HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/08/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF MINUTES
ffhT. LOUIS STUDY SESSION
RK ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 26, 1996
The Study Session commenced at 7:00 p.m.
Present were Council members, Mayor Pro-tem Jeff Jacobs, Jim Brimeyer, Sue Sanger,Jeff
Appelquist and Ron Latz.
Also present were the City Manager(Charlie Meyer), Deputy City Manager(Joanne Kutzler),
Finance Director(Mac McBride), Director of Parks& Rec (Cris Gears), Director of Public Works
(Mike Rardin), Asst. to City Manager/Personnel Officer(Wally Wysopal ) Economic Development
Coordinator(Dave Anderson), Housing Coordinator(Yvette Quarfot), Planning Coordinator(Judi
Erickson), and Supt. of Traffic and Lighting(Harlan Backlund).
1. Proposed Public Park at Meadowbrook
Staff considered a proposal from Linda Trummer of the Meadowbrook Collaborative, Mick Johnson
of The Foundation/HealthSystem Minnesota and Cris Gears of the Parks and Recreation
Department to enter into a public/private partnership to develop a park/playground area somewhere
within the Meadowbrook Manor complex. Though the most substantive portion of necessary
funding would be raised through private donations, an amount up to $5000 of City funds was
requested. In addition, the Parks and Recreation Department would be responsible for on-going
maintenance.
Councilmember Sanger questioned the appropriateness of public funding for parks located on private
property and if the City would be setting precedent wisely. She also requested clarification as to
location of the proposed site and the impact this project would have on the potential purchase of
property located to the west.
Mr. Gears responded that this situation is unique in that Meadowbrook Manor is a very large and
isolated community unlike any other in St. Louis Park. City costs for the project would be negligible
and benefits to the children residing in the complex would be substantial.
Councilmember Latz asked if this could negatively impact the Park Improvement Fund. Mr. Gears
responded that it was conceivable that financial support from the City would not be needed because
of the substantial interest from private funding sources.
Councilmembers agreed that the project would be a benefit to the Meadowbrook community and that
the partnership should be endorsed. This will be placed on the September 3rd Council agenda.
2. Rec Center Construction Budget Update
Cris Gears of the Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Design Team returned to Council
with changes recommended to lower construction costs for the project. Items recommended for
removal or change would not compromise the quality of the facility and would result in a cost
savings of approximately $284,700.
Following review of the recommendations, Council directed staff to place a simultaneous change
order on the September 3rd agenda for their formal consideration and approval.
3. City-Wide Stop Sign Plan and Traffic Policy Control Device Policy
Mike Rardin, Public Works Director,presented a plan to Council intended to address stop sign
concerns expressed by Council and citizens of St. Louis Park. He requested Council to consider(1)
whether the proposed plan meets resident and Council needs, (2) whether the proposed plan is
acceptable or what revisions are needed, (3)what type of implementation strategy should be utilized,
and(4) desired timelines for final policy development,adoption and installation.
After a brief presentation of the plan and maps illustrating traffic counts, Council asked several
questions. Councilmember Brimeyer asked if the 70%neighborhood signatures on petitions
requesting signs was a high enough number. Mr. Rardin stated that the percentage could be higher.
Councilmember Jacobs requested that Engineering draft more detailed maps with overlays for each
Councilmember to aid in their evaluation of the plan. Councilmember Sanger asked what impact
this plan would have on bicycle trails in the City and whether residents should be required to pay for
traffic calming devices they request.
Council agreed that the City is in need of a coherent policy and that this could be a relatively volatile
issue for residents. Council further agreed that this required more deliberation and Council will
continue discussions at a future Study Session.
4. 1997 Budget Presentation
Finance Director Mac McBride informed Council that the date for truth in taxation hearings had
been set for December 4th with continuation date of December 11th. Councilmember Applequist
requested information on history of tax levy in St. Louis Park. Mr. Meyer informed Council of a
seminar on tax reform to be presented by the Minnesota Taxpayer's Association in September.
Staff will be presenting a Resolution approving the preliminary property tax levy and budget for the
1997 fiscal year and establishing the dates and times for the public hearing on the September 3rd
Council agenda.
5. License Fee Revisions
Ernie Petersen, Director of Inspections, presented to Council recommended adjustments for 1997
license fees for the commercial certificate of occupancy program,competency card for mechanical
contractors and food establishment and swimming pool licenses.
Councilmember Sanger questioned why we issue competency cards in St. Louis Park. competency
test results are available from the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington and St. Louis Park
could use that data to determine if contractors are qualified to perform work in our community.
Councilmember Brimeyer stated that fees should be high enough to cover costs. The Council agreed
and Mr. Petersen was directed to place an ordinance on the September 3rd agenda for fee revisions.
6. Housing Rehabilitation Fund Guidelines
Yvette Mullen and Tom Harmening presented a detailed policy which provides guidance as to the
use of the Fund while maintaining flexibility. Councilmember Sanger questioned the use of these
funds for new development as opposed to rehab only. Tom Harmening stated that the intended use
of the funds for new projects is to provide leverage for the projects-not to fund them in entirety.
Staff was directed to make minor adjustments in language specifying priorities for use of these
funds. This will appear on a future Council agenda.
7. Outside Agency Funding - Test Case for the John Carver Model
Council agreed that the Outside Agency Funding Policy is too complicated for use as a test case of
the model. Following much philosophical discussion of how the model should be applied,it was
suggested that a different project be used in a setting that allowed full participation of all
Councilmembers.
Discussion continued on the issue of outside agency funding. Mr. Meyer pointed out that budget
cuts in social programs on the Federal and State levels would undoubtedly place increased demands
in social service programs at the local level. Council agreed to continue discussion of City policy in
this area as it applies to outcomes desired.
Staff was directed to inform representatives of ACT that the City will not be funding this program
for 1997.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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Re ording Secretary