HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/03/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Ifl St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
MARCH 21, 2011
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Susan Sanger, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Paul
Omodt and Julia Ross.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs and Councilmember Sue Santa.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Community Development (Mr.
Locke), Communications Coordinator(Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
1. Community Input Schedule for Freight Rail Studies
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and proposed schedule for community input with
respect to the freight rail route comparison. He stated that the schedule was prepared based on
the assumption that the deadline for comments on the EAW will be June 1St. He indicated that
the schedule proposes to hold two community meetings/listening sessions during the week of
April 25th and includes five Council meetings in May in order to meet the June 1st deadline for
comments on the EAW.
Mr. Locke advised that the earliest date the EAW will be published is May 2°d and the schedule
can be adjusted if needed.
Council discussed possible dates and logistics for the community meetings/listening sessions.
It was the consensus of the City Council to hold the community meetings/listening sessions on
Wednesday, April 27th, and Thursday, April 28th, at a location to be determined.
Mr. Zwilling stated that the City cannot broadcast live from every location but the meetings
could be taped and immediately replayed on the City's website.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated that it will be important to make sure that all residents have an
opportunity to be heard and suggested that time limits be imposed to allow everybody a chance
to voice their comments. He also suggested that residents be allowed to give their allotted time
to another resident.
Councilmember Ross suggested using whiteboards that list some of the key issues that have been
discussed and/or raised, e.g., whistle-free zones, so that if residents see this item already on the
list, they may decide they do not want or need to speak on the topic, which could serve to limit
the number of people wanting to speak at the meetings. She added this is not intended to
discourage people from speaking at the meetings, but may help to avoid having a significant
number of people speaking to the same issue. She also felt that there may be some people who
do not feel comfortable with public speaking.
Mayor Pro Tem Sanger stated it will be useful to have handouts available at the meetings. She
also suggested having comment cards available for people to submit written comments if they do
not wish to speak at the meetings. She added that residents should also be informed that if they
speak at the first community meeting, they do not need to attend the second community meeting
to say the same thing.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- March 21, 2011
It was the consensus of the City Council to utilize comment cards at the community
meetings/listening sessions.
Council discussed ground rules for running the meeting and keeping the meeting on track.
Mayor Pro Tern Sanger indicated that residents should be informed that no formal Council
decisions will be made at the community meetings/listening sessions and that the meetings are
intended to provide residents with an opportunity to be heard and for the Council to listen. She
suggested that a written list of resident questions be prepared and answers provided at a later
date.
Councilmember Omodt requested further information regarding the financially viable aspect and
who is paying for what with respect to freight rail and its impact on the City's budget.
Other
Mr. Harmening presented a recent Real Estate Journal article that announced Wells Fargo's
intention to move 450 jobs from its Minneapolis location to the Interchange Tower.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Nancy Str�ity Clerk Jeff Jac s a or