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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/01/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session irsT.ILouOisCTY F OFFICIAL MINUTES RK ' ' CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION January 14, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Ron Latz, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening), Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms. Jeremiah), Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson), Assistant Zoning Administrator(Mr. Korman), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon), City Engineer(Ms. Hagen), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. Texa Tonka Study Jeff Fine was in attendance at the meeting. Fred Dock of Meyer, Mohaddes Associates, Inc., transportation consultant, was also in attendance. Ms. Enckson gave a presentation on the progress of the Texa Tonka study. Council discussed closing Virginia Avenue and the positive and negative impacts that would cause. Increased parking was viewed as one of the more significant benefits. Councilmember Sanger inquired about costs for improvements to the area and how costs would be shared between private land owners and the City. Mr. Harmening described how cost sharing could work in the case of the Texa Tonka study and informed Council that staff was looking at incentive programs to encourage funding participation by property owners. Councilmember Santa asked about cooperation with Hennepin County in regards to improvements to Minnetonka Boulevard Ms. Erickson responded that the proposed improvements to the area were being viewed favorably by Hennepin county. Councilmember Velick felt that this was a good start toward redevelopment in the area. She added that more neighborhood involvement was needed. Mr. Harmening stated that a larger study was being conducted in the area that focuses on re-use and redevelopment rather than a complete overhaul of the entire area. 2. Residential Property Condition Assessment Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Cannlon gave a presentation on the Residential Property Condition Assessment program. They spoke about the history of the inspections program and how changes made with adoption of the new property maintenance standards would affect residents. The survey will assist the city in identifying properties where improvements must be made. Mayor Jacobs would like to see a community wide educational program about the city's efforts in this area. He felt outreach could occur via cable tv, newsletters and neighborhood meetings and that perhaps a power point presentation could be put together for that purpose. Study Session Minutes -2- January 14, 2002 Councilmember Velick was concerned that a presentation that showed condition of homes in the city may offend code violators by showing pictures of their houses at neighborhood meetings. Council discussed the results of the program and how to achieve them without drawing negative attention to the property owners whose homes are in violation. Mr. Harmening outlined the tools that can be used to assist in funding for property repairs. Council agreed that the use of housing rehabilitation funds is appropnate. Staff was directed to bnng forward a resolution regarding this to the next regular Council meeting. Councilmember Sanger inquired as to whether there are sufficient resources to administer the program and staff replied that they did not forsee any problems with funding. Mr. Hoffman stated that his goal is to get the program going and then determine the pace at which it can be followed. Council approved of the program and its funding sources. 3. Non-Conforming Duplexes Ms. Jeremiah outlined the issues in regard to consideration of an ordinance amendment changing the status of nonconforming duplexes and requested Council input. Council agreed that each case is individual with unique charactenstics and different needs. Councilmember Sanger stated that duplexes are needed throughout the city and that a duplex arrangement can accommodate the needs of different types of families. Mayor Jacobs questioned what the specific end result was going to be. Staff replied that the results they were hoping for are to remove any obstacles to housing maintenance, to maintain the number of housing units, and maintain zoning requirements. Councilmember Latz suggested rezoning certain areas and added that a text amendment may be a problem. Council agreed that staff should look at re-zoning only were appropriate. 4. Elmwood Study Staff updated Council on the consultant selection process, stating that Hennepin County and city staff narrowed-the field to three consultants who were interviewed on January 9, 2002. Council directed staff to continue with the negotiations underway. 5. Southwest Corner of Highway 7 and Louisiana Avenue Staff would like Council input on whether the redevelopment should be promoted and if so, the type of process that staff should use in selecting a developer. Staff also would like to know what type of use Council would like on this property. Ms. Hagen spoke briefly about traffic signals in the area and the impacts that any development on the site would cause. Councilmember Nelson stated that he was inclined to go with a Request for Qualification process or a Request for Proposal process to facilitate redevelopment of the property. Study Session Minutes -3- January 14, 2002 Staff will continue to work on tools to solicit development proposals for the area. 6. St. Louis Park Business Council Council discussed and agreed to appoint Councilmember Chns Nelson to represent the City Council at the St. Louis Park Business Council meetings. The Council chose to name Mayor Jeff Jacobs as Councilmember Nelson's alternate. 7. Communications Council discussed the vacant seat on the Planning Commission and the interviews held earlier in the evening. Council agreed to appoint Phil Finkelstein to the Planning Commission at the next regular meeting. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. • C ,/ /- . L 4 ,-- Ci Clerk Mayo ,