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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/02/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session I/I St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 9, 2015 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Tim Brausen (amved at 6.46 p.m.), Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano. Councilmembers absent: Steve Hallfin Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Director of Engineenng (Ms. Heiser), Senior Engineenng Project Manager(Mr Elkin), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes). Guests: Ms. Dana Nelson (Metropolitan Airports Commission Assistant Manager-Noise, Environment and Planning), Mr. Chad Leqve (MAC Director of Environment), and Ms Lisa Peilen (MAC Representative). 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—February 17 and 23, 2015 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for February 17th and the proposed study session agenda for February 23rd. Councilmember Spano requested that Council schedule time to discuss how the City plans to use the $250,000 gift to Westwood Hills Nature Center. Mr. Harmening agreed to add this item to a future study session agenda. 2. Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) Noise Report Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report and introduced Ms. Dana Nelson (Metropolitan Airports Commission Assistant Manager-Noise, Environment and Planning), Mr. Chad Leqve (MAC Director of Environment), and Ms. Lisa Peilen (MAC Representative). Ms. Nelson presented the Edina and St. Louis Park Noise Monitonng Study results and conclusions and noted that the full report is available at www macnoise com. She explained that the Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) approved the study scope in May 2014 and the study focused on assessing existing aircraft noise levels in Edina and St. Louis Park for two weeks She presented a map depicting the Noise Monitonng Study Area and stated that Site 101 is located at the Rec Center. She advised that the study was started on August 22, 2014, and completed on September 4, 2014, and reviewed the amval and departure operations dunng the study period. She discussed partial Area Navigation (RNAV) flight procedures to be implemented on March 24th that will provide the ability to use satellite navigation on board the aircraft rather than ground based navigation for landing approach flights over St. Louis Park. Councilmember Sanger requested further information about RNAV and the difference it might make as far as noise and concentrating arrivals over St. Louis Park. Ms. Nelson provided a brief explanation about RNAV procedures and stated the biggest change with implementation of RNAV is going to occur further out from the airport adding she did not know if St. Louis Park or Minneapolis would notice much of a difference. She reviewed the Study Session Minutes -2- February 9, 2015 Day-Night Average Sound (DNL) levels used to determine noise impact around airports and advised that the daily DNL level for Site 101 during the study period averaged 54.7 decibels, which is what they expected for this location and there were no surprises Councilmember Mavity stated that the map previously reviewed by Council (indicating full RNAV implementation) showed a preponderance of flights concentrating south of St. Louis Park and asked if the map presented this evening is still relevant. She stated it was her understanding that while the southern edge of the City would be impacted by RNAV, most of St. Louis Park would continue to see lesser impacts, but that does not appear to be the case based on what has been presented this evening. Ms. Nelson explained that significant concerns were raised by residents in Minneapolis and Edina about departure operations being concentrated over those paths and the MAC took action not to support those departure procedures and supported the RNAV procedures to the southeast of the airport because that land area provides more opportunity to focus those aircraft events over compatible land uses. Councilmember Lindberg asked if there has been an increase or decrease in amval events over St. Louis Park over the past few years. Ms. Nelson replied they have seen more arrivals. Council continued its discussion regarding overall noise levels. 3. Fiber and Broadband Update Mr. Pires presented the staff report and provided an update on the fiber study conducted by CTC Consulting and reviewed several recent accomplishments and planned projects He discussed the 36th and Walker Street reconstruction project planned for this summer and stated that staff is working with engineering to add conduit along the reconstructed area, adding that the City plans to install conduit on Louisiana Avenue from 32°d down to the area north of Walker Street where conduit exists and will be adding conduit to the Louisiana Oaks park shelter. He stated the City has made progress to add capacity as part of the Connect the Park! project with the goal of collaborating with construction projects and continuing to build the fiber backbone throughout the City. He advised that staff is interested in meeting with the SPO to talk about what is planned for the Southwest LRT stations, e.g., security cameras and wi-fi at the stations and/or in the parking lots. He also discussed the overall fiber strategy and advised that US Internet has approached the City about its interest in looking for a city to partner with and putting fiber in every premise in the City over the next three or four years. He stated that in order to distribute fiber throughout the City, US Internet would need a distribution center and has indicated an interest in the water tower site located at 34`h and Wyoming. He advised that US Internet would take all the nsk associated with this project and US Internet is currently working with their lenders to secure funds for the project. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to continue working with US Internet on a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP)project. It was also the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to continue to move forward with development of a fiber ordinance to require or incentivize fiber asset installation for new construction. Study Session Minutes -3- February 9, 2015 4. Small Cell Antenna Applications Mr. Elkin presented the staff report and advised that the Engineering Department has recently been approached by two telecom vendors about installing small cell antennas in the City to provide additional coverage. He explained that Verizon has requested two small cell antenna locations in the West End area to be installed on light poles, adding that the antenna and equipment would be mounted on a pole, which meets the City's ordinance requirements. He explained that AT&T has proposed using existing Xcel Energy poles in 14 locations in the Browndale neighborhood; however, Xcel Energy does not allow equipment to be installed on the poles so AT&T would need to install the control boxes on the ground and this placement conflicts with the City's ordinance requirements. He stated that he has asked AT&T for photos of the proposed control boxes but has not yet received the photos, adding that staff has concerns about aesthetics of the control boxes as well as public works concerns and whether there is sufficient room in the right-of-way for the control boxes. Ms. Amy Dresch, a consultant from Jacobs Engineering representing Verizon, stated that the proposed small cell antennas represent a capacity solution and are intended to help offload capacity at the West End. She stated Verizon is not proposing to have any ground equipment with the small cell antenna. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to continue to work with Verizon on the installation of two small cell antennas in the West End area. It was also the consensus of the City Council that the City should not change its current ordinance in order to allow small cell antennas on existing Xcel Energy power poles in the Browndale neighborhood. Councilmember Spano left the study session at 8:40 p m. 5. Check-in on Results of City Council Workshop Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and proposed priorities/goals developed following the workshop. Councilmember Mavity felt the proposed priorities/goals were on target but questioned whether there should be further mention of the importance of local/small businesses. Councilmember Sanger suggested that the priority/goal about the LRT stations be revised to read "appropriate, reasonable redevelopment around the three SWLRT stations is maximized to the fullest-extent-passible consistent with the City's zoning requirements. Councilmember Brausen suggested that the "why is this important" narrative of the pnonty/goal related to environmental stewardship be revised to state "because it's the right thing and smart thing and necessary thing to do." Communications/Meeting Check-1n (Verbal) Mr. Harmening advised that he discussed the proposed job description for the Environment and Sustainability Coordinator with the Environment & Sustainability Commission last week and Commission members will provide their comments to him relative to the job description by Wednesday. He stated the Environment & Sustainability Commission plans to meet with Council during the first quarter to present their annual report and 2015 work plan, adding that Study Session Minutes -4- February 9, 2015 one of the Commission's 2015 priorities includes having a community conversation about the environment and what it means to be"sustainable SLP." Councilmember Sanger stated that the coyote population appears to be more active again and urged the City to send reminders to residents about protecting their pets. Mr. Harmening reported the Health in the Park community forum on mental health that was held yesterday was a great success with approximately 300 people in attendance. He stated the community members who put the forum together did a great job and there will likely be some follow-up conversations. Mr. Harmemng stated the City has started posting stickers around the community identifying various locations for wi-fi hotspots. Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m. Written reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 6. Proposed Allocation of 2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds 7. 2015 Traffic Signal Installation Update-Elmwood Neighborhood 8. Comprehensive Plan Amendments Related to Planned Unit Developments 9. Annual Open to Business Program Update Nancy Stro , City Clerk Jeff J J. io q s,JM or