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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/06/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionfffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JUNE 26, 2017 The meeting convened at 7:45 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. I-Iarmening), City Attorney (Mr. Knetsch), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Inspections Director (Mr. Hoffman), Inspection Services Manager (Ms. Boettcher), Communications & Marketing Manager (Ms. Larson), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: None 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning — July 10, 2017 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed Study Session agenda for July 10, 2017. Councilmember Mavity asked when the housing initiatives and also the policing topics will return. She stated the Human Rights Commission will need to be notified when the policing topic comes up so they can put it on their calendars. Councilmember Sanger noted she would like to see the following items discussed at upcoming study sessions: possible new community center; a new home for the St. Louis Park historical society; and snow plowing of all sidewalks. Mr. Harmening stated the snow plowing issue can be added to the budget discussion later tonight. However, Mayor Spano and Councilmembers Lindberg and Hallfin did not want to discuss it any further at this time. Councilmember Miller stated he appreciated the written report on the Walker Lake District and asked for additional discussion on this area related to branding, economic enhancement, and next steps. Mr. Harmening stated staff will send the council a list of items and ask them to prioritize. He noted that he had a conversation with an adult leader of the Nest project, and this topic will also be on an upcoming agenda. Councilmember Mavity noted that the Girl and Boy Scouts are asking about the Nest as a place to meet with their groups also, and she will forward to staff and councilmembers the email she received. 2. Flavored Tobacco Products Mr. Hoffman stated many tobacco products are now offered in a variety of enticing flavors in relatively inexpensive single -use packages and may be colorfully displayed. These types of tobacco products, along with traditional cigarettes, are readily available in retail stores. Over half of retail establishments in St. Louis Park are offering flavored tobacco products. These products are offered with pricing beginning at $.99 each. The proposed city ordinance raising the age for sale of all tobacco products from 18 -to 21 may reduce the availability of flavored tobacco products for youth. Other approaches to consider involve allowing the sale of flavored tobacco products in a newly created license category for tobacco shops, or prohibiting the sale of all Study Session Minutes -2- June 26, 2017 flavored tobacco products in the community. Flavored vaping products would be included, also. The city attorney has confirmed the city can adopt an ordinance using this approach. Councilmember Brausen asked if the city can have a tobacco shop with no flavored tobacco. Mr. Knetsch stated that flavored products are aimed at younger buyers, so the prices are low. He added that the city cannot regulate products by price, however, the city has authority to set minimum age for sales. Councilmember Lindberg stated he is concerned about tobacco shops coming into the Texatonka area, so he would like to see the council ban all tobacco product shops in the city. Councilmember Sanger stated that her opinion is to ban flavored tobacco outright and also have "tobacco only" store licenses. She stated it makes sense to do this now, before there are any tobacco shops in the city, rather than after the fact. She stated that the restrictions should be in place before shops try to come into the city. Mr. Harmening stated it sounds like the council would like to look at the zoning code and tighten it up, limiting where tobacco only shops could be located. Councilmember Miller agreed and asked if this would include menthol cigarettes. Mr. Hoffman stated this depends on how the council wants to define it in the ordinance. Mr. Knetsch stated that in the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Shoreview ordinances, menthol, mint and wintergreen are exempted. He added this is up to the council to decide. Councilmember Mavity stated she has concerns that this will put some businesses above others. She agreed that the zoning ordinance should be tightened up and added that she would support a ban, but would not want to put some retailers at a disadvantage. Councilmember Hallfrn stated he is all for a ban on flavored products and shares Councilmember Lindberg's concerns about where tobacco shops could end up. Mayor Spano stated he is in favor of banning flavored tobacco, but is fine with leaving menthol cigarettes alone. Councilmember Brausen added he is fine with this, also. Mr. Harmening stated staff will draft an ordinance for review by the council regarding banning flavored tobacco products and also tightening up of the zoning code for tobacco only shops. Councilmember Sanger asked if the FDA or other federal agency has any definitions of what constitutes a menthol cigarette or flavored tobacco. Mr. Knetsch stated he does not believe they distinguish, but he will find out and let the council know. 3. 2018 Budget Mr. Harmening stated staff has been working on the budget for 2018 and is analyzing costs and capital improvement plans. Mr. Simon noted that budgeting should align with vision and goals. Staff reports will be added to the city website, and the budget email address is now active. He added that staff will look at conducting a Facebook live budget presentation somewhere between the preliminary levy Study Session Minutes -3- June 26, 2017 approval in September and the budget presentation in December. Mr. Simon noted the various areas that will be included in budgeting such as the climate action plan; utility funds; solid waste and organics; and irrigation rates. He added that franchise fees will not be reviewed until 2019 as they are looked at every other year. Long-range financial management plans and debt models will be discussed, along with capital improvement plans. Mr. Simon asked the councilmembers to let staff know if there are items to be considered for the 2018 budget, and those will be