HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/05/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular irif St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
MAY 17, 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), Community
Development Director (Mr. Locke), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), Economic Development
Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Assistant Zoning
Administrator (Mr. Morrison), Assistant Planner (Mr. Fulton), and Recording Secretary (Ms.
Wirth).
1 a. Pledge of Allegiance
lb. Roll Call
2. Presentations
2a. 2010 National Public Works Week Proclamation
Mayor Jacobs read a proclamation declaring May 16 — 22, 2010, as "National Public Works
Week." Mayor Jacobs expressed the City's appreciation for the Public Works Department.
Mr. Rardin thanked Council and the citizens for their continued support of the Public
Works Department. He stated National Public Works Week is a highlight for staff. Posters
will be displayed and a video highlighting the activities of Public Works will be aired over
cable and posted to the City's website.
2b. Acceptance of Monetary Donation in Memory of Jean Doering
Mayor Jacobs referenced an e-mail describing Jean Doering's support of Westwood Nature
Center's work with Red Tail Hawk, the Raptor Center, and that her 80`h birthday party was
held at Westwood. In addition, Jean was an involved grandmother, attending
grandchildren's events. Mayor Jacobs noted the attendance of the family of Jean Doering
and acknowledged the generous donation being made in her memory.
Zack Doering, son to Jean Doering, stated the family is pleased to find an opportunity to
support the Raptor Education Program at Westwood Nature Center. He noted his mother
had looked back at the occasion of her 80`h birthday party, which was also attended by
several wild turkeys, as a highlight of the last year of her life.
City Council Meeting -2- May 17, 2010
Mark Oestreich, Manager of the Westwood Hills Nature Center, expressed their
appreciation for the Doering's generosity.
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. City Council Minutes of May 3, 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. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Tower Site Lease Agreement No. 68-99 with Global
Signal for space west of the groundwater treatment facility at 7120 W. Lake Street.
4b. Adopt Resolution No. 10-050 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of the
sewer service line at 1644 Blackstone Avenue - P.I.D. 04-117-21-33-0076.
4c. Adopt Resolution No. 10-051 approving acceptance of monetary donations from the
Family and Friends of Jean Doering in the amount of $1,395 for Westwood Hills
Nature Center's Raptor Program.
4d. Approve bid tabulation designating Jorgenson Construction, Inc. the lowest responsible
bidder and authorize execution of contract with the firm in the amount of$14.65 per
ton for Municipal Service Center (MSC) Soil Removal and Disposal Project 2008-
1900.
4e. Adopt Resolution No. 0-052 granting approval for a Conditional Use Permit for
Excavation at 2701 Zarthan Ave S.
4f. Approve bid tabulation designating Valley Paving, Inc. the lowest responsible bidder
and authorize execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of$137,890.60 for
the 2010 MSA Street Improvement Project No. 2009-1101.
4g. Approve Resolution No. 10-053 authorizing Park Tavern Lounge & Lanes to provide
alcohol during the hours 5:30 p m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Parktacular Block Party to be
held on June 19, 2010.
4h. Adopt Resolution No. 10-054 approving the Amended and Restated Contract for
Private Redevelopment By & between SLP EDA, City of St. Louis Park, and Duke
Realty Limited Partnership related to The West End project
4i. Approve for Filing Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes March 17,
2010.
4j. Approve for Filing Police Advisory Commission Minutes March 3, 2010.
4k. Approval of Filing of Vendor Claims.
41. Approve for Filing Housing Authority Minutes April 14, 2010.
Mr. Harmening advised of the request from Jason Londer, applicant, to remove Agenda Item
6a and reschedule consideration to the June 7, 2010, meeting of the Council.
City Council Meeting -3- May 17, 2010
It was moved by Councilmember Maviry, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to
approve the Agenda as amended to remove and postpone Item 6a,public hearing to consider
appeal of BOZA decision of 3541 Glenhurst Avenue S. Variances, and to approve 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
6a. Public Hearing to consider appeal of BOZA decision of 3541 Glenhurst
Avenue S. Variances
This item was removed from the agenda and tabled to the June 7, 2010 regular City Council
meeting.
7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None
8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items
8a. Beth El Synagogue Conditional Use Permit for Renovations and Addition
Resolution No. 10-055
Mr. Fulton presented the staff report regarding the request of Beth El Synagogue for a
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for renovations and an addition. He displayed
slides depicting the site plan and identified the area where entrances would be consolidated,
green spaces added, library and education center expanded, and interior renovations. He
drew attention to the additional turnaround, driveway entrance, and modification to the
drive circle to create better function. The south exterior elevation was displayed and Mr.
