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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/01/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ST.CITY Louis OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION Minutes of January 12, 2004 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Brimeyer, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Susan Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs Staff present: Interim City Manager(Mr Harmening), Parks and Recreation Director(Ms. Walsh), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin), Public Works Coordinator(Mr. Merkley), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms. Jeremiah), Planning Coordinator(Ms. Enckson), and City Clerk (Ms Reichert). 1. Legislative Update with Representative Jim Rhodes Mr. Harmening welcomed Rep Rhodes to the meeting and invited him to talk about the legislative climate this year. Rep Rhodes responded that this would not be a big spending year and that he hoped many of the issues that went unresolved last year due to budget discussions would be taken care of. Mr. Harmening explained that staff had compiled a list of legislative issues of importance to the city and suggested that each be addressed in turn Mayor Jacobs explained that the salary cap on,City Manager's salary was very difficult to deal with, resulting in compression at the top of the salary ranges for City Managers and Department Directors. Mr Harmening further explained that a bill was being introduced by the League of MN Cities that would return control to local junsdictions subject to their rules regarding salary and compensation. Rep. Rhodes agreed that it was more logical for local entities to retain control over their compensation plans for all positions Mr. Harmening asked Rep Rhodes if he would assist with reversing a decision made last year to reduce the allocation to cities to fund a program for providing insurance benefits to disabled officers Mr. Harmening stated that the city would like flood projects included in the bonding bill and felt that funding could be related to flood mitigation or water quality programs. Pedestrian bridges were discussed as lack of crossings over major highways is a real issue in St. Louis Park. Desired locations would be over Hwy 7 at Ottawa or some other location east of Hwy 100, and over Hwy 7 at Wooddale Staff stated that funding for these desired projects may become available with Hwy 100 expansion funds, but that the crossings were needed now Rep. Rhodes felt that it may be effective to pool requests of several cities into one funding package and that pedestnan bridges may have a better chance of being approved by the legislature if viewed as a state-wide issue Councilmember Sanger stated that Ron Abrams is currently pushing a bill that further limits abilities on amortization and non-conformance. Mr. Harmening explained further reporting that the Auto Dealers Association is looking for legislation to remove local control over car dealers. Study Session Meeting -2- January 12, 2004 Council and Rep. Rhodes discussed the possibility of transferring on-going costs related to the Reilly Tar Consent Decree to a different agency or government level. 2. Youth In-house Soccer Nancy Nelson, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, was present at the meeting Ms. Walsh gave a brief background on the issues between residents and the Soccer Association during the last few years. Staff has developed a program that would bnng an in-house program into the Parks and Recreation Department that would be self supportive. Ms. Nelson spoke about the issue resolution they pursued and the discussion that took place at the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meetings. Councilmember Sanger inquired about a difference in service with the Soccer Association. She was not sure why the city would need to pursue an in-house program for instructional soccer, when the program is already offered through the Soccer Assn. Ms. Walsh replied that the instructional soccer program is the only instructional program not offered by the city. If the city were to offer that portion as an in-house program, it would be more consistent with how the city works with other community sports associations Councilmember Basill would like to see some figures on who would participate in the program. Councilmember Sanger had concerns that the program would be initiated and then fail. She wondered if a pilot program would be appropriate. Ms Walsh responded that staff and the advisory commission would keep moving forward with instituting the in-house soccer program and would provide council with information as the planning progresses. 3. Off Leash Dog Park Ms Walsh stated that staff would like to move forward with this item and have picked out three most likely sites She stated that there are several issues to be considered regarding the operation of the park. Councilmember Santa felt that parking may be an issue at the preferred site and would like it to be addressed. Council directed staff to move forward and bnng the item back to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for further discussion. Ms. Walsh will begin the public process. 4. Quadion Site Redevelopment Michael Newman from Rottlund Homes was present at the meeting. Ms. Erickson informed Council of the issues that staff had in regard to the PUD. She reported that only two of the four houses had been acquired and the developer proposal may have to be modified if the situation could not be addressed. Council was also informed that the developer would like to incorporate an affordable senior housing component in the plans Study Session Meeting -3- January 12, 2004 Mr. Newman reported on the progress of the negotiations with the two remaining houses that need to be acquired Councilmember Basil] stated that a number of residents have come forward with concerns of what type of development might occur if the homes were not acquired. Neighborhood residents felt that if an agreement could not be reached to purchase the homes, that comdenmation may be necessary. They would support condemnation in order to achieve the goals laid out in the planning done by neighborhood, the city and the developer which they felt were in the best interest of the community. Mr. Harmening outlined some of the steps necessary in undertaking condemnation and inquired as to whether Council would like staff to proceed with the initial steps. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired if the developer would cover the city's costs related to the condemnation. Mr. Harmening stated that perhaps they would and they could discuss it with the developer. Councilmember Sanger questioned whether the plan as proposed by this developer warranted taking such a drastic step. She wondered if this was the plan council wanted to approve for the area The developer further clarified how the development would be configured with or without the properties in question Council directed staff to begin prepanng documents necessary to initiate condemnation proceedings. The developer stressed the importance of moving forward to ensure his participation in the project. Ms. Jeremiah stated that staff has not approved the plan as presented and recommended continuing the discussion on January 21s` Mayor Jacobs stated that there is still work to be done between staff and the developer but he is willing to look at the legalities of condemnation proceedings. Ms. Erickson asked if they were willing to work with the developer to include affordable senior housing in the project Councilmember Basill stated that there has been no mention of any initial meetings about a affordable housing component but he felt it might be feasible because the affordable housing is specifically for seniors. Councilmember Sanger was reluctant to base the need on an annual income for seniors with assets and asked Council to keep that in mind. The Council agreed that they were willing to look at a limited amount of affordable senior housing. 5. Street Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program Ms. Hagen gave a background of the street rehabilitation program and past Council actions that were taken. She reported that Minnesota State Aid roads were not included in the plan, only residential streets. Staff reported that pressure is being kept on both city and pnvate utilities to get any repair or work finished before or during street closure. Staff inquired if Council was comfortable with the 'best first' repair strategy. Council informed staff to move forward with the program. Study Session Meeting -4- January 12, 2004 6. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Rule Revisions Ms. Hagen clanfied the impact on the city if the Rule M buffer revisions are passed. Council agreed that clearly this would hinder development and supported a letter to the Watershed opposing the rule. 7. Communications Staff reminded the Council of the next Housing Summit meeting on February 3`d. A tour of Wayside House and later anoint Council/School Board will be held on February 99' . 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. t 1 r , ' City Clerk Mayo