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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/07/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session OFFICIAL MINUTES `IfSt. Louis Park SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINNESOTA ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JULY 21, 2008 The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt and Loran Paprocki. Councilmembers absent: C. Paul Carver and Susan Sanger Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Assistant Finance Director (Mr. Swanson), Senior Accountant (Ms. Monson), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong, Housing Program Coordinator (Ms. Larson), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Schmidt). 1. Tax Increment District Update Mr. DeJong presented the staff report and explained the findings and recommendations from Ehlers &Associates. Mr. DeJong explained the various funds generated through the TIF districts. He also reminded Council that money would need to be committed within five years for the Hwy 7/Wooddale Crossing project, otherwise the only way they would be able to access funding would be to issue General Obligation TIF Revenue Bonds. Mr. Harmening clarified that Elmwood does not have the ability to defuse the full amount, further stating that the district would only be able to actually provide the principal and interest of approximately$5 million toward the Hwy 7/Wooddale project. Councilmember Basil stated concern with the risks of taking the money out of other general funds. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if funding could be taken out of the EDA fund. Mr. DeJong stated it could. Mr. Harmening suggested staff do more research, perhaps looking at issuance of debt use tax increment to pay it off, how property is currently taxed, what could happen with a down turn in the market and people not paying their taxes. Council thanked staff for their update. 2. Vision St. Louis Park Strategic Direction Update: "SLP is Committed to Providing a Well Maintained and Diverse Housing Stock Mr Locke explained that Council would be updated by their specific focus area's representative. Study Session Minutes -2- July 21, 2008 2a. Remodeling and expanding move-up, single-family, owner occupied homes. Ms. Larson updated Council on the remodeling and expanding move-up, single-family, owner occupied homes. Ms. Larson explained the Move-Up in the Park and Home Improvement Program activities; marketing with the City's new brand and the Minnesota GreenStar Remodeling Program pilot, which began in May, 2008 and is funded for two years. Councilmember Basill asked if they were still buying homes that needed fixing up. Ms. Larson stated that the Home Renewal type programs have stalled because of the economy. Councilmember Paprocki noted that with the price of gas going up, they might see a trend of people moving from larger houses into smaller homes within the City. Councilmember Basill inquired on the status of single-family move up housing. Ms. Larson stated two were sold, one had been started and three had been delayed due to the housing market. 2b. Property maintenance to foster quality housing and community aesthetics. Mr. Camilon updated Council on the property maintenance needed to foster quality housing and community aesthetics. He further suggested that the City continue with the property maintenance program and efforts to improve efficiency and interdepartmental coordination, focusing on foreclosure issues. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if staff had the tools needed to address foreclosed properties properly. Mr. Camilon explained that the issue is awareness, stating the City really has no idea until they receive complaints if the property is being foreclosed on. Ms. Schnitker stated they really don't become aware of foreclosures until the sheriff's sale. Mr. Camilon stated they are working interdepartmentally for suggestions and earlier awareness. Mayor Jacobs asked if they are checking unpaid utility bills and asked if they've noticed more vandalism. Mr. Camilon stated they haven't noticed an increase in vandalism. Mr. Larson stated they are working on sending information cards to residents who are facing possible foreclosure. Mr. Locke stated staff could look into more possibilities on foreclosure concerns. Mr. Harmening stated staff has established a foreclosure group meeting every two months and a graffiti group that meets once a month to proactively try and address potential problems. He further stated staff has been good at working within their departments, but will need to focus on working across departmental lines. 2c. Working towards affordable single-family homeownership throughout the City. Ms. Schnitker updated Council with their focus of working towards affordable single-family homeownership throughout the City. She stated the City has implemented three programs: Land Trust Model; Duplex Conversion Program and the Live Where You Work Homeownership Program (employer assisted housing). Ms. Schnitker explained that they have applied for funding from MHFA and AHIF to assist with the acquisition and rehab of several properties in the County and those grants should be awarded this fall. Study Session Minutes -3- July 21, 2008 Councilmember Paprocki asked if the City has funds to assist with the purchase minor remodeling of properties with in the City. Ms. Schnitker stated yes. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 3. Update on Replacement of City Telephone System , r->7 a-4-1_t4.1_ W:ttCP6- ,./4 Ca, Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jacob ,/Mtor