HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986/12/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
December 8, 1986
Cell to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.ni.
Roll Call
The following Council members were present at roll call: Thomas Duffy, Keith
lie Iand, Larry Mitchell, David Strand, Lyle Hanks. Allen Friedman arrived
at 7:05 and Ronald Backes arrived at 7:10.
Prosecutinj_Attorne
Pat Ledr ay, an attorney with Katz, Davis b Manka, Ltd., was present to respond
to the City Council meeting of November 3 at which time a decision was made
to hire the firm of Colich & Wieland torovide
services for
the City of St. Louis Park. Mr. Ledray supplied Councilowithtial arcopy of a letter
he then read to the Council. Staff was directed to bring back to Council
proposed
language to accomplish the goal of setting written policy relative to the prosecuting
attorney.
Recycling
Councilman Meland asked wha', the Hennepin County ordinance on recycling included.
Wally Wysopal responded that it would require by the year 1990 that the total
waste stream be diverted at a percentage rate of 16 percent. He added that
currently the City is meeting the 16 percent requirement on residential waste
only and that there is a 5 percent diversion rate for the total waste stream.
Councilman Friedman requested a matrix of the cost involved, the matching
grants and the cost to residents. He also asked what other jurisdictions
are going to do. The Mayor said the City is far ahead of other
jurisdictions and that it would not be feasible to wait and see what other
cities would be doing.
Councilman Strand recommended taking action to endorse the county proposal
and to state the City's intent to meet the goal&He added that marketing
techniques such as declaring a recycling day or wee 0 using neighborhood groups
would be of value to communicate the message to the community.
Councilman Meland asked why use an ordinance as the vehicle. Wally Wysopal
responded that the goal was for behavior modification and an ordinance best
met that need.
The City Manager requested feedback on leaf collection as it represents 6
percent of the total waste stream. Mayor Hanks responded he did not mind
getting back into a program but not the same type the City previously had.
Councilman Duffy suggested looking into the option of contracting out leaf
Pickup collection. Councilialln Strand Suggested that cost options be reviewed.
The City Council directed staff to pursue alternatives for leaf collection
with cost figures attached to each option.
Study session minutes
December 8, 1986 Z.
CIP
The Council set review of the Capital Improvement Program for Dec. 15 at
6:00 p.m. The City Manager stated that at this time it would be a review
of 1987 projects only and in March of 1987, projects for 1988-89 would be
presented.
Councilman Strand suggested that the Planning Commission interviews be moved
to the first meeting in January.
Gym Space
The City Manager stated that there are numerous scheduling problems with
the youth and adult basketball. He explained that the City is required to
schedule through Community Ed and therefore the City does not have priority
on gym times. He stated that the auditorium at the Central Community Center
might be a viable option by removing the seats, raising the floor and installing
a gym floor. He stated that if the City funded the project, the City would
then have control over scheduling times for that gym.
Mayor Hanks stated he supported this possibility.
Councilman Friedman asked what the makeups of the teams are. The City Manager
said the teams are recreation and group teams.
Councilman Strand asked the source of funding.
The, council directed the City Manager to discuss the possibility further
with the Superintendent of schools and to identify a source of funding
Ilstrup
It was moved by Councilman Friedman, seconded by Councilman Meland that the
decision of the City Council at its Dec. 1, 1986 regarding this issue was
that the trash facility can be constructed in the setback and must be
architecturally compatible.
The motion passed 4-3 (Councilmen Backes, Duffy, Strand opposed).
Legislative Proposals
Councilman Strand commented that there wculd be a potential conflict of interest
with Briggs & Morgan since they also represent the Coalition of Outstate
Cities. Councilman Backes agreed.
Mayor Hanks asked how this person would be utilized. Sharon Klumpp responded
that it would be appropriate to meet with the potential candidates and have
them describe a legislative program.
Councilman Friedman recommended to set interviews and to find out what their
process would be and what the benefit to the community would be.
Councilman Mitchell recommended to narrow down the number of firms to be
to two (11" I'l1es P. (.r C, lig) .(i1, �u , i i (i•"el— t i.o NIt h•'
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study session
pectmber 8, 1986
3.
