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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/01/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session J7 St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA JANUARY 14, 2013 The meeting convened at 6:40 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), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), Administrative Services Intern (Mr. French), Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms. Gothberg), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). Guests: Mr. Vic Moore (Franzen & Associates), Mr. Doug Franzen (Franzen & Associates), Senator Ron Latz, Representative Steve Simon, Representative Ryan Winkler, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, and Metropolitan Council representative Jim Brimeyer. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—January 22 & January 28,2013 This item was noted but not discussed. 2. 2013 Annual Legislative Update Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and introductions of guests were made. He indicated the draft 2013 Legislative Issues and Pnorities was provided to the City's guests and noted that Council has not yet had an opportunity to fully discuss this document. Senator Latz stated the pnmary concern during this year's legislative session would be balancing the budget. He added the legislature would also be focusing on jobs and the economy. Representative Simon stated there is still a question about whether there will be a bonding bill during this year's session and added he expects the session will be dominated by budget issues and the Governor's tax reform proposal, which is expected to be announced in late January. Representative Winkler stated it was his belief that the Governor will be proposing $2-2.5 billion in new revenue, and he was cautiously optimistic there would be more money available for spending on important prionties. He indicated it was his sense there would be interest in education being a target zone for new investment, specifically early childhood and higher education. He also felt that another hot button issue this year would be marriage equality. He advised he would be putting in a bill requinng police departments to have a standard protocol for accepting guns on a temporary basis from people who want them out of their possession on a voluntary basis and added another part of this bill would allow people with mental illness to put themselves on a list prohibiting them from purchasing guns or to be issued a cavy and conceal permit. Commissioner Dorfman stated she would provide Council with a copy of the County's final legislative agenda. She indicated the County's agenda includes a significant amount on transit and transit oriented development and advised that the County supports the Met Council's request Study Session Minutes -2- January 14, 2013 for $37 million in funding for SWLRT this year. She stated the County's agenda will also look at how the community can address the issue of sex trafficking of minors, which has become a significant issue and the local police departments need to be involved in addressing this issue. She added one of the other prionty issues for the County will be reinstating the Environmental Response Fund and she asked the City to consider supporting that, as well. Met Council Representative Brimeyer stated he would support an increase in the sales tax to support transportation as recommended by the Transportation Finance Advisory Commission. He felt the legislature would support this increase in sales tax because it would eliminate the need for State bonding money and the sales tax would provide consistent funding for transportation. He added that other regions around the country have used an increase in their sales tax to fund transportation, and it has worked well. Mr. Harmening advised that the City is supportive of making the Environmental Response Fund permanent and to eliminate the sunset provision, adding that the City has used that fund for a number of projects. He stated the City is also supportive of making the Housing Improvement Areas statute permanent and is also supportive of continuing the authorization for Special Service Districts. He stated the City supports extending the provisions of the 2010 Jobs Act that sunset last July. He advised the City supports the SWLRT project and encourages the State to provide funding for Preliminary Engineering. He indicated the City has identified specific design requirements and mitigation that needs to be implemented as part of addressing the freight rail issue, adding that a meeting has been scheduled with Mark Furman and Mr. Brimeyer to discuss the City's position that these particular measures should be funded as part of the light rail project. He stated the City also desires to discuss the concept of a bonding bill in 2014 to help finance these mitigation measures and indicated the City has concerns about the matching funds required from the State for this project. Representative Winkler suggested that rider language in a bonding bill could be included that describes the mitigation required as a condition of this project. He added the City should be prepared for a bonding bill this year. Mr. Harmening asked if it would be helpful to have the surrounding communities join the City in its funding request. Representative Simon replied he felt it would be helpful. Mr. Brimeyer requested further information regarding the City's position with respect to fiscal disparities. Mr. Harmening explained that the City believes there is ment in looking at the fiscal disparities law and stated the formula has never been changed since the law was enacted in the early 1970's. Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to Mr. Moore and Mr. Franzen and the legislative representatives for all their efforts on the City's behalf. 3. Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation Plan Update Mr. Brink presented the staff report and summary of the public process to date. Study Session Minutes -3- January 14, 2013 Councilmember Santa stated that residents in Ward 3 expressed significant opposition to a sidewalk on 3 l st Street, and she would be agreeable to removing this sidewalk from the list. She also stated there was renewed opposition to a sidewalk on 33`' between Aquila and Texas Avenues which had been on the plan ten years ago, and it was determined at that time that a white line in the street denoting a walking/biking area was a more appropriate response than a sidewalk and suggested that all of 33`d Street be pulled from the list. She felt the program should provide opportunities for residents to let the City know when they see a need for a sidewalk on an ongoing basis. Councilmember Sanger stated she did not want to delay this program and felt there were some segments that should be removed from the list. She stated it was her inclination to defer to the Ward Councilmember on some of the sidewalks, e.g., 315t Street, and felt the City might need to do further work on removing some of the sidewalks listed. She stated there were some sidewalk segments she would like to see remain on the list, in spite of some of the opposition, e.g., Cedar Lake Road and other high traffic areas, adding she would like to use traffic volume as an indicator of where sidewalks are retained. She stated it appears that the City's communications on this matter might not have been as clear as it could have been, noting there were a lot of questions about whether the City would be special assessing for a sidewalk, and the City needs to make it clear that residents will not be assessed for this project. She indicated there were a couple of segments in her Ward that residents asked to be added and that merit further discussion, e.g., Cedarwood Road, and