HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/08/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session f/fSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E 5 0 TA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
AUGUST 23, 2010
The meeting convened at 6.30 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), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director
(Ms. Gohman), Director of Parks & Recreation (Ms Walsh), Community Development Director
(Mr Locke), Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker), Housing Program Coordinator (Ms Larsen), and
Recording Secretary (Ms Hughes)
Guests George Hagemann, Chair, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
1 Closed Executive Session — Threatened Litigation by Ames Construction Relating to
Hwy 7 and Wooddale Project
The City Council met in a closed executive session at 6 34 p m to discuss threatened litigation by
Ames Construction relating to the Highway 7/Wooddale Avenue project All Councilmembers weie
present and the closed executive session adjourned at 7 02 p m
The City Council Study Session meeting reconvened at 7 06 p m
2 Future Study Session Agenda Planning — September 13
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for September 13'1' and stated that the
purchase agreement with respect to 7015 Walker Street may be pulled from the September 13'''
agenda depending on the status of the environmental testing currently being conducted, an update
on this property acquisition is contained in the written reports for Council review
Councilmember Sanger requested that the Minnehaha Creek Watershed presentation on September
27''' include an overview of the work done by the Watershed District as it relates to water quality in
general.
3 Friends of the Arts Annual Update
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report
Mr. Hagemann discussed the work of Friends of the Arts (FOTA) over the past year and its
approach to building community through the arts, including Arts for Life, Arts & Culture grants,
and Our Town 2010• Voices and Verses He stated that it continues to be important for FOTA to
make sure the programs embrace a breadth of socio-economic factors and to provide opportunities
to showcase various art forms. He advised that Twin Cities Public Television recently aired a
Study Session Minutes -2- August 23, 2010
program on building community through the arts and FOTA representatives were interviewed for
that program He added that the program will air again on Sunday, August 29''' and Thursday,
September 9'1'
Councilmember Ross requested further information on FOTA funding and in-kind contributions
She also stated that she would like to see further extensions of dance, e g , ballet, and asked if there
are other areas that FOTA is considering to expand its programs in general.
Mr Hagemann explained that FOTA uses a grassroots approach to funding and works with a
number of foundations, as well as state and private funding, to obtain grants He stated that for the
most part, organizations approach FOTA regarding opportunities and FOTA works to foster their
interest and invites interested parties to attend FOTA meetings He added that FOTA works hard
to bring fresh, new talent to the City with the limited amount of dollars it has
Councilmember Mavity congratulated FOTA on Its successful programs and stated that the work of
FOTA is what makes St. Louis Park a unique, exceptional community
Mayor Jacobs stated that there are a number of opportunities available foi additional FOTA
programs and encouraged the Committee to continue to broaden its programs He expressed the
City Council's thanks to the Friends of the Arts Committee for their dedicated efforts on behalf of
the City
4. Civic Space and Community Recreation Planning
Ms Walsh presented the staff report and stated that if the City Council desires to move forward
with a survey tool, it will be important to provide an unbiased and objective report, it is
recommended that a consultant be retained to lead this process
Mayor Jacobs agreed that an unbiased approach is necessary and that residents should be allowed to
state their preference one way or the other He stated that the survey will be a useful tool for
gauging resident interest in a civic facility or whether there is significant opposition to a civic facility
Councilmember Ross also agreed that an unbiased approach is necessary and stared it needs to be
made very clear to residents that there is no promise being made to build anything, and that the
Council is interested in obtaining resident input at this time She stated that she has heard from
residents in her ward that they would like to see some type of facility in the northwest area of the
City She added she has also heard a suggestion about using the schools that will be closed She
indicated that it will be important to look at activities beyond football and hockey, and to consider
soccer, lacrosse, rugby, Frisbee golf, swimming and walking She asked staff to consider broadening
its approach to obtaining opinions by working with the School District, Community Education and
other groups that might not otherwise be heard
Councilmember Sanger stated that she was in agreement with the process proposed by staff and
agreed that it needs to be made clear to residents that no promise is being made to build anything at
this time. She suggested that staff also work with the neighborhood associations to obtain input
Study Session Minutes -3- August 23, 2010
She asked if there was any way that the City Council could provide input into the process. She
stated it will be important to differentiate between the need and desire for recreational facility space
versus what residents want, e.g., upgrading existing recreational facilities versus adding facilities or
amenities that do not already exist in St. Louis Park. She indicated that she felt there were a number
of needs not currently being met and the survey should seek to deteimine what the City is not
currently doing and whether there are non-athletic needs that residents want to have met,
particularly because of the changing demographics in the City. She added that the Council has
previously interviewed a number of residents for various boards and commissions and a few of those
candidates should be sought out to assist with this process.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated he was in agreement with the use of a facilitator and encouraged
staff to make sure that all views are represented in the community. He added that residents will have
differing definitions of a community center and it will be important for the Council to understand
not only what is missing in the City, but to also have an understanding of what facilities currently
exist for residents and how those facilities are being used. He pointed out that at this point in time,
given the City's finances, it is not clear that there is a need for a community center building and it is
also not clear what needs are not currently being met.
Councilmember Ross stated that the City should also determine what cost barriers exist for residents
in using the current available space, and encouraged the City to make sure that the facilities are
affordable for residents
Councilmember Santa stated it will be important to understand what is available in nearby
communities and where the City can fill in any gaps, and to also consider what might be available in
the form of a public/private partnership.
Councilmember Sanger stated that she has heard residents express an interest in a decent indoor
swimming facility, preferably with water slides, an indoor playground, and an indoor
walking/jogging track. She indicated that some of these facilities current exist in the community and
the question is whether a potential public/private partnership exists to address some of these
perceived needs, preferably at a reduced fee to residents.
