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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/12/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL December 12, 1944 Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, George Haun, Ron Latz, Robert Young, Gail Dorfman and Mayor Lyle Hanks. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer); Police Chief(Mr. Mitchell); Sgt. John Luse of the Police Department; Director of Parks and Recreation(Mr. Gears); and Director of Community Development(Mr. Hagen). 1.Community Policing Chief Mitchell presented a definition of community policing: a philosophy incorporating a problem-solving approach to many, but not all, of the incidents and situations coming to the attention of the police. He explained the various ways the department envisions this concept being put in effect in the City. Chief Mitchell said two illustrations of where community policing has been put into effect in the City is the police school liaison program and the building of partnerships at Meadowbrook Manor. It was the consensus of the Council that this is a worthwhile program and encouraged Chief Mitchell and his staff to move forward with the community policing concept. 2.Status report on Deer Management Program Mr. Gears introduced Michelle Stratdon from the DNR. He explained that the deer population has increased to over 20 and the preferred population is 6-10 in accordance with the Deer Management Program adopted by the Council last winter. Tonight he was seeking Council approval to initiate the application process for a DNR permit for the removal of 10-12 deer from the Nature Center. He explained that the DNR has developed a proposal for working with the City on a joint research program at the Nature Center which would use immunocontraceptive technology once the drugs have been approved for use. He was suggesting the Save the Deer Committee be apprised of this proposed research including the need for$25,000 for start-up costs. Ms. Stratdon explained a proposal for tracking the remaining deer in order to keep tabs on the social structure of the herd once it has been thinned. Also that no one is quite sure where the deer are coming from, nor where they are going. Council asked if Golden Valley and Minnetonka had been approached about a collaborative effort. Mr. Gears said they had plus Edina and Eden Prairie.11 Mr. Meyer said staff will continue to pursue means for funding for research and continue under the parameters previously established. It was Council consensus that staff apply to the DNR for the permit. Councilmember Dorfman said she was in favor of the research program with the DNR but not in favor of removal of additional deer. 3.Proposed ordinance prohibiting keeping of non-domestic animals A group representing Wildlife Management Services and the Minnesota Herpetological Society were present to request that the proposed ordinance be deferred Cities surrounding St. Louis Park have such ordinances in place. Chief Mitchell said his staff would work further with input from the Society and return to Council at a later date. 4.Victoria Village project-Design modification Mr. Hagen explained the design modification proposed by Mr. Teasdale which now includes two 18-unit apartment buildings and 84 townhouses in 21 four-unit structures. He said the modification would require an amendment to the zoning map or an amendment to the R-3 district regulations He noted that a meeting with neighborhood residents to explain the potential use of TIF and address any questions about the proposed project is scheduled for Dec. 15. Council was in agreement that the neighborhood be apprised of this design modification. As there was no pro forma for the modification, Mr. Hagen was unable to answer questions about how the buildings would look, etc. It was the consensus of Council to wait and see the results of the Thursday, Dec. 15 meeting. 5.Redevelopment strategy Mr. Hagen referenced the land use map showing areas in need of redevelopment. Mayor Hanks felt it would be interesting to see an overlay highlighting the current non- conforming uses. Mr. Meyer said staff will continue to work on criteria for ranking areas. This item will come back with further refinements at an upcoming study session. J Mayor Hanks did not feel it was appropriate for Council to be asking Duggan's if a change to the settlement was o.k. with them or not --the City Council issues the liquor licenses. He felt this was a serious charge and Council was asking staff to take it back to Duggan's and explain that the severity of the charge is more than their stipulation suggests. If they don't like it, they can come back or go for a hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Latz, seconded by Councilmember Young, that the no- violation provision be in effect until June 1, 1995 and from the period June 1, 1995 to December 15, 1995 there be a stipulation that there be no violation of the gambling ordinances. Mr. Sheehy wanted to clarify that if Duggan's does not accept the revision to the agreement as discussed herein, that the matter be set for a hearing before the Council.,,; Mr. Jacobs said if Duggan's does not accept the proposed revision, it is not his intent to go back and forth negotiating over this issue. If they do not accept it, the matter would proceed to an administrative hearing. Mr. Latz incorporated that comment into his motion. The motion passed 5-0. The hearing adjourned at 6:55 p.m. May• Lyle Hanks r ecording Secretary