Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-18 City Council Regular MinutesPage 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING MAY 18, 2021 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:06 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 Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Anderson, 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 May 4, 2021 VI.B. Approve claims for payment for Check Register Claims Pre-List dated May 7, 2021 totaling $855,555.12 and Check Register Claims Pre-List dated May 14, 2021, totaling $605,786.22 VI.C. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-38; Approving James Metzen Mighty Ducks Grant Program Application VI.D. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Two Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SUVs, White Bear Mitsubishi for $64,684 VI.E. Approve Waterbody Crossing Maintenance Agreement with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District VI.F. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, W. 54th Street pavement for $31,800 and Joint Powers Agreement with City of Minneapolis VI.G. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, City Hall Water Heater Replacement, Gilbert Mechanical for $31,263 VI.H. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Voice Evacuation System Braemar Arena, Life Safety Systems for $22,615 VI.I. Request for Purchase; awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Nine Mile Creek Restoration Project Ecological Support Services, Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC (RES) for $33,773 over 2 years Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2021 Page 2 VI.J. Approve 2021-2022 Union Contract for IAFF Local 1275 for Firefighters VI.K Approve New On-Sale Wine and 3.2 On-Sale Beer Liquor License for Peoples Organic Coffee Bakery Cafes, Inc. dba Peoples Organic VI.L. Adopt Resolution No. 2021-42; Accepting Donations Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS VII.A. U.S REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR UPDATE – RECEIVED Fifth District U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar shared about the impact to Edina with the upcoming American Rescue Plan funding and how funding would be distributed. She said the U.S. Treasury would be providing $4.9 million for Edina to support public health expenditures that included behavioral health care, staff safety, and economic impact due to the public health emergency for small businesses, lost public sector revenue, and water, sewer, and broadband infrastructures. She noted the fund could not be used for tax cuts or deposited into pension funds and she was excited to get this critical funding for Edina and use these resources in tangible ways. Representative Omar spoke about Congress’ work on criminal justice and police reform projects that included the Department of Justice (DOJ) contingency-led investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department with the goal to contribute to the overall environment that people could trust government. She explained more about the investigation which would include review of the Edina Police Department and hoped this action would be seen as a responsibility to oust racism in all forms and not as an attack on any municipalities and thanked the Council for the time. The Council thanked Representative Omar for attending then asked for input on the transportation infrastructure bill and the DOJ’s pattern of practice in a broader sense across the state. Representative Omar explained more about the Build Back Better and Jobs bills then spoke about how there are no tangible items at the moment but the DOJ would circle back for input that would result in legislation to create standards across the state such as a national board to investigate police misconduct and the need for proactive investigations. She added while police departments were in need of review more than others, everyone was interconnected as a district. Mr. Neal thanked Representative Omar’s staff for being the first to share information on the upcoming funding and explained the City would create a community engagement process to gather input on how these funds should be best distributed. The Council asked about progress on the Child Nutrition Act. Representative Omar said as a former nutrition educator this was important work to her to ensure nutritious meals for all children. She then spoke more about immigration work, violence prevention and gun safety, and how she would continue to update the City as work evolved. VII.B. PROCLAMATION: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK - PROCLAIMED Mayor Hovland read in full a proclamation to declare Emergency Medical Services Week in the City of Edina. Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to approve a proclamation recognizing May 16-22, 2021, as Emergency Medical Services Week. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Hovland Motion carried. Due to technical difficulties Member Staunton was absent for the vote on this item. Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2021 Page 3 Interim Fire Chief Fischer thanked the Council and said the quality of emergency medical service was one of the many reasons residents lived and worked in Edina. The Council thanked the department for their work and Chief Fischer for serving the City on this interim basis. VII.C. PRESERVATION MONTH – PROCLAIMED Mayor Hovland read in full a proclamation declaring Preservation Month in the City of Edina. Member Anderson made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to approve a proclamation recognizing May 2021 as Preservation Month. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. Preservation Board Chair Schilling thanked the residents and Council for their attention and long-standing devotion to preserving the City’s history and explained Preservation Month was designed to raise awareness of historic properties, and to celebrate history, culture, and historic places. VII.D. 2021 HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD – PRESENTED Chair Schilling shared the Heritage Preservation Commission had awarded the 2021 Heritage Preservation Award to 5900 Olinger Boulevard; a mid-century modern home built by the Lundgren Company in 1966. The architecture and details of this home followed the classic California Modern designs as refined by Joseph Eichler and others. She reviewed the previous owners’ work to restore interior elements and the present owners’ work that included a refined courtyard that connected the interior of this home with the outdoors. VII.E. 2020 RACE AND EQUITY SUMMARY REPORT – RECEIVED Race and Equity Coordinator Lee stated the Race and Equity Work Plan was approved for implementation by City Council in 2018 and the report provided information and updates on the race and equity work completed in 2020. She shared the five themes of work that included accountability and data collection, employee training and diversity, community engagement and communications, city facilities and services, development and enforcement of policies. She also shared comparison of work at the end of 2019 and 2020 that showed 52 of the 59 work items completed and outlined the ongoing process for the remaining items. She noted even with the challenges of the past year, the group reached an 80% completion rate. Ms. Lee then shared the group’s successes to date and commented on the importance of continuing this work. The Council thanked Ms. Lee and the group for their work and progress and indicated it was pleased that Edina had the foresight to do this work before and not in response to recent events. The Council spoke about the importance of measuring success going forward as much as project-based and needs beyond executing tasks and how often the community-initiated work. Ms. Lee said they were working with directors on data points to measure impact and how to assess if work was completed and if not, how to begin again. Mr. Neal shared how the City was seeing the importance of this work through different ways that included the recent credit rating call as it pertained to the City’s credit risk evaluation. VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file. VIII.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-40, DENYING APPEAL REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMODATION AT 6222 BRAEBURN CIRCLE – CONTINUED TO JUNE 1, 2021 Assistant Planner Aaker shared that Scott Hemenway/The Geneva Suites, 6222 Braeburn Circle, was requesting reasonable accommodation to increase resident occupancy from the permitted 6 residents to 10 residents in a facility having Housing with Services certificate from Minnesota Department of Health HFID: 33436 and a Minnesota Department of Health Comprehensive Home Care License. She outlined the request in detail and how the Fair Housing Act did not allow for discrimination. She reviewed how the Planning Commission concluded that insufficient evidence was given to show the increase to 10 residents provided more enjoyment to the residents and enhanced the quality of life then shared examples of reasonableness and spoke about police calls, traffic volumes, and other elements including parking. She Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2021 Page 4 displayed recent photos of parked cars in the cul-de-sac that altered the character of the neighborhood to a more commercial use and indicated the Planning Commission denied the request based on findings. Scott Hemenway and William Griffith, Geneva Suites, shared comments about events that led them to this point and how they worked to be neighborly while allowing people with disabilities the right to have fair housing. They shared a story of a resident who wanted to live together with their family under one roof and the importance of this home for those members then noted the desire to live with peers was fundamentally human and that need was only growing. They said the total staff would remain at 4 and they would work to decrease vehicles in the area but the need for staff was necessary as well as deliveries. He spoke about dedicated handicap parking, that nothing else would be outside, and their work to foster a welcoming community to provide safety and access for all. They explained the necessity of this location, provided