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Home My WebLink About2003/04/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF ST LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION April 28,2003 The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Chns Nelson, Paul Omodt, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Councilmember Susan Sanger was absent. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Community Development Director (Mr. Harmening), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin), Engineering Program Manager(Mr. Moore), City Engineer (Ms. Hagen), Director Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Planning Coordinator (Ms. Erickson), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Samson). Also present: MnDOT representatives Heather Lott, Wayne Norris, and Peter Wasko. 1. Construction and Funding of a Potential Noise Wall along the West Side of Trunk Highway 100 Maria Hagen introduced the discussion regarding the possibility of constructing a noise wall along the west side of Highway 100 from south of Excelsior Blvd. to the southern City limits. Heather Lott descnbed the location of the noise wall. Ms. Lott stated that St. Louis Park may chose to work with Edina regarding extending the noise wall. Ms. Lott said that MnDOT would prefer to work simultaneously with Edina and St. Louis Park on a proposed extension of the noise wall. In regard to the consideration to extend the noise wall, Councilmember Nelson pointed out that a retaining wall is in the way. Wayne Noms said MnDOT would meet with Edina to promote the extension. Councilmember Nelson asked if extending the wall will impact the traffic volume load, and Mr Noms replied, no. Mr. Noms added that it is feasible to extend the noise wall, and he will lobby for it For this matter to move forward, Ms. Lott said MnDOT would require a resolution. Ms Hagen said two possible sources of funding may be the utility fund or a special assessment. Charlie Meyer asked, Why local funding as opposed to project funding? Mr. Norris said some funding could be derived from the Noise Barrier Fund, but only for noise protection. It was mentioned that the purchase of St. Louis Park turn-backs by MnDOT could be another source of funding There was discussion regarding landscaping and street width. Ms. Hagen said she will contact Edina regarding the possibility of extending the noise wall. Study Session Minutes -2- April 28, 2003 Mayor Jacobs said he does not want special assessments to be imposed for this project. The City Council gave its approval to move forward with this item and to contact the City of Edina to discuss extending the noise wall. Council agreed that the noise wall should extend to 44th Street West. 2. Budget Proposal Review (continued) Mr. Meyer said Staff is suggesting that three weeks be set aside to go through the detailed items of the budget, and reserve the fourth week, May 19th, to review and make decisions regarding remedies Cindy Walsh presented the Parks and Recreation Department's budget reductions and revenue enhancements. The Council discussed the proposed service changes listed on Ms. Walsh's sheet, Parks and Recreation Department Budget Reductions and Revenue Enhancements, and Council gave their acceptance of the changes listed for the Community Organization Support. Councilmember Nelson expressed concern that residents would not be willing to pay for the upkeep of boulevard trees, therefore, Council would like to bring back Item 2, turn back boulevard trees to the residents, for further discussion. Councilmember Omodt said he would like to have some skating rinks done really well as opposed to having skating rinks minimally maintained. Mr. Meyer suggested that this item return for further discussion after it is known how many skating rinks will close, and to determine what user groups will prevail. Council agreed to bring Ite m 5 back, park maintenance of skating rinks, for further discussion. Councilmember Velick said she is saddened to think about the possibility that Westwood Hills Nature Center may close on Saturdays and Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day. She suggested weekend attendance figures be checked. Council agreed to bnng Item 6, Westwood Hills Nature Center, back for further discussion. For Item 10, closing the Oak Hill wading pool, Council stated bringing back this item for further discussion. For Item 12, eliminate uniforms for the union 49er maintenance group, Mr. Meyer said the City would still provide clothing and safety equipment for some workers. Mayor Jacobs wants workers to use identification badges. In regard to Revenue Enhancements, Item 1, charge a$5.00 per person field use fee to associations, Councilmember Omodt stated that the Hockey Association is penalized, and he suggested raising the fee to $10.00. The Council agreed that, prior to implementing such a fee, competitive prices should be investigated. No Councilmember objected to at least a$5.00 increase for groups not currently assessed the additional $10.00. Mike Rardin distributed his Public Works—Budget Implications to the Council. In Mr. Rardin's report on the Elimination of Assets, Council stated they would like to have additional time to think about the elimination or the move to vacate twelve city-owned parking lots, and Council requested Staff's advisement on options available regarding this item. It was stated that the City will deal with issues pertaining to this item as they come up. Study Session Minutes -3- Apnl 28, 2003 Also from the Elimination of Assets section, Councilmember Bnmeyer said the turnback/vacate streets and streetlights in the Meadowbrook complex is firstly a public policy issue, and secondly a legal issue. Mayor Jacobs suggested a review and an analysis of the regulations, and better enforcement. Councilmember Nelson suggested contacting the City Attorney about this item. Both Mayor Jacobs and Councilmember Bnmeyer think it would be a bad public policy move to go forward with this item. In the Shift Costs to Others section, Mayor Jacobs said to shift the cost of sidewalk snow removal to residents would be the most controversial issue. Council requested that Staff provide cost figures regarding sidewalk snow removal to residents. In regard to shifting cost of sidewalk repairs to residents, Councilmember Santa would only consider this item if it were to be implemented city-wide. Council requested that Staff provide cost figures regarding sidewalk repairs to residents. From the section, Create New Revenue Sources, Mr. Rardin said that to implement a fee system to finance 0 & M of streetlight and traffic signal systems, would represent about $400,000 per year. In regard to implement gas and electnc utility franchise fees, Councilmember Santa requested a sample of a utility bill with new fees. In the Reduced Services section, Council favors a revised snow ordinance, that is, a residential parking ban after 3" of snow (except exempt areas). The current snow ordinance states a residential parking ban after 2" of snow. From the Elimination of Services section, it was stated that, at this time, it is unknown if the City can follow through with a prohibition on the placement of dumpsters and pods on city streets. The Council would like to have this item return for further discussion Mayor Jacobs said if it was promised, the City should go forward with it Some Councilmembers said it is the reduction and the elimination of local government aid that is forcing the Council to eliminate some services, however, Mayor Jacobs replied that the residents' faith in the City should not be broken. Ms Walsh and Mr. Meyer will return to the Council with a six-year plan. 3. Elmwood Area Land Use, Transit and Transportation Study, Suggested Next Steps Judie Erickson and Tom Harmening reported on the Elmwood Study, Next Steps. Ms. Enckson discussed the proposed comprehensive plan and zoning amendments. In her report, Ms. Erickson listed issues and related recommendations for further Council action concerning land use and transportation within the study area. Study Session Minutes -4- April 28, 2003 4. Update on Initial and Additional Storm Water Improvement (Flood Prevention) Projects Ms. Hagen discussed flood improvement. Ms. Hagen would like to know what terms of acceptability the Council is willing to approve. Councilmember Bnmeyer said, first and foremost, protect pnvate structures from public waters. 5. Housing Summit Steering Committee Mr. Harmening said the Housing Summit Steenng Committee will meet five times, beginning in June He said three Councilmembers are required to serve. It was decided that Councilmembers Bnmeyer, Sanger, and Santa will serve on the committee. Mr Harmening will place the Councilmembers' names on the Consent Agenda for the May 19th Council meeting for approval. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m. Minutes approved: May 19, 2003 • Jr . .% Ci Clerk May'r