HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/03/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session SiSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
' MARCH 24, 2008
The meeting convened at 6:30 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),
City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Community Development
Director (Mr. Locke) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Schmidt).
Guest: Claudia Johnston-Madison, Planning Commission Chair; Carl Robertson, Planning
Commissioner; Brian Johnson, SRF Consulting Group; Steve and Frank Dunbar, Union Land II,
LLC.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmening and Council discussed study session agenda planning.
Councilmember Basill suggested they discuss excess land proceeds at a future study session.
Councilmember Omodt suggested a meeting with the school board.
2. Planning Commission 2007 Annual Report and 2008 Work Plan (Commission
Present)
Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report.
Chair Robertson stated the Commission would like to encourage more ideas from the Housing
Summit including cluster housing.
Council and staff discussed the 2008 Planning Commission Work Plan. Mayor Jacobs suggested the
Commission incorporate more walking ability and transit friendliness into the comprehensive plan.
Councilmember Finkelstein suggested the Commission look into row houses and owner-occupied
low-income housing. He also suggested they look into the top ten redevelopment sites, allowing the
City to become pro-active rather than reactive.
Councilmember Paprocki suggested that the Commission look at how north/south traffic patterns
may change in response to new light rail stations. Ms. McMonigal agreed and stated Hennepin
County was looking at station area fund studies and the findings would be included in the
Comprehensive Plan.
Study Session Minutes -2- March 24, 2008
Councilmember Sanger inquired about sub-standard lots. Ms. McMonigal stated there only a few
lots, because the zoning ordinance took into account and made provisions for existing smaller (40'
wide) lots.
Chair Johnston-Madison suggested Council have staff look at design and architectural options and
review guidelines for large houses, questioning if there should be limits placed. Councilmember
Sanger noted that there has not been support for architectural design review by the Council.
Council thanked the Planning Commission for their hard work.
3. West 36th Street Reconstruction Streetscape Update
Mr. Brink presented the staff report.
Council and staff had discussion on the proposed improvements and assessed future transportation,
pedestrian and bicycle needs.
Both Councilmember Finkelstein and Councilmember Basill were concerned with the proposed
streetscape only having one lane of traffic each way, with a middle change lane, stating they felt that
would not work and wanted both the City and County to explore having two lanes in each
direction.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the City would need to acquire right-of-ways on the south side of
the road. Mr. Brink stated the streetscape improvements could be done within the existing right-of-
way. Mr. Locke stated they could acquire additional right-of-ways as further development warrants.
Councilmember Sanger asked if there were any plans for redevelopment of the Burlington Coat
Factory. Mr. Locke stated staff was unaware of any plans at this time. Councilmember Sanger also
inquired about the public art on the street. Ms. McMonigal stated the focus tonight was on the
engineering side of the project, stating the art had been incorporated into the plans and would be
available for their review at a future session.
4. Hoigaard Village Redevelopment Contract
Mr. Dunbar updated Council on the development of Hoigaard Village. He further requested an
extension of the commencement and completion dates, as well as a request for an additional
$200,000 in tax increment to finance greater than anticipated environmental remediation costs.
Council and staff discussed the extension request and increased tax increment options.
There was Council consensus to proceed with the developer's requests and advised staff to prepare a
third amendment to the Redevelopment Contract.
Study Session Minutes -3- March 24, 2008
5. Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission 2007 Annual Report and 2008 Goals
(Review)
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
Council discussed the Commission's annual report and reviewed the 2008 goals.
Councilmember Sanger suggested the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) take more
initiative to provide more environmental practices in the park system. Mayor Jacobs suggested
reducing the City's reliance on fossil-based fuel. Councilmember Paprocki suggested offering
community activities at the smaller parks. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if staff could provide a
report on the Recreation Center activity. Councilmember Sanger suggested adding another splash
pad. "
6. BOZA 2007 Annual Report 2008 Goals (Review)
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
There was Council consensus to advise BOZA they were doing a great job and unless there were any
new and/or immerging issues, there was no need to meet with them.
7. Communications (verbal)
Mr. Harmening suggested Council lobby the County Board for their votes for the transit bill.
Mr. Harmening stated there was a request for a three-lot subdivision, Isabella Estates, and asked
Council if they wanted to be pro-active in trying to save the historic structure. Councilmember
Sanger stated the developer would be willing to stage the property and sell off the portion in
question for restoration. It was the consensus of Council to have staff review the request and
establish some guidelines that would allow the City to be pro-active in these situations.
Mr. Harmening updated Council on the ARINC proceedings.
The meeting adjourned at 09:06 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
8. February 2008 Financial Report
9. Redevelopment Agreement— Erv's
10. Comprehensive Plan Update
11. Zoning Ordinance Amendments r 111r
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Nancy Stroth, City Clerk JeffJa .bs• . or