HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/01/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session JuSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I-N N'E S=OTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
JANUARY 14, 2008
The meeting convened at 6:45 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran
Paprocki and Susan Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: John Basill
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling),
Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke),
Management Assistant (Ms. Honold), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Fire Chief (Mr.
Stemmer), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman) and Recording
Secretary (Ms. Schmidt).
Guests: Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner; Senator Ron Latz; State Representative
Ryan Winkler; State Representative Steve Simon; Betty Foillard from Congressman Keith Ellison's
Office; Vic Moore, Franzen and Associates; Emily Gehrman, Lockridge Grindall Nauen and Jake
Spano, Deputy State Director for Amy Klobuchar.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmening and Council discussed study session agenda planning.
2. 2008 Legislative Issues and Priorities
Council and representatives had a discussion on the legislative issues, priorities and their various
concerns.
Mayor Jacobs suggested a discussion on the caps of City Managers' salaries, stating concern that
putting a cap on good managers may result in other states offering higher salaries. Senator Latz
stated he serves on the Compensation Commission and that they have had extensive discussions and
is in the process of commissioning a study for salary comparisons and compensation for judges,
executive offices, the Governor and legislators. He stated they hope this study will give a sense of
where Minnesota stands relative to the private sector and other government agencies. Senator Latz
stated the Governor recommended an increase in judicial salaries but no increase in other salaries.
Councilmember Paprocki suggested breaking free from State funding cap. Senator Latz stated most
State Legislators feel that Cities need to be regulated by State Law. Commissioner Dorfman
suggested offering other types of benefits to be more competitive.
Councilmember Sanger asked if levy limits would be addressed this session. Representative Simon
stated it is likely to be in the discussions to fill the hole in the deficit.
Study Session Minutes -2- January 14,2008
Councilmember Carver asked about group homes. Senator Latz stated they had been working hard
to address the problem and define the solution, but stated they were having trouble defining the
problem. He stated each group they meet with has a different sense of what regulatory and statutory
changes should be involved and whether Federal or State Law would allow such changes.
Representative Winkler stated the legislature would rather not touch the statutes at this time.
Commissioner Dorfman stated it was hard to come up with a blanket ordinance that works for
everyone. Representative Winkler stated the theory was to delegate it back to the County. Mr.
Harmening asked if it would matter if it was looked at prospectively. Representative Winkler stated
it wouldn't make a difference.
Councilmember Carver asked if they had talked with people specifically representing sober homes.
Representative Winkler responded there hasn't been any discussion, stating it was a density issue.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated in St. Louis Park, they've found there has been no programming
or supervision on hand, yet they are claiming it is a program. Commissioner Dorfman suggested
dealing with it through possible inspection violations. Mr. Hoffman stated homes in question were
listed as rental property, allowing up to four unrelated adults living in it. Representative Winkler
asked what problems have occurred. Councilmember Carver stated it's the quality of life type of
issues, such as neighborhood traffic, police calls and the constant turnover.
Councilmember Sanger asked if there had been any action regarding Caring Sisters. Representative
Winkler stated yes, they have just discussed the issue last week. Commissioner Dorfman stated the
County has done visits and close monitoring and were happy with the quality of care the clients were
receiving.
Councilmember Paprocki asked if anything is happening with the group homes. Senator Latz stated
bills were introduced in 2007 for quarter mile spacing, stating they can't reach a consensus. Ms.
Folliard stated they are uncertain whether it would be a City or legislative issue.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if they could look at getting additional licenses based on the
health and safety powers for the City for the increased services and inspections required. Mr.
Hoffman stated he could consult the City Attorney. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested looking
at the number of calls for a particular location and possibly increase in license and/or fine fees.
Commissioner Dorfman cautioned to be careful not to burden the good homes unnecessarily.
Representative Winkler stated it would need to be some type of general application. Commissioner
Dorfman suggested looking at some type of contractual agreement. Councilmember Paprocki
suggested looking at home based businesses for any possibilities. Senator Latz stated they could raise
awareness at the legislative level.
