HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020/12/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Dec. 7, 2020
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Larry Kraft, Nadia
Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: Rachel Harris
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), CIO (Mr. Pires),
Operations and Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), City Assessor (Mr. Bultema), Deputy City
Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), CFO (Ms. Schmitt), Director of Community
Development (Ms. Barton), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther), Associate Planner
(Ms. Kramer), Westwood Hills Nature Center Manager (Mr. Oestreich), Recreation
Superintendent (Mr. West), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano), and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Pappas)
Guests: Ms. Kvilvang, Ms. Diaz, Ehlers; Jim Brimeyer, Rotary and Susan Schneck and Jamie
Marshall, Sunshine Rotary
2. Presentations
2a. Presentation accepting donation from SLP Rotary Club and SLP Sunrise Rotary
Club for art at WHNC
Mayor Spano accepted donations on behalf of the city council in the amount of $50,000,
over a three-year period ($16,666.67 annually), from the St. Louis Park Rotary Club and
the St. Louis Park Sunrise Rotary Club for an outdoor art sculpture at Westwood Hills
Nature Center (WHNC). Friends of the Arts coordinated the project and artist Nick
Legeros created the sculptures to be included at the nature center.
Ms. Schneck honored Mr. Brimeyer for his work with Friends of the Arts, and his work
on 30 pieces of art in the city. She praised the city’s work in the arts, affordable housing,
and environmental sustainability endeavors.
2b. Retirement recognition for Public Works Information Systems Specialist Perry
White
Mayor Spano read a resolution honoring Mr. White for his 29 years of service with the
city and wished him success in his retirement. Mr. Okey stated Mr. White will be missed
and thanked him for his expertise these many years.
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3. Approval of minutes
3a. Special city council meeting minutes of Oct. 26, 2020
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve
the Oct. 26, 2020 special city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Harris absent).
3b. Study session meeting minutes of Oct. 26, 2020
It was moved by Councilmember Kraft, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve
the Oct. 26, 2020 study session meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Harris absent).
3c. City council meeting minutes of Nov. 2, 2020
Councilmember Rog stated page 8 should read, “Councilmember Rog asked how the
email notification process would work. After some discussion , it was agreed that email
could be used as a form of notification if previously agreed to by mutual consent of the
landlord and tenant.”
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
approve the Nov. 2, 2020 city council meeting minutes as amended.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Harris absent).
3d. Study session meeting minutes of Nov. 9, 2020
Councilmember Brausen noted on page 2 it should read, “…caucus leaders and
committee leadership are the same.” And 2 paragraphs down it should read,
“Councilmember Brausen added if marijuana legalization comes up as a serious item,
and there is support that revenues if any should be shared with city’s as they will deal
with enforcement and mental health issues in the communities, and he hoped the
council would consider this a form of revenue for the city.”
Councilmember Rog noted on page 6 it should read, “…she noted council direction to
staff when the issue was discussed last year was to do outreach in the community. She
asked if staff was planning to do outreach.”
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
approve the Nov. 9, 2020 study session meeting minutes as amended.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Harris absent).
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4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of Oct. 24 through Nov.
27, 2020.
4b. Approve the 2021 Neighborhood Grants. (Moved to 8b)
4c. Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No.2601-20 vacating a portion of a
public drainage and utility easement at 5005 Highway 7 and approve the Summary
Ordinance for publication.
4d. Adopt Resolution No. 20-174 approving acceptance of $50,000, over a three-
year period ($16,666.67 annually), from the St. Louis Park Rotary Club and the St.
Louis Park Sunrise Rotary Club for an outdoor art sculpture at Westwood Hills
Nature Center (WHNC).
4e. Adopt Resolution No. 20-175 authorizing execution of a contract with Summit
Envirosolutions, Inc. (Summit) for 2021 consultant services related to the Reilly
Tar & Chemical Corp. (Reilly) Consent Decree/Remedial Action Plan (CD/RAP).
4f. Adopt Resolution No. 20-176 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of
the sewer service line at 4072 Xenwood Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN. P.I.D.
