HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/02/11 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionAGENDA
FEB. 11, 2019
6:30 p.m. STUDY SESSION – Community room
Discussion items
1. 6:30 p.m. Future study session agenda planning
2. 6:35 p.m. 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update
3. 8:05 p.m. Elections outreach and education plan
8:50 p.m. Communications/updates (verbal)
8:55 p.m. Adjourn
Written reports
4. Annual Open to Business Program update
5. Proposed allocation of 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
6. Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
7. Historic Walker Lake small area plan
8. TexaTonka reinvestment and small area plan)
9. Council workshop follow-up
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make arrangements, please call
the administration department at 952/924-2525 (TDD 952/924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting.
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Discussion item: 1
Executive summary
Title: Future study session agenda planning
Recommended action: The city council and city manager to set the agenda for the study
session meeting (*written reports only) on Feb. 25, 2019 and the study session on March 11,
2019.
Policy consideration: Not applicable.
Summary: This report summarizes the proposed agenda for the study session meeting
(*written reports only) on Feb. 25, 2019 and the study session on March 11, 2019. Also attached
to this report is:
-study session discussion topics and timeline
-Proposed topic for future study session discussion: One-for-one replacement policy for
NOAH properties - proposed by councilmember Rog
Financial or budget considerations: Not applicable.
Strategic priority consideration: Not applicable.
Supporting documents: Tentative agenda – Feb. 25 and March 11, 2019
Study session discussion topics and timeline
Study Session topic proposal for future study session discussion
Prepared by: Debbie Fischer, Administrative Services Office Assistant
Reviewed by: Maria Carrillo Perez, Management Assistant
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 1) Page 2
Title: Future study session agenda planning
Feb. 25, 2019.
5:30 p.m. – Boards and commissions annual meeting – Council chambers
Study Session (*written reports only)
1.SWLRT update
2.CSAH 25 update
3.Small cell aesthetic requirements
4.Building readiness for Smart Cities
March 11, 2019.
6:30 p.m. – Study session – Community room
Tentative discussion items
1.Future study session agenda planning – Administrative services (5 minutes)
2.Report on use of body-worn cameras – Police (30 minutes)
Chief Harcey will present information regarding the Body Worn Camera (BWC) audit as
requested by Resolution 18-134. The presentation will include:
•General reflections and learnings from the police department on the implementation and
use of BWC’s
•Criteria tracked to include, at a minimum, hours of utilization, officer compliance, how
often reports are filed to document when cameras are not turned on, how often and
under what circumstances officers review footage prior to writing reports, requests to
view footage and police department response
•Any police department proposed changes or updates to the BWC policy
•Other information that would be useful to the city council and the public to help
understand and evaluate this initial trial and implementation
3.Crime/drug free rental ordinance work group appt. – Community development (45 minutes)
Applications from individuals interested in serving on the crime/drug free rental housing
ordinance workgroup will be presented to the council for their review and appointment as
members of the workgroup.
4.Mixed use zoning district – Community development (45 minutes)
Presentation and discussion regarding proposed updates to the mixed use zoning district.
Communications/meeting check-in – Administrative services (5 minutes)
Time for communications between staff and council will be set aside on every study session
agenda for the purposes of information sharing.
Written reports
5.Outdoor parking lighting requirements
End of meeting: 8:40 p.m.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 1) Page 3
Title: Future study session agenda planning
Study session discussion topics and timeline
Discussion topic Comments Date Scheduled
Finalize Council Norms Reviewed on 5/7/18; adoption postponed on
5/21/18. Discussed at Jan. Retreat March 18, 2019
Firearm sales
Discussed 5/21/18 & 7/23. Written report
provided at 9/24 study session. PC currently
reviewing ordinance options. Policy on city
facilities adopted 10/15
1st Qtr. 2019
Zoning guidelines for front-facing
buildings with windows not papered
Discussed 7/9/18. Referred to PC for review &
recommendation. 1st Qtr. 2019
Design guidelines - New home
construction
Discussed 7/9/18. Referred to PC for review &
recommendation. 1st Qtr. 2019
Retail/service/liquor stores size Discussed on 6/11/18; referred to PC.
Discussed 11/26/18 Ongoing
Crime free ordinance/affordable
housing strategies
Discussed 5/14/18. 1st reading housing trust
fund 10/1/18; Other affordable housing
strategies/Crime Free Ordinance – Nov/Dec,
12/10 and 12/17/18 and 1/14/19 council
discussion; Certain provisions of crime free
ord. suspended; Work group being formed
CFO work group
to be discussed
3/11/19
Revitalization of Walker Lake area
Part of preserving Walker building reports:
8/28/17, 9/25/17, 1/22/18, design study 2/12/18,
update 4/23/18, design study update 8/27/18; SS
report 2/11/19
Ongoing
Immigration & supporting families
Discussed 8/6 and referred to HRC. HRC held
comm. mtg. in Oct. Council/HRC discussion on
12/10; referred back to HRC for refinement of
recommendations.
TBD
Discuss and evaluate our public process TBD
STEP discussion: facilities Discussed on 1/14/19 TBD
Easy access to nature, across city,
starting with low-income
neighborhoods
TBD
SEED’s community greenhouse/resilient
cities initiative TBD
Community center project April, 2019
Utility pricing policy TBD
Westwood Hills Nature Center Access
Fund TBD
Accessory dwelling units/home-based
businesses TBD
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 1) Page 4
Title: Future study session agenda planning
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Discussion item: 2
Executive summary
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update
Recommended action: No action required. Staff requests feedback on the policy questions
noted below:
Policy consideration: Does the City Council agree with the planned approach to bond issuance
for the upcoming 2019 projects as outlined in the staff report? Does the City Council agree with
the next steps outlined in the staff report?
Summary: Staff has been working with Ehlers and Associates (Municipal Advisor) regarding the
2019 general obligation (G.O.) bond issuance. While these are only preliminary estimates, the
G.O. bond issue is anticipated to happen in March 2019, since the projects are either approved
or are expected to be approved in the near future. The G.O. bond issue will include the
following (includes issuance costs and capitalized interest):
Westwood Hills Nature Center (est. $12.89 million)
SWLRT contribution and Fiber (est. $1.7 million)
Connect the Park (est. $2.7 million)
Cedar Lake Road (est. $4.9 million)
During the study session staff will walk through additional information on bonding, discuss next
steps, and also review the city’s debt modeling/financial plan.
Financial or budget considerations: Total estimated G.O. bond issue for 2019 is $22.2 million.
This total will be adjusted when final bids and pricing are available. As noted later in this
report, these bonds will be issued as either G.O Charter bonds or G.O Tax Abatement bonds.
Strategic priority consideration:
• St. Louis Park is committed to continue to lead in environmental stewardship.
• St. Louis Park is committed to providing a variety of options for people to make their
way around the city comfortably, safely and reliably.
• St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through
community engagement.
Supporting documents: Discussion
2019 bond run estimates
Ehlers graphs/charts – (Annual levy amounts and tax impact for all tax
supported debt 2010 bonds – 2019 proposed bonds)
Prepared by: Tim Simon, Chief Financial Officer
Reviewed by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 2) Page 2
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update
Discussion
2019 Bonding Summary
The city has a number of projects in 2019 that are proposed to be financed with general
obligation bonds:
Project Amount (est.
only)
Term True Interest
Cost (est. only)
Repayment
Source
General
Obligation
Westwood Hills
Nature Center
$12,890,000 15 year 3.57% Tax levy Abatement
SWLRT $1,470,000 10 year 3.07% Tax Levy Charter
Fiber $260,000 10 year 3.07% Tax Levy Charter
Connect the Park $2,690,000 10 year 3.07% Tax Levy Charter
Cedar Lake Road $4,910,000 15 year 3.39% MSA(1) Charter
Total $22,220,000 N/A N/A N/A
(1) = MSA = municipal state aid funds from the State of MN.
Overview of Bond Market
The bond market has started to see interest rate increases and many are predicting more rate
increases in the near future, but the market is still providing relatively historic lows over a 30-
year trend, and it continues to be good time to be in the municipal bond market. The market is
still very competitive with multiple bidders, and often premium bids, on each bond sale.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 2) Page 3
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update
Future Debt Plans and S&P Rating Implications
As is city practice with any bond issue, staff recently had Ehlers and Associates look at our
current and future debt plans from our debt modeling and estimate if any of those plans would
have an adverse effect on our credit rating. In summary, while many factors go into a credit
rating (economy, budget performance, management etc.), Ehlers doesn’t see too much of a
variance based on our planned issuance over the next 5-10 years, and we should continue to
maintain our strong credit quality.
Westwood Hills Nature Center Financing
On November 19th, 2018 City Council awarded bids for the Westwood Hills Nature Center and
approved a bond reimbursement resolution. Given the need for six affirmative votes to use the
G.O. Charter bond approach to issuance, the G.O. Tax Abatement approach will be used
instead. The use of the G.O. Tax Abatement approach was discussed with Council at its study
session on March 26, 2018. As noted in the staff report, this type of issuance is commonly used
by other cities for municipal facilities where they do not have the same authorization or
flexibility we do via our city charter.
Staff had originally discussed a 20-year G.O. bond to finance the project. Since that time, staff
has been working with Ehlers to determine the most appropriate structure to finance the
project. As a result of analyzing our current outstanding bonds and related maturities, we are
recommending a 15-year bond issue that will “wrap around” our existing debt (predominately
the 2014 and 2016 bonds which have larger debt service payments). This would allow us to (1)
save approximately $200,000 in interest costs, (2) have a more rapid amortization of the debt
which is looked upon favorably by the rating agencies, and (3) lessen the tax impact over the
next five years by structuring the bonds with interest only payments over those years and
including larger principal payments later on when other debt has been paid off. This is a similar
strategy the school recently used with their large bond issue. In addition, staff is recommending
utilizing forecasted savings in the general fund from 2018 for the 2020 and February 1, 2021
interest payments, which would allow for a lower debt service levy to start in 2020. This overall
approach allows for more incremental changes to the tax levy in the near future.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 2) Page 4
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update
Connect the Park, SWLRT, and Fiber
The City has been issuing charter bonds for these projects for a number of years. No change to
the structure and repayment terms of 10 years is expected. Note – 6 affirmative votes of the
council are needed to use the charter bond approach to fund these projects
Cedar Lake Road improvements
Cedar Lake Road is part of our municipal state-aid road system. The estimated cost of this
project is $4.9m. We receive approximately $1.4m per year in state-aid construction dollars.
The City has the authority to issue charter bonds for larger projects and to use all or a portion
of our state-aid construction allocation to reduce or eliminate the debt service levy for this
portion of the bonds. Based on our 10-year forecast for municipal state aid projects, we would
not use all of our allocation up immediately as we anticipate the need to issue more charter
bonds in 2020 that will also be repaid with state-aid. These bonds will have a 15-year term.
Note – 6 affirmative votes of the council are needed to use the charter bond approach to fund
these projects
Debt modeling
Staff will walk through our debt modeling tool at the meeting and review with Council any
updates since our last review on November 5, 2018. This will help provide a big picture view of
where things stand from an overall financial planning perspective.
Other item
Stacie Kvilvang from Ehlers and Associates and Martha Ingram from Kennedy & Graven (bond
counsel) will be in attendance to answer questions.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 2) Page 5
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update
Ehlers and Associates is recommending the following next steps (tentative)
City Council call for sale of bonds February 19th
Public hearing notice published February 21st
Public hearing on Abatement March 4th
Rating call Week of March 11th
Sale of bonds March 18th
Closing on bonds 2nd week of April
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$22,220,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Issue Summary
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Total Issue Sources And Uses
Dated 04/10/2019 | Delivered 04/10/2019
Nature Center
(Abatement)SWLRT Fiber
Sidewalks/
Trails
Sidewalk/
Trails - Cedar
Lake
Cedar Lake
Road
Issue
Summary
Sources Of Funds
Par Amount of Bonds $12,890,000.00 $1,470,000.00 $260,000.00 $1,100,000.00 $1,590,000.00 $4,910,000.00 $22,220,000.00
Total Sources $12,890,000.00 $1,470,000.00 $260,000.00 $1,100,000.00 $1,590,000.00 $4,910,000.00 $22,220,000.00
Uses Of Funds
Total Underwriter's Discount (0.800%)103,120.00 11,760.00 2,080.00 8,800.00 12,720.00 39,280.00 177,760.00
Costs of Issuance 76,574.27 8,732.68 1,544.55 6,534.65 9,445.54 29,168.31 132,000.00
Deposit to Capitalized Interest (CIF) Fund 360,937.00 33,246.75 5,797.77 24,811.79 36,001.15 -460,794.46
Deposit to Project Construction Fund 12,345,494.00 1,418,590.00 250,000.00 1,060,250.00 1,532,013.00 4,838,769.00 21,445,116.00
Rounding Amount 3,874.73 (2,329.43)577.68 (396.44)(179.69)2,782.69 4,329.54
Total Uses $12,890,000.00 $1,470,000.00 $260,000.00 $1,100,000.00 $1,590,000.00 $4,910,000.00 $22,220,000.00
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Issue Summary | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 6
