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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986/02/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL February 10, 1986 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call The following Council members were present at roll call: Mayor Lyle Hanks, Keith Meland, Ronald Backes, Thomas Duffy, Allen Friedman, Larry Mitchell, David Strand. Also present were the City Manager, Administrative Assistant, Director of Public Works and Director of City Development. 3. The City Manager discussed the status of the Hwy. 7 Redevelopment project, specifically the negotiations with Pick A Pop and how, if an agreement was reached, it would affect the suburban development and the alignment of the Hwy. 7 south frontage road. The City Manager was authorized to proceed with negotiations. 4. Meeting with Mark Andrew, Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Andrew was present to discuss the following four issues: 1. Light rail transit - Commissioner Andrew indicated that the County Board was on record o support legislation for relief of the state law passed last year. He said that Hennepin County was prepared to proceed with the southwest corridor for light rail transit. 2. Energy recovery - Commissioner Andrew discussed the potential relocation ofthe rans er acility from the Hopkins site to St. Louis Park. He indicated that the County went through an elaborate process for the selection of the four transfer station locations and that each community had a number of opportunities to present their views prior to the present. The City Council raised the following concerns regarding location of a transfer station at the proposed site in St. Louis Park: increased transportation; heavy truck use; negative impact on the Hwy. 7 Redevelopment Corridor; residential housing in close proximity; and potential condemnation of land, therefore involving higher costs. Commissioner Andrew indicated that he would send the City Manager the technical information regarding the criteria for selection of the transfer station locations. Councilmember Strand stated that 22 sites were selected on a preliminary basis which was then narrowed down to the four transfer station locations. He stated that St. Louis Park was not included in the 22 preliminary site locations. 3. Recycling - Commissioner Andrew stated that in accordance with state law, —thei the -is responsible for the diversion of 16% of solid waste by the year 1990. He expressed concerns for contractor operations and availability and market development. However, he indicated that he did foresee institutionalized recycling throughout the County. 4. Request for tax increment financing district - Commissioner Andrew indicated that he would communicate a request ram the Jewish Federation regarding their interest in establishing a tax increment financing district. l� Study session minutes Feb. 10, 1986 29 5. Zoning Ordinance The Planning Director presented the reason for the change in the current zoning ordinance as follows: the ordinance is 25 years old; the reference system is complex; new uses exist; state law has changed; and simplification. He stated that a number of meetings have been held with neighborhoods regarding the concept of changing the zoning ordinance. Councilman Friedman expressed concern with the way things are presented when neighborhoods are contacted and the meeting purpose was unclear. The Mayor commented that the process is similar to the changing of the Comprehen- sive Plan. Councilman Strand recommended that one study session be dedicated to the zoning ordinance prior to any future neighborhood meetings. Staff was directed to set a study session to review the residential aspect of a draft zoning ordinance. 6. Architectural review ordinance The City Manager discussed the report which included a comparison of the St. Louis Park ordinance to that which exists in the cities of Edina, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. He commented that the City of Minnetonka has the most comprehensive review process. The City Council recommended that the existing ordinance remain but refinement could occur. Staff was directed to prepare a diagram of the existing ordinance to identify the current process. 7. Excelsior Blvd. traffic The City Manager discussed three approaches to be included in a scope of services for a traffic study for the Excelsior Blvd. area: 1. Regional context 2. Area context 3. Neighborhood context He commented that this would be a very extensive comprehensive study. The neighborhood association was present to raise the following concerns that were not addressed in the BRW traffic study : i 1. The trafficro eneration 9 projections were not changed, i.e., AAA and Miracle Mile. 2. Relocation of pedestrian access to Wolfe Park and the Recreation Center 3. Type of housing provided I 4. Residential streets were not included The neighborhood did not recommend utilizing the BRW study as a foundation for an additional traffic study. Councilman Strand commented that it would be difficult to perform a traffic Study session minutes Feb. 10, 1986 study until a site plan is finalized. The City Manager indicated that with traffic engineers and develop dations and recommendations of that a regional context approach a market study in order to be format for the proposed scope of action. 7. Bicycle licensing 3. staff could proceed to discuss this issue a scope of services based on staff recommen- the neighborhood association. He suggested would need to be done in conjunction with accurate. Staff was directed to refine the services and to present it for City Council Councilman Meland asked whether the Council is responsible for setting a fee. The City Manager indicated that the legislation sets the fee whereby the state receives $4.00 and the registrar receives $1.00 for a total of a $5.00 registration fee. Councilman Meland expressed concerns regarding license renewal, particularly for families who had a number of bicycles. The City Council decided not to proceed with this issue. 8. Intersection of Hwy. 7/Minnetonka Blvd. The Director of Public Works was present to discuss the proposed improvements at this intersection. Councilman Friedman raised concern regarding the change in the number of lanes from two to one traveling westbound on Minnetonka Blvd. He requested information regarding the number of accidents at Glenhurst Ave. and the traffic counts for the area. This item was deferred. 9. Neighborhood associations Councilman Strand stated that the organization of neighborhoods would make it easier to deal with neighborhood concerns and open up the communication between the City Council and neighborhood groups. He recommended that the process be less formalized than what was outlined in staff's report, i.e., elimination of the public hearing. The City Council made the following two recommendations: 1. To direct staff to inventory the existing neighborhood associations including Neighborhood Crime Watch groups; 2. To expand the communication networking through the Council newsletter, HRA newsletter and to direct mailings to a broader cost as what is done with the school district. 10. Port Authority The City Manager stated that he was contacted by Rep. Sally Olsen regarding the introduction of a bill that would establish St. Louis Park as a port authority and recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of this. Staff was directed to prepare a resolution for the Feb. 18, 1986 Council meeting. Study session minutes Feb. 10, 1986 4. 11. Budget cut impacts Staff was requested to prepare a report on the implications of the Gramm-Rudman proposals on City finances. 12. Study session A study session was scheduled for Feb. 18, 1986 at 6:30 to discuss the Reilly Tar negotiations. 13. Hennepin County Parks Advisory Council The Mayor stated that he was approached by the Hennepin County Parks Advisory Council to appoint a Council member, staff person or citizen to serve on the County advisory council. The Council agreed that the appointment would be made at the Feb. 18, 1986 Council meeting. 14. Water freeze ups The Director of Public Works stated that water freeze -ups in residential homes occur approximately two dozen times a year and that each situation is handled a little bit differently. The purpose of bringing this item up for discussion is to identify whether the City Council would like to develop a policy regarding water freeze -ups in residential homes. The City Council supported option 3 which would allow water to be run with application of credits of water and sewer. This would provide a consistent policy position from the City. 15. Time transfer stations The City Council raised the following two questions: 1. What would happen if the City did not approve the time transfer station location? 2. Does the MTC have the power to condemn and if so, do they intend to do so? Based on the need to determine the answers to the questions raised, this item was continued to the next study session. 16. Dog kennels The City Manager commented that this item was being presented to provide consistency between the licensing ordinance and the zoning ordinance. He stated that a maximum of three dogs are permitted in a residential area as provided in the licensing ordinances. He also stated that two dogs are permitted in a residential area under the zoning ordinance. Councilman Meland discussed an ordinance in Albert Lea which states that a residential property can have one dug in accordance with the ordinance. Further, should all adjoining property owners sign a petition, a residential home may have two dogs. Staff was directed to research the Albert Lea ordinance and to prepare J Study Session minutes February 10, 1986 5. a draft ordinance for St. Louis Park and report back to Council. 17. Recycling Program The City Manager stated that enclosed in the packets was the information on the recycling program that was requested by Councilman Friedman. 18. Apple Valley RediMix The City Manager asked the City Council whether they would recommend proceed- ing with a new facility at the existing Apple Valley site. The Council supported the proposal and stated that it would improve property appearance; however, traffic would need to be addressed. The Council recommended that Wayne Popham, City Attorney, be asked how the City could legally proceed with such a proposal. 19. Goal Setting Session The City Council set a goal setting session for May 12, 1986 and recommended that a similar procedure be followed as in the previous year. The study session adjourned at 10:20 p.m. �i1,4-I I L)14zw_a� Carmen J. Kaplan Recording Secretary