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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/01/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Sessionff1I St. Louis Park MINNESOTA meeting convened at 6:36 p.m. OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JANUARY 9, 2017 Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger. Councilmember absent: Anne Mavity Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Director of Community Development (Mr. Locke), Principal Planner (Ms. McMonigal), Fire Chief Koering; Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Traffic Coordinator (Mr. Iverson), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Senator Ron Latz, Representative Peggy Flanagan, Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene, Representative Cheryl Youakim, Vic Moore, Franzen & Associates. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning — January 17, 23 and February 6, 2017 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed Study Session agenda Councilmember Brausen suggested looking at funding options and costs for drinking water purchased from sources outside of the city. He stated the city owes taxpayers more information on options for purchasing drinking water, adding he knows other cities currently purchase from outside sources as well. Mayor Spano stated the city would still need to treat any water that might come from other cities. Mr. Harmening agreed and also noted he was not prepared to discuss this issue tonight and cannot react to this suggestion without reviewing it further. Councilmember Brausen noted this is only something he is suggesting be looked into and discussed at a future session. 2. 2017 Legislative Priorities and Issues — Meeting with Elected and Appointed Representatives Staff prepared a list of legislative priorities and issues for discussion. Mayor Spano presented the top eight legislative priorities and issues in 2017 for St. Louis Park. They include both state and county items and are noted below: CSAR 25 — Mayor Spano noted that a more pedestrian -friendly county highway is envisioned, especially in the area of the triangle, near Yum. He also stated the vision for the area is to create more bicycle trails and access for crossing. Additionally, branding of the road is something the council wants to discuss further. Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Minnetonka Boulevard — Mayor Spano stated the reconstructed Hwy. 100 Bridge was a great improvement - increasing the bicycle, pedestrian and intersection efficiency and safety, along with improving the west to east roadway connection. Study Session Minutes -2- January 9, 2017 However, the rest of Minnetonka Blvd. now needs rehabilitation to ensure it can best accommodate bicycles, pedestrians and motorists. Hennepin County Commissioner Greene stated the county is re-evaluating how they are doing capital projects and is pleased to inform the Council that provisional funding has been included in the county's capital budget. She added they would like to tie the St. Louis Park work on Texas Ave into their work on Minnetonka Blvd. Transportation Funding — Mayor Spano stated this is a vital component in planning for and meeting the physical, social, and economic needs of the state and city. With regard to transit financing, Mayor Spano pointed out that any operating subsidies necessary to support this system should come from regional or statewide funding sources and not from the municipalities. Community Development - Elmwood TIF District Technical Correction — Mayor Spano noted a technical correction is needed to clarify that the 2009 Special Legislation extending the duration of the Elmwood TIF district allows for the funding of public infrastructure. Mr. Harmening stated that the EDA attorney is concerned that the language in the 2009 legislation was not crafted as well as it should have been in order to allow for dollars to pay for infrastructure. Affordable Housing — Mayor Spano noted that with more folks moving into the urban core and first ring suburbs, there is more demand but not enough supply for affordable housing. He stated the city would like to see the $70 million bonding package for housing infrastructure and the $20 million GO bond request move forward. Commissioner Green stated there is a fund for affordable housing programs, and the goal is to provide $25 million total to compete on the open market for naturally affordable housing. She added they would love to see a state contribution, also. Water Treatment Plant #4 — Mayor Spano explained that while VC levels are under EPA requirements, the MDH has its own standards and expressed concerns to the city about that particular plant. He noted the city recently took Water Treatment Plant #4 out of set -vice and is hoping to get financial help on an upgrade project for it. Mr. Moore stated the state is looking for special legislation on that, but the money in the budget for water is loan dollars from the capital fund and not grants. He added there are many water treatment plants in the state looking for funding, so this may be difficult. Police Trainee/Non-traditional Pathway Program — Mayor Spano explained this is a specific request for race equity coursework and training that would help people of color to join the police force. He added this would be a pilot program to shorten the time of training police officers. Currently, there are four metro cities partnering on this program — St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Eagan, and Maplewood. Mr. Harmening stated he can contact the other three cities regarding the pilot program. Mayor Spano added the council believes this program fits well into the city's race equity work. He added it is a tangible step in the right direction and very much needed. Mr. Moore suggested the four cities work together on the police pilot program. Mayor Spano stated this program would be in addition to the city's current police recruiting efforts. Study Session Minutes -3- January 9, 2017 3. 2017 Connect the Park Construction Project Update Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Iverson updated the council on the project. Mr. Iverson stated staff has been working on the design of several sidewalk, trail, and bikeway segments proposed in 2017. These segments are included in the Connect the Park project and will be presented to council in February for approval at a public hearing. In the meantime, staff will continue to meet with residents to get feedback. Mr. Iverson explained that the projects reviewed this evening are stand-alone segments that are separate from those in the Sorenson Neighborhood and along Utica Avenue. They are not associated with the city's annual pavement management program. Mr. Iverson noted that two public meetings and a demonstration project on 28th Street have been held regarding these projects, and a final meeting will occur on January 12. Xenwood Avenue — Mr. Iverson stated the sidewalk will be constructed to ADA standards with new ramps. Drainage and minimizing impacts of tree loss will also be addressed. Councilmember Hallfin asked if there is a plan to repair sidewalks once trees are removed. Mr. Sullivan noted a gradual sweep is made around the tree, and if the tree is to be removed, the sidewalk is either straightened or the tree is replanted and sidewalk then built around the new tree. Councilmember Miller asked about any neighbor complaints. Mr. Iverson pointed out that the majority of opposition is from individuals concerned about the impact within their own yards. 36'/2 Street at Monterey and Excelsior Boulevard — Mr. Iverson stated there have not been any comments related to this work, as there is only one home owner at the location, and the rest of the housing is rentals. He stated nine trees are to be removed and replaced. Barry Street — Mr. Iverson noted this area borders Benilde St. Margaret High School and Beth El Synagogue. He pointed out the two areas being considered for sidewalks on the north and south sides of the street. Mr. Iverson noted with students parking across the street, the concern is to create a safe pedestrian crossing area from the school to the synagogue. He stated staff does not have a recommendation either way and neither did the neighbors. Mr. Iverson added staff is looking for recommendations from council on this project. Mr. Sullivan stated the school does have a person directing traffic two times per day, which is helpful for safety on the street. Additionally, he noted, staff is looking at ways to add sidewalk extensions into the school to help channel pedestrians and street crossers from the parking areas to the building, adding that then the school would have responsibility for cleaning the snow on these sidewalk extensions. Utica Avenue Trail — Mr. Iverson stated work would be done from the existing pedestrian bridge up to the connection to Cedar Lake Trail in order to complete the trail. Councilmember Sanger stated last year the council was told that work on this segment would entail straightening the curve on Utica by the church. Mr. Iverson stated that is not part of this segment; however, staff is looking at a long-term fix for the curve. Study Session Minutes -4- January 9, 2017 Councilmember Miller asked if boulevard trees are going to be added to help create a buffer. Mr. Iverson stated yes. Councilmember Sanger asked if the new owners of the church at this location are interested in creating an easement. Mr. Iverson stated staff is having conversations on that with the owners. Councilmember Lindberg asked about the trail crossing at this location, and the possibility of moving it toward the other bend in the road. Mr. Iverson stated this solution had been discussed. Mr. Sullivan stated it is a challenging spot, and staff is looking for the best way to connect to the existing tail. Councilmember Sanger asked if there is a way to create another entrance to the trail that is under the bridge or if it is possible to redesign the hairpin turn there. Mr. Sullivan stated they have not looked at this, but can look into it. Mr. Iverson also pointed out updates to bikeway segments at the 28t' Street corridor from Virginia Avenue to Highway 100. Councilmember Lindberg asked how many parking stalls are at Ainsworth Park. Mr. Iverson stated staff is proposing