HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980/09/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
September 16, 1980
1 . Call to Order Mayor McQuaid called the meeting to
order at 5:10 p.m.
2. Roll Call The following Councilmembers were
present at roll call :
Martha Elstrom Keith Meland
Lyle Hanks John Ralles
Jerrold Martin Phyllis McQuaid
Also present were the City Manager, Finance Director, Assistant Finance
Director and the City Development Director.
3. Bingo Application Application of Susan Lindgren MO to
conduct bingo at Susan Lindgren School
on September 30, 1980.
It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Martin, to approve
the application to conduct bingo at the Susan Lindgren school .
The motion passed 6-0.
4. 1980-81 Budget Review
HELP Line - A presentation was made by James Jones , a member of the
Chemical Dependency Task Force, on the work of the HELP Line during
the year 1980. The presentation included a request for funding for
the HELP Line in 1981 totaling $4,107.
Peg Gingerich, a member of the Chemical Dependency Task Force, explained
the work of the HELP Line and the type of calls received by the volunteers.
She also thanked the City Council for its support and for permitting
the HELP Line to use the display cabinet in the City Hall lobby.
In response to a question from Councilman Martin, there was a general
discussion of how the HELP Line volunteers deal with referrals to
other agencies. Councilman Ralles stated that the Chemical Dependency
Task Force had spent a great deal of time working on the HELP Line and
should be commended for their work.
Following an explanation of the budgetary process, Mayor McQuaid said
the program can only improve with time.
LEGAL SERVICES - Following a discussion of staff's report on Legal
Services, t1 b C 80-31 , Councilman Hanks stated that he was impressed
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September 16, 1980
with the present legal staff and at this time did not wish to make any
changes in the legal services structure.
It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Martin, to
retain the present system of providing legal services for the City.
Councilman Meland stated that the City Council hires the attorneys
and that the attorneys can best play an independent role if they are
associated with a private law firm.
The City Manager stated that he had held discussions with the counselor
concerning a member of his firm spending time at City Hall on a regular
basis. The Manager further stated that he would pursue these discussions
and report back to Council .
The motion passed 5-0-1 (Mayor McQuaid abstained) .
PARKS AND RECREATION - It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by
Councilman Meland, to approve the conceptual plans for the reorganization
of the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments as developed
by the City Manager. It was further moved that the Manager provide
additional information on the plan including costs at a later meeting.
Councilman Hanks reviewed the history of the Parks and Recreation
functions within the City government over the past 10 years.
The City Manager reviewed the Parks and Recreation reorganization plan
and the plans for the remodeling of the second floor of City Hall,
The motion passed by a vote of 6-0.
WATER UTILITY - The Finance Director explained that there had not been
an increase in water rates since 1970, while at the same time the City
has experienced dramatic increases in costs. He also pointed out that
the 1981 budget projection showed a sharp decrease in the fund surplus.
It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Ralles, to
accept the water utility budget and to authorize staff to develop a
rate increase to take effect January 1 , 1981 .
Councilman Meland suggested that some consideration_ be given increasing
block rates. He felt this would be a more equitable means of spreading
the costs of the water service.
The. motion passed 6-0.
SEWER UTILITY - It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman
Elstrom, to approve the sewer utility budget and have staff report
back with recommendations for a rate increase to take effect January 1 ,
1981 .
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In response to a question from the City Manager, Councilman Hanks stated
that the intent of the motion was to show a balanced budget in the sewer
utility fund in 1981 .
Councilman Elstrom began a discussion of graduated sewer rate changes.
Councilman Meland reviewed the past efforts to hire a consultant to review
the rate charges so that any rate changes could be made in an equitable
manner.
Mayor McQuaid stated that she would be interested in seeing how any increases
in sewer rates would affect the average household in St. Louis Park.
The motion passed 6-0.
REFUSE UTILITY - It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman
Meland, to approve the Refuse Utility budget as presented.
The motion passed 6-0.
It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Meland, to approve
the Police and Fire Relief Association budgets as presented.
The motion passed 6-0.
OFFICE SERVICES - It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman
Meland to approve the Office Services budget as presented.
The motion passed 6-0.
STAFF REPORTS - The Council was presented with two staff reports on
budget items: M & C No. 80-36, License & Permit Fees , and a memorandum on
City policy concerning staff attendance at conferences and workshops.
5. Adjournment It was moved by Councilman Hanks,
seconded by Councilman Ralles , to
adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
The motion passed 6-0. ,, ==,,
Attest: Phyll' s McQuaid, Mayor
Timothy Ma ig n, Recording sec
reatry
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