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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988/03/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION March 14, 1988 1 . Call to order The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Lyle Hanks. 2. Roll call The following Council members were present at roll call : Thomas Duffy, Keith Meland, David Strand, Larry Mitchell , Allen Friedman, Bruce Battaglia, and Lyle Hanks. Also present were the City Manager, Director of Public Works, Director of City Development, Assistant City Manager, Administrative Assistant to City Manager and Administrative Assistant, Public Works. 3. Capital Improvement Program The Director of Public Works gave a presentation of the 1988 Capital Improvement Program. Councilmember Meland reminded the Director of Public Works that Knollwood's special permit requires landscaping along Texas and should be considered in conjunction with the street improvement project. He also stated that the re- construction of the retaining walls should be considered as part of the street improvement project on Texas Ave. so that the City does not have to go in at a later date and reconstruct the retaining walls. He commented thatin the street improvement project that involves the City of Minnetonka, the two cities ought to adopt a uniform assessment policy probably the lower one. He asked when the Hwy. 7/Louisiana Ave. project is expected to occur. The Director of Public Works responded he anticipates a May bid letting. Mayor Hanks whether or not the Louisiana Ave. street improvement project from Hwy. 12 to Cedar Lake Rd. would include one lane in each direction and a center turn lane. The Director of Public Works responded that this project pre-dated him and he would request from the Council one year lead time to work with the neighborhood and approach the project with an open mind. Councilmember Mitchell asked when the City will have a better understanding of the state's timetable for 1-394 construction. The Director responded probably August and added that the state anticipates letting bids in October. Councilmember Mitchell stated that without knowing more about the time transfer station and I-394 it would be difficult to make a decision at this time. 110 Councilmember Battaglia asked how the location of bus shelters and benches are determined. The City Manager responded through ridership and individual requests. 2. Mayor Hanks questioned the need for a trail along Louisiana Ave. from Oxford to Louisiana Circle on both sides of the street. He stated that the east side would be an easier location for construction. The City Council discussed the potential design for Cedar Lake Road west of Highway 100 as four lanes to the railroad crossing and three lanes to continue to the west with the center lane being a turn lane. Mayor Hanks recommended that this be discussed further at a future study session. The City Manager added that the 1-394 Task Force will review all intersections in the corridor with the consultants, Stagar Roscoe, and that the intersections at Cedar Lake Rd. may be included in those discussions. Councilmember Meland suggested that the control box for the traffic signal located at Texas and 36th St. be removed from the residential property to the Knollwood property. The Acting Director of Parks and Recreation made a presentation highlighting the 1988 park improvement program. Councilmember Friedman asked the use projections for the Bass Lake trail . The Acting Director responded that the former Director of Parks and Recreation never received the number of phone calls as he did on this trail thanking the City for constructing it. 4111 Councilmember Friedman asked how big an area the trail serves. The Acting Director responded that the residential area along the trail as well as Minikanda Oaks neighborhood. Councilmember Friedman stated that a garden club could be established for the Wolfe Lake area with the membership comprised of the Parkshore Apartment complex. The Acting Director highlighted the master trail/sidewalk plan and beautification plan. The Mayor recommended placing the 1988-92 Capital Improvement Program on the Council 's March 21 agenda. 4. Boards and Commissions Councilmember Mitchell said it seemed the Council needed someone more objective, a consultant perhaps, to study the boards and commissions issue, someone with expertise in governmental efficiency. make Councilmember Strand that by doing that they are passing the buck on someone else to / difficult decisions. He stated that it is up to the Council to determine whether or not they want a commission, whether it is needed and what role it ought to have. He added that the Council has not properly identified the mission for the boards/commissions. The City Manager stated that perhaps someone from the outside could come in and facilitate the discussion. Mayor Hanks asked what other cities have in terms of boards and commissions. 3. 1111 The City Manager said that staff could do a survey. Mayor Hanks stated that he felt the system breaks down when Council doesn't go along with the recommendations of the commissions. Councilmember Friedman stated that at times boards/commissions act as policy makers and stated that the boards/commissions needed to be looked at one at a time and added that members lose= sight that they are there only to make recommendations to the City Council . He also added that some members may have been on boards and commissions too long. Councilmember Battaglia stated that the Council has met three times to discuss this issue with no resolution. He said that a process needs to be established as to evaluating boards/commissions. He felt that Council should start at ground zero and go one by one reviewing each of the boards and commissions. Councilmember Friedman supported Councilmember Battaglia's idea. Councilmember Strand felt a facilitator was needed for this discussion. Councilmember Mitchell stated he supports ad hoc committees. Councilmember Strand said he would like to see more legislative assignments Ili° to the committees through the City Council Councilmember Friedman recommended that a minimum two-hour meeting be set up with a facilitator. Council then decided it would be appropriate if that meeting could be held on April 11 from 6-10 p.m. 5. Legislative update The Assistant City Manager informed Council of two meetings that have been set up with the legislative liaison: Wed. , Mar. 16 at 2:45 with Senator Novak and 3:30 with Rep. Voss. Councilmembers Meland, Strand and Mitchell indicated they would plan to attend. 5. Signage on benches, The Council directed staff to place the signage on benches on the April 18 Council agenda 7. Adjournment Th men meetingKaplan adjourned at 9:00 p.m. G22� ✓� Recording Secretary