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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/01/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Jan. 16, 2024 1. Call to order. Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. a. Pledge of allegiance b. Roll call Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd, Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda Farris, and Margaret Rog Council members absent: none Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Ms. Schmidt), race, equity and inclusion director (Ms. Guess), public works director (Mr. Hall), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), project engineer (Mr. Wiesen), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), city clerk (Ms. Kennedy) Guests: members of the public 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 3. Presentations. a. Proclamation for International Holocaust Remembrance Day Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation and proclaimed Jan. 27, 2024 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in St. Louis Park. Council Member Baudhuin thanked Ms. Guess and the race, equity and inclusion team for their work in drafting this proclamation. Council Member Baudhuin expressed his appreciation for how the proclamation calls out America’s role in the Holocaust and the Nazi regime. He noted how antisemitism is presently on the rise and can find its way into a community before it is seen. Remembrance days like this call everyone back to remember that incredibly gruesome event; how it grew slowly until it bubbled over. Council Member Baudhuin observed that with the growing distance of time and fewer World War II veterans to share their stories, communities need to be more intentional in remembering the Holocaust and the implications of embedded hatred. He concluded by saying that in the public space of the council, this proclamation helps the community remember our Jewish friends and neighbors, adding “we love you; we see you, we care about you, and we will never forget.” DocuSign Envelope ID: 777B4DC3-44CA-48D5-BEFE-39366E503B53 City council meeting -2- Jan. 16, 2024 Council Member Dumalag agreed with Council Member Baudhuin’s comments. She pointed out a link in the proclamation’s resource page from the University of MN Center for Holocaust and Genocide. She had explored the link and shared that it offered a way to access stories and pictures of people who have survived the holocaust, and their family members. She stated so often, the Holocaust is thought of as a political event, but there are things to learn from and we need to humanize these stories of lost loved ones. Council Member Dumalag encouraged everyone to take time to learn and thanked staff for including the links in the council packet. 4. Minutes. a. Minutes of Dec. 12, 2023 city council study session b. Minutes of Dec. 18, 2023 city council meeting It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the Dec. 12, 2023 city council study session minutes and the Dec. 18, 2023 city council meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Consent items. a. Resolution No. 24-006 establishing the 2024 Alley Reconstruction project (4024-1500), and approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids - Wards 1 and 4 b. Resolution No. 24-007 approving 2024-2025 IAFF #993 Fire labor agreement c. Resolution No. 24-008 approving 2024-2025 LELS Local #220 Public Safety Dispatchers labor agreement d. Resolution No. 24-009 approving MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Violent Crime Reduction Unit participation e. Resolution No. 24-010 authorizing special assessment for sewer service line repair at 3219 Blackstone Ave S - Ward 2 f. Resolution No. 24-011 authorizing special assessment for sewer service line repair at 3221 Dakota Ave S - Ward 3 g. Resolution No. 24-012 authorizing special assessment for sewer service line repair at 3136 Maryland Ave S - Ward 3 h. Resolution No. 24-013 accepting donation from Discover St. Louis Park for Jason West to attend the Sports Events & Tourism (ETA) Association Symposium i. Resolution No. 24-014 approving renewal of liquor licenses for the license period March 1, 2024, through March 1, 2025 j. Approve bid for Lamplighter Pond maintenance project (4022-4001) - Ward 4 k. Resolution No. 24-015 approving donations to parks and recreation department Council Member Brausen thanked staff for their work on items 5b. and 5c.; he was glad to see that the labor agreements fairly compensate staff as they continue their important work for the city. DocuSign Envelope ID: 777B4DC3-44CA-48D5-BEFE-39366E503B53 City council meeting -3- Jan. 16, 2024 Mayor Mohamed noted item 5j. to express her thanks for donations to the parks and recreation department from: Bill and Claudia Engeland, Luann Kotnik, Pat and George Foulkes, Philip and Susan Tange, Elizabeth and Robert Timm, and Jennifer Samaha. Council Member Brausen also noted item 5d. related to a resolution approving participation in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Violent Crime Reduction Unit. He stated this is a good joint force to address crime in the metro area, and a St. Louis Park police officer will be assigned to this unit. He is happy to see this worthwhile effort on behalf of the state and the city. Ms. Keller clarified that the BCA will be funding an additional officer as well as necessary equipment. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public hearings. a. Public hearing on 2024 Pavement Management Project (4024-1000) - Ward 2 Mr. Wiesen presented the staff report. Council Member Dumalag asked for context on the living streets policy and the rationale for changes involving narrowing streets from 30 to 28 feet. Ms. Heiser explained the living streets policy adopted in 2018, noting it gives staff direction on what to consider when designing transportation projects, including biking and walking, storm water, preservation of street trees and traffic management. Narrowing streets is one of the tools used to reduce speed on streets, reduce storm water runoff volume and create space for street trees. Council Member Dumalag added she has heard from residents living near the school and asked if there has been any feedback from the school district as it relates to bus traffic and turn lanes. Mr. Wiesen replied that staff did reach out to the bus company regarding the pilot project and asked them to drive buses through that area and let staff know of any concerns. This took place and the bus company had no concerns, provided cars are not parked too close to the intersection and curb extensions. Council Member Dumalag noted liabilities also and asked if staff will talk about this. Mr. Wiesen stated the adjoining property owner is only liable if they do something that creates a hazard on the sidewalk, adding the snow or ice accumulation that naturally occurs is not considered a liability. Council Member Dumalag added trees were lost, but there is de-paving also. She asked how the city will make up for the tree loss. Mr. Wiesen responded that as per the city code, trees will be replaced with other trees adding up to the same size. Council Member Dumalag said she heard from one resident who said their sprinkler system will need to be relocated due to this project and asked for details. Mr. Wiesen explained that DocuSign Envelope ID: 777B4DC3-44CA-48D5-BEFE-39366E503B53 City council meeting -4- Jan. 16, 2024 private infrastructure in the city right of way, such as irrigation or fences, will be the responsibility of the homeowner to move. He stated staff will work with property owners to discuss potential impacts. Council Member Rog asked about tree impacts and noted that 37 of the 77 trees in the report are proposed to be removed. Mr. Wiesen stated that is correct. Council Member Rog asked if some of the 40 trees will be preserved through sidewalk manipulation or other engineering decisions. Mr. Wiesen clarified that impacted trees are evaluated for health first, and if they are healthy, staff will look at every way to save that tree, including moving sidewalks. Council Member Rog asked how many of the 37 trees impacted are mature trees. Mr. Wiesen stated the majority are healthy trees although more information can be brought back to the council. Council Member Rog stated she is always looking to preserve as many trees as possible, and she knows staff do an excellent job of this from her own experience. She asked if there is an opportunity to preserve more trees through continued negotiations with residents in providing right-of-way access. She asked if staff would look into this opportunity. Mr. Wiesen confirmed staff work with property owners to place sidewalk easements on private property to save trees. Council Member Rog asked how residents are made aware of this opportunity. Mr. Wiesen replied that residents may contact city staff and they will work with residents on their questions. Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. Bill Engeland, 3940 Inglewood Ave. S., stated if there are SUVs parked on either side of the street, which is often the case, it is difficult for another SUV or an emergency vehicle to get through. If two feet are removed on either side of the street, he is concerned about safety. Mr. Engeland said he would like this concern addressed with this proposal. Brenda Pricco, 3652 Huntington Ave., stated her support for the project, but the narrowing of streets is a concern. She stated at the 3600 block of Huntington, drivers turn off Excelsior Boulevard into a curve, and with parking on both sides, her concerns are with safety. With cars parked nearby and the presence of a stop sign, people do have to pull over for another car to pass. Her concern is safety for biking, parking and narrowing of the street, particularly when snow collects. She has a single-car driveway and there are often cars parked on both sides, so it is difficult to use her driveway and narrower streets will make it more difficult. John Angier, 4014 Raleigh Ave., asked if the pavement will be replaced only or will sidewalks be added. He stated it has been a dead-end street for many