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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/02/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular If/ St Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 1, 2010 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent:Julia Ross. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Wirth). 2. Presentations 2a. Congressman Keith Ellison Mayor Jacobs welcomed Congressman Ellison to the meeting. Congressman Ellison stated his office is always available and encouraged the Council and City staff to contact him should the need arise. Congressman Ellison provided an overview of his work in Congress on behalf of the 5th Congressional District and discussed the Transportation Bill that is being sponsored by Representative Oberstar. He advised that he knows infrastructure needs to be updated and while the House supports reauthorization of the Transportation Bill, thus far the Senate has not moved forward. Congressman Ellison noted the Transportation Bill is authorized to February 28, 2010, so it will have to be acted on by then. He stated his intention to support a six-year reauthorization as part of the Jobs Package, and noted that St. Louis Park had received funding through the Stimulus Bill to finish the Highway 7 and Wooddale Interchange Project. Mayor Jacobs agreed with the high importance of the Transportation Bill being reauthorized and noted that pedestrian safety is also of concern since there is potential this may be a light rail transit (LRT) stop. Councilmember Sanger expressed the City Council's thanks to Congressman Ellison for his assistance in the City receiving the Highway 7 and Wooddale interchange funding. Congressman Ellison stated he supports funding for St. Louis Park and is excited about the Southwest LRT that will ease congestion, lessen carbon emissions, and help development. He addressed the issue of job creation to reduce layoffs and unemployment, and a proposal to create a facility within the Federal Reserve that would allow community banks to loan TARP repayments at a low 1% interest rate to small businesses. He noted that 65% of City Council Meeting -2- February 1, 2009 people work for small businesses so this would help St. Louis Park. Congressman Ellison then addressed the issue of health care reform and his intention to support a bill even if it did not contain a public option, feeling that any health care reform would be better than none He explained he would have a "telephone town hall meeting" and series of conversations with all relevant stakeholders to advise whether or not he should vote for the health care bill. Congressman Ellison concluded his remarks by describing the provisions contained in the Financial Reform Bill and how a Federal Oversight Committee would be facilitated to address threats to the country's economy. He stated his intention to stay in close contact with the City and congratulated newly elected Councilmembers Mavity, Ross, and Santa Mr. Harmening stated Congressman Ellison, Betty Folliard, Brian Elliott, and office staff have been a real partner to St. Louis Park, great to work with, prompt when making replies, and very helpful to the City. Congressman Ellison stated if the City is making application for TIGER grants, his office is legally entitled to send a letter of support to authorize the grant. Mr. Harmening stated the City has made application for that grant and will contact Congressman Ellison's staff to obtain a letter of support. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Special Study Session Minutes January 19, 2010 The minutes were approved as presented. 3b. City Council Minutes January 19, 2010 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. 10-009 approving issuance of Liquor License Renewals for license year term of March 1, 2010 through March 1, 2011. 4b. Removed from Consent Calendar and added to regular agenda Item 8a. (Resolution approving issuance of a Premises Permit for lawful gambling to be conducted by Hopkins Raspberry Festival Association, Inc., at McCoy's, 3801 Grand Way.) 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 10-011 confirming appointment of Brian Swanson as City Treasurer effective January 18, 2010. City Council Meeting -3- February 1, 2009 4d. Authorize execution of a contract with Upper Cut Tree Service, Inc., as the 2010 Private Diseased Tree Removal Contractor in an amount not to exceed $97,422.00. Upper Cut Tree Service, Inc. has successfully performed other similar contracts for the cities of Bloomington, White Bear Lake and New Brighton. 4e. Authorize execution of a contract with Precision Landscape & Tree, Inc as the 2010 Boulevard Tree Removal Contractor in an amount not to exceed $83,657.00. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 10-012 accepting the Project Report, establishing Improvement Project No. 2010-2300, approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids for Improvement Project No. 2010-2300. 4g. Approve for Filing Vendor Claims. 4h. Approve for Filing Human Rights Commission Minutes December 15, 2009. Councilmember Omodt requested that Consent Calendar Item 4b be removed and placed on the Regular Agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar as amended to move Consent Calendar Item 4b to the regular agenda as Item 8a; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 6-0. 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 approving issuance of a Premises Permit for lawful gambling to be conducted by Hopkins Raspberry Festival Association, Inc., at McCoy's, 3801 Grand Way Resolution No. 10-012 Councilmember Omodt stated he removed this item from the Consent Calendar in order to note that in the past when this was approved, residents have asked why Hopkins is allowed to sell pull tabs in St. Louis Park. He reminded Hopkins that it is expected St. Louis Park organizations will not have trouble getting into the Raspberry Festival parade. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt Resolution No. 10-010 approving issuance of a Premises Permit for lawful gambling to be conducted by Hopkins Raspberry Festival Association, Inc., at McCoy's, 3801 Grand Way. City Council Meeting -4- February 1, 2009 Councilmember Finkelstein stated it would also be his preference that pull tab operations go to St. Louis Park organizations and he hoped future requests would have a strong connection to St. Louis Park to benefit its residents. The motion passed 5-1. Councilmember Omodt opposed. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs reminded all of the February 2, 2010, caucus night and locations. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. , , ) 7fl Li Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jac bs, Mayor