HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/02/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular I/f St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST.LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
FEBRUARY 21,2012
1. Call to Order
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, Susan
Sanger, Sue Santa, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Director of Human
Resources (Ms. Deno), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), City Clerk (Ms. Stroth), Director of
Community Development(Mr. Locke), Planning/Zoning Supervisor(Ms. McMonigal), Assistant
Zoning Administrator (Mr. Morrison), Planner (Mr. Fulton), Housing Programs Coordinator
(Ms. Larsen), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
la. Pledge of Allegiance
lb. Roll Call
2. Presentations -None
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. City Council Meeting Minutes February 6, 2012
Councilmember Santa requested that the fourth paragraph on page 3 be clarified to state
"Councilmember Santa asked if ING is providing services or benefits to the City and
advised that her employer is ING which would present a
conflict of interest as it relates to the City's contracts."
Councilmember Ross requested that a paragraph be added on page 3 that states
"Councilmember Ross asked if the City offers short term disability to its employees
before long term disability kicks in."
The minutes were approved as amended.
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. Adopt Resolution No. 12-028 approving on-sale intoxicating and Sunday Liquor
License Renewal for Park Tavern Lounge & Lanes for the license term of March
1, 2012 - March 1, 2013; and Resolution 12-0281 approving on-sale intoxicating
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 21,2012
and Sunday Liquor License Renewal for Toby Keith's I Love This Bar& Grill for
the license term of March 1, 2012 - March 1, 2013 with the condition that the
licensee will be put on a probationary status for 6 months.
4b. Adopt Resolution No. 12-029 approving a Wellness Incentive Program for
benefit earning staff for 2012-2013.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 12-030 electing not to waive the statutory tort limits for
liability insurance.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 12-031 which supports the Metropolitan Council's
Bonding Request for the Southwest Light Rail Transit Project.
4e. Approve for Filing Fire Civil Service Commission Minutes June 8, 2011.
4f. Approve for Filing Housing Authority Minutes December 14, 2011.
4g. Approve for Filing Vendor Claims.
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to
approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of
all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 7-0.
5. Boards and Commissions-None
6. Public Hearings
6a. Public Hearing—Liquor License for Doubletree Park Place Hotel
Ms. Stroth presented the staff report and advised that IVC WHH Minneapolis, LLC, dba
Doubletree Park Place Hotel, has made application for an on-sale intoxicating liquor
license with Sunday sales currently under operation at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel.
She stated the new ownership will be taking over the current Doubletree Hotel but the
establishment's name and general manager will remain the same.
Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs
closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to
approve an on-sale intoxicating liquor license with Sunday sales to IVC WHH
Minneapolis, LLC, dba Doubletree Park Place Hotel located at 1500 Park Place
Boulevard for the license term of March 1, 2012, through March 1, 2013.
The motion passed 7-0.
6b. First Reading of an Ordinance Adopting a Charter Amendment Pertaining
to Civil Penalties
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report and proposed ordinance change to implement an
administrative penalties system. He explained that the Charter Commission met on
December 6th and unanimously recommended that the City Council approve the
amendment. He stated the Charter amendment would create a process for the enabling
authority to issue civil penalties and authorize a process to impose civil penalties. He
indicated the amendment will also impose additional fines to cover the City's
City Council Meeting Minutes -3 - February 21, 2012
administrative and legal costs. He reviewed next steps and stated that staff will provide a
summary of the process to Council prior to formal action in June.
Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs
closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Mavity asked if any staffing changes or additional staff will be required
to implement the proposed Ordinance amendment.
Mr. Momson replied that no additional staff will be required to implement the
Ordinance.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt
First Reading of Ordinance Amending the St. Louis Park City Charter Concerning Civil
Penalties.
Councilmember Spano requested further information regarding the process for
implementing the Charter amendment and requested a copy of the draft ordinance.
Mr. Morrison explained that staff is currently working on the ordinance and intends to
bring the proposed ordinance to Council in May and to review the entire process with
Council at that time. He added that any questions regarding the proposed amendment can
be directed to staff at any time.
The motion passed 7-0.
6c. Public Hearing to Consider Allocation of 2012 Grant Year Community
Development Block Grant(CDBG) Funds
Resolution No. 12-032
Ms. Larsen presented the staff report and proposed allocation of 2012 CDBG funds. She
indicated the City has typically focused CDBG funds on improvements to housing for
low income families and over the past several years, a small portion of funds were used
to support public services for housing authority residents, park programming for low
income youth, assisting STEP with its new facility, as well as renovations at Lenox
Center. She advised that the 2012 allocation is based on 2012 Census poverty data and is
anticipated to be $173,258. She noted that the City must submit its proposed allocation
of CDBG funds to the County by February 23rd.
Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing.
Mr. Bill O'Meara, Community Action Partnership, appeared before the City Council and
stated that last year in addition to implementing the Emergency Repair Grant Program for
low income homeowners, Community Action Partnership provided foreclosure assistance
to 28 people, provided assistance to ten first time home buyers, and 29 people met with a
reverse mortgage counselor. He expressed appreciation to the City for its support of the
programs.
Ms. Jeannie Seeley-Smith, President of Perspectives, appeared before the City Council
and presented pictures of the proposed roof renovation project. She stated the roof
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- February 21, 2012
project is part of a $3.9 million renovation project of the Family Center which will begin
this summer. She thanked the City for its support.
Councilmember Mavity noted the downward trend in CDBG funds over the past decade
and asked if this is due to overall cuts in the program or other factors that affect the
allocation formula.
Ms. Larsen replied that the decline is primarily due to overall Federal cuts in the program
over the past decade. She stated the amount of the 2012 reduction based on allocation
formula which included 2010 Census data showing fewer households in poverty is
nominal.
Councilmember Ross thanked Ms. Seeley-Smith for providing financial background on
the renovation project for Perspectives. She stated she supported the City's allocation of
CDBG funds to Perspectives and asked if the renovation project could proceed if the
CDBG funds were reduced for any reason.
Ms. Seeley-Smith replied that they would have to find funds elsewhere but felt the
renovation project could proceed as planned.
Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt
Resolution No. 12-032 Approving Proposed Use of 2012 Urban Hennepin County
Community Development Block Grant Program Funds and Authorizing Execution of
Subrecipient Agreement with Hennepin County and any Third Party Agreements.
The motion passed 7-0.
7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None
8. Resolutions, Ordinances,Motions and Discussion Items
8a. Gateway Assisted Living Development
Resolutions No. 12-033,No. 12-034, and No. 12-035
Mr. Fulton presented the staff report and proposed PUD for the construction of a three-
story, 22-unit assisted living facility. He indicated the proposal has access solely from
Wayzata Boulevard with no access to the residential neighborhood to the south. He
presented an architectural rendering of the proposed building and stated that the Fire
Department carefully reviewed the proposal to ensure safety for all residents. He
explained that ten memory care residents will be located on the first floor with six
assisted living units located on each of the two upper floors. He stated that 16 total
parking spaces are provided and it is anticipated that parking will be used by staff and
residents are not expected to have vehicles; as a result, a reduction in the total number of
parking spaces required was found to be reasonable. He reviewed the proposed building
materials and landscape plan, noting that 13 new trees and 129 shrubs are proposed.
He indicated that the existing trees along Wayzata Boulevard will be preserved which
counts toward the tree preservation calculation. He stated the developer has requested
using the City's alternative landscaping provisions by providing a fully secured outdoor
City Council Meeting Minutes -5 - February 21, 2012
patio on the south side of the building. He explained the developer has requested a
variance to the setback from 37.5 feet to 25 feet and this matches the setback approved
for this site in 2005. He indicated the preliminary and final plat proposes to combine two
lots into a single lot and will provide easements to the City as well as park dedication and
trail dedication fees. He then introduced Mr. Viren Gori.
Mr. Viren Gori, Gori & Associates, appeared before the City Council and indicated he
initially served as the architect for the condominium development on this site in 2005.
He stated this is a challenging site and he wanted to construct something that would add
value to the area without being disruptive to the neighborhood.
Councilmember Sanger felt the proposed use of the site makes sense. She stated the
building will be located on the corner of two busy streets and asked where residents will
safely be able to go for a walk.
Mr. Gori explained that most residents will not be walking on the street unsupervised and
will be walking on the neighborhood sidewalks rather than along Wayzata Boulevard.
He stated there will be no pedestrian exit on the lower level with pedestrian access from
Kentucky Avenue. He added it is anticipated that most residents will need assistance
with walking and will not be allowed to walk outside on their own.
Councilmember Ross felt that this sounded like a nursing home rather than assisted
living. She asked if there would be staff available to assist or monitor the residents in the
assisted living area and not just the memory care unit.
