1983-07-12SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL
July 12, 1983
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special meeting of the City Council of
the City of Mound, Hennepin County, Minnesota, was held at 5341 Maywood Road in
said City on July 12, 1883, at 7:30 P.M.
Those present were: Mayor Bob Polston, Councilmembers pinky Charon, Gary Paulsen,
and Russ Peterson.- Also present were: City Manager Jon. Elam, City Clerk Fran
Clark and the fo llowing interested citizens: Margaret Hanson, George Haugh,
Phyllis Jessen, Tim Lovaasen, Steve Smith, Leo Wallis, Joan-Potston, Bob Hanson
and Gordy Swenson.
The Mayor. opened the meeting and welcomed the people in attendance. He
explained that the purpose for this meeting is to interview the people
who have applied for the Council seat vacated by Gordy Swenson.
He explained that there were 8 applications from the following persons:
i. Brent Blonigan - Mr. Blonigan withdrew by phone July 12, 1983.
2. Larry Connolly - Mr. Connolly was not present for the interview.
3. Margaret Hanson, 5425 Bartlett Blvd.
4. George Haugh, 1571 Dove Lane
5. Phyllis Jessen, 518g Emerald Drive
6. Tim Lovaasen, 4657 Suffolk Road
7. Steve Smith, 2616 Tyrone Lane
8. Leo Waiiis, 1668 Canary Lane
The following information was provided for each of the applicants:
a. an excerpt from-the Handbook for Statutory Cities on the "Role of the
Individual Councilmember";
b. a chart on Plan B Government;
c. letter from the City Attorney on Plan B Government;
d. the meeting schedule for the Mound City Council;
e. the term that this appointment is for-(now until December 31, 1884);
f. renumeration - $100.00 per month;
g. responsibilities - preparing for the meetings and working with the
City Manager.
1. MARGARET HANSON, 5425 Bartlett Blvd., 16 year resident.
Civic Organizations & Involvements - 3 years on the Planning Commission,
Wetlands Ordinance Committee, Council watcher for several years.
Reasons for interest in being appointed to the City Council -
- Was involved before and has a real interest in the wetlands and Lost Lake.
-.Opposed to .anything that would endanger the wetlands..
- Is in favor of upgrading the business district but .not in favor of using
City money to do so. Felt the businessmen should do so.
- Interested in increasing business and employment in Mound.
- Would like to improve communications between the City and the citizens.
Q. What do you feel is the most important issue in Mound today?
A. Wetlands are number 1 because Lake Minnetonka depends on the wetlands for
good. health. The business district is #2.
Q. How do you feel about setting up a T.I.F. district?
A. In favor on a case by case basis.
July 12, 1983
Q. If you did not run in the last election, why didn't you?
A. I did file but withdrew because l didn't feel I could devote my
full attention to the position.
Q. How can we encourage more citizen involvement in City government?
A. .People only seem to get involved when there is an emotional issue
so 1 real}y don't know. The public opinion poll in the paper today
is a good way..
Q. If you are not appointed to the Council would you be willing to
serve on the Park or Planning Commission or another City board or
committee?
A. Yes, preferably the Planning Commission.
Q. Give a brief explanation of T.I.F. and your opinion of T.I.F.?
A. It is an incentive to develop without increased taxes. Would be
in favor on a case by case basis.
2. GEORGE HAUGH, 1571 Dove Lane - 10 year resident
Civic Organization s Involvements - None, is vice president of his local
union.
Reasons for interest in being appointed to the City Council:
- interested in City government and Mound.
Q. What do you feel is the most important issue in Mound today?
A. Communications between the people and the City.
Q. How do you feel about setting up a T.L.F. District?
A. Don't really understand what T.I.F. is.
Q. If you did not run in the last election, why didn't you?
A. Didn't feel had the time to devote.
Q. How can we encourage more citizen involvement in City government?
A. Public opinion polls in the newspaper and emotional issues. Otherwise
doesn't have an answer.
Q. If you are not appointed to the Council, would you be willing to serve
on the Park or Planning Commission or another City board or committee?
A. Probably yes, the Park Commission.
Q. Give a brief explanation of T.I.F. and your opinion of T.I.F.?
A. Doesn't understand T.I.F.
3. PHYLLIS JESSEN, 5188 Emerald Drive - 10 year resident
Civic Organizations & Involvements - Has been involved in several civic
organizations: Community Services Advisory Council, League of Women Voters
(President last year), Wetlands Ordinance Committee, Park ~ Recreation
Commission Chairperson which is currently working on a gift guide for
community giving.
Reasons for interest in being appointed to the City Council:
- encourage new business in Mound and promote exisiting business;
- upgrading of County Road 15;
- long term goals for the park system like walking paths and using
the natural environment;
- has civic pride in Mound and would like to serve.
July 12, 1983
Q. What do you feel is the most important issue in Mound today?
A. There are many but with Tonka leaving, encouraging people to use the
existing buildings there.
Q. How do you feel about setting up a T.I.F. district?
A. In favor of. We are paying for other communities T.I.F. districts in
property taxes. We have an area in-need of T.I.F. and should use
this tool.
