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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/07/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular f/fSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JULY 6, 2009 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 (arrived at 7:32 p.m.), Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: C. Paul Carver. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Inspections Director (Mr. Hoffman) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). 2. Presentations - None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. Study Session Minutes June 8, 2009 3b. Closed Executive Session Minutes June 15, 2009 3c. Special Study Session Minutes June 15, 2009 3d. City Council Minutes June 15, 2009 3e. Study Session Minutes June 22, 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. 09-085 authorizing the Fire Chief to submit a Grant Application to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Construction Grants and for the City to administer the grant funding and act as the fiscal agent for the formula funds. 4b. Adopt Resolution No. 09-086 authorizing the City Manager to accept a grant award from the Park Nicollet Foundation and to administer the grant funding and act as the fiscal agent for the City. City Council Meeting -2- July 6, 2009 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 09-087 accepting a donation from NORC in the amount of $5,000 for purchase and distribution of File of Life materials for the Fire Department. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 09-088 ordering the abatement of the hazardous excavation condition located at 3505 Texas Avenue South. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 09-089 establishing a special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 2951 Rhode Island Avenue South. 4f. Designate Ron Kassa Construction, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $219,653.75 for the 2009 Random Concrete Repair Project — Project No. 2009-0003, 2009-0004, and 2009- 0006. 4g. Designate Allied Blacktop Company the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $294,202.49 for street maintenance project (sealcoat streets—Area 1 — Project No. 2009-0001). 4h. Designate G.L. Contracting, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of$67,566.50 for sanitary sewer project—lift station No. 17 and forcemain rehabilitation— Project No. 2009-2300. 4i. Designate Valley Paving, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of$143,732.25 for W. 36th Street at Park Center Boulevard— Project No. 2009-2101. 4j. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract 69-08 providing additional services for the Park Place Boulevard Reconstruction Project, Project No. 2007-1101. 4k. Adopt Resolution No. 09-090 accepting the Active Living, Sidewalks and Trails Plan. 41. Adopt Resolution No. 09-091 accepting the Park Place Boulevard Corridor Planning Study. 4m. Adopt Resolution No. 09-092 accepting the Minnetonka Boulevard Design Plan. 4n. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract #073-09 to reduce the fee payable for services from $494,000 to $394,000 for the design work on the MSC Expansion/Renovation Project 2008-1900. 4o. Approve for Filing Vendor Claims. 4p. Approve for Filing Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes October 23, 2008. 4q. Approve for Filing Planning Commission Minutes May 6, 2009. 4r. Approve for Filing Police Advisory Commission Minutes May 6, 2009. 4s. Approve for Filing Planning Commission Minutes May 20, 2009. Mr. Harmening requested the addition of one agenda item, item 6b, public hearing and resolution authorizing issuance, sale and delivery of educational facility revenue notes (Groves Academy Project), Series 2009. It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to approve the Agenda, as amended, and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 6-0. City Council Meeting -3- July 6, 2009 5. Boards and Commissions 5a. Reappointment of Citizen Representative to Boards and Commissions It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to reappoint Commissioner Justin Kaufman as a city representative to the Housing Authority for a new term expiring on June 30, 2014. The motion passed 6-0. Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to all the residents who serve on the City's various boards and commissions. He added the City appreciates all of the time and energy that residents put into making St. Louis Park a better place to live and work. 6. Public Hearings 6a. Public Hearing and Resolution Authorizing Issuance, Sale, and Delivery of Educational Facility Revenue Notes (Groves Academy Project), Series 2009 Resolution No. 09-093 Mr. DeJong stated this is a public hearing for the issuance of private activity revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,500,000. He indicated Groves Academy has completed the necessary planning and zoning processes to allow them to expand their facility and is looking to the City to issue the bonds in order to save them interest financing costs. He stated the bonds are not obligations of the City in any respect and are payable solely from revenues of Groves Academy. He added Groves Academy will also pay a fee of 1/8th of one percent in two semi-annual payments to the City based on the amount of bonds outstanding each year. Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. No speakers present. Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Basill, to adopt Resolution No. 09-093 Authorizing the Issuance, Sale, and Delivery of its Educational Facility Revenue Notes (Groves Academy Project), Series 2009;Approving the Form of and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of the Notes and the Related Documents; and Providing for the Security, Rights, and Remedies with respect to the Notes. The motion passed 6-0. 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public— None City Council Meeting -4- July 6, 2009 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. RBH Investments — Rezoning from High-Density Multiple-Family Residence (RC) to Office (0) Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report and stated the applicant is requesting to rezone the property located at 2460 State Highway 100 from RC to 0; this zoning change would make the property consistent with the comprehensive plan and the current use of the property. She stated the rezoning would allow the applicant to increase the amount of signage allowed from 80 square feet to 200 square feet in the Office district. She added the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this matter and recommended approval. Councilmember Sanger asked if the property owner intends to make any other changes to the property other than increasing the amount of signage allowed. Ms. McMonigal stated this request was triggered by the applicant's interest in increasing the signage as well as staff's discovery that the use is currently inconsistent with the comprehensive plan. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Paprocki, to adopt First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the St. Louis Park Ordinance Code Changing Boundaries of Zoning Districts, 2460 State Highway 100 South (High-Density Multiple- Family Residence (RC) District to Office (0) District) and to set Second Reading for July 20, 2009. The motion passed 6-0. 