HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992/07/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session 4b
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
July 13, 1992
1 . Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 7: 15 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Meland.
The following Councilmembers were present: Allen Friedman, George Haun,
Larry Mitchell , Gail Dorfman, Keith Meland.
Staff present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Community
Development, Director of PubliG Works, Police Chief, MIS Coordinator.
Mike Colich, Pete Cahill and Tom Rothstein were present for their annual
visit with the Council relating to the prosecuting function which their
office performs. The attorneys indicated that their working relationship
with staff was generally good and that progress had been made in minimizing
unnecessary court appearances by police officers.
Three items regarding the proposed zoning ordinance were discussed. Suesan
Pace-Shapiro was present to explain the rationale for her proposal pertaining
to registration and amortization. The Council seemed inclined to have
the registration provision contained in the new zoning ordinance. The
proposed language pertaining to ex parte communications was discussed
and the Council seemed inclined to have this proposed language deleted
from the pending zoning ordinance. The fact that the proposed ordinance
contained no mechanism for sign variations was noted, and the Council
appeared inclined to have that provision deleted from the proposed ordinance
as well as similar provisions pertaining to off-street parking, building
heights and floor area ratios. It was the Council ' s feeling that there
was no need to have an explicit prohibition on variances relating to
these subjects when, in fact, they may well be prohibited by other applicable
ordinance provisions.
Suesan Pace-Shapiro was present for discussion of the proposed modification
to the pawn broker/second hand dealer license. The Council had previously
directed that the Code be amended to grandfather in the three existing
pawn broker licenses. After discussion, it was agreed that formal Council
action on the approach to solving this problem was needed. The following
options were noted: Grandfather the existing licenses; amortize the existing
licenses; establish pawn brokers as a permitted use with limits on the
number of licenses and the location of licenses. This item will appear
on the July 20 Council agenda.
Representatives of Wayside House were present for discussion of their
request to utilize bond fees in conjunction with development of a pilot
transitional housing program. Discussion occurred and the Council decided
to reconsider this matter at its August study session.
Councilmember Friedman asked that his request to discuss items relating
to the Human Rights Commission be deleted from the agenda.
Discussion occurred as to the possible licensing of one and two-family
rental homes. The Council agreed to continue its deliberations on this
matter at its August 10 study session.
III
Winter parking restrictions were discussed with agreement that a pilot
program would be presented to residents of the three blocks north of
Minnetonka on both Alabama and Blackstone.
Discussion relating to redistricting and polling places was initiated
by Councilmember Haun. It was agreed that changes to two polling places
in the Third Ward would be considered by the Council at its July 20 meeting.
The subject of Councilmembers serving as liaison to boards/commissions
was discussed with the history as well as individual Councilmembers'
perceptions noted. Council will further consider this matter at its August
10 study session.
The City Manager provided Council with an update on the Council goals
identified at the April 1992 Long-Range Planning Retreat. Publicity,
follow-up and discussion pertaining to these goals by staff was noted.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Bill Dixon, Recording Secretary - Ill