HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 09242002 Meeting Sheet
IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII
iossoa
Box: 34
Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 2002
Document: CC MINUTES 09242002
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
• Page 1
CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2
3 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
4
5 September 24, 2002
6
7 CALL TO ORDER
8 Mayor Hodson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
9
10 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
1 I Mayor Hodson invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
12
13 ROLL CALL.
14 Present: Mayor Hodson; Councilmembers Horst, Sparks, Thuesen, and Faust.
15 Absent: None.
16 Also Present: City Manager Mike Morrison.
17
18 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION,AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
19 ITEMS.
20
21 I. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2002 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
22 Motion by Councilmember Sparks to approve the City Council Meeting Agenda of September
0 24, 2002.
25 Motion carried unanimously.
26
27 II. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
28 1. Proclamation declaring St. Anthony Kiwanis Peanut Day.
29
30 Councilmember Thuesen read the Proclamation declaring St. Anthony Kiwanis Peanut Day
31 Friday, September 27, 2002.
32
33 Motion by Councilmember Sparks to approve the Proclamation declaring St. Anthony Kiwanis
34 Peanut Day Friday, September 27, 2002.
35
36 Motion carried unanimously.
37
38 Councilmember Sparks indicated that Kiwanis would be selling peanuts from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00
39 p.m. on September 27, 2002 and asked residents to look for them.
40
41 III. COMMUNITY FORUM.
42 Mayor Hodson invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items
43 that are not on the regular agenda.
44
0 Hearing none, Mayor Hodson moved forward with the agenda.
47 IV. CONSENT AGENDA.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
Page 2
A. Consider September 9 2002 Council meeting minutes.
3 B. Consider licenses and permits.
4 C. Consider payment of claims.
5
6 Motion by Councilmember Sparks to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
7
8 Motion carried unanimously.
9
10 V. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
11 None.
12
13 VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND STAFF.
14 A. Presentation on Northeast Diagonal Land Use and Transfer Study.
15
16 Alicia Vap provided Council with an update on the Northeast Diagonal Land Use/Transit Study.
17
18 Ms. Vap indicated the purpose of the study was to assess the effect of changing land use on
19 transit ridership.
20
21 Ms. Vap reviewed the planning process for the study.
22
Ms. Vap indicated that an overview of the demographics was done and the Northeast diagonal
0 lags behind the metro area in growth.
25
26 Ms. Vap indicated a transportation assessment was done.
27
28 Ms. Vap indicated they decided to look at all the acreage in the study within %2 mile buffer of the
29 corridor. And, of that land, 17% is vacant but not developable, and of the 17%just over 500
30 acres of it is developable in the study.
31
32 Ms. Vap indicated three definitions were created for the opportunity sites.
33
34 Ms. Vap indicated the first definition was current trends and basic local existing conditions
35 designated by the Comprehensive Plan. The next definition was moderate smart growth,
36 designing for people and for pedestrian friendliness with a density of 7 to 12 units per acre.
37
38 Ms. Vap indicated the third definition was intensive smart growth with a density of 8 to 24 units
39 per acre.
40
41 Ms. Vap indicated that those scenarios were applied to the opportunity sites to come up with the
42 numbers for how making changes could affect employment and population in the corridor.
43
44 Ms. Vap indicated that the travel pattern analysis indicates Roseville and downtown Minneapolis
are important origins and destinations. She then said, to be successful, transit service would need
to connect intermediate points rather than just the end-to-end destinations.
47
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
Page 3
Ms. Vap indicated a ridership forecast was done assuming a 10-minute peak and 15-minute
during the day with 13 stops along the corridor with the average stops 1.5 miles.
3
4 Ms. Vap indicated the route model used was from the Metropolitan Council and that would be
5 redone if this moves forward.
6
7 Ms. Vap indicated that the ridership forecast predicts that applying the moderate growth rate
8 increases ridership by 20%and the intensive smart growth would increase ridership by 32%.
