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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/05/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionSt. Louis Park MINNESOTA WrF— in ih,. L+rb Official minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota May 14, 2018 The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, and Margaret Rog. Councilmembers absent: Thom Miller. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Police Chief Harcey, Police Lt. Garland, Fire Chief Koering, Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Sr. Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Planner (Ms. Monson), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther), ESC Coordinator (Ms. Pinc), Natural Resources Coordinator (Mr. Vaughan), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Public Works Superintendent (Mr. Hanson), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Elkin), Management Assistant (Ms. Carrillo Perez), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guest: Rabbi Avi Olitzky, Beth EI Synagogue; Staff members from Benilde-St. Margaret and St. Louis Park Residents 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning — May 21 and May 29, 2018 Councilmember Brausen asked for a discussion on mandatory minimum wage. Councilmember Mavity supported this. Councilmember Rog asked for a discussion on the senior advisory commission, during the conversation about the youth advisory commission. Mr. Harmening stated both topics will be discussed at the same meeting. Councilmember Hallfin acknowledged this is a very active council, but asked the councilmembers and staff to think about the pace of the work the council is trying to do, and raised concerns about missing the important items, while discussing everything. Mayor Spano stated the council has much work to do, adding it is all good work, but also noting he wants to be sure they can accomplish it all and give the work the attention it deserves. 2. Common Sound Music Festival Update Ms. Carrillo Perez gave a quick overview stating that Beth EI Synagogue and Benilde-St. Margaret's School have partnered to host an inaugural outdoor summer concert called Common Sound Music Festival, on Sunday, June 17, 2018. She stated she has served as the main point person on the event for the city and noted that issues related to police, fire, and d, public safety have been addressed. Ms. Carrillo Perez noted an application for a temporary liquor license will come before the council at next week's meeting. She added tonight's meeting will be for the council to raise questions, concerns and make comments. Study Session Minutes -2- May 14, 2018 Rabbi Avi Olitzky stated the event was created to be about folks coming together in a positive light, with a goal to be good neighbors, during a time of divisiveness. He added this is going to create a fun, exciting event for St. Louis Park. He added that neighbors within 2000 feet of the event were notified. Rabbi Olitzky introduced Mr. Lannazzo with the event staff, who discussed event logistics, safety, vendors, entertainment, and traffic issues with the council. Mr. Lannazzo stated no streets will be closed off for the event, and it is taking place in the Beth EI parking lot. He added there will be parking in the Benilde lots, and Uber/taxi drop-offs and pick-ups on Toledo Avenue. Councilmember Mavity asked if the city has established parking requirements, and if the event will meet those requirements. Mr. Harmening stated there are no requirements for parking for an outside event, within the city. Mr. Lannazzo stated the event organizers will be monitoring ticket sales to the event, and if sales exceed 1,500 tickets, they will add off-site parking at the West End, and shuttle folks to the event. Mayor Spano asked how many folks the area can hold for a concert. Ms. Carrillo Perez stated there is no known equation. Rabbi Olitzky added the ticket sales will be capped at 2,000, including staff and volunteers, for this first year. Mayor Spano noted he has concerns about folks coming from Minneapolis through neighborhoods to get to the event location, adding that there will be a need for directional signage and traffic routing. Mayor Spano asked if the food trucks will have internal or external generators, noting that external generators are very loud, and can be disruptive to neighbors. Mayor Spano asked if the crossings between Beth EI and Benilde will be staffed by police. Mr. Lannazzo stated yes, on Barry Street. He added that traffic will be stopped there to let folks cross the street. Mayor Spano asked about serving liquor and if folks will be ID'd. Mr. Lannazzo stated folks will receive a wrist band as they enter the event, and ID's checked for serving liquor. Mr. Lannazzo added that a medical tent will be at the event location as well. Councilmember Harris asked if there will be recycling areas both inside and outside of the event. Mr. Lannazzo stated they will be located around the perimeter of the event. With regard to composting, he added they would need additional volunteers to help with that, and they are not available at this point. Councilmember Brausen stated the city does pride itself on our zero waste events, so it would be great if that could be done. He added the event coordinators may want to check with Steel Toe and encourage them to create a special brand for the event. Rabbi Olitzky stated they are looking at this for next year. Study Session Minutes -3- May 14, 2018 Councilmember Brausen encouraged all to purchase their tickets soon. Councilmember Rog commended the planning team, adding she trusts they are addressing every detail and that they have a lot of support from everyone in the city for this event. Mayor Spano agreed and congratulated all on the planning and message of the event. 