HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/04/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 1, 2019
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, Thom
Miller, and Margaret Rog.
Councilmembers absent: Tim Brausen
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Knutson), Engineering Director
(Ms. Heiser), Transportation Engineer (Mr. Manibog), Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Elkin),
Communications Manager (Ms. Smith), Management Assistant (Ms. Carrillo Perez), and
Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guests: None
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
2. Presentations
2a. ParkTV month
Mayor Spano read the proclamation into the record. He added that ParkTV is
recognizing individuals and their commitment to local programming at an event on
Thursday, April 4, from 5-7 p.m. at City Hall. Recognition for dedicated and talented
community members will be celebrated, as well as building connec tions.
3. Approval of minutes
3a. City council meeting minutes of March 4, 2019
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve
the March 4, 2019 city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
3b. City council study session minutes of March 11, 2019
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to approve
the March 11, 2019 city council study session minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
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3c. City council meeting minutes of March 18, 2019
It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to approve
the March 18, 2019 city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
3d. City council special study session minutes of March 18, 2019
It was moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to approve
the March 18, 2019 city council special study session meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
3. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of February 23, through
March 22, 2019.
4b. Moved to 8c.
4c. Approve a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Church of the Holy
Family at 5900 West Lake Street for their Spring Fling to be held May 11, 2019.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 19-044 approving final plans and specifications, and
authorizing advertisement for bids (Project No. 4019-1500).
4e. Adopt the updated private activity revenue bond policy.
4f. Designate Valley Paving, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize
execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $9,134,4 38.93 for the
2019 Cedar Lake Road Project No. 4019-1100.
4g. Designate GMH Asphalt Corporation the lowest responsible bidder and authorize
execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $6,250,317.48 for the
2019 Pavement Management Project No. 4019-1000.
4h. Approve for filing planning commission minutes of February 20, 2019.
Councilmember Rog requested that consent calendar item 4b be removed and placed
on the regular agenda as item 8c.
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve
the agenda and items listed on the consent calendar as amended and to move consent
calendar item 4b to the regular agenda as item 8c; and to waive reading of all
resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0. (Councilmember Brausen absent).
5. Boards and commissions – None.
6. Public hearings – None.
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the p ublic – None.
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8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items
8a. First reading of ordinance regulating mobility sharing operations
Mr. Manibog presented the staff report.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he supports this, but is cautiously optimistic, as he sees
bike litter as a potential problem for the city. He added he wants to be cautious about
this and revisit the ordinance in the fall.
Councilmember Harris asked if there are guidelines for parking and storage of bikes and
scooters when not in use. Mr. Manibog stated this is outside of the ordinance, and not
part of the motion this evening.
Councilmember Harris added it will be wise to get guidelines in place and to be
proactive. She stated she will support the ordinance.
Councilmember Mavity stated we are in the midst of a transportation revolution, and
with things changing so quickly, she would like to have the structure in place, noting the
ordinance will help to facilitate that. She also stated she will support this, and asked if
the ordinance will be consistent with what Minneapolis is doing, in light of St. Louis Park
being part of the bike trails and the city’s proximity to the lakes.
Mr. Manibog stated yes, the ordinance will cooperate with any other bordering city.
Mayor Spano stated while he does support this, he has concerns about bikes being left
around the city, and asked if there will be conditions in which bikes or scooters can be
impounded, and how the city might handle this.
Mr. Manibog stated if an abandoned bike creates a danger or hazard, it will be removed.
He added in other agreements staff reviewed from across the country, there is an
expected response time to have bikes removed, usually within 24 hours, adding this will
be handled within the licensing agreement, but not within the ordinance.
Councilmember Rog stated she has been in cities where scooters are picked up by
residents and charged at home, and folks earn money for doing so . She added this
encourages scooters to not to be left around, and new eco systems may develop around
this.
Councilmember Miller stated he is also excited about this ordinance, but he too has
concerns. He asked when staff will be meeting with companies to review licensing
agreements.
