HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/10/20 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Regular
AGENDA
OCTOBER 20, 2014
6:45 p.m. SPECIAL STUDY SESSION – Westwood Room
Discussion Items
6:45 p.m. 40th Street and France Avenue Property Update (Verbal Update)
7:00 p.m. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – Westwood Room
Discussion Items
1. 7:00 p.m.
Closed meeting with the city attorney to discuss pending condemnation
action involving Clear Channel parcels at Hwy 7 and Louisiana and to
consider offer for purchase of the Clear Channel parcels.
7:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
1a. Pledge of Allegiance
1b. Roll Call
2. Presentations
2a. Recognition of Donations
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. Study Session Minutes September 22, 2014
3b. Joint City Council/School Board Meeting Minutes September 29, 2014
4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar
NOTE: The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which
need no discussion. Consent items are acted upon by one motion. If discussion is desired by either a
Councilmember or a member of the audience, that item may be moved to an appropriate section of the regular
agenda for discussion. The items for the Consent Calendar are listed on the last page of the Agenda.
Recommended Action: Motion to approve the Agenda as presented and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive
reading of all resolutions and ordinances. (Alternatively: Motion to add or remove items from the agenda,
or move items from Consent Calendar to regular agenda for discussion.)
5. Boards and Commissions -- None
6. Public Hearings
6a. Yami Yami On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor License
Recommended Action: Mayor to close public hearing. Motion to approve application
from J & R Inc., doing business as Yami Yami, for an On-Sale Wine and 3.2 Malt Liquor
License located at 4712 Excelsior Boulevard, for a license term through March 1, 2015.
6b. Bonefish Grill – On Sale Intoxicating and Sunday Sale Liquor License
Recommended Action: Mayor to close public hearing. Motion to approve application
from Bonefish Grill, LLC; dba Bonefish Grill, for an on sale intoxicating and Sunday
sale liquor license located at 1607 West End Boulevard with the license term through
March 1, 2015.
Meeting of October 20, 2014
City Council Agenda
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6c. Assessment of Delinquent Charges
Recommended Action: Mayor to open the public hearing, solicit comments, and close
the public hearing. Motion to Adopt Resolution to assess delinquent water, sewer, storm
water, refuse, abating grass/weed cutting, tree removal/injection, false alarm fees and
other miscellaneous charges.
6d. Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance Imposing a Franchise Fee on
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
Recommended Action: Mayor to open the public hearing, solicit comments, and to
close the public hearing. Motion to approve first reading of an ordinance imposing a
franchise fee on CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. and set second reading for
November 3, 2014.
6e. Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance Imposing a Franchise Fee on
Northern States Power Company (D/B/A Xcel Energy)
Recommended Action: Mayor to open the public hearing, solicit comments, and to
close the public hearing. Motion to approve first reading of an ordinance imposing a
franchise fee on Xcel Energy and set second reading for November 3, 2014.
7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public -- None
8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items
8a. Adoption of 2015 Utility Rates
Recommended Action: Motion to Adopt Resolution setting the 2015 Utility Rates.
8b. Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New
Kia Dealership
Recommended Action: Motion to Adopt Resolution approving the Conditional Use
Permits for NLD 394 LLC for a new Kia Dealership, with conditions as recommended
by staff and the Planning Commission.
8c. Business Park Zoning Amendments
Recommended Action: Motion to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending
the Business Park zoning district, and set second reading for November 3, 2014.
8d. First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
Recommended Action: Motion to Approve First Reading of Ordinance amending the
St. Louis Park Code of Ordinances Section 30-158 relating to Snow Removal Program;
and to set Second Reading for November 3, 2014.
8e. 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
Recommended Action: Motion to Approve Resolution establishing the 2015 employer
benefits contribution.
9. Communications -- None
Meeting of October 20, 2014
City Council Agenda
CONSENT CALENDAR
4a. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance establishing fees for 2015 as outlined
in Appendix A of the City Code of Ordinances; and to approve the summary ordinance
for publication.
4b. Approve a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for the Frank Lundberg
American Legion Post 282, 5605 36th St. W. in St. Louis Park, for a social event to be
held November 1, 2014, during the hours of 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. in the parking lot at the
American Legion.
4c. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance for addition of Section 6-71.
Construction Management Plan to Chapter 6 of the City Code of Ordinances effective
November 15, 2014 and approve summary ordinance for publication on October 31,
2014.
4d. Adopt Resolution approving acceptance of a $1,700 donation from Randy May for the
purchase and installation of a metal bench in Elie Park honoring Virginia May.
4e. Adopt Resolution approving a Wellness Incentive for benefit earning staff for 2015.
4f. Adopt Resolution accepting a donation of $10,065 to the St. Louis Park Fire
Department from Step One Foods for nutritional products and services to improve the
health and wellness of firefighters.
4g. Adopt Resolution authorizing final payment in the amount of $6,412.12 for the 2013
Random Concrete Repair Project with Thomas & Sons Construction, Inc. - Project
Nos. 2013-0003, 0004, and 0006, City Contract No. 34-13.
4h. Adopt Resolution authorizing installation of permit parking restrictions at 2940 Salem
Avenue.
4i. Adopt Resolution rescinding the paragraph documented within Resolution No. 3681
for the existing “No Parking 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday” on the east side of
Princeton Avenue from W. 29th Street south to the east-west alley.
4j. Adopt Resolution rescinding the paragraph documented within Resolution No. 87-104
for the existing No Parking Anytime along the entire length of Decatur Avenue
including the cul-de-sac. It is requested that parking restrictions be modified to allow
on-street parking along the east side of Phillips Parkway, previously Decatur Avenue,
from the Service Road south of W. 36th Street south to the parking lot access north of
the cul-de-sac.
4k. Adopt Resolution to add Paid-On-Call Firefighters as eligible for the Employee
Service Recognition and Departing Employee Recognition programs in the Personnel
Manual.
4l. Approve for filing Environment and Sustainability Commission: Sustainable SLP
Minutes of September 3, 2014
St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority and regular City Council meetings are carried live on Civic TV cable channel
17 and replays are frequent; check www.parktv.org for the schedule. The meetings are also streamed live on the internet at
www.parktv.org, and saved for Video on Demand replays. The agenda is posted on Fridays on the official city bulletin board in
the lobby of City Hall and on the text display on Civic TV cable channel 17. The agenda and full packet are available by noon
on Friday on the city’s website.
Meeting: City Council Closed Executive Session
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Discussion Item: 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Closed meeting with the city attorney to discuss pending condemnation action
involving Clear Channel parcels at Hwy 7 and Louisiana and to consider offer for
purchase of the Clear Channel parcels.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None at this time.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: None at this time.
SUMMARY: In order to facilitate the construction of the Hwy 7 and Louisiana Ave. grade
separation project certain private property needed to be acquired. This discussion will focus on
property which needs to be acquired from Clear Channel.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable at this time.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: None
Prepared by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Presentation: 2a
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Recognition of Donations
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mayor to announce and give thanks and appreciation for the
following donation being accepted at the meeting and listed on the Consent Agenda:
From Amount For
Randy May $1,700 Purchase and installation of a metal bench in Elie
Park honoring Virginia May.
Step One Foods $10,065 Nutritional products and services to improve the
health and wellness of firefighters
Prepared by: Debbie Fischer, Office Assistant
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Minutes: 3a
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 22, 2014
The meeting convened at 6:34 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hallfin, Tim Brausen, Gregg Lindberg, Anne
Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano (arrived at 6:46 p.m.).
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Director
of Engineering (Ms. Heiser), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Inspection
Services Manager (Ms. Boettcher), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning – October 6 and October 13, 2014
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for October 6th and the
proposed study session agenda for October 13th.
Councilmember Mavity requested that Council have a discussion about the City being
responsible for plowing the 28th Street sidewalk and suggested this topic be included in the
October 6th special study session if appropriate.
Mr. Harmening stated that the 28th Street sidewalk would be discussed this fall as part of
Council’s discussion regarding community and neighborhood sidewalks.
Councilmember Brausen stated he was contacted by a resident about enacting a bee friendly
ordinance similar to the ordinance recently enacted by the City of Mounds View. He advised
that City staff informed him that the City is already doing most of the items contained in the
Mounds View ordinance. He requested that this item be added to a future study session agenda
with the intent to raise visibility of the issue and point out the positive things the City is doing
with respect to bees. He stated he attended the Midwest Regional Convening on Climate
Resilience and requested that Council schedule a study session discussion regarding climate
change in the next couple of months.
Councilmember Sanger requested that Council schedule a study session discussion regarding the
City’s aging infrastructure and what the City is doing to proactively address the issue.
Mr. Harmening advised that the infrastructure discussion will tie in to Council’s discussion in
October regarding the CIP.
2. City Hall Second and Third Floor Remodeling Project
Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report and cost estimate for the second and third floor
remodeling project. He also presented the preliminary second floor plan and advised that the
remodeling plans include modular walls similar to the first floor that are made from recycled
materials and create a much more open environment.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 3a) Page 2
Title: Study Session Meeting Minutes September 22, 2014
Councilmember Mavity asked if fiber optic has been run throughout the building.
Mr. Hoffman stated that the plans include upgrading and rewiring the cabling similar to what
was done during the first floor remodeling and agreed to further discuss this with Mr. Pires. He
presented the preliminary third floor plan and advised that the Westwood Room and Council
Chambers will not be remodeled at this time.
Councilmember Spano stated he felt the Council Chambers was dated and was interested in
having a discussion in the future about updating the Council Chambers.
Councilmember Mavity agreed and suggested that the City consider some low cost updates to the
Council Chambers at this time, e.g., updated lighting or painting.
Mr. Harmening agreed to consider what low cost upgrades might be available for the Council
Chambers.
Mr. Hoffman advised that the City intends to reuse whatever furniture it can and staff has learned
that there are companies that will take the furniture for recycling and this is the most economical
and efficient way to get rid of the furniture.
Councilmember Sanger stated that some of the City’s nonprofits might be happy to have some of
the furniture and urged the City to inform the City’s nonprofits that the furniture is available.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to proceed with the proposed plan to
remodel the second and third floors of City Hall.
3. Connect the Park! Plan Amendments
Ms. Heiser presented the staff report.
Councilmember Sanger stated the City has started receiving requests from the Lake Forest
neighborhood for a sidewalk. She felt that if enough residents were asking for a sidewalk in a
particular location, the City should make it part of the system even if it does not fully connect to
the grid today.
Councilmember Lindberg felt there was a lot of equity in the robust public process that resulted
in the Connect the Park! Plan but was concerned about the addition of larger segments such as
Lake Forest and the potential for these conversations becoming plan creep to what has already
been thoroughly vetted by the entire community and balancing that with increased costs of
adding segments in the ten year plan.
Councilmember Mavity indicated that previous councilmembers were not overly supportive of
certain sidewalk segments so some of these segments did not emerge as a priority, adding it was
her understanding that the same approach was used with Lake Forest and the neighborhood
indicated they did not want the sidewalks.
Councilmember Spano stated that a gap is considered a section of sidewalk that is missing on a
continuous street block directly adjacent to a Connect the Park! sidewalk segment and requested
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 3a) Page 3
Title: Study Session Meeting Minutes September 22, 2014
that Council consider this criteria more broadly, adding that he felt the one block criteria seemed
arbitrary.
Mr. Harmening stated the public process is the centerpiece of the Connect the Park! Plan and if
residents in a particular neighborhood want a sidewalk, staff would bring the request to Council
for a decision.
Councilmember Mavity suggested that staff compile the sidewalk requests and have the requests
reviewed by Council once per year so that staff can plan the public process for those requests
more efficiently.
Councilmember Lindberg was concerned about well-organized neighborhoods getting Council’s
attention while the needs of other less organized neighborhoods with similar priorities are not
met and urged Council to figure out a way to address this potential inequity.
Mr. Harmening requested input from Council regarding the notification process and who gets
invited to the neighborhood meetings.
Councilmember Mavity stated that during the initial phase of the plan the City notified only
impacted homeowners and this was perceived by some that the City was only talking to impacted
homeowners and she felt this skewed the entire conversation and wanted to make sure that the
entire community was invited to participate and not just impacted homeowners.
Councilmember Spano agreed that the City should invite more than just the impacted
homeowners and should use wider outreach to those in the walkshed. He also agreed that
Council should consider sidewalk requests once per year unless the Engineering Department
needs to discuss an unusual request with Council, e.g., the 42nd Street sidewalk request being
considered by Council this evening.
Councilmember Sanger agreed that the City should use a wider outreach to those in the walkshed
and agreed with the idea that Council consider sidewalk requests once per year, however, she did
not want to wait another year to consider the request from the Lake Forest neighborhood.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to present Council with proposed
amendments to the Connect the Park! Capital Improvement Plan. It was also the consensus of
the City Council to direct staff to present Council with an amendment to the Connect the Park!
Plan based on the request from the Lake Forest neighborhood.
4. Pavement Management Area 2 Update – 42nd Street Sidewalk
Mr. Sullivan presented the staff report and explained that 42nd Street is scheduled for street
reconstruction this fall and the City of Edina recently informed City staff of its plan to install a
sidewalk along 42nd Street. He stated that City staff met with residents to discuss options for
including a sidewalk on 42nd Street and determined that a sidewalk on the north side of the street
makes the most sense and the only option is to narrow the street and install a back of curb style
sidewalk, similar to the sidewalk on 41st and Morningside. He advised that driveway lengths
will not change, the project will not impact any trees, and parking would be allowed on the south
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 3a) Page 4
Title: Study Session Meeting Minutes September 22, 2014
side of the street. He added the sidewalk would match Edina’s sidewalk width of 5’ and staff is
suggesting that this sidewalk be a Public Works snowplowed route.
Councilmember Mavity expressed support for adding this sidewalk segment as part of the 2014
Pavement Management project.
Councilmember Spano requested information about the input from the neighborhood.
Mr. Sullivan advised that the property owner at 4512 was in favor of the project and had no
problem with relocating some of his plants. He stated the property owner at 4151 has a steep
driveway and expressed some concern about his driveway length but was in favor of the project.
He stated the property owner at 4150 was in favor of the project and indicated they did not want
any trees impacted or removed as part of the project. He stated he was unable to reach the
remaining two properties.
Councilmember Sanger expressed support for the project. She asked if the narrowing of the
street would create any clearance issues for emergency vehicles.
Mr. Sullivan indicated that State law requires 20’ of clear travel for emergency vehicles and the
proposed plan provides 25’ of clearance. He stated that Public Works and the Police/Fire
Departments have indicated this is an acceptable width if the City assigns no parking to one side,
adding that residents indicated they would not oppose this parking restriction.
Councilmember Brausen expressed support for the project and stated that he preferred to see this
item presented to Council as a resolution for formal action.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare a resolution approving the
installation of a sidewalk along the north side of 42nd Street as part of the 2014 Pavement
Management project for Council approval at its October 6, 2014, regular City Council meeting.
Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening reminded Council about the Park the Street! event on Sunday, September 28th.
Councilmember Spano requested an update regarding the PLACE redevelopment concept.
Mr. Harmening advised that Allianz has expressed an interest in buying the property for PLACE
as a way to help facilitate the project and Allianz would play an important role as a partner to
PLACE. He added that Allianz has a lot of philanthropic interests and this purchase would not
represent an insurance investment on the part of Allianz.
Councilmember Mavity stated the City has outlined a vision for the former McGarvey site and
wanted to make sure that the City continues to control the vision for that site.
Councilmember Spano expressed concern about the continued traffic issues at Wooddale and
Highway 7 and urged the City to do whatever it can to resolve the issues in this area.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 3a) Page 5
Title: Study Session Meeting Minutes September 22, 2014
Ms. Heiser advised that Mn/DOT is going to be preparing the warrants analysis in early
November.
Councilmember Mavity urged the City to address the sight line issues on the bridge and
requested that staff present its recommendations for addressing the sight line issues as well as
estimated costs for Council consideration.
Councilmember Spano noted the snow removal program parking restrictions contained in written
report #5 and suggested that Council discuss the possibility of using flashing blue LED lights at
major intersections when the City declares a snow emergency.
Councilmember Brausen referenced the email sent to Council from a St. Louis Park resident
asking about the public process for housing projects and suggested that Council have a future
study session discussion about this issue.
Councilmember Spano urged the City to make sure renters are engaged in that discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Written reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
5. Snow Removal Program Parking Restrictions
6. Update on Elmwood Neighborhood Traffic Improvements
7. Update on PLACE Redevelopment Concept for former McGarvey Site
8. Sustainable SLP Branding Update
9. August 2014 Monthly Financial Report
10. Groves Academy Private Activity Revenue Bonds
11. 2015 Fees
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Steve Hallfin, Mayor Pro Tem
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Minutes: 3b
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
5:30 p.m. Dinner
Call to Order
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Council Members present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Anne Mavity, Greg Lindberg, Tim Brausen, Jake
Spano, and Steve Hallfin
Absent: Sue Sanger
School Board Members present: Board Chair Nancy Gores, Bruce Richardson, Jim Yarosh, Julie
Sweitzer, Ken Morrison, Joe Tatalovich, and Karen Waters
City Staff present: City Manager Tom Harmening; Housing Supervisor Michele Schnitker;
Housing Programs Coordinator Marney Olson; Recreation Superintendent Jason West;
Communications and Marketing Coordinator Jamie Zwilling; Organizational Development
Coordinator Bridget Gothberg
School District Staff present: Dr. Rob Metz, Superintendent; Lisa Greene, Community
Education Director; Sara Thompson, Director of Communications and Community Engagement;
and Richard Kreyer, Director of Human Resources.
The City Council and School Board discussed:
• Student Updates on current public enrollment and diversity
• City Housing development and policies
• School construction happening now
• School needs for the future
• City Community Center Project
• School Branding
• Potential topics for the next meeting (which will be determined at a later date). Possibilities
included but not finalized: fields; sidewalk plans; Highways 100 and 7; more facilities
conversation; diversity; arts; school process for strategic planning; continued collective
conversation around homes, what amenities people want, what is affordable, etc.
• The City offered to assist the School District with the use of Housing Staff to share census
data as well as trends in housing.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jacobs, Mayor
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4a
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance
establishing fees for 2015 as outlined in Appendix A of the City Code of Ordinances; and to
approve the summary ordinance for publication.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the Council agree with the proposed revisions to the fee
schedule to reflect fee adjustments for programs and services called for by ordinance?
SUMMARY: Each year our fees are reviewed by departments prior to renewal and as part of
our budget process. Some fees must be set and adjusted in accordance with our ordinance; other
fees are allowed to be set administratively. Fees are reviewed based on comparison to other
cities in the metro area, changes in regulations and to make sure our business costs are covered
for such service. At the September 22, 2014 Study Session, Council received a written report
which included all proposed citywide fees for 2015.
Fees called for within individual provisions of the St. Louis Park City Code are to be set by
ordinance and listed as Appendix A. On October 6, Council approved first reading of the
Appendix A fee schedule and set second reading for October 20. If approved, fee increases will
be effective January 1, 2015.
Liquor license fees and utility fees are approved by Resolution. Proposed 2015 liquor fees will
be presented for Council consideration at the November 17, 2014 City Council Meeting.
Proposed utility fees will be presented to Council for discussion at the Study Session on October
13, 2014 and final consideration at the October 20, 2014 City Council Meeting.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The proposed fee increases have been
incorporated into the proposed 2015 budget.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Ordinance and Summary
Prepared by: Nancy Stroth, City Clerk
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 2
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND: Each Department Director has reviewed fees listed in Appendix A of the City
Code. The Administrative Services Department has worked with individual departments and
their recommendations are included in the attached ordinance. Unless otherwise noted, proposed
fee increases reflect the increased administrative costs of providing services and were
comparable to other cities.
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE FEE CHANGES:
Community Development: Fees were reviewed and adjusted to cover increased costs to
conduct business.
Engineering: An additional fee has been added for temporary no parking sign installation for
right-of-way permit work. This fee is based on staff time and material.
Fire: Fees were split out for Police and Fire to more accurately reflect the cost for response. In
2014, fees for Fire false alarms were set at the same rate as Police. Based on review of
operations and type of equipment used for response, fees are now split into residential and
commercial/multi-family. For residential fire false alarms, a $100 fee is charged for the second
false alarm, $150 fee for the third false alarm, and $200 fee for each subsequent false alarm.
Fees for Fire false alarms are higher than Police due to the type of equipment and number of staff
that must respond for a Fire false alarm. After the first false alarm, the commercial/multi-family
fee steadily increases $100 per false alarm in the same year.
Inspections: Fees were reviewed and adjusted based on the cost to conduct business by city
staff. Fees related to property maintenance were reviewed and increases are proposed. It has
been several years since fees have increased in this area while staffing costs have increased.
Police: Animal impound fees increased to more accurately reflect costs and to be in line with
other cities. Police false alarm fees are separate from Fire false alarm fees and a fee was added
for non-residential. Based on review of operations, false alarm fees were split into residential
and commercial/multi-family false alarms. After the first police false alarm, a $100 fee per
incident will be charged for residential incidents. After the first false alarm, the
commercial/multi-family fee is charged $100 and increases $25 per false alarm during the year.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 3
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. ____-14
ORDINANCE ADOPTING FEES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ST. LOUIS PARK ORDAINS:
Section 1. Fees called for within individual provisions of the City Code are hereby
set by this ordinance for calendar year 2015.
Section 2. The Fee Schedule as listed below shall be included as Appendix A of the
City Code and shall replace those fees adopted October 21, 2013 by Ordinance No. 2448-13 for
the calendar year 2014 which is hereby rescinded.
ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES
Chapter 4 – Animal Regulations $50
Chapter 6 – Buildings & Building Regulations
Chapter 6, Article V – Property Maintenance Code $100
Chapter 8 – Business and Business Licenses $100
Chapter 12 – Environment $50
Chapter 12, Section 1 – Environment & Public Health
Regulations Adopted by Reference
$100
Chapter 12, Section 157 – Illicit Discharge and Connection $100
Chapter 12, Section 159 – Wetland Protection $100
Chapter 14 – Fire and Fire Prevention $50
Chapter 14, Section 75 – Open burning without permit $100
Chapter 20 – Parks and Recreation $50
Chapter 22 – Solid Waste Management $50
Chapter 22, Section 35b – Contagious Disease Refuse $200
Chapter 24 – Streets, Sidewalks & Public Places $50
Chapter 24, Section 24-43 – Household Trash & Recycling
Containers blocking public way
$25
Chapter 24, Section 50 – Public Property: Defacing or
injuring
$150
Chapter 24, Section 51 – Sweeping leaves into street
prohibited
$100
Chapter 24, Section 151 – Work in public right-of-way
without a permit
$100
Chapter 26 – Subdivision $100
Violation of a condition associated with a Subdivision
approval.
$750
Chapter 32 – Utilities $50
Chapter 36 – Zoning $50
Chapter 36, Section 37 – Conducting a Land Use not
permitted in the zoning district
$100
Violation of a condition associated with a Conditional Use
Permit, Planned Unit Development, or Special Permit
approval
$750
Repeat Violations within 24 Months up to a maximum of $2,000
Double the amount of the fine imposed for the previous
violation, up to a maximum of $2,000. For example, if
there were four occurrences of a violation that carried a
$50 fine, the fine for the fourth occurrence would be $400
(first: $50; second: $100; third: $200; fourth: $400).
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 4
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
Fines in addition to abatement and licensing inspections
Fines listed above may be in addition to fees associated
with abatement and licensing inspections.
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Domestic Partnership
Registration Application Fee $50
Amendment to Application Fee $25
Termination of Registration Fee $25
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Comprehensive Plan Amendments $2,000 $2,050
Conditional Use Permit $2,000 $2,050
Major Amendment $2,000 $2,050
Minor Amendment $1,000 $1,050
Fence Permit
Installation $15
Numbering of Buildings (New Addresses) $50
Official Map Amendment $500 $525
Parking Lot Permit
Installation/Reconstruction $75
Driveway Permit $25
Planned Unit Development
Preliminary PUD $2,000 $2,050
Final PUD $2,000 $2,050
Prelim/Final PUD Combined $2,250 $2,400
PUD - Major Amendment $2,000 $2,050
PUD - Minor Amendment $1,000 $1,050
Recording Filing Fee
Single Family $50
Other Uses $120
Registration of Land Use $50
Sign Permit
Erection of Temporary Sign $30
Erection of Real Estate, Construction Sign 40+ ft $30 $75
Installation of Permanent Sign without footings $75
Installation of Permanent Sign with footings $100
Special Permits
Major Amendment $2,000 $2,050
Minor Amendment $1,000 $1,050
Street, Alley, Utility Vacations $800
Subdivision Dedication
Park Dedication (in lieu of land)
Commercial/Industrial Properties 5% of current market value of the unimproved
land as determined by city assessor
Multi-family Dwelling Units $1,500 per dwelling unit
Single-family Dwelling Units $1,500 per dwelling unit
Trails $225 per residential dwelling unit
Subdivisions/Replats
Preliminary Plat $800 $850 plus $90 per lot
Final Plat $500 $525
Combined Process and Replats $900 $950 plus $90 per lot
Exempt and Administrative Subdivisions $300
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 5
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
Temporary Use
Carnival & Festival over 14 days $1,000 $1,500
Mobile Use Vehicle Zoning Permit (Food or Medical) $50
Time Extension $150
Traffic Management Plan
Administrative Fee $0.10 per sq ft of gross floor
Tree Replacement
Cash in lieu of replacement trees $115 $130 per caliper inch
Variances
Commercial $500
Residential $300
Zoning Appeal $300
Zoning Letter $50
Zoning Map Amendments $2,000 $2,050
Zoning Permit
Accessory Structures, 120 ft or less $25
Zoning Text Amendments $2,000 $2,050
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Installation/repair of Sidewalk, Curb Cut or Curb and
Gutter Permit
$10 $12 per 10 linear feet
Administrative Fee (all permits) $50 $60
Work in Public Right-of-Way Permit
Administrative Fee (all permits) $50 $60
Hole in Roadway/Blvd (larger than 10" diameter) $50 $60 per hole
Trenching in Boulevard $200 per 100 linear feet (minimum $200)
Trenching in Roadway $400 per 100 linear feet (minimum $400)
Temporary No Parking Signs (for ROW permit work) $60 per hour per project (minimum $60)
FIRE DEPARTMENT
False Fire Alarm Residential Commercial
1st offense $0 $0
2nd offense in same year $100 $100
3rd offense in same year $150 $200
4th offense in same year $200 $300
5th offense in same year $200 $400
Each subsequent in same year $200 $100 increase
Fireworks Display Permit Actual costs incurred
Service Fees
Service Fee for fully-equipped & staffed vehicles $500 per hour for a ladder truck
$325 per hour for a full-size fire truck
$255 per hour for a rescue unit
Service Fee of a Chief Officer $100 per hour
After Hours Inspections $65 per hour (minimum 2 hrs.)
Tent Permit
Tent over 200 sq. ft. $75
Canopy over 400 sq. ft. $75
INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT
Building Demolition Deposit
1 & 2 Family Residential & Accessory Structures $2,500
All Other Buildings $5,000
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 6
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
Building Demolition Permit
1 & 2 Family Residential & Accessory Structures $160
All Other Buildings $240 $250
Building Moving Permit $500
Business Licenses
Billboards $140 $150 per billboard
Commercial Entertainment $280
Courtesy Bench $50
Dog Kennel $150
Environmental Emissions $310
Massage Therapy Establishment $330 $340
Massage Therapist License $100 $110
Therapists holding a Massage Therapy Establishment
License
$30
Pawnbroker
License Fee $2,000
Per Transaction Fee $2
Investigation Fee $1,000
Penalty $50 per day
Sexually Oriented Business
Investigation Fee (High Impact) $500
High Impact $4,500
Limited Impact $125
Tobacco Products & Related Device Sales $500 $550
Vehicle Parking Facilities
Enclosed Parking $215 $225
Parking Ramp $165 $175
Certificate of Occupancy
For each condominium unit completed after building
occupancy
$100
Change of Use (does not apply to 1 & 2 family dwellings)
Up to 5,000 sq ft $300 $400
5,001 to 25,000 sq ft $450 $600
25,001 to 75,000 sq ft $670 $800
75,001 to 100,000 sq ft $880 $1,000
100,000 to 200,000 sq ft $1,100 $1,400
above 200,000 sq ft $1,310 $1,800
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy $55 $60
Certificate of Property Maintenance
Certificate of Property Maintenance Extension $55 $60
Change in Ownership
Condominium Unit $140 $145
Duplex (2 Family dwellings) $300 $310
Multi-Family (apartment) Buildings $250 per building +$12 per unit
Single Family Dwellings $220 $225
All Other Buildings:
Up to 5,000 sq ft $300 $400
5,001 to 25,000 sq ft $450 $600
25,001 to 75,000 sq ft $670 $800
75,001 to 100,000 sq ft $880 $1,000
100,000 to 200,000 sq. ft $1,100 $1,400
above 200,000 sq. ft $1,310 $1,800
Temporary Certificate of Property Maintenance
$70 $75
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 7
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
Construction Permits (building, electrical, fire
protection, mechanical, plumbing, pools, utilities)
Building and Fire Protection Permits Valuation
Up to $500 Base Fee $45 $55
$500.01 to $2,000.00 Base Fee $45 $55 + $2 for each additional
(or fraction thereof) $100 over $500.01
$2,000.01 to $25,000.00 Base Fee $75 $85 + $15 for each additional
(or fraction thereof)
$1,000 over $2,000.01
$25,000.01 to $50,000.00 Base Fee $420 $430 + $10 for each additional
(or fraction thereof)
$1,000 over $25,000.01
$50,000.01 to $100,000.00 Base Fee $670 $680 + $7 for each additional
(or fraction thereof)
$1,000 over $50,000.01
$100,000.01 to $500,000.00 Base Fee $1,020 $1,030 + $5.60 $6 for each
additional (or fraction thereof)
$1,000 over $100.000.01
$500,000.01 to $1,000,000.00 Base Fee $3,260 $3,430 + $4.75 $5 for each
Additional (or fraction thereof)
$1,000 over $500,000.01
$1,000,000.01 and up Base Fee $5,635 $5,930 + $4.75 $4.50 for each
additional (or fraction thereof)
$1,000 over $1,000,000.01
Construction Permits (cont.)
Single Family Residential Exceptions:
Reroofing – asphalt shingled, sloped roofs only
House or House and Garage $140
Garage Only $70
Residing
House or House and Garage $140
Garage Only $70
Electrical Permit
Installation, Replacement, Repair $45 $50 + 1.75% of job valuation
Installation of traffic signals per location $150
Single family, one appliance $45 $50
Erosion Control Permit
Application and Review $150 $200
ISTS Permit
(sewage treatment system install or repair) $125
Mechanical Permit
Installation, Replacement, Repair $45 $50 + 1.75% of job valuation
Single Family Exceptions:
Replace furnace, boiler or furnace/AC $65
Install single fuel burning appliance with piping $65
Install, replace or repair single mechanical appliance $45 $50
Plumbing Permit
Installation, Replacement, Repair $45 $50 + 1.75% of job valuation
Single Family Exceptions:
Repair/replace single plumbing fixture $45 $50
Private Swimming Pool Permit Building permit fees apply
Public Swimming Pool Permit Building permit fees apply
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 8
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
Sewer & Water Permit (all underground private utilities)
Installation, Replacement, Repair $45 + 1.75% of job valuation
Single Family Exceptions:
Replace/repair sewer or water service $75 $80
Water Access Charge $750
Competency Exams Fees
Mechanical per test $30
Renewal - 3 year Mechanical $30
Contractor Licenses
Mechanical $100
Solid Waste $200
Tree Maintenance $90 $95
Dog Licenses
1 year $25
2 year $40
3 year $50
Potentially Dangerous Dog License – 1 year $100
Dangerous Dog License – 1 year $250
Interim License $15
Off-Leash Dog Area Permit (non-resident) $55
Penalty for no license $40
Inspections
After Hours Inspections $65 per hour (minimum 2 hrs.)
Installation of permanent sign w/footing inspection Based on valuation using building
permit table
Re-Inspection Fee (after correction notice issued and has
not been corrected within 2 subsequent inspections)
$130
Insurance Requirements A minimum of:
Circus $1,000,000 General Liability
Commercial Entertainment $1,000,000 General Liability
Mechanical Contractors $1,000,000 General Liability
Solid Waste $1,000,000 General Liability
Tree Maintenance & Removal $1,000,000 General Liability
Vehicle Parking Facility $1,000,000 General Liability
ISTS Permit
Sewage treatment system install or repair $125
License Fees - Other
Investigation Fee $300 per establishment requiring a business licen
Late Fee 25% of license fee (minimum $50)
License Reinstatement Fee $250
Transfer of License (new ownership) $75
Plan Review
Building Permits 65% of Permit Fee
Repetitive Building 25% of Permit Fee for Duplicate Structure
Electrical Permits 35% of Permit Fee
Mechanical Permits 35% of Permit Fee
Plumbing Permits 35% of Permit Fee
Sewer & Water Permits 35% of Permit Fee
Single Family Interior Remodel Permits 35% of Permit Fee
Rental Housing License
Condominium/Townhouse/Cooperative $80 $85 per unit
Duplex both sides non-owner occupied $150 $160 per duplex
Housing Authority owned single family dwelling units $15 per unit
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 9
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
Multiple Family
Per Building $170 $200
Per Unit $12 $14
Single Family Unit $100 $110 per dwelling unit
Temporary Noise Permit $60
Temporary Use Permits
Amusement Rides, Carnivals & Circuses $260
Commercial Film Production Application $90 $100
Petting Zoos $60
Vehicle Decals
Solid Waste $25
Tree Maintenance & Removal $10
OPERATIONS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Permit to Exceed Vehicle Weight Limitations (MSC) $30 each
Winter Parking Permit
Caregiver parking $25
No off-street parking available No Charge
Off-street parking available $125
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Animals
Animal Impound
Initial impoundment $25 $35
2nd offense w/in year $40 $60
3rd offense w/in year $50 $85
4th offense w/in year $75 $110
Boarding Per Day $25
Dangerous Dog Annual Review Hearing $250
Potentially Dangerous Dog Annual Review Hearing $100
Criminal Background Investigation
Volunteers & Employees $5
False Alarm (Police) Residential Commercial
1st offense $0 $0
2nd offense in same year $100 $100
3rd offense in same year $100 $125
4th offense in same year $100 $150
5th offense in same year $100 $175
Each subsequent in same year $100 $25 increase
Late payment fee 10%
Solicitor/Peddler Registration $150
Lost ID Replacement Fee $25
Vehicle Forfeiture
Administrative fee in certain vehicle forfeiture cases $250
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2015.
Public Hearing October 6, 2014
Second Reading October 20, 2014
Date of Publication October 30, 2014
Date Ordinance takes effect January 1, 2015
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 10
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form and execution:
City Clerk City Attorney
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4a) Page 11
Title: Second Reading 2015 Fee Ordinance
SUMMARY
ORDINANCE NO. _____-14
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING FEES CALLED FOR
BY ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015
This ordinance sets 2015 fees as outlined in Appendix A of the City Code of Ordinances. The
fee ordinance is modified to reflect the cost of providing services and is completed each year to
determine what, if any, fees require adjustment. This ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2015.
Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
Jeffrey W. Jacobs /s/
Mayor
A copy of the full text of this ordinance is available for inspection with the City Clerk.
Published in St. Louis Park Sailor: October 30, 2014
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4b
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License - Frank Lundberg American Legion
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Approve a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
License for the Frank Lundberg American Legion Post 282, 5605 36th St. W. in St. Louis Park,
for a social event to be held November 1, 2014, during the hours of 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. in the
parking lot at the American Legion.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does Council wish to approve the Temporary On-Sale
Intoxicating Liquor License for the Frank Lundberg American Legion for an event being held
November 1, 2014?
BACKGROUND: The Frank Lundberg American Legion Post 282 has applied for a Temporary
Liquor License for a social event on Saturday, November 1, 2014, from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m., in
the American Legion parking lot located at 5605 36th St. W. The color guard is holding an
American Flag retirement ceremony. The ceremony is held before the burning of the first flag,
with the remaining flags being burned one by one. The parking lot will be fenced off for the
event. Food will be prepared and served indoors. The City Fire and Police Departments have
been notified of the event.
The American Legion Post 282 is a service organization with the purpose of promoting
Americanism, patriotism, and providing for the needs of our youth and children.
The Police Department has completed the background investigation on the principals and has
found no reason to deny the temporary license. The applicant has met requirements for issuance
of the license, and staff is recommending approval.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The fee for a temporary liquor license is
$100.00 per day of the event.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not Applicable.
Attachments: None
Prepared by: Nancy Stroth, City Clerk
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4c
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Second Reading of Construction Management Plan Ordinance
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance for
addition of Section 6-71. Construction Management Plan to Chapter 6 of the City Code of
Ordinances effective November 15, 2014 and approve summary ordinance for publication on
October 31, 2014.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does Council wish to approve the Ordinance being proposed?
SUMMARY: The first reading of the ordinance was approved 7-0 by Council on October 6,
2014. Following the first reading, the neighborhood notification recipients have been clarified.
The intent of the ordinance is to provide neighbors with information; therefore the neighborhood
notification will be sent to neighbors within 200 feet.
The City recognizes that many households in St. Louis Park are looking for larger homes. As a
result, significant additions and/or tearing down of existing homes and rebuilding of larger
homes are becoming more common. The Construction Management Plan (CMP) will proactively
address neighborhood issues and concerns related to construction. The CMP will be required for
demolition (tear down), new construction, or construction of a major addition to all one and two
family dwellings. The applicant for a building or demolition permit must complete the CMP and
give written notification of the proposed activity and general construction schedule to all
neighbors within 200 feet of construction at least seven calendar days before work begins.
Demolition and new construction will also require a neighborhood meeting and signage.
The purpose of the CMP is to provide neighbors with information about what is happening at the
property and who to call if they have concerns during construction. In addition to contact
information, the neighborhood notification letter will also state the hours that construction
activity is allowed per the noise ordinance. The CMP will also provide a list of best practices to
contractors for working in St. Louis Park neighborhoods to proactively address some of the most
common issues and concerns that arise during construction activity in residential neighborhoods.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Minimal. Existing staff will be used to run
this program.
VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a well-maintained and
diverse housing stock.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Ordinance
Summary Ordinance
Prepared by: Marney Olson, Housing Programs Coordinator
Reviewed by: Michele Schnitker, Housing Supervisor
Brian Hoffman, Inspections Director
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4c) Page 2
Title: Second Reading of Construction Management Plan Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. ____-14
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT OF DEMOLITION, NEW CONSTRUCTION
AND ADDITIONS TO SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY
DWELLINGS AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES
THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1. Chapter 6 of the St. Louis Park City Code is amended by adding the
following section:
Sec. 6-71. Construction Management Plan.
(a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Section,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context
clearly indicates a different meaning:
Demolition means the removal or destruction of more than fifty percent (50%) of
the area of exterior walls.
New Construction means the complete construction of a building from footings or
above grade.
Major Addition means the construction of a second story of any size or a building
addition totaling five hundred (500) square feet or greater.
(b) Construction Management Plan Required. A Construction Management Plan is
required for Demolition or New Construction of, and Major Additions to, all one
and two family dwellings.
(1) Application. The applicant for a building permit or demolition permit
must complete the Construction Management Plan on a form to be
provided by the city building official and submit required information
before a permit will be issued.
(2) Written Neighborhood Notification. At least seven (7) calendar days
before Demolition, New Construction, or construction of a Major Addition
commences, written notification of the proposed activity and general
construction schedule must be provided to all neighbors within two
hundred (200) feet of the construction property.
(3) For Demolitions and New Construction:
Neighborhood Meeting. The applicant must conduct a neighborhood
information meeting within the notification area before Demolition or
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4c) Page 3
Title: Second Reading of Construction Management Plan Ordinance
New Construction commences. The date, time, and location of the
meeting must be included within the Written Neighborhood Notification.
If construction does not begin within three months of the meeting, a new
written neighborhood notification is needed before construction
commences.
Site Signage. A sign must be posted on the property before Demolition or
New Construction commences, identifying the nature of the project, the
permit holder, a contact name and phone number, and the site address.
The sign must also display a City provided phone number. The sign must
be between five (5) square feet and six (6) square feet in surface area. The
sign and the content of the sign must be visible from the street and be kept
in place until the completion of the project.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its passage and
publication.
First Reading October 6, 2014
Second Reading October 20, 2014
Date of Publication October 31, 2014
Date Ordinance takes effect November 15, 2014
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form and Execution:
City Clerk City Attorney
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4c) Page 4
Title: Second Reading of Construction Management Plan Ordinance
SUMMARY
ORDINANCE NO.____-14
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT OF DEMOLITION, NEW CONSTRUCTION
AND ADDITIONS TO SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY
DWELLINGS AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF THE
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES
This ordinance adds section 6-71. Construction Management Plan for demolition, new
construction, and major additions to all one and two family dwellings.
This ordinance shall take effect 15 days after publication.
Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
Jeffrey W. Jacobs /s/
Mayor
A copy of the full text of this ordinance is available for inspection with the City Clerk.
Published in St. Louis Park Sailor: October 31, 2014
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4d
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Accept Bench Donation from Randy May
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution approving acceptance of a $1,700
donation from Randy May for the purchase and installation of a metal bench in Elie Park
honoring Virginia May.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council wish to accept the gift with restrictions
on its use?
SUMMARY: State statute requires City Council’s acceptance of donations. This requirement is
necessary in order to make sure the City Council has knowledge of any restrictions placed on the
use of each donation prior to it being expended.
Randy May, grandson of the Elie family who donated the park land for Elie Park in 1952,
graciously donated $1,700 for the purchase and installation of a DuMor metal bench with an
inlaid bronze plaque. The donation is given with the restriction that the bench be placed in Elie
Park honoring Virginia May.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: This donation will be used to purchase and
install a bench in late October / early November, 2014, in Elie Park.
VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in environmental
stewardship. We will increase environmental consciousness and responsibility in all areas of city
business.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Resolution
Prepared by: Stacy M. Voelker, Administrative Secretary
Reviewed by: Cindy Walsh, Director of Operations & Recreation
Rick Beane, Park Superintendent
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4d) Page 2
Title: Accept Bench Donation from Randy May
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION APPROVING ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION
IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,700 TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A BENCH
IN ELIE PARK HONORING VIRGINIA MAY
WHEREAS, The City of St. Louis Park is required by State statute to authorize
acceptance of any donations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council must also ratify any restrictions placed on the donation by
the donor; and
WHEREAS, Randy May, grandson of the Elie family who donated the park land for Elie
Park in 1952, donated $1,700 to purchase and install a bench in Elie Park honoring Virginia
May; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park that the gift is hereby accepted with thanks to Randy May with the understanding that it
must be used to purchase and install a bench in Elie Park.
