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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/08/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota August 19, 2019 1. Call to order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity (arrived at 6:45 p.m.), Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog. Councilmembers absent: None Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Senior Project Manager (Mr. Walther), Assistant Zoning Administrator (Mr. Morrison), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Transportation Engineer (Mr. Manibog), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), Westwood Hills Nature Center Manager (Mr. Oestreich), Sr. Management Analyst (Ms. Carrillo Perez), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Rachel Mattson, WHNC activity specialist; SLP Junior Naturalist recognition recipients and families; Alyssa Fram, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Representative. 1a. Pledge of allegiance 1b. Roll call 2. Presentations 2a. Westwood Hills Nature Center junior naturalist recognition Mayor Spano thanked Ms. Mattson and the 63 youth volunteers involved in the junior naturalist program. Ms. Mattson stated this summer, youths volunteered over 1,600 hours, adding that students involved are entering 7th grade through those just completing their senior year of high school. She stated they are interested in serving their community while gaining knowledge and experience in the outdoors. Ms. Mattson added the students learn leadership skills, and are involved in animal care, as program aides, and behind the scenes with various projects around the center. Mayor Spano noted many of the students travel from outside of St. Louis Park to volunteer at the center, which says much about the program. Councilmember Brausen thanked the volunteers, and suggested staff survey youth about the center to learn about what they enjoy and what barriers there might be to access to the center. He noted transportation is a barrier for some youth, and he is interested in how they get to the center, whether by car pool, public transportation, parents driving, or other means. He asked the students to share their experience, if the city reaches out to them, in order for the city to work on the se issues in the future. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C46EDC4-CEFF-4D93-B20D-468766219F54 City council meeting -2- August 19, 2019 Councilmember Harris added the students gain life skills and job skills by volunteering, noting how valuable and transferable these skill are. She stated she herself learned many valuable skills as a junior naturalist, and later went on to become an environmental planner and today sits on the city council. 2b. Minnesota Recreation and Park Association award of excellence presentation Ms. Fram presented the City of St. Louis Park with the 2018 Award of Excellence for the Be The Light Winter Solstice Event at Westwood Hills Nature Center . Mayor Spano thanked Becky McConnell for her hard work on this event and congratulated her on this award. 2c. Recognition of donations Mayor Spano thanked the following, on behalf of the city and council, for their donations:  American Legion Post 282 for $3,300 to purchase fire department equipment  Girls Scouts of Minnesota for $50 to purchase fire department equipment 3. Approval of minutes 3a. Study session minutes of July 22, 2019 It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the study session minutes of July 22, 2019 as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar 4a. Approve second reading of and adopt Ordinance No. 2565-19 amending the zoning map under Chapter 36 and directing staff to publish the revised official zoning map. (Requires 5 votes.) 4b. Approve an extension until August 15, 2020 for Melrose Company to record the final plat for Arlington Row Apartment East and Arlington Row Apartment West. 4c. Approve the Living Streets Policy. 4d. Approve entering into a Small Wireless Facility Collocation Agreement with Verizon. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 19-094 approving acceptance of the following donations: • American Legion Post 282 donated $3,300 for purchasing fire equipment • Girl Scouts of Minnesota donated $50.00 for purchasing fire equipment 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 19-095 authorizing removal of timed parking restrictions on Lake Street from Dakota Avenue/Wooddale Avenue to Library Lane (by rescinding Resolution 4834) and the permit parking restrictions on the Lake Street municipal parking lot (by modifying Resolution 88-106). DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C46EDC4-CEFF-4D93-B20D-468766219F54 City council meeting -3- August 19, 2019 4g. Adopt Resolution No. 19-096 authorizing the removal of parking restrictions on the north side of Walker Street west of Republic Avenue as well as outdated non-existent restrictions (by rescinding Resolution 7039, Items 3e and 4). It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the agenda as presented and items listed on the consent calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and commissions 5a. Appointment of youth and regular representatives to board and commissions Ms. Carrillo Perez noted there are still several open positions on city board and commissions and those interested are encouraged to view them on the city website. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the appointments of youth and regular representatives to board and commissions as listed in exhibit A. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public hearings 6a. First reading of ordinance vacating portions of drainage and utility easements at 2631 and 2635 Xylon Ave. S Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. He noted the easements to be vacated are not needed by the city or utility companies for any public purpose. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Mr. Brad Torell and Ms. Makayla Reimers, homeowners at 2631 Xylon Ave S, stated they were present and available for questions. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the first reading of ordinance vacating portions of drainage and utility easements and set the second reading of an ordinance for September 3, 2019 . The motion passed 7-0. 6b. First reading of ordinance vacating portions of a utility easement for 5051 Highway 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C46EDC4-CEFF-4D93-B20D-468766219F54 City council meeting -4- August 19, 2019 Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. He stated Extra Space Storage proposes to vacate a portion of a utility easement at 5051 Highway 7, to allow for construction of an addition to the facility. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Peter McDaniel, 6030 S. 4th, Medford, NJ, stated he was present and available for questions on behalf of Extra Space Storage. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to first reading of an ordinance vacating a portion of a utility easement and set the second reading of ordinance for September 3, 2019. The motion passed 7-0. 6c. First reading interim ordinance extending moratorium on use and development of 3745 Louisiana Ave. S Mr. Walther presented the staff report. He asked if the council supports extending the moratorium temporarily restricting the use and development of the building and lands located on the subject property for up to 120 days to allow more time for the city to enact changes to the land use and other city’s official controls that were recommended in the land use and development study. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. David Peterson, 3040 Idaho Ave S., noted a date in the presentation should read August 26, 2019, not 2018. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Harris stated there are a couple businesses she is aware of that want to expand and have their eye on this site, so the faster the city moves ahead on this, the better. Councilmember Miller asked if there would be a timing issue related to the vote on the comprehensive plan. Mr. Walther stated the council can act on this and the comprehensive plan would still be approved by the Metropolitan Council on contingency. However, these changes are consistent with the Metropolitan Council plans, so he doesn’t anticipate any significant delays or concerns with processing the amendment. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C46EDC4-CEFF-4D93-B20D-468766219F54 City council meeting -5- August 19, 2019 Councilmember Miller asked if there are any time limits on the moratorium. Mr. Mattick stated one year is the deadline and there is only one 120-day extension allowed – and this is it. Councilmember Hallfin asked for clarification, stating if a business wanted to move into the site with a similar business as what was there previously, they could do so . Mr. Walther stated yes, under the moratorium, Sam’s Club could reopen. Councilmember Mavity pointed out this parcel and the reason for doing this; it is adjacent to a light rail station. It will provide the opportunity to remove items not conducive to pedestrians and having this conversation ensures the city is maximizing the benefits of the public investments in the area. She added the council has done significant planning for the SWLRT, and this is not brand new as it has been in motion for many years. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to approve first reading of an interim ordinance extending the moratorium temporarily restricting development at 3745 Louisiana Ave. S., St Louis Park, and set the second reading for August 26, 2019 at a city council special meeting. The motion passed 7-0. 7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none 8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items 8a. Traffic study 707: authorize removal of parking restrictions on County Road 25 Service Road. Mr. Manibog presented the staff report. He noted a request which came to the traffic committee to evaluate the parking restrictions along County Road 25 Service Road, made by Parkway 25, to remove parking restrictions on the north side of the service road across the street from Parkway 25. He stated this would restore 10 parking spaces and still allow 22 feet for passage of vehicles, trucks, and buses. Councilmember Rog stated she opposed this resolution and asked for Parkway 25’s rationale for this request as well as how much parking they are required to provide. Mr. Manibog explained Parkway 25 was required to provide 206 total spaces, with 16 being on the north and east sides of the street, and in the parking garage and service lot. He added they provided 218 parking spaces. Councilmember Miller asked why this was an issue when the city is looking to free up space and restrict parking. He stated it seems odd to have this inlet for parking, and then allow parking on the other side of the street as well. Councilmember Harris asked about feedback from those residents against the removal of restrictions, and how their feedback was responded to. Ms. Heiser stated the council DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C46EDC4-CEFF-4D93-B20D-468766219F54 City council meeting -6- August 19, 2019 has a traffic policy, and staff routinely responds to the public when they have questions, and refers to the policy. She added when a request is received, it is weighed against the city design standards. Staff recommends support of this, but it is up to the council if they will support or not. Councilmember Rog stated she is opposed, as this will increase congestion, noting she visited the area earlier today and noticed cars pausing for each other to pass, and saw a truck go through. She has concerns about this especially during winter, with snow, adding she sees problems with this, with the city’s goals of getting cars off streets, and prioritizing pedestrian traffic. She found no compelling rationale to allow two-sided parking here and create more problems. Councilmember Brausen stated he appreciates the rational of Councilmember Rog, the ward councilmember, but does see this as a wide roadway, which fits consistently with the city policy and pavement there already. He noted it can be approved now and changed again at a later date. He stated he will follow the recommendation of the traffic committee. Councilmember Mavity stated the street is wide enough to accommodate cars parking on both sides, and for cars to slow down to pass is fine . She agreed with the staff recommendation. Councilmember Hallfin stated he will defer to the ward councilmember as well, and will oppose the motion tonight. Councilmember Rog stated she is frustrated as this feels like it is going in a direction which is opposite of what the city does, and this will be confusing to drivers as well. She stated she disapproves of this request. Mayor Spano also deferred to the ward councilmember, adding he will not support this request either. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt a Resolution authorizing removal of parking restrictions on the north side of the County Road 25 Service Road west of Glenhurst Avenue (by rescinding Resolution No. 19-203 item 1). The motion failed 3-4 (Councilmembers Hallfin, Rog, Miller and Mayor Spano opposed). 8b. Traffic Study 708: Authorize installation of all-way stop controls at Zarthan Avenue and 29th Street (petition). Resolution No. 19-097 Mr. Manibog presented the staff report. He noted this was brought to the traffic committee in June of 2018, but the traffic committee did not recommend the resident’s request. A petition has now been circulated and in July 2019, staff received the petition for a 3-way stop sign. He noted 6 comments were received from residents through email, and two were in support of adding the stop signs while four were against . DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C46EDC4-CEFF-4D93-B20D-468766219F54 City council meeting -7- August 19, 2019 Councilmember Rog noted this is the street she lives on, adding there are 5 children under 5 years old on this block, there are no controls, a steep hill, and fast traffic on the street. She stated she understands and respects the work of the traffic committee, but also supports working with residents, adding that stop signs seem to be appreciated by folks who get them. She asked staff to review the letter and add language that acknowledges residents concerns about safety in their area. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to adopt Resolution No. 19-097 authorizing installation of all-way stop controls on Zarthan Avenue and 29th Street. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Councilmember Brausen announced an upcoming fundraiser at LTD Brewing in Hopkins. Councilmember Harris noted the upcoming Community Link event on August 21 from 5 – 7:30 p.m., at the ROC, which is a community event for folks who have needs for the upcoming school year and fall season. She added further information is on the city website. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C46EDC4-CEFF-4D93-B20D-468766219F54