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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/09/14 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionAGENDA SEPT. 14, 2020 All meetings of the St. Louis Park City Council will be conducted by telephone or other electronic means starting March 30, 2020, and until further notice. This is in accordance with the local emergency declaration issued by the city council, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and Governor Walz's “Stay Safe MN” executive order 20-056. Some or all members of the St. Louis Park City Council will participate in the Sept. 14, 2020 city council meeting by electronic device or telephone rather than by being personally present at the city council's regular meeting place at 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. Members of the public can monitor the meeting by video and audio at https://bit.ly/watchslpcouncil or by calling +1-312-535-8110 meeting number (access code): 372 106 61 for audio only. Cisco Webex will be used to conduct videoconference meetings of the city council, with council members and staff participating from multiple locations. 6:30 p.m. - STUDY SESSION Discussion items 1. 6:30 p.m. 2021 budget 2. 8:00 p.m. Process for filling council ward 2 seat 3. 8:30 p.m. Climate change in response to COVID-19: Energy Efficiency Day/Home Energy Squad challenge proclamation 4. 8:50 p.m. Future study session agenda planning and prioritization 8:55 p.m. Communications/updates (verbal) 9:00 p.m. Adjourn Written reports 5. Small business assistance update 6. Painted signs zoning code text amendment 7. Comcast franchise renewal update 8. Accessory dwelling units 9. Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines 10. Livable Communities Act enrollment and life-cycle housing goals for 2021-2030 11. Update on PLACES art initiative The agenda is posted on Fridays on the official city bulletin board in the lobby of city hall and on the text display on civic TV cable channel 17. The agenda and full packet are available by noon on Friday on the city’s website. If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call 952-924-2525. Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Discussion item: 1 Executive summary Title: 2021 budget Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time-Sensitive** • No formal action required. This report is to assist with preparation for setting the 2021 preliminary property tax levy on September 21, 2020. Policy consideration: • Is the council in support of setting the 2021 preliminary tax levy at an amount that is an increase over the 2020 levy of 3.00%, 6.11% or somewhere in between? • Is the council in support of setting the 2021 preliminary HRA levy at the maximum amount of 0.0185% of market value? Summary: At the study session on August 10, council discussed a preliminary levy range of 3.00%-5.00% over last year and given the economic climate, the council leaned toward the 3% preliminary levy. The 2021 preliminary property tax levy adopted by the council on September 21, 2021, can be decreased but cannot be increased after that date. This special study session is to provide time for discussion and a check in prior to setting the preliminary levy. Financial or budget considerations: Details regarding budget considerations are provided in this report. Strategic priority consideration: All areas of the adopted strategic priorities are impacted by the city’s budget. • St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all. • St. Louis Park is committed to continue to lead in environmental stewardship. • St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood- oriented development. • St. Louis Park is committed to providing a variety of options for people to make their way around the city comfortably, safely and reliably. • St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement. Supporting documents: Discussion Estimated tax impacts Utility rate summary Prepared by: Melanie Lammers, chief financial officer Reviewed by: Nancy Deno, deputy city manager/HR director Approved by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 1) Page 2 Title: 2021 budget Discussion Background: On August 10, 2020, council considered a preliminary tax levy range of 3.00%- 5.00%, with a goal of 3.00% for the final property tax levy to be approved in December. Staff continues to review revenue and expenditure forecasts and will make the necessary adjustments to achieve the levy goals. Since our last meeting staff has made several adjustments to the cost of new positions, including removing most, in order to bring the levy close to the 3.00% target. Requested New Positions Department Position Estimated Cost Recommended Administration Racial Equity Specialist $74,461 No Administration Outreach Specialist to FT $0 Yes Police Office Assistant $68,380 No Police/Fire Public Safety Applications Support Specialist $93,694 Yes Fire Full time firefighter $102,479 Yes Fire Full time firefighter $102,479 Yes Fire Full time firefighter $102,479 Yes Fire Full time firefighter $102,479 No Engineering Engineering Technician $93,649 Hold for further discussion with council Building & Energy Sustainability Specialist $87,041 No Building & Energy Senior Constr. Code Insp. $108,509 Yes Information Resources GIS Specialist $79,791 No Administrative Services Utility Billing Account Coord. $101,015 Withdrawn At this point in the budget process the city manager is recommending funding for 6 of the requested positions for 2021. Three of those positions enable moving exclusively to a full-time staffing model in the fire department. The City will realize cost savings with a move to the full- time staffing model by eliminating the part-time staffing component. Hiring 3 of the 4 firefighters will only increase the savings and still allow the reorganization to occur. The Outreach Specialist is an existing part-time position that will be absorbing another part-time position and intern hours to make a full-time benefitted position with a net zero effect. The Senior Construction Code Inspector position would be the reestablishment of a position from the 2019 budget and due to workload is necessary to maintain service levels in 2021. The Public Safety Applications Support Specialist will be utilized by both police and fire and assist in optimizing our public safety applications and improve compiling public safety data. 2020 City Final Levy and 2021 City Preliminary Levy A synopsis of prior year levy information and the 2020 Proposed Preliminary Levy Range is shown below: 1. The 2020 Preliminary levy was $34,985,521, which was 5.61% more than 2019. 2. The 2020 Final levy was $34,770,521, which was 4.96% more than 2019. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 1) Page 3 Title: 2021 budget 3% Levy increase Included in 3% • 1% Cost of Living Wage increase • Senior construction code inspector position • Outreach specialist • Public Safety application support specialist • 3 New full-time firefighters How to make it work • Savings from converting from a combination fire department model to a full-time department model. • Use of fund balance for anticipated revenue losses due to COVID-19 continuation in 2021 6.11% Levy Increase Included in 6.11% • 2% Cost of Living Wage increase • No use of fund balance • Same three positions included • Firefighter model moving to full time included • Climate action pilot program $250,000 2020 2021 $ Change % Change Final Levy Proposed 2020 to 2021 2020 to 2021 TAX CPACITY BASED TAX LEVY General Fund 27,432,167 28,945,000 1,512,833 5.51% Environmental and Sustainability (2)497,484 497,484 - 0.00% Race Equity and Inclusion (2)314,077 314,077 - 0.00% Council Programs (2)150,000 150,000 0.00% Park improvement Fund 860,000 860,000 - 0.00% Capital Replacement Fund 1,567,700 1,767,700 - 0.00% Debt Service-current (1)3,799,093 4,410,815 611,722 16.10% Employee Benefits Fund 150,000 150,000 - 0.00% TOTAL TAX CAPACITY BASED TAX LEVIES 34,770,521 37,095,076 2,124,555 6.11% Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 1) Page 4 Title: 2021 budget Other levy options: The council may set a preliminary levy for any amount they choose. The examples above show a trimmed 3% levy increase that uses fund balance due to anticipated revenue loss next year from continuation of COVID-19. The 6.11% levy option shows a balanced general fund with some availability of funds for negotiations with our unions, and a small pilot program for climate action. Below is a chart showing the dollars associated with each percentage of levy increase. It is recommended even if the goal of council is a 3% final increase, a preliminary levy increase of 4% to 5% is passed initially. This provides the council and staff flexibility as we work through the budget process and long-term financial management plan. It also allows the consideration of items council may want to include in the 2021 budget a and/or help address unforeseen pandemic related issues that may arise between now and December. Long Term Financial Management Plan: Stacie Kvilvang and Elizabeth Diaz from Ehlers will be presenting information on our Long-Term Financial Management Plan (LTFMP). This is a start to a longer process. A general overview of how market value and tax rates work will be given to set the groundwork for discussion as we work through the plan. The LTFMP will be at a high level on Sept. 14, but will go into policy issues at future meetings including, fund balance polices, funding sources, new programs, etc. Climate Action: Council has continually expressed interest in expanding our climate action programs. A levy increase above 3% could allow a small pilot program to be introduced in 2021. Capital Funds: Our capital funds are not in balance for 2021. Several funds are running a deficit and have more capital expenditures than revenues coming in. Part of the LTFMP discussions will be to vet out if we are taking out additional debt for these funds or cutting capital items and programs. Median value home: The median value residential homestead property increased in value from $297,800 to $306,400. This represents an increase of $8,600 in value. The property tax change would be estimated to decrease ($3.25) in 2021 or ($.27) per month under a 3% preliminary levy. For a 6.11% Levy increase, the property tax would be estimated to increase $38.59 in 2021 or $3.22 a month. See attachment for various price points and impacts. Comparisons with Other Cities. A few finance departments did surveys of potential 2021 preliminary tax levies. These are early estimates and every city has several things happening which is why levies change each year, but this can give you an idea of ranges with other cities preliminary levies. 1%347,705 2%695,410 3%1,043,116 4%1,390,821 5%1,739,116 6%2,086,231 7%2,433,936 Levy increase by percent Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 1) Page 5 Title: 2021 budget Source: City Finance Departments 2.70% 2.80% 3.00% 3.00% 3.00% 3.25% 3.37% 3.50% 3.75% 3.96% 3.99% 4.00% 4.30% 4.50% 4.73% 5.04% 5.15% 5.40% 5.50% 6.00% 6.50% 6.97% 7.00% 7.10% 7.53% 7.80% 0.00%1.00%2.00%3.00%4.00%5.00%6.00%7.00%8.00%9.00% Edina Eden Prairie Arden Hills Brooklyn Park St Louis Park Shakopee St. Anthony Village Minnetonka White Bear Lake Roseville Cottage Grove Oakdale Apple Valley Brooklyn Center Woodbury Shoreview Golden Valley Eagan Richfield Bloomington Lakeville Plymouth Oak Park Heights Blaine Burnsville Savage Potential 2021 Preliminary Tax Levy Increases Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 1) Page 6 Title: 2021 budget Fiscal Disparities: The city’s proposed 2021 fiscal disparities contribution of tax capacity to the pool will be $11,668,035, a 6.63% increase from 2020. The proposed 2021 fiscal disparities distribution back to the city will be $6,039,963, a 5.80% increase from 2020. The city is a net contributor of tax capacity to the pool, contributing $5,6283,072. This is an increase from $5,233,557 in 2020. HRA property tax levy: The HRA levy is recommended to be set at the maximum allowed .0185% of estimated market value, which is consistent with previous years. The amount for 2021 is estimated at $1,523,590. Utility Rates-Water, Sewer, Storm Water, and Solid Waste Funds To be consistent with prior years, the city continued to use the utility rate model completed by Ehlers in 2018. The utility rate study allows us to make recommendations for utility rate increases to ensure fund balances are adequate to cover appropriate operating expenses and capital improvement projects related to utility funds. The approximate cumulative effect on a typical residential property for all the utility rate adjustments would be an increase of $14.43/quarter, or approximately $4.81 per month. The calculation is based on a household using 30 units of water per quarter (22,500 gallons) and 60-gallon solid waste service. As you are aware, we have changes in both our solid waste and water programs to allow residents the opportunity to lower their own rates by conservation and reduction in their solid waste amounts. Next steps: Below is a summary of upcoming discussions. September 21 Council establishes 2020 preliminary property tax levy and HRA levy. (Levies can be reduced, but not increased for final property tax levies.) October 12 Review and discussion of 2021 budget, CIP, utility rates, public hearing – 1st reading of fees and LTFMP. Directors or their designees in attendance as needed. October 19 2nd Reading of Fees, and adoption of 2021 Utility Rates. LTFMP discussion if necessary December 7 Truth in Taxation Public Hearing and budget presentation December 21 Council adopts 2020 Revised Budget, 2021 Budgets, final tax levies (City and HRA), and 2021 - 2030 CIP. Estimated tax impact 3% Levy increase Assessed Market ValueVal. Taxable Taxable Dollar Dollar Percent2019 For2020 For % Market Market 2020 2021 Change Change ChangePay 2020Pay 2021 Change Value 2020 Value 2021Annual Per Month241,900254,600 5.3%226,431      240,274      982.66        1,007.04    24.38 2.03            2.5%275,300286,500 4.1%262,837      275,045      1,140.65    1,152.77    12.12 1.01            1.1%297,800 306,400 2.9% 287,362 296,736 1,247.09 1,243.68 (3.41) (0.28) -0.3%309,600319,700 3.3%300,224      311,233      1,302.90    1,304.44    1.54 0.13            0.1%382,500398,000 4.1%379,685      396,580      1,647.75    1,662.15    14.41.20            0.9%Estimated tax impact 4.5% Levy increase Assessed Market ValueVal. Taxable Taxable Dollar Dollar Percent2019 For2020 For % Market Market 2020 2021 Change Change ChangePay 2020Pay 2021 Change Value 2020 Value 2021Annual Per Month241,900254,600 5.3%226,431      240,274      982.66        1,012.32    29.66 2.47            3.0%275,300286,500 4.1%262,837      275,045      1,140.65    1,158.82    18.17 1.51            1.6%297,800 306,400 2.9% 287,362 296,736 1,247.09 1,250.21 3.12 0.26 0.3%309,600319,700 3.3%300,224      311,233      1,302.90    1,311.29    8.39 0.70            0.6%382,500398,000 4.1%379,685      396,580      1,647.75    1,670.87    23.12 1.93            1.4%Estimated tax impact 6.11% Levy increase Assessed Market ValueVal. Taxable Taxable Dollar Dollar Percent2019 For2020 For % Market Market 2020 2021 Change Change ChangePay 2020Pay 2021 Change Value 2020 Value 2021Annual Per Month241,900254,600 5.3%226,431      240,274      982.66        1,029.10    46.44 3.87            4.7%275,300286,500 4.1%262,837      275,045      1,140.65    1,178.02    37.37 3.11            3.3%297,800 306,400 2.9% 287,362 296,736 1,247.09 1,270.93 23.84 1.99 1.9%309,600319,700 3.3%300,224      311,233      1,302.90    1,333.02    30.12 2.51            2.3%382,500398,0004.1%379,685      396,580      1,647.75    1,698.56    50.81 4.23            3.1%Estimated City TaxEstimated City TaxEstimated City TaxStudy session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 1) Title: 2021 budgetPage 7 Household Size4Water ‐ Units per quarter30Sewer ‐ Units per quarter20Solid Waste Service60‐gallonMeter size3/4 inchActual Actual Actual Proposed 2018/2019 2019/2020Service  Type2018 2019 2020 2021% Change % ChangeWaterPer unit rate ‐ Tier 11.89$            1.89$            1.98$            2.07$         Per unit rate ‐ Tier 22.34$            2.30$            2.40$            2.51$         Per unit rate ‐ Tier 33.51$            2.75$            2.87$            3.01$         Service charge27.23$          31.31$          36.33$          38.06$       15% 16%State testing fee1.59$            1.59$            2.43$            2.43Consumption (30 units)56.70$          68.03$          71.10$          74.48$       20% 5%SewerService charge17.62$          18.49$          19.32$          20.09$       5% 4%Per unit3.44$            3.61$            3.77$            3.92$         5% 4%Consumption (20 units)68.80$          72.20$          75.40$          78.42$       5% 4%Storm DrainageService charge23.14$          23.83$          25.02$          26.27$       3% 5%Bassett Creek Fee*1.93$            1.93$            1.93$            1.93Solid Waste (includes taxes and fees)72.45$          77.74$          81.63$          85.92$       7% 5%Total Bill without Bassett* ‐ Per Quarter267.53$       293.19$       311.23$       325.66$     Total Bill without Bassett* ‐ Per Year1,070.12$    1,172.77$    1,244.92$    1,302.65$ Increase per quarter (dollars)14.54$          25.66$          18.04$          14.43$       Increase per Year (dollars)58.16$          102.65$       72.15$          57.73$       ** tiers decreased in 2019 to 0‐13.33, 13.33‐20, >20* Since not all property owners would be charged this fee, it is not included in the dollar or percentage change in total bill.Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 1) Title: 2021 budgetPage 8 Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Discussion item : 2 Executive summary Title: Process for filling city council ward 2 seat Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time-Sensitive** •The city council is asked to discuss and select the process for filling the ward 2 seat vacancy. Policy consideration: •What process does the council want to undertake to fill the ward 2 seat vacancy? •What additional information does the council need? Summary: Councilmember Anne Mavity announce d and submitted her resignation for the Ward 2 seat effective October 31, 2020. Per City Charter, the council shall declare a vacancy promptly after the resignation occurs. The city council accepted her resignation and declared a vacancy effective October 31, 2020 at their September 8, 2020 regular city council meeting. Given the timing of the resignation, the city council is required to appoint a person to the seat for the remainder of the term – until January 3, 2022. The purpose of the discussion is to inform staff of the desired process and to move ahead with next steps. The city council may use various methods for appointing a person to fill this seat and may start the process prior to the effective date of the resignation. These methods include: Appoint someone to the seat Undertake an application process, interview, and appoint Other Councilmember Mavity is asked to refrain from the appointment process. Financial or budget considerations: Not applicable. Strategic priority consideration: Not applicable. Supporting documents: Discussion Application draft Prepared by: Maria Solano, senior management analyst Reviewed by: Nancy Deno, deputy city manager/HR director Soren Mattick, city attorney Approved by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 2) Page 2 Title: Process for filling city council ward 2 seat Discussion On September 8, 2020, t he city council formally accepted Anne Mavity’s resignation for Ward 2 and declared a vacancy for this seat effective October 31, 2020. Given the timing of the resignation, the city council is required to appoint a person to the seat for the remainder of the term – until January 3, 2022. The city council may use various methods for appointing a person to fill this seat and may start the process prior to the effective date of the resignation. Staff along with city attorney are providing information outlined below, to assist council in determining next steps. W hat are the requirements? According to the Minnesota Constitution (Minn. Const. art. VII §§1, 6), an appointee to the St. Louis Park City Council must: •be at least 21 years old at the date of taking office •be an eligible voter •be a U.S. citizen. •have resided in St. Louis Park for the prior 30 days and live in ward 2 at the time of applying •not be convicted of a felony under state or federal law unless the individual’s civil rights have been restored. What are some options for council to consider for thi s process? •Option 1: Appoint individual: The council may select to appoint an individual without an application or interview process. •Option 2: Undertake an application process: The council may select to do an application process. This process would involve advertisement of the vacancy , an application period , review of applications and interview of selected candidates, and then appointment. •Option 3: Other: The council may select a different method for filling the vacancy. If Option 2 is desired, what would be the time frame ? September 14, 2020 City council discuss and select appointment process September 16, 2020 City council application available October 4, 2020 Applications due (11:59 pm) Week of October 5, 2020 City council review applications October 12, 2020 City council select candidates for interviews Week of October 19, 2020 City council interviews selected candidates November 2, 2020 Appointment of new council member Note that staff feels the schedule above would be the shortest reasonable timeframe . What will the application look like? Other than the requirements listed above, there are no additional legal requirements for an individual to hold office. It is recommended that the application questions stay at a high leve l, similar to questions asked for board and commission applicants. Staff has created a draft application (attached) for council to review. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 2) Page 3 Title: Process for filling city council ward 2 seat How will applications be submitted? Members of the public can apply online (similar to board and commission applications). Paper copies of application will be also be available. How long will the application be open to the public? The public is given two weeks to submit the application . How will we advertise? Staff will do e xtensive notification of this opportunity to inform residents and will include, but not limited to social media, local paper, website, gov delivery, etc. Can the council request that candidates not seek election to a full term? The council may ask an individual not to run for election in 2021, but there is no guarantee if they change their mind. Are the applications public? Yes, applications and materials submitted to the council are public data. Who will review the applications and select candidates to interview? Council determines this process. The council can choose to score the applications or simply review all the applications together and make a collective decision on which candidates to interview. The city council may select to interview some or all of the candidates. As with other processes, it is recommended that the council ask each candidates the same questions during the intervie w process. If there are interviews or other discussions by the majority of the council during this process are they considered public meetings? Yes. How is appointment and oath of office done? The council will need to take action to appoint the selected individual, 4 of 6 votes are required for appointment. If councilmember Mavity still happens to be in office at the time the council determines who to appoint, councilmember Mavity cannot vote on the matter and should refrain from participating (Minn. Stat. 415.15). The new council member will need to take an oath of office before undertaking any business. St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Please note: This is a sample application. It will be finalized after the discussion on September 14.Is the council comfortable with the questions highlighted in yellow or are changes/additions needed? Application for city council vacancy (WARD 2) The City of St. Louis Park welcomes your interest in filling the vacancy on the city council created by councilmember Anne Mavity effective October 31, 2020. The city council is required to appoint a person to the seat for the remainder of the term – until January 3, 2022. All interested individuals are required to fill out this form to provide background information for the council’ s consideration. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 4, 2020. Timeline (subject to change): September 16, 2020 City council application available October 4, 2020 Applications due (11:59 pm) Week of October 5, 2020 City council review applications October 12, 2020 City council select candidates for interviews Week of October 19, 2020 City council interviews selected candidates November 2, 2020 Appointment of new council member Re quirements According to the Minnesota Constitution (Minn. Const. art. VII §§1, 6), an appointee to the St. Louis Park City Council must: •be at least 21 years old at the date of taking office •be an eligible voter •be a U.S. citizen •have resided in St. Louis Park for the prior 30 days and live in ward 2 at the time of applying •not be convicted of a felony under state or federal law unless the individual’s civil rights have been restored. Data privacy notice Minnesota law requires that you be informed of the purposes and intended uses of the information you are providing on this application. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13.601, your name, city of residence, employment history, volunteer work, awards and honors are public data and are available to anyone who requests the information. The data that you give us about yourself is also needed to identify you and assist in determining your suitability for serving on the city council. This data is not legally required, but refusal to supply the information requested may affect the city council’s ability to evaluate your application. Should you be appointed to the city council, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13.601, your residential address and either a telephone number or electronic mail address (or both) where you can be reached also become public information. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 2) Title: Process for filling city council ward 2 seat Page 4 St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Applicant information Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________ State: _______________ Zip code: _______________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________ Phone number : ________________________________________________________________________ Please complete and submit the Candidacy Eligibility form, which verifies that you are eligible hold public office as a city councilmember in St. Louis Park. (council note: this will be attached when finalized). Why are you interested in becoming a member of the St. Louis Park city council? Describe how your experience, education, training, community, civic, volunteer and other experiences have prepared you to serve on the city council? Briefly describe one to three goals/initiatives you feel are important to your overall vision for St. Louis Park that you would like to see addressed as a councilmember? How long have you been a resident of St. Louis Park? If appointed, would you plan to seek reelection to a full term? Yes No Voluntary information What is your race/ethnicity? Hispanic or Latino Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) American Indian or Alaska Native (not Hispanic or Latino) Asian (not Hispanic or Latino) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (not Hispanic or Latino) White (not Hispanic or Latino) Other St. Louis Park MN Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 2) Title: Process for filling city council ward 2 seat Page 5 Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Discussion item : 3 Executive summary Title: Climate change in response to COVID-19: Energy Efficiency Day/Home Energy Squad Challenge proclamation Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time -Sensitive** •Consider adopting at the September 21 city council meeting a resolution proclaiming Energy Ef ficiency Day on October 7 and encouraging increased participation in Home Energy Squad visits. Policy consideration: Is council supportive of staff effort and plans to achieve the highest participation per capita in the Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge, and is the council supportive of adopting a resolution proclaiming October 7, 2020 as “Energy Efficiency Day” in St. Louis Park? Summary: In June, the City of St. Louis Park joined 15 metro cities to compete in the 2020 Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge. The purpose of the Challenge is to increase the number of Home Energy Squad (HES) visits across the region. In an HES visit, residents learn how their home uses energy and about potential energy-saving opportunities. At the end of 2020, the city with the highest number of 2020 HES visits per capita wins the challenge. The Sustainability Division has been promoting the Challenge extensively, as Home Energy Squad visits also help meet Climate Action Plan goals. On October 7, 2020, a network of advocates, companies, government agencies, and utilities will showcase the benefits of energy efficiency during the fifth annual nationwide Energy Efficiency Day. Energy Efficiency Day provides a timely opportunity to call attention to the HES Challenge and the benefits of energy efficiency generally. A resolution proclaiming October 7, 2020 as “Energy Efficiency Day” in St. Louis Park and highlighting the Challenge has been drafted for consideration. Financial or budget considerations: None Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to continue to lead in environmental stewardship. Supporting documents: Discussion Attachment A: Resolution Prepared by: Annie Pottorff, sustainability specialist Emily Ziring, sustainability manager Reviewed by: Brian Hoffman, director of building and energy Approved by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Ite m No. 3) Page 2 Title: Climate change in response to COVID-19: Energy Efficiency Day/Home Energy Squad Challenge proclamation Discussion Background: The Home Energy Squad is a program jointly funded by Xcel and CenterPoint Energy and delivered by the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a local nonprofit. While the program has been managed by the Housing Division since 2012, the Sustainability Division has been promoting the program this summer as part of Conservation in the Park, a campaign to promote energy-saving and money-saving programs to residences. During an HES visit , energy experts conduct a walk-through of the home and identify low-cost energy-saving opportunities and any larger energy projects. The experts also install energy - saving products and perform several energy tests. In-person visits are typically $100, but through funding from the city’s Housing Rehabilitation budget, visits are available to residents for only $50. Free in -person visits are also available to income -qualified residents. No-cost virtual visits are a new offering this year, designed to suit social distancing practices. Both visit types are available to owners and renters of single -family, duplex, triplex and fourplex homes. When residents follow the suggestions of the HES, their homes become more energy efficient, avoiding greenhouse gases from being emitted unnecessarily, and saving residents money. Along with existing City matching rebate programs, the Home Energy Squad program is one of the most important incentives available for St. Louis Park to reach midterm Goal 4 of the city’s Climate Action Plan : to “reduce energy consumption in residential buildings by 35 percent by 2030.” Present considerations: The Sustainability Division is promoting the Challenge through social media, newsletters, print media, posters, and the city’s website —in addition to direct outreach to block captains, landlords, congregations, and multifamily building tenants. As of July 2020, residents have received 78 total visits, with an annual goal of 145 visits (a 15% increase in participation from the average amount of visits completed in the last five years). The city is currently in the lead for the most visits per capita, at 0.57%, with Bloomington and Mahtomedi as our closest competitors for the highest number of per capita visits. The Challenge will end on December 31. The first Wednesday in October is Energy Efficiency Day, a collaborative effort of energy efficiency advocacy groups including the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance , Natural Resources Defense Council, and many others. Since the inaugural Energy Efficiency Day in 2016, this annual event has been supported by hundreds of organizations, companies, and government agencies. The goal is to share tips, tools and stories that promote the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, from job creation to healthier homes. Because the goal align s closely with that of the Intercity Challenge, staff recommends that the city uses Energy Efficiency Day as a call to action to both residents and surrounding communities. Next steps: To underscore the many benefits of energy efficiency, the Sustainability Division has prepared a resolution proclaiming October 7 as “Energy Efficiency Day” in St. Louis Park. The proclamation would also serve to further promote the Home Energy Squad program to residents and call on neighboring cities to increase their engagement in this friendly competition in the name of energy efficiency. The draft resolution is attached for consideration. Resolution No. 20-____ Resolution Proclaiming October 7, 2020 as Energy Efficiency Day Whereas, global climate change is one of the most urgent and challenging problems we will face in the twenty -first century ; and Whereas, e nergy efficiency reduces the amount of electricity we need to power our lives, which helps avoid power plant emissions that can harm our health, pollute our air and warm our climate ; and Whereas, energy efficiency continues to be one of the cheapest, quickest and cleanest ways to meet our energy needs, create jobs and reduce utility bills for residential, business and industrial customers; and Whereas, energy efficiency can also make our homes and workspaces healthier, safer and more comfortable; and Whereas, less energy-efficient housing and appliances and limited access to energy efficiency programs contributes to high energy burdens, in which families devo te a high proportion of their income to utility bills and make difficult trade -offs between heating and cooling and other necessities; and Whereas, some Minnesotans spend 20-30% of their income on energy; and Black, Indigenous, People of Color and renters historically experience higher energy burdens than white property owners; and Whereas, St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all; and Whereas, St. Louis Park is committed to a bold Climate Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, significantly reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions; and Whereas, Goal 4 of the St. Louis Park Climate Action Plan calls for reducing energy consumption in residential buildings by 35% by 2030; and Whereas, to help meet this goal St. Louis Park is competing in the metro area-wide Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge to promote Home Energy Squad visits and encourage residents to take action to improve home energy efficiency; and Whereas, a nationwide network of energy efficiency groups and partners has designated the first Wednesday in October as the fifth national annual Energy Efficiency Day; and Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Ite m No. 3) Page 3 Title: Climate change in response to COVID-19: Energy Efficiency Day/Home Energy Squad Challenge proclamation Whereas, St. Louis Park can help residents continue to contribute to our Climate Action Plan efforts and reduce household energy burden by promoting accessible energy efficiency programs such as Home Energy Squad; Now therefore be it resolved that the Mayor and City Council of the City of St. Louis Park do hereby proclaim October 7, 2020 to be Energy Efficiency Day in St. Louis Park . We urge our community members to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses whenever possible , and we challenge neighboring communities to set high participation goals in energy assistance, weatherization and efficiency programs including the Intercity Home Energy Squad Challenge . Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council September 21, 2020 Thomas K. Harmening, city manager Jake Spano, mayor Attest: Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Ite m No. 3) Page 4 Title: Climate change in response to COVID-19: Energy Efficiency Day/Home Energy Squad Challenge proclamation Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Discussion item : 4 Executive summary Title: Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time -Sensitive ** •The city council and city manager to set the agenda for the regularly scheduled study session on Sept. 29, 2020. Policy consideration: Not applicable. Summary: This report summarizes the proposed agenda for the regularly scheduled study session on Sept. 29, 2020. Also attached to this report is: - Study session discussion topics and timeline -Proposed topics for future study session discussion: Topic Proposed by Councilmember Creating pathways for BIPOC individuals and families, particularly Black individuals and families, to build wealth through homeownership in St. Louis Park Margaret Rog Youth on commissions Larry Kraft Financial or budget considerations: Not applicable. Strategic priority consideration: Not applicable. Supporting documents: Tentative agenda – Sept. 29, 2020 Study session discussion topics and timeline Proposed topics for future study session discussion Prepared by: Debbie Fischer, administrative services office assistant Approved by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 4) Page 2 Title: Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Sept. 29, 2020. 6:30 p.m. Study session - To be held via videoconference Tentative discussion items 1.P5 Accessory dwelling unites – Community development (30 minutes) Staff provided council with a written report on Sept. 14, 2020, regarding the draft ordinance prepared by staff and the planning commission regarding accessory dwelling units. If requested by council, staff can also provide a brief verbal report and receive any city council questions or input on the topic at the Sept. 29 study session. Otherwise, this item will be brought to city council for formal consideration in October after the planning commission holds the public hearing and provide s its recommendation(s). **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as T ime -Sensitive** 2.Notice of eviction – Community development (30 minutes) Staff will review a proposed Notice of Eviction tenant protection policy that would require rental property owners/managers to provide a notice to tenants prior to the filing of an unlawful detainer eviction action for nonpayment of rent. **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as T ime -Sensitive** 3.Policing discussion – continued – Police (90 minutes) Staff will share data that has been collected related to the policing discussion that took place at the study session on July 27, 2020, answer questions and talk about next steps. **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as T ime -Sensitive** 4.Future study session agenda planning – Administrative services (5 minutes) Communications/meeting check-in – Administrative services (5 minutes) Time for communications between staff and council will be set aside on every study session agenda for the purposes of information sharing. Written reports 5.Aug. 2020 monthly financial report 6.Platia Place update 7.Support for Hennepin County TOD grant application 8.Beltline Blvd SWLRT Pedestrian Improvements Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 4) Page 3 Title: Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Study session discussion topics and timeline Future council items Priority Discussion topic Comments Timeline for council discussion 3 Discuss public process expectations and outcomes Staff is working on the approach for undertaking this discussion. 1st qtr. 2021 4 Revisit housing setback, FAR , & more related to affordable housing Oct. 5 Home-based businesses (HBB)/ accessory dwelling units (ADU) ADU – 9/29/20; HBB - 1st qtr. 2021 6 Public forums at council mtgs 9/23/19 SS. Staff doing research of other cities. 1st qtr. 2021 8 Community and neighborhood sidewalk designations To be combined w/ Connect the Park discussion. 4th qtr. 2020 9 Remove mint & menthol exemption from existing On hold Written report 8/24/20 10/13 -Easy access to nature, across city, starting w/ low-income neighborhoods -WHNC Access Fund Combine P10 and P13 . *On hold pending direction from school district.*On hold 11 Conversion therapy ban TBD 12 Changes to sign ordinance In process Written report 9/14/20 Community health: services and connections in SLP Oct. Council items in progress Priority Discussion topic Comments Next Steps 2 Climate in the time of COVID Discussed May 26, 2020. Written report 7/27/20 Discussion re: proclamation 9/14/20 7 STEP discussion: facilities Council asked staff to consider lending options to assist STEP in buying a new bldg. STEP is searching for a new facility Police use of force policy review Discussed 7/27/20. Staff is developing process. SS discussion 9/29 Policing: structural analysis Discussed 7/27/20. Staff is developing process SS discussion 9/29 R evitalization of Walker Lake area Council approved updated parking ord. Dec. 2019; Planning Commission working on new zoning ord. and design guidelines for the district – recommendation to council Q4; Construction of phase 1 completed summer 2019; Phase 2 Discussion of ordinance and design guidelines late 2020 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 4) Page 4 Title: Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 4 ) Page 5 Title: Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Best Practices Youth on City Environmental Commissions This document has been prepared by youth serving on several different city environmental commissions in Minnesota. Equal voting status ●Youth on commissions need to feel like their voices matter and their views are as important as those of the adults on the commission. Giving youth members equal voting status makes sure youth know that they are not just there as observers, but rather as equal contributors. Letting youth know that their voices are valued can also increase engagement. ●There are several cities where youth have voting status and some where they do not. This is a comment from a student on a commission where youth do not have a vote: “Students main role is as a second opinion. We mainly serve to offer the youth opinion on different policies.” Multiple youth commissioners ●Entering a commission as the only young person can be intimidating, and can result in the commissioner feeling unable to easily express their thoughts. Having multiple youth seats on a commission empowers those commissioners by making sure they have someone similar in perspective to work with. It also provides opportunities for the commission to be more representative of the population of young people in a city, given it can vary widely. ●And here’s a key insight from one student commissioner - multiple doesn’t have to mean just two! ○It is very important to not only have support among your fellow adult commissioners but also to have support with your fellow student commissioners. I went from a commission with 5 student members to 3 student members between the Parks and Conservation commissions. The need for a connected group of student commissioners is as vital as connecting with adult commissioners. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 4) Title: Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Page 6 Meeting times that are accessible to students (evenings) ●Youth can have different schedules than adults, and we need to remember to consider these. For example, youth cannot meet during the school day, and often not during the late afternoon due to cocurricular activities. Evenings on weekdays are usually the best times to hold commission meetings that are accessible to youth. Youth seats on multiple commissions ●A young person’s perspective and ideas are necessary and valuable not only on environmental and sustainability issues, but in all aspects of city functioning. Youth seats on multiple commissions in a city sends a message that young people are not less-than, and are actually an invaluable part of city operations and government. Making sure youth commissioners feel qualified ●Again, entering an adult-led commission as a young person is intimidating, and one of the best ways to not only let youth know they are welcome, but to give them a chance to contribute and learn, is to ask if they would be willing to take on a task or help an adult member with one. Being specifically reached out to by adult members helps make a youth member overcome barriers to participation, like feeling too inexperienced to contribute anything, and is a great way to help youth get engaged, especially when they first start on their commission. Projects that are accessible to youth leadership. ●Aspects of city operations that commissions advise on can be highly complex and technical, even for adults. Youth are already in positions where they may feel out-of-place, and, even though they are often perfectly capable of participating and advising on such projects, they can shy away from these projects initially without the proper support. Commissions should look to identify, frame, and even take on specific projects that are accessible for youth participation and leadership. Program Examples: (beginning of list - more to be added in future versions of this doc) ●Northfield ○There is a formal program between the city and school district ○Northfield has a youth council and youth on almost every city commission, and all these youth get together once a month to learn about city issues, share ideas, and receive support. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 4) Title: Future study session agenda planning and prioritization Page 7 Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 5 Executive summary Title: Small business assistance update Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is categorized as Time-Sensitive** • No formal action required. This report is to provide an update on the small business assistance initiatives provided by the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy consideration: Are the small business programs, services and resources identified in this report consistent with the EDA’s expectations? Summary: In response to the significant challenges facing local small businesses due to COVID- 19, staff has been working on multiple fronts to help St. Louis Park businesses address the hardships stemming from the outbreak. To that end, programs, partnerships and resource networks have been created to help support small businesses as they navigate and adapt to the adverse impacts of the pandemic. The attached report is a summary of those collaborative efforts. Financial or budget considerations: In partnership with Hennepin County’s Small Business Relief Fund program, $200,000 was allocated from the city’s federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding to provide financial assistance to local small businesses directly impacted by COVID-19. The grant funds will be disbursed to 15 eligible small businesses through the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA). This is the second round of assistance grants provided to local small businesses. The first round, held in April, provided $224,000 in grants to 46 St. Louis Park small businesses. Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood oriented development. Supporting documents: Discussion Prepared by: Julie Grove, economic development specialist Greg Hunt, economic development coordinator Reviewed by: Karen Barton, community development director Approve d by: Tom Harmening, city manager and EDA executive director Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 5) Page 2 Title: Small business assistance update Discussion Hennepin County/St. Louis Park Small Business Relief Fund partnership At the end of July, the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) partnered with Hennepin County’s Small Business Relief Fund program to provide emergency financial assistance to area small businesses directly impacted by COVID-19. Small businesses located in Hennepin County that experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic, had between one and 50 employees, and met other eligibility requirements could apply for grants of up to $15,000. The funds could be used to support emergency relief and costs associated with reopening under public health guidelines. Hennepin County provided $10 million in grants for businesses countywide, of which, up to $600,000 has been allocated specifically for St. Louis Park businesses. The EDA provided an additional $200,000 for S t. Louis Park businesses from its federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding. Applications were accepted through August 12, 2020. Priority was given to those businesses that received $5,000 or less in COVID- 19 related emergency relief funding from local, county and state sources. Approximately 114 St. Louis Park businesses applied to the program and were deemed eligible for grant funds. Of those, 40 were randomly selected to receive county funds and an additional 15 were randomly selected to receive EDA funds. Thus, a total of up to $800,000 in Small Business Relief Fund grants will be distributed to 55 St. Louis Park businesses. Payments will be disbursed to local businesses as soon as they return required forms. Grant awards from the EDA range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the amounts requested. Of the 15 small businesses receiving assistance from the EDA, 10 (or 67 percent) are owned by women and/or individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black , Indigenous, and People of Color). This is the second round of assistance grants provided to local small businesses. The first round, held in April, provided $224,000 in emergency assistance grants to 46 local small businesses. St. Louis Park businesses that met certain criteria could receive up to $5,000 in small business emergency assistance grants to help ensure the viability of their enterprises in the face of the COVID outbreak. 35 (or 76 percent) of the businesses receiving grants were owned by women, veterans and/or individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). One of the grant recipients, Sharon and Julio Margalli, owners of Mexico City Café, said “These have been challenging times and the financial support provided through the grant will make a significant impact on our ability to move our restaurant through this crisis.” Hennepin County Business District Recovery Program – marketing Using $125,000 in funds from the federal CARES Act, Hennepin County created a Business District Recovery Marketing Program. St. Louis Park’s Historic Walker Lake Business District was one of 11 businesses districts selected to be a part of the program. Hennepin County hired a marketing consultant, Mod & Co, to work with all the business districts. The firm will develop joint marketing, communications, promotion, or events designed to bring customers to the various business districts as well as encourage mask-wearing and social distancing. In the beginning of September, staff provided the consultants a tour of Walker Lake . The marketing initiative is expected to be rolled out by Dece mber 2020. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 5) Page 3 Title: Small business assistance update Hennepin County disposable face mask distribution to businesses In late July 2020, the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce supplied St. Louis Park with 100,000 disposable face masks to distribute to local businesses . The goal was to help business owners comply with the governor’s recent masking order, which requires patrons to wear masks while shopping. The masks were offered to businesses for free. On July 30, staff distributed 50,000 masks to area businesses. Businesses continued to pick up masks at city hall until August 27 when all 100,000 masks were distributed. Masks are still available to Hennepin County businesses in Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley and Maple Grove. Information on available pick up sites is located on the chamber’s website. Business outreach calls Staff have continued contacting local businesses via phone calls and emails to see how they are doing and responding to the challenges presented by COVID. To date, staff has reached out to over 2,300 local businesses. The overall theme of the calls has been that the city is “checking- in” to see how the businesses are doing, let them know about the various resources available to them, answer questions, respond to concerns, and see how the city could be of further assistance. The businesses that have been contacted have been appreciative of the phone calls and the information provided related to the various local, state and federal resources available. These outreach calls have also been helpful in creating an up-to-date business list that can and has been used for additional outreach. Temporary outdoor customer service area permit A temporary outdoor customer service area application was created to assist St. Louis Park businesses reopen during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is intended to initiate a review of requests to temporarily conduct business outside. To date, eight outdoor permits have been received. Businesses that were able to utilize this new permit include breweries , distilleries, fitness studies, and a few restaurants. Staff has found that most restaurants have existing outdoor seating, and several were able to expand those without the use of the outdoor seating permit. Historic Walker Lake Façade Improvement Grant program In 2019 Hennepin County awarded the EDA with funding to help energize the Historic Walker Lake business district. With this funding the EDA created the Historic Walker Lake Facade Improvement grant. The program provided matching grants to reimburse eligible façade improvements up to fifty percent of the total project cost up to a maximum of $10,000. Funds through this program were available on a first-come, first -serve d basis from June 2019 to May 2021, subject to funding availability. To date, all of the grant funds have been expended through 13 grants that were awarded to area businesses or commercial property owners. Grant recipients included restaurants, retail businesses , services, non-profits and commercial property owners . The program has funded new awnings, exterior building upgrades, windows, lighting, entry sidewalk repair, patio exteriors, and a district mural. COVID website In order to keep businesses and community members informed of the rapidly changing COVID- 19- related business assistance programs, staff has continually monitored local, state and federal re sources to ensure that the most current and up to date information is provided to the business community. Staff regularly update the Coronavirus Response and Resources web page on the city’s website and other social media tools with this information . These resources Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 5) Page 4 Title: Small business assistance update include links to the state and federal programs (DEED & SBA), Hennepin County resources, non- profit resources, and other guidance tools for businesses, property owners and residents. Next steps: Staff is routinely monitoring other small business resources and developing programs that the city could potentially offer to assist local businesses. Staff would like feedback on the above initiatives and welcomes any questions EDA members may have. Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 6 Executive summary Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as a Required action** •None at this time. