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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/08/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regularf Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Aug. 16, 2021 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, Rachel Harris, Larry Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog Councilmembers absent: none Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), CIO (Mr. Pires), Building and Energy Director (Mr. Hoffman), Fire Chief Koering, Police Chief Harcey, Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Chief Building Official (Mr. Skallet), Planning Manager (Mr. Walther), Property Maintenance & Licensing Manager (Mr. Pivec), Communications and Marketing Manager (Ms. Smith) Guests: members of Assistant Fire Chief Searle’s family; junior playground and junior naturalist leaders and families 2. Presentations 2a. Recognition of Assistant Fire Chief Hugo Searle’s year of service Mayor Spano read a certificate honoring Assistant Fire Chief Searle for his years of service with the City of St. Louis Park. Fire Chief Koering thanked and praised Assistant Chief Searle’s work with the city over the years as well. He presented him with a plaque representing his history with St. Louis Park, including badge numbers and awards he received . Assistant Fire Chief Searle thanked the city council for their comments and noted he still lives in the community and will serve in other ways. 2b. Playground junior leader and Westwood Hills Nature Center junior naturalist recognition Staff read the names of the playground junior leaders and junior naturalists and the councilmembers thanked them for their leadership. Councilmember Brausen thanked the parents that support these young people . He also thanked the junior leaders who safeguard the care of the city’s youngest residents. Councilmember Rog agreed and thanked the group as well . DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188 City council meeting -2- Aug. 16, 2021 2c. Seeds Feeds Harvest Festival Day proclamation Mayor Spano read the proclamation honoring the 7th annual harvest festival. Zoe Frank, 2534 Zinran Ave. S., thanked the council for the proclamation . She reviewed her background and interests in the Seeds program, noting her passion in urban agriculture, and how this will be the future of self-sustaining food. She explained she will be moving on to college in the fall. Michelle Bissonnette, 8900 N. Minnehaha Cir., stated she is on the board of Seeds and teaches food security. She has enjoyed her work and relationships built doing this work and invited the council and new city manager to attend the harvest festival. Councilmember Kraft congratulated the group for their work, especially during C OVID. He added he learned much from Zoe Frank and two other interns from their weekly videos and looks forward to the festival. 2d. Recognition of donation It was noted that a $25 donation was received from Laurie Herstig for park enhancements or program needs at Westwood Hills Nature Center. 3. Approval of minutes - none 4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar 4a. Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2624-21 amending chapter 36 pertaining to home occupations and approve summary ordinance for publication 4b. Adopt Resolution No. 21-083 electing not to waive the statutory tort limits for liability insurance 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 21-084 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the amount of $22,526.28 for the annual concrete replacement project with JL Theis, Inc. - Project No. 4020-0003, City Contract No. 25-20 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 21-085 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3209 Cavell Lane, St. Louis Park, MN. P.I.D. 18-117-21- 24-0013 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 21-086 approving acceptance of a $25 donation from Laurie Herstig for park enhancements or program needs at Westwood Hills Nature Center 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 21-087 approving the Assignment and Assumption of Redevelopment Contract between Millennium Phase II and GS-INVREG Wayzata Owner, LLC 4g. Adopt Resolution No. 21-088 approving the Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Redevelopment Contract related to The West End/Central Park West 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 21-089 authorizing bank signatories DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188 City council meeting -3- Aug. 16, 2021 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 21-090 authorizing bank signatories for the Home Remodeling Fair 4j. Adopt Resolution No. 21-091 approving removal of special assessment deferral and reinstating the special assessment on the tax rolls - 2220 Ridge Dr #14, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 4k. Approve a temporary on-sale liquor license for Church of the Holy Family at 5925 West Lake Street for their event to be held Sept. 11, 2021 4l. Approve for filing parks & recreation advisory commission minutes of Jan. 20, 2021 4m. Approve for filing parks & recreation advisory commission minutes of March 17, 2021 4n. Approve for filing parks & recreation advisory commission minutes of April 21, 2021 4o. Approve for filing planning commission minutes of June 16, 2021 4p. Approve for filing planning commission minutes of July 21, 2021 It was moved by Councilmember Dumalag, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, 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. Appointments to the Police Advisory and Environment & Sustainability Commissions It was moved by Councilmember Harris, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to appoint Joe Schermann to the Police Advisory Commission (PAC) for a term beginning Aug. 16, 2021 and ending May 31, 2022, and to appoint Andrew Willette to the Environmental & Sustainability Commission (ESC) for a term beginning Aug. 16, 2021 and ending May 31, 2023. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public hearings - none 7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none 8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions, and discussion items 8a. First reading of various amendments to Chapter 6 and Chapter 8 of the City Code Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report along with Mr. Pivec and Mr. Skallet. Councilmember Harris asked how many dog patio areas are in the community. Mr. Pivec stated he is aware of one. DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188 City council meeting -4- Aug. 16, 2021 Mayor Spano stated it is at The Block restaurant . Councilmember Harris asked if the city or the county licenses this. Mr. Pivec stated the county ensures compliance and licensure of the health code under the authorization of the MN Dept. of Health, and the city will license the designated outdoor dog area. Compliance with MDH rules and regulations will be handled through the cty in conjunction with the county. Councilmember Harris asked if this change is necessary if the county is already doing this. Mr. Pivec stated MN state statute allows food and beverage establishments to have a designated outdoor dog area provided the city issues a permit/license allowing them to do so. An initial inspection, prior to city licensure, is warranted to make sure there is compliance. Councilmember Dumalag asked about section 8 and the $15 fee per contractor and if this is $15 per company. Mr. Pivec stated there is a $15 fee per person/contractor. Councilmember Dumalag asked if other cities charge this and is reciprocal or per city. Mr. Skallet stated his license in Minneapolis was $25 and St. Paul was $30 for ren ewals. Councilmember Rog asked what feedback there has been from residents going door to door. Mr. Pivec stated he has not gotten any complaints on door-to-door sales. Councilmember Rog asked if a cat café was allowed in St. Louis Park. Mr. Pivec stated no, they are not allowed at this time. Councilmember Kraft asked related to dog licensing, if the city does not do permits, then there are no dog licenses allowed. Mr. Pivec stated if the permit is not completed, then there is no designated outdoor patio area for dogs allowed. Councilmember Kraft asked about the mechanical contractor change and if it will make it easier for staff. Mr. Skallet stated this does make it easier for staff to send out reminders to contractors. Councilmember Brausen asked if a private homeowner has a right to put up a no solicitor sign and then that bans anyone from coming to their property to solicit . Mr. Pivec stated that is correct. Councilmember Brausen asked if that applies to political candidates. Mr. Mattick stated this is a broad term and could involve those selling items or canvassing. He stated a sign works well and bans peddlers and solicitors. Mayor Spano asked if any of this will lower the threshold of skills, training, or competency of contractors working in the city. Mr. Hoffman stated the city has a competency program for mechanical contractors, as the state does not have this. This DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188 City council meeting -5- Aug. 16, 2021 requires licensure, bonding, and competency, and requires those working on-site to pass an exam and obtain a competency card. He noted this is an annual renewal. Councilmember Harris asked, based on the schedule of adoption, when the ordinance will take effect. Mr. Hoffman noted there is a typo on dates, which will be corrected. Councilmember Kraft asked about the solicitation and campaign question. He stated he researched and found that campaigning is not considered solicitation . Mr. Mattick stated canvassers fall under solicitor and the city has adopted the modified Green River approach. He noted there is no case law that addresses this, and no state statute that forbids campaigning at a property displaying a no solicitor sign. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to approve the first reading of all five ordinances amending various sections of Chapters 6 and 8 of the City Code, establishing fees, and set the second reading for Sept. 20, 2021. The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Wat Promwachirayan (Wat Prom) conditional use permit amendment. Resolution No. 21-092 Ms. Kramer presented the staff report. Councilmember Rog stated she is supportive of the conditional use permit (CUP) amendment. She stated Wat Promwachirayan have been great community partners in Birchwood and the broader community. She stated there was significant neighborhood and community interest in the amendment to the CUP, specifically that there have been some issues with parking during events. She stated the city is working with Wat Prom on alternatives with parking and making sure emergency vehicles can pass. She added this CUP amendment allows Wat Prom to keep items on site, while also saving lots of hours of work. Councilmember Harris thanked Councilmember Rog for her nurturing of relationships with Wat Prom in the neighborhood. She asked about the addition and if it is grass or concrete now. Ms. Kramer stated it is grass now and will not impact their parking lot . Councilmember Harris asked if there is any stormwater treatment issue and if they are replacing greenscape with hardscape. Ms. Kramer stated stormwater will not be affected. Councilmember Harris asked if the 30 x 60 addition will impact the proposed development and water requirements. Ms. Kramer stated for this project there is no net change on pervious to impervious areas. She stated there would be no major impact on future stormwater projects. Councilmember Kraft stated he is supportive and noted he was able to sit in on a Wat Prom meeting recently with the neighborhood. He appreciates their commitment to the DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188 City council meeting -6- Aug. 16, 2021 neighborhood and the growth they are seeing can bring change such as the parking issue, but when all come together to work through this, it can be worked out. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve Resolution No. 21-092, approving the amendment to the CUP at 2544 Highway 100. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Mohamed was absent for the vote). 