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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987/06/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular (2) e MINUTES 1111 CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA June 1 , 1987 1 . Call to order The meeting was called to order at 7:35 by Mayor Lyle Hanks. 2. Presentations None. 3. Roll Call The following members were present at roll call : Ronald Backes Keith Meland Thomas Duffy --Larry Mitchell Allen Friedman David Strand Lyle Hanks Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Planning and Director of Public Works. 4. Approval of minutes I It was moved by Councilman Duffy, seconded by Councilman Mitchell , to approve the minutes of the May 18 City Council meeting. The motion passed 7-0. - 5. Approval of agenda It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Duffy, to approve the consent agenda for 'June 1 , 1987. The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Councilman Backes, seconded by Councilman Strand, to approve the agenda for June 1 , 1987. The motion passed 7-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a. Liquor license: Reiss Application of Gregg W. Zafft , for liquor license to conduct business 1 at 6900 W. Lake St. (currently Reiss Restaurant) It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Mitchell , to continue the hearing to June 15, 1987. The motion passed 7-0. -101 City Council meeting minutes June 1 , 1987 6b. Paving: Natchez Ave. Improvement hearing, Project 87-06: Resolution 86-57 paving of Natchez Ave. from Minnetonka Blvd. to W. 29th St. It was moved by Councilman Duffy, seconded by Councilman Backes, to waive reading and adopt Resolution 87-57 entitled "Resolution ordering improvement, ordering preparation of plans, specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Improvement No. 87-06, paving, curb and gutter, and sidewalk repair on 2900 block of Natchez Ave. So." The motion passed 7-0. 6c. Paving: Idaho Ave. Improvement hearing, Project No. Resolution 87-58 87-08, paving of Idaho - Ave. from Minnetonka Blvd. to W. 29th St. There -being no one wishing to speak, the Mayor declared the hearing closed with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. It was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilman Meland, to waive reading and adopt Resolution 87-58 entitled "Resolution ordering improvement, ordering preparation of plans, specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Improvement No. 87-08, paving, curb and gutter and sidewalk repair on 2900 block of Idaho Ave. So." 41111 The motion passed 7-0. 6d. Paving: W. 22nd St. Improvement hearing, Project 87-07, Resolution 87-59 ___ paving of W. 22nd St. between Flab and County Rd. 18 Gene Johnson, 9215 W. 22nd St. expressed the following concerns re the project to Council : the street varies from 26 to 30 ft. , that they would like to see it reconstructed at the narrower width; the neighborhood is opposed to the removal of any trees; that the curve at the top of the hill remain as is; and that he would ask that the slopes from the top of the property down to the street remain and all utility work be done at the same time as the reconstruction. The Director of Public Works said that even though a 28-30 ft. street is desirable, the concerns of the neighborhood for a 26 ft. street will be taken into consideration. With reference to trees, they intend to work with the property owners re any disposition of trees.- If--a—tree--needs--tc—be--removed,--and the--owner agrees to its removal as long as it is replaced with another tree, this will be taken into consideration. Relative to the slopes or banks, to every extent possible the streetscape will remain viable. Also, that the utility work will definitely be done at the same time as the street reconstruction. There being no one further wishing to speak, the Mayor declared the hearing closed with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. -102- City Council meeting minutes June 1 , 1987 It , was moved by Councilman Mitchell , seconded by Councilman Meland, to waive reading and adopt Resolution 87-59 entitled "Resolution ordering improvement, ordering preparation of plans, specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for Improvement No. 87-07, paving, curb and gutter and landscaping on W. 22nd St. between Flag Ave. and Cty. Rd. 18." The motion passed 7-0. Councilman Strand said he hoped that if the neighborhood was not satisfied with any aspect of the project that Council would hear from them. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS 7a. Real estate signage Walker Management Tom Rockford, Walker Management, said they were requesting a variance to hang temporary advertising banners on their project north of Byerly's. Councilman Mitchell asked if the signs were to be used during construction and then to advertise the project upon its completion and that only one set of signs would be hung at a time. Mr. Rockford said that was correct. Councilman Strand asked if there was any information available on the readability 11/' of the allowable signage from Hwy. 100. The City Manager said it was his opinion the allowable signage would definitely be readable from Hwy. 100 because it is quite easy to see the building under construction currently. He said a variance from the sign ordinance was permitted on Belt Line Blvd. because the Ottawa Ave. crossing was not open. It was his impression that if the crossing over the tracks had —beer- open, the variance would not have been granted. It was moved by Councilman Strand, seconded by Councilman Meland, to deny the request. Councilman Mitchell said he had mixed feelings: adherence to the ordinance vs. a marketing plan. In terms of marketing, he felt they had a startup period that was critical for them and a ' need to