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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_98Apr22CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING °' ' MINUTES OF APRIL 22, 1998 ~ ``~ ~ • Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. PRESENT Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Kuettel, and Jacobs. Also present was Hoyt, Asleson, and Maurer. COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF APRIL 8, 1998 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. PUBLIC HEARING HEARING ON PROPOSED 1998 IMPROVEMENTS TO HOYT AVENUE BETWEEN ' FULHAM STREET AND CLEVELAND AVENUE Engineer Maurer explained that the improvements to Hoyt Avenue were being done in • conjunction with the City of St. Paul's improvements to the St. Anthony Park neighborhood. Since Hoyt Avenue is a border street, St. Paul and Falcon Heights will share in the street reconstruction costs. In addition, St. Paul will install 27 streetlights along Hoyt Avenue, 13 on the Falcon Heights side of the street. Since these decorative streetlights are unique to the project, Hoyt Avenue residents are proposed to be assessed 517.16 per front foot for the streetlights. The proposed assessment rate for the street reconstruction is 526.50 per front foot. Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Marian Watson, 2140 W. Hoyt Avenue, St. Paul, asked about the assessment rate. Administrator Hoyt noted that the rate will be different for her property since it is located on the St. Paul side of Hoyt Avenue. Dan Bryan, 2141 W. Hoyt Avenue, noted that Northern States Power was installing new gas main as a part of the project and wanted to know what provisions had been made for ensuring the safety of the new main. Engineer Maurer replied that N.S.P. controlled this and it is not a part of the city project. No one else requested to be heard. Mayor Gehrz closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. City Council Minutes April 22, 1998 • Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED 3 Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the following consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Authoriza#ion to sell surplus equipment 4. Scheduling a May 6, 1998 workshop at 6:00 p.m. 5. Approval of an ordinance amending the cable franchise term to July 20, 1998 6. Approval of an agreement releasing the property at 1781 N. Prior Avenue, Lot 1, Block 1, Stratford Professional Office Park, from city restrictions 7. Approval of pay estimate #1 to Jay Brothers for the State Fair sign in the amount of 57,280.04 POLICY AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 98-09 ORDERING THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE 1998 HOYT AVENUE PROJECT • Mayor Gehrz introduced the proposed resolution ordering the improvement of Hoyt Avenue between Cleveland Avenue and Fulham Street. Councilmember Jacobs moved approval of Resolution 98-09, ordering the improvement of the 1998 Hoyt Avenue project. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ST. PAUL FOR RECONSTRUCTING HOYT AVENUE WEST OF CLEVELAND AVENUE Administrator Hoyt explained the proposed agreement defining how St. Paul and Falcon Heights would share in the costs of reconstructing Hoyt Avenue. The estimated costs for Falcon Heights is 5130,126.75 for the street reconstruction, 537,186.37 for the streetlights, and 533,555.46 for engineering costs, for a total project cost of 5200,868.58. Councilmember Hustad moved approval of the agreement with the City of St. Paul for costs associated with Hoyt Avenue improvements. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ST. PAUL FOR MAINTAINING THIRTEEN STREETLIGHTS ON HOYT AVENUE BETWEEN CLEVELAND AVENUE AND FULHAM STREET • Administrator Hoyt explained that the proposed agreement describes how Falcon Heights will reimburse the City of St. Paul for maintaining the thirteen streetlights being installed on the north side of Hoyt Avenue. St. Paul will charge Falcon Heights on a time and materials basis for repairs and routine maintenance. The streetlights are being City Council Minutes April 22, 1998 Page 3 3 independently wired from St. Paul so that Falcon Heights can change who maintains the lights in the future, if that is desired. Councilmember Gibson Talbot moved approval of the agreement with the City of St. Paul for streetlight maintenance. The motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO THE ANTICIPATED NEW CAPITAL REGION WATERSHED DISTRICT Administrator Hoyt explained that it is anticipated that the Central Ramsey and Southwest Ramsey Watershed Management Organizations will be merging into one watershed district, to be named the Capital Region Watershed District. It is likely that the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will request nominees from cities for the watershed manager board positions. Dr. William Downing has requested that the City of Falcon Heights submit his name for consideration as a board manager. Dr. Downing has been a resource for the city and county in evaluating this watershed issue and participated in the hearings regarding the watershed's formation. Councilmember Kuettel moved to recommend Dr. William Downing's appointment as a • board manager to the anticipated Capital Region Watershed District. The motion passed unanimously. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WOMEN'S SOCCER STADIUM Administrator Hoyt reported that this was the third meeting where the proposed University of Minnesota Women's Intercollegiate soccer stadium topic had been discussed; prior meetings included an informational meeting on April 13 and at the planning commission's April 21 meeting. Administrator Hoyt explained that the University is proposing a permanent stadium for the University's women's intercollegiate soccer program at the southwest corner of Larpenteur and Cleveland Avenues to the south of the Gibbs schoolhouse site. The site is currently used for intramural sports and about eight women's intercollegiate games each year. The women's competitions use temporary bleachers, restroom facilities, and loudspeaker. The proposed S2 million, 7700 square foot stadium would seat 1,000 people initially with expansion for 500 more seats in the future. It would be surrounded by an eight foot high chain link fence. There would be no locker rooms on the site. The University has no plans to light the facility or to rent it out to non-University groups. The University plans a November 1998 construction start with a September 1999 opening date. Hoyt further reported that three areas of concern have arisen from the two previous • public meetings held on this subject. These areas are: City Council Minutes April 22, 1998 • Page 4 3~..$. • Process The University has not approached the city or the adjacent neighborhoods about this plan until very recently. The project is on the agenda for approval by the University regents in early June, which does not give much time for input. • Variation from 1996 Master Plan The University's 1996 master plan shows these fields remaining essentially the same, being used for intramural games and practices. It does not plan for a permanent facility at this site. • Land Use Suitability: There is concern that this site is not appropriate for a soccer facility because it lacks the facilities and expansion potential necessary for the women's intercollegiate soccer program, and its close proximity to residential uses. In addition, there are specific concerns regarding parking, pedestrians, noise, and litter. The planning commission, after hearing from both the University and neighboring residents on this issue, adopted the following recommendations: • The planning commission unanimously supports the creation of a task force on the proposed soccer development with representatives from the University of Minnesota, the City of Falcon Heights, the Grove neighborhood, the 1666 Coffman condominium association, and surrounding communities impacted by the • facility. The task force is asked to consider, but not be limited to, reviewing the following: parking, pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow, noise from the site, aesthetics of the site, the long term suitability of the site for an intercollegiate women's soccer facility, coordination with other uses including the Gibbs schoolhouse and the greenhouse properties on the southwest corner of Cleveland and Larpenteur, and the appropriateness of the mix of the land use between competitive intercollegiate soccer activities with abutting residential properties. • The planning commission unanimously encourages the city council to establish a formal relationship and better communication with the University of Minnesota on planning issues. • The planning commission unanimously acknowledges the receipt of the resolution from representatives of the Grove Association and 1666 Coffman Association and encourages the city council to review the proposed resolution and the full impact that the proposed facility would have on the neighborhood. Donna Olson, U of M Assistant Director of Women's Athletics, gave background on women's athletics at the University, about the women's soccer program, and about the need to have a permanent soccer facility. Tom Hoffoss, from the University's Facilities Management division, described the project. He also explained the six other sites considered for the stadium and the obstacles associated with each of those sites. He also outlined the University's estimation of parking spaces available on soccer game days, located in University contract lots, at • Gibbs Farm, and at the University golf course. The University believes that some spectators will walk or use public transportation to get to the stadium. City Council Minutes April 22, 1998 • Page 5 3 Hoffoss stated that the University is open to meeting with a city task force regarding the stadium but that the project must get approval from the University Regents before any further steps can be taken on the project. There are no Regents meetings