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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/10/29 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - JointJoint Meeting St. Louis Park City Council and School Board Monday, October 29, 2018 City Council Chambers St. Louis Park City Hall 5:30 pm to 9 pm Agenda 5:30 Dinner/Introductions /Review Agenda 5:45 Focus Topics • School Safety and Security/Community Mental Health Initiative o What specific measures should the school district and the city consider to address school safety and larger community mental health issues? • How do we racially diversify the school board and city council? o What actions should members of the city council and school board consider to racially diversify these bodies? • Update on modifications to agreements between School District and City relating to CEAC, facilities, programming, funding, etc. o What is the status of discussions between city and school district staff on this matter? 8:30 Q & A regarding written reports provided: • Update on construction projects (2018 and 2018/19) - School District • Enrollment and perceived impact of housing patterns – School District • School start time/transportation conversation process – School District • Update on ranked choice voting – City • Status of Westwood Hills Nature Center project – City • Body worn camera deployment – City • Historic Walker Lake initiative - City 8:55 Establish date and possible topics for next joint meeting o Suggested date to consider: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 o Suggested topics?? 9:00 Adjourn City Council and School Board Joint Meeting City of St. Louis Park Reports Update on Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is a method of voting that allows voters to rank multiple candidates for the same office in order of preference. Under current state law, only home rule charter cities have the option to use a different voting method. Therefore, RCV can only be used to elect the offices of mayor and councilmember. It is not used in elections for the school board, county, state or federal offices. RCV combines the primary and general election into one event in November. Switching to an alternative voting method to elect mayor and council will not change how school district offices are elected. In St. Louis Park, the odd-year ballots will feature city offices on one side of the ballot (using the RCV method) and school district offices on the other side of the ballot (using traditional voting method). Instructions for how to vote on each side of the ballot will be clearly denoted for voters. In May, 2018 the city council unanimously approved an ordinance amending the City Charter to allow for the use of ranked-choice voting in municipal elections to elect the offices of mayor and councilmember. The adoption of this ordinance was the first step in a process to implement ranked-choice voting. Once a city makes the decision to use an alternative voting method, they are required to provide the rules that will govern the administration of municipal elections. St. Louis Park will do this via ordinance. The primary reason for this is that state election law does not speak to the rules for the administration of elections using the ranked- choice method. The city is obligated to ensure that the rules for the conduct of municipal elections continue to meet all state and federal election laws where applicable. The ordinance is required to address the following topics: ballot format, number of rankings, tabulation of votes, write-ins, method of resolving ties, counting procedures, voting systems, testing, reporting results, post-election review, and recounts. Subsequent to the adoption of the charter amendment, the city council met four times to discuss and develop the ordinance that will provide the rules that will govern the administration of municipal elections. The key elements of the ordinance are: 1. The St. Louis Park ordinance will largely follow the “Minneapolis model” because the rules and procedures used in Minneapolis have been deemed legal by the courts and have been tested and proven to work in conjunction with the current voting equipment and administrative procedures in place in Hennepin County. 2. Number of rankings – the ordinance will contain language that will allow voters to rank at least three (3), but not more than six (6) candidates for each municipal office on the ballot, in order of preference. This provides the city with flexibility in the future to potentially increase the number of rankings allowed when new equipment or technology is available to automatically tabulate beyond three (3) rankings. 3.The threshold that must be reached for a candidate to be elected is 50% +1 of the total ballots cast for an office. 4.Candidates who wish to have their write-in votes counted must file a written request with the city clerk’s office prior to the election. 5.The chief election official is authorized to resolve any ties that occur by lot. 6.Recounts will be conducted in accordance with the procedures outline in state law. 7.The city will conduct a voluntary post-election review to verify the accuracy of the results and voting system used. The city council will consider the first reading of the proposed ordinance on November 19. Upon final adoption of the ordinance, staff will initiate a robust communications plan that encompasses the breadth of materials needed for voter outreach and education, staff and election judge training, candidate training, absentee voting, and Election Day supplies. This includes significant education regarding the fact that the ballot will contain two different voting styles – RCV for municipal races, non-RCV (traditional) for school district races. The goal is to make this change as smooth as possible for all voters in St. Louis Park. All staff reports and presentations related to the process of implementing RCV in