1991-01-159
January 15, 1991
~INU?E$ - CO~ffIT?EE OF ~flg ¥flOLg - JANUARY 15~ 1991
The meeting was called to order at 7 PM. Members present: Mayor
Johnson, Councilmembers Jessen, Jensen, Smith and Ahrens.
Absent: None. Also present: City Manager Ed Shukle and the
following persons: Mark Machart, Westonka Area Chamber of
Commerce; Gary Peterson, Mound VFW; Jim Copher, American Legion;
Stan Drahos, Northwest Tonka Lions; John Norman, Mohawk Jaycees.
The first item of business was the discussion on the service
organization sign. City Manager Ed Shukle indicated that he had
Ganzel Sign Company prepare a conceptual design of a sign that
could be placed adjacent to the existing east entrance sign or
somewhere in that immediate area. The sign is approximately 12
feet long by 18 inches wide, and would provide up to eleven
spaces for local service organizations to have their names. The
City Council discussed it and asked for input from the
representatives of the service organizations. The general
consensus was that the organizations would like to use their own
logos which are usually 18 inches in diameter and in a round
shape. Also discussed was the possibility listing meeting times
and locations. It was the consensus to have the Chamber of
Commerce phone number on the sign so people could call the
Chamber who would provide the service organization contact, etc.
After further discussion, the Council directed the City Manager
to have Ganzel Sign prepare a different design which would make
the sign deeper so that it could provide the 18 inch round logos
for all the organizations. Also to consider an expandable type
sign so it could be added to in the future. This matter will be
back on the February 19, 1991 Committee of the Whole agenda.
The Council moved into the conference room and City Manager Ed
Shukle updated them on Dakota Rail. He indicated that Dakota
Rail had contacted him regarding initiating a meeting with the
State of Minnesota to expedite the review process. He indicated
to the Council that he felt it was up to Mr. Mills to resolve the
issues. The City had done their part and it was up to Mills to
provide clear title to the properties. The State has indicated
that the earliest date at which there would be a response to Mr.
Mills' request is February 15, 1991. The Council directed the
City Manager to maintain the position of waiting for the State to
conduct its review.
City Manager Ed Shukle then reported on the Downtown Study. He
indicated that the sub-committee of the Commission and staff had
met with representatives of VanDoren, Hazard & Stallings who are
going to be facilitating the implementation section of the
Downtown Study. More information will be available later.
]0
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January 15, 1991
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES - JANUARY 15, 1991
Public Works material storage was updated. City Manager Ed
Shukle stated that he has been in contact with Tony VanDerSteeg
of Anthony's Floral regarding his interest in selling
approximately three acres to the rear of his business off of
Commerce Boulevard. VanDerSteeg has indicated that he has not
gotten an appraisal and would be doing so soon. City Manager Ed
Shukle discussed with the Council the possibility of getting Mr.
VanDerSteeg to agree to an appraiser that the City would
recommend and having VanDerSteeg pay half of the appraisal cost,
with the City paying the other half, to get the property
appraised and return to the City Council with some numbers. The
Council agreed to have the City Manager contact Tony regarding
this issue and to ask him to pay half the appraisal with the City
paying half, and also agreeing on the same appraiser Who would be
a licensed and certified appraiser. They also asked the City
Manager to contact the Welsh Companies regarding the price on the
property next to the SuperAmerica Station, and to find out from
the city engineer what would be the cost to prepare the property
behind Anthony's for city use.
Next discussed was the possible criteria for withdrawing from the
Central Business District Parking Program. City Manager Ed
Shukle shared copies of all of the correspondence that he has had
with Mr. Curt Johnson, 5545 Shoreline Drive. Mr. Johnson had
requested that he be allowed to withdraw from the CBD parking
program. He made this request at the December 18, 1990, special
meeting and the City Council tabled the matter until the
Committee of the Whole meeting of January 15, 1991. After
discussion, it was the consensus to not approve Mr. Johnson's
request and to draft a letter to that effect which would be sent
to Mr. Johnson. The city manager is to draft this letter and
show it to the Council at the January 22, 1991 regular council
meeting. The City Manager also informed the Council that Mr.
Johnson had filed an appeal in district court regarding his
assessment on the proposed acquisition of the downtown parking
lots.
A City Manager Performance Evaluation was discussed. City
Manager Ed Shukle distributed copies of the format used in the
1989 evaluation. The Council also received a copy of a format
from Councilmember Liz Jensen. It was the consensus to have each
Councilmember do a performance evaluation of the city manager and
to meet with him individually to discuss that evaluation. The
evaluation format could either be what was used in 1989, what was
suggested by Councilmember Jensen or a combination of the two.
The Council would like to have the performance evaluation done by
March 1, 1991.
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11
January 15, 1991
CONNITTEE OF THE YHOLE NINUTE$ - JANUARY 1§, 1991
A possible reactivation of the Cable TV Advisory Commission was
discussed. The city manager provided background on the purpose
of the commission and what its initial function was. After some
discussion with regard to complaints that have been received from
councilmembers and city staff, it was the consensus not to
reactivate the commission but rather funnel any complaints
through the city manager's office. Those complaints would then
be transmitted on to Triax Cablevision. In addition, City
Manager Ed Shukle and Mayor Skip Johnson indicated to the Council
that they had been contacted by school officials regarding a
meeting to talk about the use of the franchise fee that the City
collects from Triax. Council consensus was to direct the Mayor
and City Manager to meet in a-spirit of cooperation with the
school district on this matter.
