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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/08/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL Monday, August 15, 1994 1 Call to order Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 7.30 p m 2 Presentations Recreation Supervisor Bridget Wynn introduced the Summer Playground Junior Leaders and the Westwood Hills Nature Center Junior Leaders and Mayor Hanks presented certificate of thanks to each one 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 Acting City Manager(Mr Wysopal), Deputy City Attorney (Ms. Pace); Planning Coordinator (Mr Rye); Director of Public Works(Mr Grube), and Director of Parks and Recreation (Mr Gears) 4 Approval of minutes It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the minutes of the August 1, 1994 meeting with a correction on page 145 item on signal at Minnetonka Blvd. and Hampshire Ave. change comment about excessive speed to "Cars do not slow down for persons in the crosswalk The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Latz abstained). It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to approve the minutes of the special City Council meeting of August 4, 1994 The motion passed 7-0 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to approve the minutes of the August 8, 1994 study session with the following changes item on Victoria Village, Councilmember Dorfman asked that a comment attributed to her re it being premature to consider this project be stricken, second page, first paragraph, second sentence re City's fair share of low income housing, Councilmember Latz made that statement, not Cuncilmember Young. 150 City Council meeting minutes August 15, 1994 The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Friedman abstained). 5. Approval of agenda It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to approve the consent agenda for August 15, 1994 The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to approve the agenda for August 15, 1994 The motion passed 7-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS None PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS None. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a. Vacation Tower Place Ordinance 94-2004 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to adopt Ordinance No. 94- 2004 entitled"An ordinance vacating and authorizing conveyance by the City of a portion of a sidewalk easement in the northeast quadrant of Excelsior Blvd. and Hwy. 100." The motion passed 7-0 8b Traffic signal Minnetonka/Hampshire Resolution 94-109 Councilmember Friedman asked if underground cabling , switches and so forth were buried in the ground Mr Grube said if there were, left over from the time Lenox was a school, chances are it would be of no value today 151 • City Council meeting minutes August 15, 1994 Councilmember Friedman asked about the $6804 - did it include supervision of installation Mr. Grube responded that that amount is for design only Councilmember Dorfman asked if the County had to see the design before it votes on whether to approve it or not Mr Grube said before a formal agreement is signed, the design must be approved by County staff The typical procedure is for the Mayor to get authorization seeking support from the County If there appears there is support, then the County Engineer would be directed to work with the City Engineer, get the design process underway and send it to County staff for its approval Once their approval of the project is received, the entire package goes to the County for Commissioner action Councilmember Dorfman asked if any of the $6804 was spent prior to receipt of a fairly good indication that the Commissioners are going to approve. Mr Grube said none would be spent Councilmember Friedman felt that the petition received from the people attending Lenox could be made part of a package to be distributed to County Commissioners with a letter from the Mayor It was his understanding traffic signals were pretty standard and wondered why the City had to spend $6804 to be told what was to go in there. Mr. Grube responded the money was for the proper phasing of the signal based on traffic movement through the intersection during day and evening hours, where the poles are located and incorporation of the emergency vehicle pre-emption system. Mr Friedman thought it odd that the manufacturer of the light standards doesn't offer their expertise and assistance in installation. Councilmember Friedman asked if it were necessary to put the weight plates in the street which he felt must be quite expensive Couldn't the signal be activated on a timed basis. Mr Grube responded it's not actually metal plates, rather wires placed in the pavement and relatively inexpensive This is essential as the signals will probably be mainly green on Minnetonka until a vehicle on Hampshire makes it red Councilmember Latz assumed one of the things the designer will be looking at is the amount of time that is set aside for pedestrians to cross Minnetonka Blvd He has received numerous calls from older citizens in the City who often times get caught mid-way across a signaled intersection Mr Grube explained that the Don't Walk indicator is basically for persons approaching a street warning them not to proceed into the intersection For people already crossing the street when the Don't Walk flashes on, that person should proceed to the other side as there is ample time to get across It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to adopt Resolution 94- 109 entitled"Resolution establishing Project 93-11, the installation of a Minnetonka Blvd/Hampshire Ave. traffic control signal, ordering preparation of a report, authorizing execution of a contract with Orr- Schelen-Mayeron and Associates, Inc , and authorizing the Mayor to seek Hennepin County support for Project 93-11 " The motion passed 7-0 152 City Council meeting minutes August 15, 1994 8c. Ordinance changing boundaries of Ward 1 and 2 Resolution adding precinct to Ward 1 Ordinance 92-2003. Resolution 94-108 Councilmember Dorfman asked what changes were being made in precinct 1-1 It was noted that only changes are being made to 1-6 which is being added. She asked if 1-1 and 1-6 had been looked at to see if the population could be made more equitable Councilmember Friedman said it was felt that it was best