City Council Work Session

City Council Work Session Tuesday, July 14, 2026 4100 Lakeview Avenue North Robbinsdale, MN 7:00 PM AGENDA 1. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: Blackledge, Greenberg, Parisian, Caceres Aranda, Mayor Sutton 3. DISCUSSION A. Consider Resolution for Proposed North Memorial - Sanford Health Merger 4. STAFF UPDATES A. Annual Communications Update B. Joint Community Police Partnership (JCPP) updates C. Organization Assessment - Preview D. Traffic Study Results 5. COUNCIL UPDATES A. Budget Priorities 6. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 9 TO: Mayor and City Council PREPARED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager APPROVED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager DATE: July 14, 2026 RE: Consider Resolution for Proposed North Memorial - Sanford Health Merger Background: Earlier this spring, Sanford Health and North Memorial Health signed a definitive agreement to come together as a single nonprofit health system. Analysis: Following a presentation to the City Council, and two community Town Halls hosted by the Attorney General's Office, staff drafted language for Council consideration by way of a formal resolution (attached). Staff will introduce the item, and look for Council feedback. Recommendation: NA Attachments: 1. Resolution - NM Sanford Merger DRAFT Page 2 of 9 Member _________________ moved and Member ________________ seconded a motion that the following resolution be read and adopted this 21st day of July, 2026. RESOLUTION NO. xxxx A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE SANFORD HEALTH AND NORTH MEMORIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO OPERATE AS A SINGLE NONPROFIT HEALTH SYSTEM WHEREAS, In the spring of 2026, Sandford Health and North Memorial Health announced a definitive agreement to come together as a single nonprofit health system; and WHEREAS, This agreement requires review by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, including multiple Town Hall sessions at which City Council Members heard from providers and hospital employees from both North Memorial and Sandford Health,; and WHEREAS, Leadership from Sandford Health and North Memorial presented to the Robbinsdale City Council on June 2, 2026; and WHEREAS, The City of Robbinsdale recognizes that North Memorial is more than a hospital; rather, an institution woven into the fabric of our community through experiences as an employee, a user of services, or a lifelong connection spanning generations; and WHEREAS, The City of Robbinsdale recognizes the complex nature of these kinds of partnerships, but remains supportive as long as quality of care remains a priority, terms include an emphasis on workforce stability, and the partnership preserves access to affordable, high-quality healthcare services for the community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROBBINSDALE, MINNESOTA: Support the Sandford Health and North Memorial Definitive Agreement to operate as a single nonprofit health system, to ensure continued operation of the Robbinsdale campus, and to promote continued growth through community investment. The question was on the adoption of the resolution and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: and the following voted against the same: WHEREUPON SAID RESOLUTION WAS DECLARED DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 21TH DAY OF JULY 2026. _______________________________ ATTEST: Brad Sutton, Mayor ________________________________ Chase Peterson-Etem, City Clerk Page 3 of 9 TO: Mayor and City Council PREPARED BY: Rachel Leen, Communications Coordinator APPROVED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager DATE: July 14, 2026 RE: Annual Communications Update Background: Each year, the Communications Coordinator provides City Council with an update on the City's communications efforts, including social media, newsletters, the City website, CCX Media partnership videos, print materials, and other public outreach initiatives. As the current City Council is familiar with the City's communication channels, this year's presentation will primarily highlight new strategies and creative approaches implemented over the past year, including successful initiatives, lessons learned, and opportunities for future improvement. Analysis: Throughout the past year, the Communications Coordinator implemented multiple new communications initiatives aimed at improving resident engagement and expanding outreach. The presentation will provide an overview of these efforts, including social media and website performance metrics, key accomplishments, lessons learned, and opportunities to further strengthen the City's communications program. Recommendation: Receive the annual communications update and provide any feedback, suggestions, or priorities for communications efforts during 2026–2027. Attachments: None Page 4 of 9 TO: Mayor and City Council PREPARED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager APPROVED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager DATE: July 14, 2026 RE: Joint Community Police Partnership (JCPP) updates Background: One of the 2026 Top Goals and Priorities of the City Council and staff included, "Create programs that strengthen relationships between public safety and the community." Analysis: While the RPD continues to exercise direct touch points with the public, the JCPP has been a great program to utilize indirect outreach, to encourage strengthened relationships in the future. Per the report from our JCPP liaison, Mr. Gray, April, May, and June activity included: Since October and the advent of ICE Robbinsdale MAC and community have: Provided meals to families through coordinated efforts. Provided rides and transportation to families effected by