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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/02/26 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CTY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES E S LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION RK February 26, 2007 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Staff present. City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Meg McMonigal), Public Works Director(Mike Rardm). Others present: 2006 Police Advisory Commission Chair Michael Baum and 2007 Police Advisory Chair Maureen Gormley, and Steve Rusk. 1. Police Advisory Commission (PAC) Annual Report Ms. Gormley and Mr. Baum reviewed the report. She stated that it was a challenging year as the PAC had a large turn-over in 2006 which hampered progress. It was stated that Commissioner Pat Swiderski had outreach success with the Somali community through efforts with the Human Rights Commission. The Police department held a successful Police Citizens Academy, with 18- 20 students going through the program In 2007, the PAC would like to hold a mini-academy with a focus outreach to the Somali community. It was stated that the Traffic subcommittee has been reconvened. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired if it would help if the PAC reduced their commission size. PAC representatives indicated it would not because it affects subcommittees Mayor Jacobs inquired if they knew why members were leaving. Ms. Gormley stated that there was no one reason, but time commitment is an issue. The PAC meets every other month, with subcommittees meeting monthly. There was discussion on the golf tournament in the PAC's 2007 protects. The idea was brought forward last year as an attempt to supplement the DARE Program. Councilmember Carver questioned the time and resources that were going to be spent. The tournament will be bare bones event held at Meadowbrook. Mr. Baum indicated that there is good support from community for this event. Councilmember Paprocki commended the PAC on their outreach to special populations for academy. Mayor Jacobs expressed gratitude for involvement by Pat Swiderski. Councilmember Sanger inquired about what can be done with respect to graffiti, pinpointing sources and stopping or controlling and wondered what other communities the PAC is extending outreach to Councilmember Carver believes we need to make sure we are not requiring more from PAC, like graffiti control. Mayor Jacobs indicated that graffiti is the responsibility of the Police Department, with education to neighbors, outreach. The PAC wants more publicity and public relations. Marney Olson, Community Liaison will help with neighborhoods. Council inquired of the PAC performing a survey of residents and Mr. Luse indicated that they have done information gathering on surveys and 80% of people indicated they prefer completing surveys in electronic format. They believe the PAC is a Study Session Minutes -2- February 26, 2007 resource for the Police Department and community to create safer environment. Mayor Jacobs inquired about our current outreach with immigrants. It was discussed that we need to educate different cultures on how to operate when you see a crime. Ms. Gormley indicted that the PAC has received good feedback that everyone felt safe in St. Louis Park. Council appreciates the efforts of the PAC. 2. Comprehensive Plan Update Process Ms. McMonigal provided quick update on the Comprehensive Plan Update. She indicated that state law requires that the update be performed by December 31, 2008. St. Louis Park has met the requirements for a first nng suburb and is in good standing with the Met Council. There are no changes in policy from current plan are for 2007, it is information updates. Focus is on redevelopment areas, neighborhood plans, and livable communities, some of which is coming out of the Vision process. Councilmember Carver inquired about plans for selling excess land lots and reguiding in zoning the current plan. City Manager Harmening believes this has been done. Councilmember Finkelstein stated that the Comprehensive Plan is the laboratory for getting things done. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired of turning lots that perhaps don't sell in to affordable ownership housing. It was stated that that could be done through zoning. The South Oak Hill zoning issues were discussed. Mayor Jacobs stated that we are making assumptions on that as if the LRT coming through town. Councilmember Sanger inquired about an update by neighborhood and getting those neighborhoods that aren't organized, organized. There was discussion to move focal points in Vision workshop planning for non-motonzed and motorized transportation and the environmental protection section. Ms McMonigal believes that section needs more attention It was discussed that by law the Planning Commission is the conduit for plan updates. Council inquired of the new for an additional commission and it was decided that the Council would continue to try using existing groups where it makes sense to do so. Mayor Jacobs inquired if there was anything the Council needed to do. Councilmember Basill inquired if Community Development will include the Elmwood Study in the plan update? Ms. McMonigal stated that some of it has been incorporated but we do need to look at all areas/neighborhoods and see which may need more attention, if any. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired of industnal zoning changes. Ms. McMonigal stated that the City is doing an industrial study. Councilmember Finkelstein also inquired what the Met Council does with this information. Ms. McMonigal states that the Met Council takes all Comprehensive Plans to find out what changes are coming and looks at regional impact. 3. SW LRT Trail Crossing Update(Beltline & Wooddale) Mike Rardin presented staff report and distnbuted a one page summary of information currently in report. Beltline -- Mayor Jacobs asked about MnDOT's plans for Beltline Mr Rardin indicated that to the best of his knowledge it was going forward as indicated. Councilmember Basill inquired if the City was financially responsible for all interim improvements. Mr. Rardin indicated that there is $20,000 in operational funds available Study Session Minutes -3- February 26, 2007 After discussion, Council decided that the installation of a pedestrian actuated traffic signal (signalized-crosswalk) is the best option. Councilmember Sanger requested Council,hear from Steve Rusk, Chair of Edina Task Force for Bike Safety. Mr. Rusk informed council that Edina has 18,000 active cyclists, many of whom use St. Louis Park as a connector to trails and that the destination for most Edina cyclists is Wooddale and Beltline. Wooddale — After discussion, Council decided that the installation of a raised 12 foot wide median is the best option. It was discussed that meetings need to take place with Council and Three Rivers Park District before proceeding. City Manager Harmening states that if Council leaning toward option #1 for Beltline and #2 for Wooddale, they could have time to plan, as some work won't be done until 2008. City Manager Harmening stated this would be brought back as an action item at a future meeting. 4. Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Annual Report Council was reminded that this was a discussion to see if there is something for the PRAC to edit before meeting with the Council. Council would like PRAC to add their role in the comprehensive plan process into their goal statement. City Manager Harmening indicated that they will be part of that process in 2007. Councilmember Paprocki believes that their wording with respect to neighbor groups should be more active — what works, what exists, and give recommendations to Council. Council believes we are under utilizing Minnehaha Creek for recreation purposes. Councilmember Sanger asked for deadlines for recommendations. Mayor Jacobs commented that at a recent youth summit there was discussion of the need for small skate venues (grinding bars, etc.) within parks. Councilmember Carver indicated we should be incorporating path users when building roads. 5. Process for Setting Future Study Session Agenda City Manager Harmening reviewed staff report and discussed the process of setting future agendas of Council. Future Agenda Planning is intended for Council to let staff know what is important for Council Councilmember Finkelstein likes opportunity to say what they want to see. Councilmember Sanger stated that sometimes more information is needed before proceeding. Councilmember Carver wants policy questions to enable focusing efforts. City Manager Harmening stated that in the future if a report is an update it will be submitted as a report, not as a discussion item and if the Council wants to review and receive more information, it could then come back to the Council as a discussion item. Council agreed that the Future Study Session Agenda would be moved to the first item at Study Session and that a policy question will be added to each item. 6. Future Study Session Agenda Council approved the March 12 agenda with the exception of moving the Pandemic Report to a report versus a discussion item. Study Session Minutes -4- February 26, 2007 Other Mayor Jacobs informed Council of the 2007 Congress of Cities being held March 10-14 in Washington, D.C. and if anyone was interested in attending they should let him know. Overview of Workshop was distributed to Council. City Manager Harmening advised Council that he had been approached by the Park Nicollet Foundation to sit their Board. After discussion, Council agreed that City Manager Harmening would discuss with City Attorney and get back to Council. The meeting ended at 8:50 p.m. `tea_► City Clerk May%r