Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/08/13 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session liT.I CTY LOUIOF S OFFICIAL MINUTES RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION August 13, 2001 The meeting convened at 7:02 p.m. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Ron Latz, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Robert Young, and Mayor Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Director of Community Development (Mr. Harmening), Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms Jeremiah), Human Resources Director(Ms. Gohman), Human Resources Coordinator (Ms Vieau), and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert). 1. Renaming of 38/39th Street Mr. Harmening gave an overview of the survey that was sent to the condominium communities involved and the response received. He identified the concerns of the associations and the residents such as the cost of new association identification signs and the cost and time to change addresses on personal documents. Staff suggested reimbursing the associations for the cost of one sign. It was suggested that Council choose a new name now with an effective date as far out into the future as one year. Staff suggested that a resource person be available to meet and provide consultation for the associations and residents. This person would also provide a list of all considerations and steps involved with a change of address. Mayor Jacobs felt that a staff resource would be a good idea. Councilmember Sanger felt that the utility companies should be notified at one time for the whole area affected. Councilmember Nelson agreed. Councilmember Nelson asked Council to refer to the memo from Mr. Robert Jorvig that was in support of names historic to St. Louis Park. Councilmember Latz felt they should look at market research before making a decision and to look at the economic viability. Mr. Cunningham stated that it will be very difficult for all parties involved to come to an agreement on the street name. He stated that the street names of Market and Grand evoke a sense of daily activity and quality. Mr Cunningham felt that Market and Grand was right for the project. He mentioned that the street name Market was used in the PUD. Councilmember Sanger felt people may be confused with the street name Grand in St. Paul. She stated that the residential component must be remembered. Mr. Harmening stated that it is common for developers to use their own discretion in street renaming. He added that the developers are investing their money and will own all buildings. He felt that it is best to let the developers do the renaming. Councilmember Latz felt they should move more slowly so that the developers have more time to work and cooperate with the city. Study Session Minutes -2- August 13, 2001 Councilmember Brimeyer wants a name that embodies St Louis Park. Councilmember Sanger inquired if staff and the developers should come back with more names. Ms. Jeremiah suggested the street names of Excelsior and Grand may provide the theme both Council and the developer are looking for. Mr. Meyer agreed with Ms. Jeremiah. Councilmember Bnmeyer suggested using Grand as the street name for the street that intersects with Excelsior Boulevard. The two streets running parallel to Excelsior should be named Park Commons Dnve and Wolfe Park Boulevard. 2. Personnel Policy Update Ms. Gohman gave a brief background of proposed changes as they relate to the recodification process. A resolution adopting personnel policies and ordinance repealing Chapter 3 of the municipal code dealing with personnel are proposed for Council approval. Councilmember Sanger inquired why it would be necessary for Council to approve policy on certain issues, such as benefits, holidays, leave, expense reimbursement, compensation, political activity, and Council affected policies. Ms. Gohman replied that Council policy regarding financial issues and issues directly affecting the Councilmember themselves should be set by the Council to provide protection of employees and the City Manager. Ms. Gohman asked Council for direction on appointment and dismissal of department heads. Councilmembers Sanger and Bnmeyer stated that they would support charter changes granting the City Manager power to hire and dismiss department heads without Council approval, providing there was still a process for Council involvement Mr. Meyer and Ms. Gohman offered to work on drafting new language on this to bring back to Council at a later date. 3. Compensation for Council members and EDA Commissioners Council discussed the inability to automatically raise salaries or synchronize timing with regular employee salary increases due to charter provisions. They agreed that the current policy of reviewing Council salaries every two years pnor to the local election was sufficient. Council directed staff to come forward with an ordinance modifying Council salaries and post a notice of public heanng. 4. Sale of City Land at Cedar Manor Lake Councilmember Young would like Council to consider a proposal to sell some of the City owned property along Cedar Manor Lake to allow for housing to be developed on the site. Mr. Meyer presented a bnef history of the city's initial purchase of the property. Council discussed potential public sentiment for or against development on the land. Councilmembers did not feel they had sufficient information to make a decision at this time and directed staff to do a review of the property to determine what portion of the site would be suitable for development. Study Session Minutes -3- August 13, 2001 5. Communications Mr. Meyer updated the Council on the Park Commons groundbreaking. Councilmember Sanger inquired about the timeline for the surface water management plan and wetland plan. Mr. Meyer stated that staff could assign more definitive dates to the plan. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9.00 p.m. Ci Clerk May p