HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/03/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
March 4, 2019
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, and
Margaret Rog.
Councilmembers absent: Steve Hallfin and Thom Miller.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Knutson), CFO (Mr. Simon),
CIO (Mr. Pires), Sr. Planner (Mr. Walther) Assistant Zoning Planner (Mr. Morrison),
Management Assistant (Ms. Carrillo Perez), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guests: Stacy Kvilvang and Martha Ingram, Ehlers.
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
2. Presentations
2a. Donations
Councilmember Brausen acknowledged a $5,000 donation made by Roller Gardens on
the occasion of their 50th anniversary for fitness equipment for the city police
department. He stated the Roller Gardens thanked police officers for all of their
assistance over the years.
3. Approval of minutes
3a. Study session meeting minutes Jan. 28, 2019
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to approve
the study session meeting minutes of Jan. 28, 2019, as presented.
The motion passed 5-0 (Councilmembers Hallfin and Miller absent).
3b. City council meeting minutes Feb. 4, 2019
It was moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve
the city council meeting minutes of Feb. 4, 2019, as presented.
The motion passed 5-0 (Councilmembers Hallfin and Miller absent).
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4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of January 26, through
February 22, 2019.
4b. Moved to 8b.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 19-027 approving plans and specifications and authorizing
advertisement for bids for the renovation of the tennis courts at Carpenter Park
and the construction of pickleball courts at Wolfe Park.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 19-028 approving acceptance of a monetary donation
from the Roller Garden dedicated to providing fitness equipment for the police
department.
4e. Approve a temporary extension of the licensed premises for one-day events at
Copperwing Distillery, located at 6409 Cambridge Street.
4f. Adopt Resolution No. 19-029 approving the execution of documents in
connection with a partial release of property related to the Urban Park
Apartments.
4g. Approve replacement of 2004 Ford L8500 Dump Truck.
4h. Adopt Resolution No. 19-030 accepting work and authorizing final payment in
the amount of $143,305.60 for project no. 4017-1000 pavement management
and Connect the Park (Area 4) with C & L Excavating, Inc., Contract No. 53-17.
4i. Approve for filing planning commission minutes of Jan. 16, 2019.
4j. Approve for filing planning commission minutes of Feb. 6, 2019.
4k. Approve for filing parks & recreation advisory commission minutes of Dec. 4,
2018.
4l. Approve for filing fire civil service commission minutes of Oct. 3, 2018.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to
approve the agenda and items listed on the consent calendar as amended to move
consent calendar item 4b to the regular agenda as item 8b; and to waive reading of all
resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 5-0.
5. Boards and commissions – none
6. Public hearings
6a. 2019 General Obligation tax abatement bonds – WHNC project. Resolution No.
19-031.
Mr. Simon presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano asked the difference between the interest rate and the true interest rate
(TIR) of the bonds. Mr. Simon stated the TIR is an accumulation of all related costs, plus
interest coupons over the life of the bonds. Mr. Simon stated the G.O. tax abatement
bonds are estimated to have a true interest rate of 3.57% over the 15-year term of the
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bonds, adding the bonds will be consolidated with the city’s other 2019 bonds for the
upcoming sale date on March 18, 2019.
Councilmember Brausen asked if the tax abatement bonds will be issued as part of the
larger package of general obligation bonds. Mr. Simon stated yes.
Councilmember Brausen asked if the use of tax abatement bonds will have any impact
on interest rates. Mr. Simon stated no, because these are all general obligation bonds.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Rog explained why she is voting against this resolution. She stated
she is disappointed with the willingness being shown tonight to circumvent the long-
held tradition in St. Louis Park of requiring 6 votes to approve a bond measure.
Councilmember Rog stated it goes against the spirit of requiring near-unanimous
agreement on major debt accrued on behalf of residents. She added with this change in
tactic, in order to push the financing through with only 5 votes, she feels like something
is being lost, and that residents are losing something also.
Councilmember Rog stated the requirement of 6 approvals on bonding votes has been
so time-honored that council members who voted against authorizing a project have
traditionally turned around and voted in favor of the financing, in order to honor that
norm of 6 votes.
Councilmember Rog said she knows Councilmember Miller has expressed a similar
viewpoint, as have many residents, noting that approving a project and financing a
project are inseparable when it comes to committing and voting. She stated the project
and how much it costs, are inextricably linked.
Councilmember Rog reiterated her support of Westwood Hills Nature Center staff and
programs, but stated the cost is just too high – and the fact that the city is paying
interest only for the first couple years to avoid shocking residents with the price tag,
suggests the city may have bought too much house.
Councilmember Rog stated when it became clear that at least 2 council members
weren’t able to separate the project from the price tag, a return to the table was
warranted to discuss the project and a price point that had the support it needed.