Reviewed for Administration Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4e
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Resolution Approving 2015 Wellness Incentive
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution approving a Wellness Incentive for
benefit earning staff for 2015.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does Council wish to approve the proposed Wellness Incentive
for 2015?
SUMMARY: The City has provided employees a monetary wellness incentive for the past three
years in exchange for employee participation in required health related activities.
Staff discussed the wellness program with City Council at the study session on October 13, 2014.
The following is a summary of the recommendation on continuation of the wellness incentive
program.
• Criteria for 2015 includes a requirement that benefit-eligible active employees (regular full-
time and regular part-time) must complete a health risk questionnaire, biometric screen, and
be tobacco-free (or participating in a cessation program).
• Additionally, staff will be encouraged to perform other wellness activities such as preventive
visits to health and dental providers, flu shots, good nutrition, physical activity and stress
reduction.
• The wellness incentive is set at $40 per month for completing the annual program criteria set
by the City Manager (same level as 2014 incentive).
• Approval of this resolution will allow automatic continuation of this same monetary level of
wellness incentive in subsequent years.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The Wellness Incentive amount has been
included in the 2015 budget.
VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged
community.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Resolution
Prepared by: Ali Timpone, HR Coordinator
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4e) Page 2
Title: Resolution Approving 2015 Wellness Incentive
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND:
Why provide a wellness incentive? The City has been committed to providing innovative ways
of keeping health care costs as low as possible. Methods such as switching health care providers,
offering consumer driven health plans, creating VEBA/HRA accounts, and reducing plan options
have been implemented. Current efforts are aimed at employee health and wellbeing, in an effort
to proactively eliminate diseases related to lifestyle factors (obesity, heart disease, diabetes,
knee/back pain, etc.) before they manifest themselves as costly claims.
History of SLP Wellness Incentive: We first introduced a wellness incentive program in 2011.
Each year, the program is reviewed and requirements for achieving the incentive are designed to
keep employees engaged and accountable for their health risk factors.
Program Year Requirements Incentive Participants
Requirements
met in 2011 for
payment in 2012
Required:
1. Health Risk Assessment
2. Non-Tobacco User or participation in
cessation program
3 of 4 following items also required:
• Biometric Screen
• Flu Shot
• Preventive Medical Exam
• Preventive Dental Exam
$25/month 177 of 245
(72%)
Requirements
met in 2012 for
payment in 2013
Required:
1. Health Risk Assessment
2. Non-Tobacco User or participation in
cessation program
3. HealthPartners outreach program (online or
telephonic health coaching)
3 of 4 following items also required:
• Biometric Screen
• Flu Shot
• Preventive Medical Exam
• Preventive Dental Exam
$35/month 165 of 241
(68%)
Requirements
met in 2013 for
payment in 2014
Required:
1. Completion of on-site vendor
(myHealthCheck) wellness visit which
included health risk assessment and
biometric screen (verified data).
2. Non-Tobacco User or participation in a
cessation program (verified data).
$40/month 165 of 250
(66%)
What is the recommended program for 2015? Employee behavior change is a long term
initiative. It is difficult to show a savings or return on investment in wellness incentive spending,
as it is impossible to know or quantify how many heart attacks we have prevented, or cases of
diabetes that have been averted. Wellness spending is a long term investment that aims to
increase general population health and behavior changes over time in order to reduce or prevent
costly claims.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4e) Page 3
Title: Resolution Approving 2015 Wellness Incentive
Since we required employees to use an on-site vendor and not use the honor system to report
participation in 2013, we were able to analyze aggregate health data from our voluntary
participants. Data collected is as follows:
• We now know that in general, the diastolic blood pressure average for this group is within
the optimal value.
• We also know that average glucose and triglyceride values are in the desirable range.
• Average total cholesterol is above desirable ranges (shows an exercise and nutrition
correlation).
• HDL cholesterol average is below the preferred value (shows an exercise correlation).
• Systolic blood pressure overall average falls within the National Institute of Health pre-
hypertensive range.
We hope to continue to collect this data annually in a private and secure way to be able to
measure and track our progress and identify programming or interventions needed to improve
these statistics. This is an important part of our recommendation for the 2015 wellness program.
In 2014, employees will be required to complete a health risk assessment, biometric screen, and
be tobacco free (or participating in a cessation program). All activities will be available on-site
at no cost to employees, and those who choose to have evaluations done at another provider may
do so and provide a form to our wellness vendor to submit and verify data.
What is the recommended 2015 incentive amount? It is recommended that the incentive be set at
$40/month in 2015. It is recommended that the full Wellness Incentive amount be provided to
ALL benefit earning employees (i.e., not pro-rated for part-time employees) who successfully
meet program requirements. This is the same as in 2014 and is recommended to continue with
no increase.
It is recommended that Council approve the incentive amount for 2015 and going forward to
automatically continue in subsequent years at $40/month, and allow the City Manager to
continue to set program criteria each year. Any increase in the future in the contribution amount
must be approved by Council.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4e) Page 4
Title: Resolution Approving 2015 Wellness Incentive
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION APPROVING
2015 WELLNESS INCENTIVE
WHEREAS, the City Council has established a benefit plan that provides an effective means
for providing employee group benefits; and
WHEREAS, the City Council establishes contribution amounts for each calendar year; and
WHEREAS, the administration of such plans will be in accordance with plan documents as
approved by the City Manager, who will also set policy and procedures for benefit level
classification and administration of plans; and
WHEREAS, organizations with healthy staff often report higher morale and productivity, and
lower absenteeism and health costs; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to encourage and incent staff to participate in activities designed
to improve the health and wellness of our staff to reap more of the aforementioned benefits;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park
that a Wellness Incentive Program is approved as follows:
• benefit-eligible active employees (regular full-time and regular part-time) who
successfully complete the components of the program as determined by the City Manager
are eligible for the incentive, and
• the amount of the incentive is set at $40 per month as a cash payment. This amount is not
pro-rated for part time benefit-eligible employees (will be provided in full), and
• the City Manager has the authority to set final program criteria, determine if criteria has
been met, and has complete authority in awarding the incentive to staff, and
• the incentive amount will automatically continue in subsequent years unless and until
further Council action is taken. Any future increase in contribution amount would
require Council approval.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4f
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Acceptance of Donation to Fire Department
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution accepting a donation of $10,065 to
the St. Louis Park Fire Department from Step One Foods for nutritional products and services to
improve the health and wellness of firefighters.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council wish to accept this donation with the
restrictions on its use?
SUMMARY: State statute requires City Council’s acceptance of donations. This requirement is
necessary in order to make sure the City Council has knowledge of any restrictions placed on the
use of each donation prior to it being expended. In this case, the donation is for nutritional
products and services to improve the health and wellness of firefighters.
Step One Foods, a local company, approached the fire department out of concern for the number
of firefighter deaths attributed annually to poor heart health and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
They believe that a short pilot focusing on nutrition, exercise and the use of their unique
nutritional products would show immediate benefits in lowering cholesterol, improving heart
health and ultimately reducing the likelihood of death due to a heart attack. The pilot is an
extension of our existing annual wellness exams and participation will be voluntary for any
firefighter. Step One Foods will furnish the products at no charge for 30 days, as well as provide
the follow up blood draw to measure any change in cholesterol levels.
The St. Louis Park Fire Department has adopted the 16 Life Safety Initiatives developed by the
International Association of Fire Chiefs. Initiative #2 states "Enhance personal and
organizational accountability for health and safety".
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: This donation will be used to enhance Fire
Department accountability for health and safety.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Resolution
Prepared by: Rodger Coppa, Assistant Chief
Reviewed by: Steve Koering, Fire Chief
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4f) Page 2
Title: Acceptance of Donation to Fire Department
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION APPROVING ACCEPTANCE OF A
$10,065 DONATION TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
FROM STEP ONE FOODS
WHEREAS, The City of St. Louis Park is required by State statute to authorize
acceptance of any donations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council must also ratify any restrictions placed on the donations
by the donors; and
WHEREAS, this donation will be directed toward nutritional products and services to
improve the health and wellness of firefighters;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park that this $10,065 donation is hereby accepted with thanks and appreciation.
Reviewed for Administration Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4g
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Approve Final Payment 2013 Random Concrete Repair Project - City Contract No. 34-13
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution authorizing final payment in the
amount of $6,412.12 for the 2013 Random Concrete Repair Project with Thomas & Sons
Construction, Inc. - Project Nos. 2013-0003, 0004, and 0006, City Contract No. 34-13.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Not applicable
SUMMARY: City Council approved undertaking the Maintenance Project – City Project Nos.
2013-0003, 0004, and 0006. The project was advertised, bid and awarded to Thomas & Sons
Construction, Inc. on April 15, 2013 in the amount of $126,109.75. This project is the annual
repair and construction of sidewalk, curb and gutter, and storm sewer catch basins at various
locations in the city. The work was mainly located in Area 6, which includes the Elmwood,
Brookside, Brooklawns, Creekside and Meadowbrook neighborhoods.
The Contractor completed this work within the contract time allowed at a final contract cost of
$128,242.26.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION:
Final Contract Cost
The cost of the work performed by the contractor under Contract No. 34-13 has been calculated
as follows:
Original Contract Price $126,109.75
Quantity Overruns $ 2,132.51
Contract Amount $128,242.26
Previous Payments $121,830.15
Balance Due $ 6,412.11
Funding Source
This project was included in the City’s adopted 2013 capital budget. The work was funded by
the Public Works Operations budget, Stormwater Utility budget and the Pavement Management
budget.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Resolution
Prepared by: Phillip Elkin, Engineering Project Manager
Reviewed by: Debra Heiser, Engineering Director
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4g) Page 2
Title: Approve Final Payment 2013 Random Concrete Repair Project - City Contract No. 34-13
RESOLUTION NO. 14-___
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FINAL PAYMENT
AND ACCEPTING THE WORK FOR
THE 2013 RANDOM CONCRETE REPAIR PROJECT
CITY PROJECT NO. 2013-0003, 0004, AND 0004
CONTRACT NO. 34-13
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, Minnesota, as follows:
1. Pursuant to a written contract with the City dated April 15, 2013, Thomas & Sons
Construction, Inc. has satisfactorily completed the contract random concrete repair
project, as per Contract No. 34-13.
2. The Engineering Director has filed her recommendations for final acceptance of the
work.
3. The work completed under this contract is accepted and approved. The final contract
cost is $128,242.26.
4. The City Manager is directed to make final payment in the amount of $6,412.11 on the
contract, taking the contractor's receipt in full.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4h
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Traffic Study No. 646: Authorize Permit Parking Restrictions at 2940 Salem Avenue
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution authorizing installation of permit
parking restrictions at 2940 Salem Avenue.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: The restriction is allowed per the City’s established regulatory
authority.
SUMMARY: On September 2, 2014, staff received a request from the daughter of Margarita
Eide to restrict on-street parking in front of the home of 2940 Salem Avenue. Margarita Eide has
a medical situation that requires curbside access to the walkway running between the house and
the street. Due to other on-street parking which occur on the same street, a request has been
made to the City to install permit parking in front of her home.
The City’s Traffic Policy and past practice allows for permit parking in these types of situations.
It has been the City’s practice to use permit parking, which can then be removed when the
individual needing the access no longer resides there or no longer needs the access. Staff
considers the request to be valid and supports the installation of permit parking for disabled
access at 2940 Salem Avenue. This recommendation is based on the following:
1. A resident of the household has limited mobility and is eligible for a disabled parking
permit.
2. Parking conflicts with neighbors will be eliminated.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The cost of enacting this restriction is
minimal and will come out of the general operating budget.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Resolution
Map
Prepared by: Jake Bongard, Traffic Support Staff
Reviewed by: Debra Heiser, Engineering Director
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4h) Page 2
Title: Traffic Study No. 646: Authorize Permit Parking Restrictions at 2940 Salem Avenue
RESOLUTION NO. 14-___
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF PERMIT
PARKING IN FRONT OF 2940 SALEM AVENUE
TRAFFIC STUDY NO. 646
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota that it
is in the best interest of the City to establish a parking restriction based upon permit issuance in
front of 2940 Salem Avenue.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that parking shall not be permitted at any time unless
the vehicle prominently displays a City-issued parking permit. Emergency vehicles,
governmental vehicles and commercial vehicles parked at curbside while work is conducted are
exempt from these restrictions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the parking restriction enacted herein shall remain
in effect until the resident no longer needs the restriction or has moved.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, Minnesota, that the Engineering Director is hereby authorized to install the following
controls:
1. Permit parking at 2940 Salem Avenue South
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
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Traffic Study No. 646 Authorize Permit Parkingat 2940 Salem Avenue
M
100
Feet
Legend
Proposed Permit Parking Restrictions
Property Lines
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4h)
Title: Traffic Study No. 646: Authorize Permit Parking Restrictions at 2940 Salem Avenue Page 3
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Traffic Study No. 647: Authorize the Removal of Certain Parking Restrictions on
Princeton Avenue
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution rescinding the paragraph
documented within Resolution No. 3681 for the existing “No Parking 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
thru Friday” on the east side of Princeton Avenue from W. 29th Street south to the east-west
alley.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: None at this time.
SUMMARY: The City has received input from the public and completed research regarding the
existing parking restrictions on the east side of Princeton Avenue between Minnetonka
Boulevard and 29th Street. The original resolution cites that the current parking restrictions were
authorized and installed in March 1969. The resolution indicated that the “No Parking 8 a.m. to
6 p.m. Monday thru Friday” restrictions on the east side of Princeton Avenue from W. 29th Street
south to the east-west alley were installed upon the basis of the physical characteristics, driver
behavior, and traffic conditions on Princeton Avenue.
The Traffic Committee discussed the issue and recommends the existing parking restrictions be
removed to better accommodate on-street parking. The Traffic Committee concluded that current
conditions on the street are different due to a change in land use in the area approved within
Resolution No. 3681. The proposed change to remove existing “No Parking 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday thru Friday” restrictions on the east side of Princeton Avenue from W 29th Street south
to the east-west alley will require the removal of the in-place signs. The attached figure depicts
the proposed changes.
A letter has been sent to the residents notifying them of the staff’s recommendation and have
asked for any final comments prior to the October 20th Council Meeting. The majority of
comments received have been in support of the change.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Original Resolution 3681
Resolution
Figure
Prepared by: Jake Bongard, Traffic Support Staff
Reviewed by: Debra Heiser, Engineering Director
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4i) Page 2
Title: Traffic Study No. 647: Authorize the Removal of Certain Parking Restrictions on Princeton Avenue
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4i) Page 3
Title: Traffic Study No. 647: Authorize the Removal of Certain Parking Restrictions on Princeton Avenue
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4i) Page 4
Title: Traffic Study No. 647: Authorize the Removal of Certain Parking Restrictions on Princeton Avenue
RESOLUTION NO. 14-___
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ELIMINATION OF
PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF PRINCETON
AVENUE FROM W. 29TH STREET SOUTH TO EAST-WEST ALLEY.
TRAFFIC STUDY NO. 647
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota has been requested, has studied, and
has determined that parking restrictions (No Parking, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) on the east
side of Princeton Avenue from 29th Street to the south property line of 2939 Princeton Avenue
are no longer required.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, Minnesota, that:
1. The Engineering Director is hereby authorized to amend Resolution No. 3681 adopted
March 10, 1969 by striking therefrom the words “No Parking 8 a.m. 6 p.m. Monday thru
Friday on east side of Princeton Avenue from W. 29th Street south to the east-west alley”.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4i) Page 5
Title: Traffic Study No. 647: Authorize the Removal of Certain Parking Restrictions on Princeton Avenue
TRAFFIC STUDY NO. 647
PRINCETON AVENUE FIGURE
(REMOVAL OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS)
Proposed Removal
of Existing Parking
Restrictions
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4j
TITLE: Traffic Study No. 648: Authorize the Removal of Parking Restrictions on Phillips
Parkway
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution rescinding the paragraph
documented within Resolution No. 87-104 for the existing No Parking Anytime along the entire
length of Decatur Avenue including the cul-de-sac. It is requested that parking restrictions be
modified to allow on-street parking along the east side of Phillips Parkway, previously Decatur
Avenue, from the Service Road south of W. 36th Street south to the parking lot access north of
the cul-de-sac.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: None at this time.
SUMMARY: The City has received input from local property owners and completed research
regarding the existing parking restrictions on the east side of Phillips Parkway, previously
Decatur Avenue, from the Service Road south of W. 36th Street south to the parking lot access
north of the cul-de-sac. The original resolution cites that the current parking restrictions were
authorized and installed in August 1987.
The existing roadway is 30 feet wide south of the service road intersection and narrows to 26 feet
wide near the cul-de-sac. This provides adequate width to accommodate parking on one side of
the roadway while providing adequate width for travel lanes. The request was made as the
existing parking lots are nearing capacity and additional parking spaces would improve overall
site conditions.
The Traffic Committee discussed the issue and recommends the existing parking restrictions be
removed to better accommodate on-street parking. The Traffic Committee discussed and
concluded that current conditions do not benefit from the parking regulations approved within
Resoultion No. 87-104. The proposed change to remove existing “No Parking” restrictions on
the east side of Phillips Parkway, previously Decatur Avenue, from the Service Road south of W.
36th Street south to the parking lot access north of the cul-de-sac will require the removal of the
in-place signs. The attached figure depicts the proposed changes.
A letter has been sent to the property owners notifying them of the staff’s recommendation and
have asked for any final comments prior to the October 20th Council Meeting.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Original Resolution #87-104
Resolution
Figure
Prepared by: Jacob Bongard, Traffic Support Staff
Reviewed by: Debra Heiser, Engineering Director
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4j) Page 2
Title: Traffic Study No. 648: Authorize the Removal of Parking Restrictions on Phillips Parkway
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4j) Page 3
Title: Traffic Study No. 648: Authorize the Removal of Parking Restrictions on Phillips Parkway
RESOLUTION NO. 14-___
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ELIMINATION OF
PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF PHILLIPS
PARKWAY FROM THE SERVICE ROAD SOUTH OF W. 36TH STREET
SOUTH TO THE PARKING LOT ACCESS NORTH OF THE CUL-DE-SAC
TRAFFIC STUDY NO. 648
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota has been requested, has studied, and
has determined that parking shall be allowed along the east side of Phillips Parkway, previously
Decatur Avenue, from the Service Road south of W. 36th Street south to the parking lot access
north of the cul-de-sac. “No Parking Anytime” restrictions shall remain in place along the west
side of Phillips Parkway.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, Minnesota, that:
1. The Engineering Director is hereby authorized to amend Resolution No. 87-104 adopted
August 3, 1987 by striking therefrom the words “No Parking Anytime along the entire
length of Decatur Avenue including the cul-de-sac”.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4j) Page 4
Title: Traffic Study No. 648: Authorize the Removal of Parking Restrictions on Phillips Parkway
TRAFFIC STUDY NO. 648
PHILLIPS PARKWAY FIGURE
(REMOVAL OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS)
N
Proposed Removal
of Existing Parking
Restrictions
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4k
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Addition of Recognition for Paid-On-Call Firefighters to Personnel Manual
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution to add Paid-On-Call Firefighters as
eligible for the Employee Service Recognition and Departing Employee Recognition programs
in the Personnel Manual.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does Council wish to make Paid-On-Call Firefighters eligible
for city recognition programs?
SUMMARY: The Fire Chief has requested that Paid-On-Call Firefighters be eligible for
recognition programs through the City, moving forward and effective January 1, 2015. In the
past, only benefit eligible staff were eligible for service recognition (awards for every five years
of service) and departing recognition (certificates or resolutions at council meetings), and non-
benefit earning staff were recognized via separate department specific programs.
However, because of the unique nature of our Paid-On-Call Firefighter positions, Chief Koering
feels that these non-benefit earning employees should be eligible for the same recognition as
benefit-earning fire staff. Additionally, Chief Koering believes this change will assist in his
efforts to achieve greater engagement and esprit de corps in the Fire Department.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: For 2015, it’s estimated that this change
will cost approximately $1,200. Funds are available for this increase in the HR budget.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Resolution
Prepared by: Ali Fosse, HR Coordinator
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 4k) Page 2
Title: Addition of Recognition for Paid-On-Call Firefighters to Personnel Manual
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA,
ADDING PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS AS ELIGIBLE FOR
RECOGNITION PROGRAMS IN THE PERSONNEL MANUAL
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to adopt policies for city employees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has conferred upon the City Manager the power to establish
and administer additional administrative policies and rules as may be appropriate to administer
the employment practices of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, Minnesota, hereby updates applicable areas of Section 15.7 of the Personnel Manual with
the following language (underlined and in bold), effective January 1, 2015:
Employee Service Recognition Program
The City of St. Louis Park will recognize the longevity of its employees by presenting
awards for years of service. The Employee Service Recognition Program will recognize
paid-on-call firefighters and all benefit earning regular and part-time employees who
work 20 or more hours a week, year round for the City of St. Louis Park.
Departing Employee Recognition Program
The City of St. Louis Park will recognize employees when they retire or depart from the
City in good standing by presenting awards based on their years of service. The
Employee Retirement Recognition Program will recognize paid-on-call firefighters and
all benefit earning regular and part-time employees who work 20 or more hours a week,
year round for the City of St. Louis Park.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Consent Agenda Item: 4l
MINUTES
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
September 3, 2014
Community Room, City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Terry Gips, Rachel Harris, Tom Hillstrom, Cindy
Larson O’Neil, Alex Sundvall, Judy Voigt and Ryan Griffin
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rene McGarvey
STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin, Erick Francis, Scott Merkley and Jay Hall
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. Two changes were added to the August 6 meeting record, and after a discussion of the
actual statement, the commission approved the record as amended.
