West St. Paul City Council Recap: Feb. 12, 2024

Thanks to Dakota County and Clover Montessori School for their support.

A potential community center dominated the conversation at the West St. Paul City Council meeting. Other business included committee interviews and a closed session for purchasing property.

Community Center Conversation

The big item on the agenda was the potential for a community center in West St. Paul. This has been an ongoing conversation that resulted in a feasibility study and a survey. City Manager Nate Burkett reviewed the results of the community survey and a market study, both of which are still in a draft format and not finalized.

Why now: The city is working on a long-term parks plan and the unanswered question of a community center is starting to delay that work. Burkett wanted confirmation and clarification from Council on their direction. He reiterated that staff is neutral on a community center and is open to the Council’s direction.

Results: Both the survey and the study indicate support for a community center, including willingness to pay membership fees and increased property taxes, as well as a market to support a community center.

• Pay for it: 72% of survey respondents were willing to pay an additional $200 or more in their annual property taxes for a community center. 17% supported it no matter the cost.
• But: The survey results showed signs of manipulation, with one person responding more than 30 times. The impact wasn’t significant, but it raised questions about the veracity of the results. Burkett pointed out the potential bias of those in support of a community center being more likely to take the survey. Burkett also took issue with optimistic income projections in the market study.
• Possible: Burkett did say the cost projections mean a community center is possible. Membership fees and increased property taxes could fund a 70,000-square-foot community center with the top 10 amenities people want (with the exception of an outdoor pool).
• Now what: While Burkett urged caution in interpreting the results, he did say it’s clear the community wants more gathering spaces. That could be a traditional community center. But many of the amenities a community center could offer already exist, and the park plan may be a way to either chart a course toward a centralized community center or finding ways to improve and highlight existing amenities while filling any gaps.

What does Council think: The City Council members weighed in, generally open to the idea of further exploring a community center but concerned with how to pay for it.

• Staffing: Council Member Julie Eastman raised the concern of finding staff to run a community center, something that is already a problem. Burkett noted the city might not be able to open the pool this summer due to a lack of staff (they’re still working on it, but that’s a possibility).
• Taxes: “I don’t believe 72% of this city is willing to pony up $200 extra in property taxes,” said Council Member John Justen. “That statistic is wildly misleading. .. I don’t think we’re hearing from a statistically significant enough portion of the population to even begin to consider that kind of an expenditure.”
• The YMCA was not our choice: “We did not tear down the YMCA, we did not force the YMCA out, we’re cleaning up the work of private entities that made a business decision to leave West St. Paul,” said Council Member Lisa Eng-Sarne. “We are looking to create something better.” Eng-Sarne supported exploring out-the-box solutions and cautioned how we use taxpayer money.
• Balance: Mayor Dave Napier described visiting other metro area community centers with his grandkids. “There were so many people talking and gathering, so I see the value in having it,” he said. “I just want to keep it moving forward in way that we are very careful to not burden the taxpayers any more than we have to.”

What’s next: Burkett noted the city is still very early in this process and there’s a long way to go—this is an amenity that looks ahead 30 to 50 years. A next step will include additional survey questions as part of the city’s regular survey.

Committee Appointment Interviews

During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council interviewed eight residents for various committees and commissions.

• Who: Those residents include: Nolan Cornell (Ward 3), James Heaney (Ward 3), Ashley Khondakar (Ward 1), Troy LaFaye (Ward 2), Emily Lefholz (Ward 3), Angela Rizo Rosales (Ward 1), Caleb Paulson (Ward 1), and Brooklyn Petrich (Ward 2).
• More: Additional interviews will happen at the next meeting on February 26. Technically the city is still accepting applications.
• Openings: There are currently seven vacancies—four on the Environmental Committee, two on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and one on the Planning Commission (there are also three vacancies on the Charter Commission, but those interviews and appointments are handled by the Charter Commission).
• Timeline: Appointments will likely be made at the first meeting in March.

Other Items on the Agenda

• Closed session: Council met in closed session to discuss the purchase of 1530 Oakdale Avenue (Faith United Methodist Church). At this point there are no further details or plans. We’ll learn more if Council decided to move forward.
• Voting: The city is adjusting how it handles absentee voting visits to healthcare facilities to comply with state law and avoid charges of being arbitrary or unfair. The changes will result in three facilities getting visits instead of the previous six, though the city will also send resources to a number of other facilities to help with absentee voting.
• Abatement: In the consent agenda, Council approved a bid for the abatement of 1815 Livingston, a property the Council declared hazardous back in September. Work should start this week and is expected to be completed by mid-March.
• Trail: The city is teaming up with Dakota County to study a trail on the south side of Wentworth between Robert and Oakdale. The plan is to fund an engineering study this summer in order to apply for future grants to construct the trail.
• Tech upgrades: The consent agenda also included technology upgrades in the Council chambers. Much of this is behind the scenes for broadcasting, but it will include audio/visual upgrades in the chambers, as well as a new lectern with touch screen features, Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant height, and more.

Engage

• Watch: City Council and OCWS meetings are archived online. You can also watch the video recap by Council Members Robyn Gulley and John Justen.
• Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.

We believe in government transparency and provide these West St. Paul City Council recaps with the support of our members.