She added this is a done deal – beautiful resource, and much enjoyed.
Councilmember Mavity stated the council has spoken to this project, adding she agrees
and disagrees with Councilmember Rog. She stated the council has approved this
project and city staff was directed to make this happen. She stated this is a vote to
determine financing. She also noted she has been on the losing side of a vote in the past
and did decide to turn her vote around and approve a project because it was the most
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cost-effective for residents. She stated the financing for the nature center is the most
cost-effective way to pay for the project and she appreciates staff’s work on it.
Councilmember Brausen agreed with Councilmember Mavity, adding this is about how
the city will finance this project. He noted contracts are signed and building has begun.
He stated the council can do one of three things, if not approving the financing
presented tonight. The council can assess costs next year, and share the cost in that
burden with all residents, or spread the costs out over 15 years thereby spreading the
burden to all residents – both current and future, or the city can breach the contract .
Councilmember Brausen stated he will support the bonding presented here tonight and
hopes his colleagues will all agree to that as well.
Councilmember Harris stated she supports the method of using bonding to pay for the
nature center, adding the choice about whether to build or not build the nature center
has come and gone, and the council has decided to build it. She thanked staff for their
work on this project.
Mayor Spano added he has been on the council for 7 years, and in the past when a vote
was taken to approve a project, that was that, the vote was over and folks moved on. He
stated while he respects both Councilmembers Rog and Miller points of view that the
project and financing are not separate, he asked that Councilmembers Rog and Miller
also respect the majority vote of the council as well. He added if the majority of the
council wants to move forward on a project, staff does have to find ways to make that
happen.
Councilmember Rog reiterated that staff did as they were asked to do, and she has no ill
will to staff and respects staff for the work they have done .
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt
Resolution No. 19-031, approving a property tax abatement for the construction of the
new Westwood Hills Nature Center (WHNC) project.
The motion passed 4-1 (Councilmember Rog opposed; Councilmembers Hallfin and Miller
absent).
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – None
8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items
8a. First reading of ordinance – zoning text amendment for small wireless
facilitates.
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. He stated the council will need to determine if
they will establish land use controls on small wireless facilities located on private or
government-owned property. He pointed out the amendment will establish regulations
for small wireless facilities intended to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of the
city, and create design and location requirements for the facilities .
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Councilmember Harris asked for clarification of council’s actions for this ordinance. Mr.
Morrison stated this ordinance is in response to law changes approved by the Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) and State of Minnesota restricting a municipality’s
ability to apply standard land use controls on small wireless facilities located in the
public right-of-way. He added the ordinance is intended to preserve the safety, health,
and welfare of the community.
Councilmember Harris asked given the city already has antennas attached to poles, will
those be grandfathered in or required to be retrofitted. Mr. Morrison stated they will be
grandfathered in, but added the city may be able to negotiate their compliance to new
regulations in the future.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to
approve first reading of an ordinance amending Sections 36-142 and 36-367 of the
zoning ordinance pertaining to small wireless facilities, and set the second reading of the
ordinance for March 18, 2019.
The motion passed 5-0 (Councilmembers Hallfin and Miller absent).
8b. Approve final plans and specifications, authorizing advertisement for bids
(4019-1100) and approve parking restrictions on Cedar Lake Road. Resolution
No. 19-032. Resolution No. 19-033.
Councilmember Brausen stated he wanted to correct a mistake he made related to this
topic at the Feb. 4th meeting. He stated this plan will be a tremendous benefit in Ward 4
and he can’t wait to see the improvements. He noted when this project was considered
initially on Feb. 4th, he pushed for a slight change and then mistakenly voted against this
project. He added he wanted to elevate this project again, and thanked his colleagues
for voting on and authorizing these projects.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to adopt
Resolution No. 19-032, approving the final plans and specs, and authorizing
advertisement for bids (4019-1100) and adopt Resolution No. 19-033, approving parking
restrictions on Cedar Lake Road.
The motion passed 5-0 (Councilmembers Hallfin and Miller absent).
9. Communications
Councilmember Rog stated the Community Education Advisory Commission along with
STEP will conduct a food security discussion on Thurs., March 21, from 6:30 – 8:30
p.m. at the Lennox cafeteria.
Councilmember Brausen noted an open house related to the proposed Dakota bridge
will be held on Tues., March 19, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. There will be a
presentation by staff and this will be the final open house before action takes place . He
invited all to attend.
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Mayor Spano thanked all who came to the STEP Empty Bowls fundraiser at Westwood
Lutheran Church. He stated there were many folks in attendance and good energy, with
lots of support and money raised.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk Jake Spano, Mayor
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