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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/02/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES T. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK February 28, 2005 The meeting convened at 7:08 p.m. Council Present: John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Sue Sanger, Sue Santa, Paul Omodt, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff Present: City Manager (Mr Harmening), Engineering Development Manager (Mr. Olson), Community Outreach Coordinator(Ms McDonell), Organization Development Coordinator (Ms. Gothberg), Technology & Support Services Director (Mr Pires), and Deputy City Clerk (Ms. Stroth). Others Present. Guy Nowlan, Hennepin County Project Engineer and Mike McGarvey, SRF Consulting Group 1. Street Closure—Brunswick Avenue at W. 33`d Street—Railroad Crossing Jim Olson, Engineering Development Manager, outlined the proposed closure of Brunswick Avenue at the Canadian Pacific Railroad. He stated notices were sent to adjacent residents and a meeting was held back in 2003 with property owners and neighborhood representatives. Staff feels closure of this street crossing is justified based on capital savings for the upgrade of Dakota Avenue crossing. It will also reduce maintenance costs, improve safety, and provide traffic calming on Brunswick Avenue. Major concerns included emergency response, buses, and other vehicles due to the narrow right-of-way no turn around. Discussion took place regarding plowing, fire hydrants, parking, school bus adjustments, and the neighborhood concerns Mayor Jacobs stated the advantage would be getting the Dakota crossing upgraded but the City would face some neighborhood opposition. Councilmember Sanger stated she has not heard from anyone in the neighborhood yet and was waiting to hear from the neighborhood president. Councilmember Santa indicated she has heard concerns from residents of the Lenox neighborhood that the intersection at Dakota is treacherous and dangerous. Mr. Olson described the vacant lot owned by the City and stated there was no room to construct a cul-de-sac. Councilmember Finkelstein felt it was the safer thing to do, would reduce whistle noises, and provide cost savings getting Dakota Ave upgraded. He felt if we don't do it, people might come back later wanting Brunswick Avenue closed. Councilmember Omodt stated as previous Lenox president, the neighborhood feedback was that it was a great idea and may even slow down traffic. The consensus of the council was to have a notice mailed out to residents including the information about upgrading Dakota Avenue. Study Session Minutes -2- February 28, 2005 Mr. Olson stated Dakota Avenue was slated for repaving in Apnl. He indicated at the March 3rd meeting regarding pavement management system, an announcement will be made regarding Brunswick and Dakota Avenues. 2. Vision St. Louis Park Tom Harmening, City Manager, stated with the new vision approach using the appreciative inquiry tool, we are now ready to revisit, update and recommit to Vision St Louis Park. Martha McDonell, Community Outreach Coordinator, stated other cities such as Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, and Bloomington, are at the first visioning stages. What is working for them is different than what will work for us because we are at a different stage. The process will have community as a partner, but an open process. People will be asked to tell stones of their community connection where themes would immerge. She stated she was pleased to begin the process again after budget cuts from 2 yrs ago. Councilmember Finkelstein recommended including those who live, work, participate here, employee labor representatives, and city and school employees. Councilmember Sanger questioned the structure, process, staff function, and how this will translate to action plans like environment protection. Bridget Gothberg responded people will be trained to probe to get to the real issues and what's important. She stated more attention will be directed to commonalities, not what's important or not important. Ms McDonell stated we would have assistance with interns for compiling data and there will be teams to work on the themes. The community will be coming back together at a town meeting and talk about the action plan. Councilmember Finkelstein felt this will be a good emotional checkup for the City. Ms. McDonell said the survey was to support the outcome measurements. If decided, the combined old and new outcomes could be measured together. We are looking for what categories come out of the minds of people. Written information and consultant help will be provided. Councilmember Sanger indicated she was concerned this approach will not get answers to the real issues to focus on. She felt the need to broaden the questioning to more than just appreciative inquiring and include what needs to be improved or changed. Councilmember Basill felt the appreciative inquiry will provide feedback on what we are doing well, what to do more of, and new ideas that may guide us. Ms. Gothberg state the first time you do this is a leap of faith. In the original interview example questions would include "What was present that went so well? What