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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/04/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session If! St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION APRIL 14, 2008 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs,John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Loran Paprocki, and Sue Sanger Councilmembers absent: Paul Omodt Telecommunications Advisory Commissioners present: Chair Bruce Browning, Rick Dworsky, David Dyer, Dale Hartman, Robert Jacobson, and Toby Keeler Parks and Recreation Advisory Commissioners present: Chair Steve Hallfin Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Park and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Police Chief (Mr. Luse), Deputy Chief (Mr. DiLorenzo), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Community TV Coordinator (Mr. McHugh), Civic TV Coordinator (Mr. Dunlap), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). Guest: Mike McGarvey, SRF Consulting, Inc. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—April 28, 2008 Mr. Harmening reported there will not be a Council meeting on April 21, 2008, in observance of Passover. He stated there will be a Study Session on April 28, 2008, followed by a brief EDA meeting, the annual organizational meeting of the Board of Appeals and Equalization, and the regular City Council meeting. He indicated at the Study Session, staff intends to update the Council regarding the water tower painting project and the vision strategic direction. 2. Telecommunications Advisory Commission 2007 Annual Report 2008 Work Plan Chair Browning presented the 2007 Telecommunications Advisory Commission annual report and 2008 work plan. He stated the Commission has expressed a desire to be more involved in the decision-making process with respect to WiFi and has at times felt out of the loop with the Council. The Council discussed wireless options available to the City including WiFi, WiMax, and DSL service. Councilmember Finkelstein stated it would be helpful to evaluate the Minneapolis model and see if it is possible for the City to tie into the Minneapolis system. It was the consensus of Council to direct staff to prepare a draft fiber optic ordinance for consideration by the Council and to schedule a study session to discuss the ordinance. Study Session Minutes -2- April 14, 2008 Commissioner Dworsky requested that staff provide the Commission with information regarding the number of single family/multi-family homes and businesses in the City, as well as information regarding building permits. Mr. McHugh stated several Commissioners previously expressed an interest in pursuing a plan whereby the City has community hot spots available. It was the consensus of Council to direct staff to work with the Telecommunications Advisory Commission on community hot spots. It was also the consensus of Council to direct staff to provide written reports and updates, including costs, from the Telecommunications Advisory Commission to the Council. 3. Parks and Recreation Commission 2007 Annual Report 2008 Goals Chair Hallfin presented the 2007 Park and Recreation Advisory Commission annual report and 2008 goals. Councilmember Sanger requested the Commission consider ways for the parks to be used more frequently for non-competitive sports, e.g., yoga classes in the parks. In addition, she requested the Commission give consideration to using organic fertilizer in the parks and finding other ways of being more eco-friendly to the environment. Chair Hallfin reported that the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission is currently short one member (the school board representative). He asked the Council to make a recommendation to the school board for a replacement in order to fill the vacancy. 4. Proposed Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 4, Article III Concerning Dogs Chief Luse presented the proposed ordinance amending the City Code concerning dogs, dangerous dogs, and potentially dangerous dogs. He stated that a question was earlier raised regarding whether the City should ban certain dogs by breed; he recommended the City not impose this ban and added the proposed ordinance provides a mechanism for removing and possibly destroying a dangerous dog. Councilmember Carver expressed concern about the definition of an at-large dog and the twenty- foot leash length contained in the ordinance and stated he would prefer to see the definition of control refined in the ordinance. Council and staff discussed the general dog regulations, dangerous dog regulations, and potentially dangerous dog regulations, and the definition of control and substantial bodily harm. It was the consensus of Council that written comments regarding the ordinance should be submitted to the City Attorney. Study Session Minutes -3- April 14, 2008 Discussion took place regarding the leash length and other definitions of control. Deputy Chief DiLorenzo stated there is currently a bill going through the House and Senate which imposes more restrictions on who can own a dangerous dog and increases the insurance requirement from $50,000 to $300,000. He stated he will work with the City Attorney to draft the ordinance to match the language contained in this bill. 5. 36" Street Streetscape and Public Art Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report regarding the 36th Street Streetscape and public art projects. Mr. McGarvey presented graphic depictions of the plans for 36th Street streetscaping Mayor Jacobs asked if LED lights would be utilized since they are less expensive to operate. Mr. McGarvey agreed to research whether LED lights could be used. Ms. Walsh presented several drawings of the art to be placed along the corridor by Marjorie Pitz and the "Dream Elevator" to be placed on the southeast corner of Wooddale and 36th Street by Randy Walker. Councilmember Basill suggested having the neighborhood representative attend a future meeting and to let residents know there was significant neighborhood involvement in the project, as well as involvement by Friends of the Arts. Council and staff discussed the proposed use of the building on the VIP II site for senior housing, as well as traffic and parking in the area. 6. Communications (verbal) Mr. Harmening stated the I-394 Golden Valley/St. Louis Park Joint Powers Task Force will be convening in the near future to discuss the west end project. He stated the task force has traditionally been staffed by the councilmembers of Ward One (Councilmember Sanger) and Ward Four (Councilmember Carver). He stated the Council will need to appoint the members who will sit on the task force. Mr. Harmening reported that staff has been informed by Pawn America that the pool and spa building has been pulled off the market. Mayor Jacobs directed staff to schedule a closed executive session to discuss this matter. Mr. Harmening stated that a joint meeting with the School Board has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. He stated further details regarding the meeting will be forthcoming and added that possible agenda items could include the school levy referendum, financial condition in general, and Eliot School. He requested the Council provide him with other agenda items. Study Session Minutes -4- April 14, 2008 Councilmember Carver stated he did not feel the meeting should include a discussion regarding Eliot School. He suggested the meeting include an inter-organizational development exercise. Council and staff discussed the meeting with the School Board and the need to have the meeting facilitated by a third party in order to assist with brainstorming and assignment of tasks and accountability. The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 7. Paint the Park Pilot Program 8. Proposed Redevelopment of Santorini's Restaurant arcel 9. Proposed Redevelopment of 3340 Republic Avenue Nancy >1.-±1C.0:17, / / e/(ei Stroth, CIty Clerk Jeff ac bs, aaor /