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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992/02/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular IIIMINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA February 18, 1992 1 . Call to order The meeting was called to order at 8:03 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Keith Meland. 2. Roll call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call : Jeff Jacobs, Allen Friedman, Larry Mitchell , Gail Dorfman, Keith Meland Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Public Works, Director of Community Development, Director of Finance and Director of Inspections. 3. Presentations - None 4. Approval of minutes III It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the meeting minutes of February 3, 1992. The motion passed 5-0. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to approve the minutes of the Long-Range Planning session of Feb. 4, 1992. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Meland abstained) . 5. Approval of agenda It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the consent agenda for February 18, 1992 with the removal from consent of 11b. The motion passed 5-0. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the agenda for Feb. 18, 1992 with the following additions: llf. Public Relations and llg. Louisiana Ave./Hwy. 7. The motion passed 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a. Assessment hearing Franklin Ave. reconstruction Resolution 92-17 There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Pro Tem Meland closed the meeting with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. III It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 92-17 entitled 'Resolution adopting assessment improvement No. 90-15, paving, curb, gutter and storm sewer." The motion passed 5-0. -18- • City Council meeting minutes Feb. 18, 1992 6b. Reconstruction of Louisiana Ave. Cedar Lake Rd. to I-394, Project III Resolution 92-18 91-11 William Putnam, 3172 Hillsboro, Mr. Robb and Marvin Scheitel , 1471 Louisiana Ave. addressed questions re the project to which Director of Public Works Jim Grube responded. There being no one further wishing to speak, the Mayor Pro Tem closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 92-18 entitled "Resolution ordering improvement, plans and specifications for Improvement 91-11 : Reconstruction of Louisiana Ave. from Cedar Lake Rd. to I-394." The motion passed 5-0. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS None. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a. 1990 Uniform Building Code First reading of ordinance incorporat- III Code into City' s Ordinance Code It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve first reading, set second for March 2, 1992 and authorize summary publication. Councilmember Friedman asked whether or not the law permits the City to require more of a house than was required at the time it was built. The City Manager said a final answer to that question is still being researched. Councilmember Friedman asked that by the end of the week he would like a memo stating what the law says. It was his understanding that the City cannot require a home to have anything different in terms of Code from what was required at the time the house was built unless it created a life threatening situation, i .e. fire alarms, etc. Councilmember Jacobs wondered how a homeowner who was dissatisfied with a roofing job (a) contact the City; and (b) how does the City go about enforcing what the homeowner wants. The Director of Inspections said the contractor is required to take out a permit for the roof and thereafter must comply with the building code requirements . Should there be a problem, the City goes back on the contractor since he has taken out a permit to comply with the Code. If he doesn't comply, the CityIII issues a court citation. He felt it had been quite successful in dealing with homeowner complaints. Councilmember Jacobs wondered what the provision was with regard to minor mechanical work and how is "minor" defined. -19- • City Council meeting minutes Feb. 18, 1992 This covers situations wherein a number of years ago before the State Mechanical Code went into effect, contractors requested a provision be provided where minor mechanical work could be done without a permit when there was an emergency, according to the Director. An emergency example was like a furnace going bad in the winter over a weekend, and there was no way to get a permit before commencing work. Now, in the new State mechanical code which has been incorporated into the City's Code, there are provisions similar to those drawn up by the City for emergencies a number of years ago. The motion passed 5-0. 8b. Disposition of tax forfeit land 7832 Cambridge, 3647 Sumter It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Friedman, to defer to March 2, 1992 The motion passed 5-0. 8c. Conveyance: Portion of Vernon Ave. Ordinance No. 1878-92 It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to adopt Ordinance 1878-92 entitled "An ordinance authorizing conveyance of property: A portion of Vernon Ave. approximately 250 ft. south of the right of way of I-394." The motion passed 5-0. 8d. Commercial Development Revenue Bonds Amendments Resolution 92-19 In answer to a question from Councilmember Friedman for further clarification of this item, City Attorney Sheehy provided same. Basically some technical problems in the indenture agreement were identified, and the resolution before Council proposes, to amend those documents and correct the technical problems due to changes in the Internal Revenue Code. It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 92-19 entitled "Resolution relating to the First Supplement to Loan Agreement and the First Supplemental Indenture of Trust in connection with the City's $2. 1 million aggregate principal amount, City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Commercial Development Revenue Bonds (G & N Limited Partnership) dated as of August 1 , 1983. " The motion passed 5-0. Councilmember Friedman asked the City Manager to provide the Council with addition costs that have to be paid for this item. 111 8e. Variable rate bond issue agreements Resolutions 92-20, 92-20a The issue in this item was whether to locate a substitute standby liquidity facility (bank) or converting the bonds to fixed interest rate obligations. -20- City Council meeting minutes FEb. 18, 1992 Councilmember Friedman could not see the reason for staying with variable III rate when the fixed rate is so low. He was inclined to favor the fixed rate. In answer to a question, the Director of Finance saidina bond sale, should a fixed rate be selected, approximately a $50,000 fee could be expected to cover all participants in the bond sale. Councilmember Friedman expressed his displeasure with the current bonding agent and bond marketers questioning why other sources could not be used. He also was distressed that the City knew this situation as far back as November and now the Council was expected to make a decision at the 11th hour without sufficient facts, figures and documentation. Councilmember Friedman wondered if it were not in the City's best interests to seek other bond counsel if the decision is made to go with a variable rate. He said he would like to see the figures upon which Springsted based its recommendation. Councilmember Mitchell also was troubled by the relationship with bond counsel and bond marketer. He felt the issue needed to move forward this evening, but the City's relationship with the two companies really needed to be explored. It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolutions 92-20 and 92-20a entitled, respectively, "Resolution relating to substitution of an alternative letter of credit in connection with the City' s $6.5 million, City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, variableIII rate demand general obligation tax increment bonds, Series 1985, dated as of Dec. 1 , 1985; and "Resolution relating to substitution of liquidity facility in connection with the City' s $5 million, City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, General Obligation bonds, Series 1987 A, B, C, dated March 1 , 1987." The motion passed 4-1 (Councilmember Jacobs opposed) Councilmember Friedman moved and Councilmember Mitchell seconded, that staff prepare a list of firms that do the same thing as Springsted; why this kind of firm is needed; how long Springsted has been with the City; who preceded them; a list of firms doing the same thing as Miller & Schroeder and how many the City has dealt with and return it to the Council at the first meeting in April . The motion passed 5-0. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a. Use of City-owned property Agreement with Jewish Community Center It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to authorize execution of the agreement allowing sign placement on City property. The motion passed 5-0. III 9b. City Engineer' s report Reconstruction of Monterey Dr. Resolution 92-21 from W. 38th to Belt Line Blvd. -21- City Council meeting minutes Feb. 18, 1992 Councilmember Mitchell asked what consideration was given to this improvement in light of the proposed redevelopment in the area. The Public Works Director said the consultant working on traffic projections had said that particular roadway has much available capacity fur future expansion. It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 92-21 entitled "Resolution accepting the City Engineer's report, establishing improvement project No. 88-27 and establishing an improvement hearing for Project 88-27: Reconstruction of Monterey Drive from Belt Line Blvd. to W. 38th St." Councilmember Friedman preferred to postpone this project until details of the Tower Place site are more definitive. Councilmember Friedman moved to defer. The motion died for lack of a second. The vote on the original motion passed 4-1 (Councilmember Friedman opposed) . 9c. Minutes of Housing Authority January 14 9d. Planning Commission minutes February 5 9e. Cable TV Commission minutes January 28 9f. Park and Recreation minutes December 11 9g. January 1992 financial report Items 9c-9g ordered filed by consent. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a. Boards and commissions It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to receive the Parks and Recreation Commission yearly report for filing. The motion passed 5-0. NEW BUSINESS lla. Gambling application St. Louis Park Hockey Assoc. at Bunny's It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs to adopt the resolution of approval . The motion died for lack of a second. It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to defer this item to March 2. The motion passed 5-0. -22- City Council meeting minutes February 18, 1992 lib. Bid tabulation Tree planting stock Councilmember Jacobs had a number of questions regarding this item which the City Manager addressed. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Friedman, to designate Fair's Nursery and Wilson's Nursery as lowest responsible bidders for the purchase of Spring tree stock in accordance with the terms and specifica- tions of the attached bids. Councilmember Friedman asked if the budgeted amount for trees -- $25,000 -- could be reduced by $4,000, the amount of the grant given the City by the DNR. The City Manager said he would prefer to first check the grant to make sure that there was no statement that the grant was a supplement to a City's existing budget amount. The motion passed 5-0. llc. Gambling licenses Park Tavern Lounge & Lanes It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to defer this item to March 2, 1992. lld. Bid tabulation By consent, motion to adopt Resolution Resolution 92-22 92-22 entitled "Resolution accepting bid and approving contract for Improvement Project 92-05." lle. Fire pumper bid tabulation In answer to a question, the City Manager said there was some feeling that the specification for a stainless steel tank did discourage bidders. Satisfactory responses to the City's question as to why they had not bid resulted in rather lame excuses frana number of potential bidders. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to reject the bid. The motion passed 5-0. llf. Public relations Councilmember Friedman had a suggestion that the City encourage feedback from businesses and residents by use of a postcard return. He felt this would give a message to the public that the City does care and let staff know that the Council does care what happens out in the community and how residents react to them. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to direct the City Manager to look into such a program. The motion passed 5-0. -23- City Council meeting minutes Feb. 18, 1992 llg. Louisiana Ave./Hwy. 7 Mayor Pro Tem Meland referred to this corner. He noted that the City controls all four corners. It was his thought that before the City encourages any development in that area, staff might want to take a look at all four corners and see if there isn't some way either the landscaping be beautified or put to some other public use. Councilmember Friedman so moved, Councilmember Mitchell seconded. The motion passed 5-0. MISCELLANEOUS 12a. Damage claims Herbert Lynch By consent, claim referred to City Clerk and City Manager. 12b. Communications from Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Pro Tem Meland gave the results of the School District referendum. 12c. Communications from the City Manager None. CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Verified claims By consent, verified claims were approved in the following amounts: Vendor claims: $596,623.77; Payroll claims: 17,197.69 and the City Manager and City Treasurer authorized to distribute checks in the appropriate amounts. 14. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. • a or Pro em R cording Se etary -24-