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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/05/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA May 15, 2006 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:37 pm. Council members present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmemng), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther) and Recording Secretary(Ms. Stegora-Peterson). 2. Presentations 2a. Proclamation Public Works Week Mayor Jacobs read the proclamation and thanked Mr. Rardin, Director of the Public Works Department. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. Study Session Minutes of April 10,2006 The minutes were approved as presented. 3b. Study Session Minutes of April 24,2006 Councilmember Sanger indicated on the bottom of page one, the sentence should read, "Ms. Trummer said there are no current public relations plans." Councilmember Finkelstein stated at the top of page two, before Housing Supervisor Michelle Schnitker spoke in reference to something he had stated. Insert, "Councilmember Finkelstein noted Meadowbrook was too important for them to let it fail. It would cost more money for the City with increased Police activity and calls to Meadowbrook by not providing funding than by, working to ensure the program continued. He asked if they could do something, for example have people donate United Way contributions to Meadowbrook." 3c. City Council Minutes of May 1,2006 The minutes were approved as presented. City Council Minutes -2- May 15, 2006 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTES 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. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 06-088 Authorizing the Special Assessment of Four Sewer and Water Service Line Repairs/Replacements 4b. Motion to amend contract 99-00 with WSB for providing Professional Services for Design and Construction Administration of Lamplighter Pond. 4c. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 06-089 accepting project report, establishing and ordering Improvement Project No. 2005-1200, approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids for the Ford Road Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Replacement—Project No. 2005-1200. 4d. Motion to Amend DNR Flood Mitigation Grant Agreement A48775 4e. Motion to adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 2316-06 approving the Vacation of a portion of Hampshire Avenue South, approve summary and authorize publication. 4f. Motion to adopt second reading of Ordinance No. 2317-06 amending the Official Zoning Map from C2 — General Commercial to IP —Industrial Park, approve summary and authorize publication. 4g. Motion to accept Vendor Claims for filing(supplement) Mr. Harmening stated the applicant requested item 8e be removed from the agenda. Staff will reschedule when appropriate. It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve the Agenda as amended and items listed on the Consent Calendar The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions -None 6. Public Hearings 6a. Public Hearing — Modification to the Highway 7 Tax Increment Finance District and Establishment of the Highway 7 Corporate Center Tax Increment Finance District and Highway 7 Hazardous Substance Subdistrict Resolution No. 06-081 Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. Paul Hyde, Real Estate Recycling, thanked staff for their work on this project. Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt to adopt Resolution No 06-081 approving the modification to the Highway 7 Tax Increment Finance District, establishment of the Highway 7 Corporate Center Tax Increment Finance District and Highway 7 Hazardous Substance Subdistrict and adopting a Tax Increment Financing Plan therefore The motion passed 7-0. City Council Minutes -3- May 15, 2006 7. Requests,Petitions, and Communications from the Public—None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions 8a. Contract for Private Redevelopment including Property Conveyance and Lease Agreement between the City of St. Louis Park, St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority, and Highway 7 Business Center LLC Resolution No. 06-082 Mr. Hunt presented the staff report. It was moved by Councilmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt Resolution No. 06-082 approving a Contract for Private Redevelopment including Property Conveyance and Lease Agreement by and between the City of St. Louis Park, St Louis Park Economic Development Authority, and Highway 7 Business Center LLC. The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Request by Real Estate Recycling (CPE Exchange 26084 LLC) to approve Preliminary and Final Plat of RER ADDITION and a Conditional Use Permit for excavation/fill of over 400 cubic yards of soil. Case No. 06-31-S and 06-32-CUP Resolution No.'s 06-083 and 06-084 Mr. Walther presented the staff report. Councilmember Sanger expressed concern about the effect on traffic with 2,600 truckloads of dirt being removed, particularly at the same time Sam's Club was under construction and asked if it would be beneficial to limit hours. Mr. Walther replied the applicant would be working with the city, Sam's Club and Methodist Hospital to coordinate the project schedule. There would be on-site staging. Mr. Harmening added dirt removal would be done over a three-month period. Mr. Walther added the intersections they would be entering were signalized, which would also help. Councilmember Paprocki asked if they would be using an incinerator for soil remediation. Mr. Walther replied no. It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve Resolution No. 06-083 the Preliminary and Final Plat of RER Addition; and, approve Resolution No. 06-084 a Conditional Use Permit to allow for excavation/fill of more than 400 cubic yards of soil Councilmember Basill requested the developer take necessary precautions to reduce dust in the neighborhood. The motion passed 7-0. City Council Minutes -4- May 15, 2006 8c. Request by Real Estate Recycling (CPE Exchange 26084 LLC) to approve a Conditional Use Permit for excavation/fill of over 400 cubic yards of soil and Landscaping Variance for property located at 7200 and 7250 Highway 7. Case No. 06-29-CUP, 06-33-VAR Resolution No. 06-085 Mr. Walther presented the staff report. It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve Resolution No. 06-085 a Conditional Use Permit to allow for excavation/fill of more than 400 cubic yards of soil. The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to continue the landscaping variance to the June 5, 2006 City Council meeting. The motion passed 7-0. 8d. Lou Park & River Pointe II (Bigos) Preliminary and Final Planned Unit Development. Case No. 06-30-PUD Resolution No. 06-086 Mr. Walther presented the staff report. Councilmember Sanger asked the rental range of the units. Councilmember Finkelstein responded $705-745 for one-bedroom, and $825-$840 for a two-bedroom. Councilmember Omodt asked if the applicant was present. Mr. Walther replied no, he believed they were planning to be here and possibly thought it would be later. It was moved by Councilmember Carver, seconded by Councilmember Paprocki, to approve Resolution No. 06-086 the Preliminary Planned Unit Development, subject to conditions as recommended by Staff. Councilmember Omodt asked if the applicant met with the neighbors regarding the height. Mr. Walther replied they met with the neighborhood in March and they were shown building plans. Neighbors' concerns were related to construction activity and soil remediation. Councilmember Carver stated this site was in dire need of attention and not green space that could be retained. This would be a drastic improvement over the current situation. It was in a unique location and would be adjacent to a parking lot. The developer had come up with a positive addition to the community. He also supported the reduction in parking spaces. The motion passed 7-0 City Council Minutes -5- May 15, 2006 8e. Hoigaard's at Miracle Mile — Major Amendment to a Special Permit and Variance for a Tower Sign— Hoigaard's Inc. - Case No. 06-19-CUP & 06-35- VAR This item was removed from the agenda at the applicant's request. 