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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/10/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regularf`fSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 2, 2017 1. Call to Order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spann, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Community Development Director (Ms. Barton), Operations & Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Assistant Zoning Administrator (Mr. Morrison), Solid Waste Program Specialist (Ms. Barker), Public Works Manager (Mr. Merkley), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Residents la. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations 2a. Retirement Recognition for Equipment Superintendent Dennis Millerbernd Mayor Spano read a resolution and presented a plaque to Dennis Millerbernd for 37 years of service to the City of St. Louis Park Mayor Spano thanked Mr. Millerbernd for his excellent customer service, professionalism, and many contributions to the city over the years. Ms. Walsh commented on Mr. Millerbernd's tireless service and fiscal responsibility to the city, noting it has been a pleasure working with him. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Study Session Minutes September 11, 2017 Councilmember Mavity noted on page 3, 2"d paragraph it should read "...plastic bag recycling program..." Councilmember Sanger noted on the bottom of page 3, 2 n sentence, it should read "...many of the people who complain about garbage prices are those who throw their recycling into the garbage carts, so staff will need to continue to educate residents who are resistant to recycling." It nras mored by Councibnember Marity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the Study Session Meeting Minutes of September 11, 2017, as corrected. The motion passed 7-0. City Council Meeting -2- October 2, 2017 3b. City Council Special Study Session Meeting Minutes September 18, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to approve the Special Study Session Meeting Minutes of September 18, 2017, as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar 4a. Accept for filing City Disbursement Claims for the period of August 26, through September 22, 2017. 4b. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2522-17 amending Section 36 -268 -PUD 8 of the Zoning Code relating to the Major Amendment for The Elmwood. 4c. Approve execution of the Hennepin County Memo of Understanding for Text to 911. 4d. Approve second reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2523-17 of the Right -of -Way and approve the Ordinance Summary for publication. 4e. Authorize execution of a professional services contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. in the amount of $121,491.50 for 2018 Connect the Park segments Project No. 4018-2000. 4f. Authorize execution of a professional services contract with SRF Consulting in the amount of $181,986 for the Historic Walker Lake District Design Study Project No. 4018-1050. 4g. Approve the 2018 Zero Waste Packaging Acceptable Materials and Exemptions lists, as presented. 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 17-146 to recognize Equipment Superintendent Dermis Millerbernd for 37 years of service. 4i. Authorize execution of a professional services contract with RESPEC in the amount of $231,020.00 for the update of the City's Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) 4018-4100. 4j. Designate Aqua Logic, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder authorizing execution of an agreement with the firm in the amount of $447,000 to replace the filters, replace feature pumps and relocate pumps at the Rec Center Aquatic Park. 4k. Approve a temporary extension of the licensed premises for a one -day event at Copperwing Distillery, located at 6409 Cambridge Street. 41. Adopt Resolution No. 17-154 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 7813 Division Street, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. P.I.D. 20-117-21-22-0094. 4m. Adopt Resolution No. 17-155 approving acceptance of a monetary donation from Kauffman Foundation for all travel expenses of Mayor Jake Spano to attend the 2017 Mayor's Conference on Entrepreneurship that will be held in Oakland, CA on October 25-27, 2017. 4n. Approve for filing Fire Civil Service Commission Meeting Minutes of June 12, 2017. It was moved by Councilmember Ilallfin, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. City Council Meeting -3- October 2, 2017 The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions - None 6. Public Hearings 6a. Consolidated Public Hearing. I. 2018 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 1. Resolution No. 17-147 II. 2018 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 2. Resolution No. 17-148 III. 2018 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 3. Resolution No. 17-149 IV. 2018 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 4. Resolution No. 17-150 V. 2018 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 5. Resolution No. 17-151 VI. 2018 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges for Special Service District No. 6. Resolution No. 17-152 Mr. Merkley presented the staff report regarding service charges for each district. He noted that the 2018 proposed budgets and service charges are similar to that of past years, and added that staff has held meetings with property owners from each of the six districts and received their support for approving the 2018 budgets and service charges. Mayor Spann opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spann closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councitmember Mavity, seconded by Councilrnember Brausen, to adopt Resolution Nos. 17-147, 17-148, 17-I49, 17-150, 17-151, and 17-152 setting the 2018 Budget & Property Owner Service Charges.for Special Service District Nos. 1-6 and directing staff to certify the annual service charges to Hennepin County. The motion passed 7-0. 