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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/10/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session�OfSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 17, 2016 The meeting convened at 6:15 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), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Chief Financial Officer (Mr. Simon), Facilities Supervisor (Mr. West), Inspections Services Manager (Ms. Boettcher), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: None. 1. Review of Proposed 2017 CIP, LRFMP and Utility Rates Mr. Simon presented the report regarding the 2017-2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Long Range Financial Management Plan (LRFMP) and Utility Rates. Along with Mr. Simon, directors or designees who have a key role in the CIP were in attendance to discuss significant projects being proposed and answer questions of the council. Mr. Simon explained the CIP and LRFMP work in conjunction with the city's annual budgeting process in helping to determine an appropriate property tax and HRA levy and to assist in maintaining the City's AAA bond rating. Mr. Simon reviewed the 10 year plan of the various funds, including Cable Television Fund; Police, Police and Fire Pension Funds; Housing Rehabilitation Fund; Development Fund; HRA levy; Permanent Improvement Revolving Fund; Park Improvement Fund; Pavement Management Fund; Sidewalk and Trails Fund; Capital Replacement Fund; and Utility Funds. Ms. Heiser noted the 2017 engineering plan, specifically the $4 million Texas Avenue project. She stated the project involves the reconstruction of the road between Minnetonka Blvd. and Highway 7. The new road will include a segment of bikeway called out in the Connect the Park implementation plan, which will connect to a proposed 28" Street bikeway. Along with this, there is a project to reconstruct the bridge over Minnehaha Creek at 37th Street, for which the city has received federal funding. It will be discussed at a future study session. Ms. Heiser also noted the pavement management project in the Sorenson Neighborhood, including water main replacement and pavement rehabilitation. She stated Utica Avenue is also proposed for reconstruction. There are 2.5 miles of sidewalk proposed as a part of the pavement management in 2017. Additionally, gravel alleys in the Lenox neighborhood will be reconstructed in concrete, and the Gorham parking lot will be reconstructed in this area. Councilmember Mavity asked about the 401h and France parking lot, stating she does not recall this being set in motion. Ms. Walsh pointed out this project is part of the master planning with the City of Edina and is slated for 2017 if planning with Edina begins. She added that at this point it is a place holder, but the council can decide when to begin this project. Ms. Walsh stated the city is purchasing the top part of the lot, while Edina is purchasing the lower two-thirds of the lot. She added it is at the City of St. Louis Park's discretion when to begin. It would also include a public process, but the funds are in place. Study Session Minutes -2- October 17, 2016 Ms. Walsh noted the community gardening at Shelard Park is another project being considered as a prime opportunity for gardening. Additionally, in 2018 there will be a Browndale project expansion. Councilmember Lindberg stated he would like the city to be more aggressive on community gardens and do more for those who do not have yards. Ms. Walsh stated there will also be updates at various city parks in 2017, including Bass Lake, Nelson Park, Rainbow, Shelard, Splash Pad, Twin Lakes, and Webster. She added that at Webster (Highways 7 and 100) the city will eventually gain additional property when MnDOT turns back a portion of Highway 100 to the city. She noted there will be meetings on this matter. Councilmember Sanger asked if the council can infer from this that in 2017 the city will take ownership of this area from MnDOT. Ms. Heiser stated it will be another two to three years before MnDOT releases the area to the city. In 2018 there will be a landscaping project conducted there, but until that project is completed, there will not be a right-of-way release by MnDOT. Councilmember Sanger asked why the city is spending money there if there is uncertainty the city will eventually own the land. Ms. Walsh stated staff is optimistic the city will eventually own this land; however, MnDOT is not ready to let it go yet. She added it is taking a bit longer than the city had hoped. Councilmember Mavity stated she appreciates the sidewalk on 36'/2 Street. She asked about sidewalks on Monterey Avenue in 2017 and if there will be anything done there, as the sidewalks in that location are very narrow. Ms. Heiser stated Monterey Avenue is part of the long-range CIP, along with a bikeway planned for 2018. She added that a pavement rehabilitation project, which includes the Beltline area, is also planned for 2018; however, timing will be dependent on the Southwest Light Rail. Mr. Pires discussed the 2017 website launch, noting an in-depth review was provided to the council at the last study session. He noted that the Sorenson Neighborhood, along with Texas and Utica Avenues, will be included in a fiber expansion and clean-up work at the Central Park West area. Additionally, in 2017 the City Council Chambers will be remodeled. Mr. Pires noted that staff has toured other council chambers in the area, and the audio visual in the chamber design will be well -funded for state-of-the-art performance. Mr. Pires indicated that Oak Hill Park is the last major park to need security and locking of restrooms, and it will be completed in 2017. Mr. Pires stated Ms. Boettcher is leading the effort on finding new software for electronic planning development, noting that while the Council Chambers are being remodeled, cameras will also be added to the Community Room. Rutager West stated that with a greater