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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975/02/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 24 , 1975 The mErting was called to order at 7 : 10 P . M , The following Council members were present : Richard Graves Rose - Mary Griak Lyle Hanks Keith. Meland Leonard Thiel Frank Fleetham Also present were Representatives Pete Petrafeso and John Arlandson and Senator Bob Lewis . Staff present included the City Manager , Assistant City Manager and Acting Secretary . LEGISLATIVE ITEMS 1 . Public Safety Pensions - Following a brief discussion regarding the Public r.4/Z" Employees Bargaining Act and City negotiations , Mayor Fleetham explained that the ' City is requesting that only public safety personnel ( police and fire officers ) X o hired in the future come under the PERA Pension System . There are no plans to remove existing employees covered by the individual police and fire pension systems . He further noted that the individual contributions to the police and fire pension system is disproportionately low and the City can no longer afford to continue to participate in this kind of program . Also , if something is not done soon the economic viability of the existing pension system may be jeopardized . Councilman Graves stated that he would like to see an " escalator" clause incorpo - rated into the PERA Public Safety Pension System . Senator Lewis stated that the City should adopt resolutions urging passage of the legislation it favors . 2 . Civil Service / Department Heads - Councilman Graves stated that he does not believe the Council would have a unanimous vote of support for a resolution on this matter . 3 . P'lblic Safecy Probationary Employees - Senator Lewis stated that he would be willing to draft a local bill providing for the City to extend the probationary period for fire fighters , as is now done in police , to one year . 4 . Public Safety Pension Boards - In response to a question from Representative Petrafeio , Mayor. Fleetham stated that the Council would like to be represented on these pension boards in order to ensure that public funds are being spent properly . He std. t: ed that the City Council is responsible to the electorate for the expendi - ture of public funds and therefore should have a voice on the pension boards of both the Police and Fire Pension System . D . Court Fees - Senator Lewis noted that Hennepin County would most likely not support a bill of this type . The City Manager stated that the Hennepin County courts system gets $ 1 . 00 for every tag :issued . Even If the Court does not do anyt } , ln.g and dismisses or releases the Lickets , rile City must still pay $ 1 . 00 . Senator Lewis suggested an amendment that would state if the ticket is dismissed or no administrative costs incurred , the City would be charged no fee . 57 Council Minutes , February 24 , 1975 er stated that state laws set a maximum that 6 . License Fees - The City Manager or Fleetham indicated that the to administer licenses . May , , cities can chargeY ose such fees to offset the administrative City merely wants authorit to imp costs . 7 , Uti. lit Under round - The City Manager explained that at the present time — g lace underground wiring in designated areas . cities cannot force utilities to p but indicated that utility Senator Lewis agreed to draft a bill of that tYPe ermissive & companies will opp �� se such legislation unless it is P 8 . Commercial Improvement Costs - Councilman Graves explained that some commercial properties in St . Louis Park that have out of state owners are becoming deteriorated and in need of repairing . When improvements are required , he stated , the owners merely increase the tenants rents accordingly . Senator Lewis requested that the City ' s legal staff draft some appropriate language on how such legislation would operate to solve the problems being encountered , 9 . Liquor Licenses - Senator Lewis agreed to introduce a bill requesting that the City be granted six more licenses up to a maximum of 25 , or one ( 1 ) to approximately 2 , 000 population . 