St. Louis Park are available on the city’s website at www.stlouispark.org/government/elections/ranked- choice-voting Status on Westwood Hills Nature Center project On May 23, 2016 council approved the master plan for Westwood Hills Nature Center (WHNC). The poor conditions of this facility along with the success of the programs we offer at this site, with limited program space, were the impetus behind a master planning process. Through the design process, staff met with several school district groups to gain an understanding of the needs of the school district. Here are some of the findings from those meeting: School District programming: •Staff is working with the St. Louis Park School District to create a curriculum for the new building as well as to update current programs. •In May 2018, staff met with PTO’s, school principals, and the Superintendent to discuss building design and future school programming. •Staff met with Patrick Duffy, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, on September 11, 2018 to discuss building design and future school programming. •Staff met with Sara Thompson, Communications Manager, to discuss building design and future school programming. •The school district is interested in collaborating on creative programming and potentially designing Westwood Hills Nature Center into their curriculum. Westwood Hills Nature Center programming: •Operations and recreation staff are working with the city’s Racial Equity Manager to ensure programming is designed with a race and equity lens. •Staff have met and will continue to meet with the Multi-Cultural Advisory Commission to discuss building designs and programming with a race and equity lens. •Staff will be working with the city outreach team to discuss programming ideas and potential barriers for diverse populations. •The nature center is open seven days a week and offers programs at various times during the day, evening and weekends to accommodate all populations. •The building location is sited, in part, to increase visibility and make it easier for all to use the facility. With the building being located near the parking lot, it will be easier and appear safer for all populations to access the new interpretive center. Project Timeline •October, 1, 2018- City council authorized bids on the project •November 19, 2018- Staff will ask Council to approve bid packages •November/December/January 2019- Contracts finalized with low bidders and project site prep is undertaken •Early 2020- new building completion •Late 2020-existing building is deconstructed (recycling all possible materials) Body worn camera deployment In November 2017, Chief Mike Harcey recommended to the St. Louis Park City Council that the police department implement a body-worn camera program to assist in collecting evidence, writing accurate reports and providing greater transparency and accountability. At the council’s direction, policy development and evaluation and testing of body-worn camera hardware and software equipment began in January 2018. In order to develop a comprehensive policy on the appropriate use of body cameras that would meet the community’s expectations, an internal work group was formed to evaluate best practices, model policies and state statutes regarding the use of body-worn cameras. The resulting draft policy was shared with the city’s police advisory and human rights commissions and multi-cultural advisory committee; with the St. Louis Park School District; and with Benilde St. Margaret’s School and other local private schools. Feedback from each of the groups was evaluated carefully, with a number of recommendations incorporated into the body-worn camera draft policy. On July 30, the draft policy was made available on the city’s website at www.stlouispark.org, and the community was invited to review the draft and provide comments online. Additionally, the community was invited to attend a public hearing as part of the St. Louis Park City Council meeting on August 20. At the public hearing attendees provided comments to the city council regarding the body-worn camera draft policy. Additionally, the comments received online were provided to the city council and entered into the public record. All comments were carefully reviewed and evaluated to ensure the body-worn camera policy meets the needs of our community. City council reviewed the draft policy and provided feedback on changes that represented the interest of the community. Chief Harcey presented a final draft policy which City Council affirmed on September 4th. The body worn camera policy is available on-line at, https://www.stlouispark.org/government/departments-divisions/police-department/body- worn-cameras The policy section that addresses the use of body worn cameras in our schools is as follows: School Resource Officers The St. Louis Park Police Department recognizes that the duties and working environment for School Resource Officers (SRO) are unique within policing. It recognizes the SROs are required to maintain school safety while keeping the sanctity of the learning environment that the school provides. SROs are expected to continuously build trusting relationships with students and staff. SROs often have impromptu interventions with students to deescalate arguments and/or conflicts. It is with this understanding that the St. Louis Park Police Department provide special guidelines for SROs and their BWC. The BWC should be activated in any of the following situations: (a)When summoned by any individual to respond to an incident where it is likely that law enforcement action will occur when you arrive. (b)Any self-initiated activity where it is previously known that you will make a custodial arrest. (c)Any self-initiated activity where it is previously known that you’re questioning / investigation will be used later in a criminal charge. (d)When feasible an SRO shall activate the BWC when the contact becomes adversarial or the subject exhibits unusual behaviors. Nothing in the policy undermines the fact that in many instances SROs are suddenly forced to take law enforcement action and have no opportunity to activate the BWC. It is also recognized that SROs have private (confidential) conversations with juveniles. It is not always appropriate to record these conversations as it diminishes the trust between the individual and the SRO. A second internal work group has been evaluating the available body-worn camera hardware and software to identify the appropriate equipment that will meet the needs of the St. Louis Park Police Department. Field testing of equipment from two vendors is underway and should be completed by December 2018. Following evaluation of the testing, equipment will be purchased from the selected vendor. Once the equipment has been selected, officers will receive comprehensive training on the equipment and its appropriate use. The goal is that by March 31, 2019, all St. Louis Park police officers will be using body-worn cameras. Historic Walker-Lake initiative The City of St. Louis Park has been working with the residents, businesses and property owners of the Historic Walker Lake district for the past few years to find ways to revitalize the area, engage the community and attract visitors. These efforts include branding, an activation plan, a new street design, and a small area revitalization plan that includes design guidelines and a comprehensive parking analysis. In November 2016, the city was awarded a Moving the Market Grant from Hennepin County to facilitate reactivation of the Walker/Lake business area. With these funds, city staff worked with the businesses, high school and community members in the district to promote and rejuvenate the area neighborhood and businesses. The "Historic Walker Lake" brand was developed through a focus group, and an Activation Plan was written for Historic Walker Lake to identify placemaking activities for the area and easy to implement steps to generate more activity in the area. With the remaining grant funds, and as a way to incorporate placemaking, the city will install wayfinding elements, including street sign toppers and banners, this fall. Over the next five years, the city has dedicated money to improve streets, reconstruct alleys, build sidewalks and install bikeways in the Historic Walker Lake area. A design study is currently being developed by SRF Consulting to provide concepts for the streets, sidewalks and amenities. In addition to meeting with the community, staff continues to meet with the school district to discuss the plan and how it relates to the stadium, circulation, and Central Community Center. The design study is expected to conclude this winter. Construction on Walker Street and Library Lane will begin in the spring of 2019 and finish in the fall of 2019. Construction on the Wooddale bridge widening is expected to be substantially complete by end of November (fully open to vehicle traffic). Final aesthetic finishes will be completed spring of 2019. The city is also working with the consultant Asakura Robinson on a Small Area Revitalization Plan for Historic Walker Lake. The goals of the project include: create design guidelines that will enhance the area’s identity, activity and appeal while keeping reinvestment consistent with the character of the area; conduct a parking study to provide parking strategies (shared parking opportunities, design, location, and policy recommendations); identify opportunities for public art and placemaking, and develop an implementation plan that includes costs and potential funding sources of improvements. The process is expected to take six months, and will include many opportunities to gather input from area businesses, property owners, neighbors and the school district. Excitement has been growing within Historic Walker Lake. Community members, businesses and students have held events in the area and new businesses continue to move in. Some of these include: SLP Nest, Legion, Sota Clothing, and Loc Starz hair salon, and Habitation. Future events are expected such as a community based mural, pop-up events, and the annual Holiday Train (coming December 11th). School Board and City Council Joint Meeting St. Louis Park Public Schools Update on Construction Projects St. Louis Park Public Schools was approved $100.9 million in referendum funds in November 2017 and started the necessary improvements to district facilities. In the summer of 2018 these improvements included: air conditioning at all elementary schools, new security entrance at Peter Hobart Elementary, upgraded security systems at Susan Lindgren, Lenox, Peter Hobart, and Aquila. As a part of the construction plan, the district office moved out of the High School to 6311 Wayzata Blvd. In addition, there were district wide sidewalk repairs, plumbing repairs, and eight classroom spaces designed and remodeled with new furniture and technology. In the spring/summer of 2019, the district will be renovating and remodeling Aquila’s kitchen, classrooms, and media center with new furniture and technology. We will be conducting a full renovation of Cedar Manor Elementary to prepare for the move of Park Spanish Immersion. Along with the work that will be done at Aquila and Cedar Manor we will start renovations and the additions at the Middle School and High School. These renovations and additions include High School locker room remodeling, tennis court replacements, weight room addition, and renovation of the old district office for administrative offices. At the Middle School, we will be renovating the Media Center and adding seven new classrooms above the existing media center. We will also be adding onto the existing cafeteria for future kitchen and cafeteria renovations, upgrading two classrooms, and preparing for the Performing Arts construction by developing a temporary school