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$22,220,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Issue Summary
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Cash Net New D/S Fiscal Total
04/10/2019 --------
08/01/2019 --------
02/01/2020 --584,817.04 584,817.04 (460,794.46)-124,022.58 124,022.58
08/01/2020 --361,742.50 361,742.50 -(223,260.00)138,482.50 -
02/01/2021 175,000.00 2.200%361,742.50 536,742.50 -(223,260.00)313,482.50 451,965.00
08/01/2021 --359,817.50 359,817.50 --359,817.50 -
02/01/2022 720,000.00 2.300%359,817.50 1,079,817.50 --1,079,817.50 1,439,635.00
08/01/2022 --351,537.50 351,537.50 --351,537.50 -
02/01/2023 740,000.00 2.400%351,537.50 1,091,537.50 --1,091,537.50 1,443,075.00
08/01/2023 --342,657.50 342,657.50 --342,657.50 -
02/01/2024 750,000.00 2.450%342,657.50 1,092,657.50 --1,092,657.50 1,435,315.00
08/01/2024 --333,470.00 333,470.00 --333,470.00 -
02/01/2025 770,000.00 2.550%333,470.00 1,103,470.00 --1,103,470.00 1,436,940.00
08/01/2025 --323,652.50 323,652.50 --323,652.50 -
02/01/2026 785,000.00 2.650%323,652.50 1,108,652.50 --1,108,652.50 1,432,305.00
08/01/2026 --313,251.25 313,251.25 --313,251.25 -
02/01/2027 1,035,000.00 2.900%313,251.25 1,348,251.25 --1,348,251.25 1,661,502.50
08/01/2027 --298,243.75 298,243.75 --298,243.75 -
02/01/2028 2,235,000.00 3.200%298,243.75 2,533,243.75 --2,533,243.75 2,831,487.50
08/01/2028 --262,483.75 262,483.75 --262,483.75 -
02/01/2029 2,310,000.00 3.300%262,483.75 2,572,483.75 --2,572,483.75 2,834,967.50
08/01/2029 --224,368.75 224,368.75 --224,368.75 -
02/01/2030 2,385,000.00 3.400%224,368.75 2,609,368.75 --2,609,368.75 2,833,737.50
08/01/2030 --183,823.75 183,823.75 --183,823.75 -
02/01/2031 1,925,000.00 3.450%183,823.75 2,108,823.75 --2,108,823.75 2,292,647.50
08/01/2031 --150,617.50 150,617.50 --150,617.50 -
02/01/2032 1,985,000.00 3.500%150,617.50 2,135,617.50 --2,135,617.50 2,286,235.00
08/01/2032 --115,880.00 115,880.00 --115,880.00 -
02/01/2033 2,060,000.00 3.550%115,880.00 2,175,880.00 --2,175,880.00 2,291,760.00
08/01/2033 --79,315.00 79,315.00 --79,315.00 -
02/01/2034 2,135,000.00 3.600%79,315.00 2,214,315.00 --2,214,315.00 2,293,630.00
08/01/2034 --40,885.00 40,885.00 --40,885.00 -
02/01/2035 2,210,000.00 3.700%40,885.00 2,250,885.00 --2,250,885.00 2,291,770.00
Total $22,220,000.00 -$8,068,309.54 $30,288,309.54 (460,794.46)(446,520.00)$29,380,995.08 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $237,936.17
Average Life 10.708 Years
Average Coupon 3.3909555%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.4656646%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.4658912%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.5342875%
IRS Form 8038
Net Interest Cost 3.3909555%
Weighted Average Maturity 10.708 Years
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Issue Summary | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 7
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$22,220,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Issue Summary
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Cash Net New D/S 105% of Total MSA Funds Levy/(Surplus)
02/01/2020 --584,817.04 584,817.04 (460,794.46)-124,022.58 130,223.71 130,223.71 -
02/01/2021 175,000.00 2.200%723,485.00 898,485.00 -(446,520.00)451,965.00 474,563.25 161,101.50 313,461.75
02/01/2022 720,000.00 2.300%719,635.00 1,439,635.00 --1,439,635.00 1,511,616.75 465,601.50 1,046,015.25
02/01/2023 740,000.00 2.400%703,075.00 1,443,075.00 --1,443,075.00 1,515,228.75 469,098.00 1,046,130.75
02/01/2024 750,000.00 2.450%685,315.00 1,435,315.00 --1,435,315.00 1,507,080.75 466,788.00 1,040,292.75
02/01/2025 770,000.00 2.550%666,940.00 1,436,940.00 --1,436,940.00 1,508,787.00 464,191.88 1,044,595.13
02/01/2026 785,000.00 2.650%647,305.00 1,432,305.00 --1,432,305.00 1,503,920.25 466,391.63 1,037,528.63
02/01/2027 1,035,000.00 2.900%626,502.50 1,661,502.50 --1,661,502.50 1,744,577.63 467,987.63 1,276,590.00
02/01/2028 2,235,000.00 3.200%596,487.50 2,831,487.50 --2,831,487.50 2,973,061.88 468,439.13 2,504,622.75
02/01/2029 2,310,000.00 3.300%524,967.50 2,834,967.50 --2,834,967.50 2,976,715.88 467,515.13 2,509,200.75
02/01/2030 2,385,000.00 3.400%448,737.50 2,833,737.50 --2,833,737.50 2,975,424.38 465,887.63 2,509,536.75
02/01/2031 1,925,000.00 3.450%367,647.50 2,292,647.50 --2,292,647.50 2,407,279.88 468,785.63 1,938,494.25
02/01/2032 1,985,000.00 3.500%301,235.00 2,286,235.00 --2,286,235.00 2,400,546.75 465,701.25 1,934,845.50
02/01/2033 2,060,000.00 3.550%231,760.00 2,291,760.00 --2,291,760.00 2,406,348.00 467,302.50 1,939,045.50
02/01/2034 2,135,000.00 3.600%158,630.00 2,293,630.00 --2,293,630.00 2,408,311.50 468,142.50 1,940,169.00
02/01/2035 2,210,000.00 3.700%81,770.00 2,291,770.00 --2,291,770.00 2,406,358.50 468,205.50 1,938,153.00
Total $22,220,000.00 -$8,068,309.54 $30,288,309.54 (460,794.46)(460,794.46)$29,380,995.08 $30,850,044.83 $6,831,363.08 $24,018,681.75
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $237,936.17
Average Life 10.708 Years
Average Coupon 3.3909555%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.4656646%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.4658912%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.5342875%
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Issue Summary | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 8
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$12,890,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Nature Center (Abatement)
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Cash Net New D/S Fiscal Total
04/10/2019 --------
08/01/2019 --------
02/01/2020 --360,937.00 360,937.00 (360,937.00)---
08/01/2020 --223,260.00 223,260.00 -(223,260.00)--
02/01/2021 --223,260.00 223,260.00 -(223,260.00)--
08/01/2021 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 -
02/01/2022 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 446,520.00
08/01/2022 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 -
02/01/2023 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 446,520.00
08/01/2023 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 -
02/01/2024 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 446,520.00
08/01/2024 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 -
02/01/2025 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 446,520.00
08/01/2025 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 -
02/01/2026 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 446,520.00
08/01/2026 --223,260.00 223,260.00 --223,260.00 -
02/01/2027 225,000.00 2.900%223,260.00 448,260.00 --448,260.00 671,520.00
08/01/2027 --219,997.50 219,997.50 --219,997.50 -
02/01/2028 1,405,000.00 3.200%219,997.50 1,624,997.50 --1,624,997.50 1,844,995.00
08/01/2028 --197,517.50 197,517.50 --197,517.50 -
02/01/2029 1,450,000.00 3.300%197,517.50 1,647,517.50 --1,647,517.50 1,845,035.00
08/01/2029 --173,592.50 173,592.50 --173,592.50 -
02/01/2030 1,500,000.00 3.400%173,592.50 1,673,592.50 --1,673,592.50 1,847,185.00
08/01/2030 --148,092.50 148,092.50 --148,092.50 -
02/01/2031 1,550,000.00 3.450%148,092.50 1,698,092.50 --1,698,092.50 1,846,185.00
08/01/2031 --121,355.00 121,355.00 --121,355.00 -
02/01/2032 1,600,000.00 3.500%121,355.00 1,721,355.00 --1,721,355.00 1,842,710.00
08/01/2032 --93,355.00 93,355.00 --93,355.00 -
02/01/2033 1,660,000.00 3.550%93,355.00 1,753,355.00 --1,753,355.00 1,846,710.00
08/01/2033 --63,890.00 63,890.00 --63,890.00 -
02/01/2034 1,720,000.00 3.600%63,890.00 1,783,890.00 --1,783,890.00 1,847,780.00
08/01/2034 --32,930.00 32,930.00 --32,930.00 -
02/01/2035 1,780,000.00 3.700%32,930.00 1,812,930.00 --1,812,930.00 1,845,860.00
Total $12,890,000.00 -$5,588,037.00 $18,478,037.00 (360,937.00)(446,520.00)$17,670,580.00 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $159,894.42
Average Life 12.405 Years
Average Coupon 3.4948293%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.5593219%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.5684187%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.6288791%
IRS Form 8038
Net Interest Cost 3.4948293%
Weighted Average Maturity 12.405 Years
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Nature Center (Abatement) | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 9
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$12,890,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Nature Center (Abatement)
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Cash Net New D/S 105% of Total
02/01/2020 --360,937.00 360,937.00 (360,937.00)---
02/01/2021 --446,520.00 446,520.00 -(446,520.00)--
02/01/2022 --446,520.00 446,520.00 --446,520.00 468,846.00
02/01/2023 --446,520.00 446,520.00 --446,520.00 468,846.00
02/01/2024 --446,520.00 446,520.00 --446,520.00 468,846.00
02/01/2025 --446,520.00 446,520.00 --446,520.00 468,846.00
02/01/2026 --446,520.00 446,520.00 --446,520.00 468,846.00
02/01/2027 225,000.00 2.900%446,520.00 671,520.00 --671,520.00 705,096.00
02/01/2028 1,405,000.00 3.200%439,995.00 1,844,995.00 --1,844,995.00 1,937,244.75
02/01/2029 1,450,000.00 3.300%395,035.00 1,845,035.00 --1,845,035.00 1,937,286.75
02/01/2030 1,500,000.00 3.400%347,185.00 1,847,185.00 --1,847,185.00 1,939,544.25
02/01/2031 1,550,000.00 3.450%296,185.00 1,846,185.00 --1,846,185.00 1,938,494.25
02/01/2032 1,600,000.00 3.500%242,710.00 1,842,710.00 --1,842,710.00 1,934,845.50
02/01/2033 1,660,000.00 3.550%186,710.00 1,846,710.00 --1,846,710.00 1,939,045.50
02/01/2034 1,720,000.00 3.600%127,780.00 1,847,780.00 --1,847,780.00 1,940,169.00
02/01/2035 1,780,000.00 3.700%65,860.00 1,845,860.00 --1,845,860.00 1,938,153.00
Total $12,890,000.00 -$5,588,037.00 $18,478,037.00 (360,937.00)(446,520.00)$17,670,580.00 $18,554,109.00
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $159,894.42
Average Life 12.405 Years
Average Coupon 3.4948293%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.5593219%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.5684187%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.6288791%
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Nature Center (Abatement) | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 10
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$1,470,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
SWLRT
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Net New D/S Fiscal Total
04/10/2019 -------
02/01/2020 --33,246.75 33,246.75 (33,246.75)--
08/01/2020 --20,565.00 20,565.00 -20,565.00 -
02/01/2021 50,000.00 2.200%20,565.00 70,565.00 -70,565.00 91,130.00
08/01/2021 --20,015.00 20,015.00 -20,015.00 -
02/01/2022 145,000.00 2.300%20,015.00 165,015.00 -165,015.00 185,030.00
08/01/2022 --18,347.50 18,347.50 -18,347.50 -
02/01/2023 145,000.00 2.400%18,347.50 163,347.50 -163,347.50 181,695.00
08/01/2023 --16,607.50 16,607.50 -16,607.50 -
02/01/2024 150,000.00 2.450%16,607.50 166,607.50 -166,607.50 183,215.00
08/01/2024 --14,770.00 14,770.00 -14,770.00 -
02/01/2025 155,000.00 2.550%14,770.00 169,770.00 -169,770.00 184,540.00
08/01/2025 --12,793.75 12,793.75 -12,793.75 -
02/01/2026 155,000.00 2.650%12,793.75 167,793.75 -167,793.75 180,587.50
08/01/2026 --10,740.00 10,740.00 -10,740.00 -
02/01/2027 160,000.00 2.900%10,740.00 170,740.00 -170,740.00 181,480.00
08/01/2027 --8,420.00 8,420.00 -8,420.00 -
02/01/2028 165,000.00 3.200%8,420.00 173,420.00 -173,420.00 181,840.00
08/01/2028 --5,780.00 5,780.00 -5,780.00 -
02/01/2029 170,000.00 3.300%5,780.00 175,780.00 -175,780.00 181,560.00
08/01/2029 --2,975.00 2,975.00 -2,975.00 -
02/01/2030 175,000.00 3.400%2,975.00 177,975.00 -177,975.00 180,950.00
Total $1,470,000.00 -$295,274.25 $1,765,274.25 (33,246.75)$1,732,027.50 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $9,988.25
Average Life 6.795 Years
Average Coupon 2.9562161%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0739544%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0742676%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1737094%
IRS Form 8038
Net Interest Cost 2.9562161%
Weighted Average Maturity 6.795 Years
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | SWLRT | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 11
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$1,470,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
SWLRT
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Net New D/S
105% of
Total
02/01/2020 --33,246.75 33,246.75 (33,246.75)--
02/01/2021 50,000.00 2.200%41,130.00 91,130.00 -91,130.00 95,686.50
02/01/2022 145,000.00 2.300%40,030.00 185,030.00 -185,030.00 194,281.50
02/01/2023 145,000.00 2.400%36,695.00 181,695.00 -181,695.00 190,779.75
02/01/2024 150,000.00 2.450%33,215.00 183,215.00 -183,215.00 192,375.75
02/01/2025 155,000.00 2.550%29,540.00 184,540.00 -184,540.00 193,767.00
02/01/2026 155,000.00 2.650%25,587.50 180,587.50 -180,587.50 189,616.88
02/01/2027 160,000.00 2.900%21,480.00 181,480.00 -181,480.00 190,554.00
02/01/2028 165,000.00 3.200%16,840.00 181,840.00 -181,840.00 190,932.00
02/01/2029 170,000.00 3.300%11,560.00 181,560.00 -181,560.00 190,638.00
02/01/2030 175,000.00 3.400%5,950.00 180,950.00 -180,950.00 189,997.50
Total $1,470,000.00 -$295,274.25 $1,765,274.25 (33,246.75)$1,732,027.50 $1,818,628.88
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $9,988.25
Average Life 6.795 Years
Average Coupon 2.9562161%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0739544%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0742676%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1737094%
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | SWLRT | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 12
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$260,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Fiber
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF
Net New
D/S Fiscal Total
04/10/2019 -------
02/01/2020 --5,797.77 5,797.77 (5,797.77)--
08/01/2020 --3,586.25 3,586.25 -3,586.25 -
02/01/2021 25,000.00 2.200%3,586.25 28,586.25 -28,586.25 32,172.50
08/01/2021 --3,311.25 3,311.25 -3,311.25 -
02/01/2022 25,000.00 2.300%3,311.25 28,311.25 -28,311.25 31,622.50
08/01/2022 --3,023.75 3,023.75 -3,023.75 -
02/01/2023 25,000.00 2.400%3,023.75 28,023.75 -28,023.75 31,047.50
08/01/2023 --2,723.75 2,723.75 -2,723.75 -
02/01/2024 25,000.00 2.450%2,723.75 27,723.75 -27,723.75 30,447.50
08/01/2024 --2,417.50 2,417.50 -2,417.50 -
02/01/2025 25,000.00 2.550%2,417.50 27,417.50 -27,417.50 29,835.00
08/01/2025 --2,098.75 2,098.75 -2,098.75 -
02/01/2026 25,000.00 2.650%2,098.75 27,098.75 -27,098.75 29,197.50
08/01/2026 --1,767.50 1,767.50 -1,767.50 -
02/01/2027 25,000.00 2.900%1,767.50 26,767.50 -26,767.50 28,535.00
08/01/2027 --1,405.00 1,405.00 -1,405.00 -
02/01/2028 25,000.00 3.200%1,405.00 26,405.00 -26,405.00 27,810.00
08/01/2028 --1,005.00 1,005.00 -1,005.00 -
02/01/2029 30,000.00 3.300%1,005.00 31,005.00 -31,005.00 32,010.00
08/01/2029 --510.00 510.00 -510.00 -
02/01/2030 30,000.00 3.400%510.00 30,510.00 -30,510.00 31,020.00
Total $260,000.00 -$49,495.27 $309,495.27 (5,797.77)$303,697.50 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $1,680.17
Average Life 6.462 Years
Average Coupon 2.9458548%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0696520%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0691620%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1735374%
IRS Form 8038
Net Interest Cost 2.9458548%
Weighted Average Maturity 6.462 Years
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Fiber | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 13
