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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002/02/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ST.CITY LOUISOF OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION Minutes of February 25, 2002 Th meeting convened at TOO p m Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Brimeyer, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Pro-tern Ron Latz and Mayor Jeff Jacobs (who arrived later in the meeting). Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Director of Community Development (Mr Harmening), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert) 1. Traffic Circle Sculpture—Allegory of Excelsior Andrea Myklebust was in attendance at the meeting Ms Myklebust stated that a lot of interest has been shown on the sculpture via online discussion~ on her website She encouraged Council to visit the website foi mole inloi mation Ms Myklebust showed the modifications to the sculpture that came as a result of previous discussions Councilmember Nelson indicated that he preferred the original work and that he did not care as much for the rough texture of the new design The majority of the rest of the Council agreed that they like certain components of the newer design better, but agreed that the smoother texture was preferable. Councilmember Latz felt the original design included dynamism and worked bettei for the city's needs. Council discussed several of the comments that were brought up on the website. Ms. Myklebust stated that one comment came from an individual that felt nudity was inappropriate and very difficult to explain to his seven-year-old son. She added that another comment received in response to that was from someone who wondered if art in the public realm was to be judged based upon the sensibilities of a seven-year-old Mr Meyer inquired about the feasibility of the structure from an engineering standpoint Councilmember Velick asked if Council would see the final pioduct before signing the c,ontiaLi Mr Meyer replied that they would not, that the contract will be signed and then the artist will complete the sculpture. Councilmember Velick stated that she does not like the concept and had something different in mind for the traffic circle sculpture Councilmember Latz asked Councilmember Velick if she could be comfortable with the concept and whether she could live with it Councilmember Velick stated that she could but still does not like the concept Councilmember Sanger felt that since the major concern with the sculpture was nudity, a plaque should go along with it to explain its symbolism and significance. Ms. Myklebust stated that she agreed and that several layers of information on the sculpture will be available. Study Session Minutes -2- February 25, 2002 Mr. Harmening stated that staff would be bnnging the contract forward Ms. Myklebust outlined the order of the work to be done stating that first the contract must signed. She will then start the studio work and hire a model to pose for the sculpture, creating clay models. Following that she will determine the scale of the sculpture and how the sculpture will be connected to the base She will then begin working with the real materials, building a scale model There will be a final presentation to the Council. Lastly, fabrication on the real scale sculpture will begin Ms. Myklebust stated that at least a two-month period would occur before the final presentation to Council. Mr. Becker stated that there are three phases to the process The first will involve the start and design of the sculpture. Second, the actual work on the sculpture will begin contingent on approval by Council. The last phase will be the installation of the sculpture in the traffic circle Councilmember Latz stated that he likes the sculpture and thanked Ms. Myklebust Mr. Harmening informed Council that the contract would be coming to the next regular Council meeting for final approval. 2. Park Commons East Streetscape and•Architecture Update Bob Cunningham, TOLD Development Company, and a representative of Damon Farber Associates were present at the meeting. The representative from Damon Farber presented the most current plans and design elements to the Council. Councilmember Latz would like to see accessible recycling cans incorporated into the design The representative from Damon Farber emphasized that maintenance is a key issue in this project. He showed the fixtures, planters, bike stands and other items that would be included in the design. Mr. Cunningham reported that they were on track in terms of leasing out space He also discussed the architecture and brick selection for the buildings. 3. West Suburban Housing Partners Private Activity Revenue Bonds Councilmembers Sanger and Nelson expressed their concern over the financing of the project Mr Harmening replied that all issues that had caused concern previously had been addressed Mr. Harmening commented that the major concern for Council now is to determine the mix of affordable housing. Councilmember Latz explained how the overall percent of affordable units at a percentage of median income could affect the funding for the development Councilmember Latz informed Council that he had spoken to a representative from the Metropolitan Interfaith Council for Affordable Housing (MICAH) to inquire what they felt would be an appropriate mix of affordable housing units in the development They confirmed that the proposed numbers that were being looked at were adequate Study Session Minutes -3- February 25, 2002 The developer stated that the proposal allowed for twenty-five percent of the units to be affordable housing for persons at the fifty- percent mark of the median income Councilmember Latz would like to see more units affordable such as dedicating forty percent of the units to affordable housing for persons earning up to sixty percent of the median income The majority of the Council wanted to see a lower proposal. Councilmember Latz stated that the demographic mix would be the same within the development whether or not there is a lesser number of affordable units. He commented that the important question would be if the tenants in the building would be stretched to pay for their units. He felt that the city had a good assortment of affordable housing prior to the Park Commons project, but now is the time to balance it out again. Councilmember Velick questioned staff on how the city was doing with affordable housing Mr Harmening replied that in addition to new units the city is doing well with rental affordable housing. He added that in terms of owned affordable housing, the city has lost a great deal of affordable properties as a result of rising home values and new construction of market rate housing Councilmember Santa was concerned about pockets of atfoidable housing in the city and Iclt tliat affordable housing needs to be spread throughout the community Councilmember Nelson felt that St. Louis Park is contributing a fair amount of affordable housing to the market Councilmember Brimeyer voiced his support for either level of affordable housing that was proposed. Mr. Harmening stated that staff would move to hold a public hearing at the next regular meeting 4. Building at Oak Park Village Bruce Cornwall of BTR, Inc. was present at the meeting Mr. Cornwall stated that the location of the building has been moved due to poor soil condition at the original location Mr. Cornwall discussed the location of the restrooms that are to be located in the building He also mentioned the concerns over traffic flow near the adjacent housing in the area Council discussed renting storage space in the building to some of the athletic associations and how much space would be needed to provide that storage Councilmember Latz inquired how the financing would work for this project Mr Meyer replied that they could issue general obligation bonds. Council discussed renting out the rooms of the building out to create revenue to help pay off the bonds Councilmember Latz asked what the building user groups preferred to use the building for and if they would be willing to pay to have a larger building. Jl ti. Study Session Minutes -4- February 25, 2002 Council directed staff to plan on the larger building but to first discuss the options with the pnmary building users. Council would also like staff to provide revenue projections. 5. Twelve Hour Parking Restriction Ms. Reichert updated the Council on the analysis of the parking situation on city streets. Staff recommended increasing the time frame to allow vehicles to be parked continuously for forty- eight hours. Lt. Dilorenzo stated that the Police department was planning to change their procedure and would provide notice to the vehicle owner at the time the tires are chalked This would provide notice earlier in the process and allow the owner to move the vehicle before being issued a citation. Council bnefly discussed the recommendation and agreed that it should come forward as an ordinance change. They directed staff to move forward with the recommendation. 6. Re-Striping of Minnetonka Boulevard Ms. Hagen briefly went over the options for re-striping Minnetonka Boulevard and stated that staff's recommendation was to remove parking both east and west of Highway 100 and allow for striped shoulders. Councilmember Nelson felt that there was a high safety concern and concurred with staff's recommendation. He stated that the high number of accidents in the last two and a half years raises a very valid safety issue. Councilmember Brimeyer agreed with the safety issues, but stated that the businesses were concerned that customers will not have good access to their stores. Staff clarified that the recommended striping options would not prevent cars from stopping to let off passengers before finding a parking spot Council suggested that a public hearing should be scheduled for the second meeting in March 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10 30p m. A Cit Clerk Mayar V