HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/09/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Recreation
Superintendent (Mr. West), Westwood Hills Nature Center Manager (Mr. Oestreich), Senior
Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Elkin) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: None
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning — October 2016
Mr. Harmening noted that there will be no meeting next Monday, October 3, due to Rosh
Hashanah. At the October 10 Special Study Session meeting, there will be PLACE and MAC
updates. Additionally, final choices will be reviewed for the naming and marketing of the
Outdoor Recreation Facility, and there will also be a website development update.
Councilmember Sanger noted she would like to request a discussion during an upcoming study
session regarding height limits of houses zoned RI and R2 - Residential. She added that with
new home construction, 30 feet can be too tall and cause shadows for neighboring homes. She
would like to discuss this issue.
Councilmember Miller added he would like to include a discussion about setbacks from the
right-of-way in new home construction.
Councilmember Mavity asked staff to distribute previous staff reports on these two topics to the
council before bringing up these items for larger discussion.
Councilmember Lindberg added he is not interested in this conversation at this time, stating that
height or setback changes would not apply equitably throughout the community, and he is
concerned about any new action now.
Councilmember Sanger stated these topics have been discussed in the past; however, she feels
the blocking of sunlight and shadowing that is occurring in residential construction is an issue
that needs to be considered. She added this is addressed in commercial buildings, but not homes,
and it needs to be considered.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he does not see a need to discuss these issues at this time.
Councilmember Brausen stated he is ambivalent on this topic and does not want to address this
free-market issue. He believes that people should have freedom and latitude on this issue,
without over management from the city.
Mayor Spano agreed with Councilmember Mavity about distributing reports and conducting a
refresher for the council on height and setback rules. He added he is reluctant to get involved in
potential arguments between neighbors on the rules of height and setback, but would like to see
the ordinance again for review. Mr. Harmening indicated he would have staff prepare a study
Study Session Minutes -2- September 26, 2016
session report that summarizes past discussions on this topic as well as an outline of the city's
current zoning requirements.
Councilmember Mavity stated she has received many letters from community members about
naturally occurring affordable housing and would like to address this further in a study session.
She feels the need to do this sooner rather than later and would like to get a timeline in place for
addressing and responding to the concerns of the community members.
Councilmember Sanger stated it was left that council would not have this discussion until other
larger groups and the Housing Authority addressed it first. She does not feel informed enough to
have this conversation yet.
Councilmember Mavity stated there is ample information available from Hennepin County and
the Met Council in order to speak to this issue, adding it is incumbent on the city to invite
advocates to come in to discuss this. She would like to get it in motion.
Councilmember Sanger stated she would like to hear from the Met Council before the council
hears from the housing advocates.
Councilmember Hallfin asked why the advocates should have an audience with the council. He
added that the council meets regularly with constituents on this issue.
Councilmember Mavity answered that the council are leaders and that's why the advocates are
reaching out. She added that the city is starting to lose affordability, and there needs to be
discussion on what will be done over the next 30-50 years in order to preserve it.
Councilmember Lindberg added that the city wants to do everything possible to be a strong
leader on affordable housing. He noted it would be good to have this advocate group speak to the
council. He added that he would like to see the council talk more about inclusivity, but balance
this with resources and the demand we put on staff. Along with this, he also noted work the
council is doing on race equity and how this impacts single-family affordable housing.
Councilmember Miller stated he supports looking further into naturally occurring affordable
housing. He added he would like to see a staff report on this and take a broader look at affordable
housing across the city versus just in one area of the city.
Councilmember Brausen stated he would like to hear from the advocates
Councilmember Mavity stated a follow-up discussion for the council on this topic could be done
at the retreat or paced out over several months. She added that the city needs a transparent and
clear plan for the advocates.
Mayor Spano stated he believes 100% that advocates need the opportunity to share their
perspectives with the council. I -Ie added it would be helpful to have Hennepin County and the
Met Council present at the discussion with the advocates, so everyone can learn from each other
what all parties are doing related to this issue.
