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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/02/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session fitSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 09, 2009 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor pro tern Sue Sanger,John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt and Loran Paprocki. Council members absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs and C. Paul Carver. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Community Development Planner (Mr. Fulton), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Larrea). Guest: Kevin Jullie and Brett Danner, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning- February 23, 2009 Mr. Harmening presented the staff report to the Council. It was the consensus of the Council to inform board members that unless they feel there is a reason for them to meet with the Council it will not be necessary for them to attend the February 23, 2009 Study Session. 2. Comprehensive Plan Update and Public Input Process Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report to the Council. She advised that staff is looking at putting together a series of neighborhood engagement meetings in the spring of 2009. Councilmember Finkelstein noted that parking is going to be a key part of future development and needs to be incorporated into future planning. He also noted that the condo associations in the Wolf Lake neighborhood should be contacted regarding the neighborhood engagement meeting scheduled for the spring of 2009. It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with the neighborhood meetings in the spring of 2009. 3. TH 7 &Wooddale Avenue Interchange Project Update- Project No. 2004-1700 Mr. Brink presented the staff report to the Council regarding the current status of the project designs, financing and project schedule. Study Session Minutes -2- February 09, 2009 Councilmember Sanger noted that the Sorensen neighborhood is interested in having some type of fence to protect children that may be playing in the area. The neighborhood would also like to have some type of pedestrian walkway for crossing Wooddale Avenue and safety improvements for pedestrians and bicycles crossing the bridge. Councilmember Sanger also noted that staff did agree to research all of the requested suggested modifications. Councilmember Basil! stated that he would like to look at some kind of barrier for the pedestrian walkways across the bridge, even though there was some feedback about not having a noise wall. He further stated there was feedback to put lilacs all the way down the exit ramp off of Hwy 100 as well. Councilmember Sanger noted that Council did discuss adding vegetation in a number of places, and staff did agree to research the suggested modifications. Mr. Brink noted that there is the possibility to add decorative lights to the bridge if the Council is interested in looking into it. It was the consensus of the Council to exclude noise walls from the project and to move forward with the current project plans and upcoming schedule. 4. Utility Rate Adjustments Mr. Dejong presented the staff report to the Council regarding potential changes in the utility rate structure based on the rate study performed by City staff and Ehlers &Associates. Councilmember Omodt indicated the need to explore the use of educational programs to teach residents how to save on disposal charges by recycling. It was the consensus of the Council to move forward with the water rate tiers in May of 2009 as proposed by staff. Council was also in agreement to have the solid waste disposal charges be proportional to the cart size. 5. Council Policy Question- Refuse Billing Policy It was the consensus of the Council to discuss this item at a future Study Session. 6. Council Policy Question- Refuse Collection Policy Councilmember Paprocki led the Council in a discussion about refuse collection policies having to do with cart placement for pickup purposes and cart capacity. It was the consensus of the Council to have staff research the issue and present a report to the Council at a future Study Session. Study Session Minutes -3- February 09, 2009 7. Review Advisory Commission Reports and Work Plans 7a. Telecommunications Advisory Commission Annual Report and Work Plan 7b. Human Rights Commission Annual Report and Work Plan 7c. Police Advisory Commission Annual Report and Work Plan 7d. Board of Zoning Appeal Annual Report It was the consensus of the Council to invite Commissions in for a discussion with the Council if they have any specific questions at a future Study Session. 8. Communications (Verbal) The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 9. Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Educational and Religious Uses in Residential Zoning Districts. 10. Update on pending Sunset Ridge Condominium Housing Improvement Area (HIA). NancyStroth, Ci tyClerk Jeff Ja s, Mayor /