Councilmember Mavity stated that the role of the Council will be important, without
micromanaging the survey questions or what the focus groups are asking. She requested that the
survey questions and focus group questions be both specific and broad enough without the
perception that they are being led in any way. She also requested information about the budget for
this work.
Mr Harmening stated that the Decision Resources survey could come out of the EDA fund and
could be included in the final budget approved by the Council later this year He requested that the
Council consider using some outside community help to assist the Council in analyzing the survey
results, prioritizing the data, and assisting with determining next steps, etc. He added that the Park
and Recreation Advisory Board could be helpful in that regard
Study Session Minutes -4- August 23, 2010
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to begin the process of further determining
what additional civic and/or recreational facilities residents would like to see in the community.
5. Affordable Housing
Mr. Locke presented the staff report and asked if the July 12'h study session discussion/key directions
from Council regarding affordable housing were accurately summarized in the report.
Councilmembers Finkelstein and Ross stated that they felt the key directions were accurately
summarized in staff's report.
Councilmember Sanger stated it was her understanding that the specific affordable housing
programs/projects mentioned in #7 should reference the supportive housing programs discussed
previously by the Council. She added that she did not believe it was the consensus of the City
Council to expand the amount of affordable housing in the City in terms of sheer volume
Councilmember Mavity requested further information regarding the statement contained in #2 that
the "City will continue to seek opportunities to promote mixed income development where
feasible."
Ms. Schnitker explained that when the City was looking at the Duke property, the developer wanted
to add an affordability component to the housing, but it turned out that this was not financially
feasible for the City to facilitate affordable housing in the development. She stated that in projects,
such as Excelsior and Grand, where some aspect of affordable housing is being incorporated into the
development, the City Council has stated that this is something where it would support further
exploration, but it has to be feasible, financially and operationally, and this will need to be done on a
case by case basis.
Councilmember Mavity stated that her concern is that the number of available affordable housing
units has decreased by approximately 23% over the last ten years and she is not aware of whether
Council is okay with that. She indicated that if the City is not proactively putting a policy in place
and thinking about what happens with new units, the percentage of available affordable units will
continue to decrease.
Councilmember Ross stated that it is difficult to say whether the percentage decrease is okay when
there are vacant affordable housing units available in the City, and questioned the need to build
more affordable housing when the demand is not present.
Councilmember Omodt stated he did not believe the City has an affordable housing problem. He
indicated that he felt the City should be more strategic about how it deals with affordable housing
Councilmember Finkelstein stated he would like to see the City work on affordable home ownership
programs. He stated that the City's current affordable multi-family housing is getting old and worn
down, and felt that the City should address the longer range issues of this type of housing, including
replacing it. He added that he felt the City should always give consideration to an affordable
Study Session Minutes -5- August 23, 2010
housing component at the beginning of any new development project. He also stated that there
appear to be a number of seniors that are unable to sell their homes and/or that are not maintaining
their homes.
Councilmember Sanger stated that the data points to a need for affordable multi-family housing for
larger families. She agreed that there are problem properties in the City and that the City should
focus on acquiring properties that are not properly managed and/or deteriorating She added that
there continues to be a number of vacant homes and felt the City should re-examine the home
renewal program, as well as to consider ways to acquire some of the foreclosed or vacant homes to
help meet the needs of families.
Discussion ensued regarding the programs available to residents, including assistance with property
maintenance.
It was the consensus of the City Council to continue focusing on the City's overall housing
maintenance programs that are available to all residents
It was the consensus of the City Council to work toward more single family affordable
homeownership opportunities, and affordable housing for seniors
It was the consensus of the City Council to continue to addiess problem properties, including
acquisition, and to establish policies for facilitating remedial work on problem properties
Councilmember Mavity stated that she would like the Council to continue its work on
deconcentration of affordable housing.
6. Communications/Meeting Check-in (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening stated that Highway 7 will be closed starting Friday night, August 27th, and will
remain closed for approximately 12 hours.
Mr. Harmening stated that if any councilmember would like a primer on the budget, they should
feel free to contact him or Nancy Gohman.
Councilmember Omodt requested that the GreenStep Cities proposed project be brought to a study
session for further discussion and decision by the Council.
Mr. Harmening stated that this item will be included in the environmental activities discussion on
September 13`h.
Councilmember Omodt asked if there are other items that should be brought up for discussion at
the joint Planning Commission meeting on September 27th 1•--Ie stated that at a recent Planning
Commission meeting, it appeared that some of the Commissioners were concerned that some of
their decisions were being overruled by the Council, and he would like to clear up any issues with
the Planning Commission.
Study Session Minutes -6- August 23, 2010
Councilmember Finkelstein requested that the Council and Planning Commission also discuss the
recent Supreme Court decision on variances in order to understand the implications of that decision
on future development in the City.
Councilmember Sanger stated that the Planning Commission also wants to discuss adequate transit
and how that term is used to justify parking reductions.
Councilmember Santa requested that the Council and Planning Commission be provided with an
analysis of the Supreme Court decision on variances.
The City Council conducted its meeting check-in.
Councilmember Sanger expressed her thanks to City staff, particularly Mr Birno, for the wonderful
concert last week.
The meeting adjourned at 9.04 p m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only.
7. July 2010 Monthly Financial Report
8. Property Acquisition Update—7015 Walker Street (former Reynolds Welding Supply property)
9. West Suburban Housing Partners— Urban Park—Private Activity Revenue Bonds Refinancing
10. Green Step Cities Update and Carbon Footprint Measurement
11. Joint Planning Commission/City Council Meeting
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff J obs, yor