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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/07/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK July 10, 2000 The meeting convened at 7 02 p m Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Ron Latz, Chns Nelson, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Robert Young, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs Staff present: City Manager (Mr Meyer), Deputy City Manager(Mr. Pires), Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr Kleve), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Finance Director(Ms McGann), Deputy Fire Chief(Mr Stemmer), and Administrative Clerk (Ms. Olson) 1. Excelsior Blvd Traffic Study Jack Forsland of BRW was present at the meeting. Mr. Harmening explained that Council had authorized an analysis and compilation of previous studies to be done. Mr. Forsland reported that six major studies had been done in the last twenty years with the most recent in 1999 Councilmember Latz asked for clarification on some of the dates. In comparing the figures from 1992 to 1998, he pointed out that the traffic counts had decreased. Mr. Harmening added that the Park Nicollet campus has exits flowing onto several streets and not just Excelsior Blvd. Mr Latz stated that he did not want to see a short term spike in traffic counts caused by construction activity effect the long term traffic situation. Mr. Forsland suggested an increase in access points Councilmember Nelson asked about the source of the data from 1980 Mr. Forsland replied that City traffic counts indicated that other minor streets have stayed relatively the same Councilmember Nelson was concerned with cut through traffic. Mr Forsland indicated they should look towards the neighborhood to see the level of service (threshold of traffic) that can be accommodated and suggested that an analysis be completed. He felt that the western part of the corndor was acceptable in its current state Mayor Jacobs felt the next step is to meet with the neighborhood Mr Harmening suggested an open house and forming several focus groups Councilmember Sanger inquired as to the purpose of the focus groups. Mr. Harmening responded that it would be to encourage public participation, stating the neighborhood residents are the ones who see the day to day activity such as cut through traffic. Mr. Forsland indicated that he had meet with the neighborhood and although many issues were raised, nothing specific was mentioned by the group. Many had their own individual concerns. Councilmember Nelson thought it would be valuable to know the patterns of cut through traffic and it was an important public process. Councilmember Nelson felt the timing of the meeting was important and perhaps it should be held in the summer. Mr. Harmening felt they should move ahead as soon as possible and that attendance would not be a concern. Councilmember Bnmeyer brought up the question of how information would be gathered. The Council discussed obtaining information using computer predicted pattern counts or involving the neighborhood to retrieve information. Study Session Minutes -2- July 10, 2000 Councilmember Sanger had confidence that Excelsior Blvd could handle the amount of traffic. Mayor Jacobs inquired about the bndge widening project scheduled for 2001-2002 Mr. Harmening replied that it would be a year long process The issue was raised regarding redevelopment of the south side of Excelsior Blvd. Mr Harmening replied that the Planning Commission would keep the area for single family homes and would not pursue development. Mr. Meyer stated that they are zoning standards and enforcements. Councilmember Bnmeyer clarified that they want to minimize the impact on adjacent neighbors. Mr. Harmemng stated that he would provide the Council with an update after speaking with staff. 2. Update on TIF Districts/Debt Management Ms. McGann gave a review of three TIF distncts and the outstanding debt owed on those distncts. She stated that Park Commons TIF distnct seems to be fiscally sound and that the administrative fee should only need to be 8% rather than the 10% allowed Council and staff discussed the local government aid penalty. Ms. McGann instructed the Council that debt incurred from the TIF Distncts could be paid down or restructured. Council discussed several options and determined that money should be used to pay down the debt. 3. 2001 Budget Update Councilmembers Bnmeyer and Santa commented on the new format of the budget and felt that it was more understandable. Ms. McGann indicated that a three percent tax levy increase would create money for the general budget. Council bnefly debated the percent of increase for the tax levy. Mr. Meyer felt that a three percent increase compensates for services provided, however anything above that may surpass what is needed. Councilmember Sanger inquired if the assessed value will be raised due to actual cost of the property. Councilmember Bnmeyer stated that there may be possibilities now for certain needs and projects. He felt that certain programs and projects should be funded while in a position to do so, such as the technology fund. Councilmember Latz inquired about future expenditures Ms. McGann replied that staff would like to increase the tax levy to provide a permanent funding source for the Park Improvement and Technology Replacement funds. Ms. McGann indicated that the following initiatives are also being considered by staff Wooddale/36th St study, Texa-Tonka study continuation, radio study, GIS/ Application Support staff, additional organizational development, finance staff support, and photo imaging machine. Mr. Meyer stated that there is no major need for building maintenance, as it is relatively new. He added that Mr. Pires has a three-year plan for replacement of technology equipment, not including radios. Councilmember Sanger inquired about the radio study. Mr. Pires replied that it would be an objective review of communicating and connecting with other communities. Mr. Meyer felt the Study Session Minutes -3- July 10, 2000 greatest need is for technology in the Public Safety department. Councilmember Brimeyer felt the study should be funded out of the general fund and Mayor Jacobs agreed Mr. Meyer reported that the organizational development training is going quite well. He would like to work internally or with a consultant to provide consistent training for employees. Council discussed with staff several of the proposed support positions and the need for such. Ms. McGann stated that she will return with a balanced budget in August after meeting with department heads. 4. Transfer of Multi-Family Residential Housing Inspection Program to Inspections Dept. Mr. Hoffman reported that apartment inspections has moved from the Fire Department to the Inspections Department. He stated that they are in the process of hiring an inspector whose main function will be to inspect multi-family housing units. The Environmental Inspection division is trying to put emphasis on property maintenance. Mr. Stemmer stated that they would like to concentrate on the commercial aspect of the inspections and on preventive care. He added that funds will be transferred to the Inspections department to cover costs as they will not be filling one of their positions open in the Fire Department Mr Meyer stated that multi-family housing inspections go past fire prevention to issues with housing codes. Councilmember Nelson was concerned with the public's perception of this Mr Hoffman stated that their goal was to get property owners to become serious about maintaining their property Councilmember Brimeyer inquired as to how inspections were done in the past. Mr. Stemmer reported that the primary focus was on fire safety and prevention and now they would expand their focus to all types of health and safety violations Councilmember Sanger asked how duplexes or condominiums would be dealt with Mr. Stemmer replied that they would need to have more than three units to require inspection Council agreed to move ahead with the plan 5. Communications Councilmember Nelson felt that the City should look at the process for bond applications and the criteria for the application itself and ask for the opinion of the financial advisor He stated that he would give some examples to the City Manager. Council then discussed the bonds for which they applied and the process to be followed when applying for them. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10.44 p.m. .'1?y Clerk Mayo