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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-19 City Council Meeting MinutesPage 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 19, 2022 7:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. then shared the procedure for public hearing and community comment. II. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Mayor Hovland. Absent: Member Jackson. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS AMENDED Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to approve the meeting agenda as amended, postponing Item IX.E. Ordinance No. 2022-07 Off-Street Parking Regulations to August 3, 2022. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT Alissa Movern, 5005 West 56th Street, shared her disappointment in the lack of communication regarding turf application as part of the sidewalk project in 2021 that lacked weed removal and watering and requested the turf be replaced. Director of Engineering Millner responded about delays with the contractor not following the project’s specifications but said staff was working to ensure completion of the turf replacement in a timely manner. Arnie Bigbee, 7621 Edinborough Way South, acknowledged the Council and staff for their work surrounding Juneteenth celebration and said he looked forward to future opportunities to welcome everyone in the community. Andrew Brown, 5512 Park Place, inquired about the status of the pedestrian bridge across Highway 62 and its potential replacement and the construction of a third fire station. Mr. Millner shared about the lack of response MnDOT received from bidders for the pedestrian bridge repair and that MnDOT was looking for grant opportunities and reviewing other options for its repair or possible replacement. V.A. CITY MANAGER’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS Manager Neal shared an update from the Community Comments from the last meeting. VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS PRESENTED Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, approving the consent agenda as presented: V.A. Approve minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meeting of June 21, 2022 V.B. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated June 24, 2022 (1011) totaling $492,183.23, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated June 24, 2022 totaling $1,894,018.48, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated June 27, 2022 totaling $20,000.00, Minutes/Edina City Council/July 19, 2022 Page 2 Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated July 1, 2022 totaling $1,485,058.15, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated July 8, 2022 (1011) totaling $2,460.15, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated July 8, 2022 totaling $846,660.82, Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated July 15, 2022 totaling $721,048.40 V.C. Approve Grant Agreement with Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District for Cost-Share Purchase of Snow Removal Equipment for Braemar Arena V.D. Request for Purchase, Network Infrastructure Replacements, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, LOGIS (CDWG), $81,395 V.E. Adopt Ordinance No. 2022-05; Amending Chapter 20 of the Edina City Code Concerning Bulk Storage of Deicing Chemicals V.F. Request for Purchase, Land Management Plan Update 2022, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, RES, $28,720 V.G. Request for Purchase, Morningside Opti Predictive Pumping Services, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, OptiRTC, Inc., $57,700 V.H. Request for Purchase, Professional Services for City Hall Roof Replacement, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Hammel Green and Abrahamson, Inc., (HGA), $55,273 V.I. Request for Purchase, Hughes Pavilion Gutters and Fascia, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Green Construction Services, Inc., $23,350 V.J. Approve Traffic Safety Report of May 31, 2022 V.K. Approve 2022-2023 Union Contract for LELS Local 498 Police Officers V.L. Adopt Resolution No. 2022-64; Approving Participation of Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority in an Affordable Housing Project V.M. Adopt Ordinance No. 2022-04; Amending Chapter 4 Alcoholic Beverages Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS VII.A. CITY MANAGEMENT FELLOW GILLIAN STRAUB – INTRODUCED Mr. Neal introduced City Management Fellow Straub to the Council and shared her background with the Council. Ms. Straub thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve in this role. VII.B. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRESS REPORT – RECEIVED Affordable Housing Manager Hawkinson shared a summary report of affordable housing activity since 2015. She outlined the guiding documents and basis for affordable housing work that included the comprehensive plan, race and equity report, and Council’s statements on equity and engagement. She shared about rapidly increasing housing values that showed the average assessed value for 2022 was $797,800 and reviewed the need for affordable housing and the new multifamily affordable housing policy. She reviewed policy initiatives that were created to help with this goal then reviewed affordable housing projects that had been completed since 2015 and compared the inclusion of units versus the buy-in options for developers to meet the affordable housing requirement. Ms. Hawkinson reviewed home ownership and housing preservation efforts that included several different programs to reduce the number of home tear downs and stated 136 households have benefitted from the CH2E program through the Edina Housing Foundation. She reviewed the FirstGeneration Homebuying program then reviewed challenges for affordable housing that included 93% of existing residential land use was slated for single family housing, the availability of land for redevelopment, and current land cost. VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS - Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file. VIII.