HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/10/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionIlfSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
OCTOBER 10, 2016
The meeting convened at 6:56 p.m
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spann, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Director of
Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Director of
Community Development (Mr. Locke), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt),
Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires),
Communications and Marketing Manager (Ms. Larson), IT Manager (Mr. Huber), and Recording
Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: Rebecca Ryan, Visioning Consultant; Brian Ryks, Metropolitan Airports Commission
Executive Director; and Chris Velasco, PLACE developer.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning — October 17 & 24, 2016
Mr. Harmening proposed moving this agenda item to the end of the meeting, in order to begin
the meeting on time. The council agreed and the topic was moved.
2. Update on Community Visioning Process with Consultant Rebecca Ryan
Mr. Locke noted the contract for the visioning process will be presented to the council for
approval at the next regular meeting. He also noted that city staff is currently working to identify
who will be on the Visioning Steering Committee. He then introduced Consultant Rebecca Ryan,
who provided the council with an update on the visioning process.
Ms. Ryan explained community engagement is the priority and there will be four ways for the
community to be involved: meetings, chalk boards, social media, and city hall meetings. She will
interweave trends and futuristic concepts into the process. She added that the first two methods
are the city going to the community, and the second two methods are the community coming to
the city. All methods will be instrumental in gaining visioning information from the community.
Additionally, Ms. Ryan noted the "meeting in a box/tube" concept that will be introduced to
facilitators. These items in the tube will be utilized to present the community with consistent
messages at meetings.
Ms. Ryan added that chalkboards on wheels will be taken to various locations in the community,
and while questions are asked at the meetings, participants are invited to step up and write their
ideas on the board until it is full. Facilitators will take a photo of the board for reference, and this
then becomes a very accessible and low -barrier area for the exchange of ideas. Ms. Ryan noted
that with social media, the strategy will be to use Twitter, Faeebook, and newsletters to put a
question out each week, to engage the community and receive responses. She noted the questions
can go viral, adding that folks are open and honest in this method; however, it would be
important to watch that special interest groups do not overpower this process.
Study Session Minutes -2- October 10, 2016
Ms. Ryan added that town hall meetings at City Hall will also increase dialogue. She is expecting
thousands of inputs from the community, which will all be ordered and prioritized. A hard
launch is planned for January, 2017.
Ms. Ryan noted she and her team are futurists who pay attention to trends, and all community
input will be paired with actual tends and data, with verified projections of what the community
will face in the next 20 years. She added current work is focused on building, getting the steering
committee ready, and doing a soft roll out on social media. Special emphasis will be on
communicating with ethnic minorities and non-English speakers, and on weaving in folks who
are not the usual players in the typical visioning process.
Councilmember Brausen stated the council has done a lot of work on trends, goals and visions
for the city, noting that this should be the starting point for the steering committee. He stated that
the city's values are already built into the goals, adding that all the work the council has done
with racial equity will also need to be incorporated into the process. He stated that Parktacular is
in June, and if the visioning schedule ends in May, he has concerns that it will miss a very
important event at which to gather community input.
Councilmember Miller asked if facilitators will be invited into people's homes for meetings. Ms.
Ryan stated they will be invited into homes, coffee shops, community rooms, church basements,
and added that signage from the meeting in a tube will be utilized.
Councilmember Miller asked if the city's neighborhood groups will be utilized. Ms. Ryan stated
yes, and added that there will be a push to get into the city's rental units and talk with non-
English speakers, as well.
Councilmember Miller asked how the residents of the apartments in the Birchwood
Neighborhood, on the north end, will be able to be heard. Ms. Ryan stated it will be a challenge,
but if landlords will allow, they will use flyers, while also possibly providing daycare for these
folks so they are able to participate in the meeting process.
Ms. Ryan added they are also considering some creative artwork be done on the side of a
building in winter, with a live stream of tweets, as another way to reach the community and
create buzz about visioning.
