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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • September 21, 1999 Page 7 1 Mr. Faust mentioned the issue that had been surrounding the possible condemnation of the 2 Kuharski home at 2709 Pahl Avenue. At the July 27, 1999 City Council meeting, Mr. Faust 3 made a motion to table the condemnation matter and asked WSB & Associates to review other 4 options in light of the Kuharski's objections to condemnation. After a short time, the engineers 5 at WSB were able to return to the Council with a provision for 100-year flood protection as well 6 as a willing-buyer, willing-seller arrangement. It was a win-win situation for both'sides. Mr. 7 Faust clarified that complicated processes take time, and it is worth the patience to consider all 8 viable options. 9 Mr. Faust wished to address the issue regarding sidewalks on 29'h Avenue. He stated that the 10 residents were clear in.their objections for sidewalks, and although sidewalks were in the City's 11 Comprehensive.Plan, the Council considered the residents' opinions in electing not to implement 12 sidewalks along 29`h Avenue. Decorative lighting was forfeited due to the absence of sidewalks. 13 Although the 29th Avenue project has been approved, the Council is waiting until March of 2000 14 to determine funding. 15 Mr. Faust mentioned that he participates in the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities and 16 the League of Minnesota Cities, two organizations that are not publicized often, yet can impact local government. He further stated that he was instrumental in orchestrating $2 million for flood relief with the State.of Minnesota, and also for initiating the idea of stamped crosswalks. 19 Mr. Faust stated the conditional use permit was approved by the City Council for The Hitching 20 Post. Bergstrom asked Mr. Faust what had been his concern in voting against the motion for 21 approval of the conditional use permit. Mr. Faust responded that his concern was noise, and 22 some unresolved issues regarding participation in the renovation of the St. Anthony Shopping 23 Center. 24 25 Hanson said he was intrigued as to why the service hours for The Hitching Post were extended. 26 Mr. Faust agreed that issue was interesting; however, he felt that other Councilmembers had a 27 different impression of the proposal. 28 Mr. Faust reiterated that public safety is the City's primary responsibility and that must be 29 accomplished well before other issues can be considered. 30 Melsha asked for Mr. Faust's opinion on the Salvation Army property. Mr. Faust stated that the 31 Heart of the Earth School is close to finalizing a purchase agreement. He reviewed the back- 32 ground of the project for the Commission in stating that, when the property was first put up for 33 sale, the Council formed a committee and a moratorium was placed on the property until options 34 could be explored. However, it is his opinion that the residents and City have determined the property to be too expensive and that the general view is contentment to have Heart of the Earth 6 School purchase and utilize the property. 37