HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987/09/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session (2) MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
III ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
September 14, 1987
1 . Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
The following Councilmembers were present at roll call : Tom Duffy, Allen Friedman,
Keith Meland, Larry Mitchell , David Strand and Mayor Hanks.
Also present were the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Administrative Assistant,
Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director.
3. 1988 budget
The Finance Director was asked how much added revenue was being generated by
the increase in the City' s property base. He said that the added revenue base
contributed nearly $370,000 to the City's projected 1988 revenue.
Councilmembers reviewed the proposed budget creating a public information department.
Staff also informed Council that a meeting with Park Cable Works was scheduled
to begin discussing how current community programming resources could be consolidated.
IIIIt was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Meland, that
Council salaries be increased by $100 per month.
Councilmember Strand said that the last salary increase for Councilmembers was
adopted in 1985. He said that he did not believe it was an appropriate time
for Councilmembers to increase their salaries. He also said that the amount
of the salary increase proposed was too large. Councilmember Strand said there
was an element of being a volunteer when one serves on the City Council .
Councilmember Mitchell said that Councilmembers should be compensated adequately
and that adequate compensation will , in turn, attract more people interested
in serving on the Council .
Councilmember Friedman said that he didn' t necessarily feel that higher salaries
would attract more dedicated people. . He also said that Council
needed to keep in mind that . in hard economic times, it is important to hold
the line on Council salaries.
Councilmember Meland said that St. Louis Park Council salaries have generally
been below the mid-point of other City Councils in the metropolitan area. He
also asked if a survey was available giving the current salaries of Councilmembers
throughout the Twin Cities area.
111 The motion to increase Councilmember salaries failed on a 3-3 vote (Councilmembers
Strand, Friedman and Mayor Hanks opposed) .
Councilmembers also discussed attorney fees.
Councilmember Strand said that a rate increase would give the City Attorney a
financial incentive to use senior associates and junior partners in carrying
out work for the City where it was appropriate.
Councilmember Friedman commented that he would be unhappy with a large increase
in legal fees.
The City Manager told Councilmembers that he would be contacting Colich and
Weiland to advise them to submit any request for a fee increase to the City
in time for its consideration in establishing the 1988 budget.
4. Time transfer station
The City Manager told Councilmembers that the RTB has not yet begun condemnation
for the time transfer station at Louisiana Ave. He indicated that the RTB wants
to hold another neighborhood meeting because an additional taking of property
will be needed to assemble sufficient space to construct the transfer station.
Councilmembers noted that it would be appropriate for the RTB to hold a neighbohood
meeting with residents to discuss the plans for the time transfer station. They
also indicated that City staff should not be directly involved in conducting
the meeting, but that the RTB should be responsible for setting up the meeting,
notifying" property owners and running the meeting.
5. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
'- •ectfully su mitte' ,
IP
Sharon . Klu pp ' '
3.
4111 Councilmember Strand asked why the reserves are declining. The Finance Director
it was as a result of capital outlay purchases.
Councilmember Strand asked whether or not the reserves were sufficient. The
Finance Director responded that after 1987, the reserves would be $245,000
and felt that was sufficient.
Councilmember Strand asked whether or not allocations for recycling would
be necessary. The City Manager stated that we have been using the balance
and no allocation would be necessary.
4. Highway 7/Minnetonka
The Council discussed the neighborhood meet that was held for the Highway
7/Minnetonka intersection and that the biggest concern of the neighborhood
was the Glenhurst crossing. The specific plans that MnDOT was willing to
accept were also discussed.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
GZ(l2 I A /
411 Carmen J. Kap n
Administrative Assistant