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Th! City Manager stated that he was informed as of Dec. 8, Dick's Towing
does not have insurance or bonding. Councilman Mitchell stated that he would
want to extend the same courtesy to Dick's Towing as the City has to Graham's
Towing in the past.
Councilman Friedman suggested that the insurance agent be cor:tacted.
Councilman Mitchell recommended that the City Manager review the contract
in three months and report back to the City Council. It was also recommended
that this item be placed on the Dec. 15, 1986 Council agenda.
Temporary liquor license
Councilman Friedman stated that certain institutions have approached him
about serving/selling liquor and stated that state law allows the City to
issue temporary liquor licenses. He recommended that staff prepare a report
and come back to the Council. Councilman Strand was opposed to this recommendaticn.
Taping of Council meetings
Councilman Strand recommended not releasing the minutes until they are adopted
by the City Council.
Mayor Hanks raised a potential problem with the private meeting law and
recommended that staff check with the City Attorney on this issue.
Councilman Strand suggested that if the minutes must be released prior to
approval, they be stamped "not approved" or "draft." He asked about the procedure
for adjournment and then returning to Chambers to meet. He raised concern
due to the allegations of "bizarre' meeting.
':Ouncilman fieland stated that a resolution was adopted in the late 1970s
that established the procedure which states that if it is not on the agenda,
it must be placed on the agenda prior to the approval of the agenda for that
evening.
Mayor Hanks recommended review of the resolution for procedure. Councilman
Hitchell inquired as to what actions can be taken at a work session. Mayor
Hanks stated they are public meetings and that in the past, no major actions
have been taken but rather to provide direction and guidance to staff.
Mayor Hanks requesedchat the City Attorney look into what is allowable at
study sessions and what is not.
Pa Periods
The City Manager stated that in 1988 there will be 27 pay periods instead
Of the normal 26. He stated this issue comes up every 11 years. He stated
that the City cannot utilize 27 pay periods because it would lower the hourly
rate and would be conflict with the Fair Labor Standards Act. He stated the
City will incur an additional funding of $190,000.
IL was suggested that. the first and 15th be possiole pay days for the year
1968.
Study session 4.
December 8, 1986
Councilman Strand directed staff to cone up with alternatives to avoid expending
the S190.000.
Prosecutor's Report
Councilman Friedman recommended that monthly statistics be provided by the
new prosecutor as follows:
J. Number of cases referred;
2. Number of cases arraigned.
3. !lumber of cases settled;
4. .lumber of trials;
5. Time from arrest to arraignment;
6, Tice from arrest to plea:
7. Time from arrest to trial
B. Types of cases
9. Most frequent offenses
10. Time spent in:
a. Arraignment
b. Settlement
c. Pre-trial
d. Trial
11. Time spent with police
12. Types and dates of calculated meetings with police
he stated that the Council ought to know the allocation of time spent. Councilman
Aeland recommended a quarterly report could prove more valuable. Councilman
Strand also supported a quarterly report.
Councilman Mitchell added that the report include:
1. Nunber and type of cases at the beginning of the month;
2. dumber and type of cases added;
3. Resolutions
a. Guilty
b. Trial and results
c. Plea bargain
he also stated that a report from the current prosecutor be submitted to
include the following:
1, (lumber and type pending as of Nov. 3, 1986
2. Number and type added since that date
3. Number and type prosecuted since Nov. 3, 1986 (along with results) or
scheduled for prosecution
4. Nuober and type resolved with guilty plea since Nov. 3, 1986
S. Number and type resolved by plea bargaining since Nov. 3
6. Number and type since Nov. 3 where defendant has asked for continuance
past .'an, 1, 1987
7. Number and type since Nov. 3 where City Prosecutor has asked for continuance
and the reasons for doing so.
Councilman Strand stated that he would like to see a policy on the prosecution
of cases. The City Manager stated that he would work on that.
Study session winutes
December 8, 1986 5.
