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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/08/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA August 18, 1997 1. Call to order Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 2. Presentations Mayor Dorfman introduced Doug Langefels and his staff who presented awards to members of the Junior Naturalist program. He thanked the members of the Naturalist's staff who oversee this program, and introduced Becky McConnell and Carrie Hughes who presented the certificates. Mayor Dorfman presented a plaque to retiring Firefighter Mike Caron and read a resolution, 97- 104, honoring his 28 years of service as a Firefighter, Fire Captain and Battalion Chief. 3. Roll call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: Jeff Jacobs, Beverly Flanagan, Sue Sanger, Ron Latz, Robert Young,Jim Brimeyer and Mayor Gail Dorfman. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer); Deputy City Manager(Ms. Kutzler); City Attorney (Mr. Scott); Director of Community Development (Mr. Hannening); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Anderson); Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin); Fire Chief (Mr. Gill); Personnel Officer(Mr. Wysopal); City Clerk(Ms. Larsen); Director of Inspections (Mr. Petersen). 4. Approval of minutes City Council meeting August 4: There being no additions/corrections, the minutes were approved as received. Emergency meeting June 25: There being no additions/corrections, the minutes were approved as received. Executive session of April 7: There being no additions/corrections, the minutes were approved as received. Study session June 23 and July 14: There being no additions/corrections, the minutes were approved as received. 5. Approval of agenda 125 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the agenda for August 18. The motion passed 7-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a. Sidewalk construction: East side of 2600 block of Quentin Ave., Project 97-21 Staff member Carlton Moore briefly spoke about the project, noting it was petitioned by the residents. A neighborhood meeting has been held with one resident out of nine property owners attending the meeting. He said five signators on the petition would be required for the project to go forward. The following residents addressed Council: Christi Benson, 4924 W. 27th St. (opposed); Wayne Benson, 4924 W. 27th St. (opposed); Bruce McLean, 2603 Quentin Ave. (opposed); Paulette Zoe, 2603 Quentin Ave. (opposed); Sandy Abramson, 2625 Quentin Ave. (in favor); Henry Berg, 2617 Quentin (opposed); Bryan Leary, 2620 Quentin(opposed); Albert Miller, 2631 Quentin(in favor); Robert Portnoe, 2637 Quentin Ave. (in favor); David Driver, 2650 Quentin. (in favor). There being no one further wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. Councilmember Sanger asked what was the total count in favor and opposed. City Assessor Mr. Stepnick said there are 4 signatures plus a verbal confirmation received this morning (Ms. Lieder). There was discussion on whether to proceed with the project contingent upon getting Ms. Lieder's signature rather than just verbal confirmation. Mr. Scott said that would be acceptable, but that her signature needed to be obtained showing her being in favor or opposed to the project. Approval could be given contingent upon that or Council could postpone the matter until the next meeting. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs to approve the project contingent upon staff receiving 5 confirmed signatures no later than August 25, 1997, and to adopt Resolution 97-105 entitled"Resolution ordering Improvement Project 97-21, approving plans and specifications and authorizing receipt of bids for construction of a five foot concrete sidewalk." The motion passed 7-0. 126 6b. Assessment hearing for Project 97-21 There being no one wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the hearing with the right of Council to thereafter reopen and continue it at a future date. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 97-106 entitled "Resolution adopting Assessment Improvement 97-21 Sidewalk construction in the 2600 block of Quentin Ave. " incorporating the same contingencies as discussed in item 6a. The motion passed 7-0. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS 7a. Variance appeal: 3745 Louisiana Ave. So. Sam's Club seeks variance to permit 535 parking stalls instead of required 572 stalls. Greg Frank, McCombs Frank Roos Assoc., spoke on behalf of the applicant. On closer examination of the proposed expansion of Sam's Club, he said ratios may very well be met or be met as close as 98%. In light of that, they were requesting the matter be tabled so that the new design can be presented to staff. If it is determined a variance is not required, they would withdraw their application. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Flanagan, to table this item. Councilmember Flanagan, referencing the apparent work required in this matter, asked if some mechanism were in place wherein their original variance fee could be refunded. Director of Inspections Mr. Peterson said that staff has done considerable review of 3 sets of floor plans, both before and after the actual application went to BOZA. Councilmember Brimeyer asked if at any time all available parking spaces were used. He always thought there were too many spaces when it was built. Mr. Frank said the manager had told him the full capacity of the parking lots had never been reached to his knowledge.. Actually, spill over parking from adjoining facilities is usually the case rather than Sam's customers parking in adjoining property owners' lots. The motion passed 7-0. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 127 8a. Holy Family Fall Festival application Resolution 97-109 It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the gambling license exemption; approve the temporary 3.2 beer license for September 5 and 6, 1997 and adopt Resolution 97-107 allowing for temporary parking restrictions. The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Request for lawful gambling license exemption TwinWest Foundation: Raffle on October 24, 1997 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger to approve the gambling license exemption for the Twin West Foundation raffle drawing. The motion passed 7-0. 