HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/01/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session J/1 St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M IN N ES OTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JANUARY 12, 2015
The meeting convened at 6:37 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), Police Chief(Mr. Luse), City Clerk (Ms. Stroth), Director of Inspections
(Mr. Hoffman), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), Associate Planner (Mr. Kelley), and Recording
Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
Guests: Representative Cheryl Youakim, Representative Ryan Winkler, Hennepin County
Commissioner Marion Greene, Metropolitan Council Representative Jim Brimeyer, and Vic
Moore (Franzen & Associates).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—January 26, 2015
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for January 26, 2015.
2. 2015 Legislative Issues and Priorities
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and 2015 legislative issues and priorities and indicated
that a copy of the 2015 legislative issues and priorities was provided to all of the City's guests
this evening. He then introduced Mr. Vic Moore.
Mr. Moore advised that the legislative session began on January 6th and it appears the emphasis
this session is going to be on transportation and the Senate Democrats may push to fund
transportation projects in rural Minnesota rather than in the metro area. He indicated the State
has a $1.2 billion surplus but half of that surplus represents one-time money because of
expenditure reductions and one-third of the surplus goes into reserves so there is not a lot of
money to put into funding projects. He stated the Democrats released their bill today and the bill
includes increased license tab fees and an increase in the gas tax.
Mayor Jacobs expressed concern about the fate of Southwest LRT and the possibility that the
Federal government will send the money elsewhere due to the continued delays in the project.
Mr. Moore discussed Governor Dayton's recent remarks regarding Southwest LRT and stated
that the Governor's position appears to be driven by what is going on with the lawsuit
Councilmember Mavity asked Hennepin County Commissioner Greene to comment on the
County's strategies in light of the Governor's recent statements.
Hennepin County Commissioner Greene indicated that Southwest LRT is at the top of the
County's agenda and stated it appears the Governor is using his remarks to put pressure on the
Minneapolis Park Board.
Study Session Minutes -2- January 12, 2015
Representative Youakim stated there is going to have to be outside support for Southwest LRT
from the Chambers of Commerce and from UnitedHealth Group.
Representative Winkler stated there appears to be a perception among greater Minnesota
legislators that if funding is provided for transit in the metro area with no funding for greater
Minnesota roads and bridges, then the projects will not get support, and vice versa. He added it
is unlikely that any transportation package would go forward that funds rural Minnesota and not
the metro area.
Councilmember Brausen felt this was the perfect time for a transportation tax because of the low
gas prices.
Mayor Jacobs asked what would happen if the legislature does not fund its share of Southwest
LRT.
Metropolitan Council Representative Brimeyer indicated that Met Council must demonstrate to
the Federal government that it has 100% of the local funding for the project and if the local
funding is not available, the project is dead for this fiscal year. He added that the Minneapolis,
St. Paul, TwinWest, and State Chambers of Commerce are meeting this week to discuss the
project.
Mr. Harmening stated that the City could end up spending as much as $40 million for capital
improvements related to Southwest LRT and the City believes these projects should be included
in the base budget for the project. He stated the City will need to commit by the first part of
February to spending up to $2 million on engineering for capital improvements related to
Beltlme and Wooddale and the City is concerned that it will be spending money on a project that
does not become a reality.
License Plate Readers and Body and Squad Car Dash Cameras
Mr. Luse stated he was supportive of Senator Latz's bill that was recently introduced.
Mr. Moore advised that a bill on this issue is going to be heard at the same time as Senator Latz's
bill and encouraged Mr. Luse to read this bill.
Mr. Luse stated the Police Department is going to begin using body cameras on a tnal basis. He
requested legislative assistance regarding the use of these cameras and data collection and
retention of public and pnvate data. He advised that the Police Department is open to the use of
these cameras but is concerned about the pnvate and public data questions stemming from the
use of these cameras and how to deal with public data requests. He stated he has discussed the
issue with the City Attorney and whether it is possible for the City to attach fees to a third party
request for public data as a way to recover the cost of the work involved in releasing the data to a
third party, i.e., redacting all pnvate data from a video and making sure that only public data is
released. He added that he does not sense any pushback from any of the officers on the use of
body cameras.
Other
Councilmember Sanger requested legislative support for amending the State's Clean Indoor Air
Act to include banning the use of e-cigarettes in all indoor facilities.
Study Session Minutes -3- January 12, 2015
Hennepin County Commissioner Greene advised that Hennepin County is holding a hearing on
this issue tomorrow.
Representative Youakim stated that Hopkins crafted an ordinance on this issue due to a concern
over the lack of oversight of locations where the liquids used in e-cigarettes are being mixed and
Hopkins imposed a moratorium on vapor lounges. She added she is currently working with a
colleague on this issue.
3. Off Sale Liquor Licensing
Ms. Deno presented the staff report.
Councilmember Lindberg thanked staff for the report and stated his concerns were prompted by
the recent request by Target Corporation for an off sale intoxicating liquor license, which results
in a concentration of liquor licenses in the Knollwood area. He felt this represented a question of
image and what Council wants the Knollwood area to look like and how off sale liquor stores
play into that image. He requested Council consider a moratorium on off sale liquor licenses in
the Knollwood area in order to provide an opportunity to discuss whether the City should amend
and/or enhance its regulations.
Councilmember Mavity spoke in favor of a moratorium and stated she was concerned about the
number of off sale liquor licenses in the City compared to other communities. She stated that
Council has put a lot of effort into making sure it is creating a vision for the community and was
unhappy to see how the City compared to other cities as it relates to off sale liquor licenses.