9
10 Ms. Vap indicated the study supports the theory that growth positively increases transit ridership
11 and implementing moderate or intensive smart growth should be considered to have the most
12 positive impact.
13
14 Ms. Vap indicated that some of the positive impacts would be added tax base, employment,
15 retail, and population with more choices for housing and more connectivity throughout the
16 corridor.
17
18 Ms. Vap reviewed the specific community recommendations of the study and they are to
19 implement land use and transportation changes to the local comprehensive plan that supports the
20 corridor, related to smart growth scenario recommendations and transit-friendly mixed-use
21 development patterns.
22
Ms. Vap reviewed the county recommendations and they are to finalize the purchase of the
partially abandoned railroad right-of-way in the Northeast Diagonal Corridor, to purchase future
25 abandoned railroad right-of-way in the Corridor, and continue to communicate with the railroad
26 on the activity of the railroad in this corridor as a freight use and potential for public ownership,
27 and to pursue discussions with railroad about joint use of railroad right-of way as future
28 transitway if the active freight railroad corridor does not come up for abandonment.
29
30 Ms. Vap reviewed the corridor recommendation and that is to build transit ridership in the
31 corridor using Highway 36 or a parallel route with high frequency service and speed before
32 transitway is implemented.
33
34 Ms. Vap reviewed the next steps for the committee and those are to complete community
35 presentations, work with Metropolitan Council to create sample transit oriented development
36 overlay district language, to monitor progress on opportunity sites development, and noted there
37 is a Policy Advisory Committee meeting on January 16, 2003.
38
39 Ms. Vap indicated part of the study focused on long range transit development will not happen
40 overnight but could be done incrementally.
41
42 Ms. Vap indicated that communities would need to think more like a corridor to be successful.
43 She then thanked Councilmember Faust for serving on the Committee and for the use of Council
44 Chambers.
0 Councilmember Thuesen asked where the funding comes from for the purchasing of right-of-
47 way.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
Page 4
Ms. Vapindicated the have a commitment from MNDOT for special funding source through
Y
3 rail banking and the rest of the funding would come through Hennepin and Ramsey County
4 Regional Rail Authority.
5
6 Councilmember Faust asked if the right-of-way from St Anthony down to Minneapolis had been
7 purchased.
8
9 Ms. Vap indicated they were still working on that portion. She then indicated that a dollar
10 amount was agreed to with the railroad but they decided to update the appraisal and will
11 renegotiate.
12
13 Councilmember Faust commented that as St. Anthony looks at redevelopment growth within the
14 City this proposed transit should have a positive impact on the City. He then thanked Ms. Vap
15 for her efforts and said he thinks it is an excellent plan and efforts should be made to begin
16 implementation of it.
17
18 Councilmember Faust commented that streetcars were an economical and efficient way to move
19 people and this is a similar suggestion.
20
21 Councilmember Thuesen asked if successful redevelopment of Apache would give this proposal
22 more incentive to get the transit up and running more quickly or provide incentives for funding
40 the project.
25 Councilmember Faust said he sees the Apache redevelopment as one part of the puzzle and said
26 that the system would be built one piece at a time.
27
28 Councilmember Sparks asked how much right-of-way has been purchased.
29
30 Ms. Vap indicated the portion purchased is only three to five miles long.
31
32 Ms. Vap indicated the City of Minneapolis is working with St Anthony to build a pedestrian trail.
33
34 Councilmember Faust commented that this is not just a busway or trailway it could be a bike
35 path.
36
37 Ms. Vap indicated the right-of-way is wide enough throughout the whole corridor to
38 accommodate a busway and a pedestrian trial and that is something that is being looked at with
39 the study.
40
41 Mr. Mornson indicated the intent is to have a walking/biking path from Minneapolis to St. Paul.
42
43 Mayor Hodson said he is an advocate of transit and this is exciting. He then asked if there would
44 be a way to tie in to funding sources coming up with the T21 transportation funding in an attempt
0 to tie in Apache Plaza transportation.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
0 Page 5
1
2 Ms. Vap indicated the other person leading the project is in transit and community works and she
3 said she would relay the message.
