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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/10/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session . , , „ ffrILouOisCTY F OFFICIAL MINUTES RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION October 8, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Ron Latz, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger,Jim Brimeyer, Jeff Jacobs and Sue Santa. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Public Works Coordinator (Mr. Merkley), Public Works Intern (Ms. Helickson); Water Supenntendant (Mr. Anderson); Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening); Planning Manager(Ms. Jeremiah); Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Kleve), Finance Director (Ms. McGann); and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. EDA Financial Plan—Update on TIF Districts/Debt Management Staff met with Council to update them on the cash flows from the TIF distncts, policy issues associated with the management of outstanding debt and other related financial matters. Ms. McGann introduced EDA Attorney Steve Bubul of Kennedy and Graven and Rusty Fifeld, Financial Consultant with Ehlers and Associates. Mr. Fifeld presented an update to the Management Plan for Tax Increment Financing Districts which had originally been given to Council in July of 2000. The report contained these basic findings: • The EDA is in a financial position to meet its outstanding obligations. • After paying for the Excelsior Blvd. bridge improvements and the obligations associated with Park Commons (streetscape and infrastructure), the EDA will have approximately $1.7 million in available cash in the Excelsior Boulevard TIF Distnct for future projects or reserve funds. There will also be tax increment revenues from the Park Commons TIF district available to the EDA after 2009. • The elimination of the LGA/HACA penalty allows money that was set aside for this purpose to be allocated to other redevelopment needs. • The Vic Ponds and Park Center Boulevard TIF distncts will eventually provide revenues (after certain interfund loans are paid back) that can be used for future projects. • The analysis assumes that the EDA will make its final referendum payment to the school district. 2. Highway 7 and Louisiana Ave South Project Update Mr. Kleve presented an update to council regarding alternatives available for the redevelopment of the southwest corner of Hwy 7 and Louisiana and asked for direction as to which alternative to pursue. He stated that the most problematic issue with the site is the location of the billboard which would have to be moved or removed should any development occur on the site. ' Council discussed the appropnateness of the site for the location of a WMEP school being considered by the School District and timing of decisions that would need to be made by the Council relative to that issue. Study Session Minutes -2- October 8, 2001 Councilmember Nelson felt that the Hwy7/Louisiana site was the only viable site for the school. He suggested alternatives for use of the Brookside building and felt that an agreement beneficial to the school,and the city for use of the Hwy 7 site and/or Brookside could be worked out as ' plans for the WMEP school developed. Councilmember Sanger suggested that the school district use the Hwy 7 site for the WMEP school and that they request additional bonding money from the state to remove the billboard. She also asked if Frauenshuh could retain a link to the site while WMEP is being considered. Ms. Jeremiah explained in detail zoning and comprehensive plan provisions related to billboard use and how those provisions affect the Hwy 7/LAS site. Mr. Kleve suggested that council could hold the site aside for use as a WMEP school and meanwhile work to consider possible alternatives which would mesh with use of the Brookside site. Councilmember Latz stated that while he was prepared to listen to the school district proposal for WMEP, any action involving sale or use of city property would need council approval. Since he has not yet heard a concrete proposal on WMEP from the school district he did not feel he could endorse any site for a WMEP school. Ms. Jeremiah asked if Council was prepared to extend the Frauenshuh preliminary PUD. After discussion council agreed to extend the PUD but terminate the redevelopment agreement. Mr. Harming offered to make further recommendations to the Council at a future meeting. 3. Proposed Study of Quadian Site Staff met with council to consider conducting an independent land use study of the Quadion property in the Elmwood area. Council had previously authonzed a larger scale study of the entire Elmwood area. Because the Quadion site is currently for sale staff recommended that council consider the best use for that property prior to a new owner taking over. Councilmember Nelson asked about the possibility of a moratorium on development in the area until the larger study is completed. Mr. Harmening said that a moratorium could be put into place, but it was not recommended unless council found there to be no other alternatives. Councilmember Bnmeyer asked if a moratorium were declared how long the area-wide study would take to complete. Mr. Harmening suggested that if Council was in agreement that Industrial zoning on the property was a good use, that council need not take any action at all. Because the larger study is not yet underway, it could be some time until it is complete. Councilmember Nelson felt that doing an initial study of one property would be short sighted and that this property should be looked at as only one piece of the larger area. Study Session Minutes -3- October 8, 2001 Mr. Harmening said that staff was planning a meeting with Quadion and would express the city's concerns about development of the property: He will inform the council about the outcome of that meeting. For the time being, staff would not conduct a small scale study of the Quadion property and would make every effort to work with Hennepin County to get the larger study underway as soon as possible. Mr. Harmening also expressed the need to involve residents and property owners in the larger study from the outset. Without their active participation and support, a productive study will not be possible. 4. Security of Water System Mr. Anderson informed the council of additional security measures the water department was taking to protect the city's water supply and infrastructure. Council supported those plans and commended Mr. Anderson for being proactive in this area. 5. Possible Sidewalk and Trail System Changes Mr. Rardin outlined many small revisions to the Sidewalk and Trail plan that staff had identified and asked for council's direction as to how to proceed. For each of the possible revisions, council discussed funding and appropnate public process. Councilmember Sanger asked if there was a process to evaluate changes as they are suggested by the public. Councilmember Latz suggested that the Council continue to use the current process, where staff evaluates the proposals and if they are viable requests, bnngs them to Council for their consideration. Councilmember Nelson requested that staff meeting with a group of neighbors in his ward to discuss one of the possible changes, but otherwise felt that the proposed revisions did not senously impact the residents or significantly alter the plan Council had adopted. Council directed staff to move forward with the revisions. Discussion took place as to the phasing of individual projects and options for alternate routes along the 169 corridor. Council agreed to discuss options for connections in that area again at a future meeting. 6. Solid Waste Contract In anticipation of the expiration of the Solid Waste Contract, staff met with Council to begin discussions about putting together an appropriate process for contract renewal. Mr. Merkley asked Council to share their perceptions about the solid waste collection program and the contractor's performance. In general, Councilmembers felt that complaints about poor service had subsided recently. In some areas of the City, however, it was clear that residents continue to be dissatisfied with the service. Council cited several observations about litter and can treatment, special pick-ups, contractor responsiveness and other areas. Ms. Hellickson, Public Works Intern, recorded Council's comments which will be referred to as staff puts together next steps in the process. Staff is projecting that the selection process will begin early in 2002 to allow adequate time for completion before the contract expiration date of Qctober 1, 2002. Study Session Minutes -4- October 8, 2001 7. Administrative Penalties Council considered an administrative penalty procedure which would serve as an alternative to the county court system in enforcing violations of some city ordinances. Council supported the concept and asked questions about its specific application to certain violations. Ms. Reichert and Mr. Rardin recommended that the process be limited in the initial stages of its application to enforce sidewalk snow clearing, compliance with sprinkling restrictions and compliance with water department orders to make directed repairs. Pnor to first reading, staff will create a clear outline of how the process will be applied to each violation type for Council review. 8. Adjournment -The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. eYae- Ci Clerk Ma or '