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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/07/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA July 18, 1994 1. Call to order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Friedman at 7.30 p m. 2 Presentations Bridget Wynn, Recreation Supervisor, presented Certificates of Appreciation to local businesses which sponsored the Summer Youth Safety Camp. 3 Roll call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call. Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Ron Latz, Gail Dorfman and Allen Friedman Also present were the City Manager(Mr Meyer); Deputy City Attorney(Ms Pace); Director of Community Development (Mr Hagen); Director of Public Works (Mr Grube) and the Police Chief(Mance'Mitchell) 4 Approval of minutes It was moved by Councilmember Dorfman, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to approve the minutes of the July 5, 1994 Council meeting with the following corrections correction in the spelling of Jim Jezierski's name; page 112, Nancy LaPaco's last name is spelled Lapakko, and change Tom to Ron, page 116, nine lines from bottom, change"If' to "In, page 122, seven lines up, change"what" to"when " The motion passed 4-0-1 (Councilmember Jacobs abstained) It was moved by Councilmember Dorfman, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to approve the minutes of the July 11 study session with the following correction by Councilmember Haun He didn't necessarily agree with the last statement of the Excelsior Blvd streetscape and redevelopment item, feeling there was concern expressed about the design phase He Osuggested saying Mr Martin was asked to entertain some consideration of other aspects of design with staff and the constituents involved in the project. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Friedman abstained). 5. Approval of agenda 130 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded)by Councilmember Dorfman, to approve the consent agenda for July 18 1994 The motion passed 5-0 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to approve the agenda for July 18, 1994 The motion passed 5-0 PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Buildingiheights in C-2 District There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Pro Tem Friedman closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date Councilmember Dorfman asked what the travel demand management district meant Mr Hagen explained the travel demand management ordinance affects a northerly part of the City that is adjacent to the various interchanges with I-394 It deals with the level at which, when congestion reaches a certain point, properties of a certain intensity level are required to implement travel demand management practices It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman to approve first reading, set second for August 1, 1994 and authorize summary publication The motion passed 5-0. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS 7a Variance request, Harold Cottle 3900 Minnetonka Blvd. The following individuals spoke in support of Mr Cottle's request. Leonard Levine, 2028B Ford Parkway, St. Paul; Mark Rosen, 2720 Princeton; Bruce Hedinland, Lincoln Del CEO and Mark Levine, attorney , 150 So 5th St., Minneapolis Levita Briones, France Ave., expressed her concerns about signage and access/egress from the property Bruce Sandison, owner of property directly behind the proposed Express Lube had concerns about landscaping and access/egress Dave Ridenour, owner of the Union 76 station, had no problem with the need for a quick lube facility in the neighborhood His problem was the plan showed 7-8 parking spots and the zoning ordinance requires 17 and that that the bufferyard as proposed does not conform to the ordinance. In his experience the zoning ordinances have been strictly adhered to He did not think bending of those ordinances was appropriate 131 11 Mr Hagen said the ordinance requires 16 off-street parking spaces and Mr. Cottle's plan provides 12 spaces As far as the setback is concerned, the ordinances does require a 6 ft setback on front and side and only 4 ft. is in the plan Mayor Pro Tem Friedman noted that the facility will have to conform with the City's sign ordinance which is quite strict He also mentioned that the proposal is subject to a conditional use permit which has certain restrictions so the owner can not go ahead and do whatever he wants, his plan will have to conform Also the MTC is removing two bus stops so concerns about traffic coming out are somewhat alleviated. Mr Cottle addressed Council He intended no lighting on the France Ave side and said he would be happy to work with Mrs Briones re her concerns He said there would be an arrow running around the building showing exit onto Lake St./Minnetonka Councilmember Latz was aware Mr Cottle had done a number of analyses on what could go on the property and asked him to speak to that. Mr. Cottle said he had explored a pet food warehouse, selling fresh water cichlids, dry cleaning establishment. The one that guaranteed at least a break-even was the Express Lube. Councilmember Latz understood Mr Cottle would be financing the development so no banks will be involved in lending money on a contaminated site Mr. Cottle said correct and he would be assuming any potential liability that might arise. Councilmember Latz asked what was involved in the conditional use process and the Director of Community Development explained. It was moved by Councilmember Dorfman, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to approve a modified variance request and adopt Resolution 94-90 entitled"A resolution granting variance in bufferyard and parking from Sections 145-5 2 (D)(1)(d), 14.6-1 3(A)(32) and 14 6-1 2(C) of the ordinance code relating to zoning to permit a motor fuel station with a bufferyard "B" having a width of 4 ft instead of the required 6 ft. along the south property line, a bufferyard having 22 plant units and 131 non-plant units instead of the required bufferyard"F" and 12 parking stalls instead of the required 16 parking stalls for property in the C-1 commercial district at 3900 Minnetonka