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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/10/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular (2) (if St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 5, 2015 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Director of Human Resources (Ms. Deno), City Attorney (Ms. McDowell Poehler), Director of Operations & Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Pnncipal Planner (Ms. McMonigal), Public Works Services Manager (Mr. Merkley), Finance Supervisor (Mr. Heintz), Rec Center Manager (Mr Eiso1d), Wellness and Volunteer Coordinator(Ms. Smith), and Recording Secretary(Ms Hughes) la. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations 2a. Proclamation Honoring Mental Illness Awareness Week Mayor Jacobs recited the Proclamation for Mental Illness Awareness Week October 5-11, 2015. He encouraged residents to visit the Make it OK website at www makeitok org and to take the Make it OK pledge 2b. Health in the Park Update Ms. Smith stated the Health in the Park team has been working on further defining the Health in the Park initiative and recently came up with a tag line: Health in the Park is You. She then introduced Ms. Jeanne Wolfe and Ms. Lynda Enright Ms. Wolfe provided an update from the Wellbeing and Mental Health Action Committee and stated they have developed partnerships with NAMI, the City, and Park Nicollet to launch opportunities for education. She stated that this fall they are focusing on organizing community-wide efforts to educate the public on mental illness, including "Make it OK" classes She stated they are developing a monthly parent series on vanous mental health topics and HealthPartners has recently connected with Health in the Park to explore education opportunities for school distnct staff She stated that the local business community has been invited to bnng the conversation into their organizations and they hope to meet with the various Rotary groups this fall. Ms. Enright provided an update from the Better Eating Action Team and stated that the recent community conversation demonstrated that the community's priority is to create better eating with a focus on the schools and to increase citizen awareness. She discussed the action team's goals and stated they hope to create a partnership with STEP She also provided an update from the Active Connections Team and stated this action team is City Council Meeting -2- October 5, 2015 dedicated to making the City's streets and trails accessible and fun for all ages She stated they have created a strong partnership with Connect the Park! and have developed partnerships with the Environment & Sustainability Commission to support overlapping efforts. She thanked the City Council for its support and stated it is a great initiative that will be an example to other communities of what can be done to improve the health of a community. Mayor Jacobs extended the City Council's thanks and appreciation to all of the volunteers working on the Health in the Park initiative. He encouraged residents to visit the website at www.HIPSLP.org. Mr. Harmening stated that Blue Cross Blue Shield recently invited the City to submit a request for funding for years four and five of the Health in the Park initiative that would provide funding up to $150,000 per year. 2c. Recognition of Donations Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to David Kane and Joann Shaughnessy Kane, Robert and Lila Aske, Rocky Massie, and Stephen Williams for their donation of $105 to be used for the care and management of Westwood Hills Nature Center's raptors in memory of Chris Bohlinger. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2015 The minutes were approved as presented. 3b. City Council Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 Councilmember Mavity requested that the second sentence of the third paragraph on page 11 be revised to state "She stated that she was able to hear from a Twin Cities resident that spoke about blue zones, a healthy community that supports healthy living choices and contnbutes to the health of the residents, adding that the more the City can do to create a healthy community and a community that supports it, the more healthy the community will be." Councilmember Brausen requested that the third sentence of the seventh paragraph on page 10 be revised to state"He stated that he has heard from dozens of people, along with a petition of 57 signatures, noting that there is support from people on both sides of the issue." He requested that the fifth sentence of the seventh paragraph on page 10 be revised to state "He stated that the public nght-of-way is the area for the-Teeple-of the community pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists to get around in the community in a safe and efficient manner." The minutes were approved as amended 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar City Council Meeting -3- October 5, 2015 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 appropnate section of the regular agenda for discussion. 4a. Accept for filing City Disbursement Claims for the penod of August 29, 2015 through September 25, 2015. 4b. Adopt Resolution No. 15-138 appointing additional Election Judges needed to staff the polls at the Municipal/School Distnct/State Special General Election to be held November 3, 2015. 4c. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2478-15 vacating alley nght-of- way, connecting Glenhurst Avenue and France Avenue, north of West 31st Street, and approve the Summary Ordinance for publication 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 15-139 calling for a public hearing relative to the establishment of the 4900 Excelsior Tax Increment Financing District within Redevelopment Project No. 1 (a redevelopment distract). 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 15-140 authonzing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3955 Dakota Avenue South, St Louis Park, MN P I D 21-117-21- 23-0039. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 15-141 authonzing the special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 6811 24th Street West, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 08-117-21-13- 0085. 4g. Adopt Resolution No. 15-142 authorizing final payment in the amount of$26,463.12 for Project 4014-2000 Connect the Park! with G L Contracting, Inc., City Contract No 73- 14. 4h. Order a public hearing to be held on November 16, 2015, for the closure of the southbound access ramp at W. 16th Street along TH 169 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 15-143 approving acceptance of monetary donations totaling $105 from: David Kane and Joann Shaughnessy Kane in the amount of$30, Robert and Lila Aske in the amount of$25, Rocky Massie in the amount of$25, Stephen Williams in the amount of$25 all of which will be used for the Westwood Hills Nature Center's raptors in memory of Chris Bohlinger. 4j. Adopt Resolution No. 15-144 Supporting Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Meadowbrook Golf Course Ecological Restoration Project. It was moved by Councilmember Lindberg, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, 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 City Council Meeting -4- October 5, 2015 6a. Consolidated Public Hearing (1) 2016 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No 1. Resolution No. 15-145. (2) 2016 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 2. Resolution No. 15-146. (3) 2016 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No 3. Resolution No. 15-147. (4) 2016 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 4 and Extension of Special Service District through 2025. Resolution No. 15-148. (5) 2016 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 5. Resolution No. 15-149. (6) 2016 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 6. Resolution No. 15-150. Mr. Merkley presented the staff report and stated that the City provided all property owners in the Special Service Districts with the proposed 2016 budgets and service charges and met with each of the Special Service Districts to review the budgets and service charges. He advised that in all Special Service Districts, the property owners approved the proposed 2016 budgets and services charges with only two property owners not in favor. He stated the 2016 budget for Special Service District No. 1 has been reduced by$10,000 and the service charges remain the same as 2015. He stated the 2016 budget for Special Service District No. 2 is the same as 2015 and the service charges have been reduced by $11,000. He stated the 2016 budget for Special Service District No. 3 has been reduced by $10,000 and the service charges have been reduced by $15,000. He stated the 2016 budget and service charge for Special Service District No. 4 have been reduced by $5,000 compared to 2015. He noted that Special Service District No. 4's term expires at the end of 2015 and reauthorization requires a petition process from the property owners and the City received an adequate number of petitions to have Special Service District No. 4 reauthorized. He stated the 2016 budget and service charges for Special Service District No. 5 are the same as 2015. He stated the 2016 budget for Special Service Distnct No. 6 is the same as 2015 and the service charges have been increased by $4,000. Mayor Jacobs opened the consolidated public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs closed the consolidated public heanng. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt Resolution No. 15-145 Approving 2016 Budget and Service Charges for Special Service District No. 1; Resolution No. 15-146 Approving 2016 Budget and Service Charges for Special Service District No. 2, Resolution No. 15-147 Approving 2016 Budget and Service Charges for Special Service District No. 3, Resolution No. 15-148 Approving 2016 Budget and Service Charges for Special Service District No. 4; Resolution No. 15- 149 Approving 2016 Budget and Service Charges for Special Service District No 5, and Resolution No. 15-150 Approving 2016 Budget and Service Charges for Special Service District No 6 The motion passed 7-0 6b. Public Hearing to Consider First Reading of 2016 Fee Ordinance City Council Meeting -5- October 5, 2015 Mr. Heintz presented the staff report and proposed 2016 fee ordinance He stated that the City's fees are reviewed each year in conjunction with the budget process, in addition, the City's fees are reviewed compared to other cities in the metro area and to make sure the City's costs are covered for each service. Mayor Jacobs opened the public heanng. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs closed the public heanng. It was moved by Councilmember Spano, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve First Reading of Ordinance Adopting Fees for Calendar Year 2016 and to set Second Reading for October 19, 2015 The motion passed 7-0. 6c. Public Hearing to Consider Ordinance Modifying Salaries for the Mayor and Councilmembers Ms. Deno presented the staff report and explained that in 2016, the salaries for the Mayor and Councilmembers would increase 2.5% and future increases would occur bi-annually commensurate with any salary increase for non-organized employees. Mayor Jacobs opened the public heanng. No speakers were present. Mayor Jacobs closed the public heanng. Councilmember Lindberg stated he would not be supporting this and indicated that while this is a relatively small amount of money, the current compensation package is very competitive compared to the market and he felt the current compensation was reasonable Councilmember Brausen supported the proposed salary increase and stated this is the first increase for the Mayor and Councilmembers since Council took a pay cut in 2009 He viewed the salary increase as necessary to incent residents to run for public office, adding this is an important job that requires a commitment to public service and a substantial amount of time and he felt the pay increase was modest and in line with staff increases. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve First Reading of Ordinance Setting Salaries for the Mayor and Councilmembers and to set Second Reading for October 19, 2015 Councilmember Sanger supported the salary increase and felt that a 2 5% increase was nominal. She also supported the way that future increases would be handled. Councilmember Spano stated he would not be supporting this ordinance. He stated that the proposed increase equates to approximately $7.00 per paycheck before taxes and he did not feel this was an appropriate incentive to bring someone into public service and felt there were other ways to spend that money Councilmember Mavity supported the proposed salary increase as well as the policy for future increases. She stated that the City has worked hard to restructure all of its systems so that they are financially viable for the long term and tying future increases to City Council Meeting -6- October 5, 2015 employee salary increases is a rational, logical, and structured way to handle any future increases. Mayor Jacobs agreed and stated he supported the proposed salary increase. Councilmember Hallfin supported the proposed salary increase and stated this is a difficult subject for everyone on the City Council and there has been a lot of discussion about the matter and felt that having small incremental increases every two years was a reasonable approach. The motion passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Lindberg and Spano opposed). 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Award Bids for Rec Center Ice Arena Refrigeration System Replacement Project Mr. Eisold presented the staff report and advised that Commercial Refrigeration Systems, Inc. was the lowest bidder on Bid Package 1 for $3,074,455 He stated that the lowest bidder on Bid Package 2 was Thelen Heating & Roofing, Inc., in the amount of$676,000. He stated that the lowest bidder on Bid Package 4 was Egan Company in the amount of $79,500, for a total base bid for the project of$3,829,955 and the total construction cost of$4,714,455 falls in line with the amount set aside in the budget. He advised the City has applied for a grant and if successful, the City hopes to implement several bid alternates including a low emissivity ceiling to reduce transfer of radiant heat. It was moved by Councilmember Lindberg, seconded by Councilmember Hallfin, to designate the below listed firms the lowest responsible bidders and authorize execution of contracts with the firms for the Rec Center Ice Arena Refrigeration System Replacement Project—Project Nos. 24165014 and 24145018 Bid Package 1• Ice System Replacement• Commercial Refrigeration Systems, Inc. ($3,074,455) Bid Package 2. Mechanical and Electrical Improvements. Thelen Heating &Roofing, Inc ($676,000) Bid Package 4. Bleacher System Improvements: Egan Company ($79,500). Councilmember Brausen stated he would like to see the project include the low emissivity ceiling even if the City does not receive the grant money for this bid alternate. He stated this $119,000 feature includes an environmentally sound design with a payback in five to seven years and he felt this was a responsible thing to include in the project and requested that the motion be amended to include Bid Package 3 in the amount of $119,775 to R &R Specialties, Inc , for a low emissivity ceiling. City Council Meeting -7- October 5, 2015 Councilmember Sanger questioned why anyone would provide a grant to the City if Council votes to include Bid Package 3 for the low emissivity ceiling and stated she would prefer that Council not amend the motion today and if the City does not receive the grant, Council can take action at a later date on that item. Ms. Walsh stated the wording in the grant application indicated the City would be using the money for environmental enhancements and the City will be notified in November whether it will receive the grant. She did not believe that approving the low emissivity ceiling would impact the City's chances of receiving the grant and there are other things the grant can be used for in this project. Councilmember Mavity requested that any amendment to the motion indicate that the City Council has approved an amount up to $119,000 for the low e-ceiling and if the City receives grant funding, that the City will not spend another $119,000 on other items outside of current bid-alternates. Councilmember Lindberg agreed to the friendly amendment. Councilmember Hallfin seconded the friendly amendment to the motion. The motion passed 7-0 8b. SWLRT Funding Agreements. Resolution Nos. 15-151 and 15-152. Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report and stated that Hennepin County received a federal grant to partially fund trail grade-separations at Beltline, Wooddale, and Blake Road. The City has asked that they include stairways She advised that the grant provides enough funding to cover stairways however there is a 20% match required from local government and the City's grant match cost is $171,500 She explained that the Lynn Avenue Extension was originally approved by Council as a Locally Requested Capital Improvement (LRCI) and since the parking lot at Beltline was reduced, if this LRCI is incorporated into the SWLRT base project, one half of the cost would be paid by the FTA and would keep the City's cost essentially the same, or up to $1,591,427. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt Resolution No. 15-151 Committing Funding Support for the Stairway Portions of the Regional Trail Grade Separations at Wooddale Avenue and Beltline Boulevard — a SWLRT Project Locally Requested Capital Improvement. The motion passed 7-0 It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt Resolution No. 15-152 Supporting Local Funds to the Proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit Project (Metro Green Line Extension)for Design, Environmental Review, and Potential Construction of the Lynn Avenue Extension in the Beltline Station Area The motion passed 7-0. 