was your role? She stated after common responses are collected, people will talk about it in larger groups where issues will come up. Study Session Minutes -3- February 28, 2005 Tom Harmening discussed when the council took a leap of faith in 1996 using appreciate inquiry regarding the town center. Many people descnbed in words what they wanted and landscapers and designers put it on paper Councilmember Omodt reported on case studies, through his teaching at the University, using communication research, listening to other people's stones for public relations. Ms. Gothberg explained how the stones will get areas and propositions will be developed by studying, debating, and pnontizing. The provocative propositions from this will be similar to the broad vision, but deeper. Councilmember Sanger would like to see new questions asked and work some of that into this process and to include e-mail and web She stated she wants to learn from this process what residents want us for and need us for. She recommended to add Board & Commission members to the Phase 2 group list. Ms. Gothberg stated she appreciated the trust and the need to be well scrutinized before we go forward. Mr. Harmening felt this approach was nght for the city and the community will help with the sense of direction. Ms. McDonell stated they will go forward and continue to bnng understanding about how the planning is going. Mr. Harmening stated staff will be back with the survey and outside consultant information. A formal proposal for funding has been made with the McKnight Foundation 3. Citywide Wireless High Speed Internet Access: Alternative Approaches to Further Research Clint Pires, Technology & Support Services Director, reviewed optional approaches for conducting further research on providing wireless Internet access to residents and businesses in St Louis Park. Areas of research will include community input along with scientific input, technical alternatives, costs and benefits. He stated renters are now asking for this service He recommended Option 4 to complete initial due diligence and public process steps. This option would be the least time-consuming and least expensive. Discussion took place regarding other cities and states currently providing Internet access, competitive pacing, and the mobility of the service with using a laptop. Councilmember Finkelstein questioned if the legislature has made a move to bar cities and counties from offenng Internet services. Mr. Pires responded it has not happened here yet, but the legislature does expect it to happen. If the service happens before a decision is made, it could be grandfathered in. Mr. Pires discussed how WI-FI and WIMAX will co-exist and integrate. He explained that Internet access is not a cable service and the franchise has nothing to do with Internet. • Study Session Minutes -4- February 28, 2005 Councilmember Santa asked how this will affect public services and if it was enough to go forward Mr. Pires responded many other reasons for the use of future applications such as water meter readings and traffic control surveillance cameras will help make a smarter city. Discussion took place regarding security and privacy issues, partnerships, private consortia accounts, liability issues and legal concerns. Councilmember Finkelstein questioned the use of upgrading replacement fund and the need for an exit strategy. Mr. Pires responded the financials will be shown in the study. Mr. Pires recommended Option 4 which includes a scientific market research survey, and also leverages the number of communication facilities. This option would provide inclusive public process and input, technical alternatives and recommendations, project plans, timeline, business plan, and budget of$50,000 - $65,000. Councilmember Basill stated concern about going into a business that is changing so fast, too much competition, liability issues, and losing money. Mr. Harmening indicated other cities currently providing wireless high speed Internet service include Chaska, St Cloud, Moorhead, and Buffalo. Mayor Jacobs recommended going forward with Option 4. Mr. Pires stated the Council will be informed on the financial feasibility and technical feasibility. 4. Update of Highway 100 widening Project Mr. Harmening stated meetings will be held March 11th and March 15th to provide community awareness. The City is working with City of Edina, TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, and keeping legislators updated. A letter is being mailed out to a fairly extensive mailing list. He stated MnDOT's reasons for postponing the Hwy 100 project are as follows: 1. Federal funding issues 2. Longer waiting results in higher the costs and revenues do not keep up 3. Maintenance costs higher than expected 4. Priority of Lafayette Bridge Mr Harmening stated Mn/DOT was proposing an interim improvement to add a third lane within the existing right-of-way which would be the bridge to the final solution and that this was not acceptable to the City. Discussion took place regarding pnontization of projects, the transportation bill and funding package. Mayor Jacobs felt this was a huge traffic issue for the city's future development. 5. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. C Clerk • May r