HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/11/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Item #4b
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ST. LouOFFICIAL MINUTES
PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
November 9, 1998
The meeting convened at 7:07 p m
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Chris Nelson, Ron Latz, Jeff Jacobs, Jim
Brimeyer and Mayor Gail Dorfman.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer),Director of Community Development (Mr
Harmening); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Anderson); Director of Public Works
(Mr. Rardin), Public Works Administrative Assistant(Mr Roth); Finance Director(Ms.
McBride); and City Clerk(Ms. Larsen)
1. Frauenshuh Redevelopment Proposal - SW Corner of Highway 7 and Louisiana
Ave South
Staff met with Council to provide an update on the agreement that had been reached between
Fauenshuh and Fairway Outdoor Advertising regarding relocation of existing billboard on the
proposed redevelopment site Staff had attempted to negotiate a sunset on the billboard with
no success
Mr. Harmening indicated that the City's policy on billboards is not clear He believed that if
the billboard on this site is allowed to be moved rather than dismantled there may be a
problems with other billboards in the future He asked Council to clarify their position
regarding billboard removal and amortization.
Mayor Dorfman felt there was a split on opinion regarding billboards in St Louis Park
Councilmember Nelson stated that he preferred"Option 1" as stated in the Council report,
which allowed for the move of the billboard to a location west of the current site, but he also
wanted a clear policy established for elimination of billboards in the future He felt this would
ensure that the City's comprehensive plan is followed without conflict. He mentioned an
Option 5 which he believed was this combined with making specific findings for this particular
site so that it fit in with the City's Comprehensive Plan and make some sense for this
particular site
Councilmember Brimeyer said that he would like to see billboards removed, but wants this
particular project to develop He felt moving the billboard was justified in this case to allow
the project to move forward
Councilmember Latz did not want to put St. Louis Park tax dollars into removal of billboards.
He also felt there were several conflicting ideas in the comprehensive plan regarding billboard
removal.
Mayor Dorfman indicated a reluctance to condemn the billboard because of potential cost of
litigation.
Councilmember Brimeyer asked what a reasonable time period to allow for amortization
would be.
Mr Harmening said they had offered a 30 year amortization on this particular billboard and
that the owner was not interested.
Councilmember Jacobs said that he wanted an ordinance change to allow for amortization.
Mr. Meyer said that amortization could be written into City policy, but we needed to keep in
mind responsible use of City tax dollars. Condemnation proceedings can be very costly. He
felt we could put together wording in the Comprehensive plan which would allow for
amortization and which also would allow flexibility in light of development concerns
Mr. Harmening stated that the School District and Hennepin County would be meeting very
soon to consider the abatement
2. Planning for the Hearing on the 1999 Budget and Tax Levy
Staff met with Council to advise them of the upcoming budget hearing and to solicit input on
the content of the staff presentation The city's hearing date has been set for Monday,
December 7th.
Mayor Dorfman asked that the presentation be targeted to the public rather than to Council.
Ms McBride said that the presentation will be less technical than what has been presented in
the past and will focus on the"typical" home and business owner The presentation will also
include specific program highlights which may be of interest to the public
Mayor Dorfman also asked that it be explained how redevelopment does not affect taxes.
Councilmember Brimeyer asked that capital projects for 1999 and 200 be highlighted
including how they are financed He asked that the principals of Tax Increment Financing be
included as an illustration of how the City is using foresight in planning capital projects.
3. Biodegradable Yardwaste Bag pilot Program
Mike Rardin and Mike Roth presented a summary of the results of this summer's
biodegradable yardwaste bag pilot program, described the current state of the program and
asked for direction regarding the next steps in the process.
Discussion took place regarding the cost of the bags and whether the City wanted to place the
cost of the bags on the public at this time.
Councilmember Nelson stated that he believed this was not about saving money, but rather it
was about being environmentally responsible. He had discovered that the bags are being
manufactured from new paper and he felt it would only be environmentally responsible to use
recycled paper for the bags
Mayor Dorfman raised questions about other potential methods for picking up leaves.
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Mr. Rardin said that it would be very ineffective for the city to do leaf pick up in terms of
staff and equipment costs and variables in weather patterns.
Councilmember Jacobs stated that he had problems with mandating the use of recyclable bags.
Mayor Dorfman and Councilmember Brimeyer agreed Councilmember Brimeyer went on to
say that if we were going to modify behavior of the public we needed to find a way to provide
incentives.
II Councilmember Nelson asked Council to consider using the city's own mixed office paper and
non-corrugated paper from the Recycle America plant to manufacture the bags.
Mr Rardin stated that there are many options for dealing with yard waste and offered to do
further research on methods used in other municipalities He felt that a large component of
any effort to change people's habits about dealing with yard waste should be a public
education campaign.
Mayor Dorfman stated that she wanted St Louis Park to be a leader of environmentally
conscious communities, but was not in favor of mandating the use of the biodegradable bags.
Councilmember Jacobs said that he would be in favor only if it was a gradual transition and
significant costs were not passed on to the public
Councilmember Latz was not in favor of mandating use of the bags
Councilmember Brimeyer did not want to mandate use right away and was in favor of phasing
in their use slowly while providing incentives to users
Councilmember Nelson was not in favor of mandating any program that uses more paper.
4. 1999 Equipment Replacement
Mike Rardin and Mike Roth presented a summary of the 1999 Equipment Replacement plan.
After a brief review, Councilmembers present endorsed the program and directed staff to
continue moving forward with the plan.
5. Communications
Councilmember Brimeyer urged Councilmembers to remain educated about activities and
membership of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board
Mayor Dorfman said that there may be a special election for a County Commissioner seat in
spring of 1999.
Mr Meyer showed council pictures of a development in Celebration, Florida and also shared
the status of remodeling of the City Council Chambers.
The meeting adjourned at 9.06 p m.
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