HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/02/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session111 St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
FEBRUARY 20, 2018
The meeting convened at 6:20 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), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director
(Ms. Deno), City Cleric (Ms. Kennedy), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
1. Off -Sale Intoxicating Liquor Study
Ms. Deno gave the staff report. She noted that the city council adopted Resolution 17-196,
limiting the number of off -sale intoxicating liquor licenses. At the time of adoption, there were
15 licensed off -sale liquor stores in the city. She noted that the 2018 liquor license renewal
process is underway, and 13 of the 15 current establishments have submitted renewal
applications. Jennings Liquor Store and Sam's Club did not submit applications for renewal.
This changes the number of off -sale licenses in the city to 13. Ms. Deno stated that on February
5, 2018, the council modified the resolution adjusting the number of licenses from 15 to 13.
Councilmember Mavity stated that her main concern in looking at the city zoning map is that the
length of Excelsior Blvd, especially at Excelsior and Grand and the Ellipse area, allows for big
box liquor stores. She stated that she has concerns because the area is supposed to be walkable
and pedestrian -friendly and, big box stores are not conducive to that vision and seem to go
against the concept of what the city wants to create.
Mayor Spano stated that former Councilmember Lindberg also had concerns about the
concentration of liquors stores in the Knollwood area. Mayor Spano added that he has similar
concerns and was in favor of capping the square footage of stores, but the council had difficulty
agreeing on what the maximum size should be.
Councilmember Brausen stated that the council has looked at this issue for 3 years, adding that
the market has regulated itself without the council controlling it. He noted that the city had far
more on -sale liquor licenses and they were not discussing imposing further restrictions on these
types of licenses. He stated he felt very strongly that the council should not dictate consumer
habits. He added that he did not see a reason to fear a business like Total Wine moving into the
city because the business provides good jobs with fair wages and benefits to their employees. He
stated that a larger store in one area may also reduce traffic in another area, adding that Excelsior
Blvd. between Quentin and Hwy 100 is not very walkable, being dominated by a strip mall on
the south side and fast food restaurants and Park Nicollet on the north side. He explained that
parking and traffic were not enough of a concern in a commercial district to consider limiting
businesses, adding that when the Police Department was previously asked they told the council
there was no public safety reason to limit the number of off -sale licenses. He noted that when he
asked for public comment on this issue, he only received one response from a person asking why
the council is restricting licenses. He reiterated that he would like to allow market forces to
regulate this type of business.
Councilmember Mavity stated that some places in the city are more appropriate for big box
retail, such as the West End. She added that the city may have to look into changing the types of
uses that are allowed in a C-2 zoning district. She asked what downtown Hopkins does to keep
Study Special Session Minutes -2- February 20, 2018
big box stores out of that area and if St. Louis Park could do something similar, and possibly
redefine the zoning code. She added that she feels the council's role is to represent what their
constituents want in the community.
Councilmember Rog stated that she is very supportive of small, local businesses and would like
to see more of them in the community. She added she would be in favor of limiting the size of
the liquor stores and looking for ways to control development in certain areas of the city to
elevate the concept of small, local businesses.
Councilmember Miller stated that he does not feel strongly about this, but he does feel the
council is trying to control the character of retail through liquor licensing. He added that small
stores are not always better stores, and they are not always boutique -type shops. He stated if the
council wants to promote or support more local businesses in the city he is not sure,
procedurally, that they should try to control that through licensing.
Mayor Spano commented that the council does not have the ability to control the number of large
retailers in the city; however, they do have the ability to an extent to control liquor licenses.
Councilmember Hallfm stated that the council does have the ability to make decisions on the
number of off -sale liquor licenses the city issues. However, just because they can do it does not
mean they should. He added that he is willing to discuss controlling the square footage of stores.
Councilmember Harris noted that she appreciates the comments about creating a walkable and
bike -able community; however, she is ambivalent on this issue. She stated she is in favor of
looking at zoning changes as they relate to the newly adopted Climate Action Plan. She added
that she is not interested in regulating the number of liquor stores at this time and suggested
tabling this issue until it can be reviewed in relation to climate action.
Councilmember Brausen stated he would also be willing to review this in relation to the Climate
Action Plan, walkability, and emissions; however, he is worried about a size cap or limiting the
number of licenses because it creates artificial scarcity.
Mr. Harmening stated that this issue could be addressed through zoning; however, that would
also address and limit other types of retail, so it might be best to regulate through licensing.
It was the consensus of the council to look at limiting the size of businesses within the C-2
district through zoning regulations. Mr. Harmening added that staff will work with Community
Development and the city attorney on options to create zoning and land use regulations for
certain parts of the community where the council wants to avoid big box stores and to promote
smaller businesses. He stated that this topic will be brought back to council before the June 30
moratorium end date.
2. Boards and Commissions Application Review & Appointment Process
Ms. Kennedy noted the rules and procedures for Boards and Commissions, including the annual
recruitment, application and appointment processes, were revised in 2016 to make them more
transparent, efficient and accessible to the public. Ms. Kennedy stated that applications are
already being accepted for the 2018 annual appointment process, adding that the deadline for
applications is February 28.
Study Special Session Minutes -3- February 20, 2018
Mayor Spano stated that last year's process was very long and involved and became difficult due
to the sheer number of applications and openings to be filled. The council agreed and discussed
the possibility of forming a sub group to perform the process.
Councilmembers Hallfin and Harris agreed that a smaller sub group of the council might be a
good alternative to review the applications and recommend selections to the council.
Councilmember Harris also noted that councilmembers could be divided into sub groups based
on their own areas of expertise to review applications and interview candidates.
Mayor Spano stated that this might be an option. Then councilmembers would report back to the
full council, before decisions were made.
Councilmember Mavity stated that she is less inclined toward the sub group idea because one
candidate can apply to serve on up to 3 different commissions. She suggested that each council
member review the applications, and assign one score. Staff will average the candidate scores
and council can use the information to decide whether to interview or appoint candidates.
Councilmember Miller liked the idea of smaller groups of councilmembers meeting with
applicants to allow for more in-depth conversations and also agreed with scoring each applicant.
He suggested scheduling interviews and council discussion on an alternate day, not a study
session.
Councilmember Rog stated that she feels strongly there should not be personal advocacy to
councilmembers by applicants, and so she suggested a blind scoring process. She agreed with
Councilmember Harris' idea of bringing each councilmember's expertise into the process and
noted she would be in favor of implementing term limits for commission members.
Councilmember Brausen stated that he is fine with the current system, including interviews, and
would prefer to do them on a different day than when a study session or council meeting is held.
He also liked the idea of scoring, including looking at gender balance and racial equity. He was
not in favor of a blind review. He agreed with the idea of term limits, as well.
It was the consensus of the city council to use a very similar process as last year, but to make the
process more manageable by having only one scoring criteria and holding interviews on a
different night from council meetings. The process will also include having the names of each
applicant, and would not be a blind review.
Ms. Deno stated that the process will be fine-tuned, and will include new data gathered on race.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
AMefissKennedy, City Clerk