4
5 Mayor Hodson indicated he would be happy to commit to sitting down with someone to discuss
6 that.
7
8 B. Discussion on Greater Metropolitan Housing
9
0 Jennifer Bergman of the Greater Metropolitan Housing Agency indicated that they began
1 providing services to residents on July 1, 2002 and had already served 27 clients with 20 of those
2 being construction consultations. She then indicated they had been in contact with Staff
3 concerning the creation of a revolving loan program with approximately $100,000 available for
4 the loan program.
5
6 Ms. Bergman indicated they are proposing a 4% interest loan with a maximum loan amount of
7 $10,000 and a max term of 7 years. She then provided an overview of the program they
8 administer in Roseville.
9
0 Ms. Bergman commented that since the beginning of the Roseville program they have done 60
1 loans for over $480,000 worth of total rehabilitation.
2
3 • Ms. Bergman indicated that there is a rehab incentive program through the Minnesota Housing
4 Finance Agency and noted the City's application would be decided upon on Thursday. She then
5 said that, if the application is approved, the City would have available $50,000, $45,000 of which
6 could be used for loans and $5,000 would be set aside for emergencies.
7
8 Ms. Bergman commented that homeowners usually invest more than the loan amount in their
9 homes.
0
1 Ms. Bergman indicated the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency loans funds at 6.5% with a
2 maximum income of$77,000 and the maximum income on the rebate is $88,205 so this is a very
3 generous program.
4
5 Mayor Hodson commented that this is a very exciting program to assist the City with
6 redevelopment of its aging housing stock.
7
8 Councilmember Faust questioned if there were already 20 contractor consultations.
9
0 Ms. Bergman indicated the construction manager has visited with 20 homeowners since July 1,
1 2002.
2
3 Ms. Bergman indicated that there were a few calls in June, more in July and an increase in
4 August. She then noted there would be a slower time during the winter as construction slows.
5
1S6 Councilmember Thuesen indicated the City wants to help those in need and then asked if there is
7 a safeguard in place to guard against defaults.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
Page 6
Councilmember Thuesen indicated the City wants to help those in need and then asked if there is
a safeguard in place to guard against defaults.
3
4 Ms. Bergman indicated that the loans all go through underwriting and the loans given are all
5 repayable. She then indicated that loans are only given to credit worthy residents and there are
6 limited funds available to those with tarnished credit through other sources. She further
7 indicated that they have had only one or two defaults in the loan program.
8
9 Councilmember Sparks asked what other services are available to residents other than the loans.
10
11 Ms. Bergman explained that they are experts in the housing field and provide an array of services
12 to assist residents. She then listed a few of the services available.
13
14 Mayor Hodson said he would like to maintain a continued communication effort to keep
15 residents informed of the services available. He then asked Ms. Bergman to provide information
16 on the services available to be placed on the City's website.
17
18 Councilmember Thuesen suggested putting contact information in the newsletter.
19
20 Ms. Bergman suggested having a link to their website from the City website.
21
22 Ms. Bergman provided a brochure to Council and noted that the brochure would be updated to
40 include St. Anthony if the application is approved.
25 Mr. Mornson asked if the organization does a mix and match program if someone qualifies for
26 the fix up fund before going to the revolving loan fund because the $100,000 would go fast
27 versus state programs funding.
28
29 Ms. Bergman indicated that she would speak to Staff concerning that.
30
31 Mayor Hodson asked if there was a way to look at using HRA funds or funds from some source
32 within the investment portfolio that could be directed into this program.
33
34 Mr. Mornson indicated that the $100,000 is proposed to come from HRA funds to start this
35 program.
36
37 Councilmember Thuesen indicated it is difficult to measure but he feels that boosting
38 deteriorating areas produces a positive byproduct for the community.
39
40 Ms. Bergman indicated that they do a lot of work through word of mouth because someone does
41 some rehab and tells the neighbor and whole blocks are rehabilitated.
