This transcript appears to be from a **White Bear Lake City Council** meeting. Based on the context provided, I have identified the speakers, including the Mayor, City Council members, City Staff, and residents. Note: Timestamps are estimated based on the progression of the dialogue. *** **[00:00:00] Mayor:** Sunday at 2 o'clock please. The flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, moving on to item two, approval of the minutes. Everybody have a chance to look at the minutes from last meeting? **[00:00:20] Councilmember:** Move approval. **[00:00:21] Mayor:** I have a motion. I have a motion, a second. All those in favor of approving the minutes from last meeting say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, the minutes are approved. Moving on to item three, the adoption of the agenda. Does anybody have any changes or amendments they'd like to make to the agenda? Seeing none, I'd entertain a motion to approve the agenda. **[00:00:45] Councilmember:** Second. **[00:00:46] Mayor:** I have a motion, a second. All those in favor of approving the agenda say aye. (Aye). We have an agenda. Moving on to item four, consent agenda approval. I have a motion, a second. All those in favor of approving item four, the consent agenda items A through D, say aye. (Aye). Any opposed? And the consent agenda passes. Moving on to item five, visitors and presentations. I know we're joined by both our Fire Chief and our Police Chief here today to report on activities of the department. I think we're going to start with Chief Peterson, our fire chief, correct? **[00:01:25] Chief Peterson:** Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the Council. I apologize, I was gone a couple weeks ago fighting a fire. So um, that happens. It was a very long stubborn fire. It was 14 below windchill at the time and snowing, winds out of the north at 14. So it was a lovely fire fight. Anyway, enough of that. I'm going to give a quick update as far as 2021 goes. So bear with me as we go here. I'll keep it short and sweet but we'll move on. So just as a reminder to everybody very quickly, our service area covers the city obviously, the township, Dellwood, Birchwood, Gem Lake. It's about 35 square miles and just over 40,000 residents that we cover at this time. So we cover a pretty large area, a lot of responsibility within that. One of the things that we continue to be challenged with within the department is our call volume... [The Chief continues detailing call volumes, medical calls, and 2021 fire statistics]. **[00:10:30] Chief Peterson:** ...and then I received the Fire Officer of the Year award for a population greater than 10,000, which is a huge honor for me personally and professionally. I really view that as a reflection of all of us. I couldn't have accomplished what I did without all of your help and without administration's help and the firefighters working with me. So I see it as a success on all of our parts, not just me personally. So thank you for that. So that is all I have. Julie's up next. Council, any questions or comments? **[00:10:55] Councilmember Walsh:** Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just the a couple of statistics that are up there. Just my question is, are we stabilized? You know, when you started five years ago now... in terms of response time and local aid, are we back? Do you feel like you're stabilized now? **[00:11:15] Chief Peterson:** The calls per full-time employee is still very high. We’re dealing with stress and physical exhaustion. As far as response, it’s good. As far as our employees, the workload is pretty heavy. **[00:11:30] Councilmember Edberg:** Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Chief Peterson, three questions but I'll ask you to hold one of them till after Chief Swanson has had a moment. Can you speak to what's your sense of where staffing might be going? **[00:12:00] Chief Peterson:** To help stabilize that, to continue to add full-time staff will be very beneficial to the department and the people that we serve. **[00:12:15] Councilmember Edberg:** Can you speak to mental health support and where we are at for our firefighters and police officers? **[00:12:30] Chief Peterson:** We have a lot of support for the staff. It was a very stressful year. They’re tired, but they keep going. I’ll wait for Julie [Chief Swanson] to address the joint services. **[00:12:45] Councilmember Jones:** All that, plus a 14 percent increase year over year. You and your department deserve the hardware that you got home. So thank you. **[00:13:00] Mayor:** I'll echo the thank yous from the Council. Chief Peterson, keep up the good work. Chief Swanson? **[00:13:10] Chief Swanson:** Thank you, Mayor and members of the Council for having