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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/03/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES Cr. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 15, 2004 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Human Resources Director(Ms. Gohman), Director of Parks &Recreation(Ms. Walsh), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson), Assistant Zoning Administrator(Mr. Morrison), and Administration Secretary(Ms. Olson). 2. Presentations 2a. Student Exchange Government Study Program Mayor Jacobs deferred the item to Communications as all students were not present for the presentation. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of March 1, 2004 The minutes were accepted as presented. 3b. Study Session Minutes of February 23, 2004 Page 1, Item 1, Paragraph 6, add Councilmember Finkelstein wanted to ensure that there was not a reclassification of revenues so that franchise fees would not be paid on all services. 3c. Study Session Minutes of March 1,2004 Page 2, Item 1, Paragraph 9, correct spelling of Councilmember Basill's name 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTE• The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which need no discussion Consent items are acted upon by one motion.If discussion is desired by either a Councilmember or a member of the audience,that item may be moved to an appropnate section of the regular agenda for discussion 4a Motion to approve second reading of Ordinance No. 2264-04 amending Chapter 36 of the Municipal Code to delete Section 36-80 Erosion Control subject to the adoption of the Stormwater Ordinance, adopt ordinance, and approve summary publication. • Council Meeting Minutes -2- March 15, 2004 4b Motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 2265-04 amending Chapter 12 of the ordinance code to add Article V regarding stormwater, approve the summary, and authorize summary publication. 4c Motion to adopt Resolution No. 04-039 authorizing restriction of parking along the north and south sides of the Trunk Highway 7 north Frontage Road, west of Wooddale Avenue near the Spanish Immersion School/Community Center at 6300 Walker Street. 4d Removed 4e Motion to approve a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License—Minneapolis Jewish Day School, 4330 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park for March 28, 2004. 4f Motion to adopt the Resolution No. 04-040 authonzing installation of temporary permit parking in front of 3128 Idaho Avenue South. 4g Motion to approve grant fund award and adopt Resolution No. 04-041 authonzing execution of an agreement with the Office of Justice Programs. 4h Motion to approve 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 2266-04 authonzing the sale of City real property to Excelsior& Grand II, LLC, approve the summary and authorize summary publication 4i Motion to accept for filing the Planning Commission Minutes of February 18, 2004 4j Motion to accept for filing the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of December 17, 2003 4k Motion to accept for filing the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of January 15, 2004 41 Motion to accept for filing the Fire Civil Service Commission Minutes of December 29, 2004 4m Motion to accept Vendor Claims for filing It was motioned by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar. Motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions It was motioned by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to appoint Steve Fillbrandt to the Housing Authority. Motion passed 7-0. 6. Public Hearings-None 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions Council Meeting Minutes -3- March 15, 2004 8a. Police Officer Union Contract 1/1/04—12/31/05 Resolution No. 04-042 Ms. Gohman stated that she was pleased to bring the third of five union contracts to the Council. She stated that through two negotiation meetings they reached to an agreement that was consistent with other settlements. She stated that there would be a two percent increase as of January 2004 with a one percent increase in July 2004 and ending with a three percent increase as of January 2005. Cafeteria benefit increases would be similar to other agreements. Ms. Gohman stated that language was added to clarify the one year probationary period. She added that they amended the language regarding injury on duty to make it easier to process in payroll. The term overall was added in the performance pay section. The field training supplemental pay was calculated into an hourly rate. Uniform pay was clarified to be paid out in the first check of February. Councilmember Omodt inquired if the union was happy with the negotiations and Ms. Gohman replied that she thought them to be so. She clarified that the union does vote on the contract once the negotiation has come to an agreement and they have voted on the contract. It was motioned by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt Resolution No. 04-042 approving the police officer union contract for January 2004 through December 2005. Motion passed 7-0. Councilmember Basill asked if the addition of overall to the performance pay meant they had to be above average in all categories. Ms. Gohman replied that the Chief of Police maintains what the criteria would be. Mayor Jacobs extended his congratulations to both the management team and the union. 8b. Resolution Opposing Tax and Expenditure Limitation Proposals and a Proposed Constitutional Amendment Limiting Growth of Spending. Resolution No. 04-043 Mr. Harmening reported that Council and staff had spoken with legislators earlier regarding an amendment to the Constitution to place limits or controls on how government can raise revenues for operations. The resolution is opposing the Tax Payers Bill of Rights proposal and the concern is that it takes away responsibility from elected officials and that government would be run from a formula rather than need. It was motioned by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve Resolution No. 04-043 opposing tax and expenditure limitation proposals and a proposed constitutional amendment limiting growth of spending. Motion passed 7-0. Council Meeting Minutes -4- March 15, 2004 8c. Oak Hill Park Improvements Ms. Walsh stated that there will be a number of improvements happening this year including a warming house shelter,picnic shelter, and adding a water feature in place of the wading pool. She added that the parking lot and trails would be resurfaced and stormwater management issues will need to be looked at. Ms. Walsh had invited the surrounding neighbors to several meetings to talk conceptually about what should be in the picnic and warming shelters as well as a water feature. She felt that residents were comfortable