HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/09/11 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Study Session
September 11, 2006
7:00 PM
Council Chambers
Discussion Items
Approximate
Times
1. 7:00 p.m. Fire Station Preliminary Analysis
2. 8:00 p.m. Proposed Impound Lot
3. 8:30 p.m. Flame Metals Update
3. 9:15 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda
9:20 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: 091106 - 1 - Fire Station Assessment Study
Page 1
1. Fire Station Needs Assessment Study Inspections Department
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To provide an overview and status report of the Fire Station Needs Assessment Study which the
BKV Group is currently completing. BKV representatives will be present to discuss the process
they are using, partial findings identified in the attached Status Report, and project status.
The two fire stations need to provide an effective operation base for providing fire and rescue
services. Any potential building changes being considered may lead to a cascading effect to our
other facilities since the Utilities Division operates out of Station #1 and both station sites are of
very limited size. As such, the completion of this study is one of the first steps in developing our
city facilities plan.
BACKGROUND:
Fire Stations #1 and #2 had been identified by staff as having several significant physical and
operational deficiencies within the buildings. The most immediate need was the recently
completed reinforcement of the apparatus floors.
Both fire stations were constructed in the 1960’s and are not in full compliance with the Federal
ADA requirements for public facilities or designed to accommodate the current multi-gender Fire
Department staffing. Other concerns have related to the aging mechanical systems, limited
ventilation ability, the lack of apparatus storage space, and the inability to accommodate all
firefighters simultaneously for meetings. Although these have been the general areas of concern,
staff determined that a detailed analysis would need to be completed for an accurate evaluation.
The fire stations are potentially the most significant city building investment needed in years. To
help us make sound decisions and plan accordingly, the City issued an RFP to architectural firms
who were capable of providing assessment services. BKV Group was selected based on the extent
of their experience, proposed process and a total project cost of $14,000.
BKV has been meeting with staff in completing questionnaires, performing a detailed facility
assessment, and collecting operational needs information. The final project analysis presentation,
including future facility options, is expected to be completed by November 2006.
Also attached as a piece of background information is a memo from Brian Hoffman on other
facility changes being considered.
Attachments: Fire Station Needs Assessment Study Status Report – BKV Group (Supplement)
Memo on Facilities Maintenance Planning (Supplement)
Prepared by: Brian Hoffman, Director of Inspections
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 091106 - 2 - Proposed Impound Lot
Page 1
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
Staff wishes to discuss plans to create an impound lot on the City’s Water Tower property
located at 5100 Park Glenn Road. The lot would be leased to the City’s current towing
contractor, All Hours (“All Hours”) Towing. The tow contractor needs to be relocated from the
former National Lead/Golden Auto property at 7003 Lake Street due to the current
redevelopment and need for Methodist Hospital parking on that property. It is important for the
efficient operation of the Police Department and the convenience of residents that an impound lot
be retained within the city.
BACKGROUND:
As stated in Staff’s Memo of August 3, 2006 (attached) Staff has been investigating the
feasibility of constructing an impound lot on the City’s Water Tower property at 5100 Park
Glenn Road. As currently configured, the proposed impound lot would occupy approximately a
quarter or 1 acre of the 4.1–acre Water Tower property. This should be sufficient to fulfill the
space requirements specified in the City’s Towing Agreement with All Hours.
PROPOSED SITE PLANS:
Based upon discussions with the City’s Public Works Department it has been determined that the
most advantageous location of the impound lot would be in the northeast corner of the site. This
would allow sufficient space on the south and western portions of the property for various Public
Works activities including snow storage. For security purposes the proposed impound lot would
have its own gated entry and would be separated by a fence from the Water Tower itself and the
remainder of the site. The entrance driveway and customer parking area would be paved with
asphalt while the lot itself would be made of crushed concrete and gravel. Site plans also call for
landscaping and a stormwater system. All Hours would relocate its office trailer to the site
which will be anchored to the ground and have permanent utility connections in conformance
with building code requirements.
