HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/05/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session (if St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
MAY 14, 2012
The meeting convened at 6:30 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. Harmemng), Director of Community Development (Mr.
Locke), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms.
Walsh), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Public Works
Coordinator (Mr. Merkley), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), Community Liaison
(Ms. Olson), Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Olson), Planner (Mr. Walther), and Recording
Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
Guests: Andrea Myklebust, George Hagemann, Rachel Baudler, and Mr. Kost.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—May 21 and May 29, 2012
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for May 21, 2012, and the
proposed study session agenda for May 29, 2012. He indicated the City has received only
approximately eight applications for the environmental task force and suggested delaying,
consideration of this item until a study session in June. He also suggested holding the May 29
th
study session meeting at Fire Station #1 to provide Council with a tour of the new fire station
before the open house.
Councilmember Sanger requested that Council once again schedule a canoe ride on Minnehaha
Creek this summer.
2. CAR Properties, LLC's Construction Assistance Program (CAP) Application to
Renovate the Former Home Hardware Building at 6414 West Lake Street
Mr. Locke announced that the Governor had dust vetoed the Tax bill, which included the
authorization that makes it possible for the EDA to offer the Construction Assistance Program
(CAP). He added the CAP program will be in place until July 1st and CAR Properties' CAP
application could be implemented before the program expires.
Mr. Hunt presented the staff report and noted that given the expiration of the CAP program's
authorization staff intends to present the EDA with an alternative funding mechanism so as to
allow the CAP program to continue. As for CAR Properties' CAP application, he explained that
Mr. Curt Rahman recently purchased the former Do It Best Hardware store at 6414 West Lake
St. He noted that Mr. Rahman had previously purchased a number of properties in the City,
including the former Bikemasters building, which he recently renovated and is now fully
occupied with 6 tenants that employ 23 workers. He stated Mr. Rahman has demonstrated his
ability to turn problem properties around and has requested $25,000 in CAP assistance to help
complete repairs to the former hardware store. He advised the building needs more than $80,000
in repairs and Mr. Rahman has indicated if he does not receive the $25,000 in CAP assistance, he
will be unable to fully renovate the building as necessary.
Study Session Minutes -2- May 14, 2012
Councilmember Santa requested confirmation that the roof next door needed repair and that the
request for assistance included repairing both roofs at the same time.
Mr. Hunt explained that the roof on the Munchies building needs repair as well and since the two
buildings are connected, it makes sense to do the repairs to both buildings at the same time and
this would be the only repair to the property next door. He distributed an aerial map showing the
subject property as well as photographs of the inside of the building. He added he has seen the
repair estimates and they appear reasonable.
Councilmember Sanger asked about the intended use of the building. Mr. Hunt replied that Mr.
Rahman has received inquiries from several potential commercial tenants including restaurants
but wants to be careful about adding any tenant that might adversely impact Munchies next door.
It was the consensus of the EDA to provide up to $25,000 in financial assistance to CAR
Properties through the Construction Assistance Program to assist in the renovation of 6414 West
Lake Street so as to bring the property up to code as well as retain and attract commercial
tenants.
Mr. Hunt stated that the EDA will be asked to take formal action on the Redevelopment Contract
on June 4th because Mr. Rahman must start incurring costs prior to July 1 s` in order to stay within
the statutory requirements.
3. Project Update—Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue Interchange Project
Mr. Olson presented the staff report and advised the City has started the initial phases of the
right-of-way process and has hired a consultant to begin the appraisal process on seven
properties. He stated the City has submitted a Transportation Economic Development (TED)
grant application for $3 million and will find out this week whether the City's application was
successful. He indicated the City will have an $11 million commitment to move forward with
the project if it receives the $3 million TED grant and is looking to fund the project through
HRA levies.
Councilmember Spano stated he was pleased with the addition of the vertical elements in the
public art.
Ms. Myklebust presented the conceptual design for paving artworks and the vertical gateway
elements in poured concrete and stainless steel with internal LED lighting intended to demarcate
the entrance and exit. She also presented the conceptual design for the pier cap artwork stating
the long central beam will be very visible when passing under the bridge. She indicated the most
visible phases of the columns have a curved front, which follows up into the artwork and will
allow for lighting in this space that will run along the length of the pier cap. She added that the
sconce style lighting previously discussed was rejected due to a concern with bird nests.