8b. Bid Tabulation Municipal Service Center Expansion/Renovation — Project No. 2008-1900 Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report and stated the Municipal Service Center (MSC) was originally constructed in 1971 with an additional storage bay constructed in 1986. As there have been no significant renovations to the building; the facility has begun to show many operational and code deficiencies. He explained that staff has been working with Oertel Architects to design the MSC renovations and staff believes this effort has resulted in a very efficient and practical renovation plan that will meet the City's needs for the foreseeable future and that fully utilizes the site. He stated the project will also allow for temporary use by the Fire Department during the reconstruction of both fire stations. He presented the architect's rendering of the new service center and stated the park area is also being reconstructed to allow for a large storm water containment and treatment pond on the property, resulting in a significant environmental improvement. He stated the park will also get a new parking lot and path going to the creek for canoe landing, which will promote the area as a creek landing and take-off point. He further explained the site will include new underground fuel storage tanks, relocation and reuse of the salt storage building, office expansion, an additional vehicle maintenance bay, expanded vehicle storage bay for dump City Council Meeting -5- July 6, 2009 trucks and plows, as well as a vehicle wash bay on the south side. He stated the project will also include renovating the existing building to comply with ADA requirements. He stated one of the goals of the project includes "green" construction components, i.e., improving the storm water quality, having a LEED certifiable design, high R-value roof insulation, ventilation system, heat recovery unit, use of sustainable materials, reuse of materials, and recycling construction materials. He stated the project is permit ready and if the project is awarded, shell completion will be completed by winter, with final completion in spring 2010. Councilmember Finkelstein stated this has been a difficult process and while there are good reasons to move forward with the project, he felt it would be better policy to re-bid the project. He stated he would not be supporting approval of the project. Councilmember Paprocki stated it is unfortunate that the original price estimate received from the architect was so far out of line, considering how tight the bids were. He stated the current facility is deficient in a lot of ways and the renovations are needed. He stated re- bidding and re-designing the project will require expenditure of additional time and money, without a marked improvement in the outcome, and he is in favor of the project as it stands. Councilmember Sanger stated it is unfortunate the City was given an inaccurate estimate of the cost of this project; however, given the fact that the City received seven bids that were tight; she felt the bids were not out of line for what the market will bear. She stated it is important that the public understand that there are no frills in this project, it is a significant amount of money, and that this project represents a basic upgrade of a building that has needed upgrading for many years. She added the fire stations have had significant structural issues with the floors and the City is fortunate that the emergency repairs are still holding. She stated the City needs the space to house the fire equipment and personnel while the fire stations are rebuilt over the next several years. She stated she will support this project and asked staff to be diligent about finding opportunities to save money as the project moves forward. Councilmember Omodt stated there is a contingency built in to the project of approximately $400,000-$500,000, but staff should not operate under the assumption that this contingency can be spent, but rather, that the City will be frugal and cost-effective. He requested further information regarding bond rates. Mr. Dejong stated when this plan was put together a couple of years ago, staff determined that the limit on the City's bank qualification, which saves the City interest, was $10 million per year; as a result, staff bonded for this project last November and those interest rates came in at 3.6% for 20 year bonds, representing an excellent interest rate and low cost of financing. He added other funds for the project will come from internal funds currently available. City Council Meeting -6- July 6, 2009 Councilmember Basill agreed with Councilmembers Paprocki and Omodt and stated he will support this project. He stated this project is necessary to meet ADA requirements and is not a project that the City is undertaking just for the sake of renovating a building. He noted the consultant underbid the project and the City received a number of bids that were all close in number. Mayor Jacobs stated the Council has worked hard on this project and this is a "need to do" project for all the reasons stated earlier. He shared Councilmember Finkelstein's frustration with the fact that the original cost estimates were so much lower than the actual bids, and it is clear that the bidders were correct and the architect was not. He pointed out this was not an error on the part of City staff. He stated this is a good time to be doing construction because the bids are relatively low and he supports doing the project now. Councilmember Finkelstein stated this is a much needed project and both the Council and staff have learned a lot from this experience. He stated the City has already agreed when the fire stations are built, the City will be using an independent construction estimator. He added everyone here is a careful steward of the public's money. It was moved by Councilmember Omodt, seconded by Councilmember Paprocki; to designate Jorgenson Construction, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $8,164,000 for the expansion/renovation of the Municipal Service Center Project No. 2008-1900. The motion passed 5-1 (Councilmember Finkelstein opposed). 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs expressed thanks to the Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff that helped with the fireworks on July 4`''. Mayor Jacobs invited residents to the Lilac Park and Beehive Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening on Monday, July 13th, at 6:00 p.m. He stated parking is limited and residents are encouraged to walk or bike to the park. Councilmember Basill stated he received a number of phone calls based on some comments he made in the Elmwood neighborhood newsletter. He stated one of the residents asked if the Highway 7/Wooddale Avenue bridge was going to be completed. He indicated the bridge is going to be completed; the City is seeking help from the County for the project. He stated he also commented in the newsletter about the City's schools and how the City is unique in its boundaries between the schools and the City which provides opportunities to work together and increase efficiencies. He stated he also made a comment about artificial turf and that it should be looked at from a fiscal standpoint, if it were combined between the school district and the City, versus the school district paying to maintain it every year. He felt this is something that should be explored because it may save money for the community in the long run. \n City Council Meeting -7- July 6, 2009 Mayor Jacobs stated that Councilmembers Carver, Paprocki, and Basil! are not running for re-election this year and reiterated that the filings open tomorrow and close on July 215`. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. ( jGlihQ-(� f L 6 Nancy Stroth, C`ity Clerk Jeff, :cies, 1 ayor