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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/06/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CTY T.ILOUOFIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION June 14,2004 The meeting convened at 7:04 p m. Council members present. John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick and Mayor Jeff Jacobs Staff present: City Manager(Tom Harmening), Parks and Recreation Director(Cindy Walsh), Fire Chief(Luke Stemmer), Human Resources Director(Nancy Gohman), Water Superintendent (Scott Anderson), Public Works Director(Mike Rardin), Community Development Director (Kevin Locke), Economic Development Coordinator(Greg Hunt) and Planning Coordinator (Judie Enckson). Others present. Parks and Recreation Commission member(Tom Worthington) 1. Off-leash Dog Park Cindy Walsh and Tom Worthington summarized the city's efforts to find suitable sites and work with adjacent neighborhoods to create an off-leash dog park. Dog owners continue to lobby for the creation of an off-leash dog park, and residents who live near the proposed sites remain vehement in their opposition. While traffic and nuisance-related concerns were cited by opponents, it appeared that the underlying reason for the opposition was resistance to change of any sort. Neighbors show no interest in discussing this as a community need. Given this scenario, the City could continue to look for sites, abandon the idea entirely, or create a temporary site at Bass Lake Park along the east side of the tennis courts. Bass Lake offers the advantage of not having adjacent homes. Operating a park on a temporary basis would enable the city to collect solid evidence on the behavior of dogs and dog owners within a St. Louis Park site On the other hand, a temporary site has the political drawback of putting the council in the position of having to take away an amenity,at a future date. Allowing Bass Lake to become a permanent dog park would eliminate the possibility of redevelopment on a desirable site. Walsh asked the council for direction on how to proceed. Sue Sanger wondered whether it would be helpful to take the opponents to visit the Minneapolis Dog Park to see, first-hand, how the park actually operates. After a discussion, council members agreed that opponents do not appear to be interested in hearing evidence of responsible behavior by dogs and their owners, nor would such evidence sway opponents' opinion. John Basill urged the council to make a decision rather than leave a future council to wrestle with the same problem. Phil Finkelstein stated that he did not want the council to back away from a dog park. He noted that a dog park would serve the needs of a group that is otherwise little served by the City's recreation programs. Members agreed that the City provides many recreational services for families and children but few services for dog owners. There are likely more households in St. Louis Park with dogs than households with children. Jeff Jacobs, agreed that dog owners need to be served but did not want to serve one group at the risk of angering a different constituency. Study Session Minutes -2- June 14, 2004 Sue Sanger wondered why the Bass Lake site has not been developed. Tom Harmening responded that the City has not solicited any development proposals. If it were to ask for proposals, it would likely get them since it is a desirable site. Noting that dog owners will like any site and adjacent neighbors will oppose every site, Sanger said the Bass Lake site makes sense either as a temporary site or as one of two small dog parks Paul Omodt and Jeff Jacobs voiced concerns about the problems that will occur when it's time to move the park. Jeff Jacobs wondered whether the opposition stemmed from a lack of process. Council members said they did not believe this was the case. They cited the thorough staff investigation of all open areas owned by the city as well as the number of community and neighborhood meetings that have been held Phil Finkelstein suggested that the council authorize a temporary site while continuing to look for another sites Council members agreed with this idea and suggested coordinating this action with a thorough examination of excess City-owned property that could be sold for development of single family homes. The excess property survey should involve a public process similar to the process used in the sidewalk and trail proposal. The process should focus on the greater community good and determining what is the best use of excess land. Members felt the process is justified given the multiple times that the community has voiced the need for additional move- up housing. Nonetheless, council members agreed that the adjacent neighbors will likely be opposed to land sales in their own neighborhood 1 Council members agreed that they should go ahead with a temporary site at Bass Lake. The area must be clearly signed "temporary" or"interim." In addition, they agreed to inform all interested parties of the decision via letter and ask them to be involved in the continuing effort to find a permanent site(s). The interim period will be used to collect data on costs, nuisance complaints, traffic and other issues that have been raised as concerns. Before leaving this topic, Sue Sanger asked the council to take a hard look at how often it ought to allow a vocal minority from quashing projects that have city-wide support and meet a community need. This is a serious issue that comes up repeatedly and needs further examination 2. Elmwood Study Community Development staff updated the Council on developer interest in the Elmwood area and the impact of anticipated traffic at the intersection of Highway 7 and Wooddale. Current information indicates that the intersection, even with certain future improvements, will reach Level of Service D by 2007. Given that current proposals for'reconfigunng the intersection do not show long term promise, staff