HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/10/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
OCTOBER 6,2014
The meeting convened at 6:48 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Operations & Recreation (Ms.
Walsh), Police Chief (Mr. Luse), Police Lieutenant (Mr. Kraayenbnnk), Operations
Superintendent (Mr. Hanson), Streets Field Supervisor (Mr. Wolff), Communications &
Marketing Coordinator(Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
1. Snow Removal Program
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and recommended changes to the City's snow removal
program.
Mr. Luse stated it appears the City's exempt zones are creating the most confusion for residents
and the proposed revision to the exempt zones provides that the City will temporarily post "no
parking" on one side of the street to allow for cleanup. He discussed the proposed changes
regarding declaration of a snow emergency and stated the proposed revisions synchronize with
neighboring communities and staff believes the proposed changes will make more sense to
residents.
Councilmember Mavity stated the City currently uses a 3" threshold for when a parking ban
takes place and asked if the City would continue to use a 3" threshold of snow when declaring a
snow emergency.
Mr. Harmening stated when 3" of snow occurs, residents are supposed to move their cars off the
street and that policy will remain the same and the City now intends to proactively announce the
snow emergency so that there is no question when residents have to move their cars off the
street.
Councilmember Sanger stated she had no problem with the proposed changes for declaring a
snow emergency and requested further information about what was being communicated to
residents as to when their car must be off the street. She expressed concern about the manner in
which the Orthodox Jewish population responds to a snow emergency especially in a situation
where a storm is heavier than predicted on a Friday or Saturday and she did not want to have
residents upset that they did not know there was a snow emergency declared because they were
not watching television or listening to the radio.
Mr. Zwilling stated that the City intends to inform residents that a snow emergency is going into
effect at a specified time and that they must have their cars off the street by that time. He stated
the City would continue using the 3" snowfall threshold for declaring a snow emergency.
Councilmember Lindberg stated the proposed changes represent a common sense move that will
allow the City to communicate to residents in a consistent manner. He felt that residents needed
Special Study Session Minutes -2- October 6, 2014
to have some personal accountability and he was willing to support City staff, adding that the
City does a really good job of keeping the City's streets clear.
Councilmember Brausen agreed with Councilmember Lindberg and stated he was more than
willing to accept staff's recommendations.
Councilmember Spano expressed support for the proposed changes and requested further
information about the various communication methods available to residents and whether
residents can receive text message alerts.
Mr. Zwilling stated the City does not have a separate text messaging service but those who sign
up for the reverse 911 system can choose up to six different methods for notification, including
phone, text, and email. He added that residents are also being encouraged to download the
MyStLouisPark app that would push out an alert to residents regarding snow emergencies.
Councilmember Hallfin expressed support for the proposed changes to the snow removal
program.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to proceed with the recommended
changes to the snow removal program.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Written reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
2. Comcast Franchise Transfer
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