HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/04/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session •
,ftSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
APRIL 25,2011
The meeting convened at 6:25 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/Director of Human
Resources (Ms. Deno), Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms. Gothberg), Director of
Community Development (Mr. Locke), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt),
Communications Coordinator(Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—May 9, 2011
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for May 9th and stated that the
study session will focus on a discussion regarding the freight rail listening sessions, including a
report containing all the questions and comments heard at the listening sessions together with
responses to those questions.
It was the consensus of the City Council to request Mr. McKenzie's attendance at the May 9th
study session.
2. Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition Property
Mr. Locke presented the staff report and indicated that the future of the property is currently
being sorted out by Nestlé and staff has learned that further discussions would not likely begin
until mid-year. He referenced the property tax impacts, water user impacts, and land use
considerations discussed in the staff report.
Councilmember Mavity stated that it will be important for the City to remain cognizant of the
north-south connection issue and to be proactive in reviewing any opportunities presented for a
north-south connection at this location. She stated that Council has had discussions regarding this
connection in the past and encouraged the City to make sure it is ready to continue this
conversation when the opportunity presents itself and to not sit back and wait to see what
happens with this site.
Councilmember Sanger stated that the Nestlé closure appears to be an opportune time for the
City to think more strategically about the north-south connection and whether it would be best to
do this west of TH 100 or over by Hobart School. She felt that the north-south connection issue
should be considered in the context of the overall TH 100 project and the Nestlé closure. She
indicated that the City will also need to address traffic implications for other potential uses on the
property.
Councilmember Finkelstein requested further information regarding the FEMA floodplain map.
Mr. Hunt explained that when the City went through the floodplain area map study, it was
discovered that approximately ten acres are not technically in the floodplain; if an application for
a map amendment were filed, this acreage could potentially be added back in as non-floodplain
with development potential.
Study Session Minutes -2- April 25, 2011
Councilmember Omodt asked if the City should have any input into any floodplain map
amendment process.
Mr. Locke advised that any map amendment is a FEMA decision based on technical analysis and
the City may have an opportunity to provide input. He added that the study conducted by the
City was pointed out to Nestlé but nothing further has been done at this time.
Councilmember Sanger expressed concern about any increased development on this property
because of the flooding potential on this site.
Mr. Locke stated that any redevelopment of the Nestlé land will have to go through normal
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District rules as it relates to managing storm water protecting
floodplain.
It was the consensus of the City Council to further discuss the Nestlé property, including
transportation issues related to TH 100, north-south connections, storm water management, and
potential land uses.
It was also the consensus of the City Council that prior to embarking on any extensive planning
efforts for the Nestlé property there should be pnoritization of the Nestlé project in the context of
all the other redevelopment projects in the City. The City Council should assist staff with
prioritizing those projects.
3. Update on Freight Rail Meetings/Process
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
Ms. Deno discussed the schedule for the listening sessions on April 27th and 28th and the
orchestration planned for both sessions.
Council discussed the importance of making sure that questions and comments are being
recorded.
Ms. Deno advised that the Council's recording secretary will be taking minutes and a second
person will be taking notes at a table on the floor. She stated that Ms. Gothberg will be
facilitating the meeting and repeating questions and/or comments to assure clarity. She added
that the listening sessions will also be taped and rebroadcast.
Councilmember Omodt requested that the opening remarks include a statement that questions
and comments are being taken down for the record and recorded.
Councilmember Ross requested that the handouts include contact information for people to call
or write with questions or comments, including County, State and Federal officials.
It was the consensus of the City Council to eliminate the 7:15-7:30 time slot to allow more time
for the consultant and the listening session.
Mr. Locke stated that the meeting schedule was developed on the assumption that the comment
period for the EAW started on May 2nd and ended on June 1st; however, staff has been advised
that the EAW will not be published on May 2nd and the next possible publication date would be
two weeks later, on May 16`h, thus extending the comment period to mid-June. He noted that the
County has not provided a precise date for publication of the EAW.
Study Session Minutes -3- April 25, 2011
It was the consensus of the City Council to retain the current schedule of meetings through May
31st and to revise the schedule as needed pending publication of the EAW.
Council discussed the guidelines for the listening sessions and the process for people who are
yielding their allotted time to someone else.
Mayor Jacobs stated that he has been pleased with the way people have conducted themselves at
previous meetings, and the listening sessions provide an opportunity for the entire community to
listen respectfully to one another. He stated that these meetings will serve to send a message to
the decision-makers at the County, State, and Federal level that the City is interested in having a
serious discussion regarding this emotional issue.
4. Communications/Meeting Check-in (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening stated that the Vision Check-in meeting will be rescheduled for later this fall due
to the low turnout rate for the May meeting.
Mr. Harmening presented Council with a draft of SEH's Technical Memorandum and indicated
that the Memorandum will be posted on the City's website this evening. He stated that questions
may be directed to Mr. Locke or Ms. McMonigal.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
5. March 2011 Monthly Financial Report
6. First Quarter Investment Report(January- March,2011)
7. 2011 Community Open House
8. Update on Pending Westwood Villa Condominium Association Housing
Improvement Area (HIA)
9. Community Development Block Grant G) Funds for 2011
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