HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/09/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Sept. 8, 2020
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Rachel Harris, Larry Kraft, Anne
Mavity, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Knutson), Deputy City
Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), CFO (Ms. Lammers), Police Chief Harcey,
Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Senior Planner (Ms. Monson)
Guests: Stacy Kvilvang, Ehlers
2. Presentations
2a. Recognition of donations
A $1600 donation from CenterPoint Energy to allow the police department to
purchase a Portable Data Network.
3. Approval of minutes
3a. Study Session meeting minutes of July 13, 2020
Councilmember Kraft noted on page 3-4 it should read: “…he is, in principle supportive
of Connect the Park and continuing it as soon as possible, however an important tweak
is needed around the purpose and goals of the program. The goals have been to
develop an interconnected network of bike and pedestrian routes linked to transit
systems. The network is the end. Success is being measured based on the number of
miles of bikeways and sidewalks that have been built. During the Wooddale discussion
engineering stated this was not necessarily the best option. In order to complete this
segment, because the network is the goal, he stated he would like to see goals shifted to
be more explicitly tied to outcomes. Specifically, he proposed the goals to be safely and
equitably maximizing the trips within St. Louis Park tha t don’t use cars. He added in
changing the purpose and goals…”
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to
approve the July 13, 2020 study session meeting minutes as revised.
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The motion passed 7-0.
3b. Study session meeting minutes of July 27, 2020
Councilmember Rog noted on page 8 it should read, “…she has concerns about how
much of general fund is tied up in policing.”
It was moved by Councilmember Kraft, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve the
July 27, 2020 study session meeting minutes as revised.
The motion passed 7-0.
3c. City council meeting minutes of August 3, 2020
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to
approve the August 3, 2020 city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
3d. Study session meeting minutes of August 10, 2020
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve the
August 10, 2020 study session meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of July 25, thru August 28,
2020.
4b. Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2592-20 vacating portions of
14th Street right-of-way east of Colorado Avenue and west of the railroad and
approve the Summary Ordinance for publication.
4c. Approve the minor amendment to the special permit for landscaping
improvements to the West End Office Park.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 20-121 approving acceptance of a monetary donation
from CenterPoint Energy to allow the police department to purchase a Portable
Data Network.
4e. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Washington D.C.
Metropolitan Police Department and United States Marshals Service for the
2021 Presidential Inauguration.
4f. Adopt Resolution No. 20-122 electing not to waive the statutory tort limits for
liability insurance.
4g. Approve the amended and restated agreement between the City of St. Louis
Park and the St. Louis Park Convention and Visitors Bureau dba Discover St. Louis
Park.
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4h. Adopt Resolution authorizing expenditures of Coronavirus Relief Funds by the
city and the St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority. (This item was
removed from the consent calendar and considered as regular agenda as item
8c)
4i. Adopt Resolution No. 20-123 approving acceptance of grant funding from the
Hennepin County “Save the Summer” grant program in the amount of $44,466 to
help with funding for Westwood Hills Nature Center and playground summer
camps, youth sports leagues, Park At Home activity packs and the Aquatic Center
season opening.
Councilmember Rog requested that consent calendar item 4h be removed and placed
on the Regular Agenda to 8c.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to
approve the agenda and items listed on the consent calendar as amended to move
consent calendar item 4h to the regular agenda as item 8c; and to waive reading of all
resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 7-0.
5. Boards and commissions - none
6. Public hearings
6a. Request to vacate portions of unused utility easements at 8200 Minnetonka
Boulevard
Ms. Monson presented the report.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Rog asked if this building will be sold . Ms. Monson said it was sold in
2018 and noted this action will clean up the title.
Councilmember Harris added Paster Properties has looked into a permanent solution to
the weeds on the property. She thanked the developer for addressing that.
It was moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to
approve the first reading of ordinance vacating portions of utility easements at 8200
Minnetonka Boulevard and set the second reading of an ordinance for Sept. 21, 2020.