suggested that Council set aside time at another meeting to discuss these specific segments. Councilmember Ross agreed and stated most of her constituents in Ward 4 are against sidewalks particularly in the Westwood Hills area. She agreed that Council needs to prioritize the list, as well as to make sure residents have an opportunity on an ongoing basis to request a sidewalk. She requested that Council further review Louisiana Avenue as it relates to bus stops and the concerns expressed by residents regarding their front yards and yard space being taken away. Councilmember Hallfin expressed concern about trying to retrofit sidewalks in his neighborhood and the resulting hardship to some homeowners, adding that Council needs to be careful how the sidewalks are designed and to make sure it works for everyone. He asked if consideration was given to putting a sidewalk on his side of the street because there is more room. He agreed that those areas where the City has received significant pushback should be delayed or taken off for the time being. Councilmember Mavity agreed with Councilmember Santa's suggestion of providing opportunities for ongoing input from residents. She expressed support for moving forward in 2013 with the program and providing clear direction to staff. She requested that staff come back at Council's next study session with its recommendations for moving forward in 2013, as well as next steps as part of an intermediate plan. Councilmember Spano agreed that further input from the Ward Councilmember and residents should be afforded in those cases where there was significant opposition to a sidewalk. He added he felt it would make sense for staff to sit down with those residents to go over the decision making process and how the City arrived at its decision. This might allay some resident concerns and would provide an opportunity for staff to work with residents and come up with a solution. Study Session Minutes -4- January 14, 2013 Councilmember Sanger suggested that the City adopt a design principle about not putting sidewalks against the curb and having a boulevard strip. She also requested that the City have a clear policy regarding responsibility for shoveling sidewalks. She also stated the City should adopt the same policies adopted when the City previously added sidewalks that states the City will work around trees when sidewalks are added and only remove diseased trees. Councilmember Spano requested that the City apply consistent criteria when making its recommendation to Council regarding disputed sidewalks. Councilmember Santa stated she heard a lot of comments regarding bikeways and trails and indicated she would like Council to revisit that topic separate from the sidewalk issue. It was the consensus of the City Council to continue implementation of a portion of the Pedestnan and Bicycle Plan that consists of projects known to have public support or little opposition. It was also the consensus of the City Council to further discuss the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan at a study session to consider further refinements to the plan. Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to Mr. Bnnk, Mr. Rardin, and Mr. Walther for all their work on this program. 4. 2013 City Council Workshop Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and proposed agenda for the February 1-2, 2013, City Council workshop. Ms. Gothberg stated the session on Friday afternoon/evening would include reflective learning time to discuss how Council wants to work together and understanding Council's unwntten rules. Councilmember Spano agreed with the suggested discussion topics on Friday afternoon and felt it would be helpful for Council to discuss its expectations of one another. Councilmember Mavity requested that the workshop include a discussion about the Environmental Task Force and how that work gets incorporated into Council's agenda. Mr. Harmening mentioned that it would be on the January 22nd City Council Meeting agenda. Councilmember Hallfin agreed that Council should revisit and focus on large bowl issues as well as Council's unwritten rules. Councilmember Ross felt the workshop should focus on how Council communicates with each other and staff and how best to respond to communication, particularly around conflicts. Councilmember Sanger stated she did not feel Council needed to spend a lot of time on the Carver Governance Model. She requested that Council have a discussion regarding a consistent approach to responding to e-mails. Councilmember Santa requested that staff pay particular attention to the room setting for the workshop, adding that a larger room feels less confining and people tend to be more forthcoming in their comments. She requested that Council have a discussion relative to the Carver Governance Model, specifically as it relates to the Carver philosophy on dealing with City staff. Study Session Minutes -5- , January 14, 2013 Mayor Jacobs agreed that Council should have a discussion regarding how it communicates with each other. He felt that Council should also work with Council's constituents and educate them about the roles of Council. Mr. Harmening suggested that the Saturday session focus on a bigger bowl level, e.g., ensunng organizational alignment, developing a shared understanding of what success looks like, key outcome indicators, and pnoritization of resources. He advised that consultant Craig Rapp would loin the workshop to assist Council in these discussions. Councilmember Ross requested a discussion about working with staff and/or boards and commissions when the Council makes decisions that are different than recommendations from these groups. She also requested that the Council discuss staffing and capacity, given the number of ongoing projects in the City. Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal) It was the consensus of the City Council to move forward with the Tobacco-Free policy for outdoor recreation areas as outlined in written report#8 (Tobacco-Free Policy for Parks). It was the consensus of the City Council to expand outreach to foreign born and new immigrant populations in St. Louis Park in partnership with Hennepin County and five other cities as outlined in written report #5 (Joint Community Police Partnership). Councilmember Sanger felt the draft zoning ordinance amendment relative to mobile pet vaccinations was too narrow and should be expanded in terms of where vans might be able to locate. She suggested that the ordinance also address mobile health vans for humans, e.g., mobile mammograms located at a workplace. Councilmember Mavity stated her inclination would be to have staff look at what currently exists in the ordinance to see if there is anything prohibiting this type of activity, rather than trying to define it in a way that does not accurately capture Council's intent. Mr. Harmening requested input regarding written report #9 (Zoning Ordinance Amendment — Student Housing at Educational Facilities). Councilmember Santa felt the ordinance was too narrowly defined and was similar to spot zoning. Councilmember Spano suggested that the Planning Commission address this matter. He added he discussed this issue with Rabbi Kutoff who agreed the ordinance needs to be more clearly defined. Councilmember Sanger stated that the ordinance needs to apply to other schools as well. The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. , Wntten Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 5. Joint Community Police Partnership (JCPP) 6. Zoning Ordinance Amendment—Mobile Pet Vaccinations Study Session Minutes -6- January 14, 2013 7. November 2012 Monthly Financial Report 8. Tobacco-Free Policy for Parks 9. Zoning Ordinance Amendment—Student Housing t Edu tional Facilities Nancy Stroth, ty Clerk Jeff Jac s, ayor