04-14-09 CM Minutes
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009
Present: Mayor Loomis and Council Members Freiberg, Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer,
City Manager Tom Burt, Director of Planning and Development Mark Grimes, City
Planner Joe Hogeboom, Chief of Fire and Inspections Mark Kuhnly, Property
Maintenance Inspector Josh Kunde, Public Works Director Jeannine Clancy, Police
Chief Stacy Altonen and Assistant City Manager Jeanne Andre.
The meeting began at 6:40 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Request to Amend City Code - Allow Catering Establishments in Light Industrial
Zoning District
The City Council reviewed the request of David Olshansky of DRAM Properties LLC to
use the property at 800 Boone as a catering facility. Their conclusion was that catering
as an accessory use to adult day care is appropriate, but that use of the property as a
banquet facility/catering hall is not appropriate in a light industrial zone. Therefore the
Council does not wish to amend the City Code to allow a catering hall as a permitted or
conditional use in the light industrial zoning district.
Foreclosures in Golden Valley Presentation
Josh Kunde reviewed data on current foreclosures in Golden Valley and explained that
Inspections and Police monitor properties in foreclosure to alleviate problems with
break-ins and lack of maintenance. Violation orders continue to be issued when
property is in foreclosure as these orders run with the property. Eleven foreclosed
properties currently have outstanding orders. If residents seek help to avoid foreclosure,
they are provided an information packet prepared by Hennepin County and referred to
the Hennepin County Web Site.
Human Rights Commission Project
Council Member Scanlon distributed an overview of recent Human Rights Commission
activities. The Council discussed its desire to have the HRC identify activities to
promote its mission and Council Member Scanlon indicated that the HRC would like
direction from the Council. A number of options were discussed with the determination
that HRC interest in demographics could support an educational mission related to the
upcoming census. Council suggested that Joe Hogeboom attend the May Commission
meeting to review Hennepin County's "Complete Count' initiative to educate all sectors
of the population in the importance of the census.
Proposed Golden Valley Town Square landscaping (Winnetka Avenue/Golden
Valley Road)
The Council reviewed a modified plan to replace plantings on the northwest corner of
Winnetka Avenue and Golden Valley Road. Jeannine Clancy distributed staff comments
on the proposal. The Council determined that it would not support removing existing
Linden and Maple trees. It is willing to consider offering a license to work in the right-of-
way to remove the arborvitae hedge and replace it with grasses, along with re-
landscaping the lower area next to the shopping center parking lot.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2009 - Page 2
Excess State Property - Golden Hills Redevelopment Area (TH100/1-394)
Tom Burt noted that another developer has come forward with an interest in
redeveloping the excess state property at TH 100 and 1-394. This proposal includes
market-rate rental housing and a medical office building and parking deck. Access is
proposed along the widened public alley and ponding could occur by easement on
adjacent land. Burt noted that the most significant question at this time is whether the
Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) should facilitate a sale or allow the
property to be sold through a bidding process. Joe Hogeboom noted that the Minnesota
Department of Transportation is looking for a formal letter of interest from the HRA if it
plans to exercise its right of first refusal. The Council indicated support for HRA
facilitation of the land sale.
Noise Ordinance/Ongoing Complaints
Stacy Altonen reviewed the history of complaints and police response regarding noise
at Schuller's Tavern in Golden Valley. She explained that a nearby resident has
expressed concerns about noise from the tavern operations including the band music,
talking by smokers outside the facility and talking and car door closing by patrons
leaving the facility. She noted that police have responded to these complaints and
Schuller's staff has been responsive, posting signs asking patrons to smoke in areas
adjacent to Country Club Drive and talk more quietly. At this point the Police
assessment is that no further accommodations can be made by Schuller's and since the
City's noise ordinance does not measure by decibels but rather by reasonable noise
level, she does not anticipate further improvements in the ambient noise level. While the
police would continue to respond, Altonen plans to meet with the complainant and
inform her that improvements to the existing level of noise are unlikely. The Council
supports the accommodations to date and the proposed meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm.
Jeanne Andre
Assistant City Manager