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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/04/09 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Study Session April 9, 2007 6:30 PM Westwood Room Discussion Items Approximate Times 1. 6:30 pm Future Study Session Agenda Planning 2. 6:35 pm Human Rights Commission Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Written Reports 3. Utility Revenue Bonds 7:05 p.m. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make arrangements, please call the Administrative Services Department at (952) 924-2525 (TDD (952) 924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 1 - Future Study Session Agenda Page 1 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning Administrative Services PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION: To assist the City Council and the City Manager in setting the next study session agenda. BACKGROUND: At each study session, approximately five minutes are set aside to discuss the next study session agenda. For this purpose, attached please find the tentative agenda and proposed discussion items for the study session on April 16 following the regular City Council meeting and April 23, following the reconvened Boards of Appeal and Equalization meeting. Attachments: Future Study Session Agenda Planning Prepared by: Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Approved by: Nancy Gohman, Deputy City Manger/HR Director St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 1 - Future Study Session Agenda Page 2 Future Study Session Agenda Planning Monday, APRIL 16, 2007 (following regular City Council meeting) Tentative Discussion - 8:30 p.m. A. 36th Street Public Art Project – Community Development/Park & Rec (45 minutes) Staff would like to update the council on the public art project. The committee has chosen artists for the 3 different locations: 1. 36th St. & Wooddale 2. Hoigaards Village site 3. Streetscape Monday, APRIL 23, 2007 Tentative Discussion - 6:30 p.m. A. Future Study Session Agenda Planning – Administrative Services (5 minutes) B. Planning Commission – Community Development (30 minutes) The Planning Commissioners and staff liaisons will discuss the revised Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws with Council. Council will provide feedback to the Commissioners. C. EDI Project - Community Development (45 minutes) Staff to provide Council with the main business terms and Tax Increment Financing Application regarding the EDI Project. Is the council comfortable with the business terms of this project? Are we ready to work on the next steps? D. Duke Project – Community Development (60 minutes) Staff to provide update on Duke development plan, design changes and Tax Increment Financing request. Are the changes Duke proposed acceptable? Is Council ready to have staff work on the next steps? E. Hwy 100 – Public Works (30 minutes) Staff to provide an update to council on progress made to date on the full build Hwy 100 project. After review of the information, staff needs to ask Council if they are ready for staff to move ahead with the next steps including approval of contract at an upcoming meeting. Reports Development Update Wireless Update Proposed Polling locations Ward 1 Precincts 3 & 4 Financial Report (March) 9:20 p.m. End of Meeting St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 1 2. Human Rights Commission Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Police Department PURPOSE OF REPORT: The City Council reviewed the draft of the Human Rights Commission’s work plan, bylaws and annual report at their study session on February 5, 2007. Council suggested changes and asked that the reports be re-submitted for review. Staff brought council’s recommendations to the Human Rights commission and the work plan and bylaws have been updated. The HRC and staff are submitting the revised 2007 work plan and bylaws that incorporate council’s suggestions for council’s review and will be available to discuss this report at the study session on April 9th. The Council recently adopted the following Strategic Direction: “St. Louis Park is a connected and engaged community” with one of the focus areas being “Directing the Human Rights Commission to examine the Diversity section of Vision St. Louis Park and develop goals/recommendations for actions.” The HRC will also be available to discuss this Strategic Direction with council at the April 9th study session. Attachments: HRC 2006 Annual Report HRC 2007 Work Plan HRC Bylaws Prepared by: Marney Olson, Community Liaison Reviewed by: John Luse, Chief of Police Approved by: Nancy Gohman, Deputy City Manager/HR Director St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 2 Human Rights Commission 2006 Annual Report The following report is based on the work that was performed by the HRC, set by the 2006-2007 HRC work plan. Priorities Connecting and supporting minority communities  Worked on proposing an Equal Access / City Separation Policy for St. Louis Park. o HRC attended a study session and updated the City Council on how other communities were dealing with immigrants. o HRC researched various separation ordinances and policies and met with other community organizations to understand their positions and efforts. The HRC presented their findings as well as a proposed separation ordinance.  As a result of this study session council asked to have more education opportunities for themselves and others within the community on this topic.  Identified and met with groups representing or serving minority populations within the city. o HRC worked with Jewish Community Action and Somali Action Alliance and conducted a forum with members of the Somali Community.  