HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/06/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionA�St. Louis Park Official minutes
M I N N E S O T A City council study session
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June 25, 2018
The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne
Mavity, and Thom Miller.
Councilmembers absent: Margaret Rog.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director
(Ms. Deno), Chief Financial Officer (Mr. Simon), Fire Chief Koering, Police Chief Harcey, Director
of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Associate Planner (Ms.
Kramer), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), and Management Assistant, (Ms. Carrillo -Perez), and
Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—July 9, 2018
Mayor Spano suggested due to the robust conversation around ranked -choice voting on July 9, the
design guidelines discussion should move to the end of the agenda.
Counciimember Mavity agreed adding she would like to have all background information on design
guidelines linked into the document staff provides, for that conversation.
Mr. Harmening stated staff would do that and added there will also be a special council meeting
July 9th, in order to address a few business items.
2. Building readiness ordinance for smart cities
Mr. Fires stated the report this evening would be to make council aware of staff's efforts on
future building readiness opportunities, receive council input and determine next steps.
Mr. Fires noted council approved goals, priorities and strategies related to the five strategic
directions in place at the time, at its October 19, 2015 meeting. He added since that time, the
broader term "smart city" has emerged to describe technology connected communities, and
efforts, achievements and futures in this area will be discussed later in the report.
Mr. Fires explained since the smart city effort began, building readiness requirements have
been extended to include solid waste, through recent ordinance approvals. Other efforts to
enhance the quality of life have also emerged including security cameras, emergency call
stations in new parking structures, public safety radio coverage into major buildings, and
electric vehicle charging stations in certain parking garages and parking lots. He noted that each
of these efforts will also need to be viewed through the lenses of the climate action plan and
racial equity goals.
Mr. Fires noted that drafts of ordinances addressing these goals is in progress, and each
ordinance will take a different path to ultimate consideration by council.
Study Session Minutes -2- June 25, 2018
Councilmember Brausen asked what the average cost is from street to a building for conduit.
Mr. Pires stated $1000 from street to building.
Mr. Harmening added US Internet is currently planning to go into part of the Sorenson
neighborhood, with higher internet speeds at a much lower cost. He stated the city wants to be
competitive in the marketplace on this, so folks will want to live in St. Louis Park.
Mr. Pires noted there is little to no work making single family homes ready for broadband,
assists in the area of racial equity for multiple dwelling units as well, such as Era on Excelsior,
noting NOAH success breeds more success.
Councilmember Mavity, however, stated she is not quite sure what NOAH success breeds more
success means, especially in the wake of the changeover from Meadowbrook to ERA, where
75% of residents were displaced from the property. She further stated the city needs to protect
its tenants.
Mr. Pires noted Councilmember Mavity's concerns, but stated NOAH success refers to success
in installation of alternative higher speed internet service, and he is encouraging US Internet to
go to Oak Park Village and Louisiana Court, so if the council does not want this to continue, to
please let him know. Councilmember Harris asked Mr. Pires to please continue these efforts.
Ms. Kramer noted the three levels of electronic charging stations and how these could help
reduce emissions by 25% by 2030, in keeping with the city's climate action plan. She added
levels 1 and 2 are stations that would be permitted everywhere, and level 3 stations would be
permitted in all non-residential zoning districts, noting level 3 is the very expensive option.
Ms. Kramer stated the draft ordinance is written for level 1 and 2 and some level 3 stations.
Councilmember Mavity stated she does not see a whole lot of parking expansion in the future
and asked Ms. Kramer what futurists are saying about the future of parking.
Ms. Kramer commented future vehicles will be autonomous, and will be able to charge
themselves, and go to the closest charging station within the "smart" city. She noted the
assumption is that many vehicles will be charged at home, adding that the city charging stations
currently get used quite a bit. She noted staff is working to keep requirements in the ordinance
imprecise at this time, because patterns of use are still in flux, so the ordinance will need to be
amended overtime.
Mayor Spano asked if there are currently any programs available that split the cost to incent
non-profit entities. Ms. Kramer stated Xcel Energy has incentives for charging at night and off-
peak hours. She added they are looking to expand that to commercial.
Councilmember Mavity asked about the schools and if they are involved in this discussion. Ms.
Kramer stated she is having this conversation with the schools now, and there will be a need for
level 1 and 2 charging stations at the middle and high school.
