HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/03/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Mar. 18, 2024
1. Call to order.
Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance – led by Scout Troop #379.
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 (Mr. Mattick), deputy city manager (Ms.
Walsh), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), senior planner (Ms. Chamberlain), planning manager
(Mr. Walther), engineering project manager (Mr. Shamla), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal)
Guests: Aaron Warford, Project Manager for Bolton & Menk, Inc.
2. Approve agenda.
The agenda was approved as presented by general consensus.
3. Presentations.
a. Proclamation honoring Mayor for a Day Essay winner Claire Westlund
Mayor Mohamed read a proclamation honoring Claire Westlund for her winning essay in the
League of Minnesota Cities “Mayor for a Day” contest.
Council Member Brausen observed that in her essay, Claire expressed a desire to clean up
Lamplighter Pond. He congratulated her for her insight and shared the pond will be cleaned up
this year, later in the winter, when the ground is more frozen to save the habitat.
Council Member Rog added her congratulations and thanked Claire for her essay, noting that
Claire had written that she would prioritize meeting with city staff to learn about their roles and
responsibilities.
4. Minutes.
a. Minutes of Feb. 12, 2024 city council study session
b. Minutes of Feb. 15 and 16, 2024 city council workshop
c. Minutes of Feb. 20, 2024 city council meeting
d. Minutes of Mar. 4, 2024 boards and commission workshop
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Council Member Rog requested a revision to page 2, paragraph 3, to state: “… noted those
funds had reduced value in today’s economy.”
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve
the Feb. 12, 2024 city council study session minutes as amended; the minutes of the Feb. 15 and
16, 2024 city council workshop, the Feb 20, 2024 city council meeting and the Mar. 4, 2024
boards and commissions workshop minutes as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
5. Consent items.
a. Approve city disbursements
b. Approve bid for 2024 Alley Reconstruction project (4024-1500) – Wards 1 and 4
c. Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2676-24 rezoning 6013 and 6019 Cedar
Lake Road-Ward 4. (This item was removed from the consent items and considered as
regular agenda item 7c.)
d. Approve temporary liquor license for Church of the Holy Family
e. Approve temporary extension of licensed premises – Copperwing Distillery
f. Authorize revised contract for multifunction printer equipment lease
g. Resolution No. 24-034 authorizing special use permit amendment – Joppa Lane
Apartments – Ward 1
Mayor Mohamed noted a request from the public to move consent item 5c to regular business
as item 7c.
It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the
consent items as revised and to move consent item 5c to regular business as item 7c.
The motion passed 7-0.
6. Public hearings – none.
7. Regular business.
a. First reading of ordinance for planned unit development amendment – Zelia on Seven –
Ward 2
Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report.
Council Member Dumalag asked if there was any TIF related to this project and if it was
attached to the affordable housing or green components of the project. Ms. Chamberlain
stated yes. The development complies with the inclusionary housing and green building policies
and city zoning regulations.
Council Member Dumalag asked if the new plan meets the standards that were in the original
plan. Ms. Chamberlain confirmed the new plan meets the standards, and does so without the e-
generation building, solar and wind generation components.
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Council Member Brausen stated he reviewed the finance package related to this project and
there is a $5.6 million TIF note related to this project. He stated it will be adjusted downward
slightly and was tied into environmental remediation at the site, inclusion of affordable housing
units and to the green building policy. He added it was not tied directly to the e-generation
facility, the proposed green house and bicycle shop or the other amenities no longer included in
this development.
Council Member Dumalag observed this has been a long project for this community, particularly
in Ward 2. She stated it is not the original project, but she is glad there is a buyer willing to take
it on and create affordable housing.
Council Member Brausen added he will support the planned unit development, and when this
project was first developed, big ideas were discussed with the prior developer. They were
seeking transformative development at this site with affordable units, e-generation, a
greenhouse, less parking along the LRT line and a bike trail. Unfortunately, with the light rail
train delays and realities of the market, the full vision was not realized. He noted that there will
be 217 new housing units, 77 of them designated as affordable at 50-60% area median income,
and the new owner is willing to invest in additional amenities to make this project work in
today’s market. He noted the market is also quite different than it was in 2017 when the
project was first approved. He stated the TIF, at $5.6 million, commits to future tax revenue
when the city helps the developer do this project. He views this project as a good payoff and
noted to date this is the only LRT project that has occurred and with financing becoming more
challenging, the city will have to partner with developers to reach goals on housing, green
buildings, and labor and hiring practices.
Council Member Baudhuin stated that he will support the planned unit development, and
noted the project started a long time ago. He stated the project has taken a while to develop
and he appreciates the work of the council and staff to keep it going. He asked that the solar
component be re-examined, noting the project is a candidate for rooftop solar, as soon as
possible.
Council Member Rog agreed and commended staff for making this project work and cutting
losses. She stated she is disappointed the original project did not develop, but noted she is
happy with the amenities added and offered congratulations to staff on getting the project
where it is today.
Mayor Mohamed agreed with the comments made by the council members.
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve
the first reading of an ordinance amending the planned unit development for Zelia on Seven.
The motion passed 7-0.
b. Resolution No. 24-035 approving cooperative agreement for Minnetonka Boulevard
improvements with Hennepin County (4023-7000) – Ward 1
Mr. Shamla presented the staff report. Aaron Warford, the design consultant, was also
available for questions.
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Council Member Rog stated this is a great plan that will make this a safer corridor and she
thanked staff for their work, adding she will support this agreement. She asked about the noise
of the concrete work and what folks can expect. Mr. Warford stated sawing concrete will be
done overnight, adding the 100-decibel level should be isolated and will be done over the
course of four to six nights in 2025, with further details forthcoming.
