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MINUTES
111 LONG-RANGE PLANNING SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
June 11 , 1990
1 . Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lyle Hanks at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll call
The following members were present at roll call : Bruce Battaglia, Allen
Friedman, George Haun, Keith Meland, Larry Mitchell , Jane Tschida and
Lyle Hanks.
Also present were the City Manager and Assistant to the City Manager.
3. Proposed Charter amendments
Councilmember Mitchell raised concerns regarding the City Attorney's
accountability if the City Attorney was appointed by the City Manager.
Joel Phillippi , chair of the Charter Commission, responded that the
Charter Commission strongly believes in a strong City Manager form of
government and therefore the City Manager ought to be able to hire/fire
the City Attorney similar to other department heads.
Councilmember Meland indicated that City Attorneys throughout the State
used to be elected. The rationale for the City Attorney reporting to the
City Council in St. Louis Park was an evolutionary change.
Councilmember Mitchell stated he was concerned because there could be a
legal question involving the City Manager, and the Council could not
legally go directly to the City Attorney without going through the City
Manager.
Herb Davis, Charter Commissioner, stated that the City Council has
control to hire/fire the City Manager.
Councilmember Meland interjected that the only two individuals the Council
appoints -- City Manager and City Attorney -- sit at the City Council
table.
Councilmember Battaglia expressed his concerns that an independent assess-
ment cannot occur if the City Attorney reports to the City Manager.
It was the consensus of the Council to place the proposed Charter amendment
on the June 18, 1990 agenda for recommendations to the Charter Commission
to consider (1 ) the change of date to take office to January 1 ; (2) the
date of filing for City elections; (3) the issue of the City Attorney
reporting to the City Council ; and (4) appointment of department heads
with the consent of the City Council .
111.4. Refuse rate cost containment
Councilmember Friedman raised concerns regarding senior citizens and
single individuals who generate less garbage than others and referenced
the report which proposed a tier payment system. He inquired about the
impacts.
The City Manager responded that if this type of program were to be
implemented, it should start on a pilot program basis.
Councilmember Mitchell inquired as to what the experience in other
communities has been, specifically the City of Seattle.
Councilmember Battaglia raised concerns re focusing recycling efforts to
increase diversion from garbage and recommended that the City to set a
target goal to increase the amount of garbage being diverted and what steps would have to be
taken to do that.
It was the consensus of the Council to further explore the tier system
payment, explore what other communities experiences are and to look at
alternatives to divert more into the waste stream. No change in the
existing system is contemplated at present.
4. Zoning regulations: Lottery sales
It was the consensus of the Council to take no action at the present time
on this item. 111
5. Pulltabs
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff and the City Attorney
to provide more information on the criteria that could be used to approve/
disapprove pulltabs prior to August 1 , 1990.
6. Environmental health
It was the consensus of the Council to retain the provision of Environ-
mental Health Services by the City.
7. Parking structure inspections
It was the consensus of the Council to have staff explore an arrangement
whereby owners of parking structures would be required to hire a
certified structural engineer and file an engineering report either on a
bi-annual or annual basis.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
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Recording Secretary