HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/01/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session01$t. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E 5 0 T A CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JANUARY 25, 2016
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano. Gregg Lindberg, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Environmental
Coordinator (Mr. Vaughan), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh),
Communications Specialist (Ms. Pribbenow), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Batra).
Guest: None
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— February 8, 2016
Ms. Deno presented the proposed Study Session agenda for February 8, 2016
In response to Councilmember Miller's suggestion, the Council discussed whistle quiet zones
and whether there is a need to add the topic to a future Study Session for discussion. The
Council decided to gather more information from residents before discussing the topic further,
and the County will contact the Council if the topic needs to be discussed.
Mayor Spano stated he would like to hold select Study Sessions at other facilities so the Council
can tour the City's buildings.
Councilmember Brausen asked for clarification about the topic regarding water. Ms. Deno
confirmed that infrastructure, not water quality, will be discussed.
2. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Preparedness Plan Implementation
Ms. Walsh presented the staff report regarding the City's plan to prepare for the imminent arrival
of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Mr. Vaughan explained the tree study that was conducted and
presented the Emerald Ash preparedness plan. The City has been grading the ash trees and
removing the poorer quality trees, which includes trees that have been trimmed by Xcel Energy
and trees with storm damage. He noted at this point some of the lesser desired ash trees still
need to be removed.
Mr. Vaughan proposed injecting ash trees with an insecticide that will kill beetles on contact
using a root flare injection so the chemical never gets outside of the tree. He stated if enough ash
trees are injected, infestation will be reduced. The City is proposing a 50% cost share with
residents for treating the trees. Treatment of trees in the parks would be funded 100% by the
City. Councilmember Lindberg asked if a resident has the option to decline to participate, and
Mr. Vaughan responded that participation is completely optional.
Councilmember Brausen confirmed that the City will lose all of the ash trees if nothing is done.
Mr. Vaughan agreed and explained that the EAB is slowly working its way through the metro
area. He noted the main problem with EAB is that there are no warning signs of infestation.
Study Session Minutes -2- January 25, 2016
Councilmember Brausen stated his support of the preservation of the trees, but did not agree that
residents should have to share in the costs of treatment.
Councilmember Mavity confirmed that it will cost the City $15,000 to treat approximately 250
trees with a 50% cost share. She stated she would rather the City put the emphasis on planting
new trees.
Councilmember Sanger stated that the City owns the right-of-way and the City has the benefit;
therefore, the City should cover the entire cost of treatment. In response to Councilmember
Lindberg's question about the boulevard trees, Mr. Vaughan clarified that all other costs are
covered by the City for the boulevard trees, with the exception of tree removal.
Councilmember Miller stated his agreement that the City should cover the whole cost of the
proposed plan. Councilmember Miller asked about EAB spreading if the residents choose not to
participate. Mr. Vaughan stated it could potentially cause a problem if residents didn't
participate.
Councilmember Hallfin asked if there are any unintended consequences from the insecticides.
Mr. Vaughan explained in-depth studies have not been conducted, but the chances of the bees
getting affected and/or chemical issues are very small. Councilmember Hallfin suggested the
Council allocate funds from the budget surplus to fund the proposal at 100%. Ms. Deno
explained that the funds already have recommended designations, but there is a small amount of
discretionary funds available for allocation.
Councilmember Sanger stated she would like the Council to discuss, at another Study Session,
the right-of-way and the inconsistencies and whether the City can produce one policy that would
define a blanket approach to apply to provide clarity. Councilmember Lindberg stated that he
would like to know where the Council has discretion.
Councilmember Mavity agreed that a more coherent policy, as Councilmember Sanger
suggested, would be beneficial. Councilmember Mavity stated she is looking for clarification on
what costs the Council is agreeing to pay, and explained the need to set parameters.
Councilmember Sanger clarified that, as she understands it, the City would pay for any trees that
need to be treated. Mr. Vaughan explained that the City is looking at treating 576 trees, plus a
review of the remaining trees. Ms. Deno explained that would be approximately $30,000
annually to inject half of the 576 trees.
Mayor Spano clarified, and Mr. Vaughan agreed, that the City is only buying time until the tree
dies and another one is planted in its place. Mr. Vaughan explained that each ash tree can only
be injected a finite number of times, so it's just a matter of time until the trees must be replaced.
Councilmember Mavity stated that she would rather spend the money on infrastructure and
planting trees. Mr. Vaughan explained that the main priority is to maintain the tree canopy.
It was the consensus of the Council to fund the proposed plan at 100% ($30,000/year). Staff will
adjust the plan accordingly, and present it to the Council for review.
Study Session Minutes -3- January 25, 2016
3. Off -Sale Liquor Licensing
Ms. Deno presented the staff report regarding off -sale liquor licenses. She recapped the
discussions on this matter over the last year.
Councilmember Mavity stated that State law has established guidelines for liquor stores, but
these guidelines do not govern our City. When looking at where C-2 zones are located in the
City, the zones are located in small neighborhoods. She stated she wants the Council to consider
the effects this has on small businesses. She explained that she doesn't think a large liquor store
will add value to neighborhoods that define the City. She noted that Hopkins, with their Main
Street, has already instituted a size limitation of 5,000 square feet. For the above -stated reasons,
Councilmember Mavity proposed a size limitation of 5,000 square feet or less to keep the
character of the City.