extending the parking bay to accommodate 18 vehicles instead of the original design to accommodate 12 vehicles. Councilmember Lindberg added he has received feedback from his ward's residents on this, noting that there is serious concern about the impact to Pennsylvania, Quebec, and Oregon Avenues, especially as it relates to sporting events held there in the summer. Mr. Iverson stated staff is also looking at more parking for sledding in this location and will provide more data at the public hearing. Councilmember Sanger added the bikeway on Blackstone is very narrow, and she would like to discuss this further, along with a walkway to the park building. She added the public has not been informed about putting a trail through the park, and she assumes the council would like more public feedback on this. Mr. Iverson stated this will be back for further discussion in February or March. Mr. Harmening asked what the traffic is like on Blackstone. Mr. Iverson stated it is around 500 cars per day, adding staff will provide more data on this at the February meeting, as well. Texas North — Mr. Iverson stated this segment will include simple signing and striping, with elimination of parking on the east side, parking on the west side, and buffers for lane narrowing and traffic calming. South Texas — Mr. Iverson noted the bike lane project here and more complications with this area since it borders Hopkins. He stated Hopkins is looking at a reconstruction project on Texas in 2018, which could impact the timeline. Mr. Sullivan stated this segment is important as it is creating a north south connection and a system with an overall corridor. 33,d Street — Mr. Iverson stated this segment will connect Oak Hill Park and Aquila Park and provide a bike connection to the Texas Avenue bikeway. Study Session Minutes -5- January 9, 2017 Mr. Sullivan stated staff will present an updated analysis to council at the February 6 meeting. Councilmember Lindberg asked what the timeline is for the Texas Ave. projects. Mr. Sullivan stated it will be completed by mid to late summer. 4. Beltline Station Redevelopment Process Mr. Hunt and Mr. Locke presented the update. Mr. Locke stated that since the beginning of the SWLRT process, the city and EDA have sought to facilitate transit -oriented development (TOD) at the Beltline Station and to minimize, if not eliminate, the land area dedicated to Park & Ride facilities. To accomplish that goal, the EDA/City will need to take a series of actions and enter into agreements over the next 2-4 years regarding a Beltline Station Park & Ride facility and the adjacent redevelopment site. At the January 3 EDA Meeting, a Letter of Intent with the Metropolitan Council was approved. The staff report outlines these action items. Tonight's discussion will focus on the RFP process to identify and select a developer for the Beltline Station Redevelopment Site and Park & Ride facility. Councilmember Brausen stated that the climate action plan also needs to be incorporated into this development. He added the city should be aggressive on affordable housing here and also help to develop employment for minorities on this project. He added it will be important for the city to make a conscious effort to pursue the use of minority contractors on this project. He t`-- - added he would like this proposal to integrate what is learned in the 2017 visioning process and asked if staff could postpone the decision about a developer until September or October of 2017. Councilmember Sanger asked about a ballpark range of TIF likely to be requested from the proposed developer. Mr. Hunt stated developers will need to conduct their due diligence of the site in order to properly prepare their TIF request. Councilmember Sanger asked if the city can create a requirement period for the use of minority contractors or sub -contractors. She added she would rather have more points allocated to the physical structure and less weight to proposed commercial uses. She stated she would hate to see all restaurants and no other commercial space and asked how many parking spaces would be required. Mr. Hunt stated parking will be under the office buildings and in conjunction with the 268 required for Park & Ride. Councilmember Sanger stated she is concerned that more Park & Ride parking spaces will be needed. Mr. Hunt stated that is all the SWLRT project will pay for. Councilmember Sanger stated she is concerned there will not be enough Park & Ride spaces provided, and this will be a difficult situation. She added the ramp should be expandable. Mr. Locke stated the ramp will be expandable. He added the developer may want to build parking for their own purposes, as well; however, because of the expense related to more parking, Mr. Locke stated he is not inclined to say we should tell the developer to build more Park & Ride parking than the SWLRT project will pay for. Councilmember Sanger noted she understands this but added that the ramp will not be usable when it is under construction while building new decks, so that will make it a difficult issue. Study Session Minutes -6- January 9, 2017 Councilmember Hallfin stated there may not be a