6b. Lakes Venture, LLC — 3.2 Off -Sale Liquor License for Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market and Off -Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Fresh Thyme Liquor. Ms. Kennedy presented the staff report. She noted the property designated as Suite A will be the Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market, an organic grocery store that will hold the on -sale 3.2% malt liquor license. Likewise, the property designated as Suite B will be a separate liquor store known as Fresh Thyme Liquor that will hold the off -sale intoxicating liquor license. A November 1 opening date is proposed for both locations. City Council Meeting -4- October 2, 2017 Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Mavity welcomed Fresh Thyme to the neighborhood, adding that the design of the storefront was approved to ensure Excelsior Avenue would stay active. She encouraged Fresh Thyme to make sure that presentations in the windows comply with the zoning ordinance as intended. She encouraged the store not to put shelves in the windows, which would block the view into the store. Other than this concern, she stated that she approves of the license. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve applications from Lakes Venture, LLC, dba Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market for a 3.2 Off -Sale liquor license for premises located at 4840 Excelsior Blvd, Suite A, and Lakes Venture, LLC dba Fresh Thyme Liquor for an Off -Sale Intoxicating liquor license ,for the premises located at 4840 Excelsior Blvd., Suite B, with license terms through March 1, 2018. The motionpassed 7-0. 6c. First Reading of Ordinance Vacating Utility Easement at Shoppes of Knollwood. Mr. Morrison explained that Chick-frl-A is requesting the vacation of a utility easement that exists on the Shoppes at Knollwood property in order to replace it with a new utility easement located ten feet north of the vacated easement. He explained that the easement is currently located within the proposed drive-thru, so the vacation is being requested to avoid disruption to the drive-thru if the city has to work on the water main. Mr. Morrison stated staff recommends approval. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Sanger asked if Knollwood was in compliance related to storm water management. Mr. Morrison stated they will be in compliance by November, 2017. It was moved by Councilmember Lindberg, seconded by Councilmember Halm, to approve First Reading of Ordinance vacating a utility easement and set the Second Reading ofOrdinance.for October 16, 2017. The motion passed 7-0 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items City Council Meeting -5- October 2, 2017 8a. Resolution Requesting the Charter Commission Provide Recommendations Regarding Charter Amendments. Resolution No. 17-153 Mr. Harmening presented the staff report. He noted that the council had discussed the required legal process to change current election practices and procedures to allow for the use of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in municipal elections. He stated that council directed staff to prepare a resolution that requested the Charter Commission to make a recommendation as to whether the city's charter should be amended to provide for the use of RCV in municipal elections. Mayor Spano stated that comments would be accepted from residents related to this topic. Diane Steen-Hinderlie, 2829 Yosemite Ave. So., quoted former Minnesota and U.S. Representative Don Fraser as saying, "The solution to anything wrong with democracy is more democracy." She said that she came tonight to ask for more and better democracy by having more choices on the ballot through RCV. She asked the council to consider modernizing the ballot, stating it is primitive to have an either-or choice ballot. She noted that RCV will bring more diversity in elected office holders and more civility to elections, and will give a better framework for human behavior. Deb Brinkman, 4327 Alabama Ave. So., stated that the St. Louis Park League of Women Voters supports RCV and will continue to advocate for election process improvements. She added that RCV is not an item that needs to be a ballot referendum. The same process that was used to eliminate the municipal primary election in St. Louis Pak should be used to approve RCV. Andrea Larson, 2831 Huntington Ave. So., stated she is a long-time resident of St. Louis Park, and she appreciates the two speaker's comments prior to her. She quoted from a 2006 speech by Tom Freedman, where he said that RCV is on the top of his list for reform and to eliminate growing extremism. She hopes that the community will be supportive, adding that each vote matters. Bill Youmans, 2831 Huntington Ave. So., agreed with all that was said, adding that RCV encourages candidates to speak to common issues and not about division. Bruce Fisher, 4359 Browndale Ave. So., stated that he agrees with all previous comments, adding that civility is very important, and RCV enables a more civil conversation. He stated that both Minneapolis and St. Paul have implemented RCV and have a template for it. He added that it would be good for St. Louis Park be on the cutting edge of improving democracy. Denise Konen, 4228 Salem Ave. So., stated that she has lived in St. Louis Park since 1980 and loves the city. She stated that RCV is about bringing more equity and diversity to the city. She noted that Minneapolis now has a more ethnically balanced council, with their first Somali councilmember. Shawn Brown, 4228 Salem Ave. So., stated that he is supportive of RCV, noting that St. Louis Park has been a leader in other issues and can be a leader in RCV. He stated that this is an action the city can take to help the state and country move toward a better democracy. City Council Meeting -6- October 2, 2017 Margaret Rog, 2817 Zarthan Ave. So., a member of the Human Rights Commission, read a statement from the HRC, which stated that RCV will help greatly with voter participation. They support it and asked the council to move forward with it. Councilmember Sanger thanked the residents who came to speak. She stated that she is very much in favor of RCV in St. Louis Park and added that the residents who are present have outlined many favorable reasons to implement RCV. She noted that