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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/03/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CTY F OFFICIAL MINUTES T. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION RK March 28, 2005 The meeting convened at 7.00 p.m. Councilmembers present: John Basill, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, Paul Omodt, Phil Finkelstein and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening); community Development Director(Mr. Locke); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt); Engineering Development Manager(Mr. _ Olson); City Engineer(Ms. Hagen), Finance Director(Ms. McGann); Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin); Utility Superintendent (Mr. Anderson); City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. 2005 General Obligation Bond Issuance and 1997A Bond Refunding Jean McGann, Finance Director, met with council to review the feasibility of issuing a General Obligation Debt in 2005 and to refund a 1997 General Obligation Tax Increment Bond Ms McGann explained the rationale for issuing GO bonds in advance of the original projection and how CIP projects are identified and funded by GO bonds. She explained that there was minimal risk. Council was generally supportive of the strategy. Ms. McGann pointed out that the Aquatic Park Expansion mentioned in the staff report is a project that has not been thoroughly discussed by Council As a CIP item for 2006, Park and Recreation Staff is working with a consultant to determine feasibility and costs. Staff will be providing information to Council this fall. If the Council decides not to proceed with the Aquatic Park Expansion, then the bond proceeds may be reallocated to other eligible projects. Councilmember Omodt expressed concern that the Aquatic Park is too crowded with kids from other cities. It's difficult for SLP residents to use their own pool. He was concerned that buses from other neighborhoods were being brought in full of kids that did not live in SLP. Ms. McGann noted that council would see the bond sale on a council agenda very shortly. 2. Water System Backup Supply Mr. Anderson informed the council that a Water System Vulnerability Study, completed in accordance with the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, had identified a need for additional emergency water production to meet the daily average demand in case of a power outage in the city. Mr. Anderson showed pictures of the units similar to those that would be installed and mentioned that noise may be an issue when the generators are running, but that would most likely be during peak hours in the summer when folks had windows closed and the air conditioner on. The units would be shielded by landscaping Ms. McGann said that funding may be an issue and that staff may have to look to future rate increases to fund the project. Study Session Minutes -2- March 28, 2005 3. Dworsky Staff met with Council to provide an update on the status of the project development for the intersection improvements at Trunk Highway 7 and Wooddale Avenue, and to discuss the right of way impacts to the affected properties and the proposed purchase of the Dworsky property. Mr. Olson provided an overview of the project. Mayor Jacobs suggested that if MnDOT begins the interim Hwy 100 project, that perhaps the intersection improvements at Hwy 7 and Wooddale could be done at the same time. Councilmembers Basill and Velick expressed concern about potential development at the Hoigaards site and felt that improvements to both Hwy 100 and this intersection should be done before significant development is undertaken. Councilmember Finkelstein was concerned that the price of the Dworsky property was high. He wanted to be sure it was necessary to purchase it before making a decision. He had an additional concern that buying more property might raise the price of that corner. Councilmember Basill believed that the purchase should happen and that it was reasonable for the city to hold the land until the improvements needed at that intersection could be done. He stated concern if they did not buy the property now, the price of the properties would only continue to escalate and cost them more. Councilmember Finkelstein stated there was an earlier commitment from Walmart as part of their Conditional Use Permit, and that they were responsible for paying for part of the cost of the pedestrian bridge. Councilmember Sanger was disappointed that the purchase of the Soomek property had brought no return on investment as the city had originally intended. She did not want that to happen here. She also wanted frontage road improvements done as soon as possible. Mr. Hunt stated that the Dworsky appraisal and the City's appraisal were actually quite close. He also pointed out that the purchase would fulfill two purposes: a use for pre-1997 TIF dollars and the space acquired would allow for significant future improvement to the intersection. Councilmember Finkelstein asked what would happen if the city did not purchase at this time, a new buyer did purchase, and then the city wished to acquire at a later date Mr. Locke responded that the scenano could turn out to be a"community development nightmare". Several councilmembers referred to the Hutchinson Spur acquisition and believed it was wiser to purchase now from a willing seller than to try to purchase in the future. Councilmember Sanger asked we could be sure the improvements to the frontage road would be done, and if so, would MnDOT be a partner in the project. Mr Rardin stated that staff was intending to move forward with that piece of the planning. Mr. Harmening summarized stating that the purchase of the property would be on a future council agenda and staff would continue planning for frontage road improvements. Study Session Minutes -3- March 28, 2005 4. Golden Auto Staff and the developers provided an update, and requested feedback on Real Estate Recycling's proposed redevelopment plans for the National Lead/Golden Auto site (located at 7003 Lake Street immediately east of Sam's Club) Staff and the developer was seeking confirmation that grants should be pursued from public agencies to undertake the proposed environmental response actions necessary to redevelop the subject property. The developers, Mac and Paul Hyde, stated that all testing had been done and as suspected, the pnmary pollutant on the site was lead. They presented three options for dealing with the contamination. After review the three Council agreed that option "C" was the best choice. Councilmember Sanger asked whether the measures taken on the site would be maintained by future owners. Mr. Locke responded that there would be provisions in place that would run with the property in perpetuity. Annual reports would also have to be presented to the MPCA by any future owners. Councilmember Sanger was also concerned that the tow lot is an eyesore. She would like the lot moved out of St Louis Park. Mayor Jacobs disagreed saying that it was important for both our police and residents to have the tow lot located within the city limits. Councilmember Santa suggested landscaping to screen the lot from the bike trail. She was also sensitive to the residents who were located close to the site which was to be zoned IP Councilmember Sanger was concerned about the rail connection and that it be maintained at that location. The developer responded that there were no plans which would affect the rail line in any way. Mr. Hunt informed the council that the proposed environmental response action plans for the site will proceed and grant applications will be submitted to DEED, Met Council and Hennepin County. Required resolutions authorizing the submission of these grants will be brought to the EDA for formal consideration in April so as to allow the applications to be submitted by the May 1 deadline. 5. Communications Mr. Harmening provided an update on lobbying efforts for Hwy 100 improvements. Councilmember Santa informed council about an upcoming Metro Transit Authonty Meeting occurnng on April 121h. 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9.00 p.m. /6 .(-e---""A---- J2- City Clerk Ma or 1