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1997-06-17MINUTES-COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE-JUNE 17,.1997 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Bob Polston. Councilmembers: Andrea Ahrens, Mark Hanus, Liz Jensen and Leah Weycker. Also Present: Don Twombly, Commercial Realty, Minneapolis representing Perry M. Plal;~ha, President, Northern Hospitality, Inc., Brainerd, MN; Bruce Chamberlain, Economic Development Coordinator; Gino Businaro, Finance Director; John Cameron, City Engineer; and Ed Shukle, City Manager. Lost Lake Inn Ed Shukle, City Manager, introduced Don Twombly representing Northern Hospitality, Inc., regarding the proposed Lost Lake Inn. Mr. Twombly works with Northern Hospitality, Inc., who is a franchise holder of Country Suites by Carlson and Americlnn. Northern Hospitality is interested in locating a Country Suites by Carlson on the Lost Lake site. Mr. Twombly discussed Northern Hospitality's background and experience in operating these types of lodging facilities. He stated that typically Northern signs an exclusive rights agreement with the city to do a project like this. He further indicated that after the agreement is signed, feasibility and market studies are performed to see if the project is justifiable. He estimated that a feasibility study would cost around $50,000 and is typically shared between Northern and the city they are working with on the project. The consensus of the Council was to have Northern send to the City a copy of an exclusive rights agreement that Northern has used on another project. Upon receipt of that example, the City Council will discuss a possible agreement with Northern to pursue the Lost Lake Inn project. Central Business District (CBD) Parking Program Bruce Chamberlain, Economic Development Coordinator, presented a report on the CBD parking program. His report included some options to look at for parking in the downtown area into the future which could include more municipally owned parking in the form of a municipal ramp. The City Council discussed the report and what to do in the short term while the redevelopment of downtown is occurring. After several attempts to reach a short-term solution, it was the consensus to assess the CBD for the period beginning July 1, 1996 and ending June 30, 1997 in the same way as they were assessed for the period beginning July 1, 1995 and ending June 30, 1996. Beginning July 1, 1997 and ending June 30, 1998, the CBD will be assessed as follows: Parking providers (currently paid lease payments from the CBD program) will receive their credits paid to them by the City of Mound through its General Fund and not from the non- providers. Non-providers will only be responsible for paying their normal assessment for snowplowing services. As of 11:59 p.m., June 30, 1998, the CBD parking program will terminate and will no longer be in existence. In addition, current zoning requirements for parking will be Committee of the Whole Minutes June 17, 1997 Page 2 discontinued through an amendment to the zoning ordinance. ,. City staff will schedule a meeting with CBD property owners and business owners to presehTthis decision and will also discuss the long-term parking issues of the downtown area. A formal resolution will be adopted by the City Council regarding the above at an upcoming regular meeting. Lost Lake Improvement Pro_iect Update Brace Chamberlain presented a brief report. Regarding the status of the project, it is moving forward but delays have occurred due to permitting issues. The DNR permit is under review and a letter of intent to proceed is forthcoming. Corps of Engineers permit is delayed due to flood conditions in the Red River Valley. MCWD permit is approved subject to certain conditions as previously stated. The schedule is that the dredge will be completed by this fall. Chamberlain and John (~ameron, City Engineer have done some preliminary work on the plans. Disposal of dredge spoils is another issue unresolved since earlier plans have fallen through. It is estimated that 20,000 cubic yards of material needs to be hauled to a site yet to be determined. The subject of developers was discussed. Council consensus was to work with Laurent/Parks of Wayzata on building retail, office and housing along the new Auditor's Road. Auditor's Road Improvement Project Update Ed Shulde and John Cameron reported on the status of this project. Shukle and Cameron discussed the current status, traffic analysis, demolition plan for the various buildings and schedule. Cameron indicated that Hennepin County Department of Transportation has delayed approving the plans primarily because of the uncertainty of future traffic flow through this area and through the proposed relocation of County Road 15. Hence, a traffic consultant was hired by the City to do an analysis indicating traffic forecasts into the next century. This information will hopefully satisfy the County. Issues relating to Municipal State Aid (MSA) monies were also discussed. Currently, there is nearly $114,000 left in the City of Mound's construction account for the project. Under MSA rules, tike City can request an advance on future allotments of MSA funds and would need to do this in order to proceed at this point in time. Cameron indicated that he will know exactly how much money there is available from MSA by next week so that the City can make application and continue to proceed with the project. Relocation of the Post Office was discussed. Staff asked the Council if they were comfortable with the Meisel site in downtown Mound for the new post office. The consensus was that they were comfortable and they