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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/08/29 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA August 29, 1994 1. Call to Order Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 7.30 p m 2. Presentations None 3 Roll Call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Ron Latz, Robert Young, Gail Dorfman and Lyle Hanks 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), Director of Parks and Recreation (Mr Gears), Asst. to the City Manager(Mr. Larson) and Inspections Division III Head (Mr. Petersen) 4 Approval of minutes It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to approve the minutes of the August 15, 1994 meeting. The motion passed 6-0. 5 Approval of Agenda It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to approve the agenda for August 29 with the removal to the agenda of item 12a The motion passed 6-0. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Haun, to approve the agenda with the deletion of item 11 b The motion passed 6-0 PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a Determination of hazardous building at 1600 Hampshire Ave. So. Mike Kulczyk, Inspectional Services, showed a videotape describing in detail the deterioration to the building. 158 City Council meeting minutes August 29, 1994 Clifford King, 1455 Hampshire Ave and Ken Nelson 1474 Hampshire, addressed Council They were interested in lending support to the homeowner so the garage could be brought up to code and perhaps work on the home so they could remain there Mr Nelson said residents of the neighborhood as well as himself believe if nothing can be done, then it should be removed as quickly as possible Mayor Hanks noted the staff recommendation is that the house is not salvagable and the status of the garage is unknown because it is to full to get in to examine Mayor Hanks said that it will take court action to order the demolition, Council will vote on a resolution sending the matter to the court on September 12. Sharon Mondry spoke for demolition of the house and a letter was read from Terry and Debra Johnson which echoed Ms Mondry's comments There being no one further wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date Councilmember Jacobs noted that this situation has gone on for upwards to 20 years with a great deal of time and effort spent by staff in trying to resolve the situation Councilmember Dorfman said no one wants to be unfair to the property owner and the goal is to work out something mutually satisfactory to the owner and the City Councilmember Young asked Mr Petersen to tell Council about the attempts staff has made just this year to resolve the situation with Mr Bell. Mr Petersen provided that information It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Young, to prepare a resolution with findings of fact ordering the demolition of the house for the September 12 meeting, to evaluate the garage and report back on September 26 and that staff be directed to continue discussions with the neighborhood to encourage reconstruction of a house on the property. The motion passed 6-0 PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS 7a. Request to rename Tower Park Resolution 94-115 Request to change name to Elie Park in honor of the family who donated the land Several members of the Elie family were present and son Allard Elie acted as spokesman 159 City Council meeting minutes August 29, 1994 Councilmember Latz asked if residents of the neighborhood using the park had been informed of this request Mr Gears said there is nothing in the ordinance relating to name changes that requires neighborhood notification, if fact this is so rare there has been no name change in the past 6 years In answer to his question, there was no neighborhood notification Councilmember Latz's concern was that a park a neighborhood frequents would now have a new name unbeknown to them. He wondered if it would be appropriate to notify the neighborhood of the proposed change and allow them to give their input before final Council action Councilmember Haun said many parks were developed in the 50's and 60's and most of them given names because of characteristics present, for example Tower Park because it had a water tower on it He said it only requires Council action to name or rename a park, but felt it would be a good idea to notify the residents of the immediate neighborhood of the name change It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-115 entitled"Changing the name of Tower Park to Elie Park" and that a notice be distributed to all the neighbors around the park indicating the reason for the name change including Mr Eli's letter and a history of the area and that a dedication ceremony be held The motion passed 6-0 RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a Vision St Louis Park Resolution 94-116 In response to a question from Councilmember Dorfman, Mr. Meyer explained the next steps in the process as well as the creation of task forces Mayor Hanks asked that anyone in the community desiring to become a part of Vision St. Louis Park let the City Manager's office know It was moved by Councilmember Dorfman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt , Resolution 94-116 entitled"Resolution of support for"Vision St. Louis Park." The motion passed 6-0. IIREPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 160 City Council meeting minutes August 29, 1994 9a Recreation Center consultant contracts Mr Meyer said what Council was looking at was to seek proposals to do a basic scoping out of improvements to the Rec Center, specifically looking at the existing pool and the possibility of converting it into a water park which will attract more people and the possibility of creating a second ice sheet because of increased demands for ice time. asked Councilmember Youngnt any thought had been given to putting up a bubble for the proposed ice sheet Mayor Hanks thought that might be an option to look at. Councilmember Dorfman noted the memo talks about conceptual design and pre-design study and alternatives She thought that had been discussed at the study session by the consultants. She felt that rather than going out for an RFP and sort of starting over from scratch, it would be preferable to work with the two consultants who had already made presentations. Councilmember Jacobs felt this was going to an extensive project and probably an expensive one. , He wondered if there were some