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$260,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Fiber
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF
Net New
D/S
105% of
Total
02/01/2020 --5,797.77 5,797.77 (5,797.77)--
02/01/2021 25,000.00 2.200%7,172.50 32,172.50 -32,172.50 33,781.13
02/01/2022 25,000.00 2.300%6,622.50 31,622.50 -31,622.50 33,203.63
02/01/2023 25,000.00 2.400%6,047.50 31,047.50 -31,047.50 32,599.88
02/01/2024 25,000.00 2.450%5,447.50 30,447.50 -30,447.50 31,969.88
02/01/2025 25,000.00 2.550%4,835.00 29,835.00 -29,835.00 31,326.75
02/01/2026 25,000.00 2.650%4,197.50 29,197.50 -29,197.50 30,657.38
02/01/2027 25,000.00 2.900%3,535.00 28,535.00 -28,535.00 29,961.75
02/01/2028 25,000.00 3.200%2,810.00 27,810.00 -27,810.00 29,200.50
02/01/2029 30,000.00 3.300%2,010.00 32,010.00 -32,010.00 33,610.50
02/01/2030 30,000.00 3.400%1,020.00 31,020.00 -31,020.00 32,571.00
Total $260,000.00 -$49,495.27 $309,495.27 (5,797.77)$303,697.50 $318,882.38
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $1,680.17
Average Life 6.462 Years
Average Coupon 2.9458548%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0696520%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0691620%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1735374%
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Fiber | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 14
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$1,100,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Sidewalks/Trails
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Net New D/S Fiscal Total
04/10/2019 -------
02/01/2020 --24,811.79 24,811.79 (24,811.79)--
08/01/2020 --15,347.50 15,347.50 -15,347.50 -
02/01/2021 50,000.00 2.200%15,347.50 65,347.50 -65,347.50 80,695.00
08/01/2021 --14,797.50 14,797.50 -14,797.50 -
02/01/2022 105,000.00 2.300%14,797.50 119,797.50 -119,797.50 134,595.00
08/01/2022 --13,590.00 13,590.00 -13,590.00 -
02/01/2023 110,000.00 2.400%13,590.00 123,590.00 -123,590.00 137,180.00
08/01/2023 --12,270.00 12,270.00 -12,270.00 -
02/01/2024 110,000.00 2.450%12,270.00 122,270.00 -122,270.00 134,540.00
08/01/2024 --10,922.50 10,922.50 -10,922.50 -
02/01/2025 115,000.00 2.550%10,922.50 125,922.50 -125,922.50 136,845.00
08/01/2025 --9,456.25 9,456.25 -9,456.25 -
02/01/2026 115,000.00 2.650%9,456.25 124,456.25 -124,456.25 133,912.50
08/01/2026 --7,932.50 7,932.50 -7,932.50 -
02/01/2027 120,000.00 2.900%7,932.50 127,932.50 -127,932.50 135,865.00
08/01/2027 --6,192.50 6,192.50 -6,192.50 -
02/01/2028 120,000.00 3.200%6,192.50 126,192.50 -126,192.50 132,385.00
08/01/2028 --4,272.50 4,272.50 -4,272.50 -
02/01/2029 125,000.00 3.300%4,272.50 129,272.50 -129,272.50 133,545.00
08/01/2029 --2,210.00 2,210.00 -2,210.00 -
02/01/2030 130,000.00 3.400%2,210.00 132,210.00 -132,210.00 134,420.00
Total $1,100,000.00 -$218,794.29 $1,318,794.29 (24,811.79)$1,293,982.50 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $7,409.17
Average Life 6.736 Years
Average Coupon 2.9530216%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0717934%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0720153%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1722871%
IRS Form 8038
Net Interest Cost 2.9530216%
Weighted Average Maturity 6.736 Years
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Sidewalks/Trails | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 15
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$1,100,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Sidewalks/Trails
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Net New D/S
105% of
Total
02/01/2020 --24,811.79 24,811.79 (24,811.79)--
02/01/2021 50,000.00 2.200%30,695.00 80,695.00 -80,695.00 84,729.75
02/01/2022 105,000.00 2.300%29,595.00 134,595.00 -134,595.00 141,324.75
02/01/2023 110,000.00 2.400%27,180.00 137,180.00 -137,180.00 144,039.00
02/01/2024 110,000.00 2.450%24,540.00 134,540.00 -134,540.00 141,267.00
02/01/2025 115,000.00 2.550%21,845.00 136,845.00 -136,845.00 143,687.25
02/01/2026 115,000.00 2.650%18,912.50 133,912.50 -133,912.50 140,608.13
02/01/2027 120,000.00 2.900%15,865.00 135,865.00 -135,865.00 142,658.25
02/01/2028 120,000.00 3.200%12,385.00 132,385.00 -132,385.00 139,004.25
02/01/2029 125,000.00 3.300%8,545.00 133,545.00 -133,545.00 140,222.25
02/01/2030 130,000.00 3.400%4,420.00 134,420.00 -134,420.00 141,141.00
Total $1,100,000.00 -$218,794.29 $1,318,794.29 (24,811.79)$1,293,982.50 $1,358,681.63
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $7,409.17
Average Life 6.736 Years
Average Coupon 2.9530216%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0717934%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0720153%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1722871%
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Sidewalks/Trails | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 16
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$1,590,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Sidewalk/Trails - Cedar Lake
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Net New D/S Fiscal Total
04/10/2019 -------
02/01/2020 --36,001.15 36,001.15 (36,001.15)--
08/01/2020 --22,268.75 22,268.75 -22,268.75 -
02/01/2021 50,000.00 2.200%22,268.75 72,268.75 -72,268.75 94,537.50
08/01/2021 --21,718.75 21,718.75 -21,718.75 -
02/01/2022 155,000.00 2.300%21,718.75 176,718.75 -176,718.75 198,437.50
08/01/2022 --19,936.25 19,936.25 -19,936.25 -
02/01/2023 160,000.00 2.400%19,936.25 179,936.25 -179,936.25 199,872.50
08/01/2023 --18,016.25 18,016.25 -18,016.25 -
02/01/2024 160,000.00 2.450%18,016.25 178,016.25 -178,016.25 196,032.50
08/01/2024 --16,056.25 16,056.25 -16,056.25 -
02/01/2025 165,000.00 2.550%16,056.25 181,056.25 -181,056.25 197,112.50
08/01/2025 --13,952.50 13,952.50 -13,952.50 -
02/01/2026 170,000.00 2.650%13,952.50 183,952.50 -183,952.50 197,905.00
08/01/2026 --11,700.00 11,700.00 -11,700.00 -
02/01/2027 175,000.00 2.900%11,700.00 186,700.00 -186,700.00 198,400.00
08/01/2027 --9,162.50 9,162.50 -9,162.50 -
02/01/2028 180,000.00 3.200%9,162.50 189,162.50 -189,162.50 198,325.00
08/01/2028 --6,282.50 6,282.50 -6,282.50 -
02/01/2029 185,000.00 3.300%6,282.50 191,282.50 -191,282.50 197,565.00
08/01/2029 --3,230.00 3,230.00 -3,230.00 -
02/01/2030 190,000.00 3.400%3,230.00 193,230.00 -193,230.00 196,460.00
Total $1,590,000.00 -$320,648.65 $1,910,648.65 (36,001.15)$1,874,647.50 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $10,840.25
Average Life 6.818 Years
Average Coupon 2.9579452%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0752856%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0756574%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1747870%
IRS Form 8038
Net Interest Cost 2.9579452%
Weighted Average Maturity 6.818 Years
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Sidewalk/Trails - Cedar L | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 17
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$1,590,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Sidewalk/Trails - Cedar Lake
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I CIF Net New D/S
105% of
Total
02/01/2020 --36,001.15 36,001.15 (36,001.15)--
02/01/2021 50,000.00 2.200%44,537.50 94,537.50 -94,537.50 99,264.38
02/01/2022 155,000.00 2.300%43,437.50 198,437.50 -198,437.50 208,359.38
02/01/2023 160,000.00 2.400%39,872.50 199,872.50 -199,872.50 209,866.13
02/01/2024 160,000.00 2.450%36,032.50 196,032.50 -196,032.50 205,834.13
02/01/2025 165,000.00 2.550%32,112.50 197,112.50 -197,112.50 206,968.13
02/01/2026 170,000.00 2.650%27,905.00 197,905.00 -197,905.00 207,800.25
02/01/2027 175,000.00 2.900%23,400.00 198,400.00 -198,400.00 208,320.00
02/01/2028 180,000.00 3.200%18,325.00 198,325.00 -198,325.00 208,241.25
02/01/2029 185,000.00 3.300%12,565.00 197,565.00 -197,565.00 207,443.25
02/01/2030 190,000.00 3.400%6,460.00 196,460.00 -196,460.00 206,283.00
Total $1,590,000.00 -$320,648.65 $1,910,648.65 (36,001.15)$1,874,647.50 $1,968,379.88
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $10,840.25
Average Life 6.818 Years
Average Coupon 2.9579452%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.0752856%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.0756574%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.1747870%
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Sidewalk/Trails - Cedar L | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 18
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$4,910,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Cedar Lake Road
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I Fiscal Total
04/10/2019 -----
02/01/2020 --124,022.58 124,022.58 124,022.58
08/01/2020 --76,715.00 76,715.00 -
02/01/2021 --76,715.00 76,715.00 153,430.00
08/01/2021 --76,715.00 76,715.00 -
02/01/2022 290,000.00 2.300%76,715.00 366,715.00 443,430.00
08/01/2022 --73,380.00 73,380.00 -
02/01/2023 300,000.00 2.400%73,380.00 373,380.00 446,760.00
08/01/2023 --69,780.00 69,780.00 -
02/01/2024 305,000.00 2.450%69,780.00 374,780.00 444,560.00
08/01/2024 --66,043.75 66,043.75 -
02/01/2025 310,000.00 2.550%66,043.75 376,043.75 442,087.50
08/01/2025 --62,091.25 62,091.25 -
02/01/2026 320,000.00 2.650%62,091.25 382,091.25 444,182.50
08/01/2026 --57,851.25 57,851.25 -
02/01/2027 330,000.00 2.900%57,851.25 387,851.25 445,702.50
08/01/2027 --53,066.25 53,066.25 -
02/01/2028 340,000.00 3.200%53,066.25 393,066.25 446,132.50
08/01/2028 --47,626.25 47,626.25 -
02/01/2029 350,000.00 3.300%47,626.25 397,626.25 445,252.50
08/01/2029 --41,851.25 41,851.25 -
02/01/2030 360,000.00 3.400%41,851.25 401,851.25 443,702.50
08/01/2030 --35,731.25 35,731.25 -
02/01/2031 375,000.00 3.450%35,731.25 410,731.25 446,462.50
08/01/2031 --29,262.50 29,262.50 -
02/01/2032 385,000.00 3.500%29,262.50 414,262.50 443,525.00
08/01/2032 --22,525.00 22,525.00 -
02/01/2033 400,000.00 3.550%22,525.00 422,525.00 445,050.00
08/01/2033 --15,425.00 15,425.00 -
02/01/2034 415,000.00 3.600%15,425.00 430,425.00 445,850.00
08/01/2034 --7,955.00 7,955.00 -
02/01/2035 430,000.00 3.700%7,955.00 437,955.00 445,910.00
Total $4,910,000.00 -$1,596,060.08 $6,506,060.08 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $48,123.92
Average Life 9.801 Years
Average Coupon 3.3165631%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.3981858%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.3921393%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.4658303%
IRS Form 8038
Net Interest Cost 3.3165631%
Weighted Average Maturity 9.801 Years
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Cedar Lake Road | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 19
St Louis Park, Minnesota
$4,910,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A
Cedar Lake Road
Assumes Current Market Non-BQ AAA rates plus 25bps
Debt Service Schedule
Date Principal Coupon Interest Total P+I 105% of Total MSA Funds Levy/(Surplus)
02/01/2020 --124,022.58 124,022.58 130,223.71 130,223.71 -
02/01/2021 --153,430.00 153,430.00 161,101.50 161,101.50 -
02/01/2022 290,000.00 2.300%153,430.00 443,430.00 465,601.50 465,601.50 -
02/01/2023 300,000.00 2.400%146,760.00 446,760.00 469,098.00 469,098.00 -
02/01/2024 305,000.00 2.450%139,560.00 444,560.00 466,788.00 466,788.00 -
02/01/2025 310,000.00 2.550%132,087.50 442,087.50 464,191.88 464,191.88 -
02/01/2026 320,000.00 2.650%124,182.50 444,182.50 466,391.63 466,391.63 -
02/01/2027 330,000.00 2.900%115,702.50 445,702.50 467,987.63 467,987.63 -
02/01/2028 340,000.00 3.200%106,132.50 446,132.50 468,439.13 468,439.13 -
02/01/2029 350,000.00 3.300%95,252.50 445,252.50 467,515.13 467,515.13 -
02/01/2030 360,000.00 3.400%83,702.50 443,702.50 465,887.63 465,887.63 -
02/01/2031 375,000.00 3.450%71,462.50 446,462.50 468,785.63 468,785.63 -
02/01/2032 385,000.00 3.500%58,525.00 443,525.00 465,701.25 465,701.25 -
02/01/2033 400,000.00 3.550%45,050.00 445,050.00 467,302.50 467,302.50 -
02/01/2034 415,000.00 3.600%30,850.00 445,850.00 468,142.50 468,142.50 -
02/01/2035 430,000.00 3.700%15,910.00 445,910.00 468,205.50 468,205.50 -
Total $4,910,000.00 -$1,596,060.08 $6,506,060.08 $6,831,363.08 $6,831,363.08 -
Significant Dates
Dated 4/10/2019
First Coupon Date 2/01/2020
Yield Statistics
Bond Year Dollars $48,123.92
Average Life 9.801 Years
Average Coupon 3.3165631%
Net Interest Cost (NIC)3.3981858%
True Interest Cost (TIC)3.3921393%
Bond Yield for Arbitrage Purposes 3.3746092%
All Inclusive Cost (AIC)3.4658303%
Series 2019A GO Bonds - l | Cedar Lake Road | 2/ 6/2019 | 9:30 AM
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 20
Par Amount $13,025,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $9,900,000 $8,880,000 $12,890,000 $9,330,000 $56,025,000 Tax Impact on
$275,100 SF Home
Levy Year /
Collect Year
Txbl GO 2010D -
Fire Station
GO 2014A -
Connect the Park
GO 2016A - Rec
Center Imp
GO 2017A -
Connect the Park,
SWLRT & Fiber
GO 2018A -
Connect the Park,
Fiber & Softball
Fields
GO 2019 - Nature
Center
GO 2019 -
Connect the Park,
SWLRT & Fiber
Tax Supported 100% of Debt Levy
2018 / 2019 926,735 591,150 1,234,255 417,572 250,845 - - 3,420,557 $130.64
2019 / 2020 926,378 591,360 1,230,318 418,307 259,665 - 313,462 3,739,490 $142.83
2020 / 2021 925,199 591,360 1,231,132 413,477 257,355 434,043 577,169 4,429,734 $169.19
2021 / 2022 922,965 591,150 1,231,322 413,739 254,835 434,043 577,285 4,425,338 $169.02
2022 / 2023 925,004 590,730 1,230,889 413,687 252,105 434,043 571,447 4,417,904 $168.74
2023 / 2024 922,982 595,350 1,229,832 418,569 254,415 434,043 575,749 4,430,940 $169.24
2024/ 2025 925,506 594,405 1,234,662 417,729 251,055 434,043 568,683 4,426,083 $169.05
2025 / 2026 927,152 - 1,232,457 416,574 257,985 624,043 571,494 4,029,705 $153.91
2026 / 2027 922,669 - - 413,346 256,148 1,798,533 567,378 3,958,073 $151.17
2027 / 2028 922,733 - ‐ - 254,153 1,794,693 571,914 3,543,492 $135.34
2028 / 2029 927,169 - ‐ ‐ 1,798,163 569,993 3,295,324 $125.86
2029 / 2030 925,300 - ‐ ‐ ‐ 1,798,523 ‐ 2,723,822 $104.03
2030 / 2031 927,802 - ‐ ‐ ‐ 1,796,428 ‐ 2,724,230 $104.05
2031 / 2032 - - ‐ ‐ ‐ 1,796,828 ‐ 1,796,828 $68.63
2032 / 2033 - - ‐ ‐ ‐ 1,799,495 ‐ 1,799,495 $68.73
2033 / 2034 - - ‐ ‐ ‐ 1,799,195 ‐ 1,799,195 $68.72
Totals 18,506,666 5,926,410 11,704,232 4,215,360 2,548,560 17,176,110 5,464,573 65,541,910 N/A
Annual Levy Amounts
Annual Levy Amounts and Tax Impact For All Tax Supported Debt
2010 Bonds ‐ 2019 Proposed Bonds
‐
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
2018 /
2019
2019 /
2020
2020 /
2021
2021 /
2022
2022 /
2023
2023 /
2024
2024/ 2025 2025 /
2026
2026 /
2027
2027 /
2028
2028 /
2029
2029 /
2030
2030 /
2031
2031 /
2032
2032 /
2033
2033 /
2034ThousandsLevies for Tax Supported Debt
Txbl GO 2010D ‐ Fire Station GO 2014A ‐ Connect the Park
GO 2016A ‐ Rec Center Imp GO 2017A ‐ Connect the Park, SWLRT & Fiber
GO 2018A ‐ Connect the Park, Fiber & Softball Fields GO 2019 ‐ Nature Center
GO 2019 ‐ Connect the Park, SWLRT & FiberAnnual Debt LevyLevy Year/
Collect Year
Study session meeting of Feburary 11, 2019 (Item No. 2)
Title: 2019 bonding review and financial modeling update Page 21
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Discussion item: 3
Executive summary
Title: Elections outreach and education plan
Recommended action: No action is required. The goal of this discussion is to review the plan
that has been developed to improve the education and outreach relationship with all St. Louis
Park voters.