Attendees included various city officials, PAC members, and members of other community organizations.  As a result of the forum, members of the Somali Community and SAA are working with the SLP police on culture sensitivity training.  Listened and gathered information about perceptions of bias. o The HRC received feedback about perceptions on bias from members of the Somali Community during HRC meetings and at the forum. o Members of local synagogues attended an HRC meeting and discussed their views on bias.  Partnered with adult ELL programs and other groups to support the work of the commission. o The director of SLP ELL attended HRC meetings as well as the forum and would like to work with the commission to improve ELL opportunities. HRC will continue dialogue with the ELL program in 2007. Community & Youth Education  Promoted cultural competency and human rights education in the community including promoting the curriculum and video “This Is My Home” for use in groups and classrooms for discussion. (www.thisismyhome.org) o Commissioner Kristi Rudelius-Palmer facilitated a workshop for the Adult Options in Education Fall In-Service on This is My Home with approximately 35 educators. o Mayor Jeff Jacobs served as an inspirational panelist at the annual League of MN Human Rights Commissions in September. The HRC participated and coordinated the venue and technical support. A presentation on This is My Home was conducted. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 3 o Human Rights Commission training on This is My Home was conducted on October 1st. The focus was on school-commission partnerships in five cities throughout the state as a model. o Met with Superintendent Debra Bowers and the District Curriculum Coordinator to explore ways the This is My Home K-12 curriculum and school climate initiative can work with St. Louis Park Schools.  Worked together with schools to conduct anti-bullying and anti-teasing education. o The SLP schools are offering education on anti-bullying and anti-teasing. The HRC will reassess the need for any further education.  Increased diverse programming on public cable TV by engaging youth to develop and select programs. o Recommended by Mayor Jacobs, the HRC Education Committee worked to develop potential questions for the Bookmark in the Park interviews of immigrants in St. Louis Park, which aired on cable. o HRC worked with Reg Dunlap to begin showing the Twin Cities Public Television production of This is My Home, beginning in 2007.  Hosted a panel where people spoke about different cultures. o Members of the HRC attended a forum sponsored by the Tandem Project that discussed the separation of belief and state. o HRC will continue to host panels and forums with other immigrant communities within SLP. Ongoing Commission Work  Responded to bias crimes as they occurred in partnership with the Police Department. o HRC has responded to any bias crimes via the bias/crimes of hate response plan.  Sponsored a Human Rights Essay Contest winner for the state competition each year. o HRC continued to market and support the competition.  Selected an annual Human Rights Award winners for St. Louis Park.  Commissioner Matt Armbrecht attended the SLP Sunrise Rotary Club to promote the work of the HRC.  Commissioner Joe Polach was noted as a guest columnist by the Sun Sailor.  A commissioner helped to coordinate the first statewide K-12 Human Rights poster contest. Students were given their awards and recognized at the annual Human Rights Day event held on December 1st, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Several commissioners attended the Human Rights Day event.  Sandy Johnson, HRC Liaison, and Kristi Rudelius-Palmer participated on the Diversity Committee for Vision St. Louis Park. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 4 Human Rights Commission 2007 Work Plan Mission: The purpose of the human rights commission shall be to advise the city council in its efforts to ensure all citizens protection of their human rights and full and equal opportunity for participation in the affairs of this community. The commission assists individuals and groups in cultivating a community that embraces principles of equity and respect for all of its citizens. Priorities Connecting and supporting minority communities  Work with adult education to reach out to learners from diverse backgrounds.  Plan follow-up for July, 2006 Somali Community Forum.  Work with groups such as Somali Action Alliance and Jewish Community Action to reach out to immigrant and minority communities.  Begin plans for outreach to Hispanic Community, including possible forum.  Begin plans for an International Film series; consider partnering with Friends of the Arts.  Participate in community events such as Parktacular and Children First Ice Cream Social in order to reach out to the St. Louis Park community. Community & Youth Education  Promote cultural competency and human rights education in the community including promoting the curriculum and video “This Is My Home” for use in groups and classrooms for discussion. (www.thisismyhome.org)  Work with key individuals in the school district to explore outreach and education opportunities. Ongoing Commission Work  Respond to bias crimes as they occur in partnership with the Police Department.  Sponsor a Human Rights Essay Contest winner for the state competition each year.  Select annual Human Rights Award winners for St. Louis Park. Other Ideas (If time allows)  Develop new neighborhood programs so that minorities feel welcome in single family areas and associations & crime watch programs are organized in multifamily housing areas.  