Council Member Rog asked if the permit is needed for the noise level or for the time of day. Mr.
Shamla stated the permit is needed for both the noise level and the time that the work is taking
place.
Council Member Rog asked about the cement’s curing time and if it can be driven on while it
continues to cure. Mr. Warford responded that generally, it can be driven and added traffic will
be shifted out of the paved areas for much of the time. He noted they will work to have
intersections and driveways open as quickly as possible, and communication will be especially
important.
Council Member Rog asked if there will be any assistance for businesses impacted by the
construction. Mr. Warford stated they are coordinating with businesses and working on an
access plan. He noted that traffic changes and access are all communicated in the project plan
and a designated contact will be available for businesses as well.
Council Member Rog referenced tree removal in the right-of-way to make way for the new
paths, and asked how many trees will be impacted. Mr. Warford stated he did know the exact
number, but the trees being removed this month are most of the trees being removed. He
noted they are on the eastern end of the project and very little remains to be done with tree
removals.
Council Member Rog stated her appreciation to Mr. Warford and the development team for
listening to community members that live in the construction area and supporting the safe
crossing on streets there, as well as the projects’ reasonable costs.
Council Member Budd asked about the ERUV. Mr. Shamla stated they recently met with Jewish
community leaders, and he is confident the plan they developed will work.
Council Member Budd asked about the water main coming in $900,000 less and if the city is
replacing less, or if the costs have come down. Mr. Shamla stated they are replacing the entire
length of the water main and noted the per unit costs may be a bit different. He added the
county is paying for all the surfaces now, and the amount is the same but at a lower per foot
cost.
Council Member Budd asked about decisions with lighting changes and improvements and how
costs were impacted. Mr. Shamla stated the lighting is within the budget and there were no
concessions made regarding lighting.
It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to adopt
Resolution No. 24-035, approving cooperative agreement for Minnetonka Boulevard
improvements with Hennepin County (4023-7000).
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The motion passed 7-0.
c. Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2676-24 rezoning 6013 and 6019 Cedar
Lake Road – Ward 4
Wade Church, 3000 Raleigh Ave., stated he was on the board of the HOA for Fernhill Place One
and Two, and knows the developer. He noted there were some issues at his building Fern Hill
Place, and he hopes that this project will not have any similar issues, but stated he has his
doubts. He stated there is extensive litigation history on Fern Hill Place including bankruptcy
and credibility of the developer and his actions in managing projects. He stated he wanted the
council to know of his and his neighbors’ concerns.
Council Member Brausen stated he appreciates these comments and added the council was
aware of and discussed these issues. He noted that staff will be monitoring the construction,
and the council is hopeful there will not be any issues. He stated litigation is helpful and is how
disputes are resolved in America, adding he knows there are always two sides to the story. He
stated all litigation was ultimately resolved and there is an outstanding judgement pending. He
noted the council is not judging the credit worthiness of the owner on a particular project, and
in this case, the developer was not asking for any financial support from the city but was asking
for a rezoning, and this seems appropriate.
Council Member Rog added she had and still has concerns about this project and this
developer. She does not fully understand her authority in this scenario, and she does defer to
staff on this, but approves with some caution. She agreed the developer is not asking for any
financial support from the city, which is helpful in moving the project forward, but she has
some concerns. She stated staff will keep an eye on this as they do all developments, noting the
project meets all the city’s standards. She stated she will support this as it does meet the need
of the city for this type of housing, but she regrets the experience of Mr. Church and hopes it
does not happen with this project.
Mr. Mattick advised this is a question of rezoning but the criteria that goes into this project is
limited to zoning and any discussion about private disputes is not appropriate for the council to
consider, given the absence of any financial requests. He stated staff made their
recommendation for approval of the rezoning based on that criteria.
Council Member Baudhuin stated he is in favor of this project but also with great reservation
based on what the residents in the area have presented regarding the management. He does
wonder what can be done about better or increased landlord accountability which is a problem
in many municipalities all over the nation. He added he would like further discussion in the
future about those who manage the city’s renters, who make up nearly half of the city’s
residents.
Ms. Keller stated a study session item can be set up regarding the rental license program and
she will discuss it with staff. She noted the city’s current policies are among the strictest in the
state.
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Council Member Budd added she will support this project and thanked the city attorney for
clarification. She noted as frustrating as this may be, not all factors can be considered in this
situation, and she thanked Mr. Church for his comments.
Council Member Rog added that Fern Hill Place is a condominium.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to adopt
Ordinance No. 2676-24, approving rezoning of 6013 and 6019 Cedar Lake Road.
The motion passed 7-0.
8. Communications and announcements.
a. Connected infrastructure system introduction
b. Special Service Districts 101
Council Member Baudhuin celebrated that the Benilde St. Margaret girls’ basketball team won
their second state championship in a row. He congratulated the team and coaches, remarking
that their top player will be playing for Michigan next year.
Council Member Brausen agreed and congratulated the boys’ basketball team who lost in
double overtime. He noted several of the council members went to Washington, D.C. last week
and met with legislators and lobbyists during the National League of Cities Congressional Cities
Conference. The attendees worked to educate their legislators about projects taking place in St.
Louis Park, including funding opportunities. He noted President Biden made comments at the
general session. Council Member Brausen thanked staff for making the arrangements and
thanked the community for their support in allowing the council to attend these sessions.
Council Member Dumalag added she wanted to acknowledge the school board members who
are appointing a new school superintendent this evening, adding she is appreciative of all their
efforts and their leadership.
Council Member Rog also thanked the Scout Troup for attending the entire council meeting this
evening.
Mayor Mohamed noted this month is Ramadan and Muslims are fasting from sunrise to
sundown. She thanked everyone as she broke the fast.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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