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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981/07/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session► 2. Call to Order Roll Call PIINUTES CITY.C�UNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA� July 13, 1981 The study session was P�ayor McQuaid at 7:12 Ju1y 4b 20, 1981 called to. order by p.m. The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: � Ronald Backes Lyle Hanks Martha E 1 strom Kei th .P1e1 and � Phyl 1 i s ��9cQuai d Councilman Martin arrived at 7:18 p.m. Also present were the Director of Planning. 3. Numan Riqhts Ordinance City Manager, the Director of Public Works and the � Councilman Backes felt uneasy about taking action on the proposed ordinance since there were no staff comments included in the study session package. The Personnel Director, who is also•the secretary t0 nce tomreflect�what�itsdoes� responded that the Commission proposed the ordina in practice and to �conform to chanqes in state laws. For some of the respon- sibilities of the Commission contained in the ordinance under which it is oper- atin�l, 1 i ke grievances, the� Com�ni ssion does not have the expertise to consider issues "ir�mediately" as it is supposed to do. The proposed ordinance retains tf�e spirit�of the original ordinance. The City Manager commented that he saw • they would only affect the scope of its no problems with the proposed chanc�es, .. �ur ose. The Personnel Director mentioned that the Commiss�on had presentec! . p the proposed ord i nance to the Counci�l for i ts cri ti que. � � Councilman.Hanks moved that re�ul a.r member of the Comr�i ssi on He stated that "just causes" anci processes. The motion, seconded Section 1-341(4) be rewmrbedthe Cety�C uncil." may be removed therefro Y "public hea-rings" tend ts ae roved16a0ed by Councilman Backes, wa P� Councilman Hanks mov�d that Section 1-341(5) be rewordedsonsrwho�havee regular,members o.f the Commission shall be app�inted from p • '' and humari rights organizations on the national, demonstrated an interest in c�vil " He mentioned that this section shouldebondedtbyn o state and local level. articipation. The motion, encourage the grPatest clegree of p . Counci lman P1el and, was approved 6-0. ��Wi th , � e roposed addition to Sectio� f�pm�t8e� Councilman Hanks r�oved that th P be delete , d��e regard to recommendations made by the Cor�mission� ard to Comm�ssion ointments made with reg • prop�seci ordinance. He said that aP� Councilman Elstrom wondered if rPcor�mendations may restrict participation. ur oses in this •� " outh" for representative ecifically relate collec�e stud�nts are considered y secti on. Mayor Mc(�uai d noted �that tMe ordi nance di d not sp __ _ _�l�—�.� i , City Council study July 13, 19�1 session to hi c�h school students . 60 minutes Yhe r�oti on , seconded by Counci 1 man Marti n, was ap- proved - • • s su gested that the fi rs� sentence of Sec��i on 1-342(1) � Councilman Qacke q to �he Commission appointed orded to read, "ihere shal1 be a SecretarY be rew �� Subsequen�t references to the "Execu�;i ve Di rector" b the� Ci ty P1�nager. • y d to "SecretarY�� • Counci lr�an Me� and asl<edrtda� state statutes would be chan9e be examined to determine if Executive Directors are requ e 3) �s�ed�:i f the ' lwoman El strom, referri n�g to Sec�;i on 1-343 (6 )( 7) and P` r onn Counc� a s for its expenses. The e s el Commi ssi on has a budc�et and how i t 1� y Counc i 1 man P�1el and rel ated Director answered th�t there is no ongoing buCouncil with requests for ex- that the Commission general1,y approaches the , penditures. � Counci lman Mel and sai d that the , enumerati on of Sec�i on 1-343(6 )( 7) and (8) should be chancted to ti e more c l ose ly wi t h t h e a c f v i s o r y f u n c t i o n o f t h e C o m mission stated in Section 1-343�5). Th�as (6) would become (5a); (7) would become ( 5b ) ; ancl ( � ) woul d become ( 5c ) . 2. Discussion of studies and programs on the creosote problem Present for di scussion on thi s i tem were the Di rector of Pub1 i c Works; the Water and Sewer Superi ntendent; Mi ke C�nvery of the P1i nnesota Departmeni of Heal th (MDH) ; Ri ck Ferguson of the Mi nnesota Pol l uti on Control Agency (MPCA}; and John Erdr.�ann and Mark Simonett of Eugene A. Hi ckock and Associ�ates. � The Director of Public t�orks introduced the panel and commented that the studies currently underway wi11 lead to action in the nedr future. John Erdmann reviewed�the study on the reqional problem with qroundwater contamination which his firm is performing for the Minnesota Department of Health. The study has four elements: (1) Acceptable contar�inant levels; (2) A c�radient control well s.yster�; (3) Treatment of c�ischarqe from gradient con- trol wells; and (�) Management of contar�inated soils. In the area of acceptable contaminant levels, Hickok & Associates has sucl- qested that P�1DH use a level of 2.