HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988/02/29 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session official
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CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 29, 1988
1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7: 10 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Bruce Bataglia, Tom Duffy, Allen Friedman, Larry Mitchell,
David Strand, Lyle Hanks
Also present was the City Manager, Assistant City Manager,
Administrative Assistant and the legislative liaison.
3 . Meeting with Legislative Liaison
The Assistant City Manager highlighted the property tax
principles supported by the AMM and LMC. She stated that the
LMC didn't support items number 2 and 4 highlighted in the
report.
Robert Hentges, legislative liaison, recommended that the
Council not support one bill over another but should identify
1110 what principles are important to the City and then meet with
the tax committee members of both the house and the senate.
Councilmember Strand asked for clarification of number 11, 12
and 14 highlighted in the report. Robert Hentges responded
that number 11 seeks to reduce the property tax burden on
high valued homes. Number 12 states that a monetary
allocation is necessary for property tax reduction and number
14 states that if there is no reform, the senate tax plan
previously adopted goes into effect.
Councilmember Strand asked the Assistant City Manager if she
thought these principles outlined in the report were
consistent with what was good for the City. She responded
that generally she thought they were. Councilmember Mitchell
asked whether or not the republicans have a position on the
issue. Robert Hentges responded that fiscal policy is
generally controlled by the majority.
Councilmember Mitchell asked whether or not the fact that
this is an election year -have an impact on any proposal and
its likelihood of passing. Robert Hentges stated that any
proposal that cuts taxes for property would generally be
supported.
Councilmember Mitchell asked whether or not these principles
will be seen as the suburban viewpoint. The City Manager
responded that the AMM has a wide membership and the
principles are pretty fair to everyone. Robert Hentges added
that he felt that the principles were thoughtful and added
that the people you will be talking to are leaders and need
to be concerned on a state wide basis. Mayor Hanks stated
that he felt that we could basically go with what the Council
has discussed. Robert Hentges stated that he felt that he had
enough direction to proceed.
The Mayor asked whether or not there was any new developments
on fiscal disparities. Robert Hentges responded that he felt
it was a 50/50 chance.
Councilmember Strand asked whether or not Councilmembers
should attend the hearing on recycling to boost the City's
program. Robert Hentges stated that the House has or will be
hearing the Billing Committee but it has not yet been heard
by the Senate. He stated that he felt the bill will clearly
not pass this year.
The Mayor then asked who might be free on Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday and the times individuals might be available to
meet with legislators. Councilmember Strand and
Councilmember Bataglia both stated that the best time is
first thing or last thing scheduled for the day.
The City Manager stated that given the magnitude of the
discussions Council may want to delay reviewing the CIP from
March 7 to March 14 and meet with the legislative liaison
prior to the March 7 Council Meeting.
4. Recycling Policy_
The City Manager stated that staff has debated different ways
to achieve the philosophy of the most recent Council
discussions. He pointed out drawbacks to the mandatory
composting being the potential for odor and the potential for
attracting rats if the composting is not done properly. The
proposal before the Council does not make composting
mandatory.
Councilmember Friedman stated that we need to separate the
increase in garbage rates with the costs to recycle.
Councilmember Strand asked whether or not the volumes will be
documented. The City Manager responded that yes they will
and the City is currently documenting. The Mayor then
highlighted the three proposal rates. Councilmember Friedman
stated that the PR campaign should include garbage rates paid
in other communities. The Mayor recommended placing this
item on the agenda for Monday night. Councilmember Bataglia
stated that he supported the use of the paper bags for leaf
pick up such as what was provided in the demonstration
program. He stated that he felt there could be a cost
savings realized for providing the bags for residents and
avoiding labor to tear open the plastic bags and dump out the
leaves.
The City Manager briefly discussed the public relations
efforts under way and the Council approved it.
5. Governance Committee
David Strand outlined the Council retreat% that will be held
on April 21 and 22 . He stated that Council would begin long
range planning at 1: 00, stay over night the evening of the
21st and adjourn around 3 to 4 on the 22nd.
The City Manager stated that he looked at four sites and
recommended Scanticon 'because of the competitive rate and the
exceptional facilities.
David Strand then described in detail the proposed schedule
for the two days:
April 21
1:00 Arrival
2:00 - 7: 00 Review strategic planning (ie. , where we've been,
where we are, where we are going)
7:00 - 8:00 Dinner
BO 8:00 - 10:00 Continue review of strategic planning
April 22
7: 30 Light breakfast with department heads and City
Manager's staff present
8:00 - 12: 00 Long range planning with all staff members
present
12:00 - 1: 00 Lunch
1:00 - 3:00 Wrap-up and final long range plan development
The City Manager stated that he had information on all the
facilities if any Councilmember wanted to review it. He
added that Scanticon threw in a junior suite at no additional
charge. The cost is $130 per person which includes the stay
over, all meals and materials.
6. Boards and Commissions
Councilmember Strand stated that direction was needed from
the Council as to how to proceed.
Mayor Hanks stated that he expected it to be three to four
months before the issue is resolved and the Council should go
ahead and make appointments. Councilmember Friedman stated
that the Council should divorce itself of individual
commissions and first look at some philosophical issues.
Bruce Bataglia added that the Council needs to look at the
entire Commission structure. Councilmember Mitchell stated
that he felt this warrants itself to a independent study.
Councilmember Friedman stated that Council needs to identify
there is a need for each of the commissions and to address
the certain issues. Councilmember Strand stated that it is
the intention of the City Council that the commissions are
functioning at their highest possible level. The Council
then discussed tentative appointments to the boards and
commissions and recommended that the item be placed on the
March 7, 1988 City Council Meeting.
Commission Liaison Alternate
Planning Bataglia Friedman
Park & Rec Duffy Hanks
Boza Hanks Duffy
Cable Mitchell Hanks
Building Friedman
PAC Mieland
Human Rights Strand
CRC Friedman
The Mayor then stated that the CIP will be reviewed on March411
14 as well as beginning discussion on how to approach boards
and commissions.
After a brief discussion on signage on bus benches, the
Council directed staff to prepare a report for which the
Council action would be to prohibit signs on benches and if
that motion fails then resort to the existing system and to
place on the March 21 Council Agenda.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9: 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
graerrfjtapin14%44-)
Recording Secretary