HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/06/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionIf/St. Louis Park Official minutes
M I N N E S O T A City council study session
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June 11, 2018
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne
Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms.
Walsh), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Solid Waste
Program Specialist (Ms. Barker), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Election Specialist (Mr. Stokka),
Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther), Communications Manager (Ms. Larson), and
Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: Xinci Tan, MN GreenCorps Member
1. Future study session agenda planning — June 18 & 25, 2018
Mr. Harmening noted the financial report will be presented at the June 18th meeting.
Councilmember Rog stated she would like to see the climate action plan and race equity goals
included in the staff report each week, and also used in the context of new development plans,
and when in discussions with developers.
Councilmember Mavity stated she would support the intent of this.
Mr. Harmening stated this could be added to the background section of the executive
summary, as applicable.
Councilmember Miller noted on every topic that comes before the council, the councilmembers
should ask themselves if it meets their strategic priorities related to race equity and climate
action.
Mr. Harmening stated he will work on this with Ms. Larson, perhaps creating a template for the
background section, and how a topic would be applicable to the council's strategic priorities.
2. 2017-2018 Minnesota GreenCorps project update
Ms. Barker stated that 40% of St. Louis Park's population live in multi -family residences. She
noted that the city has very little data regarding recycling in multi -family buildings, which is why
Ms. Tan has focused on this. Even though Ms. Tan has worked on a variety of projects including
curbside organics and parks recycling in the past year, she only presented the findings from her
main project on multi -family recycling.
Study Session Minutes -2 June 11, 2018
Ms. Tan stated that when she started with the city in September of 2017, she began collecting
data on existing recycling facilities in multi -family buildings. Ms. Tan noted she visited 73
buildings within the city, which makes up 88% of all multi -family units. Of that, 51 buildings
already are in compliance with the ordinance.
Ms. Tan stated while working with building managers, she asked if they would send out a
general recycling survey to residents, and to date, Ms. Tan has received 185 responses. Ms. Tan
added she has done 6 recycling workshops at multi -family properties, for a total of 61
participants, who are very interested in recycling. Additionally, she noted, the majority of
owners are enthusiastic about recycling.
Ms. Tan stated that she has seen a variety of recycling setups during her site visits. She
reviewed examples of recycling dumpsters that meet the ordinance requirement of having
labels at least 8"x11" large, with images of accepted recyclables. She also pointed out several
other instances where signage does not meet the ordinance, or where signage is non-existent.
In these instances, Ms. Barker stated staff was able to contact all haulers and received
permission to label any dumpsters with the proper signage, if they were not already in
compliance.
Ms. Tan stated during visits she provided translated recycling guides, tote bags, stickers, and
information on local recycling or donation options. She noted she has written two quarterly
newsletters as well. Ms. Tan added she conducted post workshop surveys with residents,
surveying 84 individuals and the average improvement rate was 42%.
Councilmember Mavity asked what the options are for organics disposal. Ms. Tan stated there
are 4 drop sites within the city, and a 5' one is being considered.
Councilmember Rog thanked Ms. Tan for all the work she has completed and asked if it is
correct that recyclables be dropped into bins with no paper bag. Ms. Barker stated that is
correct because items stick to the paper bag once they go into the trucks, so it is better that
items not be bagged. She added empty paper bags can be put into the recycle bins separately.
Councilmember Rog asked if handouts can be given or signs posted in parks about recycling.
Ms. Tan stated this information is found online, and they are hoping to post it at parks and
focus on events.
Councilmember Harris thanked staff for their work on this and appreciated the survey. She
asked what items folks thought were recyclable, but actually are not.
Ms. Tan stated chipped glass items and Pyrex dishes, adding these are items for the trash, and
not recyclable.
Councilmember Brausen added he appreciated the nice work on the recycling workshop and
asked how often multifamily housing is inspected. Ms. Barker stated inspections are conducted
annually.
Study Session Minutes -3- June 11, 2018
Councilmember Brausen stated given the higher numbers of St. Louis Park residents living in
multifamily housing, the city might want to look at doing inspections two times per year, and
also revisit the plastic bag issue. Councilmember Brausen asked Ms. Tan if there was anything
she observed within the city that was worth noting.
