Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/06/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA June 6, 2005 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm Council members present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, and Sally Velick Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr Scott), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), City Engineer(Mr. Bnnk), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Planning/Zoning Supervisor(Ms. McMonigal), Planning Coordinator (Ms. Erickson) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Stegora-Peterson). 2. Presentations - None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of May 16, 2005 Councilmember Finkelstein clarified in the fourth paragraph of page five, that the County agreed they would change the median if the City requested it. The minutes were approved as corrected. 3b. Study Session Minutes of May 16, 2005 Councilmember Basill indicated in the first sentence of paragraph three, page three, "where there are no blighted buildings" should be added at the end of the sentence The last sentence of the same paragraph should read, "...there and MnDot, the County and St. Louis Park should be supporting this." Councilmember Basill also indicated on page two the second paragraph should state he was at a neighborhood meeting, not Just with neighborhood leadership. 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 Approve second reading of Ordinance No. 2292-05 amending Chapter 16 of the St. Louis Park municipal code establishing an administrative fee in vehicle forfeiture cases, and to approve the summary and authorize publication Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 6, 2005 4b Approve Resolution No. 05-080 authonzing the Execution of a Joint Cooperation Agreement between the City of St. Louis Park and Hennepin County for Participating in the Urban Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program in FY 2006- 2008. 4c Approve an operations grant of$35,000 from Cable TV franchise fees to School District #283, at the recommendation of the Telecommunications Advisory Commission 4d Facilities Supenntendent's Report: Adopt Resolution No. 05-081 accepting this report, establishing and ordering Capital Improvement Project No. 20051700, approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids to replace the roof system on the Police Department building 4e Facilities Superintendent's Report: Adopt Resolution No. 05-082 accepting this report, establishing and ordering upgrades to HVAC Systems at the Police Facility, approving plans and specifications, and authonzing advertisement for bids to upgrade the HVAC Systems—Capital Improvement Project 20051600 4f Adopt Resolution No. 05-083 ratifying appointment of Citizen Representative to the Basset Creek Watershed Management Distnct 4g Accept Minutes of Fire Civil Service Commission Apnl 1, 2005 4h Accept Minutes of Parks and Recreation Commission April 20, 2005 4i Accept Minutes of Planning Commission May 4, 2005 4j Accept Minutes of Planning Commission May 18, 2005 4k Accept Vendor Claims Report (supplement) Mr. Harmening indicated that item 8c should be removed from the agenda. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve the Agenda (removing item 8c) 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. City Engineer's Report: Cedar Lake Road Trail Connection, Project No. 2004-0303 Resolution No. 05-077 Mr. Brink presented the staff report. Knsti Rudelius-Palmer, 4820 Old Cedar Lk Rd, recalled an example demonstrating why they needed to take action, her children were involved with an incident and a near fatal accident when their burley got stuck in the train tracks, with a train coming. Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 6, 2005 Bill Allen, President of Cedar Trails Condo Assn., stated that it was difficult to get to the trail. This would increase use of the trail. Residents of the association he talked with supported this. Gary Berscheid, 1604 Blackstone, President of Blackstone Neighborhood Assn., indicated he polled the neighborhood and they were supportive of the trail. They didn't have access because all the holes in the "wall" had been closed. Robert Anderst, 1649 Ottawa Av S, was excited about the trail and it being more accessible Cheryl Bnggs, 4461 Cedar Lk Rd, indicated she was in favor of the project. This would open up the area and reduce some of the problems that had been occumng. Anne Siegle, 4636 Cedar Lk Rd, stated she was in favor. J Skalbeck, Hennepin County Bicycle Advisory Committee, indicated they were trying to get trails all over and this fit well. It added a safety feature with safer access, and also promoted more riders. Dan Steinberg, Co-Chair Cedarhurst Neighborhood Association, he supported trails and was happy to use them. Many residents in the senior living homes would like to walk on the trails. This connects with the transit station they were planning to build where the stadium had been proposed. All they needed was the link to the neer. Steven Steuck, 8812 36th St W, stated this would be a good alternative until they completed the Cedar Lake trail. Lou Schoen noted two users that hadn't been mentioned were those with disabilities and those using strollers who also needed access to the trail. Councilmember Sanger stated she had worked on this issue for a long time and had many requests for this access. She was glad to have the opportunity to improve safety and access to the trail. There were a few people with concerns about this trail, living on Cedar Lk Rd in Lake Forest. She wanted to acknowledge their concerns that there may be a lot of people parking on Cedar Lake Rd in Lake Forest to use the trail. Residents expect if this was a large problem, that the City would help them by taking steps such as limiting parking on that block of Cedar Lake Rd and making sure there wasn't signage advertising a trailhead there. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt Resolution No. 05-077 accepting this report, establishing and ordering Improvement Project No. 2004-0303, approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids. Councilmember Omodt echoed Councilmember Sanger's comments and indicated he was contacted by some of the same residents. They would be altering a block and people's lives and he hoped people were respectful that they would be seeing a lot of change coming through their neighborhood Mr. Steinberg noted that the Cedar Lake Park Association has stated that they would not put a trailhead on the web site or the map and would make sure the City of Minneapolis did not advertise this as a trailhead. Councilmember Sanger suggested the City of St. Louis Park not map this or mark it as an established trailhead. Council Meeting Minutes -4- June 6, 2005 The motion passed 7-0. Councilmember Sanger asked if the schedule went as described, when would construction start and be completed? Mr. Brink replied it could be completed this year. 8b. Permanent Off-Leash Dog Park Ms. Walsh presented the staff report. The task force members met with residents around Dakota Park, which resulted in some changes. The site was decreased to about an acre This revision eliminated the need to reroute the trail. She reviewed the task force recommendations Charlie Goldstein, 1646 Virginia Av. S, commented that he had been going to the temporary dog park and had observed dogs playing nicely, rarely barking, no dog fights, dogs using energy and playing. His dog had little energy afterward and was much less prone to bark, like others who had been chained up all day. Dogs learn to socialize there and owners socialized, which builds community. There was no traffic congestion or disruption to the neighborhood. Gretchen Breitweiser, 2924 Ottawa, stated that she was in favor of the dog park. She suggested possibly having a gate on the other side of the dog park. Ms. Walsh indicated one of the reasons they were not recommending it at this time was to limit access. There was concern about people going by the playground area. It could be added in the future. Ms. Breitweiser also suggested a separate area for newcomers to the dog park or for those with small dogs. Ms. Walsh responded they discussed this, it was in some of the additional recommendations and if it was a continual request or problem, they would consider doing that in the future. They wanted to start with a permanent location and monitor it. Robert McDonald, 2724 Jersey, stated that he supported the dog park. He would recommend in the North corner have a small dog area and also a secondary gate which would enable people to get to the water cooler easier. He also believed one light would be sufficient. Mayor Jacobs thanked the task force members for a well-run process and a lot of work Councilmember Omodt suggested this be revisited in two years to see if they needed more dog parks. Mr. McDonald believed that more than one dog park was a good idea to add variety. He didn't believe the park at 40th and France would get used because it was too far away, but he liked the Victoria Pond site. Councilmember Sanger stated she initiated work on this based on requests from many people and because they worked in New York. She would like to continue thinking about another area to accommodate smaller dogs. She hoped they would have better lighting, which helps make sure that owners cleaned up after their dogs. - it i Council Meeting Minutes -5- June 6, 2005 It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt the recommendations of the Off- Leash Dog Park Task Force and authorize the creation of a permanent off—leash dog park along the southeast edge of Dakota Park. Councilmember Santa wanted people to understand the dog park would be supported by the user fees. Ms. Walsh replied residents pay $25/year and non-residents pay $50/year Councilmember Santa stated this was self-supporting. It would give people an opportunity to socialize their pets in an appropriate place. There are also people who do not use the parks regularly who have a nght to have recreational needs met. She found it vital for the health of the community. Ms. Breitweiser commented that her daughter goes to Peter Hobart School. She had talked with some parents who live near the dog park, worried about how their children would be affected. There will be a fence and people would pick up after the dogs. This would be safer because dogs wouldn't be running free. Mr. Goldstein stated that his dog was very tired after running at the dog park. Councilmember Finkelstein agreed with the comment about strongly considering a separate area for small dogs. This was another way of responding to citizens needs, providing expanded services and making the area more desirable. The motion passed 7-0. 8c. Removed from agenda 8d. Request of the City of St. Louis Park to amend Chapter D - Housing of Comprehensive Plan 2000—2002 to update tables and graphs and associated text and to incorporate housing goals and implementation strategies of the Housing Summit. Case Nos. 05-06-CP Resolution No. 05-078 Ms. Erickson presented the staff report. Councilmember Santa believed it made sense to put to use a document that came out of so much discussion and study. Councilmember Basil' read number three on page D21, "At the present time the greatest deficit and need is for the creation and maintenance of detached, owner-occupied, single family housing which are large enough to accommodate families." They hear that loud and clear in the community and it was good to have that direction for staff It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve Resolution No. 05-078 amendment to Chapter D—Housing of the Comprehensive Plan 2000—2020 contingent upon review by Metropolitan Council. Councilmember Finkelstein stated many people worked on the Housing Steenng committee. Two issues bear closer attention at a study session. The issue of , Council Meeting Minutes -6- June 6, 2005 condominium maintenance and making sure as there were more condominiums that they take necessary steps to make sure they are kept up and look at the issue of whether inspections were appropriate. Secondly, the issue of affordable housing and owner occupied housing in all areas of the city. The motion passed 6-0. (Councilmember Omodt was out of the room) 8e. Resolution of support for State of MN Capital Appropriation for a Railroad Switching Yard in Glencoe, Minnesota Resolution No. 05-079 Mr. Harmening reported on the switching yard and the recommendation of the Railroad Task Force to relocate the switching yard. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt Resolution No. 05-079 supporting the State of MN Capital Appropriation for a Railroad Switching Yard in Glencoe, Minnesota. Councilmember Basil' clanfied this was the switching station behind South Oaks. If they got this and it went to Glencoe, he thought it should be tied to moving the second set of tracks behind South Oak. Even if they build it, if the tracks are there, they will use them In exchange for building it in Glencoe, they needed to get them to remove the second set of tracks behind South Oak. Councilmember Santa agreed, but felt they needed to take one step at a time. Even a small step was very important. They would continue to work on that. The motion passed 7-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs reminded people of Parktacular, June 16`h-19`h. The parade will be June 18th at noon Councilmember Santa thanked members of the VFW and Amencan Legion for the Memonal Day services and commemoration at Wolf Park. Secondly, Oak Hill Park wading pool has been replaced with a splash pad and the official nbbon cutting will be Monday, June 13th at 6 00 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Ci y Clerk M y r