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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/07/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular (2) OFFICIAL MINUTES IIf St. Louis Park CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINNESOTA ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JULY 7, 2008 1. Call to Order Mayor Pro Tern Sanger called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Susan Sanger, John Basill, Paul Omodt and Loran Paprocki. Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, C. Paul Carver and Phil Finkelstein. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmemng), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Fire Chief Stemmer, Police Chief Luse, Assistant Zoning Administrator (Mr. Morrison), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Olson), Planning & Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Schmidt). 2. Presentations 2a. CenterPoint Energy Grant Victor Sundvall from CenterPoint Energy presented Chief Stemmer with a CenterPoint Energy Community Partnership Grant in the amount of$1700 to be used for an additional gas monitoring device and electric blower to ventilate buildings. 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Study Session Minutes June 9, 2008 The minutes were approved as presented. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTE: The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which need no discussion. Consent items are acted upon by one motion. If discussion is desired by either a Councilmember or a member of the audience, that item may be moved to an appropriate section of the regular agenda for discussion. 4a. Designate Pearson Bros. Inc the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of contract with the firm in the amount of $ $286,572.60 for Street Maintenance Project (Sealcoat Streets -Area 8) —Project No. 2008-0001. 4b. Approve Resolution No. 08-085, establishing a special assessment for the repair of the water service line at 3053 Georgia Avenue South. 4c. Adopt Resolution No. 08-086, authorizing final payment in the amount of $7,000.00 for water reservoir exterior rehabilitation located at 2936 Idaho Avenue, Project No. 2006-2300 with Champion Coatings, Inc., City Contract No. 16-07. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 08-087, Accepting the Project Report, Establishing Improvement Project No. 2008-2700, Approving Plans and Specifications, and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids for Improvement Project No 2008-2700. City Council Meeting -2- July 7, 2008 4e. Motion to approve out-of-state travel for Mayor Jacobs to Washington D.C. from June 10-13, 2008. 4f. Motion to approve a one year extension for the filing of the final plat titled "Fretham 9th Addition." 4g. Approve Resolution No. 08-084, consenting to participation of Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority with the Wayside Jersey Avenue Supportive Housing Stabilization Project. 4h. Motion to approve Resolution No. 08-088, certifying the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for the Minnehaha Creek Restoration — Methodist Hospital dated January 25, 2007 as an adequate examination of the environmental impacts of the proposed development and accepting the Record of Decision, including Response to Comments, Findings of Fact and Conclusion declaring no need for an Environmental Impact Statement. 4i. Approve Resolution No. 08-089, authorizing the publication of a Notice of Public Hearing and establishing the date for a public hearing regarding the issuance of revenue obligations pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C (the "Housing Program Act") and Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.152 to 469.1651 (the "Industrial Development Act") in order to finance the cost of a project described below to be undertaken by Community Involvement Programs. 4j. Approve for filing Planning Commission Minutes of June 4, 2008. 4k. Approve for filing Vendor Claims. It was moved by Councilmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed 4-0. 5. Boards and Commissions — None 6. Public Hearings — None 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public— None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Planned Unit Development Wooddale Pointe Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. Arnie Gregory, GRECO Real Estate Development gave a brief overview and explained the project is geared toward the senior residents and existing Elmwood neighborhood. Link Wilson, Kaas Wilson Architects, explained the architecture of the building and the need for senior housing in Minnesota. Councilmember Basill asked Mr. Morrison to clarify the bump out along 36th Street. Mr. Morrison stated on street parking for eight cars is proposed. However, a bump out is City Council Meeting -3- July 7, 2008 proposed just outside the entrance to the lobby. The bump out divides the on-street parking into two sections, and will create the appearance of a pedestrian crossing across 36th Street. Pedestrians should cross