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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972/04/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular • MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST . LOUIS PARK , MINNESOTA April 10 ; 1972 t i The meeting was cul + ed to under by Mayor Pucci at 7 : 15 Pomo The o ow ng Councilmen were prcocrt : Rosa-Mary Griak Lyle H< <z'.: s James 1, 21tzer Leonard Thiel Frank Pucci , Asst . City Manager , City Planner , City Attorney, Also present %:ere t�: e City Mann, aer g Secretary . Councilmen Graves City Ascessor , Director of Public lslorlws , r::d Actin and Fleetham arrived at 7 : 20 p . m . St . Louis Park S^ nior Citizens Weck K yor Pucci presented a proclamation designating the week of April 16th to April 22nd as St . Louis Park Senior Citizens Week . It was moved by Councilman Thiel , seconded by Councilman Heltzer to endorse the proclamation . Motion was carried by unanimous vote . Special Assessments - Beth El Simagogue The City Manager explained that because of personnel changes and misunderstanding of land descriptions , the Beth E1 Synagogue had experienced a delinquency in its p _operty tax pa;ment and hcd accumulated penalities , principle and interest on special assessments accrued to the property . Councilman Thiel moved that the City accept settlement in the amount of $ 3 , 013 . 84 and approved waiving penalties on this matter . The motion was seconded by Councilman Hanks and carried by unanimous rote . Meeting with Env lror:i�o ^.ntal improvements Conunission (EIC ) Ms . Mattie Peterson , EUC CraiYm^n , reported that the EIC has experienced a fluid membershi;i since its ircepticm and teca--iss of personnel changes is experiencing an extended " :►: _:L• e do; , ci ' . cae indicate :l the EIC is emphaA zing minimizing the pollution of water .z . l is e t1U ? L : hind 1i �tiiso.z with municipalities and the Watershed Dist:~ ict for Pv.r• ec ^ rvatios of 1-113.nr. ehzha Creek . 14s . Peterson reported that the EIC ; s also i r 4 greeter a^_ ceptance of ban - the - can provisions . Mayor Pucci que3tio -+ e1 whether the EIC has expressed an opinion on the Councils cover letter requirernnts in Commm' ssion communications with other agencies * Ms . Peterson responded the. EIC would » rob4bly not have an occasion to deal with other agencies than the City Council directly as it is an advisory commission • Councilman Thiel suggested that in the Commission ' s communications with the Council and other agencies that it provide information as to the source of its reco.:�zndations . 80 Special City Council Minutes , April 10 , 1972 Councilman Griak inquired about the EIC ' s effort regarding " ban- the - can" activities . Ms . Peterson responded that EIC is working with neighboring communities and attempted to solicit community opinion at the EXPO ' 72 event . Councilman Griak suggested that the UC explore and attempLto gain popular support for achieving voluntary reduction of the use of non - returnable bottles and cans in St . Louis Park by the merchants . The City manager questioned where other communities were in relationship to " ban - the - can" proposal . Ms . Peterson responded that New Hope and Deephaven have such ordinances that Golden Valleyis in second reading of its ordinance , and that pro . ; isions are being considered by Minnetonka , Crystal and Burnsville . Councilman Hanks questioned the provisions of Golden Valley ' s ordinance . tics . Peterson responded that it was similar to St . Louis Park ' s except that it contained a " contiguous communities " proviso which probably indicates that the ordinance will not be enacted without Minneapolis action . Councilman Griak inquired whether the EIC had any questions regarding its duties . Ms . Peterson responded the assignment was broad with limited staff and inadequate funding . iris . Peterson stated the EIC is interested in ecologic education but has not yet reached full effectiveness . Councilman Griak questioned where the EIC could be more effective with funding . Ms . Peterson responded the EIC would consider establishing an environmental library and that the EIC would like to establish some priorities for presentation to the Council . Ms . Theona Von Lorenz , EIC member , stated that the public is becoming increasingly aware of the EIC ' s existence and stated that she had been contacted regarding the bridge over Minnehaha Creek and Meadowbrook Golf Course . The City Manager explained that the Watershed District is trying to involve the City of Minneapolis in the second phase of district development and that the District will take up the question of the Golf Course footbridge at that time . Councilman Graves stated that District President Donald Ringham has indicated the Park Board had agreed to alter the bridge but did not indicate when , The City Manager stated a meeting would provably be held with Mr . Ringham in late April . EXPO ' 72 Councilman Thiel moved that a letter of appreciation be sent to each volunteer and City employee who participated in planning and producing the EXPO ' 72 event . The motion was seconded by Councilman '-tanks and carried by a unanimous vote . 