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<br /> <br />to allow the public to attend an event in either May or June. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle encouraged staff to find ways to engage with and reach out to peoples of color for the <br />Old Highway 8 corridor study. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen questioned what type of public hearings or public outreach would be done when the <br />Zoning Code nears completion. Gozola stated this would be something the Council could guide staff on. He <br />reported public hearings would be held, but he did not anticipate there would be a great showing from the <br />public. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen anticipated if there were zoning changes around a homeowner’s property they may have <br />feedback for the City. In addition, he believed if finishing standards were changed in the City, there would be <br />comments from the public. Gozola explained at this time he was cleaning up the Zoning Code and was <br />removing inconsistencies in order to make the code easier to read and use. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen requested staff be willing to take comments from the public on any code changes that <br />were substantial, such as for a new land use classification and for any finishing changes that may occur. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas agreed the more we can help people to see the activity occurring at the City the more <br />they will feel connected with the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle suggested the housing portion of the code be further considered through an equity <br />lens to ensure there was fairness. Massopust stated staff was not intending to do a content edit of the Zoning <br />Code, but rather was working to improve usability and layout. He explained the Council could pursue changes <br />to the housing portion of the Code, but this would be done through another process. Gozola reported he had <br />reached out to the City of Hopkins noting they had completed an equity audit of their City Code. He stated this <br />was something on the minds of staff and would be done in the future. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned how much of the Zoning Code was not aligned with Minnesota Statute. <br />Gozola commented this was another reason why staff was updating the code. He noted City Attorney Sonsalla <br />would have a better idea on what portion of the code was not in alignment with Minnesota Statute. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas inquired if the City Attorney was reviewing this document as it moves along. Gozola <br />reported the City Attorney has been given the revised sections as they were completed by staff. <br /> <br />Schlichting commented further on the work he would be doing on the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). He <br />discussed the sustainability initiatives the City has already pursued which included solar panels on City <br />buildings, an electric vehicle charging station plan and working with Xcel Energy on an energy action plan. <br />He commented on the quotes staff had received from consultants that would assist the City with the CAP, <br />noting staff would recommend the Council pursue a contract with paleBLUEdot. <br /> <br />Councilmember Abdulle commended staff for their efforts on the CAP and for finding a consultant that would <br />assist the City with this work. He then discussed the Justice 40 program from the federal government. He <br />reported there may be ways to tap into federal dollars to assist the City with its efforts. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested staff not create survey confusion between the two surveys that would be <br />completed by the City (the community survey and the Partners in Energy survey). She recommended the <br />community workshops be held in the summer or early fall months and not February or March. Schlichting <br />commented the timing for this meeting can be shifted.