HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2000 CMWCity of Maplewood
CITY COUNCIL/MANAGER WORKSHOP
Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 7, 2000
Maplewood Room, City Hall
5:00 p.m.
A. Call To Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Cardinal at 5:00 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Mayor Bob Cardinal
Councilmember Sherry Allenspach
Councilmember Ken Collins
Councilmember Marvin Koppen
Councilmember Julie Wasiluk
Others Present:
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
City Manager Michael McGuire
Assistant to the City Manager Michael Ericson
Police Chief Don Winger
Captain Mike Ryan
City Engineer Ken Haider
Fire Chief Joel Hewitt
Assistant Fire Chief Steve Lukin
C. Approval of Agenda•
Councilmember Koppen
D. City Council Policy on Sidewalks /Snow Removal
At the January 20, 2000 pre-agenda meeting the city council discussed the issue of city
sidewalks and snow removal. The city council directed staff to include it on the February
Workshop Agenda so it can be discussed. City Engineer Ken Haider reported to council
that past city councils have discussed the issue periodically and council policy has
remained the same for a number of yeazs. He stated that some city sidewalks aze plowed
but only on a case-by-case basis. After discussion, council agreed to take no action on
this issue but also agreed to review it periodically.
E.
F
City Council Priorities /Goat Setting Session on February 10
City Manager Mike McGuire reported that he has scheduled Barbara Strandell to
facilitate a day long team building /priority setting /goal setting session with the mayor
and councilmembers at the Maplewood Community Center. The objective of the session
will be for the council to learn about each other's vision, review last year's goals of the
city council, and to develop goals and a policy direction for the city staff in 2000. He will
attend the session along with Ken Haider.
City Council Meetings
1. Signup sheets for public hearings. City Manager Mike McGuire presented a draft
copy of a Signup sheet prepared by the city clerk's office for use during public hearings.
Residents and visitors wishing to speak at any of the public hearings would print their
name and address for the mayor to read off during the public testimony portion of the
public hearing. Council liked the draft and it will be used for future public hearings.
2. Visitor presentations. City Manager Mike McGuire discussed the opportunity for
visitors to speak to the council on any issue they want at the end of the regular agenda.
Residents already have the opportunity to get on the agenda either by contacting the city
manager or a councilmember. Council discussed the merits of switching the visitor
presentation to the beginning of the agenda. Issue will be brought to the next meeting for
further discussion.
3. Commission Appointment Process. City Manager Mike McGuire described for
council the current process by which residents are appointed to a commission. The
commission interviews the applicants itself and they make a recommendation to the city
council on the top two candidates of which the council interviews.. Council agreed to
leave the process as is with the only change that they receive copies of all candidate's
application materials.
G. City Manager Transition Process
1. Name acting. city manager. The council agreed to use ballots to vote for the acting
city manager who would be appointed by the council and begin serving after March 24,
2000 which is Mike McGuire's last day of work. First round of balloting was one vote
for Mike Ericson, two votes for Melinda Coleman, and two votes for Ken Haider.
Second round of balloting began with Mike Ericson dropped as the low vote getter.
Melinda Coleman received two votes and Ken Haider received three votes. Ken Haider
will be the new acting city manager.
2. City manager replacement process. The city council approved the resignation
agreement of City Manager Mike McGuire at the January 24, 2000 city council meeting.
Under the agreement he will serve in that capacity until his last day of employment on
March 24, 2000. City Manager Mike McGuire presented the two basic options available
to the city council for replacing the city manager. The council can either choose to do it
in-house under the direction of the human resource director or send out RFP's and select
an executive search firm to conduct the search/replacement process. If the latter is
selected the search firm would work directly with the city council and staff to develop a
position profile after which it would advertise and solicit candidates. Council agreed
with the executive search firm process so Mike McGuire will send out RFP's and solicit
proposals from five firms.
H. Sale of Gladstone Fire Station
City Manager Mike McGuire provided the city council with a progress update on the
negotiations for the sale of the Gladstone Fire Station. The new fire station is scheduled
for completion in the fall with availability of the building sometime thereafter. Council
agreed that the city should have a "For Sale" sign installed on the property to solicit
public interest and it should advertise the building and property for sale in the local
newspaper.
I. Police and Fire Dispatch Services
City Manger Mike McGuire provided a brief overview on this issue to the city council.
At its January 24, 2000 regular meeting the city council requested that the issue be placed
on the February Council/Manager Workshop Agenda for discussion. The city council
approved the contract with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department in November 1998.
Police. and fire dispatch services have been provided in the Ramsey County's Shoreview
Communications Center for the past 8 months with the official transfer from the city's
communication center on Monday, May 3, 1999. Police Chief Don Winger presented a
report.of his service to date and Fire Chief Joel Hewitt did as well. Both agreed that they
are satisfied with their service to date. A significant amount of background information
was provided to the council on this issue. Councihnembers offered a variety of
comments about the issue and they asked a few questions too. Councilmember Collins
stated that he had additional information and was not prepared to make a decision at this
time and requested that the issue be tabled until a later date. Cardinal moved and Collins
seconded a motion to table the issue until March or until Councilmember Collins
provides the council with additional information he stated he was collecting on the issue.
Motion passed 5-0.
J. Other Business
1. Sound System in Council Chambers. Councilmember Sherry Allenspach shared
with council her frustration that no sound was broadcast from the last council meeting for
1 '/z hours. City Manager Mike McGuire agreed to have a sound system check of the
council chambers and to make any necessary modifications which are necessary.
K. Future Topics
1. Organized Refuse Collection. Will be reviewed at the March meeting
There being no further business Cardinal moved and Allensnach seconded a motion to
adjourn the meeting at 6:23 p.m.. Motion passed 5-0.
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