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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/11/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularAllSt. Louis Park MINNESOTA 1. Call to Order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA NOVEMBER G, 2017 Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: Gregg Lindberg. Staff present: Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Community Development Director (Ms. Barton), Principal Planner (Ms. McMonigal), Public Works Services Manager (Mr. Merkley), Operations & Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Associate Planner (Ms. Kramer), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Members of the Vision 3.0 Steering Committee: Justin Grays, Lynette Dumalag, and Lisa Genis 1a. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations 2a. Small Business Saturday Proclamation Mayor Spano noted that this is an annual initiative encouraging customers to patronize local small businesses. He read a proclamation stating that Small Business Saturday will be held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, to celebrate, recognize, and support small businesses and all they contribute to the St. Louis Park community. 2b. Recognition of Donations Mayor Spano thanked Park Coin for their $250 donation for Fire Prevention Programs and equipment. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Special Study Session Minutes September 18, 2017 It u,as moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Haluln, to approve the September 18, 2017 Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 3b. City Council Study Session Minutes September 25, 2017 City Council Meeting -2- November 6, 2017 Councilmember Miller noted in the 5th paragraph of page 14, should read "...step toward equity." Councilmember Sanger noted on page 6, in the 3rd line from the top, it should read "...and to network with property owners who may have such properties for sale." It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the September 25, 2017 Study Session Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 3c. City Council Special Study Session Minutes October 2, 2017 Councilmember Sanger noted on bottom of page 2, it should read "...hearing on potential to ban the sale of tobacco products on November 20th.,, It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to approve the October 2, 2017 Special Study Session Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 3d. City Council Minutes October 2, 2017 Councilmember Brausen noted on page 7, item 9, should read "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. Highway 55 bus rapid transit locations with hub stations to be studied and the constructions of the Minnesota Pass Lane." It was moved by. Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the October 2, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 3e. City Council Study Session Minutes October 9, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Hallfin, to approve the October 9, 2017 Study Session Meeting Minutes as presented, The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 3L Special Study Session City Council Minutes October 16, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to approve the October 16, 2017 Special Study Session Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 3g. City Council Minutes October 16, 2017 City Council Meeting -3- November 6, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the October 16, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 3h. Study Session City Council Minutes October 23, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the October 23, 2017 Study Session Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar 4a. Accept for filing EDA Disbursement Claims for the period of September 23, through October 27, 2017. 4b. Approve second reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2526-17 establishing fees for 2018 as outlined in Appendix A of the City Code of Ordinances; and to approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 17-164 authorizing installation of "2 -hour parking between 6 a.m. — 7 p.m." on the sides of the street directly adjacent to the 4800 Excelsior Boulevard development. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 17-165 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the amount of $14,786.23 for the annual Sanitary Sewer Mainline Rehabilitation Project with Insituform Technologies USA, LLC - Project No. 4014-3000, City Contract No. 31-17. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 17-166 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the amount of $17,200.61 for the annual Sealcoat Project with Allied Blacktop Company - Project No. 4017-1200, City Contract No. 62-17. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 17-167 authorizing the submission of a Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant application in the amount of $400,000 to help with funding the construction of two fastpitch softball fields at Aquila Parl,-. 4g. Adopt Resolution No. 17-168 approving entering into a contract w/ Redpath & Company, LTD for 2017 - 2021 audit services. 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 17-169 accepting $250 donation from Park Coin for Fire Prevention Programs and Equipment. 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 17-170 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3116 Salem Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 06-028-24-22-0054. 