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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/02/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session /I St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 22, 2010 The meeting convened at 6:40 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Police Chief (Mr. Luse), Police Lieutenant (Mr. Kraayenbrink), Police Lieutenant (Ms. Dreier), Police Lieutenant (Mr. Harcey), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Olson), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). Guests: Police Advisory Commission Members Hans Widmer and Ken Huiras. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— March 1 and March 8, 2010 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for March 1 and the proposed study session agenda for March 8, 2010. He stated that pursuant to Council's request, staff and the City Attorney will discuss possible revisions to the City's rental licensing ordinance prior to the regular Council meeting on March I". He added staff will also provide Council with an update on 8400 Minnetonka Boulevard at the March 15`special study session. Mr. Harmening stated the March 8th study session agenda includes the primer requested by the City Council on tax increment financing and bond issuance because the City will be issuing some bonds in the near future. Councilmember Mavity asked that the March 8th study session discussion regarding School District facility plans focus on key implications of their decision on the City. 2. 2005'Police Advisory Commission (PAC) Annual Report and 2010 Work Plan (with Commission) Mr. Luse presented the staff report and the PAC's 2009 annual report and 2010 work plan. Mr. Widmer stated the PAC had a productive year and is pleased with its work on traffic-related issues. He stated the PAC is looking for other media outlets, beyond cable TV, to expand its public safety announcements. He discussed the PAC's ongoing work with the Human Rights Commission, particularly with respect to police traffic stops. He stated the PAC's golf tournament earned $2,200 for the Crime Prevention Fund; the 2010 golf tournament will be held the Friday after Labor Day with the goal of increasing participation and donations. He added the proceeds from the golf tournament are used to fund education programs, bike rodeos, DARE supplies, and occasionally the funds are used for rewards. Study Session Minutes -2- February 22, 2010 Councilmember Santa encouraged the PAC to further educate the public about what the funds are used for in the Crime Prevention Fund. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if the public service announcement on police traffic stops could be done in Somalian and Russian. He also suggested that the PAC give consideration to printing cards in several languages that could be handed out during a police traffic stop which contain telephone numbers to call for translator services. Mr. Widmer agreed this would be a good team project with the Human Rights Commission. Councilmember Sanger requested that the PAC look for ways to promote outreach to immigrants who may be wary of our public safety approach, and suggested the PAC work with the Human Rights Commission to help bridge that gap. Councilmember Ross asked what the PAC is doing in terms of education and prevention regarding domestic violence. Mr. Luse stated the police protocols on domestic violence are thorough. He agreed that general education and prevention of domestic violence would be an important issue for discussion by the PAC. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested that the PAC also give consideration to education regarding mental health issues, e.g., how to help people who are not taking their medication because they cannot afford it. Councilmember Santa stated that she has heard concerns from a number of constituents about cut- through traffic and speeding traffic in their neighborhoods as a result of road closures and road construction. She suggested the PAC consider some public education for residents and drivers that addresses these issues. Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's appreciation to the Police Advisory Commission for its dedicated efforts. He added the City Council is currently interviewing candidates for the PAC. 3. Update on Public Safety Dispatch Mr. Luse presented the staff report. Mr. Harmening pointed out that Councilmember Finkelstein had earlier suggested that staff provide the Council with an analysis of the specific items the City should focus on as it reviews the four options for public safety dispatch services outlined in Chief Luse's report; the results of that analysis should be completed by mid-March. Study Session Minutes -3- February 22, 2010 Mr. Luse presented four possible options for dispatch services currently under consideration, and noted that service level and budget are among the key variables for their analysis. He indicated under options one and three they would remain fairly stable and unchanged, but there was further analysis to be done. He stated that the planned software upgrades are in the cue right now, but staff is putting a soft hold on the upgrades until it is determined how the City will handle dispatch services after December 31, 2010. The Council discussed 911 funding and how the fund is split between Golden Valley and the City. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if any of the funds in the budget will be depleted when Golden Valley terminates its contact. Mr. Luse stated that staff is currently making a determination as to whether Golden Valley's current funding will go to the County if the County accepts Golden Valley's request to provide public safety dispatch services. Councilmember Sanger asked when the County will makes its decision on Golden Valley's request. Mr. Harmening stated the Hennepin County Board is scheduled to discuss this item in March, but it is unclear when the County will make its final decision. Councilmember Ross requested further information regarding comparable cities and how much each city spends on dispatch services provided by Hennepin County Councilmember Sanger requested a side-by-side comparison of costs as it relates to each of the four options outlined in Mr. Luse's report. She also requested that this comparison include information regarding potential cost savings, response times, and services that might be compromised. Mr. Luse stated that staff will also be conducting an analysis of Dakota County's new county-wide shared services system. 4. Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue Interchange Project Update Mr. Olson presented the staff report. He stated that as the Phase 2 work is being concluded, staff has already met with Greg Anderson of Anderson Builders to review the project particularly since Option 4 significantly impacts his property. He added that a meeting will also be held in early March with the owners of Louisiana Oaks; they have expressed concerns about the tight diamond option due to the close proximity of the entrance ramp and retaining wall. He stated that the Project Management Team is recommending that staff move into the Phase 3 work with both Option 4 and Option 6 in order to give staff further time to analyze which option is more favorable from the perspective of redevelopment needs and opportunities. Councilmember Sanger requested that staff identify for the Council those factors it deems most important in deciding between Option 4 and Option 6, including cost, safety, and that lists the pros and cons of each option. Study Session Minutes -4- February 22, 2010 Mayor Jacobs noted that staff was going to provide further information with respect to having the roundabouts in Option 4, but with traffic signals on Louisiana Avenue, and whether there is a legitimate concern that the signals would result in traffic backing up in the roundabouts. Mr. Olson indicated that intersection controls will be studied during the next phase. He discussed project costs between Option 4 and Option 6, and indicated that Option 6's construction and right- of-way costs are estimated to be $21 million, while Option 4's construction and right-of-way costs are estimated to be $17 million. He pointed out that engineering costs and property takings are not included in these figures. It was the majority opinion of the City Council that Option 4 presented the most viable alternative and provided the best fit for the neighborhood. It was the consensus of the City Council to move forward with Phase 3 (Preliminary Design and Environmental Assessment), and to continue to pursue County and Federal funding for the project. Councilmember Finkelstein requested that staff provide the Council with the matrix that listed all of the project options and the background on each option. He reiterated that even with current limited federal funding, the City cannot do the Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue project alone, and will require additional help from the County or Federal government, or the City may be looking at not doing the project. Mayor Jacobs concurred. Councilmember Sanger indicated that when the Council looks at the criteria for each of the options, consideration needs to be given to the development opportunities that may be lost and whether there is a difference in terms of developable and accessible land that could be developed under each scenario. She stated this land use analysis could potentially bolster the City's chances for obtaining County and/or Federal funding for the project. 5. Sidewalk Repair Pilot Project Mr. Rardin presented the staff report. He explained that a new sidewalk trip fault repair method has recently been developed and staff is interested in conducting a pilot project utilizing the new repair method, consisting of two weeks of repair work to repair approximately 400 trip faults, at a cost of about $20,000; the project would be completed this spring. He added that the sidewalk repair project will compliment the City's pavement management areas so that sidewalk repairs are completed, to the extent possible, at the same time as road improvements. It was the consensus of the City Council to proceed with the sidewalk repair pilot project. Mr. Rardin was asked to provide Council with a map of the areas proposed to be repaired. 6. Human Rights Commission Annual Report and Work Plan Mr. Harmening presented the staff report. Study Session Minutes -5- February 22, 2010 Mayor Jacobs stated he recently attended a free event on the history of Africa that was presented by the Mixed Blood Theater, sponsored by a student organization at the high school, in honor of Black History Month. He stated he felt this type of production was something the Human Rights Commission should be sponsoring. Councilmember Sanger concurred with Mayor Jacobs and added the focus of the Council's discussion should be on the Human Rights Commission's 2010 work plan. She stated that she felt the Commission's work should focus locally and should focus on issues with immigrant groups within the community; another area of focus for the Commission should be events or processes that promote community members talking to each other. She added that the crux of the work should strive to help St. Louis Park residents to be more open to people who come here from other parts of the world and to have more respectful dialogue. She questioned the intent of the Human Rights Commission's proposed resolution about foreign policy. Councilmember Mavity agreed that the Commission should focus locally, but all within the context that we are all citizens of the world. Councilmember Finkelstein stated it would be helpful to invite the Human Rights Commission to a study session meeting to discuss their proposed resolution as well as their 2010 work plan. He requested that this meeting be scheduled when the Council has a lighter study session agenda. The Council discussed the Human Rights Commission's proposed 2010 work plan and the role of the Human Rights Commission as it relates to the City Council. Councilmember Mavity stated it would be helpful to see all of the City Commission's 2009 goals to determine if the Commissions have accomplished all of their goals and to hold each Commission accountable. She also requested that staff provide a comparison of the Human Rights Commission's bylaws with the proposed revisions. It was the consensus of the City Council to hold a study session discussion to examine and discuss in greater detail the mission and by-laws of the HRC and come to agreement on any changes. After that discussion is completed the Council indicated it would then like to meet with the HRC. Councilmember Sanger stated she felt that a communication was owed to the Human Rights Commission regarding its proposed resolution in the context of the bigger picture items the City Council will be addressing in the near future. 7. Communications (Verbal) Mr. Harmening presented a memo regarding the Highway 7/Wooddale interchange project. He stated that a large Met Council sanitary sewer force-main needs to be rebuilt which will result in the south frontage road and Wooddale Avenue between 36th Street and Highway 7 being closed beginning March 3`d. He stated that notification to the neighborhoods is being sent via email, and that the City's website and social media will contain information regarding the road closure, and signs will be posted in the area tomorrow. Study Session Minutes -6- February 22, 2010 Mr. Harmening stated he recently received a request from Ann Thomas, who is active in the Parktacular event, requesting time with the City Council to discuss the event and specifically some survey work recently completed. The Council expressed a willingness to meet with Parktacular representatives. Councilmember Sanger requested that the survey data be provided to the Council in advance. Mr. Harmening stated this item will be placed on an upcoming study session. Mr. Harmening discussed with the Council a process for completing an evaluation of the City Attorneys performance. Councilmember Sanger stated that her request is specific to the advice the City Council receives from a particular individual, and asked that the meeting be closed. It was the consensus of the City Council to schedule a closed meeting for this purpose. Mr. Pires provided an update regarding the agreement with LocaLoop and reported that he recently met with LocaLoop's President, Tim Johnson, who indicated LocaLoop has run into some financial challenges such that LocaLoop will not be leasing watertower space initially. He added LocaLoop is still interested in leasing fiber, but only three miles of fiber as opposed to the seven miles of fiber previously discussed. He stated LocaLoop indicated that it will not lease the watertower space because of engineering requirements to weld the brackets to the watertowers and this has proven to be price prohibitive for LocaLoop. He reported that LocaLoop is looking to lease fiber from a privately owned tower on Gorham, leasing the fiber up Louisiana Avenue to a private location, and mounting antennas on Parkdale. He stated this significantly scales down the amount of fiber that LocaLoop is leasing from the City and the agreement will be amended to reflect these changes; the City Council will take action on the agreement at its March 15` Council meeting. The City Council discussed the agreement with LocaLoop and expressed significant concern regarding LocaLoop's financial wherewithal and its ability to provide city-wide coverage. Mr. Pires asked the Council if it wished to pursue the agreement with LocaLoop with the understanding that any agreement will protect the City from a legal, financial and credibility standpoint. Mayor Jacobs stated he was not comfortable taking action on the LocaLoop agreement on March 1". He added that the Telecommunications Advisory Commission needs to be asked for input on this prior to Council action. Mr. Pires reported that Clearwire has recently completed its application process and Clearwire will be on the March 1"City Council agenda for its watertower leases. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m. Study Session Minutes -7- February 22, 2010 Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 8. January, 2010 Monthly Financial Report 9. 2009 Annual Housing Programs Report and Housing Matrix 10. Proposed Common Driveway between Ellipse on Excelsior and former American Inn properties 11. Composting Ordinance Revision 12. MCES Golden Valley and Hopkins Interceptor Projects Update 13. Broadband Funding Opportunities Nancy Stroth, 6ty Clerk Jeff Jacobs, Mayor