Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/03/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARR, MINNESOTA March 7, 1994 1 . Call to order Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 7 :30 p.m. 2 . Presentations Campfire Boys and Girls Wolf Pack presented the flag and received a proclamation from Mayor Hanks. 3 . Roll call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call : Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Allen Friedman, Ron Latz, Robert Young, Gail Dorfman and Lyle Hanks. Also present were the City Manager (Mr. Meyer) ; City Attorney (Mr. Sheehy) ; Director of Public Works (Mr. Grube) ; Director of Community Development (Mr. Hagen) ; Assistant to the City Manager (Mr. Larson) , and Finance Director (Mrs. McBride) . 4 . Approval of minutes It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to approve the minutes of the February 22, 1994 Council meeting with the addition of the remarks by Mayor Pro Tem Friedman at the completion of the deer management discussion. The motion passed 5-0-2 (Councilmember Haun and Mayor Hanks abstained) . 5 . Approval of agenda It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed 7-0 . It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to approve the agenda for March 7, 1994 . The motion passed 7-0 . PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a. Jewish Community Center Application for one-day intox- icating liquor license There being no. one wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date . It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the application. 33 City Council meeting minutes March 7, 1994 The motion passed 7-0 . 6b. Vacation of portion of "old" Natchez Ave. 111 A legal description is required before staff can recommend suitable action. - It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to continue the hearing to March 21, 1994 . The motion passed 7-0 . 6c. Jennings Conversion of special permit granted Resolution 94-27 pursuant to a final PUD plan to a final Planned Unit Development : 4600-4630 Excelsior Blvd. There being no one wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-27 entitled "Resolution converting a final general PUD plan and special permits to preliminary and Final PUD plan relating to property in the C-2 Commercial District at 4600-4630 Excelsior Blvd. " The motion passed 7-0 . III PETITIONS, REQUESTS, CONMUNICATIONS 7a. Park Center Blvd. Widening north of Auto Club Way Mr . Grube updated Council on this item which concerns the widening of Park Center Blvd. northerly to the joint driveway serving Byerly' s and Target to 4 lanes. Councilmember Jacobs voiced his concerns : Why is the City now proceeding with this project when it recently seemed reluctant to pursue negotiations? And that road was just fixed about six months ago. Mr. Grube said less than 100 ft . of the 1993 road reconstruction will be affected by this project . Councilmember Jacobs asked Mr. Grube to go over the financing again . Mr . Grube responded that the proposal is for the tax increment finance district to pick up the costs and if the project is done in 1994, no special assessments will be levied. Mr. Hanks said that both AAA and Byerly' s have now offered to donate right-of-way which they had not when earlier discussions III 34 City Council minutes March 7, 1994 were held. In answer to a question from Councilmember Friedman, Mr. Grube said that in the mid-70 ' s Park Center Blvd. did have a 4-lane segment from W. 39th to W. 36th. In 1984 when the interchange was constructed, the street width was narrowed to 2 lanes . Those properties had been assessed when it was 4 lanes. Councilmember Friedman asked if there was a written agreement relative to the 10 parking spaces in the ramp. Mr. Grube said at this point it was a "gentlemen' s agreement" to consider it . Councilmember Friedman would be agreeable to going along with the motion provided it was subject to written agreement with Park Nicollet relative to those 10 parking stalls. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to proceed with the construction of a 4-lane road from Auto Club Way to the entrances of Target and Byerly' s subject to prior written agreement with other contractual obligations relative to the parking ramp. Councilmember Latz asked if there were any costs associated with the 10 parking spaces . He said they would be used by someone else if they were not reserved by AAA in a City-owned ramp. Mayor Hanks did not know the details of the ramp' s management at this point . Mr. Meyer said Park Nicollet has the ability to determine whether or not there is a fee charged to cover operating costs, but it has not yet been confirmed. Councilmember Young thought Mr . Grube had said there was significant value in a parking space, $5000 or so. He asked if it were feasible for 10 spaces to be locked up and perhaps not used all the time. Mr. Grube said the preference of AAA would be the dedication of parking stalls on the western proximity of the ramp nearest to their facility. He said the value of a parking stall in a parking ramp is probably in the range of $7, 000-$10, 000. Councilmember Young asked if the City might not have been in a better position in buying the right-of-way vis-a-vis the cost of the parking stalls. Mayor Hanks said the problem with that was that if the land were given, AAA would become a non-conforming use because of lack of parking. lirCouncilmember Friedman noted that in his review of this situation 35 City Council minutes March 7, 1994 he was reminded that there are certain things a community has to do to provide for businesses . AAA is a high visibility business drawing people to St . Louis Park. Since a price can' t really be put on this arrangement, it was his intention that staff/AAA/Park Nicollet work things out to the mutual agreement of all parties . The real problem as he saw it was the spaces have to be dedicated rather than people receive chits as they enter the ramp and park where they please. Councilmember Haun felt the real issue was the road. Now was the time to widen it , not in the future . This used to be a 4-lane road for which the businesses were assessed -- they paid for it once . And with the increase in business expected at this site when development is completed, now is the time to widen the road. Councilmember Young questioned the non-conformity issue and asked staff to clarify. He was in favor of widening the road but remained uncomfortable with the dedication of the 10 parking stalls . He would like staff to look at ways to provide the 10 spaces less expensively whether it be parking passes or whatever. Mr . Meyer said he understood AAA has the minimum parking requirement today so to remove any means that compensating parking will have to be established elsewhere. He said options as proposed by Councilmember Young will definitely be looked at once it is determined if a parking fee is to be charged. The motion passed 7-0 . Councilmember Dorfman said residents had brought two concerns to her and she hoped staff would consider them as they move along with the widening . One is cars speeding down the hill from Excelsior Blvd . and second is consideration of pedestrians crossing at Park Shore. 