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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-19 City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL MARCH 19, 2024 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. then shared the procedure for public hearing and community comment. ►I. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland. Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT Ralph Zickert, 4311 Cornelius Circle, shared frustrations that staff disparaged his water rate facts with no basis and that after review of his data, the City determined he was correct. He requested the City Manager publicly acknowledge his error then asked if this was the behavior Council expected by staff. Evan Williams 3905 West 55th Street, asked questions regarding the current tree ordinance. He said he was currently working as a home builder on a site that had trees removed in 2022 prior to enactment of the ordinance and hoped for clarification as the ordinance should not be applied retroactively. He shared comments on tree growth and how builders could incentive people to remove trees prior to selling, which could have the opposite effect and make homes more valuable with fewer trees. Susan Lee, 6708 Point Drive, spoke about the importance of the ADA Act, noting with lawsuits on the rise and greater corporate responsibility, emphasis should be placed on qualified civil engineers to ensure that all sites met ADA requirements to the extent feasible. She said the Grand View pedestrian bridge improvements were done only after the Department of Justice investigation began and that accessibility for all residents should be a priority for all City-designed projects. David Frenkel, 4510 Lakeview Drive, shared about Millennium Park in Chicago, their bridge that exceeded ADA requirements, and the need to do the right thing in Edina regardless of the law. He referenced a recent newspaper article that highlighted Edina's tree canopy map and how this information should be readily available to residents instead of only through formal data requests. He spoke about Emerald ash borer in Minnesota and how all other cities had programs to address the concern, except Edina, and how this needed to occur as part of a scaled program. Janey Westin, 6I 36 Brookview Avenue, shared concerns about invasive species in Pamela Park taking over marshlands, such as purple loosestrife near Lake Nancy south of Normandy Apartments and Phragmites reeds in North Pamela Park, and the need to address. VI.A. CITY MANAGER'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS City Manager Neal responded to Community Comments from current and past meetings. Page 1 Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19. 2024 VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED AS AMENDED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, approving the consent agenda as amended removing Items VI.H, Resolution No. 2024-25; Approving Shade Tree Program Bonding Grant Agreement , VI.1, Request for Purchase; ENG 24-5 50th Street and Grange Road Improvements, and VI.N, Resolution No. 2024-26; Accepting Business District Initiative Grant, as follows: VI.A. Approve Minutes of the Work Session and Regular Meeting of March 6, 2024 VI.B. Approve Claims for Payment for Check Register Pre-List Dated March I, 2024, totaling $2,614,305.80 and Check Register Claims Pre-List Dated March 8, 2024, totaling $1,672, I 28.86 VI.C. Approve Cooperative Agreement with Nine Mile Creek Watershed for Arrowhead Lake and Indianhead Lake Water-Quality Improvement Project VI.D. Request for Purchase; Professional Services for Grandview and Vernon Street Lighting Replacement, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, SEH, $87,400 VI.E. Request for Purchase; Professional Services for York Avenue Pond Improvements, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, BARR Engineering, $60,100 VI.F. Approve Contract Change No. I with Davey Resource Group for Bredesen Park Restoration Project VI.G. Request for Purchase; Professional Services for Concept Design for Interlachen Boulevard, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, WSB, $24,686 nding-G-rant-Agreement VI.J. Request for Purchase; Braemar Park Courtney Fields Site Improvements, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Upper Midwest Athletic Construction, $611,994 VI.K. Request for Purchase; Four 2024 Ford Lightning Trucks, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Boyer Ford, $237,215 VI.L. Request for Purchase; 800 MHz Motorola Mobile Radios, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, Motorola, $132,439.36 VI.M. Request for Purchase; South Metro Public Safety Training Facility Tactical Training Building Service Contract, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder. VI.O. Approve Contract for Services with Edina Resource Center VI.P. Approve 2024 Liquor License Renewals for Cub Foods and Speedway #4047 Rollcall: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA VI.H. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-25; APPROVING SHADE TREE PROGRAM BONDING GRANT AGREEMENT — ADOPTED The Council thanked staff for securing the $480,000 DNR shade tree program grant that would be used to replace hazardous ash trees. Member Risser introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-25, approving the Shade Tree Program Bonding Grant Agreement. Seconded by Member Jackson. Rollcall: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. VI. I. REQUEST FOR PURCHASE; ENG 24-5 50TH STREET AND GRANGE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, AWARDING THE BID TO THE RECOMMENDED LOW BIDDER, S.M. HENTGES & SONS, INC., $2,694,183 — APPROVED The Council asked about improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists going to schools, Southview, Concord, and others. Director of Engineering Millner shared about the proposed improvements in this area that Page 2 Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19. 2024 included upsized sidewalks, improved intersections, crosswalk lights to Interlachen Boulevard, and sidewalk access along Grange Avenue. He stated the source of funds for this project was from the TIF district which provided a great opportunity to improve these areas. Member Risser made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, to approve request for purchase; ENG 24-5 50th Street and Grange Road Improvements, awarding the bid to the recommended low bidder, S.M. Hentges & Sons, Inc., $2,694,183. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. VI.N. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-26; ACCEPTING BUSINESS DISTRICT INITIATIVE GRANT — ADOPTED The Council asked how the program could help make cities more welcoming and the hope to incorporate the One Town/One Family concept into signage. Economic Development Manager Neuendorf shared about how the grant from Hennepin County would be used for wayfinding along with a variety of other funding and while there had been no specific design created, funds would be incorporated into traditional wayfinding signs that include placemaking features such as a landmarks and other public art. Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-26, Accepting Business District Initiative Grant. Seconded by Member Agnew. Rollcall: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. VII. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS VILA. MARISA BAYER, SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER — INTRODUCED Mr. Neal introduced Sustainability Manager Bayer who shared her background with Council and said she was excited to serve the City of Edina. VII.B. STORMWATER UTILITY OVERVIEW — RECEIVED Engineering Services Manager Bintner provided an overview of the stormwater utility that would provide additional context for the discussion on Clean Water Strategy. He reviewed the mission and service, key trends, partners, and strategies, governance and financial overview, capital expenditures and infrastructure replacement value, operational expenditures, and how we change and grow. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. VII.C. CLEAN WATER STRATEGY VISION (VALUES AND GOALS) PREVIEW — RECEIVED Water Resources Manager Vanderwerff Wilson previewed the proposed Clean Water Strategy vision, which included its values and goals that would be tentatively considered in April 2024. She reviewed comments and questions from the August 15, 2023, worksession that included reasons to establish a clean water strategy, clear versus turbid water conditions, Edina's proposed strategy and the broader context of water resources management, definitions of status quo service level versus clean water vision service level, and prioritization and potential phase 3. She stressed the importance of strategic objectives and said the City had an opportunity to set local priorities, service levels, and impact the pace of achievement for clean water. Ms. Vanderwerff Wilson said the vision included prevention and mitigation of pollution and processes to protect and restore ecological processes. She outlined the proposed values and goals in detail and stressed the need to define and set local priorities, service levels, and impacts of the pace of achievement for clean water. Stephanie Johnson, Barr Engineering, shared further about the City's natural water bodies that included lakes of 15 feet in depth, plant growth, and the differences between clear and turbid water. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Page 3 Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19, 2024 VIII. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS VIII.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-27; ACCEPTING DONATIONS — ADOPTED Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-27, accepting donations. Seconded by Member Agnew. Rollcall: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. VIII.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2024-21; AMENDING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO AUTHORIZE INCREASE BONDING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY CENTER (FIRE STATION 2) — ADOPTED Mr. Neal shared background about the numeric changes in fiscal impact for this project, the review with Ehlers and Associates, and the recommended requested action. Nick Anhut, Ehlers and Associates, stated a public hearing took place at the March 6 City Council meeting, which was posted in Better Together Edina and closed March 10. No public comments were received. In June 2022, Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-56 to authorize financing for up to $39,000,000 of general obligation bonds for the land acquisition, design, and construction of the fire station project. The original plan authorized a not to exceed $39,000,000 bonding amount. Following that meeting, preliminary design indicated the need to increase the project budget due to cost escalations and refined scope. Final bid results were received in December 2023 and the Council subsequently approved increasing the project budget by $8,300,000 to $47,300,000. The plan was amended to authorize an additional bonding amount, not to exceed $8,300,000, subject to City Council approval for the project. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Member Jackson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2024-21, adopting the Capital Improvement Plan and authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds therefor for the Community Health & Safety Center (Fire Station 2). Seconded by Member Pierce. Rollcall: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. VIII.C. DESIGN OPTION ►A FOR ROSLAND PARK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE — APPROVED AS AMENDED Director of Engineering Millner shared the City's current pedestrian and bicycle master plan and goals to become more walkable and bikeable. He said the current Rosland Park pedestrian bridge was owned and managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and constructed in the 1960s. The bridge did not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and was substantially damaged when it was struck twice in 2022 by vehicles traveling on Minnesota Highway 62. The damage resulted in the closure of the bridge for most of 2022, until expensive temporary repairs were made in January 2023. There have been extensive discussions between City and MnDOT staff about a plan to replace the bridge that included extensive public input. He outlined the proposed bridge that included a steel truss bridge that would expand the entire highway and frontage road. He outlined the proposed options in detail then highlighted Option IA which was recommended which included switchbacks and a noise wall between the bridge and 64th Street. Funding for the project had been secured between a successful capital bonding request in 2023 and MnDOT Funds. He said MnDOT was also discussing adding a permanent third westbound travel lane on Highway 62 along with a 20-ft tall noise wall. He shared the construction funding available of $5-$6 million project cost with MnDOT and the extra maintenance for elevators then asked for Council direction. The Council asked questions and provided feedback. Page 4 ames B. Hovland, Mayor Minutes/Edina City Council/March 19. 2024 Member Pierce made a motion, seconded by Member Jackson, that the Rosland Park Pedestrian Bridge be designed in a manner without an elevator as a component. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. IX. COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE (MINUTES AND ADVISORY COMMUNICATION) — Received IX.A. MINUTES: HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELATIONS COMMISSION, JANUARY 23, 2024 IX.B. MINUTES: COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMISSION, JANUARY 8 AND FEBRUARY 12, 2024 IX.C. MINUTES: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 X. MANAGER'S COMMENTS — Received XI. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS — Received XII. ADJOURNMENT Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Agnew, to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 p.m. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, Hovland Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Minutes approved by Edina City Council, April 2, 2024. Video Copy of the March 19, 2024, meeting available. Page 5