Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/05/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular A OFOFFICIAL MINUTES SOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA May 2, 2005 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm Council members present. Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basil], Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, and Sally Velick Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Finance Director (Ms McGann), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Stegora-Peterson). 2. Presentations a. Proclamation —National Public Works Week Mayor Jacobs presented a proclamation to Mr Rardin and thanked the Public Works employees for their work 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of April 18, 2005 Councilmember Finkelstein noted on page four, the fourth paragraph, should be clarified that "the City needed to do something about it" He further clarified that there was a great deal of discussion about people who moved into this project be aware that there were mixed uses in this area and it was approved with that knowledge. Councilmember Basil] indicated on page seven, first paragraph, should be clarified "could see into the parking". The minutes were approved as corrected. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTE The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which need no discussion Consent items are acted upon by one motion If discussion is desired by either a Councilmember or a member of the audience,that item may be moved to an appropriate section of the regular agenda for discussion 4a Motion to adopt Resolution No. 05-068 to elect to not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability established by Minnesota Statutes 466 04 4b Motion to adopt Resolution No. 05-069 rescinding Resolution No. 99-5 which authorized permit parking at 2816 Alabama Avenue South, Traffic Study No. 596: Council Meeting Minutes -2- May 2, 2005 4c Bid Tabulation: Motion to designate Penn Contracting, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of$84,040.00 for the Vernon Avenue Water Main Relocation Project—City Project No. 2005-0100 4d Bid Tabulation: Motion to designate Ron Kassa Construction, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of$176,331.55 for the 2005 Pedestrian Curb Ramps Sidewalk Improvement Project—City Project No. 2004-0100 4e Bid Tabulation: Motion to designate Frattalone Paving Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of$1,175,117.75 for the 2005 Street Improvements and Water Main Replacement Project—City Project No. 2004-1000 4f Removed 4g Planning Commission Minutes April 6, 2005 4h Housing Authority Minutes March 9, 2005 4i Accept Vendor Claims for filing (Supplement) Mr. Harmemng clarified on item 4d, the substance of the action didn't change, but there was a revised report with corrected numbers. Mayor Jacobs also noted that the agenda had been corrected to add item 8D. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed 7-0 5. Boards and Commissions - None 6. Public Hearings - None 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances,Motions 8a. Bond Sale—2005 General Obligation and Tax Increment Financing Bonds Resolution No.'s 05-064 and 05-065 Ms. McGann presented the staff report. Mark Ruff, Ehlers & Associates, reported about the bond sale. The first bond was for public improvements in the city Moody's did the bond rating and remarked how well the City had weathered the State aid cuts and were also impressed with the redevelopment efforts. They received bids for the bonds and Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. had the best true interest rate. Mayor Jacobs thanked Ms. McGann for bringing the issue to the attention of the Council. The timing was favorable. Council Meeting Minutes -3- , May 2, 2005 Mr. Ruff noted that the second bond issue was the tax increment refunding bond. They received a slight premium. Because they were undertaking the other bond issue, it made sense to share some of the cost with the refunding. The present value savings was about $80,000. Legg Mason was again the winning bidder with a true interest rate of 2.9691 Councilmember Finkelstein asked how strong a AA rating was and how they compared with other cities? Mr. Ruff responded that very few cities had a AA1. AAA was the next step held by cities such as Bloomington and Edina. AA1 was held by Golden Valley, Fndley and Orono. Nationwide, St. Louis Park was in the top 5% of communities. Councilmember Finkelstein added that was a sign of the fiscal strength of the community and how well they spent their money. Mr. Ruff agreed and noted that Moody's was an objective third party that did a thorough analysis of past financial reports, looked at the capital improvement plan and compared with other communities. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt• Resolution No. 05-064 awarding the sale of$3,780,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2005A; and adopt Resolution No. 05-065 sale of General Obligation Tax Increment Refunding Bonds, Series 2005E providing for the escrowing and Investment of the bond proceeds and providing for the redemption of the bonds funded; and to approve the refunding escrow agreement. The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Request for Conditional Use Permit by the St. Louis Park School District to permit the excavation of more than 400 cubic yards of excavation material and improve the Junior High School parking lot. Case No. 05-09-CUP 2025 Texas Avenue South. Resolution No. 05-066 Ms. McGonigal presented the staff report. Councilmember Sanger stated concerns were expressed at Planning Commission about visitors parking on the street. Had they provided for a proof of parking on the site so additional spaces could be created if needed? Ms. McGonigal responded that they didn't show proof of parking, but they could return it to parking if needed. There