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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 07/14/2014 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014 CITY CENTER 5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Council Member Butcher Wickstrom joined the meeting at 5:50 p.m. I. DESIGN STANDARDS KICKOFF City Manager Getschow said at their goal setting session, the City Council expressed interest in making a comprehensive review of the City’s design standards. Under Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah’s direction, intern Emily Osthus has begun work on this project. Osthus presented a PowerPoint on updates the City Council may want to consider to the zoning ordinance relating to aesthetic requirements. Elements that will be included in the study include building materials, building/street location, building facades and articulation, landscaping and screening, pedestrian and bike access, environmental standards, and public art. Jeremiah noted that HKGi is consulting with the City on development of a TOD (Transit Oriented Development) ordinance that will also address some of these same elements for future LRT station areas. Osthus provided many examples for the Council to consider, including:  Architectural – various forms, setbacks, size, materials, façade details, points of entry, aids to movement  Landscaping – features that help define space, elements that support water quality and promote prairie quality, best practices parking lot designs  Pedestrian and bike access  Environmental standards  Public art Jeremiah asked the Council Members for input on whether or not the scope of the project is appropriate, and if there are other design issues they would like to address. Jeremiah said the proposed design standards will also be presented to the Development Review Committee and Planning Commission in August, and will be brought back before Council at a Workshop in September. Nelson said she favors design standards that promote a “homey” feel to taller buildings. She said she is hesitant to encourage the use of concrete as a building material since it harkens back to some of the structures built back in the 70s. Case said he is looking for something CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES July 14, 2014 Page 2 unique that draws people in. He would like design elements that acknowledge the community’s history. He said Hennepin Village did a good job with that. Nelson said that she would like landscaping standards to include more than just evergreens, and that more flowering plants should be required. She would also like to see strategically placed bike racks and benches that enhance movement through areas. Aho asked how detailed our standards will be. Osthus said it varies from city to city, depending on the city’s individual planning process. Aho said he is worried about being too prescriptive, and said he does not want to see innovation stifled. Tyra-Lukens said it will be helpful to have minimum standards that must be met in order for a project to be approved. Nelson would like to encourage solar and wind power, and wants to make sure our standards do not discourage them. Osthus said some cities are writing environmental standards into design codes. Tyra-Lukens asked if staff has considered brick grids for crosswalks. Getschow said those types of elements will be addressed in the bike and pedestrian plan. Tyra-Lukens asked about the process for removing berms when roads need to be widened. Jeremiah said staff will bring all of these issues together and compile best practices that will be brought to the City Council after they are reviewed by DRC and the Planning Commission. Some of the recommendations may be ordinance amendments and some may be future Comprehensive Plan amendments or design guidelines for developers. II. 2015 BUDGET Getschow made a presentation on the proposed 2015 budget. The budget proposed by staff includes funding for a 2.25% base wage increase, while all other staffing and service levels are recommended to remain the same. Getschow noted 2015 will be the second year of the City’s two-year budget. For 2014, general fund revenue is budgeted to increase 3.7 percent, and expenditures are budgeted to increase 3.4 percent. For 2015, staff is proposing a 2.3 percent increase in revenue and a 2.4 increase in expenditures. This would result in a 2.0 to 2.7 increase in the levy. The anticipated tax impact on the median value single family home will be about $35. Due to a change in state law, cities now have until the end of September to approve their preliminary levies. Getschow said the City Council will be asked to approve the preliminary levy at either the September 2 or September 16 meeting. The City Council will hold a public meeting to receive input and vote on the final budget December 2. III. OPEN PODIUM A. PRIVATE KENNEL LICENSE FOR 9980 DELL ROAD  Andrew Kostigan – Kostigan said he is applying for a private kennel license for five dogs, all of which are pit bull mixes. He noted that his property covers nearly 2-acres and is zoned rural. He believes the property is adequate for five dogs. He noted that both he and his wife owned the dogs before they combined households on the Dell Road property. He said none of the dogs has a history of violence, although one dog got loose through the current temporary fence. Kostigan said he has no problem with the staff recommendation that a 6-foot fence be installed around his property as a CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES July 14, 2014 Page 3 condition of the kennel license, and he plans to use the same contractor that his neighbors, the Johnsons, used. Tyra-Lukens asked if the fence will be on all sides of the yard. She said she feels Kostigan should have a complete separate fence, even though the Johnsons have a fence their property.  Linda Johnson – Johnson said she lives at 10020 Dell Road, next to the Kostigan property. She said she has encountered two of Kostigans dogs, and they do growl at people. She said Kostigans have been in violation of City Code since they have been keeping the dogs on the property without a kennel license. Johnson said research she has read indicates pit bulls have great tenacity and powerful jaws, and are known to attach other dogs without provocation. She said the dogs have escaped three times without the Kostigans knowledge, and they have harassed workers on her property. Johnson said she feels the Kostigans should be required to build a kennel with a concrete base to contain the dogs when they are outside.  Gary Demers – Demers said he encountered one of Costigans dogs when on a walk with his cocker spaniel. He said the Costigan dog barked at him and did not appear to “be under his control.” B. Tim Rawerts said he is a member of the Eden Prairie Players theater group. He is concerned that the City is being drawn into controversy because a short play chosen for performance by the Players was nixed by Parks and Recreation Director Lotthammer due to foul language. IV. ADJOURNMENT