3. Three staff members from the City of St. Louis Park presented information on GreenStep
Cities topics and how the City is conforming to sustainability goals of the program.
Scott Merkley, Public Works Services Administrator, discussed the Solid Waste
program, which includes recycling and organics collections.
Jay Hall, Utilities Superintendent, discussed the City’s water supply and treatment
system, the City’s wastewater collection system and the vehicle fleet, along with the
BMP’s followed in each of those resources.
Erick Francis, Water Resources Manager, discussed the City’s Surface Water
Management Plan, stormwater planning and stormwater regulations in the City. In
addition, he gave a brief overview of an improvement project on Bass Lake Preserve Park
that the City is undertaking.
4. Old Business
Commissioner Larson O’Neil updated the Commission on the Energy Work Group’s
progress while the projector was set up for the next presentation.
Commissioner Tom Hillstrom unveiled the revised SustainableSLP! logo to the
Commission members - both the square and rectangle logos that were selected in the last
meeting, refined based on comments, and presented to the commission for acceptance.
With the understanding that opinions on the logo varied and that tweaks and changes can
be made in the future, Commissioner Hillstrom recommended that the Commission vote
on accepting the logo. The recommendation was approved 9 to 1. This work group will
now focus on developing the web site, both in style and in populating content.
Commissioner Gips reported no updates on last month’s discussion of the proposed
Sustainability Workshops.
Preferred Purchasing Group- was presented by Rachel Harris. The group has completed
a draft policy for the City Staff to review and plans to bring the policy recommendations
to the October meeting of the Commission, with the goal of having the policy in front of
Council by the end of the year.
The discussion of 2013 goals update was tabled to next month’s meeting.
5. The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Public Hearing Agenda Item: 6a
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Yami Yami On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor License
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mayor to close public hearing. Motion to approve application
from J & R Inc., doing business as Yami Yami, for an On-Sale Wine and 3.2 Malt Liquor
License located at 4712 Excelsior Boulevard, for a license term through March 1, 2015.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the Council wish to approve the liquor license for Yami
Yami?
SUMMARY: The City received an application from J & R, Inc., dba Yami Yami, for an On-
Sale Wine and 3.2 Malt Liquor License. The restaurant establishment is located at 4712
Excelsior Boulevard. The premise consists of approximately 2,345 square feet, with dine-in
seating for 60.
J & R, Inc, dba Yami Yami, is owned by Jie Jiang and Tai Ting Siu with 50% interest each.
Yami Yami will be serving both Chinese and Japanese style cuisine. The restaurant will be open
seven days a week with hours for Monday – Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and
Saturday they will close at 11:00 p.m., and Sunday hours will be from 12:00 noon – 10:00 p.m.
The Police Department has run a full background investigation, and nothing was discovered
during the course of this investigation that would warrant denial of the license. The application
and police report are on file in the City Clerk’s office, should Council members wish to review
the information. The required notice of the public hearing was published October 9, 2014.
Should Council approve the liquor license, no actual license is issued until all required
compliance is met with the City Inspections Department and the State Alcohol and Gambling
Enforcement Division.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Fees for this applicant include $500 for the
police background investigation and $2,750 for the On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor yearly
license fee.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: None
Prepared by: Nancy Stroth, City Clerk
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Public Hearing Agenda Item: 6b
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Bonefish Grill – On Sale Intoxicating and Sunday Sale Liquor License
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mayor to close public hearing. Motion to approve application
from Bonefish Grill, LLC; dba Bonefish Grill, for an on sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor
license located at 1607 West End Boulevard with the license term through March 1, 2015.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: None – the application meets City requirements.
SUMMARY: The City received an application from Bonefish Grill for an on sale intoxicating
and Sunday sale liquor license operating at 1607 West End Boulevard. The premises will consist
of approximately 8,045 square feet with seating for 308. The tentative opening date is scheduled
for November 3, 2014.
Bonefish Grill LLC owns and operates 194 other Bonefish Grill restaurants, and this will be the
first location in Minnesota. The Bonefish Grill LLC chain identifies themselves as the “fresh
fish experts” specializing in market fresh fish cooked over a wood-burning grill.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week with hours for Monday – Thursday from 10:00
a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday hours will be
from 10:00 a.m.to 10:00 p.m.
The main principals are Joseph Kadow, Executive Vice President/Secretary; and David Deno,
CFO/Executive Vice President. Daily operations will be managed by Herbert Schatteles.
The Police Department has run a full background investigation, and nothing was discovered
during the course of this investigation that would warrant denial of the license. The application
and police report are on file in the City Clerk’s office, should Council members wish to review
the information. The required notice of the public hearing was published October 9, 2014.
Should Council approve the liquor license, no actual license is issued until all required
compliance is met with the City Inspections Department and the State Alcohol and Gambling
Enforcement Division.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Fees for this applicant include $500 for the
police background investigation and $8,700 for the on-sale intoxicating and Sunday yearly
license fee.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: None
Prepared by: Nancy Stroth, City Clerk
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Public Hearing Agenda Item: 6c
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Assessment of Delinquent Charges
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mayor to open the public hearing, solicit comments, and close
the public hearing. Motion to Adopt Resolution to assess delinquent water, sewer, storm water,
refuse, abating grass/weed cutting, tree removal/injection, false alarm fees and other
miscellaneous charges.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council desire to collect outstanding fees and
charges through the special assessment process?
SUMMARY: The City certifies delinquent charges to Hennepin County as a means to collect
on these accounts. The certification is done via the special assessment process, and becomes a
lien on the individual properties that is due over the next year or several years, depending upon
the type of charge. Information on the 2014 certification process is provided below.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Collection of these charges is vital to the
financial stability of the City’s utility systems and to reimburse the City for expenses incurred in
providing services.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Sample Certification Letter
Resolution Levying Assessment
Prepared by: Steven Heintz, Finance Supervisor
Reviewed by: Brian A. Swanson, Controller
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No . 6c) Page 2
Title: Assessment of Delinquent Charges
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND: Each of the customers involved in this special assessment process received a
City service. Subsequently, the customers were then billed through our regular billing process.
The invoice(s) is/are now past due, and the recommended method of collecting the past due
amounts is through certification as a special assessment to the property for the next year or years
taxes depending on the delinquency. In advance of the public hearing date, individual letters
were mailed to property owners and tenants, if applicable, advising them of the assessment and
their right to be heard before the City Council. Per discussion with Council and the resolution
passed on September 15, 2014, all delinquent utility accounts have been assessed a $15
administrative fee. This fee is not included in the 2014 amount below so as to provide consistent
comparative data. The table below shows comparison data from 2010 - 2014 in relation to
number of letters mailed and value of delinquent amounts.
Year Number of Letters Delinquent Amounts Final Certification
Amounts
2014 1810 $929,886 N/A
2013 1811 $872,661 $475,977
2012 1803 $816,357 $504,937
2011 1631 $834,605 $583,642
2010 1634 $743,023 $447,472
Each year there are a number of residents who pay their delinquent amount(s) before the
certification deadline, thereby reducing the final amount certified and sent to Hennepin County.
In addition, during the month of October, there are several hundred property owners who contact
the City with questions about their outstanding balance(s) and the certification process. The
delinquent balance was $697,279 as of the close of business on October 13, 2014. Staff will
provide the delinquent amount balance as of the close of business on October 20, 2014 at the
Council meeting. Customers have until October 31, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. to pay the delinquent
amount. The amounts shown do not include interest, the $30.00 per account administrative fee,
or the $75 penalty for utility accounts that are being certified for the second consecutive year. A
copy of the assessment roll is on file with the City Clerk’s office for review.
NEXT STEPS: After conducting a public hearing, the City Council is asked to direct the
assessment of delinquent water, sewer, storm water, refuse, abating grass/weed cutting, tree
removal/injection, false alarm fees and other miscellaneous charges against the benefiting
property.
Staff will continue to collect payments related to the delinquent accounts and work with residents
to resolve issues related to their delinquent accounts. All delinquent accounts outstanding as of
October 31, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. will be certified to Hennepin County for collection as part of the
owner’s property tax bill. Upon certification, the delinquent amounts will become a lien on the
individual properties.
At this time, the Accounting Division has not received notice of anyone wanting to speak at the
Public Hearing.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No . 6c) Page 3
Title: Assessment of Delinquent Charges
5005 Minnetonka Blvd
St. Louis Park, MN 55416-2216
Date of Notice: October 1, 2014
Mailing Address Line 1
Mailing Address Line 2
Mailing Address Line 3
Mailing Address Line 4
RE: Charges Owed: For Delinquent Utility Account:
Service Address: Service Address
Delinquent Amount: Current WO Balance
Account Number: Account Number
Customer Number: Customer Number
Property I.D. Number: Tax Roll Numeric
Dear: Customer Name
The City of St. Louis Park encourages its customers to remain current in the payment of their
bills. When accounts become delinquent, according to Minnesota law, they may be certified to
Hennepin County to be collected with property taxes payable in the next year.
City of St. Louis Park records show this account was delinquent as of September 18, 2014. By
receiving this letter, this account has been moved into certification, and has received an
administrative fee of $15. The 15 administrative fee is not reflected in the delinquent amount
above. In an effort to avoid the account from being certified to the property taxes, the City is
requesting that payment in full be received at City Hall by Friday October 31, 2014 at 4:30
p.m. If payment in full is not received by that date and time, the outstanding delinquent amount,
plus an additional administrative fee of $30, and interest at a rate of 5.85% for 13 months will be
sent to Hennepin County for collection with the property taxes in 2015 (total administrative fee is
$45). If this account was certified in the prior year, a $75 administrative penalty fee will also be
assessed to the account (total administrative fee is $120)
The City Council will consider final action on all delinquent accounts at a public hearing during
the regular Council meeting on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council
Chambers. A written appeal may be presented to the Council at that time, or appeals may also
be made to Brian Swanson - Controller, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416. The
City would like to avoid the certification process, as it adds additional costs to all parties.
Please feel free to contact our office at (952) 924-2111 if you have questions regarding this
notice. Payments may be made via cash, check, or credit card in person at City Hall, by mailing
a check to City Hall, or paying by credit card at https://eub.stlouispark.org/. Payment cannot be
accepted over the phone due to payment card industry guidelines protecting customer’s
financial information. For those customers who use eBill, please check your “junk” email
folder if that address is not on your safe senders list.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Brian Swanson
Controller
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No . 6c) Page 4
Title: Assessment of Delinquent Charges
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
LEVYING ASSESSMENT FOR DELINQUENT UTILITY ACCOUNTS, TREE
REMOVAL/INJECTION, FALSE ALARM FEES AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS
CHARGES
WHEREAS, the City Council has heretofore determined by ordinance the rates and
charges for water, sewer, storm water and refuse services of the city and has provided for the
abatement of tree removal/injection, grass/weed cutting and other miscellaneous charges to a
home or business shall be at the expense of the owners of the premises involved; and
WHEREAS, all such sums become delinquent and assessable against the property served
under Section 6-158, Section 6-206, Section 9-103, Section 9-110, Section 11-2004 of the St.
Louis Park Ordinance Code and Minnesota Statutes 18.023, 18.271, 443 and 429; and
WHEREAS, Accounting has prepared an assessment roll setting forth an assessment
against each tract or parcel of land served by water, sewer, storm water and refuse services of the
City or charged for the costs of abating grass/weed cutting, tree removal/injection, false alarm fees
and other miscellaneous charges which remain unpaid at the close of business on October 31,
2014; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park that said assessment roll is hereby adopted and approved, and there is hereby levied and
assessed against each and every tract of land described therein an assessment in the amounts
respectively therein abating water, sewer, storm water, refuse, grass/weed cutting, tree
removal/injection, false alarm fees and other miscellaneous charges which remain unpaid at the
close of business on October 31, 2014; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Controller is hereby authorized to deliver said
assessment roll to the Auditor of Hennepin County for collection of the assessment in the same
manner as other municipal taxes are collected and payment thereof enforced with interest from the
date of this resolution at the rate of five point eight five percent (5.85 %) per annum.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Public Hearing Agenda Item: 6d
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Public Hearing & First Reading of Ordinance Imposing a Franchise Fee on CenterPoint
Energy Resources Corp.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mayor to open the public hearing, solicit comments, and to
close the public hearing. Motion to approve first reading of an ordinance imposing a franchise
fee on CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. and set second reading for November 3, 2014.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council desire to increase the franchise fees for
CenterPoint Energy to assist in funding the City’s Pavement Management Program?
SUMMARY: The City has imposed franchise fees on CenterPoint Energy (CPE) since 2004.
The fees were increased in 2011 from $1.25/month to $2.00/month for a residential customer.
Keeping with Council direction of reviewing the fees every other year, the fees were increased to
$2.50/month for a residential customer in 2013. Staff recommends the fees are increased to
$3.25/month for a residential customer in 2015. Staff is proposing, and CPE supports, that their
franchise fee is consistent with the franchise fee imposed on Xcel Energy.
Staff recommends Council approve the 1st Reading this evening and set the 2nd reading for
November 3, 2014. Based on this schedule, the franchise fee increase would be effective
February 1, 2015.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The City’s Pavement Management
Program is currently funded by franchise fee revenues, collected by both Xcel and CPE. Based
on the current fees, total franchise fees generate approximately $1.62 million annually (CPE -
$615,000; Xcel - $997,000). The proposed increase in the CPE franchise fee would add
approximately $274,000 in additional annual revenue to the Pavement Management Program,
and provide greater sustainability into the future. By implementing this proposed franchise fee
increase for 2015, St. Louis Park would still be competitive with other cities in the area.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Franchise Fee Estimate
Franchise Fee Ordinance
Prepared by: Coty Hemann, Accountant I
Steve Heintz, Finance Supervisor
Reviewed by: Brian A. Swanson, Controller
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6d) Page 2
Title: Public Hearing & First Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on CenterPoint Energy
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND: In early 2003 the City adopted an ordinance granting CenterPoint Energy
(CPE) a natural gas utility franchise in the city. That ordinance allowed the City to impose a
franchise fee on CPE. The City Council acted to impose a franchise fee of $1.25/month for a
residential customer on CPE which went into effect in January of 2004. These franchise fees
were increased by the Council $0.75/month per utility for a residential customer in 2011. This
increase took effect on February 1, 2011, which changed the fee to $2.00/month per utility for a
residential customer. The fee was increased again in 2013 to $2.50/month for a residential
customer.
Franchise fees in St. Louis Park are used in their entirety to assist in funding the cost the City
experiences to maintain, reconstruct and repair the street system via the City’s Pavement
Management Program. Special assessments to property owners have never been used to help
fund this program and, starting in 2013, property tax dollars have not been used either. The
franchise fee is essentially a user fee collected from customers on their utility bill and paid to
CPE. The utility then functions essentially as a pass through entity with the franchise fee
revenue being remitted to the City of St. Louis Park. Given funding deficits projected for the
City’s Pavement Management Fund over the next ten years, in 2009 the City Council reviewed
and determined the City would need to increase franchise fees from time to time to ensure the
Pavement Management Program could be continued and fully funded. Council directed staff to
reviews the fees every other year. This increase is a part of that plan.
PRESENT CONSIDERATIONS: As discussed with the Council most recently on August 25,
2014, staff is proposing a $0.75/month fee increase to residential customers for 2015 to continue
funding the Pavement Management Program. Based on customer class, customers would see
increases ranging from $0.75/month per utility for residential customers to $28.00/month per
utility for large commercial/industrial customers (please see attachment - Franchise Fee
Estimate). Residential customers make up approximately 90% of the total customers. It was
desired by the City to adopt an ordinance that would allow for automatic annual or alternating
year fee increases, but that is not allowed by the Public Utilities Commission. The City also
imposes an equivalent franchise fee on Xcel Energy. Staff is also proposing (under separate
action) to increase Xcel’s current basic Franchise Fee by $0.75/month per utility for residential
customers.
Per the City’s Long Range Financial Management Plan, by increasing franchise fees in 2015, it
is projected that the Pavement Management Program could be funded entirely by franchise fees
making the fund sustainable in the long-term based on projected expenditures and no significant
changes to the program.
Based on recent discussions with CPE staff, they do not oppose this proposed increase in the
franchise fee.
NEXT STEPS: The following steps outline the adoption process to be followed:
1. Ordinances must contain all the terms and conditions of the franchise
2. Franchise ordinances require a public hearing
3. At least seven days must pass between first reading (public hearing) and 2nd reading
4. At second reading motion will be “Motion to adopt the ordinance, approve the summary
and authorize summary publication”
5. Ordinance becomes effective 90 days following adoption
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6d) Page 3
Title: Public Hearing & First Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on CenterPoint Energy
Based on the above process, staff has developed the following steps and schedule for adopting
the franchise ordinance and franchise fee ordinance:
First Reading of Ordinances 10/20/2014
Second Reading of ordinances 11/3/2014 60 days after notifying utilities
Ordinance takes effect 2/1/2015 90 days after 2nd reading
Utilities begin collection 2/1/2015
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6d) Page 4
Title: Public Hearing & First Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on CenterPoint Energy
City of St Louis Park, Minnesota
Franchise Fee Estimate
Variable Increases Proposed for 2015
Beginning in 2015 and Every Other Year After an Increase of $0.75 For
All Non Large C/I, With Large C/I Increase of $28.00.
Xcel - Electric
CUSTOMER CLASS
AVERAGE
MONTHLY
CUSTOMER
COUNT
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
FRANCHISE
FEE
REVENUES
2015 New
Revenue
Estimate
Current
MONTHLY
FLAT FEE
2015 New
Fee
Proposal
Residential* 22,242 $667,260 $667,260 $2.50 $3.25
Small C&I – Non-Demand* 1,350 $72,900 $72,900 $4.50 $6.50
Small C&I – Demand 699 $115,335 $115,335 $13.75 $30.00
Large C&I 149 $137,676 $137,676 $77.00 $105.00
Public Street Lighting 75 $0
Municipal Pumping – Non-Demand 21 $1,139 $1,139 $4.50 $6.00
Municipal Pumping – Demand 18 $2,268 $2,268 $10.50 $30.00
Total 24,554 $996,578 $1,420,116
Net Increase
$423,539
CenterPoint - Heating Gas
CUSTOMER CLASS
AVERAGE
MONTHLY
CUSTOMER
COUNT
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
FRANCHISE
FEE
REVENUES
2015 New
Revenue
Estimate
Current
MONTHLY
FLAT FEE
New Fee
Proposal
Residential 16,382 $491,460 $638,898 $2.50 $3.25
Commercial B 407 $21,978 $31,746 $4.50 $6.50
Commercial C 519 $85,635 $186,840 $13.75 $30.00
SVDF A & B 75 $12,375 $27,000 $13.75 $30.00
LVDF 4 $3,696 $5,040 $77.00 $105.00
Total 17,387 $615,144 $889,524
Net Increase
$274,380
Total $697,919
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6d) Page 5
Title: Public Hearing & First Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on CenterPoint Energy
ORDINANCE NO. ______-14
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING A GAS ENERGY FRANCHISE FEE ON
CENTERPOINT ENERGY MINNESOTA GAS (“CENTERPOINT ENERGY”) FOR
PROVIDING GAS ENERGY SERVICE WITHIN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK,
MINNESOTA.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, HENNEPIN COUNTY,
MINNESOTA, ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Ordinance, the following capitalized terms listed in alphabetical order shall
have the following meanings:
1.1 City. The City of St. Louis Park, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota.
1.2 Company. CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas (“CenterPoint Energy”), its successors and
assigns.
1.3 Franchise Ordinance. The franchise ordinance adopted by the City - City Ordinance 2236-03.
1.4 Notice. “Notice” means a writing served by any party or parties on any other party or parties.
Notice to Company shall be mailed to CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota Division Vice President,
800 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402. Notice to City shall be mailed to the City
Manager, City of St. Louis Park, 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416.
SECTION 2. GAS FRANCHISE FEE.
2.1 Purpose. The St. Louis Park City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the
City to impose a franchise fee on those public utility companies that provide natural gas and
electric services within the City. Pursuant to the Franchise Ordinance, the City has the right to
impose a franchise fee on Company.
2.2 Franchise Fee Statement and Schedule. A franchise fee is hereby imposed on Company
commencing with the February 2015 billing month, and in accordance with the following fee
schedule:
Customer Classification Amount per Account per Month ($)
Residential $3.25 per month
Firm A $3.25 per month
Firm B $6.50 per month
Firm C $30.00 per month
Small Volume, Dual Fuel A (“SVDF A”) $30.00 per month
Small Volume, Dual Fuel B (“SVDF B”) $30.00 per month
Large Volume, Dual Fuel (“LVDF”) $105.00 per month
2.3 Account Fee. is fee is an account based fee and not a meter-based fee. In the event that
an entity covered by this ordinance has more than one meter, but only one account, only one
fee shall be assessed to that account. In the event any entities covered by this ordinance have
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6d) Page 6
Title: Public Hearing & First Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on CenterPoint Energy
more than one account, each account shall be subject to the appropriate fee. In the event a
question arises as to the proper fee amount for any account, the Company’s manner of billing
for energy used at all similar premises in the City will apply.
2.4 Payment. Franchise fees are to be collected by the Company and submitted to the City as
follows:
January – March collections due by April 30.
