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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/08/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session 1., ',Y MINUTES STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL August 8, 1994 The meeting came to order at 7 00 p m Present were Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Ron Latz, Robert Young, Gail Dorfman and Mayor Lyle Hanks Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer); Director of Community Development (Mr. Hagen), Personnel Officer(Mr. Wysopal), and Asst. to the City Manager(Mr Larson) 1. Vision St. Louis Park update Mr. Wysopal presented the Vision update. The next step in the process is for Task Force members to be named and assigned to address the eight Vision statements 2 Election law contributions Mr Larson discussed this report A revision to Minnesota Statutes enacted in 1993 relating to campaign contributions is at odds with the City's Charter provisions The new Statute language Isupersedes municipal ordinances but it is not clear that it also supersedes the City's Charter It was the consensus that this item be directed to the Charter Commission for an assessment and report back to Council 3 Pets in Parks Councilmember Young asked that this issue be revisited. He said in a survey he had conducted, 2/3 of the respondents supported a change in the ordinance to allow pets in parks as long as excrement is picked up Councilmember Jacobs asked how often the current ordinance is enforced. Just about everyone present has observed people with their dogs in City parks It was generally agreed it would be best not to allow pets in parks connected with athletic facilities or playgrounds Councilmember Haun suggested rewriting the ordinance to allow pets in certain parks with owners to be totally responsible for cleanup and the behavior of their animals It was the consensus of Council that staff follow-up on Councilmember Haun's suggestion I4 Victoria Village Mr Hagen reviewed his report. Councilmember Latz voiced his concerns about this type of project He wondered if the City wasn't 111 carrying more than its fair share of low-income housing. The question of mix arose again, some Councilmembers wanted to see other than just housing for the elderly A representative for the project said there was a need for nice, affordable housing for the elderly as they move out of large homes yet want to remain in the City. Victoria Village would be homes with front yards, no multi-story buildings with elevators, etc. Every attempt would be made to market the project to existing residents of St Louis Park A lengthy discussion followed on creation of a tax increment financing district to support this project Councilmember Young noted residents of a subsidized project such as this still would require police/fire and other essential City services and questioned their paying their fair share. Councilmember Dorfman noted that the whole area of housing is one of the charges for the Visioning committees, It was the consensus of Council to await receipt of the developer's pro forma before going forward with the project 5 Honeywell site Redevelopment study Staff recommended in its report that a consultant be hired to conduct a redevelopment study of the area It was felt the study would aid the City in selecting an appropriate level of involvement in the reuse of the site to achieve its objectives Concerns were expressed as to what would happen to the Blackstone neighborhood Councilmember Haun felt the City had to get involved in the process before Honeywell finds a buyer Councilmember Jacobs asked to what extent can the City get involved and Mayor Hanks said that was already accomplished by making it a Diversified Development District which has since been modified under the new Zoning Ordinance Mayor Hanks said another consideration was traffic depending on what might be put in there Councilmember Haun asked if staff had gotten any direction from Honeywell. Mr Hagen replied staff was in relatively close touch with Honeywell, talking and seeing proposals Councilmember Jacobs felt Honeywell should participate in any study costs. Councilmember Young agreed suggesting staff let them know what the City would like to see on the site and seek their financial participation Mr Meyer said as an alternative to a consultant, staff could be utiliized more thus saving money. It was suggested that staff check with the Department of Economic Development to see if they have analyses of similar types of development It was the consensus that staff conduct a market analysis and land use study. 6 "Big Box" retail Mr. Hagen explained what the"big box" concept was (Wal Marts, Home Emporium-type stores) Three sites are being considered by retailers northeast and southwest quadrants of Hwy 100/W 36th St as well as the Golden Auto site The Golden site is in a TIF district; the other two are in the City's redevelopment project area wherein reserves of the other TIF districts may be used for acquisition and development. It was the consensus of the Council that they were not interested in using TIF funds to help a"big box " 7 Tool and die manufacturing facility Mr. Hagen reviewed the report Mayor Hanks could not see Oak Park Village as a feasible location; he felt Edgewood Industrial area Imight be more appropriate Council remains interested in locating these types of businesses as well as incubator businesses in the City It was Council consensus to try to find space for this operation in an existing, under- utilized building 8 Application for multi-family revenue bonds for Newport on Seven Apartments Mr. Hagen reviewed the request and noted that since this is a refunding rather than a new issue, the City's administrative fee be waived, however, staff does not feel there is a basis for the argument that the fee should not apply to this bond issue It was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the public hearing and continue to pursue the matter of the administrative fee Brief discussion was held about erosion occurring at the Westwood Nature Center from water running off the Thorpe property; the Ewing Ave wetlands issue I The mee ing adjourned a�/9:40 p m it ' c7 vvi,ct ` R:cording Secretary