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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/05/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota May 15, 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, Yolanda Farris, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog. Councilmembers absent: none. Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), city clerk (Ms. Kennedy), community development director (Ms. Barton), race, equity and inclusion director (Ms. Guess), housing supervisor (Ms. Olson), elections & civic engagement coordinator (Mr. Sund), associate planner (Ms. Kramer), property maintenance and licensing manager (Mr. Pivec), chief building official (Mr. Skallet), public services superintendent (Ms. Fisher), public works director (Mr. Hall) Guests: Brandt Erwin, Attorney for Total Wine; Representatives of Total Wine; Chris Flagg, owner and operator of the Marriott Hotel in St. Louis Park; Deb Goetz, Republic Waste 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Dumalag, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 3. Presentations. a. St. Louis Park Parktacular Ambassador program. Mayor Spano announced the Parktacular Ambassadors were unable to attend due to illness. He noted the council would be happy to meet and host the group another time. b. Rutager West retirement recognition. Mayor Spano read the proclamation honoring Mr. West for 27 years of outstanding service to the city. He also thanked Mr. West for his positive attitude and his many last contributions to the city and city facilities. DocuSign Envelope ID: 303658BA-800E-4585-896D-9F2D74534BE8 City council meeting -2- May 15, 2023 Mr. West accepted the plaque and thanked city staff and the council for their support throughout his career. Ms. Walsh recognized Mr. West for his passion, commitment to service, the impact he had on his coworkers, and the example he set for others in how he approached his work. c. Recognition of donations. Mayor Spano recognized the following donations: • The Search Institute donated $2,500 Westwood Hills Nature Center - installation of memorial bench and tree planting to honor Jolene Roehlkepartain • Tony & Claire Justiniano donated $2,200 Westwood Hills Nature Center - installation of memorial bench to honor Marilynn Skantz • Jim & Sally Hodge donated $100 Westwood Hills Nature Center – park enhancements or program needs to honor Elizabeth Rounds • Steve & Sally Brown donated $25 Westwood Hills Nature Center – park enhancements or program needs to honor Elizabeth Rounds • P. Beadle donated $50 Westwood Hills Nature Center – park enhancements or program needs to honor Ali Sipkins • Arlyce Wiersma donated $25 Westwood Hills Nature Center – park enhancements or program needs to honor Betty Engebretsen 4. Minutes. a. City council meeting minutes of April 3, 2023. b. City council study session meeting minutes of April 10, 2023. Councilmember Rog noted on page 3 it should read “Councilmember Rog supports…but would like to know more about what specific energy projects are being proposed.” She added on page 4 it should read, “Councilmember Rog….would like to see enforcement of time limits for bagsters.” c. City council meeting minutes of April 17, 2023. Councilmember Brausen noted on page 3 the following should be added: “not for truck parking”. d. City council special study session meeting minutes of April 17, 2023. e. City council meeting minutes of May 1, 2023. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to approve the April 3, April 10, April 17, and May 1, 2023, city council meeting minutes as revised. The motion passed 7-0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 303658BA-800E-4585-896D-9F2D74534BE8 City council meeting -3- May 15, 2023 5. Consent items. a. Adopt Resolution No. 23-066 recognizing Facilities Manager Rutager West. b. Adopt Resolution No. 23-067 approving a conditional use permit to allow the construction of the Corsa apartment building at 3440 Beltline Blvd. c. Adopt Resolution No. 23-068 approving a conditional use permit to allow the construction of the Risor apartment building at 3510 Beltline Blvd. d. Adopt Resolution No. 23-069 accepting donations to parks and recreation department. e. Adopt Resolution No. 23-070 authorizing a special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3005 Brunswick Ave. S. f. Adopt Resolution No. 23-071 authorizing a special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 5917 34th St. W. g. Temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license – St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP). h. Adopt Resolution No. 23-072 removing permit parking restrictions at 2940 Salem Ave. i. Adopt Resolution No. 23-073 authorizing bank signatories. