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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/11/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionfffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES M I N N E S 0 T A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA NOVEMBER 21, 2016 The meeting convened at 6:30 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), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Principal Planner (Ms. McMonigal), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Recreation Superintendent (Mr. West), Communications and Marketing Manager (Ms. Larson), Westwood Hills Nature Center Manager (Mr. Oestreich), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: None 1. Westwood Hills Nature Center Project Ms. Walsh presented the report and explained that the city had completed a comprehensive master plan on the Westwood Hills Nature Center in May, 2016. The plan addressed facility development and programming goals for the Nature Center. It also included the Nature Center facilities, outdoor programming sites, infrastructure, and programming needs. She continued that the master plan is the vision and identifies guiding principles, resource allocation, and an action plan to meet the identified needs of the community and assist the city in planning for future building development. Additionally, citizen input played a key role in shaping this plan. Ms. Walsh noted after the city council toured Eastman Nature Center, the council discussed the need for clarity and agreement regarding the intended purpose and desired outcomes of the future Interpretive Center building. She listed the preferences for the center as follows: • 3 classrooms, opening into one larger one • Larger parking lot with trees surrounding • High energy efficient building i Opening and gathering area at entrance, not interfering with programming • Accessible restrooms — available year-round after hours Ms. Walsh asked the council if anything was missing from the background materials included in the report. Mayor Spano stated the building should complement the site and surroundings, while also being unique. He added that a small room for reading groups and for rental space is also desirable. However, nature should be the focus, and the building should not dominate. Councilmember Brausen noted that he and Councilmember Hallfin had recently returned from the National League of Cities Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. While there, they toured the Frick Environmental Center, which is geared toward the promotion and protection of the natural environment and history. He stated that this center places importance on environmentally sustainable ideas, including water conservation; minimizing the carbon footprint; using locally sourced materials; and solar and geothermal power. He noted that this center has created both outdoor and indoor environments, as well as impressive use of artwork. He stated this is a living building, which evolves based on program needs and interactions with nature, which is what he Special Study Session Minutes -2- November 21, 2016 hopes for the Westwood Hills Nature Center. He would like the council to look at this model before proceeding with the new nature center in St. Louis Park. Councilmember Hallfin added that the Frick Center reminded him of Eastman Nature Center. In an effort to be more like nature, the design is not symmetrical. Councilmember Sanger told staff she thinks they have hit the mark, and she likes the idea of the building being open to nature both inside and outside. She stated the design needs to reflect the programming and noted it must be for all ages and not only children's groups. She added she is hesitant on rental space at the new nature center, especially if the city will also build a new community center that most likely will house rental space. Additionally, Councilmember Sanger stated she does feel she is being asked to make decisions based on the Eastman Nature Center and asked if it would be beneficial to look at other centers, as well, before finalizing the plan. Ms. Walsh stated that most nature centers in the area have a similar feel, but Eastman is most similar to Westwood Hills because of size and layout and was a complete rebuild of the previous building. She added that Eastman is closest to what the city is attempting to achieve, noting that some nature centers in the area have deficiencies. Councilmember Sanger asked if other centers have differences that Eastman does not have. Ms. Walsh noted that the Richardson Center incorporates art into the front of the building, and perhaps this should be brought to the Westwood Center, where public art could be on display both inside and outside. Councilmember Sanger also asked if staff has looked at the type of rental income the city might be able to get from the center. Ms. Walsh stated it is difficult to estimate a figure; however, the three rooms can be opened into one large room for wedding receptions, parties, annual neighborhood meetings, etc. Councilmember Brausen stated the council should pursue a net zero policy, demonstrating to the community how we can reduce our net impact on the environment and hoping we can obtain some private funding for it. He would volunteer to work on major fundraising. If the Westwood Nature Center is made net zero for energy, waste and water, and is built with long-lasting, sustainable materials, the initial