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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/01/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular1fV St. 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 16, 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. Knutson), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Sr. Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Project Engineer (Mr. Wiesen), Transportation Engineer (Mr. Manibog), Fire Chief ( Mr. Koering), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Justin Grays, Noelle Racette, Traffic Consultant Mike Spack Ia. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations -- St. Louis Park is "Not for Sale" Proclamation Mayor Spano read the proclamation to help raise awareness and advance programs aimed at preventing human trafficking. He stated that Hopkins student Jessica Melvick raised concerns about human trafficking during the upcoming Superbowl in Minneapolis. Mayor Spano noted that Girls United Minnesota will host an event on February 15 from 6:30--8:30 p.m. at Eisenhower Center. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Cornerstone and the St. Louis Park Police will also be in attendance. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Meeting Minutes December 18, 2017 It N,as moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2017, as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 3b. City Council Meeting Minutes of January 2, 2018 It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember FIallfin, to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of January 2, 2018, as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar City Council Meeting -2- January 16, 2018 4a. Adopt Resolution No. 18-011 authorizing final payment in the amount of $56,186.37 for Project 4016-1100 MSA Street Rehabilitation — Flag Avenue / Quentin Avenue, City Contract No. 92.16 4b. Adopt Resolution No. 18-012 authorizing staff to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with Hennepin County. The agreement is for a feasibility study to consider connections across the BNSF Railroad adjacent to Highway 100 - Project No. 4018-2000. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 18-013 authorizing installation of temporary parking restrictions in front of 4245 Toledo Avenue. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 18-014 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3522 Glenhurst Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN. P.I.D. 06-028-24-41-0041. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 18-015 to recognize Public Service Worker Randy Lawrence for more than 37 years of service. Mayor Spano recognized Public Service Worker Randy Lawrence for his more than 37 years of service to the city. Mr. Lawrence was not in attendance. It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the Agenda as presented and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions — None 6. Public Hearings 6a. First Reading of Ordinance Amending Home Rule Charter Related to Campaign Finance Contributions Ms. Kennedy presented the staff report. She stated that in 2017 a discrepancy was found between Sec. 12.04 of the Home Rule Charter and the campaign contribution limits set forth in Minnesota Statute Section 211A.12, The city's Home Rule Charter limits campaign contributions to $250 per year, and the State Statute limits campaign contributions to $600 in an election year. Ms. Kennedy added that the City Attorney provided the opinion that, in this instance, the statute governs, and a candidate may accept contributions up to $600 in an election year. The opinion was based on the fact that when adopting the statute, the legislature specifically referenced Minn. Stat. 410.21 and stated that the provisions of the statute supersede any Home Rule Charter. Therefore, the contribution limits found in the state statute govern. It was noted that the city council subsequently adopted Resolution No. 17- 153, which asked the Charter Commission to study and make a recommendation as to whether the City Charter should be amended related to campaign finance contribution limits. The Charter Commission met on Oct. 24, 2017, and Dec. 6, 2017, and approved a recommendation to amend Section 12.04 of the Home Rule Charter by adding language that referenced the campaign contribution limits set forth in Minnesota Statute 211A.12. City Council Meeting -3- January 16, 2018 Because this statute specifically supersedes any conflicting provisions in the Home Rule Charter, the commission felt it best to eliminate the discrepancy and to simply reference the limits set forth in statute to avoid any conflicts that may arise from future amendments at the state level. Councilmember Mavity raised concerns about the clause referencing anonymous contributions, noting that $20 sets a low bar for anonymous contributions. She added that the Home Rule Charter does not seem to align with her understanding of state statute. Ms. Kennedy noted that the Home Rule Charter is more restrictive in that the aggregate limit is not specifically addressed in statute. Councilmember Mavity stated this then could be a problem, and it may need to be addressed again, if the charter and statute remain in conflict. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Noel Racette, Minnekanda Vista, stated it was her understanding that the city allowed campaign contributions up to $600 during the past election cycle. She questioned why the amendment Mr. Harmening explained after it was determined that, in this one instance, the $600 limit set by statute governed, all candidates for city offices were notified that the limit was in fact $600. He stated the ordinance amendment was now being proposed to clean up the Charter and eliminate the discrepancy. He noted that if the council would like to amend other items contained in Sec. 12.04 of the Charter, it will need to go back to the Charter Commission for their review and recommendation, and then come back to the council for approval. Mr. Knutson concurred. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Hallfin agreed with Councilmember Mavity, stating that if there are provisions that do not align with the state statute, the council will need to send this back to the Charter Commission to work further on it. Mr. Knutson pointed out that the statute only supersedes provision number one of Sec. 12.04, adding that he is not aware of any other conflicts with state law. Councilmember Hallfin suggested that it be reviewed again by council in a study session. Councilmember Mavity also pointed out an additional discrepancy with the charter and the statute in that credit cards can now be used for contributions, not only check, bank draft or money order. This will also need to be updated. Councilmember Rog stated that she supports aligning the Charter with state statute, but added that she would like to see the focus of campaigns be less on money and possibly consider publically funded campaigns, especially if the city is considering ranked choice voting, as they are complementary. Councilmember Brausen stated that he supports amending the Charter as presented, noting that the other provisions in Sec. 12.04 are confusing. He suggested that the issue be referred back to the Charter Commission for more recommendations, noting that the City Council Meeting -4- January 16, 2018 city has the authority, in most instances, to include provisions that are more restrictive than state law. Councilmember Mavity stated that she is concerned about the timeline and wants to be sure there will be no issues impacting upcoming elections. Mr. Knutson stated there are currently no municipal elections planned for 2018. Councilmember Harris stated that it is important to be in alignment with the state statute. She added that looking further at the Charter would be fruitful. Mr. Harmcning stated that staff will follow up with the city attorney on the questions raised prior to the second reading of this ordinance. The council could then provide separate direction asking the Charter Commission to review the other provisions of Section 12.04, and bring any suggested changes back to the council. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Harris to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending the St. Louis Park Home Rule Charter Sec. 12.04 related to Campaign Finance Contributions. The motion passed 7-0. 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items — None 9. Communications Mr. Harmening reminded people of the Bundled Up! Park Fun Day at Oak Hill Park on Saturday January 20 from 12-4 p.m. Mayor Spano announced that the Minnesota Wild will hold a practice session on February 11 from 11-11:45 a.m. at the ROC. The exhibition practice is free and open to the public. He thanked the Wild and the city's Operations and Recreation Department for this opportunity. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.