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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/02/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CTY OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ffir-ST.ILouOIFS ARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA February 18, 2003 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7.30 p.m. The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: Jim Brimeyer, Chris Nelson, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Also present were the City Manager(Mr Meyer); City Attorney (Ms. Poehler); Community Development Director(Mr. Harmening); Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson); Parks and Recreation Director(Ms. Walsh); and Recording Secretary (Ms Samson) 2. Presentations: None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of February 3, 2003 From City Manager Charlie Meyer: Page 3, Item 8a, delete: David Cooke, Park Nicollet Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer was in attendance From City Manager Charlie Meyer Page 4, Item 8b, Paragraph 2, the last sentence: insert not immediately preceding supercede From Councilmember Sanger: Page 4, Item 8b, Paragraph 3. At the end of the paragraph, add: Staff assured Council that this is a correct interpretation. 3b. City Council Study Session Minutes of January 27, 2003 From Mayor Jacobs Page 3, Item 4, Paragraph 4, delete the third sentence and replace with the following. Mayor Jacobs consulted with the City Manager who consulted with the City Attorney, and Mayor Jacobs was told that it was determined that City fees are not required From Councilmember Sanger: Page 4, Item 5, Paragraph 4, add the following at the end of the paragraph Councilmember Sanger's request to the City Manager was that which was reviewed with the City Attorney regarding whether City permit requirements can be adjusted to include not to deprive adjacent property owners of access to their`properties. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTE The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which need no discussion Consent items are acted upon by one motion If discussion is desired by either a Councilmember or a member of the audience, that item may be moved to an appropriate section of the regular agenda for discussion Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 18, 2003 4a Approve the liquor license renewal for on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor to HJKS, Inc.,DBA Texa-Tonka Lanes, 8200 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 4b Designate Rainbow Tree Care, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder and to authorize execution of a contract for the 2003 Arbotect 20-S Elm injection program at a cost of$8.80 per diameter inch 4c Designate Sobiech Backhoe &Tree Service as the lowest responsible bidder, and authorize execution of a contract for the 2003 Dutch Elm Disease Tree Removal Program in an amount not to exceed $115,970.00 4d Authorize execution of an agreement for Construction Administration services with Krech, O'Brien, Mueller& Wass in an amount not to exceed $ 56,150 for the renovation of the Rec Center roof over the West Arena 4e Approve an agreement with Musco Lighting in an amount not to exceed $38,634 for the purchase of lights; and approve an agreement with Granite Ledge in an amount not to exceed $14,000 for the electrical work for ball field lights at Skippy Field located in Carpenter Park 4f Designate Veit Companies as the lowest responsible bidder for the demolition of the Rec Center roof and to execute a contract at a cost not to exceed $169,000. Motion to designate KMH Erectors as the lowest responsible bidder for structural steel and to authorize execution of a contract at a cost not to exceed$202,900. Motion to designate Molin Concrete as the lowest responsible bidder for the pre- cast concrete wall panel and to execute a contract at a cost not to exceed$77,230 4g Accept Housing Authority Minutes of January 8, 2003 4h Accept Human Rights Commission Minutes of December 18, 2002 41 Accept Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of November 20, 2002 4j Accept and file Vendor Claims (supplement) It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed 7-0 5. Boards and Commissions It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Nelson, to appoint John Basalt as commissioner to the Planning Commission. The motion passed 7-0 6. Public Hearings - 6a. Public Hearing to consider granting an on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor license to Mojito, Inc., 3849 Grand Way, St. Louis Park, MN City Manager Charlie Meyer said this is an application for a full liquor license for a full service restaurant Council Meeting Minutes -3- February 18, 2003 Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve an on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor license. The motion passed 7-0. 