Study Session Minutes -3- June 25, 2018
Ms. Kramer added large new developments that come to the city are being encouraged to
provide charging stations.
Councilmember Harris asked about Hennepin County facilities within St. Louis Park and if this is
an opportunity to collaborate with them. Ms. Kramer stated yes, and the city would work with
Hennepin County to get as close to the ordinance as possible.
Councilmember Hallfin asked if a Level 1 charging station is basically an outlet. Ms. Kramer
stated yes.
Mayor Spano asked if there are charging stations at the Rec Center and Louisiana Oaks parking
center. Ms. Kramer stated yes, at both.
Mr. Harmening pointed out the city has higher standards and rules for city lots, as part of the
climate action plan, because it is the right thing to do, and not necessarily because it is in the
ordinance.
Mr. Hoffman and Police Chief Harcey presented on city parking ramps and garage safety,
including the ability for new parking structures to have video camera technology and
emergency call stations. Fire Chief Koering presented on public safety radio coverage and best
practices for crime prevention.
Mr. Harmening noted all improvements would apply to all future buildings and would not be
retroactively apply to existing structures.
Councilmember Mavity stated lighting can be disruptive to neighborhoods; however, noting
there are solutions for this as well. She asked about the call station button and if pressed where
it is connected.
Chief Harcey stated it goes to an alarm monitoring service or the police, adding that Methodist
Hospital has its own security service, and the alarm goes there.
Councilmember Mavity stated she is fine with the call device; however, has concerns about
adding video and cameras, noting this could be a privacy issue. She asked what problems the
city is trying to solve by having cameras, and what is the market demanding. She added the cost
is put back on developers and eventually back to renters. She stated she has not heard of this
being used at Ellipse or other apartments and asked if the city would be requiring building
owners to put security cameras into their building. She asked what the city's interest is in that,
unless there is a rash of crime she has not heard about.
Chief Harcey stated this is about crime prevention and being video ready, through best
practices, and getting ahead of the issue.
Councilmember Mavity stated she feels this is unnecessary and an over reach, adding there are
other things that can be done related to crime prevention.
Study Session Minutes -4- June 25, 2018
Councilmember Brausen agreed, noting it feels a bit like Big Brother, and asked if the city is
dealing with parking ramp crimes.
Chief Harcey stated there are many break-ins and some assaults in underground parking
structures, and at Lifetime there was a big problem. He added however, he has no data with
him, but that this is happening.
Councilmember Brausen added he had an issue with 24/7 lights, adding this seems counter-
productive to the city's carbon reduction plan, asking if a sensor system with movement might
be a better option.
Councilmember Miller stated the city requires a lot from public buildings, including fire doors,
and sprinkler systems. He stated parking ramps have high crime rates, with coming and going of
individuals, adding he is all in favor of lighting up ramps and having cameras.
Mr. Pires pointed out again that this would only be in new construction and not in existing,
adding the cost would be less within new construction.
Councilmember Mavity stated she is not in favor of cameras but is fine with lighting.
Councilmember Harris noted the time the police force spends on investigating could be cut with
these tools, including cameras and video surveillance, and it seems reasonable.
Chief Harcey added the video gives police a starting point, noting this type of security enhances
investigations.
Councilmember Hallfin added the Big Brother idea bothers him; however, if crimes are
happening and it is seen on camera, he is not looking at the cost, and it becomes more of a
privacy issue. He added he would like to know how many other cities have this and is it
becoming commonplace in other cities.
Mayor Spano stated he is interested in continuing to explore this, adding from a practical stand
point, and living next to Methodist Hospital, lighting is an issue. He asked how this can be done
without lighting up a neighborhood. He further pointed out, he does not believe the public has
an expectation of privacy in a public parking ramp.
Councilmember Mavity added if there will be more follow up on this topic, it would be helpful
to know what type of problem the city will be solving, noting at Excelsior and Grand, that is the
resident's private garage, and not a public area.
Mr. Harmening stated staff will keep looking at this, will ask stakeholders, and bring more
information back to the council.
Fire Chief Koering discussed radio coverage in various buildings throughout the city and the
problem with radio signals getting through dense materials, and difficulty with
communications, because of the concrete. He noted high risk buildings include the high school
and middle school, all Park Nicollet buildings, and some buildings in the West End.
