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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982/07/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA July 12, 1982 1 . Call to Order Mayor Phyllis McQuaid called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The following Councilmembers were present: Ronald Backes John Ralles. Lyle Hanks Richard Strohl Keith Meland Phyllis McQuaid Also present were the City Manager, Director of Public Works, Director of Planning and Director of Parks and Recreation 2. Meeting with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commissioners Dudley Moylan and Len Thiel and the Executive Director of the HRA were present as representatives. The topic of discussion was the HRA' s proposed ordinance which would give the HRA control of the land uses allowed in redevelopment districts. Its representatives stated that the HRA would be responsible for proposing which land uses would be permitted in and the urban renewal plan for each district, subject to the "veto" power of the Council . They felt that the HRA has been unable to perform its function due to a lack of communication with the Council and its unclear lines of authority. This ordinance is intended to remedy the situation. The Council questioned the legality of delegating its powers, how much power the HRA needs and whether Council has veto powers of any kind. It also suggested that there be more communications between the two bodies, possibly in the form of Councilmembers serving as members of the HRA. The City Attorney will be asked to look into this and report back to • the Council . 3. Update on Well No. 17 The Council was provided a history of the drilling at Well 17 by staff and the City's engineering consultant on the project. A cave-in has again stopped work . The contractor believes a narrower drilling sleeve is needed to continue. City staff has asked the Minnesota Department of Health for a second variance on well-drilling procedure to continue drilling. Council expressed concern about the practicality of continuing to drill and the working relationship with the contractor. Other options were dis- cussed including drilling elsewhere and hooking up to another community's water system. For now, the City will continue to pursue the variance -185- A City Council study session minutes July 12, 1982 allowing drilling to continue. 3. Preliminary Discission of 1983 Budget a. Special levy for Dutch Elm disease control program Staff reported that State funding has ended for the program. It suggested that a special shade tree disposal program levy be used to compensate for the revenue shortfall . This levy is allowed in addition to the 8 percent raise granted by the State Legislature. Under present legislation, 1982 is the last calendar year this special levy may be used for Dutch Elm disease. Council directed that the special levy be placed in the budget. It would like to continue the program and to see that the public is made aware of its benefits. b. Garbage collection assessment The Council discussed the concept of assessing citizens for the full cost of garbage collection because of levy limitations. The Council directed staff to prepare the proposed budget with the full cost of collection removed from the general fund and placed on a special assess- ment. It noted that the full cost in St. Louis Park is less than that in most surrounding communities. c. Leaf pickup and street maintenance After some discussion, the Council directed staff to explore the ad- vantages and disadvantages of leaf pickup. Pollution from burning leaves, clogged storm sewers, the timing of pickups and citizen opinion were suggested as areas which should be addressed Council discussed the idea of assessing citizens for any maintenance done on their streets after the 20-year guarantee expires. (Citizens are guaranteed that they will not be assessed for any street improvements for a period of 20 years after a street is built. ) d. Employee Compensation 1982 wage settlements in the Metro area were made available to the Council for its information. 4. Sunday Liquor Sales The Council discussed the effect of the City's liquor ordinance governing Sunday sales. At present no dealer licensed for "Sunday sale" may sell liquor unless food service consisting of at least three separate entrees, a vegetable, salad, bread and a selection of beverages is also available. The Sherator Park Place Hotel would like hors d'oeuvres to satisfy the food services requirement. They feel that the current ordinance places them at a competitive disadvantage with other metro area establishments. Weddings are one type of event where it is common to serve only hors -186- 1 City Council study session minutes July 12, 1982 d'oeuvres and liquor. Council was concerned that area hotels be competitive, but also wants to ensure that liquor consumption is confined to the room where the event is held and not spill over into public areas or private rooms. This item will be placed on the July 19 Council agenda. 5. Legal Services Request The Police Chief, in a letter to the Council , requested that the City Attorney be appointed to protect his interests as a private citizen in a lawsuit filed against him and the City. He is a defendant both as a public professional and as a private citizen. The City's insurance carrier will assign an attorney to protect his professional liability. Councilperson Hanks moved and Councilperson Backes seconded to authorize this representation. The motion passed 6-0. 6. Snowplowing Survey The Council decided to continue with its present snowplowing program but to tag and tow improperly parked .vehicles more quickly. 7. Preparation of Ordinances and Resolutions Councilperson Backes requested that the process for approving or denying ordinances and resolutions be speeded up for items relating to planning and zoning. Documents are often prepared to either deny or approve according to the recommendation of the staff or Planning Commission. When Council rules the opposite way, new documents have to be prepared and reconsidered. Councilperson Backes asked if documents to both approve and to deny could be prepared for Council to avoid having to wait until a future meeting to pass the document. The City Manager stated that in some instances this may not be appropriate but that where it is, it should be tried. 8- Report from the Sign Committee The Sign Ordinance will go back to Council for its consideration. 9. Next Study Session The next study session will be held Monday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m. Goal setting and the sign ordinance will be discussed. It was also decided that the Ward III Town Meeting will be held Monday, September 27 at 7:39 p.m. in the St. Louis Park Library. -187- A City Council study session minutes July 12, 1982 10. MnDOT Memo of Understanding Council reviewed a proposed memorandum regarding the financing and con- struction of an interchange at Highway 100 and West 36th Street. The City would pay $2.3 million of the $10.2 million project cost. The breakdown of City and State responsibilities are listed in the memo. A number of activities including rights-of-way purchases are required for the project to proceed but don' t necessarily insure that the project will be completed. Councilperson Hanks voiced his concern over spending money to buy rights-of-way when the interchange may not be built. The City Manager suggested that the project will probably be built, if not now, then sometime in the future. The Public Works Director pointed out that all the rights-of-way would be purchased by the City using State MSAS funds and added that if the MSAS money is not used now, it may not be able to be used in the future because of a lack of MSAS-qualified projects. The Council directed that the 'item be placed on the July 19 agenda. 11 . Council Chamber Clock Council and staff expressed dismay with the way time flies. A new clock may be ordered. 12. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Art Osten, Recording Secretary •-188-