Mr. Kost from SEH stated the reveal is 2" deep so there will be a much stronger shadow on the
bas relief. He presented the overall landscaping plan and noted that the plant materials to be
included will be low maintenance and will not prohibit snowplowing or snow storage.
Councilmember Santa requested that the City remain sensitive to the apartment building in the
northwest corner (Louisiana Oaks Apartments) so that the landscaping does not overwhelm this
Study Session Minutes -3- May 14, 2012
area. She asked if the City has had any discussions with Mr. Milo Pinkerton and/or kept him up
to date on the project.
Mr. Kost indicated any damage to the existing street will be replaced with new plantings and the
apartment residents will have a retaining wall on one side with native prairie plantings. He noted
this will not be a sound wall and the retaining wall will be concrete block that will not compete
with the public art.
Mr. Olson indicated that the initial renderings of the project were shared with Mr. Pinkerton and
as the City goes through the right-of-way process, he will have an opportunity to express any
concerns regarding the trees and plantings.
Councilmember Mavity stated if the City receives the $3 million TED grant, the City will have
secured 44% of the cost of the project, which is the same amount the City secured for the
Wooddale Avenue Bridge and felt this was a reasonable share. She expressed support for
moving forward with the project.
Councilmember Sanger stated she also supported moving forward with the project and urged the
City to quickly use the Federal funds already secured since those funds could be in jeopardy in
the future.
It was the consensus of the City Council to continue to move forward with the Highway 7/
Louisiana Avenue interchange project.
4. Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation Plan and Policy Review
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and comments received from Council on proposed
trails and sidewalks. He reminded Council that if a sidewalk or trail remains in the proposed
plan, it does not mean that Council has provided a final commitment to build it but it would be
included in the preliminary plan as part of the public process. He added the strategy for
construction priorities will be presented to Council at an upcoming meeting.
Councilmember Mavity requested clarification regarding the process to be used by Council in
determining whether a sidewalk or trail should be added or taken out. She respectfully disagreed
that the sidewalk on West 41st Street should be removed and stated that pedestrians have to walk
into the street to get to the school and this area is not safe.
Councilmember Sanger stated she felt Council should review each of the Council suggestions
received and make a determination based on these before opening up the public process.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he was okay with removing the West 41st Street sidewalk and to
explore other options because he did not feel what has been proposed will work.
Councilmember Mavity requested that the plan include a sidewalk on 41st Street from Wooddale
to Salem.
Councilmember Hallfin was amenable to Councilmember Mavity's request.
Council discussed the process for reviewing the suggestions received from Council.
Study Session Minutes -4- May 14, 2012
Councilmember Ross stated Council should defer to Councilmembers who know the streets best
in their particular wards and stated it would be difficult for her to make decisions in areas where
she is less familiar with the sidewalks.
Councilmember Mavity requested the addition of a sidewalk on the north side of 40`h from Joppa
to Nachez as previously discussed by Council.
Councilmember Spano stated he was not comfortable with Council making decisions about what
the public can and cannot weigh in on before the plan goes out for public comment. He
indicated if the public feels strongly about a particular sidewalk, they should have an opportunity
to weigh in on this.
Councilmember Sanger stated there has been a lot of public input in the past and felt strongly
about three sidewalks in her ward that should come off of the list. She felt there was no reason
to put the community or Council through a lot of static that will deflect from the main focus of
making a more walkable city and doing it in a way that is compatible with the values of the
community.
Councilmember Santa indicated the residents in Westwood were adamant about not having
sidewalks when the issue was discussed ten years ago. She stated public sentiment may have
changed since that time.
Councilmember Mavity suggested having a map of the entire system available for public
comment with sidewalks prioritized as either needed or wanted but also noting those sidewalks
that might not be installed for ten or fifteen years.
Councilmember Sanger reiterated her request to remove the three sidewalks identified on Exhibit
3 as items #3, #4, and #5. She requested the addition of a sidewalk on Joppa Avenue where the
new synagogue will be built extending the sidewalk on the west side of Joppa to Torah Academy
to fill the existing gap. She also requested the addition of a sidewalk on the east side of Toledo
Avenue from 26 Street south to fill the missing 25' segment.
