HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/07/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ffCITY OF
T. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES
PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 26, 2004
The meeting convened at 7 00 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers John Basil', Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan
Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick and Mayor Jeff Jacobs
Staff present. City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke),
Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Finance Director(Ms. McGann), City Engineer
(Ms. Hagen), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Environmental Health Officer (Mr.
Camilon), Parks and Recreation Director(Ms. Walsh), Enviromental Coordinator (Mr
Vaughan), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert).
1. Tax Increment District Update
Finance Director, Ms. McGann and Mark Ruff of Ehler's and Associates met with council to
review the financial conditon, debt management and future value of the city's tax increment
districts. She presented findings and recommendations which were outlined in the report and
welcomed questions from the council
Councilmember Velick inquired if TIF funds could be used to acquire property for public
purpose. Mr. Ruff responded that the city could indeed purchase property, but would have to
subsequently sell to a developer.
Councilmember Sanger asked if there was a way to protect the city against legislative changes.
Mr. Ruff replied that the city had done a good job of anticipating changes in TIF legislation in
the past and was in a good position to weather further changes.
Mr. Harmening said that our best protection is to ensure that when a developer requests TIF the
city uses due diligence to ensure the responsible use of that funding tool.
2. Excelsior Boulevard Reconstruction
Guy Nowlan, Hennepin County Transportation Department, presented the County's 2005 Capital
Improvement Plan. He showed the three project areas for Excelsior Boulevard and the
components of each.
Councilmember Sanger noted that no bike trails were incorporated into the design. Mike
McGarvey, SRF Consulting, indicated that there was a designated trail as part of the sidewalk
and trail system that crosses the bridge over highway 100 and then runs to the south of excelsior
blvd which was a safer route given space limitations along excelsior. Council suggested
improved signage as an alternative.
Study Session Minutes -2- July214 2004
Councilmember Finkelstein would like to see public art incorporated along the corndors.
Councilmember Sanger would like to revisit the size of the medians and stated that she felt they
should be increased Ms. Hagen replied that staff would take Council's comments into
consideration and see what they could do.
Councilmember Basill inquired whether all roadways that currently intersect with excelsior will
remain open. Mr. McGarvey responded that roads which "T" with excelsior blvd will be closed,
but roads that cross will remain open.
Ms Hagen described the stakeholder involvement process to be used with the projects She
stated that staff would meet with business owners during a day in September and the four
affected neighborhood groups during an evening in September. She added that they will initially
hold meetings with right of way impacted properties.
Mr. Harmening stated that the model used with the East Excelsior reconstruction allowed
businesses to take advantage of the commercial rehabilitation program.
Mr. Harmemng stated that a possible special service district may be used on the west Excelsior
Boulevard reconstruction.
3. Consideration of Rental Licensing
Mr. Hoffman stated that both staff and individual Councilmembers had concerns regarding one
and two family rental housing and would like to consider adopting a licensing and inspection
program for that type of housing.
Councilmember Velick inquired if additional staff would be needed once such a program has
been implemented Mr. Hoffman replied that an extra staff person would be needed but
inspection fees would cover the cost.
Councilmember Sanger would like to see condominiums and townhomes included in the
program as well as vacant homes.
Mr. Harmening stated that staff would move forward with creating an ordinance and will bnng it
to Council very soon so that the ordinance could become effective in January of 2005.
Councilmember Santa felt they needed more data on condos and townhomes before including
them in the program. Mr. Camilon stated that he did not feel the condos and townhomes were
problematic. Councilmember Velick would like to start with one and two family homes for the
time being.
Councilmember Basill was concerned about landlords passing the fee on to renters.
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Mayor Jacobs pointed out that there may be opposition to this program, but that he still believed
it was for the good of the residents of St. Louis Park.
4. Budget
Ms. McGann stated that the proposed budget assumes a 3% property tax levy increase, 3%
employee wage and benefit increase, dispatch funding, reduction of Market Value Homestead
Credit, elimination of 2004 adopted revenue for street/sidewalk repairs, and a transfer of funds
from the Police and Fire Pension to Technology Support Services.
Councilmember Finkelstein felt public lots should be paid for by the users of the lots
Councilmember Santa felt that the public was willing to pay more to continue receiving the level
of service they are accustomed to.
Mr. Harmening stated that Council would need to consider increased spending in 2005 for
contracting out tree trimming as well as transfers from the Police and Fire Pension Fund to the
General Fund.
Councilmember Sanger brought up the possibility of providing sidewalk shoveling service to all
residents of the City.
Councilmember Santa felt they must do a good job of informing the public about the city's
financial situation and impactson services. We must let the public know that if they want
additional services there will be additional cost. Mayor Jacobs did not want to tie an increase to
a particular service. Councilmember Velick reported that eighteen percent of residents are
seniors and it is hard for them to pay extra.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked for a report on how we are doing with the already enacted
budget cuts. Ms. McGann stated that she would prepare a report with an update on the status of
those cuts.
Tree Timming/Removal
Ms. McGann outlined the special assessment proposal for diseased trees for both public and
private trees She stated that residents are very interested in a payment plan. Councilmember
Santa felt that trees are a community benefit.
Councilmember Basill brought up the fact that some residents paid for the protective injection
for their trees and are now paying for removal of those trees.
Ms. Walsh stated that they need to distinguish between public and private trees. She suggested
adding the rotational tnmming of boulevard trees. Councilmember Sanger felt they also needed
to bring back the trimming and clean up list. Ms. Walsh stated they could establish the list and
then do rotational trimming. She added that she will put together some options to consider.
Study Session Minutes -4- July214 2004
Councilmember Basill felt that residents who paid for an injection and still had to have their tree
removed should receive a reduced tree removal cost. Mr. Vaughan stated that he will look at the
possibility of doing that.
Councilmember Basill suggested providing an incentive for residents to purchase tree injections.
Councilmember Sanger suggested injected any remaining elms after this year. Mr. Locke stated
that there is a natural incentive for residents to inject elms to avoid the cost of tree removal.
Mr. Harmemng summarized that the Council is flexible on the amount of increase on the
property tax levy, that a tree tnmming contract may be possible to add back into the budget, the
new budget will not rely as heavily on the Police and Fire Pension Fund, staff will propose a
policy change to allow for special assessments for public and pnvate tree removal, and staff will
provide background information on budget cuts from 2004. Councilmember Santa also wanted
an update on revenue increases
Ms. McGann reported that funds from the Permanent Improvement Revolving Fund can be used
to cover the increased cost of tree removal.
5. Communication
The Council discussed the content of neighborhood newsletters.
Mayor Jacobs asked if council wanted to discuss a proposed Hennepin County smoking ban at a
future meeting Staff agreed to place the item on the tentative agenda for a future meeting.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
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,
ity Clerk Mayer