HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/01/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session IliSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
JANUARY 12, 2009
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro-Tem Sue Sanger, Mayor Jeff Jacobs (via telephone), John
Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, and Loran Paprocki.
Council members absent: C. Paul Carver.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke),
Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal),
Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Inspections
Director (Mr. Hoffman), Parks & Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Public Works Director (Mr.
Rardin),Assistant Finance Director (Mr. Swanson) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Larrea).
Guest: Arnie Gregory (Principal of Greco Development), Brent Roger (Greco Development),
Collin Kaas (Kaas Wilson Architects), Link Wilson (Kaas Wilson Architects) and two representatives
of Ehlers and Associates.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
It was noted that the Special Study Session scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2009 and the Study
Session on January 26, 2009 will both begin at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Harmening noted that Councilmember Carver was contacted by a St. Louis Park resident
serving in the armed services who requested that his refuse fees be waived just as Waste Management
does in other communities. This item will be added to a future study session for discussion as a
Council policy item.
2. Conditional Use Permits for Institutional Uses in Residential Districts
Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report.
It was the consensus of the Council that the following uses would be covered under the CUP
process: religious institutions and schools with more then 20 students. It was also decided that there
will be a special consideration process regarding Bed and Breakfasts and its off street parking.
Study Session Minutes -2- January 12, 2009
3. Greco Development's Preliminary TIF Application for the redevelopment of the
southeast corner of 36th Street and Wooddale Avenue
Mr. Hunt presented the staff report to the Council.
Mr. Gregory of Greco Development presented to the Council regarding the redevelopment of the
southeast corner of 36th Street and Wooddale Avenue and the preliminary TIF Application.
Councilmember Paprocki stated he would like to see low income housing incorporated in this
project.
Councilmember Omodt would like the development group to proceed with the project.
Mayor Pro-Tern Sanger would like to look at the option of removing the commercial property
component.
Councilmember Basill would like to go back to the public process if the City is going to consider
adding low income housing or removing the commercial space. He would like to move forward
with the project as it is.
It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with the proposed project.
4. Utility Rate Study
Mr. DeJong presented the staff report.
A representative of Ehlers and Associates presented the Water and Sanitary Sewer, Storm Water and
Refuse Funds Utility Rate Study to the Council.
Councilmember Finkelstein noted that under the tier system multi-unit buildings may be over
charged for their water usage. The representative of Ehlers and Associates confirmed that the City
will have to be allocated per unit in a multi-family building and that they wanted to study that issue.
The representative of Ehlers and Associates confirmed with the Council that they are comfortable
with the assumptions made by City staff in the report.
Councilmember Basill noted that education on water usage should be incorporated into the new
system and suggested they study tiering and the effects on families.
Mayor Pro-Tern Sanger is in agreement with the proposal. She would like to have more stringent
rules regarding use of sprinkler systems while it is raining and golf course use of water for irrigation.
It was the consensus of the Council to revisit this issue at a future study session.
Study Session Minutes -3- January 12, 2009
5. 2009-2013 Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Harmening presented to the Council an overview of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects
for the next five years.
It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with the proposed projects for 2009, to discuss
long-term financial planning at a future meeting, and postpone any discussions regarding staffing for
a month or so.
It was noted that the 2009 component of the CIP plan will be presented to the Council at the next
City Council meeting.
6. Communications (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening referenced a recent newspaper article regarding a St. Louis Park woman and the
remodeler she had hired to do work on her home. He informed the Council that information was
left out of the article, including that there were two contractors rather than one.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
7. Highway 7/ Louisiana Avenue Interchange Project Update
8. Highway 7/ Merge Lane Modifications at Blake Road
9. Update on Contact for Development of Vacant Ci of located at 5609 Wood Lane
• \I/irdrait‘„,- Li
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jaco -s, Mayor