Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/07/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ST.CITY Louis OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION July 9, 2001 The meeting convened at 6:01 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), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon), Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Kleve), Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms. Jeremiah), Director of Finance (Ms McGann), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. Property Maintenance Code and Inspection Program Mr. Hoffman presented a background and history of the housing code and justification for adopting revisions to property maintenance code Councilmember Sanger felt rules should be added for dnveways and storm windows. She asked how this inspection program could be applied to condominium and townhome developments. Mr. Hoffman replied that the Property Maintenance Code also applies to multi-family and commercial properties. Councilmember Nelson stated that he felt the fees should be adjusted. He would prefer that city staff do the inspections. He had several questions and concerns regarding provisions in the proposed code. Mr Hoffman reported that refinements would be made to the property maintenance code before final adoption and publication. He said the existing document was developed as a teaching tool and has since evolved over the years. Mr. Hoffman proposed that the point of sale inspection program be moved to in-house staff to achieve better consistency and improve the quality of inspections. Mayor Jacobs questioned whether the supervision of the pnvate licensed inspectors can be improved or if it is necessary to move such inspections in-house. Mr. Camilon stated that bnnging this duty in-house has other benefits such the proximity to the building department and inspectors. Councilmember Santa was concerned that four in-house inspectors would not be able to cover the demand, therefore resulting in time delays. Mr. Hoffman stated that more overlap is being built into all phases of inspections which allowed for more flexible scheduling dunng busy periods. Other department Inspectors who do not routinely conduct point of sale inspections could be called upon to assist during peak periods. Councilmember Latz felt that administrative guidelines should include standards for turnaround time Councilmember Sanger felt that neutrality would improve the quality of the inspection program. Study Session Minutes -2- July 9, 2001 Councilmember Nelson emphasized the need for setting appropriate fee amounts to cover the cost of the in-house inspections program. Mr. Meyer stated that staff would like to finalize the budget and will look at the fees in conjunction with the budgeting process. Councilmember Nelson inquired about the reaction of the pnvate inspectors that are already in operation. Mr. Camilon replied that staff's intent was to communicate with the private housing inspectors the city's intent prior to adoption of the ordinance. He also stated that there are still many opportunities for pnvate housing inspectors to perform independent inspections for buyers and sellers. Councilmember Sanger suggested that documents being distributed to buyers and sellers be clarified to state the purpose and intent of the city's property maintenance inspection program. 2. Park Commons Present at the meeting were: Mark Ruff—Ehlers and Associates Jack Becker—FORECAST Steve Bubul —Kennedy & Graven, Chartered Mr. Harmening stated that staff would like to discuss with Council the amendments to the development agreement, planning and design aspects, legislative impacts on the project, and the Wolfe Park Amphitheater. Mr. Bubul reported that there were several changes to the TOLD agreement. The proposed changes include removing the Bally's property requirements from the agreement and providing a two and a half-year negotiation penod for TOLD to come up with a proposal for the property; an extension of T1F bonds from 15 to 20 years; and removal of SAC payments for existing credits. Councilmember Nelson requested a summary pro forma. Mr. Harmening replied that it would be provided with the development agreement. Ms. Jeremiah spoke to the renaming of 38/39`h St. She informed Council that the Park Commons Final Plat and PUD would be going to the Planning Commission this week. She also clarified how low income housing units would be distributed through the development. Councilmember Bnmeyer inquired if the Council had reached a consensus that 38/39`h St. should be renamed. Mayor Jacobs expressed his concern about the inconvenience of taking that action. Council then discussed some concerns about the project name, Park Commons, and the appropnateness of its use considering possible copyright infnngements. Legislative Impact Mr. Bubul explained the changes in tax law recently enacted by the legislature and how it will affect the project as well as other projects in the future. Mr. Harmening asked for Council direction on the August 1 deadline for obligating debt, which may become eligible for grant funds. Study Session Minutes -3- July 9, 2001 Mr. Meyer stated that the proposal has some nsks associated with it but may be prudent in the long run. Council discussed whether that risk was acceptable. Councilmember Nelson stated that each year they would be coming up short for revenue and he felt this needed to be addressed in the budget He commented on the possibility of raising enacting an HRA tax. Mr Meyer stated that an Economic Development Authority or Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy is authorized and could raise a large portion of revenue per year to apply towards the revenue shortages. Staff has not yet recommended such action but is looking at the possibility Councilmember Nelson commented that the shortfall needs to be covered and suggested that the budget be looked at in a different way. Councilmember Latz felt that the city needs to do an interfund loan transfer to make the city eligible. He did not think that the city is prepared to look at additional taxes nght now, but that a general obligation bond should be done. Mayor Jacobs agreed. Mr. Harmening said staff would research a tax levy. Councilmember Latz suggested that an effort be made to educate residents of how these legislative decisions affect city tax dollars. 