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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/05/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular titSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA MAY 3, 2010 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, Julia Ross, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent: Phil Finkelstein. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Fire Chief(Mr. Stemmer), Planner (Mr. Fulton), Senior Planner (Mr Walther), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). 1 a. Pledge of Allegiance lb. Roll Call 2. Presentations - None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. Study Session Minutes of April 12, 2010 Councilmember Sanger requested that the first sentence of the last paragraph on page 3 be amended to state "Councilmember Sanger stated that for larger contracts, the City could encourage general contractors to use subcontractors that are minority-owned or women- owned." The minutes were approved as amended. 3b. Joint City/School Board Meeting Minutes of April 19, 2010 The minutes were approved as presented. 3c. City Council Minutes of April 19, 2010 Councilmember Sanger requested that the second sentence of the last paragraph on page 5 be amended to state "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." The minutes were approved as amended. City Council Meeting -2- May 3, 2010 3d. Study Session Minutes of April 26, 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 second reading of Ordinance No. 2383-10 amending the Zoning Ordinance relating to Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) and approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4b. Approve second reading of Ordinance No. 2384-10 amending the Zoning Ordinance relating to electronic signs, bufferyards and outdoor dining areas and approve the summary ordinance for publication. 4c. Approve an extension until May 31, 2011 for Duke Realty to file the final plat and final planned unit development (PUD) applications for The Towers at West End 4d. Approve Resolution No. 10-045 amending Resolution No. 09-129 approving a Housing Improvement Fee for the Sunset Ridge Condominium Association HIA. 4e. Approval of Filing of Vendor Claims. 4f. Approval for Filing Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes February 25, 2010. 4g. Approval for Filing Charter Commission Minutes March 10, 2010. 4h. Approval for Filing Planning Commission Study Session Minutes April 7, 2010. 4i. Approval for Filing Planning Commission Minutes April 7, 2010. It was moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve the Agenda as presented and items hsted on the Consent Calendar; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances. The motion passed 6-0. 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. Galaxy Drive-In — Conditional Use Permit and Preliminary/Final Plat with a Subdivision Variance Resolutions No. 10-046, 10-047, 10-048, and 10-049 City Council Meeting -3- May 3, 2010 Mr. Fulton presented the staff report and explained the public process that has taken place to date, including neighborhood meetings held in January. He indicated that the Planning Commission reviewed this application on April 7th and recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit and Preliminary/Final Plat, and recommended denial of the Subdivision Variance for the sidewalk as well as the variance to the front yard setback for the parking lot. He noted that since the time of the Planning Commission's review, the applicant has withdrawn its request for the setback variance. He stated that the parking expansion will allow for the construction of 21 off-street parking spaces, which will reduce parking on Rhode Island and Quebec Avenues. He indicated that there was significant discussion regarding available parking on the site and staff proposes a 30' parking restriction at all frontage road intersections. He also discussed the Subdivision Variance for the sidewalk along the frontage road and Rhode Island Avenue, and noted that there is an existing sidewalk on Quebec Avenue. He stated that a sidewalk along the frontage road or Rhode Island Avenue is not currently contemplated in the Comprehensive Plan, and requiring a sidewalk would add a segment of disconnected sidewalk to the City's sidewalk network. Councilmember Sanger stated that the Planning Commission minutes make reference to the traffic problems on the frontage road and noted that there was a request made by the residents to ban parking on the frontage road on the entire block. She asked how that would impact the number of seats permitted for the restaurant if that parking ban were put in place. Mr. Fulton replied that there are eight on-street spaces counted for the frontage road. Councilmember Sanger stated that she felt the Council ought to first address whether any parking should be permitted along the frontage road. Councilmember Santa agreed and stated that parking along the frontage road creates a hazard, especially at the top of the crest when driving from the west She indicated she would be in favor of having no parking along the entire stretch of roadway. Councilmember Omodt stated that at this point, it is unclear how well the parking lot will function as it relates to traffic. He felt that people would be more apt to park in the lot than on the frontage road. Councilmember Santa stated that she was not in favor of requiring a sidewalk where there are no current plans to connect it in some way. Councilmember Omodt concurred and added that the goal of the parking lot is to draw people closer to the restaurant setting. Councilmember Sanger stated that she felt the sidewalk would be a link to Quebec Avenue and that as a matter of policy, the City has encouraged more sidewalks as a means of getting people to walk to their destinations. She added the sidewalk might also help to address the parking and traffic issues in the area. She stated it does not make sense to her to waive this City Council Meeting -4- May 3, 2010 requirement in this location because there could be residents walking to this destination, and she did not feel that the applicant has satisfied the legal requirements for a variance. Councilmember Santa stated that if parking is going to be allowed along any portion of the roadway, that the City replaces the current signage because it is faded and illegible. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Counci/member Omodt, to adopt Resolution No. 10-046 granting approval for a Conditional Use Permit for a Drive-In Restaurant located at 3712 Quebec Avenue South and 3715 Rhode Island Avenue South. The motion passed 6-0. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt Resolution No. 10-048 approving Variance from Subdivision Ordinance for sidewalk to the Plat of Galaxy Drive Inn Addition. Further Discussion: Mr. Harmening pointed out that the resolution to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat contains a provision to grant a variance for the sidewalk and the Council can approve the Subdivision Variance as part of its approval of the plat. Councilmember Santa stated that separating the motions would make it easier for everyone to make their positions known. The motion passed 4-2(Councilmembers Sanger and Mavity opposed). It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt Resolution No. 10-049 Authorizing Parking Restriction on Rhode Island Avenue South, Quebec Avenue South, and the south frontage road of State Highway Number 7. Further Discussion: Councilmember Omodt stated that he will be voting against this resolution because the Council appears to be relying on anecdotal information and not on traffic counts or parking studies in support of its position. He indicated he felt the City should study the area as either a no parking zone or wait to have the parking lot built and see what happens with traffic volumes. The motion passed 4-2 (Councilmembers Omodt and Mavity opposed). It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt Resolution No. 10-047 granting approval of the Preliminary and Final P/at of Galaxy Drive Inn Addition. The motion passed 6-0. City Council Meeting -5- May 3, 2010 8b. Architectural and Engineering Contract for Fire Stations Project Mr. Walther presented the staff report and advised that a selection subcommittee reviewed the RFP responses along with Kraus-Anderson; the subcommittee recommends KKE Architects as well as their subcontractors, Bonestroo and SRF Consulting Group for architectural and engineering services on the project. He indicated that KKE's proposed fee for services is a fixed fee of $498,750 plus $24,000 in reimbursable expenses, which represents approximately 4.98% of the estimated $10.5 million construction cost and is below the City's budget estimate. Mohammed Lawal stated he is a principal of KKE Architects and KKE has 100 employees in six offices nationally, with its primary office in Minneapolis. He stated that he leads KKE's public sector and municipal projects work, and KKE has done 30 municipal public safety projects in Minnesota and nationally, 15 of which were fire stations. He indicated that sustainability represents a significant part of their work, and KKE is proud to have completed Minnesota's first public LEED Gold certified building in Elk River. He added that KKE is committed to engaging the public in all community projects in which it is involved. He then introduced Michael Clark, Senior Associate, and stated that Mr. Clark will lead the KKE team in working with the City on this project. He also introduced Matthew Streed, project architect. He added that Jennifer Tuttle, Senior Associate, will also be working with the KKE team and has extensive experience in sustainable design concepts. Mr. Clark expressed his thanks to the City Council for the opportunity to work with the City on this project. He stated that KKE is committed to a very inclusive process with a lot of interaction with City staff and residents. Councilmember Omodt congratulated KKE on its selection. He stated that there will be a lot of people watching this project as it moves forward, particularly with respect to costs. It was moved by Councilmember Ross, seconded by Councdmember Mavity, to approve an Agreement with KKE Architects, Inc. for architectural and engineering services related to the proposed replacement of Fire Stations No. 1 and No. 2. The motion passed 6-0. 9. Communications Mayor Jacobs reminded residents of the ice cream social on May 16`' from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Mayor Jacobs expressed his thanks to City staff and the developers and contractors for the successful home remodeling tour held over the weekend. He also expressed the City's thanks to the six homeowners who allowed people to tour their homes. Mayor Jacobs stated that Councilmember Finkelstein is in Chicago for his daughter's wedding this evening and he expressed the City Council's congratulations and best wishes to the family. City Council Meeting -6- May 3, 2010 Councilmember Omodt complimented the police and fire departments, as well as all City staff involved in the Operation Mayday emergency exercise held on April 24th. Mayor Jacobs stated that STEP will be holding an open house on Tuesday, May 11th, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at their new location, 6812 Lake Street. He expressed the City Council's thanks to Dick Parsons, Frank Rademacher and John Steffenhagen, along with the STEP Board members, for their dedicated efforts in the purchase of this building. 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. f Nancy Stroth, tity Clerk Jeff J./ M, or