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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/10/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Oct. 21, 2019 1. Call to order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Building & Energy Director (Mr. Hoffman), City Attorney (Mr. Knutson), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Director of Public Works (Mr. Hanson) Operations & Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Sr. Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). 1a. Pledge of allegiance 1b. Roll call 2. Presentations - none 3. Approval of minutes - none 4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar 4a. Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2573-19 vacating a water main easement and approving summary ordinance for publication. 4b. Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2574-19 establishing fees for 2020 as outlined in Appendix A of the City Code of Ordinances; and to approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 19-120 setting the 2020 utility rates. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 19-121 approving the Subrecipient Agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the SWLRT Beltline Blvd Station park & ride facility. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 19-122 rescinding Resolution No. 18-172 and approving the attached list of snow removal exempt parking areas. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 19-123 granting a deed and an access easement to Metropolitan Council for the construction and operation of the SWLRT project and accepting an access easement from Metropolitan Council. 4g. Adopt Resolution No. 19-124 establishing the employer contribution for benefits in 2020. 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 19-125 to assess delinquent water, sewer, storm water, refuse, abatement of tree removals, false alarms, mowing, and citation charges against the benefiting property. 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 19-126 authorizing the installation of parking restrictions on the west side of Independence Avenue north of Minnetonka Boulevard. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5CF7F7BD-7188-48FB-9671-0C7B514E39D1 City council meeting -2- Oct. 21, 2019 It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, 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 - none 6. Public hearings 6a. Consolidated public hearing – 2020 budget and property owner service charges for special service district no. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 2020 budget, service charges and 10-year extension for special service district nos. 5 & 6. Mr. Hanson presented the staff report. He noted the 2020 proposed budget and service charges are similar to that of past years. Staff has held meetings and reached out to property owners in special service districts and received support for approving the 2020 budget and service charges. Mr. Hanson stated there are 6 special service districts within the city, where business owners desire a higher level of service than the city normally provides. The services within these districts are funded by the business owners. Councilmember Brausen asked if these funds are used to replenish reserves the city used for increased snow removals last year. Mr. Hanson stated yes. Councilmember Rog asked what formula is used to determine how much each district pays for services. Mr. Hanson stated is it determined by the linear foot of the curb line in districts 2, 4, 5 and 6. He continued in districts 1 and 3, it is determined by linear foot of curb line and square foot of sidewalk as well. Councilmember Rog asked if any residences are part of special service districts. Mr. Hanson stated no; however, noted there are two residences included by development, that do pay for services by invoice, not through taxes. Councilmember Harris asked how many businesses participate in the petition to create a special service district. Mr. Harmening stated this is a bottom-up alignment, but the city cannot force businesses to create special service districts, so there is a low bar for petitioning for a special service district (25%), but a higher bar when businesses veto it (35%). Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Hallfin stated special service districts are great, adding they beautify areas of city. He noted he has had a handful of requests for using white lighting vs. colored lighting in special service districts, adding that residents have said the white lighting is classier. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5CF7F7BD-7188-48FB-9671-0C7B514E39D1 City council meeting -3- Oct. 21, 2019 Mayor Spano asked how often the city monitors lighting and banners within the special service districts. Mr. Hanson stated staff does weekly checks, and also responds to complaints as they are received. There is no formal action required at this meeting. Formal action on the budget and service charges will be placed on the November 4 council agenda. 7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none 8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items 8a. Monterey Dr/Beltline Blvd/36th St bikeways – project nos. 4020-1101, 4021- 2000 and 4022-6000). Resolution No. 19-127. Mr. Sullivan presented the staff report. Councilmember Hallfin asked if the roundabout at the Rec Center will be for both entrance and exit, adding it will be extremely helpful at that location . Mr. Sullivan said yes, this will be the case, adding the roundabout will remove requirements for making a left turn at that location. Mr. Sullivan pointed out the estimated total costs of the 3 phases of the project will be $7,657,599 for enhancements and pavement work during the years 2020 – 2022. Councilmember Mavity stated it is exciting to be at this point in the process and she appreciates all the work staff has done. She also thanked neighbors for their input and public conversations over time, and asked if anything has changed since the public hearing on this project. Mr. Sullivan stated nothing had changed. Councilmember Mavity noted an article she recently read about roundabouts which was very affirming in reductions of accidents and speed reductions. She stated she is fully supportive of the roundabout, especially in light of pedestrian crossings, and asked if there will be user-activated lights and signage for vehicles at the roundabout, in order to ensure safety. Mr. Sullivan stated yes, adding that staff will use best practices and guidelines here for signage. Councilmember Mavity stated she will be watching the designs when they come back to council, for the signage and safety precautions at the roundabout. She added she wants to be certain that the resolution clearly addresses 36th Street and the