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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/04/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular jiffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA APRIL 19, 2010 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent: None. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Police Chief(Mr. Luse), City Clerk (Ms. Stroth), Controller (Mr. Swanson), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Assistant Zoning Administrator (Mr. Morrison), Inspections Director (Mr. Hoffman), Public Works Director (Mr Rardin), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). Guests: Mark Ruff, Ehlers &Associates. la. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations 2a. Caring Youth Day Proclamation Mayor Jacobs recited the Caring Youth Day Proclamation and stated this is the 215` year that this celebration has been held to recognize the youth in the community for their caring spirit and concern for others. He stated these young people will be recognized at an event on April 27, 2010. He then presented the Proclamation to Ryan Muralt, Caring Youth honoree representing Westwood Lutheran Church Ryan Muralt expressed his thanks to the City Council for the award. 2b. Recognition of Board and Commission Members Mayor Jacobs read the proclamation honoring the City's Board and Commission Volunteers and in observance of National Volunteer Week, and presented Certificates of Appreciation to ten past board and commission members. He expressed the City Council's deep appreciation to all the volunteers for their service to the community 3. Approval of Minutes City Council Meeting -2- April 19, 2010 3a. Special Study Session Minutes of April 5, 2010 Councilmember Finkelstein requested that the third full paragraph on page 4 be amended to reflect that all of the councilmembers were in favor of this option The minutes were approved as amended. 3b. City Council Minutes of April 5, 2010 The minutes were approved as presented. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTE: The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which need no discussion. Consent items are acted upon by one motion. If discussion is desired by either a Councilmember or a member of the audience, that item may be moved to an appropriate section of the regular agenda for discussion. 4a. To Enter into a delegation agreement with MDH for continuing to provide Environmental Health Services. 4b. Approve Designate Valley Paving Inc. the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of contract with the firm in the amount of$1,005,620.31 for the 2010 Local Street Rehabilitation Project—Area 6, Project No. 2009-1000. 4c. Approve an amendment to the City's Urban Reforestation Policy to incorporate the treatment of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) as an allowable use of the Land Sale Proceeds. 4d. Adopt Resolution No. 10-038 approving relocation of polling place for Precinct 17 located in Ward 4 from Eliot Community Center to Peace Presbyterian Church, 7624 Cedar Lake Road. 4e. Approve the 2010 Neighborhood Grants. 4f. Adopt Resolution No. 10-039 ordering the abatement of the hazardous building located at 3317 Texas Avenue South. 4g. Approve Change Order #4 to Contract 79-09 MSC Renovation Project No. 2008- 1900. 4h. Adopt Resolution No. 10-040 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the sewer service line at 3129 Jersey Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN - P.I.D. 17- 117-21-12-0176. 4i. Adopt Resolution No. 10-041 of the City Council of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, recognizing the contributions of and expressing appreciation to David Klumpner. 4j. Approve for filing Planning Commission Minutes of March 17, 2010. 4k. Approve for filing Planning Commission Study Session Minutes March 17, 2010. 41. Approve for filing Parks and Recreation Advisory Minutes of January 20, 2010. 4m. Approve for filing Vendor Claims. 4n. Approve for filing Housing Authority Minutes of March 10, 2010. City Council Meeting -3- April 19, 2010 It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to approve the Agenda as presented and items listed on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions - None 6. Public Hearings - None 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items 8a. Award Bids for the 2010A and 2010B Bonds Resolutions No. 10-042 and 10-043 Mr. Swanson presented the staff report and reported that the bond issues were sold at 11:00 a.m. this morning. Mr. Ruff presented the Standard & Poor's report on the City's bond rating and discussed the City's AAA rating and the rating agency's report indicating St. Louis Park's per capita income is 119% of state averages and 128% of national averages; the report also referenced the City's mix of commercial and residential development as well as the City's continual development and redevelopment of properties which has led to good market growth. Mr. Ruff presented the sale report for the 2010A bond issue. He stated that the City received six bids which can be attributed to the City's AAA bond rating and bids were in the range of 5.0819% to 5.334%, and interest savings amount to approximately $94,000. He indicated that the size of the bond issue was reduced to $3.105 million because the fees were less than anticipated He explained that the overall true interest cost is down approximately 75 basis points, with overall debt service about $250,000 less than anticipated. He stated that the winning bid was Baird of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the closing is scheduled for May 7th. Mr. Ruff then presented the sale report for the 2010B bond issue. He stated that these bonds are tax exempt bonds with a shorter term and much lower interest rate; this bond issue attracted eight bids and the winning bid was Wells Fargo of Charlotte, North Carolina He stated this bond issue will have a true interest rate of 2.6245%, or approximately 20 basis points lower than anticipated, and the size of the bond issue has been reduced to $5,935,000, with a closing date of May7`h. Councilmember Finkelstein stated these two bond issues represent good fiscal management on the part of the City and the AAA rating allows the City to save money. City Council Meeting -4- April 19, 2010 It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt Resolution No. 10-042 awarding the sale of$3,105,000 Taxable General Obligation Housing Improvement Area Bonds, Series 2010A, fixing their form and specifications, directing their execution and delivery, and providing for their payment; and to adopt Resolution No. 10-043 