Councilmember Santa stated that item #6 on Exhibit 3 is located in her ward and is an important
connection but the neighborhood did not want it when this was discussed over ten years ago.
She felt this should be left in for now to allow residents to provide comment.
Councilmember Ross noted that item #2 on Exhibit 3 should indicate that proposed sidewalks
should not be added because she has not heard requests from residents in Ward 4 for additional
sidewalks.
Mr. Walther discussed the Vision process used by the City and the resulting work of the task
force to create a walkable community. He explained that the action group committee formed out
of Vision came up with an organized and expanded sidewalk grid system that was presented at a
community-wide meeting; this grid system was then incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan
as a long term goal.
Councilmember Sanger stated that Cedar Lake Road in the Lake Forest area is a dead end street
with almost no vehicle traffic so there is no safety concern associated with walking in the street.
She indicated when the City built the ramp from the Cedar Lake trail up to Cedar Lake Road, the
residents in the area were opposed to having a ramp built and the issue was very controversial, so
Study Session Minutes -5- May 14, 2012
the City Council agreed it would not install any signs indicating this was a route to the trail and
would not mark it on any maps. She felt that putting a sidewalk in this area would break faith
with the agreement made with residents several years ago. She agreed with having a bike trail on
France Avenue for promoting access to the Cedar Lake Trail. She stated that the proposed
sidewalk on Basswood and West 25th going into Benilde would be a waste of money because
people on the France Avenue side use 26`h Street to get to Benilde, the pedestrian bridge over
Highway 100 is a low traffic road, Basswood is a low traffic road and this would be a sidewalk
to nowhere.
It was the consensus of the City Council to not remove the sidewalk listed in item #1 on Exhibit
3. It was the consensus of the City Council to indicate that all proposed Ward 4 sidewalks listed
in item #2 on Exhibit 3 are part of a longer term vision. It was the consensus of the City Council
to remove the sidewalks listed in items #3, #4, and #5 on Exhibit 3. It was the consensus of the
City Council to not remove the sidewalk listed in items #6 and #7 on Exhibit 3. It was the
consensus of the City Council to revise the sidewalks listed in items #8 and #9 on Exhibit 3. It
was the consensus of the City Council to add the sidewalks listed in items#10, #11, #12, and#13
on Exhibit 3. It was the consensus of the City Council to add a sidewalk on the north side of W
40th Street from Joppa Avenue to Natchez Avenue and to add a sidewalk on the west side of
Joppa Avenue to Torah Academy. It was the consensus of the City Council to add a sidewalk on
the east side of Toledo Avenue south of W 26th Street to fill an existing 25' gap.
Councilmember Sanger stated it would be helpful at some point to have further information
about the Ward 4 sidewalks and whether there are some sidewalks that are more problematic
than others.
Mr. Rardin agreed to provide Council with a proposed ten year plan with recommended
pnontization of sidewalks and trails.
5. 2013—2018 Solid Waste Collection Program
Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and proposed changes to the residential curbside collection
recycling program. He reviewed the proposed residential mixed municipal solid waste program,
proposed recyclable matenals to be collected curbside, and possible pay-as-you-throw rates
based on the proposed future program, noting rate scenarios have been based on 2011 costs and
volumes. He stated as the City goes through the contract negotiation process, the City can select
whatever vendor it chooses and will not involve a bid process. He indicated the City will work
closely with the City Attorney to create the RFP and the process for evaluating the proposals
received by the City in response to the RFP.
Councilmember Ross stated it will be important to make sure the proposed recycling programs
do not attract rodents or other wildlife. She asked if it would be possible for the City to provide
paper shredding more often, either by having drop-off sites at City Hall or the MSC or by
contracting with a truck to provide paper shredding for residents. She suggested having a pilot
program for paper shredding through the summer to see what kind of response is received.
Mr. Merkley stated that paper shredding is offered twice per year during clean-up days and
agreed the City could provide paper shredding more frequently if there is a demand.