4j. Adopt Resolution No. 17-171 amending and restating Resolution 17-080 adopted on May 1, 2017. 4k. Approve out-of-state travel to Washington D.C. for Mayor Spano on November 7th and 8th as part of a contingent of community and business leaders to advocate for transit development in the Twin Cities region. 41. Approve out-of-state travel for Mayor Spano, Councilmember Brausen and Councilmember Hallfin for the National League of Cities (NLC) City Summit in Charlotte, SC. 4m. Approve for filing Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of October 4, 2017. City Council Meeting -4- November 6, 2017 5. 6. 7. It was moved by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Hallfin to approve the 4genda and items listed on the Consent Calendar and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). Boards and Commissions 5a. Approve Appointment of Youth Representative to Environment & Sustainability Commission Councilmember Brausen stated that he has met Lukas Wrede, who has been an intern with the SEEDS program and is very involved in environmental initiatives within the schools and community. He added that Lukas will be a very good addition to the commission. Councilmember Miller concurred, adding that Lukas is also a member of the Roots and Shoots group. Mayor Spano agreed with comments made by Councilmembers Brausen and Miller, noting that Lukas will be a great youth member of the commission. It was moved by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the appointment of Lukas Wrede to the Environment and Sustainability Commission for the current term ending August 31, 2018. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). Public Hearings - None Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Consulting Services for Fastpitch Softball Fields at Aquila Park. Ms. Walsh presented the staff report and stated at the study session on October 9, 2017 council directed staff to pursue Option 1 C for Aquila Park, which would reorient and create two fastpitch softball fields. Staff has been working with Candace Amberg, Landscape Architect from WSB, on field layouts and cost estimates. In Option 1 C, fields four and one would be unavailable throughout construction. The high school girls' fastpitch team and the girls' fastpitch association will have to find alternative sites for their 2018119 seasons. As with the other options, the city's adult softball program would also be permanently impacted. Councilmember Miller stated that he is happy to have arrived at a solution on this issue, which will bring gender equity to our fastpitch program. He thanked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, city staff, and his fellow council members for their support on this really sensible solution. He also thanked all those involved, including the girls and their families in the fastpitch program. City Council Meeting -5- November 6, 2017 Councilmember Brausen stated that there was a fair amount of discussion over the past 18 months on this project, adding that he has had frequent discussions with citizens in his ward; with parents with daughters involved in the sport; and with seniors, who look at all expenditures and worry about their steadily increasing taxes. He added that he feels in the budgeting process the council have been good stewards of the city's money - maintaining quality services and an outstanding staff, while preserving and replacing aging infrastructure, and expanding community amenities, when possible. Councilmember Brausen added that the advocacy done on behalf of girls' fastpitch has been tremendous. The request for facility growth is reasonable and understandable. He is totally supportive of this project. He stated that people have pointed out that other sports have facilities in place, and this sport merits facility, as well. Councilmember Brausen noted that the council has studied this need with the task force and found that the existing facilities were adequate for present needs and future growth, though not as nicely equipped or conveniently located for optimal use, including hosting tournaments. He added that the council wanted to make a commitment to upgrade the fields and had directed staff to look at reasonable options for enhancing and expanding the fields at Aquila Park. He stated that the council reviewed three options. Option 1 was $750,000 and included moving an adult softball field. Option 2 is in fiont of the council tonight, which is the $1.2 million proposal and reorients and upgrades two fields. There is also Option 3 at $2.4 million, which would create 4 pinwheels at Aquila. Councilmember Brausen added that these three proposals were sent to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission for a recommendation, and they recommended Option 1 - the $750,000 option that entails an upgrade of our existing field and substantial amenities, such as new turf, dugouts and scoreboards. He stated that he understands the association and some other council members have framed this as a gender equity issue, but added that it is an issue of responsible stewardship of tax dollars. He stated that he was at a food forum recently to discuss families who do not have enough food to eat because of low income and the demands on that income for housing and transportation, which is becoming a growing situation in St. Louis Park. He stated that it made him aware how many demands we make on our city's tax dollars. He said that before we commit to spending $400,000 more than needed, he would ask his fellow council members