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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984/03/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionL. .//.. AJAa...:. l V STUDY SESSION CITY COUNCIL ST. LOUIS PARK, MN March 26, 1984 Call to Order The Mayor called the study session to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Councilmen Ronald Backes, Thomas Duffy, Larry Mitchell and Richard Strohl. Councilman Jerrold Martin arrived at 7:15 p.m. Also present were the City Manager, Director of Public Works and Director of Planning. Policy on Sale of City Property Councilman Mitchell recommended the following changes to item 3 of the staff report: The notification include the appraisal estimated by Hennepin County, the base bid price and the City's estimated market value of the property. Since there were no objections to the proposed changes, the Mayor directed staff to amend the policy for the April 2, 1984 City Council meeting. Watershed District The City Manager and noted that the State law is criteria. provided a history of the Watershed District the City is complying with State law, but not compatible with the Watershed District's Mayor Hanks stated that St. Louis Park has been cognizant of development which would -affect Minnehaha Creek. The Mayor also said that everyone present is interested in the creek and he would like to see the members of the Watershed District and City Council arrive at a solution. Dave Cochran, the chairman of the Watershed District, pointed out its concern is that while the State policy is not necessar- ily wrong, it is wrong in some cases. The Watershed District (WSD) is concerned that the City does not create or aggravate conditions from a flooding standpoint. It was Mr. Cochran's contention that flooding increases when more development is put in the flood plain. Mr. Cochran stated that there has been a steady increase in the average water level every ten years at Lake Minnetonka for the past 30 years. He also stated that most cities have attempted not to develop in the flood plains. Mr. Cochran identified the WSD's goal as preservation of Minnehaha Creek, in part by preventing filling and building in the flood plains. Councilman Backes stated that he does not recognize a problem. He foresees it as a conflict which can be resolved with an engineering solution. Study session minutes March 26, 1984 2. Mike Panzer, staff engineer for the WSD, stated that the difficulty arises when the entire site is located in the flood plain. Mr. Panzer agreed that when a portion of the site is in the flood plain and a portion is outside of the flood plain, it then becomes an engineering problem. Councilman Backes commented that developers' engineers and the district engineer can work together to resolve that aspect. The City Manager asked what was the date of the latest flood plain design. Mr. Cochran stated that the most recent design is from late 1975 to 1976. The Mayor noted that it is difficult to identify the impacts and therefore it is difficult to make a decision. Mr. Panzer explained that fill results in less storage for the water, which in turn, results in increased flood levels, faster rates of flow and a lower water quality. The Director of Public Works asked whether the retention ponds which were constructed since the USGS flood survey was conducted have been taken into account. The City Manager and the Public Works Director expressed merit in exploring the matter further. Mr. Cochran suggested that the City look at Minnetonka's ordinance which was adopted on September 9, 1974. The Mayor expressed his interest in looking at Minnetonka's ordinance. The City Manager expressed his desire to examine the development of the entire area, and that he would like to work toward a sub -regional retention approach, i.e., a huge retention pond for the whole area. The WSD managers expressed their interest in working with the City Council. Councilman Mitchell left the meeting. Fiscal Fitness Report The Administrative Assistant to the City Manager provided the Council with background for the development of the Financial monitoring Trend System designed by the ICMA. He also stated that the report evaluates the City's overall financial condition at this point in time and pointed out three areas of concern which should be monitored in future years. The three areas of concern were: 1. Level of expenditure for capital outlay; Study session minutes March 26, 1984 3. 2. Level of expenditure for infrastructure maintenance; 3. Percentage of long-term debt as a portion of operating expenditures. Councilman Backes requestedthat at the present time the report be kept internal, that is limited to a list of individuals pre- pared by the City Manager's office and approved by the Council. Councilman Duffy stated that the report ties together expendi- tures and revenues in a useful format, particularly for the budget. Park Hill Study The Planning Director prefaced his comments by stating that the City Council authorized the study which included the Planning Commission, neighborhood groups and area residents and businesses. The Planning Director discussed existing conditions including, but not limited to, the following: economic value; parking areas and usage; traffic conditions; accidents; utilities; vegetation and zoning. The Planning Director commented that Park Hill is an area of opportunities, an affluent area, known for good eating, good residential location and good regional location. The Planning Director discussed the three concept design for the area, ranging from modifications to extensive design changes. Councilman Duffy commented that nothing would be done unless the City takes the leadership role. Councilman Strohl pointed out that the neighborhood supports concept A, the plan which retains the area as it is with modifications primarily for aesthetic purposes. The Planning Director stated that he had received the same information. The City Manager suggested coming up with an incremental plan for redevelopment in the Park Hill area. Councilman Backes stated that he had a difficult time with staff investing more