April – June collections due by July 31.
July – September collections due by October 31.
October – December collections due by January 31.
2.5 Record Support for Payment. The Company shall make each payment when due and, if
required by the City, shall provide a statement summarizing how the franchise fee payment
was determined, including information showing any adjustments to the total made to account
for any non-collectible accounts, refunds or error corrections. The Company shall permit the
City, and its representatives, reasonable access to the Company’s records for the purpose of
verifying such statements.
2.6 Payment Adjustments. Payment to the City will be adjusted where the Company is unable
to collect the franchise fee. This includes non-collectible accounts.
2.7 Surcharge. The City recognizes that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission may allow
the Company to add a surcharge to customer rates of City residents to reimburse the Company
for the cost of the fee.
2.8 Relation to Franchise Ordinance. This ordinance is enacted in compliance with the
Franchise Ordinance and shall be interpreted as such.
2.9 Periodic Review. The City Council shall review this ordinance every two years in
whatever manner the City Manager then determines to be appropriate. Failure to review this
ordinance shall not in any way invalidate or limit it.
SECTION 3. PREVIOUS FRANCHISE FEE ORDINANCE SUPERSEDED.
This Gas Franchise Fee Ordinance supersedes Ordinance No. 2423-12.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall take effect ninety (90) days after its passage.
ADOPTED this 20th day of October, 2014, by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park.
Reviewed for Administration Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form and Execution:
City Clerk City Attorney
Date Published:____________________
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Public Hearing Agenda Item: 6e
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance Imposing a Franchise Fee on Northern
States Power Company (dba Xcel Energy)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Mayor to open the public hearing, solicit comments, and to
close the public hearing. Motion to approve first reading of an ordinance imposing a franchise
fee on Xcel Energy and set second reading for November 3, 2014.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council desire to increase the franchise fees for
Xcel Energy to assist in funding the City’s Pavement Management Program?
SUMMARY: The City has imposed franchise fees on Xcel since 2004. The fees were
increased in 2011 from $1.25/month to $2.00/month for a residential customer. Keeping with
Council direction of reviewing the fees every other year, the fees were increased to $2.50/month
for a residential customer in 2013. Staff recommends the fees are increased to $3.25/month for a
residential customer in 2015. Staff is proposing, and Xcel supports, that their franchise fee is
consistent with the franchise fee imposed on Centerpoint Energy.
Staff recommends Council approve the 1st Reading this evening and set the 2nd reading for
November 3, 2014. Based on this schedule, the franchise fee increase would be effective
February 1, 2015.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The City’s Pavement Management
Program is currently funded by franchise fee revenues, collected by both Xcel and Centerpoint.
Based on the current fees, total franchise fees generate approximately $1.62 million annually
(Centerpoint - $615,000; Xcel - $997,000). The proposed increase in the Xcel franchise fee
would add approximately $424,000 in additional annual revenue to the Pavement Management
Program, and provide greater sustainability into the future. By implementing this proposed
franchise fee increase for 2015, St. Louis Park would still be competitive with other cities in the
area.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Franchise Fee Estimate
Franchise Fee Ordinance
Prepared by: Coty Hemann, Accountant I
Steve Heintz, Finance Supervisor
Reviewed by: Brian A. Swanson, Controller
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6e) Page 2
Title: Public Hearing & 1st Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on Northern States Power (dba Xcel Energy)
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND: In 1993 the City adopted an ordinance granting Northern States Power
Company (D/B/A Xcel Energy) an electrical services utility franchise in the city. That
ordinance allowed the City to impose a franchise fee on Xcel. The City Council acted to impose
a franchise fee of $1.25/month for a residential customer on Xcel which went into effect in
January of 2004. These franchise fees were increased by the Council $0.75/month per utility for
a residential customer in 2011. This increase took effect on February 1, 2011, which changed
the fee to $2.00/month per utility for a residential customer. The fee was increased again in 2013
to $2.50/month for a residential customer.
Franchise fees in St. Louis Park are used in their entirety to assist in funding the cost the City
experiences to maintain, reconstruct and repair the street system via the City’s Pavement
Management Program. Special assessments to property owners have never been used to help
fund this program and, starting in 2013, property tax dollars have not been used either. The
franchise fee is essentially a user fee collected from customers on their utility bill and paid to
Xcel. The utility then functions essentially as a pass through entity with the franchise fee
revenue being remitted to the City of St. Louis Park. Given funding deficits projected for the
City’s Pavement Management Fund over the next ten years, in 2009 the City Council reviewed
and determined the City would need to increase franchise fees from time to time to ensure the
Pavement Management Program could be continued and fully funded. Council directed staff to
reviews the fees every other year. This increase is a part of that plan.
PRESENT CONSIDERATIONS: As discussed with the Council most recently on August 25,
2014, staff is proposing a $0.75/month fee increase to residential customers for 2015 to continue
funding the Pavement Management Program. Based on customer class, customers would see
increases ranging from $0.75/month per utility for residential customers to $28.00/month per
utility for large commercial/industrial customers (please see attachment - Franchise Fee
Estimate). Residential customers make up approximately 90% of the total customers. It was
desired by the City to adopt an ordinance that would allow for automatic annual or alternating
year fee increases, but that is not allowed by the Public Utilities Commission. The City also
imposes an equivalent franchise fee on Centerpoint Energy. Staff is also proposing (under
separate action) to increase Centerpoint’s current basic franchise fee by $0.75/month per utility
for residential customers.
Per the City’s Long Range Financial Management Plan, by increasing franchise fees in 2015, it
is projected that the Pavement Management Program could be funded entirely by franchise fees
making the fund sustainable in the long-term based on projected expenditures and no significant
changes to the program.
Based on recent discussions with Xcel staff, they do not oppose this proposed increase in the
franchise fee.
NEXT STEPS: The following steps outline the adoption process to be followed:
1. Ordinances must contain all the terms and conditions of the franchise
2. Franchise ordinances require a public hearing
3. At least seven days must pass between first reading (public hearing) and 2nd reading
4. At second reading motion will be “Motion to adopt the ordinance, approve the summary
and authorize summary publication”
5. Ordinance becomes effective 90 days following adoption
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6e) Page 3
Title: Public Hearing & 1st Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on Northern States Power (dba Xcel Energy)
Based on the above process, staff has developed the following steps and schedule for adopting
the franchise ordinance and franchise fee ordinance:
First Reading of Ordinances 10/20/2014
Second Reading of ordinances 11/3/2014 60 days after notifying utilities
Ordinance takes effect 2/1/2015 90 days after 2nd reading
Utilities begin collection 2/1/2015
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6e) Page 4
Title: Public Hearing & 1st Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on Northern States Power (dba Xcel Energy)
City of St Louis Park, Minnesota
Franchise Fee Estimate
Variable Increases Proposed for 2015
Beginning in 2015 and Every Other Year After an Increase of $0.75 For
All Non Large C/I, With Large C/I Increase of $28.00.
Xcel - Electric
CUSTOMER CLASS
AVERAGE
MONTHLY
CUSTOMER
COUNT
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
FRANCHISE
FEE
REVENUES
2015 New
Revenue
Estimate
Current
MONTHLY
FLAT FEE
2015 New
Fee
Proposal
Residential* 22,242 $667,260 $667,260 $2.50 $3.25
Small C&I – Non-Demand* 1,350 $72,900 $72,900 $4.50 $6.50
Small C&I – Demand 699 $115,335 $115,335 $13.75 $30.00
Large C&I 149 $137,676 $137,676 $77.00 $105.00
Public Street Lighting 75 $0
Municipal Pumping – Non-Demand 21 $1,139 $1,139 $4.50 $6.00
Municipal Pumping – Demand 18 $2,268 $2,268 $10.50 $30.00
Total 24,554 $996,578 $1,420,116
Net Increase
$423,539
Centerpoint - Heating Gas
CUSTOMER CLASS
AVERAGE
MONTHLY
CUSTOMER
COUNT
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
FRANCHISE
FEE
REVENUES
2015 New
Revenue
Estimate
Current
MONTHLY
FLAT FEE
New Fee
Proposal
Residential 16,382 $491,460 $638,898 $2.50 $3.25
Commercial B 407 $21,978 $31,746 $4.50 $6.50
Commercial C 519 $85,635 $186,840 $13.75 $30.00
SVDF A & B 75 $12,375 $27,000 $13.75 $30.00
LVDF 4 $3,696 $5,040 $77.00 $105.00
Total 17,387 $615,144 $889,524
Net Increase
$274,380
Total $697,919
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6e) Page 5
Title: Public Hearing & 1st Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on Northern States Power (dba Xcel Energy)
ORDINANCE NO. ____ -14
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRIC SERVICE FRANCHISE FEE
ON NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY, A MINNESOTA CORPORATION,
D/B/A XCEL ENERGY, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, FOR PROVIDING
ELECTRIC SERVICE WITHIN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, HENNEPIN COUNTY,
MINNESOTA, ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Ordinance, the following capitalized terms listed in alphabetical order shall
have the following meanings:
1.1 City. The City of St. Louis Park, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota.
1.2 Company. Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation, d/b/a Xcel Energy, its
successors and assigns.
1.3 Franchise Ordinance. The franchise ordinance adopted by the City - City Ordinance 1907-93.
1.4 Notice. A written notice served by one party on the other party referencing one or more
provisions of this Ordinance. Notice to Company shall be mailed to the General Counsel, 414
Nicollet Mall, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Notice to the City shall be mailed to the City
Manager, City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Either party may change
its respective address for the purpose of this Ordinance by written notice to the other party.
SECTION 2. ELECTRIC FRANCHISE FEE.
2.1 Purpose. The St. Louis Park City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the
City to impose a franchise fee on those public utility companies that provide natural gas and
electric services within the City. Pursuant to the Franchise Ordinance the City has the right to
impose a franchise fee on Company.
2.2 Franchise Fee Statement and Schedule. A franchise fee is hereby imposed on Company
commencing with the February 2015 billing month, and in accordance with the following fee
schedule:
Customer Classification Amount per Account per Month ($)
Residential $3.25 per month
Small C & I with no demand charge $6.50 per month
Small C & I with demand charge $30.00 per month
Large C & I Municipal $105.00 per month
Municipal pumping with no demand charge $6.00 per month
Municipal pumping with demand charge $30.00 per month
2.3 Account Fee. This fee is an account based fee and not a meter-based fee. In the event
that an entity covered by this ordinance has more than one meter, but only one account, only
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 6e) Page 6
Title: Public Hearing & 1st Reading of Ordinance Imposing Franchise Fee on Northern States Power (dba Xcel Energy)
one fee shall be assessed to that account. In the event any entities covered by this ordinance
have more than one account, each account shall be subject to the appropriate fee. In the
event a question arises as to the proper fee amount for any account, the Company’s manner
of billing for energy used at all similar premises in the City will apply.
2.4 Payment. Franchise fees are to be collected by the Company and submitted to the City as
follows:
January – March collections due by April 30.
April – June collections due by July 31.
July – September collections due by October 31.
October – December collections due by January 31.
2.5 Record Support for Payment. The Company shall make each payment when due and, if
required by the City, shall provide a statement summarizing how the franchise fee payment
was determined, including information showing any adjustments to the total made to account
for any non-collectible accounts, refunds or error corrections. The Company shall permit the
City, and its representatives, reasonable access to the Company’s records for the purpose of
verifying such statements.
2.6 Payment Adjustments. Payment to the City will be adjusted where the Company is unable
to collect the franchise fee. This includes non-collectible accounts.
2.7 Surcharge. The City recognizes that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission may allow
the Company to add a surcharge to customer rates of City residents to reimburse the Company
for the cost of the fee.
2.8 Relation to Franchise Ordinance. This Ordinance is enacted in compliance with the
Franchise Ordinance and shall be interpreted as such.
2.9 Periodic Review. The City Council shall review this ordinance every two years in
whatever manner the City Manager then determines to be appropriate. Failure to review this
ordinance shall not in any way invalidate or limit it.
SECTION 3. PREVIOUS FRANCHISE FEE ORDINANCE SUPERSEDED.
This Electric Franchise Fee Ordinance supersedes Ordinance No. 2424-12.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance takes effect ninety (90) days after its passage.
ADOPTED this 20th day of October, 2014, by the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park.
Reviewed for Administration Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form and Execution:
City Clerk City Attorney
Date Published:____________________
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Action Agenda Item: 8a
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Adoption of 2015 Utility Rates
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution setting the 2015 Utility Rates.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council desire to set the 2015 Utility Rates as
proposed?
SUMMARY: At the October 13, 2014 study session, staff presented the proposed utility rates to
Council. City staff, in conjunction with consultants, analyzed the City’s utility operations and
capital plans over the next 10 years to determine if rate adjustments are needed to maintain long
term sustainability in each of the four utility funds. The City Council reviewed and discussed
information provided by staff over the course of the year to determine the proposed utility rates
for 2015 to be considered this evening. Based on analyses from information in the CIP and the
plan approved by Council, which is the continued phased-in increase to the fixed fee for the
Water Fund as a means to reduce some of the seasonal volatility, changes in utility rates are
being recommended. The changes are consistent with information Council received in the past
and are in line with the goals of achieving long-term sustainability in the funds and promoting a
decrease in refuse.
For 2015, the approximate cumulative effect on a typical residential property for all the utility
rate adjustments would be an increase of $44.76, or 4.59% for the year, or approximately $3.73
per month. This calculation is based on a family of four using 30 units of water per quarter
(22,500 gallons), and 60 gallon solid waste service.
The recommended rates will be in place for consumption or services provided beginning on
January 1, 2015. The attached resolution provides specific information on the recommended rate
adjustments for each fund.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The utility rates will support necessary city
services to be provided during 2015.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: 2015 Proposed Utility Rates - Impact on a Residential Property
Resolution
Prepared by: Coty Hemann, Accountant I
Steven Heintz, Finance Supervisor
Reviewed by: Brian Swanson, Controller
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8a) Page 2
Title: Adoption of 2015 Utility Rates
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
ESTIMATED QUARTERLY UTILITY BILL
ACTUAL 2014 AND PROPOSED 2015
Household Size 4
Units per quarter 30
Solid Waste Service 60-gallon
Meter size 3/4 inch
Actual Proposed Dollar Percent
Service Type 2014 2015 Change Change Notes
Water
Per unit rate - Tier 1 1.49$ 1.55$ 0.06$ 4.03%
Service charge 17.47$ 19.91$ 2.44$ 13.97%
State testing fee 1.59$ 1.59$ -$ 0.00%
Consumption 44.70$ 46.50$ 1.80$ 4.03%
Sewer
Service charge 13.83$ 14.52$ 0.69$ 4.99%
Per unit 2.69$ 2.84$ 0.15$ 5.58%
Consumption 80.70$ 85.20$ 4.50$ 5.58%
Storm Drainage
Service charge 17.60$ 19.36$ 1.76$ 10.00%
Bassett Creek Fee*1.93$ 1.93$ -$ 0.00%Bassett Creek fee
Solid Waste (includes tax)68.05$ 68.05$ -$ 0.00%
Total Bill without Bassett*243.94$ 255.13$ 11.19$ 4.59%Not including BCWMC
Increase per quarter (dollars)11.19$
Increase per year (dollars)44.76$
* Since not all property owners would be charged this fee, it is not included in the dollar or percentage change in total bill.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8a) Page 3
Title: Adoption of 2015 Utility Rates
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION SETTING UTILITY RATES
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota has received a
report through the Controller related to proposed utility rates; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the city to maintain charges in an amount necessary to
cover the cost of providing service to users; and
WHEREAS, maintaining rates through regular adjustment is a recommended practice
rather than large intermittent increases;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, MN, that:
1. The water rates as recommended are hereby adopted.
Description Units of Usage* Adopted
Rate
Tier1 0 - 40 units (0-30,000 gallons) $1.55
Tier 2 41-80 units (30,001 – 60,000
gallons)
$1.93
Tier 3 >80 units (>60,000 gallons) $2.89
Commercial All units $1.55
Irrigation All units $2.89
*1 unit equals 100 cubic feet or 750 gallons
2. The water meter charges recommended are hereby adopted.
Residential/Multi-family
Quarterly Fee
Commercial
Monthly Fee
Meter Size 2015 2015
5/8" $19.91 $6.64
3/4" $19.91 $6.64
1" $27.87 $9.29
1.5" $35.84 $11.95
2" $57.74 $19.25
3" $219.01 $73.00
4" $278.74 $92.91
6" $418.11 $139.37
2" compound $57.74 n/a
3" compound $219.01 n/a
3. The Minnesota Department of Health state testing for water quality will continue to be
imposed at a rate of $1.59 per quarter for residential and multi-family and $0.53 per month
for commercial accounts.
4. The sanitary sewer usage rate recommended is hereby adopted at $2.84 per unit.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8a) Page 4
Title: Adoption of 2015 Utility Rates
5. The sanitary sewer base charge recommended is hereby adopted at $14.52 per quarter for
residential and multi-family accounts and $4.84 per month for commercial accounts.
6. The storm sewer rate recommended is hereby adopted at $19.36 per quarter per residential
equivalent unit or $32.27 per month per residential equivalent unit for commercial accounts.
7. The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Charge pass through for properties located within
the Bassett Creek Watershed Management District will be $1.93 per quarter per residential
equivalent unit or $0.64 per month per residential equivalent unit.
8. The solid waste service charges per quarter recommended are hereby adopted.
Service Level In Gallons Rates – without tax
20 $31.93
30 $49.75
60 $64.58
90 $87.14
120 $111.24
150 $134.42
180 $157.59
270 $222.48
360 $315.18
450 $417.15
540 $500.58
9. The organic waste service charge recommended is hereby adopted at $10.00 per quarter for
residential accounts.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Action Agenda Item: 8b
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for
New Kia Dealership
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Adopt Resolution approving the Conditional Use
Permits for NLD 394 LLC for a new Kia Dealership, with conditions as recommended by staff
and the Planning Commission.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Is the proposed Conditional Use Permit consistent with the
Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan?
SUMMARY: NLD 394 LLC is requesting three Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) to construct a
new Kia Dealership at 6475 and 6501 Wayzata Boulevard, the site of the former Shelley’s
Woodroast and Bennigan’s Restaurants. The proposed redevelopment is to construct a new
26,471 square foot building, parking lot and new landscaping. The proposal also includes an
underground storm water management system. The request includes the combination of the two
parcels and demolition of all existing structures. Demolition is anticipated to begin this winter
with a store opening late summer of 2015.
The property is zoned C-2 General Commercial, is guided Commercial in the Comprehensive
Plan and is 2.7 acres in area. A CUP is required for Motor Vehicle Sales in the C-2 district. The
proposed project meets all zoning and comprehensive plan requirements.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Aerial Photo
Draft Resolution
Excerpt of Planning Commission Minutes
Development Plans
Prepared by: Ryan Kelley, Associate Planner
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Senior Planner
Michele Schnitker, Housing Supervisor
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of 2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) Page 2
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND: The site at 6475 Wayzata Boulevard was previously a Bennigan’s restaurant
and the site at 6501 was previously Woodroast Grill. Bennigan’s closed in 2008 and Woodroast
closed in 2012 and both properties have been vacant since that time. The properties are located in
the Eliot Neighborhood and are bordered by Wayzata Boulevard on the north, office property to
the east, a Hyundai dealership to the west, and multi-family residential to the southwest.
Car dealerships are allowed in the C-2 Commercial District by CUP. In order to establish the Kia
Dealership at the proposed site the applicant is applying for three Conditional Use Permits for
the project: 1. Motor Vehicle Sales & Service, 2. Motor Vehicle Repair, and 3. Land Reclamation
and Grading. The City requires a CUP for excavating or filling a site by more than 400 cubic
yards which necessitates the third permit above.
The proposed redevelopment is to construct a new 26,471 square foot building and parking lot
and install new landscaping to establish a new Kia dealership. The project also includes the
construction of a retaining wall around the southern portion of the property in order to grade the site.
Currently, a portion of the redevelopment site lies within a Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) Floodplain. The applicant is working with FEMA through the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bassett Creek Watershed District and the City’s Water
Resources Manager to establish a base elevation and revise the floodplain map. A study has
previously been completed by Barr Engineering which establishes a base elevation in the area of
the subject properties. This base elevation and pending map revision reduces the impact on the
property from the current floodplain designation. Approval of the map revision is a condition of
approval.
ZONING REVIEW
1. Architectural: Building Materials
City Code requires a minimum of 60% Class I materials on each building elevation. The
Class I materials consist of glass and stucco and account for the percentage of each elevation
as follows:
North (Wayzata Blvd): 61%
South: 72%
East: 88.7%
West: 91.5%
Exterior elevations of the proposed building are attached. This requirement is met.
2. Grading and Stormwater. The applicant will be grading the site to address the floodplain
revision indicated above. The applicant has submitted a stormwater management plan that
has received approval from City engineering staff. Impervious surface is proposed to be
reduced by approximately two percent on the site with storm water management achieved
through landscaping and an underground storage system. City requirements are met through
the proposed system. FEMA approval of the map revision and Watershed District approval
are included in the recommended conditions of approval for the CUP.
3. Height. The maximum height in the C-2 Zoning District is six stories or 75 feet in height,
whichever is less. The proposed height is 26 feet. This requirement is met.
4. Landscaping. New landscaping will be installed around the perimeter of the building,
throughout the parking lot in four landscaped traffic islands and around the perimeter of the
site. The redevelopment will remove 25 significant trees and retain 13 significant trees.
