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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975/09/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularMINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA September 13, 1975 The meeting was called to order by President Pro -Tem Graves at 1:25 p.m. The following Councilmen were present: Rose -Mary Griak Lyle Hanks Richard Graves Leonard Thiel Mayor Fleetham arrived at 2:05 p.m.; Seymour Druskin arrived at 2:20 p.m. Also present were the City Manager, Finance Director, Asst. Finance Director and Acting Secmtary. Base Radio Console - It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman ri all(, to retai n the services of Mi chau& Cooley, HaYI'berg and 'Associ ates to ifications for the proposed radio/dispatch plan, design and prepare spec facilities. The motion passed 44. Cit Hal l - First and Third Floor - It was moved bytCouroceednwGthak s seconded ign by Councilman Thiel, to authorize the City Manage N and specification work for the reconstruction/ remodel nt that staff shout dity aexpl oretthe and third floors. It was agreed by those present P ossibility of using revenue sharing funds to finance a portion of the improvements ibe used n the Police Department and that any money saitdtontheleastnner end of the third help defray the cost of adding an emergency exp floor of City Hall* The Council agreed that it dtaff consultd not want twithtarfewwfirms consul ting architects; however , suggested, that s prior to selecting an architect to design the remodeling. Animal Control - It was moved by Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman Graves, to instruct the animal control service not to picOmupaints thatlwerenreceived, considerable discussion a to the number of cat complaints the motion was withdrawn* Thiel, seconded by Councilman Graves, to instruct It was moved by Councilman onl to pick up cats on a complcithebHumane asis nSociety. the animal control service y dispose of cats to contact advise individuals who wanted to di sp P �8D The motion passed 64. DduCS/L 1976 BUDGET Councilman Thi"'� seconded by Councilman Griak, Revenue Sharin - It was moved by general expenses for the Bicentennial program to delete 5,000 from unallocated Sharing Budget for Bicentennial in 1976 and to add $5,000 in the Revenueassed 4-0• programming in 1976. The motion p 263 Special Council Minutes, September 13, 1975 seconded by it was moved by Councilman Griak, its own Bicentennial Committee to** (l)dset UP a1located by ending any fun that prior to spending et approval from the Bicentennial Commission get to the Council of all expenditure motion passed 44, Councilman Thiel , to permit the checking account; (2) request the City of over $5005 the Counci 1 ; and cask that a report on a periodic basis. The ex lained that staff has been working with representatives The City Manager P the establishment of a teen program. A possible of the Red Cross in discussing site for the location on of a teen center may be the bui i ding rn the east side of ' I Avenue across from the Oak Park Village site. Louis Councilman Griak discussed the need to construct sidewalks along major thoroughfares in the City and questioned whether o^ not thSiCouncil would be able to agree as to how to finance construction of these felt some part Councilman s. Thiel and Councilman Hanks both stbeeassessed. y Councilman Griak of the cost for sidewalk construction shoucdtizens when conducting a public suggested that this question be asked the opinion poll. It was moved by Councilman Thielsseconded by Councilman Graves, to authorize staff to contract to take counts of pedestrians and cyclists using the bridge at West 36th Street. Following considerable discussion as to the validity or meaningfulness of the counts, the motion was withdrawn. Councilman Thiel stated that he no longer is certain -whether all of the pedestrian bridges proposed for construction i.n 1.975-1.976 should be constructed and would like to discuss them further. Councilman Druskin stated that he feels the entire Council should be present in order to discuss and vote on this matter. After further discussion, Rose -Mary Griak moped, seconded by Councilman Thiel, that the reveAbe sharing budget be approved. The motion passed 6-0. Recreation Fund - The City Manager outlined the various options for the playground program as described in the memo sent to the Council. Counci 1 man Griak suggested that this 1tem- also be included in the public opinion poll It was moved by Councilman Thiel to reduce the number of weeks in the playground program from s i x weeks to five weeks , with the program beginning on June 20th . The motion failed for lack of a second. Councilman Hanks questioned whether the City would be able to hire qualified people with a shortened program and suggested that staff explore various ways to change or improve the existing program. It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Graves, to leave the Recreation budget as proposed, and to have staff report prior to the behinn'ng of the 1976 playground program season as to how it plans 1ans to imp 1 ement the program and spend the funds allocated. The motion passed 6-0.The Council suggested a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission be held ro discuss the report. Councilman Druskin stated that he felt it W 'mporfiar' that all sides are considered in reviewing the ppl ayground program, i nc1 udi ra the alternative of spending additional funds, i'f needed, to improVe the quality of the recreation program, 264 JY�; 1dl Council Minutes, September 13, 1975 l ounc i l man Graves stated that the City should attempt to find out the attendance of she parks and investigate why children are not attending supervised areas as in previous years. Councilman Thiel stated that more activities are now mailable to children, including summer camps, swimming lessons, etc. Ach pend to compete with park attendance. Mr. Thiel then requested that staff explore the possibility of "community area" parks together with busing children to such parks % MunIcloal Service Center as No changes print Shop and Stores - No changes Water Utility - The City Manager noted that the construction of an iron removal plant has been postponed both to allow replenishing of the existing fund balance and to authorize the results of the proposed water needs study. Sewer Utilit ow, The City Manager noted the increasing chArges from the etropo itan Waste Control Commission and also noted that some lift station work has been