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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/06/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session III St.NLouis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINES0TA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION June 23, 2008 The meeting convened at 7:45 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Sue Sanger,John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, and Loran Paprocki. Council members absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Larrea). Guest: Geralyn Barone (City of Minnetonka), Larry Blacksted (Three Rivers Park District), Jim Calkins (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District), Eric Evenson (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District), Mike Huggerty (Three Rivers Park District), Cris Gears (Three Rivers Park District), David Johnson (City of Minnetonka), Dick Miller (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District), and Mike Wyatt (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District). 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—July 7 and July 14, 2008 Mr. Harmening presented the staff report for the upcoming study sessions on July 7, 2008 and July 14, 2008. 2. City Council Canoe Trip City Council took a canoe trip down Minnehaha Creek with the City Manager, Park and Recreation staff, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. Also participating were representative from the City of Minnetonka, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and the Three Rivers Park District. Ms. Barone explained to the Council what the City of Minnetonka has been doing with the area around the Minnehaha Creek within the City of Minnetonka. The City of Minnetonka has been buying property on the Creek for the last 45 years. They have removed a number of the homes that they have purchased. Recently they brought in the watershed district to discuss and develop concept plans for the area around the Creek. They have also met with the neighborhoods that border the Creek to get their feedback regarding the Creek. For the most part, the City of Minnetonka has been funding the projects. They have now set up a shuttle, in conjunction with Three Rivers Park District that runs along the creek for people to canoe down the Creek. They have been averaging about 20 rentals a weekend. They will continue the shuttles until the water level of the Creek goes down. Ms. Barone also said that the east side will have an interpretative center. Their hope is that by working together with other cities and organizations they may be able to get more funding. Working together as a group does not commit anyone financially but it does say that you would like to work together to better the environment around the Creek. They hope to also include these opportunities in other cities along the Creek. Study Session Minutes -2- June 23, 2008 Mr. Gears provided background on how the partnership began. Many years ago they pitched the idea for the water trail to the park district and there was a lot of interest but not a lot of support. He stated he believed it was apparent that the concepts evolving in Minnetonka could take place in other communities. They have also begun discussion with the City of Edina. Any city is welcome to enter into the group,just by expressing their interest. Ms. Barone noted that the Regional LRT Trail is close to Minnehaha Creek in Minnetonka and the consultant they had hired had looked at connecting the Regional LRT Trails to the Creek. Councilmember Paprocki asked for clarification if the water trail was a canoe trail or a walking trail. Ms. Barone confirmed that the trail they are discussing today would be a canoe trail on the Creek, but they are also interested in having walking trails near the Creek. She also noted that one of the ideas they have discussed is to add more of a parkway type environment by adding trails along the Minnehaha Creek area. They have also discussed extending this trail system from Minnehaha Creek to the Mississippi River. Mr. Wyatt noted that the trail is exciting but needs to be balanced. He also asked that the Council keep in mind that the Creek does not always have water in it and there are many natural characteristics of the Creek. What the Watershed District is hoping to offer is support for the wetlands, bank stabilization, and low impact development programs. He also noted that this is similar to what the City of St Louis Park is doing at the Methodist Hospital location. There is also a land conservation program currently in the works with Hennepin County to purchase land for preservation purposes. Councilmember Sanger asked that they describe the park at the Minnetonka Mills location. Ms. Barone answered that there is a Burwell house and to the west there will be a botanical field. This area will have mixed hard and soft surfaces. There are currently plans for a trail and boardwalks throughout this area. This series of trails will start from the Civic Center Campus. Mr. Miller noted that he felt that this was one of the most exciting trails, similar to the one at the Arboretum. He felt that the presentation was very good. He noted that the Council members could look at the concept plans on the City of Minnetonka website. Mr. Harmening noted that St. Louis Park is known for its history of partnerships; this is one of the things that have helped them to be successful. He suggested looking at the environment that the Creek travels through in St. Louis Park. He has asked how the City could enhance the Creek as an amenity in this community and what might come to mind on how they could partner together to enhance the Creek. He asked what ideas they may have besides the canoes. Mr. Wyatt recommended taking advantage of development opportunities to try to achieve what they want to achieve. He also noted that wherever these opportunities arise, the Watershed District would like to be a part of it. He noted the fact that the City owns much of the Creek bank area and the Watershed District would be happy to work with St. Louis Park to achieve something good for the Creeks. Study Session Minutes -3- June 23, 2008 Mr. Evenson said that what they are trying to suggest doesn't necessarily mean trails along the Creek but it means maintaining the feel and aesthetics of the Creek. He suggested more shoreline maintenance and to identify strategic acquisitions. Councilmember Sanger inquired about the City of Minnetonka regarding the homes that they have been acquiring over the past 40 years and what they did to get the community involved. Mr. Blacksted said that there has never really been a problem with the community and that they have