City Council Meeting of2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) Page 3
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
Thirty new trees will be planted onsite and cash in lieu of the required additional 22 caliper
inches will be paid, which satisfies the City’s tree replacement requirements. Additionally, a
mix of perennials and shrubs will be planted to screen the parking lot from Wayzata
Boulevard between the two access drives, and a 6 foot high fence and spruce trees will be
placed along the southwest property line adjacent to the residential parcel. This requirement
is met.
5. Lighting. Lighting elements have been located to provide sufficient lighting of parking lot
areas and to minimize light spillover past the property line. The poles are 25 feet in height,
which is allowed by Code. The submitted plan meets City Code for outdoor lighting.
6. Parking. The zoning ordinance requires a minimum of 64 customer and employee parking
spaces per the sales and service and repair uses onsite. The applicant proposes 65 customer
and employee parking spaces which will be designated and marked on the property. This
requirement is met.
7. Setbacks. The required and proposed setbacks for the building and parking in the C-2 Zoning
District are detailed in Table 1 below. This requirement is met.
Table 1
8. Signage. City Code requires all signage to be located on the property where the use being
advertised is occurring. A new sign Kia sign is proposed near the west entrance drive at
Wayzata Boulevard. This sign will be backlit, and meets the height and size requirements of
the Code.
9. Utilities. The Zoning Ordinance requires all utilities for new construction to be buried
underground. The development intends to use existing utilities, which are currently
underground.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVIEW
Motor vehicle sales. The conditions are as follows:
a. No previously registered but currently unlicensed or nonoperable vehicles shall be stored on
premises.
This is a condition of approval.
b. A minimum of 50 percent of the vehicles for sale on the premises shall be new vehicles.
This is a condition of approval.
c. All open sales or rental lots shall be operated in conjunction with a building or buildings
containing the same or similar materials as displayed on the open sales or rental lot.
This is a condition of approval.
Setbacks Building Parking
Required
Minimum
Provided Required
Minimum
Provided
Front (North) 5 feet ~ 90 feet 5 feet Min. 14.6 feet
Side (East) 15 feet 78 feet 5 feet Min. 5.5 feet
Side (West) 15 feet 84 feet 5 feet 10.5 feet
Rear (South) None
required
161 feet 5 feet 11.9 feet
City Council Meeting of2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) 3age 4
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
d. The building and the sales or rental lot shall be on one contiguous site.
This condition will be met once the parcels are combined. A lot combination is a condition
of approval.
e. String lighting shall be prohibited.
This is a condition of approval.
f. The area of open sales or rental lot used for storage and display of merchandise shall not
exceed two square feet for every one square foot of building on the site devoted to the same
or a similar use or accessory use.
This condition is met. The sales area of the proposed building is 12,241 square feet so
24,482 square feet are allowed for open sales. The area proposed for open sales is
approximately 20,256 square feet.
g. No test driving shall be permitted on local residential streets.
This is a condition of approval.
h. No outdoor public address system shall be permitted.
This is a condition of approval.
i. All customer and employee parking shall be clearly designated and signed.
This is a condition of approval.
j. No motor vehicle transport loading or unloading shall be permitted on any minor residential
street.
This is a condition of approval. An illustration of transport vehicle movement is attached.
k. No display or storage of motor vehicles shall be permitted on any public right-of way.
This is a condition of approval.
l. The storage lot shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any parcel that is zoned
residential and used or subdivided for residential use, or has an occupied institutional
building, including but not limited to schools, religious institutions, and community centers.
(Ord. No. 2248-03, 8-18-03)
This condition is met.
m. The use is in conformance with the comprehensive plan including any provisions of the
redevelopment chapter and the plan by neighborhood policies for the neighborhood in which
it is located and conditions of approval may be added as a means of satisfying this
requirement.
This condition is met. The property is designated Commercial in the Comprehensive Plan.
Motor vehicle service and repair. The conditions are as follows:
a. No public address system shall be audible from any parcel that is zoned residential and used
or subdivided for residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not
limited to schools, religious institutions, and community centers.
This is a condition of approval.
b. All repair, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of vehicles shall be inside a closed
building except tire inflation, changing wipers or adding oil.
This is a condition of approval.
City Council Meeting of 2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) 3age 5
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
c. Test driving shall be prohibited on any street in an R or O district.
This is a condition of approval.
d. Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or arterial or
shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without generating significant
traffic on local residential streets.
This condition is met.
e. The building housing the use shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any parcel that is
zoned residential and used or subdivided for residential use, or has an occupied institutional
building, including but not limited to schools, religious institutions, and community centers.
In the case of an automatic carwash where the vehicular entrance and exit doors do not face
said parcel within 100 feet, the building shall be located a minimum of 95 feet from said
parcel that is zoned residential and used or subdivided for residential use, or has an occupied
institutional building, including but not limited to schools, religious institutions, and
community centers. (Ord. No. 2248-03, 8-18-03)
This condition is met.
Land Reclamation: The conditions are as follows:
Equipment and Fill
Equipment used in the grading and fill of the site will consist of typical heavy construction
vehicles such as bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes and bobcats. The material to be used on site
will be appropriate for the purpose and certified by licensed geotechnical engineers and special
inspectors through the grading process.
Haul Route and Duration
The properties are located on Wayzata Boulevard. The properties will be accessed from
Interstate 394 and Wayzata Boulevard via the Louisiana Avenue or Xenia/Park Place exits.
Trucks will not travel on local residential streets. Site preparation work, such as demolition, is
anticipated to begin in December 2014. Construction of the perimeter retaining wall, installation
of the underground storm water system and the import of fill is anticipated to take place in the
spring of 2015.
Site Safety and Control of Material
All fire safety requirements will be adhered to throughout the construction process and general
maintenance of the site will be provided. Trucks hauling material to the site will use secured
tarps or covers over the truck beds and fill material will be compacted as it is brought on site and
standard practices such as wetting material will be used to limit any material blowing offsite.
PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW:
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 17, 2014 regarding the CUP. No
one was present to speak and no comments were submitted. The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the CUP with staff recommendations. An excerpt of the Planning
Commission meeting minutes are attached.
City Council Meeting of 2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) 3age 6
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
Aerial Photo
City Council Meeting of 2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) 3age 7
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
A RESOLUTION GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT UNDER
SECTION 36-194 OF THE ST. LOUIS PARK ORDINANCE CODE
RELATING TO ZONING TO PERMIT MOTOR VEHICLE SALES,
SERVICE AND REPAIR AND GRADING FOR PROPERTY ZONED C-2
GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT LOCATED AT 6475 AND 6501
WAYZATA BOULEVARD
BE IT RESOLVED BY the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park:
Findings
1. NLD 394 LLC has made application to the City Council for a Conditional Use Permit
under Section 36-194 of the St. Louis Park Ordinance Code for the purpose grading land and
permitting motor vehicle sales, service and repair within a C-2 General Commercial District
located at 6475 and 6501 Wayzata Boulevard for the legal description as follows, to-wit:
Lots 3 and 4, Block 1, Lou Park Addition, Hennepin County, Minnesota
2. The City Council has considered the advice and recommendation of the Planning
Commission (Case No. 14-21-CUP) and the effect of the proposed car dealership on the health,
safety and welfare of the occupants of the surrounding lands, existing and anticipated traffic
conditions, the effect on values of properties in the surrounding area, the effect of the use on
the Comprehensive Plan, and compliance with the intent of the Zoning Ordinance.
3. The Council has determined that the car dealership will not be detrimental to the health,
safety, or general welfare of the community nor will it cause serious traffic congestion nor
hazards, nor will it seriously depreciate surrounding property values, and the proposed car
dealership is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Zoning Ordinance and the
Comprehensive Plan.
4. The contents of Planning Case File 14-21-CUP are hereby entered into and made part of
the public hearing record and the record of decision for this case.
Conclusion
The Conditional Use Permit to permit grading, motor vehicle sales, service and repair at the
location described is granted based on the findings set forth above and subject to the following
conditions:
1. The site shall be developed, used and maintained in accordance with Exhibits
incorporated by reference herein.
2. All conditions for storm water management shall be met.
3. Prior to any land disturbing activities, excluding building demolition, the following
conditions shall be met:
a. All necessary permits must be obtained, including from the Bassett Creek
Watershed District.
City Council Meeting of 2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) 3age 8
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
b. A Conditional Letter of Map Revision-Fill must be approved by FEMA.
c. Trucks bringing fill to the site must adhere to a haul route as outlined in the
Official Exhibits.
d. Certification must be provided that fill material to be used on site is clean and
meets industry standards for the purpose.
4. Prior to issuing the building permit, the following conditions shall be met:
a. Applicant shall submit financial security in the form of cash escrow or letter
of credit in the amount of 125% of the costs of landscaping and irrigation,
storm water management, and the repair/cleaning of public streets and
utilities.
b. The two subject properties must be combined into one parcel and proof of
recording the combination with Hennepin County must be provided to the
City.
c. Applicant shall submit cash in lieu of trees required per the City’s tree
replacement calculation at $115 per caliper inch not provided.
d. Assent form and official exhibits must be signed by the applicant (or applicant
and owner if applicant is different from owner).
5. The applicant shall comply with the following conditions during construction:
a. All City noise ordinances shall be complied with, including that there be no
construction activity between the hours of 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, Monday
through Friday, and 10:00 PM and 9:00 AM, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.
b. The site shall be kept free of dust and debris that could blow onto neighboring
properties.
c. Public streets shall be maintained free of dirt and shall be cleaned as
necessary.
d. The Zoning Administrator may impose additional conditions if it becomes
necessary in order to mitigate the impact of excavation on surrounding
properties.
6. All utilities shall be buried.
7. No previously registered but currently unlicensed or innoperable vehicles shall be
stored on premises.
8. A minimum of 50 percent of the vehicles for sale on the premises shall be new
vehicles.
9. Inventory sold on the open lot must be the same, or associated with inventory sold
within the building.
10. String lighting shall be prohibited.
11. No test driving shall be permitted on local residential streets.
12. No outdoor public address system shall be permitted.
13. Parking spaces for customers, employees, and inventory shall be signed and used as
indicated on the Official Exhibit.
14. No motor vehicle transport stopping, loading or unloading shall be permitted on any
public street. The property owner is responsible for any damage to public right-of-
way property and infrastructure and will be required to cover any expenses related to
the repair of such damage.
15. No display or storage of motor vehicles shall be permitted on any public right-of-way.
16. All repair, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of vehicles shall be inside a
closed building except tire inflation, changing wipers or adding oil.
17. Approval of a Building Permit, which may impose additional requirements.
City Council Meeting of 2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) 3age 9
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
In addition to any other remedies, the developer or owner shall pay an administrative fee of $750
per violation of any condition of this approval.
Under the Zoning Ordinance Code, this permit shall be revoked and cancelled if the building or
structure for which the conditional use permit is granted is removed.
The City Clerk is instructed to record certified copies of this resolution in the Office of the
Hennepin County Register of Deeds or Registrar of Titles as the case may be.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
City Council Meeting of 2FWREHU, 2014 (Item No. 8b) 3age 10
Title: Conditional Use Permit for Grading, Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair for New Kia Dealership
Excerpts
Planning Commission Minutes
September 17, 2014
3. Public Hearings
A. Conditional Use Permit for Motor Vehicle Sales, Service and Repair
for new Kia Dealership
Location: 6475 and 6501 Wayzata Boulevard
Applicant: NLD 394 LLC
Case No.: 14-21-CUP
Ryan Kelley, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Mr. Kelley noted that the application
also includes a conditional use permit for land reclamation.
Commissioner Peilen asked about conditions of approval that are specific to this request.
Mr. Kelley responded that a specific condition of approval relates to the FEMA Letter of Map
Revision that must be approved.
John Fuller, architect, Coleridge Partners, stated that Mr. Kelley covered all areas of the request.
Commissioner Kramer asked about the FEMA map revision in light of recent rain and floods.
Mr. Kelley said the flood plain of the property is called an unnumbered A which means a base
flood elevation had not been established. There is the opportunity to have a consulting firm or
engineer establish that elevation which is then reviewed by FEMA, then the property may be
removed from floodplain designation.
Chair Carper asked Mr. Fuller if any type of energy conserving lighting will be used for the
project.
Darwin Lindahl, Darwin Lindahl Architects, said LED will be used for the site lighting and for
some interior lighting.
The Chair asked if any solar power will be used. He asked if the site would include a green roof
to mitigate some of the runoff.
Mr. Lindahl responded that solar power will not be used, nor will a green roof be installed.
Colors will be chosen to reduce heat gain, however.
The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak he closed the
public hearing.
Commissioner Robertson said he was looking forward to seeing a new business and activity on
the site and it will be a nice addition to St. Louis Park.
The Chair said he was also looking forward to the development.
Commissioner Kramer made a motion to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit for
motor vehicle sales, motor vehicle service and repair, and land reclamation. Commissioner
Robertson seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Action Agenda Item: 8c
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: Business Park Zoning Amendments
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending
the Business Park zoning district, and set second reading for November 3, 2014.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council wish to approve zoning ordinance
amendments intended to better accommodate uses in the Business Park district?
SUMMARY: Description of Request:
Changes to the Business Park (BP) zoning district have been discussed over the past 6-9 months
with property owners and the Planning Commission. As the new district has been implemented,
property owners have been able to provide feedback on changes to the district to better meet
market needs. The proposed amendments are attached for your consideration.
Business Park is a zoning district that was created to facilitate a changing industrial market to
allow additional uses, make viable existing industrial spaces, and prohibit new uses that have
heavy truck traffic, heavy manufacturing, and outdoor storage.
The principal changes are:
• Change both Light Assembly and Warehouse/Storage from “Conditional Use Permit” to
“Permitted with Conditions.” This enables users to simply obtain building permits (vs. a
two-month application process) if all of the conditions are met.
• Increases in the percent of building area that may be used for certain uses, such as Group
daycare; Indoor entertainment and Studios to facilitate better use of existing spaces,
particularly in the current market conditions where redevelopment is not yet imminent
and the buildings are not ideally suited for industrial uses.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable.
VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged
community.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Planning Commission Minutes - Excerpt
Ordinance
Prepared by: Meg McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor
Sean Walther, Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Michele Schnitker, Housing Supervisor
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 2
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND: Earlier this year, the City applied the new Business Park (BP) zoning district
to several properties. The intent of the BP zoning district was to both allow some new uses in
the older industrial areas, and to limit some of the heavier industrial uses in the areas around the
LRT stations.
During our discussions with property owners, some areas of the zoning district text were
suggested for modification, and staff has pursued these changes and is suggesting the proposed
amendments in the attached ordinance.
Business Park is primarily in place around the LRT station areas. It is partially acting as an
interim zoning district as we continue work on our form-based code. The intent is to adopt a
form-based ordinance that is more proactive in our station areas; this is expected to be further
discussed throughout the first half of 2015, with possible adoption later in the year.
Summary of proposed amendments:
• Change both Light Assembly and Warehouse/Storage from “Conditional Use Permit” to
“Permitted with Conditions.” This allows the use to obtain a building permit if all of the
conditions listed are met; no public hearing would be required. The purpose of this
change is to allow these uses, which are common now in the buildings zoned BP, to
relatively easily continue business.
• Increases in the percent of a use allowed in the BP district, such as Group daycare;
Indoor entertainment and Studios. The purpose of this change is to facilitate better use
of existing spaces, particularly in the current market conditions where redevelopment is
not yet imminent and the buildings are not quite suited for industrial uses.
Planning Commission Action
Staff spent time with the Planning Commission discussing the proposed amendments over the
past several months. A public hearing was held on September 17, 2014; no one was present to
speak on these amendments. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 3
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
EXCERPT
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Robert Kramer,
Lisa Peilen, Carl Robertson, Joe Tatalovich,
MEMBERS ABSENT: Richard Person, Charlie Dixon (youth member)
STAFF PRESENT: Ryan Kelley, Sean Walther, Nancy Sells
B. Business Park Zoning Amendments
Applicant: City of St. Louis Park
Case No.: 14-13-ZA
Sean Walther, Senior Planner, presented the staff report. He provided background on the
changes which have been discussed by the Planning Commission at study sessions.
Changes are also based on staff discussions with Business Park property owners.
Chair Carper asked if there is a concern about a lack of notification to the public if
light assembly and warehouse/storage are permitted administratively rather than through
the conditional use permit.
Mr. Walther stated that in most cases the Business Park district is going to be adjacent to
other commercial/industrial districts.
The Chair opened the public hearing. As no one was present wishing to speak the Chair
closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Peilen made a motion to recommend approval of the amendments to the
Business Park zoning district. Commissioner Kramer seconded the motion, and the
motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 4
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
ORDINANCE NO. ____-14
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ST. LOUIS PARK
CITY CODE RELATING TO
ZONING SECTIONS 36-232 AND 36-233
BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT REGULATIONS
THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK DOES ORDAIN:
Sec. 1. The City Council has considered the advice and recommendation of the
Planning Commission (Case No. 14-13-ZA).
Sec. 2. The St. Louis Park Zoning Ordinance, Sections 36-232 and 36-233 are
hereby amended by deleting stricken language and adding underscored language.
DIVISION 7. BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT REGULATIONS*
Sec. 36-231. Purpose of division.
The provisions of this division deal with business park uses of land and structures in the city.
Sec. 36-232. Business Park (BP) district restrictions and performance standards.
No structure or premises within any BP district shall be used for any use allowed as permitted,
permitted with conditions, Conditional Use Permit, or Planned Unit Development, unless it
complies with the following regulations:
(1) All activities conducted in a BP district shall be conducted wholly within an enclosed
structure except as specifically permitted elsewhere in this chapter.
(21) Outdoor storage shall be prohibited in the BP district.
(32) All delivery service entrances to a building in the BP district shall be from a public
alley, service alley, or off-street parking lot.
(43) No vehicular curb-cuts shall be permitted within a distance of 50 feet from any
intersection, unless the City Engineer determines that such a curb-cut is necessary and
will be safe for pedestrians or bicyclists using nearby trails, sidewalks, or roadways.
(54) Structures Uses shall not generate significant traffic on local residential streets. Where
possible, structuresthe premises shall be accessed from a roadway identified in the
Comprehensive Plan as a collector or arterial.
(65) Off-street parking shall not be located between any buildings and an adjacent
residential property line.
(76) The Zoning Administrator shall review plans for all loading docks, which to the
greatest extent possible should be screened from the right-of-way and should not be
located between the principal building and any adjacent residential property line.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 5
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
(87) Truck activity routes shall be reviewed to account for the expected level of pedestrian
traffic. Such routes should be designed to minimize impacts to pedestrian and bicycle
routes and safety issues during periods of truck activity.
(98) The processes and equipment used to conduct the business of a primary use on any site
in the BP district shall meet the following requirements:
a. Vibration. Any vibration discernible beyond the property line to the human sense
of feeling for three minutes or more duration (cumulative) in any one hour and
any vibration producing a particle velocity of more than 0.035 inch per second are
prohibited.
b. Glare or heat. Any operation producing intense glare or heat shall be performed
within an enclosure so as not to be perceptible at the property line.
c. Noise. Noise levels both inside and outside of buildings must meet federal, state
and local requirements which may be amended from time to time.
d. Air pollution. All emissions shall meet federal, state and local requirements which
may be amended from time to time.
(109) Uses located upon parcels located adjacent to a parcel zoned, guided or used for
residential purposes may operate only between the hours of 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
The Zoning Administrator may, in writing, waive this performance standard if it can be
demonstrated that overnight operations will have no negative effects on adjacent
properties.
(1110) Sidewalks at least five feet in width shall be provided along all sides of the lot that
abut a public street.
Sec. 36-233. BP business park district.
(a) Purpose / effect. The purposes of the BP business park district are to:
(1) Encourage the creation of significant employment centers that accommodate a diverse
mix of office and light industrial uses and jobs.
(2) Allow for redevelopment and intensification of sites to provide a greater diversity of
employment opportunities within the community, increase development densities and
jobs per acre, and improve overall site aesthetics and building design.
(3) Shape redevelopment to meet the requirements of the market to provide efficient
building types with sufficient access, high clear heights, truck courts, and aesthetically
pleasing building exteriors and sites.
(4) Encourage and support the appropriate evolution and expansion of individual
businesses to improve the climate for business growth and foster conditions favorable
to increasing the amount of finished square footage and the number of jobs per acre in
BP areas.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 6
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
(5) Protect planned Business Park areas from encroachment from non-affiliated or
incompatible uses, while enhancing their compatibility with nearby residential areas.
(6) Promote and support the redevelopment or rehabilitation of physically and
economically obsolete or underutilized buildings and sites.
(7) Promote business park developments that utilize efficient land use and building
designs, including multi-story buildings, multi-tenant buildings, and structured parking.
(8) Encourage and support new business park developments that are designed as
employment centers that are integrated in to the community with strong connections to
adjacent public streets and spaces, natural features, transit, and other community
amenities.
(9) Encourage shared parking between uses, including flexible parking arrangements to
allow for multi-modal use of available transit and regional trail facilities.
(10) Regulate the trade and commerce of the community.
(1110)Provide opportunities for multi-modal activity on streets and an improved, desirable
environment for pedestrians and other non-motorized modes of transportation.
(b) Permitted uses. The following uses with a floor area ratio (FAR) of less than 1.0 are
permitted in the BP district:
(1) Banks.
(2) Business / trade school.
(3) College / University.
(4) Libraries.
(5) Medical and dental office or laboratory.
(6) Museums/art galleries.
(7) Offices.
(8) Parks and open spaces.