Councilmember Sanger agreed with Councilmember Brausen on goals being the starting point of
this process but added she saw nothing in Ms. Ryan's plan about how businesses would be
included in the process. Ms. Ryan stated that is an error of omission and will be added to the
plan.
Councilmember Sanger noted there are very established businesses in the community that will
need to be included in the process. She continued that neighborhood association leaders will also
need to be on the steering committee and asked if it was fair to say the steering committee will
reflect the demographics of St. Louis Park. Ms. Ryan stated 100% representation from all is
probably impossible, but they will make sure to vet the neighborhood networks and to reach out
to folks who represent all of these networks.
Councilmember Sanger added she has concerns about folks who are not on social media, and
hopes Ms. Ryan will find other ways to reach these people. Otherwise, a whole group may be
excluded from the process. Councilmember Sanger asked if there will be a way to invite these
Study Session Minutes -3- October 10, 2016
folks to city hall for meetings via email. She also added with respect to the "train the trainer"
meetings, if Ms. Ryan would be able to piggy -back onto neighborhood association meetings, as
well.
Councilmember Mavity stated in general she likes the approach and is hopeful about it.
However, she does share Councilmember Brausen's concerns about rolling the process out in the
winter as this might limit some folks. She added she does not want this to start off on the wrong
foot and assumes the need to utilize the schools, also, in order to gain feedback from families and
children. She noted it may take meeting folks on the sliding hill or at the warming house in order
to gather feedback from families in the winter, and asked if they would be able to do this. Ms.
Ryan agreed that they could engage groups in this way.
Mr. Locke added neighborhoods and groups representing the schools, sports, activities, arts, etc.,
would all be included in the process.
Councilmember Mavity stated it will be important to make sure the meetings are accessible to
everyone. She added she does not want it to be the same old, same old, and they will need to get
out further into the community.
Councilmember Lindberg agreed with the other cormcilmembers, noting it will be important to
get to the large population of renters in the Louisiana Court area, as well. He stated engagement
is very important to him, and it will be important to reach out to the neighborhood organizations,
as well as to folks who are not in organized neighborhood associations.
Mayor Spano stated that if a meeting is conducted in the Meadowbrook Apartments, there will
need to be multiple meetings over the 5 -6 -month period of time. He added it will be important to
solicit input from these folks, and conversations will need to start earlier than January in this
area, in order to gain some traction. He added that reaching out earlier to this group will be
useful in order to have some robust conversations when meetings do begin in January.
Councilmember Sanger asked if there is any plan to solicit information from the non -profits in
St. Louis Park. Ms. Ryan noted they will be taking the citizen approach vs. the organization
approach. However, Mr. Locke added that the schools will definitely be part of the process, as
well as residents who are deeply involved in many of the non -profits organizations in St. Louis
Park. He added that this network of folks will definitely be involved and tapped into.
Councilmember Brausen added he would like to see Bob Ramsey involved in this process, as he
represents the aging community.
Councilmember Mavity stated she would like staff to provide more context around the schedule
of the visioning process, so as not to miss out on major events, such at Parlctacular in June. She
asked staff to consider spreading out the process a bit more. Councilmember Brausen agreed.
Mayor Spano stated the council is aligned with where the process is headed
Study Session Minutes -4- October 10, 2016
3. Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) Update with Executive Director Brian
Ryks
Mr. Hoffman introduced Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) Executive Director and
CEO, Brian Ryks. MAC Commissioner Lisa Peilen was not able to attend this evening's
meeting.
Mr. Hoffman noted that Mr. Ryks came into this leadership role at MAC this past May and is in
attendance this evening to discuss recent activities and the direction of MAC, including ongoing
support of surrounding communities working with the FAA and the Noise Oversight
Commission.
