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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/06/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session A OFOFFICIAL MINUTES SOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK June 26, 2006 The meeting convened at 6.30 p.m. Councilmembers present: John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki, Susan Sanger, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Councilmember C. Paul Carver was absent. Staff present: Deputy City Manager (Ms. Gohman); Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), Utilities Superintendent (Mr. Anderson); Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Olson); Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms McMomgal); Senior Planner(Mr. Walther), Assistant Planner(Mr. Fulton); Finance Director(Mr. deJong), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Samson). Guest present City Attorney Joel Jamnik 1. Interim Ordinance (Moratorium) for Subdivisions in the R-1 Zoning District Planning and Zoning Supervisor Meg McMonigal presented the staff report. Ms. McMonigal said staff has received two applications this week. Councilmember Finkelstein asked what authority the City has to call for a moratorium. He asked if a subdistrict could be created, e.g., a subdistrict to the R-1 district. City Attorney Joel Jamnik responded yes. Councilmember Sanger asked if that could be done in just a portion of the city, not the entire R-1. Mr. Jamnik responded that it could be done within the parameters of the statute that would be uniform for class, however, a rider on certain parcels would be indefensible. Mr. Jamnik said it is common to have a large lot in the R-1 district. Mr Jamnik said it would be difficult to say what measures could be taken absent a study. Councilmember Finkelstein said it would make sense to study it and Councilmember Sanger agreed. Councilmember Sanger suggested a moratorium just long enough to figure out what might work to preserve large lot areas. She is concerned about the three new subdivision requests received within a week and she is concerned how many more will be received prior to a study. Councilmember Omodt doesn't favor a moratorium and he thinks moratorium talk spurred the most recent applications. Councilmember Omodt believes it would be prudent to send notice to get feedback on a moratorium Councilmember Omodt stated that if a moratorium is done on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis, one or two houses in a neighborhood will not change the total character of a neighborhood but rather it will institutionalize rich and poor neighborhoods. Councilmember Omodt said public discussion is needed. Councilmember Sanger said if there is a moratorium and if there is a change to larger lots, the standard for the subdivision that would be different Councilmember Sanger said a moratorium would serve to consider various alternatives to lot divisions. Mayor Jacobs asked what process should be used to study this. Councilmember Sanger suggested using the data and going to the neighborhoods to get input from the residents Study Session Meeting Minutes -2- June 26, 2006 Councilmember Paprocki agrees with Councilmember Omodt. Councilmember Paprocki said a moratorium would be a powerful tool and Council needs to be careful. Councilmember Basill said a moratorium is a big step. Councilmember Finkelstein is concerned about unintended consequences. Mr Jamnik said a simple majonty for an intenm moratonum would be required. Ms. McMonigal summarized that the Council would like until October to make a decision regarding a moratonum. A decision will wait until all Councilmembers are present at a study session. Mayor Jacobs asked how to get notice to people—he wants residents to know what the Council is doing. Councilmember Paprocki agreed with Mayor Jacobs. Councilmember Basill said be clear that Council is reacting and perhaps penalizing people on something that required no Council action under current zoning. Deputy City Manager Nancy Gohman summanzed that this item will return to a study session when all Councilmembers are present. Councilmember Basill requested architectural standards be discussed for subdivisions The South Hill Lane item will be on the Council agenda for July 10`h, and a study session will follow. The majority of Council doesn't want to vote on a moratonum on July 10`h Councilmember Omodt asked that notice be sent to all in the R-1 neighborhoods, i.e., Cedar Manor, Crestview, Fernhill, and Lake Forest regarding the upcoming discussion. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested, in addition to the property owners, letters be sent to the neighborhood leaders, and asked staff to publish notice in the Sun Sailor, the city website, and on the city cable TV. Councilmember Sanger said owners of properties over 18,000 square feet should be noticed. Ms. McMonigal said perhaps send notices after the July 10`h study session, however, Councilmember Omodt disagreed because it is important to have the neighborhood input right away. 2. Highway 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project Public Works Director Mike Rardin presented the staff report. Councilmember Sanger said neighborhood meetings are needed to explain the changes, the issues and the tradeoffs to residents. Mr. Rardin said to take part of a property, a square foot cost is determined. A range is determined and the property owner is given the high end. Council discussed options regarding an underpass and exits out of neighborhoods. Mr. Rardin will craft a design/process to present to the neighborhoods. Residents will be presented with options from MNDOT. 3. Water Utility Service Line Replacement Policy Engineenng Project Manager Jim Olson presented the staff report. The purpose of the discussion with Council is to provide information on the possible need to replace pnvate water service connections to the city's water main in conjunction with city street reconstruction projects and to discuss funding mechanisms available to pay for the water service replacement costs. Study Session Meeting Minutes -3- June 26, 2006 Councilmember Finkelstein said the current method being used for small neighborhood streets could continue to be used, however, for the big city streets he suggested using the special assessment process (Statute 429) or the addition of a surcharge to the water utility bill (Statute 444). Councilmember Omodt asked if the entire block could be done when the street is torn up. Councilmember Sanger asked if the process can be redesigned for any street that is being reconstructed. Councilmember Paprocki asked about the lifespan for the service connections. Mr. Olson replied, for planning purposes, it is 50 years; after that the failure frequency rate increases dramatically. Utilities Superintendent Scott Anderson said if there are some bad water mains, he will coordinate water main repairs with street repairs. Councilmember Basill is leery about an additional citywide tax for service connection replacements. Councilmember Basill said a policy discussion is needed in regard to busy roads. Ms. Gohman asked if Council would like to pursue a controlled, proactive approach. Mr Rardin responded that staff is not proposing to change the ownership of the water main but rather there are three funding options available to cover water service replacement costs. Councilmember Finkelstein would like for staff to investigate funding options in light of large nonprofit institutions. Councilmember Sanger suggested coming up with incentives to encourage property owners to at least minimize future breaks. Ms Gohman said staff will think about funding options 4. Employee Health Insurance Update Ms Gohman presented the staff report. Ms. Gohman reported that Blue Cross/Blue Shield has provided St. Louis Park with the most favorable bid. Councilmember Finkelstein expressed concern regarding 471.61, the recent Court of Appeals case and the duty to bargain. 5. Future Study Session Agenda Planning Ms Gohman and the Council discussed study session agenda planning. The meeting ended at 8.50 p m ?o2'64 I City Clerk M yor • av . , r