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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/10/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Jft St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA OCTOBER 21, 2013 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. Harmemng), Finance Supervisor (Mr. Heintz), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), Fire Department Representatives Jens Andersen, Roger Coppa, Eva Hansen, Mark Nelson, Hugo Searle, Cary Smith, Andy Willenbring and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes). la. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations -None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. Study Session Meeting Minutes September 23, 2013 Councilmember Ross requested that the third paragraph on page 2 be revised to state, "Councilmember Ross asked if the Nature Center staff provide any type of education about wildlife management for the general public to call with questions about problems they may be experiencing." Councilmember Ross also requested that the final paragraph on page 2 be revised to state "Councilmember Ross stated she would support a moratorium until Council can have a discussion on this, e.g., a moratorium on new apartment projects for the next six months until Council can discuss the issue and make some decisions and suggested this should be done with new councilmembers as well." The minutes were approved as amended. 3b. Special Study Session Meeting Minutes October 7,2013 Councilmember Sanger requested that page 3 of the minutes be revised to reflect that Council discussed right of way issues for Connect the Park and the sidewalk plan, as well as right of way issues overall, and that staff agreed to come back to Council with some draft policy language in order to create a more broad policy on this issue. The minutes were approved as amended. 3c. City Council Meeting Minutes October 7,2013 City Council Meeting -2- October 21, 2013 Councilmember Hallfin requested the fourth full paragraph on page 7 be revised to add a sentence that states, "He asked Mr. Carlson about the price of the condominiums that had recently been changed from $319,000 to $349,000. Mr. Carlson explained that the price of the condominiums went up because the cost of the storm water plan was higher than expected and the school has a lot of hazardous materials so he had to raise the prices." 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. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2448-13 establishing fees for 2014 as outlined in Appendix A of the City Code of Ordinances; and to approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4b. Approve premises amendment to the on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sales liquor license for Apple Minnesota, LLC, dba Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, relocating to 8312 State Highway 7 in St. Louis Park. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 13-152 Confirming Continued Water Main and Sewer Backup Coverage. 4d. Approve Amendment No. 3 in the amount of$73,500 to Contract 13-12, originally in the amount of $162,500, with Summit Envirosolutions, Inc. for consultant services related to the implementation of the Reilly Tar and Chemical Corporation Remedial Action Plan during 2013. 4e. Approve Contract with Three Rivers Park District to clear and remove snow from the LRT and Cedar Lake Extension Trails through the City of St. Louis Park for the 2013- 2014 Winter Season. 4f. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2449-13 amending Chapter 36 of the City Code pertaining to definitions; processing comprehensive plan amendments and planning applications concurrently; fence height in the front yard; front yard setbacks in commercial zoning districts; compact parking dimensions; and allowing outdoor seating with food and beverage service in the Business Park zoning district, and to approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4g. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2450-13 amending the Official Zoning Map to change the zoning of 3998 Wooddale Avenue and 4017 Utica Avenue from R-2 Single-Family Residence to R-4 Multiple-Family Residence, and approve the summary ordinance contained in the agenda materials for publication. 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 13-153 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 7325 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 17-117- 21-21-0030. 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 13-154 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3204 Hampshire Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 17- 117-21-13-0002. City Council Meeting -3- October 21, 2013 4j. Adopt Resolution No. 13-155 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 7705 13th Lane, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 05-117-21- 32-0055. 4k. Adopt Resolution No. 13-156 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 1340 Jordan Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 01-117- 22-41-0009. 41. Adopt Resolution No. 13-157 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 2500 Xylon Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 07-117-21- 42-0031. 4m. Approve entering into a service agreement with the Hennepin County Department of Corrections for continuing to use their crews from the Sentencing to Service Program (STS Program). 4n. Adopt Resolution No. 13-158 authorizing final payment in the amount of$15,846.74 for the 2013 Sealcoat Project with Allied Blacktop Company- Project No. 2013-0001, City Contract No. 33-13. 