OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 4, 2017 1. Call to Order Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Mattick), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Director of Community Development (Ms. Barton), CIO (Mr. Pires), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Communications Manager (Ms. Larson), Solid Waste Program Specialist (Ms. Barker), Public Works Services Manager (Mr. Merkley), Operations & Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Residents 1a. Pledge of Allegiance 1b. Roll Call 2. Presentations 2a. Recognition of Donations Mayor Spano thanked the following for their recent donations: St. Louis Park Golden Kiwanis donated $100 to Westwood Hills Nature Center Halloween Party. Cub Scout Pack 460 Grandparents donated $100 to Westwood Hills Nature Center Park Enhancements and Programs Leslie Marcus donated $100 to Westwood Hills Nature Center Park Enhancements and Programs 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes November 6, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the November 6, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes as presented. 3b. City Council Study Session Minutes November 13, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Lindberg, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the November 13, 2017 City Council Study Session Meeting Minutes as presented.
City Council Meeting -2- December 4, 2017 3c. City Council Special Study Session Minutes November 20, 2017 Councilmember Brausen noted on page 3, paragraph 3, it should read Councilmember Brausen agrees with Councilmember Miller that he would like the council to review more detailed development proposals of the other developers, so they can see the alternative developments. Councilmember Sanger stated her comment related to the parking ramp being next to the street should read her concern is that the parking ramp should be surrounded by the building. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the City Council Special Study Session November 20, 2017Meeting Minutes as amended. 3d. City Council Minutes November 20, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Lindberg, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the City Council November 20, 2017 Meeting Minutes as presented. 3e. Study Session City Council Minutes November 27, 2017 Councilmember Brausen stated on page 4, paragraph 9, it should read, Councilmember Brausen noted the council should receive immediate notification of incidents occurring at schools or public places, as the safety of our children and the public are always of paramount concern. It was moved by Councilmember Hallfin, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the Study Session City Council November 27, 2017 Meeting Minutes as amended. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar 4a. Accept for filing City Disbursement Claims for the period of October 28, through November 24, 2017. 4b. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2527-17 prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products and to approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 17-179 designating polling places for the 2018 elections. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 17-180 approving 2018 liquor license fees for the license term March 1, 2018 through March 1, 2019 pursuant to M.S. Section 340A.408 and Section 3-59 of the St. Louis Park City Code.
City Council Meeting -3- December 4, 2017 4e. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2528-17 amending Chapter 36 of the St. Louis Park Code of Ordinances relating to zoning to allow a 3rd shift with conditions at Industrial zoned properties when adjacent to residential zoned properties, and to approve the ordinance summary for publication. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 17-181 approving a minor amendment to the Park Place Plaza Planned Unit Development to allow a new store front at the 5600 Cedar Lake Road multi-tenant building. 4g. Adopt Resolution No. 17-182 authorizing the issuance of special permits for extended liquor sales hours during the Super Bowl. 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 17-183 establishing a special assessment for the installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system at 3925 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN. 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 17-184 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3412 Xenwood Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN. P.I.D. 16-117-21-31-0012. 4j. Adopt Resolution No. 17-185 approving acceptance of a monetary donation from St. Louis Park Golden Kiwanis in the amount of $100 for the Westwood Hills Nature Center Halloween Party, Cub Scout Pack 460 Grandparents in the amount of $100 for Westwood Hills Nature Center park enhancements or programs and Leslie Marcus in the amount of $100 for Westwood Hills Nature Center park enhancements or programs. 4k. Adopt Resolution No. 17-186 accepting work and authorizing final payment in the amount of $18,971.23 for the annual Concrete Replacement Project with Concrete Idea, Inc. - Project No. 4017-0003, City Contract No. 18-17. 4l. Moved to 8b. Councilmember Brausen requested that Consent Calendar Item 4l. be removed and placed on the Regular Agenda as 8b. It was moved by Councilmember Lindberg, seconded by Councilmember Brausen, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar as amended to move Consent Calendar Item 4l to the Regular Agenda as Item 8b; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. 5. Boards and Commissions 5a. Approve Reappointment of William McMillan to the Fire Civil Service Commission. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Lindberg, to approve the reappointment of William McMillan to the Fire Civil Service Commission with a term to expire December 31, 2020. 5b. Approve the appointment of Youth Representative to Human Rights Commission.
