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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/2000 Council MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : September 20, 2000 TIME STARTED : 5:33 p.m. TIME ENDED : 7:25 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Carlson, Dahl, O'Donnell, Reinert, and Mayor Bergeson : None MEMBERS ABSENT Staff members present: City Engineer, John Powell; Community D .ment Director, Brian Wessel; Economic Development Assistant, Mary Divine ( of Police, Dave Pecchia; and Public Services Director, Rick DeGardne Mayor Bergeson advised Mr. Daryl Silverness is pre t re the YMCA. The Community Development Director intro Mrs. Tagg, Mr. Ross Fefercorn and Mr. Center. Coyle, attorney for Mr. and eam of developers for the Town TOWN CENTER UPDATE, A CE DIVINE The Community Develo it or advised the second phase of the Livable Communities appl = t be submitted on Friday, September 23, 2000. Progress was made at the spcil work session last Saturday. A discussion was held regarding the densit f the project. Staff is working on a plan that would involve 22 units per acre and possibly pairing down to 20 units per acres. Staff has requested a revision of the design that will refine the architectural design, reducing density further, and address concerns regarding rental units. The revision will be available in approximately six (6) weeks. The Community Development Director continued advising the second phase of the application will be dependent upon the Council's approval of the application. A letter has been received from the Tagg's Attorney indicating support of the Council's approval of the application. Mr. Coyle came forward and stated his clients are encouraged by the progress being made to the Town Center project. The way the plan was initially received it was clear that the Tagg's would be partners with the City. Mr. and Mrs. Tagg have no desire to be development partners with the City. Mr. and Mrs. Tagg would like the City to make them CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 a fair offer for their property. The Tagg's would prefer they no longer be subjected to any further details and timing issues relating to the Town Center project. The Tagg's would like their stake in the project decided. Mr. and Mrs. Tagg would like the City to buy them out. Currently, Mr. and Mrs. Tagg cannot move forward because they are locked into the City's planning process. Mr. and Mrs. Tagg will continue to be supportive of the City relating to the project. Mayor Bergeson advised purchase of the Tagg's property is an option. The City would like to explore that option if Council Members are agreeable. The Council can ask the City Attorney and staff to explore that option. He stated he does not believe the City is in the position to buy the property out right. The purchase may occur with a contract that will hopefully come together quickly. Council Member Carlson noted Council Members have not seen a copy of the letter sent by Mr. Coyle. Staff distributed a copy of the letter to Council Members. Council directed staff to work with the City Attorney and Mr. and ► e g regarding the purchase of the Tagg's property. Council Member Carlson expressed concern regarding th i i ications. She stated the consultant in 1998 advised the City it cou d ore than one million dollars. She also expressed concern regarding to construct the infrastructure. She stated she needs to see the otto ne figures. Council Member Reinert clarified one piece. The City should ex being involved. He stated rs. Tagg would like the property sold as the property can be sold without the City y does not become a developer. Mr. Ross Feferco a and and stated he has been working on the revisions of the master plan for the =.;� er. The revisions will address all concerns. The plan is a prototype of a deve e'A being built in south Maplewood. He stated he attended an urban conference in a Diego that studied Town Centers. Issues dealing with acquisition are typical with this type of plan. It is very common for a city to become involved in some type of acquisition. He stated he would like to put together a presentation regarding these types of development. Mayor Bergeson stated the Council visited Mr. Engstrom's developments. He stated he is very interested in the details. Council Member Carlson stated the visit to Fields of St. Croix was a real eye opener. She asked why the two -(2) developers have not made an offer to the Tagg's for their property. Mr. Fefercorn advised that typically a builder/developer only develops one or two (2) types of developments. The plan calls for commercial, hotel, rental units and senior rentals, which his company does not develop. 2 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 Council Member Carlson asked if there is the possibility for a three -(3) party partnership to purchase the property. Mr. Fefercorn advised a three -(3) party partnership is an option that should be explored. Mr. Duffy stated that his company is in the rental housing business. He stated he has provided a booklet that is available. He stated his company can only do one component of the project. Mayor Bergeson stated there is some concern regarding the rental property and how it will develop. Mr. Duffy stated he does not yet have all the numbers and dollar figures. A market study has not yet been done on rental housing in this area. He stated he believes there is a need for it. The City must decide what density level it will allow. There is the possibility of 16-20 units per acre. He stated that his company typically bids the ng out. Council Member Dahl asked if Mr. Duffy would sell the pr gement company or if his company will run the complex. She al a i will be involved with the senior housing. Mr. Duffy stated his company builds and own long-term holder of the property. He and is interested in senior housin plex. He stated his company is a get involved in the community Council Member Reinert ounc?Ihas been told the project can not go above 75 units of senior housing tudy. The Community D Director stated the proposal is for 75 units. Without a study it is not know h e is the potential for more units. Mr. Duffy added he will do a market study when a purchase agreement is in place. Mayor Bergeson asked Mr. Duffy to comment on the concept of affordable housing. Mr. Duffy explained that affordable housing earned a bad reputation in the past years. It is now trying to earn back a good reputation. He stated the key to successful affordable housing is the management of it. He gave the definition of affordable housing noting that for the Metropolitan Council funding will be 50 — 60% of the median income and 20% of the units will be affordable. He noted the aspects of affordable housing that his company puts into place to make it successful. He stated his company builds affordable housing based on tax credits, deferred loans and grants. He noted he has six -(6) development within the Twin Cities and will provide a list of those development for Council Members. Council Member Reinert inquired about other residential options that can be developed. 