time on this issue. Councilman Duffy stated that if the City took the initiative, it would result in a snowball effect for improvements in the area. The City Council directed staff to develop an incremental Plan for improvement of the Park frill area. Study session minutes March 26, 1984 4• Cable TV Update The Assistant to the City Manager discussed the constraints and limitations regarding a rate request. She stated that the City Council can set basic subscriber rates and that the rate review must occur within a 90 -day period. She also discussed the areas of rate analysis as the financial position of the cable company, their performance and the level of community satisfaction. Councilman Backes requested documentation be prepared for the cable company explaining the procedures the City is taking and that the costs to review the request are paid by the cable company. The rate request outline was approved and staff was directed to prepare a report for the April 2, 1984 Council meeting. Goal Setting The date for the goal -setting session was re -confirmed as April 30, 1984. The City Manager stated that the format would include the nominal group technique and strategic planning for the implementation. Budget Calendar The Mayor commented that the budget calendar was ambitious. Staff was directed to move forward with the budget preparation. Tree Trust The City Manager explained the Tree Trust program. A new element this year would remove diseased trees on private and public land at no charge in the areas designated as low- to moderate -income. The program could reduce overall tree removal costs by 508. Should the Council move to support the Tree Trust program, the City Manager recommended that the City subsidize in full the removal of trees not located in the designated areas. The City Manager also pointed out that adopting such a program could set an expensive precedent. Councilman Martin stated he would like to see the City take advantage of the money that is available for 1984. Councilman Backes did not agree that the City should get involved. Councilman Duffy commented that he would like to see the money directed to those who needed it. It was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Duffy, to support the Tree Trust program. Study session minutes March 26, 1984 5. Mayor Hanks questioned how the map could be defended. Councilman Martin withdrew his motion and Councilman Duffy withdrew his second. It was moved by Councilman Duffy, seconded by Councilman Martin, not to support this proposal from Tree Trust because the map does not properly reflect the low- and moderate -income areas and because of the dangerous precedent it would set. The motion passed 5-0. Bingo Regulations The City Manager discussed a bingo bill which would transfer regulatory authority to the State. Among other provisions, the State would receive the revenues and the municipality would be charged with enforcement. The City Manager felt this issue should be left to local government control. It was moved by Councilman Backes, seconded by Councilman Martin, to encourage opposition to the bill. The motion passed 5-0. 911 The City Manager discussed the past costs for the 911 emergency number which the County is charging to independent public safety answering points (PSAPS). He discussed the four options proposed at a meeting attended by City Managers and Police personnel of the independent 911 communities. Four proposals were identified which would assign responsibil- ity for the past costs. The City Manager pointed out that based on a discussion with one County Commissioner, the St. Louis Park tax liability would increase to compensate for Hennepin County's payment of the back costs. It was moved by Councilman Backes, seconded by Councilman Martin, to direct the City Manager to pay the past costs assigned to St. Louis Park, encourage other cities to do likewise and ensure that the City does not receive a higher tax burden resulting from other cities refusing to pay. HRA Councilman Duffy stated that Representative Sally Olsen indicated the need for a resolution in order for a bill allowing agreement between the Council and HRA to be passed. It was moved by Mayor Hanks, seconded by Councilman Martin, to adopt the resolution entitled "Resolution of the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park, MN supporting House Study session minutes March 26, 1984 C:F File 1706 and Senate File 1714 relating to certain powers of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of St. Louis Park" (No. 84-35), with the following amendment: Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council supports a stautory amendment which may allow the City to amend its ordinances conferring upon the authority. The motion passed 5-0. Personnel Issue The City Manager announced that interviews for the Administra- tive Assistant to the City Manager position will be held on March 27, 1984 for applications received within the organiza- tion. The City Manager discussed the organizational study of the Inspectional Services Department. He said attention would need to be given to the pay scale. The City Manager discussed "Leadership Minneapolis", a seminar intended to familiraize participants with leadership issues. the metro area and to provide an opportunity to meet business executives and leaders in the community. It was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Backes, to authorize the City Manager to attend the seminar. The motion passed 5-0. The City Manager noted the resignation of the Chief of Police. He discussed the role of the Civil Service commission in the selection process and stated that the Commission has the authority to select the top three applicants for the position. The City Manager requested that the Council members consider any thoughts they may have regarding this issue. Other Business Councilman Backes announced that the American Planning Assoc— iation conference will be held in the Twin Cities in May. Councilman Backes suggested that staff members be encouraged to attend. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Carmen Kaplan Recording Secretary