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the consent items as presented; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public hearings. a. Consider approval of off sale intoxicating liquor license for Minnesota Fine Wines & Spirits, LLC dba Total Wine & More for premises located at 8100 MN-7. Ms. Kennedy presented the staff report. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Brandt Erwin, 33 S 6th St., Minneapolis, attorney for Total Wine, thanked city staff for their work on this, and noted Total Wine has a proven track record and looks forward to opening their new location. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Brausen asked what this will bring the total number of liquor licenses to, if approved. Ms. Kennedy stated the city currently has 13 active off-sale liquor licenses. Councilmember Rog asked what if there would be opportunities for future expansion for this business. Ms. Kennedy stated the current licensed space is defined as a part of the application that is being considered for approval. If future changes or expansion of the licensed premises are sought, the licensee would need to seek approval from the property owner and the city council for a premises amendment. DocuSign Envelope ID: 303658BA-800E-4585-896D-9F2D74534BE8 City council meeting -4- May 15, 2023 Councilmember Rog asked if there is a size limit for liquor stores. Ms. Kennedy stated no, there is no limit. It was moved by Councilmember Budd, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve an off- sale intoxicating liquor license for Minnesota Fine Wines & Spirits, LLC dba Total Wine & More for premises located at 8100 MN-7. The motion passed 7-0. 7. Regular business. a. First reading of an ordinance to reduce the amount of required parking for AC Hotel by Marriott. Ms. Kramer presented the staff report. Councilmember Brausen asked if the parking count was done in 2022 or 2023. Ms. Kramer stated it was done in February or March of 2023. Mr. Flagg, owner and operator of the hotel, stated the count did happen in February and March of 2023, adding they did have full occupancy a couple evenings this year, on weekends. Councilmember Brausen asked when occupancy will be back to pre-pandemic levels. Mr. Flagg stated they are already over pre-pandemic levels and this hotel is one of the most successful in the region. Mayor Spano stated the council does get regular reports from Discover St. Louis Park and generally they have said that 2019 is still the benchmark used and 2024 will be the official year for when they believe their numbers will show the pandemic will be behind them. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to approve first reading of an ordinance to reduce the amount of required parking for AC Hotel by Marriott. The motion passed 7-0. b. First reading of an ordinance adjusting allowable hours for construction. Mr. Pivec presented the staff report. Councilmember Rog stated this was a concern she had been hearing from residents near the schools, as well as others hearing construction noise on a summer evening. She is pleased to hear this but would have liked to see an earlier stop time. She thanked staff for their work on this issue. Councilmember Rog asked how holidays are being defined. Mr. Skallet explained weekends are the same as holidays, so the allowable hours would be 9 am to 8 pm. He also noted holidays are defined to follow city-recognized holidays. DocuSign Envelope ID: 303658BA-800E-4585-896D-9F2D74534BE8 City council meeting -5- May 15, 2023 Mayor Spano asked how this differs from a construction project vs. someone who may be a woodworker or hobbyist that may work on wood. Mr. Pivec stated it is based on the impact when it creates noise, and not the activity itself. Councilmember Brausen asked if this enforcement process is complaint driven. Mr. Pivec stated that is correct. Councilmember Brausen stated he regrets this does not include the use of all power tools after hours. Mayor Spano added this is a good opportunity to engage neighbors and let them know if you will be working on a construction project. It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve first reading of an ordinance to adjust allowable hours for construction. The motion passed 7-0. c. First reading of amendments to the tenant protection ordinance. Ms. Olson presented the staff report. Councilmember Budd asked about the formula and if it goes up over time. Ms. Olson stated that is correct, and added it is tied to the rent at 60% AMI and that is recalculated annually and typically goes up. She added it also considers uniform relocation assistance rates, which may not change annually, but can be recalculated. Councilmember Rog asked if these uniform benefit relocation numbers are national numbers or vary by state. Ms. Olson stated they are national, but 60% AMI rent is local. Councilmember Rog stated this is a valuable ordinance, although it does not keep people in their homes. She added it provides some amount of space to figure out next steps. She was dismayed to learn 18 