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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995/04/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL April 10, 1995 The meeting commenced at 7:00 p.m. Presents were Mayor Hanks and Councilmembers Jacobs, Friedman, Young, Dorfman, Young, and Latz. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin), Park and Recreation Director(Mr. Gears), Community Development Director(Mr. Harmening), Finance Director(Ms. MacBride), Inspections Director(Mr. Petersen), Personnel Officer(Mr. Wysopal), Information Technologies Coordinator(Mr. Pires), and Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson). 1. Park Shore Place Pedestrian Crossing Along Park Center Boulevard Mr. Rardin provided a summary of the staff report, which listed eight options for addressing the issue, including leaving in place the existing controls of two signed and marked pedestrian crossings, one in front of Park Shores and one in front of Byerly's. Park Shore residents noted that there apparently has been an increase in the number of vehicles in -the immediate area since the completion of the Park Nicollet project and that this may further restrict the ability of pedestrians to cross Park Center Boulevard at the designated pedestrian crossings The issue of pedestrian crossing will be reviewed in connection with the proposed assisted living project. 2. Future Trail Connection with Cedar Lake Trail Mr. Gears presented the staff report for this issue. Minneapolis officials have requested that Council adopt a resolution that clarifies the City's intention to develop a trail that eventually would connect to the Cedar Lake Trail. Staff was directed to prepare a resolution that states the City's intention to develop the trail contingent on support from Minneapolis' city council and park board for the St. Louis Park portion and the intention to make the necessary trail connections. 3. Assisted Living Project Mr. Petersen and Mr. Harmening presented the staff report on this issue. They explained the complexities of the developer's variance appeals involving three parcels and 10 unresolved variances. They further explained the variance appeals in the context of the overall project and the potential ramifications should they be approved. Mr. Harmening stated that if Council is inclined to proceed with the project, staff could develop a zoning classification to fit the project rather than request that Council approve numerous appeals in order to allow the proposed development to fit the current zoning designation. Council directed staff to work with the developer to determine if a new zoning classification could work for the project. 4. Community Development Block Grant Allocations Due to federal requirements that limit expenditures to 15% of the City's total allocation, the City must reallocate $2,506 from the 1995 Public Services Category to another category. Council discussed options to address the issue and directed staff to prepare a resolution for the April 17, 1995 Council meeting, making the transfer out of day care allocations. 5. Motor Vehicle Service Repair Facilities as Principal Uses in C-1 Districts Mr. Meyer requested that Council discuss what types of motor vehicle service facility uses it would prefer to allow in a C-1 District. Staff was directed to prepare a zoning text amendment that addresses the general issue of motor fuel stations and to focus on language that requires any motor vehicle service repair business to have a minimum of four but no greater than eight fuel dispensing stations. 6. Documents Imaging Project 111 Mr. Pires presented the staff report and the options available to address the issue. Staff's preferred option is to lease the entire system over a three-year period. It would make imaging technology available city-wide using the local area network. Council directed staff to prepare a cost to benefit analysis for the project, including human resources considerations, staff efficiency and productivity, and impacts on service delivery. 7. Accounting Procedures Staff is preparing to present a budget amendment resolution to Council on May 1, 1995 on several issues. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, (11444 .A. Robert J. L on111 Recording Secretary Il " City Council meeting minutes April 17, 1995 8a Second reading of ordinance re implementation of volume-based refuse rates Ordinance 94-2028 Councilmember Friedman noted this would not affect recycling which will continue and he encouraged residents to keep up their recycling efforts and receive their credit. It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Ordinance 94-2028 entitled "An ordinance amending Section 9-307: Garbage/Refuse rates." The motion passed 6-0. 8b. Reallocation of 1995 Community Development Block Grant program funding Resolution 95-52 It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 95-52 entitled"Resolution amending projected use of funds for 1995 Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program." Councilmember Friedman noted a typo on page 2 wherein allocation to JFCS: Act Counseling should be $20,000, not $20.000. The motion passed 6-0. 