were 82 parking spaces on site. They were confident parking would be adequate Councilmember Sanger was concerned there were also volunteers at the school. If more spaces were required, would there be a legal impediment to require the spaces be reconstructed? Ms. McMonigal responded it could be added as a condition. Councilmember Velick stated that the facility had been run down and she was pleased with the improvement Mayor Jacobs asked for further information on the lighting plan. The parking lot is very dark and he was concerned about safety and security Ms. McMonigal responded they would be keeping the existing 25' poles and adding some 27' poles. Mayor Jacobs asked if the upper lot would be a special lot for staff? Ms. McGonigal was not sure how it would be used and why it was separate. Council Meeting Minutes -4- May 2, 2005 Mayor Jacobs noted that the dnve in front of the school was taken out and replaced by a plaza, which was an improvement and much safer. It was moved by Councilmember Velick, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve Resolution No. 05-066 for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the excavation of more than 400 cubic yards of soil from the Junior High School location, subject to conditions recommended by staff. The motion passed 7-0. 8c. Request of Foundation Land LLC and Master Development LLC (St. Louis Park School District) for a minor amendment to an approved Final PUD for Brookside School Lofts. Case Nos. 05-18-PUD Ms. Enckson presented the staff report. Councilmember Basill asked if this had been brought to the neighborhood or if anyone spoke at Planning Commission? Ms. Erickson responded no Councilmember Basill was concerned they were making changes to lower construction costs. They were modifying the exterior materials, when it was going to be all bnck. Ms. Erickson responded it was a combination of brick and hardy plank. They had , decreased the amount of brick on the North, West and South elevations. Councilmember Basill stated a concern that they had reduced the useable open space, pushed some parking onto the street and were removing a sidewalk They were losing plaza space and replacing it with rooftop plaza space. He would like to meet with the developer to look at revised plans and thought they should meet with neighborhood leadership. He was concerned that the end result would be different from what they presented. Ms. Erickson replied that the class 1 materials were not being reduced. Stucco was also a class 1 material. Ms. Erickson indicated the reason staff believed this was a minor amendment was that there was a plaza on top of the garage space and they viewed that as a substantial part of the DORA (Designed Outdoor Recreation Areas). The plaza was moved and there was still a fairly large plaza area. Councilmember Finkelstein recommended that they look at changing the landscaping to allow for more privacy. Ms. Erickson noted they met the buffer yard requirement along the edges. They were also proposing a fence. Mayor Jacobs stated that the concern being raised was that the rooftop plaza would be above the ground and he was concerned about sight lines. Councilmember Sanger asked how many parking spaces would be under the newly constructed condo building? Ms Enckson responded 30 spaces Councilmember Sanger believed people in the new condo building or the single-family housing would not be able to easily use the rooftop plaza. It would also overlook Hwy 100, which had questionable value. She was not sure why there still couldn't be a plaza Council Meeting Minutes -5- May 2, 2005 at ground level. Going from a peaked roof to a flat roof on the new building, they had significantly changed the design and appearance of the building. Councilmember Finkelstein asked when they would make the single-family lots available? Ms. Enckson replied they were already starting to market them. She had met with interested builders. Councilmember Basill suggested staff meet with the neighborhood President and see if they wanted to meet with the Board or just let the neighbors know so they were familiar with the changes and had concerns. He was concerned about the change to stucco. After the neighborhood meeting, the developer should come to a study session and provide more information. It was moved by Councilmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to defer the request to allow a meeting with the neighborhood leaders, then it could return to a study session and City Council. The motion passed 7-0. 8d. Request of Minnetonka Boulevard Investments LLC for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a drive-through (In-Vehicle Sales or Service) for a coffee shop at the former Citizens Independent Bank building at 4201 Minnetonka Boulevard. A secondary request is to terminate the existing special permit on the property. Case Nos. 05-07-CUP Resolution No. 05-067 Ms. Enckson presented the staff report Councilmember Sanger stated one of the conditions was that the basement room only be used for storage. The room had been used in the past for neighborhood community groups. Will that no longer be possible? Ms. Erickson replied no, the first floor area took up all of the parking. Using the lower level would require more parking. Councilmember Sanger couldn't understand why they didn't want to promote the availability of space for community meetings. If the owner was willing to allow use of that space, she was not sure why they would want to stop that Councilmember Finkelstein believed they could have meetings at non standard times. The business community has also met there. Late afternoon or early evening shouldn't be a problem Ms Enckson stated it wouldn't meet the parking requirements of the zoning code to allow it. If they wanted to open it up for another use, they would need to look at shared parking and probably get a variance. Councilmember Sanger stated that she supported this land use, but was