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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/03/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES I 111 STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL March 25, 1996 Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 7 00 Councilmembers present Jim Brimeyer, Jeff Jacobs, Ron Latz Councilmembers recessed to an Executive Session to discuss a matter of litigation The Council reconvened in the chambers at 7 40 p m Staff members in attendance included City Manager(Mr Meyer), Director of Parks and Recreation (Mr Gears), Director of Inspections (Mr Petersen), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr Anderson), Director of Community Development (Mr Harmening), Batallion Chief/Fire Marshal (Mr Kallestad), Planning Coordinator (Ms Erickson) Also present were Mark Hammerstrom and Kim Rodin of Paragon Cable 1 Presentation from Paragon Mr Hammerstrom and Ms Rodin addressed Council and briefly explained that the upgrade was now completed With the system now increased to 550 MHz, the terms of the franchise ordinance may be extended an additional six years Next step is for an independent engineer to concur that the system meets industry standards Thereafter a resolution will be passed by the Council amending the Franchise Ordinance extending it the additional six years 2 Rec Center Renaissance/Livable Communities Update This item was discussed by Cris Gears, Tom Harmening and the architect, Roger Johnson Aspects of the proposal discussed included the Livable Communities design process, the proposed Rec Center facility design/budget, a review of the design/construction schedule, and the proposed selection of a Construction Manager for the Rec Center redesign Mr Meyer updated Council on meetings recently held utilizing the design charrette process which involved Park Nicollet and Parkshore Place and the idea for a continuum care campus Ideas were discussed relative to the Rec Center redesign, exterior materials, layout, several ideas for parking, continuity with other City buildings, etc It was generally agreed the center should be colorful and encompass a design that would indicate a fun place for people to come Mr Gears said application will be submitted again for a Mighty Ducks grant to assist in a second ice sheet As far as the construction phase is concerned, Mr Gears said hiring of a construction manager is proposed as there is no one on staff capable of overseeing such a project This will be much the same as when a construction manager was hired to oversee the construction of the Park Nicollet parking ramp This item will be on the April 1 agenda for consideration 3. Preliminary report Parks and Open Space Study Mr Gears and Ms Erickson gave this report The Task Force recommendations will be on the Apnl 15 Council agenda They reported that 397 parcels had been viewed, neighborhood by neighborhood They displayed maps which highlighted parcels for which a change in status is recommended No action was required this evening. 4 Fire sprinkler system special assessment policy Mr. Petersen reviewed his report He reviewed the policy wherein the cost of a sprinkler system installation is paid by the City and then specially assessed and collected, with interest, over a ten year period The program has been used to encourage compliance with code requirements while retaining existing businesses and attracting new businesses. The Council viewed favorably continuance of this program No action was required 5 Redevelopment agreement - Victoria Ponds Attorney Jim Steilen was present to discuss this item Primary issues included sale price of the townhomes, if lower market value requirement is acceptable to Council, tax increment calculations would change, review of site cleanup estimates (developer to complete this work), provision of assurances that the EDA/City are indemnified from liabilities caused by damage to property or injuries occumng on the project site Mr Anderson said staff is continuing to work with the developer on the balance of the provisions in the agreement Councilmember Jacobs asked about the street situation Mr Anderson said there had been some conversation about reducing the number of units from 74 to 73 Fire Marshal Kallestad said they had reviewed making the east/west perimeter roadway 24 ft wide, the dead-end streets 22 ft wide (the remainder 20 ft wide), and that 8 units would be sprinkled These were still being negotiated with the developer With regard to water/sewer mains, the long-term responsibility will become the Association's and this will be in the agreement Attorney Steilen said a possibility would be for the City to repair and then assess the association for those kinds of projects It is planned this item will be on the April 1 agenda 6 City Attorney With the departure of City Attorney Suesan Pace from the Popham, Haik firm, staff feels it is timely for the Council to consider alternatives for provision of future City Attorney services An interim arrangement for provision of services has been arranged with Popham, Haik pending further Council action Basically, Ms Pace will continue to provide legal services on pending issues for the interim Staff was suggesting the Council direct that Requests for Qualifications be pursued. After consideration of the staff report, it was Council consensus to proceed with advertising for Requests for Qualifications This will be placed on the April 1 agenda for action ' d:-,N I L j()\., Recording Secretary