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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/04/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK APRIL 16,2007 The meeting convened at 8.43 p m Councilmembers present. Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Loran Paprocki, C. Paul Carver via phone Councilmembers absent. None Staff present City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Park and Recreation Director (Ms Walsh), Director of Community Development(Mr. Locke) and Recording Secretary(Ms Schmidt) Guests Margaret Rog, Fnends of the Arts, Heather Simonett, 36th Avenue Art Committee, Frank Dunbar, Dunbar Development. 1. 36th Street Public Art Project Ms Walsh presented a report with three possible artists She stated artist Randy Walker proposed artwork for 36th and Wooddale, with the size request in mind Mr Walker proposed the"Walker's Dream Elevator" The idea is to create a geometric weaving within a steel frame cylinder with natural and artificial light that changes It would be designed as a walkthrough with seats and be lit at different times He would like to include text around the outside,perhaps using the City's vision Councilmember Finkelstein asked if the setback was to scale. Mr. Locke stated it's close. He also stated to keep in mind they are selecting the artist, not necessarily the art. Councilmember Finkelstein asked about the placement Ms. Walsh stated in the plaza area, stating the Committee really liked the color and fact it was airy. Ms Rog stated a key feature was the lighting. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if the snow would effect it and if it was a participatory sculpture Ms Walsh stated that it's something they have to work on and yes, it's participatory. Ms Rog stated Mr Walker spent a considerable amount of time looking into the dream and visioning process. Mayor Jacobs asked if a set of vision inscnptions could be put on the inside Ms Walsh stated Mr Walker is open to ideas. Councilmember Finkelstein stated he would like to see people get off the LRT stop and look at it Mr Locke stated it would be the kind of thing you would bring out of town guests to look at Ms Simonett stated it was very innovative and could be a central gathenng place Councilmember Finkelstem asked how much it would cost Ms Walsh stated $68,000 and that he was given a budget between $50,000 to $70,000, but he would need to determine if it was feasible Councilmember Finkelstein asked if he had done this before. Ms. Walsh stated yes. Councilmember Sanger asked how close the piece would be to the condos on Wooddale. Mr. Locke stated he was unsure Ms Walsh gave a background on the Blue Ileron piece. She stated it is designed to be in the plaza off the pond The idea was that it could be seen from both Hwy 100 and 36th Street. Mr Dunbar showed Council a site plan of the pond along Hwy 100 Mr Dunbar is concerned with it being overpowenng and the effects it would have to sell the townhomes Councilmember Basil! asked Mr. Dunbar about the marketability of the units and if there would be any shadowing issues Mr Dunbar stated that as the pond got built the park got tight in size and there are marketability concerns Mr Locke suggested the artist and Mr. Dunbar meet to discuss it Ms Walsh stated reminded everyone it is only in the design development phase. Study Session Minutes -2- April 16, 2007 Councilmember Finkelstein asked what the distance is and if he is concerned with the amount of space the feature would be using. Mr. Dunbar stated its 25 yards and that he has concern with the size and image. Councilmember Paprocki agreed it is very big and suggested a different subject. Councilmember Sanger stated she liked that the concept of it being seen from the highway. Mayor Jacobs stated he thought it was worth the money and it would enhance the property, adding it would be a good use of the small space. Councilmember Finkelstein stated it reminded him of a classy English garden and hoped it would meet the model Councilmember Omodt asked about the placement. Mr. Dunbar stated the pond is currently being built and it is planned to have a 10-foot water fluctuation factor with a floating fountain Councilmember Basill suggested the artist and architect meet with Mr Dunbar's architect. Mayor Jacobs asked what was requested of Council. Ms. Walsh stated the feedback has given them direction It was the consensus of the Council to move forward. Ms. Walsh stated they also had a similar process for the streetscape art and had three artists propose scenarios. She stated they have chosen a local artist who proposed unique people "figure" benches, ballard's and planter boxes with a people theme in mind. The artist took into account the change from industnal, commercial, to people and it would be illustrated in the art designs. Ms Simonett stated the artwork creates intngue, leaving you guessing what will be next on the street. Councilmember Basill liked the whimsicalness of it Council thanked them for their work 2. WiFi Update Mr. Harmer-ling recapped WiFi and called Paul Carver to include him in the discussion. He stated they received a proposal for a solar powered system and were excited with its inexpensive price, stating they wouldn't have to pay for pole use or power from Xcel; however, the visual perspective was not taken into account. When