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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/09/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session /If St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Sue Sanger. Councilmembers absent: John Basill Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Russo). Guests: Susan Schneck, Friends of the Arts Board Representative 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— September 21, 2009 & September 29, 2009 Mr. Harmening presented the staff report regarding tentative agendas and proposed discussion items for September 21, 2009 and September 29, 2009. He suggested a short meeting be held prior to the next City Council meeting regarding changing the structure on penalties and fines for "snowbirds." He stated a change is possible, the Prosecuting Attorney will attend, and the process will be reviewed. He stated Council will be asked at what level the fine should be set He also reported the ground breaking for Highway 7 and Wooddale is scheduled for September 29, 2009. Mr. Harmening stated another agenda item to be discussed is a lodging tax and creating a CBV per Council's request. 2. Friends of the Arts Annual Report Ms. Schneck, Friends of the Arts Board Representative, reviewed the programs they have worked on over the past year and presented the annual report. She stated the organization has focused on three key programs over the past few years, those being scholarships, arts and culture, and community programs. Every quarter they accept applications for all types of music, dance, painting classes, etc., stating the real criteria of the organization comes down to the financial need. She reviewed upcoming 2010 programs, including Our Town: 2010 Voices and Verses, Poet Laureate for SLP, favorite poem project, site based poetry workshops, a community jam, Renga-creation and a youth performance tour. She stated the intention is to fund these programs entirely through grants. She noted Friends of the Arts is committed to bringing arts to St. Louis Park. Mayor Jacobs asked how fundraising has been going this year. Ms. Schneck replied contributions are down a little; however, people who contribute to the arts continue to do so. She explained campaigning would begin at the end of September, noting their database is being updated to work properly. Study Session Minutes -2- September 14, 2009 Councilmember Paprocki expressed his concern regarding a Poet Laureate due to the diverse community, stating a Poet Laureate could become a catalyst. He stated he is more in favor of the poetry project, collecting poetry from all types of people. Councilmember Finkelstein felt the organization was a great community asset. Councilmember Sanger asked for clarification on what is "Renga." Ms. Schneck explained Renga is a form of Japanese poetry that puts together random things. Councilmember Sanger asked what the ultimate goal of the Friends of Arts is. Ms. Schneck replied the mission states to remain independent as a community organization dedicated to supporting, enhancing and promoting the arts in St. Louis Park. She stated the Friends of Arts connects people, organizations and resources supporting the arts through scholarships and grants for participant activities. She added a goal on a programming level is to have community events open to people of all ages. Councilmember Sanger requested clarification, stating the Poet Laureate is not to be funded by the City. Ms. Schneck replied that was correct and asked if it was possible to have City approval in the press. The City Council discussed the wording, such as the City"endorsing" the Poet Laureate, yet making it clear that the City is not funding the program The City Council also discussed public art in the community having a function within the City. It was agreed to not determine what types of poetry would be presented yet having a balance, noting the idea is to encourage the arts. Mayor Jacobs stated he has faith in the organization to determine what types of art/poetry are to be included in their programs, noting that thought provoking art/poetry and encouraging the community is the purpose. Councilmember Carver stated a concern is the title "Poet Laureate." He reviewed the Wikipedia definition of Poet Laureate defined as "A poet officially appointed by a government entity". It was the consensus of the City Council to not use the word "endorse" and for the Friends of the Arts to create another title for the Poet Laureate. Ms. Schneck stated the organization appreciates the funding and support the City has shown to the arts. She recognized there are funding concerns, yet explained the City's funds enable the group to obtain more funding. Mayor Jacobs thanked the Friends of the Arts for their work. Study Session Minutes -3- September 14, 2009 3. Audit Services for 2009 Mr. Dejong presented the staff report regarding audit services for 2009. He asked for Council direction on two options: to direct staff to negotiate an extension of the current audit services contract with Abdo, Eick & Meyers, or direct staff to obtain proposals for audit services. He reviewed background information, explaining engagements are typically for three-year periods with three-year extensions. The contract had been approved in 2004. The City Council discussed the pros and cons of the length in time an auditor should work for a city, taking into consideration the time Abdo, Eick & Meyers has currently worked with St. Louis Park as well as the amount of work that would be involved to change auditors. It was also discussed how impressed the City has been with the auditor's work, yet the importance of changing auditors every five to seven years, which was noted as a standard. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to negotiate a one-year extension of the current audit services contract with Abdo, Eick &Meyers, with a staff update to Council in 2010. 4. 