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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-16 City Council Regular MinutesPage 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING MARCH 16, 2021 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and stated the meeting was being held remotely in compliance with Governor Walz’ Stay at Home Order then shared the procedure for public hearing and community comment. II. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland. Absent: None. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT No one appeared. V.A. CITY MANAGER’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS Manager Neal said there were no Community Comments at the last meeting. VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS PRESENTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the consent agenda as presented: VI.A. Approve minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meetings of March 2, 2021 VI.B. Approve payment claims for Check Register Claims Pre-List dated March 5, 2021, totaling $1,172,745.88, Check Register Claims Pre-List dated March 5, 2021, totaling $27,109.64 for 17 reprint, and Check Register Claims Pre-List dated March 12, 2021, totaling $497,353.6 VI.C. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-28; Support for GreenCorps Host Site Application VI.D. Approve Utility Easement for CenterPoint Energy at Fox Meadow Park VI.E. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Braemar Arena Voice Evacuation System, Life Safety Systems for $28,955 VI.F. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, 2021 Kubota RTV 1100 Utility Vehicle, Lano Equipment, $23,350 VI.G. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, GPS Field Line Marking System, Frost Inc., $41,578 VI.H. Approve 2021 Liquor License Renewal VI.I. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-29; Accepting Donations Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. Minutes/Edina City Council/March 16, 2021 Page 2 VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS VII.A. METROPOLITAN AIRPORT COMMISSIONER JAMES LAWRENCE – INTRODUCED Manager Neal welcomed James Lawrence who was appointed as the District C Metropolitan Airports Commissioner in February then shared his educational and employment background that included service on 17 public company boards, several private boards, and numerous non-profits. Commissioner Lawrence said it was an honor to serve the City in this role which included Edina and south Minneapolis. The Council welcomed Commissioner Lawrence, asked more about the Metropolitan Council’s role, and then stressed the importance of the airport’s impact on residents. VII.B. 2020 TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMARY REPORT – RECEIVED Traffic Safety Coordinator Bauler presented the 2020 Traffic Study Summary Report, stating in 2020, the Engineering Department received 157 traffic safety requests. The report detailed the types of safety requests and their locations, process, statistics and trends. He said this report was presented to the Transportation Commission at their February meeting then reviewed how the requests were divided into five categories that included parking and signage, intersection control, traffic calming, pedestrian safety, and others. Mr. Bauler outlined actions taken in response that included signage and parking changes, pedestrian safety items such as crosswalk installation, and traffic calming items. He shared requests submitted by quadrant and reasons for increased requests in some categories due to construction projects as well as other trends. The Council commented on 58th Street and France Avenue, how traffic calming requests had increased far more than any other category, and asked for more information. Director of Engineering Millner responded the area was part of a construction project last fall that included traffic signals placed in wrong locations then removed. The contractor was ready to install new signals once Hennepin County approved the plans. Mr. Bauler said traffic calming could have increased due to street reconstruction and vehicles not following detours to make up lost time as well as others and the hope would level off over time. The Council asked about recommended actions regarding traffic calming items that were 6% of the total requests and how it showed a level of satisfaction from those who requested. Mr. Millner responded two of the traffic calming requests were approved of the 36 requested and 6% of requests resulted in some type of action due to the increase of cars in neighborhoods due to the 58th Street project that resulted in higher- than-normal requests than other areas in the City. VII.C. 2020 PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST SAFETY FUND SUMMARY REPORT – RECEIVED Transportation Planner Scipioni presented the 2020 Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Fund Summary (PACS) report stating the PACS Funds available in 2020 were $1,818,219, which included $579,622 in rollover funds from 2019 and approximately $136,594 estimated to roll over into the current PACS Fund. He shared more about available funding and expenditures on items such as new pedestrian and bicycle facilities. He shared 2.6 miles of new pedestrian and bicycle facilities were installed in 2020 using the PACS Fund, which was 1.5 miles more than in 2019, then highlighted other PACS projects that included W. 58th Street sidewalks, France Avenue sidewalks, and City Hall raised crosswalk/bike racks. He outlined further projects that included Valley View Road sidewalk, 50th and France paver replacement, France Avenue sidewalk, and others and proposed projects that included Hansen Road and W. 56th Street, Beard Avenue, Eden Avenue shared use path, and France Avenue sidewalks, among others. He said the ETC shared comments that included no project proposed on Valley View Road and the significant variation in cost per lineal foot and reasons why that included scope, traffic control, and mobilization. The Council asked questions regarding the 58th Street sidewalk project and Eden Avenue project funding and cost variability per lineal foot reasons and thanked staff for the work on projects around the community which only enhance pedestrian safety and reduce concerns as the sidewalk system was created. Mr. Millner said the project had been decided but not the assessments and the intent to use TIF dollars as well for wayfinding signage throughout the district. Mr. Scipioni responded to cost variability examples at the far end Minutes/Edina City Council/March 16, 2021 Page 3 of the spectrum while others fell more in the middle, but if done as larger scale projects there is need to look for connections to other amenities such as schools. VII.D. 2020 STATE OF SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS – RECEIVED Sustainability Coordinator Hancock presented the 2020 Traffic Study Summary Report which relied on the Conservation and Sustainability (CAS) Fund to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and support a livable and resilient city. In 2020, the CAS Fund was used to increase building energy efficiency in City- owned