cost to do it right is small compared to the long-term gain, Councilmember Mavity told staff they had hit the mark, and she supports the project. She added that aesthetics are important, and the industrial theme on the outside is not consistent with the preferred natural feel. She stated the design will need to stay consistent with the theme of nature, noting that Eastman's lighting and materials were stark. She added she loves the idea of including artwork and incorporating that with natural materials. Councilmember Lindberg added that the project is on a good track to move forward, and he feels the building itself should be a living, breathing part of the environment surrounding it. He added that the city needs to be responsible and build the project with the environment as the priority, while also helping to build for future generations. He added that the rental opportunities are not important and he would hate to see those decisions influence the project, adding that the focus needs to be on nature and connecting nature to the building. Councilmember Miller stated the project is on the right track, but he would like to focus more on the balance between the nature programming and renting space. He would like to be flexible on Special Study Session Minutes -3- November 21, 2016 design, so if there was an opportunity to rent it in the future, they would be able to do so. I -Ie also wants to ensure the facility is as flexible as possible, in light of the costs per resident being at $30-40 each. He asked about naming rights and potential donors who might step up in support of the project. Councilmember Sanger noted her concerns on the financing and costs and that she hopes staff will bring back more information to the council. She stated she does not approve of naming rights for public buildings, although she would approve of citizens making contributions to the nature center. Mayor Spano agreed with Councilmember Sanger, noting he too is reluctant to go down the path of naming rights on buildings for donors. Mr. Harmening stated in terms of desired outcomes, the council had agreed the building will be environmentally -friendly, but added if triple net zero is the target desired by the council, staff will look at this and come back with recommendations, noting this will raise the bar, as well as the cost. Councilmember Mavity stated she is not certain about double, triple, or net zero; however, she believes the city needs to be an environmental leader on this project and push the envelope, but not too far. Additionally, she noted that since these design options are costly, she wants to be cautious about what the council directs staff to do. Councilmember Brausen added that the Frick Center has solar panels in the parking area, which are the first thing seen when coming into the lot. He has forwarded pictures and an email to the council. While the initial cost will be high, it makes sense to do this now at the outset of the project. It was the consensus of the council to look further into project costs now. Staff will bring more information back to a future meeting for review. Staff was given the direction to move forward to solicit an architectural company to begin preliminary design. 2. Vision Steering Committee Ms. McMonigal presented the report and stated that the Vision Steering Committee will serve as a liaison between the community and the city council throughout the visioning process. The committee will help reach out to and engage as many community members as possible, including those who may not normally engage with the city. The consultant and city staff will work collaboratively to serve as advocates for the visioning process throughout the community. Ms. McMonigal added that the consultant Rebecca Ryan provided these preferred characteristics for steering committee members: • Visionary • Entrepreneurial and innovative in approaching the future • Able to think outside the box and experiment 0 Positive about St. Louis Park's future. Special Study Session Minutes -4- November 21, 2016 The council asked that the steering committee include a diverse group of individuals, representing a range of demographics, who could reach deeply and widely into the community for input. Ms. McMonigal explained the process for selecting the steering committee members, noting that the staff Communications and Outreach Committee recruited and recommended people for the nine -member steering committee. She stated the Communications and Outreach Committee identified 36 candidates for the steering committee and invited each individual to submit a Statement of Interest. Fourteen statements were received, and nine were chosen out of this group. Ms. McMonigal added that council may also submit more names for the steering committee, and suggested that those people would go through the same process. People that are not chosen for the steering committee would be invited to participate in other vision activities like train the facilitator; leading visioning sessions at neighborhoods; town halls; and live Facebook meetings. She stated that citizen input meetings will be held on various days of the week in January and February, including Saturdays. Councilmember Miller thanked staff for their work. However, he noted his concerns about the steering committee members and wants to ensure its members include people who don't typically speak out. He'd like to tie into those groups of folks and bring in new people. He