(9) Parks and recreation.
(10) Police and fire stations.
(11) Research and Development.
(12) Transit stations.
(c) Uses permitted with conditions. A structure or land in any BP district may be used for
one or more of the following uses if it has a floor area ratio (FAR) of less than 1.0 and complies
with the performance standards as stated in Section 36-232 and the conditions stated below:
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 7
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
(1) Adult Day Care. The conditions are as follows:
a. The use must have a minimum of 150 square feet of outdoor area per adult under
care dedicated to outdoor activity or be within ¼ mile of a city park.
(2) Brewery. The conditions are as follows:
a. The brewery shall not produce more than 3,500 barrels of malt liquor per year.
b. Up to 25% of the gross floor area of the Brewery may be used for any
combination of retail and a taproom.
(3) Catering. The conditions are as follows:
a. Any exhaust system venting to the outdoors shall be located away from residential
areas.
b. Outside storage of catering vehicles or associated equipment is prohibited.
(4) Communication Antennas. The conditions are as follows:
a. Antennas must be attached to an existing structure.
b. Antennas shall be subject to all provisions of Section 36-368, “Communication
Towers and Antennas”.
(5) Educational. Educational uses for students grades K-12, subject to conditions as
follows:
a. The use must have a minimum of 40 square feet of outdoor area per student
dedicated to outdoor student activity or be within ¼ mile of a city park.
b. The use may not exceed 25% of the gross floor area of a single story building or
50% of the ground floor in a multi-story building.
(6) Group Day Care/Nursery Schools. The conditions are as follows:
a. The use must have a minimum of 40 square feet of outdoor area per child pupil
dedicated to outdoor activity or be within ¼ mile of a city park.
b. The use may not exceed 2550% of the gross floor area of a single story building
or 50% of the ground floor in a multi-story building.
c. Provision shall be made for drop-off and pick-up of children or students.
(7) Indoor Entertainment. The conditions are as follows:
a. The use may not exceed 1025% of the gross floor area of a multi-use building.
b. The use must be so located as to be visible and easily accessible to pedestrians
from the public right-of-way.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 8
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
(8) Public Service Structures. The conditions are as follows:
a. All structures shall be located a minimum of ten feet from any parcel that is zoned
residential.
b. All service drives shall be paved.
(9) Restaurants, Retail or Service. The conditions are as follows:
a. The uses may not exceed of 25% of the gross floor area of a single-story multi-
use building or 50% of the ground floor area in a multi-story building, whichever
is greater.
b. The uses must be so located as to be visible and easily accessible to pedestrians
from the public right-of-way.
(10) Studios. The conditions are as follows:
a. The use may not exceed 2550% of the gross floor area of a multi-use building.
(11) Light Assembly or Low Impact Manufacturing and Processing up to 60% of building.
a. All outdoor activities such as loading and unloading shall be located a minimum of
100 feet from any parcel that is zoned residential and used or subdivided for
residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not limited to
schools, religious institutions and community centers, and where possible shall be
located on the side of the building farthest from any parcel that is zoned or used for
residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not limited to
schools, religious institutions and community centers.
(12) Warehouse/Storage up to 60% of building.
a. All outdoor activities such as loading and unloading shall be located a minimum of
100 feet from any parcel that is zoned residential and used or subdivided for
residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not limited to
schools, religious institutions and community centers, and where possible shall be
located on the side of the building farthest from any parcel that is zoned or used for
residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not limited to
schools, religious institutions and community centers.
(d) Uses permitted by conditional use permit. No structure or land in a BP district shall be
used for the following uses except by conditional use permit. These uses shall comply with all
standards of the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 36, and shall only be permitted if findings are
produced indicating that there are no adverse impacts upon the health, safety, and welfare of the
community.
(1) Uses allowed as “Permitted” or “Permitted with Conditions” in the BP district with a
floor area ratio (FAR) equal to or greater than 1.0.
(2) Light Assembly or Low Impact Manufacturing and Processing.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 9
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
(23) More than one principal building.
a. Uses where more than one principal building is located on a single lot.
(3(4) Parking Ramps.
a. A minimum of 40% of the street level frontage of a parking ramp located adjacent
to a street designated as a “Collector” or higher in the Comprehensive Plan shall
be dedicated to non-parking uses. This requirement may be adjusted at the
direction of the Planning Commission based on specific reasons related to site
design.
b. Parking ramps shall be designed so that vehicles are not visible from the sidewalk
and the only openings at street level are those to accommodate vehicle ingress and
egress.
c. Snow removal areas shall not be located in the front yard or side yard abutting a
street.
(e) Uses permitted by PUD. A structure or land in a BP district may be dedicated to non-
residential uses meeting the purpose and effect of the Zoning District through the PUD process,
if such uses are primarily dedicated to increasing employment density and furthering the goals of
the Comprehensive Plan. Such uses shall comply with the requirements of the performance
standards in Section 36-232. Provisions for the PUD and modifications to dimensional standards
and densities are provided under section 36-367.
(f) Accessory uses. Within any BP district, the following shall be permitted accessory uses,
subject to any required conditions:
(1) Food Service. The conditions are as follows:
a. The use must be located on the ground floor.
b. The use may not exceed 25% of the building’s total floor area.
(2) Incidental Repair or Processing ancillary to the principal use that does not exceed 5
percent of the gross floor area, subject to the following conditions:
a. The use shall be located to the rear of the principal structure.
b. The use shall meet all conditions of Sections 36-232 (8) (a) and (b).
(3) Large Item Retail Sales. The conditions are as follows:
a. The use may not exceed 15% of the building’s total floor area.
(4) Outdoor seating and service of food and beverages is permitted as an accessory use
with the following conditions:
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 10
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
a. The use must be separated from any adjacent residential use by a building wall or six foot
fence. This provision will not apply if the residential use is located on an upper story
above the principal use.
b. No speakers or other electronic devices which emit sound are permitted if the use is
located within 500 feet of a residential use.
c. The hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. if the use is located
within 500 feet of a residential use.
d. Additional parking will not be required if the outdoor seating area does not exceed 500
square feet or ten percent of the gross floor area of the principal use, whichever is less.
Parking will be required at the same rate as the principal use for that portion of outdoor
seating area in excess of 500 square feet or ten percent of the gross building area,
whichever is less.
(5) Parking ramps, subject to the following conditions:
a. A minimum of 40% of the street level frontage of a parking ramp located adjacent
to a street designated as a “Collector” or higher in the Comprehensive Plan shall
be dedicated to non-parking uses. This requirement may be adjusted at the
direction of the Planning Commission based on specific reasons related to site
design.
b. Parking ramps shall be designed so that vehicles are not visible from the sidewalk
and the only openings at street level are those to accommodate vehicle ingress and
egress.
c. Snow removal areas shall not be located in the front yard or side yard abutting a
street.
(6) Parking Lots.
(7) Post Office Customer Service.
(8) Showroom.
(9) Warehouse / Storage.
(g) Dimensional standards. The dimensional standards are as follows:
(1) The height of structures or buildings on sites within the BP zoning district shall be
limited as follows:
a. Sites located immediately adjacent to property zoned R-1 or R-2 shall be limited
to the lesser of four (4) stories or 55 feet in height.
b. Sites separated by a public right-of-way or not immediately adjacent to property
zoned R-1 or R-2 shall be limited to the lesser of eight (8) stories or 110 feet in
height.
(2) The floor area ratio for structures or buildings within the BP district shall not exceed
2.0, nor shall the floor area ratio be less than 0.4.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8c) Page 11
Title: Business Park Zoning Amendments
(3) Required yard depth (building setbacks) shall follow the requirements of Table 36-233
(a) except when superseded by the following:
a. No building shall be located closer than 30 feet or the building height, whichever
is greater, to a single family residential property line.
b. The maximum front yard or side yard abutting a street (build-to line) may be
increased to 25 feet from the property line if a courtyard, plaza, or seating area is
incorporated into the development adjacent to the public street.
c. The maximum yard (build-to line) requirement shall apply to at least 50% of a
structure’s elevation along the front yard or side yard abutting a street.
(4) Each lot shall contain designed outdoor recreation area (DORA) at the ratio of 0.12
times the gross lot area, with the following exceptions and conditions:
a. DORA shall not be required for any building or portion of a building dedicated to
warehouse, showroom, parking ramp, or parking lot uses.
b. DORA may be reduced by up to 25% if it is connected to and located within a
quarter-mile of the regional trail system.
c. DORA shall be developed into functional and aesthetic yard areas, plazas,
courtyards, and/or pedestrian facilities compatible with or enlarging upon existing
pedestrian links and open space.
d. DORA shall be sited to enhance ecological habitat and increase opportunities for
shared public use with the City’s system of parks and open space whenever
possible.
Sec. 3 The contents of Planning Case File 14-13-ZA are hereby entered into and
made part of the public hearing record and the record of decision for this case.
Sec. 4. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen days after its publication.
Public Hearing September 17, 2014
First Reading October 20, 2014
Second Reading November 3, 2014
Date of Publication November 13, 2014
Date Ordinance takes effect October 31, 2014
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council November 3, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form and Execution:
City Clerk City Attorney
Table 36-233 (a)
Front Rear Side Side yard abutting a street
Minimum yard 5 feet 10 feet 5 feet 5 feet
Maximum yard 10 feet None None 10 feet
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Action Agenda Item: 8d
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Approve First Reading of Ordinance amending the St.
Louis Park Code of Ordinances Section 30-158 relating to Snow Removal Program; and to set
Second Reading for November 3, 2014.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the City Council agree with the recommended changes to
the parking restrictions and snow emergency declaration?
SUMMARY: Staff is suggesting some modifications to our snow removal program as an
enhancement to our current efforts. Staff reviews the snow removal program on a regular basis
to determine if there are opportunities to improve delivery of service, operational efficiencies and
communication with residents. Over the past year staff has incorporated operational changes that
had successful outcomes with snow removal and service delivery. Earlier this summer
Operations staff along with Police and Fire met to continue to discuss what is working and
review Ordinance 30-158 Snow Removal Parking Restrictions. Staff determined there were
several sections of the Ordinance that should be updated to enhance operational improvements
and winter parking enforcement. These included:
• Exempt parking zones
• Permit parking
• Snow emergency declaration (this is an enhancement to our current system to provide
clarity)
• Communication plan
Next steps:
The second reading of this ordinance and the proposed resolutions are scheduled for council
consideration on November 3, 2014. If approved, all changes will go into effect for the 2014-15
Winter and beyond.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The proposed changes have nominal if any
financial impacts.
VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged
community.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Proposed Ordinance Section 30-158
Proposed Resolutions
Winter Parking Exemption Maps (2)
Examples of Current and Proposed Permits
Prepared by: Mark Hanson, Public Works Superintendent
Reviewed by: Cindy Walsh, Director of Operations and Recreation
John Luse, Police Chief
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 2
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND: The snow removal process is reviewed by staff on a regular basis to
determine if there are opportunities to improve delivery of service and communication with
residents. Earlier this summer Operations staff along with Police and Fire met to discuss what is
working and ideas for possible improvements with snow removal operations, winter parking
enforcement, and overall service delivery to our residents. Upon review, it was determined that
improvements could be made in the following areas:
• Designation of some exempt/high density areas
• Permits and their display location
• Declaring a snow emergency
• Communications plan for winter parking updates
At the October 6, 2014, Study Session, staff reviewed the above enhancements with Council
(report attached). Council fully supported the recommended enhancements and asked staff to
proceed with the necessary administrative actions to implement them.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS:
Amendments to Ordinance 30-158 Snow Removal Parking Restrictions: The primary
updates include moving to a declared snow emergency instead of waiting for three inches of
snow to accumulate; authorizing the City Manager to exempt streets from snow emergencies;
and authorizing the City Manager to issue winter parking permits (with fees set by the annual fee
schedule).
Rescind Resolution 03-153: Once the updates to Ordinance 30-158 are in place, there is no
longer a need to maintain a separate resolution setting the winter parking permit fees.
Rescind Resolution 03-180: Once the updates to Ordinance 30-158 are in place, the City
Manager will have the authority to exempt certain streets from snow emergencies so there is no
longer a need to maintain this resolution.
Resolution Amending and Restating Resolution 04-115: Updates some of the terminology to
current naming conventions.
Changes in designation of some exempt/high density areas: The ordinance allows for areas of
the city to be considered “exempt” for the first 24 hours of the snow parking ban in higher
density residential areas with limited parking. There are also main roadways in the city that were
marked as exempt (see map). Proposed revisions to the exempt zones/process are intended to
create efficiencies in operations and enforcement. This also provides clarity to residents so they
know where they can park. The revisions are as follows:
1. Eliminate the designation of our main roadways listed as exempt. In review of the
existing exempt designations, it was determined that main roads do not need the exempt
status since operationally they are cleared first. There has not been a need to exempt these
streets from our snow removal program due to the nature of the roadways.
2. Change ordinance to authorize the City Manager or designee to establish the listing of the
public streets which are exempt. This creates efficiencies in operations by eliminating the
step where Council must approve exempt streets by council resolution.
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 3
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
3. Continue the designation of our exempt/high density area zones without signage. These
exempt/high density area zones, however, would now be exempt the entire snow event,
not just the first 24 hours. Staff would continue, as in the past, to work with
landlords/apartment owners to communicate the exempt zones to their tenants. This
system has been successful and therefor no change in this practice is recommended. It is
believed that if signs were placed signifying exempt parking area, others may want to use
this area allowing for fewer spaces to be used by those in the adjacent high density areas
who need the space for parking.
4. To improve clearing of snow in the exempt areas and when plowing is needed curb to
curb, staff would temporarily post one side of the street as “No Parking”, allowing for
parking on the other side while the posted side is being cleared to the curb. The same
procedure would occur the next day for the other side. This operational change will
improve the time it takes for snow removal and also allow parking in the high density
area when snow removal is taking place in the parking lots of the apartment complex.
This process will also help with clearing up confusion of residents and improve
communication by posting temporary snow removal signs as needed and assists public
safety with enforcement.
Declare Snow Emergency: There continues to be confusion as to the exact time when the 3”
snow ban has been in effect. We receive numerous calls each winter that residents are confused
by the term “snow ban.” Residents and staff would all like to better understand when a snow
parking ban takes place. Many cities designate a “snow emergency” to help communicate that
there is a parking ban. Staff is recommending we change from an automatic no parking
restriction any time after a snowfall of three inches or more to a formal declaration of a snow
emergency. This suggested change is an enhancement to our current system. This enhancement
would not change how or when we plow. Using a formal snow emergency approach to
communicate a parking ban will improve communication to our residents, businesses and staff,
help eliminate confusion and provide flexibility on when the parking ban goes into effect. Staff
would be able to review conditions and work to provide timely communication to residents. This
approach also works well when the snow event lasts more than one day or when we have a heavy
spring snow fall where we really don’t want to ban parking and tag and tow if we know the snow
will be melting off in the next day. We will continue to use a guideline of 3 – 4” of snow along
with weather conditions and storm longevity in making a determination and communicating a
snow emergency. We still want cars off the street prior to a snow event so we can do a better job
of plowing. Declaring a snow emergency is meant to provide additional advanced notice and
clarity.
Permits: Permits exempting single family residents from the winter parking restrictions are
issued only to residents that do not have adequate off-street parking available to them. Staff
recommends keeping the same permit process that is already in place. This process is managed
by Operations staff and is working successfully. The process allows administrative approval of
up to two no-fee permits allowing on-street parking in front of a permittee’s home when the
parking ban is in effect. We also recommend keeping the process of issuing up to two additional
parking permits for a fee and/or one Caretaker permit. The recommended change to the
ordinance is to authorize the City Manager or designee to issue the fee permits. Current
ordinance requires approval by Council resolution. Allowing the City Manager or designee to
authorize no more than two fee permits and the caretaker permit creates efficiencies in this
process for our residents. Permit fees would continue to be set annually by Council in the fee
schedule.
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 4
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
Permit Display: To help with identification and enforcement, staff is recommending changing
the vehicle permit from a mirror hanger to a small sticker. When gathering information from our
Officers, it was found that having the permit hang from the rear view mirror has been
problematic for parking enforcement. As we know, when we have snow, it covers the windows
of a vehicle. Many times officers are not able to see if a vehicle has a permit and would have to
stop at each vehicle, remove snow, and determine if the vehicle has the appropriate permit before
enforcement action is taken. Also, some vehicles do not have the type of rear view mirror that
would allow hanging of any type of permit or people would forget to hang a permit. In order to
create efficiencies in identification, Police have recommended changing the permit to a small
sticker to attach to the rear bumper on the driver’s side. This type of permit is currently being
used successfully by our Engineering Department for other types of permit parking. Changing to
this type of permit for identification would help increase efficiencies with parking enforcement
during a snow event (example permits attached).
Communication: Declaring a snow emergency will allow the City to enhance communications
to our residents. The following list describes the current communication tools and how their
effectiveness will be enhanced by declaring a snow emergency:
• Website/Social Media – While the city proactively reminds residents using these tools
that snow is in the forecast, the city is not able to announce that a parking ban is in effect
until the three-inch threshold is reached. This means that the website and social media
sites are often not updated until the middle of the night when residents are not looking at
them. Enhancement: The city’s website and social media accounts would be able to post
information several hours before the snow emergency begins. Analytic data shows us that
most people are using our social media sites, including Nextdoor, between the hours of 8
p.m. and 11 p.m. The new system would allow our messages to be present during these
times.
• News media – Broadcasting the city’s parking ban through local TV stations has been
particularly difficult in the last several years. The local affiliates have standardized
language around “snow emergencies” as it is the common term used by metro-area
communities. So when St. Louis Park sends its news releases referring to a winter
parking ban, the station makes one of two decisions: call St. Louis Park’s ban a snow
emergency too or leave it out of their notification tools (which includes screen crawls and
email notification). Unfortunately, they often leave it out altogether. Additionally, like
the website and social media, the city is often unable to notify the TV stations that a ban
is in effect until the middle of the night, meaning that the first time they can broadcast the
information is during the morning newscasts when it’s possible that city crews have
already been plowing for several hours. Enhancement: The news media would be
notified prior to the snow emergency taking effect meaning that it will be able to
broadcast this information on its nightly newscasts. Additionally, referring to it as a snow
emergency will ensure that the stations will broadcast it and utilize the additional tools
(like email services) that they offer to viewers.
• ParkAlert – The City Council directed staff that a winter parking ban should be
considered an emergency, which allows the city to call all listed phone numbers in the St.
Louis Park white pages. However, the city is only to use this notification system during
reasonable hours. So in the past, the city has utilized this tool only to remind people of
the winter parking rules, and only when it is clear that a significant amount of snow is
forecast (usually five inches or more). When a ban goes in to effect overnight, the city
has not used the system in the morning to announce the ban because it is likely many
streets will already have been plowed. The city has utilized the system for only about half
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 5
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
of its winter storm events over the last three years. Enhancement: The city would be able
to utilize ParkAlert for every snow emergency and proactively provide specific
information about when vehicles must be off the streets.
• Snow information line – Like social media and the news media, the line is updated when
the snowfall reaches three inches or more, likely in the middle of the night.
Enhancement: Like the website and social media, the snow information line would be
updated prior to the storm to state the specific time that a snow emergency would begin.
In addition to these enhancements, the additional notification time will also enable the city to
enhance communications by beginning to use its MyStLouisPark app and its Constant Contact
email service to alert residents to the snow emergency in the hours leading up to it.
Cooperative enforcement through communication and connections: Staff will continue to work
cooperatively on proactive identification of illegally parked “snow birds” to get them removed so
the roads can be cleared to the curb. Plow operators are typically aware of the vehicles that have
not moved during the snow clearing process so they are able to notify Police of any “snow birds”
so they can be appropriately enforced. This process will be further developed so that any staff in
the field could assist in providing information to Police to help with additional enforcement and
related efficiencies in clearing snow.
Public Safety Parking Restrictions: Our Fire Department has been in charge of designating and
implementing the process where during winter months streets need to be temporarily designated
No Parking due to public safety concerns with narrow streets. This process has worked
successfully in the past and will continue to be used when snow accumulation is excessive and
streets become a safety concern relating to equipment access.
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 6
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
ORDINANCE NO. _____ - 14
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO SNOW REMOVAL
PARKING RESTRICTIONS, AMENDING
SECTION 30-158 OF THE ST. LOUIS PARK CITY CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Section 30-158 of the St. Louis Park City Code is amended to read as follows:
(1) Definition of Street: Street as used in this section shall mean the entire right-of-way,
including sidewalks, boulevards, curb and gutter as well as the traveled portion of any City
street, alley, highway, thoroughfare, county road, or state highway within the City of St. Louis
Park.
(2) Snow Fall Parking Restrictions:
a. Except as provided in Subparagraph (b) and (c) herein, no person shall park a vehicle
on any public street at any time when the city declares a snow emergency, after a
snowfall of three (3) inches or more has accumulated, until the snow emergency has
been cancelled by the city or the street has been plowed to the curb.until the street has
been plowed curb to curb.
b. The City Manager or designee is authorized to establish and maintain a listing of City
Council will establish by resolution the public streets which are not subject to the snow
emergency fall parking ban. The exempted streets will generally be high density non-
residential streets and residential streets without or very limited off-street parking.
