HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/09/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session IISSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 23, 2013
The meeting convened at 6:40 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Susan Sanger, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Julia
Ross, Sue Santa, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Westwood Hills Nature Center Manager (Mr.
Oestreich), Director of Engineenng(Ms. Heiser), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
2. Update on Nature Center Improvements (Verbal)—Mark Oestreich
Mr. Oestreich took Council on a brief tour of the Nature Center and pointed out some of the
recent projects completed. He advised that there are thirteen cameras in the park and two
cameras have software that counts visitors. He distributed 2012 attendance statistics showing
over 30,000 people visited the center last year and noted the Junior Naturalists contributed over
2,100 volunteer hours during the summer months. He stated one of the questions being
considered by staff relates to increased visibility for the Nature Center, including whether to put
signs for the Nature Center on 394 and/or 169, which would likely increase the number of
resident and non-resident visitors. He indicated the Nature Center is a local center with limited
capacity and while it would be great to have more visitors to the center, he felt it would be
important to have a plan in place for increased visitors and to address the Nature Center's
capacities.
Councilmember Santa agreed it would be important to find out the capacities of the center and to
make sure the Nature Center is not overwhelmed by visitors, adding it would be important to
also understand the impact on the vegetation,bees, and animals in the Nature Center.
Mr. Oestreich also distributed plans for the observation deck that will be done by Tree Trust. He
advised that projects completed this year include the "Y" dock and improvements to the brick
house; in addition, Tree Trust rebuilt a 250 foot boardwalk this summer and another kiosk by the
picnic building is in the process of being installed. He reported the Nature Center received a
grant from the Minnesota Park and Recreation Association to create a geocache trail and this
grant provides the ability to create signage on the posts, including QR Codes. He added that they
are looking into replacing the entrance sign in 2014.
Councilmember Ross requested further information about the cameras using facial recognition.
Mr. Oestreich explained that all information goes to the server and is recorded for a specific
period of time, adding the cameras are used primarily for security purposes.
Councilmember Ross questioned whether this software could be used in the park shelter
restrooms based on Council's earlier discussions about keeping the restrooms open, adding this
might be something the City could use without having to invest new money.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger indicated that Mayor Jacobs had previously suggested using this site as a
demonstration area to show people how solar panels or other energy saving devices work.
Study Session Minutes -2- September 23, 2013
Mr. Oestreich stated that solar panels would not work given the Nature Center's tree canopy. He
added that the picnic area has been converted to LED lighting and the energy bill has dropped in
half. He reported that the Nature Center is adding a natural gas powered generator this month
that will provide power to the Nature Center buildings, parking lot, and the gate. He stated that
the Nature Center now has its own Facebook page which has become very popular and the
Nature Center also has its own website and web camera so people can tune in and watch what is
happening at the Nature Center.
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.
Mr. Oestreich replied that Nature Center staff field a lot of calls about wildlife management and
felt the Nature Center's website could be enhanced to include this type of information. He also
distributed information about the Halloween party on October 18th and 19`h.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger thanked Mr. Oestreich for the update.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—October 7 & October 14, 2013
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for October 7th and the
proposed study session agenda for October 14`h
Councilmember Mavity stated that she has discussed the 4601 Highway 7 property with staff and
wanted to disclose that her husband helped create Land Bank. She indicated the possibility of
Land Bank as an option to purchase selected land along these corridors. She urged the City to
explore this, especially at Louisiana Avenue where there may be sites to acquire as part of the
station area planning.
Councilmember Ross felt that Council needs to have a broader discussion regarding housing and
what Council wants the community to look like in five or ten years. She stated the City is getting
more and more requests for apartments and Council should discuss whether it wants to place a
moratorium on future apartment structures, coupled with a discussion on affordable housing.
Councilmember Spano stated the cover story on the most recent edition of Twin Cities Business
Monthly was about luxury apartments and whether the metro area has reached a tipping point.
He agreed to send the article to Council.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger agreed that Council needs to have a discussion regarding its housing
goals and whether to place a moratorium on apartment buildings.
Councilmember Mavity stated that the market is very segmented with some locations saturated
but was opposed to a moratorium.
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.
Study Session Minutes -3- September 23, 2013
Councilmember Spano felt that Council should have a discussion about its tolerance levels first
before making any decisions.
Councilmember Santa agreed.
Mr. Harmening suggested that this issue be discussed at Council's retreat in early 2014.
3. Communications/Updates (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening advised that the top two candidates for Fire Chief are going through the final
leadership assessment. He anticipates making a decision in the near future and bringing the
matter to Council for confirmation.
Councilmember Santa stated she has been asked numerous times about the Met Council's
timetable for making a decision on light rail and the reroute.
Councilmember Spano stated the CMC will make its recommendation to the Met Council on
October 2nd and the Met Council is scheduled to make its decision on October 9th.
Council discussed the reroute and the potential for a reroute outside of the metro area. Council
also discussed the potential CP swap as well as mitigation.
Mr. Harmening stated that he and the Edina City Manager met with the City of Minneapolis
approximately a year ago regarding a parcel at 40`h and France that is owned by the City of
Minneapolis. He indicated that the City of Minneapolis recently asked if the City was interested
in buying the parcel. He stated that after a meeting with Minneapolis officials, this matter will
be brought back to Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger stated she has been getting some pushback from residents about the 90-
gallon recycling carts and some residents have said they have no place to store the 90-gallon cart
and are concerned about getting a citation for leaving the cart outside.
Mr. Harmening stated the City is asking residents to try the 90-gallon carts for 90 days before
switching to a smaller cart.
The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
4. 2014 - 2017 Renewal of Auditor Contract with HLB Tautges Redpath,LTD
5. August 2013 Monthly Financial Report
Nancy Stroth, eity Clerk Susan Sanger, ayor Pro Tem