1'�e _with Human Rights Commission ( HRC ) 14r • Jim Samples HRC Chairman indicated the Commission was : , meeting with the Council at the Commission ' s request to discuss ' va-rious aspects of Commission activities and to provide committee reports . Alice Rudy provided a housing committee report and indicated this committee had established a series of housing institutes to develop solutions for "'adequate housing . Ms . Rudy further indicated the committee has established a liaison with a number of public and • ' private agencies who have participated in the twoinstitutes held thus far . Ms . Rudy indicated that the consensus Of resource people for the institutes said that St . _Louis Park was - an ideal PlaCe for development of low income housing . Ms . Rudy further reported that the housing Committee is currently working with the Planning Department on providing Human Rights Commission input to the Workable Program recertification and that the committee is developing plans . for a third in the series of housing institutes . 81 Special City Council Minutes , April 10 , 1972 Councilman Heltzer indicated he had been receiving concern regarding the develop . meat of low income housing in the Republic Creosote area and suggested that the development of an area education program regarding such proposals . Council - man Thiel questioned how the Commission would arrive at conclusions and recommendations on Workable Program input . Ms . Rudy responded the Workable Program is being viewed from a Human Rights standpoint and that the committee is surveying practices of other communities . Councilman Thiel suggested that the HRC , in its recommendations , provide resource information and background for the development of such conclusion . Mr . Samples reported that the employment committee , chaired by Robert Thompson , was working to establish increased minority employment in the city and to evaluate selection processes of City recruitment especially in police and fire departments . He also indicated the committee was working to ensure public works contract compliance , to encourage the development of minority businesses in St . Louis Park , and to develop an increasing level of social awareness within the City . Mr . Thompson stated he felt there were . too few minority ' people working for the City or its contractors and stated , that while the Commission has not been able to get any non - minority person employed by the City , the Commission has received no complaints or claims regarding the hiring practices . Mr . Samples stated the committee will assist in the modification of recruitment i and examination procedures and is actively involved in setting , up a suburban employment coalition to encourage increased minority job opportunities in the western suburbs . Mr . Samples stated that the omission of minorities from fire departments is a nation -wide problem that the Commission would hope to help by encouraging increased sensitivity to actively encourage minority recruitment , Mr . Sylvestre reported that he had been actively involved in recruitment procedures for firefighters but that the City had received no minority applicants and suggested that repeated efforts needed to be repeated and improved efforts needed to be made . Mr . Samples stated he felt there was a creditability problem and that minority people believed opportunities do not really exist in the suburbs . Mr . Thompson suggested that some exam requirements might require waiving to encourage minority recruitment in that firefighting was a task for which men could be trained . The City Manager responded that there are other problems in recruitment involving veteran ' s pre : erence . Mr . Heltzer questioned whether the fire civil service examinations constituted an unnecessary hurdle to a minority applicant . Mr . Sylvestre responded that it did not appear so . Paul Modell reported that the HRC ' s education committee has established goals of working with the School Board on personnel practices to increase the number of minority staff . and teachers , to encourage increased in - service training and -.sensitivity , to encourage professional growth of teachers and to promote acceptance of the State Department of Education Quality Education Gtidelines . 34r4j : Modell reported that a number of years ago the HRC had provoked a study of the school ' s hiring practice especially with regard to discrimination ed against Jewish teachers . He stated that an independent study had been conduct which provided a number of recommendations to improve the hiring and personnel practices in the schools . 14r . Samples stated that this report is currently unsettled due to the illness of the Asst . Superintendent . 82 Special City COUnCll poi 11tQs . April 1. 0 . 1. E) 72 Mr . Modell reported the committee is working to establish the intra - cultural committees provided under the Quality Education Gddelines . Mr . Sylvestre reported that two committees had been formed for black and American Indian minorities to require in - service training for non - life certificated teachers in human rights and especially minority cultures . Councilman Hanks indicated he would like to see the Commission get reports of the many human rights meetings and activities currently taking place in the school system . NIr . Sylvestre resp3nded that the curriculum director has provided the list of such programs but that the training is not mandatory and some teachers have not been exposed to it . Mr . Modell stated that the education committee is also interested in studying teacher exchange and increased student