Study Session Minutes -5- June 25, 2018
Chief Koering noted with new construction, they work with the building owners to get this
installed and follow the state fire code. He noted there is technology to fix this problem in
existing buildings, but it can be expensive, so the ordinance will need to be prioritized as cost is
a concern. He noted this might be done with an assessment as is done with sprinkler systems
today.
Councilmember Harris stated she is in favor of any public safety for residences and asked if
there is a secondary option or different technology for communication, or any alternatives, in
light of a cost of $25,000.
Chief Koering stated there are no alternatives, as universal specific devices must be used, and
every building is different.
Chief Koering added he has spoken with the school superintendent about getting this
completed in the schools.
Councilmember Mavity stated she approves of this, adding it makes perfect sense with schools,
and if they cannot afford it, the city should help. She also asked about the elementary schools,
and Chief Koering stated they will be testing the elementary schools.
Mr. Fires stated staff will return to discuss this further with council after getting feedback from
stakeholders.
3. overview of long-range planning tools and debt model forecasting
Mr. Simon provided information to the council on the city's long-range planning and debt
modeling tools. He noted the city is 1 of 22 cities with an AAA rating from Standard and Poor's
(S & P). Last year Mr. Simon shared a variety of tools the city uses for forecasting, and this will
be shared at tonight's meeting as the 2019 budget and 10 -year capital planning process begins.
Mr. Simon pointed out the following items as part of the report:
• Overview of financial management policies
• City fund structure (government vs. enterprise funds)
• Analytics and comparisons
• Long range financial management plan models
• Debt modeling tools
He noted the long range financial planning tools the city has developed have been instrumental
in anticipating future financial needs and identifying measures to respond to those needs. It has
also been very helpful in the city achieving and maintaining its AAA bond rating.
Areas discussed included the following, and Mr. Simon noted all policies have been updated to
meet requirements.
Essential Policies
Fund balance and reserves
Operating budget
Study Session Minutes -6- June 25, 2018
Capital budgeting and planning
Debt management
Long range financial planning
Investment
Highly advisable policies
Accounting and financial reporting
Revenues
Internal Controls
Expenditures
Purchasing
Risk Management
Economic Development
Councilmember Harris asked what the cable franchise fee is. Mr. Simon stated it is a contract
the city has with the cable company that is based on the number of subscriptions the city has,
and an agreement has been negotiated with the cable company for these fees.
Mr. Harmening added franchise fees are required and very standard, and as more online
services become available, franchise fees will decrease.
Mr. Harmening noted that pavement management fees are charged by Xcel and Centerpoint
Energy, so the utilities are able to have access to the city's right-of-way. These fees are then
used for infrastructure repairs in the right-of-way.
Long Range Financial Management — Review debt model
Mr. Simon pointed out the following information related to long range planning and the debt
model:
• HRA Levy
• Pavement Management - Mayor Spano stated he would be interested in pursuing a 70%
road condition rating for the city. Currently the city is at 67% cumulatively.
• Sidewalks and Trails
• Capital Replacement Funds
Mr. Simon noted that St Louis Park is in the middle regarding debt per capita, and on a net debt
per estimated market value in comparison to other AAA rated cities. He stated with debt model
assumptions, estimates are fine-tuned, and drill downs are conducted on each fund, where the
dollar amount and term can be changed, and the debt model can be updated for all funds. Mr.
Simon stated this helps with taking a look at the big picture and depending on TIF and levies,
allows a look at cumulative totals.
Councilmember Hallfin asked how much the city pays S & P to provide a rating. Mr. Simon
stated $14,000 per year. Councilmember Hallfin stated S & P doesn't always get it right, and
yet the city must pay them for this service.
Study Session Minutes -7- June 25, 2018
Councilmember Miller asked if the Climate Action Plan will be placed into capital
Improvements (CIP).
Ms. Deno stated staff is programming pieces of that right now into the CIP and in the 2019
budget process, there will be consulting fees, and money set aside for incentive programs and
marketing. She added, a long-term plan will be developed and there will be more for the
council to review on this in the coming months.
Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal)
Councilmember Mavity stated she will be attending the government housing task force meeting
on July 311t and noted in a meeting today, there was a discussion about the St. Louis Park
tenant protection ordinance as an example and recommendation to demonstrate to other cities
in the state what can be done.
Mr. Harmening noted he attended the Leagues of MN Cities event and sat in on several
sessions. He added that Chief Harcey accepted an award on the city's Pathways to Policing
Program.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
4. May 2018 monthly financial report