HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/12/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular , f/fSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 16,2013
1. Call to Order
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, Susan
Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Sue Santa.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Director of Human
Resources (Ms. Deno), Controller (Mr. Swanson), Finance Supervisor (Mr. Heintz), Inspection
Services Manager (Ms. Boettcher), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording
Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
la. Pledge of Allegiance
lb. Roll Call
2. Presentations
2a. Proclamation Honoring Marion Dorfman and Declaring "Marion Dorfman
Day"
Mayor Jacobs recited the Proclamation Honoring Marion Dorfman, one of the founding
members of the Friends of the St. Louis Park Library, for her lifetime of service that has
enriched countless lives in St. Louis Park. He stated Ms. Dorfman has provided an
uninterrupted 50 years of service and has played a central role in fundraising for the St.
Louis Park Library.
Ms. Dorfman thanked the City Council and stated she realizes how lucky she is because
she has been doing something she loves for over 50 years that benefitted others.
2b. Farewell to Councilmembers Julia Ross and Sue Santa
Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to Councilmember
Ross for her guidance and leadership and stated that Councilmember Ross has been a
tremendous asset to the City. He stated Councilmember Ross came on the City Council
with a willingness to share, learn, and listen to people, and became a champion of the
notion of public process, which is a hallmark of the way business is done in St. Louis
Park. He stated that she would be missed and wished her well in all her future endeavors.
Mayor Jacobs also expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to
Councilmember Santa who was not able to attend tonight's meeting. He stated
Councilmember Santa has been one of the stabilizing forces on the City Council and kept
Council focused on the task at hand. He stated Councilmember Santa always asked about
the impact of decisions being made by Council and whether those decisions would make
St. Louis Park a better community 30 years from now. He thanked Councilmember Santa
on behalf of the entire community for her leadership and commitment.
City Council Meeting -2- December 16, 2013
Councilmember Ross stated she has enjoyed her time on the City Council and thanked
the residents of Ward 4 for allowing her the opportunity to serve them as well as the rest
of the City. She thanked Mr. Harmening and the entire City staff and stated this is a
tremendous City and City Council.
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. Study Session Minutes November 25,2013
The minutes were approved as presented.
3b. Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2013
The minutes were approved as presented.
3c. Closed Executive Session Minutes December 2,2013
The minutes were approved as presented.
3d. City Council Meeting Minutes December 2, 2013
The minutes were approved as presented.
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. 13-174 authorizing fund equity and operating transfers.
4b. Approve the bylaws as adopted by the Environment and Sustainability Commission:
Sustainable SLP on August 7, 2013.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 13-175 approving acceptance of a monetary donation from
Ross Oden in the amount of$63.72 for the General Fund.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 13-176 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the
amount of $6,858.10 for the 2013 MSA Street Improvement Project with Valley
Paving—Project No. 2013-1101, Contract No. 54-13.
4e. Approve Amendment No. 4 to Contract No. 13-12 with SUMMIT for consultant
services related to the implementation of the Reilly Tar & Chemical Corporation
(Reilly) Remedial Action Plan(RAP) during year 2014.
4f. Adopt Resolution No. 13-177 approving acceptance of a grant from the St. Louis
Park Community and Youth Development fund of the Minnesota Community
Foundation in the amount of $5,000 for use by the Operations and Recreation
Department for the summer playground program.
City Council Meeting -3- December 16, 2013
4g. Approve the lease agreement between the City and AT&T Mobility(AT&T) for space
on the water tower located at 2451 Nevada Avenue South (EWT #4) for
communication antennas and related equipment.
4h. Send Comcast notice that a franchise fee compliance audit will commence to cover
January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, and proceed with audit.
4i. Approve an extension until September 20, 2014, for Eliot Park Apartments LLC to
record the final plat for Eliot Park Apartments.
4j. Adopt Resolution No. 13-178 approving a Revised Fund Balance Policy for the City
of St. Louis Park.
4k. Approve for filing Vendor Claims.
41. Approve for filing Housing Authority Meeting Minutes November 13, 2013.
4m. Table Second Reading to rezone 41 properties for Business Park zoning.
4n. Approve a five-month extension for the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and variance
for renovations to the existing motor vehicle service station and construction of a new
carwash at 3901/3921 Excelsior Blvd.
It was moved by Councilmember Spano, seconded by Councilmember Hallfin, to approve
the Agenda and items listed on the Consent; and to waive reading of all resolutions and
ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Santa absent).
5. Boards and Commissions-None
6. Public Hearings-None
7. Requests,Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None
8. Resolutions, Ordinances,Motions and Discussion Items
8a. 2014 Budget, Final City and HRA Property Tax Levies and 2014-2018
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Resolution Nos. 13-179, 13-180, and 13-
181.
Mr. Swanson presented the staff report and the 2013 Amended General Fund Budget,
2014 Budget, 2014 Final Property Tax Levy, and 2014-2018 Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP). He advised that the 2014 proposed General Fund budget is $30,427,622, an
increase of 2.42% from the 2013 final amended budget and the 2014 Final Property Tax
Levy is $25,577,908, an increase of 3.50% from the 2013 Final Property Tax Levy. He
noted the Final Property Tax Levy is the same number approved by Council on
September 3, 2013. He stated the 2014 HRA Levy is $949,359, an increase of 5.38%
from the 2013 Final HRA Levy. He stated the 2014-2018 CIP is $120.1 million over the
next five years and noted that $87.3 of this amount is from City resources such as cash on
hand, tax levy dollars, current/future utility rates, and bonding, with the remaining $32.8
million coming from non-City resources. He pointed out that the CIP does not include a
City Council Meeting -4- December 16, 2013
possible Community Center because Council tabled this item for six months, nor does the
CIP include purchases of property for SWLRT.