with what the consultant and staff had come up with. She stated they wanted to keep a consistent theme with the green roofs on the park buildings. She felt the bidding climate was good; however, if they do not get good bids they would remove some of the masonry work on the warming house. She stated that residents wanted an outdoor view of the water feature and they accommodated that by creating an overhang where parents could sit and watch their children. Ms. Walsh reported that there was outdoor access to the restrooms. Ms. Walsh said staff would like to include an outdoor fire pit at the picnic shelter. Residents would like the shelter to accommodate 100 people and Ms. Walsh felt they were close to doing so. Ms. Walsh stated that the water feature is a splash pad that is activated by touch and is set on a timer. Staff would be able to set it for a variable amount of time. The splash pad would also have a splash area where smaller children could sit. Technically the splash pad is not considered a pool. Ms. Walsh reported that the vendor of the splash pad is located in Minnetonka and since this is a fairly new concept, the vendor is looking for this to be a show piece. Councilmember Santa wanted to note that the residents liked the idea of the water being recycled which creates an ecological savings. She added that parents would like to see the area fenced in to protect it from animals. To create expectations of allowable behavior,residents felt that rules needed to be posted. Councilmember Sanger inquired when the feature would be ready for use. Ms. Walsh replied that they are aiming for this summer but worst case scenario would be next year. • Ms. Walsh stated that residents expressed much of concern about the removal of the traffic signal from Texas Ave and 33rd St. W. Councilmember Santa reported that residents west of Texas Ave were concerned about crossing Texas with small children and strollers. Mr. Harmening expressed staffs desire to discuss those asset removals with Council at a future meeting date. It was motioned by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve plans and specifications for the buildings at Oak Hill Park and authorize solicitation of bids for the project. Motion passed 7-0. Council Meeting Minutes -5- March 15, 2004 8d. Proposed amendments to various sections of Chapter 36 of the Ordinance Code (pertaining to zoning) to redefine and standardize open space requirements in the various zoning districts. Ms. Erickson reported that the proposed ordinance would delete the definition for open space and replaces it with definitions for open lot area and designed outdoor recreational area. Staff maintained the numerical requirements for square footage though a change was made on where it could be located on the lot. Requirements for multi-family housing were made consistent throughout the code. A mechanism was put in place that would allow consistent reductions for the PUD process. Changes that were discussed with Council earlier were brought to the Planning Commission and approved 7-0. Councilmember Sanger felt there were conflicting standards in the language involving cluster housing where it states that it should contain either 400 square feet of open lot area or 12% designed outdoor recreational area. She felt that it did not state whichever is greater. Ms. Erickson stated that in some cases of cluster housing, each unit has its own private area where others have a community area. Councilmember Sanger would like the ordinance to be clear that the 400 square feet is per unit and not on average. Agreement was made that this would be clarified by second reading. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired what the effects would be in reducing R-1 from 600 to 400. She stated that it was not reduced. It was motioned by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to approve first reading of Ordinance Code amendments to various sections of Chapter 36 related to zoning to eliminate definition for "usable open space", add definitions for "open lot area"and "designed outdoor recreation area"and to standardize the application of these definitions throughout Chapter 36 and to set second reading for April 12, 2004. Motion passed 7-0. 8e. WHIOP Real Estate LTD's application for an amendments to St. Louis Park Ordinance Code (Zoning) to allow catering as an accessory use to certain uses in the Office District. Mr. Morrison reported that WHIOP has applied for a text amendment to allow catering as an accessory use in the office district. He stated that catering is allowed in the commercial, industrial, and MX districts. Catering is not currently allowed in office districts. Staff has reviewed the application and suggested an alternative plan. The ordinance would amend the Zoning Code to show how catering would be allowed in the zoning districts and would remove grocery stores from the catering accessory uses list. Mr. Morrison stated that they would require all vehicles used with catering be parked in a screened area or parking structure. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired about not allowing grocery stores to have catering as an accessory use in the MX district. He felt that it would restrict some of the uses and the building owner would be forced to choose one or the other. Mr. Momson replied that grocery stores are not a separate land use category and are considered retail. He stated that the grocery stores are not an intended use in the office district. Council Meeting Minutes -6- March 15, 2004 It was motioned by Councilmember Velick, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve 1st reading of an ordinance amending Section 36-115 and 36-2230 regarding catering and set second reading for the April 12th City Council meeting. Motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs introduced Sarah Morari. She introduced herself and informed Council that she was a YES cluster leader for the Youth Exchange Study program for PAX, the Program for Academic Exchange. She reported that the students are all scholarship students as well as leaders in their home countries. The students are from Egypt, Malaysia, and Turkey. The goal of the program is to give the students the opportunity to study government across the world. Mayor Jacobs presented certificates to the following students: Yi-Liang Yap, Sarah Shanwan, and Seray Serol. Adhie Fitriady was not present. Mayor Jacobs reminded the public about the recognition event for board and commission members to be held on Monday, March 22 at 6:30 in the Council Chambers. Mayor Jacobs also reminded the public about the Empty Bowls event on Thursday, March 18 at the Rec Center. Councilmember Finkelstein reported that he will be absent from the next meeting. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Ci Clerk Mayo