Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/10/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Jft St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 6, 2008 The meeting convened at 6:00 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), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal) Senior Planner (Mr. Walther) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Schmidt). Guests: None 1. Vision Strategic Directions Update — Increasing Use of New and Existing Gathering Places Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report. Councilmember Basill suggested making the Melrose Institute corner a gathering place since it's still in the planning stages. He further stated he felt they were moving in the right direction and liked the idea of benches in developments. Councilmember Basill stated he hoped they could tie it all together with a community center. Mr. Harmening stated staff would be doing further investigation on a community center. Councilmember Paprocki suggested investigating ideas on how to get people to use the areas for networking, such as at light rail stops. Councilmember Sanger stated she felt they were getting away from the original intent for gathering places. She further stated she interpreted it to mean indoor facilities where people could go without official sanctioned programming and asked for more clarity on what the vision goal actually is. Councilmember Sanger liked the direction staff was going and suggested they focus on developing concepts of what kind of places are needed and the criteria of where they should be. Councilmember Finkelstein liked the thought of outdoor impromptu gathering places. Councilmember Sanger asked if staff was looking at places to use for free or renting them. Ms. McMonigal stated they were looking at mixed uses, such as public, religious, coffee shops and restaurant with rooms and park shelter buildings. She also stated they were connecting with the Parks & Recreation Department to get a sense for the type of needs. Special Study Session Minutes -2- October 6, 2008 Mr. Harmening stated staff would be working at changing and enhancing on how they do future projects in order to create gathering place opportunities. He stated they would also be creating a document that would inventory gathering places. Ms. McMonigal stated that staff has provided two community wide surveys for feedback. Mr. Harmening stated staff has also received data from various action teams on the types of gathering places needed in the community. Councilmember Basill suggested staff look at what can be provided for both green and community space when application proposals are submitted. He also suggested a survey be completed to provide the amount of time involved and amount of money being spent on the gathering places analysis. It was the consensus of Council to have staff move forward with the exploration of gathering places. 2. Vision Strategic Directions Update— Expand Network of Sidewalks and Trails Mr. Walther presented the staff report. Councilmember Sanger asked if the sidewalks were grade separated. Mr. Walther stated they were not. Councilmember Finkelstein asked about walking distances on the map they were utilizing. Mr. Walther stated approximately a quarter mile. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if staff was working with the school district. Mr. Walther stated staff has been in contact with a rep from school district and they stated concern with the kids' safety walking to bus stops. Councilmember Sanger asked if they would be able to differentiate city sidewalks and neighborhood sidewalks. Mr. Walther stated the biggest problem was snow shoveling and whether to do all the sidewalks or none. Councilmember Sanger stated she could not differentiate between city sidewalks and neighborhood sidewalks and suggested that all the sidewalks be treated similarly. Mr. Walther stated a trail was for off-road type use, whereas a way would have a designated bike lane, which would include on-street usage. Councilmember Sanger asked why some roads, such as Cedar Lake Road, had nothing listed or marked. Mr. Walther stated that Cedar Lake Road is a proposed bike route. Councilmember Paprocki liked the direction staff was taking and suggested taking a position of the City not shoveling the sidewalks. Special Study Session Minutes -3- October 6, 2008 Mr. Harmening suggested staff do more investigation on the costs involved in clearing all sidewalks. He also conveyed to Council that the neighborhood response to clearing their portions of sidewalks and keeping them in compliance has been positive. Councilmember Sanger suggested staff talk more with neighborhoods for their feedback on installing sidewalks. Ms. McMonigal stated most neighborhoods do not want to pay to have them put in or be assessed for them. Mr. Harmening stated the City has been paying to improve the sidewalks and the property owners have been paying to maintain them. Councilmember Omodt asked if other cities shovel all the sidewalks. Mr. Walther stated most only provide the service for major sidewalks. Councilmember Paprocki suggested putting out a special bond and having the community vote on it. Councilmember Carver and Councilmember Finkelstein thought it was their job as the community elected voices to make these decisions. Councilmember Sanger also agreed with Councilmember Carver and felt it was their job to deal with it and sell it to the community. It was the consensus of Council to have staff to move forward and bring back more information on sidewalk options. The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. 11 Lt' .4 ' / -AI.:ani Nancy Stroth, Ci Clerk Jeff Jacob•, . or