HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/05/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular /1CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
5T. LOurs
RK CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
MAY 7,2007
1. Call to Order
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan
Sanger and Loran Paprocki.
Councilmembers absent: C. Paul Carver
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Community
Development Director (Mr. Locke), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), TSS Director (Mr. Pires),
Broadband Coordinator (Mr. Landis), Asst. Zoning Administration (Mr. Mornson), Finance
Director (Mr. DeJong), Fire Chief(Mr. Stemmer), Battalion Chief(Mr. Dobesh), Chief of Police
(Mr. Luse), Deputy Chief (Mr. DiLorenzo), Community Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and
Recording Secretary(Ms. Schmidt).
Guests: Mark Ruff, Ehlers &Associates and Scott Millar, Columbia Telecommunications, Inc.
2. Presentations
2a. Caring Youth Day Proclamation
Mayor Jacobs read proclamation for St. Louis Park Caring Youth Day on May 8, 2007
stating it will be hosting its 18th annual community celebration in recognizing young
people. Mayor Jacobs stated it was the creation of the Westwood Lutheran Church and
Roland and Doris Larson and is now planned by representatives of several community
organizations.
2b. Life Time Fitness Certificate of Appreciation
Mayor Jacobs presented Life Time Fitness a Certificate of Appreciation for their
dedication and lifesaving efforts with the use of AED on March 6, 2007. Mayor Jacobs
stated because of the quick action of staff and having lifesaving equipment available Mr.
William Recker is alive today. Mr. Dobesh presented the certificate to Chris Schultheis,
General Manager of St. Louis Park Life Time Fitness. Mr. Recker presented pins and
certificates from Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) to the rescuers, Yvette
Peters, employee who initiated CPR; Dustin Greenig, employee who applied AED; Fire
Chief Dobesh and Firefighters Hugo Searle and Robert Hampton.
2c. File of Life Day Proclamation
Mayor Jacobs read proclamation for File of Life Day on June 12, 2007. Mayor Jacobs
stated the File of Life program provides citizens with a means to disclose vital personal
data and personal contacts via a magnetic folder and placed visibly on the outside of their
refrigerator. Fire Chief Stemmer explained it would be unveiled during their open house
on June 12, 2007.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- May 7, 2007
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. City Council Minutes of April 9, 2007
It was noted on page 5, the seventh paragraph, fourth sentence should state: "... work to
be done and for the further improvements that could and should be done." improvements
that could and should be made.
The minutes were approved as amended.
3b. Study Session Minutes of April 9, 2007
It was noted on page 2, the first paragraph, first sentence should state: "... suggested the
Mixed Blood partnership."
The minutes were approved as amended.
3c. City Council Minutes of April 16, 2007
The minutes were approved as presented.
3d. Study Session Minutes of April 16, 2007
It was noted on page 2, the ninth paragraph, second sentence should state: "... line of site
or the overall visual clutter along roadways."
It was noted on page 3, the third paragraph, first sentence should state: "... locating the
solar panels because of the tree issue."
The minutes were approved as amended.
3e. Study Session Minutes of April 23, 2007
It was noted on page 3, the seventh paragraph should state: "Councilmember Paprocki
stated he felt Duke has been responsive to Council's requests, but is still concerned with
the TIF."
It was noted on page 3, the ninth paragraph, third sentence should state: "... suggesting
the City possibly purchase a portion if a public need is identified."
The minutes were approved as amended.
4. Approval of Agenda and hems 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
appropnate section of the regular agenda for discussion.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- May 7, 2007
4a. Motion to approve Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2329-07 Amending Chapter
3 of the St. Louis Park City Code concerning Alcoholic Beverages and relating to
administrative penalties, window signage limitations, distance restrictions; and
approving the ordinance summary and authonzing publication.
4b. Motion to approve Resolution No. 07-055 approving relocation of Polling
Locations for Precincts 3 and 4 located in Ward 1.
4c. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 07-056 authorizing award of the 2007 St Louis
Park Arts and Culture Grants.
4d. Motion to approve ownership transfer of current liquor license for Leeann Chin,
Inc., DBA Chin's Asia Fresh at 8332 Highway 7, Suite 333.