Councilmember Brausen added the council needs to look at how this project and proposal
impacts the city's racial equity goals, and as a core principle, it needs to advance race equity in
St. Louis Park.
Study Session Minutes -3- September 26, 2016
Councilmember Sanger asked how this will promote equity in general and for all groups and
issues including age, gender, and sexual orientation - not just race. Mayor Spano stated right
now the city's focus is on race equity.
Mr. Harmening noted that it seemed the naturally occurring affordable housing issue was just
one of several housing issues the Council wanted to discuss further. He suggested that staff
provide a list of housing issues for future Council discussion and, as Councilmember Mavity
suggested, discuss these topics over a series of study sessions, similar to what was done with the
review of the city's assessment policy. The naturally occurring affordable housing issue could
be the first topic to discuss.
Councilmember Miller also noted that he would like further conversations related to the Human
Rights and Police Advisory Commissions and noted these two commissions could also use
further direction from the council as they are having similar issues as the Environment and
Sustainability Commission was having.
Councilmember Mavity added this might be an appropriate time to discuss annual commission
reports being presented to the council for review.
Mr. Harmening stated this is in the works, starting with the ESC. He stated this commission is
working on its four areas of focus, as requested by the council, and will get official council
approval on their work plan in the near future. Mr. Harmening noted this same approach is
proposed to be rolled out for all commissions and that this approach could address the points
Councilmember Miller made about the other commissions.
2. Debrief of Eastman Nature Center Tour in the Elm Creek Park
Mr. West noted that in 2016 the city hired Miller Dunwidde Architecture to create a
comprehensive master plan to address development and programming goals for the Westwood
Hills Nature Center. The plan included the nature center facilities, outdoor programming sites,
infrastructure and programming needs. The master plan serves as the vision, guiding principles,
resource allocation, and action plan to meet the identified needs of the community and to assist
the city in planning for future building development at Westwood Hills Nature Center. He noted
that citizen input was involved in shaping the plan.
Additionally, Mr. West explained that council members toured the Eastman Nature Center to
understand some of the features that could be included in the new interpretive center at
Westwood Hills Nature Center. Next steps, if the council decides to proceed, will be to solicit
requests for proposals (RFP) for the design development phase. This would occur in the first
quarter of 2017. The Capital Improvement Program has budgeted $300,000 in 2017 and
$700,000 in 2018 for design fees for the nature center, and $11,000,000 in 2019 for construction
of the new nature center building.
Councilmember Sanger stated she liked the appearance of the Eastman Nature Center building
and noted the glass and design was very appealing. She added the tour guide was helpful in
explaining the focus and purpose of the building, activities, functions and goals. She stated the
Westwood Nature Center will also need to also have purpose and goals, and the council will
need to have clear discussion about who the target audience will be for the center.
Study Session Minutes -4- September 26, 2016
Councilmember Sanger added that the cost to build the Eastman Nature Center was less than the
costs being considered for the Westwood Nature Center. Eastman was built three to four years
ago. Additionally, she stated she liked the fact that the bathrooms were designed to be available
for use even when the facility is closed.
Councilmember Brausen stated he liked the geo-thermal cooling and heating at Eastman; the
three -classroom layout; windows; staff areas; and kids' areas. He added he would like Westwood
to be a warmer space, noting that Eastman was a little stark in its interior design.
Councilmember Lindberg said the Westwood Nature Center needs to have a great connection to
the outdoors. He added that the center needs to be unique to St. Louis Park and noted the unique
aspect of Westwood is that it is city -run and reflects our commitment to the environment. He
stated it will be important to consider unique partnerships and focus on environmental education
at Westwood. Also, the center will need to be the right facility for the community and built with
careful consideration of being the best steward of tax dollars. The dialogue will need to be
framed in this way.
Councilmember Hallfin added that Eastman Nature Center was built over the old footprint, so
perhaps that is why their costs were lower than what Westwood's would be. Westwood Nature
Center would use state of the art technology and be very environmentally conscious. He added
that Westwood gets far more visitors than the Eastman Nature Center and should be bigger.