noted he has several names to submit to staff for the steering committee and will invite them to apply. Councilmember Mavity has someone interested in serving on the steering committee, and she will submit this person's name and ask her to apply, as well. Mayor Spano stated that he had a couple of names to add. Councilmember Mavity asked for information on the process, so as to be clear before inviting additional people to apply for the steering committee. Mr. Harmening stated if council members send staff their contacts' information, staff will extend the recruitment process. He added that staff will bring back all names who have applied to the council, along with staff's recommendation. Council can then decide on the nine members of the committee. He added that staff would like to keep things moving in order to kick off the process by the first of the year. Ms. McMonigal stated they have balance of gender, race, and geography. There are some of the usual subjects, but there are others, also. Councilmember Lindberg asked what the timeline is for the process, adding that we do not want to compromise the timing of the delivery of results. Ms. McMonigal stated January 17 is the first steering committee meeting. Then in mid-February there will be a town hall meeting and the "Train the Facilitator" meeting. In March, two more town hall meetings will occur. Councilmember Lindberg added he has some concerns over ward representation on the steering committee. Councilmember Sanger stated she does not want anyone on the committee who does not live in St. Louis Park. Ms. McMonigal stated there is one person on the current list who does not live in the city; however, he is a St. Louis Park business owner. Councilmember Sanger stated she would prefer another neighborhood person on the committee instead of a business owner. She added that while she supports putting a few fresh faces on the committee, there does need to be some who have lived in the city for a while and who have volunteer experiences. Special Study Session Minutes -5- November 21, 2016 Councilmember Brausen stated he does not want the council to micro manage this process. He r` added that the only person from Ward 4 is someone who has been around awhile, and he has no problem with that. He did note he would like two of the meetings to be Facebook Live meetings, so people won't miss out if they can't attend town hall meetings. Ms. McMonigal noted that the steering committee will help provide contacts for the visioning process, but staff will also go to neighborhoods and neighborhood meetings to make additional contacts. Councilmember Miller stated he disagreed with Councilmember Sanger's comment about not bringing new people onto the committee, and he would like to look at having new people also recruit other folks. He also asked if the steering committee could have 12 vs. 9 members. Ms. McMonigal stated with nine members, the committee remains smaller and more productive. Councilmember Miller asked how facilitators will be found. Ms. McMonigal stated they will present the process and recruit neighborhood leaders at the Neighborhood Leaders Forum. Also, they will utilize boards and commission members and train one to two members from each commission to reach out to their neighbors, and 10-15 staff members will also be trained. Recruiting will be conducted in January. Councilmember Mavity stated it is important to have good clarity on next steps in the process. Councilmember Miller added he is concerned about the steering committee and that it needs to be truly representative of St. Louis Park. He cautioned that unless the steering committee is truly representative of St. Louis Park, the members may dismiss the data. Councilmember Lindberg stated he trusts the consultant and the process Councilmember Hallfin stated he has no issues with any of this; is not worried about the `how' of the process; has faith in the consultant; and does not see anything as dangerous. He stated "dangerous" is a harsh word, and he trusts the council hired the right person as a consultant. He added he trusts staff and is ready to move forward. Councilmember Sanger stated she hopes staff reaches out to neighborhoods that do not have organized groups and noted if there is a Saturday meeting, there will also need to be some Sunday meetings for those who are part of the Jewish community. Mayor Spano stated he is fine with the process as it is, adding he has a couple names for consideration. He stated that though the council agrees on the need for diversity and fresh perspectives, we will not get folks from every sector with only 9 people on the committee. He stated the council hired the consultant to do her job, and the council cannot be involved in running the process. However, the council can provide input. Mr. Harmening stated any additional names should be sent to staff by early next Monday in order to send out statements of intent and to bring all information back to the council in a timely mariner. Special Study Session Minutes -6- November 21, 2016 Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) Councilmember Mavity stated she would like to keep the idea of St Louis Park being a sanctuary city moving forward and asked staff to bring proposed language of a resolution to the next meeting. Mr. Harmening stated staff will draft this and bring back to council for review. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. e Melis aTenned , City Clerk