HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/08/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF
T. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES
RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AUGUST 13, 2007
The meeting convened at 6:31 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul
Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling),
Community: Development Director (Mr. Locke), Inspections Director (Mr. Hoffman),
Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong) and Recording
Secretary(Ms. Schmidt).
Guest: Steve McDonald, Abdo Eick& Meyers, LLP
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmening and Council discussed study session agenda planning.
Councilmember Finkelstein suggested a study session on redevelopment districts
2. 2006 Consolidated Annual Financial Report(CAFR)/Audit
Mr. McDonald, Abdo Eick & Meyers, LLP, discussed the financial highlights in the audit report.
He reported the addition of$1.2 million to the General fund balance.
Mr. McDonald reviewed graphs which compared St. Louis Park to other cities and historical
trends.
Councilmember Paprocki asked if taxes went down from 2005 to 2006. Mr DeJong stated there
was a change in the way the market value homestead credit was reported which made it appear
as though taxes had decreased. Councilmember Paprocki asked if there would be utility rate
increases. Mr. DeJong stated there are planned increases based on the rate studies performed in
2006. Councilmember Paprocki asked if there was a penalty for not using fund balances. Mr.
McDonald stated each State Auditor has their own interpretation of the appropriate level for fund
balances. He also stated the best policy was to have planned expenditures as part of the
Financial Management Plan
Councilmember Finkelstein asked at what point does the EDA's Development Fund become too
large. Mr. McDonald stated showing a use is the important response to the reserves. Mr.
DeJong stated the long range financial plan is to put together options for use of the funds if they
are needed. Mr. Harmening stated Council has undertaken an HRA levy which has been placed
in the Development Fund to build cash reserves for future infrastructure improvements.
Study Session Minutes -2- August 13, 2007
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if any use restrictions would apply as to the use of the
Revenue Fund. Mr. McDonald stated he was not aware of any restnctions. Mr. DeJong stated
the HRA dollars would be restrictive. Mr. Finkelstein also stated it appeared there is a million
dollars in TIF money yet to be spent. Mr. McDonald stated it is money that will be applied to the
refunding bonds and will be closed out in 2007.
3. Joint Powers Agreement with Golden Valley for Duke Project
Mr. Locke presented the staff report.
Councilmember Omodt asked if St. Louis Park would be providing all the TIF. Mr. Locke stated
yes. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if Golden Valley could use the St. Louis Park TIF to
build the ramp located in Golden Valley. Mr. Locke stated probably not.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the agreement applied to both the office and retail sides. Mr.
Locke stated it dealt with the office piece. Councilmember Sanger also asked about traffic
calming. Mr. Locke stated traffic calming would be deemed where necessary, stating it was
more of a commitment that Duke would do something in Golden Valley. Councilmember
Sanger asked to amend the agreement requiring Duke to do the traffic calming in St. Louis Park
as well as Golden Valley.
Councilmember Basill asked if Golden Valley's concerns could hold the project up. Mr. Locke
stated they just have general overall concerns.
Councilmembers expressed their overall support for the agreement.
Mr. Harmening commended Mr. Locke for his efforts on the project.
4. 2008 Budget
Mr. DeJong presented the staff report.
Mr. DeJong and Council had discussion on the preliminary budget and the proposed tax changes
for 2008.
Councilmember Sanger suggested more discussion on what staff's ideas were related to
branding.
Mr. Harmening suggested there may be changes for how we budget for Vision.
Councilmember Carver suggested City staff perform some of the studies identified as new
projects rather than hiring consultants.
Councilmember Omodt asked to see the school board survey. Mr. Harmening stated he thought
it would be shared first with the Equity Committee, but perhaps Council could see it sooner.
Study Session Minutes -3- August 13, 2007
5. Environmental Update (Verbal)
Mr. Hoffman stated staff was proposing installation of a small wind generator at the Westwood
Nature Center. Councilmember Paprocki suggested asking for community donations.
Councilmember Sanger suggested looking into zoning requirements.
Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report on the EPA Soil Vapor Study and Mr. Camilon explained
Volatile Organic Components (VOC) and their effects.
Staff and Council had discussion on the study and possible outcome scenarios.
Updates
Mr. Harmening stated Seth Rowe from Sun Newspapers inquired about the structure of bridges
in St. Louis Park and may be doing an article.
Mr. Harmening also stated staff is trying to coordinate a joint fall council/school board meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Wntten Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
6. Telecommunications Advisory Commission Mid-Year Report
7. 7200 Cedar lake Road—Walgreens Proposed Easement Vacation
8. Human Rights Commission Mid-Year Repo
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