21-117-21-31-0036.
4g. Approve the extension of the policy for temporary outdoor and indoor customer
service areas.
4h. Adopt Resolution No. 20-177 accepting the work and authorizing final payment in
the amount of $92,869.72 for Cedar Lake Road reconstruction with Valley Paving,
Inc., city contract No. 76-19.
4i. Adopt Resolution No. 20-178 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the
amount of $16,069.31 for the sanitary sewer mainline rehabilitation project with
Visu-Sewer, Inc. - city contract No. 46-20.
4j. Adopt Resolution No. 20-179 to recognize Perry White for his 29 years of service.
4k. Adopt Resolution No. 20-180 approving agreement with MnDOT for phone art on
the sound wall at Toledo Avenue and County Road 25 Service Drive.
4l. Approve application from Lunds & Byerlys Wines & Spirits to continue using their
off-sale intoxicating liquor license under Lund Beverages, LLC.
4m. Approve termination of the lease of private property for park use at former
Meadowbrook Manor Apartments. (Moved to 8c)
4n. Approve for filing planning commission minutes of Oct. 21, 2020.
4o. Approve for filing planning commission minutes of Nov. 4, 2020.
Councilmembers Brausen and Dumalag requested that consent calendar item 4b and
4m be removed and placed on the regular agenda to 8b and 8c.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve
the agenda and items listed on the consent calendar as amended to move consent
calendar item 4b and 4m to the regular agenda as item 8b and 8c; and to waive reading
of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Harris absent).
5. Boards and commissions - none
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6. Public hearings
6a. 2021 proposed budget, tax levies and truth in taxation public hearing .
Ms. Schmitt presented the staff report. She noted the preliminary levy increase was
moved down from 6.11% earlier this year to 4.5% for 2021. Ms. Schmitt explained on
the average St. Louis Park home, this would be an approximate $16 increase or 1.33%
for 2021.
Ms. Schmitt pointed out three programs offered for homeowners in need of tax relief.
She stated there is detailed information on the State of MN website and encouraged
residents to contact the city’s finance department if there were questions or concerns .
She also noted telephone numbers for herself, Mr. Harmening, and City Assessor
Bultema.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Kraft commended staff on the charts on tax increases and decreases
used and asked if the charts only showed the city’s portion of taxes vs. county or school
district portions. Ms. Schmitt said the charts only refer to the city’s taxes.
Councilmember Kraft asked about the residential chart noting that 64% of residents are
seeing their city taxes decrease and asked if that was correct. Ms. Schmitt stated yes.
Councilmember Kraft asked how this relates to the chart that shows the various
valuations and that none of those valuations had taxes going down .
Ms. Schmitt stated this all depends on how much taxable market value has increased on
properties. She explained depending on how much the levies are increased, there has to
be so much before the tax bill will increase. She added there is a point where it is flat,
and some property values won’t go high enough in order to see a tax increase . She
noted also that this chart shows an average.
Councilmember Kraft stated the city does not have control over the portion of taxes
collected from apartments and commercial properties and asked if this is all based on
assessed value, and valuations that have gone up more in some areas versus others. Ms.
Schmitt stated that is correct.
Councilmember Kraft asked what transfers were within the budget. Ms. Schmitt stated
these are funds reimbursed to the general fund.
Mayor Spano clarified the 64% noted in the chart was based on the 6.11% preliminary
levy and not the proposed 4.5%. Ms. Schmitt stated that is correct.
Councilmember Brausen reiterated the city levy was set to in crease in order to pay for
essential city services. He added every year it is reallocated across all areas, so in
previous years, values went up for apartment complexes based on actual sales. He
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noted there is a state formula that decides market values of properties, and he hoped
apartment residents understand this when they see some rental costs increase because
of this.
Mayor Spano stated the council considered various targets and goals when looking at
the tax increase for this year, adding that staff p resented potential implications. He
stated the 4.5% strikes a balance between those on council who wanted a 0 -3% increase
and those who wanted a 6% increase.
Mr. Harmening stated the budget and levy will be finalized at the Dec . 21, 2020 city
council meeting.
