HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/09/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OFFICIAL MINUTES
ST. LO1/Oil's CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
PARK Minutes of September 25, 2000
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Ron Latz, Chris Nelson, Susan
Sanger, Sue Santa, Robert Young, and Mayor Jacobs.
Staff present. City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Deputy City Manager(Mr. Pires), Director of
Community Development (Mr Harmening), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin), Planning
Coordinator (Ms Enckson), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert).
1. Juvenile Diversion Committee Presentation
At Mayor Jacobs' request, Sean Boyle of the Viking Council gave a summary of the program
and its intent The Viking Council Juvenile Diversion Program is designed to educate and
provide an alternative opportunity for first-time youth offenders. The youth must complete
community service and attend vanous meetings. Upon completion of those requirements, the
offense will be dismissed by the County Attorney's Office. Since 1999, the Viking Council has
served more than ninety youths.
Mayor Jacobs stated that the program provides a positive impact on youth and that the program
is run by community volunteers He added that volunteers come from all over the community
and the State Criminal Law department would like each community to work with them to obtain
new volunteers
Councilmember Latz expressed to the Boy Scouts representative his opposition to their policy to
discriminating in their membership and leadership against homosexuals
Councilmember Sanger concurred with Councilmember Latz.
2. Dan Patch Commuter Rail Presentation
Stephanie Eiler of Parsons Bnnkerhoff was present at the meeting and gave an overview of the
project. She indicated that Northstar, Norwood/Young America, and Dan Patch are the three
major comdors involved with the project and then described how the comdors were chosen. She
stated that concerns regarding noise, vibration, and property values were raised at the open
houses that had been held
Ms Eller spoke about using several different sites in St. Louis Park for stops on the line such as
Old Cedar Lake Rd east of Hwy. 100, Lake St. and Dakota Ave., or Hwy. 7 and Wooddale.
Ms. Eiler also reported that some of the more technical issues that have arisen are safety
precautions at crossings, noise and sound mitigation, and needed line upgrades. Capital planning
and funding is still an issue and the connection with the circulators and other mass transit
connections must be finalized The question was raised on what would make up the rail station.
Ms. Eller replied that it would consist of a 300-500 foot platform with some parking and drop off
capabilities and connections to feeder transit. Mr. Harmening pointed out that along with
development of a transit station, redevelopment of surrounding areas may increase.
Study Session Minutes -2- September 25, 2000
3. Excelsior Boulevard Traffic Study—Scope of Work
Mr. Harmening gave a brief explanation on the background of the project. He stated that within
the last several months City Staff and BRW have worked to develop a specific Scope of Work
He then passed out a summary of the scope of work
The key areas of concern are safety and speed, cut-through traffic, mobility/congestion, and
pedestrian/bike safety and access. Staff has proposed that the Police and other appropriate
departments work with the neighborhoods in educating and developing problem solving
techniques to be used in the issue of safety and speeding in the neighborhoods. BRW and staff
would also conduct a traffic study to more closely analyze cut-through traffic and congestion.
Pedestrian issues will be looked at by the City's consultant, SRF.
Mr Harmening reported that work had already begun on traffic counts to ensure that they would
be completed before the ramp meters are shut off in late October. A public meeting is to be held
to discuss and review the plans for working with traffic issues.
Councilmember Nelson suggested that a baseline of traffic counts be established and
incorporated into the scope of work.
Councilmember Bnmeyer stated that he did not want the completed development to be projected
more than 5-10 years away. He would like the study to provide mitigation measures for each
scenario that may occur.
Councilmember Sanger stated her concern over the cost and need of the traffic study Mr.
Harmening stated that this traffic study will be the most comprehensive study since his
employment. Councilmember Sanger questioned the need for such an extensive or
comprehensive study as was proposed
Council indicated that they would like to move forward with the plan.
4. Residential Side Yard Setback for 2-Story Homes
Council agreed to move forward with the proposal to eliminate the restrictive setback
requirement for one-story homes. The elimination of that requirement will more easily fulfill the
need for move-up housing. This proposal would not require a such a large setback and therefore
would allow more homeowners to build a second story addition
5. BCWIVID Second Generation Planning Process
Mr. Rardin asked for Council feedback on the proposed planning process for Bassett Creek
Watershed Management. He inquired if there were any suggestions for representation on the
Citizen, Technical, and Policy Advisory Groups. Council discussed various person they felt
would be appropriate to serve on each of those groups and staff agreed to follow up and bring
formal recommendations forward to Council for appointment.
Study Session Minutes -3- September 25, 2000
6. Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Pires presented an updated draft report of the maintenance and improvement Capital
Improvement Plans for 2000 and 2001. Several Councilmembers commented on the new format
of the report and indicated that the format made the Capital Improvement Program easier to
understand.
Councilmembers raised questions specific to individual projects.
Councilmember Sanger felt construction money was for playground and other equipment for the
Blackstone Park. She also inquired if the money sources were already set and Mr Pires replied
that they were not. She then asked if the projects had been pnontized. Mr Pires replied that it
had not been done yet but it will be done for the five year plan.
7. Communications
Councilmember Bnmeyer reported on the conference he had just attended and that it had dealt
with data privacy and municipalities. He inquired if St Louis Park was taking all the appropriate
measures.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9.55 p m.
Cffy Clerk Mayor