Policy consideration: Does the scope of the proposed education and outreach plan meet the
identified needs of St. Louis Park voters?
Summary: Ranked-choice voting presents a significant change to the voting method that people
are accustomed to in St. Louis Park. This change also presents a significant opportunity to
develop programs dedicated to educating and engaging the community around all aspects of
elections and the services we provide. Over the next few years there are many changes that St.
Louis Park voters will experience. In 2019 the first ranked-choice election will be held. In 2020
the state will participate in the first ever Presidential Primary in early March, a traditional August
Primary, and later that year voters will participate in the Presidential election at projected
record rates. The elections team will be responsible for not only administering these elections,
but also for educating voters. Following the 2020 election, the city will also go through a
redistricting process using 2020 census data that will require us to engage the community to re-
evaluate our precinct boundaries and polling location needs to best serve voters. Our strategic
priority to build social capital through community engagement can be implemented within
elections through a targeted outreach and education program designed to promote inclusion
through civic participation.
Voters in St. Louis Park already participate in elections at a relatively high rate, similar to other
nearby communities. Existing data shows that St. Louis Park has more registered voters, and
regularly exceeds peer communities in turnout percentages. However, existing data also shows
that there is still room for improvement, particularly in traditionally underserved populations
and in municipal elections when overall engagement drops off. We know that there are many
reasons why people are active or inactive in elections. We primarily want to focus our efforts in
areas that will be most impactful to the community from the beginning.
The mission of the strategic plan outlined by the elections team is to close the civic literacy gap
in St. Louis Park. This is not something that can happen after one meeting or one education
session, and it is not something that many communities focus on. In order to build social capital
and provide more education our plan focuses on a relational model that seeks to form lasting
partnerships with civically engaged community leaders to reach a broader scope of voters.
Financial or budget considerations: Funds have been included in the 2019 budget
Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build
social capital through community engagement.
Supporting documents: Discussion, Outreach and Education Programs Table
Prepared by: Michael Sund, Elections Specialist – Outreach and Education
Robert Stokka, Elections Specialist
Reviewed by: Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk and Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager/HR Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 3) Page 2
Title: Elections outreach and education plan
Discussion
Strategy: The elections team has devised a strategic plan using our experiences with voters in
St. Louis Park and existing research data about voter behavior in general to address the gap for
voters being introduced to ranked-choice voting. Our intention is to simultaneously address
other disparities in knowledge and access for our voting process and to develop relationships
with community members. These ongoing efforts will help us ensure that community capital is
generated through our elections and voting. Our strategy works to address the existing civic
literacy gap. This is a concept developed by the Center for Civic Design which uses design
thinking and applies it to elections administration. It encourages the use of a variety of
materials in plain language to address the gaps in understanding for voters at every stage of
learning about and participating in civic processes. These materials focus on areas that voters
find confusing or misleading, and provide tactics to address those challenges.
We also used purpose mapping exercises to develop a strategic map that utilizes SWOC/T and
stakeholder analysis. These internal documents, along with our racial equity and inclusion work,
guide our development of program materials to address existing gaps.
Research: Using the American Community Survey provided by the Census Bureau and historical
voter data provided by the Office of the Secretary of State, we have begun to research the
composition of the electorate in St. Louis Park. We have also begun research to identify and
understand the groups of people who generally do not participate in the democratic process, or
who only participate in even-year elections. We are using this data to develop targeted
materials, programs, and messaging. We are also using the information to create baseline data
by which we will be able to measure the effectiveness of our materials and programming over
time to see if improvements are being realized or to identify additional areas for improvement.
Target Audiences: Based on our research and personal experience with the St. Louis Park electorate,
we are breaking our target audiences down into a few groups, some of which may overlap:
Future voters - We are working with St. Louis Park area schools and Community Education to
introduce civics to students and youth in a more collaborative way. Working with
Superintendent Osei and other district staff we have established a Student Election Program at
the high school and have committed to teaching a 6-class series for middle school students
through community education in the spring. These efforts serve the dual purpose of both
engaging youth about elections and civic leadership on a more consistent basis, as well as
recruiting future student election judges who will serve a critical role in being able to staff
polling places in coming years. This project allows us to create an ongoing relationship with
students who will eventually become voters and, in the interim, can help us inform the adults in
their lives and encourage them to become or continue to be active voters.
19 - 39 years old - Voters under the age of 40 make up the majority of the electorate in St. Louis
Park. They are frequent voters in even years, but participate at much lower rates in municipal
elections. In order to engage this audience we are creating digital content for social media and
regular sites people in this demographic frequently use to get information and communicate.
Additionally, we are collaborating with local community partners to engage residents at events
they already attend and places they gather, such as local sporting or arts/entertainment events,
community or neighborhood gatherings, local businesses, and large-scale events such as
Parktacular.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 3) Page 3
Title: Elections outreach and education plan
40 - 65 years old - This tends to be our most engaged group of voters. They are registered at
higher rates and prefer early voting (absentee) to other methods. They are more likely to be
single-family home owners and to be longtime residents. We intend to create leadership
opportunities to encourage people who already actively participate in their community to engage
their peers about the upcoming election and the changes related to ranked-choice voting.
65 and older - Seniors in our community make up the majority of our election judges and are a
group that receive targeted services from the city, such as health care facility voting. Because
this age group is more likely to be educated on voting and familiar with the community, we are
seeking their feedback on election materials. We are also expanding existing outreach programs
to seniors who don’t live in statutorily defined health care facilities but live in large residential
communities such as Park Shore, Menorah Plaza, and Tower Light.
Working Professionals - We are engaging the business community through avenues like the
Rotary Club and the St. Louis Park Business Roundtable. Our goal is to partner with small
businesses to assist with the distribution of election materials. We also seek to communicate
with large employers in the area to engage their employees in the election process through
messaging from their leadership and by providing space for us to work with employees. This
could also lead to the recruitment of new election judges who can eventually take the place of
some of our long-time judges who may be looking to retire from their work on Election Day.
Community Leaders - People who are already active within the community are some of our core
partners, including leaders in the civics space like the League of Women Voters and
FairVote. We are also seeking partnerships with religious organizations and multicultural groups
to bring education opportunities and conversations to places people already gather in our
community. We will continue to develop these partnerships alongside other community
engagement efforts the city may already be working on. For example, collaboration on the
work already being done by Darius Gray, our new Community Organizer, and work on the 2020
Census with Community Development staff.
Historically underrepresented communities – The elections team has met with Alicia Sojourner,
race equity manager and worked with data analytics to identify communities that have been
historically left out of the voting process. This group can have a diverse set of needs but all
experience roadblocks when seeking to engage in the electoral process. Our team will use this
research to design several specialized events and materials to address specific needs. This can
include our efforts in mobile voting, language translation of material and our ambassador
program. In our research voters seek resources from two common sources, local officials and
community leaders. Our ambassador program is designed to bridge the gap between our
elections office and underrepresented communities in partnership with community leaders.
Elected Officials and Candidates - We are presenting our plan and materials to the city council
as well as the St. Louis Park School Board. We are also working to update our candidate filing
materials to be inclusive for potential candidates seeking to understand what the requirements
are for running for office, what councilmembers do and the role they serve, city operations, the
commitment level required to be on council, and the details of ranked-choice voting and how
some aspects of the election will be different than in past years. Due to our need to remain
impartial and unbiased, certain work in this particular area is out of the scope of the elections
team. To bridge that gap we have discussed this challenge and are partnering with outside non-
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 3) Page 4
Title: Elections outreach and education plan
profits, like League of Women Voters and FairVote, to provide avenues for potential candidates
to learn more about campaigning in a ranked-choice election and other details that may impact
their decision to run for office.
Longtime Residents - Registration and participation are high in even year elections. We are going
to research, report and take action on working with longtime residents to better understand
how odd-year elections affect them. We are using data to identify trends in regional (ward)
participation and the differences that our geographic information system (GIS) can reveal. These
will lead to regionally focused events held in targeted areas of the community highlighting that
there is an election this year, that voting will be different and how it will impact this community.
New Residents - People who are new to St. Louis Park are already welcomed by a packet they
receive while homesteading. We are developing simple, short materials to distribute in that
packet that include a welcome letter, a get started guide, voter registration materials, and a
magnet with key elections information and contact details. Because 1/3 of our voters and
nearly half of our residents live in multi-family housing we are partnering with organizations like
SPARC and local property owners and building managers to distribute the same information
when a resident signs a lease or purchases a condo or other multi-family housing unit. Ideally
these partnerships will give city staff access to community space within larger buildings to hold
brief education or drop-in sessions for residents.
New Voters - Residents who have never voted, typically do not vote, or who have not voted in a
long time are a core focus of the work done by the Center for Civic Design. Research has
revealed that these voters usually do not participate due to basic lack of understanding of the
process of voting itself, and out of a lack of traditional knowledge surrounding voting. They may
not have any family members or friends who vote, or may not know where to begin or what to
expect. Our action-oriented guides, both online and distributed via educational pamphlets will
include the step-by-step process without distracting information about how previous city
elections have worked. They will also include ongoing resources to stay engaged, such as social
media or subscriptions through GovDelivery texts and emails that can remind or inform voters
of crucial deadlines and dates and stay active in elections.
Occasional Voters - These voters are likely our core audience. They are familiar with voting but
may only participate in even-year or presidential year elections. They typically seek to
understand the value proposition of voting in municipal elections. The change in voting method
will need to be communicated; however, exit polling completed by FairVote indicated that most
regular voters understood the ranking process. These voters typically have questions regarding
tabulation and the path their specific vote takes after they have cast their ballot. We will be
creating short pocket guides for voters that provide easy-to-understand and basic information
and identify other resources for those that want to learn more. Additionally, we will be
recording videos that specifically follow each potential voting scenario (ex. ranking the same
candidate for all three choices, skipping a ranking, not ranking, etc.) on a ranked-choice ballot
and how each scenario is tabulated and affects the outcome of a race. The videos will be short
and will hopefully encourage “occasionally engaged” voters to click through to more
educational resources on our website or to attend an event in the community.
Avid Voters - These voters are a resource. They understand and follow elections in news media
and regularly participate. They tend to vote out of a respect for the process itself or out of a
sense of civic duty. Our overall outreach campaign is starting with and targeting this group in the
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 3) Page 5
Title: Elections outreach and education plan
February Park Perspective with a very detailed FAQ regarding all things ranked-choice. The same
information is also available on our website. We hope these interested, active voters will become
educators informally in their community or participate in volunteer events with city staff.
Timeline: We are focusing on a three-stage approach centered around our mock elections. Each
mock election has a strategic goal or purpose and will begin a new stage of work.
Mock Election #1 - This will be held with the St. Louis Park High School and will only be open to
students, not the public. Students attending the Career Fair on April 24th will have an
opportunity to vote on an issue that is important to them. Student education on ranked-choice
and voting will be coordinated with the school district to take place in the weeks leading up to
April 24. Students in 9th – 11th grade attend the career fair and will represent three distinct
groups of voters. We hope to use this opportunity to further educate and engage youth in our
partnership with St. Louis Park schools. The main goal of this mock election is to test our
internal administrative procedures including ballot design and printing, equipment testing and
programming, polling place procedures and materials (signage, instructions by demo judges),
transmission of results, tabulation, and reporting of results. It is best to do this for the first time
using a smaller, fixed number of voters and ballots.
Mock Election #2 - This event will take place at Parktacular in June. This will serve as a major
outreach event for the elections team and will allow us to talk to a general audience of voters.
Anyone who wants to participate and cast a ballot is welcome, they don’t have to be registered
voters and they don’t have to be 18 or older. We hope to educate people on ranked-choice
voting and build awareness around the upcoming municipal election this year. We will use this
to test an absentee-like procedure and the instructional materials we are required to distribute
with absentee ballots. Volunteers and city staff will work with each voter to help them
understand their mock ballot, get feedback on ballot design and instructional materials, and
answer questions before people vote. These ballots will be run through a central count
machine, similar to what happens with absentee ballots now, and then we will again perform
our tabulation process and report results to the community.
Mock Election #3 - This will be a large, city-wide event in late August/early September. We will
open four precincts (one in each ward) for residents to come in and vote. Precincts will be
staffed by our election judges who will go through training prior to working and will use the
materials and supplies we have developed for use in precincts. This election will be run almost
exactly like a real election, with a few exceptions. The polls will be open for a shorter period of
time, and voters will not have to go through a check-in and registration process prior to voting.
This is primarily because we want to encourage as many potential voters to participate as
possible and we want to limit the need to produce and program unnecessary resources – such
as loading voter data on poll pads or requiring someone to go through the registration process.
We will have resources available for voters to register if they need to, but it will not be a
requirement. Also, no absentee voting will be offered for this mock election simply because we
will need to dedicate our internal resources at this time of the year to preparing for the real
election in November, recruiting and training election judges, and preparing for the start of
absentee voting at the end of September.
This mock election will allow us to test any remaining administrative procedures, get feedback
from election judges and voters prior to the real election in November, stir up some excitement
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 3) Page 6
Title: Elections outreach and education plan
and positive publicity for the upcoming election, decrease voter anxiety about ranked-choice,
and further promote civic engagement.
This will also begin a busy period of outreach and educational events to promote the upcoming
election, voter registration, and the opportunities available for voters to participate. We know
that voters typically seek information on voting weeks to days prior to actually participating.
While they may have participated in an educational session earlier in the year, the information
will be much more relevant and memorable if delivered close to Election Day.
Program/relationshipPurpose/goalStudent Election ProgramMonthly educational and collaboration session with St. Louis Park High School students who will have opportunities to learn about civic processes, collaborate on community engagement strategies, and identify future career paths in local government. Interested students will be asked to help with outreach and education activities on a regular basis and serve as election judges in November. Community Education ProgramsThe elections team will teach a series of 6 classes (one series for middle school students and one series for adults) with curriculums based on learning about civics, local government, and elections at the state and local levels. Elections Ambassador ProgramIdentified community leaders and stakeholders who can act as liaisons to connect the communities they interact with on a regular basis with resources to learn about and participate in elections and can provide feedback on barriers and effectiveness of different communication strategies. A similar type of program was used effectively in Minneapolis and also for the Vision 3.0 process in St. Louis Park. Election Judge WorkgroupFocus group comprised of 6‐10 election judges helping to test, design and provide feedback on materials to be used during absentee voting and at the polls on Election Day, and to help develop new election judge training modules. Mock ElectionsThree separate events where we can test internal administrative procedures, get feedback on ballot design, inform the public on how to vote in a ranked‐choice elections and let voters interact with the new system and ask questions.Election Outreach ToolkitSet of educational and interactive materials for civically engaged groups (League of Women Voters, Election Ambassadors, neighborhood leaders, candidates, etc.) and individuals to interact and engage with their friends, family, and neighbors on ranked‐choice voting and basic elections information. Will be available online and print form in Q2 of 2019.Traveling Education ProgramSeries of lesson plans and presentations of varying lengths of time that can be used when the elections team is requested to attend meetings or events to provide information. Requests can be made directly on our website or by contacting elections staff. Each lesson plan is largely interactive and utilizes activities to engage audiences in the process of elections and how ranked ‐choice voting works. These activities include a board game, interactive/live online voting and tabulation elements, short videos, and worksheets to design a polling place and ballots.Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 3) Title: Elections outreach and education planPage 7
Neighborhood Association ProgramThe elections team plan to work with neighborhood leaders in conjunction with the new CommunityOrganizer (Darius Gray) to engage these leaders in election outreach activities and establish opportunities for the leaders to connect the elections team with the neighborhood they serve. Boards and CommissionsThe elections team has visited the Human Rights Commission and the Multi‐Cultural Advisory Commission both to seek their advice and to engage their members in election outreach opportunities. The team is coordinating visits to other commissions with staff liaisons. Ongoing education opportunities for all members is planned. St. Louis Park Employee TrainingThe elections team will be engaging all employees in every division of the city such that they will know what ranked‐choice voting is, will be able to answer very basic questions about elections and/or redirect questions they may receive in the office or the community to elections staff.Key collaborationsThe elections team has met and will continue to meet regularly with key civic groups including the League of Women Voters, Fair Vote, and the St. Louis Park school district to educate each group, coordinate messaging, and collaborate on identified outreach needs and opportunities in the community. Mobile votingPilot project that will be tested in 2019 at 2‐3 traditionally underserved areas of the community to see if voter participation can be increased and to gain more information about the barriers that prevent regular participation within particular communities. Using the community outreach vehicle the elections team will take a mobile version of city hall to a specific area of the community during the absentee voting period, outside of regular office hours, and help people register to vote and/or vote early by absentee.Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 3) Title: Elections outreach and education planPage 8
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Written report: 4
Executive summary
Title: Annual Open to Business Program update
Recommended action: None. Please inform staff of any questions you might have.
