HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/04/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session SCITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
T. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
RK April 12, 2004
The meeting convened at 9.35 p.m
Councilmembers present were John Basill, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick,
Phil Finkelstein, and Mayor Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), City Clerk (Ms. Reichert); Economic
Development Coordinator (Mr Hunt), City Planner(Ms. Enckson) and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Teagarden).
1. Charter Commission 50th Anniversary Celebration
Members of the Planning Commission met with Council to provide an update on plans for the
50`" Anniversary charter celebration Chair Lynne Carper introduced members of the
commission and presented an overview of the planning process. Janice Loftus and Bnan
Fiderlein provided information about education programs, events, and marketing . Mr. Carper
informed council that donations are welcome and asked for their assistance in providing contact
information for persons who may be willing to help fund the events and activities
Councilmembers were very pleased with the progress made to date and asked to be kept appnsed
as planning continues. .
2. Update on negotiations for purchase of 5925 Hwy 7
Mr. Hunt provided an explanation of terms of the proposed purchase agreement and preliminary
business points.
Councilmembers Basill, Santa and Jacobs all expressed support for the purchase citing the
strategic location of the property and opportunity to purchase land to be used for a future public
purpose.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if the value of the property would increase in the future9 Mr
Hunt stated that in all likelihood it would
Councilmember Omodt questioned how the city might use the property in the short term Mr
Hunt stated that the space could be leased to a tenant and would not sit idle.
Mr Harmening cautioned that even though the land is currently highly valued, the real value of
the property lies in its strategic location and future public use. This purchase may not result in a
profit in terms of dollars for the city, but should be measured in it's value to future transit
planning.
Mayor Jacobs agreed with that assessment stating that his interest in purchase of the property is
so that the city can control its future development—not as an investment property.
Study Session Minutes -2- April 12, 2004
Councilmember Sanger asked if resources were available for a proposed re-alignment of the
frontage road on the property. Mr. Harmening responded that the funds were available, but staff
resources may be problematic. He stated that this may be a project where consultants would be
helpful.
Mr. Hunt informed council that the purchase agreement would be coming forward to the EDA
sometime very soon.
Mr. Harmening informed council that staff was working with SRF to help determine future needs
for traffic and pedestrian crossings at that location.
3. Tobacco Legislation
Representative Ron Latz was in attendance to discuss legislation he has authored to enact a state-
wide smoking ban in restaurants and workplaces. Councilmember Sanger asked
councilmembers if they would be comfortable passing a resolution of support for the bill.
Timing, Rep. Latz said, is not particularly important as the bill will not be passed dunng this
legislative session. He would, however, like to reintroduce the bill during the next session and
would hope that sometime prior to that the SLP City Council would pass a resolution.
Councilmember Sanger recalled that during recent discussions regarding the tobacco ordinance,
several councilmembers and community members expressed their belief that any smoking ban
should be state-wide.
Councilmember Velick expressed her support.
Councilmember Santa stated that she did not feel this is "city business" and was not in support of
passing the resolution at this time
Councilmember Basill felt uncomfortable doing a resolution of this nature as he did not believe
there was interest in the community at this time. He did not feel comfortable passing a city
resolution as he did not want to make that kind of decision on behalf of 44,000 people without
running more of a public process
Councilmember Finkelstein suggested the council wait to see what benefits come of the recently
passed ordinance requiring restaurants to disclose amounts of nicotine in the atmosphere.
Councilmember Omodt also felt the ordinance already in place should be given an opportunity to
work before passing any other sort of resolution.
Mayor Jacobs asked if staff could put together a report showing how successful our ordinance is
after it has had some time.
4. Communications
Mr Harmening informed council that Edina was having a problem with vinyl chloride in their
water. He reassured the council that the problem did not affect St. Louis Park in any way.
Council asked if staff could put together a"fact sheet" so that if they received calls from
constituents, they could respond.
Study Session Minutes -3- Apnl 12, 2004
Mr. Harmening informed council that they would be considering an issue in the near future
regarding 90+ garbage can service.
Mr Harmening asked council to consider which councilmember may be interested in
participating in Travel Demand Management System discussions with the City of Golden Valley
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 p.m
Ci y Clerk M or