10 , Mu.niei al Census - The City Manager explained that federal and state funding are based on the population certified by the state . He noted that many communities do not get the proper funding because the census is only done every ten years . Currently , state legislation prohibits a yearly census , Senator Lewis agreed to look into this matter , 11 , Speed Limits - Councilman Griak noted that presently only the state has the power to set speed limits on residential streets . In many instances , ad3acent to schools , parks , playgrounds , etc . , the City would like the authority to be able to reduce speed limits , 12 . Condominiums - The Council requested the legislators to support legislation that would give municipalities some local control over condominiums , 13 . Public Meetings - The Council urged the legislators to support legislation to permit elected officials to meet in executive session to discuss items including personnel , litigation , land acquisition , etc , 14 , Public Service Commission - The Mayor noted that the City must get on the Public Service Commission Agenda during the first Louisiana Avenue Extension , The Council requestedthesu art of April regarding the on this item , pport of the legislators 15 , Cable CAN - Councilman Hanks requested that an y lislatorshave mation regarding the proposed budget of the State CableeCommissi. onwho or relatedfor - legislation to contact him as soon as possible , 16 , Taxes - The legislators stated that the municipal aids nor do they anticipate , y do not foresee any increase in local The Council stressed that it is the . m � ll levy limits being changed or abolish ' programs that are mandated b very difficult for municipalities to carry out inflation when the y the state and federal y are not given any methods government and provide for 17� monies to support these programs , in order to increase aids or raise 58 Council Minutes , February 24 , 1975 Senator Lewis again urged the Council to adopt resolutions on any items on which they would like legislation drafted and to get them to him at the earliest possible date . OTHER BUSINESS It was moved by Councilman Thiel , seconded by Councilman Meland , to meet with representatives of the Lincoln Del at 6 : 30 P . M . on February 25 , 1975 and to meet to discuss management salaries at 7 : 15 P . M , that same evening . The motion passed 6 - 0 . Staff was requested to reschedule the youth interviews for CRC representa - tivEs . It was moved by Councilman Griak , seconded by Councilman Graves , that the discussion of management salaries take place in executive session . The motion passed 5 - 1 ( Mayor Fleetham opposed ) . Adjournment - Upon motion by Councilman Thiel , seconded by Councilman Hanks , the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00 P . M . by a 6 - yea v � . i Fr G . Fleetham , Jr . , Pvyor Attest : Susan Workman , Acting Secretary 59 Fos Z ) U P V IT' TTS I' 0 , . ' S ` , [.' j �} n , �ri �_ •'tt ) Oil Rule - 01� 17SC 1iij� 1 51- atio !I :'iLi ch raduces itliCtt � I2 . 110 -inn_ R _llc .;'> r;OVC r ajrcntai a l: ,Kr_ alem S l 'i. cen .� c aiRnually all ads%- -rtici r, ; a ) PermiL, cities to77�, de cc s [�Yiti1 ] Y1 t;lx (� . r b ) Allow ci. Cics aut- I: o00 t , , t0 rGSti. -I_ ct S % O�•,i�1ODI a tion : opcli: at ;9 0a u5L; Wigliin c ) Aboli . Ii rc: quircr.�enL' t lea : cit: ie � ) L' :J ': have r ^ iyL, Lart ` rU .;ai = l0ii . O GLl;il. � �' .r�. G � ttLPJsi Lz. ft11• �' C1 . i._ the fire inwurancc preWiLLIA ( state - �: iu ; . . . d ) Permit each City the author : Y to selcct ^_ ts r" aiiicial ncwspancrtt cieper►Leat upon C41 nu «Ibers , etc * • V • __ btCO1. : tr13n Q .1bLCotincil lv'% rrS nlli _ " buying 1. 11"moo " public c.•,ployee peasion systc'tl � t'i, Pctij Or est. .bly :ih `_ r.� local, retirement systcri for elected ofLicials . 3 . Certified Votc ,o lease' s Permit Lhc ttse Of a ccrti 'fied VOi: Cl li g • . . MesL11t clect: ion laws require use of dup ].IcaLo, Vd % Cr I" C (1713tr.^_ t: ion files ill each CICCi lOT2 . The uS : of a C �? r 2 � iCi LSt would 'L^.iprG ;� :: efficie7cy , as well. as prevent ti: e loss ordeStruc boli of dup ic ,. : e rcSistration Liles . The League Of ,. innesoLa MunicipUlit -les rucor- -girded the Legislature amend the voter reg istratiork 1. 