without RCV, there could be elections where candidates win without a majority vote, so it is essential to adopt this soon. Councilmember Sanger stated that RCV will increase the number of voters who participate in the process. Additionally, elected officials will have to be accountable to more residents in the community. She added that RCV promotes higher voter turnout, and more people have a stake in the outcome of the election. She stated that she would rather have a system in place where more people are a part of the process. Councilmember Mavity added that she is also extraordinarily in favor of RCV and appreciates the residents who came in support. She confirmed with the City Attorney that implementing RCV would require a charter change. The Charter Commission will study the issue and come back to council with a recommendation. At that point and depending on the recommendation, the council can adopt RCV (by unanimous vote) or bring RCV as a referendum on the ballot. She stated that there are many steps in this process in order to have RCV in place for the 2019 municipal election. Councilmember Miller stated that he has a lot of reasons to support RCV. He stated that it has been clearly shown that RCV produces more diversity in candidates. He felt that the two-party system works well for legislation, but sometimes potential candidates feel they cannot penetrate the group of party insiders to be endorsed by a party. He urged the Charter Commission to move on this quickly. Councilmember Lindberg thanked residents for coming to speak in support of RCV. However, he stated that he will not be supporting this resolution. He said that the council should ask themselves if this is a necessary measure or not. He stated that he wants to be sure the process will be all encompassing, so he will vote against this resolution tonight. Mayor Spano stated that he will support this resolution but noted that the Charter Conunission may decide that RCV should be voted on by residents as a referendum question on the ballot. Then, the council would not be involved in the final decision. He stated that he still has concerns about RCV, noting there are data points that support it, and data points that do not. He stated he has not seen information related to consistent, repeated outcomes. He added that the council wants to be fair and transparent, adding that he hopes the Charter Commission will also study the impact of money in elections as it relates to the RCV process. He further stated that when he is campaigning for office, he tries to appeal to voters across the board and not only to those voters who agree with his views. He added that having 2❑d and Yd choices on a ballot is needed more at the state and federal level than at the municipal level. Mayor Spano stated that he is hopeful the Charter Commission will come back with a recommendation, with the objective of helping everyone better understand voter turnout and municipal elections. He added that he agrees with Councilmember Lindberg, noting that RCV would be a big change. He looks forward to the Charter Commission's input. City Council Meeting -7- October 2, 2017 Councilmember Hallfin stated that he is supportive of the resolution and is interested in hearing the recommendations of the Charter Commission, as well. Councilmember Brausen stated he agrees with the previous statements and there will more time for discussion and public input after the Charter Commission makes its recommendations. It uvas moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt Resolution No. 17-153, requesting St. Louis Park Charter Commission provide recommendations to the City Council regarding two possible Charter amendments. The motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Lindberg opposed). 8b. First Reading of Ordinance Amendment Related to the Businesses and Licenses Code. Ms. Barker presented the staff report. She noted that staff initiated a request to amend the Businesses and Licenses Code, and the proposed ordinance was reviewed by the City Attorney. After discussion with the council at the August 28 Study Session, council was supportive of the proposed amendments, which include updating definitions and adding requirements for licensed solid waste collectors to label collection containers for organics recycling at multi -family and commercial locations. She stated that if adopted, the proposed changes would take effect June 1, 2018. It ivas moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the First Reading of an Ordinance amending the Businesses and Licenses code, and to set the second reading for October 16, 2017. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Spano urged everyone to get flu shots. Councilmember Hallfin noted he has many friends who reside in Las Vegas, adding his concerns about the recent shootings there. He stated that he wanted to inform people that the Episcopal Church would be ringing bells at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning in memory of each person who had passed. Mayor Spano reflected on his concerns related to gun violence all over the country and especially in his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas. Councilmember Brausen echoed the Mayor's sentiments. Councilmember Brausen commented on the Highway 169 Sustainability Study, stating that the most recent meeting went well. Each city will take the study options back to their councils and determine if they will sign on to support a recommendation that generally represents a consensus of the study participants - something St. Louis Park has already done. He added that the Highway 55 bus rapid transit locations with hub stations and the constructions of the Minnesota Pass Lane are to be studied, as well. He stated that there will be more information forthcoming. City Council Meeting -8- October 2, 2017 Councilmember Mavity commented on the Blake Road project, planning for light rail station and walkability improvements, with connections from Knollwood. She stated that the council will continue to follow the progress of this project and report to the community. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Meliss erne y, City Clerk