Mr. Ryks noted the background of the MAC and stated that Minnesota has a very large airport
system, with six airports, and is ranked 16th in the nation for size. He noted that Delta Airlines
has 73% of their operations in the Twin Cities hub, and Sun County is expanding. He added that
while the number of flight operations have declined since 2005, passenger numbers continue to
increase at a rate of 2 — 3.5%. Mr. Ryks attributed this increase to the effort to keep planes filled
with passengers at all times and also that airlines have phased out many of their smaller aircraft
in the last few years, reducing numbers of planes from their fleets and trending toward larger
aircraft that can hold more passengers.
Mr. Ryks stated with regard to noise mitigation, MAC has had one of the most aggressive
programs in the country. There is collaboration around this issue with community representation,
airport representation, FAA, and MAC representation. He said that issues and concerns are
discussed related to noise. FAA operation changes due to converging runway concerns (aircraft
on the north/south runway potentially crossing those on the parallel runways) has become
evident as one reason for increased flights and noise in St. Louis Park and other communities.
MAC is committed to continuing their program of public outreach to address this issue. He
added the next generation of airplanes will be constructed to address these noise issues.
Mr. Ryks stated he is focused on collaboration, while continuing to reach out to community
stakeholders to create a more productive dialogue. He invited the council to contact him at any
time if they have concerns on environment and noise abatement, and MAC will respond.
Councilmember Sanger stated she has heard that one of the reasons there is more noise is that
pilots are lowering landing gear earlier in the landing process. She stated this was discussed last
time MAC visited the council. She added MAC had stated they would look into this issue;
however, she has not heard any follow up.
Mr. Hoffman explained that airline pilots are required to have aircraft stabilized at least 3-6 miles
out from approach, and this has always been the practice according to Delta and Sun Country
pilots who presented information to the NOC. He added they often lower the flaps and gear by
7-8 miles to slow, and in St. Louis Park, that is about over city hall.
Councilmember Sanger added that planes used to be more spread out but now are lining up in a
narrower band.
Councilmember Miller commented there is talk about normalization, but this seems to be in
opposition to the FAA rules, asking if this is a non -achievable goal. Mr. Ryks stated he believes
it is an achievable goal; however, the FAA was required to make changes related to converging
Study Session Minutes -5- October 10, 2016
runways, and this is now affecting many major hub airports. He added the FAA is working to
implement procedures that are more consistent.
Councilmember Mavity stated she often utilizes flight tracker and pointed out to the council and
Mr. Ryks the intensity of air traffic in St. Louis Park. She added she noticed that last summer
was very bad, and that is when the council asked to have the air traffic tracked. She added she
heard MAC talk about engagement; however, sometimes the council is only told about future
plans. She asked how MAC sees this as engagement with the community. Mr. Ryks stated
through the noise oversite committee - which includes FAA members, airline members, and
residents - a productive dialogue occurs. He added this is the best way to hear issues and
concerns. He noted the flight tracking data can be reviewed again so as to determine the best way
to address issues.
Councilmember Mavity stated she understands, but when looking at the flight tracking data, she
noted it almost defines where St. Louis Park is and asked if there is any hope the noise impact
will be lessened for residents. Mr. Ryks stated the hope is from a percentage of use standpoint,
having the noise levels go back to past levels.
Councilmember Mavity reiterated her questions, asking if they think St. Louis Park will see a
decrease in noise in the coming years. Mr. Ryks stated the data has shown that with quieter
aircraft being constructed and next generation runway configurations, there will be less noise. He
added MAC has done studies on noise over the years, and they will continue to communicate and
collaborate with the city to reduce the impact.
Councilmember Brausen noted that as he was leaving the terminal recently, a wheel on his car
fell off. He noted that workers from MAC helped him out, and he was grateful for that.
Councilmember Sanger stated if the most likely source of noise reduction is the airlines using
aircraft that is better designed to reduce noise that is good. However, solutions don't really have
anything to do with people's complaints, and the solution is really out of the community's hands
anyway.
