HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/05/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PARK ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
May 19, 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 Bnmeyer, Chris Nelson,
Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer); City Attorney (Mr. Scott); Community
Development Director(Mr. Harmening); City Assessor (Mr. Stepnik); City Engineer
(Ms. Hagen); Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms. Jeremiah); Planning Associate (Ms.
Grove); and Recording Secretary (Ms. Samson)
2. Presentations
2a. National Public Works Week
Mayor Jacobs read a proclamation to recognize National Public Works Week for the
week of May 18-24, 2003.
2b. Parktacular Ambassadors Presentation
Scott Shmikler, Parktacular Boardmember, presented information on the 2003
Parktacular, which begins on June 17th, with the Parktacular parade, on a new parade
route, on June 18`h Mr. Shmikler bnefly summanzed upcoming events and distributed
brochures and Parktacular buttons.
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. City Council Minutes of May 5, 2003
The minutes were approved as presented.
3b. Study Session Minutes of April 28, 2003
From Councilmember Omodt• Page 2, Item 2, Paragraph 4: delete three or four and
replace with some.
From Councilmember Omodt: Page 3, Item 2, at the top of the page: At the end of the
first sentence add: for groups not currently assessed the additional$10.00.
From Councilmember Nelson: Page 2, Item 2, Paragraph 6: delete tear out and replace
with bring back this item for further discussion.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- May 19, 2003
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
4a Adopt Resolution No. 03-050 approving a transit-oriented development grant/loan
application to Hennepin County Department of Housing, Community Works and Transit
4b Adopt Resolution No. 03-051 calling for a public heanng by the City Council on the
proposed establishment of the Wolfe Lake Commercial Tax Increment Financing District
within Redevelopment Project No. 1 and the Proposed Adoption of the Tax Increment
Financing Plan
4c Adopt Resolution No. 03-052 authorizing the installation of stop signs at Gorham
Avenue at 2nd Street NW
4d Adopt Resolution No. 03-053 which rescinds Resolution No. 02-025 thereby removes
parking restnctions on the North side of Minnetonka Boulevard between Glenhurst and
Huntington Avenues while retaining other parking restrictions along Minnetonka
Boulevard
4e Adopt Resolution No. 03-054 authorizing the preparation of plans and specifications for
a noise wall on the west side of Trunk Highway 100 from south of Excelsior Boulevard
to the south City limits
4f Adopt the Resolution No. 03-055 authorizing the installation of stop signs at Dakota
Avenue and Walker Street (Note: This item moved to Regular Agenda).
4g Adopt Resolution No. 03-056 accepting this report, establishing and ordering an
improvement project, approving plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement
for bids
4h Approve a continuation of Walser Ford's application to appeal the Board of Zoning
Appeals decision to the June 2, 2003 City Council meeting
4i Designate Gartner Refrigeration &Manufacturing, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder
for the replacement of the refrigeration floor located in the west arena at the St. Louis
Park Rec Center and to execute a contract at a cost not to exceed $490,629.00
4j Motion to receive and accept year one report from Police Advisory Committee; and
motion to direct staff to prepare documents establishing a Police Advisory Commission
of the City
4k Motion to accept for filing the minutes of the Human Rights Commission meeting of
March 19, 2003
41 Motion to accept for filing the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Commission meeting of February 19, 2003
4m Motion to accept for filing the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of April 23,
2003
4n Motion to accept for filing the minutes of the Housing Authority meeting of April 9, 2003
4o Motion to accept vendor claims for filing (Supplement)
Council Meeting Minutes -3- May 19, 2003
Councilmember Omodt requested Item 4f be moved from the Consent Agenda to the Regular
Agenda as Item 8b.
It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve the
Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar as amended.
The motion passed 7-0.
5. Boards and Commissions: None
6. Public Hearings
6a. Public Hearing: Alley Paving—2700 Block between Raleigh Avenue and
Salem Avenue
City Engineer Maria Hagen presented a report. Ms. Hagen said some residents raised
concerns about settling and poor soils in the vicinity of the catch basin, and Staff will
investigate those concerns. The question of relative benefit to indirect property owners
was brought up during a neighborhood meeting, and questions about a 20-year guarantee.
Ms. Hagen also reported that a 30-day waiting period will follow the assessment hearing
tonight. Ms. Hagen said construction could begin in late July or early August, 2003.
Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing.
