HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/06/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E S 0 T A CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
JUNE 27,2011
The meeting convened at 7:16 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tem Susan Sanger, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, and Sue
Santa.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, and Paul Omodt.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director
(Ms. Deno), Community Liaison (Ms. Olson), Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms.
Gothberg), Police Lieutenant (Mr. Harcey), Police Lieutenant (Ms. Dreier), Director of Public
Works (Mr. Rardin), City Engineer(Mr. Brink), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
Guests: Bill Morris and Peter Leatherman (Decision Resources, Ltd.), Jim Smith (Chair, Police
Advisory Commission), and Mary Tomback(Chair, Human Rights Commission).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—July 11, 2011
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for July 11`h. He indicated that
because no Council meeting is scheduled for July 5th, a special City Council meeting will be held
on July 11t at 6:30 p.m. in order to take action on the Cavalia land use items.
Councilmember Mavity stated that she will be absent on July 25th and requested that the
sidewalk policy discussion be moved to August 1 St
Councilmember Ross advised that she would be absent on July 25`h
2. Residential Survey Update
Ms. Gothberg presented the staff report and welcomed Mr. Bill Morns and Mr. Peter
Leatherman from Decision Resources. She expressed thanks to Ms. Olson for her significant
efforts on the residential survey.
Mr. Morris stated that Decision Resources contacted 400 randomly selected households across
the City between mid-April and mid-May and the average interview time was 31 minutes. He
provided a detailed overview of the findings from the 2011 residential survey and stated that the
City received an excellent rating on its quality of life and has sustained the #2 spot in the metro
area for the past three years. He discussed the open-ended question asked of respondents about
what they like most about the City, and stated that "sense of community" doubled from 8% in
2008 to 16% in 2011 and parks and recreation tripled from 4% in 2008 to 13% in 2011. He
advised that the train issue appeared for the first time as a key concern on the most serious issue
facing the community, while high taxes, school funding, and traffic congestion decreased in
importance as the most senous issue facing the community. He reviewed the public safety issues
and contact with the police, fire, and inspection departments, noting that the neighborhood watch
rate is among the highest in the metro area. He indicated that the City received very high ratings
on City services and value of City services, and ranks among the top in the metro area. He stated
that 78% of respondents felt empowered to have an impact on the way things are run in the City,
while the average in most suburbs is 30%. He discussed the job performance of the Mayor and
City Council and contact with the Council and City staff, indicating that the City received very
high customer service ratings. He reviewed the survey results regarding general and continued
City redevelopment and indicated that new restaurants received a low ranking on the service
Study Session Minutes -2- June 27, 2011
business priority. He stated that respondents felt there were too few senior assisted living and
one-level housing options available in the City. He discussed the survey results related to
growing population diversity, community reactions, appearance of neighborhoods, and
neighborhood perceptions. He stated that taken together, the City's neighborhood structure is
strongly cohesive. He discussed the awareness of the RAP line, commuter traffic, and ease of
travel, and stated that the City's 89% rating with respect to ease of getting to and from a
destination was the highest rating across the metro. He advised that the Children First initiative
questions revealed that only approximately 118th of residents are actively involved in the asset-
building process. He discussed the respondent's strong support of continuing to build trails and
sidewalks, and noted that comments tended to be geared more toward trails than sidewalks. He
reviewed the findings relative to interest in amenities, and stated that 47% supported a tax or user
fee increase to pay for amenities, which represents a decrease in terms of support. He opined
that this finding is not strong enough at this time to further pursue. He discussed the responses
regarding principal sources of information, emergency information, and City website, as well as
the quality of education and community education findings.
Mr. Morris stated that St. Louis Park has always been considered one of the best practices cities
across the entire metro. He stated that the City's effort to drive more people to the website seems
to be working, but the newsletter still plays an important role. He added that the final report
submitted to Council will contain findings broken down by ward; in addition, the written
analysis contained in the final report will section out all of the deviations with further detail.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger requested that Decision Resources provide further information regarding
demographic trends.
Councilmember Mavity encouraged the City to continue its proactive environmental
stewardship. She also encouraged the City to increase its recycling options for residents.
Councilmember Ross stated that the growing diversity of the City and the City's communication
efforts confirms the need to continue having various forms of media available to residents.
Mr. Harmening stated that staff is working on a communication plan for getting the survey
results out, including a press release, posting on the City's website and through social media, and
perhaps a guest column in the newspaper.
Councilmember Ross suggested that a presentation be given on the City's cable access channel.
Mr. Morris suggested that the City contact the regional reporter at the Star Tribune as a way to
highlight the survey results and the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger recessed the study session meeting at 8:39 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger reconvened the study session meeting at 8:43 p.m.
3. Human Rights Commission Annual Report and Work Plan
Ms. Olson presented the staff report and introduced Ms. Mary Tomback, incoming chair of the
Human Rights Commission (HRC), who is taking over for Mr. Morgan due to his relocation to
China in July. She advised that the HRC identified bullying as a key issue facing the community
and would like to expend some effort on this topic.
