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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/03/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Iff St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA MARCH 12, 2012 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs (arrived at 6:56 p.m.), Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, and Jake Spano. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Clerk (Ms. Stroth), Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms. Goldberg), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), Utilities Superintendent (Mr. Anderson), Environmental Coordinator (Mr. Vaughan), Public Works Coordinator (Mr. Merkley), Public Works Admin Specialist (Ms. Hansen), City Assessor (Mr. Bultema), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—March 19 and March 26,2012 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for March 19, 2012, and the proposed study session agenda for March 26, 2012. Mayor Pro Tem Sanger requested that the discussion regarding the Business Park Zoning District include a discussion regarding the City's plans to spot zone the Business Park Zoning District versus zoning larger areas with this classification. Councilmember Ross requested that Council discuss Eliot School and commission appointments this evening. 2. Redistricting Options Ms. Stroth presented the staff report and two options for redistricting. She advised that the City Charter requires ward boundaries to be adopted by April 3, 2012. She stated that wards must be bounded by precincts and cannot cross legislative boundaries. She indicated that the City will remain in the 5th Congressional District and the Legislative District was renumbered to 46. She reviewed the criteria used for preparing the redistricting options and noted that both options are well within the 5% deviation guideline. She presented Option 1 and Option 2 depicting ward boundaries and precinct locations and noted that Option 1 keeps the neighborhoods intact in each ward. She then reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of Option 1 and Option 2. Councilmember Ross expressed support for Option 1 and stated she was pleased to see that Option 1 does not split neighborhoods, the lines are cleaner, and overall, Option 1 makes the most sense. Councilmember Mavity and Mayor Pro Tem Sanger agreed. Councilmember Santa indicated it would be nice to have a polling place in precinct 9 that does not require crossing Highway 7 which can be a barrier for some people. She added there are Study Session Minutes -2- March 12, 2012 some residents in South Oak Hill who are used to walking to their polling place so this will be a shift for them and she would like to minimize change as much as possible. It was the consensus of the City Council to choose Option 1 as the preferred redistricting layout. Councilmember Mavity expressed concern that some polls already seem to be at capacity with no room for growth,particularly related to the Rec Center. Ms. Stroth indicated that by changing the precinct boundaries, the proposed voters for the Rec Center polling location is reduced by approximately 1,000 voters to accommodate the projected future growth in this precinct. She stated that the public hearing and first reading will take place on March 19th with the second reading on April 2nd, and voters would be notified in July of their precinct location. She added the City will educate voters on the redistricting changes and the new boundaries will be effective at the time of the Primary Election on August 14`h Councilmember Sanger requested that the Councilmembers send an email to the various neighborhood leaders letting them know who their new Councilmember is following adoption of the redistricting plan. Mr. Harmening expressed thanks and appreciation to Ms. Stroth, Ms. Midura, Mr. Graham, Mr. Jones, and all the staff members who worked on the redistricting plan. 3. Storm Water/Surface Water Management Mr. Rardin presented the staff report. He indicated the City's storm water program utilizes a natural system of ponds designed to hold back water and also to provide natural treatment of water as it goes through the community. He stated that the various regulations require the City to evaluate its water systems through TMDLs and utilizes best management practices to get the best treatment of the water. He discussed the Barr maintenance and rehabilitation program that deals with the City's storm water system and noted this study focuses not so much on quantity but more so on water quality, total suspended solids, and total phosphorous. He advised that the PCA has begun to revise its rules and regulations on NPDES as well as the rules and regulations related to TMDLs; as a result, the CIP which was generated by Barr should be put on hold pending the rules revision. Councilmember Mavity stated that Bass Lake Preserve is listed as a wetland and an aquatic plant survey would be of no benefit. She indicated that at one time, Bass Lake was listed as an 80 acre lake and questioned whether all lakes would become wetlands over time due to silt and sediment. She stated that Bass Lake is a public access entirely and did not feel the residents living near the lake should pay for improvements. She expressed frustration about how the City is approaching this and stated she felt like the City was dismissing Bass Lake because it is a wetland. Mr. Rardin indicated that Bass Lake has wetland vegetation and an aquatic plant survey is aimed at bodies of water such as Twin Lakes where there is submergent vegetation. He added that the designation of Bass Lake as a wetland is not done by the City and is designated a lake by the DNR. Councilmember Mavity indicated the City is currently doing nothing to manage Bass Lake and wanted the City to be more proactive in managing it. She urged the City to consider how Bass Study Session Minutes -3- March 12, 2012 Lake functions as an asset to the community and to consider what can be done to make sure it remains useful and functional. Mr. Harmening stated that further information can be provided to Council regarding what it would take to'reverse the natural cycle of what is happening in Bass Lake. Mr. Vaughan noted that Bass Lake is functioning as a wetland as part of a natural process and is not functioning as a lake for storm water purposes. Councilmember Sanger indicated it appears that Councilmember Mavity is talking about the value of water as a community asset and a quality of life issue, which applies to more than just Bass Lake. She suggested that Council have a separate discussion about the value of water to the community in general, in addition to the technical storm water, flood management, and other technical purposes. Councilmember Mavity stated this could be a topic for discussion by the environmental commission. Councilmember Sanger requested further information regarding the Twin Lakes aquatic study and what happens after the study is completed, particularly related to the perpetual problem with the smell at Twin Lakes. She stated she fundamentally disagreed that homeowners near a lake should bear the cost of fixing up a lake that is a DNR lake and felt this goes to the same issue as community sidewalks. Mr. Harmening stated there is a functional purpose for lakes, whether man-made or natural, to manage the City's storm water and the City's policy has been to pay those costs to make sure they function to control flooding and the like. He suggested that next steps for Bass Lake include providing Council with additional information on what it would take to reverse the trend of what is happening with Bass Lake. He suggested Council also discuss aesthetics and recreational uses of the City's water bodies and to look at possible neighborhood pond distinctions. He added staff would also provide information on costs to treat a body of water. Councilmember Sanger requested that information also be provided about the benefits of treating bodies of water and whether it does any good. Councilmember Santa requested that Council discuss the approach to wetlands, including Minnehaha Creek, not only for storm water purposes, but the larger plan as it relates to the Watershed District and the State. 