Policy consideration: This report is an annual update on the Open to Business program which
provides small business technical assistance services to St. Louis Park businesses and residents.
Summary: The Open to Business Program began in St. Louis Park in 2011. The city’s Economic
Development Authority (EDA) contracts with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community
Developers (MCCD) to provide one-on-one business technical assistance to entrepreneurs,
businesses and residents in St. Louis Park. The services provided to clients in 2018 included
business plan development, cash flow projections, lease review, regulatory assistance,
purchasing, loan packaging, strategic planning, tax advice, network referrals, real estate
analysis, financial planning, marketing, business licensing, and business purchase evaluation.
During the past year, MCCD staff met with 26 clients, providing 265 hours of service in the city.
Of the clients served, 57% were women, 48% were low-income, and 22% were persons of color.
The majority of businesses served were in the food, health/fitness and service industries; and
most of the clients were new entrepreneurs or start-up businesses. The majority of the clients
heard about the program through city staff or publications.
In addition, MCCD facilitated four loans for St Louis Park businesses and residents last year:
$1,500 to a game manufacturer, $25,000 to a food establishment, $35,500 to a landscape
company, and $12,500 to a service business, leveraging $884,000 in outside capital. A total of
20 jobs were created or retained as a result of the Open to Business program in St. Louis Park
last year.
Counseling sessions occur the fourth Monday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at City Hall
or by appointment at the place of business. There is no charge to those receiving these services.
Financial or budget considerations: The 2018 annual fee for the Open to Business program was
$10,000; half of which was covered by a grant from Hennepin County. The fee for 2019 is set to
increase to $12,500, with the EDA and Hennepin County each paying half of the cost.
Strategic priority consideration: Not applicable.
Supporting documents: Annual Open to Business Report from MCCD
Prepared by: Julie Grove, Economic Development Specialist
Reviewed by: Greg Hunt, Economic Development Coordinator
Karen Barton, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager & EDA Executive Director
City/County:
Time Frame:
Clients Served:
Client Inquiries 3
New Entrepreneur/Start-up 13
Existing Business 10
Total 26
How did client hear about OTB:
•Municipality (newsletter)12
•Friends/Family 3
•Entrepreneur 3
•Bank Referral 2
•Internet 2
•Other 1
Direct & Facilitated Financing approved:
# of loans 4
Amount $74,980
Capital Leveraged: $884,000
Jobs retained or created from OTB
closed loan clients: 20
Program related hours TA/Admin: 265
Types of Services Provided:
Cash flow
analysis &
projections
Business
plan
development
Business
Purchase
evaluation
Lease
review/
negotiation
Loan
packaging
Strategic
planning
Tax advice
and
assistance
Record
keeping
Network/referrals
Regulatory
assistance
Real estate
analysis
Personal
Financial
planning
Marketing
message
and
presentation
advice
Business
registration/
licensing
St. Louis Park
1/1/18-12/31/18
Industry Segment:
Construction / Real
Estate 1
Food 6
Health / Fitness 5
Manufacturing 1
Professional / Consulting 1
Retail 2
Service 6
Wholesale / Distribution 1
Client Demographics
Demographic # of Clients TA Hours
Women
Entrepreneurs
13 100
Minority
Clients
5 66
Low Income
Clients
11 104
Types of Businesses:
Fitness Club Floral Studio Story game
on wooden
disk
Food
Sustainability
and equity
center
Furniture &
Design Shop
Hair Salon
Health &
Wellbeing
Coach
High end
furniture tool
repair
Landscape
Design &
Installation
Leadership
consultant
Massage
Therapy
Mexican
Restaurant
Non profit
Dance and
Theater group
Organic juice
bar
Personal
training
Safety wear
manufacturer
Tattoo retail
shop
Teen Center
coffee shop
Wine Bar Yoga Studio
Updates
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 4)
Title: Annual Open to Business Program update Page 2
St. Louis Park Client Highlights:
Closed Loans-
Vibe Organic Juice Bar, LLC
As the interest in juicing for health has grown over the last few years, Amber Thielen
decided to open the first organic juice bar in St. Louis Park. In addition to juices and
smoothies, Amber offers salads, vegie sandwiches, Buddha bowls and other healthy
treats. The business opened in March with financing help from MCCD and Women
Venture.
Field Outdoor Spaces, inc.
Founded in 2005 by Jason Rathe St. Louis Park resident, Field Outdoor Spaces is a
full service landscape company, which can help with all components of construction,
carpentry (fences/trellises/pergolas), stone work, paver and natural stone patios, walls,
water features, as well as expert planting. Jason was told by his landlord that he
needed to vacate his space by October of 2018. After several months of searching, he
found a nearly perfect commercial building in northeast Minneapolis that had a garage
and yard space for storage. BankCherokee asked MCCD to provide gap financing so
that the company could conserve its working capital as it entered the busy spring
season.
UPTOWN TATTOO INC-
If you ask around Minneapolis where the best place is to get tattooed, chances are
someone will mention Uptown Tattoo. The company’s artists, including owner Nik
Skrade, a Saint Louis Park resident, have their work displayed on human canvasses
throughout Minnesota. As the most frequented tattoo shop in the state, Uptown Tattoo
has a reputation for quality and integrity among its clients. Partnering with Minneapolis
CPED, MCCD provided financing to help Nik update his 18-year-old studio space.
Client Consulting:
•Advised existing business on a strategy to deal with the city's building inspection
requirements on a building he purchased to expand his furniture and design business.
•Assist client with marketing and financial management for his safety wear
manufacturing company
•Assist entrepreneur with marketing her massage therapy business, creating a consistent
message and record keeping methods.
•Assisted entrepreneur with subordinated financing to preserve working capital to
purchase a property for his landscaping business
•Helped entrepreneur strategize on growth plans and evaluate a potential merger with
another company for her estate management business
•Develop financial projection so client knows when she can start taking a salary
•Continue to coach client on various strategies to develop a training facility and a
curriculum catered to empowering young women through mental and physical strength
•Assisted existing SLP business with options to either relocate or expand in place and
whether to lease or own their space for a fitness studio
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 4)
Title: Annual Open to Business Program update Page 3
Credit Builder Loans:
In 2018, MCCD provided two credit builder loans to St. Louis Park residents. MCCD works in
partnership with several nonprofit organizations to offer the credit building program. Our
partners provide financial counseling in conjunction with small personal loans from MCCD. This
combination of counseling with loans is helping program participants improve their credit scores,
thus allowing for better interest rates for various types of lending.
Testimonial from St. Louis Park clients:
“I have a budding idea. It might just be crazy, might just be dreaming, I'm not sure yet. So,
you're the first person that I'd like to run it by.”
“Thank you for taking the time to meet on such short notice. It was a great pleasure to
speak with you. I appreciate your candidness about operating a business and the
wealth of information that you shared, along with the good advice”
“Thanks for meeting with me yesterday. You gave me a lot of good advice and things to
think about.”
“We’ve worked with a lot of consultants over the years. Rather than imposing a template
on us, Rob Smolund met us “where we are.” The value of working with Rob is that he
brought a process that helped us to be creative and take a focused look at the bottom
line”
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 4)
Title: Annual Open to Business Program update Page 4
2018 SLP year end
As of 2019-01-11 13:59:02 • Generated by Rob Smolund
Number of
Clients
Business Majority
Owner
Business Trade
Name
Low-
Income
Owned
Minority
Owned
Woman
Owned Business Description Industry Business Stage
Business
Source
City Impacted -
Business
City
Impacted -
Resident Summary Comments All assistance Provided
Total
TA
Hours
Q1 TA
Hours
Q2 TA
Hours
Q3 TA
Hours
Q4 TA
Hours Equity
Approved MCCD
Financing
Amount
Approved
Outside
Financing
Amount
Jobs
Created
Jobs
Retained
1 Steve Sitkoff Xtreme Visibility safety wear
Wholesale /
Distribution
Existing -
Opportunity
Friends and
Family
Saint Louis
Park Minneapolis
Assist client with marketing and financial
management for his safety wear manufacturing
company
Cash Flow Analysis &
Projections;Marketing;Strategic
planning;Loan
packaging;Operation/logistics 12 6 4 0 2
1 Jacob Kramlich Storyology
B to C Promotions /
Games Manufacturing Start-up Municipality
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Continued assistance with strategic planning for this
client trying to bring his brain health game to scale.
Loan
packaging;Networking/referrals;Marke
ting;Strategic planning;Licensing
Assistance;Cash Flow Analysis &
Projections 21.5 6 4 5.5 6 $1,500
1 Amy Lieberman Estate Matters LLC managing estates Service
Existing -
Opportunity
Friends and
Family
Saint Louis
Park Minnetonka
Helped entrepreneur strategize on growth plans and
evaluate a potential merger with another company for
her estate management business
Business purchase evaluation;Strategic
planning;Operation/logistics 2.5 0 0 2.5 0
1 Cana Potter Muse Flora Floral Studio Retail
Pre-start
planning Municipality
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Develop proforma so client knows when she can start
taking a salary
Financial Management
Assistance;Marketing;Cash Flow
Analysis & Projections 10.5 5 2.5 3 0
1 Aldrin D'souza Plyoflo yoga studio Service Start-up Municipality
Saint Louis
Park Edina
Opened a gym featuring plyoflo classes that
incorporate Vinyasa Yoga and Plyometrics into one
class 1 1 0 0 0
1 Colleen Klungseth Querencia, LLC Fitness club Health / Fitness
Pre-start
planning Municipality
Saint Louis
Park Minneapolis
Continue to coach client on various strategies to
develop a training facility and a curriculum catered to
empowering young women through mental and
physical strength
Real estate analysis;Business Plan
Development;Cash Flow Analysis &
Projections;Personal Financial
planning;Business purchase
evaluation;Financial Management
Assistance;Strategic planning 34.5 1 20.5 8 5
1 Amber Thielen
Vibe Organic Juice
Bar
Organic Juice Bar take
out restaurant Food
Pre-start
planning Bank Referral
Saint Louis
Park Plymouth
Closed on loan that was approved in 2017 for this SLP
organic juice bar Other Loan Related 5.5 5.5 0 0 0 $ 96,000 $ 25,000 $ 55,000 4
1 Suzanne Costello SPDT
Non profit dance and
theater group Service
Existing -
Challenged
Friends and
Family
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Made referral to attorney for this non profit dance
and theater group to discuss exit strategy Networking/referrals 1 0 1 0 0
1 Anne Saxton Draft Horse Restaurant Food
Existing -
Challenged Other Minneapolis
Saint Louis
Park Help client with cash flow projections 1 1 0 0 0
1 Tracy Kubalak BIO Studio Hair Salon Service Start-up Entrepreneur Minnetonka
Saint Louis
Park
Client had additional questions on QuickBooks
bookkeeping.Record keeping/bookkeeping 0.5 0 0.5 0 0
1 Christine Parry
Empower Health &
Performance Personal Training Health / Fitness
Existing -
Challenged Entrepreneur
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Past client that had some additional bookkeeping
questions regarding year end TA for Existing Clients 2 0 0 2 0
1 Jason Rathe
Field Outdoor
Spaces, Inc
Landscape design &
installation
Construction /
Real Estate
Existing -
Opportunity Bank Referral Minneapolis
Saint Louis
Park
Assisted entrepreneur with subordinated financing to
preserve working capital to purchase a property for
his landscaping business
TA for Existing Clients;Other Loan
Related;Loan Committee 33.5 32.25 0 1.25 0 $ 35,500 $ 35,500 $ 640,000 15
1 Kevin King
Premier
Teambuilding
Solutions
Leadership
consultant
Professional /
Consulting Start-up Municipality
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Assisted entrepreneur with strategic growth planning
and marketing Marketing;Strategic planning 2 2 0 0 0
1 Danica Krizic
Improved Health
Massage Massage Therapy Health / Fitness Start-up Other
Saint Louis
Park Hopkins
Assist entrepreneur with marketing her massage
therapy business, creating a consistent message and
record keeping methods.
Cash Flow Analysis &
Projections;Marketing;Networking/ref
errals;Financial Management
Assistance;Strategic planning 14 8 6 0 0
2 Julio Margalli Mexico City Cafe Mexican restaurant Food
Pre-start
planning Web
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Helped entrepreneur with a business plan framework
for his catering and café business
Business Plan Development;Loan
packaging;Lease review/negotiation;Real
estate analysis;Regulatory
assistance;Licensing Assistance;Zoning
Assistance;Strategic planning;Cash Flow
Analysis & Projections;Marketing 35 0 5 2 28
1 Thom Miller SLP Nest
Teen Center coffee
shop Food
Pre-start
planning Municipality
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Helped organizers of a teen center/coffee shop with
business planning and financial projections
Business Plan Development;Cash Flow
Analysis & Projections;Regulatory
assistance 8.5 0 8.5 0 0
1 Greg Rich
Habitation
Furnishing + Design
Furniture and Design
shop Retail
Existing -
Challenged Municipality
Saint Louis
Park Wayzata
Advised existing business on a strategy to deal with
the city's building inspection requirements on a
building he purchased to expand his furniture and
design business.
Regulatory assistance;Strategic
planning 2 0 2 0 0
1 Julie Rappaport SLP Seeds
Food sustainability
and equity center Food
Pre-start
planning Municipality
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Assisted non profit with some ideas on how to initially
present concept in a visually pleasing way Business Plan Development 1.5 0 1.5 0 0
1 Alison Hanson
The Vine Room of
Hopkins Wine Bar Food Start-up Municipality
Saint Louis
Park Minnetonka
Assisted client in evaluating opening a Wine Bar in St.
Louis Park.
Business Plan Development;Lease
review/negotiation;Loan Facilitation 13.25 0 0 0 13.25
1 Rutager West BCTW Legacy Tools
High end furniture
tool repair Service
Pre-start
planning Municipality
Saint Louis
Park Saint Paul
Assisted hobby entrepreneur with business structure
for his high end furniture tool repair business Business Registration 3 0 0 3 0
1 Dominic Skrade Uptown Tattoo Tattoo - retail Service
Existing -
Opportunity Municipality Minneapolis
Saint Louis
Park
Financing - leasehold improvements, facilitating CPED
financing Other Loan Related;Initial Consultation 18.25 0 0 18.25 0 $45,000 $12,500 $12,500 1
1 Kate Jackson
ENSO Wellbeing
Coaching
health & wellbeing
coaching Health / Fitness
Existing -
Challenged Entrepreneur
Saint Louis
Park
Saint Louis
Park
Client wants training and best practices on
QuickBooks and social media advertising
Initial Consultation;Record
keeping/bookkeeping 7 0 0 7 0
2 Christine Leventhal Fit Studios Fitness facility Health / Fitness
Existing -
Opportunity Municipality
Saint Louis
Park Minneapolis
Assisted existing SLP business with options to either
relocate or expand in place and whether to lease or
own their space
Lease review/negotiation;Real estate
analysis 7 0 0 0 7
Individuals 25 11 5 13 Total Direct TA Hours 237 68 56 53 61 0 0
Businesses 23 48%22%57%
Office Hours, Program Administration,
Public Events/Meetings 28 8 6 6 8
Totals 265 75.75 61.5 58.5 69 $176,500 $74,500 $707,500 4.00 16.00
# of direct capital
access 4
Total Outside
Capital Leverage $884,000
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 4)
Title: Annual Open to Business Program update Page 5
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Written report: 5
Executive summary
Title: Proposed allocation of 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
Recommended action: No action required at this time. This report is being provided to inform
council of the proposed allocation of 2019 CDBG funds.