written testimony from the family who was under contract to live in this home, and indicated they believed the finding to prove the housing was necessary has been met. They indicated the lower level was allowed to be finished by the City and was always meant to provide additional bedroom space. They explained there would be an increase in staffing hours instead full time but a decreased number of trips to and from the home. They spoke about a single dwelling for up to 10 people with services, noting the number of calls increased possibly due to COVID-19 but otherwise, the average was one call per resident per year. They referred to parking and how the request met the required findings under the Act and should be approved. The Council asked questions relating to variances and if they run with the land or just the use. City Attorney Kendall replied this was not a typical variance as it would apply to the specific use and if changed, would require review again and would be specific to the operator in place today. The Council asked how the applicant felt about showing the current use lessened the need of the applicant and had nothing to do with the current residents but instead, prospective residents who would live there. Mr. Griffith responded how the family looked for property that provided housing for the entire family and met the requirements of the Federal Act then when a stop work order was issued by the City, they made an application for accommodation under the reasonable housing code. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 8:46 p.m. Public Testimony Martin Stanchfield, 6212 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Laura Estes, 6222 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Randy Sawatzky, 6214 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Julie Stachfield, 6212 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Lori Grotz, 5513 Park Place, addressed the Council. Laura Sawatzky, 6214 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Shelly Psyhogios, 6228 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Kirsten Karlsson, 6218 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Rebecca Reich, owner of Guardian and Conservator Services, 14550 Excelsior Boulevard, Suite 203, Minnetonka, addressed the Council. Jim Grotz, 5513 Park Place, addressed the Council. Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2021 Page 5 Clint Briscoe, 6234 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Ted Youch, 6224 Braeburn Circle, addressed the Council. Member Staunton moved to extend public hearing to noon on May 26, 2021, and take final action on Resolution No. 2021-40 denying appeal request to increase current resident occupancy from permitted 6 residents by State Statutes to 10 for a care services group home/Geneva Suites Residence, 6222 Braeburn Circle, at the June 1, 2021, City Council meeting. Member Anderson seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. VIII.B. ORDINANCE NO. 2021-03 AND RESOLUTION NO. 2021-41, PRELIMINARY REZONING FROM PCD-1 AND APD TO PUD AT 4917 EDEN AVENUE – CONTINUED TO JUNE 1, 2021 Community Development Director Teague shared the Council was asked to consider a proposal to re- develop 4917 Eden Avenue, currently occupied by a Perkins Restaurant. The applicant would tear down the existing Perkins and office building and build a 7 story, 208-unit apartment and 3,700 square foot restaurant. Twenty percent of the units would be for affordable housing for families earning 60% area median income (AMI) for the Twin Cities. Parking for the housing would be provided underneath the building with 277 stalls. There would be 29 surface parking stalls on the west side of the site to serve the restaurant. The proposal did not include the City-owned parcel to the north and 10% of units would be affordable housing with parking underneath. He outlined the office building on the west side of the site and how the future roadway would have gone through so they eliminated that request and outlined other revisions including the restaurant and coffee shop with three times the requirement for overstory trees to help buffer the freeway. He spoke about the Wilson Street traffic study that concluded no improvements were needed and that parking was adequate to serve the project. Ed Tahar, Wenk, summarized the traffic study that included 10 intersections in the area and concluded 5 had data from previous studies and volumes pre-pandemic. He said the study accounted for removal of the Perkins and existing office space then reviewed resulting net trips per hour, the adequate queuing space provided throughout, and other elements such as carpooling, car charging, and bicycle parking. The Council asked questions regarding how the site was served by public transportation and traffic movement issues but could add more capacity to roadways resulting in sufficient use of traffic patterns. Mr. Tahar responded adding from the proposed development while removing trips by Perkins would result in a net increase but reduced, noting it was not proposed to add capacity or volume on the streets and would not impact intersection capacity. The Council