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on a proposed ordinance to allow signs to be painted directly onto buildings. Policy consideration: Does the city council wish to amend the ordinance to allow signs to be painted directly onto buildings. Summary: Section 36-362(e)(9) of the city code prohibits signs from being painted directly on a building. In 2019, a business painted a sign on their building without receiving a permit or permission. As a result, staff began enforcing the above regulation and required the sign to be removed. The business owner contacted the ward council person about the sign and the ward council person asked staff to review the regulations and a potential code revision. The ward council pe rson also submitted a request to discuss the issue at a future study session, to which the city council agreed. It is currently listed 12th in the city council’s priority discussion topics on the city council’s tentative agenda. Attached is a copy of a proposed sign ordinance. It includes all the city code sign provisions for context. It also shows the following changes highlighted and redlined: •Section 36-362(d)(3) requires a permit for supergraphics. A supergraphic is a mural or other depiction that does not include advertising. •Section 36-362(e)(9) removing painted signs from the list of prohibited signs. This change allows businesses to begin painting signs directly on their buildings. •Section 36-362(f)(16) language was added to require the building surface to be refinished to match the surrounding surface. As a result, when the painted sign is removed, then the portion of the wall where the sign existed must be refinished to match the surrounding wall surface. Planning commission review. The planning commission reviewed the draft ordinance in study session on September 2, 2020. The commissioners agreed with the proposed amendment. The commission commented that it provides another option to incorporate artistic signage and better reflect the personality of the business owner. The ordinance is scheduled for public hearing on September 16, 2020. Financial or budget considerations: Not at this time. Strategic priority consideration: Not applicable. Supporting documents: Discussion; Draft ordinance Prepared by: Gary Morrison, assistant zoning administrator Reviewed by: Sean Walther, planning and zoning supervisor Karen Barton, community development director Approve d by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 2 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment Discussion Background: Section 36-362 of the city code regulates signs in St. Louis Park. The purpose of the sign code is to establish standards for the size, placement and maintenance of signs. The sign regulations are intended to permit a safe, efficient, effective and aesthetic means of communication using signs which recognizes the need to maintain an attractive and appealing appearance of property and community. City code prohibits signs from being painted directly on a building [section 36-362(e)(9)]. In 2019, a business painted a sign on their building without receiving a permit or permission. As a result, staff began enforcing the above regulation and required the sign to be removed. The business owner contacted the ward council person about the sign and the ward council person asked staff to review the regulations and a potential code revision. The ward councilperson also submitted a request to discuss the issue at a future study session, to which the city council agreed. It is currently listed 12th in the city council’s priority discussion topics on the city council’s tentative agenda. The primary concerns with painted signs are ongoing maintenance and covering over exterior materials that are favored in the city code (i.e. class I materials, including brick). Staff reviewed regulations from various cities including St. Paul and Minneapolis and found that painted signs are permitted. The regulations include provisions requiring the signs to be maintained in good repair and removed entirely when the sign is no longer used. Present considerations: Attached is a copy of a proposed sign ordinance. It includes all the city code sign provisions for context. It also shows the following changes highlighted and redlined: Section 36-362(d)(3) requires a permit for supergraphics. A supergraphic is a mural or other depiction that does not include advertising. Section 36-362(e)(9) removing painted signs from the list of prohibited signs. This change allows businesses to begin painting signs directly on their buildings. Section 36-362(f)(16) language was added to require the building surface to be refinished to match the surrounding surface. As a result, when the painted sign is removed, then the portion of the wall where the sign existed must be refinished to match the surrounding wall surface. Next steps: The ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing before the planning commission on September 16, 2020. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 3 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment Sec. 36-362. Sign regulations. (a) Purpose . The purpose of this section is to establish minimum requirements for the size, placement and maintenance of signs by adoption of regulations governing all signs in the city. The sign regulations are intended to permit a safe, efficient, effective and aesthetic means of communication using signage which recognizes the need to maintain an attractive and appealing appearance of property in the community, including that property used for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, public development us e, and the air space above and between those uses. These regulations are intended to permit signage which is adequate for effective communication but minimizes distractions to traffic and prevents visual clutter and visual pollution which can be caused by the unregulated use of signage. (b) Findings. The city finds that: (1)The manner of installation, location and maintenance of signs affects the public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of the community. (2)An opportunity for identification of community business and institutions must be established. (3)The safety of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and other users of the public streets and property are affected by the number, size, location and appearance of signs that divert the attention of drivers. (4)Installation of signs on the tops of buildings constitutes a hazard during periods of high winds and is an obstacle to effective firefighting and other emergency services. (5)Uncontrolled and unlimited construction and placement of permanent and temporary signs adversely affects the image and aesthetic attractiveness of the community and undermines economic value and growth. (6)Uncontrolled, abandoned and unlimited signs, particularly temporary signs, which are commonly located in or near public rights-of-way or at driveway and street intersections, result in roadside clutter, obstruction of views of oncoming traffic, and a visual distraction to drivers and pedestrians. (7)Electronic signs, including video display signs, are highly visible from long distances and at very wide viewing angles both day and night and are designed to catch the eye of persons in their vicinity and hold it for extended periods of time. If left uncontrolled, electronic signs, including video display signs, are highly distracting to drivers and driver distraction continues to be a significant underlying cause of traffic accidents. (c)Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 4 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment Backlighting means an illuminated sign where the light source which illuminates the wall behind individual sign letters is hidden from view. The sign letters are opaque and appear as a silhouette against the lighted surface. Billboard and off-premises sign means a permanent sign located outdoors, that is readable from adjacent properties including public right-of-ways, and whose message advertises a product, service, business, event or activity which is not offered for sale, rent or does not take place on the premises on which the sign is located. Off-premises signs do not include multi-tenant identification signs that advertise tenants on a different property provided such tenants are within the same approved PUD and parking is shared between properties. Commercial message means any message which identifies a business or product or promotes the sale of any product or service. Courtesy bench means any bench licensed by the city and in compliance with chapter 8 of this Code. Decorative banner means a piece of fabric attached to a pole or building wall as a decorative display of color to enhance the architecture of a building or a site which does not contain a commercial message. Direct lighting means an illuminated sign where the source of light is visible. Height means the distance measured perpendicularly from the highest point of the sign structure to the grade level of the ground directly below that point or the grade level of the centerline of the nearest adjacent roadbed, whichever grade level is higher. Indirect lighting means an illuminated sign where the sign reflects the light from an external source. Internal lighting means an illuminated sign having the source of illumination located inside a translucent panel which is not directly visible. Scoreboard - a sign associated with an athletic field that includes information and/or statistics pertinent to an on-site game or activity and also includes any sponsor or identification panels. S ign means any written message, pictorial presentation, number, illustration, decoration, flag, banner or other device that is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise or otherwise make anything known. The term "sign" shall not include landscaping or the architectural embellishment of a building not intended to communicate information. For purposes of maintenance or removal, the term "sign" shall also include frames and support structures. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 5 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment Sign area means the area in square feet of all faces of the sign panel, including the frame. Each message shall be considered to be a sign. If individual letters are mounted directly on a wall, canopy or awning without a frame, the sign area shall be the area in square feet of the smallest rectangle, which e ncloses the sign message or logo. The sign area of a freestanding multiple face or volumetric sign shall be determined by totaling the area of all faces. The maximum aggregate or total sign area on a lot shall include the sign area of all signs. Sign, blade means a wall sign that projects away from the wall at an angle sufficient to provide visibility to at least two sides of the sign. Sign, canopy/awning means a visual message on an awning or canopy which is constructed according to the requirements of the building code, is an integral part of the building, and is consistent with the architecture and design of the building. Sign, changing means a sign whose message can be readily changed, by manual means. S ign, Electronic - any characteristic of a sign that appears to have movement or that appears to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure, or any other component of the sign. This includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking, or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, digital ink or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images, displays or video. Sign, flashing means any sign, which emits a blinking or flashing light, or creates the illusion of blinking or flashing light by means of animation. Sign, freestanding means a sign, which is self -supporting usually by uprights placed on or in the ground. Sign, Garage sale means a sign advertising a garage sale per section 36-82(b)(9). S ign, illuminated means any sign, which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines which are either internally or externally illuminated by an artificial light source. Sign, off-premises and billboard means a permanent sign located outdoors, that is readable from adjacent properties including public right-of-ways, and whose message advertises a product, service, business, event or activity which is not offered for sale, rent or does not take place on the premises on which the sign is located. Off-premises signs do not include multi- tenant identification signs that advertise tenants on a different property provided such tenants are within the same approved PUD and parking is shared between properties. (Ord. No. 2350- 08, 03-28-08) Sign, permanent means any sign that is not a temporary sign, real estate sign, political sign, project information sign or pedestrian sign. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 6 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment Sign, pedestrian means a temporary sign, which is constructed of durable materials and is designed to be readily moved from one location to another. (ex. Sandwich board sign or any item containing a message) For purposes of this ordinance, any sign mounted to, or conveyed by means of, a vehicle shall not be considered a pedestrian sign. S ign, political means a temporary sign, which advertises or promotes a candidate for public office, a political party, an issue to be considered in a public election or any other message not classified as a commercial message. Sign, private directional means a sign, which includes no advertising placed on private property for the purpose of regulating, guiding, warning traffic or persons, or providing other safety information. Sign, project information means a temporary directional sign displayed during the time that a construction project on a public roadway or in an approved redevelopment district is underway. Sign, public means any sign defined as a traffic control sign in the Highway Traffic Regulation Act M.S.A. § 169.97 et seq., any identification sign installed in a public park by a public authority, or any other identification, regulatory, or warning sign approved by the city council for installation on public land. Sign, rooftop means a sign attached to any roof or any sign attached to a building in any other manner that allows more than ten percent of its area to extend above the wall or parapet wall of the side of the building on which the sign is located. S ign , rotating means a sign or a portion of a sign which moves in a rotating, oscillating or similar manner. Sign, temporary means a sign designed to be displayed for a limited period of time that is not permanently fixed to the land or a structure. Sign, wall means a sign attached to or erected against an exterior wall surface of a building or structure. Supergraphics means any mosaic, mural, painting or graphic art or combination thereof which is professionally applied to a building that does not contain any brand name, product name, letters of the alphabet spelling or abbreviating the name of any product, company, profession or business, or any logo, trademark, trade name, or other commercial message. (d) Exempt signs. The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this section: (1)Public signs. Sign, real estate means a sign which advertises the development, sale, lease or rental of land or buildings. A real estate sign is designed to be displayed for a limited period of time and is not permanently fixed to the land or a structure. Real estate signs may be constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, wood or any other light and non-durable material. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 7 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment (2)The United States flag, other national flags, the flags of all the states of the United States and the city flag. (3)Supergraphics., except that a permit shall be required. (4)A building address which does not exceed 12 inches in height. (5)Signs on courtesy benches, if they comply with the requirements of chapter 8 of this Code. (6)Signs on vehicles when the vehicle is being used in the normal day-to-day operation of a business. (e)Prohibited signs. The following signs are prohibited in all use districts: (1)Flashing signs. (2)Signs on or over the public rights-of -way unless the city council grants permission for a temporary sign on or over the public rights-of -way for a period of time not to exceed ten days. (3)Searchlights, beacons, strobe lights or other illuminated signs emitting a beam consisting of a collection or concentration of rays of light. (4)Rooftop signs. (5)Rotating signs. (6)Billboards. (7)Off-premises signs. (8)Inflatable signs and tethered balloons. (9)Signs painted directly on a building. (109)Signs mounted on chimneys, rooftop equipment, observation towers, flagpoles, cooling towers, elevator penthouses, commercial antennas, communication towers, belfries, church spires and cupolas. (110)Signs, including the sign structure or any other component of the sign, that rotate, revolve, scroll, move, flash, blink, fade, or are animated. (f) General provisions. Subject to the following regulations, signs are a permitted accessory use in all use districts: (1)Permit required. A sign permit shall be issued prior to the installation of any sign. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 8 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment a.Exception. Real estate signs less than 10 square feet in area, political signs and garage sale signs are exempt from the permit requirements. b.Submission requirements. The following information shall be submitted prior to a sign permit being issued: 1.Application form and fee. A fee shall be charged per sign, except that decorative banners and private directional signs less than 4 square feet per sign face shall be charged one fee per proposal submitted for review and approval. 2.Site plan and building elevations, if applicable. 3.Two sets of drawings for each sign that is proposed. c.Sign permits shall be null and void if the sign is not installed 180 days after the issuance of a permit. (2)Required yards. Sign shall maintain a 10 foot minimum yard to property line unless exempted below: a.In the C-1, C -2, BP, and M-X districts the required yard for any sign less than 200 square feet in sign area shall be 5 feet. b.In the C-1, C -2 and M-X districts, a blade sign may project into the required front yard if the sign meets the following requirements: 1.The sign is attached to a wall in such a manner that meets the building code; and 2.The lowest portion of the sign is no closer than 8 feet to the ground; and 3.The sign shall not extend higher than the lowest portion of a window of a residential unit located on the second story of a mixed use building. 4.No portion of the sign shall extend more than 5 feet into the required yard, and in no instances shall the sign project into the public right-of-way. 5.The portion of any sign face extending into the required yard does not exceed 40 square feet. c.Except as allowed under (3)b of this section, a wall sign may extend into the required yard a distance not to exceed 18 inches, and a canopy or awning sign may extend into the required yard as allowed by Section 36-73(a)(5) and Section36-73(b)(3), except that structures that do not meet the current front or side yard requirements shall place signs flush against the front or side walls. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 9 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment d. A sign may be placed on the face of an existing canopy or awning located on a structure classified as conforming or lawful nonconforming use if the sign does not extend above the top or below the bottom of the vertical portion of the canopy or awning face. e. Real estate signs meeting the standards set forth in Section 36-362(h)(1). f. Private directional signs meeting the standards set forth in Section 36-362(h)(2). g. Pedestrian signs meeting the standards set forth in Section 36-362(h)(4). h. Decorative Banners meeting the standards set forth in Section 36-362(h)(5). h. Political signs meeting the standards set forth in Section 36-362(h)(6). i. Project Information signs meeting the standards set forth in Section 36-362(h)(7). k. In the I-P district the required front yard for a freestanding sign shall be 20 feet. The required side yard abutting a street for a freestanding sign shall be 15 feet. (3) Freestanding signs. Except for private directional, project information, real estate, political, decorative banners, and temporary signs, no more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted on an individual street frontage of a lot or PUD site. (4) Parking areas. Signs shall not be placed in or restrict access to required parking spaces or loading berths. (5) Multi-tenant building. The property owner or the property owner's designee shall be responsible for allocating the allowable sign area among the tenants of a multi-tenant building. If the property owner does not allocate the sign area, the city may do so based on the proportion of floor area or tenant frontage occupied by each tenant. (6) Lighting. All signs must meet the following standards: a. Direct rays or glare of light from an illu minated sign shall not be visible from public right-of-way or property other than that on which the illuminated sign is located. Any external source of illumination must be provided with shields or lenses which concentrate the light onto the sign. b. Brightness Standards: 1. The sign shall not be brighter than is necessary for clear and adequate visibility. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 10 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment 2. The sign shall not be of such intensity or brilliance as to impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver or to otherwise interfere with the driver's operation of a motor vehicle. 3. The sign shall not be of such intensity or brilliance that it interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal. 4. The sign shall not exceed a maximum illumination of 5000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours and a maximum illumination of 500 nits (candelas per square meter) between dusk to dawn as measured from the sign’s face. 5. Electronic signs installed after May 28, 2010 shall meet the following standards: a. A mechanism that immediately turns off the sign if it malfunctions. b. A mechanism that automatically adjusts the illuminative brightness of the display according to existing ambient light conditions. c. The sign shall not exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light as measured from 100 feet from the sign. All measurements shall be taken with the meter pointing at the sign and perpendicular to the sign face. The ambient light level shall be taken with the sign off. The sign brightness level shall be taken with the sign displaying a full white screen. 6. The electronic sign must be certified as complying with the brightness standards and the malfunction provision. The Certification must come from the sign manufacturer or other qualified individual and must be submitted with the sign permit application and at any time thereafter as requested by the city. 7. The person owning or controlling the sign must adjust the sign to meet the brightness standards in accordance with the city's instructions. The adjustment must be made immediately upon notice of non-compliance from the city. (7) Electrical wiring. The electrical energy used to illuminate freestanding signs may not be from an overhead source but must be buried underground. The conduit and wiring to all signs must be concealed. (8) Wind load. All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind loads of at least 30 pounds per square foot of area and the dead loads required by the building code and other ordinances of the city. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 11 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment (9) Anchoring. All signs shall be safely and securely anchored to their supporting structure. All attachments and movable parts shall be securely fastened. No sign shall be anchored to another sign. (10) Bracing. All signs shall be constructed with internal or hidden bracing. External bracing shall be eliminated whenever practicable. Exposed wire, cable and chain braces are prohibited. (11) Glass . All glass must be safety or tempered glass and designed and installed to withstand a wind load of 30 pounds per square foot. (12) Durable Materials. All permanent sign faces and supports shall be made of durable materials. Canvas, cloth and similar materials such as flexible vinyl, are not allowed except for canopies and temporary signs other than pedestrian signs. Awnings shall be constructed of heavy canvas fabric, metal, and/or glass. Plastic, vinyl, and backlit awnings are prohibited. All permanent wood signs must be constructed of durable hardwood products. The wood must be treated against rot and decay, and cannot be constructed of plywood, chipped wood, hardboard, fiber board or similar materials. Sign support structures shall not be constructed of wood. (13) Maintenance. All signs shall be kept in good repair and free from peeling paint, rust, damaged or rotted supports or framework, broken or missing faces, facing or missing letters. Faded or torn canopies, awnings and banners shall be removed or replaced. If faded or torn canopies, awnings and banners are not removed or replaced by the owner within 30 days of notification by the city, the city may remove them and assess the cost of removal to the property. (14) Maintenance grounds. The premises surrounding all ground signs shall be maintained by the property owner or tenant of the property on which they are located in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition free and clear of all rubbish and weeds. (15) Removal and repair. Any structure from which a sign has been moved or removed shall be repaired with a material which matches the existing background. (16) Removal of painted signs. Any structure from which a painted sign is removed shall be repainted, sandblasted or treated in a manner which makes the former sign not visible. The surface from which the sign was removed, shall be refinished in a manner to match the surrounding surface. (17) Signs not to be traffic hazard. No sign shall be installed in a way that obstructs clear vision of persons using the streets or at any location that, because of its position, shape, or color, interferes with, obstructs the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. No sign, other than public or project informational signs, shall be visible from a public street which makes use of the words "Stop," "Look," "Danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character which may interfere with, mislead or confuse persons using the public streets. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 12 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment (18) Pedestrian clearance. Any sign which projects over a sidewalk or other pedestrianway must be not less than eight feet above ground level. (19) Sign area and height. The allowable sign area and height are established by table 36- 362A in this subsection (f)(20) and adjustments to table 36-362A in subsection (g) of this section according to the parcel size or PUD site size and use district in which the sign is located. (20) Noncommercial speech. Any non-commercial message may be substituted for any commercial message on any sign allowed under the Code, subject to the same regulations applicable to such signs. TABLE 36-362A SIGN AREA AND HEIGHT Use District &Lot Size (sq ft) Maximu m Sign Height (feet) PERMANENT SIGNAGE TEMPORARY SIGNAGE REAL ESTATE SIGNAGE Maximu m Total Area (sq ft) Maximu m Size of Sign Face (sq ft) Maximum Total Area (sq ft) Maximum Total Area (sq ft) R-1 6 2 2 6 6 R-2 6 2 2 6 6 R-3 0 -15,000 6 2 2 6 6 Over 15,000 6 25 25 25 60 R-4 0-30,000 10 40 40 25 80 Over 30,000 10 60 60 25 80 R-C 0 - 30,000 15 60 40 25 80 Over 30,000 15 100 60 25 80 C-1 0 -10,000 25 100 75 80 80 10,000 - 20,000 25 150 100 80 80 Over 20,000 25 200 150 80 80 C-2/M-X 0 -10,000 25 100 75 80 80 10,000 - 20,000 25 200 100 80 80 20,000 - 50,000 25 250 150 80 80 50,000 - 200,000 25 300 150 80 80 Over 200,000 25 400 300 80 80 O 0 - 20,000 25 100 100 80 80 20,000 - 50,000 25 200 100 80 80 50,000 - 100,000 25 300 150 80 80 Over 100,000 25 500 300 80 80 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 13 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment Use District &Lot Size (sq ft) Maximu m Sign Height (feet) PERMANENT SIGNAGE TEMPORARY SIGNAGE REAL ESTATE SIGNAGE Maximu m Total Area (sq ft) Maximu m Size of Sign Face (sq ft) Maximum Total Area (sq ft) Maximum Total Area (sq ft) I -P /I -G/ BP 0 - 20,000 25 100 75 80 80 20,000 - 50,000 25 200 100 80 80 50,000 – 100,000 25 250 150 80 80 100,000– 200,000 25 300 300 80 80 Over 200,000 25 400 300 80 80 POS 0 -30 acres 15 80 60 80 0 Over 30 acres 25 450 150 80 0 (g) Adjustments to table 36-362A . Signs which qualify for any adjustment permitted under this section shall conform to all other sections of this chapter. (1) In an R district, identification signs may be permitted for religious institutions, libraries, museums, art galleries, schools, golf courses, country clubs, community centers, colleges, universities, hospitals and sanitariums in excess of the size allowed in table 36-362A based on the following criteria: a. Size. The sign shall be proportional to the size of the facility, need for signage, street frontage, location, visibility, and development in the area. The maximum sign size shall not exceed 20 square feet per sign face on a local street, 40 square feet per sign face on a minor collector street, and 60 square feet per sign face on any other street frontage. b. Height. No freestanding sign shall exceed 15 feet high. c. Lighting. Signs shall be lighted only by backlighting, internal lighting or indirect lighting. d. Design. The materials and design of signs shall be integrated with the site and buildings on the site by using compatible materials and consistent design features. If freestanding, the sign shall be placed in a landscaped bed equal in area to twice the size of the combined sign faces. e. Sign purpose. The principal purpose of any sign permitted under this section shall be to identify the public or institutional use made of the property. (2) For any building not located in an R district which is eight or more stories or 85 or more feet in height, the maximum size for any one sign may be increased to 400 square feet, if the sign is located on the wall of the building more than 75 feet above the ground. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 14 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment (3) The maximum size for any one real estate sign may be increased to 200 square feet for any building not located in an R district which is six or more stories or 65 or more feet in height, if the sign is located on the wall of the building more than 55 feet above the ground. (4) In the C-1, C -2, O, BP, M-X, PUD, I-G and I-P districts, the total area of all wall signs on a building which meets the following outlined conditions shall not be included in calculating the aggregate sign area on a lot: a. The building shall be a shopping center, a building containing multiple tenants, or a single -tenant building located on a single lot with other principal buildings and is part of an approved CUP or planned unit development. b. The tenants are located on the ground floor of the building and have a direct and primary access to the outside of the building. c. The sign area of all wall, blade, canopy, or awning signs permitted by this section shall not exceed seven percent of the exterior wall area of the space occupied by the tenant. d. The sign is located on the exterior wall of the space occupied by the tenant from which the seven percent sign area was derived. e. No individual wall sign shall exceed 150 square feet in area, except in the C-1 and M-X districts where the maximum area of any individual sign shall not exceed 100 square feet. (5) The maximum size of the sign face may be increased by 20 percent for a property which is not located in an R district if the sign is located at least 100 feet from any public right-of-way. (6) The sign which identifies a contiguous group of buildings under a single ownership within a single complex shall be exempt from the total sign area requirements if the property on which the sign is erected is not located in an R district. The maximum size of the sign face shall be regulated by table 36-362A. (7) Additional signs permitted in the POS district. The following signs are permitted in the POS district, and shall not be included in the maximum total area for permanent and temporary signs identified in table 36-362A. a. Scoreboards. One scoreboard per athletic field with a maximum height of 15 feet and a maximum sign face of 80 square feet. b. Athletic field signs are considered to be temporary signs and are permitted with the following conditions: Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 15 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment 1. The s ign must be inside of, and face the interior of, an athletic field that is fully enclosed by a fence. 2. The sign shall not be displayed before May 1 and/or after October 31. 3. The maximum sign height is 4 feet. 4. The maximum sign face is 4 feet by 8 feet. 5. The maximum height of text (letters and numerals) is 7 inches. 6. The maximum height of logos is 15 inches. 7. Pictures and illustrations are permitted at any size within the 4 x 8 sign face. 8. The back side of the sign must be blank and painted a dark shade of green. 9. The sign cannot be illuminated or made of reflective materials. 10. There shall be no more than 15 signs per field. (h) Special provisions. In addition to the general provisions contained in subsection (f) of this section, these special provisions apply to the following types of signs: (1) Real estate sign. Real estate signs shall be regulated as follows: a. A real estate sign which does not exceed ten square feet in area and ten feet in height is exempt from the required yard restrictions. b. A real estate sign may only be displayed on the property on which the sign is advertising the sale, lease or rental of. c. A real estate sign may only be displayed until the advertised property is sold, leased or rented. (2) Private directional sign. Private directional signs are regulated as follows: a. A private directional sign that does not exceed 4 square feet in sign face area and 42 inches in height, shall be exempt from the required yard restrictions, and shall not be included in the maximum total area for permanent signs identified in table 36-362A. b. A private directional sign that exceeds 4 square feet in sign face area, and/or 42 inches in height shall be subject to all permanent sign regulations. c. All private directional signs shall be located on the property, or within an approved planned unit development, on which the business receiving the benefit of the private directional sign is located. (3) Temporary sign. Temporary signs are regulated as follows: a. With the exception of Pedestrian signs as defined below, temporary signs may be permitted on a lot for a total of 30 days in any calendar year. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 16 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment b. The total sign area of all temporary signs on a lot shall not exceed the total permitted in table 36-362A. c. A temporary sign shall not direct persons to or advertise a product or service not available on the premises where the sign is located. d. Temporary signs, other than pedestrian signs, may be constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, wood or any other light and non-durable material. e. Pedestrian Signs are temporary signs further regulated as follows: 1. Pedestrian signs may be displayed in the C, O and MX districts only. 2. No portion of the sign shall project beyond a cube measuring 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep by 4 feet in height. 3. Pedestrian signs may be placed up to the property line, subject to Section 36- 76. No portion of the sign shall be placed in, or project into the public right- of-way, and any such sign shall be located so that it does not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular movement or impede pedestrian or vehicular visibility. 4. The sign may be displayed during business hours only. The sign shall be stored inside a building during non-business hours and during severe weather conditions. 5. The sign shall not be placed in such a manner that it obstructs the visibility of another property's permanent signage. 6. No place of business shall display more than 1 pedestrian sign at any time and the total of all pedestrian and other temporary signs on the property shall not exceed the total allowed in table 36-362A. 7. Pedestrian signs that are maintained in good repair and in accordance with all ordin ance provisions may be permitted for up to one calendar year. The Zoning Administrator may revoke a permit and remove any sign that does not meet the ordinance requirements or is creating a public hazard. After one year, a new permit may be applied for. 8. Pedestrian signs may be constructed of wood, metal, non-flexible plastic or any other durable material. (4) Decorative banners. Decorative banners are allowed in the R-C, C-2, O and M-X districts and are regulated as follows: Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 17 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment a. All decorative banners shall be an integral part of the overall design scheme of a project. A decorative banner shall be deemed to be a part of the integral design scheme if the following conditions exist: 1. The decorative banners are compatible with the architectural character of the building in terms of rhythm of openings, horizontal or vertical emphasis, and stylistic features of the building in color, pattern and shape. 2. The decorative banners are considered to be in harmony and unity with various elements within the site and also within the larger context of the area or corridor. 3. The location and placement of the banners provides a harmonious rhythm to the building and site elements. 4. The zoning administrator shall determine whether any banner meets the design criteria set forth by this subsection (h)(4). b. No single decorative banner may exceed eight square feet in area. c. Decorative banners shall be securely fastened on the full length of at least two sides of the decorative banner to a structure which was erected for another principal purpose, such as a light standard. d. Faded or torn decorative banners shall be removed or replaced. If faded or torn banners are not removed or replaced by the owner within 30 days of notification by the city, the city may remove them and assess the cost of removal to the property. e. No decorative banner may display a commercial message. Commercial messages are allowed on other signage in accordance with this section. f. Decorative banners shall be exempt from the total allowable sign area for a parcel. The maximum aggregate area for decorative banners shall not exceed 15 percent of the total allowable sign area for a parcel. g. The top of a decorative banner may not exceed 15 feet in height from the ground. h. No de corative banner may be displayed within any required yard. (5) Political signs. a. Political signs of any size are permitted in any number from 46 days before a primary election , or the general election if a primary election is not held. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 18 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment b. Political signs must be removed within ten days after the general election has been held. c. Political signs shall not be placed on the public right-of-way or any publicly owned property, including boulevard trees and utility poles. d. Political signs shall not obstruct the vision at an intersection or otherwise constitute a hazard to public safety. (6) Project information signs. a. Purpose. The purpose of a project information sign is to identify a business or group of businesses affected by a construction project that is underway on a roadway or in an approved redevelopment district to direct traffic or convey that the business or group of businesses is open to the public. Project information signs shall not be used for the purpose of advertising products, services or events. b. Design. Project information signs shall have black letters on a "federal highway orange" background. A project information sign displayed on public property must conform to the Highway Traffic Regulation Act, M.S.A. § 169.97 et seq., for informational signs and if displayed on private property, may not exceed the area and he ight requirements of this section for signs on that parcel. c. Placement. The city council shall be responsible for approving the general location of project information signs. Such signs may not be permitted on a roof. d. Duration. Project information signs will be removed when the city determines that: 1. The business identified discontinues operation; 2. The construction work has been completed; or 3. Access to the business is no longer affected by the construction project. e. Plan development. A plan for the project information signs may be initiated by either the affected businesses or city staff. If developed by city staff, the plan shall be reviewed by the affected businesses prior to transmitting the plan to the city council for consideration. f. Installation. The city will be responsible for the fabrication and installation of project information signs installed on public property. The cost of fabricating, installing and maintaining the signs will be paid by the affected busine sses. If a project information sign is displayed on private property, it is the responsibility of the property owner to fabricate and install the sign according to the approved signage Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 19 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment plan and to pay all costs, including sign permit fees, incident to the fabrication and placement of the project information signs. (7) Signs which advertise businesses on freeways and highways. a. Application may be made to the city for an increase in maximum sign height on a lot having all of the following characteristics: 1. The lot abuts the right-of-way of an interstate freeway or state highway or abuts a frontage road immediately adjacent to an interstate freeway or state highway. 2. The lot does not have and is not permitted to have directional signage on the interstate freeway or state highway directing the public to the subject lot. 3. The lot has no other option permitted by this chapter to provide the requested square footage of signage visible from 50 percent of, at a plane 3.5 feet above, the portion of the interstate freeway or highway adjacent to the lot. b. To be eligible for an increase in sign height, the second point of all cross sectional drawings, as described in subsection (h)(7)b.2.ii. of this section, must be located such that more than 50 percent of the plane above the traveled surface of the interstate freeway or state highway is obstructed from the first point, as described in subsection (h)(7)b.2.i. of this section. An application for increased sign height shall be accompanied by the following drawings drawn to scale: 1. A site plan showing the location of the proposed sign, property lines of the subject property, road alignments of adjacent streets and highways and the locations of any cross sectional drawings necessary to analyze the request. 2. Cross sectional drawings necessary to analyze the request showing the entire traveled surface of the freeway or state highway, any retaining walls or fences, any frontage roads, proposed sign location and height and a straight line (referred to as the "sight line") drawn between two points described as follows: i. The first point situated on a line perpendicular to the earth's surface at the location of the proposed sign passing through the center of the sign face and 25 feet above the centerline of the nearest adjacent street or the ground level of the base of the proposed sign, whichever results in a higher elevation. ii. The second point situated on a plane surface 3.5 feet above and parallel to the traveled surface of the interstate freeway or state highway, located by projecting a line from the first point to its intersection with the plane surface so that the resulting point of intersection of the line with the plane surface (the second point) is as close as possible to the first Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 20 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment point while n ot passing through an intervening obstruction that would prevent visibility. c. The zoning administrator may approve an application to increase sign height which meets the criteria set forth in this subsection (h)(7)c. where the proposed sign plan meets each of the following requirements: 1. The sign is no higher than necessary to permit the bottom edge of the sign face to be visible from at least 50 percent of the traveled surface of the interstate or state highway. 2. The top of the sign face is no more than 12 feet above the bottom of the sign face. 3. The location of the sign is such that the increase in sign height is minimized. 4. The sign face shall not exceed 150 square feet. 5. The sign lighting is either internal or indirect and no light source is visible beyond the property lines of the lot. 6. Illuminated signs located within 400 feet of the structures used for residential purposes shall have its illuminated portion shielded from view of such residential structures. (8) Electronic sign s. Electronic signs are allowed subject to the following conditions: a. The sign face shall not exceed: 1. 20 square feet in a residential district and the Park and Open Space District. 2. 40 square feet in all other districts. b. The maximum sign face established above shall not be in excess of the maximum sign area allowed in table 36-362A. c. No more than one sign face may be visible from any same location off-site. d. Messages and/or images must be displayed for at least three seconds. e. Electronic signs existing on May 28, 2010 must comply with this section, except that electronic signs that exceed the maximum size limit above may continue as a non-conforming sign as to size. f. Messages or displays must change instantaneously. Using any type of special effect to change from one message or display to another is prohibited. (i) Nonconforming signs. (1) General. A nonconforming sign shall not be rebuilt, relocated, altered or modified in size or height unless it is made fully conforming with this section. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 6) Page 21 Title: Painted signs zoning code text amendment (2) Removal. Except for changing signs or billboards, if a face or message on a nonconforming sign is removed, the entire sign and sign structure must be removed or made to conform with this section. (3) Temporary sign. Temporary and portable signs in existence at the time of passage of the ordinance from which this section is derived which do not conform to this section shall be removed or made to conform within 30 days of the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived. (4) Real estate signs. Real estate signs in existence as of the date of the ordinance from which this section is derived was adopted which do not conform with the requirements of this section shall be removed or made to conform within 120 days of the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived. (5) Billboards. a. Any billboard in existence as of the date of the ordinance from which this section is derived was adopted may remain in place if it is not increased in sign area or height and is maintained in conformance with the general provisions of this chapter. The following are not permitted on billboards: 1. Flashing signs. 2. Changing signs. 3. Rotating signs. 4. Electronic signs. b. The maximum height of a billboard shall be 35 feet, including extensions, measured as required by subsection (c) of this section. c. Billboards which have been destroyed or damaged must be removed when the cost of repair equals more than 50 percent of the appraised physical value of the structure. (6) All lawful nonconforming signs existing at the time of passage of the ordinance from which this section is derived, except temporary signs, real estate signs and billboards, must be removed or made to conform by January 1, 2000, unless the existing sign was made nonconforming by a provision of this section. Those nonconforming signs must be removed or made to conform to this section by January 1, 2005. (j) Forfeiture. Any sign installed or placed on public property shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation, unless it conforms to the requirements of this section. In addition to other remedies granted to it by this section, the city shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing the sign the full costs of removal and disposal of the sign in a civil action. Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 7 Executive summary Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time -Sensitive** • The report is presented for information only. No action is required. Policy consideration: Is the progress on the franchise renewal in keeping with council expectations? Summary: The city’s current franchise agreement with Comcast expires in January 2021. Upon receipt of Comcast’s request to renew its cable franchise in the city, the city notified Comcast of its intent to conduct informal renewal negotiations in accordance with the federal Cable Act. To prepare for negotiations, the city evaluated Comcast’s past performance under the existing franchise and conducted a needs assessment to determine the future cable -related Public- Educational-Government (PEG) community needs and interests of the city. This is the criteria prescribed by the Cable Act. Following the conclusion of the needs assessment, the city’s cable franchise attorney developed a draft franchise agreement, which the city plans to submit to Comcast for consideration. Financial or budget considerations: The final franchise agreement will determine the franchise fee, based on a percentage of gross revenues derived from cable service and PEG (public- e ducational-government) capital funding to be received by the city over the next franchise term, expected to be 10 years. Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement. Supporting documents: Community needs assessment report and appendices October 28, 2019 council study session report Prepared by: Jacque Smith, communications and marketing manager Reviewed by: Clint Pires, chief information officer Brian Grogan, attorney at law, Moss & Barnett Approve d by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Page 2 Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Discussion Background: The city’s current franchise agreement with Comcast expires in January 2021. Upon receipt of Comcast’s request to renew its cable franchise in the city, the city notified Comcast of its intent to conduct informal renewal negotiations in accordance with the federal Cable Act. To prepare for negotiations, the city evaluated Comcast’s past performance under the existing franchise and conducted a needs assessment to determine the future cable-related Public-Educational-Government (PEG) community needs and interests of the city. This is the criteria prescribed by the Cable Act. Present considerations: The city retained The Buske Group to prepare the needs assessment, which was undertaken from August 2019 through May 2020. The final needs assessment report, attached, includes summaries of the following: •Review of documentation related to the current Comcast franchise agreement. •Tour of city cable facilities and inventory of all equipment purchased with revenue derived from the franchise fee and PEG fees under the existing franchise with Comcast. •Community leader/stakeholder meeting in November 2019, attended by 18 participants. •Three in-person focus groups in January 2020, attended by 54 participants. •An online survey available from late January through March 2020, with 536 respondents. •A final report with results of the inventory, focus groups and survey, along with a summary of the needs and interests of the community. Input from community meetings and the focus groups, as well as from the research conducted by The Buske Group, resulted in several recommendations. Many of those have been incorporated into the initial draft franchise agreement that will be submitted to Comcast for consideration, including points related to the ever-important issues of customer service and viewer access. Most notably in the draft franchise agreement, the city is seeking to increase the amount of PEG capital support. This increase will help ensure ongoing equipment replacement for existing PEG functions as well as to help provide initial investment for a new community media center, which was identified as a strong interest by community members who participated in the needs assessment. A community media center would provide significant elements not currently available in the ParkTV inventory, with special digital media services and training developed to meet the needs of the community and to lessen the digital divide by providing training and resources to everyone including the BIPOC community, youth, senior citizens and persons with disab ilities. FCC 621 Order update In September 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an Order known as the “621 Order.” The 621 Order took effect with the potential to signif icantly reduce franchise fee and public, educational and government (PEG) fee revenue received by cities from cable operators. The city has not yet been contacted by current cable franchisees regarding any changes to the expected franchise payments as a result of the 621 Order. In October 2019, a petition for review was filed in federal court (Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals) seeking review of the 621 Order on the grounds that the 621 O rder is arbitrary and capricious, violates federal Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Page 3 Title: Comcast franchise renewal update law and is otherwise contrary to the law. No final decision is expected on this appeal until spring of 2021. City staff is working in close partnership with Brian Grogan , attorney at law, Moss & Barnett, throughout this process. To prepare for the potential impacts of the 621 Order, the needs assessment included: •Assessment of program origination sites at city and school district facilities currently provided at no charge as part of the current Comcast franchise agreement. The new FCC order may permit Comcast to assess “maintenance costs” for each connection. •Assessment of the community and business need for each of the five ParkTV channels. •Inventory of the various free and discounted Comcast cable viewing services provided to city buildings. Next steps: The draft franchise agreement will soon be submitted to Comcast for consideration. It’s expected that following their review there will be points of discussion prior to arriving at a final franchise . The current franchise agreement ends in January 2021. City staff is hopeful that a new franchise agreement will be in place by that time. 4808 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95819 (916) 441-6277 | www.thebuskegroup.com | sue@thebuskegroup.com COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PEG ACCESS REVIEW FOR THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA May 18, 2020 Prepared by THE BUSKE GROUP 4808 T STREET SACRAMENTO, CA 95819 (916) 441-6277 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 II. COMMUNITY CABLE NEEDS AND INTERESTS ....................................................... 3 A. OVERVIEW AND METHODOLOGY ....................................................................... 3 B. COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP WORKSHOPS AND ON-LINE SURVEY .............. 4 C. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS AND BRAINSTORMING DURING ..................... 14 COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS D. PARKTV OPERATIONS, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT .................................. 20 E. SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS ...................................................................... 25 III. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY CABLE-RELATED ................. 32 NEEDS AND INTERESTS A. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 32 B. CABLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ...................................................................... 33 C. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ........................ 36 D. PEG ACCESS .................................................................................................... 38 APPENDICES 1. Community Needs & Interests Questionnaire 2. a. Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire (by ALL) b. Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire (by Comcast subscribers) 3. a. Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about Comcast b. Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about ParkTV 4. Notes from Focus Group Brainstorming Sessions 5. ParkTV Local Programming Operations Questionnaire 6. ParkTV Video Facility Inventory 7. Suggested Video Equipment Replacement/Upgrade Packages Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 5 1 COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PEG ACCESS REVIEW FOR THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA I. INTRODUCTION Cable TV service in the City of St. Louis Park (“City”) is currently provided by two companies: Comcast and CenturyLink. In August of 2019, The Buske Group was retained by the City to conduct an assessment of community cable-related needs and interests, for use during franchise renewal negotiations with Comcast. The Buske Group was authorized to conduct research in order to identify current and future community cable-related needs and interests. The existing Comcast cable franchise agreement with the City expires in January of 2021. Comcast reportedly serves about 10,600 subscribers in St. Louis Park. As a matter of federal law, the cable-related needs and interests of residents are protected in part through the Franchise renewal process. As part of the Franchise renewal process, the City is responsible for identifying cable-related needs and interests, and translating those interests into Franchise requirements. As stated in the legislative history to the Cable Act: The ability of a local government entity to require particular cable facilities (and to enforce requirements in the Franchise to provide those facilities) is essential if cable systems are to be tailored to the needs of each community [and the legislation] explicitly grants this power to the franchising authority. It is wise to use a variety of informational-gathering tools when conducting a needs assessment in any subject area. It is critical to use such a variety of tools when dealing with a technology arena that is rapidly evolving, such as cable communications. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 6 2 During renewal proceedings, the City may identify basic requirements for cable system capacity, functionality, and customer service, and require a cable operator to provide -- among other things – facilities, equipment and channels for Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Access. The City’s Division of Communications and Marketing operates the production and playback of PEG access channels and programming, which is branded as “ParkTV.” It is important to note that during the latter part of the period when activities related to this needs assessment were undertaken, massive changes to our society began to occur, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent social distancing and economic shutdown. Schools and most businesses closed, and people are working from home, if they’re working at all. In the midst of all of this, the importance of communication technologies has grown exponentially. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 7 3 II. COMMUNITY CABLE NEEDS AND INTERESTS A. OVERVIEW AND METHODOLOGY In order to develop a basic understanding of the current and future cable-related needs and interests for the City of St. Louis Park franchise area, public input was critical. Following is a brief description of the tasks planned and performed by The Buske Group in an effort to identify community cable-related needs and interests in the City of St. Louis Park:  Reviewed the current franchise agreement with Comcast and related documents that address PEG access matters, live two-way connections, service to public buildings, and other cable-related provisions.  Met with key City staff to discuss the community needs assessment.  Conducted a Community Leader/Stakeholder meeting on November 19, 2019, attended by key leaders representing the City, educational institutions, and community organizations to introduce the franchise renewal process and encourage participation in the focus groups and on-line survey.  Toured the City to learn more about its geography, demographics, and history.  Conducted a series of three community focus group workshops on January 22-23, 2020 to help identify current and future cable-related needs and ascertain attitudes about existing cable services and local access programming. The focus groups were attended by members of the general public, and people affiliated with the City, community organizations, and local educational institutions.  Prepared and conducted an on-line survey that was designed to identify community cable-related needs and interests, assess whether current local cable TV services and resources are adequate and appropriate, and help to identify changes that might be made to meet future community cable-related needs and interests. This online survey permitted focus group participants -- as well as City residents and representatives of area organizations and institutions who were unable to participate in the focus groups -- to provide input to this community needs assessment.  Prepared and distributed questionnaires regarding the existing PEG access facilities, equipment, programming and services for completion by the staff of ParkTV.  Met with ParkTV staff and observed the equipment packages at their facilities. Information was gathered from: (1) ParkTV staff; (2) cable subscribers and non- subscribers; (3) local government staff, department heads, and elected officials; (4) local businesspeople; (5) non-profit community organizations; (6) local school teachers, administrators, staff, and students; and (7) St. Louis Park residents. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 8 4 B. COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP WORKSHOPS AND ON-LINE SURVEY On January 22-23, 2020, The Buske Group led a series of three focus group workshops in St. Louis Park. While all interested community members were invited to participate, the constituencies of the three focus groups were:  City staff, elected officials, Boards, Commissions, and local businesses  Non-profit organizations (including arts, culture, faith, and senior organizations)  Teachers, administrators, staff, sports, parents and students  St. Louis Park residents Extensive community outreach was undertaken through mailings, e-blasts, social media, one-to-one contacts, and phone calls to encourage community participation in the focus groups and on-line survey. The focus group workshops provided the following information: (1) an overview of the cable franchise renewal process; (2) an explanation of how the current cable system works; and (3) an exploration of how individuals, community groups, government agencies, businesses, schools, and other organizations can benefit from or use the cable communication system. Special emphasis was placed on providing an opportunity for discussion and brainstorming by the participants. A total of 54 different people attended the three focus group workshops. These individuals were also invited to complete an on-line survey (for City residents and representatives of area organizations and institutions) that was designed to identify community cable-related needs and interests, assess whether current local cable TV services and resources are adequate and appropriate, and help to identify changes that might be made to meet future community cable-related needs and interests. A total of 536 on-line surveys were completed during the period from January 22 to March 13, 2020. A copy of the survey questionnaire is provided as Appendix 1 to this report. Appendix 2a displays the survey responses by all survey respondents, and Appendix 2b displays the survey responses by all Comcast subscriber-respondents. A list of the 31 organizational and institutional affiliations indicated by the focus group and online survey participants is provided on the following page. (Many participants did not indicate an affiliation, and some of the organizations listed were indicated by more than one participant.) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 9 5 Organizational Affiliations of Focus Group/On-Line Survey Participants  A Team Foundation  Adopt a street  Augusoft  Brainware Partners  Citizens Independent Bank  City Council  City of St Louis Park  Community Technology Advisory Commission  Dollars for Scholars  Flat Rate Content LLC  HelioMetrics  JCI Minnesota  Kiwanis Club of St. Louis  Lenox Foundation  Lohmans Amhurst HOA  Minnehaha Creek Watershed District  Minnesota State High School League  Monterey Community Association  NCAA  Park Theatre Company  ParkTV  SLP Historical Society  SLP Planning Commissioner  SLP Seed  St Louis Park Community and Youth Development Fund  St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts  St. Louis Park Public Schools  Sun Sailor  The Park Theater Company  Top Natchez Racing  USA Track & Field Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 10 6 Over half of the 536 on-line survey questionnaire respondents (271 individuals) said that they subscribe to the Comcast cable TV service in St. Louis Park. Of all Comcast subscribers, 72.7% indicated that they pay extra to receive high definition (HD) channels. Of this group, 57.1% said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD. Cable TV subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate which one source they used most often to find information about programming on their cable TV channels. 68.7% of the Comcast subscribers said they used their cable company’s on-screen program guide. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 11 7 Programs listed on a cable company’s on-screen program guide can be set to be recorded, using a digital video recorder (DVR). When asked how often they used their cable company’s DVR to record programs to watch later, 47.4% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents answered “always” or “sometimes.” The Comcast subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with Comcast’s cable TV service in five different areas. The chart on the next page displays their responses. Items rated “very satisfied” or “satisfied” (highlighted in yellow in the chart) by more than 40% of the survey respondents were the quality of the picture and sound -- by 75.7% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents, and the reliability of your cable TV service -- by 66.9% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents. Items rated “very dissatisfied” or “dissatisfied” (highlighted in pink in the chart) by more than 40% of these respondents were the rates for cable TV service (by 70.1% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents), and the amount of time it takes to talk to a representative when you call your cable company (by 44.1% of them). Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 12 8 Less than half (48.5%) of the Comcast cable TV subscribers said that their level of satisfaction with their cable TV service was “very satisfied” or “satisfied.” 23.5% of the Comcast subscribers said they were “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied.” 72.3% of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents said they tried to contact Comcast by telephone during the past year. When asked to estimate how long they waited to speak to a customer service representative, nearly two-thirds (65.9%) of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents indicated that they had to wait one minute or more. 56.6% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said that it is “very important” (28.1%) or “important” (28.5%) that Comcast provides an office in St. Louis Park, while 14.6% of them said this was “not important at all.” The Comcast subscriber-respondents could provide any comments about their cable TV service. 166 of them submitted comments, all of which are shown in Appendix 3a. 116 (69.9%) of the comments were negative, 39 (23.5%) of the comments included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, and 11 (6.6%) of the comments were positive. Most common criticisms were about the high cost, inability to only choose desired channels, technical problems, and customer service concerns. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 13 9 Next, all respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non-subscribers) were asked if they were aware of ParkTV and its programming on several cable TV channels or online. A very large majority (80.7%) of Comcast subscribers – and 70.4% of all survey respondents -- answered “yes.” Of the respondents who were aware of ParkTV: 1. 69.1% of Comcast subscribers had watched ParkTV programming, and of them:  42.6% had watched the government programming channel  30.6% had watched the local sports and events channel 2. 65.9% of all survey respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non- subscribers) had watched ParkTV programming, and of them:  27.0% had watched ParkTV’s YouTube channel  67.7% did not know that they can produce programs for ParkTV When Comcast subscriber-respondents who had watched ParkTV programming were asked how often they had watched a ParkTV channel or online in a typical month, 26.2% indicated that they had watched the government programming channel and 25.5% of them had watched the local sports and events channel at least once per month, as illustrated below: Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 14 10 Comcast subscribers who had watched ParkTV programming (69% of all Comcast subscriber-respondents) were then asked to indicate how often they had watched several different types of programming on the ParkTV channels. The chart below displays their responses. Most often mentioned as being watched at least once per month were:  Local high school sports (27.4%)  Government meeting coverage (25.2%)  Community events (20.5%) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 15 11 Comcast subscriber-respondents who had watched ParkTV channels were asked to indicate their opinion of five statements about the ParkTV programming. Over half of them said they “strongly agree” or “agree” with these three statements:  Provides programs that deal with local issues (63.9%)  Provides valuable information (61.8%)  Provides programs that publicize local services (58.1%) Comcast subscriber-respondents to the survey who had watched ParkTV programming were then asked to indicate all of the ways that they found out about ParkTV programs. The most frequently indicated method was Comcast’s on-screen program guide (49.0%), followed by “channel surfing” (41.5%). The Comcast subscriber-respondents who had watched ParkTV programming were then asked to rate the picture and sound quality of the ParkTV channels, as compared to other channels they watch. Well over half (59.9%) answered “lower quality,” and 32.0% answered “about the same.” Finally, the survey respondents who were aware of ParkTV were invited to provide comments about the programming and services offered by ParkTV. 69 comments were provided, and are included in Appendix 3b to this report. 33 (47.8%) of the comments included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, 24 (34.8%) of the comments were positive, and 12 (17.4%) of the comments were negative. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 16 12 Comcast subscriber-respondents were then asked how important they think it is to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents. A large majority (59.3%) said these local cable TV channels are “important” (39.5%) or “very important” (19.8%). All survey respondents were then provided a list of several types of local programs or services, and were asked to indicate their level of interest in them. The items for which more than half of the respondents indicated “very interested” or “interested” were:  Local news and information (65.3%)  Government/public agency meetings (60.7%)  Programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts and artists (57.2%)  Environmental programs (53.5%)  Information about government services (53.0%)  Informational programs about services and activities of St. Louis Park organizations and clubs (51.2%) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 17 13 Finally, all survey respondents were provided a list of media-related resources and services and were asked if they would like to use or participate in any of them if offered by ParkTV in the future. Over half of the respondents indicated “Yes” or “Maybe” regarding the following activities:  Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) (60.3%)  Free access to computers and the internet (53.0%)  Computer and software training (51.1%) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 18 14 C. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS AND BRAINSTORMING DURING COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS As mentioned earlier in this report, a portion of each of the community focus group sessions was set aside to allow participants to engage in a brainstorming process. During this time, the participants were asked to consider and discuss a series of questions, including:  What are the key local issues facing the City of St. Louis Park, local community organizations, and schools in the next ten years?  What makes it difficult to effectively communicate with residents and those you need to reach?  How would you (or your organization, local government department, or school) like to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to educate, inform, and entertain St. Louis Park residents?  What would make it easier for you (or your organization, local government department, or school) to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system? The information presented on the following pages is an analysis and synthesis of the information gathered through the brainstorming process during the focus group sessions. It is the result of a detailed review of the responses to the brainstorming questions discussed during each focus group meeting. Consequently, The Buske Group was able to identify frequently- mentioned community needs, interests, and concerns. The areas of agreement and groupings of responses to each question are presented in the analysis that follows. A copy of the notes from each brainstorming session is included as Appendix 4 to this report. It is important to note that the recommendations and thoughts that evolved from these brainstorming sessions were independently developed by the focus group workshop attendees, from diverse areas of interest throughout St. Louis Park. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 19 15 Input Gathered During Focus Group Workshop Brainstorming Sessions Question #1: What are the key local issues facing the City of St. Louis Park, local community organizations, and schools in the next ten years? The participants in the three focus group sessions provided 70 responses to this question about key local issues in the seven areas listed below. The areas are listed in the order of frequency in which related topics were mentioned. The wording in parenthese s represents a sampling of focus group participants’ comments and concerns in each area. Primary Issues Identified 1. Transportation and Environment (alternatives to salt on streets; bikeways; climate change; impact of light rail; pollution remediation; population growth; recycling; transportation options; watersheds) 2. Communication Issues, Collaboration (ability to communicate with renters; digital divide; engagement of homebound residents; getting people interested in engagement with others; hyperlocal communications; more participation needed by minorities in media and governing boards of local organizations; need for platforms to obtain community input) 3. Development, Infrastructure, Economy, Jobs, Housing, Poverty (affordable housing; aging infrastructure; job opportunities; maintaining and financing infrastructure; multi-family housing; need for gathering spaces; small business retention (especially by people of color, women, and veterans); staying competitive in the marketplace) 4. Government-Related Issues (consistent funding streams; health care – quality, affordability; keep property taxes low; keep recreational opportunities available and affordable; maintenance of local parks; public safety; voter turnout in municipal elections) 5. Demographic Concerns (aging population; aging in place; lack of diversity (and involvement by diverse groups); youth development activities/ leadership) 6. Education-Related Concerns (competitive schools; maintaining/improving schools; keeping schools up to date technologically; school quality) 7. Technology, Telecommunications and Media (sophisticated technology achieved through franchise renewal; charging stations throughout the city for electric vehicles) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 20 16 Question #2: What makes it difficult to effectively communicate with residents and those you need to reach? An analysis of the responses to this question resulted in the identification of three primary areas of difficulty, in order of the frequency of comments related to each concern: (1) lack of knowledge, interest, funds, time, trust, collaboration; (2) media-related issues; and (3) audience-related issues. Examples of the stated concerns that fall within these four areas of difficulty are provided below. Challenge #1: Lack of Knowledge, Interest, Funds, Time, Trust, Collaboration  Absence of robust partnership between the city and nonprofit organizations regarding access to technology  Apathy  Costs associated with modern communications technologies  Distrust of government  Information overload  Establishing relevance  Lack of media skills  People are busy  So many channels, media outlets Challenge #2: Media-Related Issues  Access to technology tools  Current community media center location in high school  High school radio station was closed  Lack of a “TV Guide” for community programming  Limited subscribership to local newspaper  Privacy concerns with technology  Rapid rate of technological change  Transmission of inaccurate information via social media and the impact of it Challenge #3: Audience-Related Issues  Community uses multiple platforms  Hard to connect with visitors and non-residents  Language and cultural barriers  Marketing challenges  People stay in their own information “bubble” / echo chamber  Short attention span Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 21 17 Question #3: How would you (or your organization, local government department, or school) like to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to educate, inform, and entertain St. Louis Park residents? Many suggestions of program content and technology applications were offered by the participants in the focus group workshop sessions. They include the following: Program Content:  Candidates’ debates  Chamber of Commerce types of programs  Council meetings  Cultural education, activities, celebrations  Diverse music programming  Educational programming for the homebound  Fire safety/prevention  How cable fees are used  How to use light rail  League of Women Voters events/programs  Live images of area locations (e.g., processing site for organic recycling)  Local “newscast”  Local history  Missing persons and pets  Neighborhood association programs  Planning Commission meetings  Programs derived from the strategic goals of the City  Programs in many languages  Programs to illustrate city’s comprehensive plan  Recycling – and where does it go?  School Board meetings  Short videos about community activities  Storm information/alerts  Uplifting shows about people who are doing good in St. Louis Park Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 22 18 Ways to use community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to communicate (continued) Technology-Related Applications:  All PEG access channels in HD  City YouTube channel  Content in multiple platforms  Drones  Searchable archive of community programming Question #4: What would make it easier for you (or your organization, local government department, or school) to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system? Five primary categories of concern regarding improvements to make it easier to use the community access channels, ParkTV or the cable system were identified by the focus group participants. Those categories include, in order of the frequency of comments related to each category of concern: (1) Cable Company Infrastructure, System Design, Services, Policies, Fees, etc.; (2) Facilities & Equipment; (3) PEG Access Staff, Management, Funding, Services, Promotion, and Training; (4) Distribution/Programming/Channels; and (5) Regulatory Recommendations. These categories, with a sampling of the suggestions that fall within them, are listed below and on the next page. Category #1: Cable Company Infrastructure, System Design, Services, Policies, Fees, etc.  All PEG access channels in HD  A la carte channels for choice by the consumer  Availability of local ads about PEG access on cable channels  Comcast customer service representative who can speak Spanish (or language of the customer)  Easier to contact a customer service representative on the phone  Electronic program guide for all PEG access channels  High-speed internet for all economic levels  More 4K programming  Senior discount  Technical equity for PEG access channels  Uncompressed video on cable channels Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 23 19 Category #2: Facilities & Equipment  Accessibility of a media center (e.g., at a facility like the Rec Center)  Community Media Center location that is easily accessible  Drones for PEG access  Large monitors at gathering sites  Media communications facilities in library for public use  Mobile network to deliver technology to those who need it  State of the art equipment for PEG access Category #3: PEG Access Staff, Management, Funding, Services, Promotion, and Training  Better promotion and marketing of local PEG access  Classes on better use of smart phones  Collaboration with neighboring community media centers (e.g., SPNN in St. Paul)  Free and low-cost training for PEG access  Freelancers available to help create programs  Maximize revenue generation from sources other than cable TV  Rules regarding how to use PEG channels/equipment Category #4: Distribution/Programming/Channels  Don’t be locked into 30-minute time blocks  Local programming on multiple platforms  Programs in multiple languages  Searchable archive of programs Category #5: Regulatory Recommendations  Cable Advisory / Public Access oversight board  Customer service standards with remediation provisions  Information about who to contact regarding poor customer service if you don’t get a printed bill from Comcast Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 24 20 D. PARKTV OPERATIONS, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT 1. Introduction As part of a review of the PEG access resources and services in St. Louis Park, The Buske Group prepared a “Local Programming Operations Questionnaire,” for completion by ParkTV staff (see Appendix 5). The questionnaire was designed to obtain information about: (1) the community media services offered in St. Louis Park; (2) staffing; (3) funding levels and sources; (4) expenditures by category (5) original programming figures; (6) equipment usage; (7) training services; and (8) community participation. ParkTV staff also completed a “Community Media Facility Inventory” (see Appendix 6), including information about ParkTV, hours of operation, and production equipment packages. This information, along with on-site inspections of the ParkTV equipment, provided needed details about the age and condition of all production hardware. On October 15, 2019, The Buske Group inspected the ParkTV facilities and equipment used for the development of PEG access programming for St. Louis Park. 2. ParkTV The City operates ParkTV, which oversees the production and playback of PEG access programming. Comcast carries five ParkTV channels in SD and one – “Best of ParkTV” – in HD, while CenturyLink carries each of the ParkTV channels in both SD and HD, as follows: Channel Type Comcast Channel CenturyLink Channel Educational 14 (SD) 8114 (SD), 8614 (HD) Community 15 (SD) 96 (SD) 8115 and 8118 (SD) 8615 and 8618 (HD) Local Sports and Events 16 (SD) 8116 (SD) 8616 (HD) Civic 17 (SD) 8117 (SD), 8617 (HD) Best of ParkTV (including live public meeting coverage and the best of ParkTV productions) 859 (HD) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 25 21 The ParkTV channels present government, educational, and community programming, including live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission), concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events. ParkTV also livestreams its five channels through the city’s website and provides several hundred ParkTV programs on its YouTube channel. Comcast includes ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide. The ParkTV facility -- located in the St. Louis Park City Hall building at 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard – includes staff offices, two editing stations, field production equipment, editing gear, a production van, master control system, and remote -controlled production systems for the City Council chambers and the Community Room. Park TV uses a total of nearly 1,000 square feet of floor space in City Hall. A studio production facility at the St. Louis Park High School, with very old and obsolete equipment, has been available for PEG access productions, but ParkTV staff reports that it was last used in 2017. Normal hours of operation for ParkTV are 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, for a total of 47.5 hours per week. A public parking lot is available at City Hall. During the 2016-2018 fiscal years, ParkTV received a total funding average of about $726,000 per year. 91.4% of total funding during this period was from franchise fee allocations to ParkTV by the City, 6.5% was from Comcast and CenturyLink, and 2.1% was from ParkTV production services and interest income. During the 2016-2018 fiscal years, an average of 62% of ParkTV’s total expenditures were for personnel costs – a percentage that is similar to the average amount for community media centers in the U.S. (ParkTV has five full-time equivalent staff.) The ParkTV URL (www.parktv.org) links to a page within the City’s website where information is available about ParkTV. At that location, several documents about ParkTV can be downloaded, including (1) an FAQ about ParkTV’s services, resources, programming and opportunities for the public to participate; (2) community TV equipment and programming guidelines; (3) a non-resident eligibility form; (4) a program playback application; (5) series programming guidelines; and (6) a studio production planning form. Several links are also provided at the ParkTV site, to the program schedules for each ParkTV channel, to live streams of each ParkTV channel, and to the ParkTV YouTube channel (see more about the YouTube channel below). The ParkTV staff also sends weekly emails to subscribers with upcoming programming schedules, and places ads in the annual city-school calendar. ParkTV’s use of social media occurs through the City’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 26 22 The ParkTV YouTube channel archives several hundred local programs that have been created by ParkTV since 2008. An impressive variety of well-produced programs are available on demand here, including high school football, basketball, hockey, and other sports; local concerts and other performing arts events; St. Louis Park government meetings and “State of the City” addresses by the mayor; coverage of community events; and several ParkTV series programs and public service announcements. There are currently almost 3,300 subscribers to the ParkTV YouTube channel. One of the programs posted there (“A Day in the Life of a St. Louis Park, MN, Patrol Officer”) has been viewed over 660,000 times. ParkTV staff report that they created a total of 378 hours of first-run local programming for the ParkTV channels in 2018 (a 5% increase from 361 hours in 2017). Thus, a monthly average of 31.5 hours of first-run local programming was shown on the ParkTV channels in 2018. Nearly all production activities are undertaken by ParkTV staff, with the occasional involvement of a small number of other individuals. Nearly all of ParkTV’s equipment is HD-ready. Several items in ParkTV’s inventory are described as being in “fair” or “poor” condition, including:  nearly all equipment at the St. Louis Park High School studio facility;  field production tripods;  video monitors, microphones, speakers and other audio equipment, signal processors and other components in the production van;  a video monitor and multiple-DVD player in the playback package;  video monitors and audio mixer in the Council Chambers production package;  video monitors, camera controller, and video switcher in the Community Room production package. Following are photographs of ParkTV video production equipment packages. Photo 1: City Council Chambers Photo 2: Camera in City Council Chambers Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 27 23 Photo 3: City Council Chambers control equipment Photo 4: ParkTV master/channel control equipment Photo 5: City Hall Community Room Photo 6: Community Room control equipment Photo 7: ParkTV production van Photo 8: Production van control equipment Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 28 24 Photo 9: ParkTV Panasonic camcorder Photo 10: ParkTV video editing system Photo 11: A/V connections at HS football field Photo 12: A/V connections at ice arena Photo 13: St. Louis Park High School TV studio Photo 14: High school TV studio control room Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 29 25 E. SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS The information gathered through this needs assessment process has helped to identify many significant cable-related needs and interests. Concerns that are considered to be primary in nature are listed on the following pages. Community needs and interests have been identified through the information collected via:  a review of the current franchise agreement with Comcast and related documents that address PEG access matters, live two-way connections, service to public buildings, and other cable-related provisions;  input provided by key staff of the City and ParkTV;  responses provided by the ParkTV staff on questionnaires regarding the existing PEG access facilities, equipment, programming and services;  brainstorming by people who attended one of the three focus group workshops;  an on-site review of the existing ParkTV local programming equipment and facilities; and  an analysis of the responses from 536 people to an on-line survey (the focus group and online survey participants indicated that they were affiliated with 31 different organizations and institutions that serve St. Louis Park). It is important to note that these are current needs and interests. We believe one can reasonably assume that the communications needs of residents, institutions, and organizations in St. Louis Park will evolve in the future as communications technologies advance. General conclusions from 536 responses to the on-line survey:  Over half of the on-line survey respondents said that they subscribe to the Comcast cable TV service in St. Louis Park. Of all cable TV subscribers:  72.7% pay extra to receive HD channels (of the HD subscribers, 57.1% said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD);  68.7% said they most often used their cable company’s on-screen program guide to find information about programming on cable TV; and  47.4% said that they “always” or “sometimes” use their cable company’s DVR to record programs to watch later. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 30 26  When the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with their cable TV service, 48.5% said they were “Very Satisfied” or “Satisfied,” as compared to 23.5% who said they were “Very Dissatisfied” or “Dissatisfied.”  Most of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents answered either "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" when asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with the sound and picture quality (75.7%) and the reliability of cable TV service (66.9%). The items that received the most “Dissatisfied” or “Very Dissatisfied” indications by these respondents were the rates charged for cable TV service (70.1%) and the amount of time it takes to talk to a representative when you call your cable company (44.1%).  72.3% of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents said they had tried to contact Comcast by telephone during the past year. When asked how long they would estimate that they waited to speak to a customer service representative, 65.9% said they had to wait one minute or longer.  56.6% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said that is “Very Important” or “Important” to them that their cable company provides an office in the St. Louis Park, while 14.6% of them said this was “not important at all.”  The Comcast subscriber-respondents were asked to provide comments about their cable TV service. Of the 166 submitted comments, 69.9% were negative, 23.5% included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, and 6.6% of the comments were positive. The most common criticisms were about the high cost, inability to only choose desired channels, technical problems, and customer service concerns.  80.7% of Comcast subscribers and 70.4% of all survey respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non-subscribers) said they were aware of ParkTV and its programming on cable TV or online. Of those who were aware of ParkTV:  69.1% of Comcast subscribers had watched ParkTV programming, and of them: o 42.6% had watched the government programming channel (26.2% watched this channel at least once per month). o 30.6% had watched the local sports and events channel (25.5% watched this channel at least once per month). Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 31 27 o Over half said they “strongly agree” or “agree” that ParkTV “provides programs that deal with local issues” (63.9%), “provides valuable information” (61.8%), and “provides programs that publicize local services” (58.1%). o The most frequently indicated methods used to find out about ParkTV programs were Comcast’s on-screen program guide (49.0%), and “channel surfing” (41.5%). o 59.9% said the picture and sound quality of the ParkTV channels (as compared to other channels they watch) was “lower quality.”  65.9% of all survey respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non- subscribers) had watched ParkTV programming, and of them: o 27.0% had watched ParkTV’s YouTube channel. o 67.7% did not know that they can produce programs for ParkTV.  The survey respondents who were aware of ParkTV (including cable TV subscribers and non-subscribers) were invited to provide comments about its programming and services. Of the 69 submitted comments, 47.8% included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, 34.8% were positive, and 17.4% were negative.  When the Comcast subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate how important they think it is to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents, a large majority (59.3%) said these local channels are “important” (39.5%) or “very important” (19.8%).  When all survey respondents were asked about their level of interest in several types of local programs or services, the five items with the most “very interested” or “interested” responses were “local news and information” (65.3%), “government/ public agency meetings” (60.7%), “programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts and artists” (57.2%), “environmental programs” (53.5%), and “information about government services” (53.0%).  When all of the survey respondents were provided a list of media-related resources and were asked if they would like to use or participate in any of them if offered by ParkTV in the future, over half of them answered “Yes” or “Maybe” regarding Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 32 28 “workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.)” (60.3%), “free access to computers and the internet” (53.0%), “computer and software training” (51.1%). During the brainstorming portion of the focus group sessions, participants identified the following community needs, interests, and concerns:  When asked to identify the key local issues facing St. Louis Park in the next ten years, most often mentioned were concerns relating to: * Transportation and Environment (alternatives to salt on streets; bikeways; climate change; impact of light rail; pollution remediation; population growth; recycling; transportation options; watersheds) * Communication Issues, Collaboration (ability to communicate with renters; digital divide; engagement of homebound residents; getting people interested in engagement with others; hyperlocal communications; more participation needed by minorities in media and governing boards of local organizations; need for platforms to obtain community input) * Development, Infrastructure, Economy, Jobs, Housing, Poverty (affordable housing; aging infrastructure; job opportunities; maintaining and financing infrastructure; multi-family housing; need for gathering spaces; small business retention (especially by people of color, women, and veterans); staying competitive in the marketplace) * Government-Related Issues (consistent funding streams; health care – quality, affordability; keep property taxes low; keep recreational opportunities available and affordable; maintenance of local parks; public safety; voter turnout in municipal elections) * Demographic Concerns (aging population; aging in place; lack of diversity (and involvement by diverse groups); youth development activities/ leadership) * Education-Related Concerns (competitive schools; maintaining/improving schools; keeping schools up to date technologically; school quality) * Technology, Telecommunications and Media (sophisticated technology achieved through franchise renewal; charging stations in the city for electric vehicles) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 33 29  When asked what makes it difficult to effectively communicate with people you need to reach, the leading areas identified were: * Lack of Knowledge, Interest, Funds, Time, Trust, Collaboration (e.g., apathy; costs associated with modern communications technologies; information overload; lack of media skills; people are busy) * Media-Related Issues (e.g., access to technology tools; current community media center location in high school; limited subscribership to local newspaper; rapid rate of technological change) * Audience-Related Issues (e.g., community uses multiple platforms; language and cultural barriers; people stay in their own information “bubble” / echo chamber ; short attention span)  When asked how they could use ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to communicate, many suggestions of program content and technology applications were identified, including: candidate debates; cultural education, activities, celebrations; educational programming for the homebound; League of Women Voters events/programs; local newscast; local history; neighborhood association programs; programs in many languages; short videos about community activities; uplifting shows about people who are doing good in St. Louis Park; all PEG access channels in HD; content in multiple platforms; drones; searchable archive of community programming.  When asked what would make it easier to use the community access channels, ParkTV, or the cable system to communicate, top categories of need were:  Cable Company Infrastructure, System Design, Services, Policies, Fees, etc. (e.g., all PEG access channels in HD; a la carte channels for choice by the consumer; availability of local ads about PEG access on cable channels ; easier to contact a customer service representative on the phone; electronic program guide for all PEG access channels; senior discount; uncompressed video on cable channels)  Facilities and Equipment (e.g., accessibility of a media center [e.g., at a facility like the Rec Center]; large monitors at gathering sites; media communications facilities in library for public use; state of the art equipment for PEG access) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 34 30  PEG Access Staff, Management, Funding, Services, Promotion, and Training (e.g., better promotion and marketing of local PEG access; collaboration with neighboring community media centers [e.g., SPNN in St. Paul]; free and low-cost training for PEG access; freelancers available to help create programs)  Distribution/Programming/Channels (e.g., don’t be locked into 30-minute time blocks; local programming on multiple platforms; programs in multiple languages)  Regulatory Recommendations (e.g., Cable Advisory / Public Access oversight board; customer service standards with remediation provisions) Primary findings regarding ParkTV operations, facilities, and equipment:  The City operates ParkTV, which oversees the production and playback of PEG access programming on five Comcast SD channels and one HD channel, and streams programs on its YouTube channel and the city’s website.  ParkTV is housed in about 1,000 square feet of space in City Hall, including staff offices, two editing stations, field production equipment, editing gear, and a master control system. ParkTV staff also operates a production van and remote -controlled production systems for the City Council Chambers and the Community Room. Normal hours of operation for ParkTV are 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, for a total of 47.5 hours per week.  A studio production facility at the St. Louis Park High School, with very old and obsolete equipment, has been available for PEG access productions, but ParkTV staff reports that it has not been used since 2017.  The ParkTV URL (www.parktv.org) links to a page within the City’s website where information is available about ParkTV (including an FAQ about ParkTV’s services, resources, and programming; equipment and programming guidelines; and several other downloadable forms). Links to program schedules for each ParkTV channel, to live streams of each ParkTV channel, and to the ParkTV YouTube channel are also provided. The ParkTV staff sends weekly emails to subscribers with the upcoming programming schedules, places ads in the annual city-school calendar, and uses social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to reach out to residents. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 35 31  ParkTV’s total funding during 2016-2018 averaged about $726,000 per year. 91% of the funds were from franchise fee allocations to ParkTV by the City, 6.5% was from Comcast and CenturyLink, and 2.1% was from ParkTV production services and interest income.  ParkTV has five full-time equivalent staff. In recent years, an average of 62% of ParkTV’s total expenditures were for personnel-related costs, which is similar to the average for community media centers in the U.S.  378 hours of first-run locally-produced programming was created by ParkTV staff in 2018, a monthly average of nearly 31.5 hours.  The ParkTV YouTube channel (with almost 3,300 subscribers) archives several hundred local programs that have been created by ParkTV since 2008. One of the programs posted there (“A Day in the Life of a St. Louis Park, MN, Patrol Officer”) has been viewed over 660,000 times.  Several items in ParkTV’s inventory are described as being in “fair” or “poor” condition, including nearly all equipment at the St. Louis Park High School studio production facility; video monitors in the production van, playback system, and the Council Chambers and Community Room production packages; audio equipment in several locations; field production tripods; and the Community Room video switcher and camera controller.  Nearly all of the ParkTV equipment is HD-ready. Comcast carries five ParkTV channels in SD and one – “Best of ParkTV” – in HD.  Comcast includes ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 36 32 III. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY CABLE-RELATED NEEDS AND INTERESTS A. INTRODUCTION The community needs assessment process conducted by The Buske Group revealed important information regarding the current and future community cable-related needs and interests in St. Louis Park. The community focus group sessions; on-line survey responses; and our review of the PEG access facilities, equipment and activities indicate significant needs and support for a modern cable system. Such a system can help to meet cable-related needs and interests of area residents as they confront the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st century. Over the period that this Needs Assessment has been undertaken, massive changes to our society occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent social distancing and economic shutdown. Schools and most business closed, and people are working from home, if they’re working at all. In the midst of all of this, the importance of communication technologies has grown exponentially. Whether it’s conducting a public meeting, live briefings from public health officials, on-line classes for children, or working from home, reliable communication technology is absolutely essential to completing the most basic tasks. This increased dependence on technology is also likely to last beyond this current phase of the pandemic. Unfortunately, technology is not equally available to all due to income inequality, geography, or not having appropriate media tools and the skills to use those tools. As we look at the current and future community cable and communication technology related needs and interests in St. Louis Park all of these factors must be considered. Based upon the information and findings presented in this report, The Buske Group has identified a list of community cable-related needs and interests, and developed recommendations as to how those needs and interests could be satisfied. This information should be very useful to the City of St. Louis Park as it engages in the franchise renewal process and negotiates a new franchise with Comcast. The findings and recommendations address the following concerns: (1) Cable Distribution System; (2) Subscriber Services and Customer Satisfaction; and (3) PEG access. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 37 33 B. CABLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM The following recommendations regarding the technical design and capabilities of the cable system to be specified in any new Franchise Agreement are based upon the information and materials gathered during the community needs assessment, and current best practices within the cable industry nationwide. 1. During the franchise renewal term, Comcast’s cable system in St. Louis Park should include state-of-the-art features found in cable systems that serve comparably-sized franchise areas. The new Franchise Agreement should include reasonable standards for technical upgrades during the Franchise term, as technological changes occur and are implemented by cable systems in comparably-sized franchise areas. 2. There is a need and interest in ensuring that the signal quality and functionality of the St. Louis Park PEG access channels is equivalent to that of the highest quality channels offered on the Comcast cable system. Concerns about signal quality and functionality of the St. Louis Park PEG access channels were indicated by cable subscribers who responded to the on-line survey. 59.9% of those who had watched ParkTV programming said the picture and sound quality of the ParkTV channels, as compared to the other channels that they watch, was “lower quality”. Therefore, the renewal franchise agreement awarded by the City should require that Comcast must ensure that ParkTV can independently monitor the signal quality and functionality of its channels as transmitted by Comcast, by providing a free “confidence feed” of its cable service to Park TV. Comcast should also be required to regularly test PEG access channel signal quality on its system, and report the results to the City. Comcast should deliver all of the St. Louis Park PEG access channels to subscribers without additional charges, and via channels whose quality, accessibility, functionality, and placement is equivalent to that of the highest quality commercial channel carried on its cable system throughout the entire term of the renewed franchise agreement. In addition, in order to meet these needs and interests, Comcast should ensure that there are high-quality, well-maintained, and regularly monitored bi-directional fiber optic links between its headend and the ParkTV master control/playback facility. Comcast should regularly update the signal transmission equipment used to send signals from the ParkTV master control/playback facilities to the Comcast headend. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 38 34 3. In addition to maintaining a minimum of the current allocation of bandwidth for PEG access channels, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast provide sufficient capacity and other accommodations to enable: (a) an additional PEG access channel to be made available within 60 days of notification by the City, as demand for channel time indicates such a need; (b) the delivery of all St. Louis Park PEG access channels to cable subscribers in the same formats that are used by the highest quality commercial channel carried on the system, including HD1 (or 4K or other advanced format, if it is prevalent during the term of any renewed franchise agreement); (c) continuation of Comcast’s current franchise obligation to provide PEG access programming within its “on-demand” menu of programs (including selected PEG access programs in HD) 2; and (d) the transmission of closed captions, stereo audio and SAP content for PEG access programs that are delivered with such content. 72.7% of all Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said that they pay extra to receive channels in HD, and 57.1% of these HD subscribers said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD. Currently, Comcast provides five SD channels (used for education, community, local sports and events, and government programming) and one HD channel (“Best of ParkTV”) for PEG access in St. Louis Park. Since equipment manufacturers have discontinued the production of SD televisions and other hardware, HD-only channel line-ups could become typical on cable systems during the next decade, just as analog programming tiers gave way to all-digital cable systems. HD is now the dominant viewing format in St. Louis Park, but it might be surpassed by 4K or another advanced format during the next franchise term. Therefore, PEG access programming should not be relegated to SD, which has become an antiquated and substandard transmission method. On-demand capacity allows PEG access programming to be stored and called up when needed. While on-demand capacity is not a general substitute for PEG access channels (since it is not available to all subscribers and cannot provide live programming), it can be very useful for programs desired by users at particular times. Programs about community resources could be stored and called up on-demand; videos could be organized around topics or community issues so that a person interested in an issue could quickly obtain a variety of information. Many desired programs identified by focus group participants could take advantage of video-on-demand 1 Several recent Comcast renewal franchises have requirements for the delivery of PEG access channels in HD, (e.g., Longmeadow, MA; Salem, Gresham and Portland, OR; Arlington County, VA; Longmont and Denver, CO; Philadelphia, PA; St. Paul, Minneapolis, Roseville, Coon Rapids, and Bloomington, MN; Montgomery County and Laurel, MD; and Tacoma and Vancouver, WA). 2 Many of the communities listed in the previous footnote also require storage space reserved on their cable company’s video-on-demand server for the delivery of PEG access programs to cable TV subscribers. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 39 35 technology (e.g., candidate debates, City Council, Planning Commission, and School Board meetings, fire safety/prevention; educational programming; missing persons and pets; etc.). Comcast’s current franchise includes a requirement to provide up to 20 hours per month of community and government programming content in its on demand service. ParkTV staff reports that they actively used this service initially, but viewer interest plunged when Comcast buried ParkTV programs in submenus, requiring a 3- or 4-step process to find them. The renewal franchise agreement should include a provision that ensures the simplification of this process, making ParkTV programs as readily accessible as other on demand programs. 4. There is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast includes full program listings for all PEG access channels on the on-screen program guides. Comcast currently includes ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide. When Comcast subscribers who responded to the on-line survey were asked to indicate which one source they used most often to find information about programming on their cable TV channels, the most frequently indicated source was their cable company’s on-screen program guide (68.7%) – nearly six times as often as any other source. Participants in the focus groups brainstorming also stressed the importance of having program listings for all PEG access channels on Comcast’s electronic program guide. The inclusion of PEG access program listings on the cable TV electronic program guide makes it possible for cable TV subscribers to plan their viewing as they do for other channels, and use the electronic program guide to facilitate DVR recording of programs presented on the PEG access channels. 47.4% of the cable TV subscriber-respondents to the online survey said that they “always” (31.7%) or “sometimes” (15.7%) use their cable company’s DVR to record programs to watch later. The inclusion of full program listings for PEG access programs on the cable company’s on-screen program guide is provided for PEG access channels on many other cable systems in the United States.3 Given the fact that over two-thirds of the cable TV subscriber- respondents to the online survey indicated that they use their cable company’s on-screen program guide as their primary way of identifying programming to view, it is essential that all PEG programming be included (both by title and description) on the Comcast on-screen electronic programming guide. 