HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/01/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session (If St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JANUARY 20, 2009
The meeting convened at 6:02 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs,John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Loran
Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Paul Omodt arrived at 6:53 p.m.
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Organization Development Coordinator (Ms.
Gothberg), Management Assistant (Ms. Honold), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong),Assistant Finance
Directory (Mr. Swanson), Director of Inspections (Mr. Hoffman) and Recording Secretary (Ms.
Schmidt).
Guests: Vic Moore, Franzen & Associates, Representative Steve Simon, Representative Ryan
Winkler, Senator Ron Latz, and Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman.
1. Draft Agenda - 2009 City Council Workshop
Mr. Harmening gave an updated overview of the upcoming workshop agenda.
Council agreed to the proposed agenda.
2. Legislative Update
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
Senator Ron Latz, County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, Representatives Winkler and Simon,
Council, and staff discussed the 2009 legislation session, including the state budget deficit and the
impact that it may have on cities. Council stated concern with possible cost shifting from the state
to the county and local units of government.
Mr. Moore and Senator Latz discussed how the legislature has historically addressed very large
budget deficits. Senator Latz, Representative Winkler and Representative Simon said that they are
working hard to minimize the impact that the deficit will have on the city but that cuts should be
expected. Council discussed mandates and Representative Simon suggested the City provide a list of
mandates they would like removed. The group also discussed the possibility of removing levy limits
during this session as well as proposed legislation to freeze wages.
Council discussed the importance of the TH7 & Wooddale Avenue Grade Separated Interchange
Project. Commissioner Dorfman indicated that she was working to secure county assistance for the
project. Council and the city's legislators discussed the possibility of extending the life of two TIF
Districts, the Elmwood TIF District and the Excelsior Boulevard TIF District, to help pay for future
Study Session Minutes -2- January 20,2009
improvements on state highways. Councilmember Basill asked staff to provide cost comparison data
for the project showing the city's contribution for this project based on the various funding
proposals that were discussed. Ms. Honold provided Council with an update on other projects,
including the Glencoe Railroad Mitigation Project.
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The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. //---)4
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Nancy Strot , City Clerk Jeff Jacob , ayor
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