HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/07/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session 7ST.ILOU°IFSOFFICIAL MINUTES
RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 12, 2004
The meeting convened at 7:06 p.m.
Councilmembers present. John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally
Velick and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin), City Engineer(Ms.
' Hagen), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman), Environmental Health Official (Mr. Camilon), and
City Clerk (Ms. Reichert).
1. 2003 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Ms McGann introduced representatives of Kern, DeWenter, Viere, Ltd., who had performed the 2003
audit The city had issued an unqualified opinion of the financial statements of 2003, which is the
highest opinion that can be offered.
Ms McGann and the auditor reviewed the management report and discussed the health of the vanous
funds of the city
Council discussed the possibility of receiving an additional 1.6 million from the state and impacts on
the budget if that were to occur Mr Harmening cautioned council against relying on that money in
their calculations as it was likely not to occur.
2. Relationship between Community Education and the City of St. Louis Park
Ms Walsh introduced Linda Severaid, Community Education Director, and provided a historical
overview of the relationship between the City and the Community Education Department. Ms.
Severaid distributed a handout outlining the principles and philosophy of Community Education
Services. She felt that Community Education was perhaps the most important outreach tool available
to the school district, as programs touch residents from birth to death. She also explained the mission
of the Community Education Advisory Commission and provided some information on its structure
Councilmember Velick asked about the future of the Eliot School Building Ms Severaid stated that
the intent of the district is to repair and update the structure.
Mayor Jacobs commented on the relationship between the school board and city council stating that he
believed good communication was key to the success of both boards
Ms. Severaid informed the council that the school board was considering a levy referendum on the
November Ballot
Ms. Walsh spoke briefly about the relationship between the City's Parks and Recreation Department
and the School District's Community Education Department. There are funds exchanged each year
and programs and services are offered in cooperation between the two departments.
I
Study Session Minutes - 2 - July 12, 2004
Ms. Severaid requested council to consider an increase in funding for senior programming stating that
she understood the council was operating under tight budgetary controls due to the economy and
political climate. Council agreed to consider that possibility as they move forward with the 2005
budget planning process.
3. Louisiana Court Update
1
Staff and representative of PPL met with council to provide an update on the financial status of Project
for Pnde in Living's Louisiana Court Development Steve Kramer and Barbara McCormick from PPL
and Mark Ruff of Ehler's and Associates were in attendance.
Ms. Schnitker gave an overview of the financial situation stating that goals that had been set earlier
were not being met. PPL is proposing a stabilization plan which includes capital investments, better
programming for resident retention, introduction of new tenants with rental subsidies and supportive
services, improved support services for persons with special needs and reductions in operating
expenses.
1
Possible city contributions could be tax abatements, project based rental assistance and additional
police support, possibly in the form of a resident officer.
Ms. Schmtker recommended that an independent management consultant conduct an assessment of
PPL's program, goals and management practices.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the PPL's proposed actions were sufficient to address the root causes
of the problems Councilmember Sanger indicated that she wasi particularly concerned with the very
high tenant turn-over rate in the three-bedroom apartments because when Project for Pride in Living
(PPL) had first asked the City for financial assistance, they were led to believe there was a very strong
demand for three-bedroom units and the City had paid to convert some of the one-bedroom units into
three-bedroom units. PPL responded that they have conducted surveys to determine those root causes,
and that results indicated that PPL needs to have a stronger presence at the site. Social problems
should be addressed which would improve resident retention.
Councilmember Finklestein asked what exactly is being done to'help with some of the social issues.
Ms. McCormick responded that PPL is trying to provided a higher level of social assistance. She
believed even more social assistance would be required.
Mayor Jacobs cited the success of the Meadowbrook Collaborative in turning around a very bad
situation there, and suggested a similar model may need to be put into place at Louisiana Courts.
Mr. Ruff stated that financial problems being experienced by PPL are not due entirely to PPL's
management, but that the economy and tax laws were also significant contributing factors.
Councilmember Omodt stated he was not happy with the performance of PPL's management and
stated that he believed PPL staff was not entirely honest with the council at their last presentation. For
him, tax abatement was entirely out of the question.
Councilmember Basill believed that putting money into enhanced safety and security for the residents
would help with the problem of resident retention.
Study Session Minutes - 3 - July 12, 2004
Ms. Schnitker suggested that staff move forward with retaining an independent consultant to assess
PPL's management practices and if council agreed, staff would work with the consultant to provide a
detailed analysis and report sometime in September
Mr. Harmening asked PPL staff if it would be helpful to have a letter of support from the city as they
move forward with securing various grants as part of their plan. They indicated that a letter would be
helpful. Councilmembers were supportive of providing such a letter.
4. Housing Summit Discussion of Draft Goals and Public Input Process
Staff met with council to review revisions made to the draft housing policy and draft housing goals that
had been made after the Housing summit meeting of June 24th
Ms Schnitker explained that they were looking for approval from the council on the goals prior to
beginning the next phase of the public process. Mr. Locke stated they were not intending to take a
finalized document to the focus groups, but rather, wanted to seek public reaction to broad statements
as a basis for starting discussions.
Councilmember Sanger was concerned that the statements were too broad and felt more specificity
needed to be added.
Councilmember Basill suggested the goals be ranked in importance by the council prior to distribution
them in a public forum.
Mr. Harmening said that the intent of public process is not to conduct scientific statistical research, but
to provide a starting point for public discussion Therefore, the goals were presented as broad
statements.
Ms. Larsen indicated that the goals would also be put on the city's website when they were ready
Mr Harmening asked councilmembers to submit their wntten comments by email and staff would
prepare another draft for their review
5. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m.
•
City Clerk Mayr ' 1