postponed. He further noted that the City is questioning the charges of the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission relative to the amount of infiltration charges allocated to the City. It was moved by Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman 19Qra77 bud,eto request that that if renovation of lift stations is proposed ti n the expenditures* The staff consider using revenue shakfunds abstaining, as hewasnot present motion passed 5-0-1 (Councilman Hans or the discussion of this item): Mayor Fleeth'm stated that he felt f and not subsidized by other revenue sources* utilities should be self-supporting Councilman Thiel budget that all revenue shari ng , these funds. reqof uested that during the discussion of the proposed projects which are funded froaraousrsources and amounts of bonds, FAU, etc.) show the v The Manager noted that increase slewer rates in Control Commission have of the sewer utility. it may be necessary to If costs continue to increase the Metropolitan Waste 1976. Additional charges y sl affected the City's financial position seriously Refuse Utilit - No changes Councilman d by Councilman Thiel, secoeded feebstructure Recreation Center - it was move relative to th Druskin to request staff to prepare a study irability es and the use of lights at teletdhnis for both the Recreation Center faciliti a discussion as to the d Following it was courts. The motion passed 6-0• courts at Westwood Junior High, Of installing 1 ilghts at theete resi dents in that 'ea . recommended that staff survey of finding • - ted that staff look into �e P ossibility Cou requested the Recreation Center W,benc�lman Thiel req should a concessionaire to run the concess�onHeastated that the Clty City receiving a certain commission. H making more income from this source. 265 Special Council Minutes, �uniomm t� Devel 91jt,! i � n___^__ C n seconded by The September 13, 1975 ent Block Grant Proam loran Griak, to accept t motion passed 6-O.. It was moved by Councilman Hanks e Community Development Program, as propose Ado tion of Bud et - It was moved by Councilman Graves, seconded by Counci loran treading of Ordinance entitled, An Ordanetcas�Aopting Hanks to wa ve firs t r the 1975 Budget dont for � Fiscal Year 1976 and amending 1281 and ,1297" and. to set the Budget Ordinance . by Ordinance 1272 and amended btember 22 and to re -instate the $19400 to date for second reading for $eP deleted) for purchase of recording the Clerk/Treasury budget (previously equipment. The motion passed 64. It was agreed to months of October. Bond Sale - meet with the attorneys to discuss legal fees during the RESOLUTION N0. 5357 It was moved by Councilman Graves, seconded by Councilman Griakk� towaive reading and adopt Resolution W 5357 entitled, A Resolution 9 for the Issuance and Sale of $3,000,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds of 1975, and Authorizing Advertisement for Bids"; authorizing Miller and Schroeder Municipals Inc. (Ernest L. Clark, representative) to act as financial consultants; authorizing LeFevre, Lefler, Hamilton, and Pearson to render legal opinion ; and authorizing the securing of current credit ratings from Moody's Investors' Service, Inc. and Standard and Poors Corporation. The motion carried 64. Councilman Druskin requested a written financial statement following the bond sale showing a breakdown of the costs for the sale. Park/Creek Acquisition - (1) Westwood Hi 11 s - The C i ty Manager rem i nded the ,Counc i 1 of the resoi uti on adopted authorizing the purchase of the eastern portion of the Farr property for $190,000. He informed the Council that staff has applied for I,AWCON and State Natural Resource grant funds for purchase of the remaining propertye the This project has been ranked as the number one priority grant project by State Planning Agency and Metropolitan Council staff. He noted that Mr. Farr has indicated that he will accept a total of approximately $44000 for both of the parcels. It was moved by Councilman Gravess seconded b Councilman Griak to authorize staff to obtain an option to purchase both parcels for a total of $440,000 that and, as a part of that option that, if only the east parcel i s purchased' �h� 75% of the earnest money of y paid on the option be applied to the purchase eastern parcel. 266 Spec i 3.l council Minutes, September 13, 1975 Councilman DrU5en questioned whether the City would be able to get grant funding for these land acquisitions and stated that he prefers to use the Cityls money for projects that are definitely needed and serve as a more direct benefit that t to the citizens, l for example, pedestrian bridges, Councilman Graves stated t thes gone the City will never be able to repurchase it again at the negotiated price and stated that he feels the city should do whatever it can to puirchase the property. Following considerable discuss' on as to the City's obligation in purchasing the land, the motion passed 644 (2) Minnehaha Creek - The City Manager reviewed the grant from the Qepartment of Urban and Housing Development under which the City was authorized to purchase certain parcels of land along Minnehaha Creek. All of these parcels have been purchased or are under condemnation except for one parcel, owned by Al Lampe. The City Manager reviewed this parcel of land with the Council and discussed the existing canoeing activities which are taking place from this point. He noted that Mr. Lampe does not wish to sell this parcel to the City for use as a canoe launch site* After considerable discussion relative to the use by Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman amendment tothe parcel of land; (2) to request an . (3) to work with Mr. Lampe to get a trail easement The rtoti on passed 6-0. (3) JIinwood - It las Thiel, to leave the mon y in the Elmwood area in the 6-0. of the land, it was moved (1) not to acquire this grant application; and across the propertya moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman appropriated for land acquisit10Thefor mothonpark passed Community Development budget. Council Meetin - Se tember 29th y Councilman ria , to set the date for public The motion passed 64. cancel t hearings Adjournment - Upon motion the meeting was adjourned Attest; It was moved by e Council meeting scheduled for that of CouncilmanGrav6so at 4: b 27 p.m. 6, to usan Workman, q otSecretaryb I 267 Councilman Ha29th secandonded of September evening on October 6, 1975. seconded 0 vie . Faves ; Pres 000000 Feetham, by Councilman Thiel, t pxo-Tem r, Mayor