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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/12/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ST.CITY LOUISOF OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION December 9, 2002 The meeting convened at 7:00 p m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Meyer), Police Chief(Mr. Luse), Sergeant Lon Dreier, Sergeant Chad Kraayenbnnk, Community Development Director(Mr. Harmening), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr Hunt), Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin), Finance Director (Ms. McGann), Operations Superintendent (Mr. Backlund), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. Community Policing Chief Luse gave a report on Homeland Security planning and preparedness. He then distributed a handout to the Council regarding the reorganization that has been taking place in the Police Department as well as a means to evaluate progress that has been made. He reported that they are working hard at developing partnerships and community interaction. Chief Luse discussed some of the progress they have had with developing outreach programs with multi-family housing groups. Staff discussed current and successful drug prevention programs and the impact they are having in the schools A police presence and relationship in the schools is also having a positive impact. 2. Highway 169 Improvements Mr Rardin explained that MnDot has targeted the W 22nd St. ramp on Highway 169 as a safety concern and has proposed to close the ramp. MnDot must have the City of St Louis Park's approval. MnDot has also proposed constructing the noisewall for the area at the same, which will be several years ahead of schedule. Mr. Rardin distributed an e-mail he received from Councilmember Velick listing her various questions and concerns such as statistics demonstrating that it is unsafe and budget concerns. He reported that MnDot would like to meet with Council and residents on this issue. Councilmember Sanger felt that funding could be a problem in the future and the city should move as quickly as possible while there is still funding available. Councilmember Nelson would like to pursue the project but wants to see a public meeting held. 3. Railroad Crossing Improvements Mr Rardin reported that the City and Canadian Pacific have scheduled the reconstruction of 3 railway crossings for 2003. An inspection was conducted in the last year on all crossings and Canadian Pacific has submitting a proposal of additional crossings that need reconstruction or closure Study Session Minutes -2- Council discussed the traffic flow on different railroad crossings and the impact to the neighborhoods if crossings were closed Councilmember Sanger stated that she would like to have neighborhood meetings to receive input from the surrounding neighbors of the affected areas. Mr. Meyer suggested that any closings of railroad crossings be discussed at the development review meeting for Police and Fire department review. 4. TIF District/Debt Management and Soil Remediation Funds Mark Ruff, Ehlers & Associates, was present at the meeting. Mr. Ruff gave an overview of the report along with his recommendations for funding the Park Commons and Excelsior Boulevard Streetscape projects. Councilmember Sanger inquired if the legislature would see the relative health of the city's TIF districts as an opportunity to further reduce our state aid. Mr. Meyer replied that the attention on TIF distncts has dissipated. Council discussed the originally planned transference of the original amount plus interest from the Water Enterprise fund back into the Development Fund. The effects of the Reilly Tar clean- up costs were also discussed. Councilmember Bnmeyer suggested that the Development Fund be programmed and Mr. Meyer replied that staff is already planning on it. 5. Elmwood Area Study Barry Warner, SRF, and Paul Steinman, Spnngsted, were present at the meeting. Ms. Erickson gave a presentation on the background of the study, stating the purpose, structure and desired outcomes of the study. Councilmember Nelson felt that the implementation plan should be part of the study. Councilmember Sanger wondered if the study was being conducted in the wrong order. Mr. Steinman presented information on the market and funding feasibility. Councilmember Nelson raised the question of whether voters in the city would pay tax dollars to subsidize high- pnced single family housing in the area. Councilmember Brimeyer stated that the ground was expensive in this area and land acquisition for housing development would be more feasible in another area. Councilmember Santa stated that there is always the question of the ground quality and contaminants Councilmember Nelson felt that the public would not want to subsidize move up housing with tax dollars. Mr. Harmening informed Council that they would be seeing the final report on the Elmwood Study in the coming weeks. 6. Communications Council briefly discussed how they would go about the selection process given the fact that over 20 applications had been received for the vacant Council seat. Because of the high number of applicants it was decided that each Councilmember would come forward with a list of candidates they would want to interview based upon written materials submitted. Study Session Minutes -3- December 9, 2002 7. Adjournment The meeting concluded at 10.05 p.m. ( ) 5ry" Clerk Mayo u