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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10-08-1997 SpecialMinutes Special Council Meeting October 8, 1997 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on October 8, 1997. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Spigner, Preus, Johnson, Bildsoe, Black, and Wold. ABSENT: None. CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Finance Director Hahn, Park Director Blank, Public Safety Director Gerdes, City Attorney Knutson, and City Clerk Ahrens. Enforcement Issues Community Development Director Hurlburt presented the staff report on enforcement issues. Councilmember Spigner described a disagreement between property owners regarding a parking problem on Kilmer Lane. Staff will check the situation. Councilmember Johnson asked about the "City Court" program used in Minnetonka. Attorney Knutson described the program. He said the program is voluntary. If an issue cannot be resolved through "City Court", then legal action is required. He explained that court action works to penalize; however, it can rarely be used to get voluntary compliance. Councilmember Black said that neighbors of the Can -Do Recycling site thought that the City took a long time to address the situation. The neighbors would have liked more prompt action. She said that there should have been better communication by the City with the affected neighbors. Director Hurlburt agreed that the situation could have been more quickly handled. Staff attempted to work with the property owner to get the site into compliance, but the effort was unsuccessful and a subsequent legal process resulted. Councilmember Black asked how conditions on developments approved by the Council are monitored and enforced. Special Council Meeting October 8, 1997 Page 2 Director Hurlburt said that most of the conditions are verified by staff prior to building permit issuance. Once a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, the conditions become harder to monitor and enforce. If a violation occurs during a building process, a stop work order may be placed on the project. Councilmember Spigner said that residents have complained it is more difficult to get City approvals for a deck addition to a home than for a commercial or industrial building. Director Hurlburt responded that it is much more demanding to get approvals for commercial or industrial building construction. Councilmember Black asked about the seeding installed at the Plymouth Ponds development. Director Hurlburt said that seed and sod requirements would be included in Site Improvement Performance Agreements. Staff verifies completion and reduces the financial guarantee as work is completed. Landscaping must survive over one winter. Staff will check the status of the seeding work and financial guarantee at the Plymouth Ponds development. Councilmember Bildsoe cited a situation where staff responded very quickly to a complaint of dirt deposited in a front yard during construction. A stop work order was issued and the dirt was removed within days. Councilmember Black said that erosion control enforcement issues should be addressed through the Surface Water Management Plan. Mayor Tierney said there is a perception that Plymouth has more strict codes and enforcement than other cities. Community Development Director Hurlburt said that is a common perception, but state building codes are identical with other cities. Interpretation of codes can vary, and Plymouth has adopted new wetland, erosion control, and tree preservation ordinances in the past few years. These have resulted in increased costs to developers. Manager Johnson suggested that the recently adopted "bill of rights" for applicants and developers is a first step toward explaining enforcement process. Special Council Meeting October 8, 1997 Page 3 Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law City Clerk Ahrens gave a presentation on the requirements of the Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law. Budget Issues Mayor Tierney said that the Council training budget is too low. She suggested eliminating the money currently expended for Council health and dental benefits and increasing Council salaries by a like amount. Councilmember Preus said the Council has previously voted that after 1998, Councilmembers wishing to carry benefits would pay 100 percent of the cost. Councilmember Johnson said that health and dental benefits should be made available to Councilmembers who need it. She is concerned that if the Council salary and benefits become too tight, only affluent individuals could serve on the Council. She said that it should be possible for second income individuals and homemakers to serve on the Council. She believes the City should pay for the single coverage portion of benefits. Councilmember Wold described the history of Council benefits. He believes the Council has appropriately handled the issue. Councilmember Preus agreed that benefits should be available and should continue beyond 1998. Councilmember Bildsoe believed that benefits should be available for Councilmembers, but was unsure what portion of the cost the City should pay. Councilmember Black said that she has no personal interest in the issue, but is willing to consider it because it may impact the quality of people who are able to run for City Council office. Councilmember Preus asked why there are two separate funds for Council training and conferences. He would like to establish a policy describing the types of expenditures that will be paid by the City. Two examples cited were the expenses to attend Civic League meetings or Twin West luncheons. Assistant Manager Lueckert explained that the training fund is typically used for training courses in the metro area. Conference funds are used for training outside of the metro area. Special Council Meeting October 8, 1997 Page 4 Councilmember Preus requested that staff prepare a policy specifying the differences between training and conference funds, as well as which expenditures are covered for payment. He would like this information before establishing a budget amount. Mayor Tierney added that the policy should address airfare and meals. She would support moving funds to Council conferences and training from the contingency fund. Discussion was held on the proposed ergonomic seats for police squad vehicles. Staff was directed to provide a recommendation at the October 15 Council meeting, using 1997 contingency funds. Councilmember Wold clarified that the Council does not question the decision-making process used for prioritizing equipment. It is rather an issue that arose due to liability and health issues. Volunteer Program Councilmember Spigner explained that she had requested assignment of a volunteer through the City's Volunteer Program. The volunteer would make phone calls, provide clerical support, and conduct research for her. The individual would need access to City staff and records. She would like a volunteer who is not working for staff. There would be no political activity involved. Manager Johnson said that there are no specific policies governing the volunteer program. A volunteer is typically assigned to a staff person who is responsible for their training and actions. He suggested that an individual could volunteer directly for the Councilmember without assignment through the Volunteer Program to better protect the City. As an alternative, a volunteer could be assigned to the Administration Department to be available to all councilmembers. Councilmember Preus suggested that this issue be referred to Councilmember Spigner and the City Manager for discussion and recommendation back to the City Council. Ward Meetings The majority of the Council indicated that they would like ward meetings to be called at the discretion of the Ward Councilmember. The Ward Councilmember will take the lead to organize the establish a meeting date, if so desired. Staff will provide publicity, but needs lead time. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. F Laurie F. Ahrens City Clerk