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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-1998 CMW COUNCIL/MANAGER WORKSHOP CITY OF MAPLEWOOD 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 2, 1998 Maplewood Room, City Hall MINUTES A. Call to Order. Mayor Rossbach called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m: B. Roll Call Mayor George Rossbach Present Council member Sherry Allenspach Present Council member Dale Carlson Present Council member Kevin Kittridge Present Council member Marvin Koppen (azrived 5:10) Others Present City Manager Michael McGuire Community Development Intern Chad Bergo Assistant to the Manager Tim Busse Community Development Duector Melinda Coleman Community Oriented Services Coordinator Colleen Dirkswager Senior Planner Ken Roberts C. Approval of Agenda. Council member Carlson requested the inclusion of the proposed homeless shelter, Maplewood Mall, and school issues. Mayor Rossbach requested the inclusion of chair recognition. Council member Cazlson moved approval of the agenda as amended Council member Kittridge seconded the motion Ayes: All. D. GIS Demonstration Chad Bergo, an intern in the Community Development Deparmient demonstrated the current uses and capabilities of geographic information systems. Mr. Bergo explained that a minor upgrade in computer hazdwaze and software has allowed the Community Development staff to put current GIS technology to effective and efficient use. Some of these uses include the creation of color maps, updating the city ordinance map and the comprehensive land use map and referencing parcel-specific information. However, Mr. Council/Manager Workshop February 2, 1998 page 2 Bergo told the Council that the technology can be applied to a variety of information which makes it a tool with city-wide application and not just strictly a planning tool. City-wide applications include developing mailing lists, sorting property tax information, and providing details in accident prone intersections. Mayor Rossbach asked if the ability to easily create mailing lists would place a burden on the city when notification is necessary. Community Development Director Melinda Coleman explained that applicants are currently required to notify neighboring residents. Ms. Coleman said it is a legal and policy decision that the Council may want to discuss some time in the future. No action was required of the Council E. 1997 Budget Objective Report Mr. McGuire presented the 1997 Budget Objective Report to the Council. Mr. McGuire explained that in preparing the 1997 budget, staff included specific objectives for each program area. The report is an opportunity to look back at each of those objectives and determine the status of each goal. Mr. McGuire discussed the highlights among the 109 objectives and explained that many of the objectives aze unspectacular such as "respond to complaints within one working day." However, the routine goals accurately reflect the community oriented thinking of the Council. The Council discussed improvements in service at the license counter, the accomplishments of the fire department, plans for the open space program, the early success of the business retention program, the shrinking shortfall at the Maplewood Community Center, the significant changes in the Police Depaztment and the continued high level of service in the Public Works Department. Council member Koppen moved to accept the 1997 Budget Objective Report. Council member Carlson seconded the motion. Ayes: All F. 1997 Ci , Manager Evaluation Council member Cazlson reported that he and Mayor Rossbach had completed their review of City Manager Michael McGuire's performance evaluation for 1997. Council member Cazlson and Mayor Rossbach met with Mr. McGuire and reviewed his 1997 objectives and set goals for 1998. Council member Cazlson and Mayor Rossbach recommended that the Council award a 4.5 percent merit pay based on Mr. McGuire's performance in 1997. Council member Koppen asked how that amount compazed with Council/Manager Workshop February 2, 1998 page 3 the merit pay received by department heads. Mr. McGuire reported that 3.5 percent was the minimum and five percent was the maximum awarded to department heads. Council member Carlson asked the rest of the Council to consider the proposed 1998 objectives and offer any suggestions. Council member Allenspach moved to accept the evaluation and place it on the agenda for the February 9 Council meeting Council member K~ttridge seconded the motion Ayes: AIL G. Community Oriented Services Update Community Oriented Services Coordinator Colleen Dirkswager provided an update on recent community oriented services activities. Ms. Dirkswager reported that the Ramsey County Fair Boazd was considering a request to move the 1998 Fair to Harriet Island in St. Paul. The Fair would coincide with the opening of the new Wabasha Avenue Bridge. The Fair Board believes that aone-yeaz move could provide a financial boost for the Fair and that it would be a good opportunity to involve the other 15 cities in Ramsey County. Ms. Dirkswager also discussed the neighborhood issues sunounding the Hmong funeral home. Parking, noise and cultural differences were all discussed as probable reasons for the friction between the neighbors and funeral attendees. Mr. McGuire reported that the pazking issue might be addressed by an ordinance change which the Council will be asked to discuss in the future. The Council also discussed the placement of the proposed telecommunications monopole. Ms. Dirkswager suggested that neighbors may be more accepting if part of the revenue earned by allowing the monopole in a city park would be spent in the neighborhood. Mayor Rossbach asked if there was some way to show neighbors that any revenue would not replace funds already committed to the neighborhood. Ms. Dirkswager also reported on a revised Maplewood resident guide, the survey responses to the Gervais Avenue project, and the proposed Night Court program. The Council expressed concern regazding the limited school district involvement in the planning of Night Court and Council members Cazlson and Allenspach offered to contact some school officials. Ms. Dirkswager announced that National Night Out was scheduled for Tuesday August 4. Council members and residents were asked to mazk their calendars. Counci]/Manager Workshop February 2, 1998 page 4 H. Other Business 1. Homeless Shelter Council member Cazlson discussed that Ramsey County is considering sites for a new homeless shelter. Of the two finalists, one is in Roseville and the other is in Maplewood very close to the Tri-District School. Council member Carlson said he was unhappy that the County had not contacted Maplewood officials regarding the proposed site and questions the appropriateness of a shelter so close to a school. Council member Cazlson asked if the Council would consider sending a formal letter of opposition to the County. It was agreed that the issue should be discussed at the February 9 Council meeting. 2. Maplewood Mall Council member Carlson said he is disappointed with the appeazance of the parking lot and exterior of the Maplewood Mall and surrounding area. He is concerned that the Mall's less than sparkling appearance reflects badly on the city as a whole. He asked Council and staff to consider what might be done to improve the appeazance of the Mall. 3. Schools Council member Carlson mentioned a recent newspaper article reporting that area school districts are looking into additional joint ventures. He suggested that Maplewood work with the school district to bring a high school to Maplewood. 4. Chair Recognition Mayor Rossbach acknowledged that there was some confusion and difficulty at the January 26 Council meeting gaining recognition of the Chair. The Mayor asked the Council members to make a concentrated effort to get his attention while staff investigates other alternatives such as request-to-speak lights. I. Adjournment Mayor Rossbach adjourned the meeting at 7.00 p m