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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/06/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session/1ISt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JUNE 13, 2016 The meeting convened at 6:28 p.m. Councilmembers present: Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jake Spano Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Principal Planner (Ms. McMonigal), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Mr. Griffith and Mr. Casey, MNDOT. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning —June 20 & 27, 2016 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed Special Study Session agenda for June 20, 2016, and the regularly scheduled Shady Session on June 27, 2016. He noted several items that would be discussed including: council chambers remodel, construction noise regulations, public process/community engagement, and comprehensive plan update. 2. Highway 7 Rehabilitation Project in Knollwood Area Ms. Heiser introduced MnDOT representatives to provide council with an introduction to their proposal to rehabilitate Hwy. 7 and close the access from west bound Hwy. 7 into Knollwood Mall. Mr. Griffith, MnDOT, noted the project would be to resurface Hwy. 7. As a part of that, MnDOT would like to move forward with closing accesses but will need permission from the city to do SO. Mr. Casey, MnDOT, presented maps and information related to the overlay of Hwy. 7 from Hwy. 494 to Louisiana Avenue and also 2011-2015 crash data. He noted this project would help make the road smooth and improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, as well as address drainage issues. Councilmember Lindberg expressed concern about the plan and creating a worse traffic situation on Aquila at Hwy. 7. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity noted the potential of a traffic stacking issue at the location. Mr. Griffith explained MnDOT is only hoping to improve the traffic on Hwy. 7, but agreed that it may be at the expense of Aquila, noting it is a tradeoff. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity asked about the status of getting pedestrians safely across Hwy. 7 and how it relates to the proposal. Ms. Heiser explained that Hennepin County has also proposed an improvement along Blake Road, along with a City project to repave Aquila Avenue. As a part of the MnDOT project, a pedestrian island would be added. Additionally, pedestrian ramps along Blake Road would be replaced in order to be ADA compliant, along with countdown timers and an audible pedestrian system at this intersection. Study Session Minutes -2- June 13, 2016 Councilmember Lindberg noted his concern again for Ward 3 and with the closure of the ramp into the Knollwood area, the potential of creating a traffic issue that currently does not exist. He has concerns about traffic moving to Texas Avenue, adding that he would like to understand the numbers. He does not want his constituents to be surprised, and added that he wants them to have time for feedback before the council makes a final decision. Councilmember Brausen added the council will need feedback from the owners of Knollwood Mall, also, as the impact will be large. Councilmember Miller added that traffic stacking may become a concern here with so much traffic in the intersection. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity asked what the timeline is on this project. Ms. Heiser stated staff will continue to meet with MnDOT on the project details and wanted to bring this issue to the council first before bringing it to the public. At this point, staff will want to coordinate the Blake Road and the Aquila Avenue projects with the MnDOT project. She added staff wants to be certain all agencies are involved with the public process. Mr. Griffith noted with the improvements to the signal on Texas Avenue and Aquila Avenue, MnDOT believes there will be reasonable access into the Knollwood Mall. Councilmember Lindberg stated he would still like to know how much traffic currently uses this Knollwood ramp, and how it will impact people getting to their homes and the mall. He noted he needs to understand the broader impact and the numbers before making a decision Mr. Griffith explained that the council is looking at the situation as it exists today, but MnDOT is looking at how it can be improved. He added MnDOT does not see the access into Knollwood Mall as needed, adding it creates extra conflicts when vehicles slow down and has potential for crashes to occur. He noted that closing this access would be proactive and added that the access point into the mall off Hwy. 7 would not be approved today. Councilmember Brausen noted there have been less than one dozen accidents in a one-year period there, adding if access to the mall is closed at that location, council would need to talk to the mall owners. He added he is concerned about fixing something that isn't a giant problem. Most of the council members noted they use this access point into Knollwood Mall quite often. Councilmember Sanger agreed with Councilmember Brausen, stating if the access into Knollwood is closed at this location, how much more of a traffic problem will be created on Texas Avenue. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity stated the council needs to prioritize pedestrians in this project. Mr. Harmening stated MnDOT will continue to work with staff to answer the questions of the council related to this project. 