City Council - Workshop Meetings

City Council Workshop Meeting Cherry Conference Room July 10, 2024 | 5:30 PM This City Council Workshop meeting is taking place virtually and at Woodbury City Hall in the Cherry Conference Room. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person and may also join the meeting using a computer, tablet, or smartphone and accessing the virtual meeting link at woodburymn.gov/VirtualMeetings. Watch the Live Meeting Public comments will be accepted during the meeting both in person and virtually. Virtual questions should be submitted via the online Q&A feature within the virtual meeting link. Questions regarding the meeting will be taken between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 651-714-3524 or at council@woodburymn.gov. Questions received after 4:30 p.m. will be responded to in the next three to seven business days. Please note that all agenda times are estimates. 5:00 p.m. Dinner – Cherry Conference Room The intent of the workshop session is to provide a forum for City Council and City staff to discuss more in-depth Council items, exchanging viewpoints and visions prior to the item being set for Council action at a regular meeting of the City Council. Workshop sessions are neither a public hearing nor an open microphone session. No formal votes will be taken and any direction from Council will be in consensus format. The workshop session is not recorded, and no official minutes of the workshop session shall be prepared. Workshop Agenda 1. Workshop Discussion Items - 5:30 p.m. 1A. 2024 Legislative Program Review 24-171 - City of Woodbury Legislative Program - Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC) 1B. 2025 Legislative Program Input 24-171 2. Administrator Comments and Updates* - 7:00 p.m. 3. Mayor and City Council Comments and Commission Liaison Updates* - 7:05 p.m. 4. Adjournment - 7:15 p.m.  Items under comments and updates are intended to be informational or of brief inquiry. More substantial discussion of matters under comments and updates should be scheduled for a future agenda. The City of Woodbury is subject to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. The City is committed to full implementation of the Act to our services, programs, and activities. Information regarding the provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the City Administrator's office at 651-714-3523. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 72 hours in advance of an event. Please call the ADA Coordinator, Clinton P. Gridley at 651-714-3523 (TDD 714- 3568) to make arrangements.  1A City of Woodbury, Minnesota Office of City Administrator Council Workshop Letter 24-171 July 10, 2024 To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From: Clinton P. Gridley, City Administrator Subject: 2024 Legislative Program Review and 2025 Legislative Program Input Summary Every year, the City of Woodbury creates state and federal legislative priorities to focus on, addressing specific policy issues and funding requests that affect the City. At this workshop the Council will receive an update about the status of the City’s legislative priorities after the 2024 legislative session ended as well as an update on other broader legislation that had potential impact to cities statewide. The workshop will conclude with a discussion of potential ideas to include in the City’s 2025 legislative program. 2024 Legislative Program Review As a reminder, listed below are the legislative priorities that the City identified for the 2024 legislative session. This section will be summarized by Ann Lenczewski from Lockridge, Grindal, Nauen.  Water Treatment (not achieved): - $7,408,190 of state bonding to support the construction of a $19 million water tower. - Sales Tax Exemption for Water Treatment Plant and Pipeline Materials and Construction.  School Resource Officer Program statutory language changes (achieved)  Evaluating Local Circulator Bus System (early in-process, discussing with Metro Transit and Washington County) Tom Poul, lobbyist for the Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC), will join Council to give updates on a few of the other major issues before the legislature including:  Missing Middle legislation (no changes were made)  Form of Government legislation (no changes were made)  Cannabis Law (changes were made, to be reviewed at the August 14 workshop)  Open Meeting Law (no changes were made)  Bonding bill capital reserve language (no changes were made)  Housing legislation update  Tax Bill update Council Workshop Letter 24-171 July 10, 2024 Page 2 2025 Legislative Program Input After listening to the updates from the 2024 legislative session, Council will begin an initial discussion about the City’s 2025 legislative priorities. This could include carrying over 2024 priorities that did not get passed or a discussion of new priorities. The Council will have the opportunity to share their thoughts at the onset of this process. Next steps will include a discussion with department heads, followed by a draft program being presented to Council at an October workshop. Federal Legislative Program Update While the discussion at this workshop will primarily focus on the City’s state legislative priorities, below is an update on the City’s federal legislative priorities. In March of 2024, the United States Congress passed their FY budget. As part of that budget, the City received the two Congressionally Directed Spending Requests listed below.  $850,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to help fund the infrastructure improvements along Weir Drive.  $670,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for in-vehicle and body-worn cameras. The City submitted additional federal funding requests for the FY 2025 budget. They include the following.  $2.5 million in federal funding for the Weir Drive project, to be matched with $625,000 in local funds. The City received $850,000 in last year’s budget, which will go towards the design phase. The FY 2025 budget request would pay for the construction of the project. Construction would commence in mid-2025 and be completed by the end of 2026.  $1.5 million Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Technology grant would support the acquisition and installation of up-to-date technologies within Woodbury’s new Emergency Operation Center (EOC). The proposed budget breakdown is: o $1,200,000 Communication systems o $100,000 Computers o $100,000 Mapping equipment and software o $100,000 Other EOC tools to monitor and manage emergency situations On June 25, 2024, The House Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee marked up their bill. Congresswoman Craig put forward a $1.5 million request on the City’s behalf and the subcommittee included $1,184,000 for the project. It is still early on in the process, but this was a positive step forward to be included.  $450,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Fleet Services Facility Solar Installation project, which will be matched with $450,000 in local funds. The budget for the proposed work includes: o $50,000 for design and engineering o $650,000 for solar panel installation o $100,000 for battery storage o $100,00 for EV charging stations Council Workshop Letter 24-171 July 10, 2024 Page 3 Recommendation In consideration of the 2024 legislative program review, staff requests that the City Council provide feedback and share ideas of items they would like to see considered as part of the City’s 2025 state legislative platform. Governance Mode1  Strategic - Setting priorities, reviewing and modifying strategic plans, and monitoring performance against plans. Focus is the “ends” rather than the "means”.  Generative - Identifying key questions, anticipating future challenges, framing of issues, development of options. Problem-framing. What to pay attention to, what it means, and what to do about it. How does it fit with our mission, vision and values? Fiscal Implications There are no cost obligations with this item. If the City were to be successful with the funding requests at the state and federal levels, it could mean millions of dollars in revenue to put towards City specific projects and equipment needs. Policy The legislative priorities identified in 2024 can be tied to the City’s water and public safety strategic initiatives as well as the safety and quality of life critical success factors. Public Process The 2024 legislative priorities were initially discussed at the November 29, 2023 Council Workshop and adopted at the December 13, 2023 City Council meeting. On March 27, 2024, there was a joint workshop between the City Council and members of our state delegation where quite a bit of information in terms of bill language was shared, and many of these issues were discussed. The 2025 legislative program will be considered for adoption at a regular meeting of the City Council, planned for October, 2024. Background Identifying legislative priorities each year is an opportunity for the City to reflect on the needs of the City and identify ways in which the state or federal levels could support projects or increase efficiencies. This will be the first touchpoint for the 2025 legislative discussion. Written By: Shelly Schafer, Community Relations Manager Approved Through: Clinton P. Gridley, City Administrator Attachment: 2024 State Legislative Priorities Handout 1 Items marked “fiduciary” are primarily business-oriented topics; “strategic” items are primarily related to long- term strategies or goals; and “generative” items are primarily meant to produce new thoughts or ideas.  2024 State City Council Strategic Legislative Initiatives Priorities | 2022-2024 WATER TOWER & WATER MAIN CONSTRUCTION The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has OUR ASK established health standards for specific per- and We must expedite the design and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and has issued health risk construction of a 2-million-gallon water advisories on ten of Woodbury’s 20 wells since 2017, with storage facility (tower) and additional advisories likely in the future. approximately one mile of water main to increase distribution and storage As part of ongoing efforts to treat PFAS in the community’s drinking capacity for treated water by 2025. This water, the city is currently in the process of developing a long-term effort was not identified in the State of water treatment plant to be constructed in 2028. In the interim, a Minnesota's Conceptual Drinking temporary emergency water treatment