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Home My WebLink About1979/09/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular2. Call to Order Roil Cali MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING S�. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA September 10, 197g A special meeting of the City Council was called to ordet^ by President Pro Tem Lyle Hanks at 5:07 p,m, �- The following Council persons were present at roll call: Martha Elstrom Lyle Hanks John Ralles Keith Meland Councilman Backes arrived at 5:10 p.m.; Councilman Martin arrived at 5:20 p.m.; Mayor Howard arrived at 6:30 p.m. A1 so present were the Finance Directo r. City Manage r, the Director of Planning and the 3. Community Action AgencY; Resolution No. 6352 Comnuni ty Action Agency. Communication from the West Hennepin Services Plannin� Board concernirrg a proposal for the establishment of a Marsha Shapiro, a representative from the West Hennepin Services Planning Board, explait�ed the development of the concept of ihe Comnunity Actian Agency in the State of Minnesota and in Hennepin County. She reviewed the history of the proposal for a Community Action Agency as it proceeded through the various agencies of the Hennepin County government. Her presentation was ended by a request that the City Council support the structure of the Community Action Agency as outlined in the materials presented to the Council by Ms. Shapiro. In response to a question from Councilman Meland� Ms. the Con�mun�ty Action Agency was not designed as a new rather the Corrrnun i ty Acti on Agency woul d be performi ng assessments and would only make recommendations to the Shapiro stated that level of gavernment, such tasks as needs fluman Services Boards. Councilman Meland wondered what procedures would be devo�lun�ties that do West and Northwest Human Services Boards to deal w�th c not have representation on these boards. Ms. Shapiroha�a�odnotahaveery effort would be made to encourage those �o� �o��articipa�:e. representatives on the Human Services Qoar p In r ion from Counci1man Meland, Theresa a��rd�'stated esponse to a ques� a representative from the West Hennepin Sec�ionSPro9ramnWas one more step that shp did not feel that the Co�un��y a�h� �ounty. Sh� stated this �n the take over of all human services bY ralize the services and g�v�nnina Board program wou1d actually decen� Service Pla 9 flavor. She continued that the West Flennep�n . has always supported the concept of decentraliza�t�on. �271- ,� �� ►�_. ; � � � �F. �.�N��'►v�. . �.�nrt�� •_M.�� `-~, � � \ � . � •� Council minutes, September Ci y 10� 1979 . . , . devel oped around the membershi p of , the Corrm�un� ty Act�on Agenc� q d� scussi on of the Commun� ty Acti on Agency woul d be J�' was stated that the membersh�p � It labor union�, various public organilations and made up of gr�upSromGthe�poor Any organ� zati on whi ch contracts w�th the representatives f ' , � n pgep�y could not have a member on the board of the or9a��Z� Commun1ty A�t�o . ation. . ci lman E1 strom expressed concern abnuA enc rBoardentHerVconcernhe p°or Coun Actio g Y s centered would be elected to the Community eo ra hical ,area that candidates for representatives of around the large g 9 p the oor woul d have to cover i n order to andeotherdmeans thatnwoul dmbney p e needed that might be spent for such a campaign, , to ensure that the representati ves of the poor are i ndeed representatives of the poor. Theresa V� ctor stated that the federal government set reguiations fpr the el ecti on of representa�i ves of the poor. In add� ti on, a number of rocedures have been establ i shed to ensure that the representatives are p r and that candi dates for the board would elected in a democr�tic manne not have to incurr any expenses in campaigning. In response to a question from Cpuncilman Meland, Th�resa Victor stated that the process for the establ � shmen�t oe uheto°�Uearyfromi nowB�the could begin as early as November or it coul b p Y determini�ng factor is federal governm�nt approval. During the interim time period between when federal government approval of the Comnunity Action Agency for Hennepin County is given and the time when members can be elected, an interim board wi11 be establ i shed by the County to set up the initial organization. It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded wa i ve readi t�g and adopt Resol uti on No : 6352 , �upporting Development of a Community Action Rural Hen�nepin County." by Counci lman Martin, to enti tl ed "A Resol ution Agency For 5uburban and Counci lman El strom questi oned whether the Ci ty Counci 1 coul d aci apprfl�ing the Comnunj ty Acti on Agency wi thout actual l y exami ni ng the by-1 aws of th�s organizat�on. She expressed concern that the Commun�ty Action Agency as proposed is too loosely structured. In response to this Marcia Shapiro stated that ihe Ci ty at _a 1 ater date wi 11 have the option to wi thdraw from the Community Action Agency. Counci lman Mel and, wi th the approval of Counci 1 man Martin, wi thdrew hi s moti or.. It was moved by Counci lman Mel and and seconded b Counci lman Mart�n to approve Resolution No. 6352, with the following amendment: "Thatttre West Nennepin Human Services Plannin Board will submit to the C� Y Counci 1 of St. Loui s Park, for approval , the by-1 aws of the Co�^'�n� �y Actio q �� n gency. The motion passed 7 -p, -272- � .