Policy consideration: Does the city council concur with the recommendations made for the
allocation of $155,550 in 2019 CDBG funds?
Summary: Each year the city must decide how to use its annual allocation of CDBG funds. CDBG
funds are U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds distributed through Hennepin
County. The city must submit its proposed use of the allocation to Hennepin County by
February 28, 2019. Prior to submittal, the city must hold a public hearing. The hearing and
official city council action is scheduled for February 19, 2019. The city’s estimated direct
allocation is $155,550.
This year’s proposed use of CDBG funds reflects the city’s priorities to preserve existing housing
and increase affordable home ownership opportunities with $125,550 allocated for the low
income home deferred rehab loan and $30,000 to Homes Within Reach. Beginning in 2018
fifteen percent of the overall CDBG budget is being set aside by Hennepin County for public
service activities and awarded through a single combined, competitive RFP covering all the
cities in the county program.
Financial or budget considerations: CDBG funds allow cities, within HUD guidelines, to fund
projects that meet the national low income objectives and the needs of the cities. The federal
budget has not been finalized; however, Hennepin County estimates the St. Louis Park 2019
allocation will be $155,550. The St. Louis Park set aside amount for public service programs is
estimated at $27,450. The 2019 CDBG year runs from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of
housing and neighborhood oriented development.
Supporting documents: Discussion
Prepared by: Marney Olson, Assistant Housing Supervisor
Reviewed by: Michele Schnitker, Housing Supervisor/Deputy CD Director
Karen Barton, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 5) Page 2
Title: Proposed allocation of 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
Discussion
Background: The national objectives of the CDBG program are to benefit low and moderate-
income persons, prevention or elimination of slum or blight and/or to meet a particular urgent
community development need. The CDBG program allows for up to 15% of allocated funds to
be used to fund public services. The city council has typically focused CDBG funds on
improvements to the housing stock for low-income families or on affordable homeownership.
Beginning in 2018, Hennepin County has begun setting aside fifteen percent of the overall
CDBG budget for public service activities to be awarded through a single combined, competitive
RFP, in lieu of having each city award public service funding individually. Hennepin County has
advertised the RFP process and sent information to a long list of public service providers
including past recipients. STEP and Senior Community Services have requested letters of
support for their applications.
Present considerations: The proposed use of the $155,550 estimated allocation include $125,550
for the low income single family home deferred rehab loan administered by Hennepin County
and $30,000 to Homes Within Reach which is the affordable housing land trust. If there are any
increases or decreases to the allocation the deferred rehab loan will be adjusted accordingly.
The low income single family deferred loan program is a deferred rehab loan program for
homeowners with annual incomes of 50% area median income (AMI) or less with a 0% interest
loan or a 3% simple interest loan for households at or below 80% AMI. The rehab focuses on
improvements to address needed maintenance and repair, with a focus on providing long-term
maintenance-free housing. The maximum loan amount is $30,000, is interest-free, and is
deferred until the sale of the home or forgiven after 15 years.
Homes Within Reach is a program of the West Hennepin Housing Land Trust (WHAHLT) that
purchases homes and sells them to low income homeowners. Buyers pay for the cost of the
building only and lease the land for 99 years. St. Louis Park funds are leveraged with Met
Council and Hennepin County HOME funds.
Next steps:
February 7, 2019 Publication of public hearing notice
February 13, 2019 Discussion at Housing Authority Board Meeting
February 19, 2019 Public hearing and resolution approval of proposed activities
February 28, 2019 Deadline for submission of CDBG application to Hennepin County
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Written report: 6
Executive summary
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Recommended action: Review proposed ordinance and provide staff with comments if there
are concerns based on planning commission’s recommendation of denial.
Policy consideration: Staff intends to bring the proposed ordinance to city council for a first
reading of an Ordinance in March unless city council directs staff to do otherwise.
Summary: After several months of reviewing ground floor transparency requirements, the
planning commission voted 6 to 0 to recommend denial of the ground floor transparency
ordinance draft. The vote was based on concerns about lack of flexibility both externally and
internally for retail and commercial spaces, and placing undue burden on businesses.
The city has used similar standards to increase the amount of ground floor transparency in
planned unit developments since the 2001 to increase the interaction between the internal
spaces of a building and the public realm. However, planning commission members were
concerned about requiring prescriptive amounts of transparency along ground floor, street
facing facades, as well as restricting the first three feet of space within the building. They were
also hesitant to strictly limit the sign area in windows, and they were not convinced the
flexibility afforded in the ordinance could be administered both consistently (fairly) and as
broadly as businesses may need.
Financial or budget considerations: None at this time.
Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of
housing and neighborhood oriented development.
Supporting documents: Discussion
Draft ordinance
Planning commission study session minutes
Planning commission public hearing minutes from January 16, 2019
City council study session minutes July 9, 2018
Examples of transparency requirements - St. Louis Park and other cities
Prepared by: Jennifer Monson, Planner
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor
Karen Barton, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 2
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Discussion
Background: In summer 2018, city council directed staff and the planning commission to
consider zoning standards for ground floor window transparency to increase vibrancy along the
city’s commercial streets. The planning commission and city council have since discussed the
importance of ground floor transparency requirements and have provided feedback on a draft
ordinance during several study sessions.
The city has regulated the amount of ground floor transparency in planned unit developments
to increase the interaction between the internal spaces of a building with the public realm. In
the past, there has been very little pushback with developers on these requirements; however,
commercial and especially retail tenants, who tend to be more focused on the interior layouts
of their spaces than the building’s exterior design (except perhaps the building orientation
toward parking lots), have tried to reduce the amount of required window transparency.
Ground floor transparency regulations are particularly important in areas where there is high
pedestrian traffic as transparency can help create a vibrant and safer street by allowing people
inside buildings to easily observe street life. Ground floor windows and transparent doors may
also strengthen the commercial viability of a use by attracting customers and adding to the
enjoyment of the pedestrian’s experience on the street.
The attached draft ordinance responds to feedback from the planning commission and city
council. The intent of the ordinance is to provide flexibility, especially for small businesses and
existing buildings, yet advance the city’s goals for a safe and active pedestrian realm and
vibrant streets.
The limitations on window paintings and signage that are included in the ordinance would be
applied to all businesses, existing and new in the C-1 and C-2 Districts, and retail, service, and
restaurant uses in the O and BP Districts. The remainder of the ordinance will be applied when
upgrades and renovations to buildings occur. The regulation establishing a minimum
percentage of transparency on the front and side street facing facades would not apply to
existing buildings. This requirement will be enforced on all new buildings and buildings which
expand the gross floor area of the building by more than 50 percent.
Public hearing: There were no comments received during the public hearing.
Planning Commission: The planning commission voted 6 to 0 to recommend denial of the
ordinance. Planning commission members were concerned about requiring prescriptive
amounts of transparency along ground floor, street facing facades, as well as restricting the first
three feet of space within the building. They were also hesitant to strictly limit the sign area in
windows, and they were not convinced the flexibility afforded in the ordinance could be
administered both consistently (fairly) and as broadly as businesses may need.
Present considerations: Staff is bringing the proposed ordinance forward for city council’s
consideration since this topic was specifically requested by the council for planning commission
and staff to look at. The planning commission, while agreeing with the intent of the ordinance
to provide safer and more vibrant streets, decided that any ordinance regulating a minimum
amount of transparency for a building and requiring a visual depth within the floor area of a
tenant space was too restrictive. The planning commission voiced the opinion that minimum
window transparency should be a guide for development, not a requirement.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 3
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
The planning commission felt it was important to take a vote on the ordinance and forward
their recommendation to the city council, rather than tabling the item for further commission
consideration.
Staff stands behind the policies included in the draft ordinance. These requirements are based
on industry standards found across the county and past experiences with St. Louis Park
developers.
Next steps: Staff will schedule the first reading of an Ordinance in March unless the city council
directs staff to do otherwise.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 4
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Draft Ordinance
Section 36-4 Definitions
************
Ground Floor Transparency means the measurement of the percentage of a facade that has
highly transparent, low reflectance windows at the pedestrian level, measured between 2’ and
8’ above grade.
************
36-366 Architectural design
**
(b)Standards.
**
(3)Ground floor transparency.
a.The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable to all ground floor
street-facing facades in the C-1 and C-2 Districts, and retail, service, and
restaurant uses in O and BP Districts:
i.Window paintings and signage shall cover no more than 10 percent of the
total window and door area.
ii.Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of three
(3) feet. Display of merchandise is allowed within this three (3) feet.
iii.Interior storage areas, utility closets and trash areas shall not be visible
from the exterior of the building.
iv.No more than 10 percent of total window and door area shall be glass
block, mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or
material including window painting and signs. The remaining 90 percent
of window and door area shall be highly transparent, low reflectance
windows with a minimum 60 percent transmittance factor and a
reflectance factor of not greater than 0.25.
v.For all new buildings constructed after January 1, 2019, and existing
buildings which expand the gross square footage of the building by more
than 50 percent, the minimum ground floor transparency shall be 65
percent on the front façade, and 20 percent on all other ground floor
street facing facades.
vi.The city acknowledges a degree of flexibility may be necessary to adjust
to unique situations. Alternatives that provide an increase in pedestrian
vibrancy and street safety including but not limited to public art and
pedestrian scale amenities may be considered and may be approved by
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 5
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
the Zoning Administrator, unless the development application requires
approval by City Council, in which case the City Council shall approve the
alternate transparency plan.
(3)(4) Additions and accessory structures. The exterior wall surface materials, roof
treatment, colors, textures, major divisions, proportion, rhythm of openings, and
general architectural character, including horizontal or vertical emphasis, scale,
stylistic features of additions, exterior alterations, and new accessory buildings
shall address and respect the original architectural design and general
appearance of the principal buildings on the site and shall comply with the
requirements of this section.
(4)(5) Screening.
a.The visual impact of rooftop equipment shall be minimized using one of the
following methods. Where rooftop equipment is located on buildings and is
visible within 400 feet from property in an R district, only the items listed in
subsections 1 and 2 shall be used.
1.A parapet wall.
2.A fence the height of which extends at least one foot above the top of the
rooftop equipment and incorporates the architectural features of the
building.
3.The rooftop equipment shall be painted to match the roof or the sky,
whichever is most effective.
b.Utility service structures (such as utility meters, utility lines, transformers,
aboveground tanks); refuse handling; loading docks; maintenance structures;
and other ancillary equipment must be inside a building or be entirely screened
from off-site views utilizing a privacy fence or wall that is at least six feet in
height. A chain link fence with slats shall not be accepted as screening.
c.All utility services shall be underground except as provided elsewhere in this
chapter.
(5)(6) Parking ramps. All new parking ramps shall meet the following design standards:
a.Parking ramp facades that are visible from off the site shall display an integration
of building materials, building form, textures, architectural motif, and building
colors with the principal building.
b.No signs other than directional signs shall be permitted on parking ramp facades.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 6
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
c.If the parking ramp is located within 20 feet of a street right-of-way or
recreational trail, the facade facing the street shall be subject to the same
requirements for exterior surface materials as for buildings.
(6)(7) Awnings and canopies.
a.Awnings and Canopies.
1.Construction. Awnings and canopies shall have noncombustible frames. If
an awning can be collapsed, retracted or folded, the design shall be such that
the awning does not block any required exit.
2. Projection. Awnings and canopies less than 25 feet in width may extend up
to two feet from the face of the nearest curb line measured horizontally.
3.Clearance. All portions of any awning and canopy shall provide at least eight
feet of clearance or any walkway and twelve feet of clearance over nay
driveway or roadway.
4.Supports. Canopy posts or other supports located within a public right-of-
way or easement shall be placed in a location approved by the city engineer.
b.Permit required. A building permit shall be issued prior to the installation of any
awning or canopy. In addition to the building permit, an encroachment
agreement shall be issued by the city engineer prior to the installation of any
awning or canopy that extends into, upon or over any street or alley right-of-
way, park or other public property. The encroachment agreement shall include
provisions that hold the owner of the awning or canopy liable to the city for any
damage which may result to any person or property by reason of such
encroachment or the removal of such encroachment. Additional conditions may
be imposed on encroachment permits to protect the health, safety or welfare of
the public or to protect nearby property owners from hardship or damage or to
protect other public interests as determined by the city engineer.
c.Submission requirements. The following information shall be submitted prior to
the installation of an awning or canopy.
1.Application form and fee. A separate fee shall be required for the building
permit and encroachment agreement.
2.Dimensioned and scaled site plan and building elevations.
3.Four sets of drawings for each awning or canopy proposed.
d.Projections to be safe. All such projections over public property shall be
structurally safe, shall be kept in a safe condition and state of repair consistent
with the design thereof and repaired when necessary in the opinion of the city
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 7
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
engineer or building official by and at the expense of the person having
ownership or control of the building from which they project.
e.Removal upon order. The owner of an awning or canopy, any part of which
projects into, upon, over or under any public property shall upon being ordered
to do so by the city engineer remove at once any part or all of such
encroachment and shall restore the right-of-way to a safe condition. Such
removal and restoration of the right-of-way will be at the sole expense of the
property owner. The city may, upon failure of the property owner to remove the
encroachment as ordered, remove the encroachment, and the reasonable costs
of removing such encroachment incurred by the city shall be billed and levied
against the property as a special assessment.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 8
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Planning commission study session minutes
July 11, 2018
3.Window Transparency Ordinance
Ms. Monson introduced the topic. She said the Council discussed window transparency at its
July 16 study session and wants to look further at regulations for transparency requirements;
particularly for high pedestrian areas and ground floor retail. She said staff is asking for the
commission’s guidance on how to craft and apply the proposed regulations.
The Chair commented that it’s hard to provide flexibility. What can you do to meet the intent
but still meet your needs.
Commissioner Kraft asked about levels of transparency, and reasons why it might not be 100%
transparent.
Ms. Monson spoke about the amount of depth between the pedestrian level and the use.
The Chair spoke about the difficulty of providing transparency and privacy.
Ms. Monson provided transparency requirement examples at Excelsior & Grand, Shops at West
End, Elmwood, PLACE and Bridgewater.
The Chair stated that visual in/visual out is an important element.
Commissioner Kraft asked how violations are handled.
Staff responded that similar to signage, there is enforcement.
Commissioner Carper said he’d like to see something that shows what exists today to see all the
variation; for example on Excelsior Blvd. He spoke about businesses also needing to function
and losing important sales space to transparency requirements.
Commissioner Kraft spoke about Byerly’s downtown which is very active, very glassy and has
lots of display.
The Chair asked if we are looking at particular uses or particular streets.
Mr. Walther responded we are still considering applying the rules based upon both the uses on
the first floor and the adjacency to the streets.
Ms. Monson remarked that uses can change. If requirements are based on street location the
transparency might not be workable everywhere but there may be other alternative elements
that could be added to make it more pedestrian friendly.
Ms. Monson said staff will come up with examples for review.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 9
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
October 17, 2018
3.Transparency Requirements
Ms. Monson discussed Council’s desire to look at transparency requirements for commercial
buildings in general and as part of the MX district. She spoke about proposed requirements
which would require ground floor window transparency for all street facing facades at the front
of the building. This would include C1 and C2 districts as well as retail service and restaurants
in the Office and BP districts.
There was a lengthy discussion about wrap around transparency for secondary streets.
There was discussion about active permitted uses being maintained for a minimum depth of 15
feet as being too onerous for businesses.