us here tonight. Before I go into it, I just want to also say thank you for the support that you give both of our departments throughout the year... [The Chief presents the Police Department report, covering calls for service, traffic stops, crime statistics, and mental health crises]. **[00:25:30] Chief Swanson:** ...They are a group that is used to fixing problems, so sometimes it's hard to ask for help yourself. But certainly we're providing them with as many tools as we can. Any other questions? **[00:25:45] Mayor:** Council, any other questions for Chief Swanson? **[00:25:50] Councilmember Edberg:** Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, catalytic converters—what can we do? Is there any hope in sight? **[00:26:05] Chief Swanson:** We hosted an event last summer where we marked them. Dealerships are providing guards. There is focus on it at the state level, but they can be stolen in broad daylight in seven seconds. **[00:26:30] Mayor:** I'm just going to expand on that... In my day job, I work with auto dealers. The issue is they're not traceable. There is a bill in Congress and grassroots efforts for labeling to help law enforcement. **[00:27:00] Councilmember Edberg:** Carjackings has been a major topic. How are we doing? **[00:27:15] Chief Swanson:** We only had one last year. It’s not affecting us like other communities, but we have resources from the Sheriff’s department. **[00:27:30] Councilmember Hughes:** I spent last week at dispatch. With drug overdoses, do you get those calls or does the Fire Chief? **[00:27:45] Chief Swanson:** We both get it. If an officer is there first, they'll give Narcan. It goes to both departments at once. **[00:28:10] Mayor:** Chief Swanson, thank you again for all of your hard work. Moving on to item 6A, resolution ordering improvements... authorizing advertisements for bid for the 2022 pavement rehabilitation project. Mr. Kopke? **[00:28:30] Paul Kopke (City Engineer):** Thank you, Mayor, members of the Council. Tonight I'm going to repeat some of the information from previous actions... [Mr. Kopke explains the project scope, including road reconstruction and the proposed new sidewalk connections on 4th Street, Serenity, Florence Street, and Karen]. **[00:36:00] Mayor:** Thank you, Mr. Kopke. I think we're going to jump right into the public hearing portion of this. I have a Cindy Herring on my list. **[00:36:15] Cindy Herring (Resident):** We live on Florence and we are very opposed to the sidewalk. I have lived on this property for 36 years. There's never been an instance of anyone being injured... [She continues arguing against the sidewalk, citing maintenance issues, ice, tree removal, and lack of necessity]. **[00:43:00] Mayor:** Does anybody else from the public want to speak to this issue? **[00:43:05] Ellen Titus (Resident):** My name is Ellen Titus, 4579 Carolyn Lane. I'm in favor of those sidewalks. My husband and I walk; we prefer a sidewalk. As an old person, it’s nice not to be on the street. **[00:43:40] Inger Christensen (Resident):** 1723 Florence Street. There’s almost no traffic on Florence. I oppose the sidewalk. **[00:44:00] Emily Otis (Resident):** I live on the far west cul-de-sac of Eugene Street. We walk with our one-year-old every day. I think the factor is maintenance. If the sidewalks aren't maintained, I'll still be walking in the street with my stroller. **[00:45:00] Mark Keller (Resident):** 1749 Florence Street. I’m retired, I look out the window all day. There are no kids going down that street. I don’t want the sidewalks. **[00:45:30] Judy Nelson (Resident):** 1808 Florence Street. 36 years there, never a problem walking the street. **[00:45:50] Catherine Keating (Resident):** 1792 Florence Street. We moved there because there wasn't a sidewalk. Adding a sidewalk invites more traffic. **[00:46:25] Cliff Eckland (Resident):** 1905 Weber. My concern is the semis from the care center. They block the street. **[00:47:30] Mayor:** Seeing no one else, I’m going to close the public hearing and bring it back to the Council. **[00:47:45] Councilmember Hughes:** Mr. Kopke, what’s the benefit to the city for sidewalks? **[00:48:00] Paul Kopke:** Primary reason is to get people off the streets. On Florence, parking on both sides makes the lane very tight for vehicles and pedestrians to share. **[00:49:15] Councilmember Jones:** I'm normally the sidewalk guy, but this doesn't connect that great. If we don't invest in maintenance, we can't continue putting them in. I’m not going to fight for this one. **[00:51:30] Councilmember Walsh:** It's a tug-of-pull between city needs and current residents. I’ve been a consistent supporter of sidewalks, but I'll listen if there's a consensus not to do this one. I move the first