8c. Hockey Association Contribution Agreement & Skate Park Relocation Update City Council Meeting -8- October 5, 2015 Mr. Eisold presented the staff report and advised that staff has been working with the St. Louis Park Hockey Association (SLPHA) to finalize the agreement for the outdoor nnk, including the SLPHA's contribution of $1.55 million over the next 12 years. He also discussed the skate park relocation and advised that staff met with skate park users and held an open house and the preferred skate park location is directly across the street from the Rec Center on the EDA property. It was moved by Councilmember Spano, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to authorize entering into an agreement with the St. Louis Park Hockey Association relating to their financial contribution and use of the proposed Outdoor Refrigerated Ice Rink facility and for staff to pursue relocation of the Skate Park. Councilmember Lindberg requested information about pedestrian access to and from the skate park to make sure users of the skate park are able to easily access the site. Ms. Walsh stated there is a clearly marked pedestrian crosswalk at the light and there are crosswalk signs posted at the Rec Center. She agreed to request police control dunng the initial relocation phase and to make sure pedestnan safety is emphasized at that location. Councilmember Mavity requested that the St. Louis Park Hockey Association remain cognizant of gender equity and to make sure that girls are being supported with as much intention and focus as the boys in all areas of programming. Mr. Paul Wandmacher, President of St. Louis Park Hockey Association, expressed the Hockey Association's continued commitment to gender equity and making sure programming and the facility is available to everybody. The motion passed 7-0 8d. Economic Development Authority President and Commissioner Salaries. Resolution No. 15-153. Ms. Deno presented the staff report and explained that it is proposed to have the same mechanism in place as the Mayor and Councilmember salanes with a 2.5% increase effective January 1, 2016, and any future increases would occur automatically on a bi- annual basis commensurate with staff increases. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Hallfin, to adopt Resolution No. 15-153 Amending the Compensation of the Commissioners of the Economic Development Authority. The motion passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Lindberg and Spano opposed) 8e. 2016 Employer Benefits Contribution. Resolution No. 15-154 Ms. Deno presented the staff report and stated that the City's health insurance through HealthPartners will increase by 12% in 2016. She explained that last year, the City changed its formula for dehvenng the employer benefit contnbution and moved away from offering the same dollar amount for every employee choice and moved to a 65% contribution and in 2016, that amount will increase to a 70% employer funding level for City Council Meeting -9- October 5, 2015 employee + coverage; in addition, staff is recommending the addition of a higher deductible health plan choice for employees. She stated the City's dental insurance rates will increase 3.75% in 2016, there is no rate increase for life insurance in 2016, and the City's long term disability plan will continue to be offered at no cost to employees. She stated the City also offers a deferred compensation program with $10 per pay penod provided to those who participate at a $50 per pay period minimum It was moved by Councilmember Lindberg, seconded by Councilmember Spano, to adopt Resolution No. 15-154 Establishing 2016 Employer Benefits Contribution Councilmember Brausen supported the proposed 2016 benefits contnbution and agreed it was important to the health of the City to have a properly compensated staff. He noted the 12% increase in health insurance and stated that health insurance is one of the largest paid benefits provided by the City and continued double digit increases do not reflect the cost of providing the health care and felt that at some point the City, as a major employer, would have to demand that these costs be moderated and controlled. Councilmember Sanger disagreed with the employer benefits contnbution formula and stated when the City provides extra contribution to employees who cover their spouses and children, it means that employees who perform the same jobs will get different rates of compensation based on circumstances that have nothing to do with their job qualification and are based on personal choice, which violates the spirit and law of equal pay for equal work. She stated that she fully understood that the City's employees are asking for more money because of the nsing cost of health insurance but those costs are due to factors beyond the control of the City She stated she will reluctantly support this because the employees asked for it, but in the future Council will need to give serious consideration to the inequities it is endorsing with this kind of benefit plan. Councilmember Mavity stated she strongly supported this and indicated if the City is going to attract and retain talent, it needs to be competitive and this is not about an equity issue but a market issue. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs invited residents and the business community to attend a listening session regarding zero waste packaging on Monday, October 12, at 5:30 p m at City Hall Mayor Jacobs announced the reopening of the Minnetonka Boulevard bndge on Thursday, October 8`h. He also announced that Highway 7 would be closing on October 10`h. 10. Adjournment Mayor Jacobs adjou ed the meeting at 9:00 p.m. ok Mehss Kennedy, ity erk Or Jeff Ja •bs flay r