8c. First reading of ordinance pertaining to building readiness Mr. Pires, Mr. Hoffman, Police Chief Harcey, and Fire Chief Koering presented the staff report. Councilmember Rog asked on the public safety radio, will this apply to existing and future buildings. She is not clear on financial obligations of current small businesses. Chief Koering stated for most businesses in the city this is a non-issue. He stated this will refer more to large businesses made of concrete and steel and most have already been updated. This ordinance will help to keep this process in line going forward. Councilmember Rog asked for an example of a building currently not in compliance. Chief Koering stated there are no known businesses out of compliance. Councilmember Rog noted that parking structures and big open parking lots in the evening can both be concerning. She asked if there were any other considerations for parking outside of ramps. Chief Harcey stated the current lighting requirements are already in place for surface lots. He stated this could be included for future consideration. Councilmember Rog asked about what big items are coming next for possible technology applications to the city. Mr. Pires stated he believed artificial intelligence would be one, but what that looks like is still to be determined. He added this could have applications to environment and climate, for example. Councilmember Brausen is supportive and especially of the broadband requirements. He did express concerns on the minimum lighting and, given the city’s climate and emissions concerns, lighting alternatives should be investigated further including motion sensored lighting. Mr. Hoffman explained the state building code has a minimum of 1 foot candle for emergency exiting, which is very dim for security. City land use code has requirements for outdoor lots and ramps that affect neighbors, which are based on national minimums. He stated the ordinance tonight looks at only enclosed garages and ramps. This is to provide enough light to see and if an incident occurred, to be able to see a license plate. He added in buildings, occupancy sensors for lighting are required for energy savings. DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188 City council meeting -7- Aug. 16, 2021 Mr. Pires added streetlights will also become smarter and more safety-oriented over time, and the safety implications of this will need to be reviewed, coupled with privacy. Councilmember Kraft appreciated the presentation especially around the public safety aspect. He also liked how broadband agrees with the city’s climate goals and how fossil fuel emissions were reduced by folks working and learning at home. Councilmember Rog asked about lighting in ramps above the ground. Mr. Hoffman stated approvals have already been completed on the ramp lighting by council but could be discussed further. Councilmember Harris asked about the building at Excelsior and Monterey and if the safety features are already included there at Bridgewater Bank. Mr. Walther stated the electric vehicle and lighting elements were all included, and the only one not included may be the emergency call station. Councilmember Harris asked if there will be retrofits to any buildings to include more elements. Mr. Walther stated he is not aware of that at this time. Councilmember Harris asked what size of buildings require the megahertz feature. Chief Koering stated that would be hard to determine. He added as buildings are built, radio frequencies can be measured and addressed, but to say a certain square footage or height is difficult to do. He stated problems with this issue are usually rare. Councilmember Harris asked if retrofitting becomes a feasible next step, she en courages this in parking ramps where there are restaurants that serve alcohol . Mr. Walther stated the city’s focus is public ramps and commercial ramps that have these types of establishments. Councilmember Dumalag stated she is also supportive of this, especially the radio amplification. She added especially with concerns about responders responding efficiently. She asked if this would decrease landlords’ insurance premiums as these efficiencies are in place now. Chief Koering stated he is not aware of anything that would allow for this. He added this will just verify that this is happening within the city code. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve first reading of ordinance amending chapters 6, 8, and 14 pertaining to building readiness for broadband, parking area safety, and public safety radio communications amplification and set second reading for Aug. 23, 2021. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Spano welcomed Ms. Keller, new city manager, and stated the council looks forward to working with her. He also thanked Ms. Walsh for filling in as interim city manager these past DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188 City council meeting -8- Aug. 16, 2021 two weeks. He added city staff was very capable during this interim time and thanke d them for their leadership. Mayor Spano added his congratulations to folks who will be on the upcoming ballot for elections. It was noted the St. Louis Park Historical Society will host a cash-only book sale event on Aug. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Milwaukee Road Depot. Ms. Keller thanked the council and staff for welcoming her today, her first day with the city . She stated she has been impressed with the thoughtful discussions, engagement of staff , and thanked them for making her feel part of the team. Councilmember Brausen also welcomed new city manager Ms. Keller. He thanked the election staff for their help as he filed for re-election. He expressed his disappointment in Ward 4 that no one else has filed so far, feels democracy thrives on choice, and encouraged people to apply. Councilmember Rog announced that on Sun., Aug. 22, from 11- 6 p.m., Wat Prom will host an event and encouraged ordering food online in advance. Councilmember Kraft announced the Harvest Festival is also on Sun., Aug. 22, at Aquila. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 402C7C30-087D-4676-8909-28A20A44B188