HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/11/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ffiSTICTY Louis OFFICIAL MINUTES
RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Minutes of November 13,2001
The meeting convened at 7.05 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Ron Latz, Chns Nelson, Susan
Sanger, Sue Santa, and Mayor Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Lieutenant Kirk DiLorenzo, Sergeant John Giebel,
Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms. Jeremiah), Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson), and City
Clerk (Ms. Reichert).
1. Automated Pawn System
Sgt. John Giebel and Lt. Kirk DiLorenzo of the St. Louis Park Police Department and Lt. Phil
Havenstein of the Minneapolis Police Department were present at the meeting to discuss city
participation in the Automated Pawn System. The system is designed to more closely regulate
the pawn industry and to serve as a tool in investigations of cnmmal activity.
Council and staff discussed details of the system and how it operates and also discussed the
potential of expanding the system to monitor the second hand industry in St. Louis Park as well.
Staff explained that there was still some work to be done on the ordinance relating to fees, but
that an ordinance specific to pawns would be presented to the council in the near future.
Additional work on tailoring the second-hand portion of the ordinance would be done at a future
time
2. Detached Garages
Council agreed there was a need to clarify the definition for building height so that it can be
easily interpreted.
The Council recognized the desire within the community for bigger garages and acknowledged
that if this desire is not accommodated within the City, people will begin to move elsewhere.
They also acknowledged that bigger garages would allow cars, lawn and maintenance
equipment, and recreational vehicles to be stored indoors, which is preferable to storage
outdoors.
The major problem was identified as being garage height, especially when the garage is located
close to a neighbor's back yard. It was suggested that garages built to greater heights could
require greater setbacks.
Also discussed was the issue of two-story garages There was not total agreement as to whether
second story garages should be allowed, but there was interest in making sure the second story is
not used as a separate dwelling unit. Ways to prevent this were also discussed and included
prohibiting plumbing.
3. Park Property at 9528 Club Road
Study Session Minutes -2- November 13, 2001
Staff informed Council that the lot is currently designated as an open space with wetland and
floodplain problems.
Councilmember Bnmeyer felt the property should not be developed and urged that it would not
be good idea unless the design was very creative. Mayor Jacobs added that he was not in support
of development on the property.
Councilmember Sanger inquired on the value of the lot. Ms. Erickson reported that it was valued
at approximately $100,000.
Councilmember Santa stated that she can see a valid point on both sides of the issue.
Councilmember Latz felt the city needs more move-up housing and these lots are a good choice.
Councilmember Sanger inquired if the city can control the development. Ms. Jeremiah stated
that the city does own the property and can control it through deed restrictions and the
conditional use permit process. Councilmember Sanger indicated the need to protect the existing
wetlands on the property.
Councilmember Bnmeyer felt that the council should get more specific information before
bringing it to the neighborhoods.
Councilmember Latz would like to look carefully at the technical restrictions for the lot such as
utilities.
4. WMEP School
Barbara Pulliam, School District 283 Superintendent, John Headlee, WMEP Project Manager
and several school board members were present at the meeting.
Senator Steve Kelley and Representative Jim Rhodes were also present.
Ms. Pulliam introduced the School Board and other supporters of the proposed WMEP school to
the Council.
Mr. Headlee spoke about the WMEP program. He also highlighted problems that a WMEP
school could help resolve and how St. Louis Park would benefit.
Councilmember Bnmeyer questioned the ideal site for the WMEP school.
Senator Kelley and Representative Jim Rhodes spoke of the political will in St. Paul regarding
the Bonding Bill.
Councilmember Latz inquired how the school district is addressing inequity problems now. He
inquired about the percent of St. Louis Park students that would attend the school. The school
district replied that approximately 8% would be St. Louis Park students.
Senator Kelley felt leadership in educational reform is needed and that the issue of individual
school distracts and unequal funding must be addressed. He also felt that the community's
support is needed and without leaders like the School Board, City Council and local Legislators,
that would not happen.
Study Session Minutes -3- November 13, 2001
Mayor Jacobs felt that St. Louis Park needs a new community center and this school could help.
Councilmember Sanger suggested that more info needs to go out to the community regarding this
issue.
Councilmember Santa had heard some negative reactions to the concept taking place within the
community. She suggested that information needs to be put into the community that money
would not be taken from the local schools to fund the WMEP school.
Senator Kelley stated that information should be clearly communicated to the community such as
how finances are done, how students are chosen and that attendance at the school is chosen by
lottery.
Councilmember Latz felt it was an easy concept to support if one was used to regional rather
than parochial thinking.
Council discussed possible sites. They felt the AVR site would not be possible because of the
elimination of housing opportunities. Some Councilmembers supported the Highway
7/Louisiana Ave site but the School Board did not. Council felt the Quadion site was also
unacceptable because it is a significant tax generation and would require additional planning and
vision. Some members felt that the Eliot site was a good choice.
Senator Kelley informed Council and the School Board that the site does not need to be
determined until January 29`h, 2002.
5. 2002 Legislative Program
Councilmember Sanger had concerns regarding pedestnan access to regional trails.
Mayor Jacobs would like to see legislative action taken on increasing the city manager's salary
cap, eliminating the fire civil service commission, a pedestnan bndge crossing at Highway 7, the
state budget, and reconstruction of Highway 100.
6. Adjournment -The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 p.m.
ty Clerk 1 a :rI