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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/07/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Ili- St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA JULY 11, 2011 The meeting convened at 6:50 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent: Phil Finkelstein and Paul Omodt. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Police Chief(Mr. Luse), Police Lieutenant (Mr. Kraayenbrink), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Planner (Mr. Fulton), Environmental Coordinator (Mr. Vaughan), Utilities Superintendent(Mr. Anderson), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes). Guests: Ms. Christina Barberot (Chair, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission) and Mr. James Wisker(Minnehaha Creek Watershed District). 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—July 25,2011 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for July 25th. 2. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission 2010 Annual Report and 2011 Work Plan Discussion Ms. Walsh presented the staff report and introduced Ms. Christina Barberot, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. Ms. Barberot discussed highlights of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission's 2010 Annual Report, including fostering better relationships with the various youth associations, installing different types of recycling bins in all the City's major parks, participation in the Minnehaha Creek cleanup, acquisition of park and trail dedication fees for the West End project, ongoing educational outreach regarding Emerald Ash Borer, participation in preparation of the Community Recreation Survey, and ongoing work with Friends of the Arts. She also discussed a new program implemented at the Oak Hill Splash Pad intended to address overcrowding concerns. She advised that non-residents are charged a fee and groups are required to register in advance, and the program has been a success. She then presented the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission's 2011 Goals, and indicated that the Commission's work is currently focused on the results of the Community Recreation Survey. Councilmember Mavity requested that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission's 2011 work plan include discussions regarding environmental stewardship and finding ways to collaborate with residents, e.g., buckthorn removal. She also suggested that the City put in more water fountains in the parks and eventually ban plastic water bottles. Councilmember Sanger requested that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission work with the Police Advisory Commission regarding the rules for right-of-way when bike trails cross streets. She stated that the current rules are very confusing and there needs to be consistent interpretation of the rules for motorists as well as bicyclists. Study Session Minutes -2- July 11, 2011 Councilmember Santa requested that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission work on enhancing its relationship with Community Education and finding ways to work together. She stated that she has received a lot of positive feedback regarding the seating provided on the new trail on 36th Street as well as the benches provided in the area between 36th Street and 34th Street. She encouraged the City to continue to provide this type of seating in the City's open spaces. Mayor Jacobs requested that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission look into whether smoking should be banned in the City's parks. Councilmember Santa suggested that this effort be coordinated with the Police Advisory Commission. It was the consensus of the City Council to request that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, in collaboration with the Police Advisory Commission, provide Council with a recommendation regarding banning smoking in City parks. Councilmember Sanger requested that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission discuss the City's policy regarding availability of unlocked restrooms in City parks. Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for their ongoing efforts on behalf of residents. 3. Minnehaha Creek Restoration—Louisiana Avenue to Meadowbrook Road Ms. Walsh presented the staff report and introduced Mr. James Wisker with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board Member Jeff Casale. Mr. Wisker presented an overview of the Minnehaha Creek restoration/re-meander project, intended to restore the creek to a more natural channel and improve the floodplain characteristics of Minnehaha Creek. He reviewed the trails, storm water, design considerations, and next steps, noting that the Watershed District will be hosting community informational meetings and will then order the project and move into the design phase of the project. He stated that one of the key design elements will be to model this project off the success of the Methodist Hospital re- meander project. He discussed the plans for making the canoe launch area handicap accessible at the Louisiana Avenue site. He stated that one of the Watershed District's key goals is recreation and providing opportunities for people to enjoy the Watershed District's restoration projects. He discussed two options for trail location and the City's preference for bituminous trails wherever possible, which can be accommodated through a large section of the corridor. He added that the Watershed District will continue to work with the City regarding design of the trail. Councilmember Santa stated that people are interested in using this area in the winter and requested that the trail remain accessible year-round. Councilmember Mavity encouraged the Watershed District to engage area businesses in discussions regarding the restoration project and added there may be opportunities for partnering with area businesses on educational signs, clean-up, installation of benches, etc. Mr. Wisker agreed and stated that the Watershed District has met with representatives from Target to discuss storm water run-off. Study Session Minutes -3- July 11, 2011 Councilmember Sanger expressed support for the project. She urged the Watershed District to enhance the system for canoe rentals and to provide shuttle service. Mr. Fulton stated that the restoration project will require a Conditional Use Permit for Council approval later this year. 4. Deer Management Policy Ms. Walsh presented the staff report and possible revisions to the City's current deer management policy based on previous Council discussion in February. She noted that any changes to the policy would be formally adopted at a City Council meeting. She advised that the DNR does not require any type of public notification to remove deer and suggested that the City work with the City of Golden Valley in managing the deer population by obtaining a joint permit; staff also suggests hiring a private contractor to remove deer. Councilmember Sanger supported