HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/09/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF MINUTES
ST. LOUIS STUDY SESSION
PARK ST.LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 9, 1996
The Study Session commenced at 7:00 p.m.
Present were Council members, Mayor Gail Dorfman, Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs,Jim Brimeyer,
Sue Sanger, Jeff Appelquist,Ron Latz and Robert Young.
Also present were the City Manager(Charlie Meyer), Deputy City Manager(Joanne Kutzler),
Finance Director(Mac McBride), Director of Inspections(Ernie Petersen); Police Chief(Mancel
Mitchell), Director of Parks & Rec (Cris Gears),Economic Development Coordinator(Janet
Jeremiah), Assistant Finance Director(Mark Felton), Planning Coordinator(Judi Erickson), Director
of Community Development(Tom Harmenning).
1. COUNCIL POLICY ISSUE
Zoning Amendment for Tree Replacements in Residential Districts
Sue Sanger asked fellow Councilmembers to consider amending the Zoning Ordinance to require
replacement of trees removed from residences. She feels that trees impact neighborhoods and add to
property values. Removal of trees negatively impacts our community.
Councilmember Jacobs disagreed and stated that government should not dictate items concerning
trees on private property. Some residents want open space in their yards, others want trees and he
felt that governmental intervention would be intrusive.
After discussion Mayor Dorfman suggested that tree replacement policies be reviewed for
institutional properties which are located in residential areas, but that residential tree replacements
should not be included. Staff will review current the current ordinance and bring back for Council
review at a future study session.
2. Proposed Tobacco Ordinance
Ernie Petersen and Mancel Mitchell presented to council a draft ordinance addressing tobacco use by
minors in St. Louis Park. Mayor Gail Dorfman first asked what Council was trying to accomplish
through this ordinance. Councilmember Sanger indicated that she felt it important to reduce access
and consumption of tobacco for minors in our community. Councilmember Latz echoed those views
and also stressed the importance of reducing the effects of second-hand smoke on minors.
Ernie Petersen stated that other suburban communities have recently passed similar ordinances.
Mancel Mitchell informed the Council that during the latest"sting"operation, 12 of the 15 locations
involved sold to minors. "Sting"operations are labor intensive for Police Department personnel and
he felt administrative penalties would be a more effective in deterrence.
Council discussed each section of the proposed ordinance and agreed that the ordinance should
provide for an increased license fee, stricter administrative penalties, should not restrict the age of
the seller, should address the need for cooperative education programs, and should eliminate self-
service access.
First reading of this ordinance will appear on a future Council agenda.
3. Rec Center Renaissance Budget Update
Cris Gears, PR Director and Bob DeGrote of the STS Companies discussed soil conditions at the
Recreation Center with Council. Excavation on the site has uncovered large amounts of municipal
waste which was used as fill material prior to the early 1970's. Soil borings conducted during the
planning stage did not identify the problem. Consequently,disposition of this waste has impacted
construction plans. Mr. Gears outlined our two alternatives which are to store the waste on site, or
to remove the waste to a separate land fill.
On site storage is the most economical alternative. The waste material is sufficiently decomposed
and no longer emitting methane gas which makes it feasible for on-site storage in the form of a hill
in the park area. The hill could be used as a sliding area in winter and would not significantly impact
design aesthetics. Removal of waste to another site would be prohibitively expensive. Waste
located under the proposed parking lot area which is not disturbed by construction can remain where
it is. This change in parking lot design represents a savings which may offset costs incurred as a
result of this unforeseen problem.
Changes in design of the entrance to the Rec Center were also outlined. The main entrance will be
relocated to Monterey Blvd on the east which makes it unnecessary to redesign the Beltline/W 36th
Street intersection. This will result in a cost savings of approximately $150,000.
Bob Ehlers (financial consultant for the project), Cris Gears and Mac McBride met earlier in the day
and told Council that a resolution authorizing release of bonds in the amount of$9.6 million would
be prepared and appear on the agenda of the September 16th City Council meeting.
Cris Gears also asked Council to think about the possibility of changing the name"Rec Center"to
something more descriptive of the spirit of the new facility.
4. Special Assessment Policies
In brief discussion, Council agreed that the Special Assessment Policy document drafted by Mark
Felton, Assistant Finance Director, should be placed on the next Council meeting agenda.
5. Livable Communities -Town Center Project
Tom Harmening and Janet Jeremiah presented a progress report to Council regarding the livable
communities/Town Center project. A grant was awarded last spring to initiate this project and City
staff has spent the summer educating the public. The Sun Sailor will soon be presenting an
informational article and a video-tape similar to that used for the Rec Center Renaissance project is
being produced.
Janet Jeremiah has been named Project Manager and will be responsible for keeping this project on
track. Duties in the Community Development department will shift with other staff absorbing some
of Janet's work and some contractual staff may be utilized as well.
Information on the up-coming charrette was also presented to Council and they were encouraged to
participate. Kick-off for the charrette will be October 20th and options for attendance during
daytime and evening hours will be available.
Janet also asked Council to begin thinking of a name identifying the project area. After discussion
Council agreed that the name could be addressed during the charrette process.
6. Commercial/Rec Vehicle Task Force
Council agreed that a Task Force to address this issue needs to be comprised of citizens who do not
feel too strongly either way and are capable of maintaining a serious working relationship with other
members of the group. The public will be informed through various communication methods of the
opportunity to serve on this Task Force and members will be chosen through an application and
selection process. A suggestion as made to look at this as two separate issues: Commercial and
Recreational, and that perhaps two ordinances should be created. The need for a balance in
geographic location of residents for the Task Force was also stressed.
Council agreed that more time was needed for preparation and education before choosing the Task
Force. Staff will begin working on setting up informational meetings and the application form itself.
Cin y Larsen, Recording Secretary layor