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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/10/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CTY OFFICIAL MINUTES T. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION RK October 11, 2004 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon), City Engineer(Ms. Hagen), Director of Community Development (Mr. Locke), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms McGonigal), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Planning Coordinator (Ms Erickson), and City Clerk (Ms Reichert) 1. Rental Housing Licensing Mr. Hoffman updated the Council on open houses that were held and comments received from the public. Mr. Hoffman stated that the intent of staff is to run a cost-effective program and to keep fees as low as possible He descnbed how fees were determined and how enforcement will be done. Councilmember Basill stated that his perception is that rental properties have more problems with upkeep. Councilmember Velick has noted that each month more and more corporations are purchasing property and turning it into rental property Councilmember Sanger asked what the penalty would be if the property owners did not get a license Mr Hoffman said that under city code, violation of the licensing ordinance is a misdemeanor offense. She then asked if there could be additional penalties imposed. Mr. Hoffman agreed to put something together for council's consideration. Councilmember Sanger asked how it would be handled if the renter of a property did not want to allow entry into their home for inspections. Mr Hoffman replied that statute requires that the owner can enter the property and allow inspectors in He added that some property owners may be difficult regarding the subject. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired about boarders and roommates. Mr. Camilon replied that there are other ordinances in place to deal with those living arrangements. He stated that staff will be working on a brochure that explains all applicable ordinances. Councilmember Sanger asked if the fees were appropriate. Mr. Hoffman stated that fees are based on staff's expectations Councilmember Sanger did not want to see an underestimation of the cost of the program Mayor Jacobs felt they should see how the program goes and then raise the fees if appropriate. He felt it inappropriate for council to second-guess staff's analysis in this case. Mr. Hoffman asked how aggressive council felt they should be in enforcing the ordinance. Councilmember Santa would like staff to first address the identified issues, and then get into a routine of inspection. Secondly, she stated that there was some interest in a landlord group and she felt the concept has value. She would like to see the fees set up now and, if needed, raise them later. Study Session Minutes -2- October 11, 2004 Mr Hoffman stated that they were responsible as good stewards of the community and felt they should set the fees as presented. He asked Council if they wanted to include relative occupied homestead to the program. Council responded that they would like to consider inclusion of that class in the ordinance. Councilmember Santa stated that inspecting is the benefit and in the long run, it will be good for the housing stock. 2. Proposed Hennepin County Smoke-Free Ordinance Council discussed what action they would take if the Hennepin County smoke-free ordinance was passed. The Council agreed that all disclosure notices should remain up until the County ordinance becomes effective, at which time the restaurants would become smoke-free and no longer have the need to post a disclosure notice. Councilmember Velick inquired how much the disclosure program had cost the city since it had begun Mr Hoffman stated that he did not have an exact figure but could provide one in a timely manner. Councilmember Santa felt that in the event of a challenge, they keep the disclosure program running. Councilmember Finkelstein expressed concern and urged staff to look into this issue further 3. Wooddale/Highway 7 Traffic Study and Design Solutions Ms. Hagen outlined both short and long term design plans for the intersection. Council questioned who would pay for a long term solution. Mr. Harmening replied that MnDot may help with the cost. It was questioned whether the frontage road should be started early on Mayor Jacobs felt that a long term solution is the most desirable. Councilmember Sanger inquired about keeping the roads open during construction She expressed her concerns over funding. Mr. Harmening stated that a variety of funding options could be used. establish a TIF district, HRA levy, proceeds from the Development Fund, or General Obligation bonds. Council discussed doing a long solution prior to the Highway 100 reconstruction. They agreed they would like to move aggressively on the project 4. Brookside Lofts Affordable Landtrust Units Mr Locke explained how the Hennepin County AHIF grant could help with asbestos removal Councilmember Sanger asked how condominium association assessments are handled Charlie Nestor of Master Development Group explained how landtrust works in terms of assessments and association fees. He stated that the developer needed to include some affordable housing into the development plan in order for them to receive grant funds for asbestos removal. Study Session Minutes -3- October 11, 2004 Councilmember Basill stated that there is a neighborhood meeting soon and he would like the developers to be present. Mr. Harmening asked regardless of the asbestos, would the Council want an affordable housing aspect in the project. The Council agreed they would not. He also asked if the School Distnct would want affordable housing and councilmembers did not believe an affordable housing component was desired by the School Board either. After discussion council agreed to support a very limited number of affordable units in the project so that grant funds may be available for asbestos removal. 5. Communications Council agreed that they want exit interview information on PPL. Councilmember Omodt updated the Council on conversations he had had with neighbors of the proposed Hannon Lake development 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m . . A I 1 1 C y Clerk Ma;or