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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/12/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session I/I St, Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION December 08, 2008 The meeting convened at 7:40 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki, and Sue Sanger. Council members absent:John Basill. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Gohman) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Larrea). Guests: None. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— December 15 and January 12, 2009 Mr. Harmening presented the staff report to the Council. The legislative update scheduled for January 12 has been removed from the agenda. It is proposed that this be rescheduled for a special study session on January 20. Councilmember Paprocki suggested setting aside 15 minutes at the beginning of every Study Session to allow for any necessary discussion on budget related matters. Councilmember Sanger would like to have a discussion on the proposed zoning amendment which would require a CUP for certain institutional uses be placed on a future agenda. It was suggested to include this item on the January 12, 2009 agenda. Councilmember Paprocki requested a written report in advance of this meeting which provided background on CUPs in general, when they are used and why it may be appropriate to require them for institutional uses. It was the consensus of the Council to have the CUP included on a Study Session agenda and supplemented with a background report. 2. 2009 Budget Mr. Harmening presented the staff report to the Council. The two budget items that were discussed were Teen's Alone and turning off the stop light at Lake and Zarthan. Mr. Harmening confirmed that turning off the stop light would include placing a bag over the stop light and installing stop signs. The light would be available for use in the future if need be. Mayor Jacobs suggested putting a crossing guard at this intersection during heavy crossing times. It was the consensus of the Council to not change staff's recommendation regarding turning off this signal light and discuss it further if need be at the December 15 City Council meeting. The city Council asked that more information on Teens Alone be included in the budget report for the December 15 meeting Study Session Minutes -2- December 08, 2008 3. Employee Opinion Survey Results Ms. Gohman discussed-the employee survey which was conducted summer of 2008. Council watched an informational video on the results of the employee survey. Mr. Harmening noted that issues were raised regarding air quality and temperature control in City buildings. These issues are being further investigated and somewhat alleviated with upcoming building improvements. Mr. Harmening advised that one idea is to implement an anonymous electronic suggestion box to utilize new ideas and perspectives. Councilmember Finkelstein would like to get more feedback from staff on possible budget cuts. Mr. Harmening noted that staff suggested this be included as a discussion item at the City Council Workshop. Ms. Gohman noted that staff will be working on the suggestions in the employee opinion survey. 4. 2009 Council Workshop Agenda Mr. Harmening presented the report to the Council regarding the 2009 City Council Workshop. He noted that staff would like to include budget and financial planning as the main issues of discussion at the workshop. Councilmember Paprocki discussed options on how to set priorities. Mr. Harmening suggested the Council Workshop agenda include a conversation about the prioritization of City services and programs. The idea is to come up with creative and innovative ideas for reshaping what the City does. If the Council can prioritize what programs and services are important, then staff will be able to come back with thoughtful ideas. Councilmember Sanger would like to discuss methods to get public's opinion on the budget. She suggested putting items in the newspaper that the public could comment on. Councilmember Paprocki suggested that staff put together a list of items they would cut if forced to cut one million dollars from their budget. This would prioritize the items that staff needs and the items staff could live without. Councilmember Sanger noted there needs to be a discussion regarding ways to increase the City's revenue. It was the consensus of the Council to have staff draft suggestions on how to go about discussing the budget issues and then reopen the discussion at a future Study Session. Study Session Minutes -3- December 08, 2008 5. Communications (Verbal) The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 6. Public Art Update , L 1/ Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jaco s, ,'.r '