Ms. Tan stated the city's residents are smart, highly educated, and with the workshops, they do
learn more. She added it will be important to continue to focus on education.
Councilmember Miller stated he was impressed with the success rate in visiting all the
buildings.
Ms. Tan noted there is a high turnover rate of property managers, and it has been easier to
contact the larger properties, as the smaller properties do not have central offices on sight, and
trying to find them is more difficult.
Mayor Spano thanked Ms. Tan for working on this issue, which is a topic the council is
passionate about. Mayor Spano added he took the post workshop test on organics and
recycling, and it was incredibly informative and enlightening. He learned plastic containers must
be cleaned out before being put into bins, adding this is an opportunity to educate people. He
noted the information sheets and signage were great and easy to understand.
Ms. Barker stated in the new ordinance, there will be yearly education requirements for all
residents, to be done by March 3111 each year. She added this will be on the honor system, but
there are all sorts of resources from the county, in many languages, and lots of good options
available.
Mayor Spano stated handouts and presentations could be made available at National Night
Out, as this is a good way to reach folks.
Ms. Tan added the city also has kits that residents can check out. She noted there is an
upcoming recycling workshop on June 23rd at 10 a.m. and asked the councilmembers to please
invite their constituents.
Councilmember Harris asked if there is a planned approach to have recycling champions in each
building. Ms. Tan stated no, but added they are present in the larger buildings. Councilmember
Harris asked how residents can contact them. Ms. Barker stated regular emails are sent, with
opportunities on how to get involved.
3. 2019 municipal elections: ranked choice voting planning and implementation
Ms. Kennedy presented the staff report and noted this will be the first in a series of discussions
about the rules required for the administration of municipal elections to implement ranked -
choice voting.
Ms. Kennedy introduced the city's new Election Specialist, Robert Stokka, who will also be
heavily involved in these discussions.
Study Session Minutes -4- June 11, 2018
Ms. Kennedy stated this will be an opportunity to learn about various terms and concepts
related to the ranked -choice voting process overall, and policy questions will be asked to build
the foundation of the ordinance that will govern how municipal elections will be conducted in
St. Louis Park. She added each discussion will allow for reflection through the lenses of equity,
inclusion and accessibility for all of the people and groups that the city serves in elections. Ms.
Kennedy added that Ms. Sojourner will also participate in some of these discussions in order to
help with understanding the overall equity issues and impact of the decisions being made.
Ms. Kennedy noted a sampling of the populations that are served by elections including,
seniors, non-English speaking residents, first time new residents, new US citizens, military and
overseas voters, candidates for office, and election judges.
Ms. Kennedy stated the policy consideration for this discussion is whether or not the council
agrees with following the Minneapolis model for the development of the rules of conduct for
municipal elections. She stated this model has been proven to work with the city's current
voting equipment, which will factor into how ballots are counted. She also added that Hennepin
County currently provides administrative support for elections and following the Minneapolis
model would preserve that level of service. Ms. Kennedy noted if the city deviates from this
model, it will impact the level of service the city receives from Hennepin County.
Mr. Mattick reviewed legal considerations, noting the Minneapolis ordinance materials have
been challenged, and upheld in the court system. He stated it is a template of something that
worked and follows all state and federal elections laws where necessary. He noted the council
will need to be mindful that the rules developed follow the principal of one person, one vote.
Mr. Mattick added that Hennepin County has a certain amount of comfort and familiarity with
the Minneapolis model and rules and procedures being used.
Staff highlighted the key differences between the Minneapolis and St. Paul models. Ms.
Kennedy explained the Minneapolis model allows for at least 3 rankings per office, whereas St.
Paul provides for up to 6 rankings, if there are at least 6 candidates. Additionally, the St. Paul
model requires counting by a hand count of physical ballots, whereas the Minneapolis model
utilizes information exported on election night by the ballot counters to perform any tabulation
that is required beyond the first round.
Mr. Harmening added if the council decides to follow the Minneapolis model, staff will bring
back discussion items to the council, and use the Minneapolis ordinance as a starting
framework, knowing there will be options for deviation in certain circumstances.
Councilmember Miller agreed the Minneapolis ordinance is fine and asked whether the topic of
testing was important.
