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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/02/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session�OlSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 5, 2018 The meeting convened at 6:10 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Communications Manager (Ms. Larson), Fire Chief (Mr. Koering), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: Senator Ron Latz; Representative Cheryl Youakim; Representative Peggy Flanagan; Metropolitan Council Representative Gail Dorfman; Emily Tranter - Lockridge, Grindal and Nauen; and Vic Moore - Franzen & Moore. 1. 2018 Legislative Priorities & Issues — Meeting with Elected and Appointed Representatives Mayor Spano thanked everyone for being in attendance and invited each to introduce themselves. Mayor Spano noted the three areas of greatest priority for 2018 for the city are as follows: • Community Development — related to housing and affordable housing, with TIF funding. • Transportation — related to Minnetonka Boulevard, west to Highway 169; Texas Avenue; and CSAH 25. • Public Safety — related to the Pathways to Policing program, which focuses on the city's race equity work and recruiting people of color for the police force. Councilmember Brausen noted to the legislators the council's concern about statewide preemption, which limits local authority. Councilmember Mavity emphasized the city's concerns about affordable housing and asked if it might be a bonding or an appropriations year. Representative Dorfman noted this issue, along with affordable housing, as concerns of the council. She stated that mayors of both Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as the Governor, have programs to assist with affordable housing. She noted that poverty is very real in all of our communities and is the most pressing problem in the region today. She added that they are also seeing more homeless seniors now. Senator Latz stated that the largest issue in 2018 will likely be tax conformity, which may mean a change in tax rates. He stated that the legislature expects to see a bonding bill this year, and there is strong bi-partisan support for affordable housing as well. He added that he is doubtful about appropriations during this session. Senator Latz said that the local authority issue is a constant battle, and he will help as much as he can on this issue. He added that he was glad to hear the Pathways program was working well and would help to promote it. Representative Youakim agreed that tax conformity will be an issue this year, along with the priority of healthcare. She noted that it would be helpful for her to get celebration stories from the community as she works through these issues. She also stated that non-profit giving is down because of the new tax laws. Special Study Session Minutes -2- February 5, 2018,_ Representative Flanagan stated that she will continue to stand with communities, adding that she serves on the Property Tax Committee. She stated that there will be a lot of discussion around property tax and prohibiting TIF districts within 100 feet of a guide way. She said that this issue will be a take -away on development projects for cities. She added that a budget surplus or deficit will depend on the forecast, and public employee pensions will also be reviewed this year. Senator Latz noted that the current requirement for legal notices to be published in newspapers is being discussed now. He asked if this is an issue in St. Louis Park. Councilmember Brausen stated that community members have asked why the city publishes these items in the local Sun Sailor. Mr. Harmening noted that all legal notices are also published on the city website. Mayor Spano stated that Nextdoor is also a place where city notices and information are being posted. Councilmember Mavity stated that she supports keeping the information published in out -state newspapers in order to keep the free press up and running around the state. Senator Latz asked how bad the emerald ash borer situation is in St. Louis Park. Mr. Harmening stated that it is a matter of time before most of these trees will be gone, adding that the cost to dispose and replant will be significant. He said that those on public property will be replaced, but those on private property will not be replaced by the city. Currently, the city removes trees that are weak and most susceptible, adding that the city is also partnering with residents on injecting trees. Senator Latz also referred to the city's record retention policy, adding that he introduced a bill in response to Hennepin County's policy, which allows deletion of electronic information after 30 days. He added that more information on this will be forthcoming. Councilmember Miller noted that the council would be adopting an aggressive Climate Action Plan this evening during the council meeting and asked if the representatives have heard of any other cities that have adopted a climate action plan. Representative Flanagan stated that as we see the federal government back off on this issue, the states and cities will begin stepping in. Mr. Moore stated that the budget forecast will need to build in cost implications of the new tax laws and will also need to add in healthcare for children. He noted that this will be a difficult session. Ms. Tranter stated that right now everyone is waiting and watching what will happen with the budget in D.C. She added that all funding is stagnant until a continuing resolution is passed to fund the government. She stated that right now there is a fight to protect bonding. Councilmember Mavity asked if this means there will be no new funding, noting the SWLRT project. Ms. Tranter stated that everything is in a holding pattern right now, and there is no new money. She stated that once the funding goes through, it will be up to the administration which projects will be funded. Councilmember Mavity stated that she thought the funds were available but not authorized to be used yet. Representative Dorfman stated that there is a concern with this delay. It will need to be signed by the Governor, adding that it may not happen until next year. Special Study Session Minutes -3- February 5, 2018 Councilmember Brausen asked if the infrastructure bill could actually pass. Ms. Tranter stated that it could happen, but many other things will need to happen first. It will be a modest plan. The council thanked the representatives for meeting with them and for their work on issues related to the community. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 2. Blake Road — St. Louis Park/Hopkins Detachment/Annexation Melissa ennedy, City lerk