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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/01/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF MINUTES 11 ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA January 4, 1999 1. Call to Order Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 7.45 p.m. 2. Presentations -Years of Service- Steve Nelson,Housing Authority Mayor Dorfman announced presentation, but Steve Nelson was not present to accept certificate. 3. Roll Call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: Jeff Jacobs, Chris Nelson, Sue Sanger, Ron Latz, Robert Young, Jim Brimeyer, and Mayor Dorfman. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer); City Attorney(Mr. Scott); Finance Director (Ms. McBride); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Anderson);Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening), Superintendent of Engineering (Mr. Moore), and Staff(Greg Ingraham). 4. Approval of Minutes .11 4a. City Council Meeting of December 21, 1998 The minutes were approved as presented. 4b. Study Session Meeting of December 14, 1998 The minutes were approved as presented 5. Approval of Agendas a. Consent Agenda It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Nelson, to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed 7-0. b. Agenda It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the agenda with changes outlined by City Manager The motion passed 7-0. c. Resolutions and Ordinances By consent, Council waived reading of resolutions and ordinances. 6. Public Hearings 1 6a. Comprehensive Plan Amendment- Trail Designation Portion of Hutchinson Spur south of 36th. Case No. 98-39-CP Mr. Harmening, Director of Community Development presented a staff report and stated that the Planning Commission and staff recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution amending the Comprehensive Plan to move a trail designation from a portion of the former Hutchinson Spur property south of 36th Street onto adjacent Phillips Parkway right-of-way subject to the conditions outlined in staff report. Michael Klein, Chief Operating Officer of Sholom Community Alliance gave a background of the community and the residents that were served He stated that he appreciated the work of Planning Commission changes to original plan. He was concerned for the safety of the residents using a multi-purpose trail and suggested running the bike path around the back of their property. He believed at a minimum a physical barrier was needed to separate the walking path from the bicycle path to ensure safety. Mayor Dorfman asked staff to comment on existing trails that merge multiple uses. Mr. Ingraham stated the trail width allowed enough room to maneuver mixed uses and was a relatively safe situation, but understood senior residents concerns Herbert Schechter, 8621 W. 29th Street, Board Member of Sholom Alliance, was concerned for the residents in the community who intensively use the sidewalks for transportation and recreation. He stated that Sholom Alliance has no objection to the proposed development, but 111 was concerned about how to complete the development without causing trouble for residents, or creating liability and risk. He didn't believe constructing a sidewalk on the West side was a solution because of the curb cuts and funding for snow removal. The community desires to continue to work to find a solution that is harmonious and is right for the future Mayor Dorfman closed the Public Hearing with the right of the Council to reopen it at a future date Councilmember Latz asked staff to comment on the issues raised and the feasibility of moving the trail further on setback of property Mr Harmening, Director of Community Development explained the background of the realignment of the trail and the need to complete construction to utilize ISTEA funding He stated that taking a step back to realign the trail it would take extensive rework, resubmittal to MNDOT for approval, and cost issues. He indicated that a trail setback may require obtaining an easement from land owner and be an additional cost to City. Greg Ingraham stated that it would be feasible to move trail inside the property presuming that easements could be acquired, but was unsure if it would modify the perceived hazard for multiple use of the trail Councilmember Latz asked to clarify how having a trail east of the sidewalk would fail to properly separate the uses and increase the safety Mr. Ingraham stated that there would be a differentiation between trail and sidewalk. Councilmember Latz asked if was possible to add footage to trail and separate the two segments of the trail with a stripe and signed for this particular area. Mr. Ingrahm didn't know if this would meet the Federal and State standards. Councilmember Latz desired to get an answer to his question before making a decision on this issue. Mr Meyer asked staff if there would be a problem with approving this amendment and working on solution recommended by Mr Latz. Mr. Moore, Superintendent of Engineering stated that funding requires a minimum of a 10 foot wide trail and a 2 feet clear zone on both sides and didn't know what the impact of this would be on the developer's property. Councilmember Sanger questioned whether requiring more easements jeopardized the continued viability of getting ISTEA funding and asked staff if developer could use trail for servicing radio tower Mr. Harmening stated that as part of the negotiations, the City agreed allowed the developer access over a portion of the trail on his property to service the facilities. Mr. Moore stated that the ISTEA funding had to be committed under contract by the end of 1999 and would only be delayed if there was difficulty in obtaining the additional easements and additional surveying and redesign work would be a challenge Councilmember Young asked if the trail could run behind to the east of the developer's property. Mr Harmening stated that that was the original proposal, but the cost of developing retaining walls on the east side of the property due to grade changes was extensive. Councilmember Nelson indicated that the safety concern of the residents in the community was not available at that time He questioned what was the best design for the trail Councilmember Brimeyer did not believe a bike trail around the Sholom Alliance Community was the best design for the trail and believed the bikers would still use Phillips