HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/07/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session fJJ
St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JULY 27, 2009
The meeting convened at 6:44 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basil, Phil Finkelstein, Loran Paprocki and Sue
Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: C. Paul Carver and Paul Omodt.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Fire Chief (Mr. Stemmer), Fire Marshal/Assistant
Chief-Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement (Mr. Smith), Assistant Fire Chief-Operations (Mr.
Windschitl), Assistant Fire Chief-Paid on Call, Training and Safety (Mr. Dobesh), Inspections
Director (Mr. Hoffman), Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary
(Ms. Hughes).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—August 10, 2009
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for August 10, 2009.
Councilmember Sanger requested the City Council discuss an ADA issue at an upcoming study
session.
Councilmember Paprocki requested an update regarding the Louisiana Avenue/Highway 7
interchange.
2. Pandemic Planning Overview
Fire Chief Stemmer presented a draft Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan for the City and
outlined the assumptions used in preparing the draft. He stated the primary objective is to maintain
the continuity of essential City services in the event of a pandemic,. The plan is designed so that
predetermined essential services would be maintained, and residents would be protected even with
an anticipated reduction of the City's work force.
The City Council discussed essential services provided by the City as well as those services provided
by outside contractors, e.g., trash pick-up
Councilmember Sanger stated that typically the schools close first which necessitates parents having
to stay home with their children. She stated it will be important to keep that assumption in mind
when considering workforce absences. She indicated the plan should also discuss who is responsible
for speaking on behalf of the City and felt Mayor Jacobs should be that person. She suggested the
plan also include a provision for coordinating staff with other jurisdictions where appropriate.
It was the consensus of the City Council to continue preparation of the Pandemic Influenza
Preparedness Plan.
Study Session Minutes -2- July 27, 2009
3. Fire Department Annual Report
Fire Chief Stemmer presented the 2008 Fire Department Annual Report.
Assistant Chief Windschitl reported that 2008 calls increased by approximately 200, with
approximately 4,500 calls for the year. He indicated this is roughly 12 calls per day and 70% of calls
are for medical services. He noted that the Fire Department is able to get anywhere in the City
within four minutes and the department is very proud of that number.
Assistant Chief Dobesh discussed the services provided by the Fire Department and stated the paid
on call firefighters worked 5,700 hours in 2008. He stated in 2008, officers from St. Louis Park,
Hopkins, Edina and Minnetonka participated in animal rescue training; that training proved
valuable during the Salem Avenue fire. He discussed the recent training with the Police Department
and Parks Department with an active shooter drill; in addition, Methodist Hospital participated in a
drill with the department as part of the Republican National Convention. He stated an ergonomic
assessment was conducted in 2007, and in 2008 the department participated in training involving a
rescue lift. He explained that the rescue lift was designed to address an issue frequently encountered
by the department where it is difficult to get two firefighters into tight quarters such as a bathroom;
the rescue lift is a hoist used by firefighters so they do not have to lift a person requiring assistance.
Fire Marshal Smith discussed the smoke detector program and noted the department purchased
combination carbon monoxide/smoke detector units which are available on request. He stated that
the department has been working with various condo and apartment building property owners on
updating their detectors to meet the new carbon monoxide detector law, which requires a working
carbon monoxide detector within ten feet of any bedroom.
Councilmember Sanger stated there is an upward trend in calls for medical services. She asked if the
department has enough resources to respond to this growing need, particularly given the aging
demographics in the City.
Fire Chief Stemmer stated when a call for medical services comes in, typically one police and one fire
unit are sent to the scene and triage is done over the radio. He indicated the City has an additional
resource available with Hennepin County EMS. He added the department monitors these calls
closely and follow-up is conducted when there appears to be an excessive use of medical services
and/or false fire alarms.
Fire Chief Stemmer discussed the new fire station and upcoming temporary move to the Municipal
Service Center.
Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks and appreciation to the Fire Department.
4. Budget Communication Plan Update
Mr. Zwilling presented a proposed electronic feedback tool to be used on the City's website as part
of the 2010 budget. He stated the tool is intended to provide an opportunity for residents to
Study Session Minutes -3- July 27, 2009
provide general feedback regarding the budget and possible cuts. He stated the feedback tool will be
promoted through the City's various communication resources; staff has also developed a card for
the City Council's use that explains the budget problem, proposed plan, and directs residents to the
website for accessing the feedback tool.
Mayor Jacobs requested that staff provide a demonstration of the proposed webpage at the next
Council meeting.
5. Communications (verbal)
Mr. Hoffman reported that excavation is underway at the Municipal Service Center and will require
additional correction to remove bituminous under the new salt storage building location and
construction debris discovered in the future storm water pond. He stated this will raise excavation
and related testing costs for soil correction. He added that the contingency fund will be used for
these costs and staff feels there is enough in the contingency fund to cover these corrections He
reported the Architect and staff design team has completed some changes to the design that do not
affect the long term building capacity or site use; these changes will result in cost savings and change
orders will be presented for Council's approval. Councilmember Basill cautioned staff about making
design changes that may save money in the short term, but that will prove to be more expensive
later.
Mr. Harmening requested that the City Council schedule its annual work session retreat for January
or February 2010; staff will send proposed dates to the Council and inform the Council candidates.
Mr. Harmening stated the City Council has not had a meeting with the School Board this year and
suggested holding that meeting in late November after the elections. Council concurred and asked
the City Manager to arrange this meeting
Mr. Harmening stated he has scheduled the council candidate orientation for August 20`h.
Mr. Harmening reported he recently spoke with Pat Mascia regarding a tour of West End; he
suggested holding the tour on August 171h at 6:00 p.m. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested
inviting the Planning Commissioners to attend the tour.
Mr. Harmening stated the Methodist Hospital Cancer Center is holding an open house/grand
opening on Saturday, August 151 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon; Councilmember Sanger will attend
and provide remarks at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Harmening stated that National Night Out is on Tuesday, August 4`h and that block party
locations will be provided to Council
Mr. Harmening provided information regarding the soil vapor study at the Reilly site. He stated the
U.S. EPA and Minnesota PCA are recommending that a follow-up soil vapor survey be conducted
on the site. He stated staff is working on all aspects of the request, including a public outreach plan
Study Session Minutes -4- July 27, 2009
similar in nature to the one used for the Elmwood community. He added staff does not believe the
City should be responsible for the cost of the testing.
Councilmember Basill stated he was discouraged to see that there is no federal funding available for
any clean-up required on the site. He encouraged staff to contact the City's representatives in
Washington to provide any needed assistance with clean-up costs.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
6. June 2009 Financial Reports
7. Quarterly Investment Report (April-June 2009)
8. City/School Cable TV Operations
9. Public Safety Software Replacement
10. Reilly Site— Proposed Soil Vapor Gas Study
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Jacob , M yor