concerned about traffic implications and drivers coming Eastbound on Hwy 25 during the morning rush hour and if they wanted to turn left to access the coffee shop. Cars would stack up on Hwy 25, which would be hazardous. It would also be difficult for people on Joppa to make a left turn onto Hwy 25 y "'11 a Council Meeting Minutes -6- May 2, 2005 Mane Cody, SRF, responded that the difference between current volumes and what was expected with the coffee shop was an increase of about 35 Eastbound cars (in the peak hour) making the left turn. It was a relatively short queue. The Westbound thru volume would be considered low at the morning peak hour. The intersection would be operating at an acceptable "A". Councilmember Sanger was concerned there would the potential for accidents. Ms. Cody responded that there was a divided median where vehicles could wait for a safe gap in traffic. The traffic on Hwy 25 would still flow freely. Mayor Jacobs asked if they needed to have a left turn lane at the Joppa/Hwy 25 intersection? Ms. Cody replied the construction of a left or right-turn lane would make it a safer condition. Looking at the analysis, the turn lane was not a recommendation Councilmember Sanger stated her other concern was with traffic going Southbound on Joppa wanting to make a left turn onto Hwy 25. Ms. Cody stated that they looked at the worst conditions. There was the option as exiting the dnve-through and they would be able to turn left, make a nght at the signal and make a continuous nght to get onto Hwy 25, which was an alternate route. If motorists began to have difficulty making the left from Joppa, they would use the other route exiting from the dnve-through. Councilmember Sanger was concerned about apartment residents and if they wanted to make a left turn onto Hwy 7, how would they do it9 Ms. Cody responded that those numbers were included in their figures. There would be enough space in the median area so a car could sit in the Northbound direction and then cross over the Westbound lanes on 25 and then enough room for a motorist traveling in the opposite direction to sit side by side. She didn't believe that it would be a problem. Mayor Jacobs thought they might need to revisit the idea of a turn lane. Councilmember Santa noted that was not a city road, so they did not have authority to put in a turn lane She generally liked the idea, but had some concerns because that is a very confusing intersection. She was concerned about signage and the landscaping so it did not obstruct motorists vision. Ms. Erickson responded they did not have a sign plan, but staff would look at the plan when building permits are issued. The ordinance required clear zones at intersections. Staff always reviewed the landscaping. Mr. Harmening indicated regarding use of the basement, one option could be that the basement of the building may only be used for storage or evening neighborhood meetings. They could also add if a parking problem developed, they had to add the proof of parking. They wouldn't allow it to be used for retail purposes, but if a neighborhood wanted to use it in the evening that could be done. Jeff Herman, Managing partner, Minnetonka Boulevard Investments, stated that they had worked with staff on addressing green space, parking, the design and trash enclosure and bringing the site up to code. Regarding traffic, they looked at that closely and there had been a long history of the site operating as a bank, there were probably times when there was quite a bit of traffic in the evening. He looked researched what kind of accidents happened on this site due to heavy use in the evening. No one was able to find a problem There was a lot of signage on this site. They will work with the tenant on Council Meeting Minutes -7- May 2, 2005 submitting a signage plan for staff review. Bachman's put together a landscape plan for this property. He would like the basement to be used for city and neighborhood functions. The parking was an issue addressed by staff. He was told unless he brought forth a variance, that they would not be allowed to use it, but he would love to have meetings in the lower level. Councilmember Sanger asked if they could add a provision permitting them to use the community room dunng the evening hours was acceptable? How late did they plan to stay open? Mr. Herman replied that suggestion was fine. Because traffic concerns were at the peak AM rush, afternoon would be fine. They had discussed opening at 6:30 or 7:00 AM and closing at 10:00 or 11:00 PM. Councilmember Omodt asked who the tenant would be? Mr. Herman responded that they were still in negotiations. Councilmember Omodt asked if they had considered making this a kosher coffee shop? Mr. Herman replied he would love that. The user they were working with had kosher coffee. As long as they continued to serve it in paper products, it would not be a problem with the Jewish community. They would need to get a better feel for the neighbonng concerns regarding the food products to know what they would like served. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to approve Resolution No. 05-067 granting a conditional use permit with conditions to allow a drive-through (In-Vehicle Sales or Service) in conjunction with a coffee shop and terminating the existing special permit approved by Resolution 88-199, with an amendment to permit the use of the basement community room during late afternoon and evening hours. If parking problems arise, proof of parking requirements should be imposed. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs noted that Arbor Day was Saturday and they would be planting trees at Wooddale and Hwy 7. The Council would also be doing a bike tour of the City on Saturday. Senior Chore day would also be held on Saturday. Children's First Ice Cream Social will be on May 15th at Wolf Park from 2-5. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m. //i2.,--a------/— Cit Clerk yo r