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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/02/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Feb. 3, 2020 1. Call to order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Rachel Harris, Larry Kraft, Anne Mavity, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Sr. Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Project Eng ineer (Mr. Wiesen), Community Organizer (Mr. Gray), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Human Rights Commission Chair Amaya Fokuo and Vice Chair Emily Buchholz ; Jim Alexander, SWLRT Project Manager; Sam O’Connell, SWLRT Communication & Outreach Sr. Manager. 1a. Pledge of allegiance 1b. Roll call 2. Presentations 2a. Human Rights Award presentation Ms. Fokuo and Ms. Buchholz presented a video titled Hope Speaks, about work the school district is doing on racial equity and inclusion. The 2019 Human Rights Awards were presented to: Hope Speaks project leaders Kristen Pehl, Meghan Malone, Vanessa Buth, and Rachel Lebow. Councilmember Mohamed thanked the commission and stated she is thrilled to see this video. She added she is pleased to see these conversations happening in the schools because it will build hope. She also noted parents of color have these same conversations with their children all the time, so it is helpful for all to be having these conversations. She added she grew up in a time when she was told not to speak her native language in school - and then she forgot her native language, adding this program will help address these types of issues in the schools. Councilmember Brausen stated he was on the Human Rights Commission in the 1980’s and at that time, they did not reach this level. He stated he is happy the commission is now engaged in this work, and hopeful this program is happening in all the schools in St. Louis Park. Councilmember Rog thanked Mary Armstrong for her work and nomination of the leaders of Hope Speaks for the award this year. She added she was happy to hear her 5- DocuSign Envelope ID: 7910E56B-B5CA-4423-A781-6F46CD2F2566 City council meeting -2- Feb. 3, 2020 year-old neighbor ask her if a situation in the neighborhood was related to race, noting she feels hope because of this kind of awareness from children. Councilmember Kraft stated he is a former Peter Hobart parent and realizes how special St. Louis Park is and the school district. Councilmember Harris noted Ms. Fokuo is the only high schooler who is a chairperson on one of the city’s commissions, adding she is skilled and wise beyond her years. She stated the winners have inspired her beyond measure and she is thrilled to see the program that has been created in all of the city schools. She stated their creativity will bring the community closer together and the city’s strategic plan is deeply rooted in what they are doing. She encouraged the commissioners and award recipients to consider being on the city council at some point and thanked them for their time and talents. Mayor Spano added his wife is a teacher in the district, and she works on this every day with her students. He stated he hopes this concept will spread to other areas, and that the fears of white people talking about race will go away. 2b. SWLRT project overview and update Mr. Alexander showed a video of the SWLRT line in St. Louis Park and gave a project overview. He noted the biggest construction impact is coming to St. Louis Park with the closure of Wooddale Avenue over Highway 7, to work on the Wooddale trail underpass. He added there will also be work done on bridges over the Minnehaha Creek, Louisiana Avenue, Highway 100 and Cedar Lake Trail Bridge over Beltline Avenue. Mr. Alexander presented the map with the light rail stations at Louisiana Avenue, Wooddale Avenue, and Beltline Avenue. He noted the project will be completed in 2023, and the light rail vehicles will all be ADA compliant . Councilmember Mavity asked when the full funding agreement will be completed for this project. Mr. Alexander stated it is all very complex, and the FTA is finalizing the federal funding package soon. After that, the Department of Transportation will review, and then it must go for congressional review, so it will be a long process. Councilmember Mavity asked if the train will be discontinued during construction and asked about the timing on that. She noted she is interested in planning here, so as to align timing for the city’s development projects. Mr. Alexander stated that will not happen until 2021. Councilmember Mavity also asked about north-south roads during construction and the flow, and what will stay open, as well as timing and phasing in order to ensure access . Mr. Alexander stated they will be working to understand this and have programmed it so the roads will not be shut down all at once. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7910E56B-B5CA-4423-A781-6F46CD2F2566 City council meeting -3- Feb. 3, 2020 Councilmember Mavity asked about freight operations, and if they will be consistently open during construction. Mr. Alexander stated yes, they will need to accommodate freight operation 24/7 during all construction. Councilmember Mavity asked at what point the dual tracks will be removed at Wooddale Avenue and at Louisiana. Mr. Alexander stated he is not sure on that and noted it will be tied into work on Highway 100. He stated Highway 100 will be closed for three days when this work occurs, most likely during Memorial Day or Labor Day weekend, 2020. Councilmember Mohamed asked how many trains will go through the three stations every day. Mr. Alexander stated trains would pass through each station every ten minutes during the day and less during the evenings and overnight . Councilmember Rog asked about replacement of habitat and landscaping in the neighborhoods near the stations. Mr. Alexander stated funding is a problem, and while some vegetation and landscaping will be done around the stations, there will not be many trees replaced because of infrastructure replacement and drainage issues. Councilmember Rog asked for signage to be added during construction of the stations to inform the public about what is being built. Mr. Alexander agreed and stated he will look into this further. Councilmember Rog asked about secure bike facilities and if they will be included at the stations. Mr. Alexander stated there will only be bike racks but noted train riders will be able to take their bikes on the train. Councilmember Mohamed asked if signage can be done in different languages also, especially in languages most spoken in St. Louis Park. Mr. Alexander stated this could be looked at as well. Councilmember Harris asked how to get pedestrians and bikers to the last mile to the station. Mr. Alexander stated there will be way finding, maps and signage, along with education, and safety campaigns, to get folks acquainted with the system as well as bus connections. Councilmember Harris asked why bike and pedestrian trails go under some bridges and over the top of others. Mr. Alexander stated it had to do with configuration and ground water issues, along with safety issues. Mayor Spano appreciated the presentation and updates, adding he appreciates the Met Council’s de-criminalizing fare evasions. Mayor Spano asked how many projects received letter of no prejudice and then did not receive the funding. Mr. Alexander stated he was not aware of any projects that did not receive the funding. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7910E56B-B5CA-4423-A781-6F46CD2F2566 City council meeting -4- Feb. 3, 2020 Ms. O’Connell presented on the communications plan and workforce. She stated the Disadvantaged Business goal of 16% for minority and small business, and 20% goal for women. She noted while the goals have not been met as yet, progress is being made . Ms. O’Connell added that communication and outreach information coming from the project office can be found at SWLRT.org, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Flickr, as well as weekly email updates for subscribers. She also noted that Nkongo Cigolo can be reached at Nkongo.Cigolo@metrotransit.org and is the St. Louis Park contact. Ms. O’Connell pointed out that construction information workgroups will also be formed with membership from: residents, business owners, and community group representatives, to provide feedback on how outreach and communications is progressing. Councilmember Mavity asked how often they are measuring the workforce goals. Ms. O’Connell stated they measure monthly, and the most recent report – which is a two- month lag – shows as of November 30, DBE was at 16.06%, people of color at 17% and women at 8.5% - stating the numbers are on track at this time. Mayor Spano stated if the Met Council needs help in identifying minority business owners, the Secretary of State’s office has a database with this information. 2c. Recognition of donations It was noted the donation of Minnesota American Water Works Association was up to $1,500 for expenses incurred by Lead Plant Operator Austin Holm to attend the 2020 Ace Conference training in Orlando, FL. 3. Approval of minutes 3a. City council meeting minutes of Dec. 16, 2019 Councilmember Rog noted on pages 6-7, last paragraph, it should read, “…she has concerns over renters and those on fixed incomes, and on a $298,000 home . Councilmember Rog stated the city will need to be innovative to stay healthy and robust…” It was moved by Councilmember Brausen seconded by Councilmember Harris, to approve the Dec. 16, 2019 meeting minutes as amended. The motion passed 7-0. 4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar 4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of Dec. 28 through Jan. 24, 2020. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7910E56B-B5CA-4423-A781-6F46CD2F2566 City council meeting -5- Feb. 3, 2020 4b. Approve second Reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2581-20 vacating the alley between 31st Street West and the Hwy 7 Frontage Road between Glenhurst Avenue and Inglewood Avenue subject to conditions recommended by staff and approve the summary ordinance for publication. Approve second Reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2582-20 adding Section 36- 268-PUD 15 to the Zoning Code and amending the Zoning Map from C-2 General Commercial and R-4 Multiple Family Residential to PUD 15 subject to conditions recommended by staff and approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 20-017 to submit the permit for phone art on the sound wall at Toledo Avenue and the County Road 25 Service Drive. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 20-018 approving application from St. Louis Park Hockey Boosters to conduct off site gambling in conjunction with a one-day event at the ROC. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 20-019 approving acceptance of a monetary donation from Minnesota American Water Works Association (MN AWWA) in an amount not to exceed $1,500 for all related expenses for Austin Holm, Lead Plant Operator, to attend and compete in the sponsored Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE) training in Orlando, Florida. 4f. Approve Amendment No. 2 to City Agreement No. 68-99, between the city and STC FIVE LLC for a communication antenna leased property at 7180 West Lake Street. 