4e. Motion to approve Resolution No. 07-057 for the 2007 Neighborhood Grants.
4f. Bid Tabulation: Motion to designate G.F. Jedlicki, Inc. as the lowest responsible
bidder and authonze execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of
$817,414.75 for Drainage Improvement Project — Dakota Park Area Drainage
Improvements, City Project No. 2003-1300.
4g. Bid Tabulation: Motion to designate Hardnves, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder
and authonze execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of
$1,792,999.55 for the 2007 Local Street Improvement Project— City Project No.
2006-1000, 2006-1100, and 2007-1400.
4h. Motion to accept for filing Fire Civil Service Commission Minutes February 5,
2007.
4i. Motion to accept for filing Vendor Claims.
It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to
approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar.
The motion passed 6-0.
5. Boards and Commissions -None
6. Public Hearings
6a. First Reading of an Ordinance Vacating a Portion of a drainage and Utility
Easement for 2535, 2545 Huntington Avenue and 2540 France Avenue.
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
No speakers present.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to
approve Case No 07-17-VAC, the first reading of an ordinance vacating a portion of a
drainage and utility easement for 2535, 2545 Huntington Avenue and 2540 France
Avenue; and to set second reading for May 21, 2007.
The motion passed 6-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -4- May 7, 2007
6b. First Reading of an Ordinance Vacating a Portion of a drainage and Utility
Easement for 4131 Webster Avenue.
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
No speakers present.
Councilmember Basill thanked staff for working with the applicant and their work done.
It was moved by Councilmember Basall, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve
Case No.: 07-14-VAC, the first reading of an ordinance vacating a portion of a drainage
and utility easement for 4131 Webster Avenue, and to set second reading for May 21,
2007.
The motion passed 6-0.
7. Requests, Petitions and Communications from the Public—None
8. Resolutions,Ordinances,Motions and Discussion Items
8a. Resolution to Accept Bids for General Obligation Utility Revenue Bonds
Resolution No. 07-053
Mr. DeJong presented the staff report.
Mr. Ruff, Ehlers & Associates, stated Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc. was awarded the bid.
Mr. Ruff stated the interest rates are about 35 percent less than they had anticipated.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked how much the City saved by getting it for 35 basis
points less. Mr. Ruff stated just under$100,000.
It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Basall, to
approve Resolution No.07-053 awarding the sale of $3,655,000 General Obligation
Utility Revenue Bonds, Series 2007A.
The motion passed 6-0
8b. Project Report: Minnetonka Boulevard Trail Construction,
Project No. 2004-0302 Resolution No. 07-054
Mr. Olson presented the staff report.
Councilmember Omodt asked if the County would be removing the existing bike lane.
Mr. Olson stated it would remain.
Councilmember Omodt asked if the trail would tie into the regional trail. Mr. Brink
stated there would be a trail on the east side of the bndge, connecting the Minnetonka
Boulevard path to the Hutchinson Spur Regional Trail.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- May 7, 2007
Councilmember Omodt asked if the removed trees would be replaced in accordance to
the City's tree replacement policy. Mr. Olson stated they would be meeting with the
homeowners to see if they would like tree replacement or compensation.
Councilmember Omodt asked if the regional trail would remain open while the bridge
was being replaced. Mr. Olson stated they've established a detour route, stating they
wouldn't be able to go under the bridge.
Mayor Jacobs asked when the project would start. Mr. Olson stated between August and
October.
It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt
Resolution No. 07-054, establishing and ordering Improvement Project No. 2004-0302,
approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids
The motion passed 6-0.
8c. Public Safety Communications Van
Chief of Police Luse presented the staff report.
It was moved by Councilmember Omodt, seconded by Councilmember Basill, to approve
the agreement between the cities of Golden Valley and St. Louis Park for the shared
purchase, operation and maintenance of the Public Safety Communications Van and
authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign the agreement.
The motion passed 6-0
8d. Park WiFi Wireless Internet Service Project
Mr. Pires presented the staff report.
Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing.
Marcy Joseph, 2847 Toledo Avenue South, stated she supports the poles and solar panels
and hopes the City moves forward on the project.
Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing.
Mayor Jacobs asked if he was correct in stating forty or so would be problematic out of
the four hundred. Mr. Pires stated about half of the panels could go at intersections and
of the remaining two hundred, about forty would need more significant field tweaking to
make them more attractive. Other poles would be at lot lines. Mr. Pires also stated that
they have received positive feedback on the project.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated based on the information given, terminating the
project wouldn't make sense because the City has already incurred most of the cost.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- May 7, 2007
Councilmember Sanger stated she is very supportive of the project. She stated the
complaint calls she received, half were the resident's concern with the specific placement
of a particular pole, half of those were concerned with the overall clutter. She stated
however, they were still in support of WiFi.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Paprocki to
authorize staff to go forward with Option 2, with the redesign principals that Mr. Pires
has outlined in the staff report.
Mayor Jacobs asked Mr. Pires if they needed to pick a particular option. Mr. Pires stated
the recommended Options are 3a and 3b, which would provide for a taller height pole,
stating it's not a very attractive option. He stated Option 2 seems to be the favored
option, requesting that Council provide staff the latitude for technical reasons only, in
places where it may be more challenging to use a taller pole.
Councilmember Sanger said the intent of her motion was to allow some flexibility.
Councilmember Basill asked about the option range. Mr. Pires stated that the $750,000
option would require them to stop and rebid the project. Among the options that are
under consideration now, the low would be about $140,000 plus technical costs to install
a taller pole and the high end would be Option 3b, which would translate to about
$330,000.
Councilmember Basill asked if the amount should be more defined in the motion.
Councilmember Sanger stated she didn't think it would possible to define it more at this
point.
Councilmember Paprocki stated the $750,000 option has a color change and height
change on all the options, instead of changing the height where it's needed. Mayor
Jacobs stated it should be emphasized where it's needed as opposed to where it's wanted.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated that changing the color on all the poles is
approximately $140,000 and moving it 5 to 10 feet really shouldn't cost more. He
additionally stated a contingency amount of $300,000 was set aside for unanticipated
items. He went on to state that in the study session it was stated there was $200,000 in
savings from the customer gateways.
Councilmember Paprocki stated the City is already invested in the project for capital
already spent. He stated what they are talking about spending is the contingency that the
City has already set aside. Mr. Pires stated going with the variation of Option 2, would
actually be below the contingency amount.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if Broadband Coordinator Frank Landis would be
going out to meet with the property owners on pole placement locations. Mr. Pires stated
yes, it is part of the process going forward, so they don't have to stop the project again.
Councilmember Paprocki stated that the best thing for the City today is to go ahead.
Councilmember Sanger stated there has been some mention of dropping the project. She
stated even though she had had complaints on pole and panel placement, there is still a lot
of strong support in the WiFi project.
Council Meeting Minutes -7- May 7, 2007
Mayor Jacobs stated this is the part of the project they need to get right.
Councilmember Basill explained his vote, stating he is a supporter of WiFi, but he was
more in favor of private risk, where the risk was on the private market versus the City or
taxpayers.
Councilmember Omodt stated he would be abstaining on the vote because of a conflict of
interest.
The 'motion passed 4-1-1 (Councilmember Omodt abstained; Councilmember Basill
opposed).
9. Communications
Mayor Jacobs thanked staff and homeowners for opening their homes for the housing and
remodeling tour; he also thanked the Park and Recreation staff along with the Police Department
for hosting the Fun Run. He stated there would be an Ice Cream Social at Wolf Park on May
20`h from 2:00 — 5:00 and a park bench dedication at 2:30 honoring James L. Rhodes. He went
on to state the Pedal for People event would be June 3`d at 9.00 a.m. at the Wolf Park
Amphitheater. Mayor Jacobs stated the Bookmark in the Park Committee would have its third
annual meeting May 16th at 4:00 in the Westwood Room at City Hall.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Nancy Stroth,City Clerk Jeff Ja¢obs/M t or
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