HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/04/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session11ISt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
APRIL 17, 2017
The meeting convened at 5:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms.
Walsh), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Deputy City Manager/Human
Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Director of Community Development (Mr. Locke), Principal
Planner (Ms. McMonigal), Communications Manager (Ms. Larson), Planning and Zoning
Supervisor (Mr. Walther), Chief Information Officer (Mr. Pires), Police Chief Harcey, Fire Chief
Koering, and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: Jeanne Anderson and Henry Solmer, St. Louis Park Historical Society
1. Walker Building - 6524 Walker Street
Ms. Anderson, representing the St. Louis Park Historical Society, stated the society has been
looking for a permanent home. The property at 6524 Walker Street is for sale and has been
identified by the society as a possible location for them. The building dates back to 1892 and is
the oldest commercial structure remaining in the community. Ms. Anderson noted the society
hopes the city would play a significant role in helping secure the building for their use. She
reviewed the society's proposal with the council members.
Ms. Anderson added that the owner of the building has made many improvements, but the
building has been on the market since September 2015. The society would like it to come off the
market as soon as possible. While the building has not been appraised, the owner is asking
$775,000 for it. Ms. Anderson noted that the society cannot get a bank loan or ask for donations
to purchase the building. She stated they would need up front money in order to purchase it and
would then pay the money back as they were able. She noted there are three options:
1) City grant to buy the property
2) City loans to purchase with a flexible repayment plan based on fundraising. The society
would repay all or some of the amount of the loan over time
3) City purchase of the building and lease to the society for $1 per year. She added this is
the most common arrangement with other cities and their historical societies.
With all of the above options Ms. Anderson noted the society would need to hire a professional
fundraiser/executive director to raise donations to buy the building.
Councilmember Lindberg asked Mr. Hoffman about the condition of the building. Mr. Hoffman
stated the building is structurally sound, with a solid foundation and no evidence of rot. He stated
some mechanicals might need replacement, as well as the roof, and it would need updates to
allow for ADA access.
Mr. Selmer thanked Ms. Anderson and Mr. Ekkers, Chair of the St. Louis Park Historical
Society, for their dedication. He stated it would be a dream to own this building, and it would be
great to see the building saved; however, he felt the society would be best served if the city
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owned the building, and the society was able to use some area of the building. He added the
society would not be able to own and operate the building by themselves.
Councilmember Mavity arrived at 5:20 p.m.
Councilmember Miller stated he is interested in preserving this building and in moving forward
with the city owning it. He added he sees this as a community building to be used by community
organizations, including the historical society, as well as others like the Nest.
Councilmember Sanger agreed with Councilmember Miller, stating it is critical to preserve the
building and to help develop an historic area of the Walker Lake area. She added she is not sure
this is the right spot for the Nest, but she would like it to be considered. Additionally, she noted
the city may want to lease it to the school district, adding the city needs to purchase the building
quickly before it is demolished.
Mr. Hatmening stated the city has not spoken to the owner yet, but if the council wants to pursue
it, the city will do so.
Councilmember Brausen stated he is in favor of temporarily acquiring the title to the building for
the historical society and added that if the city is committed to redeveloping this area, they will
need to decide how best to do it and include more community engagement. He added it would be
useful to look at the visioning before making any decisions, adding he does not want to be
pressured into this.
Councilmember Mavity stated she has met with the historical society board and members, noting
the society does need a home. She added it makes sense for the city to invest in the building;
however, the city is not a management company and so would want a long-term private
ownership. She added the city could help to get the building on the national register and work
with the owner on an incentive for this, but again stated the city should not be managing the
building or be a long-term landowner.
Councilmember Lindberg agreed with Councilmember Mavity, and does not want the city to be
in the business of land ownership, especially when considering ongoing costs and renovating
costs. He added this is expensive, and he doesn't favor a financial commitment or a property
acquisition. Councilmember Lindberg stated he has concerns and wants to be wise, not jumping
into this without a plan. He added he hopes for a creative solution.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he would be willing to take a leap here and help the society,
noting the council needs to get behind this effort and is in a position to do so. He asked if the
purchase of the building would involve creative financing or if the city would purchase it
outright.
Mr. Harmening stated that if the council was interested in being assertive, the city has the
resources to do this through an EDA or HRA levy. However, he added that he views this project
as more of an economic development project for that area of the city, which the historical society
can be part of. He added it might be best to work with a developer and a private owner so that the
city would not have to manage the building, noting also that the city cannot underestimate the
renovation costs of this building, in addition to the purchase price.
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Ms. Anderson stated that if the city or the society owned the building and it was placed on the
National Historic Register, they would be eligible for state grants, which would help with
reconstruction costs. A management company would manage the property.
Councilmember Sanger asked what the society knows about the building's owner; to what extent
is the owner sympathetic to historic preservation; and would the owner be inclined to work with
the city. Ms. Anderson stated the owner wants the society to have the building, and he cares
about the building's historical nature very much. After the building is sold, he would want to
hold onto part of the first floor for a time.
Councilmember Mavity stated the city will want to be sure they are not playing the marketplace
on this and that the owner is motivated to sell.
Mayor Spano said related to the issue of the Nest, he strongly encouraged the students to
maintain their vision and ideas of what they want. He asked Mr. Hoffman if the students wanted
to do a coffee shop or food prep in the building, would the remodel for that be expensive, and
would there be much work needed. Mr. Hoffman stated the building is classified as office space
currently and would need to be modernized and remodeled to meet code. He noted the costs
would be high.
Mayor Spano added the city does not really have a downtown area and asked the council what
the broader vision is for this area. He stated the council has not had this discussion yet, adding
that other entities in this area might come to the council and ask the city to purchase their
building also, so care will have to be taken about setting precedent. However, he added that the
city does need to move forward on taking control of this building to create a sense of continuity,
especially since it is the oldest commercial building in the city. He noted that the downtown area
buildings in his hometown are all on the national historic register and that creates community,
pride. It is a central place people can go to and remember. Mayor Spano added this is an
opportunity to get control of one vintage building and is worth pursuing.
Mr. Harmening added if anyone would ask why the city purchased the building, he would say it
helps leverage additional redevelopment in the area. If the historical society is part of this
redevelopment, all the better.
It was the consensus of the council to have staff explore further options and the building owner's
interest in working with the city.
Councilmember Lindberg noted that there needs to be communication with the public about this
building, as well.
2. Vision 3.0 Trends Exercise
At 6:15 p.m., the council and city staff members broke into table groups to work on a visioning
trend exercise with the consultant.
The council reconvened at 6:50 p.m. for a larger discussion with the consultant related to their
table work. The areas discussed included resources, technology, demographics and governance.
The group rated which items are ready to move forward on now and which are not ready.
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The consultant stated she will bring more information back to the council related to the visioning
exercise results of the Steering Committee, as well.
Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal)
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
3. Advancing Race Equity: Next Steps for 2617
4. Parkway 25 — PUD Major Amendment to Section 26-268 PUD 7
Melfi sa Kennedy, City Clerk