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Home My WebLink About1988/08/29 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session 4b 4111 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA August 29, 1988 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lyle Hanks at 7: 15 p.m. The following members were present: Bruce Battaglia, Keith Meland, Larry Mitchell , David Strand and Lyle Hanks. Also present were the Acting City Manager, Planning Director and Assistant to the City Manager. 2. Neighborhood study The Acting City Manager provided background information relative to this issue emerging out of the long-range planning session and provided highlights of the report that went to the City Council on August 15. She stated that a number of factors were selected and the data was plotted on maps using the computer mapping system (UltiMaps) as it relates to single family to fourplex rental units. She then presented maps for each of the 11 different 4111 factors plotted which included nuisance calls, assaults, vandalism, party/loud music, parking violations, public peace, domestic calls, non-white families, non-English speaking families, female heads of household and building permits. She noted that the three demographic factors were based on information from the School District. Councilmember Mitchell stated he receives the most complaints with respect to the upkeep of rental housing. Councilmember Strand stated he was swewhat surprised that a large number of non-English speaking residents are homeowners. Mayor Hanks said that a lot of these individuals live in apartments. The Acting City Manager stated that the most instances of overall calls include Lenox, Birchwood, Oak Hill and Meadowbrook and one of the neighborhoods may be appropriate for a neighborhood study. Mayor Hanks asked the Council what their pleasure was with respect to this issue. He thought that a neighborhood might really stand out and that is not occurring. Councilmember Battaglia stated that the Blackstone neighborhood does jump out in terms of percentage of homes involved in incidents. Councilmember Mitchell stated there appears to be a changing nature of the housing market with more housing available by the year 2000 and we may be facing more rental housing in the future. He stated that it would be interesting to evaluate the housing sales in the areas. , Study session minutes Aug. 29, 1988 Page 2 11/1 Mayor Hanks asked how much the housing program affects rental housing. The Acting City Manager responded that the housing program is based on sales and therefore when the property is rented, it is not inspected. Councilmember Strand said he liked the idea of a housing inspection program triggered by a lease. Councilmember Battaglia stated the corelation between rental and incidents is much higher at 37% than for owner-occupied which is at 6%. He stated he would like to encourage more home ownership. Councilmember Strand stated that one of the City Manager candidates had a rental program in place and perhaps staff could request information. Councilmember Battaglia stated he would be interested in looking into a first-time homebuyer incentive. Councilmember Meland inquired as to whether there were any changes in the tax law creating a disincentive to rent. Councilmember Mitchell responded that the area was left virtually untouched. Councilmember Strand asked what other cities are doing. The Acting City Manager stated that programs are in effect throughout the country ranging from licensing to housing inspections. She added that the Metropolitan Council has developed a growing interest in this issue. Councilmember Strand stated that the City could purchase the rental properties in the Blackstone neighborhood similar to the Louisiana Ave. project provided it doesn't cost the City any money. Councilmember Meland inquired as to the public purpose. Councilmember Strand responded to keep the housing stock up and maintain the integrity of the neighborhood. Councilmember Meland felt the City could target some' neighborhoods and purchase 10-15 homes per year when the come up for sale. Mayor Hanks stated that an area of concern is also the home maintenance and rehabilitation for senior citizens. Councilmember Strand commented that staff could evaluate the Blackstone neighborhood for example and identify purchase prices, what would be required to improve the homes and what the City would get in return following a sale. The Council concluded that they would like to review alternatives and in so doing, review rental housing of the Blackstone neighborhood, evaluate housing sales, identify the assessment values and research programs in other communities. City Council study session August 29, 1988 Page 3 4111 3. Status of items referred to staff Legislation regarding Pay Equity Law - The Acting City Manager commented there could be some changes with respect to comparable worth legislation in the areas of state agencies reviewing pay equity plans, possibly requiring the studies to be redone and adjustments to the trend line. She added that the League of Minnesota Cities is hosting its legislative meeting on September, 12. The Mayor stated he would like to get started early to develop a legislative package with the legislative liaison. Drug program - Mayor Hanks said he is working on establishing a committee which is required in order to obtain state financing. He will be contacting Judge Alan Oleisky to chair the committee. SARA Act - The Acting City Manager stated that the Fire Chief is working on a plan as required in Title Three and that the City will meet the Oct. 1 deadline. Domestic abuse cases - The Acting City Manager stated that the Police Chief has the information and that the numbers are fairly flat as to where we are. She added that the Police department is also working with Sojourner Shelter in providing assistance. 4111 Contingency plan in the event of federal/state revenue reductions - The Acting Manager stated this is more of a long-term issue. Billing process for water/sewer/refuse rates - The Acting, City Manager stated that this item was presented as a decision package early in the budget process and not only would it increase supply cost, it would require an additional employee to implement. She suggested that it may be included on a future market survey. Beautification/image program - The Acting City Manager stated that staff has researched lawn maintenance standards and has not been successful in identifying relevant information. Customer service program through MIS system - The Acting City Manager stated this is included in the budget. Councilmember Strand requested a report of the staff-related items and the projected deadlines. Mayor Hanks said he would like to see a planning session devoted to housing. The Council requested a housing profile before any work on that issue is initiated. The Council concluded that at that planning session they would identify philosophically what they would like to see happen in the area of housing and transfer the information to staff to develop it into a program. 4111 4. Light rail transit The Acting City Manager brought Council up to date as to the status of light rail transit. City Council study session August 29, 1988 Page 4 5. Budget meetings 1111 - Mayor Hanks suggested that the Council be prepared on Tuesday night to schedule budget session meetings and the September long-range planning meeting. 6. Future meetings Mayor Hanks asked the City Council if their preference was to hold study sessions in the third floor conference room or in the City Council chambers. Councilmember Strand stated that he would feel comfortable meeting in the Council chambers as long as tables were set up in the audience area for the meeting. The rest of the Council concurred. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned- at 9:05 p.m. /5/;./4d,rylarmen Kaplan Recording Secretary