awarding the sale of$5,935,000 General Obhgation Bonds, Series 2010E fixing their form and specifications, directing their execution and delivery, and providing for their payment The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Preliminary and Final Plat of"Dental Office Division" Resolution No. 10-044 Mr. Morrison presented the staff report and stated the applicant is proposing to acquire some land from the Canadian Pacific Railroad because his parking lot is located on the railroad parcel. He stated that Canadian Pacific has a policy of owning 50' of land measured from the centerline of their tracks, resulting in 13' of excess land that can be sold. He indicated this request is for a combined preliminary and final plat to shift 1,600 square feet of land from the railroad parcel and combine it with the parcel owned by the applicant. Councilmember Sanger requested clarification regarding the minimum required parking for this office use and the applicant's conformance with the parking requirements under the zoning ordinance. Mr. Morrison explained that the applicant has parking available for the use of the property, but the parking is not on the property. He added if the applicant gets the land transfer and a parking agreement with the railroad, they will have access to that parking and the Office use can continue to operate. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt Resolution No. 10-044 approving the preliminary and final plat of the plat named "Dental Office Addition." The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Finkelstein abstained) 8c. First Reading of Zoning Ordinance Amendments relating to Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. He indicated that significant research was conducted and a planning firm was hired to provide a framework for WECS regulations. He introduced Brian Ross, principal of CR Planning, Inc. He presented the WECS draft ordinance and stated that WECS would be allowed in commercial, office, and industrial districts only. He stated the ordinance also includes specific performance standards, including maximum height, number of WECS per lot, and minimum lot size He added that the ordinance will likely be amended from time to time as technology improves and wind energy becomes more feasible. City Council Meeting -5- April 19, 2010 It was moved by Councilmember Omodt, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt first reading of an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Wind Energy Conversion Systems(WECS), and set the second reading for May 3, 2010. The motion passed 7-0. 8d. First Reading of Zoning Ordinance Amendments relating to electronic signs and minor changes regarding bufferyards and outdoor dining areas Mr. Morrison presented the staff report. He stated the ordinance amendments include updated definitions for electronic signs, language has been added prohibiting special effects such as scrolling, and the brightness standards have been updated pursuant to industry standards of 5,000 nits during the day and 500 nits at night. He explained that signs installed after the adoption of the ordinance cannot exceed 3 above ambient light levels, and this method is the preferred method of measuring brightness for new signs because it incorporates new technology that automatically adjusts the brightness level throughout the day and night. He stated that the ordinance also includes special provisions for electronic signs that establish a maximum sign face of 20' in residential districts and 40' in all other zoning districts and no more than one electronic sign face shall be visible from the same side. He added the ordinance requires a message to be displayed for at least three seconds and messages must change instantaneously with no special effects. Mr. Morrison presented the proposed amendments related to bufferyards and indicated that the amendments are intended as housekeeping changes. He stated the amendment proposes to prohibit outdoor seating when adjacent to a building with a residential dwelling on the main floor. Councilmember Ross stated that the proposed revisions to the electronic sign ordinance do not address the number of signs allowable within a particular radius. Mr. Morrison stated that the ordinance contains no limitations as to the amount of electronic signs other than the amount of total signage allowed for the property. Councilmember Sanger expressed concern that the three second message is too short, despite the fact that this appears to be the industry standard. She stated she felt these signs are distracting to drivers and she is much more interested in promoting the safety of drivers than in regulating how quickly electronic signs can change messages. She stated she cannot support the three second requirement and felt the issue needs additional research and discussion. She pointed out that several of the Planning Commissioners expressed that same reservation. "She stated she felt these signs are distracting to drivers and she is much more interested in promoting the safety of drivers than in supporting the industry's interests in how quickly electronic signs can change messages ". She proposed to send the ordinance back to staff for further refinement and suggested that the Council not take action on this tonight. City Council Meeting -6- April 19, 2010 Councilmember Santa asked how the standards in the ordinance will be enforced based on existing sign owners and new sign owners. She expressed concern about consistent enforcement of the ordinance. Mr. Morrison stated that staff introduced the proposed standards to all business owners in the City and all but one property owner was willing to comply with the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Finkelstein pointed out that the City Council has had two separate discussions regarding this ordinance and the proposed amendments were passed by the Planning Commission on 6-1 vote. Councilmember Omodt requested that the record reflect that his company has done work with electronic sign companies in the past. It was moved by Councilmember Finkelstein, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt first reading of an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to electronic signs, bufferyards and outdoor dining areas and set the second reading for May 3, 2010. The motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Sanger opposed). 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs reminded residents of the Lenox spaghetti dinner on April 23`d at 4:30 p.m. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. u Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jacob.; Mayor