asked for authorization to contract for a traffic study aimed at generating a long-term solution for this area. Council members noted that the intersection is already problematic and voiced concern about the traffic impact that could result from development in the Elmwood area as well as changes proposed for Highways 7 and 100. Council gave its approval to pursue a traffic study and asked that the consultant consider the impact of parking at the light rail station, pedestrian needs, and grade separation. Study Session Minutes -3- June 14, 2004 In discussing options for traffic management, John Basill pointed out that any solution that calls for an expanse of pavement at this intersection will disappoint the neighborhood. Because residents expect an attractive and inviting gateway into Elmwood, Basill urged the consultant and council to keep the area's appearance in mind as traffic management options are developed. Greg Hunt then updated the council on preliminary development inquines for the Hoigaard's/West 36th Street area. Whether the proposal to develop this area with retail, apartments and townhouses proceeds will depend on decisions of current land owners and closing a huge gap between the developer's available funds and actual land acquisition costs. Hunt also pointed out that some assumptions about how long Burlington Coat Factory and Microcenter may have to be revised. In outlining the proposed TIF district, Hunt pointed out that the city has the opportunity to make needed infrastructure improvements (frontage road improvements, streetscapmg, pedestrian bridge, stormwater holding ponds, etc.) to accommodate future development. Given the possibility of additional development in the near term, Hunt explained that the proposed TIF district could be expanded as long as any new parcels are contiguous with the TIF district Hunt cited the need for stormwater improvements in this area and urged that stormwater management solutions be considered on an area wide versus parcel by parcel basis. Looking at the entire area would enable the City to create holding ponds that could also serve as an aesthetic amenity. Council directed staff to undertake a stormwater management study. While agreeing that the proposed development may necessitate building a bridge over Highway 100 from Wooddale to Auto Club Way, council members voiced great concern about the impact this action would have on Aldersgate Church. Council members expressed concerns about being placed in the position of evicting a church. Staff agreed and promised to work with the church in seeking an appropriate, long term solution that would serve both the community and the church. While not opposed to additional development, John Basill asked that council members be sensitive to the fact that any development higher than four stones will remove views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline from neighborhood homes. Sue Sanger mentioned that she would like developers, staff and council to do what they can to preserve the chimney near Hoigaard's which serves as a local landmark. 3. Fire Shift Supervisors: Fire Captain Nancy Gohman provided background on the issue surrounding a change in the Personnel manual to accommodate the addition of the position of Fire Shift Supervisor. At council's request, city staff met with an attorney specializing in employment law to resolve questions surrounding overtime and first responder status. According to the attorney, the position should be classified as non-exempt and eligible for overtime due to the occasional need for the Fire Shift Supervisor to serve as a first-responder. The Human Resources Department will be ready to classify the position once council approves the language change in the personnel manual. Gohman also explained the salary review process for this position. Luke Stemmer presented a history of changes within the Fire Department and the need for Fire Shift Supervisors. The department has grown from 25 full-time firefighters to 50 firefighters (full-time and paid-on-call). Today, it responds to approximately 3,800 calls out of two stations. Study Session Minutes -4- June 14, 2004 Expanded training and equipment requirements as well as the need for supervision throughout 24-hour shifts, prompted the department to create the Fire Shift Supervisor position. Council members expressed their confidence in the attorney's assessment and indicated their willingness to make the changes to the personnel manual to accommodate the position. Gohman stated she would bring a resolution to the council authorizing,changes to the Personnel Manual to spell out the terms and conditions for the shift supervisor position as well as deleting outdated sections referring to battalion chiefs. Ms. Gohman confirmed that the Fire Shift Supervisors will receive the benefit package of non-exempt employees. Councilmember Phil Finkelstein expressed his desire that the'city, when creating positions, be open to placing positions within bargaining units. Other members felt there should be no bias either for or against union representation. Phil Finkelstein asked whether the move to create the fire captain position would have an impact on the Police Department. Nancy Gohman replied that it could create a precedence if there is a similar first responder role. Sanger also asked whether the city should pursue consolidation with other municipalities. Stemmer replied that, historically, fire chiefs have not been able to effect this change. This may be a more appropriate role for policy makers. 