HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/06/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session IIISt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JUNE 8, 2009
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul
Omodt, and Sue Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: Loran Paprocki
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), Finance
Director (Mr. DeJong), Brian Hoffman, Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Director of Parks
and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Recreation Supervisor (Mr. Birno), Communications Coordinator
(Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Suciu).
Guest: Jeff Oertel, Oertel Architects.
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—June 22, 2009
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for June 22, 2009, and stated the night
is devoted entirely to budget planning. He added that staff has laid out a budget framework for the
2010 Budget. If the framework is satisfactory to council, staff will go forward with the 2010 Budget.
2. Highway 7 / Wooddale Project Update
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report regarding the intersection reconstruction project at
Highway 7 & Wooddale indicating this was a continuation of discussion from the June 1 Special
Study Session on the status of funding sources for this project and how to proceed from a funding
perspective.
The City Council discussion included Hennepin County's lack of commitment to participate in the
project, that St. Louis Park needs to take a step back and re-evaluate the situation before taking on
projects of this nature without financial backing, TIF discussion, and waiting on TIF until the city
has further information from Hennepin County.
Staff discussion included delaying the TIF option, issuing GO Revenue Bonds, and structuring the
Bonds around Hennepin County's contributions.
It was the consensus of the City Council to go forward with the Highway 7/Wooddale Project, to
continue to pursue financial assistance from Hennepin County, and the need to take a step back and
re-evaluate the situation before taking on projects of this nature.
3. Municipal Service Center Expansion / Renovation Project
Mr. Hoffman gave a brief history of the MSC project. He added the architect admitted that they
made a significant error in estimating construction costs in the categories of mechanical, electrical,
and site work. He stated there are four the options the City Council can consider. They are as
follows:
Study Session Minutes -2- June 8, 2009
Option 1 — Proceed with the project as designed with a revised budget of$9.5 million using the
funding scenario outlined (less any bid alternates chosen not to be used). He added this option
meets the long-term design objectives, corrects all the existing building and site deficiencies, and
provides capacity for now and the future.
Option 2 — Reject the current bids and redesign the MSC addition and remodeling project. He
added the costs could possibly be reduced and this option allows time to reconsider the approach to
meet facility needs. He added this would cause some delay to the fire station construction.
Option 3—Reject bids and stop current track of facility planning MSC and Fire Station projects and
reassess the course of action being taken. He added this option allows the opportunity to completely
rethink the approach being used to upgrade the facilities.
Option 4 — Reject bids, search for a temporary facility to relocate the Utilities Division staff and
equipment and Fire Staff and equipment during the fire station project and rethink/redesign MSC
project. He added this option allows the fire station project to proceed and time to reconsider the
approach to the MSC project.
Jeff Oertel, Oertel Architects, apologized for the miscalculation. He stated Staff has asked all the
right questions and have been great to work with. He stated the miscalculation was in the
mechanical, electrical, and site work. He added if the intentions of the City Council were to
redesign the project, he would do so.
The City Council's discussion included questioning if this is the right location for this building,
establishing a checks and balance system for projects, and setting a limit for the cost of the building.
Mr. Harmening stated that construction may not start this fall but spring of 2010 if a redesign of the
MSC is needed. With a redesign, the city is building an adequate MSC that meets the needs today,
and may require additional work or expansion in the future.
It was the consensus of the City Council to ask Staff for a more extensive analysis of the project
before rejecting the bids.
4. Community Center / Civic Center
Ms. Walsh presented the staff report regarding the Community Center/Civic Center and requested
City Council direction as to the next steps. She asked if Council was interested in additional desired
community/recreational facilities and amenities such as turf on the St. Louis Park High School field
an outdoor refrigerated ice rink facility.
The City Council's discussion included their interest in adding these amenities, renting a bus to visit
other cities that have these amenities, developing a task force for the community center project, and
questioned whether this was the right time to undertake these projects.
Study Session Minutes -3- June 8, 2009
It was the consensus of the Council to request staff to continue moving forward with the exploration
and information gathering with this project regarding additional facilities/amenities; and to schedule
a tour of facilities in other cities.
5. Council Policy Question — Displays and Signage on City Property
Councilmember Omodt stated while campaigning he was asked the question regarding what flags
are flown at the fire station and who determines this. Recently, someone questioned why there was a
Benilde-St. Margaret license plate frame on a city vehicle. He discussed this with the City Manager
and felt a policy should be developed regarding these issues.
Mr. Harmening stated when he heard about the license plate frame on a fire truck he had it removed
along with a St. Louis Park Orioles license plate frame.
Discussion took place regarding the need for a policy or whether the City Manager should be
allowed to address this administratively.
At the end of the discussion, it was determined no formal council policy was needed.
6. Communications (verbal)
Mr. Harmening updated the City Council on:
• Future presentations by elected officials Hennepin County Attorney Freeman and Senator
Klobuchar.
• The 2008 Audit is complete and will be presented to the City Council on June 15.
• Community Open House on June 9, 2009.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
7. Energy & Efficiency Conservation Block Grants
8. Private Activity Revenue Bonds — Groves Academy
9. Project Update: Excelsior Boulevard Street Improye ent Project — Project No. 2004-0420
(Dakota Avenue So. to Louisiana Avenue So. 'f
10. 2008 Inspections Department Activities Report/ '
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jacobs, rayor