facilities and support commercial building energy benchmarking in Edina. The CAS fund supported residential energy efficiency efforts as well, by cost-sharing visits by the Center for Energy and Environment’s Home Energy Squad to audit home energy efficiency and provide resources to implement findings. She explained how the fund was used to support electric and more fuel-efficient vehicle purchases to replace less efficient vehicles and equipment in the City fleet and install electric vehicle infrastructure, including electrical capacity and EV charging equipment across the city. She spoke about Edina’s first Climate Action Plan and how it would integrate climate mitigation efforts with new opportunities for climate adaptation and spoke about the City’s longstanding commitment to sustainability to reduce greenhouse gas by 30% by 2025 and 80% by 2050. Ms. Hancock shared the City’s overall emission reduction of 14% over the past 11 years mostly through transportation emissions and how the City needed to take a systematic approach. She spoke about renewable energy and waste management and the adaptation regarding natural systems and forests. The Council asked about status of the tree summit, progress mechanisms that included a public dashboard, and reasons why total buildings emissions increased. Ms. Hancock spoke about the City’s kick off meeting to review the current tree ordinance with the Park and Recreation Department and next steps. VIII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS VIII.A. RESOLUTION 2021-14 APPROVING PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR 2021 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SUBGRANTEE AGREEMENT – ADOPTED Affordable Housing Development Manager Hawkinson said the CDBG Program was a federal entitlement program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and managed by Hennepin County to oversee distribution of funds to cities. The funds were used for improvements of housing and provision of suitable living environments for persons with low and moderate incomes. She said Edina’s estimated 2021 CDBG budget allotment was estimated to be $164,706, which was an increase to what was allocated in 2020. This increase was due to an increase in the number of households experiencing overcrowding and when HUD established the 2021 CDBG budget later this spring, Edina would be notified of any changes to its allotment. Ms. Hawkinson said if a change in the budget occurred the amount would be adjusted accordingly. Of the $140,000 total allocation, 15% ($24,706) was set aside for Public Services which were administered by Hennepin County and $140,000 was available for the Community Development portion of the CDBG allocation approved by the City Council and no comments were received during the public hearing period. Member Staunton introduced and moved adoption of Resolution 2021-14 Approving Proposed Application for 2020 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Funds and Authorizing Execution of Subgrantee Agreement with Urban Hennepin County and any Third-Party Agreements. Member Pierce seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. VIII.B. RESOLUTION 2021-25 APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WITH VARIANCE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 500 BLAKE ROAD SOUTH – ADOPTED Assistant Planner Aaker said the church was proposing renovation of the existing parking lot areas on-site. The improvements would be phased with the entire parking lot design submitted for review including a future drop-off canopy with an increase of one parking stall. She shared further details regarding drive aisles, materials, phasing, drop off canopy, and connections between the smaller lot on the southeast end of site Minutes/Edina City Council/March 16, 2021 Page 4 for better circulation and the elimination of connection to Maloney, including two resident comments. Ms. Aaker said on February 24, 2021, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and unanimously recommended approval and no comments were received during the public hearing period. Member Anderson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution 2021-25 approving a conditional use permit with variance for Shepherd of The Hills Lutheran Church at 500 Blake Road. Member Jackson seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. VIII.C. BIAS OFFENSE RESPONSE PLAN – RECEIVED Race and Equity Coordinator Lee said the Bias Offense Response Plan revision was on the HRRC 2020 Work Plan initiative #6 which stated review was to occur of the bias offense plan, create definitions to differentiate between bias incidents and bias offenses within the State Statute’s definition, tracking and notification process for bias incidents. She shared an introduction to the plan and history and noted definitions had been added based on Statute, definitions, notification, and tracking. She noted additional changes occurred on this plan that included sections that should be more inclusive and provided a process and response should this occur. The Council indicated it liked the policy but not how the actual crime was identified from State Statute and asked to include more detail. The Council also asked more about the original intent in context of existing Statute and how the recent graffiti incidents could be addressed. The Council then spoke about an incident that could comprise community response and suggested partnering with other organizations on networking. The Council urged the group not to lose the intent of accomplishments as each depended on the situation. Ms. Lee explained more about reasons including in 2019 and what was considered a bias crime and a way to provide clarity if not an actual crime. Discussion was held on the need for a criminal fine even though a charge had been logged as well as possible umbrella insurance coverage and the intent to hold over to a future meeting for further consideration. IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS - Received IX.A. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE (MINUTES AND ADVISORY COMMUNICATION) 1. MINUTES: HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION, JANUARY 12, 2021 2. MINUTES: ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION, JANUARY 28, 2021 3. MINUTES: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 X. AVIATION NOISE UPDATE – Received XI. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS – Received XII. MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Received XII.A. PROPOSED EXCEPTION TO PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS POLICY – Received XII.B. PROPOSED PROCESS FOR ALLOCATING NEW FEDERAL FISCAL ASSISTANCE – Received XII.C. PREP MEMO FOR MARCH 16, 2021, CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AND MEETING – Received XIII. CALENDAR OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND EVENTS – Received XIV. ADJOURNMENT Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 p.m. Minutes/Edina City Council/March 16, 2021 Page 5 Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by Edina City Council, April 6, 2021. James B. Hovland, Mayor Video Copy of the March 16, 2021, meeting available.