Councilmember Sanger requested that Council discuss an ordinance requiring vendors that give
out plastic bags and Styrofoam to take them back for recycling.
Study Session Minutes -6- May 14, 2012
Councilmember Mavity indicated the environmental task force should consider this issue.
Councilmember Hallfin requested a detailed list of items included on Exhibit 3, e.g., food waste.
Mr. Rardin requested feedback regarding whether Council is interested in a future study session
to learn more about plastic recycling complexities.
It was the consensus of the City Council to hold a future study session to learn more about plastic
recycling complexities.
Councilmember Spano stressed the importance of providing residents with sufficient educational
materials, including a video on cable.
Council discussed disposal of CFL light bulbs and batteries.
Mr. Rardin stated that CFL bulbs and batteries cannot be picked up by the City's regular
contractor and a hazardous waste disposal contractor would be required to pick up these items.
Councilmember Ross reiterated her request for the City to have two or three drop-off sites for
disposing of CFL bulbs and batteries. She also felt that stores selling CFL bulbs and batteries
should be required to take them back.
Mr. Rardin stated that staff intends to work with local vendors to have them do more in this area
and noted that Council previously directed staff not to create a drop-off reuse center run by the
City.
Mr. Hallfin suggested having drop-off sites at the Rec Center, Lenox, etc., where the City would
collect CFL bulbs and batteries and recycle them once a quarter.
6. National League of Cities Service Line Warranty Program
Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and proposed water and sewer utility service line warranty
program offered through the National League of Cities. He advised the cost of the program is
approximately equivalent to replacing a service line every 50 years and includes maintenance.
He added the program uses local contractors.
Mayor Jacobs and Councilmember Santa expressed support for the program.
Councilmember Mavity stated she liked the idea of this type of program. She requested further
information regarding the City's due diligence of the company and noted they have only been in
business since 2003 and do not have a significant track record. She stated she would like to
know more about the company, including their financial statements and management team.
Councilmember Sanger stated the concept makes sense and would provide a good opportunity to
inform residents of what their ownership responsibilities are for keeping their sewer lines
cleaned out.
Mr. Harmening advised there are other companies that provide this type of insurance, but the
National League of Cities endorsed this company and there are approximately 100 other cities
nationwide using them.
Study Session Minutes -7- May 14, 2012
Councilmember Spano stated if the City is going to put its name on this program, the City is in
effect giving it the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval and suggested the City obtain a list of
other cities that have been providing this program.
Mr. Rardin stated the City Attorney has reviewed the company and there is nothing to indicate
any problems.
It was the consensus of the City Council to pursue the National League of Cities Service Line
Warranty Program. It was also the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to provide a
written report to Council following further due diligence.
7. Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening advised that staff met with representatives of the Watershed District regarding
the remeander project and were advised that the Watershed District will be submitting a request
to the County, through the SWLRT Community Works process, for funds to do the trail and
bridge work associated with the remeander. He indicated the City is supportive of the Watershed
Distnct's proposal to the County for that funding.
Mr. Harmening requested feedback from Council regarding whether to meet on July 2nd and
suggested if there are no pressing agenda items for July 2nd, the meeting be cancelled and a
Special City Council meeting be held on July 9`h.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to make the decision regarding whether to
meet on July 2nd and whether to hold a Special City Council meeting on July 9` .
Mr. Harmening advised that the family involved in a 2009 police officer involved shooting has
filed a civil suit in Federal Court against the police officer based on a violation of the deceased's
Fourth Amendment Civil Rights. He indicated that attorneys for the League are filing a motion
for summary judgment to dismiss the action and if the motion is denied, the case will go to tnal.
Councilmember Sanger stated she agreed with the proposed changes to the wild animal feeding
ordinance and suggested that the ordinance not include a prohibited list of animals but instead
state that feeding any type of non-domestic animal is prohibited.
The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
8. Wild Animal Feeding Ordinance Amendment
9. MN GreenStep Cities Update
10. Administrative Penalties—Next Steps
11. Minnehaha Creek Remeander—Envi • •menta • -.ment Worksheet(EAW)
Ahr /L
Nancy Stroth, ity Clerk Jef aPs, ayor