HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982/05/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session1. Call to Order
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
May 24, 1982
Mayor Phyllis McQuaid
to order at 7:U3 p.m.
members were present:
Ronald Backes
Jerrold Martin
Keith Meland
Cotincilman Lyle Hanks arrived at 7:15 p.m.
2. Nuclear Arms Freeze Discussion
called the meeting
The follor�ing
John P,alles
Richard Strohl
Phyllis McQuaid
Mayor McQuaid informed the audience that discussion of the nuclear arms
freeze resolution would end at 8:00 p.m. She said persons wishing to
speak would be limited to two-minute presentations. She reminded the
audience of a motion passed at the May 17 Council meeting which stated
that the Council would not take any action on the resolution during this
study session.
Neal Wakershauser, 3536 Zinran, said that 126,000 Minnesotans have signed
a petition urging a nuclear arms freeze. As part of this drive, 1200
signatures have been obtained from St. Louis Park residents. He urged that
the Council, as the first line of representative government, adopt the
resolution.
Dr. Alan Hymes, 6490 Excelsi'or Blvd., urged the Council to adopt the
resolution. He noted that medical facilities would be inadequate to
handle nuclear attack victims, assuming that hospitals would still be
standing.
Gloria Fredhove, 1463 Louisiana, strongly supported a freeze.
Fran Schmit, 3370 Library Lane, supported the freeze.
Eloise Sauer, 4069 Utica, urged�the Council to vote against the nuclear
arms freeze. She was opposed to the use of nuclear�weapons, but felt
that the best wa.y to have peace was through the deterrent of strength.
She believed that the current freeze movement sent signals to the USSR
that it could win a nuclear war. She claimed the freeze movement was
started by the World Peace Conference, an organization supported by
the Kremlin. Mrs. Sauer was opposed to unilateral disarmament.
Ann Wordelman, 7020 W. 23rd, believed that the nuclear arms issue was
not one which should concern municipal governments. She said that
petitioners for a freeze do not represent the feelings of all St. Louis
Park residents.
John Maier, 7919 Cedar Lake Road, supported the freeze resolution. He
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City Council study session minutes
tiay 24, 1982 - Pg. 2
said that nuclear arms is an issue which must be addressed on the basis
of being a world citizen.
Gail Miller, 3380 Library Lane, supported the freeze, saying that she
wished to see her daughter live a full life.
Cliff Boole, 7711 W. 13th Lane, supported the freeze�resolution. He
related that the First Amendment allows citizens to petition their
grievances to their representative governments. St. Louis Park residents
feel aggrieved because they live in an unsafe world. It.is appropriate
to petition grievances from local government to the federal government.
Gloria Segal, 2221 South Hill Lane, supported the freeze resolution as a
means to send a m�ssage to Congress and the President. She reasoned
that arms production takes away financial resources a�hich could be used
to alleviate problems of people affected by the recession.
Geoff Driscoll, 3354 Library Lane, related that the 44th District DFL
Executive Committee resolved unanimously to urge the Council to adopt the
nuclear arms freeze resolution. He believed tfiat although the freeze
resolution carried no legal weight, the issue was the most important that
Councilme�bers would consider.
Mary Hartmann, 2600 Florida, said that Minnesota taxpayers paid $400
million for nuclear defense in fiscal year 1982. She felt the money
could be better spent in Minnesota and across the country. She urged
adoption of the freeze resolution, saying that any forum is appropriate
for the discussion of nuclear weapons.
Doug Liphart, 4805 W. 40th Lane, said that his feelings represented those
of svme of his fellow students at St..Louis Park High School. He noted
students' pessimism about the future. He said local government is the
level closest to the people with which residents can speak; they can't
speak in front on Congress. �
The Rev. L. J. Dunnewold, 3880 Brookview Dr., supported the freeze. He
said that nuclear arms affects l�ocal governments because it robs cities
of their financial resources represented by federal tax dollars. He
said that strong cities are a key to a strong defense.
The Rev. Hal Liphart, 4805 W. 4Qth Lane, said that both the U.S. and
USSR have sufficient nuclear strength. Ne believed that the issue of a
freeze is appropriate for city government because all citizens in the
City are affected equally by nuclear arms.
Roger Israel, 2822 Salem, said that his own survey efforts among a
representative cross-section of 150-200 residences in St. Louis Park
found a strong support for the freeze. No one had questioned the propriety
of the City to act on this matter.
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City Council study session minutes
May 24, 1982 - Pq. 3
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3.
Kelly Wesemann, 6212 Goodrich, spoke in favor of the freeze resolution.
Ron Noel, 3113 Dakota, said that residents couid tell only their own gov-
ernment what to do about nuclear arms and that message is to negotiate.
He stated the Mayor had a moral obligation to be present at the June 7
Council meeting.
Mayor McQuaid mentioned she would be out of town for the June 7 meetiny.
She said that no one on the Council favors nuclear war. She complimented
members of the audience for their efforts and exercise of their freedo���
of expression. She concluded that no one has yet said how to achiEve a
bilateral freeze and that the freeze message needs to be sent to the USSR.
Establishment of a Cable TV Advisor_y Board
Discussion focused on a proposed resolution to establish a new citizen
advisory comnission for cable TV.
