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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/05/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF ST LOUIS p OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION May 24, 1999 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Tim Brimeyer, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Robert Young, and Mayor JefJacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Director of Community Development(Mr. Harmening), Director of Inspections(Mr. Hoffman), City Assessor(Mr. Stepnick), Planning Manager(Ms. Jeremiah), and City Clerk(Ms. Larsen). 1. Friends of the Arts Strategic Plan Curt Peterson, Louise Bramhall, Rich Pearson, Carole Humphrey, Cathy Reimer, and Jan Muston were all present at the meeting. Mr. Peterson stated he was not able to collect all of the desired information from the schools as this is a very busy time of year. He indicated that the missing information would be provided at a later date. Mr. Peterson asked for Council questions and comments . He said the final plan would be brought forward for adoption by Council in early June. Councilmember Brimeyer wanted the City's portion of plan to be completed quickly. He was very much in support of the plan and felt some portions could be initiated more quickly that others. Council discussed mechanisms that would allow the Friends of the Arts to be self-sustaining while maintaining connections with public institutions. Councilmember Nelson stated that he agreed with the City providing seed money but felt the FOA should eventually become self-sustaining.. He felt that any paid staff needed to carry out the plan initiatives should be knowledgable about the community. Mr. Peterson stated that the Arts would never be completely self-sustaining. Public money will always be needed to supplement funding from other sources such as private and corporate donations. Councilmember Latz believed that St. Louis Park had the potential for a great deal of corporate support for the arts. He asked if the board structure was geared toward enlisting corporate support. Mr. Peterson stated that the Board could use members from the corporate environment to assist in garnering larger contributions. Councilmember Nelson asked if there was a prepared budget for the year 2000. Mr. Peterson replied that there was not. Councilmember Brimeyer thought the budget should be considered along with the rest of the City's preliminary budget discussions. Councilmember Young asked what action will be taken and what commitments the City would have to undertake all initiatives included in the strategic plan. Mr. Peterson suggested that Council first adopt the vision statement. He said adopting the vision does not mean undertaking all actions. Annual work plans and feasibility will need to be considered. Mayor Jacobs stated that this is a vision of where we as a community would like to go if resources can be made available. Mr. Peterson stated that feasibility studies need to be undertaken and that a short term action plan to present with the vision adoption will be available. Councilmember Nelson asked if City staff had reviewed the strategic plan and considered financial implications. Mr. Meyer said that staff would become more involved following adoption of the strategic plan by Council. 2. CUP Variance Procedures Council considered a request for a change in procedure for conditional use permits. Staff recommended amending the zoning code to authorize Planning Commission review and City Council approval of variance requests when made in conjunction with the conditional use permit process. Councilmember Young did not see the need for shortening the review period for development proposals. He did not want this particular duty taken from BOZA. Councilmember Sanger agreed and felt that keeping a separation of duties between BOZA and the Planning Commission would be beneficial. Mayor Jacobs saw the value in streamlining administrative processes. Councilmember Young stated that he did not feel the Planning Commission had the expertise to consider variances. The possibility of submitting the variance request to BOZA concurrently with development proposal review by the Planning Commission was discussed. Mr. Hoffman and Ms. Jeremiah stated this would not be feasible. Mr. Hoffman said that the process as it is takes four months. He made the point that there are three boards and two sets of staff. i Mayor Jacobs made the observation that a change in procedure would not substantively affect the quality of the review process. He felt that shortening the time frame for approval would be beneficial to our customers. Councilmember Brimeyer felt that red tape should be eliminated wherever possible in City services. Councilmember Latz felt that major development proposals should be viewed as a"whole picture", not in pieces and felt that the recommended change would be beneficial toward achieving that goal. Councilmember Nelson asked if staff would automatically back a variance. Ms. Jeremiah replied that staff may offer alternative suggestions. Councihnember Nelson supported achieving the same result using a shorter process. Mr. Meyer said the City of St. Louis Park is often considered business"unfriendly". The City is working toward streamlining processes, while retaining quality results. Mayor Jacobs voiced his support for that idea. Councilmember Sanger asked Wit would be possible to place a sunset on the ordinance. Mr. Meyer said it would be more disruptive to both customers and staff to change a process and then change back. Mr. Hoffman stated that St. Louis Park has high standards and that those standards will be maintained. 3. Property Values Mr. Stepnick distributed a chart showing the assessed value compared to the sales price of homes homesteaded in the last month. Discussion followed about how property tax levels are set and how the City could achieve a closer match between market value and assessed value. Mr. Stepnick pointed out that home values can only be raised a certain amount each year due to the statute of limitations imposed by the state. He also explained how the taxable value of homes does not affect the overall city tax levy. Mayor Jacobs asked Council to consider if they felt there are inequities in the assessment process and, if so, to consider what changes the Council would want to implement to rectify those inequities. Councilmember Sanger asked if staff could look at ways to close the gap between assessed value and sale price. Mr. Stepnick replied that they would look at comparables in the neighborhoods and that staff would make every effort to achieve accuracy when assigning tax values to properties in St. Louis Park.. Council felt they needed more facts on the cost of those homes currently being acquired for the park Commons development. Factors they wished to consider were market value, comparable housing, and relocation benefits. 4. Tax Issues Ms. McBride presented an outlook on taxation issues for the year 2000. Issues discussed were property tax levy limits, major state aids such as Local Government Aid and HACA, additional property class rate reductions and expansion of the limited market value. 5. Mixed Use Staff presented to Council proposed amendments to the MX Mixed Use District ordinance and asked Council to discuss the proposed definition for"live-work units" and potential standards for their use in both the MX and RC multiple family residential districts. Ms. Jeremiah explained that the ordinance only applies to commercial and civic mixed use property and identified those areas to be designated as MX. She also explained that the ordinance works toward facilitating the redevelopment plan for Phase One of the Park Commons project. She clarified that the first level of mixed use will be strongly guided toward commercial or civic, and the upper levels will be a mix of retail and housing. Councilmember Latz asked how the City will determine what is classified as a living activity or a working activity. Councilmember Nelson felt there would be a problem with extending the live/work option to residential zones. Councilmember Latz felt there were enough restrictions in the RC Zoning areas and the live/work zoning would be appropriate. Mayor Jacobs, Councilmember Brimeyer, and Councilmember Latz all agreed that St. Louis Park needs to be friendly to the 21st century worker and new ways of doing business. Mr. Harmening felt there were multiple checks and balances in place that may potentially be more restrictive than the ordinance Councilmember Young felt there should be more "for sale" housing in the Park commons area and did not wish to see sign clutter for businesses on home fronts. Councilmember Brimeyer felt that the market and lifestyle of the people would dictate the success of the RC. It was agreed that this item would be discussed at greater length in July. 6. Communications City Manager informed Council of a recent Supreme Court decision regarding Apple Valley Redi- Nfix. Discussion took place regarding arrangements for Councilmembers to appear in the Parktacular parade. Procedure for appointment of Ward 3 Councilmember was discussed. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. . ....- c;Vo.._..A-4----_ 10 f -, r C. Clerk Mayor