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Home My WebLink About2000/12/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session 1/1CTY 911.1-Louis OFFICIAL MINUTES ARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION December 11, 2000 The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Brimeyer, Ron Latz, Susan Sanger, Chris Nelson, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs Staff present. City Manager (Mr. Meyer), Director of Community Development (Mr Harmenmg), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr Kleeve), Civic Cable TV Coordinator (Mr. McHugh), Community Outreach Coordinator (Ms. McDonell), and Deputy City Clerk (Ms Stroth). 1. Vision St. Louis Park and Telecommunications Surveys Bill Morris, Decision Resources, Ltd reviewed the results and major findings of the residential and business surveys for Vision St Louis Park and telecommunications needs. He gave comparisons to data reported in previous surveys in St. Louis Park and from neighboring suburban cities. Major findings from the telecommunications needs study included the following: • Competition in telecommunications in the city is welcomed. • Local channels and local programming are valued. • After business hours communications with telecommunications providers is valued. • Computer use exists in 59% of homes. • Wireless and cell phones usage 20% higher • 80% of residents, 87% businesses satisfied in choices of service providers. Discussion took place regarding public policy decisions and applications. Mayor Jacobs indicated the need for more providers and more choices Councilmember Sanger stated concern about infrastructure and tearing up streets Major findings from the Vision St Louis Park residential and business study included the following • Quality of Life up 17% within previous 3-4 years 47% Excellent, 48% Good • Crime and poor upkeep was key concern to young families moving out. • Most serious issues were ci ume and education quality (Crime was down from 4 yrs. ago) • 87% felt St Louis Park was going in the right direction • 98% have an overall feeling of safety. Ward 4 had the highest unsafe feeling of safety • 83% reported excellent or good that community needs were being addressed. Highest rating found in the metro suburbs in past 3 years. • Contact with City Hall were among the highest in the Metropolitan Area • Strong links and connectedness with neighbors along with high rate of volunteerism. c Pubic Schools «ere losing their connectedness with the community. • St Louis Park remains one of the best regarded communities and one of the top five in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Study Session Minutes -2- December 11, 2000 Mayor Jacobs questioned what to do with the data Mr Morris stated Decision Resources will be giving a presentation to the Schools Councilmember Sanger suggested publishing the data Ms McDonell stated the value of this data for the community and setting future target goals Based on the survey results, Mr Morris stated the need foi St Louis Park to address housing and safety concerns. Councilmember Sanger indicated the need for additional lighting in streets and parks Ms McDonell stated the survey didn't cover whether residents of diversity were felt welcome. She stated the Vision St Louis Park (VSLP) Outcomes Committee will continue reviewing the data and return to City Council at a later date with updates regarding the Vision progress Mayor Jacobs thanked the VSLF Outcomes Committee, City staff, and council for their concern and support 2. Park Commons East Bob Cunningham, TOLD Development Company gave an overview of the site plan for park Commons as it exists today. He stated the uniform criticism issue was that the apartments units overlooked the parking lot He reviewed the following improvements • Cheaper ramps instead of massive parking lots • Connected buildings • Increased units (317) • 7 story building compared to a 4 story building • Public parking and below residential parking • Widei towngreen • Same retail but increased residential • Unexcavated, planting of real trees, landscaping, private courtyaids around residential • Archway walkways • Adding moie density to increase 35 owned towuhome units on Parkedge Road Discussion took place regarding parking, pedestrian movement, and building heights view Mr Harmening distributed Park Commons tentative schedule of events. He stated groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in June 3. Affordable Housing Councilmember Brimeyer wished to discuss affordable housing in terms of homeownership and rental housing He felt that current iatc pei square foot was high He would like to sec housing that meets the needs of those who hve in the community Council had some concerns and discussed the market housing that would be used in the Park Commons development. It was suggested that the market mix could be changed in the Park Commons design and Councilmember Brlmeye, did not want to see that. Study Session Minutes -3- December 11, 2000 Councilmember Latz felt that eighty percent of the median income was inappropriate to be considered as affordable housing, and would like to see fifty percent of the median income or below be classified as affordable housing and within the working class bracket. He added that St Louis Park has currently met its affordable housing requirements without Park Commons being a large concern Councilmember Sanger questioned how much control over the developers is acceptable and was concerned with imposing on private developers She stated that affordable housing is a metro wide issue Councilmember Nelson suggested that staff and Council consider how affordable housing is defined. 4. Communications - None 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. /. C y Clerk Mayo ��