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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/09/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF ST. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION September 27, 2004 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), Public Works Director(Mr Rardin), City Engineer(Ms. Hagen), Operations Superintendent (Mr Hanson), Parks and Recreation Director (Ms Walsh), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Housing Programs Coordinator (Ms Larsen), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). The study session convened at 6:00 p.m. with a tour of various CIP projects throughout the city Following the tour, council continued the meeting in the Westwood Room of City Hall 1. Cedar Lake Rd Regional Trail Connection Concepts and Pedestrian Bridge Over Burlington Northern Railroad/Cedar Lake Regional Trail Ms. Hagen presented the Council with four concept plans that were developed by the consultants Councilmember Sanger felt the concept centering on a spiral design should not be considered. The Council agreed. Ms Hagen stated that the next step would be to plan a neighborhood meeting. Councilmember Velick inquired about the funding. Ms. Hagen replied that it was included in the CIP and any additional funds could come from General Obligation Bonds Councilmember Sanger listed concerns from the residents on one block of the neighborhood such as signage, parking, and increased trail traffic. Ms. Hagen replied that she would continue to work with neighbors, Three Rivers Park District and the City of Minneapolis 2. Aquila Commons, LLC Senior Cooperative Housing project Mr Hunt updated the Council on the redevelopment contract that was reached with Stonebridge Development (Aquila Senior, LLC) and the `But/For Qualifications" questions that were raised at a previous meeting Councilmember Finkelstein inquired about completion dates and length of contract. Councilmember Santa raised the point of ensuring affordability now and how to ensure it remains so in the future. Mr. Hunt explained the dates in the contract and also explained that it is the nature of cooperative housing to be affordable. Council requested more information at the next Council meeting and Mr. Hunt stated that he would also provide the contract on Monday evening. Study Session Minutes -2- September 27, 2004 3. Brookside School Site Development Mi Locke stated that he and Mr. Harmening had met with School District staff to discuss reducing the price of the Brookside School. He reported that the School District was not interested in closing the gap between the cost of the property and what the developer can afford He stated that relocation costs will be increased as well as environmental costs Mr. Harmening stated that the issue of asbestos removal was not at all unusual and in this case not different from other redevelopment projects the City has taken on in terms of environmental concerns Mr. Locke stated that there is no long term danger posed by the asbestos and it was more a matter of removal cost. Councilmember Sanger would like to move forward with the funding gap but emphasized she is not pleased with the School District's approach to the issue. Councilmember Omodt disagreed and felt the School District used due process and have already lowered their asking price Council felt there was opportunity to improve relations with the School Board and Councilmember Finkelstein suggested a joint meeting after the November referendum to discuss future issues. Councilmember Basill stated that less density is desired and the cost of asbestos removal would force an increase in the density. Councilmember Sanger stated that she was supportive of the plan but not the process of funding. Mayor Jacobs stated that there was a learning process here for what may happen at Eliot He agreed that the way it has happened has not been the best; however, this can turn into a positive He felt they could use this as a learning tool. Councilmember Omodt felt they should be supportive if it meets city goals. Mayor Jacobs felt they should move forward. Mr. Harmening stated that they would put together a development agreement which would be coming to the council in the very near future. 4. Attorney Services Tom Scott and Roger Knutson, Campbell & Knutson P.A., were present at the meeting. Mr Harmening explained how attorney services work throughout the city. Councilmember Velick stated that sometimes more information is needed for members of the Council who do not have the same experience in the legal field. Councilmember Sanger felt they needed more analysis on risks and advantages of each possible approach. She felt the balance of risks needs some new perspective. Study Session Minutes -3- September 27, 2004 Councilmember Omodt agreed that more analysis should be done He felt they tended to default to the "safe" approach and they need more analysis of risks. Councilmember Finkelstein stated that he finds their approach refreshing and is comfortable with their legal advice. He felt it was up to the city to ask for analysis if that is what they decided they needed. Councilmember Sanger felt there was a difference in needs for staff and Council. Councilmember Velick would like to see more analysis but only when requested by the Council, not on every item Councilmember Finkelstein suggested going through the City Manager to direct the attorneys in this regard Mayor Jacobs agreed that it made sense to do more analysis in some cases but not all. He felt it was the Council's responsibility to let the attorneys know when the Council needs more analysis He added that he felt Campbell Knutson, P.A. has done a great job for the city Mayor Jacobs stated that they need options and likely outcomes. Councilmember Sanger wants to see a strategic use of litigation Mr. Harmening stated that the Council could be provided with more factual information without a problem and also lay out more of a process. Mayor Jacobs wants to see options laid out but still wants recommendations from the attorney Mr Scott stated that he has enjoyed working for St. Louis Park and would like to continue to do so. 5. Communications Councilmember Omodt stated that he attended a School District referendum committee meeting and he shared materials from that meeting with the Council. The Council agreed to pass a resolution supporting the referendum and would like to see it placed on the next agenda. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m Ci Clerk Mayo