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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984/11/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA November 19, 1984 The study session was called to order by Mayor Hanks at 6:00 p.m. Present: Councilmen Ronald Backes, Thomas Duffy, Larry Mitchell, Richard Strohl, Mayor Hanks. AMM Policies Mayor Hanks informed Council that he has received information regarding upcoming changes in AMM policies. A study session was set to discuss these issues on December 3, 1984 at 6:00 p.m. Highway 7 Corridor Study The City Manager provided information about the status of the Highway 7 corridor redevelopment study. He provided Council with a matrix which included information about proposed improvements along the corridor and potential funding sources to pay for those improvements. Following a discussion about the merits of forming a tax increment financing district and a redevelopment project, the Council authorized the City Manager to work with the professional consulting firm of Evenson-Dodge to develop a feasibility study. Staff will report back to Council in early January with information about projected revenues from various proposed developments along the corridor. Utilities The City Manager informed Council that the utility franchise with NSP had expired in 1974. He also pointed out that the City does have authority to place a "surtax" on the bills of NSP users in St. Louis Park. Council expressed concern about the implications of asking residents to be burdened with the cost of underground utilities in selected sections of the City. The general consensus was that the City should not invoke a surtax at this time. It was felt that a more acceptable alternative would be to negotiate with NSP to lower the threshhold of development within the City at which NSP would provide underground utilities at no charge. Trash/garbage The City Manager reported that the City's refuse collector was facing additional charges for use of the County landfills based on cubic yards and tonnage which may amount to $.90 per household. He asked the Council for direction on whether the City should bid for new services or renegotiate with the existing vendor. Councilman Duffy stated that he felt existing services provided by Woodlake Sanitary were excellent. The City Manager commented that he was certain other vendors might underbid Woodlake, but that there would be no guarantee that they could maintain the same level of service over an extended period of time. Councilman Strohl suggested that the City Manager renegotiate the existing contract with Woodlake. Study session minutes November 19, 1984 1W The City Manager provided Council with information about the fees various communities in the area charge for processing IDBS. Councilman Backes asked if it was proper for the City to charge for processing prior to the issuance of bonds. The Manager stated that he felt the concept of a fee is reasonable, but the amount to be charged is still in question. The Director of City Development expressed some concern that if requests for IDBs exceeded State allocations, staff might be put into a position of having to set priorities. Councilman Backes suggested that perhaps fees could be set so that developers would be asked to pay 50 percent of processing fee at the time of application, and the other 50 percent upon issuance of bonds. Mayor Hanks directed staff to come back with proposals to deal with this subject. Council concurred with the Manager that mini, light -powered calculators imprinted with the City logo would be appropriate gifts for visiting dignitaries and guests. The Manager was authorized to order 100 of the calculators. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Cris Gears Recording Secretary