HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/07/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF
T. LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES
PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
July 10, 2006
The meeting convened at 6:00 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); Human Resources Director(Ms. Gohman); Director
Technology and Support Services (Mr. Pires); Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin); Utilities
Superintendent(Mr. Anderson); Finance Director(Mr. DeJong); Community Development Director
(Mr Locke); Planning and Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal); Assistant Planner(Mr. Fulton);
City Attorney (Mr. Scott), and Recording Secretary (Ms Samson).
1. Communications Plan
City Manager Tom Harmening said it is strongly recommended that St. Louis Park develop a
marketing and branding program. Human Resources Director Nancy Gohman said it is a logical
next step to transition and get all communication functions together. Director of Technology and
Support Services Clint Pires discussed convergence, i.e , it is difficult to separate technology
from communications.
Councilmember Sanger likes the email notification component to residents on the city's website.
She remarked that she also likes the current St. Louis Park logo and saw no reason to spend
money to redesign it. Councilmember Sanger would like increased communications between
residents and the city, and she would like alternatives for those without cable TV. Ms Gohman
said the city is looking at a customer-response type of system
Councilmember Omodt said a logo is not a brand. He would like to include feedback loops in
the Communications Plan, and include the neighborhood association piece; missing from the
report are conveyance issues and translations.
Mayor Jacobs emphasized communications to people who don't speak English well, don't have
cable TV and don't have Internet access
Councilmember Omodt will discuss particulars of the report with staff later. Councilmember
Paprocki likes the city's website, Park Perspective, city/school calendar and neighborhood
newsletters. Councilmember Sanger requested meeting minutes be available on the city's
website as soon as possible.
Mr. Pires requested feedback and comments from Council regarding the 38-page WiFi report.
2. Sanitary Sewer Back-up Policy
Public Works Director Mike Rardin bnefly presented the staff report. Mr. Rardin said currently,
St Louis Park has a fault-based system; no-fault is not cost effective.
In regard to sanitary sewer back-ups, Councilmember Basill would like to develop a policy of
fairness. Councilmember Basill asked should property owners be required to buy insurance; he
said insurance for sanitary sewer back-ups is limited
Councilmember Carver asked what a no-fault situation for the city would be. Mr Anderson said
if the city has done its due diligence, i.e., cleaned the city's sewer lines, the city is not liable and
is not at fault. However, if the city didn't perform regular maintenance on the sewer lines, the
city pays.
Councilmember Sanger said the city and property owners should share the costs and the risks.
Study Session Minutes -2- July 10, 2006
Mr. Anderson said backflow prevention measures are available. Mayor Jacobs said perhaps the
city should require those measures. Councilmember Finkelstein said because St. Louis Park has
a housing inspection program at point-of-sale, that would be an ideal time to inspect for back-up
prevention.
Mr. Harmening summarized that Council would like for staff to return with some ideas on how
to implement a no-fault approach—with a cap.
Councilmember Sanger inquired about increasing the frequency of routine maintenance.
Councilmember Basill requested staff to research what private insurance options are available for
property owners.
The Council agreed to have this come back to a Study Session.
At 7 12 p m , Mayor Jacobs recessed the study session
The study session reconvened at 8 28 p.m.
3. Interim Ordinance (Moratorium) in the R-1 Zoning District
On June 19, 2006 the Council directed staff to provide some additional information about
establishing an Intenm Ordinance (moratorium) for subdivisions in the R-1 zoning distnct.
Councilmember Carver said he has no questions. He said, generally, a moratorium is not a good
idea, especially when applications are pending.
Mayor Jacobs said lot sizes can be studied with or without a moratonum.
Councilmember Sanger submitted a petition of individuals who favor a moratonum and she
suggested a moratonum for a part of the city, e.g , Lake Forest or a portion of Fern Hill. City
Attorney Tom Scott said that could be done.
Councilmember Carver favors a study but he opposes a moratonum. Councilmember Omodt
opposes a city-wide moratonum. Councilmember Paprocki asked should neighborhood
associations determine their neighborhood character. Councilmember Sanger said input from the
neighborhoods is needed Councilmember Finkelstein remarked that he thinks there is consensus
to start a study but he sensed there was not a consensus to impose a moratorium. Other
Councilmembers concurred
4. Future Study Session Agenda Planning
Mr Harmening and the Council discussed study session agenda planning.
The meeting ended at 9:28 p.m.
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