Mr. Gori replied there would be staff available in the assisted living area primarily on an
emergency basis. He stated that no permanent staff would be housed on each of the
assisted living floors.
Councilmember Ross stated she felt this represents a great use of the space but had
concerns about the safety and location of residents in terms of their proximity to the
street. She asked if emergency vehicles would have enough room to maneuver in the
street if vehicles are parked in the cul-de-sac. She also asked about light pollution from
the rear of the building.
Mr. Fulton replied that, based on the review completed by the Building Official and Fire
Marshal, emergency vehicles would be able to maneuver in this area and the cul-de-sacs
are designed to allow a ladder truck to turn around without backing up.
Mr. Gori advised the building is located to the north of the houses and if anything, the
building will shield them from noise. He stated the lights on the patio are all downcast
and will be operated on auto dimmers.
Councilmember Mavity indicated the City is encouraging this type of development that
comes up to the street to make areas more walkable and asked if this is something
Council needs to review more generally in terms of its required setbacks. She also asked
if the developer has sufficiently addressed the City's tree replacement and landscaping
requirements, particularly given the developer's use of planters, to make sure the
developer has provided some permanence to the site's landscaping.
f.-,,
City Council Meeting Minutes -6 - February 21, 2012
Mr. Fulton felt that evaluating developments on a case by case basis was appropriate and
in this case, the PUD is an appropriate mechanism for reviewing the project in detail,
including required setbacks. He advised that the alternative landscaping provisions were
introduced in 2006 and require any site approved via PUD to maintain the site in
compliance with the approved landscape plan and City Code. Funds are also held in
escrow for one year after landscaping is installed, to ensure compliance with the
landscape plan.
It was moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt
Resolution No. 12-033 Approving a Preliminary and Final Planned Unit Development
(PUD) Under Section 36-367 of the St. Louis Park Ordinance Code Relating to Zoning
for Property Zoned R-C High Density Multiple Family Residential Located at 1324 and
1332 Kentucky Avenue South.
The motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt
Resolution No. 12-034 Giving Approval for Preliminary and Final Plat of Gateway
Plaza.
The motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt
Resolution No. 12-035 Granting Variance from Section 36-167 of the Ordinance Code
Relating to Zoning to Reduce the Rear Yard Setback for Property Located in the R-C -
High Density Multiple Family Residential Zoning District at 1324 and 1332 Kentucky
Avenue South.
The motion passed 7-0.
Councilmember Ross thanked the developer for his efforts and felt the proposed building
represented a wise use of the space. She acknowledged the difficulty of balancing
commercial businesses with the residential area in back of the site.
8b. Resolution Approving 2012-2013 International Union of Operating
Engineers (IUOE) Local#49 Labor Agreement.
Resolution No. 12-036
Ms. Deno presented the staff report and the 2012-2013 contract with Local #49. She
explained that this two-year contract follows the pattern of the other labor agreements
and includes a 2% wage increase in 2012 and 2013, no increase in the 2012 employer
contribution for health insurance, the employer contribution for health insurance will be
consistent with other groups in 2013, and this group will continue participation in the
City's wellness incentive programs. She stated the deferred compensation program and
long term disability represent new benefits for this group and benefits are consistent with
other settled groups. She noted that ING is a provider of the deferred compensation
program. She explained that in 2012, an additional $100 is being provided to equipment
mechanics who work on fleet vehicles; in addition, the Local #49 contract moves away
from an annual clothing allowance to a more structured uniform program for all
maintenance employees. She added this contract also added language regarding
City Council Meeting Minutes -7 - February 21,2012
temporary and seasonal employees who work at the Nature Center to be exempt from the
120 work day limitation.
Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to Ms. Deno, City staff, and Local #49
for working together to reach agreement on the contract.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt
Resolution No. 12-036 Approving the Labor Agreement between the City of St. Louis
Park and International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #49, January 1, 2012 —
December 31, 2013.
The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Santa abstained).
9. Communications
Mayor Jacobs reminded residents of the free Home Remodeling Fair on Saturday,
February 26`h, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Eisenhower Community Center.
Councilmember Ross welcomed Jerry's Hardware to the City.
Councilmember Ross reminded residents to please shovel their walkways even when the
City has not declared a snow emergency.
Councilmember Spano encouraged residents to take advantage of the tree purchase
program available through Tree Trust.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
-Y1/1
Nancy Stroth, dify Clerk Jeff J..lobs, Mayor