Councilmember Spano stated the City does not have a commitment at this point for the
$32.8 million in non-City recourses and asked how the City would handle changes in
funding formulas from other jurisdictions.
Mr. Swanson replied that staff would come back to Council to see if Council wants to
proceed with a particular project and if so, the City would likely issue debt for those
projects.
Councilmember Mavity stated she was pleased to report that the CIP includes a project at
the intersection of Wooddale and 36th and expressed thanks to City staff for their extra
work with the community in addressing the challenges at this intersection.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Spano, to adopt
Resolution No. 13-179 Adopting the 2013 Final Amended General Fund Budget, 2014
Budgets and Authorizing the 2014 Final Property Tax Levy, Resolution No. 13-180
Approving the 2014 Final HRA Levy, and Resolution No. 13-181 Adopting the 2014-
2018 Capital Improvement Program.
Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to Mr. Harmening and the entire staff
for doing a great job with the budget.
Councilmember Mavity stated that even though this item did not take very long on the
agenda, the budget process represents hundreds of hours of staff time and many hours of
Council time throughout the year, adding that Council works hard on the budget and
recognizes what residents are being asked to pay to make St. Louis Park a strong
community and she thanked residents for their ongoing support.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Santa absent).
8b. Resolution Approving Annual City Manager Evaluation. Resolution No. 13-
182.
Ms. Deno presented the staff report and explained that the City Manager's performance
evaluation was conducted on December 2, 2013, in closed session and Council is
statutorily required to accept the annual performance evaluation at its next open meeting.
Mayor Jacobs advised that consultant Lynae Steinhagen facilitated this year's City
Manager performance evaluation that included feedback from department heads. He
stated that Council received a summary of the performance evaluation on December 2°d
including written comments and numerical scores in seven categories. He stated the
overall feedback was very positive and Mr. Harmening is universally well regarded and
received the highest scores in communication skills and public relations. He indicated
that the department heads consistently ranked Mr. Harmening as a strong leader and
strong role model with the highest ethical standards. He stated that areas of development
include continued emphasis on notably high standards, a focus on future succession
planning, and a gentle reminder from Council to take time for himself. He extended the
City Council's thanks and appreciation to Mr. Harmemng.
City Council Meeting -5- December 16, 2013
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Ross, to adopt
Resolution No. 13-182 Accepting the Annual City Manager Evaluation.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Santa absent).
8c. 2014 Employee Compensation. Resolution No. 13-183.
Ms. Deno presented the staff report and explained that the City Council has previously
authorized the City Manager to set general salary increases and in the interest of
transparency, Council is being asked to sanction the City Manager's recommendation
She stated that Keystone Compensation Group reviewed salaries and the compensation
consultant recommends a salary increase of 2%based on the current market. She advised
that the City Manager's salary was also reviewed by the compensation consultant and
recommended placing a hold on the City Manager's salary range. She stated the salary
cap in Minnesota only increased by 1% so the City Manager is able to receive a 1%
increase in compensation in order to comply with the cap and will also receive PTO in
accordance with the program set by Council. She stated the volunteer firefighter benefit
program includes a $20,000 life insurance benefit for paid-on-call firefighters and staff
recommends continued participation in this program. She stated a new section is
proposed to be added to the Personnel Manual that allows additional duty pay for Police
Lieutenants if approved by the Chief of Police, adding this additional duty pay would be
typically set at the same rate received by Police Sergeants when they are assigned to
special duty.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt
Resolution No. 13-183 Confirming 2014 Compensation for Non-Union Employees,
Setting the City Manager's Salary; Continuing Participation in the Volunteer Firefighter
Benefit Program; Continuing Performance Program Pay for Paid-on-Call Firefighters;
and Adding Police Lieutenant Additional Duty Pay Policy to the Personnel Manual.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Santa absent).
9. Communications—Written Report
9a. Highway 7 and Louisiana Avenue Update
Council member Spano stated the total project budget is approximately $31 million and
the written report indicates there will be additional costs to remove contaminated soils
estimated at approximately $1.75 million, which represents approximately 7-8% of the
total project budget. He requested further information about the contaminated soils and
whether the additional $1.75 million will be sufficient to remove the contaminated soils.
Mr. Harmening explained that this intersection is directly adjacent to the Reilly Tar site
and this project included numerous soil bonngs to identify impacted soils and the
estimated cost to remove contaminated soils. He advised that between the time of the soil
borings and commencement of construction, the water table increased about 7', noting
that this water is not drinking water and the City pumps and treats this water. He stated
that the groundwater then contaminated the soil resulting in an additional 7' of soil that
had to be hauled away pursuant to PCA requirements and the cost of removing that
additional soil is approximately $1.75 million, adding the City has estimated the full cost
City Council Meeting -6- December 16, 2013
impact based on what is known at the site. He noted that the City will see some cost
savings in other areas based on cost estimates that came in significantly lower than
anticipated, particularly in the area of property acquisitions, and this will offset some of
the costs for the soil correction work. He added that the City has applied for a Hennepin
County Environmental Response Fund grant for $533,000.00, and this could be used to
offset the$1.75 million.
Councilmember Mavity stated that staff has worked hard to increase the communications
about the changes occurring at this intersection that have been helpful to residents. She
added residents can call City Hall or visit the City's website to be placed on a call alert to
be notified ahead of time about changes to the project.
Mayor Jacobs wished residents a safe and happy holiday.
Councilmember Sanger stated that Met Council has scheduled a meeting to update the
community about SWLRT on Thursday, January 9th, at 5:00 p.m. at the Rec Center.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
J
Nancy Stroth,(City Clerk Jeff Jacof or