47 to LJJIOT7 cites Co use certified " lists " in lieu of duplica- Le registratio n files ) 4 . Ec7. ildilz? PCrmit Surchor_ c; e - Reduce the State Building Perm' t Surcharge 4n d allow citles to increase the administrative cost � to collect avid u re�tit these fees to the State . ( Since the inception of the program , the City has collected and forwarded to the State over $ 2�o- , 000 r , -rom Which. there hes been little or no benefit to t le City . These Lunds w� , e to have been used to . educaLion for local ins ecto ). s p In addition , public or semi - pablic buildings pox' [•�hich permits have begin z, ; sved by local city councils hould not have to � . Pty a st.. te su �charGe an permit fees ) 5 . Local Heals_h /Envirortr: , ertal ' ro ? rates a ) Amend State statutes to discantzr� ue having allot• cities [ r th I; e � lt:i l;' coartm :-its to a licelLsed p;Zysician for its 1iea �. th of : ice : . . • b ) Provide for a� reenlcr1Lc faith G� riculture , heaiLh , C . f1 • various stir- Le de ?�artnents � . inspections , : icensin � ate • } to � llOc� for local e �:{ orc. cr,� c^ « , reventi etc , w .i state P on of dunl � rein'ourser.ecit of c :: s :: 3 �;nd - cation 0f effort" / cost . . . P ' Lt� � c� r. nC T 4 � � /0 •) � � c �, to allow for loc : � ua . its of gc� vcrrr::;� ne L' o pctrc ►.csfor open sp ,cce use ( pari: and recreation ) without- paying delinquent tares and penalt - es . . . 7 . Propane e Tnx - Abolish the state tax on pro : 4ne fuel or erem t municipali Ues from this tax * * * 8 . Steno Aid - Make StZLe Lid street. �- ' s � eeA_ fungi e a ;. rec � ly �v� , .�r_ � 1C to municipalities fo ; us coll � c : ar , t . o � c : iar � , or o ;:a � y c.:: jo e o .� � r local streetstham • R suL c - �7i ►. . . Jt� 1: belAlJ ' jc to the c = enr u::.essc .lable dZsi.�n standards promulgatee by the St ;: te Hir :'away Dep ,.:.-rtment and the State Aid Engineer ' s Office . 9 . State Aid Mrintcr. ance Funds - Increase state - aid allotneni co to local t; overnrnents for tnai : terga . ce of st � to - �; id s4reet ,: ( i �: view of rising costs , etc . ) , including, b r i dg %V! repalr work . .. 10 . Pronerty T .^ xes - ( rent tai{ rolief in the foi':n of ' cct rc ? 1ei rather t- hari a reduction of pror: erty Laxer ,,7hich h7� ; e = the city ' s tax base and thus penalizes other property taxpayers . (The property tax base of local governments has suffered a contlnual crosio :z by parL- iCl or t ,hol ? y c :rempting certain categories of people /property from property to A� payments ) 11 . Municipal Property Taves Limits - Support the repeal o :: limi tatiorls imposed upon local, niur, icipaliLies ( Omnibus Tax Pct or 1971 ) . ( There can be no doubt that one of the principal effects of the Tax Act was to transfer both financial responsibility and decision - making authority from loc 1 units of government to IL- he State Legislature . Home rule carries with it not on117 the responsibility to assess local needs , but also the authority to raise revenue to meet those needs requested by the citizenry . Thus , if legis late've grants of authority to local units of government dre to be meaningful , they must be accompanied by the authority to raise local revenue to ulcer: such needs ) 12 , St—abil. izati_ on of tonin? Classi. ficriti. on - Require stabiliza . iorn of zoning classifications , as of the date of ;:he passage of the law for lands abutting shared municipal boundaries , requiri ng that any rezoning , variances or special use permits receive the approval of the abutting municipality ( ies ) unless the land will be used in a less intense or less dense manner . 13 Cc �r� �. rci a1 ? mp �� oyemenL Costs - Provide legislation to prohibit • she centers and otx;er commercial developments from passing a1oag to its tenants costs for improvements ordered by the City Council ( i . e . Miracle Mile situation ) . 14 . Liquor T, icenscs - Abolish on - sale liquor license ( permits ) liinit; .. tions and alloxa City Councils to deteLriii�e locally . 15 . �Ieter_ ^. :Z ' Preference - Abolish " absolute " veterans preference in hizii-ig practices . (This requirement is in direct conflict caith Affirmative Action P rog anis ) , � •, t � O1'F vl►� .t. 0 Would pexnlit City g it , p � � s5 a ; -ts , Zt; jo •� vJlt Lc �F Would 1 oG () 1; t� ray c �: 115iFa 0 � :i. t: 5 all � C1r � O :� es G?l i ? n tI1G • _ 7 t0 lia c SCS .. O L1C1C L C: eC1SLFS Cl acccp L- ed as thy: State of IV, innesota , etc . etc . } ( 'this would affect state gids , revenue sl� aring � Cha Cir,:: the eN-iSti.ng statute to Iitivinr Undo t:lie Int" ueT1GC ' : ^ ' ,� ,_ she gtatut0 Would ;: GTei L" 0 17 . stria=" CO :: Ic C 4: tZ eliminate the IWO all drugs . . . . • - corca ;: ning driving a der tris of the Tr � ixc code ( Sectio ;► 169 . 