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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/01/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Jan. 17, 2023 1. Call to order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. a. Pledge of allegiance b. Roll call Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog Councilmembers absent: none. Staff present: City Manager (Ms. Keller), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Deputy City Manager (Ms. Walsh), Finance Director (Ms. Schmitt), Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Shamla), Community Development Director (Ms. Barton), Project Engineer (Mr. Wiesen), Communications and Technology Director (Ms. Smith) Guests: Kyle Imholte, Kimley-Horn 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 6-0. 3. Presentations. b. Recognition of donations Mayor Spano recognized donations from Park Coin for fire prevention programs and equipment in the amount of $250. 4. Approve minutes – none. 5. Approve items on consent agenda. a. Adopt Resolution No. 23-013 authorizing parking restrictions on 35th Street West of Raleigh Avenue. b. Adopt Resolution No. 23-014 authorizing the installation of loading zones on the north and south side of 31st Street between Glenhurst and Inglewood avenues. c. Adopt Resolution No. 23-015 approving the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. d. Approve the amended inclusionary housing policy to modify the for-sale property requirements, increase the affordability period to 26 years, add DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -2- Jan. 17, 2023 flexibility around the development mix for senior housing developments, and provide additional clarity in the policy. e. Recognizing culturally significant days through corresponding proclamations. f. Adopt Resolution No. 23-016 to recognize Community EMT Nancy Weiman- Schmelzle for more than 26 years of service. g. Adopt Resolution No. 23-017 accepting donations to the fire department from Park Coin for fire prevention programs and equipment. h. Approve replacement of 2006 Caterpillar wheel loader, model 938M. i. Approve temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Beth El Synagogue. Mayor Spano referenced item 5h, stating the bid information was confusing. He noted $263,932 was budgeted for this item, and the bid was lower than that . He added the city manager’s authority for approval is capped at $175,000 per purchase, so this is the reason this item is coming back to council for approval. Councilmember Mohamed commented on item 5e, stating she likes the idea of having proclamations for cultural and religious holidays because it is a great way to increase awareness. She asked to explore how to make this practice more impactful and meaningful for residents and those the city is aiming to honor . She suggested community members who observe these holidays or events be invited to read the proclamation at the meeting. She asked for other suggestions to collaborate and find ways to honor the holidays and observances without tokenizing. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Rog, to approve the agenda as presented and items listed on the consent calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 6-0. 6. Public hearings. a. Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue improvement projects (4023-1100, 4024-1000) Mr. Shamla presented the staff report. Mr. Imholte, consultant from Kimley Horn, explained the public engagement process. Mayor Spano clarified that $2 million is congressionally directed funding and $7 million is from Met Council. Councilmember Brausen noted the final design is 30% completed and asked when final design will be completed. Mr. Shamla stated in later 2023, early 2024. Councilmember Brausen asked if, during the final design process, the city will continue to work with residents on their specific concerns. Mr. Shamla confirmed and noted residents can meet with staff at their residence or at city hall. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -3- Jan. 17, 2023 Councilmember Brausen commented on the importance of this project to Ward 4, noting these are the two major roadways that run through the ward. He noted everyone uses these roads daily and this is a large, expensive project. He thanked the public that’s been engaged throughout this process, adding hundreds have participated thus far. He recognized the 20 or more in attendance and thanked them for being engaged in the process with council and staff. He stated all the public input will continue to have an impact on the project and final design. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Gay Arnaz, 8100 Virginia Circle, stated he does not want to see the lights at Cedar Lake Road and Texas removed. He added the roundabout at Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue scares him and he has concerns about maneuvering through that location. Mary Hendrickson, 9015 Cedar Lake Rd., stated she hopes the giant utility boxes will be removed from her front yard during the project. She stated there should be 15 feet for each easement and questioned if some might be protected beyond that typical easement given the associated costs. William Snell, 1615 Nevada Ave., referenced Cedar Lake Road and asked if there will be bike lanes on both sides, suggesting they should be sidewalks. He asked how people will get in and out of the shopping centers at Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue with a roundabout. He questioned how police and fire vehicles get through the roundabouts