HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/02/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF MINUTES
ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
February 2, 1998
1. Call to Order
Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 7.30 p m
2. Presentations -None
3. Roll Call
The following Councilmembers were present' Jeff Jacobs, Chris Nelson, Sue Sanger, Robert
Young, Jim Brimeyer; and Mayor Gail Dorfman.
Also present were the Executive Director(Mr. Meyer);Deputy City Manager(Ms. Kutzler);
City Attorney(Mr. Scott);Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin); City Engineer(Mr. Moore);
City Planner(Mr. Thorvig); and City Clerk(Ms. Larsen).
4. Approval of Minutes
City Council meeting of January 20, 1998. with corrections noted below, the minutes were
approved as presented. Add to Councilmember Nelson's comments regarding the proposed
recreational vehicle ordinance: Councilmember Nelson said there was a possible need for
looking at Bloomington's approach as to number of vehicles, recognizing a need for ease of
inspection and perhaps making the number of registered vehicles being an affirmative defense.
He had a concern about the approach of size rather than the definition of size and believes this
needed to be looked at in light of resident yards with no access to the backyard. He asked if
the City Attorney could look at whether the magic box is needed or if the ordinance would be
too vague without it.
Item 8b - Change to: adopt resolution appointing Jeff Jacobs as Mayor Pro-tem.
Study Session meeting of November 24, 1997: with corrections noted below, the minutes
were approved as presented. Change Councilmember Young's comments on Page 3 to: He -
noted that loss of property tax revenues and city maintenance costs be included in the cost of
acquisition.
5. Approval of Agendas
Councilmember Brimeyer asked that Item 11a be removed from consent agenda and added to
the agenda for discussion. It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by
Councilmember Sanger, to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed 6-0.
It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve
the agenda with the addition of Item 11a The motion passed 6-0.
c. Resolutions and Ordinances
By consent, Council waived reading of resolutions and ordinances.
6. Public Hearing
a. Taxi Cab Company License Hearing
Mark Shields, General Manager of Rainbow Taxi Company was present and briefly
commented on the company's operations.
Mayor Dorfman closed the public hearing with the right of the Council to reopen it at a future
date.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the
License. The motion passed 6-0.
7. Petitions. Requests. Communications -None
8. Resolutions and Ordinances
a. Case Number 95-51-PUD
Resolution #98-23
Doug Kennedy of Franchise Associates was present to answer questions.
Perry Thorvig, Planner briefly reviewed amendment and stated that the Planning Commission
recommends approval.
Councilmember Sanger asked for clarification of size of additional signs in comparison to
Office Max. Perry Thorvig stated that proposed signs are larger.
Councilmember Young had concerns of placing an additional sign on the North wall and if
signs were allowed for each specific menu item a proliferation of signs that are not necessary
may occur. He believed approval would set a bad precedent and the proposed signs should be
reduced to what was originally authorized or rejected until a more reasonable request was
established.
Doug Kennedy of Franchise Associates stated that the store has not met sales expectations
and believed that since no pile on exists, the present signage is inadequate. He stated that T J
Cinnamon is a separate entity which required a license and felt a separate sign was required to
ensure success. He believed his request was reasonable and in line with what had been
approved in the past and expressed disappointment if not approved by Council.
Councilmember Sanger asked if placement of a sign on the north wall was a duplication of
the purpose of the east side sign.
Doug Kennedy reemphasized findings of staff report and visibility problem of the east wall
sign confirming need for both signs.
Councilmember Jacobs was supportive of the applicant's intentions and believed that the
Council should continue to examine each additional request. He expressed his concern that
the businesses may fail and vacancies result, and would rather they remain economically
viable.
Councilmember Nelson asked what would happen to future uses if PUD was amended.
Perry Thorvig, Planner stated that approval is specific and as new businesses are established
reapplication would be required.
Councilmember Sanger raised the question of what could be done to decrease the number of
additional requests from businesses and keep everyone in the original established limits of the
PUD.
Perry Thorvig suggested the possibility of reviewing the original allocations in the sign
package. He stated that the PUD may be handicapped by the passage of time and the arrival of
new tenants.
Councilmember Brimeyer concurred with Councilmember Jacobs. He confirmed that
originally every use had a signage allocated to it and believed that eventually if approval of
amendments to the Planned Unit Development continued a sign pollution problem occur.
Mayor Dorfman stated that the Council would like to see businesses located in our community
be economically successful.
