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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/01/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ffCITY OF ST. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION January 23, 2006 de The meeting convened at 7:12 p.m. Councilmembers present: John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki, Susan Sanger, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Councilmember C. Paul Carver joined via conference call. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening); Community Development Director (Mr Locke); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr Hunt); Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin); City Engineer (Mr. Brink); Human Resources Director(Ms Gohman); Management Assistant (Ms. Honold); Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Recreation Supenntendent (Mr. Birno); Manager of Buildings/Structures (Mr. Panning); and Recording Secretary(Ms. Samson). 1. Hoigaard Village Business Points Community Development Director Mr. Locke and Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Hunt presented an overview of a proposed redevelopment contract with Union Land II, LLC. Mr. Hunt said staff is still negotiating with the developer, therefore, the staff report discusses only the preliminary business points. / Councilmember Finkelstein asked for a dollar amount for the remaining 75% of the pond's construction cost, which would come from the City's Development Fund. Mr. Hunt said the cost of the pond is about 1.25 million dollars. City Manager Tom Harmening said the redevelopment rate for the City has been much faster than the anticipated 25 to 30-year horizon. Councilmember Sanger asked why TIF is being provided for green space. It is her understanding that every redevelopment requires green space. The response was that some of the green space is related to the pond. Councilmember Sanger asked if there are any guarantees in the contract for the developer to finish all phases. Mr. Hunt said a letter of credit will be required. Councilmember Sanger asked about having a stronger look back provision. She would like to have the formula reviewed. Mr. Locke said the City will realize about $660,000 in park and trail dedication due to developer fees. 2. Aquatic Park Visioning Director of Parks and Recreation Cindy Walsh, Recreation Superintendent Rick Birno, and Manager of Buildings/Structures Craig Panning discussed the future vision for the Aquatic Park. Mayor Jacobs said he has heard complaints about the following: crowding, St. Louis Park residents not being able to get in, and 40-50 kids to a bus with only two adults to supervise. Councilmember Basill asked if there could be fewer groups per day and perhaps increase fees— to stnke an equilibrium. Study Session Minutes -2- January 23, 2006 Councilmember Sanger has heard complaints of too many groups being allowed in and that they are unruly and unsupervised. IP Mr. Birno said about 3,000 season passes were sold in 2005. Councilmember Omodt said not only is crowding a distraction but also the rowdiness. Ms. Walsh asked the Council if buses should be parked offsite, and the Council replied yes. Mayor Jacobs would like to resolve the discipline issues and supervisors must be highly visible. Mr. Birno remarked that a lifeguard floater position may be in order. Councilmember Carver said he is not convinced that it is a group issue, as in groups from somewhere else. He would hesitate to raise prices to solve behavioral issues. Mayor Jacobs agreed; address the behavioral issues directly. Ms. Walsh asked if the Parks and Recreation staff may survey residents as to what they would like to have available in the future. Mayor Jacobs said ask the residents what they want Councilmember Paprocki would like to have more splash pads around town Councilmember Sanger would to have a year-round, indoor community center for adults. 3. CSAH 25 Pedestrian Crossing Project Update City Engineer Scott Brink presented a report. Mr. Brink said staff met with representatives of Three Rivers Park District and Hennepin County. They agreed to a location further east and are still committed to the funding they had talked about previously. Mr. Brink said the County will tolerate a pedestrian crossing at Ottawa Avenue. From the staff report, Exhibit A, CSAR 25 Bridge Pedestrian Bridge Crossings (Preliminary), Councilmember Basill said Option 2 has more merit. Councilmember Finkelstein said he likes Option 2 using the"green line"going north. Like Councilmember Sanger, Councilmember Finkelstein would like to have a wide median at the pedestrian crossing for pedestrians to seek refuge and enough room for bikes. Mr Harmening stated that Option 2 modified would be a range of costs of roughly $435,000- 585,000, and to include improvements on the CSAH 25/Beltline intersection would add another $150,000-250,000, therefore, the total cost would be about $585,000-835,000. Director of Public Works Mike Rardin suggested Council think of Option 1 and Option 2 as Location 1 and Location 2. Mr. Rardin said MNDOT may only spend money on MNDOT'S right-of-ways. Councilmember Sanger asked from where the funds will come from. Mr. Harmening said funds will come from the HRA levy which is intended to be used for infrastructure improvements, and money from park and trail dedication fees. Mayor Jacobs summarized that the Council favors the modified Option 2. Councilmember Sanger added: and "a bridge with stairs, if possible." Study Session Minutes -3- January 23, 2006 4. France Avenue Turn-Back Councilmember Sanger introduced Sharon Abelson, who is the president of the Lake Forest Association. Councilmember Sanger said St. Louis Park should take back France Avenue only if it is agreed that improvements will be made. Improvements would include narrowing France Avenue enough to create space for a sidewalk and/or a bike trail. She said a concurrent commitment would be necessary and if no commitment, let's not do it Councilmember Sanger said a public process would be necessary to ask residents what to do with the whole thing Ms Abelson said it needs to be safer; to go anywhere in her area residents must use France Avenue. Ms. Abelson would like for St. Louis Park to take control of France Avenue and build a sidewalk on the west side. Mayor Jacobs and Councilmembers Basill, Finkelstein and Omodt want control of France Avenue. Councilmember Sanger does too, but can the public process be started to review options for improvements? It was the consensus of Council for staff to move ahead with the steps Mr. Rardin listed on page 2 of his report for this item, but with no commitment at this point in time as to when they would start the public process on the sidewalk. They needed to see what other projects were first in line. Mr. Harmening said staff will begin to work on the necessary agreements. Mayor Jacobs would like to know the status of the Comprehensive Sidewalk and Trails Program. As work on the next CIP begins, Mr. Harmening said from a policy perspective, staff can look at how to fit in improvements to France Avenue, i.e., planning, cost and a pnonty perspective. Councilmember Sanger said more police patrols would be needed for speeding. Mr. Rardin said probably later this year, he will bring back looking at a sidewalk along Ottawa Avenue and get away from the trail aspect. 5. Boards and Commissions Council discussed candidate appointments to various commissions with Human Resources Director Nancy Gohman and Management Assistant Marcia Honold. Councilmember Paprocki requested a matnx of who is applying and for what boards or commissions. Ms. Gohman went through the commission application and interview process with Council. 6. Administrative Services Department Update Mr. Harmemng presented an update on the Administrative Services Department. Ms Gohman said for communication purposes, the City has contracted with City Image for communications. Ms. Gohman said staff will return to the Council to report on internal discussions for Council input. Study Session Minutes -4- January 23, 2006 7. Future Study Session Agenda Planning Mr. Harmenmg and Council discussed study session agenda planning. Councilmember Sanger requested the Council get written information from NORC (Nurtunng Our Retired Citizens) prior to any discussion. Councilmember Basill and Mayor Jacobs agreed For the February 13th study session agenda, added a policy discussion regarding Wayside House and deleted the Whistle Quiet Zones Update. The meeting adjourned at 10:11 p.m. / r C7, / City Clerk May9r l