Operation Metro surge. Several schools combined with community churches to feed families that were too afraid to venture out. JCPP, MAC members and community stepped in and stepped up to help neighbors in need by bagging meals and delivering meals to schools and families. Further, Mr. Gray has been an active member of the Robbinsdale Lions, a potential parter with the optimist club, working with RMS teachers, working with the North Memorial CEAT team, on the Board of Directors for Robbinsdale Redsign Health Collaborative, on the board for Community Mediation Services, hosted local meals to help Time for Peace meetings, ongoing meetings with Lee Square and Robbins Landing, and continued work with The Gathering Church and Elim. Recommendation: Staff is happy to take feedback on continued efforts, and looks forward to Council conversation on recent work. Attachments: None Page 5 of 9 TO: Mayor and City Council PREPARED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager APPROVED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager DATE: July 14, 2026 RE: Organization Assessment - Preview Background: As a part of the 2025 Top Goals and Priorities, "Conduct a staffing study to align resources and needs" was identified. While there was some hope to start this process in the fall, resources (both staff time and funding) didn't allow for its implementation. This spring, the City started the work with the Consulting firm Abdo, and have now completed the study. Note, the efforts were led by the Human Resources/Risk Management Manager and Assistant City Manager. Analysis: All staff were provided opportunities to participate in the intal intake process, and departments were then given opportunities to engage in listening sessions. DRAFT Summaries by way of Job Analysis and departmental Listening Sessions were provided to staff leads, and the intention is to have the consultant present to Council in the coming weeks. While there were no immediate concerns that we have found to be damming, we look forward to addressing identified issues, especially those that may be systemic. Some themes that emerged include: Cross-Training Opportunities, Interdepartmental Challenges, and Process Bottlenecks. Ultimately, the analysis is comprised of an executive summary, recommendations for process and cultural changes, and a summary of employee feedback. Unfortunately, some of the identified issues are not unique to our organization, but do provide good reminders to break down certain barriers/silos. A classic example might be for a position to be protective of their work/duties, which limits cross-training and can create operational challenges when they are out. Similarly, there may be a desire for leadership to be more accessible for day-to-day tasks, but this then limits resources dedicated to long-term priorities like strategic planning and project management. With that, staff have already begun to address some of these gaps - in the last 12 months, hires in the Admin and Finance Departments have come with the intention to responsibilities spread across more positions, while still allowing positions to work on specialty areas/specific projects. Further, while some themes in organizational frustrations emerged, staff have created an internal committee to grow staff engagement and increase morale. Recommendation: NA Attachments: None Page 6 of 9 TO: Mayor and City Council PREPARED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager, Richard McCoy, City Engineer/Public Works Director APPROVED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager DATE: July 14, 2026 RE: Traffic Study Results Background: Following the most recent Town Hall, staff have prepared materials at Council request. Analysis: Specific concerns were related to speeding and traffic volumes in the 4500 blocks of Halifax and Grimes and that vehicles were bypassing the France/Lake Drive intersection. Engineering staff installed counters to gather information, and a image (attached) has been produced to provide a visual of the results. In short, the vehicle numbers and 85th percentile speeds in Halifax, Grimes, and 46th Avenues were not found to be problematic or in need of further action. Based on the data, staff is recommending no further action at this time. Recommendation: Attachments: 1. 4904_001 Page 7 of 9 Page 8 of 9 TO: Mayor and City Council PREPARED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager APPROVED BY: Tim Sandvik, City Manager DATE: July 14, 2026 RE: Budget Priorities Background: In May and June, staff presented updates on 2027 budget considerations. In the next weeks, the City Manager and Finance Director will be meeting with Department Heads to review requests, and to work on narrative for upcoming work sessions to discuss the preliminary budget to be approved in September. Analysis: Over the last two months, staff have heard some common themes when it comes to budget priorities: • Maintain high levels of service • Reduce the impact on taxpayers while promoting budget stability • Continued focus on infrastructure/long-term capital planning • Focus on the "Needs" vs the "Nice to haves" • Limit eating into reserves • Recognize outside forces • Prioritize public communication/engagement/education As staff continues to work towards a DRAFT budget, and Council has now had time to review and reflect on materials, this item is a placeholder for Council to share additional thoughts. Staff would like to call out - last year, the City Council required significant staff time and resources between September and December to adjust/update the proposed budget. Staff would like to establish the goal of setting the preliminary budget as close to the final as possible, to mitigate a similar use of resources. Recommendation: NA Attachments: None Page 9 of 9