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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/04/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES a CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA April 15, 1996 1. Call to order Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 7 30 p m. 2. Presentations Mayor Dorfman made the following presentations. A plaque to former City Clerk Beverly Flanagan which was accepted by Finance Director Mac McBride. Proclamations for Caring Youth Day, Earth Day; Poppy Days, Arbor Day and Crimes Against Humanity on the anniversary of the Holocaust Certificates were presented to the winners of the Human Rights Commission photography contest 3 Roll call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call Jeff Jacobs, Sue Sanger, Ron Latz, Robert Young, Jim Brimeyer, Gail Dorfman Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Deputy City Manager(Ms. Kutzler), City Attorney (Mr Popham), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr Anderson), Director of Public Works (Mr Rardin); Engineering Supervisor(Mr. Moore); Director of Parks and Recreation (Mr Gears). 4. Approval of minutes City Council meeting April 1, 1996 -Minutes approved with no corrections/amendments City Council study session April 8, 1996 - Minutes approved with no corrections/amendments 5. Approval of agenda It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed 6-0 64 City Council meeting minutes April 15, 1996 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the agenda. The motion passed 6-0 PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a Reconstruction of north frontage road of T H 7 from Quebec Ave. to Texas Ave and south frontage road of T H. 7 from Rhode Island to Texas Resolution 96-52 Mr. Moore presented a brief background on this report and addressed the assessment charges being proposed He said that in 1975, under Project 75-01, the properties on the south side were charged a side street assessment The side street(which in this case is the frontage road)was not constructed It is stars recommendation that Council may wish to waive the special assessments on the south side during the assessment hearing. The north side properties did not pay a side street special assessment, in fact, some of those properties front on the frontage road and would be charged in accordance with Council assessment policies the full cost of the street estimated to be approximately $25/front foot There being no one further wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 96-52 entitled "Resolution ordering Improvement Project No. 90-37, approving plans and specifications and authorizing receipt of bids for reconstruction of north and south frontage roads of T. H. 7." Councilmember Brimeyer recalled that if a property owner was assessed there was some assurance that same property owner would not be assessed again for 20 years Mayor Dorfman noted that policy would affect 6 of the properties and as noted that would be looked at during the assessment hearing Councilmember Young noted the previous project was done in 1975 With this one in 1996, does that mean the project is in a new 20-year period and there would then not be a double assessment Mr. Meyer said there was one other distinction, i.e the original project did not reconstruct the frontage road -- it did the the other streets in the neighborhood Because there was no property fronting on the frontage road, there was an allocation method set The motion passed 6-0 65 City Council meeting minutes April 15, 1996 PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS None. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a Resolution of appreciation. Lt. Roger Aronson Resolution 96-53 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to adopt Resolution 96-53 entitled "Resolution of appreciation. Lt Roger Aronson". The motion passed 6-0 8b Resolution of appreciation. Officer Terry Herberg Resolution 96-54 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to adopt Resolution 96-54 entitled"Resolution of appreciation. Officer Terry Herberg " 111 The motion passed 6-0 8c. Resolution of appreciation: Beverly Flanagan, City Clerk Resolution 96-55 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to adopt Resolution 96-55 entitled "Resolution of appreciation- Beverly Flanagan, City Clerk." The motion passed 6-0. 8d First reading of ordinance amending Code relating to required signatures on checks It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to approve first reading and set second for May 6, 1996. The motion passed 6-0 8e Special Service District petitions Resolution setting public hearing Resolution 96-56 Mr Anderson gave a brief background on this item 66 City Council meeting minutes April 15, 1996 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to adopt Resolution 96-56 entitled"Resolution relating to proposed Special Service District and imposition of a service charge, calling a public hearing" The motion passed 6-0 REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a. Traffic Study 510 Traffic controls at W 27th/Dakota Mr. Rardin said residents in this area are concerned about speeding along Dakota. Council previously reviewed staff's report and directed a neighborhood meeting which was held about a month ago At the meeting there was a consensus among the 6 or so in attendance that the speeding was a problem and how it could be reduced or eliminated Staff has met with the Police Department and there will be increased enforcement in the morning and afternoon when residents pick up and drop off students at the school And also during the summer months during the soccer season when games begin and end. The effectiveness of a stop sign remains in question Mike Brayback, 2728 Dakota Ave, Rick Emory, 2704 Dakota spoke in favor of installation of some sort of traffic controls to solve this problem Councilmember Sanger said she was aware when the study was done, this intersection did not appear to meet the warrants for stop signs She felt technical warrants were not the only basis upon which installation of signs was based. Based on the issues outlined by the speakers-- proximity to the school and to the park and the bunching of traffic right before and after school and nighttime sports-- she would suggest those were reasons why Council could exercise its discretion and make it a 4-way stop She did not feel it realistic to rely on law enforcement efforts to solve the problem She hoped a stop sign would be supported Councilmember Young felt putting stop signs at every intersection in the City would clog up traffic, contribute to more pollution and more noise. He was sympathetic to the people living around intersections like this, on the other hand, he did not believe stop signs are the answer Mayor Dorfman reminded Council the general policy issue of stop signs was going to be coming to an upcoming study session Councilmember Brimeyer said perhaps it should be delayed in light of the fact this policy issue is going to be discussed in more detail. He'd rather vote yes or no based on some rational criteria. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to defer the matter to the May 20 Council meeting. 67 City Council meeting minutes 11 April 15, 1996 The motion passed 6-0 9b. Amendment to St Louis Park Code related to water rates It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to approve first reading, and set second for May 6, 1996. The motion passed 6-0 9c 1996 Neighborhood Revitalization PILOT program Mr Quarfot gave a brief update on this report. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the program grant application.process and authorize implementation. The motion passed 6-0 9d Authorize negotiation of consultant contract 1997 Excelsior Blvd improvement redesign project It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Young, to authorize staff to negotiate a scope of work/contract with MSA/HKGi for consultant services associated with the 1997 Excelsior Blvd improvement project The motion passed 6-0 9e Void 9f Task Force report on Parks and Open Space study Resolution 96-51 Emergency Ordinance 96-2060 Mr Gears said Council was being asked to approve additional research on a few number of parcels the Task Force has not made a decision on Also, to approve those parcels the Task Force feels should be released from the moratorium and to extend the Moratorium for six months on all properties not removed from the moratorium Councilmember Young asked about some MnDOT property located along Wayzata Blvd Mr Gears said those properties were studied by the Task Force and the feeling was they should be allowed to develop through the natural process Whether or not MnDOT will turn those 68 City Council meeting minutes April 15, 1996 properties over to St Louis Park or put them on the market and sell them themselves is unknown at this point Nadar Nooryshokry, 7300 Gallagher Dr., Edina, said he had been patient over the past 9 months, having asked that property he owned be released from the moratorium He has had several people interested in buying his property and he didn't feel it fair he has to continue to pay taxes on it. Mayor Dorfman asked if any properties could be released during the 6-month extension of the moratorium. Mr. Gears said that at any point during the 6-month period the City can take action on any property under the moratorium. He added Mr. Nooryshokey's property is the only undeveloped piece of property adjacent to a very heavily populated area(Meadowbrook Manor). It is the only parcel north of Excelsior Blvd. that has potential as park and open space if the City would choose to do that The Task Force felt strongly that the City should acquire it now because if it is developed, the chance of developing any park land for the people in the Meadowbrook complex will not be available in the future Councilmember Jacobs asked at what point a decision about Mr. Nooryshokey's property is going to be made Mr. Gears said if Council decides to extend the moratorium, certainly Mr Nooryshokey's property could have the highest priority for Task Force review and return as quickly as possible to Council with their recommendation. Councilmember Sanger asked Mr. Gears to explain the process from now on in terms of reviewing parcels for possible public acquisition. Mr. Gears said he would envision a process by which the Task Force working in conjunction with staff would attempt to develop a more comprehensive use inventory Basically, to date what has been done is a declaration that open space and park land is needed in each of the identified neighborhood areas This was their primary charge. Councilmember Brimeyer asked if the City was in a position to buy part of Mr. Nooryshokey's property Or the city take an option so he can pay the taxes He felt staff should come back as quickly as possible with a recommendation to buy"X" acres of his property and if necessary, take an option and figure out how to pay for it later Councilmember Young asked if there was any estimate as to what the property might be worth. 69 City Council meeting minutes , II April 15, 1996 Mr Meyer said at this point the property has not been evaluated In two weeks, staff could reasonably address that question He felt the Task Force purposely stayed away from valuating properties It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Latz to. 1 Adopt Resolution No. 96-51 entitled"Resolution of the St Louis Park City Council releasing individual properties from the regulation of Interim Moratorium Ordinance No 95-2035 " The motion passed 6-0; 2 Adopt Ordinance No , 96-2060 entitled"An Interim Ordinance amending Ordinance No 95- 2035 regulating the development of existing vacant land in the City of St Louis Park and directing that a study be conducted " The motion passed 6-0 • 3 Direct staff to study and report back on the feasibility of acquiring said properties for public park and recreational purposes. The motion passed 6-0 Councilmember Jacobs asked that as part of the motion that Mr Nooryshokry's propererty valuation and assessed value be brought back to Council on May 6 This was acceptable to the maker and second Councilmember Sanger asked that prior to this particular matterl coming to the May 6 meeting, that it also be placed on the April 22 study session. She would not want to deal with one parcel in a vacuum without having had some discussion of the overall process, how all parcels are to be dealt with Councilmember Sanger thanked the Task Force for their work in reviewing and classifying the parcels 9g. Traffic Study 513• Controls at T H 100 east frontage road (W 25 1/2 St to Parkwoods Rd Resolution 96-57 Beryl Miller, 2306 Parkwoods Rd , expressed his concerns of how the