HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/09/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular J/1 St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
1. Call to Order
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:28 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), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Public Works
Director (Mike Rardin), City Engineer (Scott Brink), City Clerk (Nancy Stroth), Assistant Finance
Director (Brian Swanson) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Russo)
2. Presentations - None
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. City Council Special Study Session Minutes August 10, 2009
The minutes were approved as presented.
3b. City Council Minutes August 17, 2009
The minutes were approved as presented.
3c. City Council Study Session Minutes August 24, 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. Authorize execution of a contract with Calgon Carbon Corporation for the purchase
of Granular Activated Carbon in the amount of$122,400.00
4b. Approve Change Order No. 3 to Contract 138-08 - Water Project—Water
Treatment Plant No. 8 Rehabilitation - Project 2006-2000
4c. Approve Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. 99-09, 36`h Street Streetscape Project
—Project 2008-2600
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4d. Approve Change Order No. 1 to Contract 72-09— 2009 MSA Street Improvement
Project (Alabama Avenue) — City Project No. 2009-1100
4e. Adopt Resolution No. 90-115, authorizing the special assessment for the repair of
the sewer service line at 8807 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park, MN
4f. Approve Contract with Three Rivers Park District to clear and remove snow from
the LRT and Cedar Lake Extension Trails through the City of St. Louis Park for the
2009-2010 Winter Season
4g. Adopt Resolution No. 09-116, adopting Change Order Policy to update the limit
to administratively process change orders from $25,000 to $100,000 with conditions
4h. Adopt Resolution No. 09-117, in Support of a Tiger Discretionary Grant Request
for Truck Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue Interchange Improvements
4i. Approve for Filing Vendor Claims
4j. Approve for Filing Human Rights Commission Minutes May 19, 2009
It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Basill, 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 7-0.
5. Boards and Commissions
5a. Reappointment of Citizen Representatives to Boards and Commissions
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to
appoint Jim deLambert as Commissioner to Bassett Creek Watershed Management
Commission for the term ending January 31, 2011.
The motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to
appoint Justin Riss as Alternate Commissioner to Bassett Creek Watershed Management
Commission for the term ending January 31, 2011.
The motion passed 7-0.
6. Public Hearings
6a. Public Hearing— Liquor License — Crave
Ms. Stroth presented the staff report regarding the application received from Crave
Hospitality for on-sale intoxicating liquor and Sunday sales licenses. She stated the
establishment plans to begin operation during the third week in September 2009 at 1603
West End Boulevard located in the new West End Development. She noted Crave has two
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other locations in Minnesota; Crave Galleria in Edina and Crave at the Mall of America in
Bloomington.
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 Crave Hospitality WE LLC, dba Crave, for an on-sale intoxicating and
Sunday liquor license to be located at 1603 West End Boulevard with the license term
through March 1, 2010.
The motion passed 7-0.
7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None
8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items
8a. 2010 Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy
Resolution Numbers 09-118 and 09-119
Mr. DeJong presented the staff report and reviewed background information, explaining that
by law the City Council must approve a preliminary tax levy and budget for 2010 and
submit the tax levy certification to Hennepin County by September 15 He stated City
Council has had numerous detailed budget discussions in June and August. He reviewed
issues that impact the budget as well as steps to address the budget gap. Staff is pursing
budget strategies such as 2010 wage freeze, staff reductions and changes, increased fees and
new fees, line item reductions and levy adjustment for operations. Mr. DeJong also reviewed
the Proposed Preliminary Budget, noting it is $500,000 less than in 2009. He explained the
Tax Levy Allocation, noting the levy increased by approximately three percent. He also
reviewed the Tax Impact Proposed Levy noting the increase in very minimal, even decreasing
in some instances.
Mr. Dejong reported the next steps to adopt the Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy as well as
ratify the HRA Levy. He stated additional study session meetings will be held on budget and
capital items through November. A Public Hearing on the proposed Budget and Tax Levy
will be held on December 7. The Council will consider adoption of the final Budget, Tax
Levy, HRA Levy, and Capital Improvement Plan on December 21. Mr. DeJong stated staff
is seeking community input on the budget process and programs, noting feedback could be
provided on the City website at www.stlouispark.org/budget.htm.
Councilmember Paprocki commented on the property taxes explaining they are distributed
not only to the City, but to the County and schools as well. He thanked City staff for their
tremendous job in creating a budget that is fiscally responsible.
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It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt
Resolution No. 09-118, approving Proposed 2010 Tax Levy, Preliminary Budget for 2010,
Setting Public Hearing Dates for Proposed Budget and Property Tax Levy, and Resolution
No. 09-119, authorizing the HRA Levy for 2010.
Mayor Jacobs noted this is a Preliminary Levy, which could decrease, but would not increase.
He stated City Council and staff will continue to look for ways to be responsible and cut
costs. He explained cutting costs and maintaining service is a difficult process and
encouraged public input on the City website.
Councilmember Sanger stated she has had numerous experiences with residents and their
creative ideas. She appreciates community input and encouraged the use of the website to
submit any ideas or concerns.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked for clarification regarding the motion and whether it
includes all of the following: to increase the General Tax Levy by $650,000 providing little
or no tax increase, authorizing the HRA Levy, holding a "Truth and Taxation" Public
Hearing on December 7, and adopting the Budget on December 21.
Mayor Jacobs replied that was correct, the motion does include all the items mentioned by
Councilmember Finkelstein.
The motion passed 7-0.
8b. Bid Tabulation: Highway 7 & Wooddale Avenue Improvement Project —
Project No. 2004-1700
Mr. Brink presented the staff report regarding the Highway 7 and Wooddale Avenue
improvement project. He stated bids were received on August 13, 2009, with a total of
seven bids received. Ames Construction was the lowest responsible bidder, a reputable
contractor who has successfully performed similar projects of this magnitude. He explained
all bid documentation required as part of the delegated contract process for federally funded
projects was submitted to Mn/DOT by Ames Construction. He stated Mn/DOT has
reviewed the documentation and cleared this project for award to Ames Construction.
Councilmember Sanger expressed her thanks for all of the hard work and asked about the
impact on driving and the estimated time the process may last.
Mr. Brink stated Highway 7 will be open at all times, but there may be times that the road
would have to be narrowed to one lane in each direction, noting at most times it will be two
lanes open in each direction. He stated the most congested area would occur at the
intersection of Wooddale Avenue and Highway 7, which will essentially be cut off at various
project stages. He explained traffic would be shifted to the north side of Wooddale as work
in October would start on the south side. He stated the work on the south side could
continue into the spring. He noted the work would continue through the winter with
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weather dictating how much could get done. He explained the second stage would start in
the spring and traffic would then be flipped to the south side of Wooddale, with
construction to the north side. He stated the goal is to have full access to Wooddale Avenue
in the fall of 2010.
Mayor Jacobs asked where the detour would most likely be.
Mr. Brink replied the detour would most likely be on Mn/DOT roads (Highway 100) but
the designated detour has yet to be determined. He advised that local traffic would use
Louisiana Avenue and Highway 100.
Councilmember Basill complimented staff for the great work being done, noting this has
been a project well overdue. He stated he feels there is not a more important intersection in
the City to help get kids safely across the highway to their school. He asked that
communication continue with the school bus drivers, as well as keeping up with signage on
the traffic detours, stating he felt that would be appreciated. He expressed it will be a
difficult year, yet he feels the project is going to be wonderful for the community. He also
stated with the project coming in under budget, that he hoped everyone realized expenses
may need to be revised as items come up after construction starts.
It was moved by Councilmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to designate
Ames Construction the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution ofa contract with
the firm in the amount of$11,568,953.11 for the Highway 7 and Wooddale Avenue
Improvement Project—Project No. 2004-1700.
The motion passed 7-0.
Mayor Jacobs also thanked staff for all of their hard work on the project and stated the
upcoming construction will be worth it all once the work is completed.
9. Communications
Mayor Jacobs expressed his condolences to former Councilmember Jim Brimeyer who lost
his father last week. He and Council's thoughts and prayers were extended to Jim and his
family during this difficult time. He also noted children are back at school and asked that all
drivers use caution as kids are walking to and from school
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. ---\
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