3. Assessment Policy Discussion — Financial Ms. Heiser and Mr. Simon presented this report. They noted the report is a continuation of a process whereby the council will update the city's assessment policies. Staff will bring back an overall comprehensive assessment policy for council to consider later this summer. The report Study Session Minutes -3- June 13, 2016 presented to council was a summary and a financial management plan for 10 years. Since the last update in 2000, council direction, improvement costs, and infrastructure needs have changed in a number of areas covered by the policy. The recommended assessment policy for the various improvements will have funding implications, noted in the report. There will be a cap on franchise fees, which can only be 5% of the revenue collected by the city. Mr. Simon noted that forecasted over the next 10 years, this assessment policy fits well with the CIP, accounting for inflation. He added this will be reviewed each year. Councilmember Hallfin asked if the updated CIP takes into account the alley by Birchwood Park and if it will be repaved. Ms. Heiser stated yes. Councilmember Sanger asked about assessments for commercial industrial roads. If these roads get more traffic and heavier traffic, is it appropriate to eliminate the special assessment there? Ms. Heiser stated those roads are designed for heavier trucks, are built to 10 -ton standards, and have greater thickness than other roads, so they are designed to accommodate the heavier trucks and traffic. The improvement schedule is the same as residential streets - every 20 years. Councilmember Sanger added if the city eliminates assessments, she is concerned there will be spill over costs for residents. She added some residents have commented to her they prefer their taxes be raised vs. `nickel and diming' them with franchise fees. Mr. Simon stated staff could look further into this issue. Mr. Harmening pointed out the city now collects $2.3 million in franchise fees on a yearly basis, noting if this were collected in taxes, the costs would increase to residents. Mr. Simon added the franchise fees are proportionately higher for commercial properties vs. residential. Councilmember Brausen stated the real impact would be about $17 per year. He added the only thing missing is street lighting. Councilmember Brausen asked where the city stands on this issue and how far along the city is in addressing the use of LED. Ms. Heiser noted the city maintains 1300 lights, and Xcel maintains 1800 lights. She added the city is working to have all city owned lights changed out to LED, and this is programmed into the budget, as well. Councilmember Lindberg added he would prefer not to go through a special assessment and asked if the city's fund balances are healthy enough. Mr. Simon answered yes. The funds are comfortable at this point, but this will be reviewed each year. Councilmember Miller pointed out, even though there will be no charge for alley improvements, there will still be residents who will be upset, as the city will need to be in backyards making these improvements. Ms. Heiser stated the city will send out a proactive mailing to residents related to the alley improvements, along with a timeline. Councilmember Brausen asked if there will be a robust public process around this project or a public hearing. Councilmember Miller added this would be worth discussing further. Ms. Heiser stated the city will reach out to the community. Mr. Harmening added the council can hold a public hearing on this, along with social media and informational mailings to the public. Study Session Minutes -4- June 13, 2016 Councilmember Hallfin added the council is elected in order to conduct business such as this, so he does not think it would be necessary to conduct a public hearing, even though he would agree to it if the majority of the council requests it. Councilmember Sanger stated she does not think anyone will disagree with these improvements, but added there should be an article regarding the policy change in the city newsletter. The council members agreed that public communication will need to be robust on this policy change. Mr. Harmening stated staff will bring council a draft policy for approval later this summer. 4. Reuse of Former Holiday Station Property (Hwy 100/Minnetonka Blvd.) Ms. McMonigal presented the report. The former Holiday Station at 5430 Minnetonka Blvd. was acquired for the Hwy. 100 project by MnDOT. It currently is being used by MnDOT for highway construction staging. The site has been used as a gas station since 1958, and in 1994 the gasoline pumps and canopy were reconstructed. In 2006, Holiday constructed a new convenience store building and dramatically improved the site with new pavement, parking and landscaping. Holiday used some MnDOT property for parking and was aware of the pending highway reconstruction. The property is zoned Commercial C-2. Councilmember Sanger stated she does not think the property should be zoned commercial any longer as there is no access from Minnetonka Boulevard. She continued by saying that it is across from residential, and now is an opportunity to have single family houses built there. She added this corner has been a gas station for decades and asked if there has been an assessment about how polluted it is and if housing could be built there. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity stated with a residential development, there is money available for property clean-up if the land is used for multi -family housing, but not if it's used for single- family housing. Councilmember Sanger asked if the median at the location now could be made shorter to allow for driveways on the site to access Vernon Avenue. Ms. McMonigal stated staff would look into that option. Mr. Locke explained that MnDOT is not responsible for clean-up of the site because the last party who owned the property typically is responsible for clean-up. Councilmember Miller asked if the entrance into the property is currently closed. Ms. McMonigal stated it is closed. This is a county road, and MnDOT has an access restriction easement over it. Councilmember Miller quoted a resident as saying to him, "It's a gas station, so why doesn't it just remain a gas station?" Mr. Locke stated it is staff's expectation there is interest in returning the property to a gas station; however, there is no access from Minnetonka Boulevard currently. Councilmember Miller added, without that entrance, it may not be appropriate for a gas station any longer. Study Session Minutes -5- June 13, 2016 Councilmember Brausen stated he is not interested in this being a gas station as there are others in the area; however, he would like to repurpose it and see a teen center go into the site. He added that transportation and location are good in this area, and it is close to the high school, also. Councilmember Hallfin added, if rezoning is an option, he would be fine with single-family homes or townhomes in the location, while the existing roads could be used for in and out access. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity stated building it is easy; however, sustaining it over time is more difficult. Councilmember Hallfin added the lot is prime for different ideas, and council should not close the door on any idea yet. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity stated it is not attractive for single-family homes. She noted cluster housing; low-density multi -family; tiny homes; or townhomes could work well there. Councilmember Sanger liked the teen center suggestion and noted there is a group of teens working with advisors already planning this center, to be affiliated with the high school. She added this idea should come from the students and not from the council. Additionally, she agreed there is already another gas station and convenience store across the street; however, residents say it is in great need of clean up. Councilmember Miller stated he envisioned the teen center in the Walker Lake area and added students are hopeful to get this going sooner than 18 months from now. He added it is difficult to envision single-family homes in this location; however, there are smaller homes in Birchwood, and potentially three smaller homes might be built on the lot to face Utica Avenue. Councilmember Lindberg stated single family homes are still very important; however, council needs to leave some options open at this point. He added he is not convinced this is the right spot for housing but is open to thinking about different ways to develop this site. He cautioned the council to think about the exact type of housing they envision for this site. Councilmember Miller asked if this is a potential Habitat for Humanity house site. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity stated yes, it could be. Additionally, the goal is for home ownership; however, this is a difficult market on this corner for single-family homes. Councilmember Hallfin noted the recently built homes on Minnetonka Boulevard sold for $400,000. He added the market could decide on what should be built at the site. Councilmember Brausen pointed out that Minnetonka Boulevard is a different story at Hwy. 100 Councilmember Sanger stated this site has better access to transit and she is in favor of rezoning this site at the council's first opportunity in order to allow for more leverage with developers who may want to build multi -family housing there. Councilmember Miller stated he would like to think more about the opportunity at this site and possible creative ideas for development. Study Session Minutes -6- June 13, 2016 Mayor Pro Tem Mavity added this could be an interesting study site for the council to pursue. Councilmember Sanger noted that Webster Park is also partially owned by MnDOT, so the city should discuss this issue with them now. Ms. McMonigal explained MnDOT does not want to begin discussions until after Hwy. 100 is completed and the landscaping project is done. Mr. Harmening noted staff will bring this back to council when the time is right. He added he liked Mayor Pro Tem Mavity's idea to have the Urban Land Institute look at the site for potential uses and to provide feedback to council, He noted there is a cost involved in using their services. Councilmember Sanger noted also that Urban Land Institute will study this from the development point of view, and she has concerns about this. Ms. McMonigal stated staff would inquire about this. Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) Councilmember Brausen noted the solid waste program and organics recycling currently have a 14% participate rate. He stated the city is hoping to increase the overall rate of collection for trash service and added if this method is preferable, why not incorporate it into the city's fee structure and have all residents participate with no opting out. Mayor Pro Tem Mavity and Councilmembers Sanger and Miller concurred. Mr. Harmening stated this will be discussed later this fall, when rate structures for utility funds are discussed. It was noted the Zero Waste event was held, but attendance was less than hoped for. There were approximately 50 vendors and about 40 citizens. Councilmember Brausen commended staff for promoting this event; however, he is not sure it was worth it since the participation rate was low. Councilmember Brausen added the Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance has also had too much time and attention paid to it. He added the city should not have to instruct retail on how to do this, adding the city has heard public comment on the subject. He does not think this will have a cost impact. Councilmember Lindberg agreed and cautioned on how to move forward on this issue. Mr. Harmening stated staff is trying to continue the robust public input but still has some loose ends to clean up in the policy. Councilmember Miller noted citizens did a great job on clean-up day, and a great crowd was present. Mr. Harmening reported the city has upheld their Standard and Poor's AAA bond rating. Council members discussed the July 5 meeting and decided to cancel it unless any official business arises. Mr. Harmening reported the tour with Marian Green was very well done, and a newsletter was handed out at the end. There will be another meeting on July 23 with Ms. Green related to the 5 - year capital plan, and he asked council to encourage moving this along. Study Session Minutes -7- June 13, 2016 Mayor Pro Tem Mavity stated it is not too early to get requests in for budgets, as work has begun already on 2017 budgets. Councilmember Lindberg added that the meeting with Ms. Green was well done and since then she has scheduled another meeting with Environment and Sustainability Commissioners Ryan Griffin and Rachel Harris to discuss a living streets policy in St. Louis Park. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 5. Solid Waste Program Update 6. Update on Proposed Eliot Park TIF Revenue Note 7. Outdoor Recreation Facility Naming and Logo Design Meliss Kennedy, City Clerk Anne Mavity, Mayor Pro Tem