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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/01/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF ST. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION January 25, 1998 ,The meeting convened at 6:08 p m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, Chris Nelson, Sue Sanger, Ron Latz, Robert Young, and Mayor Gail Dorfman. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer); Deputy City Manager(Clint Pires); Director of Community Development(Mr. Harmening); Planning Manager (Ms. Jeremiah); Planning Associate (Ms. Peterson); Planning Coordinator (Ms. Erickson); Housing Coordinator(Ms. Brownstein); Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman); Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin); and Fire Chief(Mr. Gill). 1. Park Commons Meeting Greg Esterman of Avalon Bay Communities and Richard Heapes of Cooper Carry were present. Richard Heapes provided a background presentation to explain the types of projects his firm has designed or researched which have influenced his recommendations and gave a slide presentation of the Preliminary Master Plan for the Park Commons Phase One area. The Council raised several issues related to the plan which included renaming 38th Street, traffic circulation, pedestrian access, placement of stoplight on Excelsior Boulevard, density and proposed use of office space. The Council was concerned about adequate access to both local and metro transit. Ms. Jeremiah explained the reason for the narrowing of Town Green. Mayor Dorfman asked if there was any concern about scale as compared to the south side of Excelsior Boulevard. Ms. Jeremiah, Planning Manager stated that redevelopment of that area under the current zoning limits was three stories, so this plan would be consistent. She indicated that higher density was possible but construction costs were an issue. Ms. Sanger desired to see the plan include capacity for bicycle traffic and access The Council also discussed safety and crime prevention and desired to see an active park edge that created a lighting facade which preserved a public edge to park and the plans design for use of space for public events by closing off streets and spilling over into the park. The Council raised the issue of how much control did the City have who would be anchor and regular tenants Ms. Jeremiah stated that the City can specify some things such as maximum sizes, but can't designate specific use. Mr. Heapes indicated the importance of creating convertible space which allowed for flexibility. He stated that architectural design standards of high level of quality would set the tone and help in the process. Mayor Dorfman stated that the goal was to create a special place that was high quality, but not too upscale for the community. The Council believed that a range of architectural design was important and discussed provisions for public art in the plan. Ms. Jeremiah noted that amphitheater was off center which was actually more advantageous than the original design for circulation of pedestrians. Ms. Jeremiah explained that the next steps in the process would include completing housing applications and determining phasing, development and financing schedules. Mr. Esterman briefly commented on the greater phasing capability of this new plan. Councilmember Sanger was interested in discussing the assisted housing component of Park Commons Phase I in more detail as suggested in staff report. Mayor Dorfman recommended updating the community on the plans. The Council agreed that public notifications and open houses be planned to educate community on progress and phasing of the development. 2. Updating St. Louis Park History Councilmember Nelson provided some existing historical resources for the Council to review. He suggested obtaining a writer to update materials to assist the Historical Society efforts to update and collect materials. The Council discussed different ways to preserve the history of St. Louis Park and asked Councilmember Nelson to direct the Historical Society to develop a framework and plan to update St. Louis Park History. 3. Y2K-LMCIT Insurance & Planning Process Clint Pires, Deputy City Manager presented a Y2K video and updated the Council on the current City Y2K efforts as outlined in the staff report. The City Manager designated Clint Pires, Deputy City Manager, as the City's Y2K Coordinator. At the outset, staff made a decision to address Y2K issues based on steps included in A Year 2000 Action Guide, produced by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Councilmember Sanger asked about developing warranties. Mr. Meyer, City Manager stated that the City will not provide warranties, but will answer with disclosures Councilmember Nelson asked if it was possible to set an date to simulate the Y2K phenomenon. Mr. Pires stated that this was a possibility and Bob Gill, Fire Chief indicated that the County would have a role in this. Mr. Meyer, City Manager briefly commented on FEMA funds being set aside in the uninsured loss fund as a special reserve for the purpose of covering Y2K liabilities that are not covered