09-13-11 CM Minutes Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2011 �
Present: Mayor Loomis and Council Members, Freiberg, Pentel, Scanlon and Shaffer, City
Manager Tom Burt, Finance Director Sue Virnig, Assistant HRA Director Jeanne Andre,
Chief of Fire and Inspection Services Mark Kuhnly, Director of Public Works Jeannine
Clancy, Director of Parks and Recreation Rick Jacobson, Golf Operations Manager Ben
Disch, Senior Citizen Coordinator Jeanne Fackler, City Planner Joe Hogeboom and
Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman.
The meeting began at 6:30 pm in the Council Conference Room.
Open to Business Presentation
Mayor Loomis introduced Rob Smolund, Lee Hall and Jim Roth from the Metropolitan
Consortium of Community Developers Open to Business program. Mr. Roth gave a brief
history of the Open to Business program and discussed how they help small businesses.
Mr. Smolund explained that they offer a complete suite of business services including
helping businesses access capital, analyze leases, develop business plans, and cash flow
projections, among other things.
The Council asked questions about their capacity to take on new clients, the funding of the
program, how this program is different from other similar programs, and the length of tirne
the City's commitment in the program would be.
The Council discussed whether or not this type of program fits with the Council's mission
and goals and expressed concern about using tax dollars to pay for this program. The
Council consensus was to take some time to think about the program and discuss it again
at a future Council/Manager meeting.
Fire Department Relief Association By-Law Amendment—Allow Board to Set
Interest Rates up to 5%
Finance Director Sue Virnig introduced Fire Relief Association President Steve Yingst and
Treasurer Paul Steinman. Mr. Steinman explained that the recently approved Association
by-laws should have included a section referring to Service Pension and the interest on
the Deferred Retirement Benefit. He added that each year the Board decides whether the
Association will pay a 0% or 5% interest rate.
The Council asked how the Association determines the rate. Mr. Steinman explained that
it is relatively subjective depending on how funds perForm. He added that he is working on
providing more definition on how the rate is set.
Virnig stated that Council will consider the proposed changes to the by-laws at their
September 20 Council meeting.
Human Services Foundation By-Law Amendments — Name and Time Change
Connie Sandler, Chair of the Human Services Foundation explained that they are
proposing to change their name to the Golden Valley Human Services Fund in light of the
name of the new Golden Valley Community Foundation.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2011 — Page 2
The Council discussed whether or not the by-laws are required to state the start time of
their monthly meetings. The consensus was to leave the start time out of the by-laws and
just state that the monthly meetings will held on the second Monday of the month or as
needed.
Tom Burt stated that the amendments to the by-laws will be considered at the September
20 Council meeting.
Urban Land Institute— Navigating the New Normal Workshop
Joe Hogeboom explained that the Urban Land Institute is offering a free workshop
focusing on new challenges relating to the redevelopment of urban areas. He explained
the goals of the workshop are to understand the "new normal" on future growth patterns,
demographic trends and market preferences. Also, to study Golden Valley's households,
housing types and strategies to support a range of housing choices.
The Council consensus was that they would like to attend a workshop. Tom Burt stated
that the Council can discuss this item again closer to February in order to define the focus
of the focus of the workshop.
Bassett Creek Regional Trail Master Plan — Request for Resolution of Support
Mayor Loomis stated that she and staff met with board members and staff from the Three
Rivers Park District to discuss the Basset Creek Regional Trail Master Plan. She stated
that there is agreement in concept, but there are some details that need to be worked out
in regard to trail alignment, winter maintenance, public engagement and plan
implementation. She stated that the City's resolution of support will enable Three Rivers to
go forward and seek funding.
The Council discussed the proposed resolution of support and the consensus was to
change the second paragraph to state that the Three Rivers Park District "is gathering"
public input instead of stating that they "have gathered" public input.
Hogeboom noted that the resolution of support will be considered at the October 4 Council
meeting.
Garage Sale Signs
Council Member Pentel stated that she has received calls regarding garage sale signs
that have been removed by city staff. She said she sees garage sales as a community
building activity and questioned if the ordinances regarding garage sale signs should be
revised.
The Council discussed the problem of signs being placed in the right-of-way and on other
people's property and not being �emoved. Tom Burt suggested that the regulations
regarding garage sale signs be pulled out of the sign code and put into a separate
category. He said he would have staff work on new language and bring the item back to a
future Council meeting.
Council/Manager Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2011 — Page 3
2012-2013 Proposed Budget—Other Funds
The Council reviewed the proposed budgets for the Human Services Foundation,
Conservation/Recycling and Brookview Golf Course. Staff addressed Council questions.
The Council discussed the possibility of removing the cost of recycling bins from the
budget since the City will be switching to carts. Tom Burt suggested the numbers be left
as is for the first year of the new recycling program.
Jeanne Fackler discussed the money earned for the Human Services Foundation in this
year's golf tournament and run and noted that the Foundation will allocate approximately
$45,000 this year.
The Council discussed reinvestment in the golf course. Ben Disch discussed various golf
course coupons and promotions and noted that they have been working on redoing the
sand traps in-house.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Lisa Wittman
Administrative Assistant