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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/03/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF UNOFFICIAL MINUTES T. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION PARK March 12, 2007 The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Councilmember absent: John Basill Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmemng); Civic TV Coordinator (Reg Dunlap), Community TV Coordinator (John McHugh), Public Works Director (Mike Rardin), Public Works Coordinator (Scott Merkley), Public Works Administrative Specialist (Sarah Hellekson), Organizational Development Coordinator (Bridget Gothberg) and Director of Human Resources (Nancy Gohman). Others present: Telecommunications Advisory Commission: Rick Dworsky (Past Chair), Ken Huiras (Current Chair) and Kirk Morrow (youth representative). 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning City Manager Harmening reviewed the Future Study Session Agenda Planning for the March 26 Study Session. The agenda was approved as represented. Councilmember Sanger inquired about receipt of a more refined concept plan from Duke. City Manager Harmening stated that he doesn't believe the plan concept will be much different than what was presented previously and stated that Duke would be requesting significant TIF funds. Councilmember Sanger requested that no commitment be made until Council has a clear idea of what is being planned. Councilmember Finkelstein agreed that Council needs more information. Councilmember Omodt inquired what significant TIF is. City Manager Harmening stated approximately $20 million and that city staff is looking at practical realities for TIF funds. Councilmember Sanger inquired if a significant gathering place is part of the design. Councilmember Carver requested information about Sober Homes at a future study session. City Manager Harmening inquired if Council wanted it as a discussion item or a report. Council agreed to a written report. 2. Telecommunications Advisory Commission Work Plan and Annual Report Mr. Dworsky reviewed the submitted report, covered highlights from 2006 and provided current information from the legislative conference recently attended He congratulated the city for taking the initiative on WiFi. He also briefed the Council on the need for fiber optic initiatives and the need to make those assets available to private sector. The City should own, control and lease the fiber optics for WiFi and WiMax. This is a potential revenue source for disappearing revenue from land line and cable. Mr. Huiras reviewed the 2007 work plan. He discussed need to review use of high school studio and how it is being utilized. Mr. Huiras inquired if Council had any questions or directives. Councilmember Finkelstein inquired about the costs associated with fiber optics ordinance. Mr. Dworsky informed Council that the cost is more effective on new builds and remodels and is running between $1,000 to $5,000 on a typical dwelling. Study Session Minutes -2- March 12, 2007 Councilmember Sanger inquired of their knowledge of other communities mandating fiber. Mr. Dunlap indicated that Monticello is mandating fiber to the home as their WiFi. WiMax is complimentary to WiFi. It's not one or the other. Mr. McHugh relayed information from Chief Information Officer Clint Pires about WiMax as a compliment to WiFi. Mayor Jacobs complimented the Commission on their efforts over the past few years. Council discussed opportunities to make WiFi available to adjourning suburbs. 3. Solid Waste Contract Mr. Rardin highlighted submitted report. Mayor Jacobs inquired of Council what we want to ask of'our hauler. Councilmember Carver indicated that it was an excellent report and appreciated the addition of policy questions. He expressed concern about curbside recycling for residential and businesses. He felt that residents were frustrated they were no longer receiving a deduction for recycling. Mr Rardin informed Council that the deduction was administratively difficult. Councilmember Carver believes we need to continue to provide incentives, like the prize for individuals "caught" recycling. Councilmember Carver also stated that it appears that businesses don't seem to have same ease of recycling. He inquired of programs that would incent businesses to participate. Mayor Jacobs indicated that we need to consider schools as well. Councilmember Carver stated that would be great education program in the schools. Councilmember Omodt asked if the contract was still going out for bid and wants to ensure we are providing the best deal for residents. He stated it was his recollection the Council committed five years ago to send it out for bid. Mr. Rardin explained how the current contact works and stated that we were in the second five-year contract with Waste Management. Councilmember Sanger agrees we need an RFP and agrees with Councilmember Carver regarding recycling. She would add that there are currently not means for recycling in multi- dwelling units and our own city parks. Councilmember Sanger also inquired about the possibility for larger, covered containers for recycling and inquired about a fee structure based on