8c Cedar Lake Trail future connection Resolution 95-53 It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 95-53 entitled "Resolution declaring St. Louis Park's intention to develop a bicycle/pedestrian trail connecting to the Cedar Lake Trail at T.H. 100." The motion passed 6-0. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a. Minutes: Neighborhood Revitalization Commission March 15 9b. Minutes: Housing Authority March 14 9c. March 1995 financial report 66 By consent, minutes and financial report ordered filed 9d. Report on Dakota Park Pat McCashon and Deanna McCashon, 2664 Dakota. He said he and his neighbors living directly across from the park have discussed the lighting issue. Six of the neighbors had concerns primarily with the increased traffic in the area and the noise rather than just the lighting. He was asking for deferral of the matter this evening to give the residents and Park and Rec Department additional time to look at the issue of traffic as well as late night activity in the neighborhood. Mr. Gears said there was no urgency to the project and his department would be happy to work with the neighbors. Councilmember Friedman wondered how much time would be needed by the neighbohood and Parks department. He suggested the second meeting in May which was agreeable to all. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, that the item be deferred to May 15, 1995. Councilmember Jacobs said if the neighborhood and staff could not arrive at a mutual agreement, perhaps it should come to a study session before formal action. Councilmember Young asked who was invited to the neighborhood meeting-- how wide an area -- and how many attended. Mr. Gears responded an area of approximately 1000 feet south and west of the field itself was sent notice. He said his department received 3 phone calls and there was no attendance at the public meeting. The motion passed 6-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a. Boards and commissions It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to appoint Peter Chubb to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The motion passed 6-0. NEW BUSINESS 11 a. Gambling application: Elks at Santorini Resolution 95-54 Michael Rich, gambling manager of the Minneapolis Crystal Elks 44, was present to answer questions. Councilmember Young asked Mr. Rich if similar donations as noted on page 2 of the report would be made to St. Louis Park recipients. 67 Mr. Rich said the club's charitable contributions will go to St. Louis Park activities such as veterans, Boy Scouts, youth activities as well as to the City for its dispensation. Councilmember Latz wanted to make clear that there is no requirement that an organization that seeks a gambling permit in St. Louis Park make a contribution to the City of St. Louis Park. There is no quid pro quo, if you will, for that to happen. We certainly encourage organizations to contribute back to the community. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Young, to adopt Resolution 95-54 entitled"A resolution of the St. Louis Park City Council approving issuance of a premises permit for lawful gambling: Minneapolis/Crystal Elks Lodge#44 at Santorini." The motion passed 5-1 (Councilmember Friedman opposed) 11 b. Bid tabulation: One dump body, hydraulic system and accessories It was moved by Councilmember Dorfman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to reject all bids and authorize staff to rebid. The motion passed 6-0. 11c. Bid tabulation: Purchase of articulated double drum vibratory compactor Art Rafshul, a retired contractor was present to answer questions. He was quite appalled at the bids and suggested St. Louis Park might be the first city to get out of the street reconstruction/maintenance business. Councilmember Young said he had talked to Mr Rafshul on occasion on contracting out such things as street overlay, pot hole repair. Mr. Rafshul was suggesting to hold off on purchase of equipment of this type and Councilmember Young felt a study session review of privatizing this particular function would be productive. Mayor Hanks was quite surprised at this development never having been in a position of a bid going out and then discussion about contracting out the work the equipment would be purchased for coming up. Councilmember Friedman felt the idea worthy of exploration, perhaps at the end of last year with information provided to Council for consideration, but the City is now at the 11th hour and City streets need to be taken care of He felt it appropriate to be looked at before the next budget is developed , It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, the latter indicating he would like to take a look at this later on. He asked if this piece of equipment was needed right now, is the old one worn out. 68 Mr. Rardin responded that the compactor is 8-9 years old and he felt the City could use it another year or two; however, it is wearing out and is not the appropriate size for the job it is intended to do. On the basis that the present equipment has another year or so life and could do the work called upon to do, he