HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/10/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF Minutes
ST. LOUIS City Council Study Session
P`4 October 28, 1996
The Study Session commenced at 7:00 p.m.
Present were Mayor Gail Dorfman and Councilmembers Jim Brimeyer, Jeff Jacobs, Sue Sanger, Jeff
Appelquist, Ron Latz and Robert Young.
Also present were the City Manager(Charlie Meyer), Deputy City Manager(Joanne Kutzler), Director
of Inspections (Ernie Petersen); Director of Community Development(Tom Harmening), Admin
Asst/City Clerk (Ms. Larsen), Housing Coordinator(Ms. Mullen), Economic Development Coordinator
(Mr. Anderson), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Street Superintendent (Mr. Knutson) and City
Engineer(Mr. Moore)
1. Council Policy Issues
Dial a Ride Internal Transit- Sue Sanger asked that Council study the concept of a city-wide transit
system. This issue has also been addressed in the charrette process and staff is currently working on
conceptual models. Gail Dorfman suggested that Councilmembers refer to a study that has been done on
the subject by staff of the Hopkins/Minnetonka area which will soon be published. This issue will be
looked at more thoroughly in 1997.
Vibration Measurements- Bobby Young requested that staff look into changing the standards by which
vibration measurements are taken, in particular that vibrations be measured at the foundation rather than
the property line.
Political Advertising- Ron Latz requested staff to research Minnesota State Statutes in regard to
political advertising in and around apartment buildings.
Media and the Family - Jeff Appelquist informed Council that Target is working with a company which
rates video games for impact on children. The company's founder,Dr. David Walsh, will be speaking in
November 11th and all were invited to attend.
Metro Fire Department- This issue was deferred to a future meeting.
2. Twin Lakes Water Management Plan
Carlton Moore and Mike Rardin presented the plan to Council along with comments received from
residents regarding the proposed management plan. The plan states what has been done to improve water
quality, outlines goals for the future and presents specific activities that will be undertaken toward these
goals. These goals and actions can be applied city-wide and will serve as a guide for addressing water
quality in the future. Mayor Dorfman commended Mr. Moore for his quality work on this plan.
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3. Snow and Ice Removal
Mike Rardin and Greg Knutson presented a report to Council which focused on options for creating an
improved program for snow and ice removal in St. Louis Park. The three specific issues which cause the
most problems are sidewalk plowing, duration of snow removal activity and the problem of"plowing
in" already plowed sidewalks and driveways.
The report presented to Council contained three options, of which alternative#3 seemed to provide the
most benefit to both residents and the City. This options would impose parking restrictions and allow
plows to complete the task of snow removal in two days rather than three. The City of Richfield has
enacted provisions similar and will be a good test case in the coming snow season to measure
effectiveness. Mr. Knutsen explained that projected cost savings will not be significant under the
proposed plan, but that employees could be assigned to different duties sooner, it could reduce
complaints and increase the efficiency of snow removal crews.
Council considered options for implementation of a new program. Mr. Knutsen stated that he felt city-
wide implementation would be impossible for this snow season and that to implement on a trial basis in
a single neighborhood would make enforcement difficult and could be potentially divisive in the
community.
Council ultimately came to the consensus that the proposed policy is a good one, but should be
implemented for the 1997-98 snow season in order to provide time for public education.
4. Stop Sign/Traffic Control Policy
Mike Rardin and Greg Knutsen presented to Council an outline for the proposed"basket-weave" stop
sign plan for St. Louis Park. The process by which residents request changes in stop sign placement has
been problematic with no specific guidelines for Council to follow in making their decision. This plan
would allow Council to make decision within a framework that would provide consistency for the City's
stop sign placement.
Discussion regarding implementation of this plan took place with question raised as to whether it would
be begun on a neighborhood by neighborhood approach or implemented City-wide from the start. The
issue about how residents would feel if the stop sign on"their"corner were removed and how staff and
Council should address that situation was also discussed.
Following discussion Council directed staff to finalize the plan with the idea that implementation would
be begun in the Lake Forest and Fern Hill neighborhoods first because residents of those neighborhoods
had participated in the traffic studies. Staff will present the plan at a City Council meeting in the near
future.
5. Housing Action Plan - Livable Communities
Yvette Quarfot asked Council to discuss the City's participation in the Metropolitan Council Local
Housing Incentives Account Program for 1997. In addition, she asked that Council review and discuss
the St. Louis Park Housing Action Plan as required by the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act.
In order to qualify for any Livable Communities funds, the City must elect to participate in the Local
Housing Incentives Account Program, and is also required to develop a 5-year implementation plan
stating how the City intends to meet its housing goals.
Council studied a draft of the 5-year action plan and following discussion directed staff to make
adjustments in some sections and bring forward to the City Council meeting of November 4th.
6. Redevelopment Agreement-Assisted Living Project
Staff presented to Council a redevelopment contract between the EDA and G & P Properties for a four
story 45 unit assisted living project. Staff asked that Council review the primary terms and conditions of
that contract. Council discussed the primary points of interest in the agreement and directed staff to
bring the agreement to the Authority for approval on November 4th.
7. TIF -TwinWest
Staff asked Council to review the Twin West Chamber of Commerce Tax Increment Financing Reform
position. The Chamber had asked member cities to endorse or support the proposed position prior to the
Chamber's adoption of the position and its delivery to legislators for the upcoming 1997 legislative
session.
Council discussed the advantages and disadvantages of endorsing TwinWest's position. They weighed
factors such as other cities' positions, legislative trends, our position relative to the current TIF laws and
the impact of Council's decision on the development of the policy. Council requested that staff provide
them with additional information in the future.
8. Neighborhood/Railroad Meeting
Ernie Petersen introduced the topic by explaining a bit about the history of the issue. A neighborhood
meeting had been held which was attended by approximately 200 persons concerned about the proposed
rail connection in St. Louis Park. These citizens recognized that what was good for one neighborhood
may be a detriment to another and agreed to form a committee consisting of representatives of all
neighborhoods involved. These representatives are as follows: John Basil, Tony Krantz, Angie
Heitzman, Bob Tift, Kathy Wecker, Jeff Roy and Dale Hartman.
Neighborhood representatives presented to Council options for railroad routing and discussed the
ramifications of each. Following their presentation, discussion ensued regarding the power, if any, St.
Louis Park would have in negotiations with the Railroad Authority, Hennepin County and the State of
Minnesota. It was decided that, ultimately, the decision of railroad routing would fall to the Railroad
Authority and that St. Louis Park must present their case to the decision making bodies in as politically
strong position as possible.
Following discussion, Ernie Petersen agreed to draft a resolution stating the City's position which will
serve as a statement that the City and its residents stand united in their pursuit of an acceptable plan for
railroad routes in St. Louis Park.
Meeting adjourned.
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Gail Dorfman,Mayor
C. dy Larsen, Recording Secretary