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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/03/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Sessionfff St. Louis Park MINNESOTA OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA MARCH 12, 2018 The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Anne Mavity, and Margaret Rog. Councilmember absent: Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, and Thom Miller Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Police Chief Harcey, and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: Jamie Marshall, Executive Director of Friends of the Arts (FOTA), George Hagemann, FOTA. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning —Month March 19 & 26, 2018 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed Study Session agendas for March 19 and 26, 2018. Councilmember Mavity asked if the council could review the Comprehensive Plan before it is finalized and when that could take place. Councilmember Rog agreed. Mr. Harmening stated that he will find time on an upcoming agenda. Councilmember Brausen asked about adding the mandatory minimum wage ordinance discussion to an upcoming agenda, as well. Councilmember Rog asked if the council will again discuss ranked choice voting. Councilmember Mavity stated that she is not interested in discussing it any further. Mr. Harmening stated that the public hearing on ranked choice voting is April 16, and he will check with the rest of the council before adding another discussion on the agenda. Councilmember Rog asked about discussing the revitalization of Monkey Island Rock Garden. She also asked about further discussion related to the Human Right Commission (HRC) and helping them set an agenda as to their role and responsibility. Mr. Harmening stated that some councilmembers felt more direction could be given to the HRC, while others felt that the HRC should focus on their own work plans. Councilmember Rog noted that most commissions have assignments; however, the HRC does not seem to, and it may be best for the council to review work items for them and to determine what their role and responsibility should be. Mayor Spano stated that he will not be able to attend the March 19 and 26 council meetings. He asked about moving the critical incident topic to another meeting date. Mr. Harmening stated that he will reschedule that topic. 2. Friends of the Arts (FOTA) Annual Update Mr. Marshall, Executive Director of FOTA, and Mr. Hagemann, FOTA board member, provided an update. Mr. Marshall has been with FOTA for 2 years and last year moved into the Executive Director role. He thanked the council for their increased support last year of $40,000, which allowed Mr. Marshall to move into his present role and has allowed FOTA to play a larger role in the city. He Study Session Minutes -2- March 12,2018 stated that the city's contribution is used for operational purposes and is leveraged to bring in funding from others. FOTA is currently working on its 2018 budget and is hoping the city will consider funding them at the same level. Mr. Marshall reviewed events and retreats that he and Mr. Hagemam have recently attended to learn more about how the arts can serve the city. He noted successes from last year, including scholarships awarded that help students to participate in the arts. Mr. Marshall also noted the Our Town Sings project conducted in 2017, which included concerts by 5 diverse groups representing different styles and cultures. The concerts were held at Wolfe Park amphitheater and at the ROC. This series will be continued in 2018 and will feature St. Louis Park choirs from various faith traditions. Mr. Hagemann stated that FOTA is very proud of Mr. Marshall's work this past year, adding that he is a great asset. Councilmember Rog thanked the group for their excellent work and asked several questions. She wondered if FOTA would be able to do more if they had more funding from the city. Mr. Marshall responded that there is always more that can be done, but he does not have a concrete answer at this time. He stated that he can review and discuss this with the FOTA board and come back to the council, if needed. Mr. Marshall also pointed out that FOTA does fundraising. Most of their budget money is raised through grants, along with the city's contribution. Their budget in 2017 was $85,000. Councilmember Rog encouraged Mr. Marshall to use city channels, such as the city website and Facebook page to publicize city events. Mr. Marshall stated that he is working with the city's communications staff on an ongoing basis. Councilmember Rog asked about the concerts at the ROC and how the acoustics are there. Mr. Marshall stated that it is not a space for choral concerts, but it works just fine for the programming FOTA has there. He said it serves its purpose and has been a great resource. Councilmember Rog asked what opportunities they see in the Walker Lake Area, for local artists. Mr. Hagemann stated that this area would be a good fit for what the Arts Lab is working on, so he would defer to them. He can take this question back to the FOTA board for further discussion, as well. Councilmember Brausen stated that he loves the work