reviewed at the August 21 meeting. Councilmember Brausen stated he is excited about getting public input and questions on the budget. He added he would like to see funds available to assist in operationalizing race relations work and in creating a mechanism to help minority-owned businesses get projects in the city. Ms. Deno stated this work is included in all of the staff action plans. Councilmember Brausen asked if there is anything that can be done for seniors to have a levy credit if they've been in their home more than 10 years, or if a grant program could be implemented to help seniors stay in their homes. Councilmember Sanger noted the state already has these programs in place that freeze taxes for seniors and defer their taxes so that they can stay in their homes. Councilmember Brausen stated he is aware of these programs, but does not think they are adequate. Councilmember Sanger stated she is fine with what is outlined in the staff report, but asked if the budget will include consulting fees for capital projects. Mr. Harmening answered yes, they will be included. He pointed out that the consulting fees for the girls' softball field were included in the 2017 budget. Councilmember Sanger added she would also want the community center included in the budget, as well as snow plowing. Councilmember Lindberg stated he is also concerned about the city's senior population, especially when their homes may be their only source of wealth. He added that the city continues to grow and progress in service delivery, with the best staff. He asked what the minimum tax levy is if the city continues at the present staff levels with current benefits. He noted conversations he has had with neighbors about taxes and families moving because they are in need of a larger house. Councilmember Sanger pointed out that the State of Minnesota already has a program to freeze property taxes for senior citizens on a limited income, so there is no need for the City of St. Louis Park to do it again. Councilmember Mavity added she is surprised how many of her neighbors talk about their property tax increases and asked if this is because the city's property values are increasing or if taxes are just increasing. Mr. Simon noted value is one component of tax impact, and the school and county levy is another. Councilmember Mavity stated she wants to be cautious about too many initiatives and projects for 2018. She wants to understand staff recommendations, and what projects could be taken off the budget so as to lower the levy. Councilmember Miller stated he would like to see a race equity advisor added to staff and to propose a capital project with the softball fields. Councilmember Hallfin stated he agrees with Councilmember Miller that the softball fields are a priority. Additionally, he agrees with finding a creative way to help seniors get relief from their property taxes. Study Session Minutes -4- June 26, 2017 Mayor Spano stated he would also like a full-time person for race equity work, similar to the Environment and Sustainability Coordinator that was added to staff. He added it is important to have a professional development budget, adding that staff is the city's most valuable asset, and he wants to support their development. Mayor Spano stated he would like to find a matching grant to get basketball hoops added to the Meadowbrook Community. He asked the council about how to handle requests for help that come to the city for help. Councilmember Mavity stated she supports these requests as part of the budget and policy. Councilmember Sanger asked what the criteria is for these requests. Councilmember Mavity asked staff for a summary over the last three years, about what has been given by the city and to whom, and also who has asked but did not receive assistance. Councilmember Sanger stated that the city will need criteria and a policy for giving to non- profits. She said that the city is not a social service agency, adding that she does not want to start down this path. Likewise, she noted that she is leery of the council telling the city manager what type of staff member to hire. She would rather that the council tell staff the goals of the council and let the City Manager decide what the job would be. Councilmember Lindberg agreed with Councilmember Sanger's comments related to the race equity staff person, stating that staff needs to tell the council what position is needed from a policy direction. Councilmember Brausen stated that if there is a need in the community, the city should help provide funding for it. A policy is needed regarding athletic organizations, or seniors, or other groups asking for assistance. Mr. Harmening stated that related to sidewalk snow removal, he has been in contact with a social service provider called Senior Community Services. For those who meet the certain criteria, the city could contract with this group to clear sidewalks for a fee. He added that the city could pay for it or split the cost with the homeowner. Councilmember Mavity asked if this service might also be available for residents who have an issue removing branches and trees after storm damage. Councilmember Sanger stated the snow removal option may work, but it might not be cheaper than having the city do it. She stated this is still a basic equity issue, and the alternative is not to plow anyone's sidewalk. Councilmember Lindberg stated it is a simple definition about community versus neighborhood sidewalk. It is not an equity issue but an equality discussion. Mayor Spano added that for residents who cannot clear their sidewalks, this service may be an option. Mr. Harmening added that as a pilot program, the service agency could shovel up to 100 residences at $35-50 per resident per snowfall. Study Session Minutes -5- June 26, 2017 Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) Mr. Harmening noted that on Thursday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at The Roc, there will be a naturalization ceremony for new citizens from all over the state. He encouraged all to attend. Councilmember Sanger stated that Wednesday June 28 at 7 p.m., the Allies of St Louis Park will be hosting a Q & A session with the four candidates running for city council in Ward 1. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 4. May 2017 Monthly Financial Report 5. Vision 3.0 Update 6. Walker -Lake Initiatives Update 0 Melis a I{ennedy, City Clerk