HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/07/25 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionAGENDA
JULY 25, 2011
6:30 p.m. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Westwood Room
1. Call to Order
1a. Roll Call
2. Closed Executive Session
2a. Closed attorney client meeting with the city attorney to discuss confidential litigation
strategy relating to a city appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, as an aggrieved
party, of the administrative decision by the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDot) making a "Negative Declaration Regarding the Need for an Environmental
Impact Statement for the MN&S Freight Rail Study in St. Louis Park and Minneapolis,
Hennepin County, Minnesota". (NO REPORT)
3. Adjournment
Immediately following the Special City Council Meeting
STUDY SESSION – Council Chambers
Discussion Items
1. 5 mins. Future Study Session Agenda Planning – August 8 and August 15, 2011
2. 30 mins. Prism Dial-A-Ride Program
3. 45 mins. Freight Rail – Letter from Hennepin County
4. 5 mins. Communications / Meeting Check-In (Verbal)
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.
To make arrangements, please call the Administration Department at
(952)924-2525 (TDD 952-924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting.
Meeting Date: July 25, 2011
Agenda Item #: 1
Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance
Presentation Other:
EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other:
Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other:
TITLE:
Future Study Session Agenda Planning – August 8 and August 15, 2011.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The City Council and the City Manager to set the agenda for the Study Session scheduled for
August 8 and a Special Study Session meeting on August 15.
POLICY CONSIDERATION:
Does the Council agree with the agendas as proposed?
BACKGROUND:
At each study session, approximately five minutes are set aside to discuss the next study session
agenda. For this purpose, attached please find the tentative agenda and proposed discussion
items for the regularly scheduled Study Session on August 8, 2011 and a Special Study Session
scheduled for August 15, 2011.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION:
None.
VISION CONSIDERATION:
None.
Attachment: Future Study Session Agenda Planning August 8 and August 15, 2011
Prepared by: Debbie Fischer, Office Assistant
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study Session Meeting of July 25, 2011 (Item No. 1) Page 2
Subject: Future Study Session Agenda Planning – August 8 and August 15, 2011
Study Session, Monday, August 8, 2011 – 6:30 p.m.
Tentative Discussion Items
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning – Administrative Services (5 minutes)
2. Review & Discussion of 2012 Budget – Administrative Services (90 minutes)
Staff will present information on the 2012 Budget for the General Fund, Parks and
Recreation Fund, and other relevant funds. This will include recommendations for 2012
along with general overview of LRFMP and CIP. This discussion will be split into 2 study
sessions on August 8 & 22. Department Directors present on August 8th will be from: Fire,
Information Resources, Parks and Recreation, Community Development and Administrative
Services. When the discussion is continued on August 22, Department Directors present will
be Inspections, Police and Public Works. The purpose of the discussions is to present the
recommendations and allow the Councilmembers to ask Directors operational questions. The
sessions will help us prepare for setting the preliminary levy on September 6th.
3. Citizen of the Year Award – Administrative Services (15 minutes)
Mayor Jacobs and Councilmember Mavity asked that time be set aside at a study session to
discuss the concept of a St. Louis Park Citizen of the Year Award program. To help with this
discussion there will be a list of examples of the types of awards and recognition currently in
place for our city. Also included will be examples of some programs from other cities.
4. City Council Compensation – Administrative Services (15 minutes)
On June 27th Council received a report regarding information and the process on how to
change the compensation levels for Mayor, City Council and Economic Development
Authority members. Councilmember Omodt asked that this be brought to a study session as
a discussion item.
5. Communications/Meeting Check-In – Administrative Services (5 minutes)
Time for communications between staff and Council will be set aside on every study session
agenda for the purposes of information sharing.
Reports:
Highway 7 / Louisiana Avenue Project Update
Highway 100 Project Update
Semi-Annual Housing Report
June 2011 Monthly Financial Report
Quarterly Investment Report
End of Meeting: 8:40 p.m.
Special Study Session, August 15, 2011 – 6:30 p.m.
Tentative Discussion Item
1. 2010 Audit Discussion & Review – Administrative Services (45 minutes)
Review results of the 2010 Audit with the City’s auditor.
End of Meeting: 7:15 p.m.
Meeting Date: July 25, 2011
Agenda Item #: 2
Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance
Presentation Other:
EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other:
Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other:
TITLE:
Prism Dial-A-Ride Program.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The purpose of this report is to inform the Council of Prism’s (People Responding in Social
Ministry) proposal to expand their transportation program to provide door-to-door dial-a-ride
services to all residents of St. Louis Park starting September 1, 2011. No action needed at this
time. Provided Council is interested in moving forward with this proposal, staff will bring the
matter back to the Council for formal consideration at a meeting in August.