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public: None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions 8a. Elmwood Area Land Use, Transit and Transportation Study Planning Coordinator Judie Erickson reported on the final draft of the Elmwood Study Ms. Erickson said the Council is being asked to accept the study, not adopt it. Barry Warner, the consultant for the study from SRF Consulting Group, presented highlights of the study Ms. Erickson said the Staff report contains suggested next steps, and Staff recommends a discussion at a Study Session Councilmember Nelson said he would ask for some screening to be shown or added in the plan for Wooddale Avenue extended to show how it would be buffered from the neighborhood and that it would not be an access road from the east side of Highway 100 to the neighborhood. Councilmember Nelson said he likes the fourth option in Figure 10B. He wants ample parking at the transit site. Councilmember Nelson has concern about the density that is being proposed for the Quadion site. He asked Mr Warner why the feedback regarding density at the northern portion of the Quadion site was not adopted in the study report. Mr. Warner said a market analysis and a feasibility study was done and land use and greater density are needed to reduce a gap, i.e., what the market can bear versus what the actual construction will take. Councilmember Bnmeyer asked a question about the figures being based on someone else acquiring the property, to which staff agreed Mayor Jacobs asked about accepting the report versus adopting the report. Mr. Meyer said the effect of this motion would close out the report and study process. Official actions, which will come later, would require more discussions and meetings. John Basill, 6208 Oxford Street, said a position statement has been submitted by the Elmwood neighborhood. Mr Basill said the section west of Wooddale Avenue is most important. He does not want potential developers to be mislead into bringing forward high-density proposals On behalf of the Community Advisory Committee, Mr. Basill recommends the following three options for the section west of Wooddale Avenue: 1) remain industrial, 2) Quadion to build their headquarters there; or 3) given three areas on the Quadion site, Area 1 to be single family homes, Area 2 to be low density, and Area 3 to be medium density senior housing. Mr Basill stated the study should be changed to reflect the three options . Council Meeting Minutes -4- February 18, 2003 Jerry Chapman, 3700 South Highway 100, owner of Jerry's Auto Specialties, said he and many of his customers do not want high-density housing. Mr. Chapman strongly recommends the Council not accept the study. Councilmember Nelson said, in the study, there is no proposal to take homes, and the City will not take the building in which Mr. Chapman's business is located or any other buildings. Minister David McBride, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3801 Wooddale Avenue South, said it appears to him that church property may be consumed. Minister McBnde's major concerns regard the proposed bridge over Highway 100 and Wooddale Avenue extended He said the study plan indicates a park/holding space and a road dissecting church property. Minister McBride submitted a letter to the Council, dated February 18, 2003. The letter states that at a church meeting on January 28, 2003, a resolution was adopted: "Aldersgate United Methodist Church requests that the St. Louis Park City Council defer action on the Elmwood Area Land Use/Transit/Transportation Study report pending completion of the Park Nicollet Clinic soil tests and traffic study." Sonja Almlie, 3924 Webster Avenue South, requested the City not wait until the adoption to amend the study but that the City Council strongly consider postponing acceptance and take the community's and church members' feelings to heart. Ms. Almlie said it is distressing to think a church would be taken out. She does not want high density on the Quadion site. Ms. Almlie expressed concern regarding tax increment financing (TIF) and bonding for the site. Harvey Ginsberg, 5824 West 39th South, does not support acceptance of the plan. Mr. Ginsberg strongly favors owner-occupied homes and move up housing. He is concerned about spillover traffic into the Elmwood neighborhood. Mr. Ginsberg said Elmwood is not a gateway to Town Center, Park Nicollet or other retail. Ms. Erickson said the City cannot require that housing be owner-occupied housing. Councilmember Bnmeyer suggested delaying action in order to scrutinize the major issues of the final draft of the study. Nancy Menzel, 5800 Cambridge, said the bridge issue should continue to be considered. Ms. Menzel thinks the acceptance of the study should be delayed. She asked, Is the bridge even necessary? John Gleason, 5801 Goodrich, said the impact of high density and its traffic would be most problematic. Councilmember Sanger has significant concerns about the proposed high-density housing areas; she promotes owner-occupied and move up housing; and she strongly believes in the preservation of older homes Councilmember Sanger said to accept the report could be misleading to Quadion or potential buyers She favors delay or the incorporation of alternatives regarding the housing element of the study. Councilmember Omodt agrees with Councilmember Sanger, and he urges thoughtful deliberation of the study. Council Meeting Minutes -5- February 18, 2003 Councilmember Nelson mentioned the designation of historic homes; and down zoning, i.e., strictly single family homes on the Quadion site, is not an option due to potential legal problems He said additional wording is warranted in the study. Councilmember Nelson would like to see the creation of an historic zone for homes, and he would like staff to continue to work on that. Councilmember Sanger asked about delaying action on the study. Director of Community Development Tom Harmening said Hennepin County is paying for the study and Hennepin County is SRF's client. Mr. Harmening listed three options for the Council: 1) take no action on the study, i.e., simply acknowledge that it has been done, 2) accept the study as written, or 3) accept the study after certain changes have been made to it, and the most notable change might be to lower the density recommendation for the northern