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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/10/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes City council meeting St. Louis Park, Minnesota Oct. 7, 2024 1. Call to order. Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:16 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 (arrived at 6:35 p.m.) Council members absent: none Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), deputy city manager (Ms. Walsh), natural resources manager (Mr. Bahe), community development director (Ms. Barton), public services superintendent (Mr. Fisher), public works director (Mr. Hall), senior planner (Ms. Chamberlain), associate planner (Ms. Champoux), engineering director (Ms. Heiser), building and energy director (Mr. Hoffman), economic development manager (Mr. Hunt), redevelopment administrator (Ms. Monson), property maintenance and licensing manager (Mr. Pivec), interim fire chief (Mr. Scott), deputy city clerk (Ms. Scott-Lerdal), park superintendent (Mr. Umphrey), planning manager (Mr. Walther) 2. Approve agenda. It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Rog absent). 3. Presentations. a. Recognition of 2024 Evergreen Award recipients Mr. Bahe presented the awards to the following city residents: o Francie Streich, 4810 West 42nd St., Minikahda Vista in the Traditional Garden Category. o Brooks Whitton, 7423 North St., South Oak Hill in the Alternative Garden category. The mayor and council members congratulated the winners for their innovative achievements. b. Proclamation observing “Indigenous People’s Day” Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation into the record and noted it is a special honor to read it. She added there are also many resources linked in the staff report related to this day. Council Member Baudhuin stated the second Monday in October has traditionally been celebrated as Columbus Day celebration. He stated Columbus Day’s influence was a driving force behind what was done to indigenous peoples and as a member of the clergy, he is noting Docusign Envelope ID: 74DD26EE-DF11-4148-A89C-B25C733908E8 City council meeting -2- Oct. 7, 2024 this for the record. He shared doctrineofdiscovery.org, a resource that explains this history in detail. He added the State of Minnesota conducted the largest execution of Indigenous People in Mankato where 38 Dakota people were hanged. He stated Indigenous Peoples’ Day is very important to recognize and there is much more work to do, and he is proud of St. Louis Park for claiming this. c. Recognition of donations Mayor Mohamed read the donations into the record, which are included in the attached staff report. 4. Minutes. a. Minutes of Sept. 9, 2024 city council meeting b. Minutes of Sept. 9, 2024 city council study session c. Minutes of Sept. 16, 2024 city council meeting d. Minutes of Sept. 16, 2024 city council special study session It was moved by Council Member Baudhuin, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to approve the Sept. 9, 2024 city council meeting and city council study session, and the Sept. 16, 2024 city council meeting and city council special study session minutes as presented. The motion passed 6-0 (Council Member Rog absent). 5. Consent items. a. Approve city disbursements b. Resolution No. 24-112 approving donations to Parks and Recreation Department c. Resolution No. 24-113 approving donations to Fire Department Open House d. Approval to purchase replacement fire department emergency radios e. Declare fire apparatus surplus, authorize their sale and purchase of an electric Chevrolet Blazer f. Resolution No. 24-114 accepting funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and entering into a grant agreement for installation of an electric vehicle charging station g. Resolution No. 24-115, 24-116, 24-117 authorizing intent to reimburse with bond proceeds for major 2025 road construction projects h. Second reading and adoption of zoning ordinance text amendment – breweries with taprooms in IG – general industrial district i. Resolution No. 24-118 approving minor conditional use permit amendment for high school stadium – 6525 Lake Street – Ward 3 j. Resolution No. 24-119 rescinding permit parking at 3308 Texas Avenue – Ward 3 k. Resolution No. 24-120 authorizing Environmental Response Fund grant application for Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue project – Phase 2 (4024-1100) – Ward 4 l. Approve parcel purchase – Cedar Lake Road and Louisiana Avenue project – Phase 2 (4024-1100) – Ward 4 Docusign Envelope ID: 74DD26EE-DF11-4148-A89C-B25C733908E8 City council meeting -3- Oct. 7, 2024 m. Resolution No. 24-121 authorizing special assessment for the sewer service line repair at 3945 Xenwood Avenue South – Ward 2 n. Resolution No. 24-122 authorizing special assessment for the sewer service line repair at 3909 Xenwood Avenue South – Ward 2 o. Resolution No. 24-123 and 24-124 imposing civil penalties for violations of St. Louis Park City Code Chapter 3 Council Member Budd asked to make a comment regarding consent item 5f. She noted this funding from the MPCA was exciting and will put an EV station in Aquila Park in her ward, which was a charging desert and has 25 NOAH properties. This is a way to make electric vehicle use more accessible and factors into the city’s climate action plan to reduce vehicle emissions. Mayor Mohamed added she attended the Fire Station open house, noting there was information on fire prevention which was very educational. It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Brausen, 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. 2025 budget and property owner service charges for Special Service Districts No. 1-6 Ms. Fisher presented the staff report. Council Member Brausen asked how notices were sent to residents and businesses. Ms. Fisher stated the city mailed out notices related to 2025 service charges to each property owner in each district. She added she has not heard any feedback related to the special district service charges at this point. Council Member Rog referenced Districts 5 and 6 where there are no increases, and asked if increases could be made every 10 years or longer, with increases as needed. Ms. Fisher stated the city does have the opportunity to set these rates each year, and then make increases or adjustments in the special service districts where there was not an increase the year prior. She noted council has the authority to recertify the districts every 10 years, and then adjustments are made annually to the budget and service fees based on business needs. Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Mohamed closed the public hearing. She stated this item will return to the council for a vote on Oct. 21, 2024, at the regular scheduled meeting. 7. Regular business. a. Resolution approving municipal consent in MnDOT and Louisiana Avenue project (4025- 8000) - Ward 4 Docusign Envelope ID: 74DD26EE-DF11-4148-A89C-B25C733908E8 City council meeting -4- Oct. 7, 2024 Ms. Heiser introduced MnDOT representatives Ryan Wilson and Nicole Stromgren, who presented the report. Council Member Baudhuin noted the current traffic backup problem. He added this project feels futile without any updates further east on I-394 and asked if MnDOT has any plans to address this issue. Mr. Wilson stated there are no plans right now for that area and noted the tunnel is the “pinch point”. He added MnDOT has considered restriping, but this might create other problems. He added it is not an ideal situation, but there are no current plans in that area. Ms. Stromgren stated that with this project, there will be a continuous lane from Highway 494 to Highway 100, so that will alleviate some of the traffic congestion. Council Member Rog asked about the sidewalk replacement in 2027 and asked staff to speak to that. Ms. Heiser shared that Wayzata Boulevard is in the CIP for reconstruction in 2027. Since the Connect the Park plan identifies the installation of a bikeway, and the Three Rivers Long Range plan identified a trail in the area, the 2027 project will include the removal of the sidewalk and installation of a trail. Because the water main is located against the highway and is within MnDOT’s construction limits, it will need to be relocated under the curb line. This will require the removal of the sidewalk and half the road. She stated that due to these considerations, the city is asking MnDOT to put a trail there, so the bottom line is the restoration work there will install a 28-foot-wide road, an eight-foot trail and a five-foot boulevard, with no parking on either side. Ms. Heiser stated the city will be working with MnDOT on enhancing communication for this project. Council Member Brausen stated he also goes through this area daily and while the construction will be disruptive, it will help with the flow of Highway 394 once complete. He added this does make sense and will cut down on some auto emissions, as cars will no longer be backed up. He observed the construction will be disruptive to businesses and he apologized for this, especially in Ward 4. He stated this is a necessary part of improving the infrastructure there. Council Member Budd added she was glad that MnDOT held an open house, which she attended, noting she was happy to see good attendance. Council Member Rog agreed and was happy residents’ concerns were heard. Council Member Brausen also agreed and stated he appreciated staff’s time and how MnDOT responded to the questions residents had on the project. It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Farris, to adopt Resolution No. 24- 125 approving municipal consent in MNDOT and Louisiana Avenue project (4025-8000) - Ward 4. The motion passed 7-0. b. Resolution approving conditional use permit amendment for Aquila Elementary School expansion – 8500 W. 31st Street – Ward 3 Docusign Envelope ID: 74DD26EE-DF11-4148-A89C-B25C733908E8 City council meeting -5- Oct. 7, 2024 Mr. Walther and Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report. Council Member Farris noted she and Council Member Budd went to the neighborhood meeting where good information was given and it seems this is conditional use permit amendment is much needed. Council Member Budd noted it is exciting that the families at Aquila want to stay there, the extra need can be accommodated, and that these plans are in place. Council Member Brausen asked if there is a reason the city does not have a zoning district for schools, being that this is part of a neighborhood and then a CUP needs to be done. Ms. Chamberlain stated there are civic land use designations within the comprehensive plan. However, there are no zoning districts but this could be considered. She stated education facilities with more than 20 students do require a CUP across all allowed districts, including commercial. Council Member Rog asked if storm shelters are a new requirement for schools. Ms. Chamberlain introduced Mr. Lovagnini, an architect representing Cuningham Group. He stated that in new or remodeled school buildings, a space created for students and staff to go to in an emergency is required. He stated it is a bunker that can withstand a storm and remain safe with emergency power, bathrooms included. He stated the code requires the shelter to include enough space for the addition of the school, but not the entire building. Council Member Rog asked about the construction hours and noted they are slightly off at 7 p.m. versus. 8 p.m. Council Member Brausen stated he is excited and happy to see this improvement. Mayor Mohamed added she attended Aquila Elementary in her younger years, the expansion needed to happen, and she is also happy to see this along with renovations at the high school. It was moved by Council Member Budd, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to adopt Resolution No. 24-126 approving conditional use permit amendment for Aquila Elementary School expansion – 8500 W. 31st Street - Ward 3. The motion passed 7-0. 8. Communications and announcements. Ms. Keller stated construction on Minnetonka Boulevard is on track and thanked everyone for their patience. She noted the next phase will begin on Oct. 12 through mid-November and France Avenue through Inglewood Avenue will be closed. She stated there is still full access to city hall for early voting and noted there is more information on the Hennepin County website, where residents can sign up for alerts. Mayor Mohamed noted it is the Jewish high holidays with Rosh Hoshana this past weekend and Yom Kippur next weekend. Docusign Envelope ID: 74DD26EE-DF11-4148-A89C-B25C733908E8 City council meeting -6- Oct. 7, 2024 Council Member Baudhuin noted the greeting is “Blessed Fast.” He also pointed out Minnesota’s success in the 2024 WNBA finals with “Go Lynx!” Council Member Budd stated she went to the last movies in the park, hosted by the parks and recreation department, and reported that the event was well-attended. She had also attended a vehicle fair where children could climb on trucks and plows, which was also very well attended. She thanked the city staff for their work. 9. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor Docusign Envelope ID: 74DD26EE-DF11-4148-A89C-B25C733908E8