resolution. **[00:52:15] Mayor:** I have a motion, a second. Further discussion? **[00:52:20] Councilmember Edberg:** I'm not going to fight in favor of the Florence sidewalk. I’m unimpressed with our ability to maintain them. **[00:53:30] Councilmember Hughes:** So we aren't doing the sidewalk because of maintenance, or because people don't want it? **[00:53:45] Councilmember Jones:** I’ll make the motion to remove the sidewalk portion of Florence Street from this project—specifically between Carolyn and 4th Avenue. **[00:54:15] Councilmember Edberg:** I'll second. **[00:55:00] Mayor:** Motion and a second to amend the plans to cut the sidewalk on Florence Street. Clerk, call the roll. **[00:55:10] Madam Clerk:** Councilmembers Hughes (Aye), Walsh (Aye), Engstran (Aye), Edberg (Aye), Jones (Aye). **[00:55:20] Mayor:** Motion passes. Now for the broader resolution as amended. **[00:55:45] City Attorney:** To clarify, the amendment excludes the sidewalk on Florence. **[00:56:00] Mayor:** All those in favor say aye. (Aye). Resolution passes. We have one more resolution for the no-parking restriction on 4th Avenue. **[00:56:15] Councilmember:** So moved. (Second). **[00:56:20] Mayor:** All those in favor say aye. (Aye). Motion carries. Moving on to 6B, second reading of water meter ordinance. Mr. Kopke? **[00:56:40] Paul Kopke:** This is to move to a radio read system. We are proposing fees for non-compliance and manual reads. **[00:57:30] Mayor:** I'll open the public hearing. Seeing no one, I'll close it. Council? **[00:57:50] Councilmember Edberg:** I find the revised language acceptable. Move to approve. **[00:58:30] Mayor:** Motion and second. All in favor? (Aye). Ordinance adopted. [Summary resolution also adopted]. Moving to 7A, resolution opposing the Purple Line/Rush Line. I would entertain a motion to amend the resolution to the version in the packet. **[00:59:30] Councilmember Walsh:** I'll move to amend to replace with the new resolution. (Second). It’s shorter and to the point. It tells Met Council to modify the route so it does not enter White Bear Lake. **[01:00:30] Mayor:** Motion to amend passes. Now, motion to approve the amended resolution? **[01:00:45] Councilmember:** Move the resolution. (Second). **[01:00:50] Councilmember Walsh:** We've received a lot of emails. [Reads excerpts from residents for and against the Purple Line]. **[01:02:40] Mayor:** Clerk, call the roll. (All Ayes). The motion carries. Moving to 8A, setback variance for 4264 Cottage Park Road. Ms. Crosby? **[01:03:00] Samantha Crosby (Planner):** This is a request for a bedroom addition. The house currently encroaches over the property line. Planning commission recommended denial because the variance was too much for the size of the structure. **[01:04:15] Pete Edmondson (Applicant Representative):** I'm the owner of the design company for Tyler and Sarah. We're asking for four feet off the lot line. The current house is already on or over the line. Practical difficulty is the 35-foot setback which is impossible for this neighborhood. **[01:10:00] Councilmember Walsh:** You haven't addressed the hardship enough. You could go further North or East. **[01:11:00] Pete Edmondson:** Going East blocks the view of the lake. We tried to keep it compact. **[01:13:30] Councilmember Hughes:** They bought the house knowing where the lot lines were. I don't see that as a practical hardship. **[01:16:45] Councilmember Walsh:** I’d move the resolution as written to deny the request. (Second). **[01:17:15] Councilmember Edberg:** Does the applicant have to pay again if they come back with a new plan? **[01:17:30] Samantha Crosby:** Yes, it would be a new submittal and a $310 fee. **[01:18:00] Councilmember Walsh:** I’ll withdraw my motion to deny. I move to continue this to our first meeting in April to allow the applicant to modify the plans. **[01:21:00] Mayor:** Motion to table until the first meeting in April. All in favor? (Aye). Moving to 8B, redistricting plan. Mr. Geck? **[01:21:30] Tim Geck:** I am chair of the redistricting committee. We have five wards of approximately 4,997 residents each. We are moving 170 residents from Ward 2 to Ward 1 at the Boatworks Commons to balance the numbers. **[01:25:00] Councilmember Walsh:** It makes sense for Boatworks to be in Ward 1. **[01:25:30] Mayor:** This is a first reading. Thank you, Mr. Geck. Moving to item 10, City Manager communications. **[01:26:00] Lindsey Crawford (City Manager):** I’ve included the 2022 key legislative issues. I also want to highlight the lake level legislation. We may be bringing a resolution of support to the next meeting. **[01:27:00] Mayor:** Any questions? I would entertain a motion to adjourn. (Second). All in favor? (Aye). We're adjourned.