Host a picnic or house party for specific minority populations as a means to foster connection and welcome feelings. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 5 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BY-LAWS Revised March 20, 2007 and Approved by City Council on _________________ The St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission was established May 20, 1968. Article I - The Commission 1.1 Name of Commission. The name of the Commission shall be the “St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission”, which is referred to herein from time to time as “The Commission”. 1.2 Powers. The powers of the commission shall be vested in the Commissioners thereof in office from time to time. 1.3 Mission, Vision, Values, and Goal Statements. The Commission shall operate under the tenets of these mission, vision, values and goal statements. 1.31 Mission • The purpose of the human rights commission shall be to advise the city council in its efforts to ensure all citizens protection of their human rights and full and equal opportunity for participation in the affairs of this community. The commission assists individuals and groups in cultivating a community that embraces principles of equity and respect for all of its citizens. 1.32 Vision • The Commission adheres to the vision set forth by the City 1.33 Values • The Commission adheres to the values set forth by the City 1.34 Goals • Study and review programs and policies and advise and aid the city council in enlisting the cooperation of agencies, organizations and individuals in the city in an active program directed to create equal opportunity and eliminate discrimination. • Make recommendations to the city council regarding formulation and implementation of human rights programs for the city. The programs shall be directed toward increasing the effectiveness and direction of all individuals and agencies of the city through planning, policy-making and education in the area of human rights. • Advise the city council with respect to human rights issues arising out of or in connection with the plans or operations of any city department or agency and recommend the adoption of such specific policies or actions as may be needed to protect human rights in the city. • Advise and recommend to the city council programs or legislation to eliminate inequalities of opportunity in the area of human rights. • Publish and distribute to the public at large any materials necessary or advisable to carry out its functions, subject to requirements of the city council. • Make studies, surveys and investigations necessary or advisable to carry out its functions. • Sponsor such meetings, institutes, and forums and other educational activities as will lead to clearer understanding of local human rights issues and contribute to their proper resolution. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 6 Article II - Officers 2.1 Officers. The officers of the Commission shall be Chair, and Vice-Chair. 2.2 Chair. The chair shall preside at all meetings of the commission. The chair shall also be responsible for appointing Commission members to task force committees. The Chair’s position rotates annually and the chair serves for one year. 2.3 Vice-Chair. The vice-chair shall perform the duties of the chair in the absence or incapacity of the chair; and in case of the resignation or death of the chair, the vice-chair shall perform such duties as imposed on the chair until such time as the commission shall select a new chair. The Vice-Chair serves for one year. 2.4 Secretary (if applicable). The secretary shall be responsible for ensuring proper notice of all meetings is given. The secretary shall also be responsible for the minutes of all meetings and for the recording of all official actions of the commission in accordance with MN Statute and City policy. The secretary shall perform other duties as the commission shall prescribe. 2.5 Staff Liaison. A staff liaison to the Human Rights Commission shall be appointed by the city manager and shall be subject to the administrative rules and regulations of the city. The staff liaison may facilitate or assist in the meetings and shall be responsible for recording attendance of commission members. The staff liaison is responsible for keeping the city manager informed regarding the business of the commission and shall communicate to the city manager any problems or issues that may arise. The staff liaison shall also be responsible for assisting the commission in considering their financial needs and, if deemed necessary by the commission, shall request appropriate funding from the city council through the annual budget process. 2.6 Delegation of Duties. Officers may delegate duties of their position to other personnel as deemed appropriate by the commission. Article III - Election of Officers 3.1 Elections and Terms of Office. The chair and vice-chair shall be elected from the commission membership by its members at the regular meeting in December of each year, or as shortly thereafter as possible. Terms of office shall be for one year and shall run from January 1st through December 31st of each year, or until a duly elected successor takes office. 3.2 Vacancies. Should the office of chair or vice-chair become vacant, the commission shall elect a successor from its membership at the next regular meeting, and such election shall be for the unexpired term of said office. Article IV - Meetings 4.1 Meetings. All meetings of the commission shall be conducted in accordance with the Minnesota Open Meeting Law. 4.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the commission shall be the regular meeting in December at which time elections will be held and the schedule for the following year’s regular meeting schedule will be considered. 