need for as much parking because of the transit that will be available. Mr. Locke added we would hope there will be less need for parking over time. Mayor Spano stated he is not in favor of funding Metropolitan Council parking, adding the council has already stated this. Councilmember Brausen agreed. Mr. Locke confirmed the areas of concern expressed by the City Council. He noted that small minority business will be included in any proposal, and if the developer provides more affordable housing than our Inclusionary Housing Policy requires, they would get extra points for that. Additionally, there will be some type of scoring on sustainability, and the developer should also consider the climate action plan. The development should be constructed to support a reasonable amount of commercial space and it should be a mixed use development. Councilmember Sanger asked if the office portion will be a large corporate client or a mix of small offices. Mr. Locke stated in this market, there could be 40,000 square feet for a headquarters or a clinic. He added that many major office users want to be on light rail lines, so that could make this project interesting to many commercial businesses. Councilmember Sanger noted that at Excelsior and Grand, the city put a limit on the size of commercial space, so as not to have a big box retailer. Mr. Locke stated there will not be a big box retailer allowed at the Beltline Station location either. 5. Boards & Commissions Work Plan Process Ms. Deno stated the council directed staff to implement a standard process and format for boards and commissions to follow for the development of annual work plans. Ms. Kennedy stated boards and commissions serve in an advisory capacity to the council. Annual work plans ensure that the priorities of the city council and each board or commission are aligned and that the city has the appropriate resources in place to support their work. Ensuring each board and commission has a clear understanding of their charges and direction will allow each group to operate more efficiently and effectively. The proposed process will also provide opportunities for meaningful communication and collaboration between the council and each board/commission. She provided an overview of the proposed process which would include an initial meeting between the Council and the chair and staff liaison from each board and commission to discuss initiatives and goals that should be included in the annual work plan. The chairs and staff liaisons would then take the council's feedback to their respective groups and work on developing their work plan during the summer months. Draft work plans would be reviewed by the Council in the fall and then formally approved on a regular agenda. Work plans would take effect annually on January I st Councilmember Miller stated it seems like this process will require a lot of council time over the summer and fall. He added this feels like a lot of process, and asked when the commissions and boards would have time to actually do their other work, outside of their work plan. Councilmember Brausen stated he likes the proposal and is looking forward to giving direction and being involved in their planning process. He wants to have a clear concept about what each commission does and wants to give them the council's expectations also. He stated this process will make things easier and clearer. Study Session Minutes -7- January 9, 2017 Councilmember Lindberg stated he loved the proposal and noted it has great structure. He stated communication is of the utmost importance with boards and commissions, and this helps open up communications in a more collaborative way. He stated this process will take more time and energy on the council's part and more time and energy on the part of boards and commissions, but it provides more clarity, and provides more for our community. He stated he hopes this process will work well. Councilmember Hallfrn stated this is good work and looks good in theory; however, in practice he hates it. He stated he has been on boards and commissions, and he does not like the blanketing of all of them. He added some commissions are working great, and they are supposed to advise the council. He is not a fan of more advising of the commissions by the council, adding there is no one size fits all solution for all boards and commissions. Councilmember Sanger stated this process would not fit for BOZA or the Planning Commission, and agreed that one size does not fit all for every board and commission. She added her bigger concern is what the council wants the boards and commissions to do and what the issues are that we have had with them. She added the council has not been clear with them about what they want thein to focus on, so the council needs a discussion first about each commission. She added if the council does not do this, the boards and commissions will come with their plan, and if the council states what they want after the fact, the commissions may lose members. She added the council needs to get on the same page first. Councilmember Brausen added he thinks this is a flexible enough tool and sets goals for each