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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/06/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Ifl St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JUNE 13,2011 The meeting convened at 6:34 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Paul Omodt, and Julia Ross. Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Police Chief(Mr. Luse), Director of Community Development(Mr. Locke), Planning/Zoning Supervisor(Ms. McMonigal), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Environmental Coordinator (Mr. Vaughan), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Utilities Superintendent (Mr. Anderson), Engineering Program Coordinator (Ms. Adler), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes). 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—June 6 and June 13, 2011 Mr. Harmemng presented the proposed special study session agenda for June 20th and the study session agenda for June 27th. He noted that the study session on June 27th will include an update regarding the potential State government shutdown and impacts to the City. 2. Cavalia at West End Mr. Hunt presented the staff report and proposed site plan for Cavalia. He explained that the show is proposed to be held on the vacant West End office property for approximately ten weeks beginning in September. He indicated that a number of formal approvals would be required, including a zoning amendment to the Temporary Uses section of the City's Zoning Code. He stated that a mutual agreement would need to be entered into with the City of Golden Valley authorizing St. Louis Park to issue all necessary permits. Golden Valley has indicated a willingness to allow the City to assume responsibility for all permitting other than land use. He reviewed the schedule for formal approvals and noted that Golden Valley will bring the matter to its Planning Commission on June 25th. He stated that a public hearing would be required for the Zoning Code amendment and will be scheduled for the July 6th Planning Commission meeting, followed by First and Second Readings by the City Council on July 11th and July 18th. He then introduced Anne- Laurence Dubois with Cavalia, Inc. Ms. Anne Laurence-Dubois thanked the City Council for its consideration and stated that they are pleased to have found a site to accommodate their show. She then presented a short video describing Cavalia. She stated that they believe the show will have a positive impact on the City as well as the entire Minneapolis/St. Paul area, including area restaurants and hotels. She advised that the show has approximately 100 employees who will need housing in local apartments; in addition, the show will hire approximately 50 local workers per day. She added that Cavalia is ready to work in collaboration with the City to make sure the show is a success. Councilmember Ross asked if the local businesses and restaurants have been approached regarding the show. Study Session Minutes -2- June 13, 2011 Mr. Hunt stated that Darryle Henry with Duke Realty has been working with the City and added that because this is still in the preliminary stages, the City has not yet had discussions with the West End retailers but the City is confident that they will be excited about this opportunity. Councilmember Ross expressed concern regarding the horse smell, particularly when people are dining outside. She also asked about Police Department resources and the impact of this show on the City's budget. Ms. Anne-Laurence Dubois explained that the stables are cleaned every day, manure is hauled away every day, and there is no smell coming from the stables. Mr. Luse stated that the show will draw many people and will create congestion and parking challenges. He added that the Police Department has not discussed this in detail but is operating on the premise that any extra patrols will be provided at Cavalia's expense. Ms. Dubois stated that they have found that traffic is manageable by the show's employees and if assistance is required from the Police Department, they will work with the City to secure additional resources. She noted that not all attendees arrive and depart from the show at the same time due to the various ticket packages available. She added that they also have a parking attendant to help park cars. Mr. Locke stated that the City is not anticipating a lot of extraordinary costs associated with the show. He added that if police officers are required, that cost would be borne by Cavalia. Councilmember Mavity stated that she felt this represents a fantastic opportunity for the City, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the West End. She asked if the site would be treated differently from a taxing perspective because of the proposed temporary use. Mr. Locke replied that he was not sure whether the proposed use would impact the site's property tax assessment. Councilmember Ross expressed support for the proposed use and stated this represents a great opportunity for the City. She asked if Cavalia steers any general contributions or funds toward charities. She noted that the ticket prices may be cost prohibitive to some and suggested that a certain amount of tickets go to local charities. Ms. Dubois stated that if a show is not sold out, they call local nonprofits to give tickets away. She added that in the past, they have done free shows for kids or have given away tickets to local organizations. She requested that the Council provide