Parkway as a short cut. He believed that the City, Sholom Community Alliance and the developer work together to evaluate the 100 feet space to best address everyone's concerns and come to a win-win-win solution He asked staff if this was feasible Mr Ingraham stated that this could be accommodated from an engineering and grading standpoint, but some zoning requirements that would need a variance. Councilmember Sanger was not in favor of a bike trail around Sholom Alliance Community. She asked how a sidewalk on the East side with curb cuts would be any more dangerous than the one proposed by Planning Commission Mr. Herbert Schechter stated that Phillips Parkway was used extensively for emergency vehicles. He was in favor of the idea of the evaluating placing the trail on the east side, but believed more design work needed to be done Councilmember Sanger suggested that another sidewalk for recreational use be constructed on the Sholom property Mayor Dorfman stated that she had heard that residents do not enjoy walking around and a direct route to area businesses would be desirable. Council compared the number of driveways across the existing sidewalk and the other sidewalk alternatives suggested to determine safety for residents. Mayor Dorfman stated that although she recognized that there are some specific differences in this area, raising this safety issue for this portion of the trail only may send the message that this area is significantly different than anywhere else in community. Mr. Meyer clarified that Council was suggesting that staff consider aligning the trail on the East side of the developer's property and move his property to the West to accommodate everyone's need. Mr. Meyer cautioned the Council that negotiations with the developer have been difficult and he doubted that the developer would agree to relocate the alignment of his property and project and assume the cost of putting a retaining wall was still his cost He stated that it would cost the City to acquire the property from the developer and it would be very expensive. Mayor Dorfman asked staff if Councilmember Latz's recommendation would be possible. Mr. Moore did not have the Federal and State guidelines in regards to a stripe on trail separating the uses. Councilmember Young was in favor of attempting to negotiate with the developer to consider the alignment of the trail east of his property Greg Frank, McCombs Frank Roos Associates stated that the challenge of having the developer participate in the retaining wall cost would be timing. Councilmember Latz believed it would be a mistake not to attempt some of the options discussed or approve them without receiving answers from the developer Mr Ingraham stated that there was not retaining wall in the plans now and they would have to be added and a trail on East side would give up pedestrian access from Phillips Parkway to Knollwood Village Councilmember Sanger asked how trail would cross 36th Street with plan to realign trail East of developers property Mr Meyer indicated that it would not be a huge change and be within the 100 feet right of way It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to table the issue 11, and direct staff to consider aligning the trail on the East edge of the developer's property and bring information to study session Councilmember Latz withdrew the motion. Councilmember Sanger suggested determining what specific cost information Council was asking staff to provide. Mr. Scott, City Attorney discussed time schedule issues. It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to table issue until January 19, 1999 meeting and direct staff to answer questions on issues raised for discussion at next study session on January 11, 1999 The motion passed 7-0. 6b. Official Map Amendment- Trail Designation Portion of Hutchinson Spur South of 36th St. Case No. 98-30-OM Mayor Dorfman closed the Public Hearing with the right of the Council to reopen it at a future date. It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Dorfman, to table issue until January 19, 1999 meeting and direct staff to answer questions on issues raised on previous issue for discussion at next study session on January 11, 1999. The motion passed 7-0. 11 7. Petitions, Requests, Communications - None 8. Resolutions and Ordinances 8a. Election of Mayor Pro-tem It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Young, to adopt resolution appointing Jeff Jacobs as Mayor Pro-tem The motion passed 7-0 8b. Vision SLP Outcomes and Indicators It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to adopt the resolution. The motion passed 7-0. 8c. Moved to Public Hearing Section - Item 6a 8d. Moved to Public Hearing Section - Item 6b 8e. Minnehaha Trails Office Park Preliminary Plat Proposal Case No. 98-35-S It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Nelson, to approve a resolution approving the Preliminary Plat subject to the conditions included in the resolution. The motion passed 7-0 8f. Designate St. Louis Park Sun-sailor as Official Newspaper for 1999 By consent, Council adopted the resolution. 8g. Traffic Study No. 538: Permit parking restrictions on the north side of W. 35th Street in the 6200 and 6300 blocks. By consent, Council adopted the resolution. 8h. Traffic Study No. 539: Request for permit parking at 2816 Alabama Avenue South. By consent, Council adopted the resolution. 9. Reports from Officers, Boards, Committees a Planning Commission Minutes of December 2, 1998 By consent, Council accepted report for filing. b. Vendor Claims Report By consent, Council accepted report for filing 10. Unfinished Business 10a. Board and Commission Appointment(s) It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, and seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to appoint Phil Finidestein to the Community Education Advisory Council. The motion passed 7-0. 11. New Business - None 12. Miscellaneous - None 13. Claims,Appropriations, Contract Payments a. Contract Payments Final Ron Kassa Construction, Inc. $ 7,426 91 Random Concrete Repair Contract No. 61-98 Partial Hardrives, Inc. $ 10,007 32 Construction Phase 2 Excelsior Blvd. Monterey Ave. to France Avenue Contract No 14-98 By consent, Council approved and authorized payments. 14. Communications - None I 15. Adjournment It was moved by Mayor Dorfman, seconded by Counc' ember Nelson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p m. The motion passed 7-0 40 C' Clerk 1— ayor I