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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.cCITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES September 21, 2015 Mayor Little called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Mayor Little, Council Members Swecker, LaBeau, Anderson and Davis Staff present: Justin Miller, City Administrator; Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator; David Olson, Community and Economic Development Director; Gene Abbott, Building Official; Chris Petree, Public Works Director; Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director; Monica Heil, Operations and Maintenance Engineer; Zach Johnson, City Engineer; Judi Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk 2. Citizen Comments: None 3. Discussion Items: a. Abatement of Nuisance Residential Property David Olson stated that the Lakeville Police Department was contacted by a concerned resident about the condition and smell coming from the home at 20510 Hollins Avenue. The house was inspected by police, fire and building officials and was found to be in violation of the Property Maintenance Code and uninhabitable due to garbage and unsanitary conditions. The owner was located and no longer lives at the home. At this time he is not willing to clean up the property or remove his personal belongings. The Certificate of Occupancy has been revoked, the public utilities shut off, and the house boarded up and secured to prevent unauthorized entry. City staff recommends the interior of the home be abated with a professional cleanup so the structure can be evaluated. Costs for cleanup and securing the structure will be assessed to the property taxes. If the exterior of the structure is beyond repair demolition is an option. Staff will prepare a resolution for Council consideration which would allow the abatement. The owner has no mortgage; however, real estate taxes have not been paid for several years. The property has not yet gone into tax forfeiture. Council Member LaBeau said she has also recently noticed the deteriorating exterior of the home. The City could eventually acquire the property when it becomes available through tax forfeiture or the owner could choose to deed the property to the City of Lakeville. The owner will be notified of any pending action by the Council and the date of the meeting where action could be taken. Gene Abbott confirmed that the City is following State Statute on abatement. City Council Work Session September 21, 2015 Page -2 - Council directed staff to prepare a resolution allowing the abatement process to begin at 20510 Hollins Avenue and present it for consideration at a regular meeting in October. b. 1831 Street RFP At their August 24 work session Council directed staff to ask three developers to revise and resubmit RFPs for the 19 acres of land owned by the City north of 183rd Street. Considering the long, narrow piece of property abutted by wetlands, Council requested that developers limit the length of the cul-de-sacs to minimize the need for variances. Allyn Kuennen provided an overview of the three resubmitted proposals. • DR Horton Homes submitted a revised purchase price of $1.4M with no change to the previously submitted concept of 22 single family homes and 23 detached townhomes. • KRB Development submitted three options: Option #I -the original proposal of $1.55M with 39 lots plus a greenway crossing; Option #2 -proposes $1.6M with 43 single family lots in two unconnected parcels; Option #3 -purchase price of $1.56M with 49 lots: 22 single family on the north parcel and 27 detached townhomes to the south, proposing higher density with modified setbacks on the south parcel with no street connection between the parcels. • Pulte Homes submitted a revised purchase price of $1.55M with 22 single family homes and 30 detached townhomes; redesigned concept does not require a cul-de-sac length variance. Park dedication on the 19 acres would be cash in lieu of land. LaBeau and Swecker asked about the City's contribution to the stormwater culvert in the greenway and associated crossings. The culvert and crossing would cost the City about $100,000 and would provide residents on the north side access to 183rd Street, Dodd and the greenway trail. Anderson stated that KRB's Option #2 provides a good value but also supports Option #3. Davis agrees with maximizing the value and believes that KRB's Option #3 townhome product offers the best housing product. Little agreed that detached townhomes are currently in high demand and supports KRB Option #3. LaBeau pointed out that Pulte's 52 -unit proposal could generate additional future taxes. Swecker requested the plat be reviewed by the Planning Commission and that a trail connection be provided between the north and south properties. Staff will work with KRB on a purchase agreement and site plan. c. Land of Amazement Schedule Parks and Recreation Director Brett Altergott was not in attendance so this item will be rescheduled to a future Work Session. d. Transportation Project Updates County Road 50 Study Chris Petree updated Council on the progress of this project. Proposed purchase agreements for the Newhall properties, Emond Medical Building property, and two single-family properties will City Council Work Session September 21, 2015 Page -3 - be provided for Council consideration at the October 51 meeting. Finalizing the agreements will be necessary to move forward with the design and engineering. The County and City are working on additional appraisals and on preferred concepts. A Joint Powers Agreement with the County will allow a consulting engineer to be chosen. 