121 �. 1 ^ J uic _ ,. , s h s c ^ ;used Of aicoi� olic , il'li ' ul� nCe t ►S �: Udivision A c'�..nd J 170t" i: r � _ �? � LC U Ie , rob lc:,zs in t �74 co:iside �: a t 437bItu�: ates are not t ' narco :: a c " drugs . S3. nce ,arnphet �:n:�nes a:� c b A. S 'i"<1i: e Classic icatzo :: Cede , this . . . claSsJ f ? ed as narCOt. 1C5 Oft Ott �, ,, ; r. Particular section is totally ineffective lit d ." c. i � IiJ � . lt. i p i ►if lucrce of drugs other 1: han n". rcc tic who a � driving under the . At the present ti►ae , a person �J,10 is dry vines under the ? azlue :ce of drugs other than narcotics cannot' be charged u ��der this sec �L' ic ;tj . I $ , Firearm Registration - Pass a SunperFnit requiremne -n , . (Tiinnesota is in meed of a state - widC gun permit type progran . At the present tine r�:u:Zicipalitics issue thcA r own individuap' permits , and there is no cross -- re �: ere :1cing or chec :ciizg as to :1110 has and who does not have a pe r mi L' ) . ( It is recommended that all applications for gun perm ts , carrying of conceaied wcanons , and soorL- 11 , be fi -_ st submitted ` o Local police departments on G state star_dardized form . ? 0110wing approval from the local department , the application could be forwarded to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension where the permit would be issued . The present system only tends to inconvenience those persons who have a legitimate purpose for carrying a concealed weapon and has little or no effect on the criminal e1em►ent . ) 19 . L �-7 Enforcement Vehicle Identif -:- cation - Amend existing Ieoislation that requires those vahicics used prir,�arily fel" l. rG �Cic laW enforcement be painted black azd white wish the word " Police " in a presc :- ibed size on the bade of the trun?: . ( :ost u nicipali .. ties do not conform. with this section of the 1 ,^,W at the present L Imne . ) 20 . Speed Limits - r ,� . Ilow inco _ oo _ a �ed cities to estwbl. ish own so 1ir,�%Its , except state hibnway routes , 21 . Uniforn ie:lsions & Lerefits . - Adopt legislation to provide uniform pension and otlicr Dene � its for all public employees . - 3 - 22 . (3nt� n ti+ '_ E* tln� A=oaad existing legislation to L�41 , —. --- � ._ g � give go �. err. �. . . g ba.vies the option of mecting 4r. cios %; d sess , :: o tical with ce. rraxn " executive " matters following pubiicaticn of notice and agenda . 23 . "Gremn Acres " Act - Pass legislation to guarantee conti . uatIo :i of open space areas . ( In those itastances wliere land is assessed at reduced ra :: as : or the purpose rC'. t � lni: � O � is Yl � � � . arGS tC::�:.:.� Zi: , 00 ± 1 Co 'o : GrC . t► �� pc:b11C Sii� uld be rru"-Ar,,k,L a G' 4he con 'L- Ainuatior: of W'&r:, aSa O D e n spaces . It is suC, gested that %Nten a persan desA, . Es to land under provisions of t: e "Green Acres :pct " ti: st tt'.e : e be deeded for open space use for percent of the acrete each year for a minimum of five years . SLc11 dccced lead co :: i �, co _. %.,L L. � o be used for open space purposes until t :. e land cc :.. sed to qual i. fy under the provisions of the Act . Lez �rue of :uaicipaiities will have similar bill i_nk: roduced . ) 24 . State - :aide Hotel - i'•iot' el Ac�inlissions ; 116 Amuscw..ent Teres - ImDose a tax of this type and return tinC revenue to the municipality where collected . 25 . Truck Traffic Restriction s - Consider legislation Lha ' would alloc4 conui►:znities to prolll.Dit truck traffic on street :) even though they may have been constructed with State Aid ruads . 26 . `: uis << nces Abatement - Provide more effective and expedient methods to provide for. sidewalk repairs , deed cutting , snow OF removal , etc . 27 . utility Rclocation - Require State /County to pay the cost of relocatin;; utilities when City right - of - ways are used for State /County purposes . . . 28 , Tax Remittances - Require County ( or State ) to remit all tax.cs collected for municipalities to local governments within 30 days after collcction . . . 29 , Open Spaces and Trail Syst: eimis - Legislation to expand the options and resources available to local governments and counL' ies to provide open spaces and a path%,Yay system . ( Increased State funding available to local units of govern�a�enL• would enhance the acquisition of open spaces and trail systems within local communities and , more importantly , LhrouryIiout the region ) . 