fill the building as quickly as possible. He felt the marketing -techn-i-que i s -of ecti-ire to the -degree it -i-s—used -for a limited period of time. He felt the requested signage would help to identify it to the general public who presently does not know what is going up. Councilman Strand said that readable signage was - not being denied. They were simply being directed to stay within the confines of the City's ordinance. Councilman Backes asked what size signage would be allowed for the one year advertising period after completion of the building. IDThe Planning Director responded 200 sq. ft. Councilman Backes said his concern was if an exception is created in this instance, -103- City Council meeting minutes • June 1 , 1987 every building under construction could come in with a similar request causing Council to rethink the ordinance, perhaps applying it generally rather than to exceptions. Councilman Strand moved to call the question. The motion passed 7-0. ; The motion to deny passed 6-1 (Councilman Mitchell opposed). 7b. Automotive service stations Request for study of B-1 zoning relating to automotive service stations Councilman Strand said that if this were an isolated item, why was it being sent to the Planning Commission. That is, if there is one person dissatisfied with the requirements of the ordinance, why would be want to study the entire ordinance. Councilman Backes felt it may not be a problem taking this action as the whole ordinance is being reviewed anyway. If the zoning ordinance were not being studied, he would agree with Councilman Strand. , The City Manager said there seemed to be a rash of these requests over the past few months. He felt that ,unless a request were urgent, they should be referred to the Planning Commission and lookeiat as part of the overall zoning ordinance review. Councilman Strand asked if everytime a person has a problem with his business plan fitting the zoning ordinance, is the zoning ordinance to be reviewed. If that is the fact, he was not in agreement, believing Council should not be doing _ that. Councilman Meland felt that businesses do change, different requirements come forth and he felt it of value to review these things' from time to time. Tie said sometimes things are improved in the manner in which they're done or that improve a given site. He cited the way the request for a car wash at Knollwood was handled. Councilman Mitchell asked if Councilman Strand would agree to a friendly amendment to the motion referring this request to the Planning Commission for inclusion in the overall review of the zoning ordinance. . Councilman Meland felt further information should be gotten from the individual making the request to see what his purpose is, i .e. -is : there some immediate need or some change or opportunity he has come upon in his business. It was moved by Councilman Mitchell , seconded -by Councilman Backes to defer the matter in order to receive more information. The motion passed 7-0. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a. Alley dedication Resolution accepting land for dedication Resolution 87-60 of alley and authorizing execution " of agreement -104- City Council meeting minutes . June 1 , 1987 ; It was moved by Councilman Mitchell , seconded by Councilman Duffy, to waive 111) reading and adopt Resolution 87-60 entitled "A resolution accepting land for dedication of easement for alley purposes." The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Vacation: Evangelical Free Church Second reading of an ordinance re Ordinance No. 1718-87A alley vacation: Evangelical Free Church It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Mitchell, to waive reading and adopt Ordinance 1718-87A entitled "An ordinance vacating portions of alley between Hampshire and Idaho Avenues south of Minnetonka Blvd." • The motion passed 7-0. ' 8c. Shorewood First Addition Resolution giving approval - for final Resolution 87-61 plat of Shorewood First Addition It was moved by Councilman Backes, seconded by Councilman Friedman, to waive reading and adopt Resolution 87-61 entitled "Resolution giving approval for final 'plat: Shorewood First Addition." The motion passed 7-0. 111 111 9a. Billboards Proposed amendment to sign ordinance re billboards Councilman Strand did not see the necessity for this item to be referred to the Planning Commission as the commission has already spent considerable time studying the sign ordinance. He suggested staff go ahead and prepare the necessary amendment. It was moved by Councilman Strand, seconded by Councilman Mitchell to direct staff to prepare an amendment to the sign ordinance making billboard non-conforming. Mayor Hanks said that 3-4 years ago, when a billboard went up on Excelsior Blvd. , there was an agreement at that time that billboards would be removed from roofs and also be decreased in size. He wondered how a non-conforming use would affect that agreement. His thought was, could repair work be done on a billboard if it's non-conforming. The City Manager responded the non-conforming provision applies as it does in the rest of the ordinance, i .e. because it's non-conforming, you can't rule out a use because the owner decides to alter it. Mayor Hanks asked if they would be permitted to take it off the roof and put it on the ground or on a post. The City Manager responded they must maintain them. Mayor Hanks said basically you're making a new billboard if you take it down and put it on a post. He said he'd like to have that specified in any amendment because he wouldn't want to see that in there forever and end up with billboards on roofs. -105- City council meeting minutes • June 1 , 1987 Councilman Mitchell said the main thrust of this proposal is the specific understanding in terms of what legal language we need to put together to protect that option while addressing this issue. Mayor Hanks said he was concerned about the prospect of repair, repair, repair forever. He felt if there was any beauty about a billboard, it was only when it was supported by a single post. Councilman Mitchell suggested incorporation of' a legal trade-out: two for one. Councilman Duffy said it seemed very simple, but cautioned proceeding carefully. He also questioned if billboards were to remain on their ugly uprights forever. He would not want the City put in the position of anyone saying "The City changed them to non-conforming - we were going to change it tomorrow and put it on a single post." He felt it important to define within the ordinance what the intent of the ordinance really is. The motion passed,6-1 (Councilman Meland opposed) . 9b. Property: Cedar Lake Rd. Possible sale of City-owned property at the east end of Cedar Lake Rd. south of the Jewish Community Center. It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Duffy, to direct staff to proceed with the sale. Councilman Friedman noted that this property is contiguous to the Lake Forest property which is currently under study. He felt it would be prudent not to proceed with the sale of the property without first making a determination relative to the Lake _ Forest study and possible use of the railroad right-of-way land. He felt it should be referred to the Planning Commission for consideration in their overall planning and then return the item to the Council . Councilman Strand noted that no specific plan has been generated by staff at this time. Councilman Friedman felt it would be to the City's advantage that whatever is done to the property to make sure it fits into an overall scheme rather than selling it off piecemeal , especially with the heavy involvement of the Lake Forest• neighborhood in this area.' Councilman Meland withdrew his motion. Councilman Duffy concurred. It was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilman Meland, to refer the matter to the Planning Commission to be included as part of their overall zoning study. The motion passed 7-0. Reilly Tar Staff report outlining Reilly Tar activities for the upcoming 30 days. This report was ordered filed by consent. -106- City Council meeting minutes ' June 1, 1987 9d. Traffic study 368P Traffic study 368: No parking along Resolution 87-62 W. 27th St. It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Strand, to waive ' reading and adopt Resolution 87-62 entitled "Resolution authorizing installation ; of traffic control signs along the north side of W. 27th St. from the west driveway of 7400 W. 27th St. to a point 80 feet east of said driveway." The motion passed 7-0. , 9e. Fire lane: 3600 Decatur Fire lane designation at 3600 Decatur Resolution 87-63 Ave. It was moved by Councilman Strand, seconded by Councilman Backes, to waive reading and adopt Resolution 87-63 entitled "Resolution authorizing placement , of traffic control signs establishing fire lanes at 3600 Decatur Ave." The motion passed 7-0. 9f. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes 9g. Planning commission minutes 9h. Park and Recreation minutes , 111111 , Above minutes ordered filed by consent. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a. Boards and Commissions No business NEW BUSINESS lla. Bid tab: MSC Bid tabulation: Addition to Municipal ;` Service Center garage It was moved by Councilman Duffy, seconded by Councilman Strand, to designate Phillips Klein as the lowest responsible bidder and authorize the appropriate City officials to execute a contract with that firm for $413,325. The motion passed 7-0. ' llb. Bid tab: Watermain Bid tabulation: Installation of watermain on west side of Louisiana Ave. It was moved by Councilman Strand, seconded by Councilman Meland, to designate F. F. Jedlicki as the lowest responsible bidder and authorize the appropriate City officials to execute a contract for $48,604. 1111 The motion passed 7-0. -107- • City Council meeting minutes June 1 , 1987 llc. Bid tab: Sealcoating materials It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Duffy, to designate Richards Asphalt and J. L. Shiely as the lowest responsible bidders and authorize execution of contracts with those firms in ,the amount of $50,270 and $33,540, respectively. The motion passed 7-0. lld. Bid tab: Pick A Pop Demolition of Pick A Pop It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Strand, to designate Diamond 5 Wrecking 'as the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract for $16,200. Councilman Meland noted that Diamond 5 Wrecking was about one-half of the highest bidder. The City Manager said that this might be due to the fact this firm doesn't have much work lined up at this time. The motion passed 7-0. MISCELLANEOUS 12a. Claims James Mechler The claim was referred to the City Clerk and City Attorney by consent. 4111 12b. Communications from Mayor Mayor Hanks said that he and Councilman Meland had attended the groundbreaking for the Knollwood West project, northwest of Target Stores. 12c. Communications from the City Manager None. CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Verified claims It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Duffy, to approve the list of verified claims prepared by the Director of Finance, dated June 1 , 1987 in the amount of $380,053.17 for vendor claims and $$I3�1-9340 #-erg-ayrel-1-c-1 a-i-ms-be-appreved-a-nd-that-ttte-City Manager and City Treasurer be authorized to issue checks in the appropriate amounts. The motion passed 7-0. 13b. Partial Payment 1 . Noble Nursery, City Hall landscaping. Amount: $6,430.50 It was moved by Councilman Strand, seconded by Councilman Duffy, to approve the partial payment. The motion passed 7-0. 14. Admournment The .eting adjourn d at 8:30 p.m. fir /, k -co ding Secretary Ma- . - -108-