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Home My WebLink About2021/11/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Nov. 1, 2021 1. Call to order Mayor Pro Tem Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 1a. Pledge of allegiance 1b. Roll call Councilmembers present: Tim Brausen, Lynette Dumalag, Rachel Harris, Larry Kraft, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog. Councilmembers absent: Jake Spano Staff present: Interim Deputy City Manager/Park & Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Public Works Services Manager (Mr. Okey), Public Works Superintendent (Mr. Hanson). Guests: none 2. Presentations - none 3. Approval of minutes 3a. Study session minutes of Sept. 13, 2021 Councilmember Kraft noted on page 2, it should read, “…or any of his council colleagues personally or solely…” Councilmember Brausen noted on page 3 it should read “…inadequate” and on page 7, it should read “…when building…not with building.” It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to approve the Sept. 13, 2021, study session minutes as amended. The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Spano absent). 3b. Study session minutes of Sept. 27, 2021 It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve the Sept. 27, 2021, study session minutes as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Spano absent). 4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar DocuSign Envelope ID: A4D2F26F-F50B-4E02-9622-E87131045F59 City Council Meeting -2- Nov. 1, 2021 4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of Sept. 25 through Oct. 22, 2021. 4b. Approve second reading and adopt an ordinance amending the St. Louis Park City Code related to the setting of fees. (Moved to regular agenda item 8a). 4c.  Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2633-21 amending Section 36-268- 11 and approve the Summary Ordinance for publication.  Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2634-21 vacating drainage and utility easement and approve the Summary Ordinance for publication.  Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2635-21 amending right-of- way vacation ordinance and approve the Summary Ordinance for publication. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 21-128 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 5616 Vermont Street, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. P.I.D. 21-117-21-34-0035. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 21-129 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the amount of $21,596.60 for project no. 4018 -2000 Southeast Mobility with GL Contracting Inc, Contract No. 87-20. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 21-130 to authorize the mayor and city manager to execute the local trail connection agreement with Three Rivers Park District. Councilmember Rog requested that consent calendar item 4b be removed and placed on the Regular Agenda to 8a. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to approve the agenda and items listed on the consent calendar as amended to move consent calendar item 4b to the regular agenda as item 8a; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Spano absent). 5. Boards and commissions - none 6. Public hearings 6a. Consolidated Public Hearing I. 2022 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service District No. 1 II. 2022 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service District No. 2 III. 2022 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service District No. 3 IV. 2022 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service District No. 4 V. 2022 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service District No. 5 VI. 2022 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service District No. 6 DocuSign Envelope ID: A4D2F26F-F50B-4E02-9622-E87131045F59 City Council Meeting -3- Nov. 1, 2021 Mr. Okey presented the background information on the 6 special service districts within the city. Councilmember Harris referenced the city’s climate action goals and water conservation, noting the city wants to reduce irrigation and use of water over time. She asked if there are any considerations to shift to a different type of land cover to conserve water. Mr. Hanson noted the city has worked with the city forester to keep on top of water conservation and use plantings that allow for less watering. He stated the city will continue to focus on that. Councilmember Harris asked if this could be taken further, with a phased -in approach over a certain number of years. She pointed out that adding more flowers and giving bees more habitats could also help. Councilmember Kraft asked how the 75% reserves are used in the service districts. Mr. Okey stated the 75% refers to 75% of the budget in service districts. He noted as the districts get older, there are more repairs needed and each district budget is limited to a 5% increase per year. He stated the goal is to get to the 75% reserve level to absorb those repairs without having to continually increase the service districts budgets. Councilmember Kraft stated he looked at some of the special districts where the budget and service charges still showed gaps. Mr. Hanson stated some of the districts are so small that they have reserves that can absorb costs. Councilmember Kraft asked about district 2 and why the service charge is higher for that district. Mr. Hanson stated that in smaller districts, the percentage sometimes needs to be higher, as a 10–20-thousand-dollar irrigation repair can be a large percentage of a smaller district’s budget. Councilmember Kraft asked for more clarification in future reports as to why the city goes above 75%. Councilmember Rog agreed adding it would be helpful to tell residents what is coming up within the district. Councilmember Dumalag agreed with conservation of water, noting in the future she would like to see how staff plans for capital, how reserves fit into this, and planning. Councilmember Harris thanked staff for keeping costs low. Mayor Pro Tem Mohamed opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Pro Tem Mohamed closed the public hearing. There is no formal action required at this meeting. Formal action on the budget and service charges will be on the Nov. 15, 2021 council meeting agenda. DocuSign Envelope ID: A4D2F26F-F50B-4E02-9622-E87131045F59 City Council Meeting -4- Nov. 1, 2021 7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none 8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items 8a. Approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2636-21 amending the St. Louis Park City Code related to the setting of fees Councilmember Rog stated this is a concern and she would like to look at a flat fee for climate-related actions such as installing solar power. She stated this could be an additional investment into the climate action plan. Councilmember Kraft added some cities do a flat fee on permitting and he would agree this is worth further discussion. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2636 -21 amending the St. Louis Park City Code related to the setting of fees. The motion passed 6-0 (Mayor Spano absent). 9. Communications Ms. Walsh noted street sweeping started this week within the city. She reminded residents to keep cars off the street if possible. She added a reminder that pumpkins can be composted. Mayor Pro Tem Mohamed noted the elections for tomorrow and encouraged all to get out and vote. Councilmember Harris noted changes in speed limits are coming to city streets and reminded all to check their mailbox for postcards. Councilmember Rog asked if signs about speed limit are available at city hall. Ms. Walsh stated yes, as well as at the Rec Center. Councilmember Brausen encouraged all to get out and vote for all 4 ward city council seats as well as school board members. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: A4D2F26F-F50B-4E02-9622-E87131045F59