The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2003/05/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session 7/ST.ILOUOIFSCTY OFFICIAL MINUTES RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION May 12,2003 The meeting convened at 7.01 p.m Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Chris Nelson, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Police Chief(Mr. Luse); Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon); Finance Director(Ms. McGann), Human Resources Director(Ms Gohman); and Recording Secretary (Ms. Samson). Fire Chief (Mr. Stemmer) amved at 9:06 p m. Also present: Kristine Royer, Chair, St Louis Park Police Advisory Commission ("SLPPAC"); Mark Rosen and Linda Trummer, SLPPAC members; John Utley, Kennedy & Graven; Stu Hanson, MD, Park Nicollet Clinic and Task Force member; and Ann Deshler, RN. 1. Police Advisory Committee Annual Report Chief Luse spoke about the one-year report regarding the SLPPAC Ms. Royer presented a power point presentation to the Council regarding the mission, vision, values, and goals of the SLPPAC and their experiences during their start-up year. There was discussion regarding by-laws, which will be given to the Council. Ms. Royer said the SLPPAC exists to enhance, and not replace, police services. Councilmember Nelson said advocacy is a concern but an action plan would require Council's approval. Councilmember Nelson suggested diversity be called something else. Councilmember Nelson said don't force to meet more than is necessary, and Mayor Jacobs added, meet as often as you need to. Councilmember Velick inquired about grant money that may be available for the SLPPAC, and how much would the SLPPAC require Ms. Royer said she is not sure. Councilmember Sanger asked how SLPPAC will handle complaints, and Ms. Royer responded that complaints will be sent to the police department. Mayor Jacob suggested the SLPPAC have one of its members reside on the Human Rights Commission, such as joint programming. Councilmember Bnmeyer cautioned the SLPPAC should be a partner, and not a buddy, to the police department. Councilmember Bnmeyer would like to deliberate further on the SLPPAC, and he asked that Council have this item return in 60 days. Ms. Royer brought up the subject of the SLPPAC's oversight role, if an oversight role at all, and its performance measurements. Council stated it shys from any consideration of an oversight role for the SLPPAC. Mayor Jacobs is pleased with SLPPAC's direction and he, too, shys from an oversight role. Mayor Jacobs would like to have this item return to the Council in 60 or 90 days Study Session Minutes -2- May 12, 2003 Council will interview candidates for the SLPPAC. State Representative Ron Latz arnved at 7:37. Dunng his bnef visit, he answered a few budget questions from the Council, and departed for an engagement in another part of City Hall. (Note: Item 2 was discussed after Item 3). 2. Police 2003-2004 Budget Proposals Ms. Gohman referred Councilmembers to pages 23 and 24 for budget proposals regarding the human resources department. Ms. Gohman said one support staff position was eliminated, however, it was synchronistic because that employee moved away. It was stated that future employee recognition dinners would be tied in with luncheon events. The following regard general fund proposals: Created six years ago, the Deputy City Manager position has been eliminated. Given this elimination, it may become necessary to decline from some projects. Mr. Meyer said the task now is to select a department head to act as a City Manager, when he is absent, with no permanent duties associated with the selection, but to represent the City as an official person. The administration secretary position, in the City Clerk's office, may become a part-time position. For an election year, the consideration is to hire some part-time individuals for the elections. Councilmember Sanger expressed concern that to hire temporary workers may cost more. It was noted that there must be a polling place in every precinct. Council favors odd year elections for Councilmembers and, if on the ballot, odd year voting for referenda. It was reported that lobbying services would be reduced, however, the City will retain and call upon its lobbyist when necessary. Mediation services will be eliminated. In regard to the City/School Calendar, Councilmember Omodt suggested waiting a few weeks for a marketing meeting to take place. Councilmember Sanger is agreeable to letting the calendar go. Councilmember Bnmeyer said the calendar is symbolic and it should not be disposed. Councilmember Santa said she would prefer a wading pool over a calendar. Councilmember Nelson suggested letting the calendar go for a year. Mayor Jacobs said keep the calendar. The calendar will be discussed again by Council at a later Study Session. The cost to the City for the calendar is $10,000 plus Staff time. Councilmember Omodt suggested asking the School Distnct for a line item budget. Ms. McGann reported that the front desk position will be reduced, and one full-time assessing position will be eliminated. Council would like information on assessment challenges facing the Finance Department. Councilmember Sanger inquired if the City could negotiate tax assessment prior to land development. Chief Luse reported that 3.5 civil positions will be eliminated. There was some discussion regarding Sojourner and Cornerstone and their services. Study Session Minutes -3- May 12, 2003 Mr Meyer said the City has met with seven cities regarding consolidation of its 911 dispatch center. A feasibility study is planned. Mr. Meyer listed the advantages of keeping the St. Louis Park dispatch center open. Councilmember Sanger suggested having the City Attorney research why some cities are required to pay for dispatch by Hennepin County and some are not. Chief Stemmer arrived at 9:06 p m. He was delayed because he was fighting a fire. Chief Stemmer reported that the Fire Department could begin charging a fee to insurance companies for the cost of victim rescues and extractions at motor vehicle accidents. He also reported that OSHA training would be done in-house. The Fire Department would provide OSHA required training to other City departments, and there would be cost savings for departments to no longer use outside training agencies. Chief Stemmer discussed staffing. Councilmember Sanger asked that the Fire Department's position reduction proposal return to Council for more discussion and deliberation. Ms. McGann spoke about the Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Meyer listed options. Councilmember Nelson said he prefers a one-time free increase and, perhaps, make it less if done earlier. 3. Westwind Apartments Multi-Family Housing Revenue Private Activity Revenue Bond Refinancing Ms. McGann briefly discussed the request of CSM Corporation, on behalf of Westwind Apartments, to refund a 1993 bond. Mark Ruff, of Ehlers & Associates, has reviewed the application and the financial information. Mr. Utley, of Kennedy & Graven, is doing the legal work for the bond issue, and he stated this item will be placed on the June 16, 2003 Council agenda for a public hearing and preliminary resolution. 4. Smoking Task Force Recommendations Mr Hoffman spoke briefly about the smoking task force. Dr. Hanson and Ms. Deshler were present to answers questions regarding the St. Louis Park Smoking Task Force Minority Report they submitted. The minority report is an addendum to the task force's recommendations to the Council. (Dr. Hanson is reversing his position of support for the Task Force recommendations that were presented to Council at a March 10`h Study Session). Dr. Hanson spoke about second hand smoke. Dr. Hanson said Mr Hoffman had out-of-date material. Dr. Hanson is asking the Council to consider making all St. Louis Park workplaces, bars, and restaurants smoke-free. Councilmember Sanger suggested asking residents if they are supportive of a smoking ban citywide. Councilmember Nelson said second hand smoke is bad, however, he is unwilling to debate a smoking ban. Councilmember Nelson was opposed to the minority report. Councilmembers Bnmeyer, Santa, and Velick, and Mayor Jacobs were also opposed. Councilmember Sanger does not like the end result. She said one needs to ask the right questions, and to ask the public. Study Session Minutes -4- May 12, 2003 5. Miscellaneous From the Budget Talking Points, Spnng 2003, distnbuted by Mr. Meyer for tonight's meeting, Councilmember Sanger would like to know what the resultant impacts are, or will be, in regard to the Talking Points Section. 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. • I= Ci Clerk May.r