HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/09/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session f/fSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 13, 2010
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein,Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt (arrived at
8:07 p.m.),Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa.
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director
(Ms. Gohman), Fire Chief(Mr. Stemmer), City Clerk (Ms. Stroth), Director of Parks & Recreation
(Ms. Walsh), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Director of Inspections (Mr.
Hoffman), Housing Program Coordinator (Ms. Larsen), Environmental Coordinator (Mr.
Vaughan), Utilities Superintendent (Mr. Anderson), Public Works Coordinator (Mr. Merkley),
Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), Controller (Mr. Swanson), Finance Supervisor (Mr. Heintz), City
Assessor (Mr. Bultema), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Hughes).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— September 20 and September 27, 2010
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for September 20th and the
proposed study session agenda for September 27L".
Mr. Harmening introduced Mike Rose, reporter from Patch.com, AOL's hyper-local community
news website set to debut later this year.
2. Environmental Activities Update 2008-2010
Ms Gohman presented the staff report and introduced the members of the City's E-Group,
including Jamie Zwilling, Brian Hoffman, Scott Merkley, Scott Anderson, Jim Vaughan, Kathy
Larsen, Cindy Walsh, and Kevin Locke.
Mr. Zwilling presented an overview of his role as overall communications coordinator for the work
of the E-Group, including responsibility for the City's website, media, public information pieces,
and the community at large. He stated that the City's website has an environment section which
provides links to useful information pertaining to environmental initiatives. He stated that staff
follows the Vision Statement regarding environment and we incorporate it in all we do.
Mr. Hoffman presented an overview of his work on compliance and energy management, including
an audit analysis of the City's existing facilities and an evaluation of the existing building conditions
to determine what energy improvements can be made. He indicated that other areas of focus
include the City's equipment and fleet, indoor and outdoor air quality, Radon awareness, and noise
pollution.
Study Session Minutes -2- September 13, 2010
Mr. Merkley presented an overview of his work on solid waste recycling. He stated that the City's
2009 garbage collection tonnages decreased 2.6% from 2008 and recycling increased by 2.5% from
2008. He advised the City participates in a recycling revenue sharing from with Eureka whereby the
City has received over $93,000 in revenue sharing from recycling; this revenue is used to enhance the
City's recycling program and other related activities. He discussed the Zero Waste event held at the
Westwood Nature Center for Earth Day 2010 and indicated that the City will be hosting two
workshops in October regarding backyard composting; other activities include working with the
elementary schools to promote recycling, a joint project with Eureka to create a promotional video
regarding the Twin Cities Free Market.
Mr. Anderson presented an overview of his work on the City's surface water management plan,
storm water pollution prevention plan, erosion control and groundwater remediation. He stated
other areas of focus include hazardous materials and spills and the City's water wellhead protection
plan, which includes practices to protect the City's source water and identifies potential sources of
contamination. He indicated that the first energy study was completed in 1989 on the City's water
treatment plants aimed at improving energy efficient operations through the use of variance
frequency drives; the study resulted in a decrease in kilowatts per million gallons of 2,345 kw/mg in
1993 to 1,950 kw/mg in 2008.
Mr. Vaughan presented an overview of his work on education and natural resources management,
including property owner consultations, policy assistance and implementation, community
aesthetics, rain gardens, native vegetation, pesticides and fertilizers, protected waters, compliance and
wetlands. He discussed the City's annual Arbor Day celebrations, Beautify the Park program,Adopt
a Garden program, Pick up the Park program, and the various programs available at Westwood
Nature Center.
Ms. Larsen presented an overview of her work on planning and incentives, including environmental
oversight and enhancement aimed at increasing environmental consciousness. She stated that other
areas of focus include decreasing dependence on cars, adoption by the City of a green building
policy, and implementation of an assistance program for green home improvements.
Councilmember Ross asked how the City is actively working with residents that live on lakes to
educate them on erosion control and/or pollutants.
Mr. Vaughan stated that the City has educational materials available to residents on the importance
of buffer zones and use of native vegetation; the City also actively works with the watershed district
on these issues.
Councilmember Mavity stated she would like to see more focus on walk/bike initiatives. She
indicated she would also like to find ways to allow more citizen input into the overall process. She
indicated that there needs to be a venue or some way for residents to provide input, share
information with other residents, and discuss questions on environmental issues. She stated that
creating a way for residents to share ideas in an interactive fashion will help promote and realize the
City's goal of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Study Session Minutes -3- September 13, 2010
Councilmember Sanger reiterated her suggestion that the Council consider appointing a temporary
environmental task force and requested that the Council have a further discussion regarding this
issue. She stated that there needs to be some sort of mechanism where residents can talk to each
other and collectively promote or address issues.