Ml•. Hoffman added this is a difficult issue to resolve, but it is still important for folks to
communicate as that can make a difference.
4. PLACE Development Update
Mr. Locke gave an overview of the PLACE development. The development will be on property
north and south of the Wooddale SWLRT Station, with a mixed-use, mixed -income, transit -
oriented, and sustainable component. A total of 300 residential units are proposed, with 200
being affordable and 100 market rate. Included also will be a 110 -room hotel; a 15,000 square
foot e-generation/co-generation/greenhouse facility; approximately 25,000 square feet of ground
floor commercial/retail space; and one acre of urban forest. In June, 2016, the council discussed
this development, and the plans have been reworked to incorporate the council's suggestions.
Mr. Velasco presented the site plan and described the developmental components. The
construction of this development is slated to begin next spring, with completion during 2018. He
stated that financing of the project will be through private activity bonds. The goal of this project
will be a focus on transit, biking, walking, living and working in the same location. He added
that the idea is to create some design strategies to have people living and working at the same
Study Session Minutes -6- October 10, 2016
site. He noted there will be over 100 jobs at the development, along with light rail; a bike trail;
shared bikes and cars, which can be rented by the hour. Monthly transit passes will also be
available to residents.
Mr. Locke noted that private activity bonds will be used for the project's $152 million total cost.
By setting it up as an annual fee, this will generate revenue designated for the rehab housing
fund. He noted a more extensive analysis will be presented to the council at a later date.
Mr. Velasco explained the changes to the overall project plan, pointing out how the development
would be built on both sides of the tracks. He added the e -generation project will be housed on
Wooddale, and a bike shop will be located right off the trail. Along with this will be an urban
forest area, hotel, woonerf for pedestrians and cyclists. He added the development will be open
to the public.
Mr. Velasco stated there were a few challenges because of the split development, which cut out
the preschool. Otherwise, the project remains the same as presented earlier in June. He added
there are now also more building entrances, more public entrances, and a place for exercise on
both north and south sides. The warehouse and frame shop will need to be removed in order to
allow for development on the south side. Parking will be open to the public, as well for as those
living and working in the space. Along with this, he added that signage will need to be included
that this is not a park and ride lot.
Councilmember Sanger asked about the parking, noting her concerns that there will not be the
400 spots needed for hotel residents, visitors, customers, and residents. Mr. Velasco stated there
will be 485 parking spaces total, with 182 on the north side alone.
Councilmember Mavity stated she thinks the project is going in the right direction with the north
south split, noting it is a better plan. However, she is concerned about traffic at the intersection.
Councilmember Sanger added that over 60% of the residents will be lower income, and she has
concerns about the affordability of transportation.
Councilmember Mavity stated these folks will be able to utilize the light rail, and a shuttle will
also be available to them. She added residents will be paid to not have vehicles at the location.
Councilmember Lindberg stated he is in favor of the overall concept but has some concerns
about the level of financial assistance needed. He would like more discussion on it. I -Ie added
that 21 years is a long time for payback on this project, and he would like to be certain there is
public benefit in it, adding he wants what is best for the whole of St. Louis Park.
Councilmember Brausen asked if it would be possible to build a bridge over the light rail line.
Mr. Velasco stated there has been discussion about a pedestrian bridge; however, costs for this
would be around $2 million.
Councilmember Brausen added he is very supportive of the project, and the TIF makes sense,
because of the affordable housing, arts concepts, and environmental savings, which meet the
city's goals.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he is on board 100%, and if the project were broken up into 4 or 5
different developers, it would not make sense.
Study Session Minutes -7- October 10, 2016
Councilmember Miller stated he has come to like this grand plan, and it seems to work well with
traffic. He added he likes the workspace and the urban forest. He stated his concern is with a TIF
request this large. He questioned if there a possibility of getting more grants if financing
becomes difficult. He added he is concerned about non -profitability if portions of the project
were to go away. Mr. Velasco stated if they are forced to downscale portions of the development,
they would still keep the mixed use elements, while the living workspace may need to be scaled
back. He added that if necessary, they would scale back the whole financial model, adding the
project is non-profit.
