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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/01/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular11ISt. Louis Park MINNESOTA 1. Call to Order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JANUARY 2, 2018 Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Communications Manager (Ms. Larson), Community Development Director (Ms. Barton), CTO (Mr. Pires), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Shamla) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Community Members & Nick Amatuccio, consultant. 1. Call to Order 2. 3. Ia. Elected Officials Oath of Office The swearing in of the following newly elected officials of the City of St. Louis Park was performed. They will serve four-year terms commencing January 2, 2018. Councilmember Ward 1 Councilmember Ward 2 Councilmember Ward 3 Councilmember Ward 4 - Margaret Rog - Anne Mavity - Rachel Harris - Tim Brausen After the oaths were administered, each new official signed an oath certificate, which is kept on file in the City Clerk's office. lb. Pledge of Allegiance lc. Roll Call Presentations —None Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Special Study Session Minutes December 11, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the December 11, 2017 Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar City Council Meeting -2- January 2, 2018 4a. 4b. 4c. 4d. 4e. 4f. 4g. 4h. 4i. 4j. Accept for filing City Disbursement Claims for the period of November 25, through December 22, 2017. Adopt Resolution No. 18-001 designating the St. Louis Park Sun -Sailor as the City's Official Newspaper for 2018. Adopt Resolution No. 18-002 declaring 2018 City Council meeting dates. Adopt Resolution No. 18-010 appointing the following Councilmembers to the Office of Mavor Pro Tem for the vear 2018: Councilmember Term of Appointment Anne Mavity January — April 2018 Steve Hallfin May — August 2018 Tim Brausen September ---- December 2018 Adopt Resolution No. 18-003 and Resolution No. 18-004 authorizing entering into a Joint Powers Agreement with Edina, and a Cooperative Agreement with Hennepin County for the France Avenue Sidewalk (between 39th St. and 42nd St.) Project No. 4018.2000. Adopt Resolution No. 18-005 approving a Master Partnership Contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) relating to partnering for services. Adopt Resolution No. 18-006 approving the Agency Agreement between the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the City of St. Louis Park. Adopt Resolution No. 18-007 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the amount of $179,986.42 for Project 4016-1000 Pavement Management (Area 5) with Park Construction, Contract No. 65-16. Adopt Resolution No. 18-008 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 9420 Frederick Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN. PID. 18-117-21-22- 0139. Approve for filing Telecommunications Minutes October 25, 2017. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the Agenda as presented on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances, The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions 5a. Approve Appointment of Representatives to the Human Rights Commission It was moved by Councilmember Miller, seconded by Councilmember Harris, to appoint those listed below to the Human Rights Commission for the remainder of the terms as outlined below: Applicant Term Expiration Justin Carlson 5/31/2019 Todd Sandler 5/31/2020 BethAnne Stolp 5/31/2020 City Council Meeting -3- January 2, 2018 6. Public Hearings 6a. 2018 Hopkins Street and Utility Improvement Project (4018-1101) Public Hearing Continued. Resolution No. 18-009. Mr. Shamla presented the staff report, noting that this was the continuation of the public hearing from December 18, 2017. Mr. Shamla stated that the project within St. Louis Park includes street rehabilitation, sidewalk reconstruction, and miscellaneous utility rehabilitation. In addition, the project includes installation of the bikeway connecting to the Cedar Lake Regional Trail. Bike lanes on Texas Ave between Hwy. 7 and Lake Street were approved by the city council on February 6, 2017. Because the majority of the project is in Hopkins, the City of Hopkins will be the lead agency for the contract. Mr. Shamla explained that the sidewalks are part of the Connect the Park project, adding that after hearing more from residents about the impact of the project on trees in the area, staff took a closer look, and the Environmental Coordinator inspected the trees in the area. Ultimately only 3 trees will be removed, instead of 8, for the project. Mr. Shamla stated that staff has met with residents many times in 2017 about the project, adding that residents can access additional information on the city website. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Nicholas Steen, 3729 Texas Avenue, presented photos of his lot and the surrounding area, noting trees that will be affected if a sidewalk is placed nearby. He stated that a sidewalk would affect the root system of his large maple, and if that is the case, he asked that the city remove the tree so that it will not fall onto his home. He stated that he is being negatively impacted by losing 11 feet of his driveway. He stated that his neighbor could not be at tonight's meeting, but he will also be negatively impacted. He added he does not understand why the sidewalk must be 5 feet instead of 4 feet wide, noting that he would prefer no sidewalk at all. Bill Stump, 7904 Division Street, stated that he is speaking on behalf of his neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Borg. He asked staff how they plan to put a sidewalk in with all the trees there. He stated that the sidewalk will depreciate property values and wanted to note in the record that he asked the city to lower taxes in this area because of that. Mr. Shamla stated that there has been an adjustment to the sidewalk at 7922 Division Street, adding that the sidewalk will now meander around 4 maple trees. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Mavity asked staff about the 5 -foot versus 4 -foot sidewalk and what the approach and recommendations are. Mr. Shamla stated that the sidewalks must be 5 feet as they are city -maintained, and all city equipment is 5 feet wide. He noted ADA requirements also mandate that sidewalks be 5 feet wide. City Council Meeting -4- January 2, 2018 Councilmember Mavity stated that she appreciated the residents' comments, adding that she is grateful staff has been creative and responsive on mitigating the impact on the trees. She stated the Connect the Park project was set in motion 5 years ago, after hearing from the community that they wanted a safer walking community. She said that she will support this resolution tonight, with due respect to the neighbors and with staff assurances that they will mitigate individual impacts to homeowners. She added that the sidewalks are for people walking in this area. Safety for pedestrians is especially important in this high traffic area. Councilmember Brausen agreed with Councilmember Mavity, adding that the Connect the Park initiative has brought opposition. However, he understands residents' feelings about their front yards. He added that this program did come out of an extensive community visioning process. He stated that it is about making neighborhoods more walkable and pedestrian friendly. The vast majority of feedback received is that people do like the system improvements and that children are safer walking on sidewalks. He stated that he is in favor of the project. Councilmember Miller said that he is also in favor of the project. He stated that he was concerned about the trees but is glad that staff has worked to mitigate these issues. He added that he understands residents' concerns, but he will support this resolution tonight. He thanked staff for their work. Councilmember Harris thanked all the residents who came to speak, noting that she heard all of the comments about trees. She stated how very important the city's trees are. She added that staff will work to retain as many trees as possible, and she commended staff's work to mitigate concerns about trees. She stated that she also will support the project. Mayor Spano stated he will support this this resolution and added that he would not encourage taking Mr. Steen's tree out right now. He suggested that Mr. Steen watch it for any signs of problems as the project progresses and that he notify staff if it becomes diseased. He added that if it is diseased and is in the public right-of-way, the city will take it out. It meas moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 18-009, accepting the project report, establishing Improvement Project No. 4018-1101 for the Rehabilitation of Texas Avenue and Division Street, including the approval of the preliminary layout for Texas Avenue and Division Street and ordering the development offinal plans. The motion passed 7-0. 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items -- None 9. Communications Mayor Spano noted the Lennox Foundation fundraiser on Tuesday, January 9, from 11 a.m, to 10 p.m., in conjunction with Parkway Pizza. Mayor Spano stated the residents just City Council Meeting -5- January 2, 2018 need to mention the fundraiser when ordering at Parkway Pizza, and proceeds from the sale of pizza will go toward the foundation. Mr. Harmening noted the upcoming recognition event for former Councilmember Sue Sanger, which will be held on January 11 at the Rec Center Banquet Room from 5-8 p.m. He stated that people can sign up online to attend by making a donation of $10. Donations go in part to the cost of event, with the remainder going to STEP. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. iJ Melissa enned ,City Clerk