Councilmember Finkelstein expressed his thanks to the E-Group members for their efforts on behalf
of the City. He stated his concern with adding another task force is the additional burden to staff
and added he was not in favor of a separate environmental commission. He stated environmental
work is part of everything we do in our work. He stated he would like to see additional focus on
recycling in the business community and to give consideration to a pilot program at Park Nicollet or
Methodist Hospital. He stated he would also like to see recycling instituted for the City's multi
housing associations.
Councilmember Santa requested that Council receive historical information on its work with respect
to storm water, trails and sidewalks, the flood proofing program, Reilly Tar, and the City's efforts
regarding forestry and Emerald Ash Borer.
Councilmember Ross stated that she agrees with Councilmember Finkelstein. She would also like to
see efforts made to increase awareness among the City's bars and restaurants on recycling and to
encourage use of mass transit as it relates to the environment.
Councilmember Mavity stated she feels we are missing a venue for residents to give input and this
could be done in a variety of ways such as a survey, topical listening segments, or input on the web.
Mayor Jacobs stated there are other ways of adding to how input is received such as a cable show,
web blog, or other social media.
It was the consensus to bring back to Council the discussion on a venue for residents to have input
on Energy or Environment in the Community.
3. GreenStep Cities Update and Carbon Footprint Measurement
Ms. Gohman presented the staff report.
Ms. Larsen stated that the carbon footprint measurement is intended to provide a baseline of the
community's current carbon footprint. She advised that in order to accomplish this, software is
required to take these measurements and convert energy uses to understandable and comparable
units. She explained that the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) has
the software to accomplish this and St. Louis Park has been chosen as one of the pilot cities;
membership in ICLEI would be required to obtain access to the software.
Councilmember Santa stated that it will be important to consider not only how much energy the
community is using, but also how that usage is mitigated and the associated savings.
Study Session Minutes -4- September 13, 2010
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to move forward with membership in ICLEI
and to place this item on the regular agenda for City Council action.
4. Storage— Fire Station No. 1
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
Mr. Walther advised that staff has been working on accommodating the storage needs for records
and election equipment and has identified two options for handling those needs. He indicated that
the election equipment is proposed to be moved to the Municipal Service Center which will provide
a climate controlled space as well as a workspace for staff and election judges. He stated that the
City's additional records storage needs can be accommodated by either (1) building a partial
basement at Fire Station No. 1 at a cost of approximately $407,000 or (2) by adding additional
space to the second floor of Fire Station No. 1 over apparatus bays #1 and #2 at a cost of
approximately$112,000.
Councilmembers Finkelstein and Ross stated that they supported Option No. 2.
Councilmember Sanger stated that she could not support Option No. 1 because of the cost. She
asked if staff has considered using the space at City Hall for records storage when the fire
management staff moves out.
Councilmember Mavity agreed that Option No. 1 is too expensive. She asked if the addition of two
feet to the second floor of Fire Station No. 1 will visually impact the neighborhood.
Mr. Walther replied this additional two feet will have no impact to the neighborhood.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to proceed with Option No. 2 (build space
on the second floor of Fire Station No. 1 over apparatus bays#1 and#2).
5. Charitable Gambling Ordinance Amendments
Ms. Gohman presented the staff report and reviewed the policy questions for Council consideration.
She stated that the City Attorney has advised that the Council may add another exemption to the
required contribution to the 10% Contribution Fund where lawful gambling activity occurs on
premises owned and operated by a nonprofit corporation.
Councilmember Sanger indicated the legal status of an entity at which charitable gambling takes
place has nothing to do with the use of the proceeds. She stated she was not in favor of a separate
exemption for entities that are nonprofit because their legal status is irrelevant.
Councilmember Omodt stated that in his opinion, one of the goals is to keep more donations in the
community and to retain more oversight of the use of charitable gambling proceeds.
Study Session Minutes -5- September 13, 2010
Councilmember Mavity stated that the current proposal is that of the 100% of charitable gambling
funds that are raised, if the proceeds are not expended within the City, then 10% of those proceeds
must go to the 10% Contribution Fund, and the remaining 90% can be spent however it chooses
within the state law and within the trade area. She indicated she did not feel the impact to the
charitable gambling organizations would be that dramatic.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated that the Council has previously expressed concern about who was
getting the charitable gambling proceeds and how those proceeds were being spent. He indicated he
felt that an exemption should be given to the American Legion as a nonprofit establishment.