plant is treating 6 of the 20 Water Supply Plan. most impacted wells; interim well treatment equipment buildings are under construction at three well sites; and the city enforces one The estimated project cost is $14.8 of the most restrictive outdoor watering policies in Minnesota. million. This effort was not identified in the State of Minnesota’s Conceptual The centralized water treatment plant and a portion of the water Drinking Water Supply Plan, therefore distribution piping is being funded via the settlement between 3M is not covered with settlement dollars. and the State of Minnesota; however, the settlement restricts We are asking for $7,408,190 of State funding for collateral impacts, such as a new water tower to safely Aid to help cover this expense. store treated drinking water. The community has been inadvertently disadvantaged without dedicated funding from the settlement for this component of the essential infrastructure. SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR WATER OUR ASK TREATMENT PLANT MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION We are seeking a sales tax exemption We will pursue an exemption from the Minnesota state for construction material purchases for the sales tax for materials and construction for Woodbury's water plant. Woodbury Water Treatment Plant. The elimination of this tax will reduce the overall project costs for Woodbury residents and preserve the 3M settlement funds. Topics for Continued Discussion SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM Following legislative action in the 2023 legislature, the city temporarily suspended the school resource officer program at the two high schools in town until new language in the state law could be addressed. While the city reinstated the program following clarification from the attorney general, there are still discrepancies in the new law that must be addressed. LOCAL CIRCULATOR/MICRO TRANSIT SYSTEM The Gold Line is proposed to open in 2025 and further evaluation of how to support an efficient and effective feeder bus network to serve the broader Woodbury community is warranted. This would serve both community members and businesses alike. The city commits to further dialogue with the Metropolitan Council and Washington County to review the feasibility and opportunities for a circulator system as well as identify potential state funding sources to support this work. For more local government legislative priorities, please see: • Washington County - co.washington.mn.us/286/legislative-priorities • Municipal Legislative Commission - mlcmn.org/advocacy • League Of Minnesota Cities - lmc.org/advocacy/legislative-policies/current-legislative-policies-priorities/legislative-priorities/ • Metro Cities - metrocitiesmn.org/legislative-policies  2023/24 City Council Strategic Federal| Legislative Initiatives 2022-2024 Priorities IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY ON WEIR DRIVE GOAL Weir Drive exists as a dead-end roadway serving the We must improve the infrastructure Woodland Pointe apartment complex (288 households or along Weir Drive to ensure the approximately 780 people), E-STEM Middle School, and several safety of those in the area and businesses. prevent landlocking during 100-year storms. Flooding along Weir Drive is a growing concern. Over the last several years, Woodbury has experienced some of the wettest The estimated project cost is $4 summers on record. High water during flood events poses a million. We are asking for $850,000 health and safety threat, creating challenges for egress and of Congressionally Directed emergency response. Spending to help fund the project. A 2020 scoping study recommended elevating the profile of Weir Drive to minimize the potential for roadway overtopping and flooding. The addition of a culvert and creating an increased flow area will also help reduce flooding at known low points. Additional enhancements for motor vehicles and pedestrian safety along the corridor will be included, as well as curb, gutter and stormsewer improvements. Federal investment will protect underserved residents in Northwest Woodbury, an area of growing diversity. Built in 1974, the Woodland Pointe apartments at the end of Weir Drive serves diverse and low-income households in Woodbury. IN-VEHICLE AND GOAL BODY WORN CAMERAS In-vehicle, body-worn cameras, and interview room We are seeking $670,000 of cameras are helping the Woodbury Police Department Congressionally Directed Spending improve officer safety, increase evidence quality, and reduce to replace 45 older in-vehicle and 90 civilian complaints. Availability of recorded footage also helps body-worn cameras for our police improve transparency and accountability. services division. Our existing cameras are older and becoming obsolete. New models have enhanced technical features, improved durability, and better video quality. Upgrading will also allow integrations with Public Safety’s digital evidence management system, improving operational efficiency. CONTINUED DISCUSSION: 2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES As we enter the fourth quarter of 2023, we will work internally with department heads to develop and determine our priorities for Congressionally Directed Spending requests for 2024.