Mr. Hunt added that PLACE'S request for TIF financing would be presented at a subsequent
study session for EDA consideration. Mr. Locke added if the development had to be changed, the
TIF is not issued until the full project is completed.
Councilmember Miller added parts of this project are great for the community, but he has
concerns about some parts that might not be revenue generating.
Councilmember Sanger stated she does not like the woonerf concept, asking why pedestrians
should be pushed together with cyclists, especially when we are looking to separate pedestrians
and cyclists in all other areas of St. Louis Park. Mr. Locke asked Councilmember Sanger to think
of it as a European plaza.
Councilmember Sanger added she is concerned about the financing and the dollar amount. It is
not clear how there will be sufficient resources to do ongoing maintenance when most of the
residents are lower income, and rents can't really be raised.
Councilmember Sanger added she still has questions on who will pay for any roadway changes
that will be made in order to accommodate traffic. She asked if it will be assessed back, adding
she believes overall costs will need to be factored in. She does not see this addressed in the
report. She added she will not support the financing of this development.
Mayor Spano stated this project is bold and grand and it hits so many of the things the city is
trying to do. He added this project is not low income. It is about what the average teacher makes
in St. Louis Park, adding he wished Councilmember Sanger would stop using that phrase. He
said that this project provides average people in St. Louis Park with a cool place to live, adding
he likes the e -generation. He stated he is on board with the concept, but wants to see more
explanation with regard to the TIF request.
Councilmember Lindberg asked what the e -generation building will look like on this corner and
how it will interplay with the rest of the project. Mr. Velasco stated Allianz is a partner on the
project, and it will most certainly be a beautiful trash facility, with the south side linked to a
green house.
Mr. Velasco assured the council all his projects are in the black, and he has not ever had to come
back and ask for more resources.
The consensus of the council was for the developer to continue to move forward with the project.
Study Session Minutes -8- October 10, 2016
5. Outdoor Recreation Facility Naming and Marketing
Ms. Larson, along with two consultants from Nemer Fieger, presented the final two names for
the new outdoor recreation facility at The Rec Center campus. The city hired Nemer Fieger in
June to develop a name and logo, and city staff and Nemer Fieger hosted two focus groups with
15 stakeholders and community members representing a wide variety of interests in the city. The
final options were presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission on September 7,
2016, for input and recommendations. The recommendation from the commission was to name
the facility either the ROC (Recreation Outdoor Center) or the ARCHES
(Athletic/Recreation/Community/Health/ Education/Skating). Total fees for research, name and
logo development, and file delivery is $23,400, with an additional $3,000 authorized to provide
design concepts for both names to aid in making the final decision. Funding will come in part
from the city's Visitor Bureau Administrative Fee Fund, as well as the communication budget.
Councilmember Hallfin asked if the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission had a particular
recommendation. Ms. Walsh stated they were split and did not have a preference.
Councilmember Mavity stated she would be fine with either name, but noted with the ROC,
there might be some boulders set at the front of the center.
Councilmember Sanger stated ROC is totally bland and suggested another name, Hockeyhenge,
similar to Stonehenge.
Mayor Spano stated he liked both names, but prefers the ROC. However, he said could live with
either name.
Councilmember Hallfm said the ARCHES reminded him of the Golden Arches, and has a
negative connotation. He said he is leaning toward the ROC.
Councilmember Lindberg stated he likes ARCHES more than ROC, stating the branding will be
important.
Councilmember Brausen stated he viewed the name The Roc as too utilitarian and felt the name
had already been commanded by actor Dwyane Johnson.
After Mayor Spano polled the council, the consensus was to name the facility the ROC.