withdrew his motion. Councilmember Dorfman felt it worthwhile to look at privatization as well as collaboration with surrounding municipalities to see if equipment and services could not be pooled. She asked the City Attorney if the City put out for bids and received bids, is the City under any legal obligation Ms. Pace assumed the specifications had a provision that the Council has authority to reject all bids. Mr. Meyer said the present equipment could be used for perhaps a year. The key issue is what level of staffing should there be and this equipment is of major consideration in terms of what activities to conduct, notably snow removal. Councilmember Jacobs' preference was to defer a decision for two weeks recognizing that any investigation of privatization was going to take a good deal of time and research. He felt two weeks would provide time to get some preliminary answers re the present equipment and its life. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs to defer the item for two weeks. The motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Friedman did not support a two-week deferral, either award the bid or reject it. He asked if this piece of equipment was being traded in. Mr. Rardin said it was. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to reject all bids. The motion passed 5-1 (Mayor Hanks opposed). I 1d. Bid tabulation: Excelsior Blvd. Streetscape street lighting equipment purchase Resolution 95-55 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 95-55 entitled "Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Improvement Project 95-10: Purchase of street light poles and fixtures, pedestrian light poles and fixtures and banner poles." The motion passed 6-0. 69 Ile. Bid tabulation: Installation of street lighting equipment on Excelsior Blvd.. Park Center Blvd , W. 36th St. and Monterey Dr. Project 95-10 Resolution 95-56 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 95-56 entitled"Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Improvement Project No. 95-10: Installation of new street lighting, pedestrian lighting, banner poles and underground wiring." The motion passed 6-0. 11f. Bid tabulation: Excelsior Blvd. streetscape amenities and landscaping. Project 95-11 Resolution 95-57 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 95-57 entitled"Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Improvement Project 95-11. Streetscape amenities and landscaping on Excelsior Blvd., Park Center Blvd., W. 36th St. and Monterey Dr." The motion passed 6-0. 11g. 1995 street work supplies It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to designate C S. McCrossan and Bituminous Roadways as the lowest responsible bidders and authorize execution of contracts for$36,050 and $2,125, respectively. The motion passed 6-0 11h. Cedar Lake Rd. improvement project Resolution 95-58 It was moved by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 95-58 entitled"Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Improvement Project No. 90-51: reconstruction of Cedar Lake Rd. from T.H. 169 to Jersey Ave." City Council meeting minutes April 17, 1995 The motion passed 6-0. Councilmember Friedman asked if there were going to be curb and gutter and sidewalk.. 70 Mr. Moore said the sidewalk will be on the north side the entire length and on the south side in front of the Westwood Lutheran Church property and the entire intersection of Louisiana Ave. Councilmember Friedman asked why on two sides in one spot and one side on the other. Mr. Moore said Westwood Church requested sidewalk along the frontage of their property, the remainder of the residents did not want it on the south side. This will not be assessed. Councilmember Friedman asked if it was assessed when it was put in before on the rest of the property. Mr. Moore was not able to answer. Councilmember Friedman said he would like to be provided with that information. Mayor Hanks assumed the sidewalks were put in by the County with no assessment. Councilmember Young said that was a park/ride site and that was part of the argument as to why a sidewalk was wanted on the south side. 11I. Waterman looping, sanitary sewer, storm sewer: Poject 90-66. 92-24.94-11 Resolution 95-59 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to adopt Resolution 95-59 entitled"Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Improvement Project 92-24, 94-11 and 90-66." The motion passed 6-0. MISCELLANEOUS. 12a. Damage claims Milton Peterson, Ken Goldfarb By consent, claims referred to City Clerk and City Manager 12b. Communications from the Mayor None 12c. Communications from the City Manager None CLAIMS,APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Vendor claims By consent approve and authorize payment 13b. Contract payments 71 1. Right-of-way acquisition: Cedar Lake Road, Project 90-51 Resolution 95-60 By consent adopt Resolution 95-60 entitled"Resolution authorizing payment for acquisition of right-of-way for reconstruction of Cedar Lake Rd. from T.H. 169 to Jersey Ave." 14. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. • GJ , 61.1•16 cyor Hanks POeYmi ecording Secretary I 72