years and there is no sidewalk needed. Raleigh Avenue looked different on the map during the presentation and asked to see the map again. Justin Joplin, 3737 Inglewood Ave. S., stated he is in favor of the project and noted he chose this neighborhood to live in because of its calm demeanor, and its proximity to biking and to Minikahda Vista Park. He supported the location of the project because numerous families with DocuSign Envelope ID: 777B4DC3-44CA-48D5-BEFE-39366E503B53 City council meeting -5- Jan. 16, 2024 kids are active in the area, as well as individuals with strollers, walkers and with limited mobility. Patricia Kane, 4054 Quentin Ave., thanked the council for this project. She has lived in the city for 27 years and it is amazing to be involved in the process, adding many other neighbors feel the same way. Mayor Mohamed closed the public hearing. Council Member Rog noted for residents looking for answers to questions, they can look at the online city council packet and find that on the Friday prior to the Feb. 5, 2024, meeting. There was no action taken by the city council for tonight’s public hearing, and action will be taken at the February 5, 2024, meeting. 7. Regular business. a. First reading of ordinance amending City Code Chapter 3 related to alcoholic beverages. Ms. Scott-Lerdal presented the staff report. Council Member Rog asked for a definition of a restaurant to help provide clarification to customers and owners. Ms. Scott-Lerdal stated that broadly, a restaurant is defined as a business that prepares and serves food onsite, has tables and menus. Council Member Rog asked whether, in some cases, this can be as simple as providing pizza from an oven. Ms. Scott- Lerdal concurred that in some cases, that has been approved as a restaurant and the level of food service is primarily up to the licensing authority to regulate. Council Member Brausen thanked staff for bringing this matter forward. He noted some restaurant owners have had concerns in the past and were challenged to maintain the 50% requirement of sales attributable to food. He stated this ordinance decreases the requirement to 40%. He added he is happy that a compromise was reached on this topic and that taprooms and cocktail rooms will now be allowed to sell food on the premises if they choose to do so. He stated he will support this and invited other restaurants to make an application to the city under the new requirements. Council Member Budd added her support of the amendment and that she has also heard of some challenges from the businesses in her ward maintaining the 50-50% requirement, especially with the increased cost of craft beers and cocktails. She stated moving this to a 40% requirement is a good responsive move for the community. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve first reading of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 3 related to alcoholic beverages. The motion passed 7-0. 8. Communications and announcements. DocuSign Envelope ID: 777B4DC3-44CA-48D5-BEFE-39366E503B53 City council meeting -6- Jan. 16, 2024 Ms. Keller stated there is a new snowplow in St. Louis Park and there is a contest to have it named. Residents can send name submissions online to city staff and they are accepted until Jan. 28, 2024. The top 10 names will be chosen, and the final decision will be made by the public. Ms. Keller noted on Jan. 27., 2024 the Bundle Up Winter Fun Day will be held at Oak Hill Park from 12 – 3:30 p.m. with bonfires, cross country skiing, sledding snowshoeing, hayrides, cocoa, some mores, a raffle and music. The event is free, and all are invited. Council Member Rog noted for those interested in road reconstruction projects, there are two upcoming open houses hosted by Hennepin County in partnership with St. Louis Park around the Minnetonka Boulevard project to discuss traffic impacts and changes. There is a virtual open house on Mon., Jan. 29, 2024 from 2-3 p.m. and the link can be found online on the Minnetonka Boulevard project site. She added the second open house is in person on Tues., Jan. 30, 2024 from 5-6 p.m. at city hall. Council Member Baudhuin thanked the race, equity and inclusion team for a great event on Jan. 15, 2024, which was the 2nd Annual National Day of Healing event at Westwood Nature Center, noting it was very well attended. He added it is a wonderful event and it is always held on MLK Day. He thanked the school district for their participation as well. Mayor Mohamed added her thanks to those who put together the event, as well as Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan for her words, her hopes for the future, and the great things St. Louis Park has done in her life. Mayor Mohamed is always happy to see students from St. Louis Park High School and Benilde St. Margaret’s High School; it is wonderful to see future leaders leading these conversations. She thanked those who collaborated to make this event happen including city staff, STEP and the school district. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: 777B4DC3-44CA-48D5-BEFE-39366E503B53