Mr. Harmening stated he had spoken with Mn/DOT district representatives to discuss Highway
100, Highway 7 and Wooddale, and Highway 7 and Louisiana, and their message was they would
not be providing any funding. Mr. Harmening stated because of the funding concerns the City is
forced to look at ways to fund projects. Mr. Harmening suggested requiring Mn/DOT to prioritize
their project spending on those that have Metropolitan Council Surface Transportation Program
(STP) funding. Representative Simon stated they are hoping legislation will be passed this year
Study Session Minutes -3- January 14,2008
relating to those concerns. Mr. Moore stated Senator Murphy was in support of this provision with
a stand alone bill that would give Mn/DOT direction making STP projects a top priority.
Mr. Hoffman and Chief Stemmer relayed their concern with the legislature creating a regulatory
board on building codes. Chief Stemmer expressed concern that fire suppression sprinkler systems
requirements in multi-family homes could be affected. Chief Stemmer stated that St. Louis Park has
been very active with sprinkler system protection and because of that, the City has achieved a high
level of quality protection. Representatives stated they would investigate their concern.
3. Reinvestment Assistance Program Policy and Application
Mr. Locke presented the staff report. Mr. Hunt stated they had modified the format and included a
report card.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated he appreciated the amount of work and thought that went into
program. He suggested staff include off-sale liquor stores in the ineligibility section.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked to clarify the significant financial advantage statement. Mr.
Locke stated the goal was to equalize the playing field. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested
adding the qualification requirement (Item H of the Reinvestment Assistance Program Policy
Qualifications) stating "...assistance will not be provided when the redeveloper's credentials, in the
sole judgment of the City, are inadequate due to past track record" to the TIF applications as well.
Councilmember Sanger suggested clarifying Item A of the qualifications to state "...eliminate blight
"and" nonconforming uses; and correct adverse soil conditions".
Councilmember Paprocki asked if maps were available for future potential redevelopment. Mr.
Locke stated they have a map of the top 10 which is accessible. Mr. Hunt stated the program is a
program for last resort, so it may not be feasible. He further stated that green space could qualify
under two of the qualifications. Councilmember Paprocki asked if there would be any legal
concerns involved in excluding certain usages. Mr. Hunt stated legal council had advised there
would not.
There was Council consensus to move forward and bring back to Council for formal adoption.
4. Redevelopment of the Former Erv's Property ,
3
Mr. Locke presented the staff report. Mr. Hunt advised Council of Ehlers & Associates consultant
report, stating it was their opinion the extension of the TIF district wouldn't be prudent or
supportable. He further stated in reviewing other existing redevelopment TIF districts, staff
discovered sufficient uncommitted TIF funds in the Victoria Ponds Redevelopment TIF District,
allowing for use of up to 25 percent of excess tax increment for qualified expenses outside of a TIF
district, known as "pooling".
Study Session Minutes -4- January 14,2008
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if they should look be looking for other "pooling" opportunities
prior to spending EDA funding. Mr. Hunt stated it made sense to use dollars that were
accumulating in existing TIF districts. Mr. Harmening stated that they had been "pooling" funds
for various road construction projects in the past. Councilmember Finkelstein noted that he was
originally opposed to this request, but would be reluctantly going along with it. He further stated
that because a building is tired to somebody it is not necessary tired to everybody, stating the
"pooling" of funds and elimination of billboards would make Highway 7 look neater and more like
desirable urban development.
Council thanked the developer for working with staff and modifying their redevelopment proposal.
There was Council consensus to go forward with the changes recommended by staff
5. City Council Workshop
Mr. Harmening suggested the workshop be held at Jap's Olson. Council and staff discussed possible
workshop topics. Council agreed with staff's discussion topics as being consistent with delivering the
Vision recommendations from the community.
6. Communications (verbal)
Mr. Harmening stated St. Louis Park for the third year in a row has received the Nation's 100 Best
Communities For Young People recognition by America's Promise Alliance dedicated to children
and youth.
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
7. November Financial Report
8. Paint the Park Pilot Program
9. 2008 Grant Year Community Developme oc - t (CDBG) Funds - Proposed
Allocation
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Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff J1:cobs, ► ayor