Study Session Minutes -3- June 27, 2011
Ms. Tomback stated that several new people have recently joined the HRC and the HRC has
expressed an interest in taking one item and having a cohesive agenda for the coming year. She
advised that the HRC believes that bullying is a human rights issue and is an issue that the HRC
can use to inform and articulate its agenda over the next year. She stated that the HRC intends to
include cyber bullying, bullying in the schools, as well as financial predators as a way to target
all demographic areas on this issue.
Councilmember Mavity applauded the HRC for working on this issue and expressed support for
the HRC's work in this area. She requested that the Diversity Lens contain more outcome-based
or task-oriented information. She stated that she was not sure anyone would know what to do
with the "what you can do" section. She also encouraged the HRC to involve the wider
community as much as possible in participating in the HRC's efforts on bullying.
Councilmember Santa stated that a national conference held three years had a powerful speaker
make a presentation on bullying. She agreed to provide Ms. Tomback with the speaker's name.
She also requested that the HRC provide its recommendation to Council regarding the number of
commissioners on the HRC.
Ms. Olson stated that the HRC has found it difficult to retain 13 commissioners and would like to
move to nine commissioners. She added that the HRC has also struggled to get youth
commissioners to serve. She added that any change in the number of commissioners serving on
the HRC will require a change in the bylaws and action by Council.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger expressed the Council's thanks to the HRC for its efforts and
commitment to the community.
4. Police Advisory Commission (PAC) 2010 Annual Report and 2011 Work Plan
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and introduced Lt. Mike Harcey and Mr. Jim Smith,
Chair of the Police Advisory Commission.
Councilmember Santa requested further information regarding the abbreviated version of the
Citizen's Academy geared toward immigrant populations.
Lt. Harcey explained that the PAC has been working with the Human Rights Commission in
reaching out to the immigrant populations and providing educational outreach on what a police
department does and what a police department can do for this population. He indicated that two
classes were offered this spring through the Community Education program's English as a
Second Language classes that provided an introductory program on the basic functions of a
police department, how to contact the police department, and what services are provided by the
police department, as well as more detailed information on how to act if you are stopped by the
police in your vehicle, etc.
Councilmember Santa encouraged the PAC to expand its partnership with Community Education
and the Human Rights Commission because it gives everybody more credence and builds trusts
and improves relationships.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger asked if the immigrant population has requested an opportunity to speak
to the community, similar to the presentation previously given by the Somali community.
Study Session Minutes -4- June 27, 2011
Lt. Harcey replied that input received has not indicated that the immigrant population is looking
for this. He added that the questions received were more specifically police-related issues, such
as what happens if someone is involved in a domestic dispute or a traffic stop.
Councilmember Ross stated that the issue of bike safety rules and regulations are different
among neighboring communities and encouraged the PAC to work with other cities to
standardize these rules.
Lt. Harcey stated that the PAC has worked with Three Rivers Park District on this issue and the
Park Distnct shares the City's frustration with this situation.
Mr. Smith advised that the Social Host Ordinance is on the PAC's meeting agenda for next
week.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger expressed the Council's thanks to the Police Advisory Commission.
5. Project Update—Highway 100 Reconstruction Project
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and indicated that Mn/DOT has determined that the
West 27th Street ramp represents a significant safety issue on the Highway 100 rebuild project.
He stated that staff received a lot of good input during the public process and would like to
provide the neighborhood with the City's preferred ramp option prior to informing Mn/DOT in
order to provide the neighborhood with an opportunity to provide further comments.
Mr. Rardin reviewed the summary and results of the public process regarding the proposed West
27th Street ramp closure.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger stated that there is currently a fair amount of traffic coming from the area
where the Volkswagen dealership is located, coming southbound on Utica Avenue that goes onto
Highway 100 at West 27`h. She indicated if the West 27th Street ramp is closed and Mn/DOT
does nothing else, all that traffic will have no choice but to turn on West 27th onto Vernon
Avenue because this is the only street that has a traffic light at Minnetonka Boulevard. She
expressed concern that Vernon Avenue will become gridlocked.
Councilmember Ross noted that it is still uncertain what will happen with the Nestle property
and how the West 27th Street ramp closure would impact that area.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger stated that two neighborhood meetings were held to discuss available
options with residents. She indicated that one option includes closing the Parkdale and West 27th
Street ramps and building a new ramp in the vicinity of the VW dealer. She noted that there was
a significant amount of opposition from people on Vernon Avenue to the possibility of extending
Vernon Avenue past 25-1/2 Street to facilitate traffic to and from the Nestle/VW area. She added
that residents were concerned that Vernon would turn into a thoroughfare. She stated that the
focus of the neighborhood meetings was a proposed ramp from West 27th Street to Minnetonka
Boulevard which would keep traffic from going through the neighborhoods and off of Vernon
Avenue, which means that Vernon will not become a thoroughfare and will not have to be
extended, and it also preserves Utica Avenue as a less trafficked street. She indicated that the
downside to putting a ramp in this location is that while there is enough room for a noise wall if
the neighbors want it, there is not enough room for a berm. She added that this ramp option
seems to be the best choice given that the other options are much worse, and results in lesser
impacts to residents.