input ; cooperation with educators in expanding curriculum and eliminating racious teaching practices ; and developing a course on human rights for the Community Education Program . Mr . Samples reported that in the past two years the HRC and School Board relationship has improved tremendously especially with the appointment of Sherrie Lindborg to the Commission . Councilman Thiel questioned how the HRC arrived at its conclusion with regard to the religious observance guidelines in the schools . Mr . Samples responded that one of the members had drafted a response and that the Commission approved . Sam Scheiner indicated that in the HRC , diverse views are represented by the members . Mr . Samples reported that the Public Information Committee , chaired by Duane Boelter , had developed a number of objectives including a community - wide education activity to encourage development of human rights feelings . Councilman Thiel suggested that the Speakers Bureau is a highly appealing approach especially to organizations in St . Louis Park . Councilman Hanks stated that the HRC ' s increasing involvement with the School District creates a difficult situation as the HRC is Council appointed and should be City oriented . Mr . Samples responded that the Bloomington Commission is appointed jointly by the School Board and Council and that the Richfield HRC has a committee serving the School Board . He suggested that the establish - ment of intra - cultural committees wit' . HRC members might be a possible solution . Mr . Modell questioned whether the Council needed to send cover letters with Commission communications which completely undermind the Commission ' s position . Councilman Griak responded that in 1970 the Counncil determined the HRC communication should be reviewed by the City Manager and with review by the City Council when the Commission communicates with other public agencies . Councilman Griak stated that the Commission should continue to appraise the Council of its activities . Mr . Samples stated the Commission has been sending copies of all its communications to the Manager ' s Office with an indication that the matter has not been considered by the City Council . The City Manager stated that statement in the letter was adequate but that a major policy question had not been encountered . Mr . Samples stated that such a letter would eliminate a great portion of the dispute but that in some situations the problem will again arise and the Commission will be forced to deal with It as is most practical . 83 Special City Council Minutes , April 1. 0 . 1972 speak for itself without Mr . Scheiner questioned whether the HRC could sp gain * Council a roval . Councilman Thiel responded thattablishinghe 1p licyl has cfortthed C PPto � all commissions as well as staff ��iahhaVeafreedom� of movement but that _ City . He stated that the HRC show Modell � some decisions do require policy action by the City Council . Mr . ious cover stated that he had not been aware of any p revletters on the Commission ' s correspondence and stated that such letter reminded him of a radio station disclaimer . Councilman Thiel stated the Council needed to clarify whether estedone elected body should tell another what to do . COnapparently felt the need for saw no need for a cover letter but that the Council such a procedure . Councilman Heltzer also stated that he feels the Council has and will continue to advise of its elected bodies . Pyr . Samples questioned whether the Commission could speak on an issue which the Council dLd not support . Mayor Pucci responded the Council will not censor Hla HRC communications , Mr . Scheiner stated the Commission should not bind the no problems with the procedure of informing the Council of nd that he saw its communication and requesting the Council support if possible . , . Special Assessment Policy Councilman Griak indicated interest in deferring payment on special assessments by senior citizens . The City Manager explained that this problem had been researched and declared not unfeasible by the Legal Department . I-Ir . Rolf Worden , Acting City Attorney , explained that special assessments are uniquely applicable to benefited land and cannot be equated with people problems . Councilman Griak suggested that if the Council should alter its base price for paving , curb and gutter improvements that it not be done before August , 1972 . She further indicated it was unfair for the general fund to continue supporting street maintenance . Councilman Fleetham indicated that earlier projects paid a higher percentage of the total construction costs and are now subsidizing construction in other parts of the City . Councilman Thiel questioned whether anyone wished to consider installation of temporary streets at $ 3 to $ 5 per front foot . The City Mana ger explained that temporary streets would cause a problem for the City and residents and that life expectancy would not be determinable . Councilman Hanks questioned what actual construction costs were for present street improvements . Mr . Locky responded that costs average $ 10 per front foot and $ 11 to $12 where driveway aprons and sidewalks are involved . Air . Jones indicated that where existing curb and gutter is left assessment costs will currently approximate $ 4 . 