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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/12/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ;LOU°/FS OFFICIAL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK December 12, 2005 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basil, Jim Brimeyer, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Community Development Director(Mr. Locke), Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms. McMomgal), Assistant Planner(Mr. Fulton), Director TSS (Mr. Pires), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), and City Clerk(Ms. Stroth). 1. Park Nicollet Eating Disorder Institute Mick Johnson, President of Park Nicollet Foundation and Senior Vice President Park Nicollet Health Services, provided an overview. Mr. Johnson said one of the things we need to do is reinvest in Meadowbrook and STEP. Mr. Johnson would like to have a site identified by the end of January or at least by the end of the first quarter of 2006 for the Eating Disorder Program. Dr. Joel Jahraus said the Eating Disorder Institute ("EDI")has become a very comprehensive center in the treatment of eating disorders and EDI is a nationally recognized program currently located at Methodist Hospital. At any time, 100 people are waiting for EDI services; EDI is taking referrals from a five-state area now. The average length of stay in the facility for anorexia nervosa is about three weeks or so. The EDI desires to be near Park Nicollet or Methodist Hospital because EDI uses laboratory services and several various consultants. EDI is not a locked psychiatric facility. Dr. Jahraus said treatment is successful in about 75% of cases. Councilmember Sanger asked: What is being asked of the City? Mr. Locke responded, two things: it is an opportunity to present this to Council and to discuss if it is worth spending time to make a site work for the facility. Mr. Johnson said they are asking for the City's interest, awareness and value; if the Council views EDI as a benefit, it can go to the next level and partnership. Duane Spiegle, Vice President of Real Estate and Support Services, said the new facility would be 63,000-75,000 square feet. Potential sites were discussed. Mr. Johnson said it is not their intent to seek City funds. Mr. Locke said not to focus on a site tonight but he emphasized the need to move efficiently with the timing in making choices. The Council consensus was that this was a good asset for the community and to continue moving forward on this partnership. Study Session Minutes -2- December 12, 2005 2. Hoigaard Village Streetscape David Stahl discussed the proposed streetscape improvements to West 36th Street, which is included as part of the Hoigaard Village redevelopment and the future of streetscape design along West 36th Street to the west of Highway 100. Hoigaard's may not stay as they are considering options in town. Mr. Stahl also discussed building matenals. Councilmember Sanger asked about price ranges for the units. Frank Dunbar replied about $200,000-$320,000 and square footage would be about 800-1380. Cory Tam, James Hardie Building Products, distributed a product sample. There was discussion regarding classes of matenals. For the purposes of the Hoigaard Village redevelopment, staff believes it is appropriate to administratively classify hardiboard as a Class I material. Mr. Dunbar said he would like to prepare a 3-D model for the Council. Councilmember Sanger asked about the interests of parties who differ in regard to the common area and exterior maintenance. Mr. Dunbar said there would be two associations; one for commercial and one for residential. The costs would be broken down by square footage. Noah Bly discussed the urban and residential aspects of the first and second buildings. Planning and Zoning Supervisor, Meg McMonigal, said staff is looking at landscaping options and changes to the pond to make it look more formal. Councilmember Omodt is fine with the buildings appearance and the Hardie building product. Councilmember Finkelstein wants to see a 3-D model. Councilmember Sanger said the building looks like an office building and wants a sculpture style. She likes the brick and the glass but feels it needs some definition. Councilmember Basill said more drawings are needed. Mayor Jacobs is fine with the general, more urban look of the building on 36`h Street, however, he would like it to have more architectural interest and artistic features on the building. The developer will return with a 3-D model. 3. City Website Clint Pires, Director of TSS, and Jason Huber, Web Coordinator led a discussion and demo to update the Council on current plans and efforts to revamp the City's website. There was discussion regarding web streaming. Councilmember Sanger would like to see a feature promoting the City. She stated interest in residents signing up on a voluntary basis to subscribe to notification services. Councilmember Santa would like to see a calendar of meetings and events of greater scope, (e g., neighborhood meetings and public hearings), to be more inclusive and open. Councilmember Finkelstein said someone would have to diligently monitor the website for up-to-date information. Councilmember Santa suggested the website state the City is situated in Minnesota. Mr. Pires demonstrated web casting samples from other cities. The start up cost to begin to cable cast today would be $10,000 and about $800 per month. Study Session Minutes -3- December 12, 2005 Mr. Harmening summarized the consensus of Council as very favorable for the direction the website is going and that staff should continue with comments and input. Staff would like to have changes made by January. Councilmember Santa said it would be helpful to have an ongoing usage poll to determine the website's helpfulness. Councilmember Sanger asked if there would be someone to direct and field questions and comments. Mr. Pires answered yes. Councilmember Omodt asked about e-commerce permits online. He would like stream video sooner rather than later. Councilmember Sanger is concerned about individuals taking images and misrepresenting them. Do put a statement on the website. Mr. Pires said the City will consult the City attorney. Councilmember Omodt asked why the selling of advertising is not a good idea. Councilmember Bnmeyer said that is not the business the City should be in. Council favors pursuing video web streaming. 4. Facilities Planning Bnan Hoffman, Director of Inspections, provided information on current municipal building issues. The issues identified thus far are: reallocated positions and staffing responsibilities, fire station conditions, storage, City Hall reception area, fragmented departments and services, the City Hall elevator,public meeting spaces, building maintenance, aging structures, and funding. Councilmember Santa made comments about the lack of public meeting places that do not charge a fee. Councilmember Omodt said building standards should be consistent irrespective of a building being municipal or residential. An in-depth analysis of the issues and an integrated multi-year plan for all City facilities will continue. 5. Communication Brian Hoffman discussed the proposed Hennepin County amendment to the smoking ban. Council discussed the St. Louis Park Parktacular Agreement. Councilmember Santa stated the agreement has been formalized and will be a 5 year contract. The agreement calls for insurance costs of$6,000 per year. Mr. Harmening suggested activities, roles, and responsibilities should be included in the agreement. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. i^ City Clerk M.yor '