entrance, to be used during the 2020-21 school year. 2018 Completed Summer Projects Location(s) Project(s) Aquila, Peter Hobart, Susan Lindgren ● Cooling Projects (air conditioning installation) Aquila, Peter Hobart, Park Spanish Immersion, Susan Lindgren ● Two mock classrooms at each site (remodeled classroom space with updated technology) ● Deferred maintenance Peter Hobart ● Secured entrance Lenox ● Renovations of classrooms and restrooms District Office ● Relocation to 6311 Wayzata Blvd Districtwide ● Deferred maintenance ○ Sidewalk repairs ○ Plumbing repairs 2019 Proposed Projects Location(s) Project(s) Aquila ● Kitchen ● Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment ○ Classrooms ○ Media Center PSI (Cedar Manor) ● Kitchen ● Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment ○ Classrooms ○ Media Center Middle School ● Cafeteria addition ● Entryway modifications ● Media Center addition ● Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment ○ Classrooms High School ● Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment ○ Classrooms ● Main office ● Locker Room ● Tennis Courts ● Weight Room/Fitness Center Enrollment and perceived impact housing patterns Overall enrollment in the district has been relatively flat over the past couple of years. Since the 2013-14 school year St. Louis Park Public Schools has had over 4550 students enrolled at the October 1 enrollment count each year. Our open enrollment numbers remain steady at 16.6% of our overall enrollment. The chart below shows enrollment trends over the past 12 school years. Overall Student Enrollment Enrollment by School For the past couple of school years we have seen shifts in enrollment at individual elementary sites. We recognize that birth patterns, housing patterns, and school choice play a role in our enrollment numbers. Specifically, this year we saw a decrease in the number of students attending Susan Lindgren. As we looked into the change in enrollment at Susan Lindgren, we saw that a number of the student withdrawals we received were from families living in areas in which there had been a reduction to naturally occurring affordable housing units. Susan Lindgren serves two areas that have been impacted by the reduction of naturally occurring affordable housing (Era on Excelsior and The Courtyard Apartments). While we understand that this shift does not account for all of the decrease in enrollment at Susan Lindgren, this stood out as we have had some families express their disappointment and sadness about having to leave the St. Louis Park Public School district due to housing. We are also looking to develop a system to get feedback from resident families districtwide who withdraw from the district and choose other public schools. This data will be helpful as we continue to implement our strategic plan and facilitate the actualization of our mission for the 4590 students attending our schools. School start time/transportation conversation process As part of the 2015-20 Strategic Plan and as a result of the on-going facilities work (including the Park Spanish Immersion School move to the Cedar Manor site in the Fall of 2019), St. Louis Park Public Schools will complete a school start/end times study to determine the optimal schedule to meet the overall health, academic and social/developmental needs of all K-12 students. This work will include recommendations for bus routes and pickup and drop-off times for all students. Extensive research, best practices, input from stakeholders, and the parameters of the school district budget will inform the work. Project Team The District will actively recruit and invite students, parents, staff, and administration to apply to join the project team. Applications will be open October 26-November 1, 2018. The school district's bus routing and transportation providers will also participate on the project team. District administration will select team members and notify them of their participation by November 5, 2018. Project team members will be asked to read and become familiar with a large body of research, best practices, and case studies related to school start/end times prior to the first team meeting to ground themselves in the work. Process Methodology The Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitation method will be utilized to guide the project team through their work. ToP creates an environment where project teams work collaboratively to solve a complex problem. All voices are actively involved and multiple perspectives and differences are honored. Consensus is achieved through shared awareness, shared agreement, and committed action. Irina Fursman, HueLife, will lead the work with co-facilitation from Sara Thompson, APR, Director of Communications & Community Relations for the school district. Timeline The project team will meet four times to complete the work. The school district will actively engage with stakeholders twice during the process to seek multiple perspectives and public input. School Board presentations will occur regularly throughout the process to share information with the greater community. Below is a suggested timeline for the work (modifications will be made during the process if necessary). October 2018 Recruit and Select Project Team November 19, 2018 Meeting #1: Introductions & Setting the Context for the Work December 17, 2018 Meeting #2: Reflecting & Sharing Perspectives and Experiences January 14-25, 2019 Public Input #1: Hopes & Dreams February 4, 2019 Meeting #3: Generating Alternatives & Scenarios February 20-25, 2019 Public Input #2: Feedback on Alternatives & Scenarios March 4, 2019 Meeting #4: Recommendations & Articulating Commitment It is expected that one or more recommendations with pros/cons and associated budget implications will be presented to the School Board in March 2019 and the new start/end times, bus routes and bus times will be implemented Fall 2019.