2024.08.20 Work Session Packet
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: Aug. 16, 2024
City Council Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024
Immediately following the City Council meeting
Council Chambers/Zoom
Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter,
the work session of the Crystal City Council was held on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at ______ p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN and via Zoom. The public may
attend the meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods identified on the City
Council Meeting Schedule for Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
____ Adams ____ Bell
____ Budziszewski ____ Cruz-Jennings
____ Cummings ____ Therres
____ Eidbo ____ Elholm
____ Kamish ____ Larson
____ Kiser ____ Revering
____ Onesirosan ____ Hubbard
____ Struve
____ Sutter
____ Serres
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
1. Municipal consent plans for the Blue Line Extension.
2. City Council liaison reports.*
3. City manager monthly check-in.
4. Constituent issues.*
5. New business.*
6. Announcements.*
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
* Denotes no documentation included in the packet.
Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the city clerk at
(763) 531-1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529.
___________________________________________________________________________
FROM: John Sutter, Community Development Director
DATE: August 15, 2024
TO: Adam R. Bell, City Manager (for August 20 work session)
SUBJECT: Municipal Consent plans for the Blue Line Extension
___________________________________________________________________________
The City Council will hold the required municipal consent hearing regarding the METRO Blue
Line Extension during its regular meeting on August 20.
During the work session, City Council discussion is requested regarding the following:
1. Based on previous discussions, if the Council would consider adopting a Disapproval
resolution, staff would recommend including the following items as conditions for approval:
a) Elevate the LRT tracks over the 42nd Avenue intersection to protect the Joint Water
Commission main which supplies Crystal, New Hope and Golden Valley. (Would be
coordinated with Robbinsdale’s municipal consent action.)
b) Reconstruction of West Broadway from Highway 100 in Robbinsdale to Fairview
Avenue in Crystal must be included in the project plans. (Would be coordinated with
Robbinsdale’s municipal consent action.)
c) The middle lane of southbound Bottineau Blvd. at 47th Avenue must be a “choice lane”
so that the middle lane has the option to exit to southbound Highway 100 together with
the right lane. (W ould be coordinated with Robbinsdale’s municipal consent action.)
d) Along Lakeland Avenue between Wilshire Blvd. and the park and ride lot, provide
boulevards between east curb of Lakeland and the sidewalk, and also between the west
curb of Lakeland and the parking lot curb of 5445 Lakeland (Max-It Pawn).
e) On Bass Lake Road west of Elmhurst, widen the median to the Sherburne Avenue
intersection to accommodate the U-turns made necessary by the elimination of the
southbound left turn option at Elmhurst Avenue.
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Blue Line Extension
Municipal Consent Discussion
Note: The actual resolution would include more information about each of the five items
listed on the preceding page. The resolution would include the rationale together with
more precise and technical wording.
2. Comments received or issues raised during the hearing which the Council would like city
staff to explore for possible inclusion in a Disapproval resolution:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. Additional items to be considered in a possible Disapproval resolution:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Next steps:
Sep. 3 work session - staff presents one or more draft municipal consent resolutions for
City Council discussion
Sep. 12 work session - backup date for additional Council discussion if necessary
Sep. 17 meeting - City Council considers taking action on a municipal consent resolution
Oct. 1 meeting - backup date for Council to take action on a municipal consent resolution
Oct. 10 - statutory deadline for the city to take action on municipal consent
CITY MANAGER
MONTHLY CHECK-IN – AUGUST 2024
Objective 1 – Work with City Council to develop Long Range Vision for the continued
implementation of Council priorities:
• Working with staff to refine vision and priorities for the remainder of 2024 and the 2025/2026
Budget
Objective 2 – Policy Facilitation – Implement the Longe Range Vision/Strategic Planning for
continued implementation of Council priorities:
• Thriving Business Community
o Working with legal counsel to incorporate Cannabis zoning regulations for 2025
o Staff is continuing to assist with potential redevelopment opportunities and business
openings
• Strong Neighborhoods
o Continuing to work with businesses on THC/Cannabis sales compliance and current
licensing program
o Working with HRG on organized organic waste collection proposal – Proposed 4/2025
o Continuing to work on the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center project
o Working with residents/property owners to address code violations and traffic concerns
o Police continuing to work to address concerns at Becker Park
• Sound fiscal policies and practices
o Continuing to seek additional outside funding for projects
o Continuing to implement the 2024 Capital Program
o Processing implantation of Questica budget software
o Continuing 2025/2026 Budget – Working on Fee Schedule and Long Term Plan
o Hiring new Accountant
• Welcoming and inclusive community
o Inclusion & Diversity Commission –
• The Commission is continuing to work on developing a Work Plan and
recruitment.
Objective 3 – Re-establish the Environmental Quality Commission with a clear and engaging
purpose and a sustainable future:
• Continuing to research other cities’ environmental commissions/efforts to develop future
Climate Action Plan
• Monitoring additional grant opportunities for Climate Action Plan development
• Researching Gold Leaf Challenge Program action items
• Working to schedule further discussion of Commission and “Green Team” process
• September – Climate Action Planning/Task Force/Commission establishment
• October – December –
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Objective 4 – Create an atmosphere of better teamwork, open communication, enhanced
employee performance, and where staff feel empowered to help make decisions:
• Reviewing job descriptions and updating roles/responsibilities
• Actively recruiting and interviewing new staff for open positions
o Accounting Manager – Has started.
o Temporary PT Election Assistant (2) – One has started.
o Engineering Project Manager – Scheduled to start 8/19.
o Information Technology System Administrator – Offer Extended
o Recreation Manager – Interviewing
o Temporary Seasonal Staff - Ongoing
o Police Officers – Ongoing recruitment and interviewing
• Supporting staff wellness and continuing professional growth and development
• Connecting with neighboring city managers on various local issues
• Continuing participation in city manager leadership/peer group and metro and state
professional organizations