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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978/01/30 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular 1 I i 1 MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST . LOUIS PARK , MINNESOTA January 30 , 1978 ; 7 : 30 p . m . 1 . Call to Order A special meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Stern at 7 : 40 p . m . 2 . Roll Call The following Councilmen were present at roll call : Ronald Backes Martha Elstrom Rose-Mary Griak Lyle Hanks Jerrold Martin Irving Stern Also present were the City Manager , City Attorney , Planning Director and acting Director of Public Works . 3 . Legislative Mayor Stern welcomed with City' s State Matters legislators , Senator Robert Lewis , Representative John Arlandson and Representative Pete Petrafeso . He requested the legislators to give a brief outline of pending legislation which might affect the City . Representative Petrafeso stated that sinctsyear s the a short to legislative session , there will not be muchlegislation St . Louis Park . ien Representative Arlandson indicated the State budget isset bse nally and cannot be modified significantly during the offyears ; Legislature is mainly reviewing capital improvements . Senator Lewis stated the interstate moratorium is being gltd on I 35E , and it is expected the entire moratorium will be lifted fairlysoon . riak stated that much time has elapsed since thepublic hearings and task force study Councilman G on I - 394 and suggested that interested people should be informed about further action relative to this interstate through the former task force . Senator Lewisoutlined several bills which might be erof interest stiton the City . es He stated legislation relative to local government will provide for the election of all municipal and countyoofficials ,ol board including school boards , in November . He indicated members have objected to this bill . 5d- a City Council minutes , January 30 , 1978 • beenproposed which would Senator Lewis continued that legislation has plan . put all fire and police personnel under the PERA pension Mayor Stern stated the City is studying this issue and meeting with affected employees and requested the legislators not to take a stand on this issue at this time . Senator Lewis explained that several energy amendments wiInspectionallbeincluded in the Building Code , and this may be of interest to the Services Department . In response to a question from Councilman Hanks , Senator Lewis stated several bills relative to tax increment financing haveduring drafted ; however , however , he does not expect any action on this issue gr Councilman Hanks stated St . Louis Park has been successful in its experience with tax increment finance and would oppose any limitations to the process . He continued that the City , as well as all municipalities , has a serious problem with municipal insurance in that rates are increasing very rapidly . Representative Arlandson stated Hennepin County has also proposed the concept of self - insurance . He stated action on this matter probably will not be taken until 1979 . Councilman Hanks said the money the state has allocated for Outch Elm Disease control and reforestation is not enough and hopes the State will appropriate additional monies . Mayor Stern stated this is just one example of mandated programs by the state and federal governments in which inadequate funding is made available and levy limitations enforced . In response to a question from Councilman Griak , Representative Petrafeso stated he does not expect any modifications of the open meeting law . Councilman Martin stated that in the area of public safety , House . File 158 and House File 1381 , as sponsored by Representative Arlandson , are excellent bills and would be of great benefit to the City in enforcing drunk driving laws and training police officers . He requested a resolution of support for House File 1381 be drafted for Council action on February 6 , 1978 . Senator Lewis stated he has introduced a bill which would impose a fine or tax on people who commit crimes in order to fund the victim crisis centers . The City Manager indicated the Peace Officers Training Board should not be involved in local disputes . He also advocated the adoption of state-wide codes by ordinance and the right of municipalities to impose stricter standards . City Council minutes , January 30 , 1978 In discussing utility rates , Representative Petrafeso stated he had introduced a bill providing for relief for low- income people from utility rates in the form of a rebate . Senator Lewis explained he has introduced a bill stating that all rate changes must be approved prior to enactment . Mayor Stern discussed the lack of control of the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission and its rate changes . The legislators presented their views on the question of elected versus appointed Metropolitan Council . Mayor Stern thanked the legislators for taking the time to discuss legislative matters of concern with the Council . 4 . Adjournment The seting was adjourned at 8 : 45 p . m . A . „ Irvin : M . ern Mayor Attest : P&Itic./ Wendy Both Recording Secretary r r . i r f t'