25 per front foot . Councilman Hanks questioned whether the Council ' s policy on existing curb and gutter was changed recently . The City Manager indicated that paving , curb and gutter retention is now based on a projected five year serviceable life . NO Griak questioned whether corner lot assessments were equitable . Mr . Locky responded that in short blocks interior lot assessments are excessively high . Councilman Griak moved that side street assessments be spread the basis of 25% of side street costs to the corner lots with division of all frontage , including the corner lot frontage , into the remaining 75% of the cost of improvement . The motion was seconded by Councilman Heltzer and carried by a unanimous vote . 84 Special City Council Minutes , April 10 , 1972 Councilman Heltzer moved that extension of credits to residents for previous ageessments. paid for storm sewers be terminated for all years prior to 1950 . Motion was seconded by Councilman Griak and carried by a unanimous vote . Councilman Hanks suggested that the Council consider conducing resident interest in getting permanent streets by raising base assessment price a small amount . Councilman Heltzer questioned what the Council ' s action would be when a great majority of residents opposes a particular improvement . Mayor Pucci indicated that the Council must take the proposals to the neighborhoods and if the residents rejected , its stands rejected . Council - man Griak suggested that those residents reject permanent street improve - ments are requiring other residents to subsidize the maintenance of their streets . Councilman Thiel stated that administration of the maintenance assessment program would probably be prohibitive in costs . Mayor Pucci suggested that if general income does not increase , the Council cannot raise assessment costs just because it is the Council policy . Councilman Graves stated that assessments were regressive in nature and should be supported more by general funds . Councilman Heltzer questioned whether continuation of the $ 8 . 00 assessment base would affect the City ' s bond rating . The Finance Director responded that the bond rating depends upon the ratio of assessed valuation to general obligation debt and that the City is in sound financial shape at this time . He further indicated it also depends on the debt payment rate and the number of debts incurred by the City . Councilman Thiel suggested that the assessed evaluation ratio debt was important to St . Louis Park because of its stage of development . Mr . Hanks stated that if the Council stays at $ £3 . 00 it should be prepared to commit that amount to the remainder of the capital improvement projects even though construction costs rise . Councilman Hanks moved that the base street maintenance assessment be raised to $ 9 . 50 per front foot January 1 , 1973 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Fleetham . Following some discussion , Councilman Heltzer moved to amend the front foot base amount to $ 9 . 00 with an effective date of August 1 , 1972 . The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves . The motion then carried by a 4 to 3 vote with Councilmen Fleetham , Hanks , and Thiel voting nay . Councilman Hanks withdrew his original motion and moved that the City Attorney prepare a resolution establishing a $ 9 . 00 per front foot assessment policy effective august 1 , 1972 with the provision that , effective January 1 , 1973 , the assessment base price be modified an increment tc% changes in construction costs . The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves and carried by a 6 to 1 vote with Councilman Fleetham voting nay . Councilman Fleetham expressed concern that the assessment Policy level , including incremental changes , would be insufficient to relieve general fund obligations for improvement projects . Councilman Graves questioned the optimun size of a project area . The Director of Public Works responded that contract bids of $ 1 , 500 , 000 were considered ideal although project areas needs not be contiguous . Councilman Hanks questioned what the expected life of a temporary street would be . The Public Works Director responded that it depended upon conditions of soil and use of the street . Councilman Thiel questioned the determination Of replacement schedules for capital improvements . The City Manager responded that the Public 47orks Division establishes priorities on a need basis in terms of serviceability and cost maintenance . 85 � HinutesApril 10 , 1972 Special City Council , p Intra - City Bus Rbute Councilman Thiel moved that the Planning Conmission s recommendations for intra - city bus routes be referred to the rletropolitan Transit Commission for comments and proposals to lead to route establishment . The motion us vote . was seconded by Councilman - Griak and carried by unanimo Resolution Re arding Joint Powers A reement for CATV The City Manager explained that the intent of for alles posed communitition and was to encourage adoption of common standards f to investigate possible benefitscE increased dovtils of� n ofctheeresolution in CATV franchising . Councilman Heltzer moved a p of intent to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement to form municipal cable and television and communcation system . The motion was seconded by Councilman Thiel and carried by a unanimous vote . ` The meeting was adjourned at 11 : 45 p . m . Frank J . Pucc , Mayor es ichard Schrad , Actg . Secretary 86 IL