reconfiguration of the roadway has impacted the Parkwoods neighborhood He believed that staff's recommendations were of value but that other concerns needed to be addressed as well. Mayor Dorfman referred to the study being done by the Public Works intern and asked, after the survey is done and analyzed, what is the next step. I 70 City Council meeting minutes April 15, 1996 11 Mr. Rardin responded as far as staff could determine, the traffic study of Fern Hill and Parkwoods would not impact this particular road. Although it is along the edge of the neighborhood, there are other issues which do not involve the neighborhood Councilmember Sanger said in using that intersection, she has run into problems getting onto the service road She could not disagree with the Police Department's evaluation that placement of a stop sign would be hazardous. She hoped the whole matter could be revisited and find other ways to calm down the traffic at this location Councilmember Young asked who controls this service road Mr. Rardin responded it is his understanding the service road and many others reconstructed during the I-394 work was mutually negotiated between MnDOT and the City. At this point, the City is the owner of the service road. Councilmember Sanger asked about recent activities relative to increased police patrol of the road and the effectiveness of it. Mr Rardin said he did not have any data at this point to show what has occurred there. Mr Meyer said he was aware the police have been doing heavy enforcement there, he did not know if that had had any impact on lowering the overall speed of vehicles It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer to adopt Resolution 96-57 entitled"Resolution prohibiting U-turns at the intersection of T H 100 east frontage road and Parkwoods Rd " The motion passed 6-0. Mayor Dorfman asked staff that this road be considered when the results of the neighborhood survey are available 9h. NSP utility relocation agreement Resolution 96-58 Mr. Rardin gave a brief update on the proposed agreement with NSP for utility relocation along Cedar Lake Rd from Jersey to Park Place Blvd. (Phase II). During Phase I, utility relocation did not go as smoothly as had been planned. This agreement would allow for better management of relocation during Phase II. Councilmember Young thanked staff for their efforts in trying to prevent the problems encountered in the Summer of 1995 71 City Council meeting minutes April 15, 1996 It was moved by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 96-58 entitled"Resolution authorizing an agreement between the City of St Louis Park and Northern States Power Company to provide for utility relocations along Cedar Lake Rd." The motion passed 6-0. 9i Amendment to Board of Zoning Appeals By-laws By consent, approve amendment to BOZA By-laws 9j. March financial report 9k Minutes. Cable TV Advisory Commission March 25 91 Minutes Planning Commission March 20 9m Minutes Neighborhood Revitalization Commission March 13 9n. Minutes Park and Recreation Advisory Commission February 13 90 Minutes Housing Authority March 27 By consent, items 9j-90 ordered filed UNFINISHED BUSINESS l0a Boards and Commissions Mayor Dorfman noted receipt of 1995 annual reports/attendance record from Boards and Commissions. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to receive for filing The motion passed 6-0 Councilmember Young referenced the Planning Commission report and noted a problem with attendance on the part of one member. He asked what the rules are with regard to attendance and whether or not they are enforced He would like his concerns communicated to any commission members who might slip in their attendance 11 a Bid tabulation. 1996 street work materials 72 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to designate Bituminous Roadways as the lowest responsible bidder for conventional and driveway bituminous mixture No. 2340 and the lowest responsible bidder for bituminous cold patch material and authorize execution of contracts with the firm in the amount of$37,125 The motion passed 6-0 1 lb Bid tabulation Reconstruction of Cedar Lake Road - Jersey Ave to Park Place Resolution 96-59 It was moved by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 96-59 entitled"Resolution accepting bid and authorizing execution of a contract for Improvement Project 90-51, Phase II: Reconstruction of Cedar Lake Rd. from Jersey Ave. to Park Place Blvd " The motion passed 6-0 11c. Authorization to advertise and receive bids for materials used for seal coating Resolution 96-60 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to adopt Resolution 96-60 entitled"Resolution accepting the Director's report, authorization to advertise and receive bids for sealcoating materials. The motion passed 6-0. MISCELLANEOUS 12a. Damage claims Kristi Axtman, Diane Sellgren By consent refer claims to City Clerk and City Manager 12b Communications from the Mayor Mayor Dorfman asked Councilmember Brimeyer to take the floor. Mr. Brimeyer said he saw an announcement of the McKnight Foundation that they are planning to donate money for public art As an ardent supporter of public art, he'd like the entire Council to give its support and ask that staff look into the accessing of whatever funds are available Councilmembers Sanger and Jacobs were also enthusiastic about public art as well Mr. Meyer said he had made contact on this and can report that sometime this year the McKnight Foundation will be considering providing additional funding that they would coordinate through the metro area Regional Arts Council. This is two-fold: to support local councils such as Friends of the Art and direct more money out of the central cities and to the suburbs. 73 Mr Brimeyer said there are a number of cities around the country, Phoenix for example, where if a public improvement project reaches a certain level, a percentage is devoted to public art. 12c Communications from the City Manager None CLAIMS,APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Verified claims By consent, the list of verified claims, prepared by the Director of Finance and dated February 15, 1996 was approved and checks authorized to be distributed: Vendor claims $320,182 39 and payroll claims $22,211 77 14. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9.00 p m dela i„ Ma or Gail Dorfman y / / ' ecording Secretary 74