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 Mr. Fefercorn stated residential options are limited because of the size of the property. There is an opportunity to build to the school that would create a thread to the Town Center and area parks. Council Member Carlson commented on the need for assisted living in the area. Mrs. Tagg stated the City has acted as a developer in the past. The City has made themselves the master planner of her land and should stick to their commitment buy purchasing the land. She stated that an offer from developers is contingent upon the Livable Communities grant. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, BRIAN WESSEL Staff advised there is another Comprehensive Plan work session scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2000. The current Metropolitan Council contact has left and the City has been reassigned to another representative. The new contact should Council work session to introduce himself. Council Member O'Donnell clarified that the Council ha erormation regarding the number of buildable acres in the MUS S s. ank needed to complete the Comprehensive Plan vision. TWILIGHT ACRES ASSESSMEN_W ► POWELL Staff advised consideration an assessment roll for Twilight Acres in on the regular Council agendhas een continued from previous Council meetings. Staff advise._ k 'up has had further discussion regarding the issues and the survey res en obtained. Staff reviewed the survey results noting that residents are gener o .. osed to the project but want the assessments limited to the benefit of the prope e assessments went from $16,000 to $8,800 on Vicky Lane. The assessments we from $25,000 to $16,300 on Nancy Drive. Staff continued stating the assessments are lower due to revisions in the project but are still not in the range of the estimated benefit to the property. Staff would like to explore the possibility of using County funds for the gap in the project costs. Staff advised the City can make a case for the funds due to the health concern of failing septics. The City Administrator will be contacting the Council regarding the process. Staff advised the Council still has to deal with the original project. Staff recommended the Council not adopt the assessment roll for the project, but direct staff to prepare a new project report that only includes sewer and boulevard restoration. Council should also direct staff to pursue funding from the County. Council directed staff to prepare a resolution for the regular Council meeting that includes the following: CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 1. Denial of the assessment roll. 2. Initiation of a new project report. 3. Initiation of a grant submittal to the County. Council Member O'Donnell asked if the City is pursuing the referendum option. Staff advised the referendum option will not be pursued at this time. Long term, a referendum is a possibility. Mayor Bergeson stated there is always a judgment involved in appraisals. He asked if a project is feasible if the appraisal is within a couple of thousand dollars of the project cost. Staff advised the appraisal process is not a precise process. If the appraisal is within a couple of thousand dollars, the City may have the change of justifying the assessment. Staff advised a recommendation would be needed from the City Attorney. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, September 25, 2000, 6:30 p.m. CSAH 49 RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE, JOHN PO Staff advised Council requested a letter be drafted n o t ounty. The County Engineer is drafting a response. The response ':y n received. The County representative will be present at the Novembe , 20 1 Council work session. A meeting was held between Ramsey County ani � It was indicated that the project would end 1,500 feet south of Co R''"` ere will be a gap between the two -(2) county's projects. Council Member Carls • a w < i the response is expected. She stated the City asked for a response in e Ocr. She asked why the meeting is not until November. She stated she is ready tter to the County asking the County to compromise on the project. Staff advised November 8, 2000, was selected because both the County Engineer and the County Commissioner could be present at that time. Council Member Carlson advised she is willing to have a special meeting if it can be schedule earlier than November. Mayor Bergeson stated it may be appropriate for the Council to contact the County Commissioner regarding this issue. Council Member Reinert stated he is also willing to hold a special meeting. He stated it would be nice to have time to look at other options prior to the meeting. He stated more communication is needed between the County and the City. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 Council Member Carlson noted improvements are needed on that road. She also stated she supports the County Commissioner. Council directed staff to speak to the County Engineer regarding a prompt response to the City's letter. Staff should also schedule a sooner date for the meeting. The City Administrator will contact the County Commissioner regarding this issue. BUDGET DISCUSSION, MAYOR BERGESON Mayor Bergeson advised Council Members received a list of possible budget cuts to balance the budget. He suggested Council Members comment to the City Administrator and Finance Director regarding the possible cuts. Discussions will continue when the Finance Director and the City Administrator are present. Council Member Carlson requested information regarding revenue. Council Member O'Donnell clarified that to maintain the current t 84,00 needs to be cut from the budget. Mayor Bergeson stated a special budget meeting may ne to sc tiled. REGULAR AGENDA, SEPTEMBER 25, 2 Item 7A, Consider Variance Request f , 6101 Centerville Road — Staff will investigate the County's plan ays. Item 9B, Public Hearing o • e 15 — 00, Establishing a Meter Fee for Customers of Reliant Energy Minn cil requested clarification regarding the meter fee. Mayor Bergeson a 11 not be present for both Council work session and one Council meeting in • b r. Council directed the Police Department to check on the activity at Birch Street and Centerville Road. The Community Development Director advised progress is being made in the park dedication fees. The proposed changes should be completed by the end of October 2000. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on January 8, 2000. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION c, yd --0706 Ry-Qhel Gaustad, CMC City Clerk Transcribed by: Kim Points TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. SEPTEMBER 20, 2000 John ergeson, Mayor