4.3 Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the commission shall be held on the third Tuesday of the month at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. The commission may, by a majority vote, change the regular meeting dates for any reason provided proper public notice of the changed meeting is provided to the public. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 7 4.4 Holidays. The Commission shall hold regular meetings as set forth in section 4.3. [provided however, that when the day fixed for any regular meeting of the Commission falls upon any of the following holidays: Ash Wednesday, Chanukah, Christmas, Veterans Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, President’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, New Year's Day, Passover (first two nights), Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur, such meeting shall be held at the same hour on the next succeeding Tuesday not a holiday. (For Chanukah, Christmas, Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiday includes the evening before the holiday.) All regular meetings of the Commission shall be held in the City Hall of the City or other public building as noticed. 4.5 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Commission may be called by the chair or two commissioners, or by the city council, for the purpose of transacting any business designated in the call. The call for special meeting shall be delivered in compliance with state law. The secretary must deliver to the commissioners at least three days prior to the meeting a notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the special meeting. If however, all commissioners attend and participate in the meeting, these notice requirements are not necessary. The presence of any commissioner at a special meeting shall constitute a waiver of any formal notice unless the commissioner appears for the special purpose of objecting to the holding of such meeting. Notice of the date, time, place and purpose of a special meeting must also be posted by the secretary on the principal bulletin board of the city at least three days prior to the date of the meeting. 4.5 Emergency Meetings. An emergency meeting may be called by the chair due to circumstances which require immediate consideration. The staff liaison may notify commissioners by any means available. A good faith effort shall be made to provide notice of the meeting to any news medium that has filed a written request for notice of meetings. The notice shall include the purpose of the meeting. 4.5 Quorum and Voting. The presence of a majority of all currently appointed members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes. In the event a quorum is not reached, a smaller number of members may meet to discuss the business of the commission and recommendations may be made, however, formal action must be reserved for such time as a quorum of the commission is reached. Article V - Agenda and Records of Proceedings 5.1 Agenda Preparation. The agenda for regular and special meetings of the commission shall be prepared by the staff liaison subject to approval by the chair. Items to be placed on the agenda may be proposed by the chair, a commission member, the staff liaison or at the request of the city council. Residents, businesses, or other interested parties may contact individual commission members or the staff liaison to request that an item be placed on the agenda for consideration. All agenda topics presented by the city council will be placed on an appropriate agenda, requests from other parties will be placed on an appropriate future agenda at the discretion of the chair. . 5.2 Approval of the Agenda. The agenda shall be approved at each meeting prior to discussion of any item on the agenda. At the time of agenda approval, items may be removed and the order of business may be modified by a majority vote of members present at the meeting. Prior to adjournment, members present may communicate items recommended for inclusion on future agendas. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 8 5.3 Record of Proceedings. All minutes and resolutions shall be in writing and shall be copied in the journal of the proceedings of the Authority. Records shall be kept in accordance with MN Statute and Rules regarding preservation of public records and the MN Data Privacy Act. Article VI - Attendance and Performance of Duties 6.1 Attendance. Regular attendance at meetings is a requirement for continued membership. Commission members are expected to attend regular and special commission meetings and assigned committee meetings. Planned absences communicated to the commission chair or committee task force chair in advance of the meeting will be deemed excused. Any other absence will be deemed unexcused. The commission will approve and record the approval of all excused and unexcused absences. 6.2 Reporting. Council will be informed if a member receives three unexcused absences in any calendar year, if a member attends scheduled meetings irregularly or if a member is frequently absent from scheduled meetings. 