It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to adopt a
resolution approving the major amendment to the Planned Unit Development. The motion
passed 5-1. Councilmember Young opposed.
b. City Engineer's Report: Ford Road/Shelard Parkway/Ford Lane roadway, traffic
signal, and watermain improvements-Project Nos. 85-32 (roadway), 97-28 (signal),
and 97-05 (watermain).
Resolution #98-24
Carlton Moore, Superintendent of Engineering gave a brief report update and noted a change
to use general obligation bond revenue for the City's largest portion of the projects cost.
Mayor Dorfman asked if the status of past delays due to the inability to obtain the necessary
right of way and easements had changed.
Mr. Moore stated that the commercial land has been sold and new property owners appear to
be cooperative and open to negotiation.
Councilmember Sanger moved to modify the resolution to make approval contingent also on
the City of Plymouth approving their share of the cost of the project and questioned whether
or not this area needed to be placed in a traffic demand management area.
Mr. Moore was not aware of any traffic demand zoning over the area, but stated that current
property owners may have plans for an additional office tower in the future
Councilmember Brimeyer suggested that a traffic demand management concept be developed
for the area without delay.
It was moved by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt the
resolution accepting this report, establishing improvement Project Nos. 85-32, 97-28 and 97-
05 and directing staff to sponsor an informational meeting for area property owners and
businesses and setting a public hearing and assessment hearing date of March 2, 1998. The
motion passed 6-0.
c. Authorization to advertise and receive bids for contract sealcoating of streets
during 1998.
Resolution #98-25
Councilmember Jacobs requested explanation of map showing the 1998 sealcoating areas.
Mr. Rardin, Public Works reviewed the map.
Mayor Dorfman asked staff what the cost difference would be between contract sealcoating
for 1998 and in house sealcoating done in 1997.
Mr. Rardin stated that there would be no significant cost difference.
Councilmember Sanger raised a concern over who was responsible for sidewalk repair.
Mr. Rardin stated this request did not include sidewalk repair, which will be brought to study
session.
Councilmember Nelson and Councilmember Jacobs concurred that since the City of St. Louis
Park had repaired all sidewalks in the past, a change in the future would raise the issue of
fairness.
Councilmember Young commended staff for making the recommendation. He stated that this
is the first step in establishing opportunities for outsourcing as advised in consultant report to
the Council Commission last year.
It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Young, to adopt the
resolution authorizing the advertising and bidding of contract sealcoating for 1998. The
motion passed 6-0.
d. City Engineer's report: Excelsior Boulevard Streetscape from France Avenue to
Monterey Drive- Project No. 96-22
Resolution #98-26
Steve Gatlin, Project Manager from Howard R. Green Company reviewed final plans and
provided brief overview of development strategy.
Councilmember Sanger asked for clarification of location of safe bicycle travel in design.
Steve Gatlin explained that because of constraints placed on the project in terms of design
111 widths, county minimum guidelines for an on road bicycle lane in each direction could not be
accommodated. A wide traffic lane may be utilized by bicycles.
Councilmember Sanger stated she felt it was unsafe for bicycles to travel in the outside traffic
lane. She believed that the final design had a major flaw, since originally it was clear that
bicycle access to the new Park Commons area was needed.
Steve Gatlin explained that is order to accommodate bicycles, an additional 8-12 feet would
have had to be acquired and this was difficult given the existing confines of the abutting
businesses and properties
Councilmember Brimeyer asked a question regarding who would be responsible for
maintaining parking lane. He concurred with Councilmember Sanger, but believed design
would provide desired improvements.
Mr. Rardin stated that according to the County, the City of St. Louis Park would be required
to maintain parking lane.
Councilmember Nelson expressed his support of the project. He suggested that action
continue on the streetscape project for the area west of Highway 100 and questioned the
desired location of the entrance monument.
A discussion ensued over the implications of placing the entrance monument on the North.or
South location. Charlie Meyer, City Manager agreed with the idea to place the entrance
monument aspect in the design as an alternate deduct, but believed consideration be given to
whether or not the monument be placed now and be visible.
Councilmember Nelson concurred with the consultant to pull out the placement of the
entrance monument aspect of the project until additional information is available.