Councilmember Miller stated his agreement of Councilmember Mavity's proposal. He stated
that keeping the City's character is a challenge for the City and is the Council's goal. He asked
how the Council can ensure that the liquor stores are unique, independent, and build character as
the size limitation only addresses part of the problem.
Councilmember Sanger does not agree with limitations and stated she did not agree in
comparisons to state regulations on number of establishments and Minneapolis. Also, limiting
the size of the store is not fair, and the free market should be maintained.
Councilmember Lindberg stated he is willing to discuss this issue as a proximity issue. By
limiting size, smaller businesses cannot compete, because the larger stores would be
grandfathered in. For this reason, Councilmember Lindberg does not support a size limitation.
Councilmember Hallfin explained that he sees this issue from a few different angles. He stated
that size can and may be an issue in the future as a big box store could change the feel of the
City. He proposed a limitation of 9,000 square feet. Secondly, Councilmember Hallfrn stated
his agreement with Councilmember Lindberg regarding the saturation of the area. He explained
that the City should discuss regulating the proximity of liquor stores to each other.
Councilmember Brausen suggested leaving the regulations as written without change as liquor is
a lawful product, and the market will regulate.
Councilmember Mavity stated that she doesn't support raising the square footage to 9,000 as that
wouldn't help the City.
Councilmember Sanger stated she is pleased to hear about the character of the neighborhoods
and would appreciate support on architectural design of the buildings in the neighborhoods.
Councilmember Miller asked about zoning at the light rail stations, and Councilmember Mavity
explained there was an overlay to change the zoning of those areas. Ms. Deno explained how the
zoning works in reference to C-2 districts and PUD's.
Mayor Spano stated he supports limiting the size of liquor stores. Although it is regulating
liquor stores differently than other businesses, he explained that the proposal does make sense
and is warranted. He stated that he supports a limitation of 6,000 square feet. Mayor Spano
explained that four councilmembers are now supporting a size limitation; therefore, the Council
Study Session Minutes -4- January 25, 2016
needs to settle on a number. Councilmember Hallfin clarified that he was more concerned with
the proximity issue, than the size issue. Mayor Spano stated that if the size of the store is
limited, then proximity may not be an issue.
Councilmember Lindberg's concern on the size limitation conversation is that the Council has
discussed this issue, but the comments are not based on specifics. Also, the Council's decision is
going to limit competition. In order to receive his vote, good rationale needs to be identified to
support the size limitation. Councilmember Miller stated that the City Attorney made it clear as
to in order to proceed with a size limitation, a rationale needs to be identified. Councilmember
Sanger stated that Councilmember Mavity's theory does not have a legal basis.
Councilmember Mavity stated that a number needs to be agreed upon, as there are four
supporters. Ms. Deno stated that proximity has also been brought up. She suggested staff draw
up a proposal to see what that looks like, if desired. Then the Council can discuss the specifics
in reference to size versus proximity, as proximity might answer both questions and would be
easier to identify and explain. Councilmember Mavity stated she doesn't believe that proximity
addresses the issue of the City's uniqueness.
Mayor Spano clarified that there are two issues, size and proximity. Ms. Deno will direct staff to
review information from Hopkins, gather data on proximity, and present their findings at a future
Study Session.
4. Updated Draft 2016 Legislative Agenda
Ms. Deno presented the staff report regarding the Draft 2016 Legislative Agenda, which was
edited pursuant to the Council's suggestions.
Mayor Spano and Councilmember Brausen both expressed their approval of the draft agenda.
Councilmember Mavity proposed that the "Serving our Seniors" portion be removed as it is
outdated. She explained that seniors are now included in a larger bonding proposal for
affordable housing at the legislature. Councilmember Mavity suggested replacing "Serving our
Seniors" with "Homes for All," a different proposal that includes seniors.
Councilmember Miller stated his approval of the draft agenda as presented.
Councilmember Sanger asked for clarification about transportation funding, page 6 of the draft,
second bullet point, in reference to fiscal disparities. Ms. Deno clarified that this statement is a
generalized statement. In addition, Councilmember Sanger asked about what the last bullet
point, of that same section, is referring to. Ms. Deno explained the statement is a broad
statement to capture the funding. Councilmember Sanger suggested the wording be fine-tuned.
Mayor Spano stated that the bonding committee is not going to read the entire document so the
Council should not spend too much time on the details. He suggested pulling the last page to the
front of the document.
Councilmember Lindberg stated his agreement with the draft agenda, and with Councilmember
Mavity's proposal on changing the senior housing portion.
Study Session Minutes -5- January 25, 2016
Councilmember Hallfin stated that staff did a good job with the document. If needed, the
Council can reach out to the City's legislators.
Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal)
Ms. Deno stated the annual award ceremony for the Fire Department is tomorrow starting at 7
p.m. at Fire House #1. The Council is invited to attend.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
5.
6.
7.
December 2015 Monthly Financial Report
Fourth Quarter Investment Report October — December 2015
SWLRT update
Melis a Kennedy, City Clerk