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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/10/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Oct. 2, 2023 1. Call to order. Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. a. Pledge of allegiance b. Roll call Council members present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda Farris, Nadia Mohamed, and Margaret Rog Council members absent: none Staff present: City attorney (Mr. Mattick), finance director (Ms. Cruver), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), administrative services director (Ms. Brodeen), parks and recreation director (Mr. West), race, equity and inclusion director (Ms. Guess), planning manager (Mr. Walther), redevelopment administrator (Ms. Monson), senior planner (Ms. Chamberlain), community development director (Ms. Barton), communications and technology director (Ms. Smith), natural resources manager (Mr. Bahe), police officer (Ms. Holloway) Guests: members of the public 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 3. Presentations. a. Proclamation for Indigenous People’s Day – Oct. 9, 2023 Mayor Spano read the proclamation. Council Member Brausen noted the city website has further information on Indigenous people, businesses, and organizations within the city and Minnesota. He appreciates the adoption of this proclamation. Council Member Budd stated that she did a day-long tour of sacred places of the Dakota people in Minnesota and learned a lot from the experience. She encouraged people to explore this deep history. Mayor Spano also noted that Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is a member of the Anishinaabe peoples. He added his native American neighbor recently passed away and, in her DocuSign Envelope ID: 5551A7C4-2DF7-4CB5-9444-6CBF19CBB925 City council meeting -2- Oct. 2, 2023 culture, the family starts a four-day fire which burns constantly and seeks to move the spirit on its journey. He noted city staff’s use of a diverse cultural lens around fire policy for this tradition, and pointed out that there are many ways to acknowledge cultures and change for the better within St. Louis Park. It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Mohamed, to adopt the proclamation as presented. The motion passed 7-0. b. Recognition of 2023 Evergreen Award recipients Mr. Bahe presented the 2023 awards to residents, noting there were 18 nominations this year. Traditional Garden category winner at 2901 Colorado Ave: • Nicholas Heitkamp Mr. Heitkamp commented on his love for nature and connecting with the community’s positive feedback as driving forces in creating his home garden. He thanked his family for their support and encouragement. Alternative Garden category winner at 3156 Idaho Ave: • Jodi Johnston Ms. Johnston commented on her inspiration for her home garden and noted she had planted her “zinnia zoo” in memory of her beloved friend Marty Swanson who passed away from breast cancer. She dedicated her award to her friend and in her honor, will coordinate with the Park Nicollet Mammo-a-go-go Bus for early breast cancer screenings for underserved folks in the community. She added she is dedicating May 25th, her friend’s birthday, to a yearly event and that her friend’s memory is like an evergreen, steady, strong, protective, and eternal. Council Member Brausen and Mayor Spano noted they have planted trees and plants in memory of loved ones in their yards. Council Member Rog thanked both award recipients and gave thanks in advance for the lifesaving help that the breast cancer screening would provide the community. Council Member Mohamed thanked both recipients for making their neighborhoods beautiful. Council Member Farris stated that she looks forward to working with Ms. Johnston on the breast cancer awareness program soon. Mayor Spano asked Police Officer Holloway to stand so that attendees could see the pink police department patches on her uniform. The police department has patches and hats available as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. 4. Minutes. a. Minutes of Aug. 28, 2023 city council study session b. Minutes of Sept. 11, 2023 city council study session c. Minutes of Sept. 18, 2023 city council meeting DocuSign Envelope ID: 5551A7C4-2DF7-4CB5-9444-6CBF19CBB925 City council meeting -3- Oct. 2, 2023 It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the city council study session minutes of Aug. 28 and Sept. 11, 2023, and the city council meeting minutes of Sept. 18, 2023, as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Consent items. a. Approve city disbursements for the period of Aug. 26 to Sept. 22, 2023 b. Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2668-23 establishing public sewer and water utilities protection program c. Resolution No. 23-112 amending special assessment authorization for solar array at STEP – Ward 3 d. Resolution No. 23-113 to accept donation to parks and recreation department e. Resolution No. 23-114 approving amended and restated redevelopment contract for Union Park Flats – Ward 2 f. Resolution No. 23-115 approving vehicle towing and impound lot lease agreement g. Resolution No. 23-116 authorizing special assessment for sewer service line repair at 2824 Sumter Avenue S h. Resolution No. 23-117 authorizing special assessment for sewer service line repair at 3157 Jersey Avenue S i. Resolution No. 23-118 authorizing special assessment for sewer service line repair at 2753 Alabama Avenue S j. Resolution approving Beltline Station Development contract amendments – Ward 1 (This item was removed from the consent items and considered as regular agenda item 7e.) k. Resolution No. 23-119 approving minor amendment related to the Beltline Station Development - parking ramp façade – Ward 1 l. Resolution No. 23-120 authorizing condemnation of land for public purposes – Cedar Lake Improvement Project (4023-1100) m. Resolution No. 23-121 accepting work and authorizing final payment for 2023 street maintenance project (4023-1200) – Ward 4 n. Resolution No. 23-122 accepting work and authorizing final payment for watermain inspection support work (4022-5000) o. Resolution No. 23-123 accepting a grant from SAFER for the St. Louis Park Fire Department p. Resolution No. 23-124 approving deferral of special assessment at 450 Ford Road, Unit 218 Council Member Rog requested that consent item 5j be moved to regular business as item 7e. It was moved by Council Member Mohamed, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the consent items as revised and to move consent item 5j to regular business; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5551A7C4-2DF7-4CB5-9444-6CBF19CBB925 City council meeting -4- Oct. 2, 2023 6. Public hearings. a. First reading of ordinance adopting fees for 2024 Ms. Cruver presented the staff report. Council Member Brausen asked if the fees are calculated to be reflective of the services provided. Ms. Cruver stated that is correct, and the city does not make a profit from fees. She added many are also subsidized as well. Council Member Brausen pointed out fees allow all to participate in city programs. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Mohamed, to approve the first reading of ordinance adopting fees for 2024 and set the second reaching for Oct 16, 2023. The motion passed 7-0. 