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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-1995 CMW COUNCIL/MANAGERWORKSHOp OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m., Monday, December 4, 1995 Maplewood Room, City Hall MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER The Council/Manager workshop of the Maplewood City Council was held in the Maplewood Room, City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bastian at 5:01 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Mayor Gary Bastian Present Councilmember Sherry Allenspach Present Councilmember Dale Carlson Present. Councilmember Marv Koppen Present (arrived at 5:12 p°m.) Councilmember George Rossbach Present Others Present: City Manager Michael McGuire Assistant City Manager Craig Dawson Community Development Director Melinda Coleman MIS Coordinator Stephen Hurley C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Allenspach requested that Item K, City Manager 1995 Evaluation, be removed as Councilmember Koppen had to be out of town during the time set aside to compile the councilmembers' comments. City Manager McGuire requested that the following items be added: (I l) Update on Labor Contract Negotiations; (I2) Update on Discussions with St. Paul Water Utility; and (I3) Request by Oakdale City Council To Meet with Maplewood City Council. Mayor Bastian requested the addition of item (I4), Mayor's Update. Councilmember Carlson moved approval of the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded t' by Councilmember Allenspach and approved. Ayes: All (Koppen not present) D. OPEN SPACE City Manager McGuire reviewed the status of the following properties: 1. Arcon/Grandview Property: An appraisal had been done which indicated the seller's offering price to be a fair one. The representative of and the owner of property immediately east of this parcel had raised several concerns about how the potential acquisition might negatively affect their interests. The Parks & Recreation Commission had recommended acquisition of the property. The Planning Commission was considering the proposal to change the land use designation to Open Space this evening. Assuming that this Commission recommended approval tonight, the public hearing on the guide plan change would be scheduled for December 11 Council meeting. Closing could occur before the end of the year. 2. Kuslich: Aland survey is being arranged to allow for the creation of three residential lots along Forest Street, and to define the property for the homestead in the southwestern portion of the property. This sale should be accomplished within 90 days. 3. Regnier/RJR Devel_pment: The owners had given a written proposal to sell their land for $109,000, or about $15,600 per acre. Council gave no direction regarding further action on this property. Councilmember Koppen arrived. Councilmember Rossbach expressed concerns about the change in the'process to consider properties for open space acquisition. McGuire related that in October the Council had decided to consider each proposal and, if it had merit, to forward it through a process which included review by the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Plamiing Commission prior to final action by the Council. It was decided that an article should be placed in "Maplewood in Motion" to list the properties acquired for open space, and to explain the process in place to consider additional properties for acquisition. E. MIS PRESENTATION City Manager McGuire introduced Assistant City Manager Dawson and MIS Coordinator Hurley to present an overview of the status of Maplewood's Management Information System (MIS). Dawson reviewed a request by several councilmembers to have access to the City's computer system from their homes or offices. Costs would range $500 to $3,000 per councilmember, depending on the equipment needed. Councilmembers agreed they should have an equal likelihood to use the MIS if they were to go on-line. The issue of whether councilmembers should go on-line will be scheduled for a future Council/Manager Workshop. Hurley reviewed the MIS, including a summary of the inventory and investment of the current system, and an overview of the network's capabilities. Future issues include establishment of internal user groups, disaster recovery (including updating recovery plans and identifying off-site storage locations), geographic information systems (GIS), public access (information kiosks, Internet/Web presence), and new technology applications (e.g., optical disk records management). During discussion, councilmembers indicated a desire to have public on-line access with the Maplewood Community Center and the Ramsey County Library system, and to improve video equipment in the Council Chamber so that information could be accessed and displayed during meetings. Further discussion about applications, uses, and improvements of the MIS will occur at a - future workshop. F. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY STUDY City Manager McGuire introduced Community Development Director Coleman. She reviewed the history of Planning Commission and City Council action on the study. One recommendation which appeared to still to be timely would require (prospectively) a conditional use permit for all commercial uses when they adjoin residential ones. Currently, such a CUP is required only for industrial uses. Some councilmembers wished to read the study more thoroughly before continuing consideration of this item. Councilmember Rossbach moved to table this matter to a future workshop. Councilmember Koppen seconded the motion and it was approved. Ayes: All G. CITY COUNCIL/STAFF RETREAT City Manager McGuire proposed that the City Council and staff have a planning retreat. councilmembers agreed with the concept. After reviewing personal calendars, it was decided to hold a retreat over a Thursday and Friday in late March or April. Plans would be firmed up at the January 4, 1996 Council/Manager Workshop. H. PUBLIC SAFETYlFIRE CHIEF UPDATES City Manager McGuire reported that Joel Hewitt will begin his duties as Fire Chief on - - January 2, 1996. The Fire Chief would report directly to the City Manager at that time. McGuire proposed to start the process to select a Public Safety Director in January 1996 so that the person would be hired by mid-year. The Director position would not be a sworn officer. Council discussion focused on the need for the position and the timing of the hiring ' process. While a majority of the Council indicated approval of the Director position, further action was delayed in order to develop more information and consensus. ' Councilmember Koppen left at 6:45 p.m. I. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Undate on Labor Contract Negotiations: Interest-basedbargaining with the Metropolitan Supervisors Association (MSA) appears to be nearing conclusion. A tentative three-year agreement had been reached with Law Enforcement Labor Services (EELS), and would be scheduled for Council consideration at its December ] 8, 1995 meeting. Negotiations with AFSCME have not started. 2. Update on Discussions with St. Paul Water Utility: Discussions have continued with St. Paul Water about ways to restructure the relationships of the Utility and the cities _ which receive water services from it. Major issues appear to be equalization of rates and representation on the Water Board. 3. Request of Oakdale City Council for Joint Meeting: The Oakdale City Council had requested that a joint meeting be held with the Maplewood City Council to discuss a hockey arena. Mayor Bastian moved that the City Council set a joint meeting with the Oakdale Council to be held Tuesday. December 12. at 7:30 p m. at the Oakdale Citv Hall, and that a notice of this meeting be posted. Councilmember Rossbach seconded the motion and it was approved. Ayes: All 4. Mayor's Update: Mayor Bastian related his impressions of the National League of Cities Annual Congress held in Phoenix, AZ, last week. He also asked that a copy of the - Brandl-Weber report, "An Agenda for Reform," be made available in the Councilmembers' Office. J. FUTURE TOPICS These items were continued. K. CITY MANAGER 1995 EVALUATION As requested during the Approval of the Agenda, this item was continued. L. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bastian moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Councilmember Allenspach seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.