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Home My WebLink About2007/12/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 17,2007 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: None Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Community Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), HR Director & Deputy City Manager (Ms. Gohman), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Police Chief (Mr. Luse), Senior Planner(Mr. Walther) and Recording Secretary(Ms. Schmidt). 2. Presentations 2a. Bernice Cowl Gordon Proclamation Mayor Jacobs declared December 21, 2007 `Bernice Cowl Gordon Day" and presented Proclamation to Bernice Cowl for her outstanding contributions, dedicated service and support to the St. Louis Park community and its people. He further stated that she was recently named one of ten Minnesotans to receive the Virginia McKnight Binger Humanitarian Award for Human Service. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a., Joint City Council/School Board Minutes November 27,2007 The minutes were approved as presented. 3b. Study Session Minutes November 13, 2007 It was noted on page two, item #2,-the second paragraph, fourth sentence should state: "Councilmember Finkelstein agreed with Councilmember Sanger." It was noted on page three, item #4, the third paragraph, should state: "The majority of Council agreed that staff should continue..." The minutes were approved as amended. 3c. Study Session Minutes November 26, 2007 It was noted on page four, item#4, the fourth paragraph, fourth sentence should state: "... finding housing in smaller houses and..." ' The minutes were approved as amended. 3d. City Council Minutes December 3,2007 The minutes were approved as presented. City Council Meeting -2- December 17, 2007 3e. Study Session Minutes December 10,2007 The minutes were approved as presented. 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. 4a. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 07-155, authorizing award of the 2008 St. Louis Park Arts and Culture Grants. 4b. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 07-156, accepting the equipment replacement schedule budgeted for 2008 and authorize staff to acquire equipment as allowed by statute, charter or ordinance. 4c. Motion to approve Resolution No. 07-157, authorizing renewal of gambling premises permit for Hopkins Raspberry Festival Association, Inc., operating at Al's Bar, 3912 Excelsior Boulevard. 4d. Motion to approve a contract in the amount of$60,000.00 with Ostvig Tree, Inc. for 2008 tree pruning(trimming). 4e. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 07-158, authorizing final payment in the amount of $3,557.77 for alley paving in the 2900 block Raleigh/Salem Avenues — City Project No. 2007-2900 with Standard Sidewalk, Inc., City Contract No. 31-07. 4f. Motion to approve Amendment No. 2 to DNR Flood Mitigation Grant Agreement A48775/A88026 as drafted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, dated December 5, 2007. 4g. Motion to approve Change Order No. 1 and No. 2 to Contract No. 51-07 — 2007 MSA Street Rehabilitation Project—City Project No. 2006-1101 and 2006-1102. 4h. Motion to approve Change Orders No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 to Contract No. 52-06 - Lake Street Reconstruction Project—City Project No. 2006-0100 and 2005-1101. 4i. Motion to authorize staff to solicit proposals for residential recycling collection services and residential refuse & yard waste collection services for the period of October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2013. 4j. Motion to approve Resolution No. 07-159, awarding $2,000 to St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts to provide on-site arts instruction and activities to residents at Hamilton House. 4k. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 07-160, authorizing the fund equity transfers and fund closings. 41. Motion to approve for filing Housing Authority Minutes November 14, 2007. 4m. Motion to approve for filing Planning Commission Minutes November 7, 2007. 4n. Motion to approve for filing Vendor Claims. It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed 7-0. City Council Meeting -3- December 17, 2007 5. Boards and Commissions 5a. Appointment of Board and Commission Members It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to appoint the following citizen representatives to fill vacancies on Boards and Commissions: Name Commission Term Expiration David Dyer Telecommunications Advisory Commission 12/31/2008 Helen Fu Human Rights Commission 12/31/2008 Joan Barnes Police Advisory Commission 12/31/2009 Dalton Shaughnessy Human Rights Commission (youth member) 08/31/2008 5b. Reappointment of Board and Commission Members It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to reappoint the following Commissioners as city representatives to respective Boards and Commissions: Name Commission Term Expiration Ryan Burt Board of Zoning Appeals 12/31/2010 Paul Roberts Board of Zoning Appeals 12/31/2010 David Lee Fire Civil Service 12/31/2010 Sharon Lyon Human Rights Commission 12/31/2010 Ahmed Maaraba Human Rights Commission 12/31/2010 Shelley Taylor Human Rights Commission 12/31/2010 George Hagemann Parks &Recreation Advisory Commission 12/31/2010 Kirk Hawkinson Parks &Recreation Advisory Commission 12/31/2010 Lauren Webb-Hazlett Parks &Recreation Advisory Commission 08/31/2008 (youth member) Lynne Carper Planning Commission 12/31/2010 Dennis Morris Planning Commission 12/31/2010 James Smith, Jr. Police Advisory Commission 12/31/2010 Hans Widmer Police Advisory Commission 12/31/2010 Rick Dworsky Telecommunications Advisory Commission 12/31/2010 Dale Hartman Telecommunications Advisory Commission 12/31/2010 6. Public Hearings -None 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None City Council Meeting -4- December 17, 2007 8. Resolutions, Ordinances,Motions and Discussion Items Mayor Jacobs requested Council address item 8d prior to item 8a. 8d. Minor Amendment to a Final Planned Unit Development — Methodist Hospital Campus. Resolution No. 07-165 Mr. Walther presented the staff report. Robert Riesselman, Methodist Hospital, 6500 Excelsior Boulevard, stated stewardship was one of their values and their proposal included working with the neighborhood in which they were able to propose a solution that minimizes impact, protects the wetlands, safe for pilots and works for patients. John Hoisve, 3945 Dakota Avenue South, stated he was attending to voice support for the proposed heliport. He also thanked the City for allowing neighborhood involvement. Mayor Jacobs thanked Park Nicollet and the neighborhood for their partnership in working to provide a win-win solution. Councilmember Basill thanked the neighborhood and Park Nicollet for their collaborated solution and saving Council hours of negotiations. It was moved by Councilmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt Resolution No. 07-165, regarding the Planned Unit Development Minor Amendment for the Methodist Hospital Campus at 6500 Excelsior Boulevard, subject to conditions. The motion passed 7-0 8a. Resolutions adopting the 2008 Budget, Property Tax, and HRA Levy. Resolution No. 07-161 and 07-162 Mr. DeJong presented the staff report. It was moved by Councilmember Carver, seconded by Councilmember Basill, to adopt Resolution No. 07-161, approving the Budget for 2008 and approving the 2007 Property Tax Levy collectible in 2008 and adopting Resolution No. 07-162, authorizing the HRA levy for 2008. Councilmember Carver addressed some issues that have been brought to their attention at the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing. He explained the process involved in order to keep the City operating in a manner acceptable by the community. He stated Council and staff had discussion on property taxes for fixed income residents. He also stated another concern brought to their attention was the City's foreclosures and if there was any impact looming. Councilmember Carver stated that foreclosures in St. Louis Park were slightly up compared to the region, they were nowhere close to the region as a whole. Councilmember Carver went on to state that the foreclosures happening in St. Louis Park were not sitting empty, reminding everyone that location, location, location is a large benefit. He further reminded everyone that in 2003 the State discontinued City funding and that discrepancy caused the City tax portion to increase. Councilmember Sanger suggested seniors on fixed incomes contact the State Department of Revenue regarding programs available for tax relief. City Council Meeting -5- December 17, 2007 Councilmember Paprocki stated in maintaining infrastructure, the quality of staff, keeping equipment up to date, and future planning are all ways in which the City spends money wisely. Councilmember Finkelstein also noted that this budget was lower that the original proposed tax increase was 6 percent. The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Resolution Adopting the 2008-2012 Capital Improvements Program. Resolution No. 07-163 Mr. DeJong presented the staff report. It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt Resolution No. 07-163, adopting the 2008-2012 Capital Improvements Program. Councilmember Paprocki reminded everyone that items such as roads, sewers and telephones are the types of items in the Capital Improvement Program. Mayor Jacobs stated that they, as Councilmembers, make the decisions to take care of things that the community relies on everyday. The motion passed 7-0. 8c. Resolution Setting Utility Rates. Resolution No. 07-164 Mr. DeJong presented the staff report. Councilmember Finkelstein noted that some of the fees were fees that come directly from the utility providers. Councilmember Sanger stated that the fees are set to reflect the actual cost of providing the services, not something the City makes money off of. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Carver, to adopt Resolution No.07-164,setting utility rates. The motion passed 7-0. 8d. Minor Amendment to a Final Planned Unit Development — Methodist Hospital Campus. (Council addressed earlier in agenda.) City Council Meeting -6- December 17, 2007 8e. Contract for Private Redevelopment-Duke Realty Limited Partnership. Resolution No. 07-166 Mr. Hunt presented the staff report. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt Resolution No. 07-166, approving the Contract for Private Redevelopment between the EDA, City, and Duke Realty Limited Partnership. The motion passed 7-0. 8f. Tobacco License Violation Penalties. Ms. Gohman presented the staff report. It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt first reading of ordinance amendments to Chapter 8, Subdivision X, Sec. 8-378 of the St. Louis Park Municipal Code concerning tobacco license violation penalties and setting second reading for January 7, 2008. The motion passed 7-0. 8g. Resolution declaring ARINC, INC in default of its obligations under the Contract. Resolution No. 07-167 Mr. Harmening presented the staff report. Councilmember Sanger stated the City went into the contract with the best intentions in promoting the vision of having a connective community. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt Resolution No. 07-167, declaring ARINC, INC in default of city wireless broadband network contract. Councilmember Omodt stated he would be abstaining on the WiFi vote. Councilmember Paprocki commended Mr. Pires and staff for their relentless efforts in trying to make the project work. Mayor Jacobs stated it was very disappointing. Mr. Harmemng clarified that for those in the community using the pilot program, the service would continue. He also stated that this action did not mean the City was stopping discussions with ARINC, stating they would still be having discussions regarding the contract. Councilmember Carver stated it was too early to eulogize the wireless project and stated they would still be striving toward WiFi connectivity. The motion passed 6-1. Councilmember Omodt abstained. City Council Meeting -7- December 17, 2007 8h. Resolution approving 2008 compensation. Resolution No. 07-168 Ms. Gohman presented the staff report. It,,was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Carver, to adopt Resolution No.07-168, confirming a 3% general increase for non-union employees, not including the City Manager at this time, continuing the Volunteer Firefighter Benefit Program and also increasing Performance Program Pay for Paid-on-Call Firefighters by 3%for 2008. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs wished the community a Happy Holiday Season. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. .14 Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jef Jas Mayor