her with a contact name and agreed that they would work with local nonprofits to provide free tickets. Mayor Pro Tern Finkelstein expressed support for the proposed use. He requested that the City consider impacts to parking for current businesses. He also requested that the City provide police and/or off-duty police officers as needed in order to minimize confusion. He asked that the City Attorney address any liability concerns with respect to the proposed use. He asked that the City and Duke Realty consider the impact of the proposed use if Golden Valley declines to participate. He also encouraged Cavalia to provide tickets to low income patrons and students and to hire unemployed St. Louis Park residents. Study Session Minutes -3- June 13, 2011 Mr. Hunt stated that the Planning Commission will be introduced to Cavalia on Wednesday evening and will discuss the proposed amendment to the Temporary Uses section of the zoning code, followed by the formal public hearing on July 6h. 3. Social Host Ordinance Mr. Luse presented the staff report and introduced Ms. Tania Lex, one of the City's prosecuting attorneys. He stated the key question surrounding this issue relates to how the City handles underage dnnking and adults who provide alcohol and safe havens for underage drinking. He noted that the City has gotten some relief from the keg registration laws and stated that police staff and the City's prosecutors have not reported any gaps in the current laws which hinder the City's ability to address underage consumption. He explained that the City currently has several tools available for charging minor consumption and hosts of underage drinkers, which are charged as misdemeanors, and the City's prosecutors are comfortable with that. Councilmember Omodt advised that he was approached in November by a group at the high school that works with students in recovery to bring this issue forward as a Children First initiative in the high school as another tool to keep kids safe. Councilmember Mavity stated that the fact that the students have identified this is valuable and should be used as a springboard for educational outreach, increasing awareness of the issue, and to highlight the current laws. She added that she did not see a need for any new laws. Mayor Pro Tern Finkelstein suggested that this issue be forwarded to the Police Advisory Commission and to invite the high school students to attend a Police Advisory Commission meeting to talk about their concerns. It was the consensus of the City Council to forward this matter to the Police Advisory Commission to study the issue and to invite the high school students to attend a Police Advisory Commission meeting to share their concerns. 4. Final Draft—MN&S EAW Comments and Mitigation Measures Mr. Locke presented the staff report. Councilmember Mavity stated that comment #4 on page 2 of the General Comments contains two different ideas, one relative to Skunk Hollow and another relative to coal trains; the comments should be separated. She also explained that she felt this comment should note specifically that the whole point is that the wye becomes unnecessary once the connections to MN&S are created. Mr. Locke stated that a freight rail customer will still need to be served via the wye, even if a new connection to the MN&S tracks is created, so it will not be possible to completely eliminate the wye. He stated that the idea of the elimination of the Skunk Hollow wye goes back to 2001 and the 2010 Council resolution and was not dealt with in the EAW. He added that the City wanted to make sure it was noted that elimination of the Skunk Hollow track represents a major goal of the City. Councilmember Mavity noted that comment #8 on page 3 should reference Wooddale and not Beltline. Study Session Minutes -4- June 13, 2011 Ms. McMonigal stated that this was correct and agreed to make this revision to comment#8. Councilmember Mavity requested that the second sentence of comment #35 on page 6 be clarified to reference the School Board and not the High School. Mr. Harmening stated that the City has heard from the School District regarding vibration disruptions and comment#35 will be clarified to reference the School District. Councilmember Mavity stated that comment #25 on page 5 does not contain the same level of analysis as the City's other comments to the EAW. Councilmember Omodt respectfully disagreed and stated that trains stop there for extended penods of time. Councilmember Ross stated that she was comfortable with the City's comments on the MN&S EAW and did not request any further changes. Councilmember Omodt stated that he was comfortable with the City's comments on the MN&S EAW and did not request any further changes. Mayor Pro Tern Finkelstein stated that the mitigation measure regarding acquisition of homes needs further study and to determine if the neighborhood wants this. Councilmember Mavity agreed that this mitigation measure requires more research but should be included as a possibility. Councilmembers Ross and Omodt agreed. It was the consensus of the City Council to approve the comments on the MN&S EAW and to amend comment #8 on page 3 to reference Wooddale Avenue and not Beltline, to amend comment #35 on page 6 to reference the School District and not the High School, and to clarify comment#4 on page 2 regarding the wye. 5. Eliot School Redevelopment Mr. Locke presented the staff report and introduced Mr. Garfield Clark, consultant to the School Distnct on real estate