HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/10/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
T. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
PARK OCTOBER 8, 2007
The meeting convened at 6:36 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul
Omodt and Susan Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: Loran Paprocki
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker), Finance
Director (Mr. DeJong), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Director of Inspections
(Mr. Hoffinan), Police Chief(Mr. Luse), Police Deputy Chief(Mr. DiLorenzo), Fire Chief(Mr.
Stemmer) and Recording Secretary(Ms. Schmidt).
Guest: Greg Anderson, Anderson Builders.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmening and Council discussed study session agenda planning.
Councilmember Sanger suggested having further discussion on the check cashing businesses and
other sensitive uses within the City and Councilmember Finkelstein suggested some further
discussion on sober houses.
Councilmember Carver asked if the Friends of the Arts would be asking for money at the next
study session. Mr. Harmening stated no, it would be an update.
2. Senior Community Services Dial-A-Ride Program
Ms. Schnitker presented the staff report.
Councilmember Sanger suggested suspending payment,but keeping the $10,000 as a placeholder
for 2008 budget. Ms. Schnitker stated that was staff's recommendation also. Mayor Jacobs
stated he would like to have further discussion prior to any money being distributed.
There was Council consensus to suspend payment.
3. 2008 Budget
Chief Luse provided an overview of the Police Department's proposed budget for 2008. There is
an increase in police overtime for next year because judges are requesting that prosecutors and
defense attorneys try to reach some sort of conclusion prior to the court date, which will require
more police attendance at court.
Councilmember Sanger asked if they would be able to sell services to other agencies for use of
the new range. Chief Luse stated most cities have their own range, which was cost efficient.
Councilmember Sanger stated it appeared the Community Outreach Program allocation was
going down. Chief Luse stated it's just an accounting adjustment. Mr. Harmening stated it is
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still budgeted for in the Housing and Rehab Fund. She further stated concern with cameras in
the parks and asked if the public would be advised. Chief Luse stated it would be publicized.
Councilmember Sanger asked if they would see an increase in costs for criminal prosecutors.
Chief stated in the short term they would see a cost increase.
Councilmember Carver asked if the Police Department is seeing any effects with extra officers
being requested for court cases. Chief Luse stated it has just recently started, but he was hoping
with ongoing discussions it would get worked out. Councilmember Carver stated he would like
the judges to know it's not a cost neutral decision for the City. Chief Luse stated he had been
voicing that in his meetings.
Councilmember Omodt asked if there was a need for more officers. Chief Luse stated that they
were getting the job done at this point.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if there were any livability issues with the schools and if the
liaison officers were stretched too thin. Chief Luse stated the needs were being met.
Mr. Harmening pointed out that many items in the police budget are a one-time cost. Mr.
Harmening complimented Chief Luse and his department on how well they are working together
inter-departmentally.
Mayor Jacobs complimented the junior high police liaison, stating he is great with the students
and is making a great difference.
Chief Stemmer provided an overview of the Fire Department's proposed budget for 2008. Chief
Council and staff had discussion on child car seat installation scenarios.
Councilmember Sanger asked if there was a way to minimize the number of less than emergency
type calls for service. Chief Stemmer stated there was not.
Councilmember Finkelstein complimented Chief Stemmer and staff on the open house and their
response to the 35W Bridge collapse.
Mr. Hoffman provided an overview of the Inspection Department's proposed budget for 2008.
Councilmember Carver asked if staff sent out dog license reminders. Mr. Hoffman stated yes
and that residents had the opportunity to pick from a one, two or three year license.
Councilmember Sanger asked if they had recently seen more complaints on homes in distress
and home-based businesses, asking if they had the resources to deal with complaints. Mr.
Hoffman stated staff has seen an increase in complaints and they have increased staff to deal
with those complaints.
4. Proposed Reinvestment Assistance Program Policy; and Redevelopment Contract
with Anderson Builders
Mr. Hunt presented the staff report.
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Councilmember Finkelstein complimented staff on their work. He further stated concern that
this type of policy may encourage people to look for assistance, providing unintentional results.
Mr. Hunt stated the policy had a "look-back" provision, which would be effective at any point.
Councilmember Sanger asked how they would know it the request met the criteria. Mr. Hunt
stated there is a gap that the lender is unable to fill, stating this type of program would be the last
resort.
Councilmember Basill reminded Council it would still be their decision on a case-by-case
request. He further stated it wouldn't commit or lock them into other requests. Mr. Hunt stated
it wouldn't mean the applicant would automatically get the funding requested.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the policy was focused on new construction versus existing.
Mr. Hunt stated the idea was to reinvest in existing property. Councilmember Sanger asked if
there would be a repayment interest rate. Mr. Hunt stated it would be whatever was negotiated
to make the project work. Councilmember Sanger asked if a lien could be put on the property.
Mr. Harmening stated you could, depending if it were a grant or loan. Councilmember Sanger
asked why they would do a grant and not require repayment. Mr. Harmening stated the
economics of the deal might not allow a loan to work.
Mr. Harmening explained the policy would be for assistance on smaller redevelopment projects
where other conventional methods don't make sense. Council and staff had discussion on the
policy and grant versus TIF assistance and how it would apply to Mr. Anderson's request.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked staff to provide a scorecard similar to that for TIF. He further
asked staff show how Anderson would meet the policy. Mr. Harmening suggested staff do a
comparison on the policy versus what Anderson has requested. Mayor Jacobs suggested
showing a comparison to a TIF project and outline what efforts were looked at to make a last
resort.
There was Council consensus to have staff provide the requested information and bring back to
Council next week for further discussion.
5. Communications
Mr. Harmening stated a suspension on a sober house has been issued, due to non-payment of
property taxes. It had been stayed while the owner goes through the appeal process and it would
be presented before Council on October 15th. Councilmember Carver asked about the length of
the suspension. Mr. Harmening stated the suspension would be in place until the property taxes
were paid. Councilmember Sanger if they could uphold the suspension. Mr. Harmening stated
if so, they would inspect the next day and if it was still being operated, they would be operating
without a rental license and they would have to go through the court system for ordinance
enforcement. Councilmember Carver asked staff to provide the number of police calls to the
residence in the last year.
Mr. Harmening stated he discussed the concentration policy of group homes with the League of
Minnesota Cities Legislative Committee and AMM Legislative Committee. He stated both
parties had developed draft policy to support legislation to limit concentration of group homes in
the future. He further stated he met with Ron Latz, Ryan Winkler, Tom Burke and a
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councilmember from Golden Valley to set up possible meetings with the disability community to
come up with some type of agreement.
Mr. Harmening advised Council on the pawnshop ordinance court proceedings.
Mr. Hoffman updated Council on the soil vapor testing.
Councilmember Carver asked what type of feedback was requested for electronic agenda. Mr.
Harmening stated they would be contacting them individually to discuss preferences.
The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
6. Tobacco Penalties
7. Electronic Agenda
8. St. Louis Park Active Community Planning Update
9. Active Living Hennepin County/Governor's Fit City Information
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