HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/04/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session iffST.1
LOUISOFFICIAL MINUTES
RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 24, 2006
The meeting convened at 7:01 p.m.
Councilmembers present: John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran
Paprocki, Susan Sanger, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening); Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker); Economic
Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt); Director TSS (Mr. Pires); and Recording Secretary (Ms.
Samson).
Guests present: From Children First, Karen Atkinson; from the Meadowbrook Collaborative, Linda
Trummer; from STEP, Jackie Olafson.
From Kennedy & Graven, bond counsel Stephen Bubul; from Ehlers & Associates, financial advisor
Stacie Kvilvang.
From Unplugged Cities, Paul Kralovec; from First Mile Wireless, Inc., Jay Gustafson; from
Columbia Telecommunications Corporation, Tom Asp.
1. Update on Children First, STEP,Meadowbrook Collaborative
Karen Atkinson began the discussion to update the Council on efforts to explore collaboration
and to discuss the funding status for Children First, STEP and the Meadowbrook Collaborative.
Ms. Atkinson distributed a one-page handout called Reinvesting in Families and Children:
Children First Asset Champions Network. Jackie Olafson highlighted the services provided by
STEP. Ms. Olafson said the Park People Mover is in jeopardy.
Linda Trummer discussed the Meadowbrook Collaborative. She said many main funders are no
longer with Meadowbrook, and a search is underway for new funders. For the first time in 13
years, Ms. Trummer is concerned about funding. Mayor Jacobs said he is proud of the work
being done at Meadowbrook.
Mayor Jacobs said that Children First, STEP, and the Meadowbrook Collaborative are critical to
the City.
Councilmember Carver said contributions are down for everyone, everywhere Councilmember
Carver said there are ways to cut costs, e.g., various groups could share costs, such as accounting
functions.
Councilmember Sanger asked about plans to raise money for the Meadowbrook Collaborative.
Ms. Trummer said she has submitted letters requesting donations, and she is working with Park
Nicollet. Ms. Trummer said there are no current public relations plans.
Councilmember Finkelstein noted Meadowbrook was too important for them to let it fail. It
would cost more money for the City with increased Police activity and calls to Meadowbrook by
not providing funding than by working to ensure the program continued He asked if they could
do something, for example have people donate United Way contributions to Meadowbrook.
Study Session Minutes -2- April 24, 2006
Housing Supervisor Michele Schnitker said she will check on city employees donating to the
three organizations through United Way at City Hall.
From a staff and city perspective, Councilmember Basill asked what can we do? How do we get
to the whole community to raise funds? Councilmember Sanger would like to know if data is
available to educate St. Louis Park in order to raise money. Councilmember Omodt said perhaps
Mayor Jacobs would like to consider a mayor's challenge. Councilmember Sanger said the three
organizations need a grant writer. Councilmember Carver said backroom operations can be
shared.
STEP has experienced a 68% growth in four years, and Ms. Olafson said a grant water is
definitely needed.
City Manager Tom Harmening said no decision from the Council will be made tonight, however,
he would like to know what to do short term for starters. Mr. Harmening suggested this item be
tput on the agenda for the May 8th study session. Councilmember Basill and Councilmember
Sanger would like to promote the mayor's challenge idea; advertise the need for funding in
public service announcements and in neighborhood newsletters. Mayor Jacobs said corporate
funders are needed. Councilmember Omodt volunteered to help with public relations.
2. Hwy 7 Corporate Center Redevelopment Contract(Golden/Nat'l Lead Site)
Economic Development Coordinator Greg Hunt presented a staff report. Mr. Hunt said there are
10 very good prospects for the Highway 7 Corporate Center Redevelopment project. Mr. Hunt
said cash infusion is up front, and the easement will go to the city.
Councilmember Basill reported that the project has been well-received at neighborhood
meetings.
If it is the consensus of the EDA/Council that the business points outlined in the Summary of
Redevelopment Contract Between the SLP EDA and CPE, LLC, from pages 4-7 of the staff
report, are acceptable, the EDA will be asked to consider approval of the entire Redevelopment
Contract at its upcoming May 15, 2006 meeting.
3. Wireless Pilot Update and Evaluation Criteria
Director of TSS Clint Pires introduced Paul Kralovec, Tom Asp, and Jay Gustafson. Mr. Pires
said Phase I is to be completed on Saturday, April 29`h. Mr. Pires and staff will call everyone
who has WiFi so far to track issues. Mr. Pires added that one-half of users were dial up
customers.
Mr. Pires discussed the start up process. He said the pilot covers 1,400 out of 20,000.
Apartment buildings will need to give permission to the city for access. Mr. Pires said some
vendors are willing to donate equipment to gain access for their testing. Mr. Pires said the
expansion process can be started and it may take 12-18 months for all three phases. Mr. Pires
said Cisco is interested but didn't make a bid, they will help in setting up roving locations. Some
sites are available at no charge.
Study Session Minutes -3- April 24, 2006
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if newly constructed buildings can be constructed to easily
accommodate WiFi, i.e., with indoor access points. Mr. Pires replied yes. Councilmember
Sanger remarked that many in the Sorensen neighborhood are asking for WIFi.
Councilmember Paprocki asked if the police are trying WiFi. Mr. Pires said after Phase 3 is
complete, the police want to get on board.
Mr. Pires said data is being collected to determine how many truck rolls will be needed to make
it work. He said Phase 1 is key. On the revenue side, potential customers are waiting for the city
to commit. A pre-sign up may be necessary to get data to the Council for consideration.
Councilmember Paprocki would like to know who didn't sign up and he requested demographic
data. He would like to make WiFi accessible to low income individuals.
Mr. Pires will return to the Council in late June or early July with additional information.
4. Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) Funding Support
Mr. Harmening and the Council discussed adopting or not adopting a resolution in support of the
MVST constitutional amendment. Mr. Harmening will rewnte the sample resolution and present
it to the Council at the next study session.
5. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr. Harmemng and the Council discussed study session agenda planning.
The meeting ended at 10:02 p.m.
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