HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995/01/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES
STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
Monday,January 9, 1995
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Present were Mayor Lyle Hanks and Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Allen Friedman,
Ron Latz, Robert Young and Gail Dorfman.
Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer) and Director of Community Development (Mr.
Hagen) and EDA attorney(Mr. Steilen).
1. Refuse Service
Administrative intern Dawn Postudensk reviewed her report.
The City has been informed it is not following solid waste collection requirements(MN Statute
115A.9301). The MPCA and Office of Environmental Assistance have agreed to permit the City
to continue current collection as long as progress is being made toward a new solid waste
management system.
She discussed the various options open to the City at this point.
It was the consensus staff proceed with the development of a volume-based system which
provides for the collection and disposal of residential garbage for a fee based on the number of
bags or cans set out for collection.
There was brief discussion about City policy re snowbirds and recycling credit. Also a suggestion
was made to update information on recycling, garbage etc. as they are new residents moving into
the community continually who need to be aware of these programs.
2. Parkshore Assisted Living project
Mike Gould and Peter Pfister were present to discuss the proposed Parkshore Place Assisted
Living project. They presented a historical perspective on the project as well as the design of the
project.
There was discussion on the proposed financing of the project both from G& P Properties
perspective and the City Attorney's perspective. The City Attorney cautioned the reliance on a
PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) agreement as the primary tool of repayment preferring a more
conventional approach such as a secured mortgage and letter of credit.
A number of variances will be required before commencing the project and it was the consensus
staff work through the design and variance issues with Mr. Gould and Mr. Pfister.
Councilmember Young acknowledged a need for this type of project but was not in favor of any
project that would end up being a burden to City taxpayers. He request further detail on the
financing proposals.
It was Council consensus to move forward with the project by addressing the variance question
and further refining the financial details of the proposal.
3. Excelsior Blvd. Redevelopment
Mr. Meyer said members of the Task Force had requested time to informally discuss the progress
of the redevelopment. He also passed out copies of the draft Streetscape Master Plan for
Excelsior Blvd.
Task Force members present were Randy Manthey, Sandy Ackerberg, David Payne(Al's
Liquors) and Maureen Fitzgerald (Reddy Rents). Geoff Martin of the design firm was also
present.
Mr. Manthy, as spokesperson for the group, urged Council to continue the Streetscape effort. He
briefly highlighted the efforts of the Task Force to keep the project rolling along and that the
excitement for the project continues.
The Council expressed its appreciation for the work the Task Force has put into this project and
advised the Task Force to keep up its good work in keeping the partnership moving forward.
4. Victoria Village project
Harold Teasdale was present to discuss the revamped proposal for the project. The project now
has 108 units for senior housing in 4-unit buildings. Mr. Teasdale said the rents would be in the
$700/mo. range and he was of the opinion there was definitely a market for this concept.
Mr. Hagen briefly reviewed the results of the neighborhood meeting on the tax increment
financing aspect of the project. His report gave more detail on the concerns expressed at the
meeting .Concerns about parking were discussed.
It was the concensus to move forward with the project with the creation of a tax increment
financing district and put on the February 6 EDA agenda.
5. Development/redevelopment strategy
Because of time constraints, this item was deferred to a future meeting.
6. Hutchinson Spur Railroad line development
Mr. Hagen reviewed staff's report and said that the developer had scheduled an informational
meeting for Thursday, January 12. He displayed and reviewed a detailed map of the development
proposal for spur.
Mr. Steilen said his office has suggested that the property may need to be registered through the
torrens office to establish the boundaries.
Many residents along the spur were present and rather than answering their questions this
evening, the Mayor encouraged them to attend the January 12 developer's meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10.00 p.m.
Of ,I i 'I.
$ecor ing Secretary