HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-28-1994 SpecialMINUTES
STUDY SESSION
MARCH 289 1994
A special study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Deputy
Mayor Helliwell at 5:45 p.m. in the Public Safety Conference Room, 3400 Plymouth
Blvd., on March 28, 1994.
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Helliwell, Councilmembers Anderson, Edson, Granath,
Lymangood, Morrison.
ABSENT: Mayor Tierney
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Finance
Director Hahn, Community Development Director Hurlbert, Public Safety Director
Gerdes, Public Works Director Moore, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Councilmember Helliwell stated that since the meetings when the Council considered the
Carlson Companies' "Sam's Club" requests, several residents have indicated to her that
they believe Councilmember Morrison should have abstained from voting on the issue for
reasons of conflict of interest.
Councilmember Morrison stated that her situation, where another attorney at her law firm
occasionally represents Carlson Company on other issues, does not fall within any of the
specific conflict of interest prohibitions. She believes that Councilmembers should abstain
from issues only when a valid conflict of interest exists, and that to abstain when no true
conflict exists makes a Councilmember ineffective. However, she will consider the views
of the other Councilmembers.
Councilmember Helliwell stated that a previous Planning Commissioner was an attorney
who represented development interests. He would frequently abstain on issues because he
represented companies bringing issues to the City.
Councilmember Lymangood stated that he believed Councilmember Morrison
appropriately addressed the possible conflict issues when they arose.
Councilmember Morrison stated her law firm withdrew representation of Miller and
Schroeder on a recent Carlson bond issue. She stated it is possible that her firm will not
represent Miller and Schroeder on work in the City of Plymouth.
Minutes - Study Session
March 28, 1994
Page 2
Councilmember Anderson agreed that the issue has been appropriately addressed by
Councilmember Morrison. He stated that, as an attorney, she would be subject to
sanctions for inappropriate representation.
Councilmember Granath commended Councilmember Morrison on her actions during the
Sam's Club" issue. He stated that if he was in a situation where his law firm represented
a party bringing an action before the Council, he would abstain. However, it is the
decision of each Councilmember to make the personal decision of whether to do so.
Councilmember Edson stated that he has no questions about a possible conflict of interest
in the "Sam's Club" issue because Councilmember Morrison clearly disclosed the situation
along with the facts. He believes there is a substantial difference between the Planning
Commissioner who personally represented developers coming before the Council and this
situation where a member of Councilmember Morrison's law firm represents the company
on other issues.
Councilmember Helliwell stated she believes it is Councilmember Morrison's personal
decision whether to participate in Carlson requests in the future.
SUBCOMMITTEES AND STUDY SESSION TOPICS
The Council discussed whether to establish subcommittees of the Council and prioritize
study session topics.
Councilmember Edson stated that the subcommittee concept could serve a good purpose,
but he is concerned about circumventing citizen input and public participation.
Councilmember Lymangood outlined the current problems, including 1) The Council has
inherited a fair number of issues from the previous Council, 2) The Council has had a
difficult time establishing a workable study session meeting time (i.e. difficulties starting
study sessions until after 5:30 p.m. or scheduling at another time), 3) Regular Council
meetings are too long (usually later than 11:00 p.m.), 4) The Council has had to react to
issues rather than set their own agenda, 5) The Council started the year with a large
number of appointments, 6) There are many new staff and council members in the last
1 1/2 years. He concluded that all of these issues affect the Council's ability to efficiently
operate and proceed with issues the Council determines are most important.
Councilmembers agreed that the problems as outlined by Councilmember Lymangood are
accurate, and they continued discussion on meeting times and format (number of regular
and special Council meetings each month), and prioritizing of study session issues.
Discussion was held on various alternatives for regular and special meeting formats.
Arguments against increasing the number of regular meetings each month included: 1)
Increased costs for videotaping the meetings, 2) Loss of personal/family time for Council
and staff, 3) Importance of full Council attendance at regular meetings and difficulty in
Minutes - Study Session
March 28, 1994
Page 3
scheduling vacations, etc., around regular Council meetings, 4) Additional study session
time - not regular meeting time - is needed. Discussion was also held on staff work load
issues and other staff concerns with subcommittees.
Manager Johnson suggested that when staff recognizes that a particular agenda item will
take a significant amount of time, a special Council meeting could be scheduled for a night
normally scheduled as a study session, in order to reduce the regular meeting agendas and
shorten those meetings.
In response to Council questions, Director Hurlburt stated planning/development issues
will remain very heavy during 1994.
Councilmember Anderson provided suggestions for improving written staff reports so that
study sessions are most productive. He stated the Council needs critical details identified
and documented in a written form by staff. The Council will be more productive if
comprehensive reports are received from staff.
MOTION was made by Councilmember Edson, seconded by Councilmember Anderson,
to establish the schedule of two regular meetings (first and third Mondays) and two special
study meetings (second and fourth Mondays) per month, with meetings to begin at 7:00
p.m. and adjourn no later than 9:30 p.m. if possible. In addition, one special meeting each
month may be substituted for a study session for a specific issue where it is anticipated
there is significant public interest.
Motion carried, six ayes.
Staff will review and analyze the format changes suggested by Councilmember Anderson
for staff reports, particularly for study sessions.
PRIORITIZE STUDY SESSION TOPICS
The Council discussed and established priorities for pending study session topics.
The following topics were considered high priorities for Council discussion:
Capital Improvement Program, City Attorney, School District 284 School/City
Park, Joint School District 284/City Council meeting, West Medicine Lake Park,
and City Center Expansion.
The Council discussed study session topics and dates available for meetings.
Following discussion, the following study sessions were established:
April 4 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Park portion of Capital Improvement
Program
Minutes - Study Session
March 28, 1994
Page 4
April 11 (Following Board of Review)
April 25 6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
May 9 7:00 p.m.
May 23
June 13
June 27
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
School District 284 Park and Joint
Powers Agreement
Joint Meeting with District 284
Board of Review - Reconvene
Capital Improvement Program
everything but park portion)
City Attorney
City Center Expansion Project
West Medicine Lake Park
City Center Project (if needed)
Economic Development Strategy
Port Authority
Downtown Plymouth
Northwest Clubs
Wetland Ordinance
The Council noted that the topics for June 13 and 27 could be switched if needed.
The issues of utility rates and bills (going to quarterly or every two month billing and
sewer charges, Community Improvement Fund procedures, and Therapeutic massage
ordinance will be placed on regular council agendas.
Staff was requested to recommend a schedule for Ward Meetings for the fall of 1994, a
business town meeting (preferably a noon luncheon or possibly in conjunction with the
Twin West "State of the City" meeting).
Councilmembers agreed to submit their proposed goals and objectives to the City
Manager by April 20. Deputy Mayor Helliwell suggested that consideration of a schedule
and compilation of the lists be delayed until Mayor Tierney suggests a process.
The study session was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
i y Clerk