POLICY CONSIDERATION:
St. Louis Park is currently served by several transportation programs, each operating
independently. The policy consideration is whether or not the City Council supports adding
Prism’s Dial-a-Ride program to enhance the level of transportation services available for SLP
residents.
BACKGROUND:
Existing transportation programs. Although the existing programs provide valuable and needed
services, program restrictions regarding service areas, ride destinations, age requirements and
inability to serve riders with mobility impairments diminish the flexibility of the programs. The
existing programs serving St. Louis Park residents are described below.
Metro Mobility: Large service area but rider must medically qualify in order to be
eligible. Metro Mobility requires a 2 hour window for scheduling pick-ups. There is no
restriction on ride destination.
Transit Link: A dial-a-ride service for the general public that is intended to serve
individuals where regular bus route service is not available. To be eligible, a rider needs
to be more than ¼ of a mile from a regular bus stop in the winter and ½ a mile in the
summer. ADA-certified riders are eligible for door–to-door service.
STEP Volunteer Program: Medical appointments only and limited to one ride per
week, but will travel to most areas of the metro. Rider must be able to transfer
themselves in and out of car; no wheelchairs but will allow a walker. Service is provided
by volunteer drivers utilizing their own vehicles.
Jewish Family and Children Services (JFCS) Deikel Transportation Program:
Serves individuals over 60 years of age and they must be able to transfer themselves in
and out of car; no wheelchairs or heavy walkers. Also, must be assessed by JFCS Senior
Services for case management service needs. Medical appointments are a priority over
other appointments. Serves Minneapolis area, some restrictions apply.
Private Transportation Providers: Residents always have the option of utilizing taxis
or private health care providers that offer transportation services for a fee.
Study Session Meeting of July 25, 2011 (Item No.2) Page 2
Subject: Prism Dial-A-Ride Program
Who is Prism? Prism is a community funded social service agency that provides families in need
with food, financial assistance, transportation and other services in times of financial hardships.
Programs include a food shelf, financial assistance, school supplies, employment and budget
counseling, home maintenance, referral services and transportation. Their mission is to “To walk
alongside families providing support-based programs that encourages self-sufficiency”.
For over 35 years, the volunteers and staff at Prism have helped families stabilize their
immediate crisis and then continued to work with them; counseling, educating and goal-setting to
empower them to take an active role in their own solutions.
Description of Proposed Prism Service. Transportation services would include services to any
destination in the cities of St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope,
Brooklyn Center and eastern Plymouth. Services would also be provided to public transit stops
connecting riders for travel outside the service area. Funding contributions are requested from
all communities included in the Prism service area. Prism is seeking a contribution from the City
of $10,000 for an initial six month start up period and $20,000 annually thereafter if the Council
decides to continue participation in the program.
Attached is a map of Hennepin County indicating the cities included in Prism’s service area.
Many of the current transportation programs have restrictive service areas and/or destinations
and times of operation. Rider eligibility for the new program will not be restricted by age or
income and will be accessible for mobility impaired riders. Riders will be asked to pay a $3.00
fee per one-way trip and there is no limit on the number of trips taken per week. Prism operates
on a 1 hour pick-up window although the driver will call the rider when he is 10 minutes away.
The vehicles used will be handicapped accessible. The initially planned hours of operation for
this transportation service are Monday through Friday, 8AM to 4PM.
Support for Proposed Program. All existing transportation programs noted on earlier have
expressed their support for Prism’s proposed program, and also indicate that the existing
programs do serve a specific need and that they anticipate continued operation and that they plan
to support and coordinate with each other during periods of high ridership.
Annette Sandler, Family and Children Jewish Services NORC Program, Rita Kach, Lenox
Senior Program, Jackie Olafson, STEP, and Georgia Rowland, Chair of the St. Louis Park
Family Collaborative Transportation Committee, all agree that a dial-a-ride transportation
program with door-to-door service and covering an expanded service area, that does not restrict
ride destinations and one that provides more options for mobility impaired residents would
provide a positive service to the community. In addition, the Park Nicollet Successful Aging
Initiative identified the need for a comprehensive and senior friendly transportation system in the
community to ensure that seniors remain mobile, active and independent.
The Park Nicollet Successful Aging Initiative also identified transportation as one of its five
focus areas for promoting a senior friendly transportation system in the community to ensure that
seniors remain mobile, active and independent.
