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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/05/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL April 22, 1996 Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 7.15 p m. Councilmembers present were Jeff Jacobs, Ron Latz, Sue Sanger and Robert Young. Jim Brimeyer arrived shortly thereafter. Also present were City Manager(Mr Meyer); Director of Community Development (Mr Harmening); Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson); Director of Parks and Recreation(Mr Gears), Deputy City Manager (Ms Kutzler); Personnel Officer(Mr. Wysopal) 1 Human Rights Commission discussion items Several members of the commission were present including Linda Mack Ross who spoke on behalf of the commission Four topics of focus were the 1996-1997 work plan, Use of language guidelines, Grievance Task Force recommendations, Commission appointment process 111 A suggestion was made that staff inquire of other cities what human rights processes they have and how they work. Also that people need to learn how to access human rights procecesses both at the State level and community level More publicity on what the Human Rights Commission does and can do for residents was suggested Ms Ross said with respect to commission appointments that the members have no input and that other cities' commissions do interviewing and get actively involved in the process. Mayor Dorfman encouraged the commission to provide the Council with names of interested persons prior to the Council actually interviewing Guidelines addressing the use of race and ethnicity in city communications were reviewed. Council will continue to study the suggestions as presented by the commission. 2 Rec Center Renaissance design and budget update Mr Gears lead this discussion,joined by the consultants for the project. Roger Johnson, architect, Don Hackert and Mark Coudron, project construction managers. Subjects for discussion included revised site plan drawings, revised structural drawings, updated construction cost estimates, proposed "add alternates" and"deduct alternates", and compliance of the project with City/State Codes 1 Council expressed support for additions to the project which are required to meet federal, state or local codes as well as for a number of improvements recommended by the design team including taller and longer waterslides, trees to screen the waterslides, increased pool lighting, and a site signage allowance. Proposals which are not to be included in ongoing design include: showers and toilets in the new team rooms, upgrades to high school locker facilities (unless funded by other sources), and plaster ceilings in the bath house and team room areas. Council also stated a preference for an upgraded wrought-iron fence and a high quality exterior for the building which will serve as a cornerstone of the Livable Communities project area. Staff was asked to re- evaluate the amount of office space proposed for Parks and Rec staff. The project architect will come back to Council in 3-4 weeks with samples of exterior materials for Council's consideration. 3. Process for completion of Park and Open Space Study Judie Erickson reviewed the staff report. She noted staff is preparing a presentation for Council regarding a proposal for evaluating/implementing recommendations of the Task Force The presentation will focus primarily on developing an evaluation/implementation process rather than dealing with individual parcels Councilmember Sanger said she would like further information relative to potential uses, funding sources, etc. It was the consensus staff bring to Council a matrix with recommendations for retaining properties, developing, selling. 4 Cable TV franchise ordinance amendment Kim Rodin, Paragon Cable and Reg Dunlap were present Basically, first reading of the ordinance extending the francihise will be on the May 20 agenda with the Cable TV Commission reviewing the wording between now and then. No other business was brought up. 5. Amendment to Zoning Ordinance prohibiting outside storage of commercial vehicles in residential districts Ms Erickson let this discussion She said the Planning Commission had reviewed the Zoning Ordinance amendments and approved them First reading of the ordinance will be on the May 6 Council agenda. 6 Proposed railroad route 2 Mr Petersen reviewed his report which dealt with alternative routes for the Twin City and Western Railroad: through St Louis Park or through the Kenwood neighborhood in Minneapolis If it were to go through St. Louis Park, two new rail interconnections would be required A spokesman for the Hennepin County Rail Road Authority had indicated to Mr Petersen his surprise that the City had no stated position on the alternatives Mr Petersen sought Council consensus on a position It was the consensus that the train be routed through the Kenwood neighborhood and to encourage the removal of the switching operation from the South Oak Hill neighborhood A resolution to this effect will be considered at the May 6 Council meeting 7. Amendments to Zoning Ordinance regulating Adult Uses Ms. Erickson said that since the last study session the Planning Commission has reviewed proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments and recommended two amendments, one having to do with prohibition of booths or partitions and the second having to do with the duration of a display to be one day She also referenced a proposed licensing ordinance Some specific restrictions appearing in the licensing ordinance have been left out of the Zoning Ordinance Councilmember.Sanger was in favor of a licensing ordinance which would include full background checks and regular monitoring of such establishments It was the consensus that staff proceed with the licensing ordinance and that it be brought to Council for formal action on an upcoming agenda. 8 City Attorney selection process It was the consensus of Council that interviews with firms(or their representative)be held between May 29 and May 31, depending upon how many are selected for interview. Interviews will start at 6 00 p m and run for 45 minutes to 1 hour The meeting adjourned at 10 15 p m pair cLk Recording Secretary 3 MINUTES INTERVIEW FOR WARD 11 COUNCIL SEAT VACANCY Saturday, May 4, 1996 The City Council convened on Saturday, May 4 at 1.00 p.m for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the Ward II Council vacancy. Present were Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, Sue Sanger, Ron Latz, Robert Young, Jim Brimeyer and Mayor Gail Dorfman. The following individuals were then interviewed: Laurel Higgins; Paul Green; Mary Freese, Jeffrey Appelquist; Joel Phillippi and Beverly Flanagan. Chris Nelson had previously been interviewed on April 29. The interviews concluded at 4.00 p m. R co mg Secret