09-12-17 Council/Manager Minutes City
oOFFICIAL MINUTES
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valley COUNCIL/MANAGER MEETING
GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA
September 12, 2017
The meeting began at 6:40 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Present: Mayor Harris and Council Members: Clausen, Fonnest, Schmidgall and Snope.
Also present were: City Manager Cruikshank, City Attorney Cisneros, Police Chief Sturgis,
Physical Development Director Nevinski and Finance Director Virnig.
1. Immigration Discussion
City Manager Cruikshank said this discussion was a continuation from the August 8
Council/Manager meeting because Council directed staff to provide additional information
and to bring it back to a future Council/Manager meeting. Mr. Cruikshank said staff has
provided in part, a memo from the City Attorney with a legal analysis of the ACLU people
power policy model, recommendations from the Human Rights Commission (HRC), a
summary of actions from some suburban communities, and the Golden Valley Impartial
Policing policy. He said staff recommends instead of implementing the ACLU model policy to
direct the HRC to create a resolution similar to what other cities have done around this topic
and to amend the Golden Valley Police Department Impartial Policing Policy. City Attorney
Cisneros and Police Chief Sturgis answered questions from Council.
The Council discussed fair treatment for everyone, the City's proclamation or resolution
policy, the legal analysis memo, and the proposed changes to the GV Impartial Policing
policy. The Council consensus was to amend the language of the Impartial Policing policy by
adding "immigration status" to the policy and the addition of a new section entitled
"Community Policing," have the HRC create broader language on diversity and inclusive, and
have staff monitor the immigration issue and to bring the item back to Council if issues
change.
2. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update - Economic Competitiveness
Physical Development Director Nevinski introduced the item and provided feedback received
from the Comp Plan Conversation open house and discussed the reactions to the Economic
Competitiveness Chapter which included the proposed goals and objectives and answered
questions from Council. City Manager Cruikshank answered questions from Council.
The Council discussed the proposed the Economic Competitiveness goals and objectives
which included: understanding the local business environment, developing economic
partnerships, and how to retain and expand the existing job base in the City. They thanked
staff for the presentation.
3. Design Standards
Physical Development Director Nevinski presented the staff report which included the three
types of design standards that communities commonly employ to manage site design and
building appearances. He said the standards usually include site design standards,
architectural standards, and material standards. Mr. Nevinski said staff is recommending the
City expand the current use of design standards by updating the list of prohibited durable
Official Council/Manager Minutes -2- September 12, 2017
3. Design Standards - continued
materials for the exterior facing, continue to use the standards of the 1-394 Mixed Use
district, develop classification of building materials, and requiring minimum percentages of
the classes on selected elevations for all non R-1 and R-2 zoned properties. Mr. Nevinski
said staff recommends the item go back to the Planning Commission to discuss what the
goals are for certain areas in the City.
The Council discussed the proposed design standards, what the next step should be and
directed staff to have the Planning Commission discuss the goals of certain areas of the City
and to bring it back to Council at a later date.
4. Discussion of 2018-2019 Goals and 2018-2019 Budget and Levy
City Manager Cruikshank said at the August 8 City Manager performance evaluation, the
Council was presented with a document entitled "possible goals for 2018-2019" and that
Council requested this item be added to the September Council Manager meeting for
discussion. Mr. Cruikshank reviewed several goals that Council had already implemented
which included GARE goals and policies, a Green Step II City designation, and discussing
possible housing policies. He reviewed the other possible goals for the years of 2018 and 2019
which included long term debt reduction, a long term infrastructure plan, implementing housing
policies, and identifying developable properties in the City. He added that to accomplish all of
the possible goals listed for 2018 and 2019 more staff may be needed. Mr. Cruikshank also
discussed the levy limits and answered questions from Council.
Finance Director Virnig reviewed the proposed levy if a new project employee were to be
added to staff and answered questions from Council.
Mr. Cruikshank said staff recommends not adding a new project staff member, keeping the
levy the same at 4.13%, and shifting the equipment fund to the levy and not the debt levy.
The Council discussed how to reduce the debt, the possible new employee position, the
proposed levy, the current levy increase amount, prioritizing what Board/Commission members
should be doing, and the equipment fund. Council directed staff to not add a new position and
to shift the equipment fund to the levy, not the debt levy.
5. Future of Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
Physical Development Director Nevinski presented the staff report and said the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Plan that the Task Force brought forth will be incorporated into the 2040
Comprehensive Plan. He reviewed the recommendations that the Task Force submitted
including the Bicycle and Pedestrian Network Existing and Proposed Bikeways and Sidewalks
map. Mr. Nevinski said that staff feels the documents and plan submitted by the Task Force
should be sufficient to implement the plan into the Comp Plan without further oversight by a
Committee. He said staff could provide a report to Council annually as to where they are in the
implementation plan. City Manager Cruikshank answered questions from Council regarding the
continuation of the Task Force.
Official Council/Manager Minutes -3- September 12, 2017
5. Future of Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force - continued
The Council discussed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force plan summary, the network of
existing and proposed bikeways and sidewalks map, and the future of the Task Force. The
Council concluded that the Task Force should meet annually, but could meet more often if
the City Manager and Chair first determine an additional meeting or meetings to be
appropriate.
6. Future Council/Manager Meetings
The Council discussed the upcoming draft agendas including the Housing policies and how
an item can be added to future agendas by a Council Member.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
,J
Kristine A. Luedke, City Clerk