PRELIMINARY PROJECT BUDGET:
The cost of constructing the proposed impound lot is as follows:
Construction Services Estimated Cost
Site Survey $ 6,200
Site Layout, Design, & Project Management $40,000
Earthwork, Recycled Concrete Sub-base $90,000
Stormwater Pond and Outlet System $20,000
Paving with asphalt curbs $ 7,000
Fencing (used fence) $ 7,500
Utility Connections to office trailer $45,000
Landscaping $10,000
TOTAL $225,700
2. Proposed Impound Lot Community Development
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 091106 - 2 - Proposed Impound Lot
Page 2
In its Redevelopment Contract with the EDA, Real Estate Recycling agreed to contribute
$75,000 toward the cost of site improvements in order to relocate the impound lot from the
former National Lead/ Golden Auto property so as to provide sufficient offsite parking for
Methodist Hospital’s employees. The remainder of the impound lot construction costs would be
paid for through the Development Fund. All Hours has agreed to enter into a Lease Agreement
with the City for the new impound lot similar to the one it previously signed with Methodist
Hospital. Lease revenue from the towing contractor would then replenish the Development Fund
(which will take under six years to accomplish). Once the Development Fund has been fully
paid back, future lease revenue (minus administrative and maintenance costs) could potentially
be applied toward other municipal purposes. One such purpose could be the cost of material
removal from the remaining portion of the Water Tower site which could conceivably extend the
property’s useful life for Public Works purposes.
Any Lease Agreement with All Hours would expire on December 31, 2009 which is the same
termination date as its current Towing and Impounding Agreement with the City. Prior to this
expiration, the City will likely rebid its towing service contract. If All Hours is the successful
bidder, it will be allowed to negotiate a new lease agreement with the City. If, however, All
Hours is unsuccessful in its bid then it will be required to remove its assets and vacate the
premises upon the termination date of the Lease Agreement.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff would like feedback on the construction plans outlined above. If the City Council is in
favor of proceeding as described staff will prepare the necessary approvals for Council
consideration in the coming weeks. These would include formal authorization to construct the
impound lot on the Water Tower property and a proposed lease agreement with All Hours
Towing.
Attachments: Staff Memo of August 3, 2006
Preliminary Site Plan
Prepared By: Greg Hunt, Economic Development Coordinator
Reviewed By: Kevin Locke, Director of Community Development
Approved By: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 091106 - 2 - Proposed Impound Lot
Page 3
5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416-2290
Phone: 952-924-2197
Fax: 952-924-2663
Email: ghunt@stlouispark.org
Memo
Date: August 2, 2006
To: Mayor Jacobs, Members of the EDA and City Council,
Tom Harmening, City Manager
From: Greg Hunt, Economic Development Coordinator
Re: Proposed Relocation of the City’s Impound Lot to the City’s Water Tower
property at 5100 Park Glenn Road.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
Staff wishes to apprise the EDA/City Council of plans to create an impound lot on the
City’s Water Tower site located at 5100 Park Glenn Road for use by the City’s towing
contractor, All Hours Towing. The tow contractor needs to be relocated from the former
National Lead/Golden Auto property at 7003 Lake Street due to the redevelopment and
need for parking on that property.
BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year, Real Estate Recycling had an agreement with Fairway Communications
to lease the billboard property at the southwest corner of Highway 7 and Louisiana Ave
for use as a parking lot. The parking lot was to replace the Methodist Hospital employee
parking displaced by the construction of the Highway 7 Corporate Center building on the
nearby National Lead/Golden Auto property. When Clear Channel purchased the
billboard later in the spring that agreement with the developer disappeared. As a result,
Real Estate Recycling was confined to using only the EDA’s property at the intersection
and lost about 150 stalls. The existing Land Lease on the former Golden property
requires the property owner (now Real Estate Recycling) to provide Methodist with over
800 stalls thus the developer is bound to provide Methodist with that amount of parking.
Several other parking locations were offered to Methodist however Methodist was
understandably not receptive to having its employees further disbursed over multiple lots.
Juggling all these parking lots would have been logistically difficult, frustrating for their
employees, and would have increased their operating costs due to the number of vans and
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 091106 - 2 - Proposed Impound Lot
Page 4
drivers required to service each of the lots. The only palatable solution was to remove
All Hours Towing from the area it subleases from Methodist behind the Xcel substation.
Relocating All Hours from the former Golden property allowed Methodist to recoup over
80 stalls which was acceptable.
Staff then conducted an extensive search and evaluation of alternative parcels on which
to construct an impound lot. The possible location options were limited given the nature
of the tow business and the fully-built status of the City. Community Development,
Police, Public Works and Utilities staff ultimately determined that the City’s Water
Tower property (located at 5100 Park Glen Road) appeared to be the logical choice. This
3-4 acre property has the proper zoning, could be readily accessed by both the public and
the Police Department, is not visible from nearly any direction, would provide reasonable
security, is remote from residential neighbors, and is already owned by the City. As
currently configured, the tow lot would occupy approximately 1 acre in the southeast
portion of the Water Tower property thus allowing sufficient space for Public Works and
Utility purposes as well as winter snow storage.
