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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/02/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK February 5, 2007 The meeting convened at 6.30 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Loran Paprocki, and Paul Omodt. Councilmembers absent: Susan Sanger and C. Paul Carver Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening); Management Assistant (Ms. Honold) Communication Coordinator(Mr Zwilling) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Stroth). Others present. Charter Commissioners Lynne Carper and John Orenstein 1. Charter Commission Update Charter Commissioner Chair Lynne Carper and Commissioner Orenstein presented summary information and recommendations regarding Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) and related election issues. Chair Carper stated he and Commissioner Orenstein studied the practicality of changing the City Charter to allow Instant Runoff Voting in St. Louis Park at local elections, increase the signature requirement, and changing how pnmanes are decided in the city In their findings from 14 cities, Commissioner Orenstein stated only 4 did not hold primary elections and that the signature petition was unusual St Louis Park was more restrictive with 15 signatures required, and the Commission did not see reason to increase the requirement. Discussion took place regarding voting equipment compatibility issues, costs of new equipment, and legal challenges including state law. The consensus of the Charter Commission was to recommend no changes to the existing Charter at this time. 2. Telecommunications Advisory Commission Bylaws, Work Plan and Annual Report City Manager Tom Harmening presented the staff report which included the proposed work plan and bylaw changes for the Telecommunications Advisory Commission. Councilmember Paprocki stated the need to continue discussion on fiber optic issues Mayor Jacobs indicated he would like to see continuation of fiber optic, high speed Internet, and keeping St. Louis Park as a progressive city. Councilmember Basill stated the commission has done a great job keeping on task and making a difference. It was the consensus of the council to continue exploring any new emerging technologies Study Session Minutes -2- February 5, 2007 3. Human Rights Commission Bylaws,Work Plan and Annual Report. City Manager Tom Harmening presented the staff report which included the work plan, annual report, and bylaws of the Human Rights Commission (HRC). Mayor Jacobs felt there was a need for more outcomes and a refocus of the HRC. He would like to see the commission embrace diversity and spoke of the successful Somali Forum. He stated more focus is needed on how to get along with each other, respectfulness, educational discussions, and reaching out to kids. Councilmember Paprocki stated there is a challenge to get school parents to school activities and to reach out to more people in conjunction with schools. Councilmember Basill stated he would like the mission statement to include more about reaching out as a family, more education, and how to embrace other minorities. He suggested personal invites, better goals, and the need to get every minority family to attend school events such as kindergarten roundup and conferences. Discussion took place regarding the size of the commission and whether too many members make it more difficult to produce tangible results. Councilmember Finkelstein stated the need for more discussion on how to reach out to the ethnic, cultural, and religious differences. Mayor Jacobs spoke of the need to help stabilize residency of diverse population and reach out with education. He stated in previous years the commission implemented a very successful diversity day at the high school which included plays. Mayor Jacobs stated he would like to see the HRC work closely with the schools and the Police Advisory Commission It was the consensus of the Council that the HRC should create a more outcome based work plan with goals around outreach and education. The HRC should work closely with the Police Advisory Commission, develop relationships with the school district, identify barriers and help the community reach out more successfully to diverse populations. 4. Ordinance Amendment—Liquor Ordinance City Manager Tom Harmening presented the staff report. Councilmember Paprocki asked if the liquor license establishments are notified before compliance checks are done. Police Lieutenant Lori Dreier responded liquor license establishments are notified a few months before the compliance check. Discussion took place regarding criminal penalties and the limit of$2,000 penalty fee for selling to a minor allowed by the State. Councilmember Basill stated he favored revising the proposed penalty schedule suspension of 10 and 15 days because he felt is was too strict and was concerned about other employees loss of salaries. Councilmember Finkelstein also stated that a 10 day suspension was too strict. Study Session Minutes -3- February 5, 2007 Mayor Jacobs stated because St Louis Park is devoted to improving the lives of youth and is one of America's 100 Best Communities for Young People, no one should sell alcohol to minors Councilmember Paprocki stated the ordinance should include language regarding the City deciding what days will be suspended with a 2nd and 3rd violation penalty. Discussion took place regarding off-sale and on-sale and it was the consensus of the Council that requirements should be the same for all types of licenses. Councilmember Paprocki stated concern about the amendment of exterior metal burglar bars on windows and doors being prohibited and would like to see language added that interior bars will not be visible from the outside. Assistant Zoning Administrator Gary Momson described other types of window covering including shades, security curtains, and mesh chain link Councilmember Basill stated "bars on windows" was a cheaper way to provide security and investing in a security system would be more costly but better for neighboring tenants He stated upkeep of the establishments was important along with being aesthetically pleasing It was the consensus of the Council to lower the suspension days for 2nd and 3`d violations; and add language to Section 3-110 (d) that prohibits interior and exterior bars, including roll-downs, on windows; (f) adding"private school" in addition to public school regarding distance requirement. 5. Flame Metals Mr. Hoffman presented the staff report which included the Consultants report of Flame Metals ventilation and exhaust systems. Council and staff discussed Flame Metals. 6. Future Agenda Planning Mr. Harmemng and the Council discussed study session agenda planning. The meeting ended at 9 09 p.m. City Clerk •r