6.3 Performance of Duties. Commissioners are expected to adequately prepare for meetings. Commissioners unable to complete an assigned task should notify the commission chair or task force chair as soon as possible. The commission may ask the Council to review a member's appointment based upon its assessment of significant non- performance of duties. Article VII - Commission Activities 7.1 Annual Work Plan. The commission will adopt an annual work plan that details activities and projected timelines for the calendar year. • The chair may appoint commission members to be primarily responsible for each work plan activity. • The commission may establish task force committees to oversee work plan activities, chaired by members appointed by the chair. • Commission work plans will be submitted to the City Council by January 1st or as shortly thereafter as practicable. • Commission members will attend a study session to discuss the annual work plan with the City Council. A written mid-year progress report is due by July 31 of each year. 7.2 Task Forces. The commission may create task force committees to investigate and perform duties related to subjects of interest to the commission and to oversee work plan activities. • Task force committees will be chaired by commission members appointed by the commission chair. • A task force consists of at least two appointed commission members, one of whom will be designated committee chair or committee co-chair by the commission chair. A majority of the task force must be present to conduct business, including at least two commission members. • The commission may consolidate or dissolve existing task forces at any time. • The task force chair may appoint other commission members and representatives from the broader community to the task force. • The task force chair shall report about task force activities as an agenda item at regular commission meetings. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Discussion Item: 040907 - 2 - HR Comm. Annual Report, Work Plan and Bylaws Page 9 7.3 City Council Annual Report. The commission will submit an annual report to the City Council summarizing the past year's activities. The report may highlight issues of concern and other information the commission feels appropriate to convey to the city council. • The commission chair or designee will prepare the report for approval by the commission. Commission members may submit signed addenda presenting alternative conclusions or perspectives. • The report and addenda are submitted with the current year work plan by January 1 or as soon thereafter as possible. Article VIII - By-Laws and Rules 8.1 Amendments. These By-Laws may be amended by a majority of all voting member of the commission. Commission members must be given one month's advance notice regarding proposed amendments prior to formal commission action. Amendments to these procedures can only be considered at a regular meeting of the commission. 8.2 City Council’s Rules and Procedures for Boards and Commissions. These by-laws are subject to the City Council’s Rules and Procedures for Boards and Commissions, amended by Resolution 06-148 on September 18, 2006 and Chapter 2, Administration, the St. Louis Park City Code. St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Written Report: 040907 - 3 - Utility Revenue Bonds Page 1 3. Utility Revenue Bonds Finance Department PURPOSE OF REPORT: This report is intended to provide background for the City Council regarding the sale of utility revenue bonds. The need for these bonds was anticipated last year when the utility rate studies were completed. Bonding is needed to provide cash to complete the aggressive infrastructure construction and replacement schedule that is anticipated in the next several years as shown in the city’s 2007-2011 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). BACKGROUND: When the original rate studies were prepared, staff believed that many projects were imminent. Some of those projects require participation from affected residents prior to initiating engineering activity. Because not all of those projects are currently active, we are able to reduce the amount of the anticipated bond issue from over $4,000,000 as presented in the reimbursement resolution the council passed in February to $3,665,000. The project changes, as determined by Public Works staff members, are shown on the attached spreadsheet. Any projects that are not included at this time may be reconsidered for future bond issues. Finance anticipates the need to issue utility revenue bonds again in 2009. These bonds will be structured just as anticipated in the rate study. We will ask for a 15 year term on these bonds with the ability to call (prepay or refinance) them after eight years. The difference from the project costs as shown on the attachment to the full amount of the issue includes several cost of issuance. The largest cost is the underwriter’s discount which is the cost for a brokerage firm to sell the bonds to investors. There are also fees for the financial advisor, bond attorney, and rating agency included in the total cost. The full details of the proposed sale will be presented on the 16th by Ehlers staff. We have been informed by Ehlers that we will be able to sell these bonds as “bank qualified.” This is because even though the city has been approached by Park Nicollet/Methodist Hospital to issue private activity revenue bonds to finance the Orange Lot parking ramp and the Heart Institute expansion, there isn’t a reasonable expectation at this time that these bonds would be issued in 2007. On April 16th staff will ask the City Council to adopt a resolution calling for the sale of these bonds through a competitive bid process on May 7th. Ehlers & Associates will conduct the sale at their Roseville office during the day. The council will be presented with the bid results that evening for acceptance. Attachments: Project Cost Estimate Changes Prepared by: Bruce DeJong, Finance Director Approved by: Nancy Gohman, Deputy City Manager/HR Director St. Louis Park City Council Study Session Written Report: 040907 - 3 - Utility Revenue Bonds Page 2