42
43 Mr. Mornson asked council to move approval of the revolving loan program of$100,000 from St
44 Anthony HRA funds. He then said that the City would begin with a$30,000 contribution and
0 add funds as needed.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
Page 7
Motion by Councilmember Faust to approve the use of$100,000 of HRA funds for the Housing
Redevelopment Program under the dispensation of the City Manager and the Finance Manager.
3
4 Motion carried unanimously.
5
6 VII. GENERAL POLICY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL.
7 None.
8
9 VIII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCILMEMBERS.
10 Mr. Mornson indicated there would be a Public Works Fire Facility Task Force open house in
11 February of 2003 and said there should be a presentation to Council on April 8, 2003. He then
12 said that there is a tour this Saturday and the Mayor is the official photographer.
13
14 Mr. Mornson reported that the City is making progress on the goals for 2002.
15
16 Mr. Mornson reported that he met with the candle manufacturer and they will be moving out
17 tomorrow. He then explained that they have not assembled any candles but have been moving
18 and boxing things.
19
20 Mr. Mornson said he feels the Greater Metropolitan Housing Agency annual allocation is worth
21 the expenditure because there have been 27 applications in 60 days.
22
0 Councilmember Horst had no report.
25 Councilmember Sparks noted the Community Concerts at the High School were scheduled for
26 Thursday, September 26, 2002 and said there are still tickets available.
27
28 Councilmember Sparks indicated that the Community Prevention Coalition has changed its name
29 to Family Services Collaborative and includes the Cities of St. Anthony and New Brighton. She
30 then said that funding should begin funneling in shortly and the intent of the organization is to
31 assist with school readiness and guarantee school success, mental health, and safe and stable
32 homes to keep kids out of correction systems and in school.
33
34 Councilmember Thuesen indicated he met with Faith United Methodist Church last week
35 concerning affordable housing and how that ties into the Apache Plaza redevelopment.
36
37 Councilmember Thuesen indicated that residents should have received information about the
38 November 5 election concerning the referendum for liquor licenses and Sunday sales. He then
39 said that both issues could be key to the redevelopment of Apache Plaza if the City wants to have
40 the opportunity to have a restaurant come in. He further asked residents to contact City Hall with
41 any questions they may have concerning the referendum.
42
43 Councilmember Thuesen indicated the Mayor would be giving a presentation on Liquor sales at
44 the October 22, 2002 Council meeting and invited residents to attend.
0 Councilmember Faust indicated he met with the Mayor and City Staff on September 16, 2002 to
47 discuss transportation with the University of Minnesota.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
Page 8
Councilmember Faust explained that rather than going to the legislature in November the
3 legislative kickoff would be held the second week of January to allow the newly elected officials
4 time to get settled in.
5
6 Councilmember Faust noted the September 12, 2002 StarTribune contained a very nice article
7 about the firefighters and he recommended that residents read the article and thanked the
8 firefighters for their efforts.
9
10 Mayor Hodson commented that he was very excited about the Housing Redevelopment Program
11 because it will provide progress toward the City's goal of reinvesting back into the City.
12
13 Mayor Hodson indicated that he and Councilmember Faust had met with some Ph.D.'s with the
14 Humphrey Institute concerning the transportation study and there may be an opportunity for the
15 City, as a first ring suburb to go after some of the transportation funds as a smart growth City.
16
17 Mayor Hodson apologized for the scratchy voice and coughing. He then said that the event at
18 the Village Shopping Center was well attended and there were a lot of people attempting to dunk
19 him in the dunk tank.
20
21 IX. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
22 None.
0 X. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS.
25 None.
26
27 XI. ADJOURNMENT.
28 Motion by Councilmember Faust to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
29
30
31 Motion carried unanimously.
32 Respectfully submitted,
33
34 Joan Lenzmeier \
35 TimeSaver Off'Site Secretarial, Inc.
36
37 Mayor
38 ATTEST:
39 City Clerk
•