trash container size and inquired if there could be smaller containers added to provide a greater incentive to recycle. Councilmember Sanger asked about the possibility of curbside recycling of hazardous matenals — like fluorescent light bulbs — every few months and for curbside biannual citywide clean-up, similar to Bloomington. Councilmember Finkelstein stated he was uncomfortable agreeing to another five year contact without placing the contract out for bid and agrees with Councilmember Sanger that the fees should be based on use. He also wants staff to look into business recycling. Councilmember Paprocki stated he thought that the pay as you throw was incentive for recycling. Mayor Jacobs advised Council that we need to do something to protect environment both locally and globally. Take seriously reduce, reuse, recycle. Councilmember Carver would like to understand unit of measure/standard in industry and would like to see a revised contact stating service expectations. Mr. Rardin advised Council that there is time to revisit options such as putting the contact out for bid or RFP or making service requests of our current provider since our current contract expires September 30, 2008. It was agreed that staff would look at other alternatives and come back to Council. Study Session Minutes -3- March 12, 2007 4. Vision St. Louis Park—Next Steps City Manager Harmening touched bnefly on submitted report He inquired if Council wanted to receive work done by community on Vision and whether Council will adopt the strategic direction. If adopted, staff will begin work on implementation He asked if Council was comfortable with moving ahead on communication components Mayor Jacobs stated yes to all three. Councilmember Carver agreed and approved the directions with edits. Councilmember Sanger also agreed She did question language in the proposed strategic direction about conducting research to make neighborhoods strong Councilmember Carver addressed Councilmember Sanger indicating that this means development of more neighborhood associations. She inquired about language in environmental section regarding the education of staff and public and what we are educating about and to what end City Manager Harmening clarified. Councilmember Sanger agrees with what City Manager Harmening stated, but wants it stated the strategic direction document. Councilmember Finkelstein agreed. City Manager Harmening stated that the two actions will be brought to the regular meeting where they will receive the vision and adopt the strategic direction. The releasing of information to the public was also addressed. It was agreed that generalities could be discussed, but information would not be released until approved. 5. Legislative Update City Manager Tom Harmening provided Council with updates for year 2008. a Management Assistant Marcia Honold has completed applications and necessary documents on the Glencoe Railroad Litigation project for St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Hopkins and Glencoe. b. City Manager Harmening distributed a letter from Metro District Engineer of MNDOT. He indicated that Senator Latz and Representatives Simon, and Winkler have been diligently working on this. c. City Manager Harmening advised Council about medical marijuana at the legislature and that the Police Chiefs Association does not support this bill. d. City Manager Harmemng discussed a consortium of trade associations which want the Building Code moved from state control to the control of the trade association consortium. Currently city code changes are on hold waiting outcome. He indicated that the League of MN Cities is very concerned. e Lastly, City Manager Harmening discussed state licensed homes, and more specifically the concentration of group homes of fewer than six people. City Manager Harmemng stated that except for cities of first class, cities are not allowed to enforce minimum distance requirements. There is talk of changing the stature to provide all cities the same tools as first class cities (Minneapolis, St. Paul). City Manager Harmemng wanted feedback from Council on how to proceed. He indicated that a bill has not yet introduced, but that language has been submitted Councilmember Carver inquired of what support Council should give and at what cost. He also stated that if our state legislatures need us to stand behind and with them, we need to be there. Councilmembers Finkelstein and Sanger agree Councilmember Paprocki wants to see the draft bills. We need to be behind the wording so it is fair for both sides. Mayor Jacobs stated that he would prefer the League of Cities take the lead Councilmember Omodt indicated he would be lead to work with our state legislatures. He believes in integration, not isolation Study Session Minutes -4- March 12, 2007 Other City Manager Harmening distributed information about a Pedal for People bike ride coming up sponsored by Rotary and benefiting STEP. He also inquired of Council about timing for future study sessions. Councilmember Paprocki and Omodt like 6:30 pm. It was agreed that the meetings going forward will start at 6:30 p.m. The meeting ended at 8:05 p.m. _ _)< .0..-&--e — (--4-1 Qi e--J-III4 City Clerk / Mayor i G