Councilmember Sanger stated if the broader discussion on this issue relates to the aesthetics of
an area in general, she was fine with discussing it, but not if the discussion was specific to liquor
stores, adding she was fine with the current regulations She stated she was unclear about what
problem needed to be addressed and what would be solved by a change in the liquor ordinance
She stated these are commercial enterprises and the City does not put limits on the number of
dress shops or grocery stores and did not know why the City would want to stop these businesses
from selling legal products, adding there is no public safety problem associated with the number
of liquor stores.
Councilmember Brausen agreed with Councilmember Sanger and noted the Police Department
does not feel there is any direct relationship between the number and/or location of off sale
establishments, either positive or negative, and did not see any reason to limit the number of
licenses.
Councilmember Spano stated this issue has been previously raised that large liquor stores have a
tendency to drive out smaller liquor stores and he has some concerns about the small, locally
owned liquor stores.
Councilmember Mavity stated the rate of liquor licenses has doubled in ten years and that is not
the vision she wants for the community She stated there are plenty of locations where people
can buy alcohol in the City and this is not limiting anyone's rights in any way.
Councilmember Hallfin stated that Council has had this conversation in the past and it keeps
getting raised for a reason. He agreed with Councilmember Mavity's remarks about the vision
for the community and stated he would be in favor of some type of regulation that would prohibit
Study Session Minutes -4- January 12, 2015
another liquor warehouse from moving in, adding he was not sure if a moratorium was necessary
but would like to see a limit on the number of liquor licenses that are issued.
Councilmember Lindberg clarified that he does not have a problem with liquor stores in general
but was concerned about the saturation of liquor stores in the Knollwood area.
Councilmember Spano suggested Council consider regulating the number of liquor stores it
would allow that are larger than "x" square feet as a way to address its concerns about the
density of big box retailers.
Councilmember Mavity requested that Council approve a moratorium at its next regular meeting
to allow time to further study the issue.
Mayor Jacobs agreed with Councilmember Sanger and did not believe there was a problem. He
stated he did not know what the right number of liquor stores should be, but if there are too many
liquor stores, the public will not support them and they will go out of business.
It was the consensus of the majority of the City Council to direct staff to prepare a resolution
imposing a moratorium on off sale liquor licenses to be adopted by Council at its next meeting.
4. Update—City Hall Second and Third Floor Remodeling Project
Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report and advised that staff is in the process of finalizing the
layout and design of the second and third floor remodeling project. He stated that the
remodeling project will begin in February with the Engineering Department relocating
temporarily to the MSC for the duration of the project so that the Engineering Department space
can be used to rotate other departments throughout the remodeling. He stated that some of the
office furnishings will be taken to the State auction for sale or donated to local nonprofit
agencies and items not sold or donated will be removed by a contractor for material recycling.
He indicated that after completion of the second and third floors, the City will begin discussions
on remodeling of the restrooms on those floors along with the Council Chambers.
5. Planned Unit Development(PUD) Update
Mr. Kelley presented the staff report and explained that the proposed PUD ordinance would now
have amendments approved by ordinance and would reclassify all amendments as either
administrative or major and eliminating minor amendments. He stated that administrative
amendments are redefined so that any change that is 10% or less of an applicable measure, e.g , a
10% change in density, would be deemed an administrative amendment and anything greater
than 10% would be deemed a major amendment and follow the same process currently used
including a public hearing. He pointed out that if staff is not comfortable with a particular
change that meets the "less than 10%" threshold, staff could make a determination to process the
proposed change as a major amendment. He stated the proposed amendment also includes
provisions requiring compliance with the City's Green Building Policy.
Councilmember Brausen supported the proposed green building standards and suggested adding
two additional numbered bullets in Sec. 36-32(a) that states "implement the City's Green
Building Policy" and "promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency."
Mayor Jacobs thanked staff for its work on the proposed ordinance amendments
Study Session Minutes -5- January 12, 2015
6. Review Boards and Commissions Applications
Mayor Jacobs indicated Council has reviewed the applicants and is ready to fill current vacancies
on the Fire Civil Service Commission, Police Advisory Commission and Telecommunications
Advisory Commission.
7. Southwest LRT Community Advisory Committee Application Review
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and explained that the City received three applications
for two openings on the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) and it was his understanding that
Council desires to interview all three candidates. He noted that Mr. Richard Webb also applied
for a seat on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and his name has been included on the
CAC list of applicants, totaling 18 applicants and there are three openings on CAC.
Council discussed the process for appointing the CAC and BAC committee members and
following that discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to appoint Mr. Bill James,
Ms. Sarah Maaske and Ms. Janet Weivoda to CAC and that interviews with these individuals are
not necessary. It was also the consensus of the City Council to interview the three candidates for
BAC and to make the CAC and BAC appointments on January 20, 2015.
Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal)
Mr Harmening announced that the West End development was recently sold for $117 million.
He also announced that the Parkdales are under contract to be sold for approximately $40
million. He advised that the Knollwood and Louisiana Oaks properties are also close to being
sold. He informed Council that Ms. Stroth has announced her retirement effective March 31,
2015. He also informed Council that Mr. Zwilling has taken a position with Hennepin County as
the Strategic Communications Officer and will be leaving the end of January.
Council extended its congratulations to Ms. Stroth and to Mr. Zwilling.
Mr Harmening stated that a job description is being prepared for the Sustainability Coordinator
and indicated he is not sure that this position should be half time given all of the responsibilities
and suggested that the position be advertised as a full time position.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct Mr. Harmening to use his discretion and
proceed with advertising this position as full time if necessary.
Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m.
Written reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
8. Southwest LRT Update
9. Street Smart SLP-Crosswalk Safety Campaign
10. November 2014 Monthly Financial Report
11. Polystyrene Packaging Update
Nancy Strot , City Clerk Jeff Ja o , ayo