City Council Meeting -4- December 4, 2017 It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve the appointment of Jack Ostrovsky to the Human Rights Commission for the current term ending August 31, 2018. Mayor Spano thanked those who serve the community on boards and commissions. Councilmember Brausen encouraged high school students to come forward and serve on the city commissions. 6. Public Hearings 6a. 2018 Proposed Budget, Tax Levies and Truth in Taxation Public Hearing. Mr. Simon presented the staff report, noting that the council has proposed the 2018 Final Property Tax Levy be a 4.9% increase over the 2017 Final Property Tax Levy. Mr. Simon also presented information pertaining to the 2018 budget and 2018 proposed general property tax and HRA levies. He noted that a Facebook live presentation was conducted on November 14, where citizens could ask questions about the 2018 proposed budget. Mr. Simon also discussed information on 2018 utility rates that were approved on October 16, 2017. He further noted that Minnesota State Homeowner Tax Relief Program information is available on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website and stated that all staff reports and documents related to the budget are on the city s website. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. Eric Judge, 2824 Xenwood Avenue S., stated that he has been involved in several interactions with the city this year, most notably with the Vision 3.0 focus groups. He stated that he is concerned the city and council have created a culture of spending and pointed to sidewalks as an example of this spending. He stated that in his neighborhood, sidewalks were added in front of his home, while 60% of the people in the neighborhood did not want them. Additionally, he pointed to overspending by city staff vehicles being painted this year and asked if it was really needed. He stated that the 4.9% tax increase is not sustainable over time, especially when considering affordable housing. He asked the council for value-based decisions and returns on investment considerations. He suggested more listening groups be offered and more community feedback collected. Councilmember Brausen stated that more information has been added to the city website and called attention again to the Facebook live session on the budget. However, he did agree that the city can always do better on communication regarding spending. Jeanette Price, 5904 Minnetonka Blvd., complimented the council on making St. Louis Park a more competitive and attractive community, noting many of the improvements on Texas Avenue. However, she agreed with Mr. Judge that the Texas Avenue improvements were not needed. She added that the recent school district referendum was too high at $101 million and stated that the paper reported that 80% supported it; however, only 6,000 residents actually voted that day. She stated that many of her
City Council Meeting -5- December 4, 2017 neighbors did not know about the referendum vote, and she helped to get them to the polls. She asked how to get more people to participate in the voting process. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. Councilmember Mavity stated that she appreciated comments from the two residents, adding she was amazed that only two people came to the public hearing. She stated that the city tries to be as transparent as possible. During the Vision 3.0 process, over 5,000 comments about what residents wanted for the city were collected through many different forums. She added that the October 9, 2017, study session packet had over 50 pages of details and spreadsheets related to the Capital Improvement Plan and long range financial management plan, and she hoped people had a chance to view it. Councilmember Sanger thanked the two residents for their comments and challenged Ms. Price on ways to get more folks involved in voting. Mayor Spano stated that he appreciated residents comments, as well, and applauded staff on the rigor with which they work on preparing the budget numbers before the council even sees it. No formal action was required, and the final 2018 budget and tax levy will be on the December 18 city council meeting agenda. 6b. ACSLP, LLC dba AC St. Louis Park On-Sale Intoxicating and On-Sale Sunday Liquor Licenses. Ms. Deno reported, noting the license is for the AC Hotel by Marriott at 5075 Wayzata Blvd. The hotel will open early 2018. The police have conducted a background investigation, and nothing was discovered to warrant denial of the license. Mayor Spano opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Spano closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Miller, to approve application from ACSLP, LLC dba AC St. Louis Park for an On-Sale Intoxicating and On-Sale Sunday Liquor License for the premises located at 5075 Wayzata Blvd with a license term through March 1, 2018. 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Ordinance Amendment Related to the Solid Waste Management Code. Ms. Barker presented the staff report. She stated that the proposed ordinance was reviewed by the city attorney, and a summary of the proposed changes were presented to the council, stakeholders, and city staff on August 28, 2017. Input received resulted in several edits to clarify intent and create consistency within the city code. Ms. Barker
City Council Meeting -6- December 4, 2017 pointed out changes to be made to improve recycling in multi-family and commercial buildings. She also noted that the majority of the ordinance covers all curbside services, with organics being added to the ordinance, as well. Carts in alleys will be allowed if kept up against the resident s garage. Councilmember Brausen asked if the 20-gallon container per dwelling unit requirement for multi-family would include organics. Ms. Barker stated that it is only for recycling at this point. Ms. Barker noted that an education component is being added for multi-family and commercial, and all responsible parties, such as building owners and landlords, must now provide educational material in print or electronic form to their tenants. Ms. Barker added that wire mesh bins will now also be allowed for backyard composting. Likewise, bulk material containers (formerly dumpsters) will be addressed for all usages, and permanent dumpsters must have lids that are kept closed to avoid stormwater concerns. Mayor Spano confirmed that the multi-family recycling requirement for 20-gallons per unit will have a later effective date (July 1) than the rest of the ordinance. Councilmember Lindberg asked about Bagsters and how long they are allowed at curbside. Ms. Barker stated that if they are used for construction, they are allowed for up to 6 months within an entire year, if an active construction permit is in place. She added, however, that if they are used for cleanup only, they are allowed for 14 days at curbside. Councilmember Brausen noted that he was happy to see a time limit on the Bagsters, which he had pushed for. He was also pleased to see the focus on multi-family housing and commercial population. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the first reading of an Ordinance amending the Solid Waste Management code, and to set the second reading for December 18, 2017. 8b. Contract with AE2S for engineering services to design the replacement of our supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Resolution No. 17-187 Councilmember Brausen stated that he asked that this item be moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda for discussion because it is an agreement to enter into a contract and relates specifically to large-scale equipment to replace infrastructure and to monitor and replace city equipment on a timely basis. He added that this project is planned for and included in the city s CIP for 2018, using proceeds from water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer funds. Councilmember Brausen thanked and complimented staff on their hard work to economically replace the city s aging infrastructures. It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Hallfin, to adopt Resolution No. 17-187, approving the contract with AE2S for engineering services to design replacement of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.
City Council Meeting -7- December 4, 2017 9. Communications Mayor Spano noted that this weekend is the second year the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be coming to St. Louis Park. He stated that it is a beautiful event, and last year the train and festivities raised over $25,000 for STEP. The event will take place on Sunday, Dec. 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The concert can only be viewed from the west side of the train this year. The Mayor, City Manager and Councilmember Hallfin (a STEP board member) highly recommended that people come out, enjoy the event, and bring a donation of food or money to STEP. Mr. Harmening added that there is more information on the city website, including a map and event location information. STEP is located on Lake Street, between Wooddale and Dakota. The train will be on the tracks near St. Louis Park High School, in the Walker Lake corridor, near the football field. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk Jake Spano, Mayor