parcel of the Quadion site Mr. Harmening cautioned the Council that if they do that—lower the density recommendation—they may be sending a message to the development company and other property owners that all of the other recommendations in the study are acceptable, and he said that may be unwise. Mr. Harmening suggested bringing this item forward at the next Council meeting and adopt a resolution that contains a number of provisions that represents the Council's concerns and clarify the Council's position on certain recommendations in the study, e.g., concern regarding high density on the northern Quadion site. He said Council does not have to take action on this item tonight. Councilmember Bnmeyer suggested accepting the study subject to further study on some key components He does not want to lose flexibility on the bridge issue and housing density. Councilmember Bnmeyer is willing to accept the study along the lines Mr. Harmening talked about but there are some things that need to be looked at, and he will make that motion. Before Coucilmember Bnmeyer makes a motion, Councilmember Nelson would like further discussion Councilmember Nelson said he is prepared to accept the study for the most part The bridge issue does not warrant further study at this time. He is okay with accepting the study but he will not vote for a high-density proposal on the Quadion site. Mayor Jacobs likes Mr. Harmening's suggestion to accept the study but ask Staff to prepare a resolution of those concerns raised tonight by Council and those who have spoken on issues such as the bridge and the density Mr. Meyer said, procedurally, if Council were to accept the study, one option would be to have the record reflect the concerns of the Council or ask Staff to prepare a resolution which would accept the report and indicate some of the concerns that have been raised. Mayor Jacobs said he would structure the language in the resolution to state included but not limited to type of language, i.e., to circumvent the exclusion of one thing is to include everything else Councilmember Nelson is in agreement and Staff is being asked to prepare a resolution and return to Council in two weeks. City Attorney Andrea Poehler said no vote is required,just direct Staff to return in two weeks with a resolution Council Meeting Minutes -6- February 18, 2003 Mr. Harmening said Staff will send a copy of the resolution to the Community Advisory Committee members and to the Elmwood Neighborhood Association members. 8b. Resolutions confirming City's intention to pursue special legislation allowing Councilmembers to participate in Public Employee's Retirement Fund benefit retroactive to their dates of employment. Resolution No.'s 03-020, 03-021, 03-022 Mr Meyer reported that due to employee error, three city councilmembers were denied access to PERA benefits at their time of employment. If approved, the following resolutions will show the City's support for the pursuit of special legislation to correct that error. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve Resolution No. 03-020 of intent to pursue special legislation for Councilmember Santa. The motion passed 6-0-1. (Councclmember Santa abstained). It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve Resolution No. 03-021 of intent to pursue special legislation for Councilmember Brimeyer. The motion passed 6-0-1. (Councilmember Brimeyer abstained). It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to approve Resolution No. 03-022 of intent to pursue special legislation for Councilmember Nelson. The motion passed 6-0-1. (Councilmember Nelson abstained). 8c. General Revisions to Chapter 20 and Chapter 8 regarding retail sales in parks and other general revisions to park regulations contained in Chapter 20 Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Walsh reported on revisions to allow for a departmental process to approve retail sales in parks and general revisions to Chapter 20 and Chapter 8. Councilmember Sanger would like to know why the proposed ordinance is eliminating the prohibition against posting and handbills Ms. Walsh responded that she thinks it is because it occurs under litter and, therefore, was eliminated from what was on Page 6 Mr Meyer said duplicate language is eliminated Councilmember Sanger asked that temporary, on Page 6, Section 8, be clarified. Ms. Walsh said it will be clarified at the second reading Additionally, the location of litter will be clarified at the second reading Councilmember Sanger raised the issue of handbills, and Councilmember Santa raised the issue of littering. Council Meeting Minutes -7- February 18, 2003 It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to approve first reading of the ordinance The motion passed 6-0. (Councilmember Nelson was absent). 9. Communications From the City Manager: Mr. Meyer said a cut in local government aid (LGA) has been anticipated for some time, and his greatest concern is not how much LGA will be cut but how LGA will be cut. For St. Louis Park, LGA is anticipated to be cut by about $1.6 million, which is approximately 75% of the City's LGA. Mr. Meyer said stnct levy limits may mean no ability to raise property tax levies. From the Mayor: Mayor Jacobs announced the annual Mayor's Youth Summit on March 26th at 5.30 p m. at the St. Louis Park junior high school. Youth participants are in grades 4-12. All are invited to attend. From Councilmember Santa: The annual Home Builder Remodeling Fair will take place at the Eisenhower Community Center on February 23rd 10. Adjournment Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p m C 472-i C y Clerk f;Mayor ��