Blvd." Councilmember Latz noted that this proposal was quite different from the one considered by the Board of Zoning Appeals that was denied Significant changes have been made in terms of parking, bufferyard, signage , plantings and architecture improving the proposal. It is a terrible site with the pollution making it virtually impossible to get any funding to put anything on it. Councilmember Haun concurred and stated he was tired of phone calls from constituents asking when the dump at the entrance to the City was going to get cleaned up The motion passed 5-0 132 RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a. St. Louis Park Schools Amendment to Zoning Map Ordinance 94-2001 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to adopt Ordinance No. 94-2001 entitled "An ordinance amending the St Lbuis Park Ordinance Code changing boundaries of zoning districts, 6525 W. Lake St." The motion passed 5-0 Councilmember Latz ask if any additional notice was given to the neighborhood in light of the comments at the last meeting that only one property owner received notice Mr Hagen said a second notice had not been mailed Councilmember Latz said this had been considered on July 5 and several constituents in his Ward said they didn't know about this and they were informed they would have an opportunity to address this issue tonight if they so desired. 8b Void 8c Year XX Community Development Block Grant Agreement Councilmember Dorfman said when funding was approved monies were set aside for ADA compliance but its spending not indicated. She asked that as part of this process if that would be clarified. Mr Meyer said before Council was strictly the formal agreement between the City and the County approving funding. The ADA matter is a category within the funding program and . the City does not have to specify its expenditure at this time and it will come back to the Council later on It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to adopt Resolution 94-91 entitled"Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute sub-recipient agreement with Hennepin County for 1994 (Year XX) Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program" The motion passed 5-0. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a. Cedar Lake Road update Resolution 94-92 Carlton Moore, Superintendent of Engineering, reviewed the results of the open house held on this project and the staff report containing comments of the Task Force. 133 Mr. Moore highlighted the Task Force's concern. (1)parking on-street; (2) location of access points for turning lanes, (3) traffic signal systems; (4) landscaping Based upon this, the plan is to proceed with the final details of the project Councilmember Latz noted the Task Force was going to recommend reduction of the speed limit along the corridor from 35 to 30 mph If the speed limit was left at 35 mph, what effect would that have on the process Mr Moore said the design was actually in excess of 30 mph meaning it will accommodate 30 mph, not necessarily won't accommodate other speeds Ory Berscheid, 1604 Blackstone, said he was a member of the Blackstone Neighborhood Assoc and unfortunately did not have a representative on the Task Force One of their concerns is on Zarthan Ave where initially there was to be a traffic light. The Task Force has not included that in the plans. He said it is virtually impossible to get onto Cedar Lake Road during the rush hour. A second concern is the Edgewood interchange. The most severe of the four alternatives would have a major impact on how NSP proposes to use its land He was urging consideration of the first alternative which he felt was less severe Their concern was about the Honeywell property and what its future energy needs might be His suggestion was to adopt the Cedar Lake Road plan in two parts• a westerly plan on which contracts can be let and proceed; and take the intervening time until 1996 to explore answers for the segment from Jersey Ave eastward Mr Moore said underground conduit would be provided at Zarthan for any signal in the future In terms of the Edgewood intersection, the Task Force felt it appropriate that the neighborhood and businesses make a decision as to which alternative was best Councilmember Dorfman said it was her reading of the report that there was ample time for negotiating the project before Council approval is required. Mr Moore said that was correct What was sought from Council tonight was approval to proceed to detail plans which will alnow for specifics along the corridor plan being addressed Mayor Pro Tem Friedman asked if there was some reason the Blackstone neighborhood was not represented on the Task Force Mr Moore said everyone along the corridor was solicited and only those residents who chose to participate formed the Task Force Mr Friedman suggested to Mr Berscheid that someone from his neighborhood contact Mr Moore to indicate their interest in participating henceforth The question of undergrounding came up Mr Meyer noted the City Council would have to make a decision on that as it would be financed by City funds Councilmember Jacobs felt it should be decided soon If the lines were to be undergrounded, it better be done during construction Would anyone like NSP participate? 134 Councilmember Dorfman asked if a decision was needed tonight or would it come to a study session Mayor Pro Tem Freidman said Council would uhave to have cost figures as well as know what the implications were I i It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 94-92 entitled "Resolution establishing Improvement Project 90-15, authorizing development of plans and specifications" The motion passed 5-0 9b Water tower removal City Engineers report Resolution 94-93 Mr. Grube briefly reviewed the request In answer to a question from Councilmember Dorfinan, Mr. Grube said this request was only for removal of the tower, not the foundation nor the piping It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-93 entitled "Resolution accepting the City Engineer's report, establishing Improvement Project No 94-25, ordering improvement Project 94-25, approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids." The motion