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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/07/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES ffirST. ARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION July 28, 2003 The meeting convened at 7:09 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: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Economic Development Director(Mr. Harmening); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt); Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms. Jeremiah); Planning Coordinator(Ms. Enckson); Finance Director (Ms. McGann);and Recording Secretary(Ms. Samson). Also present: Jim Voss, Tim Whitten, Executive Vice President of Rottlund Homes; and Tony Kuekel, United Properties. 1. 2003 Revised Budget and 2004 Proposed Budget Ms. McGann said the budget is virtually balanced, and she discussed reserves. Councilmember Sanger asked: At what point would X%of a reserve be detrimental? Ms. McGann responded that there is no way to increase a levy. Mr. Meyer discussed some City jobs that continue to be scrutinized and may be eliminated. The Council discussed the proposed street light utility, which has been removed from the budget. Councilmember Sanger said it may not be right for this year. Ms. McGann said boulevard trees will continue to receive a subsidy but there will be no subsidy for tree trimming. Mr. Meyer added that the budgeted amount across the board is $1.7 million. It was reported that 84% of the Market Value Homestead Credit will be reallocated to the Capital Improvement Program, and Mr. Meyer noted that the Parks and Recreation CIP is funded for the next five years. Ms. McGann and Staff will continue to review the proposed budget and return to the August 18, 2003 Study Session. 2. Real Estate Recycling—Preliminary Application for Tax Increment Financing Assistance; 2401 Edgewood Avenue; Proposed office/showroom redevelopment project Councilmember Sanger asked if the City could apply for additional grant money. Mr. Hunt said it would not be prudent to ask for more money. Mr. Hunt presented a report on Real Estate Recycling. He said if the City were to obtain $600,000 in TIF assistance from Hennepin County, then the interest rate would be .075%. Study Session Minutes -2- July 28, 2003 Councilmember Sanger stated that she wants no legal liability. Mr. Hunt said there is an . indemnification clause that is pertinent to on-site only and that the City would not have potential liability. Councilmember Santa inquired, What if a strict timetable cannot be met. Mr. Hunt responded an early start would be greatly beneficial. Mayor Jacobs, and Councilmembers Sanger and Velick favor going forward with this project. Councilmember Omodt likes this TIF proposal. The Council discussed contaminants on the site. Council directed Staff to move forward with this TIF application. 3. Quadion Corp. Proposed Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendments Staff presented this item tonight so that Council may ask questions of Quadion and the developer prior to formal consideration at the Council meeting of August 4th . Mr. Voss presented a report on Quadion Corporation's proposals. Mr. Whitten discussed Rottlund Home's site plan. Mr. Whitten reported that Sherman Associates is a partner of Rottlund and they are having discussions with United Properties. Mr. Whitten discussed proposed residential structures on the site. Councilmember Velick asked about visitor parking for the residential units. Mr. Whitten said shared parking may be an option, and they continue to work on that. Ms. Erickson reported a correction to be made to the Staff report. On page 1,paragraph 6, the item regarding Property West of Wooddale,Residential High should be Residential guided office. Ms. Erickson discussed zoning. Councilmember Sanger said her concern is that the northern-most building would be rental and not owner occupied. There was discussion regarding mixed-use of the Quadion site. Councilmember Basill discussed issues, such as lower-density, that were raised at various neighborhood meetings. Councilmember Basill asked about three-story versus four-story buildings. Mr. Whitten said this project may require four-story buildings in order to survive economically. Mr. Whitten commented that the neighbors have been active, cordial, and fantastic. Mr. Harmening said the use of photographs would be helpful to show how high proposed stories will be. Councilmember Brimeyer suggested making the buildings more architecturally interesting; and, because the office building will stay, he suggested reworking the figures to be able to justify the proposals and plans. Councilmember Santa asked, How tall is three or four or five stories—she needs to know in feet. Study Session Minutes -3- July 28, 2003 Some of the Council does not favor a small boutique grocery store. Mr. Kuekel said United Properties is seeking a mixed-use but desires to build a one-story building. He was informed by staff that a mixed-use site requires multiple stories. Council indicated they do not support a one- story building. 4. Review of land use descriptions and parking requirements for shopping centers as well as how this use is permitted within various zoning districts Ms. Enckson presented a report, and Ms. Jeremiah was available for questions. Councilmember Sanger is opposed to shopping centers in a Cl Councilmember Sanger said each business must be, and should be, considered separate. She requested the threshold be reinstated. Councilmember Sanger, and the other Councilmembers, favor the following option: Change the requirement so that shopping centers <20,000 square feet must meet parking requirements for all uses figured separately. 5. Town Center(Park Commons) Charrette Recommendations Ms. Jeremiah discussed and evaluated the progress that has been made so far and to determine any Council priorities for future initiatives. 6. Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Flood Improvement Project: Lamplighter Pond,Area #4 A written report with a copy of the EAW for the Lamplighter Pond Flood Improvement Project and a timeline for its publication were distributed to Councilmembers. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. L ty Clerk Mayr