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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986/12/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session11I MUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA December 15, 1986 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. 2. Roll Call The following members were present at roll call: Ronald Backes, Thomas Duffy, Keith Meland, Larry Mitchell, David Strand, Lyle Hanks. Also present were the City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Administra- tive Assistant. 3. Presentations by legislative liaisons The City Council heard presentations from two prospective law firms that provide legislative liaison services. Holmes & Graven made the first presentation. Appearing on behalf of the firm were Charles Weaver, Arlin waelti and Gene Ranieri. Members of the Holmes & Graven legislative team identified a number of public finance, environmental and development issues that could be acted upon during the 1987 legislative session. Holmes & Graven emphasized its technical expertise in the public finance area. Members of the firm also stressed the importance of communicating during the legislative process and developing strategies to determine the kind of involvement city officials will have throughout that process. They suggested that legislative issues identified by the League of Minnesota Cities and the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities be reviewed in order to develop a legislative program for the city. They also noted that the legislative agendas of these organizations are not always complete in that conflicts among the member cities sometimes prevent positions being taken on important issues such as fiscal disparities. Concerning questions about payment for legislative services, the Holmes & Graven team said that they could work out different payment programs. Two options that were mentioned involved payment according to an hourly rate up to some maxinium amount, or allotting an amount that could be spent each month. Hourly rates for the Holmes & Graven team ranged from S75/hr, to 5105/hr. In response to questions about any conflict of interest which Holmes & Graven might have, it was noted that this law firm represents the Minnesota Institute of Public Finance and that it is currently doing some work on development issues for the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. With the exception of Duluth, Holmes & Graven does not act as the legislative liaison for any other Minnesota cities. Holmes & Graven does provide general legal counsel to the Regional Transit Board and Hennepin County Parks. A presentation on legislative services was also made by Pat Jensen Of the Popham, Haik law firra. Jensen commented that the services provided by the Popham, Haik law firm were proactive and highly visible to legislators and other individuals involved â–ºvith the legislative process. She noted that identification of legislative issues would be facilitated because of the firm's long -s anding involvement with the city as its City attorney. Jensen spoke of the neeo to involve city officials Minutes City Council study session in the legislative process and said that this kind of involvement would maximize the city's potential to influence legislative decisions. Jensen also indicated the importance of developing a regular system of communication so that city officials have the kind of information they need in a timely manner to influence legislative decisions. In discussing the issues that would be likely to surface in the 1987 Legislature, Jensen said that the tax issue and tort liability questions would be major areas reviewed by the Legislature. When asked about payment arrangements, Jensen said that the firm would work off of a monthly billing system. She said that consistent with the firm's position on legal rates taken earlier this year, her hourly rate would be brought down within a range of $7548W.She also noted that where possible the law firm would use law clerks for tracking legislation. Jensen said that the firm has no other legislative clients that would pose any conflict of interest to the City. She said that the law firm would advise the city before accepting any client that might pose a conflict of interest. 4. 1987 Capital Improvement Progran Presentations were made by the Assistant City Engineer, the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Planning Director. Also present for the presentation was the Director of Public Works. The presentation of the Capital Improvement Program included the identification of projects proposed for city streets, trails, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, water utilities, street lighting, traffic signals, parks and the Excelsior Blvd. redevelopment district. During the presentation on streets, Mayor Hanks asked why the City would need to hold another public hearing on the improvement project plan for France Ave. The Assistant City Engineer replied that a public hearing is only valid for a one year period of time and that more than one year has elapsed since a public hearing was held on this project. Councilman Meland asked if sidewalk improvements would be made to both sides of France Ave. The Assistant City Engineer said that a sidewalk would be constructed only on the St. Louis Park side. Councilman Strand asked a question concerning the street improvements proposed in conjunction with the Ottawa Ave. improvements at Hwy. 1. He stated his concern regarding the increased traffic that would result on Ottawa Ave. between Minnetonka Blvd. and Hwy. 1 once the Ottawa Ave. extension to Beltline Blvd. is open to traffic. The City Manager and Assistant City Engineer responded to this question and indicated that a number of options were under consideration. Options mentioned included creating a cul-de-sac on Ottawa Ave., removing parking restrictions and widening the street. During the discussion on storm sewer projects, Mayor Hanks asked if homes located west of the storm sewer holding pond proposed for the W. 24th St. and Webster Ave. area would experience less flooding of basements as a result of this project. The Assistant City Engineer said that this project would enable the City to control the elevation of the pond with a lift station and that the homes in this area should notice a difference. During the review of proposed traffic signals, Councilman Strand indicated that he did not like the appearance of the large mastarm signals in residential areas. He noted this concern relative to the traffic signal proposed for Minnetonka Blvd. at Inglewood. The Assistant City Engineer said that the standards for traffic signals are set by MnDOT. The Director of Public Works noted that there is a process for a variance from those standards. The Director of Parks and Recreation made a presentation on park improvements planned in 1987. Councilman Cleland asked if any improvement was being planned to Sunset Park inasmuch as street improvements were being made to the 3300 block of Xylon and Yukon Avenues which border the park. The Director of Parks and Recreation indicated he would review this suggestion. Councilman Strand asked the Director to comment on the pedestrian bridge plan for the Beltline Blvd. area. The Director noted that once the work is completed in the Bass Lake area, an increased numter of people will be using the trail system and taking_ advantage of the interconnection that it provides between the Recreation Center, Wolfe Park and Bass Lake. Following a presentation by the Director of Parks and Recreation, the City Manager noted that the Capital Improvement Program for park improvements should show the proposed project for creating more gymnasium space at the Central Community Center. The Planning Director also presented some of the projects planned for the Excelsior Blvd. redevelopment area. 5. Adjournment The study session was adjourned at 7:25 P.M. 4L Karon G. K u pp Recording Secretary