4. Solid Waste Collection Program and Services Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and research information related to Best Management Practices. Councilmember Hallfin expressed support for a Styrofoam ban. Councilmember Sanger felt that the program should not distinguish between individuals and businesses or institutions. She stated the underlying policy question should be what is Study Session Minutes -4- March 12, 2012 appropriate to be recycled in this community and how the City can make that work for different types of properties in the community. Councilmember Ross stated it will be important to encourage all residents to participate in recycling while recognizing it may or may not work for everybody but to provide vehicles for those that will recycle. Councilmember Mavity asked if the City's development guidelines require buildings to have a designated recycling space. Mayor Jacobs agreed the City should mandate that developers include recycling space during the design phase of projects. Councilmember Sanger stated that this should also be a requirement of getting TIF money from the City. Councilmember Mavity stated she wanted to be absolutely certain that what is done at the City level gets to the right end goal and to make certain that recycling gets to recycling and not thrown in the garbage. Councilmember Sanger agreed and stated that the City should require contractors who are responding to RFPs to provide information on rates of contamination. She indicated she was surprised to see the recommendation that the City go to a single sort recycling system. Mr. Rardin stated this goes to environmental stewardship and agreed there is some waste diversion with a single sort system but you can get up to three times as much recycling. He added that a single sort system makes it more convenient to recycle and keeps costs down. Councilmember Mavity stated the report was useful and encouraged the City to be as progressive as possible and to provide as many incentives as possible to encourage recycling. Councilmember Spano stated that the recommended materials list is a great list that should be sent to residents. Councilmember Sanger agreed that Styrofoam should be banned and suggested adding plastic bags and plastic drink bottles. Councilmember Ross suggested the City do more education including putting something on public access on how to stop junk mail from coming and recycling CFL bulbs and batteries at more accessible City sites. Councilmember Spano stated he would like to see what some of the neighboring communities are doing as it relates to recycling. Councilmember Sanger stated that the City should also look at what it charges for residential customers and possibly revise its rate structure to make it cost more to throw away versus recycle. Study Session Minutes -5- March 12, 2012 It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to provide further information to Council regarding changes to the current solid waste program including budget and staffing impacts. 5. 2012 Real Estate Valuation Report Mr. Bultema presented the staff report and 2012 valuation report for taxes payable in 2013. He presented a summary of the City's 2012 assessment roll compared to 2011 for all property types. He reviewed total housing units in the City and sale transactions from 2009-2011 showing traditional sales versus foreclosure sales and stated this past year, the City ranked 45th out of 173 MLS jurisdictions with one half of sales in the metro area being distress sales. He noted the City was at 39.7% for foreclosure sales in 2011 and staff is continuing to watch this closely. He added the City's housing division has been proactive in its outreach to single family homeowners facing foreclosure. He reviewed median sales prices from 2009-2011 and stated the market is currently in a state of flux with the vast majority of adjustments in the lower bracket pricing. He then reviewed sales transactions for single family homes, condos and townhomes, and apartments as well as overall market value change information for all property types. He discussed the appeal process and the role of the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization, noting that the Board is scheduled to convene on April 9, 2012. 6. Planning Commission 2011 Annual Report/2012 Work Plan Mr. Harmening presented the staff report. Councilmember Mavity suggested that as part of the work plan of each of the City's boards and commissions, a section be added to provide an opportunity for a board or commission to bring to Council's attention any policy issue that a commission might want to discuss with Council. Councilmember Sanger suggested that a joint meeting be held with Council, BOZA, and the Planning Commission to discuss the new variance law. It was the consensus of the City Council to schedule a meeting with the Planning Commission. 7. Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal) Commission Appointments Mayor Jacobs stated that an individual has come forward who wants to serve on a commission where her father already serves. He asked if Council has a policy regarding nepotism and also whether a person can sit on two commissions. Mr. Harmening agreed to bring back language for Council consideration that states a person cannot sit on two commissions. Councilmember Ross stated she did not think it would look good to have two family members serving on a commission. Councilmember Sanger agreed. Councilmember Spano stated the policy needs to clearly define"family member." Study Session Minutes -6- March 12, 2012 Mr. Harmening agreed to provide policy language clarifying family members serving on a commission. Eliot School Mr. Harmening advised that the Eliot School building is empty and the School District has informed the City that the developer they had is pulling out of the project. He stated it is possible the building might sit vacant for a long time and asked if Council would like to look into demolition of the building. Councilmember Ross noted that this issue was brought up to Council due to some vandalism at Eliot School and someone starting a small fire. Councilmember Mavity felt it would be in the City's best interest to demolish the building. Councilmember Santa stated it might make the property more saleable. It was the consensus of the City Council to further explore the possibility of demolishing the Eliot School building and work with the School District regarding repayment terms. Councilmembers Ross and Sanger agreed that they would only consider this option if it were tied to a contract for repayment to the City. Councilmember Sanger felt that any repayment should include interest. The meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 8. Vision Check-In Follow-Up .7 Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jaco o., , a r