Ms. Kennedy stated testing was a very important component of the ordinance because the city
must lay out how it will test its equipment to prove to the general public that it is working and
counting races properly.
Councilmember Brausen agreed it seemed prudent to follow the Minneapolis model.
Study Session Minutes -5- June 11, 2018
Councilmember Harris stated from an operations standpoint, following the Minneapolis model
makes sense, and Hennepin County will support the model.
Councilmember Rog agreed that the Minneapolis ordinance should be used as the model for St.
Louis Park. She asked if staff will provide an information sheet for councilmembers and
information on the city website as well, so residents will be informed.
Ms. Kennedy stated yes, pointing out that Ms. Larson has already developed an extensive
communication plan. She noted staff is being very deliberate in their communications to make
it very clear that voters will not be using the ranked -choice method during the 2018 state
election cycle. Ms. Deno added there will be assistance and support from the League of Women
Voters as well. Ms. Kennedy stated staff is also engaging the city's election judges in discussions
on the process.
Councilmember Mavity stated she also agrees with following the Minneapolis model. She
added she would want to be sure if there were a multi -seat race, that the city allows for the
school board to do ranked choice voting as well. Ms. Kennedy reminded council that under
current state law the school district does not have the option to switch to a ranked -choice
model.
Councilmember Mavity stated she is confident in the future Hennepin County will adopt
ranked -choice voting, and the more consistency the better. She added ease of understanding is
important and less is more, the simpler the better is preferable in terms of the ordinance.
Councilmember Hallfin stated from a policy standpoint, he is fine with all of this, and the easier
the better. He added that St. Paul's ordinance is actually easier to understand than
Minneapolis' ordinance. Ms. Kennedy stated the St. Louis Park ordinance will focus on plain
language.
Mayor Spano agreed with using the Minneapolis ordinance as the model, adding he is glad the
city is not doing this before the upcoming election in November. He added it will be important
that the first time ranked -choice voting is conducted in St. Louis Park, it runs smoothly. He
added he agrees that the ordinance language must be plain and simple.
It was the consensus of the city council to use the Minneapolis model as a framework for the St.
Louis Park ordinance, and also directed staff to develop a definition of ranked -choice voting
that incorporated plain language.
4. Retail, service and off -sale liquor store size requirements
Mr. Walther stated there is no formal action required at this time. He stated the discussion will
be preliminary research and possible options related to zoning map and zoning code
amendments, to limit the sizes of certain commercial uses and in certain areas. He noted staff
will be requesting further direction from council on these issues to help inform the scope of
review that planning commission and staff may undertake.
Mr. Walther stated the policy consideration is as follows:
Study Session Minutes -6- June 11, 2018
• Does the city council support referring staffs rezoning proposals to the planning
commission for review and recommendation?
• Does the city council support referring the proposed size limitations within C1
Neighborhood Commercial and Mixed -Use zoning districts to the planning commission
for review and recommendations?
• Does the city council want to address the size, concentration, or number of liquor stores
in C2 districts through the liquor license regulations?
Mr. Walther stated council directed city staff on February 20, to consider options for limiting
the size of businesses within commercial districts through zoning regulations in an effort to
avoid "big box" and "junior box" stores and promote smaller scale businesses in certain areas.
Staff identified commercial areas where large retail stores may be inconsistent with city goals.
Staff offered the following options to address the issue and restrict the size of some commercial
uses within identified districts:
• Rezoning some properties from C2 General Commercial to C1 Neighborhood
Commercial, Mixed -Use, or other zoning district
• Adding additional performance standards to the C1 Neighborhood Commercial district,
Mixed -Use, and possibly other zoning districts
Mr. Walther presented a map, noting pink areas are currently C2, and red areas that are also
zoned C2 and could be considered for rezoning.
Councilmember Mavity expressed concern about the old Sam's Club site.
Councilmember Hallfin asked if Miracle Mile businesses would be grandfathered in. Mr.
Walther stated yes, and it would result in some limitations if they become legal, non-
conforming uses.
Mr. Walther also noted staff suggests the maximum size of 10,000 square feet within the
C1 district for retail and service businesses, and up to 20,000 square feet for grocery stores with
a CUP.
Councilmember Miller asked if this can be done for grocery stores, why this can't be done for
liquor stores. Mr. Walther stated it can be done for liquor stores, but it would be more
appropriate for such limitations to be included in the liquor licensing regulations than in the
zoning code. The city council to -date has not agreed to size limitations, or the appropriate size
limitations, to include in licensing regulations.
Mr. Walther pointed out some considerations:
- Liquor stores not allowed in C1 and MX zoning districts. If fewer areas are zoned C2,
then it may result in liquor stores becoming more concentrated in the remaining
properties zoned C2.
- Establishing limits may create some nonconformities and prevent existing businesses
from growing or expanding in the C1 or MX districts to more than 10,000 square feet.
Study Session Minutes -7- June 11, 2018
- Rezoning the areas shown would make some existing businesses and liquor stores non-
conforming.
- The city may want to explore exceptions to allow for certain anchor stores.
Mr. Walther noted if council determines that it wants to address the number, size, and
concentration of off -sale liquor stores, consider doing so in liquor licensing code. He noted next
steps would be:
- Planning Commission review proposed C1 neighborhood commercial zoning district
regulations over the next 2-3 months
- Planning Commission review rezoning properties from C2 General Commercial to C1
Neighborhood Commercial over the next 6-24 months
- Amend liquor license ordinance, if desired, within the next 2 months
Mr. Harmening pointed out on Excelsior Boulevard the city does not want to have 30,000-
40,000 square foot businesses and wants to maintain the smaller business character there;
however, that is not the case in all of St. Louis Park's commercial districts, like where Home
Depot is located.
Councilmember Miller noted he likes the overall idea to regulate and move to smaller spaces;
however, added the quantity of the space does not reflect the quality of space. He stated if the
city can shift the balance to smaller businesses, he would support that.
Councilmember Brausen stated he also supports this, if it is done with a specific purpose. He
added he is opposed to limiting the number of liquor licenses but is fine with not allowing them
in the C1 district.
Councilmember Harris stated she is in favor of neighborhood business, but would like more
information about some of the proposed changes where C2 would shift to C1 districts. She
noted she would like to refer this to the planning commission for further review and would also
like the council to review it again before going to public hearing. She said she would like to see
more, smaller stores for liquor rather than large big box -type stores, in C2 near Home Depot,
but definitely not in the Historic Walker -Lake area.
Councilmember Rog asked why 10,000 square feet was chosen as the size limitation. Mr.
Walther stated initially staff looked at 5,000 square feet but was trying to limit the number of
businesses that would be made non -conforming, so went with 10,000 square feet instead. The
limit could be amended through the process.
Councilmember Rog stated the council has discussed wanting to see small neighborhood
businesses for quite some time; however, she is not seeing this happen, and she would not be
in favor of changing C1 to a maximum of 10,000 square feet. She stated she is in favor of
continuing to find ways to help small businesses thrive, within that footprint. She added that
the city has enough liquor stores, and she is in favor of setting some limits.
Study Session Minutes -8- June 11, 2018
Councilmember Mavity noted that the information shows that there are many small businesses
in St. Louis Park and they make up most of the business in the city already. She stated that she
has some concerns about big box stores in the areas on the map and asked if liquor stores can
be limited to 6,000 square feet in the C2 district. She added she would like to make sure the city
allows for flexibility that might attract neighborhood accessibility and would want to support
boutique -type shops in the C1 district, including liquor stores.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he liked the staff report and agreed with Councilmember Mavity
related to flexibility with boutique -type stores. He stated he would like to discuss this issue
again, after the planning commission reviews it.
Mayor Spano stated this is a complicated issue and he now feels less confident that the council
knows what they want and is at a consensus. He stated he would like the planning commission
to review and explore this also and make recommendations to the council. Mayor Spano added
he is also a proponent of supporting small businesses, like in Miracle Mile shopping center
where he does most of his shopping, adding however he does see value in the anchor tenant
businesses.
Councilmember Brausen stated ultimately the marketplace decides most of this; however, the
council will need to deal with this sooner rather than later, and before the moratorium ends.
It was the consensus of the council to have the planning commission review this in detail and
send their recommendations to the council.
S. Minimum wage ordinance
Mayor Spano stated this is only a conversation to decide if the council wants to explore this
further.
