The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1979/12/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular2. Call to Order Roll Call 3. Second F1oor Remodeling MTNUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA December 10, 1979 The meeting was called to order by Mayor McQuaid at 9 p.m• The following Council members were present at roll call: : Ron Backes Lyle Hanks John Ralles Phyllis Martha Elstrom Jerrol d h1arti n Kei�h Meland McQuaid The City Manager reviewed drawings showing the proposed office reorganization for the second floor of City Hall. He described a number of the problems that exist with work flow between departments and interaction with citizens visiting departments on the second floor. He explained that many of these problems result from the fact that the staff in the City Deveiopment and Housing has expanded over the years. The estimated costs of the� project was set at $125,000. There was a general discussion of the particulars of the plan, with the C�ty Manager responding to questions from the Council members. Counciiman Els.trom asked if it w�uld be possible to have the HRA pay rent to the City for space used �y the HRA staff. It was moved by Councilman Elstrom to look at funding sources for the reorganization of the second floor office space, including ha.ving the HRA defray part �f the cost of the project. The motion failed for lack of a second. There being no major objection stated he would report back to devel�ped and a funding source to the remodeling the Counci 1 after has been secured. concept, the Manager the plans were�further 4. Meeting with District #41 Legislators The City Manager suggested that a meeting of the man to 21 be set up in January with District #41 legislat�rs. He then reviewed the schedules the various representatives and suggested January 21 as a date for meeting. Following discussion of the matter it was moved by Council- Hanks, seconded by Councilman Martin, that the City Manager be directed set a meeting with District #41 legislators sometime before the January Council meeting. The motion passed 7-0. ��-��--- Ci ty Co�lhci 1 mi nutes, December 10, 1 g79 The following items were suggested by the Council as topics to be discussed w�th the legislators at the �oin� meeting; 1) Z) 3) 4) 5) 6) Water and air quality problems Commun�ty Education levy Police and Fire pensions Highway 12 improvement project Recycling Any issues discussed at past legislative which should be addressed again. meetings 5, Police and . Fire Pensions The City Manager reviewed a number of the issues concerning po�ice and fire pensions ' in the state of Minnesota tf�at are presently bei ng addressed , by tfie Ci ti zen's League. He �xpl ai ned that as a resul t of the Citizen°s League study of these issues, some legislative changes may be enacted that could have an important impact on the City of St. Louis Park. A general discussion ensued amongst the Council members concerning pension fund plans and their possible impact on the City and i ts er�p 1 oyees . ,. The City Manager expressed Police and Fire Departments pension plans and h�w these a desire to to discuss employees meet some might wi th members of of the p�ssible be affected by the City's changes in them. It was moved by Co�ancilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Elstrom, tq direct the City Manager to meet with representatives from the Police and Fire Departments to discuss the future of police and fire pe�sions and to report to the Council an the result$ of this meeting. The motion passed 7-0. 6. Meeting with Metropolitan Councii Dist #lU� Repr��tatives Councii to discuss issues The c�nsensus of prPvieus to the which they will The City Manager reported that �i0 representative serving on Council had expressed a desire rel ate�j to the Ci ty of St. Loui s the District thP Metropolitan to meet wTth the P� rk. the Council was that the meeting should be�lPPh�nuien Counci 1 meeti ng i n January opp�� te 1 e i sl ��:or��. g be consul ti na ��i t h t h e D� s� r� �� 9 7. Capital improvemen� Proor3r� _._...�._._..._ q$�udy session to review the i3��nuary improvement Program was set f� 7, 1980, at 5:30 p.m. ..3�5� ,..._ __ ._ _ City Council minutes, December 10, 1979 Joint Nousing and Redevelo mp ent g° • � meetin s� Councilman Meland outlined the history Author� tv/C� ty Counc 1 ---�-- � o f the joi nt NRA and Ci �y Counci 1 meeti ngs and then reviewed a number oe had beenerns he had about the operation of the HRA. He explained that �he some discussion of the Council assuming the role of the HRA ano enedethe some of the possible consequences of such an action. He ehHRA and its subj ect for a di scussi on by the Cbunci � of �the rol e of th operations. • It was moved di rect staf f Louis Park's improved. by Councilman Meland seconded by.Councilman Martin, to to conduct a study of the HUD audits of the hetycan be� program an� make recommendations as to how t y . The motion passed 7-0. Councilman P�artin then reviewed the history of the joint HRA/ City Council meetings concerning Miracle Mi1e and other iss.ues. Following this, it was moved by Councilman�Meland, seconded by Councilman Backes, that the City Council no longer participate in�joint meetings with the HRA. The motion passed 7-0. Councilman Hanks suggested that the staff also study the legal problems involved in the Council assuming the duties of the HRA. . Mayor McQuaid requested direction from the Council as how to proceed with the appointment to fill the vacancy that presently exists on the HRA. Following discussion of the matter, Mayor McQuaid directed staff in inform the NRA that an appointment would not be made for 60 days. Council members exoressed the desire to have the staff report submitted to them within 60 days and that the report include a comparison of St. Louis Park with other cities on a11 other issues. � 9. Special Council Meetin 10. County Bid System County bid for these system this vehicles. year. It was the a special at noon. consensus of Council to schedule Council meeting on December 28, The City Manager informed the Council that the City did not put police squad cars and some frontwheel drive vehicles into the The City will be taking bids on its own -396- 12. City Couhcil minutes, December 10, �g�g Press Policy The City Manager aske� for clarification as to Council's wishes on City policy concerning staff contaGt�s wlth the news media. Following discussion of this matter, it was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Counc�lman Mart�n, to direct staff to prepare a resolution providing that staff inembers get approval from the City Counc�l before making statements to the news med�a. . Councilman Nanks felt that the motion was ill-advised and would not further g�od relations with the news media. Mayor McQuaid pointed out that the news media are �ot in a position to wait two w�eks for a response to fair questions. Councilman Meland withdrew the motion. It was moved by Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman M�rtin, to direct staff to prepa re a resolution requiring the news media to get Council approv�l before interviewing staff and that the media sui�mmit the contents of their questions for such an interview to the �ouncil. Councilman Hanks stated he would support an informal agreement that woul d provi de that Counci 1 shoul d be contacted before any staff interviews with the press. Councilman Meland withdrew the motion. The City Manager stated that he felt the Council's desire in this area. that he had a clear picture of Counci lman Mel and ex{�ressed d7 sp7 easure wi �h the W��e al�o sta�edi that times deals with issu�s relate� to City rnat.ters. � he did not fepl that state agenciFs �ha� leak information to the press have been very helpf�al in some ��rea's. Mayor basis. M�Quaid felt th�t the m�t•��r sh�uld Stud,� Session Decern�►c�r 28 me�tinc� t;o set a be dealt wi�h on an informal Y�t; was move� by C�unciln�an Hanke�ssof�thed r,y Counc�lm�n Meland► �h��h�especial �,o;��c� 1 come �rendrstudy sessi on in January. dat� �For � week The mo�.��n pa�5�d by a v�t;e af �.,q. _ 3 �.� % �- �-- _ City Council minutes, December 10, 1979 �3, Adjournment 7he rrot1on passed 7-0. Attest: �J Yimothy Madigan Recording Secretary � There being no further business> >tonded I moved by Councilman Backes, anurnethe meetin , by Councilman Elstrom, to ad�o g Mayor -398-