2010 Budget — Housing Rehabilitation Fund and Development Fund Budget Review; Franchise Fees, and Use of Budget Feedback Mr. Dejong presented the staff report and 2010 budget for the Housing Rehabilitation Fund, Development Fund, and Franchise Fees. Background information was reviewed as the Housing Rehabilitation Fund focus on single-family homes, residential projects including improvements, and enhancing homes. Economic Development covers larger corporate developments with retail and/or office components. He noted both are necessary funds with different missions, assisting many people in the community. Mr. Harmening reviewed the programs that come from the Housing Rehabilitation Fund: the Neighborhood Grant Program (approximately $35,000); the Arts and Culture Grant (approximately $20,000); the Friends of the Arts fund ($20,000); the Community Outreach Fund; a General Fund; and, a number of housing programs. Councilmember Sanger asked what is the Targeted Neighborhood Program? Ms. Schnitker explained that the Targeted Neighborhood Program is a number of comprehensive programs developed to help neighborhoods. She stated they are currently looking at programs available for neighborhoods that have a large number of residents with subprime mortgages who are at risk of going into foreclosure. Councilmember Omodt referred to the amount of funding that went into Louisiana Court and stressed that creative funding may need to be addressed. He also expressed that the City should not use housing funds for parking lots. Councilmember Sanger stated she would prefer to see a reduction from the Housing Rehabilitation Fund, not the Neighborhood Grant Program. Study Session Minutes -4- September 14, 2009 Mr. Harmening clarified that Council seems willing to consider reducing the arts focus in the grant itself by approximately$4,000 for now, an amount which could be adjusted later. Mr. Locke explained the Development Fund primarily pays for EDA activity, including staff time, and is a limited annual fund for major redevelopments and special capital projects. Mr. Dejong reviewed the staff report and provided background information on franchise fees. He explained the City has some ability to increase the franchise fees both automatically with Xcel and CenterPoint, noting the City is currently under the average fee for communities with existing franchise fees. The City Council discussed raising the franchise fees to the average cost, whether to raise the fee once in a larger amount, or to increase the fee yearly at a smaller amount, being sensitive to the residents. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to approach the utility companies, pursue a fair and reasonable adjustment to the franchise fees, and bring back a report for Council review. Mr. Zwilling presented an update on budget feedback. He stated the feedback tool is currently promoted on the City's cable TV channels, the website, and through cards distributed by staff. He noted that to date, more than 60 responses have been received. He requested City Council direction on how to proceed with the information gathered. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare a Budget Feedback Summary Report for the Council's review and discussion. 5. Policy Discussion Relative to EDA Redevelopment Contract Extensions Mr. Locke presented the staff report and asked Council to discuss the need to further formalize a policy or remedies related to required project commencement and completion dates within the EDA's redevelopment contracts. Councilmember Carver indicated he is not in favor of a formal written policy as often times conditions are not within one's control. Councilmember Sanger expressed her belief in the need for the City to have a written policy projecting development timelines and developer explanations before the City grants extension requests. Councilmember Finkelstein supported having developers come back before the City Council to present an update on unfinished developments and requested that City Council start receiving a written "City Update Report" from Community Development on a quarterly or bi-annual basis. Study Session Minutes -5- September 14, 2009 Councilmember Paprocki was concerned about not seeing an end to some developments and that answers from developers was not forthcoming. Mr. Locke stated most developers would be eager to come before the City Council with updates on their projects. Difficult situations were also mentioned such as financial requirements being changed or substantially higher for developers before the buildings are constructed and leasing requirements of small businesses that prefer to see the building prior to leasing. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare a regular update on unfinished developments for Council's review. 6. Update on Proposed Sunset Ridge Condominium Housing Improvement Area (HIA) Mr. Locke presented an update on the proposed Sunset Ridge Condominium Housing Improvement Area (HIA). The City Council discussed financing the development with clarification on how a bond would be addressed if a property is bought and sold prior to the bond being paid. It was the consensus of the City Council to move forward on the Sunset Ridge Condominium Housing Improvement Area. 7. Communications (verbal) Mr. Harmening reported budget articles would be published in the newspaper this week. He advised that the school board is requesting a discussion prior to the October 19, 2009 City Council meeting on the Facilities Study and use of extra space available at the school. He explained the school board is looking for feedback and an open dialogue with the City Council on what the usage of the facility could be prior to the school board addressing the community. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 8. Wind Energy Regulations 9. Urban Reforestation Program Policy 10. Recycling Program Update 11. Green Shade Initiative sa NancyStroth, Ci tyClerk Jeff JacI or