Councilmember Sanger stated that there would be nothing to stop an organization from filing for
nonprofit status in order to qualify for an exemption.
Mr. Harmening reminded the Council that the City is not the authority that determines whether a
particular organization's expenditures are permissible or lawful, that authority rests with the State.
Councilmember Ross stated that she felt it was important to support the American Legion.
Councilmember Mavity asked if a nonprofit owner and operator of charitable gambling, like the
American Legion, can be the recipient of those charitable gambling funds. She stated if the answer is
yes, then this issue is moot.
Ms. Gohman agreed to research Councilmember Mavity's question and report back to Council.
Councilmember Omodt asked what would happen if the Council took no action on this particular
issue. He stated the intent of the Council was not to micromanage the charitable gambling
operations in the City as well as to keep as much of the charitable gambling proceeds in the
community.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare separate motions for Council
consideration of the proposed gambling ordinance amendments regarding the local gambling tax
increase, a 10% Contribution Fund requirement, and exemptions for those organizations who
expend 100% of their lawful purpose expenditures within the City of St. Louis or for those
organizations where gambling occurs on a premises owned or operated by a nonprofit corporation.
6. Discussion on 2011 Budget, Capital Improvement Plan, Long Range Financial
Management Plan, Utility Rates, Franchise Fees, and Final Levies
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and stated since the time of Council's adoption of the
preliminary tax levy on September 7th, staff has received information from the County with respect
to the fiscal disparities pool that will impact the tax levy. He advised that the City's tax base
remained stable, particularly in the commercial and industrial areas, and this will result in a larger
contribution to the fiscal disparities pool. He added that any change to the maximum tax levy will
not impact the final 2011 budget and relates only to the truth in taxation notices mailed to residents
later this year.
Study Session Minutes -6- September 13, 2010
Mr. Swanson reviewed the City's net tax capacity, approximately $56 million, which drives the
City's tax rate. He advised that the City's net tax capacity has changed due to changes in market
value, changes in fiscal disparities, and changes in TIF tax capacity, resulting in the City's increased
net contribution to the fiscal disparities pool of$2.7 million, or an increase of 125%.
Mr. Bultema explained the rationale for the fiscal disparities pool and the impact of the City's TIF
districts coming on line.
Mr. Swanson discussed the County's fiscal disparities calculation and stated that the City's
contribution increased by approximately $1.5 million. He explained that the City's commercial
properties decreased in value less than other metro communities and the City experienced more new
development and redevelopment than other communities. He advised that the City's TIF capacity
increased by approximately $367,000 due to projects like the West End, and as taxable market
valuations increased the City's fiscal disparities contribution increased. He presented information
regarding estimated City taxes for 2011 based on a 4.88% levy using the revised net tax capacity.
He also presented information regarding various levy amounts and the impact of these amounts on
the 2011 and projected 2012 budgets. He stated that the 2012 budget will be significantly impacted
by the fire station debt service.
It was the consensus of the City Council to not make any changes to the 2011 budget, including the
2011 preliminary property tax levy.
Councilmember Sanger encouraged staff to provide residents with information before the truth in
taxation notices are mailed regarding the Council's discussion and how the fiscal disparities pool
impacts their share of property taxes.
Councilmember Finkelstein requested that the Council continue to monitor the 2011 budget as it
relates to the contract with Golden Valley. He also requested that the Council continue to discuss
the 2012 budget as it relates to the City's bonding for the fire stations. He stated that it will be
important for the Council to remain cognizant of any budget impacts as a result of legislative actions
and the impact of State budget cuts on the City and its ability to provide services.
Councilmember Mavity requested that the Council hold a discussion regarding potential budget cuts
and the implication of those budget cuts to the City.
7. Communications/Meeting Check-in (Verbal)
There were no communications.
The City Council conducted its meeting check-in.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
Study Session Minutes -7- September 13, 2010
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
8. Proposed Rental Licensing Ordinance Changes
9. Eliot School Draft Design Guidelines
10. Liquor License Application— El Gordo Uno, Inc. Hi t r. fo mation
Nancy Stroth, Ci41 Clerk Jeff Jacobs, Mayor