Comment: this change to administrative approval of exempt/high density streets will
create efficiencies in operations by allowing elimination of Resolution No. 03-180
which currently requires exempt streets to be approved by council resolution.
c. The City Manager or designee is authorized to issue parking permits allowing on-street
parking in front of adjacent to the permittee’s residence when the snow emergencyfall
parking ban is in effect. The permits may only be issued to City residents who do not
have off-street parking available to them. Each permit will be issued for an identified
vehicle and must be displayed in the vehicle. No more than two no fee vehicle permits
will be issued for each residential dwelling unit., except as provided in subparagraph
(d) herein.
The City Manager or designee may authorize the issuance of up to two additional
parking permits for a fee, as set by Council, when either the residential dwelling does
not have adequate off-street parking or does not have any off-street parking and the
permits for more than two vehicles is determined to be appropriate. One parking permit
for a caregiver vehicle may be approved in accordance with this section. Each permit
issued under this section will be for an identified vehicle and must be displayed on such
vehicle. Vehicles with permits must be parked in front of the permittee’s residence.
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 7
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
Comment: Permit fees are now set annually by council in the fee schedule allowing for
elimination of Resolution No. 03-153
(d) In addition to permits authorized in subparagraph (c) herein, the City Council may by
resolution authorize the issuance of parking permits allowing on-street parking adjacent
to the permittee’s residence when the snowfall parking ban is in effect. The additional
permits may be allowed by resolution when either the residential dwelling does not
have adequate off-street parking or does not have any off-street parking and permits for
more than two vehicles is determined to be appropriate. The council shall establish the
appropriate fee for these permits by resolution.
(3) Obstruction of Street by Private Snow Plowing Removal Prohibited. No person shall
deposit any snow or ice, plowed or removed from private property, onto a public street.
(4) Parking Interference with Clean-Up Snowplowing. No person shall park any vehicle
on a public street within 50 feet of any area of a public street which is unplowed after
City equipment has previously plowed snow and ice from other portions of said street,
nor otherwise park in such a manner as to interfere with City clean-up snowplowing
operations.
(5) Off-Street Parking Areas and Private Streets. No person who is an owner or manager
of the premises shall allow or permit snow and ice accumulation in an area of required
off-street parking under the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance or a special permit
issued thereunder or private streets established under a special permit in such a manner
as to reduce such private street area or the number of parking stalls available for such
use, commencing 24 hours after the cessation of snowfall.
(6) Special Posted Snow Removal Parking Restrictions. In addition to the snow emergency
parking ban set forth in Subsection (2) herein, the City Manager or designee is
authorized to post no parking signs for snow removal along public streets of the City
where snow removal operations will require the use of the entire width of the street by
snow plowing and snow removal removing the equipment. Such signs shall be posted
at frequent intervals at least four (4) hours prior to the time when snow removal
commences on the street so posted, and such signs shall be removed promptly after
completion of the snow removal operation. Snow removal shall be done on any street
so posted as soon as possible following a lapse of four (4) hours after posting the signs.
No person shall park any vehicle, nor leave any vehicle which was parked at the time of
posting for a period of more than two (2) hours thereafter, of any block on any street so
posted during the time the said signs are posted thereon, and it shall be unlawful for any
person other than an authorized representative of the City or Police Department of the
City to remove said signs.
(7) Public Safety Parking RestrictionsSnow Emergency. The City Manager or designee is
authorized to declare a snow emergency and to impose parking restrictions on City
streets as necessary in the event curbside snow accumulations cause streets to become
impassable to emergency vehicles or snow removal equipment in conjunction with on-
street parking.
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 8
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
(8) Towing of Vehicles. In addition to the penalty provision imposed for a violation of this
section, vehicles parked on a public street in violation of any provision of this section
may be towed and impounded.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its passage and
publication.
ADOPTED this 3rd day of November, 2014 by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park.
First Reading October 20, 2014
Second Reading November 3, 2014
Date of Publication November 13, 2014
Date Ordinance takes effect November 28, 2014
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council November 3, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest: Approved as to Form and Execution:
City Clerk City Attorney
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 9
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
Proposed RESOLUTION NO. 14-_____
RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 03-153
REGARDING THE ISSUANCE OF AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF FEES FOR PARKING PERMITS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 30-158 OF THE CITY CODE
WHEREAS, the City Council approved amendments to Ordinance 30-158 on October 20,
2014; and
WHEREAS, the winter parking permit fee is now set by the annual fee schedule; and
WHEREAS, due to these changes in administrative processes, Resolution 03-153 is no
longer current or valid.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, that the City hereby:
Rescinds Resolution 03-153, Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of and Establishment
of Fees for Parking Permits
Reviewed for Administration Adopted by the City Council November 3, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 10
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
Proposed RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 03-180
REGARDING EXEMPTING STREETS FROM THE
SNOWFALL PARKING BAN
WHEREAS, the City Council approved amendments to Ordinance 30-158 on October 20,
2014; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager is now authorized to established a list of streets exempt
from the snowfall parking ban; and
WHEREAS, due to these changes in administrative processes, Resolution 03-180 is no
longer current or valid.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park, that the City hereby:
Rescinds Resolution 03-180, Resolution Exempting Streets from the Snowfall Parking
Ban.
Reviewed for Administration Adopted by the City Council November 3, 2014
Interim City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
City Council Meeting October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Page 11
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance
Proposed RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION AMENDING AND RESTATING RESOLUTION 04-115
SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL ENFORCEMENT POLICY
RELATING TO PUBLIC STREETS IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
WHEREAS, The City Council has amended Ordinance Section 03-158 Snow removal
parking restrictions; and
WHEREAS, The City Council wishes to ensure safe, efficient and cost effective snow
removal operations on public streets in St. Louis Park.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Louis Park Police Department,
in cooperation/coordination with the Operations Department, is directed as follows:
• To begin issuing citations for vehicles parked illegally on-street when snow emergency
has been declared. A citation may be issued whether or not the vehicle has been “plowed
in”.
• To coordinate the towing of vehicles with the City’s private contractor for vehicles that
have been issued a citation and have not been moved. Towing should begin within 24
hours from when a citation has been issued.
• To use discretion in the issuance of citations due to unusual or extenuating circumstances
related to a snow event (this includes, but is not limited to, other calls for service to the
Police Dept. such as accidents or medical calls).
• Overtime costs associated with enforcement should be held within reasonable limits and
in alignment with annual budgetary considerations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this policy becomes effective immediately upon
passage of this resolution.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council November 3, 2014
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance Page 12
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d) Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance Page 13
Examples of Current and Proposed Permits:
Current “Hanging” Permit
(hung from rear view mirror)
Proposed “Bumper Sticker” Permit
(placed on driver’s side rear
bumper as shown below)
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8d)
Title: First Reading of Snow Removal Program Ordinance Page 14
Meeting: City Council
Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
Action Agenda Item: 8e
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TITLE: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Approve Resolution establishing the 2015 employer
benefits contribution.
POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does Council approve the recommended amount for the 2015
employer benefits contribution?
SUMMARY: This report details the City’s benefits planned for 2015, and the recommendation
for setting the employer contribution. Council reviewed this information at the study session on
October 13, 2014. The recommendation reflects a change based on input from a Benefits
Committee that consisted of employees represented by all departments and all union groups.
The recommendation is as follows:
2015 PLANS
Premium
Employer
Contribution
Employer
VEBA
Contribution
Total
Employer
Cost
Employee
Cost
HDHP Employee $ 578.50 $ 740.00 $ 208.34 $ 948.34 $ +161.50
Emp+Child $ 1,214.00 $ 790.00 $ 270.83 $1,060.83 $ (424.00)
Emp+Spouse $ 1,273.00 $ 825.00 $ 270.83 $1,095.83 $ (448.00)
Family $ 1,619.00 $1,050.00 $ 270.83 $1,320.83 $ (569.00)
Co-Pay Employee $ 744.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ +141.00
Emp+Child $ 1,562.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ (677.00)
Emp+Spouse $ 1,637.50 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ (752.50)
Family $ 2,083.00 $1,050.00 -- $1,050.00 $ (1,033.00)
Benefit-earning part-time employees regularly scheduled to work 20-29 hours per week be set at
the “Employer VEBA Contribution” levels shown above, and at 50% of the “Employer
Contribution” levels shown above.
Employees who choose to waive coverage will be eligible for a reduced employer contribution
that may be used to purchase other supplemental benefits in the amount of $211.50 (pro-rated for
part-time employees).
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Funds for this recommendation have been
included in the 2015 budget projections.
VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged
community.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Discussion
Resolution
Prepared by: Ali Timpone, HR Coordinator
Approved by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8e) Page 2
Title: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
DISCUSSION
Benefit Overview:
The City has a Benefits Committee that consists of employees represented by all departments
and all union groups. The purpose of the committee is to educate staff on benefits and to get
feedback on what staff is interested in seeing in our benefits design. As in past years, this
information has been reviewed with the Benefits Committee.
Medical Insurance:
The City has been insured through HealthPartners since 2012, and are currently in the middle of
a 2-year contract for 2014-2015. For 2015, we were fortunate to secure a rate guarantee of 12%
maximum premium increase.
Medical Insurance Monthly Premiums
(12% increase for 2015)
High Deductible (with VEBA) 2014 2015
Single $516.50 $578.50
Employee + Spouse $1,136.50 $1,273.00
Employee + Child(ren) $1,084.00 $1,214.00
Family $1,445.50 $1,619.00
$30-Copay 2014 2015
Single $664.50 $744.00
Employee + Spouse $1,462.00 $1,637.50
Employee + Child(ren) $1,394.50 $1,562.00
Family $1,860.00 $2,083.00
VEBA Refresher:
The City continues to offer a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) with a VEBA funding
mechanism in coordination with the High Deductible Health Plan. The deductible is $2500 per
person with a $5000 family maximum. Employer contributions to the VEBA will be placed in a
trust in an individual’s name and funds will be available for reimbursement of eligible medical
expenses. VEBA funds not spent will stay with the individual and roll over each year for future
expenses. VEBA funds are set aside tax-free, earn tax-free interest, and are reimbursed tax-free.
The VEBA account stays with the individual after they leave employment and can be used for
reimbursement of qualified medical expenses.
Dental Insurance:
We received great news with our 2015 renewal from Delta Dental, a 0% increase in premiums.
This is a voluntary plan for our employees, and the second year in a row in which we’ve received
no increase in premiums.
Dental Insurance Monthly Premiums
(0% increase for 2015)
Single $43.65
Employee + Spouse $87.75
Employee + Child(ren) $82.50
Family $105.80
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8e) Page 3
Title: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
Life Insurance:
The city offers a life insurance program through Prudential Life and are pleased that there is no
rate increase for 2015. In our basic life insurance plan, all employees receive a mandatory
benefit of $10,000 and the option to purchase additional supplemental insurance (up to
$500,000), and spouse and dependent life insurance as well. Exempt employees are provided
with an additional basic life insurance amount of 1.5 times their salary.
Long Term Disability (LTD):
We continue to offer LTD to all staff at no cost to the employee. This benefit provides income
continuation at 60% of pre-disability earnings for anyone who becomes ill or injured and unable
to resume work after a six month waiting period.
Long Term Care (LTC):
LTC is a voluntary benefit that was first offered in September, 2010 to our staff. Long Term
Care Insurance provides coverage for employees and spouses who may need nursing home,
assisted living, home health, or other care. Coverage is provided through the Municipal Pool and
rates are set for the entire group. Employees who voluntarily participate in this program are
required to pay the full premium.
Deferred Compensation:
The City offers several deferred compensation programs (457 plans). Deferred compensation is
a program that allows employees to invest today for retirement. This is a voluntary program for
employees, with an employer match of $10 per pay period to non-union staff with a minimum
employee contribution of $50 per pay period (Resolution 12-044). This has also been negotiated
into union contracts.
RECOMMENDATION ON EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION
At the October 13, 2014 study session, Council reviewed and discussed information and
recommendations regarding our employer contribution. Below is the information from the
October 13th report.
Past Employer Contribution Information:
Years ago, health insurance costs were much lower and plan designs were relatively simple.
Over the past years, our design of how employer contribution is applied has undergone changes
based on the type of products offered, costs, market comparisons and input by employees.
Since 2008, the city has provided one flat dollar amount as employer contribution to all benefit
earning staff (pro-rated for part time). This results in each employee receiving the same value of
employer contribution, regardless of which level of coverage the employee chooses to purchase.
However, annual premium increases have significantly increased the out of pocket costs to those
who cover dependents (spouse and/or children) on the plan.
Cost Increases for Dependent Coverage:
The cost of insurance to cover dependents has significantly increased in recent years. Although
67% of our employees elect the employee only (individual) plan, many raised concerns about the
cost impact to those who chose to insure other family members and asked that this be discussed
by union and non-organized staff.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8e) Page 4
Title: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
This example shows the change in cost for family insurance since 2008:
Year
Premium Cost
(Family Coverage on High
Deductible Plan)
Employer Premium
Contribution *
Employee Out of
Pocket Monthly
Cost for Premiums
2008 $770/month $511.66 -$258.34
2014 $1,445.50/month $676.66 -$768.84
As you can see, while the employer contribution increased $165 per month in the six year span,
the employee out of pocket expense has increased $510.50 per month for those who choose
family coverage on the high deductible plan. The current contribution from the employer covers
47% of the premium cost for those who choose family coverage (in 2008, the city covered 66%
of the premium).
Meanwhile, employees who choose employee only (individual) coverage have not been impacted
as dramatically as above. They still have funds left over each month that can be used to purchase
other benefits or receive as taxable income:
Year
Premium Cost
(Employee Only Coverage
on High Deductible Plan)
Employer Premium
Contribution *
Employee Funds
Remaining
2008 $275.50/month $511.66 +$236.16
2014 $516.50/month $676.66 +$160.16
* All staff who chose the high deductible plan in 2008 and 2014 also received an employer
contribution to their Health Reimbursement Arrangement (also known as VEBA account) of
$208.34 per month. Total monthly employer contribution was $720 in 2008 and $885 in
2014.
Task Force Convened:
During union negotiations in fall 2013, the topic of family health insurance coverage was
discussed in several bargaining groups. Feedback gathered by Human Resources showed that
both union and non-union staff felt that the cost to insure family members had become
unaffordable. In April 2014, Human Resources created an employee task force for the purpose
of gathering input on the employer contribution package. The group consisted of current
benefits committee members, representation from all unions, and representation from all
departments. Additionally, the task force was a representative sample of staff in direct
proportion to their health insurance enrollment status (i.e., 67% of the task force was comprised
of staff who were enrolled in employee only coverage).
The task force met several times. Topics of the meetings included education on the history of
premiums and employer contribution, enrollment statistics, overview of MNsure and health care
reform, brainstorming new contribution design options and setting priorities.
It became clear there were two main themes from the task force working through this process:
1. A majority of the group favored providing more funding for families and moving away from
the “one amount for all” philosophy as long as those choosing employee only coverage did
not get a reduction in benefits contribution.
2. Encourage employees to use high deductible programs.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8e) Page 5
Title: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
Benchmarking:
We looked at other cities in our market (metro suburbs with a population of 25,000 – 90,000) to
see how their benefits are structured. Benefit packages are complex and unique to each city and
it is difficult to make apples-to-apples comparisons. However, out of 27 cities in our market, 19
(70%) do provide additional employer contribution to those who choose to cover dependents on
the health insurance program. In addition, two of the remaining eight cities who provide an
equal funding amount for premiums do provide tiered funding in their Health Savings Accounts
(HSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA), and/or VEBA accounts based on
dependent level of coverage. It appears that it has become more of a norm in our market to
provide more funding to those who choose to insure dependents.
New Philosophy Recommendation:
Based on employee input and in order to stay competitive with our peer cities, a new funding
philosophy recommendation has been developed for the 2015 Employer Contribution.
• The new philosophy maintains an employer contribution for those who choose employee
only coverage with additional funds remaining to purchase other voluntary benefits (same as
the current philosophy).
• The recommended change in funding is for those who choose to cover dependents on their
health insurance. The new philosophy recommends that the employer provide an employer
contribution equal to 65% of the high deductible premium, rounded to the nearest five
dollars.
• The goal for employer funding is to eventually get to 70% of the premium but in order to
meet budget constraints for 2015, we are recommending funding at 65% for this year.
• Subsequent years’ recommendations will strive to attain the 70% funding goal.
2015 Recommended Employer Contribution Levels
Employer Employer Paid % of
Tier of Coverage Contribution High Deductible Premium
Employee Only $740/month 100% (with $161.50 left over to
purchase additional benefits)
Employee + Spouse $825/month 65%
Employee + Child(ren) $790/month 65%
Family $1,050/month 65%
NOTE: Employees who choose the co-pay plan will receive the employer contribution listed
above, or $885 (the 2014 contribution amount), whichever is greater.
2015 Recommended VEBA Contribution Levels
Employer
Tier of Coverage VEBA Contribution Employer Paid % of Deductible
Employee Only $208.34/month 100% (of $2,500 annual deductible)
All Other Levels $270.83/month 65% (of $5,000 annual deductible)
NOTE: Employees who choose the co-pay plan do not receive a VEBA contribution, as it is
integrated with the high deductible health plan.
Employees who choose to waive health insurance coverage will be eligible for a reduced
employer contribution of $211.50 per month that may be used to purchase other voluntary
benefits (calculated same as in previous years: employer contribution minus the single high
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8e) Page 6
Title: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
deductible premium rate, with a $50 credit for waiving). The waive contribution is
recommended to be pro-rated for part-time employees.
Below is a chart that illustrates the plans and recommended contributions for 2014 and 2015:
2014 PLANS
Premium
Employer
Contribution
Employer
VEBA
Contribution
Total
Employer
Cost
Employee
Cost
HDHP Employee $ 516.50 $ 676.66 $ 208.34 $ 885.00 $ +160.16
Emp+Child $ 1,084.00 $ 676.66 $ 208.34 $ 885.00 $ (407.34)
Emp+Spouse $ 1,136.50 $ 676.66 $ 208.34 $ 885.00 $ (459.84)
Family $ 1,445.50 $ 676.66 $ 208.34 $ 885.00 $ (768.84)
Co-Pay Employee $ 664.50 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ +220.50
Emp+Child $ 1,394.50 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ (509.50)
Emp+Spouse $ 1,462.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ (577.00)
Family $ 1,860.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ (975.00)
2015 PLANS
Premium
Employer
Contribution
Employer
VEBA
Contribution
Total
Employer
Cost
Employee
Cost
HDHP Employee $ 578.50 $ 740.00 $ 208.34 $ 948.34 $ +161.50
Emp+Child $ 1,214.00 $ 790.00 $ 270.83 $1,060.83 $ (424.00)
Emp+Spouse $ 1,273.00 $ 825.00 $ 270.83 $1,095.83 $ (448.00)
Family $ 1,619.00 $1,050.00 $ 270.83 $1,320.83 $ (569.00)
Co-Pay Employee $ 744.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ +141.00
Emp+Child $ 1,562.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ (677.00)
Emp+Spouse $ 1,637.50 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00 $ (752.50)
Family $ 2,083.00 $1,050.00 -- $1,050.00 $ (1,033.00)
As we know, the topic of benefits and health insurance is front and center for employers and
employees regardless of public or private sector. Changes in the industry due to health care
reform continue to develop and have an effect in the market. We are carefully monitoring
regulations and options for the future. Based on information above, feedback from union and
non-organized staff, analysis, management review, and comparison with other agencies, the
above changed funding philosophy is recommended for 2015.
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8e) Page 7
Title: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
RESOLUTION NO. 14-____
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING
2015 EMPLOYER BENEFITS CONTRIBUTION
WHEREAS, the City Council has established a benefit plan that provides an effective means
for providing employee group benefits; and
WHEREAS, the City Council establishes rates and plans for each calendar year; and
WHEREAS, the administration of such plans will be in accordance with plan documents as
approved by the City Manager, who will also set policy and procedures for benefit level
classification and administration of plans.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park:
1. Effective January 1, 2015, the monthly contribution of benefit dollars from the City for
regular employees, including the City Manager, who work at least 30 hours per week, be
set in accordance with the chart below, and
2015 PLANS
Premium
Employer
Contribution
Employer
VEBA
Contribution
Total
Employer
Cost
HDHP Employee $ 578.50 $ 740.00 $ 208.34 $ 948.34
Emp+Child $ 1,214.00 $ 790.00 $ 270.83 $1,060.83
Emp+Spouse $ 1,273.00 $ 825.00 $ 270.83 $1,095.83
Family $ 1,619.00 $1,050.00 $ 270.83 $1,320.83
Co-Pay Employee $ 744.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00
Emp+Child $ 1,562.00 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00
Emp+Spouse $ 1,637.50 $ 885.00 -- $ 885.00
Family $ 2,083.00 $1,050.00 -- $1,050.00
2. Effective January 1, 20015, the monthly contribution of benefit dollars from the City for
regular employees, including the City Manager, who work 20-29 hours per week be set at
the “Employer VEBA Contribution” levels shown above, and at 50% of the “Employer
Contribution” levels shown above, and
3. Effective January 1, 2015, the monthly contribution of benefit dollars from the City for
regular employees, including the City Manager, who work at least 30 hours per week,
and who waive coverage be set at $211.50 per month, pro-rated for regular part-time
employees who work 20-29 hours per week, and
City Council Meeting of October 20, 2014 (Item No. 8e) Page 8
Title: 2015 Employer Benefits Contribution
4. The City will continue to administer other benefit programs, and
5. The appropriate City officials are hereby authorized and directed to deduct the balance of
any sum premium from the compensation of an employee or officer and remit to the
insurer under an approved contract the employee’s or officer’s share of any such
premium.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council October 20, 2014
City Manager
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk