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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-1996 CMW COUNCIL/MANAGERblORKSHOP OF THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 4, 1996 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 5:02 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Mayor Gary Bastian Present Councilmember Sherry Allenspach Present Councilmember Dale Carlson Present Councilmember Marv Koppen Present Councilmember George Rossbach Present Others Present: City Manager Michael McGuire Assistant City Manager Craig Dawson Park & Recreafion Director Bruce Anderson Fire Chief Joel Hewitt C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA' City Manager McGuire requested that the following item be added: (I1) Joint Meetings with Advisory Board and Commissions. Mayor Bastian asked that Item I2 be added: Policy on Snowplowing of Sidewalks. Councilmember Carlson moved approval of the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Allenspach and approved. Ayes: All D. OPEN SPACE City Manager McGuire reviewed the status of the following properties: 1. Arcon/Grandview Property12413 Carver Aveuuel: The environmental assessment (EA) report had been completed and noted the presence of some "friable" asbestos and miscellaneous debris that will need to be disposed of properly by the seller of the property. A well on the site would need to be properly abandoned. Staff was working to close the sale of the property in January 1996. Mayor Bastian suggested that the buildings on the site be considered for a practice burn for volunteer firefighters. 2. Stielow Pr_perty (1285 Sterling Streetl: The owner's representative, Menill Paulson, is having a survey prepazed to determine the amount of land Ms. Stielow will retain. She will likely keep azound two acres of the fifteen or so acres she cun•ently owns. Her asking price was expected to be in the $10,000 to $10,500 per acre range. 3. 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. The survey work is expected to be completed in mid- to late- January. If this timetable is kept, the sale should be accomplished within 90 days. 4. Reenier/RJR Development: The owners had given a written proposal to sell their land for $109,000, or about $15,600 per acre. Council considered this proposal at the December 1995 Workshop, but gave no direction regazding further action on this property. Council directed that a letter be sent to the Regniers which indicated the City did not wish to pursue their offer at this time. Councilmembers noted that the City had already acquired sizable open space holdings in that general area in Maplewood. 5. Other: The attorney for the Ha1lerBonsell property (Site 1731 had not responded to staff requests that the estate prepare a firm offer for the Ciry to consider. E. COMMUNITY FUND City Manager McGuire noted that the Council had discussed this item briefly at the November 6, 1995 Workshop and decided to consider it again within a few months. Councilmember Cazlson noted difficulties in recruiting residents to serve on a task force to set up a community fund. He believed it would be more appropriate to consider this topic during the Maplewood 2020 process, and councilmembers concurred with his suggestion that this item be continued indefinitely. F. RAMSEY COUNTY FAIR City Manager McGuire noted that the Council had discussed a proposal from the Ramsey County Agricultural Society (aka Ramsey County Fair) to have a community celebration involving the White Bear Business Association, the City, and the Fair. He referred to a memorandum in which Park & Recreation Director Anderson identified a number of advantages and drawbacks to focus a Maplewood community celebration during the fair instead of July 4. Councilmember Koppen noted that having fireworks in 1995 during the fair contributed significantly to the success of the Ramsey County Fair. This matter will be placed on the agenda for the January 22, 1996 City Council meeting. G. CITY COUNCIL/STAFF RETREAT. At the December Workshop, the Council agreed to hold a retreat with the staff but could not identify workable dates. After checking their schedules this evening, Council requested staff to arrange a retreat for April 18-19 or April 11-12 (in order of preference). H. FIRE DEPARTMENT City Manager McGuire introduced Joel Hewitt, who began his duties as Fire Chief on January 2, 1996. Chief Hewitt shared some information about himself and about his experience as fire chief for the volunteer department of the City of Roseville. He wished to move as quickly as possible to have the three departments currently serving Maplewood to function and act like they're one department during this year. Some things, like consolidating pension plans, may take a few years to accomplish. Hewitt noted that the combined activity level of the three departments is high--800 fire calls and 2500 EMS calls. Mayor Bastian related his concern about consolidating the fire services stemmed from budget accountability. He believed that there had been a lack of information from the fire _ departments. Hewitt agreed that the fire service field in general needs to do a better job of communicating with administrators and governing boards, and he would work to make improvements in Maplewood. Among other comments made by councilmembers were: *A desire to see the development of standards or benchmarks in order to help the Council understand what is being done and how things should be done. *An expectation that the Fire Chief will be an advocate for the needs of the fire services. *A recognition by the Chief that there needs to be a balance of personal life and fire department obligations for the firefighters (and for the Chief). *A more rational approach to serve Maplewood, North Saint Paul; and Oakdale. There was concern expressed that 3M's spin-off company may have different response requirements; as Oakdale may now have a significant tax revenue stream, it may wish to establish its own fire department. * Will the City need to do more of the recruiting efforts, especially for daytime responders? In the past, recruiting has been handled by the departments. Councilmember Carlson asked what the Fire Chief would need from the Council to help be successful. Hewitt said that the Council needs to realize that the firefighters are the most important resource in the fire service. The areas Council will play an important role will be in pay, equipment, pension, and recognition. Council wished to see a timetable of steps in the process to integrate the fire departments during 1996. Councilmember Koppen excused himself at 5:50 p.m., and indicated he would return shortly. Councilmembers also were sensitive about continuing an appropriate sense of history among each of the three fire departments. They also expressed interest in the successful cooperation of the three public safety services: police, fire, and emergency management. L OTHER BUSINESS 1. Joint Meetings with Boards and Commissions: City Manager McGuire and Mayor . Bastian said they had received several phone calls from members of advisory boards and commissions to have joint meetings of their groups and the City Council. Councilmembers agreed to meet with them for one-half-hour sessions during the Mayor's Forum on Saturday, February 3, 1996. The meetings will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Community Center. Council declared this meeting would be held, and ordered that it be properly posted. Councilmember Koppen returned at 6:10 p.m. 2. Policy on Snowplowing of Sidewalks: Mayor Bastian asked for a memorandum regarding the City's policy on removing snow from sidewalks. He had not been present at the Council meeting when this matter was discussed in relation to a decision to remove snow from a trail along McKnight Road. He was concerned about residents being forced to walk in the roadway of White Bear Avenue. J. FUTURE TOPICS - - These items were continued. Other items which will be scheduled for upcoming workshops included the community survey, economic development and retention, and a quarterly report from the Community Center. K. CITY MANAGER 1995 EVALUATION Discussion of this item began at 6:15 p.m. and continued until 6:50 p.m. Action on the evaluation would be scheduled on the January 8, 1996 City Council meeting. L. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bastian moved that the meeting be adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Councilmember Allenspach seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.