passed 5-0 9c Traffic signal. Excelsior Blvd./W 38th St. City Engineer's report _ Resolution 94-94 It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-94 entitled "Resolution accepting the City Engineer's report, establishing Improvement Project No 94-17, approving plans and specifications, authorizing advertisement for bids." Councilmember Dorfman asked about the additional $16,000 in consultant fees. Mr Grube said $4000 was added to the previous estimate of$12,000 to provide for on-site services during construction and he explained what services were covered He added that when the original contract was let, the final geometria of the intersection were not known because design work on the Streetscape project had not been completed. Mayor Pro Tem Friedman was not happy to pay out an additional $4000 just to have the consultant prove that the system works He hoped that in the future when Council is asked to approve projects of this nature that all costs will be factored in at the time of approval 135 These was discussion about the retention of on-street parking for the time being until Phase II of the Excelsior Blvd project kicks in The motion passed 5-0 9d Security Services contract Eliot School Councilmember Dorfman asked how many hours the police liaison at Eliot put in Chief Mitchell said 90% of the time is spent either at Eliot School or the Junior High School Councilmember Dorfman said she asked that question because there has been concern about kids leaving Eliot School Chief Mitchell said part of the police officer's responsibilities are dealing with neighborhood issues It was his feeling that the out of school problems have largely been addressed It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun that the City Manager be authorized to execute the contract between Intermediate School District 287 and the City of St Louis Park to provide for specialized security services The motion passed 5-0 9e Random concrete/sidewalk repair City Engineer's report Resolution 94-95 It was moved by Couacilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to adopt Resolution 94-95 entiMad "Resolution accepting the City Engineer's report establishing Project 94-04, ordering project, approving plans and specifications, authorizing advertisement for bids " The motion passed 5-0 9f Minutes: Board of Zoning Appeals June 23 9g Minutes: Housing Authority June 14 9h. Minutes: Cable TV Advisory Commission June 23 9I. Financial report June 1994 9j Minutes. Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force May 11 By consent, 9f-9j ordered filed 136 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a Boards and commissions Mayor Pro Tem Friedman noted the letter of resignation from the Human Rights Commission . from Ange Hwang Staff was asked to send a letter thanking her for her service Y was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to make the following appointments Walt Hartman to the Housing Authority and Laurie Powell to the Board of Zoning Appeals. The motion passed 5-0 NEW BUSINESS 11 a. Gambling exemption MN hand Surveyors Theodore Kemna was present to answer questions It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to approve the request and waive the 30-day waiting period The motion passed 5-0 I 11 b. Change Order No 1 Excelsior Blvd. improvements Resolution 94-96 It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs to adopt Resolution 94-96 entitled "Resolution pertaining to change order No. 1 for Project No 93-23, Contract No 3068 " Mr. Meyer noted this concerned the stretch from Hwy. 100 to Quentin Ave. which is currently under construction Councilmember Haun said this change order in partis a result of input from the Excelsior Blvd. Task Force which has actively been involved in the streetscape project The motion passed 5-0 I lc Bid tabulation Sanitary sewer/watermain construction Resolution 94-97 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to adopt Resolution 94-97 entitled "Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for sanitary sewer construction from W 38th St and Ottawa Ave to W. 39th St and Natchez Ave (Project 92-24) and watermain construction from Excelsior Blvd and Natchez Ave to W 39th St to Princeton Ave (Project 94-18) 137 The motion passed 5-0 11 d Bid tabulation Watermain, grading, paving, curb/gutter Resolution 94-98 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to adopt Resolution 94-98 entitled "Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Virginia Ave reconstruction from W 28th St to Burd PI. (Project 93-01); Watermain looping on Fairway Lane (Project 93-32), Street reconstruction of W 35th St. and Raleigh Ave. (Project 94-01) and watermain trunk line from new elevated tank#2 to distribution system (Project 94-12). The motion passed 5-0. lie Bid tabulation Pavement rehabilitation Resolution 94-99 • It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to adopt Resolution 94-99 entitled "Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Project 90-36, concrete pavement rehabilitation; and Project 94-20, concrete sidewalk." The motion passed 5-0 MISCELLANEOUS 12a Damage claims Sunset Ridge Condo Assoc Lee Solomon Lupient Auto Don Swartzendruber By consent, claims referred to City Clerk and City Manager 12b Communications from Mayor Pro Tem None 12c Communications from the Mayor Mr Meyer noted there would be a study session on Monday, July 25 to be held at the Rec Center He said Mayor Hanks and Councilmember Haun had sent out a number of letters seeking support of the City's ISTEA application CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Vendor claims 138 By consent, the list of verified claims prepared by the Director of Finance dated July 18, 1994 was approved and checks authorized to be distributed in the following amounts Vendor claims. $894,064 82 and payroll claims. $59 080 19. 13b Contract payments 1. Partial Hardrives, street reconstruction, street lighting, traffic signal system Amount: $379,465 76 By consent, claim approved and payment directed. 14. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9 30 p m t &f.—t—t -(1 '"' Ga.,(-4,e3L-z\-- Mayor Pro Tem r ,w,t dh Recording Secretary III i 139