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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/09/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session If! St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa. Councilmembers absent: Paul Omodt and Julia Ross. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Organizational Development Coordinator (Ms. Gothberg), Community Liaison Officer (Ms. Olson), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), Communications Coordinator(Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes). 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—September 19 and September 26, 2011 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed special study session agenda for September 19th and the proposed study session agenda for September 26t. He stated that the special study session on September 19`h is intended to provide Council with an update on the station area planning process, including Preliminary Engineering. Councilmember Sanger asked if the City has agreed to postpone the construction date for Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue. Mr. Harmening stated that Council will discuss this on September 26th and advised that Mn/DOT has asked whether the City would be willing to postpone the Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue project for a year or more. He indicated that the City has responded that it would be interested but needs to know more. Councilmember Sanger requested an update regarding Toby Keith's. Mr. Harmening advised that a report from Toby Keith's is due September 15th and this item will be placed on Council's agenda in October. 2. Community Recreation and Residential Survey Follow Up Ms. Walsh presented the staff report and reviewed the policy questions for Council consideration. She asked if Council is amenable to having staff members speak with private and nonprofit groups to see what types of partnerships might be available for providing new or expanded recreational facilities, including the Jewish Community Center, LA Fitness, and the School District. She also asked if Council was interested in bringing in someone to talk about demographic trends to make sure the City is meeting the needs of the community in the future. Councilmember Santa expressed general support for the proposed process. She stated that she has heard from residents that there are a lot of facilities available on the east side, but not as many on the west side, especially for families. She added that Lenox has perceived limitations in the community. Study Session Minutes -2- September 12, 2011 Councilmember Sanger stated that the main amenities listed in the staff report comports with what she has heard, adding that there is a need for community meeting space where various groups can gather in the City. She explained that neighborhood groups have had a hard time finding meeting space and requested that the City consider adding a multi-use space for these types of gatherings. She stated that a community center is intended to build community and provide a place where the community can interact with one another. She felt it was not appropriate for the City to partner with the Jewish Community Center or any other religious institution. She added that the Jewish Community Center is located at the end of a dead end street and is not easily accessible. She stated that in terms of partnering with other entities, she would prefer to think of something along the lines of building an addition to existing facilities that could be used as a community meeting room or an indoor playground. She also asked if it might make sense to have a newer facility with a dedicated wing for Lenox so that seniors have a place of their own. She added that she is more interested in having multiple functions available in the same location in order to maximize opportunities for residents. Councilmember Mavity stated that part of the question that Council should address is not just what is available but how to use the facilities as a tool to create what is desired. She added that one key is strong schools and what the City can do to make sure the schools remain strong, attract families to the area, and maintain a balanced community. Councilmember Finkelstein stated it will be important to understand the School District's long range plans for its various facilities and potential opportunities available to the City. He indicated that the Convention and Visitors Bureau should be provided notice regarding the community recreation survey, particularly as it relates to a potential need for a major convention hotel. He urged Council to give thoughtful consideration to not only the cost of building any new facilities, but also to annual operating and repair costs as well as staff time, which is why partnenng with other entities makes sense. He requested that staff compile a list of currently available meeting space in the City to assist Council with determining how often various groups are having difficulty finding available meeting space. Councilmember Santa indicated that it appears there is a greater need for affordable meeting spaces. Councilmember Mavity stated it will be important to understand what Edina is considering and potential opportunities for collaborating with Edina. Councilmember Sanger requested further information regarding the use of a consultant in this process. Ms. Walsh explained that a consultant would work with the City on understanding trends for aging adults, what types of things are going on in other communities, and what the City should do to plan for the future. Councilmember Sanger reported that the League of Women Voters is sponsoring an event at City Hall on Thursday, September 15th, regarding demographic trends in St. Louis Park based on Census data. Mr. Harmening stated that next steps include developing and implementing a process to engage the public, which could include creating a task force. He stated that tours of different types of programs in various communities could also be arranged for Council. Study Session Minutes -3- September 12, 2011 Councilmember Mavity requested that staff prepare a timeline for Council consideration. Councilmember Santa requested that staff provide further information regarding entities that may be willing to partner with the City. Councilmember Sanger expressed frustration that there has been little progress on this in four years and hoped that the City could speed up the planning process and feasibility analysis going forward. Ms. Olson advised that the cross tabs from the Decision Resources city-wide residential survey will be available for check-out from the City Clerk's office in October. 3. Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation Plan and Policy Review Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and stated if Council wishes to pursue the ten year capital improvement plan (CIP) outlined in the report, a financing plan will need to be prepared for Council review, both initial financing and recurring. He added that further discussion regarding the public process would also need to take place. Councilmember Sanger expressed support for developing a process and financing plan to implement the proposed CIP. She stated that the question of how to pay for new sidewalks will inform the community's decision as to whether they want more sidewalks. She indicated that in the past, residents liked the idea of a sidewalk as long as the sidewalk was across the street and somebody else shoveled the sidewalk. She stated that the City needs to address the inequity that exists regarding maintenance of neighborhood sidewalks versus community sidewalks, which appears to be an arbitrary distinction, and needs to have a consistent policy in place. Councilmember Finkelstein stated it will be important to consider not just the cost of building new sidewalks but the maintenance costs and annual bonding costs. He indicated that people are being encouraged to use light rail instead of their vehicles and there has to be a way for them to get to the light rail station without using their cars. Council discussed the previous policy decision regarding maintenance of sidewalks and the standards used for community versus neighborhood sidewalks. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to develop a specific process and financing plan to implement the proposed ten year capital improvement plan. Mr. Harmening stated that further information will be presented to Council regarding additional resources to design, deliver, and maintain the proposed bicycle and pedestrian system expansion. Councilmember Mavity stated that she did not necessarily want more history regarding how the City identified community versus neighborhood sidewalks, but would like information regarding responsibility for costs, which will provide guidance in making an informed decision on how to move forward. She also suggested that there be some level of prioritization to those areas that are high traffic and/or high need. Councilmember Santa requested further information regarding trails, including currently available trails, trail connections, and how to enhance what is currently in place. She added that she would like to see more emphasis on trails than on sidewalks. Study Session Minutes -4- September 12, 2011 It was the consensus of the City Council to focus on trails and sidewalks and to identify possible funding sources outside the City. Councilmember Mavity stated that she recently spoke with Edina Councilmember Joni Bennett regarding Edina's plans for 40th and 42nd Streets, including sidewalks. She asked that the City make sure to coordinate with Edina regarding this project. She added that she also received an email from Ms. Kenna Clark, who lives in the Elmwood neighborhood, regarding safety issues at the trail crossings. She reiterated her request to see what could be done in these areas to better define the trail crossings, sooner rather than later. Mr. Harmening stated that this item will be addressed at a future study session meeting and added that Mr. Rardin and Mr. Brink are currently working with Three Rivers Park District, SRF, Mn/DOT, and others to address the trail crossing issues. Councilmember Sanger expressed concern regarding inconsistencies and confusion regarding who has the right of way when a trail crosses a roadway. Mayor Jacobs requested that staff investigate this further to make sure consistent messages are delivered in accordance with state law. Councilmember Santa stated that Council's discussion about trails will provide an opportunity to reopen the education piece on etiquette, courtesy, and state law regarding right of way. 4. Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal) Councilmember Santa stated that Channel 5 is airing a special this week during its 10:00 p.m. newscast regarding the National Guard's Red Bull Infantry Division and her nephew is part of this battalion. Councilmember Mavity requested that Council have regular check-ins during the communications portion of its meetings regarding light rail activities to provide an update regarding what is happening on the various committees. Mr. Harmening stated that Council has received an invitation from Cavalia to attend a reception and the kick-off performance of the show on September 21st• He advised that under State law, Council is prohibited from accepting the invitations and agreed to inform Cavalia that Council cannot accept the invitation. The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 5. Fiber Network and Policy Study Update 6. Fire Stations Project Update ag,e,f).Adjp• 1 II Nancy Stroth, eity Clerk Jeff Ja,o s, ayor