HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974/04/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularFOR INFORMATION ONLY
MINUTES
S PEC IAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
April 18, 1974
=:e xzting was called to order by Mayor Fleetham at 5:12 p.m. The following
C: cilmen were Dresent:
Seymour Druskin
Richard Graves
Rose -Mary Griak
Lyle Hanks
Keith Meland
Leonard Thiel
Mayor Fleetham
31so aresent were the City Manager, the Asst. City Manager, the Director of
Finance, the Planning Director and the Acting Secretary.
0n motion of Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Graves, the proposed
agenda was adopted by a vote of 7 - 0.
Com:nications from Northwestern Bell - The Mayor announced that at 2:30 p.m. he
was contacted by representatives of Northwestern Bell Company to inform the City
that it would be filing a request with the Public Service Commission to increase
telephone rates. Other members of the City Council noted that they had also
been contacted and that NW Bell was planning to meet with various representatives
prom the City to inform them of the reasons behind these requested rate increases
Letter from Chairman of the School Board - The Mayor read a letter from the
chairman of the St. Louis Park School Board, Norm. Friederichs, requesting
ambers of the City Council to meet with them at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22,
1974 in the Faculty Lunchroom at the Senior High School to discuss the proposed
school closings.
Re.aUest for Information by Councilman Druskin - The Mayor stated that the previou
evening, after receipt of a Council letter from the City Manager, he decided to
call a special meeting of the City Council to discuss Councilman Druskin's
request to have staff prepare data and assist him in his presentation before
the St. Louis Park School Board. City Council members were notified of the
special meeting on April 17th by hand delivered letter.
Councilman Druskin stated that he had been contacted by numerous residents in
the Fern Hill neighborhood and asked to provide them with information relating
to taxes, community education, valuation data, population trends, cyclical
mature of neighborhoods etc. He noted that if this information could be
provided him, he no longer felt it essential that staff accompany and assist
him at the School Board meeting.
Council Minutes, April 18, 1974
Page 2
Councilman Thiel stated that he does not favor having staff accompany
Councilman Druskin to the public hearing, but does feel that any materials
that are available should be furnished. He emphasized that he felt the School
Board should be informed that the opinions expressed by Councilman Druskin
did not represent an officially adopted position of the City Council. It
was his feeling that staff participation in this public hearing would give
the impression that the City has adopted an official position on the school
closings.
Councilman Thiel moved and Councilman Graves seconded that Councilman Druskin
be given the factual information available that has been requested.
Councilman Griak requested the City Attorney to cite any sections of the
Charter which related to the responsibility of the City Council to act
collectively rather than individually; the City Attorney noted Chapter 2,
Section 2:01, 2:09, and 2:10. She reiterated Councilman Thiel's statements
that it is difficult for a single councilman to make a statement that is
not construed as the feeling of entire City Council.
Councilman Druskin assured the Council that he would make it clear to the
School Board that any comments expressed were his position rather than those
of the City Council; however, he felt that he had a responsibility to those
members of his ward whom he represented to discuss their feelings about the
closing of Fern Hill School with the School Board.
Darlene Pierce, 2837 Ottawa, stated that rather than having many citizens
requesting the same information on population, tax information, etc. from
the City that it would seem easier if all of the information were given to
Councilman Druskin and she urged passage of Councilman Thiel's motion.
Councilman Graves suggested that the City send a letter to the School Board
clarifying the fact that the Council has not taken a position on the proposed
school closings. Councilman Druskin stated that he does not feel that a
letter is necessary, as he will be certain to state this in his presentation.
Councilman Hanks stated that he felt objective data regarding either the
Fern Hill or the Brookside neighborhoods should be made available to those
requesting it, however, he does not wish staff to be called upon to make
subjective forecasts about neighborhood trends without thorough study.
Judy Kirk, 2820 Ottawa, urged the City Council to pass a motion making the
information available to Councilman Druskin.
Betty Shaw, 2649 Huntington, inquired as to whether or not the City Council
has a responsibility to intervene in School Board decisions that may have
an effect on any joint agreements (i.e. Community Education, Recreation Program)
that the City has with the School District. Councilman Thiel commented that
it is his understanding that the school closings, in themselves, will not affect
or discontinue any of the current agreements. He stated that he is curious about
what effect closing Fern Hill will have on the Community Education Program
and would like to meet with representatives of the School Board and the
Community Education Policy Advisory Board to discuss these matters. In response
to a question from Ms. Shaw, the City Manager stated that the School Board
has obtained population data from the City. 1