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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/01/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session IJ9St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION JANUARY 28, 2008 The meeting convened at 6:37 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), Management Assistant (Ms. Honold), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Schmidt). Guest: Jim Brimeyer, Southwest Transit Policy Advisory Committee; Peggy Leppik, Met Council Councilmember; Denise Engen, Met Council Planning Division. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning Mr. Harmening and Council discussed study session agenda planning. 2. Southwest Transit Update Mr. Brimeyer updated Council on the activities of the Southwest Transit Policy Advisory Committee, stating the Committee had been meeting with the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA) to discuss rail alternatives and strategies. Mr. Brimeyer stated they had come up with three request options 1) a bonding request of $10 million dollars in 2008, to which the Governor did not include in his bonding proposal; 2) a metro sales tax; and/or 3) a gas tax. He further stated the funding subcommittee asked the Southwest Transit Committee to adopt resolutions requesting funds from the Federal and State government to provide a stable and dedicated funding for transit; and their final request was to move up the Southwest Transit proposal, setting it as a higher priority. He stated Southwest Transit proposal would not move ahead of the Central Corridor request. Mr. Brimeyer stated the next step in the process would be to draft an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Councilmember Finkelstein asked if the City would be able to move forward if the Central Corridor didn't meet their CEI. Mr. Brimeyer stated no, the Central Corridor was the first priority. Councilmember Omodt asked if there was anything Council could do. Mr. Brimeyer stated lobbying and passing a resolution was the best approach, further stating the DEIS had to look at various alternatives in order to meet the mitigating circumstances. Mr. Harmening clarified that Mr. Brimeyer was suggesting Council consider adopting a resolution that they could send to the State supporting the $10 million dollar bonding request. Study Session Minutes -2- January 28, 2008 Councilmember Paprocki asked if the $10 million proposal passed, would it negate any other bonding requests. Mr. Brimeyer stated it could. Councilmember Paprocki asked if the City needed to prioritize its requests. Mr. Brimeyer stated the $10 million would apply to the whole Corridor, not just the City of St. Louis Park's portion. Councilmember Carver suggested the City shouldn't deem it as an either or project. Councilmember Sanger asked if other communities along the LRT Corridor were submitting similar resolutions. Mr. Brimeyer stated he was uncertain. Councilmember Sanger suggested joint community support. Mr. Brimeyer stated he could coordinate the responses and advise Commissioner Dorfman. Mr. Harmening stated he would also email City Administrators for their coordinated support. Councilmember Carver asked if the Governor gave an explanation why the $10 million was not in the bonding proposal. Mr. Brimeyer stated he hadn't heard one. Mr. Harmening suggested the governor's focus had been on bridges and roads. Councilmember Finkelstein asked how long it would take for approval. Mr. Brimeyer stated without a designated funding source, it's indefinite. Mayor Jacobs stated he felt the soonest would be 2015. Mr. Brimeyer suggested transitioning their Committee representation from him to a Councilmember. Councilmember Carver questioned why. Mr. Brimeyer stated he felt their elected official status may carry more weight in representing the communities. It was the consensuses of Council that Mr. Brimeyer remain as their representation on the Committee. Mr. Harmening stated they were in the process of adding an alternate to the Community Advisory Committee. There was Council consensus to discuss with other communities and find out who's on board and bring it back to Council for their consideration. 3. Metropolitan Council — Legislative Update Ms. Leppik updated Council on the 2008 legislative priorities. She gave an overview of the Met Council's platform, stating they were in support of the Governor's proposal of$66.8 million for the transit. She further stated the Governor had given $70 million for the Central Corridor, which would assist in planning, but would still require another $70 million to move forward. Ms. Leppik stated the Council was working at getting the costs down, so it would move forward. She further stated the Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) was supporting the funding and would be providing $133 million from the Federal government to be targeted for the 35W Corridor to improve commutes, as well as other various commute area requests. Ms. Leppik stated one of the communities along the Dan Patch Corridor would like a legislative change to allow the Met Council to consider LRT along this corridor. She also stated the Council is asking for changes in Metro- Mobility statutes, as well as jurisdiction changes with Metro Transit Police. J Study Session Minutes -3- January 28, 2008 Councilmember Carver asked about the Metro Transit police changes. Ms. Leppik stated she would need to find out more details and respond back to Council. Councilmember Paprocki asked about Metro-Mobility. Ms. Leppik stated the requirements would bring it back into conformance with the Federal Laws. Councilmember Sanger asked if the Dan Patch routing proposal was the same as was previously requested. Ms. Leppik stated she was uncertain, but suspected the routing had not changed. Councilmember Sanger stated it could have an impact on the community and would like to be kept informed on its activity. Councilmember Sanger asked if Met Council would be allocating funding for Southwest Corridor. Ms. Leppik stated they were looking at reprioritizing projects, stating she didn't foresee funding at this time. She further stated when it became a high priority project, the money would be found to move forward, further stating it was a bonding year and the necessary funds would need to come from the general fund. Councilmember Finkelstein asked about Hwy 7. Ms. Leppik stated the Met Council would not support or oppose St. Louis Park's request for an earmark. Councilmember Finkelstein asked about Hwy 100. Ms. Leppik stated it was scheduled for completion in 2014. Mr. Harmening asked about the livable community funding changes. Ms. Leppik stated Council was looking for innovative new ideas, not reworks on what's existing. Ms. Leppik suggested they include the entire Southwest LRT in the Comprehensive Plan. 4. Long Range Financial Management Plan Mr. DeJong presented the staff report and a general overview of the various funds, stating the results of the weekend retreat discussion would affect future budget plans and tax levies. Council and staff discussed optional long-range information and gave Mr. DeJong direction on what they would like available to review at their retreat. 5. Human Rights Commission Annual Report and Work Plan Mr. Harmening presented the staff report. There was Council consensus that the Human Rights Commission (HRC) had provided a good Work Plan and follow through of the City's Vision. Councilmember Sanger suggested more detail on the 2008 Work Plan. Councilmember Omodt suggested the Commission have more film presentations with forums to provide more accessibility. Study Session Minutes -4- January 28, 2008 6. Review Agenda for City Council Workshop Mr. Harmening explained the weekend agenda for the workshop and Council suggested optional additional topics. 7. Communications (verbal) Mr. Harmening stated that Twin West named Bruce Nustad as their new president, stating he was currently the president of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Harmening also stated staff recommended re-issuance of the liquor license for Texa-Tonka Lanes. Councilmember Basill noted that there would be a hockey game benefit for the Dale Pettite family at the Rec Center on Saturday, February 2nd at 7:00 p.m. He further stated the St. Louis Park High School Varsity hockey team would be playing Benilde-St. Margarets. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 8. December Financial Report 9. Quarterly Investment Report (October - December 2007) The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Ja-obs, Mayor