the revisions to the deer management policy and stated that residents have expressed significant concerns regarding the deer population. She added that she felt the acceptable deer count numbers could be lower. She indicated that the City needs to enhance its educational outreach to residents that they should not feed the wildlife. Councilmember Ross agreed and supported the idea of partnenng with Golden Valley. Councilmember Mavity suggested that paragraph II.A. of the policy be amended to state that the comprehensive educational program will be implemented each year. It was the consensus of the majority of the City Councilmembers in attendance to direct staff to revise the City's policy regarding deer management throughout the City. It was also the consensus of the majority of the City Councilmembers in attendance to partner with neighboring cities, including Golden Valley, regarding the management of the deer population, and to work to ensure that the deer management policies complement each other. Council discussed the notification process and the public record regarding this discussion. Mayor Jacobs stated that this is a highly controversial policy and there will be residents in agreement with it and residents who will be livid about the revised policy. He added that the City has a long history of providing notification to residents and cautioned Council about changing the policy and not providing adequate notice to residents. Councilmember Mavity stated that she needs to further study the material and would like to take additional time to review it. Councilmember Sanger stated that the revisions to the policy will come back to Council with a staff presentation prior to formal action,just like any other matter requiring Council action. Councilmember Santa stated that this is a policy which can be changed by Council at any time. She indicated that the Park Perspective should publish an article about wildlife feeding, health hazards, reporting deer/car accidents, and should contain the revised policy, noting that the City is managing the urban herd in conjunction with Golden Valley. Study Session Minutes -4- July 11, 2011 Councilmember Ross pointed out that the City has already been managing the deer population in the City and will continue to do so based on the revised policy. Mr. Harmening stated that another draft of the policy will be presented to Council at an upcoming meeting, followed by formal adoption at a regular City Council meeting. 5. Review of Water and Sanitary Sewer Service Line Policies Mr. Rardin presented the staff report. Mr. Harmening explained that the City has had a longstanding policy of requiring property owners to maintain, repair, and replace the water service line from their home to the water main in the street. He indicated that a question has arisen as to whether the City's policy should be revised to state that the City is responsible for the water service line from the shut-off at approximately the right of way line out to the water main. He indicated that this would require the City to take responsibility for approximately 12,000 water service lines in the City and would cost approximately $750,000 per year, which would be paid through the water utility by spreading the cost throughout the City. Councilmember Mavity asked about the anticipated lifespan of the pipe. She also asked if repaving the road following a line break is assessed to the property owner. Mr. Rardin replied that the lifespan is approximately 70 years and varies depending on size and use of the pipe. He stated that the costs include the road cost which is assessed back to the homeowners. Councilmember Santa pointed out that if a street is already torn up as part of the City's street maintenance program, a property owner has the option of replacing their service line at that time. Councilmember Ross stated that it is cost prohibitive to consider an increase in rates to justify a program like this. Councilmember Sanger agreed that there are obvious prohibitive cost issues with this type of program. She added that she did not feel any changes could be made until the City established a clear, coherent policy regarding ownership of anything in the City's right-of-way, including trees, sewer lines, and responsibility for snowplowing. Councilmember Mavity agreed, but stated that it does not appear that the City is being overwhelmed with requests as it relates to ownership of service lines. She felt this was not a major issue and did not require action by Council at this time. Mayor Jacobs expressed support for changing the backwater valve program to include the additional areas proposed by staff. Councilmember Sanger suggested publishing some educational pieces in the Park Perspective regarding the importance of this program. Councilmember Mavity stated that Council does not need to individually approve the properties eligible for the Backwater Valve program. Study Session Minutes -5- July 11, 2011 It was the consensus of the City Council to authorize staff to approve the properties eligible for the Backwater Valve program. Councilmember Santa requested that staff give a heads-up to Council when staff informs residents their water will be shut off if they do not make needed service line repairs. Councilmember Sanger requested further information regarding the recent publication on water quality. Mr. Anderson stated that this is a Federally-mandated publication and must be mailed to every water user in the City. Councilmember Sanger suggested that the City's lobbyist be asked to work on getting this mandate changed because it appears to be a waste of money and few people read the publication. 6. Change in Drug Task Force Affiliation Mr. Luse presented the staff report and proposed change in the City's affiliation with the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force effective January 1, 2012. He discussed the consortium led by the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office called CISA which shares information related to crime trends and patterns in the area, including Minneapolis. He added that there are no hard feelings with the Northwest Metro Drug Task Force and the proposed affiliation with the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force represents a better model for the City. It was the consensus of the City Council to support the Police Department's change in affiliation with a drug task force to the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force. 7. Communications/Meeting Check-in (Verbal) Mr. Harmening presented a letter from Mn/DOT regarding the negative declaration on the freight rail EAW. He stated that the document is available online and agreed to provide Council with the entire document. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 8. Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue Interchange Project Update 9. Sidewalk Repair Program Update 10. Wooddale Pointe Project Update r Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff ac ei,s, .yor