6. Website Development Update
Mr. Pires explained this project had been worked on with the consultant Vision over the last four
months to provide redesign, content management services, and hosting of the city website. He
also stated search engine improvement continues to be a major aspect of the new site. The launch
is scheduled for the first quarter of 2017.
Mr. Huber stated the community was surveyed, and the features of greatest importance included
plain language; an improved search engine; data drive design; fewer steps to complete tasks; and
highlighting services the city provides. Mr. Huber added one main area of concern for citizens is
not being able to easily find how to pay utility bills on the website.
Study Session Minutes -9- October 10, 2016
Mr. Huber demonstrated several pages of the potential new website to the council. He noted
there are 1.4 million page views per year on the site, while many people are moving toward
mobile use vs. laptops and PC's. The focus groups added they want more illustrations of city's
character; clean clear titles; and meetings and events in one calendar, with tabs for review.
Mr. Huber noted the next step will be content review — plain language; menu organization; site
map; development of the server; website refinement; overall site testing; beta testing with city
staff; and launch of the new website in March, 2017.
Mr. Harmening added another step will be to look at the website through the lens of racial
equity, noting this will be discussed further in the future.
Mayor Spano said the website will need to be utilized by all, not just staff. He noted the pages
will need to be set up to be intuitive, with embedded links.
Councilmember Sanger stated she liked the focus on making it easier to do tasks, along with
making it easier for folks to ask a question or register a complaint. Mr. Huber stated this will be
called "report an issue."
Councilmember Sanger added she would like one place to click for all plans; all meeting
minutes; and all the meetings that have included discussion of a certain topic, noting this would
be very helpful for residents. Additionally, she stated the website needs to show people on the
first page how to contact their city council member.
Mr. Pires noted that other areas of the website will continue to grow over time. He stated staff
will keep the council updated as things progress.
With this council input, the overall new web site approach and design were accepted by council
Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening stated the St Louis Park girls fast pitch softball association has contacted the city
expressing concerns about a perceived lack of equity between the fields and amenities made
available to the girls versus what has been made available to boys for baseball. He further stated
that staff was proposing a task force be formed made up of representatives of the softball
association, the Park and Rec Advisory Commission and the School District to look into this
matter further and make recommendations to the Council.
Councilmember Hallfin stated the group is looking for a central location for a playing field.
Councilmember Miller stated the girl's fields have been substandard and split up in various
locations, which makes it difficult to host a tournament.
Councilmember Mavity stated the challenge is that the association is not speaking in one voice.
She added they need to formally appoint the representatives who will serve on the task force on
its behalf as currently there are too many voices through the association, and it has become
chaotic.
Councilmember Sanger stated she feels blind -sided on this issue, as she was informed it was
under control and now is hearing differently.
Study Session Minutes -10- October 10, 2016
Councilmember Hallfm stated some things were done this past summer including improvements
at Pennsylvania Park, but it wasn't what everyone in the softball association wanted, so now they
are back again.
Councilmember Miller stated the group just wants four fields together that they can access at any
time.
Councilmember Hallfm stated that the task force process will take time and that things won't
happen overnight.
Councilmember Miller stated it does not seem like it needs to be a long process
Mayor Spano indicated that staff should provide a report for an upcoming study session that
provides more background on the task force process proposed by staff.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning —October 17 & 24, 2016 — (continued)
Councilmember Mavity asked when further discussion would occur on naturally occurring
affordable housing. Mr. Harmening stated that at a November study session this topic was
tentatively scheduled to be discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
7. Shared Services Agreements with City of Golden Valley for Central Park West
8. Partial Plan Review Fee at Application and Electronic Plan Review Program
9. 2017 Fee Schedule
10. Made in MN Solar Project for Fire Station #2
11. Two Wheels on 28" — Event Summary
12. Update on Hotel Phase of Central Park West Redevelopment Contract
Melis a Kenned , City Clerk