Councilmember Mavity stated that from the outside the Eastman Nature Center felt institutional
and industrial, noting Westwood should be made warmer and more inviting. She added it will be
important to be attentive to the noise levels of the new Westwood Center. She stated Eastman
was noisy at the entry way. Westwood should be made to be sensitive to the children, but also for
older folks with hearing issues. She noted it will be important to make sure Westwood is looped
for hearing aid accessibility. She stated the Eastman lighting was very harsh, not warm, and
while she appreciated the way the glass was angled for birds, she noticed the lighting was
uninviting.
Councilmember Mavity stated she appreciated all the sustainable parts of the Eastman Nature
Center. However, the porches were small and did not feel inviting. She added if Westwood were
to have a screen porch, it should be larger.
Councilmember Miller asked if the consultant has enough information from the council to move
ahead from an objective standpoint.
Mayor Spano stated he is not sure the council knows yet what the emphasis will be at the new
nature center. He likes the quiet space and would want a way to celebrate the environmental
setting within an urban area. He also noted the lighting at Eastman seemed warm, and he liked
the slanted glass, adding that the Westwood Nature Center may want to consider a panorama of
slanted glass in order to view nature.
Councilmember Lindberg noted that the glass is costly, while Councilmember Brausen added
that tall ceilings would also increase heating costs and not give an intimate feel to the space.
Mr. Oestreich stated the trip to Eastman Nature Center was successful in that the council was
able to see options. He added that cost will depend on what the plans are for Westwood. He
stated the next step will be to bring the design architect onto the project; take the information
Study Session Minutes -5- September 26, 2016
from the council; come up with the design and costs; create construction documents; and finally
get bids and pricing.
Councilmember Sanger stated the council needs to discuss and decide what should go on at
Westwood Nature Center each day. She added that until this is decided, she doesn't see how the
architect can come up with goals. The groups that use the facility will determine the design
needed to accommodate them.
Mr. Harmening stated the finance staff is creating a debt model which will review the various
financial impacts of what the facility will become. He noted that the council may want to
consider reviewing this model approving design development. He added staff can create a
document which will include the community input on the project thus far and how the site is
used today in order to create goals and objectives for the space. Once the council agrees on the
goals and objectives, they can be forwarded to the architect to create the design.
Councilmember Brausen asked if there has been any discussion on school district use of the new
facility. Councilmember Lindberg stated there has not been much progress on that conversation
to date. Mr. Harmening explained this has not been a priority for the school district at this time.
Their focus has been on meeting capacity needs and presenting themselves as a desirable school
district.
Mayor Spano noted this conversation on the mission of Westwood Nature Center will need to
stay at a high level and then allow the architect to carry out the vision.
Mr. Harmening stated this will be brought back to the council for further review and discussion
before year-end.
3. Carpenter Park Regional Stormwater Improvement
Mr. Elkin reported that in 2014, the city completed the Beltline LRT Station Project Area
Coordinated Stormwater Management Analysis Study (Beltline Study) to evaluate possible
regional stormwater quality treatment in the Beltline Station area. One location where treatment
can occur is the southwest corner of Carpenter Park. This project was initially discussed with
council at the June 6, 2016, Special Study Session as part of the Bass Lake Preserve Project
update. At that time, council wanted to learn more about this project and the benefits it would
provide before committing to construction. Since that time, a feasibility study has been
completed by WSB and Associates, Inc. The proposed project is feasible and will provide
stormwater treatment to 42 acres and remove 30 lbs. of phosphorus loading in the Bass Lake
Preserve sub -watershed. Mr. Elkin stated this project would benefit both the redevelopment of
the Beltline EDA site and serve as the new location for the skateboard park that was displaced as
part of the Outdoor Recreation Center.