� 4. City Council Nnusinq Plan minutes, September 10, �g�9 1979-1983 Housing Plan for the City of St• Louis Park as developed by the.City Development Department. Representatives from Miller & Schroeder gave the Council.a number of handouts dealing with revenue bohds� � The Director of Planning_explained the Maximum Affordable Mortgage chart and the cho7ce of tncome groups represented on that chart. In response to a question from Councilman Elstrom the Director of Planning stated that certain revisions could be made on the chart to show exactly what the monthly payments would be needed for the various types of mortgages. In discussing use of revenue made the fol.lowing p�ints: bonds for housing, the Director of Planning 1) There would be no benefit in the establishment of a maximum mortgage regulation since the housing market takes care of that itself. In addition,the State �f Minnesota has set a maximum purchase price of $88,000. 2) The trustee adminisirator should be one organiia�ion, which will help the bond rating and involve less adminstration for the �ity of St. Louis Park. � 3) The Housing and Redevelopment Authority daes not want to become involved in home ownership. We would.like to use their money to make mortgages available at the lowest possible interest to encourage the purchase of homes. 4) The distribution of money raised from the sale of revenue bonds would be on a firstTcome first-serve basis, within City regulations. 5) The banks will be responsible for the reuiew and screening of all loan appliGations. Th�s w�ll tend to ensure that the mortgages are given �o individuals who will be able to bear . the burden of repayment. 6 Because of pos$ible new federal regulations ��e#sales��°one � may have to go w�th t revenue bonds, the City If thls was dore, it might be large issue of reve�nu� thedtime for the availability of money feasible to spread f h bu ers or ome y • � ��e G�ty Manager stated In response to a question from Counci�mestHmortga9e.�l�nies wa�� `it the sale of revenue bonds for low �nteneral �bi�gat�on bonds of �he C Y• separate issue from the sale Qf the g • • d woul d be sol d f i rst sU�1e�� bj � i a��n°bonds The generai A bl�ga�ion bon s enEral 0 9 The revenue bonds would be sald after all the 9 have been sold. -213- �_. v:Yrr�. . : . . . .�.. r. Council minutes, September City 10, 1979 the City could add a point to the interest�rate Mayor Howard asked � f t a es as an addi ti onal servi ce fee. A representative ' ed for these mor g 9 could add administrative costs to �harg fr om Miller & Schroeder said the C� y the mortga9� ��terest rate. , ressed concern that th� City would.not be able to Councilman �lstrom eXP ho would be interested �n purchasing a home satisfy all th� pe0ple w through thE u se of mon� es from the sal e of revenue bon s. In response to a q uestion from Councilman Ralles,a rep�eonnassumetions Miller & Schroeder stated no restrict1ons can b� a�eCbonds. In addition, of mortgages that were financed thro�Whiche he City can prevent .someone he stated tha� there 7s no means by sed under this program, after a from selling a house they have parc �Ofit. short period of time and making p 7he Director of Planning sugg ested that the Council may want to limit i suance of money totally to families or set a limit on the amount the s of money given to single pe0ple• � Councilman Meland wondered what the effect of issuing revenuebondr�ng bonds for the purpose of financ�ng housing wauld haves°oftbonds. Echoing market in general and in particular thne�nWhetherrthe issuance of so these sentiments, Mayor Howard questio man revenue bonds for housing would not faood the bond marketet�e�reby y affecting interest rates, Repre�entat�ves fro� �Wp��easons;rone, buyers stated that they did not see this happening fo of general obligation bonds are a different type of people than those purchasing revenue bonds or c.ommercial bonds. Second, the possibility is very strong that in the near future the federal government may abolish the.prac�ice of using revenue bonds for housing purposes. 5. 1980 Budget Revised 1979 and proposed 19801bubget as presented to the City Counc y the City Manager's office. The City Manager began the presentation on the budget proposals bY hijhlighting the main point� of the budget as stated in the section entitled, "Budget in Brief." � Councilm e� Martin and Backes expressed concern about the evaluations of property throughout the City and the fact that the stated increase was only 9.2%, whereas the market was closer to 13-15/. In response, , the City Manager stated that businesses were challenging their evaluations in court and that the City was losing a large number of these cases. er Stated In response to a question from Counci lman Marti n, the Ci ty Manag ��aims ana that the City has done an assessment of the workman compensation that the ma�jor problem area seems to be back injuries. May°r HOWa�he stated that the state courts have apparently given the benef�t of . doubt in workman compensa�ion cases to the victim. -274- City Council minute�, September lp, �g�g the City Manager �then reviewed and highlighted the budget summar� a es I-1 throu h III-5, y sheets on p 9 9 In d�scussion of the summary sheet entitled "Detail of Revenue by Sources," Councilman Backes stated that residential inspection costs to the City for the administration of this program appear to exceed the amount of revenue taken �n. ._ In response to a question from Mayor it is the philosophy of the City that espec�ally commerclal and buslnesses, Howard, the City Manager stated that expenses incurred for inspections, be on a user-pay principle. In response to a question from Councilman Meland, the Finance Director stated that payments to the Library Building fund will terminate in 1983. In response to a question from Councilman Martin concerning the special assessment for refuse collection, the City Manager stated that the City is presently considering p�acing the assessment for refuse collection under the general levy. State law will allow a one-ti�me exemption for the inclusion of that refuse collection in the levy base. This will assist the home owner in that they will be able to increas,e the amount of iocal taxes that are deductible from the state income tax. Legislative Bud�et - It was moved by Councilman Backes, seconded by Counci 1 man Marti n, to i nc1 ude i n thi s budget fees for the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce. Councilman Hanks questioned why the City group. Councilman Martin responded that and membership in this organization will for the City. Councilman Backes,with the approval should belong to this th� City operat�s�as produce a measure of � type of a business good will of Councilman Martin,withdrew his motion. It was moved by Councilman 6ackes, seconded by Councilman�Htokdo soat After Ci t'' of I�layors and appropr� ate $75 y �oin the U.�S. Conf. discussion the motion failed 1-� (Councilman Backes voted in favor). It was moved by Councilman the $381 appropriated for The motion passed 6-0. Elstrom, seconded spot lights for the 6• Read PoTlution; 3 and 6354 esolutions No. 635 The City Council recessed to an concerning Taracorp Industries by Councilman Nanks, to�delete Minnetdnka Community Theater. stion of air pollution from �h�eadad Que ki�own as Nationa plant formerly Inc. industries, now known as Taracorp, executive and Golden -275- session �o dnc�uss Auto Pa r litigation City Cauncil minutes, The Council meeting• $eptember 10, 1979 . returned to the Council chambers an resumed the regular It was moved by Councilman Meland.and seconded bynCouncilman Mar��in, to adopt Resolu�ion No. 6353, entitled Resolutio dire.cting the City Attorney to seek �nformat�on and cont�nued cooperatton w�th the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health." The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Councilman waive the reading and adopt calling for the cooperation air pollution laws." The motion passed 7-0. The attorney for Taracorp if the order to close the responded that, "yes, th� added that the situation its studies. Meland, seconded by Councilman Backes, to Resolution No. 6354, entitled "Resolu�ion and investigation and enforcement of Industries, Mr. plant was still order was still is still status Davis, asked the City Council in effect. Mayor Noward i n effect. " The Ci ty Attorney quo until the state concludes Mr. Davis then asked the City Council if Taracorp, Inc., is in effect operating without a license. Mayor Howard responded that, "yes, the license for the plant had not been reissued." The City Attorney asked if Taracorp, Inc., had any suggestions as �o how�the situation might be resolved. Mr. Davis stated that Mr. Taratoot president of Taracorp, Inc., was to be in Minneapolis tomorrow to meet with Mr. Golden of Golden Auto Parts. Ne added that Taracorp is an Atlanta-based corporation that operates battery reduc�ion plants across the country. Mr. Davis further stated that the company is willing to work with the City to make it a member in good standing within the St. Louis Park community. He asked that the Council take into consideration that Taracorp is �ust beginning to get used to this area since its purchase of National Lead Industries earlier this year, Mr. Davis expressed in the plant, but is staff because staff concern that the company is having