3. Crime Free Rental Ordinance, Affordable Housing Trust Funds and NOAH Preservation Strategies Ms. Schnitker updated the council on the status of housing -related strategies and tools, including the city's Crime Free Rental Ordinance, Affordable Housing Trust Funds and Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Preservation Strategies. Ms. Schnitker stated the ordinance provides structure for landlords and property owners to ensure responsive management and quality of life. Additionally, it provides for crime free training, application screening and fair -housing considerations, including diversity and anti - harassment, crime prevention through environmental design, and education related to drug issues. Councilmember Mavity expressed concerns about what happens to families when their lease is not renewed by a landlord due to a violation that may have occurred when a relative/guest is visiting a tenant. Councilmember Mavity stated she appreciated this topic of discussion and the information provided, adding that more data would be helpful, some comparison data to pre -2007, and comparison to other communities that do not have this ordinance. She stated she is concerned about the philosophy of the crime -free ordinance, adding the city's community policing approach is well done, but this ordinance can have impacts on families of color and disabilities. She noted some landlords won't rent to these folks because of possible problems and will not renew leases if there has been one violation. Councilmember Mavity stated the city needs to be cognizant of this. Councilmember Mavity added she appreciated the domestic violence waiver in the ordinance, but asked how an incident of disorderly conduct would be handled, due to disability or mental health issues, again adding she has concerns with this ordinance. Councilmember Rog thanked Police Chief Harcey and Lt. Garland for their work, but added data would be helpful. She noted an eviction study for Homeline, that the city might be able to participate in, to help learn more about this issue and eviction issues in general. She noted there are 40 evictions in St. Louis Park per year, adding race equity is important here. Councilmember Harris thanked staff for the report and recent history shared. She added she would like to see some cases prior to the ordinance being enacted, to help determine the effectiveness of the ordinance. She asked if it would be possible to break down the number of calls per apartment by rental value, to understand the conversation related to equity. Study Session Minutes -4- May 14, 2018 Councilmember Brausen also appreciated the conversation, noting that landlords use this ordinance as a tool and can call police if needed. He added unless there is discriminatory information discovered, related to the ordinance, he is in favor of keeping it. Councilmember Hallfin stated he attended the city's landlord classes and he agreed with Councilmember Brausen that unless discriminatory information was discovered, he is in favor of keeping the ordinance, along with tightening it up related to mental health issues. Councilmember Mavity added she does not want criminal activity taking place on properties, but again she has concerns about guests visiting, and causing a problem, which can have disparate impacts on low income families and families of color. Police Chief Harcey stated the city's community policing program partners with the community, including tenants, and the ordinance allows for the ability to deal with quality of life issues. He added if the police cannot partner with landlords and tenants regarding this, there will be a problem. Councilmember Mavity stated when a criminal action is committed on a property, the police have authority to address it. However, Mr. Harmening pointed out there is no authority to evict with a criminal act, so the ordinance provides a tool to deal with this. Mayor Spano stated the question is, does the crime free ordinance create a safe community. He added it is dangerous to talk about race equity work in the sense of it being monolithic, stating folks who may be of color want to have quality of life and be safe as well, or they will move away. He stated he is uneasy with the eviction study, and is not comfortable speaking for families, without even having a conversation with them, to find out their views. Mayor Spano stated he would like more information on the ordinance. Councilmember Brausen agreed adding, any type of ordinance can be useful, and a policy needs to be in place to direct police to work with landlords and to provide necessary social services to assist families, while maintaining them in their households. Ms. Schnitker commented on the local housing trust fund, which the Minnesota legislature passed in 2017, to support preservation of affordable housing. She stated it is a dedicated funding source and a policy is created indicating what the funding can be used for. She noted the sources of donations can be grants, loans, appropriations, and housing levies. Ms. Schnitker added the city currently has a fund similar to a housing trust fund, the Housing Rehab Fund. The fund has dedicated funding and a policy indicating how the funds may be used. The policy can be updated, noting the council can decide what they want to dedicate funds to be used for. Ms. Schnitker noted that an advantage in establishing a Housing Trust Fund would be the city's ability to accept donations. Study Session Minutes -5- May 14, 2018 Councilmember Rog stated she would like to look at having a robust discussion on this, and how the city can be more proactive around housing solutions, while leveraging public and private contributions. She noted that Minneapolis has an RFP process, and this may be a solution for St. Louis Park as well. She would rather the council be more proactive than reactive as developers come to present projects and added, while the city has generated about 50 affordable units, there is only one three-bedroom unit, and there needs to be more. She noted the current Housing Rehabilitation fund is not the best repository of the city's housing funds and the value in a housing trust fund is the capacity to accept donations from businesses. Councilmember Mavity appreciated Councilmember Rog bringing up this topic. She stated the council will want to be sure the city's fund aligns with the state funds, and with the requirements of the state. She said the trust fund will open conversations as to how the city is using its land and there is more that can be done. She added she supports this entirely and pointed to Minneapolis Mayor Frey's task force which will target $50 million for Minneapolis affordable housing, noting there will also be discussions on regional funding and strategy with the Metropolitan Council. Councilmember Harris stated she is in favor of looking further into this, noting she worked in community land trust in the past, and it would be a wonderful avenue to support affordable housing in the future. She asked about doing something similar to park dedication fees but making them housing dedication fees. Councilmember Brausen stated he is also supportive of a housing trust fund and asked to see the overall picture of how much affordable housing stock currently exists in St. Louis Park— both rental and owned — in order to understand the balance we want to create in our community, and tailor our programs along the way. Mayor Spano agreed that inclusionary affordable housing is great and the city is definitely creating more than existed in the past. He noted there needs to be discussion about the term "workforce housing" vs. affordable housing, noting the working poor deserve good, safe housing. Councilmember Harris stated she is in favor of the 4D Tax Classification, noting it is a wonderful opportunity to ensure NOAH properties are preserved. Councilmember Hallfin pointed out that with the 4D Tax Classification, taxes are redistributed, with St. Louis Park citizens paying for NOAH property levies. Councilmember Rog stated she is pleased with the city's tenant protections and would like to look at further protection ordinances. She added she'd like to discuss community land use partnerships and create permanent affordable housing for folks to have an opportunity to own homes and create wealth. She stated this is a racial equity issue and the government has a role in correcting this. Study Session Minutes -6- May 14, 2018 4. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Ms. McMonigal, along with city staff members, gave an overview of the goals and strategies for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. She and staff discussed the new and/or revised goals and strategies and answered questions relating to existing goals and strategies.. Ms. McMonigal noted an online survey of proposed goals and strategies will begin on May 14tH She added staff will present the entire draft of the Comp Plan at the study session on May 29th for review and discussion. The Planning Commission will also be provided the draft plan on May 30' and will take action on June 6th to recommend council approve sending the draft plan out for review. On June 1811 the council will be asked to take action to begin the formal 6 -month review process with adjacent jurisdictions. Areas reviewed and discussed at this evenings study session included: • Why We Are A Livable Community—land use, economic redevelopment, housing • Mobility: Getting Around in Our Community— pedestrians, bicycles, transit, highways and streets • Where We Gather— Parks and open space, schools, public art • Environment and Sustainability— Climate and energy, solid waste, water resources • How We Govern —city government, public health and safety, race and equity, communication The council stated that since they are the two most important areas of the 2040 plan, both the Race and Equity section and the Climate Action Plan portions must be moved to the beginning of the document. Ms. McMonigal agreed, and noted that the topics will also be sprinkled throughout the full plan document. Mr. Harmening noted the entire draft of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan will be presented and discussed again at the May 29th study session. Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: S. Special Assessment Policy — Sewer and Water Availability Charges 6. Dockless Bicycles Update 7. 2019 Pavement Management CIP Update 8. Westwood Hills Nature Center Project - "ImA 11 Melissa kennedy, City Clerk