HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/08/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Jjf St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
AUGUST 16, 2010
1 Call to Order
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7 30 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 (Ms McDowell Poehler),
Community Development Director (Mr Locke), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms McMonigal),
Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), Directors of Parks and Recreation (Ms Walsh), Office Assistant (Ms
Luedke), and Recording Secretary (Ms Hughes)
1 a Pledge of Allegiance
1 b. Roll Call
2 Presentations
2a St Louis Park High School Day One Event
Mayor Jacobs introduced Gina Poretti and Nina Jonson, Co-Advisors of the Day One
student committee at St Louis Park High School and the students involved in this year's
Day One committee introduced themselves. Ms. Jonson stated that the students selected a
theme of "Change" this year because there are a lot of changes taking place in the School
District as well as in the make-up of the Day One committee She added the committee is
always looking for volunteers to help on the first day of school on Wednesday, September 1",
at 7.45 a.m and questions may be directed to their email address dayone slpPgmail corn
Ms Poretti expressed the Day One committee's thanks to the City Council for its support
and invited all councilmembers to participate on September 1"
Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to the students for their work on the Day
One committee
2b. Beehive Relocation Project Award
Mayor Jacobs explained that the City has been selected to receive an award for its
redevelopment of Lilac Park and introduced Donna Tilsner, from the Minnesota Recreation
and Parks Association.
City Council Meeting -2- August 16, 2010
Ms Tilsner stated that the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association was formed in 1937
to foster growth and development of parks and recreation throughout the State and to
increase awareness of the excellent parks, trails, and recreation programs that are available
She stated that the structures in Lilac Park were originally built in 1939 as part of the New
Deal Federal Relief Labor Program and the National Park Service is aware of only two
beehives in existence today, one in Robbinsdale and the other in St. Louis Park. She stated
the awards committee commends the City for its efforts in preserving this wonderful piece of
history. She then presented Ms. Walsh with the Award of Excellence and stated that St
Louis Park is known for providing excellent service and programs to its residents She also
acknowledged the efforts of City staff, including Ms Walsh, Mr Birno, and Mr Beane
Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks for the Award of Excellence and
acknowledged the St Louis Park Historical Society for its effoits in preserving this great
community asset
3. Approval of Minutes
3a Study Session Minutes of July 26, 2010
The minutes were approved as presented.
3b City Council Minutes of August 2, 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 a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license for St Louis Park Public
Schools Foundation, for an event to be held on October 23, 2010 at Perspectives
4b Approve 2"`{ Reading of Ordinance No 2389-10 regarding Zoning text
amendments for Multiple-family Residential in the Office Zoning District, and
approve the summary ordinance for publication
4c Designate Visu-Sewer Clean & Seal, Inc the lowest responsible bidder and authorize
execution of a contract with the firm in the amount of $153,581 50 for the 2010
Sanitary Sewer Mainline Rehabilitation Project - Project No 2010-2200
4d Designate PCiRoads the lowest responsible bidder and authorize execution of a
contract with the firm in the amount of $183,840.10 for the 2010 MSA Street
Improvement Project— Project No. 2008-1100
City Council Meeting -3- August 16, 2010
4e. Adopt Resolution No. 10-080 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of
the water service line at 3235 Webster Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN - P I D
16-117-21-24-0019.
4f. Adopt Resolution No. 10-081 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of
the sewer service line at 4125 Utica Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN - P.I.D. 07-
028-24-32-0052.
4g. Adopt Resolution No. 10-082 authorizing the special assessment for the repair of
the sewer service line at 3905 Zarthan Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN - P I.D.
21-117-21-21-0031.
4h. Appoint City Council Member Mavity to Hennepin County's Southwest LRT
Community Works Steering Committee with Council Member Finkelstein as the
Alternate Member.
4i. Approve of Filing Housing Authority Minutes of July 14, 2010 for filing.
4j. Approve Vendor Claims for filing.
Mr. Harmening advised that the applicant in item 8b has requested in writing that the
Council postpone action on its request for a Conditional Use Permit until September 7`h.
Councilmember Mavity requested that item 8b (Dairy Queen — Conditional Use Permit for
In-Vehicle Service) be removed from the regular agenda
It was moved by CouncilmemberMavity, seconded by Councilmember Ross, to approve the
Agenda as amended to remove item 8b 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
6a. Public Hearing— Rojo Mexican Grill Liquor License On-Sale Intoxicating
Ms. Luedke presented the staff report and advised that this is the applicant's second
restaurant within the Shops at West End. She stated that the premises will be located at
1602 West End Boulevard and will consist of 6,000 square feet with inside seating for 220
and 50 outdoor patio seats.
Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. No speakers present Mayor Jacobs closed the
public hearing.
It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to approve
application from Rojo West End, LLC, dba Rojo Mexican Grill for an on-sale intoxicating
and Sunday liquor license to be located at 1602 West End Blvd. with the license term
through March 1, 2011.
The motion passed 7-0.
City Council Meeting -4- August 16, 2010
7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public — None
8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions and Discussion Items
8a. Resolutions for Ellipse on Excelsior PUD Major Amendment - 3900 Excelsior
Blvd. Resolution No. 10-083
Mr. Walther presented the staff report and noted that this item was tabled by the City
Council at its July 19th meeting in order to address several concerns raised by the Council.
