07-12-11 CM Minutes Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2011
Present: Mayor Loomis and Council Members, Freiberg, Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer, City
Manager Tom Burt, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Chief of Fire and Inspection Services Mark
Kuhnly, Assistant Housing and Redevelopment Director Jeanne Andre, Director of Public Works
Jeannine Clancy, City Engineer Jeff Oliver, Public Works Project Coordinator Ron Nims,
Engineering Technician Mark Ray, City Planner Joe Hogeboom and Administrative Assistant
Lisa Wittman. �
The meeting began at 6:40 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Submittal to MnDOT of Application for FY 2013 Metro Municipal Agreement Program for
Highway 55 and Winnetka Avenue Improvements
Jeannine Clancy explained that a traffic study was done as a result of the proposed land use
changes for this area. As a result, staff has identified some conditions south of TH 55 and
Winnetka Avenue that are at a less than desirable level of service. Staff has identified possible
improvements and a potential funding source to offset the cost of some of the improvements.
Mark Ray explained the goal is to improve operations at TH 55 and Winnetka Avenue. He
referred to a map of the area and explained the potential improvements and how the new
configuration will help users.
The Council discussed traffic control in the area and the difficulties that currently exist for
vehicles and pedestrians, specifically the pedestrian crossing at Harold Avenue. They also
requested an accounting of the City's State Aid account and a list of state aid streets that have
been reconstructed and the streets that need to be reconstructed. Tom Burt stated that a
resolution for this item will be considered at the next City Council meeting.
Douglas Drive Preliminary Design
Jeannine Clancy introduced Jupe Hale of WSB &Associates, who came to the meeting to
update the Council on the status of the Douglas Drive project. She noted that since the last
update to Council a revised layout has been approved by the Hennepin County Transportation
Department and Transit for Livable Communities.
Mr. Hale showed the Council a map of the Douglas Drive project area and discussed the
preferred layout, including improved safety for traific and pedestrians, closing access at Country
Club Drive, lane configurations, traffic control at intersections including roundabouts and signals,
landscaping, trails and bike lanes, and impacts to properties. There was also discussion
regarding possible stormwater opportunities including water quality, rate control and the outfall
to Bassett Creek.
Clancy explained that the project team will continue working with Hennepin County staff to
further develop the concept. Also, a neighborhood meeting will be held sometime in late
summer or early fall and the design will then be reviewed again by Council.
Continued Item — Ordinance#459—Amending Section 11.23: Medium Density Residential
Zoning District(R-3) Regarding Allowing Senior and Physical Disability Housing as a
Conditional Use
Joe Hogeboom reminded the Council that this item was discussed at their June 21, 2011
Council meeting. Since that meeting several modifications to the proposed ordinance have been
made and staff is now seeking direction on proceeding with the proposed ordinance to allow
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2011 — Page 2
higher-density senior and physical disability housing with a conditional use permit in the R-3
zoning district.
The Council discussed the front setback requirements, the number of units per acre allowed and
the location of accessory structures. Council asked that the language regarding the height for
senior or physically disabled housing structures versus the height for non-senior or physically
disabled housing structures be clarified. Hogeboom stated that he would work on clarifying the
language regarding height and bring the ordinance to a future City Council meeting.
General Land Use Plan Amendment— 345 Pennsylvania Avenue South
Joe Hogeboom referred to a concept development plan submitted by Lakewest Maki, LLC
regarding the property at 345 Pennsylvania Ave. S. He explained that the developer would like
to keep the existing office building on the north end of the property in place and develop single
family homes on the south half of the property. The property is currently designated Mixed Use.
The developer is asking the Council to consider amending the General Land Use Plan by
changing the land use designation on the south end of the property to Low Density Residential.
The Council discussed various issues regarding the property including access to the proposed
new lots, size of the proposed lots, setbacks, noise and truck traffic in the area, and whether this
would constitute spot zoning. They discussed if a town home project might be a better option.
After discussion, the Council consensus was that this property is inappropriate for single family
residential but they would be open to discussing other creative ideas.
Impact of State of Minnesota Shutdown
Mark Kuhnly explained that State of Minnesota does all of the electrical and plumbing permits
for the City. Due to the recent shutdown at the State he has been talking to neighboring
communities and the League of Minnesota Cities about contracting for inspection services for all
electrical projects and plumbing plan reviews.
After discussion the Council consensus was to contract with an individual from the State to do
the electrical permit inspections. Tom Burt said he would bring an ordinance allowing the City to
conduct its own electrical inspections and authorization to contract with an electrical inspector to
the July 19, 2011 City Council meeting.
Biennial 2012-2013 Proposed General Fund Budget
Tom Burt stated that the proposed budget provides for lower general fund expenditures but
maintains services at the same level. However since both commercial and residential property
values are going down, there will be a $26 increase in property taxes to the median home.
The Council reviewed the following budget categories: Council, City Managers, Administrative
Services, Transfers Out, Legal Services, Planning, Risk Management Insurance, Fire and
Inspections, Park and Recreation, Community Centers, and Recreation Programs. After
discussion and several questions, no significant changes were requested.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Lisa Wittman
Administrative Assistant