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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991/12/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LC1'TS PARK, MINNESOTA December 16, 1991 1 . Call to order Mayor Pro Tem Keith Meland called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. 2. Presentations A presentation to retiring Police Lieutenant Percy Morris was postponed to a later date because of Lt. Mcrris' unavilability that evening. 3. Roll call The following Councilmembers were present at roll call : Jeff Jacobs, Allen Friedman, Larry Mitchell , Jane Tschida and Keith Meland. Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Finance, Director of Public Works, and Planning Coordinator. 4. Approval of minutes It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, to approve the minutes of the Dec. 1 , 1951 meeting (City tour) . The motion passed 4-0-1 (Councilmember Friedman abstained) . It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to approve the minutes of the Council meeting of Dec. 4, 1991 . The motion passed 4-0-1 (Councilmember Friedman abstained) . It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to approved the minutes of the Long-Range Planning session of Dec. 9, 1991 as modified. The motion passed 4-0-1 (Councilmember Meland abstained) . 5. Approval of agenda It was moved by Councilmember Tschida, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the consent agenda for Dec. 16, 1991 . The motion passed 5-0. It was moved by Councilmember Jaccbs, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to approve the agenda for Dec. 16, 1991 with the following additions: llc. Job classification chart/salaries and lld. Needy in St. Louis Park. The motion passed 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6a. Vacation Petition of St. Louis Park and Northland Aluminum to vacate former right-of-way of Hennepin County Road 25 -176- City Council meeting minutes Dec. 16, 1991 In answer to a question from Councilmember Friedman, the Planning Coordinator III said, in essence, this action is to quiet title on the three parcels located on the right-of-way. It was moved by Councilmember Tschida, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve first reading, set second for January 6, 1991 and authorize summary publication. The motion passed 5-0. PETITIONS, REQUESTS, COMMUNICATIONS 7a. Request of Mike Fralick 3715 Rhode Island Ave. So. Mr. Fralick addressed the Council with a number of concerns. They were: the poor voter turnout and voter apathy; the future of St. Louis Park; the City' s infrastructure. To stimulate voter interest and address - community concerns, he had a number of suggestions: development of a joint City/School District program to educate children and residents on the rights and responsibilities as citizens and how government works; develop neighborhood groups to address specific concerns of neighborhoods; require all eligible voters to vote in all elections - failure to do so would make them liable - •for a fine of up to $50; limit terms of elected positions. Councilmember Friedman moved that his concerns be directed to staff, study it and come back to Council with recommendations. Councilmember Mitchell III seconded. Councilmember Jacobs shared some of the concerns re voter turnout/apathy; however, to fine people for not voting is not only ill advised, but more than a little marginally unconstitutional . As for limiting elected officials' terms, it was his understanding this is not permitted under the State of Minnesota constitution. He concurred that staff could be directed to look at other comments of concern, but not fining of voters or term limitation. He amended the motion to that effect. Councilmember Friedman had no problem with the amendment. He pointed out he has offered his services, as have other members of the Council , to speak to groups, schools and other organizations. Councilmember Mitchell referenced the Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force which has been functioning for some time and suggested Mr. Fralick be- given information on that group as well as information on other attempts being undertaken in the community to elicit involvement of residents. The motion passed 5-0. 7b. Petition Wolfe Lake Condominium Assoc. John Speltz, 4860 W. 39th, addressed Council and presented a petition from the Association. Their concern involved their opposition to a collector street proposed to be constructed between Park Nicollet Center and their III complex. -177- City Council meeting minutes December 16, 1991 111 Councilmember Friedman "moved assurance that every time the Council/EDA discusses this proposal , a representative of the Wolfe Lake Condominium Assoc. be so informed so they can be kept up-to-date on what is happening and that they be provided will all relevant materials. Councilmember Jacobs seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Mayor Pro Tem Meland commented that no approval has been given to any plan for this area to date. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 8a. Steffel variance Resolution correcting legal descript- Resolution 91-182 ion It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 91-182 entitled "A resolution granting variance in size limit for a detached garage from Section 14-108( 1 ) of the ordinance code relating to zoning to permit a 1 ,178.8 sq. ft. detached garage instead of the required maximum of 1 ,000 ft. in the R-2, single family residence district, at 3380 Texas Ave." The motion passed 5-0. 8b. 1992 insurance program 111 Resolution 92-220 At the request of Councilmember Friedman, Director of Finance Harlan Syverson explained what the phrase "a fairly stable premium cost of a 5.7% increase" meant. In essence, over the past few years the increase has held between 4 and 6%. There was a lengthy discussion re the premiums paid and the rebate at the end of the year to the City for reduced claims. There was concern expressed relative to the ratio of premiums paid to losses. Discussion ensued whether or not the City could self-insure. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, that the City investigate self-insuring for workers' compensation. Councilmember Mitchell saw a number of problems: (1 ) the Council was dealing on Dec. 16 a matter that had to be put in place on Jan. 1 , 1992; (2) after bringing it up for discussion virtually every year and getting all angry - and frustrated, it is summarily forgotten. He felt it must come up earlier in the year and warrants a hard look. A representative from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust commented on various questions raised by the Council . He noted that self- insurance is not a panacea. 111 It was moved by Councilmember Friedman to incorporate his first motion into a new motion, i .e. bring back a report -on self-insurance to the first meeting in March 1992 and adopt Resolution 91-220 entitled "Resolution awarding contracts for 1992 insurance coverage." The second was in agreement. The motion passed 5-0. -178- City Council meeting minutes December 16, 1991 Councilmember Friedman reiterated the comments of Councilmember Mitchell III in that Council never seems to have adequate time to review complex and large expenditure proposals, such as the insurance matter. He wanted to make an all encompassing motion that all reoccurring items of this nature be brought to the Council at least six months before action is required. The City Manager said staff could do its best to bring these to Council earlier, but to mandate a six-month in advance (1 ) may not be possible and (2) may not be in the City' s best interest because historically the best bids are received towards the end of a given year. It was Councilmember Friedman' s intention not to wait for other groups that the City is working with; rather, to have staff move out a little ahead of time in the interests of the City and review those things to ascertain trends over the foregoing 5-6 years. He would like to see a pro-active position taken by staff with respect to matters such as insurance. Councilmember Jacobs thought a claims history would be helpful in undertaking this research. What would the City have had to pay in claims during the past 5-6 years if it had been self-insured? 8c. Bassett Creek Water Management Project modification Resolution 91-221 It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to adopt Resolution 91-221 entitled "Resolution of the City of St. Louis III Park relating to the Bassett Creek Flood Control Project and authorizing the Bassett Creek Water Management Commission to contract with the cities of Golden Valley, Minneapolis and Plymouth to construct certain relocation projects." The motion passed 5-0. 8d. Designation of official newspaper Resolution 91-222 By consent, adopt Resolution 91-222 entitled "A resolution designating official City newspaper for calendar year 1992." 8e. Transfer of funds First reading of ordinance It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to approve first reading, set second for Dec. 31 , 1991 and authorize summary publication. The motion passed 5-0. 8f. Winter parking restrictions The City Manager explained that what was being proposed was a 24-hour III per day, odd-even parking restriction for use in emergency situations during the winter of 1991-92. -179- City Council meeting minutes Dec. 16, 1991 Councilmember Jacobs was concerned about confusion about what day it was. Rather than plowing, he could envision road crews putting informational flyers on windshields. He was concerned people simply would not remember on which side of a given street they can park. Councilmember Friedman said a number of streets, such as Alabama, will not be helped by any parking restrictions because one can barely navigate this extremely narrow street today, much less should it snow. He would support selective one-side parking. He felt plans for restrictions had to be made well in advance of winter so all residents have time to assimilate the plan and be prepared. He felt attention should be drawn to those areas in which something should be done continuously throughout the winter. He felt the proposal needed further consideration because he could not support it because of the situation in the Ward he represents. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman to table. The motion died for lack of a second. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to refer back to staff for further consideration. Councilmember Mitchell felt the intent of the proposal was to address heavy snow emergencies. What would be the penalties for non-compliance. The City Manager said that currently on the books is a rule you cannot park a car on any street in the City for 12 continuous hours. The Police have authority to tag and subsequently tow any such cars. That is in effect now and the Council need not do anything about it. What was being suggested in the proposal is to give the City Manager the authority for 1991-92 to establish a requirement for on-street parking on all residential streets with the odd-even concept. If the proposal is activated, it will stay in effect until Spring. The intent is to be able to plow one side one day, the other the next and to assure that emergency vehicles can get down streets. Councilmember Mitchell felt the proposal needed more discussion, that the City and Council is going to receive many calls if residents have to .go constantly back and forth. The motion passed 5-0. REPORTS FROM OFFICERS, COMMITTEES BOARDS 9a. Housing Authority minutes of Nov. 12 9b. Planning Commission minutes Dec. 4 9c. November 1991 financial report 9d. Nighttime use at airport It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Jacobs to ask the Mayor to submit formal correspondence in support of Stage 2 nighttime use ordinance. The motion passed 5-0. -180- City Council meeting minutes Dec. 16, 1992 9e. 1992 assessment rates Residential street improvements It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Jacobs, to approve the 1992 assessment rates for residential street improvements. The motion passed 5-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10a. Boards and commissions • No business 10b. Animal control contract It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, to authorize execution of a contract with Wildlife Management Services The motion passed 5-0. NEW BUSINESS lla. Benilde-St. Margaret' s Application to conduct raffle By consent, approve request. llb. Non-intoxicating liquor licenses Renewals It was moved by Councilmember Tschida, seconded by Councilmember Mitchell , to approve the applications for non-intoxicating liquor licenses. The motion passed 5-0. llc. Classification chart Councilmember Mitchell referenced the classification chart of City employees. What he wanted to do is to have the classifications laid out in order to get a total picture of classifications and salaries. Also he wanted to see the three unions represented. It was moved by Councilmember Mitchell , seconded by Councilmember Friedman, to prepare a matrix of job classifications/salaries/distribution for all City employees. The motion passed 5-0. lld. Needy/Homeless people Councilmember Friedman expressed his desire to know if the City has people in the same type of need as the St. Paul Mayor had discussed in today's paper which includes most cities in the country. He felt the Council had an obligation to fend off that kind of problem in the community at to at least assist members of the community who may need financial and/or housing assistance. It was moved by Councilmember Friedman, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, that the City Manager direct the appropriate staff to pull together facts and figures relating to the numbers in the community who may need -181- City Council meeting minutes Dec. 16, 1991 't ill assistance. He added that a report be brought back to Council by the end of January. The motion passed 5-0. MISCELLANEOUS 12a. Damage claims Chris Mueller Coley Tylor Elaine Barnes Tim Murray Robert Fletcher Melissa McLoone Don Pulver By consent, claims referred to City Clerk and City Manager. 12b. Communications from the Mayor It was moved by Councilmember Jacobs, seconded by Councilmember Tschida, to hold the year-end meeting on Tues. , Dec. 31 at 11 :30 a.m. 12c. Communications from City Manager None. CLAIMS, APPROPRIATIONS, CONTRACT PAYMENTS 13a. Verified claims By consent, the list of verified IIIclaims prepared by the Director of Finance, dated Dec. 16, 1991 was approved in the following amounts and the City _Manager and City Treasurer authorized to dispense checks in the appropriate amounts: Vendor claims: $318,170.61 and payroll claims $14,288.35. This being Councilmember Tschida' s last meeting, all members of the Council thanked her for her input, her concern, her knowledge and contribution to the Council . 14. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9: 10 p.m . yor Pro Tem Meland p AAA,CtI \ Res\ r.ing ecretary I -182-