4g. Accept the Historic Walker Lake small area revitalization plan. 4h. Approve submittal of a letter of support for the proposed listing of the Highway 100 and County Road 3 groundwater plume site on the National Priorities List to allow for the polluters to be held responsible and for money to be obtained for potential clean-up efforts. 4i. Approve the city’s 2020 legislative priorities. 4j. Adopt Resolution No. 20-020 approving renewal of liquor licenses for the license term March 1, 2020 through March 1, 2021. 4k. Adopt Resolution No. 20-021 appointing election judges for the March 3, 2020 Presidential It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris, 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 - none DocuSign Envelope ID: 7910E56B-B5CA-4423-A781-6F46CD2F2566 City council meeting -6- Feb. 3, 2020 7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none 8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items - none 8a. 2020 Pavement Management Project – Fern Hill 94020-1000 Resolution No. 20- 022 Mr. Wiesen presented the staff report. Councilmember Brausen asked which sidewalk segments are changing or staying. Mr. Wiesen stated Basswood Road, Kipling Avenue (north of 26th Street), Huntington Avenue, Cedar Lake Avenue and 28th Street are all recommended by staff. The shorter sidewalk segments are not recommended, including Joppa Avenue and Kipling Avenue (south of 27th Street). Councilmember Brausen confirmed that the current staff recommendation is the same one as presented prior to the public hearing. Councilmember Rog stated this project is in her ward. She noted that pavement management projects in St. Louis Park are not assessed to individual property owners in the area but paid for by the entire community which is different than other cities. Councilmember Rog stated there are also improvements happening below the street, which are equally important including water main replacement and/or sewer repair, which are critical for drinking water and promoting water conservation . This, along with extreme weather and aging pipes, cause more water main breaks. In cases when doing these water main improvements, over the past few years, the streets have been narrowed, with the goal of environment and safety, to reduce impervious surface, create more green space, and protect water quality and wildlife. She continued, noting that narrowing of streets is what she has heard most about with this project, and she will be supporting all staff recommendations for narrowing streets. Councilmember Rog thanked staff for all their work on this project and thanked residents for their respectful engagement, encouraging all to stay involved. Councilmember Mavity stated the council is here to represent all, and it can be difficult for neighbors to work through this type of project, but it is a process, and multiple voices are allowed to express freely. She stated she will support this motion. Councilmember Brausen stated he also will support this motion, adding it is a good plan and he understands why the sidewalk segment will be removed. He added hopefully traffic will be calmer at France Avenue, and he is happy to hear about the SAFL baffle and stormwater proposal, as well as staff providing access to the rainwater program. Councilmember Harris appreciated the residents who spoke at the public hearing and added the water quality here is of the upmost importance . She is pleased staff DocuSign Envelope ID: 7910E56B-B5CA-4423-A781-6F46CD2F2566 City council meeting -7- Feb. 3, 2020 recommended to reduce the road width, adding this will also help Twin Lakes as well . She noted the city uses the living streets policy as a guideline and she appreciates the safety features which will be added at Basswood and France Avenue. She indicated she will support the motion. Councilmember Mohamed added she will support the motion and is supportive in that this addresses the Living Streets policy as well. Councilmember Kraft stated he will also support this, adding narrowing the street will be helpful as climate change continues and increased rain will be evident . He added the rain gardens are helpful and he would love to see more of that. He noted also after a neighborhood meeting with residents, he was able to see the safety concerns at France and Basswood. Mayor Spano stated he would like to see the public input process handled differently, as so often an issue ends up being two opposing sides, and not much community building. He added he would like to see a shift to community building, so neighbors are more connected to one another, and there is better understanding between residents . It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to adopt Resolution No. 20-022, accepting the project report, establishing the 2020 Pavement Management Project (4020-1000), approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids, while also removing sidewalk #7 (Basswood Road), and adding an additional pedestrian landing area on Basswood Road and France Avenue. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Spano noted the upcoming STEP Empty Bowls event on Feb. 13 at Westwood Lutheran Church. Councilmember Rog stated on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m., there is a public input session on the crime free/drug free ordinance at the MSC on Oxford Street. She also stated that public comments can be made online at the city website. Mr. Harmening noted the West Metro Home Remodeling Fair is Sunday, Feb. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 7910E56B-B5CA-4423-A781-6F46CD2F2566