at the pedestrian crossing located at the intersection of Wooddale and 36th Street - not in the middle of the block where this bump out is proposed. He further stated that they are proposing a planter, with the hope it would eliminate street crossing at this spot, and directing pedestrian traffic to a future crosswalk at Wooddale and 36th. However, staff believes this will not be effective, considering the volume of pedestrian traffic resulting from the future transit station proposed to be located directly across 36th Street from this bump out. Councilmember Basill asked if Council could expect that bump out issue to be worked out between preliminary and final plans. Mr. Morrison stated yes. Councilmember Basill asked what the building set back would be from the on-street parking. Mr. Morrison stated approximately 29 feet would be from the building to main line traffic and approximately 19 feet from curb of parking spaces to the building. Councilmember Basill stated it was an improvement from the original Village in the Park II proposal and asked what the cut-ins were in front of Hoigaard Village. Mr. Morrison stated 26 to 40 feet from building to street curb, and the building to on-street parking is 26 feet. Councilmember Basill stated he appreciated the developer's work to increase the set back and liked that the greater setback makes the sidewalk more walkable. He also commended the developer for working with the neighborhood groups on determining the height of the building. Mayor Pro Tem Sanger asked about the parking availability for Luggage World. Mr. Morrison stated Luggage World is currently using approximately ten spaces along the east side of Yosemite Avenue, and approximately four spaces behind the building. There are also approximately ten spaces on the west side. He further stated that the developer's intent was to make the 43 parking spaces within the structure public parking. Mayor Pro Tem Sanger asked if there would still be sufficient parking remaining for Luggage World. Mr. Morrison stated yes. Adeel Saad, Luggage World, thanked staff and the developer for consulting him recently, stating he wished they had consulted him earlier on. He also stated his disappointment in the fact that staff would not be dedicating parking spots for Luggage World. Mr. Saad stated that they have been doing the maintenance and plowing of the Yosemite parking lot, not the City. He also asked if the entrance to the structured parking could be placed on 36th Street, west of Yosemite Avenue to avoid possible traffic issues. Mr. Saad asked if there would be any set back on the east side. Ms. McMonigal stated staff has worked to preserve the existing parking for Luggage World and stated the developer has offered the 43 new at-grade spaces to be also available for Luggage World customers as well as new on-street parking. Mayor Pro Tern Sanger asked staff to address the entrance concern. Mr. Locke stated Yosemite is a public right a way, and staff has recommended keeping the number of access points on busy streets to a minimum. City Council Meeting -4- July 7, 2008 Mayor Pro Tern Sanger asked if the City would be plowing the right a way. Mr. Locke stated it is a public right a way and staff will work on addressing those issues. Councilmember Paprocki asked if the City was maintaining the road. Mr. Saad stated he takes care of it. Mr. Morrison stated there are a number of dead-end neighboring properties that the City does not take care of. Mr. Locke stated staff could look at vacating the right a way. Ms. McMonigal stated it also connects to an alleyway and other businesses. Councilmember Paprocki felt if the City needs the road, it should be plowing it. Mr. Saad asked about the set back on the property line. Mr. Morrison stated it's approximately five feet. Mayor Pro Tem Sanger stated that in order to approve a preliminary or final plan, they need to have five Councilmembers, stating Council could not vote on this today. Mr. Scott recommended Council make a motion to continue to next meeting when five members could be present. Mr. Harmening asked staff if they were able to extend the vote another two weeks and still comply with the 60/120-day rule. Ms. McMonigal stated yes. Councilmember Basill stated he was hopeful that density would benefit Luggage World. He also suggested a Special City Council meeting on July 14th to act on preliminary plat and PUD. Mr. Harmening stated they could do that. Mr. Gregory stated he would appreciate Council addressing it on July 14th. It was moved by Councilmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to postpone consideration of this item to a Special Council Meeting on July 14, 2008. The motion passed 4-0. 