HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/01/08 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Study Session
January 8, 2007
7:00 PM
Council Chambers
Discussion Items
Approximate
Times
1. 7:00 pm Duke Realty Development AUAR and Concept Plan
2. 8:15 pm Proposed Crime Free Rental Housing Program
3. 9:00 pm Discussion on Upcoming City Council Workshop–February 23 and 24,
2007
4. 9:30 pm Future Study Session Agenda Planning
9:35 p.m. Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make
arrangements, please call the Administrative Services Department at (952) 924-2525 (TDD
(952) 924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 1 - Duke AUAR And Concept Plan Update
Page 1
1. Duke Realty Development AUAR and Concept Plan Community Development
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To inform and update the City Council on the draft AUAR (environmental review) and progress
on the site planning.
AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide Review):
The Executive Summary of the draft AUAR is attached for your review. The document has been
sent out for review by the various state and regional agencies and the comment period runs until
January 17, 2007. The entire document has been placed on the city’s web site. A neighborhood
meeting (Blackstone, Cedarhurst and South Tyrol Hills in Golden Valley) will be held on
Tuesday, January 9th. Following the neighborhood meeting, the AUAR results will be presented
to the Golden Valley City Council the same night at a study session.
The AUAR evaluated five development scenarios for the Duke site, and analyzed the
environmental impacts of each. At the meeting, the consultants will make a brief presentation
for the Council on the impacts and potential measures that might be taken to mitigate the
impacts. As expected, any scenario will require a number of traffic improvements; the traffic
consultant will review the improvements at the meeting.
Concept Site Plans:
Over the past few months city staff has been working with Duke and its consultants to develop a
site plan. At the meeting, Duke and its representatives will present the current conceptual plans
to the Council. They are “works in progress” and subject to continued evolution and refinement
before coming before the Planning Commission and City Council for approval. The plan
generally consists of office on the east side – east of the two existing taller office towers, and
retail on the west side – in the location of the Novartis warehouse and the former tennis club. As
staff has discussed with the Council in the past, we are working to connect the development with
the larger neighborhood, create a strong presence on Park Place Boulevard and create gathering
spaces within the development.
City Approvals:
Duke needs approvals that include rezoning the Novartis warehouse from “Industrial Park” to
“Office,” a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow the retail shopping center, and a plat for
the entire property. Duke would like to be under construction in August of 2007.
Attachments: Site Map
AUAR Executive Summary
Prepared by: Meg J. McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 1 - Duke AUAR And Concept Plan Update
Page 2
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 2 - Crime Free Rental Housing Program
Page 1
2. Proposed Crime Free Rental Housing Program Inspections and Police
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To discuss possible enhancements to the rental business licensing section of the City Code to
assist in reducing crime and improving the quality of life within the community.
BACKGROUND: The city has over 7,000 multi-family rental units in over 300 buildings and
over 600 single 1 & 2 family rental (non-owner occupied) units. Each rental building is licensed
annually and must be maintained in compliance with the Property Maintenance Code as a
condition of the license. A property maintenance inspection by City staff occurs every 2-3 years.
Of growing concern is the incidence of public nuisance and criminal activity occurring in some
properties. Police records indicate a higher incidence of repeat calls to some rental units for a
variety of activities. During 2 four-month periods this year, of the 10 most frequently visited
single family homes, an average of 50% were rental units. This is significant as only 5% of our
single family homes are non-owner occupied rentals. While this number represents all types of
calls including criminal, assistance, nuisance, and medical, the Police have observed a problem
with tenant behavior in certain rental units.
Multi-unit buildings also reflect a similar situation. Of the approximately 3400 criminal calls the
Police responded to during the year, less then 1% occurred from ~1500 owner occupied
condominiums/townhouses and 15% occurred from ~7000 apartments. This data helps support
the concerns that our Police are observing in the community. Similar concerns have resulted in
crime-free rental provisions being adopted in several other cities including Burnsville, Mounds
View, Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, and are under consideration in Hopkins.
Following discussion at the July 24th study session, staff has been researching crime free rental
programs implemented by other cities, and evaluating the most effective and efficient
alternatives.