Ben Fnswold, 2719 Salem Avenue South, attended the neighborhood meeting, and he
thinks the property owners on the block are torn between those who have access to the
back (alley) and those who do not. Mr. Fnswold said his garage faces the front (street)
and, from his perspective, he does not see any value in the proposal to pave the alley.
Mr. Fnswold commented that he would be charged a fee for the next 20 years. He also
said the assessment could be a hindrance if he were to sell his home, and he thinks it
could hurt his ability to sell his home for fair market value Mr. Fnswold said a paved
alley may cause some motorists to drive faster. Mr. Fnswold said 11 property owners
have direct assess to the alley, and nine do not, and the vote was 11-9, although one may
have switched. He said that seems unfair. He added that he will not let his 18-month-old
child play in the backyard during construction. Mr. Fnswold respectfully asks Council to
vote no.
Mayor Jacobs asked about assessment fees for those who access the alley directly and
those who do not.
City Assessor Bruce Stepnik said those who have garages on the alley will be assessed
70%, and for those with an indirect benefit, the assessment will be 30%. It was noted that
Mr. Fnswold would receive an indirect benefit.
Brian and Deb McBride, 2737 Salem Avenue South, initiated the petition. Mr. McBride
said they went to every home on the Salem and Raleigh blocks to ask property owners
their opinions about the alley paving. Mr. McBride said the alley is in rough shape, and
those who have garages facing the alley favor the petition, and some whose garages do
not face the alley signed the petition. He said there is a strong pro-sentiment to have the
alley paved.
. "
Council Meeting Minutes -4- May 19, 2003
Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt
Resolution No. 03-056 ordering the construction of a concrete alley in the 2700 block
between Raleigh Avenue and Salem Avenue, approving plans and specifications and
authorizing receipt of bids ,
The motion passed 7-0.
6b. Assessment Hearing for Alley Paving Project 2700 Block between Raleigh
and Salem Avenue. Resolution No.03-057
Mr. Stepmk said the total assessment for alley paving located at the 2700 block between
Raleigh Avenue South and Salem Avenue South is $54,000, with 19 properties involved,
a 20-year period to payoff the special assessment, and an interest rate at 5.9%. Mr.
Stepnik said the City shall wait 30 days for any appeals to be made.
Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Jacobs
closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Santa asked for clarification regarding a homeowner's option to pay for
the assessment, i.e., pay over 20 years or pay in full. Mr. Stepnik said that is correct and
he added, one can pay the entire amount before November 15th or it will be certified to
the property taxes over a 20-year period. Mr. Stepnik said there is a third option, one can
pay the entire amount in the third or fifth year.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt
Resolution No. 03-057 establishing the assessment improvement alley paving in the 2700
block between Raleigh and Salem Avenue.
The motion passed 7-0.
7. Requests, Petitions,and Communications from the Public: None
8. Resolutions, Ordinances,Motions
8a. Daniel Yavner (Metropolitan Open School) request for a Conditional Use
Permit for a small school in the R4 district at 3390 Library Lane.
Resolution No. 03-058
Ms. Grove presented a Staff report. The Applicant, Daniel Yavner, is requesting a CUP.
Ms. Grove said Staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval with conditions
regarding an off-site drop off and pick up area for students; the two teachers use an
existing one-car garage and drive way; landscape plans need a little more work and the
final exhibits should be revised to incorporate the required bufferyard; and signage to be
a maximum of six square feet, which would require a sign permit.
Mr. Yavner, 3319 Zarthan Avenue South, said he is hopeful to open the school this fall
Council Meeting Minutes -5- May 19, 2003
It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt
Resolution No. 03-058 approving the conditional use permit, subject to conditions in the
resolution.
The motion passed 7-0.
8b. Motion to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the installation of stop
signs at Dakota Avenue and Walker Street
Councilmember Omodt said he would like more information from Staff on this item
regarding the traffic studies; if neighborhood residents were polled; if nearby businesses
were polled; and what is the big picture for traffic for this entire area? Councilmember
Omodt favors the four-way stop but he would like to know what process was used to get
where this item currently stands, and his inquiry includes all constituent groups in this
neighborhood
It was moved by Councilmember Omodt, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to continue
this item to June 2, 2003.
The motion passed 7-0.
9. Communications
From Mayor Jacobs• Mayor Jacobs thanked those involved in the Children First Ice
Cream Social, which was held in Wolfe Park.
10. Adjournment
Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 8.0- . m.
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City Clerk Mayr