interest in making the Council Chambers more state-of-the-art, the $300,000 budget will need to increase. The bidding process will begin soon. He added that there are also ADA issues to consider, as well as any deficiencies to correct throughout city hall, along with upgrades to air conditioners, the boilers, and the booking counter at the Police Station. He added that MSC Solar Panels will be added and owned by the city versus being leased. Study Session Minutes -3- October 17, 2016 Mr. Simon commented on the Cable TV Fund; Comcast franchise fees and renewal contracts; the Police and Fire Pension Funds; and the Housing Rehabilitation Fund, which funds many programs to maintain the high housing stock in St. Louis Park. Mr. Simon noted the primary funding source for the Development Fund is the 2017 sale of the various BDA properties around the McGarvey property. He added that whether this sale happens in 2017 or 2018, the fund remains healthy, with the internal loan repayments continuing. Mr. Simon added that the HRA levy will include a policy discussion going forward. He noted that he will discuss with the council what this levy should be used for and possible future opportunities in the next budget cycle. Mr. Simon noted the pavement management project is being tracked and monitored closely with the amounts of projects planned over the next few years. Mr. Simon reviewed the Sidewalk and Trails fund, and the primary funding source is G.O. bonds. Bonds will need to be issued in 2017 for the upcoming projects. Mr. Harmening added that because some bridge projects are included, it makes the sidewalk and bikeway projects more costly than if it were just sidewalks. Councilmember Mavity stated that Ward 2 residents are appreciative of the sidewalks. Mr. Simon noted the Capital Replacement Fund has a healthy cash and fund balance through 2026. Councilmember Sanger asked what the $11 million bond is for. Mr. Simon explained it is for Westwood Hills Nature Center improvements. Councilmember Miller asked if the $8 million for water in 2018 is funded and accounted for. Mr. Simon stated that may be funded by bonds or a state grant; however, that is unknown at this time. He added that water, sewer, and storm water are enterprise funds, which have capital assets booked, and if there is a big variation between cash balances and net assets. Mr. Simon also noted with more retirements and separations, more money will be used from the Benefits Administration Fund. He added there will need to be a cash infusion to this fund because of the cycle it is currently in, with higher payouts. Additionally, there have been more tuition reimbursements taken from this fund. Councilmember Mavity asked for an explanation related to the $1.5 million for Bass Lake Preserve and also what the status of this project is. Ms. Heiser stated that staff brought an update for this project to a council study session in June. She explained that the $1.5 million is for the following improvements: Bass Lake Preserve outlet, Carpenter Park regional treatment, and the Park Glen storm water project. Councilmember Mavity asked if the project included boardwalks for the Bass Lake Preserve. Ms. Heiser stated that the Bass Lake Preserve improvements are funded using storm water utility funds, which can only be used for storm water improvements. There is no plan to construct boardwalks; however, there is a plan to rehabilitate the existing trail around the basin Study Session Minutes -4- October 17, 2016 Mr. Harmening asked the council to notify staff if there are projects missing from the 2017 plan that council would like to see. Councilmember Mavity noted the Carpenter Park regional treatment will address about 3% of the capture area, so it is forward progress; however, she thought this was a step in the process, not the whole project. She would like to be sure the council is seeing and acting on further steps related to the Bass Lake Preserve sub -watershed. Ms. Heiser added that as opportunities present themselves in the various infrastructure projects, staff will highlight storm water treatment as part of the council's approval process. Councilmember Sanger asked about the money for the fire point of contact system and what this refers to. Mr. Harmening stated he will look further into this and report back to the council. Councilmember Mavity noted the Wooddale Bridge widening project. She stated that council has not yet voted on it so including it with a project title sends the wrong message to neighbors. The title should be more general. Mr. Simon reviewed the interactive debt model he has been working on, where projects can be entered and real time debt impacts with detail can be reviewed and drilled down. It will be helpful for staff and council to view specific projects and the financial impact they will have on homeowners. W. Harmening added he asked Mr. Simon to layer in assumptions of tax levy adjustments of operations in this model, for general projects and also utility fee increases, so council can view a cumulative impact on homeowners. Councilmember Mavity presented to the council a report from advocate group Minnesota Housing Partnership entitled Sold Out MN Housing. She asked the council to review it. Mayor Spano stated he wants to be sure there will be sufficient funds in the budget for the ongoing race and equity work the council and staff are doing. Ms. Deno stated there will be funds set aside for programming, training, and consultant fees TAB Alternate Representative Councilmember Sanger noted she is a member of TAB and stated the group would like an alternate representative if she is not able to attend a meeting. She stated metro cities appoint representatives, and if any councilmembers are interested, please let her know. She added the meetings are the third Wednesday of each month from 12:30 p.m. — 3 p.m. Councilmember Brausen stated he is interested in being appointed an alternate. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m. 4 NA