3 PEG access channels and program listings are included on the electronic program guide in several communities served by Comcast (e.g., Philadelphia, PA; St. Paul, Roseville, Burnsville, and Bloomington, MN; Gresham, Salem and Portland, OR; Pasco, Richland, Seattle and Vancouver, WA; Howard County, MD; Chicago, IL; Fairfax County, VA; Longmont and Denver, CO; and Fresno, San Jose, Santa Maria, and Marin County, CA). Other communities with such requirements include Kalamazoo, MI; Bismarck, ND; Barre, VT; Sun Prairie, WI; and Shrewsbury and Newton, MA. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 40 36 C. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION The focus group/on-line survey respondents were asked several questions about their level of satisfaction with their current cable TV service. For the most part, the participants who subscribe to a cable TV service expressed satisfaction with their service. Based on some of their other responses, the following recommendations are offered: 1. There is a need and interest in having Comcast offer other lower-cost packages of cable TV programming. Comcast should be strongly encouraged to offer less expensive programming packages for St. Louis Park residents. When on-line survey respondents were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with a variety of customer service matters, 70.1% of Comcast subscribers said they were “very dissatisfied” or “dissatisfied” with the rates charged for cable TV service. When asked to comment about their cable TV service, the most common criticism was about the high cost. While the most frequently recorded complaint regarding cable service was its high cost, the City does not have authority over rates. However, it is important to document subscriber concerns regarding this matter in this report. 2. There is a need and interest to require Comcast to meet or exceed the FCC’s customer service obligations. Comcast should be required to prove it complies with these obligations, and should take immediate steps to achieve compliance if not. Based upon responses to the on-line survey, special attention should be given to the ability of customers to quickly contact a Comcast customer service representative. Nearly three-fourths of the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said that they had tried to contact Comcast by telephone during the past year, and 65.9% of them said that they had to wait one minute or longer to speak to a customer service representative. The FCC’s customer service standards state: “Under normal operating conditions, telephone answer time by a customer representative, including wait time, shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds when the connection is made. If the call needs to be transferred, transfer time shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds. These standards shall be met no less than ninety (90) percent of the time under normal operating conditions, measured on a quarterly basis.” Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 41 37 3. There is a need and interest in requiring Comcast to maintain an office in St. Louis Park. 56.6% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said that is “Very Important” or “Important” to them that their cable company provides an office in St. Louis Park. One of the issues mentioned during the focus group meetings is the aging of the population in St. Louis Park. A local office makes it easier for seniors as well as persons who do not have easy access to transportation to pay bills or return or exchange equipment. Therefore, Comcast should continue to maintain an office in St. Louis Park as it has under the expiring franchise agreement. 4. There is a need and interest in conducting periodic reviews of the performance of Comcast, to ensure that it complies with the obligations of the renewal franchise. This is a standard administrative practice by local franchising authorities to help ensure that a cable company complies with the terms of a renewal franchise. 5. Adequate PEG access bandwidth/capacity should be made available on the subscriber network (with such channels grouped together on the lowest cost tier of services). Having local cable channels featuring programs produced by or about local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents was ranked as either “Very Important” or “Important” by a large majority (59.3%) of the Comcast subscriber-respondents. Therefore:  Additional bandwidth/capacity should be made available to add an additional PEG access channel within 60 days of notification to each Franchisee by the City, as demand for channel time indicates such a need.  Additional bandwidth/capacity should also be made available to enable on- demand and HD capability (or 4K or a more advanced format, if it is prevalent during the term of any renewed franchise agreement) for PEG access programming, and for future PEG access purposes.  PEG access channels (in each format that they are provided in) should be appropriately grouped together within the channel lineup.  All PEG access bandwidth/capacity should be provided free of charge to the City, ParkTV, and PEG access producers. See Section D.3., later in this report, for more specific recommendations regarding PEG access bandwidth/capacity. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 42 38 D. PEG ACCESS 1. Overview The findings of this ascertainment process indicate a high level of support for the inclusion of significant PEG access bandwidth/capacity and resources and an appreciation of the importance of PEG access services. As stated previously in this report, 59.3% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said it is “Very Important” or “Important” to have local cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents. PEG access channels are unique in their ability to deliver regularly-scheduled local programming, guided by professional staff that offer outreach, training, production assistance, playback, and promotional services. Local broadcast stations stopped providing such a range of local programming years ago, and are now content to rely primarily on non-local network and syndicated programs. While videos distributed on the internet (via YouTube and other sites) offer another alternative to broadcast and satellite-delivered stations, The Nielsen Company reports that the amount of video programming watched via internet-connected devices is still very small in comparison to those who watch on traditional TV.4 In addition, YouTube and the other online outlets do not provide community-based outreach, training, production assistance, and promotional services available at community media centers throughout the United States, to help local producers create video programming with good production values that do not detract from the effort to get their messages out to the public. Given the extraordinary times we live in with the massive changes in day-to-day activities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the public is seeking much more localized information than ever before. As a result, there is an increased need for local, robust, multi- platform communication delivery systems to deliver life-saving health information, emergency services, and on-line schooling, and ensure local government transparency, among other things. Throughout the United States, PEG access and community media centers operated by independent nonprofit management organizations, local governments, and libraries must operate at the convergence of technological change and local communications/needs in order to stay relevant and financially sustainable. This needs assessment, together with the information gathered and resulting findings and recommendations, is intended to assist the City in assuring 4 https://www.marketingcharts.com/charts/us-adults-traditional-tv-vs-tv-connected-device-usage-q3-2018- age/attachment/nielsen-trad-vs-connected-tv-in-q3-2018-apr2019 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 43 39 that the outcome of the franchise renewal process will provide the key resources needed to move St. Louis Park forward to better serve the community. 80.7% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said they were aware of ParkTV. Of those who were aware of ParkTV, 69% said they had watched ParkTV programming. Large majorities of these viewers said that ParkTV provides programming that deals with local issues, provides valuable information, and provides programs that publicize local services. During the “brainstorming” segment of the focus group workshops, participants offered many suggestions of program content and technology applications. When asked what would make it easier to use the PEG access channels, a wide variety of suggestions were offered, including all PEG access channels in HD, having a community media center that is easily accessible, an electronic program guide for all PEG access channels, state of the art equipment for PEG access, better promotion and marketing of local PEG access, local programming on multiple platforms, and programs in multiple languages. ParkTV manages the production and playback of PEG access programming on five Comcast SD channels and one HD channel, and streams programs on its YouTube channel and the city’s website. The ParkTV facility (housed in about 1,000 square feet of space in City Hall) includes staff offices, two editing stations, field production equipment, editing gear, and a master control system. ParkTV staff also operates a production van and remote-controlled production systems for the City Council chambers and the Community Room. A PEG access studio is in the St. Louis Park High School. However, all of the equipment in that studio is very old and obsolete, and has not been used since 2017. ParkTV’s total funding during 2016-2018 averaged about $726,000 per year. 91% of the funding was provided through franchise fee allocations from the City, 6.5% was from Comcast and CenturyLink, and 2.1% was from ParkTV production services and interest income. In recent years, an average of 62% of ParkTV’s total expenditures were for personnel-related costs, which is similar to the average for community media centers in the U.S. In addition to the old and obsolete equipment at the PEG access studio at St. Louis Park High School, several items in ParkTV’s inventory are described as being in “fair” or “poor” condition. Nearly all of it is HD-ready. However, since Comcast allocates only one HD channel for ParkTV, programming on the other ParkTV channels is transmitted in standard Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 44 40 definition. (ParkTV programming is streamed on its website and YouTube channel in HD.) Comcast currently includes the ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide. 378 hours of first-run locally-produced programming was created by ParkTV staff in 2018, a monthly average of nearly 31.5 hours. Based upon these findings, we have considered PEG access needs and interests for the St. Louis Park franchise area in light of:  the nature of the existing ParkTV facility space in City Hall, and the lack of a functioning production studio;  the lack of a community media center;  the current amount of local programming activity;  the age and condition of the equipment;  the significant level of interest and community participation in PEG access;  the size and unique nature of St. Louis Park; and  the cost of providing PEG access services, facilities and equipment. There is a need and interest in ensuring that any future Franchise Agreement includes provisions that: a. require a Franchisee to allocate sufficient bandwidth/capacity for PEG access purposes, and transmit the St. Louis Park PEG access channels in HD or other advanced formats that are prevalent in the future; and b. require a Franchisee to provide adequate capital and operations funding and in-kind resources and support for PEG access that would: (1) maintain and expand the existing PEG access services and resources; and (2) meet the needs and interests expressed by St. Louis Park area residents and representatives of local organizations through the focus group brainstorming sessions and responses to the on-line survey. PEG access services and resources must be available to: (1) all residents, government agencies, institutions and organizations within the St. Louis Park franchise area; and (2) households that subscribe to any cable or other multi-channel programming service provider in St. Louis Park. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 45 41 2. PEG Access Facilities and Equipment The following recommendations are based upon the current age, condition and capabilities of the PEG access production equipment in St. Louis Park, information gathered during the focus group sessions and responses to the on-line survey, the consultant’s inspection of the ParkTV facilities and equipment, and the consultant’s experience and knowledge of PEG access facilities, equipment, services, operations, and management in many other communities. Based upon the consultant’s inspection of the ParkTV facilities and equipment, review of its inventory forms, discussions with ParkTV staff, comments by focus group brainstorming participants, and respondents to the on-line survey, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast, upon signing a renewal Franchise Agreement, should provide initial facility and equipment grant funding. The initial grant funding would be used to construct and renovate appropriate building space, and purchase and install equipment in a “Community Media Center” (CMC) – as described below -- including studio and field production equipment, a video editing system, a digital media lab, video podcasting system, and PEG Access video archiving equipment. The initial grant funding would also be used to replace and upgrade aging equipment in the production van and the Council Chambers production package. Hardware to enable bi-directional video and data connectivity between participating video origination sites, including encoders, decoders, IP and HD video switching and monitoring would also be purchased with these funds. Today, CMC’s in the United States operate at the convergence of technological change and local communications/media needs in order to stay relevant. CMC’s serve as a hub where a wide variety of organizations and people gather to learn media skills and collaborate to create hyper-local content. CMC’s provide a place where diverse and frequently economically- challenged groups have access to digital tools and training. The new Franchise Agreement should also include a provision that requires the Franchisee to provide ongoing replacement capital equipment grants. The ongoing grant funding would be used to periodically replace and upgrade equipment in the: (1) CMC [including the playback/master control system; studio; field production systems; digital media lab, video podcasting system, video editing systems; and video archiving equipment]; (2) production van; (3) Council Chambers and Community Room; and (4) connectivity encoding, decoding, and switching/ monitoring packages. The initial and ongoing replacement grants described above should be in addition to any amounts paid as franchise fees to the City. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 46 42 What Is A Community Media Center (CMC)? A Community Media Center (CMC) is a video/computer production facility for use by staff and qualified community residents. It includes a studio and video editing systems, and camcorders that can be checked out to record content throughout the community. The CMC described herein would also include staff offices, appropriate storage areas, a digital media lab, video podcasting system, playback/master control equipment, video archiving equipment, training areas, production meeting rooms, and a “green room” (where a program’s hosts and guests prepare to appear on a studio production). Three significant elements of the recommended CMC that are not present in the current ParkTV inventory are the digital media lab, video podcasting system, and video archiving equipment. The digital media lab would include five desktop and five laptop computers for public use, and a desktop computer connected to a large flat panel video display for use by an instructor. Each computer would include video editing and “Office”-type software. The video podcasting system would permit residents to easily create discussion shows and other content about particular topics or current events, and stream their programs across many podcast sources and playback devices. The digital media lab and video podcasting system would address the desire for training and access to different types of media production packages, computers, and software, expressed by over half of all online survey respondents. Video archiving equipment would enable the safe and efficient preservation of PEG access programs (including City Council and School Board meetings; local concerts, lectures, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies; and a wide variety of other programs) for future reference and historical perspectives. At a CMC, training is provided on video/computer techniques necessary to create videos that can be shown on a PEG access channel and/or streamed on the Internet. Access to the CMC equipment and facilities is open to all residents who receive training or a certification identifying them as having satisfied training requirements. Special digital media services and training would be developed to meet the needs of certain segments of the community, such as youth, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. The City typically designates the entity that manages the CMC and provides the services mentioned above. CMC’s are often managed by a non-profit organization established specifically for that purpose. However, in some communities the CMC management entity is the Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 47 43 City or a local library. Staff of the CMC provide necessary support services to permit the CMC, PEG access channels, digital media lab, and online programming activities to function. These services include community outreach, volunteer development, media production training, production management, distribution of programming/content on cable channels and the internet, equipment maintenance, promotion and public relations. CMC’s are often located in a facility that also houses other entities that provide community services. This might be a library, community/recreation center, school, or a nonprofit organization. Because of the need to install optical fiber connections to the CMC, it is advisable to have a long-term rental agreement. Staff at CMC’s in the United States offer a wide range of specialized media services and training, designed not just to teach someone how to produce a TV program but also how to address a specific media-related need. For example:  In Gresham, Oregon, a wide variety of training in all forms of electronic media is offered at the local CMC (“MetroEast,” a nonprofit organization that manages the CMC), including community radio. MetroEast also operates “Rockwood Digital Inclusion and Youth,” a collaboration between the City of Gresham, MetroEast, and several community organizations, where training is offered in how to use a computer and basic computer software, video production camps for youth, video gaming and computer coding training, and training for seniors on how to use their smart phones.  Since 1996, a state of the art computer lab for the public, with free access to computers and special training for seniors and many others, has been provided at the CMC in Cambridge, Massachusetts. An example of a CMC floor plan (approximately 2,800 square feet) is provided on the following page. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 48 44 Example of a Community Media Center Floor Plan Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 49 45 The Buske Group consulting team included Todd Thayer, a broadcast engineer with an extensive background in startup and upgrades of community media centers, studio production, post production and new media technologies. Thayer prepared recommended equipment packages and suggested timelines to equip a CMC and to upgrade and replace the PEG access video production equipment. As detailed in Appendix 7, the estimated cost to purchase and install the recommended equipment packages, plus the estimated cost to update bi-directional video and data connectivity between video origination sites in the City, would total about $1.4 million over the 10-year renewal franchise term. (PLEASE NOTE: Due to the fact that video production equipment is evolving rapidly, the items identified in Appendix 7 are examples of what could currently satisfy the identified video equipment needs, and are not intended to be specific recommendations of items to be purchased.) The capital equipment replacement/upgrade recommendations are based upon the current condition and shortcomings of the PEG access video equipment packages as described previously in this report; information gathered during focus group sessions and responses to the on-line survey; equipment inventories and supplemental information provided by ParkTV (see Appendix 6), the consultant’s inspection of the ParkTV equipment; and the consultant’s experience and knowledge of PEG access facilities, equipment, services , operations, and management in other communities. Capital funding will also be needed to construct and renovate space to serve as a CMC. Construction/renovation costs for a CMC are estimated to be $1,000,000, as indicated in Appendix 7. 3. PEG Access Bandwidth / Capacity / Program Submission and Distribution Information about programming on the St. Louis Park PEG access channels was gathered during the needs assessment activities conducted by The Buske Group. The following recommendations are based upon the information gathered, as well as widely recognized best practices in the PEG access field: a. Initially, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast maintains its current allocation of bandwidth to deliver the channels for PEG access programming that are now provided to cable subscribers in St. Louis Park (currently one HD and five SD channels). As discussed previously in this report, we anticipate that the SD format will be completely phased out in the near future, as the penetration of HD (and 4K) televisions in U.S. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 50 46 households continues to grow very rapidly.5 During this transition period, as the PEG access channels are converted to HD format (either gradually or all at once), they should be transmitted in both SD and HD formats – as is the case for local broadcast and many of the satellite- delivered channels – for the convenience of all cable TV subscribers, including those who do not yet subscribe to the HD package of programming services. The simultaneous transmission of the PEG access channels in SD and HD formats should continue as long as there are SD channels in the lowest cost tier of service. b. Based on the high level of importance indicated for local programming by the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast (and any future Franchisee) has additional bandwidth/capacity available for future PEG access purposes, to be activated in accordance with a pre-determined programming-based formula, when programming amounts put a strain on the existing PEG access bandwidth/capacity. Below is an example of a recommended PEG access channel activation formula: An additional PEG access channel may be requested when the level of programming on an existing PEG access channel meets or exceeds the following conditions: i. During 16 consecutive weeks, an existing channel designated for the same purpose as the channel requested (public or educational or governmental access) cablecasts at least 40 hours per week of qualified programming. ii. "Qualified programming" includes any locally produced programming carried on the St. Louis Park PEG access channels, except for "bulletin board" material where the same text (or video and text) screen is sent simultaneously to all cable television subscribers. “Locally produced programming” is defined as: (1). Programming produced within St. Louis Park; or (2). Programming produced or provided by any resident of St. Louis Park (or any local public or private entity that provides services to residents located within St. Louis Park), regardless of where the programming is physically produced. 5 A June 2018 report stated that 78% of U.S. households owned an HD television at that time, and 31% had a more advanced 4K television (a huge increase from only 7% two years prior). See https://www.axios.com/big- screen-televisions-united-states-viewing-habits-8a3005ff-5a72-4209-a0bf-c43249567e85.html Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 51 47 c. There is a need and interest in ensuring that all St. Louis Park PEG access channels are located on the lowest cost tier of service and in a consecutive or near consecutive group of channels throughout the term of any new Franchise. As long as there are SD channels in the lowest cost tier of service, PEG access SD channels should be grouped together within that tier. In addition, PEG access HD channels should be grouped together within the lowest cost HD tier. The inclusion of PEG access channels in the lowest cost tier of service and the grouping of similar types of channels are standard practices in the cable industry, in keeping with the spirit of the Cable Act’s expressed support for PEG access and for the convenience of subscribers. d. There is a need and interest in ensuring that each PEG access programming service is given the same channel location on the system of any cable operator serving St. Louis Park. This recommendation is based on the fact that in communities served by more than one cable service provider, the competitors often assign PEG access channels to different numerical locations, thereby causing confusion in the public regarding how to find these channels and serious problems regarding the promotion of PEG access programming. This is the current situation in St. Louis Park, where Comcast and CenturyLink have assigned different channel numbers to each of the PEG access channels. e. There is a need and interest in ensuring that PEG access channel locations (both SD and HD, and 4K or other advanced format in the future) may only be changed if Comcast (and any future Franchisee) must do so to comply with FCC requirements or for documented technical reasons, and with the approval of the City. All costs related to channel relocations must be paid by the Franchisee making such relocations, including but not limited to: (1) PEG access staff time; (2) equipment; (3) creation of electronic and print versions of station ID’s and logos; (4) replacement of materials such as letterhead, business cards, etc.; and (5) signage and any other items which include the channel number (e.g., on the production truck, on signs affixed to or near the entrance of the CMC building, etc.). In addition, the Franchisee should provide free print and electronic advertising and announcements to inform subscribers about the relocations. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 52 48 f. There is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast (and any future Franchisee) includes full program listings for the PEG access channels on its electronic program guide. Participants in the focus groups and the on-line survey respondents indicated concerns about issues related to the ParkTV channels, including a high level of interest in having the program schedules for all of the ParkTV channels displayed on their cable company’s on-screen program guide (which is also needed to facilitate DVR recording). A large majority (68.7%) of the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the online survey said that their most often used source of information about programming on their cable TV channels was Comcast’s on-screen program guide. Only 11.6% said “the internet,” the second most frequently indicated source. g. There is a need and interest in ensuring that the St. Louis Park PEG access channels have the same functionality and capacity as the highest quality over-the- air broadcast television channels delivered by each Franchisee on its cable system. Depending upon the introduction of new technologies, consumer use of them, and transmission such formats by a Franchisee, this may include 4K or a more advanced format, if it is prevalent during the term of any renewed franchise agreement. 72.7% of all Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said that they pay extra to receive channels in HD, and 57.1% of these HD subscribers said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD. The PEG access channels must be transmitted by Comcast (and any future Franchisee) to its customers in any format (including SD, HD, or any other format being transmitted by a Franchisee), and must be transmitted with any other information also being delivered (including closed captions, secondary audio, text, digital information, etc.). A Franchisee should also be required to maintain the same technical standards for the transmission of the PEG access channels (in all transmission formats) as it must for local broadcast channels on its cable system. h. Each Franchisee should provide sufficient storage space, encoding, and other accommodations to enable free on demand viewing of PEG access programs. Free video-on-demand (“VOD”) capacity for selected PEG access programs is provided by many cable systems in the United States. While on-demand capacity is not a general substitute for PEG access channels, it can deliver programs desired at a particular time. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 53 49 Examples of VOD applications for PEG access operations include: (1) a high school football game telecast live by ParkTV could be watched later for review and analysis by the members and coach of a participating team; and (2) after close of business, a local merchant could call up a VOD copy of that day’s City Council meeting to review the discussion and decision regarding an issue that would directly affect her business. Many of the examples of programming desired by focus group participants could take advantage of video-on-demand technology, which could deliver desired programs to residents when they seek such information. As indicated earlier in this report, Comcast’s current franchise includes a requirement to provide up to 20 hours per month of community and government programming content in its on demand service. This service was actively used initially, but viewer interest plunged when Comcast buried ParkTV programs in submenus, requiring a 3- or 4-step process to find them. Therefore, the renewal franchise agreement should include a provision that ensures the simplification of this process, making ParkTV programs as readily accessible as other on demand programs. Language in any renewed Franchise should ensure that St. Louis Park’s PEG access channels can take advantage of changes in technology and capabilities over the term of the renewal Franchise. Items like on-demand and HD for PEG access programming are matters of interest today, but the language in any renewed franchise should be sufficiently flexible and forward-thinking to accommodate PEG access use of new technologies that might become standard applications for cable channels in the near future (e.g., 4K and 8K). i. There is a need and interest in ensuring that each Franchisee provides all PEG access bandwidth/capacity (including SD and HD channels on the existing cable systems, and more advanced format channels in the future) free of charge to the City, ParkTV, and PEG access community producers. This recommendation is based on the fact that providing PEG access channels free of charge has been the norm in the cable industry for nearly 50 years, including all of the time that cable service has been provided in St. Louis Park. The City, ParkTV, and PEG access community producers have limited resources, and their services would be adversely affected if they had to pay extra for allocated bandwidth/capacity. Furthermore, cable operators do not charge other program services to be included on their channel line-ups, and actually pay ever-increasing fees to carry them (e.g., the per-subscriber fee for a cable company to carry ESPN is approaching $10.00 per month, and $2.00 per month for the Fox News Channel). Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 54 50 j. There is a need and interest in expanding the ability to submit and distribute video programming from various sites within St. Louis Park. The City of St. Louis Park has done an excellent job of leveraging the commonalities and natural overlaps between IT, communications, and PEG access in municipal operations to mutual advantage. The existing live origination connections from City Hall, the St. Louis Park High School and its football field, the Wolfe Park Veterans Memorial Amphitheater, and The Rec Center have been important communication resources for the City. These connections have made it possible for ParkTV crews to deliver well-produced, highly regarded, and live coverage of public meetings, concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events to St. Louis Park residents. As shown in the diagram below, live remote video signals can be sent from the High School, its football field, and The Rec Center (and the Wolfe Park Veterans Memorial Amphitheater, via an intermediary connection to The Rec Center) to the ParkTV master control at City Hall, where the signals are directed to the appropriate channel transmission equipment and on to the Comcast distribution center for delivery to cable TV customers. COMCAST DISTRIBUTION CENTER CABLE TV SUBSCRIBERS CITY HALL HIGH SCHOOL H.S. FOOTBALL FIELD THE REC CENTER WOLFE PARK MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATER Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 55 51 The transport of audio and video communications over IP will become increasingly important and cost-effective, as technology continues to progress. Some of the live origination sites continue to rely on aging coaxial cable, which will need to be upgraded to fully fiber-based transport. These origination sites and their associated delivery systems must be capable of maintaining consistently high technical standards if the City can confidently depend on them – especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic -- to reliably distribute life-saving health information, live briefings from public health officials, on-line classes for children, and much more. Appendix 7 includes an estimate of the cost to update bi-directional video and data connectivity between the video origination sites in the City. During the consultant’s on-site review of the City’s PEG access facilities, distribution systems and operations, the ParkTV staff outlined some of the challenges they face. We were able to offer some options to address these needs using Dante media networking technology-based audio transport. Staff should consider familiarizing themselves with the industry options with regard to A/V transport over IP in order to determine which architecture may provide the best outcomes with lowest barriers to entry. HD-BaseT, Audinate’s Dante, AVB, and Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE) are a few of the options that merit consideration. Each architecture offers differences in terms of openness (vs. proprietary/closed system), network compatibility and functionality (quality of service and latency requirements), and costs. Most of these platforms have vendor support, familiarization and training that staff should explore in order to help make the best decision for the organization. The ability to move information over the City’s municipal area network (MAN) is one of the keys to success for all stakeholders. The use of fiber to connect sites allows the use of dedicated video paths, and/or IP-based encoder decoder solutions. For programming contribution where interactivity between originating and receiving sites is minimal or not required, the use of IP endcoder / decoder equipment allows this traffic to be added to existing links with only the addition of codecs and perhaps a switch or router connection. In the event that 2-way communication with little or no delay is required between sites, dark fiber links with dedicated HD-SDI transceivers are also available with near zero latency. Therefore, concerted efforts should be made to negotiate language in any renewed Franchise Agreement to require the provision of dark fiber between sites for PEG access transmissions, which can keep the costs for terminal equipment and operational latency very low – generally half or less of the cost of IP-based solutions. If fiber is provided but limited in count, the City may also consider coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) options provided by a number of video solution vendors. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 56 52 The addition of a Community Media Center in St. Louis Park would provide opportunities to explore the enhancement of site connectivity using these new technologies. Ensuring fiber trunking and GigE or 10GigE infrastructure where appropriate during CMC construction will allow the City to explore new models of civic and municipal engagement. As we have seen from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, more connectivity, more bandwidth and lower latencies are the keys to better communications between individuals and communities – regardless of physical location. 4. PEG Access Services An analysis of the information gathered reveals a need and interest in continuing, enhancing and expanding ParkTV’s services in the St. Louis Park franchise area. As noted in this report, the assessment of community cable-related needs and interests showed that St. Louis Park residents support the delivery of PEG access programming and services. When the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey were asked to indicate how important they think it is to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents, a large majority (59.3%) said these local channels are “very important” or “important” to them. These responses indicate a very positive attitude about these local channels and services. Clear majorities of all online survey respondents indicated strong levels of interest in many other types of local programs or services. Local programs types with the most “very interested” or “interested” responses were “local news and information” (65.3%), “government/ public agency meetings” (60.7%), “programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts and artists” (57.2%), “environmental programs” (53.5%), and “information about government services” (53.0%). Focus group participants mentioned a number of other desired services during the brainstorming sessions, including many program content ideas, the need for an accessible community media center in St. Louis Park, all PEG access channels in HD, programs in many languages, content in multiple platforms, training workshops for different types of media, computer and software training, and a searchable archive of community programming. If PEG access services and programming efforts are to more fully meet the needs and interests identified by the public during the needs assessment process in St. Louis Park, the current levels of capital and operations funding and in-kind support must be maintained and enhanced during the term of the next Franchise Agreement. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 57 53 The quantity and quality of PEG access services in the future will be dictated to a large degree by the funding available from the City and Comcast (and any future Franchisee). In addition to its current efforts to raise supplementary funds through production services and interest income generation, ParkTV should reach out to other community media organizations to obtain information and advice regarding: (1) the types of activities they undertake to obtain funding and in-kind support from a variety of other sources; and (2) the appropriate categorization of capital and operating expenditures. The procedures followed by those organizations, as directed by their financial advisors and auditors to comply with federal, state, and local obligations, as well as generally accepted accounting principles for media companies, may be very useful to ParkTV. To help meet the expressed community cable-related needs and interests described in this report, any new Franchise Agreement(s) adopted by the City should include provisions (as also described in this report) to ensure that initial and ongoing PEG access funding support is provided by the Franchisee. These grants would supplement: (1) any funds raised by ParkTV; and (2) any allocations from the franchise fees that might be provided by the City to support PEG access activities. To help address a need and interest to promote the St. Louis Park PEG access channels, programming and services to area residents and cable subscribers more effectively, any renewal Franchise Agreement(s) adopted by the City should include provisions to ensure that a Franchisee provides the following: a. Courtesy promotion of the PEG access channels -- including full program listings and capsule descriptions of all PEG access programs scheduled for presentation on each PEG access channel -- on all electronic program guides for their subscribers. 68.7% of the on-line survey respondents who subscribe to the Comcast cable TV service said they most often used their cable company’s on-screen program guide to find information about programming on cable TV -- nearly six times as often as any other source. Detailed program listings for the PEG access channels on Comcast’s (and any future Franchisee’s) electronic program guide would also enable subscribers to plan their viewing as they do for other channels, and would facilitate DVR recording of PEG access programs. b. Free insertion of promotional spots for the PEG access channels and programs Comcast’s (and any future Franchisee ’s) cable satellite services that make times available for local advertising insertions. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 58 APPENDICES Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 59 APPENDIX 1 Community Needs & Interests Questionnaire Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 60 COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE - 1 - This survey is intended to obtain information about community needs and interests related to cable TV. The information gathered will help to determine if existing local cable TV services and resources in St. Louis Park are adequate and appropriate, and identify changes that might be made to meet the current and future cable-related needs and interests of St. Louis Park residents. 1. Do you currently subscribe to a cable TV service in St. Louis Park? __ Yes __ No IF “NO,” SKIP TO QUESTION 13 2. IF "YES" TO QUESTION 1 Which cable TV service provider do you use? __ Comcast __ Century Link 3. Do you subscribe to your cable company’s high definition (HD) channels? __ Yes __ No / Don’t Know IF “NO” OR “DON’T KNOW,” SKIP TO QUESTION 5 4. IF “YES” TO QUESTION 3 How often do you watch cable TV channels that are in HD? __ Often __ Sometimes __ Rarely __ Never __ Don’t Know 5. What do you use most often to find information about cable TV programming? __ TV Section of Newspaper __ The Internet __ Channel Surfing __ “TV Guide” Magazine __ Cable Company’s On-Screen Program Guide __ Don’t Know __ Other: __________________________________________________________________________ 6. How often do you use your cable company’s digital video recorder (DVR) to record programs? __ Never __ Rarely __ Sometimes __ Always __ Don’t Know __ Not applicable to me, since I don't have a DVR from my cable company 7. Indicate your level of satisfaction with your cable TV service in the following areas (not including telephone or internet service). VERY VERY DON’T GOOD GOOD FAIR POOR POOR KNOW N/A a. Sound and picture quality ................................... ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ b. Reliability of cable TV service ................................ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ c. Rates for cable TV service .................................. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ d. Amount of time it takes to talk to a representative ... ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ when you call your cable company e. Ability to respond to service calls within promised .... ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ timeframe 8. Have called your cable company in the last year? __ Yes __ No __ Don’t Know IF “NO” OR “DON’T KNOW”, SKIP TO QUESTION 10 9. IF “YES” TO QUESTION 8 During your last call to your cable company, how long were you on hold before speaking to a customer service representative? __ Less Than 30 Seconds __ Between 30 Seconds and 1 Minute __ Between 1-5 Minutes __ Between 5-15 Minutes __ More Than 15 Minutes __ Don’t Know / Don’t Remember __ Never Connected Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 61 COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE - 2 - 10. How important is it for your cable company to have an office in St. Louis Park? __ Very Important __ Important __ Not Very Important __ Not Important at All __ Don’t Know 11. How satisfied are you with your cable TV service? __Very Satisfied __Somewhat Satisfied __Neutral __Somewhat Dissatisfied __Very Dissatisfied 12. Provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service. 13. ParkTV provides local programming on several cable TV channels, as well as video production and programming for the city website, ParkTV’s YouTube channel, and social media. ParkTV provides live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission); concerts, plays, school board meetings; high school sports, graduations and other local events. Are you aware of ParkTV and its programming? __ Yes __ No IF “NO,” SKIP TO QUESTION 22 14. Have you ever watched ParkTV programming on any of the following channels? Mark all that apply. __ Comcast HD channel 859 -- best of ParkTV __ Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118 and HD channels 8615 and 8618 __ Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 __ Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 __ Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website __ ParkTV’s YouTube channel __ None of the above IF “NONE OF THE ABOVE,” SKIP TO QUESTION 22 15. How often do you watch the following ParkTV channels in a typical month? AT LEAST 1 – 3 TIMES LESS THAN DON’T DAILY ONCE/WEEK PER MONTH ONCE/MONTH NEVER KNOW a. Best of ParkTV (Comcast HD channel 859) -- . ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ b. Educational programming ................................ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ (Comcast channels 14 & 96; Century Link channels 8115, 8118, HD channels 8615 & 8618) c. Local sports and events ................................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ (Comcast channel 16; Century Link channel 8116 and HD channel 8616) d. Government programming ............................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ (Comcast channel 17; Century Link channel 8117 and HD channel 8617) e. Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the ....... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ city’s website f. ParkTV’s YouTube channel .............................. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 62 COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE - 3 - 16. How often have you watched the following types of programming on the ParkTV channels? AT LEAST 1 – 3 TIMES LESS THAN DON’T DAILY ONCE/WEEK PER MONTH ONCE/MONTH NEVER KNOW a. Government meeting coverage ..................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ (e.g, city council, school board, planning commission, etc.) b. Local high school sports (e.g., football, ......... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ basketball, volleyball, etc.) c. Faith-based programs (e.g., local ................. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ church services) d. Community events (e.g., concerts, plays, ..... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ festivals, graduations, etc.) e. Community bulletin board ............................. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ f. Informational programs about local ............... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ government services g. Emergency announcements ......................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 17. Rate your level of agreement with the following statements about ParkTV programming: STRONGLY STRONGLY DON’T AGREE AGREE DISAGREE DISAGREE KNOW a. Provides programs that deal with local issues ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ b. Provides programs that publicize local services ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ c. Provides programs with diverse points of view ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ d. Provides valuable information ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ e. Provides programs that are interesting to watch ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 18. How do you find out about ParkTV programs? Mark all that apply. __ The ParkTV page in the City’s website __ Cable Company’s On-Screen Program Guide __ Channel Surfing __ ParkTV's YouTube channel __ Friends __ Don’t Know __ Other: __________________________________________________________________________ 19. How would you rate the picture and sound quality of ParkTV cable TV channels as compared to other channels you watch? __ Better quality __ About the same __ Lower quality __ Don’t Know __ Not applicable to me, since I am not a cable TV subscriber in St. Louis Park 20. Are you aware that you or any organizations you are involved in can produce programs for ParkTV? __ Yes __ No 21. Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 63 COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE - 4 - 22. How important is it to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents? __ Very Important __ Important __ Not Very Important __ Not Important at All __ Don’t Know 23. How interested are you in the following types of local video programming: VERY NOT VERY NOT AT ALL INTERESTED INTERESTED NEUTRAL INTERESTED INTERESTED a. Community festivals, neighborhood events .................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ b. “Community bulletin board” of upcoming local activities . ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ c. Ethnic and cultural programs .......................................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ d. Environmental programs ................................................. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ e. Educational/instructional programs from local schools ... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ f. Government agency meetings ........................................ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ g. Government informational programs ............................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ h. Information about government services .......................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ i. Health and fitness programs ........................................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ j. Informational programs about services and activities ..... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ of St. Louis Park organizations and clubs k. Inspirational/personal development and learning............ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ programs l Live coverage of local events (sports, concerts, etc.) ..... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ m. Local church services and spiritual programs ................. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ n. Local news and information ............................................ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ o. Programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts & artists ... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ p. Senior citizen activities and concerns ............................. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ q. Youth-produced programs .............................................. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ r. Programs in languages other than English ..................... ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 24. Would you like to use or participate in any of the following types of media-related resources or services, if they were offered by ParkTV in the future? YES NO MAYBE a. Free access to computers and the Internet .......................................................... ____ ____ ____ b. Computer and software training ........................................................................... ____ ____ ____ c. Social media training (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) .................................................... ____ ____ ____ d. Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) ..... ____ ____ ____ e. Workshops on acting, modeling, makeup, stage design and other roles ............. ____ ____ ____ f. Advanced media production training (e.g., documentary production, .................. ____ ____ ____ advanced lighting techniques, how to upload your videos to YouTube, etc.) g. Citizen journalism (training and involvement in collecting, analyzing and ............ ____ ____ ____ reporting local news and information) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 64 COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE - 5 - 25. We are looking to collect demographic information for this survey to evaluate if we are reaching a wide and diverse range of people in the community. The information gathered will be used to determine where we may need to increase our outreach efforts and future programming. In what city do you reside? _______________________________ 26. If you are a St. Louis Park resident, what neighborhood do you live in? If you are unsure of your neighborhood, indicate your address or the intersection nearest your address. ___________________________________________________________________________________ 27. With which racial and ethnic group(s) do you identify? Mark all that apply. __ Asian/Asian-American __ Black/African-American/African __ Caucasian/White-American/European-American __ Hispanic/Latinx __ Native American/Indigenous/First Nation __ Pacific Islander __ Another race or ethnicity not listed (please specify): _________________________________________________ 28. Do you speak a language other than English at home? __ Yes __ No 29. If yes, which language(s)? ___________________________________________________________________________________ 30. How do you describe your gender identity? Mark all that apply. __ Agender __ Female __ Male __ Non-binary __ Transgender __ A gender not listed (please indicate): _________________________________________________ 31. What is your age range? __ Under 18? __ 18 to 24? __ 25 to 34? __ 35 to 44? __ 45 to 54? __ 55 to 64? __ 65 to 74? __ 75 or Older? 