HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000/11/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF
ST. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES
PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
November 13,2000
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Sue
Santa, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present City Manager(Mr Meyer), Deputy City Manager (Mr. Pires), Director of Finance
(Ms McGann), Police Captain (Mr Walker), Grounds and Natural Resources Manager (Mr.
Vaughan), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert).
1. Charter Commission Study on Civil Service Commissions
Mr. Pires and members of the Charter Commission addressed the Council regarding the final
report prepared by the Charter Commission on the matter of Police and Fire Civil Service
Commissions Mr. Pires commended the Charter Commission for conducting a thorough study
while acting as a fair and neutral third party.
Present at the meeting were Charter Commission members Dorothea Moga, Cynthia Ahrens,
Cheryl Ernst, Brian Fiderlein, Carol Walsh, and Chair George Beck.
Chair Beck described the process the Charter Commission used to reach their decision, stating
they had interviewed with past and present Commission members, City staff, City Attorney's
office, union representatives, and a lobbyist from the League of Minnesota Cities. He reported
that the Charter Commission recommended the following actions pursue State Legislation to
enable the abolishment of the Fire Civil Service Commission, abolish the Police Civil Service
Commission, and seek citizen input on matters of fire and police related concern. He indicated
that the Charter language changes would be required if Council chooses to abolish the Police and
Fire Civil Service Commissions Council asked the Charter Commission to bring forward
proposed changes to the Charter
Commissioner Moga wanted to be sure that citizen input would still continue to be part of the
hiring process for police and fire. Commissioner Ahrens felt that the Council, City
Administration and Human Resources should design a process for public input. Captain Walker
stated that citizen input was already a part of the process on all levels. Councilmember Nelson
agreed that citizen input was important but was hesitant to structure a board without a clear
mission
Councilmember Sanger said she was pleased with the work the Charter Commission had done
and the outcome of their study She asked how the Police and Fire Departments were different
than other City positions in their need for public input in the hiring process. Commissioner
Moga responded that Police and Fire Department employees are intimately involved with the
public in times of stress.
Mr. Pires stated that the Charter Commission had provided the Council with some flexibility in
this issue. He added that meaningful public input was also important in other processes, not only
for hinng of candidates. Mr. Meyer stated that the police department must reflect the community
and public's input
Councilmember Sanger asked what the next steps are to abolish the Fire Civil Service Commission.
Study Session Minutes -2- November 13, 2000
Mr Meyer replied that there are lobbying efforts that the City can undertake to petition the State
legislature to pass new legislation allowing Cities to abolish Fire Civil Service Commissions.
2. Outdoor Ice Rink Maintenance
Mr. Vaughan indicated that maintenance on both Kilmer and Twin Lakes Ponds is very difficult
because of unstable ice conditions on open ponds He added that Cedar Manor and Susan
Lindgren schools were no longer in need of nnks Staff proposes to discontinue maintenance to
these four sites.
The issue was raised about complaints from would-be users of the nnks. Council agreed the
changes should be made to the snow removal plan and the issue should be looked at again in one
year
3. City Auditor Contract
Ms McGann stated that a request for proposals for audit services had been sent to eleven
Certified Public Accounting firms. The Audit Committee selected Kern, DeWenter, Viere, Ltd.
as their recommendation to the Council. Council asked several questions regarding the firm.
Ms. McGann replied that the recommendation had been based on experience in critical areas
such as tax increment financing and the overall expenence of the staff.
4. Short Term Railroad Blocking
Mr Meyer stated that the City of Minnetonka has passed a resolution calling for St. Louis Park
and Hopkins to allow an amendment to the railroad blocking agreement. The amendment would
allow them to modify the terms of the agreement if there are adverse noise impacts on residents
who did not have those impacts prior to the blocking. Mr. Meyer added that discussion with the
Cities and neighbors can take place soon depending on Council direction.
Councilmember Santa felt they should meet with the neighbors. Mr. Meyer replied they would
go forward and then bring the'issue back to Council.
5. Communications
Mr. Meyer discussed the selection of a lobbyist for the upcoming legislative year.
Councilmember Nelson wondered if staff had considered hinng a new financial planner. Mr.
Meyer replied that staff is very comfortable with Ehler's & Associates and the service they
provide Council agreed that they would like to have a philosophical discussion with Ehler's
before attempting to consider hiring a new financial planner.
Council inquired about the process and timelines for redistncting ward and precinct boundaries.
Staff replied that redistricting is scheduled to take place following the next legislative session,
but timeline is dependent on whether the legislature is able reach a concensus regarding
legislative lines. Following the legislative process, County and City boundaries can be
determined.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9.06 p.m.
Ci Clerk Mayo