by insurance or unanticipated by budget. Councilmember Young questioned whether or not there was common knowledge available regarding the areas that have been determined Y2K susceptible and have already been fixed. Mr Pires indicated that these Y2K-related items would be discussed at upcoming meeting with the County Mike Rardin, Public Works Director explained the current knowledge available related to the City's traffic signals. The Council discussed the affect of the Y2K phenomenon on outside businesses and the possible affect of these other systems failing and the City's ability to respond with a contingency plan. The Council requested that staff bring back to the Council a general policy recommendation that addressed Y2K readiness which includes insurance coverage and a disclosure statement and works within the parameters of the program produced by the League of Minnesota Cities. 4. Housing Rehab Programs Ms. Brownstein, Housing Coordinator presented a staff report that outlined four specific strategies proposed for the expansion of single family rehabilitation programs that supports the City's strong policies for preserving and strengthening the City's housing stock outlined in Vision St Louis Park and the Economic Development Strategic Plan for Housing and Business The Council discussed the impact of the strategies on loan volume and a plan for advertising Staff will determine which strategies could be shared at upcoming Home Remodeling Fair Ms. Brownstein explained some proposed changes in administration and recommended that the Council consider that the Housing Authority Board oversee the administration of the City's rehabilitation programs and indicated that the Board was interested in pursuing this expansion opportunity. The Council discussed the implication of this change on chain of command and recommended that this proposed shift be monitored for a specific amount of time and then be evaluated Mr. Harmening explained the possibility of using a Housing Improvement District as a tool to make capital improvements to communities and then those funds be paid back by a special property tax and noted that this Statute required that the property owners request the use of this tool. 5. Housing Authority Reorganization Mr. Harmening, Community Development Director updated the Council on proposed organizational changes in the Community Development Department relating to the structure of the Housing Authority and overall housing functions undertaken by the City. The Council discussed the cost implications of the changes and felt comfortable with the proposed direction. 6. Comprehensive Plan - Proposed Land Use Change Mr. Harmening, Community Development Director explained that there were a dozen property areas that staff was suggesting for possible changes in land use in the Comprehensive Plan as designated on the colored handouts. He indicated that Staff's goal was to have draft of the Comprehensive Plan ready by March for the required formal public review and comment period. Ms. Erickson, Planning Coordinator presented staff report and requested Council input about each area of the proposed subject areas for reguiding. Subject Area#1 - The Council was not in favor of this change due to traffic issue. Subject Area #2 - The Council was in favor of this change. Subject Area#3 - The Council was concerned about impact of shifting density on the neighborhood, existing office space, and traffic. The Council was not comfortable with the Comprehensive Plan changes to this subject area and recommended further discussion on the issues of concern. Subject Area#4 -The Council was concerned about need for a traffic signal and neighborhood park land and desired to explore other areas for future development of NSP sub-station Subject Area#5- The Council was in favor of this change. Subject Area#6- The Council was in favor of this change and recommended input from neighborhood. Subject Area#7- The Council agreed that the land north of Minnetonka Blvd and east of Texas (vacant parking lot) be reguided for medium density as recommended by staff and the remaining property use changes of Subject Area#7 be reviewed and studied. Subject Area#8- The Council was in favor of this change. Subject Area#9- The Council was in favor of this change. Subject Area#10- The Council discussed the height restrictions of the area and was in favor of this change. Subject Area#11- The Council was in favor of this change. 7. Sex Offender Community Notification The Council discussed the meeting regarding the Level 3 sex offender notification on Wednesday, January 20th and the response of residents The Council discussed whether or not to broadcast the meeting on cable. Councilmember Nelson's concern about broadcasting the meeting on cable was that the material would be offensive since there is no control of who will watch it. Councilmember Sanger recommended adding a public service announcement before or after the broadcast to set the context of the topic. The Council agreed to air the meeting in its entirety to further educate the community. 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p m • e/o...-i---t--- Cit Clerk fi