Fulton described the different design approach being used from the current brick structure,
noting it exceeds the architectural standards found in the Zoning Ordinance. Landscaping
will be in greater compliance with the Zoning Ordinance by the addition of trees and shrubs
and maintaining the large significant trees off 26th Street. Mr. Fulton pointed out the
student loading zones on the east side that would be added to enhance safety and where
handicapped spaces would be moved from one location to another part of the parking lot. It
was explained that the 26th Street drop off and loading zone, which will impact on-street
parking on 26th Street, will be addressed as a separate issue.
Mr. Fulton noted that Beth El is required to have 214 off-street parking spaces based on
current sanctuary seating. At present, there are 312 available off-street parking spaces on the
site Under this proposal, 9 spaces would be removed leaving a total available parking to 303
spaces, which exceeds the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance by 89 spaces. He
explained that Beth El has a shared parking arrangement with Benilde-St. Margaret's School
(BSM), located immediately to the north. BMS uses 150 to 200 spaces at Beth El on a
regular weekday and in return, Beth El uses the BSM parking lots during the Jewish high
holidays and major events. This occurs three to four times per year.
City Council Meeting -4- May 17, 2010
Mr. Fulton presented a map identifying areas of additional stormwater management and
explained that drainage from the Beth El site will be diverted to the north so it does not
enter the 26th Street stormwater system, which is currently operating close to capacity during
major rainfall events. He advised that staff and the Planning Commission recommend
approval of the CUP subject to the conditions detailed in the resolution.
Gary Krupp, Beth El president, thanked the staff, Council, and Planning Commission for
their consideration and working with their design team. He stated that as a resident of St.
Louis Park, he applauded the City for its work the past few years to promote progressive
urban development. Mr. Krupp explained that Beth El serves dust over 1,200 members and
over 3,000 individuals, one in three being a resident. He stated Beth El has been known to
many as the synagogue with a "ski jump," becoming an architectural icon, and they intend
to enhance that landmark with this project. Mr. Krupp reviewed the variety of well-attended
events hosted at Beth El that were believed to also be of benefit to the City. He stated that
Beth El has a close relationship with BSM for parking and takes pride in being part of the
broader St. Louis Park community by contributing generously to the food bank and
outreach through their youth programs. Mr. Krupp introduced the Beth El design team.
Councilmember Finkelstein disclosed that he and his wife have been active members of Beth
El Synagogue for the past 20 years and, in honor of that, will abstain from the vote on this
matter.
Councilmember Sanger indicated she understands the need for a significant remodel after
touring Beth El and seeing the dysfunctional basement rooms. She thanked Beth El for the
tour and improvement being made to stormwater management. Councilmember Sanger
asked why the project is not required to comply with landscaping requirements.
Mr. Fulton explained this is a large parking lot that is in good condition and the work is only
to the very western side. However, when the parking lot is reconstructed in the future, it
would be required to install curb and to bring it into full compliance with the landscaping
requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. At that time, the stormwater requirements would
also be readdressed. Mr. Fulton stated this issue is similar to that of the steeple, which is out
of compliance for height with the Zoning Ordinance but grandfathered because it is existing.
The parking lot is also grandfathered.
Councilmember Sanger commended Beth El and BSM for working together on parking.
She stated she struggled with the removal of nine parking spaces; however, since the overflow
parking into neighborhoods during high holidays is so widespread, the loss of the nine spaces
is probably not significant. In addition, this only occurs several times a year.
Councilmember Sanger asked that the "No Parking" signs to be placed on 26th Street for the
preschool indicate parking is banned only when the preschool is in operation
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt
Resolution No. 10-055 granting Conditional Use Permit under Section 36-163(d)(7) of
the Sr. Louis Park ordinance code relating to zoning to permit renovations and addition for
property zoned R-1 single family residential district located at 5224 West 20 Street.
City Council Meeting -5- May 17, 2010
The motion passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Finkelstein abstained from the vote).
9. Communications
Mayor Jacobs reminded everyone of the upcoming Memorial Day event at Wolf Park,
starting 11 a.m. He extended the City's appreciation to Sebastian Ice Cream for donating
ice cream, cones, and volunteers during the recent Ice Cream Social. Mayor Jacobs also
thanked City Staff for its fantastic job to organize this event.
Councilmember Finkelstein reported that STEP moved this weekend to a new location on
Lake Street across from the high school football field. He noted STEP serves 700 families in
need each month.
Councilmember Finkelstein presented the 2010 Parktacular Block Party button. He advised
of locations where it can be purchased and savings offered to button holders by local
businesses.
10. Adjournment
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The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m l .t "
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jacobs,,Mayor ;
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