FOTA is doing and supports all the events. He asked Ms. Walsh if the city charges rent for events held at the ROC. Ms. Walsh stated no rent is charged for city groups. Councilmember Brausen asked if FOTA asks for donations at community events. Mr. Marshall answered yes and stated that they are also working on a more robust fundraising plan. Councilmember Brausen asked what type of programming is missing or underserved in St. Louis Park. Mr. Marshall stated that additional events for local artists would be an area to pursue as a way to connect with people in the community who are doing creative work. Councilmember Brausen stated that he is in favor of the city continuing to support the arts. Councilmember Mavity asked about art and city development and if FOTA is involved in any projects with new development. Mr. Hagemann stated that sometimes developers reach out to FOIA, adding that these are all negotiated processes. Councilmember Mavity also noted that the painting of utility boxes is a favorite project of hers. She asked why there are only 3 versions of the paintings available. Mr. Marshall stated that there are 3 options to choose from, if no original pieces are offered. Councilmember Mavity asked who pays for this. Mr. Marshall stated that the city pays, while the neighborhoods are the initiators. Ms. Walsh also pointed out that the city can Study Session Minutes -3- March 12, 2018 only wrap artwork around the city -owned utility boxes and not utility company-owned boxes. Councilmember Mavity stated she would like to look farther into this issue. Mayor Spano stated that with each development that comes to St. Louis Park (not only the projects that come with TIF), he would like to see more gallery space and performing arts space in the city. He noted that this would create a better sense of identity and community. Mayor Spann added that he would like to pursue the idea of pairing visual, performing, and industrial arts students with professionals in those areas to work together toward the students getting a better understanding of these professions. He added that this would be an opportunity for the city to focus on kids in the community, and he would like to see a discussion with teachers and the school district on this possibility. Councilmember Rog added she would also like to see local artists' work included in the city's municipal buildings and encouraged all to ponder this possibility. Mayor Spano mentioned a St. Paul initiative which features poetry stamped into sidewalks and stated that he would like to see something similar in St. Louis Park. Mr. Harmening stated that the Walker Lake area might be a great place for it. 3. Police Officer Attendance at City Council Meetings Police Chief Harcey was in attendance for the discussion. The council previously asked the Police Department to discuss the possibility of having an officer attend regular council meetings and study sessions. The Police Department has the ability to provide either a uniformed or a plain clothes officer at meetings; however, it was noted that scheduling could be a challenge to staffing minimums required to provide quality service to the community. The councilmembers discussed this further, and each noted their preferences. Councilmembers Mavity, Brausen, Rog and Mayor Spano felt police presence was not necessary at every meeting but could be handled on a case-by-case basis. Councilmember Harris noted in an e-mail that she would support a plain clothes officer in attendance, while Councilmember Hallfin did not think police presence was necessary. Councilmember Miller emailed that he felt police presence was only necessary to reassure people in the audience. It was the consensus of the council not to have police presence at every meeting but only on an as -needed basis. Mr. Harmening and Police Chief Harcey agreed with this decision. Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) Mr. Harmening stated that a bill was introduced by the House of Representatives that would disallow a city from implementing ranked choice voting. If a city already had ranked choice voting, it would not be allowed to continue. Mr. I-Iarmening stated that another bill recently introduced in the house and senate would negate the zero waste packaging ordinances in cities. Councilmember Rog asked if this was passed, could the city do any incentivizing with local businesses. Mr. Harmening stated yes. Mr. Harmening also noted that the city will be sending out 15,000 flyers this week identifying utility rates for this year. Study Session Minutes -4- March 12, 2018 Councilmember Rog asked about the process for home values and tax increases and how this works. Mr. Harmening suggested that she contact City Assessor Cory Bultema, He would be able to explain and train both Councilmembers Rog and Harris on this process so that they would be aware in case they receive calls from residents. Councihnember Brausen noted that if councilmembers receive calls from residents related to tax increases, they can be referred to Mr. Bultema. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 4. Business Terms for Purchase and Redevelopment Contract with SLP Park Ventures, LLC Melissa 'ennedy, ity Clerk