directed staffto work with the Meisel's and the Postal Service on making this become a reality. II ,11 I I I ii, ,I,,, J, ,J, Committee of the Whole Minutes June 17, 1997 Page 3 Report from Meeting held with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (M(~WD) Ed Shukle reported on the results of a meeting held with MCWD last week pertaining to Rule B and a possible agreement relating to separate developers projects currently on hold or anticipated projects that may come about in the future. He indicated that John Dean, City Attorney will be drafting an agreement in cooperation with Louis Smith, attorney for MCWD that could be presented for approval at the June 24, 1997 regular meeting. Also discussed at the MCWD meeting was the issue of lighted buoys in the turnaround area of the Lost Lake canal. MCWD Stormwater Management Task Force Ed Shukle indicated that he had been contacted by the City of Minnetonka regarding a pre-meeting to the meeting ora newly established task force of the MCWD. Mayor Polston was asked to attend this pre-meeting since he is the appointed member to represent Mound on this task force. Steering Committee-MCWD Issues Ed Shukle reported that he had also been contacted by the City of Minnetonka regarding the need for a steering committee of cities within the MCWD to begin meeting to discuss administrative issues relating to management and financial issues of the MCWD. Shukle indicated his interest in serving on this steering committee and the City Council was in agreement that Shukle should serve. Stormwater Management Utility_ Fund Ed Shukle reviewed briefly with the Council sample ordinances from the cities of Shorewood, Robbinsdale and Richfield regarding a stormwater management utility. He asked them to review these ordinances and they could be discussed at a future COW meeting. Proposed Improvements to Veteran's Park Ed Shukle indicated that the proposed improvements had been reviewed with the Park and Open Space Commission at their last meeting. The POSC was in basic agreement with the improvements and agreed that staff should proceed in requesting contributions from the American Legion and VFW for the cost of the improvements. Kevin Sorbo Dedication Ed Shukle reported that staff and Mayor Polston had been meeting to prepare for this event which will be held on Saturday, August 23, 1997 from 10 a.m. until 12:00 Noon at Langdon Park which Committee of the Whole Minutes June 17, 1997 Page 4 will be renamed Sorbo Park. Shukle highlighted some of the activities planned and indicate4t that a neighborhood meeting was scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 1997, 7:30 p.m., City Hall to d~cuss the plans and any concerns that the neighborhood might have regarding this event. Review of Draft Sump Pump Letter Ed Shulde presented a draft of a letter pursuant to the Council's request. It was reviewed and some minor changes were suggested. This letter will be sent out to property owners in Section 1 who have not responded to previous mailings regarding sump pump inspections. Update on Joint Committee Activities Regarding Westonka Community_ Center Renovation Ed Shukle reported on the latest activities of the committee. He stated that a cost estimate will be prepared and completed by next week. The next committee meeting is scheduled for July 1 at Mound City Hall. The cost estimate will be reviewed at that time and the committee will decide on how they wish to proceed. Shukle reported on other issues that the committee discussed at its last meeting including the need for a professional survey, referendum election, ownership issues, project manager, etc. Status of G-Will Liquors Application for Off-Sale Liquor Store in Spring Park Ed Shukle indicated that the application for a license is being reconsidered by the City Council of Spring Park. Rademacher Companies, which owns G-Will, provided some additional economic information to the Spring Park Council at a recent meeting. The Council approved a license subject to a number of conditions including a guarantee by G-Will that they will pay taxes on an estimated $800,000 valued property and should the value decrease below $800,000, G-will must guarantee the taxes by paying Spring Park the difference between $800,000 and whatever the value becomes. They also directed that a legal opinion be given by the City Attorney as to the validity of the motion and that the item would be back on the Council agenda once the opinion had been received. Other Business Councilmember Hanus brought up some issues from the Planning Commission. They were as follows: Truth in Zoning Tax Increment Financing CBD Parking The Planning Commission would like to pursue Truth in Zoning as a part of a Truth in Housing ordinance. The majority of the Council does not wish to pursue this matter. Committee of the Whole Minutes June 17, 1997 Page 5 The Planning Commission believes they should have more of a role in the discussions regarding the use of Tax Increment Financing as it pertains to downtown Mound. The Council:~asked Councilmember Hanus to ask the Planning Commission what role do they think they should be playing? The Planning Commission believes they should be involved in CBD parking discussions. Mayor Polston apologized and indicated that the matter probably should have been brought to the Planning Commission for input. It was noted that there will not be a Committee of the Whole Meeting in July and the next COW meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 1997, 7:30 p.m. Upon motion by Weycker, seconded by Ahrens and carried unanimously, the meeting~as adjourned at 11:15 p.m. ]ctfully subm. itted, Ed thukl~ City Manager