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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/04/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota April 10, 2023 The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Yolanda Farris, Lynette Dumalag, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog Councilmembers absent: none. Staff present: city manager (Ms. Keller), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), building and energy director (Mr. Hoffman), public works director (Mr. Hall), chief building official (Mr. Skallet), community development director (Ms. Barton), racial equity and inclusion director (Ms. Guess), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), interim finance director (Ms. McGann), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen) Guests: None. 1. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending recommendations Ms. McGann and Ms. Brodeen presented the staff report. Councilmember Dumalag asked about the $1.5 million ARPA dollars spent to date related to the watermain break, if that was a not to exceed number. Ms. McGann stated yes. Councilmember Dumalag noted the city could end up paying less than this, and asked the final amount will be known. Ms. Keller stated the program runs through August, so final numbers would be known by September. Councilmember Dumalag asked how many city-owned households would be affected by funding. Ms. Walsh stated there is not a specific number known by housing staff, but there i s an opportunity for all eligible households to have energy improvements. Councilmember Dumalag asked if Vision 4.0 is based on 3.0 and if it is similar work . Ms. Brodeen stated the work is similar, but the approach could be different based on what has changed in the last 10 years and what the community wants to learn from the process. The proposed amount is an anticipated number to start the process. Councilmember Brausen asked if the $1.5 million is related to the ongoing litigation. Ms. Keller stated no, it is related to program measures and related administrative costs. Councilmember Brausen asked if residents were still looking at litigation and if there is a statute of limitations . Ms. Keller stated the city attorney would need to weigh in on that . Mayor Spano noted the council had discussed investments around climate, and added he did not see that in the report. He suggested staff look further into this and come back with some suggestions. Ms. McGann noted the council has until 2024 to decide on the expenditures, and then there is a reporting process that follows. DocuSign Envelope ID: ECA42BAF-680B-4175-AE12-5BC0CE802493 Study session minutes -2- April 10, 2023 Mayor Spano stated he supports upgrading the city’s software as well as regular updates . He added he is also interested in the race equity project and civic engagement issues. Councilmember Mohamed added allocating funds for internal services as well as projects . She stated her priority for the ARPA funds would be to take some of the burdens off taxpayers, especially considering the issues over the last two years. She added she would like to support and invest in internal vs. external projects . Councilmember Rog stated she is also supportive of the software upgrade and the financial services contract. She noted public health projects being supported by ARPA dollars, and she stated she struggles with not supporting STEP in this area, adding it is the responsibility of government to help residents get the support they need. She stated at the local level there are things the city can do for critical services and because the city has been a close partner with STEP, there is an assumption there will be support from the city. She stated she would like consideration for these funds to support STEP . She added the visioning process, which will be robust, is also a good project and valuable to support. She added all these projects depend on the rest of the budget as well. Councilmember Mohamed asked if STEP was the only service to request support. Ms. Keller stated Children First also asked for support. Councilmember Mohamed stated opening that door will allow others to ask for funding . She asked about the criteria that would be needed and it would be unfair to other agencies if the council only considers the request from STEP. Councilmember Rog stated the only reason she would want to support STEP is because of the public health aspect and social services and housing they support. Councilmember Mohamed stated she is a big supporter of STEP, adding her family has be nefited from STEP over the years, however reiterated she has concerns if the council supports STEP, they will need to also support other agencies. Mayor Spano noted the council has directed funds to STEP for many years. Ms. Keller confirmed there has been an annual allocation to STEP. Mayor Spano stated this will need to be discussed further, adding it also opens a broader discussion as to where the city is as a primary funder, and how that looks going forward . Councilmember Rog agreed and stated in the past the council has supported organizations such as Perspectives, The Nest and STEP. She stated opportunities and needs have lined up so this is a good opportunity to provide additional support for STEP through ARPA dollars . She added she is open to further conversation also. Councilmember Brausen stated he agrees with Councilmember Rog on this issue, pointing out that 9-10% of residents receive assistance from STEP, and he supports that relationship, and the work they do within the city. Councilmember Budd also supports the software upgrade and the financial services contract . She added she also would like to further discuss supporting external agencies such as STEP. DocuSign Envelope ID: ECA42BAF-680B-4175-AE12-5BC0CE802493 Study session minutes -3- April 10, 2023 Councilmember Farris added she agrees with Councilmember Rog’s comments , noting STEP as well as other agencies have supported St. Louis Park and she would like to discuss supporting other agencies as well. She stated she supports race equity and community/civic engagement and needs more discussion on the additional items . Councilmember Dumalag noted she also supports the software upgrade and the financial services contract. She is open to funding requests from external agencies but is concerned this will be perceived as a philanthropic venture and would like to have a conversation on allocations to agencies and a broader conversation on whether this is operating or capital. Councilmember Mohamed stated she is not opposed to supporting external agencies but does want to have a conversation and look at what is fair and consistent across the board. Councilmember Budd agreed with the five (5) areas proposed but is interested in a further conversation on external agencies. Councilmember Rog added she has some questions around the community visioning process and wants to be cognizant of consultant fees and processes. She supports the other categories but would like to know more about which specific energy improvement projects are being proposed. She also has concerns about the Cedar Lou project costs as well. Councilmember Dumalag