7. Regular business. a. Resolution No. 23-125 approving amendments to the comprehensive plan for property at 1639 Utah Drive – Ward 4 Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report. Council Member Brausen asked when the parcel is sold, will it have a separate identification number. Ms. Chamberlain stated since the parcel does have its own PID with the county, the city does not need to approve this. Mr. Walther added one of the conditions of the sale is that they combine the parcels into one lot, so it is one PID and one tax parcel. This condition will prevent the city from becoming owner of the parcel through tax forfeiture. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to adopt Resolution No. 23-125, approving amendments to the comprehensive plan for property at 1639 Utah Drive – Ward 4. The motion passed 7-0. b. Resolution No. 23-126 and first reading of ordinance approving amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning map for 2840 Toledo Ave. – Ward 1 Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5551A7C4-2DF7-4CB5-9444-6CBF19CBB925 City council meeting -5- Oct. 2, 2023 Council Member Rog asked if there will be any change to residents’ access to this property since it is park and open space. Mr. Walther stated this approval does not affect any of the policies of that site, MnDOT has moved this property to city ownership, and this action does not set policy on how the property is maintained or accessed because the spaces are managed by Parks and Recreation. He added the city’s intention is to maintain the property as passive, open space and any changes would go through the comprehensive planning process. Council Member Rog noted some who are engaged with this parcel will wonder about future use of this space. Mayor Spano stated Parks and Recreation can speak further to this issue. Council Member Rog noted there are folks that have wanted to move in this direction and now this approval will make this official and area is now open space. It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 23-126 supporting the approval of an amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the City of St. Louis Park under Minnesota Statutes 462.351 for the property located at 2840 Toledo Avenue S., and approve first reading of ordinance approving amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning map for 2840 Toledo Ave – Ward 1, and to set the second reading for Oct. 16, 2023. The motion passed 7-0. 7c. Resolution No. 23-127 and first reading of ordinance approving amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning map for 3301 Webster Avenue – Ward 1 Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report. Council Member Rog clarified that the city does not own the parcel at this time, but that the city is preparing for conveyance to be swift when that time comes. She added this parcel is also a beloved space for residents. Ms. Chamberlain stated that is correct. Council Member Dumalag noted that it is exciting to add parks and public spaces and thanked staff for their work. It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 23-127, supporting the approval of an amendment to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the City of St. Louis Park under Minnesota Statutes 462.351 for the property located at 3301 Webster Avenue S., and approve first reading of ordinance approving amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning map for 3301 Webster Avenue – Ward 1, and to set the second reading for Oct. 16, 2023. The motion was approved 7-0. d. First reading of ordinance amending the zoning map for 1608 Utah Avenue – Ward 4 Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report. DocuSign Envelope ID: 5551A7C4-2DF7-4CB5-9444-6CBF19CBB925 City council meeting -6- Oct. 2, 2023 It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Mohamed, to approve first reading of ordinance amending the zoning map for 1608 Utah Avenue – Ward 4, and to set the second reading for Oct. 16, 2023. The motion was approved 7-0. e. Resolution No. 23-128 approving Beltline Station Development contract amendments – Ward 1 – (formerly 5j) Council Member Rog noted this item is related to changes in the contract with Sherman and Associates in the Beltline Station Development contract. The changes pertain to the parking ramp structure. She stated this ramp is on the Cedar Lake trail and there was significant community concern around there being such a large parking structure visible from the trail. She noted there was excitement about the redesign of this, but for financial reasons, Sherman and Associates has asked council to make changes to the contract that will change the ramp’s appearance and return it to a 7-story concrete ramp right on the trail. She stated she is very disappointed in this outcome, does not support these changes, and will vote against the contract amendments. She would like to see continued negotiations with Met Council as this is not the final design and she would like to see more creative problem-solving. Mayor Spano added city staff continues to negotiate regularly with Met Council, adding he hopes there is a creative solution to be found. He stated he will support the contract amendments and noted that approving the resolution before them does not change the city’s ability to advocate for changes. Council Member Budd noted she was not aware of the community input on this and will join Council Member Rog’s vote against the contract amendments, noting it is unfortunate to change the design at this stage. Council Member Brausen stated he will support this contract amendment, adding financing is always difficult to obtain for these massive projects. He noted along the Cedar Lake trail, there are several industrial areas, and the city has not had input on those. The city did have input on the Beltline Station Development and has made clear the desire to have community art featured. He stated that it seemed unreasonable to hold up the entire project. Council Member Rog noted deadlines have continued to be moved on this project, so the idea of delay does not hold concern for her. Council Member Dumalag stated she appreciates Council Member Rog’s comments, and it is disappointing to hear of the parking structure design changes. She is hopeful there are creative ways to overcome the look of the structure with art in the future, adding she will support the contract amendments. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to adopt Resolution No. 23-128 approving Beltline Station Development contract amendments – Ward 1. The motion was approved 5-2 (Council Members Rog and Budd opposed). DocuSign Envelope ID: 5551A7C4-2DF7-4CB5-9444-6CBF19CBB925 City council meeting -7- Oct. 2, 2023 8. Communications and announcements. Ms. Walsh noted the State of the Community event will take place from 4:30 – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 10 West End in St. Louis Park. Council Member Dumalag thanked the League of Women Voters for hosting the forums for mayor and at-large council candidates, noting it was well attended and appreciated. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 5551A7C4-2DF7-4CB5-9444-6CBF19CBB925