staff was staking out locations, they received several comments from residents stating the poles were intrusive and the placement of large panels. It was decided to halt the project for more direction and options. Mr. Pires explained the practical realities of trying to locate 400 radios and receivers from both a coverage and power prospective. He stated from a coverage prospective, the radios would need to be spread out in a way to provide coverage The complicating factor is the solar power aspect requires sunlight to power the battery. In an attempt to find the sites that cover both prospectives, you're restricted. He stated to minimize the cost, the City would need to nummize the amount of radios used. He stated deviation from this plan could potentially be a less efficient solution, but should be considered. It could mean more radios and coverage issues in comparison to the ideal scenario. Mr. Pires stated that because of the feedback received, it was decided to step back and find more options to mitigate the visual impact Mr. Pires stated some options could be a different pole color, pole height, raise it up and/or locating at intersections. Councilmember Sanger stated she received feedback from residents who didn't like it their line of site or the overall visual clutter along roadways She stated she was asked if the poles could be placed in their backyards, alleyways, utility easements or corners of intersections People didn't want them in their landscaping. Mr. Pires stated some options would be along alleys, use more intersection locations, other public land, co-locating signs, other buildings and structures, use of City owned street lights or higher poles, noting a higher pole would give greater access to the sun Study Session Minutes -3- April 16, 2007 Mayor Jacobs asked how much it would cost and how long the delay would be. Mr. Pires stated it would be about a six-week delay with the assumption this is workable Councilmember Sanger stated residents were concerned the project wasn't discussed with the Community and thought the residents should be given the opportunity to provide feedback She stated the residents are still very supportive of WiFi Mr. Pires played out some scenanos on price The best estimate at this time on the$3.3 million dollar project, may be $200,000 in increased cost adjustments. There is a contingency of$300,000 that could absorb some of it, allowing it to be kept the pnce in range. Councilmember Paprocki asked if there would be any change in operating cost with increased height Mr Pires stated he didn't see any at this point Mr Harmening stated if the City has more receivers electrified, there would be more operating cost, but at this point it's hard to predict Mr Pires stated it's a moving target, one effects another. Mr. Pires stated they have talked with Xcel about allowing use of some of their poles Mr Pires stated they are looking into what type of box could be used on the poles The Xcel poles would be a great location for wireless coverage but they are a bad idea for solar absorption Mr Pires asked Council for liberty to look into options. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if it would be difficult locating the solar panels because of the tree issue. Mr. Pires stated they are limited on location. Mr. Pires stated the goal is to stay under the tree canopy, yet make the signal strong enough. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if the City would still be able to meet the proposed 98% coverage Mr Pires stated that is the goal, but it would depend on the redesign Mayor Jacobs asked about possibly having an easement to put it on houses Mr Pires stated it's possible if people were open to that, but an access agreement and possibly a permanent easement would be needed Councilmember Paprocki stated at some point cable is going to cost the same as WiFi and suggested the peak revenue generating time is now, the delay will be a loss of revenue Councilmember Sanger agreed on the urgency, but thought taking the time now would allow a faster rollout process. She also stated that by being one of the first communities in the nation to use solar power, they would be looked upon more closely. Mayor Jacobs stated he would rather have the public support and do a time out. Mr Pires stated they need to find cntena that would work and the location placement without stopping every phase Councilmember Carver stated he is hesitant to have six weeks worth of delay, also stating they should not sacnfice the quality of system for some of these issues. He agreed that the longer the delay, the worse position the City is in. Councilmember Carver also stated he doesn't feel some of these changes should cost $200,000. Mayor Jacobs agreed with his comments Mayor Jacobs stated the purpose is to make sure the Community has WiFi. Councilmember Finkelstein agreed with staff calling a halt and expanding the toolkit, but would also like it done quickly Council stated they are comfortable with the direction staff is going Mayor Jacobs asked Mr. Pires to get back to Council as soon as possible. Councilmember Basill asked if traditional telephone poles could be used. Mr Pires stated they would add it to their options The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m C ' Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jef'Ja .. M:yor