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Home My WebLink About2024/04/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial Meeting Minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota April 15, 2024 1. Call to order. Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:31 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, Margaret Rog Council members absent: none. Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), finance director (Ms. Cruver), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), public works director (Mr. Hall), planning manager (Mr. Walther), zoning administrator (Mr. Morrison), public works manager (Mr. Okey), city assessor (Mr. Bultema), appraiser I (Mr. Oelrich) Guests: Tim Williams and family, Luke Derheim, David Benowitz 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. Recognition of Timothy Williams on his retirement Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation recognizing Mr. Williams’ service. Mr. Okey presented the plaque and thanked Mr. Williams for his service to the city. Mr. Williams thanked the city and council for their support during his years with the city. Mayor Mohamed thanked Mr. Williams for his service, as well as his wife and family’s support during Mr. Williams’ career. b. Proclamation designating May 2024 at Bike Month Council Member Baudhuin read the proclamation designating May 2024 as “Bike Month”. Council Member Rog shared that with spring and warmer weather, she has seen more people biking than in years past. Infrastructure the city has created for bikers, especially along Dakota Avenue and the Dakota Edgewood Bridge, is making a difference and she thanked the city. DocuSign Envelope ID: D513954B-63EC-40E0-9427-1EE7CDAF6672 City council meeting -2- April 15, 2024 Council Member Brausen agreed that it is wonderful biking weather and encouraged all to get out and bike. He also asked drivers to keep a watch out for bikers and to drive safely. Council Member Baudhuin added that children are out biking and learning how bike, noting that everyone rides with different skills, at different speeds. Everyone needs to watch out for one another, and all need to share the road. 4. Minutes. a. Minutes of March 18, 2024 city council meeting Council Member Brausen requested a revision to page 3, to state: “transformative development.” It was moved by Council Member, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the March 18, 2024 city council meeting minutes as amended. The motion passed 7-0. b. Minutes of March 25, 2024 study session Council Member Rog requested a revision to page 2, paragraph 2, to state: “…excluding single family home duplex…” and on page 5, to state: "…non-standard eviction forms…” It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brause, to approve the March 25, 2024 study session minutes as amended. The motion passed 7-0. c. Minutes of March 25, 2024 special city council meeting It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Budd, to approve the March 25, 2024 special city council meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Consent items. a. Resolution No. 24- 046 recognizing retirement of Timothy Williams, Public Works Information Systems Specialist b. Resolution No. 24-047 to approve agreement with Xcel Energy for Minnetonka Boulevard (4023-7000) - Ward 1 c. Approve bid for 2024 Concrete Replacement project (4024-0003) d. Resolution No. 24-048 and 24-049 modifying parking restriction on Xenwood Avenue south of 36th Street - Ward 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: D513954B-63EC-40E0-9427-1EE7CDAF6672 City council meeting -3- April 15, 2024 e. Resolution No. 24- 050 returning unspent Municipal Broadband Expansion Fund grant money to Hennepin County f. Resolution No. 24- 051 to commence eminent domain action for Phase 2 - Cedar Lake Road/ Louisiana Avenue (city project no. 4024-1100) - Ward 4 Council Member Brausen asked to make a comment regarding consent item 5c. He noted the bid for $223,000 came in at considerably less than the estimate of the CIP at $386,900. He observed construction costs may be moderating, which would be good news for the city, and he expressed appreciation for staff’s efforts in planning and implementing projects. Council Member Rog commented on item 5b regarding underground utilities on Minnetonka Boulevard. She is excited the council has approved putting utilities underground on the stretch from Highway 100 to France Avenue. She pointed out that this item is being approved at a reasonable cost to residents at $8 per year for 3 years. This project will provide a major benefit to aesthetics as well as safety in using sidewalks and trails on Minnetonka Boulevard. Council Member Dumalag referenced item 5e and thanked those on CTAC for providing feedback, adding that funds will be given back and the county will now be doing this work. She is happy the efforts will continue on this project. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Public hearings – none. 7. Regular business. a. First reading of zoning text amendment to C-1 neighborhood commercial zoning district. Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. Mr. Derheim and Mr. Benowitz, 3712 Quebec Ave., owners of the new restaurant, are current owners of The Block restaurant in St. Louis Park; they are excited to begin this new project. It will be a year-round concept with order pick-up as well as alcohol service, which will provide beverages on tap (and not a full bar). Council Member Dumalag asked if this zoning amendment is a change for intoxicating liquor license only and not beer and wine. Mr. Morrison answered yes, that is correct. Council Member Dumalag asked about the setback for C-1 when residents live above a restaurant and if this is similar. Mr. Morrison stated a setback is not required in mixed-use buildings. Council Member Dumalag asked about concerns shared by residents about how much liquor will be served. Mr. Morrison stated there is a minimum percentage of receipts that must be from food sales. DocuSign Envelope ID: D513954B-63EC-40E0-9427-1EE7CDAF6672 City council meeting -4- April 15, 2024 Council Member Dumalag asked for the definition of a setback. Mr. Morrison stated the setback is measured from the building itself to the property line shared in common with the residential property. Council Member Brausen noted the city has a number of non-conforming buildings that exist already with a 100-foot setback, such as at Bunny’s. Mr. Morrison confirmed this observation. Council Member Brausen shared that there have been no public safety concerns with this type of setback where alcohol is served. Mr. Morrison stated to his knowledge, there have been no issues related to zoning. Council Member Rog asked the owners if it will be a drive-in or drive-thru restaurant concept. Mr. Benowitz stated it is a quick-serve restaurant, with no drive-in or drive thru. He added there will be no cars idling, parking will be quick for pick-up in general. Council Member Rog shared that the combination of quick-serve pick up for food along with service of alcohol is a different concept for her, and asked if people will drive away with their alcohol and food. Mr. Benowitz stated they will not offer alcohol beverages to go, noting there will be a clearly defined liquor boundary and also a separate window for ordering liquor, different from the food window, providing for liquor compliance with ID checks as well. Council Member Rog asked staff about THC and if this interfaces at all with this zoning change. Mr. Morrison stated THC is not affected by this zoning change. He added that the city licenses THC beverages to be served at restaurants and a setback from residential is not required. Council Member Rog stated she is in support of this ordinance. Council Member Dumalag asked how strong the margaritas will be. Mr. Benowitz stated all drinks are 1.25 oz. liquor and similar to their other locations. He added these will be batched and on tap to pour over ice, in order to execute quickly and efficiently. Council Member Dumalag stated this makes this equal now, noting that some expressed concern due to this being in a residential area. She is also aware of the food that will be served and she will support this ordinance. She also clarified that city council recently approved food sales receipts at 40% and liquor receipts at 60% for restaurants. Mayor Mohamed stated she had met with the owners and looks forward to the quality food that will be served as well. She will also support this change as well. It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve the first reading of zoning text amendment to reduce the 100-foot setback from residential properties to 25 feet for restaurants with intoxicating liquor in the C-1 neighborhood commercial zoning district. The motion passed 7-0. 8. Communications and announcements. DocuSign Envelope ID: D513954B-63EC-40E0-9427-1EE7CDAF6672 City council meeting -5- April 15, 2024 Ms. Keller stated the city will conduct hydrant flushing to make sure they are in working order, noting this will be done May 5-10 during the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Ms. Keller added road construction will start Wednesday in Minikahda Vista, Browndale and Wolfe Park, and noted residents can go the city website to sign up for updates. Mayor Mohamed will be attending a conference in Switzerland, so Mayor Pro Tem Dumalag will be chairing the meeting next week. She added she will bring back information she learns at the conference. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor DocuSign Envelope ID: D513954B-63EC-40E0-9427-1EE7CDAF6672