with traffic, especially during rush hour. He asked if roundabouts will be at Cedar Lake Road and Virginia Avenue and at Cedar Manor School and where the yield will be for these roundabouts. Mike Hendrickson, 9015 Cedar Lake Rd., stated residents need education on how to drive in and access roundabouts. He explained the storm drain on his property is always clogged with ice and snow, so they get water there, and he would like to see this cleared up. He also expressed concern that people were not trimming trees in front of homes and that the city was not trimming the trees in public rights-of-way and there should be a shared responsibility. Adam Bahalski, 1633 Louisiana Ave., stated the potential sidewalks and bike lanes would affect him as he lives on the east side. He opposed installing bike lanes and sidewalks on that side because of the mature trees. He stated it’s a gateway into the city and it would be a shame to get rid of the trees. He supported alternative #3 as proposed. He noted there is a sidewalk on the west side, and it does not get used, so he is not sure why one is needed on the east side. Nancy Gronseth, 7924 Cedar Lake Rd., stated she does not want the roundabout and expressed concern with semitrucks going through a roundabout. She added Louisiana Avenue and Cedar Lake Road are grouped together, but noted they each have their own unique characteristics and uses. She stated Louisiana connects with 394, and goes to Minnetonka Boulevard, providing through access and Cedar Lake Road has more residential traffic. She stated Cedar Lake Road is still a neighborhood street with bikers DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -4- Jan. 17, 2023 and walkers. She asked the council to consider usage. She mentioned the boulevard trees, noting the trees have been planted three times in 35 years and they need to get the plan right. Louis Puga, 7918 Cedar Lake Rd., asked about tree impacts and how homeowners will find out what will happen to their properties. He expressed concerned about the roundabout. Kelsey Thomas, 9010 Stanlen Rd., stated she would like the families impacted that go to PSI to be actively invited to future design meetings. She felt the pop-up meeting was not well communicated and she would like to see better advertisement of those opportunities, so families can know in advance. Tyler Seeger, 2501 Pennsylvania Ave., thanked the city council for this process, stating he and his family are in support of the project, although it does impact them. He thanked city for making this pedestrian and bike friendly and for considering mass transit needs. He asked the council to please keep in mind the families impacted on Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue, and to try to minimize the impact of encroachment on the right-of-way and tree loss. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Rog stated the questions from this evening will be responded to by staff verbally at the meeting in two weeks. Councilmember Brausen added that residents can reach out to staff for answers to their questions prior to the meeting, adding staff is very responsive. The council is scheduled to take formal action on this item at the Feb. 6, 2023, meeting. 7. Regular business. a. Adopt Resolution accepting the project report, establishing the 2023 Pavement Management Project (4023-1000), approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids. Resolution No. 23-018 Mr. Wiesen presented the report. Councilmember Budd stated the Oak Park Village Community is very excited about this project and she is excited about this plan. Councilmember Brausen stated he appreciates staff’s work on the annual pavement management project, and commented on the public hearings and input that has gone into this process. He appreciated the review of parking on Edgewood Avenue as that was a concern to property owners and is excited about the sidewalk addition as well. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -5- Jan. 17, 2023 It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Budd, to adopt Resolution No. 23-018, establishing the 2023 Pavement Management Project (4023- 1000), approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids. The motion passed 6-0. 8. Communications. Councilmember Mohamed stated yesterday was the National Day of Racial Healing and an event was held at the Westwood Hills Nature Center, with great food, and great conversations. She enjoyed the event and thanked Dr. Stephens and School Superintendent Osei for their participation. She stated the real stars were the (SOAR) “Students Organized for Anti-Racism”, noting they did a wonderful job and commended them for facilitating the conversation on their day off. She stated she left feeling great about the future generation . Mayor Spano agreed and stated his work with the SOAR students has also been wonderful. Ms. Keller stated the next meeting on Mon ., Jan. 23, will be the second round of interviews for the open councilmember position. Ms. Keller explained winter parking restrictions will be put into effect due to heavy snow in January. She stated there is a map online for which streets will go to one-side parking with enforcement (tickets and tows if needed) on Friday, noting the restrictions will not lift until the city decides when it is safe to do so. She noted the changes are needed because streets are too narrow for emergency vehicles and garbage trucks to pass through. She stated residents are encouraged to contact staff with any questions. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426