8b. 1st Reading Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. Councilmember Paprocki asked about the increased conditions applicable for educational and religious institutions. Mr. Locke stated staff focused on educational and religious institutions because they were more common, stating there were fewer community centers and libraries, which were often built by the City itself. Councilmember Paprocki stated he didn't think they needed the additional zoning amendments for educational and religious institutions; it seems they are being singled out. Mr. Locke stated fire stations, community centers, parks are publicly built and the City has control of the process, whereas educational and religious institutions are not controlled by the City. He further stated this process guarantees that nearby property owners would be notified, along with input from the Planning Commission. City Council Meeting -5- July 7, 2008 Councilmember Basill stated he would like to assure more public process. Councilmember Omodt reminded everyone that the City has gone through a process of updating ordinances and inconsistencies, as is in this case. He also stated he liked the thought of guaranteeing public process and CUP process. Mayor Pro Tern Sanger stated community centers and libraries should also be looked at. She also stated that they do need the CUP process for educational and religious institutions for the reasons mentioned, as well as the fact that those institutions have identifiable peak time parking/traffic in a condensed amount of time. She also suggested staff look at other institutions that are now permitted to see if there is an appropriate way to update them as well. Councilmember Paprocki clarified he didn't want community centers to go through a CUP, stating it's a good thing that cluster houses, public surface structures, golf courses and country clubs require a CUP. Councilmember Paprocki further stated he felt that with the limited amount of resources and time constraints, it could put risks on educational and religious institutions. Mayor Pro Tern Sanger stated it would require advanced planning on their part. Councilmember Omodt stated he sees the public process as a benefit. Councilmember Paprocki suggested consulting with schools and religious facilities within the City prior to the second reading. Gary Gandrud, 90 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, requested staff postpone any decision on the communication tower requirements until Council could review the Planning Commission minutes and that the whole Council be present to vote. Mr. Scott stated the motion requires only four votes to adopt First Reading and recommended moving the motion tonight, since they were under the 60 day time constraint. Council and staff discussed the options for delaying the motion. After discussion, it was determined that the Council would discuss the tower and educational and religious institution language at a future meeting with the date to be determined. Mr. Scott asked if the applicant was willing to waive the 60-day requirement clause in writing. Mr. Gandrud stated yes and would forward the appropriate paperwork. It was moved by Councilmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt First Reading of Zoning Ordinance Amendments, excluding the sections 36-78, 36-163, 36-164, 36-165, 36-166 and 36-167 regarding educational and religious institutions and communication towers. Councilmember Omodt noted that he had met with Mr. Dahl and watched the Planning Commission meeting regarding the communications towers. City Council Meeting -6- July 7, 2008 The motion passed 4-0. 8c. Republican National Convention Joint Powers Agreement Chief Luse presented the staff report. Councilmember Omodt how many officers would be participating. Chief Luse stated eight officers would be the maximum. It was moved by Coundlmember Paprocki, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign the Joint Powers Agreement regarding Public Safety related to the 2008 Republican National Convention. The motion passed 4-0. 8d. Project Report: Traffic Signals Project Mr. Olson presented the staff report. Councilmember Basill thanked staff for their report and suggested staff work on making a more walkable trail and sidewalk connection from Oxford to the east and Edgewood connecting to Cambridge. Mayor Pro Tern Sanger asked if they would still need the temporary lights at Lake Street and Louisiana with the installation of the two new lights. Mr. Olson stated yes, they are part of the Highway 7 system, but would be eliminated with the future interchange construction. It was moved by Coundlmember Basill, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt Resolution No. 08-090, accepting this report, establishing and ordering Improvement Project No. 2009-2100 and Project No. 2009-2001, and Resolution No. 08-091 approving plans and specifications, and authorizing advertisement for bids. The motion passed 4-0. 9. Communications Mayor Pro Tern Sanger stated the City provided a wonderful 4th of July fireworks show and thanked everyone involved. Councilmember Omodt agreed, and stated it was well done by City staff and everybody involved. Councilmember Paprocki reminded everyone to be aware of the watering restrictions and that the best time for watering lawns is in the morning. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m. //Th NancyStroth, 6 tyClerk Jeff JacobM , a or