3Q , �1 .. litary Reserve Pty - Allow cities the same priV 6Ict; e as nriv `te busii,ess and schools by not requiring that eil�ploy` es serving in military reserve / training be paid their full salary in addition to their miliLary pay . . . - 4 - zincrs - pass state - wide l; c� ve �' aonC .: 31 , Noll - 1;cturn... 1 of non -- returnable bevtra c- - lati. on to res tr 1. c L- L' he sale .Leg � s ; de basis * containers on state - c� � ( �ecolr�niended by City s Environ mental jx1provemeat Got;:" issioa ) T to require that condomi;: iu Z 32 . Condor�} � n � ums - r�m:: nd Stagy � a � until. t: a :. oc �, i �- fiLccl lo : uppLo � a1 proposals cannot b � o � , ed - he devcic ,� r.:en� , and r -L, . nd a ? pr municipality has rcvie :� - d f pron �: r provisions has tl�e authority Lo deny such pr � ? oaa - s i _ parking ) Open apace , utility and payment or for access , p � � r „ r r adequa= eiy provided City services , etc * are not assurec o .. for in the condominium proposal . D ^ mnhes - �� dd a prov ? sion in contract 1 ac , s to allOw � 3 , Contract ' to place pen,3lties ( Iir� ui. dated darilates } in tnc r cities " proven" v = t ' o7 a�•� tL1at requires actual �. roVen contracts in lieu of cvs �- in5 I daL�1.� � eJ before stich penalties c �� n be charted . . . 34 . Condemnation /jlppr � i. scrs - Require that concicmnati. 011 co:iL�iZ:p A. ers � be restricted be qual :i. iied appraisers and what cl . i . '_ (-res ( ceiling ) , time spent limi Led , etc • • Local / Special Leaislation� 1 . Nuisance L <<es - Amend State nuisance lads to allow . ( a ) An increase in the Maximum amount that can be assessed to abate nuisances ( allow Council to establish -reasonable cost ) , , , ( b ) Health officials of city to sign abatement orders in lieu of licensed physician . . . ( c ) All city officers to serve legal notices , etc . . . 2 . Civil Service / Department Heads - Amendment to state civil service requirements v;aich would allow communities the " local option " to eliminate the department heads in police and fire departments zrom civil service and place ther.� under a merit system like all other department heads , etc . ( These two positions are department head positions . Placing these positions under civil service conflicts with the Cit.Y Charter ; the City riar.aoper is provided with tools to ap ? o =nt department heads - - subject to confirmation by the City vourC 1 . E :: istint civil to laws place these two department heads under civil service and perhaps should be changed to prove that these two positions ars: excluded from the civic. service system and treated like all other dc2artrcnt heads under a merit systenclassification , - S - j � Fu�` tIC S .� t �: L• 'y Pro iti011 ry Er',2lo%rer- s �' Allow cltle5 � © % e tU set extend probationary period on appointments and pro �:otzons ( i . e . fire , police , etc . ) . Present laws allows up to o .e ( 1 ) year for police officers . 49 pii� bj * Sn ety Pension 'hoards pr. ^ nd existing Icglisiationrto allow for City Councii representation on police Znd ti pension ,. u � : ds in Ste . Louis Park . (The City Council should perhaps ce given powers to app oii: t ner,�bers of the Board of Directors of these relief associ Gt - oas ) . • * ; to have 5 Public S : lfety Pen lions - Adopt legislation to permit el � � es • • the o -� tior, o rjlaci:�g all police and lire pCrSGrt:lei , ed a � te ,- January 1 , 1975 , under the PERk public safety pension system . G pension 3uidc '� ir� e FIrc�ns �ion - Amend i�iirincsota Statute 421+ . 03 ( 190 , bill , to c ::elude " fire technici_ cn" from cic iiritioa of " fi reraan" fol purposes of computing pension contributions . 7 Iienncpin COu► ty Court. VIiLh Coup t_ Fees Abolish 1971 lair that provicica $ 1 . 00 " .fee " in C. 11 cases �aliere a 1cf- endaY: t was issued a statu , c , tiaff0 or ordinance violation tag , . . disposed of . . . should not be required if tag was dismissed . Also (This Lee oerhaps the City should receive the fees to cover el�penses , the Hennepin County Court ) . License Fees - ent to set zees for license , etc . Permit local governm on a per cost to administer basis . ' Example * liquor S25 does not even cover basic administrative � P costs ) i_ ty Under round - Give cities the ri&h: to require utilities to U Li l ' be placed underground . . .