The motion passed 7-0.
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none
8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items
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8a. Bid tab for Dakota-Edgewood Trail Bridge – project 4019-2000
Mr. Sullivan presented the report.
Councilmember Harris noted 135 students of all races attending schools north of the
trail and this bridge would provide access to Peter Hobart school as well as access the
community gardens, dog park, basketball court, and baseball fields. She stated one of
the elements of the climate action plan focuses on reducing vehicle miles traveled in the
community. Connecting the north and south sides will provide a safer infrastructure and
she is grateful for the pause on this discussion so more neighbors could weigh in . She
stated she received letters both in favor of the project and in opposition as well, and
noted the financial discussion was helpful.
Councilmember Harris asked about the financial impact related to the project and what
the annual tax burden might be for residents if the project had the 20 -year bonding. Ms.
Lammers stated the tax impact in 2021-22 from the bridge project would involve a tax
impact of $26 per year increase to the average homeowner. This relates to the bridge as
well as other projects. The bridge impact will be less than this.
Councilmember Harris stated the benefit for students will be for the Peter Hobart
students. She added the benefits will also encourage folks to walk and bike vs. using cars
for transportation, and this bridge will contribute to this. She stated this is also a
regional connector to bike trails and SWLRT. She stated she is supportive of the project.
Councilmember Rog stated she valued the pause also and took the last few weeks to
learn more from staff, learn the options, and engage with residents. She will support the
bridge project as well.
Councilmember Rog noted she supports the 20-year bonds as an investment that will
last a long time, as well as the annual impact and she appreciates the reduction on tax
payers. She does also empathize with residents on taxes and will keep a sharp eye on
this project and others. She added the bridge project is a good investment and critical
infrastructure that supports the goals of the city. She stated it is the right choice to
support this project despite the impact on the levy.
Councilmember Rog added the location of the bridge was made years ago and the final
design and location does represent a 2-year community process which involved
neighbors and schools, as well as safety and environmental consideration, adding there
is process in place, although the process might be imperfect. She added this location has
great connections to Peter Hobart, the high school, Walker Lake, Wooddale station,
ward 4 businesses, and the West End, and she will support it.
Councilmember Rog noted several social media discussions related to this project and
the city’s racial equity commitment. She appreciates the commitment to racial equity
within the community but added she does not see this project and the city’s racial
equity commitment as mutually exclusive. She added the city is approaching racial
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equity slowly, such as investment in bipoc home ownership. She hopes the city can do
more down the road, but added an investment in STEP is not an investment in ra cial
equity per se. Councilmember Rog stated this is still in the early stages and cancelling
this project or postponing it because it hurts bipoc groups is not something she is
hearing or knows to be true. She stated when the council knows what outcomes they
are aiming for and why, they will be able to address this issue better. She added
transportation options are a form of equity as well.
Councilmember Kraft appreciated the pause also. He asked about the $2.9 million of
federal funding, how the city got this amount. Mr. Sullivan stated the city applied for
this funding years ago but were unsuccessful and submitted again two years later. He
noted how prices have escalated over time, so the dollars were divided between
projects based on estimates and how much is available in order to spread the wealth
around.
Councilmember Kraft asked about contingencies and if at this point there is less of a
chance of going over. Mr. Sullivan stated contingencies start high and then reduce over
time.
Councilmember Kraft stated he struggled with this project’s costs, but he does believe
more north-south routes are needed for trips without cars, which makes the community
stronger and also helps it reach critical climate action goals.
Councilmember Kraft asked at what cost does a project become not so good. He said he
heard cost increases are typical, but stated the city needs to become atypical. He said
this is a $5.5 million decision, but added the city needs better pedestrian and bike
models, and he appreciated the models staff provided with students at Peter Hobart.
