HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/11/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session I1/ St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
NOVEMBER 5, 2012
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, Susan
Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Sue Santa.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman),
Inspection Services Manager (Ms. Boettcher), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Director of Public
Works (Mr. Rardin), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Hughes).
Guests: Cindy Douthett Nagel and Kevin Dummer(Krech, O'Bnen, Mueller and Associates).
1. City Hall Renovation Project Update
Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report and introduced Ms. Cindy Douthett Nagel and Mr. Kevin
Dummer. He stated that all of the first floor staff will be relocated to other city buildings in the
summer of 2013 during the renovation project and the public entrance will be moved to the
second floor north side with visitors using the east side parking lot. He indicated the reception
counter will be moved to the second floor with all service deliveries taking place on second floor
adding that signage will be posted during construction.
Mr. Dummer presented several drawings of the proposed interior and exterior design and
explained that the canopy design will allow the City Hall signage to face more toward the
entrance and draw visitors to the building. He stated this design helps tie the interior design with
the exterior design and will use materials that complement the existing building with signage
similar to the raised text used at the police station.
Ms. Douthett Nagel discussed the overall floor plan noting the bathrooms have been
reconfigured to make sure the showers are code compliant and the computer kiosk has been
moved to the left and the waiting area moved to the right of the entrance. She presented the
proposed stairway design and advised that the Fire Code requires stairways to be fully enclosed
and noted the design includes fire rated glass panels to make this area look as open as possible.
She advised that the proposed finishes include neutral warm colors with the intent to keep the
reception area simple, clean and wide open without large splashes of color. She stated the work
stations have a glass panel in the top 1/3 to bnng light into the space and all of the furniture can
be easily moved if the space is reconfigured in the future. She stated the break room design
includes white panels to bring in natural light and create an open feeling.
Mr. Hoffman advised that the plans will be finished over the next couple of months and the final
plans submitted to Council in January with construction scheduled to take place next summer.
Councilmember Sanger expressed concern that smokers will congregate in the front entrance
area and asked what can be done to make sure that does not happen.
Mr. Hoffman indicated this area can be posted as a no smoking area.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- November 5, 2012
Mayor Jacobs stated he would prefer to leave it to staff to determine how to incorporate public
art that is artistically pleasing and that fits into the function of the building.
Council discussed various forms of public art to incorporate into the renovation project.
It was the consensus of the City Council to integrate public art into the renovation project and to
provide the necessary funding for this public art.
2. Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation Plan Update
Mr. Brink presented the staff report and advised that four public meetings have been held to
gather resident input on the plan. He stated that staff will present a summary of the comments at
Council's November 26th (or a later) study session. He added that residents who have a proposed
sidewalk in front of their property will receive another letter from the City.
Councilmember Sanger stated she would like further information prior to the public hearing that
explains the process the City will use to make modifications to this plan based on the feedback
received from residents.
Mr. Brink suggested that Council hold another study session prior to the public hearing.
Councilmember Sanger stated she has heard from residents that the plan contains no definition of
a bikeway and requested more detail about bikeways.
Mr. Bnnk explained that the plan has not gone into that level of detail yet and will not be
completed until the public input process is completed. He added that the bikeway plan was
generally accepted by residents and the conversations have centered on sidewalks.
Mr. Harmening requested that any resident comments be forwarded to Mr. Brink.
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
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