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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/10/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Official minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota Oct. 16, 2023 The meeting convened at 7:33 p.m. Council members present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Yolanda Farris, Lynette Dumalag, and Margaret Rog Council member absent: Nadia Mohamed Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), senior planner (Ms. Chamberlain), planning manager (Mr. Walther), housing supervisor (Ms. Olson) Discussion items. 1. Arrive and Thrive update and discussion. Ms. Chamberlain presented the report. The council discussed various plan ideas and elements for each of the four gateway areas being studied, beginning with the Louisiana Gateway area. Council Member Dumalag recalled conversations in the South Oak Hill neighborhood during her campaign where residents shared that the area feels disconnected. The lack of walkable routes for pedestrians and cyclists lends to the feeling of a frontage road area rather than a connected neighborhood. There is potential for adding infrastructure and opportunities related to racial equity and economic development in this area. Council Member Dumalag pointed out the potential of adding a connecting corridor with the hospital, which is a big employer in the area. Council Member Brausen noted the Loffler parking lot is in the Louisiana Gateway area and the parking lot is designated for housing. He suggested a pedestrian and cycling connection to Methodist Hospital should be established there and it is incumbent upon the hospital to step up and join this conversation. He also noted a potential connection to Minnehaha Creek. He shared a concern that survey feedback came mostly from homeowners (96%) with little information from renters. Mayor Spano communicated his great experiences navigating the creek area as a pedestrian, as he lives in the vicinity of Methodist Hospital. The improvements from Louisiana Avenue to Oxford Avenue have been positive, and he pointed out there will be light rail traffic in this area eventually. He recommended ways to connect the northern and southern areas to bring pedestrians through and emphasis on affordable home ownership. He agreed on bringing Methodist Hospital into the conversation because of their large land ownership in the focus area. Council Member Rog stated she concurs with comments regarding affordable ownership properties. She also agreed that racial equity and sustainability are important in the Louisiana Gateway area. The Park Nicollet connection should be explored further, as well as creating housing opportunities for their employees in this area. Noting the potential of shared Study session minutes -2- Oct. 16, 2023 workspaces as another opportunity, she emphasized walkable neighborhoods, building social capital and public art as pursuits in the community’s best interests. Council Member Dumalag framed the importance of a mix of employment and residential properties when it comes to tax capacity and would like to see parts of this area remain employment-focused. Council Member Brausen added that commercial properties can turn into ownership opportunities. The council reviewed the West Excelsior Gateway area. Council Member Dumalag shared residents’ concerns about how difficult it is to cross Excelsior Boulevard. She welcomed development that slows or calms traffic and provides a better pedestrian experience along Excelsior Boulevard. She commented that walkability between small retailers would be ideal. Mayor Spano considers this area his neighborhood and he appreciates that there are underutilized and unappreciated properties in this space. He stated there are opportunities for affordable ownership of townhouses or row houses, and noted the biggest obstacle is county ownership of Excelsior Boulevard and driveway access restrictions. Mayor Spano observed that many of the businesses along the south side of Excelsior Boulevard are one-story and there may be opportunities to consider four to five-story buildings. Ms. Chamberlain provided the context of a 2017 design guideline for the south side of Excelsior boulevard east of Highway 100. This guideline suggested a three-story limit for buildings and created buffers between residential housing and the business activity of Excelsior Boulevard. The city extended these changes west of Highway 100 through zoning map and code amendments. Council Member Budd asked what kind of buffers were suggested. Mr. Walther gave examples of 10-foot yards and a combination of fences and landscaping, as well as seeking shared access across the rear parking lots to serve similar to alleys and reduce the need for private driveways onto Excelsior Boulevard. Council Member Rog asked about the status of the Jessen Press site. Mr. Walther stated they did not have any new information, but staff had advised to delay any proposal that did not comply with the existing land use and zoning until this process and community discussion had concluded and the city’s plans were finalized for the area to help inform their application. Council Member Rog asked why there is a Minneapolis Golf Course in St. Louis Park. Mr. Walther stated the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board purchased and operates the golf course. At one time, the city was Minneapolis Township. She asked if the City of St. Louis Park has jurisdiction over the golf course. Mr. Walther clarified that the city has jurisdiction over a portion of the golf course, and he has not heard of any interest in changing its use in the past. He stated the only recent engagement has been in the context of the Minnehaha Watershed District and rewilding the creek, looking for trail connections and storm water within the site, Study session minutes -3- Oct. 16, 2023 and looking at opportunities to partner with the Park Board. He highlighted that the partnership with the Park Board continues to be highlighted an opportunity for the future. Mayor Spano recalled that since the golf course flooded a few years ago, the Park Board built a new clubhouse at the course, and he believes they have no plans to leave. Mr. Walther added strategic priorities for climate action and resiliency efforts are important to the area, considering flooding issues. Council Member Rog stated safety and traffic and pedestrian safety are all concerns and areas for improvement. She would like to see the small businesses in the area preserved. Council Member Brausen agreed with Council Member Rog’s comment about preserving commercial space and added the importance of affordable housing. He pointed out that West Excelsior Gateway is the only area that does not have park access via pedestrian routes, and he would like to investigate that further. Mayor Spano recalled that walking along the sidewalk next to Excelsior Boulevard is difficult and