properties that were previously NOAH properties have changed hands and rents have been increased. Ms. Olson stated we do know that 18 properties have been required to comply with the ordinance, but that does not necessarily mean that all 18 properties are no longer NOAH or that they have increased their rents beyond 60% AMI or rescreening. She continued this does mean if they do those things, they do need to provide relocation funds. Councilmember Brausen noted the city will have a housing study done soon, so this would be useful information to have, adding he is supportive of the amendments. It was moved by Councilmember Mohamed, seconded by Councilmember Budd, to approve first reading of an ordinance to amend the tenant protection ordinance. The motion passed 7-0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 303658BA-800E-4585-896D-9F2D74534BE8 City council meeting -6- May 15, 2023 d. Resolution approving 2023 – 2028 organics recycling collection contract. Ms. Fisher presented the staff report. Councilmember Budd asked if this was a 48% increase and if that is over what was expected and/or over what the city currently pays. Ms. Fisher stated the new 5-year contract with Republic is a $3.3 million increase from the current organics contract, noting this is a 90% increase for organics only. Councilmember Budd asked if this continues to still be the lowest option by a substantial amount. Ms. Fisher answered yes, noting Republic was the lowest bidder and the next highest was approximately $1.5 million more. Councilmember Budd asked how many contractors the city has now and how many will the city have in October. Ms. Fisher stated currently the city has one contractor, and if this contractor is approved, the city will have 2 contractors and potentially a third contractor. She stated it would be the same number of trucks on the road, but they would be working for different companies. Councilmember Rog stated there will be a local and regional call center for problems. She asked how that might affect the user experience. Ms. Fisher stated it is a different experience than what the city currently has, adding staff will work with the vendor closely to ensure residents do not notice any differences in customer service. Councilmember Brausen thanked staff for their work. He noted residents should prepare for a significant increase in their organics recycling costs. He stated this is unfortunate since the city is working to get more residents to do organics recycling, noting that this at least a third of all household waste. Councilmember Brausen stated there are a couple alternatives for residents to lower this cost – by buying less, cooking less, serving smaller portions, saving leftovers, and working toward zero food waste. He noted each year 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the US and Europe which equates to 130 billion meals at a cost of $409 billion. He noted nearly 40% of all food in the US is wasted, adding this is wrong on so many levels, especially when there is so much food insecurity in the city, state, country and the world. He stated the average family can reduce their food waste by better planning, smaller servings, and good eating habits. He encouraged all residents to consider this information. Councilmember Brausen stated backyard composting will also save money, adding it is easy and creates compost for gardens, noting he has done this for years. He stated they use a sealed container next to the sink which empties into the compost container in the garage. He encouraged all to save money by being more mindful. Mayor Spano stated he appreciates the organics collections and composting of waste in the city. DocuSign Envelope ID: 303658BA-800E-4585-896D-9F2D74534BE8 City council meeting -7- May 15, 2023 It was moved by Councilmember Rog, seconded by Councilmember Mohamed, to adopt Resolution No. 23-074 approving 2023 – 2028 organics recycling collection. The motion passed 7-0. 8. Communications and announcements. Ms. Keller thanked the public works crew for hydrant flushing and street sweeping last week, which helps with cleaning streets and storm water pollution prevention and water quality. Ms. Keller noted there is a bike ride coming up on Fri. May 19, at 3:30 pm at Aquila Park. Ms. Keller announced there are no council meetings or study sessions schedule for the next two Mondays. Councilmember Rog noted Sat. May 20, is the first annual Honoring the Youth Pow Wow at the ROC, hosted by the American Indian Parent Advisory Council through St. Louis Park Schools and the Youth Intertribal Council at St. Louis Park High School. It begins at 1 pm and there will be dancing, drumming, food vendors, and all are welcome. She noted there are protocols to follow for those attending, she is volunteering, and hopes to see others there. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 303658BA-800E-4585-896D-9F2D74534BE8