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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/12/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Dec. 5, 2022 1. Call to order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 1a. Pledge of allegiance 1b. Roll call Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Larry Kraft, 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 Director (Ms. Heiser), Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Shamla), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), Communications and Technology Director (Ms. Smith), Redevelopment Administrator (Ms. Monson) Guests: Aaron Warford, Bolton & Menk 2. Presentations. 2a. Recognition of donations Mayor Spano recognized the following donations:  Donations of $20 - $100 for fire prevention programs and equipment from residents named and noted in item 2a of the city council packet. 3. Approval of minutes – none. 4. Approval of agenda and items on consent calendar. 4a. Accept for filing city disbursement claims for the period of October 29 through November 25, 2022. 4b. Adopt Resolution No. 22-178 authorizing the award of the 2023 arts and culture grants. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 22-179 amending the city council rules of procedure. 4d. Adopt Resolution accepting donations directed to the fire department for fire prevention programs and equipment. 4e. Adopt Resolution No. 22-181 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 2837 Jersey Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 08- 117-21-43-0043. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 22-182 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 6031 Lake Street West, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 16-117- 21-23-0136. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -2- Dec. 5, 2022 4g. Adopt Resolution No. 22-183 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 2821 Quentin Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN P.I.D. 31-029-24-34-0128. 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 22-184 approving the modification of the tax increment financing plan for the Mill City TIF District to allow for additional pooling for eligible rental housing purposes. 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 22-185 approving the modification of the tax increment financing plan for the Zarthan Avenue/16th Street TIF District to allow for additional pooling for eligible rental housing purposes. It was moved by Councilmember Dumalag, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, 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 7-0. 5. Boards and commissions – none. 6. Public hearings. 6a. Spending plan for specified city tax increment financing (TIF) districts Resolution No. 22-186 Ms. Monson presented the staff report. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Brausen noted there were detailed discussions about this, and it seems appropriate to pool them to collect additional revenues. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to adopt Resolution No. 22-186 approving the spending plan for specified city tax increment financing (TIF) districts. The motion passed 7-0. 6b. 2023 proposed budget, tax levies and truth in taxation public hearing. Ms. Schmitt presented the staff report. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Elaine Mentze, 6700 Cedar Lake Rd., expressed concern that her taxes have gone up and her home value is not commensurate with the proposed increase. She is a senior citizen and does not have income to sustain tax increases. She noted there are many senior citizens here that need to be taken care of, so they can live here the way they want to . DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -3- Dec. 5, 2022 She stated she lives next door to a commercial building and feels the tax proposal is outrageous. She asked what seniors are supposed to do when they need more funds. She questioned why the city needs bike lanes or more apartments, adding there is too much traffic, and it feels the city council is disregarding the citizens of St. Louis Park. Elaine Nikrad, 2411 Gettysburg Ave., stated she has lived in St. Louis Park for 45 years. She agreed with previous comments made, noting it seems her taxes went up 20%. She understands some can be gained back through tax credits. She reviewed the information provided to try to understand the logic behind the increase, but it does not make sense to her. She asked how the city considers the additional revenues that should be coming in from the new multi-family buildings and how devaluation of property is assessed. She noted home values and taxes are increasing, but incomes are not increasing at the same rate. Therese Samudio, 2947 Quentin Ave. S, stated the housing market went up last spring, but then it came back down, and she does not feel that is reflected in the calculations. She expressed concern that homes are not worth what they were in the spring of 2022. She stated the value of her house increased $40,000 but it was too late to contest the proposed valuation. She reiterated she does not believe the homes are worth what the city says they are. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Mayor Spano noted city staff and the city assessor can walk through the proposed taxes and property values with residents and encouraged them to contact staff at city hall. The city council is scheduled to take formal action on this item on December 19, 2022. 7. Requests, petitions, and communications from the public – none. 8. Resolutions, ordinances, motions, and discussion items 8a. Adopt resolution granting city support for the preferred layout for the Hennepin County Minnetonka Blvd. improvement project and authorizing staff to continue to work with Xcel Energy on undergrounding the overhead utilities. Resolution No. 22-187 Mr. Warford, principal transportation engineer for Bolton & Menk, presented the staff report. Councilmember Rog noted she had questions and concerns related to buses. Buses may block traffic and create flow problems, as well as drivers going around the bus . Mr. Warford stated they had conversations with Metro Transit noting buses do stop in lanes and stay there. Typically, that is modeled with average stop times. He added there is a benefit to keep buses in the lane and the traffic modeling shows minor impacts on travel time. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -4- Dec. 5, 2022 Councilmember Rog asked if there are ways bus schedules and lights are coordinated to optimize travel times. Mr. Warford stated yes, but he has not heard this is a plan for Minnetonka Boulevard, and typically this is for corridors with heavier travel. Councilmember Rog noted a resident is concerned about people using side streets because Minnetonka Boulevard is a bottleneck. Mr. Warford stated in general, with the volumes seen today, there are not concerns. He added the two locations of concern are at Highway 100 and the turns at Highway 25. He stated west of Salem Avenue the configuration goes back to a 4-lane road, and it should not be a bottleneck. Councilmember Rog asked about adding an audible and beacon crossing light at Quentin. Ms. Heiser stated staff often receives this question from the public and it can be looked at. Councilmember Rog stated the owners of Yum are concerned about the project. Mr. Warford stated they met with the owners and acknowledged they do have concerns. He stated they have three issues: access, visibility, and seating. He explained the owners want to work through a few things before they will support the project and now have a better understanding of the access issues. He added there are some things the county wants to do and will work with the city to help address the owners’ questions during final design. Councilmember Rog stated as a pedestrian and biker, there will be a significant improvement on snow removal. Ms. Heiser stated snow removal on the sidewalks is the city’s responsibility, but there is nowhere to put the snow. She noted the 9-foot boulevard and trail will help the city do a better job of cleaning snow in the winter. Councilmember Rog asked what people can expect with construction. Mr. Warford stated construction is never fun, it’s a long corridor, and construction will be impactful. There will be some early utility relocation and replacement of the water main will be disruptive. He shared that there are some north/south routes that can be used, but he is not sure how this will be coordinated yet. He stated people will be able to get to their homes and businesses in the area. He added the work will be segmented over the course of a couple seasons. Councilmember Rog added the water main replacement will be a good project especially considering recent developments. Ms. Heiser stated it is time to replace this as this road has not been touched since 1954. Councilmember Kraft stated he appreciates the detail responding to the comments and concerns of residents, and the modifications, especially at Joppa Avenue. He added at the highest level this is consistent with strategic priorities and this will increase safety for pedestrians, bikes, and cars, and will create a bicycle corridor where one doesn’t exist today. He added it improves water management, adds green space, and makes this traffic neutral by diverting to help handle more volume. He added in principle this seems positive and he is supportive of the policy questions. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -5- Dec. 5, 2022 Councilmember Brausen stated he agrees with Councilmember Kraft’s comments, noting it’s an expensive project and the fact that the county is covering two-thirds of the project is great. He added he knows folks have concerns about taxes going up, but this is the type of big project that requires funds. It creates infrastructure that will last 50 – 100 years, hopefully, is the city’s obligation, and what citizens expect. He stated he was also supportive of the policy questions. Councilmember Dumalag stated she will also support this project, appreciates the care taken around Salem, and is anxious to see how Joppa and Ottawa end up. She also expressed interest in seeing other iterations of the design. Councilmember Mohamed stated she supports this proposal, adding as a driver and pedestrian in that area, this helps her feel confident in the upgrades that will be coming. Councilmember Budd agreed with comments previously made and supported the policy questions. She is excited about the opportunity to feel safe walking and biking along Minnetonka Boulevard. Mayor Spano added he also will support this. He thanked county and city staff for coming back with the details and updates, especially around the light at Joppa Avenue. He feels insecure driving in this area, noting it is confusing, but this configuration will help Minnetonka Boulevard return to a neighborhood feel. He added the Quentin Avenue crossing is intimidating for him also and a concern, where a controlled crossing is needed. Mayor Spano stated he lives off Excelsior Boulevard where a lot has been done over the last 15 years. He stated it has increased traffic in his area, but in many ways has made him a more careful and thoughtful driver. He stated traffic patterns will change but over time, driver habits will become safer, noting he will support this as well. Councilmember Rog thanked the people who gave feedback in multiple ways and hopes everyone has felt heard. She saw multiple revisions to this plan and there will be more concerns as we move forward. She appreciated the work of county and city staff on the design, noting it aligns with community priorities for safe walking, biking, and cars, and promotes an active street and robust public realm. She stated one concern is that a resident said the re-design will destroy the charm of the Fernhill neighborhood, but she is confident those changes will enhance the charm and be more welcoming , adding she hopes the greatest skeptics will enjoy the design to come. She added she looks to staff to be sure detours are well managed and communicated during this challenging time and she is excited about the project. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Kraft, to adopt Resolution No. 22- 187, granting city support for the preferred layout for the Hennepin County Minnetonka Blvd. improvement project and authorizing staff to continue to work with Xcel Energy on undergrounding the overhead utilities. The motion passed 7-0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426 City council meeting -6- Dec. 5, 2022 9. Communications Mayor Spano stated Dec. 6 at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline to file applications for the upcoming vacant city council seat. He encouraged folks to consider applying and to reach out to council or staff with questions. Mayor Spano stated on Dec. 13 the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is back and stopping at STEP that evening. He encouraged folks to make donations to STEP. Ms. Keller added the city website and email addresses will change from .org to .gov on Dec. 13. The new URL will be stlouisparkmn.gov. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 1253F444-E54D-482F-8DF9-F7D6FAE35426