January 16, 2019
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
January 16, 2019 – 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Matt Eckholm, Jessica Kraft,
Lisa Peilen, Carl Robertson,
Joe Tatalovich, Alanna Franklin (youth member)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Claudia Johnston-Madison
STAFF PRESENT: Jennifer Monson, Sean Walther
1.Call to Order – Roll Call
2.Approval of Minutes of December 19, 2018
Commissioner Tatalovich made a motion to approve the December 19, 2018 minutes.
Commissioner Peilen seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
3.Public Hearings
A.Zoning Ordinance – window transparency on ground floor street facing facades
Applicant: City of St. Louis Park
Case No.: 18-70-ZA
Jennifer Monson, Planner, presented the staff report.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 10
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Commissioner Peilen asked about businesses on Minnetonka that cover their windows
with brown paper and asked if the proposed ordinance would require the business to
remove the paper.
Ms. Monson said that the proposed ordinance would require the removal of paper
coverings.
Commissioner Peilen asked about a separate part of the ordinance dealing with
directional signage on parking ramps. Discussion followed.
Mr. Walther said that directional signage on parking ramps would be allowed under the
sign code, and is not prohibited by the architectural ordinance. He suggested the
planning commission review this item at a later time as it is not part of the proposed
ordinance.
Commissioner Carper agreed.
Commissioner Kraft asked about signage for unleased space.
Mr. Walther said the city limits the square footage for leasing signs under the sign code.
Ms. Monson said she agreed with Mr. Walther and said the proposed ordinance is for
occupied spaces. Leasing signs would still have to meet the sign code.
Commissioner Carper asked a question relating to the window coverage. He discussed
Trader Joe’s and their inward facing store front. He stated that Trader Joe’s uses signs
on the back of their shelving against the windows. He said CVS is another example. He
asked how the ordinance would apply to Lunds & Byerlys.
Ms. Monson explained that Trader Joe’s signage is approved under a plan unit
development and has its own specific signage regulations and requirements. She said
she would have to double check to see what the code says. As for Lunds and Byerly’s,
staff would have to research what is considered the front façade of the building. It’s a
large lot surrounded by streets.
Mr. Carper asked about the TexaTonka Shopping Center.
Ms. Monson said the Texa-Tonka center has a lot of window signage. There are no
opaque or mirrored windows. There is a lot of window signage which is easier and more
affordable to take down versus replacing windows.
Commissioner Carper asked if the city is deciding what a window looks like in terms of
the display or what is placed within the three feet of depth.
Ms. Monson said that as long as it’s visible within the first three feet of the space, we
don’t care what is placed there.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 11
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Commissioner Carpers asked Ms. Monson if the ordinance prohibits anything within the
three feet from being displayed.
Ms. Monson clarified that displays are permitted, as long as you can see past the
merchandise for the first three feet into the commercial space.
Commissioner Carper asked what kind of percentage of that view into the space is being
discussed.
Ms. Monson said ten percent of the window area is allowed to be blocked. The
remaining 90 percent would need to remain open for the first three feet.
Commissioner Peilen asked a few follow up questions regarding parking ramp signage,
ensuring the ordinance does not preclude directional parking signs.
Chair Robertson said he does sees all those as directional signage.
Commissioner Peilen asked how the ordinance addresses temporary signs.
Ms. Monson responded that temporary signs are allowed as long as they follow the
temporary sign code requirements.
Commissioner Carper asked if staff researched other city’s transparency ordinances.
Ms. Monson explained that staff researched many other ordinances both local and
across the country including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Seattle, Boulder, Denver, and
Cincinnati, including examples from developments in St. Louis Park.
Commissioner Carper asked Ms. Monson if she consulted with any professional such as
architects who are designing the buildings, store planners who plan the inside of them
and even potential business who may want to move into the community but could
change their mind due to the nature of this ordinance.
Ms. Monson explained they have discussed the ordinance with the planning commission
which has a variety of people from different backgrounds including several architects.
She stated that staff reached out to St. Paul as they have adopted similar standards for
the Grand Ave corridor. St. Paul never responded, but staff took into consideration the
standards St. Paul and other cities adopted when crafting the ordinance.
Commissioner Carper explained that with his extensive history in retail he’s a bit
uncomfortable with the ordinance. He asked Ms. Monson if other window transparency
ordinances were studied in areas of high pedestrian activity, and stated downtown
Hopkins and 50th and France as examples.
Ms. Monson explained that staff researched many other ordinances both local and
across the country. She stated that each treat it a bit differently, and that Minneapolis
uses pedestrian overlay zones.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 12
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Chair Robertson asked if anyone had further questions for staff. Seeing none, he opened
the public hearing. No one was present to speak so he closed the public hearing, and
brought the discussion back to the commission.
Chair Robertson explained that planning commission has had several discussions about
transparency and that he is still uncomfortable with this ordinance though he
understands the intent. He stated that he believes you cannot design by formula. It can
make buildings very monotonous as everything looks the same. He would prefer to see
transparency as a set of guidelines rather than an ordinance. Chair Robertson said the
ordinance does not give the architect enough freedom and is very limiting. He does not
believe it will work.
Commissioner Eckholm said his first reaction would be to disagree with Commissioner
Robertson, but remembered attending a downtown Minneapolis meeting where they
were discussing the new YMCA on Nicollet. He said there was difficulty meeting
Minneapolis’ zoning and the innovative concept that the developer came up with, was
still not approved.
Ms. Monson said the ordinance realizes that not everyone can or should meet this
ordinance. That there is flexibility in the ordinance for staff, city council, or planning
commission to alter the requirements.
Chair Robertson said this is a thought, but it’s still not clear what is allowed and how
well it will be received.
Commissioner Carper explained he is uncomfortable with the ordinance and doesn’t
think all businesses can get a planned unit development like Trader Joe’s. He also
expressed concerns about restricting the floor space within the building by three feet.
Ms. Monson explained staff feels the ordinance can be easily met and that Trader Joe’s
and Cub Foods signage and art would be considered alternate pedestrian amenities
under the code.
Commissioner Peilen expressed concerns that the ordinance is a response to a problem
with a couple buildings but it goes far into regulating.
Chair Robertson responded that zoning codes increase cost and understands that there
are good reasons to it. He believes we need to also focus on affordable commercial
space.
Commissioner Kraft believed the intent of the ordinance is great, but believes there are
other ways to make a more active and inviting streetscape. She suggested ways to
equally prioritize different options; transparency is one option another is art along with
other multitude creative solution to better meet the intent of what were after.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 13
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Commissioner Carper said he agrees with spirit and intent of the ordinance but feels this
may need more work. He suggested breaking the ordinance into parts.
Chair Robertson asked Mr. Walther if the commission should vote on the ordinance and
take the chance it wouldn’t pass or to table it and see it brought back again soon.
Mr. Walther said there is no specific direction. This was a city generated request by
council and they would like to see it come to them at some stage for their action. They
are looking for Planning Commission’s input.
Chair Robertson said there was good conversation and feels some of things that were
troubling don’t seem to be addressed far enough. He stated that he would like to make
sure City Council has enough information on where the Planning Commission stands. His
preference would be to go forward with the vote.
Commissioner Carper clarified that city council can choose to act on this ordinance in
any matter they choose, so a yes and no by the planning commission does not
guarantee anything.
Commissioner Carper moved that the Planning Commission approve the zoning
ordinance on window transparency on the ground-floor street facing facades.
Commissioner Peilen seconded the motion.
Chair Robertson said the motion does not carry on a vote of 0-6 against the motion.
Mr. Walther said the vote needs to have an affirmative motion to recommend denial of
the ordinance.
Chair Robertson requested a second motion.
Commissioner Carper made a second motion to recommend denial of the zoning
ordinance for window transparency on the ground-floor street facing facades.
Commissioner Tatalovich seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
4.Other Business
5.Communications
6.Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm and was followed by a study session.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 14
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
Examples of transparency requirements in St. Louis Park and around the county:
St. Louis Park, Planned Unit Developments
West End
•Within the pedestrian zone (3-7ft a.f.f.), all tenant storefront facades shall consist of at
least 60% glazing
•Visibility required for 3ft in depth.
•Maximum 10% opaque or with signs.
Parkway 25
(1)Façade. The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable to all ground floor
non-residential facades:
a.For street-facing facades, no more than 10% of total window and door area
shall be glass block, mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass,
finishes or material including window painting and signage. The remaining
90% of window and door area shall be clear or slightly tinted glass, allowing
views into and out of the interior.
b.Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of three
feet. This requirement shall not prohibit the display of merchandise.
4800
(5) Façade. The following design requirements shall be applicable to all ground floor,
non-residential facades along Excelsior Boulevard:
a. Façade Transparency.
1. The façade shall be primarily transparent materials at the pedestrian
level.
2. No more than 10% of the total window and door area shall be glass
block, mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or material
including window painting and signs. The remaining 90% of window and door
area shall be clear or slightly tinted glass, allowing view into and out of the
interior.
3. Visibility into the tenant spaces from the exterior windows and doors
shall be maintained for a minimum depth of three feet. This requirement shall
not prohibit the display of merchandise. Display windows may be used to meet
the transparency requirement.
PLACE
a.The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable to all ground floor non-
residential street-facing facades and all ground floor non-residential facades on the
west façade of Site D South, including live/work type II units:
1.The minimum ground floor transparency shall be 60% at the pedestrian level.
2.No more than 10% of total window and door area shall be glass block,
mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or material
including window painting and signs. The remaining 90% of window and
door area shall be clear or slightly tinted glass, allowing views into and out of
the interior.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 15
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
3. Active permitted uses, not including storage areas or utility closets, shall be
maintained for a minimum depth of 15 feet.
4. Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of ten feet.
This requirement shall not prohibit the display of merchandise.
The Elmwood
(1) Façade. The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable to all ground
floor non-residential street-facing facades:
a. Minimum ground floor transparency shall be 65% at the pedestrian level.
b. No more than 10% of total window and door area shall be glass block,
mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or material
including window painting and signs. The remaining 90% of window and
door area shall be clear or slightly tinted glass, allowing views into and
out of the interior.
c. Active permitted uses, not including storage areas or utility closets, shall
be maintained for a minimum depth of 15 feet.
d. Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of ten
feet. This requirement shall not prohibit the display of merchandise.
Bridgewater Bank Corporate Center
(1) Façade.
a. The following façade design guidelines shall be applicable to all ground floor
street-facing facades:
i. Minimum ground floor transparency shall be 70% at the pedestrian level.
ii. No more than 10% of total window and door area shall be glass block,
mirrored, spandrel, frosted or other opaque glass, finishes or material
including window painting and signs. The remaining 90% of window and
door area shall be clear or slightly tinted glass, allowing views into and
out of the interior.
iii. Active permitted uses shall be maintained for a minimum depth of 15
feet. Storage areas and utility closets are prohibited within this 15 feet.
iv. Visibility into the space shall be maintained for a minimum depth of ten
feet. This requirement shall not prohibit the display of merchandise.
Form-Based Codes Draft
Shop Front Ground Floor: 65% to 70%
All other ground floors and building sides: 20% on street, 15% on visible side and rear
St Paul, Minnesota (Traditional Neighborhoods)
Door and window openings - minimum and character.
(a) For new commercial and civic buildings, windows and doors or openings shall comprise at least
fifty (50) percent of the length and at least thirty (30) percent of the area of the ground floor
along arterial and collector street facades.
(b) Windows shall be designed with punched and recessed openings, in order to create a strong
rhythm of light and shadow.
(c) Glass on windows and doors shall be clear or slightly tinted, and allow views into and out of
the interior.
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 16
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
(d) Window shape, size and patterns shall emphasize the intended organization of the facade and
the definition of the building.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Transparency (pedestrian overlay):
(a)Window area. At least forty (40) percent of the first floor façade of any nonresidential use
that faces a public street or sidewalk shall be windows or doors of clear or lightly tinted
glass that allow views into and out of the building at eye level. Windows shall be
distributed in a more or less even manner. Minimum window area shall be measured
between the height of two (2) feet and ten (10) feet above the finished level of the first
floor.
Portland, Oregon Transparency: (mixed-use districts)
Window coverage requirements on key streets are 40% of ground floor area generally; and 60%
of ground floor area in areas with the new Centers Main Street overlay zone.
Seattle, Washington Design Guidelines:
Street-Level Transparency: Ensure transparency of street-level uses (for uses such as
nonresidential uses or residential lobbies), where appropriate, by keeping views open into spaces
behind walls or plantings, at corners, or along narrow passageways. Choose semi-transparent
rather than opaque screening.
Boulder, Colorado Form Based Code
Ground Story Transparency. Ground story transparency means the measurement of the percentage of the
ground story facade that has highly transparent, low reflectance windows with a minimum sixty percent
transmittance factor and a reflectance factor of not greater than 0.25.
75% ground commercial floors
20% all other floors
Cincinnati, Ohio
(a)Minimum Standard. Windows and transparent doors must be a minimum percentage of
the street frontage, as specified in Schedule 1409-23 below. The percentage of the building's
street elevation is measured between 2.5 feet and 7.0 feet in height above grade. Glass block,
opaque or darkly tinted glass is not considered to be transparent. Refer to Figure 1409-23-A.
Schedule 1409-23: Transparency Standard for Ground Floor Windows and Doors
Street Transparency Percentage
Each Street Frontage
(lineal feet)
Primary Street Secondary Street
40 or less 80 30
41—80 70 40
81 or more 60 50
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 6) Page 17
Title: Zoning regulations for ground floor transparency requirements
3. Rules of Measurement
a. Zone of Transparency The Zone of Transparency is the area between 2 feet and 9 feet
above the finished upper surface of the floor of the Street Level across the entire street-
facing Street Level building facade. See Figure 13.1-100.
i. A building facade is “street-facing” if it faces a name or numbered street, which
shall be determined by extending a line the width of the facade and
perpendicular to it to the zone lot boundary. If any portion of said line touches
the right-of-way of a name or numbered street at the zone lot boundary, then
said facade is “street-facing.” See Figure 13.1-101.
ii. The required amount of transparency shall be provided within the zone of
transparency for the subject building, unless an exception or alternative is
permitted by this Code.
b. Street Level Transparency Street Level transparency, primary or side street, is
measured as the total amount of linear feet of windows or permitted alternatives
provided within the Zone of Transparency divided by the total length of that same
street-facing building facade (including any open parking structure entrances).
4. Window Requirements Windows shall be provided to satisfy the transparency requirement,
except where a transparency alternative is permitted. All windows used to satisfy the
transparency requirement shall comply with the following:
a. All windows shall be a minimum of 5 feet in vertical dimension within the zone of
transparency; and.
b. Window glazing shall be clear and shall transmit at least 65 percent of the visible
daylight (visible transmittance shall be 0.65 or greater); and
c. No interior or exterior modifications, including temporary and permanent signage,
window tinting, furnishings, fixtures, equipment or stored items within 3 feet of the
windows will be permitted to reduce the effective minimum transparency standards by
more than 25%. Open display of individual merchandise is permitted.
Denver, Colorado
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Written report: 7
Executive summary
Title: Historic Walker Lake small area plan
Recommended action: None at this time; this report is for information only.
Policy consideration: None at this time. Please let staff know of questions you might have.
Summary: Activation and revitalization efforts for Historic Walker Lake have been a city priority
for several years. In October 2018, the city began a process to create a small area revitalization
plan and design guidelines for the Historic Walker Lake study area. The small area plan will
provide development concepts and project ideas that enhance the area’s identity, activity,
appeal, and economic vitality. The study includes a parking analysis with land use and policy
recommendations, and will include recommended design standards to regulate future
investment that occurs in the area. The plan will also identify opportunities for public art,
wayfinding and placemaking. Finally, the study will include an implementation plan that
includes cost estimates and identifies potential funding sources.
Since hiring the consultant, Asakura Robinson, in October, the city has hosted two community
meetings and a business owner meeting for the Historic Walker Lake revitalization and small
area plan. In addition, over 40 percent of area businesses and property owners have been
surveyed to better inform the plan.
