HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/02/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session y}
CITY tIIcTLOU°cS OFFICIAL MINUTES
PARK SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
February 3, 2003
The meeting convened at 8:10 p m.
Present at the meeting Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Chris Nelson, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger,
Sue Santa, Sally Velick and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), City Engineer(Ms.
Hagen), Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening), City Assessor(Mr. Stepnick),
and City Clerk (Ms Reichert).
1. Legislators
Senator Steve Kelley and Representative Ron Latz were present at the meeting. Representative
Jim Rhodes was unable to attend.
Senator Kelley informed the Council that Governor Pawlenty would release a broad outline of
his budget proposal on February 11`h
Council asked several questions specific to the Governor's budget proposal. Council also asked
Senator Kelley and Representative Latz to continue their efforts to minimize impacts of budget
reductions on St Louis Park and to work toward legislation that would allow local units of
government to retain control over their jurisdictions.
2. Alley Assessment
Mr. Stepnick reported that a resident at 4213 Salem Ave had requested alley paving for the alley
at the 4200 block of Browndale and Salem. Staff had come up with various options that they felt
would be more fair to those persons without garages on the alley. Staff recommended having the
alley paid by the property owners with garages directly on the alley.
Councilmember Sanger feels that a policy is needed that will address these more unusual
assessment situations. Mr. Meyer felt that it would be important to determine under what
circumstances the city makes a contribution to alley paving. He did not believe that the current
policy always works.
Councilmember Santa stated that the future use of the property should be considered.
Mr. Meyer felt that a creative option would help the city's goal of paving alleys throughout the
city
Mr. Stepnick recommended that rather than changing to the policy to allow for this particular
situation, a waiver of assessment could be done.
Study Session Minutes -2- February 3, 2003
3. Flood Improvement Project Update
Peter Willenbnng from WSB was in attendance at the meeting.
Ms. Hagan gave an update on the four remaining CIP flood projects and the recommendation
from staff and WSB. Staff recommends construction of Project 2 at the same time as Project 4
as well as initiating flood-proofing measures behind the structures facing Texas Avenue.
Councilmember Nelson questioned how the properties fit into the onginal plan that was adopted.
Mr. Rardin replied that staff's recommendation was the most feasible solution just as was
Council's direction.
Councilmember Sanger raised the possibility of floodproofing the homes rather than completing
the whole project. Mr Willenbnng replied that completion of the project would benefit the
whole system.
Councilmember Nelson stated that he understands the project meets the set cntena, but he is still
uncomfortable about the cost per structure. Councilmember Santa inquired if it is possible to do
the project in stages. Ms. Hagen replied that it is more cost effective to do the project all at once
as well as the added benefit of reducing disruption to the neighborhood.
Mr Rardin stated that previous Council direction had set a certain level of protection for the
structures in question. Councilmember Bnmeyer felt they need to avoid short-sightedness in this
project and plan for the future.
Councilmember Nelson inquired about the larger benefits. Mr. Rardin replied that Lamplighter
Pond has been in the Capital Improvement Plan for a very long time and it is time to complete
the project Councilmember Sanger asked how the project would be funded. Mr. Meyer replied
that money has already been allocated through the stormwater utility fund. He added that some
requests have been received by staff but Council has not approved them as they were not part of
the original study. Councilmember Santa would like to begin the EAW for the Lamplighter
project. Ms Hagen felt that any correspondence with the neighborhood must be very clear.
After some discussion, Council decided to move forward with the EAW and asked staff to
provide them with more information at a future discussion.
4. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
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Cit Clerk Ma;l•r