Staff is currently investigating the feasibility, requirements, and cost of constructing a
paved parking lot on the Water Tower property. Real Estate Recycling has agreed that
the cost savings achieved by not locating All Hours on the former Golden property
(approximately $75,000) could be applied to the construction of the new parking lot on
the Water Tower site. All Hours would lease the new parking lot from the City until
December 31, 2009 which is the termination date of its Towing and Impounding
Agreement with the City. Lease proceeds would be applied toward whatever remaining
construction costs were incurred by EDA/City.
It is conceivable that the Water Tower site may be a temporary location for the impound
lot as MnDOT may require a portion or much of the property for stormwater retainage
when it permanently expands Highway 100. If this occurs, another location would be
needed for the tow lot.
Time is of the essence on this project, as All Hours is only scheduled to remain in its
current location until mid-October. A delay in relocating the towing contractor would
result in a construction delay of the Highway 7 Corporate Center building.
NEXT STEPS:
In the coming weeks the EDA/Council will be asked to take formal action on the
proposed construction of the impound lot including a lease agreement. In the meantime,
if the EDA/Council has any concerns in this regard it would be appreciated if they could
be directed to staff.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 091106 - 3 - Flame Metals Update
Page 1
3. Flame Metals Update Inspections Department
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To provide an update on the smoke and odor mitigation efforts, issues and options relating to the
Flame Metals facility located at 7317 W. Lake St.
BACKGROUND:
Following the July 17th Study Session discussion, the environmental engineering firm ENSR was
hired by the City to provide professional evaluation of the exhaust venting modifications being
proposed by Flame Metals.
Staff and Stephen David from ENSR met with Flame Metals staff and their consulting
engineering firm, Wenck Associates to learn more of their venting proposal. Wenck’s proposal
was to install a single up-blast exhaust fan over the center bay of the building where they believe
the majority of the offending smoke is coming from. This unit would be manually operated by an
employee if smoke is detected in the building. They did not propose any other modifications.
ENSR had some reservations about their proposal and, based on the limited data provided, it is
unclear if this fan installation will adequately resolve the issues (Please refer to the attached
ENSR report). The proposed termination height of the fan unit and stack is only 13 ft. above the
roof surface. ENSR also indicated the proposed fan unit has the potential to produce loud
exhaust noise at night.
Flame said they would have their engineers prepare construction plans and submit it with a
Mechanical Permit application to the City for review and approval. Staff reminded Flame of the
Zoning Code requirement for roof top equipment screening. This is a concern for Flame, as none
of their existing rooftop equipment is currently screened and the fan unit is 9 ft. high.
ANALYSIS:
The City has not yet received an application for the roof top exhaust system or any other venting
modifications to their building. The City continues to receive smoke and odor complaints,
primarily from one neighborhood resident.
The City Attorney Tom Scott will be present to provide his insights and answer questions.
Attachments: ENSR Discussion of Proposed Equipment, August 3, 2006 (Supplement)
Prepared by: Brian Hoffman, Director of Inspections
Manny Camilon, Environmental Health Official
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 091106 - 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 is 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 session on September 25, 2006.
Attachments: Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Prepared By: Marcia Honold, Management Assistant
Approved By: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 091106 - 4 - Future Study Session Agenda
Page 2
Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Monday, September 25, 2006
7:00 p.m. Study Session starts
Tentative Discussion Items
A. Friends of the Arts Presentation – (30 minutes)
Margaret Rog, Planning and Development Director for Friends of the Arts, will provide
an update to Council about Friends of the Arts.
B. EDI Concept Plan Review – Community Development (45 minutes)
Discussion and presentation on the EDI Concept Plan at the Bass Lake site. Staff will be
asking for Council input on the concept plan.
C. VIP II Assistance – Community Development (30 minutes)
Discussion of Rottlund’s request for assistance for Phase II of Village in the Park Project.
D. Sanitary Sewer Back-up Policy – Public Works/Finance (45 minutes)
Should the Council direct staff to make changes to the city’s sanitary sewer back-up
policy? Staff is returning with additional information regarding options for
consideration.
E. Future Agenda Planning – Administrative Services (5 minutes)
9:35 p.m. End of Meeting