4o. Approve for filing Environment & Sustainability Commission: Sustainable SLP Meeting Minutes August 7, 2013. 4p. Approve for filing Environment & Sustainability Commission: Sustainable SLP Meeting Minutes September 11, 2013. 4q. Approve for filing Vendor Claims. It was moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, 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. Assessment of Delinquent Charges. Resolution No. 13-159. Mr. Heintz presented the staff report and explained that each year the City certifies delinquent charges to Hennepin County for outstanding fees and charges. He advised that as of the close of business today, the delinquent balance was approximately$619,000 on 1,146 accounts and residents have until November 1, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. to pay the delinquent amount and any outstanding amounts after that date will be assessed a $30 administrative fee and certified to the County. Mayor Jacobs opened the public heanng. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. w Councilmember Sanger stated that each year, 35-40% of the value of the outstanding bills is paid at the last minute before the deadline. She also noted that it appears the number of residents who are paying late has been significantly increasing over the last several years City Council Meeting -4- October 21, 2013 and more so than dunng the height of the recession. She stated she did not think it was appropriate that so many people pay nght before the deadline to avoid certification and it is not fair to the majority of other taxpayers who make sure they pay on time. She asked if the City notifies the credit bureaus when someone is late paying their bills to the City. Mr. Heintz replied that the City does not notify the credit bureaus and it has not been the City's practice to do this in the past. Mayor Jacobs pointed out this would be a policy question for Council. Councilmember Sanger felt it was appropriate for the City to undertake an evaluation of what can be done to increase the percentage of outstanding debt that is paid on time and stated she would like the City to take more aggressive steps to cut down on the number of late payers and nonpayers. She requested that Council have a study session discussion regarding this issue and to ask staff to come up with something for Council to review. Councilmember Mavity requested that Council's discussion include an evaluation about why people are late in paying so Council can incorporate that into its response, as well as to look at what kinds of assistance the City can offer to help its taxpayers. Councilmember Santa asked if the City has a mechanism whereby residents can enter into a payment arrangement if they are having trouble paying 100% of their bill on time in order to avoid certification. Mr. Heintz replied the City does not accept payment arrangements other than for large services like tree removal. Councilmember Santa felt this should be part of Council's discussion as well. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt Resolution No. 13-159 Levying Assessment for Delinquent Utility Accounts, Tree Removal/Injection, False Alarm Fees and Other Miscellaneous Charges The motion passed 7-0. 7. Requests,Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Adoption of 2014 Utility Rates. Resolution No. 13-160. Mr. Heintz presented the staff report and proposed 2014 utility rates. He advised that utility rates are reviewed during the budget process and take into consideration the City's operational budget, capital improvement plan, and long range financial management plan with the goal of achieving long-term sustainability in the four utility funds. He explained that the 2014 impact on a typical residential property is approximately $39.80 or 4.32% for the year or$3.32 per month. Councilmember Sanger noted that residents can control the amount of their utility bills by switching to a smaller trash cart and recycling more. City Council Meeting -5- October 21, 2013 It was moved by Councilmember Spano, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt Resolution No. 13-160 Resolution Setting Utility Rates. The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Resolution Confirming Appointment of Stephen Koering to the Position of Fire Chief. Resolution No. 13-161. Mayor Jacobs stated the City went through an extensive recruitment and selection process to fill the position of Fire Chief after Mr. Stemmer retired and was pleased to introduce Stephen Koering. Mr. Harmemng stated that Mr. Koering has a great depth of experience in fire service having worked most recently as Assistant Fire Chief, Operations, with the City of Eden Prairie. He stated Mr. Koering comes highly recommended and he was pleased to present him for Council's approval. He thanked the Fire Civil Service Commission for their assistance and all the City staff involved in the process. He also thanked the Fire Department employees for participating in the interview process and providing their insights. Mr. Koering thanked the City and Council for its vote of confidence and stated he was excited to be a part of this City. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt Resolution No. 13-161 confirming the appointment of Stephen Koering to the Position of Fire Chief Councilmember Ross welcomed Mr. Koering and stated he was joining a fantastic City and would be working with a fantastic crew. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Councilmember Santa stated the Halloween party at the Nature Center went well and they had a good turnout. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m. ---Y)a---7.1 ,. .A.tr-C) 5,,, Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff J c s, ayor