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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/12/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF ST. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION December 8, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:06 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers John Basill, Jim Brimeyer, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: Human Resources Director(Ms. Gohman); Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt); Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms. Jeremiah); Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson); and Recording Secretary(Ms. Samson). Mr. Harmening, Community Development Director/Acting City Manager,joined the Study Session after the discussion regarding the City Manager Interview Process. Others present: Ron Mehl, Stonebridge Development&Acquisition, LLC; Mr. Anderson from Anderson Builders; Bill Greg, consultant from ENSR; and Stephen Bubul, EDA Counsel from Kennedy& Graven. Mr. Bubul arrived at 9:43 p.m. 1. City Manager Interview Process Ms. Gohman reported that the City Manager Profile has been completed, and she distributed copies to the Council. Councilmembers also received a copy of Minnesota Statute 43A regarding salary caps. Ms. Gohman provided guidance on how the Council might want to proceed with the interview process to interview Mr. Harmening for the City Manager position. Ms. Gohman offered that Mr. Harmening could be interviewed by department heads in two small groups. Ms. Gohman said she would provide written information from the departmental head interviews to the Council. Councilmember Santa said she likes the idea of dialogue between the department heads and the candidate but not an interview per se. Councilmember Sanger raised concern regarding employees interviewing a potential boss. Ms. Gohman responded that Mr. Harmening could outline his background and experiences for the department heads, and she would ask interview participants for concerns. Councilmember Brimeyer said such an interview process would allow people to be a part of the process. Mayor Jacobs commented that it would be a good team approach. Councilmember Basill said he likes the idea of having department heads interview Mr. Harmening. Ms. Gohman summarized that the interview process will include the department heads, and she will provide the Council with information from those interviews. Councilmember Brimeyer said that the interview questions should be tied to the profile. Councilmember Basill suggested there be no time limit set. Councilmember Sanger inquired about orchestrating the interview questions. Councilmember Brimeyer described his experience interviewing candidates for city manager positions, and he suggested asking questions regarding scenarios. Councilmember Brimeyer would like to have an evaluation form provided to the Councilmembers for use during the interview. It was noted that Councilmember-elect Phillip Finkelstein will attend the interview. Study Session Minutes -2- December 8, 2003 It was decided that the City Council will interview Mr. Harmening on Monday, December 22, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Gohman said notice will be published regarding Mr. Harmening's interview. (Note: Items 3 and 4 were discussed prior to Item 2). 2. Indemnity Agreement with Oak Hill 3501 LLC/Anderson Builders relative to Purchase Contract for 3501 Louisiana Avenue Mr. Greg provided some background information on the connection between himself, ENSR, and the Reilly site and its history. Mr. Greg discussed the Reilly Tar Consent Decree. The minimum life of the Consent Decree is 30 years. Mr. Bubul reported that in the indemnification language, the City shall indemnify Anderson Builders, etc., up to the caps. Mr. Bubul stated that for the City to proceed or not to proceed, the liabilities are about the same amount just different. In regard to the liability issue, Mr. Bubul contrasted the currently exposed contaminated dirt on the Reilly site versus a building being built and people occupying it. Councilmember Basill wants to be certain that Anderson Builders cannot come after the City; he wants Anderson Builders to be a true partner. Councilmember Sanger agrees with Councilmember Basill. Councilmember Sanger suggested that Anderson Builders pay a deductible for liability above two million dollars. Mr. Bubul said there is a single tort cap. Mr. Anderson said he does not have the money for the CERCLA cap, that insurance would be prohibitive. Mr. Anderson said he is getting information on environmental insurance, and he stated that he does not want to take on CERCLA liability. It was stated that the venting requirement would be honored as stated by the MPCA. After tonight's discussion Councilmembers Basill and Sanger, and Mayor Jacobs are more comfortable with the liability issue. Council will move forward with this item. Mr. Harmening stated that this item must appear on the agenda for December 15, 2003. 3. Stonebridge Development—Preliminary Application for Tax Increment Financing Assistance for a proposed Senior Cooperative Housing redevelopment project on the former Talmud Torah school property Mr. Hunt said this is a preliminary discussion to determine if Council would like to move forward with this proposal. Mr. Hunt said this project would require a Comprehensive Plan amendment. The Redeveloper has provided a preliminary sources and use estimate for the project in its Preliminary TIF Application, and the total dollar amount is $23,215,050, to be paid in nine years. Mr. Hunt said the EDA's financial consultant, Ehlers &Associates, reviewed the Redeveloper's pro forma and did not raise any concerns, i.e., they see no serious issues as the project is stated. Councilmember Santa commented that the traffic light at 33rd and Texas Avenue is problematic, and she has traffic concerns regarding pedestrians walking on sidewalks. In regard to Texas and Virginia Avenues, safety is a huge concern. Study Session Minutes -3- December 8, 2003 Councilmember Santa inquired about how to deal with open space and the Water District. Mr. Hunt said the Redeveloper has yet to contact the Water District. A Stonebridge representative said a traffic study could be conducted. Mayor Jacobs said neighborhood meetings would be required; at this time, it appears the project would meet some of the City's housing goals, i.e., the option for seniors to purchase affordable senior housing, and single-family, senior-owned homes may become available for resale to younger families. Councilmember Sanger asked if all units in the proposed project are subject to being designated as a limited liability coop, and the response from Stonebridge was yes. Councilmember Sanger asked: What is the incentive for property owners to maintain their units? Councilmember Velick commented that there are high monthly maintenance fees. Mayor Jacobs asked if any studies have been done on this type of project. A Stonebridge representative said there are only two such limited equity cooperative entities in the Twin Cities. When Councilmember Sanger asked where goes the inherent value, the response was that the co- op owns it. Councilmember Basill is concerned about risk in the event that the co-op should be unsuccessful; he asked what the developer's track record is in particular and limited equity co-ops in general. The Council would like to have statistics on this type of project and the history of successes and failures of a limited equity co-op. Councilmember Sanger inquired about those property owners who may violate the co-op's by- laws. Councilmember Velick said the concept is broad and more information is needed. Councilmember Omodt asked: why TIF? Councilmember Basill commented that rental units could be built without TIF. Stonebridge representatives will gather and present the information Council has requested. 4. Usable Open Space Requirements Ms. Erickson discussed usable open space requirements and the Planning Commission's recommendations regarding text changes to the Zoning Code that would result in more consistent standards. She said the Planning Commission recommended eliminating the definition for usable open space and replace it with a definition for designed outdoor recreational area (DORA). Ms. Jeremiah added that Staff could include an accessibility requirement. Councilmember Sanger said the City must have clear definitions for developers. Ms. Jeremiah said Staff would like to address quality and quantity. Councilmember Sanger expressed concern regarding the reduction in the R-1, single-family standard from 600 to 400 square feet. Study Session Minutes -4- December 8, 2003 Mayor Jacobs wants people to have flexibility. Ms. Jeremiah said Staff will be collecting information from Points of Sale, and additional information from DORA (designed outdoor recreational area). Council asked Staff to return with that information. 5. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. tee, City Clerk Ma or p