HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/09/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionIf/St. Louis Park Official minutes
M I N N E S 0 T A City council study session
Geferience UFe hi hho Park St. Louis Park, Minnesota
September 24, 2018
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen (arrived 6:35 p.m.), Steve Hallfin,
Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller (left 7:35 p.m.), and Margaret Rog.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Chief Financial Officer (Mr. Simon), Engineering
Director (Ms. Heiser), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Elkin), Public Works
Superintendent (Mr. Hanson), Operations Manager (Mr. Stevens), Deputy City Manager/Human
Resources Director (Ms. Deno), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: Stacy Kvilvang, Ehlers; Della Young and Katie Thompson, Surface Water Consultants
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— October, 2018
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for October, 2018.
Mr. Harmening stated affordable housing will be on Monday's meeting agenda, along with
approval of the affordable housing trust fund.
Councilmember Rog asked when there will be some follow-up questions related to the crime -free
ordinance. Mr. Harmening stated this discussion will happen in October.
2. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Mayor Spano stated this proclamation would be moved to the city council's October 1st
meeting agenda.
3. Surface water management plan update
Mr. Elkin stated the city is required to update their Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) in
conjunction with the comprehensive plan, and to comply with changes made to local watershed
management organization plans.
Mr. Elkin stated as part of the approval process, council must authorize the release of the draft
document for agency review prior to adopting the plan. This discussion, along with the public
posting of the SWMP document is to allow council to ask questions and clarification of the plan
prior to agency distribution.
Councilmember Rog noted the city's investment in surface water over the next decade is $30
million, which is 2.5 times that of the Nature Center. She noted when these two are compared,
there is much more to do on surface water vs. the nature center. She suggested that each ward
in the city conduct neighborhood meetings where residents can provide input, in order to get
some good participation and have a robust public process, as it relates to surface water
management for bodies of water within neighborhoods.
Study Session Minutes -2- September 24, 2018
Councilmember Rog also suggested the council members have a guided tour of the surface
water areas, and talk about issues with ponds and lakes within the city.
Councilmember Harris added she would like staff to share past practices related to SWMP. She
would like to know what has been done in the past, and what creative activities could be
conducted in order to gather input from neighbors.
Mr. Elkin stated the Friends of Bass Lake came to staff with their concerns, and staff
investigated issues and met with groups, while also including information in public notices
about the storm water pollution plan. He added a few residents showed up at meetings and
staff tracked calls on storm water, while also using Next Door, Linked In, Facebook, and emails
in order to spread the word about the public input process. Mr. Elkin stated this continues to be
a work in progress, adding staff is open to suggestions on this from the council.
Ms. Young stated staff wanted to make sure they were valuing people's time, adding there was
concern about stakeholder fatigue. She did note there was also an online survey conducted in
order to gather residents input about water management plans. Likewise, open houses were
hosted, and neighbor's concerns were answered and incorporated into updates.
Councilmember Harris asked staff how they are balancing aquatic desires with pollution issues,
especially as it relates to lily pads. Ms. Young stated they really discussed overall education, and
don't focus just on lily pads, adding as new things are learned about the environment, plans are
adapted.
Councilmember Mavity stated there is more transparency and orderliness today with this
process, than in past years. She stated there is more public involvement now, while pointing
out this continues to be a complicated plan. She asked if the December public hearing will
address the plan the council is reviewing this evening. Mr. Elkin stated yes, and added
November 30 is the deadline for public input.
Councilmember Mavity added she thinks neighborhood meetings are an excellent use of staff
time.
Councilmember Brausen stated he appreciated staff's work on driving this project in order to be
in accordance with state regulations. He added he is torn about neighborhood meetings, and
also has concerns about resident fatigue, adding he has not heard anything in his ward on this
topic, except for one comment on the lake behind Westwood Church. He stated he would be
fine with holding an open house, having councilmembers there, but will rely on staff for this.
Councilmember Hallfin noted he has a family member living on Twin Lake, who has commented
about the numerous lily pads there, and that they have taken over the whole lake. He noted
this is not good visually, or for recreational use of the lake, and asked what the city can do to
help this neighborhood. He noted also this would probably include the DNR getting involved as
well.
Mr. Elkin stated the city's plan is managing on a day-to-day basis, adding the lily pads are a
complex issue. He stated Twin Lake is being monitored, noting staff has no good answer as to
Study Session Minutes -3- September 24, 2018
why the lily pads multiplied beginning in 2015. He added it's a sign of a clear lake, and staff
continues to monitor.
Mr. Harmening stated with the lakes being covered by lily pads or algae, they are doing what
they are supposed to do, which is managing the water, even though they are not always
aesthetic to look at. He noted this is one of the biggest comments staff hears from residents,
and also that no one wants to insert chemicals either, in these ponds, as it goes against our city
environmental goals.
Councilmember Miller stated he is supportive of the plan, but emphasized, there does seem to
be confusion about surface water management as a whole, along with a communication
challenge.
Mayor Spano added the council has had multiple conversations about this issue, adding that
ecological value takes precedence over recreational value of these waters. He stated an open
house might be helpful, and tours for the council are a great idea. He asked staff if there is a
disaster prep document, and added it would be helpful for staff to also supply a glossary of
terms to make the document more understandable. He stated he is supportive of the goals of
the SWMP.
