HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/02/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session If! St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
FEBRUARY 11, 2008
The meeting convened at 6:32 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Susan Sanger and Loran Paprocki. Phil Finkelstein via
phone at 7:00 p.m.;John Basill arrived at 7:12 p.m.; Paul Omodt arrived at 7:23 p.m.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs and C. Paul Carver.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Community Liaison (Ms. Olson), Police Lieutenant
Dreier, City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Broadband Coordinator (Mr. Landis), Director of Community
Development (Mr. Locke), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman) and Recording Secretary (Ms.
Schmidt).
Guest: HRC Chair Lisa Miller; Henry Camacho, Paul Kravolec, Unplugged Cities; Tom Asp, SRF
Consultant; Eureka Broadband;Jake Spano, Senator Klobuchar}s Office.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmening and Council discussed study session agenda planning.
2. Human Rights Commission 2007 Annual Report and 2008 Work Plan (Commission
Present)
Ms. Olson presented the staff report.
Councilmember Paprocki asked if they have received a mixed crowd for the film series. Ms. Olson
stated they have had varied turnouts.
Councilmember Sanger asked when they would be addressing diversity issues. Ms. Olson stated the
Commission was in the process of meeting with various City departments and discussing the
diversity plan, trying to incorporate a useful tool for staff to use. Councilmember Sanger suggested
working it into the branding. Councilmember Paprocki suggested also working with businesses.
3. Project Update - Park Place Boulevard Project - Project 2007-1101
Mr. Brink presented the staff report. Mr. Locke explained the funding needs and financial
considerations.
Councilmember Sanger asked about the west-side trail and if it would connect over Hwy 394 to
Golden Valley. Mr. Brink stated it is the intent of the Active Communities Grant to make the
connection. Councilmember Sanger further asked if Park Place Blvd and Cedar Lake Road could
connect to the south to the Cedar Lake Trail. Mr. Brink stated they would ultimately like to make
the long-term connection. Councilmember Sanger stated concern with the future Cedar Lake Road
traffic congestion and suggested adding a traffic light at Edgewood. She also stated concern with the
reroute of traffic during construction. Mr. Brink stated staff would be looking at possible
alternatives.
Study Session Minutes -2- February 11,2008
Mr. Harmening inquired about the long-term maintenance responsibilities, asking if a special service
district would be possible. Mr. Brink stated staff was in the process of establishing special service
districts.
4. Wireless Project Update
Council and staff discussed the options of how to best proceed with the WiFi project.
There was Council consensus to take a break from the process of considering a new project/system to
initiate at this time and have staff develop a schedule to inform pilot users of the shut down of the
pilot. The Council did ask staff to do a quick analysis of partnering with Minneapolis, and
reevaluate options at a future session. Councilmember Sanger disagreed, stating she preferred to do
a study soon to get a clear understanding of appropriate technologies and costs, so Council could
make a more informed decision regarding whether to initiate another high-speed internet system.
5. Highway 7 and Wooddale Avenue Vapor Study Update
Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report.
Council and staff had discussion on the sample collection, initial results and mitigation coverage's
and options. Mr. Harmening inquired as to the mitigation systems in non-profits. Mr. Spano
stated that FEMA stated their mitigation, with the exception of at-risk buildings, would not cover
the remediation, only the initial testing. Mr. Hoffman advised Council he would keep them
updated.
6. Police Advisory Commission 2007 Annual Report and 2008 Work Plan Review
Council accepted the report and work plan for the Police Advisory Commission.
7. Communications (verbal)
Mr. Harmening updated Council on the fire station location options. It was the consensus of
Council to have staff move forward with undertaking due diligence activities relative to partnering
with Walgreens as well as options at the Station 1 location.
Mr. Harmening updated Council on the court mandated mediation session with Pawn America.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
8. Requested Amendments to Hoigaard Village Redevelo ment Contract
9. Utility Billing Extended Absence Credit
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Nancy Stroth, city Clerk Jeff Jacobs, ayor