said residents who currently lived there had concerns and noted the development would only make the situation worse, they would be adding another restaurant. The Council shared concerns with neutral and not removing trips then asked about the possibility of conducting a shade study for the golf course. Mr. Tahar explained the different types of restaurants and their impacts and stated the proposed restaurant would be smaller. Then he discussed how the proposed plan’s traffic would be diverted and the increased pressure on 50th Street intersection with the southbound ramp. Director of Engineering Millner said staff could support an increase on Vernon Avenue if closing the ramp off Eden Avenue occurred. Mr. Teague said the primary issues were the overlay and number of stories requested and how to justify the reasonable rezoning. He said the site location was mixed use in the Grand View District, consistent with existing commercial zoning district and 20 units of affordable housing within the building itself. He said seven stories was reasonable and provided future easement for roadway improvements, noting there were over 100 contributors on Better Together Edina who shared concerns against traffic, heightened density, and other Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2021 Page 6 factors. Mr. Teague said the Planning Commission would like to see bike/ped improvements made as part of the Grandview Transportation Plan and said no impact would occur on the Grange site except for height impacts and improvements possible on 50th Street. Chris Palkowitsch, BKV Group, shared potential future road impacts and the MnDOT-owned site and their goal to create a robust streetscape in partnership with the golf course. He spoke about being intentional by breaking down the feel and size of the project overall and make it more pedestrian friendly with a veranda, sculpture area, restaurant on the west side of the site to create a continued amenity for the neighborhood, and connect to the Grandview neighborhood to the west. He spoke about breaking down site movements to have drop-off areas for Uber and food delivery, 277 stalls below grade off Wilson Road, two levels below grade overall, and a habitat roof with a garden that was solar ready. Mr. Palkowitsch reviewed the impacts of 6 stories versus 7 but said the height reduction had unintended consequences overall that increased the footprint, made the building feel larger, and reduced the west setback. The design was inspired by Edina City Hall. He shared proposed materials that included outdoor space and other surrounding areas, noting the traditional elements and distinct base with buffed stone, colors and trim and secondary copper elements, and highlighted the glassy link. Kyle Brasser, Reuter Walton Development, shared the neighborhood meetings held where the main concern raised was regarding traffic and how a minimal impact would occur based on the traffic study. He said residents had concerns regarding building height and shading on the golf course and how future buildings could be seven stories with two additional sites to the north, adding the project would be height restricted based on setbacks. He addressed the precedent concern and shadow study in detail. Nick Walton, Reuter Walton Development, said they already reduced the unit count, would lose a floor, and while they could reduce traffic, eliminating the restaurant would have the biggest impact. He outlined the City’s desire to have a boutique space with higher-end fresh salad, pizza, and a full bar, then noted we should not wait and delete the restaurant. He outlined the TIF application and explained that while it was not complete, it was based on the 52,000 square foot office building originally purchased. He outlined TIF in detail. The Council asked questions regarding shape of the glassy link and the preference not to change in any way and affecting the project. The applicants explained the drainage, stating the majority of runoff from roofs and lots would gather into a storm sewer underground tank with a release and reduce impervious surface penetrations by lots with an outflow by 62%. The Council asked about the proposed duration of affordable units and TIF request as a percentage instead the of project cost. Mr. Walton said he’d been active 30 years but would follow Edina and said they required nothing up front because it would be a pay-go instead, resulting in $900,000 of increment with 70%, $600,000, being annual for 12-15 years, which was less than 10% of the project. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 10:44 p.m. Public Testimony Bill Bailey, 4808 East Sunnyslope Road, addressed the Council. Anne Russ, 4929 West Sunnyslope Road, addressed the Council. Steve Makredes, 4916 West Sunnyslope Road, addressed the Council. Ted Hogan, 4836 West Sunnyslope Road, addressed the Council. Kirk Aadalen, 4800 Hilltop Lane, addressed the Council. Molly McGrane, 4913 West Sunnyslope Road, addressed the Council. Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2021 Page 7 Kim Nelson, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, addressed the Council. Janet Dietrich, 4816 Woodhill Way, addressed the Council. Roberta Castellano, 4854 France Avenue South, addressed the Council. Dwight Bonewell, 4920 West Sunnyslope Road, addressed the Council. Paul Porter, 4928 Dale Drive, addressed the Council. Steven Lundberg, 4801 Hilltop Lane, addressed the Council. Mark Sparano, 4905 E. Sunnyslope Road, addressed the Council. Member Anderson moved to extend public hearing to noon on May 26, 2021, and take final action to the June 1, 2021, meeting to consider Ordinance No. 2021-03 and Resolution No. 2021-41 approving preliminary rezoning from PCD-31 planned commercial district-1 and APD, automobile parking district to PUD, planned unit development, preliminary site plan at 4917 Eden avenue and an ordinance amending the zoning ordinance to add pud-21, planned unit development-21, at 4719 Eden avenue. Member Staunton seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. IX. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS IX.A. SKETCH PLAN FOR 4911 77TH STREET WEST – REVIEWED Mr. Teague shared the City Council was asked to consider a sketch plan request to redevelop 4911 77th Street West, which was part of the Pentagon Park South PUD approved in 2019. The applicant, Solomon Real Estate and Rise Development, was proposing to develop the vacant lot in the southeast corner of the Pentagon South development, with a 6-story, 200-unit apartment. Ten percent of the units would be for affordable housing. Jay Scott, Solomon Real Estate, shared the site plan for Pentagon Village, which was approved in 2018 and included 5 buildable sites for vertical development, 2 retail buildings on Lot 1, and the hope to do additional restaurants as soon as pandemic impacts subsided. He outlined the project and said the request for a small site would likely be delayed. Christian Lawrence, Rise Modular Construction, shared their background and how this construction provided faster and lower costs, sustainability to reach the site disruptions. He and indicated they were excited, adding the applicant was to introduce this technology to the Midwest. David Stahl, Cunningham, said he was looking for feedback on how to shape while moving forward and ensured shape and ped experience was good, noting the existing setbacks followed for consistency and would ensure flow between buildings and urban feel. He described massing with the existing context and future hotel, pool and sunset deck, 200 units 10% affordable at 50% AMI, along with 4 electric vehicle stalls and more in the future, and bike and guest parking which would be an elegant building for a long time. The Council asked questions regarding approval of the two hotels, acknowledging the world had changed, and encouraged pausing to wait for recovery. The Council noted the narrative submitted was outstanding and the proposals were believed in modular construction due to cost savings and energy impacts. The Council asked about the number of units and parking agreement. Mr. Stahl explained the studios, alcoves, 1, 1+ den and 2 bedrooms and noted that parking was planned to use 200 units for 250 stalls with 165 stalls Minutes/Edina City Council/May 18, 2021 Page 8 on site so they would only need 85 stalls in the parking ramp. The hotel plan had 153 rooms and only 5 stalls onsite. The Council confirmed no taxpayer support was being requested then spoke about sustainability and asked for more clarity on the electric plug-ins and solar panels. Mr. Jay explained all stalls would provide EV into perpetuity. Mr. Stahl said they were looking at all sustainable options and funding making it an easier choice, adding with fluctuation of building materials they would know more soon about solar opportunities available. The Council asked more about landscaping plans and exterior design. Mr. Stahl said they were working on how they could include activities and landscaping on the top floor along with a pool, outdoor games, others. The Council asked about building orientation, indicating it liked the southern exposure which took advantage of the sun. The Council also asked where the nearest bus stop was and about modular construction time savings. The Council indicated it liked the project but noted the importance of a master plan. Mr. Lawrence shared savings of 30-50%, which helped reduce disruptions, truck trips, and parking by trades. The Council asked about Viking Boulevard improvements and indicated it liked the modular product and precision of work in a controlled environment. The Council also liked the park in the middle surrounded by buildings and noted this would be a wonderful project for Edina. X. AVIATION NOISE UPDATE – None XI. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS – Received XII. MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Received XII.A. BUDGET WORK PLAN AND FINANCIAL REPORT UPDATES XIII. CALENDAR OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND EVENTS – Received XIV. ADJOURNMENT Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to adjourn the meeting at 12:15 a.m. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by Edina City Council, June 1, 2021. James B. Hovland, Mayor Video Copy of the May 18, 2021, meeting available.