Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/08/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session 7 CITY OF T. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION August 8, 2005 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: John Basill, Jim Brimeyer, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin); City Engineer (Mr. Brink); Community Development Director(Mr. Locke); Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson); Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms. McMomgal); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt); Planning Intern (Ms. Johnson); and City Clerk(Ms. Reichert). 1. Lake Street Reconstruction Mr. Brink and Mr. Rardin provided council with an overview of the proposed project, and asked for council feedback on a public process. Mayor Jacobs said that the businesses along West Lake street would like to see an enhanced streetscape. He asked if a special service district could be established at that location. He pointed out that many persons from outside the city use that street to attend school sporting events. Councilmember Sanger said some residents would like to see the roadway narrowed and sidewalks placed along the street. Councilmember Finkelstein said that future changes to the intersection at Wooddale and Hwy 7 needed to be considered. Councilmember Basill said that whatever we do must tie into an above-grade crossing. He believed that pedestrian safety was paramount. He was concerned that narrowing the street would restrict passage and wanted staff to look at other ways to calm traffic. Staff will keep council informed as we move forward through the public process. 2. Industrial Study Jaci Johnson, Planning Intern, presented to council the Industrial Study she had conducted over the course of her internship with the city. The Study is a profile of St. Louis Park's current industrial buildings with photographs and other information about each site. Council was very pleased with the result of her work. Ms Erickson explained that next steps will be to conduct a market study of the properties and to determine direction based on the assets of each property. Mayor Jacobs encouraged staff to include stakeholders in the process as we move forward. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested that the President of the local AFLCIO be included as we move forward to provide perspective regarding jobs. Councilmember Santa suggested we include leaders from surrounding neighborhoods. Study Session Minutes -2- August 8, 2005 Councilmember Sanger questioned why we are undertaking further study. She asked how the study results would affect requirements for zomng that come up prior to completion of the study. Mr. Harmening suggested that during the data analysis and study portion of our efforts we should be looking at requests on a case by case basis. A full study with guidance for future council action will be attractive to business and could help in future marketing efforts. Councilmember Basill believed information gathered by further study would help council to determine where industry should occur in the city. Councilmember Finkelstein also believed that it is good to be proactive to help with business attraction and retention. Councilmember Sanger also stated that funds would be needed to attract businesses and to clean up industrial sites in the future. Councilmember Santa said future transportation needs should be considered as part of the study. Councilmember Omodt asked that the real estate perspective also be considered. He also suggested council consider whether we view industrial businesses as an asset or as a liability. Mr. Harmening said that we will need to enlist the help of a consultant to add to the very good information we already have. Council again thanked Ms. Johnson for her fine work in putting together the information. 3. Zoning Code Issues Related to Housing Summit Religious Institutions in Cl District- Councilmember Sanger had asked that council consider implications of a request from her ward for a zoning change to allow religious institutions in areas zoned C-1. Ms McMonigal explained the request which relates to the ERUV designation in portions of ward 1. Council and staff discussed various options for accommodating the request including revising both the commercial and mixed use requirements to allow for this use. Councilmember Sanger asked if the use could be allowed with limitations on square feet. Mr. Locke agreed to look as restrictions that could minimize conflict if the use were to be allowed. More will come to council at a future date. Garage Expansions— Staff brought forward modifications to the zoning ordinance which would allow for greater creativity with garages. After viewing pictures of structures which are and are not allowed in St. Louis Park, council directed staff and the planning commission to move forward with more suggestions for revisions to the ordinance. Study Session Minutes -3- August 8, 2005 4. Louisiana Court Stabilization Plan Council was asked to discuss alternative courses of action to address problems at Louisiana Court, PPL's request for$400,000 in funding to assist with capital improvements,US Bank's request that the city not take action to foreclose on the property prior to 2015 and feedback from a recent meeting held with the project's funders. Steve Bubul of Kennedy and Graven and Mark Ruff of Ehler's and Associates were in attendance. Ms. Schnitker described the proposed stabilization plan which consists of several facets including additional capital improvements, replacing management efforts to retain current residents and reduce operating expenses, and the introduction of a limited number of rent subsidies. In addition, a task force comprised of the funding partners, PPL, US Bank and industry experts, would collaborate on determining the project's needs, create new initiatives and establish performance benchmarks and goals. MHFA staff would play a key role in initiative, and coordinating this effort. Councilmembers expressed concern about what would happen if the stabilization plan was not successful. They were concerned about PPL's participation in the project going forward and asked what steps could be taken to remove PPL from the mix entirely. Councilmember's also expressed concerns and disagreements with US Bank's request that the City promise not to foreclose prior to 2015. Ms. Schnitker responded that PPL would need to continue as a partner moving forward, but that the new management company that had been put in place was doing very well. She believed that the stabilization plan would be successful even if PPL continues as a partner. Mr. Locke stated that the task force would be key in ensuring the future success of the project. Councilmember Finkelstein did not want PPL to manage any of the construction projects related to improvements on the property. Ms. Schnitker stated that MFHA was comfortable with construction plans and that checks and balances were in place to ensure the construction would be carried out as it should be. MHFA employs an inspecting architect to oversee the project and PPL has retained a general contractor to facility the rehabilitation. Councilmember Omodt was opposed to additional investment on the part of the city. If the contribution is made he wanted to see an exit strategy. He did not feel the problem was with PPL, rather the buildings themselves. Scattered housing was a better option and the model at Louisiana Court was a concentration of poverty. He believed the city's choice was to invest additional money on Louisiana Courts or to invest in other types of low-income housing. He thought the only was these units would ever be full would be if the economy is so bad that people had not choice but to live there. He also did not want mentally ill persons housed in a development where crime may be a problem. Study Session Minutes -4- August 8, 2005 Councilmember Sanger also wanted more information on the proposal to house mentally ill persons at the site. She also wanted an exit strategy and wanted to receive regular updates on the progress made by the new management. Mayor Jacobs believed that a better job could be done managing the property and hoped the new management company was successful. He would vote to approve the additional city investment if he felt there was appropriate accountability. The oversight task force may be able to provide that. Councilmember Santa hoped that with this investment, the partners could move toward a more positive relationship. The history at the Meadowbrook site showed that community investment in that site had resulted in positive benefits. She hoped the same positive outcomes would occur at Louisiana Courts. Councilmember Sanger stated there is a need for social services at the site. Mr. Locke responded that the oversight task force would also be addressing social issues. Councilmember Basill wanted to know what would happen if the city did not invest the $400,000. Mr. Locke stated that we have two choices: invest in the property or do nothing. If we do nothing we risk default on the original bond in the amount of$4.3 million, and no improvements will have been made leaving the city holding a very expensive redevelopment project. Mr. Harmening said the council was being asked to spend $400,000 to leverage approximately $1.2 million dollars of improvements which would protect our$4.3 million dollar investment. He also stated this would be coming forward to the council for approval within the next few weeks. 5. Council and EDA Salaries Council discussed options for adjusting salaries of councilmembers and EDA commissioners. A public hearing will be held in early October to consider an ordinance amending those salaries. The meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m. A ,411111r,tizt- 61(4„ City Clerk I Ma or