Councilman Strand asked who was the City liaison working with the civil attorney's
office. The City Manager responded that he was. He asked when the City Council
would be receiving its status report. The City Manager said it would be distribu-
ted on Thursday, Dec. 11 along with their agenda packet.
Councilman Strand requested that a copy of the Open Meeting Law be distributed
to the City Council.
Single family rental homes
Councilman Strand referred to the memo that was distributed in October. He
recommended that the recommendations in the memo be pursued with an evaluation
of the pros and cons and the impact to city and residents. He stated he identi-
fied two loopholes: (1) the definition of family and (2) the number of unrelated
people residing together.
Councilman Meland referred to group homes which permit up to six unrelated
people.
A motion was made to refer this item to a future s.tudy session after the City and
City Attorney had researched the matter.
Off-duty Employment
The Council recoamnended acopting a policy for all City employees and avoid
singling out classifica.ions. The Council also recommended Lo define an approval
process for off-duty employment. Staff was directed to pursue znis item and
bring it back :o the City Council in January or February.
37th b Dakota Ave.
The Planning Director revie:;ec :ne 4 options and stated .ia; options 1 and
2 do no. prevent the Council froz. eventually getting in.o options 3 and 4.
He reco;a.iended that it would be oes. -.o .ear down the di l ipa; a;,ed City -owned
bui1dinc and to make 1andscap.n: improvements.
COL'nc:li:+an Duffy asked if any of the building should be preserved for any
historical purposes. The ?lann:ng Director responded .hat is not econo,:11cally
feasible and there are o.:)er homes in the c_eneral area for which thal would
be more feasible.
The Council recommended this i;.en be placed on zhe Dec. 15 agenda.
Sign Ordinance
Councilman Strand asked why, are signs displayed illegally. Sharon Klumpp
responded that citations have been issued and action has been taken. Councilman
Strand asked why aren't billboards designated as a principal use. Ms. Klumpp
responded that it wouldn't eliminate very many billboards.
Mayor Hanks stated that improvements with respect to billboards have made
on Excelsior Blvd. and that the goal of the ordinance was to remove rooftop
signs and to reduce the dimensions of billboards.
r Councilman Strand recommended evaluating the changes in the number of billboards
Study session minutes
6.
since the recent ordinance. He also recommended reviewing other cities' ordinances
that prohibit portable signs, and report those findings back to Council.
Governance seminar
The City Council recommended that the City Manager approach John Carver and
discuss with him alternatives that would be lower in cost than the $17,000
proposal previously submitted.
Year-end meeting
The Council set its year-end meeting for 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 31, to be confirmed Dec. 15.
The Mayor thanked everyone for their year of service on the Coucil.
Councilman Mitchell added that he would be interested in dealing with the
City Attorney's office on developing language for a dog ordinance.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Carmen Kaplan
Recording Secretary
It
LEGAL SERVICES
INTERIUM PROSECUTOR
1. Number and type pending as of November 3, 1986
2. Number and type added since that date
3. Number and type prosecuted since November 3, 1986 (along with results)
or scheduled for prosecution.
4. Number and type resolved with plea of guilt since November 3, 1986
S. Number and type resolved with plea bargin since November 3, 1986.
6. Number and type since November 3, 1986, where Defendant has asked for
Continuance past January 1, 1987.
7. Number and type since November 3, 1986, where City Prosecutor has asked
for continuance and the reasons for doing so.
PROSECUTOR
Monthly report with every 3rd report in person to Council, City Manager
and Chief of Police should be present at personnel report.
1. Number and type of cases
2. Number and type added
3. Resolutions:
a. Guilty Plea
b. Trial and results
c. Plea Bargin
CITY ATTORNEY
at beginning of month
Report on monthly bases with personnel report every 3 months
1. Number and type of legal actions pending at beginning of month
2. Number and type of legal actions added during month
3. Number and type of legal actions resolved and results
4. Natire of change of status of any cases during month.
MOT
The Chief of Police shall recommend prosecutorial policy and any future
changes to that policy for the City of St. Louis Park through the City
Manager with review and comment by the City Procesutor to the City council
for approval.