172nd Street Realignment at Kenwood Trail Zach Johnson stated that potential realignment of 172nd Street and Co. Rd. 5 is identified as part of the 2016-2020 CIP. The intersection was discussed with adjoining property owners at a previous work session. City staff is also having discussions with the County on their participation in a possible project and potential funding sources are being identified. Staff is also working with a consultant to provide estimates on completing the design phase of the project. Staff is asking for Council direction on moving forward with the design phase in 2015 which would allow the project to be constructed in 2016 if funding is identified. Council members agreed that the intersection's current configuration does not function well and needs to be improved. Property owners are being contacted by developers who are showing interest in the site. Olson stated that if adjoining properties are developed right of way could be dedicated as part of the platting process as it would be cost prohibitive for the property owners on their own. This project could be done in advance of the Co. Rd. 50 interchange and bridge improvements. Council Member Swecker asked if the realignment and future interchange project is supported by Dakota County, I-35 Solutions Alliance, and MnDOT. Johnson stated that due to the size and cost it would likely be a State or County project and conversations continue with those agencies. The project is not currently included in the MnDOT or Dakota County CIP but the official mapping of the area demonstrates the City's commitment to the project. Staff will continue to pursue opportunities for redevelopment to coincide with the realignment. I35 Solutions Alliance is looking at MnPASS opportunities, Orange Line BRT, or other funding initiatives. Mr. Miller stated that Southfork TIF monies might be available to acquire properties that will be needed for the project; those acquisitions could provide an incentive to move forward. Swecker stated that the area needs to become a priority in the next 10 years. Johnson stated that this project was identified in the draft CIP as a project that Council wishes to discuss further. A funding source of about $145,000 has been identified to begin engineering and design in 2015, which would make construction in 2016 possible. Finance Director Erickson stated that several TIF districts were decertified in 2014 and the funds that the City was able to retain would be available for engineering of the realignment. Funds from the Southfork TIF district could be available in certain project categories. City Council Work Session September 21, 2015 Page -4 - Anderson asked what the other options for those funds might be if they are not used for this project. Dave Olson stated that funds from Argonne TIF District can be used for public infrastructure, redevelopment, property acquisition, etc. but there has not been a specific project identified; this intersection falls within the allowed geographic boundaries. Staff believes engineering for the realignment is the best use of those funds. Holyoke Avenue Improvement Project Chris Petree stated that Holyoke Ave. between CR 70 and Heritage Drive is programmed in the 2017 CIP for mill and overlay improvements. Council previously directed staff to determine if the project should also include sidewalk, street lighting and streetscape improvements. The DLBA conducted a survey of its members in early August to obtain feedback on that question. Monica Heil stated that 52% of DLBA business owners responded to the survey: • 77% of respondents would like sidewalks to be completed with the street improvements • With no cost factor being provided, 52% of respondents were in favor of standard concrete; 44% wanted stamped or decorative concrete; 12% wanted pavers or colored concrete. Both respondents and staff believe that whatever material is chosen, it should be consistent throughout the project. • Landscaping options: 64% of respondents would choose a combination of trees and planters. 32% would favor planters only with no trees. • 81% would support a uniform street lighting system Downtown. Other amenities requested by business owners are benches (78%); sculptures (60%); bike racks (45%); and water feature (42%). • 97% of the survey respondents would be in favor of signage directing visitors to the Downtown. The scope of the actual project will be determined by the cost. Staff suggested formation of a DLBA subcommittee to continue to discuss options and costs prior to determining a final project scope. Staff believes the assessments should be different between the commercial and the residential properties. Access and parking during the project was also discussed; project logistics will require continued communication. Staff recommends combining street, sidewalk, landscaping and street lighting improvements in the Holyoke Avenue Improvement Project in 2017 and begin evaluating the costs and determining what cost would be acceptable for the City and the property owners. Davis stated that he had attended staffs Holyoke Avenue presentation to the DLBA and felt it was well received by those in attendance. LaBeau asked about cost share between the City and the property owners. Heil stated that the assessment policy is for a 40/60 cost share for City Council Work Session September 21, 2015 Page -5 - residential properties on the north end of the project but those properties will be pro -rated for that section of the road. LaBeau has been contacted by several business owners asking if future assessments will be distributed equally or calculated on square footage. LaBeau also expressed concerns about signage directing traffic to the Downtown when there are other retail areas in the city. Swecker stated that in her opinion the Downtown is historic and special in its own way, with its unique Special Service District, but lacks signage that exists in larger commercial areas. Signage should be available, not necessarily at taxpayers' expense, to recognize and preserve the Downtown's historic value. Anderson supports this also and sees an opportunity to envision the Downtown's long-term future and work toward updating the 2007 Downtown Plan in conjunction with the Holyoke Avenue improvements and in support of direction from the DLBA. Little stated that a great deal of progress has been made restoring and preserving the Downtown both for the short and long term and suggested taking time for evaluation and further planning. 4. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judi Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk Matt Little, Mayor