It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to adopt the
resolution establishing Project No. 96-22, ordering Project No. 96-22, approving plans and
specifications (with an alternate deduct for the entrance monument sign), authorizing receipt
of bids and approving a draft cooperative agreement with Hennepin County for improvements
on Excelsior Boulevard. The motion passed 5-1. Councilmember Sanger opposed.
e. City Engineer's Report: Street mill and overlay and random curb and gutter
repair on W 35th Street from Raleigh Avenue to Trunk Highway 100
Project 97-01
Resolution #98-27
By consent, Council adopted the resolution accepting this report, establishing improvement
Project No. 97-01, directing staff to sponsor an informational meeting with abutting property
owners and setting a public hearing and assessment hearing date of March 2, 1998.
f. City Engineer's Report: Street mill and overlay and random curb and gutter
repair on West 23rd Street, Stephens Drive and Utica Avenue- Project No. 97-03
Resolution #98-28
By consent, Council adopted the resolution accepting this report, establishing improvement
Project No. 97-03, directing staff to sponsor an informational meeting with abutting property
owners and setting a public hearing and assessment hearing date of March 2, 1998
g. Authorization to advertise and receive bids for bituminous patching materials
for 1998.
Resolution #98-29
By consent, Council adopted the resolution allowing for the advertisement and receipt of bids
for bituminous patching materials for the year 1998.
h. Gambling Premise Renewal Application
Resolutions #98-30 and #98-31
By consent, Council approved the resolutions
i. Community Roadside Landscaping Partnership
Resolution #98-32
By consent, Council adopted resolution authorizing funding application.
j. Advancement of Funds from the Municipal State Aid Account
Resolution #98-33
By consent, Council adopted the attached resolution requesting the Minnesota Department of
Transportation (Mn/DOT)to advance funds in the amount of$700,000 to repay MSA
approved construction costs.
k. Curbside Recycling Grant Application
Resolution #98-34
By consent, Council adopted the resolution authorizing application for a Hennepin County
grant to fund the City's curbside recycling program.
9. Reports from Officers. Boards. Committees
a. Planning Commission minutes of December 17, 1997
By consent, Council accepted report for filing.
b. Board of Zoning Appeals minutes of October 23, 1997
By consent, Council accepted report for filing.
c. Housing Authority minutes of December 16, 1997
By consent, Council accepted report for filing.
d. Neighborhood Revitalization minutes of December 10, 1997
11 By consent, Council, accepted report for filing
10. Unfinished Business -None
11. New Business
a. Consultant retention to address engineering design/options for stormwater flooding
problems.
Councilmember Brimeyer raised several questions related to evaluating and prioritizing the
problem flooding areas based upon recurrence He recommended further cost benefit analysis
Mr. Rardin, Public Works stated that the first analysis identified the problems only and since
staff was unable to provide options to solve stormwater flooding problems, expertise of
consultants was recommended. He stated he would meet with consultants to divide original
22 problem areas into several groups based upon frequency of flooding.
Councilmember Nelson concurred with Councilmember Brimeyer and stated his belief that a
recurrence doesn't have to affect the structure itself.
Mr. Meyer, City Manager explained the difficulty of evaluating the cost/benefit aspect of the
equation in each case.
Councilmember Sanger believed that the scope of the problem in each area needs to be
evaluated and then prioritized to minimize flooding. She questioned the reliability or statistics
and then noted a requirement of homeowners to disclose information about any flooding at
the time of sale.
Councilmember Jacobs was in favor of the consultant and staff meeting to establish priority
list and first address the issues that really need to be dealt with.
Councilmember Brimeyer stated that after consultants and staff have evaluated and prioritized
problems, Council can cautiously manage the problems by making solution decisions based on
cost/benefit ration.
It was moved by Councilmember Brimeyer, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs to authorize
Mayor and City Manager to execute a contract with WSB & Associates, Inc. (WSB)for
services associated with the development of engineering design/options for flooding problems
throughout the City. The motion passed 5-1. Councilmember Sanger opposed.
12. Miscellaneous
111 13. Claims. Appropriations. Contract Payments
a. Verified claims
By consent, Council approved claims and authorized payment.
b. Contract payments
Resolutions #98-35, 98-36, 98-37
Rec Center Renaissance Contract FINAL Payments:
Contractor Project No. Contract No. Amount
Anderson Iron Works, Inc. C6.1 4099 $ 4,225.30
George F. Cook Construction C7 4104 $ 5,745.45
Brent Anderson Associates C8 4106 $ 16,660.75
By consent, Council adopted resolutions
Rec Center Renaissance Contract PARTIAL Payments:
Contractor Project No. Contract No. Amount
North Metro Landscaping, Inc. C3 4149 $8,842.95
Empirehouse, Inc. C11 4119 $ 7,300.71
Gorham-Oien Mechanical C27&C29 4110 $ 7,870.75
By consent, Council approved and authorized payments
14. Communications-None
15. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Dorfman, seconded by Councilmember
Jacobs. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The motion passed 6-0.
/
Mayor Gail Dorfman
Recording Secretary