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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-04 CC MINY er 216 41h Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 _ 651-430-8800 The Birthplace of Minnesota www.ci.stillwater.mn.us CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES April 4, 2023 WORKSHOP MEETING 4:30 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Dunker (via Zoom), Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann City Attorney Land City Clerk Wolf Community Development Director Gladhill Fire Chief Glaser Finance Director Provos Police Chief Mueller Public Works Director Sanders Library Director Troendle OTHER BUSINESS 2023 Downtgwai Parking DistEigt Fee Schedule ule Community Development Director Gladhill provided background on the proposed downtown parking fee changes and the Downtown Parking Commission's recommendations. The recommendations are: convert the surface lots and on -street parking east of Main Street to a pay zone from 10 am - 10 pm, charged at $1/hour. The new smartphone app allows parkers to extend their stay. A credit card kiosk would also be available for those who do not use the smartphone app. Businesses could provide voucher codes for patrons. There can also be parking "holidays." Lot 10 and half the Shorty's lot would be reserved for downtown employees with a downtown employee parking pass, purchased by either the employee or employer. The license plate number would be entered into the system. He showed on the map where the credit card kiosks will be placed. He added that staff is still in conversation with MnDOT about the ability to charge for parking on Main Street, so implementation for this zone might not occur until 2024. Additionally, staff recommends keeping part of Main Street free in the core of downtown, and 30 Minute Quick Zones (drop off, pick up, etc.), based on public input. Mayor Kozlowski stated he favors keeping Main Street parking free, maybe with a combination of 30-minute and one -hour parking. He feels the quick zones will make downtown more appealing. Mr. Gladhill responded that the goal is to simplify the system and keep the time limit consistent. City Council Meeting April 4, 2023 Brad Glynn, Chairman of the Downtown Parking Commission, stated that the professionals who did the parking study several years ago recommended a mix of 1-2 hour spaces combined with some quick turn -over spaces under an hour. Mayor Kozlowski suggested one -hour spaces would be more user-friendly than 30 minutes. Mr. Glynn replied the idea is, if you are going to eat lunch, pay for parking. If you are going to drop off a letter or pick up a latte, 30 minutes would work, per the recommendation and some of the feedback. Downtown Parking Commissioner Rheinberger urged the Council to view this as a test, not as fixed forever; many factors including business needs will change. Councilmember Odebrecht stated the City will need to be super clear on why it is doing this - for the last 10 years, parking expenses have outrun revenues. The City must find a way to make parking fund itself. Nobody in the City is trying to make money off parking. Mayor Kozlowski suggested, with parking shut down right now and business owners feeling anxious about flood impacts, the City should carefully consider when to start charging for parking, so as to not discourage visitors. If the City starts charging year-round for parking, snow removal must be top notch. Police Chief Mueller noted the more exceptions, special days and rates there are, the more difficult it is for people to understand it and the more difficult it is to enforce. Mr. Gladhill stated that initially, all of Main Street would be 30-minute parking; and Councilmember Polehna replied that is too many 30-minute parking spaces. Mr. Gladhill suggested between Nelson and Mulberry it could be 30 minutes, and on the outskirts,1 hour. As proposed, rates would stay the same year-round. Councilmember Junker reminded the Council that the City started working with HKGi in November 2019, and as of today the data is outdated because the City has changed since COVID. Parking has built up tremendously. This change only increases the pay parking by 348 spots east of Main and maybe 50 on -street parking spots, so this is not a dramatic change, only a 17-18% increase. It is crucial to get it operational by June 1 and it needs to be kept as simple as the Police Chief indicated. Mayor Kozlowski asked if it will be rolled out all at once or phased, and is staff positive that the City has gone to every business owner to make sure they all know; and Mr. Gladhill answered that there is a quote from a firm to help with communication. Staff has not spoken to every business, but has had many good conversations and the majority support it. It should be kicked off in later summer. Staff will bring back specific documents for Council action at a future meeting. City Code Revisions City Attorney Land reviewed proposed code revisions to Ch. 9 (Animals) and Ch. 12 (Offenses Against Public Safety). Dog licenses, chicken permits and beekeeping permits would no longer be required. There would be performance standards for keeping chickens and bees, and the City has more enforcement tools than in the past to take action against activities that become nuisances. Page 2 of 6 City Council Meeting April 4, 2023 Councilmember Junker stated he opposes eliminating permits for chickens, because a permit application opens up conversation with neighbors. Councilmember Polehna stated he is against allowing chickens in the City. Councilmember Odebrecht suggested requiring the neighbors be noticed for beekeeping. City Attorney Land stated that one of the performance standards could be notification of neighbors, but if they object, she does not think the neighbors should have veto power. She went on to review revisions regarding offenses against public safety, addition of a social host ordinance, update of the curfew ordinance, rental licensing, a rental density cap, and licensing hotels. Licensing hotels would allow the City to address those where there are problems, by attaching conditions, revoking or suspending a license, or denying a license. She stated clearer language regarding historic properties is needed for the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC). She reviewed potential changes regarding food trucks, which will need further discussion. She discussed possible rules regarding dog boarding with a Conditional Use Permit in the industrial district. Xcel Energy Memorandum ofUnderstanding Phase 1 Councilmember Odebrecht explained he is the City's designated contact for Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy Program Phase 1, a program that provides funding opportunities. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to approve the Memorandum of Understanding. All in favor. STAFF REPORTS Public Works Director Sanders provided a flood update. Police Chief Mueller gave updates on personnel assistance with flood protection, the Narcan program, alcohol and tobacco compliance checks; and mentioned upcoming events: the Bike Rodeo, a Crime Prevention Program, and a Career Fair at the high school. Fire Chief Glaser presented the Fire Department 2022 Annual Report; acknowledged a donation from the American Legion; stated that department staff will attend the high school Career Fair and will host a Leadership in the Valley group. An incident in Lakeland underscores the importance of having a CO detector. Finance Director Provos reported the Civic Systems contract is done; and auditors will be in City Hall next Monday. Community Development Director Gladhill reported on department activities and noted that the parking ramp's upper level is open. City Clerk Wolf stated that holiday lights agreements are being renewed; planning for the 4th of July celebration is underway; and the City is changing its website and email domain name to stillwatermn.gov starting May 1. The old email addresses will still work. City Attorney Land reported that volunteers from her firm filled sandbags last week. City Administrator Kohlmann reminded the Council of a special meeting April 18 for long range financial plan discussion. A strategic planning session is also being planned. Page 3 of 6 City Council Meeting April 4, 2023 Library Director Troendle shared information on a bird watching program, the Big Read topic and the Library Card design winner. RECESS Mayor Kozlowski recessed the meeting at 6:40 p.m REGULAR MEETING Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Junker (via Zoom), Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann City Attorney Land City Clerk Wolf Community Development Director Gladhill Finance Director Provos Fire Chief Glaser Police Chief Mueller Public Works Director Sanders PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kozlowski led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. RECOGNITIONS OR PRESENTATIONS Certificate of Appreciation - Andrew Straus, Public Works Lead Worker Mayor Kozlowski commended Mr. Straus for 18 years of service to the City. i t'ot1 _ Carla KnippenbergPlatinin Cornmissl n 7:00 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski thanked Ms. Knippenberg for two years of service as a Planning Commissioner. Proclamation - Organ Donation Month Mayor Kozlowski read a proclamation on organ donation and "Donate Life Month." Stillwater Police Department Oath of Duty Presentation - Captain Hunter Julien - Postponed to April 18, 2023 OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes Payment of Bills Farmers Market Event Contract Agreement Final Payment for 2021 Street Improvement Project - Resolution 2023-053 Page 4 of 6 City Council Meeting April 4, 2023 Library Repair Projects Contract Agreement Merrick Community Services Off -Site Gambling Permit at JX Event Venue - Resolution 2023-054 Retail Sale of Fireworks Permit for Cub Foods Roll -off Hauler License for Gorilla Dumpster Bag LLC St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon Event Contract Agreement Support for State of MN Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Legislation - Resolution 2023-055 Therapeutic Massage Business Licenses and Massage Therapist Licenses - Resolution pulled Tricia and The Toonies Performance Agreement Washington County 2023 Municipal Recycling Grant Agreement Mayor Kozlowski pulled Therapeutic Massage Business Licenses and Massage Therapist Licenses off the Consent Agenda. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to adopt the Consent Agenda as amended. All in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case 2023-07 to consider Prel imi na ry Plat and Final Plat for one new-1-ot, and a Conditional Use Permitto allow a Car Wash at 2001 Washington Avenue - Postponed to April 18, 2023 UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS Lift Bridge Road Race Event and Contract Agreement Public Works Director Sanders stated that Run Stillwater, Inc. has submitted a special event application to host the Lift Bridge Road Race event on June 24, 2023. The race was previously run in Bayport since 2014. He explained the course and timelines. He added that a neighborhood meeting was held, with many positive comments. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Collins, to approve the Lift Bridge Road Race Event and Contract. All in favor 72nd Street Improvement Project Approve Plans and Specifications_ Mr. Sanders stated that plans and specifications for the 72nd Street Road and Trail Improvement Project are almost complete. Bid opening is set for April 28 and bid results will be presented at the May 2 Council meeting. 15 people attended an open house on March 30, providing some comments and suggestions that will require slight modifications to the plans, but not hold up the bid advertising. Motion by Councilmember Odebrecht, seconded by Councilmember Junker, to adopt Resolution 2023-057, Approve Plans & Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for 72nd Street Road and Trail Improvement Project (Project 2022-04). All in favor. Page 5 of 6 City Council Meeting April 4, 2023 Downtown Lighting Project Award Agreement for Engineering Services Mr. Sanders reported that three proposals were received for the project, which consists of replacing the entire downtown street lighting system. Staff recommends awarding the project to SEH at a cost not to exceed $243,284. Motion by Councilmember Polehna, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to award the Downtown Lighting Project Agreement for Engineering Services to SEH. All in favor. COUNCIL REQUEST ITEMS There were no Council request items. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn to closed session pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05 subd. 3(b) to discuss attorney -client privileged communication related to the White Bear Lake litigation. All in favor. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Collins, Odebrecht, Polehna Absent: Councilmember Junker Staff present: City Administrator Kohlmann and City Attorney Sienko Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to return to open session at 7:38 pm. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Collins, seconded by Councilmember Odebrecht, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. Ted Kozlowski, Mayor A 1T: . I •' Beth Wolf, City C! r c Resolution 2023-053, Accepting Work and Ordering Final Payment for 2021 Street Improvement Project (Project 2021-02) Resolution 2023-054, Approving Merrick Community Services Application to Conduct Off -Site Gambling at JX Event Venue Resolution 2023-055, Resolution Supporting Revitalization of the State Historic Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Resolution 2023-057, Approve Plans & Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for 72nd Street Road and Trail Improvement Project (Project 2022-04) Page 6 of 6