Thanks to Cherokee Service, Jameson’s Irish Bar, and Southview Animal Hospital for their support.
West St. Paul City Council took the first official step in expanding signs and allowing murals, used state money to restructure the police department, approved an interim marijuana moratorium, and had a closed session that’s likely the first step in coming redevelopment.
Sign & Mural Ordinance
After tabling the sign ordinance at the last meeting, City Council continued the discussion during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS). Staff made a number of changes to the ordinance after the last meeting, which largely addressed the Council’s concerns.
Changes and notes:
- Color: Dropped the color restrictions that applied to both murals and houses.
- Murals: While the new ordinance allows murals across the city, they are severely restricted in residential areas. They can’t face the street and need to be screened. Effectively, if a neighbor could see it, you can’t do it.
- Renters: Staff couldn’t find any reasonable accommodate to allow people renting in multi-family buildings to display signs.
- Division: “I think the sign ordinance will continue to divide our community,” said Mayor Dave Napier, who advocated for not expanding from six square feet to 10 square feet of signs and against allowing signs on fences.
- Pushback: Several Council members pushed back on the mayor, arguing that signs have the potential to be divisive regardless of where they are displayed. Council Member Julie Eastman pointed out that allowing signs on fences addresses the instance of a ‘beware of dog’ sign that’s currently illegal.
Next: Council approved the first reading during the regular meeting and final approval will come. at the June 26 meeting.
Restructuring
During OCWS, Council discussed restructuring the police and parks and recreation departments and approved those changes in the consent agenda.
- Police: The city will use $900,000 of state money earmarked for public safety over the next six years to add more supervisor roles. The changes will offer better oversight, help coach and mentor the many young officers on the force, and help lessen the burden of being the busiest police department in the county. The money will be spread out over multiple years to transition the burden from one-time state money to ongoing tax levy.
- Parks and Recreation: This is a continuation of an earlier move to make Parks and Recreation its own department with an official director and a new engagement manager. These changes are specifically designed to address the Council’s initiatives around engaging the community.
Marijuana
After the state legalized marijuana, approved the first reading of a cannabis business interim ordinance. The ordinance will prohibit new marijuana businesses, giving staff time to determine what if any long-term restrictions the city wants to have in place.
- The city can limit the number of retailers (to as few as one) and can impose distance requirements.
- It’s a lot more complicated than that. The city attorney included a 12-page memo outlining some of the implications.
More on the Agenda
- Development: The Economic Development Authority (EDA) had a closed work session to discuss the sale of the former AutoZone. This is likely the first step in redevelopment of the former Hy-Vee/YMCA parcels now that the state gave TIF approval. Look for more details to be public by the June 26 meeting.
- Police: Mayor Napier swore in new police officer Justin James.
- Honored: Bob and Ken Pace were recognized for more than 60 years of business in West St. Paul. Ken Pace thanked the Council for the honor and talked about the advice his grandfather gave when he retired to give back to the community.
- Holiday: The Council officially recognized the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. The city will fly a Juneteenth flag over city hall from June 17-20 and city hall will be closed on June 19.
Engage
- Watch: City Council, OCWS, and EDA meetings are archived online.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
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