Next Steps. Based on the community support for creating a dial-a-ride program and the potential
benefits that a flexible transportation program would provide, staff proposes that the Council
approve a $10,000 funding contribution to cover program costs for the period of September 1,
2011 through February 28, 2012. Following the first six months of operation, staff will evaluate
Study Session Meeting of July 25, 2011 (Item No.2) Page 3
Subject: Prism Dial-A-Ride Program
the program’s operation and its ability to serve the transportation needs of St. Louis Park
residents. A determination of whether to continue funding the program for 2012 will be based
on staff’s assessment and Council approval.
Assuming the City Council is comfortable moving forward at this time staff will prepare the
necessary documents for the City to participate in Prism’s dial-a-ride program for the period
covering September 1, 2011 through February 28, 2012. Staff will bring the documents for city
Council approval in August. The agreement will include an option for the City to provide
continued funding for the program for 2012 contingent upon Council approval. Staff will review
the program’s performance following the first six months of operation and provide an update to
the Council and a determination regarding continued funding in February, 2012.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION:
The City’s 2011 budget includes $20,000 in funding for a Dial-a-Ride program.
The amount of the City’s contribution was determined based on community size and the
anticipated number of riders. Based on similar size cities, Prism is estimating that St. Louis Park
will generate approximately 2000 rides annually. Prism was notified this week that they will be
receiving a grant from the Park Nicollet Foundation pending the City’s commitment to fund the
program. The grant will supplement the City’s contribution and revenues generated by rider
fees. Prism will also be applying for Metropolitan Area on Aging funds to supplement program
costs in 2012.
VISION CONSIDERATION:
The need for a variety of transportation modes allowing residents and visitors to easily and
inexpensively travel throughout the city and the entire metro region was identified through the
Visioning process as one of the City’s primary focus areas. Creation of a dial-a-ride program
that expands ridership boundaries is consistent with many of the ideas and goals proposed by the
Visioning Transportation Action Team including:
Creating a superior transportation system,
Alleviate barriers,
Transportation system should strive to be simple, convenient, safe and inexpensive for
everyone,
All the transportation system components and modes should be integrated and designed
to support one another,
Embrace existing and future technology to make transportation more convenient and cost
effective,
Our transportation system is an innovative model for other communities, and
Coordinate with neighboring cities’ transit efforts.
Attachments: None
Prepared by: Michele Schnitker, Housing Supervisor
Reviewed by: Kevin Locke, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Meeting Date: July 25, 2011
Agenda Item #: 3
Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance
Presentation Other:
EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other:
Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other:
TITLE:
Consideration of the Letter Dated July 15, 2011 from Hennepin County Regarding the City’s
Resolution #11-058 and the MN&S EAW Mitigation.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
No recommendation at this time.
POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss how to respond to the July 15, 2011 letter from
Hennepin County Commissioners Peter McLaughlin and Gail Dorfman, to Mayor Jacobs
proposing HCRRA and City staff meet to discuss freight rail.
BACKGROUND:
A copy of the letter is attached. In the letter the County proposes that HCRRA staff and City
Staff meet essentially to identify ways to move forward with freight rail mitigation and
potentially crafting some form of document to formalize an agreement between the County and
the City.
The letter specifically references reviewing the City Resolution (11-058) which updated the
City’s position on freight rail; the “Area C mitigation” items in the MN&S EAW; and, the
reference in MNDOT’s Findings of Facts on the MN&S EAW that “…HCRRA will work with
the City of St. Louis Park and project stakeholders to review and evaluate feasible and prudent
mitigation measures”.
The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss how best to respond to the County’s letter.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION:
Not applicable.
VISION CONSIDERATION:
This item is linked to the City’s Vision Strategic Direction that St. Louis Park is a committed to
being a connected and engaged community. It is also related to the broader Vision elements
about the variety of transportation modes, sidewalk and trails and environmental stewardship.
Attachments: July 15, 2011 Letter from Hennepin County to Mayor Jacobs
Prepared by: Kevin Locke, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study Session Meeting of July 25, 2011 (Item No. 3)
Subject: Consideration of 7/15/11 Ltr from Hennepin Co Re: Res #11-058 and MN&S EAW Mitigation Page 2
Study Session Meeting of July 25, 2011 (Item No. 3)
Subject: Consideration of 7/15/11 Ltr from Hennepin Co Re: Res #11-058 and MN&S EAW Mitigation Page 3
Meeting Date: July 25, 2011
Agenda Item #: 4
Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance
Presentation Other:
EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other:
Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other:
TITLE:
Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Not Applicable.
POLICY CONSIDERATION:
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND:
At every Study Session, verbal communications will take place between staff and Council for the
purpose of information sharing.
FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION:
Not Applicable.
VISION CONSIDERATION:
Not Applicable.
Attachments: None
Prepared and Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager