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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993/06/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES EDA/CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL Monday, June 14, 1993 1. Call to order Mayor Lyle Hanks called the meeting to order at 6 :30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, Allen Friedman, Larry Mitchell, George Haun and Lyle Hanks. Also present were the City Manager (Mr. Meyer) , EDA Attorney (Mr. Steilen) , Director of Public Works (Mr. Grube) , Director of Community Development (Mr. Hagen) , Interim Finance Director (Mr. Rambow) , Police Chief (Mr. Mitchell) , and Bond Counsel (Mr. Tietz) . Julie Quarve-Peterson, consultant for the City on Americans With Disabilities compliance, gave a presentation of her audit of the City' s progress to date in coming into compliance with the Act. Economic Development Authority items Councilmember Friedman presided over the Economic Development Authority items in his capacity as Vice-President . 1 . Park Nicollet development The following items were discussed: Construction Manager; Traffic plan; Waiver of financing fee; Construction start schedule; and the parking ramp. Relative to Mr. Meyer's recommendation to use a Construction Manager for the parking ramp construction, he explained that Kraus-Anderson would operate in lieu of a general contractor and the various subcontractors would report directly to Kraus- Anderson. Mr. Steilen noted that because of MPCA regulations, all workers must be trained in a safety and contingency plan when working on this project because of its location on a landfill . Use of a Construction Manager overseeing properly trained workers and subcontractors will provide for cost-containment and avoid duplication of effort . Dick Koppy, RLK Associates, which has worked extensively on the traffic plan, presented a series of slides and boards to illustrate proposed improvements to intersections and traffic patterns . The presentation showed the realignment of Park Center Blvd. to include a northbound entrance ramp to Hwy. 100, closure of 39th St . , realignment of the entrance to Miracle Mile to a signalized intersection with the Park Nicollet development 1 entrance and general increase in flow lanes at intersections. Bill Tellen (Park Nicollet) and Steve Martin (Methodist Hospital) addressed the issue of financing fee waiver and reiterated the position expressed in their letter to the Authority. 111 Commissioner Friedman asked that staff get down on paper alternatives relative to waiving the fees, the effect of no examption being granted and what savings might accrue by refunding at a lower rate. The architect for Park Nicollet displayed some potential exterior treatments for the parking ramp. Code considerations governing this aspect were briefly discussed as were camera surveillance and lighting concerns as safety factors. Consensus was that the type of material shown at the meeting would be suitable. 2 . 31st and Inglewood The developers were present to discuss this item. It was noted that the City currently does not own this property and currently there are other priorities that supercede consideration of this proposed development . Consensus was that the Authority remained open to consideration of their proposal at a future time. City Council items Mayor Hanks chaired the remainder of the meeting. 3 . Presentation of annual financial report; budget calendar Don Rambow, Interim Finance Director, gave a brief presentation clarifying the tie between the Annual Financial Report and budget and briefly touched on non-budgeted funds . The budget calendar was accepted with no discussion. 4 . County Road 25 north and south frontage roads Mr. Grube reiterated staff 's belief that this construction project was needed within the next three years to maintain the integrity of the two frontage roads. At Council ' s direction, the assessment rate is proposed to be reduced from approximately $72 per foot to $25 . 50 per foot. Council consensus was to bring the item back to the June 21 Council meeting. 5 . Cedar Lake Road update Mr. Grube reported that when large scale reconstruction is begun, the County will turnback the road to the City. He noted that County participation will probably only be $ .7 million. In order to secure Municipal State Aid participation in the funding, the project will be completed in stages over 1995, 1996 and 1997. Construction will be done in phases beginning with the Virginia/Sumter section in 1993 followed by the segment from 2 Texas to Louisiana and finally east of Louisiana including the Zarthan connection scheduled for 1996 . 6 . City entry signs Randy Manthy, Steve Lundgren and Terry Bentley were present to discuss entry signs . They were of the opinion a process of visual identity should be pursued. Some Councilmembers envisioned moving along with a less theoretical approach. It was noted that any project would elicit community input, not just the ideas of a small group. It was the consensus that Mr. Manthy and his group proceed along the schedule as presented to Council . Mr. Manthy said they intended to contact John Smith who has also expressed interest in becoming involved in an entry sign project. Councilmember Friedman said he hoped that this wasn't a project to get a new City logo as this was done just a few years ago. 7. Neighborhood Revitalization Commission newsletter Some concern was expressed that if this proposal was accepted, other boards, commission and neighborhood groups would want to do likewise and there would be a proliferation of such publications. Also the question of control of content. It was felt that a page could be included in the "Park Perspective" more along the lines of neighborhoods that are organizing rather than a long discussion of what a particular neighborhood is involved in. 8 . Dedication of plague - Police station It was the consensus of the group that the names of City Council members, the Police Chief and City Manager appear on the plaque at the time of its installation. 9 . Dispatching agreement - Golden Valley Police Chief Mitchell said the City Attorney had raised some questions about the agreement which, in turn, had been sent to the League of Minnesota Cities for review. Its review determined that the agreement did not create a joint powers entity. Councilmember Jacobs asked about liability issues. Chief Mitchell said any questions re liability were addressed in the indemnity clause contained in the agreement . Council requested the agreement be placed on the June 21 agenda for Council action. 10 . Knollwood Place revenue bonds refinancing It was the consensus this represented a standard revenue bond refinancing procedure and no one voiced any concerns . This item -111 will be placed on the June 21 Council agenda for formal action. 11 . Council meetings on Jewish holidays 3 It was the consensus that meetings of the Council (formal, EDA and study sessions) scheduled on Jewish holidays be held on the next business day following. 12 . Stepvans in neighborhoods (Requested by Councilmember Mitchell) 111 Councilmember Mitchell briefed Council on this item. It was the consensus the questions be directed to the City Attorney with a request to research the Ordinance Code and provide a report to Council . Councilmember Mitchell brought up the subject of multi-family housing. He felt the need for an interim program or monitoring system until an action plan is in place. 13 . Next study session Council decided to hold a study session on Tuesday, June 29 in order to clear up all remaining items of business . 14 . Adjournment The study session adjourned at 10 : 00 p.m. —cording Secretary 4