to consider reducing the amount spent to upgrade the fields. He stated that he will vote against this resolution and recommended voting for Option 1 instead. Councilmember Sanger stated that she will vote in favor of this project in order to be good stewards of the city's dollars. She added fiom her perspective, it is foolish to build the less expensive fields first and then have to rip them up and start over again. For that reason and for the gender equity issue, she is supporting this proposal. Councilmember Brausen added that he does believe the city is being responsible with the investment; however, the potential growth of this sport remains unknown. He added that there was a task force involved in this project. The council tasks their commissions for recommendations on projects such as this, and now the council is ignoring their recommendations. Mayor Spano stated there has been lots of conversation and discussion about this, and the vote tonight is about the contract approval for Option 1 C. City Council Meeting -6- November 6, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to authorize entering into a contract with WSB & Associates to provide for design and construction administration services for two fastpitch softball fields at Aquila Park, also known as Option 1 C. The motion passed 5-1 (Councilmember Brausen opposed, Councilmember Lindberg absent). 8b. Water Treatment Plan No. 4. Conditional Use Permit with Variance. Resolution No. 17-172 Ms. Kramer presented the staff report. She noted that the city -owned well house at 4701 West 41" Street has been off-line since December, 2016, pending improvements to the plan. The St. Louis Park Engineering Department requests approval of a conditional use permit and variance to make exterior improvements to the water treatment facility. These improvements will include the installation of a remote radiator and screening wall on the east side of the building in order to re -open the facility and improve water treatment capacity. The city previously approved a Special Use Permit and two setback variances for this facility in 1991. A CUP is required for a public services facility in an R1 district, and a variance is requested to reduce the front setback from 30 feet to 15 feet to allow construction of mechanical equipment and a screening wall on the east side of the building. It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt Resolution No. 17172 rescinding Resolution No: 91-50, and granting a conditional use permit (CUP) with variance for the construction of mechanical equipment and screening wall at Water Treatment Plan No. 4, with the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). Sc. Solid Waste Collection Contracts -- Authorization to Issue a Request for Proposals. Mr. Merkley presented the report. He stated that the current 2013-2018 solid waste collection contracts expire September 30, 2018, and staff is preparing the Request for Proposals (RFP) document for the upcoming five years, based on input received from the City Council during the May 22 and September 11, 2017 study session discussions and feedback obtained from residents through a survey conducted July, 2017. Councilmember Mavity noted the solid waste goal that the city provides incentives to residents for recycling in order to reduce garbage going to the burner and to landfills, and that it is a clear message from council that they support recycling. Councilmember Mavity also shared a question raised at the Elmwood Neighborhood meeting regarding if garbage charges could be based on cart weight versus cart size, as is the current practice. Councilmember Sanger asked how staff decides which haulers are qualified to receive the city's RFP. Mr. Merkley stated that staff is expanding the pool and looking at haulers that are large enough to accommodate our city's needs. He added that reference checks are City Council Meeting -7- November 6, 2017 done on all haulers, noting also that staff has a good idea of which haulers are qualified to handle our city's level of service needs. Councilmember Brausen asked if staff advertises for bids. Mr. Merkley stated no, as this is not a competitive bid process, and the city selects the haulers who will receive the RFP. Councilmember Mavity asked if there are any women or minority-owned businesses in the process. Mr. Merkley stated that he was not aware of any women -owned hauling companies, but added that staff would check on it. Councilmember Brausen stated that this process has been helpful, adding that the council does care about this process. He also encouraged residents to increase their recycling as much as they can. Councilmember Sanger stated that she is the only councilmember who was on the council the last time the hauler was changed, adding that it was not a smooth transition process at that time. She asked if in the RFP, the city can ask for a transition plan, so there are no issues, as there were in the past. Mayor Spano noted that this is one of the core functions of city government, and the council does get excited about organics collection, trash, and the services provided by the city. He stated that staff does a phenomenal job and handles all issues very well, adding that he is excited to see how the city will reduce its carbon footprint. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposals for 2018-2023 Solid Waste Collection Services. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). Sd. Vision 3.0 Report and Recommendations Ms. McMonigal offered the final vision report - A Place for all People - stating that over 1,500 people from the community were involved in the public engagement process. She stated that the report includes five reconnnendations: 1. Develop Creative Housing Solutions 2. Develop Future -focused Transit and Mobility 3. Continue to Lead in Environmental Stewardship and Ensure Access to Green Space for Future Generations 4. Prepare our Next Generation 5. Commit to Being a Leader in Racial Equity and Inclusion Ms. McMonigal added that this information will be used within the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and other city initiatives. Mayor Spano thanked members of the Steering Committee, who represent all of the community members who were involved in this very important process. He thanked them for volunteering their time. City Council Meeting -8- November 6, 2017 Councilmember Mavity stated that the council would love to hear from the Steering Committee members present this evening and asked if there were any top takeaways in the process. Ms. Genis stated that the steering committee was a great experience because she was able to work with people from various neighborhoods and felt privileged to meet others that she may not have otherwise. She stated that she worked with the chalkboards and the library. Community members from kids to grandparents did a great job. Ms. Dumalag stated that the process was great. While there was a difference of opinions in some groups, it got people thinking a lot about what is possible for the city. She added it was a great framework for asking intentional questions. They reached a higher number of people of color through this process. Mr. Grays stated that most of the meetings he attended and facilitated had persons of color in attendance, and most of those meetings had more disconnected words related to Figure 5 of the report. He added that while the demographics of the city are changing, and we are making efforts to be inclusive, it is not yet happening. He stated that he wants to make sure the council is aware and open to changes that are coming and hoping this vision will actually come to pass. Mayor Spano added that direction was given to the steering committee to reach out to people of color and indigenous communities, as their comments were not reflected in prior year's documents. He acknowledged that there is work to be done here, especially with 42% of residents of color saying that they are lonely and feel isolated. Mayor Spano added that later this month, he and several council members will be going to the National League of Cities as representatives of St. Louis Park. The Mayor will be presenting the importance of the city's work on race equity. He stated that he will want to take the Vision 3.0 data with him as part of this discussion and to point out why this is important as it relates to the city's values, direction, and the city's past. Councilmember Brausen stated that this is a great report, and asked how soon it will be available for all to view. Ms. McMonigal stated that the draft report is online now, and copies can also be made for distribution. She added that there will be a community evaluation, wrap-up, and thank you session scheduled for January, 2018. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to accept the Vision 3.0 report: A Place for All People. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 8e. 2018 Employer Benefits Contribution. Resolution No. 17-173 Ms. Deno noted details in the agenda packet for the city's benefits planned for 2018 and staff's reconunendations for setting the employer contribution for 2018. She stated that the major component is health insurance, and there will be a 9% increase with the HealthPartners plan. The city will be staying with Delta Dental, although their rates went up 8%. We will be required to bid for health insurance for the next year. Funding levels have been set using the same formula as in past years and based on the 2500 deductible plan, where individual employees are fully covered with some funds remaining for City Council Meeting -9- November 6, 2017 purchase of additional benefits. Those selecting employee plus child, spouse or family r will receive some additional funding to help with the cost of the premium. She noted that the resolution before the council is for approval at all different levels for both full and part-time employees, as well as for the city manager. Ms. Deno stated that the additional cost of this recommendation is estimated to be $195,600 over 2017 amounts and is slightly less than what was budgeted for 2018. She stated that the premiums have been lower for many years and now are at the same levels as other cities. St. Louis Park benefits are very good compared to market, with some unique enhancements based on the plan selected. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 17-173 establishing the 2018 employer benefits contribution. The motion passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lindberg absent). 9. Communications — Written Report 9a. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Mayor Spano stated tomorrow is Election Day and encouraged all to get out and vote. Councilmember Hallfin added there are also levies to be voted on related to the school district, adding that he will vote yes on both initiatives. He said good luck to all candidates, both incumbents and challengers, adding that it takes a lot to put yourself out there. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Melissa Innedy, City Clerk