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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/05/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionWISt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES M I N N E s 0 T A CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA MAY 22, 2017 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jake Spano, Anne Mavity, and Thom Miller. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker), Communications & Marketing Manager (Ms. Larson), Public Works Services Manager (Mr. Merkley), Director of Operations & Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Solid Waste Program Coordinator (Ms. Fisher), Solid Waste Program Specialist (Ms. Barker), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: Cindy Nagel, KOMA 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning — June 2017 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed Study Session agenda for June, 2017. He noted there is no meeting scheduled for Monday, May 29, as it is the Memorial Day holiday. Also, ranked choice voting will be discussed at the June 5 meeting; the softball program will be discussed with the softball association; and the task force and Parks and Recreation will be discussed at the June 12 meeting. Additionally, natural affordable housing will also be discussed June 12. Councilmember Brausen asked if there was an update on the 40th and France property. Mr. Harmening stated that it is being utilized as usual. Residents keep it clean, and the city has very little going on there at this time. He added that the city is speaking with Edina about the possibility of a dog park there in the future. Councilmember Sanger asked if the council might consider a vote on the issue of changing the legal age for tobacco purchase to age 21 at the June 26 meeting instead of June 19. She stated she will be traveling on June 19 and would like to be present for the vote. Councilmember Hallfin stated he would prefer to push it off to the next scheduled meeting, adding there is no need to hurry this issue. Mr. Harmening stated that if the July 3 meeting is cancelled due to the holiday, this topic could be discussed and voted upon at the July 17 meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg stated he would be fine with doing a special city council meeting for this vote and holding it in council chambers. Councilmember Hallfin noted the consideration of council pay and stated that during an election year this is typically discussed. He suggested that in light of all the work Mayor Spano does on behalf of the city and the council, he might get a pay raise in 2018. Councilmember Hallfin stated he would like the council to discuss this at a future study session. Mr. Harmening stated this could also be discussed in July, adding that a pay increase is automatic for all of the council, but the council can further discuss a larger increase for the Mayor. Mr. Harmening noted he will discuss this with Mayor Spano first and then report back to council. 2. Council Chambers Remodel Update Mr. Harmening stated that the remodel plans for the council chambers need to be finalized soon so construction can begin. He stated there is a need for a storage area for extra chairs, so a Study Session Minutes -2- May 22, 2017 storage closet was added on the north wall and will be integrated with the portraits of past mayors. Additionally, ballistic material for the council dais was added, using a fairly inexpensive material which fits the budget. Mr. Pires and Ms. Nagel discussed updates on the technology components. Councilmember Sanger asked about the monitors, noting that from the plans, it still looks like it might be difficult for council members to see the monitor on the west wall. She continued that people will need to turn their heads uncomfortably toward the monitor, and it makes more sense to have the monitor on the dais in front of the council members. Councilmember Brausen asked if the iPads which council members currently use can be connected to Wi-Fi and the presentations shown on those instead of a monitor. Mr. Pires stated that from previous meetings, staff understood council did not want to view monitors on the dais. However, he added that this can certainly still be done. He added that as another option, a monitor could be centered in front of the dais and be panoramic, and using individual iPads at the dais would also be a possibility for council viewing. Ms. Nagel explained that the ceiling monitor was problematic since the council would be looking up and also trying to view the presenter at the same time. She stated the thought was to keep the work surfaces at the dais all one level, in order to have a place to store cords. Mr. Pires added that another option would be to leave the podium on the side, and have a stationary lectern added with a single monitor in the center, in front of the lectern. Councilmember Hallfin noted he has no problem with turning to the side, adding he trusts staff to figure it out. Ms. Nagel stated that her concern is putting too much in front of the dais and losing the aesthetic feel of the room. Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg agreed. Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg noted Councilmember Sanger's concerns, however, he added that it was the council's decision to not include monitors on the dais. He stated that in his own workplace, this technology has had issues, and tech staff is always having to make corrections and changes, which results in additional costs. He suggested not including monitors on the dais and stated he likes the look of the dais in the current plan. Councilmember Brausen asked if the southwest corner of the room is for video only. Mr. Pires stated it is, and the room is for the council, planning commission, special training sessions, and other events where recording may be needed. Councilmember Brausen asked if there will be a coat room. Mr. Pires stated a coat rack can be added, perhaps in the storage room. Councilmember Sanger noted she also has concerns about the glass windows and doors on the northeast side and feels it is a waste of money to use the electronic frosting on the glass. She asked if a blind could be used instead, as she sees no value in the electronic frosting. Ms. Nagel explained that the fiosting helps so there can be minimal viewing through the glass to provide privacy during trainings, etc. However, she noted that a blind can be put over the windows if that is the preference. There would be no blind for the door. Study Session Minutes -3- May 22, 2017 Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg asked the cost difference between blinds and the electronic frosting. Ms. Nagel stated the blinds are half the cost of the frosted glass. Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg stated because this is a multi-purpose room and while it is important for the glass to be transparent during council meetings, for staff trainings or other meetings there is a need for less distraction, it would make sense to use the frosted glass on these occasions. Councilmembers Hallfin and Brausen agreed and were in favor of the frosted glass, as well Mr. Pires noted the monitor on the east wall will be a very large display, primarily for the audience. He stated staff is currently looking at 3 to 4 high-resolution options, noting that this monitor will provide for the display of maps, blueprints, etc., as well as for better viewing of more immersive displays (e.g., 3D). He stated staff is currently reviewing comparative pricing on various display options, and they will report back to the council as directed by the City Manager. He added that staff will want to be cost effective and also allow for future display technologies. Next steps involve completion of the full plan within the next week, with a planned start of demolition in July, providing council accepts the current design. Construction is expected to take 3-4 months, with completion in November, 2017. 3. Solid Waste Program and Collections Services Mr. Harmening stated that the solid waste program is discussed with council every 5 years, but there is a need to discuss it now, before decisions can be made about a new hauler contract. Mr. Merkley stated that staff would like council input on suggested changes and any new ideas in preparation for the RFP process. He pointed out Attachments A — D in the staff report, including a history of the program dating back to 1958. He added that staff would like to discuss the process and timeframe for the future solid waste program and collection service contracts. Councilmember Sanger stated the suggestions in the report are fine, but they do not go far enough, adding that the city should do recycling pick-up each week and garbage pick-up every other week. She asked if there is any data on multi -family housing garbage and recycling collection. Mr. Merkley stated that data on multi -family housing does not currently exist, but work to collect information will begin soon. Councilmember Sanger stated once that data is collected, it may appear that multi -family housing is not doing as much recycling as it could be. If that is the case, she would like to be more aggressive in promoting recycling. Councilmember Sanger also asked why staff was proposing to eliminate the $3 credit for no grass clippings in yard waste. Mr. Merkley stated there are 8,000 residents using this program, but there is no way to monitor or manage it, so it would be a cost -savings to eliminate the credit. The savings could be used to minimize future program cost increases. Councilmember Brausen asked if the city could have a surcharge for grass clippings that are put out for collection with yard waste. Councilmember Sanger asked why the every -other -week pilot program will require residents to have organics recycling. Mr. Merkley stated that staff has concerns over issues that could occur if organic material like food waste is left in garbage carts and only collected every other week. He added that weekly organics collection is available at no extra cost. Study Session Minutes -4- May 22, 2017 Councilmember Sanger pointed out, however, that some homes have no space for a garbage, recycling and organics cart. She added that trading out the trash cart for a smaller one and then having a large container for organics is trading one problem for another. She pointed out that she does not collect organics but also does not put her trash out every week, adding she also has never had a problem with animals. Councilmember Sanger stated this is a logistics problem that she hopes staff will solve. She asked whether there is a need to put the smaller 20 -gallon insert into the 30 -gallon size cart and if a smaller cart could be provided instead. Mr. Merkley stated he understands Councilmember Sanger's concerns; however, the containers must be this size as it works with Waste Management trucks' automated tipper on the back end of the trucks. Councilmember Sanger asked that staff double check this. Councilmember Sanger asked if there are plans in place for the proposed switch to compostable bag vouchers for use at local retailers. Mr. Merkley stated staff is investigating this. Councilmember Brausen asked if it is possible for data to be gathered weekly and if Waste Management does periodic estimates of what is in the trash or the percentage of plastic packaging found in trash. He added he believes disposable plastic packaging will need to be banned in the future. He said that communities bear the cost of disposable plastic use, and merchants that use plastic should be compelled to receive it back. Ms. Fisher stated staff receives monthly data on tons of garbage collected and could break it down to weekly tonnage. Ms. Fisher noted that a recent study identified organic material and textiles as two of the top four materials still being thrown in the trash. Ms. Barker added that plastics are voluminous but light weight, and non -packaging plastics are found to be more prevalent in the waste stream than plastic packaging. Councilmember Brausen noted he is in favor of smaller bins for regular trash, and he would also like to see bids on tiered service. He added that he would like to see every other week trash collection and an upgrade option for weekly collection for households who need it in order to get rid of diapers, for example. Councilmember Brausen stated he would like to create a plan to offer existing multi -family housing the option of composting and would look to the Metropolitan Council for help. He added if the city does not insist on it, it will not happen. He further noted the city will need to follow up on the state law related to multi -family recycling as well. Ms. Barker indicated the state has limited data on multi -family and lacks staff for enforcement. She added that it is against the law for the city to be stricter than the state building code for space required for trash/recycling rooms. Councilmember Brausen stated the city has lots of units that are not required to do recycling, noting we need to have our lobbyists follow up, also. Councilmember Sanger asked if the city can require multi -family buildings to buy into the city service. Mr. Merkley stated that this is not currently being planned for, but staff is not ruling anything out, adding that contracting for multi -family would be easier than cornmercial. He added there is much the city can do for multi -family, and he understands this is the direction the council would like to go. Councilmember Brausen asked if there is data on restaurants and what they are doing with organics. Ms. Barker stated that the city does not license food establishments. That is a Health Department responsibility, but she noted that several restaurants - including Mill Valley Kitchen — now have organics recycling to be in compliance with the Zero Waste Packaging ordinance. She added that new restaurants coming into the city must follow the ordinance upon opening. Study Session Minutes -5- May 22, 2017 Councilmember Ilallfin stated he likes the every other week option for garbage collection; however, many people have alleys and don't put their garbage cans in the garage, so it could be problematic to have carts sitting for up to two weeks with garbage that attracts animals. He understands about taking away the $3 credit, as some who are receiving it are not compliant. Mr. Harmening asked if any other cities across the country have every other week garbage collection. Ms. Fisher stated there are several U.S. and Canadian cities doing this, as well as making organics collection mandatory or banning food waste from disposal in the garbage. Mr. Harmening asked how a food waste ban is enforced. Ms. Barker stated these are difficult to enforce. Ms. Fisher noted Seattle has a food waste ban and also conducted a pilot for every - other -week garbage collection. The data showed that resident satisfaction fell because people expected a greater drop in garbage collection fees than the 10% reduction that Seattle estimated, so the pilot was dropped. Mr. Harmening added there are race equity issues to consider, and staff will research this further, also. Councilmember Hallfrn noted that after attending a workshop for the National League of Cities in Nashville, TN, he learned that southern cities are still collecting garbage 2-3 times per week and some cities are using dirty MRFs to sort through garbage rather than residents sorting before set -out at the curb. He stated that everything we are doing here is appreciated, adding St. Louis Park is setting the bar high. Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg asked about residents with alleys who keep their carts by the side of the garage and if it is necessary for the city to prohibit that. Mr. Harmening stated that ordinance is regularly violated and not enforced. Mr. Merkley stated the ordinance is outdated and will be modified. Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg added, however, that if these containers are allowed to be outside, they will need to be better secured. Mayor Pro Tem Lindberg stated he understands all of the comments today and agrees from an idealistic point -of -view. He added that if the city were to change to every other week trash, charging people more for an upgrade to weekly trash collection significantly impacts our single- family homeowners. Adding more fees and taxes is a concern regarding affordable housing. He stated we don't want to get to the point where rates become an issue for residents. Councilmember Brausen said he does not want to price someone out of the market with fees, but added that everyone has to be responsible for the trash they generate. We have to be willing to curb the creation of trash, which can be done by making it more expensive for disposal. Mr. Harmening stated that both Mayor Spano and Councilmember Miller are supportive of weekly recycling pick up, and the next level smaller trash bin is preferred. He added that both had concerns with discontinuing offering compostable bags because some bags that residents can purchase are subgrade. Mr. Harmening added that Mayor Spano would also like the council to consider having the city offer document shredding for residents. Mr. Harmening noted that Mayor Spano would like staff to look at changing the language from garbage or trash to "landfill" — which has a psychological effect — even though St. Louis Park trash is not landfilled but incinerated at the HERC (Hennepin Energy Recovery Center). Councilmember Brausen asked about the Fats, Oils, and Grease education proposed by staff. Ms. Fisher stated that oil and grease plug up wastewater systems, including city lift stations, and Study Session Minutes -6- May 22,2017 added that options for oil and grease include putting it in a glass container to dispose of. Ms. Fisher added that the city will do education on this, as well as looking into recycling options. Councilmember Sanger asked about the possibility of having organic drop-off points at centralized areas in the city. Mr. Merkley stated there is a pilot project planned this summer for a drop-off for multi -family residents. Ms. Barker added it will be monitored with the use of locks so that only organic materials are disposed of in the containers. The council agreed to Purpose, Goals, and Objectives outlined for the solid waste program and staff's proposal on timeline and process, stating it was fine to proceed with the plan presented in the report. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 4. April 2017 Monthly Financial Report 5. Vision 3.0 Update 6. Minnehaha Preserve Operations & Maintenance Agreement with MCWD Melis�a KennedV City Clerk