to leave 1-6 as is so that people could vote at the same place where they voted previously. All precincts may be looked at in the future It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94- 108 as amended The motion passed 7-0 It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Friedman, to adopt Ordinance 94- 2003 entitled "An ordinance reestablishing St. Louis Park Wards 1 and 2 boundaries and reconfirming boundaries of Wards 3 and 4 established by Ordinance 1883-92, April 20, 1992 " The motion passed 7-0 111 8d Appraisal activities for City Resolution 94-110 It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94- 110 entitled"Resolution to authorize certain appraisal activities for City purposes by employees of the Assessing Division" Councilmember Latz noted the report states employees can undertake certain activities when a conflict of interest does not exist. This phrase is not referenced in the resolution Councilmember Jacobs wondered if this were covered in the City Charter. Ms Pace noted this was covered by the Statute and that the staff report was an effort to point out these types of things which historically would not be a conflict of interest The motion passed 7-0 8e Newport on Seven Apartments Request for bond refinancing Resolution 94-111 153 • City Council meeting minutes August 15, 1994 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 94- 111 entitled "Resolution relating to a project under the Municipal Industrial Development Act calling for a public hearing " Councilmember Latz said that since he lived at Newport On Seven he would be abstaining from the vote The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Latz abstained ) REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a Minikanda Vista Park access agreement It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to authorize staff to enter into negotiations with representatives of Calvin Christian School for an access agreement with a draft to be returned to Council He emphasized "negotiations" here thinking staff needed to set parameters so the City doesn't get involved in doing all their maintenance simply for driveway access to get into the park. This has been a long-term problem since the school was built; prior to that, there was no problem Councilmember Dorfman asked if the actual driveway would be from an Edina city street and if so, will this have to be discussed with Edina. Councilmember Haun said at this point the intent was to open negotiations Councilmember Dorfman asked Wit were appropriate for Edina to be part of the negotiations as the church can't negotiate this Mr Gears said the proposed access would be a new curb cut about 200 ft north of the existing school entrance to their parking lot Edina would get involved if Calvin Christian and the City did plan to enter into an agreement in order to approve a curb cut at this point Councilmember Dorfman wondered if it wouldn't be more expedient to have Edina as part of the process from the beginning. Councilmember Friedman asked how City crews got to the park now Mr. Gears said currently maintenance equipment comes down the hill from either Inglewood Ave or 39th St A temporary access was received from Calvin Christian a year or so ago to cross their property City equipment currently goes over the curb on Inglewood just at the south end of the hill that comes down from 39th St The motion passed 7-0 154 City Council meeting minutes August 15, 1994 9b Minutes: Housing Authority July 12 9c Minutes: Neighborhood Revitalization Commission July 13 9d. July 1994 financial report By consent, items 9b-9d ordered filed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS l0a Boards and commissions No business NEW BUSINESS 11 a. Bid tab Water tower removal Project 94-25 Resolution 94-112 Councilmember Dorfman asked what was the purpose of the engineer's estimate. Mr. Grube replied this is provided to Council as a perspective on what the cost of a project may be if so ordered by the Council She asked if there were a legal reason Mr Grube said no, to give a budget idea. She noted that in l la and l lb there were substantial discrepancies between the estimates and bids and wondered what accounted for that. Mayor Hanks said estimates are made for the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan for the year in which the project is to be done to get a tentative amount. Mr Grube said Council is provided with a reasonable estimate of project costs at the time the Council considers the projects so that a budget can be established knowing that it will be in the ballpark, so to speak. It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-112 entitled"Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Project 94-25: Removal of one-half million gallon water tower." The motion passed 7-0 I 155 City Council meeting minutes August 15, 1994 l lb Bid tabulation. Pump house construction Resolution 94-113 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to adopt Resolution 94-113 entitled "Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for construction of a pump house at the 1st St. Northwest/Gorham Ave intersection(Project 93-19, Phase II). Mayor Hanks asked about the discrepancy between the"as bid" and"as ordered" amounts. Mr. Grube said "as ordered" means the Council reviewed the City Engineer's report and approved the plans/specs and ordered the project. The motion passed 7-0 11c. Bid tabulation Random concrete replacement Resolution 94-114 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Young, to adopt Resolution 94- 114 entitled"Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Project 94-04: Random concrete repair- City wide." The motion passed 7-0 MISCELLANEOUS 12a. Damage claims David Beck, Marjorie Jensen By consent, claims referred to City Clerk and City Manager 12b. Communications from the Mayor None 12c. Communications from the Acting City Manager None CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a Verified claims By consent, the list of verified claims prepared by the Director of Finance dated August 15, 1994 was approved and appropriate checks authorized to be distributed in the following amounts. Vendor claims. $628,178 64 and payroll claims $8,672 68 I ' 156 14. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p m. v U" . ,i,,,,,,, Mayer Lyle Hanks c/jt . Recording Secretary I I 157