multi-use trail, and she would be open to language suggestions if the current resolution does not properly address this. Mr. Sullivan stated staff will bring the designs to council for review, before anything goes out for bids. Councilmember Mavity noted she is still skeptical about the u-turn at Excelsior and Monterey, at the Bridgewater site, adding it does not work. She would like it to be DocuSign Envelope ID: 5CF7F7BD-7188-48FB-9671-0C7B514E39D1 City council meeting -4- Oct. 21, 2019 retrofitted. Mr. Sullivan stated there will be simple signage at this location and then if there are issues, more aggressive steps would be taken as needed. Councilmember Mavity added she wants to be sure the city stays on top of this should it not work in the way it is envisioned. Councilmember Mavity added she requested no right turn on red at the Excelsior and 38th Street intersection, including no right on red at Excelsior and Monterey as well. She stated this is not included explicitly in the design, but asked if this is how staff envisions this as well. Mr. Sullivan stated this signal is owned by Hennepin County and noted the city is working with them on this. He stated at some point they will need to determine what happens there, but right now the city is following the comprehensive plan which stated pedestrians, bikes and vehicles are prioritized in that order . He noted staff will make sure this is part of the discussion before going out to bid. Councilmember Mavity added she did speak to Marion Greene regarding this issue as well. Councilmember Harris asked about the public process and what residents can anticipate regarding this project. Mr. Sullivan stated staff will come back to council in early 2020 for approval of the Monterey Drive Bridgewater phase, so as to complete this phase by mid-summer 2020. He added staff will then come back to council in the fall of 2021 for bids, adding there will be much communication with residents by email and on the city website. Councilmember Harris also pointed out sight lines on the roundabouts are an important concern, and she encouraged shorter plantings there. Mr. Sullivan agreed and stated staff has learned much from the sight lines at the roundabouts on Louisiana Avenue, noting they are working with operations staff on including the right vegetation and correct placement. Councilmember Harris also thanked staff for their ingenuity on the right i n and out feature of the roundabout design, into the Rec Center which will increase public safety and which is very valuable. Councilmember Harris asked about the road diet and why the city is utilizing this. Mr. Sullivan stated it is a term used for an y reallocation or removal of traffic lanes for vehicle traffic, which can assist with traffic flow and help to avoid collisions or vehicle weaving. Councilmember Harris pointed out this is a win-win and an opportunity for the city to utilize its Living Streets policy, adding she is eager to see this enacted. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5CF7F7BD-7188-48FB-9671-0C7B514E39D1 City council meeting -5- Oct. 21, 2019 Councilmember Rog stated these are all terrific changes and she supports this plan . She stated she does share some of the concerns of residents, and appreciates staff responding to these questions and concerns. Councilmember Rog stated by repurposing this area, there will be room left for corrections, and asked if this was the case. Mr. Sullivan stated yes, that is correct and it allows for corrections and changes, which will continue to evolve ag ain and again in the next 20 years. Councilmember Rog stated the new roundabout will allow for safer crossings, but will not be large, tall yellow signs. She asked if signage at the roundabout could be more aesthetically pleasing. Mr. Sullivan stated staff will follow best practices and guidance, so will have little liberty with signage. Councilmember Rog asked if there is any anticipated parking loss with the plan . Mr. Sullivan stated there will be some at the Rec Center parking lot, but staff is trying to replace 1 for 1 there. Councilmember Rog asked if there will be any reconfiguration of parking in front of the businesses on 36th Street. Mr. Sullivan stated scenarios on traffic have been run there, and with projected 2040 traffic volumes and developments of SWLRT and Beltline, they have accounted for more development in that area. Councilmember Miller appreciated the work of staff on this project . He stated this will get more cars off the roadways in the future, which will be good for the climate. He added the plan has very little impact to trees, and he thanked staff for their work on the roundabout, which makes this a safer intersection. He stated he will support this. Councilmember Brausen agreed with Councilmember Miller, stating this plan is consistent with all the projects in the city’s infrastructure, and the money spent here will be on the priorities of the comprehensive plan as well as equity. He stated access to transportation is crucial and both pedestrians and bikers will need that supportive infrastructure. Councilmember Hallfin agreed and stated this is good work, and he is happy about the roundabout and its design, particularly the in and out feature at the Rec Center, which is a safety issue. He will also support this. Mayor Spano stated he will support this plan, adding that this will be in place for bikers and walkers in the future, and he appreciates staff striking a balance between pedestrians, bikers and vehicles, which is a cost efficiency. He agreed the roundabout at the Rec Center is a nice addition. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 19-127, establishing improvement project nos. 4020-1101, 2041-2000 and 4022-6000, approving the staff recommend layout for the projects and authorizing the design of final plans for all three projects. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5CF7F7BD-7188-48FB-9671-0C7B514E39D1 City council meeting -6- Oct. 21, 2019 The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Spano reminded all they can vote early at city hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd floor, if they want to avoid lines on Election Day. Mayor Spano also recognized George Haun, who recently passed away and was a former St. Louis Park resident and champion of the city. Mayor Spano noted Mr. Haun added 50 parks within the city over the years, and made countless contributions to St. Louis Park. Councilmember Rog noted an upcoming meeting on Wed., Oct. 23 at 7 p.m., at the metropolitan airport commission offices regarding air traffic noise. She encouraged St. Louis Park folks to attend and also to reach out to city council with any questions or concerns. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 5CF7F7BD-7188-48FB-9671-0C7B514E39D1