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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-1996 Joint Meeting MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD JOINT MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAPLEWOOD ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1996 COMMUNITY ROOM, MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER 2100 WHITE BEAR AVENUE L CALL TO ORDER Acting Mayor Allenspach called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. The following Councilmembers were present for the meeting: Sherry Allenspach Gary Bastian (arrived at 10:53 a.m.) Dale Carlson George Rossbach Also present were: Mike McGuire, City Manager Craig Dawson, Assistant City Manager II. COMMUNITY DESIGN AND REVIEW BOARD Members present: Gordon Berggren Staff present:. Melinda Coleman, Director of Community Development Council and the Board discussed the advisory role of the Board, and how its responsibilities were separate from the Planning Commission. Councilmembers indicated they were satisfied with the performance of the Boazd. In written communication, Boazd members believed that some of the issues the Council sent to it would more properly be addressed to developers. Councilmembers replied they were asking questions to be comfortable that the Boazd had considered specific issues. There was general discussion about the City's follow-up inspections for conformance with approved designs, and for general building and site maintenance. The City historically has had limited staff resources in this area, and relies on complaints and changes in occupancy to make inspections. Berggren also indicated concern about the proliferation and relative permanence of portable signage. Carlson suggested that the Board look into aesthetic designs for corridor improvements: e.g., White Bear Avenue, Century Avenue, and Rice Street. Minutes Page Two February 3, 1996 III. HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA) Members present: Tom Conley, Lorraine Fischer, Larry Whitcomb Staff present: Melinda Coleman, Director of Community Development HRA members had identified four issues it wished to discuss with the Council. I) Truth-in-Housine: Apparently, around five percent of house sales do not comply with the City's truth-in-housing requirement. Council and Board members believed this to be a reasonable compliance level. Reminders should be mailed to realtors, and persons selling their own houses could be reminded through Maplewood in Motion. 2) Goals for Livable Communities Act: Maplewood already complies with the benchmarks developed from the Act, and will probably continue to do so if historic patterns of private housing construction continue. Carlson suggested that as it considers affordable housing proposals, the HRA should be sensitive to transportation needs (e.g., accessibility through N.E.S.T.). Fischer asked the Council to consider buying marginal or run-down housing as it becomes available, so that the housing may be upgraded or razed to allow redevelopment. Coleman noted that the City should to renew its participation in the Minnesota Housing and Finance Agency (MHFA) first-time home-buyer program. 3) Encourage Maintenance and Improvement of Residences: Council concurred with Fischer's proposal that the HRA approach local banks to encourage them to approve loans that approach the cost of home improvements (rather than typically lower loan amounts which reflect the increase in the market value of the property). To encourage major capital maintenance, there needs to be clarification about what improvements will not be calculated as an increase in the assessed value of a property: 4) Senior Housine: The HRA believed that there needed to be more housing choices for seniors, especially in alternative senior housing. IV. PLANNING COMMISSION Members present: Les Axdahl; Lorraine Fischer, Dave Kopesky, Milo Thompson Staff present: Melinda Coleman, Director of Community Development The Council and Commission discussed four items identified by the Commission. Minutes Page Three February 3, 1996 1) PUD Ordinance: The Commission had forwazded recommendations to the Council some time ago, and did not believe it was informed of subsequent Council action. It cun•ently believed that PUDs were more appropriate for environmentally-sensitive areas. Members expressed concern with implementation and long-term monitoring of PUDs as approved. 2) Commercial Property Studv: Council informed the Commission that it had briefly considered the study at a recent Council meeting, and had decided to spend some time reviewing it. Council planned to schedule some discussion on the study at a Council meeting in the near future. Fischer believed that adult uses should now be included in the scope of the study. 3) Phalen Watershed District: Council noted the City is active in the District's planning processes. City staff uses District policy recommendations in land management practices and in review of development proposals. There was discussion about the relative merits of treatment or detention designs for stormwater quality. 4) Public Comment at Planning Commission Meetines: Commission members indicated a desire to invite more public comment or hold public hearings for many of the proposals it considers. Residents have expressed concerns that they aze not informed of Planning Commission meetings which take place prior to public hearings at the City. Council. Councilmembers said they preferred the technical review and recommendations regarding land use by the Commission, while having the policy decision made remain at the Council level. V. PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Members present: Rick Brandon, Craig Brannon, Jeanne Ewald, Peter Fischer, Bonnie Qualley Staff present: Bruce Anderson, Director of Park and Recreation Commission members reviewed many of the issues and plans they were considering. * Park Availability Charges (PAC): Ensuring the fees were compazable with neighboring cities. PAC can be used only for acquisition and development--what will happen when new development is minimal, and money is needed for acquisition, development, and replacement? Minutes Page Four ' February 3, 1996 * Land management plan for open space properties. Develop volunteer programs for site restoration and management. Groups will need to be larger than what has been attracted for nine parks thus far included in the Adopt-a-Park program. * Athletic facility program. Determine availability, level of upkeep, and possible need to reprogram facilities. What will be effect of Goodrich Park being converted to County's uses? * Monitor programs and fees. Monitor those programs that aze not well-used.. * Recreation trail system. Encourage connectivity throughout Maplewood, and in so doing, year-round use of pazks. Develop trailheads at junction of Munger and Gateway Trails, and at Gateway Trail and Maplewood Municipal Complex. * Community Center policies. _ * Satellite community centers--development and programming: * Mark and monitor pazk boundaries to safeguard pazk resources. * Park redevelopment. Look to combine active and passive uses in most parks. * Continue to pursue grants. Mayor Bastian arrived at 10:53 a.m. * Betterment ofenvironmentally-friendly practices in park management. * Continue to work and coordinate with other governments. * Investigate acity-wide cleanup for residences as well as community park open space cleanup days. Such a program could coincide with Earth Day. Carlson encouraged the Commission to develop recommendations for priorities and long- . term financial plans of investments and program offerings the City should undertake. VI. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Members present: Lynne Croes, Carol Cude, Marie Koehler, Linda Wainio Staff present: Sherrie Le, Human Resources Director Commissioners gave an overview of the functions of the HRC. It works to ensure inclusion of all groups in City activities, handles Police Department referrals of victims of certain crimes, and provides advice on human relations issues. The HRC is currently looking at joint offerings with neighboring HRCs in Roseville, North Saint Paul, and White Beaz Lake. Efforts are very preliminary at this time. The HRC is also in the process of naming the recipient of the Diversity Awareness Award and sponsoring a poster contest for diversity awareness in the schools. Council suggested the Community Center as a venue for the award ceremony, and that the Council allocate Minutes Page Five February 3, 1996 funds in the budget instead of relying on the ability to award grants from the Charitable Gambling Tax Fund. Commissioners also noted their support of diversity awareness plays at North High School, and that the City's assistance in producing these plays came from lawful gambling funds. Council and commission members expressed concern about comments by a number of Maplewood residents who opposed the conversion of the former Maplewood branch library building to the Ismaili Muslim Church. Staff related that this issue will be on the agenda for the February 6, 1996, HRC meeting. VII. POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Members present: Bob Dollerschell, Steve Gunn, Clayton Qualley Staff present: Sherrie Le, Human Resources Director Commission members briefly discussed what they accomplished over the past year and what they're currently doing. They have updated some job descriptions and classifications (e.g., captain and sergeant), and been involved in several new hires (most of which became open due to retirements). They were complimentary about the quality of the staffs background work on candidates. There was discussion about Maplewood's testing and evaluation systems, and how they are different from other jurisdictions'. The list is updated (re-tested) about every 18 months. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Carlson moved, and Bastian seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 a.m. Motion approved 4 - 0.