Councilman Martin noted that the franchise specifies the establishment
of such a comnission. The enabling resolution is patterned after success-
fui programs in Fridley, Bloomington and East Lansing, Michigan and has
been approved by the Community Relations Commission.
Councilman Martin believed that franchising should not be left in the
hands of volunteers. Councilman Hanks noted that the franchise specifies
the advisory board to review and report on rate structures. Councilman
Meland suggested that the Board's activities in this area be limited to
basic service.
Councilman Hanks mentioned that Section 9 is acceptable if the words "as
directed by the Council" are added to the sentence.
It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Councilman Meland, to limit
the size of the Board to seven members for three-year terms. Membership
terms would be staggered for the first three years to insure that new
members be appointed each year. The motion passed 7-0.
Councilman Meland said that a date needs to be specified for the annual
report mentioned in Section 7.
Councilman Meland said a list of items needs to be
the issues the Board specifically would and would
di� not want to see the Board involved in handling
complaints, for example.
Sanitary_Sewer Report
prepared identifying
not consider, He
or mediating consumer
Discussion focused on the results of a sanitary sewer analysis performed
by �onohue ancl 1lssociates. The report s�ecifically addressed capacity
and new development in and around the Excelsior Qoulevard Redevelopment
District. ' �
Councilman Martin believed that the Council should support Alternate 2 as
recomnended by staff. It is a short-term solution and cheaper. The
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City Council study session minutes
Mary 24, 1982 - Pg. 4
long-range sewer improvements should be delayed until development occurs
and the direct benefits will be more easily identified.
Councilmen Hanks and Meland
result of �Alternate 2 would
the future.
did not agree. Councilman Hanks said the
be more tearing up of streets, etc. in
Councilman Backes said the Council needed more information. He said
City staff, the HRA and its director and the City Assessor need to evaluate
the proportion of costs and assessments and the propriety of using tax
increment funds. He mentioned that the City needs to know how realistic
the proposed development is and the time frame for development.
The City Manager posed some philosophical issues on equity. He said
that staff had not yet formed a consensus, let alone develop a formula.
He believed that some use of tax increment funds was appropriate.
Council�an Martin said that some use of tax increment financing is proper,
but that the Sewer Fund should be heavily used because the improvements
and developments would benefit the City as a whole.
Councilman Hanks said that TIF is to be used for utilities. Council
has also levied special assessments for sewers and deferred them until
development occurs. Councilman Meland suggested that TIF monies be
lent to the Sewer Fund in order to pay for these deferred assessments.
Councilman Hanks moved and Councilman Martin seconded that this item be
placed on the June 7 agenda with a recommendation that Council give
direction to staff to obtain bids for each alternative. The motion
passed 7-0.
4. Sidewalk Installation and Re air Polic�
Councilman Martin preferred to see the policy remain (100� assessments,
51+� petitioning).
Councilman Meland noted that there will have to be exceptions to the
current policy. Instances like Cedar Lake Road, Minnetonka and Excelsior
Boulevards say through common sense that sidewalks are necessary for
safety even if costs to property owners are prohibited.
Councilman Meland moved and Councilman Martin seconded that the proposed
policy be presented at the June 7 meeting, noting that subsidies should
occur on major streets identified in the Comprehensive Plan and that
specific languaqe needs to be included stating that there are cases
where petitions are not appropriate.
The motion nassed 7-0.
5. Emergency Preparedness_
The City Manager said the primary role of Councilmembers in an emergency
is to handle citizen re�uests and to work with news media.
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City Council study session minutes
May 24 , 1982 - Pg . 5
6. Recreation Center Roof
The City Manager related that some of the metal plating in the Recreation
Center roof has deteriorated. He suggested that the plating be patched
in the short-term and that a mechanical-heating-ventilation-air conditioning
consultant be hired to look into the humidity problems.
1. New Resident Book
The Mayor extended her compliments on the booklet. Councilman Backes
noted his telephone number was not printed correctly: it is 938-2798.
8. U dates
The City Manager updated the Council on events surrounding 4Je11 No. 17;
the ramp alignment approvals for the bl. 36th St./Hwy. 100 interchange;
the pending MPCA/EPA agreement for $800,000 to work at Oak Park Village;
construction on Cedar Lake Road; the Louisiana Ave. bridge; and cankerworm
spraying.
9. Employee�Behavior
Councilman Ralles related that he has received complaints about how City
employees are treating residents and businesses and named one department
as the r�ajor area for complaints. He felt that citizens are paying
their salaries and deserve �olite, diplomatic treatment.
Other Councilmen said that they have also received several complaints,
especially about the department in question.
Councilman Backes believed it was a problem of attitude. Councilman
Hanks said it was a perception of inflexibility that was at issue;
there needs to be more cooperation.
Council asked the City Manager to communicate their concerns to the
department in question. The City Manager said #�e would appreciate more
specific information from Council members in the future.
��• Council_Goal-Settin�_
The Council wished to receive information about how other cities use a
goal setting process before proceeding with its own goal setting.
11. Procedure and Format for Mana er Evaluation
The�Council and City Manager discussed the procedure and format which
will be used to evaluate his performance.
12• Ad�ournment
The meeting was ad.journed at 10:15 p.m.
Craig son,' Recording Secretary V�
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