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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993/01/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION January 11, 1993 lirMayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 7 :45 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Allen Friedman, Jeff Jacobs, Keith Meland, Larry Mitchell and Lyle Hanks . Councilmember Gail Dorfman arrived at 8 :45 p.m. Also present were the Interim City Manager (Clint Pires) , Dir. of Community Development (Dave Hagen) , City Clerk (Beverly Flanagan) , Finance Director (Harlan Syverson) , Asst . Finance Director (Don Rambow) , Public Works Admin. Asst . (Bob Larson) . 1 . Primary Election Date - Ms . Flanagan summarized the report that stated the September primary election would occur on the Tuesday following Labor Day in 1993 , 1998 and 1999 and other years unless a Charter amendment is made to reschedule it . This report was referred to the Charter Commission for consideration with the understanding that any change to be effective for the 1993 primary must be made soon (May 1993) . 2 . Ward/Precinct/Polling Place Changes III A committee comprised of Councilmembers Friedman, Mitchell and Meland was formed to review possible boundary changes . The committee requested information on possible new polling places, new major housing developments since the 1990 census was taken, the date the 1990 census was certified and a map showing boundaries for State legislators, County Commissioners, City wards and precincts and census block population data. 3 . "Round Up" Program The Council discussed various methods and purposes for collecting additional funds with utility bill receipts. Council directed staff to draft an approach which includes the opportunity for customers to pledge a flat amount of money per billing period to their choice of programs (e.g. , fireworks for Party in the Park, sidewalk/driveway shoveling for persons with disabilities) . 4 . Use of Matured Special Assessment Bond Funds Staff presented a report which discussed the establishment of a Capital Improvement Fund to account for and control improvements financed with matured special assessment bond monies . Staff was directed to formally present a resolution on this matter at the March 1, 1993 Council meeting. lir5 . Proposed Change in City Disbursements Procedure Mr. Syverson described alternatives for paying bills that would be more efficient, help the City avoid paying penalties and allow the City to take advantage of discounts by authorizing the City Manager some latitude in paying approved budget items prior to III the claims list being presented to Council . This item was referred to the Charter Commission to propose appropriate Charter amendments allowing additional authority in paying invoices as recommended in the staff report with the addition that Council use the ordinance procedure to set specific boundaries on this authority. It was felt that a representative of the City Council and staff should be present at the Charter Commission's discussion of this item. 6 . City Hall Emergency Generator The Council received the report and requested that staff prepare three alternatives for replacing the City Hall emergency generator: The minimum, a moderate and maximum project alternatives and related costs. It was felt that the alternative proposed by staff in its report was probably the maximum. Staff was also asked to see if NSP had a record of the number and duration of power outages for City Hall the last several years. 7 . Railroad Activity via Legislation Staff was directed to check with Senator Mondale ' s office to verify that the Senator still has an interest in supporting State legislation to regulate hours of operation of railroads . Staff will report back to Council, perhaps in the form of a proposedill resolution, after contacting Senator Mondale 's office . 8 . 2010 Vision for St . Louis Park After reviewing the report, staff was directed to begin the tasks of determining the primary facilitator for developing the 2010 Vision, who should be invited to participate in the process and structuring this process to begin in a way that blends with the hiring of a new City Manager. 9 . Request for Issuance of Bonds by EDA The Council reviewed an inquiry on behalf of Westwind Apartments for the possibility of the EDA issuing refunding bonds with a 35- year term. This inquiry was made since the City Charter currently limits the terms of bonds issued by the City to 30 years. Council directed that the Charter Commission be requested to consider extending the term of "conduit" or revenue bonds issued by the City to that allowed by State law. The Council may then set any term limits it wishes at the time the bonds are issued. Staff was also directed to identify the current ownership/management of Westwind Apartments and information on its financial viability. 10 . Water Tower Relocation Site Alternatives After reviewing the staff report, Council felt that the proposed 111 Tower relocation site at 3501 Highway 100 possibly should be reserved for potential future development . Staff was directed to research other possible relocation sites including around the intersection of the Soo Line and Belt Line Blvd. 11 . Council/Staff Relations Council received relevant sections of the City Charter regarding Council/Staff relations. It was requested that the City Attorney be available for discussion of this topic with Council prior to the March 1 Council meeting. 12 . Other Business a. Councilmember Jacobs discussed neighborhood contacts he had had regarding the clean-up occurring at Browndale Park and notification that abutting residences would receive regarding it . b. Exchange program with Israel - Councilmember Friedman updated the Council on progress being made on this project including Israel 's approval of the exchange, fund-raising efforts, involvement of the Anti-Defamation League and the dates for the Israeli police to be here (Aapril 14-23 , 1993) and for St . Louis Park police to be there (May 2-16, 1993) . c . Park Hill Neighborhood Stop Signs - Councilmember Friedman indicated that he had received neighborhood contacts regarding the proposed removal of temporary stop signs especially at Joppa Ave. and 28th St . W. He had also received complaints about the short left-turn phase at the France Ave . /County Road 25 intersection. The issue of stop sign removal was requested to be placed on the Jan. 19, 1993 agenda. The meeting adjourned at 9 : 30 p.m. (172-- I4P !I* Clint Pires Recording Secretary