HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/03/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session (2) CITY OF Minutes
ST. LOUIS City Council Study Session
PARK St. Louis Park, Minnesota
March 24, 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 Jim Brimeyer.
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); Housing Coordinator(Ms. Quarfot); Finance Director(Ms.
McBride) and City Clerk(Ms. Larsen).
1. Council Policy Issues - Report from the National League of Cities Conference
Sue Sanger presented a brief report about the NLC Conference she had attended in Washington D.C.
Subjects discussed were bond sales, funding of Section 8 housing programs on a federal level and
Council effectiveness.
2. Neighborhood Revitalization Commission -Define Purpose and Role
Members of the St. Louis Park Neighborhood Revitalization Commission met with Council to discuss
their role and the expectations Council has for the NRC. In addition to facilitating neighborhoods to
become more organized, the NRC proposed that they add a focus designed to raise the level of
communication between neighborhoods, between neighborhoods and the City and also to reach out to
neighborhoods to try to identify programs which could be put into place to facilitate neighborhoods,
such as leadership training, etc.
NRC members pointed out the importance of Council involvement in communication between
neighborhood groups. They suggested that bringing neighborhood groups together may encourage
them to form a stronger sense of community and purpose. Many groups have formed around issues
rather than a sense of community involvement. The NRC also hoped that they could begin to act not
just as organizers, but as liaisons between neighborhoods and the City.
Council agreed that the issue of neighborhood groups should be discussed in greater detail in the
future.
3. Update on Tax Increment Bond Sale
Community Development staff provided Council with an overview of the various aspects associated
with the tax increment bond sale recently authorized. Dave Anderson presented and reviewed a written
report to facilitate the discussion. Discussion points were as follows: tax increment districts in
question, revenues generated by the districts, past and present actions to preserve funds, structure of the
bond issue, activities supported by the bond issue, the bond repayment plan and the 1997 TI bond issue
flowchart.
This bond issue will be brought to Council at the April 7th meeting.
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4. St. Louis Park Housing Programs
Yvette Quarfot and Tom Harmening updated Council on the variety of housing programs available in
the City. Included in materials presented was a matrix which illustrated housing needs which the
current and proposed programs address.
Council and staff focused on the HOME RENEWAL program and how that program fits into the
overall context of housing programs provided. Questions raised by Council included the feasibility of
the program in light of market conditions; the effect older, surrounding homes would have on a new
construction home; and whether homes targeted for demolition would be suitable for rehabilitation
instead.
Council also discussed whether the Housing Authority would be the logical entity to administer the
HOME RENEWAL program: Staff suggested transferring CDBG funds to the Housing Authority in
order to initiate the program.
Council asked that staff further develop the ENHANCE YOUR HOME rehabilitation program and
also asked that staff present additional financing options for both programs at the meeting of April 7th.
5. Town Center East
Staff updated Council on the progress of the Town Center East Study and briefly explained three
alternate concepts under consideration. Each concept focused on a different aspect of the park and
were the product of input by community members, the Town Center East Task Force, Close Landscape
Architecture, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and Staff. After reviewing all the plans
Council indicated their preferred plan to be the Bridge concept.
Staff also requested Council direction regarding the proposed"town green"connection to Excelsior
Boulevard. This has been a relatively controversial aspect of the plan, but is also considered to be an
integral and desirable concept. This concept came directly out of the charrette process and
accomplishes many of the goals for the overall project. The proposed location provides for a
continuous street/sidewalk connection between the park, neighborhoods to the South and Excelsior
Boulevard. Council gave clear direction that the greenway is a necessary and integral part of the plan.
YetAlt
Recording Secretary Mayor
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