HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/05/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
May 3, 2021
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Rachel Harris,
Larry Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog
Councilmembers absent: none
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Director of
Community Development (Ms. Barton), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther),
Engineering Director (Mr. Heiser), CIO (Mr. Pires), Assistant Zoning Administrator (Mr.
Morrison), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas)
Guests: none
2. Presentations - none
3. Approval of minutes
3a. Study session meeting minutes of March 22, 2021
Councilmember Kraft noted in the 1st paragraph on page 7 it should read,
“Councilmember Kraft suggested there may be opportunities to get matching funds
from Hennepin County or the State of MN because investments we make in St. Louis
Park could generate jobs and economic activity elsewhere in MN.”
Councilmember Rog noted on page 8, 5th paragraph it should read, “…given the carbon
reduction cost per metric ton noted in the staff report.”
It was moved by Councilmember Kraft, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to
approve the March 22, 2021 Study Session meeting minutes as amended.
The motion passed 7-0.
4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar
4a. Accept for filing City Disbursement Claims for the period of March 27 – April 23,
2021.
4b. Adopt Resolution No. 21-051 approving updates in various sections of the
employee personnel manual.
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It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve
the agenda as presented and items listed on the consent calendar; and to waive reading
of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 7-0.
5. Boards and commissions
5a. Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission appointments. Resolution No. 21-
052
Ms. Solano noted three people are appointed to this commission by the council and
that Ms. Lawrence was very engaged and willing to be appointed .
Councilmember Kraft asked what projects the commission is currently working on . Ms.
Heiser stated they have been in existence since 1969 and currently have a partnership
with Bryn Mar and most recently with Westwood Nature Center. She stated they
were part of flood control originally, but now work on water quality to ensure water
meets the regulations of the Bassett Creek and Minnehaha Creek Watershed Districts.
Mayor Spano thanked Ms. Lawrence for her time volunteering and her commitment to
the commission.
It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to adopt
Resolution No. 21-052 appointing Angela Lawrence as alternate commissioner to the
Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC) to serve a term expiring
on Jan. 31, 2024.
6. Public hearings
6a. T & N Restaurant Holdings LLC dba Revival – on-sale intoxicating liquor license
Ms. Solano presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Harris asked if the current location had been a restaurant in the past.
Ms. Solano stated yes.
Councilmember Harris stated the neighborhood is eager for another local restaurant
and she is please Revival has chosen this location for their third restaurant.
It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to
approve application from T & N Holdings LLC dba Revival for an on-sale intoxicating
liquor license for the premises located at 8028 Minnetonka Blvd.
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The motion passed 7-0.
6b. First reading of an ordinance amending St. Louis Park Home Rule Charter
Ms. Solano presented the staff report.
Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano
closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Harris stated she is pleased about this update to gender neutral
language in the charter and asked if there are any city ordinances that should be
reviewed regarding gender neutral language. Ms. Solano stated staff will look into this
and will continue to update language in the future .
Councilmember Harris stated the city buildings all need to have gender neutral facilities
as well. Ms. Harmening stated all of St. Louis Park city buildings have neutral facilities.
Councilmember Brausen and Mayor Spano thanked the charter commission and city
attorney for their work on this.
It was moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to
approve first reading of an ordinance amending the St. Louis Park Home Rule Charter to
implement gender-neutral language in Sections 2.05, 12.02 (2), 12.18, 12.19, and 12.20
and to correct minor legal inconsistencies in Sections 3.01 and 11.03 .
The motion passed 7-0.
7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none
8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions, and discussion items
8a. First reading of ordinance pertaining to fences and yard definitions for
accessory structures
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
Councilmember Brausen asked about a house on Cedar Lake Road that is on the angle
and points toward the corner, and if the front is where the address would be located.
Mr. Morrison stated the address does not determine the front yard, and homeowners
can switch their address back and forth when in a situation like this on a corner .
Councilmember Dumalag stated she remembers this coming in front of BOZA earlier this
year and asked if this was because a cedar privacy fence is located here. Mr. Morrison
stated it is the height of the fence that is causing the problem. The house faces Texas
Circle, but the front yard is on Texas Avenue. As a result, even though the fence is on
the side of the house, it is technically in the front yard since it is proposed between the
house and Texas Avenue. Therefore, it has a height limit of four feet.