way to design the RFP so it wouldn't be necessary to go back to square one, especially in light of the fact that ADA compliance issues are known. Councilmember Haun felt that in something of this magnitude the information already gathered needs to be incorporated in the RFP in the best manner possible as well as documentation of ADA compliance needs He was concerned about any perception that the bidding process was already accomplished It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to authorize the City Manager and Parks and Recreation Director to develop an RFP to solicit proposals from qualified professional firms to create a project team that would develop conceptual designs for expanded skating/hockey facilities, pool amenities and ADA improvements at the Rec Center The motion passed 6-0 9b. Victoria Village Robert Swanson expressed his opposition to tax increment financing for building construction He felt if the project was good, financing can be obtained Frederick Porter, 9255 W. 23rd St , had a long list of questions regarding the project and was in strong opposition to the project. Councilmember Latz referenced a letter and the pro forma from the developer and asked a number of questions of Mr Hagen. , 161 City Council meeting minutes August 29, 1994 Councilmember Latz noted that the property has sat vacant for some 40 years and although it has been felt an industrial use would have been preferable, this is no longer true because of all the residential development that has gone up. He was not aware of any private market proposal to develop this parcel It was his belief that government plays its most effective role when the private market fails, and he felt this was the opportunity that presented itself here He felt development would provide a unique opportunity to seniors in the community who wish to scale down their living situation and yet remain in the City He felt that in the long run this was a good proposal for the City It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman that staff proceed with preparation of a qualified housing TIF district to include other parcels in the area with community development needs in particular Louisiana Court and the Texa Tonka shopping area and in conjunction with the EDA attorney commence negotiation of a redevelopment agreement covering the aforementioned areas limiting the TIF district and redevelopment district to those areas Councilmember Young also had a lengthy list of questions which were directed to staff One of his concerns was the reduction in taxes to the City vis-a-vis TIF He also wondered about inflationary increases Mr Hagen said that had not yet been negotiated with the developer In discussing what the units will sell for, he asked that at some point the City Assessor tabulate a more accurate number as to the taxes to be generated by the proposal He wondered why the rents could not be raised $25/mo to cover the taxes and nctbother with the TIF Mr Teasdale, the developer, explained the rents could not be raised under the guidelines governing the use of mortgage revenue bonds. He said the levels they had stipulated were as high as they can go allowing for the appropriate utility allowances on the units. Councilmember Young did not feel the proposal was a good idea. If the project could stand on its own feet, not requiring the taxpayers to carry it through and various ordinance requirements were met and variances not needed, then it was probably a good proposal. He felt those living in the project would be using many City services without having to pay anything for them. Mayor Hanks was in favor of at least looking at the project because the existing site is an eyesore and not paying any taxes at this time anyway Councilmember Dorfman said it was not just the subject site that is deteriorated, the whole area that will be covered by the TIF district is in varying stages of deterioration. This proposal affords a tremendous opportunity to have long-term redevelopment in the whole area and it was short- sighted to cut it off at this point. Councilmember Haun concurred with both Mayor Hanks' and Councilmember Dorfman's comments 162 City Council meeting minutes August 29, 1994 The motion passed 5-1 (Councilmember Young opposed). UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a Unfinished Business -None NEW BUSINESS 11 a Change order No. 3: Excelsior Blvd Resolution 94-117; Resolution 94-118 Mr. Meyer said the City Attorney had suggested inclusion in the resolution that approval is contingent upon receipt of confirmation of bond of public contractor. There was a second resolution for consideration having to do with indemnification to the County. Councilmember Dorfman asked the City Manager could further explain the determination that this is an appropriate extension of the contract Mr Meyer said there was an existing contract in place and the work planned is in the same geographic area where work is currently going on The additions -- planters, sidewalk, landscaping, etc -- do be done on a unit price basis can be done as an extension to the existing contract It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-117 entitled "Resolution pertaining to change order No. 3 for Project 93-23 Contract No 3068." The motion passed 6-0 It was moved by Councilmember Haun, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 94-118 entitled "Resolution indemnifying and holding Hennepin County harmless for streetscape elements on County State Aid Highway No 3 (Excelsior Blvd )." The motion passed 6-0. 11 b Item withdrawn MISCELLANEOUS 12a. Damage claim Beck/Weidner; Sarah Skalet 163 City Council meeting minutes August 29, 1994 Councilmember Young asked about the Beck/Weidner claim Mr Meyer responded that a minivan had been stolen, recovered by the police and put into storage There was a communication error within the police department wherein they thought they had notified the owners, but in actuality had not It renairain storage for two weeks. The City paid the storage charges to the towing company It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to refer claims to City Clerk and City Manager. The motion passed 6-0. 12b Communications from the Mayor None 12c Communications from the City Manager None CLAIMS,APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a Verified claims No claims 14 Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9.30 p m ii.2 M or Lyle Hanks 'It__,Cic tAVI/Uld--,.(A : ecording Secretary I 164