HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/10/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY LOUIOF
ST. S OFFICIAL MINUTES
PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
October 27,2003
The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers John Basill, Jim Brimeyer, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa,
Sally Velick, Paul Omodt and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer); Outreach Coordinator(Ms. McDonell); Finance Director
(Ms. McGann); Community Development Director(Mr. Harmening); Public Works Director(Mr.
Rardin); Public Works Coordinator(Mr. Merkley); Public Works Administrative Assistant (Ms.
Hellekson); Water Superintendent(Mr. Anderson); Planning Supervisor(Ms. Jeremiah); Planning
Coordinator(Ms. Erickson); and City Clerk (Ms. Reichert).
1. United Way
Ms. McDonell introduced Mr. John Severson of United Way. She reported that the city of St. Louis
Park employee group is a leader in contributions in the metro area. She invited councilmembers to
also contribute to the United Way.
Council thanked Ms. McDonell and other participating staff for their efforts.
2. Solid Waste
Councilmember Sanger commended staff for an excellent job in preparing educational materials for
the public associated with changes to the solid waste program.
Mr. Merkley outlined the process that would be used over the next several weeks to accomplish the
transition to the new contract requirements. Mr. Forest Sartell was also present to answer council's
questions.
3. Utility Rates
Ms. McGann explained the process used to analyze the utility funds and offered projections for future
rate increases. She stated that overall rates would be increasing for 2004. She suggested that the rates
be raised now as they have remained stable for several years, and that additional increases be added in
future years.
She also stated that the thorough analysis that had been done by staff in preparation for this year's
utility rate discussions had been more extensive than ever before.
Council stated that they were comfortable with the rates as presented and directed staff to bring
forward an ordinance setting utility rates for 2004.
4. Usable Open Space Requirements
Ms. Erickson and Ms. Jeremiah introduced the subject by showing comparisons of different
requirements contained in the code. Ms. Erickson explained that different requirements for different
zones causes inconsistency in application of the code.
Study Session Minutes - 2 - October 27, 2003
Ms. Jeremiah stated that the code contained overlapping layers of requirements which make some
requirements superfluous.
Councilmember Sanger suggested that council's role was to first consider policy regarding open space
requirements, then to make standards that match that policy.
Mayor Jacobs agreed, but also pointed out that our policies sometimes work at cross-purposes. He felt
a great deal of discussion needed to be done regarding such a broad topic as"open space".
Councilmember Santa suggested that"usable open space"may have different connotations for
different segments of the population. For some it may mean green space while for others it may mean
communal space in a multi-family environment. In her opinion that communal space need not be
outdoors,but could be placed where the most residents would benefit.
Mr. Harmening felt that our ordinances should focus on quality—not quantity—of open space.
Ms. Jeremiah offered to put together some scenarios for council consideration to help them to clarify
their policies.
5. Interim City Manager
Ms. Reichert passed out a memo from Human Resources which contained a format for interview
questions to be used in creating the City Manager profile. She also asked councilmembers to sign up
for their interviews which would be conducted by Ms. Gohmari, Ms. Gothberg, and an outside
consultant, Mr. Crnobrna.
Mr. Harmening addressed the council saying that he wanted council to understand that with his
acceptance of the Interim City Manager position, it may be difficult for him to complete all projects
currently underway in a timely fashion He specifically referenced public art, sale of excess property
and the Park Nicollet Environmental Assessment worksheet and traffic study.
Council asked if staff could make better use of consultants to assist. Mr.,Harmening responded that
thought consultants are very valuable, they cannot always perform work which requires understanding
of complex issues. He is simply not able to delegate some things and wanted to be sure council's
expectations were realistic.
Council thanked Mr. Harmening for his observations and stated that they were comfortable in moving
forward with designating Mr. Harmening as Interim City Manager.
6. Regulation on Sales of Personal Vehicles
Councilmember Sanger introduced the item saying that there were a number of individuals in the city
who it seems are not complying with statutory restrictions on sale of personal vehicles.
Mayor Jacobs asked if it was merely a matter of enforcing already existing regulations and if the city
were to step up those efforts would the problem be as bad.
Following discussion Council suggested that enforcement of current regulations be done and that
council be informed in the future as to whether the problem still existed.
Study Session Minutes - 3 - October 27, 2003
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
,... . IP.
,
Ci y Clerk 'ayo ��