HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/11/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF
T. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES
PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
November 28, 2005
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Jim Brimeyer
and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Councilmember Paul Omodt was absent.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin); Director of Park
and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Operations Supenntendent (Mr. Hanson), and City Clerk (Ms. Stroth).
1. Arts Programming and Fund
Sue Schneck, from Friends of the Arts, was present.
City Manager Mr. Harmening indicated money had been set aside for staff and program
assistance. Mr. Harmening would like to know if, conceptually, the Council is comfortable
with the two ideas/initiatives to further arts and cultural activities in the community. The
2006 budget includes funding for arts related activities as follows: 1) $20,000 for an arts
related program; and 2) $20,000 to provide staffing resources to the City and Friends of the
Arts. Mr. Harmening stated it need not be just a one year commitment, and that some day it
should be self-sufficient. Mr. Harmening introduced Ms. Walsh and Ms. Schneck.
Councilmember Finkelstein thinks it is a great idea; he would like people of all ages to use
the parks. He added, to find arts opportunities, the City must invest.
Councilmember Santa is supportive but would not want it to become a battleground Ms.
Schneck said the objective would have to be clearly defined to establish cntena.
Councilmember Sanger stated she likes the idea, but favors having an administrator to get a
more global picture of where arts programming and funding would be headed.
Councilmember Sanger's concerns are: $20,000 is not much and anything that is done
should be visible to the community; and that this is tied to parks projects. Councilmember
Sanger asked how to deal with this in those neighborhoods that are not organized.
Councilmember Bnmeyer suggested the Council decide what this will look like in four years.
He was interested in a percentage of the funding used for public school arts program and
events for adults and youth. Ideas for events could include a"Youth Sculpture Walk" at Park
Commons. He indicated the need to hire or contract with someone who meets the objectives
with all the components included. Ms. Schneck suggested a presentation be prepared for
Community Education.
Councilmember Finkelstein would like to reach out to include residents who live in
apartments and condominiums and are not active in neighborhood associations.
Mayor Jacobs said the niche could be children first, i.e., a collaboration between youth and
arts.
Study Session Minutes -2- November 28, 2005
Mr. Harmening remarked, there is conceptual support and the need to bring back specifics to
move forward. The Council is supportive of funding in 2006 but more details are needed.
2. Executive Session—City Manager Evaluation
The closed Executive Session regarding the evaluation of the City Manager took place from
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
3. Sidewalk Snow Removal
Mr. Rardin presented a Staff report regarding sidewalk snow removal.
Councilmember Sanger wants passable sidewalks, and she listed some suggestions.
Discussion took place whether this was a community wide problem and whether an
aggressive response was needed.
Councilmember Basil] felt there was no problem regarding snow removal and to provide
more information to residents how to report problems.
Councilmember Sanger recommended a stronger communication plan.
Councilmember Brimeyer said a task force may be a good start to determine the seriousness
of impassable sidewalks; and one remedy might be rigid enforcement.
Mr. Harmening said an aggressive ticketing process during the first snowstorm last year was
a good idea, but needed a better design method of enforcement.
Councilmember Basill would like to consider changing six hours to 12 hours for snow
removal completion by residents, or at least have a discussion on the appropriate time frame.
Mr. Rardin suggested staff use this winter to assess how bad the problem is, and to educate
residents with more communication on snow removal.
4. TH 7 Wooddale Avenue Intersection Improvements
Mr. Rardin led the discussion for this item. He reviewed the two interchange concepts
considered and current funding. He said there would be nothing for the next few months and
are waiting to hear the outcome of the City's request for funds. Legislative consideration is
expected between February and April of 2006.
5. TH 100 Interim Improvements
Mr. Rardin reviewed the timeframe and schedule. He stated Mn/DOT has started the
Municipal Consent Approval Process.
Councilmember Sanger is disappointed with the MnDOT plans because the public process is
missing.
Study Session Minutes -3- November 28, 2005
Discussion took place regarding the design of new interchange and the safety of narrow
lanes. Steps have been identified by Staff to respond to Mn/DOT's intenm project submittal
and their expected response to the City's concerns.
6. Pool Pump Enclosures
Councilmember Sanger reported that noise from motors for above-ground pools is
problematic. The request is to amend an ordinance on pools to require that motors be
enclosed. Councilmember Sanger sees no downside to making this type of requirement.
Councilmember Brimeyer said to justify such a change, it would have to be tied to a decibel
level and frequency. The Council discussed options.
Mr. Harmening summarized that from an ordinance change perspective, only installation of
new pools would be affected. The new policy shall require enclosures for circulating pumps
and motors.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
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