8f. Resolution supporting the passage of proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution dedicating the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax to transportation. Resolution No. 06-087 Mr. Harmening stated following City Council's direction at a study session, number two was added to the resolution. Councilmember Carver asked if Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) had gotten a new name. Mayor Jacobs replied it might depend on wording changes made by the legislature. Councilmember Carver clarified this was dedication of the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax to transportation, including public transit and roads. The City Council was being asked if they supported a constitutional amendment, which would be on the ballot in November. The question was whether residents think the state should dedicate the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation, some for roads and some for other transit infrastructure. Mayor Jacobs stated this had some impact on Highway 100. If this passed, there was some reasonable assurance by MnDOT that the Highway 100 full-build project may happen faster, although there was no guarantee. Councilmember Sanger though it was important to note if this constitutional amendment passed, it was possible this could also benefit St. Louis Park through construction of the proposed light rail transit. There were unknowns and this was not new money that would be dedicated to transportation. It would move money from the general fund to transportation needs. The people of Minnesota hadn't been informed what the money was presently being used for. If it were redirected to transportation, which could benefit St. Louis Park, they should also have concerns about what wouldn't be funded. She urged residents to inform themselves about the trade off's before voting in November. Councilmember Finkelstein indicated he couldn't support the motion, because he felt it was bad government policy. The Legislature had not done their job with highway and mass transit funding, and were asking them to govern through a constitutional amendment. He felt that was a bad precedence. The city has to act responsibly, which is why he voted to support the interim repair to Highway 100. St. Louis Park had several promises when MnDOT would repair Highway 100 and that hadn't occurred and have no idea where the money would come from, if it would affect health, or come from education or human services. A better way to govern was through legislation, which meant taking a look at the gasoline tax. It had been over 18 years since there was an increase. They needed to fund mass transit, not just take it from another source. He was not able to support this. Councilmember Paprocki stated this was a rare occasion where what happened in St. Paul would impact their constituents, which was why they had a resolution. The Council was trying to raise awareness about the upcoming vote and encourage residents to be educated, to vote and make their voices known. City Council Minutes -6- May 15, 2006 Councilmember Carver noted if voters didn't mark anything on their ballot, it would be counted as a "No" vote. It was important people educate themselves. If this amendment didn't pass, he believed citizens of Minnesota would be told that proves they don't see a need for more money for transportation. Those in St. Louis Park know that is wrong and they are behind on mass transit and maintaining roads. The Council settled for an interim fix for Highway 100 because they had to do something. He urged those in St. Paul who had been elected to show leadership and find the nght way to solve transportation problems. In his view the right thing to do was to vote in favor of the amendment because it does something for transportation, which wasn't getting done and he didn't believed would get done if this vote failed. Councilmember Sanger wanted to make sure the public was aware that one of the paragraphs of the proposed resolution was, "The City Council urges the Governor and State Legislature to provide replacement funding to the State's general fund as a result of the Constitutional amendments redirection of motor vehicle sales tax dollars from the general fund to transportation and transit purposes." If they are going to redirect funds for transportation, which could benefit St. Louis Park, that they find other means so healthcare, education, etc. are not adversely affected. Councilmember Omodt stated the City Council analyzed this at study session. Council does not do a lot of resolutions like this, but they amended it to make sure people knew this was not new funding, it was allocating funds differently, which meant something could be cut, possibly LGA (local government aid). Governing a state or city by method of these resolutions or state referendums is a lack of leadership. With the amendment, he would support this, but they may be facing other cuts just to get Highway 100 fixed. Councilmember Basill asked if other cities had passed similar resolutions. Mr. Harmening replied yes, many. Councilmember Basill commented he was concerned if it was the City Council's place to bring resolutions like this forward. This particular resolution, out of all the resolutions he had seen, was the truest and most genuine that could have an affect on their City. With the addition of the second paragraph, they were putting their staff in a position (if it passes), to go to MnDOT to get funding for Highway 100. He traditionally had not supported these resolutions,but because of that he would support it to allow staff to lobby for funding. It was moved by Councilmember Carver, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve Resolution No. 06-087 supporting the passage of proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution dedicating the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax to transportation Councilmember Finkelstein noted there had been a number of promises from MnDOT when Highway 100 would be completed. They had been waiting patiently and it was because of pressure from the public and other groups that they had done the interim fix. Highway funding is in bad shape, there is something going wrong with the funding and this would not fix it. Until they had an open and honest discussion at the Legislature about how much they care about mass transit, taking care of roads and having a funding levels that meet the present needs and future growth of the Twin Cities, it won't get done. The motion passed 6-1 with Councilmember Finkelstein opposed. City Council Minutes -7- May 15, 2006 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs reported Trader Joe's had opened. The Ice Cream Social will be Sunday at Wolfe Park. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. f i_ietetzt".48 9_V:33m0f,... City x Ci Clerk Ma or