8c. Lawful gambling ordinance amendment Ordinance 2098-97 Councilmember Sanger recalled one of the reasons for amending the ordinance was so that staff, rather than Council, could do the approval of the 30-day waiver requests. In Section 13-16.02(e), it only gives staff that permission if there is no regularly scheduled Council meeting prior to the date of the proposed event. Mr. Peterson said the 30-day requirement is a requirement of the State. The City must be notified at least 30 days prior to the event. In the event the City takes no action, it is automatically granted by the State. The City does not need to approve; there is a 30-day time period in which the Council may pass a resolution of denial. It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve second reading, adopt Ordinance 2098-97 entitled"An ordinance relating to lawful gambling, amending Sections 13-1602 through 13-1604", approve summary publication and authorize its publication. The motion passed 7-0. 8d. Traffic Study No. 527: Basketweave stop signs in Lenox Neighborhood Resolution 97-105 Mildred Johnson, 3121 Dakota Ave S. and Mark Savoie, 3148 Idaho, spoke to this item. Representing the neighborhood,they said virtually everyone present at the recent meeting supported the basketweave stop signs. 128 It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 97-108 entitled "Resolution authorizing installation of basketweave stop sign pattern in the Lenox Neighborhood, Traffic study 527. The motion passed 7-0. Councilmember Brimeyer was concerned that previous Council discussions on some sort of policy of getting rid of stop signs, not adding them, was not being followed in this instance where the proposal is-to add 3 --this made sense to him to meet the basketweave intention; however 2 4-way stops are being left in place. For the most part, this is for residents sense of security. . He felt retention of the 2 4-way stops is what should be looked at to determine if perhaps a false sense of security has been created. He would like to see that monitored over the next few years. Councilmember Latz said Paul Omot, 3201 Edgewood Ave., had faxed a letter to him in support of the basketweave proposal. 8e. Flex leave program for non-union/non-supervisory employees First reading of ordinance Councilmember Sanger said she would support this plan because it is apparent the employees want it. Philosophically, there is a problem with one portion, i.e. it has a differential plan for short-term disability benefits and cash out for sick leave benefits for non-supervisory as compared to the plan adopted for supervisory employees. She did not think this was good for long-range employer relations, and tends to promote a"we vs. they" mentality. She would hope this could be looked at again within the coming year. Councilmember Flanagan said she could not support passage without non-supervisory employees getting 100% of short-term disability. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to approve first reading and set second for September 2, 1997. The motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Flanagan opposed). 8f. MEPC - Preliminary Planned Unit Development, 1550 Utica Ave S. Resolution 97-106 Perry Thorvig, MEPC, described what is planned. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger,to adopt Resolution 97-109 entitled"A resolution approving a Preliminary Planned Unit Development under Section 14:6-7 of the St. Louis Park Ordinance Code relating to zoning for property zoned "0" Office located at 1550 Utica Ave So." 129 The motion passed 7-0. 8g. This Old Apartment Resolution 97-107 Remodeling of apartment buildings It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Flanagan,to adopt Resolution 97-110 entitled"Resolution approving special law as recorded in Minnesota Laws 1997,. Chapter 231, Article 2, Section 63." Councilmember Flanagan said a constituent had called her asked who would pick up the difference of the abatement if the taxes weren't paid for a period of 5 years. Mr. Harmening said this is a revenue neutral proposal. Basically, if a multifamily property owner makes improvements of a certain amount, its value won't increase for a given period of time. The motion passed 7-0. 8h. Comprehensive Plan revision process Resolution 97-108 It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Flanagan, to adopt Resolution 97-111 entitled"A resolution authorizing official commencement of the public process related to the Comprehensive Plan amendment and contract execution." The motion passed 7-0. 8I. Tax Increment Financing policy It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger,to adopt the Tax Increment Financing policy as amended by Commissioner Sanger at the EDA meeting. The motion passed 7-0. 8j. Establishment of solid waste organized collection system and designating the preferred service provider for contract execution Resolution 97-110 It was moved by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 97-112 entitled"A resolution establishing a residential solid waste organized collection system within the City of St. Louis Park designating service provider and authorizing contract, designating Waste Management'as the service provider subject to execution of an 130 acceptable contract and authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute a five-year contract II for services commencing October 1, 1997. The motion passed 6-1 with Councilmember Brimeyer opposed. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES 9a. Financial report July 1997 9b. Housing Authority minutes July 8, 1997 9c. Charter Commission minutes July 9, 1997 9d. Human Rights Commission minutes July 16, 1997 9e. Planning Commission minutes July 16, 1997 By consent, items 9a-9e were received for filing UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS lla. Bid tabulation: Alley paving: 2900 block of Natchez/Ottawa Ave.,Project 97-18 By consent, Council designated Ron Kassa Construction as lowest responsible bidder and authorized execution of a contract in the amount of$40,906. MISCELLANEOUS No business CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Verified claims By consent, Council approved claims and authorized payment 14. Communications I 131 Mayor Dorfman said she had attended the 98th birthday of Sophie Berg, the late Gloria Segal's mother. On behalf of the City Council she was proud to present Sophie with a proclamation and a key to the City. 15. Adjournment It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Flanagan to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m. which passed 7-0. I / Mayor Dorfman Re ording Secretary 132