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-61; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR COUNTRYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 5701 BENTON AVENUE – CONTINUED TO AUGUST 3, 2022 Community Development Director Teague said Edina Public Schools had requested a conditional use permit for building additions and an expanded parking lot at Countryside Elementary School located at 5701 Benton Avenue. The goal of the expanded parking lot was to make the site safer by separating parent and bussing Minutes/Edina City Council/July 19, 2022 Page 3 drop off areas. He said six classroom additions and expanded parking was being proposed then shared the existing configuration and explained the current parent drop off areas with several conflicting points of buses and pedestrians with only access off of Benton. He said the district was proposing to add another access off Tracy Avenue and change the parent drop off to the north side of the building. Mr. Teague stated all setbacks would be met and that feedback from Better Together focused on the need for increased landscaping and parking lot screening that would result in additional plantings in the gap areas with evergreens to provide year-round screening. He stated the CUP criteria would be met, no negative impacts would occur to roadways, lighting standards would be met, no sight line issues or impacts to surrounding property owners would occur and that staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval. He noted the Planning Commission had added a condition regarding EV charging stations be installed and that the district already agreed to install conduit in 2023. Maria Kennedy, Wold Architects, said the proposed construction schedule would begin fall 2022 with completion December 2023, with the parking area slated for the summer. Eric Hamilton, Director of Buildings and Grounds for Edina Public Schools, said the project would not have direct impact to busing and would begin on the south side of the site. He said they intend to close the upper playground for safety reasons but the lower area playground would still be available. He shared about the topography that would act as a barrier for car lights and that berming and landscaping would be included along Benton. Mr. Hamilton noted there was a grade difference already in place and filling in the bermed area at Stewart would help with lighting concerns and screening as well then spoke about the planned installation of charging stations. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 7:49 p.m. Public Testimony No one addressed the Council. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Member Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Staunton, to close the public hearing at noon on July 25, 2022, and continue action on Resolution 2022-61, approving a conditional use permit for Countryside School at 5701 Benton Avenue, to the August 3, 2022, City Council meeting. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. VIII.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-62; CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR CONCORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 5900 CONCORD AVENUE – CONTINUED TO AUGUST 3, 2022 Mr. Teague said Edina Public Schools had requested a conditional use permit for a small building addition to add a classroom at Concord Elementary School at 5900 Concord Avenue. He said there were no proposed changes to the site plan or parking lot areas and that the addition would match the existing school. He said all setbacks would be met and that parking exceeded code and that since all criteria for a CUP was proposed to be met that staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval. Ms. Kennedy added the addition would be used for special education and additional flexible classroom space. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 7:53 p.m. Public Testimony No one addressed the Council. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Minutes/Edina City Council/July 19, 2022 Page 4 Member Anderson made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to close the public hearing at noon on July 25, 2022, and continue action on Resolution 2022-62, approving a conditional use permit for Concord School at 5900 Benton Avenue, to the August 3, 2022, City Council meeting. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. IX. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IX.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-63 ACCEPTING DONATIONS – ADOPTED Member Pierce introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2022-63 accepting donations. Member Staunton seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. IX.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-65 APPROVING PROPOSED LOCAL SALES TAX QUESTIONS AND AUTHORIZING ELECTION THEREON DURING THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION – ADOPTED Mr. Neal said Resolution No. 2022-65 approved ballot language for the City’s local option sales tax referendum questions for the 2022 general election. The City was authorized to pose these two ballot questions to Edina voters by an act of the Minnesota State Legislature in 2021. The ballot language had been reviewed by the City Attorney and conformed to the general practices of grammar, syntax and content for local referendum ballot questions. He said if approved by the City Council, the resolution and ballot language would be forwarded to Hennepin County for inclusion on ballots for the 2022 general election, then noted early voting would begin on September 23, 2022. Member Anderson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2022-65 approving the proposed local sales tax questions and authorizing an election thereon during the 2022 general election. Member Pierce seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. IX.C. ORDINANCE NO. 2022-06; AN INTERIM ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE SALE, TESTING, MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION OF THC PRODUCTS – FIRST READING GRANTED Mr. Neal said staff recommended first reading of Ordinance No. 2022-06, an interim ordinance prohibiting the sale, testing, manufacturing, and distribution of THC products. He said the ordinance would impose a one-year moratorium on the retail sales of THC-infused edibles and drinks within the City of Edina. The purpose of the moratorium was to provide sufficient time for staff to study the issues related to the development of a municipal system of regulation and licensure of the retail sales of these materials. He noted a number of Minnesota cities were adopting similar moratoriums for the same or similar purposes and that this ordinance was drafted by the City Attorney and met the standards for municipal moratorium ordinances and would allow staff time to research and recommend an approach for how to address. He said if Ordinance No. 2022-06 was approved on first reading by the City Council at the July 19 Council meeting, staff would schedule second reading for the ordinance at the Council’s August 3 meeting and if approved would become effective immediately. City Attorney Kendall shared how other cities were adopting similar ordinances to allow time to implement regulatory structure to help enforce the regulation of these products. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Minutes/Edina City Council/July 19, 2022 Page 5 Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Pierce, to grant First Reading of Ordinance No. 2022-06 implementing an interim ordinance prohibiting the sale, testing, manufacturing, and distribution of THC products, and schedule Second Reading at the August 3, 2022 Council meeting. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. IX.D. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-55 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCE FOR INTERLACHEN COUNTRY CLUB, 6200 INTERLACHEN BOULEVARD – ADOPTED Member Pierce stated he would be abstaining from discussion and consideration of this item due to a potential conflict of interest. Mr. Neal confirmed a majority of the remaining members would be required for adoption. Assistant City Planner Bodeker said the Interlachen Country Club was requesting a conditional use permit and building height variance to redevelop some of their existing facilities for its members. The expanded facilities included a new 15,387-square foot lodge/restaurant, a 17,423-square foot fitness center, five outdoor clay tennis courts, two indoor hard surface tennis courts, two pickleball courts and three platform tennis courts. The number of tennis courts was reduced from 9 to 7; the pickleball courts and platform tennis were added. The tennis courts would continue to be used as hockey and skating rinks in the winter and the facilities would be located where the existing racquet courts were on the site today. The covered tennis courts required a structure height variance from 20 feet for non-primary buildings to 39 feet. The existing clubhouse on the site was 52 feet tall and a CUP was required for the new structures proposed. She outlined the public input process and said approval would be based on the proposed findings and conditions. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Member Staunton introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2022-55 approving a conditional use permit with a height variance for Interlachen Country Club, 6200 Interlachen Boulevard based on the following conditions: 1. The construction plans must be consistent with the proposed development plans, including the landscaping plan date stamped May 12, 2022. 2. Compliance with all the conditions outlined in the city engineer’s memo dated June 6, 2022. 3. Compliance with all the conditions outlined in the building official and fire marshal memo dated June 8, 2022. 4. Hours of operation are limited to the following times: • Fitness Center: 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM • Food Service: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM • Tennis/Hockey: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Member Anderson seconded the motion. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Staunton, and Hovland. Abstain: Pierce Motion carried. IX.E. ORDINANCE NO. 2022-07 OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS – POSTPONED TO AUGUST 3, 2022 Item was postponed to August 3, 2022. IX.F. SKETCH PLAN FOR LIFE TIME LIVING AT SOUTHDALE – REVIEWED Minutes/Edina City Council/July 19, 2022 Page 6 Mr. Teague said the applicants, Life Time and Simon Property group, were proposing a 300-unit, 32-story residential building. The site would be accessed from the mall property by the ring road and require the relocation of the bus transit station to the north side of the mall property. The building would be set back approximately 140 feet from the curb of York Avenue. The apartment building would be connected to Life Time Fitness by a skyway located on the third level and any approval would require site plan review and a building height variance as any structure adjacent to R-1 properties higher than nine stories required a setback six times the height of building or 2,400 feet. He outlined the proposed parking stall variance and said a traffic and parking study would be required should the project move forward. Eric Padget, Life Time, shared about the proposed project that would add to the continued success in the Southdale through their renovation of the former JC Penney into Life Time that would redefine Southdale Mall. He spoke about their partnership with Simon Property to deliver a health/wellness destination through a for-lease apartment home designed in a health-forward way that would include concierge wellness, technology. He spoke about major site improvements and creation of a major grid network, modified two- way ring road, public park and open greenspace, and relocation of bus transit station. He said they would place a high priority on the creation of a public realm and greenspace through a pocket park of 1.5 acres of new greenspace that would be activated and programmed and publicly accessible but privately maintained. Mr. Padget said this project would provide the creation of a new gateway into Southdale Mall then outlined the 300 units, 32-stories, 450 parking stalls of which 85 would be publicly-accessible for mall use, 65 stalls internal to the parking podium, and improved pedestrian access in and around the site. Christine Pecard, ESG Architects, shared more about the proposed design concepts and existing site conditions that were hardscaped with underutilized parking areas. She outlined the proposed landscaping, grade changes, and canted building shape that while not efficient for development was essential to respond to existing site conditions as it provided more greenspace and active walk-up units on the outward façade. She reviewed the proposed grid modifications with passive connections, reviewed the proposed high quality materials, and prioritized the pedestrian street that would create separation from the front yard while providing privacy for the walk-up units. Ms. Pecard spoke about the woonerf area for large gatherings and activities for public and Life Time, a transparent building with lots of glass, architectural fins and accent metal panels, a sky room and outdoor terrace, then reviewed the requests for height and setback variances and provided a shadow study to show minimal impacts to surrounding residential areas. She spoke about the new 1.5 acres of public greenspace with amenities such as pickleball courts and a dog park and said the Southdale District guidelines called for a park which had York Avenue as a good location for entry. She noted this was not an inward development but phase two of a horizonal mixed use development and that the proposed 300 units of density would be a catalyst for next phase development and would allow Simon Property to redevelop other parcels and encouraged development to the west and north. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. X. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE (MINUTES AND ADVISORY COMMUNICATION) – Received X.A. MINUTES: TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, MAY 19, 2022 X.B. MINUTES: HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELATIONS COMMISSION, APRIL 26 AND MAY 24, 2022 X.C. ADVISORY COMMUNICATION: COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION: SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS INITIATIVE AND VITALS APPLICATION X.D. ADVISORY COMMUNICATION: ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION: NEW ARTS CENTER XI. MANAGER’S COMMENTS – Received XI.A. PREP MEMO FOR JULY 19, 2022 XII. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS – Received XIII. ADJOURNMENT Minutes/Edina City Council/July 19, 2022 Page 7 Member Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 p.m. Ayes: Anderson, Pierce, Staunton, and Hovland. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by Edina City Council, August 3, 2022. James B. Hovland, Mayor Video Copy of the July 19, 2022, meeting available.