7b. Easement reduction: 3966 Dakota Ave. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to set public hearing for March 21, 1994 . The motion passed 7-0 . RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a. TIF payment to School District Resolution 94-28 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 94-28 entitled "Resolution approving payment to Independent School District #283 of 1993 referendum levy tax increments from the Oak Park Village and Excelsior Blvd. tax increment districts. " 111 36 City Council minutes March 7, 1994 The motion passed 7-0 . 8b. 1994 contract with 49ers Resolution 94-29 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 94-29 entitled "Resolution approving the International Association of Operating Engineers Local 49 labor agreement and establishing salaries and insurance contributions for the year ending December 31, 1994 . " Councilmember Latz asked if there were any reason for the contract being for one year only instead of multi-year. Mr. Meyer said staff would desire a longer term contract but with the kinds of conservative settlements be sought , a contract longer than one year was not feasible . He said contracts with Police and Fire have not been finalized. The motion passed 7-0 . 8c. 1994-1995 insurance contract Resolution 94-30 Councilmember Friedman noted there was a proposed increase in the deductible . Mr. Meyer said the deductible was being proposed to increase from $25, 000 to $50, 000 per incident and increase the annual aggregate from $50, 000 to $150, 000 . Because of the City's excellent record, the previous premium of $96, 000 virtually would have been saved. Councilmember Friedman asked what happened to the savings that have accrued. Mr. Meyer said that since an additional $100, 000 in risk is being taken on, it might be put in the uninsured risk fund. Councilmember Friedman suggested as part of the motion the savings be placed in the dedicated fund for 1994 . He also wanted to thank staff for finding ways such as this to save money for the City. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-30 entitled "Resolution awarding contracts for 1994/95 insurance coverage" amended to include that savings be placed in the dedicated fund for 1994 . The motion passed 7-0 . REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a. Planning Commission minutes Feb. 23 37 City Council meeting minutes March 7, 1994 9b. Cable TV Commission minutes Feb. 24 Minutes ordered filed by consent . UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a. Boards and commissions No business Councilmember Jacobs noted there are a number of openings on the Community Education Advisory Council . NEW BUSINESS ila. Bid tabulation Purchase of two H.D. 1 ton cab/ chassis trucks, one 3/4 ton passen- ger van, one 4x4 utility vehicle, one 1/2 ton panel van Councilmember Jacobs asked why only two bidders had responded. Mr. Grube said 13 packages went out to Ford, General Motors and Dodge dealers . He said generally the County and State take bids for fleets of cars and trucks . Superior Ford won the truck bid this year and had an edge over other dealers. However Midway Ford elected to cut their bid significantly also. The City could not take advantage of the County or State contracts because there is special fabrication of the boxes that fit on the chassis . It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to award the contract to Midway Ford. Councilmember Latz asked if there were any particular reason why the bid specs were based on a Ford cab and chassis as opposed to other manufacturers. Mr. Grube said that although most of the City vehicles happen to be Ford, General Motors and Dodge are not excluded from any bidding. Councilmember Latz asked if the specs are written with Ford products in mind, doesn' t this preclude other manufacturers from bidding. Mr. Grube said . any of the appurtenances written into the specs could be provided by just about any vendor if they so chose to do so. Since the majority of the City' s fleet happens to be Ford, those specifications are used for the purposes of continuity across the board, at least minimum criteria, for equipment the City wishes to have. The motion passed 7-0 . lib. Void III 38 llc. Bid tabulation Traffic signal poles and mast arms for Excelsior Blvd. at Park Center Blvd. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to accept the bid of ColliSys in the amount of $23, 348 and authorize execution of a contract . The motion passed 7-0 . 11d. Bid tabulation 1994 diseased tree removal It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to designate Miller' s Tree and Landscaping as lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract in an amount not to exceed $81, 131 . 15 . The motion passed 7-0 . MISCELLANEOUS 12a. Damage claims Leland Gottstein, LeRoy Gretzer, Arvo Laukkonen, Peg Mann By consent, claims referred to City Clerk and City Manager 12b. Communications from the Mayor None 12c. Communications from the City Manager Mr. Meyer updated Council on deer management issues. CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Verified claims By consent, the list of verified claims prepared by the Director of Finance dated March 7 , 1994 was approved and checks distributed in the following amounts: Vendor claims : $919, 170 . 87 and payroll claims $25, 287 .27. 13b. Contract payments 1 . Partial : Morcon Construction: Remodeling of Rec Center . Amount : $42, 845 . 00 2 . Partial : Midwest Asphalt : Grading, paving. Amount : $6, 213 .23 By consent, payment approved. 14 . Adjournment The, meeting adjourned at 8 :30 p.m. W 1� Ma r Hanks 1ecording Secretary 39