scheduled in July or August, so the issue is scheduled to be heard at the June meeting. Councilmember Hustad asked about the consequences to the soccer program if the stadium were not begun this year. Tom Hoffoss replied that the University would lose some money because the project design is being done in conjunction with another and there would be added design costs if there was a delay. There would also be debt service costs. Donna Olson added that recruitment for the women's soccer program will be harder without the promise to student-athletes of a new stadium. Councilmember Kuettel asked why the University is not planning to rent the stadium to outside groups. Donna Olson answered that long term maintenance of the fields is difficult with heavier usage and therefore the plan is to use the game fields as little as possible. The budget for the new stadium is not based upon rental revenue for operating costs. Councilmember Gibson Talbot asked the University officials to comment on the resident's concerns regarding noise and parking. Donna Olson replied that the current • temporary sound system is a horn. The new system would be more directed and better sounding, although she could not guarantee that neighboring properties would never hear it. As for parking, traffic control has not been an issue in the past. Mayor Gehrz then asked members of the public for their comments. Florence Chambers, 1666 Coffman Street, stated that she supports the women's soccer program. She feels that the women's soccer program should not have to have their locker rooms on the Minneapolis campus and be bused to a separate facility. Chambers stated that although she has witnessed problems with soccer spectators cutting across private property, she does not like the idea of an eight foot high fence around the soccer field. Akiva Pour-EI, 1666 Coffman Street, noted that the U of M police don't control for trespassing and illegal parking on soccer game days. Fran Slagle, 2117 W. Hoyt Avenue, spoke in favor of equity for women's sports, but noted that she sees significant problems in increasing the seating capacity at the field without increasing available parking. Ann Mullholland, 2129 Folwell Avenue, asked who will be responsible for maintenance at the site (sewer, trash, etcl. Mayor Gehrz answered that this will be the University's responsibility. Mullholland expressed concern over the development of a permanent • structure surrounded by a fence. City Council Minutes April 22, 1998 • Page 6 ~,._ :~ Meredith Anderson, 2280 Folwell Avenue, noted an increase in the University's estimated seating capacity in the temporary bleachers from 800 to 1000 over the course of these meetings. She stated that she's seen people park on the grass across the street from the soccer fields rather than walking from a contract lot a few blocks away, and believes few people will walk to this site from the Minneapolis campus. Sheila Richter, 2132 Folwell Avenue, stated that the noise level at the fields is not bad during intramural pick-up games and practices but is really loud during competitive games. Richter fears that the noise will get worse with a new stadium. Gertrude Esteros, 1666 Coffman Street, explained that when the Coffman Condominiums were built, it was with the understanding that the fields were to be used for recreational sports, not competitive games. The conflict between the residential and stadium uses cannot be resolved because the two land uses are not compatible. There is a need to look at the long range development of this area. Betty Ellis, 2111 Folwell Avenue, reported that her neighbors are all opposed to the University's plans for the stadium. The neighborhood has trusted the University in the past and the University has treated the neighborhood well. However, if this proposal passes, it will be in disregard to the wishes of the neighborhood. She noted that her • living room window would be about fifty feet from the eight foot high stadium fence. Marcel Richter, 2132 Folwell Avenue, made two points. First, he stated his belief that the University will rent out the stadium someday, even if it has no plans to do so now. Second, he asserted that the University has known about this stadium for a long time. The topic was on the Regent's agenda even before the first community meeting held on the subject. Richter asserted that any task force that enters discussions with the University at this point will not have sufficient time to analyze the issue. He asked that the stadium topic be withdrawn from the Regent's calendar until all of the issues have been fairly discussed. John Turner, 1576 Vincent Street, stated that he supports women's intercollegiate athletics but opposes this particular project. He is concerned about the compatibility of an athletic complex with a residential neighborhood and fears a decline in property values. Turner encouraged the University to find another site that would be better for the residents and for the needs of the student-athletes. He also encouraged