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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-1996 CMW COUNCIL/MANAGER WORKSHOP OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 2, 1996. Maplewood Room, City Hall MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bastian at 5:02 p.m. B. ROLL CALL. , Mayor Gary Bastian Present. Councilmember Sherry Allenspach Present Councilmember Dale Carlson Present Councihnember Marvin Koppen Present Councilmember George Rossbach Present Others Present: City Manger Michael McGuire Assistant City Manager Craig Dawson Community Development Director Melinda Coleman Public Works Director Ken Haider C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA City Manager McGuire asked that the following item be added: (Kl) Holiday Closing. Mayor Bastian moved approval of the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Koppen and approved. Ayes: All. December 2, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Two D. TEMPORARY/SEASONAL OUTDOOR SALES• TRANSIENT BUSINESSES City Manager McGuire introduced the item. Community Director Coleman reviewed the recent history of experiences with these uses and businesses. She noted that staff had not heard many complaints from the public about these activities. At this time, all of these activities need to have a license or permit from the City. They are not allowed to be conducted in rights-of--way. Staff recommended no changes to current regulations. The Council decided that no further changes should be made. It directed that this matter be placed on the agenda of a regular City Council meeting for proper action. E. TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE City Manager McGuire introduced this item. Community Director Coleman reviewed the draft of a proposed ordinance for more stringent regulations regarding tree removal and replacement. Several issues have surfaced over the past year which indicated the need for revisions to the existing ordinance. The proposed ordinance was prepared after surveying ones which existed in twelve other suburbs, mostly in the East Metro area. Council and staff reviewed the draft in its entirety, and noted clarifications needed in sections related to applicability, definitions, density, and preservation requirements. Mayor Bastian expressed concerns abouYmanaging in-fill development in general, and believed that a revised tree preservation ordinance alone was not sufficient. He suggested that changes be made in subdivision ordinances so that developments could be designed to better fit individual sites, rather than be required to meet less flexible zoning standards. Council directed staff to develop a map to see where the proposed ordinance would apply with in-fill sites (both residential and commercial) that have been identified. F. HRA ACTIVITIES The Council reviewed a report on housing conditions and programs by QSA, Inc. and the HRA at the November 4 workshop. The IIRA had recommended formation of a Housing Task Force and to undertake initiatives in "housing transformation." The Council indicated it was not comfortable with using tax-increment financing (TIF) or a property tax levy to undertake housing programs like the ones identified by QSA. It wished to encourage initiatives by organizations like Habitat for Humanity. The City or HRA should look to foundations, or to banks needing to fulfill community reinvestment requirements, for seed money to establish a revolving fund. The City/HRA would need to identify needs, and how they are not being met by the private market. December 2, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Three Staff estimated the number of houses in Maplewood that meet "dilapidated" criteria to be less than one percent of the housing stock. Staff will monitor conditions to identify opportunities for non-City organizations to address housing needs. Staff will prepare a report on housing activities occurring in Maplewood with other funding sources. Mayor Bastian left at 6:15 p.m. G. PLAT APPROVAL ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS This item had been carried as a "future topic" on workshop agendas for many months. It was unclear what had been intended to be considered. Elements that could have been included--berrning, irrigation, vegetation, or decorative features--have been addressed over the last two years. Council decided that no further action nor consideration was needed for this item. H. COUNCIL/STAFF RETREAT Council confirmed that the retreat should be scheduled for February 6-7, 1997, atthe Riverwood Conference Center in Monticello, MN. Council and staff would need to identify any specific topics to be included in the retreat agenda. I. MAPLEWOOD'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY Assistant City Manager Dawson reviewed the progress on planning City events and organizing the community to observe Maplewood's 40th anniversary of incorporation in 1997. City-sponsored activities included an event on February 22, 1997, at the Community Center, some type of acknowledgement of the 40th anniversary at the Fourth of July celebration, and messages and graphics on City literature. Some initiatives by community groups and private organizations were starting to be offered. The Council decided that the City's ambitions should be scaled back, as community response to the City's invitation to participate was flagging. Councilmembers thought that a 40th anniversary did not create as much enthusiasm as a 50th would. December 2, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop Page Four _ J. CITY COUNCIL POLICIES The Council reviewed materials that had been compiled relating to City Council policies (which more accurately should have been separated into City policies and Council policies), and rules and procedures at Council meetings. It identified several that were no longer relevant or appropriate, and directed that a revised booklet be prepared. K. OTHER BUSINESS i. Holiday Closing: City Manager McGuire indicated he planned to close City Hall to the public at 3:00 p.m. on December 24. Employees could remain to work unti15:00, or take two hours of vacation or personal leave to leave at 3:00 on Christmas Eve. Councilmembers agreed with this approach. L. FUTURE TOPICS The list of future topics, which was presented in order of priority identified by the Council, was noted. M. ADJOURNMENT At 6:55 p.m., Councilmember Carlson moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Allenspach seconded and the motion was approved. There was no further discussion. Ayes: All