Financial or budget considerations: None at this time. The small area plan funding was
approved as part of the 2018 budget.
Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of
housing and neighborhood oriented development.
Supporting documents: Map of Historic Walker Lake study area
Discussion
Public meeting summary Nov. 14, 2018 (Available on the city’s website
or for viewing in the city’s Community Development Department.)
Existing conditions draft (Available on the city’s website or for viewing
in the city’s Community Development Department.)
Prepared by: Jennifer Monson, Planner
Julie Grove, Economic Development Specialist
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor
Karen Barton, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 7) Page 2
Title: Historic Walker Lake small area plan
Discussion
Background: The city has hosted two community meetings and a business owner meeting for
the Historic Walker Lake revitalization and small area plan, and conducted a survey of the
business owners.
The community meeting on November 14, 2018, was held at St. Louis Park’s Central Community
Center to discuss the district’s strengths and weaknesses and share ideas for the future.
Approximately 20 people were in attendance, including neighborhood representatives and
business and property owners. A summary of previous planning efforts was presented,
including the 2016 Activation Plan and the 2018 street infrastructure project that will be
constructed in 2019 and 2020. The meeting presentation was recorded and is available on the
city’s website. A summary of the meeting is also attached to this report. The outcome of that
meeting was an existing conditions report highlighting the area’s history, previous planning
efforts, planned transportation improvements including bikeways and Southwest Light Rail, a
summary of the number of area businesses, a survey of the existing building supply and an
analysis of the area.
A second community meeting was held on February 5 at the Oak Hill II Office Building, in the
west side of the study area, to review the draft community concepts and to provide strategies
and develop ideas for implementation. Eight people attended the meeting, including six people
who have not attended any previous meetings. The presentation included a summary of the
existing conditions report, as well as ideas for future implementation. These ideas included a
shared parking model for the district, building design standards for reinvestment and any
redevelopment, a preliminary analysis on zoning issues, and ideas for implementation through
a business association. The meeting presentation and discussion was recorded and will be
placed on the city’s website. The meeting summary report will be added to the Historic Walker
Lake webpage in the coming weeks. The feedback received at the meeting was very positive,
though some concerns were expressed regarding possible gentrification as Historic Walker Lake
becomes more vibrant. Support was voiced specifically for additional art opportunities
including a theater and community gathering events and spaces. Due to the evening’s snowy
weather, additional outreach opportunities are being explored for this phase of the plan.
A group of area business and property owners gathered on December 19, 2018 to discuss their
interest in starting a business association within the Historic Walker Lake area. Over 25 business
and property owners were in attendance, and the overwhelming response from attendees was
positive. Asakura Robinson and the city will be working with this group to further the
discussions for a business association within the area as a means of implementation for the
small area plan. Some business association outcomes may include cohesive marketing
strategies for the district, better communication between existing and future businesses and
building owners, a greater presence of businesses within the neighborhoods and St. Louis Park
as a whole, and increased businesses opportunities within the district. Stakeholders are excited
to further explore the possibility of a district business association.
Additionally, Asakura Robinson has been surveying and completing face-to-face interviews with
area business owners to learn more about business operations and individual buildings. 48
percent of the businesses in the area have been located in Historic Walker Lake for more than
20 years. Over 60 percent of businesses own their property, and while their space may not suit
all of their needs today, they remain in the area because of the costs associated with relocating
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 7) Page 3
Title: Historic Walker Lake small area plan
and either leasing, purchasing or constructing a new building. Nearly 50 percent of all
businesses within Historic Walker Lake have been interviewed since October.
Present considerations: The next phase of the plan will include more specific recommendations
for design guidelines, wayfinding, public art locations and parking requirements. In addition, the
city and Asakura Robinson have begun preliminary discussions of ways to retain affordable
commercial space within the district. A third neighborhood meeting will be held in the coming
month to gather additional feedback from surrounding neighborhoods and business and
property owners in Historic Walker Lake, regarding the recommendations of the plan.
Next steps: Staff will continue to update city council as the small area plan progresses.
Following the third neighborhood meeting, Asakura Robinson and staff will present the plan to
the planning commission and city council for their consideration.
Additional steps will depend on the final plan recommendations, but are likely to include
proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance, specifically relating to parking, use, building
size, setbacks and massing requirements.
Other Historic Walker Lake updates on Historic Walker Lake initiatives
Business District Grant Application: Hennepin County is once again offering a Business District
Initiative grant to help suburban cities enhance the economic vitality of priority business
districts. Applications are due February 28th. Staff is submitting an application for the creation
of a one-time facade improvement program in the Historic Walker Lake area. If the grant is
awarded, the city will offer a matching grant to businesses and property owners in the Historic
Walker Lake Business District for exterior façade improvements such as windows, doors,
awnings, exterior restoration or painting, signage, etc. This program would aim to help
revitalize and sustain the district by encouraging businesses and property owners to make
lasting physical improvements. Hennepin County will award the grants in March or April 2019.
If St. Louis Park is awarded a grant, staff will provide the council with a more detailed
description of the façade grant program.
Historic Walker Lake Business District Loan Program: Staff is finalizing a new, low-interest loan
program designed to provide financial assistance to small business in the Historic Walker Lake
Business District. The program aims to expand financing opportunities for local entrepreneurs
while creating jobs and enhancing the vitality and character of the Historic Walker Lake area.
More information on this program will be brought to the council in March.
Historic Walker Lake
Small Area Revitalization Plan
Study Area
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Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 7)
Title: Historic Walker Lake small area plan Page 4
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Written report: 8
Executive summary
Title: TexaTonka reinvestment and small area plan
Recommended action: None at this time. Please inform staff of any questions you may have.
Policy consideration: None at this time.
Summary: Paster Properties, a St. Louis Park owned and operated development company,
purchased the TexaTonka Shopping Center and Texa-Tonka Lanes at the end of January 2019.
Paster Properties intends to reinvest in the 1950’s shopping center by restoring the center to its
original mid-century modern architecture. They will be removing the center portion of the
building and will construct an outdoor courtyard with a solar canopy above. The parking lot will
be repaved and additional landscaping will be added throughout the site. Construction is
anticipated to start spring 2019; the developers will be working with tenants through the building
upgrades. Texa-Tonka Lanes will remain as it currently is today for the immediate future.
In addition, city staff will be undertaking a small area plan in 2019 for the commercial and
vacant land near the intersection of Texas Avenue and Minnetonka Boulevard as the city
anticipates further reinvestment in the TexaTonka commercial area in the coming years. The
small area plan will likely include conceptual site plans, building plan scenarios, and design
guidelines for the TexaTonka commercial areas, as well as a traffic study. Staff have met with
neighborhood leaders from the TexaTonka and Aquila neighborhoods and have been in contact
with residents from the Cobblecrest and Cedar Manor neighborhoods to discuss the small area
plan and gather preliminary ideas and concerns for any future reinvestment and
redevelopment.
Staff will update council as the small area plan progresses, and further public input is received.
Financial or budget considerations: None at this time. The funding for the small area plan was
included in the 2019 budget.
Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of
housing and neighborhood oriented development.
Supporting documents: Images of TexaTonka Shopping Center
TexaTonka small area plan study area
Prepared by: Jennifer Monson, Planner
Reviewed by: Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor
Karen Barton, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 8) Page 2
Title: TexaTonka reinvestment and small area plan
Existing conditions TexaTonka Shopping Center
Reinvestment concepts TexaTonka Shopping Center – Paster Properties
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 8) Page 3
Title: TexaTonka reinvestment and small area plan
Meeting: Study session
Meeting date: February 11, 2019
Written report: 9
Executive summary
Title: Council workshop follow-up
Recommended action: No formal action requested. The purpose of this report is to provide the
council with a summary of the systems thinking action plans from the annual workshop.
Policy consideration: Is the city council in agreement with the next steps for the systems
thinking action plans?
Summary: The city council held its annual workshop on January 10 and 11 to discuss carver
governance, SWOT results, complete the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICSI), discuss
council norms and create systems thinking action plans for 2019.
The attached systems thinking actions plans were completed by four groups consisting of staff
and city council at the workshop on January 11.
Next Steps: A follow up to the city council norms will be held March 18, 2019. In addition, staff
and council will begin working on the 2019 system thinking action plans.
Financial or budget considerations: N/A
Strategic priority consideration:
•St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to
create a more just and inclusive community for all.
•St. Louis Park is committed to continue to lead in environmental stewardship.
•St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood
oriented development.
•St. Louis Park is committed to providing a variety of options for people to make their
way around the city comfortably, safely and reliably.
•St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through
community engagement.
Supporting documents: Discussion
City council workshop- System Thinking Action Plan
City council workshop minutes
Prepared by: Maria Carrillo Perez, Management Assistant
Reviewed by: Nancy Deno, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Page 2 Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 9)
Title: Council workshop follow-up
Discussion
Background: The city worked with Kay Adams from Umoja Collective to design and facilitate a
workshop for the city council and key city staff. The goal of the workshop was to equip staff and
council with tools to be a more effective team.
The consultant led the group into a discussion on the increasing challenges facing local
government. These challenges put increasing pressure on local government leaders to govern
under volatile, uncertain, chaotic and ambiguous (VUCA) conditions. Examples of VUCA
conditions include civil rights springs, uncertain tax revenues, staff retirements, increased
citizen engagement, changing demographics, worsening disparities, aging infrastructures, the
high rate of technological change and many more.
Habits of a System Thinker is a tool created by the Waters Foundation that describes ways of
thinking about how systems work and how actions impact results overtime. This tool helps
individuals and groups by encouraging flexible thinking and appreciating different perspectives.
The system thinker tool gives local government leaders a framework for dealing with VUCA
conditions. City leaders must rely on system thinking skills to effectively and efficiently deliver
city services to residents. This framework promotes teamwork and collaboration amongst city
staff and council.
The Habits of a System Thinker tool has fourteen (14) habits. For the purpose of the council
workshop, the facilitator focused on four key habits. Four groups, consisting of staff and
council, were tasked with completing a deep dive into a habit and developing an action plan
around it. Using the ToP Facilitation Model, Kay Adams guided the group into developing
possible initiatives/ideas for staff and council. All initiatives were posted and each participant
voted on their favorite three (3) ideas. Each group then selected one of the top ideas to develop
an action plan. The habit, idea and groups were divided into the following:
Habit 1: Systems thinkers consider an issue fully and resist the urge to come to a quick
conclusion. They take the time they need to fully understand the dynamics of a
system/issue before taking action.
Idea: Study sessions need to stay at the big bowl level, focused on ends not means.
Group participants: Mayor Jake Spano, Councilmember Thom Miller, Director of
Operations and Recreation (Cindy Walsh), Racial Equity Manager (Alicia Sojourner), and
Chief Information Officer (Clint Pires).
Habit 2: Systems thinkers consider the short-term, long-term and unintended consequences of
actions. They look ahead and anticipate not only the immediate results but also the
effects of actions taken today down the road.
Idea: Continue to be responsive to constituents AND focus on the urgent and important.
Group participants: Councilmember Steve Hallfin, Councilmember Margaret Rog,
Management Assistant (Maria Carrillo Perez), Director of Engineering (Debra Heiser) and
Fire Chief (Steve Koering).
*Team 2 continued their work and completed their action plan on 2/4/2019.
Page 3 Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 9)
Title: Council workshop follow-up
Habit 3: Systems thinkers change their perspectives to increase understanding. They actively
search for different points of view and are able to change their minds as they learn
about new perspectives.
Idea: Hold council study session meeting in the community (city goes to the community
not always the community goes to the City of St. Louis Park)
Group participants: Councilmember Tim Brausen, Councilmember Anne Mavity, Director
of Community Development (Karen Barton), Deputy City Manager (Nancy Deno), and
Police Chief (Mike Harcey).
Habit 4: Systems thinkers make meaningful connections within and between systems. They
actively explore how relationships among pieces of a system affect their understanding
of the whole.
Idea: Public Process/Engagement: Right size community engagement process that
insures inclusivity
Group participants: Councilmember Rachel Harris, City Manager (Tom Harmening),
Communications and Marketing Manager (Jacque Smith), Chief Financial Officer (Tim
Simon) and Director of Inspections (Brian Hoffman).
Each group was given time to develop an action plan on each idea and then tasked with
presenting to the group. The detailed action plans are attached.
Next steps:
•Finalize and provide report to the city council on February 11, 2019
•Staff will work on completing the action plans
•Communication and updates to the city council as needed
•Check in with the city council on carver governance, norms and progress on action
plans mid-year 2019
City Council Workshop- System Thinking Action Plan
HABIT 1
Systems thinkers consider an issue
fully and resist the urge to come
to a quick conclusion. They take
the time they need to fully
understand the dynamics of a
system/issue before taking action.
HABIT 2
Systems thinkers consider the short-
term, long-term and unintended
consequences of actions. They look
ahead and anticipate not only the
immediate results but also the effects
of actions taken today down the road.
HABIT 3
Systems thinkers change their
perspectives to increase
understanding. They actively search
for different points of view and are
able to change their minds as they
learn about new perspectives.
HABIT 4
Systems thinkers make meaningful
connections within and between
systems. They actively explore
how relationships among pieces of
a system affect their
understanding of the whole.
Idea: Study sessions need to stay at the
big bowl level, focused on ends not
means.
Idea: Continue to be responsive to
constituents AND focus on the urgent and
important.
Idea: Hold council study session meeting
in the community (city goes to the
community not always the community
goes to the City of St. Louis Park)
Idea: Public Process/Engagement: Right
size community engagement process
that insures inclusivity
Vision of success:
o Staff reports written at big bowl level/
remove detail.
o Staff reports call out the big bowl
desired outcomes.
o Session completes without discussion
on small bowl details.
o Staff and council feel policy direction
is clear as session concludes.
Responsibilities/Roles:
o Staff writes report and verbally
reports at the big bowl level.
o Mayor facilitates at big bowl level.
o City council self regulates.
Timeframe:
o Next study session meeting
Next Steps:
o January 14 session – council picked a
topic for deep dive. Remainder would
be at summary level.
Accountability:
o Regular check backs that are
scheduled for evaluation.
Vision of success:
o Develop a template/guideline response
(with flexibility for personalization) for use
by the city council to help in responding to
constituents for the following categories
of requests:
1)Urgent (immediate action is needed)
2)Important (possible future agenda)
3)Not at this time/Parking lot
4)Out of scope of governance
Responsibilities/Roles:
o Staff develops template
o Council Approves
o Individual council members will make
judgment calls on which guideline to use
Timeframe:
o Develop draft in March and have final by
June 1.
Next Steps:
o Pilot- test- refine – scale up
o Bring to council for feedback
Accountability:
o Formal report back at 2020 retreat (within
one year), reflect throughout the year as
needed
Vision of success:
o Discussion topics are aligned with
locations (when possible).
o More face to face connections and
trusting relationships with residents
o Transparency, building trust, enhanced
community engagement, educational
Responsibilities/Roles:
o Staff will determine locations/details
o Council is consulted
Timeframe:
o 2-3 meetings in 2019, 4 meetings in
2020 (one in each ward/quarterly)
Next Steps:
o Marketing and outreach to community
o May need to re-think agenda’s and
community participation
o New organizers: outreach and ideas
o Hold a meet and greet prior to meeting
for community members to talk to
council (social, more relaxed setting
prior to meeting with food)
Accountability:
•Measure: # of offsite meetings,
attendance (new faces and voices)
•Survey – satisfaction
(community/resident, staff, council)
Vision of success:
o Common understanding/language by
council and staff of community
engagement strategies
Responsibilities/Roles:
o Outreach staff, communications, other
departments (based on topic/issue)
o Council is consulted
Timeframe:
o Within the next year
Next Steps:
o Develop overall plan for approach
o Consult with council
o Roll out pilot testing “test, refine,
scale up”
Accountability:
o Report back at 2020 retreat (within
one year)
Study session meeting of February 11, 2019 (Item No. 9)
Title: Council workshop follow-up Page 4