Q. If you did not run in the last election, why didn't you?
A. Did think about it but was really involved in other things at the
time, i.e. League of Women Voters, etc.
Q. How can we encourage more citizen involvement in City government?
A. Don't know unless it's some volitai issue. Ad Hoc Committees seem
to work, ie. Cable T.V. Committee, etc.
Q. If you are not appointed to the Council, would you be willin to serve
on the Park or Planning Commission or another City board or committee?
A. Already am Chairperson of the Park Commission.
Q. Give a brief. description of T.I.F. and your opinion of T.I.F.?
A. Freezes taxes in an area-for a period of time and encourage new
business and existing business.
4. TIM LOVAASEN, 4657 Suffolk Road
Civic Organizations & Involvements - 2 years on City, Council previously,
4 years as Mayor of Mound, Park Commission - while on the Council worked
on the Commons Ordinance.
Reasons for interest in being appointed to the City Council:
- considered running in the last election but had some family problems
which interferred;
- when Councilmember Swenson's resignation became public, some people
came to him and encouraged him to apply;
- could lend experience to the Council;
- interested in the improvement of County Road 15
- interested in working with the businessmen in downtown toward things
that will promote Mound;
- is willing to listen to people arguements, but will make decisions.
Q. What do you feel is the most important issue in Mound today?
A. Now that we have such good streets, parks and a good water system,
keeping them in good condition by developing programs for maintenance.
Helping to find a replacement for Tonka.
Housing in general because there are not alot of rental units. Multiple
dwellings bring people to the area.
Q. How do you feel about setting up a T.I.F. district?
A. In favor to stimulate business in Mound.
Mound could us T.I.F. for housing also.
Q. If you did not run in the last election, why didn't you?
A. Was needed more at home because of child in chemical dependency program.
July 12, 1983
Q. How can we encourage more citizen involvement in City government?
A. Set up citizen committees. When on the Council before went door
to door and talked with people. Encourage people to come to meetings.
The City used to have a newsletter which helped keep people involved.
Q. If you are not appo-inted to the Council, would you be willing to
serve on the Park or Planning Commission or another City board or
committee?
A. Yes, would like to be a liaison between the citizens and government
officials. Would consider the Park Commission.
Q. Give a brief, explanation of T.I.F. and your opinion of T.I.F.?
A. It is similar to a loan on property. A good incentive to encourage
business. In favor of.
5. STEVE SMITH, 2616 Tyrone Lane, resident 3 years
Civic Organizations ~ Involvements - member of the American Bar Association,
Mother worked for Tonka for 27~ years.
Reasons for interest in being appointed to the City Council:
- wants to be of service to the community;
- has no axe to grind;
- does not have his business in Mound so would have no conflicts.
Q. What do you feel is the most important issue in Mound today?
A. Attracting people and business to Mound and using what we have.
Q. How do you feel about setting up a T.I.F. district?
A. In favor of, but on case by case basis depending upon the facts.
Q. If you did not run in the last election, why didn't you?
A. I did and got 1800 votes.
Q. How can we encourage more citizen involvement in City government?
A. Don't have any magic answer. It seems when there is an emotional
issue, you have citizen involvement.
Q. If you are not appointed to the Council, would you be willing to
serve on the Park or Planning Commission or another City board or
committee?
A. Yes.
Q. Give a brief explanation of T.I.F. and your opinion of T.I.F.?
A. It is a shifting of the tax burden which should be done judiciously
on a case by case basis.
6. LEO WALLIS, 1668 Canary Lane, 10 year resident
Civic Organizations & Involvements - Has coached Little League and played
on a community volleyball team, owns a business in Minneapolis which
employs about 100 people.
Reasons for interest in being appointed to the City Council:
- wish to do a service for the community;
- is interested in the wetlands;
- is interested in improving County Road 15;
- is interested in downtown Mound..
July 12, 1983
Q. What do you feel is the most important issue in Mound today?
A. The business district in Mound because it is an investment in Mound.
Q. How do you feel about setting up a T.I.F. district?
A. In favor of becuuse he has seen it work in other areas. It brought
80 jobs to Chanhassen and has done great things for Minneapolis.
Q. If you did not run in the last election, why didn't you?
A. Was too busy with my business at the time. Now has the time to
devote.
Q. How can we encourage more citizen involvement in City government?
A. Get out and talk to the people.
Q. If you are not appointed to the Council, would you be wilting to serve
on the Park or Planning Commission or another City board or committee?
A. Yes.
Q. Give a brief explanation of T.I.F. and your opinion of T.I.F.?
A (n favor of. It should help present business as well as encourage
new business.
The Mayor then acknowledged that Councilmember Swenson was present and
that it was good to see him back tonight.
The Mayor then thanked all the applicants for their time and interest.
A decision will be made prior to the regular Counci] Meeting on 7-19-83.
The Council then took a break and visited with the applicants.
After the break the Council discussed the candidates and their qualifications.
Paulsen moved and Charon seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:45 P.M. The
vote was unanimously in favor. Motion carried.
L~L~1'1~1
J n Elam, City Manager
~Xl ~~ ,~
Fran Clark, City Clerk