HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/04/30 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session/��St. Louis Park
MINNESOTA
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Official minutes
City council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 30, 2018
The meeting convened at 7:20 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne
Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening) joined the meeting at 8 p.m., Deputy City
Manager/HR Director (Ms. Deno), Fire Chief Koering, Deputy Fire Chief Wolff, Community
Outreach Coordinator (Ms. Schmelzle), Management Assistant (Ms. Carrillo -Perez), and
Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: None
1. Environment & Sustainability Commission membership requirements
Ms. Deno explained over the past several years, the city has had difficulty recruiting and filling
business and residential tenant member positions on the Environment & Sustainability
Commission. During the most recent annual appointment process, the city received no
applications for the business or residential member positions. Multiple councilmembers
requested a discussion regarding the membership requirements for these member positions.
Councilmember Mavity cautioned the council to be careful with what they want to accomplish,
and first define what business and residential tenant membership means.
Councilmember Miller pointed out the Climate Action Plan is the most important issue at hand,
and community businesses will need to be brought on board. He stressed it does not matter if a
resident owns or works at a community business, the main thing is they would represent
businesses.
Councilmember Brausen added he is fine if someone who does not live in St. Louis Park, but
works here, is on the commission, and he would be willing to consider this as criteria.
Mayor Spano stated he has no preference on whether a business owner works or lives in St.
Louis Park, but he would like a person on the commission who can effect change in their
organization and get the business community excited about the Climate Action Plan.
Councilmember Mavity pointed out it's not this person's job to get other businesses excited
about the Climate Action Plan. They should help the council understand the business
perspective, and how it will impact the bottom line in a business operation. The city's role will
be to get the word out to businesses through marketing and communication.
Councilmember Harris asked how other commissions bring in the business aspect. Ms. Deno
said the Environmental & Sustainability Commission is the only one with a business component.
Councilmember Rog noted there are multiple people interested in these roles, and the council
should find ways to help these folks serve.
Study Session Minutes -2- April 30, 2018
Councilmember Hallfin wondered if the council should state that it is the goal to have a
business representative on the commission vs. having hard and fast criteria. Councilmember
Mavity agreed.
It was the consensus of the council to no longer have a requirement that there be a business
member and residential tenant on the commission, but that instead they will strive for the goal
of having a business member and residential tenant."
Ms. Deno said this change will be forwarded to the Environmental & Sustainability Commission
prior to the final reading.
2. Policy prohibiting family members of council from serving on Boards and Commissions
Ms. Deno stated staff was asked to look into implementing a rule that would prohibit a
councilmember's immediate family, registered domestic partner, or members of the same
household from serving on any city advisory board or commission.
Mayor Spano stated he does not feel any of the councilmember's family member should be on
commissions, noting that reasonable expectations must be set for applicants to commissions,
and one should be that nepotism is not tolerated.
Councilmember Mavity stated defining who family is, within a household, will need to be
addressed.
Councilmember Brausen stated he is opposed to this rule and does not see why family
members should be prohibited from serving on commissions.
Councilmember Hallfin explained the issue is how it is perceived by others. Councilmember
Mavity agreed.
Councilmember Rog concurred with the issue of appearances; however, added it is too broad to
say a an unrelated individual living in the same household cannot be appointed to a
commission.
It was the consensus of the council to implement a policy prohibiting family members of council
members from serving on city advisory boards and commissions.
3. Fire department strategic plan
Fire Chief Koering noted a five-year strategic plan will be presented which outlines 10 initiatives
across all areas of fire department operations. He noted the bulk of the conversation will be on
community health management, with comments from Deputy Chief Wolff and Community
Outreach Coordinator Schmelzle.
Study Session Minutes -3- April 30, 2018
Chief Koering discussed initiatives of the department, opportunities for leadership
development, race equity plans and training, revenue enhancements, technology, emergency
preparedness, and response.
Councilmember Mavity asked about the status of 911 dispatch. Chief Koering stated there have
been no substantive changes; however, the City of Minnetonka is no longer St. Louis Park's back
up city. The city's new partner is now the City of Edina. Chief Koering stated that having our
own 911 Dispatch is a critical component of how we address EMS.
Councilmember Harris asked about the hospital release program, and if this model is helping
with cost sharing and revenue enhancement. Chief Koering stated this will be discussed later in
the presentation.
Councilmember Rog asked if the fire department has a program similar to the Pathways to
Policing program, and if there is an effort for community outreach and hiring a more diverse
staff within the fire department. Chief Koering stated yes, they have partnered with
Minneapolis the past 2 years on a similar program, and have had four (4) graduates from St.
Louis Park, who have all taken jobs in EMS. He also noted an intern recently hired by the
department was involved in the Pathways program.
Councilmember Mavity asked about goals related to race equity and community engagement
programs within neighborhoods, pointing out that most active neighborhoods in the city tend
to be white and affluent. She noted this does not seem to be the right place for the department
to work on community engagement.
Chief Koering stated they focus on areas where the greatest needs are first, especially in multi-
family housing complexes and neighborhoods. Councilmember Mavity suggested this be stated
more directly in the strategic plan, in order to reach diverse communities.
Councilmember Rog asked about the Safer Grant program. Chief Koering stated the department
has applied for and received this grant, and is in the second year of the grant. The costs for
hiring two (2) additional positions will be covered by the city after the grant is completed.
Chief Koering stated the future of EMS is in community health management programs, adding
this program is rapidly expanding across the country, but is in very few fire departments in
Minnesota. He noted that St. Louis Park is leading this initiative at this time. He stated the
mission is to create equity in healthcare, and requires intentional intervention so folks can be
safer and healthier in their homes.
Chief Koering stated the fire department's role is to identify the need, connect folks with care
integration resources, and then follow up and document needs or improvements. After that,
measuring outcomes becomes important, along with customer satisfaction. He added, by
putting the fire department in the process and connecting people to the right resources, 911
calls can be reduced.
Study Session Minutes -4- April 30, 2018
Ms. Schmelzle stated the department visits discharged patients from Park Nicollet Methodist
Hospital to be sure they are getting correct medications, food, and support. The department
also partners with Sholom programs and Life Spark, to help coordinate home discharge care for
city residents.
Mr. Wolff estimated that $60,000 in revenue was created through these programs, which help
avoid crisis for individuals and prevent multiple 911 calls, and hospital re -admittance,
Chief Koering pointed out that more data on residents would be helpful, in order to identify
populations with greater risk in the community.
Councilmember Hallfin pointed out that residents in need of food can be connected with STEP,
and care packages can be set up post discharge. Chief Koering stated there is a food shelf
component involved post discharge from Park Nicollet.
Councilmember Harris stated as she speaks with folks in the city, people are looking for
affordable housing and access to healthcare, adding there is a growing and ongoing need as
things have changed in the national landscape. She stated she is excited about this program and
the potential it has for the future in addressing these ongoing needs.
Councilmember Rog asked the Chief how they connect with the police. Chief Koering stated
they connect as it relates to the dispatch center, and partner with the police on medical calls,
especially with behavioral health calls.
Councilmember Rog asked if the department plans to seek additional grants and partnerships.
Chief Koering stated yes, especially state and federal grants.
Councilmember Mavity stated this is great work and it feels like the city and the fire
department are doing the right thing.
Mayor Spano and Councilmembers Miller and Brausen agreed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
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Melissa ennedy, City Clerk