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Councilmember Rog asked if under this ordinance, ADUs would be allowed in a front
yard. Mr. Morrison stated detached ADUs are accessory buildings and, therefore, are
only allowed behind the house.
Councilmember Rog asked if this ordinance is only about fences. Mr. Morrison stated
yes, and the ordinance adds fences to the group of structures governed by the
secondary yard definitions.
Councilmember Rog stated she is not a fan of 6-foot fences and does appreciate the
change in the ordinance, adding the report was well written and not confusing.
Councilmember Harris asked if a 6-foot fence is allowed in the side yard if adjacent to a
neighbor’s front yard. Mr. Morrison stated yes, noting that this is a condition that exists
today and is allowed.
Councilmember Harris asked if fence heights are limited when adjacent to sidewalks.
Mr. Morrison stated no, but there are limitations at intersections for visibility purposes.
He added the intent is for safety.
Councilmember Harris commented on walkability in commercial districts and asked if in
the future the city might consider walkability along sidewalks and legislating fence
height.
Councilmember Kraft thanked the planning commission, BOZA and staff for their work
on this. He stated he is pleased with this work and allowing taller fences along-side of
houses.
Mayor Spano stated the assumption is there will be fences that are non -conforming and
will be left alone until reconstructed. Mr. Morrison stated he cannot think of any that
have a 6-foot fence in the front yard at this time.
Mayor Spano noted he is impressed that Mr. Morrison knows this information. He asked
how the city treats exceptions to this. Mr. Morrison stated higher fences, such at 8-foot,
are only allowed at highways and parking lots, so there are no exceptions in res idential
code, and 6 feet is the maximum.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve
the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 36-162 (b) pertaining to fences and
yard definitions for accessory structures and set second reading for May 17, 2021.
The motion passed 7-0.
9. Communications
Mr. Harmening stated the application period is now closed for the city manager position,
adding that 60 applications were received. He stated the consultant will go through these
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applications, narrow it down to 12 or so, and then present these to council on May 17, 2021.
From there, the applications will be reduced to the final list of 3-5 and then in-person
interviews will be conducted by the council.
Councilmember Dumalag asked if by May 17, when there are 12 applications, will they be made
public at that time. Mr. Harmening stated they will not be made public until the last round and
the council will not discuss the 12 applicants by name during the meeting. He noted names will
be made public when candidates are officially considered to be finalists.
Councilmember Kraft asked if 60 applications was a good number and if the consultant was
pleased with that. Mr. Harmening stated yes.
Councilmember Rog asked if the national spotlight of recent events had any impact on the
applications received. Mr. Harmening stated he did not know but could find out.
Councilmember Harris stated she was in communication with Paster Properties related to the
Texa-tonka project and noted there is a supply chain issue with a shortage on coolers, which is
slowing down the opening of Revival. She noted the restaurant should be opening in mid- to
late-June, and the same also for the Angel Food bakery.
Councilmember Rog asked if there is any news on the Place project . Mr. Harmening stated
there is nothing new to report at this time.
Mr. Harmening noted a follow up to a question from Councilmember Rog regarding the weekly
report about police calls for service related to catalytic converter thefts in St. Louis Park. Mr.
Harmening stated there have been 82 thefts since May 3, 2020, and 3 attempted thefts.
Mr. Harmening stated the city will hold a catalytic converter clinic on Saturday, May 23, 2021 so
folks can bring their cars to the municipal center to have converters painted or etched, to deter
them from being stolen. He stated this is a free service and there will be 70 spots open and
sign-ups.
Mr. Harmening added a bait car can also be utilized to help deter thefts and Chief Harcey is
working on this as well. Funding will be made possible through crime fund donations.
Councilmember Rog asked if police fines and fees are accrued to the police department and
then used to fund such things as the bait car. Mr. Harmening stated there are rules around
what fees can be used for. He added fines and fees for traffic tickets go into the city’s general
fund.
Mayor Spano thanked Wat Prom for hosting a vaccination clinic with the county, noting they
were tremendous hosts and a great partner in this.
Mayor Spano also reminded folks that May 15, 2021 there is a festival at Wat Prom for all to
attend, and Sunday, May 9, 2021 is Mother’s Day.
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10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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