ANALYSIS: Rental homes and apartments are unique compared to their owner occupied
equivalent. Rental buildings are nearly all operated as a business, hopefully successful for the
owner. Unfortunately, if the owner lives out of the city, is unconcerned with the community
welfare, or lacking knowledge on how to properly operate crime free rental property, the
business may have an undesirable effect on the quality of life in the city.
The City Code currently does not provide any tools to effectively help prevent or resolve
behavior concerns which may develop and continue in rental properties. The purpose of
developing an enhanced crime free program would be to benefit the neighboring tenants,
property owners, and general welfare of the community. Ignored criminal and nuisance activity
can quickly escalate, consuming additional city resources.
Goals staff considered when developing a draft program for this discussion include:
• Educate rental property owners/managers on maintaining crime free properties.
• Establish a mechanism to address uncooperative or irresponsible owners.
• Maintain simplicity in administration to limit costs incurred by businesses and city.
• Progressive and effective means to correct problems.
• Continue encouraging calls for Police assistance.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 2 - Crime Free Rental Housing Program
Page 2
During a previous meeting with the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association (MMHA), which
included some St. Louis Park complex owners, the members were generally supportive of the
concept for crime free housing. The MMHA has also worked with some of the other cities
which have adopted crime free programs. Best Practices, which some of the large rental
businesses currently employ, include applicant background checks and the use of crime free
lease addendums. Any significant increase in licenses fees would of course be a concern for
them.
PROGRAM OUTLINE: The crime free rental license enhancement program being proposed
combines minimum regulatory components, education, and significant performance criteria as a
condition of licensing. The following main components along with a brief description are
provided for discussion:
1. Require licensed property owners to have every tenant sign a crime free lease
addendum (sample attached). New tenants signed after 1-1-08 and existing tenants
by 1-1-09.
2. Require licensed property owners or their managers to attend a crime free housing
class provided by any participating police department (training booklet attached).
Voluntary training is currently offered by City staff at various times for a cost of only
$10. Mandatory training would establish a consistent baseline for information and
promote a continuing and expanding partnership between city staff and the property
owners and their managers.
3. Establish residential unit based formalized tracking of documented criminal and
nuisance police calls when formal action such as a warning, citation, or arrest occurs.
The Ordinance would need to specify these types of calls in more detail.
4. Notifying the property owner/manager of the criminal/nuisance problem occurring at
a unit and requesting their assistance in resolving that situation. Staff would then
progressively work with the owner/manager on the second and third repeat
occurrences if necessary. Following three repeat violations at a unit by the same
tenants within a twelve month period would require the owner to resolve the problem
by implementing the owner’s rights identified in the crime free lease addendum
signed by the tenant. The documentation provided by the Police and City license
requirements may be helpful in assisting the owner in successfully resolving the
tenant problem.
5. Establish a significant administrative license penalty of $750 monthly charged to the
license holder who chooses not to initiate corrective action with the tenant when
necessary. Penalty would apply every month that the licensing violation continues.
The amount would not be charged to owners unable to implement the crime free lease
addendum due to a court decision.
6. Require compliance of violations and payment of outstanding penalties before the
annual business license for the rental building is renewed.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 2 - Crime Free Rental Housing Program
Page 3
City Attorney Tom Scott believes we can continue forward with the outlined concept for
licensing criteria and successfully address any legal details. Current Police and Inspection
staffing should be sufficient to administer the program if implemented. No increase in the
annual license fee would be proposed as a result of these changes.
During the 1970’s the city had a vision when adopting the first property maintenance code to
help prevent future physical deterioration in what was then relatively new housing. In a similar
manner, adopting proactive measures to help deter crime before further escalation may also have
a lasting impact to maintaining quality of life.
NEXT STEPS: If Council is in agreement with developing an ordinance implementing the
outlined program, staff will complete details of the outlined program and draft ordinance
amendments to our rental licensing section.
The rental property owners, related organizations (SPARC, MMHA, etc.), and general public
will be provided program information and an opportunity for comment through several meetings
over the next few months. An ordinance for public hearing could be ready during spring or
summer of 2007. Changes to licensing requirements would likely be proposed to become
effective with the issuance of the 2008 business licensing.