32. What is your annual household income before taxes? __ Under $25,000 __ $25,000 to $39,999 __ $40,000 to $59,999 __ $60,000 to $99,999 __ $100,000 or more Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 65 COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE - 6 - 33. Thank you for participating in this survey. If you would like, provide us with the following information about yourself or your organization for a chance to win a framed, limited edition print by local artist Adam Turman, featuring the design from the new Discover St. Louis Park Destination Guide.You must provide at least your last name and phone number or email to be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be held after the survey closes on Friday, March 13. The winner will be notified by email or phone. You must be 18 years of age to participate in the drawing. First and Last Name: ______________________________________________________________ ____________________ Organization(s): ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________________ Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 66 APPENDIX 2a Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire ALL) (by Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 67 1 / 13 52.4%281 47.6%255 Q1 Do you currently subscribe to a cable TV service in St. Louis Park? Answered: 536 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 536 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No 95.8%271 4.2%12 Q2 Which cable TV service provider do you use? Answered: 283 Skipped: 253 TOTAL 283 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Comcast CenturyLink 72.0%203 20.2%57 7.8%22 Q3 Do you subscribe to your cable company’s high definition (HD) channels? Answered: 282 Skipped: 254 TOTAL 282 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Don't know Q4 How often do you watch cable TV channels that are not in HD? Answered: 204 Skipped: 332 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 68 2 / 13 11.8%24 27.0%55 37.3%76 18.6%38 5.4%11 TOTAL 204 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don’t Know 4.7%13 1.1%3 11.5%32 68.1%190 10.0%28 1.8%5 2.9%8 Q5 What do you use most often to find information about cable TV programming? Answered: 279 Skipped: 257 TOTAL 279 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES TV section of newspaper “TV Guide” magazine The internet Cable company's on-screen program guide Channel surfing Don’t know Other (please specify): 31.5%88 16.1%45 6.1%17 21.9%61 0.7%2 23.7%66 Q6 How often do you use your cable company's digital video recorder (DVR) to record programs? Answered: 279 Skipped: 257 TOTAL 279 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Always Sometimes Rarely Never Don’t know Not applicable to me, since I don't have a DVR from my cable company Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 69 3 / 13 Q7 Indicate your level of satisfaction with your cable TV service in the following areas (not including telephone or Internet service). Answered: 278 Skipped: 258 28.1% 78 48.2% 134 14.0% 39 6.8% 19 1.4% 4 1.4% 4 278 21.4% 59 44.9% 124 18.1% 50 10.1% 28 4.0% 11 1.4% 4 276 3.2% 9 9.0% 25 18.1% 50 30.3% 84 38.3% 106 1.1% 3 277 5.4% 15 18.7% 52 26.6% 74 25.2% 70 18.3% 51 5.8% 16 278 7.9% 22 30.3% 84 28.5% 79 9.0% 25 9.0% 25 15.2% 42 277 VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED NEUTRAL DISSATISFIED VERY DISSATISFIED NOT APPLICABLE TOTAL Sound and picture quality Reliability of cable TV service Rates for cable TV service Amount of time it takes to talk to a representative when you call your cable company Ability to respond to service calls within promised timeframe 71.9%202 26.3%74 1.8%5 Q8 Have you called your cable company in the last year? Answered: 281 Skipped: 255 TOTAL 281 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Don’t know Q9 During your last call to your cable company, how long were you on hold before speaking to a customer service representative? Answered: 202 Skipped: 334 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 70 4 / 13 5.9%12 13.4%27 24.3%49 27.7%56 13.4%27 15.3%31 0.0%0 TOTAL 202 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Less than 30 seconds 30 seconds - 1 minute 1 - 5 minutes 5 - 15 Minutes More than 15 minutes Don’t know / don’t remember Never connected 27.4%76 28.2%78 23.8%66 5.4%15 15.2%42 Q10 How important is it for your cable company to have an office in St. Louis Park? Answered: 277 Skipped: 259 TOTAL 277 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Very important Important Neutral Somewhat important Not at all important 10.8%30 38.1%106 27.3%76 19.4%54 4.3%12 Q11 How satisfied are you with your cable TV service? Answered: 278 Skipped: 258 TOTAL 278 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Very satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Q12 Provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service. Answered: 172 Skipped: 364 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 71 5 / 13 70.4%375 29.6%158 Q13 ParkTV provides local programming on several cable TV channels, as well as video production and programming for the city website, ParkTV’s YouTube channel and social media. ParkTV provides live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission), concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events.Are you aware of ParkTV and its programming? Answered: 533 Skipped: 3 TOTAL 533 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No 8.8% 33 12.6% 47 22.2% 83 30.2% 113 16.3% 61 27.0% 101 34.2% 128 Q14 Have you ever watched ParkTV programming on any of the following channels? Mark all that apply. Answered: 374 Skipped: 162 Total Respondents: 374 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118 and HD channels 8615 and 8618 Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website ParkTV’s YouTube channel None of the above Q15 How often do you watch the following ParkTV channels in a typical month? Answered: 248 Skipped: 288 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 72 6 / 13 0.9% 2 0.9% 2 8.4% 19 27.0% 61 57.5% 130 5.3% 12 226 1.3% 3 2.2% 5 10.6% 24 24.8% 56 56.6% 128 4.4% 10 226 1.7% 4 2.6% 6 14.8% 34 28.7% 66 48.3% 111 3.9% 9 230 0.9% 2 5.2% 12 12.4% 29 39.9% 93 38.2% 89 3.4% 8 233 0.9% 2 2.2% 5 8.9% 20 29.8% 67 52.0% 117 6.2% 14 225 1.3% 3 2.2% 5 15.8% 36 30.3% 69 43.9% 100 6.6% 15 228 DAILY AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK 1 - 3 TIMES PER MONTH LESS THAN ONCE PER MONTH NEVER DON'T KNOW TOTAL Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118, and HD channels 8615 and 8618 Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website ParkTV’s YouTube channel Q16 How often have you watched the following types of programming on the ParkTV channels? Answered: 241 Skipped: 295 0.9% 2 2.1% 5 17.5% 41 56.4% 132 18.8% 44 4.3% 10 234 4.03 0.9% 2 3.6% 8 16.4% 37 32.0% 72 45.3% 102 1.8% 4 225 4.23 0.9% 2 0.0% 0 2.7% 6 9.9% 22 82.4% 183 4.1% 9 222 4.85 0.9% 2 1.7% 4 14.3% 33 42.0% 97 38.5% 89 2.6% 6 231 4.23 1.3% 3 3.6% 8 7.1% 16 23.1% 52 61.8% 139 3.1% 7 225 4.50 0.9% 2 2.2% 5 7.6% 17 28.1% 63 56.7% 127 4.5% 10 224 4.51 1.8% 4 0.9% 2 7.6% 17 20.0% 45 58.2% 131 11.6% 26 225 4.67 DAILY AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK 1 - 3 TIMES PER MONTH LESS THAN ONCE PER MONTH NEVER DON'T KNOW TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE Government meeting coverage (e.g, city council, school board, planning commission, etc.) Local high school sports (e.g., football, basketball, volleyball, etc.) Faith-based programs (e.g., local church services) Community events (e.g., concerts, plays, festivals, graduations, etc.) Community bulletin board Informational programs about local government services Emergency announcements Q17 Rate your level of agreement with the following statements about ParkTV programming. Answered: 233 Skipped: 303 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 73 7 / 13 18.6% 43 49.8% 115 29.0% 67 2.2% 5 0.4% 1 231 15.0% 34 43.8% 99 38.1% 86 2.7% 6 0.4% 1 226 9.4% 21 27.7% 62 58.9% 132 2.7% 6 1.3% 3 224 15.3% 35 48.5% 111 32.3% 74 3.9% 9 0.0% 0 229 8.4% 19 33.8% 76 50.2% 113 6.2% 14 1.3% 3 225 STRONGLY AGREE AGREEE NEUTRAL DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE TOTAL Provides programs that deal with local issues Provides programs that publicize local services Provides programs with diverse points of view Provides valuable information Provides programs that are interesting to watch 25.2%59 32.1%75 29.9%70 19.2%45 14.5%34 8.5%20 17.1%40 Q18 How do you find out about ParkTV programs? Mark all that apply. Answered: 234 Skipped: 302 Total Respondents: 234 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES The ParkTV page on the city’s website Cable company’s on-screen program guide Channel surfing ParkTV's YouTube channel Friends Don't know Other (please specify) 0.9%2 31.2%73 44.9%105 6.8%16 16.2%38 Q19 How would you rate the picture and sound quality of ParkTV channels as compared to other channels you watch? Answered: 234 Skipped: 302 TOTAL 234 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Better quality About the same Lower quality Don’t know Not applicable to me since I am not a cable TV subscriber in St. Louis Park Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 74 8 / 13 32.3%116 67.7%243 Q20 Are you aware that you or any organizations you are involved in can produce programs for ParkTV? Answered: 359 Skipped: 177 TOTAL 359 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q21 Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services. Answered: 77 Skipped: 459 17.7%91 35.0%180 29.7%153 11.8%61 5.8%30 Q22 How important is it to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents? Answered: 515 Skipped: 21 TOTAL 515 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Very important Important Neutral Not very important Not at all important Q23 How interested are you in the following types of local video programming: Answered: 490 Skipped: 46 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 75 9 / 13 12.1% 58 35.0% 168 29.8% 143 15.8% 76 7.3% 35 480 13.5% 65 40.0% 193 26.5% 128 13.3% 64 6.8% 33 483 7.1% 34 36.9% 177 31.9% 153 14.2% 68 10.0% 48 480 11.8% 57 41.7% 201 27.2% 131 11.0% 53 8.3% 40 482 9.8% 47 36.2% 173 33.9% 162 12.3% 59 7.7% 37 478 16.5% 80 44.2% 214 26.9% 130 7.2% 35 5.2% 25 484 10.4% 50 42.6% 205 32.6% 157 7.9% 38 6.4% 31 481 8.4% 40 35.7% 171 32.4% 155 14.0% 67 9.6% 46 479 11.0% 53 40.2% 193 33.5% 161 8.8% 42 6.5% 31 480 5.3% 25 25.1% 119 37.7% 179 19.4% 92 12.6% 60 475 13.0% 63 35.5% 172 31.4% 152 11.8% 57 8.3% 40 484 2.3% 11 9.5% 46 28.6% 138 22.8% 110 36.7% 177 482 15.2% 73 50.1% 240 21.7% 104 6.9% 33 6.1% 29 479 10.8% 52 46.4% 224 25.5% 123 10.1% 49 7.2% 35 483 6.4% 31 22.3% 108 36.2% 175 18.6% 90 16.5% 80 484 7.1% 34 25.5% 122 38.9% 186 15.1% 72 13.4% 64 478 2.5% 12 8.4% 40 35.2% 168 22.0% 105 31.9% 152 477 VERY INTERESTED INTERESTED NEUTRAL NOT VERY INTERESTED NOT AT ALL INTERESTED TOTAL Community festivals, neighborhood events “Community bulletin board” of upcoming local activities Ethnic and cultural programs Environmental programs Educational/instructional programs from local schools Government/public agency meetings Information about government services Health and fitness programs Informational programs about services and activities of St. Louis Park organizations and clubs Inspirational/personal development and learning programs Live coverage of local events (sports, concerts, etc.) Local church services and spiritual programs Local news and information Programs about St. Louis Park's history, arts and artists Senior citizen activities and concerns Youth-produced programs Programs in languages other than English Q24 Would you use or participate in any of the following resources or services if they were offered by ParkTV? Answered: 490 Skipped: 46 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 76 10 / 13 21.9% 107 31.1% 152 46.9% 229 488 19.3% 94 31.8% 155 48.9% 238 487 9.7% 47 18.0% 87 72.3% 350 484 21.3% 103 39.0% 189 39.7% 192 484 9.5% 46 18.2% 88 72.3% 350 484 15.9% 77 27.3% 132 56.8% 275 484 15.6% 75 27.6% 133 56.8% 274 482 YES MAYBE NO TOTAL Free access to computers and the internet Computer and software training Social media training (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) Workshops on acting, modeling, makeup, stage design and other roles Advanced media production training (e.g., documentary production, advanced lighting techniques, how to upload your videos to YouTube, etc.) Citizen journalism (training and involvement in collecting, analyzing and reporting local news and information) Q25 We are looking to collect demographic information for this survey to evaluate if we are reaching a wide and diverse range of people in the community. The information gathered will be used to determine where we may need to increase our outreach efforts and future programming.In what city do you reside? Answered: 482 Skipped: 54 Q26 If you are a St. Louis Park resident, what neighborhood do you live in? If you are unsure of your neighborhood, indicate your address or the intersection nearest your address. Answered: 465 Skipped: 71 Q27 With which racial and ethnic group(s) do you identify? Mark all that apply. Answered: 465 Skipped: 71 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 77 11 / 13 2.4%11 1.9%9 94.0%437 1.5%7 0.9%4 1.1%5 3.0%14 Total Respondents: 465 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Asian/Asian-American Black/African-American/African Caucasian/White-American/European-American Hispanic/Latinx Native American/Indigenous/First Nation Pacific Islander Another race or ethnicity not listed (please specify) 5.2%25 94.8%454 Q28 Do you speak a language other than English at home? Answered: 479 Skipped: 57 TOTAL 479 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q29 If yes, which language(s)? Answered: 19 Skipped: 517 0.2%1 56.6%266 42.1%198 0.6%3 0.2%1 0.9%4 Q30 How do you describe your gender identity? Mark all that apply. Answered: 470 Skipped: 66 Total Respondents: 470 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Agender Female Male Non-binary Transgender A gender not listed (please indicate) Q31 What is your age range? Answered: 471 Skipped: 65 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 78 12 / 13 0.2%1 1.1%5 16.6%78 24.6%116 15.9%75 17.8%84 16.8%79 7.0%33 TOTAL 471 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Under 18 18 – 24 25 – 34 35 – 44 45 – 54 55 – 64 65 – 74 75 or older 3.5%15 7.2%31 13.3%57 25.4%109 50.6%217 Q32 What is your annual household income before taxes? Answered: 429 Skipped: 107 TOTAL 429 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Under $25,000 $25,00 – $39,999 $40,000 – $59,999 $60,000 – $99,999 Over $100,000 Q33 Thank you for participating in this survey. If you would like, provide us with the following information about yourself or your organization for a chance to win a framed, limited edition print by local artist Adam Turman, featuring the design from the new Discover St. Louis Park Destination Guide.You must provide at least your last name and phone number or email to be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be held after the survey closes on Friday, March 13. The winner will be notified by email or phone. You must be 18 years of age to participate in the drawing. Answered: 208 Skipped: 328 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 79 13 / 13 99.5%207 9.1%19 0.0%0 0.0%0 0.0%0 0.0%0 91.8%191 0.0%0 96.2%200 81.7%170 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES First and last name Organization(s) Address: Address2: City: State: ZIP code Country: Email Phone number Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 80 APPENDIX 2b Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire subscribers )mcastCo (by Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 81 1 / 13 100.0%271 0.0%0 Q1 Do you currently subscribe to a cable TV service in St. Louis Park? Answered: 271 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 271 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No 100.0%271 0.0%0 Q2 Which cable TV service provider do you use? Answered: 271 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 271 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Comcast CenturyLink 72.7%197 19.2%52 8.1%22 Q3 Do you subscribe to your cable company’s high definition (HD) channels? Answered: 271 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 271 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Don't know Q4 How often do you watch cable TV channels that are not in HD? Answered: 198 Skipped: 73 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 82 2 / 13 12.1%24 25.3%50 37.9%75 19.2%38 5.6%11 TOTAL 198 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Often Sometimes Rarely Never Don’t Know 4.5%12 1.1%3 11.6%31 68.7%184 9.3%25 1.9%5 3.0%8 Q5 What do you use most often to find information about cable TV programming? Answered: 268 Skipped: 3 TOTAL 268 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES TV section of newspaper “TV Guide” magazine The internet Cable company's on-screen program guide Channel surfing Don’t know Other (please specify): 31.7%85 15.7%42 6.3%17 21.3%57 0.7%2 24.3%65 Q6 How often do you use your cable company's digital video recorder (DVR) to record programs? Answered: 268 Skipped: 3 TOTAL 268 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Always Sometimes Rarely Never Don’t know Not applicable to me, since I don't have a DVR from my cable company Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 83 3 / 13 Q7 Indicate your level of satisfaction with your cable TV service in the following areas (not including telephone or Internet service). Answered: 268 Skipped: 3 27.6% 74 48.1% 129 14.6% 39 6.7% 18 1.5% 4 1.5% 4 268 21.4% 57 45.5% 121 18.0% 48 9.8% 26 3.8% 10 1.5% 4 266 2.6% 7 8.2% 22 18.0% 48 31.1% 83 39.0% 104 1.1% 3 267 4.9% 13 17.9% 48 27.2% 73 25.4% 68 18.7% 50 6.0% 16 268 7.9% 21 29.6% 79 28.5% 76 9.4% 25 9.0% 24 15.7% 42 267 VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED NEUTRAL DISSATISFIED VERY DISSATISFIED NOT APPLICABLE TOTAL Sound and picture quality Reliability of cable TV service Rates for cable TV service Amount of time it takes to talk to a representative when you call your cable company Ability to respond to service calls within promised timeframe 72.3%196 25.8%70 1.8%5 Q8 Have you called your cable company in the last year? Answered: 271 Skipped: 0 TOTAL 271 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Don’t know Q9 During your last call to your cable company, how long were you on hold before speaking to a customer service representative? Answered: 196 Skipped: 75 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 84 4 / 13 5.1%10 13.3%26 24.5%48 28.1%55 13.3%26 15.8%31 0.0%0 TOTAL 196 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Less than 30 seconds 30 seconds - 1 minute 1 - 5 minutes 5 - 15 Minutes More than 15 minutes Don’t know / don’t remember Never connected 28.1%75 28.5%76 23.2%62 5.6%15 14.6%39 Q10 How important is it for your cable company to have an office in St. Louis Park? Answered: 267 Skipped: 4 TOTAL 267 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Very important Important Neutral Somewhat important Not at all important 10.1%27 38.4%103 28.0%75 19.4%52 4.1%11 Q11 How satisfied are you with your cable TV service? Answered: 268 Skipped: 3 TOTAL 268 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Very satisfied Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Q12 Provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service. Answered: 166 Skipped: 105 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 85 5 / 13 80.7%217 19.3%52 Q13 ParkTV provides local programming on several cable TV channels, as well as video production and programming for the city website, ParkTV’s YouTube channel and social media. ParkTV provides live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission), concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events.Are you aware of ParkTV and its programming? Answered: 269 Skipped: 2 TOTAL 269 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No 13.9% 30 16.7% 36 30.6% 66 42.6% 92 11.6% 25 14.4% 31 31.0% 67 Q14 Have you ever watched ParkTV programming on any of the following channels? Mark all that apply. Answered: 216 Skipped: 55 Total Respondents: 216 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118 and HD channels 8615 and 8618 Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website ParkTV’s YouTube channel None of the above Q15 How often do you watch the following ParkTV channels in a typical month? Answered: 151 Skipped: 120 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 86 6 / 13 1.5% 2 1.5% 2 10.4% 14 32.6% 44 47.4% 64 6.7% 9 135 2.2% 3 2.9% 4 13.8% 19 30.4% 42 44.9% 62 5.8% 8 138 2.8% 4 4.3% 6 18.4% 26 36.9% 52 33.3% 47 4.3% 6 141 1.4% 2 7.6% 11 17.2% 25 51.7% 75 19.3% 28 2.8% 4 145 1.5% 2 3.0% 4 5.2% 7 23.9% 32 59.0% 79 7.5% 10 134 2.2% 3 3.7% 5 8.9% 12 16.3% 22 60.7% 82 8.1% 11 135 DAILY AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK 1 - 3 TIMES PER MONTH LESS THAN ONCE PER MONTH NEVER DON'T KNOW TOTAL Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118, and HD channels 8615 and 8618 Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website ParkTV’s YouTube channel Q16 How often have you watched the following types of programming on the ParkTV channels? Answered: 148 Skipped: 123 1.4% 2 3.5% 5 20.3% 29 57.3% 82 13.3% 19 4.2% 6 143 3.90 1.5% 2 4.4% 6 21.5% 29 30.4% 41 40.0% 54 2.2% 3 135 4.10 1.5% 2 0.0% 0 3.0% 4 11.2% 15 78.4% 105 6.0% 8 134 4.83 1.4% 2 2.1% 3 17.0% 24 44.0% 62 33.3% 47 2.1% 3 141 4.12 2.2% 3 5.1% 7 8.0% 11 22.5% 31 58.7% 81 3.6% 5 138 4.41 1.5% 2 2.9% 4 6.6% 9 28.7% 39 55.1% 75 5.1% 7 136 4.49 2.2% 3 1.5% 2 8.1% 11 22.1% 30 52.9% 72 13.2% 18 136 4.62 DAILY AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK 1 - 3 TIMES PER MONTH LESS THAN ONCE PER MONTH NEVER DON'T KNOW TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE Government meeting coverage (e.g, city council, school board, planning commission, etc.) Local high school sports (e.g., football, basketball, volleyball, etc.) Faith-based programs (e.g., local church services) Community events (e.g., concerts, plays, festivals, graduations, etc.) Community bulletin board Informational programs about local government services Emergency announcements Q17 Rate your level of agreement with the following statements about ParkTV programming. Answered: 146 Skipped: 125 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 87 7 / 13 14.6% 21 49.3% 71 31.9% 46 3.5% 5 0.7% 1 144 11.9% 17 46.2% 66 37.1% 53 4.2% 6 0.7% 1 143 7.0% 10 30.1% 43 57.3% 82 3.5% 5 2.1% 3 143 11.1% 16 50.7% 73 34.0% 49 4.2% 6 0.0% 0 144 4.8% 7 34.5% 50 51.7% 75 6.9% 10 2.1% 3 145 STRONGLY AGREE AGREEE NEUTRAL DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE TOTAL Provides programs that deal with local issues Provides programs that publicize local services Provides programs with diverse points of view Provides valuable information Provides programs that are interesting to watch 16.3%24 49.0%72 41.5%61 9.5%14 10.2%15 8.2%12 10.2%15 Q18 How do you find out about ParkTV programs? Mark all that apply. Answered: 147 Skipped: 124 Total Respondents: 147 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES The ParkTV page on the city’s website Cable company’s on-screen program guide Channel surfing ParkTV's YouTube channel Friends Don't know Other (please specify) 0.7%1 32.0%47 59.9%88 7.5%11 0.0%0 Q19 How would you rate the picture and sound quality of ParkTV channels as compared to other channels you watch? Answered: 147 Skipped: 124 TOTAL 147 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Better quality About the same Lower quality Don’t know Not applicable to me since I am not a cable TV subscriber in St. Louis Park Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 88 8 / 13 34.6%73 65.4%138 Q20 Are you aware that you or any organizations you are involved in can produce programs for ParkTV? Answered: 211 Skipped: 60 TOTAL 211 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q21 Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services. Answered: 40 Skipped: 231 19.8%52 39.5%104 27.4%72 9.5%25 3.8%10 Q22 How important is it to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents? Answered: 263 Skipped: 8 TOTAL 263 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Very important Important Neutral Not very important Not at all important Q23 How interested are you in the following types of local video programming: Answered: 257 Skipped: 14 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 89 9 / 13 9.9% 25 36.1% 91 32.9% 83 12.7% 32 8.3% 21 252 12.6% 32 37.8% 96 30.3% 77 11.0% 28 8.3% 21 254 5.2% 13 34.3% 86 35.5% 89 13.5% 34 11.6% 29 251 10.3% 26 40.5% 102 28.2% 71 11.5% 29 9.5% 24 252 7.6% 19 36.1% 90 35.3% 88 10.8% 27 10.0% 25 249 16.5% 42 46.9% 119 26.0% 66 5.9% 15 4.7% 12 254 10.4% 26 42.6% 107 32.7% 82 7.6% 19 6.8% 17 251 8.0% 20 34.0% 85 33.2% 83 15.2% 38 9.6% 24 250 9.2% 23 40.2% 101 33.1% 83 9.2% 23 8.4% 21 251 5.2% 13 25.3% 63 38.2% 95 18.5% 46 12.9% 32 249 13.0% 33 36.2% 92 31.1% 79 11.4% 29 8.3% 21 254 3.6% 9 8.3% 21 33.7% 85 23.8% 60 30.6% 77 252 13.7% 34 50.6% 126 21.3% 53 6.8% 17 7.6% 19 249 9.9% 25 48.2% 122 24.9% 63 9.5% 24 7.5% 19 253 7.5% 19 26.2% 66 35.7% 90 17.5% 44 13.1% 33 252 4.0% 10 24.5% 61 41.0% 102 15.7% 39 14.9% 37 249 2.8% 7 8.4% 21 31.7% 79 24.9% 62 32.1% 80 249 VERY INTERESTED INTERESTED NEUTRAL NOT VERY INTERESTED NOT AT ALL INTERESTED TOTAL Community festivals, neighborhood events “Community bulletin board” of upcoming local activities Ethnic and cultural programs Environmental programs Educational/instructional programs from local schools Government/public agency meetings Information about government services Health and fitness programs Informational programs about services and activities of St. Louis Park organizations and clubs Inspirational/personal development and learning programs Live coverage of local events (sports, concerts, etc.) Local church services and spiritual programs Local news and information Programs about St. Louis Park's history, arts and artists Senior citizen activities and concerns Youth-produced programs Programs in languages other than English Q24 Would you use or participate in any of the following resources or services if they were offered by ParkTV? Answered: 257 Skipped: 14 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 90 10 / 13 21.8% 56 33.5% 86 44.7% 115 257 23.0% 59 32.4% 83 44.5% 114 256 12.6% 32 19.0% 48 68.4% 173 253 22.1% 56 35.6% 90 42.3% 107 253 10.7% 27 15.4% 39 73.9% 187 253 15.8% 40 24.9% 63 59.3% 150 253 16.7% 42 22.6% 57 60.7% 153 252 YES MAYBE NO TOTAL Free access to computers and the internet Computer and software training Social media training (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) Workshops on acting, modeling, makeup, stage design and other roles Advanced media production training (e.g., documentary production, advanced lighting techniques, how to upload your videos to YouTube, etc.) Citizen journalism (training and involvement in collecting, analyzing and reporting local news and information) Q25 We are looking to collect demographic information for this survey to evaluate if we are reaching a wide and diverse range of people in the community. The information gathered will be used to determine where we may need to increase our outreach efforts and future programming.In what city do you reside? Answered: 253 Skipped: 18 Q26 If you are a St. Louis Park resident, what neighborhood do you live in? If you are unsure of your neighborhood, indicate your address or the intersection nearest your address. Answered: 248 Skipped: 23 Q27 With which racial and ethnic group(s) do you identify? Mark all that apply. Answered: 243 Skipped: 28 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 91 11 / 13 2.5%6 1.6%4 95.9%233 1.2%3 1.2%3 1.2%3 1.6%4 Total Respondents: 243 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Asian/Asian-American Black/African-American/African Caucasian/White-American/European-American Hispanic/Latinx Native American/Indigenous/First Nation Pacific Islander Another race or ethnicity not listed (please specify) 4.7%12 95.3%241 Q28 Do you speak a language other than English at home? Answered: 253 Skipped: 18 TOTAL 253 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Yes No Q29 If yes, which language(s)? Answered: 5 Skipped: 266 0.0%0 57.7%142 41.5%102 0.8%2 0.0%0 0.8%2 Q30 How do you describe your gender identity? Mark all that apply. Answered: 246 Skipped: 25 Total Respondents: 246 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Agender Female Male Non-binary Transgender A gender not listed (please indicate) Q31 What is your age range? Answered: 247 Skipped: 24 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 92 12 / 13 0.0%0 0.4%1 8.1%20 21.1%52 15.8%39 21.9%54 22.3%55 10.5%26 TOTAL 247 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Under 18 18 – 24 25 – 34 35 – 44 45 – 54 55 – 64 65 – 74 75 or older 4.2%9 6.5%14 16.3%35 27.4%59 45.6%98 Q32 What is your annual household income before taxes? Answered: 215 Skipped: 56 TOTAL 215 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES Under $25,000 $25,00 – $39,999 $40,000 – $59,999 $60,000 – $99,999 Over $100,000 Q33 Thank you for participating in this survey. If you would like, provide us with the following information about yourself or your organization for a chance to win a framed, limited edition print by local artist Adam Turman, featuring the design from the new Discover St. Louis Park Destination Guide.You must provide at least your last name and phone number or email to be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be held after the survey closes on Friday, March 13. The winner will be notified by email or phone. You must be 18 years of age to participate in the drawing. Answered: 100 Skipped: 171 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 93 13 / 13 99.0%99 12.0%12 0.0%0 0.0%0 0.0%0 0.0%0 91.0%91 0.0%0 95.0%95 80.0%80 ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES First and last name Organization(s) Address: Address2: City: State: ZIP code Country: Email Phone number Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 94 APPENDIX 3a Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about Comcast Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 95 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 1 OPEN-ENDED ANSWERS TO SURVEY QUESTION BY COMCAST CABLE TV SUBSCRIBERS: “Please provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service.” NEGATIVE COMMENTS: 1. As an old person and lifelong SLP resident, I find cable TV a joke. The joke is on us. When cable came out it was to be this great thing. Pay TV with no commercials.... HA Now we get to pay (buckets of money) for TV (if we want a good, consistent signal) and see GOBS of commercials too! I don't see the attraction to have tons of channels I do not watch. I watch one channel at a time when I have the time, and usually while doing other things. The programing is no more valuable or higher quality than it was with air TV. Bah Humbug! BUT, when I want to watch a movie or documentary I go to the internet via Amazon Prime. It is one of the best deals since sliced bread. ;-) And another thing! Paying for TV with all the sports channels is a big waste of money. 2. Bad connection. Have had to have them come out multiple times. VERY expensive and so many channels that I do not want. 3. Cable boxes keep breaking down. I am paying extra for extra channels but can't get them on one of the boxes and was told that if I wanted them I would have to pay extra for a new box. I already pay just under $200 a month now. The other box has on demand that rarely works. That's not on demand. Then they discontinue channels and say that aren't raising rates. Century Link has all these requirements, long distance, etc. That's just the beginning. 4. Cable is part of my monthly HOA fee. I live in over 55 housing. I am dismayed at the cost of the add-ons that my neighbors pay for additional channels, additional hookups, etc. Some people don’t even know what they are paying for— including one who had two internet providers— totally unaware. 5. Cable TV is a joke and too expensive. Internet TV is the new wave and having ParkTV 16 available via the Comcast app is the only way I’d watch it. Unless you build an app like CCX has recently done. Would love to help out if needed. 6. Comcast cable tv is inconsistent. As with Comcast internet service, responses to commands are hesitant or slow. Some days rebooting is necessary numerous times. Sometimes DVR settings change on their own. A few months ago I received an email from Comcast stating they were increasing my internet speed: actually it has slowed. 7. Comcast charges a ridiculous amount of money for their internet service, which is how we watch television. Their pricing for actual TV programming is also too expensive. Subscribing to something like Amazon Prime + Netflix (or Sling, etc.) is less costly. Cannot wait for US Internet’s fiber option to be available in my neighborhood. It will cut my bill in half. 8. Comcast charges far too much for their services and especially the rental cost of required equipment. 9. Comcast has some of the poorest customer service. It takes too long to get thru it computer when asking g to talk to a customer service person. I will be dumping Comcast soon. Very poor company to service St. Louis Park. 10. Comcast is a PAIN to deal with. They cost too much but are better than others. 11. Comcast is evil. The only empire worse than Comcast is Disney. I was looking forward to the free Wi-Fi we were promised 10 years ago, and all of the expense and hype that went into it. We need to stand up against the cable monopolies and make them provide what they promise. City support to make that happen could be the catalyst to hold them accountable. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 96 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 2 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 12. Comcast is horrible. Typically you have to go through the automated loop 2-3 times before you finally get a real person who 90% of the time can’t help you. I’m frustrated that most of the time on demand doesn’t work or if doing on demand movies anymore you just get the televised versions with commercials &huge parts cut. The costs are unreasonable. When cable first came to alp we paid 38.00 per math. SLP advised the cost was high because Comcast was building infrastructure but once laid they promised costs would go down. That never happened. Recently I complained to no avail because suddenly I could no longer watch Starz. I was told Starz changed their deal with Comcast. That’s not my problem I’m still following my contract and Comcast should fulfill their end of the deal. I spoke with supervisor and customer support in addition to the customer service rep. I asked why they didn’t reduce my bill then since Starz was my specific choice of movie channel in my package. Bottom line is Comcast is not customer friendly and I don’t know anyone who likes them. 13. Comcast is not only quite expensive, but their pricing is deceptive (e.g., my $89.99 bundle actually costs approximately $140/month with the "fees"). 14. Comcast office is located in Richfield - making it a challenge to get there. Monthly rates are high for the value you get. There are a lot of channels that we pay for that we never see. It would be great if the customer could pick their channels. 15. Comcast wants folks to pay for unnecessary equipment to use HD channels which is ridiculous. 16. Cost is high especially on fixed incomes. Would like to be able to choose channels I want instead of having to pay for an expensive package that they set up. If I get rid of my cable package I loose CNN & MSNBC. If I have to have a package I don’t need 100-200 channels. I would like a cheaper option with a la carte choices that would fit my preferences. I like the free movies without ads but I would like more older popular movie choices that they don’t offer now that maybe are 5-30 years older that were very popular movies. I like mysteries, romantic comedies, spy, dramas, real life true stories. I would Iove an Agatha Christie channel. I don’t think Comcast competes enough with net flicks for movies. I would like a net flicks option with my subscription. I shouldn’t have to pay extra for net flicks with my current price. I have cable, TV, Internet, phone for about $160 month & I have to call every year to re-negotiate because they raise it every year. They don’t give discounts or price breaks for their loyalty customers. 17. Cost is too expensive. Tired of being told channels will be available but are not. Example have been told three time that a free weekend was available for HBO. It was not found, finally this past time I got through to someone that explained that it was available On-Demand. Why doesn't the ad I received explain that? It would save a lot of hard feeling with customers. Why can Comcast/Xfinity just change something like offered channels with no notice? Why don't they ask customers for comments prior to changes? 18. 1) Cost is too high -- Comcast forces its customers to buy bundles with channels we don't want 2) Why do we need to sign a contract and play the game when the contract ends and rates go up to get lower rates? Let's have every day normal pricing. 3) Picture quality - compression of HD signals results in picture quality which is lower than the original broadcast quality 19. Cost too much. Picture freezes and I have to re-boot which takes a while. 20. Dissatisfied with quality of customer service form Comcast. It’s cheaper to have cable and internet than just internet. 21. ESPN only comes in occasionally and they have not been able to explain. 22. Excessively expensive compared to other cable services available in other states. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 97 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 3 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 23. Expensive! 24. For the past several months, I have had numerous, ongoing problems. There have been several consecutive days where I haven't had any service and numerous times that the On Demand feature isn't working. Several online chats with agents haven't resolved the matter. They even had me pick-up a new cable box, which didn't solve the problem. During one of the on-line chats, the technician wrote inappropriate messages to me (I filed a complaint with Xfinity but haven't heard back). 25. I absolutely find it frustrating to have to deal with customer service representatives in India or wherever Comcast has their call Center. Aside from the cost, that is my biggest complaint. 26. I am not getting some TPT channels that I should be getting, according to the list I have. I will be calling Comcast when I can about that. 27. I believe the costs are too high 28. I hate Comcast's customer service and it is too expensive but I live in a condo so we're not allowed to have satellite dishes. The only reason I get it is to watch sports. 29. I have experienced inconsistent help from Comcast when I have had issues with my cable TV. 30. I have had trouble recording multiple programs (2) when they have slightly different (1 - 2 minutes) starting time. I called Comcast but never got a satisfactory answer. I did a "work around". The providers have now gone back to starting shows simultaneously. I have noticed sometimes that the "guide" is slightly off from the actual times, starting and finishing. PBS is especially bad at this. I don't know wher e the times come from to populate the "guide". 31. I have on DEMAND. MANY TIMES OVER DINNER HOUR, it does NOT work, but two hours later it works. I am sick of it. 32. I have tried to upgrade my service but gave up as it was too difficult 33. I only use Internet service. I am very dissatisfied with the rate and inability to get rates similar to my neighbors who are charged less. 34. I think all channels in the basic package (about 12 channels) should be HD for no extra charge. It is HD over the airwaves for free so should be HD in cable TV. I do not think they should charge extra for the HD cable box so you can get HD cable. Once again, free over the air. And the boxes to attach to the TV so it can get cable should be free. 35. I think Comcast is a rip-off 36. I think it’s very expensive and could be cheaper 37. I think streaming services offer the same access to local channels without costly, ancient looking equipment that needs to be controlled with separate remote controls and separate inputs on the TV. I was disappointed to see that despite very terrible customer service and costly "rented" equipment that the cost of the Comcast service continues to rise for both access and equipment. I am actively pursuing other options and am disappointed in the monopoly that St Louis Park provides Comcast for both cable and high speed (beyond DSL) internet. It is below the expectations I have for this fine city and community. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 98 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 4 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 38. I use Comcast for Internet and TV and find the cost outrageous. I believe most of my neighbors also use them and it seems that sharing cables in St. Louis Park should not be so costly. I am a semi-retired senior citizen and it is by far my largest service payment. I changed to Direct TV a couple of years ago to save expense and was not happy with the downtime when there were storms or snow. Second year was better. Comcast has been great but I wish the cost were less. $180 per month to watch TV and use computer....... I do not use many channels but do want CNN, MSNBC and Hallmark in addition to local channels. Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback! 39. I watch so little, it is mostly for internet access. I pay way too much for the service. The City should be charging them more for providing services in SLP, WITHOUT being able to pass it on to the consumer. 40. I wish I could choose what goes into my package. Many of the channels I don't watch. But I need them to get high speed internet. Not cost efficient. 41. I would like an a la cart option of choosing channels. The packages offered don't meet everyone's needs. Also, having to rent cable boxes for $10/mo. is ridiculous. 42. I'm watching through Comcast's Roku app mostly. I only use the cable receiver when the app isn't working. They purposely throttle the app and remove the HD channels. Not sure why I'm forced to pay an extra fee for HD at this point. They did have the HD channels on the app, but removed them recently. Seems a little like extortion. HD content is still available on the phone app. I watch the city's PEG channels often. Thanks 43. It could improve in many ways. The service is terrible 44. It is expensive and I am frustrated that when we call once a year to lower our rate, they do. We should not have to do that. We should be able to shop for better pricing. It’s ridiculous how expensive it is. We will probably cancel cable and stream all of our viewing options. 45. It is ridiculously expensive. We have the digital starter package (not fancy and no DVR) + internet from Comcast - which we have had for almost 12 years - and our cable and internet cost more than our combined heat and electric, even during some of winter months! If we had another option for high speed Internet that was reliable and affordable, I would probably drop the cable and switch in a heartbeat. Not a fan of Comcast and the monopoly they seem to have. 46. It is too expensive!! My internet and cable, which does not include premium channels, is over $200.00. They have also recently moved a movie entertainment channel, TCM, into a payed sports package tier. Customer service has always been incredibly poor, almost non-existent. The only other TV option, CenturyLink, is now only satellite based and I can't have a dish where I live. It's time for competition!!!! 47. It is way too expensive. 48. It really bothers me that Comcast upcharges for HDTV. It's like, welcome to 2020 when every single TV manufacturer makes only TVs with HDTV and higher. It's really backwards and cheap. This is also why we were cord cutters until recently. We don't usually watch cable unless it's live sports or we're renting a movie. 49. It would be nice if there were other choices than just COMCAST. They are so dominating and keep getting more and more expensive for less service. 50. It’s expensive. I would like to be able to add channels a la cart as I don’t watch very many. 51. It's expensive, and it's impossible to separate TV and internet services in a cost effective manner. Cable TV service is generally reliable, but the internet service that is bolted onto the cable service is terrible and rarely provides promised/advertised speeds. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 99 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 5 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 52. It's much too expensive and they did a bait-and-switch, jacking up my rates. I'm going to cancel because of that. 53. It's over-priced for what it is. Customer service is not very good. Would prefer other options and more competition with carriers. 54. It's ridiculously expensive 55. It's very expensive relative to the number of channels that we actually watch. We are actively searching for alternatives to cable. 56. It's way too expensive. If another cable company comes along with a cheaper rate that offers the same channel line-up without losing anything, and are reliable, I would switch. However, I would not switch to a satellite service no matter what. 57. It's way too expensive. If something else came out that gave me the reliability of cable and all of the channels I watch, I would switch. 58. Lack of specific choice, cost, changes in cost over time, inability to get changes to my service without going through a great deal of trouble - obviously purposeful to keep people from making changes or cancelling. I also don't like the limitations on choice of cable companies. It should be an open market. 59. Need to control the sound when you change the channel. The screen will freeze up every now and then. Why don’t they have Senior rates? Prices are way to high 60. Occasionally I lose the signal on my 2nd TV. I wish I could pay for only the channels I want to watch. Cost is too high and there is little competition. The salesforce is sometimes difficult to understand and confusing on what they offer. 61. Often, I turn on a TV and the feed is not available, so I have no cable TV that I paid for. Then, I have to unplug all of my cable boxes and let the feed re-establish. This stinks as after a long day, I make dinner, sit down to eat, and turn on the TV, and nothing. I can eat dinner before my service comes back. This is a consistent issue and the only resolution is unplugging and plugging-in. 62. Our cable goes out often, the price is too high. Often times it is very difficult to understand the agent helping at customer service over the phone. It is very frustrating. Too bad Comcast has to outsource to other countries, we should be giving Americans jobs. The last few times I have called for customer service, either internet out or cable out, they have been very patient and try to be helpful. Unfortunately often times it takes 1-5 people to talk with to solve the problem. In my brick townhouse complex we don’t get any reception without cable, so Comcast has us over a barrel. 63. Our current service through Xfinity is very disappointing. With frequent interruptions in service (streaming/live TV) the experience has caused us to not use many features due to dissatisfaction, but yet we still pay for the service we no longer use. 64. Our service often goes in and out. We pay for basic cable only as it is too expensive especially with internet. Plus it is easy now a days to just use things like Netflix and chrome cast. 65. Outrageously expensive and issues with cable feed too often. 66. Packages of offerings seem less than great. The costs for even the most basic packages seems high. Weird to have multiple places where the same exact channel shows up. 67. 1. Paying for duplicate channels. 2. Prices are way too high when you bundle and even more so if you try to go al carte. 3. Costs extra for HD. 4. If you try to get rid of the cable tv portion, the price of phone and internet are almost equal to paying for all three bundled. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 100 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 6 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 68. Prices are way out of line in today's marketplace and customer service of Comcast/Xfinity is always terrible: illiterate people staffing the phone line, vague explanations or blaming the government for rising prices, unexplained price increases year over year approaching 10%. 69. Prices are way too high, service is spotty, at best, and customer service is the worst we have experienced from any provider of any service in over 50 years. Most annoying, however, is that Comcast's cable service is constantly, and without warning, going dark and then re-loading; this happens 3-5 times per week in most weeks; once the service goes out, it takes 5-10 minutes to restore and re- load. We have tried to get answers from Comcast as to why this disruption of service happens so frequently, and get absolutely no reasonable answers or response, if they respond at all. We are seriously exploring other options for cable service, primarily because Comcast has absolutely no regard for the quality of its services or its customers; they just do not care. Exclusive franchising agreements with municipalities, including with St. Louis Park, seems to be the driving force behind Comcast's utter disregard of and for its customers. The entire franchising relationship reflects badly upon the leadership in St. Louis Park. 70. 1. Prices are way too high whether you bundle or try to go ala carte. 2. Having to pay extra for HD. 3. Having to renegotiate your contract every year. (If you don't, your pkg. price sky rockets without notice.) 4. Too many duplicate channels, of which we're paying for. 71. Prices keep going up and up even when they say they won't. It's frustrating seeing deals for new customers when long-time loyal customers need to keep paying more and more. 72. Prices keep going up too fast and content not improved 73. Prices keep going up. Without warning, they stop one of the 5 channels we actually watch (i.e. Turner Classic movies). The lack of choice and shear abundance of crap shows that are bundled into the package deals, is astonishing. I have said for 10 years to my spouse, Comcast essentially has a monopoly in our market so they dictate all programming and the price tag associated with the packages. Competition would be a beautiful thing. Soon as the streaming services start adding news & sports, Comcast will be thrown on the trash heap of arrogant monopolies because they did not care about the VOC--Voice of customer. Instead they just set the table and made us eat whatever they were serving whether it was palatable or not. 74. Prices rise monthly!! 75. Rates have gotten out of hand 76. Rates seem too high and cannot eliminate channels do not want 77. Renegotiating prices each year is so crazy, it seems Comcast can boost your monthly fee with no real reason. I’m on a fixed budget and I need internet, at present I do not need a fast speed so I get the minimum speed and basic TV package which comes to $76 a month. I cannot get any cheaper pkg. I can do without the TV so last year I wanted just the basic internet and not the TV and they said it would be the same price!!!! I know others in St Louis Park have just internet and pay $50 a month, why do I have to go through all this hassle. I heard US Internet was in SLP and sounds like folks like it if they have it in their area, I would drop Comcast in a minute if it was here or if Comcast would charge $50 for internet only I would think about it! We need more options and less price hiking. Renegotiating each year with Comcast is so stressful and I feel I’m being taken advantage of! 78. Sometimes the quality of the picture is disappointing. 79. The biggest concern I have with Comcast's cable TV service is it is way too expensive. There ought to be a different pricing structure so that one could pick and choose. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 101 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 7 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 80. The cost of cable is getting out of hand. About to cut the cord. And go with antenna. 200.00 plus 60.00 from century link eats lot of the budget for the senior citizens we have in this city. 81. The cost of having both internet and cable is ridiculous! - Especially now that there are so many other options (e.g., Hulu, Netflix, etc.). Comcast is very arrogant and will not compete on price or will not lower the pricing due to being a LOYAL customer. I wish there were many more options for a service provide other than the two that are available in St. Louis Park. Someone in the City needs to negotiate rates much lower with Comcast. 82. The cost! 83. The price is outrageous, we are thinking of dumping xfinity or Comcast for streaming. They really don’t have affordable plans 84. The pricing is unfair and the rate of increases are always well above the rate of inflation. The service of Comcast is unbelievably bad. I have had incorrect charges on bills and have spent hours on the phone getting corrections made. They also use deceitful marketing and constantly do something different then what you are told on the phone. They do not provide easy access to your cable contract online nor are they transparent about all of the services they provide online. If it weren’t for the yearly insert where they are required to list all of their services I would never know these costs by viewing their online site. If we had other internet service providers outside of CenturyLink like, for example, USI available to all of St Louis Park I would use that and sign up for YouTube TV or HULU instead of having to waste my time with Comcast. 85. The rates are too high and they do not offer a variety of packages to select from that are of interest that are at different price points You have to take a premium package to get sports channels. They always have the cable pricing dependent on what other bundled services that you will subscribe to. For instance, I have heard and read on Nextdoor of individuals that have Comcast internet service only for $50, however if you try to change from an expensive cable package and want to go down to just a basic cable package and Internet, Comcast raises the rate of the internet to $65-$70 because you no longer want to pay for their expensive cable package.. I also really dislike the fact that their rates are not published, they want you to commit to two year contracts to give you a good rate, and every time you call in after the contract expires they are always offering you a deal that is better than you had before to hook you. I wish that SLP had US Internet. Their prices seem are much better. Having the Comcast office in SLP is of little help. They can't negotiate price or discontinue service. They tell you that you must call the 800 number. I had a terrible experience with CenturyLink and their billing practices when we subscribed to their Prism TV and internet in around 2015, so I would never recommend that company. I completed the form on the Attorney general's website for reimbursement from CenturyLink. We need more choices or a city rate for internet and cable. 86. The rates are too high for what you receive. We are forced to pay for channels we don't want and or enjoy. There is often a duplication within the channel lineup and the movies are old, stale and repeated beyond belief. I also feel the city (YOU) charge more than you should for this monthly billing. It's all greed built upon greed. 87. The rates are too high, we are nickeled and dimed for everything (not sure why we have to pay a fee for local channels and it is the customers responsibility for making sure they are getting the lowest rate, the cable company never passes the savings onto clients.... 88. There are intermittent broadcast problems, often in the morning about 7:30, where the sound drops out for 15 - 20 sec. so continuity of speech is lost and often context of sentence is lost. It is too annoying to pursue the issue that early in our wake up cycle. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 102 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 8 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 89. There are too many "filler" channels that I never watch and do not want to pay for. HD content is barely HD and certainly nowhere near Blu-Ray quality like they have advertised in the past. Equipment fees are FAR too expensive, monthly service prices are extraordinarily overpriced, and the overall number of taxes, fees, surcharges is awful. They rely on you to sign up under a limited time deal then your bill doubles or triples once that special ends. At that point you are forced to call in and pretend to want to cancel to get your pricing back to near what it was. The amount of hoops and hassle you have to deal with to lower your bill is daunting. 90. There really isn't very good options, costs are excessive, leaves little options for customers. 91. They are fleecing us. 92. They charge too much for what we get. I would like it if we could pay per channel that we use. We get many channels that we don't even like to watch. I think they keep raising their prices "because they can" and nothing will happen to the company. 93. Think it’s overpriced for what you get. Would be fantastic if could do a la carte to get the channels I would want and not the ones I don’t (like the home shopping channels). 94. Three things: 1.) When things are working they're OK. But three or four times a year or more we experience a temporary outage, Sometimes these are for an hour, more often the outage is for several hours or longer. We don't get any credit on our bill for the time we couldn't the service. 2.) Customer service on the phone is often an ordeal. You have to jump through so many hoops before you can talk to a human being. Comcast likes it that way so people give up. Comcast really needs to do better. 3.) It costs too much. Comcast bundles these stations and don't allow the customer's a chance to pick and choose what they want. Comcast pays a bundle for sports programs. OK but I almost never watch sports on the TV, and never on ESPN or premium sports channels, yet I have to subsidize those who do. In January Comcast made Turner Classic Movies a premium channel and bundled it with their sports package--or something like that. Why couldn't they have bundled it with an entertainment package? If Comcast continues to do this there will come a day when I'll ditch Comcast cable TV and go with Hulu or some other streaming service. If Comcast would allow customers to bundle our channels in a way that's useful to us and let us pay a more manageable price, I'd stick with them. I don't need hundreds of channels I never watch. 95. To watch my favorite Turner Classic Movies I have to subscribe to a sports package I have absolutely no interest in and NEVER watch. I want ala carte selection. And the speed of my internet varies widely from over 400 MB to lately more often 90MB 96. too costly 97. too costly 98. Too expensive 99. Too expensive 100. too expensive 101. Too expensive thinking of canceling it. 102. Too expensive. 103. Too expensive. 104. Very poor customer service and over charging the customer, increasing the bills every month, please don’t renew Comcast contracts because they are screw-in the customer Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 103 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 9 NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued): 105. Way too expensive! 106. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!! They are constantly raising their costs without notification. 107. Way too expensive. Should be able to pick only the channels that you want. I call approximately monthly with reception issues and receive no credits. They are bad but who would be better? 108. We always lose service when it is hot. Comcast has come to try to fix the problem, but nothing permanently fixes it. We now unplug the cable box when we are not watching TV, which seems to help. 109. We care more about the internet portion of our Comcast service. We find Comcast expensive for what we get overall and have had them fail to show up on two occasions for in-home service appointments without any communication that they couldn’t make it. TV service is a low priority at our home. We would happily dump them if a viable alternative was available (last we checked, CenturyLink was pushing satellite service and phone lines - neither of which we see as an improvement). 110. We had poor picture quality on a couple of the weaker channels. The screen would break up in tiles. This challenge seems to be addressed at this time. When I try to go to a non HD channel 5, 2, 7, etc. the cable goes to channel 25 which I do not receive in my package. I then cannot connect with the non HD Channel. 111. We only subscribe because we have no choice of getting internet any other way. We have consistently seen prices go up and the quality or service decline both technically and interns of variety offered. I have tried to downgrade the TV service to internet only, but they say we are not allowed to do that. The Cable TV was out for the better part of two months recently when a tree branch fell on a wire. We had several technicians out during the time. After telling me the problem was in the house for weeks, they finally sent a crew manager out and said that when the previous repair people were out, they hooked it up to the wrong input. I had to pressure the company to not charge me for the days that we did not have service, and even then they did not refund the full amount for when we did not have service. We would switch out, but were told by a company representative that we could not downgrade. We need Internet because we work from home, so cancelling is not an option. We would like it if we had more choice. The current monopoly is horrible. 112. We primarily have Comcast for internet. We have the same old copper wire that we received 30+ years ago. The only thing Comcast is consistent at is increasing their rates. We have broadband in a city in another part of MN that gives us almost 10X the speed for $47/mo., so we know it can be provided at a much less expensive model. Why not let multiple companies compete with newer technologies and get rid of the high priced monopoly model? 113. We subscribe to Comcast's Basic TV plan. I don't understand why their "Broadcast Fee" has increased every year since they added this fee. This can't be due to updates, etc. Reception has NOT gotten any better. Along with that...these basic channels we receive, are not filling our high resolution TV set screens. Most of the movies/shows, do not show the whole image at all...cutting off parts of the show and even cutting out advertising phone numbers that aren't being displayed in whole. And yet...both "Basic TV" (without a cable box), and "Broadcast Fee" have just been increased again! 114. Were not able to help us over the phone and long wait for in-home service 115. What is most frustrating to me is that they have you on 2 year agreement and they increase your payment by another $60-$80 and force you to call and renegotiate and still raise the rates another $20. I will most likely switch over to streaming and use my digital antenna for the local channels when my contract is up. 116. When contract is up in July I will be cutting the cord. Comcast is a bad company to work with. Wish we had more internet services to go to as the two we have are becoming too expensive for someone like me older and on a budget. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 104 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 10 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS: 1. As a senior on fixed income any increases in cost of service could be beyond my budget. So cost is very important to me. 2. Better internet options are needed that provide better pricing. What's happened to expansion of US Internet? 3. Comcast has improved in both service and responsiveness over the past few years. Prices (and options) still seem high, however. 4. Cutting the cable. Going to stream only and free programs only. City should get out of cable. Need cheaper internet service. 5. How long would I have to not be a subscriber before I would be eligible for the new subscriber rates which are less than what a long-time subscriber pays? 6. I am happy to be back with Comcast/Xfinity but the pricing is a disaster. It should not cost so much to have this local service. Thank you! 7. I enjoy the offerings of Xfinity/Comcast but one wanting sports always pays for higher coverage. I wish T.V. could become like a "cafeteria", where one only pays for what one actually watches. Otherwise, it just costs too much. 8. I find the pricing and options confusing and it’s difficult to find out what you need and how to get it installed or changed. However, the cable service is far superior to that of the St Louis Park City Council which never listens to any neighborhood or homeowner. Comcast would do a better job running the city. At least you would get what you pay for which you cannot say about your property taxes. 9. I have not had to call for TV service recently, I am able to get most of my answers done online 10. I have started "cutting the cord" since I get the information and programming I want from streaming services. 11. I wish you could customize the service that fits your needs. I understand that there can't be endless choices, but it would be nice if there some customizable options. 12. I would be very excited to transfer to a higher capacity internet connection. 13. I would like it cheaper. 14. I would like more options for cable television service providers. I find it unreasonable that I have only have 2 choices for cable providers. 15. I would like to see individual selectivity of channels rather than having to choose packages. I would think that the bargaining power of the council would allow for some pressure in this area. Ala carte channel choices, more flexibility in pricing, more cable or internet choices to break up the monopoly over these services. I am aware that the infrastructure investments made by these companies is substantial but we as residents should have more choice in this time of multiple providers who could provide services with a greater range of choices and better quality at a reduced price. If multiple small cities would band together and negotiate with these services, the possibilities for improved access and lower prices would be even more likely. 16. I'd love to have a local number for tech support. We've had a few unusual occurrences with TV lately. 17. I'll be cancelling my cable TV service with my next renewal. Our household simply doesn't watch cable TV anymore. 18. I'm exploring cutting the cable and using online opportunities to watch TV. 19. It would be nice to have more channels in the basic plan. 20. It's my second largest bill each month, after only my car payment. I often wonder if it's worth the money I spend. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 105 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 11 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS: 21. Keep cost down instead of going up every six months 22. Let me choose what channels I want 23. Likely will change plan or service after annual contract expires. 24. Most of the channels repeat the same movies several times a week, and the same movies every week. Laziness in the variety of movies presented. History channel is the only quality channel. If you want a channel, have to subscribe to a package of programs you don’t want. Example they changed Turner Classic Movies channel to be combined with the sports channel - you figure. 25. My only issue is when there are cable box issues it seemed to take a very long time this summer to get resolution and while we were promised something it took my husband several calls before it get resolved and we actually got the equipment we actually needed. In general when you get hold of a client service person they are helpful but it may take several calls and at times it felt like the answer was always turn your equipment on and off again to solve the issue. We have historically had best service with Comcast versus Century Link 26. Please bring fiber to give us more choices, especially if we want to “cut the cord.” 27. Reliable and costly. 28. The cable service I have is very reliable and fast with excellent quality. Customer service is very prompt, professional, courteous and friendly. Prices are higher compared to the competitors. 29. The only reason I still have cable is to get local info. Will cut the cable this summer for good. Everything getting too expensive both cable and internet. St Louis Park should have keep it Internet service. 30. The price is exorbitant but it is that way with all cable and dish networks from the research I have done. I wish there were competition in our area for cable but I don’t think that is allowed. Right now we can afford it but I know there will be a time soon when we will not. 31. The sound, picture, and reliability are fine. The only issue I have is price. It simply is very, very costly to have cable. 32. Too expensive, but convenient 33. We debated "cutting the cord" this winter, but when we analyzed the cost of internet and the streaming services we would want to replace cable, it was almost cost neutral, and we decided not to move forward for now. 34. We like the DVR service. We would like more options for 'packages' that allow for selection of a smaller number of channels we can watch as we use 5% of the channels we pay for and would like to pay less. 35. We only have cable TV because basic cable comes with an internet subscription. 36. We use Comcast and it is fine, we stream most of our TV, but have the local channels / main channels because the package was cheaper than strictly internet. Comcast seems to have a monopoly on the market, and you begin to feel trapped into using them. 37. Wish it was cheaper if you don't have the movie or sports channels 38. Would prefer to have less bundling of channels, and pricing that does not require phone service to get the best pricing on cable TV. We have stopped calling for service, instead we go to Ridgedale office of Comcast and talk with someone in person. It takes less time, we get better service and more accurate pricing options. 39. You keep raising the franchise fee it and one other fee was raised over 50%, the TV board for the cities is not doing their job!! Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 106 APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 12 POSITIVE COMMENTS: 1. Comcast has always been helpful and prompt in answering our questions. We dropped cable for a few years to save money but returned a few months ago. It's streaming and works beautifully. 2. Comcast provides very good service and a quality product. Please DO NOT consider Media com. They are historically awful. Everyone I know that has them is very dissatisfied. 3. I appreciate all of the sports channels, and I like that I can watch TV shows that I missed. I also appreciate how I can record programs and skip through commercials when I do so. 4. I attend computer buddies at Lenox and appreciate that John McHugh records activities at the Senior Center and especially that he records student concerts. I think this is a great contribution for seniors who are not able to attend in person. 5. I have used Comcast for 8 years and they have provided quality service over this entire time and I just renewed for another 2 years. 6. I think Comcast is a good cable service provider. However I would like the ability to select the channels I want and not have to pay for channels I don't watch. I also believe the franchise fees are nothing but a tax on subscribers and simply another large source of revenue for the city. 7. It's OK. We just get basic cable service. 8. I've been a long time customer for about 20+ yrs. I trust them! I had Direct TV at one time and never again. I went back to Comcast. Customer service is awesome, they listen, explain things and are never in a hurry to go to their next stop until I understand things. You are the best! 9. Our Comcast rep Lewis was very responsive and helpful. 10. They’ve come numerous times and have been very helpful. 11. Very reliable Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 107 APPENDIX 3b Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about ParkTV Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 108 APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 1 OPEN-ENDED ANSWERS TO SURVEY QUESTION: “Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services .” POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS: 1. Cable is going to decline further and the online application will become ever more vital. Please expand access online (still charge providers to subsidize!!). 2. Can local non-profit organizations (JCI Hopkins) utilize this service? 3. Comcast is not a good partner. We should look literally anywhere else. 4. Do not need it myself 5. Does anyone really watch this? 6. Don't watch it very often except briefly for High School sports games. 7. Glimpse occasionally 8. Haven't watched any City Council meetings since we dumped Comcast. Will try YouTube or maybe the city website. Miss them. 9. I "know of" ParkTV, but that was pretty much the extent of my knowledge. I thought it was just city council meetings broadcasted, etc. 10. I could watch it more if it was provided over antenna! 11. I did not know the ParkTV programs are on YouTube but I am unsure of the delay to watch them there. 12. I didn't know about the YouTube content, but will check it out now. 13. I do want to be aware of what's happening in the city but I would use YouTube channel instead of cable to watch ParkTV 14. I don’t have Comcast or direct TV and have been streaming my cable/tv for the past 5yrs. I had PS Vue and have recently switched to Hulu TV. I would watch ParkTV if it was available through an app to stream or if it was available on local TV with just the antenna. 15. I have had no TV signal for past 15 years. I used to tape the city council meetings in the 1990s & watched on my VCR at the time. 16. I just attended the meeting with the "Buske" group about the renewal process/Comcast. It was informative; but, a bit disappointing in terms of learning that no other company is in the bidding process for a contract w/ the city. Whether or not the city outlets for media are used more robustly or not; we all will pay a great deal more than we do now. Unless local businesses get involved/donate services; or, have them barter equipment goods and what not, I don't see it being the digital panacea they promise. Q: Will I watch ParkTV in the future? There are already too many outlets begging for my time. Would I help in the endeavors of others with my background? Yes. 17. I only recently became aware of ParkTV and had not been aware that they streamed any content live. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 109 APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 2 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS (continued): 18. I think CCX is a great model and example of great local content... would be glad to discuss further. I worked at CCX for four years, spent a year at KARE and many other stations over the years. Think increasing quality of content would really increase engagement. 19. I usually don't think about watching it. 20. I wasn't aware of services available. I may pursue in near future. In terms of what is available and what might be done for various non-profits I am involved in. Overall, I believe this is a modern service that the city must continue to support. It needs to be more prominent on the SLP home page. 21. I watched SLP government programs and some concerts until I tossed Comcast out. I would run across such programming while surfing TV channels. Now, I hardly ever think about them. And basically don't watch anymore. 22. I wished I watched more of Park TV when I had cable; I wish Park TV was available on over the air broadcast TV and I would watch it more. 23. I would love to be able to watch ParkTV programming with a satellite. We don't subscribe to any cable service, but we are able to stream the basic channels (ABC, NBC, etc.) with a satellite booster. 24. If this is not already happening, a mailing or email with a list of services provided on ParkTV and the places they are accessible online (YouTube, city website, etc.) would be helpful for those who are not using cable services. 25. I'm aware of it, but I don't watch. I've only seen little clips here and there so I'm unsure which channels I see them on. It often looks like a meeting around a table, in a conference room OR talk show format. 26. I’ve seen them taping at a concert at the amphitheater once. 27. Never use it. 28. The program guide on cable does not really give a good description of what programs are on. It might be nice to have an email blast with the upcoming programs on a weekly basis. 29. Wasn't aware the channels could be watched on the internet. Would be nice if it could be over the air (antenna) TV. Get rid of the link / payment to Comcast. Cable is dead. 30. We had watched Park TV on Comcast. We dropped Comcast and subscribed to US Internet. 31. Wondering what the cost is to residents 32. would like to watch community education programs 33. Would love to see more programming like that on CCX media (Golden Valley), which produces stories on local issues, perspectives, and events with frequency. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 110 APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 3 POSITIVE COMMENTS: 1. Found out about Park TV and recording programs from John McHugh. John leads the senior computer buddies class at the Lenox Center. I find these videos very helpful and informative. 2. Good to have local viewing for events in SLP- thanks! 3. Good to know about creating our own program. 4. I am grateful for Park TV when they cover my community events like Give Back Day in November each year. 5. I am so grateful for your sports coverage! My parents can watch our daughter play even though they live hours away! 6. I attend senior program computer buddies every week (JMCHUGH@stlouispark.org) hosts the meeting. It’s excellent and very helpful to me. I also attend music jam and John films that. 7. I believe this is important programming for St. Louis Park 8. I don't have children in school anymore, I don't belong to organizations that may benefit from using production facilities and so I don't have much need for the ParkTV programming and services. However, I do believe it provides a valuable service to the community. 9. I enjoy going back and watching old concerts I was in on YouTube 10. I enjoy watching the music concerts and bands that play at Wolf Park and the ROC. High school sports are nice to view occasionally as well. 11. I find being able to watch city council meetings very valuable. 12. I have produced 26 programs for The Park Theater Company: St. Louis Park's Community Theater's "Arts in the Park video magazine" since September 2017. The support and assistance of Park TV and its Community TV Coordinator, John McHugh, has been invaluable and instrumental in our initiative's successful objective to bring information about the arts and culture of St. Louis Park to a broader community audience. Park TV epitomizes the reality of "community access" and building community through the arts! 13. I liked being able to see the city council meeting where the concerns of my neighborhood were entirely ignored. The city council is NOT serving homeowners. 14. I love seeing the programming on the YouTube channel. The producers are very talented and professional. 15. I should avail myself of this great opportunity. 16. I’ve only lived here for a few years. I’m not entrenched in this community—yet. From what I have seen, the Park TV would be very valuable to someone who has lived here for years, grown up here, or has children in the SLP school district. 17. I'm glad it's there even though I don't watch it. Seems like a very good thing for the community. 18. It has good information and programming when I need or want it. 19. Keep up the great work!😊 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 111 APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 4 POSITIVE COMMENTS (continued): 20. Park TV does a great job. The YouTube channel will probably get the most usage over time compared to the other channels. 21. Thank you for broadcasting high school sports - that is my favorite part of ParkTV 22. The only time I have watched is for City Council candidate forums. Helpful for that! 23. We enjoy watching the local high school sporting events. The camera work is exceptional and it's great for family members who aren't able to come to the event. They are able to be a part of the community and enjoy the action. 24. We love it when you cover the BSM sports!! We wish we had better notice of when you will be there so we can get the announcement out to our families/friends! Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 112 APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 5 NEGATIVE COMMENTS: 1. Audio portion on council meetings is awful. You need to have each wear a mic. You can do better. Would watch more if we could hear it. 2. Dry at best. Sometimes informative. Annoying at worst. Channel 17 has the same three PSAs playing ad nauseam. And the information on the bulletin board is often out of date. Whoever programs this channel obviously doesn't spend any time actually watching it. Why are there tweets on the TV channels? With no pictures or video. Just links to content that I can't click. Tweets on TV are a terrible idea. If I want tweets, I'll go to twitter on my phone. Please stop doing this. It seems desperate and hackneyed. I'd rather that channel just have the weather and time info with music. That is at least relaxing and tolerable and offering info I can use. Channel 16's volume is too low and has been for a while. Some programs are barely audible. The program guides for all public channels are often incorrect. The programming on all channels seems lazy and unplanned. At one point over the holidays, two of the channels were just displaying a software splash screen. Seemed a tad unprofessional. A lot of the programming seems out of date. Someone on a program I was watching the other day mentioned that the governor was Jesse Ventura. That is stale. Please make fresh content. Please make content that isn't just someone lecturing me from the front of a room. It's just not interesting. I can't get channel 859, because we don't pay extra for HD. Thank you. 3. More training and guidance should be given to those producing ParkTV programs. I often find the audio and video quality very low and disappointing to watch - so I don't stay with the program very long. Even the big concerts - not sure who sets up the audio - but I found it to be very poor quality. 4. None of it is interesting. Boring content. Maybe exciting for our elderly population. But the programming is very dated and not relevant. 5. Park TV could be a valuable resource for many local programs but it needs a marketing effort. I have suggested in the past to have children's reading hour to kids can have books read to them that they may not have at home because parents are busy. A nice calm alternative to cartoons a craft show with demos and tours of local artists. And so on and so forth. 6. ParkTV is a legacy method of presenting community content and is not a compelling service for community engagement. 7. Park TV needs to offer a program listing to users. Currently it is a "oh gee what is on'? I would like to know when council meetings or citizen advisory meetings are held and televised. Would like to know when it will be replayed if missed. 8. Quality is uneven. Sometimes the sound is difficult to hear. The amount of youth sports is ridiculous and the announcing is brutal. 9. The low quality of the school board meetings is extremely distracting. 10. The programs have way too many white people. Look at Minneapolis programs they are very diverse. 11. The sound on the council meetings is terrible. 12. You need to promote your services better. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 113 APPENDIX 4 Notes from Focus Group Brainstorming Sessions Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 114 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 1 BRAINSTORMING NOTES – ST. LOUIS PARK January 22-23, 2020 Question 1 -- What are the key local issues facing the City of St. Louis Park, local community organizations, and schools in the next ten years? Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) Housing affordability Transportation (especially light rail) Climate change/resilience Meaningful inclusion Staying competitive in the marketplace Competitive schools Small business retention, especially by people of color, women, and veterans Consistent funding streams Youth development activities/leadership Maintaining and financing infrastructure Public safety Increased funding for neighborhood associations City newsletters for neighborhood associations Hyperlocal communications Inclusivity re neighborhood associations Recycling participation Ability to communicate with renters Voter turnout in municipal elections Understanding how we can pursue Smart City goals Sophisticated technology achieved through franchise renewal Arts & cultural uplifting Redevelopment issues Charging stations throughout the city for electric vehicles Transportation options need to be readily available Keep property taxes low Engagement of homebound residents Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) Impact of light rail Climate change Inclusion and access for all citizens Population growth Education – maintaining/improving schools Affordable housing Health care – quality, affordability Including city’s strategic plan elements in cable community needs assessment Public safety Aging infrastructure Keep recreational opportunities available and affordable Business growth in an online era Pollution remediation Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 115 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 2 Focus Group 2: Public (January 22 -- continued) Ground contamination in new developments Maintenance of local parks Aging population Education of/for all citizens Awareness of local religious and nonprofit organizations Focus Group 3: Education (January 23) Digital divide Lack of funding to address digital divide Light rail Multi-family housing Road construction Need for gathering spaces Expanding diversity in S. Louis Park Getting people interested in engagement with others Affordable housing Bikeways Water Sidewalks Aging population Aging in place Job opportunities Climate change School quality Watersheds Recycling Alternatives to salt on streets Keeping schools up to date technologically More participation needed by minorities in media and governing boards of local organizations Lack of diversity (and involvement by diverse groups) Need for platforms to obtain community input Maximize benefits through cable franchise renewal Who defines state of the art? Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 116 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 3 Question 2 -- What makes it difficult to effectively communicate with residents and those you need to reach? Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) Information overload / clutter People stay in their own information “bubble” / echo chamber Lack of relationships and social capital Distrust of government Engagement of community – people don’t care Does it matter to engage? Technology equity Problems with mail delivery Access to technology tools Costs associated with modern communications technologies Lack of city revenues to address equity concerns Absence of robust partnership between the city and nonprofit organizations regarding access to technology Language and cultural barriers Difficult to get a representative sample for surveys Barriers to engagement Need expansion by the city to use current communications tools Affordable childcare to free up time to engage in community activities Early evening meetings need food available for participants Privacy concerns with technology Hard to connect with visitors and non-residents Transmission of inaccurate information via social media and the impact of it Internal city “culture” (“This is how we do things here”) Establishing relevance Limited subscribership to local newspaper Expectations and follow-through of/by the city Scheduling, pacing and options for public input to the city council City website needs to be more user-friendly Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) So many channels, media outlets People have many different ways that they get information Language differences Cost Lack of internet access Lack of media skills People don’t know how to get information People expect information to be delivered to them with little or no effort on their part Poor media “etiquette” People are busy Spam is making people ignore some information sources How to identify dated information Apathy Lack of a directory of needed information, contact information Lack of a “TV Guide” for community programming Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 117 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 4 Focus Group 3: Education (January 23) Current community media center location in high school No incentive for people to get together People spend a lot of time on their phones High school radio station was closed Who decided how to define “state of the art?” Short attention span Information overload Language barriers Technological limitations Community uses multiple platforms Issues are complex Funding mechanisms are difficult to understand Marketing challenges Rapid rate of technological change Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 118 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 5 Question 3 -- How would you like to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable system? Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) Uplifting shows about people who are doing good in St. Louis Park Volunteer opportunities (what & how to engage) Youth training Entrepreneurial opportunities Media-related apprenticeships School programs/sports Local government meeting coverage Recycling and sustainability programs for multiple platforms Programs to address all five city strategic goals All PEG access channels in HD 4K channels for PEG access Streaming of PEG access programs on multiple platforms How to use light rail Trails that are ready for use Flooding risks Free activities How cable fees are used Voting procedures Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) Regular, high quality programs about solar energy Programs to illustrate city’s comprehensive plan Content in multiple platforms Interactive town halls with local officials Programs on YouTube Public service announcements on PEG access channels and inserted on many cable channels Drones Fire safety/prevention League of Women Voters events/programs “Boring” programs (stationary hawk nest viewing camera, fireplace, etc.) Live images of area locations (e.g., processing site for organic recycling) Focus Group 3: Education (January 23) Programs in many languages Light rail construction Multi-family housing Road construction Local “newscast” Bike lanes (connect the parks) Short videos about community activities Diverse music programming Programs derived from the strategic goals of the City Educational programming for the homebound Programs not produced in 30-minute blocks Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 119 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 6 Focus Group 3: Education (January 23 -- continued) Neighborhood association programs City YouTube Local business profiles Programs about St. Louis Park attractions Storm information/alerts Programs about the Water Plant and other City projects City’s parks, community centers, infrastructure, services Council meetings School Board meetings Youth sports Watershed issues Planning Commission meetings Candidates’ debates Local history St. Louis Park activities Cultural education, activities, celebrations Live police activities Recycling – and where does it go? Searchable archive of community programming Chamber of Commerce types of programs Leverage PEG funds to create other types of social good Develop ways to “monetize” community media programs and services Missing persons Missing pets Stolen property Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 120 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 7 Question 4 -- What would make it easier to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable system? Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) More effective use of current communication tools Community media center Better home for media equipment than current school facility Collaborations with local nonprofit organizations and schools Funding to support collaborative media ventures Accessibility of a media center (e.g., at the Rec Center) Involvement of all schools (not only public schools) Classes on better use of smart phones Online for-credit classes in media Partnership with PCs for People Collaboration with neighboring community media centers (e.g., SPNN in St. Paul) All PEG access channels in HD 4K channels for PEG access Streaming of PEG access programs on multiple platforms Ability to access wi-fi hotspots More hotspots Availability of local ads about PEG access on cable channels Trade one PEG access channel for inclusion of community channels on Comcast’s streaming packages Having media/tech resources available Large monitors at gathering sites PEG access videos shown at gas stations Maintaining currency with latest technology (video and internet) High-speed internet for all economic levels More 4K programming Uncompressed video on cable channels Easier to contact a customer service representative on the phone Customer service metrics Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) Electronic program guide for all PEG access channels Technical equity for PEG access channels Local programming on multiple platforms Availability of PEG access PSAs on local ad avail time Drones for PEG access State of the art equipment for PEG access Free and low-cost training for PEG access Better promotion and marketing of local PEG access More PEG access channels Better robo-call blocking Senior discount Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 121 APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 8 Focus Group 3: Health, Human Service, and Wellness Organizations and Agencies (continued) Better promotion of ParkTV and its programs Programs in multiple languages Community Media Center with equipment for use by the community Community Media Center location that is easily accessible Comcast customer service representative who can speak Spanish (or language of the customer) Information about who to contact regarding poor customer service if you don’t get a printed bill from Comcast Customer service standards with remediation provisions Cable Advisory / Public Access oversight board A la carte channels for choice by the consumer Technology grant program Media communications facilities in library for public use Freelancers available to help create programs 4K camcorders Multi-platform availability of programs Don’t be locked into 30-minute time blocks Interactive technology for use in programming Searchable archive of programs Public-Private collaboration for community building Mobile network to deliver technology to those who need it Rules regarding how to use PEG channels/equipment More affordable to use media Maximize revenue generation from sources other than cable TV Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 122 APPENDIX 5 ParkTV Local Programming Operations Questionnaire Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 123 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 124 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 125 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 126 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 127 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 128 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 129 https://www.stlouispark.org/our-city/stay-informed/parktv/parktv-faqs 1/2 ParkTV FAQs Expand/Contract Questions and Answers Can I submit programs to show on ParkTV? If you live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park, you can submit programs to ParkTV for playback on the community television channel. Contact John McHugh at 952.924.2528 or jmchugh@stlouispark.org for more information. How can I request a copy of a recorded event? To buy a recording of an event, email parktv@stlouispark.org or call 952.924.2635. How can I watch the ParkTV channels if I don't have cable? Those without cable may watch any of the ParkTV channels at www.youtube.com/slpcable or at www.parktv.org. We have a big performance or presentation coming up. Can you record it and show it on cable TV? Large events in St. Louis Park are suitable for multicamera production and are planned in advance by staff who cover ParkTV 16. To request a event or presentation to be recorded, contact Paul Broden at 952.924.2635 for more information. Sufficient advance notice is necessary. What does ParkTV offer? ParkTV offers: Answers about cable TV in St. Louis Park A/V equipment training appointments through Community Education Free equipment use to eligible people, resulting in TV programs playing on ParkTV 15 or 96 PSA playbacks for eligible organizations, displayed inbetween programs on ParkTV A/V equipment and production consulting and referrals ParkTV staff also help with the Senior Video Club and Senior Computer Buddies. Learn more about senior programs. What equipment and facilities are available? The following equipment is available Camcorders and editing Picture/object copy stand Tripods Lighting Audio equipment and accessories DRAFT -- CONFIDENTIAL Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 130 https://www.stlouispark.org/our-city/stay-informed/parktv/parktv-faqs 2/2 If reserved in advance, the high school TV studio can be used Tuesday - Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m., after pre- planning your production. TV studio multicamera taping requires a crew. Plan ahead; members of your organization can be trained as a crew. Single camera use is also available. Equipment/facility use, for eligible persons, is allowed after training or successful testing. Contact John McHugh at 952.924.2528 or jmchugh@stlouispark.org for more information. What is required to use the city's video equipment? To use the city's video equipment, you must either take a Community Education video equipment class, or, if you have been trained elsewhere, pass a free proficiency test. A community education catalog is mailed to every home, three times each year. Information and registration also available on Community Education's website. If you live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park, or want to produce a program for a St. Louis Park organization to which you belong, there is no charge for use of equipment. Multiple checkouts for a single program require a program production plan. Your program must be completed and played, free of charge, on ParkTV channel 15. You may also use your own equipment and borrow accessories from ParkTV channel 15. Where are you located, and when are you available? ParkTV staff is available at city hall Monday through Friday, by appointment. Staff often has appointments out of the building. Please contact John McHugh at 952.924.2528 or jmchugh@stlouispark.org to confirm availability or make an appointment. Who should I contact to resolve issues or complaints with my cable company? To resolve any issues or complaints you have with your cable provider, contact them directly. As the franchise authority for both Comcast and CenturyLink, ParkTV staff can help if you have been unable to resolve issues or complaints with either provider. Note: ParkTV staff can’t access your account information for either provider or resolve your problem directly; instead they will contact the cable companies on your behalf to help resolve issues. Call 952.928.2856 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., if working with your cable provider has been unsuccessful. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 131 St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Community TV guidelines Instruction and equipment •Video equipment class registration and catalog listing is through St. Louis Park Schools Community Education program. Administration of the community TV department, channels, staff, equipment and facilities is done by the City of St. Louis Park. •Reservation, checkout and use of video production equipment and facilities is limited to people who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park, and are registered with the community TV office, having received verifiable training and demonstrated proficiency in equipment operation. Staff and members affiliated with, and planning to produce for, a St. Louis Park-based organization and organizations whose client base is significantly composed of St. Louis Park residents may qualify. •Reservation and use of equipment and facilities is handled by community TV staff and is subject to scheduling reflecting availability, prior project completion and eligibility. Terms and conditions of equipment checkout are specified on reservation/checkout forms. •Production priorities are St. Louis Park topics, community TV projects and subjects of interest to eligible users. •Community TV instruction/equipment guidelines have been established by the City of St. Louis Park. Community TV channels programming •Programs must be submitted by adults who complete a playback application form to go along with their video recording. If programs are submitted by a minor, the minor's parent/legal guardian must sign the form, acknowledging responsibility for compliance with community TV channels programming guidelines. •Those who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park are eligible to submit programs. Non-resident applicants must submit a non-resident eligibility form. •Non-original programs must be submitted, in-person, at city hall to community TV staff, by appointment. Regular, original series programming may be submitted by the eligible producer, by arrangement with staff. •Up to four titles, covering up to eight weeks of playback, may be submitted at one time. •Programs are produced using community TV video equipment by those who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park and are produced by community TV staff, or submitted by city staff for playback. •When program module capacity is more than program playback applications, priority (in the following order) will be given to those applicants who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park. •Community TV's public service announcements (PSAs) between programs display St. Louis Park and state/county information that is edited by staff. PSAs may be submitted by eligible adults. Video recording format requirements Using an automated playback system, a program module consists of video server files scheduled by staff on channels 15 and 96. •Video cassette tapes submitted for playback must be S-VHS or VHS cassettes, recorded at the two-hour (SP) mode. -Format: There must be at least 10 seconds of video black immediately prior to the start of the program, and one minute of video black at the end of the program. -Single programs, which start near the head of the tape, are preferred. -Tapes with a copy-protection signal or copy prohibition identification cannot be accepted. -All submitted tapes are copied to DVDRW for playback on community TV, or the DVD mpeg file copied to a video server for playback. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 132 • Tapes must be labeled with the following typed or printed information: - Name of the program series, episode titles and numbers. - Audio format: channel of audio to be selected because of soundtrack/LTC/SAP or video inserts affecting HiFi audio track. - Program length: accurate total running time of the program. • All tapes submitted must meet the following signal quality requirements: - Audio signal: no consecutive minutes of audio program exceeding two VU (volume units.) Generally, the program must not have a distorted audio signal, compared to the average audio signal quality of the other programs on the channels. - Video signal: The image must be stable. There must not be any periods of erased signal. - There must not be any periods of frame rolling beyond an edit point. - There must not be any frame tearing exceeding five percent of total running time. - Any tracking error must be correctable at a single setting. - Signal deficiencies: Tapes with poor signal quality may be refused for playback. The applicant may submit a better quality copy for playback. - Video tape quality: The tape must not shed oxide and/or clog the heads of the playback machines. - The tape must not have damaged sections (creases or splices) which cause more than 1/3 of the frame to be distorted. Unformatted tapes may be declined, returned for formatting, or formatted as time allows. You may submit a maximum of five tapes. • DVDs may be submitted. - DVDs must not have any adhesive label. - DVDs have a maximum of one title. Each title must have the program start within the first 10 seconds of the recording. - DVDs with any “pre-roll” of color bars and tone, slate or countdown are discouraged. Your program can only appear after this real-time pre-roll has finished and may require your program to end early at the 29- or 59-minute mark. - DVDs with format problems may be declined for playback. Your DVD must be in “autoplay” format, or have a simple title “root” menu, not an interactive title menu. - Maximum of five DVDs may be submitted. - Most DVDs will have their mpeg file used for playback on our video server. • Our automated playback system displays screens of program descriptions and PSAs between programs. This information identifies the program that finished playing and the next program to appear. For this reason, a 60- minute program will have only the first 59 minutes played; a 30 minute will have only the first 29 minutes played. Programming guidelines • No lottery information, obscenity (by community standards), advertising/solicitation of funds or misinformation is allowed in community TV channels programming. • A person submitting a program which contains graphic, objectionable and/or offensive segments, more suited to coincide with the cable operator's adult programming hours (10 p.m. – 4 a.m.) is responsible for informing community TV about such program content. • All community TV channel programming is scheduled by staff, reflecting availability determined by staff. A video program not produced in St. Louis Park, or by the submitter, may be scheduled no more than twice in 12 months. Program series episodes may be scheduled no more than twice in two months. • Applicants submitting programming to community TV accept responsibility for the program content and responsibility for real or perceived copyright violations. All submitted programs shall have public contact info, which ParkTV includes in the program description. • Applicants who arrange for a scheduled program time or program series time, must supply the program recording(s) prior to the first day of the program module it is scheduled. Currently, program modules start at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 133 • Applicants are responsible for timely distribution and pickup of video recordings, and community TV will incur no expense in these matters. • A person submitting programming agrees to comply with community TV's guidelines. Failure to comply may result in loss of scheduled program time on the channels and/or equipment/facility user opportunities. • Community TV equipment will be used for production of programs for playback on community TV and not for profit-making or revenue-generating functions. • Cable TV channels are simultaneously streamed as internet video channels on www.parktv.org and www.stlouispark.org. Eligible adults submitting programs affirm that these additional playbacks do not conflict with any program copyright restrictions. • The guidelines for community TV channels operation are approved by the City of St. Louis Park, MN. Contact John McHugh 952.924.2528 jmchugh@stlouispark.org Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 134 St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Community TV non-resident eligibility form Applicant name: ____________________________________Email: ______________________________ Home phone: __________________________________ Work phone: ____________________________ Street address: ________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________ State: ________________ ZIP code: __________ Eligibility options Check one and complete the information below. ☐I work in St. Louis Park. Business: _________________________________________________________________________ Street address: ____________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: ________________ ZIP code: __________ Email: ________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________ Work reference: ___________________________________________________________________ ☐I attend school in St. Louis Park. School: __________________________________________________________________________ Street address: ____________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: ________________ ZIP code: __________ Email: ________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________ School reference: __________________________________________________________________ ☐I am a member of a St. Louis Park community organization for which I want to produce a program. Organization: _____________________________________________________________________ Street address: ____________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: ________________ ZIP code: __________ Email: ________________________________ Phone number: ______________________________ Organization reference: _____________________________________________________________ Applicant signature: __________________________________________ Date: _____________________ Date: _________________ TV 15/96: ______________________________________________________ Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 135 St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Community TV channel playback application Applicant name: ____________________________________Email: ______________________________ Home phone: __________________________________ Work phone: ____________________________ Street address: ________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________ State: ________________ ZIP code: __________ Organization: _________________________________________________________________________ Series name: __________________________________________________________________________ Program number Title Length Scheduling request: ____________________________________________________________________ ☐Some program content may not be suitable for children. This program should be played during TV96 adult program hours. ☐This program(s) may be excerpted as examples to promote community TV programming. Video program public contact information: __________________________________________________ Scheduled: ___________________________________________________________________________ Statement of responsibility and compliance In submitting this program, I acknowledge my responsibility for program content of this video recording and I acknowledge that: 1.No lottery information, obscenity (by community standards), advertising/solicitation of funds, or misinformation is allowed in community TV programming. 2.Applicants submitting programming for community TV accept all responsibility for real or perceived copyright violations. 3.A person submitting programming agrees to accept community TV's programming guidelines. A copy of the guidelines is available upon request. 4.The program is not for commercial purposes. 5.I accept responsibility for all claims arising out of the cablecasting of the program I am presenting and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Community TV, its directors, officers and staff, the City of St. Louis Park, its commissioners and staff against any such claims arising out of the program I am presenting or any breach of this statement of compliance. 6.If playback applicant is under 18 years old, an application must be completed by his/her parent or legal guardian, for responsibility and compliance. 7.An eligible applicant who doesn't live in St. Louis Park, MN must complete and submit a non-resident eligibility form. 8.www.parktv.org cable TV channels are simultaneously streamed as internet video channels. Eligible adults submitting programs affirm that these additional playbacks do not conflict with any program copyright restrictions. 9.Non-original programs must be submitted, in-person, at City Hall community TV, by appointment. Regular, original series programming may be submitted by the eligible producer, by arrangement with staff. Up to four titles, for up to eight weeks of playback, may be submitted at one time. Titles may be either a SD MPEG2 video file (720x480) using mpeg 1 layer II (mp2) Applicant signature: __________________________________________ Date: _____________________ Contact: John McHugh, 952.924.2528, jmchugh@stlouispark.org Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 136 St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Community TV program series guidelines •Series editions are scheduled at a regular time in three-day (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) or four-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday) modules on community TV cable TV channels. •The editions are 59 minutes or less in length. Editions longer than 59 minutes cannot be assigned a regular time on a 24-hour programmed community TV channel. Thirty minute programs may not exceed 29 minutes in length. •Scheduling by community TV assigns a priority to series produced in St. Louis Park or submitted by a St. Louis Park organization. -A non-St. Louis Park edition may be scheduled up to twice each year, if requested on the program playback application. Eligibility for submitting programs is established in the St. Louis Park community TV program guidelines. •Deadlines for edition submitting: -Series scheduled for a three-day module may have their edition(s) and properly completed playback application(s) submitted to community TV, by an eligible adult, prior to noon on Monday. -Series scheduled for a four-day module may have their edition(s) and properly completed playback application(s) submitted to community TV, by an eligible adult, prior to noon on Thursday. -A national holiday or other event may require an earlier deadline. -Community TV office hours are spread through morning, afternoon and evenings during the workweek. -Eligible submitters should contact community TV staff for an appointment to submit programs during office hours, or by approved arrangement. -Submissions must be done in-person to community TV, community TVs designee or by approved prior arrangement. -The eligible adult is responsible for knowing their deadline and meeting or staying ahead of their deadline. -Series missing their deadline cannot be guaranteed a regular time on a community TV channel. •Series needing a specific playback sequence or repeat may indicate so on their playback application. •Series may keep a maximum of five episodes, either ready for play or ready for pick-up, at community TV. The eligible adult submitting the episodes is responsible for proper submission and timely pick-up. •Series must meet the signal quality, format and content program guidelines established by community TV. Episode recordings the do not meet community TV guidelines must be replaced by episode recordings that do. •Recordings with problems or that are late may cause an eligible adult to request a substitute or repeat episode. These requests may be made, by email, for episode recordings at community TV which already have been submitted with a properly completed playback application. A non-commercial video program cannot contain: 1.Statements of quality or sales pitches for a product or price 2.A call to action to buy the product 3.Specific address and phone numbers of sponsors (except for comments) 4.Lottery information (chance, prize, consideration) Contact John McHugh 952.924.2528 jmchugh@stlouispark.org Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 137 St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Community TV studio production plan Title of program: _______________________________________________________________________ Producer’s name: ___________________________________Email: ______________________________ Home phone: __________________________________ Cell phone: _____________________________ Street address: ________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________ State: ________________ ZIP code: __________ Requested date: ________________ Subject and content: Studio program production planning categories What kind of program ☐Performance ☐Presentation ☐Interview ☐Slide show What is the topic? ☐Single topic with program ☐Several topics (each in separate chapter) What audio would be used? ☐Studio microphone ☐ Video tape ☐ Commercially licensed music ☐ Pre-recorded audio What permissions do you need? ☐Video appearance ☐ Audio announcement ☐ Pre-recorded video ☐ Pre-recorded audio What video will be used? ☐Computer picture files ☐ Pictures mounted on 8.5” x 11” cards ☐ PowerPoint slides ☐8.5” x 11” art cards ☐Studio presentation ☐Studio interview Producer’s signature (parent of minor): ______________________________________ Date: _________ St. Louis Park staff: _______________________________________________________ Date: _________ I plan to tape a studio TV program, for St. Louis Park, MN Community TV. I understand that each studio use must result in a program which I submit to Community TV. I understand that I may not start a different production until this one is completed. If producer is a minor, parent or guardian must chaperone and sign, accepting responsibility. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 138 APP 6ENDIX arkP TV Video Facility Inventory Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 139 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 140 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 141 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 142 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 143 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 144 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 145 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 146 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 147 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 148 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 149 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 150 VAN Quantity Make/Model Format Quality LevelCondition Age 4 Sony HXC-FB80 HD B E 2 4 Sachtler FSB Tripods B E 2 1 Datavideo Digital Recorder I/P E 3 1 Digital Recorder (Helo?)I/P E 2 1 Toshiba DVD Recorder C G 10 1 Marshall Dual 8" monitor V-R82DP-2C I/P E 10 1 NEC Multisync 19" color monitor I/P F 5 2 Audix speakers C F 15+ 1 Compix character generator B G 4 1 Omega FFV Dual Channel Replay Deck I/P G 5 1 Ross Video Limited Digital Audio I/P F 30+ 2 Video DAs VDA 100A I/P F 30+ 1 DNFST300 Replay Controller I/P G 10 4 Neutrik Opticalcon NAO2S-HIW-A Single Mode I/P E 2 4 Anton Bauer 190 series batteries B E 2 4 Sony HB80 Camera Control Units I/P E 2 1 Marshall Dual 7" M-LYNX-702 Monitor I/P E 2 2 Marshall 4-way 3" V-R44P I/P G 10 1 AJA FS2 Converter I/P E 1 1 Marshall Dual 8" monitor V-R82DP-HDSDI I/P G 10 1 Samsung DVD Player P241 C F 10 1 Videomedia 10-way switcher I/P F 20+ 1 AJA FS1 videoconverter I/P G 10 1 Panasonic AVE-HS450 switcher I/P G 10 1 Feelworld 9" dual monitor B E 1 1 Marshall 19-20" VR201P-AFHD I/P G 10 1 Gemini CD player CDNP1500 C G 5 1 Audiocom MS2002 (intercome master unit)I/P F 20 1 Behr Inc Multigate Pro I/P F 15 1 Behr Inc Multicom Pro 4 channel dynamic processor I/P F 15 1 Behr Inc MulticomPro 2 channel processor I/P F 15 1 Behr Inc Ultralink Pro 8 channel splitter I/P F 15 1 Soundcraft Spirit SX Mixer 2 channel I/P F 15 1 Comcast Modulator TVM 550 I/P E 1 1 Cadco Modulator M369 I/P F 15 3 Henry Engineering Talent Pod announcer headsets I/P F 6 1 6 channel homemade audio snake I/P F 20 2 100M fiber cable I/P G 2 2 50M fiber cable I/P G 2 2 50-ft fiber cable I/P G 2 2 25-ft fiber cable I/P G 2 4 50-ft smpty fiber I/P G 2 4 25-ft smpty fiber I/P G 2 4 camera raincovers (for current cameras)I/P G 2 3 camera raincovers (for old cameras)I/P G 5 2 200-ft B&C on Lentequip reels I/P G 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 151 VAN 1 Feelworld announcer monitor I/P G 4 2 NADI condenser mics I/P F 15 2 NADI SP9 mics C G 15 2 Sling Studio I/P E 1 2 Beyer Dynamic DT 290 announcer headsets I/P E 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 152 PLAYBACK Quantity Make/Model Format Quality LevelCondition Age 1 TRMS Cablecast B E 1 1 AJA Kumo SP Extron MAV series B G 2 2 Flex4 540 broadcast server B E 2 1 Flexlite 340 Cablecast B E 2 5 CG 330 Video Players B E 2 1 DVD Pioneer DVF-07 I/P G 4 1 Samsung 5E monitor C F 15 1 HP desktop unit C E 1 1 Integra multiple DVD player C F 10 1 Plantar 24" PXL 225 IMWC C G 2 1 Granicus encoder I/P E 1 1 Radiant Comm Corp VAB705 receiver/transmitter Comcast I/P 1 Fiber Comm VABX-744 Comcast 1 Radiant Comm Corp VABX700S 4 ch. Fiber out Comcast 1 Fiber splicer multiplayer Comcast 2 Blonder Tongue routers CenturyLink Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 153 Council Chambers Quantity Make/Model Format Quality Level Condition Age 2 Insignia 32" monitors NS-32D22ONA18 C F 4 1 Planar PXL 2251MW 22" monitor C F 5 1 Toshiba DVC DVR620 DVC C E 7 1 NEC Multisync E201W I/P G 10 1 Compix character generator I/P E 2 1 Panasonic live switcher AV-HS410 B G 7 1 Crestron mic/videorouting I/P E 1 1 ProHD monitor DTX24H 24"B G 5 1 Planar PL1911MW C F 10 1 Lilliput Preview HD LCD Monitor 10" FA1013NP-H/Y B E 1 1 Data Video HDR-1 B E 1 1 Shure FP16A audio modulator B G 6 2 Digital Radio Shack Speakers C F 20 1 Panasonic multihybrid control panel AW-RP555 I/P G 20 1 Z400 computer B G 7 1 Shure multichannel box M367 B F 10 4 Panasonic AW-HE130WP (wall and ceiling)HD I/P E 2 1 Panasonic camera controller I/P E 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 154 Field equipment Quantity Make/Model Format Quality Level Condition Age 2 GoPro Hero 6 Black CHDHX-601 Flash, HD, 4K C G 2 1 GoPro Fusion CHDHZ-103 Flash, HD, 4K C G 1 2 DJI Osmo CP.ZM.000351 HD, 4K C E 1 2 Portable Tripods F 25-Mar 2 Extra Battery Packs E 1 1 Portable lighting kit E 2 1 Microphone E 1 1 GoPro Hero 2 HD2-14 C F 6 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 155 Editing Quantity Make/Model Format Quality LevelCondition Age 5 HP-Z440 HDD, DVD, record to server B E 2-Jan 2 Acer 22" Philips monitor C E 1 4 Adobe Creative Cloud licenses NA 2 HP-Z230 I E 3-Jan 2 Adobe Premier Elements 13 NA 4 Asus 24" monitor C E Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 156 Community Room Quantity Make/Model Format Quality Level Condition Age 3 Panasonic AW-HE40SWP ceiling I/P G 10 1 Asus HDMI monitor C F 5 1 Planar PL1911 MW monitor I/P F 5 1 Panasonic AW-RP50 remote cam controller I/P F 5 1 Panasonic AW-HS50 Compact Live Switcher I/P F 5 1 Pressmite Active Press Box I/P G 5 1 Lilliput HD LCD monitor for CG I/P G 5 2 Logitech speakers C G 5 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 157 APPENDIX 7 Suggested Video Equipment Replacement/Upgrade Packages Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 158 St. Louis Park Summary Initial Period Equipment Package Unit Cost Rationale Years 1-2 Years 3-5 Years 6-8 Years 9-10 Council Chambers $147,703 Initial period budget is for worn-out equipment replacement, pending rebuild. Full replacement in Yrs 6-8. $10,000 $147,703 Community Room $105,402 Budgeted for rebuild in years 3-5.$105,402 Studio $207,482 Installation in Yrs 1-2, monitors replaced every 5 years. $207,482 $5,000 $5,000 Field Production - Staff $12,926 One kit budgeted for initial period and each subsequent period. $12,926 $12,926 $12,926 $12,926 Field Production - Community $7,373 Two kits budgeted for initial period and two in each subsequent period. $14,747 $14,747 $14,747 $14,747 Production Van $345,697 Initial period budget is for worn-out equipment replacement, pending rebuild. Budgeted for full replacement in Yrs 3-5, except cameras to be replaced in final period. $10,000 $177,297 $158,400 Post-Production $10,615 One kit budgeted for initial period and one in each subsequent period. $10,615 $10,615 $10,615 $10,615 Digital Media Lab $60,225 Digital Media Lab budgeted in Yrs 1-2. Full replacement in Yrs 6-8. $60,225 $60,225 Playback (5 channels)$135,850 Full replacement in Yrs 6-8.$135,850 Video Podcasting System $11,605 System budgeted in Yrs 1-2. Full replacement in Yrs 6-8. $11,605 $11,605 Archive $49,500 Budgeted for purchase in initial period; full replacement in Yrs 9-10. $49,500 $49,500 Connectivity - Distribution $85,723 Budgeted to be allocated 50% in initial period, and 25% each in years 3-5 and years 6-8. $42,862 $21,431 $21,431 Estimated CMC Construction and Renovation Costs 1,0$ 00,000 Budgeted to occur in initial period.$1,000,000 10-Year Total: TOTALS:$1,429,961 $342,417 $420,101 $251,188 $2,443,667 Replace / Replenishment Schedule APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 1 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 159 Council Chambers Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 PTZ camera w/HD-SDI out 5 $3,455 $17,275 2 Camera control (IP or RS-422) for up to 5 cameras 1 $2,800 $2,800 3 Production Switcher 1 $20,000 $20,000 4 PC based graphics - (graphics composition)1 $2,500 $2,500 5 Video Recorders (w/drives and rackmount)1 $3,500 $3,500 6 HD/SD-SDI Waveform monitor 1 $7,200 $7,200 7 Allowance for video terminal & distribution 1 $10,000 $10,000 8 Allowance for audio 1 $20,000 $20,000 9 Allowance for millwork 1 $10,000 $10,000 10 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $6,000 $6,000 11 Allowance for design / systems integration 1 $10,000 $10,000 12 Allowance for installation 1 $25,000 $25,000 subtotal $134,275 est. tax & shipping $13,428 Total $147,703 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 160 Community Room Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 PTZ camera w/HD-SDI out 4 $3,455 $13,820 2 Camera control (IP or RS-422) for up to 5 cameras 1 $2,800 $2,800 3 Production Switcher 1 $12,000 $12,000 4 Video Recorders (w/drives and rackmount)1 $3,500 $3,500 5 HD/SD-SDI Waveform monitor 1 $7,200 $7,200 6 Allowance for video terminal & distribution 1 $2,500 $2,500 7 Allowance for audio 1 $2,500 $2,500 8 Allowance for millwork 1 $2,500 $2,500 9 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $4,000 $4,000 10 Allowance for design / systems integration 1 $20,000 $20,000 11 Allowance for installation 1 $25,000 $25,000 subtotal $95,820 est. tax & shipping $9,582 Total $105,402 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 3 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 161 Studio Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 PTZ camera w/HD-SDI out 4 $3,455 $13,820 2 Camera control (IP or RS-422) for up to 5 cameras 1 $2,800 $2,800 3 Tripod / head / dolly system for PTZ camera 4 $4,000 $16,000 4 Studio teleprompter 2 $1,500 $3,000 5 Software & computer for teleprompter system 1 $2,500 $2,500 6 Production Switcher 1 $20,000 $20,000 7 Video Recorder (w/ rackmount)1 $2,400 $2,400 8 Video recorder drives 4 $500 $2,000 9 Flat panel display (multi-image monitoring)2 $600 $1,200 10 Video patch panel 2 $1,550 $3,100 11 Intercom system 1 $4,000 $4,000 12 Allowance for audio system 1 $15,000 $15,000 13 Allowance for lighting system1 1 $20,000 $20,000 14 Allowance for monitoring & distribution 1 $12,000 $12,000 15 Allowance for racks 6 $800 $4,800 16 Allowance for millwork 4 $3,500 $14,000 17 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $10,000 $10,000 18 Allowance for design / systems integration 1 $12,000 $12,000 19 Allowance for installation / travel 1 $30,000 $30,000 subtotal $188,620 est. tax & shipping $18,862 Total $207,482 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 4 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 162 Field Production - Staff Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Camcorder 1 $5,800 $5,800 2 Camera case 1 $210 $210 3 Battery 2 $215 $430 4 Shotgun Mic 1 $175 $175 5 Filter 1 $30 $30 6 Tripod / head system 1 $1,800 $1,800 7 3 Light Kit 1 $1,100 $1,100 8 Wireless mic kit w/plug pack 1 $1,160 $1,160 9 Audio Support 1 $750 $750 10 Memory Cards 4 $74 $296 subtotal $11,751 est. tax & shipping $1,175 Total $12,926 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 5 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 163 Field Production - Community Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Camcorder 1 $1,800 $1,800 2 Camera case 1 $210 $210 3 Battery 2 $215 $430 4 Shotgun Mic 1 $175 $175 5 Filter 1 $30 $30 6 Tripod / head system 1 $900 $900 7 3 Light Kit 1 $1,100 $1,100 8 Wireless mic kit w/plug pack 1 $1,160 $1,160 9 Audio Support 1 $750 $750 10 Memory Cards 2 $74 $148 subtotal $6,703 est. tax & shipping $670 Total $7,373 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 6 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 164 Production Van Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Studio camera system with CCU & lens 4 $36,000 $144,000 2 Camera case 4 $210 $840 3 Shotgun Mic 4 $460 $1,840 4 72mm UV Protection Filter 3 $30 $90 5 Tripod / head system 3 $2,200 $6,600 6 Video Switcher 1 $20,000 $20,000 7 Replay system 1 $20,000 $20,000 8 Video Recorder (w/drives and rackmount)1 $2,400 $2,400 9 Allowance for terminal & monitoring equipment 1 $10,000 $10,000 10 Flat panel display (multi-image monitoring)2 $750 $1,500 11 Allowance for audio 1 $10,000 $10,000 12 Allowance for cases / crates 4 $3,000 $12,000 13 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $7,500 $7,500 14 Allowance for lighting 1 $2,500 $2,500 15 Allowance for vehicle 1 $45,000 $45,000 16 Allowance for design / integration 1 $30,000 $30,000 subtotal $314,270 est. tax & shipping $31,427 Total $345,697 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 7 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 165 Post-Production Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Edit platform w / peripherals 1 $4,500 $4,500 2 Monitor 2 $400 $800 3 Interface card 1 $150 $150 4 eSATA storage solution (8 bay - 8TB) 1 $3,000 $3,000 5 Edit cart 1 $1,200 $1,200 subtotal $9,650 est. tax & shipping $965 Total $10,615 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 8 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 166 Digital Media Lab: Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Apple iMac 27" 3.6GHz 8-core i9 w/peripherals, Adobe Premiere, etc.6 $5,000 $30,000 2 Apple MacBook Pro 2.4GHz 8-core i9 w/peripherals, Adobe Premiere, etc. 5 $4,000 $20,000 3 Flat panel display 1 $750 $750 4 Wireless color inkjet printer 3 $250 $750 5 Headphones 10 $100 $1,000 6 Allowance for racks, furniture 15 $150 $2,250 subtotal $54,750 est. tax & shipping $5,475 Total $60,225 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 9 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 167 Playback (4 channels) Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Playback server & automation (2x2) 3 $22,500 $67,500 2 Digital Signage System (bulletin board) 5 $6,500 $32,500 3 Routing Switcher 1 $6,000 $6,000 4 Allowance for distribution 1 $7,500 $7,500 5 Allowance for monitoring 1 $10,000 $10,000 subtotal $123,500 est. tax & shipping $12,350 Total $135,850 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 10 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 168 Video Podcasting System Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Apple MacBook Pro edit platform w/peripherals 1 $3,000 $3,000 2 USB 3.0 HD POV Camera w/clip mount 2 $300 $600 3 Broadcast Dynamic Microphone w/windscreen 2 $150 $300 4 XLR-USB microphone adapter interface 2 $75 $150 5 Microphone stand w/articulating arm mount 2 $75 $150 6 Podcasting audio mixer 1 $150 $150 7 Powered stereo speakers (pair)1 $100 $100 8 Headphones 2 $100 $200 9 Foam acoustic tiles (24-pack, 1' x 1')4 $150 $600 10 Allowance for lighting 1 $5,000 $5,000 11 Allowance for furniture 2 $150 $300 subtotal $10,550 est. tax & shipping $1,055 Total $11,605 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 11 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 169 Archive Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Allowance for LTO library 1 $20,000 $20,000 2 Allowance for multi-terabyte RAID 1 $8,000 $8,000 3 Allowance for optical authoring system 1 $8,000 $8,000 4 Allowance for optical duplication system 1 $4,000 $4,000 5 Allowance for infrastructure 1 $5,000 $5,000 subtotal $45,000 est. tax & shipping $4,500 Total $49,500 APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 12 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 170 Connectivity / Distribution Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Encoder (ASI / IP)4 $2,495 $9,980 2 Decoder (Frame / PS / controller card) 1 $2,000 $2,000 3 H.264 Decoder card 5 $1,490 $7,450 4 HD-SDI Transmit / Receive pairs 4 $2,475 $9,900 5 Bonded cellular IP encoder 2 $6,000 $12,000 6 Routing Switcher 1 $6,000 $6,000 7 HD/SD-SDI Waveform monitor 1 $7,200 $7,200 8 HD Monitor 1 $3,600 $3,600 9 Allowance for switching / distribution 4 $3,500 $14,000 10 Allowance for monitoring 1 $5,800 $5,800 subtotal $77,930 est. tax & shipping $7,793 Total $85,723 Provides for bi-directional video & data connectivity between participating Inet sites including encoders, decoders IP and HD video switching and monitoring APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 171 Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 8 Executive summary Title: Accessory dwelling units Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time-Sensitive** • No formal action at this time. Provide input on whether additional discussion is needed prior to this item being presented to city council for formal consideration. Policy consideration: Should the city allow and regulate accessory dwelling units? Summary: In January 2019, the city council determined that the city should develop regulations to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs). An ADU is a permanent, self-contained residential unit with its own living space, kitchen and bathroom. This housing is designed to be flexible for evolving family circumstances and could generate rental income for the property owners. ADUs may be located inside the principal building or may be in a detached accessory building on the same parcel. The 2040 comprehensive plan indicates ADUs will be allowed in the city. Developing ADU regulations was a high priority in the planning commission’s approved 2019 work plan and the planning commission worked throughout 2019 to identify potential regulations. Following the January planning commission study session, staff prepared a draft ordinance for community and planning commission consideration that would allow ADUs on single-family properties which meet minimum standards. A public hearing had been prepared for mid-March but was cancelled due to the health pandemic. The planning commission public hearing was rescheduled for September 16, 2020. This summary provides an update of what has been discussed and prepared to date. ADUs are included as an element related to home occupations in the city council’s priorities for future study session discussion. Home occupations are not addressed in the proposed ordinance. City council is scheduled to discuss home occupations early next year and planning commission’s work includes amending the home occupation regulations. Financial or budget considerations: As the number of ADUs increases, increased staff time and potentially added staff may be necessary to address complaints and ensure compliance with city codes. Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood oriented development. Supporting documents: Discussion Draft ordinance Prepared by: Rita Trapp, consulting planner with HKGi Sean Walther, planning and zoning supervisor Reviewed by: Karen Barton, community development director Approved by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 2 Title: Accessory dwelling units Discussion Background: An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a self-contained residential unit that meets the requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code. ADUs are permanent installations that are legally part of a larger property that includes a standard single-family house. ADUs can sometimes be referred to as: carriage or coach houses, accessory apartments, backyard cottages, secondary dwelling units, granny flats, mother-in-law suites, second suites or garden apartments. The ADU may be part of the principal building or it may be in a detached accessory building on the same property. Policy Direction: ADUs meet some of St. Louis Park’s housing and land use goals in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. Permitting ADUs in the city also helps fulfill the following city council strategic priority: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented development. Below is an excerpt from the 2040 comprehensive plan housing chapter. Several strategies that relate to the ADU discussion are emphasized in bold text. Goal 1. The City of St. Louis Park will promote and facilitate a balanced and enduring housing stock that offers a continuum of diverse lifecycle housing choices suitable for households of all income levels including, but not limited to affordable, senior, multi- generational, supportive and mixed income housing, disbursed throughout the city. Strategies A. Create a broad range of housing types to provide more diverse and creative housing choices to meet the needs of current and future residents. B. Review existing policies, programs and regulations to remove barriers to innovative and creative housing options. C. Ensure new housing policies promote fair and equitable housing choices. D. Use data and research to guide and evaluate housing priorities, policies, and programs. E. Use infill and redevelopment opportunities to assist in meeting housing goals. F. Create policies, tools and strategies to promote the goals of the city’s Climate Action Plan, encouraging energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in residential properties. G. Create senior housing opportunities: both market rate and affordable, homeownership and rental, and active and supportive. Goal 2. Single-family homes: The city is committed to creating, preserving, and improving the city’s single-family housing stock. Strategies A. Promote the creation of family-sized, owner occupied, single-family homes that meet the needs and desires of current and future residents through the expansion of existing homes and through construction of new homes. B. Proactively address substandard housing properties through code enforcement and public or private redevelopment activities such as acquisition, demolition and housing replacement. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 3 Title: Accessory dwelling units C. Promote high-quality architectural design standards of homes through the use of good design practices which are complementary and compatible with the neighborhood, utilizing quality materials and superior construction. D. Allow for Accessory Housing Units (AHUs) in all low-density residential areas. E. Allow for two-family dwelling units (twin homes and duplexes) on appropriately sized lots in low density residential areas. Types of ADUs: Benefits of ADUs: 1. Expands housing options for neighborhoods already built out in ways that don’t alter the character of the existing neighborhoods. 2. Homeowners can earn income to pay other household expenses. 3. Serves lifecycle housing needs (i.e. can assist people aging in place and downsizing). 4. Provides independent housing for friends, family, and caregivers that is less expensive than assisted living or skilled nursing facilities. 5. Reduces environmental impacts by less energy consumption and reduce transportation- related environmental impacts. 6. Provides more affordable housing option to address housing market challenges. 7. Supports the local economy through the construction and maintenance of ADUs. ADU benefits based on type: • Interior: little perceived change from the exterior • Attached: easily made ADA accessible, more ideal for supportive living arrangements (caregivers, elderly relatives) • Detached: provides the most independent living arrangements, does not affect design of primary home Drawbacks of accessory dwelling units: A change to allow ADUs can generate several concerns, which may or may not be realized. Concerns may include added cars and parking in the neighborhood or on a lot, loss of green space, additional rental properties in a neighborhood, loss of privacy in back yards, change in character of single-family neighborhoods, added density, and concerns that owners of ADUs will be tempted to use them for short-term rentals or home occupations. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 4 Title: Accessory dwelling units ADUs range widely in cost depending on the type, size, finishes or the capacity of systems in the existing house to support them. They have been sometimes characterized as a luxury for the affluent. There are several administrative challenges that have been accounted for by city staff and others that may present themselves these rules are implemented. Often ADUs are developed or built by inexperienced homeowners, which can lead to mistakes, cost overruns and frustration during the permitting process. The city was mindful of these concerns as the ordinance was drafted while also seeking to implement our long-range plan and goals. This ordinance was drafted to allow ADUs to fit within how we regulate all other buildings in single-family areas, so the scale of the buildings smaller than the principal building on the lot and similar to garages and other accessory buildings that may be built today. Ordinance Direction: In 2019 and early 2020 the planning commission and city council considered potential regulations for ADUs. The following summarizes what is included in the included draft ordinance: • Allow internal, attached and detached ADUs as described in the background above. This provides flexibility to meet different property owner needs and unique property situations. • Allow ADUs in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zoning districts on single-family lots. Limiting ADUs to single-family lots has been recommended as an appropriate first step in allowing a new use in the community. In addition, the Minnesota State Building Code considers any building with three units or more units to be a commercial building not a residential building. This commercial designation results in additional regulations such a sprinkling the entire building. As the addition of an accessory dwelling unit to a duplex would result in a commercially designated structure, staff recommends that the initial ordinance amendments be focused on single-family homes. • Allow ADUs on all buildable single-family lots without restrictions relating to a minimum lot size. Thus, if a lot can have a single-family home, then it would also be allowed to have an ADU. This allows a greater number of lots to qualify to have an ADU and more equitable opportunities throughout the low-density residential areas of the city. • Limit ADUs to one (1) per lot. • Require all ADUs to be at least 300 square feet in area. The potential for allowing a smaller size of ADUs was an item of discussion previously with the city council. Staff notes that this minimum size was proposed based on Family Housing Fund’s research of Twin Cities metropolitan area ADUs and ADU regulations. That research reviewed several cities’ requirements and included a research sample of 20 existing ADUs in the Twin Cities. The units in their sample ranged in size from 400 to 1,200 square feet with the average being 657 square feet and the median being 645 square feet. Staff also reviewed the 2018 Maxfield Housing Study Update to understand the sizes of apartment units in our community for comparison. The Maxfield research found that the average size of a studio unit was 519 square feet (with the smallest being 300 square feet) and Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 5 Title: Accessory dwelling units the average size of a one-bedroom unit was 750 square feet (with the smallest being 500 square feet). Staff still recommends a minimum of 300 square feet. If through the process the city chooses to allow ADUs that are less than 300 square feet, staff suggests the minimum size should be more than 200 square feet. Staff note that many “tiny houses” that are 150-200 square feet in area are classified as recreational vehicles and built on chassis with wheels and are considered seasonal, rather than year-round dwellings. The intent of the ADU ordinance is to allow permanent year-round, not seasonal, ADUs. • Limit the size of internal ADUs, which are within or attached to the principal dwelling, to 40% of the gross floor area of the principal single-family dwelling in order to ensure that ADUs are accessory to the principal dwellings. • Limit detached ADUs to no more than 800 square feet or 25% of the back yard. Allow detached ADUs that are up to 576 square feet in area even if they exceed 25% of the back yard. These regulations are consistent with the current size restrictions for detached accessory buildings today, except ADUs would now be allowed. • Prohibit sale of the ADU independent of the principal building and lot. It must remain an accessory use to the principal building and all on one lot. • Prohibit short-term vacation rental of the ADU or the principal residence, as currently enforced by the city. Define short-term vacation rentals as leasing properties for a term of less than one month. • Allow ADUs without requiring more off-street parking. It is not recommended that additional parking be required for an ADU. However, it is recommended that the city maintain the limit of vehicles that can be parked outside on a lot. City code currently limits single-family properties to three vehicles, or a up to five vehicles if there are more licensed drivers residing on the property. It should be noted that this requirement does not preclude property owners from adding additional, enclosed parking to their property. In addition, on-street parking also may be used where public street parking is allowed. • Regulate the location of ADUs like other structures on a site. Limit principal building heights, setbacks, and footprints the same as they are regulated today, whether the principal building includes an internal ADU or not. Also, generally apply the same detached accessory structure standards to ADUs. This approach will best integrate ADUs more seamlessly to the character of the existing neighborhoods, because the buildings will be similar in size and location as other structures that could be built under the city’s rules today. Two exceptions are described below: 1) Require larger side and rear yards for a detached ADU than required for a detached garage. Currently, detached garages may be 2 feet from a side or rear property line. In order to have openings, such as doors and windows, ADUs will need to be 5 feet from a side or rear property line under the building code. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 6 Title: Accessory dwelling units 2) It was felt more space should be provided from a rear property line when it abuts another residential property, so a rear yard of 15 feet was recommended. Most detached garages are built slab on grade, and do not have frost footings required by the building code for occupied dwellings; therefore, it is not likely existing garages would be repurposed with an ADU. Instead, it would in nearly all cases require demolishing the existing detached garage to build an ADU in its place. • Regarding occupancy, it is recommended that the ADU be considered part of the entire single-family residential lot. Therefore, the principal structure and the ADU together may be occupied by one family and up to two boarders, as is currently allowed by city code on single-family properties. • It must be determined if the city will require the property owner to reside on the property in order to allow an ADU on the property. Allowing both the principal structure and the ADU to be rentals was initially supported by the planning commission because the city’s rental licensing requirements and enforcement mechanisms would be effective tools to manage most public health, safety, nuisance and compliance issues associated with ADUs. There were also concerns that requiring owner-occupancy would be detrimental to the creation of ADUs as property owners may be concerned about future property resale or challenges if they should ever have a job transfer or employment opportunity that would take them away from the property. At the planning commission’s August 19, 2020, study session some commissioners asked to revisit this topic. Their concerns related to multiple properties being purchased by one entity and converted to rental properties that are priced to maximize profit and Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 7 Title: Accessory dwelling units managed by remote/absent owners and that this may also cause single-family properties to be less affordable and less attainable to the traditional buyer. Staff will prepare draft ordinance language for consideration that could be added to require owner-occupancy of one of the units on the lot. Process: If there is interest in delving more deeply into previous staff reports and discussions of the planning commission and city council during the development of the ordinance there are several agenda packets and minutes are available: • April 17, 2019 – Planning commission study session where the topic of ADUs was first introduced and results from a planning commissioner survey were used to facilitate discussion on the potential considerations for an ordinance and identify topics for additional staff research. minutes 4-17-2019 • June 10, 2019 – City council study session where broad policy discussions about ADUs were discussed and the results of a city council online poll were summarized. agenda 6- 10-2019, minutes 6-10-2019 • October 2, 2019 – Planning commission study session which provided a recap about ADUs, confirmed existing consensus on ADU policy components, and initiated discussion on topics where planning commission direction was still needed, which included lot coverage, ADU size, setbacks, design components, parking, ADU height, and occupancy. agenda 10-02-2019 minutes 10-02-2019 • November 20, 2019 – Planning commission study session which focused on discussing remaining components of the potential ordinance, including parking, occupancy, and short-term vacation rentals. agenda 11-20-2019 minutes 11-20-2019 • January 8, 2020 – Planning commission study session to review an initial draft of the ordinance. agenda 01-08-2020 minutes 01-08-2020 • February 10, 2020 – City council study session to solicit input on recommended direction from the planning commission and next steps. agenda 02-10-2020 minutes 02-10-2020 • March 9, 2020 – City council study session with a written report to follow up on questions raised as part of the February 2, 2020 study session. agenda 3-09-2020 • August 19, 2020 - Planning commission study session to review draft ordinance in preparation for potential public hearing. agenda 08-19-2020 Next steps: Planning commission will hold a public hearing regarding the ADU ordinance on September 16, 2020. At council’s request, this item could be discussed September 29, 2020. Otherwise, the ordinance will likely go to city council for formal consideration in October. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 8 Title: Accessory dwelling units Ordinance No. ____-20 Ordinance regarding accessory dwelling units The City of St. Louis Park does ordain: Whereas, the City Council has the strategic priority “St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented development,” and Whereas, the Housing Plan in Chapter 5 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies the following strategies related to increasing the diversity of housing types: • Create a broad range of housing types to provide more diverse and creative housing choices to meet the needs of current and future residents. • Review existing policies, programs and regulations to remove barriers to innovative and creative housing options. • Ensure new housing policies promote fair and equitable housing choices. • Allow for accessory housing units in all low-density residential areas. Now, therefore be it resolved that the following amendments shall be made to the City Code: Section 1. Chapter 36, Section 36-4 of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to add the following text. Short-term rental means leasing a residential dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit for a term of less than one month. Section 2. Chapter 36, Article III General Provisions of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to add the following text. Section 36-70. Short-term rentals. No person shall offer for occupancy or enter into an agreement to allow a dwelling unit, or any other portion of their property, to be used as a short-term rental in a manor not otherwise permitted in the zoning district. Section 3. Chapter 36, Section 36-142 (a) of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to add the following text to the list of descriptions of residential uses. (9) Accessory dwelling unit means a dwelling unit complying with the Minnesota State Building Code; which is located within a principal single-family residential dwelling or in an accessory structure to a single-family residential dwelling. The types of accessory dwelling unit include the following: Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 9 Title: Accessory dwelling units a. An attached accessory dwelling unit is located within a principal residential dwelling. b. A detached accessory dwelling unit is located as a freestanding structure on the same lot as the principal residential dwelling. Section 4. Chapter 36, Section 36-162 (d) (4) of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to delete the following strikethrough text and add the following underlined text. e. Accessory buildings shall not be used for dwelling purposes shall also comply with the regulations set forth in Section 36-162 (e) regarding accessory dwelling units. Section 5. Chapter 36, Section 36-162 (d) (1) of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to delete the following strikethrough text and add the following underlined text. (a) Accessory buildings shall be erected or located within the back yard or side yard as defined in subsection (b) above, except that an accessory building designed and used as a garage may be located within a side yard unless it abuts a street. No aAccessory buildings shall not be located in the front yard as defined in subsection (b) above. Section 6. Chapter 36, Section 36-162 (d) (2) a. of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to delete the following strikethrough text and add the following underlined text. a. The total cumulative ground floor area of all accessory buildings on single-family lots and on non-conforming two-family lots in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts shall not exceed the smaller of 800 square feet or 25 percent of the back yard. This provision shall not prohibit the construction of either a detached garage or a detached accessory dwelling unit, or a combination thereof, that is no greater than 576 square feet in area provided there are no other accessory buildings. Section 7. Chapter 36, Section 36-162 (d) (5) of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to add the following underlined text. (5) Accessory buildings as part of the principal building – Accessory buildings located less than six feet from a principal building on the same lot, measured from the nearest projection of each building, shall be considered part of the principal building for the purpose of applying provisions of this chapter. Section 8. Chapter 36, Section 36-162. Restrictions and performance standards. of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to delete the strikethrough text and add the following underlined text and section breaks are indicated with “***”. (e) Accessory dwelling units. Accessory dwelling units complying with all the following conditions: (1) Accessory dwelling units shall only be permitted on single-family lots. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 10 Title: Accessory dwelling units (2) There shall be no more than one (1) accessory dwelling unit permitted per lot. (3) Occupancy of the single-family lot, including both the principal dwelling unit and the accessory dwelling unit, shall be limited to no more than one family and up to two boarders. (4) The accessory dwelling unit shall not be sold independently of the principal residential dwelling and may not be a separate tax parcel. (5) Accessory dwelling units that are attached to the principal dwelling unit shall be no more than 40% of the gross floor area of the single-family dwelling. (6) Accessory dwelling units that are detached from the principal residential structure shall comply with the regulations for accessory structures in Division 4 Residential District Regulations, with the following exemptions: a. Detached accessory dwelling units shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from any rear lot line unless the rear lot line is adjacent to an alley, in which case it may be located five (5) feet from the rear lot line. b. Detached accessory dwelling units shall have a minimum of 300 square feet of floor area. c. Balconies and decks above the ground floor shall not face an interior side yard or a rear yard not abutting an alley. Rooftop decks for an accessory dwelling unit shall not be allowed. (e)(f) Parking and storing of vehicles (1) Except as provided in subsections (e)(f)(2) and (e)(f)(8) of this section, no motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, commercial vehicle, or trailer shall be permitted to stand or park in any R district which exceeds any of the following: *** (2) One recreational vehicle which exceeds any of the limits set forth in subsection (e)(f)(1) of this section and is owned by the occupant of the premises can be parked in the back yard area if: *** (3) The following provisions shall apply to the parking and storage of vehicles on residential parcels in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts: Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 11 Title: Accessory dwelling units a. No more than three vehicles can be parked or stored outside an enclosed building at a single-family residence on a lot that contains a single-family residence. For a duplex, six vehicles can be parked or stored outside. If there are more than three persons residing at a single -family dwelling, inclusive of an accessory dwelling unit or a boarder, who have valid state driver's licenses showing the residence addresses on the lot, then the total number of vehicles allowed to be parked outside is increased to a number equal to the number of licensed drivers residing at the property not to exceed five vehicles. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply during snow emergencies. b. No more than two non-passenger vehicles can be parked on a residential lot outside of an enclosed building. Except as permitted in subsection (e)(f)(2) of this section, vehicles shall be stored on a designated parking space. Non-passenger vehicles cannot be parked or stored in a front yard or a side yard abutting a street except as allowed under subsection (e)(f)(3)g of this section. c. Only commercial vehicles which do not exceed any of the size requirements under subsection (e)(f)(1) of this section and are designed exclusively for on-street use can be parked on residential lots outside an enclosed building. Commercial vehicles shall be parked only within a garage or on a designated parking space and cannot be parked or stored in a front yard or a side yard abutting a street except as permitted under subsection (e)(f) (3)g of this section. d. Except as permitted in subsection (e)(f)(2) of this section, all vehicles must be stored on a surface improved for driveway purposes with an approved paving surface. e. No more than one recreational vehicle which exceeds the size requirements in subsection (e)(f)(2) of this section can be parked on a residential lot outside an enclosed building. f. No non-passenger vehicle can be parked within five feet of an interior side lot line or rear lot line. g. No non-passenger vehicle can be parked within the front yard or within a side yard abutting a street except where designated parking space is permitted under subsection 36-361(k)(11). Under no circumstances can a non-passenger vehicle which exceeds the size limitations in subsection (e)(f)(1) of this section be parked in a front yard. Section 9. Chapter 36, Section 36-162 (e) (3) a. of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to delete the strikethrough text and add the underlined text as follows. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 12 Title: Accessory dwelling units a. No more than three vehicles can be parked or stored outside an enclosed building at a single-family residence on a lot that contains a single-family residence. For a duplex, six vehicles can be parked or stored outside. If there are more than three persons residing at a single -family dwelling, inclusive of an accessory dwelling unit or a boarder, who have valid state driver's licenses showing the residence addresses on the lot, then the total number of vehicles allowed to be parked outside is increased to a number equal to the number of licensed drivers residing at the property not to exceed five vehicles. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply during snow emergencies. Section 10. Chapter 36, Section 36-163. R-1 single-family residence district (e) Accessory Uses of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to add the following text: (16) Accessory dwelling units which comply with the provisions of Section 36-162 (e) and which are not used for short-term rental purposes. Section 11. Chapter 36, Section 36-164. R-2 single-family residence district (e) Accessory Uses of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to add the following text: (15) Accessory dwelling unit which comply with the provisions of Section 36-162 (e) and which are not used for short-term rental purposes. Section 12. Chapter 36, Section 36-165. R-3 two-family residence district (e) Accessory Uses of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to add the following text: (16) Accessory dwelling units which comply with the provisions of Section 36-162 (e) and which are not used for short-term rental purposes. Section 13. Chapter 36, Table 36-361 (a) Off-Street Parking Areas of the St. Louis Park City Code is hereby amended to delete the following strikethrough text and add the following underlined text and section breaks are indicated with “***”: Use Number of Parking Spaces Residential Single family dwelling Two spaces per dwelling unit. Additional spaces are not required for a boarder or an accessory dwelling unit. One additional space is required if boarders are accommodated. *** Two family Two spaces per dwelling unit. Additional spaces are not required for a boarder or an accessory dwelling unit. One additional space is required if boarders are accommodated. Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 8) Page 13 Title: Accessory dwelling units Section 13. This ordinance shall take effect (insert text) Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council (insert date) Thomas K. Harmening, city manager Jake Spano, mayor Attest: Approved as to form and execution: Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Soren Mattick, city attorney First Reading (date) Second Reading (date) Date of Publication (date) Date Ordinance takes effect (date) Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 9 Executive summary Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time -Sensitive** •None at this time. Policy consideration: Is the council supportive of the ordinance and design guidelines for Historic Walker Lake ? Summary: The Historic Walker Lake commercial district in St. Louis Park is in the middle of a renaissance with both private and public reinvestment occurring. In October 2018, the city started work on a revitalization plan for the Historic Walker Lake commercial district to promote and guide reinvestment that preserves the character and scale of the district. The revitalization plan process involved robust public participation with the community, local businesses and commercial property owners. These efforts are documented and available to review on the city’s website . The Historic Walker Lake: District Revitalization Plan (HWL Plan) was completed in May 2019 and approved by the city in January 2020. The plan encourages revitalization and placemaking within the district, w hile preserving the character and scale of the area. In addition, the city is investing in the area’s infrastructure by updating the street design, adding sidewalks, bike lanes, enhancing parking areas and rebuilding two alleys. One of the plan’s key recommendations is to create a new zoning district specific to the Historic Walker lake area with a supplemental design guideline document. The planning commission and staff propose some changes to the zoning ordinance; a new zoning district that addresses building form and uses and a design guideline document to provide guidance on the desired character and appearance of future infill development and reinvestment within the district. The ordinance and design guidelines were created directly from the recommendations of the revitalization plan. The draft ordinance and design guidelines are also supported by the newly formed Historic Walker Lake business association. Staff intends to schedule a virtual neighborhood meeting in October to formally present the documents to the district business, property owners and surrounding neighbors. The planning commission will then hold a public hearing and make a recommendation to council. Financial or budget considerations: Not applicable Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood oriented development. Supporting documents: Discussion; Draft MX -2 ordinance ; Draft design guideline document; March 4, 2020 planning commission agenda and minutes; February 3, 2020 city council agenda; May 28, 2019 city council agenda and minutes Prepared by: Jennifer Monson, senior planner Reviewed by: Sean Walther, planning and zoning supervisor Karen Barton, community development director Approve d by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Page 2 Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Discussion Background: The Historic Walker Lake commercial district in St. Louis Park is in the middle of a renaissance with both private and public reinvestment occurring. In October 2018, the city started work on a revitalization plan for the Historic Walker Lake commercial district to promote and guide reinvestment that preserves the character and scale of the district. The revitalization plan process involved robust public participation with the community, local businesses and commercial property owners. These efforts are documented and available to review on the city’s website . The Historic Walker Lake: District Revitalization Plan (HWL Plan) was completed in May 2019 and officially approved by the city in January 2020. The plan encourages revitalization and placemaking within the district, while preserving the character and scale of the area. In addition, the city is investing in the area’s infrastructure by updating the street design, adding sidewalks, bike lanes, enhancing parking areas and rebuilding two alleys. The city council approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance to update the parking requirements in Historic Walker Lake in late 2019 and has discussed the revitalization plan at numerous study sessions and regular meetings. The city council has previously voiced support for the establishment of updated zoning regulations for the area, that implement the community’s vision and recommendations of the revitalization plans. Linked below are agendas and minutes from previous city council discussions and actions regarding the Historic Walker Lake revitalization plan and associated zoning code amendments: •May 28, 2019 agenda and minutes •December 2, 2019 agenda and minutes •February 3, 2020 agenda Approach: Since the acceptance by city council of the HWL Plan, city staff analyzed how best to implement the recommendations of the plan. One of the plan’s key recommendations is to create a new overlay district specific to the Historic Walker Lake area. However, implementing an overlay district that adequately addresses parking, uses, building form, and public realm improvements while still relating to underlying zoning districts would be very complicated and difficult to implement. Instead, the unique features and needs of the Historic Walker Lake area make the establishment of a new zoning district and a supplemental design guideline document for this area a much better alternative. The HWL Plan recommends that the implementation of the zoning district focus on building form, public realm, uses and parking. Specific building design elements are not specifically required, but promoted through a guidance document covering entrance design, articulation, roof design, balconies, materials, colors, awnings and landscaping. The formal process will include an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan and 2040 Fu ture Land Use Map, and a zoning text and map amendment to create the district and regulations. Zoning district: The planning commission met with city staff and planning consultant, HKGi, on March 4, 2020 to review the recommended approach to the district (report; minutes). The commission was in favor of rearranging the existing mixed -use zoning district, which will now Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Page 3 Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines be called the mixed-use 1 (MX -1) district and incorporating a new Historic Walker Lake District, called mixed -use 2 (MX -2) to create a mixed -use division w ithin the zoning ordinance. These changes would allow the Division to expand as additional mixed-use districts are created, including any transit-oriented development (TOD) districts that are later established. The mixed -use division is organized like other zoning divisions within the code with performance standards placed at the division level, and specific requirements for height, setbacks, and uses within the district leve l. Design guidelines: The commission also voiced support for creating a separate design guideline document for Historic Walker Lake. The document provides guidance for the desired character and appearance of future infill development in the HWL district, without being overly prescriptive. The document is designed to be handed out to property owners and potential developers. Attached to this report is the draft Historic Walker Lake design guidelines document. It includes recommendations for architecture and design and specific examples and guidelines for building entrances, materials, façade articulation for street facing facades, lighting, signage, landscaping, and open space. The document provides examples of what is encourage d to provide a clear picture of what is expected within the district. The draft ordinance requirements and design guidelines are directly pulled from the recommendations of the revitalization plan. Present considerations: Is the council supportive of the ordinance and design guidelines for Historic Walker Lake? Would city council like a presentation of the ordinance and design guidelines during a study session prior to beginning the formal approval process? The Historic Walker Lake Business Association received a presentation on the ordinance and design guidelines at their August meeting and are excited to move the ordinance forward to adoption. The planning commission reviewed the recommendations of the ordinance and draft design guidelines and support starting the formal adoption process. Next steps: The next part of the process is scheduling a virtual neighborhood meeting for property and business owners within the district and surrounding neighborhoods where the zoning and design guidelines will be presented. Staff would like to target this meeting f or early October, followed by a public hearing in late October, and council’s consideration in November. The council will be asked to adopt an amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan land use definitions for mixed -use properties, an amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map, text amendments to the zoning ordinance to create a new mixed-use division and a new zoning district, and an amendment to the zoning map rezoning the properties within the Historic Walker Lake area to mixed -use 2 district (MX-2). City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 1 DIVISION 9. MIXED USE DISTRICTS REGULATIONS Sec. 36-265. MX-2 neighborhood mixed use district. A.Purpose and effect. The purposes of the neighborhood mixed use district are to: (1)Promote investment and infill development within the district by allowing flexibility of uses and a mix of uses; (2)Integrate new development with its surroundings by encouraging connections for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles and by considering sensitive, compatible use, scale, and operational transitions to neighborhood uses; (3)Promote shared parking and optimization of existing parking areas; and (4)Promote high quality architectural design and materials, and innovative site design B.MX-2 district restrictions and performance standards. (1)Fences. a.All fences shall comply with the standards established in Sec. 36-74. b.Fences in the street yards are prohibited, unless they meet the following standards: 1.Maximum height: three feet. 2.Maximum opacity: 50%. C.Neighborhood Mixed Use District Uses Principal Use Primary and Secondary Street Frontages RESIDENTIAL AND LODGING USES Residential dwellings (including multifamily housing, - and roominghouses) PC (up to 8 units) / CUP (up to 30 u/a) Live-work unit P CIVIC AND INSTITUTIONAL USES Library P Museum P Parks/open space P Parks/recreation PC Police/fire station P Places of Assembly CUP COMMERCIAL USES Adult day care PC Animal handling PC Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 4 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 2 Principal Use Primary and Secondary Street Frontages Appliance, small engine and bicycle repair PC Bank PC Brewery PC Food service PC Group day care/nursery school PC Liquor store PC Medical/dental office P Micro-distillery PC Motor fuel station CUP Office P Post office customer service PC Private entertainment (indoor) PC Restaurant PC Retail P Retail, large item P Service PC Shopping center P Vendor market PC INDUSTRIAL USES Light assembly or low impact manufacturing and processing PC Medical, optical and dental laboratories PC Printing process/supply P Research and development PC Showrooms P Studio PC TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE USES Antenna and communication tower PC (less than 45’) / CUP (between 45’ and 75’) Parking lot as principal use PC Parking ramp as principal use PC Public service structure PC Utility substation PC Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 5 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 3 D.Uses permitted with conditions (PC). A structure or land in the MX-2 district may be used for one or more of the following uses with conditions established below: (1)Adult day care. a.The condition for adult day care is at least 12% of the lot area shall be developed as designed outdoor recreation area. (2)Animal handling. a.No animals or pens shall be kept outside the building or cause offensive odor or noise discernible at the property line of the lot on which the activity is conducted. b.Where animals are boarded, the facility shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential. (3)Appliance, small engine and bicycle repair. a.Engines shall not be operated or tested outside of a structure if the use is located within 300 feet of any parcel that is zoned residential and used or subdivided for residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not limited to schools, religious institutions, and community centers. (4)Banks. a.In-vehicle sales or services are prohibited. b.Self-service machines shall be located inside the building (5)Brewery. a.The brewery shall not produce more than 20,000 barrels of malt liquor per year. b.A taproom and/or retail outlet is required and shall be located in the Primary Street storefront of the building. c.The taproom and/or retail outlet shall occupy a minimum of 20 percent of the gross floor area with no maximum limit. d.Alcohol produced off-site shall not be sold on-site, this includes both on-sale and off-sale transactions (6)Communication towers that are 45 feet or less in height, subject to the provisions of Section 368 (Communication Towers and Antennas). (7)Food service. a.In-vehicle sales or services are prohibited. (8)Group care nursery school. a.An off-street passenger loading area shall be provided in order to maintain vehicular and pedestrian safety. b.Ground level outdoor play areas: Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 6 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 4 1.Shall be at least 1,500 square feet in total area and provide at least 75 square feet of area per child in the area at any given time. a.An off-site park meeting these standards may meet this requirement, if the park is within 2,000 feet of the school 2.Shall be located a minimum of 200 feet from any roadway defined on the Comprehensive Plan as a principal arterial. (9)Light assembly or low impact manufacturing and processing. a.A showroom and/or retail outlet is required and shall be located in the primary street frontage of the building. b.The showroom and/or retail outlet shall occupy a minimum of 20 percent of the gross floor area with no maximum limit. c.All outdoor activities such as loading and unloading shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from any parcel that is zoned residential and used residential. (10)Liquor stores. a.The lot must be at least 1,000 feet from the property line of a site containing a pawnshop, currency exchange, payday loan agency, firearms sales or sexually- oriented business. In the case of a shopping center of multi-use building, the distance shall be measured from the portion of the center or building occupied by the liquor store. (11)Medical, optical and dental laboratories. a.The use shall not generate any fumes or odors which are detectable at the property lines of the parcel on which the use is located. (12)Micro-distillery. a.A cocktail room and/or retail outlet is required and shall be located in the primary street frontage of the building. b.The cocktail room and/or retail outlet shall occupy a minimum of 20 percent of the gross floor area with no maximum limit. c.Alcohol produced off-site shall not be sold on-site, this includes both on-sale and off-sale transactions (13)Parking lots as principal use. a.Shall be owned by the municipal government. (14)Parking ramps as principal use. a.Shall be owned by the municipal government. b.The height of any parking ramp located within 200 feet of any parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential may not penetrate the height of a line Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 7 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 5 commencing at and perpendicular to said parcel line and extending upward away from said parcel at a slope of five horizontal feet for each vertical foot. c.The minimum yard requirement for any parking ramp located within 200 feet of a parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential shall be 50 feet. d.Access shall be from a roadway identified in the Comprehensive Plan as a collector or arterial or otherwise located so that access can be provided without conducting significant traffic on local residential streets. e.The parking ramp shall be screened from view from any abutting property located within an R district. The screening shall include a six foot berm if the parking ramp is above ground. f.If the parking ramp is located within 400 feet of any parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential, all light sources on the top deck of a parking ramp shall be below the sight lines drawn from a point one foot above the light source to any point within said parcel ten feet lower than the maximum structure height of that use district at a distance of 400 feet from the wall of the parking ramp nearest to said parcel. g.A minimum of 40% of the street level frontage of a parking ramp located adjacent to a street designated as a collector or arterial in the Comprehensive Plan shall be dedicated to non-parking uses. h.Parking ramp shall be designed so that vehicles are not visible from the sidewalk and the only openings at street level are those to accommodate vehicle ingress and egress. i.Snow storage areas shall not be located in the front yard or side yard abutting a street. (15)Parks/recreation. a.The principal structure shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from a lot in an R district. b.Areas designated for group activities shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from a lot in an R district. c.Swimming pools shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from any lot line and a minimum of 12 feet from any other structure on the same lot. d.Screening shall be installed along the property line when the use abuts property residentially used or in one of the R districts. This screening shall include a berm or fence which shall be adequately maintained. Application of this provision shall not require a fence within the required front yard. e.Facilities which serve a community wide or regional function shall be located with primary vehicular access on a collector or arterial street. (16)Post office customer service. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 8 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 6 a.The use shall only be permitted when it can be demonstrated that the operation will not have a significant adverse effect on the existing level of service and safety of adjacent streets and intersections. b.Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or arterial or shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without generating significant traffic on local residential streets. c.In-vehicle sales or services prohibited. d.Storage of vehicles is prohibited. e.Outdoor mailboxes intended for in vehicle service shall be located to allow in vehicle mail drop off by the vehicle’s driver. f.Screening shall be provided along the lot line between the drive through facilities and stacking areas and adjacent streets and properties, but shall not interfere with visibility at the intersection of the exit drive and adjacent street as required by section 36-76. (17)Private entertainment (indoor) with or without intoxicating liquor license. a.In-vehicle sales or services prohibited. b.Not permitted in a building with residential uses. (18)Public service structures. a.All exterior faces of all buildings shall meet the provisions of Article V of this chapter. b.All structures shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from any parcel that is zoned residential and used or subdivided for residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not limited to schools, religious institutions and community centers. c.All service drives shall be paved. (19)Restaurants with or without intoxicating liquor license. a.In- vehicle sales or services prohibited. (20)Residential dwellings. a.The residential use is part of a mixed use building with non-residential uses on the ground floor; the non-residential uses on the ground floor may include structured parking, however, structured parking may not occupy the first 30 feet in depth of the ground floor of the primary street frontage. b.The building design and placement provide a desirable residential environment. c.Access to open space, plazas, and pedestrian ways is provided. d.The housing is located above the ground floor. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 9 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 7 e.The total number of units provided on an individual parcel does not exceed eight units. (21)Service. a.In-vehicle sales and services are prohibited. (22)Studio. a.Not permitted in a building with residential uses. (23)Utility substation. a.No structure shall be located within 25 feet of any property line. b.No structures shall be located within 200 feet of any parcel that is zoned residential and used or subdivided for residential, or has an occupied institutional building, including but not limited to schools, religious institutions, and community centers. c.No impact noise shall be audible from any property located in an R district. (24)Vendor market. a.In-vehicle sales or services prohibited. b.Not permitted in a building with residential uses. c.In multi-tenant buildings, noise shall be contained within that space dedicated to the place of vendor/food hall. No noise shall be audible within common areas or in adjacent units. d.In multi-tenant buildings, the vendor market shall have a separate entrance or shall have an interior entrance that is within 50 feet of a common building entrance. E.Uses permitted by conditional use permit (CUP). No structure or land in the MX-2 district shall be used for the following uses except by conditional use permit: (1)Communication towers more than 45 feet in height but not to exceed 70 feet in height, subject to the provisions of Section 368 (Communication Towers and Antennas). (2)Educational (academic). a.Pickup/dropoff areas shall not conflict with other on-site or abutting land uses and shall not create congestion on public streets. Buses shall not be permitted to use an alley for pickup and dropoff of students. b.The size of the school shall be limited to 20 students. c.In multitenant buildings, the school shall have at least one separate building entrance or shall have an interior entrance that is within 50 feet of a common building entrance. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 10 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 8 (3)Motor fuel station. a.Hours of operation shall be between 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. b.The gasoline pump islands, dispenser type and location shall be designed so that no more than eight vehicles can be refueled at any given time. c.All pump islands, air dispensers and other service devices shall be located on the side or rear of the building and installed at least 12 feet off and toward the interior of the lot from the required yard line, and no display, parking or dispensing of gasoline shall take place within the required yard. d.No outside sale or display shall be permitted except gasoline and other goods consumed in the normal operation of a car limited to the following kinds of products: oil, gasoline and oil additives, windshield cleaner, and windshield wipers. No products shall be sold or displayed in any required yard nor shall the total display area occupy more than 150 square feet in area or be more than five feet in height. No other vehicular parts and non-automobile oriented goods shall be displayed or sold outside. e.Car washes shall be prohibited f.No public address system shall be audible from any property located within an R district. g.Canopy and canopy support systems shall be constructed using architectural design and materials which are compatible with the principal structure. h.The use is in conformance with the comprehensive plan including any provisions of the redevelopment chapter and the plan by neighborhood policies for the neighborhood in which it is located and conditions of approval may be added as a means of satisfying this requirement. (4)Places of assembly with or without intoxicating liquor. a.Access shall be to a roadway identified in the comprehensive plan as a collector or arterial or shall be otherwise located so that access can be provided without generating significant traffic on local residential streets. b.Not permitted in a building with residential uses. c.Seating capacity shall be limited to 150 persons. d.Parking shall meet zoning code requirements, unless it is a religious or other institution that requires walking because of a religious tenet or other rule, then one space per every eight seats shall be required. e.In multi-tenant buildings, noise shall be contained within that space dedicated to the place of assembly use. No noise shall be audible within common areas or in adjacent units. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 11 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 9 f.In multi-tenant buildings, the place of assembly shall have a separate entrance or shall have an interior entrance that is within 50 feet of a common building entrance. (5)Residential dwellings. a.The residential use is part of a mixed-use building with non-residential uses on the ground floor; the non-residential uses on the ground floor may include structured parking, however, structured parking may not occupy the first 30 feet in depth of the ground floor of the primary street frontage. b.The building design and placement provide a desirable residential environment. c.Access to off-site parks, open space, plazas and pedestrianways is provided. d.The housing is located above the ground floor. e.The total number of units provided on an individual parcel does not exceed a density of 30 units per acre. f.The use is in conformance with the comprehensive plan including any provisions of the redevelopment chapter and the plan by neighborhood policies for the neighborhood in which it is located and conditions of approval may be added as a means of satisfying this requirement. g.Ground floor multi-family in existence on date of ordinance adoption shall be considered a conforming use. F.Accessory uses. The following uses shall be permitted accessory uses in the MX-2 district when meeting the standards below: (1)Catering if accessory to a restaurant, food service, delicatessen, grocery store or retail bakery. (2)Food service where food service is an accessory use to other uses). (3)Home occupations. a.All material or equipment shall be stored within an enclosed structure. b.Operation of the home occupation is not apparent from the public right-of-way. c.The activity does not involve warehousing, distribution, or retail sales of merchandise produced off the site. d.No light or vibration originating from the business operation is discernible at the property line, or adjacent dwelling unit. e.Only equipment, machinery, and materials which are normally found in the home are used in the conduct of the home occupation. f.Space within the dwelling devoted to the home occupation does not exceed one room or ten percent of the floor area, whichever is greater. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 12 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 10 g.No portion of the home occupation is permitted within any attached or detached accessory building. h.The structure housing the home occupation conforms to the building code. If there are any customers or students coming to the site, then the home occupation has received a certificate of occupancy for the business. (4)Incidental repair or processing which is necessary to conduct a permitted principal use shall not exceed 40 percent of the gross floor area or 40 percent of the labor hours required to conduct the principal permitted use. (5)Outdoor seating and service of food and beverages. a.The use shall not be located in the interior side or back yard if the use is adjacent to a parcel that is occupied by a residential dwelling. This provision will not apply if the first floor of the building located on the adjacent parcel is not occupied by a residential dwelling or if a residential dwelling is located above the principal use. b.No speakers or other electronic devices which emit sound are permitted outside of the principal structure if the use is located within 500 feet of a parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential. c.Hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. if located within 500 feet of a parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential. d.Additional parking will not be required if the outdoor seating area does not exceed 500 square feet or ten percent of the gross floor area of the principal use, whichever is less. Parking will be required at the same rate as the principal use for that portion of outdoor seating area in excess of 500 square feet or ten percent of the gross building area, whichever is less. (6)Parking lots. (7)Parking ramps. a.Parking ramps shall be located only behind the rear of the building. b.Parking ramps located on the secondary street frontage shall have principal uses on the ground floor. c.Parking ramps shall meet the façade requirements for the principal building. d.The height of any parking ramp located within 200 feet of any parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential may not penetrate the height of a line commencing at and perpendicular to said parcel line and extending upward away from said parcel at a slope of five horizontal feet for each vertical foot. e.The minimum yard requirement for any parking ramp located within 200 feet of a parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential shall be 50 feet. f.Access shall be from a roadway identified in the Comprehensive Plan as a collector or arterial or otherwise located so that access can be provided without conducting significant traffic on local residential streets. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 13 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 11 g.If the parking ramp is located within 400 feet of any parcel that is zoned residential and used for residential, all light sources on the top deck of a parking ramp shall be below the sight lines drawn from a point one foot above the light source to any point within said parcel ten feet lower than the maximum structure height of that use district at a distance of 400 feet from the wall of the parking ramp nearest to said parcel. h.The parking ramp shall be screened from view from any abutting property located within an R district. The screening shall include a six foot berm if the parking ramp is above ground. i.A minimum of 40% of the street level frontage of a parking ramp located adjacent to a street designated as a collector or arterial in the Comprehensive Plan shall be dedicated to non-parking uses. j.Parking ramp shall be designed so that vehicles are not visible from the sidewalk and the only openings at street level are those to accommodate vehicle ingress and egress. k.Snow storage areas shall not be located in the front yard or side yard abutting a street. (8)Building interior parking. Parking is permitted fully in any basement and within the building, except on the primary street frontage. Interior parking shall meet the façade requirements of the building. Entrances to the interior parking are permitted from the rear or side building facades only, unless otherwise noted per the street frontage type. (9)Warehouse/storage provided that the storage does not occupy more than 40 percent of the gross floor area of the site. No warehouse/storage area shall exceed 20,000 square feet. G.Dimensional standards. Primary Street Frontage Secondary Street Frontage BUILDING SITING Minimum Lot Line Coverage 80% a 50% a Build-to Zone 10’ to 15’b 10’ to 20’b Maximum Building Length 130’ HEIGHT Minimum Height 2 stories 2 stories Maximum Height 3 stories Ground Story Height 14’ to 18’c All Other Stories Height 10’ to 15’ a Minimum Lot Line Coverage, the following exceptions may apply: •Courtyards. A courtyard up to 35% of the width of the front facade is permitted and may contribute to the minimum lot line coverage. •Driveways. When a driveway is located on a primary street frontage and side yard parking Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 14 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 12 is not utilized, a driveway width of 22’ may be deducted from the width of the build-to zone and is not included in the calculation of the minimum lot line coverage. b Build-to Zone: •Minimum is 10’ or the smallest setback of the existing buildings on the block front, whichever is greater. •Encroachments. Awnings and signage are permitted to encroach beyond the build -to zone, towards the lot line. •Intersection of two build-to zones. o All buildings located on corner lots shall be built to the corner of the build-to zone unless otherwise stated. o The corner is defined as the intersection of the two build-to zones. Courtyards, per definition, cannot be located in this area. c Tall stories: 18’ or more in floor-to-floor ground story height counts as two stories toward maximum building height. (1)Side and Rear Yards: a.Buildings with side or rear property lines adjacent to R-1 or R-2 zoned and used districts shall have a minimum side yard of 10 feet and rear yard of 15 feet. b.Accessory parking structures shall have minimum side yard and rear yard setbacks of 15 feet. H.Special provisions. (1)Generally. The design of lots and uses in the MX-2 district that fall within the Historic Walker Lake area should substantially conform with the guidelines established in the Historic Walker Lake Area Design Guidelines, adopted by the City Council on [DATE]. (2)Off-Street Parking Areas. Specific standards for the neighborhood mixed use district established in Sec. 36-362 shall apply. (3)Sign Regulations. The standards established in Sec. 36-363 shall apply, with the following additional standards: a.Signage shall be allowed with the following conditions: 1.Pylon signs are prohibited. 2.Freestanding monument signs are prohibited. 3.Pedestrian scale signs visible from public sidewalks shall be encouraged. Such signs shall be no more than three feet in vertical dimension unless flush with the building wall. (4)Outdoor Lighting. The standards established in Sec. 36-364 shall apply. (5)Landscaping. The standards established in Sec. 36-365 shall apply. (6)Architectural Design. The standards established in Sec. 36-366 shall apply, with the following additional standards: Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 15 City of St. Louis Park – DRAFT – August 19, 2020 13 a.Façade Transparency 1.Each upper story façade shall have a minimum transparency of 20% for primary and secondary street frontages. b.Building Entrances 1.The principal entrance to the building shall be required on the primary street frontage of the building. 2.Each street entrance shall be within 30” of adjacent street sidewalk average grade. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 16 Purpose The purpose of the Historic Walker Lake Area Design Guidelines is to provide property owners and developers additional guidance regarding redevelopment, infill, and new development within the Historic Walker Lake Area in central St. Louis Park, covered by the MX-2 zoning district. •These guidelines are meant to be used alongside the standards established in Sec. 36-365 MX-2 Mixed Use district of the city code. •They also further implement the guidance established within the Historic Walker Lake District Revitalization Plan (2019). •Finally, these guidelines are established to ensure infill, redevelopment, and enhancements complement the area’s existing unique character while promoting a stronger sense of place and increased investment. AREA DESIGN GUIDELINES HWL Today! HWL Today! Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 17 1.Historic buildings should be replicated in form, but not necessarily in design. This means building form, such as height and setbacks, should be similar, but design, such as materials or window shapes, can be different and modern; the architectural style is open. »Infill buildings should replicate the form and size of adjacent buildings, but can use updated building design. »Facades should replicate form features such as spacing of entrances and transparency, but design can be different. »New buildings should not have “historic” detailing just to match adjacent buildings. 2.Lighting and design should highlight the historic features of older buildings while introducing updated materials and uses. 3.Architecture and design should be used to create street frontages that are visually interesting, especially at a pedestrian scale. Architecture and Design 74 May 2019HISTORIC WALKER LAKE: DISTRICT REVITALIZATION PLAN 75 Architectural DetailsThe Walker Lake District is home to historic buildings and newer buildings alike. Architectural details on new buildings should reflect the existing context in form and material, but use current building design. ideas The examples on this page show recommended renovated and new building design. Infill: This infill building replicated the form and size of historic buildings, but uses updated building design. Infill: These facades replicated historic entrance spacing and transparency but use updated building design. Architectural Details Updated and traditional materials should be used. Older building elements can be replicated in form, but not in detail. This means building form, such has height and setbacks, should be similar, but details, such as materials or windows shapes, can be different. The scale of the buildings should be similar, but the architectural style is open. Recommendations: Details: The infill building uses non-structural historic details poorly. New buildings should not replicate historic buildings with non-structural details. Renovation: The historic renovations on these pages show how light materials highlight the historic features of the older buildings while introducing updated materials and uses. HWL Today! Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 18 1. The primary entrance should be visually distinct from the rest of the façade. This could be accomplished through: »Utilizing different materials or cap/canopy. »Installing sidelight and transom windows around entrances. »Extending the articulation of the entrance to the second floor. »Recessing entrances to achieve articulation and visual interest. 2. In order to design to a pedestrian scale, entrances along primary frontages should be repeated at least every 65 feet. 3. A majority of entrances on the primary frontage should be close to the same elevation of the sidewalk to provide ease of access to pedestrians. Entrances Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 19 1.Horizontal articulation of new buildings is encouraged. This can be accomplished through the use of: »Cornice »Molding »Belt course »Other continuous horizontal ornamentation 2.Vertical divisions are encouraged, especially on the ground floor, to create visual interest. This can be accomplished through the use of: »Column »Other continuous vertical ornamentation»Pilaster 3.Façade variety along primary and secondary frontages is encouraged. Variety can be accomplished through: »Change in façade materials or colors »Inclusion of courtyards along the façade »Vertical recess or projection of walls 4.Design Elements to add further interest: »Awnings on the façade of the ground floor. ▪These elements provide shelter and shade for pedestrians. ▪Should have a clearance of at least ten feet over any walkway. »Balconies on upper floor façade. ▪These elements provide outdoor space and upper story activation. ▪Should be at least four feet in depth. »Shutters, when used, should complement the windows they surround in scale, materials, and placement. Street Façade Articulation Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 20 1. If awnings are used or installed, they should project over individual window and door openings but should not extend between window and door openings. 2. Awnings should be mounted on the frame of a window or door opening rather than the wall surrounding the opening. 3. Retractable, open-ended shed awnings, with no side panels, are the preferred style. Shed awnings are more traditional in appearance than closed/box awnings and domed awnings, which are usually not appropriate. Shed awnings are more transparent, allow increased views into storefront windows, don’t obscure building architectural features, and are visually lighter and simpler in appearance. Awnings/Canopy 4. Awnings with a front valance or skirt, which hangs down from the awning’s front edge, are the preferred style. Awning signs should usually be located on the front valance, so that the signage is visible whether the awning is extended out or retracted against the building’s façade. 5. Canvas, canvas blend, and acrylics that resemble canvas are appropriate materials for awnings and canopies; vinyl, metal, glass and shiny materials are generally not appropriate. 6. Awnings/canopies should have a minimum clearance height of eight (8) feet above the ground. Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 21 1. Architectural innovation is encouraged through the use of both contemporary and traditional materials. 2. Dominant façade should consist of high quality, durable, finish materials. The following are encouraged dominant facade materials: »Stone »Cement-based stucco »Brick »Architectural metal panels »Glass 3. The color of materials should generally fit within historic palettes from any major paint manufacturer. Other colors may be utilized for details and accents. Materials 4. In addition to the dominant façade materials, the following can be used as facade accents: »Fiber cement trim pieces. »Metal for beams, lintels, trim, and ornamentation. »Burnished, glazed, or honed concrete masonry units (CMU) or block for trim and details, but not surfaces. »Split-face, honed, or glazed concrete masonry units with minimal height for surfaces less than 10 percent of the facade. »Cast stone concrete elements. HWL Today! Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 22 1. A projecting sign is the preferred style; wall signs are also appropriate but should be oriented to pedestrians in scale and design. 2. Projecting and wall signs should be placed and sized so that they do not obscure building architectural features and fit the scale of the building facade. 3. The style, colors, and materials of projecting and wall signs should be complementary with the character of the building and other signage. 4. Where feasible, projecting and wall signs should be placed to align with other signs on that building and other buildings on the same block face. 5. Projecting signs should usually be mounted near the storefront entrance, just above the door, or just to the side of it. 6. Projecting signs should generally be oriented to visibility by pedestrians and placed so that they do not obscure other signs, both projecting and wall signs. 7. Projecting signs intended for visibility by automobile traffic should be mounted higher on the building façade or positioned at the building corner. 8. If a storefront has awnings, the projecting sign should be placed above the awnings. 9. Projecting signs should have a minimum clearance height of eight (8) feet above the ground. Signs Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 23 1.Accent lighting should be limited to indirect lighting of specific signage, architectural and landscape features only; lighting should not exhibit or advertise the building itself. 2.Signs, including wall, projecting, awning and window, should not be internally illuminated. 3.Signage lighting should be provided by an external light source that is directed at the sign. 4.Signage lighting fixtures should be relatively simple and unobtrusive in appearance and size and should not obscure visibility of the sign. 5.External lighting sources should be shielded so that the light source is not visible by pedestrians. Lighting Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 24 1. Yards and open spaces should provide an opportunity for outdoor “active” areas. 2. Seating, shade, art, and events are encouraged within open spaces, especially along the street frontage. 3. Cafe seating and open transitions from indoor uses are also encouraged. 4. Site design should prioritize pedestrians, transit users, and bicyclists and creating pleasant open spaces for those users to gather and move through. 5. Non-conventional gathering spots, such as former loading areas and unused alleyways are encouraged to be activated as open spaces. 6. These areas are also encouraged for temporary activation, such as food-truck festivals or other local events Open Space & Access HWL Today! Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 25 For more information, contact the City of St. Louis Park Community Development Department Phone: 952.924.2575 https://www.stlouispark.org/government/departments-divisions/community-development Because of limitations of existing sites, it may be difficult to meet city’s traditional landscaping standards. Alternative elements to improve the landscaping/public realm may include: 1.Rain gardens, creative stormwater retention, and landscaping islands 2. Raised Planters 3. Sidewalk activities »Temporary Seating (café seating) »Temporary Signs 4.Street furniture (perhaps through a sponsorship) »Benches »Bike racks »Waste and recycle bins 5.Public art 6.Creative lighting integrated into landscaping/ public art Landscaping 80 May 2019HISTORIC WALKER LAKE: DISTRICT REVITALIZATION PLAN 81 Pedestrian Zone ASidewalk width 10' min BTree/furniture zone depth 5' min Pedestrian Zone Elements Tree planting type Structural soil CTree spacing 4-6/block face DPedestrian lights 4-6/block face Fences over 3' tall are prohibited in front of buildings. Where fencing is necessary, planters are encouraged. Creative planting strategies are encouraged. Businesses are encouraged to customize the planting area near their location. E Street Furniture Bench 4/block face Bike rack 8/block face Waste and recycling bins 2/block face F Encroachments Temporary Seating allowed Temporary Sign allowed Recommendations:Recommendations: Public Realm Public realm recommendations on these pages contain standards to create a high-quality public realm, yet still be flexible enough to conform to existing city standards and future business needs. Property owners are encouraged to activate the streets by customizing planting areas. Fences in front of buildings are prohibited. Public realm standards are designed to create a walkable, active streetscape but to also allow for flexibility and adherence to city standards. HWL Today! Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 9) Title: Update on Historic Walker Lake zoning ordinance and design guidelines Page 26 Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 10 Executive summary Title: Livable Communities Act enrollment and life -cycle housing goals for 2021-2030 Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time -Sensitive** • No action required at this time. Policy consideration: Does council have any questions on the Metropolitan Council requirement to adopt affordable and life-cycle housing goals for the 2021-2030 decade? Summary: The Metropolitan Livable Communities Act (LCA) established a Livable Communities Fund which is intended to address housing and other development issues facing the metropolitan area. Cities are not eligible to receive grants or loans under the Livable Communities Fund or eligible to receive certain polluted sites cleanup funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development unless the municipality is participating in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program. Communities that wish to enroll or re -enroll in LCA for the 2021-2030 decade need to adopt, by resolution, affordable and lifecycle housing goals by November 15, 2020. The Metropolitan Council determines housing goals using a methodology consistent across communities. Met Council staff began conducting outreach in 2019 on the best way to determine 2021-2030 goals. St. Louis Park staff participated in outreach activities and were involved in establishing the affordable housing and life-cycle goals and find the goals set forth by the Met Council to be consistent with staff expectations. Affordable and life-cycle housing goals are updated every decade and the current goals expire at the end of 2020. The affordable and life -cycle housing goals for calendar years 2021 through 2030 are: Affordable Housing Goals Range (up to 80% AMI) Life -Cycle Housing Goal (housing built at a density of 8 units an acre or more) 326-593 housing units 1620 housing units The resolution adopting the LCA housing goals will be on the September 21, 2020 city council agenda. No later than January 15, 2021 the Metropolitan Council will hold a public hearing and adopt participating communities’ goals to formalize enrollment. Financial or budget considerations: The city will not be eligible for LCA grants if the council does not adopt the housing goals. Since 2016 the city has received over $4,575,000 in funding through the LCA grant program. In 2020 the city has applied for nearly $4 million in LCA grants. Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood oriented development. Supporting documents: Draft resolution Prepared by: Marney Olson, assistant housing supervisor Reviewed by: Karen Barton, community development director Approve d by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 10 ) Page 2 Title: Livable Communities Act enrollment and life-cycle housing goals for 2021-2030 Resolution No. 20-____ Resolution electing to participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Calendar years 2021 through 2030 Whereas, the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act (Minnesota Statutes sections 473.25 to 473.255) establishes a Metropolitan Livable Communities Fund which is intended to address housing and other development issues facing the metropolitan area defined by Minnesota Statutes section 473.121; and Whereas, the Metropolitan Livable Communities Fund, comprising the Tax Base Revitalization Account, the Livable Communities Demonstration Account, the Local Housing Incentive Account and the Inclusionary Housing Account, is intended to provide certain funding and other assistance to metropolitan-area municipalities; and Whereas, a metropolitan -area municipality is not eligible to receive grants or loans under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Fund or eligible to receive certain polluted sites cleanup funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development unless the municipality is participating in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under Minnesota Statutes section 473.254; and Whereas, the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act requires that each municipality establish aff ordable and life-cycle housing goals for that municipality that are consistent with and promote the policies of the Metropolitan Council as provided in the adopted Metropolitan Development Guide; and Whereas, a metropolitan -area municipality can participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under Minnesota Statutes section 473.254 if: (a) the municipality elects to participate in the Local Housing Incentives Program; (b) the Metropolitan Council and the municipality successfully negotiate new affordable and life-cycle housing goals for the municipality; (c) the Metropolitan Council adopts by resolution the new negotiated affordable and life -cycle housing goals for the municipality; and (d) the municipality establishes it has spent or will spend or distribute to the Local Housing Incentives Account the required Affordable and Life-Cycle Housing Opportunities Amount (ALHOA) for each year the municipality participates in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program. Now therefore be it resolved that the City of St. Louis Park: 1. Elects to participate in the Local Housing Incentives Program under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act for calendar years 2021 through 2030. 2. Agrees to the following affordable and life -cycle housing goals for calendar years 2021 through 2030: Affordable Housing Goals Range Life -Cycle Housing Goal 326-593 housing units 1620 housing units Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 10 ) Page 3 Title: Livable Communities Act enrollment and life-cycle housing goals for 2021-2030 3. Will prepare and submit to the Metropolitan Council a plan identifying the actions it plans to take to meet its established housing goals. Reviewed for administration: Adopted by the City Council September 21, 2020 Thomas K. Harmening, city manager Jake Spano, mayor Attest: Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 11 Executive summary Title: Update on PLACES art initiative Recommended action: **Due to the COVID -19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time -Sensitive ** •None currently. This report is provided as an update and background for activities over the next six to nine months. Policy consideration: Does the council wish to continue to pursue temporary and permanent art in the LRT station areas? And does the council wish to continue provide additional funding towards these efforts? Summary: PLACES (public art and community engagement Southwest) was created in 2015 by Hennepin County SWLRT Community Works to facilitate public art along SWLRT after public art was removed from the SWLRT project. A Steering Committee oversees the effort, and has representatives from the SWLRT cities, Hennepin County, Metropolitan Council and the arts community. Forecast Public Art was subsequently hired as a consultant. In early 2020 the Steering Committee and staff met in a series of two workshops to define where the group wanted to take the initiative and to define steps to achieve success. The intent was to solidify its strategic objectives and goals and determine future action steps and a timeline. Attached is the summary PowerPoint presentation from the workshops. While the group will be moving forward on a strategic plan, some of the remaining f unding for PLACES has been put toward hiring an Artist Fellow . The Fellow is being hired to maintain momentum for art by creating temporary and pop-up projects in each city in 2021 and to help build awareness around the longer-term strategy for public art along the corridor. Financial or budget considerations: The city, along with other cities and agencies, initially contributed $5,000 toward PLACES. In 2018 the process was reinvigorated when Forecast Public Art received a $100,000 grant from the McKnight Foundation for this project. In 2019 the city (and other agencies) contributed an additional $10,000 to continue the PLACES work. The Artist Fellow and some temporary projects have funding through mid-2021. Additional temporary and permanent projects will require additional funds. Strategic priority considerati on: St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement. Supporting documents: Discussion PLACES Workshops overview presentation Prepared by: Meg McMonigal, principal planner Reviewed by: Karen Barton, community development director Approve d by: Tom Harmening, city manager Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Page 2 Title: Update on PLACES art initiative Discussion Background: PLACES has been in existence since 2015. In that time, some research and work on potential future public art sites has been completed. The Steering Committee adopted a charter in 2020 as well. P LACES has the following goals for public art in the SWLRT corridor: •Raise awareness, generate interest and enthusiasm amongst civic leaders, philanthropy, businesses and landowners along the SWRLT corridor, and create opportunities to build identity and a sense of belonging among community members. •Engage artists, stakeholders and community members, even during the current health crisis and shelter in place mandate. •Create a unifying image for the corridor while emphasizing the unique nature of each city. •Strengthen the opportunity for local artists to participate in PLACES. Raise community awareness of the role artists can play—artists from diverse backgrounds, disciplines and ethnicities. •Amplify the rich cult ural heritage of communities along the corridor. •Support the SWLRT Project Office communications team’s effort to generate positive media attention around community-minded art as part of SWLRT in outside -the -box ways. Present considerations: Early this ye ar, the broad Steering Committee and staff group came together to work on direction for the future (see attachment). This work has helped re -focus the group and has provided direction for Forecast Public Art to begin a process to develop a strategic plan. Additional work will be completed by the large group this fall to further define steps moving forward to create direction for the longer term. Forecast Public Art is in the process of hiring the Artist Fellow to work with each city on temporary and pop-up projects next spring. 1 PLACES Workshops January 30th, 2020 February 27th, 2020 WORKSHOP #1: What does success look like on opening day? Create shared understanding of what success looks like Identify where there may be similarities and differences Identify the best path moving forward and how to get there 1 2 Page 3 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Title: Update on PLACES art initiative 2 Questions that informed Workshop #1 a. What is the role of art along thiscorridor? b.How does art reflect thecommunities along the line? c. Is it important to have a unifiedtheme for art along the corridor? d.How does social justice/equity fitinto this work?e.What is the role of placemaking? f. Does the PLACES model still fitcorridor needs? •People oriented (not automobile focused) •Safety •Discovery, excitement, joy •Reflects, connects and welcomes/invites community and visitors •History of the place •Helps people find their way and understand where they are in a way that is intuitive (supports wayfinding) What is the PLACES committee’s vision of success and what is the role of public art in that vision of success? 3 4 Page 4 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Title: Update on PLACES art initiative 3 Vision of success  continued •Improves built environment experience •All seasons and winter interest - Seasonality •Aesthetics, beauty •Outstanding design to contribute to function of art - Art and utility function •Serendipity/pop-up •Celebrate the unique character/identities and communities of each station/city while connecting the corridor as whole 1. PLACES will use an iterative, reflective approach beginning with a focus on interim arts activities that will inform longer term, more permanent art forms. 2. PLACES activities/programming/work will reflect and connect current communities, changing communities and visiting transit users 3. PLACES activities will balance corridor wide consistency and individual cities/stations’ identities/splash/iconic-ness 4. PLACES will use art and placemaking to support positive anticipation of SWLRT during construction. 5. PLACES work/activities/art will support wayfinding Strategic Objectives: How will PLACES work together to achieve this success? 5 6 Page 5 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Title: Update on PLACES art initiative 4 •Communications:What are PLACES’ communications needs and internal capacity? Wayfinding: timeline/deadlines for opening day •Design constraints: PLACES needs to understand the timeline for design decisions and what the group can influence to support public art •Opening day:what will PLACES role be for opening day? •Capacity:what is internal staff capacity and external expertise needed? •Stakeholders:PLACES needs to make sure the right people are at the table •Common thread/vision/narrative:PLACES needs a shared vision •Plan:Need to identify clear steps for developing a strategic plan What are the needs and constraints? What are the next questions and decisions PLACES needs to address? •Built on the strategic objectives and timeline work done in Workshop #1 •Brainstormed vision ideas/concepts that can be turned into a PLACES vision statement •Drafted action steps for each goal •Identified which activities have high/low impact and which ones require high/low effort May want to start with high impact/low effort activities High effort activities may require external expertise whereas low effort activities may be able to be done with existing capacity •Put actions on timeline from Q1 2020 – Opening Day 2023 WORKSHOP #2 : VISION, GOALS, ACTIONS, TIMELINE 7 8 Page 6 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Title: Update on PLACES art initiative 5 •Create vision statement from concepts/ideas •Validate strategic objectives/goals •Refine action steps and timeline •Review and confirm priorities •Identify responsible subcommittees/existing staff support •Identify need for external expertise and process to procure •Implement! Unfinished business: •Create vision statement from concepts/ideas •Validate strategic objectives/goals •Refine action steps and timeline •Review and confirm priorities •Identify responsible subcommittees/existing staff support •Identify need for external expertise and process to procure Unfinished business: •PLACES Committee members provide feedback on the above and input on what they would like to see in a strategic plan •Propose a scope of work for external experts •Develop draft budget •Implement! 9 10 Page 7 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Title: Update on PLACES art initiative 6 GOAL 1: PLACES will use an iterative, reflective approach beginning with a focus on interim arts activities that will inform longer term, more  permanent art forms, while being explicit about race, equity and inclusion efforts and impacts.  Action Year Priority – Impact/Effort     HI = high impact/LI = low impact; HE = high effort/ LE = low effort  Develop a theme (SWLRT – We connect communities) Q3 2020 HI/LE  Develop a budget that balances/incorporates temp art and more permanent art  Q4 2020 HI/HE  Identify locations and develop budget for temp. installs Q4 2020 HI/HE  Start building relationships now 2021 HI/HE  Complete a stakeholder analysis by station area 2021 HI/HE  Community listening sessions around each station area 2021 HI/HE  Activate and identify local artist communities and orgs 2021 HI/LE  Research engagement opportunities/efforts 2021 HI/HE  Questions for communities: how can/will art define our community? What characteristics does our  community want to highlight  2021 HI/HE  Community focus groups to reflect area interests 2021 HI/HE  GOAL 2: PLACES activities/programming/work will reflect and connect current communities, changing communities and visiting transit users  depending on context and community goals.   Action Year Priority  Identify communities [we] want to reach Q2 2020 HI/LE  How can community inform process Q2 2020 HI/LE  We need a theme (SWLRT – We connect communities)  Q2 2020 HI/LE  Develop pilot, temporary installations and interactive arts activities for people to react to  Q2 2020 HI/HE  Ask community how they want to be involved Q2 2020 HI/LE  Tell communities about the work – related to community engagement, messaging.  Dependent on  engagement  Q3 2020 HI/HE  Community meetings Q4 2020 HI/LE  Determine how [to] involve visiting transit users? 2021 LI/HE  GOAL 3: PLACES activities will balance corridor‐wide consistency and individual stations’   identities/splash/iconicness*  *need to define “splash” and “iconicness; allows for individual expression; timing of station art; ID contexts Action Year Priority  Develop a unifying theme (ex: SWLRT – We connect communities)  Q1 2020 HI/LE  Identify categories for themes: historical; natural; sustainability Q1 2020 HI/LE  Incorporate race, equity, and inclusion Q1 2020 HI/LE  Identifying opportunity locations at each site for public art Q2 2020 HI/LE  Each city will propose how its public can have input Q 2 2020 HI/LE  Provide a wide range of public art examples Q3 2020 HI/LE  Help public envision a future that is equitable and sustainable (native minded) Q1 2021 HI/HE  Each city will share a list of their characteristics, personality and features/ community engagement Q1 2021 HI/HE  Look at similarities across corridor after cities consult with citizens and pull together features and  opportunities  Q3 2021 HI/LE  Use splash/iconic art to define where you are 2023 HI/HE  GOAL 4: Equitable and inclusive art and placemaking that builds positive anticipation for SWLRT throughout the project.  Action Year Priority  Plan positive LRT campaign during construction and launch Q1 2020 Humanize transit riders (AKA Humanize My Hoodie) – excitement, opportunities, facilitate relationship  building  Q1 2020 HI/HI  Futuristic Pro‐people Pro‐planet LRT Q1 2020 HI/LE  Multicultural events at station ALL areas  2022 Low – during  construction   High – after open  Create specific opportunities for transit users, strangers to each other, to talk to each other 2023 HI/LE  Job fairs at stations 2023 LI/HE  11 12 Page 8 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Title: Update on PLACES art initiative 7 GOAL 5: PLACES work activities/art will support wayfinding by creating a distinct identity for the Southwest Corridor.  Action Year Priority  Identify the Metro Transit wayfinding themes that art will support (when will we know?) Q1 2020 HI/LE  Create an inventory of existing wayfinding efforts (among cities) Q2 2020 LI/HE  Identify best practices for wayfinding in other systems Q2 2020 LI/HE  Research the histories of the five communities Q2 2020 LI/HE  Work session(s) to identify commonalities and individualities of the five communities Q 3 2020 HI/HE  Test ideas with community before making permanent 2021 HI/HE  Develop a creative brief for wayfinding – including who our target customer(s) is/are 2022 HI/LE  Identify unifying theme (environment?) to tie together corridor 2022 HI/LE  Mapping and branding the locations of the art installations (guide to art 2023) 2023 HI/LE  UNCATEGORIZED  Incorporate race, equity, and inclusion into all goals.   Systemwide theme of connecting to nature and conservation opportunities along the corridor.   Promoting the reduction in carbon footprint and our state value for protecting and connecting to nature.  Action Year Priority  Develop a budget and financial plan Q3 2020 Develop a communications and engagement plan Q3 2020 Celebrate local area & history 2023 HI/LE  How? •Hold another series of workshops to dive into these unfinished items and address these [how were these workshops developed in Jan/Feb? How was it determined who participated?] •Create opportunity for all PLACES Committee members to provide feedback on what is produced at the workshops, and input on what they would like to come out of a strategic planning process, how •Formulate strategic planning subcommittee to take on the strategic planning initiative and drive it forward [are these the same folks who facilitate and participate in the workshops?] •Implementing the action steps for each goal •create a scope of work for external needs based on Committee feedback •develop a draft budget for the scope/full planning process •what outcome would you like to see? •if/when funding comes in, how are decisions made around spending? •Coordinate with Funding and Communications subcommittees to create a fundraising packet and strategy 13 14 Page 9 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 11 ) Title: Update on PLACES art initiative