Councilmember Kraft stated he was concerned with the impact on the levy and
appreciated staff’s work around this. He agrees with the 20-year bonding process and is
open to looking at how to use franchise fees in the future . He added he supports the
bridge project and would like to learn from the process and do a debrief to include the
contingency process, which feels too low. He noted he would like to not include
contingency in the estimates going forward, and just include it in the range. He stated
staff should think about what the range looks like.
Councilmember Brausen stated he continues to support this important north -south
system for transit. He added bikes and walking now are only at the JCC, on Louisiana
Avenue, and at the Virginia underpass, so this is a crucial route to add . He noted in this
area there are more diverse populations and this will assist them in moving around the
city.
Councilmember Brausen stated the council needs to look at the cost of not doing this,
stating if we don’t do it, the city will lose over a decade of planning, and years of
community participation. He added if the project is not done, the city will possibly lose
the $2.9 million federal grant, and a generation of bikers that will bike to Peter Hobart.
He added everyone he talked to in the city said it really matters to create this
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connection and many told him the city needs to take on the expense and burden of this
because it’s important. He stated he will support this project.
Councilmember Mohamed stated she will support this project because after talking with
residents, she learned why the bridge is important to many. She stated the price was
hard to swallow, but it is important to have this connection, as well as having more
pedestrian and bike-friendly routes. She stated, however, she wants the council to think
about where their city investments are going and who is benefitting from these
investments, adding she wants to keep the same energy going to invest in racial equity
projects going forward.
Councilmember Mavity stated she continues to support this project for all the reasons
mentioned, adding she does not take the costs lightly. She stated people made the
decision to invest in infrastructure and created a community all benefit from. She stated
the council needs to take the long view and know they are making decisions for many
years and for many people to benefit from.
Mayor Spano added this community has always been very forward thinking and the
council has supported that. He stated the council has always supported ways to move
folks around town without cars, and kudos to those that have done so.
Mayor Spano stated 50 years from now, folks will appreciate the decisions the council
made on this project. He thanked staff for their work on the financial estimates related
to the project. He also thanked the council for their considerations on the project, and
stated he will support it.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to
designate Redstone Construction, LLC the lowest responsible bidder and authorize a
contract with the firm in the amount of $7,340,684.26 for Dakota-Edgewood Trail Bridge
project 4019-2000 and to approve the construction administration services contract with
SRF Consulting Group, Inc. in the amount of $836,973.
The motion passed 7-0.
8b. Council ward 2 seat resignation and vacancy Resolution No. 20-124
Councilmember Mavity stated she and her husband will be moving into Minneapolis and
she will be submitting her resignation as of October 31, 2020 . She noted she will miss
her colleagues and the city, and that a process will now be developed by the council to
find her replacement, adding she looks forward to the council appointing someone
fabulous from ward 2.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to adopt
Resolution No. 20-124 accepting Councilmember Anne Mavity’s resignation for Ward 2
effective October 31, 2020 and declare a vacancy of ward 2 city council seat effective
October 31, 2020.
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The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Mavity abstained).
8c. Adopt Resolution authorizing expenditures of Coronavirus relief funds by the
city and the St. Louis Park economic development authority Resolution No. 20-
125
Councilmember Rog noted $3.6 million has been awarded to St. Louis Park by the CARES
Act, and she stated funding has been allocated to STEP for $108,000 and to Discover St.
Louis Park for a $35,000 grant, as well as grants in the amount of $425,000 to many
small businesses in the city. She added she is pleased about the decisions made about
where to direct these resources.
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to adopt
Resolution No. 20-125 authorizing expenditures of Coronavirus relief funds by the city
and the St. Louis Park economic development authority.
The motion passed 7-0.
9. Communications
Councilmember Brausen noted the ribbon cutting ceremony on Sun ., Sept. 13, at the
Westwood Nature Center at 2 p.m.
Councilmember Rog noted STEPs virtual fundraiser on Oct. 2, 2020, adding that
registration is in process.
Councilmember Harris stated there will be a night market fundraiser on Sept. 24, 2020
at Wat Thai. She asked all to support this.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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