group; however, he does agree with Councilmember Sanger in that the council needs to do some work ahead of meeting with the commissions, in order to have clarity. Mr. Harmening stated the charge is very narrow for commissions such as Planning and BOZA, but added perhaps there may be an initiative the council wants them to study or provide input on. Mayor Spano agreed with Mr. Harmening about a more thoughtful process; however, he is concerned there are more touch points in this process than needed, and if the ESC comes to the council with their work plan, it will be a two-hour conversation. He stated he would like the staff liaison to have a stronger role in what is going on. Mayor Spano added the council already has a lot of work on their plate and reviewing every commission work plan has him concerned. He added charge #4 should not exist, and he is concerned about a board or commission having a conversation themselves, and then setting a policy without the council's knowledge. Ms. Deno stated this process is only an example and was taken from the City of Edina as a model. She added staff wanted to put something together for the council that could be useful. Mayor Spano added he believes the staff liaisons should be doing this work with the commission or board, and the council should not get too deeply involved. Councilmember Lindberg stated he understands the Mayor's concerns, but his concern is the mechanism being provided for the staff liaison. Councilmember Lindberg asked if there is enough information provided to the liaison to be successful and for collaboration. Mayor Spano added it is up to the staff liaison to ask the council. He stated he is concerned council will spend too much time on each work plan, and this is work the staff liaison should be doing. Study Session Minutes -8- January 9, 2017 Mr. Harmening stated the boards and commissions were created to advise the council on topics. But if direction is not provided to them, they will decide what they want to work on. He continued, this process will just provide an opportunity for the council to help its' boards and commissions narrow their focus and identify their priorities. Councilmember Miller suggested the staff liaisons come to a council study session, with priorities as a starting point. Then council can decide if their list aligns with council's priorities, and send them back to work further on their plan. Mayor Spano stated the council then needs tell the staff liaison clearly what is needed. Councilmember Hallfin stated the liaison can report to the council, as a guideline, but not a rigid, blanketed process. Councilmember Lindberg stated he dislikes the idea of meeting only with staff liaisons or commission chairs. He stated it is not a good idea to have the liaison carry back what the council wants, and flexibility in structure is necessary. Councilmember Brausen agreed with Councilmember Lindberg adding some liaisons may not have as much experience as others. He stated this process is only a tool, which allows the council to garner some feedback from commissions. He added we do have issues right now with commissions, that need to be worked on, and we need to provide clarity with expectations. Mayor Spano agreed, but noted this means the council will need to be disciplined on this. He added each commission should do a work plan, and the staff liaisons express job is to carry the information back to the commission. Mayor Spano added the council needs to stay high level on this, adding this is his concern. He further stated we need a more robust role for staff liaisons, and possibly bringing the commission chair in for a final review of the work plan. Mr. Harmening stated once this process begins, it will smooth itself out. He added this process will only involve spending an hour talking about each commission with the staff liaison and brainstorm about what the council wants for next year. Ms. Kennedy added this process can be conducted in one or two study sessions and it can be streamlined. Mayor Spano stated this sounds more manageable. Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) Mr. Harmening stated his annual performance review is upcoming and asked the council if the tool used in the past was adequate for the process. The council confirmed it was and asked Ms. Deno to move forward with the process Councilmember Brausen noted the Walker Project, and stated he is glad this is being done. Mayor Spano mentioned the "Pianos on Parade" project, where pianos are left outside in a neighborhood or location within a city, and then played by citizens as a way to bring folks together through music. St. Louis Park is being asked if there is interest in participating in this project. This will be up for further discussion. Study Session Minutes -9- January 9, 2017 The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 6. Zero Waste Packaging Ordinance Update 7. Public Art Update — 4900 Excelsior & Central Park West Projects 8. November 2016 Monthly Financial Report 9. Walker Street Regional Stormwater Improvement Project Update (City Project No. 4017-4000) 10. Vision St. Louis Park Update Meliss Kenne y, City Clerk ke %o, Mayor