Mr. Manibog stated the ordinance will be in effect by May 10, 2019 . Currently, staff is
working on RFQ’s to companies, and waiting to hear back by end of day Friday, April 5,
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to then review applications and make decisions. He stated the program will be in place
this summer.
Councilmember Harris added she wants to ensure residents have access to bikes to get
to key destinations within the city including the West End a nd shopping centers.
Mr. Manibog stated a minimum of 40% of the devices are deployed in certain sections
of the city, including in many multi-family housing areas. He added access has all been
reviewed through the equity lens.
It was moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve
first reading of the ordinance regulating mobility sharing operations and set second
reading for April 15, 2019.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
8b. First reading of right-of-way ordinance
Mr. Elkin presented the staff report.
It was moved by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve
first reading of right-of-way ordinance and set second reading for April 15, 2019.
The motion passed 6-0. (Councilmember Brausen absent).
8c. Historic Walker Lake area approving final plans and specifications, and
authorizing advertisement for bids (4018-1050). Resolution No. 19-045.
This item was moved from the consent agenda and Ms. Heiser was available for
questions from the council.
Councilmember Rog asked about street lights and the cost differential on standard vs.
decorative lighting.
Mr. Harmening stated currently the city is installing standard street lights, for safety and
lighting in the district, noting that pedestrian level lighting can be added at a later date.
Councilmember Rog asked if a special service district was added to the area at a later
date, would there be added costs to then include decorative street lights in the Walker
Lake Historic District.
Ms. Heiser stated currently conduit will be laid in the area, and if there is a future
special service district added, pedestrian-level lights can be added. In addition, standard
street lights can also be traded out and reused elsewhere in the city.
Councilmember Rog asked about poetry in the sidewalk. Ms. Heiser stated staff is
looking into adding this to the project.
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Councilmember Rog stated she was not clear on how it was settled related to investing
in the Walker Lake Historic area, adding she hopes the city is not missing an opportunity
right now, and she wants to think about the end user experience for residents.
Councilmember Rog stated she also has concerns about a disruption in the area to
businesses during construction, and asked about ways the city can be proactive during
this time.
Ms. Heiser stated staff is scheduling property and business owner meetings. She added
the city parking lot will be kept open and signage and communication will be included in
the project. Ms. Heiser stated staff will invite the business owners to the weekly
construction meetings, and has developed an email list for notification, while two staff
members are assigned to the project at all times.
Councilmember Rog thanked staff for the great work being done to make this a reality,
adding while infrastructure improvements are important, she also wants to stay on top
of additional improvements in the future.
Mayor Spano stated the Walker Lake project is a microcosm of the SWLRT project,
adding this is an opportunity for all to think creatively on how to manage this. He added
it would be helpful to have staff meet with the City of St. Paul related to outreach for
the green line project, and also to make good use of communications, pop-up events,
and working with the neighborhood creatively and early, in order to avoid challenges.
Councilmember Harris stated this has been a long-awaited project, and the
neighborhood is eager to move forward. As it relates to disruption in the area, she
suggested there be an ‘adopt a business’ program implemented, and folks encouraged
to proactively support these local businesses in order to ensure this remains a thriving
neighborhood.
Councilmember Miller added this is a big step in the soul of St. Louis Park, along with
the Texatonka and Miracle Mile areas. He stated this project will help the high school
and football field while revitalizing the entire school district. He added with the help of a
grant to get things started, and the addition of businesses such as Sota clothing, the
American Legion, and restaurants, there is momentum happening here. He stated he is
in favor of these improvements and would also like to see more place making with
lighting, art, and corridor improvements in the future.
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve
Resolution No. 19-045 approving final plans and specifications and authorize
advertisement for bids (4018-1050).
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Brausen absent).
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9. Communications
Councilmember Rog reminded folks about the ParkTV reception on Thursday, April 4,
from 5-7 p.m. at City Hall.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk Jake Spano, Mayor
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