stated she is flexible on the other projects and agrees with the 5 areas discussed. Mayor Spano stated there seems to be broad support for the software upgrades and financial services contract, while there are still questions about the other areas of funding . He proposed there will need to be more conversation around these areas, and about support of external agencies. He stated STEP provides great support to the community, and the city supports them as well through ongoing funding, but this will also provide opportunity to clarify why the city supports certain organizations. Councilmember Rog stated her understanding is ARPA funding can be used to support public health work, and there is a clear line between what is supported and what is not, and the criteria . The council agreed to put $250,000 of the ARPA funding aside for a discussion on potential outside agency support. Mayor Spano added four (4) councilmembers want the civic and community engagement projects to move forward, and do not support pulling dollars away from this. Ms. Keller summarized that the $517,000 projects are supported and will move forward. She added $250,000 will be used to carve out additional projects from those listed as well as provide further clarity on these projects , and a conversation will be set up for council to discuss supporting non-profits within the city. DocuSign Envelope ID: ECA42BAF-680B-4175-AE12-5BC0CE802493 Study session minutes -4- April 10, 2023 2. Public sewer and water utilities protection program Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Hall and Mr. Skallet presented the report. Mayor Spano noted this would be a fee for service, so he would suggest a different way to incent residents, such as a step-fee schedule. Mr. Hoffman stated follow-up would take time and resources, but the council would make the final decision on fees. Councilmember Rog asked if single-family homes would also be subject to this program. Mr. Hoffman stated yes, explaining state law requires backflow to be tested annually, and the city would administer this program. For homes it would be primarily for boilers and inground irrigation systems. Councilmember Brausen asked if someone with a non-operational inground irrigation system would be required to get this protection. Mr. Skallet stated no, it would not be required for a non-operational system. Councilmember Farris asked about inground irrigation systems on multi-family properties. Mr. Skallet stated those would have the protection system included. Councilmember Budd asked if multi-family property owners would now need to have inspections and pay fees for this program. Mr. Hoffman stated yes, that is correct. The council stated they are supportive of this program. 3. Bulk material containers in the right-of-way Ms. Heiser presented the report. She noted the policy question for council consideration is whether bulk material containers should be allowed in the right-of-way. Councilmember Budd stated she is supportive of this, adding it should be offered for a resident who does not have adequate space on their property. Councilmember Mohamed agreed. Councilmember Dumalag stated residents have contacted her when there is a construction site, noting she also is supportive. She agreed with the comments about winter restrictions, and, if long-term storage, she would not want to see months for this. Councilmember Rog stated she is supportive when there is not space on one’s own property, adding she would like to see more enforcement on time limits for “bagsters”. She added sometimes projects are done in winter, so she would not be comfortable prohibiting them in winter. Councilmember Farris also agreed that if residents do not have space on their own property, they should be allowed to keep bulk material containers in the right-of-way. DocuSign Envelope ID: ECA42BAF-680B-4175-AE12-5BC0CE802493 Study session minutes -5- April 10, 2023 Councilmember Brausen stated most folks do have a driveway and if their project is temporary, then the dumpster can be housed on it, and they can park on the street. This is being done as a convenience for those doing a remodel, and these dumpsters sit out on the driveway for months, and years, and he is concerned if it were on the right -of-way for years. He stated he is opposed to allowing the containers in the right-of-way. Mayor Spano stated he is supportive if there is not adequate space on the property for a dumpster. If there is space on a driveway or private property, then it sho uld be kept there. He added he is supportive of staff creating time and seasonality limitations . He stated if these storage facilities are in the right -of-way, it would be best for staff to come out and look at the street and inspect afterwards to be sure all is in order after it is removed. Councilmember Brausen stated he now will agree with Mayor Spano on part B and understands the need for some flexibility. Recess The city council took a short recess at 7:55 p.m. for those who observe Ramadan. Written reports 3. Minnehaha Greenway – Cedar Lake regional trail connection 4. 2022 housing activity report 5. Adjustment to allowable hours of construction Councilmember Rog asked about tightening restrictions on allowable hours of construction . Councilmember Brausen added he has concerns also about this and stated it would be nice to have some restrictions on evening hours. He would be in favor of the time restriction of 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. Councilmember Budd stated she is supportive of an 8 p.m. restriction. Councilmember Dumalag also agreed with the proposed 8 p.m. restriction. Mayor Spano stated he has been contacted broadly over the years about noise in general. He noted he would also support the 8 p.m. time restriction, and not a 6 p.m. restriction. Councilmember Rog asked how the city should approach the broader issue of noise and is this a piece of that fuller issue, such as leaf blowers or lawn equipment noise . Mr. Hoffman stated staff can look at this, but added noise is difficult to handle from an enforcement perspective. It was the consensus of the council to recommend an 8 p.m. noise restriction. Councilmember Rog noted the start time of 7 a.m. Mr. Hoffman stated in the construction industry and commercial areas the start time is 7 a.m. He stated anything later than 7 a.m. would be difficult to enforce. DocuSign Envelope ID: ECA42BAF-680B-4175-AE12-5BC0CE802493 Study session minutes -6- April 10, 2023 Councilmember Rog stated she would have liked to see a move to a later morning start time for residents. Councilmember Brausen referenced the housing report, stating he has the same concerns he has had for many years on the need for more affordable senior housing. He stated he would like to discuss this with the council at some time. Mayor Spano agreed more discussion is needed on this and the full ho using issue with the council. Councilmember Dumalag stated benchmarking the city’s median area housing for loans would be worthwhile, and asked if income restrictions are one reason some folks are not applying for these loans. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: ECA42BAF-680B-4175-AE12-5BC0CE802493