matters, and Mr. Larry Shapiro, School Board Member. _ Mr. Shapiro advised that some interest has been shown in the site and some discussions have taken place with a potential developer who has asked if there would be any financial assistance available from the City. Councilmember Ross stated that it is difficult to commit to any type of financial assistance without having something on the table. She asked if financial assistance could be made available for clean-up and abatement of the site. Councilmember Omodt stated that he was pleased to see some interest in the site and to have School Board representation at the study session. He stated he was in favor of seeing the site redeveloped, the asbestos removed, and pushing the potential redevelopment along. Study Session Minutes -5- June 13, 2011 Mayor Pro Tern Finkelstein stated that any financial assistance from the City will be dependent on meeting the Design Guidelines established last year. He indicated he is not interested in reusing the building because of the serious abatement issues. He expressed appreciation to the School Board for talking to the Council about the redevelopment of the site. Councilmember Mavity expressed reservations about how much financial assistance the City should provide, particularly given that this is taxpayer money. Mr. Garfield Clark stated that the School Board has received three offers in writing to purchase the site and each offer was qualified. He stated that the third offer was from a developer who has employed an architect and done several rendenngs and has offered a price equal to the appraised value of the property. He explained that the current offer includes plans for an $18-20 million project. He indicated that the School Board agreed it would not sign any purchase agreement for the property until it received input from the City Council regarding potential financial assistance. Mr. Shapiro noted that the purchase price offered is the appraised value minus the cost of taking the building down, which would be taken as a credit on the sale price. Councilmember Omodt left the meeting at 7:45 p.m. It was the consensus of the three remaining Councilmembers to express a willingness to discuss financial assistance to assist with the redevelopment of the site. Mr. Locke stated that once the School Board signs a purchase agreement, it is anticipated that a developer would put together concept plans for consideration by Council in study session. 6. Boulevard Tree Policy Discussion Ms. Walsh presented the staff report. Mr. Harmening stated that the background information on this topic was brought forward at the request of Council and is intended to provide information regarding what the City pays for and what it does not. Councilmember Ross requested clarification regarding what would happen in a situation where tree roots are starting to impede drains and/or pipes. Mr. Harmening explained that if the service line from a home to the main is plugged with tree roots, it is the homeowner's responsibility to clean the roots. He stated that if tree roots are in the City's main line, the City would be responsible for cleaning the roots out. It was the consensus of the three remaining Councilmembers to continue with the City's current policy and subsidy level regarding boulevard trees. 7. Storm Water/Surface Water Management Mr. Hannening presented the staff report. Councilmember Mavity requested further information regarding the water levels in Bass Lake and stated that the Bass Lake community group is seeking the right balance to manage vegetation. She asked if the water level could be raised to improve the creek feel of the water body, with water quality being the primary goal. Study Session Minutes -6- June 13, 2011 Mr. Anderson noted that the DNR set the water level in Bass Lake and the City controls that water level. He stated that the City could petition the DNR and Watershed District to make adjustments to the water level. He explained that Bass Lake functions as a creek and is just one step in the City's storm sewer system. He discussed the aquatic plant survey being done by the DNR and coordinated by the City. Councilmember Mavity requested that staff provide Council with some cost estimates regarding potential improvements to Bass Lake. Mr. Anderson agreed to bring this topic back to Council for discussion once the study is complete, including cost estimates for Bass Lake. Ms. Adler provided an update regarding Victoria Ponds and stated that the slope restoration on Pond 3 will begin shortly. She added that an emergency overflow to Lake Victoria is being contemplated but no permit has yet been applied for. 8. Communications/Meeting Check-in (Verbal) Councilmember Mavity expressed thanks for the recycling program update and recycling bin wheels report. She urged the City to continue working to expand the list of items that can be recycled. Mayor Pro Tern Finkelstein stated that he would like to see multi-family and condos included in the City's recycling program. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 9. Beltline LRT Station Development Area—Stormwater Planning 10. MnDOT—City Cooperative Highway 7 Fiber Conduit Project Update 11. Recycling Program Update 12. Homes Within Reach: City Funded Revolving Line-of-Credit to Assist with Acquisition and Rehab Costs of Affordable Homeownership Units 13. Recycling Bin Wheels Report 14. Proposed Administrative/Civil Penalty Ordinance Nancy Stroth, ity Clerk Phil Finkelstein, Mayor Pro Tern