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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-18-1997 SpecialMINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 18, 1997 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 6:17 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on February 18, 1997. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Preus, Spigner, Black, Bildsoe, Wold, and Johnson. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Park and Recreation Director Blank GOALS AND PRIORITIES Manager Johnson discussed the accomplishments made on the 1996 goals and objectives. Assistant Manager Lueckert outlined the process of setting goals and priorities of the issues in the city. Issues were broken into categories of high, medium and low level of priority and staff effort. She recommended councilmembers for 10 to 15 top priorities to be accomplished over the next two years. The City Council had a brief discussion on several of the proposed objectives. It was moved and seconded that those objectives receiving 6 or more votes be categorized as the "A " list in terms of priority, those objectives receiving 5 votes be designated as the `B" list in terms of priority, and those receiving under 5 votes be designated as the "C" priority list. The motion carried. The priority lists are as follows: A' Priority List Conduct process (like city center) for Northwest Plymouth; conduct survey Financial Analysis (budgeting) — Look at reserve accounts, long-term planning City/Business Relationships Improve community involvement in local government, develop ideas or strategies to better interact with public & high schools, encourage participation; better utilize Channel 37 Special Council Meeting February 18, 1997 Page 2 Enhance Employee Training and Development; Employee Recognition Crime Prevention Activities; proactive service & crime watch; Elevate role of Public Safety Committee Activity Center Strengthen community policing efforts Develop greater transit opportunities/transit hub Continue to plan downtown Plymouth and strengthen sense of community as a gathering place for citizens Complete surface water management plan/Study Sessions B' Priority List Landscaping Ordinance Present to voters the supermajority tax rate option Bike Patrol/Industrial Security Skateboard park C' Priority List Implementation of Housing Plan goals Consider means of retaining and attracting quality employees; avoid burnout among council and staff Establish a natural vegetation demonstration area Install Opticon system (semaphore control); convert signals Update Comprehensive Plan Plan, finance, and build the field house Town Forums/Ward Meetings Get East Medicine Lake Trail started Reduce Fire Department response time New Plymouth Community Guide and Comprehensive Plan booklet Update flood plain regulations Explore methods of greater input from residents on in -fill development Add students to Human Rights Commission Subdivision Regulations Improve Ferndale North Enhance enforcement efforts for erosion control requirements Comprehensive look at Plymouth Creek Keep taxes down, lower if possible Continue computer enhancements for Police department Prepare fiscal analysis for Northwest Plymouth Explore preserving horse ownership/stables in NW Plymouth Traffic Enforcement Business Forums (2) Special Council Meeting February 18, 1997 Page 3 Address Oakwood School "hangout" problem Noise Ordinance Maintain/increase patrol and fire staffing to keep up w/growth Sign Ordinance Citizen's academy Explore Kids Plus Conflict Resolution Project Establish council subcommittee on drainage issues Monitor trends in salaries, etc. as percent of total budget Ensure proper replacement of existing fire equipment Continue to evaluate new fire equipment Use employees with expertise as instructors. Evaluate existing and new opportunities for assignments. Transit Issues Joint meetings with school boards and cities, counties Economic Development Initiatives Road Alignment of Peony Lane from the new high school to C. R. 47 Monitor new zoning ordinance for effectiveness, improvements Enhance programs for safety training/personal fitness Maintain good working environment, morale on staff Study revisions to development contracts to enhance environmental protection Begin roadway design projects for safety and beautification Address water quality and water run-off into Medicine Lake Continue participation in Northwest Hennepin Human Services Cadet program Increase individual responsibility for training Explore shelter for amphitheater Special assessment districts for developments Councilmembers discussed what should happen to lower priority items, and whether the higher priority items would be too much to accomplish. Assistant Manager Lueckert stated that some of the items are on the agenda for board action this year anyway. She said staff would develop a work plan to account for items shifting in priority as other goals are accomplished. It was decided by the council to examine the list at the end of 1997 and raise some items to higher priority if it was felt things weren't getting accomplished. Assistant Manager Lueckert said some items may logically fall together as the staff work plan is developed. Manager Johnson said he believed the City could accomplish one third of the items in one year, and two thirds of the items over two years. He said that was a workable plan. Special Council Meeting February 18, 1997 Page 4 VISIONING PROCESS Assistant Manager Lueckert presented different approaches to the process creating a vision for the city, and said councilmembers should consider whether to undertake the process and if so, what process to follow. Councilmembers discussed how much of the vision creation process had been accomplished in setting goals and objectives. Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to formulate a vision from findings in surveys; from ward meetings with residents; from a review of the Comprehensive Plan; from the Northwest Plymouth development Review; and from advice from the advisory boards and committees. Councilmember Preus stated he had participated in vision creation processes and believes often too much effort was put in, without a clear result. He said the city should seriously consider how much effort to put into the process. Councilmember Spigner made a friendly amendment to request a completion of the vision process by the end of 1998. Motion carried, six ayes; Councilmember Preus nay. PRO -PLYMOUTH PLEDGE Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Spigner to change the title to "The Plymouth Pledge". Discussion took place over changing the name of the pledge to "The Plymouth Pledge" or the "Plymouth Council Pledge". Councilmembers discussed the intent of the pledge and the impact of retaining or deleting the term "Pro-" in the title. Motion failed, five nays; Mayor Tierney and Councilmember Johnson, ayes. Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Mayor Tierney, to employ the title, "The Plymouth Council Pledge." Motion failed, three ayes, three nays, Councilmember Bildsoe did not vote. Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Preus to retain the title, "The Pro -Plymouth Pledge" as approved at the January 8, 1997 meeting. Motion carried, five ayes; Councilmember Johnson and Mayor Tierney, nay. Special Council Meeting February 18, 1997 Page 5 Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Preus, to retain the preamble of the Pro -Plymouth Pledge as approved at the January 8, 1997 meeting. Councilmembers discussed interpretation of the language of the Preamble, and its effectiveness. Motion carried, four ayes. Councilmembers debated articles of the approved version of the Pledge. Motion was made by Councilmember Preus, seconded by Councilmember Black, to amend Article 1 of the approved Pro -Plymouth Pledge to read: "To be civil in interactions with fellow councilmembers, staff, and citizens in public by fully, openly, and respectfully debating the issues and the facts behind them." Motion carried. Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Preus, to accept Articles 2 through 6 as approved. Motion failed, 3 ayes, 4 nays. Councilmembers discussed interpretations of the terms `debate' and `disagree' in reference to placement in Article Two of the Approved Pro -Plymouth Pledge. Motion was made by Councilmember Preus, seconded by Councilmember Spigner, to amend Article 2 to read, "To listen carefully and state accurately the positions of those with whom we disagree and refrain from describing the character or motives of fellow councilmembers, staff, or citizen in a negative or unfair manner." Motion carried five ayes, two nays. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Spigner, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Motion carried, seven ayes. Kurt Hoffinan Deputy City Cler 00