HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/01/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF Minutes
iiST. LOUIS City Council Study Session
PARK St. Louis Park, Minnesota
January 27, 1997
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Mayor Gail Dorfman and Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, Beverly
Flanagan, Ron Latz, Robert Young and Sue Sanger.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer); Deputy City Manager(Ms. Kutzler); Director of
`Community Development(Mr. Harmening); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr.
Anderson); Parks and Recreation Director(Mr. Gears); Chief of Police (Chief Mitchell); City
Clerk (Ms. Larsen); Planning Coordinators (Ms. Erickson and Ms. Jeremiah); Public Works
Director(Mr. Rardin)and City Engineer(Mr. Moore).
1. Council Policy Issues
Volunteer Program - Councilmember Young shared information he had received at the NLC
Conference in San Antonio about a model volunteer program being run by the City of Loveland,
Colorado. They have achieved great success with this program and have created a guidebook for
setting up a successful program. They put a great deal of effort into the program which runs on a
budget of$50,000 annually. Their"keys to a successful program"are good assignments, good
follow-through and many thanks to their volunteers.
Carver Model- Councilmember Young attended a presentation by John Carver at the
conference and felt that Council should seriously consider adopting the Carver Model as a
method for decision making in the future. Staff will be exploring options for training and
indicated that Mr. Carver's book and tapes are available should any Councilmember wish to
review the materials.
2. Deer Management
In response to complaints received from the Lake Forest neighborhood, Council considered
options for dealing with the apparent overpopulation of deer in the area. Mr. Gears and Chief
Mitchell outlined choices Council could make in response to the situation. There are still many
questions about methodology for dispatching the deer. Removal of deer in a residential area is
more difficult than the Westwood Hills Nature Area where deer have been removed previously.
Chief Mitchell expressed concerns about safety with rifle shooting. Mr. Gears suggested that
Council lift the moratorium banning deer removal in residential areas.
Also discussed were issues regarding when deer would or could be removed, amount of
neighborhood input and notification,who would pay for operation -the City or residents and the
need for education for residents experiencing problems with their landscape vegetation.
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3. Town Center Update
Janet Jeremiah, Judie Erickson and Tom Hannening briefed Council on a number of issues
relating to the redevelopment of the Town Center area. Comments received during the charrette
process have all been incorporated into the design plans. Some concerns have been expressed
regarding relocation of businesses, roadway locations, pedestrian crossings, and height of
buildings. Many requests for applications to serve on the Task Force have been sent received.
Staff is recommending the appointment of 16 members balanced by business or residential.
Council requested that at least one member be a youth member and suggested that social service
providers be contacted to determine if they would like to be represented on the Task Force. A
series of open houses and informational meetings have been scheduled in a continuing effort to
keep the public informed.
Transit Study - RFQ's for a transit study are being prepared and will be sent out shortly.
MCTO will assist with the scope of work. The study will look at all aspects of a transit system
including; need, demand,existing resources, best systems, cost, etc.
Market Feasibility - RFQ's will be sent out to firms nationwide in order to get the best possible
response. This market study will determine trends and successes from other areas of the country.
Regulating Plan -Judie Erickson presented examples of a matrix which will be published for
developers. This matrix will include text and illustrations with examples of materials,
dimensions for buildings and roadways, parking requirements, etc. that will be standardized for
development in the district. This publication will provide for continuity and quality control,
though not all buildings are expected or desired to look the same.
Financing Issues - Mr. Anderson asked Council for direction in developing a framework for the
financing plan and suggested that Council engage in discussions regarding the ratio of private to
public funds used for the redevelopment,TIF policies, infrastructure and GAP financing. The
financing plan will include investment categories for infrastructure,project and site fmancing
and will include a public source and use statement.
Using the guidelines in the plan, property owners will negotiate acquisition with the City. This
approach has, to date,been passive. Council was questioned as to their support for the use of
other tools (i.e., condemnation) if negotiations failed to produce desired results. Mr. Harmening
assured Council that due diligence would be done in the form of appraisals, meetings with
owners, etc., but that they should be aware that all buy outs necessary for completion of the
redevelopment may not go smoothly.
Concept Plan - The concept plan will be sent to Planning Commission for approval and
following that will be presented to Council for adoption at a regular City Council meeting. The
concept plan will by no means be intended as a final product, but rather,should be viewed as a
base from which further design modifications can be made as direct public input is incorporated
throughout the district's redevelopment.
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4. Potential TIF Legislation
Mr. Meyer informed Council of potential legislation to be introduced which could affect the
City's use of TIF funds and our ability to complete future redevelopment as well as projects
already underway. There was some question as to whether a retroactive effective date for the
bill would affect existing contracts or whether they would be constitutionally protected.,Council
will be kept informed of future developments as staff becomes aware of them.
5. Draft Subdivision Ordinance
Based on feedback received from Council and the Planning Commission, changes have been
made to the draft Subdivision Ordinance specifically in the areas of process, variances, park
dedication and lot combinations. Ms. Sanger indicated that she felt more work needed to be done
to address smaller subdivisions. Mr. Jacobs felt that subdivision of single lots should not be the
business of Council, but should be addressed in the Zoning ordinance.
6. Due to time constraints, discussion regarding the Use of Public Land was postponed
to a later meeting
7. OSM Contract Payment-Change Order
_ , Mr. Moore discussed this specific contract and the effects of NSP delays and concessions made
by C.S. McCrossen. Council asked questions regarding typical construction costs and the
relationship between time and money in a construction project. Ms. Sanger asked if there was a
way to build into a contract incentives to encourage contractors to do the job within the time
frame and estimated costs. A change order to the OSM contract will be presented to Council at
the next regular meeting.
6. Snow Removal-Emergency Ordinance
Council was asked for their preliminary approval of an emergency ordinance allowing the City
Manager to make decisions regarding parking restrictions to facilitate snow removal in the City.
This ordinance would only be enacted should a snow emergency occur. With the great amount
of snow already piled up throughout the City, should another big storm hit it would be difficult
for emergency crews to get through some streets. After a brief discussion, Council directed staff
to bring the emergency ordinance to the next regular Council meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 10:50
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�, . / 4 --D1:55Cynthia D. Larsen, City ClerkGail Dorfman,Mayor
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