the city council to work collaboratively with the University and for the council to try to influence the building activities of the University even if it can't regulate them. Barbara Lukerman, 2211 Folwell Avenue, stated her concern that the 1996 University Master Plan, adopted 18 months ago, addresses this area as being for informal recreational sports, not for a stadium. She also expressed concerns about the long range development of the entire site. Lukerman asked that Kent Greenberg, the consulting • planner for the Master Plan, be invited to a task force meeting and that the council require an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to document potential impacts of a stadium use. City Council Minutes April 22, 1998 • Pagel ~~ Curt Padberg, 1944 Wildwood Court, Roseville, stated that he bought his home to be near the University, knowing that there would be some University-related hassles. He respects the concerns of the residents of University Grove and the Coffman Condominiums, but asserted that it cannot be expected that the fields will stay the same forever. Padberg believes that this facility is preferable to future potential uses. Marian Watson, 2140 W. Hoyt Avenue, St. Paul, stated her belief that the University's parking estimates are unrealistically low and that there will be extensive on-street parking in the residential neighborhood if a stadium is built. She is also concerned about the effect of a stadium on nearby property values. Vernon Weckwerth, 1666 Coffman Street, also stated his belief that parking cannot be accommodated for a stadium. He urged exploration of other sites for the facility, since the 1996 Master Plan stated that the fields should be preserved for recreational use. He specifically noted the University's logic for rejecting the site on sheep fields at the State Fair. Ted Kellogg, 1666 Coffman Street, urged the city council to establish a task force to study this issue,, and urged the University to give the task force sufficient time to analyze the issues. • Mayor Gehrz explained to the city council that she had drafted six action items with respect to this issue. Following discussion, Councilmember Kuettel moved the following: To create a task force on the University of Minnesota Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Stadium development made up of representatives from the University of Minnesota, the city of Falcon Heights, the Grove neighborhood, the 1666 Coffman condominium association and surrounding communities impacted by the facility. The council authorized the mayor to appoint three representatives from the city. The task force is charged to consider, but not be limited to, reviewing the following: - parking - pedestrian, and vehicular traffic flow - noise from the site - aesthetics from the site - the long term suitability of the site for an intercollegiate women's soccer facility - the coordination of the facility and site with abutting uses including the Gibbs schoolhouse and the greenhouse properties on the southwest comer of Cleveland and Larpenteur - the appropriateness of the mix of the land uses between the competitive intercollegiate soccer activities with abutting residential properties • • City Council Minutes April 22, 1998 Page 8 ~~3 The council authorized the following support for the task force. - Logistical support including meeting facilities, notices to participants and minutes. - Technical support of up to 53,000 from the 1998 planning consultant budget to assist with the analysis of the potential impact of the soccer fields on the neighborhoods. - The services of a facilitator for the first three meetings or as needed for up to 51,500. • The city council authorized the mayor to work with the city attorney to investigate the feasibility of entering into a contract with the university for negative or restrictive covenants, similar to a conditional use permit, to control for further future developments of this site. The council charged the task force with identifying those future conditions such as no lights. The university could be asked to sign this agreement prior to the construction of the facility. The city council authorized the mayor to send a letter to the President of the University of Minnesota requesting that the task force be given sufficient time to develop agreements before the issue comes before the Regents and requesting that the university complete an environmental assessment worksheet on the facility to be used as a planning tool by the task force. The city council pledged to work toward establishing a formal relationship and better communication between the city and the University of Minnesota on planning issues. The motion passed unanimously. INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED PARKING FACILITY ON THE ST. PAUL (FALCON HEIGHTS) CAMPUS The discussion on a proposed parking ramp was postponed to a later meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m. ,~2~-(~~ Carla Asleson Recording Secretary Susan L. Gehrz, M r