Mayor Spano asked residents to reach out to councilmembers with feedback before that
date if needed.
There is no formal action required by the council on this item at this time.
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none
8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items
8a. Pennsylvania Park Apartments conditional use permit . Resolution No. 20-181
Ms. Kramer presented the staff report.
Councilmember Brausen confirmed that 1349 Pennsylvania Avenue will not expand the
footprint at all. Ms. Kramer stated yes, that is correct, and no changes to the site plan
are proposed.
Councilmember Brausen asked if these will be two legal, non-conforming uses in the
outdoor space and setback. Ms. Kramer stated yes, adding these will not be included in
the project and will be there after the project is completed.
Councilmember Brausen asked if there will be any impacts on current or future
residents. Ms. Kramer stated there will be no impacts after the addition of the studio
apartment and this will not create any negative impacts.
Councilmember Rog asked about the painted brick issue and how staff anticipates this
being resolved. Ms. Kramer stated in this case the brick was painted recently and the
applicant did not realize this was against code. She added this is a zoning code
compliance issue and if painted brick is found, staff would issue a citation and then go
from there. She noted if council gives staff different direction on this, staff would
change the response to this issue.
Councilmember Rog stated council will need to figure out how to handle this.
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Councilmember Mohamed asked if it will go to the BOZA for final decision. Ms. Kramer
answered yes for the variance only. She added if the decision is appealed then it goes to
council for final decision.
Mayor Spano asked about bicycle parking in the staff report. Ms. Kramer stated
information on bicycle parking was in the executive summary, adding bike parking
demand has not risen so therefore there is no need to add more to the plan.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to
adopt Resolution No. 20-181, approving the conditional use permit (CUP) at 1349 and
1357 Pennsylvania Avenue South.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Harris absent).
8b. 2021 Neighborhood Grants
Councilmember Brausen noted that every year, the city awards revitalization grants to
neighborhoods in St. Louis Park. He stated this year was challenging for neighborhood
events to occur, and he appreciates the neighborhood associations that were able to do
virtual events. He added this year the city only had 23 grant applications and pointed
out there is additional funding available for racial equity and environ mental
sustainability projects in neighborhoods. He stated this is money well spent each year,
and there is $5,000 left over this year because not enough neighborhoods are organized
and applied for grants. He encouraged neighborhoods to create associations if they
don’t have them, to organize, and apply for funding. He added neighborhood
associations are also a great way to get to know your neighbors and build community.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve
the 2021 neighborhood grants.
The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Harris absent).
8c. Approve termination of the lease of private property for park use at former
Meadowbrook Manor Apartments
Councilmember Dumalag asked what the useful life on this play area structure is, when
it was purchased, and if it is in good condition. She stated she had liability concerns
about the structure. Ms. Walsh noted the structure is 15-16 years old and typically they
age out at 12-15 years. She stated staff has been working with the ERA apartments. The
structure is safe and has been inspected, and the apartments no longer want to work
with the city on the upkeep of the structure, adding they will now keep it and take care
of it themselves.
Ms. Walsh also explained the program the city is involved in with “Kids Around the
World”, an organization who utilizes the city’s aged-out park structures. She noted the
structures are repaired and items delivered to countries in need. She added the
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reconstructed playground equipment is safe and she will share photographs with
council in the future.
It was moved by Councilmember Dumalag, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to
approve termination of the lease of private property for park use at former
Meadowbrook Manor Apartments.
The motion passed 6-0 (councilmember Harris absent).
9. Communications
Councilmember Brausen stated regrettably the Canadian Pacific Holiday train is not
coming to St. Louis Park this year due to COVID restrictions. He added, however, he was
happy to see that STEP exceeded their goal on Give to the Max Day, noting there is still
an opportunity to give to STEP this holiday season.
Mayor Spano encouraged residents to go to the STEP website to donate.
Councilmember Rog noted a reminder about the annual stormwater meeting at 6 p.m.
on Thursday, Dec. 10. Mr. Harmening stated details are on the city’s website, or
residents can call city hall for more information.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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