Study Session Minutes -5- June 27, 2011
Mr. Rardin pointed out that the Council will not have a say in deciding the installation of a noise
wall because the Mn/DOT process now allows for the impacted property owners to decide
whether a noise wall is installed.
Councilmember Mavity asked how this project will impact the Council's stated desire for
building a north-south connection.
Mr. Rardin replied that the north-south connection can still happen with any of the proposed
options.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger asked if the option of closing West 27th Street and Parkdale and creating
a new entrance ramp around West 25th with no extension of Vernon Avenue would create
significant traffic congestion for people going in and out of the area.
Mr. Rardin stated that he felt drivers would be able to get in and out of the area, but there will
likely be increased traffic counts on Vernon Avenue.
Mr. Harmening indicated that next steps include modeling of this option by Mn/DOT to make
sure it will work.
It was the consensus of the City Councilmembers in attendance that the proposed option for the
West 27th Street ramp outlined by Mayor Pro Tem Sanger was worth pursuing at this time.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger requested that staff prepare a handout summarizing the option to be
pursued and requested that the handout be available at the Birchwood neighborhood picnic on
Thursday, June 30t. She also requested that the handout include a map and an indication that
Mn/DOT modeling still needs to be done on this option.
Mr. Rardin advised that Mn/DOT has proposed that a Noise Advisory Committee (NAC) be
created for the Highway 100 project and has requested that names be provided to fill the resident
positions on the committee. He suggested that Councilmember Sanger serve on the NAC. He
stated that Scott Brink and Meg McMonigal will participate from City staff and April Crockett
from Mn/DOT will participate in the meetings. He requested that Council provide names of
residents to serve on the NAC.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger agreed to serve on the NAC and stated that the level of community
distrust of Mn/DOT has skyrocketed as a result of the train issue. She and Councilmember
Mavity agreed to provide names of residents to serve on the NAC.
6. Possible Implications of a State Government Shutdown
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
Ms. Deno indicated that department directors are monitoring information and official notices
from the State and the City is very well prepared for a potential shutdown primarily because the
City does not rely on LGA or MVHC and is in good shape fiscally and operationally. She added
that the League has also been providing an ongoing list of things that could be shut down.
Councilmember Ross urged anyone that has a driver's license or license tabs coming up for
renewal to get them renewed right away. She asked about impacts to the City as it relates to the
Highway Patrol.
Study Session Minutes -6- June 27, 2011
Ms. Deno stated that Chief Luse has indicated that the City's Police Department is a fairly self-
contained unit and does not rely a great deal on the State Patrol. She added that the City also has
mutual aid with other cities for police and fire calls.
Councilmember Mavity expressed her appreciation for the helpful information contained in the
staff report.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger also expressed her appreciation for the helpful information. She stated
that there are a number of nonprofit organizations that provide services paid for by the State
might be cutting services, such as Cornerstone.
Ms. Deno indicated that each department director will be asked to provide a recommendation
and plan on dealing with services that are no longer being provided by the State.
Mr. Harmening stated that in some cases a specific resource, such as Cornerstone, might not be
available during a State government shutdown.
Councilmember Santa expressed concern about residents getting laid off and the additional stress
this places on them, particularly for those families with limited resources.
Mr. Harmening stated that the majority of services provided by the City will continue in the
event of a State government shutdown.
7. Communications/Meeting Check-in (Verbal)
Councilmember Mavity stated that she did not feel any change was necessary to the current
Mayor and City Council compensation structure.
It was the consensus of the City Councilmembers in attendance to make no changes to the
current compensation levels for the Mayor, City Council, and Economic Development Authority
members.
Mr. Harmening reported that a crime alert will be issued in the Bronx Park neighborhood
regarding an increase in graffiti.
Mr. Harmening stated that a question has been raised as to whether a liquor licensee is allowed to
include offsite catering sales in their food/liquor sales numbers. He indicated that the ordinance
is not clear on this question but felt that an argument could be made that they should not be
allowed to include offsite catering sales in food/liquor sales numbers. He stated that staff will
clarify that liquor licensees cannot include offsite catering sales in their overall food/liquor sales
numbers.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
8. Toby Keith's Liquor License—Food/Liquor Sales Interim Report
9. May 2011 Monthly Financial Report
10. Mayor, City Council, and Economic Development Authority Compensation
Nancy Stroth,i(ity Clerk §usan Sange , Mayor Pro Tern