He stated that since that time, staff has worked with the developer and reached agreement to
utilize the former American Inn site for overflow parking for up to three years. He pointed
out that if the agreement is acceptable to Council, the formal agreement will be brought to
the EDA for approval on September 7th He stated that staff has also worked with the
residents in the Minikanda Oaks neighborhood to address the parking concerns and institute
parking restrictions and a permit parking program for residents. He indicated that in
addition to the permit parking program, staff has worked with the developer to strengthen
the parking management plan to ensure that the restaurant utilizes the 19 underground
parking spaces during peak parking hours; in addition, the valet parking will be required to
use the underground parking stalls and will not be allowed to park in the neighborhood.
Brian Johnson, 3345 Glenhurst Avenue, expressed his thanks on behalf of the Minikanda
Oaks neighborhood to the City Council, City staff, and the developer for meeting with the
residents so quickly and working to resolve the concerns brought forward at the last Council
meeting. He stated that there are some additional packing concerns and the neighborhood
would like to propose a separate meeting with staff at some point, without hindering the
approval of the PUD major amendment being considered this evening. He also requested
that the City consider further parking restrictions if problems arise in the future.
Mayor Jacobs thanked the developer and the neighborhood for working together
cooperatively to resolve the neighborhood concerns He stated the City Council wants this
project to be a success without hindering the neighborhood in any way.
Frank Steck, 4121 Randall Avenue, appeared before the City Council and requested
clarification regarding the reduction in cumulative parking Fie asked if the requested
reduction of 33 parking stalls or 10.5% is the same figure that was proposed by the applicant
on July 19`h. He stated that his biggest concern is keeping cars out of the neighborhood He
also suggested that staff consider extending the no parking zone on the west side of France
Avenue all the way up to 34th Street.
Mr. Walther stated that there has been no change in the amount of parking stall reduction
Mayor Jacobs stated that staff will continue to monitor the parking restrictions.
Councilmember Mavity expressed thanks to the neighborhood, the developer, and City staff
for their professionalism and thoughtfulness in working expeditiously to resolve the
neighborhood's concerns She stated that the Council remains committed to making sure
City Council Meeting -5- August 16, 2010
the neighborhood retains its character and she was hopeful that the parking restrictions and
overflow parking arrangement will accomplish what was intended. She asked if the parking
management plan constitutes one of the official exhibits referenced in paragraph 16.A. of the
resolution.
Mr. Walther replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember Mavity also asked if paragraph 3 under "Commercial Parking" in the
parking management plan will be amended to clarify the valet parking restrictions agreed to
this afternoon by the developer; in addition, she asked if the "if needed" in paragraph 4
under "Commercial Parking" will be deleted since the developer has agreed to utilize the
former American Inn site for overflow parking.
Mr. Walther stated that this is correct
Councilmember Sanger stated that she is happy to support the no parking zones and permit
parking in the area but expressed concern that there will continue to be parking problems
She indicated that she did not feel there is adequate transit for the neighborhood and that
people will not travel to the area by bus, particularly to a restaurant in the evening, which
will result in additional parking problems. She also expressed concern that the developer will
be allowed to use the former American Inn site for overflow parking for up to three years,
because it will hinder the City's ability to sell the site; as a result, she stated she was not in
support of approving the lease arrangement for a period of up to three years. She indicated
she hoped that the developer would come up with additional parking either through offsite
valet or possibly acquisition of the right to use parking on the south side of Excelsior
Boulevard, which would free up space for the retail customers.
Councilmember Omodt stated that he recently met with the developer and does not share
the parking concerns raised by Councilmember Sanger. He stated he is confident that the
developer will work hard to address all parking concerns. He also stated that it is the
Council's policy to grant reductions in the parking requirements based on the transit parking
reduction rules He added that the City needs to be amenable to making changes in the
parking restrictions based on bike transit, mass transit, and light rail.
Councilmember Finkelstein agreed and stated that City staff and the developer have worked
with the neighborhood to address their concerns, and the parking reduction is appropriate
He indicated that the former American Inn site will likely not sell quickly due to the current
market, and pointed out that there is a thirty day cancellation clause in the lease agreement.
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Omodt, to adopt
Resolution No. 10-083 Amending and Restating Resolution No. 09-028 adopted on
February 2, 2009 and Approving a Major Amendment to the Final Planned Unit
Development under Section 36-367 of the St Louis Park Ordinance Code Relating to
Zoning for Property Zoned MX—Mixed Use located at 3900 Excelsior Boulevard
The motion passed 6-1 (Councilmember Sanger opposed).
City Council Meeting -6- August 16, 2010
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt
Resolution No. 10-084 Authorizing Installation of"No Parking"Restrictions on France
Avenue between Excelsior Boulevard and 34th Street.
The motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Councilmember Mavity, seconded by Councilmember Finkelstein, to adopt
Resolution No. 10-085 Authorizing `Permit Parking Only"on 34th Street West and France
Avenue South.
The motion passed 7-0.
8b. Dairy Queen — Conditional Use Permit for In-Vehicle Service
This item was removed from the agenda.
9. Communications
Mayor Jacobs reminded residents that school resumes on Wednesday, September 15`, and to
remain watchful of kids crossing the streets.
10. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff,'acobs,Mayor