Attachments: Sample Crime Free Lease Addendum
The Minnesota Crime Free Multi-Housing Program booklet
Prepared by: Brian Hoffman, Director of Inspections
John Luse, Chief of Police
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 3 - Discussion Upcoming City Council Workshop-Feb 23 & 24,
2007
Page 1
3. Discussion on Upcoming City Council Workshop –
February 23 and 24, 2007
Administrative Services
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To begin discussion on the focus of the agenda for the City Council Workshop scheduled for the
end of February.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council is scheduled to meet in a workshop setting during the late afternoon and
evening of Friday, February 23 and during the day on Saturday, February 24. No specific
workshop location has yet been identified.
The Council last met in a similar session during late April of 2006. The primary focus of that
workshop was on the Carver Governance Model and on developing a set of “ends” or
“outcomes” statements as a means to allow for prioritization of resources and direction to staff.
In May, staff presented to Council a summary of the results of the workshop including the
individual Councilmember’s commitment to the Carver model and four “ends/outcomes”
statements. At that time the Council indicated it was not yet ready to adopt the “ends/outcomes”
statement in part because the Visioning process was not yet complete.
APPROACH FOR FEBRUARY’S WORKSHOP:
The process of obtaining input from the community thru this past year’s visioning process has
now been completed. Broad vision statements (Book of Dreams) and goals and action steps have
been developed by Vision Action Teams for eight specific areas.
It now appears the Council and staff are well positioned to use this information as a means to
continue to move the community forward. In fact, a strong argument could be made that we
have an obligation and responsibility to carefully consider the results of the visioning process
and use it in someway to set the future direction for the City.
As such, I would like to suggest that the focus of the workshop be on the development of
strategic priorities based in large part on the results of the visioning process. These strategic
priorities would then provide the framework and direction to staff to develop specific action
steps, determine resource needs etc.
In addition to the Council’s feedback on the suggestion above, I would also be interested in the
Council’s thoughts on the following:
• Use of an outside facilitator – Given that Bridget was deeply involved in the visioning
process and is very close to the topic matter, it may be healthy for all involved to have an
outside party assist with the facilitation of the workshop. No facilitator has been yet been
selected.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 3 - Discussion Upcoming City Council Workshop-Feb 23 & 24,
2007
Page 2
• Department Director Involvement – If the Council agrees with the suggestion as to the
focus of the workshop, I think it may be useful to the Council to have department
directors participate in at least part of the workshop and serve as a resource to the
Council.
• Council subcommittee to help design workshop specifics – To insure as productive of a
workshop as possible, I would like to suggest that 2 or 3 councilmember’s participate in
workshop planning meetings with the facilitator and staff. I would expect this would
involve 2 meetings of about 60 to 90 minutes per meeting.
I look forward to discussing this with you at the Study Session.
Prepared by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 4 - Future Study Session Agenda
Page 1
4. Future Study Session Agenda Planning Administrative Services
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To assist the City Council and the City Manager in setting the next study session agenda.
BACKGROUND:
At each study session, approximately five minutes are set aside to discuss the next study session
agenda. For this purpose, attached please find the tentative agenda and proposed discussion
items for the study sessions on January 16th and January 22nd.
Attachments: Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Prepared By: Marcia Honold, Management Assistant
Approved By: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 010807 - 4 - Future Study Session Agenda
Page 2
Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
6:00 p.m. Box Lunches – Westwood Room
6:15 p.m. Executive Session with Council and Jean Morrison regarding annual City Manager
Evaluation – closed session.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Tentative Discussion - 7:00 p.m.
A. 2007 Legislative Initiatives – Administrative Services (45 minutes)
Staff and Dennis McGrann of Lockridge Grindal Nauen will discuss the significance of
the upcoming federal transportation authorization bill for potentially funding
transportation projects in St. Louis Park.
B. Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) – Community Development (30
minutes)
Staff to present Council with the proposed use of CDBG dollars within the City, which
needs to be formally approved by March 1.
C. Landscaping and Parking Ordinance Revisions – Community Development (45 minutes)
Staff to present proposed revisions to the landscaping and parking requirements of the
zoning ordinance and is seeking Council’s feedback on the changes.
D. Human Rights Commission Work Plan and Annual Report – Administrative Services (10
minutes)
Council to review and discuss the 2006-07 work plan and 2006 annual report prepared by
the Human Rights Commission (HRC) prior to meeting with the HRC at a future study
session.
E. Future Agenda Planning – Administrative Services (5 minutes)
Report
Active Community Planning – Community Development
Finance Report
9:05 p.m. End of Meeting