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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990/04/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular City Council meeting minutes April 2, 1990 Councilmember Friedman felt the Center could come up with a better plan. He was sympathetic to Councilmember Tschida's feelings, but acknowledged that the Center is important to the community. What he was saying was don't do it piecemeal , come in and do a good job. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to defer the matter until such time as the parking details have been firmed up, screening taken care of and development of some type of agreement between the neighbors and Center achieved and then return it to the Council in 30 days. Councilmember Haun agreed that a master plan was essential , particularly when discussion comes up about the On the Avenue site. Councilmember Mitchell felt that the Center' s proposal was being encumbered with a lot of excess baggage, i .e. On the Ave. project, the history of the area, the future. He felt the crux of the issue was the project and how it effects the neighborhood to the East. He didn't want to see the Center locked in at this point. He felt the Center ' s plan would eventually fit into the overall area plan - whoever develops the On the Ave. site will have to work closely with the Center. The motion passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Battaglia and Tschida opposed) . 6b. Methodist Hospital Request to amend an approved special permit esolution 90-37 to construct cooling towers and miscellaneous exterior modifications at 6500 Excelsior Blvd. The following residents addressed Council: Paul Green, 3946 Dakota; Randy Manthy, 3979 Dakota Ave. They gave a brief history on the neighborhood's dealings with the hospital amongst which was a request for a master plan of the hospital ' s long-range improvements. Mr. Green stated that at no time had the neighborhood been informed about the request pending before the Council that evening. He said this was another example of the hospital 's on-going lack of dealing in an honest and straight- forward manner with the neighborhood. He was concerned that if the request before Council this evening were approved, it would indicate to Methodist that they can continue in a piecemeal fashion to build on its property perpetuating the existing conflict with the neighborhood. Mayor Hanks asked if a condition could be added to the resolution stating no future improvements or changed uses shall be sought until a master plan has been submitted and approved by the City. The City Attorney said that could be included. Mr. Sellergren, attorney for Methodist, did not see the necessity of conditioning as the hospital is currently at work on a master plan. However, he had no strong objection. There being no one further wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. -51- City Council meeting minutes April 2, 1990 It was moved by Councilmember Battaglia, seconded by Councilmember Meland, to adopt Resolution 90-37 entitled "A resolution rescinding Resolution 89-133 adopted on September 5, 1989 and granting special permit under Sections 14-123. 100(2) and 14-141 (3) of the St. Louis Park ordinance code relating to zoning to allow construction of cooling towers and miscellaneous exterior modifications to the existing building at 6500 Excelsior Blvd." incorporating the language as proposed. The motion passed 7-0. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS None. • RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a. Uninsured Loss Fund The City Attorney offered two minor Ordinance No. 1827-90 amendments to each of the documents. Resolution 90-38 It was moved by Councilmember . Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Meland, to adopt Ordinance No. 1827-90 entitled "An ordinance creating an uninsured loss fund and authorizing the transfer of funds to the fund's retained earnings account for fiscal year 1989" and Resolution 90-38 entitled "Resolution establishing criteria for use of the uninsured loss fund assets." The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Roller skating rink license fee Second reading of ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1828-90 the St. Louis Park Municipal Code, Section 13-464, License fees, roller skating rinks Bill Sahly, owner of the Roller Garden, addressed Council to reiterate his comments of March 19 when he spoke in opposition to the increase. Kate Williams spoke on behalf of the Sahlys and the Roller Garden. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to adopt Ordinance 1828-90 entitled "An ordinance amending the St. Louis Park Municipal Code, Section 13-464, license fees, roller skating rinks." Mayor Hanks hoped that the problems experienced by the Roller Garden would di be resolved during 1990 so that the license fee for 1991 can be reviewed and hopefully reduced. The motion passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Haun and Tschida opposed) . 8c. Variance approval : Bury It was moved by Councilmember Meland, Resolution 90-39 seconded by Councilmember Friedman, %` to adopt Resolution 90-39 entitled A resolution granting variance in recombination of lots from Sections 14-128(5) -52- City Council meeting minutes (-- April 2, 1990 14-107(1 ) and 14-314(6) of the Ordinance Code relating to zoning to allow the recombination of three platted lots into two with one lot having a width of 50 ft. instead of the required 75 ft. and an area of 6,750 sq. ft. instead of the required 9,000 sq. ft. and the other lot having a width of 70 ft. instead of the required 75 ft. in the R-1 , single family residence district, at 2940-2944 Independence Ave." The motion passed 6-1 (Mayor Hanks opposed) . 8d. Automotive Service Center Joe Strannik addressed Council & said Resolution 90-40 changes had been made in the plan during discussions with Councilmember Mitchell and it was felt the plan now was acceptable. It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Friedman, to adopt Resolution 90-40 entitled, "A resolution rescinding Resolution 89-181 adopted on Nov. 20, 1989 and granting special permit under Section 14-156(18) and 14-125(4) of the St. Louis Park Ordinance Code relating to zoning to allow an automotive service center and off-street parking for property located in the B-2 general business and R-3 two family residence districts at 4150 and 4200 Excelsior Blvd. " The motion passed 7-0. r 8e. Minneapolis Golf Club Amendment to special permit re parking Resolution 90-41 It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, to adopt Resolution 90-41 entitled "A resolution rescinding Resolution 90-5 adopted on January 26, 1990 and granting special permit under Section 14-126(2) of the St. Louis Park Ordinance Code relating to zoning to allow a golf course/country club parking lot addition at 2001 Flag Ave. So." The motion passed 7-0. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a. Klodt, Inc. Request to amend the Comprehensive Plan Lois Bredahl , Klodt, Inc. , gave a brief history of their development in Belt Line Business Park. Five years ago they planned for commercial usage - office showroom/warehouse. However today there is an overabundance of commercial/showroom/warehouse facilities in the area and they were asking for an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to allow them to construct an apartment complex. It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, to set public hearing for May 7, 1990. Councilmember Battaglia did not believe in amending the Comprehensive Plan for individual projects believing the Comprehensive Plan functioned as a long-term overall plan for the City. -53- City Council meeting minutes April 2, 1990 The motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Battaglia opposed) . b. Pool/arena rates It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , sec- onded by Councilmember Battaglia, to adopt Option D re pool rates in staff's report (Resident family pass: $35; Resident indiv./child pass $23; Daily admission after 6:00 p.m. $1 .00; Non-Resident family pass $45; Non-Resident indiv./child pass $33) and defer any change in the Rec Center rates for a 60-day period with direction to staff that they develop a marketing plan for the Rec Center. Councilmember Friedman noted that the area had five times the deficit that the pool has. He was opposed to raising the pool fees: it's beneficial to the community; there is no policing problem; it's a good, clean recreational area for kids who don 't have to have any equipment, only a bathing suit. Councilmember Mitchell was sympathetic with Councilmember Friedman's concerns, but he did feel these facilities should come as close as possible to paying for themselves. The motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Friedman opposed) . It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Battaglia, that staff be directed to develop a marketing plan for the Rec Center and return it to Council in 60 days. The motion passed 7-0. 9c. Traffic study 420 Parking restrictions on W. 23rd Resolution 96-42 and W. 24th and Utica Ave. By consent, adopt Resolution 90-42 entitled "Resolution authorizing installation of "No Parking Anytime" restrictions along the south side of W. 23rd and W. 24th Streets between Utica Ave. and T.H. 100 W. frontage road and along the west wide of Utica Ave. between W. 23rd St. and W. 24th St." 9d. Water treatment facility Consultant selection It was moved by Councilmember Battaglia, seconded by Councilmember Friedman, to authorize execution of a contract with SEH for design and construction of the water treatment facility Councilmember Haun noted there were changes in the cost of the proposals. He asked the City Attorney the efficacy of the Council 's action. The City Attorney responded this is a good example why there is an exception in Minnesota law re lowest responsible bidder. This is a professional services contract and under Minnesota law the Council is not required to bid a profession— al services contract to the lowest responsible bidder. They are permitted discretion in this area that they would not have in the purchase of goods such as a tractor, vehicles, etc. -54- • .,. tip City Council meeting minutes (- April 2, 1990 Councilmember Friedman remained perplexed why the higher priced firm was recommended when it seemed from staff's research that both firms were qualified to do the job. There was discussion about SEH's subcontractor, HDR, and , its capability for PAH removal . Don Lund, representative from HDR, said they were comfortable with HDR, a national-wide engineering firm with expertise and experience in GAC design/ construction. Mr. Lund was not able to provide Council with data supporting the firm' s experience with PAH removal specifically. Mayor Hanks was concerned that HDR had the expertise to remove PAHs which is the City's main problem. Councilmember Haun recalled the initial problems with the operating GAC plant andthe carbon filters. He, too, was concerned. Councilmember Battaglia amended his motion that contract award be contingent upon staff's satisfaction that SEH's consultant, HDR, has experience in PAH removal . Councilmember Mitchell felt the matter should be 'continued to April. 19 feeling that the amended motion put too much of a burden on staff. - Councilmember Battaglia moved and Councilmember Friedman seconded that the matter to deferred to April 19, 1990. The motion passed 6-1 (Mayor Hanks opposed) . 9e. 3036 Louisiana Selection of realtor to market 3036 Louisiana Ave. It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Tschida, to select Sherri Pesek, Coldwell Banker Realty, to market the 3036 Louisiana Ave. property. The motion passed 7-0. 9f. Planning Commission minutes By consent, received for filing UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a. Boards and commissions Annual reports: Mayor Hanks suggested the annual reports from boards/commissions be brought to a study session as they did not seem to be addressing the issues Council was interested in. It was moved by Councilmember Battaglia, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, to confirm the appointment of Patricia Cummings to the Human Rights Commission. The motion passed 7-0. NEW BUSINESS lla. Bid tab Diseased tree removal By consent, motion to designate Ceres Tree Service as lowest responsible -55- City Council meeting minutes r April ,Y�`' 1990t bidder and authorize execution of a contract not to exceed $94,200. lib. Bid tabulation Handicapped trail at Westwood Hills Environmental Education Center Councilmember Friedman asked if an architect had been hired for -this project. The Director of Parks and Recreation responded Council had authorized staff to enter into a contract with Margorie Pitts to do architectural design work for the project. Funding for the architect was taken out of CDBG Year XIV funds. It was moved by Councilmember Meland, seconded by Councilmember Battaglia, to reject and solicit new bids. The motion passed 7-0. llc. Bid tabulation Brush chipper It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to reject all bids and authorize staff to re-advertise for bids, The motion passed 7-0. lld. Hwy. 100 advisory board Councilmember Friedman said that a meeting had recently been held with businesses affected by the Hwy. 100/I-394 construct- ion as well as the neighborhood. The residents who are very exposed to the roadway, noise, construction, etc. had been advised by MnDOT that they don't have enough funds to do all the landscaping as promised and that they don't plan to do any landscaping until the project is completed. A suggestion has been made, and approved by MnDOT, that a citizen advisory group be formed to work with MnDOT. Also a suggestion was made to do the landscaping piecemeal . MnDOT thought they might be able to do that. He wanted Council to go on , record encouraging MnDOT to work with a citizens advisory group to assist them in getting landscaping underway. The Director of Public Works said in a discussion with Mr. Pint of MnDOT it was his impression the latter was supportive of both suggestions. Councilmember Friedman asked that a letter be sent to Mr. Pint at MnDO covering those two issues. MISCELLANEOUS \ 12a. Damage claims Christopher Berens i Onsrud vs. St. Louis Park By consent, claims referred to City Clerk and City Manager 12b. Communications from the Mayor Mayor Hanks noted that Metropolitan Waste Control was still seeking applicants for its advisory board. -56- City Council meeting minutes . April 2, 1990 12c. Communication from the City Manager The City Manager reminded Council of the retreat scheduled for April 5-6 at the Holiday Inn. CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Verified claims By consent, the list of verified claims prepared by the Director of Finance dated April 2, 1990 was approved in the following amounts: Claims, $539, 111 .55; Payroll $17, 548.92 and the City Manager and City Treasurer authorized to distribute checks in the appropriate amounts. 13b. Contract payments - Resolutions 90-43, 90-44 1 . Final : Lantto Building and Development, City Hall remodeling. Amount: $8,830. 2. Final : Pink Companies, purchase of furniture/installation. Amount: $4,224. By consent, adopt Resolution 90-43 entitled "Resolution approving final payment: Lantto Building and Development" and Resolution 90-44 entitled "Resolution approving final payment: Pink Companies." 14. Adjournment It was moved by Councilmember Battaglia, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m. Lyle W. Hanks, Mayor Recording Secretary -57-