� nanograms/liter (parts per trillion) fo►" each I;nown carcino�enic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compound. For each PAH n�t known to be carcinoc�enic, an accentable level woulc��be ZSng/l. It is on these levels that Hickok & Associates will make its recommendations. For qrariient control wells, there are two basic alternatives: (1) Pum� � water and remove contaminants and (2) Pur�p just enough to contai�n the contam- i nated r.rass and prevent i ts movement. Ni ckok & Associ ates woui d recor�mend the second alternative because it is equall� effective at much less expense. Mr. Erdr�ann related some of the techn�cal operations of the s�ster� as thev relat� to the aquifers uncier St. Louis Park. He bel ieved that a11. water from the gracfient control pumpac�e shoul d be treated to dri nki n water 1 evel s si nce � t must have a hiqh degree of treatment anyway, The Cit� Mana er asked whY the Y 9 -218- � � Ci iy Counc i l J��ly 13, ] 9£il study session minutes discharqe could not be placed in sanitary sewers. Mr, Erdrnann responded that the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission treaiment plant has r�inimal reduction effects on PAH compounds. Councilman Meland asked if dilution in the ��lissi- ssipp� piver were feasible. P�r. Erdnann replied that the river at low flow does not have enough water for proper dilution. Additionally, PAH compounds can produce bio-concentrat�ons, 1.e., show up in high .levels in fish, wild 1 i fe and veqetati on . When Hickok & Associates submitted its report to the City on the treatment of drinkin� water in contaminated we11s, it advised that additional studies be conducted inasmuch as the study represented pioneering work in the field. Treatment costs - capital, operations and maintenance - over a ?0-year period could range from �5 to $12 million. Contaminated wells could be �ased for gradient control, and water from gradient control wells should be treated to drinking water levels. � The need to nanage contaminated soils was briefly mentioned. It was noteci that the top layers of soil on the Repubiic Creosote site act as a source of contaminants for groundwater and for rainfall runo�ff. �1r. Erdr�ann concluded by stating that t�he project wi11 be completed by September 30, 1981. The study will be submitted in a nanner that the next step will�be to perform detai�l design and to draw plans and specifications to implement a treatment system. . Councilman Meland asked how much PAH is in creosote. P1r. Erdmann said that raw creosote is composed of approximately 1 percent of PAH by weight. This figure translates to 10 mil1ion ng/l. Councilman Elstrom asked if creosote- related problems are widespread. Mr. Erdmann was aware of four problems in North America. St. Louis Park is unique because there is a problem associated with groundwater; the problems- relates to a complex local geology �vh7ch allows free downward filtration thr�ugh several c�.eoloc�ic strata anc� to old well- drilling methods. The City Manager �sked if excavation v�rou'Id solve the problem. Mr. Erdmann said that the majar probler� is in c�roundwater aquifers, not soils near the surface. The �irector of Public Works asked how long grad- ient control wel 1 s woul d need to operate, to whi ch M��. Erdrnann responded tha� it would be well over a century. . � P1ike Convery of th� Mi;�nesota Depa�rtment of Iiealth spoke of �;he need for cor�munities to have contingency plans for water use in case of emergencies. To this extent he asked that St. Louis Park be a pilot city in deve�here�are plans which would have state-wicie applications. In St. Lou�s Park, two items which need to he do�ne: (1) Developr�ent of �e�� ofnthisesumnere�eHe gency plans, and (2) A short-term plan to r�eet the ne First conservati�on of s�ggested four components of a long-t,err� program. � tivater needs to be stressed �vith public education tarqeted at residential users. Second, alternative supplies like hook-ups ��i�:h other communities' watPr �ys- tems neer�s to be ex lored. Third, plans for returning contaminated wells to service - � reas of operations and public relation�ds toebe forme both in the a ro ram ne developed. Finally, a genera1 public notification p g ro �am wo�ld inform ulated before restrictions on use are im�ler�en�ed• This p 9 -219- City Council July 13, 1981 study session minutes citizens about needs - water if contaminated " time, conservation is .� c;i ty i s on the brink � ' � to conserve water or �o allow them to purchase bottled wells are temporarily in service. A�t the present the most important strategy since in the summer the in terms of needing to activate contaminated well�s. i�ir. Convery alsa briefly touched on the MDN wel�l testinc� program. He noted that St. Louis Park h�s been its primary customer for the past fe�a years. Now �ther sit�s are beinq idPntified as hav�ng water probler�s, so the MDH m��st sh�i ft i ts wo�rk to these other si tes t� assi st i n extensi ve i ni ti al testi ng and to provide pewiodic checks The Director of Public Works commented that the City may have to assume the financial responsibility for testing. The Idater and Sewer Superintendent related an �iDH proposal to test water for PAHs. llnder this proqram, seven wells would be tested monthly, three wells c�uarterly and four wells semi-annually. This program would cost approxir�ately $15,600. Councilr�an Hanks questioned whether non-problem wells needed to be tested r�onthly, especially given the cost. The Superintendent sugc�ested that sampling be reduced in the winter whera pumpage is low. Rick Ferguson of the Plinnesota Pol 1 uti on Control Agency rel ated what has. happened with EPA Reallocation funds and Superfund monies for St. Louis Park. Earlier in 1981, EPA earmarked $400,000 in Reallocation funds for the City's problem. In a letter to the r1PCAdated June 12, 1981, the funding was reduced to �200,000. The original work envisioned by the h1PCA and ��IDH was reduced to a well survey program in St. Louis Park, Hopkins and-Edina and an abandonment of two wells on the Republi�c Creosote site. �This work will cost $17II,000 and will utilize the remaining �22,000 as a contingency. Carbon treatment for contami nated wel 1 s wi 11 corne from $�0�00 i n Superfund moni es once Superfund i s defined. It is expecte.d that the P�iDH study now being performed �by Hickok and Associates will be amended to include the $200,000 in EPA Reallocation funds. The City Manager suggested that the Council cor�sider establishing a com- mission or subcommission of citizens to evaluate information on the c�round- water probler�i an� to mitigate some of the problems the C�ty has had with bad press. Councilman Hanks observed that the Council and staff are the only ones affected by bad press; the general public isn't overly concerned as evidenced by poor attendance at major public meetings sponsored by the City. He commented that the City should continue to work on the present basis and not blow up the issue. Councilman Backes noted that given ihe complexity of the issue and the amount of time requir^ed to educate the committee, the public relations � value is questionable. 5. Excelsior Boulevard turnback The City 11anager provided a brief history of past proposals to �urn Excel- sior Qoulevard from the jurisdiction of the State of P�linnesota to St. Louis Park and Hennepin County. During the last proposal, the state did not wish to alter the traffic s�gnal phasing at the Excelsior Boulevard/�lonterey Drive intersectiQn� The Qirector of Public Works related that Hennepin County has expressed an in- terest in havinc� Excelsior Bo�alevard turned back to the County. He explained the advantages and disadvantages of the Siate-City-County and State-County turnback scenarios. � �220- - - ----�^'-•�--- .. , _ _, ^'._.,..,.�-�.w�'`"� _�_.. y.-�„'e".�- ��t� �ouncil Ju1 � � 3 � 1981 study session minutes Councilman Nanks moved and Councilman �to 4�or�� Wi th the State and the County on ments about the Excel s� or/Monterey si gnal �, Fiscal Disparity Meland seconded, that staff continue the turnback and to obtain commit- phasing. The motion passed 6-0. Co�,nci lman Hanks asked i f the Ci ty had contri buted to the Shakopee case. The City �tanager sald that the Counc� 1 had authori zed $1,500 for this purpose. He suggested that changes in the formula be made. 7, Tax Increment Districts The City Planac�er related recent events in tl�e Bass Lake area. P�1 & M Develop- ment has dropped i ts pl ans on the former Acme L�umber si te. George �DuFour, 3755 Glenhurst Ave., related that M& �9 had an option on the Tand and that its potenti al tenant had � backed out. He menti oned that the Chi cago, P�i lwaukee, St. Paul �nd Pac i fi c Rai 1 way i s wi 11 i ng to make 32 acres on i ts ri ght-of-way , available for purchase for approximately $1.75 million. P�1r. UuFour could merge his B-acre parcel with the railroad land to produce a 40-acre si�e for development. Counci lman Hanks stated that tax i ncrement �i nanci n�c� has been used i n areas which otherwise could not get movin� on their own. He believed that this area in Bass Lake is suitable and prime for development purposes. General dis- cussion ensueci about the merjts of providing public improvements before or a�tEr proposals by developers have been approved. Councilman Qackes�said that the City will help administratively t� assemble saleable land, but would not assist in saleability by providing public improvements. Tnitiation of public improvements must come from the developer, not the Ci�y. The City ��anaqer suqqestecl that the Council consi�ier a tax increment area located south of Hic�hway 7 and east of Louisiar�a Avenue. �. A�i,i ou rnment The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p•m• , i�;�C!��*� 0 � �;� r, . —,.