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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/10/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular (1f St. Louis Park UNOFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 5, 2009 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: John Basill and C. Paul Carver. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Parks and Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Housing Program Coordinator (Ms. Larsen), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Gohman) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Russo) Guests: Allison Madsen, Sunset Ridge Condominium Association Board Member and Guy Nowlan, Hennepin County. 2. Presentations - None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of September 8, 2009 The minutes were approved as presented. 3b. City Council Study Session Minutes of September 14, 2009 Councilmember Omodt requested a change on Page 4, first paragraph to read, "He also expressed that the city should not use housing funds for parking lots." Councilmember Finkelstein requested an addition to Page 5, second paragraph to include his request that City Council start receiving a written "City Update Report" from the Community Development Department on a quarterly or bi-annual basis. The minutes were approved as amended. 3c. City Council Special Study Session Minutes of September 21, 2009 The minutes were approved as presented. City Council Meeting -2- October 5, 2009 3d. City Council Special Canvassing Meeting of September 21, 2009 The minutes were approved as presented. 3e. City Council Meeting of September 21, 2009 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. Adopt Resolution No. 09-125 to identify elected and appointed officials as "employees" for the purposes of worker's compensation coverage 4b. Approve an Encroachment Agreement at 1600 West End Boulevard for Temporary Private Use of Public Land for outdoor dining 4c. Approve change orders to Contract 79-09 MSC Renovation Project No. 2008-1900 4d. Approve for Filing Vendor Claims 4e. Accept for Filing Telecommunications Advisory Commission Minutes May 7, 2009 4f. Accept for Filing Charter Commission Minutes March 11, 2009 4g. Accept for Filing Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes July 30, 2009 It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Paprocki, to approve the Agenda as presented and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 5-0. 5. Boards and Commissions 5a. Reappointment of Citizen Representatives to Boards and Commissions It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to reappoint Kristin Piper and Robert Malooly as citizen representatives to rhe Community Education Advisory Commission for new terms ending June 30, 2012. The motion passed 5-0. Mayor Jacobs thanked everyone who serves on city boards, stating their service is much appreciated. City Council Meeting -3- October 5, 2009 6. Public Hearings 6a. Public Hearing— Liquor License— Noodles & Company Ms. Gohman presented the staff report stating the City received the application from The Noodle Shop Company—Colorado, Inc. dba Noodles & Company for on-sale wine and 3.2 malt liquor licenses. Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Paprocki, to approve application from The Noodle Shop, Co. — Colorado Inc. doing business as Noodles & Company for on-sale wine and 3.2 malt liquor licenses to be located at 5326 16th Street West with the license term through March 1, 2010. The motion passed 5-0. 6b. Public Hearing to Consider Ordinance Modifying 2010 Compensation of the Mayor and City Councilmembers. Ms. Gohman presented the staff report stating a 5% salary reduction to the Mayor and Councilmembers would be implemented. Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. Councilmember Sanger stated due to the tightening budget she feels it is only appropriate for the City Council to incur a wage decrease. Mayor Jacobs agreed expressing the appropriateness in the decrease wage during this economic time as city staff has also been asked to accept wage freezes and decreases. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to Adopt the First Reading of an Ordinance modifying Mayor and City Councilmember 2010 compensation, and set second reading for October 19, 2009. The motion passed 5-0. 6c. Public Hearing on Sunset Ridge Condominium Association's Housing Improvement Area (HIA). Resolution No. 09-126 Ms. Larsen presented the staff report regarding establishing the proposed HIA for Sunset Ridge Condominiums. City Council Meeting -4- October 5, 2009 Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. Allison Madsen, Sunset Ridge Condominium Homeowners Association Board Member, thanked the City Council for their time and consideration on this project. She also thanked Councilmembers Paprocki and Finkelstein for touring the area during one of the coldest days last year. Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. Councilmember Sanger congratulated the Sunset Ridge Condominium Association and thanked them for all of their hard work. She noted that even though this is a larger HIA loan than previous HIA loans, it would be consistent with the city's housing goals to preserve affordable housing in the community. She also views the improvements as being necessary, mentioning if not done there would be further deterioration of 240 units. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt Resolution No. 09-126 approving terms of financing arrangements for the Sunset Ridge Condominium Association Housing Improvement Area pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 428A.11 to 428A.21; and to adopt First Reading of an ordinance establishing the Sunset Ridge Condominium Association Housing Improvement Area pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 428A.11 to 428A.21 and to set Second Reading for October 19, 2009. Councilmember Paprocki stated he wasn't originally in favor of the project due to issues that contributed to a lack of maintenance. He expressed being impressed by the current association leadership and the work they have done, as well as staff's diligence in establishing a very sound method of funding, as reasons why he is now in favor. He stressed caution to other city associations the importance of maintaining their properties. Councilmember Finkelstein stated he was also concerned with the large loan amount for this project. He felt that viewing the actual conditions of the units, and the scope of changes done by the new association board, as causes for his approval. He noted some changes included reducing the loan amount in question by $750,000, the addition of contracting with an owner's representative, using vinyl windows, and a change in the financing that would use bond proceeds rather than city development funds. He stated he applauds the association for all of their efforts. The motion passed 5-0. 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None City Council Meeting -5- October 5, 2009 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Excelsior Blvd Roadway Improvement and Streetscape Project Approvals - Project No. 2004-0420. Resolution No. 09-127 and 09-128 Mr. Brink presented the staff report reviewing background information and aerial views of the project. He also reviewed costs and funding, project timeline, and the remaining tasks. Councilmember Finkelstein expressed his concerns with the closure time to Excelsior Blvd Mr. Guy Nowlan, Hennepin County, stated the County has added provisions to the contract, referred to as liquidated damages, stating the contractor has a July 2, 2010 (two weeks earlier than the original date) deadline. The provision allows the contractor to determine and provide methods of construction to include longer workdays, working seven days per week, providing additional workers, and additional equipment. The provision will include liquidated damages for failure to complete work on time. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if there are any future anticipated times of closure to Excelsior Blvd. after this project is completed. Mr. Nowlan stated the County currently has no future anticipated times of closure after this project is done. Councilmember Sanger questioned what the detour routes would be during the construction. Mr. Nowlan replied the detours would include the overall use of Highway 169, I-394, Highway 100, and County Road 3 (East and West). Mayor Jacobs stated his concerns regarding the area being well signed during the construction. He questioned if buses have been notified in regard to the change in routes Mr. Nowlan indicated Metro Transit is currently determining route adjustments. Councilmember Finkelstein stated Councilmember Basil! had recommended meeting with neighborhoods and businesses to address ways to prevent cut through traffic during the construction period. Councilmember Paprocki expressed his concerns about traffic that would be created on Minnetonka Boulevard. He questioned the routing of traffic around and through the hospital. Mr. Brink stated immediate traffic concerns would most likely surface once the construction and closures occur. He explained some details would have to be addressed then, as the traffic may react differently than expected. Traffic would be monitored and busing concerns addressed to continue through the area. Signs would be installed throughout the area as well to facilitate safety. City Council Meeting -6- October 5, 2009 Mr. Nowlan added that there would be weekly Project Engineer meetings with the contractor to address changes that need to be made. Progress reporting and traffic issues would be resolved at these meetings It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt Resolution No. 09-127 approving project and entering into a Construction Cooperative Agreement with Hennepin County for Excelsior Boulevard Roadway Improvement and Streetscape Project, City Project No. 2004-0420, and authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute the Agreement; and to adopt Resolution No. 09-128 approving the donation of city owned parcels for right of way and easement purposes to Hennepin County for the Excelsior Boulevard Roadway Improvement and Streetscape Project, City Project No. 2004-0420. The motions passed 5-0. 8b. Urban Reforestation Program Policy. Ms. Walsh presented the staff report, reviewing the proposal and stating the major emphasis is on replacing trees lost in the city over the previous years. She stated the program proposes to plant 300-400 trees each year using the excess land sale proceeds to supplement the current CIP funds. Mayor Jacobs thanked the League of Women Voters for its email supporting this program. Councilmember Sanger stated this is a wonderful use of the funds that would benefit the neighborhoods, community and environment. Mayor Jacobs thanked the staff for their work on this program noting he feels it is a perfect fit for the excess funds, adding the trees would leave a lasting legacy within the community. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve the Urban Reforestation Program and Policy using the land sale proceeds to pay for the cost of implementing the program The motion passed 5-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs reported that the Wooddale Fire Station would host a Community Fire Department Open House on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. He also wished Councilmember Basill much fun at the Vikings Football game this evening City Council Meeting -7- October 5, 2009 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.-TY?0/Pt-e ,d5t6N / rr , Nancy Stroth, eity Clerk Jeff Jaco. , Mayor