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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/04/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session STCITY LOUISOF OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION Minutes of April 7, 2003 The meeting convened at 8:35 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Chns Nelson, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Meyer), Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms Jeremiah), Community Outreach Coordinator(Ms. McDonell), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. Neighborhood Grants Ms. McDonell stated that great members compnsed the Grant Review Committee this year. Dave Raatz, grant review committee, and Robert Kusnetz, Fern Hill neighborhood, were in attendance. Ms Velick stated that grant amounts and requests have increased. She inquired if cuts could be made to funds for food as well as moonwalks that are rented. She felt more support for programs by the neighborhoods was needed. Councilmember Nelson was concerned about neighborhood becoming too dependent on city funding. He felt that with the budget cuts neighborhoods need to become more self-sufficient. Councilmember Sanger suggested inviting all the neighborhood's leaders to a meeting to discuss budget reductions She would like to address the neighborhood's needs and develop goals. She inquired if there was different guidelines for different sized neighborhoods. Councilmember Omodt stated that the goal is to bnng neighborhood residents together and that food is sometimes important in doing that. Councilmember Santa wanted to look at the cost of moonwalk purchases. Mr. Meyer stated that big budget cuts were coming and to keep that in mind. Ms. McDonell suggested that discussion could take place with the grant review committee later in the year to discuss budget cuts Councilmember Bnmeyer would like to have the committee develop guidelines that can applied to each grant request. Mr. Meyer stated that the cuts this year will not be as bad as 2004 and Council could expect more significant cuts. Mayor Jacobs said that he trusts the neighborhoods to know what is best for them. Councilmember Velick asked for funds to be reinstated for the postage for the Eliot neighborhood. Council agreed. Mr. Kusnetz also asked for postage to be reinstated for the Fern Hill neighborhood. Council agreed. Mayor Jacobs felt they should trust the committee to make grant recommendations. Special Study Session Minutes -2- Apnl 7, 2003 Councilmember Sanger would like to clarify the process going forward. Ms. McDonell suggested that any neighborhoods who had appeals of the funds granted be heard by the grant review committee. Council agreed that was a suitable process Mr. Meyer reviewed the Council's discussion remarking that two additional grant requests were approved and the process modified to allow any grant appeals to be reviewed by the grant review committee Also, a meeting will be held in early 2004 with the neighborhoods to discuss the budget cuts. 2. Southwest Corner of Highway 7 and Louisiana Ave S Mr. Hunt gave an update on the two proposals from United Properties and the condition of the soil on the site. Mr. Harmening stated staff recommends the second scenario that would construct three single story buildings with a total of 15, 000 square feet. He mentioned another possibility would be to set aside the site until the market conditions change. Councilmember Santa stated that she did not like the idea of a drive through restaurant due to traffic concerns. Councilmember Sanger expressed her concerns regarding traffic in the area. Councilmember Bnmeyer felt that the site had poor land but that if it were to be developed he would prefer the second scenario. Councilmembers Nelson, Santa and Velick agreed. Mr. Meyer reported that Hennepin County would not issue a tax abatement. Mayor Jacobs would like to pursue the second scenario as well. Mr. Harmening stated that he would pull together a development agreement. 3. Non-conformities Ms. Jeremiah updated the Council on the current legislation for banging zoning non- conformities into compliance and how that is addressed in the city's code. Mr. Scott discussed a law that was recently passed which allows non-conformities the nght to continue. He further stated that there is not yet any case law that would give guidance as to whether our current ordinance requiring existing non-conformities to come into conformance would be upheld. He is concerned that it may not. Ms. Jeremiah asked for Council feedback on whether to continue enforcing non-conformities and perhaps risk a lawsuit or let the non-conformities continue. Councilmember Nelson felt that in some cases, making businesses comply could be viewed as oppressive. Councilmember Sanger suggested that since the changes in State laws, it may be in the city's best interest to test the State law. Staff stated that there were three options: to enforce, not to enforce, or to find a compromise. Following discussion, council directed staff to seek compliance with the city's current ordinance. 4. Elmwood Study Mr. Harmening reported on the two grant opportunities from Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council. The grant from Hennepin County could possibly be used to enlarge water mains to accommodate future development. The Metropolitan Council grant would target bamers to redevelopment and could possibly be used for the Quadion site. Mr. Harmening inquired if Council would like to pursue these grants. Council bnefly discussed concerns about the neighborhood's perception of such projects. Council-directed staff to move forward with the grant application process. Special Study Session Minutes -3- April 7, 2003 5. Solid Waste Collection—Request for Proposal Mr. Rardin explained that staff is seeking Council input on the draft request for proposal that will be mailed out to two different haulers. He added that the goal was to enter into a contract that will bnng greater response and service to the customers. Council discussed the current service and the response to missed garbage pick-ups Councilmember Sanger felt the term plastic should be replaced with "biodegradable". She also felt that special pick-ups for any reason should be paid for by residents as an extra service. Councilmember Nelson agreed. Mayor Jacobs said he was comfortable with the terms of the request for proposal and complimented staff on a job well done. Councilmember Santa agreed. Council felt the proposed timeline was appropnate. 6. Smoking Task Force Recommendation Mr. Hoffman reported that the MN Department of Health has just issued new rule amendments and the timing will work well with the task force recommendation of testing smoke levels and disclosing those results to employees and visitor's. He stated that the main intent was educating the public and they will be dispensing information and receiving public input. He added that this process could be completed in two to three months and a final ordinance would be created after public feedback Councilmember Sanger was concerned about providing enough opportunity for feedback from the public. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. y Clerk ay