A possible Goal-Setting/Team Building session utilizing a
facilitator was discussed. This project was done in 1987 and
1988 and came away with good results. The Council felt it was
important that such a session should be conducted again.
Consensus was that the Council would do this and asked the city
manager to make a report at the next COW meeting, or earlier,
regarding a location and a facilitator.
City Manager Ed Shukle introduced the.idea of a city hall open
house. He suggested that it be held in mid-April. The date of
April 21, 1991 was confirmed as the date of the open house. This
is a Sunday afternoon. During the open house a short program
would be held along with an informal reception and tours of the
facility.
Mayor Johnson discussed the possibility of a joint meeting with
all of the city's advisory commissions. He mentioned that he
talked to the Planning Commission on January 14th, regarding
this. He suggested meeting on February 19, 1991, which is the
normal night for the Committee of the Whole meeting. After some
discussion, the Council agreed to hold this meeting where each
commission would be present in the city council chambers and be
given approximately one hour to discuss issues with the Council.
This would give every commission the opportunity to hear what
other commissions are thinking about and wanting to see as issues
that should be dealt with by the City Council and the advisory
commissions. At the end of the evening, there would be basically
a general brainstorm with all the commissions and City Council.
Council then set the meeting for Tuesday, February 19, 1991,
beginning at 6:30 PM, in the city council chambers, coffee and
cookies will be provided.
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January 15, 1991
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES - JANUARY 15, 1991
City Manager Ed Shukle introduced the topic of a possible charge
for commercial recycling. He pointed out that when the 1991
budget was approved, there was no program in place with the new
recycling company for commercial recycling. He had indicated at
that time that something would be worked out and be brought back
~o the city council. He indicated that Joyce Nelson, Recycling
Coordinator, received two quotations regarding commercial
recycling. The two quotes were from BFI at $578 per month and
Knutson Services at $703 per month. This represents 15 accounts
and included apartments and businesses. The consensus was to put
this on the next regular meeting agenda with the idea of
establishing a $1 per unit charge for the apartments and the
balance of the.cost to be spread amongst the businesses that are
involved in the program. This will appear on the January 22,
1991 regular meeting agenda.
LMCD Representative reporting format was briefly discussed. The
council talked about having Tom Reese, LMCD Representative, come
before the Council on a more regular basis, to report to the
Council in person. The monthly reports that he provides are
informative, but they would like to have personal contact with
him. This matter will be discussed further on the January 22,
1991 agenda. They also indicated that he could be invited to the
joint meeting of the commissions on February 19th.
City Manager Ed Shukle then asked for an update on the Adopt a
Green Space program. He indicated that he did not have a clear
understanding as to the process involved in adopting a green
space. He indicated that at his Rotary Club, the issue has been
discussed and questions have been asked and he has been unable to
answer them. Phyllis Jessen, along with Marilyn Byrnes and Tom
Casey, are coordinating this program. Phyllis requested that a
memo be written to her asking exactly what information was
needed. The rest of the Council also felt that it was important
that some background be given so that the council, too, has the
information.
City Manager Ed Shukle suggested that a contingency plan, due to
possible LGA cuts, be prepared by the staff for the Council to
review. He indicated that Governor Carlson is looking at
severely cutting Local Government Aid in 1991 and possibly
eliminating it in 1992. This is due to the budget shortfall that
the State is facing. Council agreed to have this contingency
plan drafted for review.
For the joint meeting with the commissions, Mayor Skip Johnson
indicated that he and the city manager would be meeting to
develop the agenda. Council asked that a note be sent out to the
commissions as soon as possible advising them of this meeting.
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January 15, 1991
COMMITTEE OF THE NHOLE MINUTES - ~ANUAR~ 15~ 1~91
Council concerns as requested by Mayor Johnson were discussed.
Councilmembers Liz Jensen and Phyllis Jessen provided a list of
issues that they would like to see dealt with beginning in 1991:
rental housing licensing, rental housing maintenance, truth and
housing, Lost Lake, Cable Commission to address us of channels of
49 and 50 (this will be dealt with at the staff level) signs -
Marley's Kitchen and King Coin Laundry, derelict automobiles,
sidewalk snow removal downtown and County Road 15, taping
applicant interviews for commission vacancies, sound and video
plans for council chambers (already out for bids), smoke free
facilities status update, dog droppings requiring owners to pick
up after their pets, briefing on 1991 and beyond for park and
commons improvement plan, mission statement, tie annual reports
to budget process including department goals and objectives short
and long term, salaries for mayor and councilmembers, Dakota Rail
parking lots, customer service.
There being no other business, it was moved by Jensen, seconded
by Ahrens and carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting. The
meeting was adjourned at 10:15 PM.
,,.~ectfully submitted,
City Manager
ES:ls