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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/10/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK MINNESOTA October 24, 1994 r Call to Order Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present were Councilmember Allen Friedman, Ron Latz, Gail Dorfman and Lyle Hanks. Jeff Jacobs and Robert Young arrived later. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer);Director of Community Development(Mr. Hagen);Personnel Officer(Mr. Wysopal); Acting Public Works Director(Mr. Moore), and Finance Director(Ms. McBride). 1. Human Rights Commission work plan and survey It was the consensus the survey be distributed to employees who had not received it earlier. The work plan will be reviewed at an upcoming study session with HRC members in attendance to discuss any issues. Councilmember Dorfman felt it would be appropriate to receive updates on the work of the commission other than what is in the meeting minutes which are distributed. It was decided that three times a year a representative(s) of the commission be invited to Council study sessions to update the Council on their activities. 2. Budget follow-up The Council had been provided with information from the Finance Director which addressed the questions raised at the budget work session. It was the consensus that all questions had been answered satisfactorily and there was no need for further discussion. • 3. Directional signs: Houses of worship Several residents were present to state their case. Barb Davis said many people come to area places of worship for other than Sunday services. She showed pictures of how Minneapolis handles signage. Mayor Hanks noted that State Statute prohibits signage on State and Federal highway right-of- ways Councilmember Friedman said that since churches are tax exempt they would have to be responsible for installation, upkeep and insurance on all signage Councilmember Dorfman felt it would be helpful to look at how other communities handle this matter Councilmember Friedman asked about service organizations Would they ask for signage as well He noted that Beth El Synagogue has daycare which is not allowed any signage He felt if people were coming to the community for whatever purpose they could certainly call ahead and get directions It was the consensus the residents who were interested in such signage get themselves organized into a group and do some research on such things as how other communities handle signage plus the areas of installation, upkeep and insurance 4 Victoria Village There was a lengthy discussion of the Victoria Village proposal Mr Teasdale was present. Of concern is creation of a tax increment district -- is it warranted'? Councilmember Friedman felt the need should be demonstrated Councilmember Friedman asked why the City was not supporting the upgrading of apartments going downhill instead of building new units He preferred to look at businesses already in place and encourage them to remain in the City Mr Meyer asked if criteria should be developed instead of looking separately at each proposal as it is received Mayor Hanks suggested looking at assistance for multifamily in other areas than tax increment financing Councilmember Dorfman saw this project as a catalyst to clean up this area, Mr Meyer cautioned expectations that a great amount of money is going to be generated The question remains does Council feel the project is worthy of creating a TIF district A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the details of the units Mr Teasdale spoke of a similar project in Stillwater, and it was the consensus of Council to visit that project as a group It was also the consensus to hold a neighborhood meeting to discuss the proposal and-to include a wider area of residences to be included in the meeting notice The item will then return to the November 7 EDA agenda The matter of legal costs and who will pay remains to be addressed 5 Liquor license suspension/revocation procedure Mayor Hanks said that in the past those involved in alleged liquor license violations appeared at an administrative hearing before the Council Language in the current ordinance precludes any action Councilmember Jacobs asked if Council had the power to impose a fine, for example and then suspend same if there are no occurrences within a specified timeframe Mr Meyer said he would explore that with the City Attorney It was the consensus to set up three separate administrative hearings for the violations currently pending 6 December 24 On-sale hours of operation - Ordinance amendment Mr Meyer explained that the City's current ordinance is not in conformance with State Statutes relative to December 24 on-sale hours Currently there are four sections enacted by the 1994 State Legislature which are not included in the City's ordinance It was the consensus that the four sections be reviewed by the City Attorney and then come back to Council for action 7 Cedar Lake Road right-of-way issues Mr Moore reviewed his report Councilmember Friedman asked if only one consultant had been approached Mr Moore said this consultant has been used by staff before and had been satisfactory He said staff could obtain additional quotes and come back on November 7 Mr Moore added that staff will be getting quotes from firms relative to right-of-way acquisition 8 Miscellaneous business Mr Meyer reported that the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka are enacting a six-month moratorium on adult uses while their respective ordinances are being studied He would like the Council to consider a similar moratorium in the City He also suggested entering into discussions with Hopkins and Minnetonka for the mutual benefit of all three cities It was the consensus to have this item placed on the Nov 7 agenda The meeting adjourned at 10 00 p m (POLV A(A.da Recording Secretary