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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/04/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK April 23, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:45 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Brimeyer, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Robert Young and Mayor Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Interim Finance Director(Mr. Brooks), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms. Jeremiah), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. No Smoking in Restaurants Mayor Jacobs stated that he would like Council to consider the idea of prohibiting smoking in restaurants. Councilmember Sanger indicated that she would also like to look at the issue. Councilmember Santa stated that she has spoken to several residents and most did not care about smoking in restaurants. In fact, some very strongly felt that it would be an infringement on their rights to prohibit smoking in restaurants. Councilmember Santa said that she personally feels ventilation is an issue, not only for smoke but also for food odors, allergies, etc. Councilmember Bnmeyer felt that the physical aspect of the issue should be researched, such as air handling and a separation of the smoking and no-smoking areas. Councilmember Young agreed that research is needed. Mr. Meyer encouraged the Council to consider several issues: how the state building code affects the issue, the experience of other cities, and the reaction of the business community. After discussion it was agreed that the City should pursue input from the St. Louis Park Business council on the matter. Council asked that staff research the issue and prepare materials. They believed that thirty to forty-five days would be sufficient to conduct the research. 2. Issues Related to Issuance of Revenue Bonds to Sholom Community Alliance John Brooks, Intenm Finance Director gave a brief presentation to the Council regarding issuance of revenue bonds for the acquisition, construction, and equipping of a seventy-six unit assisted living rental housing development proposed to be constructed by the Sholom Community Alliance. The City's Bond Counsel, Mr. John Utley, an attorney with Kennedy and Graven, was present at the meeting to answer questions from the Council. The Council asked several questions to clarify issues relating to the bond sale. Staff reported that the recently adopted bond application provides that favorable consideration be given to the bonds that carry a security rating equal to or better than that of the City. Mr. Meyer stated that the 'most favorable' language in the policy does not bind the City in any way. Councilmember Sanger asked what criteria the City would use if the requirement were waived. Staff suggested that Council consider the stability of the applicant, the reputation of their financial advisor and legal counsel, and the value of the project to the community. Study Session Minutes -2- April 23, 2001 Councilmember Young inquired about the relationship of the parent company to Sholom Community Alliance, specifically the mention of Minneapolis in the title. Representatives of Sholom Community Alliance stated that the name is a working title only and that it can be changed to St. Louis Park if necessary. 3. Administrative Fines as a Condition of Approval Ms. Jeremiah reported that staff would like Council to consider setting a policy to administer a fine when developers fail to comply with the conditions of approval in their CUP, PUD, etc. The current options available are not always effective in stopping the problem and may take months to complete. Staff proposes that an administrative fine be included in the conditions of approval and be levied against the developer for any violation of those conditions. Council discussed the amount of the fine, whether is would be per violation or per day. They discussed the method and occurrence of dealing with violations, as well as the history of cases that have gone to court. Attorney Tom Scott gave examples of various situations and how the ordinance could be applied in each. He assured the council that the ordinance could be used in conjunction with other mechanisms and could be tailored to a certain degree to each case. The City would also retain the option to waive or negotiate the amount of any fine imposed. 4. Elmwood Area Study Staff reported that the timing of the study is an issue of concern due to the grant cycle coming up. Councilmember Sanger was concerned about the outcomes of the railroad study currently underway and how that could impact the type of development that could occur on the site. She suggested waiting until that study was complete before moving forward. Councilmember Bnmeyer felt that we should definitely move forward with the Elmwood study immediately and that we should also prepare contingency plans for each alternative that may come out of the railroad study. By doing so, we would not lose valuable time and could move forward quickly should the need arise Ms Enckson brought up the issue of purchasing the Soomek property and reported that staff has considered the possibility Council directed staff to move forward with the grant applications and hiring a consultant to conduct the Elmwood study. 5. Community Education Resolution Council directed staff to place the resolution on the agenda for the next meeting. Study Session Minutes -3- April 23, 2001 6. Communications Mayor Jacobs passed out a brochure for the Youth Summit, which will take place at the end of the month. Mr. Meyer updated Council on the current legislative issues. Council directed staff to schedule interviews for board and commission applicants pnor to the May 7th Council meeting. Council directed staff to schedule the next Board of Equalization meeting for May 7th 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. c:14-4 "`"—ZO� ay Clerk M- o r