HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984/01/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
January 16, 1984
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hanks at 6:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call
The following members of Council were in attendance:
Ronald Backes
Thomas Duffy
Jerrold Martin
Lyle
Keith Meland
Larry Mitchell
Richard Strohl
Hanks
Also in attendance were the City Manager, Senator Phyllis McQuaid
and Representative Sally Olsen.
3. 1984 Legislative Issues
The City Manager said that he does not expect the 1984 legislative
session to be as intense as the 1983 session. In part, this is
due to the shorter duration of the session which will run from
March 6 through April 21.
Nevertheless, the City Manager identified some legislative issues
which must be closely watched. He said that comparable worth
legislation for all units of local government may be introduced.
Comparable worth involves the establishment of salaries on the
basis of an internal comparison of the relative worth of all positions
within an organization. Implementation of comparable worth would
be greatly complicated by State labor laws.
Senator McQuaid said that if comparable worth legislation is intro-
duced by Linda Berglin, its chances for passage would be excellent.
She encouraged the City to compile facts about the probable effects
of such legislation on municipal government.
The City Manager said that he expected amendments favoring labor
to be proposed for MPELRA. He also noted possible pension changes,
including proposed adoption of the Rule of 85, which may come
before the Legislature. Senator McQuaid does not expect the Rule
of 85 to come before the Senate committees. She said that she
has been hearing support for creating an optional defined contribution/
benefit pension plan.
Senator McQuaid and Representative Olsen expressed agreement with
the concept of providing a credit on the proposed landfill surcharge
in H.F. 1361 to communities with recycling programs. They asked
the City to draft language authorizing a recycling credit which
could be introduced as an amendment.
City Council study session minutes
January 16, 1984
Representative Olsen said that she was very concerned about the potential
for legislation advocating a radical change to the State's government
aid system. She said that Minneapolis has been developing a proposal
tax system and government aid programs. With the presence of a sizeable
surplus, cities should watch for legislation in this area.
Senator McQuaid said that she was interested in taking another look
at fiscal notes legislation. She asked for the City's assistance.
Representative Olsen said that she did not expect workers compensation
to be a dominant issue in the 1984 legislative session. Rather, she
said more attention would be focused on unemployment compensation.
Senator McQuaid noted two bills that should be watched closely. S.F.
1139 would require a hearing before increases for business license fees
could be adopted. S.F. 1298 would increase legal notice fees to the
lowest rates for classified ads and require summaries of all government
proceedings, including adoption of the budget. This bill will go to
the Senate Local Government and Urban Affairs Committee.
Senator McQuaid also noted a proposal that would change Metropolitan'
Council representation such that the Metropolitan Council would be comprised
of individuals elected to terms of office in other local units of government.
Representative Olsen asked if we would be holding legislative meetings
similar to those held last year. It was suggested that weekly meetings
be held beginning March 2 and ending April 13.
Representative Olsen indicated her interest in securing more involvement
of local government officials in MWCC matters. She also alerted the
City to the possibility that an infrastructure bill may be drafted by
the State Planning Agency.
4. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon G. Klupp r
Recording Secretary