uncomfortable because of proximity to fast-moving street traffic. Council Member Dumalag shared residents have also told her it is not an easy area to take transit traveling east or west. The council discussed the Wooddale Gateway area. Council Member Dumalag shared that residents in the Elmwood area have noticed that traffic exiting Highway 100 often exceed residential speed limits. She suggested development and improvements that could calm traffic and remind drivers the area is not a continuation of the freeway. The office development site here has great visibility from Highway 100, and she noted it would be great to have a large employer and affordable home ownership through townhomes as well. Council Member Rog restated concerns about safety here. Regarding racial equity housing and neighborhood oriented development, she shared this area is the beginning of the city’s history with respect to the rich and complex history of the land. Although the city’s foundations have been recognized with the Walker Lake area, Council Member Rog shared a desire to elevate the city’s history – including recognition of racial inequities. She asked for creative ways to bring history, art and walkability to this area. The council reviewed the Beltline Gateway and business park area. Council Member Dumalag reminded the group that the Bass Lake area is prone to flooding, and the city will need to be mindful of the water table issues there. She highlighted the presence and value of the smaller businesses and activity in the multitenant business park building, she described walking east of Beltline as not a great pedestrian experience. Study session minutes -4- Oct. 16, 2023 Council Member Rog stated the Minnetonka Boulevard redesign is imminent and asked for synergistic thinking with that project. The safety of Ottawa Avenue turn lane will be addressed during the Minnetonka Boulevard redesign, and she likes the idea of 35th Street and Raleigh Avenue being a district with a unique identity. She described the multi-family units as quite lovely, and she is excited about more activities going into that area. She agreed there seems to be a lot of open land and underutilized space in the area. Council Member Rog shared her understanding that there is one family that owns many of these properties with intent to sell them in the next few years. Mr. Walther clarified that most of the land was owned by two brothers and has recently been sold to one large landowner that purchased a large portion of it. This landowner is on the city’s advisory group as they have a stake in the area. The remaining properties were offered and sold to existing building tenants. Council Member Brausen noted the importance of trail connections and described the activity with housing development as productive. In this area, a trail coming in from the west and a sidewalk along the streets would be helpful to pedestrians and cyclists. He noted a small error on page 46 of the report for staff to correct. Council Member Budd shared residents in this area are concerned for the loss of tree canopy, adding this should be addressed. Council Member Dumalag pointed out that walkability in the area is difficult now, mostly due to construction, but patterns will emerge once it is completed. More sidewalks would be helpful in general - especially connecting with the apartments along Beltline Boulevard. Ms. Chamberlain asked the council to please email or call her or Mr. Walther if they have future comments about the gateway. She noted a walking tour will take place Oct. 23 from noon – 1 p.m. from Methodist Hospital along Excelsior Boulevard. Staff and the city’s consultants will host several pop-up events, a business focus group and additional online engagement opportunities. Council Member Rog added that one thing residents ask for frequently is more off-leash dog parks in the community. Council Member Dumalag agreed, she also hears this request regularly. 2. Final watermain break budget report. Ms. Olson and Ms. Cruver presented the report. Council Member Budd asked about the difference between 54 impacted properties and 42 total applications. Ms. Olson reported that 42 residents applied to the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for financial assistance and 12 did not apply. She noted that these 12 residents either had minimal or no damage, chose not to make a claim on their homeowner’s insurance, or their homeowners insurance covered everything. Council Member Budd clarified that the total of 54 impacted properties was determined by city survey, Ms. Olson confirmed this was correct. Study session minutes -5- Oct. 16, 2023 Ms. Olson cited the total funds the city will be paying out through the program, which is $1,027,100. Ms. Cruver explained the city appropriated $1.5 million of ARPA funds and $1.5 million of fund balance from the general fund. The program closeout includes: • Adding $721,000 of ARPA fund to revenue replacement spending category and transfer to general fund in 2024 for use on core government services • Transferring unused $1.2 million fund balance from the insurance fund back to the general fund Council Member Rog asked for a reminder of the deadline for spending all ARPA funds. Ms. Cruver responded that the funds must be spent by the end of 2024. Mayor Spano said he was glad this program was provided so the funds were available for those in need. He also described a resident who reached out and thanked the council for standing by residents. Council Member Budd emphasized that it was in good faith that the council supported people during this traumatic incident. Council Member Dumalag also noted many residents contacted her to ask how they could help. Ms. Keller shared that the vulnerability assessment that is being conducted will give future projections to work into the capital improvement projects budget. This work allows the city to continue infrastructure investment and response. She thanked city staff and Ms. Olson for all of their work and care on the program’s execution. Ms. Olson thanked the council and also shared that many homeowners have been very pleased about the program. Written Reports. 3. Wooddale station project update. Council Member Dumalag noted that the unfortunate passing of a joint venture partner contributed to the developer’s decision to withdraw, and pointed out that it would have been unusual for to remain with the project in this circumstance. She asked what the city should do to re-engage the process to gain a new developer. Ms. Keller replied that staff is reaching out to developers and seeking alternative proposals that are consistent with the city’s vision for the site. Staff will review proposals and market conditions, then discuss whether or not this is a good time to move forward again with the project. Mayor Spano requested there be communication to the community on what happened with the project. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor