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CCM 03/27/2017 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF FRIDLEY MARCH 27, 2017 The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lund Councilmember Barnette Councilmember Saefke Councilmember Varichak Councilmember Bolkcom OTHERS PRESENT: Wally Wysopal, City Manager Darcy Erickson, City Attorney Scott Hickok, Community Development Director James Kosluchar, Public Works Director Shelly Peterson, Finance Director Jerry Bahls, 7514 Alden Way, Malcolm Mitchell,1225 Regis Lane Troy Kohlhorst, 100 Logan Parkway APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council Meeting of March 13, 2017. APPROVED. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Receive the Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of March 13, 2017. RECEIVED. 2. Lot Split Request, LS #17-01, by Downright Properties, LLC, to Subdivide the Southern 90 Feet of the Lot at 630 Glencoe Street to Create a New Buildable Single Family Lot; and Resolution Approving a Subdivision, Lot Split, LS #17-01, to Create a Buildable Single Family Lot, Generally Located at 630 Glencoe Street NE (Ward 3). FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2017 PAGE 2 Wally Wysopal , City Manager, said this went before the Planning Commission on March 13, 2017, and was approved. APPROVED LOT SPLIT, LS #17-01 BY DOWNRIGHT PROPERTIES, LLC, AND ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2017–11. 3. Approve Award for 2017 Cooperative Street Maintenance Contract, Project No. ST2017-10. Councilmember Barnette asked about the City of Coon Rapids being the administrative authority for this project. James Kosluchar , Public Works Director, replied Coon Rapids has prepared the contract documents, specifications, and plans and handled all the bidding on behalf of the JPA group. There are 11 or 12 cities involved now. With this many cities’ purchasing power, you get some pretty good prices and contractors lower them accordingly. APPROVED. 4. Approve 2017 Reappointments to Fridley Commissions. APPROVED. 5. Claims (ACH PCard 1703; 176031 – 176149). APPROVED. 6. Business License. Mr. Wysopal stated this is for a display permit at the LivINN Suites at 5201 Central Avenue. APPROVED. ADOPTION OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to adopt the proposed consent agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OPEN FORUM, VISITORS: Jerry Bahls , 7514 Alden Way, stated he is currently the president of the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis. Of the approximately 2,900 chapter members, 46 live in Fridley. He is here tonight to urge them to use bird-friendly guidelines when constructing the new Fridley campus. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2017 PAGE 3 He sent each of them the American Bird Conservancy’s Bird Friendly Building Design, the International Dark Sky Association’s The Promise and Challenges of LED Lighting – a Practical Guide, and the Audubon’s Why Bird-Safe Discussions. He thanked Malcolm Mitchell for his letter asking that Fridley continue to be a community and national leader in bird-friendly building construction following the construction of the Springbrook Nature Center. Mr. Bahls stated the City needs to challenge their architect to come up with viable proposals that utilize bird-friendly designs. Bird-friendly design has three aspects: glass that birds can see, landscape that is bird-friendly, and lighting that does not negatively affect bird behavior. These are covered very well in the ABC Bird Friendly Design publication. Mr. Bahls stated the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis knows the City has a tight budget, but addressing it now will eliminate problems in the future. In reviewing the City’s drawings on the website, he does not see much that needs to be done with the Public Works building, only what looks like in the office area on the second floor. Some decals might work. Mr. Bahls stated in the Police Department, the wall that abuts the city hall and the windows around the corner need attention. He noticed on the drawing in the lobby that there is a brown area adjacent to the windows. He will withdraw his objection if the brown area is not a window but is something else. Mayor Lund referred to staff for their response. He stated the City has made a request to its architects and either this week or next week at the latest, they will have a response as to options about either doing the etching or something else. He thought the information Mr. Bahls provided to Council was helpful. Mr. Bahls stated the big area that is a problem is the multi-use courtyard area. There is a lot of glass there and the water that is proposed to be behind there really attracts birds. The problem will be the birds will see that as a reflection. Mr. Bahls stated finally they request the architect use the acceptable designs. If they can offer their assistance, they would gladly do so. Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, replied the brown area is wood material and is an accent on the building. Behind that and beside that is a metal panel. It is not a window. As far as the bird-safe glass area Mr. Bahls is talking about, the City’s architects are looking at that very closely and have highlighted areas that are probably most prone to having bird incidents and also best served by using certain frittered glass in those areas. In the council chambers area, for example, the area adjacent to the public safety building that actually serves as the main entrance corridor into city hall and the public safety area, the high glass there is a problem. Also the south side of the council chambers would feature that same frittered glass. As they move around to the rear of the building with the water and reflection in the windows, they would use the same highlighted areas here to demonstrate where the large panels of glass are and the higher elevations of glass and where they would use the frittered glass. Again they are analyzing those areas. It is a rather costly glass alternative but certainly a very important glass alternative as they know the birds need to remain safe on the site. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2017 PAGE 4 Mayor Lund asked if the blue light that emits from LED lights is a health hazard to humans. Mr. Bahls replied it can be. It can adversely affect people by having too much of the blue light. The other thing the blue does is it penetrates further up into the sky. Birds that see in the ultraviolet can see the increased glow up higher. They go by the temperatures. Mayor Lund stated he saw the graph and it said red to blue. Mr. Bahls stated you want to be kind of in the middle or a little bit to the left. You do not want there to be too much yellow because that is perceived to be not a very flattering color. The brighter the white the more blue there is in it. You want to go a little more into the green. Mayor Lund asked why blue light was harmful. Mr. Bahls replied for some reason birds are drawn to that. The birds will continue to circle and ultimately they just die of fatigue. Nobody knows why, but that is what happens. Troy Kohlhorst, 100 Logan Parkway, stated he was there to address a change in the City ordinance to allow backyard beekeeping within the city limits of Fridley. The City of Fridley has already taken steps to help bee colonies by planting pollinator plants around the City through the GreenStep Program. Mr. Kohlhorst stated these pollinators are a very important food source for honey bees. Honey bees take the nectar from these flowers to make food, and they help the plants multiply by cross pollinating. Without honey bees, our neighborhood flowers and gardens would not succeed. Bees are the No. 1 pollinators in the world. They are responsible for pollinating 70 percent of our fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They are hard working, well behaved, and they only want the best for their own colonies. Mr. Kohlhorst stated now is the time to allow beekeeping into Fridley’s community. The honey bee pollution has been on the steady decline for a number of years, and we need to help protect these insects that we take for granted. More and more cities in Minnesota are allowing backyard beekeeping, including our neighbors in Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, and Mounds View. They worked with a local group, Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers, to create a model for city ordinances for responsible backyard beekeeping. Much like backyard chickens in Fridley, beekeepers in these cities must follow regulations and register their hives within the city. Mr. Kohlhorst stated he believed the Minnesota beekeeper ordinance template is a perfect starting point for rules and regulations. He has spoken with the City of Brooklyn Park to see how their beekeeping program is doing. They are in their third year of backyard beekeeping with multiple beekeepers in the city, and not a single complaint has been filed by surrounding neighbors. They have told him that each year the processing gets a little bit easier, and it sounds like it is very successful. Mr. Kohlhorst stated he has also talked to several of his neighbors to get an idea of how they would feel about having backyard honey bees. Everyone he has talked to have all agreed that FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2017 PAGE 5 backyard beekeeping would be a great addition to Fridley. One of his neighbors even told him she is allergic to bees yet she would love to see backyard beekeeping in Fridley. Mr. Kohlhorst stated bees and beekeeping can have a very big impact in Fridley’s community. In addition to pollinating the flowers and gardens, they can also be a learning tool to other cities that are considering adopting them as well. He has imagined having hives in the Springbrook Nature Center where people can learn about the importance of bees, and what they can do to help the declining numbers. Mr. Kohlhorst stated he also understands people can be fearful of bees. Honey bees are often confused with some of their relatives like the yellow jackets or wasps that are more aggressive that we also classify as bees. Even though the honey bee rarely stings for any reason, the yellow jacket and wasp give them the bad name. Honey bees only use their stingers to defend their hive or if they feel threatened. Honey bees are hard workers and give all their energy to making their hive prosper. Mr. Kohlhorst stated allowing backyard beekeeping is a small step Fridley can take to help the declining honey bee population by combining citizen beekeeping with educational programs at Springbrook. Fridley can be an example to other communities of a sustainable, positive environmental change. We can join our neighboring cities that already allow backyard beekeeping and potentially influence more cities to do the same. Mayor Lund asked if he wanted a bee hive in his backyard. Mr. Kohlhorst replied that is correct. Mayor Lund stated it is a valid point. He does not know where the City’s ordinance stands right now. The City is always going to try and err on the side of safety. If everyone takes care of their beehives, they probably would not have any problems. Mr. Kohlhorst stated that is actually what he was discussing with the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers. They have a template which he provided to the Mayor. The other one he had was from Brooklyn Park. It errs more on the safe side as far as clearance from neighbors. You have to be “X” amount of feet away from neighbors’ properties. If you do not have a very big yard, you can only have “X” amount of hives, etc. Mayor Lund stated they will take a look at it and consider it. They will hear the other side from those people who would be against it. Malcolm Mitchell, 1225 Regis Lane, stated he is the chair of the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation and he is at the meeting to support Jerry Bahls. They received an e-mail from him that raised the issue of bird-friendly construction including the glass, and he appreciates the time they are taking to look at this issue. He urged Council to do what they can to support bird- friendly construction. He uses the term, bird-safe, in the sense of glass; but it means the whole design that is really bird friendly. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2017 PAGE 6 Mr. Mitchell stated as they know, Springbrook installed the bird-friendly glass. They always emphasize the fact that Springbrook has bird-safe glass. Today they had a site visit and tour from the folks at Cummins Power Generation. One of the things they mentioned in that site visit was the fact that Springbrook is a leader in the community in bird-safe glass. He thinks that the City and the city campus deserve the same attention. ADOPTION OF AGENDA: MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve the agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Saefke. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: 7. Resolution Authorizing Final Changes in Appropriations for the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds for the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds for the Year Ended 2016. Shelly Peterson , Finance Director, stated she is coming to them today with the final step in the closures of the City’s 2016 budget process. Most of the revisions have been approved with the 2017 budget. These are just a few remaining items because of additional changes that have occurred since that budget was revised. Ms. Peterson stated these adjustments stay within Chapter 7 of the City’s Charter. In the general fund, staff is proposing a revision to the Fire budget for both revenues and expenditures to balance them. It is primarily due to health insurance falling above the anticipated budget levels. They did have additional revenues to compensate for that difference. Ms. Peterson stated in the City’s special revenue funds, the Solid Waste Abatement Fund, the City had a multi-city event; and that resulted in some revenue and additional expenditures. Again, that is another revision; it is a balanced entry. Ms. Peterson stated within the Nature Center, the City had reduced the budget during the budget revision process because the Nature Center had been under construction for most of the season; and they needed to increase that for the Halloween event at the end of the year. Another balanced entry between revenues and expenditures. Ms. Peterson stated, finally, the Grant Management Fund does not get an initial budget. They budget this fund at the end of the year based on activity, and they had several pass-through grants where they received money through Met Council and passed that onto residents who did some well sealing. Again, another revenue and expenditure balanced budget adjustment. Ms. Peterson stated with the audit scheduled to begin next Monday this is the final step in the revisions. They plan to come forward with an audited comprehensive annual financial report on FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2017 PAGE 7 June 12, and they recommend Council pass the final revisions and complete the budget cycle for 2016. MOTION by Councilmember Saefke to adopt Resolution No. 2017-12. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 8. Approve the Stewardship Fund Action Grant Agreement between the City of Fridley and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization for Riverwood Apartments Parking Lot and Drainage Improvements (Ward 3). James Kosluchar, Public Works Director, stated this item is related to Mississippi Watershed Management Organization cost-share agreement for Riverwood Apartments. The project location is south of Stevenson Elementary along the river. Charles Street is on the north side of the property, and Anna Avenue bounds the east side of the property. Mr. Kosluchar stated Riverwood Apartments were developed in 1968. The site’s west parking lot routes runoff from adjacent areas including the City’s streets (Charles Street and Anna Avenue) before piping carries runoff to the Mississippi River. This is by design with the original development, and the runoff is routed across the surface of the parking lot which has deteriorated. The deterioration has accelerated by freeze/thaw conditions, as the water is ponding on the lot in the spring and fall. Mr. Kosluchar stated City staff has been working on solution with the property owner for several years. Initially one of the City’s concepts was to provide a valley gutter and do a cost- share with the valley gutter and run it across their lot and basically kind of contain that and avoid damage to the asphalt. However, the property owner identified their desire for a more robust and permanent repair and really wanted to include a water quality benefit. Therefore, the City worked with the property owner and the MWMO to develop a cost-share benefit that benefits all three agencies. Mr. Kosluchar stated as far as project roles, the property owner will be paving their lot, adding curb and gutter, adding a concrete pad for refuse, and piping drainage across their site. A couple of those items, including the lot paving and concrete pad, are mandated Code requirements. As they have been trying to find this solution, the City’s Community Development Department has been very good about working with them and allowing them some time to work on this. Mr. Kosluchar stated the City’s Public Works Department would assist by adding two catch basins with sump pumps for pretreatment of the runoff from the streets at the cul de sac on Charles Road, and the MWMO would pay for design and construction of a large rain garden on the west side of the parking lot. That rain garden is about 30 x 45 feet. Mr. Kosluchar stated the total project cost is around $130,000. Subject to the Agreement today it is $32,150; and the City of Fridley cost share for the drainage structures and pipe in its right- FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 27, 2017 PAGE 8 of-way is $10,000. The City of Fridley match would be funded through a partial allocation, and it has $20,000 in storm water CIP, watershed BMP implementation, which this fits perfectly because it is leveraging a lot of dollars with that $10,000 it will be contributing. The MWMO will be funding their portion of the project by a pass-through grant from the City of Fridley from its stewardship fund. The City of Fridley would then ensure that the construction happens and pass that along for reimbursement to the owner. Mr. Kosluchar stated the MWMO Board has approved a stewardship fund action grant agreement with the City, and the City would maintain the catch basin it installs under the program. The maintenance of the improvements on private property will be by the property owner, and the property owner will also have the duty to share outreach materials as have been identified in the grant. Mr. Kosluchar stated staff is requesting the Council approve the attached Stewardship Fund Grant Agreement No. 2021703 with the MWMO. If approved, staff will finalize the schedule, construction details and maintenance agreement. Construction could start as early as late April. MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve the Stewardship Fund Action Grant Agreement between the City of Fridley and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization for Riverwood Apartments Parking Lot and Drainage Improvements. Seconded by Councilmember Barnette. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, COUNCILMEMBER SAEFE ABSTAINING, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A 4-0 VOTE. 9. Informal Status Reports. No reports. ADJOURN: MOTION by Councilmember Barnette, seconded by Councilmember Varichak, to adjourn. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, COUNCILMEMBER BOLKCOM ABSTAINING, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON A 4-0 VOTE AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:36 P.M. Respectfully submitted by, Denise M. Johnson Scott J. Lund Recording Secretary Mayor