always had a very positive reaction in the community when they talked about the Creek. Councilmember Paprocki noted that there are a number of homes on the Creek and asked if they had to choose one or two problems homes on the Creek and determine how they could go about fixing it. Mr. Evenson said that he would suggest the Knollwood area to Methodist Hospital. He noted that it was a good area for development and for the different organizations to work together. Mr. Miller noted that St. Louis Park owns most of the land from Methodist Hospital back to the Creek. He thought this would be a great opportunity to develop into these wetlands. Mr. Blacksted said that the land around Knollwood is going to change; the challenge is having a plan for that land. Mr. Evenson felt that if the City had the vision and an opportunity to move ahead, they could make some real changes in this area. He also said that there is some real money available to do this. There are many things you could do in this area including education programs, alternative to timber building, etc. Mr. Johnson noted that one of the things they have done in Minnetonka is to build formal launch areas for the canoes. If they were going to extend the shuttle program they would really have to do this in St. Louis Park. Ms. Walsh added they have upgraded the canoe area by the Target store in St. Louis Park and it could be used as a launch area. Mr. Gears added that the idea is to move these visions outside of Minnetonka. They would like to include what they have started in Minnetonka with other communities, to take what is hidden away and show it to the public. He also noted that by joining this governance there is no financial commitment, each community has a member that sits on the steering board and then at a staff level they get together once every two months and discuss how to get things moving. St. Louis Park would get to be part of the team. It is a meeting meant to keep communities accountable and to remain invested in moving forward. It is a commitment of partners. Mr. Harmening asked if they would send him a copy of the governance agreement to review. Councilmember Finkelstein asked for an update on the project at Methodist Hospital. Mr. Calkins said that the current plan is to start this winter, possibly December or January. He also noted that the site is going to be a mess because wetland projects are inherently messy. The plan is to do wintertime construction when the land is frozen. Discussion took place regarding the canoe shuttle service and the canoe riders. Mr. Johnson stated that there are about 50% Minnetonka residents riding the Creek. The number one request that they get from riders is to be able to go farther down the Creek. They have had the idea in mind to share canoes among the cities so that they can work together to get the peopled shuttled. Study Session Minutes -4- June 23, 2008 Councilmember Sanger asked how much longer they would be running the shuttle service this year. Mr.Johnson replied that they are committed through the end of July but it all depends on the water levels. Mr. Harmening asked what the cost is to use the canoe shuttle service. Mr.Johnson replied that it is a 2.4 mile-canoe trip and that the cost is $20 to rent a canoe and $20 per group to use the shuttle service. Mr. Harmening also asked if the riders sign a release form. Mr. Johnson noted that the City of Minnetonka has used the Three Rivers Park District release form. Mr. Gears noted that there are 6 or 7 points on the Creek that you can start and get out of the canoe. Ideally he would like to see a shuttle service that could run between all of these points. Mr. Evenson ended the meeting by inviting whoever would like to help with the Creek cleanup on July 13th was more than welcome to join. The cleanup is being sponsored by Linenkugel's and REI. They will start in the late afternoon and finish with a barbeque. 3. Communications (Verbal) Mr. Harmening informed the Council that the railroad bridge project is moving ahead and the road could be closed as early as Wednesday of this week. He also noted that Fire Chief Luke Stemmer is in Columbus Junction, Iowa. He was called there to assist with the Emergency Operation Center. While he is in Iowa his salary will be paid by the federal government. Mr. Harmening also noted that the Women's US Open would be taking place this week. The primary effect on St. Louis Park will be the traffic. They will be running a shuttle from Highway 100 to Meadowbrook. They will also be watching for people that are parking in neighborhoods and walking to the tournament. Mr. Harmening notified the Council that the City has been having trouble with solicitors. He noted that all solicitors must register with the City so they are able to keep track as to who is out in the community. The problem they are experiencing is that they are dealing with a lot of"strong arm" solicitors. One idea was to require a stiffer fee and background checks for solicitors. The solicitors they have been having issues with are people who are selling security systems, roof repair, and magazines. There is concern the people that are selling the security systems are casing the homes for possible robberies. They are able to see the inside of the home and get an idea for when people are at their home or at work. Mr. Harmening also noted that the City has been handing out No Solicitation stickers. Councilmember Carver asked if it would be possible to make it a finable offense if they do not obey the No Solicitation signs people have up at their homes. Councilmember Basill noted that you have to be careful with that because you don't want to limit the boy scouts, girl scouts, schools, etc Study Session Minutes -5- June 23, 2008 Mr. Harmening noted that Allied Waste has asked the City to allow roll out dumpsters to be allowed on the streets. Back in 2003, the Council said they would not allow dumpsters to be put on the streets. The options for the Council are to keep the ordinance, amend the ordinance, or not enforce at this time. It was agreed by the Council to leave the ordinance as is; the City will not allow dumpsters to be put on the streets. Councilmember Paprocki asked if the Watershed District would be available to go to National Night Out and visit some of the neighborhoods in the community Councilmember Finkelstein noted that he will be gone July 7 and Mr. Harmening will be gone on June 30. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 4. May 2008 Monthly Financial Reports 5. Housekeeping Amendments to Chapter 3 of City Code Regarding Alcoholic Beverages 6. Update on City Hall Exterior Renovations r)l.e l `1 Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jef' acobs, ayor