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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/11/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session OF ST.CITY LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION November 27, 2000 The meeting convened at 7 00 p m Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Ron Latz, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Staff present. City Manager(Mr Meyer), Director of Community Development (Mr Harmening), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert) 1. Public Art in St. Louis Park Mr. Harmening explained that Council had requested staff to research the possibility of public art in St. Louis Park. He introduced Jack Becker of FORECAST Public Artworks, explaining that FORECAST is a company that assists cities and other agencies with public art initiatives. Mr. Becker commented that there are many uses, venues, and inspirations for public art. He shared a copy of a public art magazine and a series of slides depicting art from around the country Mr Becker informed them that FORECAST also does consultation work and can provide sample documents and information for government entities. They also can provide ideas for the funding and staffing for such an initiative. Ms Carol Hampshire, Friends of the Arts member, indicated they were excited about the prospect for public art in St Louis Park. Councilmember Latz inquired about the fees FORECAST may charge for consultation services. Mr Becker replied that fees vary depending on the services needed. Mr. Meyer stated that the possibilities and resources to have public art in St. Louis Park are great, however, staff expertise in that area is lacking. Councilmember Bnmeyer asked about the experience and resources available to FORECAST. He urged the Council to move forward with this idea, stating they must define what they would like to see in terms of public art and the options that go with it. Councilmember Sanger asked how well an ordinance requirement for a certain percentage of a development's financing to be dedicated towards public would be received by developers. Mr. Becker responded that it had been well received where there were already strong public art programs in place Councilmember Sanger then asked if FORECAST does work in architectural design. Mr. Becker responded that they do not do much in that area but he has seen the value in a Los Angeles type program that includes artists in the design team from the beginning Councilmember Santa wanted to know if there had been any failures in attempts to initiate such a program Mr Becker stated that sometimes funding is a problem and that committee involvement in the process can sometimes produce a mediocre art effect. He added that good public art is often controversial Mr. Harmening inquired about general costs of a public art initiative. Mr Becker replied that it all depends on the scale of the project. Study Session Minutes -2- November 27, 2000 Mr Meyer asked Mr Becker to address the issue of governance of a public art initiative, perhaps a board or committee. Mr Becker stated that the process could be problematic and often presents both opportunities and challenges Councilmember Latz suggested hat a scope of work be reviewed at a future study session. Councilmember Brimeyer added that he would also like to see a list of expected outcomes. Mr. Becker stated that he would include short and long-term proposals to take advantage of impending developments. 2. Oak Park Task Force Recommendations (Mayor Jacobs amved ) Barry Warner of Hennepin Parks was present at the meeting He commented that Mr. Becker and FORECAST had done an outstanding job in bndging the gap to get projects completed. Mr. Warner showed the group pictures of the existing condition of the Oak Park Village site. He showed the current site layout, the contamination of the site, the concept plan that was being considered, and the proposed plan. Mayor Jacobs said that Councilmember Nelson indicated that he had liked the plan as it was being proposed. Councilmember Sanger inquired about the soccer association's input on the project. Ms. Walsh said that, as with all stakeholder groups, some compromises had been made. Councilmember Latz asked if staff had received feedback from any other people who had interest in the site. Ms. Walsh replied that she had also spoken with the representative of the Baseball Association and compromises had been made there as well. Councilmember Latz was particularly interested in feedback from any neighborhood organizations or other community groups. Councilmember Santa stated that she had heard some of the following complaints from the constituents in that area: parking accommodations, influence on pond wildlife, the disruption from lighted fields, litter, and drainage concerns. Council discussed the possible options for lights and other issues if games run later into the evening. Councilmember Santa also discussed the concerns of the neighborhood association for the upper park about the conditions of the buildings and grounds which need to be upgraded Councilmember Sanger would like to see lighted trails Other members of the Council felt that light poles and standards may be intrusive on open space and actually hinder use of the site. Mr Meyer inquired if the money estimates included buildings. Mr. Warner replied they did not due to the fact that no design has been settled yet. Council discussed the timing of construction and the money for the project. They agreed the concept plan should be brought to the December 18th Council meeting. The Council agreed that the Oak Park Village Task Force had done an excellent job. 3. MSA Street Revisions, Load Limits, and Restrictions Mr. Rardin presented the proposed MSA route revisions to Council. He stated that these revisions had not been made in order to coordinate it with the integration of the Trails and Sidewalks system. The proposed revisions are anticipated to go to Council in December. Study Session Minutes -3- November 27, 2000 Mr. Rardin explained that currently there are several measures in place that restrict truck traffic on MSA Routes. MSA has recently indicated that some of these measures are not acceptable and Mr. Rardin would like to obtain direction from Council on the possible options to remove these restnctions. Councilmember Sanger expressed her concern about 26th St W and the cut through truck traffic that was present there. 4. Communications Mr. Latz reported that Mayor Jacobs had been late to the meeting because both he and Mark Schwartz had been honored at the School Board meeting earlier that evening. Both had received an award from the Community Education Association of Minnesota and were being recognized for that achievement by the school board. Mr. Meyer updated the Council on upcoming neighborhood meetings. Council bnefly discussed the Metropolitan Council's Livable Communities program. 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9.15 p m. l C. Clerk Mayo