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Home My WebLink About1986/03/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session3. MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 24, 1986 Roll Call The a►eeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. The following members were present: Keith Meland, Ron Backes, Tom Duffy, Larry Mitchell and David Strand. Also present were Jim Brimeyer, Bill Thibault, Jim Grube, Sharon Kluvop and Carmen Kaplan. Regional Transit Board_; Transfer station Elliot Perovich, Katy Turnbull and Randy Rosvold were present from the Regional Transit Beard to make a presentation on the time transfer bus station propt)sed for the intersection of Texas Ave. and 1-394. They stated that Stq ar-Roscoe, an engineering firm specializing in traffic engineering, reviewed a number of different sites along the I-394 corridor. Based on a IS -minute increment, four, sites were scheduled for transfer stations and included downtown Minneapolis, Texas Ave., Ridgedale and Wayzata, it was stated that nine buses would stage at Texas Ave, and would include a park and ride facility for 100 cars. While the Minnesota Department of Transportation has leadership for the portion of 1-394, it is coordinated through the MTC. The representatives from the RTB e4Vhasized the input of the City Council for the transfer location. Councilman Strand raised concern for increased traffic on residential collector streets. The RTB representatives stated that routes will be decided over the next five years which will be based on demand for ridership The City Council will have input into the decision on the routes. The City Council decided to set a 7 regular Council meeting, At this RTB would explain the bus transfer 1-394. St. Louis Park recycling program neighborhood meeting at its April meeting, representatives from the station proposed for Texas Ave, and Councilman Strand indicated that since this would be a mandate in 1990, it would be most appropriate to review the budget process and perhaps balance the recycling program with something else. Councilman Friedman joined the study session and raised the issue as to whether recycling was a service that the City should provide. A question was raised as to the current fund balance in the refuse fund to which the City Manager responded was $190,000. The Council decided to select Option 3 for the proposed deficit reductions which would pool all the anticipated deficit from the refuse fund balance for the year 1986. The Council directed staff to prepare this item for the April 7 City Council meeting, Study session minutes March 24, 1986 4. Insurance 2. The City Manager reported that the public official and liability insurance had expired and that bids were being received through the 25th of March. To date, the only bid has been received from the Minnesota League of Cities program which is the holder of the City's current policy. 5. Self-insurance The City Manager reported on the status of the self-insurance program being pursued by a selected few municipalities that are reviewing the concept of self-insurance. The Council directed staff to pursue the concept of self-insurance. 6. HRA membership Councilman Strand stated that he was concerned that the current NRA membership consists of a majority of unelected members and that this makes the HRA unaccountable to the residents of the City. He indicated that to change the membership on the HRA to City Council members would require a change in the ordinance and that his preliminary discussions with the City Attorney indicated that all seven members of the City Council would serve on the HRA. Councilman Duffy stated that in 1974 when Boisclair was selected for the redevelopment project, the City Council was heavily involved in the discussions with the HRA. At that point in time, he stated no one questioned Boisclair's financial ability. Councilman Strand stated that while the Boisclair development is a good example, he is not bringing up this issue solely based on that project. Councilman Backes commented on the significant amount of time that was required to serve on the HRA and it may deter some people from running for the City Council if they were required to serve on the HRA as well as the City Council. He also raised his concern that the current membership on the [IRA is five members. Councilman Duffy stated that his experience has been that when councils serve as ,housing and development authorities, the latter is inactive, and that would be a concern of his. He also raised concern about the influence that politics could play on decisions. Councilman Backes raised the question as to how cities select their membership for the HRA and what are the theories behind it. Staff was directed to prepare a report regarding the potential change of membership on the HRA which would include whether the change of membership could be done and if so, how could it be done, what procedures would be followed, would there be any change in staffing. it was also requested that a legal opinion be obtained and a map of current redevelopment areas by the NRA be included. Study session minutes March 24, 1986 3. 7, Pick -a -Pop The City Manager brought Council up to date on the status of the negotiations. The Council directed the City Manager to prepare a report for their approval at the April 7 Council meeting. 8. Adjournment The study session adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Carmen Kaplan Recording Secretary