difficulty with the considers the plant a lawful trying to make attitude of the nonconformi ng changes C i ty use. Mr. Davis stated that two of the people tested with hi h levels of lead content in their blood had previously made ap lication9to National lead � Industries and that the lead content found inptf�eir blood was in fact normal for these i ndi vi dual s He al so state 1 of the i ndivi dual � tested, not one of. them had 1 ead content i n d that of aj that was higher than standards set by the United State thelr blood � air testing level fo s government. In addition only the r lead was above Un�ted States standards. -276_ �ity Counc�l� minutes, September lp, �g�g . Mr, pavi s stated that us� ng a torch to separate auto parts and radiators releases 1 ead parti cl es i nto the ai r. Pi ctures have been taken of i ndi vi - duals who were.shown to have had h�gh ievels of lead �n the�� blood system using the cu�ting torch. Mr. Dav�s requested that the C�ty Health Officer contact OSNA. .l�e further. ��urged that the Ci ty i nvesti gate the auto reduction yard as a possible s�ouic��for the release of lead �nto �t�e air in the vicinity of the lea p a Mr. Davi s i nvi ted convenience. the City Council members to tour the plant at their Councilman Martin asked Mr. increase in lead content in employment at National Lead. the answer to that question, that que�tion. Davis what percent of employees showed an their blood systems as a result of their Mr. Davis stated that re did not know but would get�the information to answer A request was made by the attorney for Taracorp, Inc. , for the Ci ty Council to remove the order closing the pl�nt and their permit to operate be reissued. He stated that the Mini�esota Poliution Control Agency did no t support the closing of the plant. The City Manager stated that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency had verbally stated that they woul� not support the present order of the City, based on the present ev�dence. In response to statements made by Mr. Davis, the City Attorney stated that the City Council has not given National Lead Industries bad publicity, rathe r that the City Council is simply �io�n9 He feltcthat for the facts involved in th�s very del�cate situa Taracorp Inc., should understand that when a poab� afh�ghS�evelrof operates,in an urban setting, there is bound concern b the media when such a situation as ��resently exattern�and pS� He further stated that presently thing� ar� ie aarelnotgin violation that Taracorp Inc., has.nothing to fear if th y , of any laws or regulations. Mr. Davis stated that without a license for is in violation of law. The C�ty Attorney Council is not indifferent to the position he Minnesota Department o�,Ned�i� pSWA t et been determ7n it has not y the companY to operate,�t responded ti�at the Gi ty of TaraGorp� lnc. The City Manager stated that responsi bl e for th.i s case a�nd should be contacted. • Council to � the City Councilman h1artin stated that the action onknisiyformation anCouncilman close National Lead Industries was based BeC�us� o� tf�is' l�nt information than the Council now possesses• ��pSe the p Mar ' it should remove the order to t�n felt that the C y ,S ��ense. and end susp�nsion of Taracorp -277- •,.-,,- .; �� City Council minutes, September 10, 1979 an Elstrom stated that there is no way �hat the plant could Cauncilm ��luting unless it was �n operation. be tested for p tin stated that the City is not enforcing the law� so Councilman Mar � oint in keeping the order and.s�uspension there is no longer any p Councilman Martin that the 500 of license in effect. It was moved by $ per day fine be suspended. The motion failed f or lack of a second. In response ta a question from Councilman Ralles, the City Manager stated that the lead content �n the blood system is reduced by the removal of the individual from the environment which.produces the increase in lead, but it is very diffi.cult to determ�ne how much of a reduction wili occur and �n what time period. Councilman Meland stated that the City Council action the previous week to close the plant was done to protect the public health. It was moved by Councilman Martin and � to remove the posti�ng of the Nati on�al close and to end the City's suspension seconded by Councilman Elstrom Lead Industries ordering it to of its operating license. It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Ralles, to defer the motion until 5 p.m. September 12, 1979. The motion to defer failed and Ralles in favor). by a vote of 3-4 (Councilmen Nanks, Meland The Council recessed �o an executive se$sion following which it resumed its regular meeting. The mai n moti on fai 1 ed by a vote of 2-5 ( Counci 1 men E1 strom and Martin in favor). . 7. Adjournment The motion passed 7-0. Attest: It was moved by Councilman Meland and seconded by Councilman ,Ralles to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 p.m. ary -278-