Mr. Elkin noted that as part of the study it was discovered that there are contaminated materials
buried in the park, which would need to be removed as a part of any construction project on this
site. While the material is not hazardous, it will need to be disposed of in a landfill. To address
these costs, staff recommends applying for a Hennepin County grant, which can fund the cost of
contamination removal. The deadline for this grant application is November 1, 2016. He added
that the estimate for this project is $1,164,700 to be paid using the Storm Water Utility Fund.
Study Session Minutes -6- September 26, 2016
Councilmember Mavity asked for more explanation related to the statement in the report that
water quality projects can be chosen depending on the city's goals, and wondered about the
improvement of existing drainage on play fields. Mr. Elkin stated that this project achieves
multiple goals, including stormwater treatment and rate control; credits for redevelopment;
treatment for the skateboard park; improvement for drainage at city hall and the playfields.
Councilmember Mavity noted that some of the Bass Lake folks have raised questions on this
project related to the stormwater treatment. Ms. Heiser stated for the city to get credit for the
Beltline project from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the project must take place in the
same pipe shed.
Councilmember Mavity asked if there are other recommendations for water quality
improvements in the Bass Lake Sub -watershed. Ms. Heiser noted that as opportunities come
forward, staff will bring them to council.
Councilmember Mavity asked in light of the SWLRT project, will there need to be additional
interventions in this area, noting that originally the plan was to complete the regional treatment
and not do this on a development -by -development basis.
Mr. Elkin stated that with regard to regional water quality projects, the area is divided into pipe
sheds, and projects are completed related to the level of treatment needed in each of these pipe
sheds. He added the west side of Beltline is a different pipe shed, so it will need a different
treatment versus the east side of Beltline. Ms. Heiser added staff will continue to look for
regional treatment opportunities in all areas.
Councilmember Brausen compared this project to 230 rain gardens and the similar costs. He
noted that if the results are similar, this would not be a realistic alternative. Mr. Harmening
added that rain gardens also are not necessarily sustainable over the long-term, and while they
are great, they are not a substitute for this project.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the cost estimate includes removal of contaminated soil. Ms.
Heiser stated yes. Councilmember Sanger asked if the reduction of 30 lbs. of phosphorus per
year is a large amount or a little amount. Mr. Elkin stated that is a large amount.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the skateboard park was not built there, would the scope and
cost go down. Mr. Elkin stated it would not, noting the cost benefit based on the size of the skate
park was all factored in on the size of the system.
Councilmember Sanger stated she thinks this is a better location for the skate park, but noted she
was not sure if the skate park construction contributed to this project. Ms. Heiser stated that the
city would need to build a system for the skate park wherever it was located, so there is some
synergy with both projects being done together. However, they could also be done independent
of each other.
Councilmember Hallfin asked if nothing is done, will the phosphorous continue to go into Bass
Lake. Ms. Heiser stated that was correct. Councilmember Hallfin asked if every time the city
builds something impervious, if stormwater treatment needs to be completed somewhere. Mr.
Elkin stated that is correct.
Study Session Minutes -7- September 26, 2016
Councilmember Miller asked what the dollar amount is of the grant being applied for. Ms. Heiser
stated itis for around $200,000.
Councilmember Lindberg asked if there are storm water funds to pay for this project or if it
requires additional funding. Mr. Harmening stated the cost will be reflected in the rate changes.
Mayor Spano stated he is supportive of moving forward on the project and asked if it will
address some of the parking lot flooding, most recently in the city hall/police department parking
lot. Mr. Elkin stated that this will be looked at as a part of the design.
Councilmember Mavity noted another issue at the end of Brook Lane, where there is standing
water and run off that enters the creek untreated. She noted it needs to be addressed. Staff
indicated that they would look into it.
Communications/Meeting Check -1n (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening updated the City Council on the council workshop scheduled for the end of
January, 2017. He added he will send a survey to council to ask them to think about focus topics
to cover and ask them to return their ideas to him. Staff will then compile these topics and
present them to the council in order to come to an agreement on what topics to address at the
workshop, in order to make it as productive as possible.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only
4. August 2016 Monthly Financial Report
5. Public Art Update — 4800 Excelsior &
Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk