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Home My WebLink About2010/01/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular jfJSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JANUARY 19, 2010 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, and Susan Santa. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: Deputy City Manager (Ms. Gohman), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). 1 a. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations 2a. Human Rights Award Presentation — Kathy McKay Mayor Jacobs presented Kathy McKay with the Human Rights Award for her work with the Iraqi &American Reconciliation Project (IARP). He stated Ms. McKay became involved in TARP as its volunteer Executive Director in 2007 and the mission of TARP is to promote reconciliation between the people of the United States and Iraq. He stated that Ms. McKay has been involved in a number of projects to promote IARP's mission, including letter writing projects, multiple exhibits of original art by current Iraqis, including a two month exhibit at Sabes Jewish Community Center, successful establishment of the sister city relationship between Najaf and Minneapolis, and most recently planning and implementation of a delegation of 13 Iraqi professionals for a two week visit to the Twin Cities. Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to the Human Rights Commission and to Marney Olson, Community Liaison. He also acknowledged Judy Reinehr, League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, who was present at the meeting. Ms. McKay stated she was honored to receive this award and expressed her thanks to everyone involved in the TARP. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of January 4, 2010 The minutes were approved as presented. City Council Meeting -2- January 19, 2010 3b. City Council Study Session Minutes of January 11, 2010 Councilmember Ross requested that the eighth paragraph on page 3 reflect that the City Council requested staff follow up with the leadership of Golden Valley to determine Golden Valley's interest in being part of the discussion regarding Highway 100. The minutes were approved as amended. 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. Designate Magney Construction, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $857,400.00 for Water Project—Water Treatment Plant No. 1 — Project No. 2008-1400. 4b. Removed from Consent Calendar and added to regular agenda Item 8a (Resolution relating to Hennepin County's decision of a Locally Preferred Alternative for the Southwest Transitway). 4c. Approve Change Order #3 to Contract 79-09 MSC Renovation Project No. 2008- 1900. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 10-006 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 2930 Salem Avenue South, St. Louis Park, Minnesota — P.I.D. 31-029-24-33-0090. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 10-007 authorizing installation and special assessment of fire sprinkler system at 6111 Excelsior Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 10-008 approving acceptance of donation from the Raymond H. and Florence L. Sponberg Foundation in the amount of$500 for city park improvements. 4g. Approve for Filing Vendor Claims. 4h. Approve for Filing Police Advisory Commission Minutes November 4, 2009. 4i. Approve for Filing Housing Authority Minutes December 9, 2009. Councilmember Omodt requested that Consent Calendar item 4b be removed and placed on the Regular Agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the Agenda as presented and items listed on the Consent Calendar, to remove Consent Calendar item 4b and consider it as Item 8a, and to waive reading ofall resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. City Council Meeting -3- January 19, 2010 5. Boards and Commissions - None 6. Public Hearings — None 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Adopt Resolution relating to Hennepin County's decision of a Locally Preferred Alternative for the Southwest Transitway Resolution No. 10-005 Councilmember Omodt stated he removed this item from the Consent Calendar in order to have an opportunity to thank Councilmember Sanger and Jim Brimeyer for all of their work on the Policy Advisory Committee. He indicated that the Technical Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the selection of Route 3A as the locally preferred alternative with conditions including the requirement that agencies work cooperatively to identify impacts, mitigation requirements, and mitigation funding to address the potential rerouting of freight rail. He stated this project will now be on course for completion in approximately 2017, and he encouraged residents to remain actively involved in the process. He indicated that residents living along the track will be impacted by the project and as it moves forward, it will be important for residents, the City, and the City Council to remain engaged and to make certain that the City and its residents get the support they need going forward. Councilmember Sanger stated she has been actively involved in the light rail transit planning process for a number of years as the St. Louis Park alternate to the Policy Committee. She stated she is supportive of building a light rail transit system throughout the metro area, and the proposed resolution is intended to acknowledge the City's support of the selection of Route 3A as the locally preferred alternative. She explained that even though Route 3A was not her first choice as the best possible routing, it is the route that was selected and supported by the majority. She agreed with Councilmember Omodt's comments and stated it will be extremely important for the public to be involved in this project and to remain cognizant of environmental impact and other issues. She added this route will necessitate the relocation of the existing rail through the Kenilworth corridor into the City, and the County is commencing a study to look at the environmental impacts of rerouting freight rail. Councilmember Finkelstein stated he was in favor of the resolution, and agreed that Route 3A appears to be the "least bad alternative." It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt Resolution No. 10-005 relating to Hennepin County's decision of a Locally Preferred Alternative for the South west Transitway. City Council Meeting -4- January 19, 2010 Councilmember Mavity concurred with Councilmember Omodt's remarks and stated that this project will include a significant amount of redevelopment around all of the stations. She reiterated Councilmember Omodt's and Councilmember Sanger's comments encouraging residents to pay attention to and become involved in this project. Mayor Jacobs stated that light rail represents one of the most significant things that will happen to the City and it will change the character of some of the neighborhoods as well as impact the City's transportation orientation from primarily north/south to east/west. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs welcomed Councilmembers Anne Mavity, Julia Ross and Sue Santa to the Council. Councilmember Finkelstein noted the recent death of long time resident Shirley Segal and stated Shirley and her husband were residents of the City for over 45 years. Councilmember Finkelstein announced a fundraiser for St. Louis Park Police Officer Brian Flaherty on Sunday, January 24th at Park Tavern. He stated the fundraiser is to help defray the cost of sending Officer Flaherty to Texas for medical treatment. He indicated the fundraiser will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with free bowling and pizza from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., silent auction, and a poker tournament at 4:00 p.m. Further information may be obtained by contacting Mike Merwin at mmerwin@stlouispark.org. Councilmember Omodt stated the Hockey Association is celebrating its 40`h anniversary this weekend. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. L_. dil Nancy Stroth, (:ity Clerk Jeff Jac 7s, Mayor