4. Water Contingency and Conservation Plan Revisions Scott Anderson and Mike Rardin reported on the effectiveness of voluntary versus mandatory water conservation measures. Citing the fact that one Water Treatment plant has been shut down and the potential impact that a period of hot, dry weather could have on water reserves, they recommended that the city institute two mandatory water conservation measures: 1) odd/even sprinkling and 2) a ban on sprinkling from noon to 5 p.m. Council members agreed that conservation measures are appropriate. Sue Sanger asked whether these restrictions are enough or whether additional incentives should be considered. Sanger asked whether the city should consider charging a "premium" rate for households that use very high levels of water. Jeff Jacobs said he likes the "volume-based" approach but prefers a credit for low usage versus a penalty for high use. Other council members questioned whether residents would make that distinction. Jacobs also encouraged the Public Works Department to look into ways to encourage owners of underground sprinkler systems to install sensors that would stop sprinkling when rain is falling. Sanger also questioned whether the city has made plans to enforce the restrictions. Anderson responded that the City's past approach has been to give violators a warning and information for the first violation. After that, City ordinance allows for a$25 fine which increases by$10 increments for each subsequent violation. While agreeing to the need to encourage conservation, Sue Santa said she did not wish to penalize residents who go to the effort and expense to water City plantings. John Basill added that he did not wish to make it harder for homeowners to take good care of their lawns or increase the incidence of weed-infested yards that become a blight on the neighborhood. Study Session Minutes -5- June 14, 2004 Staff agreed to make water conservation requirements mandatory right away as allowed for under current policy. Staff indicated it would also bring to the Council at a later date changes to the policy which would make the mandatory restrictions permanent and to conduct an educational campaign on sprinkling restrictions and sound lawn care practices. In addition, staff will return to council with options for variable water rates aimed at rewarding water conservation. Staff will also check that permits issued for new sprinkler systems require the use of rain sensors. 5. Water Treatment Plant Filter Upgrades Mike Rardin and Scott Anderson explained the need to upgrade filters at water treatment plants. Although staff had anticipated the need to upgrade filers, the timetable for filter replacement must be moved up due to recent test results indicating a higher level of radium/alpha emitters than allowed by the Minnesota Health Department. Depending on the type of filters installed, cost could range from$230,000 to $250,000 per pumping station. With six plants, that could amount to approximately $1.5 million. Capital improvement funds have already been set aside to pay for the filters Citing sensitivity to water contamination concerns, council members expressed their agreement with the need to replace filters in the manner most appropriate to the contaminant. Staff agreed to bnng a report back to council describing the project in detail and requesting authorization for bids 6. City Manager: Six Month Review The council's contract with City Manager Tom Harmening calls for a six month review. With Harmening's six month anniversary coming up, council was asked how it wishes to conduct the review Options include having the Mayor/Council and City Manager work directly with one another on the evaluation. Another option would be to use a third party facilitator to assist with the evaluation. This could be done through a paid outside consultant or the City's Organizational Development Coordinator Bridget Gothberg. Several members felt there was merit in using a consultant from outside the organization to conduct the review. They felt someone from outside the organization would bring a fresh perspective to the process, would be more likely to ask"tough"questions and would not be afraid of"sacred cows." Several other members agreed these were advantages, but did not feel the advantage outweighed the cost of a consultant. These members preferred to use Gothberg and preserve that money for other projects. All agreed this was acceptable—but only because things are going well. All also agreed that department heads should be asked to participate in the evaluation process Tom Harmening will ask Bridget Gothberg to prepare an evaluation instrument for department heads and council members and facilitate the review process. 7. Communications Study Session Minutes -6- June 14, 2004 Jeff Jacobs reported that he and other suburban mayors will be meeting with the mayor of Minneapolis and possibly Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman to discuss approaches to the issue of second-hand smoke in restaurants and public facilities. Council members asked about the status of St. Louis Park's smoking disclosure notices. Members expressed interest in learning about the wording of the notices and timing for posting. Sue Santa reported that there has been some miscommunication concerning the council's participation in the Parktacular parade. Tom Harmening promised to get meeting place and time information to all council members. Tom Harmening reported that the City conducted its second annual Clean-up Day on Saturday, June 12. Approximately 500 residents took advantage of the opportunity to drop off junk at the Municipal Service Center. Harmening indicated he would provide the council with a report in an upcoming City Manager's Digest. Harmening asked for clarification about the Council's plan to canoe a portion of Minnehaha Creek prior to the June 28th Council meeting Sue Sanger expressed concern that the council will see only a small portion of the creek, however, other members,felt this was a good start and they were free to canoe larger sections at a future date. All agreed this effort would enable them to get a first-hand look at this resource and have a better perspective of the creek's potential when creek-related proposals come before the council 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p.m I, De uty City Clerk May.