3. Wolfe Park Amphitheater Design Present at the meeting was Damon Farber, Landscape Architect. Ms Walsh and Mr. Farber explained the configuration of the proposed amphitheater to the Council. Councilmember Nelson suggested that the original design group be consulted. Councilmember Bnmeyer questioned the amount of light and sound the amphitheater would generate. Mr. Farber replied that there would be lights but sound should not be such a problem. Councilmember Sanger inquired about dance performances at the amphitheater and asked if the stage could be made larger. Mr. Becker suggested that input be taken from potential users and then determine the infrastructure of the amphitheater. Councilmember Sanger commented that the space should be different horn what was used at Oak Hill Park. Mr. Meyer would like to see recreational programming year round with variations throughout the year so the public would know that there are on-going activities at Wolfe Park Amphitheater. Councilmember Nelson inquired about space for a veteran's memorial. Mr. Farber replied that there was space for a memorial on the wall at the entrance and at other places within the ampiutheater He suggested speaking to the carious veterans' groups within the community. Study Session Minutes -4- July 9, 2001 Ms. Walsh commented that state approval needs to happen first, and then talks can begin with those community groups. Councilmember Santa had seen memorials designed by orphans of veterans that were very moving and suggested contacting orphans of veterans groups, and other organizations, for their input on the design of the memorial Staff will make the refinements and be back to Council. 4. Excelsior Blvd. Corridor Traffic Study Jack Forslund of BRW was present at the meeting. Staff reported that the neighborhood is asking that striping and a concrete choker happen immediately. Mr. Rardin stated that the neighborhood involvement process would be initiated in the near future. He suggested working with the neighborhood before constructing traffic calming devices and stated that the devices would be implemented only if they were the best option available 5. Status Update on Storm Water Improvement Projects Staff reported that they would like to provide Council with an update on the storm water Improvements already completed, discuss the flood problem areas, and seek Council input on improvement alternatives for the problem flood areas. Mr. Willenbnng, WSB & Associates, outlined the proposed changes to the storm water drainage system. He described budget impacts and the effect on Lake Street, Roxbury and Keystone parks. Councilmember Young expressed his concern that money from relatively small projects grew to a system wide improvement with a much larger price tag. Mr. Willenbnng felt it was important to bring these issues to the attention of the Council. Councilmember Nelson thought priority should be placed on structure improvements. Councilmember Young said the policy would need to be expanded if this is the direction Council wishes to go. Mr. Willenbnng suggested that the proposal would be using city funds more effectively in the long run. Mayor Jacobs would like staff to initiate the public Input process. He is in favor of the proposed changes and would like to see specs brought back to Council after the public input process. Mr Rardin stated that the program is set up to protect structures. A value decision needs to be made to determine the most effective fix for the city's water capacity. Staff will move forward with the public input process. Study Session Minutes -5- July 9, 2001 Councilmember Sanger was concerned that park,improvements may not be completed and this would upset the public. Councilmember Bnmeyer suggested that the park improvements be considered on their own ment in accordance with the master plan for park improvements. 6. Update on Southwest corner of Highway 7/Louisiana Ave Mr. Kleve introduced Randy McKay with Fraeunshuh Companies as well as Dr. Saliterman, a prospective tenant in the proposed medical building. Mr. McKay spoke of the negotiations underway. He asked Council for a two week extension to finalize the leases. He stated that construction would take place in the spring but some of the structural work will be done yet this fall. Mr. Kleve reported that Frauenshuh is in default of the their Development Agreement, as the sixty day extension has expired and the city is no longer under obligation. However if Council wishes to move forward, the planning approvals will run through August. Mr. Kleve added that if the PUD expires, the billboard relocation becomes an issue. Staff will move forward and return with more information for Council at a later date. 7. Smoking Ban Mayor Jacobs introduced the subject saying he felt the city should take action which would eliminate smoking in restaurants. Councilmember Sanger felt any ordinance should be expanded to all public places and not limited to restaurants only. Councilmember Bnmeyer felt that there may be options other than a no smoking ordinance that could achieve the same results. He felt the subject needed to be studied further before moving forward. Councilmember Santa believed that personal choice needed to be considered and that imposition of a smoking ban was a violation of those rights. Councilmember Young stated that this is a sensitive issue in the business community Councilmember Nelson also was sensitive to the business community and was concerned that St. Louis Park restaurants would be placed at an economic disadvantage if a smoking ban were enacted just in St. Louis Park. He felt he could support such an ordinance only if all neighboring communities enacted the same ordinance. Councilmember Latz commented that he strongly supports the smoking ban and believed that no progress would be made in eliminating second hand smoke until individual cities took the initiative to pass ordinances restricting smoking. Study Session Minutes -6- July 9, 2001 After further discussion and debate, the Mayor agreed to continue the discussion of second hand smoke and smoking restrictions in restaurants with members of the public and constituent groups such as the business council, school board, and service clubs to try to increase public awareness and gauge public support. 8. Communications—None 9. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m. Ci Clerk Mayer