asked if there are any industrial properties in the City where
barbed wire would be used for outdoor storage. Klima answered barbed wire may be used in
properties zoned I-general.
Case stated requiring a conditional use permit for electric fences and barbed wire may be useful so
the City knows where they are located. Other harmful materials such as razor wire should be
considered. Narayanan noted the City should allow conditional use for properties such as
telecommunication data centers, government facilities, and powerplants. Case agreed any
infrastructure that benefits the public should be granted conditional use. Case stated it may be a good
idea to disallow barbed wire and electric fences in any property zoned as or abutting residential.
Freiberg noted barbed wire is traditionally used at the top of a fence and would pose less harm to a
child than an electric fence.
III. EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE CODE ENFORCEMENT
Case summarized recent inquiries brought by residents over the lack of exterior maintenance in
neighboring homes. The City should consider reviewing its exterior maintenance code enforcement
compared to neighboring cities. Freiberg stated some cities require a house to be code compliant
upon sale, which can be helpful for areas where many homes are owned by corporate buyers. Case
noted these requirements have been a concern for local realtors as it adds costs to the sale of a home,
but it keeps housing quality up.
Toomey asked if the City has ever condemned a house. Getschow answered the City has condemned
houses in the past. Toomey noted if a house is not kept up on the outside, it is likely the same on the
inside. The occupant may be elderly or need assistance. Toomey asked if a social worker in tandem
with a police officer would visit the home. Neuville noted the person must be willing to let the police
or a social worker inside the house. Gerber stated if Police and Fire repeatedly visit a home for an
emergency event, they will refer the property to the embedded social worker to offer services.
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Case stated the City’s tall grass ordinance may need to be strengthened to prevent lawns from falling
into disarray. Additionally, he asked all departments to knowledge share to ensure houses with
repeating violations be communicated to all departments. Case asked the topic be brought back at a
future workshop with examples and recommendations.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
IV. OPEN PODIUM V. ADJOURNMENT