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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/03/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA MARCH 21, 2011 1. Call to Order Mayor Pro Tern Sanger called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Susan Sanger, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, and Julia Ross. Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs and Councilmember Sue Santa. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Fire Chief(Mr. Stemmer), Parks and Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). la. Pledge of Allegiance—Led by Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 13193 lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations 2a. St. Louis Park Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 13193 — Water Conservation Presentation The St. Louis Park Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 13193 presented their Take Action Project on Water Conservation, which includes a display at the St. Louis Park Library as well as a Home and Lawn Care Checklist Activity Sheet. Brownie Troop 13193 asked everyone to take the quiz and sign the pledge contained on the checklist. Mayor Pro Tern Sanger expressed the City Council's thanks to Girl Scouts Brownie Troop 13193 for leading the Pledge of Allegiance and for providing important information regarding water conservation. 2b. Retirement Recognition Resolutions for Three Employees: Paul Steinhilber, Jim Thompson, and John Altepeter Mayor Pro Tern Sanger recited the Resolution recognizing the contributions of and expressing appreciation to Paul Steinhilber for over thirty years of service to the City. She also presented Mr. Steinhilber with a plaque in recognition of his years of service. Mr. Steinhilber expressed his thanks to the City Council. Fire Chief Stemmer expressed his thanks to Mr. Steinhilber for thirty years of dedicated service and wished him the best in his retirement. Mayor Pro Tern Sanger recited the Resolution recognizing the contributions of and expressing appreciation to James Thompson for over 38 years of dedicated service. Mayor Pro Tern Sanger recited the Resolution recognizing the contributions of and expressing appreciation to John Altepeter for over 22 years of dedicated service. City Council Meeting -2- March 21, 2011 2c. Congressman Keith Ellison Presentation Mayor Pro Tem Sanger introduced Congressman Keith Ellison. Congressman Ellison expressed his thanks to the Girl Scout Brownie Troop for their presentation this evening. He also expressed his thanks to the City employees who were honored this evening. He stated that all over the country, a generationally-defining debate is taking place on the proper role of government. He indicated that in the course of working through the Federal budget, those items that benefit cities are under careful review and there will be a lot of changes being made. He congratulated the City on the completion of the Highway 7/Wooddale Avenue project. He stated that he remains focused on the funding for the Highway 7 and Louisiana Avenue project, adding that he felt Federal funding for this project will be competitive and not easy to obtain, but doable. He discussed the SWLRT project and indicated that to his knowledge, FTA funding is being heavily scrutinized but remains a high priority. He announced that submissions for the Congressional arts competition are due by April 15`. He stated that the student who wins the contest will have his or her art placed in the Capitol building. He expressed his appreciation to the Council for their service. Councilmember Mavity stated that the City receives approximately $220,000 as part of the Community Development Block Grant(CDBG)program and those funds are used for a number of City programs, including emergency repair programs. She indicated that these funds make a big difference in the community. Congressman Ellison agreed and stated that these are the dollars that local governments can use to meet their own needs. He requested that the Council consider writing him a letter regarding the importance of the CDBG program. Councilmember Ross requested an update regarding cost of living increases for Social Security. Congressman Ellison advised that a bill was offered in Congress for a $250 COLA but it did not pass into law. He acknowledged the importance of this issue but given the budget and economic conditions, he did not feel an increase would be forthcoming. 2d. Acceptance of Monetary Donation from St. Louis Park Rotary for the Westwood Hills Nature Center Climbing Feature Ms. Walsh introduced Sunrise Notary Club members Matt Shadow, Brandon Oslund, Mike Spencer, Linda Trummer; and Noon Rotary Club members Karen Atkinson and Jay Rasmussen. Mr. Matt Shadow presented a donation in the amount of$15,000 to the City for the new rock climbing feature at the Westwood Hills Nature Center. He stated that the contribution represents a collaborative effort on the part of the Noon Rotary Club, Sunrise Rotary Club, and the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Mayor Pro Tem Sanger expressed the City Council's gratitude for this generous donation. City Council Meeting -3- March 21, 2011 Ms. Walsh stated that the rock climbing features have been on the wish list and the City could not have done this without the Rotary's generous donation. She indicated that it is anticipated the rock climbing feature will be installed by the end of May. Councilmember Finkelstein stated that the Rotary Clubs are open to men and women and are comprised of people who live and work in the community. He indicated that the Noon Rotary Club meets at 12:00 on Mondays at the Doubletree Hotel and the Sunrise Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. on Fridays at Vescio's. He expressed gratitude for the Rotary's donation and stated he is deeply touched by the work they do in the community. Ms. Linda Trummer stated that the Rotary is planning a community celebration to commemorate the Rotary's anniversary. She encouraged anyone interested in joining the Rotary to contact the Noon Rotary Club or Sunrise Rotary Club. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. Study Session Minutes February 28,2011 Councilmember Mavity requested that the sixth paragraph on page 7 be revised to state "Councilmember Mavity requested that the City provide the new and youth commissioners with sufficient ongoing support to make sure they understand the issues they are dealing with." Mayor Pro Tern Sanger requested that the second sentence of the seventh paragraph on page 5 be revised to clarify that she, and not Ms. Rohlfing, made the statement that the deer problem in the community is worse and that she, and not Ms. Rohlfing, encouraged Council to become familiar with the historical management of the deer population. The minutes were approved as amended. 3b. City Council Meeting Minutes March 7,2011 The minutes were approved as presented. 3c. Special Study Session Minutes March 7, 2011 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. Designate Friedges Landscaping, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder for the reconstruction of the Northside Park project and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of$711,170.93. 4b. Adopt Resolution No. 11- 036 accepting this report, establishing and ordering Improvement Project No. 20110090, approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids for the Dehumidification project in The Rec Center East Arena. City Council Meeting -4- March 21, 2011 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 11-037 to approve St. Louis Park Lions Club's request for placing temporary signs in the public right-of-way. 4d. Approve Resolution No. 11-038 approving disbursement of Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP) funds to plan participants. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 11-039 accepting a donation from the St. Louis Park Rotary in the amount of $15,000 for a new climbing feature at Westwood Hills Nature Center. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 11-040 to recognize retiree Paul Steinhilber, Resolution No. 11-041 to recognize Jim Thompson, and Resolution No. 11-042 to recognize John Altepeter for their years of service to the City of St. Louis Park. 4g. Approve for Filing Housing Authority Minutes February 9, 2011. 4h. Approve for Filing of Vendor Claims. It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 5-0 (Mayor Jacobs and Councilmember Santa absent). 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—None 9. Communications Councilmember Finkelstein announced a wine tasting fundraiser sponsored by the Rotary on Thursday, May 19`h, at 5:00 p.m. at Excelsior and Grand. He indicated further information is available on the Hoigaard's website, including sign-up and/or information on how to donate items for the silent auction. He also proudly announced the birth of his first granddaughter, Tovah. Mr. Harmening announced that the City will be hosting a program called "Minnesota and the New Normal," with U of M Economist, Tom Stinson, and State Demographer, Tom Gillaspy, on Thursday, March 24`h, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. He stated that the program is free; interested parties are asked to preregister at www.s1pcornmunityed.com. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested that the program be videotaped. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Ii Nancy Str�ty Clerk Jeff Ja obs, M:yor