Councilmember Brausen stated the Citizen's League is studying this currently in St. Paul and will
be finished in August or September. He added he would like to discuss this issue and does not
want St. Louis Park to become an island, when Minneapolis and St. Paul are pursuing this. He
stated one-third of St. Louis Park citizens are making minimum wage and because this is below
the median income it makes demands on the city for housing, medical, and food, and it's a
demand on the city's resources. He noted service corporations, such as Target, are already
doing this, and the city needs to build relationships with neighboring cities to further discuss
this social issue.
Councilmember Hallfin stated $15 an hour is still too low to be the minimum wage, adding he
would rather go about this in a coalition of cities, stating St. Louis Park should not study this on
their own.
Councilmember Mavity stated in general, the city should do this, adding she likes the idea of
timing, and since Minneapolis is already doing this, looking for partners makes sense. She noted
Richfield may want to partner on this. Councilmember Mavity stated it takes $36,000 a year to
afford an apartment in St. Louis Park, so if we are so committed to affordable housing, this
would be a consistent move and direction for this council to go.
Study Session Minutes -9- June 11, 2018
Councilmember Rog stated she would like to study this more, and wants to understand it, look
at unintended impacts to small business which is a big concern and consideration that would
need quite a bit of analysis, and also look at this with racial equity in mind, as it also relates to
business owners. She added she wants to first know how many work in the city and live in the
city, and wants to take this slow and look for stopping points along the way.
Mr. Harmening noted there are 41,000 jobs in St. Louis Park, and only 5,000 who work in the
city, reside in St. Louis Park.
Councilmember Harris stated she has talked to businesses and there is concern about
Minneapolis doing the $15 minimum wage. She asked how this can be reconciled, and if it
fulfills the city's objectives, adding she is not certain how everyone can win. Councilmember
Harris agreed having a higher income is important for folks in St. Louis Park, but added she
would want to see and explore data more thoroughly about people in the community and the
businesses providing jobs. She added she would prefer to see a statewide initiative or a
coalition of first ring suburbs study it first and not study this on our own.
Councilmember Miller stated he would like to study it and his only concern is a negative
perspective from city employers and impact on small business.
Councilmember Mavity added the Federal Reserve is also doing a study of the impacts of the
minimum wage.
Mayor Spano stated he is not in favor of taking this on right now, noting he has an interest in
raising the standard of living but this does not meet the vision statements or the strategic
priorities just set by council. He noted companies that can absorb this are the larger businesses,
and not the small businesses in our community. He added he does not think neighboring cities
will look at this and if St. Louis Park has this discussion, it will be on its own.
Mayor Spano stated we just approved the climate action plan and will be pushing our
businesses hard for that. He noted the council did not identify minimum wage as one of our
highest priorities, and he is not in favor of pursuing it.
Mr. Harmening added the council just adopted the five highest priorities and he does not recall
anything about minimum wage. He stated if this is something the council wants to take on, then
there will be other items that need to come off the council's plate. He stated businesses in the
city will not support the climate action plan and increasing the minimum wage.
Councilmember Miller stated he is not certain that staff has bandwidth to take on this issue,
but the challenge is that this may be a racial equity issue, and that is one of the council's
strategic initiatives, adding he feels this is worth researching.
Mayor Spano stated he does acknowledge that, but added some of the folks that are dealing
with racial equity issues may then lose their jobs if the minimum wage is enacted.
Study Session Minutes -10- June 11, 2018
Councilmember Rog stated this did not rise to the top when doing the vision plan or when the
strategic priorities were set; however, she does believe it will happen on its own. She added she
would like to revisit the minimum wage issue over time.
Ms. Deno added if this is discussed, it would be helpful and important to have Ms. Sojourner's
assistance with this discussion first, and then decide if this should be discussed further.
It was the consensus of council to wait until the Citizen League study is completed, before
discussing this issue any further.
Mr. Harmening stated he will send out several links to the Citizens League study to the
councilmembers and will also find out more information about the Federal Reserve study.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
6. Urban Park Apartments proposed expansion at 3601 Phillips Parkway
New building would not have affordable — current building has the affordable
Melissa nnedy, y Jerk Jake Spfano,Mayor