The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2024/06/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes City council study session St. Louis Park, Minnesota June 10, 2024 The meeting convened at 6:04 p.m. Council members present: Mayor pro tem Sue Budd, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Lynette Dumalag, Margaret Rog Council members absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed Staff present: Deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), planning manager (Mr. Walther), natural resources manager (Mr. Bahe), associate planner (Ms. Champoux), community development director (Ms. Barton), building and energy director (Mr. Hoffman), sustainability manager (Ms. Ziring), sustainability specialist (Ms. Rabine), sustainability specialist (Ms. Pottorff), park superintendent (Mr. Umphrey) Guests: none Discussion items 1. Tree preservations policy changes Mr. Walther introduced the item and Ms. Champoux presented the staff report. The policy question was whether the council supports the proposed amendments to the tree protection policy in city code. Council Member Dumalag stated that she supports the proposed amendments. Council Member Baudhuin also stated his support. He asked what the trunk diameter used for new-planted trees is; whether the 30-inch diameter requirement applies to commercial properties only. Mr. Walther indicated the minimum size of new tree plantings is 2.5-caliper- inches. The tree preservation code applies to commercial properties of all kinds (e.g. multifamily, retail, office, industrial, etc.) and residential subdivisions. Mr. Walther confirmed that the 30-inch diameter heritage tree definition would apply to all these types of properties. Council Member Baudhuin asked how the cities’ tree preservation incentive programs, such as injections to protect Ash trees from Emerald Ash Borer, are being communicated to the public. Mr. Bahe stated that the information is widely distributed. Council Member Baudhuin expressed his desire for the city to provide greater technical support, such as greater protections for significant trees that have not yet met the heritage tree preservation size. Mr. Walther noted that significant trees are protected and the replacement requirements increase based on the size of the trees removed, even before they reach the heritage tree designation. Council Member Brausen stated his support for the proposed amendments. He asked city staff to continue to explore ways to evaluate the components of the tree canopy that is privately owned. He asked staff to confirm that variances would be approved in order to preserve trees. Docusign Envelope ID: 0F5139B7-50DD-4E83-9EB0-E386F9A83D2D Study session minutes -2- June 10, 2024 Mr. Walther described how preserving trees alone may not satisfy the state-mandated findings required for granting variances, but it can be one of the considerations when evaluating variances, and staff does seek and suggest ways to preserve trees, meet city code requirements and achieve the applicant’s goals. Council Member Brausen asked staff to consider a heritage tree policy for exempt properties (such as single-family and two-family residential properties), including methods to discourage heritage tree removal. Council Member Rog asked if city staff would also consider applying the tree preservation codes to one and two-unit residential building projects that currently require a construction management plan, such as when houses are demolished and rebuilt, and when there are significant house additions. She stated her support for a tree protection permit, though she added her concerns regarding potential loopholes in the permit process, such as allowing up to 20% of the total significant tree inches on a lot to be removed without replacement. Council Member Rog asked if city code has been effective for stopping tree removal. Mr. Walther stated that it is difficult to evaluate efficacy. He recalled situations where trees were protected and preserved, but staff has not aggregated that data for reporting. Mr. Walther shared anecdotal observations from other cities with heritage tree preservation ordinances. These cities are observing that increased fees for tree removal have saved trees and impacted decisions made by residents and commercial developers. Council Member Rog stated that she is very passionate about this policy and pointed out that the permit process is a very good starting place. Council Member Brausen asked if other cities have applied heritage tree preservation ordinances to all properties. Ms. Champoux explained that the City of Wayzata applies their code to all properties. Mr. Walther clarified that their rules apply to properties that are issued building permits or erosion control permits; not all properties at all times. Council Member Farris stated that she is in support of the proposed amendments. She asked if city assistance was possible for necessary tree removals and injections to prevent the destruction of the emerald ash borer. Mr. Bahe shared some of the programs the city currently offers. Mayor pro tem Budd agreed with the proposed amendments as well. She asked about a possible incentive for heritage tree preservation on private property, and what landscaping requirements entail. She asked staff to monitor the results of the proposed amendments – particularly, the potential extension to construction management plan projects – of the tree preservation policy, should they be adopted formally. The next steps include a public hearing at the planning commission and council formal consideration of an ordinance in the third quarter of 2024. Docusign Envelope ID: 0F5139B7-50DD-4E83-9EB0-E386F9A83D2D Study session minutes -3- June 10, 2024 2. Environmental Stewardship dashboard presentation Ms. Rabine presented the report and demonstrated the Environmental Stewardship dashboard on the city website by navigating the dashboard’s features. Council Member Brausen asked if staff could add goal lines to the Energy tab of the dashboard. Ms. Rabine clarified that staff’s original intent was to add goal lines to the data, but due to how the data is collected and combined, were unable to do so. Ms. Rabine pointed out how the Waste Reduction & Reuse tab on the dashboard includes residential data only, as the city does not have the ability to track waste tonnage generated by private commercial haulers. She indicated the Regional Indicator Initiatives, a separate website page linked on the Environmental Stewardship landing page, is the best location to look up current estimates on total residential and commercial waste. Council members discussed potential future improvements to the Transportation tab, including showing electric vehicle registration numbers and overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation, in order to more closely align with the Climate Action Plan goal. Council Member Rog indicated she would like to see data on overall water consumption over time on the dashboard’s Water tab. She also asked whether staff could add the city’s overall tree canopy percentage to the Tree tab. Staff confirmed that the city has this data available and will add it to the dashboard. Written reports 3. Revised Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy (EP3) 4. Connected infrastructure system wrap-up 5. Preliminary site plan concept for Economic Development Authority’s Minnetonka Boulevard properties – Ward 1 Council Member Dumalag noted her appreciation that unfunded projects were specified in the Connected infrastructure system wrap-up report. Regarding the report for the preliminary site plan concept for Economic Development Authority’s Minnetonka Boulevard properties, Council Member Brausen asked staff to closely review design features. He would like to see energy savings utilized in the materials used, and though it may lead to higher costs initially, the savings would be realized over time. He asked staff to seek subsidies where possible. Council Member Rog added that she likes how this project prioritizes residents’ ability to both live and work in St. Louis Park. Communications/meeting check-in (verbal) The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor Docusign Envelope ID: 0F5139B7-50DD-4E83-9EB0-E386F9A83D2D