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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/04/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session OFFICIAL MINUTES I/I St. Louis Park CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINNESOTA ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA APRIL 12, 2010 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein,Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt (arrived at 7:29 p.m.),Julia Ross (arrived at 6.57 p.m.), Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager (Ms. Gohman), City Clerk (Ms. Stroth), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Finance Accountant (Ms. Monson), Recreation Superintendent (Mr. Birno), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). Guests: Ann Thomas and Joan Fenton, Parktacular Celebration Board members 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—April 26, 2010 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for April 26, 2010 2. Parktacular Celebration Presentation Mr. Harmening introduced Ann Thomas and Joan Fenton, Parktacular Celebration Board members. Ms. Fenton presented an overview of the 2010 Parktacular celebration taking place June 17 through June 20. She stated that the 2010 budget for Parktacular is $51,700 and they hope to receive $15,000 from sales of the Parktacular buttons. She stated that Phil Weber has agreed to sponsor the dance which is scheduled for Saturday, June 19. She indicated there was a need for more communication regarding the event. Ms. Thomas presented email survey results that overall were positive, however included a request to lengthen the hours, to have more beverage options, to make the rides more affordable, to include healthy food options, and to have more events for teens and tweens. She also stated that this year they have added a Humane Society adoption event and a Bloodmobile. In addition to the Parktacular Celebration being advertised in numerous locations, Councilmember Sanger suggested including information about Parktacular in the newsletters of surrounding communities. Ms. Fenton stated the block party has been the focal point of Parktacular and requested that the City Council consider extending the hours to 11:00 p.m. Study Session Minutes -2- April 12, 2010 Councilmember Finkelstein indicated that there were no noise concerns raised last year. Mayor Jacobs stated that he was willing to extend the hours to 11:00 p.m. this year and if noise complaints are raised, the 10:00 p.m. close will be reinstated Ms. Fenton announced that Parktacular will be having a hot dog fundraising event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,April 16, 17, and 18, at the Cub Foods at Knollwood. She also stated that the Parktacular buttons go on sale on Monday, May 17`h at City Hall. Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to Ms. Fenton and Ms. Thomas for their dedicated efforts. 3. Lawful Charitable Gambling Ms. Stroth presented the staff report and discussed the City's authority related to charitable gambling. She stated that the City currently imposes a 1/10 of 1% local tax to cover gambling administration costs. She discussed lawful purpose expenditures and how the trade area and gambling relates to St. Louis Park. She stated that cities may require licensed organizations to contribute up to 10% per year of net profits to a city administered fund; and that the City currently does not require a 10% contribution fund. Councilmember Finkelstein stated that he would like a policy that would encourage these groups to spend their proceeds in St. Louis Park. He stated the City has several new bars opening up and felt it was important to have standards in place related to charitable gambling, including perhaps a limitation on the number of charitable gambling locations in the City Councilmember Sanger stated she would like to see constraints, to the extent possible, that charitable donations are funneled to St. Louis Park charities. She indicated reinstating the 10% City Contribution Fund as a means of making sure that allowable expenditures actually meet the needs of the charities in the City. Mr. Scott stated that the City can require up to a 10% contribution fund but cannot limit where the funds are spent. He reiterated that the City requires charitable gambling organizations to expend 90% of its lawful purpose expenditures within the trade area. The Council discussed lawful purpose expenditures, the 10% contribution fund, and the City's authority pursuant to State statute. Councilmember Finkelstein stated he would like the Council to further review the City's allowable regulation options with respect to limiting the number of premises locations any one charity can have in the City. He stated he would like to have a requirement that an organization be in existence in the City for a specified number of years and to consider limiting the total number of premises permits in the entire City. He indicated he was concerned that if the Council does not address these issues now and premises permits are approved, the City will lose this opportunity for thoughtful policy consideration and direction. Study Session Minutes -3- April 12, 2010 Councilmember Mavity requested a more definitive legal opinion with respect to the question of whether the City can use a 10% contribution fund requirement as a means of encouraging organizations to donate their charitable contributions to St. Louis Park organizations. Mr. Harmening stated staff will provide the Council with the feedback received through the public process of meeting with current gambling organizations and establishments. In addition, staff will research how a 10% requirement would work and whether the 10% requirement can be leveraged to encourage operators to donate to St. Louis Park organizations. Councilmember Finkelstein requested that the City delay action on any new charitable gambling applications until the Council has concluded its work on this. 4. Contracting Relating to Women, Minority and Small Business Owners Ms. Gohman presented the staff report. She indicated that the City currently has no specific policy regarding this issue except as it relates to HUD requirements. Mayor Jacobs noted that the City is required to take the lowest responsible bidder. Ms. Gohman discussed the HUD requirements applicable to the City's Housing Authority, including the requirement that to the greatest extent possible, efforts shall be made to make use of small and minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and local businesses. She also discussed the City's bidding process and how that process could be more proactive. She stated that in general, the City does not send email notifications to the various trade associations when a bid is being let, but agreed that the City could start doing this again. The Council suggested using electronic communication to trade associations to alert them when bids are being let. Councilmember Sanger stated that for larger contracts, the City could encourage general contractors to use subcontractors that are minority-owned or women-owned. She questioned whether the City is not subject to regulation in other areas beyond housing and transportation because there are federal rules that pertain to contracts over certain amounts. Ms. Gohman stated that the City's energy grants include federal reporting requirements. She added there used to be more affirmative action reporting requirements but these requirements have been removed over the years. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare a statement for Council consideration that encourages contracting with women, minority, and small business owners, including more proactive communication Study Session Minutes -4- April 12, 2010 5. Update on Minnesota Jobs Bill Mr. Locke and Mr. Hunt presented the staff report and discussed the Minnesota Jobs Bill signed by the Governor on April 1, 2010. Mr. Locke stated this new law represents an extremely flexible tool and an opportunity to provide some financial assistance to local businesses, whether big or small, to enable them to make improvements in their facilities thereby retaining and/or increasing employment in St. Louis Park. They also discussed with the Council a confidential business that was analyzing its local operations and requested a proposal to incent it to expand in St. Louis Park. Mr. Hunt stated that under the new law, the legislature freed up cash balances within TIF districts, allowing for use of funds for construction purposes that will ultimately retain or create jobs. He indicated that this means the City has approximately $1.8 million between nine TIF districts at its disposal. He pointed out that the legislation requires that construction begin prior to July 1, 2011 and any cash balances must be expended by December 31, 2011. Councilmember Finkelstein stated his concern that not all of the TIF funds should be used on just one project, and to make sure that some guarantees are in place regarding job creation and retention. Councilmember Sanger stated it would also be helpful to have some idea what other uses are available for the $1.8 million in TIF funds that would be consistent with the spirit of the legislation. Mr. Hunt stated that the intended use of the funds was to stimulate private sector construction that would result in the retention and/or creation of jobs. Councilmember Mavity requested that consideration be given to using some of the funds for green building principles as it relates to light rail station planning. It was the consensus of the EDA/City Council to direct staff to prepare a draft policy or program for Council consideration as it relates to the EDA's use of the cash balances in existing TIF districts pursuant to the Minnesota Jobs Bill. It was also the consensus of the EDA/City Council to direct staff to respond to the recent request from the confidential business discussed earlier with respect to its possible location in St. Louis Park, with the understanding that any agreement reached with the confidential business will require EDA/Council approval and with the further understanding that the entire $1.8 million in available TIF funds not be used on the one project. It was also the consensus of the EDA/City Council that any forgivable loan provided to a business will require a commitment by the business to remain in the city for a predetermined number of years and that the business provide livable wage jobs. 6. School Property Use Parameters/Public Process Mr. Locke presented the staff report. Mayor Jacobs stated that the Council is scheduled to meet with the School District on April 19th and the focus of that discussion will be in regards to the two school sites. He stated it will be important for the Council to remind the School District that the sale of the two properties should not be predicated on the assumption that the property will be rezoned for future use. Study Session Minutes -5- April 12, 2010 Councilmember Sanger stated that the Council already has some clear policy direction about land uses in the City as well as the City's vision statement that discusses the need for more gathering places. She expressed concern that a task force approach might eclipse the Council's earlier policy decisions. Councilmember Finkelstein expressed frustration that the School District has not provided the City with any definitive information regarding its intentions going forward with these properties. Ms. McMonigal discussed the land use parameters contained in the staff report and stated that because the schools are located in residential areas, industrial and commercial development is not recommended. She stated that residential use in its broadest sense is an appropriate use and there is an opportunity here to have a mix of residential housing that meets the needs of the community. Councilmember Sanger stated that a portion of the Eliot site includes a park and asked if the City would be open to designating a new park on this site. Ms. McMonigal indicated that while there is open space at the Eliot site it is not planned in the long range parks plan to be a city park. She stated that the east portion of the Cedar Manor School site is used and operated as a city park and is identified in the Park plan to be acquired or otherwise retained a neighborhood park. Mr. Harmening stated that the agenda for next week's meeting with the School District will include a discussion of the public process to be used that involves the School District, the neighborhoods, and other stakeholders in order to reach agreement on the future use of the properties. He added that discussion regarding artificial turf will take place only if there is sufficient time at the end of the meeting. 7. Communications Mr. Harmening reminded the Council regarding the Cedar Lake Road closure due to the railroad crossing work. He indicated that the work will begin on April 20th and signs have been posted in the area. Councilmember Sanger requested an update regarding the delays with the Wooddale Avenue bridge construction and any issues with the contractor. Mr. Harmening provided an explanation to the Council of the claim that Ames Construction had made for a change order. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested that Mr. Harmening contact Bill McCarthy of the Minneapolis AFL-CIO. Mr. Harmening asked the City Council if the update on the Convention and Visitors Bureau was adequate. It was the consensus of the City Council to continue to move forward with a Convention and Visitors Bureau as outlined in the staff report. Study Session Minutes -6- April 12, 2010 The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 8. Ellipse Public Art Update 9. Update on Convention and Visitors Bureau Exploration 10. Fire Stations Project Update 11. Urban Forestation Policy Amendment 12. Relocation of Polling Location for Ward 4, Prec n1 ct 17 C Nancy Stroth, 1ty Clerk Jeff Jac bs, Mayor