4. 2019 utility rate analysis
Mr. Simon noted that Ms. Kvilvang would be presenting an analysis and recommendations to
the council to help determine utility rates for 2019. He stated the last time a utility rate review
was conducted was 2010, and out of that study a number of important strategies emerged
around conservation and revenue stability to ensure the city's rate structure from 8 years ago is
still meeting its objectives for water, sewer and solid waste.
Mr. Simon added that going forward, staff will update the analysis every year to ensure it
remains on track with council goals and priorities, especially given the significant reinvestment
needs in CIP over the next 10 years for water, sewer and solid waste.
Councilmember Mavity asked how it is equitable having the city's industrial business paying less
for their utility fees, vs. commercial business. She noted the goals are to charge more for the
more water they use, and the recommendations seem inequitable.
Mr. Simon referenced the water capital improvement plan, and noted the cost of $32,109,600
for total improvements over the next 10 years.
Councilmember Brausen asked if the city can tier apartment charges on utilities to provide price
reductions for NOAH properties. He stated he was supportive of this proposal and the
recommendations presented.
Councilmember Hallfin asked where the city is at for water capacity. Mr. Hanson stated the city
is at 86% for water capacity, adding this is a big change and proves that water conservation is
working, as it dropped down from 93% to 86% since 2010. He stated the city is well within
water capacity through 2030-2040.
Study Session Minutes -4- September 24, 2018
Ms. Deno stated staff will come back to council mid-October to set utility rates.
S. Pavement management program overview
Ms. Heiser and Mr. Stevens presented an overview of the pavement management program and
related goals.
Ms. Heiser noted the city has had a pavement management program since 2004 and has spent
$3 million per year on pavement management since that time. She explained that certain
repairs are completed at certain times, and other times more extensive repairs are needed.
Similarly, the city's pavement management program was developed to address street
rehabilitation in a proactive way.
Ms. Heiser noted the goal for city streets is a score of 70, meaning every year streets must then
be patched or completely redone to work toward this goal.
Ms. Heiser noted that there is a trade off on using concrete vs. bituminous, pointing out that
concrete takes longer to cure, and so property owners cannot drive on it for 7 days. However, it
lasts longer than bituminous. She also noted that concrete is icier in the winter months vs.
bituminous which due to its dark color has a warmer temperature, melting ice and snow when
the sun is out.
Mayor Spano asked the council if they are comfortable with a rating of 70 as their goal for city
streets. Mr. Harmening pointed out that this goal drives the funding needed for annual street
rehabilitation, ultimately determining the franchise fees that the city will need to collect.
Ms. Heiser also noted that the recommended design for the historic Walker Lake district street
rehabilitation and streetscape require additional funding, through franchise fees, through
CenterPoint, and Xcel Energy.
Staff will return to the council at a later date to finalize the franchise fees.
Written Reports normally only provided and documented for recording purposes, unless further
discussion is wanted from council.
6. Establishing a proposed public sewer and water utilities protection program
7. Sustainability update
8. Firearms discussion update
9. August 2018 monthly financial report
10. Cedar Lake Road Improvement Project No. 4019-1100
11. St. Louis Park comprehensive housing market study update
Councilmember Mavity noted the 2018 housing market study written report and asked
Study Session Minutes -5- September 24, 2018
once the city's population is at 50,001, will that be a benefit or a liability, and how will it
affect budget issues. Mr. Harmening stated this is not as significant as it used to be, and
he is not aware of any negatives.
Councilmember Mavity stated there seems to be concern about displacement with
tenants and they are asking the city to come in and convince owners to do something
about it. Mr. Harmening stated tenants can use vouchers, which come under city
purview. He also noted the city could bring in the HRA levy and fill in gaps as well.
Councilmember Rog appreciated this report and discussion, adding she is supportive of
continuing to provide additional support for these folks to stay in St. Louis Park.
Councilmember Mavity stated she wants to be sure staff communicates with residents
and is working on this and all are on the same page.
Councilmember Rog added she still has concerns with the issues around bedroom size,
and family size, and making sure evictions were not happening around that.
Councilmember Harris stated the Urban Park apartments have the move turnover, and
asked if they city can have tenants move there.
Councilmember Brausen stated he has talked to tenants at Lou Park Apartments
repeatedly and told them to contact their legislators, adding that the city is committed to
working with them on their housing issues.
Councilmember Mavity also stated an RFP should be done by the city for senior housing
as well.
Councilmember Rog asked about the firearms written report, wondering how much
bandwidth the city has to continue with this project and pursue it. She noted it will be
difficult for staff and will take staff time away from other projects. She asked the council
members for their thoughts on this.
Councilmember Brausen stated he is in favor of having the Planning Commission
continue to look at this, as the council directed them to do. He noted the city's legal team
has done most of the work on this, and he also feels the council owes this to the high
school kids.
Mr. Harmening stated recommendations will come to the council bythis fall or the end of
the year.
12. PLACE Via Sol and Via Luna projects update
The meeting adjourned at 9:20
Melissa I<A,pnedy, City Cie