HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995/07/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES
�, CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
1 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
July 24, 1995
Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 7 00 p m
In attendance were Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Ron Latz, Robert Young and Gail
Dorfman
Also present were the City Manager (Mr Meyer), Director of Inspections (Mr Petersen),
Director of Parks and Recreation (Mr Gears), Director of Community Development (Mr
Harmening) and Director of Finance (Ms McBride).
1 Disposition of City property at 4326 Cedar Lake Rd.
Jon Weiss, Jewish Community Center, was present to discuss this matter
Mr Petersen said the JCC is interested in acquiring the City property which lies along the south
and east sides of the Center Their tenant, Jewish Day School, is looking to expand and will need
additional parking There would be space available on the City property
He said a determination will have to be made if the land is needed for surface water management
but at this point it didn't seem so
Mr Meyer said this would examination of this parcel will fall under the City's moratorium process
to identify if any City use is needed Thereafter it would go to the Planning Commission for its
recommendation back to the Council
With respect to an appraisal of the property, Mr Meyer said a discussion about splitting the cost
of the appraisal with the JCC had been held, but that no appraisal would be undertaken until the
Day School Board makes a decision of whether or not it will proceed with its plan
The next step is for the property to be evaluated by the Open Space Task Force
2 Rec Center Renaissance
Mr Gears gave a brief review of the proposed plan He said something had to be done because of
the deteriorated condition of the Rec Center , the demand for ice time and the pool
Modification of the existing facility by investing in improvements designed to increase usage,
improve programs/services and reduce the operating deficit would appear to provide the key to
making the center a viable City service '
He called on the design consultants, Chuck Newman and Carl Fuerst, who displayed the concept
plan and discussed it in some detail
Sid Inman and Bob Ehlers discussed project financing Capital costs for the project are proposed
to be divided amoung three sources bonds supported by project revenues, general obligation tax
increment bonds; and other sources, i e tax increment funds, CDBG funds and "Mighty Ducks"
funds
Councilmember Dorfman asked why not use general obligation bonds instead of TIF general
obligation bonds . Mr Inman said it was their experience they don't pass on referendum
Mr Gears suggested staff come to the August 7 Council meeting with a request for approval to
proceed to the next phase of design development
Council expressed some concern as to establishing a method to determine whether the
community really wants this project Councilmember Haun said he wished it was based on
community interest, not just because the pool is failing . He was wondering if a community market
survey might not be a good idea
Mr. Gears said he and Mr Meyer would discuss ways to present the proposal to the community
via the City Newsletter and perhaps holding a series of meetings
Acknowledging that Mr. Gears had prepared financial projections s and possibilities on the
conservative side, Councilmembers Latz and Young did ask for more substantiation of the basis
for the numbers
This item will be placed on the August 7 Council agenda.
3 Park Little League
Mary Kennedy, president of the Board of Park National Little League, read a statement to express
the Board's concerns with the guidelines as set up by the Parks and Recreation Commission for
the use of public park facilities in St Louis Park She said there was some conflict between the
City's guidelines and those of the National Little League by which they must run their program
She alluded to allegations of discrimination by some disgruntled parents in the league
Mayor Hanks said he was willing to meet with the national officer of the National Little League
when he visits in September and invited any other interested Councilmembers to join him
4 Selection of Councilmember to serve on Open Space Task Force
Councilmember Haun was selected to serve on the Task Force Since there will be some periods
when he is out of town, Councilmember Latz offered to serve as alternate
5 Candidates for Ward 1 interim Council seat
Mayor Flanks proposed that interviews be held on Monday, July 31 starting at 7 00 p m
The meeting adjourned at 10 15 p m
Recording Secretary //,